Prologue

Spike studied his computer screen. Xander's, or at least he thought it was
from him, message had troubled him and he'd spent the day making calls and
sending e-mails. Now his list scrolled down.


Angel: Location LA, status on standby

Anya: Location Paris, France, status not involved yet!

Luna: Location San Francisco, status on standby

Red: Location Toscana Italy, status suspecting

Rupert: Location unknown, last known location Alaska, status unknown

Slayer 1: Location Toscana Italy, status in the dark

Slayer 2: Location Sunnydale, status on standby

Xander: Location unknown, last known location Tibet, status unknown



* * * * *



Willow stirred and found herself wrapped around her friend, no correction.
Lover. A year! I can't believe I went for a year without this. She thought
with a smile.
"Buffy." She whispered and dimpled at Buffy's ear.
"Hmm, hmm!." Buffy muttered and turned to face her.
"It's morning." Willow said with a grin as Buffy's hands started roaming.
"Your point being?" Buffy asked.
Willow squeaked and Buffy smiled.
"Good point."
Outside the mountains and valleys rolled by.



* * * * *



A hooded person moved through the night, the only sound it made was the
occasional crackle of leather as it moved. Its companion moving by its site,
making somewhat more noise.
"Didn't think I'd be back here so soon." The figure said in distinct male
voice.
"It can't be that bad." His companion said in soft voice, as she past under
a light from a street lamp, showing that she was much more brightly dressed,
green and gold. She carried a backpack and her face was clearly visible, she
was shorter then the man, her hair was like silver, her ears pointy and her
features like those given to elves in storybooks.
"Its always bad one way or the other." He answered drawing his cloak around
him.
"Come now Al'x we're in Egypt; Pyramids, myths and romance." She said with a
smile
"Just what I need." He said with sarcasm.
"I don't know why I put up with you?" She wondered.
"First I saved your life, second I've kept you alive and third I'm your
ticket back."
"Well besides that."
"I'm so damn sexy." He added in a lighter tone.
"Oh I forgot about that."

* * * * *



Calm, controlled. Giles thought as he sat in a lotus position. The sword
resting in front of him turning from black to red.
That never happened before. He thought to himself as the sword changed back
to black.
Something tells be the time for learning is over. He thought as he stood up
and straightened his simple brow monk robe.
"Brother Rupert are you leaving us." He was asked as he passed another monk
on his way out. Dressed in tweet with his sword, wrapped in brown paper,
slung over his shoulder. He smiled at the man.
"The time has come for me to return to the world my friend." He said and
padded the man on the shoulder. The man watched as Giles stepped into the
sunlight outside. Once outside he put on a pair of sunglasses and headed
down the brown dirt road.

NEXT: Chapter 1: Bread and Wine


Chapter 1: Bread and Wine

"Hmm good!" Buffy moaned.
"Oh come on Buffy its just bread and wine." Willow said in mock disgust.
"Try it." Buffy said and offered the loaf to Willow.
"If it makes you happy."
"Trust me it will." Buffy said and sipped the red wine.
"You sure you should be drinking." Willow asked as she cut the bread.
"Wills it's just something you do, plus it isn't that bad." Buffy answered
and bit into the bread.
"Hmm!"
"Told you so." Buffy said with a smile.
"This is good." Willow said and reached for the wine.
"You think Spike would mind if we stayed here for a while?" Buffy asked.
"Knowing Spike..." Willow left the sentence hanging with a smile.

* * * * *

"They what!" Spike yelled into the phone, balancing a glass in and a
sandwich.
"They stayed behind in some small town in Toscana sir." The man on the other
end stammered.
"I'll be there by tomorrow night." He said and hung up.
Why am I so angry, I knew this would happen. I really should let them enjoy
themselves. What's one prophecy. He thought. Still Italy is nice.
"Driver the airport." He said and leaned back.
"Yes sir."
He dialed Luna's number.
"Hello."
"Hello luv did I wake ya."
"William!" Luna exclaimed. "No you didn't, I was just going over some
papers."
"Change of plans the girl stayed behind in Toscana."
"And your heading there too keep watch."
"Well. yes, tell me what estates to we have there?"
"Send me their location." She said and waited while Spike punched in the
name of the town.
"There is an cottage not far from, that belongs to us." She said after a
moment.
"Thanks luv appreciate it." He said.
"Of course my prince." She answered.
"I miss you." He whispered.
"I miss you too William." She whispered back.

* * * * *

"How's the wine sir." The waiter asked Giles as he showed him the bottle.
"Excellent." He answered and nodded for the man to put the bottle on the
table.
"So how did you get here?" Anya asked as they sat in a unnamed restaurant in
Paris.
"I walked." Giles answered, Anya shook her head. The man was getting
weirder.
"You know that Spike's has everybody on standby." She stated.
"Since when did he become the man in charge?" Giles asked.
"Allot has changed in the past year Rupert." She said.
"I expected as much."
"I mean, Xander's disappeared of the face of the Earth, Buffy became a
scholar believe it or not."
"I know all about Buffy's studies." Giles said a little to firmly, he
watches over his own in one form or another.
"So what are you going to do now?" Anya asked.
"I'm going back to the States I need something that's buried in Sunnydale."
Giles answered.
"You understand of course that I must ask that you don't tell anyone you met
me?" He then added and looked at her over the sunglasses.
"Of course." Anya stammered.
"Good." He said and sipped his glass.
"Bread." He offered after a moments silence.

* * * * *

"Al'x." The woman said and shook the man's shoulder.
"Another dream, the path has changed again." He exclaimed as his eyes
opened.
"What does that mean?" She asked.
"Time to revisit the Hellmouth."
"That bad mystical place you told me about."
"The one and only." He nodded and stood.
"And you don't want me to come." She said solemnly.
"What makes you think that?" He asked.
"You've got that look again."
He sighed and hugged her tight.
"Stjar'a I know you'd follow me through the underworld itself." He
whispered, his voice seeming older somehow.
"Then why do you keep shielding me." She said back.
"Old habits die hard." He said the smile could be heard.
"Well I'm not a that inexperienced girl you met seven years ago." She
stated.
"I've noticed." He said and pulled away. "Come on. We better get going."

* * * * *

Spike ran. He ran fast. Something hit his calf and he stumbled. Must get up.
He thought. As he heard his attackers approached. He prompted himself
against a wall, pulled out two guns and waited. When the attackers where
just a few feet away he pushed himself back onto the street firing and
screaming as he went. When the guns were empty and the attackers dead on the
ground, he backed away. Blood covered the street. He smiled, but the smile
disappeared as the blood started to flow back into the attackers. Then he
noticed it that the blood wasn't red it was black.
"Blood hell!" He cursed as he ran again.


* * * * *

"Buffy what happened to Xander?" Willow asked as they lay in front of a
fake fire.
"Don't know for sure. He took of to LA after he broke up with Anya and then
stayed behind in Tibet after a mission with Angel and Cordy."
"When was this?"
"A little over a year ago."
"And no contact since then?" Willow asked.
"None."
"Aren't you worried?"
"Xander is grown man and we all thought he needed time. He said he needed
time to figure things out." Buffy answered.
"But a year."
"Don't worry I'm sure he's safe. What about Giles?" Buffy asked.
"Like I said I ran into him when I left Iceland." Willow answered.
"I miss the times when I was the weird one." Buffy muttered.
"I don't." Willow said and kissed her head.
There was a frantic knock on the door.
"Who could that be." Buffy wondered as she walked to the door.
"We have a problem." Spike stated as he fell into the room.
"Spike... Spike." Buffy yelled. "Willow get in here."
"Oh my." Willow exclaimed as she took in Spike's battered appearance. His
clothes were torn, seemingly from sword cuts, his face bruised and there was
arrow through his calf.
"Get me the med-kit." Buffy ordered.

* * * * *

"Sunnydale home sweet home!" Giles exclaimed as he stepped of the bus.

Now underneath the tree, facing north, in the cemetery. He thought.
As he was digging he heard a fait crackle, leather pants and crushing
leaves.
He grinned.
"Alright turn around." Faith said, holding stake and a knife.
Giles spun around kicked the knife out of her hand, grabbed her stake hand
and then gracefully threw her to the ground
"Hello Faith." He said with a smile as he looked down at her.
"G-man you're back."
"No just getting something and then I'll be on my way." He said and offered
her his hand.
"Well you're not a vamp that's for sure." Faith said as she felt the warmth
of his hand.
"What having a hard believing that a stuffy watcher could take down a
Slayer?" He asked innocently.
"Why are you here G-man?" She asked as she eyed the package by the tree.
"Do get a few things." He answered and pulled a small metal chest from the
hole.
"Such as?""
"Scrolls, relics, weapons." He answered and then added. "Among other
things."
"Staying?" She asked, giving him a look.
"Only for as long as needed." He answered as he picked up the sword.
"Your house is waiting for you." She said as they walked out of the
graveyard.
"You moved in didn't you?" He asked.
"Yes, gotta problem with that?"
"None what so ever."
"Good."

Chapter 2: Surprise

"Spike what happened to you?" Buffy asked after they'd patched the vampire
up and planted him on the couch.
"Don't know. I stepped of the jet and before I knew it I was being chased."
"Did you see them?" Willow asked as she offered him a mug and some crackers.
"No, but I heard and smelled them." He said.
"Not much to go. So that brings us to our next question. Why are you here
Spike?" Buffy asked.
"I got an message." He said and pulled out the palmtop.
"Who's this X?" Willow asked.
"I think it's Xander." Spike answered.
"Come on Spike, he wouldn't call you 'buddy' in a million years." Buffy said
and glanced at the message.
"Well then who else, assuming that it's not just what it is, a X." Willow
said.
"Still that's not the point, somehow sends me warning and then less then two
days later I'm attacked."
"Think it might have something to do with the disk?" Buffy asked.
"Not sure, wouldn't doubt it though."
"So what to we do now?" Willow asked.
"We get to Spike's jet and get the hell out of Dodge." Buffy answered.
"So the vacation over?" Willow asked.
"I'm sorry Wills." Buffy said in a soft voice.
"Don't be." Willow answered and kissed her softly.
"Ahem! Red, Slayer!" Spike said after a moment.
"Oops! Sorry Spike." Willow said as her cheeks flushed.



* * * * *



Punch! Kick! Punch! Kick! Giles pounded the sandbag relentlessly.
Faith grumbled in her bed and pulled a pillow over her head.
"It's not even dawn!" She shouted and the pounding stopped.
"Much better." She murmured and closed her eyes, then when it had been
silent for a while she opened her eyes.
Wonder if he's passed out. She thought as she wrapped a sheet around her and
walked down the stairs. She opened the doors to the basement and they
creaked.
Oh my god! She thought as she reached the final step.



* * * * *



"Stop fidgeting Al'x." Stjar'a ordered her companion. Her hair completely
covering her ears.
"I hate these things." He answered and pulled at his tie.
"Well it was either this rather nice Armani or the leather armor and I doubt
they'd let you on the plane in that."
"Now stop that." She said as she ran her hand trough his hair. She was
always amazed that it hadn't turned silver like hers. Still a lifetime under
the moon, was nothing compared to seven short years and he was after all
only human. She smiled, how arrogant she'd been when she first met him and
how he'd proven her wrong. That was a long time ago, or at least in the term
of human years.
"I'm just glad we got all the accessories through customs." He said.
"What to you plan to do when we get there?" She asked
"Look up someone I knew once." He answered.
"A lover?
"If she's sill around, although she was more of fling." He answered.
"You never told about an lover on the Hellmouth."
"It was along time ago." He answered.



* * * * *



Oh my god! Faith thought and nearly dropped the sheet. Before her stood the
ex-Watcher Rupert Giles, nicknamed G-man and Ripper, well he wasn't
standing, moving actually, quite gracefully and sporting knee length slacks,
but not much else besides that. Performing katas with an obsidian sword. She
remembered fighting him in practice, but he hadn't been so. so. hard, every
muscle clearly visible and rippling as he moved and unlike Buffy she had no
ethical dilemmas about fantasizing about the ex-watcher.
"Morning." He said after he'd finished and saw her standing at the bottom of
the stairs.
"I didn't wake you did I?" He asked.
Speak. Her mind ordered. He's just a man. It's not like you haven't seen one
before. When she opened her mouth he was already dressed in a baggy
sleeveless undershirt and smirking.
"Would you like some breakfast." He asked as he walked passed her.
"That would be nice." She answered. Come on girl mop yourself up of the
floor. Her mind reprimanded her.



"Giles?" Wesley asked when he stepped into the kitchen.
"Morning Wesley." Giles nodded and watched as Wesley took his seat.
"You're back!" He then stated.
"Only for few days and then I'm off again."
"You look good." He then said. That he does. Faith thought. Her mouth had
gone dead several minutes ago.
"May I ask where you've been for the last year?" Wesley asked as he poured
himself a cup of tea.
"A Monastery in the south of France, for the most part."
"And aside from that?"
"Traveling mostly." Giles answered and sipped his tea.
"The Council has been looking for you?"
"I know. I ran into one of their agents." Giles nodded.
"You put the man in a hospital according to the reports."
"I did no such thing." Giles exclaimed. "He simply got in the way." He said
with a grin and Faith chuckled.
"Caught between you and a dozen vampires." Wesley went on.
"More like two dozen actually." Giles corrected.
"Hanging on the side of a truck you used to ram the vampires, you then spun
it around, causing him to fly away and coming to a halt in a bed of poison
ivies and he then rolled out that into a patch wild roses, with thorns and
lots of them I might add according to the report,." Wesley exclaimed and by
now Faith was laughing out loud.
"Like I said. He got in the way." Spike said and sipped his tea again.







* * * * *



"Where to sir?" The pilot asked as Spike stepped aboard the jet.
"London." Spike said.
"Why London, all the data I've collected points to Egypt." Buffy said.
"The disk isn't longer a top priority Buffy, now I someone in London who
might be able to help us." Spike said.
"Did you just call her Buffy?" Willow asked in amassment.
"That means the situation is bad." Buffy explained.
"And we need to go to the Museum." He added.
"Really bad." Buffy said.
"Hey nothing we can't handle right." Willow said and pulled a flower from
thin air.
"So your and illusionist now are you." Buffy said and kissed her cheek.
Spike threw a bag on the floor and sat down.
"Going to war Spike?" Buffy asked as he started to sort out the weapons.
"I don't make the same mistakes twice." He stated.
"Could have fooled me." Buffy said.
"The Past is the past Slayer."
Buffy shrugged and want to lie down besides Willow.
Time to get tougher. Spike thought to himself.



Two nights later.
The National History Museum in London.



"Spike I'm going to skin you alive." Buffy yelled as she took down the
latest attacker.
"This isn't my fault." He yelled back and punched the one in front if him.
"I'm with Buffy on the skinning part." Willow said as she casually zapped an
attacker. "Who are these guys anyway?" She asked as she elbowed another, who
'd tried to sneak up behind her, in the face.
"Cultist, red robes and pentagrams, do the math." Spike said with sarcasm as
he sent one flying. He bent down and ripped the symbol of another.
"They're on the run." Willow shouted.
"And so are we!" Spike said and turned to leave.
"Good idea." Buffy said as she followed him.
"Shouldn't we at least fix this?" Willow asked.
"How in the name of." The question died on Spike's lips and Willow waved her
hand and the place was covered in a golden glow and then it was like the
battle had never happened.
"How did." Spike asked.
"Magic Spike, I've just learned control that's all." Willow answered as she
took Buffy's arm.
"I'm proud of you Wills." She said with a smile.
"Spike lets go find this friend of yours." She called as they disappeared
down the hole in the floor.
Spike looked around and shook his head. He looked down and the pentagram. It
was a little odd there was a circle in the center and two lines through the
top of two of the points. Better talk to Buffy about this. He thought as
dropped through the hole and it disappeared.

Chapter 3: Return to the Beginning

"It wasn't there." Spike said as they drove out of London.
"So who's this friend of yours?" Willow asked as Buffy studied the pentagram
that Spike had taken.
"Czar, a real nice fellow, well demon actually." Spike said.
"What?" Buffy asked absentmindedly.
"A demon, well he's half demon."
"But he's one of the good guys right?" Willow asked.
"Well neutral is closer to the truth."
"I'm seeing some resemblances between this and the disk symbols." Buffy said
as she pulled the disk out.
"See the elemental symbols." She pointed at the four triangles on the disk.
"Their hidden within the points of the pentagram."
"We're here." Spike said as he stopped the car.
"Always with the warehouses." Willow muttered.
"Actually this was a factory." Spike said.
"Even better." Buffy commented.

"Czar you home." Spike called out as they walked between rusting machinery.
"William how nice to see you again." Came from above, the voice was smooth
like silk.
"Get down from there will ya." Spike said and pointed his flashlight up.
Were the owner of the voice hung like a bat.
"If you wish." He said and glided down spreading large leathery wings. He
landed gracefully in front of them.
He was an impressive sight, standing close to seven feet with dark blue skin
and a long white hair. His wings folded against his back ended at his knees.
He wore normal clothes, a white shirt and black jeans, but his hands where
large with impressive claws, his face was long, with high cheekbones and
high forehead, his eyes were red and fangs were clearly visible.
"What has it been a hundred?" Spike asked.
"More like hundred and fifty." Czar answered.
"Who are your friends?" He then asked.
"This is Elisabeth the current Slayer and her lover Willow."
"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one William." Czar said after
he'd looked the two women over.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." He said with a small bow towards Buffy and
Willow.
"So William what brings you here."
"This!" Spike said and handed him the pentagram and the disk.
"I've been trying to translate the glyphs." Buffy said as Czar looked the
disk over.
"We were hoping you could help." Willow said.
Czar looked up.
"That I can. Now this..." He said and held up the pentagram. "Is the symbol
of rather nasty cult and their rather new to the game, but I've heard that
they're on the rise." He said.
"They were looking for something at the Museum but it wasn't there." Spike
explained.
"Now this is much more interesting." Czar said and held up the disk. "It's a
map."
"A what?"
"A map that leads to the first clue."
"You can read the glyphs?" Buffy asked.
"Of course." He said with a smirk.
"What do they say."
"Return to the beginning of your journey" He answered.
"What beginning?" Willow asked.
"Depends on how you look at it." Czar answered.
"It's a prophecy." Spike stated.
"So we should go back to."
"Sunnydale." Willow finished.
"We could use your help Czar." Spike said.
"I would be honored, life around here has been rather dull lately."
"Aren't we forgetting something." Buffy stated.
"What?" Both Spike and Czar asked.
"His rather. awkward appearance." Blank looks from Spike, Willow and Czar.
"Seven feet of blue demon, the large leathery wings. Oh never mind." Buffy
shouted finally, throwing her hands in the air.
"I like her." Czar stated.

"Well this is inconspicuous." Buffy muttered.
"What you mean?" Spike asked innocently.
"Spike. Willow and the demon are flying above the car."
"And?"

"So Czar how did you meet Spike?" Willow asked as she glided across the sky
alongside the blue skinned demon, her eyes glowing slightly. She was glad
that she'd forgone the cloak. She didn't usually fly like this, but being
Willow she didn't want to deny Czar companionship on the trip.
"Well we weren't always friends if that's what you're asking." He said.
"You guys fought then."
"Back in 1847, he came and started to wreck havoc."
"And you stopped him right."
"We fought of course, but in the end I took him up to about ten thousand
feet and calmly explained the situation to him."
"You saw the potential in him didn't you?" Willow asked.
"You're very perspective for someone so young and yes I did."
"Did you tell him."
"I tried to, but he wouldn't hear it."
"He worked out okay though didn't he?" Willow asked hopefully.
"That he did, but I sometime wish that I'd done more."
"You could have saved many lives, that's true, but those lives he's taken
make Spike what he is. If he hadn't done all that, he wouldn't know what he
does now. He's knows evil first hand and that will help him on the road
ahead." Willow explained.
"I feel no remorse, still my human heart nags at be sometimes. But what's
past is past, now tell me kind wicca, how did you fall in with the fair
Slayer."
"Now you're just sweet talking me, not that you have to."
"So you'll tell me?"
"Come on lets fly ahead, it's better if we sit down for this." Willow said
and her eyes flared as she increased her speed.
"It's really silly when I look back at is." She explained as they sat at the
side of the road.
"I wanted to get away from everything, I was afraid of hurting my friends.
Still Buffy came looking for me and it was during a time when I had little
control over my powers. I hurt her, but she didn't run away, she came back
and we fell in love, or rather realized what had been there for a long time.
Then I left again."
"Why, I may only be a half human, but I understand that true love is
something very rare."
"I needed time to learn and love is also about trust and Buffy trusted me.
Then a year past and in that time I realized how much I truly needed and
loved her. Then she came to see me in Rome a couple of days ago and it's
been a roller-coaster ride since then."
"Marriage?" Czar asked.
"Someday I hope." Willow said with a shy smile as the car speeded passed
them
"It'll be dawn soon so we better get going." Czar said as he spread his
wings.
"You don't turn into stone or anything like that do you." Willow asked
worriedly.
"No, it's just that a seven foot tall blue skinned demon with wings in
daylight may look a tad suspicious."
"And it is not when exactly?"

* * * * *

"Who are they?" Stjar'a asked Al'x as they stood in the shadows, watching
two persons, a woman and a man walked through a cemetery.
"Her name is Faith and he's Rupert Giles." He said as he moved to follow.
"I see a powerful aura around both of them." She stated.
"What are their colors?" Al'x asked.
"Well the girl's is a warrior's green, but it's dark, then there's a strange
red tinge around her core."
"And Giles?"
"He's an enigma, his is gray, but then there is some green, gold and brown
and just a fraction of mage blue.
"Scholar, warrior, priest, healer and mage." Al'x counted of.
"That just can't be no one is so instinctively conflicting."
"Remember what was said when the elders first saw me?" He asked.
"How could I forget, their collective jaws were on the floor."
"You should not be. Was what they said if I remember correctly."
"Of course, there was nothing to see, just a white light. A unwritten page."
"Come let's follow." He said as they moved on.

* * * * *

"So you've been busy." Faith stated as she and Giles walked through the
cemetery.
He'd been in town for two days and seemingly all the vampires had gone into
hiding.
"You could say that." He said as he stopped her with his palm.
"I mean you blow into town and every vamp goes underground."
"That's not my doing." He stated.
"Oh come on G-man. The last few vampires we've run into practically ran at
the sight of you." She exclaimed.
"Well maybe they've developed commonsense in my absence." He said with a
grin.
Humor this was a new thing, the G-man she remembered didn't tell jokes, but
then again she'd been plotting his downfall at the time.
"Still it's too bad that you're leaving, it's nice when it's quiet around
here." She said and then found herself pressed against a mausoleum wall.
This was.. unexpected.
"There is someone following us." He explained into her ear. "Play along."
"But I'm not sens." Her words where cut of as he kissed her.
What the hell. Her mind screamed. Wow! Who would have thought that he could
be so. so bold. She thought and then her mind went blank and then he broke
away.
"I apologize." He said as he scanned the cemetery. Faith shook her head. He
what.
"You what?" She asked in a harsh voice.
"I thought there were vampires about."
"So you slam me against a wall why?"
"To make a more tempting target." He explained.
"And you apologize for kissing me?" She asked.
"Well yes it was an." He never finished the sentence as he stopped to block
a incoming blow.
"You want to fight me?" He asked and stepped back.
"No." She said.
"Then what do you want."
"This." She shoved him against a tree and kissed him.
Stop now. His conscience ordered. Can't feels to good. He answered. The man
has been in monastery for the past seven months for crying out loud. A
completely different part of him said.

"Interesting." Al'x commented from the shadows.
"As romantic as always." Stjar'a said.
"That's not romance."
"Faith we really shouldn't." Giles started as they broke apart.
"I think we should." She protested running her hands through his hair.
"Just giving you a way out." He said with a grin.
"The only way I'm interested in right now it the way to your house." She
said.
"Why not right here?" He asked innocently.
"My you have changed." She said.
"Try a monastery for a few months."
"I'd prefer a bed if you don't mind." She said.
"Seems I'm not the only one who's changed." He said with a grin.

"This isn't right." Al'x stated.
"What's so abnormal about that?" Stjar'a asked in amazement
"Expand your senses." He explained.
"Oh! Oh my!" She said as her eyes fluttered open.
"My words exactly."
"Shouldn't we."
"No we can't be exposed, not yet."
"But they'll."
"I know, but there's nothing we can do." He said in a sad voice.

Chapter 4: What's Past is Past

"Seven years." Al'x said as he walked through the streets of Sunnydale in
the sunlight, wearing a white suit, with the jacket slung over one shoulder.
"It's not such a long time." Stjar'a said. Looking like a summers night
dream in red knee length sundress and sandals, with her silvery hair flowing
freely. "In human years." She added.
"Sure go head make fun of me." He said as he put his sunglasses on.
"Sorry it's just this human obsession with time."
"Is kind of strange and yes it doesn't wear off."
"Even if you don't need to worry about it?" She asked.
"Especially then. I could forget myself and everything would be dust before
I knew it."
"Al'x you're not immortal." Stjar'a stated as they sat down on a park bench.
"Still five hundred years." He said as he stroked his short beard.
"Why did you grow that thing anyway?" She asked.
"There might still be someone here left alive that remembers me." He
explained looking around the park and saw children playing, a young couples
in having picnic, two elderly people walking among the trees.
"The warriors are gathering aren't they?" She asked.
"Yes, I saw it last night."
"Should we reveal ourselves to them."
"All in good time."



* * * * *



Giles stood and stared out the window while mentally kicking himself for
allowing this to happen.
"G-man?" Faith asked as she opened her eyes, noticing her naked form.
"What. what happened?" She asked.
"I'm not sure." He answered.
"We didn't."
"Afraid so." He said, but didn't turn around.
"Shit! B is going to skin me alive." She stated
"She will never know." He said calmly.
"So we keep quiet and deny that this happened?"
"Yes." He said simply.
"I'm not sure I could live with that." She said sitting up, not caring about
her nudity.
"You what?" He almost shouted as he spun around.
"It's done and what's past is past." She explained. Plus it wasn't that bad,
hell it was great. Her mind added as it analyzed the hazed memories.
"So what do you want to do?" He asked with a sigh.
"We do it more often. But no relationship, or idle romance."
"A tension reliever." He stated his eyes brightening.
"That's it. Can you live with that?" She asked.
"What's one more secret." He stated as he sat down on the bed.
"And Buffy must never know." She said.
"Couldn't agree more." He said as he leaned towards her.
"No you don't." She said with a grin and Giles growled "Shower." She added.



* * * * *



Somewhere over the Atlantic



"You okay?" Willow asked as she sat down next to Czar.
"As to be expected." The blue skinned demon answered.
"Spike will just have to buy a bigger jet." She said with a grin.
"She's scared of me isn't she?" He asked.
"A little, I mean she is the Slayer and you're the type of guy that usually
on the receiving end of Mr. Pointy."
"Tell me more about you life?" He asked.
"What more is there?"
"I've heard the edited version, but I'm old enough to know that theirs is
more behind it."
"What makes you think that?"
He just gave her look with his red eyes and lifted his wings a bit.
"Good point."
"She doesn't know it all does she?"
"She knows enough."
"She won't run away if you tell her the rest."
"Some of it is just too graphic."
"Try it on me then." He suggested.
"Ever see what happens to a person when she gets in the way of a angry
supreme warlock?" Willow asked.
"No I haven't had the pleasure."
"It gets ripped apart, shredded apart by the warlocks will."
"And you have seen this?"
"I've done it."
"I see."


"Spike, I don't trust him." Buffy said as she sat down next to him.
"Who Czar? Don't be silly Slayer ."
"He's a demon."
"Half-demon and don't forget it. He's more human in ways then even the great
poof." Spike said in defensive tone.
"What did he to do earn your trust?" She asked.
"He saved my life." Spike said simply.
"How?"
"I was on a rampage through the English countryside and he saved me from the
mob."
"Why? I would have let you rot."
"He told me that I had the power for good within me."
"But you didn't listen?"
"No why should I have. I was arrogant and young, not even a hundred years."
"You fought him didn't you?" Buffy asked with a knowing grin.
"Of course."
"And he used to make one of those neat hill carvings."
"Something like that."
"Maybe he isn't so bad after all." Buffy said and glanced at the demon and
Willow.
"Red seems to like him." Spike commented.
"She's just being Willow." Buffy said and gazed lovingly at her lover.
"Can't hate anyone no matter how hard she tries." Spike said.
"Probably saved you unlife more then once."
"Hey that stung."
"Did you ask Luna to meet us in LA."
"No I told her to stay in San Francisco and we'll be landing in Sunnydale
anyway."
"So being protective are we?"
"Sir we're approaching New York and we have to land for fuel." The Captain
said over the speakers.
"Saved by the bell." Spike said and pressed a button on his armrest.
"Is it night?" He asked.
"The sun is just going down sir." The Captain reported.
"Excellent." He said with a grin and then noticed Buffy smiling at him.
"What's so funny Slayer?" He demanded.
"Nothing, nothing." Buffy said and fled to Willow.

Chapter 5: Welcome to Sunnydale

Sunnydale Airstrip
Sunday 2:0 AM

"Well here we are." Buffy said as she stepped out of the jet.
"Home sweet home." Willow said as she stepped down the latter after her.
Czar merely yawned. He'd seemingly compacted his wings together so he could
wear a coat, still seven feet of blue skinned, red eyed, half-demon did
stick out no matter how he dressed.
"Jetlag?" Willow asked with a smile and Czar smiled back. Feeling sorry that
he hadn't met this girl three years earlier, then he might have had a
snowballs chance in hell. But it was obvious she loved the Slayer more then
her own life.
"Captain keep the plane ready in that hangar. God knows when why might
need." Spike ordered the pilot before following them.
"Why do you thing we'll need the jet soon?" Buffy asked as she helped fasten
Willow's cloak and then stole a kiss.
"Age and wisdom Slayer, age and wisdom." Spike stated as he pulled out the
phone.
"Who are you calling?" She asked as they walked away from the jet, Buffy
holding Willow's hand.
"Faith she was on my who's who list. Unless you'd care to walk into town?"
He asked and dialed.
"As long as I'm with my Will." Buffy said with a smile and snuggled closer
to Willow, who just smiled her shy smile of old.
Spike made a choking sound as the phone rang.
"Spike?" Came Faith's voice over the phone. He nodded that her breath was
labored and there was some background sounds usually associated with a bed.
"In the voice." He said with a grin.
"To bad your sense of humor hasn't improved. Where are you?" She asked.
"The airstrip on the outskirts of town. We could use some transportation."
"I'll be there in ten." A yelped. ". twenty minutes." She said and hung up.
Spike looked at the phone.
"What did she say?" Willow asked.
"She'll be here soon." He said, no need to make them paranoid, since I have
a pretty good idea who she's shagging. He thought
"How soon?" Czar asked as he eyed the horizon.
"Ten, maybe twenty minutes."
"Well that's not soon enough." He answered.
"What on earth are you talking about mate?"
"The three dozen or so red robed individuals heading this way." He said and
pointed to the horizon. "And they'll be here in eleven or so minutes."
"What?" Spike said as he pulled a small pair of binoculars out of his coat.
"He's right." Willow stated as she gazed green eyed out over the horizon.
"Bloody hell!" He said and started going for his sword.
"Spike they're human!" Buffy exclaimed.
"What kind of monster do you think I am?" He asked in a matter of fact tone
as he pulled out two, twelve inch long, wooden sticks wrapped in leather.


"Mind if we assist?" Came an overly cheerful voice as two hooded figures
emerged from the shadows. The shorter one pulled back her hood, revealing
silvery hair tied up in a bun and distinctively pointy ears. The one dressed
all in black didn't remove his.
"That depends on who and what you are?" Spike asked.
"My name is Stjar'a and that." She said and pointed at her companion. "That'
s Al'x and if we told you what you wouldn't believe us"
"Al. what?" Buffy whispered Willow as she tried to pronounce the name.
"We're here to help." The man said stepping forward, his movements fluid and
graceful. "and it looks like you need it." He stated.
Spike who'd been taking stock of the pair stepped before the man and bowed.
"I am Prince William Blood and I accept your help noble warriors." He said
in a formal tone of voice.
"Then you shall have it." The man stated and pulled out a battle staff.
"Spike what are you doing?" Buffy asked.
"They're on the side of good." Spike explained.
"And how can you be sure of that?"
"It's in the way they walk, move, talk and smell." Czar said with a grin and
then he caught sight of Stjar'a stripping herself of the cloak, revealing an
impressive, not to mention formfitting, armor, decorated in blue and silver.
Then she produced a crystal that extent into a long slim staff with glowing
a blue light at each end, she smiled at him.
"I'm impressed." The demon stated as he stripped himself of the coat,
spreading his wings and drawing a Roman sword from his coat as he pulled
himself to his impressive height.
"Get ready people!" Spike shouted as shed himself of his coat and jacket and
marched to meet the approaching group.


"We demand the Disk of Destiny!" The leader of the back of robed group
demanded as the two groups faced on the middle of the strip. A tumbleweed
blew across the lane.
"Nice and to the point." Spike commented.
"You mean this." Buffy held up the disk. "Come get it!" She taunted.
"Don't mock me child. You're six we're three dozen."
"You're right, Spike, Willow why don't you sit this one out." Buffy said
with a grin.
"You bore me child. Kill them." He ordered with a wave of his hand and
arrows flew.
Willow waved her hand and an arrow heading for Buffy's head stopped midair.
Spike rolled and threw one stick, hitting the leader square between the
eyes. Al'x and Stjar'a bated the arrows away with their staffs and Czar
simply spread his leathery wings and turned around so the arrows bounced
harmlessly of his wings.
"Thanks Wills." Buffy said as she looked at the arrow hovering in the air.
"Thank me later in bed. Now lets kick butt." Willow said with a grin.
Willow and Buffy stood back to back, hitting or blasting their attackers,
with not enough force to kill, but enough to stun them.
Czar cut a path through the rank of their attackers, patting the attackers
away with his wings, hands, or the blunt sides of his sword.
Al'x and Stjar'a worked as a perfect team, batting their enemies away with
their staffs, or simply sweeping the legs from underneath them, the concrete
took care of the rest.
Spike was down to hand to hand combat, having thrown his second stick at the
attacker trying to sneak up on Czar, he'd set about kicking and punching his
attackers. He threw one to the ground with a loud thud. Another found his
kneecap demolished and a third felt his arm break with a loud crack.



Then a red painted Citroen screeched to a halt on the airstrip and two
figures jumped out weapons ready, but the battle was over. Giles wearing
only his training outfit and trainers and Faith being her usual formfitting
self, both sighed and walked over to their friends and allies.
"Looks like we missed all the fun." Faith stated as they approached the
group.
Oh! Shit he brought B. She thought as she spotted Buffy having her cuts
healed by Willow, while constantly interrupting the spell by kissing the
redhead witch. Whether or not this annoyed the witch or not was hard to
tell. Since she just smiled and started again.
"They seem happy." Giles commented.
"That they do."
Keep calm, don't act like you're shagging her ex-watcher and you'll live.
Faith reminded herself.
"Spike." Giles nodded as Spike walked up to them and shook his hand.
"Rupert a pleasure as always."
"Who are you're friends?" Giles asked, sheathing the sword onto his back.
"Well the large blue skinned fellow is Czar and these two call themselves
Stjar'a and Al'x." He said, then he caught a sniff of Al'x. No it can't be.
He thought and studied the man as Giles hugged Buffy and Willow while Faith
seemed tense. Czar was making conversation with Stjar'a, but there was
something about the man calling himself Al'x that looked, sounded and
smelled familiar. So much that it stung at his brain.
"Al'x would you mind removing your hood please?" Spike asked and the group
turned.
"Well I guess my secret's out." Al'x sighed and pulled back the hood. There
was a collective gasp as his face was revealed.

Chapter 6: Guess Who's Back



There was a collective gasp while Spike just smirked. His hair was long and
black, his small beard making him look every bit the warrior he now was. The
was a thin scar over his right eye and another small one on his neck.. His
brown eyes shone as he smiled at them, a smile they all knew.
"Hey guys." He said and there was a silence for a moment.
"Xander?" Willow asked a little confused.
"That's me." He answered as he stepped up to hug her,
"Wills what is it?" Buffy asked as she noticed that was looking
uncomfortable.
"Nothing just a little wigged out right now." She said as she broke out of
Xander bear hug.
"It's Xander." Buffy exclaimed.
"Look at him." Willow said.
"Oh! I am." Faith said as she took in the black leather armor, covering his
body..
"You haven't change though." Al'x said and turned to face Faith.
"Nope still the same." Faith said with a grin.
"Good some things haven't changed." He answered.
"Hey." Faith protest.
Buffy studied him as he moved to greet Spike.
"Spike how did you know?" He asked as he offered Spike is hand.
"Your smell mate, you can change allot of things, but you can't change your
smell."
"We'll just see about that." He said as he turned to Giles.
"Hey G-man." He said and offered his hand.
"Xander good to see you again." Giles said as he shook the offered hand.
Those scars look old. Buffy though as she studied Xander's face. He's
filled out somewhat and are those oh my god.
"Xander how old are you?" She asked and Xander turned around.
"You noticed then." He said and stroked the thin scar.
"Well you've gained what, forty, fifty pounds of muscles. You have a scars
on your face that are old and there're some gray." She said and reached out
to pull out a hair. ".hairs."
"That's not gray it's silver." He explained.
"What's the difference?" Buffy asked.
"Oh there's a difference." Stjar'a said and took the hair from Buffy.
"And what's with those ears?" Buffy asked.
"She's an elf." Willow explained.
"An what?" Faith, Giles and Buffy said and spun to face Willow.
"She's an elf." Willow repeated and saw the faces of disbelieve. "Wait
here." She said and ran to the pile of luggage.
"She's right you know." Czar stated as Willow came jogging back with a book
under her arm.
"Here." She said as she opened the book and turned it towards them.
They looked at the picture in the book, then at Stjar'a and then again the
picture.
"Told you so." Czar said with a grin.
"Okay she'd an elf, but what about."
"Can this wait. It'll be dawn soon and I'm freezing." Giles interjected.
"Good idea and I promise that all will be explained." Xander said.
"Why not right now?" Buffy asked.
"Because believe me you'll need to sit down." Xander explained. "Plus we don
't want our poorly dressed ex-Watcher to catch a cold now do we." He added.



* * * * *



Tibet one year ago our time (Seven years ago in Xander's eyes)

"What is it?" Xander asked as he stared into the glowing whirlpool in front
of him.
"It is a portal to another place." The monk explained.
"Has anyone ever gone through?"
"Yes, but they rarely return, some to though in time."
The building shock.
"What the hell was that?" Xander asked as he regained his balance.
"I believe your secret's out." The monk answered.
"Great what to we do now?" Xander stated as he went for his staff.
"We too nothing." The monk said he grabbed him.
"Hey what's the."
"I'm sorry my friend, but it's the only way." He said as he pushed Xander
through the portal. The last thing Xander heard was a door breaking.



Sunnydale present day.

"So who were coming for you?" Buffy asked.
"The same people who attacked you earlier, seems they had a grudge against
the monks and me, but that's another story."
"Please do go on." Giles said.



The Old Realm (seven years ago)

Xander opened his eyes and stared into a pair of gray eyes.
"H'er ert d´u?" The owner of the eyes asked.
"Excuse me?" He asked as he sat up and reached for his staff. The girl
jumped back looking scared.
"What did I do."
"Str'sma'ur." She said with a bow of her head.
"What's your name?" He asked, but got a confused look.
"Xander." He said and but a hand on his chest.
The girl blushed.
I don't want to know what xander means in her language. He thought. Better
try something different.
"Alexander." He said with the same gesture and then pointed at her.
"Stjar'a." The girl said laying a hand on her chest.
"Stjar'a." Xander repeated.
"Alexander." Stjar'a said, but it came out all jumbled. She tried again.
"Al'x." She said with a questioning look.
"Stjar'a, Al'x." He said.
Well it's better then nothing. He thought and stood.
"K'mdu." She said and offered her hand.
Not like I have a lot of choice he thought and took he hand.



Sunnydale present time.


Everybody was laughing.
"What?" Stjar'a asked.
"Human joke." Xander explained.
"I can't believe you did the whole 'me Xander' thing." Buffy said in between
laughs.
"Well if you're through having a laugh at my expense."



The Old Realm (seven years ago).

The Elder finished chanting and like the auto tune on a VCR everything
became clear to him.
"I can understand." Xander said and looked around.
"As it should be. Now young man who are you?" The Elder asked him.
"My name is Alexander and I come from another world."
"You come from one the new realms then?" He asked.
"That's one name for it I guess."
"There hasn't been a traveler here from another realm in close to a
millennia." The man explained.
"Glad to hear I'm unique, but where do we go from here?" Xander asked.
"Well the portal won't reopen from this site for another century." The Elder
explained.
"Century, a century" Xander yelled.
"I'm sorry but that is the way of things."
"But I was told, never mind, so what do I do now."
"Your welcomed to stay with us of course, but the King will have to be told
of course."
"Of course." Xander said bitterly, but felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Al'x live here isn't that bad." Stjar'a said with a smile.



Sunnydale present day

"So how did you become a warrior?" Amy who'd joined them, along with Buffy's
mom and Wesley, asked.
"Consistence really. Stjar'a's people are mostly mages and healers, so when
the village needed protection I rose to the challenge."
"Then there was the war." Stjar'a said in a sad tone.



The Old Realm (four years ago)

Xander smiled at his lover and the golden haired maiden smiled back at him.
"Do you have to fight tomorrow?" He asked as he stroked her hair.
"Al'x you know I have to, I'm a warrior just like you." She stated.
"I know."
"At least Stjar'a will safe." She said.
"Thank god for small favors." He said.
"Will you wear the dragon?" She asked.
"Now is as a good time as any." He said and glanced at the gleaming black
armor and the white sword carved from a dragons horn.
"Promise me you'll live." He said.
"I promise."

"We will not surrender, we will not bow down, we will fight on, fight for
life, fight for the dream of peace! Are you with me!" Xander yelled over the
thunder of the approaching armies. Trying to keep his horse steady. His
black dragon skin armor gleaming in the morning sun.
There was a cheer as he thrust his sword into the air. From foot soldier to
general, not bad. He thought to himself, getting swept away in the rush of
it all.
"In the King's name." He shouted and charged.
The green fields grew dark as the dawn turned into dusk.
Xander was pulled of his stead, but fought on, half blinded by the blood
flowing from the wound across his right eye. He screamed as the bodies fell
all around him. Then he saw her, her forest green battle armor stained dark.
"Xardana." He yelled, she turned and smiled at him before falling to the
ground, a dagger buried in her back..
"NO" He screamed as he cut a straight path towards her.
"Don't go you promised me you'd life."
"There is always a tomorrow." She said as he eyes closed.
"Xardana!" He screamed as he lay her on the ground and stood.
"If I die today, I'll die happy knowing that she awaits."



Sunnydale present time.

There wasn't dry eye in the house. Willow sniffed as she snuggled closer to
Buffy, Faith complained about the air being dry as she blinked the tears
away and Buffy was solemn as she put an arm around Willow.
"I'm sorry Xander." She said as she reached out for his shoulder.
"It was a long time ago and like she said: There is always a tomorrow."
"What happened after the war?" Wesley asked.
"I did what I had to, I put on a brave face, played the hero and knelt
before the king."



The Old Realm (four years ago, two days after the last battle)

"Arise Al'x of the Sun and be acknowledged." The Kind said as a cheer
erupted.
"I'm sorry for your loss." He whispered as he placed a hand on Xander's
shoulder.
"So Al'x what will you do now." The Elder asked as they sat and feasted.
"Go and travel again."



Sunnydale present day.

"And that's what I did, I traveled the Realm, exploring and learning."
"How did you get back."
"We found and old mage, he opened a portal."
"Then if you came here then how will you get back."
"The portal will reopen a year after our arrival and it will return us to
the same spot we left from and little time will have past in the realm." He
paused.
"Then there is always the one at the monastery in Tibet, but that's a one
way portal and it's not bound at the other end."
"But you still haven't told us how old you are." Spike stated.
"I'm twenty-eight Xander said.
"You're what?" Buffy asked in disbelieve and stared at him.
"Twenty-eight ." Xander stated calmly again.
"And the silver hairs?"
"Can't explain those."
"I hate to ask this, but how did get the other scar?" Willow asked.
"A duel." Xander explained.
"Over what?" Spike asked.
"A girl in our village was violated, Al'x restored her honor." Stjar'a
explained with pride in her voice.
"So are you two." Faith asked.
"No." Xander said.
"Are we what?" Stjar'a asked.
"Explain later." Xander said and shoot Faith an angry look.
"But why the cloak and dagger routine?" Spike asked.
"Well part of it was to see what had changed and I wasn't even sure how much
time had passed here." Xander explained.
"Well I'm glad you're back." Willow said, rose up and hugged him.
"I'm sorry about the whole wigging out thing." She whispered.
"It's okay and I'm glad you found her." He whispered with a grin.

The sun was rising outside and Spike had retreated to the basement. Willow
had fallen asleep in Buffy's lap and Joyce smiled as her daughter
absentmindedly stroked Willow's hair as the first rays of the sun fell
across the girls faces. Giles and Wesley were talking to Stjar'a and Xander
about the Realm and Czar was keeping the rapt audience of both Amy and Faith
with story of times past.
All in all life was good right now. But everybody knew that it was only for
this day, this moment, because there is always a tomorrow and what it brings
is never fully known.

Chapter 7: Where the Journey Began

"I can't believe they rebuild the place." Buffy said as they walked down the
halls of the reconstructed Sunnydale High. They all looked very different
from the last time they'd been here. Xander, now called Al'x dressed in
black and wearing a white jacket, Buffy in a respectable dark suit, Willow
wearing a similar one but hers was green and Giles once again dressed in
tweed, but the pair of sunglasses made all the difference.

The morning had been spent looking over Giles' books and having Czar fully
explain the glyphs on the artifact, Angel and Cordilia where driving in from
LA.
Buffy and Willow had sat down with Joyce and talked about pretty much
everything. Joyce took their relationship with ease, she'd had a year to get
used to the idea that her daughter didn't bat for the home team. Seeing her
with Willow had put her heart at ease. Willow would never hurt her daughter,
she would never leave now that she knew Buffy loved her and she had a
heartbeat. They talked of the past, the present and the future. The hit a
snag when the talked for some reasons turned to children, Willow had gotten
very distant, Buffy had noticed it and placed a comforting hand on her
shoulder. Joyce quickly moved on to a new subject,

"It's exactly the same." Giles said as they entered the library.
"Good I was hoping it would be." Buffy said and pulled out the disk.
"Willow set up the fire in the corner." She said and pointed Willow to the
spot in question.
"Al'x placed the water in that corner." She said as Willow made a small ball
of flame that hovered in the air.
"Giles the earth." She said as Al'x placed a glass of water on the floor.
"Czar?" She asked.
"I'm here." He said as he stepped out of the shadows.
"I need some wind in your corner."
"Consider it done." He said and gave a powerful flap of his wings.
"Now we all must step in the center of the four elements." Buffy explained.
"Take each other hands." Buffy said and took Willow's hand in hers with a
smile.
"Mind if I join in?" Spike asked from the shadows.
"Of course you can your family?" Willow said and then smiled at Buffy when
she was about to protest.
"After all we do need five beings." Al'x pointed out. Buffy smiled and took
Spike's hand.
"We stand at the beginning." Spike said.
"Our enemies are now our friends." Buffy said.
"The circle is complete." Willow said.
"We've traveled far and have now returned." Al'x said.
"Show us the path a head." Giles finished.
There was gust of wind and the disk spun. The faces of those who'd died
appeared before them.
"The path a head is ever changing."
"You're a family now and nothing can do you harm."
"Walk in light William there you'll find peace."
"A child of will be born of magic."
"Go South and search for the god of the sun."
"There all shall become clear."
The faced faded and the wind calmed.
"Wow!" Buffy said as she picked up the disk.
"How are you going to write this up in your paper?" Spike asked.
"I'm not sure." Buffy said.
"Did you guys get all that?" Al'x asked. Giles was writing it down.
"Why was I spoken to directly?" Spike wondered out loud.
"Someone over there must really like you Spike." Buffy answered.
"Who will have a baby?" Willow wondered.
"Well not us I mean." Buffy said and immediately regretted it.
"Wills I'm so sorry."
The talk about the future had come up from time to time. Children was
something she knew Willow wanted, but she'd accepted that considering her
line of work, being a Slayer even a one in semi-retirement could be dangers
and then there was the fact they were both female.
"It's okay it's just." Willow said and the gave up.
"Guys would you..." Before Buffy could finish, Spike and Czar where gone and
Al'x and Giles where closing the door. Willow had sat down and buried her
face in her hands.
"Wills I'm sorry I didn't. I mean the whole talk with mom and then this
message."
"Do you want them?"
"Want what?"
"Children?"
Buffy was taken back by this.
"Of course, I would be so happy if we could, but."
She was shut up, by a searing kiss.
"Wills we're in the library." Buffy said, for a lack of a better thing to
say, when they came up for air,
"I know." Willow whispered seductively and stood taking her hand.
"You want to do that. here?"
"I used to fantasize about it you know?" Willow said with a smile.
"Of making love to you in the library, make you scream my name." She said as
she pulled Buffy down in the center of the elemental circle.

"Wanna get a drink?" Al'x asked as they stood outside. "This could take a
while you know."
"Good idea." Giles said as they heard a thud.
"Lets go then."
"You first."
"No I insist."
"Bloody hell! Come on." Giles said and took Al'x by the elbow. "I swear some
things never change."
"You can only grow up so much."
"Well this is something new." Stjar'a commented as Giles dragged Al'x out
off the school.
"What is?" Giles asked.
"Him being dragged around, it's usually the other way around.
"I only drag you around when you're about to do something stupid." Al'x said
in a parental tone of voice.
"Well if you hadn't followed they would have never seen me."
"Excuse me, but could we get going please." Giles said rubbing his temples.
"Sure the G-man. By the way how's Faith?"
"Wha.. what?"
Al'x grinned a predators grin and Giles felt very uncomfortable.

Inside the library Buffy and Willow were floating, literally. The wonder of
levitation.
"Well I've never made you do that before." Buffy teased as she drew circles
on Willow's stomach. Referring to the various things that would sometimes
happen when they made love. Scorched walls and the blowing out of every
fuse in the house where the most common.
"You're just getting better that's all and I think some of this is your
doing." Willow said as she kissed her.
"Again?" Buffy asked with a sly smile.
"Always."
"Forever."
"Love you."
"Love you more."
"Shut up and kiss me."

Chapter 8: The Fall of Cordelia Chase

The gang sat around the table playing Trivial Pursuit when there was knock
at the door, the clock struck ten and Spike stopped in mid throw.
"Do we want to answer?" Buffy asked. Silence and another knock at the door
as the clock rang again.
"You're spineless every single bloody one." Spike stated as he rolled and
then stood.
"Spike stay." Al'x said with a grin and stood.
"Now Al'x be nice." Willow said as she picked up the dices.
"Who me?" Al'x asked as he pulled the cloak of his chair and made for the
door.

Cordelia was about to knock again. She was intend on giving Xander Harris a
piece of her mind for disappearing for a year and not even bothering to call
them and then maybe they'd remember old times together. Then the door opened
and she lost her ability to speak.
"Hello Cordy." A man who looked like Xander said and flashed grin that made
her go numb.

Al'x had learned long ago that this particular could melt almost anything
female, be it elves or humans it almost never failed.

Angel looked over the shoulder of the stunted girl.
"Hello Xander." He said with a nod.
"Angel." Al'x nodded back.
"Al'x let them in will ya." Spike yelled. "It's getting cold in here."
"Come in please." Al'x said with the same grin.
"Cordelia you okay you look a little flushed?" Angel asked
"What?" She asked. Angel gave an almost smile.
"In you go." Angel said and pushed her inside and guided her to the couch.

Stjar'a studied the silent girl while Al'x recounted his story to her and
the man they called Angel. There was something about the girl's aura she
couldn't place and the vampire's aura just didn't make sense, the colors
were off and didn't match anything she'd ever seen, it was much the same
thing she'd been seeing on the one called Spike.
"And that's pretty much it." Al'x finished.
"So what do we call you now?" Angel asked.
"Al'x would be fine."
"You.. you're old." Cordelia finally said.
"Why thank you for noticing." Al'x said.
"No I mean you're older then all of us now."
"Guess so."
"Well I wouldn't." Joyce elbowed Spike.
"And you guys have no problem with this?" She asked and looked around.
"No not really he's still more or less our Xander." Buffy answered.
"Why don't we get you to bed." Joyce said. "It looks like you have had a bit
of a shock." She added and let her upstairs.
As soon as Spike heard the doors close he started laughing.
"You. you're old." He said in a British accented mimic of Cordelia's voice.
Willow and Angel tried to glare at him, but gave up and started laughing.

* * * * *

"We were a bit mean weren't we?" Buffy asked Willow later as they lay in
bed.
"Maybe but that look was just priceless."
"Hey what happened to the bighearted, care for all, Willow?"
"She's still around."
"So what do we do now?" Willow asked.
"About what?" Buffy asked.
"The message from the other side?"
"We probably should stay here for a while, I mean make sure Faith is doing
her job and all."
"And maybe get a place?" Willow suggested.
"Why would you. oh." Buffy said with a smile.
"As much as I love the company of ALL our friends and family, I know by fact
that both Spike, Czar and Angel all have excellent hearing." Willow said.
"We could fix up the mansion." Buffy suggested.
"Who owns it anyway?"
"Spike bought it legally soon after he become Prince and since he's going to
Peru to look up on the Incans."
"He is?" Willow asked.
"He's curious about the message about going south and walking in light
really got to him. Plus he says that he's had it up to here with our
sweetness." Buffy answered."
"We're not that." Willow started, but stopped.
"So is Luna okay with him just going off to find himself?" Willow then
asked.
"She's the one who told me love is about trust and don't forget I did the
same for you."
"I know." Willow said and kissed her cheek.
"Then we have some data to sort through." Buffy said.
"So is that what you call this?" Willow asked and lifted the sheet.
"No those are two perfectly shaped breasts." Buffy stated deadpan.
"And this?" Willow asked and threw the sheet on the floor.
"Me want." Buffy answered in a Cave-Slayer voice

* * * * *

Cordelia sat on the back porch and gazed up at the stars.
"It's a beautiful night." Stjar'a said and sat next to her.
"Al'x talked about you allot during the first few months." Stjar'a went on
and glanced at Cordelia's face.
"He did, did he?"
"Yes said he missed your little." She stopped to search for the right word.
".spats."
"You know him pretty well then."
"He's been my friend for seven years and he's saved my life more then once,
but if you tell him I said that I will deny every word."
Cordelia smiled.
"How did he become so."
"Sexy." Stjar'a said.
"I was going to say bold, but hey."
"The village needed a champion, someone who knew how to fight, so he did
just that."
"Xander a champion?"
"You've never seen him fight have you."
"Well no, not since."
"That explains it then." Stjar'a said and looked up at the moon and there
was silence for moment.
"I think the nights were one the hardest things for him to get used to."
"What?"
"We have two moons."
"Must offer up some pretty romantic nights then."
"Yep."
"Hmm Stjar'a I hate to ask this and I'm sure Slayer minor has already."
"We're not lovers if that's what you're thinking. He's more of a brother to
me."
"So he's still."
"Ripe for the picking. Yes, but I doubt he'll be receptive to your
advances." Stjar'a stated. Cordelia face hardened at the insult, but then
her face softened as the truth sank in.
"I figured as much. It must terrible to loose someone like he did." Cordelia
said showing this total stranger a side of her she rarely displayed.
"It was, but no matter what has happened to him he's never lost his joy of
life."
"So there have been others?" Cordelia asked hopefully.
"He's man and a very attractive one by my realm's standard. That and being a
warrior tends to get you into things that later require a certain."
"Release."
Both women giggled.
"What about you?" Cordelia asked looking at the girl, which she didn't doubt
was no girl at all despite her appearances.. Stjar'a smiled a shy smile.
"No!"
Stjar'a nodded.
"Never?"
Stjar'a shook her head. Felling her cheeks turning red.
Cordelia looked at the elf and smiled.


* * * * *

"I'm telling you he knows." Giles stated as they walked through the
graveyard.
"Don't be silly Giles. He was just teasing you." Faith assured him.
"No I wasn't." Came a voice from the shadows and Al'x stepped out of them.
"How?" Faith asked.
"I've learned to keep my eyes open."
"So what will you do now?" Giles asked.
"Nothing. I just wanted to be sure what had changed." He said and before
they could reply he was gone.
"That man is to smart for his own good." Faith stated.
"Well there isn't a whole lot we can do and I'm sure that Xan. I mean Al'x
will keep this to himself."
"It's just top bad I can't threaten him into keeping his mouth shut. Now
that would make me feel a whole lot better." Faith said with a smile.
"Lets go kill something shall we." Giles suggested.
"Good idea G-man."

* * * * *

Stjar'a's face hover above her own, coming closer and closer. The dream
shattered.
"What the hell was that?" Cordelia asked herself when she woke up. Soaked in
sweat and feeling a familiar warmth.

Outside on the soft ground under the moon Stjar'a slept. A gentle smile
gracing her lips.

Giles was pressed against the cold wall of a mausoleum grinning at the
assault of a Slayer.

Buffy hugged Willow closer in her sleep. While Willow stroked her lovers
stomach.

Angel and Czar threw a demon out a window at Willy's.

Wesley and Amy had both fallen asleep over a books and Joyce was covering
the with blankets with a motherly smile on her face.

Spike called his lover, assuring her that he lived another night.

Al'x walked through the streets of the place he'd once called, then finding
himself at Cordelia's door he looked at it and turned away. His path did not
lead here.

The world was quiet that night as the wheel of life spun while a new thread
was being made.

Chapter 8: Crossroads

Spike looked back at his gathered friends and allies as he climbed aboard
the jet. Czar had agreed on coming with him to Peru and to his surprise
Joyce had insisted on coming along too. He knew better then going against
the wishes of the Slayer's mum.
"Mom you sure about this?" Buffy asked she hugged her mother.
"They need my help Buffy." Joyce said.
"There'll be a housewarming party waiting when you return." Buffy said with
smile. Joyce looked at her daughter then at Willow and smiled.
"Get going." Willow said and handed Joyce a simple gold ring.
"Magic?" Joyce asked.
"Czar will explain." Willow said.

"Al'x I need to ask favor." Angel asked as they sat discussing past times.
Although they'd openly admitted their dislike for each other, they still had
this weird connection, that went by the names of Buffy and Willow. They'd
promised the girls they'd behave and not wanting to be on the receiving end
of Willow wrath they tried to get along.
"Another one. The last time you asked me for a favor I ended up in parallel
dimension." Al'x said with grin.
"I need for someone to come with me to New York."
"What about Cordy?"
"No can't to I need a fighter, somebody who can keep his own."
"And Stjar'a?" Al'x asked.
"She could stay here with Cordelia."
"Are you nuts."
"No just old."
"Actually I think it would be good for her, I mean there's only so much of
the world I can show her." Al'x admitted.
"It's true then. Wisdom does come with age." Angel joked.
"Well not is Spike's case and you just made a joke." Al'x said and Angel
shrugged.
"So you'll come with me then."
"Like I have a choice."


"Where's G-man?" Faith asked Wesley when Giles did show up for the research
meeting.
"He left this morning." Wesley explained.
"He what!"
"He packed his backpack and said he was going into the mountains." Wesley
explained.
"Did he say why?"
"Said he needed to think about the future. He was very cryptic."
"Did he say when he'd be back."
"No. Why is there something wrong?"
"No, it's just that we might need him that's all."


"This could take some time." Buffy stated as she and Willow stood inside the
mansion. Marking her mental checklist.
New floorboards.
New coat of paint both inside and out.
Curtains, furniture.
"I could always." Willow stated and threw some sparkle into the air.
"No you don't my little witch. We will do this the old fashion way." Buffy
said grabbing her hand.
"But that could take weeks." Willow pouted.
"I don't care. It'll be fun."
"I'll remind you of that when you're covered in paint and dirt." Willow
said.
"Think about it this way, if we do it the old fashion way, you get to wash
the paint and dirt of." Buffy said.
"Still to bad we let every able man get away." Willow said.
"Well we still have Giles and Wesley, well Giles at least."
"Nope Giles made a run for it. Packed his gear and went into the mountains."
"So it's girl power then." Buffy stated.
"Looks that way."
"Things are okay right now aren't they?" Buffy asked.
"Yep!"
"We're alone."
"Yep!"
"Could you whip up something comfortable?"
"Yep!
"Love you, you know?"
"And I'll never let you forget why."

At Giles old place now dubbed Slayer HQ. Cordelia was watching Stjar'a
exercise with her staff.
"So you're staying?" Cordelia asked as she followed Stjar'a's movements.
"A much as I enjoy traveling, I would like to get to know this worlds
culture a little better." Stjar'a said and made swipe with her staff.
"Is that an yes?"
"Guess so."
"What about you? Will you be staying?" Stjar'a asked.
"For a while yes. With Angel in New York I can run the office from here."
"Staying here?" Stjar'a asked as she came up from a role.
"Free room and board? Of course."
Cordelia watched in silence as Stjar'a finished.
"Stjar'a why do you sleep outside?" She asked.
"I'm an elf."
"And."
"I'm a moon elf it's in my blood and that's also why my hair is silver."
"So the reason for Xander's silver hairs."
"If you live among moon elves for long enough that happens yes."
"How old are?" Cordelia asked before she knew what she was saying.
"Younger than you might think." Stjar'a said with a grin.
"Great Angel and Xander leave and I get stuck with Ms. Cryptic."
Stjar'a smiled and threw a staff at her.
"Hey! I could have broken a nail." Cordelia exclaimed as she caught it.
"This isn't going to be easy." Stjar'a muttered.
"What is?" Cordelia asked a little confused
"Training you." Stjar'a explained.
"Who said I wanted to learn?"
"You've been watching for the past two days. I assumed you wanted to learn."
"I couldn't, I mean."
"Just pick up the staff." Stjar'a said with a smile.

Chapter 10: All Over the Place

Sunnydale

"Lets do it the old fashion way?" Willow stated, but she was too tired to
put any sarcasm into her voice.
Buffy, Willow, Stjar'a and Cordelia sat and looked around the newly painted
hall.
"One room down." Buffy said and dodged an incoming brush.
"Typical of the men to vanish into then wind at the first mention of this."
Cordelia stated.
"It's good to know that some things are universal." Stjar'a commented.
"In defense of my brethren. I must state that they were all long gone before
you two even mentioned this." Wesley said as he struggled with the cooler.
"He has a point." Amy said as she followed behind him with a picnic basket.
"Why is there a bed in the backyard of Slayer HQ?" Amy asked as she spread a
blanket on the floor.
"That's for Stjar'a." Cordelia explained.
"Cordy helped me assemble it." Stjar'a added. Thankfully there was no one to
comment on the remark.
"Buffy you okay?" Willow asked.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Buffy asked studying a carrot
"Well you're eating less then normal." Willow explained.
"Yeah! Usually the food in front of you is gone by now." Cordelia said.
"Just worried about mom that's all." Buffy said and bit down.
"She's with Spike, so what could possibly happen?" Willow exclaimed.
"Are you even listening to yourself. Where ever Spike goes these days
trouble follows." Buffy stated.
"I gave her a ring of protection. She'll be fine." Willow said.
"I'm more worried about Angel and Xan. Al'x all alone in New York." Cordelia
said and earned a smile from Stjar'a for getting Al'x's name right,
something she'd started doing with out even thinking about it.
"Again they'll be fine, they need to bond a little." Willow said.
"Then there is Giles all alone in the mountains." Buffy said.
"Well Faith went to fetch him." Wesley stated.
"She what?" Buffy almost yelled.
"Something about his help being invaluable." Amy explained.
"So let me get this right. Giles gone, Spike and Czar gone, Al'x and Angel
gone." Buffy counted of. ".and now to top it of the Slayer who's supposed to
be in charge is gone too. Just great."


* * * * *

Temple of the Sun at Cuzco, Peru

"It would be easier to explore the city in daylight." Joyce stated as she
turned on the flashlight.
"Well sorry mum, but a seven foot half-demon and a heavily cloaked man tend
to stand out in a crowd." Spike said apologetically.
"Did you find out anything at the libraries?" Czar asked.
"Well aside from the fact that this ring works like a charm not much besides
the normal texts." Joyce said referring to how the ring had seemingly made
every man that had given her a second glance turn and walk away.
"Then let's climb to the highest and have a look over shall we." Spike said
and struck a pose with his hiking staff and the base of the steps. Joyce
took a picture.
"Hey!"
"For the album." She explained with a smile.
A dark haired figure sat and waited at the top.

* * * * *

Giles climbed out of the water and noticed that his clothes were gone.
"Faith." He growled.
"Looking for these?" Faith asked and held up his clothes.
"What are you thinking coming here?" He asked as he shamelessly walked up to
her.
"You ran out on me." She explained.
"With good reasons I might add." He said as he pulled his thick wool sweater
over his head.
"B doesn't know?"
"But Al'x does and most likely Willow and Spike may also have suspicions."
"But B doesn't know and that's all that matters." Faith stated.
"Why are you so obsessed with Buffy not finding out Faith." Giles asked when
they were on their way back to the cabin.
"She'll freak, but the others will not."
"Most likely yes, but after that she'll accept the fact that I'm more then
just her watcher."
"I just don't want B to hate you."
"She won't. well not for long." Giles said as he grasped Faith's hand.
"This wasn't part of the plan." She stated.
"Plans change." He explained with a smile.

* * * * *

"New York the city that never sleeps." Al'x said as they stepped onto the
street.
"You don't seem overwhelmed about it." Angel said.
"It's nothing compared to the what I've seen."
"Such as?" Angel asked.
"Underground cities that stretch on for miles, the Great City of Elves with
its towers, the endless forest were I hunted."
"Why did you come back Al'x?" Angel asked when Al'x got a faraway look in
his eyes.
"I wanted to see if my friends were still alive mostly." There was moments
silence as they walked on.
"Where is that dragon skin armor of yours by the way?" Angel asked as a
changed of subject.
"In the Great City in the Hall of Heroes, most beings don't get in there
until after they're past on."
"Wow!"
"Just Wow! What no smart remark?"
"Not really." He said and then added thoughtfully. "Cordelia must be rubbing
of on me."
"God help us all."
"Xander?" A voice asked and Al'x turned around.
"Anya!" He stated.

* * * * *

The Mansion was coming along nicely. The girls were outside working on the
front of the house while the sun blared down on them. The absence of fabric
made for whistles and honks of passing cars.
"You think we should tell them we don't bat for the home team?" Buffy asked
as she handed Willow a shutter.
"Probably only make them stare harder." Willow answered.

As the heat grew they sought shelter under a tall tree which Stjar'a
promptly climbed into.
"So you've got some forest elf in you too?" Cordelia asked jokingly.
Stjar'a smiled back at Cordelia and then climbed on. Cordelia grinned and
climbed after her.
"Did you see that?" Buffy asked Willow as Cordelia disappeared up the tree.
"Yes."
"You think they know?"
"Stjar'a maybe."
"Should we."
"No. They'll figure it out by themselves, but we'll be here for them of
course." Willow said.
"To bad we didn't have this kind of help." Buffy said as she settled her
head in Willow's lap.
"We didn't need it. It was the logical thing to do." Willow answered.
"Well thank you Mr. Spock."
"It beats the alternative."
"What a messy coming out at Christmas." Buffy said with grin.
"Buffy you shouldn't joke about such things. We got off easy compared to
many others."
"Guess so and don't you think for a second that I'm not happy about that."
"I know." Willow said and stroked her cheek.
"Purr.." Buffy said with a smile.
"Aw that's so sweat." Amy said as she and Wesley walked up to them.
"You again." Buffy said looking up from Willow's lap, shielding her eyes
from the sun.
"How was the library?" Cordelia asked from the branch she and Stjar'a
shared.
"Very cool thank you." Amy yelled back.
"Well I know a place that has even better air-conditioning." Cordelia said.
"Let me guess the mall?" Willow asked.
"What's a mall?" Stjar'a asked from the branch.
A grin spread appeared on Cordelia's face while Wesley turn into a mask of
dread.

Chapter 11: Surprise!

Spike stood at the top of the Temple of the Sun and gaped. Czar studied the
figure in front of them, while Joyce just smiled.
"Hello William." Luna said.
"Luna?" Spike asked.
"Surprised?" She said.
"Somewhat, but not completely."
"Then you're not mad?"
"No." Spike shrugged.
"Are you going to introduce me then?"
"Of course luv. This is Czar an old friend from the Old World and this is
Ms. Joyce Summers, Elisabeth's mum."
"It's an honor." Luna said and shook Joyce's hand.
"No I'm honored. Spike told me that you took care of my daughter during a
fight. I'm happy for the chance to say thank you." Joyce answered.
"So you're the one who tamed him?" Czar asked as he extended his hand.
"I do not take the entire credit, but I had a part." Luna answered and shook
the massive hand.
"Well let's dig around and see what we come up with." Joyce said started
looking around.


* * * * *

"Anya?" Al'x asked looking genuinely surprised for the first time since
arriving back on this realm.
"Hello Xander you look different." Anya said. "Hi Angel." She then added.
"It's been a while." Al'x stated regaining his composure.
"Several years by the look of things." Anya stated.
"What brings you to the Big Apple?" Angel asked.
"Europe got boring after a while and then I ran into Giles in France and he
said he was going back home, so I thought I should follow. So here I am.
What bring you two here?"
"We're hunting demons." Angel explained.
"Interesting might if I tag along." Anya asked.
Angel looked and Al'x and he looked back at Angel, both men shrugged.
"Why not." Al'x said with a gesture of a hand.
"Someone with an experience could be useful." Angel stated.
"Great so I'm in right?"
"I think there is room in the suite for one more." Angel said.
"You got a suite?" Anya asked and both men visibly shrug.



* * * * *

Buffy stumbled out of the bathroom looking rather pale.
"Buffy what's wrong?" Willow asked as she rolled out of bed and helped guide
Buffy.
"Don't know. I feel sick." Buffy said and lay down on the bed
"But you never get sick, I mean unless it's magic, but I'm not sensing any
and then there is always the possibility of poison, but you haven't been in
action and then again."
"Willow honey babble alert." Buffy said with a weak smile.
"You just lie back then and let your Wills take of you then." Willow said as
she helped Buffy get comfortable.
"Don't worry Wills. Even Slayers are bound to get sick sometimes." Buffy
reassured her companion.
"I'll fix us some breakfast and check up on the gang." Willow said. "Be
right back." She added, kissed Buffy's forehead and left.

"Wesley I need you to look something up for me." Willow said as she came
downstairs.
"What is it?" The Watcher asked.
"Buffy's sick." She explained simply.
"Slayers don't get sick." He stated.
"Well Buffy is. She threw up this morning, she's looking pale and seems to
have lost her appetite somewhat."
"I'll get right on it." He said and started pulling books from the shelves.
"Is Faith back?" Willow asked from the kitchen.
"She rang and said she'd be in town by sundown." Wesley answered from the
latter.
"I see she's developed common sense in our absence." Willow said as the eggs
floated from the refrigerator.
"What about Stjar'a and Cordelia?" Willow asked as the eggs broke and began
to scramble on the pan.
"Cordelia and Stjar'a left early this morning." Wesley answered.
"Did they say where to?"
"Something about training in nature." Wesley answered.
"Interesting, but then again Stjar'a is an elf." Willow muttered as the
breakfast arranged itself on a hovering tray.

"Felling better?" Willow asked as the tray floated in a head of her.
"A little." Buffy answered and placed the TV-remote on the nightstand.
"Brought you some breakfast."
"I can see that." Buffy said and the laughed and little.
"The Birdcage." She explained and pointed at the TV.
Willow crawled into bed next to Buffy.
"Stay!" She ordered and pointed at the tray.
"So anything new on the western front?" Buffy asked as she sipped her tea.
"Faith is heading back into town, presumably with Giles in tow." Willow said
as she smeared mustard on her toast.
"You smear, men smear." The words of Robin Williams sounded from the
television and both women laughed.
"Stjar'a took Cordelia out into nature to train." She said after they'd
finished.
"Going for the home field advantage then." Buffy stated.
"What makes you things she doesn't just want a change of scenery?" Willow
asked curiously.
"She's Al'x protégé and therefore a warrior first and foremost." Buffy
explained.
"Tactical thinking." Willow said.
"Precisely." Buffy exclaimed.
"You're cute when you're acting all smart you know." Willow said.
"Oh am I really."
"Leave!" Willow ordered the tray with a smile.


* * * * *
"Got you." Cordelia yelled as she swept the legs from underneath Stjar'a.
"That you did." Stjar'a said and pulled Cordelia down as she offered her a
hand.
"Stjar'a?"
"Shhh!" Stjar'a said and kissed her.

Cordelia's eyes flew open. A dream it was just a dream. She lay back down on
the bed.
"Cordy." Stjar'a asked from her side.
"Just had this really weird dream."
"Another nightmare?" Stjar'a asked as a hand made its way down her stomach.
"No not really, that's nice."

"Cordelia wake up!" Stjar'a said and shook her shoulder.
"What, what happened?" Cordelia asked.
"You fell asleep." Stjar'a explained. They were sitting lying under a large
tree, like the one Stjar'a had drawn for her when telling her of her home
realm.
"I'll just wash of then." Cordelia said as she bent down and looked into the
stream that ran by. She looked her reflection and gasped. Her hair was
silver streaked and her ears pointed.
"What's the matter love?" Stjar'a asked in her own langague which she now
understood. Cordelia looked back at her smiling face.

Cordelia woke up again.
"Where am I?" She asked as she looked around.
"Wow! You were really out of it." Stjar'a exclaimed.
"The meditation trance. Right!" Cordelia said remembering how Stjar'a had
instructed her how to focus.
"How long have I been out?" She asked.
"About two hours."
"Stjar'a is it normal to dream when you're in one of these."
"It has been know to happen from time to time. Why did you dream something?"
Stjar'a asked.
"Just bunch of jumbled images that's all." Cordelia said and grabbed her
staff. Disturbing images. She thought. Where they? A voice asked. I'm not
gay! She yelled at the voice.
"Cordy you okay?" Stjar'a asked.
"Fine, just fine. So what's next?"

Chapter 12: Search and Research

"Wesley what's wrong?" Amy asked as she entered the research room and found
books strewn all over every surface, it was night and the young watcher
looked like hell.
"Buffy is sick and I can't find a damn thing?"
"You mean sick, or sick, sick?"
"Sick. She has some trouble eating, is nauseas and pale." Wesley said as he
paged through a tome so thick you could barely turn the pages.
"Why don't you take break Wesley?" She suggested.
"I can't my duty wont allow it." He said and closed the book.
"Why do you have to be so damn stubborn sometimes?." She said and pulled the
book away from him.
"Beg your pardon?"
"It's clear that the what ever illness she has isn't life threatening and I'
m sure Willow has confirmed that it has nothing to do with magic. So I ask
you again why are you so damn stubborn." They glared at each other and it
finally with Amy throwing up her hands and storming out.
"I honestly don't know what's gotten into that girl?" He murmured.

* * * * *

"I think I've found something." Joyce said as she knelled by the altar.
"What is it." Czar asked as he kneeled besides her.
"It's a symbol and some writings. I think." She said and pulled out the
disk. "There almost identical, but the writing is different." She stated as
Spike and Luna came over.
"And where have you two been?" Joyce asked in parental voice.
Spike didn't bother answering, but instead knelled by the stone and ran his
hand over the stone and in the course of that action pressed on symbols
representing spirit and fire. The whole temple started shaking.
"Spike what did you do?" Joyce asked they stood up.
"I'm not sure, Czar what did the glyphs say." Spike said as he scanned the
area.
"Out of Fire and Spirit comes live." Czar said. "One will be reborn, while
another will be forever transformed. Beware for judgment will be swift." He
finished.
Luna and Joyce glared at Spike.
"How was I supposed to know?" He asked.
"The damage is done so what to we do now?" Joyce answered.
"You stand before me!" A Voice boomed as a spirit made of fire rose behind
them.
"Oh bloody hell!" Spike cursed as they turned around.
"This is not good right?" Joyce asked.


* * * * *

"So have fun in the wilderness." Buffy asked as Stjar'a and Cordelia,
limping slight, walked into the living room.
"Great, this. elf threw me into a river." Cordelia muttered as the armor
dropped to the floor with a clank.
"Your flank was exposed and I took advantage of it." Stjar'a answered with a
smile and leaned against the wall.
"Buffy were you sick this morning?" She asked sounding a bit puzzled.
"Yes, spent the day in bed. How did you know?"
"Is it a illness?" She asked.
"Wesley is researching it." Willow said as someone was heard running up the
basement stairs.
".why are you so damn stubborn." Amy yelled as she came storming up from the
basement and out the door.
"And I guess he's still looking." Buffy answered with a shrug.
"Those two need to be locked in a room together." Faith commented as she
walked through the front door just in time to witness Amy storming out.
"So did you find him?" Willow asked.
"Yep! Sent him patrolling." Faith answered as she took her seat.
"What happened to you?" She asked when she'd taken stock of Cordelia. Stjar'
a grinned as Cordelia decided to leave with what little dignity she had
left.
"What did I say?" Faith asked.
"Nothing Faith, nothing at all." Stjar'a commented and then turned to Buffy.
"Take care of yourself." She said and went after Cordelia.
"What was that?" Faith asked.

* * * * *

"Czar what are we looking at here?" Spike whispered as the flaming figure
gazed at them.
"A Higher power." Czar stated.
"That's bad right?"
"Not always."
"You!" The Figure boomed and pointed at Spike. "Step forth."
"Who me?" Spike asked and took a step forward.
"Yes, you William Blood. To you I shall grant a rebirth." The Figure said
and pointed a fiery finger at him.
"But I don't." Spike started, but fell down to his knees clutching his
chest.
"William!" Luna yelled and ran to him.
"What have you done to him?" She demanded.
"I have given him life eternal." The Figure stated.
"But he's already eternal." Luna said, but the Figure was gazing at Joyce.
"Mother of the Chosen One." The Figure said in it's booming voice.
"Yes!" Joyce said in a shaky voice.
"You shall become my avatar on this plane." It boomed and flew towards her.
Joyce didn't scream, there was a flash of light and then darkness.

* * * * *

"Mom!" Buffy yelled as she woke up covered in sweat.
"Buffy what's wrong?" Willow asked as she took the shaking slayer into her
arms.
"Some thing has happened to mom I'm sure of it."
There was another scream in the house.
"Faith." Buffy and Willow said and ran out of the bedroom.
They found Faith down stairs being held by Giles.
"She had a nightmare." He explained as he rocked Faith, who looked very much
like a scared little girl.
"Did you see my mom?" Buffy asked as the rest of the houseguests came
running.
"I saw a Spike standing on the top of a mountain screaming at the sun and
your mom lying on a stone floor holding a flaming sword." Faith said in a
trembling voice. "And then I saw Giles fighting her."
"Is there anyway to contact them?" Giles asked. The notion of Spike
screaming at the sun wasn't a pleasant one. Even if he didn't like the man
much.
"Spike had his phone and palmtop with him last time I knew." Willow said.
"Good get on the wire and try and get a hold of them." Giles ordered
"Buffy are you alright you're looking a bit pale." Wesley noted.
Giles took a look at Buffy and then looked the way Willow had run.
"Wesley, a word please?" He said and took the younger man by the hand.
"Certainly, Cordelia would you mind watching over them."
"Sure thing." Cordelia nodded as Stjar'a entered the room. The moon was
still nearly full she slept outside.
"Why are all the lights on?" She asked.
"Welcome to the Hellmouth." Cordelia stated.


* * * * *

"Angel duck!" Al'x yelled and swung his sword. It hit its target and a
horned head rolled on the ground.
"Thanks." Angel nodded as he dusted himself of.
"This doesn't make sense." Anya said.
"I know, we've been chased around for almost ten hours now." Al'x said as
the sword disappeared into his coat. The staff wasn't much good against
these sort of things. It had started the minute they left the hotel. First
they'd been attacked by a demon that looked human and soon after they'd been
running around the city. Trying to stay one step a head while figuring out
what the hell was going on.
"There has got to be some sort of focal point attracting them here." Angel
stated.
"And demons only, we haven't seen a single vampire yet." Anya added.
"Shh! There is something below us." Al'x stated and bent down to the manhole
"I hear it too, sounds like." Angel said.
"Demons and lot of them." Al'x said.
There was a silence for a few minutes.
"They've past." Al'x said as he pulled the grid of.
They walked in the near darkness until they saw light a head.
"Oh."
"My."
"God!"
They stared down at the cave that had been dug out right under the city and
the throng of demons and apparently humans gathered there.
"Oh! This just keeps getting better and better." Al'x stated.

Chapter 13: It Begins.

".my head." Joyce moaned as she tried to stand up.
"Easy there mum." Spike said and helped her sit up.
"Spike what just happened?" Joyce asked.
"Not sure mum, but something tells me that that belongs to you." He answered
and pointed at the sword the hovered over the altar.
"But I. Oh my god." Joyce exclaimed as it all came back to her.
"I've been looking for more glyphs and apparently you've been chosen to be
an avatar for a Higher Power." Czar stated
"This is a allot to take, I can understand." Luna said as she kneeled
besides them and helped Joyce stand.
"Are you sure about."
"The sword. Pretty sure." Czar said and showed her a darkened palm.
"That and the fact it has your name engraved in it." Spike added.
"I still don't understand why me?" Joyce asked as she walked up the steps
towards the stone altar.
"We honestly don't know." Luna stated.
"Well here goes nothing." Joyce said and reached out for the sword.
Spike took a small step backwards.
"William!" Luna hissed.
"Just being careful that's all."
Joyce's hand closed around the hilt, the blade flared to life and she was
surrounded by a wall of flames.
"Would you look at that." Spike exclaimed as he backed away.
"What you all staring at?" Joyce asked she walked calmly through the flames
a few moments later.

* * * * *

The toilet flushed and Buffy walked back into the bedroom.
"Still sick?" Willow asked.
"I don't think so Wills." Buffy answered.
"Then what is it?" Willow asked.
"I'm late." Buffy stated.
"Late as in late, late?" Willow asked nervously.
Buffy gave a small nod.
"GILES! WESLEY!" Rang through the house. Followed by a crashing thunder.
Stjar'a looked up from the fallen form of Cordelia.
"So it begins." She said as Cordelia tackled her feet, with triumphant
shout, and she fell to the floor.
"You're in serious trouble." Amy said to the two men as they sat around the
research table and then Willow in burst through the doors.
"Oh bloody hell." Both men muttered.
"For how long have you known." Willow demanded as Buffy came running.
"Not long day, maybe two at the most." Wesley answered and soon found
himself flying.


* * * * *

Three figures crawled out of the New York sewer system.
"We've got to get back to Sunnydale." Angel said as he inspected the ruined
remains of his jacket.
"And fast." Anya added taking stock of her torn clothing.
They spent the night fighting the hordes they'd found below New York and
learned some interesting facts. One a new avatar of the higher planes at
emerged, second there was new major player on the scene and third and most
important that the Slayer was with child and steps were being taken to
eliminate that threat to the balance of things.
"Already done. There is a jet waiting." Al'x said as he closed his phone, he
was without a scratch. The only visible damage was the dirt on his leather
armor.
"Lets get going then." Angel said.
"How did you manage." Anya started.
"Tricks of the trade kiddo." Al'x answered simply.
"Let's go." Angel stated as he held the Taxi's door open,

* * * * *

Joyce felt like the blood in her veins had turned into fire, but it didn't
hurt. She looked down at herself, she was now wearing modern outfit by any
standards. Her forearms were wrapped with golden bindings, but the rest was
a shamelessly formfitting sleeveless black outfit aside from a belt and
sheath for the sword. She looked at the blade of flame she held and noticed
that the ring Willow had given her was gone and in it's place rested a ring
with a single red ruby that seemed to pulse with the fire. She turned around
and saw the wall of flame. She reached out her hand and smiled and then she
simply walked through. The fire didn't burn her, she just felt strangely
comfortable.
"What you all staring at?" She asked calmly as she sheathed the flaming
sword and its fire died.
"Sun coming up soon should we watch?" She asked as she walked passed them.
"Sure why the hell not." Spike said and walked out after her.
"Spike what just happened?" Joyce asked as they looked to the east.
"Not sure mum." Spike answered.
The sun rose up over the mountain bathing them in a golden light. Spike
started laughing and soon Joyce joined him. Luna walked up to Spike and took
his hand.
"I guess there is nothing left now, but to go home." She said smiling.
Joyce bent down and picked up a piece of rope that lay on the ground and
tied her hair back. Spike pulled out his phone and noticed the 29 missed
calls.
He redialed.
"Willow just calm down." Giles said before answering. "Giles here."
"Rupert its Spike." Spike said with a smile in his voice.
"Spike thank god you alive." Giles exclaimed
"Rupert is something wrong?" Spike asked as he heard a crash on the other
end and then Amy shouting at Willow for throwing Wesley so carelessly
around.
"No it's just that, well lets just say something has come up." Giles
explained.
"We'll be there as soon as we can. what's the situation?" Spike asked in his
best I'm-in-control-voice.
"Buffy may be pregnant."
As Spike's jaw dropped, so did the phone and the connection.
"Spike what is it?" Luna asked.
"The Slayer is pregnant?" Spike stated.
"Who Faith?" Joyce asked looking extremely calm.
"No Buffy." Spike answered.
"WHAT? BY WHOM?" Joyce demanded.
"Red would be the most likely candidate." Spike stated.
"Get the jet fueled now." Joyce ordered as Spike could swear he saw fire in
her eyes.
She picked up the phone.
"Damn!" She muttered as she noticed the battery was empty.
Czar just stood calmly and watched.
* * * * *


"That was Spike they're on their heading back as we speak." Giles explained
as he put the phone down.
Stjar'a, who'd appeared as soon as the shouting started, held Willow back
seemingly with ease. Amy was helping Wesley stand up from the piles of books
that had fallen on him when he hit one the bookcases. Buffy sat calmly and
started at the gathering.
"What did we miss?" Cordelia asked as she and Faith came running down the
stairs.
"Not much. I may or may not be pregnant?" Buffy explained calmly.
"You are!" Stjar'a stated.
"And how can you be so sure?" Buffy asked.
"It's in your aura, when ever a woman is with child her aura takes on a very
distinct hue." Stjar'a explained and let Willow go.
"But how?" Cordelia asked. "I mean I don't want to sound mean or anything,
but last time I knew they're were both female." She said.
"A child born of magic." Giles muttered.
"Excuse me?" Faith asked.
"That's what the ghosts said: A child of will be born of magic." He
explained.
"So Red's the dad?" Faith asked with a grin, which faded as Willow glared at
her.
"What do we." The phone rang again.
"Angel? Angel slow down lad." Giles said.
"Demons gathering, plotting to eliminate... oh my."
"Giles what is?" Buffy asked.
"Just get here as fast as you can. Godspeed." Giles said and hung up.
"Giles you're pale." Faith said in concerned voice.
"That was Angel." Giles said as he went got a bottle of scotch from behind
one of the books and poured himself a glass.
"Giles what is it?" Willow asked as Giles gulped down the amber liquid.
"Someone is seeking the destruction of your unborn child." He answered and
the room was dead silent.

"Get this thing in the air now." Joyce ordered the pilot, who looked at
Spike.
"Do as the lady asks." Spike answered as the palmtop bleeped.
"Oh bloody hell!" Spike cursed as he read the message
"What is it?" Joyce asked.
"Someone going to try and prevent Buffy from having the baby." Spike
answered.
"I said now!" Joyce yelled into the cockpit.



Angel, Al'x and Anya's Taxi came to a halt next to their jet. Angel threw
the money at the driver as they ran out of the car.
"You Mr. Harris?" The pilot asked.
"That's me, how fast can you get us to Sunnydale California?"
"Well given the weather and the fuel." The pilot started counting off.
Angel pulled out a bundle of cash.
"6 maybe 5 hours." He answered, more money. "Four if the winds are good."
"That's more like it." Al'x said.

Chapter 14: Waiting For Joyce


Having raced the sun Angel bolted into Slayers HQ just as it broke across
the horizon.
"Glad you could join us." Buffy joked as she looked up and saw Angel come
rolling down the stairs into the basement.
"Glad to be here." He answered as he stood up and dusted himself off. Al'x
and Anya strolled in behind him.
"What's the matter Angel afraid of a little tan?" Al'x asked as the new
arrival calmly sat down.
"Is Buffy pregnant?" He then asked calmly and looked around the room. People
were in different corners of it. Giles and Faith stood next to the bookcases
surrounded by piles of books, which they were placing on the shelves. Amy
was tending to a cut Wesley was sporting on his forehead. Stjar'a and
Cordelia he knew were out in yard and Willow and Buffy sat the table
sporting expressions somewhere between absolute bliss and fright.
"Stjar'a informed be that the her aura indicted that." He went on looking
straight at Willow.
"She's pregnant I did a spell to check it." Willow answered she was excited,
but Al'x could hear the underlying dread.
"Who is the father?" Angel asked.
"We don't know." Giles said as he walked up to the table.
"But we think it is Red here." Faith said as they sat down.
Wesley could be heard getting up with a groan.
"Sorry about that Wes, no hard feelings?" Willow asked innocently. Wesley
glared at the witch as he took his seat.
"What happened to him?" Anya asked.
"Willow decided to give him free flying lessons." Amy answered and then
looked at the witch.
"Hey I said I was sorry, I was angry and when it comes to Buffy I tend to
get a bit protective." She said and placed her hand on top of Buffy's.
"Homicidal is more like it." Cordelia said as she and Stjar'a came down the
stairs both carrying training staffs and sporting a thin coat of sweat.
"What's the ETA on Spike and his group?" Al'x asked.
"The should be here in an hour?" Giles answered.
Stjar'a nodded her hello to Al'x as she sat down. Al'x eyes flickered
between Cordelia and his protégé before he nodded back.
"So who's going to tell Joyce the happy news?" Cordelia asked.
"She already knows?" Giles said.
"She what?" Buffy asked turning to face the ex-watcher.
"I told Spike and he in all likelihood told your mother." Giles explained
and then added. "Please don't kill me." In joke to ease things up.
"Giles." Buffy said in a sweet voice. "I would never kill you. I'd leave
that Willow." Buffy explained.
"The proud father to be." Al'x stated bluntly.
"Why don't we take a break while we wait for Spike." Wesley offered.
"I suggest you use this time wisely. There are dark days ahead and god knows
when we'll get another break." Al'x stated in serious tone of voice.
Everyone nodded their agreements and the group broke up into the now usual
groups.

Just outside of the town a jet landed and shortly afterwards a black car
sped across the tarmac towards the town.


* * * * *

Stjar'a and Cordelia spread themselves out in the basement, much to Angel's
annoyance.
"Sorry Angel it's not like it's our fault you've got sensitive skin."
Cordelia said.
Angel mumbled something to himself as he made for the stairs wrapped up in
thick black blanket.
"Think he'll make it?" Stjar'a asked.
"If not we'll be the first to hear about it." Cordelia answered with grin.
"You weren't lying when you said things were interesting around here." Stjar
'a said as she leaned in to pick up her glass.
"Well it's not always." Cordelia began, but stopped as she felt her hand
being brushed by something that felt like a morning's chill.
"Sorry cold hands I know." Stjar'a apologized and went for the glass again,
but stopped and looked into Cordelia's eyes, who was looking like gazing at
her wide eyed. Stjar'a gray eye's twinkled as she brought her lips closer to
Cordelia's.
"Stjar'a." Cordelia whispered as Stjar'a's lips brushed hers and she felt
that same chill. Like she was kissing a moonlit night.

* * * * *

"Wesley what are we going to do?" Amy asked the young watcher as they milled
around upstairs. Lining up weapons the table.
"Protect the Slayer of course." He answered.
"What if we can't, by the sound Al'x voice it looks bad."
"Then we fight till the last man." Wesley answered.
"And if we die?" She asked in low voice.
Wesley looked up over the shield he was holding and placed it one the table.
"Then we die." He answered calmly.
"Don't you feel anything?" She asked him with tears welling up her eyes as
she took a stop towards.
"They only get in the way of my duty." He answered.
"Then I guess this means nothing to you?" She asked as she pulled him
towards her and kissed him hard.
She backed away and looked at his stoic look. No sign of emotion, no hint of
either disgust or that he enjoyed it.
"You quite done?" He asked. There was a slap and the sound of running.


* * * * *
Willow and Buffy sat enjoying the summer morning and just being alive and
have each other.
"Life on the Hellmouth is never dull is it?" Buffy asked jokingly.
"Nope." Willow answered.
"You okay with all this?" Buffy asked looking or friends face in the morning
sun, the silver gray streaks gained from the life she once lived showing
clearly as the sun fell on them.
"Of course I am, I love you and I want this it's just that." Willow trailed.
"You always thought that it would be you?" Buffy asked.
"Well yeah sort of, I mean you're the Slayer, you have a duty and."
"And it could danger the child." Buffy said and placed a hand on her
stomach.
"Don't worry." Willow said and hugged her. "I won't let anything happen to
you or it. I promise."
"Promise me one more thing?" Buffy asked.
"Anything." Willow whispered.
"Don't throw my the Watcher around, we need them you know." She said with a
smile.
"Promise." Willow said and then let her go.
"Wills?" Buffy asked as Willow kneeled on the ground.
"Buffy." Willow began as she took Buffy's hands in her.
"Elisabeth Anne Summers, my best friend, the love of my life..." She began.
As silly smile spread across Buffy's face.
".my lifeline, my anchor, my guardian and the mother of our child to be.
Will you marry me?" She asked and looked up smiling.


* * * * *

"Faith are you sure that this is wise course of action?" Giles asked as
Faith pressed him against the wall.
"Al'x said use this time well." She explained.
"But people will hear." He stated.
"So, I don't care." She said as she tugged at his shirt.
"But I do." He said as he grabbed her hands.
"This can't go on." He then explained.
"Why I mean I thought." She trailed off.
"It's become too dangerous." He said as he sat down on the bed.
"To who you or me?" She asked as she crossed her hands in front of her.
"Faith there are forces that would use you to get to me." Giles explained.
"That rouge group of undying ones you told me about?" She asked.
"Among others." He explained.
"I don't care."
"But Faith you mustn't."
"What put myself at risk for you. I put myself at risk everyday why should
this be any different."
"These beings are ruthless." He exclaimed.
"So we'll fight them." She said as she sat down next to him.
"My journey is a lonely one." He explained.
"Then we'll go it together." She said and moved closer.
"Your duties are here." He explained.
"Then I'll wait." She stated.
"It could be long time." He countered.
"Then let us enjoy this moment of peace." She said as she kissed him.

* * * * *

"What's that?" Anya asked as Al'x pulled a golden bundle out of a non-script
brown bag.
"Dragon skin armor." He explained.
"I thought you said yours was in the Hall of Heroes." Angel said as he
entered the sun-proof room.
"It is!" Al'x explained.
"You also told me that those kind of armors were very rare." Angel went on
as Al'x spread out the golden armor.
"They are." He said as he pulled out a large golden sword.
"We're in for a shit-storm aren't we?" Angel asked as a black shield with a
golden sun crest came out of the bag.
"And aren't golden dragons good ones?" Anya asked.
"It was a dying gift." Al'x explained.
"Got anything else in your little bag of tricks?" Angel asked.
Al'x handed him slim sword, its blade was transparent like glass..
"Crystal?" Angel asked.
"An elven sword, a gift from the king himself." Al'x explained.
"Then I can't." Angel started.
"It's just another weapon." Al'x stated simply.
"Then I thank you." Angel said with a bow and Anya smiled at this.
"What?" Both men asked.
"Nothing just that's Angel's being all noble to you of all people." She
explained with a grin.

The black car came to a screeching halt outside Slayers HQ and four figures
emerged. One with fire in her eyes, the second marveling at how the world
looked in the light of day, the third holding on to the second with a smile
on her face and a few steps behind the fourth figure observed everything
with keen interest, or more to the point he was waiting for the fireworks
display to start.

Chapter 15: Fireworks Delayed

"Mom!" Buffy exclaimed as she saw her mom standing on the back-porch. She'd
just said yes and Willow had just placed a silver band on her finger.
"Ms. Summers." Willow began, but then Cordelia came running past Joyce.
Willow reached out and stopped her.
"Cordy what is it, what's wrong?" Willow asked ignoring Joyce's glare. She
noticed Cordelia's swollen lips and disheveled hair.
"Stjar'a?" She asked and Cordelia nodded.
"We'll talk later okay." Willow said as she let go of Cordelia's hand and
the girl ran for the large tress at the end of the yard.
Buffy was stood up and ignored it when Stjar'a ran past her.
"Mom I'm so sorry you had to hear about this from Spike." Buffy said in low
voice as her hand went to her stomach.
"Thank heavens I'm not to late." Spike explained as he burst onto the porch.
He'd just heard Amy's story and then handed the girl to Luna, before rushing
after Joyce.
"Spike?" Both Willow and Buffy asked in amazement.
"Long story." He said with a gesture of hand before turning to Joyce. "Mum
why don't we go inside and put the kettle on and talk about this." Spike
suggested. "I mean what would you gain from gutting Red here, assuming of
course that you would get with in three feet of her."
"Spike shut up!" Joyce said.
"You think this is Willow's fault?" Buffy asked.
"She is the." Joyce paused. ".father and the witch isn't she."
"I can't believe you would ever think that." Buffy was fuming, but Willow
placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Willow is not to blame." Came the calm voice of Giles as he stepped onto
the porch.
"And here comes the Watcher the man who's supposed to guard her." Joyce
said.
"This was beyond my domain. If the Slayer wants to get pregnant I have no
say in it."
"You sorry son of." Joyce said as she drew the sword, but Giles counted with
his own.
"Joyce you're not thinking straight." He said and the last thing she before
everything went black was his fist.
"Spike what happen to her?" Giles asked as he sheathed the flaming sword and
his own before picking her up.
"Lets go inside first shall we this could take a while." Spike said.
"What about them?" Giles said and looked out at Stjar'a and Cordelia.
"They need to work some things out?" Buffy said as she took Willow's hand
and walked inside.
"Nice ring?" Spike said with a grin.
"Thanks." Buffy said with a smile.

Once seated around the table in the basement. Amy and Wesley sitting as far
away as possible, Anya and Al'x together along with Angel who'd returned to
the basement. Willow and Buffy held hands under the table. Faith sat between
Giles and Spike, while Joyce had been placed on the couch as Luna watched
over her. Czar stood in the shadows. On the table lay Joyce's sword, the
disk of destiny and a volume of the Codex.
"So Spike what's the deal with you and Ms. S.?" Faith asked after having
inspected Joyce's outfit.
"We found a being of a Higher Power at the Temple of the Sun." Spike
started.
"We'll actually William released it." Czar cut in.
"Found, released what's the difference? Now the prophecy promised a rebirth
and a transformation."
"It gave William eternal life without the normal boundaries." Luna said from
the couch.
"So you have a soul now?" Angel asked..
"No I don't think so, it's just that the thirst is gone." Spike explained.
"And my mom got transformed into what?" Buffy asked.
"The Beings avatar on this plane?" Al'x answered.
"How can you be sure?" Willow asked.
"When we were fighting the demons in New York, we found out three things.
One That a Slayer was pregnant." He said and gestured to Buffy.
"Two that there was new major player in the game." He motioned to Spike.
"And third that an new avatar of the higher planes had emerged." He looked
over to Joyce.
"So my mom is what now?" Buffy asked.
"I'm the avatar of fire, the creator and the destroyer." Joyce mumbled, but
her eyes remained closed.
"That clears that up then." Anya stated.
"So what to we do next?" Buffy asked.
"We prepare." Giles said.
"We train." Al'x said.
"We plan." Spike stated.
"We find the deepest hole we know about and crawl into it." Anya said and
got glared at.
"What exactly are we up against?" Luna asked calmly.
"I agree with Lady Argent." Czar said. "What exactly are we fighting?"
Giles stood and cleared his throat.
"Two factions are at play here. The first seek this." He said and held up
the disk. "The disk of destiny. We don't know their name, but we to now that
their numbers are impressive and they're obviously a demon worshipping cult
of one sort or another." Giles said and paused.
"While the other is the gathering of various demons and individuals calling
themselves the Sect, they seek the destruction of Buffy's and Willow's
unborn child."
There was silence until Al'x cleared his throat.
"Al'x you have something to add?" Giles asked. Al'x stood up.
"Even the truth has its time." He said. "I've not been completely honest
with you all." He began. "There are alternative motives behind my return. I
was sent here to one observe, two pick out likely candidates and third
persuade them to return with me."
"You what?" Buffy asked as she half stood, but Willow calmed her.
"I was sent here to acquire soldiers, no commanders. The King is planning a
campaign against forces that seek to destroy the kingdom."
"And this concerns us how?" Spike asked calmly.
"I didn't not enter this realm alone. There are forces that seek my
destruction and will not hesitate destroying you in the process of that."
"And you were going to tell us this when?" Buffy asked.
"You weren't supposed to find out. I was going to go to New York with Angel
and then I was going to approach those I've selected, but as soon as I heard
Buffy was with child my plans changed."
"So you're staying?" Willow asked.
"Yes, I owe it Stjar'a now. I can't ask her to leave." He said. "But I can't
place you at risk either."
"Al'x we're at risk every single day." Faith said in matter of fact tone.
"I know, but this is my fight not yours." He stated.
"I said that once long ago. Didn't I?" Buffy stated.
"And people got killed." Al'x stated.
"Al'x, Xander, we'll stand beside you. Like it or not." Willow stated and
the resolve face appeared.
"Then who am I to protest."
The sword disappeared of the table.
"What the."
"This belongs to me." Joyce stated as she stood holding the sword.

Chapter 16: A Conversation Under the Willow Tree

Cordelia stood under a willow tree and watched as Stjar'a walked towards
her. The sun made the elves hair sparkle, she strolled calmly towards her,
stopped to watch as bird flew by, bent down and picked up a flower and then
strolled on towards her.

"Hello Cordelia..."
"Hey Stjar'a."
"So what do we do know?" Cordelia asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Do we go on like nothing happened or..."
"But something did happen Cordelia."
"You honestly think I didn't notice that Stjar'a?"
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have."
"So this is your fault now?"
"If that's how you wish to think? Then yes."
Cordelia looked away and single tear ran down her cheek
"Cordelia you once asked me how old I was?"
"And you said something like: Younger then you think?"
"How old do you think I am Cordelia?"
"I really can't."
"Try me I promise I wont get angry."
"Older then Al'x at least."
Stjar'a shook her head with a smile.
"Younger?" Cordelia asked.
"Let's just say that this scares me probably as much as it does you."
"So this is all new to you too?"
"I wouldn't go that far, but still."
"Explain then please?" Cordelia asked and sat down on the grass in the shade
of a willow tree.
"I've always been. liberal even for a carefree elf. I was always pushing the
limit."
"You were a maverick."
"Sort of I guess and still am, but with you. I can understand falling for
another woman, which is not that uncommon where I come from."
"Then what is it that scares you?"
"You're a human."
"At that's bad why?"
"Cordelia." Stjar'a said and rubbed the points of her ears.
"Oh I see. So you being an elf and me being a human."
"Is something that's even more frowned upon back home then attraction to the
same sex."
"But we're not in your realm now are we?"
"Still it's something you're raised with and it doesn't just turn off. It's
like your own doubts regarding what's happening between us."
"I'm not that wigged out about it!"
"Still it scares you. It's in our nature, be it elves or humans, that we
always carry with us some fear of the unknown."
"And we overcome that fear by exploring right?"
"In this case learning. You must learn to look past your taboos as I must
mine."
"What about coming out?"
"Pardon me?"
"Coming out, you know telling everyone that you're gay or bi."
"This coming out it scares you?"
"More then the thrill of kissing you."
"Explain it to me please?"
"People.humans can be pretty judgmental and like you said they're afraid of
things they don't understand."
"And you coming out would do what exactly?"
"I don't know for sure?"
"You know that every being in that house will except it without a doubt
without so much as a harsh word."
"That's only because Buffy and Willow have already denounced the opposite
sex."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know."
"So what are you afraid off?"
"The unknown I guess."
"Sooner or later you will have to face this."
"With you or without you."
"I wouldn't mind if it would be with me."
Stjar'a stood up and offered Cordelia her hand.
"All I ask for is time." Cordelia said as she took the hand, feeling its
strange chill and then its strength as Stjar'a pulled her up.
"Cordelia elves live for a long time. Take all the time you need." Stjar'a
said as she placed the flower in Cordelia's hair.
"Thank you." Was said with a shy smile. For what she was thanking her
neither knew, nor did they care.
The walked towards the house, holding hands as friends on the brink of
becoming something more. All that was needed now was time.
"Hey I'm your friend right?" Stjar'a said as an answer to Cordelia's thank
you.
"One of the best Stjar'a, one of the best." Cordelia answered sounding lost
in her own thoughts and the overwhelming sense of calm she now felt.
There was a comfortable silence as the moment seemed to last forever, but
everything, as is the way of things, must end.

Chapter 17: Planning Among Other Things

"This belongs to me." Joyce exclaimed as the blade flared.
"Mom why don't you have a seat and we'll talk." Buffy offered.
Joyce sheathed the sword and walked over to the table. Buffy offered her a
seat next to her which she took.
"Did we miss something?" Cordelia asked as she and Stjar'a walked down the
stairs.
"Not much." Czar commented from the shadows.
"I'm happy for you." Joyce said from out of the blue.
"Excuse me?" Buffy asked.
"I said: I'm happy for you two." Joyce repeated a little louder.
"Well I didn't expect that." Spike stated, but was hushed by a glare from
Luna.
"Then why the sudden outburst Ms. Summers?" Amy asked.
"Don't know, maternal instincts mixed with the power I guess."
"I can understand that." Willow said in low voice.
"So you're okay with this?" Buffy asked holding up their held hands and the
light glistened on the silver band.
"Yes and I don't know. They told me they were moving in together, but then I
heard you were pregnant and I just got so angry."
"But you thought you were all cool about Willow and Buffy?" Anya asked.
"I still am, but I guess deep down there were doubts and the merging with
the fire spirit brought them to the surface."
"Oh it brought something more to the surface then just you're temper."
Cordelia stated.
"Excuse me?"
"Here! Take a look." Cordelia said and offered her a small mirror.
"Oh my god, I'm."
"Younger." Buffy said as she tilted her head and took a closer look.
"Okay so Joyce is younger. Great! Now we need a plan because we're about to
be hit three times in rapid succession and soon." Spike said.
"So what do we do. Dig trenches?"
"We sharpen our swords and wait." Giles said calmly.
"I do not believe we'll have the time to wait." Al'x stated.
"And why is that?" Spike asked.
"They'll attack us tonight."
"Care to elaborate on that theory?"
"They all know that tonight is the best time to get us. Before we have time
to fully work out our plans. Trust me the first wave will come crashing this
eve." Al'x stated in serious tone that bore with it the voice of experience.
"Then we have twelve hours to plan out defensive." Spike said as he stood up
and started walking around the table. Waiting for someone to speak up.
"We can set up fort in the mansion." Buffy suggested.
"Yes and we can make it look like we're all just fixing it up and then when
they come wham." Willow exclaimed in her own unique way.
Spike stopped and stared at the them, Al'x and Giles also did a fair about
of staring.
"I love it." Spike exclaimed after a long drawn out silence and clapped his
hands together.
"We'll need weapons, lots of them." Al'x stated.
"Done!" Wesley exclaimed.
"We also need to set up sort of last resort weapon." Giles said.
"I could set up a fire spell under the house." Willow said.
"How big?" Spike asked.
"How big do you want them to be?" Willow asked simply. The planning was
underway

The sun was low in sky by the time everything was in place. The day had been
spent hauling weapons and supplies to the mansion, reinforcements where on
the way from San Francisco, but wouldn't arrive until late in the night.
There was a linger tension in the air, though mainly between Amy and
Wesley.
They all sat on the porch enjoying the calm before the storm. Stjar'a sat
and dangled her feet from the highest branch, Spike just lay back and
enjoyed the sun with Luna. Giles had volunteered to fetch Angel and of
course Faith had tagged along. Joyce and Buffy sat in the shade talking
about where things would go from here. Wesley slowly made his way to Amy's
side with an apologetic look on his face. Czar and Anya were comparing notes
while Al'x leaned against the tree and watched as Cordelia walked up to
Willow

"Hey Wills."
"Hello Cordelia."
"Wills I have to ask you something."
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes it's worth it."
"Is it really?"
"It's always hard at first Cordy nothing can change that."
"But there are other issues."
"What the age difference?"
"No nothing like that. She's a little scared. well because I'm human."
"That's understandable since elves have long a lifespan."
"How long?"
"Ask Al'x I think he'll know more then me."
"One more thing Wills."
"The remorse never goes away Cordy, never."
"Thanks I needed that."

Willow walked over to Buffy and Joyce.
"So you two make peace yet."
"Sort of, now we're talking about what a shame it is to trash the mansion."
Buffy answered.
"I'm also worried about Buffy fighting tonight." Joyce said.
"Nothing will happen to her Ms. Summers I promise." Willow said firmly as
she put and arm around Buffy.
"I know that Willow and I'm glad Buffy has you."
"And the fact there's going to be wedding after all this doesn't worry you?"
Willow asked with a grin.
"Fight now, panic later." Joyce stated with smile.
"New slogan."
"New me." Joyce said with a smile

"Hey Xander."
"Cordy."
"Mind moving out of the way so I can climb."
"Sure."
"Xander how old do elves get?"
"The oldest I met was a thousand. Why do you ask?"
"No reason, just curious."
"She'll overcome it you know."
"I hope so."

"Amy mind if I sit?"
"Sure Wes."
"Amy I want to apologize for earlier, I was out of line and you're right
sometimes I tend to get caught up in my duties and I become closed."
"Wes I know and I'm sorry I slapped you, but sometimes you can be so.."
"I know."
"Friends then." He offered her his hand.
"Friends." She shook it with a smile.

Minutes after the sun disappeared the red Citroen parked outside the
mansion.
"What's with the new car Giles?" Angel asked.
"It's not a new one Angel."
"You're telling me this is the same old beat up piece of junk you used to
drive."
"Yes, well aside from the engine, tires, gearshift and undercarriage."
"And you did all this in."
"Less then a week yes."
"You don't sleep much do you?"
"No not lately, don't have to for some reason."
"Well it's good to know one of us will not fall a sleep in the wait a head."

Spike stood up and felt very old.
"Time to get ready people." He stated simply as the gathered around in the
hall.
"What no speech?" Al'x asked with a grin.
"Yeah Spike give us a speech." Buffy said.
"Red help me out here?"
"Sorry Spike this is too much fun."
"Very well then." He said, stood straight and cleared his throat.
"Our world is threatened once again, not the big blue globe, but our world,
our lives. So let us to just that fight for our lives and the lives of those
not yet born. I know you will stand with each other this night for you're
more then just a group of friends, you're a family." When Spike was finished
he looked around. Silence, tears and smiles.
"Nice speech." Czar commented.
"Thanks mate."
They could hear the roar of approaching cars.
"They don't waste any time do they?" Spike stated

Chapter 18: Round One

The street outside erupted into flames as the cars passed and lightning
bolts crashed all around.
"Nice one Red." Spike commented.
"Thanks."
"They're getting out of the cars!"
"Which group?" Spike asked.
"The red robe guys." Buffy explained.
"Then we take them in the yard." Al'x stated now dressed in the golden
armor.
"Lead the way." Joyce said holding up the sword.
"Mom."
"Yes dear." Joyce asked as the flames of the blade illuminated the hall.
"Try not to kill anyone. Okay."
"Of course dear." She said with an innocent smile.
"Your mom scares me." Anya stated.
Buffy, Willow, Al'x, Giles, Faith, Joyce and Spike were lined up on the
front porch.
"You guys just don't give up do you?" Buffy asked.
"Give us the disk and we will!"
"Like I said before no deal."
"Very well." The leader made a gesture with his hand.
"Scatter." Spike yelled into a small headset and they jumped in various
directions as soon as they were out of the way a electrical charge blasted
from the spot were they'd stood. Taking out a far number of attackers.
"Bad guys never learn." Willow said from the center of the charge blast.
"Roof team attack!" Spike yelled and flurry of blue bolts, fired by Luna and
Amy, came flying down, followed by Czar in all his winged glory.
"Archers fire!" He yelled and a hail of arrows flew from the windows. They
didn't hit much, after all they were all controlled by Anya, but they did
the job they were supposed to do, scatter the enemy.
"Team Angel attack."
Angel, Stjar'a, Cordelia and Wesley jumped down from the trees taking
attackers with them as they landed.
"Front Team charge!" Spike yelled as he broke into a run.
"Just another day." Buffy said as she kicked an oversized red-robe to the
ground.
There was scream as one of the red-robes caught fire and threw himself down
on the ground. Joyce looked at the ruby on her finger and smiled.
"Mom no killings remember?" Buffy yelled as she spun low.
"I didn't." Joyce butted one in the head with the hilt of her sword. "Kill
anyone."
"Would you two." Cordelia said as she swung on her staff low and there was a
crack as it hit someone's knee. "stop arguing and get the job done." She
finished as she swung up and hit another squarely across the jaw.
"She's good." Al'x commented as he fought closer to Stjar'a, making this all
seem easy.
"Taught her everything she knows." Stjar'a said as the crystal staff hit
something hard. There was a clang when Angel punched a huge one in the
stomach.
"I think some of them are armored!" He yelled.
"Doesn't matter." Czar stated as he swept down and picked one up, before
letting him go over the nearest swimming pool.
"Still there are an awful lot of them." Giles commented as he swung one over
his shoulder.
"That's never stopped us before." Faith answered as she slammed another.
Half an hour later not a single police car had arrived and they were still
fighting.
"Buffy you got the disk?" Willow asked as she blasted away.
"Yep!"
"I got an idea. Throw it into the air."
"Okay."
The golden disk flew into the air spinning and emitting a golden light as it
went. Willow pointed a finer at it and it exploded.
There was shinning rain of gold as the leader of the red-robed, saw that now
only was he loosing, but that the disk had been destroyed.
"Fall back!"
"We've got them on the run." Spike yelled.
"Then charge!" Al'x yelled back as he threw his attacker away.
Moments later the was silence.
"Everybody okay?" Buffy asked as the made they're way back into the mansion
as the clock struck ten.
"Tired and bruised." Cordelia stated as she fell into an couch they'd
brought.
"I hate battle." Stjar'a exclaimed as she sat on the couch with her.
"Now listen up. If you're injured then ask Luna or Amy for help, if not get
some rest because we still got two more battles to go." Spike ordered as he
set about bringing out the more lethal weapons.
"And eat while you can, this is going to be a long night." Al'x said as he
made his way to the kitchen, followed by a large part of the team.



Buffy bent down and splashed some water on her face, when she looked up she
saw Willow standing behind her in the mirror.
"Hey." She said and leaned back against her lover.
"I'm starting to agree with your mom." Willow whispered.
"Don't worry if we're lucky it'll be all over around dawn."
"But what if it doesn't end there?" Buffy said as the sat down on the floor
and somehow never letting go.
"Then we take Al'x up on his offer."
"You mean go."
"Yes why not, but we'll get married here first."
"I can see it now, you in a white dress, me in white dress."
"Hey who said you could wear a dress, you're the dad in this little family,
so therefore you have to wear a tux."
"So a big white wedding it is then?"
"Yep and everybody will be there."
"There'll be flowers and huge cake.
"The dress will be green of course."
"Why does it have to be."
Buffy brought Willow's hand to her stomach.
"Silly question. so this a shotgun weeding then."
"Hey mom will show up with a shotgun if we don't."
Willow smiled and kissed Buffy's cheek.
"I can just see it now, you walking up the aisle, Giles holding your hand."
"Cordy and Stjar'a as bridesmaids."
"Al'x the best man.."
"And behind him mom with the shotgun to make sure everything goes through."
"Buffy." Willow said giggling.
"Sorry couldn't help myself."
"It'll be right after sundown, that way everyone can be there or at least go
to the party, but not on a full moon though."
"I'll throw the bouquet to Luna of course."
"We could get the Dingoes to play."
"They'd be cheap alright."
"Then we'd drive off and spent a month somewhere far away."
"Another world away."
There was a silence.
"Willow how long you think until the next attack."
"An hour maybe more. Why?"
Buffy smiled at her.
"Oh."


"There you go." Amy said as she finished on Cordelia.
"Thanks Amy."
"Just doing what I can." The witch answered with a smile.
"Go talk Wes already." Cordelia explained.
Amy smiled and walked towards the chair were Wesley was sitting.
"You feeling well?" Stjar'a asked.
"Okay considering the mess I've gotten myself into."
"At least you are doing something."
"So Al'x told you the stories did he?"
"Of course, but if it means anything I don't think you're that person
anymore."
"Thanks that really means allot."
There was a moments silence.
"Cordelia I." Stjar'a began.
"Here we go again."
"I want to experience the courting rituals of this realm."
"The courting rituals?" Cordelia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes."
"And with whom."
"I think you know her quite well."
"Well since it is an learning experience."
"Remember we'll keep on training after this is all over."
"Then how can I refuse." Cordelia said and kissed Stjar'a cheek. The elf
blushed and Cordelia smiled.
Then the peace was once again interrupted.

Chapter 19: Round Two


"Al'x svart a´lfar!" Stjar'a yelled and she was on her feet in a second.
"What I don't see anything."
"Duck!" Stjar'a shouted and pushed her down, a crossbow-blot flew over
head.
Spike and the rest of the team came running, as Wesley threw something of
him.
"Friends of yours Al'x?" Spike asked as he looked around seeing nothing but
shadows on the walls and what looked like slight ripples in the air.
"Ouch!" Spike said as hen felt a blow to his chin.
"Cloaks of invisibility. Damn I hate those." Al'x cursed.
"Well I can smell them." Angel said as he kicked out and something was heard
colliding with the well.
"Stay sharp." Al'x ordered as he swung his sword, but hit nothing but air.
"Slayer, Red! Get your collective asses down here now!" Spike yelled as he
tried to vamp out, with little success.
"What the hell!"
"Spike duck!" Faith yelled as knife came flying over his head.
"Thanks."


Willow and Buffy heard the echoes of Spike's summon.
"We're kind of busy here." Buffy stated as she threw a roundhouse kick and
something.
Both were somewhat undressed, most notably Willow who was missing her usual
form hiding cloak. Now she stood in a skin tight affair of green and brown.
"Buffy on my mark hit the deck." She ordered.
"Okay!"
"Duck!"
There was a crackle of energy as bolts of lighting bounced around the hall.
The forms became visible as the blue energy danced around then.
"Nice."
"Thanks!"

"Stjar'a."
An aimless swing.
"Yes Cordy."
The sound of snapping bones.
"What the hell are these things. ouch!" Cordelia exclaimed as a cut appeared
on her arm.
"Dark elves."
"That's bad right?"
"In most cases yes." Stjar'a said as something cut her thigh.

"Al'x how bad are these guys?" Spike asked as he punched the nearest ripple.
"Very."
"Very, very?"
"Yes!"
"Good." Spike exclaimed as he pulled out a gun and aimed for what looked
like a shoulder.
There was a spatter of blood on the wall and the hood fell back revealing
very dark gray toned skin, pointed ears and white hair.
Something collided with gun on Spike's hand and it fell to the ground.


Joyce found herself standing side by side with Giles.
"Is it always this much fun?" She asked.
"You're enjoying this?"
"Well yes." She stated as fire spewed from the ring on her hand and one of
the figures caught fire.
"When this is done we're going to have little talk."
"Whatever." She stated as she drew a flaming arch across her latest target.
"We're most definitely going to have talk."


"Here we come to save the day." Buffy sang out as she jumped over the
banister.
"Buffy please."
"Oh sorry. So you're sure this is going to work." Buffy asked as she ducked
an incoming baddie made airborne by Czar
"I've done nullifying spells before you know."
"Yep, now stop bragging and do the damn thing. ouch! Hey!" Buffy spun and
grabbed a hand that had appeared besides her, she looked up into the
surprised face with a grin.
"We can see them." She exclaimed as she twisted the arm.
"Of course." Willow said and sent of a green bolt.
"Still we're outnumbered, again!"


"Al'x how do we naturalize these guys.." Spike said as he landed after
having jumped of the wall.
"There must be something on them that keeps them grounded to this realm." Al
'x said as he head butted an dark elf and flattened its nose.
"Like what?" Spike asked as he did role on the floor and keep up shooting.
"A crystal of some sort."
"Like this?" Spike asked as he pulled at the chain around the neck of his
latest, now stunned, target.
"Pull it off!" Al'x ordered as he spun around taking two down with his cape.
Spike yanked at the chain and as soon as it broke the elf vanished. Spike
looked up and surveyed his surroundings, the team was getting beat pretty
hard, but giving more then receiving. Joyce seemed to be taking immense
pleasure in all this, while the others all looked like they could use a
quick solution to this mess. He looked up stairs and saw more figures moving
down them.
"Red get everybody out now!"
"What?!"
"I've got a plan."
"The boss wants us out, we're out." Willow stated simply and waved her hand.
"Hey how did we." Cordelia started, before slumping down on the ground.
"Red torch the place!" Spike ordered.
"What?!" Both Buffy and Willow asked.
"If we set it on fire, they'll have to leave this realm, right?! It's the
only way to safe themselves." Spike explained.
Buffy and Willow looked at the mansion one last time. Their would be home,
brief dreams of a family in that house flashed before there eyes and Buffy
could have sworn she saw someone sitting in the swing.
"Pyro." Willow whispered and the mansion erupted into flames

Chapter 20: The Calm Before the Storm

"Status?" Spike asked as he stood up and looked around and behind him
mansion burned. Stjar'a was laying Cordelia against the tree. Buffy and
Willow just stared at the house. Angel and Czar looked like they'd fought an
army, but so did Cordelia and Stjar'a, but the demon and the vampire seemed
eager for more. Amy was supporting Wesley, Faith and Giles were placing what
weapons had been saved going through in the trunk of the Citroen, Luna was
helping Anya stand up and Al'x came walking to his side.
"This isn't over."
"I know, we still have one more to go."
"When will the reinforcements arrive."
"Two hours."
"Then we must move. The fire trucks will be here within minutes."
Spike nodded.
"Listen up people we're going to retreat to Giles's place and prepare. We've
done good so far, but the biggest battle is still ahead."
The was a grumble of replies as they filed into the cars.
"Spike a word please?" Giles asked as he pulled the now ex-vampire into the
Citroen.
"Funny I was about to ask the same thing?"
"You're no longer a vampire and I don't know how, but Buffy can confirm it
if you want." Giles explained the unasked question.
"Thanks. Now what's your problem?"
"Joyce."
"Yes she's been acting a little off since the temple."
"A little." Giles realized how high is voice had been and lowered it. "A
little off, did you see what she did to these beings."
"Same thing I did."
"Well there's a different."
"How so?"
"Well she's Joyce and you're.. well you."
"Oh so it's okay for Spike to kill on a whim, but when Ms. S does it that's
considered a little off." Faith stated from the backseat.
"What's your point Faith?" Giles asked as he turn the car onto the street.
"We all got a dark side." She said in a dead serious tone.
"She's got a point." Spike stated.
"That she does." Giles said in defeat.


Willow and Buffy sat and held each other in the backseat of Joyce's car.
"I can always rebuild it." Willow said.
"I know."
"But we can do it the old fashion way if you want to."
"No, we tried that once, its time you had go." Buffy said and smiled weakly.
"Just promise me no fairytale castles." She then added.
"What about gingerbread houses, it's a witch must have."
"Well maybe just the front door, but then Al'x would eat through it on his
first visit."
"Or you'll get really hungry." Willow said as she stroked her stomach.
Joyce looked in the rearview mirror and smiled.

Once they arrived at Slayers HQ, AKA: Giles' house, they quickly spread
themselves around the living room and more weapons were sorted out. Wesley
held up a stake in a bandaged hand and stared at it.
"Wes what is it?" Amy asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"The last stake." Wesley answered, shrugged and placed it on the table.


Giles, Luna and Willow were buried in books looking for more powerful
spells, but with Willow's vast knowledge of spells and enchantments, the
hopes of finding something she didn't already know were slim. Willow looked
up and stole a glance at Buffy.

Joyce was busy armoring up, while Angel handed her the various pieces and
instructed her on how to fasten them.
"Buffy and Willow must survive you know that don't you." Joyce asked the
souled vampire as she tied of a shin guard.
"Trust me, they will." He said and handed her a chainmail.

"You've got some pretty nasty cuts there." Stjar'a said as she let her eyes
wander over the bandages on Cordelia's body. They were sitting on the couch
doing nothing, since they'd received the greatest number of cuts and bruises
in the battle with the dark elves. Mostly due to the fact that Stjar'a,
being an elf, had been a prime target for them, but Cordelia had stayed at
her side.
"You don't look so great yourself." Cordelia answered with a weak smile.
"Guess not. You still regret doing all this?" Stjar'a asked as took a long
look into Cordelia's eyes.
"No, but I'm still scared of doing it."
"We're all scared, even Al'x is a little scared. Not much, but it's there
somewhere."
"I don't really care. I'm just so tired." Cordelia said as he eyelids
dropped a little.
"Then sleep I'll wake you before it starts." Stjar'a said.
"Promise."
"Promise." Stjar'a said as she guided Cordelia's head to her lap and started
gently stroking her hair.

Czar was outside scouting for trouble high above the house.
"That's not good." He said as he saw a large group of vampires, that were
marching like drones towards the Slayers HQ. He flew higher into the air and
then dived down in an arc towards the house.

Spike was planning tactics with Al'x and Buffy, while Anya watched.
"What do we know about them?" Buffy asked as they studied the map Giles had
drawn of the house and its surroundings.
"Not much, besides the fact that they'll outnumber us, but that's nothing
new and most likely strike around midnight." Spike said and glanced at the
grandfather clock
"We'll be facing vampires mostly, but also some minor demons and even one or
two from the lower circles." Al'x stated.
"So what we're looking at here is a massive attacks from all sides." Buffy
said as she drew four lines on the map.
"No!" Anya said calmly as she looked up from her thoughts.
"There will a be central point of gathering. It's the only way to get so
many different types of demons on the same spot without them killing each
other." She explained.
"So they'll be hypnotized?" Spike asked.
"Not quite, but they will be somewhat dulled."
"So where it this point." Buffy asked showing her the map.
"It's should be right in the."
"Guys I think you should take a look at this?!" Amy shouted from window.
"Backyard." Al'x, Spike and Buffy all said in unison.
"That hole wasn't there this morning." Buffy commented as they looked at the
place were a part of the ground had seemingly caved in on itself.
"Vampires on the march." Czar stated as he calmly walked through the door.
"Doesn't anything upset this guy?" Anya asked.
"Where's mom?" Buffy asked and then looked out the window again, in time to
see Joyce take up position at the focal point.
"Mom!" Buffy yelled as she tore open the door.
"Ms. Summers!" Willow yelled.
Joyce turned around and smiled at her daughter.
"Close the door dear." Joyce said calmly as she drew her sword, casting a
golden glow over her armor and face.
"Take care of my girl and unborn grandchild." She said to Willow as Spike
pulled the girls inside.
"Mind if I joined in?" Giles asked as he came walking around the house,
sword drawn and armor shinning.
"Rupert it would be an honor." Joyce said and saluted with her sword.
Buffy looked around the room, counting of the heads.
"Angel, where's Ang."
The backdoor could be heard closing.
"Then I'm going out there too." Al'x stated as he started making his way to
the door.
"But I can." Willow began.
"Wills you must protect Buffy and the unborn, you all must. For if we fail."
Al'x voice trailed of.
"We get the drill Al'x." Spike nodded as he started loading up the shotgun.
"Good luck to us all." Al'x said as he stepped through the door.
"Ward the house Red." Spike ordered.
"Where's Giles?" Faith asked as she looked around.
"He's outside." Czar explained.
"NO!" Faith said running towards the door.

"Is there room for one more?" Al'x asked as he took his place on at the
focal point.
"Of course."
"Rupert!" Faith yelled as she came running.
"Faith." Giles said as he was tackled to the ground.
"You're not leaving me like this." She said with tears in her eyes.
"Faith I." He was silenced by a kiss.
"Thank good Buffy isn't seeing this." Angel said.
"Promise you'll be back?" Faith asked as she pulled herself up.
"I promise. Now get back inside and protect Buffy and Willow."
"Here!" Faith said as she handed him the knife, her knife.
"I'll be wanting that back." She said as she kissed his cheek.

"What was that all about?" Amy asked.
"Haven't got the foggiest." Wesley answered, before turning his gaze to the
approaching slayer.
"Just had to say goodbye, just in case." Faith explained.
"Why did you give him the knife?" Amy asked.
"Because something tells me he'll need it more then I do."

Somewhere in skies Daniel sat in his jet and tried to will it and the planes
behind him to go faster.

In a circle around the focal point of the storm, stood four warriors ready
to die for those they loved. Light from a single flame danced of their
armors and faces, that seemed like they were set in stone.

Inside the house, weapons were gripped and the wait stretched on until the
clock struck twelve, then ticked on as a winged figure made its way up the
stairs towards the skylight.

Above it all the moon turned red.

Chapter 21: Showdown

- It all started ten minutes after midnight, the moon had turned red. Four
friends stood outside and watched as the onslaught of demons raced towards
them. In face of the hoard they stood fast and I'll never forget how they
fought that day. -

"Hold fast?!" Giles yelled as he gripped his sword harder in one hand and
the knife in the other.
There was a hail of arrows from the windows off the house, but they didn't
even distracted the herd that moved all around the house, like water around
the rock, to the point they guarded.
"They're not even noticing us?!" Joyce yelled over the noise of the
approaching herd.
"Good makes this all a lot easier." Al'x said in a calm voice, that oozed
confidence.
"Here they come?!" Angel shouted as he met an incoming blow with the
crystalline sword.
"You don't say." Giles spat as he cut twice, once with the knife across the
belly and then with the sword through the neck.
"Shut up and fight." Al'x stated as he slammed the gold crested shield into
the face of an approaching demon.

- Inside we waited the ones who'd stay besides Elisabeth ready to protect
her and the unborn child, that'd one day would become my wife June, no
matter what the cost. -

"Fire at anything that moves out there?!" Spike yelled as he stuck the
barrel of the shotgun through the window and fired.
"What you think we're doing?" Buffy yelled back as she loaded the crossbow,
while Willow and Luna rained fire upon the marching demons.
Stjar'a stood by the back window holding a longbow she took down vampires
with incredible accuracy
"Why didn't you teach me how to use one of those?" Cordy asked as she
arrived with more arrows.
"You didn't ask."
"Well I'm just glad Willow warded the house."

"Ten down, fifty to go." Joyce muttered as she felt herself pressed against
the others.
"Joyce swing in a wide arc." Al'x yelled.
With a cry as Joyce spun in complete circle sword extend and the men ducked.
The sword sliced through a row of vampire that had been attacking. Everybody
was up and on their feet with in a heartbeat and the battle raged on. Giles
didn't wince when something cut across his thigh, Angel just growled at
every cut, while nothing seemed to harm Al'x in his golden armor and Joyce,
well you had to get close to strike now didn't you. Then it all stopped and
the herd, now considerably smaller stood still.
"Giles, what's going on?" Joyce asked as she cut down a vampire that looked
like it was frozen in time.
"I'm not sure?" Giles said and cut down a demon he'd been fighting. Then the
throng parted like the sea before Moses.
"I take it that's the bad guy?" Joyce asked as she pointed a the red suited
man.
"The big scary guy with a bad dress sense usually is." Al'x said as they
watched as the man in a red suit walk towards them, flanked by two huge
demons.
"Then charge god damn it?!" Angel yelled, but as he tried to punch the man,
he felt something sink into his chest.
"Not a good idea." The man said as Angel stumbled backwards and fell to the
ground.
"Who are you?" Giles asked, holding out a hand to stop Joyce, somewhere they
heard a vampire go poof, then another as arrows came flying from the house.
"My name is." Something big came flying down from the roof of the house and
collided with the red suited man.
"I really don't care." Czar said as he spun sending the man flying, this
snapped the demons out their trance and the battle began again and Czar was
up to his neck in vampires, literally.
Joyce cut a path towards where the man had landed. While Giles and Al'x took
on the two largest demons, the throng turned it attention towards the house.
"In the Prince's name?!" Could be heard shouted in front of the house and
inside it Spike smiled.
"I always loved the sound of that." He said as he fired out the window.
"You were going to hurt my girl." Joyce said as she grabbed the man with one
hand and lifted him up.
"The child will not be allowed to life." The man said.
"What's you're name. Not that I care, but I want to know?"
"Death." He said with a smile, and then he fell to the ground.
Joyce looked down and saw knife sticking out of her stomach, she held up a
hand and stared at the blood, before falling to her knees.
"Burn!" She said through her teeth as she pointed the ring at the man.
Spike looked out the window, the number of demons where dwindling, then he
saw Joyce go down.
"Joyce!" He yelled as he jumped through the window without thinking, firing
both left and right as he landed and rolled.
"Mom!" Buffy yelled as she jumped after him.
Giles looked up from the fallen body of a demon to see Spike and Buffy come
running out of the house and the demons that still stood fell before them
like corn to the harvester. He turned around and saw Angel getting up.

The fire washed over the man, but nothing happened.
"Silly woman, you honestly don't think I'd protect my." The man stopped and
looked down, there was a blood stained crystal blade sticking out of his
chest and on the end of it a shattered talisman, he slowly turned around to
meet grinning face of Angel.
"This is my heart, this is my lung." Angel said pointing at his chest.
"Thanks." The man said.
Angel went flying and came to a stop against the willow tree.
"Now burn!" Joyce said, clutching her wound with one hand and pointed the
ring at him. The man had a looked pure horror on his face as the fire
engulfed him.

- Then it was all over and we gathered around our fallen friend. I remember
it still even though years have past. Him looking up at us as we rushed from
the house towards him. He smiled, one of those peaceful smiles, that come
with knowing you did the right thing. There was no dust, just his body lying
there with that peaceful smile on his face. Joyce recovered from her wounds
as did all those who stood under the willow tree that night. We shall never
forget what he did that night. -

Chapter 22: Bringing It All Together

- Bury Me Under the Willow -

Spike knelt in front of the tombstone that marked Angel's final resting
place. Luna watched from a far alongside with Daniel and Czar. Spike looked
up at the angel on top of the stone and then up into the willow tree. The
funeral had been short and the crowd small, but the sun had shone. It was
fitting somehow for a vampire to be buried on a beautiful sunny day.
The willow tree stood on a hill and Spike new he'd sooner or later bury
another friend here. Three roses rested on the tomb, one red from Cordelia,
a white one from Buffy and a blue one from Willow. Almost everyone had shed
a tear during his speech, though he hadn't glorified the man in anyway. He
read the golden engraved letters on the white marble one last time:
-Angel "With honor lived, with honor died."-
Spike smiled.
Legends are meant to be pure.

- This Realms Courting Rituals -

Cordelia spread herself out on the blanked by the stream.
"Cordy I'm curious?" Stjar'a asked as just they lay there and stared into
the sky.
"When are you not?" Cordelia asked with a smile.
"Why did you bring me here?" Stjar'a asked as she turned her head around.
"This is the place where I first realized something." Cordelia said, but
didn't turn to face her..
"Turing the trance?"
"Yes."
"What was it?" Stjar'a asked and propped herself up on her elbows.
"That I want this." Cordelia said and turned to face the elf.
"Happiness comes in many forms." Stjar'a said as she inched closer to her.
"That it does." Cordelia stated as their lips met.

- Wedding Under The Stars -

Buffy smiled as looked forward as Cordelia and Stjar'a walked down the aisle
a head of her, she glanced at Giles and he smiled back, beaming with pride
as they stepped into the church. At the end of the aisle stood Willow decked
out a black tux with a beaming smile on her face, behind her stood Al'x
decked out in a somewhat unorthodox outfit, over the tux her wore a red
cape, around his neck hung a golden medal and at his site rested a slim
crystal sword. There was a picture of Angel on a stand next to him. So in
the light of all this and a blue skinned demon, a rabbi and a priest didn't
seem so out of place. Then before she knew it was all over and she was
dancing with Willow under the stars.
In the memory it was all fragments.
"Yes."
A smile.
"Yes."
Another smile.
"With this ring."
".I thy wed."
"Maseltof."
"You may kiss the bride."

Giles smiled, he watched as Amy dragged Wesley out onto the dance floor,
winked at Spike as he danced by with Luna, looked on in amazement as Al'x
charmed his way from one woman to the next and chuckled when he saw Daniel
walk up to Anya and the former demon looked a little lost in the face of the
former Prince.
He felt someone gently take his hand.
"Enjoying yourself?"
"Yes."
"This is yours." He said as he handed her the dagger.
"You brought that to a wedding?"
"Well you never know."
"Dance with me."

Joyce sat and watched as the couples danced. The blue skinned demon, Czar,
she reminded herself walked over to her. He wore a tux like almost everyone
else, but his wings made it a sight to behold. He bowed before her and
extended his hand.
"May I have this dance." He said in elegant voice. Joyce couldn't help but
to smile as she took it and felt the part of her that she now knew was the
fire within her flare up a bit.

"You happy?" Buffy asked she and Willow slow danced. Only a few quests
remained and those who stayed either stood or sat facing east and waited for
the sun to rise.
"I'm married to the woman I love, who's also pregnant with my child and we'
re about to leave on the greatest journey we'll ever go on."
"Is that an yes?" Buffy said with a smile as she looked up and saw the first
rays of the sun hit Willow's face. One journey was at an end and another
just beginning.

The End