Finding Her Way Home
by rebelrsr
Chapter 22
[reviews]
Disclaimer: All things Buffy belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and lots of people in expensive suits. I'm not making any money here, just trying to create a happier Buffyverse for my favorite characters.
Spoilers, etc.: Pretty much everything after the Gift.
A/N: Character thoughts are enclosed by **. Flashbacks are enclosed by //. Thanks to Ivy, Malea, Zenithar, and Zigpal for the beta and encouragement! I couldn't do it without you.
Archiving: By permission only.
A/N2: I'm mixing parts of S6 and S7 with very little regard to canon. For purposes of the fic, Dawn is over the age of consent *wink*.
Buffy finished the last of her breakfast and smiled at Willow. "You ready to face the gang, Wills?"
"No," Willow answered with a quirky grin. "I'd much rather be hiding out in the guest house." She kissed Buffy lightly. "But, I think I'm ready to unveil the new me."
Standing and taking her plate to the sink, Buffy considered that. "You know, we've always been there for each other, but this is way more now." She reached through the link, holding Willow closely in her mind. They stayed huddled together as Buffy washed her dishes and then returned to the table. "They're here, aren't they?" she asked.
"Yep. I felt them cross the warding a few minutes ago. How did you know?"
"Faith." Buffy put a hand on Willow's shoulder when she sensed her witch tense. "Careful, baby. She's changed. I can tell." She grinned at the feisty look in Willow's green eyes. "Hey, you aren't going to go all Jealous Will are ya? You can only do that when I can drag you off and prove my love for you."
Willow blushed and ducked her head. "Buffy!"
Laughing, the Slayer pulled her witch to her feet. "Let's go make sure our families don't kill each other, 'k?" Hand in hand, Buffy and Willow walked to the front porch, staring down the long drive. "Think Kirsten's ever going to forgive you for redecorating?"
"Um, not any time soon." Willow looked at the remains of the once-lovely rock garden. "I don't think she's big on magical repairing, either." She wrinkled her nose. "Kirsten's got plans to teach me the fine art of gardening."
"Nice. Remind me to be long gone before she hands me a pair of gloves, too." Buffy tilted her head. "Will? It's not just the Scoobies."
Willow frowned, feeling along their link. "What are...?" She tapped her reservoir and pushed a tendril of power toward the approaching vehicles. "There are three of them." Her voice lost some of the tension. "They feel a little like Drew. I wonder if Giles is bringing in some of the Potentials?"
"What are those? Witches?" Buffy asked.
"No." Willow blushed. "I guess you haven't gotten all the big news. There are girls who carry the Slayer Potential. According to Mom and Mama, the Council identifies them and then trains them."
Quietly, Buffy considered that. "It makes sense. I mean, Merrick didn't find me until after I'd been Called. He always said I'd flown under the radar." Running her hand through her hair, she shrugged. "Guess Giles did know some of what Kirsten was talking about, then."
"Hey! No borrowing trouble, Buff." Willow wasn't going to let the blonde fall back into her depression. "Wait until they get here, and we have a chance to talk. Give him a chance to explain, sweetie."
Buffy didn't reply. Her attention was riveted on the two vehicles entering the circular drive. Willow felt the fear backing up in the conduit. Unfortunately, her own scattered emotions added to the block. Forcing her mind to clear, she slowly worked on evening out the lingering regret and bitterness. By the time the Jeep and the mini-van stopped, she was relatively calm.
Doors opened and the gang emerged. "Come on, sweetie, let's go say hi." Willow pulled a very reluctant Buffy down the steps and through the charred garden. There were some new faces in the group that stood waiting for them. Willow focused there first. Time enough to deal with the core group. "I'm Willow," she announced. "My family's inside. Why don't you go on in. They can start the explanations and introductions."
Two of the girls left immediately, perhaps sensing the tension in the people around them. "Hi, Willow," the remaining teen said, sliding into the witch's personal space. Dark eyes peered up at the taller girl. "I'm Kennedy," she purred.
Willow felt the surge of primal rage pulse through her link to Buffy and scrambled to keep the peace. This Slayer wanna-be wouldn't stand a chance against a fighter of Buffy's caliber. "Well, Kennedy, welcome to the ranch. I'm sure you'll find everything you need inside." She stepped past the short brunette, making sure to keep a firm hold on her Slayer. Buffy was nearly vibrating with the need to take on her challenger.
For a brief moment, it appeared to work. Kennedy turned her head to watch Willow walk away — and then she crossed the line. A small hand reached out and gripped the redhead's arm. Before Willow could do anything, Buffy exploded. Two hands latched on to Kennedy's jacket, lifting her easily off the ground.
Kennedy was too stunned to react. She hung, helpless.
In the back of her mind, the redhead felt Faith take a hesitant step in their direction, and she held up a warning hand. Slowly, carefully, Willow released enough energy to leach off some of Buffy's emotions. The witch trembled as the dark feelings cascaded through her. Using magic like a sieve, she drained the powerful rage out of Buffy's energy and sent it back to her Slayer, purified.
Willow moved closer to the pair, and placed a gentle hand on Buffy's right arm. The blonde turned to her. Buffy's eyes glowed a deep orange and a low growl tore from her throat. Continuing the purification and sending calming thoughts and her love through the link, Willow shut out all external distractions. "Buffy, leave her alone, sweetie. She didn't know about us. How could she?"
"She's one of us," Buffy snarled. "I can feel the Line running through her. She touched you. No one touches what's mine."
"Kennedy's not touching me now, Buffy. Let it go. She won't do it again." Willow turned solid blue eyes on the frightened teen. "Tell her you won't touch me again, Kennedy. Be convincing."
Nodding frantically and staring at Buffy, Kennedy rushed to reassure the Slayer. "Hey, sorry about the grab. I didn't know you two were together." She tried to smile. "It's good. I mean, I can do my looking elsewhere, you know? No more touching Willow."
For a brief moment, Willow considered letting Buffy take one good swing at the arrogant brunette. The girl was far too insincere to placate her Slayer, but they didn't have time for this. "OK, Buffy. Power down on the Slayer, sweetie." Willow sighed in relief when Buffy's eyes went back to hazel and the killing rage receded.
"Sorry, Wills." Buffy mumbled. The Slayer dropped Kennedy back to the ground, and blushed as she turned to face the redhead. "Didn't see that coming." Peeking around Willow's shoulder, she grinned a little at the shocked faces. "Um, hi, guys. Guess this wasn't the best way to make the announcement, huh?"
Faith's husky chuckle filled the air. "Hell, B, Junior there was such a pain on the trip, I'da liked to see you smack her down."
Stepping away from Willow, Buffy took in the other Slayer. "Well, yeah, but you know Will. She's never been big on the violence."
Reaching back through their link, the Slayer whispered, *I'm OK. I promise. Let her go and help me with the gang. Xander's drooling; probably with visions of us in his head.*
It was enough. Willow flicked a glance at the young Potential. "I'd go inside, if I were you, Kennedy," she commented coldly. Looking mutinous, the brunette stalked toward the porch. "Well, that certainly livened things up," she remarked, linking her hand with Buffy's as she faced the Scoobies. "Sorry for the show, but *what* is her problem?"
Rubbing a hand over his hair, Giles commented, "Too much privilege and no boundaries, I am afraid."
An uncomfortable silence fell.
Buffy took a deep breath. "Thanks for coming, guys. I guess you have some new info on the Big Bad." She looked at all her old friends. "Will's family has a place set up for us. If you want, we can take this inside." Buffy met Giles' eyes. "After the whole group thing, we can split up and research and, um, catch up on stuff."
Everyone shuffled inside and got settled in the large living room-turned-research center. Jennifer smiled at the large, uncomfortable group. "I hope you know that you are welcome here. Despite the problems on the way, you've all been part of Willow's life, and you are family." She turned to Giles. "Mr. Giles, you called the meeting; would you like to start?"
"Thank you, Mrs. Hirsh," he muttered. Leaning back into the couch and rubbing his hands along his pant legs, he searched for words. "When Buffy first called me several days ago, I discovered a prophecy that seemed to revolve around Willow and a great evil. I immediately began to research; unfortunately, the Council's records were incomplete." Giles took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I enlisted the help of some Watchers I trusted, and we found one of the oldest works, a Watcher's Codex from the 13th century, that mentioned a similar prophecy."
Trying to put the older man at ease, Jennifer asked, "Do you have it for us?"
With a pained smile, Giles nodded. "Indeed, forgive me." He fumbled for his satchel, pulling out the old, battered book. He handed it to Willow's mother. "I'm afraid it is very vague. The only concrete information we discovered is that the resurrection spell released the First back into the world."
"The First?" Buffy asked. "That thing that tried to talk Angel into killing himself?"
"Yes." Replacing his glasses, Giles looked at his charge. "Apparently, when Angel broke the First's hold and chose to be a Champion of Light, the First had to go into hiding of sorts. It needed to gather power, build its army. By the time of the resurrection spell, it was ready to try again. What you and Angel experienced four years ago is nothing compared to its might now."
"So, what kinda army?" Faith sat on the floor, idly playing with Dawn's shoestrings.
"I have no idea," Giles admitted with a grimace. "The tomes which may have helped us are all gone now." He looked around the room. "Willow, Buffy, the Council have been destroyed. Only a handful of Watchers remain around the world. The First has begun exterminating Potential Slayers and Watchers alike, and the Council Headquarters is a pile of smoldering rubble."
Struggling to come to terms with that statement, Buffy stared at Giles. "But, you're OK, right?"
Giles' eyes glittered in the sunlight from the window. "Yes, my dear. A little worn from the long trip, but I assure you, I am fine."
"What are we looking for, then?" Kirsten smiled apologetically at Watcher and Slayer. Interrupting their reunion was necessary. "We need information on the types and numbers of demons under his command. What else?"
"Magic," Willow chimed in. "He was able to tap my potential. I'm sure he has his own power base now. In Sunnydale, there are a lot of witches he can drain." She paled. "Jennifer, could her somehow tap the Hellmouth itself?"
"I'd hate to think so, but..." Jennifer nodded. "We'll add that to the research list. I'd also like to know more about the prophecy. It won't really affect the rest of the preparation, but we may need to be prepared for certain signs or portents."
"Giles, are there more Potentials? I mean, other than Kennedy and the other two?" Buffy had to concentrate on not growling the brunette Potential's name.
"Yes. But, we've lost contact with them."
"We could use their help," Kirsten interjected. "Jenny, Willow? Is there a way to set up a homing beacon? Get them headed this way without knowing exactly where they are?"
The two witches looked at each other. "I'm going with yes, but let's table that one until we get all the current info organized," Willow answered. "Tara, I'm thinking there's going to be heavy casualties this time. You're a healer. Can you work with Mom or maybe Drew to set up a plan for getting the injured someplace to heal?"
"I think we're clear on witch-y tasks." Buffy glanced at Faith. "I'm not built for too much book time. Faith and I can work with the new kids. They'll need some seasoning before we can send them out on patrol."
Kirsten looked disturbed. "You're assuming a return to Sunnydale?"
"That's where the Hellmouth is. We can't leave the town unprotected. Plus, if the beacon spell doesn't work, we still may get a few refugees that know my location." Buffy frowned. "Where were you thinking of setting up shop?"
"Here, of course. I thought that's what you had in mind when we talked this morning."
"B, what if me and Blondie head back into town?" Faith asked. "You and Red can stay here and work with the little girls. I, um, I ain't much of a role model and all, but I can keep an eye on things in town, let you know what's on the way."
"The plan doesn't suck," Buffy muttered. "I just don't like making you take on all the vamps and demons the Hellmouth will start pumping out."
"I'll go, too," Drew said quietly. She smiled when the Scoobies looked at her blankly. "I'm one of Willow's sisters. I'm a witch, and I have Slayer potential. That makes me an assistant for both sides of the fight."
"Looks like we have a plan, then." Faith nodded. "I know you don't wanna leave SunnyD unprotected and all, B, but me and Blondie been up since yesterday. I'm kinda not ready for the drive back. Could we catch some sleep, get an update on what the research crew finds, and head back this evening?"
Buffy nodded. "Yeah. We need you on your game."
"That's my cue, then." Kirsten stood. "OK, ladies. We've got some spare rooms upstairs." It was clear the meeting was breaking up. Jenny was already grabbing books off the shelves. Xander, Dawn, and Anya got up to help her. Soon, only Buffy, Willow, and Giles remained.
"So, Giles, I think I've got some questions about Slayers and Witches," Buffy began.