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TITLE: Defenders, Inc. 1/?
AUTHOR: Monique
DISCLAIMER: Joss is God, we are but humble servants
RATING: This part is PG
FEEDBACK: Please? I need to know what you think. It inspires me!
DISTRIBUTION: Really?… no problem, just ask first
TIMELINE: Season 4 (?) Oz never existed (sorry Oz-fans)

Part One

Buffy struggled with the lock to Giles' apartment. "This thing…" she said as she tried jiggling the key again. Willow reached across and took it.

"You just need to pull back on the door, like this, then turn the key," she said as she pushed it open.

"Oh, sure," Buffy said bustling past her. "I loosened it all up for you."

Willow smiled and closed the door behind them. "Giles?" she called out although she already knew he wasn't there. The girls shrugged and flopped down onto the couch.

"What do you think this is all about?" Buffy asked. " I mean, did he tell you anything?"

"Nope. Same as you. Just to meet him at his place at three. And here it is three and here we are and he isn't." A small worried frown creased her forehead. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Well, we could watch TV," Buffy suggested, looking for the remote.

"It doesn't work," Willow said softly, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Since when?"

"Since I tried that new translocation spell."

Buffy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wills!"

"I blew out most of his appliances. He was really sweet about everything. I mean, a lot people would have gotten all mad and screamed, but he just laughed and pried the toast out of the ceiling."

"Wills, you black magic woman!"

Willows blush was interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. Buffy got up to answer it and found a breathless Xander.

"Sorry I'm late, but there was this busload of schoolchildren and a nun and - "

"He's not here," Buffy said.

"Oh," Xander said, now magically breathing at a normal rate. "Then, got any food?"

The girls smiled. The bottomless pit strikes again. "There's some left over pizza in the fridge," offered Willow. Xander and Buffy gave her a look.

"And you know this how?" Buffy asked.

Willow's blush returned. "I broke the stove too."

"I definitely missed something. But I'm pretty sure I heard the word pizza." Without missing a beat he crossed into the kitchen and helped himself.

Buffy and Willow heard a car pull up and peaked out the window.

A large black BMW sedan drew appreciative whistles from the girls which stuck in throats as Giles stepped out of the driver's side.

He looked back admiringly at the car, rubbed a speck of dirt off the hood and made his way up the walk.

Buffy threw open the door. "Giles! Mucho fabu! That embezzling scheme finally paying off?"

"Hmmm? Oh, it's a rental."

"Oh," she said a little let down that this wasn't the new Gilesmobile.

"Hello, Willow," Giles said with gentle smile. Where Buffy was all sound and fury, Willow was the calm in the center of the storm.

"Hi, Giles," she replied with a soft smile.

"Hey, Dhg-ghahn," Xander mumbled through a mouthful of pizza.

"Xander." Giles tore himself away from Willow's smile and motioned for everyone to take seats. "I imagine you're al wondering why I've asked you here today."

"I know!" Xander exclaimed dramatically. "Because someone in this room is a murderer!"

Giles sighed.

"It's not something bad is it?" asked Buffy. "Cause I'm full up on bad. No room for bad."

"No, no. Just… unusual." He frowned and started to pace, but it was a casually, he was enjoying their anticipation. He looked at Buffy, her face a mixture of worry and childlike expectation. Xander was folding his pizza slice in a attempt to get even more of it in his mouth at once. Willow was simply smiling at him, willing to let him play it at his own pace. He couldn't help, but smile in return.

"I received a most interesting phone call this morning…" he continued. "From Angel."

Buffy jumped out of her seat. "Angel? My Angel? I mean, Angel?"

Giles chuckled. "Yes."

"How is he? Is everything okay? Did he ask about me?"

"He's quite well and yes, he did ask about you. But the reason for his call was something else entirely."

"Oh," she said as she sank back into her chair.

"Let me guess," quipped Xander "He's giving you cryptic guy lessons and wanted to see how you're getting along. I'd say B plus.. Ladies?"

Giles ignored him and composed his thoughts. "It seems we've been invited down for… for a visit."

"Really?" said Buffy as she bounded out of her chair again. "Us?"

"Yes, all of us. It's all rather confused, but there's an acquaintance of his that would like to meet us."

"Fan, huh?" Xander said.

"There you go again with the us. Which is who exactly? You mean us 'us'."

Giles gave her a confused stare. "You, Xander, Willow and me. Us."

"You mean, we're road trippin' to LA?" asked Xander.

"To see Angel?"

"And Cordelia?' added Xander.

Giles sighed. "Yes." He stole a glance at Willow, who had said nothing. She was smiling faintly, pleased for her friends, but it was obvious something was bothering her.

"Woohoo!" Buffy and Xander yelled before high-fiving. Eventually, under Giles' disapproving gaze, they calmed themselves.

"That sounds…. Great," offered Buffy trying unsuccessfully yo mask her excitement.

"Yeah. Great," Xander said formally, but neither could really contain themselves. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible. I've already arranged for the car."

"Sweet!"

"I've gotta go pack. Oh God. What am I gonna wear? How long are we gonna be gone?" Buffy asked.

"I'd plan on a few days at least. Fortunately, things have been quiet on the Hellmouth. I think we can afford…"

Buffy and Xander didn't wait for him to finish and bolted out the door, each chomping at the bit at the prospect of LA smoochies.

Giles shook his head and closed the door after them. He turned to face Willow. "You've been awfully quiet."

"Who wants to meet us? I mean, why us?"

Giles sat down next to her on the couch. "I'm not sure really," he admitted. "Angel wasn't very forthcoming. Just that it could be quite important for us to meet."

Her brow furrowed in thought. "And this someone paid for the rental car?"

Giles smiled. She's so bright. He loved her quick mind and…

"Yes," he muttered watching her small hands clasped in her lap.

She bit the inside of her lip. "What's wrong, Willow?" he asked concern making his voice huskier than normal.

"Oh, nothing, I guess. I don't know." She looked up at him a bit startled by how close he was and how intently he was looking at her. "Nothing. Free trip to LA's a good thing. It'll be fun. I mean Buffy gets to see Angel and Xander gets to see Cordelia."

He took her small hand gently in his. He could see the hurt in her eyes, although she'd never admit it. He recognized the loneliness. He felt it too. Except of course when he was with her, as he had been so often these days. Between research for the Slayer and Willow's magic lessons, they spent a great deal of time together. She was wonderful company, eager yet temperate. She excelled at the abstract, but never at the cost of the immediate. He looked at the young woman next to him and wanted to… wanted to what?

"And what about you, Willow? What do you get?" he asked tentatively.

She smiled up at him. "I get you," she answered softly. His heart skipped a beat. "And all of LA," she continued. God, I really need to think before talking. Think then talk. But her thinking became muddled sometimes with Giles. Like now. She looked down at his hand covering hers and thought about it warm it felt, how safe. But this is Giles, she reminded herself. A friend. A dear friend, but still… "There's a lot to see in LA, you know. It'll be fun."

For a moment he thought she'd looked at him with… he smiled ruefully at her. Why had he taken hold her hand? She seemed so sad and he instinctively wanted to comfort her, to touch her. Yes, well, instincts you better curtail, old man. "Yes, I hope so," he said with sweet smile.

He didn't know how to sort out the feeling he had for Willow, so he did what he'd always done, tried to ignore them. He stared at her delicate hand, so small in his. He knew he should let it go. He should, but he didn't.

"Well, you should probably.. ah… make any necessary arrangements," Giles said still entranced by her soft, slender fingers.

"Hmm?" Why didn't I let go of his hand? Just sitting here holding hands was so… no… not holding hands. Giles and I are not holding hands. I mean there are hands and there is holding, but this isn't... Is it?

"Oh, yeah," she managed to say pulling herself back to reality. "Okay. Yeah. I'll go… and get ready." Tripping over her tongue she stumbled away from him and somehow managed to get to the door.

Giles watched her go, cursing himself for his lack of restraint. He'd obviously embarrassed her. He should try not to touch her. But… he sighed. But what? What indeed.

He found himself touching her more and more often. Just a simple brush of the shoulder or when he felt bold, he would hold her hand. She didn't seem to mind, really. But then why should she? It didn't mean anything. It was just familiarity. Friends who feel comfortable with each other. Nothing more. Then why did he feel a little empty each time she left? Why did he sit closer than he should? Why did he want her to look at him with…

He sighed. It was going to be an interesting trip.


Part Two


"Couldn't you have gone before we left?" Giles asked tiredly.

"I didn't have to go then," Buffy replied.

"At this rate, we won't arrive until well after midnight."

"I can't help it. When a gal's gotta go a gal's gotta-"

"Yes. Yes." Giles sighed as he pulled off into a service station yet again. "Do hurry."

"Like the wind." Buffy slid out of the car. "Coming Wills?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah," Willow answered pulling herself out of her reverie. She'd been staring at Giles most of the trip. He wasn't wearing his usual tweed, instead he looked… well, different, in a casual pair of slacks and dress shirt, no tie. Travelling clothes, she mused. Really must travel more often.

"Anybody want anything to eat?" Xander offered. "I sense a corndog in my future."

"Good God, Xander. Again?" Giles couldn't see how he did it.

Xander just shrugged and dashed off into the quickie mart.

A few minutes later, Buffy and Willow reappeared with wrinkly noses. "I think I'll just hold it," Buffy said.

Thankfully, Xander returned without much delay and they were back on the road. Less than an hour later they had finally arrived in Los Angeles. Their hotel was just off the Sunset strip in Hollywood.

After checking in they followed the bellboy up their suite. And what a suite it was. The main room was huge, with high ceilings and large foyer. Each of them would have their own bedrooms adjoining the living room.

Buffy made a beeline for the nearest restroom.

"Here's your kitchen," said the bell boy in his usual patter. "It's well stocked, but if there's anything special you want, just call the concierge." He handed Giles four keys and set about placing the bags in the various bedrooms.

Willow and Giles exchanged looks of surprise. "This is pretty fancy," Willow said.

"Yes," Giles agreed with a bit of a frown.

"Wow!" Xander yelled from his bedroom. "There's a mirror on the ceiling. Wills, you gotta check it out."

Willow giggled and Giles cleared his throat.

Buffy reappeared. "There's a TV in the bathroom! That is so cool."

"Yes, well, it's late. I suggest we all get some rest," Giles offered.

"But shouldn't we call Angel. Just let him know we got here alright?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"I suppose we should."

"Will there be anything else?" asked the bellboy as he prepared to leave.

"No. No thank you," Giles said as he reached into his pocket for a tip, but the bellboy raised a hand to stop him.

"Already taken care of, Mr. Giles. My name's Eddie, if you need anything, just let me know. Enjoy your stay." He smiled and made his exit.

"Let's order room service," Xander suggested.

"Xander, please," Giles sighed as he took the phone from the young man. He noticed the red message light was blinking. He punched in the code and listened or tried to listen to the message.

"Is it Angel? Did he ask about me?" Buffy buzzed.

Giles tried to shush her, but she ignored him.

"Is he coming over? Where is he?"

Giles finally hung up. "Yes, it was Angel. Seems he has some business to attend to tonight, so he'll contact us in the morning."

Buffy face fell. "Don't worry, Buffy," Willow offered brightly. "It's almost morning already."

"Yes, and on that note… Goodnight." Giles said with finality.

Buffy sighed, but nodded and headed off to her room. "Goodnight."

"Night," yawned Xander as he made his way to his bedroom.

"Goodnight, Giles," said Willow with a sleepy smile.

"Sweet dreams, Willow." He watched the door to her bedroom close and allowed himself one last sigh. Sleep, he told himself, perchance to dream.

The morning came too quickly as they always seem to do. Giles showered and dressed and found Willow drinking tea and eating a scone.

"Blueberry or cherry?" she asked cheerfully.

"Blueberry, please," he answered, joining her at the table. "Where are the others, still sleeping?"

"Nope, gone."

"Gone?"

"Cordelia, came by early. Tea?"

"Y-yes, please. Cordelia? Early?"

Willow poured him cup. "Surprised me too. I guess she's changed a little."

"I should say."

"She was going to take Buffy to see Angel and then take Xander shopping. Fashion emergency."

"Ah, there's change and then there's change," he chuckled. "And what of us?"

"Hmm?" Willow noticed that Giles wasn't wearing tweed again… and no tie. "Oh, us… uhm, Angel said our 'benefactor' will contact us sometime tonight."

"I see. Well, that leaves us to our own devices, doesn't it?" he said with a smile. "What would you like to do today, Willow?"

"Well, there is one place I've been meaning to go, but no one ever wants to go with me. But I'm sure you'd like it. I mean, if you don't want to go, that's okay too."

He couldn't suppress a chuckle. "And where would that be, Willow?"

"The Huntington."

"The Library? I'd have thought you'd had your fill of libraries."

"Well," she smiled shyly. "I like them and anyway, this is place is special."

Her blush was so beautiful. A lovely young woman who wanted to spend the day with him… A friend, he reminded himself. A lovely, young… very young… friend.

"The Huntington it is," he pronounced.


Part Three


"D-d-do you know what this is?" Giles asked virtually bubbling. "It's the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales!"

Willow's grin grew even wider, if that were possible. It was so wonderful to see him like this. A giddy Giles was truly a sight to behold.

He practically ran to the next display case. "Oh. Willow! Come see!"

"Shhh!" demanded another patron. Giles was sufficiently embarrassed, but his spirit couldn't be dampened. Willow, pleased beyond words, made her way to his side. He maneuvered her in front of him.

"This…" he whispered. "This is the double-elephant folio edition of Audubon's Birds of America."

"Mmmm… birds," Willow mumbled. She'd almost heard him, but what she really did was feel him. Giles was leaning against her, his chest pressing gently on her shoulder and back. His warm breath brushed against her cheek, his hushed tones, forcing him to lean in ever so close. She swallowed and took a deep breath, only to be assaulted by the spicy scent of the cologne he wore. She closed her eyes and a soft moan escaping her lips.

"Willow?"

Why does he have to say my name that way?

"Willow?" Why does she have to be so soft? So near? So… He cleared his throat and ducked his head nervously, finally stepping slightly away. "A-a-are you alright?"

"Fine." Was that my voice?

His green eyes clouded with concern. "P-p-perhaps some fresh air?" He gently took hold of her upper arm and gave her what he hoped was a solicitous, decidedly not aroused, grin.

Again with the touching. Touching is okay. This is Giles. Giles! Breathe. Walk. Breathe. Giles. Trip.

"Willow!" He grabbed her other arm for added support. More touching. Good lord, how… steady. He could do this…. "Are you alright?" I am a man, not an animal. This is Willow, for Christ's sake! Willow…

She struggled out of his grip. "I'm fine. Clumsy, but fine." Does he have to look at me like that? Willow quickly brushed past him and scurried to the exit. Finally, she emerged into the sunlight on the north patio. The gleaming white marble reflected the late morning sun, giving the entire area a stark clarity. Clarity good.

She took a few breaths, the rose garden was near, and the aroma heady.

"There you are. Feeling better?" Giles asked as he came to her side.

"Much." She turned and gave him a smile. She really did feel wonderful. The sun was warm on her skin, a slight breeze lifting the varying fragrances across the wind. And Giles. Giles…

He cocked his head to the side, wishing he could read her mind. She wore that special smile, the one that went straight to his heart. She can be so mercurial, so close and yet so far away.

"Would you like to see the gardens?" she asked. "They're the best part."

"Yes, I would."

She leaned in, her tone conspiratorial. "Don't tell the books I said that."

"I promise," he swore solemnly.

They made their way down the small staircase that led the first of many winding paths. Willow knew where she wanted to go and Giles let her direct their course.

"It's a bit of a walk," she said.

"I don't mind," he replied companionably.

"Good." Suddenly emboldened, Willow held out her hand. Perhaps it was the was the sun, or the trees or maybe… just maybe, it was something else entirely.

With a shy smile, he took the offered hand and held it gently. He eased his stride to match hers. For once, there was no rush, no need to hurry to the next destination. Here, time was unearthly, languid, mild. Here, there was only the journey… and it was enough.

They walked hand in hand, a tender silence their only companion. Soon, the small path opened into a large expanse of lush green lawns. Stone statues lined the edges, each representing allegorical and mythological figures. A great baroque Italian fountain lay at the far end of the north vista.

"Not bad," Willow said, breaking the spell.

He squeezed her hand and looked at her with deep affection. "Not bad at all."

She dipped her head, the weight of his gaze too much. She tugged on his hand. "Come on, Giles. There's so much more."

He chuckled softly and dutifully followed.

They left the great lawn as Willow lead them down another small, winding path. "This next one is good for thoughts… deep thoughts," she said with a giggle.

"You're sure you've never been here before?"

"Nope, never. I feel like I have though." She stopped abruptly and turned a serious look in her eyes. "Have you ever felt that way?"

"Yes," he said simply and without elaboration. He had felt that way, did feel that way. But not about a place, or a garden or a view, but about a woman. This woman.

She wanted to press him, but knew that Giles wasn't someone you forced things from. When he was ready, he'd give you what he had. She nodded with an understanding she didn't feel and they continued down the path.

Again he followed, unsure of where she was leading him, unsure what lay around the next bend, and not caring in the least, the hand in his banishing all other thought.

In all of our lives there are defining moments. Times when we choose one destiny over another. Choices… Each with its own hazards, each with its own rewards.

And for Rupert Giles, this was one of those moments.

He wouldn't realize it until much later, but here….now…

He chose her.

There on a nameless path in the midmorning sun, Giles had made his choice and lay claim to his future.

Hand in hand they walked.


Part Four

The rest of the day passed easily, swiftly, beautifully. Apart from the world, each letting the enchantment of the gardens guide them.

With the first long shadows came a sort of melancholy that often follows paradise. The sun dipping onto the horizon, reminding them of their places, of their burdens. The day was ending and night soon to begin. The night was a haven not just for vampires and monsters, but fear and doubt.

The drive back to the hotel was quiet, each lost in thoughts of the day gone by. Giles stole a glance at Willow. The hazy late afternoon sun gave her skin a warm glow, accenting her fiery hair. Her small mouth lifted in a gentle smile as she watched the buildings pass.

What had this all meant? Had they reached a crossroads?

The car turned up Sunset and soon they reached their hotel. Mumbling shy words of thanks they retreated to their rooms. Dinner with the gang was scheduled for 7:30, giving them just over an hour to shower and dress.

Half an hour later, Giles sat on the edge of his bed, afraid to go into the living room. This is absurd, he thought. We spent the day together, nothing more. Even if it did feel like something more, it’s folly to think it.

Normally he wouldn’t allow himself even to entertain thoughts of Willow as anything more than a friend. The idea had occurred to him, the dreams, the fleeting images of her as… But he had always quashed them, quickly. Strangely, it wasn’t so much that she was beyond his grasp that kept his heart at bay, but it was their friendship. He needed her as friend. If he was honest with himself, she was the only person in his life he saw with any frequency who treated him as an equal.

Xander and Buffy were friends, more than that… they were family. But there had always been a special quality to his relationship with Willow. She thought of him as librarian, Watcher, mentor, but also as Rupert Giles. A person. A man. In fact, she probably saw him that way more often than he saw himself. The burden of his duty tended to keep him detached from life, but she was always there to anchor him. She had comforted him, scolded him, supported him and defied him. This littlest one had bravely faced his worst demons and even won their affection.

She’s far too good for me, he thought not for the first time. You’d probably be a pathetic drunken sod, if not for her. You need her friendship too much. Don’t muck it up.

Having reached a decision of sorts, he straightened his tie and moved to the living room.

Willow sat on the sofa staring off into space. She tried to be mature, she tried to put away her girlish fantasies, but… they were sooooo good.

"Willow?"

"Hmmm? Oh! Hi." She smiled awkwardly wondering if he’d known what she was thinking.

Willow was wearing a short green dress, simple and very flattering. Giles tried not to notice her long legs and the way the dress set off her hair. Friend...

"Y-you look lovely," he said. Oh jolly good! Why not just drool on her shoulder?

"Thank you," she said with a coy smile. "I guess we’re meeting them downstairs. Are you ready?" She stood and brushed back her hair.

"Y-yes." The dress was very flattering indeed. Without being too revealing it managed to show off the curves and dips of her slim figure. He cleared his throat and frowned.

"Something wrong, Giles?"

"No," he said a bit abruptly. "No… shall we go?" He offered her his arm. Have I no control over my body? Friend….

Buffy, Angel, Cordelia and Xander were already seated as the maitre d’ led Giles and Willow to the table.

Giles held her chair and then took his own.

"You see," said Cordelia. "A gentleman holds a lady’s chair."

"Why?" Xander asked, lost in thoughts of her lips. "Is your chair creaky? We can put sugar packets under one of the legs... sugar."

"Xander," she sighed.

"So, did you guys have a good day?" Willow asked. Four huge grins were her answer.

"What did you do all day?" Giles asked innocently. Four blushes answered this time. Giles cleared his throat. "Ah, yes… well…"

Willow giggled. Buffy was the first to recover. "What you about you Wills?"

"Oh, we went to the Huntington Library. It was great!"

"The library!" Xander snorted. "Wills, if I’d known, I would have… I would have…, well... the library?"

"Tell me you two weren’t researching all day. Even if you have to lie.. tell me," Buffy added.

"It’s not that kind of library," Giles explained.

"Thank God!" Buffy exclaimed.

Giles and Willow shared knowing smiles, which went unnoticed by the rest of the group, save for Cordelia. Something is different with those two, she thought. I’m gone for few months and suddenly Willow and Giles are in love? Life on the Hellmouth.

Willow felt her gaze and started to blush.

"You okay, Wills?" Xander asked.

Cordelia came to her rescue. "She’s probably just starving. I mean, don’t they believe in waiters in this place?"

"That’s my, Cordelia," Angel said.
"Ah, my Cordelia, Dead Boy," Xander intoned. "You get the Slayer, I get the… what are you anyway?"

"Too good for you!" Everyone laughed.

The dinner was wonderful. The group reminisced and listened to Angel and Cordelia regale them with their LA adventures.

Giles tried to pump Angel for information about their mysterious benefactor, but to no one’s surprise Angel was somewhat elusive on the subject. About the only useful piece of information was the man’s name – Steve Diamond.

For the better part of the evening, however, Angel and Buffy were lost in their own world. Xander was off in Xanderland – doing whatever it is that Xanders do (mostly stare at Cordy). While Cordelia, although she was thrilled to see Xander, couldn’t help, but stare at Giles and Willow. One thing she’d learned in LA was how to watch people, to look past the façade and see them for what they really were. Giles and Willow were a wonderful show. The ultimate un-couple couple. Much to her surprise, she thought it was sweet, not that she’d ever admit it, but…

"So, what’s next? I’ve got a wicked sugar high to work off?" Xander asked.

"What about the Smash Club?" Angel suggested.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "That place is so over. Where have you been?"

"Working," he replied.

"Oh."

"Sounds good to me," Buffy added. "No Bronze, so we Smash. It’ll be like old times, except… new."

"I just hope I don’t see anyone I know. Not that anyone I know would go there anyway… Okay, I’m in," Cordelia reasoned.

"I think I’ll just stay at the hotel," Willow said.

"No way, Wills. We’ll dance, we’ll laugh. Well, I’ll dance and you’ll laugh… but I promise it’ll be just like having fun," Xander said as he threw his arm over her shoulder.

"Only, if Giles comes too."

"Oh, no. T-hat’s not…" Giles sputtered.

"You need to expand your horizons. Come on, put a little funk in your G-funk," Xander quipped.

Giles shook his head. "No. I think I should wait here for... uhm, Mr. Diamond."

"Don’t worry about Diamond," Angel suggested. "He’ll find you. It’s all part of the game."

Giles made a disapproving face. Willow tugged on his sleeve and pulled him close. "Please, Giles. I already feel like a fifth wheel. If you come, at least I won’t be alone."

Looking into her eyes, how could he refuse. "Alright," he sighed. "For a time."

"Party train leaving the station! Please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times," Xander said.

The Smash Club was like most other Hollywood clubs – dark, loud, sticky and crowded.

Somewhere in the mass of bodies Angel and Buffy were dancing, Cordelia was trying to pretend she wasn’t dancing with Xander, who was doing something with his body. He called it dancing, but the jury’s still out.

Giles and Willow sat a corner table, sipping club sodas and tried to talk over the din of a particularly loud disco remix.

"This place is really popular!" Willow yelled.

"What?"

"I said, the place is really popular!"

He shook his head and shrugged. The noise was deafening. Willow smiled and nodded her understanding. She turned her gaze back to the dance floor and tried not to feel like a fool. Her view was quickly obstructed by a pair of black pants. She looked up and found they were attached to a very attractive man. He was somewhere in his thirties, dark complexion and stunning pale blue eyes, and he was smiling down at her.

She blinked nervously and swallowed. He leaned over and looked directly into her eyes. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice somehow not sounding strained. It was smooth and moderate.

"Me?" she squeaked.

His smile grew wider. "Yes. Would you like to dance with me?" he asked again, this time extending his hand.

A wave of panic washed over her, followed quickly by furious blush. She turned anxiously to Giles.

If looks could kill… Giles stared at the intruder with a cold glare. He clenched his jaw and tried to swallow down the urge to say something very un-Giles.

The other man cleared his throat and met Giles stare. Not the least bit cowed by it and perhaps a little amused, he said "You don’t mind, do you?"

Giles looked hurriedly at Willow. My God, she’s beautiful. He wanted to tell her that. He wanted to tell this man leave… but he didn’t.

"It’s not my decision," he said without emotion.

Idiot! Don’t let this bugger near her! I have not right to interfere, I have no claim on her. Damn! I’m such an ass.

Willow was stung by his words. She knew it was silly. She had secretly hoped he’d…. he’d what? She tried to see what was in his eyes, but he wouldn’t look at her. She was on her own.

"Well then?" the young man asked. "Shall we dance?"

"Okay," she said weakly. Oh, God.

If the music hadn’t been so loud the young couple would have been shocked to hear the profanity that tumbled from the Watcher’s mouth. As it was, they left Giles alone at the table and took their place on the dance floor.

The man smiled at Willow, a genuine pleasurable smile. It was encouraging and gentle, exactly what Willow needed. His blue eyes were gazing at her with attraction and affection and gave her wellspring of courage. She relaxed into the music, letting her body move at its own whim. It was a strange, intoxicating feeling. She liked it.

Giles watched her dance. At first she was tentative, unsure and then suddenly… Sweet Jesus, Willow… and then all rational thought left him.

She was wriggling, gyrating… legs, hips, breasts… It wasn’t anything unusual, she was dancing not unlike everyone else, but this was Willow.

Ripper was becoming aroused and taking Giles along for the ride. The throbbing beat, the sweat… the sex of it. It was obscene. Delightfully obscene. He wanted to take her right there. And he might of, if watching her hadn’t been so appealing. He felt his body start to react, the blood rushing through his veins, the shortness of breath, the ache in his groin. The growing jealously he felt only served to stimulate him even more. He groaned audibly as he saw her reach out and touch the man’s chest. Giles felt sick… and wonderful… a delicious torture.

With each passing moment, she seemed to grow more bold. Touching her partner more often… and he was growing hungrier for her… desire flashing across his face. Willow idly wondered if there were magic involved. She felt strangely powerful… and at the same time wildly out of control.

The press of bodies obscured her from Giles’ view and he felt a wave of panic, only to have it pushed aside by a raw sort of lust as she circled back around the man.

And then it was over. The music abruptly changed to a slow melody. All the courage drained from her body in an instant… leaving her once again, shy and terribly ashamed.

The man smiled with understanding and reached out for her hand. She hesitated for a moment and then accepted the offer, feeling very vulnerable.

Giles cursed himself as a pervert and quickly downed the rest of his club soda, hoping to put out the fire that burned in his chest.

The man escorted her back to table. Neither Willow nor Giles could bear to look at the other.

He must think, I’m some kind of tramp. What was I doing?

"Thank you for the dance, Willow," the man said with a smirk.

"H-how… I…I never…" she stammered.

Instantly, Giles was himself again… alert for danger. He stood and took Willow by the arm, moving her safely behind him.

"I think you have us at a disadvantage," Giles said thinly.

The man laughed. "Oh, yes. That I do."

Giles was not amused. The man smiled amiably and extended his hand. "I’m Steve Diamond. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Giles."

Rupert was momentarily frozen with shock, but recovered quickly and reluctantly shook the proffered hand.

"I’m sorry for the charade," he said to Willow. "I hope you’ll forgive me."

Willow looked down shyly, but he seemed sincere and that put her at ease. "It’s okay."

"Good." Diamond turned his attention back to Giles. "I’d like to speak with you, but not here." Giles nodded in agreement, thankful beyond words to be on familiar ground. "I have an office not far from here. Shall we?"

"Of course," Giles answered and then turned to Willow. "If you’ll find Angel, I’m sure he’ll take you back to the hotel."

"I’m going with you," she said simply.

"No, I think it’s best if Mr. Diamond and speak privately."

"Actually, I would prefer it if she came too," Diamond said.

I bet you bloody well would, Giles thought.

"It’s settled then," Willow added in full resolve face.

Giles sighed. He knew better than to argue with her when she’d made up her mind. And after all, as long as she wasn’t alone with Diamond… there shouldn’t be any problems. But he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. Was it the way Diamond looked Willow, or was it the way she looked at him?

Without realizing he had done it, Giles put his arm possessively around Willow’s waist. She looked up at him with surprise, but didn’t pull away.

Suddenly Angel appeared. How does he do that?

"I see you’ve already met," Angel said.

"Yes, we’re just on our way out," Diamond answered.

"Would you make sure the others get back to the hotel safely?" Giles asked.

Angel nodded and tried to hide his surprise at the way Giles was holding onto Willow.

Diamond grinned and said, "Follow me." Giles and Willow fell in behind him.

"That was strange," Angel said to himself.

"What was strange?" Buffy said arriving at his side and kissing him on the cheek.

"Oh, nothing," he said with a smile. "Giles and Willow… have gone to meet with Diamond. Looks like we’re on our own."

"Darn," she said with a mischievous grin. "Well, let’s hope they have as much fun as we do."

"It’ll be interesting, that’s for sure," Angel said quietly. "Very interesting."


Part Five

The office was well appointed and stylish. Movie posters and photographs of celebrities covered the walls.

"Is that you and Harrison Ford?" Willow asked excitedly.

"Mm-hmm," Diamond answered enjoying her star struck expression. "The hotel, the car… I take it they meet with your approval Mr. Giles?"

"Very generous. In fact, too generous."

"There's no such thing," Diamond replied sincerely. "Can I get you a drink? Scotch, isn't it?"

"N-no, thank you," Giles answered suspiciously. This man knew far too much.

"Willow, can I offer you anything? A glass of wine?"

"No," answered Giles firmly.

Willow glared at him, but knew he was right. "No, thank you." She sat down on the large leather couch.

"Please, Mr. Giles. Make yourself comfortable." Diamond gestured to large overstuffed chair next to sofa.

Giles frowned and sat next to Willow instead. "I think I'd feel more comfortable, Mr. Diamond, if you'd tell us what this is all about."

"Of course. First, let me say, I've been an admirer of your for quite sometime. Anyone who told the Council of Watchers to…" he then affected a very accurate impression of Giles… "'take their bloody rules and shove them up their ruddy ass'… Is okay by me."

Giles ignored the flattery. "That was said in a private phone conversation."

"Yes," Steve said simply.

"You've bugged my phone?" Giles said, not keeping the anger from his voice.

"Good lord, no." Diamond said quickly. "We bugged Travers."

Giles snorted. "I see."

"Unusual circumstances. Travers was, and is, I'm afraid a bit of a lose canon. But that's a different story. Normally, we leave the Council alone and they, well… they try to pretend we don't exist," he said with a smirk.

"And who exactly is we?"

"Defenders, Incorporated."

"The production company?" Willow asked obviously confused as to what their connection to the Council could possibly be.

"And how did you know that?" Diamond asked.

"It's on one of those movie posters," she said, pointing to the far wall.

"Ah, ever the observant one," he said. "Impressive, but then I'd expect no less from you, Willow."

She blushed, but wasn't put off. "I don't see what a movie production company has to do with the Council."

"Nor do I," Giles intoned.

"Nothing actually. It's a cover and a very good one. You throw a few parties, buy a few scripts, have meetings and no one really cares if you actually make a movie. LA's a wonderful place."

"I'm still confused," Willow admitted. "A cover for what?"

"I suppose I should start at the beginning. You sure I can't get you a drink? Brandy maybe? Anything?"

"Just getting to the point will suffice," Giles said impatiently.

"Fair enough." Diamond sat on the edge of his large oak desk. "Okay. Reader's Digest version…When America was first being settled by the British, the Council sent a group of young, somewhat disposable, Watchers to keep an eye on the colonies. Left to their own devices for the most part the men realized that without a Slayer, they had little chance to combat the Vampires and the rest of the bad guys."

"Where was the Slayer?" Giles asked, interested in this new wrinkle in history.

"She was in France of all places. Friggin' Council strikes again! But, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. One Slayer can't be everywhere."

"So true," mumbled Giles.

"The young men lobbied the Council for help, but between the bureaucracies and the distance, the group knew they were pretty much on their own. They did their best, but as the people began to settle new regions of the country, they realized they needed help. Badly. So they recruited civilians. This, as you know from experience, went over like a ton of bricks."

"Understatement," Willow added.

"The Council told them to stop operations immediately. The group did the only thing they could… Told the Council to sod off!"

Giles couldn’t help but laugh.

"They broke from the Council and formed their own organization… the Defenders. They rejected the notion that only a certain, preordained, chosen few could fight the evils that surround us. It was a much more American approach. Find people with special skills, put them together and kick some evil butt. They had their growing pains, but all in all they got it right. As the country grew, so did the Defenders. Today we have offices in seventy-five different cities. I'm in charge of the LA bureau and have seven teams at my disposal."

"Teams?" asked Giles.

"That's the way we do it. We recruit people who have skills appropriate for fighting vampires, demons and the like… Then we match them into teams. We try to have a little muscle, a little brain and little magic in each." With this last he turned to Willow. "You're quite the burgeoning witch, aren't you?"

"I dabble," she said nonchalantly.

"Ah, dabbling with gypsy curses, soul restoration… we should all dabble like that." He looked at her very seriously. "Don't sell yourself short, Willow. We know how much potential you have, surely you sense it?"

She nodded. "I do."

This exchange frightened Giles in more ways than one. These people knew seemingly everything about them and Willow, he was afraid, was somehow at the center of it.

"You still haven't explained what this has to do with us," Giles interrupted.

"Oh, I thought that was clear," Diamond said and then leaned in very close to Willow. "I'm trying to woo you."

Giles cleared his throat, he was growing very agitated and this blatant attempt to seduce Willow was pushing him close to the edge. "How do you mean?" Giles asked sharply.

Diamond straightened and smiled. "I'm sorry. I thought you… are you two seeing each other? There was nothing in the reports about that."

"N-n-no," Giles stammered and looked pleadingly at Willow and then a thought occurred. "Reports? What reports?"

"Oh, we've been watching you for some time, even before you broke with the Council. A rebel Watcher, a magnificent Slayer and an unauthorized group of civilians… how could we not? Oh, and by the way, Scooby gang… love that."

"Hmmm?" Willow said, stewing over Giles quick denial that there was anything between them. "Oh, thanks."

"Y-you've been spying on us?" Giles wouldn't let this drop so easily.

"Yes," Diamond said frankly. "And may I say, Willow, that Halloween outfit… very becoming."

"See here! I don't know who you think you are, but invading our privacy-"

"We did no such thing. You were observed, yes, but always from a distance. Always in public. I mean, it's not like we put a camera in girls bathroom or something."

Willow giggled, but Giles missed the humor in it.

"Please, Mr. Giles. We meant no harm and as you damn well know information is everything in this business. We like your style.. even use some of it in training tapes. The mayor's attempted ascension is now required viewing at our academy."

Still not pleased, but somewhat mollified, Giles relaxed a little.

"You mean you guys were there for graduation and just watched? You didn’t get involved?" Willow demanded, this time she was angry.

"Who said we didn't? We lost a few that day too, Willow."

That caught her off guard. She sat back feeling a little ashamed of her outburst.

"So am I to understand that you want us to join you? Become Defenders?"

"Exactly," Diamond said.

"We've done very well on our own, " Giles countered. "Why should we change anything?"

"Well, for starters, we pay very well and secondly our health benefits plan will cover all those MRI's you've been raking up."

"Pay?" This did not compute.

"Of course. I think you'll find we're more than generous with our teams. And one of your stature… well, the sky's the limit."

"Where does the money come from?" Willow asked, ever practical.

"We have some long term investments that have done well, but mostly from corporate sponsors."

"Corporate sponsors? Good lord…"

"It's not as bad as it sounds. We realized, after a minor financial setback in the seventies that we would be better off fiscally, if we incorporated. During that process we came across quite a few powerful business men with… well, problems of a supernatural origin. So, for a fee, we take care of it. If a Nike plant in the Philippines is having a small demon problem, we send a team… they send a check."

Giles was aghast. "You're mercenaries."

"Occasionally. But it allows us access to things you could only dream of. For one thing, we can consult with the best minds in the world. Willow, how would you like to study with Kai O'Trakan?"

"The Kai O'Trakan?" she gulped.

"Author of Demonology & Curses of the Samarain Codex… one in the same. Or Mr. Giles, say you have a problem with nasty chaos demon from the fifth realm, wouldn't it be nice to talk to Omar Sandaval?"

"I see your point. But still…"

"Rest assured, we haven't lost sight of our purpose. We are here to defend the innocent. It's what we do best, but the other allows us the tools to do our job… and do it well." Diamond stood. "I know I've dropped a lot on you in one night. Why not let it all sink in and we'll talk again tomorrow."

Giles nodded and stood. "It's all a bit surprising. But… I'll consider what you've said."

"That's all I ask." He turned to Willow again. "Well, that and would you join me at my house for a small party tomorrow evening?" He looked to Giles. "All of you?"

"I'll mention it to the others," Giles said evenly.

"And Willow, " Diamond said softly. "I have a special proposition for you."

She was dumbstruck. He chuckled and stepped away, Giles was getting a decidedly feral look in his eyes. They might not be a couple, Diamond surmised, but the Watcher's definitely got a thing for the witch. Better tread lightly, at least in front of him.

"We'll talk tomorrow," Diamond amended.

"Come along, Willow," Giles said. Brooking no opposition, he took her by the elbow and led her from the room.

"I'll be in touch!" Diamond called after them. He went around his desk and poured himself a snifter of brandy. A satisfied smile grew across his face.

"To possibilities," he said raising his glass in a private toast. "So many possibilities."

I could definitely get used to this, Xander thought as he looked around the party.

Diamond’s house was a palatial estate nestled in the hills of Bel Air. The Spanish style mansion sat atop a small knoll, acres of land reaching out, gentle rolling grassy lawns, tennis courts and pools were scattered across the grounds. Currently, roughly 300 of his closest friends were enjoying his hospitality.

Xander tried to look cool as he leaned against one of the larger fountains and waited for Cordelia.

"You’re from Sunnydale," said a seductive voice from behind.

Xander turned and found not one, but four incredibly beautiful women. He gasped for air, unable to string letters, much less words together. He managed a quick, bobbing nod.

The raven haired goddess spoke again. "My name’s Niki. This is Sasha, Inga and Natalie."

He swallowed hard as he looked from one gorgeous woman to the next. "Ma…ma…" He laughed nervously. "X-Xander… me Xander." He touched his chest and left his hand there, sure his heart was going to explode.

"We’re the Fembots," Sasha said with a seductive smile.

"Fa-fa…" he laughed again, a high-pitched embarrassing laugh. He cleared his throat. "F-Fembots? Y-you’re not r-robots are you?"

Sasha stepped close to him, brushing her long slender fingers across his cheek. "Oh, no," she whispered. "Flesh and blood."

Xander’s breathing increased and his face flushed. A small bead of sweat formed on his upper lip.

"We’re Denfenders," Niki explained. "That’s our team name… The Fembots…. Do you like it?" She stroked his other cheek.

"I…. I like."

"It’s a rush, isn’t it?" Sasha said. "The fighting.. the thrill of the kill. It gets me sooo hot."

"The-the…" Xander blew out a long breath and swallowed again. "Hot is good."

"Xander!" That voice was familiar.

"Hmmm?"

"Xander!"

He turned with a frown to face the new annoying voice. "Cordy! Hi… I was… I was… Hi."

He pulled Cordelia close and she arched an eyebrow.

"I think this one’s a little small for you." Cordeila said, with a serious expression. "Why don’t you throw him back?"

Niki smiled. "Maybe you’re right." Then she turned her attention back to Xander. "Come back in a few years, honey."

The Fembots glided into the crowd.

"Cordy, Cordy, Cordy. I missed you!" He hugged her fiercely.

She just rolled her eyes. "Are Giles and Willow here yet? Diamond was looking for them."

"Haven’t see them. Is it just me or is G-man a little uptight lately?"

Cordelia gave him a blank stare.

"I mean more uptight than usual."

"No," Cordelia said. She wasn’t about to tell Xander that she thought, no knew, there was something going on between Giles and Willow. After all, to Xander, Willow was still his little Wills. She sighed. Is everyone completely blind?

************

Her skirt was far too short.

"Your skirt is far too short," he said.

Willow looked down and smoothed out the material. She squished up her face and sighed. "I know, but try telling Buffy."

It was still far too short.

"Buffy said that if I wanted to fit in, I had to ‘sex it up a little’," Willow added with a frown.

Giles groaned inwardly. Mission accomplished. It just gets worse and worse. He’d been dreading this party all day. He wasn’t much for large gatherings to begin with... too many factors… too many things could go wrong. Secondly, Diamond was sure to approach Willow… and Willow was looking immanently approachable.

Giles prided himself on being a logical man. The sort of man who prepared for any situation and met each moment with a calm reserve. Recently, however, more and more often, hefound himself flustered and distracted. Where Willow was concerned, he was quick to anger and slow to reason. His mind drifted from his duties, daydreams and random thoughts of Willow taking hold. No good would come it, he was sure. And yet…

He couldn’t help but sneak another peek at her. She sat in the passenger seat of the BMW tugging at the hem of her skirt. It rested about mid-thigh. Her legs were slender, shapely… and exposed. The blouse she wore was more modest, but being so only drew more attention to her legs. Giles gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"Wow," Willow said as they approached the main gate. There were two over-worked valets running up the driveway toward the front. "Some house."

"Just remember this is business, Willow."

"Come on, Giles. It’s a party. We… I mean, I never go to parties… not like this. It’ll be fun."

"Somehow, I doubt that," Giles grumbled as he pulled the car to a stop.

The inside was even more impressive than the outside. A huge crystal chandelier hung over the large entryway. Party guest milled in and out.

"Willow!" Diamond called from across the room. He excused himself from his other guests and swiftly crossed to join them. He was wearing a smart black suit that set off his pale blue eyes.

He reached out and took both of Willow’s hands, pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek. "I’m so glad you’re here."

Oh, this *is* fun, Giles thought through the beginnings of headache.

Diamond released Willow and shook Giles’ hand. "Welcome to my home."

"Diamond," Giles said evenly.

"This is your idea of a small party?" Willow asked.

"Well, yes," Steve answered amiably. "The usual crowd. A few teams I’d like you to meet. But let’s not talk business, we’ll have plenty of time for that. " He looked appraisingly at Willow. "We have all night."

Giles cleared his throat. Diamond ignored him. "May I say, Willow. You look beautiful."

Willow giggled shyly and Diamond took her hand and kissed it. "She’s just too good to be true, isn’t she?" he asked Giles. Rupert forced his frown into a smile. He glared significantly at the offending hand that still held Willow’s. The man's familiarity was galling.

Giles couldn’t stand it any longer. First, the kiss, now this. Enough.

"Willow, we should find Buffy and the others," he suggested.

"Oh, right."

"Would you excuse us?" Giles asked as he took Willow’s hand from Diamonds and put it in his own.

"Of course." Diamond smiled at Willow. "We’ll talk later?"

"Sure," she replied with an innocent smile. Diamond grinned, then nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

Giles sighed heavily. "Willow…" She looked up at him with wide eyes, bright with excitement and anticipation. My God, why does she have to be so beautiful? He shook his head slightly and frowned. It was going to be a very long night.

"Giles?" she asked. He looks so sad.

"Let’s see if we can’t find the others," he said. Afraid to keep looking at her, he led them further into the house.

**********

"They should have been here by now," Buffy said annoyed and a little worried.

"Relax. There they are," Angel told her, pointing to the stairs leading to the back patio.

Buffy scanned the crowd, but didn’t see them. "Where?"

"Right there. On the stairs."

Buffy looked again, all she saw were couples… and one of them… wait a minute. Oh. Giles and Willow were coming toward them, holding hands. Giles and Willow holding hands and looking pretty couply. Buffy looked at Angel, her eyes wide with questions, but found him watching the two approach with a rare gentle smile on his lips.

"Hey, Buffy. Some party!" Willow exclaimed.

Buffy tried not to stare at their hands. Her mind was racing with possible scenarios. Glue. Probably a random glue stick accident.

"Skirt looks great, Wills." Buffy's eyes never left their clasped hands.

"Thanks," Willow said beaming, oblivious to any strained undercurrents.

"Have trouble finding the place, Giles?" Buffy asked.

"No."

"Okay, I can’t stand it. What’s with the hand holding?" Buffy blurted.

"What?" Giles was confused, until he followed her gaze. He quickly released Willow’s hand. "Oh... the… the... there was quite a press at the entryway… didn’t want to get separated."

Buffy nodded, seeming to, at least tacitly, accept this explanation. Only Angel saw the flicker of pain that crossed Willow’s face.

"Can I get you something to drink, Willow?" Angel asked hoping to change the topic to something less charged.

She smiled faintly. "No thanks." Funny, when most vampires ask you that, it’s a loaded question.

"Hey, Wills!" Xander called out as he and Cordelia joined the group. "Isn’t that skirt a little short?"

"Nice to see you too."

"Is this a rager or what?" Xander said bopping to the music. "Isn’t this Savage Rain’s new song?"

"Oh, I love this one," Buffy added.

"Thanks babe," said a voice with a strong southern drawl.

A group of four motley looking rockers passed by and Buffy and Xander’s jaws dropped.

"T-that’s Savage Rain," Xander stuttered.

"This is too cool. They are so cool," Buffy said as she watched them drift out onto the lawn.

"Not much for the music," Angel said. "but they make a pretty good team."

"Are you crazy? They’re… team? You mean they’re Defenders?"

Angel explained. "Ash, the lead singer is the weapons expert. Tag, the lead guitar is the brains. Chaz is base player and muscle. Raven’s the warlock drummer."

"Warlock drummer. I love this town!" Xander exclaimed.

Giles was somewhat less enthusiastic. "Yes, well. Doesn’t their, uhm… music… interfere with their job?"

"Not really. It’s a great cover. They have the Hollywood beat, so they’re usually at a club nearby if anything breaks. Don’t let the way they look fool you. They’re damn good at what they do."

Giles looked skeptical, but he trusted Angel on this sort of matter. Maybe there was more to consider here than he’d initially thought. He knew he had to try to separate his feelings for Diamond personally and professionally. Certainly, money was an issue, now more than ever. Virtually unlimited resources would be a welcome change, but… at what cost.

"Enjoying yourself?" Diamond asked as he appeared out of the crowd.

"Great party!" Xander said.

"I’m glad you like it, Xander. We try to have a little fun now and again. The Defenders has a more liberal attitude than some other groups."

"I like your thinking," Buffy added. "You see Giles, slaying and fun can mix."

"Perhaps," Giles answered noncommittally.

"Willow," Steve began. "If you have a few minutes. I’d like to speak with you."

"Sure," she said.

"Alone, if you don’t mind." He noticed her start to fidget nervously. "No secrets. You can tell the others everything later if you want."

"Okay," she said with shy grin.

This was one of the situations Giles had prepared himself for. He had no intention of letting Diamond get Willow alone. "Willow, I think I should go with you?"

"Why?" she asked sharply. Her eyes were hard as they met his and his resolve began to melt into a puddle of confusion.

"I just think…" he stumbled.

"I think I can make up my own mind," she said tersely. "Would you excuse us?" She took Diamond's arm and with one last significant look back, left.

"I wonder what that’s all about," Buffy said.

"I guess we’ll find out later," Xander added. "And until then, we par-tay!"

"Right on, Xandalicous!" Buffy said, forgetting about Willow and remembering the handsome vampire at her side.

Xander pulled Cordelia toward the outdoor dance floor. Buffy did the same with Angel.

Standing alone, Giles stared off toward the house, wishing he’d never heard of Los Angeles.



Willow looked around the old fashioned study. Volume after volume lined the dark wood shelves. Large comfortable leather chairs sat invitingly under the glow of reading lamps. It was a wonderful room. Giles would love it. Giles. Why had it bothered her so much when he'd let go of her and blanched under Buffy's scrutiny? She knew she was being childish again. It's time to grow up, she thought. You can do it.

She turned to face Diamond, a new calm supporting her.

"Won't you have a seat?" he asked. He paced for a few moments, reminding her of a certain librarian. Bad Willow. Don't think about Giles. You're here. So BE here.

He stopped moving and fixed his gaze upon Willow. She sat patiently, a gentle smile on her face.

"Now, Willow," he began. "I want you to hear me out before you make up your mind. I want you to carefully consider everything I say, alright?"

"Okay."

"Good… As I told you last night, we've been keeping tabs on you. All of you, but especially you."

"Me? I mean, Buffy I understand… and Giles too, but.. I'm just a Slayerette."

Diamond's face was intense and serious. "You are not *just* anything, Willow." Hi blue eyes were piercing, hypnotic.

"I… I don't understand."

"We would very much like Buffy and the others to join us, to become a Defender team."

Willow nodded.

"But not you," he added. She was dumbstruck. She had never even considered this possibility.

She managed a weak "Oh."

Diamond moved closer. "You would be replaced by another wicca, possibly a warlock."

Why not just squish me and be done with it. "I see," she said. Inside, she was near panic.

"No, you don't," he continued. "Not yet."

He sat on the small table in front of her chair and looked deeply into her eyes. "You're special, Willow. Very special. Someone with your natural abilities is very rare."

"Me?" she said shaking her head in denial. "I'm just a dabbler. I told you, I dabble. I'm definitely not whatever you think I am."

"Willow. I can see it in your eyes and I'm not even gifted. You're being wasted."

"I am not!"

"I didn't mean that the way it sounded," he apologized. "It's just that you have the potential to be so much more." He stood and walked back to his desk. "We want you to join us. To come and study for a time. We have the people who can train you, help you reach your full potential."

"I still don't understand."

He sighed. "Tell me, when you cast… you feel the magic don't you? You don't think it. You feel it."

She nodded. She'd never really thought about it that way, but was it true. She clasped her hands in her lap and looked at them thoughtfully.

"Kai O'Trakan would like to take you on as his protégé. That is, until you surpass him."

"Surpass him?" she choked. He was only maybe the greatest living sorcerer.

"Limitless potential, I think is what he said about you."

This was really crossing the border into the surreal. She could never be as powerful as Kai… could she? What an amazing opportunity it would be to study with someone like him.

"I know this a shock, but deep down, you must have had some idea," he said.

"I don't know. I mean, I've dreamed of it, but I thought that's all it was. Just a dream."

"There's no such thing as just a dream, Willow," he said kindly. He walked over to her and sat down next to her. "Selfishly, I hope you agree to join us. I'd like the chance to get to know the woman I've read about for so long."

She blushed and he chuckled. "You're even more beautiful when you blush."

She shifted nervously in her seat. He took mercy on her and moved away. "I can assure you, you'll be well treated… financially and otherwise. As your sponsor, I'd, of course, keep a close eye on your progress."

She smiled faintly. Her head was spinning. "I need to think about this. I mean, I'm not even sure if I believe you."

He laughed gently. "You are very wise, Miss Rosenberg. But, rest assured, it's all true."

She nodded.

"Why don't you go back out and enjoy the party?" he said as he opened the study door. She stood and walked out on shaky legs. He put his arm around her waist for support. "You alright?"

She took a deep breath. "Yes," she smiled. "Just a little stunned."

He returned her smile. "Have some fun.. but save me a dance or two," he whispered with a suggestive leer. She giggled. He kissed her cheek and gently pushed her out the door.

**********

Giles couldn't shake the feeling of quiet desperation slowly overtaking him. He knew that he'd started to lose Willow…

"Scotch rocks," he told the bartender.

Losing Willow. Not that she was ever mine, really. Nonetheless, that's how he saw her. His. He'd never tried to claim her. He told himself Willow wasn't the type to be possessed, not by anyone. But really, it was because he was too damned much of a coward to try. He couldn't bear the thought of her not being near, so he kept himself at arms length. Ironic, in a truly pathetic sort of way.

He'd managed to keep her in his life, to spend time with her, comfort and be comforted, but it was never enough. There was always a distance, an unseen barrier. He told himself it was to protect her and for propriety's sake, but wasn't it there to protect him as well. To keep her safely away from his wants and desires… and him away from her… her everything.

She wasn’t a child anymore, far from it. She was an adult now and yet her availability only made her seem more unattainable. The paradox was slowly driving him mad.

Here, tonight, he'd only made matters worse. Instead of keeping her away from Diamond, he'd virtually pushed her into the man's arms.

She was with him right now. The bastard was probably seducing her at this very minute, while I stand here in all my pathetic glory.

Adding salt to the wound was the horrible realization that Willow might actually welcome Diamond's attentions. After the way she'd danced with him at the club! Giles felt a sudden wave of jealously, arousal and anger. She'd never behaved like that before, although God knows I've fantasized about it often enough.

Diamond was young, handsome and rich… a triple threat. He touched Willow, held her hand, kissed her cheek, told her she was beautiful - all the things Giles wanted to do, but wouldn’t allow. Diamond had not such restraints. He wanted Willow and he was openly pursuing her, while Giles sat on his hands for fear of accidentally brushing her shoulder, for fear of the quivering heat that even such a fleeting touch would bring.

Gods, am I so far gone that just the mere thought of touching her makes me aroused? He sighed and threw back the remainder of his drink. As he turned to ask the bartender for another, he saw them standing in the doorway of a dark room. His heart jumped into his throat. Her face was flushed and Diamond's arm was around her waist. He was leaning in whispering something that made her laugh and then he kissed her cheek. Fuck! She was an innocent waiting to be taken by this wolf. Finally, he released her and she drifted, lost in thought.

Unaware that he'd even moved, Giles was suddenly at her side. He grabbed her arm sharply. "Willow?"

"Oh. Hi, Giles," she said still stunned from her conversation with Diamond.

"Willow?" he said again, shaking her.

"Giles, what?" She looked up at him. His eyes were too bright and he smelled of scotch. "Have you been drinking?"

"Yes." He let go of her arms. "I have."

"Why?" Willow knew when Giles drank something bad inevitably followed.

"Does there have to be a reason?" he said irritably.

"No, but there usually is. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. What could possibly be wrong? We're at a lovely party. Having fun, right? You are having fun aren't you?" he said his voice laced with innuendo.

"Giles…"

"Is he finished with you already?"

"That was rude."

He snorted dismissively.

"What's wrong with you?" she demanded. "You're acting like an ass."

"Am I?" he said angrily. The tenuous grasp he had on his control was slipping away.

She was frightened but she'd dealt with angry Giles before, so she pushed on. "Why are you doing this?"

He couldn't stop himself. He heard the words leaving his mouth and he couldn't stop them. "I know you're not stupid, Willow. Stop acting like it."

"Giles!"

"Are you really so naive, or is this just an act for my benefit?"

She didn't know what to say. Giles had never been purposefully hurtful before.

He leaned in close. "You know what he wants, don't you?" His breath was hot on her cheek. "He wants you."

"G-Giles. Stop this. This… this isn't you."

"Oh, no? Who is it then?"

"I don't know, but I know you and -"

"You don't know me at all," he hissed as he stood away from her. Shame and anger warring in equal parts.

"Maybe I don't," she said quietly.

She looked so hurt and afraid. He closed his eyes, unwilling to bear witness to what he'd done to her. Have I gone completely insane? He took a deep breath. "Willow, I'm…" He opened his eyes, but she was gone.

He wanted to rush after her, apologies brimming to the surface, but he didn't move. His legs were like iron his body suddenly exhausted. He leaned heavily against the wall.

What the hell had just happened? How could I have said those things? Yesterday, he'd been walking in paradise and now he stood in a hell of his own creation.

Of all the people to hurt… oh, God. The twisted logic of a breaking heart. Fear and love make you do strange and horrible things. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, so he pushed her away. Hurt the most gentle soul in the world, to save your own miserable hide.

Bloody hell.

********

What on earth was that all about? Giles had never, ever spoken to her like that before. Instantly, her hurt turned to concern. Her mind raced through all the possibilities, never once considering it might be her. Something had upset him and he was just taking it out on her. But what was it?

She saw him walk down the steps. Angel was there. Good. As long as he wasn’t alone. She saw them speak for a few minutes. Then they scanned the balcony, probably looking for me, she thought. She didn't want to be found, not just yet, so she ducked back inside.

Her mind was reeling. As if the conversation with Diamond hadn't been enough, Giles had to go blow a gasket on her.

I just need some time to think.

She saw the bar and realized that her mouth had gone dry. She approached the bartender.

"What'll it be?" he asked.

She smiled faintly, "Iced tea, I guess."

"Long Island?"

She frowned. "No, I'm from Sunnydale."

He laughed at her apparent joke and set about mixing her drink. What's so funny about being from Sunnydale, she thought.

A few moments later her handed her a tall glass. It was a warm night and she could use a little something to help cool down.

"Thank you." She sipped it. It tasted funny, good, but not like the iced tea she was used to. Must be an LA thing, she thought and took another sip.

Mmmm, this is good. Is it just me or is it getting warmer in here?

"Mr. Giles?" asked a deep rumbling baritone.

"Hmm?" Giles mumbled as he pulled his eyes up from the ground.

The large barrel-chested man extended his hand. "I'm Carson Vail. Mr. Diamond suggested we meet."

Giles stood and reluctantly shook. "Friend of Diamond's, are you?" he said suspiciously.

The man laughed easily. "Well, associate. We don't always see eye to eye. I'm what he calls old school, I'm afraid."

Giles nodded in understanding. "I must admit… all of this is a bit much for my tastes."

"Diamond tends toward excess, but he' s a good man."

Giles bit back a wicked repose, but his expression gave him away. Vail raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, his attention quickly drawn away. "I'm afraid I see someone I need to speak with. I would like to talk to you about our organization. Give you the old school point of view, as it were."

Giles smiled.

"I'll call you tomorrow at your hotel, if that's alright?" Vail asked.

"Of course. I look forward to it."

"Good. Enjoy the rest of the party," Vail added as he drifted into the crowd.

Giles sighed and fell back into his chair. Where the devil is that girl?

*********

"Nice tree," she said rubbing her fingers over the rough bark.

Somehow Willow had wandered out onto the grounds. She drank the last sip of her "tea" and dropped the glass. She bent over to retrieve it and sat heavily (aka fell) onto the ground next to it.

"So sleepy…"

Sometime later she was having the strangest dream. Two men and a very nice tree were having an odd conversation.

"Just make sure she's there," said the southerner.

"Don't worry," replied the deep voice. "She'll be there."

"She better be. I can't handle it alone, you know."

The tree was suspiciously quiet.

"I'll be there for back up. You worry too much, Raven."

Oh, one of the men was a bird. I wonder if he's sitting in the tree.

"Damn straight, I worry. Summoning a demon like that… I don't know." The southern bird was getting cold feet.

"Just do it. Leave the rest to me," assured the deep voice. "Eight o'clock tomorrow. Understood?"

"Yeah, I'll take care of it."

"Be sure you do."

And then the dream faded and darkness overtook her.

"Willow?"

"The tree speaks," she mumbled.

He laughed.

"The tree laughs. Funny tree."

"Willow?"

She opened her eyes and saw Diamond standing over her. "Oh, it's you. Hi, Steve. You know you're kinda blurry. Are you feeling okay?"

He helped her sit up. "I was going to ask you the same question."

"I'm fine. Fine, fine, fine, fine." She smiled goofily and then suddenly pouted. "Except Giles is being a pill."

"He is?" he asked sitting down next to her.

"Yes, a big, British pill."

"He's a pill," Diamond agreed with a smirk.

"Hey! He's my pill. I can say bad things cause he's mine. You can't, so don't."

"Sorry."

"S'okay."

Diamond found her empty glass and took a sniff. "This yours?"

"Was. All gone now."

He studied her carefully.

"I feel funny…. Wavy-like… I think that bird put a spell on me… a wavy spell."

"You, my dear Willow, are what we in know call… plastered."

"You mean, drunk? I am not! I have never had a drink in my life!"

"Then what's this?" he asked.

"That was my LA tea. Iced tea that makes you hot. Are you hot? I'm hot." She tugged on her blouse.

He sighed. "Oh, Willow. What am I going to do with you?"

She tried to stand, but a wave of dizziness stopped her halfway. She grabbed onto the tree. "Nice tree." Diamond stood and held her steady. "Nice Steve."

"I think you need some coffee."

"Oh no!" she said aghast. "Coffee makes me act all crazy!"

"Still, I think -"

"My head's swimming. Do you have a pool?"

"Uhm, yes. Two actually," he said gesturing over the small hell beyond. "But I don't think you're in any condition to -"

She broke away from his gasp and started to run toward the pool. "Willow!" he called and ran after her.

*******

"Willow. Where have you gotten to?" Giles mumbled to himself as he made yet another pass through the crowd.

He felt terrible. He's behaved like an absolute boor and needed desperately to apologize. But, he'd looked and looked and there just wasn't any sign of her.

He scanned the area again, to no avail, then he saw someone emerging from the woods. He couldn't make it out, but something in him urged him to check anyway. He hurried down the steps and quickened his pace toward the grassy slope.

What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks.

"Willow!"

Just cresting the hill was an image straight out of one of Giles' worst nightmares. Willow in the arms of another man. Not just in his arms… She was wearing a short terry cloth robe and much to his dismay so was Diamond. Their hair was wet and Willow clinging to him like a limpet. Steve sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" softly as he carried her back toward the house, but stopped short when he saw Giles.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" he yelled.

Diamond smiled nervously. "This is not what it looks like."

"Hi, Giles!" Willow said happily.

He would have killed the man where he stood if Willow hadn't been in his arms. Giles’ breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to rein in his fuming anger. He clenched and unclenched his fists. This was unthinkable, and yet, here it was.

"Keep singing, Steve. I love this part," Willow babbled as she lay her head against Diamond's shoulder. She hiccuped loudly.

Giles' eyes narrowed as the realization dawned. "She's drunk!" He looked at Diamond, his eyes cold fury. "You bastard," he seethed.

"Please, this isn't-"

Giles ignored his protests and quickly closed the distance between them. His face contorted in anger, he roughly took hold of Willow. He scanned her for any injuries then held her tightly to his chest. "My God," he choked as yet another reality hit him. "She's… she's naked." He closed his eyes as - imagining the worst.

"Willow? Love? Are you alright?" he whispered softly, his face a mask of fear and worry.

"Hmm.. I'm fine. Fine. Fine.…." She looked into his eyes. "Uh-oh."

Giles looked back at Diamond, murder clearly his intent.

"Steve, I'd like you to meet Ripper," Willow remarked blithely.

Diamond gulped. He'd read about this side of the Watcher and knew he was in trouble. Ripper smiled at him, a smile full of promise, the promise of pain.

"Mr. Giles, I swear to you-"

"I'm taking Willow back to the hotel," Giles said evenly.

"Good. That's a good idea," Diamond said clearly relieved.

"Then I'm going to come back here and break your fucking neck!" Giles spun away, Willow snuggling comfortably in his arms.

"Shit," Diamond said.

Holding her closely and daring anyone to get in his way, Giles proceeded to tote Willow back to the house, through the middle of the party, past the buffet line and out the front door. No one paid any attention, except for a small group gathered around the hors d'oeuvres table.

"Isn't that Giles?" Xander asked in confusion.

"And Willow!" Buffy added.

They exchanged worried looks and started to dash off after the pair. But Angel and Cordelia stopped them.

"I think they need to handle this alone," Angel suggested.

"Alone? Hello? Willow was wearing a robe, not the clothes she came in and Giles was definitely in full Ripper mode. Houston, we have a problem!"

Angel sighed and looked pleadingly at Cordelia.

"What? Am I missing something?" Xander asked.

"Oh, that's too easy," Cordelia said with a laugh. She sighed, pursed her lips and got serious. "I think we need to talk."


The drive back to the hotel had done little to cool Giles’ anger. He’d tried to concentrate, to calm himself, but every time he looked at her, so vulnerable, his rage blazed anew.

He was going to kill Diamond. How could the man be so immoral? Willow. Sweet innocent, trusting Willow had been lured into the spider’s web. If he’s taken advantage of her… if he’s abused her….if he’s so much as touched her! She’s bloody naked under that robe… what do you think happened? He could barely keep the car on the road. I should have killed him where he stood.

Giles carried Willow through the lobby of the hotel with the same ferocity he had earlier. He ignored the few who dared give him a disapproving look, intent only on Willow and getting her quickly to a place of safety.

He set her down gently on the bed and paused. He’d been a man of action up until this point. But now, looking at her small, defenseless form, he was at a loss.

He sat on the edge of the bed and gently tried to rouse her. "Willow?"

"Hmmm?" she said groggily as she opened her eyes. "Hello, Giles." She looked around the room, a small pout on her face. "We’re back at the hotel, aren’t we?"

"Yes. How are you feeling?" What had been anger was now concern, the fire now an aching worry.

Her pout shifted into a small frown. "I feel kind of strange. All drifty and slow. Is everything all drifty and slow?"

He sighed. "What did you have to drink, Willow?"

"Tea. Just had some iced tea."

"Long Island?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

"Did Diamond give you this tea?" he asked bitterly.

"I don’t know what his name was," she said sitting up.

Dear God. Another man? "W-What do you mean?" he sputtered.

"The bartender guy. Don’t know his name."

Giles breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived as he thought again of Diamond. "D-Did you… what I mean to say," he swallowed hard. "What did he do to you?"

"The bartender?" she asked in confusion.

"No!.. I’m sorry. No, Diamond… You were, uh, with him. Tell me what happened Willow."

"You promise you won’t get mad," she said in a small voice.

"I promise I’ll try."

"I don’t remember."

"Willow," he sighed. "I won’t be mad at you. I promise."

"It’s all kind of blurry," she said through squinty eyes.

"Let’s start with… where are your clothes?" He braced himself for the answer.

"Oh, I know this one! They’re in the pool cabana," she said proudly.

"And how did they get there?" he prompted.

"I took them off after they got all wet."

Giles closed his eyes. The image both enraged and aroused him. "How did they get wet, Willow?"

"I wanted to go swimming, but Steve didn’t want to. So I said I just wanted to look. And we did. Closely… Very closely…. Too closely." Then she dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Giles clenched his jaw and tried to be patient. "Willow!"

She stopped abruptly. "You said you wouldn’t get mad."

"I’m sorry," he said as a deep painful frown creased his forehead.

Willow stuck out her lower lip and scooched closer to him. She reached out with her small hand and smoothed the lines of his brow. "Don’t frown, Giles." She gently ran her warm fingers along his worry lines.

He caught his breath and then stilled her hand. Once again, he didn’t release it. "Willow..."

"You frown too much," she said softly as she traced little circles on the back of his hand. "It makes me so sad to see you frown," she whispered.

A small fist clutched his heart. He tried to slow his breathing, to ignore her feather light touches and shocks that coursed through his body.

"Too many worries," she said moving even closer. "I just want to feel safe."

He dared to look at her and knew instantly it was a mistake. Her eyes were so big, so sad and so achingly beautiful.

"I haven’t felt safe in so long," she breathed. "Would you just hold me?"

A wave of mild panic washed over him.

She looked so small. "I know I’ll feel safe in your arms."

He pulled Willow into his lap and wrapped his arms protectively around her. "You’re safe, Willow, " he soothed. "Nothing can hurt you. I won’t let it."

"I know," she said softly against his chest.

He caressed her hair, and let his fingers trail down her cheek. She nuzzled against his warmth and reveled in the feel of him.

They stayed silent, lost in the embrace for a few rare precious minutes. Eventually, Giles knew he had to pull away from her or he’d embarrass them both. He tenderly disentangled himself and set her on the bed.

"Feeling better?"

She looked up at him sadly, then ducked her head. She looked down at her robe and clutched at it, realizing for the first time that wasn’t dressed. She blushed furiously.

The quick color to her cheeks surprised him. "Are you alright?"

"I… I’m naked!"

He chuckled lightly. "So I’ve noticed." Stupid ass. "Y-you should probably change. Do… do you think you can manage?"

She nodded, suddenly shy.

"I’ll wait outside," he said as he closed the door behind him. He let out a long shuddering breath. She’d felt so good in his arms, but he was so ashamed at the way his body had reacted to her. She needed to feel safe, not be the object of lust. Which promptly brought this mind back to Diamond. What had gone on between them? Oh, Willow…

Thud.

"Ow," came the muffled cry from Willow’s bedroom. Giles quickly pushed the door open to find her sprawled on the floor rubbing her knee.

She looked up sheepishly. "I fell down, go boom."

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"I’d be fine if the room would just stop spinning."

He smiled in understanding and helped her to the edge of the bed. He noticed a small abrasion on her knee.

"Let me look at that," he said pulling her hands away. "Just a scrape. I’ll be right back." He disappeared out the door, but returned almost immediately with a first aid kit.

He knelt in front of her, bracing her foot against his knee. He held her calf gently and prepared to dab the wound with disinfectant. "This may sting a little," he said as he looked up for approval. He quickly looked back down. Her robe had fallen open, giving him quite a view of her breasts if he wanted it. He tried not to let the image burn into his memory, but it was far too late. Could she possibly be more exquisite? Oh, Gods.

She noticed his reaction and pulled the robe around her, but the damage had been done.

"T-This m-may sting," he repeated.

"You already said that."

"I know." He couldn’t meet her eyes. Gods, just feeling the soft skin of her legs was enough to drive him to distraction, and now this…

Giles tried to concentrate on the task at hand. He gently wiped the scrape and she gave a small hiss. He held her leg still and blew softly on her knee, hoping to take away the pain.

It was the most erotic moment of Willow’s life. Giles kneeling before her, his strong, warm hands holding her leg and his soft breath caressing her knee. She’d had fantasies like this, and now, here she was… alone with Giles in a hotel room.

The alcohol gave her one last burst of courage. She leaned forward slowly. "Giles?"

When he looked up, her face was inches from his. Her lips were open and inviting. He searched her eyes... Was that passion he saw? Gradually, he returned with wonder to her welcoming mouth.

And she kissed him.

Her lips barely brushed his at first. She reached out and touched his cheek, trying to urge him closer.

His heart was pounding. Every part of his brain screaming how wrong this was, every fiber in his body telling him how right.

He closed his eyes and let himself return the kiss. His lips melted into hers, endless waves of emotion pushing and pulling. She felt so wonderful, tasted so sweet. He pressed harder against her mouth, pent up passions and jealousies spurring him on. She moaned with pleasure, but the sound ripped him from this waking dream, and he pulled away.

If he’d looked at her face, he would have seen her desire, her shame, her hurt and even her love. But he didn’t look. Couldn’t look.

Without ever meeting her eyes, he stumbled from the room. "Forgive me." And he was gone.

Part Ten

Could he have run away any faster?

Willow sighed and swallowed what shreds of pride she had left and went to apologize.

He stood in the middle of the living room, facing the main door, his back tense.

"Giles?" she asked tentatively.

He lowered his head. "W-Willow…I’m," he struggled to find words and finally turned to face her. "I’m so terrible sorry."

"Why? You didn’t do anything. I’m the skanky ho…Oh God, I am."

"No, no. I should never have allowed what…. I've behaved abominably tonight."

"Giles…"

"To take advantage you in your… state… You have every right to be furious with me." He shook his head. "Here I fancy myself your white knight and …"

"Giles…"

"If I weren’t so ashamed of my own behavior I’d be on my way to give Mr. Diamond a sound thrashing…Actually, I still might."

"Nothing happened," she said dropping onto the couch. Giles looked skeptical. "You don’t believe me?"

"It’s not that."

"Nothing happened."

"Willow, it’s alright. Did he try to…"

"Giles! Nothing happened!" She sighed and added softly. "I only kissed one man tonight."

"Who?…. Oh." A paralyzing awkwardness descended. Giles was the first to recover. "Alcohol can… can make people do things that under ordinary circumstances…"

"Giles…"

"I, of course, have no excuse for my behavior."

"I kissed you!" she yelled. "I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long, but I was too afraid and then I just did it and I can’t believe I did it, but I did. Oh, God."

"Why?" he asked softly.

"Because I love you."

Deafening silence.

"I said that out loud, didn’t I?" She shrank back into cushions. "Do you think we could just forget that? Chalk it up to temporary insanity and pretend that… Oh, God… I’m just going to disappear now." She covered her face with her hands.

Once Giles started breathing again, he managed to speak. "Y-y-you w-what?"

"Could this get any more humiliating?" she whimpered.

"Willow," he urged. "Please look at me."

"Can’t we just pretend I didn’t say that?"

"Did you…did you mean it?"

"And a new level of humiliation is discovered…" she groaned.

"Willow…"

She sighed deeply. This was a moment of truth and she wasn’t going to lie. She knew she had to say it. It felt good to say it. "Yes. I meant it."

"R-really?" He couldn’t let himself believe it might be true.

"Yes," she said calmly, honesty giving her the strength to forge ahead. "I think I’ve had a crush on you since that first day in the library."

"A crush?" he said and couldn’t hide his disappointment. "It’s not unusual for authority figures to elicit-"

"In the beginning," she continued. "But then things changed. I’m not sure when… No, that’s a lie. I know exactly when it changed." She tried not to consider what he might be thinking. She’d started down this path and there was no turning back. She might never get this opportunity again. If she agreed to take Diamond up on his offer, she wouldn’t have to worry about living with Giles' rejection, she probably wouldn't see him again…

She looked at the man sitting next to her, the man she’d fallen in love with, and tried to memorize everything about him, to lock it away for the lonely days ahead.

"It was during the summer Buffy was away. Xander, Cordelia and I were patrolling and we had that run in with Paranka, the Slugmonster."

Giles nodded and smiled, remembering the Xanderism.

"It was pretty scary, but eventually we squished him. We got covered with that icky slime stuff. You should have seen your face when we walked into the library," she said with a chuckle, but the laughter faded quickly. "You were so worried and we were being so silly. Xander was telling his stupid jokes and Cordelia was complaining about her dry cleaning bills. And we just broke down into fits of giggles. You scolded us and made that clucking sound. Then you gave us your mock look of disapproval and went back into your office."

She looked down shyly. "You didn’t know it, but I saw you watching us. You looked so sad. You tried not to show it, but I know you hated it when we went on patrol. You probably felt guilty for putting us in danger and helpless that you couldn’t stop it all from happening in the first place. We knew that night could have, like every other night, ended with disaster, with somebody dying." She gave a small shudder. "We just needed to blow off some steam and laughing and being silly was our way of doing it. You could have stayed and joined us, but you didn’t. I supposed you didn’t want us to see your pain or dampen our spirits with your worries. Or maybe you didn’t feel welcome. But you were… you were always welcome."

Giles fought down the lump in his throat.

"And I watched you watch us. You were afraid to get too close, but were always there if we needed you… It was the way you watched us that night… Strong and vulnerable. Proud and ashamed. Your eyes were so full," she said, her voice choking with emotion. "That’s when I knew how much I loved you."

She looked him squarely in the eyes, needing him to see the truth in her words. "I told myself that I loved you as a friend. As a dear friend, but every day you did a thousand things to remind me. I couldn’t stop thinking about you, dreaming about you. When we’d be alone in the library, I’d have this strange wiggley feeling in my stomach. Here," she said as she touched just below her ribcage. "I knew I loved you… really loved you. And I… I…" She finally ran out of words.

Giles sat silently awed by her confession. He gently took her small hand in his, letting her strength stop his trembling. "Willow…"

Unsure if he could speak in such close proximity, he took refuge in the movement of pacing. He stood and prowled the room as he spoke. "The day the Council called and told me I was to have my own Slayer was… well, it's difficult to describe. My entire world changed in that instant. I went from the British Museum to the Sunnydale High School library. From reading Watcher's diaries to writing them. Everything that had been merely a theory became a reality. That day was the most important day of my life… Until today."

He wanted to tell her she was an angel, beautiful beyond measure. That she made his heart sing and filled him with a passion and a tenderness that made his knees weak. But he was too overwhelmed. He reached up and laid a hand over his pounding heart.

"My chest's so tight," he said nervously.

He stopped pacing and carefully considered his words. "I've certainly never been accused of being an eloquent man. I've always had trouble expressing my emotions, but…" He struggled, frustrated that he couldn't say what was in his heart. He crossed back to the sofa and knelt next to her. He took her hand and studied the elegant lines of her fingers, hoping to find inspiration. His chin trembled and the tears began to fill his eyes. "Willow…" He let out a long shuddering breath, the depth of his emotions too much. "I'm… I'm sorry… I can't seem to find the words."

She squeezed his hand and smiled at him through her own tears. She needed to kiss him, to let him feel her love. She pulled him closer… slowly…

Their eyes locked, expressing all the things that couldn't be said. Their faces just inches apart, their breath mingling as their lips parted in anticipation. "I love you, Willow," he whispered before taking possession of his love.

The kiss was unlike any other. Tasting each others tears, they fell into the embrace. Their first kiss had been filled with passion and heat. This kiss was draped in their love.

When they opened their eyes it was a new world that greeted them. In just a few minutes everything had changed. What had been tentative became sure. Dark was light. Day was night.

"Wow," Willow whispered.

Giles chuckled and pulled her closer. "I suppose to say this complicates things would be a gross understatement." He regretted the words as soon as he'd spoken them. He should have been able to let the moment linger.

Willow nodded, a frown coming to her face.

"I didn't meant that the way it sounded," she said hurriedly. "It's… I couldn't be happier. Really."

She smiled, but the frown shown through. "It's not that."

"What is it?"

"Diamond."

The name was like an arrow to his heart. He tensed. Instantly, the events of the evening came back to him in a rush. "Did… did he hurt you?" I'll kill him.

"No, nothing like that. He was a perfect gentleman."

"All evidence to the contrary," he mumbled through clenched teeth.

"Giles… Rupert… I was acting like an idiot. He was really very sweet."

Giles groaned. "That doesn't exactly put me at ease, Willow."

"Does this?" she asked as she kissed him again. He moaned when she pulled away.

"It's a start."

They were quiet for another long moment.

"Kai O'Trakan wants to take me on as his apprentice."

Giles' eyes went wide with surprise and then sparkled with pride. "That's wonderful. Kai… that's quite an honor."

"Yes, " she said dully.

"You don't sound very excited."

"I don't want to leave Sunnydale. Especially not now," she said snuggling against his chest.

Leave? Her words cut him like a knife. He hadn't even considered that. Of course, she'd have to move. To move away. Away. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. How could he in any good conscience try to dissuade her?

"Do you want to go?" he asked. Please say no.

"No."

Thank God.

"But, " she sighed. "Maybe I should."

He didn’t know what to say. He'd finally found love and minutes later it was leaving him. More than anything in he world, he wanted her to be happy, to do what was best for her. But he couldn't imagine life without her, not now.

"I could do so much more to help. I'd be stronger. I could make a difference." She didn't want any of those things, but if her time with Giles had taught her anything it was that sometimes, oftentimes, you did what you had to do, not what you wanted to do. The fight against Evil was more important than anything else... her happiness included.

The emotional toll of the evening was beginning to weigh on her. She felt the fatigue starting to take over.

"Let's not talk about this now." she said. "I just want to pretend everything can stay like it is right now."

"It can't, you know," he said sadly.

"Let's pretend." Her eyes were deep with feeling. "Just for tonight, let's pretend it can."

He nodded, knowing this might be all they ever had. He pulled her close to his heart and kissed her gently. "Alright, love. Alright."

Part Eleven

"Pancakes and sausages. Oh, and bacon...gotta have bacon…" Xander was practically drooling.

"Okay, okay… We'll get breakfast, but I've gotta change first," Buffy said as she fumbled for the hotel key. "And a word to the wise, or in this case, you… Shower."

She found the keycard and slid it through the slot.

"My natural manliness too much for-" The rest of the sentence died in his throat, as his eyes bugged out of his head.

"Whoa," Buffy mumbled.

Giles and Willow were asleep on the couch, tangled in each others arms.

Buffy tried to close the door, but Xander stood in the way, frozen in shock and horror.

"Xander…"

"Wha…?"

"Move."

"Hmmm?"

"Move," she said as she pulled him into the room and closed the door.

Cautiously, they walked over to the sleeping couple.

"At least they're dressed," Buffy observed casually.

"Buffy!" Xander's exclamation woke Giles. He groaned and shifted his neck, working out a kink. His eyes fluttered open and fell upon the woman in his arms. A huge, sleepy grin swept across his face and he leaned in to kiss her.

"Giles," Buffy said, her voice uneasy.

He snapped to attention, realizing they weren't alone. "Buffy… Xander." A blush rose in his cheeks.

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your… oh, it's Willow," Buffy said playfully.

Giles smirked, but was incredibly relieved that Buffy wasn't beating him to a bloody pulp. Xander, on the other hand, was silent, his face grim.

Willow mumbled something in her sleep. Giles cradled her gently and stroked her cheek. She seemed to relax and drift back into a peaceful rest. He pulled her easily into his lap and without a word of explanation, carried her to the bedroom.

He set her down gently and allowed himself a moment to gaze fondly at this amazing woman. He remembered how her voice had sounded when she said she loved him. How soft her lips were. His eyes drifted over her. He really should take her out of that robe, but he wasn't sure it was proper. He loved her, wanted nothing more than to make love to her, touch every inch of her body, but that would come in time. Here, now, it felt indecent to, well, disrobe her.

With a sigh, he walked back out into the living room.

"Buffy, would you… uhm… get Willow ready for bed?" he asked.

She shot up an eyebrow, but kept her remarks to herself. Instead, she smiled slyly and disappeared into the bedroom.

Xander watched the door close and then turned on the Watcher. "Is she alright?" he asked sharply.

"I'm afraid she'll have quite a headache when she wakes. But, yes, she's fine."

"What the hell happened?" Xander demanded.

Giles bristled at the tone, but chose to ignore it. "It seems Willow had a bit too much to drink, so I brought her back to the hotel."

"And you two just ended up in each other's arms?" Xander drawled bitterly. "Didn't know you had it in you."

"Xander," Giles said, warning in his voice.

"I can't believe you! This is Willow. Willow… How could you take advantage of her?"

"I would never-"

"I ought to punch you right in the mouth," Xander steamed.

"I think you'd better calm down," Giles said evenly.

"I don't want to calm down. Cordelia said you two… God! Were you just waiting till she was drunk?"

"Xander!" Giles was getting very angry, and consciously tried to calm down. "It's not what you think."

"Oh, no? Then what is it? Cause I'd like to know."

"I love her," Giles said simply. "And much to my amazement, she loves me."

Xander's jaw set.

"I know this will be awkward at first," Giles continued. "But I was hoping you'd be a little more mature than this."

"I have a problem with this. A big problem."

"And that is?"

Xander glared at him, defiant. "I love her."

"I realize that she's your best friend and nothing's-"

"No! I mean I love her."

"And what of Cordelia?" Giles asked sharply. He was surprised at how easily his jealousy was piqued.

"I love her too. I don’t know. It's complicated. I love Cordelia. I do. But Wills… I've loved her my whole life." His brown eyes were brimming with emotion. "I just thought some day, maybe…"

"Well, you were wrong," Giles said angrily.

The younger man pulled back, stung by the comment. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to hit Giles. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to talk about this right now," he said through clenched teeth. "Tell Buffy I went out."

Before Giles could answer, Xander had stormed out. Damn it.

A few minutes later Buffy emerged from Willow's bedroom. Giles was in the kitchen putting the kettle on for tea.

"Where's Xander?"

"He went out."

"Oh." Buffy sat on one of the stools and watched Giles. "Give him some time. Willow means a lot to him."

"Too much perhaps."

Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Jealous much?"

"Buffy, please don't bait me. I'm in no mood."

"Sorry. He'll come around. Just give him time."

Giles sighed and then regarded his Slayer. "I must admit, I expected you to be the one to have 'issues' with this."

"I do, but I'll deal. I mean, who am I to say this is a freaksome relationship. I love a vampire," she said with a shrug. "And besides, I love Willow and I know how long she's wanted this."

Giles smiled shyly, secretly pleased with this news.

"And apparently, you have too… It's still kinda wiggy, but I know you won't hurt her."

"I really do love her, Buffy."

"I know. I guess I should have seen it coming, but surprise, surprise…. I can be self-absorbed sometimes."

Giles chuckled.

"If you don't mind my asking. What exactly did happen last night?" Buffy asked.

"Buffy-"

"I don't mean here. I don't want to know that stuff. Ever. I meant at the party. You made quite an exit."

He laughed again. "I suppose I did. Apparently, Willow accidentally.. got drunk."

"Accidentally?"

Giles shrugged and shook his head.

"Leave it to Wills."

"I came across her and Mr. Diamond in well, what appeared to be a compromising position." His face darkened as he remembered the scene.

"How compromising?"

"It was all quite innocent, as it turns out. But I'm afraid I assumed the worst."

"You didn't kill him, did you?"

"No, but I wanted to," he said honestly. "I'm afraid I did, however, behave rather badly."

"I'll bet."

Giles proceeded to tell Buffy the balance of the evening, leaving out, of course, the more private moments. She was, to say the least, not thrilled at the prospect of Willow's moving away. Giles heartily concurred, but unfortunately, it wasn't up to them. It was Willow's decision and they'd both support her, no matter how much it hurt.

"Do you think I should go after Xander?" Giles asked reluctantly.

"No. Let me take care of Xander."

Giles sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep," Buffy suggested. "Alone," she added with a smirk.

"Buffy!"

It wasn't hard to find Xander… where there was food, there was Xander. He was having gigantic breakfast in the hotel coffee shop. It seems nothing can ruin the boy's appetite.

"Mind if I join you?"

Xander looked up and frowned. "Free country."

"Touchy."

He grunted between mouthfuls.

"He really does love her, you know," Buffy said gently.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay, then let's talk about Willow."

"What about her?" he asked warily.

"There's stuff, other stuff, happening I think you should know about. Have you ever heard of Kai O'Trakan…?"

******

Giles slept fitfully, drifting between dreams and nightmares, the only constant was Willow.

One moment she was with him, smiling that beautiful smile full of so much promise and the next she was alone, far away from him. He could hear her cry out, calling his name. But no matter where he searched, he couldn't find her. Door after door, room after room…. Her cries grew more and more plaintive and his search more frantic. Then, abruptly, the scene changed. He was standing in a field of wildflowers and Willow was running toward him. Suddenly, she stopped.

"Giles?" she said.

Then the earth beneath her opened and she fell and fell and fell.

"Giles!" she cried.

He snapped himself awake. He sat up in bed, sweating and breathing hard. Slowly the disorientation began to fade.

"Giles!"

His heart stopped. She was calling out to him. Stumbling to his feet he ran to her bedroom.

"Willow!" he called as he threw open the door. She was thrashing about in the bed, lost in her own nightmare. Giles stopped and tried to calm down. He stood there, panting, assuring himself, she was alright. Everything was alright.

He knelt by the side of her bed. "Willow." He gently nudged her.

She called his name again, just the way she had in his dream. "Giles!" It sent shivers up his spine.

"Willow!" He shook her more firmly. She wasn't waking and a dull fear started to grip his chest. Was there something supernatural at work? Too many years on the Hellmouth had taught him to assume the worst.

"Willow!" he yelled.

Her eyes flashed open - wide with a soul wrenching fear. She gasped and then calmed almost immediately.

"Willow, are you alright? Love?"

She noticed Giles for the first time and sighed in relief. "I guess I was dreaming."

He smoothed her hair and took her hand in his. It was cold as ice. He rubbed it gently. "Yes," he breathed. "Just a dream." He pushed down the panic he felt and concentrated on Willow. She's fine, he told himself. It was just a dream.

She swallowed and closed her eyes. Her face pinched with pain.

"What is it?" he asked desperate with concern.

"Wooo…. My head is killing me. And I think somebody put a teeny weeny sweater on my tongue," she said making a sour face.

He chuckled.

"Oh, not so loud," she begged.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he gently stroked her face. "You should try to drink some water. Do you think you can manage it?"

She nodded slightly. He got her a glass of water and some aspirins, which she took with a groan.

"Sleep more if you can," he said softly.

"Sleep means nightmares," she said in a small voice.

"No nightmares. Think of something beautiful," he whispered.

"I'll try."

He kissed her forehead tenderly. "I'll stay here until you fall asleep."

"I love you, Rupert."

"Oh, Willow... I love you too." He kissed her hand and breathed out a ragged sigh.

It didn't take long for sleep to claim her. Giles stayed by her side as promised, watching her and wishing her beautiful dreams that did not come.

Part Twelve

The future for Giles had always been prophecies and potential battles. He’d never really allowed himself to imagine what his life would be like years down the line. His duty had always overshadowed his personal life, what there was of it. For the first time since he was a boy, he was dreaming of a life beyond slaying. He knew as long as there was evil to fight he would do his part, but now there was more. So much more… Willow.

Ironic really, so many nights she had been his inspiration. The idea of keeping the world safe, of keeping innocents like Willow safe, had pushed him to continue when he thought he couldn’t go on. And now, she was the very reason he was considering a life more ordinary.

He would always be there for Buffy, but suddenly, Giles found himself considering – daring to dream – of a normal life. Of coming home and relaxing by the fire, talking of art and literature, going for walks and maybe even travelling… with Willow.

And as fate would have it, just as he was accepting the possibility of this new life, Willow it seemed was about to embark on a different course. She hadn’t spent twenty years in service as he had. She was just beginning. And she had the potential to do great things. How could he stop her from that? How could he ask her to give up the opportunity to become something, someone, so important to the cause? The cause, he thought bitterly. If he hadn’t been such a stalwart, so single-minded…

For years he’d prattled on about duty and an obligation to something greater than the individual… now he was reaping what he had sewn. He had taught her to place the fight above all other things. Now the tables had turned and he was the thing being left behind.

He wasn’t sure he could bear to lose this one chance at happiness, but he knew from painful experience that fate had its own ideas.

The ringing of the telephone interrupted Giles’ thoughts. It was Carson Vail, the older gentleman from the party, extending an invitation to dinner. He wanted the chance to present the Defenders to Giles and the others in a way Diamond might not.

Xander and Buffy returned to the hotel room early in the evening. The tension between the two men was still palpable, but sublimated, at least for now.

The reservations were for 7:30 at a somewhat upscale restaurant not far down the strip.

Xander grumbled about having to dress up, but free food, any food, was incentive enough. "Isn’t Wills coming?" he asked Buffy.

"I don’t think so."

"I’m afraid she’s a little hung. Best she sleeps as much as possible," Giles added.

Xander grunted but managed not to start in on Giles again.

The three arrived at the restaurant promptly at 7:30. Giles approached the maitre d’. "Excuse me, we’re with the Vail party."

"Ah yes, you must be Mr. Giles. Mr. Vail asked me to give this to you. He said it was rather urgent." He handed him a small envelope.

"Thank you," Giles replied as he read the short note. His eyes went wide with surprise and then his expression grew concerned.

"What’s wrong?" Buffy asked.

"Do you know where…" he consulted the note. "Griffith Park, uhm, Dante’s View is?"

"Yeah, sure, but-"

"I’ll explain in the car."

********

"So that’s all it said?" Buffy asked.

Giles handed her the note.

Buffy read it aloud. "Having some trouble, could use your help. Please come immediately… blah blah blah…" She frowned. "What do you think it is?"

"I imagine we’ll find out soon enough."

"You don’t have any food do you? Cause I am really starving here…" Xander said as he scrounged the backseat for any forgotten morsel. "Oh…. Hello… Almond Joy… Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don’t."

******

They found the area marked Dante’s View with little trouble. Giles parked the car and they jumped out and ran to the garden's edge on the east slope of Mount Hollywood.

On the crest of a small ridge about 100 yards away stood a lone figure, silhouetted against the night sky. Closer, about 20 yards down the side of the mountain were four men. One of them Giles recognized as Carson Vail.

Vail noticed the newcomers and motioned them down. Standing with Vail were three members of Savage Rain: Ash with his shock of white hair, Tag who was tall and too thin, and Chaz who had muscles on his muscles. All three men scanned the skies, never taking their eyes off the night.

"Mr. Giles, Good. I see you got my note," Vail said hurriedly.

"Yes, what's the emergency?"

"A little demon trouble," Vail said too casually.

"Typical suit," Ash grumbled.

Buffy and Xander moved away from Vail and Giles and took up positions near the band members.

"You're Ash, right?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah. So you're the Slayer," he replied although he never looking away from the sky.

"What's with the stargazing?"

"You'll see," Tag said.

"Oh great, another cryptic guy," Xander groaned.

"Where's Willow?" Vail asked Giles.

"Back at the hotel. She wasn't feeling well."

Vail let out a small curse under his breath. "That's too bad. Raven could have used her help." He motioned to the lone figure on the ridge. "He's a good warlock, but…"

"I don't get it," Buffy said impatiently. "What are we waiting for? Where's this demon? Point him out and I'll show you guys how we do it back home."

"Wait for it," Ash said softly. All eyes looked into the night sky.

"There!" Tag said pointing due north. Far off in the distance, something flew. It circled, slowly, each pass bringing it closer to the mountain.

Its body was about the size of a man's, but it's large bat-like wings spread out a good ten feet. It moved, almost lazily, circling, ever nearer.

"I know a little magic," Giles offered. "Perhaps I can help the warlock." Vail didn't respond, but then Giles wasn't asking permission. With a look back at Buffy and Xander, he started up the hill.

"Get your weapons ready," Ash instructed.

"Uhm, we don't have any," Xander said sheepishly.

"Don't worry, I always bring enough to share." He motioned them to two large canvass bags. Buffy pulled out a crossbow and handed a spear gun to Xander.

"Alright. Spread out. Take up positions." Tag ordered.

The group split and ducked behind what little cover there was. Once they were ready, all they could do was wait for the demon to make its move. They wouldn’t have to wait long.

Giles clambered up the hill. "Raven?" he asked breathlessly.

The man spun to face him, his eyes wide with fear. "Who are you? Where's the witch?"

Giles frowned. "She's not here. What are we dealing with? What kind of demon is it?"

"She’ll be here soon?" Raven asked desperately.

"She’s not coming," Giles answered suspiciously.

The younger man paled. "Shit. Shit. Shit." He scrambled over to a clump of chaparral and grabbed a large dark crystal. "Damnit, I need backup!" He held the crystal to his chest and started to chant.

"What can I do?" Giles offered, but it was too late.

They heard it scream. It was a horrible sound that chilled them all to the bone. Piercing the night with its high pitched wail, the demon made its strike.

"Now!" Tag yelled from down the hill. The bolts and spears flew at the creature, but it was far too agile and its hide too thick. It swerved and spun, easily avoiding nearly all the projectiles.

It stopped circling and was flying straight for the ridge at breakneck speed.

"Giles! Look out!" Buffy screamed.

Everything went into slow motion as Giles dove to the ground to avoid the oncoming attack.

He vaguely recognized the chant Raven was repeating, but couldn’t place it. The younger man started to panic and lost his place.

"Get down!" Giles urged him, but Raven was frozen with fear. All he could do was stare at the demon as it flew straight toward him.

Giles tried to crawl closer, to pull the man down to safety. As he inched his way through the dirt, he noticed a pattern on the ground. There were partial symbols and the remnants of a circle. They had been hastily brushed away, but enough remained for Giles to recognize them as a summoning ring.

When Giles looked up again, the demon was there.

In a terrible instant the demon was upon them. It viscously tackled Raven, pinning him to the ground. It large body hulking over the fallen man. The creature was blacker than the night. Its eyes were like ebony, its breath was a strange green mist and its hands had large sharp talons. It cried again, that screeching wail… and plunged a clawed fist into Raven's chest.

The man was dead before the scream could escape his lips.

The creature pulled his taloned hand away and with a cry of triumph it flew skyward, disappearing swiftly into the night. The others’ weapons were useless and the demon escaped. It was over as quickly as it had begun.

Giles remained prone, his face pressed to the earth. His breath blew small puffs of dirt as he panted and tried to push down the nausea that rose in his throat.

Buffy was the first up the hill. "Giles! Giles!"

"I'm here," he wheezed, coughing through the dirt he'd swallowed and stood on shaky legs.

"Oh, God. We couldn't tell who it was," she said running to his side. The others arrived shortly behind her.

"G-Man," Xander said with a grin. Giles returned the smile, but then turned grim.

Tag knelt next to Raven's body. "Holy shit."

"What the fuck was that thing?" Ash asked.

Giles gathered his wits. "My God… I-it w-was… Inneresser, I think."

"You're talkin' French, here buddy," Ash said shaking his head.

"German actually. It means… Heart Eater."

"Christ, you ain't kiddin'."

They all looked at the dead man. Raven's chest was splayed out from the force of the blow and there was a gaping cavity that once held his heart.

Part Thirteen

"Wow," Buffy said quietly as she gazed at the dead man. "So this thing… he’s gonna …eat his heart?"

"Yes… uhm, I’m afraid so," Giles said

"I… I don’t know this Inneresser guy," Tag said still mesmerized by Raven’s corpse.

"I'm not surprised really. He was banished from the earthly plane by an Austrian mage, I believe… uhm… well over 200 years ago." As Giles spoke Buffy could see the wheels turning. His mind was working fast and from his expression, he didn’t like what it was figuring. She turned her attention back to Raven's body.

"I’m sorry for your loss," Buffy offered to Ash, who nodded in silent acceptance.

"It’s always the drummers," Tag said quietly.

"Is it just me?" Xander said nervously "Or should we maybe be getting the hell out of here?"

"Yes, quite." Giles was a million miles away, or maybe just a few. His expression darkened.

"Yes.. yes. Send in the clean-up unit," Vail said into his cell phone as he finally joined the others. "Yes, I know that!… Alright." He abruptly snapped the phone shut. He looked at Ravens’ body. "Poor lad… Clean-ups on the way. I suggest we pull back."

"You’re gonna just leave him?" Buffy asked incredulous.

"No. A special unit will see to him. There’s nothing else we can do," Vail said. "Shall we?" He motioned for them to follow him down the hill to the parking lot.

Buffy held back and kept to the rear of the group with Giles and Xander.

"Giles," she whispered. "What’s going on? What aren’t you saying?"

He shook his head. "We have to get back to the hotel. Now." His voice was calm, but his eyes were tinged with fear. She nodded and they quickly caught up to the others.

"I’m sorry about this. "This is not what I had planned for this evening," Vail said. "We could use your expertise, Mr. Giles. All of you. I’m not familiar with this…. What was it? Inneresser."

Giles nodded. "We’ll do what we can."

"Shouldn’t we be tracking this thing? Blowing it out the sky or something?" Ash said tersely.

"How do you suggest we do that?" Tag said.

"He'll go to a secluded area to regenerate… and… uhm… digest," Giles explained. "He won’t need to feed for another 24 to 48 hours."

"You really know your shit," Tag said impressed.

Giles ignored him, anxious to leave. "We really should be getting on. I take it you’ll contact us tomorrow."

"Yes, of course," Vail replied. "Thank you." The Defenders watched the newcomers leave. Suspicion tinted their eyes, as the black BMW pulled out of the parking lot.

**********

Giles drove quickly and silently down the mountain.

"Okay, what’s going on?" Buffy said.

"I'm not sure," he said uneasily. "But that… none of that was right." He fell silent, replaying the evening's events.

"And?" Buffy prompted.

"I'll feel better when I know Willow's safe."

"Willow?" Xander asked. "What's she got to do with this?"

"Everything, I'm afraid. I just…" The pieced started to fit together. "Christ! The whole damn thing was just a set-up."

"What are you talking about?" Xander demanded.

"Raven summoned the demon," Giles said though clenched teeth.

"What?"

"I saw the summoning ring."

"Why in hell would he do that?" Buffy said.

"I don't know, but he was counting on Willow's being there tonight. If you'd seen his face…"

"D-do you think they were trying to… "Xander had trouble with the idea. "That she was meant to…"

Giles face darkened. "Possibly."

"It doesn't make sense," Buffy added. "I mean, the Defenders think Willow's like the second coming or something, right? Why would they want to kill… to do that?"

"She's right," Xander said. "It doesn't fit."

"Trust me. Willow's at the center of this. I can feel it. " Giles stomach clenched at the thought.

"Suddenly you're the expert on all things Willow, huh?" Xander said bitterly.

"Xander, not now," Buffy warned.

"I think now's the perfect time. When did you start feeling all this about Willow? No, don't tell me… when you started *feeling* Willow?"

"Xander!" Giles snapped. "You'd better watch your mouth."

"Or what? Women may fall for that cheesy accent and the older man shit, but I'm not-"

"Xander!" Buffy yelled. "Stop it."

"You can't tell me you think this… this whatever the hell it is with him and Willow is normal?" Xander demanded.

"I'm warning you…" Giles voice was tight.

"Giles, just shut up and drive." Buffy spun around and shot daggers at Xander in the backseat. "And Xander, you just shut up! Have you two lost the plot completely? Willow's in danger. We all love Willow. We all save Willow. We sort the rest out later. Got it?"

Both men grunted in tacit assent.

Giles pressed down harder on the accelerator and the car sped toward the hotel.

********

Giles opened the door to the hotel room and swiftly crossed to Willow’s bedroom. She’s fine, he told himself. She’s fine. He opened the door expecting to see her still sleeping. The bed was empty. The cold fear he’d been suppressing rose to the surface.

"She’s not here!" he called out and grasped the door jam tightly.

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked uselessly.

"Check the other rooms," Xander suggested.

Buffy and Xander dashed to their bedrooms and Giles’ but there was no sign of her. Giles stood in the doorway to her bedroom, gripping the frame, trying to still the trembling in his hands.

"Giles?" Buffy asked, concerned. He didn’t respond. "Giles!"

"Hmm?"

"Maybe she went for a walk or something?" Xander suggested.

Giles nodded absently.

"We’ll check around the hotel," Buffy said, as she and Xander headed for the door.

"Hi, guys," said a soft voice.

Everyone spun toward it.

"Willow!" Giles cried as he ran to her. She was standing at the sliding glass doors that led to the balcony. He pulled her tightly to his chest, his heart pounding.

Her arms went around his waist. "I’m glad to see you too."

Giles simply held her. He closed his eyes and thanked the Gods she was alright.

"Are you okay?" Buffy asked.

Willow tried to turn and respond, but Giles’ hold was too tight. "I’m fine," she mumbled against his chest.

"Giles," Xander said, warning in his voice.

Giles eased up slightly, but kept Willow against him. They both turned to face Buffy and Xander.

Xander was about to say something angry, something sure to upset Giles. When he saw the look in the older man’s eyes, he stopped. The depth of emotion was staggering. The fear at having lost her, the joy at having found her… the passion and the tenderness, the love and the need. Giles’ whole world was in his eyes and the younger man was humbled by it.

"I just needed some fresh air… What's wrong? What happened? Giles?"

He looked down at her, his eyes still brimming with emotion. He smiled wanly. Willow smiled back and pulled herself from his arms. He looked hurt, until she took his hand and led them into the living room.

Everyone settled uneasily into the chairs and sofa.

"One of the Defenders was… uhm.. killed tonight," Giles started. "There was a demon-"

The southern bird and the tree flashed into her mind. "It was Raven, wasn't it?" Willow said softly.

"Whoa. How'd you know that?" Buffy asked.

"I dreamt it. I think…. I don't know." Everyone exchanged worried glances at this. Willow felt Giles tense and she gave his hand a comforting squeeze.

"Giles thinks, maybe you…. Maybe the demon…." Xander's voice trailed off.

"I think…" he held her hand tightly. "You may be in some danger."

"Me? Why me?" she squeaked.

Giles sighed heavily and shook his head. "I'm not sure… I…"

He was afraid and instinctively she needed to sooth him. "We'll figure it out," she said with a brave smile. "We'll research, right?"

She's so amazing, he thought. *She's* comforting me…. "I haven't any of my books… I don't know where to begin…."

"On the web."

He looked at her questioningly. She smiled. "I have my laptop. Just one of the advantages of the computer, Giles." She stood and started for her bedroom. "I think there's a modem line in here and…" Her voice faded as she disappeared into the other room.

"Research, huh?" Buffy said with a frown.

Giles smirked. "The inevitable conclusion to ignorance."

"Was I just insulted?" Buffy said with a pout.

Xander laughed. "Come on, let's get some food. Let the… let them do the research thing." He looked at Giles, his dark eyes trusting, but still hesitant.

Giles tried to look reassuring. "I'm sure we'll figure this out."

"Right," Buffy said. "Come on Xander, let's nosh."

"The magic word." Buffy and Xander left.

Giles watched them go, hoping his bravado was justified. He went to join Willow and found her sitting cross-legged on the bed leaning over her laptop.

He leaned against the same doorway he had been clinging to just minutes earlier and gazed at the hacker.

Her gentle brow was furrowed in concentration, her eyes keen with anticipation. She looked so small sitting there, and yet, he knew how deceiving that was. She had a strength and a power that had nothing to do with size, and everything to do with the depth of her spirit.

He'd always known she was a young woman with an old soul. It was a delightful paradox - innocence and wisdom.

He smiled tenderly, wondering how he'd ever been lucky enough to find her. She felt his eyes on her and looked up - that sweet smile on her lips. The smile he'd come to know as the one meant only for him. She broke away and returned her attention the computer. Her movement reminded him of why they were here. She was in danger. Willow. His Willow was in danger. He was sure of it. The thought forced him closer to her. He needed to be near.

He sat behind her on the bed, leaning over her shoulder as he had so many times before.

She felt the warmth of his body press against her back. His strong hand traveled up her arm and came to rest on her shoulder. She sighed.

"Something wrong, Love?" he asked.

"No, it's just.. if you stay there I'm not going to be able to concentrate," she said in a sultry voice.

He laughed softly and she felt it reverberate in his chest. "That's not helping," she said with a quiver in her voice.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he leaned his head in close to her ear. "I just needed to touch you."

She moaned softly. His hand moved up her neck, gently guiding her head to turn… their lips almost touching.

"Rupert," she breathed. His lips so near, so tempting. The computer beeped loudly, startling them out of the moment. She turned back to the screen. He sighed and pulled slightly away, then he felt her body tense.

"Uh-oh."

Part Fourteen

Willow's eyes went wide as she saw the rendering of Inneresser. It was a crude woodcarving, but unmistakable.

"Is this what you saw tonight?" she asked in a small voice.

"Yes," Giles said as he stood and began to pace.

"I know him."

Giles stopped. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"He was in my nightmare. That's probably not a good sign, right?" she said trying to lighten the mood.

Giles frowned and resumed his pacing.

Willow continued to scan her computer screen. "It says that the demon, after it… eats the heart… he absorbs the magick of his victim."

Giles nodded. "I just don't understand why Raven would have summoned him. What was to be gained?"

"I think I know," she said. "Apparently, it works in reverse too. Whoever defeats Inneresser gains the demon's powers."

"Perhaps you were meant to be there so that you could destroy him and accelerate your growth as a wicca." The Defenders, it seemed, were willing to risk her life and countless others to gain a head start on a few years study.

"But I wasn't there… and Inneresser's more powerful now, isn't he?"

Giles nodded grimly. "You're somehow the key to all this… if we can just figure out-"

"Giles?"

"Yes?"

"My German's not very good, what does Stadtsteig mean?"

"Uhm… let's see… stadt means town and steig means… rose, I think…" His voice trailed off… "Rosetown… or… Rosenberg."

"I was afraid you were going to say that." She was pale. "The mage that banished him two hundred years ago… his name was Viktor Stadtsteig… coincidence is probably too much to ask for, isn't it?"

"Do you know your family's genealogy?" Giles asked not wanting to hear the answer.

"Not really, but… I do have some relatives from Austria… Oh, God. I'm this mage's descendant, aren't I?"

"Not necessarily," Giles said, although he knew it was a lie. The more they found out, the closer Willow was pulled toward the center. "Does it say how he destroyed the demon?"

Willow kept reading. "It looks like a local witch summoned Inneresser, in order to defeat him and glean his power - just like Raven, but she was killed almost immediately, just like Raven. Several other warlocks tried to destroy him, but they all fell, each time Inneresser grew more powerful."

Giles swallowed hard, could this get any worse?

Her voice shaking, Willow continued. "It doesn't say how he did it, but…"

"But what?"

"Finally Stadtsteig was able to defeat the demon, but the transference of magicks was too great… The influx of so much raw power ravaged his body." Willow stopped and gathered herself before continuing. "The mage went insane, whether from the pain or the magick, no one knows. Six weeks later, his wife, unable to bear her husband's suffering, killed him before taking her own life."

Both were silent as the meaning of what they'd just learned sunk in.

"Is this how Buffy feels?" Willow said softly. "I mean, when she reads a prophecy about her and…"

"This isn't a prophecy, Willow."

"Isn't it?" she said sadly.

"No," he said firmly refusing to accept the possibility. "You have to leave here."

"What?"

He moved quickly, his mind ticking off the possibilities. "You can visit relatives somewhere, until this is all over."

"I think I'm meant to be here," she said softly.

His eyes blazed. "No!" he yelled. "You'll leave early tomorrow."

"What if I'm the only one who can destroy him?"

Giles shook his head. "There's another way."

"What if there isn't?"

"Willow…" He couldn't bear the thought of her suffering, couldn't fathom a life without her.

She crossed the room slowly and took his hand in hers. She fixed his eyes with a solemn look. "Giles, I can feel it. It's supposed to be this way."

"No!" He shook his head violently.

"Giles…"

"I can't lose you," he said his voice hoarse with emotion. "I won't." His fear quickly changed to anger, to passion... to desire.

Beyond all reason, he had to have her. Now.

If he could have screamed and kissed her at the same time, he would have.

It was need. It was panic. It was desperation. He grabbed her hard, pressing his body against hers. His lips crushing, bruising. The kiss was powerful, starving. His hands held her arms still at her sides. He was unrelenting, devouring.

His tongue plundered her mouth, feeding… needing. His hands ran up her inner torso, searching, touching, wanting to feel all of her. His fingers passed over the soft swell of her breasts - brushing against them in the rush to savor all of her.

He forced her body up to the wall, her back pressed hard against the doorframe.

He grabbed her head with his strong hands and demanded entry with his passion. So fierce was his desire, she struggled to catch her breath.

His tongue vanquished her mouth - possessing it, setting fire to every nerve. He moved his mouth from her lips to her neck, licking, biting his way to her collarbone.

His hips rubbed against her stomach, grinding, insinuating. Her stomach dipped with each thrust, her heart pounding.

She ran her fingernails along his back, making him moan with pleasure. He grabbed her wrists and held them in one his hands. He forced them over her head and rucked up her nightshirt with his free hand - teasing the flesh of her thigh.

She gasped as his fingers touched the inside of her leg, the sound spurring him on, his arousal growing.

And then, all at once, what had been aggressive became tender. The demands became silent pleas.

His mouth sought hers again, his tongue gently ran along her lips, all the need he felt for her held within this kiss. Yesterday and tomorrow, forever and a day. All that he was, would ever be, he gave to her in that moment.

He wanted to erase the memory of every kiss that had come before. He needed this moment, this kiss to defy all others, to burn with a fire so strong that everything, every sensation was eclipsed by its power. If everything in the world stopped, if time itself ceased to pass, she would know the strength his love. Boundless, timeless - he claimed her as his forever.

Suddenly transcendent, they were so more than bodies pressed together.

Searing across their very souls, the connection was made. A devotion so profound no man, no beast, could put asunder. A place so pure, death itself had no meaning.

In that instant, that perfect moment, his love for her and hers for him, outshone the brightest star in the heavens. And the angels wept.

Part Fifteen

Eventually, Giles came back to earth. He pulled out of the kiss. He knew if he didn’t, there would be no stopping.

"We shouldn’t-" he said breathlessly and without much conviction.

"Stopping bad. Don’t wanna stop," Willow gasped, her eyes burning with passion.

Using every ounce of self-control he had, Giles managed to push her away. He held her at arm’s length. "Willow, now’s not the time."

She pushed out her lower lip in a seductive pout, her small hands reached out and ran up his chest.

He groaned, but held firm. "Not now, love. Not here."

She let her glazed eyes drift to the bed just a few feet away and then back to his. "Rupert…" her voice was like honey.

He wanted her desperately, but knew Buffy and Xander could return at any moment. He wanted their first time to be perfect, not rushed.

He shook his head. "There’ll be time enough for this later. Please…."

Her eyes held his, fear danced across them. "What if there isn’t time? What if I die?"

He closed his eyes, trying to banish her words. He took hold of her head with both of his hands and pressed his forehead to hers. "Shhh. None of that."

He brushed his lips gently across her brow. "We’ll have time. I promise you."

She looked up at him, the sadness behind her smile tearing at his heart.

It wasn’t an empty promise, she knew. He would do everything in his power to keep it. But she also knew, whatever he did, it still might not be enough.

She gave him her bravest smile and kissed his cheek.

Resigned again to their duty, they returned to their research, but found little of help. Before too long Buffy and Xander returned.

"Look what we found downstairs," Buffy said as she held open the door. Angel and Cordelia stepped inside.

"Just happened to be in the neighborhood?" Willow asked.

Angel smiled. "Checking up on you actually. If that’s alright?"

Willow returned the smile. "More than alright."

Cordelia went into the kitchen and helped herself to a soda from the fridge. "We were at this bar, the Interloper… see dictionary under dive. And who do we run into but the surviving members of Savage Rain."

"They told us what happened and… here we are," Angel finished.

"Yes, well, it was rather unpleasant to say the least," Giles said as he sat heavily on the couch.

Angel looked at Willow. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine," she said with a weak smile. "I wasn’t even there."

Angel nodded. "But you were supposed to be, weren’t you?"

Willow sat close to Giles. "Yes."

Giles sighed and took off his glasses. He polished them as he spoke. "We’ve come across some disturbing information."

"I hate it when he does that," Cordelia said as she perched herself on one of the bar chairs.

Xander, who had stayed in the background up until now, came and sat in a chair near Willow. His big brown eyes studied her carefully. "It’s about Willow, isn’t it?"

"Yes," Giles said. Weighing his words carefully, he told them what they had learned about Willow’s ancestor and the demon’s power. The group took the news as expected… a mixture of horror and grim determination.

"We’ll find a way to deal with this thing, Willow," Buffy said.

Willow smiled. "I know."

"Yeah, I mean, no demon’s getting his greasy fingers on my Willow," Xander added. He hastily looked at Giles expecting some kind of rebuke, but saw his sentiment reflected. They would all do whatever they could, whatever they had to. Willow would not fight this monster alone.

They agreed to meet again the next day at Angel’s for a strategy session. Xander and Buffy walked Angel and Cordelia out to their car.

"It’s good to be loved," Willow said after the others had left.

Giles took her in his arms and kissed her gently. "Oh, you are loved."

She held onto his waist and rested her head on his chest. "I know… and thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything."

He sighed a deeply, contentedly. "Thank you."

They stayed in each other’s arms for long moment. "I guess, we should get to bed… I mean, sleep."

"Yes," he whispered as he leaned in for one last kiss. "Sleep, my sweet."

"Goodnight, Rupert."

He watched Willow disappear into her bedroom, wishing her he could stay with her, hold her. There will be time for that, he told himself. There had to be.

*************

Willow’s dreams came quickly. The images at first a jumble, coalesced into familiar scenes. Walking with Rupert through the gardens. Eating ice cream cones with Xander. Sharing secrets with Buffy late at night. The scenes played again and again, each time she felt the love, the happiness. Then they changed.

She was alone. She walked in the gardens but Giles was nowhere to be seen. Xander and Buffy too had disappeared. She stood alone in despair, until a man’s voice greeted her.

"They are together," said the voice.

She spun around, but could see no one. "Who are you?"

"They are together. But they will die."

"Who are you? What do you mean?"

"They cannot defeat him. Only you have the power." The voice was powerful, but sad.

"I know," she said in small voice.

"You must be alone."

"How can I destroy him? I don’t understand."

"Do not take all of him."

"What do you mean?" She knew the voice had the answers, if only she could understand.

"Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."

"I don’t understand," she pleaded with the voice, but was met only with silence. A deeper sleep claimed her and the dreams faded into nothingness.

Part Sixteen

Giles spent the next morning racking up over-seas charges. He had called in countless favors, resurrected associations better left dormant, and rung up friends and enemies alike.

Having hit another dead end, he slammed the phone down into its cradle. All that and he was still no closer to an answer. He knew time was working against him. He had to find a way to defeat the demon or… as far as he was concerned… there was no or.

There were still a few stones as yet unturned, he was not a man without contacts. Twenty years in the Watchers had garnered him many interesting acquaintances. He would try them all, no matter how unlikely.

He'd been cramped up by the phone in his room for hours and finally decided to stretch his legs.

Willow was in the kitchen buttering a piece of toast, for the third time. Last night's dream had plagued her. She knew everything that was said was somehow significant. The keys were right there, if only she could see them.

Giles watched her for a moment as she dropped the bread and continued to butter her palm. "Willow?"

"Hmmm?" She felt the slippery substance on her hand. "Oh," she said sheepishly and grabbed a towel to wipe it off.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I was… I was just thinking." She frowned slightly, but when she looked at Giles a smile just seemed to grow. "Any luck?"

He shook his head. "No… n-not yet. I'm sure we'll come across something soon. And you? Anything from the... uhm... web?"

She laughed. He still wasn't comfortable with even the mildest technospeak. "Not yet, but I'm sure-"

The phone in Giles' room interrupter her. He gave her a hopeful smile and started to dash to answer it. The ringing of the front doorbell stopped him in mid-stride.

"Go," she assured him. "I'll get it."

He disappeared into his room, while Willow went to open the front door.

"Steve!"

"Hello, Willow, "Diamond said with sly smile.

Willow stood dumbstruck for a moment.

"May I come in?"

"Oh, sorry. Sure, sure." She blushed furiously. What he must think of me.

"I, ah…had your clothes dry cleaned," he said holding up a small garment bag.

Willow managed to turn a deeper shade of crimson. Diamond smiled gently and laid the bag across a chair. "I'm glad to see you're alright. I heard what happened last night."

"I'm fine. I wasn't even there."

"I know, but… I worried anyway." He grinned as she fidgeted.

"Uhm, can I get you a soda?" She scurried into the kitchen. "I think we have something…"

"Nothing, thank you."

"Oh." She stood nervously, shifting her weight.

He allowed himself one last grin before taking pity on her. "Willow, you have nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Who me? Why would I be embarrassed? I mean I only humiliated myself in front of 300 people."

"Willow," he drawled as he slowly walked over to her. "You were a delight. Playful, charming.. You do need to work on your breast stroke though."

"M-m-y b-breast stroke?"

"I'd be glad to help you with that when this is all over," he offered leaning in close.

"Willow?" Giles' voice called as he entered the living room. "Who was that at the… door?" He saw Diamond looming over Willow, the man's intent oozing from every pore.

Giles was incredibly frustrated, his inability so far to protect Willow from Inneresser was driving him mad. But this wasn't a demon. This was a man. A man who, in Giles' mind, posed a threat. A man he could deal with, would deal with… would love to deal with.

Diamond pulled back. "Ah, Mr. Giles." He crossed to shake hands. "Willow and I were just… reminiscing."

Giles paused significantly before ignoring the proffered hand. He swiftly strode across the room to Willow, took her in his arms and kissed her soundly.

Willow eeped in surprise before forgetting herself in the passion of Rupert's kiss.

"Are you alright, Love?" Giles asked in a deep voice, as he turned and glared at Diamond.

"I'm fine," Willow answered once she caught her breath. "Steve was just returning my… uhm... clothes."

Giles eyes narrowed as he remembered the night of the party. "I see."

Diamond went noticeably pale as he sensed the danger he was in from the Watcher. "It seems I've missed something," he said in an attempt at levity.

"Yes, you have, "Giles said with a mirthless smile. He pulled Willow to him again, kissed her forehead and then advanced on Diamond. His stride was predatory.

Instinctively, Diamond took a few steps back.

"I won't mince words with you, Diamond. I don't like you. I don't trust you. I don't want you anywhere near Willow… You see…she's mine."

If Willow weren't so shocked at this display, she probably would have giggled.

Diamond stood motionless, trying to think of an answer that wouldn't get him killed.

Impatiently, Giles took another menacing step forward. "Do…you… under…stand?"

Diamond nodded weakly. "Yours... got it. I really did miss something," he quipped lamely.

Giles was not amused. "You and the rest of your bloody Defenders are not welcome here."

Diamond was thrown by this. A man and a woman… well that made sense, but what did…? "I don't understand. I'm sorry you had to see… what happened the other night, but it was, after all one of ours that got killed."

Giles snorted. "Don't play me for a fool. You'll regret it, I assure you."

Diamond looked to Willow for answers. "You're… you are alright? Right?"

Giles moved to the side, effectively blocking Diamond's view of Willow. "You've been warned," he spat.

"Giles," Willow said as she came to his side. "He really doesn't know."

"Know what?" Diamond asked.

Giles' eyes were penetrating, reluctant and finally sadly surprised. "Your own man summoned the demon."

"What? Why in hell would he do that? Inneresser's…" Diamond's voice trailed off as she considered this new bombshell.

Giles' arm snaked around Willow's waist. Diamond wasn't stupid. He'd researched Inneresser as soon as he'd heard the news. Willow. His eyes softened as he regarded her. "I'm sorry. I… I didn't realize." The man's entire demeanor changed. He was all business. He met Giles' cold stare and didn't flinch. "How can I help?"

"We don't need your-" Giles started.

"Rupert," Willow interrupted. "We need all the help we can get." She squeezed his arm. "We can trust him."

Giles looked skeptical.

"I trust him," she added.

Giles stewed silently. He knew she was right. He nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Good," Willow said with a small smile. "Let me get you what we have so far." She disappeared into her bedroom.

When he was sure she was gone, Giles walked to Diamond and said in a quiet, steely voice, "If anything happens to her… I'll kill you."

If the voice itself weren't enough, all he had to do was look into the Watcher's eyes to see this was no idle threat. Diamond swallowed and nodded.

When Willow reappeared Giles' face instantly changed from murderous to gentle.

Willow gave a computer disk to Diamond. "It's not much, but it’s a start."

Giles' expression warmed even further as he gazed at Willow. Amazing… brave… his. He had to find a way.

Please, God. Don't take her from me… Please.

Part Seventeen

Another day passed with no success. In fact, things went from bad to worse.

Giles wasn't sure how he was going to keep Willow away from his research. She had her nose buried in her computer and he hoped she wouldn't think it too strange when he suggested she stay at the hotel and continue while he went with the others back to Angel's for another session.

She barely acknowledged him. He knew when she was in full research mode, nothing could distract her.

Giles, Cordelia and Xander had been through dozens of books. Buffy and Angel hadn't found anything. Diamond

Diamond threw his cell phone against the wall. It exploded on impact. "Stupid, fucking…" He took a deep breath.

"Good news?" Buffy asked.

"It seems that word has gotten out about our little demon friend. Two moderately talented, and infinitely stupid…" Diamond paused to calm himself. "..witches… decided they were magickal enough to defeat Inneresser. Figured they could take his power and be instant Grand Pooh-Bahs or something… Christ... Naturally, they had their hearts ripped out."

Giles shook his head. "Good lord. That means…"

"He's grown stronger. And I think it's exponential growth. We've got to do something and soon.. or…"

"Or he'll become unstoppable demonguy thingie.?" Cordelia offered.

"And then what?" Buffy raised the question no one wanted to ponder.

"I don't really know, " Giles conceded. "Without anyone powerful enough to….What about Kai?"

Diamond shook his head. "Can't be reached. He's somewhere in South America on sabbatical."

"Perfect," Giles hissed. "If anyone has a brilliant plan, now would be a good time."

He was met with silence. He had absolutely nothing to go on. Nothing! If he couldn't find a spell then brute force would have to do.

"We should to warn Willow," Xander said as he started for Angel's phone.

"No," Giles said flatly. "Tonight we'll set a trap and destroy him. Willow mustn't be involved."

"I'm all for saving Willow, but how the hell are we supposed to do this without her?"

"By doing whatever it takes," Giles said sharply.

"Can you vague that up a little?"

"Damnit! We'll use a steel net… machine guns… bloody heat seeking missiles. I don't fucking know!" Giles pulled off his glasses and pinched his nose.

Xander took a step back and looked at the Watcher with sympathy.

"Giles," Buffy said softly. "We'll get it done." She gave him her best smile. "It's what we do, right?"

"Of course… I'm sorry." He replaced his glasses and seemed to regain his composure. "I have to do this."

"Do you?" Buffy asked quietly. She needed Giles, more than she'd like to admit. But as she looked into his eyes she saw his answer. If Willow died, he'd be destroyed. She was his life.

"I do," he said sadly. "But I can't ask any of you to risk your lives. It's insane, really. But I see no alternative."

"We love her too. We're in," Angel said speaking for everyone.

Giles looked at each member of the group in turn, grateful beyond words.

Diamond was the first to break the uneasy silence. "I'll arrange for whatever weapons you need. Just tell me what you want."

Giles nodded in acceptance.

"Oh, but... uhm…" Diamond stumbled. "Angel, can I use your phone? I seem to have misplaced mine."

*****

Willow wasn't sure how she was going to convince Giles to let her stay at the hotel and continue her computer research alone. So when he suggested she do just that, she knew he was up to something.

Giles had a history of rushing in where angels feared to tread. He'd done it on more than one occasion for Buffy and she was sure he was planning some kind of preemptive strike. She also knew that the only way to keep him and the others safe was to find the answer before they did.

She took another breath and went back to work. She sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed and frowned as another search came up with nothing useful. It was proving nearly impossible to find information on a demon that was last seen by only a few people more than 200 years ago.

Her laptop chimed signaling an incoming message. She didn't recognize the username - BLOODSTONE - and was hesitant to reply. Her experience with Moloch had taught her to be wary. But now was not the time for caution, she had to try everything… this included. She clicked the accept button.

BLOODSTONE: Good afternoon.
RedHex16: Who are you?
BLOODSTONE: A friend.
RedHex16: No offense, but I need more than that.
BLOODSTONE: Who do I seem to be?
RedHex16: The Riddler?
BLOODSTONE: LOL
RedHex16: Well?
BLOODSTONE: I am Kai.
RedHex16: Kai O'Trakan?
BLOODSTONE: Yes.
RedHex16: How can I be sure?
BLOODSTONE: Feel me. Clear your mind. What do you sense?

Willow closed her eyes and felt a light tickling sensation… warm and calming.

RedHex16: I feel something, but…
BLOODSTONE: You must trust your heart. Now, more than ever.
RedHex16: I have a problem.
BLOODSTONE: I know.
RedHex16: You have to help us. Can you come here quickly?
BLOODSTONE: I cannot help you. You are alone.

The voice from her dream had said something similar.

RedHex16: I had a dream. A voice told me that I was the one. The only one. Was that you?
BLOODSTONE: You were visited by a spirit other than mine.
RedHex16: I don't understand what I'm supposed to do. Please, you have to come here.
BLOODSTONE: It would not matter. Regardless, it is three days journey through the jungle to any civilization.
RedHex16: How are you using a computer? Satellite?
BLOODSTONE: I have no computer.
RedHex16: Then how?
BLOODSTONE: Someday you will perceive that space… all space is mutable, malleable… Why would cyberspace be different?
RedHex16: Wow.
BLOODSTONE: You will understand in time, but right now you have a great task ahead.
RedHex16: I don't know what to do. How can I fight him? I'm not ready.
BLOODSTONE: When the time comes, trust your heart. You will be ready.
RedHex16: Can't you tell me anything? A spell? Anything?
BLOODSTONE: The dreams will speak to you. Rest. And trust yourself. You are stronger than you realize.
RedHex16: I don't understand… Kai…. Please?
<< BLOODSTONE is not a valid username >>

Part Eighteen

The sun hung low in the later afternoon sky. A warm Santa Ana wind blew gently across the city, rich gold hues reflected brilliantly against the tall mirrored buildings. Los Angeles always had a certain languid quality to it, but no more so than just before dusk.

Willow sat in silent contemplation on the hotel balcony. She heard the glass door slide open, but didn’t turn. She didn’t need to.

"Hi."

"Beautiful," Giles murmured as he slid a chair close to hers.

"Isn’t it?"

"I meant you."

She gave a small laugh and reached for his hand. Between the warmth of the sun and the feel of him, it was like taking bath, infinitely relaxing and safe.

As she watched the lazy afternoon, he watched her. She had the softest smile on her lips and her eyes were far, far away. "What are you thinking about?" he asked quietly.

Her smile grew wider and she blushed slightly before turning to face him. "You, actually."

He chuckled and looked down at her hand shyly before speaking. "What about me?"

"Oh, just how wonderful you are." She squeezed his hand. "How good you make me feel…" She shook her head, trying to put it into words. "I feel different when I’m with you… better." She laughed at the inadequacy of the word.

He sighed. "The feeling is decidedly mutual."

They were both silent for a moment.

"And… I was… well… kind of fantasizing," she admitted.

He arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And what kind of fantasies were these?" he asked seductively.

She giggled. "Not like that. Well, I do have those, but these were just silly little things."

"Tell me."

"You’ll laugh."

"I won’t, I promise… Tell me."

"I don’t know. I guess I was just thinking about how things might be. Someday… In the morning, I’d make the tea while you got the paper. We’d sit in a breakfast nook… I always wanted a nook."

He chuckled.

"You said you wouldn’t laugh," she teased.

"I’m sorry. We’re in the nook. Go on."

"Well, you’d read the front section of the paper and I’d read the Arts and Leisure. You’d tell me all about what’s happening in Moscow and I’d tell you what’s playing at the Bijou. We’d talk about the day we each had planned. How we were going to sneak away for lunch to that French restaurant we’ve been meaning to try. And then, we’d both have to go. We’d kiss goodbye... All we would think about during the day, was when we were going to see each other again." She smiled wistfully.

He kissed her palm and took up the dream. "… And when the day has finally passed, I’d kiss you again and again…" He kissed her hand. "We’d share some wine in front of the fire, telling each other all the details of our day. We’d eat a wonderful meal and linger over dessert. When the dishes are done… it’s my turn to dry… I’d take you in my arms, carry you upstairs and make love to you until the sun came up."

"Mmmm," she said in a throaty whisper. "Good fantasy." She leaned over and kissed him deeply.

"Good reality," he breathed.

She leaned back in her chair and noticed how far the sun seemed to have dipped in the sky. The golds were much deeper now, and tinged with orange. He let his gaze follow hers and allowed himself a rare moment of peace. As moments are want to do, however, it passed quickly.

"I used to love sunsets," she said. "I guess I still do, but it’s not the same."

"No," he agreed sadly. "It’s not." He wished she didn’t have to know the things she knew. Someone like her should look at the beauty of the setting sun and see just that, nothing more.

They sat together in quiet contemplation as the day ended.

Giles cocked his head to the side as he tried to remember a poem he had read long ago. "There comes an hour of sadness… With the setting of the sun…. Not for the sins committed… But for the things I have not done."

They couldn’t help but wonder, feel the pangs of regret for things undone.

All of their dreams for the future seemed to fade into the distance.

Giles looked at the woman he loved. Everything about her made his heart swell and ache with the need to hold her. He tried to, futilely, to stop the anxiety, the nearly paralyzing fear he felt that something would happen to her… that it was destined to happen.

Willow loved looking at Giles. It wasn't just how handsome he was, and he was, it was the strength and tenderness that filled his eyes. This was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with… no matter how long, or short, that might be.

The sun slid beyond the horizon, the sky bursting with reds and deep oranges - a beautiful apocalypse.

"Sometimes I wish the sun would never set," she said softly.

His heart broke. He tried to be strong, for her. "But then, we’d never get to enjoy the beauty of a sunrise, would we?"

She smiled sadly at him and both, privately, wondered if they ever would see the sun rise again.

The fiery colors of the sky glowed against her skin and he knew he had never seen anything as beautiful. The sadness in her emerald eyes made her more lovely than any person had a right to be. He memorized every nuance, every feeling.

She looked back at the city, the reds becoming purples as the night began to take hold.

"It’s over so quickly," she sighed deeply. He gently squeezed her hand and enveloped it between both of his.

"He’s out there somewhere, isn't he?" she said in a small voice, almost afraid it could hear her.

Willow knew her destiny had been written in the stars. She looked to the heavens wondering if she might read her fate there. But the sky was only a dull murky blue, and not a single star shown through. Their secrets kept in a silent mystery.

As night took the city, the fear that had been kept at bay took hold of Giles' heart.

The warm north winds had died and the early evening brought a chill. Willow shivered.

"Perhaps we should go inside," Giles suggested sadly.

"I guess it's time." She looked one last time at the early evening sky and wondered what horrors awaited them this fateful night.

Part Nineteen

The night dragged on. Giles tried to bide his time, knowing he had to wait
for Willow to fall asleep before he could set his plan in motion. And so it
was a mixture of relief and dread he felt when Willow finally came in to say
goodnight.

"I guess I'm gonna try and get some sleep," she said. "Are Xander and Buffy
back yet?"

"No, they're still at Angel's." He watched her hover uncertainly in the
doorway to his bedroom.

"Oh." She tried not to let her disappointment show. She wanted to see them,
needed to see them. It might, after all, be her last chance. She knew she
couldn't appear to be too effected by the news, couldn't let Giles know what
she was feeling.

Giles sensed her sadness, but attributed it her picking up on his emotions.
"You'll see them in the morning," he said soothingly.

"Right… in the morning." She smiled with a hope she didn't feel. "Well…" She
lingered there, half in and half out. Needing to leave, but unable to walk
away. "Goodnight."

Giles crossed to the door and took her in his arms. He kissed her forehead
with amazing tenderness. "Goodnight, Willow."

She looked into his eyes, his expression was enigmatic, but obviously
troubled. She leaned up and brushed her lips against his. Her hands ran up
his chest, slipping around his neck. Her fingers slid through his hair as she
let her tongue drift across his mouth.

The delicate touch was more than he could stand. He pulled her body tightly
to his and kissed her deeply.

His hands traveled up her back, sending shivers of pleasure through her body.
He held her head with one hand to guide the kiss, to press his advantage.

From desperate to mild, they rode the waves of emotion. Both praying the
other didn't taste the sadness, couldn't hear the silent goodbye.

When their mouths parted, Giles kept her pulled to his chest. Both hearts
beating wildly with passion, clenching with unspoken fear.

Finally, he pulled back ever so slightly. He caressed her cheek, cupping her
chin with his strong hand and giving her one last beautiful kiss.

"Goodnight, Love."

She closed her eyes. She could see him in her mind, in her heart. She knew
the feel of him, the smell, the taste. Their love would carry her through,
she thought. It had to.

"Goodnight," she whispered. Without turning back she vanished into her
bedroom.

********

It was nearly two in the morning when Giles decided the time had come.
Against this better judgement, he went to look in on Willow.

He knew it was foolish, that he shouldn't risk waking her, but he couldn't
leave without a final glimpse at his love.

He carefully eased open her bedroom door, letting the light from the living
room filter in. He stood just inside the door, not daring to get too close.
He knew the urge to touch her would overwhelm him if he got too near.

And so from a distance, he watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest. He
hated the small frown that marred her beautiful face. In sleep, at least, she
should find peace, but it wasn't meant to be.

He sighed softly and left her alone… alone with her dreams.

********

The wind blew Willow's hair into her eyes. She brushed it away and looked out
to the horizon.

The voice returned. "The moon's reflection - a magic tenant. The sun's warmth
- a kiss of life. The edge of country, the cusp of night… stand alone and
there you fight."

The rocks beneath her feet were dark and jagged. The wind was cold and salty.
Salty… salt…. Salt absorbs… her mind calculating, conferring….

Cease!

Do not question. Accept. Trust. Trust your heart. Don't think… feel.

The dream landscape swirled around her. She took it in… accepting - no
questions - only answers.

Faces, images, place, memories and imaginings danced in her mind. She didn't
understand them, and realized she didn't need to… wasn't supposed to. She
just had to feel it. With every sense she let the dream come to her… and the
truth was finally revealed.


*******

Giles stood uneasily atop the small ridge at Dante's View. He glanced at the
ground and saw for the briefest of moments Raven's body as it lay that first
night. He pushed the image out of his mind. It was critical that he keep his
mind clear. He would call the demon back to this place, hoping it would
return to the origin of its summoning.

Buffy stood at his side, hands on hips, defiant and ready for battle.

"You should join the others," Giles said as he gestured down the hill.

"No way. This is where the real action is. The Slayers stays."

"Yes, but - "

"No, buts," Buffy said with finality. She had discussed this with Angel. They
both agreed Giles needed a keeper. He wasn't thinking too clearly and was
likely to do something rash. They understood his reasons… when you love
someone, you'll do anything. But they weren't about to let him throw his life
away needlessly. Buffy was there to make sure he didn't.

Meanwhile, Diamond helped the others set up and distribute the ordinance and
weaponry. They had enough to fight a small war, but then, that's exactly what
they had in mind.

Angel's keen senses alerted him the strangers' approach. He touched Diamond's
shoulder and gestured for quiet.

The figures came down the small hillside from the garden above. It was Tag,
Ash and Chaz.

"What are you doing here?" Xander spat.

Ash ignored him and picked up a mid-sized machine gun and checked the clip.
"What's it look like?"

Xander started toward the newcomer, but Angel held him back.

Ash took a deep breath and regarded Xander, his eyes sincere. "We want to
help. We need to."

Angel nodded curtly and that was that…until Cordelia realized something. "How
did you know where to find us, much less what we're doing? Is it in the
Weekly or something?"

Tag shrugged. "Small town. Word gets around."

Angel glared at Diamond, who shook his head. "I didn't breathe a word," he
assured him.

"Great," Angel sighed. He looked up the small hill and saw Buffy's and Giles'
silhouettes against the night sky. He had a bad feeling about this….

*******

Carson Vail was getting nervous and he didn't like the feeling. From the very
beginning, nothing had gone according to plan. He knew he'd made a mistake, a
terrible mistake, when he'd hired Raven to summon Inneresser. He would never
trust a musician again.

Things had gotten out of hand so quickly. If only the little witch had been
there that first night, none of this would have happened. Now the damn
creature was getting more powerful every day. They had to move on it and it
had to be tonight.

He'd discovered Willow's connection to the demon quite by accident. Just a
lucky coincidence had caused him to stumble across this gem of an idea. It
would all be so simple. They would secretly summon the demon, she would
destroy it, gain its magicks and advance 20 years in one night. But it hadn't
quite worked out that way. Now, the demon might destroy her. On the other
hand, if she were to succeed - her power would be unmatched. Someday, she'll
understand, he thought. Even thank me.

He had to move quickly. Those damn fools were trying to fight the thing. He
knew they'd just get themselves killed and then the girl would be devastated…
useless.

She was alone in the hotel. She might have potential, but she was still young
and he knew he could manipulate her. She cared too much for the others, that
was her weakness. She would do it. He knew she would.

He was about to get out his car, when he saw her leave the hotel. A cab
pulled up and she scooted inside. Vail frowned. What the hell?

He started his car and tailed the taxi. They were headed west… Interesting.
Those witless friends of hers were at Griffith Park, to the east…very
interesting. He kept a discreet distance as they drove toward the beach. When
they reached the Pacific Coast Highway, they turned north and continued up
the coast.

Eventually they came to a secluded stretch and the cab pulled over. He drove
past them, not stopping until he was well around the next bend. After waiting
a short while, Vail turned his car around and headed back to her stopping
point, a spot known by the locals as Black Finger, so named because of the
dark jetty that extended into the sea.

The cab was already heading back for the city and for a moment he wondered if
she were still in it. He pulled over the side of the road and tried to see
down the cliff's edge. If the moon hadn't been so bright, he probably
wouldn't have seen her. She was making her way down the long wooden stairs
that traversed the cliff-face. When she finally reached the bottom of the
cliff she started out across the sand. The beach was fairly wide here, and it
took her some time to reach the water. She scrambled up the dark jagged rocks
and started to make her way out to the very end of the long jetty.

He was impressed. She would meet the demon without any need for his prodding.
She was gifted… the location was ideal. He watched her scramble along the
rocks for a few minutes before deciding to leave. As much as he wanted to
witness her, their, moment of triumph… the demon was powerful and it's better
to be safe than sorry.

He got back into his car and started back toward the city. He would go to
tell the others there was no need to sit out all night. He could gloat and
put that simpering Diamond in his place. All in all, this was turning out
better than he could have wished.

*******

Willow reached the end of the rock jetty and took a deep breath. She tried to
clear her mind, to focus, to let the moment come to her.

She wouldn't need to summon the demon. He would come to her. He'd been
waiting over 200 years for his revenge. Tonight he would try to find it.

The wind blew Willow's hair into her eyes. She brushed it away and looked out
to the horizon.

"Let it begin," she whispered.

And so it did.

Part Twenty

"Giles?"

"Hmmm?" he asked still scanning the night sky.

"I don't think he's coming," Buffy said gently.

Giles sighed and turned to his Slayer. "I don't understand it. He should have
responded," he said as he rubbed his eyes. "We'll wait until sunrise."

"Don't bother."

Buffy and Giles turned to face the intruder.

"Vail," Buffy snarled. "What are you doing here?"

Vail stood at the edge of the hill, Angel hovering close behind. "Doing you a
favor," he said loftily.

"We don't need your kind of favors," Giles hissed.

Vail sighed dramatically. "Very well." He turned to leave, but Angel grabbed
his arm.

"Why did you come here?" Angel demanded.

"You're wasting your time," Vail said. "Your friend is… shall we say,
otherwise engaged." He smiled like the Cheshire cat.

Giles took a menacing step forward. "What do you mean?"

Vail shook his head with disdain.

Angel gripped his arm tightly. "He asked you a question."

Buffy and Giles closed in on Vail. A flash of fear crossed his eyes, but was
quickly replaced with his smug grin.

Giles cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. "You'd be wise to
start talking."

Angel twisted his arm and Vail yelped in pain.

"Let go of me!" he demanded.

"Talk!" the vampire barked and gave the arm another twist.

"Willow," Vail gasped, pulling himself together. "She is transcending to a
plane far-"

"Willow!" Giles yelled. "What about her?"

"She has accepted her destiny," he said plainly, as though explaining
something to a child. "You, of all people, must realize the power of fate."

Giles stared blankly at the man, unable to accept the words. "She's not
involved," he protested lamely.

Vail laughed.

Giles lunged at the man, but Buffy was quicker. A hard right connected with
his jaw. He would have fallen down the hill if Angel hadn't been holding him.
He brought his free hand up to wipe away the blood from his spilt lip. He
looked at the Slayer and her Watcher, shaking his head with pity. "It's too
late."

Giles strode forward and took Vail's free arm. He put his wrist in a painful
arm lock. He started to bend the hand back unnaturally. Vail winced at the
pressure.

"Where is she?" Giles voice was hard and brutal, his eyes cold.

Vail merely smiled.

With one quick movement, Giles snapped the man's wrist. Vail howled in pain
as his bones shattered. Giles held the injured arm, still pressing on the
broken joint.

"Where… is... she?" Giles repeated.

"My arm! My God…" Vail wailed in agony.

Giles twisted the broken wrist. "Where?"

Buffy carefully touched Giles shoulder, he turned and glared at the
interruption, his eyes shining with fury.

"Uhm, Giles," Buffy said uneasily. "He can't talk if he's screaming."

Giles ignored her and turned back to Vail. "Where?"

"B-b-black F-f-finger," he sputter between gasps.

"The beach?" Angel prompted. Vail could only nod.

Giles squeezed the man's arm again and Vail shuddered. The Watcher
considered killing him right there, but Buffy's voice brought him back.

"Where is this place?"

"Uhm, I know," Cordelia offered.

Giles hadn't noticed that the others had made their way to the hilltop. He
nodded curtly, released Vail's arm and started toward the car. He stopped
abruptly and looked back to Angel and Vail.

"Go. I'll take care of him," Angel assured him.

"He'll be dealt with. I promise you," Diamond added as he came to Angel's
side.

Giles didn't answer, only spun on his heels and ran toward the car. Buffy,
Xander and Cordelia following close behind. They caught up to him in the
parking lot.

"Bloody, fucking hell… sod…" Giles spat as he struggled with car keys.

"Give me that," Cordelia ordered. He turned on her, his eyes wild, but she
didn't flinch. "Look, I know where we're going, you don't. And no offense,
but you'd probably get us killed before we even got there." She held out her
hand.

He started to argue.

"Giles," Buffy threw in. "She's right. We're wasting time."

He thrust the keys into Cordelia's hand and ran around to the passenger side.
The others jumped in and the car screeched out of the lot, rocketing down the
mountain.

*****

With an otherworldly calm, Willow watched the black speck in the distance
grow larger and larger. It clung low to the ocean, no more than 30 feet or so
above the waves. Flying at an even speed, straight as an arrow… an arrow
aimed for her heart.

As it got closer to the edge of the rock jetty, the demon slowed its pace,
savoring its impending triumph.

The moonlight reflected brightly off the ocean. The sea was eerily calm,
barely a whitecap to be seen, the foam a gossamer blanket on the wet sand.
The swells merely caressed the jagged rocks beneath her feet.

She felt a tingling sensation - her own magicks rising from deep inside her
soul.

The demon had grown stronger and larger. It was now over 20 feet across and
as it hovered above her, it cast a dark shadow, eclipsing the silver light of
the moon.

It stayed nearly motionless, seeming to hang in the air, its huge wings
moving in slow motion. It's black eyes, cold and evil.

Willow extended her arms, palms up and breathed deeply. The salty air was
thick and powerful. She raised her head and met the demon's eyes.

Inneresser shrieked and the battle was begun.

*****

Giles threw open the car door before the BMW had even stopped. The black
sedan skidded to a halt, kicking up a cloud of dust and gravel as it gripped
the soft shoulder.

Buffy was at Giles' side in an instant. The group ran to the edge of the
cliff.

"Dear God," Giles cried and started forward. If Buffy hadn't grabbed his arm,
he would have run right off the precipice.

"NO!" he cried.

Willow was standing at the end of the long jetty - dwarfed by the huge demon.
Bolts of energy connected them. The ocean, once calm, was now swirling, waves
crashing, an anarchy of power.

Even from this distance, they could hear the crackling of the energy, feel
the shocks of electricity.

Giles struggled, but Buffy's grip was like iron.

The ocean churned around Willow's small body. Ragged fingers of energy
radiated off her body, white tendrils extending from her fingertips,
crisscrossing and diving into the raging sea.

"I have to go to her," Giles rasped. "Please? Willow!" He was too late. He
couldn't protect her…

"Stairs!" Xander yelled was he pointed to the rickety staircase just up the
road.

They broke into a run, never taking their eyes off the terrible war being
waged just beyond their reach.

The demon was weakening, and she new he would make one last viscous strike.
He did not disappoint. As dawn neared, he made his final move.

With a venomous cry, Inneresser unleashed a wicked barrage of power. Willow
accepted it all. She had to channel the magicks, funnel them through her
body. But the pain was almost unbearable, the searing heat building from
within, tearing at her soul.

It burned so badly, she wasn't sure she could endure. The heat of a thousand
suns, from the inside out, her blood like fire in her veins. She pulled the
magicks through her body and cast them into the ocean.

Inneresser was failing, dying. In the hopes of taking her with him to hell,
he expelled the last of his essence - an overload of power. He wailed one
last horrible time, before imploding, ceasing, disappearing into darkness.

Willow screamed. A cry of agony, of soul wrenching pain. Giles heart stopped
at the sound. He saw her small body collapse, falling hard on rocks.
"Willow!" he cried.

Willow drifted in the darkness. Her consciousness barely clinging to life.

Buffy flew down the stars, taking them two and three at a time. She passed
Giles and sprinted across the sand.

Giles carried by fear and love, was not far behind. His heart threatened to
burst from his chest, his lungs burned and nothing mattered. Nothing but
Willow.

He scrambled along the slippery rocks unable to hold a coherent thought. Her
scream echoing in his mind, the image of her falling playing again and again.
He could feel the heat, barely noticing the ocean around him was boiling. The
roiling water churning around the rocks, bubbling with the magick.

After an eternity, he reached the end of Black Finger and stopped.

Buffy was standing next to Willow's prone body, unable to approach. A wave
crashed against the end of the jetty, its white spray covering Willow… and
cloud of steam rose from her body.

Giles fell to his knees beside her and reached out to hold her. Her skin was
too hot to touch. Another wave crashed over them, the billows of steam
lifting off her. Heedless of his own pain, Giles cradled her body to his.
Tears lost in the ocean spray ran down his cheeks.

"Oh, love," he wailed. His grief so overwhelming, he could only sob, crushing
her to his chest. He looked down to her face, eyes so full of life, now
closed.

Blood flowed freely from a large gash on her forehead. Her skin was so pale,
a startling contrast to the red that stained her cheeks. The blood ran down
her face, like crimson tears.

"Willow?" Xander croaked. He knelt down next to the Watcher. He reached out
and held her small hand, needing to feel her. His eyes grew even larger.
"She's alive," he whispered. "She's got a pulse! Giles!"

He couldn't hear anything over the roar of the ocean and the breaking of his
heart.

"What?" Buffy asked. "She's not…?"

Xander grabbed Giles' shoulder. "She's alive. We have to go. Now!"

The faintest hope lit the older man's eyes.

"Giles! Come on!" Buffy urged. "We have to get her to a hospital."

"Hospital," he mumbled as he struggled to his feet. He walked steadily toward
the shore, Buffy and Xander helping him along the treacherous footing.

"The hospital's over 20 minutes away," Cordelia said worriedly.

The sky was a steely gray, the eerie glow of first light, giving everything a
dull metallic cast.

He felt the heat dissipate from her body, a cold clammy sensation taking
hold. Everything that was Willow was fading away.

{She felt so distant, apart from the sounds and smells… she could see Giles
carrying her body, she could feel something… his love…}

Giles breathlessly whispered to Willow as they climbed the old staircase to
the top of the cliff.

"Please, my love…. Please…. Willow, I need you… Please, love… You mustn't
go… Please… I need you."

As they crested the cliff, the very first rays of golden morning light shown
through the eastern canyon.

{The images faded from her mind and the great black abyss formed around her.}

With his world in his arms…

{She saw a light and knew she had to go to it, pulled by magick or was it
love… or are they, after all, one in the same? She turned into the
brightness.}

…Giles stepped into the sunlight.

Willow gasped loudly and her eyes shot open. The morning glow gave her pale
skin a warm color, giving life to the dead.

Giles stopped in his tracks. "Willow?" he whispered.

Her eyes fluttered in the bright sunlight for a moment. Then, the most
beautiful smile graced her lips as she turned and looked up at Giles. "Hi,"
she said weakly.

"Oh," he choked and pressed his lips to her forehead. He pulled back and
cried unabashed. "Oh, love."

Buffy, Xander and Cordelia watched in silent awe as their friend came back to
life. They shed their own tears and held each other and watched.

Willow smiled weakly and raised a trembling hand to wipe away Giles' tears.

"We need to get you to hospital," he gasped, still not quite believing she
was alive.

"We have time," she breathed.

"But, Willow-"

"The sunrise," she said looking to the east. "It's so beautiful."

He choked back a cry of joy and kissed her tenderly. "So beautiful," he
murmured against her cheek. "So very beautiful."

Accepting the precious gift of time, time together… they watched the sunrise
that almost didn't come.



Epilogue

It had been six months since the ordeal in Los Angeles. Willow was recovering
well, but there were days, like today, when she could barely walk. Her
strength was returning slowly, but it was a painful process. As usual, she
took it in stride, making the best out of a bad situation. She never
complained and used her "still time", as she called it, to think and to
meditate.

Giles certainly wasn't going to complain. He thanked the Gods every day for
giving her back to him. He rather liked taking care of her, watching over
her, loving her.

He turned on his stereo and put in a disc of Edith Piaf. They had heard this
song during a romantic dinner a few weeks ago. They had finally gone to that
French restaurant they'd been meaning to try and fell in love with this song
immediately. He smiled to himself as "La Vie en Rose" started to drift
through the apartment.

He had special plans for today and the music made the afternoon perfect. He
looked out his window and gazed at Willow. Her eyes were closed, but he could
see the soft smile on her lips as she hummed along with the music.

Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
When you kiss me, Heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Every day words
Seem to turn into love songs
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose
I thought that love was just a word
They sang about in songs I heard
It took your kisses to reveal
That I was wrong, and love is real

Giles opened the small velvet box and sighed. The ring was beautiful, but
would be even more so once it was on her finger. He noticed some movement at
the window and turned to see a group of six or seven butterflies fluttering
near the panes. Their lazy circles, aimless and intoxicating.

He closed the box and placed it in his pocket. He looked into the mirror and
wondered what she saw in him. He smiled at his reflection and shook his head.
What did it matter? She was his.

He walked downstairs and into the courtyard. She sat still with her eyes
still closed. The butterflies dancing above her head. She giggled softly as
the living halo flitted about.

He stared at her with wonder, as he found himself doing so often these days.
He walked to her and knelt by her side. He took her hand, but was unable to
speak, her beauty too overwhelming.

She opened her eyes and met his gaze with love untold. They stared at each
other as the romantic French singer wove her spell.

Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose
When you kiss me, Heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose
When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom
And when you speak
Angels sing from above
Every day words
Seem to turn into love songs
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose

Giles kissed her hand and kept it pressed to his cheek.

"Yes," Willow answered before the question was asked. "I'll marry you."

He looked at her questioningly and smiled ruefully. "How did you know?"

She smiled in a way he had never seen before. "A butterfly told me."


THE END


"La Vie en Rose"
Words by Mack David
Original French Lyrics by Edith Piaf
Music by Louiguy
enr. 8 juillet 1950