Dark Alliance 4 of 5

["mike" <wizathogwarts@xxxxxxxxx>]

Please see chapter 1 for disclaimers.  But just to be safe, I don't 
own any of this.

Chapter 4


Stark, stripped, cold, even bathed in the morning sunlight, 
everything seemed lifeless.  The tall powerful evergreens, their 
bases caressed by well trimmed green grass had no life.  People 
moved and their voices carried a semblance of life, but it was all 
false.  After three weeks he was left with only a numbing emptiness 
that made everything dead around.  Three weeks since Willow told him 
he wasn't her friend.

Xander Harris knew he acted on his emotions.  Thinking things 
through before he spoke just wasn't something that he did.  'What I 
feel tells me what to say.'  He had stubbornly hung to this 
concept.  He did so because he didn't trust his brain to ever come 
up with anything intelligible.  He had been told by everyone, 
everyone except Willow, that he wasn't smart.  But he had a quick 
wit which he used to mask his insecurity over his lack of brain 
power.  

'I wasn't reasonable with her.'  He finally admitted to himself.  
But felt more frustrated, being reasonable meant using reason.  And 
to use reason, he would actually have to think things through, 
something that he had avoided doing for a long time.  Thus the 
depression and headache as he had spent the last week and a half 
thinking about why he acted the way he had.  He didn't like the 
conclusion he came up with either.  While admittedly this thinking 
thing was pretty new to him, it did make sense.  A lot more sense 
than what his emotions were telling him.  While his emotions were 
telling him that he was just watching out for his naive friend, 
reason and logic indicated something much deeper was at work.

He took a deep breath and looked at his watch again.  Five more 
minutes to figure things out before final period ended.  Then maybe 
a couple more until Willow walks out the front doors of the school.  
His thoughts returned to where they had left off as he considered 
once again his motivations.  He had come to realize how important 
Willow was to him.  How much he needed her in his life.  After 
accepting this and reviewing how he had taken her for granted the 
last couple of years, he had felt ashamed.  Ashamed because he had 
ignored the wonderful girl right in front of him and how he had hurt 
her while chasing after every girl that wasn't her.  He had finally 
worked everything out and was now ready to make things right.  He 
just hoped he wasn't too late.

His thoughts and breathing stopped as the first students began to 
exit the main building.  He carefully forced himself to breath deep 
and slowly, cautioning himself to remain calm and not lose control.  
And then, there she is and he wondered how he never realized how 
beautiful she is.  He barely even noticed the petite blond at her 
side as he approached her.

"Willow?"  He said her name as calmly as his anxious nerves
allowed, watching expectantly as she turned and focused her 
sparkling green eyes in his direction.

"Xander."  Willow replied, her voice cautious as her hand
reached out unbidden for support from Buffy, which was immediately 
provided as Buffy clasped their hands together.

Xander's eyes flickered downwards, feeling an ache deep within 
seeing how Willow reached for support from someone other than 
himself.  Xander willed his well rehearsed words from his mouth.

"I wanted to apologize.  Can we go somewhere and talk?" 
Xander's question was leaning towards pleading, reflecting the
look in his eyes.

Willow felt immediate relief at her old friends' apology.  She
cared for him deeply but their last conversation had left her 
feeling betrayed and very hurt.  A chance at reconciling their 
dispute and reclaiming her friend was something she desperately 
wanted.

Turning to Buffy with the unasked question in her eyes made the 
blond girl smile.  Buffy had spent hours consoling Willow after her 
previous meeting with Xander. In the process she had come to learn 
and appreciate the special friendship they shared.  Giving Willow an 
encouraging smile she answered the question.

"Go ahead, and take all the time you need.  I'll wait for
you."

Willow mouthed a silent thank you and turned back to Xander.

"Yea Xander, let's go talk."

Buffy watched the two old friends walk away with the hope that her 
love could heal this rift in her life.

Xander stopped when the reached a quiet area covered by three 
enormous trees.  Turning slowly he began his efforts to get Willow 
back in his life.

"I've been a real idiot Will, for a very long time,"
Taking a quick breath he continued.  "and a real ass recently. 
I'm really sorry for the things I said.  I was just missing you and 
got angry."

Running his hand through his hair to calm his nerves he then 
continued.  "And you know I'm not much with the thinking
before talking so I spoke to hurt you like I felt you were hurting 
me."

Willow frowned as she listened.  It was unlike Xander to be 
introspective and wasn't sure if this was leading somewhere good.

She decided to remain silent and let Xander have his say, mostly 
because she didn't really know how to respond to a Xander that
was trying to explain his motivations.

"I never meant to hurt you, but I know I did.  And you were right
to be angry, where my anger wasn't."  Xander's voice
became softer and more filled with emotion as he continued to share 
his recent self discovery.

"After you walked away I was totally shocked that you would
question our friendship.  I started off feeling that you were 
totally off base."  He paused momentarily as his thought and 
feelings began a battle for release.  "Then the shock wore off
and depression set in.  I began to think about our friendship, from 
the very beginning but mostly the past couple of years."

Here goes nothing he thought quietly.  "And I came to realized
how badly I've ignored your feelings those last couple of years. 
How
I took you for granted and stopped appreciating what a good friend 
you were to me.  You've always supported and encouraged me.  And I
came to expect it without realizing that it was you that was keeping 
me happy.  Every time something bad happened you would make it 
better.  Every time I screwed up you were the one that encouraged me 
to try again.  And that's when I realized the truth."

Xander became very still, as if on a precipice of monumental 
proportions and about to leap.

Willow's thoughts had been in overdrive while listing to Xander, 
analyzing his words for some clue as to where he was going.  It was 
obvious to her right away that this wasn't some simple apology
let's be friends again speech.  It was something much more and
she was becoming very worried that it was going to the last place 
she ever expected.

"And the truth is I missed you terribly.  So much that I know now 
how important you are to me."  Xander's words were becoming
quicker, his speech increasing in pace as he desperately raced to 
finish before something happened to stop him.

"How empty my life is without you and how much I need you.  I
can't tell you how sorry I am for ignoring you.  How I never told 
you how beautiful and special you are.  But I can show you."  

With those final words Xander reached out and placed his hands on 
Willow's shoulders, leaning down quickly to bring his face to
hers.  His lips to the lips he now so very much wanted to feel.  
Inches to go as he closed his eyes and anticipation began to crest.  
Almost there and then he felt it.  His face smashed against the palm 
of Willow's hand.

"XANDER!"  Willow shouted, pushing his face back with one
hand and the other pushing against his chest.

Xander was struck speechless.  He had been certain that this is what 
Willow wanted.  He was more than certain that it was what he 
wanted.  `One plus one equals two, doesn't it?'  His
thought now in a befuddled mess.

"What do you think you're doing?"  Willow demanded after 
disentangling herself from Xander and stepping back to a safe 
distance.

"I thought that this is what you wanted, you and me
together."  Xander's confusion was very obvious.

Willow stuck out her bottom lip and blew her breath straight up her 
face as she placed her hands on her hips in a pose of classic 
exasperation.  Gathering her wits about her she forced herself to 
calm down.

"Xander, I just wanted my oldest friend back.  I missed you too. 
I missed your wacky ways, your ability to not take things 
seriously.  I missed knowing that I could count on you no matter 
what.  That's what I want back."  Willow had calmed her voice
and now she used the tone she had used so many times with Xander 
when something happened to hurt him that he didn't understand.  A 
tone that was calm and patient without being condescending.

"Xander, we were never more than good friends.  But I loved our 
friendship.  Why would you think there was something more?"

"I knew Will."  Xander said almost embarrassedly.

Willow's eye scrunched in disbelief.  "You knew what." 
She challenged.

"I knew how you felt about me.  Jesse and I would talk about it.  
How you would get jealous every time I looked or chased after some 
other girl.  Jesse told me how you would look at me, like you wished 
I looked at you like I did at other girls."  Xander's head
was hung down; his eyes watching his foot shuffle a twig on the 
ground.

"Well if you knew this why didn't you say something to me? 
Didn't you know how it was hurting me?"  Willow abandoned any
denial to her desire to know why Xander would knowingly ignore her 
feelings.

"I didn't think I felt about you like that back then.  I
kinda thought of you as a sister and I thought that if I said 
anything it would just mess things up.  And I thought that you would 
eventually get over it."  Xander finished by shrugging his
shoulders.

"You thought, you thought.  Well Xander, I've got some
friendly advice for you.  Anyone who only shares their thought with 
themselves has a fool for a companion.  If you really want to do 
some thinking, you share it with other people so you can get 
additional perspectives."  Willow wasn't able to completely
keep her anger and frustration out of her voice.

"And as for what you thought, well you're right.  I did get
over it."  Willow calmed herself once more and then presented the
olive branch.  

"And now you need to get over it.  I still want you as a friend.  
There's a lot going on in my life right now that I would really
like your support on."  Now Willow turned a slightly pleading
look to Xander.  "I really need my Xander, my Xander who would 
support meno matter what.  Do you want that too?"

"God Will, I know I miss you.  I miss hanging out with you. 
You're my best friend.  But now I've got all these other
feelings going on.  Can't you at least give us a try?"  Xander 
pleaded hiscase one more time.

Willow looked at her friend sympathetically and shook her head 
slowly.  "No Xander, I can't.  If you had told me these
things a couple of months ago I probably would have.  But it 
wouldn't have worked out.  Trust me on this, you and I are not
meant for a relationship thing.  But I still want you as my friend."

Xander saw the conviction on Willow's face and accepted defeat.  
Grasping at her offering, he nodded his head and forced a 
smile.  "Always friends."

Willow face blossomed into a big smile as she drew Xander into a 
hug.  Xander carefully returned the hug resigning himself to another 
rejection.  But as he stepped back and saw Willow's happy face he 
felt a stirring of warmth.  `I have my friend back.'  He
quietly told himself.

"Come on, walk me back.  Buffy will be ecstatic that we've
made up."  Willow was nearly hopping with joy.  As they reached 
where Buffy was waiting with a hopeful look on her face Willow 
couldn't contain herself as she threw her arms around her girl 
friend. 

"We're friends again."  Willow proclaimed as she squeezed
Buffy with all her might.  Buffy returned the enthusiastic hug with 
a matching pressure.  Releasing Willow, Buffy approached Xander.

"Thank you Xander."  Then Buffy hugged him.

Xander's eyes opened wide at this unexpected surprise.  Not one
to pass up a great opportunity he enthusiastically returned her 
hug.  Buffy released her arms and Xander did also albeit more slowly.

"I really didn't have a choice.  A day without Willow is like
a day without sunshine."  Xander said jokingly but his eyes lent 
truth to the words.

Buffy came to a quick decision and decided to act on it.  "Look, 
Willow's staying at my place while her folks our out of town. 
Would you like to have dinner with us?"  Buffy asked him.

"Oh yea, that would be great.  And you've got to meet
Buffy's mom.  She's the greatest."  Willow
enthusiastically enjoined.

"Sure, never say Xander Harris ever turned down a home cooked 
meal."  He eagerly accepted.

The three friends walked towards Buffy's with a happy Willow in
the middle.


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



Xander was enjoying himself.  Mrs. Summers seemed really nice for a 
parent, something he personally had no experience with, and the food 
was great.

"Great food Mrs. Summers."  Xander said with his mouth half
full.

Joyce smiled at the compliment.  She looked at Buffy then Willow who 
were seated across from each other then back at Xander at the other 
end of the table.

"Thank you Xander.  And may I say it's a pleasure to finally
meet you.  I've heard quite a lot about you."  Joyce said
trying to engage him in conversation.

"About me?"  Xander said surprised while looking at Willow.

"Uh yea, I sort of dumped on Buffy and her mom after the uh... 
thing, you know."  Willow explained meekly.

"Oh."  Was all Xander said, starting to feel self conscious.

"We mostly heard what good friends you've been.  Willow
thinks the world of you and I'm very happy to see that you've
reconciled."  Joyce intervened before the silence became 
uncomfortable.

"Yea, we are friends.  Best friends in fact.  And nothing will
ever change that."  Xander confirmed feeling a bit more
comfortable.

"That's good to hear.  I know Willow really needs your
support, especially now."  Joyce said while keeping a watchful
eye for Xander's reaction.

"Mommmm."  Buffy whispered at her mother trying to convey a
warning.

Joyce looked at Willow to see a slightly panicked look as the girl 
sat rigid in her chair.  Joyce shook her head in exasperation.

Xander also noticed the expression on Willow and began replaying 
what Mrs. Summers had just said.

"What support is she talking about?"  He asked Willow feeling 
something important was being kept from him.

"Well you see..." Buffy began to explain but was cut off by
her mother.

"Buffy, I think this is something that Willow should explain. 
Don't you think so Willow?"  Joyce said and then touched
Willow's hand lightly to get her attention.

"Uh yea, I guess I should have told you earlier, when we were 
talking earlier but we had just made up and I had my friend back and 
didn't think to mention it at the time but I should have gotten
it out then but since I didn't I should do it now.  And now is the
time to say it so I'm going to say now what I should have said 
before which is remember how all this started with the angry words 
from you and then I got angry back because you were saying that 
Buffy and I were something more than we were.  Then I said that we 
were just good friends and it's true, well it was true then but
now it's not true, not that I lied because at the time I said it, it
was true, just it wouldn't be if I said it now but I wouldn't say
that now because then I would be lying, and lying is bad so I'm not
lying when I say I didn't lie then but it's not true now."  
Willow ran herself and watched Xander's expression as he
processed her babble.

Xander had a lot of experience with Willow's method of
communication during panic mode.  He looked at Willow then at Buffy 
who was looking at Willow and not him.  He noticed that Buffy had a 
smile on her face and not just a `Isn't she funny smile.'
No, it was the kind of smile someone has when they are looking at 
that someone in their lives who makes everything wonderful.  Xander 
looked back at Willow.

"So, you and Buffy?  Buffy and you are more than friends?" 
Xander said while feeling a cold pit swell inside him.

"Xander!"  Joyce intervened as she saw him about to lose
control.

Xander jerked his head towards Joyce as he heard his name.

"This is when you find out how good a friend you really are, how 
good a friend I know you are.  I know you care about Willow and she 
need to know that, now more than ever."  Joyce had spoken calmly
and clearly, her words carefully enunciated to draw his full 
attention.

Xander felt everything collapsing within him.  He slowly leaned back 
in his chair and looked at the ceiling.  He felt his life turning 
around and around, not going anywhere with all exits blocked.  He 
really just wanted to get up and run away from this hurt and 
confusion.  He didn't know what to say and was afraid if he
allowed himself to speak he'd just make things worse.  He was
about to just tell Willow that he needed time to think things over 
when he heard a sound, the sound of someone quietly crying.

As the first tears began to form in Willow's eyes Buffy started
to rise but Joyce stopped her daughter with a touch to her 
shoulder.  Sharing a look and meaningful glance towards Xander, 
Buffy relented and maintained her seat, exerting control she
didn't know she possessed.

Xander looked at Willow seeing her tear stained cheeks, the slight 
shaking of her slim shoulders and his heart broke.  The pain he was 
feeling wasn't the result of Willow not being his friend.  But
the pain she was feeling was the direct result of him not upholding 
his pledge of friendship.  `She's really hurting, maybe
there's still a chance.'  He told himself.  Shaking his head
to clear his thoughts, he rose from his chair and knelt on one knee 
by Willow.

Placing his arm around her shoulder he finally found the words he 
needed to say.  "Willow, I'm sorry.  You're just catching
me by surprise a lot lately.  I really don't understand any of
this.

Willow turned her tear streaked face towards Xander.  With a tremor 
in her voice she tried to explain.  "I love her, with all my
heart I love her."

Joyce quietly picked up some dishes and tilted her head indicating 
for Buffy to follow her to the kitchen.  Buffy quickly followed 
after grabbing a few dishes.

Willow and Xander were alone now as Xander frowned.  He hated to see 
Willow cry.  It always made him feel helpless and now more than 
ever.  "How'd this happen?  I mean when I heard people
talking about you and Buffy at school, I really didn't believe
it.  You never showed any gay signs.  "

Willow had wanted to talk about this with her oldest friend for 
weeks now.  She had even planned on doing it earlier until their 
heated argument.  Now that she had the opportunity she wasn't
going to waste it.

"It's always been there Xander, I just didn't know it. 
It's like your this great violinist but you've never seen a
violin because you live in a town where everybody plays the 
trumpet.  You try and play the trumpet but find you're not any good 
at it but you don't know anything else but the trumpet.  So you just 
keep hoping that someday you'll find a trumpet that you can at least 
be comfortable with.  Well then one day a stranger comes to town.  
The stranger doesn't look any different than anyone else but as you
get to know this stranger they don't feel so strange.  Then this 
stranger tells you that they don't play the trumpet, they play
the 
violin. You're curious, you've heard of a violin but never
met someone who plays one.  Then the stranger starts telling you 
about the violin.  How the strings vibrate under your fingertips and 
the feel when it caresses your cheek.  You begin to imagine what it 
would feel like.  You compare what you're feeling for the violin
to your feelings for the trumpet and you know that you never really 
had any feeling for the trumpet, that's why you couldn't ever
play one.  So now you have to know if the violin is really your 
instrument.  You pick up the violin and it fits naturally onto your 
shoulder.  Your cheek rests against it and you sigh.  Your fingers 
caress the neck and they feel at home.  Then finally, you draw the 
bow across the strings and this beautiful sound comes out, filling 
you up inside.  It's then you know you're a violinist.

Willow's words bounced around in Xander's mind.  He got it
but he didn't like it.  Willow's story convinced him that any
chance he had was gone.  Xander was feeling that he was truly losing 
Willow now.  After his weeks of painful soul searching resulting in 
a strong desire to possess Willow for himself he didn't know if he 
could be around her.  He didn't know what to do, but right here
and now he didn't feel comfortable.  Willow's tears only seemed to
amplify his feelings of loss and rejection.  Standing slowly he 
stepped back and looked down at his long time friend.  Willow tilted 
her head up, fear coming from her eyes as she saw Xander's hurt. 

"I can't do this Will.  I'm sorry, but I just can't
do this."

Xander walked slowly to the front door.  Opening the door, he looked 
back one last time to see Willow's shocked expression.  Turning
his head back to remove the sight from his vision he stepped out of 
the house while firmly closing the door behind him.

Willow mouthed a silent `Xander', and then let her head fall
forward onto the table as her anguish overtook her.





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



April 25, 1997


Cordelia Chase stood with her group of followers.  She had worked 
hard to be the top, most popular girl in the class.  Her money 
insured that she always wore the latest fashions and had the best 
stylist.  But it took more than looks to lead.  It took unwavering 
devotion to maintaining control.  Without control, complete and 
utter control, she would be just another of the masses.  She would 
be just as susceptible to being dominated and subjugated as anyone 
else.  She couldn't allow that she told herself as she
peripherally listened to the inane chatter of the girls around her.  
She had to show her control over everything and everyone.  Everyone 
needed to fear and respect her and everyone did, everyone except for 
two.  The two girls she had been waiting for were approaching as she 
considered once more what she needed to do.  The red head had always 
feared her.  In the past Cordelia had to only make occasional 
efforts to maintain that fear but in the last several weeks she felt 
it slipping.

She set her gaze on the blonde girl walking beside Willow.  Her face 
hardened as she felt her ire well up within.  Her control was 
slipping because of the small girl that didn't fear her.  Not
only didn't the girl fear Cordelia, but the student body was more
afraid of her than they were of Cordelia.  Cordelia couldn't
allow this to continue.  She couldn't allow any aspect of her world 
to not be under her control.  She needed to make a dramatic and 
decisive display of her power so that control would be hers where it 
rightfully belonged.

Before Willow and Buffy could pass the group Cordelia stepped in 
front of them, striking a pose of authority.

Buffy halted with Willow, taking an extra half step to place Willow 
slightly behind her right shoulder and returned Cordelia's gaze
with one of cool disdain.

Cordelia ignored the silent challenge from the blond and focused her 
attack on the green eyed redhead whose face showed a trace of 
nervousness.

"Willow."  She cooed, her voice carrying like the icy chill
of an artic wind.  

Buffy's eyes hardened into twin blades of steel as Cordelia
launched her assault.

"I always new you were a freak, but a lesbo?   Tsk, tsk, tsk.  
What's ever to be done?"  Cordelia allowed a vapid smile as
she continued.

"I know!"  She exclaimed with false brightness as she
observed the look of panic suffusing Willow's ivory complexion. 

"I can arrange for the football team to show you what you're 
missing."  Cordelia then thoughtfully crossed her arms, her right 
forearm extending up to tap her jaw lightly with her index finger in 
a thoughtful manner.

"Thought I'm pretty certain they would insist that you wear a
bag over your head.  Can't having them getting ill while
performing such an act of charity."

Buffy grinned evilly as she chose to respond in kind rather than the 
physical response that was her first inclination.

"While I'm sure you speak from personal experience
Cordelia,"  Buffy said acidly, "I seriously doubt the case of
crabs you gave them has cleared up yet."

Cordelia eyes flashed in anger as she turned her focus on Buffy.

"Besides, as you probably know from said personal experiences,
not even an entire football team of men could satisfy the way one 
woman could."  As Buffy was speaking she had moved closer to 
Cordelia invading her personal space.

Cordelia was momentarily put off by Buffy's invasion.  Backing up 
would demonstrate weakness she couldn't allow herself to show. 
With anger backed resolve she swung her hand with every intention of 
slapping the little bitches face.  But her intentions were stopped 
as she felt her wrist caught in a vise like grip.  She felt pressure 
exerted and experienced pain unlike any she had ever felt before.  A 
gasp followed by a whimper escaped her throat as the pain traveled 
up her arm.  She felt her knees weaken as nausea threatened to 
overtake all control of her body.

Through eyes filling with tears of agony she looked with rear fear 
into the dark green ones that held her captive as surely as the hand 
that held her wrist.

"You loose."  Buffy hissed just before pushing the trembling 
brunette into the arms of her shocked coterie.  Cordelia stumbled 
and nearly fell as she watched Buffy take Willow's hand and
without even a glance from either of them, they walked away.

Cordelia had always been afraid of being in the position she now 
felt herself.  It had been that fear that had driven her to being 
the controlling bitch she is.  Now she was in eminent danger of 
losing that control and her greater fear of that loss overcame fear 
of the powerful blond.

"That bitch is going to pay."  Cordelia practically screeched.




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


May 1, 1997


"Buffy, you're putting me in a very uncomfortable
position."  Giles voice carried more than a hint of nervousness
as he cleaned his glasses for the fourth time.  The stories of his 
Slayer's extracurricular activities had filter back to him.  He
had begun to try and remind the head strong girl that her duty came 
first.  Education was well and good but personal entanglements would 
only interfere with that duty.  He had tried to appeal to her strong 
sense of duty but to no avail.

"Oh yea?  And just what position is that?"  Buffy practically 
snarled, her jaw jutting forward with her hands on her hips.

"Well&"  He hesitated as he prepared himself for the
inevitable explosion his words would likely produce.  "I'm
going to have to insist that you discontinue your relationship with 
Miss Rosenberg."

Buffy looked at him like he was crazy.  "Are you crazy?"  She
yelled.

"Uh, I do feel a uh& rather tenuous grasp on reality at the
moment, but you must see how this can only lead to interfering with 
your duties as the slayer."  Giles knew in his heart that Buffy 
would never harm him which only slightly mitigated the fear he felt 
as he witnessed what he could only describe as a death glare from 
the angry young girl.

"For your information, I've performed my `duties'"
She replied with excessive sarcasm.  "without failure.  And you
have no evidence to the contrary."  She challenged.

"I agree.  Up till now you have performed magnificently." 
Giles tried once more to reason with her.  Perhaps more information 
would be helpful he thought.

"As you well know, this is the Hell mouth.  There have only been
two newly risen vampires here since you arrived but you still 
encounter assorted demons and vampires nearly every single night you
patrol."  Giles paused to allow this fact to sink in before 
continuing.

"All these demons are drawn here because of the influence of the 
Hell mouth.  They come from all over drawn like moths to a flame.  
That same diabolical energy that draws demons also feeds on any 
negative energy and negative emotions can be very potent.  Not only 
does it feed on them, it also encourages them."  Giles noted that
he had her attention but that her defiant posture had not altered in 
the slightest.

"Your relationship with Miss Rosenberg is feeding what would 
normally be only minor fear and hate somewhere else.  But because of 
the mystical influences that abound here they are becoming 
amplified."  He now paused.  He decided to present the rest of
his reasoning with some sympathy to her plight.

"Under normal circumstances I would never consider interfering
with your personal life.  I've met Miss Ro& uh, Willow, and
have found her to be an intelligent and charming young lady.  Please 
believe that I have no issue with your choice, only the likely 
ramifications."  Giles finished in a kindly manner.

Buffy regarded him carefully.  She understood what he was trying to 
do and appreciated that he was trying to explain things rather than 
being autocratic.  But what he told her also made her realize that 
any changes now were too late.

"Then it's too late Giles.  The flames have already been lit.
Even if, and it's not going to happen by the way, I stopped
seeing Willow, I can't stop them from seeing me.  It's not just
seeing me and Willow together anymore that's going to set them
off, it's the simple fact of just seeing us."  Buffy relaxed her
pose allowing Giles to digest what she had just said.

"Well what about home schooling? Uh, for both you and
Willow."  He seized on the thought of completely removing the
slayer from the view of the other students.

Buffy shook her head sadly.  "Giles, this is life.  This is what 
high school is, it's living.  Its hell, but its living and
I'm entitled to a life.  Just deal and move on already."  

Buffy turned and walked slowly away leaving a very confounded 
watcher behind.





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




May 7, 1997

Willow deftly twirled the combination lock bringing it to an abrupt 
halt on the final number.  Lifting the latch and pulling open her 
locker she jumped as two dead pigeons swung towards her dangling 
from a string.  She stared in horror at the blood drenched feathers 
and the listless swinging of the heads.  A low whimper made its way 
past her lips before she slammed the door shut and hurried away 
before anyone could see her tears.


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



May 12, 1997

Buffy waited quietly for Willow to join her for lunch.  They had 
gotten in the habit of eating in the same place they had first met.  
Very few people came over to this part of the school for lunch and 
today even more so, she was the only one in the area. 

In the relative quiet she appeared to be oblivious to everything 
around except for the building doors which held her attentive gaze.

A rock about the size of a baseball came hurtling towards the back 
of her head.  The rock was thrown with unerring accuracy from only 
forty feet away, much to close and fast to possibly avoid.  The 
rocked smacked loudly into the palm of Buffy's outreached hand as 
her gaze was now fixed on the teenager who had thrown the 
projectile.  The smile of success quickly degenerated into shock as 
he beheld the small blond holding the rock out like a beacon.  Then 
her arm moved and he felt all the air leave his lungs as his own 
weapon was returned to him, striking just below his sternum in the 
soft tissue of the abdomen knocking him flat on his back.  He tried 
to groan but only emitted a pitiful gasp as he rolled onto his side.

Willow came up beside Buffy taking in the sight of the groaning 
young man curled up in a ball.

"Did I miss something?"  Willow asked in a hushed tone not
taking her eyes off the figure on the ground.

"Just someone getting a taste of their own medicine."  Buffy
replied casually.  She then smiled.  "Come on, let's go
entertain our company."

Willow followed a little behind as Buffy leaned down and grabbed the 
back of his shirt.  She then dragged him over by the concrete molded 
bench where she and Willow usually ate their lunch.  Depositing him 
on the ground the two girls sat waiting for him to recover his 
breath.

Buffy opened her lunch bag removing the wrapped sandwich and apple.  
She began eating slowly.  Willow raised her eyebrows in a question.  

Catching the look Buffy smiled.  "No sense in missing our lunch
just because he lost his."

Willow chuckled and shook her head, once again amazed at how easily 
Buffy handled things that would terrify her.  Deciding to follow 
suit Willow commenced to eat her lunch.  As she heard the ragged 
breathing from the prone boy she couldn't help feel a touch of 
sympathy.  She had already deduced that he wouldn't be in this 
condition if he hadn't have done something to try and hurt the
girl she loved but her nature wouldn't allow her to not feel 
something for anyone who was in pain.

As he tried to rise Buffy grabbed his shoulder shoving him back down 
on his back.  He looked up to see Buffy looking down at him with an 
expression that sent chills down his spine.

"I want to know everything.  Who knew, who told you to do
it?"  Buffy's words were calmly spoken without any hint of
emotion. 

His eyes went wide in fear.  The darted around looking for someone 
who he could call to but then he remembered.  They had made special 
preparations so his actions wouldn't be witnessed.  Before he
could begin his denial he felt the heel of a shoe grind painfully 
into his shoulder.

"And if you want to get out of here in one piece, don't lie
to me."  Buffy's threat mixed with the pain in his shoulder
and the unmitigated fear he felt put him into complete self 
preservation mode.

"A bunch of the other jocks came up with the idea on account that
I practice my pitching by throwing rocks to build up my arm." 
His eyes were beginning to tear from the pain in his shoulder and 
the fear that was consuming him.  

He shuddered and took a ragged breath.  "And Cordelia and her
crowd have been egging things on, trying to get someone to do 
something to hurt you."

Buffy looked over at Willow.  Willow's mouth had opened in shock, 
dumbfounded that anyone would go to these extremes.

"Willow, you finished your lunch?"  Buffy asked, her voice
sounding tired.

Willow returned Buffy's look seeing the pain there and then it
was gone as Buffy's face returned to one of resolve.

"Yea, I guess.  I think I lost my appetite."  Willow reached
over and caressed Buffy's knee in comfort.

"Then let's go."  Buffy looked down again, putting a
little pressure on his shoulder with the heel of her boot.

"You're coming with us.  You're going to repeat
everything you just told us to Flutie.  And you don't want to
find out what will happen to you if you screw this up so just nod 
your head."  Buffy put the full power of her slayer personality 
behind the threat.  The frightened boy's eyes nearly glazed over and
then he nodded.

"Get up."  Buffy commanded after removing her boot from his
shoulder.

Buffy had him walk beside her with Willow on her other side as they 
made their way while she kept a firm grasp on his elbow.



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



She had hurried down to the school after receiving the call that 
Buffy had been attacked.  Her heart had been in her throat until she 
entered the administrative offices and saw Buffy and Willow quietly 
talking in the waiting area.  After making sure the girls were 
alright she announced herself to the administrative aide.  As she 
was being ushered into the principal's office, a disheveled boy
with his head down and an angry mother were leaving.  

After fifteen minutes Joyce Summers felt herself ready to slap the 
insipid excuse for a school administrator as he rambled on about 
proper behavior.  He had all but blamed Buffy and Willow for 
inciting the attacks.   How their blatant displays of public 
affection were bound to bother the sensibilities of the
`Normal' students.

"It might be best if you just home schooled Buffy.  That would be 
the best solution."  His rambling diatribe had finally come to an 
end as well as Joyce's patience.

"What would be best is you doing your job you pitiful excuse for
a human being.  Buffy and Willow have as much right to attend this 
school as anyone else.  You need to make these criminals accountable 
for their actions."

Joyce was absolutely livid and she knew it.  She took a firm hold on 
her emotions so that she could fully convey, without ambiguity, her 
intent.

"If anyone should leave this school, it's them.  That would
keep them away from the real normal kids.  The kids that just want 
to get through high school without being bullied.  And if you
don't handle this to my complete satisfaction, I'm going to file a 
hate crime complaint with the FBI.  And right after that I'm going 
to file a civil suit against you and everyone else involved.  When
I'm done you won't be able to get a job as assistant janitor.

Principal Flutie tried to retort but what came out 
was "Blublublublu."



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



Per a late night phone call from the school superintendent, Buffy 
and Willow went to the administrative offices the following 
morning.  There they were greeted by two armed police officers and a 
representative of the school district.  Apparently the school 
district felt it less expensive to give the girls body guards for 
the remaining weeks of the school year than face a litigation 
onslaught and the media attention it would have brought.

`Oh boy!"  Willow chuckled.  "Looks like your mother is
even more frightening than you Buffy."

"You've never had her mad at you will.  Trust me, she can be
really scary."  Buffy shivered as she recalled the last time her 
mother let her anger out on her.

Thus began the intricate dance of stares, mumbled curses and hateful 
glares as the two girls made their way to class accompanied by the 
stone faced officers. 



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



There had been no physical attacks on the girls in a week and a half 
but the verbal assaults were increasing.  Those who had previously 
been afraid of Buffy now felt protected by the same thing that was 
keeping Buffy and Willow from harm.  While no one had dared to 
physically approach either girl accompanied by their guardians in 
blue, they had enough courage to hurl their threats and verbal 
assaults to turned backs.  Whenever the officers turned to catch 
sight of the perpetrator all they saw was a mass of students, faces 
turned away.

Officer Danielson stood outside of the women's restroom where his 
charge Willow Rosenberg had just entered.  He kept his face masked 
but his emotions had been burning.  He and his partner had been 
observing the two girls, curious as to why all this hate was being 
directed at them.  They had shared observations over beer after work 
and concluded that the girls were two of the nicest kids they had 
ever met.  Both of them had children and after ten days of listening 
to all the vile and disgusting things being slung at the girls both 
silently prayed that their kids would not be burdened with being gay.

While his thoughts wandered a bit his trained observational skills 
were not asleep.  His eyes caught the furtive looks, his ears 
attentive to anything out of the ordinary.  That's when he heard
it, a muffled cry and the sounds of a struggle.  Without hesitating 
he flung open the restroom door while pulling his baton from his 
belt.  What he saw made his blood run cold.

Four girls were holding Willow on the ground, keeping her arms and 
legs still, the two girls on her arms holding a rag over her mouth.  
A fifth girl was in the process of try to shove a wooden plunger 
handle up between the Willow's legs.  Without even thinking, his 
baton came down, cracking on the fifth girls arm hard enough to 
elicit a painful scream.

Keying the mic on his shoulder he called for backup and paramedics 
finishing by giving his location.

"All of you get off her and get face down on the ground now."
His professionalism slipped a little as he shouted louder than 
necessary.  

The now frightened attackers practically dove from their positions 
prostrating themselves in compliance.  

He jerked around as the restroom door slammed open with such force 
it nearly broke.  Before he could even register who had entered 
Buffy was on the floor gathering Willow into her arms.  His partner 
then came careening into the restroom, gun drawn.

"What happened?" He asked Danielson while slowly holstering
his weapon when he saw no imminent threat.

Danielson clenched his jaw, took a deep breath and then responded 
professionally.

"I was waiting outside after my charge entered the washroom. 
After about a minute I heard a muffled cry.  I entered the room and 
observed those two over there holding down the victim's arms,
while holding that rag over her mouth."  He used his baton as a 
pointer while speaking.

"Those two were holding her legs down.  And that one,"
Indicating a curvy blond girl.  "was attempting to insert the 
plunger handle between the victim's legs.  I immediately struck
the primary attackers arm.  She released the plunger handle.  I 
immediately called for backup and paramedics.  I then instructed 
them to assume their current positions which they immediately
did."

Buffy was cradling her sobbing girl friend but also listening to the 
officers statements to his partner.  As she heard what happened she 
felt a rage build within her.  It burned white hot to the point 
where she couldn't stand it any longer.  What these bitches had
done to Willow was the vilest, most evil thing she had ever heard.  
She felt her body moving, moving to release Willow's clutching
arms so she could go and tear the ones who had done this into tiny 
pieces.  

Willow was nearly hysterical when Buffy first pulled her into the 
safety of her arms.  Feeling Buffy helped calm her hysteria, but it 
allowed the crying to start.  Everything else faded away, the cold 
tiles of the floor, the harsh fluorescent lighting and the two 
officers standing over them.  All that mattered was that Buffy was 
holding her.  Then she felt it, the comforting caresses slowed, then 
ceased.  Buffy's arms and body became rigid, hard.   She could
feel heat begin to radiate off Buffy and she started to become 
afraid.  But she wasn't afraid of Buffy, she was afraid for
Buffy, what she could sense that Buffy was about to do.  Because if 
Buffy did what she was afraid she was about to do, she would lose 
Buffy for ever.  As she felt Buffy move from her arms she grasped 
her girl friend with all her might.

"Buffy NO!"  She gasped, desperately trying to get control of
her voice and emotions.

She felt Buffy stop.  Willow was trying to get up so she could look 
into Buffy's eyes without letting go her hold on her.

Finally swinging her aching body around Willow got her arms around 
Buffy's neck and brought her face level.  Through tear filled
eyes she looked into Buffy's until she knew she had her attention.

"I'm going to be OK.  Let the police handle it.  Please?"
Willow begged her.

Buffy's eyes roamed Willow's face.  She saw the bruises on
her cheeks, her split and puffy lip, a trickle of blood coming from 
her nostril, slowly making its way down to her mouth.

"They hurt you."  Buffy chocked out, seeing the damage on
that beautiful face.

"Not as much as it would hurt to lose you.  And that's what
would happen if you take things into your own two hands."  Willow 
spoke softly so that only Buffy could hear her.

Buffy saw the desperation on Willow's face.  This girl was more 
important to her than anything else in the world.  She couldn't
deny her no matter what her mind was screaming for her to do.

"OK Will."  Buffy sighed, allowing her body to relax
slightly.  She wouldn't allow herself to fully relax until Willow 
was safely away though.

"I love you."  Willow barely breathed the words.

"I love you too."  Buffy repeated in kind.

Four more police officers and two paramedics entered through the now 
permanently open door.  They allowed Willow to keep her head in 
Buffy's lap as they quickly evaluated her condition.  After
noting the bruising on the girl's legs, arms and face, they
carefully moved her to the stretcher.  Buffy held her hand all the 
way to the hospital.



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



The five girls were arrested and charged.  The police were unable to 
question them without parents and attorneys present.  With the 
presence of legal and parental supervision, the girls suddenly 
became mute.  A judge set there bail at twenty-five thousand dollars 
each.  They were released into their parent's custody within an
hour.


Willow remained at home after being released from the hospital.  Her 
parents cancelled all their trips as their neglect finally caught up 
with them.  The school district provided a teacher to prepare Willow 
for her sophomore finals.  She was unable to see her Buffy at school 
every day but every night after the lights were out and here parents 
were in bed she slept peacefully in the arms of a shadow.


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



May 29, 1997


Willow watched the last rays of the setting sun as she sat crossed 
legged on her bed.  She simultaneously marveled at the brilliant 
colors of the sunset while her education reminded her of the 
pollution that enhanced the effect.  As the last burning embers 
disappeared and all was left was the faint glow of twilight she 
closed her eyes and concentrated on the spell that Buffy had taught 
her.  

In her unlit room the evenings light faded.  So also did the slight 
figure of the cross legged girl on the bed.  In moments only 
darkness and shadows inhabited the bedroom of Willow Rosenberg.  The 
only evidence of any presences in the room was the quietly opening 
French door and it's ghostly closing.



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



Joyce Summers was pacing nervously.  Her thoughts were rampant with 
fear and last minute doubts.  Her logic screamed at her for putting 
her trust in the plan of a sixteen year old girl, a plan that would 
determine if her only daughter lived or died.  As the fear crept 
around her heart like in icy fist, her own hand went to her mouth as 
she felt her emotions about to erupt in gut wrenching sobs of grief.

Then everything went still as she felt a light touch on her 
shoulder, as if an angel had come to rest.  She turned slowly and 
cast her tear welling eyes upon the bright kindly face of her 
angel.  Before her she beheld emerald eyes that shone with a 
brilliant light.  A smile that warmed her heart and a face framed by 
hair the color of burnished redwood.  She beheld before her love and 
confidence and all her doubts were gone.

She threw her arms around Willow, enveloping her in a crushing hug.  
Willow returned the hug wanting so much to comfort this woman whom 
she had come to love as much if not more so than her own mother.

"I'm so afraid."  Joyce whispered softly into the girls
shoulder.

"Me too."  Willow replied giving one last squeeze before
stepping back to look Joyce in the face.

"But I'm more afraid of what will happen if we don't
succeed so failing is not an option."  Willow said softly as her 
expression took on a look of sheer determination.

Any further discussion was halted upon hearing a soft knocking on 
the front door.  Joyce gasped slightly at the knowledge of what 
waited on her door step.  Squaring her shoulders she turned and 
slowly opened the door.  After confirming the identity of the person 
standing there she opened the door wide and stood aside allowing the 
tall man dressed in dark clothing to enter.

Angel raised his right hand displaying an old leather bound book.

"Giles has completed the translation and read aloud the prophecy.

The clock is now ticking."







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

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