Disclaimer: Buffy, Willow and co. belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy Inc., etc. etc., I just know I don't own them. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENED The Story, although, is mine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Epilogue: Chaos and Order
We live in a place born out of the Powers of Order and Chaos. A universe created because in the perfect order of nothing a spark of chaos has ignited the flame of time.
We live in a universe, controlled by three forces. Order, Chaos, and the Essence of Life, Changing and Evolution.
In the beginning the Essence was weak and needed time to develop itself, and for that had no way to stop the war that started between the Forces of Order and Chaos.
Many other universes were destroyed before the essence was strong enough to do something. All of them were destroyed because one of the two Forces had overthrown the other. Either it collapsed because the Power of Order won, and all things came to a halt, or it burst because too many things changed at the same time because the Power of Chaos had won.
But in some, this didn't happen. In those both Forces were equal and neither of them were able to destroy the other. It was in those universes that the Essence had enough time to do what it was supposed to do:
It created life, it changed the ways the Forces acted and it helped everything to evolve.
By the time the Essence started doing its thing, most of the universes were already in the phase of creating stars and planets. The Essence created Realms and spread them over the planets and the empty space between the stars. Not all realms were able to create life as we know it, but they all lived in their own kind of way. The way these realms are built up, modern science would call them dimensions. But they were so much more.
The Essence also changed the ways the Forces thought. The Forces didn't think of bringing order or chaos to the universes they were in, but they started to strive for power. The Power of Order changed and started to become the Power of Light, Life and Healing. The Power of Chaos changed and became the Power of Darkness, Death, and Disease. And their war continued. The Power of Light was able to resurrect their fallen soldiers, the Power of Darkness arose the dead ones to fight for them. It was a war that both were unable to win. It was the Eternal War.
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The Essence is the protector of the Universe. Some call it the Powers That Be. Others call it fate. But whatever you call it, it is the only thing that stands between the Powers of Light and Darkness and the total destruction of this universe. Both Forces are not really what they seem to the human eye. All they want is the power to overthrow the other one and gain control over this universe. And they would both do ANYTHING to be able to do that.
If one of the Forces manages to take the powers the Mortal Realm holds, and use it against the other Force, it will then end everything. And the only ones able to stop it are the fighters and protectors of the Mortal Realm. But they will need help to fight, against both Forces if it comes to that....
And the Essence will provide that help to ensure that its own destiny is completed....
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Chapter 1: Just a meeting of friends
"You can do it... yes, just a little more... now come on, just concentrate."
"I am trying my best, but if you keep disturbing me I'll never make it."
"Hey, calm down. I'm only trying to cheer you on."
"Sorry. This is just a little hard for me. I didn't even know about what powers I have until just about two weeks ago, and now I'm trying to 'beam' us from one side of the room to the other."
"You can do it Will. I know it. And I'm here to help you. You know that without me you wouldn't even be able to do this. Concerning both the power of this spell, and the time you needed to achieve this status."
"Yes, I know. I also know that without me you wouldn't have been able to slay that Cheetah-Demon. You wouldn't have had the speed for it, I hope you keep that in mind."
"Yessss..." Buffy hissed.
It had been only three weeks since Buffy and Willow had started the relationship, and only two weeks since they had first talked to the 'first two'. They had learned a lot up to now, but they were still at the very beginning. And they needed training. And that was what this whole thing was for: training.
"Ok, let's try again. Come on, it's not that difficult. Well, not for my little wicca to be."
"Hey! I'm not that bad. I can do quite a lot already." She raised her hands and Buffy started floating towards the ceiling, eventually banging her head against it.
"Ouch... now THAT was not necessary. You know I was just joking." Willow giggled. She always liked to show Buffy who was the one with the magic abilities.
"Could you please let me back down, or is that too much to ask for?"
"Sure, no problem." Willow stopped the spell and Buffy fell the six feet from the ceiling, "Ahhh...", landing on her butt. Willow tried to suppress a grin but failed. Still giggling she added, "Sorry"
"I don't need your apologies. But next time let me halfway down, or at least warn me before you just stop."
"You wanted to come back to earth, not me."
"Now that is something I don't believe."
"What?"
"That you didn't want me back on earth." Buffy said planting a fast kiss on Willow's lips before sitting back.
"Now would you mind if we continue the spell? I don't have any interest in banging my head against the ceiling, just because my redheaded hacker wants to boost her ego."
Still smiling Willow sighed and started to concentrate on the spell again.
"No interjections this time."
"Promise."
"Ok here we go..."
Willow closed her eyes and started to chant, a low red glow emanated from her that slowly began to grow in strength and intensity. It didn't take long until it surrounded both, and within a split second Buffy saw a bright flash that almost blinded her.
"Did we make it? I mean, did the spell work? ... Will?"
Buffy was still blinded from the flash as she heard her.
"Oh, shit. I...um... I think it did work, yes. It definitely worked but... well...not as it was supposed to do."
"What the heck do you mean?" Buffy was slowly getting her sight back.
"OH, SHIT!"
"I already said that. You don't have to play parrot."
"What to do now?"
"Well I'd say, first of all we stand up and get away from here. I don't think that those people know what happened, and I really don't like their stares."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's get away."
They both stood up and went into the next café they found.
"So where do you think are we? We have many lights here but I didn't see anything I recognized. I suppose this is not Sunnydale...hmmm maybe one of the larger cities near Sunnydale. What do you think?"
Willow didn't answer and Buffy looked at her and noticed that she was staring at something. She turned her head and froze immediately as she saw what Willow was staring at.
"Hi, Buffy... Willow. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
"Angel..." Buffy exhaled.
Angel looked at the two girls in front of him turning from one face to the other.
"Anyone who wants to give me an answer?"
"Well I suspect that we are in LA then. God, I had no idea how strong that spell was."
"Spell? What are you talking about?"
"Ummm... this is a bit complicated, but to say it short, I have tried a spell and it sort of went wrong"
"Sort of? What kind of spell was it?"
"A teleport spell. It was supposed to teleport us from one side of the room to the other, for experimental purposes you know. But we landed here, just outside down the street."
"You did what?"
"I have cast a teleport spell. Now don't say you don't know what that is. Oh... right, I forgot. You don't know the happenings of the last three weeks, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, that is a rather long story. You mind if we go somewhere more private?" Buffy asked.
"Sure, no problem. We can go back to my office."
"Your office?" both girls asked in unison following Angel out of the café.
"Yeah, I'm now helping the people here. I have a sort of private detective office running."
"Sort of?"
"Well... it's not really an open private office. It is more for those that have problems with the local demonworld. I'm out dusting a few of the vampires here and there, and helping the people that have unwanted encounters with them."
"I see... and where is your office?"
"Just around the corner."
They walked a few blocks and finally stopped in front of a large warehouse.
"You'll never change, will you? Still living in such places." Buffy remarked.
"Well, I have my office in a room in the first floor, and my apartment is in the basement. It's safe and has no windows, so I don't have to fear the sunlight. It is a nice place if you are accustomed to such things."
"And you definitely are."
They walked inside and Angel headed towards the office.
"Wait here, I just have to tell Doyle that I have some guests and make sure he won't disturb us."
"Doyle? Who's that?" Willow asked.
Angel just pointed to the man standing in the office, watching them.
"I'll be right back." he promised, and climbed the steps to his office.
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Chapter 2: Tell him?
Angel was sitting in the TV-seat and was listening to the two girls... 'No, not girls anymore. Women. They are women now.' he corrected himself... who were sitting on the couch opposite of him. He had noticed that they seemed to be together in some sort of way, even now, before they had said anything about it. It was the way they looked at each other, the way they touched. It was gentle, caring, and tender. It was a loving touch he had seen the first time they held hands. He had always known that they were something special to each other. And he was happy to see that they were happy. But he was also sad. Sad because of the things that had happened before. The things that the demon in him had done. Angelus knew how much they would do for each other. And Angel was sad that he couldn't prevent it. But all of this was in the past, and now he was happy to see them this way.
He noticed that sometimes they stopped talking and looked at each other. Their faces expressing the most different things, as they seemed to share a silent talk that only the two of them were able to understand. He didn't know what they shared, but he kept still on the seat, watching and waiting for them to end the silent conversation and inform him about the next detail in their small story.
'I will NOT tell him about them, and there is no way you can convince me to do so, Willow.'
'If you don't do it, I will.'
'No you won't. I don't want him to know. It is hard enough for me to accept those dreams. I don't want him to worry about it too. I have told you this because I trust you, because we are soul mates, but Angel and I are over. This has nothing to do with him, and I don't want this to change.'
'Ok, ok...I won't tell him about them. Not until you are ready for it. But you know that we should at least tell him about us. I mean --over or not-- THAT has something to do with him.'
'Yeah... it has. Can you do it? Please? I don't think I'll be able to. Over or not, he was my first love, and it is hard to tell him such a thing.'
'Sure Buffy, no problem. You know I care for you and that I can't deny you such a plea.'
'Thanks Willow.'
"Angel..."
"Yes?"
"You know... about me and Buffy... our... friendship has... you know, changed."
"If you mean that you and Buffy are now together as a couple, then... well, I suspected that as I saw how you acted around each other."
"And you're not mad or something about it?"
"NO...no, I couldn't be. Buffy deserves a happiness in her life that I can't give, and I'm glad that she has found it with you. You two always had more than a normal friendship together. It was a natural thing that you found each other."
"You don't know how right you are." Buffy muttered to herself.
"Hmmm? What do you mean?"
'Shall we tell him? I mean he will find it out sooner or later, but should we tell him now?'
'I can't see what else we could do. He knows about us, and if we tell him, he can't be mad at us. I mean if he hears about it from somebody else, then he could get mad at us for not telling him, and I don't want him to be-'
'WILL, stop babbling. God, even when you think you don't stop doing that.' Buffy saw the hurt look in Willow's eyes. 'Sorry, that wasn't meant that way. Willow, I'm really sorry. Will you forgive me? Pleeeaaaseee?'
Buffy set up her best pouty face and her best apologizing look and leaned closer to her lover.
"Please Willow, I really love you and you know that. Can you forgive me for being a bad girl?" she whispered.
Willow leaned in and placed a kiss on Buffy's lips. It was all the answer the slayer needed.
Angel, who was slowly getting uncomfortable having to watch this, cleared his throat to tell them that he was still there. Both girls looked over to him and smiled.
"Show him."
"What?"
'Your abilities. Just a little of your mojo.'
"Oh, yeah, ok."
Willow looked through the room and spotted the little refrigerator in the corner.
"Angel, you want something to drink?"
He wanted to say 'no thanks' when he noticed that the refrigerator door opened. He wanted to stand up and close it but Buffy shook her head. Then he saw one of the blood packs being lifted off its hook, and saw how it floated towards him. He picked it out of the air and looked over at Willow. She just smiled and blushed a little.
"And I always thought that such a comfort would only be found in Doyle's apartment."
Both girls raised their brows. "Doyle's apartment?"
"Well, a long story, but to say the short facts, there is a ghost in there and he helps us a little. You know, hands us drinks, and does this or that. A few small things you normally don't want to do."
"Oh"
"So... you can let things float that are a little bigger than a pencil now? Was that what you wanted to show me?"
"Actually it was just something I can do without a lot of concentration by now. I.... we have made a few discoveries in the past three weeks and my grown magic abilities are only one of them."
Angel listened as they told him the whole story. From the first fight against the Illusion Weaver scout, the first shared kiss, Birgit and Christopher, and their destiny. Willow sometimes did a little spell to show him what they meant. Like moving some of his furniture, or creating a fireball in her hand. Just to make sure he knew how strong they were. Buffy in turn showed him a little of her speed by standing next to him before he even noticed that she had stood up. All after all, it was a little fun time for them. A few jokes, a little small talk about what they had done in the past since they had split up. They had in fact so much fun that they didn't notice how fast the time passed.
"Oh my god, Buffy it's half past 6... in the morning. Giles must be missing us. I mean, we were in his house when we cast the spell, and if he doesn't find us then he'll get worried and-"
'Willow...'
"Oh, sorry."
"Nothing to apologize for. Angel, can we call Giles from here? Just to let him know that we are safe."
"Sure, the phone is over there."
Buffy stood up and took the phone in her hand. Willow had again played a little with her abilities, and had picked the phone up and dialed the number. Buffy just gave her a look and waited for Giles to answer the phone.
"Xander? Did you find them?"
"Giles, it's me."
"Buffy? Where the hell are you. We've been looking the whole night for you two."
"Well, we have tried a spell and the effect was a little larger than we thought, and we landed in LA and-"
"In LA? How did you get there?"
"Giles, I'm trying to explain, but I can't if you interrupt me. As I already said, the spell effect was a little larger than we thought. We tried a teleport spell and, well, we landed here in LA. We have met Angel and we have talked a little about this and that and forgot all about the time. Sorry that we didn't call you earlier. Are you ok now?"
"Yes, yes, I'm feeling much better now. But... but how will you come back? I mean-"
"Just a second Giles. ...Angel, you think you could drive us back? I mean, we came here without anything we'd need."
"Sure"
"Ok, thanks. ...Giles? Angel will drive us back. We should arrive in about 3 hours. We'll see you then ok?
"Ok. Bye Buffy."
"Bye Giles."
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"So?"
"Giles has really sent out the whole gang to look for us." Buffy said with a small grin. " I think they have looked all night for us."
Willow giggled. "Well, I think we have a major Giles talk before us."
"Yeah. Ummm... are you ready? I mean to drive back."
"Sure. Angel?"
"Just a minute. You two go up, and I'll talk to Doyle for a minute. All after all, if we leave he has to do the whole work here for a day. I just want to make sure he's fine with that."
"Ok. We'll wait upstairs."
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Giles put the phone back on the table as Xander came in. Giles turned his head and saw the mess he was in. Carrying Cordelia in his arms and bleeding out of at least half a dozen cuts.
"My god, Xander what happened?"
"Big evil... six or seven vampires attacked... were able to dust 4 of them before she was knocked out... then I dusted without even looking and then they were gone." He was breathing heavily.
"Ok, put her on the couch. I'll get the supplies."
Giles headed into the kitchen to get the first-aid kit he always had there. It was necessary for Buffy, but sometimes, like now, the others needed it too. Xander laid her onto the couch whispering soothingly into her ears and trying to repress the tears that were welling in his eyes.
"Come on Cordy, you have to come back. Please don't leave me alone."
Giles returned and started to wipe away the blood while Xander unclothed her. After all, they needed full access to the wounds. Giles gasped as he saw the slash across her stomach.
"Fast Xander, call the ambulance! We can't do this alone." Giles demanded and handed him the phone.
Xander took it and called 911. Six minutes later he and Cordelia were driving in the ambulance followed by Giles in his car.
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"Cordelia!!"
Willow was startled by the loud words that left her lovers mouth as she woke up.
"Buffy? Is everything alright?"
"Will...? Oh, yes. Angel, LA, we driving back... Angel you must hurry. Cordelia is in danger."
"How do you... oh yes, prophetic dreams."
"No, this time it was different. I saw how she was transported in the ambulance. This has already happened. Please Angel, we must hurry. Willow may be the only one that can help her now."
"Me? What do you mean? I can't help her if this has already happened, and as you said the ambulance has already gotten them. I don't know how I could help, I mean-"
"Will, trust me, you can. And about the ambulance, I have seen what caused the cut. It was magic. And you are the only one I know of who is strong enough to do this", Buffy said while putting her hand on Willow's shoulder.
"Ok?"
"Ok."
Angel sped the car up and drove as fast as he could risk it, and within two hours they arrived in Sunnydale and headed straight to the hospital.
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Buffy stormed in, and almost crashed into Giles who was waiting there.
"Buffy? What are you doing here? And why are you already here? I thought you would need at-"
"No time for questions Giles. Where is Cordy?"
"Wha-? Oh yes, how do you know?"
"Giles", Buffy pressed out between her lips. He could clearly see the impatience in her eyes.
"Sorry. They...they are still operating her. She has a bad cut across her stomach, and a hole in her head-"
"Giles, I know what is going on, I saw it. But now we must help her. The knife that caused this was magic, and if we don't help her soon, she will be dead."
Just at that moment a doctor came out to them. "Mr. Giles?"
"Ah..yes, that's me."
"Can I talk to you... alone?"
"Is it something about Cordy? Is...is she ok?" Buffy asked.
"Ah... no, I'm sorry, but... we couldn't help her anymore. The blood loss was just too great."
Buffy saw the look in Xander's eyes as they heard the last comment. She could clearly see his heart break.
"Please can we see her?"
"Sorry, but that is not possible right now."
"Please. This is really important. I have to leave soon, and I just want to see her one last time", Buffy lied.
"Well, ok. I think I can make an exception this time. If you would please follow me."
Buffy grabbed Willow's hand and tugged her into the room where Cordy was.
"Could we please be alone? Just for a moment."
"Sure."
The doctor left, and Buffy shoved Willow across the room next to Cordy's bed, and took position opposite of her.
"Will, trust me, you can still help her. Just open your mind to the powers of nature and let me help you."
"O...ok. But-"
"No 'Buts'. We will get her back."
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"Giles? What are they doing?"
"I have no idea. I didn't even expect them back so fast."
"You knew where they were? Why the hell did you send us out to look for them then? Did...did you know about this?" Xander was almost yelling at Giles, and the anger was clearly written on his face.
"God no, Xander. I would never intentionally hurt any of you. What I meant was that Buffy had called, just before you came in and explained that she was in LA. God knows how they landed there, but they were driving back with Angel and..." his voice trailed off. He didn't know what had happened, and he didn't know how to explain this to Xander. All he wanted was that he could undo all of this.
"I'm so sorry Xander. I never wanted this to happen, you have to believe me."
Xander's face lost some of its fury, and the old Harris returned.
"Sorry G-man. I just didn't know whom I should blame for this. If I had been more careful then-"
"Xander, this is not your fault. You have done your best, and I'm sure that, if anyone can, Buffy will help her."
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The nurse entered the room and was stunned by the sight in front of her. The two women the doctor had led in there just minutes ago were standing on opposite sides of the bed where the dead woman was laying. The two were holding hands and a blue light was trailing across their arms, and left their hands just above the stomach of the dead woman. She heard them speak in some language she couldn't understand, and then suddenly the woman on the bed bucked up and started to breathe.
"What the hell are you two doing in here?" the nurse asked as she got her voice back.
Both Buffy and Willow ignored her, keeping up the chant. They used all their energy and the help of Christopher and Birgit and their connection to them, to have access to the spells they needed for this.
The nurse reached out to stop whatever they were doing, but a short bolt of electricity forced her to take a step back again. She headed out of the room and called for the security.
"Excuse me, but what is going on?" Giles asked as he saw how the nurse acted as she came out of the room.
"Your two friends are doing... something crazy in there. This...light... is emanating from them. Whatever they are doing, it isn't normal."
"Light?"
He headed towards the room and opened the door.
"What do you mean? There is nobody in here."
"WHAT?!?"
"This room is empty." 'At least I hope it is empty, and that they didn't just hide themselves.'
The nurse ran back into the room.
"But...but...but... I saw it. I mean they even shocked me, literally."
"Well, I don't know what you have seen miss, but I can't see anybody in here. Buffy and Willow left a few minutes ago. I wanted to stay here to wait for Cordelia's parents. And, well... Xander is her boyfriend."
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Chapter 4: Returning
She opened her eyes and looked into a very familiar face. The last thing she remembered was that some vampire had rammed that knife into her. She wondered what had happened, and how they had found Buffy and Willow.
"Cordelia?"
"Cordelia are you ok?"
"Hmmm?" She sat up and looked into the faces of those she and Xander were looking for.
"Did..did we find you?"
"Actually no. We were in LA, but you were injured and we had to help."
"Injured? What? Where? Who? Am I ok? I mean, I don't feel any pain...am... am I dead?"
"No Cordy, you're not dead. It's a long story. Sleep now. You need the rest as much as we do." Willow looked up into Buffy's eyes and smiled.
'I have...I mean, we have done that. We have brought her back.'
'Yes we have. Just remind me to thank Christopher and Birgit next time we meet them.'
Buffy stood up from the couch and headed into the kitchen.
"I'm quite hungry now, you too?" she shouted.
'Buffy, please be quiet. She needs her sleep. Being resurrected isn't really something that happens everyday to her.'
'Sorry, but you haven't answered my question. Are you hungry?'
"I think that after such an exhausting job everyone would be hungry", Willow whispered into her lovers ear while placing her arms around her waist.
"Oh man. You'd think that after we started meeting in his house, Giles would start buying more than just this", Buffy said pointing into the refrigerator.
"Well, you could take some of those sausages and make a sandwich."
"Hmmm...a sandwich..." Buffy turned around and looked into the eyes behind her, "...I think I know something else I want to taste."
"Hmmm...sounds delicious, can I taste some of that too?"
Buffy leaned forward and kissed the hacker, licking her lips and demanding entrance.
'Sure, you can.'
Willow responded by moving her hand up to Buffy's neck and pulled her even closer than the slayer thought was possible. Just in that moment the door slammed open and a very nervous ex-watcher entered the house, shortly followed by Xander.
'Awww... they really know how to break things up.'
Parting from Buffy Willow answered, "Yeah. But I think we should go in. This whole thing will definitely need some explanation."
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"Buffy, Willow, are you here?" Giles shouted from the door.
They came out of the kitchen, their arms around the others waist and greeted him. He gave them quite an odd look, but returned quickly to his normal watcher face.
"How did you do all of this? And how did you know about-"
"Where's Cordy?" Xander interrupted. Buffy pointed towards the couch and he immediately changed the direction and hurried over to her.
"Let her sleep. This was very exhausting, and she needs the rest."
He nodded and took her hand in his.
"You never do that again, you hear me? I need you too much to let you go again. I have lost you once and I will not loose you again, you hear?" He was already crying because he finally held her in his arms again. But this time she was alive.
Clearing his throat, Giles brought their attention back to him.
"Are you willing to explain this to me, or do I have to find out for myself what has happened in the last 24 hours?"
"Sorry Giles. Can...can we do this tomorrow? This whole thing was a little exhausting and I need....", Willow faced her love, "...we need some rest. So if you don't mind?" she continued, pointing to the guestroom in the back of his house.
"Sure, sure. Go and sleep over it. But tomorrow I want an explanation."
"Thanks Giles."
With that Buffy and her friend went back to the guestroom to take a nap. Xander kept kneeling on the floor in front of Cordelia, whispering soothing and loving words in her ears, and Giles.... well.. Giles did what he always did when he didn't know what to do. He made some tea, and went into his library to read.
more to come...