FIC: Per Omnia Saecula Saeculorum 9

["cdreramius" <mike_mcd@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Per Omnia Saecula Saeculorum
Author: Tony McD
Rating: M (15+ for language and adult themes)
Summary: The events and consequences immediately after `Grave'.
Distribution: Anywhere, just keep my name on it. As long as I am
remembered, I will never truly die.
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer nor do I own any
other characters. This is a work of fiction written for your enjoyment.

*-*-*-*-*

After lunch Giles brought all of them into the lounge room for an
announcement.

"I'm taking Willow back to England with me. The coven in Devon will be
best able to give the help to Willow that she needs."

The two Summers sisters started bombarding Giles with questions while
Xander sat passively, almost like Willow beside him.

Giles held his hand up to silence the pair.

"Please!" They quietened down, allowing Giles a chance to answer some
of their questions.

"This has nothing to do with the Council and Willow's not being
punished. The coven will be able to help her."

"When do you leave?" Xander asked quietly.

"Tonight." Giles informed him.

"I'm coming with you." Xander stated.

"No."

"Giles..."

"I said no. While I appreciate your desire to help Willow by being
there for her, this is something that Willow must do by herself. The
most important thing right now is to get Willow in control of her
powers and only the coven can do that."

"I'm coming with you, so deal!" Insisted Xander rising to his feet.

"Guys!"

Both men looked over at Dawn who flicked her eyes towards Willow.
Xander shuffled on his feet for a moment, looking at Willow then Giles.

He sat back down and closed his eyes.

"OK." Xander conceded. "How long will you be gone?"

"As long as it takes."

Xander opened his eyes and looked to Willow, Buffy, and Dawn for any
sign of objection.

There was none.

"Look after her Giles."

"I promise." Giles vowed solemnly.

"Then we need to get Willow's things together. Dawn, could you give me
a hand?" Buffy asked. Together the sisters lead Willow upstairs to
pack her bags.

"What about Tara?" Xander asked the Englishman.

"If they haven't reached Tara's family soon they've agreed to release
her body into our custody. I'll need you to oversee the funeral
arrangements."

"Don't you think you should delay the trip until... you know... after
the funeral? Willow would want to be there." 

Xander suggested.

"What do you think Tara would have wanted?"

Xander's shoulders slumped. He knew exactly what Tara would have
wanted. She would have wanted Willow to get the help she needed.

*-*-*-*-*

Custodi me ut pupillam oculi, sub umbra alarum tuarum protege me.

(Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.)

*-*-*-*-*

It was a sad scene at the departure lounge of the airport as Giles and
Willow's flight was called and tearful hugs were exchanged. Giles and
Xander's handshake became a manly hug.

"Look after her for me." Xander pleaded.

"I will." Giles vowed. "And you look after them and yourself while
we're gone. She's going to need all of you when she returns."

Finally it was Buffy, Xander, and Willow's turn so say goodbye. Buffy
and Xander engulfed the redhead in a group hug and whispered their
love for her and their wish for her speedy return to them. They only
let go of her when the final boarding call for her flight was made.

They watched until Giles and Willow disappeared through the boarding gate.

"You guys gonna be Ok?" Dawn asked a deeply saddened Xander and Buffy.
Xander just shook his head. Buffy put her arm around Xander and leaned
her head against his shoulder.

"Not until she gets back." Buffy told her sister.

*-*-*-*-*

Retine gressus meos in semitis tuis, ut non moveantur vestigia mea.

(Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.)

*-*-*-*-*





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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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