FIC: Dark Alliance 3/5

["mike" <wizathogwarts@xxxxxxxxx>]

See Chapter 1 for disclaimers.

Chapter 3


A waxing moon held court in the starlit night.
No clouds to disturb its view of events below.
But the moon doesn't care, doesn't see and doesn't hear.
But if it could, the moon would have trembled at the activities this 
night.  
And surely it would have cringed at the mournful wail that emanated 
from beneath the earth.  
Of such a timbre and range it built and echoed.  
Gaining strength as it found its way from caverns deep.
Once in the open air it spread and carried like a plague of locust.  
Parents looked up in shock.  
Children cowered under their covers.  
Dogs put their heads down and whimpered.  
Cats hissed and spit.
The master wailed his failure.
The slayer went home to bed.

The master finally stilled his cries and looked around the empty 
cavern with hate filled eyes.  He silently cursed the slayer.  Then 
forced his thoughts away from failure, grateful he had planned.  He 
still felt Timothy, though now far away.  This was very good he 
thought, away from the Slayer and on his way to his Ancient sire.  
He knew his duty and in this case it might be the only thing that 
could save him.  'Timothy must reach my sire.  The ancients 
intervention now might be the only thing that would save them all' 
he thought before his mind turned to the fact that he was now all 
alone.

Buffy had just kissed her mother good night after sharing the story 
of her success.  As her senses tumbled into slumber she mumbled one 
last thing with a smile on her lips.

"Good night Willow."

Willow was still awake as the slayer said good night.  She had been 
furiously working on tracking Mr. Giles back to London.  The 
previous night she had quickly accessed his records with the school 
district.  Armed with his vital statistics and the account number at 
the Bank of London where his salary was automatically deposited she 
had been carefully setting her route for cracking into the bank's 
computer system.  She had created a web whereby she could access the 
bank and if discovered, the web would collapse much faster than it 
could be unraveled.  Now she was patiently waiting for her custom 
written ferret, as she liked to call it, to capture the access codes 
she needed to unlock the information in Mr. Giles's bank records.  

"Gotcha" she said quietly as her automated routine turned around and 
started extracting everything about the account including all 
information on any depositors or payees that had accounts with the 
bank.  Because of the convoluted routing she had set up, the 
information was coming in pieces and being slowly put together as 
each arrived.  After carefully monitoring the system for nearly 
thirty minutes to make sure her intrusion had not been detected the 
last bit of information arrived.  She silently thanked her parents 
for getting her the ISDN then immediately sent out the signal for 
all her daemons to hibernate.  Vulnerable ones that could lead back 
to her self terminated.  She looked over at the clock noting the 
late hour but knew she couldn't sleep without at least scanning what 
she had.  Most everything about his account was normal and boring 
except for one regular deposit.  This deposit happened on the first 
business day of every month and was four times the salary he 
received from the school district.

"Wow, he's loaded.  What's he doing working as a librarian."  Willow 
said out loud noticing his account balance and the regular transfers 
to several investment accounts.

Bringing up the records from the account where he was getting the 
large regular deposit she became more confused.  There were large 
infusions of cash from multiple sources, many of them large 
international companies whose names she recognized.  And nearly two 
thousand monthly deposits to other accounts just like Mr. Giles.  
She looked at the name for this account and read it out loud.

"WC LLC" She debated whether or not to begin researching WC LLC 
right away or wait for tomorrow.  After one more look at the clock 
she decided to put it off for tomorrow night.  But that didn't mean 
she couldn't spend some time in the library tomorrow looking over 
the rare books collection that Mr. Giles had brought with him.


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


Buffy arrived early to school and went immediately to the library.  
There she found Giles sorting through a new arrival of books.

"Hey Giles."  She called out cheerily, looking forward to conveying 
her good news.

Giles looked up noting his young charges happy demeanor.  "Good 
morning Buffy.  I take it everything went well last night?"

"Oh better than well.  They showed up like clockwork though a bit 
disorganized.  The vessel guy was easy to spot, the symbol you said 
he would have on his forehead was clear as day. Thanks by the way."  
Giles acknowledged her gratitude with a slight nod of his head.

"Anyway, when he was about ten feet away from where I was hiding I 
let loose with the crossbow and he was dust before he even knew what 
hit him.  The rest were so stunned that I got three more before the 
last two decided to high tail it.  Fortunately they stuck together 
and I had them in just a couple of minutes."  Buffy caught her 
breath before continuing.  "Then I went on a full patrol, including 
the university campus for the first time.  Good thing too 'cause I 
ran across a group of college deadouts that were being led by some 
blond bimbo who thought she was the queen of Sheba.  I listened in 
on them for awhile and found out they had quite a racket going.  
They would find some student that was having problems, snack on him 
and then steal all his stuff from his dorm.  And to top it off they 
would leave a note from the victim saying he couldn't handle the 
pressure and just left."  Buffy shivered as she remembered the cold 
fury she had felt upon hearing their plans for their latest 
target.  "I kinda took my time with them, leaving the blond for 
last.  I wanted her to feel some real fear before I dusted her.  
Unfortunately I don't think she ever did.  She just kept acting all 
pissed off and put out.  Kinda taught me something though.  I have 
to remember that their just soulless demons.  I need to just kill 
them and not get personally involved."

"Anything else?"  Giles queried with a slight twinkle in his eye.  
He was coming to enjoy the manner in which she made her reports.  It 
was very unprofessional but charming none the less.

"Oh yea, the harvest guys.  There were only six including the 
vessel.  Guess Angel was off on his count or there is one more 
running around somewhere."  Buffy shrugged lost for any further 
explanation.

Giles frowned.  It made tactical sense to send one for 
reinforcements or help when faced with imminent destruction he 
thought.  'A master vampire that would do such a thing would have to 
have a modicum of humility to admit to possible failure.  It was 
rare, but he had heard of very old vampires who planned for 
contingencies such as failure, but what kind of help would he send 
for and how would it manifest itself'  he finished this train of 
thought deciding more research was called for.

"There could be a couple of reasons a master vampire would keep one 
of his minions out of a battle.  It's rare but not unprecedented.  
I'll need to research it before I can add anything else." Giles 
finished by taking his glasses from his face to give them a nice 
wiping with his handkerchief.  Returning his glasses to their 
customary location, he asked Buffy something that had been bothering 
him.

"Buffy, you've mentioned several times getting close to vampires 
without them being aware of your presence.  Just how do you manage 
this?"

"Huh?"  Buffy responded, surprised that a Watcher would ask such an 
obvious question.

"Did I not make myself clear?"  Giles asked, unsure of the reason 
for Buffy's confusion.

"No, I understood the question.  I just don't understand why you 
would ask.  I mean it was my first watcher, Merrick that taught me 
the shadows spell.  Took me six months to master it and I even got 
the scent and sound dampening figured out, guess he reported that I 
was hopeless.  But if he hadn't died he would have let you guys know 
that I finally got the hang of it."  Buffy explained a little 
embarrassed at her admission.

Unsure of how to respond, Giles contained his surprise.  "Of course, 
I just wasn't aware that you had finally mastered that ability.  
Well congratulations.  I'll be sure to let the council know of your 
success."

Buffy smiled at the compliment.  "Well if that's it, time for 
school."  Buffy practically skipped through the library doors.

Giles turned and went into his office, securely closing the door 
behind him.  He didn't want interruptions as he logged the slayer's 
report and prepared his dispatches for the council.  He smiled as he 
imagined their surprise as they read his latest report.

Several minutes passed before a head with red hair cautiously peeked 
out from the upper level book stacks.  Willow had gotten a lot more 
than she bargained for when she had decided to arrive early to check 
out Giles's rare book selection.  Feeling a bit like Alice in 
wonderland she quietly made her way from the library.  With one 
final glance back at the closed office door she made her exit more 
determined than ever to find out everything she could.


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


Willow was transfixed by the soft deep red petals held before her 
face.  The outer petals were just beginning to flare outward with a 
silent promise of more beauty and pleasure within.  She flared her 
nostrils slightly as she tried to catch the scent she knew the rose 
had to offer.  Leaning closer to better capture the sweet fragrance 
her eyes came to focus on dark green eyes that watched her 
attentively.  Slowly she brought her lips to the exquisite offering, 
never moving her eyes from the ones watching her.  As her lips 
reached their destination she marveled in the silky softness that 
caressed her.  She gently clasped the small smooth hand holding the 
rose stem and closed the distance to the owner of that hand.  She 
guided the rose until it was the only thing separating their 
yearning lips.  Carefully she moved her hand down, slowly removing 
this final barrier from her goal.  Lips touched and from deep within 
a rising moan riding the crest of anticipated pleasure was 
unceremoniously shattered by her alarm clock.  Groaning in 
frustration she fumbled with the clock radio, finally silencing it.

"Wow!"  She spoke aloud attempting to recapture the feelings that 
were being blown away by the winds of consciousness.  'Oh my
god,' 
She thought quietly.  'Only three weeks and I'm dreaming of kissing 
her.  This can't be happening.  I'm straight!  I even told her so.  
So why is this happening?  Damn hormones must figure that they're 
not going to get satisfied by any guy so they focus on the next best 
thing.'  Willow grabbed her pillow smushing it to her face as she 
groaned in confusion.  Unable to stop her train of thoughts they 
continued to course through her mind unbidden.  'But would it really 
be the next best thing?  My fantasies of Xander never made me feel 
this... way, this wanting, excited, damnit, this aroused.  What was 
it she said?  Something about gay people figure it out at different 
times in their lives.  Yea, some as kids and others not until after 
their married with kids.  That's what she said!'

Willow rolled over on her side, willing to get out of bed and start 
her day.  Wanting to go about her normal routine so as to distract 
her from her current line of thought.  But she didn't make it any 
further than sticking one slender foot out from under her covers as 
she began to go over the last three weeks of her life.

The memories unfolded, like a treasured photo album.  And just like 
browsing through treasured photo's she would stop and remember 
fondly.  Mostly she remembered the Saturdays they spent together.  A 
day at the movies followed by way too much ice cream, topped off 
with mochas.  Then a picnic to a place in the woods Willow wouldn't 
have believed existed.  A place where they could let a cool running 
stream tickle their bare feet and they talked of hopes and shared 
some fears.  And just before things could get too heavy, the quirky 
jokes that Buffy would make.  Catapulting them both into fits of non 
stop jokes and laughter.

'It's been the best three weeks of my life.'  Willow realized, the 
thought making her sit up in her bed.  Then the other memories 
came.  The ones of how every night and nearly all day on Sundays she 
had unraveled the mystery of Buffy's other life.  The one she 
couldn't talk about.  The one where she risks her life nightly to 
protect her and everyone else in the world.

Research that had finally culminated in breaking into the Watcher's 
Council email system.  And with that memory came apprehension as she 
remembered what she had discovered.  Getting out of bed and going 
over to her desk she began to read again the printed words that had 
caused her such anxiety.

18/03/1997  14:23:02
To:  Jonathan Smyth
From:  Niles York

Jonathan,

Quentin just completed reviewing Rupert's latest dispatches with us 
and I regret to inform you that early measures may be invoked.

The slayer, Buffy Summers, successes are so extraordinary that it is 
only a matter of time before she draws the attention of the 
ancient's.  Apparently Merrick went against Council edicts and 
trained the slayer in magik's and strategy that have made her far 
too formidable.  It is unfortunate that we must take measures 
because she performs her calling too well, but the consequences of 
her reaching maturity are too great to risk.

You are to make contact with the ancient's representative but at 
this time do not volunteer any information.  If they raise the issue 
assure them that the Council will keep the Covenant.  You are then 
to report all they say and await further instructions.

If action becomes necessary, the Council will prepare the Codex.  
You are to plan and execute the delivery.

Niles York
Assistant Counsel



19/03/1997  09:42:17
To:  Niles York
From:  Jonathan Smyth

Niles,

The ancient's representative contacted me the day following your 
previous message.  I regret to inform you that they are very aware 
of the slayer's successes and in no uncertain terms demanded her 
early retirement.  As instructed, I assured him that the Council 
would keep the Covenant.  

I then informed him that the ancient's request would be immediately 
presented to the Council and he would be informed of the Council's 
remedy.  He then insisted on immediate action.  At this point his 
demeanor faltered and I realized that he was afraid.  I can only 
speculate as can you at what would instill such fear.

While I realized that it would be catastrophic to deny their 
demands, I can't help but take some small measure of satisfaction in 
making them wait as long as possible.

I will patiently await your reply,
Jonathan Smyth
Region Counsel



24/03/1997  22:11:56
To:  Jonathan Smyth
From:  Niles York

Jonathan,


The Council echoes your sentiments.  You are instructed to advise 
the ancient's representative that the Council is making the 
preparations to fulfill their request.

Inform them that due to the unusual circumstances of the slayer 
living with her mother and leading an open life, we must be more 
circumspect than usual.  To insure that no foul play is suspected 
their request cannot be carried out any earlier than eight weeks 
hence.  

I and the Council are confident in your ability to make certain that 
they accept this timetable.

The codex is being prepared and will be delivered to you by courier 
with sufficient time for you to execute transfer to its ultimate 
destination.  

A final word of caution.  Rupert must be kept as unaware of our 
plans as the slayer herself.

Niles York
Assistant Counsel


Willow completed reading, slightly aware of the warm tears silently 
making their way across her cheeks.  An emotion she had never 
experienced before in her life quickly built within her until with 
fiery purpose it consumed her.  Fear and pain were placed away.  Hot 
rage cooled into tempered determination and an overwhelming need to 
protect.

'I've got eight weeks to figure out how to save Buffy.'  She told 
herself.  Indecision collapsed as she began to plan on how to save 
her best friend.

"And maybe, just maybe...more."  She whispered just before launching 
into a flurry of activity so she could get to school.


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


Willow's thoughts were so focused she didn't hear her name being 
called.  With quick strides she made her way, occasionally bumping 
against other students until a hand grasped her shoulder.  She 
turned around to see Xander's worried face.

"Didn't you hear me?  I've been yelling your name for the last five 
minutes trying to get you to stop.  What's going on with you?"  
Xander's voice swiftly changed from concern to a more demanding 
tone, conveying a touch of anger.

Willow's mind went into turmoil at having these demanding questions 
hurled at her unprepared.  But the turmoil passed quickly as her 
previous thoughts again took the forefront.

"Xander, I'm sorry I didn't hear you but I've got a lot on my mind 
right now.  And I just can't talk right now; I have some things I 
need to do."  As Willow turned away to leave she missed the anger on 
her friends face but not the words hurled at her back.

"Things to do with Buffy?  Just what kind of things Willow?  Girl 
things or girl/girl things..."  He let the words hang accusingly.

Brought up short by the vitriolic tone and words Willow snapped 
around to glare at Xander, disbelief covered her face like a shroud.

"What are you talking about?"  She demanded quietly while moving 
closer to him so as to keep their voices low.

"I may not be smart Will, but I'm not stupid."  Xander practically 
hissed at her.  "You've spent nearly every free minute you've got 
with Buffy.  And the few times we've talked, all you do is talk 
about her."  He paused while gauging her reaction.  Still seeing 
only confusion there he plowed on.  "I'm not the only one noticing 
either.  You and Buffy are the main topic on the gossip circuit.  
Did you know that Buffy has turned down offers from some of the most 
popular guys in school, including Owen?"  Xander felt particular 
satisfaction over this bit of news and had been only to happy to 
share.

Willow shook her head in complete confusion, not able or not willing 
to understand where Xander's news was leading.  

"So I've been spending time with a new friend.  Why is that worthy 
of gossip?"  Willow demanded.

"Oh come on Will.  You were seen coming out of Breaker's woods 
holding hands with Buffy, the both of you giggling and looking like 
the two of you had been going at it hot and heavy."  Xander accused, 
raising his eyebrows for emphasis.

"Whaaa..."  Willow stopped dumbstruck.  As the words sank in she 
felt the blood drain from her face.  "But we're just friends.  
There's nothing going on."  Willow's words trailed off as unbidden, 
the memory of her dream came rushing back.  A memory that caused her 
to flush but also to instill her with the confidence to respond.

"Xander, nothing like you are suggesting has happened between Buffy 
and me.  We've talked.  We've laughed.  And I've had the three most 
wonderful weeks of my life.  All by doing nothing more than being a 
friend to someone who is being a real friend in return.  And if 
bigoted idiots want to make something more of it, then tough.  It 
doesn't change the truth."  Willow began to turn thinking she had 
had her say.  But anger at Xander's seeming betrayal caused her to 
turn and respond once more.  "I thought you were my best friend.  
But I just didn't know what real friendship was about.  Now I know 
what a real friend is..."  She let her words hang for a moment while 
she fixed Xander with a steely look.  "And I know what a real friend 
isn't" She finished pointedly.  Continuing her stare for another 
heartbeat, she then turned and walked away.  Her head held high 
unaware and for the time being uncaring of the defeated and hurt 
expression on her childhood friend's face.



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


Buffy closed her locker, pausing for a moment listening to the 
whispered voices.  Forcing herself to turn casually, she walked down 
the hall ignoring the looks and outright stares she was receiving.

'Three days of gossip and still they can't find anything better to 
talk about.'  She thought disgustedly.  Then she caught sight of 
Willow, standing almost rigid with an expression that would make 
stone look alive.  Buffy carefully watched people stop and stare as 
she approached her best friend.  Stares from simple curiosity to 
glares of outright hatred.  'God, what did I do to deserve her?'  
She asked herself.  Buffy's heart ached at the pain that Willow had 
to endure because of their friendship.  Buffy was only a couple of 
steps from where Willow waited for her when a large mass wearing a 
letterman's jacket roughly bumped into Willow, knocking her to
her 
knees.

"Out of the way ya fucking dyke."  Was loudly proclaimed to one and 
all.  The speaker had started to turn to look with satisfaction at 
his victim but the sight of the helpless girl on the floor was 
denied him.  What he experienced instead was the briefest feeling of 
being airborne and then incredible pain as his back and head made 
contact with a row of lockers.  As he slumped to the floor sharp 
waves of agony washed over him, blurring his vision.  He vaguely 
noticed an arm extended towards his chest and felt his body rising 
into the air.

Willow was on her knees when startled by the loud slamming sound of 
a heavy object striking metal.  Seeing Buffy grabbing her assailant 
and lifting him into the air she leapt forward, throwing her arms 
around Buffy's.  At the moment she made contact with her friends 
body, Buffy froze, her body locked like a statue of bronze and just 
as hard.

"Buffy, I'm OK."  Willow spoke desperately, needing to get the angry 
girls attention before she caused any more damage.

Buffy slowly turned her head.  Her anger slipping when confronted 
with the desperate, pleading look.  "But he hurt you."  Buffy 
mumbled between clenched teeth.

Willow was consumed by these simple words.  She felt something she 
had never felt before in her entire life.  Safe, comforted, 
protected all wrapped up in one wonderful package.  She felt truly 
loved.  Willow smiled.

The smile worked magic.  Buffy's hand released the barely conscious 
body and Buffy's body relaxed, the anger washed away.

"Buffy, we need to go.  And then we need to talk."  Willow spoke 
quietly for fear that she would be heard in the sudden quiet of the 
school hallway.

"Oh, OK." Buffy agreed quietly and allowed herself to be lead down 
the hall and outside by her friend.

As they left the school behind Buffy's thoughts began to settle 
down.  As they settled down, the recent events began to wash over 
her, bringing rise to panic as she realized what she had done.  And 
not in the dark of night and shadows, but in the cold light of day 
in front of dozens of fellow students.  Panic seized on a way out.

"Willow, did you see what happened?"  Buffy asked timidly.

Willow looked at her friend, recalling the events that only lasted 
seconds.  "Not the first part.  I only heard the sound he made after 
you threw him into the lockers.  I only saw you lifting him off the 
ground about to make a pancake out of his face."

"Oh, guess I kinda lost it."  Buffy replied lamely.  "I thought he 
hurt you and when I saw him stop I thought he was going to hurt you 
some more."  Buffy looked cautiously at Willow, mildly surprised to 
see a slight smile beginning at the corner of Willow's lips.  "And 
then I must have gotten one of those adrenalin rushes.  You know, 
like the ones mothers get so they can lift a car and save their 
baby's life."  Buffy finished, desperation clearly tainting the 
small fib.

Willow giggled while looking Buffy in the eye with a conspiratorial 
look.  "Yea and I guess being the slayer had nothing to do with it."

Buffy was all of a sudden certain that the earth and cosmos were 
moving at incredible speeds.  She knew because she felt them all 
come to an abrupt stop.  Buffy's insides felt the gut wrenching 
effects of inertia when her universe came to an abrupt halt.  Willow 
halted also, and turned to see the near apoplectic expression on 
Buffy's face.

Willow smiled reassuringly.  "Not here Buffy.  I've got some things 
to show you and then we need to talk."  Willow then linked her arm 
with Buffy's gently encouraging her friend to begin moving again.

As she felt Willow's arm gently urging her to move, she slowly began 
to move her feet forward.  Her mind slowly began to groan and grind 
its way into motion a few minutes later.  As her thoughts gained 
speed they so consumed her concentration that she was unprepared 
when she felt Willow sitting her down on a chair not understanding 
how they had arrived at Willow's house so quickly.

Willow waited patiently, slowly stroking Buffy's hands.  'Guess I 
shouldn't have surprised her like that.'  She thought, now concerned 
that she had put her friend into shock.

Buffy slowly became aware of a soothing feeling, traveling from her 
hand and up her arm.  A feeling that seeped into her riotous 
thoughts and bringing more of her focus to her surrounding.  She 
felt herself blink her eyes.  Then she blinked them a couple more 
times.  With each blink things became a little clearer until she 
could see Willow with a very concerned look on her face.

Willow saw that Buffy's eyes were now focused on her.  "Buffy?  Are 
you going to be OK?"  She asked softly so as not to startle her.

"Yea, Uh...yea, OK, I mean I'm OK."  Buffy stumbled over her words 
like they were foreign objects.

"Good.  Now take your time and when you're ready, I have some things 
to tell you.  I need you to just listen while I talk."  Willow 
stressed this last part before going on.  "After I've told you 
everything, I then have something you need to read.  After that, we 
can talk and you can ask all the questions you need to."  Willow 
allowed a few moments for her words to sink in and then asked. "OK?"

Buffy's thoughts were much too chaotic to form an intelligent 
question at the moment so she just nodded her head.

Willow pulled up the spare chair and sat facing her with their knees 
touching.  Taking a deep breath she began her tale. 

"Well, it all started that first day.  The day we met.  After you 
dropped me at my house I couldn't stop thinking how you might be in 
danger."  Willow paused, gathering her thoughts and then launched 
into her tale.  "I wanted to help you but I didn't know how.  So I 
remembered that you said Mr. Giles knew things that helped you.  So 
I thought I would find out about Mr. Giles.  At the time I was 
thinking that if I knew how Mr. Giles helped you I could maybe help 
in the same way.  Anyway, I found out that being a librarian was 
just a cover.  Mr. Rupert Giles is actually employed by the 
Watcher's Council as a Watcher."  Willow paused again as she saw 
Buffy's eyes become round as saucers.  Averting her gaze momentarily 
from Buffy's she continued on.  "So I researched watchers and the 
council and found out what they watched."  Willow smiled shyly at 
the vision.  "I had also gotten to school early the morning after 
that first night to check out the ancient books he had brought.  I 
was back in the book stacks when you came in.  I overheard you and 
Giles talking about your previous night's slayings."

Buffy's eyes closed when she heard this and her mouth dropped open 
slightly.  She had to force herself to concentrate as Willow 
continued her tale.

"My research uncovered a lot of material that was considered myth.  
But after establishing a few known facts, such as Slayers are real.  
Vampires and demons are real.  Slayers defend the world against 
these threats and the council trains and guides the Slayers."

Willow noticed Buffy shaking her head slowly, her eyes down cast.  
Ignoring Buffy's consternation for the time being, she continued.

"The hardest thing to uncover was information about the Watcher's 
Council.  Separating fact from fiction was really difficult.  But I 
became determined when I discovered that no known slayer had ever 
survived her eighteenth year."

Buffy's head snapped up upon hearing this.  Clearly something that 
had been kept from her thought Willow as she again halted her tale.

"The more I read the more I became suspicious.  Then I hit pay 
dirt.  I got into the Council's email system."

Willow now paused from her narration.  Going over to her desk, she 
picked up the emails she had printed out.  Slowly turning, she 
approached Buffy, extending the three pieces of paper, stacked in 
chronological order.

Buffy stared at the paper extended before her, sudden dread filling 
her veins like ice water.  Feeling like someone being handed a death 
sentence, she glanced up at Willow, startled to see tears freely 
running down her friends face.

"Please Buffy.  Read these before you do or say anything else."

Buffy carefully reached for the papers, tentatively grasping them 
and then placed them on her lap.

Willow wanted desperately to turn her back.  She couldn't bear to 
watch Buffy read of the council's betrayal.  But she didn't want 
Buffy to feel alone in this so stood her ground quietly.  Patiently 
waiting for whatever would come.

Buffy read the first page, slowly at first and then again more 
quickly.  Glancing up quickly at Willow's tear streaked face; she 
turned her attention to the second page.

"Damn."  Softly left Buffy's lips, softly but with the power of a 
true curse.

Buffy read with the final page as her own tears, ones born on the 
wings of betrayal, began to well up in her eyes.  Looking up into 
the face of the messenger, grief and fear overwhelmed her.

"They're going to kill me."  The papers slipped from her numb 
fingers as she slowly fell forward onto the floor.  All her strength 
vanishing in the wake of being betrayed.

Willow practically fell to the ground in her efforts to get to 
Buffy's shaking form.  Gathering her up in her arms she held her as 
if her life depended upon it.

"No.  They're not going to kill you.  I won't let them."  Willow 
spoke with force, her voice rising with each word.

"Willow, they're so powerful.  How can you stop them?  It's just not 
possible.  I can't run away.  As long as I live, they'll keep 
hunting me."  Buffy sobbed into Willow's shoulder.

Stroking Buffy's hair, Willow gatherer her wits.  "This is where we 
talk Buffy.  I have a plan."

Buffy slowly pulled herself from Willow's arms.  Sitting back a 
little with her face only inches from her friends.  Thinking she 
knew what Willow was planning she revealed what she perceived was 
the flaw.  "Willow, there's something you need to know.  A slayer is 
called when..."

"I know Buffy."  Willow cut her off.  "A new slayer is called when 
the previous slayer dies."

Buffy now looked confused.  "So if you know, then you know that as 
long as a new slayer hasn't been called, they'll know I'm alive." 

Willow's face became incredibly serious.  A resolute look the like 
of which Buffy had never seen before.  On anyone, let alone her 
friend.  "If a new slayer is called, then they'll believe that 
you're dead.  Doesn't mean you are, just that you died."  Willow 
paused while Buffy digested this concept.

"But if I die, wouldn't I be dead?"  Buffy hadn't quite grasped 
Willow's plan.

"Yes, but you don't have to stay dead."  Willow allowed a slight 
smile to curl her mouth.  "Happens hundreds of times every day.  We 
just need to figure out the best way for you to die very 
temporarily."

Buffy slowly considered what Willow had said but her tactical sense 
quickly uncovered a problem.  "If they are planning on killing me, 
they'll be there to make sure I'm dead.  How are you going to get 
around that?  And what about a body?"

Willow's smile turned a little smug.  She got up and went to her 
desk, returning with another letter.  Sitting down, she proudly 
presented the letter.

Buffy couldn't help but grin a little herself seeing the proud look 
on Willow's face.  Taking the paper she read a fourth email.

02/04/1997  12:16:41
To:  Sebastian Childress
From:  Jonathan Smyth

Sebastian,

I have a mission of the utmost importance for you.  You must make 
contact with the soul'd vampire Angelus.  Let him know that you can 
obtain the Codex.  

The Codex has been prepared with a prophesy.  Simply stated, the 
Master will rise and the Slayer will face him and die.  As you know, 
a Codex prophesy isn't effective until the Codex is read by someone 
unaware that it's a spell which produces a prophesy.  

Angel, as he prefers to be called must deliver the Codex to Rupert 
Giles.  Once Rupert has read the prophesy, it will come to pass 
within forty-eight hours.  We need Rupert's confirmation that he 
read the prophesy.  If for some reason the body is not recovered, 
this confirmation along with the confirmation of a new slayer being 
called should be sufficient to quell the ancient's fears.

I will expect you within the week to hand the Codex over to you.


Jonathan Smyth
Region Counsel


Buffy read the message twice more as it began to sink in.  Looking 
at Willow's anticipatory smile she barely whispered her 
hope.  "They're not going to be there.  And they're prepared to not 
find a body."  Buffy paused, troubled once again.  "But the prophesy 
says a vampire is going to kill me?  And once a vampire kills you 
it's kinda permanent," Buffy's eyes flew wide.  "Unless they
turn 
you, in which case I'd rather stay dead."

Willow was ready to spring her final surprise on Buffy.  "Buffy, 
it's not a real prophesy but a spell.  And spells can be broken.  
And thanks to 'Rupert's' wonderful collection, I know how to break 
the spell."  Willow smiled sweetly.

Buffy slowly returned Willow's smile.  "I'm beginning to believe 
this could work.  So tell me everything so I can really believe that 
I'm not going to be dead in eight weeks."

Willow paused, this was the scary part.  The part where she had to 
make the most important decision of her life.  One which would alter 
her life in a way that could never be changed back.

Buffy became concerned as Willow delayed.  The worry on her friends 
face was slowly turning her own to dread.  Smiles were a distant 
memory as Buffy finally encouraged Willow to go on.

"Will, you're wiggin me out here."  Startled, Willow realized she 
couldn't delay any longer.

"Buffy, they're some small pieces that still need to be worked out 
but they're just details.  But there's one big piece that could mean 
the difference between success and failure.  Until today I wasn't 
sure if I could do what was necessary to insure success.  But now I 
am.  I just need to know one last thing before I decide."  Willow 
paused, actually waiting for Buffy to give her some last bit of 
encouragement before continuing.

Buffy didn't fail her.  "What Will, what do you need to know?"

Willow took Buffy's hands gently into her own.  Softly caressing the 
back of Buffy's hands with her thumbs she took a deep breath and 
made the plunge.  "Do you love me?"

Buffy gasped.  She had spent nearly four weeks trying to ignore her 
ever growing feelings for the beautiful girl in front of her.  Not 
sure of what Willow was looking for, she responded honestly but 
safely.  "Of course I love you, you're my best friend."

Willow needed a better answer.  And she didn't want to play twenty 
questions to get it either.  "Buffy, no matter how you answer, I 
will always be your friend, you're best friend.  But I really need a 
complete answer so let me rephrase the question... Are you in love 
with me?"

Buffy felt torn, part of her was jumping for joy that she would 
finally be able to tell Willow how she really felt.  The other part 
was afraid of the very possible rejection, crushing her hopes once 
and for all time.  But this was important to Willow. "Yes, I'm in 
love with you."  She answered the question, her voice husky with 
emotion.

Willow exhaled the breath she had been holding.  She squeezed 
Buffy's hands excited and scared of what she was about to say.

"Then kiss me."

Willow's simple words hung in the air like a feather caught in an 
updraft.  Buffy was captivated as she felt the invitation float in 
the air.  Leaning forward ever so slowly, wanting this moment to 
last for as long as possible.  

Two pairs of eyes closed as lips touched.  Gently they moved, 
slightly parted beginning a slow dance.  Careful exploration began 
to elicit quickening hearts and breathing.  Their lips moved to the 
quickening tempo.  Heavy breathing turned to moans of pleasure as 
hands entwined in each others hair.  Warm, moist tongues joined the 
dance, turning a slow waltz into a tango.  Willow chased Buffy's 
tongue with her own as she felt Buffy slowly pull away.  Buffy 
placed feather light kisses all over her face, sending little jolts 
of pleasure across her face with each tender touch.  Holding 
Willow's head between her hands, Buffy pulled back, her lips a mere 
inch from Willow's.

"I answered your question."  Buffy managed to gasp.  "What was the 
decision you needed to make and what did you decide?"

With difficulty, Willow forced her aroused passions back slightly, 
just far enough to answer Buffy's question.

"I needed to decide if I was going to go with you."  Buffy's heart 
flip flopped hearing this.  "And I decided yes, because I realized 
today that I'm in love with you.  I was pretty sure you were in love 
with me, I just needed to be sure."  Willow smiled, and then licked 
her lips slowly.  "Now can we get back to the kissing?"

Buffy didn't even pause for breath as she returned her lips to where 
they belonged.










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Willow: "It's a good fight, Buffy, and I want in."
Buffy:  "I kinda love you."
                     'Choices'

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