FIC: Untitled (2/?)

[~~Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxxx>]

OK Guys...you have to bear with me on this part. There is A LOT of jumping around and a
lot of information for you to absorb. I tried to keep it as straightforward as
possible...wait, no I didn't....Oh, well. You'll probably find more questions here than
answers. Be patient.....I'm workin on it.
Without further adeau....here it is....


-----------------------------
Title: Untitled (2/?)
Author: Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
Disclaimer: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
Summary: (No summary 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, Syrenslure and Serendipity. 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 <<< >>>
------------

?. . .I?m afraid the only way to describe it is addiction. She?s become dependant on the
ring and the Council is worried about the effect it?s having on her.? He turned to the
slayer and dropped his voice. ?I tried Buffy. God help me, I tried. You don?t know how
many times I?ve wanted to smash it . . .but it?s a necessity to her position.?

?So they want to send her on a little mental vacation so she can get deprogrammed and not
need it anymore?? She still had so many questions and was trying to follow the best she
could.

?I?m afraid that?s not possible. As long as she works for the Council, she will always
need the ring. Right now, it?s a matter of life and death that she, temporarily at least,
live without it. There are things that have happened to her, things she refused to deal
with and the Council, myself included, is worried that it could mean . . .? He was unable
to continue.

Buffy realized, maybe for the first time, the severity of the situation. ?This is really
bad, Giles, isn?t it?? She wasn?t sure, but it almost looked as if he was going to cry.

He took a few moments to compose himself and continued on. ?I?ll assume she told you
about when she was attacked . . .when we almost lost her?? Buffy nodded her head. ?She
was taken by the cadre of vampires, not just attacked.? He turned away unable to face
her. ?She was raped, Buffy. The demon that was with them raped her while the vampires
watched and drank from her. She was left for dead in a back ally not far from the
mansion. They did it to make an example of her. To make an example of the Council, to
show them that they weren?t that powerful after all. To show that they could infiltrate
the ranks, that they had the power.? He sighed heavily. ?It was one of the novice
watchers, the demon that is. He befriended her. He was a shape shifter and was living
here all along.? He banged his fist on the table and Buffy jumped. ?He was my charge. I
was assigned to train him and I never saw it. Never saw the monster for what he truly
was. She was found by chance. Quentin was out for a walk and found her there. . .almost
completely drained.? He waited a few moments then came around the table to sit next to
her. ?Do you see now why I had to stay? Why I couldn?t abandon her? I felt so
responsible . . .?

?It wasn?t your fault, Giles.? Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes and placed her hand on
his for comfort. ?If a houseful of Watchers and slayers-in-training couldn?t see it . .
.then how could you??

He smiled at the simple truth of it. ?Yes, I suppose you?re right. You need to take care
of her, Buffy. Help her heal. Try your hardest, would you??

Buffy nodded and leaned over to give him a hug. ?I will, Giles. I promise.?

Willow walked into the kitchen and caught sight of them there. ?I see you two have been
plotting my demise?? She walked over and opened the refrigerator for closer inspection.

They were shaken at her presence. Buffy spoke up. ?No. . . no demise plotting here.?
She managed a weak smile.

Willow turned around and scrutinized them both. ?I see. And I suppose the tears are just
because you?re so happy that we?re having turkey for dinner?? She arched her eyebrows and
went back to her task.

Buffy gave Giles a surprised look, and then directed her attention to the girl in front of
her. ?Gee, Will, callous much??

She didn?t turn around and gave her reply to no one in particular. ?If I didn?t have my
ring on I?d be really insulted by that remark.? She dead-panned.

<That?s it!> Buffy got up and stalked up to her. She grabbed her shoulder and turned her
around. ?Enjoy your monotone-melancholy little performance while you can, Red.? She
grabbed her hand and held it up between them. ?You?re not gonna have this security
blanket much longer.?

Giles tried to defuse the situation. ?Yes, well . . .I?ll assume you?re both packed and
ready to go??

Without taking her eyes off of the enraged slayer, Willow responded. ?About as ready as
I?ll ever be I suppose.? She broke from her grasp and headed out the door.

Buffy stood there in shock. ?How can you stand her like that, Giles?? She motioned to
the door. ?Three years ago, she never would have . . .?

?No, she wouldn?t. You must realize what you?re dealing with, Buffy. If you?re not up to
it, then . . .?

?Believe me Giles, I?m up to it.? She walked up to him. ?I?m all over being up to it.?
She exited the same way Willow went just moments before.

He stood there for a moment and ran his hand through his hair. <For her sake, I hope you
are.>

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

The ride to the cottage was made in relative silence. Buffy attempted about two minutes
worth of conversation until Willow pulled her headphones over her ears for the rest of the
trip. They traveled along the coast for about three hours until they came upon a small
village. The driver rolled the divider window down and announced that they?d be there in
ten minutes.

<Great. Let the games begin.> Willow heard him through the headphones and began for the
thousandth time to reconsider her position. <I don?t know if I can do this.>

They walked into the cottage and the driver left the bags by the door. ?James will be
staying in the servant?s quarters. He?s been instructed to prepare your meals and perform
all household duties. Beyond that, he will not interfere.? The driver fished around in
his pocket and produced a letter. ?These are some final instructions from Mr. Giles. I?m
sure you?ll find everything you need.? He handed it to Willow, tipped his hat, and was
out the door. A few moments later they heard the car pull away.

Willow opened the letter and began to read:

Dear Willow and Buffy,

I hope this finds you both well and safe within the cottage. You have all the supplies
you need and James will tend to the house. There is no reason for either of you to be
discouraged in this task. I?m sure you will face it together. The Council has informed me
that the ring will slowly deactivate itself. It will not go any faster or slower than
either of you can handle. I pray that this brings you both closer; but most of all, it
brings you, Willow, closer to healing. You?re in my thoughts, Giles.

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

?You know we wouldn?t do it if it wasn?t absolutely necessary, don?t you Rupert??

Giles was gazing out the window. ?I know Quentin. I just hope it works. Our lives
depend on it.?

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

?I still don?t understand why we have to go so soon. We don?t leave for another day and I
haven?t even packed my walking shoes.?

Angel looked up at her and past her shoulder. The suitcases where spread from the door to
the kitchen. ?I have to go see the Powers That Be.?

?Since when do you read Dr. Seuss?? She chuckled at him.

?What?? He realized what he?d said and smiled. ?I?m serious Cordy.?

?Fine. But if I break a nail rushing, you?re paying for one of those Paris manicures.?

----------------------
A week later in Callaway.


?Will . . .?

?No.?

They had been arguing with the bathroom door between them for over an hour now. It had
been a rough week. <Giles wasn?t kidding when he said this was gonna be tough.> ?Come
on, Will. I won?t do it again. I swear.?

?You swear??

?Yes. Now would you please come out?? She saw the door creak open a little and pushed it
back the rest of the way. Buffy looked over at her cautiously. ?I?m sorry, Will. Not
until you?re ready, I promise.?

Buffy had made the mistake of trying to take the ring off her finger when she was
napping. She forgot about the little security system it had and yanked so hard the shock
sent her back a few feet. Willow woke up from the charge and made a bee-line for the
bathroom.

?Okay then.? She looked down at her from her perch on the counter.

?You still hungry? I could make us something to eat??

?Mmm, no. I?m alright.? She managed a little half smile. ?Let?s go watch some TV.?

Buffy sat next to her and took Giles? coveted position . . .she watched. She noticed that
Willow had already begun to change and her emotions were beginning to surface. As Giles
promised, it wasn?t happening too fast, giving them both enough time to adjust to the
changes. Buffy already saw hints of the old Willow come through. She figured it would
only be a matter of time before she was alright again.

?Penny for your thoughts?? Willow looked over to her.

?Ah, nothing really. Just thinking about how much I missed you is all.?

?Yeah, it?s been a while since we were able to do this. . .Just sit around in our PJ?s
watching TV.? She smiled. ?I forgot how nice it felt . . .? to be near you, and look
into your eyes and know that I?ll be ok because that?s what you believe and I believe it
because you do. <Well, that?s what I wanted to say anyway.>

Buffy noted the thoughtful expression on her face and decided to press on. ?I . . .Will,
Giles told me about . . .?

?I figured as much when I walked into the kitchen with you two huddled up? She looked
down and began to play with the ring. ?It was so horrible, Buffy. . .? The ring came off
a little more. ?I never thought I could feel so horrible about anything, ever.?

<This may turn out to be a long night.> ?Giles said that he was a watcher in training.
That no one knew he was a demon.?

?A novice, and yes, a demon.? She concentrated mostly on the ring. She was shifting it
back and forth between two fingers now. ?There?s more, Buffy. There?s so much more . .
.?

?Take your time, Will. I?m not going anywhere.?

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

?Giles, are you sure?? Angel was staring at the sketch as if it would jump off the page
any minute. ?This is the thing that attacked her?? He motioned to the sketch on the
table and continued to pace.

?Yes. She drew it herself. We told her it wasn?t necessary, but . . .?Giles noted the
agitation the vampire had worked himself into. ?Angel. . .?

It?s a rogue . . .it was probably banished from the clan because of something unforgivable
it had done.? He stopped and motioned to the sketch on the table. ?The collar it has on
can tell you as much . . .do you have any idea what it takes for a demon to banish it?s
own kind? Whatever it did, must have been . . ?

?I can?t even begin to imagine.? Giles picked up the sketch again then brought his
attention back to the vampire. ?You know what this is, don?t you??

He shook his head. ?I can?t be sure.?

?If you have any idea, Angel, it will be the only idea any of us have had in three years.
Please.?

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms in front of him. After a few moments he
began to speak. ?It?s a Mohra Demon. Their blood has regenerative powers . .it can
re-animate a vampire, or any dead creature, and make it live again.?

Giles was on his feet. ?And you know of this thing how?? He raised his voice . .
.possibly in fear.

?I was attacked by one once. I contacted the Powers That Be and they told me how to
destroy it. You have to smash the jewel in it?s forehead.? He gave the man a few moments
to process the information. ?There?s more, Giles.?

He sighed. ?There bloody well always is.?

?Mohra Demons are powerful assassins. Their purpose is to kill individuals on the side of
Good. They are dual examples of evil-as-corruption, because they defend evil's ability to
destroy, and they have a goal of bringing the apocalypse.?

?Hell on earth and the end of days.?

Angel could do nothing but nod in agreement.

He lurked behind the door, listening intently to the entire conversation. <Damn. They
weren?t suppose to find out so soon.> He rubbed his temples in deep thought before taking
off down the hall.

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

Willow got off the couch and began to pace around the room. ?It?s frowned upon by the
Council. . .but I . . .we were seeing each other. I was involved with him for about a
month before.? She stopped at the bay windows and looked out at nothing in particular.
?I trusted him. . .I thought he was different, I thought I was . . special.?

Buffy realized what she?d been so scared of. She was seeing a demon and didn?t even know
it. He tricked her. <And for that he must die!>

?We were walking back from the library . . .a-and the vampires descended on us right
before we got to the mansion. . .I was here for a year . . .there wasn?t any activity and
I thought I was safe. . .I ran . . .I ran so fast I thought my chest would explode, then I
ran some more.? She was crying now, the ring had fallen to her feet.

Buffy approached her slowly. The last thing she wanted to do was startle her. She saw
Willow look up into the glass and notice her approach.

She whispered. ?I?m okay . . .just give me a second.? She saw Buffy nod in
acknowledgement. She closed her eyes and pressed on. ?There were four or five of them . .
.they took me to an ally . . .it was dark, there was a dumpster there and a lamp post a
few feet away. . .the ground was warm from the sun that afternoon.? She sniffled and
wiped her nose with her sleeve. ?They held me down . . .they fed off of me a-and he . .
.he changed right in front of me, it was so disgusting.? She made a little face as a
shiver ran down her spine. ?He got on top of me and I felt him, IT, go in . . .I must
have passed out from the loss of blood. . .or it was a side effect of the fear.? She gave
a cynical chuckle. ?Next thing I knew, Quentin was kneeling down next to me telling me
not to move.? She turned around to face Buffy and leaned on the window pane for support.
?Giles was flown in the next day and two day?s later he brought me the elixir. . .I was
able to sit up within ten minutes.? She sighed. ?The next day, my mentor gave me the
ring.? She looked down at it on the rug.

Buffy nodded her head sadly. She looked over at the clock on the wall. It was 4am

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

?This girl grows stronger . . .I can feel it.? He gave a menacing look to the band of
vampires before him. He got up from the throne and began to pace around the room. ?She
should have been destroyed when you had the chance!? The walls shook with the boom of his
voice. They all dropped to their knees and cowered. ?She will not defeat me, they will
NOT win!? A thunder clap could be heard in the distance. ?So help me, if my plans are
detained in anyway, it will be your heads mounted on these walls! All of you!?

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

?Will . . .?

She remain still and continued to lean against the window with her eyes closed. Silent
tears streamed down her cheeks attesting to the events of the night, and bearing witness
to all she?d felt, or, was unable to feel. She opened her eyes and saw the sadness
mirrored back by the face that studied her.

Buffy took a chance and tried to reach out for her.

Willow pressed herself closer to the window, if that was possible. She shook her head and
looked down at the floor. ?No . . .don?t.? She wiped the tears away. ?You can?t . . .I
don?t want you to.? She looked up at the girl in front of her. ?I . . .you can?t touch
me . . .I don?t want you to . . I?m . . .I feel so dirty, Buffy.?

A sob escaped from her throat and her hand went to her mouth. She wanted to help her, so
much. She didn?t know what she could do, she felt like her hands were tied. ?Will, I
want to help you. Please, let me. I don?t know what you?re feeling, I can?t even begin
to imagine. . .but no matter what happens to you, no matter how much you change or what
you do, good or bad, I love you.? She took a step closer. ?I love the gawky shy hacker,
I love the wiccan, I love the soon to be watcher.? She smiled at her and took a breath.
?And yes, I even love the person who feels dirty. There?s no two ways about it, Will. .
.I just love you.?

That?s all it took. She took a baby step forward and leaned her head against the slayer?s
chest. Buffy?s arms came up slowly and upon contact, Willow collapsed into her. They
sunk to the ground and Buffy kept her hold on the girl, all the time rubbing small circles
around her back. ?It?s okay now, Will. You?re gonna be okay.?

They stayed like that for maybe a half-hour until Buffy heard the soft rhythm of her
breath and found that she?d fallen asleep. Gently, she lifted her off the floor and
carried her to the bedroom. She laid her down and covered her up with the comforter. She
sat on the edge of the bed for a few moments before quietly tiptoeing to the door.

?Buffy??

<Damn!> ?Sorry Will. I tried to be quiet.?

?Where are you going?? She turned over at looked at the slayer.

?Back to my room. I thought you could use some time alone.?

She sighed in the darkness. ?I?ve been alone for three years, Buffy . . .I don?t want to
be alone anymore. Will you stay with me??

She crept up to the bed again and got under the covers. Willow snuggled down next to her
and Buffy smiled at the sweetness of it. ?I?m glad the big bad hacker still needs me for
something.?

Willow shifted to look at her. ?I?ll always need you Buffy. You don?t know . . .I
couldn?t tell anyone, not even Giles . . .I guess I was just saving it for you.? She sat
back and was thoughtful for a moment. ?I mean, the Council sent me to therapy and all
that, but. . .there?s no better medicine than sharing it with a friend. You know??

The tears pushed through again and crept down her cheeks. ?I?m so sorry I wasn?t here for
you, Will. If I was here, it would have been different. You never would have been . .
.?

?And if Giles went with us it never would have happened, and if Quentin went for his walk
earlier he could have prevented it, and if the Council implemented DNA identification
sooner it never would have. . .?

?Okay, okay. . .I get the point.? She smiled down at her and kissed her lightly on the
forehead.

?See . . .right there, I feel better all ready.?

Buffy considered that for a moment then leaned down again, placing a kiss on her cheek.

?Would-you-run-away-screaming-if-I-said-a-little-to-the-left??

It was a rushed whisper, but Buffy was sure of what she?d heard. ?Will, I . . .?

?Never mind..? She turned on her side away from her.

?Will . . .I don?t want to take advantage of you.? She reached up and put her hand on her
shoulder to bring them face to face. ?You?ve been through so much, I don?t want you to
get hurt.?

Willow smiled at her concern. ?I didn?t think it would hurt . . .I . . .I was kinda
hoping it would feel good.? She scrutinized the girl in front of her. ?Wait. Does that
mean . . .you?ve thought about it??

?Of course I have, Will.? They both laid back and stared at the ceiling.

?You have??

?We were in the Library, remember when you walked in and we thought you?d been turned into
a vampire??

?Uhh, I still have nightmares about it.?

?Well, after we found out that it wasn?t you at the bronze, and after Xander and I hugged
you . . .I stood there and looked at you . . .I mean REALLY looked at you. . .and that?s
when it hit me.?

Willow waited a moment, maybe remembering all that had happened that night. ?What?s
that??

?That I wasn?t just fighting every night to save the world from evil anymore . . .I was
doing it for me and Giles and Xander and yes, even Cordelia . . .and I was doing it for
you. When I thought that something could have gotten you, that something evil crept up
close to home and did this to you. . .it made me want to fight harder.? She paused a
beat. ?Nobody messes with my Willow.?

?Aww.? She looked over and put her hand on her arm. ?Why didn?t you ever tell me?? A
realization hit her and she whispered. ?Oz.?

?And Angel.? She shifted so they were once again face to face. ?But I?ll make a promise
to you now.? She reached up and touched her cheek lightly. ?I promise you we?ll find the
right time, and when we do, nothing is going to keep us apart again, ever.? She leaned
over and brushed Willow?s lips with her own.

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

Morning came, and Giles walked over to the window to close the drapes.

?Thanks.? Angel looked up at him. ?When are they due back??

?James phoned earlier this morning. He expects that they would want to come back this
afternoon or early this evening. Apparently they were up all night and he found the ring
on the floor in the living room after they?d gone to bed.?

?So it worked.? Angel was relieved.

?Yes. I didn?t doubt it would.? Giles smiled to himself.

?Do you ever plan on telling her the power it has wasn?t lost in the first place?? It was
the vampire?s turn to smile.

Giles looked up surprised. ?How did you . . .??

?Gem of NoiTome. . .worn by Zeus himself when planning for battle. A gift from his mother
after he killed his father Kronos and was caught cheating on Hera. It made him
level-headed in battle and in marriage.? Angel looked up for Giles? reaction. ?The only
way to destroy it is to smash it, just like the Gem of Amorah.?

?You bloody well never cease to amaze me, Angel.? Giles took off his glasses and rubbed
the bridge of his nose.

?Yes, well. I try.? He brought his attention back to the book he?d been studying
earlier. ?Tell me more about the dream Willow had. . .?

He sat down and began flipping through a book and began to trace with his finger a passage
he found. ?Yes, here it is. I won?t bother you with the translation. Basically, there
are certain forces that have been joined. An unholy marriage, if you will. These
specific forces will gather with one purpose in mind. . . The death of the slayer will
trigger a series of events that will prevent the Immortal Watcher from taking her rightful
place. Without the Immortal Watcher, the council will become infected with double agents
and rendered powerless.? He flipped through some other pages. ?The death of the slayer
will not be an ordinary death?.she will be turned into a vampire. Since she will still be
walking this earth, it prevents the next slayer from being called thus bringing about the
end of the Watcher?s Council and the biggest stronghold that exists on the side of good.?
He shook his head. ?I just can?t seem to connect the demon with any of this though.?

?Why don?t we cross reference the times when the Immortal Watcher is mentioned with rogue
demon activity.? Angel said thoughtfully. ?Whatever?s happening, this demon has an
agenda.?

?Mmm, I?ve never met one who hasn?t.? Giles looked up and realized what he?d said.
?Sorry, present company excluded of course.?

?That?s alright, Giles. I make no excuses for my past.? Angel got up and began to pace.
?Now, what would a rogue hybrid shape shifting Mohra demon want with the Immortal
Watcher?? Angel stopped and turned to him. ?Is it safe to assume that the Immortal
Watcher is . . ?

?Willow, yes.? He sighed. ?She knows. She?s known since she arrived and has been
training for it.?

?Who has been training her??

?Quentin has. Before he was appointed to the Council, he was the High Priest of one of
the largest coven?s in England. They saw his potential and recruited him. He?s her
mentor.?

?He?s the one that found her that night, isn?t he?? Giles nodded his head. ?And he gave
her the ring afterwards??

?Yes. What are you getting at, Angel??

?Who recruited this novice Watcher turned demon??

A look of questioning washed across his face. ?Quentin did, but . . ?

?And who better to summon a Mohra demon than a Warlock Watcher.? Angel slammed his fist
down on the table for good measure. ?Damn.?

?It couldn?t be. . .What use would it serve? Why would he have her attacked and brought
to the edge of death, then to spare her life? It just doesn?t make any sense. You must
be mistaken, Angel.?

He looked up at the Watcher and shook his head. ?I?m afraid not, Giles. Answer me this:
How does the Immortal Watcher become immortal??

?You know that as well as I do Angel. . .It is attempted every thousand years or after the
death of the five-hundredth slayer. I?ve never witnessed one myself so I don?t know the
exact process . . .?

?Yes, and what number slayer is Buffy?? Angel looked down at him with concentration in
his eyes. ?I?ve been around long enough to know that she?s number 1499, and with faith in
a coma and stripped of her slayer powers, that makes her 1500. Her death means . . .?

?The rise of the Immortal Watcher. . .but if the slayer is a vampire and can live forever,
then. . .?

?Then the Immortal Watcher will never take her post.? Angel sat down and opened up
another book. ?Come on, we have a lot more work ahead of us.?

Giles was broken out of his thoughts. ?Yes, I want to have more information before they
get here. We can?t run off half-cocked on this you know.?

-----------

?Are you certain they know??

?No, but they are close. It?s only a matter of time before they find the pages missing.?

He paced around the office. <God help me, this better work.> ?Let them find them.?

?You can?t be serious. Do you have any idea what I had to go through to get him back
here? She almost died for God?s sake!? He was on his feet. ?He?ll kill me . . then
he?ll come after you.? He turned around and shook his head. ?Ripper may be gone now, but
he?s not forgotten, I assure you.?

?Quentin, there are four people in this mansion that I trust implicitly. Myself, James,
you and Rupert. Everyone else is under suspicion, you know that. Anyone of them could be
a double-agent.?

?He?ll leave.? Quentin turned and faced the older man. ?And he?ll take the lot of them
with him! We?ll be unable to keep them under surveillance, under OUR protection. . .
surely you must reconsider.?

?That?s what I?m counting on.? He dropped his voice. ?The fate of the world depends on
it. As soon as he suspects, he?ll be gone . . .and she?ll be under better protection than
these wall can offer.?

Quentin dropped his hands to his side in resignation. ?I hope you know what you?re
doing.? He turned to go.

?Make the pages findable.?

He nodded his head and was out the door.

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

The car had no sooner stopped, then Buffy and Willow were out the door. The headed
straight away for Giles? study, wanting nothing but to get to work on the prophesy that
lay before them.

Willow burst through the door first. ?We?re back, Giles.? She stopped short.

Buffy wasn?t far behind. ?Hi Giles . . .? Her gaze shifted to the table where a vampire
sat without expression. ?and Angel?? She reached out and grabbed hold of Willow?s hand.

The gesture didn?t go un-noticed by him. ?Buffy. Nice to see you again.? He nodded in
the redhead?s direction. ?Willow.?

All she did was wave.

Cordelia chose that moment to walk in with an armful of bags. ?Hello? Someone care to
give me a hand with this??

Angel got up and took some of the packages.

?Thanks. Anyone ever tell you you?re a sweetie? Even for a dead guy . . ? She dropped
her bags and walked over to him. ?Guess that?s why I lo . . .?

He cut her off. ?Uh, Cordelia??

She followed his gaze and stepped back ? . .look, it?s Willow, a-and Buffy. Buffy and
Willow, here, together?with us in the same room.? She smiled and jabbed him in the ribs.

He winced. ?Yeah, they just got back . . .5 seconds ago.? He looked down at her.

Giles decided to step in. ?Yes, well . . now that we?re all finally here.? He motioned
to the chairs, hoping they?d all sit down.

No one moved.

Buffy found her voice and spoke up. ?Giles, what?s going on here??

?I decided to call Angel in to help out. We?ve already made some headway with the
prophesy and . . .?

? . . .and Cordelia made herself useful as usual by shopping?? Buffy sent a glare at the
brunette.

?Listen here missy, I?ll have you know that Angel and I . . .?

?Work well together.? Angel cut her off with a look. ?We?ve been working together for
over three years now. She is a lot of help.?

Buffy rolled her eyes. ?I can just imagine.?

It was Willow?s job to do the jabbing. ?Buffy, cut it out. They work together, that?s
all.? She dropped her voice to a whisper. ?You?re not gonna go psycho-jealous-slayer on
me, are you??

Her lips formed a protest but she thought better of it. ?Okay, I?m sorry. It?s just a
shock to see you after all this time, that?s all.? She moved to the table to sit down,
never letting go of Willow?s hand. ?Come on. We have work to do.?

Giles sighed in relief. ?Good. Well, now that the reunion is over with, Angel and I would
like to explain what we?ve discovered.? Giles sat down and motioned to the vampire.
?Angel??

He nodded to the table and Cordelia took a seat. Buffy thought it was odd ? Cordelia
taking silent orders from him - but decided not to question it.

Angel began, ?So this is what we have so far. . .?

They worked diligently into the night. All of them, even Cordelia, were immersed in one
volume of the Codex or another when Giles finally broke the silence.

?That?s odd . . .?

They all looked up and turned their attention to him.

?What is it Giles?? Angel questioned before walking up behind him.

?This book . . there are pages missing from it.?

Angel bent down for a closer inspection. ?You?re right. Who else has access to these
books??

Giles thought for a moment. ?No one. This is my private study . . .I have the only key
other than . . .? He shook his head in disbelief.

Angel stood up straight. ?Quentin.?

?I?m afraid so.?

Willow broke into the conversation, confused. ?What does Quentin have to do with this? I
thought you ruled him out as a suspect because he?s my mentor??

?He?s your mentor?? It was Buffy?s turn to be confused.

Willow nodded her head and smiled at the blonde. ?Guess I forgot that part.? Her
attention went back to the vampire. ?But Quentin? Are you sure Angel??

?No, Willow, I?m not. But there?s only one way to find out.? He sat down next to Giles.
?Here?s the plan. . .?

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

She knocked on the door. ?Quentin? Can you give me a hand with something??

He looked up from his book at the redhead. ?Certainly.?

?James isn?t around and I can?t get my suitcase from the elevator to my study. Think you
could help me??

?Of course.? He rose from his chair and followed her out the door.

-----------

They waited around the corner until they saw the elevator doors close. They slipped
quickly into the study.

Angel whispered. ?Check all the drawers, filing cabinets, and bookcases.? He moved over
towards the window. ?I?m gonna try and find out if there?s a sliding panel here
somewhere. Giles said all the studies on this floor have the same floor plan and he has a
safe in the wall behind the picture.?

The blonde nodded to him. ?Roger 007 . . I?m on it.? After giving him a mock salute, she
turned to inspect the desk drawers.

He shook his head and couldn?t help but chuckle. <Good old Buffy . . .never changes.> He
could have sworn she was humming the tune to Mission Impossible.

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

?. . .Well, I?m glad you?re better. Now maybe we can get to work on interpreting that
dream you had. The Council wants you to start right away.?

Willow had just finished filling him in on what happened in the last week. ?We?re already
on it. Giles and Angel think they have a few leads.?

Quentin looked over at her. ?Really?? He shrugged his shoulders. ?I shouldn?t be
surprised. Rupert has always excelled at his job. Graduated top of the class.? He
looked down at her hand. ?Where?s your ring, Willow??

She looked down and realized she wasn?t wearing it. ?Oh, James must have it. I?ll get it
from him later.? She waved her hand.

?I must say, I?m quite impressed with your demeanor. You?ve managed to control your
emotions the entire time we?ve been talking. I never would have known you weren?t wearing
the ring.? He smiled up at her.

?Thanks.? She looked at her watch. ?I should be getting back downstairs. We still have
a lot of work to do.? She rose to go but he reached up and stopped her.

?So, fill me in on what you?ve found so far.?

----------

?Ah ha!? Buffy?s head popped up from underneath the desk. ?Three missing pages from the
codex.? She held them up and waved them around. ?Now I wonder how they got here?? She
got up off her knees and walked over to Angel.

He took them from her and glanced over them. ?No.?

Her expression turned from victory to concern. ?Angel, what is it?? She looked at the
passage he was pointing to. ?No.? She stepped back and tried to process what she?d just
read, then it dawned on her. ?Oh my God. Willow?s alone with him! Get Giles, quick!?

She sprinted out the door with the vampire close behind. ?We?ll be up as soon as we can.?

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

Willow shifted nervously under his gaze. ?Quentin, you?re hurting my arm.?

He smiled and let her go. ?So what have you discovered??

?We, ah . . found out that it was a hybrid Mohra demon that attacked me.? She backed up a
little and he followed in step.

?A Mohra demon.? How odd . . ? He never stopped smiling.

?Yeah, so Giles thinks it has something to do with the Immortal Watcher Ceremony, and, uh
. . .? She swallowed hard. ?These things never seem to go smoothly, demon rising,
apocalypse happening . . .you?d think they wouldn?t even care I was . . .? She saw the
look in his eyes and gasped.

His advance on her increased.

?Quentin, you?re making me nervous. . .what are you doing??

Before she knew it, he had a hold of both of her arms. ?You never should have
interfered!? He began to shake her. ?Things would have gone off smoothly if it wasn?t
for that damned vampire. . .?

His rant was interrupted by Buffy?s fist hitting his face.

?Get your tweed paws off of her!? She pushed Willow behind her and walked up to him.
?How dare you . . .how could you have done this to her! You were her mentor!? Buffy
reached down and yanked him to his feet. ?I?ll kill you for this.?

Giles ran over to them. ?That?s quite enough, Buffy. He?s worth more alive to us than
dead.? Quentin sighed in relief and Giles caught it and looked at him. ?For now.?

She looked over to him never loosening her grip. ?But Giles . . .?

?I read the pages, Buffy. I know what?s happened.? He turned his attention to the
cowering man under the slayers grasp. ?As for you. You?d better start talking fast.
She?s never been well known for following her Watcher?s orders.?

He raised his hands in defeat. ?Fine, fine . . .I?ll tell you anything you want.?

Giles nodded to Buffy and she threw him on the couch. Without missing a beat she went
over to Willow. ?You okay, Will?? She reached out and put her hand on her shoulder.

?Fine, fine. . .I?m okay, Buffy.? She shook her head a few times to clear it. ?What?s
going on? Did you find the pages??

Angel stepped up. ?We not only found the pages, but we found out who the demon is working
for.? He gave the man on the couch a menacing look. ?I think you should take this one
Quentin old chap.?

Willow looked over at her now former mentor. ?Who was he working for??

He looked up at her with sadness in his eyes.

She walked up to him. ?Quentin??

He brought his hands to his head and looked at the floor. He couldn?t bear the way she
was looking at him. ?The Council. He was hired by the bloody Council.?

She stood there in shock. ?The Council? They hired him to . . .they knew what he?d do
all along?? Hot angry tears formed in her eyes.

He looked up at her finally, ready to bear the consequences. ?They hired him to befriend
you and Rupert. He was to gain your trust and on the night of the full moon, he was to
put his seed in you to begin the process for immortality.? He shook his head in
disbelief. ?It went horribly wrong. You were supposed to be willing . . .we didn?t know
he had his own agenda. . . .the cadre of vampires were working for him.? He sighed and
pressed on. ?And he is working for something greater than any of us.?

Giles broke in. ?The end of the world.? He took off his glasses and began to pace the
room. ?Mohra demons work towards two goals. . .evils ability to commit evil and the
apocalypse. This particular demon made a deal with a Warlock.? Giles motioned to
Quentin. ?He was to instill the ability to shape shift and in return the demon would
grant you the first step to immortality. I?ll assume the Council didn?t count on him
double crossing you??

Quentin shook his head. ?No. After their ?encounter? he was to be destroyed. The
Council would have had no use for him after that. Whom ever he?s working for knows about
the rise of the Immortal Watcher and struck a deal with him to prevent it.?

Angel stepped up into Quentin?s view. ?You know who he?s working for, don?t you??

His head shot up. ?I have no idea. You must believe me.?

Angel reached down and brought the man off the couch and dangled him in the air. He
shifted into game-face. ?You KNOW who he?s working for.? Angel put him down and leaned
into his neck. ?Do you know how long it?s been since I?ve tasted the blood of a human
directly from the source?? He sniffed his neck. ?Too long.? He leaned in for a bite.

?Rayne!? Quentin shook with fear. ?Ethan Rayne . . .he?s working for Ethan Rayne!!?

Angel tossed him back on the couch and turned to Giles. ?Think that?s everything??

?For his sake I hope so.?

The elevator doors opened and Cordelia walked in. She saw the scene before her and walked
up to Angel. ?What?s going on??

He shifted out of game-face immediately. ?Cordelia. We found the missing pages and
Quentin here was filling in the blanks for us.?

?Ohhh.? She nodded her head as if she understood.

Buffy rejoined the conversation. ?Now can I kill him??

Willow took a deep breath and spoke up. ?No. They planned this all along. Richard knew
about this too, didn?t he?? She didn?t wait for the answer. ?The only way we could have
found those missing pages is if you wanted us to. This has to do with the dream I had and
the death of the slayer.? She walked up and hovered over him. ?It?s not going to happen,
Quentin. . .mark my words, it?ll NEVER happen. Not as long as I?m alive!? With her last
words the house shook with a roll of thunder and they saw lightening flash outside the
window.

He spoke in an eerily calm voice. ?That?s what we?re all afraid of my dear.?

-----------




--
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.

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