Causatum
by sailor80
Seven
[reviews]
By 5:30 p.m., everyone had gathered at the Magic Box. Giles had a box the size of a case of paper that he slid across the floor to Willow. "It's addressed to you," he explained.
"I need something to open it with," she said. Xander passed her his all-in-one tool. She found the blade and opened it. She sliced through the tape all around the box, closed the blade, and handed the tool back to Xander.
She pulled the lid off and her eyes got wide. "Cool," she said, and pulled out the first box. It had an envelope with her name taped to it. Willow opened the envelope and read the letter. "Dear Miss. Rosenberg, I sent these to you as I understand you are the group's technology guru. I believe these will serve your purposes better than simple cellular phones, but if I am mistaken, we will replace them with whatever you specify. Each is programmed with the other numbers, including the one-touch function, and should be ready to go out of the box. Sincerely, Meredith Davies"
"Wow," Willow said softly. She pulled out the next box. It had Buffy's name on it, and Willow handed it to her.
"What's this?" Buffy asked.
"Your phone," Willow said. She pulled the other boxes out and handed them around the table. There was one for everyone, including Anya, Aislin, and Dawn.
"This doesn't look like a phone," Buffy said, frowning.
"It's way better," Willow told her. "It has a walkie-talkie feature, and we can send text messages to each other. It does a lot of other things. Trust me, it's way better than just a phone."
"You'll have to show me how to use it," Buffy said.
"Me, too," the others chorused. Giles just frowned at the box.
"No problem." Willow pulled her Blackberry from the box and turned it on. She pulled the manual out of the box and put the machine and its instructions on top of the box. Willow turned to Buffy, who had removed her machine from its box. She showed Buffy the on switch and directed her to the built-in games. She kissed her cheek and told her, "I'll show you all the bells and whistles later."
"Uh huh." Buffy was all ready engrossed in the game.
She went to the others one by one and showed them the basic functions. She left Giles for last. She was surprised by his interest in the gadget.
After they settled down from the excitement of getting new toys, they got down to business. Anya wanted to talk about the money first. It was a short discussion that ended with them agreeing to let her manage their accounts.
They also knew that demon activity was low, but knew by now that as the weather improved, things quieted down. That left only Willow. She sighed before beginning. "There's something a little odd going on," she started soberly. "I feel really stupid about it." She looked down at the table.
Buffy put her hand on Willow's back. When the redhead didn't say anything more, Buffy took over. "It's not just Will," she said. "It's both of us, and Dawn. It's like we're connected. Well, Will and I. And when Dawn touches both of us at the same time, it's, um, something happens."
Giles, Tara and Aislin looked at them speculatively. "Could you be more specific?" Giles asked.
"I don't feel right unless Dawn or Buffy are touching me," Willow said quietly.
"Me, too. Not Dawn, but Willow," Buffy added.
"When I touch both of them at the same time, I feel something," Dawn said. "I don't know how to explain it."
Aislin took Tara's hand under the table and looked at them one at a time. "Buffy, could you let go of Willow for a second?"
Buffy looked at Willow for confirmation before removing her hand. Aislin looked at them again. "Thank you," she said, and Buffy immediately replaced her hand on Willow's back.
"Dawn, could you touch them, please?" Aislin asked.
Dawn slid from her seat and stood behind Willow and Buffy. She put her hand on Buffy's shoulder first, then Willow's. Again, they felt as if a circuit completed.
"Wow," Aislin said quietly, and squeezed Tara's hand. Tara said nothing, but surprise showed on her face. "Thank you, Dawn," Aislin said finally, and Dawn returned to her seat.
"Well?" Buffy asked. "You saw something."
"I did," Aislin agreed. "I just don't know what."
"You fit together," Tara said. "You and Willow, and you and Willow and Dawn."
"Fit together how?" Willow asked.
"Um, like puzzle pieces, I guess is the easiest way to explain it," Tara answered. "You and Buffy mesh and that makes something greater than either of you alone. When Dawn gets added, it's phenomenal."
"Your auras are so bright," Aislin said. "Singularly, and when you start combining them, they become blinding."
"What's it mean?" Buffy demanded.
"I don't know," Aislin said. "I've never seen anything like it."
"I have," Anya volunteered. "Never with three, only with two. And only a few times."
"What's it mean?" Buffy asked impatiently.
"I don't know," Anya said. "I just saw it."
"I'll see what I can find out," Giles interjected.
"Are we done?" Dawn asked.
"Unless anyone has something more," Giles said.
"Good. I'm starving. What's for dinner, Buffy?"
"Pick a restaurant," Buffy said absently. She leaned closer to Willow. "You okay?" she murmured.
Willow shrugged. She stood, pushing the chair back. The Blackberry went into a pocket, and its manual back into the box. She picked up the box and her backpack and headed toward the door. Buffy scrambled to follow. Dawn reached Willow first.
"Willow, are you okay?" She reached to touch her, but Willow ducked away.
"I'm fine, Dawn," Willow answered. She opened the door and stepped through to the sidewalk.
Dawn looked back at Buffy. They wore identical expressions of worry. Tara followed Willow out the door.
"Willow," she called.
Willow stopped but didn't turn around. She waited for Tara to reach her side.
"Willow," Tara repeated.
"What?" Willow answered without looking at Tara.
"I haven't seen you. I hoped we could have dinner."
"Maybe another time." Willow stubbornly refused to meet Tara's eyes.
"Will, please don't do this."
"I don't know how to not do it, Tara. How do I not be a freak?"
"You're not a freak."
"That's what it feels like," Willow said. She stared past Tara to a brick building and began counting the bricks.
"I wish you could see yourself like I do," Tara told her. "You're beautiful, Willow, inside and out." She reached toward Willow.
Willow shied away from her touch and took a step away from Tara. Tara dropped her arm to her side. She took a step toward Willow and captured her hand before Willow could stop her or before she could change her mind. To Tara's relief, she didn't get a feeling of wrongness from Willow. It didn't register that she felt nothing except skin. "Come to dinner, Will, please."
"Tara," Willow pleaded, and tried to pull her hand free.
"It's just dinner, Will." Tara held on to her hand. "A nice family dinner, you and me and Buffy and Dawn and the others, if they'll come. We've got things to celebrate, and it won't be complete without you."
Willow sighed hugely. "You don't play fair."
Tara smiled and pulled Willow back toward the Magic Box. "I'll take that for a yes."