Everyone: It's Sunday, and as promised an update will be available later today. I'd add it now, but I've been away for the weekend and my house is freezing and I can barely type. So the update will be up this afternoon (Pacific time, mind you) along with all of the feedback I'm posting on the wonderful updated fics that I wasn't here for.bluewillowwitch: Yup, I'm evil. But you love it. You know you do.
astrangerhere: Thanks for de-lurking to respond to my fic, I really appreciate it. I wasn't so sure of Tara myself at the beginning, but I really wanted to show the change in her. (I think you're probably talking about Nika's "Red Ace" for the other fic... which is obviously very different from this one.)
michellesflute: 
I am... but yes, you are used to it by now, are you not?
TaraBaby77: Comin' right up!
sabina: It is now...
Grimmy: Uh... just what it says: when they close their eyes, they can see each other. It's somewhat of an extension of how Willow finds things, and also how they can always find each other. You're also very realistic in your ideas of what's happening... you don't have a pipeline into my notebook by any chance, do you?
Chapter 11: Too damn much responisbility
The entire mood was shattered by a loud bang as the door slammed open. I leapt to my feet, a thousand different curses on my lips, leaving Tara on the bed.
I lunged for the doorway, fully prepared to tear the interloper limb from limb as payment for interrupting what was shaping up to be the best day of my life when I was stopped cold by the point of a sword against my throat.
I found myself looking at the copper hair, perfect features and blank silver eyes of the man who called himself the Second Red. "Jesus," I nearly moaned. "It's you."
"Now, now..." His face held no emotion. "I said you could call me Number Two."
I stared at him.
"That was humor." He sighed. "I'm not very good at it, which is a shame, really. I was hoping to make the situation a little easier."
"Right." I positively glowered at him. "As if anything could possibly help the situation."
He paused for a moment. "That was sarcasm, right?"
I gaped. "Well, duh!"
He smiled sadly and shook his head. "Joke again. I'm sorry, I should stop trying to be funny. I realize that there's no way in the world I could possibly make this any easier, and I realize that you sorely desire to kill me right now, but... I do understand the situation. While we are above such base feelings as lust, we certainly understand the impact they have on the majority of living beings."
I stared right into his eyes and gave him my best scowl. "Cut the crap, Number Two, and tell me why you're here. And put that damn sword away."
The sword disappeared, and I could breathe freely again. "I'm here because we need your help, Willow Rosenberg."
"Since when does the high and mighty Brotherhood of Steel need the help of a simple searcher and spellcaster?"
"You're more than just a searcher and spellcaster," said Number Two and Tara at the same time.
Number Two turned to face her, trying to look apologetic. "I'm really sorry that I had to do this, Miss. Do try to forgive me, but my business with the Rosenberg is urgent."
Tara gave him an angry but amused smirk. "So was mine."
Number Two looked uncomfortable. "Yes, I realize that, but..."
Tara ignored him. "Your interruption has left me high and, well... I hardly think dry is the word."
He went from looking uncomfortable to pained quickly. "I'm really very sorry," he tried again. "I know I must come across as an incredibly oily little bastard, but I'm really being honest with you. I wouldn't have interrupted if lives weren't at stake."
I forced myself to be alert. "Lives are on the line? Sorry, but my friend Buffy does the hero business. Along with her new sidekick Faith. I'm just a menace to society."
"There is nothing that the Slayers can accomplish that the Brotherhood cannot," said Number Two icily. "Mark my words, Willow Rosenberg. The Brotherhood has no desire to be in your debt, but we are soliciting your help because you are the only one who can help us."
I sighed. "Why does life have to be so damn unfair? I was just going to zip in here, find a runaway, and leave, but no! Instead, I find that everything's changed, I've fallen in love and now I have to be a hero for the Brotherhood? All in the space of two days? This isn't right!"
Number Two said nothing.
"Oh, all right. How many lives are on the line?"
Number Two almost smiled. "It's nothing, really. Just the entire world and everything in it."
If I'd been the tiniest bit low on willpower, I'd have screamed. Instead, I just opened my mouth and sounded stupid again. "I hope you realize how unhappy this makes me. But all right. Now get out of that damn doorway, sit down like a normal person and give me the details."
He glided through the door and sat on the couch, so perfectly poised and elegant I wanted to hit him. "We believe that the destruction of the Madness Maze is having... unpleasant repercussions on the rest of the Hellmouth, which will soon spread to the rest of the world."
I sat on the bed next to Tara and folded my arms. "Explain. In English."
"The forces at work were tied to the Maze through some aspect of its construction. We have no idea who built it, or how they did it, or even what their motives were, beyond containing the strange energies." This was bad. The Brotherhood typically knew at least something about everything.
"We believe that with the Maze gone, the forces will run rampant, altering everything in their path until eventually they wipe out all existing life and recreate the world in their own image."
Tara put an arm around me and spoke up. "And how do you know that, if you don't know anything about this?"
Number Two sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask that. It's more a wild guess than anything else, but is it really that unlikely?"
I held Tara against myself. "Not on the Hellmouth... not really. And the architects of this thing are a complete unknown as well, right?"
"Of course."
I stood up and walked over to him. "This is great. Just great. So we're all screwed unless I do something. Now I ask you, Number Two. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
"Willow Rosenberg can find anything. Find a solution."
Willow: Hey Buff. One more thing. Buffy: Yeah? Willow: I’m gay. Buffy: Okay, Will. Xander owes me ten bucks.
~Remember to Breathe by Yellow Cray
Edited by: Tempest Duer at: 11/30/03 8:01 pm
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. Besides, isn't Willow still injured.... rest and such is said to be good then. Or is kissing Tara a better cure ?? 
. And to Willow, WAHOO, you can do it!!! heehee. Anyhoo, great update. I guess that means I can't bug you for a while for an update..... NOT!!! heehee. Keep em comin'.... Once again, great job. =) 
TD 
,
OMG! I would have beat him anyway for principal if I were in 
and 
's shoes. 
Now they have to go off and find a way to save the world. She's right, this isn't really fair. 
Can't wait to 
more. Update soon, please? 
If that was me I would pick both options. 
myself, hehe!
