Heroes and Lovers
by als
Chapter 10 — Trouble Stirring
[reviews]
Willow smiled as she walked toward the library. Despite her unintentional efforts to frighten Tara away, the blonde witch actually wanted to be friends with her! They'd both been going to the Wicca group meetings looking for the same thing: other real witches to practice with.
A sudden chill went through Willow as she walked up the steps to the library door. It immediately washed away all of her happy thoughts and good feelings about her discussion with Tara, replacing them with a deep dread and a distinct sense of unease. Closing her eyes for a moment, Willow focused on the feelings, trying to make sense of them. "Buffy!" she gasped. Her eyes snapped open and she turned, taking off at a sprint for Stevenson Hall.
* * * * *
Buffy was heading out to look for Willow when the redhead burst through the door. Her usually calm girl was clearly agitated. "Buffy! Are you okay?" she asked breathlessly. "I had this awful feeling that something was wrong...so I came as fast as I could."
Buffy threw her arms around the upset witch and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Will, it's okay, everything's okay."
"But, I felt something from you. Like you were dreading something, or something bad had happened," Willow hugged her fiercely, before pulling back just enough to look her in the face. "Was it Riley? Did something bad happen, 'cause if it did, I'll beat him to death with a shovel and..."
"You could sense that?" Buffy's jaw dropped open. "That I was upset after my talk with Riley?"
Willow grinned sheepishly, "It's because I've fed from you so much lately." She noticed the confused look on the blonde's face. "The more often I feed from a single person, the more connected to them I become."
Buffy closed her mouth and narrowed her eyes at her lover, "And you knew this would happen?"
The deep red blush that flushed her face answered that question before she even spoke, "I, uh, knew it was a possibility... but not that it would happen for sure... or even that it would happen after just a couple days." A slightly worried look crept across Willow's features, "I should have mentioned it. I'm sorry. The more often I feed from you, the stronger the connection will get; it'll also start to work both ways...probably."
"Both ways?" Buffy asked.
"You might be able to sense what I'm thinking and feeling, the way I can sense you," Willow bit her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Or, if this is giving you wiggins, I...well, I could stop feeding from you, and it should fade."
The blonde smiled, "It's not a problem, Will. I think it's cool that we'll be able to sense each other's thoughts and feelings. I was just worried that..." She broke off, looking embarrassed about what she was about to say, "Well, it's just that I don't think... we should have any secrets between us. We kept how we felt secret from each other for so long that we almost lost out on our chance to be together..."
Willow leaned in and captured Buffy's lips in a soft kiss. After a few moments, she pulled back, breaking off the kiss, and whispered, "You're right. No more secrets." Then she pulled back and gave the Slayer a sly grin, before asking innocently, "Does that include details about other people we've been with?"
Buffy was absolutely certain that she turned as red as Willow's hair at that question and its implications, but refused to back down, "That includes anything you want to know my love, but we'll have time for that later... we need to go see Giles."
"Oh! And we should talk to him about Spike last night too... A ghostly-vampire isn't exactly normal... even if we grade on the 'We-live-on-a-Hellmouth' curve," Willow added a moment later as they walked out of the room and into the hallway.
'It's time for the whole world to know this girl is mine,' Buffy thought, taking Willow's hand.
"Very true... plus we probably need to patrol tonight," she said, intertwining their fingers as she pulled the door to their room closed behind them.
"Oh, and I think Porter dorm's having a 'We Got Our Voices Back' party tonight," Willow said, smiling as one of the male residents of their dorm stared at them briefly, having noticed the distinctly couple-type handholding going on.
"Ah, this from the dorm that brought us the 'Somebody Sneezed' party and the 'Day that ends in Y' party," she quipped happily.
"Well, they are pretty generous with the milestones... We should stop by after; there should be much fun to be had."
"Sounds very plan-like to me."
* * * * *
'We're holding hands... in public even!' Willow thought happily as she and Buffy walked across the campus to Giles'. 'But what does that mean?' another, less certain, voice asked in the back of her mind.
"Uh, Buffy?" she asked gently. When the blonde looked at her, she hesitated for a moment and then dove right in, "You know, not that I mind or anything, but uh, with the handholding thing? Does this mean we're together? I mean, like together-together, cause you know, obviously we're together walking but — "
"Do you..." Buffy paused, sounding uncertain, but hopeful, "want to be together like that? To be my... girlfriend?" She bit her lip nervously after she said it, as though afraid of what Willow would say next.
Willow's heart was in her throat. 'Is she asking me because it's what she wants, or because she thinks it's what I want?' she wondered. She stopped walking, and turned to Buffy.
"Do you want me to be your girlfriend, Buffy?" She swallowed hard, trying to keep her own insecurities from showing. She desperately needed to be sure that this was what Buffy wanted before she could answer.
Buffy looked her in the eyes, "Willow, I want it more then anything. I spent so much time trying to hide my feelings for you... and then I nearly lost you forever. I know I said that I didn't want to rush you into anything you'd regret..." She paused and took a deep breath. "But I can't do this without you. Every night since I went to face the Master, I've gone out and fought demons and vampires, not because of some sacred duty... I've done it to make the world safer for you. I love you Will, and I want to be with you forever."
"Oh, Buffy..." Willow's voice broke as she spoke, tears streaming down her face. She put her arms around the petite blonde and pulled her close, kissing her passionately. "I want this too," she said softly, several kisses later. "I want it so much, that I keep expecting to wake up, to find that this was all just a wonderful dream."
The look of absolute joy on Buffy's face told Willow everything she wanted to know about how the other girl felt about the news. After several more minutes of celebratory kissing, she pulled back slightly and looked into Buffy's eyes, "I love you Buffy, but unless we want to continue giving the campus a free show, we should probably get going."
Buffy cocked her head, with a wicked twinkle in her eye, as though considering the options. "I guess you're right," she admitted with mock reluctance. Smiling brightly, the blonde took Willow's hand and started walking again.
As they entered the courtyard of Giles' apartment, Buffy stopped suddenly and turned to face Willow. "Will, are we going to tell everyone?" she asked abruptly. "I mean about us...being together. I mean, I want to, I want to shout it from the rooftop for the entire world to hear... but if you aren't ready... I mean, this is kind of a big deal and we can keep it secret until you're ready..."
Willow realized that she hadn't really thought about it. She knew what Buffy meant about wanting to tell everyone, but it was scary. How would they react? Would they freak out knowing that she and Buffy were getting all couple-y? Then she remembered how Giles reacted when she told him that she was in love with Buffy. 'They may not understand right away,' she thought. 'And Xander may be a little hurt by it, but they're our friends and they'll be happy for us.'
She smiled; suddenly completely sure of herself in a way that she never thought was possible. She walked wordlessly to Giles' door and knocked before turning to Buffy and saying, "I think we should tell everyone."
"You should tell everyone what?" Giles asked, having opened the door in time to hear her declaration.
* * * * *
Buffy looked at her ex-Watcher in surprise. It seemed somehow absurd that after everything she had faced and all the apocalypses she had stopped, she should suddenly be so scared of telling Giles about her new relationship with Willow. But somehow over the past few years, he'd become so much more than just her Watcher, he was more like a father to her than Hank Summers had ever been, and the thought that he might not approve terrified her beyond words. The very notion was like ice-water in her veins.
She felt Willow's hand slip into her own, and give a gentle, reassuring squeeze. She glanced at the redhead and couldn't help but smile at the silent support; a part of her knew that no matter what how she responded to Giles, that it would be okay. She could feel Willow's unconditional support and love flowing through her and for the first time in her life, Buffy was completely content.
She turned back to Giles and smiled broadly before answering, "Giles, Willow and I are in love...with each other." Despite everything, she mentally braced herself for his response.
The Englishman smiled at her warmly before he spoke, "Buffy, Willow that's wonderful news. I hope the two of you will be very happy together. You certainly deserve it."
It took several moments for his words to sink in. Of all the responses she'd imagined, this was one she had most hoped for and least expected. Willow spoke almost immediately, as she impulsively threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Giles. You've no idea how much your approval means...to both of us."
"You really do...approve, don't you?" Buffy asked tentatively, as Willow released him and stepped back, smiling. "I mean..."
He smiled reassuringly, "Yes, Buffy, I most certainly do. I've suspected how you both felt for some time now, and I'm quite pleased that the two of you have finally admitted it to one another."
She smiled broadly and threw her arms around Giles, hugging him fiercely. "Thank you, Giles!" she whispered as happy tears began to spill down her face.
* * * * *
Willow couldn't help but smile as Buffy hugged the man they both treated like a father. She could feel the relief and happiness radiating from her girl, and it was an amazing feeling. Suddenly all of her fears and doubts about how her friends and family would react to the news seemed so silly.
When the petite blonde finally released her ex-Watcher, she turned immediately to Willow. With a joyful smile, Buffy pulled the redhead close and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. For a brief moment, the world around them fell away and nothing else existed. In that instant, Willow opened herself to Buffy's emotions, drawing strength from the Slayer's emotions, and she felt complete for the very first time in her life.
The soft sound of a startled cough from Giles was all it took to shatter that moment, and the world exploded back into being around them. Reluctantly, Willow stopped her feeding and pulled away from her lover with a sheepish grin. Giles was polishing his glasses and staring intently at the ground, which was more or less what she'd expected to have happen.
'Sometimes,' she thought amusedly, 'he's so English it's painful to watch.' Buffy's soft laughter echoed through her mind in response and the blonde grinned mischievously.
Willow's eyes widened in shock as she heard Buffy think, 'I bet we could make him blush as red as your hair, Will.'
'Vixen!' she thought back. She recognized the wicked gleam in Buffy's eyes and realized that the Slayer had chosen to take that as a challenge...or possibly as permission...to see if they really could make Giles blush that badly.
Acting quickly, Willow interrupted the blonde's plan, "Giles, Spike is back. Well, sort of anyway. He's all incorporeal and he picked last night to do the ghost thing in our dorm room..."
Giles' smile slipped slightly as he put his glasses back on, "Spike? Are you quite certain?"
Willow smiled slightly as Buffy's entire demeanor changed before she spoke. Suddenly she went from being just Buffy to being the Slayer: all business and entirely focused on the baddy of the week and how to take it down. It was a change that Willow had seen a thousand times but it still surprised her.
"It was definitely Spike, Giles," Buffy confirmed. "No one else could possibly have been that annoying."
"Ah, yes, well... I can't recall having ever encountered an instance of a vampire returning as a ghost, but I'll certainly look into it." Giles glanced over his shoulder, clearly thinking aloud, "Perhaps there's a reference to it in one of the older Watcher's diaries..."
'Should we tell him what you found out about Riley and the commandos?' Willow asked Buffy silently.
'I don't think so, not yet anyway. Riley was pretty specific that it would be safer for everyone if I kept quiet. I wouldn't want to put him in any unnecessary danger until we have to,' she replied.
* * * * *
Maggie Walsh looked over the soldiers that comprised the Initiative's Sunnydale field teams. They had long been aware that Sunnydale was an extreme hot spot for Sub-Terrestrial activity and as such, the agents assigned to her operation were among the best the military had to offer. She smiled slightly at the thought that her work was making them even better. She cleared her throat and instantly, the room went deathly quiet, with all eyes on her.
"Gentlemen, this is your objective." She pushed a button on a remote she was carrying and an image of Buffy appeared on the monitor for everyone to see. "This hostile goes by the name of Buffy Summers and is the active Vampire Slayer. Agent Finn has seen the hostile in action and will brief you on the target's particular hazards and defenses."
Riley stood up and turned to address the commando teams. "As Professor Walsh has stated, the hostile in question is a Vampire Slayer. She appears to be a normal human female, but don't be fooled. She is stronger and faster than any sub-T we've faced to date. The target is also extremely resilient, difficult to hurt, and heals quickly." Riley pointedly looked each of his team leaders in the face, one after the other, as he spoke, emphasizing his point. "It's a combination of abilities that make the hostile extremely dangerous."
"The target's primary means of attack is to engage hand-to-hand where its strength and speed play heavily in its favor. It's also known to employ archaic weaponry: crossbows, wooden stakes, swords and the like." A couple of half-suppressed chuckles rippled through the assembled teams and Riley glared directly at the culprits. "It may seem hokey, but it's very effective. Do not underestimate it."
Professor Walsh smiled as Riley turned and sat back down. She waited a moment before continuing. "The information that we have on this Slayer is fairly limited. Reports from various sources indicate that the target is one of the most widely feared Slayers in recent decades, so we must proceed with extreme caution."
"What we do know, however, is that this hostile is aware of the existence of our operation and has made some fairly accurate guesses about our mission. The identity of at least one of our operatives has been compromised as well," she looked at Riley reprovingly. "The continued presence of the Slayer poses a significant threat to achieving our objectives, and it must be dealt with accordingly."
"As a result of the security breach, Agent Finn is restricted to base until the threat is neutralized; he'll be coordinating the tactical operations from here on in," her smile went cold as she looked around one last time. "Failure is not an option. If this threat is not dealt with, everything we've worked for could come to an end."
Riley stood back up and took the floor, "Per orders from the brass, we're doing this strictly by the book. Operation will proceed in three phases. Phase one is recon and surveillance. There are a lot of gaps in our intel, gaps that we need to fill before we can prepare an effective tactical response. Patrol teams," he paused for a moment, looking directly at Forrest before continuing, "be on the lookout for the hostile in the field at all times. Observe and record, but do not engage. "
"As some of you may know, the subject is also enrolled as a freshman here at U.C. Sunnydale. Keep your eyes open at all times; the target has been passing itself off as a normal human for years, something that it couldn't do without accomplices. We need to identify these accomplices so that they can be dealt with as well," Riley paused for a moment before continuing. "Avoid contact with the target at all times. Who's got questions?"
When no one spoke up, Riley went on, "All right then, suit up and move out, team leaders get your patrol assignments from me. Agent Gates, alpha team is yours. "
Professor Walsh smiled as she turned and walked away, confident that Riley and her boys had the situation well in hand.
* * * * *
Drusilla slid through the cool evening air, gliding in slow circles through the twilight shrouded garden of the Crawford Street mansion. She danced to music that no one else could hear, the sounds of the stars singing for her filled her ears. She smiled and laughed aloud as the breeze whispered naughty things to her.
The stars above her spoke, their soft voices giving her good news. She twirled in a slow circle, watching her stars twinkle above her. She loved to dance, and her William loved to watch her. But now, that was all her poor sad childe could do, stand aside and watch.
She stopped and turned to face her darling boy. "The Angel-beast is coming, Spike," she giggled girlishly once again, "and he's going to stay for tea." She twirled in a circle, laughing richly at the voices in her head. "But we won't let him leave until after the party," she added in a conspiratorial whisper.
She went back to her dancing. Very soon, they'd have everything they needed to help her beautiful Spike, and then the streets would run red with the blood of the innocent. It would be a lovely party.
* * * * *
"Doyle, what did you see?" Angel asked softly as the Irishman swallowed the aspirin that Cordelia had handed him, chasing them with a generous swallow of scotch.
"It's the Slayer, Angel. I saw her fighting a crazy vampiress with dark hair, I think it was Drusilla..." Doyle replied, his voice shaking slightly.
"How do you know Drusilla?" Angel asked abruptly, narrowing his eyes at the half-demon.
"That's a long...boring story for another time, right now we should make with the riding to the rescue." Doyle responded evasively.
Deciding now was not the time to press the issue, Angel turned to his other employee, "Cordelia, call Giles and let him know I'm on my way. Warn him that Dru's in Sunnydale, and she's there for Buffy." Angel spun toward the elevator, only to have Doyle grab his arm.
"You're not going alone, I'm coming with." There was a strange edge to the Irishman's voice, a hardness that Angel couldn't recall having heard before.
Angel paused for instant, considering the statement. It wasn't like Doyle to volunteer to get involved if he didn't have to. The vampire suddenly realized there was something that he'd seen that he wasn't sharing. And whatever it was, it wasn't good. He nodded a curt acceptance of Doyle's offer and the pair entered the elevator.
They'd be in Sunnydale before midnight.
* * * * *
Giles' jaw dropped open as he read. He'd spent the last several hours researching Spike's return and the implications of his ghostly state. Staring up at him from the page was a reference to an obscure volume, rumored to contain a ritual that would not only restore a ghostly vampire to corporeal form, but also render it invulnerable to any form of harm.
The only known copy of the volume was lost centuries ago, but the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach reminded Giles that lost things often managed to fall into the worst possible hands. Especially on the Hellmouth.
"Bloody hell," the former Watcher spat as the phone unexpectedly rang, startling him. He took a deep breath to steady his suddenly rattled nerves, and then scooped up the infernal device, answering it with a polite "Hello?"
"Giles! Giles you have to warn Buffy!" came an excited, vaguely familiar female voice through the phone.
"Cordelia?" he asked, confused. "Calm down. I need to warn Buffy of what?"
"Giles, Doyle had a vision. Drusilla is in Sunnydale and she's going to go after Buffy. You have to warn her. Angel and Doyle are on their way to help..."
Giles nearly dropped the phone in shock. "Are...are you certain?" The presence of Drusilla certainly made sense given Spike's return, but the implications of it were just too dire.
"Positive, Giles. Doyle's got a direct line to the Powers. His visions have never been wrong," the ex-cheerleader replied with no small amount of fear evident in her voice. "And if they're going to all the trouble to warn us, then something really bad is going to happen."
The sinking feeling in his stomach suddenly turned to pure ice. 'If Drusilla has a copy of that book,' he thought uneasily, 'then everyone in Sunnydale is in very real danger.'
"Buffy and Willow left here almost an hour ago to patrol," he replied, his voice sounding strangely flat, even to his own ears. He could only pray that the girls were okay.