Buffy lifted her head off the book it rested against with a start as she heard a loud knock on the front door. Disoriented and still half-asleep she looked around trying to get her bearings. She didn’t know when she’d fallen asleep, she hadn’t planned on it but at least now there was sunlight streaming in between the slats of the shutters on the front window and that meant the imminent danger of the night was over.
Walking over to the window she peered out almost more surprised to see it was Giles standing there and not a demon. Quickly she undid the bolt and chain off the door and moved back the large metal box they’d put at the bottom to offer a bit more security.
“You’re not supposed to get in...” She looked down at her watch. “Oh sorry.” She apologised realising no one had gone to meet him at the airport.
“It’s quite alright, by the time I had got to the house and found that there was no one there I realised that something must have happened and I had managed an earlier flight.” Succinctly the Watcher explained everything before taking a breath and giving the Slayer a smile. “Hello Buffy, how are you?” He asked warmly.
“I’m so glad to see you.” Buffy stepped forward and hugged him tightly causing him to drop the luggage he’d be carrying. Softening his look of surprise, Giles closed his arms around the young woman and held her as tightly as he could.
“Is the world ending again?” He asked affectionately as they drew apart.
“Sorta.” Buffy nodded pulling back and trying to compose herself. “But we can talk about that later. First you have to see Tara.” She knew this would be the fact playing most on his mind.
Giles again smiled, though this time there appeared to be a trace of concern to the look.
“Let me just pick up my luggage again and then use a mirror to check my dishevelled state.” He pushed the glasses back up his nose a little. “That flight is a horror.”
“Everyone’s asleep in the back.” Buffy reached down to get the bigger bag and went to drop it by the counter. “We had a late night and with the move here and all.” She stopped. “Oh Willow needs her meds.” She remembered the time and quickly moved over to the small case that Dawn had packed to retrieve them.
“How is Willow?” Giles smoothed his hair a little as he peered in the reflective glass in one of the display units.
“She’s up and down but Tara is helping so much.” Buffy palmed the group of pills and went to get some water from the small office behind the cash register. “She had an episode yesterday but Tara had her calm in about two minutes, which as I told Tara is a record.”
Moving his arms a little to release the tension in them, he then stripped off his jacket and moved to lay it neatly over the counter revealing a smart, but rather uncharacteristically casual grey top
“I honestly don’t think any of us can predict just what effect this will have on Willow.” He said as he turned to watch Buffy’s preparation.
“Mostly it’s made her sleepy.” Buffy looked up at him and smiled. “Which I mean isn’t a bad thing and she seems more content.”
“Oh my God Giles!” A more than familiar call came from the vengeance demon as the door to the back drew open and Anya more or less flew out, throwing herself into the Englishman’s arms.
“Oh, Anya.” Giles did his best to contend with the enthusiastic and yet obviously distraught demon.
“Did she tell you, did she?” Her voice came out as a horribly hurried torrent.
“About Tara, yes that’s why I’m here.” Giles said calmly trying to disengage himself.
“Not yet Anya, he just got through the door.” Buffy hissed at her.
“Not about her.” Anya glared back at Buffy undaunted. “About Xander.”
“Xander?” Giles threw a puzzled expression Buffy’s way.
“Okay so the explanation that was going to wait can’t really wait. Xander’s been kidnapped.” Buffy summed up. “Some mage called Maladic is in town to harvest witchy energy and for some reason he snatched Xander.”
“Well that was a bit of a bad calculation on his part.” Giles said brightly to receive a look that could have killed from the vengeance demon beside him. “I… I mean, when?” He made his voice sombre.
“Late last night.” Buffy filled in trying to avoid Anya’s look. “We think the demon rumours of me having a harem of witches got a bit muddled to include Xander but Tara got a telepathic message from him trying to warn Willow. So we think Willow is the main target.”
“And you’ve heard nothing from this Maladic? I seem to recall that name.” He continued immediately walking off towards the bookshelves pausing only a moment before selecting a book and flicking it open. “Yes, here.” He said pointing to the text as the Slayer and Anya stared at him dumbfounded. “What?” He said looking up in confusion.
“She said you took the helpful book with you.” Buffy rolled her eyes.
“Good lord why would I do that it’s worth $55.99 and not rare, I could make a good sale on it.” Giles looked a little bemused as he put the book down. “The good news for Xander is that he’s a Magic drainer, not a murderer. He may well just let Xander go when he realises.”
“The bad news Giles is we have three very big named witches in the back.” Buffy moved over to the table and pointed over her shoulder to the ajar training room door.
“Well yes there is...” Giles’ voice literally disappeared and the Englishman just stood for a moment just staring.
“I... I h-heard noises is everyone...” Tara leaned heavily on the doorframe as she looked at Buffy and Anya and then more or less fixed eyes with Giles.
“Tara.” Giles voice was a whisper a tear forming in his dark eyes as he looked at the tall blonde.
“M-M-Mr. Giles?” Tara whispered back making the logical guess at the man’s identity.
“My dear girl.” Giles took three long strides across the room and closed his arms around the Wicca. Tara laid her head almost childlike on his shoulder that caused the Englishman to raise his hand and gently cover the side of her head rocking her softly.
“Oh we have missed you.” He whispered tenderly.
“Where as I feel mean to break up this emotional reunion.” Anya interjected suddenly though before she continued the demon had to wipe a tear from her cheek. “My boyfriend... I mean Xander, the coward is still missing and we should be doing something to get him back.”
Almost as if suddenly realising the slip in his oh so British demeanour Giles pulled back a little from Tara though as the young witch wobbled slightly as he moved and gently took her hand and guided her to a chair.
“Anya I’m not going to let anything happen to Xander.” Buffy shook her head blinking her own misted eyes.
“Have we heard anything?” Tara asked smiling thankfully Giles for his support and at Buffy for her really soft dealing with Anya.
“Nothing.” Buffy shook her head.
“Which is probably good, right?” Dawn’s young voice said from the doorway that Tara had recently vacated as the teenager appeared.
“Means he’s plotting his next move I think.” Buffy picked the glass of water back up from the table. “Is Willow awake?”
“Dawn.” Giles smiled again and moved to give the teenager what could only be described as a fatherly hug. She shook her head in the hug closing her eyes to absorb the comfort he offered.
“Neither is Madalene.” She informed her sister finally as they parted a little.
“I guess they can wait for a bit.” Buffy shrugged and put the pills down carefully with the glass.
Everyone in the room visibly jumped when a loud bang, bang sounded on the front door. Most eyes fell on Buffy to answer it.
“Everyone stay here.” Buffy warned moving over to the side to pick up a dagger before she moved to the door peering out to check who was there. Again she was a little surprised to see just a guy in a suit standing adjusting his tie.
“The shop’s closed.” She yelled out to him.
“We have business to discuss with The Dark One.” The man spoke in plural but he was obviously alone in the street.
“Sorry buddy we don’t have a Dark One here.” Buffy answered him shortly.
“You lie, my master has traced a great magic to this place.” He answered angrily.
“Who’s your master?” The Slayer questioned feeling a chill go through her spine as she registered who ‘The Dark One’ may be.
“The Great Mage Maladic.” He announced proudly. “Now let me in.”
“No better yet.” Buffy opened the door to strong arm the newcomer backwards a little as she pulled the door closed. “We talk out here.”
“Who are you infidel?” The man squeaked obviously shocked by the fact that Buffy had stood up defiantly against him.
“Newsflash mage maggot, I’m the Slayer. You want to talk to The Dark One you do it through me.” Buffy folded her arms over her chest.
“Ah another of the Dark One’s minions, like the other we hold you possess no threat to us.” The messenger sneered.
“Oh I possess more of a threat then you know and you can tell Maladic he better not hurt Xander.” Buffy’s face settled into a hard glare.
“The Minion is of no threat my master is no murderer.” The man almost chastised Buffy.
“So what does your master want?” Buffy cut to the chase.
“Just a visitation with the Dark One, a chance to return her minion, offer an apology for the error.” The man bowed his head.
“He just want to apologize and then get out of town?” Buffy questioned more than sceptical.
“The Dark One has my master’s respect minion.” The messenger answered.
“Where and when?” Buffy nodded.
“The address is here.” The minion passed Buffy a slip of paper. “I am to offer myself as a proof of my master’s plan.”
“Oh like a magic snack?” Buffy tried to act nonchalant though her mind was reeling.
“I do not understand your words minion.” The man looked bemused.
“Your master sent you for my master to eat you so that she knows this meeting is all good and not a trap?” Buffy grinned.
“I think my master expects my safe return.” For the first time in there discussion the messenger looked unnerved.
“Oh right.” Buffy smiled and pushed the door open putting her arm around his shoulder to ease him inside. “Well I’m sure you’re master was right, I mean she hasn’t really eaten anyone in a few hours.” She closed the door pacing a bit back from him as he turned to eye the others. In a sure move she smacked the handle of the dagger into the back of his head and sent him crumbling down into unconsciousness.
“What’s that?” Anya squeaked staring at Buffy and the stranger as he slumped to the floor. Tara made a wincing sound as she watched the figure dropped and Giles’ held his hand up in front of Dawn’s eyes.
“Maladic’s minion, the mage wants a meeting to apologize for taking Xander.” Buffy reached down and pulled him over to the side out of the way. “He wants a meeting with...” She looked at Giles. “The Dark One.”
“Willow.” Giles said lowering his hand as if it came as no surprise.
“Willow?” Tara’s voice was a stifled gasp.
“Since when has Willow been ‘The Dark One’?” Buffy’s showed her annoyance as she tied the minion up and gagged him for when he woke up. “Cause no one mentioned this to me.”
“Since the mad rampaging wrath witch.” Anya huffed loudly. “You think that kind of thing goes unnoticed?” She scoffed at their naivety.
“Well I had hoped maybe someone would have warned THE SLAYER that her best friend was a world famous evil witch.” Buffy snapped at them all. “You know given me time to have a contingency plan for stuff like this.”
“I’m sorry Buffy it never occurred to me that this would happen.” Giles truly sounded apologetic.
“Great, you never though of it but we are so screwed.” Buffy grumbled as she began pacing.
“M-M-Maladic is here for Willow.” Tara blinked her wide blue eyes staring at Buffy for an answer, her initial colour that morning draining from her cheeks in almost an instant.
“He wants a meeting with The Dark One to apologize and return her minion.” Buffy tried to explain instantly stopping her pace. “He doesn’t want Willow and it doesn’t matter she’s not going anywhere near him.”
“You will bring him The Dark One.” Madalene slowly walked into the room having heard most of the conversation through the open door.
“NO!” Tara turned and stared hard at the spellcaster.
“Madalene, you’ve had some great input till now but listen to me when I tell you Willow is not going anywhere near him.” Buffy shook her head underlining Tara’s words. Giles too looked at the new arrival with a furrowed brow.
“You misunderstand.” Madalene put up her hand. “Maladic has never met or seen Willow for all he knows I am The Dark One.” She gave them a knowing smile. “He will have no reason to believe otherwise unless Buffy fails to break the Contric and he actually does drain me.”
“This sounds like the bait theory.” Dawn spoke up. “I thought we’d negated the bait theory yesterday.” She shook her head slightly.
“I should do it.” Tara spoke from her place. A round robin of ‘no’ chorused from everyone.
“Well now that little point has been clarified.” Giles began moving he wandered over and patted Tara’s shoulder understandingly. “I’m taking it you are Madalene.” He extended his hand to the spellcaster.
“Yes, Madalene Slean.” She smiled and reached out to shake his hand firmly. “Mr. Giles I assume?”
“You do realise that what you are proposing is both dangerous and positively foolish?” He looked into her eyes continuously.
“I assure you I am not normally brave nor heroic that I know of but this is our best chance to defeat him.” Madalene held his eyes. “And if someone else goes and they fail, I will still be on his menu.”
“Don’t get me wrong young lady, I am not suggesting your plan is wrong.” Giles said much to the surprise of more of less everyone in the room. “I am merely checking that you know what you are doing.”
“Giles?” Dawn squeaked again.
“My dear Dawn.” The watcher turned to look at her softly. “We are faced with a problem as Maladic will expect The Dark One to honour his offer. Since I am taking it that Xander was mistaken for a magic user, this time he will at least put up some kind of magic register, to ensure that he is not fooled a second time. Our options here are limited between Tara or Madalene.”
*What spell could I perform to prove to you that I am capable?* Madalene pushed her mind into his to ask the question.
“I would naturally offer myself...” The Englishman stuttered to a halt as Madalene asked, he turned to regard the spellcaster again.
“Please, don’t do that again.” He reprimanded though his tone was still soft.
“My apology.” Madalene bowed her head a little. “I was only trying to prove a point.”
“I am aware of that but it is not a point that needed to be made.” He smiled. “You are our only option.”
“Hey lets not get all wiggy here,” Buffy spoke up. “I’m just gonna get in there and snap his t....” The Slayer stopped remembering the phrase from the night before. “It’s all about the staff right?” She changed her line.
Giles nodded and crossed back over to the table picking up the book again and passing it to Buffy, tapping with his finger to the ebony staff in the mage’s hand.
“This is an ancient stencil cut of the mage.” He explained.
“Walking stick, trust me I can snap that.” Buffy grinned.
“It’s imperative that you do.” Giles gave Buffy a semi-scowl to underline the importance of the situation.
“Giles I get it. If I don’t break it he’s going to kill everyone with any magic ability so trust me I get it.” Buffy scowled back.
“He doesn’t kill anyone Buffy.” Giles continued to scowl. “Usually his victims do that bit themselves after.”He added sorrowfully.
“What does he do when he sucks there magic out?” Buffy frowned not understanding.
“We all know what happens after great magic drain Buffy.” Giles could not help but glance over his shoulder towards the door to the backroom.
“Oh I am so breaking that stick!” Buffy growled down at the book.
“When are you going?” Anya piped up almost too brightly and on her prompting Buffy unfolded the piece of paper in her hand.
“Noon.” She read over the calligraphy.
******
Willow hung in the doorway for a moment looking at the hustle and bustle in the main area of the shop. Anya and Dawn seemed absent, while Madalene and Buffy leaned over papers discussing strategy. The one person that surprised her was the tall English gentleman that was hovering over Tara.
“Giles?” Willow blinked a few times making sure that she wasn’t hallucinating.
“Willow.” The Watcher stood up fully and turned pulling his glasses off his face to rest them on the table. Beaming her moved over in the direction of the redhead.
“You’re here?” Willow smiled a little as he looked at her.
“I’ve only just arrived.” He assured her taking a few slow steps towards Willow.
“Did you see? Tara’s alive.” Willow looked beyond him for a minute smiling at the blonde. Tara smiled lovingly back at her happy to see that Willow was having a good morning.
Slowly Giles opened his arms to her offering but not forcing a hug. Looking back she saw his open arms and slowly shuffled into them.
“I’ve seen Willow.” He assured her gently encompassing her with his arms rubbing softly the light T-shirt on her back.
“It’s all going to be all right now.” She whispered into the soft material of his shirt.
“Yes.” Giles soothed as he looked up and caught Buffy’s eyes and smiled though there was great sadness behind his smile.
“I haven’t taken my meds yet.” She pulled back a little winding her arms around herself.
“I believe Buffy has them all ready for you.” Giles too pulled back and moved off to stand close to the bookshelves.
“Yeah Willow, right here.” Buffy moved aside from the papers to retrieve them and pull a chair over near Tara for her. The hacker shuffled over and took her spot.
“Hi baby.” She smiled at Tara.
“Hi sweetie.” Without thinking anything of it Tara leaned over and kissed Willow’s cheek. The move caused the Englishman to blush slightly and he turned his attention to the books beside him.
“Mmmm good morning.” Willow grinned under the kiss and reached up for her pills.
“Oops sorry.” Tara grinned a little as everyone reacted.
“Hey we enjoy the happy kisses.” Buffy grinned ear to ear. “Dawn’s bringing you back a special breakfast Wills.”
“I tried to push for something more nutritious than donuts.” Giles turned back round feeling a little foolish about his momentary blush.
“We’re getting donuts and nutritious.” Buffy laughed and moved back around to her seat.
“If Xander gets his way there will be donuts.” Willow giggled as she finished her pills.
It would have been nearly impossible to miss the flash of discomfort that filled a sudden void before Tara slipped her hand onto Willow’s knee.
“You need nutrition too.” Tara squeezed her had lightly as Willow looked at her lover’s hand and then moved up to Tara’s blue eyes.
“But that’s not what I was going to say...” She continued as green eyes hit blue. “Sweetie.” She took a little breath and moved so that all Willow needed to see and take in was her face. For the moment Willow was held captivated.
“Remember when you woke up earlier, and you were scared because you didn’t know where you were, and I told you it was ok because we were at the magic box...” Tara began softly.
“Yes, it was very scary but you were there.” Willow nodded.
With a slow movement Tara lifted her hand and twisted her fingers round a lock of red hair.
“I was, and I still am.” Tara briefly underlined. “Well we came here because something has happened and right now, something, someone has Xander. BUT…” She added quickly the hand on Willow’s knee moving in a soft stroking motion. “It’s ok.” She stressed her tone even and calm. “Because we know how and when we’re getting him back.”
Willow’s body went taunt, her breathing came through her nose with a hard forced whistle. Tara shifted her hand from the lock of hair near Willow’s shoulder and rested it lightly on her lover’s cheek.
“Baby…” She whispered. “Baby, look at me.” Her voice was a melodious purr as her eyes never wavered once from staring lovingly into green. For the first time Willow blinked though her body didn’t relax.
“I wouldn’t lie to you.” She kept up all her soothing actions. “And I promise he’s ok and he’ll soon be back.” She slid her hand up from Willow’s cheek up into her red hair to ease through it once down its full length before she moved it back to rest her palm once again where it had started.
“You promise?” Willow’s voice was hollow.
“I promise.” Tara vowed as she leaned forward and pressed her lips against Willow’s suddenly chilled cheek. The redhead bobbed slightly to nod that she believed her.
“Thank you.” Tara smiled as she moved her hand and made a move to sit back properly in her seat though she hesitated for a moment wondering if Willow wanted her to move yet. Willow whimpered slightly her hand coming out to catch onto Tara’s arm.
“I’m right here sweetie.” Tara instantly moved back and slid forward, closing her arms around her lover and holding her tight. “I love you.” She whispered.
Willow responded without words as she tucked her head against Tara’s neck and held on tight.
Buffy released a lung full of air, having held her breath the whole time in preparation for a full Willow meltdown.
“Miracle number three.” She whispered almost silently.
******
by tommo » Mon Jul 01, 2002 3:46 pm 
I'm happy now. 
at: 7/2/02 10:35:52 am
is back!!!
Very cool. 
in ours it's just a crayon... but so glad we make you like him... damn you saw the light and I wasn't here the pre no more shows revelation! ... and the connection between W/T is something we could never stand in the way of
But.... I know you two won't let us down. 