If Destiny Wills (19b/?)

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As promised part "b" and that will do it for now be back soon.
Now on with the show.
Enjoy
Alex
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For all disclaimers, warnings and other goodies see part 19a. Still not
mine, mores the pity. Everything belongs to Joss and Co. No infringement
meant no money made. yada yada yada. K? K.
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Title: If Destiny Wills (19b/?)
Author: Alex P. 
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"You have no idea how relieved I was when I saw Willow come over that
rise." Giles began again when he'd regained control. "Once she arrived
we got into position as planned. It still might not have worked if not
for Willow's confidence in her abilities. If she had not almost
instantly taken control of the situation, I shutter to think what might
have happened. 
Fortunately for all of us she had matured into what she was destined to
be and can see her own worth. 
I am very proud to see that at last. It showed in how she handled the
situation tonight. She stepped in and took control, doing just exactly
what was needed so that not only were you freed of the Countess' control
but, by instinctively combining your powers hers, the two of you
destroyed her ability to control your mind entirely. 
When those two demons burst into green flames, I knew Willow had
succeeded and I signalled for everyone to attack, which I might add
worked out well. 
Only one of the clerics was injured and the Abbot assured me he would
make a complete recovery." 

Buffy looked over shoulder at her beloved witch and fairly beamed with
pride at Giles' praise of the red haired Wyccan. Willow blushed at both
Giles' praise and her lover's pride filled eyes that looked deep into
hers. 

"After all that our plan very nearly failed." their mentor reminded,
regaining their attention. "All because none of us thought anything
about her human servants. 
In our arrogance we all believed that any human in her service would be
an involuntary slave. 
None of us considered the possibility that anyone would serve as evil an
entity as the Countess, much less kill for her. 
That ignorance on our part nearly cost us our Willow. Fortunately for
all of us Xander, as he puts it, watched your back. If he hadn't stopped
that beast, I'm positive Willow would not have survived." 

Giles stopped here to let all the information sink in and let the girls
ask any questions. He got up and poured himself a generous portion of
his best single malt as a reward for the nights achievements. Returning
to his chair he settled in knowing one of his charges had questions. 

It didn't surprise him it was Willow. Giles also knew he had to answer
their questions with the complete truth or he knew neither girl would
believe any of what he had said up to now and they would never trust him
again. 

"Okay Giles." Willow began calmly, in contrast to her partner's obvious
hostility. "I can probably convince my Buffy that everything you did,
while somewhat ill conceived, was necessary at least in your mind and
that you did what you did to help us. 
However there are a few things that need clearing up. 
For one thing, who was that demon that we heard you call Count and those
strange looking soldiers and why did you just let them leave without
finding out why they were here." 

"That was Count Kresis." Giles recounted hoping they would understand
his reasons. "His name has popped up in many of the ancient texts since,
well, no one knows since when. 
He is a very powerful entity that had some unknown trouble in his home
realm and was exiled here. 
The soldiers were a group of mercenaries under a half demon named
Caladin. 
They have been tied in with Kresis several times. And the main reason I
"let" them leave was one of the things that has always been mentioned in
connection with them, is that they are totally ruthless and completely
merciless and their ability to spread unmentionable carnage is
legendary. 
I doubt seriously if even you two would have survived a confrontation
with them intact. 
They are loyal to one thing only and that is the Count. Since he was
apparently there for Hela and not us, I saw him as a kind of ally in
this particular case. 
Caladin made it quite clear that, as long as we didn't interfere with
their hunt for the Countess, there would be no fight, and quite frankly
I believe him. 
He has a kind of soldiers honor. If he wanted to kill us he would have
done it already. But if for some reason the Count wanted us gone he
would come after us with no hesitation what so ever." 

Buffy stared at him slack jawed at not only what he'd just said but also
at the total honesty of his statement. Willow sat holding the Slayer,
nodding her head understanding his reasons and agreeing with them. 

"Now I have some personal comments to make." Giles spoke suddenly,
catching the girls off guard by getting out of his chair and coming over
to sit on the coffee table in front of them. 

Reaching out he took the girl's hands in his and looked directly into
their eyes focusing on them, willing them to listen to what he was going
to say. 

"I want you both to know that I care for you deeply. I feel as if you
are my own daughters." the normally unemotional man began, his voice
trembling, knowing that if he didn't get this said now it would never be
said. "I know the past few months have not been easy for you, with all
the changes that have occurred. And I know that you haven't been totally
up front with me. 
I just want you to know that with all that has gone on and especially as
hard as the last several weeks have been, I have never been so proud of
you as I am right now. 
You have faced things that would have destroyed a lesser person. And I
must say that if you hadn't had each other to turn to even you wouldn't
have gotten through it. 
I have seen a growth and maturity blossom in the two of you that belies
your age. 
Willow, you have gone from a shy retiring shrinking violet to become a
strong confident capable young woman that can take what ever life dishes
out and handle it and to be a pillar of support for the woman you love. 
You not only see her strengths but you can see her weaknesses and
vulnerability and accept her as the person she is. 
You will do well in this life as long as you trust yourself and not let
doubt and fear rule your actions. 
"Buffy, what can I say? When I first met you I saw you as a selfish,
self-involved, shallow, overindulged little girl and was sure that you
would be dead and I would be back in England within a month. 
Thank god I was wrong. I have seen you grow to be a warm caring
nurturing individual that is involved and concerned for her fellow human
beings. And although I have never really understood you, I love you as
if you my own blood. 
The biggest surprise was when you and Willow declared yourselves as
partners. That took a strength of character I'm not sure even I can
claim. I have also seen your capacity for love grow to immeasurable
depths since you have finally your true soulmate. 
"You have both affected me in ways I can't begin to fathom and I want to
thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. 
Yes I know all about the watcher/slayer thing, but we have gone far
beyond that relationship. 
I want you both to take care and cherish each other and treat each
moment you have together as if it may be your last. Remember you are
both inordinately strong women alone but together you are unstoppable." 

Giles looked at the two young women that he'd been through so much with
and knew that this would probably be the last time they would talk like
this. He felt a constricting pain of loss but knew he had to continue. 

"Buffy, there is one thing that has slowed your progress more than
anything else." Giles said sternly sure that she was listening. "We very
nearly lost you this time and the one that must bear the brunt of the
blame must be laid at your feet Buffy. 
It is not entirely your fault. All the signs that you were in trouble
were there, but like everyone else I didn't see them. 
What we forget is that while you have superior strength and physical
stamina, you are still very much a young and vulnerable girl who has
been forced by destiny to experience far more than anyone should ever
have to endure. 
In your case it is worse because of the very thing that makes you so
special to us, your sensitive and caring nature. 
For some reason, known only to your subconscious, you feel responsible
for everyone that you know that has fallen in the fight we face daily.
That is why you have such vivid and horrifying nightmares that plague
your sleep. 
You face these inner-demons alone only because you refuse to let us
help. 
That is how the demoness gained control of you. By repressing your
feelings and letting the guilt you feel fester inside, you have made
yourself an easy target, and to be honest, the only reason you didn't
tell us you were in trouble was stupid pigheaded pride. 
You were so afraid that Xander or Cordelia or I or even Willow would
think less of you if you showed weakness, that you very nearly cost not
only your life but the life of the person you say you love. This is the
only selfish and childish habit you have my dear and when it was only
you, then indulging your little ego was alright as long as you didn't
let it interfere with your duties. 
But now it's not just you any more, you are about to tell the world that
you are going to love and protect her, but you will fail miserably if
you don't learn to admit that the high and mighty Slayer might need some
help coping with all the death and evil she faces every day, in her
effort to save mankind's sorry butt from the things out there that would
destroy it. 
The reason you have lived longer than any other Slayer is not because
you are better than they were. 
Not at all. 
Many of them were far better than you, but you have outlived them all. 
Do you know why?" 

When neither girl answered and just looked at him startled by his change
of subject and hostile tone Giles continued. 

"The reason you have made it this far is your capacity to have friends
and to count on them to help you whenever they can. In case you don't
grasp this concept let me explain. Friends like Xander, Cordelia and
even myself do not care about you because you are strong and the all
powerful Slayer. I doubt seriously if either one of them gives a damn
about the Slayer. But we care a lot about Buffy Summers and friends
trust each other enough to seek the others help when they are in
trouble. 
My god Buffy! You didn't even trust Willow and she loves you more than
life itself. Are you so selfish that you would risk even her life so no
one will realize that you are a human being with human frailties and not
some super human hero?" 

"Before you even ask, yes I am mad at you, but I am hurt more by your
lack of confidence in me and the others and the lack of respect you have
shown for this wonderfully special person you claim to love, but I could
willingly over look this entire matter if I could be sure you have
learned to never let something like this happen again. 
Can you do that?" 

"Giles, I think that will be quite enough." Willow said firmly,
unwilling to let him lash out at her lover any more. "I am sure Buffy
will never hold back her feelings again. "She is fully aware of what
happened and why it happened and the nearly tragic outcome of her error
in judgement. 
I think we all are guilty of some grievous misjudgements throughout this
entire incident and I also believe we are all far too tired to have any
more discussion about that tonight. 
So, if you will excuse us, my fiancee and I will go home and try to get
some sleep as we have a very busy schedule for the next two days. 
Good night my friend. We will see you tomorrow for the wedding." 

With that Willow rose gracefully from the couch, leaned over and kissed
Giles gently on the cheek. She helped her quietly weeping lover to her
feet then, holding her protectively, led the sobbing blonde from Giles'
house to their own next door. 

Knowing the true depths of her lover's pain from the revelations her
watcher had just revealed, Willow took Buffy straight to bed and held
her as she cried out her sorrow and pain, until the Slayer fell into an
exhausted and dreamless sleep. 

Buffy was soon joined in the land of Morpheus by her beloved witch. Both
were too tired to be excited about their upcoming nuptials and only
cared for their own sleep deprived bodies and minds, all promises of
passion forgotten. Put off for now.

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End 19b
TBC 
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So there ya go, I'm outa here for now. Be back soon with more of my
demented semi-coherent ramblings.
BTW excellent work Ralf!!!!!!!
Later
Alex