FF: Love Immortal 3/?

["David A. Knapton" <belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Love Immortal. 3/?
Author: David A. Knapton

E-mail: belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxxxx

Archived: NHA, The Mystic Muse, others if you want but it's polite 
to let the author know you are doing so.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my perverted mind. The characters 
belong to the owners of BtVS and Highlander.

Spoiler: Season 1 & 2, set sometime between Passion and Becoming II 
but Angelus killed Oz not Jenny who is still working on the spell to 
restore Angel's soul.

Rating: Possibly 18/NC17 overall this part 12A/PG-13.

Pairing: Buffy/Willow (eventually) Giles/Jenny Xander/Cordelia.

Summery: Willow tells the gang what she is.

<> = Thought. [Flashback] = Ah duh Flashback.

Feedback: If you wish but be warned only obscene amounts of money 
will stop me posting more parts of this story if you don't like it 
and want it stopped or you can do what I do don't read stories you 
don't like!!!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffy and Willow entered the library to see Xander and Cordy seated 
at the table, "Where's Giles?" asked Buffy walking over to the table 
and picking a jelly doughnut out of the box of doughnuts.

"Giles isn't going to be pleased," smirked Cordy, "That's the last 
jelly; Xander's already eaten the other three."

Just then Giles walked from the office carrying the same book he had 
before, looking somewhat distracted he walked over to the table 
absently looking in the box of doughnuts, frowning he looked up at 
the teenagers around the table, "Didn't you get any jellies?"

"Buffy ate the last one," blabbed Cordy.

Buffy scowled at her friend before smiling apologetically to her 
Watcher, "Ah sorry Giles, Xander had three," she quickly told him 
taking the heat off herself.

Giles looked at the boy, "Sorry Giles you should have told us you 
wanted one," Xander apologised.

"I'm the one that always says to get jellies in the mix," Giles 
pointed out. He stopped himself from getting into such trivia; <We 
have more important things to discuss not least Willow's earlier 
slip.> He turned his attention to the redhead who was stood leaning 
against the stair rail still trying to avoid looking at him, "So 
what did you find out at Ms Calendar's?"

"Not much, her car was parked outside, we found the purse she had 
last night under a bush, the house didn't look like it had been 
broken into and because we think Angel was at my house last night he 
must have heard what Jenny told Buffy and me and he ambushed her," 
Willow told them somewhat worried, she pushed herself away from the 
rail and walked around the table to Giles, she pulled the scroll she 
had brought from Jenny's from inside her knee length coat and handed 
it to him. Giles noticed a flash of metal from inside the coat 
confirming his suspicions. "Jenny had planned to bring this to the 
meeting this morning, it's supposed to be a prophesy about Buffy 
fighting Angel on the Hellmouth," she told him.

"Thank you that will help me cross reference what I found in the 
Black Chronicles," Giles nodded taking it from her; he looked deeply 
into her eyes, "Willow why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"I didn't know about the prophesy until last night, then we had to 
try and find Jenny," explained the redhead.

"No, that you are not quiet what you seem!" Giles said gently.

Willow went white, "Oh how did you know?" she asked him barely above 
a whisper.

"You mentioned immortals earlier and I just saw a flash of metal 
under your coat," he explained smiling warmly at her.

"Oh, sorry Giles," Willow sighed slumping into the nearest chair, 
Buffy rose from her own chair and went to her friend placing a 
supportive hand on Willow's shoulder, she looked up at Buffy giving 
her a little smile before turning back to Giles who had taken a seat 
on the other side next to Cordelia. "I've been trying to find the 
courage to tell you since school started in September, the others 
told me to be careful who I told, b-but you're all-all my friends 
and what we go through almost every week I-I knew I could trust you 
b-but could never find the words," tears were now standing in her 
eyes.

"Will what is it? What's wrong?" asked Xander in a worried tone of 
voice.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you Xander," she gave her oldest 
friend a little smile. "It happened the last week of July..."

[Flashback]

Summer Break

Willow hummed tunelessly to herself as she plugged the vacuum 
cleaner in and began vacuuming her bedroom carpet. She had done 
about half the room when the doorbell rang, switching off the 
cleaner she rushed towards her bedroom door hitching her foot on the 
cable and tripping, her head hit the edge of the door. Willow went 
to her knees in a daze seeing stars, the bell rang again, she 
staggered into the hallway, just as she got to the top of the stairs 
her head began to spin she made a grab for the handrail but missed, 
she felt herself falling then sharp white pain in her neck then 
nothing.

Some hours later Willow sat up looking around, "What happened," she 
asked the hall clock which read 4.30; she had started cleaning her 
room at 9 that morning, <It can't be 4.30?> she got up before 
glancing at her watch which also read 4.30.

"I must have been knocked out?" Willow mused gently feeling her head 
expecting at any moment to feel a sharp pain when her hand touched 
the bump, but there was none, she felt fine that was when she 
noticed that the scratches next doors kitten had given her that 
morning, when she had tried smoothing him, had completely healed, 
feeling the back of her hand frowning even more, <This is too weird?>

Remembering that the doorbell had rung earlier she headed to the 
door where she found a note informing her she would have to collect 
the parcel from the post office during normal office hours, <Well 
that will have to wait until tomorrow now.>

The next morning she left the post office with the package her 
parents had sent, she was just passing the Espresso Pump when she 
suddenly had the feeling that something dangerous was nearby, she 
had never felt anything like it before, it was so strong she almost 
drop her parcel. Looking around in near panic at the people walking 
by she couldn't seem to pinpoint the danger's exact location.

Willow let out a squeak as a hand was placed on her shoulder; 
spinning to confront the person, certain now that whatever the 
danger was it was behind her, blinking rapidly trying to focus she 
didn't recognising who it was for a split second and got ready to 
run. 

"Willow calm down everything is going to be ok," Jenny spoke calmly 
to the young redhead.

"Ms Calendar what's happening to me? What are you?" asked Willow 
backing away from the teacher that was the source of the danger she 
could somehow feel.

"Willow I'll explain everything I promise but not here," said Jenny 
looking at the people around them, "Please trust me I mean you no 
harm, will you come with me?" she said giving Willow a warm but 
serious smile.

Willow nodded mutely following the teacher towards her car, she got 
in the passenger seat and turned to her computer teacher as she sat 
in the driving seat, "What are you Ms Calendar and what's this 
sensation I'm feeling?"

Jenny turned slightly to look at Willow as she started the car, "You 
died, your one of us now, you're immortal," she said simply before 
looking around to make sure it was safe and pulled out into traffic.

"What do you mean I died? I'm still breathing," Willow stated 
placing her fingers on her wrist pulse point, "My heart is still 
beating and oh yes its daytime," she said somewhat sarcastically.

Jenny let out a little laugh, "Willow I didn't mean that you're a 
vampire but truly immortal." She glanced at the girl, "Tell me has 
anything strange happened to you since I saw you last week?" she 
asked before clarifying, "Anything other than the normal things that 
happen here," she smirked as she turned the car into her street.

"I'm not sure after all most things that happen here tend to be 
related to the Hellmouth," Willow mused.

"Well no matter we'll sort out that later after you learn what we 
are and what that means to you," said Jenny as she pulled up outside 
her home.

As Willow was getting out she got the danger sensation again, she 
realised that although her mind was still registering Ms Calendar as 
a danger it had sort of slipped into the background, this was a new 
danger, Willow looked at her teacher who was smiling 
reassuringly, "What is it?" she asked.

"It's okay Willow they're old friends who are visiting for a couple 
of days, they won't hurt you I promise," Jenny reassured her 
continuing to smile warmly.

"Okay, you do know I'm taking a lot on faith here?" the redhead 
pointed out.

"Yes I know Willow, come on I'll introduce you to my friends, you'll 
like Cassandra she's the world's oldest witch as for Duncan I've 
never known him be anything but be a loyal friend," Jenny told 
Willow leading the way to the door.

As they entered there was a dark haired man sat in the living room 
looking at some papers, he looked up and rose when he saw his friend 
enter with a young redhead, he smiled warmly before turning towards 
the other door, "Cassandra better bring another cup Jenna's brought 
a friend with her," he called out.

Willow heard a woman call back, "It must be this Willow she told us 
about?" Jenny smiled as she nodded at the man.

Willow turned to Jenny, "What's going on here?" she demanded to 
know, suspicion as well as a little anger in her voice.

"A true fiery redhead," smiled the man walking towards Willow 
holding his hand out, "My name is Duncan McLeod I'm pleased to meet 
you Willow, I've heard a lot about you over the last couple of 
days," he said as he shook her hand.

"Well Ms. Calendar has never told me anything about you," Willow 
said to him before glancing at Jenny, "Or about herself."

Jenny smiled warmly at Willow understanding her annoyance, "I'm 
sorry about that Willow but until now it could have been to 
dangerous to tell you."

"Why would it be dangerous? We live on the Hellmouth what could be 
more dangerous than that?" Willow asked deciding to take a seat 
figuring what she was going to hear was going to be a shock as well 
as a long story.

As Willow was about to sit a woman of about thirty with brown hair 
almost to her waist entered from what Willow assumed was the kitchen 
carrying a tray of coffee, she placed it on the table and turned to 
Willow a warm smile in place, Willow was a little taken aback when 
the woman held her by the shoulders and kissed her on the cheek, 
unsure what to do she returned the woman's kiss. "It's a pleasure to 
meet you Willow, my name is Cassandra I think we are going to be 
great friends," she said before still holding Willow by the 
shoulders she looked over at Jenny, "You were right Jenna she has 
great potential, I think the three of us need to talk about it 
later," she said turning to take a mug of coffee before sitting in 
an easy chair.

"I thought so myself but not having your insight Cassandra I wasn't 
sure," Jenny smiled at her friend and mentor, she turned to Willow 
who looked very confused, "Willow why don't you take a seat we have 
a lot to talk about," she gave the redhead a reassuring smile as she 
took her own coffee and sat on the couch next to Willow.

Willow felt a great deal of confusion, the sensation she was feeling 
told her that all three of these people were a danger to her but 
they were all trying to make her feel at ease, <Of course it maybe a 
trick to let down my guard!> Willow shook her head slightly as she 
sat on the couch, close to the door, <Think Rosenberg there are 
three of them if they were going to harm you there isn't much you 
could do about it and they would have done it by now!> she looked at 
Ms Calendar, "What is happening, why do I feel like you are all a 
danger to me?"

All three smiled at her, when Jenny answered it wasn't what Willow 
expected to hear, "We are a danger to you, as we are to each other." 

"Jenna you're frightening her," scolded Cassandra, she turned to 
Willow a gentle smile on her face, "What Jenny means is that in the 
end there can be only one! We don't know when it will happen but we 
will all be drawn to one place to fight until only one of us is 
left, that one will have the power of all the immortals that have 
ever lived, he or she will have enough power to rule the planet 
forever or help it into a golden age for all time!" Cassandra smiled 
at her friends around the room, "I think it will be the latter if it 
is someone in this room that wins."

Jenny looked seriously at Willow, "A lot of immortals only fight if 
forced too, including the three of us we would rather just live and 
let live. Willow we are just like any other people, we learn to 
trust others like ourselves or we remain alone and fearful for as 
long as we live," she gave Willow a reassuring smile, "Willow we 
would like to think of you as a friend, I don't think you would like 
the loneliness that comes with the alternative?"

Willow looked at the three adults, all smiling warmly at her, "Okay. 
You keep telling me I'm immortal but you've not told me anything to 
prove what you're saying?"

Jenny turned slightly so she was facing Willow, looking into her 
eyes, "Willow do you trust me?" she asked.

Willow looked at the serious expression on her teacher's face, 
trying to gauge the older woman's intentions! She nodded, "Yes I 
trust you Ms Calendar."

Jenny held out her hand, "Please give me your hand," Willow 
hesitated for a second before slowly placing her hand in Jenny's 
palm to palm, Jenny gently turned Willow's hand face up in her own, 
she reached into her pocket and before Willow could pull her hand 
free, Jenny had taken out a stiletto flicked it open and sliced 
Willow's palm.

With a cry of pain Willow instinctively wrenched her hand away, 
clenching it to her side as she jumped up, "Why did you do that," 
she shouted backing away from the three immortals who had also risen.

"Willow calm down, just look at your hand," Jenny said to the angry 
teen.

Willow frowned at Jenny before with some hesitation she took her 
hand away from her side and slowly opened it expecting to see blood 
flowing from the wound, she frowned the wound was almost completely 
healed, as she watched she could see what looked like blue 
lightening arching across the quickly vanishing scare. Willow 
looked up at the three adults, "H-how did that happen?" she asked.

"Come and sit and I'll explain it to you," Jenny said as she and the 
others retook their seats.

Willow hesitated, unsure whether to run out the door or return to 
the three adults! <Maybe Giles could help?> she looked at Jenny for 
a moment, <What would I tell him? `Hi Giles guess what I'm 
immortal!' How could I prove it without cutting my hand, don't wanna 
do that hurts to much. I guess I stay.> She slowly moved back to the 
couch but sat on the edge as far from Jenny as she could.

Jenny smiled at her knowing she had frightened the teenager, "I'm 
sorry about that Willow but I needed to show you that it is true, 
you are an immortal, almost any injuries you sustain will repair 
itself, of course the more severe the injury the long it will take 
to heal," Jenny explained.

"Ah okay," said Willow still feeling very confused and more than a 
little frightened, "So what do I do now?"

"First we'll tell you the rules of the game then I start your 
training, you will need to learn how to use a sword..." Jenny began 
to explain.

"A sword! Why?" interrupted Willow turning to face Jenny.

"The only way to kill an immortal is decapitation," Duncan told her.

Willow paled, "I have to chop people's heads off," she asked 
somewhat shocked.

"Yes Willow, if you don't take theirs they will most defiantly take 
yours," Cassandra told her, "I'm sorry child, like the rest of us 
fate has given you no choice," she said somewhat sadly.

"Ah okay," said Willow not quite sure what to say to that. "So what 
are these rules?" she asked trying to take all this in!

"Well there are just a few," Jenny said, "The first and most 
important is that we may not fight on holy ground, it doesn't matter 
what religion it belongs to or even if anyone still worships at the 
site; no one knows what would happen if two of us fight on holy 
ground, but no one is willing to find out..."

"I know," interrupted Duncan.

The other three looked at him, "Really! How did you find out?" asked 
Cassandra.

"Joe told me; apparently it has only happened once in recorded 
history, two immortals fought in a temple in Pompeii in 79 AD, I'm 
sure you can guess what happened?" Duncan explained to them.

"Well if I have to fight I'll remember to make sure I'm off holy 
ground," giggled Willow.

Jenny looked strangely at Willow, "You seem to be taking this better 
than I thought you would?"

"Not really its just that... well this is the Hellmouth since Buffy 
came to town I've see some pretty weird things, though I don't know 
what Buffy and the others will say when they find out about this?" 
smiled Willow.

Duncan looked worried, "Willow you must be careful who you tell 
about your immortality many people fear what they cannot understand."

"It could also make you a target, certain demons regard immortals as 
a great delicacy and some dark magick rituals are more powerful when 
it has immortal blood or body parts as the main ingredient," 
explained Cassandra.

Willow turned a little green, "Eww I so don't like that visual," she 
told them.

Duncan laughed, "Yes well Cassandra and Jenna have been practising 
magicks for centuries, they tend to forget that their craft isn't 
for everyone."

"No not the part about magick I just saw some icky demon sat at some 
fancy restaurant cutting me up," she shrugged at the three adults 
who gave her a curious look, "Sorry," she apologised blushing 
slightly, "Please go on," she said looking at Jenny.

"Right well the no fighting on holy ground's the only rule no one 
will break, the other rules are not always followed by the less 
scrupulous of our brethren so you should be wary, if you are 
challenged by someone no other immortal is supposed to intervene 
until one wins. Although I have never had to face more than one 
immortal at a time both Duncan and Cassandra have been in that 
situation so just be careful. The other rule is pre-immortals, with 
practice most immortals can sense anyone who has the potential to 
become immortal as I sensed in you when I met you. You should not 
tell them of their immortality until they die it could cause them to 
do rash things that could get some mortal injured or even killed," 
Jenny told her.

Willow nodded, "Yeah," she then frowned as something occurred to 
her, "If I'm like you, immortal, doesn't that mean my parents are 
immortal as well," she looked around at the others who all wore 
frowns, "What is it? What's wrong?" she asked getting worried again.

"Willow," said Jenny moving closer to the young redhead to put her 
arm around her shoulder, "None of us know who our parents are or 
where we actually come from, Willow the people that you think of as 
your parents must have adopted you when you were just a baby." Jenny 
could see the tears forming in her pupil's eyes, she pulled Willow 
into a hug, "I wish with all my heart that I had not had to tell you 
that part, I have always thought that it is the hardest thing for 
new immortals to hear," she said rocking the redhead gently as the 
tears rolled down her cheeks.

There was silence in the room for the most part, only broken by the 
occasional sob from Willow as Jenny continued to gently rock her, 
after several minutes Willow pulled away from her computer teacher 
giving her a small smile before looking at the others, "Sorry," she 
said.

"There is nothing to be sorry for Willow," said Cassandra leaning 
forward and patting Willow on the knee, "Now do you want to wash 
your face before we continue; you really don't have the right 
complexion to cry in public." 

Willow nodded as she stood up, "Up the stairs second door on the 
left," said Jenny looking up at the girl.

--------------

"I'm sorry we had to be the ones to tell you about being adopted 
Willow," said Jenny quietly as Willow re-entered the living room.

"It's alright, at least it explains why they seem to ignore me so 
much," Willow said as she took her seat again.

Jenny pulled her into a motherly hug, "No Willow its not that, it 
has more to do with the Hellmouth than anything else."

Willow gently pulled away from her a frown on her face, "Huh?"

"The energy that the Hellmouth permeates effects people in different 
ways, especially those that are unaware of its existence," explained 
Cassandra.

"Oh," mused Willow, "I suppose that explains why none of the gang 
noticed the weirdness until Buffy turned up!"

"I expect that was the case," smiled Cassandra.

"Ok what do you say I treat everyone to an early lunch as a way of 
welcoming a new friend," said Duncan getting up.

"Well when a Scotsman puts his hand in is pocket that's calls for 
celebration," laughed Jenny getting up.

As she moved past Duncan he playfully slapped her butt, "You should 
be the last one to use stereotypes, after all aren't all gypsies' 
thieves? And lets not forget about all witches being evil," he 
pointed out.

"Okay I concede your point," Jenny laughed leading the way out the 
door.

"One thing Duncan, who is Joe?" asked Willow as she took a seat in 
Jenny's car next to the man.

"Joe is my watcher," he smiled at the redhead.

"What do you mean `watcher' is he like Giles?" Willow glanced at 
Jenny's back addressing the question to her teacher, "And do I get 
one?"

"No Willow the watchers Duncan is talking about are different, we 
rarely know who our watcher is, I have no idea who watches me, 
Duncan just happened to find out by accident..." Jenny began to 
explain.

"Oh yeah some accident," snorted Duncan a flash of anger coming to 
his face, he turned to Willow as he smiled at her, "Sorry Willow I 
still get angry when I think of how I found out about watchers. Some 
years ago while I was in Paris a friend called Fitzcern told me that 
another immortal had failed to meet him, at first he assumed someone 
had taken his head in a duel but Fitz found out that three others 
had also disappeared and came to ask me to help find out what was 
happening, at first I was only half heartily helped but then a very 
old immortal friend of mine called Darius was beheaded by someone in 
his own church, meaning it was not another immortal that was 
responsible.

"Well I eventually tracked the killers down to a rogue group of 
watchers headed by a man called Horton, they used their knowledge of 
immortals to kill them, feeling that we are an affront to humanity, 
anyway to cut a long story short I found out that Joe was my 
watcher, although strictly speaking he should keep is distance he 
has become a good friend, he gives me the heads up if there is any 
trouble in town such as an old enemy. He has got in trouble more 
than once because of it but he is high enough up in the watchers 
ranks that he is safe," Duncan explained. 

[End Flashback]

There was silence in the library after Willow had finished telling 
the gang her story, Xander and Cordelia looking around at the others.

Xander had a hurt look on his face as he realised that Buffy showed 
no surprise at their friend's story, <she must already know! I'm out 
of the loop again.> He turned to look at the redhead, "Why didn't 
you tell me...us?" he asked standing up.

Willow still had tears in her eyes, "I'm so sorry Xander it wasn't 
something I wanted to do I-I've tried several times t-to t-tell you 
really I have, b-but how was I t-to tell y-you that I will live 
forever while y-you all grow old and d-die," she burst into tears.

Buffy pulled Willow up into her arms, "Its okay Will," she whispered 
before turning slightly to look daggers at Xander, "Why the attitude 
Xander? You know Willow better than anyone else in this room, don't 
you think she's going through enough guilt as it is, Willow loves 
you, do you really think she liked keeping this part of herself from 
you!"

Giles took off his glasses to clean them, he turned to the 
boy, "Willow really didn't have any choice in the matter, immortals 
are very dangerous to be around their blood is especially useful in 
dark rituals, if it ever got out that Willow and Ms. Calendar are 
immortal our problems on the Hellmouth would double," he looked 
rather sternly at Xander as he replaced his glasses, "Now let's move 
on shall we?"

"Sorry Giles," Xander turned to look rather sheepishly at his oldest 
friend, "Sorry Will," he apologised before smirking at her, "So you 
gonna show us your sword," he said with a child like glee that Buffy 
would have been hard pressed to emulate.

Willow smiled at Xander as she wiped her eyes with a tissue Giles 
handed to her, "Sure Xand," she said as she pulled out her rapier, 
it had a intricately woven hand guard with a large red stone on the 
pommel, the blade looked extremely sharp.

Giles looked in wonder at the weapon, "May I," he asked tentatively 
as he held out his hand.

"Of course Giles," smiled the redhead knowing he would freak when he 
saw the markings.

Giles gently held the sword looking at the makers mark; he let out a 
gasp, looking up as he heard Willow give a little giggle, "Do you 
know the history of this sword and who it belonged too?"

"Yes Giles, it was made in Toledo Spain in 1515 for the sword master 
Diego de Valera and I also know which you do not, that he was 
immortal," Willow told him.

"So it's a good sword?" smiled Xander.

"Xander it is probably worth more than Buffy's house," explained 
Giles handing it back to Willow.

"How do we know any of this is for real," put in Cordy, "I mean 
couldn't it been all a delusion?"

Willow turned to Cordelia a stone look coming to her face, "I'm not 
delusional Cordy, would you like proof?" she said picking up the 
sword and standing up.

Cordy got a little nervous as she also rose and slowly pulled Giles 
in front of her, figuring that Willow wouldn't hurt the man they had 
come to think of as a father figure! She realised that after how she 
had treated Willow over the years and the sort of power and skill 
the redhead must have she might decide it was time to take her 
revenge. "Ah what do you mean Willow?"

Willow laughed, Cordy really didn't know her, "You want proof? 
Here's proof," she said somewhat angrily. She placed her hand on the 
blade and slowly drew it down her palm; they could all see the blood 
running down the blade and see the pain on her face.

"Willow," exclaimed Xander as he and Buffy moved to their friend's 
side, Giles said and did nothing, "What are you doing? Giles get the 
first aid box," he said as he tried to pull her hand away from the 
blade, "Ouch," he cried cutting one of his fingers in the process.

Willow looked angrily at Xander placing her sword on the table and 
grabbing his hand, "What do you think you are doing? You could have 
lost a finger," she said inspecting the damage to his hand.

"Hey I'm not the one that cut my hand, ow ow ow," Xander 
cried, "Okay maybe I did cut my hand. Is it bad will I need 
stitches?"

"Stop being such a baby," Willow said looking at the cut, "No I 
don't think so, its not as deep as I thought, I'll get the first aid 
box," she told him turning towards the office.

"Willow what about your hand?" asked Xander.

Willow smiled as she held it up for them to see, "It's all better 
Xand," she told him, other than some blood there was no indication 
that she had ever cut herself.

On returning with the box she began attending to Xander's finger, he 
gritted his teeth to stop from crying out and embarrassing himself 
in front of the girls, Willow smirked as she saw the look on his 
face, "It's ok Xand we won't think you less of a man if you cry out."

"Yeah right, why does it hurt so much I was hurt much more last week 
when that demon threw Buffy at me."

"Because you have lots of nerves in your fingers that send messages 
to your brain," Giles explained.

"What brain," Cordy said, she looked at Willow and could see that 
she had been about to say the same thing, "Sorry if I stole your 
thunder, I wouldn't normally want to be accused of taking your place 
in line."

"Oh, I think you pushed your way to the front long before this," 
Willow said.

Cordelia snorted, "Hey, I can't help it if I get the spotlight just 
because some people blend into the background."

Willow's anger began to build, "Well, maybe some people could see 
better if you weren't standing on the auction block, shaking your 
wares."

Buffy and Xander exchanged worried looks. "Sorry, we haven't all 
perfected that phoney `girl next door' bit," Cordy countered.

"You could be the girl next door, too. If Xander lived next to a 
brothel!" retorted Willow.

"I think that will be quite enough of that you two, we need to work 
on a plan to rescue Jenny," said Giles sternly, he turned to the 
slayer, "Buffy I need you to take Willow and checkout the area 
around the factory, it should be fairly safe if you go before it 
gets dark, see if Angel has any traps set up, if you could get an 
estimate of the number of vampires he can call on would also help."

"I'll have a little talk with Willy see what he knows," Buffy nodded 
as she got up to leave, "We'll meet you at the Espresso Pump at 7 
tonight, bring the weapons."

Willow picked her sword up and after wiping the blood off replaced 
it under her coat and followed after the slayer.

--------------

Summers residence 5PM

Joyce Summers opened the front door, she quickly looked around the 
downstairs before going to the bottom of the stairs, "Buffy are you 
home?" she called out, there was no reply, breathing a sigh of 
relief she picked up the phone and dialled long distance.

The other end rang quite a few times before the person on the other 
end answered, "Joe's Blues bar, Joe speaking."

"Joe, it's me Joyce, I have a problem, Jenna has gone missing I 
think she has been taken by Angelus!"

"Joyce I know Jenna is your first assignment but living on the 
Hellmouth things like that will happen, all you can do is wait and 
hope she can get away, you can't get involved."

"Yeah right like you never get involved with Duncan Macleod, I've 
heard the stories like everyone else," she laughed down the phone.

"That's different and you know it, he doesn't get involved with 
demon's and vampires like Jenna does, just remember that Angelus is 
extremely dangerous. Have you been able to find out how he lost his 
soul?"

"Not yet Joe but I think my daughter may have had something to do 
with it," sighed Joyce.

"Little Buffy, surely not!" 

"Not so little anymore she's seventeen and trying to drive me into 
an early grave," Joyce laughed.

"What was she doing associating with vampires?" Joyce could hear the 
shock in Joe's voice.

"I don't know! But I could hardly question her without it coming out 
that vampires exist and that I'm a watcher," Joyce pointed out.

"I see your point! Is there anything else?"

"Yes I think I need help, Willow is staying with us while her 
parents are away, Buffy knows she is immortal I heard them talking 
last night, she took her first head last night I think she could 
warrant her own watcher."

"Maybe! I'll think about it, I could always reassign Hank to help," 
Joe could hear Joyce let out a low growl, "Sorry that was in poor 
taste, I'll see what I can come up with, I'll phone you at the 
gallery tomorrow okay. Bye Joyce."

"Bye Joe," Joyce said before replacing the receiver. She turned 
just then as the front door opened and Buffy and Willow walked 
in, "Hi honey, sorry but I've only just got in so it will have to be 
take out tonight, any preference?"

"Hi mum, no I'm easy. Will?" Buffy enquired of her friend.

"I don't mind whatever you two want," smiled Willow.

"You two are absolutely no help," Joyce laughed, "Okay how does 
Chinese sound?"

"Great mum."

"Yeah that will be fine Mrs Summers," nodded Willow, she turned to 
Buffy, "That should give us time to finish our homework."

A look of horror appeared on Buffy's face, "I knew that it was a bad 
idea for mum to say you could stay."

"Come on Buffy it won't take long," Willow reassured her friend as 
she pulled her up the stairs leaving a quietly laughing Joyce to 
order dinner.