RE: FIC: Untitled (1/?)

["Clarke, Carol A - Hazelwood" <CAClarke2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Love this story. Title Idea: The price of a dreamless sleep.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kimber [mailto:kacoe@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 12:29 PM
To: BuffyLovesWillow; BuffyWantsWillow
Subject: [buffywantswillow] FIC: Untitled (1/?)


From: Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx> 


Title: 
Author: Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx) 
Disclaimer: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. 
Summary: (No summary as of yet ) 
Spoilers: Everything is fair game. This is set three years or more after
Buffy and Willow graduate college. 
Distribution: Pat Kelly, Rodrigo, Gary Thompson and Syrenslure. Anyone
else, e-mail me please. 
Author's Notes: The more feedback I get the more fic I write....nuff said. 
Thoughts are enclosed in < > and flashbacks are enclosed in <<< >>> 
------------ 

Greater London was in the middle of what could be best described as hell on
earth. Well, not literally of course. The heat wave hit in the end of July
and had been relentless ever since. At this hour of the day, people were
just starting to come out of their homes and businesses because it was the
only time the sun wasn't beating down on them. It was an Indian summer. 


Willow Rosenberg had spent most of the summer in quiet introspection.
Working on new spells and studying with the Council filled most of her time.
She could hardly wait to see Buffy again. It would be another day until she
came for a much needed visit. Inwardly, she had to admit that she missed
Buffy most of all. Only three short years ago was when they all parted
after college graduation. She kept in touch with Xander, and Angel and
Cordy who were still in LA. 


When she thought of Buffy, she felt a longing there and something inside of
her ached. It wasn't a bad ache really, more of a comfort if anything else.
Comfort because she knew she loved the slayer, after all they were best
friends, and she knew Buffy loved her. 


She sat down in the cool grass and leaned back against the tree. The sun
had already begun to sink down and she was always grateful for this quiet
time. She promised herself that she would do this every night no matter how
much studying she had ahead of her. For some reason, watching the sunset
made her feel like she wasn't so far away from home. In those moments she
thought about nothing and it was like she was a normal person with a normal
life - not a witch residing in the a mansion full of stuffy tweed wearing
Watchers. But who was she kidding? She'd be one of those stuffy Watchers
soon enough. 


The sun sank down and Willow sighed deeply. "It's so beautiful tonight." 


"I'd have to agree." 


Willow was startled by the voice from behind her. Slowly she reached in her
pocket for a stake and turned around. 


"Buffy!" She dropped the stake and ran over to her friend. "When did you
get in? Why didn't you call? How are you?" 


"Uh, just now, I wanted to surprise you, and fine . . .I think that about
covers it." She smiled into the mane of red hair. "Giles told me I could
find you here. I missed you, Will." 


Willow pulled away to look at her friend. "You look great. . .you got a
tan." 


"Yes, which I've decided is an upside to fighting the powers of darkness. I
kinda blend in." She noticed the stake on the ground and leaned over to
pick it up. "Hey, you were gonna stake me?" She managed a mock pout. 


"You can never be too careful." Willow shrugged and smiled back. 


A strange expression began to play on Buffy's face. "No, I guess you
can't." 


All of a sudden, Willow found herself on the ground. Buffy knocked her down
and was on top of her. They struggled, but the slayer was more than a match
for her. "Buffy . . .what are you doing?" 


Buffy smiled down at the red head. "Taking what I want." She vamped out
and was at Willow's neck in an instant. 


Willow began to swoon. She couldn't believe this was happening. <Buffy . .
.they got Buffy.> Just as she was beginning to loose feeling in her limbs,
Buffy pulled back and looked down at her. 


"Mmm, you taste as good as I always thought you would . . .maybe even
better." She licked her lips. 


Willow tried to keep focused. "Who . . .who did this to you? What
happened?" She blinked a few times. She tried to lift her head but the
pain in her neck was too intense. 


"Lets just say I ran into a little trouble in the sewers a few nights ago."
She leaned in so they were nose to nose. "I had a choice. Die and never
complete my destiny or live forever and stop you from completing yours."
She leaned over and licked the side of her face and dropped her voice to a
whisper. "Good choice, don't you think?" 


Willow tried to remain calm. "My . . .my destiny?" 


Buffy pulled up so she could see Willow. She shifted out of vamp face and
began to chant. "'One be the champion, one the eternal. One be the savior
with struggle internal. One be the witch with powers for teaching. A
prophesy fulfilled, effects far reaching. Each one in turn will save this
earth, beginning with the slayer's re-birth." 


Willow struggled to hear the words, but she could feel the darkness creeping
up on her. "Buffy, I don't understand. . . I . ." 


She was silenced by a cold finger against her lips. "Shh, Will . . .my
sweet, sweet Willow. Don't you see?" She began to nuzzle against Willow's
face. "It's our destiny to be re-born, to live together forever in the
night. . ." 


Willow could hear purring coming from Buffy's throat. Her breathing had
become erratic and if she wasn't in so much pain, she could swear she was
turned on by this display. The purring stopped and Willow held her breath,
afraid of what was coming next. 


"Time is short my love." She leaned in a little closer. "Want, take,
have." She vamped out and clamped down on Willow's neck. 


Willow felt the darkness closing in all too quickly. <This can't be
happening! No . . .no . . .NO!> 


"NO!" 


She was breathing heavily. <Breathing . . .I'm breathing.> Her hand shot
up in the darkness to where Buffy had bitten her neck. She found no marks
there, only beads of sweat. Slowly she focused her eyes and realized that
she was in her room. Calming herself a little more, she tried to focus on
everything she'd seen. <It was a dream . . .only a dream.> 


There was a knock on the door. "Willow, it's Giles . . are you alright?" 


She took a deep breath. "Come in Giles." 


"Are you alright? I thought I heard you screaming?" He stood in the
doorway with a stake in one hand and a cross in the other. 


"I had a dream. A very BAD dream." 


He stood there in quiet contemplation for a moment. "Was it, um, anything
like the others?" 


Since Willow had begun her training as a watcher, she began to have
prophetic dreams. Many of them were warnings about things to come and by
working with the Council, they were able to avert catastrophe on many
occasions. 


"Yes . . but this one was worse." She looked up at him. "Buffy was. .
.Buffy was a vampire, Giles, and she came here to turn me. She said
something about stopping me from fulfilling my destiny. Only, she used
words that rhymed." 


"Oh, dear." He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Try to get some sleep and we'll notify the council in the morning." He
turned to go but stopped short. "What time do you pick her up tomorrow?" 


"Noon." 


"Good, good. Very well then. Try to get some sleep." He walked out and
closed the door. 


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


"Flight 6984 arriving from Los Angeles, United States, gate 42, gate 4 - 2" 


Willow broke into a full sprint down the corridor. She'd overslept and
Giles was out so he was unable to wake her up. She arrived at the gate just
as the passengers were pouring out. She leaned against a pole to catch her
breath and kept one eye out for Buffy. She tried to get back to sleep after
the dream, but every time she closed her eyes Buffy's words came back to
haunt her. But the other part, the sexy, purring, licking part. . .
.Willow's pulse quickened just thinking about it. 


"Mmm, heavy breathing. Anyone I know, Will?" 


She spun around and came face to face with the slayer. 


"Huh? Buffy. . .No, I was late and, my alarm didn't go off and . . .I ran."
She smiled and brushed the hair away from her forehead. 


"I can see that. So are you just gonna stand there and pant at me or do I
get a hug?" She looked up at her through her eyelashes. 


"Of course, come over here." She enveloped the slayer in a hug. Slowly she
reached up and put two fingers on her neck. <Good, she has a pulse. That's
always a good sign.> 


Buffy noticed the odd gesture and pulled away. "Will? What's going on?" 


"Nothing, really. Come on, I'll explain on the way to the mansion." 


"Okay, but . . .It's not every day your best friend checks your pulse." 


Willow gave her a disbelieving look. 


"Then again . . .Hellmouth being our home town and all . . ." 


Smiling back at her, the two girls made their way to the baggage carousel
and then to customs. 



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


Willow was fussing around the kitchen, trying to find something to eat. 


"Willow, you're back." 


She turned around. "Yeah, just got in about a half hour ago." She smiled. 


". . .and Buffy, she's, ah . . ." 


"Sleeping Giles. And totally with a pulse. I was going to take her on a
tour of the mansion, but the next thing I knew she was getting cozy with my
pillows." 


"Jet lag . . .I see." He smiled and put on a pot of tea. "Willow, we must
talk about your, um, episode last night. The Council wants to launch an
investigation and. . ." 


She came around and sat down at the table. "I know, Giles, I know." 


He smiled at her at the opposite end of the table. "Now, the dream . . " 


"It was strange. I was watching the sun set and suddenly Buffy was behind
me. We hugged, and at first I thought there was a vamp behind me, so I had
a stake and . . ." 


They delved into the meaning of her dream for the next three hours. Giles
tried to draw every detail out of her and with each new discovery, he jotted
down notes. They came to the conclusion that it may be a prophetic telling,
and decided to notify the council at once of what they'd discovered. 


". . .it was just so real, Giles. It really weirded me out. I haven't felt
like that since we left Sunnydale. I mean, she was on top of me, and I was
swooning from the loss of blood, her teeth were clamped down on my neck and
. . ." 


"What!?" Buffy rushed to Willow's side and began to examine her. "Where?
Who bit you? Are you alright.....I'll kill them, Will, I swear. . ." 


She reached out and stopped her friend's musings. "No, Buffy, it's okay.
It was a just a dream I had last night, that's all." She smiled. 


It took a moment for it to register. "Are you sure?" 


Willow was touched by her concern. "I'm sure. . .look . . .no fang marks."
She tilted her head to demonstrate the point. 


"It's nice to see you too, Buffy." Giles broke in. 


"Giles!" She went to the other side of the table to give him a hug. "It's
so great to see you. How have you been?" 


"Very busy with Council affairs as usual." He was glad to see her again
after all these years. "How is your mother?" 


"Fine, fine . . .everyone is good. Mom is in charge of the Gallery now.
They actually let her invest some of her own money, so now she has more of a
say in what goes on there. Xander is working at the Bronze collecting at the
door and still living in his parents basement. I haven't heard from Angel
and Cordelia in a few months, I guess no news is good news." 


"I spoke with Cordelia recently. Seems the business is going well and our
favorite vampire with a soul has his hands full." Willow chimed in. 


"Swell." Buffy rolled her eyes. Angel was apparently still a sore spot
with her. 


Willow picked up on the gaffe and decided to change the subject. "Why don't
I give you that tour I promised earlier?" 


Buffy agreed and they left Giles with his tea and notes. 


They made their way through the entire mansion. Each floor was equipped
with a training room, a library, a den with a fireplace and a kitchen. From
what Buffy surmised, Willow had one of the best rooms in the entire place
and it was in the center of the house with windows looking out to a
beautiful garden. 


"And here we are back at our room." They had come full circle through out
the entire house. Willow noted Buffy's confused expression and began to
explain. "You'll have to stay with me because there's a convention in town.
The Watcher's council get together every three months to go over business in
person. They come from all over the world . . and they have to sleep
someplace." 


"It's not a problem, Will. It'll be just like old times." Buffy offered as
they entered the room. She turned around to face her friend. "There's one
thing I don't get though. You've been here for three years, and I know that
the Council has a lot of old retired Watchers laying around, so why'd you
get the primo room? I mean, it's not that I don't think you deserve it, but
it struck me as strange." 


Willow listened and was unsure of how to answer her question, or if she even
wanted to right this minute. It would bring up so many other questions . .
.questions she just didn't feel like going into right then. "It's a long
story, Buffy. Let's just say that I'm a favored pupil of the Council and
they're going to great lengths to make me comfortable while I study." 


"Comfort isn't the word I'd use, Will . . .this is luxurious!" She flopped
down on the bed with her arms spread out. 


There was a knock at the door and a disembodied voice came from behind it.
"Miss Rosenberg, you're evening meal is prepared. Will you and your guest
be taking it in your private study?" 


She looked up and gave Buffy a guilty grin. "Yes, James. We'll be up in a
moment." 


"Very well, Miss." They heard his footsteps retreating down the hall. 


Willow got up and tried her best to avoid her friend's gaze. 


"Private study?" 


"Buffy . . ." 


"Miss Rosenberg?" Buffy walked around the bed to her side. 


"Come on, Buffy. Cut it out." 


"Evening meal? Is the soon-to-be-watcher too good to eat with her kind?"
Buffy jabbed at her for good measure. 


"Cut it out." She gave a defeated sigh. "It's just some of life's guilty
pleasures. Let's go eat." 


They approached an elevator. Willow punched in a sequence of numbers, it
opened up, and they stepped inside. Moments later the door opened to what
was the most interesting collection of things Buffy had ever seen in one
room before, yet, it was all very Willowy. "Will, this is . . .this is
amazing!" She stepped out and began to inspect everything. 


Upon closer inspection, Buffy realized that the room was a half circle and
they were on the topmost floor of the mansion. "You have a computer center
and over here are all kinds of books. . .some of them I can't even
pronounce! Then there's this part where all of your witchy stuff is . .
.hey, is that a cauldron!? Do you actually do spells here? You've got a
wide screen TV and a state of the art entertainment center. . . .and those
couches look comfy enough to drift to sleep on. You've got everything here
. . .it's like . . .it's like a wet dream!" She flopped down on the sofa
and decided to test her theory. "Mmm, even better than I imagined." 


Willow stood at the elevator amused by the excited display Buffy just put
on. "It's not that big a deal, Buffy. I guess I'm used to it." She
crossed the room and joined her on the couch. 


"Well, I could definitely get used to this. Too bad the Hellmouth has to be
across the sea, this slayer could use some pampering." 


They finished dinner and Buffy suggested they watch a movie. Willow led her
over to a cabinet recessed in the wall and told her to pick what ever she
wanted. 


"You've got to be kidding me, Will. Some of these aren't even out of the
theaters yet back home." One particular title caught her eye. "How about
this one?" Buffy held up the box. 


"Uh uh, no way Buffy. Do you know how many times I've seen that already?"
Willow hoped she wasn't serious. 


"Come on, pretty please . . .with a cherry on top?" She resorted to the
eyes. 


"No, not the slayer eyes again? Really, Buffy . . .exactly how many times
can you watch him drown?" 


"At last count? Seventeen." 


"Aw, man. . . how many times can you hear my heart will go on, and on, and
on and on . . ." She pouted some more and Willow caved. "Fine. Pop it in,
but I get the control and you make the popcorn." 


"Deal." Buffy headed for the elevators. "Um, Will . . .that whole keypad
thingy. How do I get back up here?" 


"Oh, sorry. The code is 0-3-1-0-9-7. Then press the OK key twice." 


Buffy repeated the sequence to herself a few times then was off to make
popcorn. 


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


Back in the US 


"Angel investigations. . .we help the hopeless." 


Angel was lurking around the office when the phone rang. He caught clips of
the conversation but nothing he could figure out. He'd been in LA for over
three years now. It was tough at first, but with Doyle and Cordelia's help,
he finally found his nitch in the world. Doyle. The vampire couldn't help
but think of the demon from time to time. He'd given his life to save the
world from The Scourge and Angel couldn't help but think sometimes it was
too heavy a price to pay. 


"Angel?" 


He was shaken out of his reverie by the brunette in front of him. "Yeah." 


"What planet were you on?" She scoffed at him. "That was Giles on the
phone, looks like the council might need your help." 


"The council, huh?" 


"Yes, and before you go and get all broody, I already told him that there'd
be a fee involved. You're not a free agent anymore." 


He smiled. Good old Cordelia . . .she never changes. "And what did he
say?" 


"He said the council would pay what ever we asked them to. Do you know what
that means, Angel? I can finally get a decent manicure and we can get a
decorator in here to liven up the office. I mean, the boss may be dead,
but, that so doesn't mean the décor has to be." She flashed him a smile and
took a step towards him. 


"Anything we ask them? This has to be pretty big Cordy." He looked
thoughtful for a moment. "Don't think you're gonna blow this like the last
time. Bills first, fun later. Got it?" He tried to give her a
reprimanding look and almost pulled it off. Except, she was looking at him
in THAT way. "Don't give me that look Cordelia." 


"What look?" She asked innocently. 


"The look that you get right before I cave in and give you anything you
want." He looked down at her and furrowed his brow. 


She stood on her toes and brushed her lips against his. "I don't know what
you're talking about." 


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


Giles emerged from the elevator. "Good, you're both here. I have some
news." He approached the couch where the two girls were sitting. "Good,
God . . .has something happened? What's wrong?" 


Buffy was wiping her nose and sniffling. Willow on the other hand seemed
unaffected. She looked up and him and shrugged. "Um, Titanic." 


He looked appalled. "I see. Well, no time for that now. The council has
come to a decision about your vision, Willow, and. . ." 


"Vision? What Vision? What's going on, Will?" 


Willow sank lower into the couch. 


"Apparently you haven't told her yet." Giles asked in her direction. She
shook her head no. "Well, I'm going to let this wait until tomorrow then.
You should explain everything to Buffy. We have work to do." He rose to go
and stopped short at the elevator. "Willow, please try to not leave
anything out, will you?" She gave him a horrified look but he smiled and
left. 


They sat there in silence for a few moments. Willow was trying to figure
out where to begin. 


"So?" Buffy gave her a look. 


"So. . ." She sighed. "I don't know where to begin. So much has happened
to me in the past three years Buffy. . .I'm different now. . .everything is
so different." 


"Well, that's as good a place to start as any." She sat up and faced the
red head. "How are you different?" 


"I was coming back to the house from the library one night. It had almost
been a year and I hadn't seen any kind of activity, so I let my guard down.
I was almost to the gate when I was attacked by a cadre of vampires and an
icky green slimy demon." She closed her eyes reliving the moment. "I was
mortally wounded, Buffy, and the council was beside themselves. The
summoned Giles from Sunnydale, hoping that he'd get there before it was too
late." 


Buffy sat in a state of shock. "I remember when he left. . .he said it was
council business . . ." 


"Yes, they told him not to tell you. You had your duties and couldn't be
distracted. He arrived and met with the Council. They decided that the
best way to deal with this was to plead with a higher court. Giles went off
to contact The Powers That Be." 


Buffy looked thoughtful for a moment. "I thought that was only a saying?" 


"No, they're real, believe me. I owe my life to them, and Giles. So he
make his plea to them for my life. He was gone for two days, the Council
had almost given up on him. He pulled through. He came back with a liquid
of some kind and had me drink it. Almost immediately I felt better, but
different." 


Buffy sighed. "Let me guess, there was a price." 


"You could say that. In order for the Powers That Be to spare my life, they
needed something in return. The elixir contained healing elements, but it
also included some elements you find in a slayer." Willow paused to gauge
her reaction. "I'm nowhere near a slayer, but close. I have the ability to
predict future situations through dreams, slayer healing powers and slayer
sense. That mixed in with my witchy ways . . .well, lets just say that I
think it worked more in their favor than mine." 


Buffy sat quiet for a moment trying to absorb everything she was saying.
"So you're working for the Powers That Be?" 


"Not exactly. I work for the Council and the Council works to achieve the
goals of the PTB. That's what all the fuss and muss over me is about. I
don't owe the Council anything, I owe Giles. I made them very aware of
that. So in order to get me to stay, they hired him back to work with me." 


"I see. That's why he never came back." 


"That and. . . " She hesitated a little. "There's something big coming up,
Buffy. Really big. I had a dream the night before you got here. Giles and
I went over it and, well . . ." 


"Let me guess. I'm involved." She sat back and closed her eyes. This was
going to be some 'vacation'. A million thoughts ran through her mind.
Giles . . Willow . . working for the Council . . .the Powers That Be. It
was all too much to digest right now. 


Willow reached over and touched her arm. Buffy startled a little and looked
over at her. 


"I know Buffy. It's hard to understand." 


She got up and began to pace. "No, you don't know, Will. How . . .why
didn't you and Giles tell me any of this? I'm a big slayer now, I could
have handled it." She ran her hands through her hair in frustration. "You
almost died! I almost lost my best friend and I learn about it now, three
years after the fact?" 


Willow rose and inched over to her. "Buffy, it was my decision not to tell
you. I thought you had your plate full and didn't want to worry you. There
wasn't anything you could have done but worry. We both know you couldn't
have left Sunnydale." She reached up and put her hand on her shoulder.
"Besides, look at me . . ." She lifted Buffy's chin up and noted the tears.
"This is me, standing in front of you . . not dead." 


"Not funny, Will." It was all to much for her. She let out a sigh and
leaned into Willow for a hug. 


She gathered the sobbing slayer in her arms. She reflected on everything
she'd said and couldn't believe herself when she thought of the things she'd
gone through. It was for a higher purpose though. Wasn't it? There had to
be some sort of gold ring to latch on to after all of this. 


Buffy straightened up and looked into her friend's eyes. "I'm sorry, Will.
I shouldn't have lost it like that." 


Willow reached up and touched her cheek. "It's okay, Buffy, really. I've
been known as your crying pillow on more than one occasion you know. I kind
of missed it." She smiled hoping to lighten the mood. 


"But Will, you're so . . .detached. It's like you're reading a script or
something. Come on, am I the only one allowed to shed a few tears here?
What's with you?" She looked at her, but her facial expression never
changed. "Will?" 


Willow sighed in defeat. <Giles did tell me to tell her everything.>
"Buffy, the work I do, it's . . .it's really hard. The council has been a
great resource for me, and I'm improving my spells and gaining more control
over them every day." She tried to sound enthusiastic, but from Buffy's
expression she could tell she wasn't buying it. 


"Come on, Will. You're avoiding the question. . ." 


"Okay, well. . .The council gave me a mentor to study with. They thought
that honing my Wiccan skills would just be an added bonus. In order to
remain focused, my mentor gave me a gemstone to help me be unbiased about
the prophesies and visions and all the work I'm to be involved in. It's
called the Gem of NoiTome, pronounced no - to - may. It keeps my emotions
in check." Willow lifted her hand and showed Buffy the small ring on her
left middle finger. It had a thin silver band with a petite setting. The
gem glowed with a dark gray hue. It almost looked like it was made for
Willow's slender finger. 


"So this ring thingy keeps you from feeling extreme emotion?" Buffy shook
her head in disapproval. "I don't like it, Will. . .it's not natural." She
reached out to try and touch it and was met with a little electrical shock.
"Ow! That didn't tickle." 


"Only the person who wears it can take it off. It's not that bad, really.
I can take it off. . .and it's not like I'm numb or anything. . .the ring
stores up all of my unfelt emotions and when I remove it, I can feel them
naturally as if they were happening right then. The good thing is I don't
have to feel them all at once. I can do it slowly and kind of de-charge the
ring until they're all gone. It's just a precaution." 


"I still don't like it. I knew there was something up with you . . you just
weren't acting like yourself." Again, Buffy shook her head. 


"Myself? What? You miss the angsty, unsure heap of no-self-confidence that
was once me?" 


Buffy thought long and hard about it. "Yes, yes I do. I miss the real
Willow. That's who you are, Will. And no ring is going to change it. You
lead with your heart and take other people's feelings into consideration.
You weigh the consequences, both emotional and physical. . . that's what's
always been so great about you. That's the Willow that's my best friend."
Buffy was becoming agitated. "Not this, this uncaring calculating walking
watcher-thing you've turned into! What the hell have they don't to you
here?" 


Willow walked away from her. "I've changed, Buffy. You didn't expect me to
change at all in three years? I can't even begin to think of how much I owe
to the Council. I have a life here now, and I have a job for as long as
they need me . . maybe even longer. Retired Watchers have it really good
you know." She was calm, cool and collected. . .and it chilled Buffy right
to the core. 


"I'm not going to get anywhere with you while your wearing that thing. Take
it off so I can talk to the real Willow." Buffy came up behind her and
crossed her arms across her chest. 


Willow turned around and sighed. "This is the real Willow, Buffy. I told
you, I've changed." She reached up and unfolded Buffy's arms and took her
hand into her own. "I need to make one thing clear to you. I can't ever
let you see me without the ring. It's just too difficult for you to
handle." Willow detected a protest form on her lips and shook her head,
needing to go on. "No, it's not going to happen. I made the mistake of
letting Giles be there once. He stayed with me for two days and it took me
a week to convince him to not kidnap me and take me back to Sunnydale.
We're working for a greater good here, and there are certain sacrifices that
need to be made. This is one of them." 


Buffy saw her resolve face and knew she didn't stand a chance. For now,
anyway. "Can you at least take it off sometime after you've de-charged it
or whatever? When there isn't a threat of danger?" 


Willow knew her friend was only trying to look out for her. "I'll consider
it. I'm not making any promises though." 


Buffy pulled her into a hug. "If I had known, Will. I could have been
there for you. . .but all your letters said you were okay and I believed
you. I should have known something was up when you wouldn't return my
calls. I should have come sooner." 


"I didn't want you to know, Buffy. I had to do this, start my future,
alone. Please understand." 


"I know, and I do understand in a way. You have a job, you have
obligations. Believe me, I know about sacrifices." She inhaled deeply and
exhaled. She realized she almost forgot how good it was to be in her best
friends arms again, to have her senses invaded by all that was Willow. "You
feel good, Will. I missed this." 


Willow nuzzled in closer to the slayer. "I missed it too." She closed her
eyes and smiled. "More than you'll ever know." She smiled under the blonde
mane that curtained her face. After a few minutes she broke away. "Come
on, I think we both need some sleep. Giles will want us up bright and early
tomorrow." 


Buffy moaned a little but knew she was right. They headed for the elevator
arm in arm. 


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


"I don't like it, Giles. You have to at least give her some warning . . ."
They had been on the phone for over an hour. Angel was still trying to
convince him to tell Buffy they were coming to London, but Giles wouldn't
even consider it. 


"No, Angel. I cannot. We can't give her time to process this. She'll know
how dire the situation is as soon as you walk through the door. There are
things you can do, people you know, that no one else has the resources for."
He removed his glasses and sighed. "She'll get over it. We'll all be much
too busy to think about high school crushes and love lost. Don't you
agree?" 


"I just hope you're right." He hesitated, not knowing how to approach the
subject. "Giles, there's something you need to know. Cordelia and I, well
. . .we have a different relationship now. It's more . . ." 


"Intimate. I see. I trust you're both careful?" This was just another
wrench to throw into the works. 


"Willow's curse . . .when she cursed me with my soul again, she must have
done it wrong, or right. I suppose it's how you look at it." He was
struggling. 


"Your soul is permanent then?" He sighed on the other end of the receiver.
"And you chose now to make me aware of this little fact?" 


"I didn't know until recently. The Powers That Be told me about it. That's
when Cordy and I . . ." 


"I really don't need a play by play, Angel." He just couldn't believe what
he was hearing. "I suppose Xander would say in this situation that you're
sending me to a scary visual place." 


The vampire chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so." He cleared his throat and
changed the subject. "So, we'll be there in three days. I received the
tickets by messenger from the Council. . .on their tab I'll assume." 


"Yes, indeed. We'll see you then. Have a safe trip." Giles hung up the
phone. 


He was sipping tea in his private study. After he came back into favor with
the Council, he was given back all of his old privileges. But what price
had he paid? What price had Willow paid for it all? He looked back on the
past three years with some regret, and some fond memories. He always knew
she was headed for much bigger things than any of them could imagine. He
just never imagined it would all happen so soon. 


<She's had to grow up so fast in these three short years. The life she's
committed herself to . . .I don't think I'd wish it on even Ethan. I still
don't fully trust the Council either.> 


He sighed and absentmindedly sipped his tea. In the short time the three of
them had been reunited in the kitchen and then in Willow's study, he knew
Buffy's mind was turning everything she'd seen over in her mind. It was
only a matter of time until she found out about the gem, and all the things
Willow had to sacrifice. 


<That damn gem! I should have smashed it into oblivion when I had the
chance.> 


He looked back on those two days he'd spent with Willow with much regret. 


<The things she's gone through, the things she's seen. . . I can't even
imagine how she must have felt when . . > 


He let his mind move on to more pleasant thoughts. There was no use in
dwelling on things he didn't have the power to change. 


He smiled thinking about how close they'd become. It was much like a father
and daughter relationship. She respected him immensely and the feeling was
returned. He thought Buffy being here would do her some good, maybe even
give her a few hours without that blasted ring. Now, with the dream she'd
had it was as he feared. They were all headed on a collision course with
destiny. He shivered and knew . . things would never be the same for any of
them. 


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



As soon as she heard the soft rhythm of Buffy's breathing, Willow slipped
out the door and made her way to Giles' study. She knocked on the door.
"Giles? Are you up?" She opened the door a little and spotted him in his
recliner by the fireplace. 


"Yes, come in, Willow." He sat up and gave her his attention. "Is something
troubling you?" 


"No, just reporting to duty." She gave him a mock salute. "I told her.
Everything more or less. I haven't told her about the dream yet, though. I
thought it could wait until we were all together." She moved over and sat
opposite him. 


"More or less?" He arched his eyebrows, urging her to continue. 


"Everything important. I didn't tell her about, that time." She shrugged
her shoulders. "I didn't think it was important right now. It'll keep." 


Giles shook his head in disapproval. "Absolutely not. I thought we agreed
that you would tell her about it. It's the only way you are going to heal,
Willow." He sat forward and looked imploringly into her face and took her
hand. "Not with this blasted gem!" He gave her hand a squeeze for good
measure. "The Council never would have let her come otherwise. They
realize how important she is to you and she's the one who can help you
heal." 


"Giles don't do this now. . ." 


He stood, angered by her offish ness. "That damn gem. I have no choice,
Willow, you must realize that. If you do not start the healing process
WITHOUT it. . .the Council will see it fit to take it away from you and
force you to deal with all that has happened." He turned to her and knelt
down in front of where she was sitting. "They've informed me of as much. .
. .you have no choice. You're no good to anyone, or yourself, if you
continue on in this manner." 


Willow knew what he was saying was true. "Giles, I told her that she can't
see me without it. That it would be too hard for her to handle. She's
never seen me like that . . .you know how she gets and if it's anything like
what you went through then. . ." As she spoke, she inched the ring higher
and higher up her finger and brought his attention to it. "I can control it
Giles. The more it comes off, the more I feel." She closed her eyes,
feeling the all too familiar ocean of emotions begin to sweep her away.
"You have to try and understand how hard this is for me. Can you?" She
looked at him and a lone tear fell from her eye. 


He was moved at her plea. "I do understand. But you must understand also.
There are precautions we can take. She can be put under protection. And if
you choose, the council will see to it that she forgets." He felt a bit
more reassured now. He felt a glimmer of hope that he was actually getting
through to her. "They want to arrange for you to take a trip to Callaway.
It's a small fishing village down south. They have a retreat house there
and it's as good a spot as any for a small vacation of sorts. I assure you,
you won't be bothered." He looked down and noticed that the ring was back
secured on her finger. 


". . .But we have so much work to do, dreams to interpret. . ." She was
self assured again. 


"I will keep . . .at least for the next few weeks. I've called in some back
up and . . ." 


Willow nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Angel and Cordelia , I figured
as much." 


"You must understand, he has the ability to contact others, and his
resources alone. . ." 


"You don't have to justify yourself to me Giles. I've never questioned you
before." She gave him a little smile. "I just wonder how Buffy's gonna
take seeing them together. She'll know something is going on." 


He looked at her puzzled. "Am I always the last one to find out?" 


"I called Angel at his apartment about a month ago. I forgot about the time
difference and must have woken them up. Cordy answered the phone and, well
. . .I caught them red handed so to speak." 


"I see. Well . . ." He stood up and paced around a little. "Should I tell
the Council you've agreed to go?" 


"I don't see what choice I have. I hope you know what you're doing. All of
you." 


"Don't worry about Buffy. She'll be able to handle this far better than
either one of us will give her credit for. I'll explain to her in the
morning and you two should be packed and ready to go by supper time.
Agreed?" 


Willow rose and headed for the door. Before slipping out she nodded her
head and whispered. "Agreed." 


END PART I 


~~Kimber 
-- 
Willow: It's horrible! That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil and... skanky.
(aside to Buffy, worried) And I think I'm kinda gay. 
Buffy: Willow, just remember, a vampire's personality has nothing to do
with the person it was. 
Angel: Well, actually... (gets a look from Buffy) uh, That's a good point. 


Visit me! http://go.to/KimsCorner <http://go.to/KimsCorner> 


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