To Thine Own Self Be True 8/?

["wizathogwarts" <mcronin24@xxxxxxxxx>]

Title - To Thine Own Self Be True 8/?
By mike (mcronin24@xxxxxxxxx) 
SPOILERS: Season 1, Welcome to the Hellmouth and The Harvest.
RATING: R. It is a Buffy/Willow fic that includes smoochies, 
caressing and mystical intimacy. 
DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters belong to 
Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox. 
FEEDBACK: Constructive comments are encouraged. 
SUMMARY: (Buffy/Willow) Buffy begins her second day of school with 
ominous portents for the coming evening.
Authors Notes: 

To Thine Own Self Be True
Chapter 8
The Test


I woke from dreams of a heavenly angel to find myself draped with a 
heavenly body. Soft red hair spilled over the gorgeous face that 
was so comfortably resting on my shoulder. One beautiful arm was 
wrapped tenderly across my waist. As my vision focused from the 
wonderful site that I had my arms possessively wrapped around, they 
focused on the shape of my mother standing in the door with an "ahh, 
aren't they cute" look on her face. She saw my eyes open and said,
"Buffy, time to get up and get ready for school. I'll let you roust 
Willow up. I'm making pancakes and sausage for breakfast." She 
said before leaving the room.

I placed my lips gently on Willow's forehead and gently kissed her 
while extending gentle fingers of energy across her face around to 
her exposed ear and gently stroked around her ear and down her neck.

"MMMMMM, nice Buffy." Willow mumbled sleepily.

"Hi sleepy head, time to get up." I said softly as I withdrew from 
my rousing kiss to her forehead.

"Did I hear your mom?" She asked as she started to come more awake.

I hugged her a little tighter, responding "Yep, you sure did. She 
saw us all snugly and didn't freak. In fact, I think she had one of 
those aren't they cute looks on her face."

"I hope so, I really like your mom and can't stand the idea of her 
maybe not accepting us together." She said while lifting her head 
and looking into my eyes with hope in hers.

"I'm pretty sure we're OK on that point. I think her only 
reservation is how together we get." I told her as I gently brushed 
her hair back from her face and gazed into her beautiful green eyes.

"But, it's time to get up and ready for another day of school and 
fighting evil. Plus mom's making pancakes and sausage for 
breakfast." I told her with an affectionate hug.

"The pancakes sound great, but I'm going to have to pass on the 
sausages." She apologized.

"Oh, the sausages are pork. Sorry about that. I'll ask mom to get 
some of that turkey sausage, would that be OK?" I asked her as we 
slowly disentangled ourselves and got out of bed.

"Yea, that would be fine. I'm not strict kosher, but I avoid the 
obvious stuff like pork." She explained. Then she looked back at me 
and asked, "Think you're mom would mind us conserving water?" With a 
mischievous wag to her eyebrows and a come hither smile.

My eyes got big and I began to hyperventilate imagining naked Willow 
in the shower as I struggled to find my voice. "I have a sneaky 
suspicion that would violate the no hands rule." 

"Well, my house is empty for the next two weeks, I'm sure we can 
find some reason to spend some time over there and make sure the 
water still works." She said alluringly, then quickly turned and 
ran for the bathroom, "Me first." She yelled accompanied with a 
joyful laugh.

I just stood there looking at the closed bathroom door completely 
amazed. I felt like I have know this amazing person all of my life 
and yet it was a mere twenty-four hours ago I was wondering how long 
it would take me to make any friends let alone find my soul mate and 
engage in a mystical experience that would leave the greatest 
romantics green with envy.

I decided that even though mom would have a cow if we showered 
together, she couldn't find fault with us for sharing the bathroom.

After much giggling and suggestive commentary, we managed to 
coordinate our efforts and arrived clean and dressed downstairs in 
the kitchen in a record half hour. I then realized looking at the 
clock that mom had gotten us up a half hour early, <oh boy, mom got 
us up early, must mean she wants to finish the talk. I should have 
been more suspicious about the pancake breakfast but I thought it 
was because you were here.>

<I think I just lost my appetite>

"Morning mom, smells good." I said cheerily. 

"Good morning Mrs. Summers." Willow said politely laced with 
apprehension.

Mom gave Willow a big smile "Willow, I'm not going to bite and 
please call me Joyce. The Mrs. Summers is not comfortable for me. 
OK?" 

"OK, Mrs... Uh Joyce" Willow replied hesitantly.

"Thanks Willow, pancakes, sausage, butter and syrup are all laid 
out. Pull up a seat and we can have a nice talk while we eat." Mom 
tried to be disarming.
"Uh mom, Willow's Jewish so no sausage but she said the turkey kind 
would be OK if you can get some the next time you go shopping?" I 
asked her hopefully, my intentions pretty obvious that I wanted to 
make sure Willow got whatever she wanted. Especially me.

"Sorry Willow, I hope the pancakes will be enough" Mom told her 
while giving Willow's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"No problem uh Joyce, I'm not all that hungry anyway." Willow 
smiled back at her gratefully.

We filled our plates and I for some sympathetic reason also avoided 
the sausage. But I did douse my pancakes with lots of syrup and 
butter to make up for the loss of fatty goodness.

"Now Buffy, it appears that somewhere you've turned into super girl. 
Though that would imply you could fly, can you?" She asked, not 
quite sure what to expect.

"That's what I asked her" Willow exclaimed.

"No mom, I can't fly but I can jump pretty high. About 20 feet or so 
straight up." I said bemused.

"Are you bullet proof or somehow impervious to being hurt?" Worried 
mom was on the loose. I needed to be real careful from here on out.

"No mom, I'm afraid not. But I heal really fast, like deep cuts, 
bruises are usually gone within 24 to 48 hours. So anything that I 
can survive long enough to get some place to rest and heal up is not 
life threatening." I explained.

"And you know how quick you heal how?" She says slowly. BUSTED!

"Uhhh, well, I got cut a couple of times in LA, nothing serious mind 
you, but they needed some stitches which Merrik did. But both 
times, the wounds were completely healed in less than forty-eight 
hours." She was dealing so well that I had to trust she could 
handle it all.

"So you can be killed. In fact, that's how you became the slayer 
because the previous slayer was killed and why do I suspect that it 
wasn't from old age?" She spoke rhetorically.

"That's accurate mom." <oh willow, she is going to lock me in the 
house 'till I die of old age>

Mom saw the dejected look on my face and reached out and grasped my 
hand with hers.

"Buffy, I am not unsympathetic to your need to be this slayer. And 
I did notice how competently you took care of those vampire's last 
night. What I need to know is what assurances can you give me that 
would warrant you risking your life with minimal danger and what 
would happen if I kept you from following this destiny." She asked 
me.

I looked at her and I let the indecision and fear show on my face. 
I wanted her to know the danger.

<you've got to tell her Buffy, you've gone to far to back out now.>

<I know Will, I just want her to know how serious this is. But she 
has to think everything is ok with the council as long as I keep 
slaying. That's why she can't see the letter. If she knew they 
planned on killing me before I gain too much experience, there's no 
telling what she would do.>

"What would happen if I refused to be the slayer? I'd be dead 
within a month." I explained looking her straight in the 
eye. "Either I risk my life fighting vampires and demons or the 
Council pulls out all the stops to kill me so that a more obedient 
slayer can be called."

Mom jumped up, grabbed the edge of the table and began ranting with 
fire in her eyes.

"They can't do that. There are laws. You're just a child. You're 
not a slave, some piece of property that they can command at will." 
Mom didn't get it yet, more drastic measures were called for.

"Mom, they don't care about our laws. They don't care that I'm under 
eighteen. All they care about is control and they've been doing it 
for centuries. Their power reaches into the deepest facets of the 
major political powers in the world. And yes mom, they do consider 
me as property. That's why I have to be the slayer, but not the only 
reason. That's why Merrick died for me so that I can be the one 
that breaks the Council. Its the only chance I have at surviving. 
And these are only the obvious reasons."

"I don't understand Buffy, how can you hope to break this Council if 
they are as powerful as you say?" I had her interest. Time to play 
the trust card and hope she didn't insist in coming in the whole way.

"Merrick, my first Watcher was unique. He had been secretly working 
for the fall of the Council for a long time. He saw that I had the 
potential to accomplish this and he left me detailed instructions on 
how to do so. If I reveal these instructions to you, not only do I 
place your life in danger but I increase the danger to my own as 
well. I need you to trust me on this and work with me." I let her 
know with my calm yet strong voice and what I hoped was a serene 
composure that I knew what I was talking about, praying that she 
would go along for now.

"I need to think about this Buffy, help me clean up and then I'll 
drop the two of you off at school." She said after examining my face 
for a good minute.

"Just one more thing to chew on mom, . The most important reason I 
need to be the slayer is because a lot of innocent people will die 
if I don't, and I couldn't live with myself knowing that"

<if she's thinking about it, usually means that she'll go along with 
conditions. I just hope we can live with them.>

<something tells me that we won't have any choice> Willow winked at 
me as we started cleaning up and I let my composure slip as I just 
shook my head. Fortunately mom had turned around and hadn't seen 
our silent exchange. I couldn't afford any more questions from 
heightened sensitivity mom right now.

After all that, mom was able to drop us off a half hour before our 
first class started. This early, there was hardly anyone around yet 
so I felt comfortable talking aloud with Willow.

"What did you think of my conversation with Giles last night at the 
Bronze?" I queried. I was anxious to get her viewpoint to see if I 
missed anything or if I didn't handle him right.

"You almost overplayed the ditz card, but I think he bought it. As 
for the way he handled the information from the souled vamp, he 
sounded genuinely interested." She told me carefully.

"You don't think I gave anything away, do you?" I wanted her to know 
how valuable her opinion was to me.

"No, I'm certain he bought the whole thing and he got so excited 
about the harvest and hell mouth stuff, he didn't have time to 
analyze your conversation for any inconsistencies. And even if he 
did, you didn't do anything out of character from what he knows of 
you." Her reply was thoughtful and concise. I'm really glad she's 
on my side.

"Did you catch his offer to help regarding the vamps?" This was the 
real question that had been bothering me about the watcher.

"Yea, I did. He sounded genuinely concerned. For someone who 
claimed to just be a behind the scene's observer and advisor, it 
sure seemed out of character. I would really have liked to see what 
he would have done." She had picked up on the same things I had.

"My thought exactly. Maybe we can arrange a controlled situation to 
see if he would really help or stab me in the back." I then said 
contemplating possibilities. "If you have any ideas how we can test 
his intentions, I'm all ears. In the meantime, why don't we go fill 
him in on the nights vamp activities leaving out our joint sensing 
and my moms involvement." We then turned towards the library.

There were a few people in the halls, gathered around lockers.

<how do you want to describe my involvement?> Willow queried me.

<if you're agreeable, I want to tell him you observed me staking a 
vamp and then helped me distract Jesse and Xander so that I could 
take care of the other one in the club. I'm concerned about putting 
you at risk of them knowing you know about me, but I would like to 
have you on board without having to be sneaky about it.> 

<i'm totally ok with it. We apparently have to keep our 
relationship secret for the time being, but it would be nice to be 
able to be open about something we share.> I glanced over and saw 
the slight pout to her lip. My own feelings were more like don't 
hide it, but don't flaunt it either. I know that sounds like don't 
ask, don't tell, but it's our relationship that was important, not 
making ourselves poster childern for persecuted gays.

<oh please don't do that, I just want to turn you around and kiss 
you right here you look so cute.> I said just as we entered the 
Library where we saw Giles loading books onto a cart. He glanced up 
at our entry but hesitated when he saw Willow with me. I decided to 
make this quick, before he could think up a defense.

"Willow followed me outside when I went after that first vamp and 
saw me dust him. She didn't faint and when I pointed out another 
vamp trying to separate two of her friends from the crowd, she 
distracted them while I took out the second vamp and helped provide 
a cover story for the vamps disappearance that they bought." I 
looked him right in the eye, daring him to contradict my decision.

"Well you should have been more circumspect with the first one, but 
I can appreciate the value of having someone to help with crowd and 
cover-up situations. But we'll need to limit her involvement for 
her own safety, you understand." He just couldn't resist trying to 
gain control.

"Well right now I trust her to cover my back, while all I've seen 
from you are demands and lots of words but no actions. So what have 
you done for me lately, hmmmm?" I asked oh so sweetly.

"Ermmm, well I believe I've discovered what this hell mouth and 
harvest are about." He supplied after a long pause. It was apparent 
he was uncomfortable sharing with Willow present.

"You can tell both of us or not at all." Always give them more than 
one choice.

"Ermmm, well since you put it that way, and you apparently trust Ms. 
Rosenberg, It would probably be best to include her as well." He 
finally conceded.

He then proceeded to explain about Sunnydale being built upon a semi-
dormant portal to hell which some master vamp had tried to open 
sixty years ago but got stuck in a mystical bottle because an 
earthquake interrupted his ceremony. The harvest apparently was an 
event that occurred every one hundred years where a master vamp 
could imbue one of his followers to transfer all the energy received 
from the minions feeding too the master. The fun part was that once 
in a hundred years thing was tonight. He explained that this master 
would put some symbol on the forehead of his so called vessel and 
send the vessel out to feed as much as possible. All the power 
would be immediately transferred to the Master, supposedly giving 
him the power to break out of the mystical bottle he was trapped 
in. This vessel needed to be found and destroyed before he could 
feed, thus preventing the master from escaping and trying to open 
the hell mouth again.

He just couldn't figure out where they might go for this all you can 
eat buffet.

Willow and I just looked at each other and said at the same 
time "Bronze."

Giles looked at us and exclaimed, "How can you be sure?"

"Its the most likely spot and since last night proves that they are 
accustomed to feeding there, that should make it a dead on 
probability." I explained professorially in response to his haughty 
tone of voice.

"Yes, uh well," he began to say and then stopped and looked at me. 
I raised my eyebrows questioningly as I observed the sudden 
realization dawn on his face.

"Do I really sound like that?" He asked with what sounded like 
genuine concern.

Willow and I looked at each other and then back at him and spoke 
simultaneously. "Yep."

"But your voice is a little more manly sounding than Buffy's." 
Willow added with an adorable catty smile.

"I suppose I can console myself that at least my voice is more manly 
sounding than a teenage girl, but I still need to reconcile sounding 
like my father." He responded dejectedly.

Now this was a perfect opening to slam a potential enemy, but he was 
hopefully a potential ally.
<lets reel him in slowly willow.>

"Would you like to talk about it?" I asked softly, letting him know 
I was serious.

"That's kind of you to offer, but we do need to talk, just not about 
my father. You told me yesterday that I needed to earn your trust 
for us to work together. All I've done is try and throw my 
authority around as the adult who knows better and treat you like a 
willful child who won't behave. When the truth is that I'm the one 
behaving childishly and you are the one who has maturely and 
patiently waited for me to come to the realization of how badly I 
have misbehaved." He apologized and took a big breath.

"I know the Council takes the attitude that the slayer is their 
responsibility and all to often treated as the property of the 
Council, but I have always believed that we would be better off in a 
supporting position, working in collaboration, rather than 
commanding the path of the slayer. I would very much like to put 
this belief into practice if you'll allow me." He had spoken quietly 
and with emotion. His face showed sincerity but also concern at 
being rejected.

<think we should give him a chance?> I asked Willow.

<yea, I think he's earned a chance, but he's on probation. 
Especially since he's likely to continue reporting all this to the 
Council.> 

<thanks Willow, I need you to watch these guys so that I can keep my 
focus on the demon fighting. I can't tell you what a relief it is to 
let that part of it go, knowing you'll probably do a better job than 
I could keeping the council in line.> I told her gratefully.

<sure you can tell me, you just did. And you're very welcome, but 
there is no way I wouldn't do this. I love you more than life, and 
my life wouldn't mean anything without you.> She replied and slyly 
winked at me.

Giles saw the wink and probably misinterpreted it.

I looked at Giles and began speaking, "We would very much like to 
work with you, good support structures are necessary for survival. 
And I plan on surviving and I also plan on making sure as few 
innocents die on my watch as possible. I know I can't save them 
all, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt when it does happen. And 
working alone limits my ability to stay on top of things. I need 
and want all the help, and I do mean help, not orders and rules and 
regulations, but honest to God help with keeping all the innocent 
people safe that I can." I finished not being able to choke back an 
emotional sob as my desire to protect and fear of not being able to 
all meshed together in my words.

I felt Willow's arms around me instantly, squeezing me in their 
comforting warmth. <i'm here buffy>

I could see Giles staring with a look of utter dumbfoundment on his 
face. He removed his glasses and pulled out a handkerchief and was 
cleaning them. He looked away as if in embarrassment.

"I would be honored to help in any way I can. And I thank you for 
allowing me the opportunity." He said, replacing his glasses on his 
face.

"And I just realized that I totally misjudged you yesterday. I 
thought you were just a spoiled and insolent child when we spoke 
yesterday. But that wasn't it at all, you were expressing distrust 
of me as a representative of the Council." He said in sudden 
realization as I could see the expression's on his face as he 
reviewed our previous conversation's.

<oh, oh, I think I underestimated him.> I groaned internally.

<don't panic buffy, this might give us a better idea of how much 
he's in cahoots with the Council. 
It's unlikely that the Council's true agenda is common knowledge, is 
it?> Willow quickly responded to calm me down. Her arms were still 
around my shoulders with her head resting on my shoulder looking at 
Giles face, examining it for any signs of deceit just as I was doing.

<ok, let him know we distrust the Council but not why. Sound ok to 
you?> I asked her as we continued to study Giles face for any sign 
that he would turn on us.

<that sounds ok to me, let him know that our reasons for distrust 
are well founded but couldn't be revealed until we know if his 
priority is fighting evil or following the council's orders.> I felt 
her thoughtful response.

"Very good Giles, but all I can reveal is that my distrust of the 
Council is well founded. I'm not at liberty to reveal why until we 
are sure if your priority is to fight evil with us or to follow the 
rules and orders of the Council." I finally tell him.

We watched his face as he processed this latest bit of information. 
Willow and I were so comfortable with our positions, her arms about 
my shoulders with her head resting on my left shoulder and my left 
arm holding her around her waist, that we were startled when we 
noticed that he was noticing the familiarity and intimacy of our 
position.

"The two of you appear quite close. I was under the impression that 
you met for the first time only yesterday. Am I mistaken?" He asked. 
Apparently his natural curiosity and observation techniques rivaled 
my mom's.

<we have to keep him and your mom apart> Willow sighed with 
exasperation. <let me handle this> she added.

<ohh, command girl. Go get him lover.> I responded as she lifted her 
head from my shoulder and turned her body sideways to face him 
leaving her right arm around my shoulder.

"No, you're not mistaken, Watcher." She said with measured warning 
in her voice.

"We hit it off right away and bonded quickly. Buffy is my best 
friend and I won't let anyone misuse her for their own selfish 
reason's, comprenez vous?" Willow spoke with thinly veiled hostility.

"Uh yes, I believe I understand your meaning." Giles made a point 
that he did indeed understand the situation, revealing that what he 
knew and what he might say to his superiors would not necessarily be 
the same. 

"I appreciate your concerns, but you obviously have information 
about the Council that I lack. Can you give me any clue's?" He then 
asked getting back to the original discussion.

"Only that you are right about us having information that you lack 
and that if you seek that information, just make sure that the 
Council doesn't discover your research." I let him know with a 
meaningful tilt to my head.

"Three minutes 'till class starts Buffy, time to go." Willow said 
putting an end to the moment.
Giles quickly said as we headed for the door to leave, "Could we 
meet back here during lunch to discuss how to handle this Harvest 
event that is to occur tonight?" He asked politely.

We both turned and I said "Love to Giles, see you then." And out of 
the corner of my eye I saw Willow give him a big radiant smile, not 
the one she gives me, but close enough to melt a mere mortal like 
Giles.

Giles gave us a hesitant smile back "Thank you, see you then. Please 
have a nice morning."

"Ciao." Willow quipped as we turned and skipped through the swinging 
doors and began to giggle as we hit the hallway. Getting a few 
stares from curious students in the hall wondering what could be so 
entertaining in the Library.

Willow and I had four of our six classes together. I hadn't noticed 
yesterday morning because in the morning session, we only share our 
first class, history. And I hadn't noticed her yesterday morning 
because of being all new and worried about fitting in. Apparently 
Xander was also in the class, and had been saving Willow a seat near 
the back which always fills up first. There were two seats near the 
front open next to each other and Willow immediately headed for 
them. We each took a desk sitting next to each other and Willow 
quickly looked back at Xander and mouthed a 'sorry'. I looked back 
and saw a hurt look on his face.

<he looks very disappointed, are you sure you don't want to sit with 
him> I asked, trying not to let my insecurity leak through.

<i've seen Xander nearly every day of my life for ten years. I've 
just discovered the best thing of my entire life yesterday. He'll 
survive, and I'm doing what I want. you're stuck with me missy, and 
you're not getting rid of me so easy.> she looked over at me with a 
reassuring grin and a wink.

<not to sound mushy or anything, but I really, really love you.> I 
let her know and casually ran my tongue over my upper lip 
accompanied with a wink of my own.

I had the pleasure of seeing Willow blush and gulp as we both faced 
forward as the teacher began talking.

I had picked up a half turkey on whole wheat sandwich from the 
cafeteria and headed for the Library to meet Willow and Giles for 
our planning session. <hey wills, you at the library yet?>

<hold on buffy> Willow responded, I could feel that she was bothered 
by something.

<will, something is bothering you, tell me where you are so I can 
help.> I let her feel my concern.

<its not like that buffy, its a xander talk> she assured me but she 
still sounded disturbed.

<can you share?> I asked her carefully.

<ok, > I could feel her trepidation then she opended up.

<"Come on Willow, what's the biggie. You've become tight with a new 
hottie and I'm your best bud. Just let her know what a great guy I 
am and that she should give me a shot.">

<oh my god> I gasped and stopped dead two feet in front of the 
library door.

<"Xander, I really don't think it would do any good. Please trust 
me that Buffy just wouldn't be interested in going out with you."> I 
could feel Willow floundering, not wanting to reveal anything, but 
also not wanting to hurt her old friend.

<do you trust him will?> I sent carefully, getting her momentary 
attention.

<yes, buffy. I trust him. I just don't want to hurt him.> she let me 
know.

<"What's up Will. Did she say something about me? Does she find me 
disgusting or something?"> he continued to question her, his voice 
dripping with desperation and insecurity.

<tell him I'm gay, Willow. You don't have to tell him about us. Just 
let him know I'm gay. That way he'll know it's not him personally.> 
I insisted.

<"No Xander, she didn't say anything. Its just that.."> <are you 
sure buffy?>

<if you trust him, I trust him> I told her firmly.

<thanks buffy> <"..that, well Buffy is gay Xander. That's why I know 
she wouldn't be interested.">

<"huhhh, wow. Are you sure? I mean it's not like I don't believe you 
but is this something that you just suspect or did she actually tell 
you that she's a dyke."> 

I was ready to scream out loud when Willow's urgent thoughts burst 
in<buffy, Xander doesn't know it's a bad word. He doesn't know 
buffy.> she was throwing comfort at me in waves.

<well, you better educate him fast or I will.> I grudgingly 
responded, slowly giving way to Willow's comforting thoughts.

<"Ow Will, what's that for">

<"That's for being a big stupid doofis guy, you stupid guy you. I 
don't ever want to hear you use that word ever again. Do you hear 
me?">

<"Sure Will, I didn't know you don't like that word.">

<"Xander, you don't understand. Using that word would be like if 
you were to call me a , a, a kike."> I could feel the hesitation and 
shame and disgust as everything that word contotated washed across 
her and on too me.

<"Oh my god, Willow. I really didn't know. I had no idea it was 
like that."> Willow showed me Xander's face with all the horror and 
regret.

<"You have my word I will never say that again. So are we ok will?"> 

<"Yea Xander, we're OK.">

I then discovered that Xander didn't know when to shut up. He must 
have been dropped on his head multiple times, bounced even.

<"So has she made a pass at you yet Will"> The teasing was obvious 
with no expectation of anything but an embarrassed response from 
Willow.

<"No Xander, I made a pass at her and we spent the night together.">

<wahoo, I love you willow.> I looked around quickly and discovered 
there was no one looking at the moment that I had raised my hands up 
and jumped up slapping my palms against the ceiling.

<"What! Will, tell me you're kidding. Please tell me that you're 
kidding."> Xander sounded desperate.

I could tell Willow was angry, <remember, its just Xander, he 
doesn't know what he's saying. You told me words come out of his 
mouth with no intelligence attached.> I tried to remind her.

<i'm just letting him know the truth. The quicker he deals the 
sooner we can get on with being friends.> she replied with a resolve 
that I had never experienced before. I silently resolved never to 
be surprised again by the depths to Willow, but I sensed that I was 
going to spend the rest of my life in wonder and amazement.

<he's your friend willow, I just don't want to see you hurt.> I sent 
her waves of concern and my love.

<thanks buffy, but I know him. He'll have a problem for awhile and 
then he'll be ok and once he does, you better get used to his 
suggestive innuendoes. He hormones control his mouth. And, he'll be 
your friend too.> Their was a wry humor trailing along with her 
words.
never doubt you again my redheaded angel.> 

<"Xander, close your mouth and listen. I love Buffy. Buffy loves 
me. We are lesbians in love. Accept it we can remain friends. 
Reject it, and I'll miss you. It's your decision Xander. Be sure of 
what you say the next time we speak."> with that, I could sense she 
gave the shocked Xander a quick hug and ran off to join me in the 
library.

I waited outside the library watching for her and broke out into a 
giddy smile as I saw her come down the hallway. She saw me and gave 
me a little wave and a bright smile. As she stopped in front of 
me, "I hope you didn't mind telling him we are in love, did you?" 
She asked me shyly.

"Are you kidding. I just wish I could shout it over the school PA." 
I told her with big grin.

Fortunately, the library is not a popular place around lunch time, 
in fact any time, and we were able to make our exchanges out loud 
without being overheard.

Resisting the urge to wrap my arm around Willow we pushed open the 
dual swinging doors of the Library and entered in time to be greeted 
by Giles as he came out of his office holding a cup of tea and 
saucer.

<let's try nice and see how he handles it. Sound good to you?> I 
asked her

<sounds like a plan to me.> she said giving my hand a quick squeeze.

"Hi Giles, all ready to battle the forces of darkness and teenage 
hormones?" I asked him cheerily.

<oooh, you're evil> I heard Willow giggle and couldn't help but 
giggle myself.

"Yes, but I'm not quite sure which is the bigger threat." He 
responded with good natured sarcasm.

"Hey Buffy, I thing that was sarcasm." Willow grinned mischievously.

"Giles, In the future, if you're going to exhibit human emotions, 
please warn us. Unless you're anxious for a new slayer to be 
called." I said teasingly but with a touch of seriousness.

"While as tempting as that sounds, I doubt the next slayer would 
exhibit your fashion sense." He responded with a very warm smile.

I responded with an equally warm smile and Willow just gasped. "Not 
bad, I give him an 8 for form and 9.1 for delivery." Willow's face 
was awash with fun loving mischievousness.

"Thank you, I'll treasure your praise always." He might just be all 
right and then again he could be a really good actor.

Willow squeezed my hand shot me a quick smile.

"If you'll have a seat, we can discuss how best to handle stopping 
this harvest." Giles got back to business.

Giles then reviewed what he had told us this morning adding a little 
bit more detail from what he was able to figure out from additional 
research since this morning. He felt that the master's vessel would 
require numerous victims to enable the master to escape his mystical 
prison. 

He then held up a drawing of the symbol that would be put on the 
vessels forehead.
"Oh wow," Willow exclaimed as she say the drawing that looked like a 
Mercedes symbol. "What does this have to do with a car?"

"I don't know really. But finding out where Mercedes came up with 
the symbol could be revealing and then again could be a complete 
waste of time. As for my recommendation, I believe that we need to 
intercept them on the way to their intended rendezvous and quickly 
eliminating this vessel would be the best way to stop this 
harvest." Giles finished with his analysis.

<sounds like a good starting point, but I would love to hear how he 
plans on accomplishing it.> Willow said.

<let's find out.> I responded.

"Sounds like an admirable goal, but how do you plan on accomplishing 
it? Specifics would be nice." I queried him. "And I do appreciate 
you including yourself in this, you did include yourself when you 
said we, didn't you?" I was putting him on the spot. We needed to 
know if he was willing to put his own life on the line or was he 
just going to sit back and be a Watcher.

"To answer your last question first, yes, I am including myself in 
heading off this threat. As for details on how to do so, I was 
counting on your tactical expertise. The notes that Merrick sent 
back said your tactical abilities were excellent with a highly 
advanced ability to improvise under stress." He explained with an 
embarrassed shrug.

<i want you to tell him the plan, he needs to see us as partners and 
that he can turn to you as well as me. Ok?> 

<more than ok, and thank you for your trust.>

"OK Giles, here's the plan. While we are in our afternoon classes, 
you will gather together these supplies." Willow then pulled out 
her notebook and pulled out a neatly written list with explicit 
instructions of the supplies we would need and where to locate them.

"You will meet us at the location on the bottom of the list no later 
than six pm this evening. We will then distribute the supplies you 
pick up. Buffy will sense when, from where and how many are coming 
with sufficient advance notice to position us properly to ambush 
them. I'm only going to be armed with the super soakers filled with 
holy water. I'm not taking a chance of hitting Buffy with a cross 
bow bolt. We need to confirm that you are proficient with a cross 
bow. Are you?"

Willow was rolling, I was so enjoying her taking control. She was 
really in her element. As I sat there listening to her layout the 
plan that we had worked out together earlier that morning, I allowed 
myself to analyze the feeling I had that here was someone who I 
could share the awesome responsibility of being the slayer. She 
wanted to help with the planning and the backup execution, backup 
meaning out of danger, so that I didn't have to try and think of 
everything. I could share and not have to turn into some bitch who 
had to have everything her way. I knew right then and there that 
without my Willow, I would not be able to do this without making a 
lot of mistakes, and mistakes equal death, innocents and eventually 
me.

"Yes, I am fully proficient with the cross bow. In fact, I have a 
cross bow that I'm quite comfortable with in my possession." His 
face was showing new found respect for the professional manner in 
which Willow was laying out details.

"Good, feel free to substitute anything on the list with whatever 
you already have, just make sure you show up with the list 
complete. It might seem like overkill, but its better to have too 
much than to die because you just ran out of wooden arrows with one 
vamp left."

"Uh yes, that would be difficult to argue with, so I won't." He 
responded carefully.

"Good, and now Buffy's first rule of slaying. Don't die." I 
interjected.

Willow gave me a big smile. "Darn tootin." She said firmly.

Willow then looked back at Giles. "Any questions, suggestions?"

Giles looked at Willow and then me. I put my elbows on the table 
and rested my chin on my hands, gave him a big smile and just waited.

He shook his head and grinned. "No, no questions or suggestions. But 
I would like to let you know how pleased I am at your thoroughness."

"No problem, it's all part of Buffy's rule number one." Willow said 
sweetly.

"Is there a rule number two?" He reneged on his earlier statement.

With my chin still on my hands, I looked at him and deadly serious I 
said, "If you don't keep rule number one, you wouldn't be around for 
rule number two. So what good would it be?"

"Yes, I see, stay alive." He slowly responded.

"Now you're catching on." I stood up, put out my hand to Willow and 
as she took it I pulled her to me and gave her a quick kiss.

"Lets matriculate." I said sexily.

"I love it when you talk dirty." She replied sexily.

We looked at Giles to see him looking at the ceiling as if it had 
just come alive.

"Are you surprised at this?" I asked him.

He looked back at us, took a big breath, "Surprised, no. 
Embarrassed, yes. If anything surprises me, its how quickly yours 
and Willows relationship has developed." He looked at both of us 
quizilkly, with real curiosity registering in his eyes.

"Yes, I guess you would find that surprising." I gave him a complete 
poker face.

<ready love?> I asked while keeping my expressionless gaze focused 
on Giles.

<ready, willing and able.> Willow and I then walked hand in hand out 
the door in perfect step.

************************


Well, Giles showed up just before six. We had been there for about 
ten minutes after finishing homework and spending a little time 
working on strengthening our demonscape focus. We were able to push 
our detection range out another half mile, giving us an area of a 
little over six and a quarter square miles. We detected a 
concentrated group of demon's about three quarters of a mile from 
our location around six fifteen, and confirmed that they were coming 
in our direction. We identified a total of thirteen vamps in the 
group. After distributing the weapons that Giles brought and 
verifying that their course would bring them by our location, we got 
ourselves set up for the ambush. We were all pretty tense and 
didn't speak except for some affectionate thoughts between Willow 
and myself. When the vamps reached our location, everything 
happened so quick, the details are kinda sketchy. But the quick 
down and dirty went like this. I jumped out with a big yell and my 
crossbow ready. They all turned towards me with a growl and I 
spotted the vessel guy about eight feet in front of me, really big 
sucker, no pun intended, well maybe a little. Anyway, I let fly 
with the crossbow and at this close distance he had no time to 
react and was a cloud of dust in no time and the rest of the vamps 
looked on in shock. That's when Giles took out another with a 
crossbow bolt and Willow let loose with holy water powered super 
soakers aiming for their faces. I had one of those short samurai 
swords in my right hand and a large, extra pointy stake in my left. 
I decapitated the closest vamp, plunged my steak into the one next 
to him and as quick as you can count to eight, I decapitated and 
staked the rest of them with Giles taking out one more with his 
crossbow. The whole thing lasted less than sixty seconds. That's 
why details are so lacking. The plan worked perfectly. The 
surprise setup to take out the vessel. Blinding the rest of them 
with holy water and while they were confused and blind, take them 
out like fish in a barrel. I rushed over to Willow and pulled her 
into a big hug. "I was so worried that I wouldn't get them all in 
time and you would get hurt." I exclaimed in relief.

"We talked about this, you have to allow me to help you, and you do 
your job and I'll do mine. You can't worry about me. It might 
distract you and get you hurt." She said while grasping my face 
between her hands and looking me in the eye.

"Can you tell me you weren't worried about me?" I asked her while 
arching my eyebrows.

"Hmm, of course I was worried, but it just made me shoot faster and 
harder to blind them quicker." She said in her defense.

"And I used my concern to focus on dusting them all before they 
could recover and even have a chance of getting by me." I told her 
as I gently touched my lips to hers.

Willow pulled back slightly, "OK, we can worry as long as we do it 
constructively." She sighed as our lips touched again and parted 
before waves of pleasure made us forget that Giles was standing off 
to the side looking very uncomfortable.

Letting go of each other, we Looked at Giles.

"Thanks Giles, you really came through. How'd it feel to actually 
be apart of the fight and not just standing back and observing?" I 
asked him. I had a serious expression on my face. I wanted him to 
know that my gratitude was sincere and I wasn't being facetious 
about the observing.

"Well, it felt good, quite exhilarating really to be a part of the 
fight. So as for your gratitude for my involvement, all I can say 
is that it was my pleasure. Also, observing you in action was 
something I shant ever forget." His face showed sincerity and warmth.

<he gets passing marks from me, how about you?> I asked Willow.

<yea, he did good. He passes the fight at the slayers side without 
stabbing her in the back test, but the next one will be more 
difficult.> she cautioned.

<yes, the next one will take more time, that's for sure.>

"You passed Giles." I let him know.

He looked at us and frowned. "I passed? I didn't even know there 
was a test."

"Yes Giles, it was a test and you passed." I considered letting him 
know that passing this one test didn't mean he had graduated. But 
the next tests required him to let his guard down. So we just let 
him think everything was good between us now.

"Well, thank you for your vote of confidence. I hope this means 
you'll be able to trust me from here on out." He responded carefully.

"So do we." Willow let him know as truthfully as we dared.

<and buffy, he was right about watching you in action, you were 
awesome.>

We packed up our things and sensing no vamps within our detection 
range, had Giles drop us off at my house minutes before mom pulled 
in the driveway.