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Part 2
Two days passed by for everyone in Sunnydale without much activity happening. The Clans of the M'Fashnick demons, they knew, were gathering and would soon arrive in Sunnydale. Giles himself knew that when that happened, they would have to do something to stop the Clans from spilling blood otherwise Giles truly believed the Hellmout could in fact be opened. And Giles was not about to let that happen. Not after everything that's happened. With the happiness Buffy was just now starting to have and the joy Jacob was finally seeing in his existence, those were reasons enough.
But there was another reason Giles was determined to keep the Hellmouth closed. Willow and Tara. Giles did not want to see the two witches to have to face another moment of misery. Whether it's one of them being hurt or both being hurt, Giles wanted to keep them both out of harm's way. There was a bigger concern that Giles was preoccupied with.
The Council of Watchers and the Witches Committee. Giles had a strong feeling from the early beginning when Sonya Baxter had first shown up that there was a darker purpose for his old friend being there. Bringing Tara back just to deal with Deacon was such a lousy excuse to make, but that's what Sonya had told them. Giles hadn't considered it necessary to argue it because he wanted Tara brought back for Willow's benefit. But now, months later, Giles found himself thinking more and more about the people that Sonya used to work for.
He knew she was no longer affiliated with them because she was always a loner as long as he'd known her. There was only one person Sonya wanted and that person was killed by the Phalanx warlocks many years ago. Giles wondered why Tara was brought back. He wondered about the real reason, not what Sonya told them. He was pretty sure there was some truth in what Sonya had said, but a bigger part of him was sure there was a darker purpose, and Giles had been trying to find that out for many weeks now. He'd already been done some computer research on it, but nothing had come from it. He'd made calls to some of his demony contacts, but nothing had come of that either.
At the moment, he was at his apartment, the one he'd rented before. He had all his old furniture and stuff back in it and most of it was unpacked and placed back the way he liked it. He was sitting on his couch, at the far corner and sipping a glass of coffee. It was just after eight in the morning and after he finished his coffee, he'd head over to the Magic Box. It was the normal routine he'd established since being back in Sunnydale. He wasn't owner anymore, but he found himself spending his time there.
He was working on starting a new business for himself. One that he would take pride in that had nothing to do with magic. Taking another sip of his black coffee, he looked to his right as the phone rang, interrupting the peaceful silence in his apartment. He put his cup of coffee down and reached over, grabbing the receiver of the phone. He put it to his ear.
"Hello." Giles said.
The voice on the other end was a male voice. "Rupert Giles?"
"Yes." Giles replied.
"They are coming." the voice on the other end said.
Giles sat up, alram coloring his face. "Who is this?"
"Listen to me, Rupert Giles. They are coming. And it will be soon. You must make the Slayer and Daywalker ready and aware. Time is running out." the voice on the other end said before the sound of a click let Giles know of the end of the call.
Giles slowly placed the receiver back on the cradle as he looked straight ahead, clearly affected by the words of the person on the other end of that call. Giles waited only a moment before he stood and drank the rest of his coffee. He put the cup in his sink before turning and returning to the living room. He picked up his jacket and headed out of his apartment. He knew of someone where he could get some answers from. And before he'd tell the others about the phone call, he'd try to get his answers.
---**---
About ten miles outside of Sunnydale, in the desert area that separated some of the cities, the Clans of the M'Fashnick demon race were gathered. There was only about a hundred and fifty demons gathered as the Clans were so spread out, that the others were on the opposite side of the country. But the General of the Clans, Kryton, was there.
He stood in front of all the others. Many of the demons were on top of horses, while the rest were walking on foot. Kryton was easily six feet tall and he had an incredibly muscular form with sharp claws on his hands. He had red eyes and his body was covered in black armor. He had two broadswords strapped to his back. He raised his hand towards one of the messengers. The messenger came coming over.
"Yes General Kryton?" the messenger quired.
Kryton looked at the desert area around them. They were a good eight hours ride and walk from reaching Sunnydale. When Kryton had first been contacted by the demons in Sunnydale about their brothers loss, Kryton had been thrilled because this gave him a reason to travel to Sunnydale, the Hellmouth. And he'd wanted to tangle with the Slayer for a very long time. Then learning that it was the Daywalker that took their brothers life made it even better. Kryton was excited at the possibility of fighting either one.
"Get on your horse and find the Slayer or the Daywalker. Let them know we are on the way. Tell them that I am going to give them a fairer chance than they deserve. Tell them where we are and tell them that I request an audience with them." Kryton said.
"As you wish, General." the messenger replied.
Moments later, the messenger was on his horse and racing it off through the desert towards Sunnydale. Kryton knew with the speed that the messenger was going, he would reach Sunnydale in probably three hours. Kryton made a decision. He'd continue to lead the Clans closer to the Hellmouth until they were about three hours away. The M'Fashnick General smiled, he would take out the Slayer and the Daywalker before the night was over with.
---**---
Tara sat in a chair, holding her backpack in her hands. She was here to meet her student advisor. Her advisor was going to help her outline her next semester of classes. Although it wasn't time for students to preregister for the Spring, he was helping her because Tara was very far ahead of the classes she was taking. She rubbed her hands together as she sat.
The blonde witch was wearing her black pair of pants with her black dress shoes and a dark purple long sleeved blouse. She had her hair combed and pulled back into a single ponytail. Her backpack was a black leather one that she'd bought herself during the estrangement between herself and Willow. The blonde looked at her hands. The last two days had been relaxing and tense at the same time. They had been tense because of the knowledge that an army of demons were gathering to spill blood in Sunnydale. But she was also relaxed because the past two days for Tara had been filled with more planning of her wedding with Willow and the continuous love making that she and Willow had undergone.
Willow was in class at the moment and they were going to see a movie with Dawn later. Tara couldn't remember the last time she'd spent time with Dawn and she was looking forward to it. She was still slightly concerned about her father's absence. He'd told her that he wouldn't leave until he talked to her again and she was compelled to believe his words. But she was also wondering how long she'd have to wait before he'd contact her.
Tara closed her blue eyes and took a deep breath. Whenever she got very tensed from her daily life, she would always do a quick meditation spell on herself to calm her nerves. When she began to do it this time, something happened that Tara couldn't control. The second she closed her eyes, a powerful vision hit her full force. Her entire body tensed, but she remained still as images flashed behind her eyelids.
There were three different sets of images that were flashing through her. The first set of images showed Buffy, Jacob, Xander, and three unfamiliar faces inside of an abandoned warehouse battling a team of warlocks and witches dressed in business suits. The emotions behind the images were very intense. The second set of images that flashed through her showed herself, Willow, Anya, and Dawn trapped in a room made out of steel. The room was very large and spacious. She couldn't get a feel on the emotions from those images as the third and final set of images flashed through her. These images showed herself, a further along pregnant Willow, Buffy, Jacob, Xander, Anya, Dawn, the three unfamiliar faces, and Sonya Baxter. But what was captivating to Tara was that they were in a large green field. Tara could see herself in these images. And what she saw was shocking.
Her eyes were no longer blue. They were completely white, a powerful energy crackling, shining white and bolts of white were soaring through her body. White streaks of powerful energy were crackling off her skin and off her fingertips. And if that wasn't shocking enough to Tara, what was across the field was even more shocking. Her lover, her soulmate, her everything Willow was standing there. Only, it wasn't the Willow she'd come to know and love. This Willow was the one that had taken over after the shooting. The dark haired, black eyed, Dark Willow. And before Tara could even try to understand what these images meant, the visions ended and Tara's eyes snapped open.
Her entire body shook in the chair as the man that had placed his hand on her shoulder moved back, not wanting to scare her any farther. "It's just me Tara." her advisor said.
There was beads of sweat on Tara's forehead as she stared at her advisor in shock and definite confusion. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, no words forthcoming. Her advisor, Professor Daniel Stevens, stepped back, not sure what to do. "Are you alright Tara?" he asked softly.
She shook her head, not sure of what to say or do. She felt very clearly the feelings and emotions that had swirled through her during the last set of images. There were two forces of power in control. One was love and the other was rage. Tara was still reeling from them. She grabbed her bag and had a desperately sudden urge to find Willow and have some part of herself touching the redhead. She stood abruptly. "I'm sorry, Professor. I have to go."
"But....what about..." he motioned to their arranged meeting.
"I'm sorry.....I have to go." Tara said again before she turned and ran out, her sudden need for Willow taking control of her.
Professor Stevens looked confused himself, not sure what just happened. He shook his head as he re-entered his inner office.
---**---
Buffy walked along the sidewalk that led through the apartment complex that she knew Jacob now resided. She had her hands in her pockets as she moved through them. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white silk top. Her hair was arranged in it's regular curly state.
The Slayer hadn't seen much of Jacob in the last two days. She knew the reason why. Ever since Sonya Baxter had showed up and delivered her dreadful news to them, she knew that Jacob had felt the need to overtrain himself in preparation for the coming battle with the M'Fashnick Clans' best champion. She wished she could take the challenge instead, but she understood the reason why not and the reason why Jacob wanted to compete in the challenge.
Jacob had taken the demon life on his own and because of that, and Spike's sending them, Jacob felt it was his fate to fight the champion whenever they arrived. She also understood that Jacob had the desire to see justice done here as well as Buffy did. He and her were alike in many ways. But there was one thing that Buffy wanted above all else.
She wanted them to consumate their relationship. She knew he wanted to take that last step, but she knew they both were afraid of what might happen if that did indeed occur. She'd heard Giles's warnings on the matter. And she believed that if they began their intimate relationship and the Council learned of it, something bad would transpire. Buffy wasn't sure what would happen if that happened.
She stopped in front of his apartment and knocked on his door.
A moment later, the door opened and Jacob stood there, looking awkwardly at her. "Hey." he greeted her.
She didn't hesitate. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. "Hey."
He motioned her inside and closed the door behind her. "Um...what are you doing here?"
Buffy turned around and looked at him. "Well, I woke up this morning and turned in bed and you weren't there. And I very much want it to be that way."
Jacob leaned against the counter in his living room. It ws filled with one blue colored couch and a leather recliner. He looked at Buffy, then at the floor. "That might not be such a good idea right now Buffy."
"Why....tell me why?"
"Buffy," Jacob said, "with this challenge coming, I could end up being killed. And I don't want to make love with you knowing it could be the goodbye kind of love."
Buffy understood that. She knew the chances of him not winning this challenge were good. But she also knew what she felt and she felt deep down that he would win. "You're not gonna lose." she said with conviction.
Jacob shook his head. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I love you." she said, finding those three words passing easier now that she'd said it to him. "And I have faith in your abilities. You're not going to lose because you promised to give us a chance to work. You're not going to break that promise now, are you?"
He exhaled a breath. "What about Spike?"
She rolled her eyes at the mention of the blonde vampire. "What about Spike?"
"Buffy, before when I said I screw Spike and screw my mission. But, that was before Spike was here. I don't know if....if I can just ignore his presence."
Buffy nodded. She'd accepted as much. "Well, you have to do what you have to do Jacob. I came here because I want to make love to you. For months, I've looked at Willow and Tara and I've been jealous. I've been jealous of the connection they have. They complete each other and I want to connect with you in that way. But that won't happen until you and I start a relationship together. All I want from you is your word that you won't take Spike out unless he forces it."
The Daywalker walked forward until he was only a few feet from her. "Buffy, I will make you this promise. For as long as I am able, I will try to keep my hatred for Spike at bay. I will try my damndest to stay away from him. And unless he forces anything, he will remain alive or existing."
She nodded, accepting that. She locked eyes with Jacob. No more words were needed to be said. She raised her arms very slowly above her head as he moved his hands down and slowly pulled her top off her body. As soon as the garment left her heated body, his lips descended on hers. The kiss was slow and tender as they both threw their emotions into it. She grabbed his black sleeveless shirt and tugged it upward, wanting to feel his skin on hers.
Moments later, his shirt was gone and he was grabbing her by the hips, lifting her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his hips and threw her arms around his neck as he moved them both towards his bedroom. Their lips remained locked as they entered the bedroom, Jacob's leg kicking out to shut the door behind them.
---**---
Giles opened the front door of the Summers House and entered the house in a rush. He'd hurried over after getting a phone call from Willow. The redhead had sounded very distraught when she'd called. She'd asked him to come over to the house immediately. The Watcher didn't have the whole story yet, but apparrantly Tara had some kind of nightmare or something and Willow wanted him to know about it.
As he entered, he looked around and saw that only Willow and Tara were there. The redheaded witch was sitting on the couch with her lover cradled in her arms. Tara was breathing deeply and she had her eyes closed. "Willow, is Tara alright?" Giles asked with concern.
Willow looked up at him, tears in her eyes at the distress she'd found her lover in right after her class had ended. She'd tried to talk to Tara at the school, but the blonde had been incoherent. Willow still didn't know what was wrong with Tara, so she called Giles and hoped he'd know what to do. "She's been like this for the last hour." she admitted.
Giles kneeled down in front of Tara, looking into her tear filled blue eyes. "Tara, can you hear me?"
"Y...yes Mr. Giles." Tara stuttered.
Giles and Willow breathed sighs of relief when the blonde spoke. "Tara, Willow tells me something's troubling you. Can you tell us about it?"
Shakily, Tara nodded a few times as she tried to rub her eyes with her hands. Her entire body was trembling from feeling the after effects of the visions. Ever since she left to find Willow, a powerful anxiety attack had hit her unlike she'd ever had before. She'd used to get them occassionally at home, but none like the one she'd been hit with after the images.
"I...I...I I had vis....visions." she managed, rubbing her hands over her arms.
"You had visions?" Giles wanted to clarify.
She nodded, shuddering. "Yyes. It....it was a terrible vision."
Willow swallowed, her arms wrapped around Tara's shaking body. She had her lef arm around Tara's front and her left hand on Tara's right shoulder, rubbing it. She had her right arm running up and down her lover's back, under the shirt. She rested her head on Tara's shoulder as she offered her the comfort she could. She'd been a nervous wreck ever since Tara had found her. When she had, Willow had suddenly found herself wrapping a shaking Tara in her arms and getting alarmed glances from the other students.
"Tara, can you tell us about it? Do you need some water or something?" Giles asked.
Tara closed her eyes. She knew she needed to tell them about what she saw but the rare emotions she'd felt from the images was still shaking her. It was emotions she herself had never felt but it was emotions that she'd felt coming from Willow after she'd been shot by Warren. Tara opened her eyes. Her mouth opened and the words slowly began leaving her lips. She told Giles and Willow about the three visions she had. About the first one that involved Buffy, Jacob, Xander, and the three unfamiliar faces in the warehouse. She then told them of the second vision of herself, Willow, Anya, and Dawn being trapped in a room. And then she spoke of the final vision.
She didn't leave out any details. She told Giles and Willow of the grassy area she and Willow were in. She told them of Willow's darker self being there and not the Willow they knew and she told them of how she herself looked. About the white energy eyes, the white energy crackling through her, she told them everything. When she finished her words, she was greeted by silence.
Giles didn't say anything for several minutes as he leaned back and digested the information. He knew for a fact that what Tara had seen were visions of the future. More to the point, they were visions of a possible future. The future is not etched in stone and it could be changed. And what Tara saw could happen unless they make changes to their lives. The only question to Giles was what could they change to change the future? After thinking about it, he glanced over at Willow.
Willow's face was set in shock. Her entire body was still and he knew she was experiencing part of her worst nightmare. The day before Tara's funeral, she'd told Giles about her nightmare. In her nightmare, Tara was still alive, but she was facing Willow's dark side. The darker part of her. And that was the part that Willow never wanted her lover to face. But it wasn't Willow's dark side being in the vision that worried Giles, it was Tara. Giles had realized early on that Tara was not only a gifted witch, she was a true witch in every sense of the word.
In Giles's eyes, any woman could be a witch simply by studying all the books and having the necessary tools to perform the spells. But what makes a woman a pure witch is when you're born with a specific ability. Giles had already done his research on Tara's mother. Denise Maclay was a powerful witch, one of the strongest Giles had ever heard of. Her powers were immense, she just never had the chance to harness them. Tara, on the other hand, had been gifted with the same gifts her mother had and Tara still didn't know of them.
And the most dangerous type of magic is the magic that a person is borne with. Or pure magick, as Giles had sometimes referred to it. Pure magick that's fueled by love is the most deadly. And that's what Giles was fearing. He was beginning to believe that through some future event, Tara's power, her pure magick, would soon take control of her and her love would fuel it. He still couldn't fathom that happening, but he knew that what lay ahead if they couldn't stop it or change it.
"Tara, I believe what you've seen is a vision of a possible future." Giles said pointedly. There was no use in lying or being less than honest with her.
A look of panic crossed over Willow's face as Giles said the words. "But...Giles....are you saying something's gonna happen and I'm....gonna revert to dark magick again?" she asked.
Giles rose and walked over to the where the staircase was, his back to them as he crossed his arms. A few moments later, he turned around. "I'm not sure Willow. There are many possible futures Willow. The visions that Tara received are only one possible future. There has to be something in the near future that triggers what you saw Tara. We have to figure out how to change it and soon, or that future could happen."
Tara took several deep breaths to calm herself. She looked up at the Watcher. "What are we going to do, Mister Giles?" she asked, concerned.
Giles crossed back over and once again kneeled before them. "Right now, the best thing any of us can do is just go about our normal lives. I want to keep these visions of yours between the three of us right now, alright. We tell no one else until I've had a chance to research this. Can you two agree to that?"
Tara nodded and sighed as Willow ran her fingers through the blonde's hair, a means of comfort that always calmed Tara's nerves. Tara looked over at her lover. Willow was wearing a pair of her dark blue jeans with a deep purple button up long sleeved shirt tucked into them. She had her hair combed out and free. But right now, the redhead looked worried about the visions. Tara was slightly concerned herself, but she needed to calm Willow down first. "It'll be fine Will." Tara said, running her hand up and down Willow's inner leg.
Seeing the intimate gesture, Giles politely rose and walked a few steps away, seeing the intimate moment being passed between them. He walked back over to the staircase as he thought about the situation that was now being put forth. The Watcher knew he wouldn't be able to keep Tara's visions a secret for much long, but he needed to have time to research the matter personally before he told Buffy or anyone. Giles knew that the Powers That Be every once and a while would gift a certain individual with the futuristic visions in order to prepare them for a future event. Giles knew that's why Tara received these visions. He just hoped they could find out how to change this future from happening before it became too late.
---**---
Xander and Anya were behind the counter as the three entered. "Howdy, ladies!" Xander's enthusiastic voice boomed.
"You sound cheery." Tara noted, trying her best to put the emotions she felt from the visions behind her for the time being.
"Well, I have reason to be. Anya and I are finally getting passed the whole wedding fiasco and going out once this mess with the M'Fashnick demons is taken care of." Xander told them as he followed Willow towards the round table.
Tara stayed at the counter and looked at the vengeance demon. "That true? You finally giving him a second chance?"
Anya shrugged. "Way I figure it, if he messes up my feelings again, I can reek vengeance on him big time."
Tara looked at her uncertainly. "Really?"
"Or I can call Hally and she can do it for me. It works either way." Anya smiled.
Tara sat down at one of the stools in front of the counter. She looked at her hands and fidgeted. Anya's perceptive nature caught on to her negative feelings and she jumped on it. "Something bothering you Tara?" Anya asked.
Tara looked up. "No, I'm just......I'm just tired."
Anya knew a lie when she saw one, but she decided to let it go. "Wanna help me price some of the new stuff I got in?"
"Sure." Tara agreed as she headed behind the counter to help the vengeance demon.
Over at the round table, Willow was sitting down and flipping through the pages of a magic research book entitled Prophetic Visions and Messages. She had her right hand holding her face up as she flipped through the pages with her left hand. Her lips were pursed as she moved through the pages, but her eyes kept flickering back to Tara every now and then. Xander sat down next to her and was watching her with questioning eyes. She looked at him. "What?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
Xander shook his head. "Nothing, I'm just wondering why you keep looking at Tara ever three seconds. You spend every night with her and most of the day, so why keep looking at her?" Willow's best friend wanted to know.
Willow opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, but she couldn't find the words. Finally, she just gave up and kept her eyes on her book. "Nothing." she mumbled.
"Is....are you two having problems again?" Xander asked.
Willow's head snapped up and she looked at him sharply. "What! No, of course we're not having problems. Where did you come up with that?"
He raised his hands in defense. "Sorry, it just.....you're over here all depressed and she's over there, just as depressed. The last time I remember seeing you two like that was just before the fallout. Just before she moved out."
Willow looked back down, her left hand going to her belly and gently rubbing it. She and Tara still hadn't told Xander or some of the others yet. So far, only Buffy knew. She met his eyes and smiled. "No, we are very much okay, Xander. There's just something we have to deal with, that's all."
Xander nodded, knowing that's pretty much the only information he'd get. He grabbed the newspaper that was lying on the table and began leafing through it. "So, where's Buffy and Dawn? Have you seen them?" he asked.
"Um....Buffy's over at Jacob's right now and Dawn's probably at home by now." Willow answered him.
"At Jacob's," Xander questioned, surprised, "she seems to be getting along with him a lot better now."
"Yes, she does." Willow replied.
"Is she like....falling for him like with Angel?" Xander asked.
"I don't know. Possibly." Willow said after a moment. "It's different though."
"Well, of course it's different. It's different with everyone." Xander replied.
The bell at the front of the store rang as Jacob and Buffy entered. Both had relaxed smiles on their faces as they entered. When everyone looked at them, Jacob lost the smile and let his normal demeanor cross his facial features. Buffy just crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them.
"Oh my god." Willow breathed as she rose up and walked towards Buffy. Jacob walked past the two of them and walked over to where Giles was standing. Willow stopped in front of the Slayer. "You....you did it, didn't you?!"
Buffy nodded, a smile grazing her face again. "Oh yeah."
Willow laughed, tugging on her ear. "Wow, I know you said you were falling for him, but I never would have expected you guys to happen so soon."
Buffy was going to reply, but two loud bangs happened on the door. All eyes turned to the door as the knob slowly turned and the door was opened, the bell ringing as it did so. Giles and Jacob walked along side Buffy and Willow as the messenger for the M'Fashnick Clans entered. The messenger glared at all of them, but his gaze locked on Buffy's then on Jacob's, instinctively knowing who they were.
"Slayer, Daywalker, I am the Messenger for the Clans of the M'Fashnick demons. The General, Lord Kryton, wishes an audience with the two of you. He is in the desert outside Sunnydale with his armies. He also needs to know if you wish to seek the Challenge." the messenger said, looking at them.
Jacob stepped forward, now knowing the messenger demon wasn't going to attack. "Yes, I am issuing your General the Challenge of Desulah."
The messenger nodded. "I have been given the authority to accept your challenge. In two hours, be outside the city's limits. You will see the Clans gathered there. That is where the challenge will take place. If you defeat the General's chosen champion, the Clans will accept it and leave at once. If you lose, our Clans will slaughter this town."
They were all silent for a moment as the messenger turned and left. Silence reigned as they all realized that one way or another, things were going to change tonight.
And he didn't want to be around when they learned of that. He was going to leave Sunnydale and he wasn't planning on ever coming back. Even though he truly believed his feelings for the Slayer were real, he knew now that she was beyond his reach. He also believed he'd had a true chance at one point to have her. But that was before the almost rape that happened at her bathroom. Spike still had flashes of that experience. All Spike was wanting to do right now was get his things together and leave Sunnydale. He figured he'd track Dru down and find out what his old lovely was up to. He had all his stuff finally packed and he grabbed his leather coat and slung it over his shoulders and turned to grab his bags when he felt the cold draft in his tomb. He looked at the entrance to his tomb and his eyes widened.
There was a figure standing there. It was a man in a dark business suit with dark hair and dark blue eyes that pinned the vampire in place. "Are you leaving town, William?" the man asked.
"Yeah, I was." Spike answered, putting his bags back down as he regarded the person. "Do I know you?"
The man walked inside the crypt, ignoring Spike's words. "No, you don't know me. But I know you. I've been watching you for a very long time. You've killed two Slayers, but you're in love with this Slayer. Only, your love has turned into obsession. And now that she's out of your reach, you've set her and all her friends up to be slaughtered by the M'Fashnick Clans." the man smiled.
"Then you know why I must be going." Spike said.
Spike started to leave, but the man raised a hand and Spike suddenly felt himself frozen in place, unable to move no matter how hard he tried. "What the bloody hell are you?"
The man stepped in front of Spike. "Me? I'm someone that you really don't want to mess with. My name is Mr. Lee. I am the one who will soon be the complete ruler of this planet. The plan at which I will acheive this has already been set. I'm giving you the chance right now to join me. To come to my side when I ask you. That's why I'm here."
"And if I refuse your offer?" Spike asked, still unable to move.
Mr. Lee smiled and in not a nice way. He raised his right hand and moved his fingers a fraction. Spike roared in pain as he suddenly felt his arms pop out of their joints at his shoulders. "No one who has refused me has survived, whether they were vampires or not. Spike, you have a chance to achieve all the goals you have ever sought. You want Buffy, I can help you get her. You want the Daywalker out of the way, I can help you. All you have to do is accept my offer. Now, I'm going to leave now. The next time I see you, have an answer."
Mr. Lee raised his hand again and Spike's arms were reset with his shoulders. Then, after a chuckle from the man, Mr. Lee vanished in a flash of red light. Spike dropped to his knees as he rubbed his suddenly aching arms. Spike waited only a few moments before he grabbed his bags and headed out of his crypt, now in a bigger hurry to get out of Sunnydale and right away. And he hoped to never see this town again.
Inside the house, Willow was standing in front of Tara, her hands on her hips. "Tara, I don't want you going, alright!" she argued.
Tara had her arms crossed. "No, it's not alright Will. Let me put it this way, if you're going to put yourself in harm's way, then I am too. Like the old saying goes, where you go, I go. Now, let's stop arguing because I don't like it too much. Come on." Tara grabbed Willow's hand and began to head out of the house.
Willow sighed. She didn't want her girlfriend to be in harm's way, but she couldn't argue with Tara's words. She let herself be led out of the house as they walked over to where everyone was loading up the van. Jacob was the only one still in the house. Buffy was about to go get him when he appeared on the front porch, looking at them.
As was his style, going into battle, he had his gear on. He wore his battle pants and his long sleeved black shirt. He had his armored vest over his shirt and he had his wooden stakes slipped into the small slings on his pants. He had his blaster attached to his hip and he was carrying his sword, still in it's sheath, in his hand. He looked over at them. "Are we ready?" he asked them.
Giles nodded as he opened the side door. Dawn slipped in and sat down near the far side. Willow and Tara sat in the far back, cuddling together. Xander and Anya sat next to Dawn While Buffy took up the shotgun seat. Giles was going to drive and he knew Jacob was going to take his Trans Am instead of riding in the van. "We're ready." the Watcher told him.
Jacob started his Trans Am after getting into it and pulled out. The van followed behin a few moments later and the gang were soon on their way away from the city of Sunnydale and on their way to a battle to take place away from the city.
The demon had brown and green skin and he had glowing green eyes. He stood directly in front of the case while the others were gathered around him and the case, forming a circle. The demon glanced at Mr. Lee. "When do you want this to begin?" he asked of the powerful being.
Mr. Lee glanced at the night sky. "We must wait a few more minutes before we begin. But don't worry, you'll be rewarded for performing this ritual."
"Very well." the demon replied a he remained standing, waiting.
At the very same time, many miles away and on the opposite side of Sunnydale, the Trans Am and the dark blue van were slowing down to a stop about twenty feet from where the Clans of the M'Fashnick demons were gathered. General Kryton stepped forward as the group exited their vehicles. He recognized the Slayer at once, and he took an educated guess that the man in black was the Daywalker. He raised his hands to silence the speakings of his fellow demons.
"My brothers, the moment of truth is here. Daywalker, you took the life of one of our own, is that true?" Kryton demanded of Jacob.
The Daywalker stepped forward, not being threatening, but feeling the need to answer. "Yes I did. I was involved in a battle with four of your brothers and I took one of their lives."
"Very well. My messenger has told me that you wish to issue the Challenge of Desulah." Kryton said, loud and clear.
"Yes." Jacob replied, not saying anything else.
"Then as my messenger has already said, your challenge is accepted. You will face the champion of our Clans. You will fight the warrior DeKhan. And to see that there is no interference on our side or yours, you will battle DeKhan within a mystical shield that will keep us out and your friends out. You may fight with whatever weapons you are carrying at this moment. DeKhan, come forward!" the General of the Clans ordered.
Jacob was glad he had his sword in his hand when he and the rest of them watched DeKhan step forward and lower himself to one knee before Kryton. DeKhan was easily six feet tall with muscular arms and legs and well built demon chest. He had sharp talons on his hands and he had small daggers attached to his waist belt and two daggers strapped to his boots. A long broadsword was attached across his back with a long steel lance in his hand. Jacob knew this was going to be one hell of a fight.
Kryton kept his voice low as he spoke to DeKhan. "DeKhan, you have been the champion of our Clans for many centuries. Your loyalty to us has been very well earned and honored. The man in black is the Daywalker. Until today, the Daywalker has been a myth. I want you to destroy him once the mystical shield is put up. Do not waste any time. Destroy that half breed so that we can show all enemies that we are to be taken seriously. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, General Kryton." DeKhan answered in a deep tone.
Back over where Jacob was standing, the Daywalker was strapping his sword sheath to his back with Buffy's help. Jacob kept his gaze locked on DeKhan as he finished the strapping. "Well," he sighed, "this is going to be a difficult fight."
Buffy walked back around until she was standing in front of him again. "You certainly have enough weapons."
"How are you going to go about this fight, Jacob?" Giles asked.
Jacob sized his opponent up. "Well, I'm pretty sure DeKhan's gonna try to kill me right away. Since they know I can kill one of them with my bare hands, they're not going to waste much time with me. So, I'm going to stay on the defensive until I see the right moment, then I'll strike."
"Don't get killed, okay!" Anya said.
"I'll try my best not to." Jacob replied as he stepped forward.
DeKhan walked forward a few steps as well. General Kryton nodded to his warlocks and they created the mystical shield that would lock the two warriors within until one of them was no longer breathing. Jacob took several deep and steady breaths as he circled around with the demon. DeKhan had his lance broken into it's two counter pieces, two long sharp steel posts and he twirled them around with efficient ease. Then, the champion demon attacked.
DeKhan swung both steel posts towards Jacob's head, intending to smash the Daywalker's skull. Left with no room to move, Jacob just raised his arms and took the blows at his forearms. As the posts hit his arms, he thrust out his right leg and kicked the demon backward with enough force to knock DeKhan on his back. Jacob wasted no time. He pulled out two of his stakes and whne DeKhan was on his feet again, he threw them at the demon champion as hard as he could.
DeKhan had no time to move or block them and he took the shots. The two stakes embedded themselves into both his shoulders and the demon hissed at the sudden pain. He quickly yanked the pieces of wood out and tossed them down before grabbing his posts and connecting them to form his long steel lance or staff. Jacob took a deep breath and quickly reached back and slid his sword out of it's sheat, twirling it in his hands as the demon moved towards him while moving his staff in expert rotations. DeKhan snarled as he rushed forward, intending to take Jacob's head off with an overhead strike. Jacob ducked out of the way and moved to his right, raising his sword and slamming his blade against the steel of DeKhan's staff.
The two warriors moved back and forth for several more minutes, the blade from Jacob's sword striking against DeKhan's staff with perfect efficiency. The other demons watched on with intent interest as Jacob blocked every attempt by their champion. Buffy and the others watched with pleased smiles as Jacob kept himself alive and on the defensive by blocking each and every shot that DeKhan tried. For several minutes, it seemed as though neither warrior was going to get an advantage over the other.
Then that changed. Jacob had both of his hands on the handle of his sword as he blocked and over head strike and couldn't stop the move DeKhan made. As the block happened, DeKhan suddenly surged the lower half of his staff forward, driving the blade past Jacob's armor and piercing his skin. Jacob hissed at the pain of the cut and stumbled back, falling on his back for a moment before he rolled to his knees. He got to his feet a moment later as DeKhan moved forward like a predator moving in for the kill.
The Scoobies watched on very nervously as DeKhan sensed his advantage and took it with deadly intent. Jacob was on the run now and it seemed as though he was on the verge of losing this battle. He was still blocking the demon's shots with his sword, but the force of the blocks were less effective as they had been and they realized Jacob was running out of energy and quickly.
"Finish him DeKhan!!!" Kryton roared.
DeKhan nodded as he stuck his staff into the ground. He pulled two daggers out of his waist belt and approached the weakened Daywalker. Jacob was lowered to one knee and he was breathing heavily as he watched DeKhan move towards him. DeKhan stopped just short of him and raised both daggers up, intending to finish the Daywalker off. At the last possible second, Jacob smiled at DeKhan and thrust his arm upward, the blade of his sword striking straight through DeKhan's body.
DeKhan roared as Jacob pulled his sword out and rose, suddenly no longer breathing heavily, no longer in trouble. "You.....you tricked me." the demon managed, coughing up green blood.
"You take any advantage you can get, right?" Jacob said. Jacob then reached behind him and pulled something out of his vest at his back. It was a smaller sword, but a sharp one. He delivered a thundering kick to the demon's face, knocking DeKhan down.
DeKhan was on his knees as he held the place where Jacob's sword had entered him. "No..."
Jacob looked up at where Kryton was watching on with furious and horrified eyes. He raised both blades up into the air. Without breaking eye contact with the General, he brought both blades down and across, intersecting with each other. There was a sickening thud befor his swords were brought back up, covered in green blood. And DeKhan's head rolled on the ground as his body dropped like a stone. Jacob lowered his blades, the points touching the ground.
Only a moment of silence reigned before the sheild was broken and Jacob stepped back, keeping his gaze locked on Kryton.
The others neared Jacob as he gazed at Kryton's shocked face. "I won the challenge. Are you going to honor your agreement?"
Kryton looked from DeKhan's corpse back to Jacob and a sudden look of respect crossed his face. He walked to Jacob and extended his hand. "You have defeated our greatest warrior. The honor and nobility he had within our Clans is now yours. Whenever you need our help, call for us and we will help you."
"Did he just..." Willow stammered.
"I think so." Giles said as Jacob shook the General's hand.
As Kryton began walking away, the Clans of the demons immediately began dispersing and moving away from them. Jacob had been successful in keeping the Hellmouth safe and sound from being opened and in doing so, earned the respect and honor of the Clans of the M'Fashnick demons.
"Guardians of the Dark Forces, Protectors of the Night, here my call." the demon chanted, "I call upon the forces of darkness to return to existence a force of rage, a force of hatred that was purged from this world. Bring the darkness back and give it new form, bring the darkness back and give it new form!"
Lightning flashed through the area they were at, although there was no clouds in the sky. The lightning crushed through many trees of the area before the lightning bolts simultaneously began striking the steel square box, causing sparkles of energy to surge and crackle inside the case and out. The demon continued to chant. Instead of English words, this time, he began speaking ancient Latin words.
There were at lease twelve lines of Latin text he began speaking from while keeping his scepter raised in the air. The other people gathered were beginning to look very nervous when the lightning began flashing, but they refused to move because they knew if they did, the ritual wouldn't be completed and Mr. Lee would be furious with them. They stayed rooted to their place as the demon continued to chant from the scroll that Mr. Lee's minion held for him.
The demon finished chanting the last of the Latin words and he stepped back, but kept his scepter in the air. The red gem at the top suddenly began glowing and he and the others all watched as something happened. The space between the case and them suddenly began glowing a bright red as the air shimmered and crackled with the red energy. The energy began swirling like a tornado, moving in a circle around the box and going faster and faster until the box lifted off the ground and began spinning wildly with the energy.
The spinning lasted for many moments before the spinning energy rushed into the case and there was a bright flash as the case dropped back to the ground with a loud thud. Silence reigned over the entire clearing for over two minutes. The demon slowly lowered the scepter and looked at Mr. Lee, who was watching him patiently. "It is done. The ritual is complete and successful." the demon told him.
"Good. Lilah, check the case." Mr. Lee ordered.
Lilah nodded, not bothering to question the order. She walked towards the case, much like she did years earlier when Darla had been brought back. She stopped in front of one of the openings with the bars and peered inside. She smiled evilly at what she saw inside. The body was there and it was sweaty and breathing. And Lilah could just feel the powerful darkness that the body possessed. She licked her lips at the feeling and the sensation. She turned around and looked at Mr. Lee. She nodded once.
Mr. Lee slowly let his lips raise into a smirk. The ritual was only step one of the master plan they had been moving towards for so long. Now that it was done, it was only a matter of time before step two could begin. Mr. Lee walked away from them as he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He flipped it open and pressed a series of buttons to place his call. It rang only twice before it answered. "The ritual has just been successful, send the helicopter to pick the package up. We'll be waiting."
Mr. Lee listened to the response before he flipped his phone shut and turned back to the gathered group. "Congratulations everyone. Our plan has now been put in motion. And nothing can stop us now."
Two normal days passed by since the battle between Jacob and DeKhan. Since then, they all had a little time to think about what Kryton had told Jacob. It dawned on them that, whether they liked it or not, they had the entire M'Fashnick Clans as their allies in case they needed help with something. And that was something that would come in handy if Tara's visions ended up coming true. That's what the blonde had been thinking about lately.
The witch was sitting near the wall on one side of a cushioned booth at the restaurant Duke's. Duke's was a restaurant that served the type of food Americans like most. The greasiest type of food. Food like Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, and other greats. Tara was meeting her father and Willow here. He'd dropped by the Magic Box and left Anya a note to give to her just the day before. The note had indicated to her that he was leaving Sunnydale today, but he wanted to clear the air between them before he left.
He had even indicated to her that she should bring her fiancée and Tara took that as a good sign. During the last two days, Tara and Willow had spent just about every minute in each other's company. Because the event with the Clans had gone down on a Friday, those two days had been a weekend so they didn't have to worry about missing any classes. They hadn't left the house at all, perferring to spend their time either in their room together or downstairs with Buffy and Dawn watching television. The two days had relaxed Tara's nerves and, although she was still concerned about the visions, she wasn't as frazzled about them as she had been. And much of that was due to Willow's presence.
Tara was wearing a dark red button up shirt that Willow had bought for her just a few weeks earlier. It was like the purple button up shirt Willow had. She wore a pair of blue jeans over her lean legs and she had her legs crossed at the ankles as she checked her watch. It was just now turning one thirty. Her father's note said he'd be there at one thirty. So she was expecting him anytime now. Willow was in the restroom at the moment and the redhead's purse was with Tara's bag, in between Tara and the wall.
Tara sighed, she wished her father would show up. She checked her watch again. It was now one thirty one. She steepled her fingers together on the table as she waited for her father to show up. A few moments passed and Willow returned from the restroom, sitting down next to her lover and putting her right hand over Tara's left thigh and giving it a squeeze.
"Not here yet?" Willow asked, stroking her lover's thigh.
Tara shook her head, looking back towards the entrance of the restaurant. She was beginning to wonder if her father had just decided to skip town without meeting with her. The thought of that brought tears to her eyes. "Not yet." she muttered, looking down.
Noticing her lover's sadness, Willow leaned over and towards Tara and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry." she whispered.
"It's okay. Why don't we go ahead and order something while we're here?" Tara suggested.
"Okay." Willow agreed as she picked up the menu the waitress had left.
Tara reached for her menu and began leafing through it, trying to find whatever she wanted to eat for lunch. With it being Sunday, there wasn't much people there as most people either stayed home or waited until later hours to dine out.
A few more moments passed by before both witches were surprised by Richard Maclay's arrival. He was wearing his normal clothes and he carried a regular sized briefcase in his hands. He sat down on the opposite side from the witches and he looked at Willow for a few moments, knowing she was the one Tara was in love with. He also recognized her the last time he'd been in Sunnydale. He hadn't known about her relationship with Tara then though. Having made the decision to give her daughter's relationship with whoever the woman was a chance, he extended his hand towards Willow.
Willow and Tara were surprised by Tara's father's sudden arrival, but they covered their surprise up. When he reached his hand out, Willow cautiously grasped it and shook his hand, smiling a little at him as she did so. "I'm....I'm Willow Rosenberg." she said slowly.
He nodded. "My full name's Richard Maclay. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Rosenberg."
Tara's face was filled with shock. She couldn't believe he had come. Although he had written the note, because of his lateness, she had convinced herself that he'd just left. She was surprised to see him. "D...dad. You're here."
Richard Maclay looked at her. "Well of course I am, Tara. I did leave that note. I'm sorry for being late, but I had some things to take care of before I left." he paused. "Well, before I did leave, I wanted to clear the air between us Tara. I told you I wanted a second chance with you and I meant it. And learning of your......preference I believe they call it, was a bit shocking to me and I needed a little time to think about it. And I have thought about it."
Willow grabbed Tara's hand under the table and held it, running her thumb over Tara's skin. Tara looked at her father with hope in her eyes for the first time in a very long time. "And?" she said to him, watching him.
He looked down at his interlaced hands for a few moments before he returned his gaze to the two witches. "I can't say that the life you have is one I agree with. And I'm not just talking about your....relationship. I'm talking about living in a city where there's constant attacks, where you face god knows what every day. You've already told me that you were killed and brought back to life. It's all been a lot to take in."
"I know that dad." Tara replied, "It's not like I knew my life would end up like this."
Richard looked away for a moment. "Just tell me this....do the police find the guy that shot you?"
Tara and Willow were silent for several moments. Neither woman knew any way to answer the question. Willow's entire body froze at the question. She didn't know what to say. What could she say to Tara's father. That she'd lost her mind and skinned Tara's shooter alive? She didn't know what to say.
She was saved from answering when Tara looked at her father and answered. "Dad, the guy who shot me has been dealt with. He won't ever mess with anyone ever again."
"That's good." Tara's father answered, automatically assuming that her shooter was in jail. He let that subject go, although he did feel a sudden tension around the two women in front of him. He didn't want to dwell on it, so he didn't. He forged on with the conversation. "That's enough for me. I have some things that I need to tell you, things you need to know."
"What things?" Tara asked.
Richard looked at the briefcase he'd set next to him. "Things about you and things about your mother. Some of the things may not be easy to hear, but you need to hear them."
"Alright." Tara said, waiting to hear what her father might say.
Willow gave her lover's hand a squeeze, offering her as much comfort as she could. They both gazed back at Richard Maclay as he opened the briefcase and pulled some papers out. He looked back at the two of them as he held the papers. "What I'm about to tell you are things that your mother wanted you to know when you turned eighteen. She was the one who wanted you to know, but....then she got sick and....well you know."
Tara nodded.
He continued. "You already know that your mother was a natural witch, as are you. But what you don't know is that you come from a very distinct bloodline Tara. Did your mother ever tell you her last name?"
Tara thought back to her childhood and the moments she had spent with her mother. Her mother never really told her anything about her side of the family and Tara suddenly realized that she didn't, in fact, know her mother's last name other than it being Maclay, which was her father's last name. "No, she never told me."
Richard Maclay nodded as he placed a picture of four women in front of Tara and Willow. The two women looked at the picture as Richard spoke. "Tara, your mother's last name was Halliwell. Your mother's powers as a natural witch comes from the bloodline that all Halliwells carry. That's where the powers that you have come from. When I first learned about it, I can admit that I hated her for it. I didn't want no wife of mine involved in witchcraft. So I forbid her to use witchcraft and I tried my best to make sure you stayed away from it as well. That was my mistake I know. I should never have done that to her or to you."
"Who are the other women in this photograph?" Willow asked, looking at the other women.
"That's your mother and her sisters." Richard said.
"Her sisters?" Tara's voice sounded surprised.
"Yes, I also forbid any of her family to know about you. I made sure she never told you about your aunts. I know I can't make up for the deceit that I put you through, but I want to give you back your family before I leave. Now, two of your four aunts have passed away since this photo was taken, but two of them remain alive and well. I put together a descriptive report of who they are and the other members of their family for you to know. You'll find the addresses of your remaining aunts and they're family. They know about you, they just don't know that you're living in Sunnydale."
Tara was silent for several seconds as she looked through the papers her father had written out about her aunts. "Is there anything else you're not telling me?"
Richard Maclay winced at the accusatory words, but couldn't difute them. "Yes, there is one other thing I want you to know about. One of your aunts had three children. One of those children has passed away, but she had a half daughter and the half daughter and the surviving two sisters live in San Fransisco. I don't know if either of you have ever heard of them, but they are known as the Charmed Ones."
Willow's eyes widened and her eyebrows hiked. She had heard Tara speak of the Charmed Ones. Tara had told her that they were quite possibly the most powerful witches ever born. That their power combined could defeat any evil force ever known. Willow had always thought Tara's story about them were just legends or myths, now she was beginning to believe differently. Tara's body stilled. She was shocked at what her father was telling her. He was basically saying that the Charmed Ones were her cousins. It was something she would never have guessed or imagined.
"Are....are you sure?" Tara squeaked.
"Yes, I have done my research on the matter and I'm positive." Richard Maclay answered.
Tara leaned back in her seat, too overcome with the news to say anything. Willow reached over and picked up some of the papers he'd written his notes on and looked through them. She had stayed quiet most of the time, but now she spoke. "Why the sudden change of heart, Mr. Maclay? I remember when you were here last year." her tone was hard.
He looked long and hard at the redhead who was sitting so closely to his daughter. He couldn't argue with her words. "When I leave Sunnydale today, I may not be back for a while. You see, I've sold the farm and townhouse Tara."
"You what?!" Tara exclaimed.
He nodded. "Yes, after me, Donny, and your cousin Elizabeth left Sunnydale last year, we all headed back home, but things went downhill. Your brother pretty much decided that he wanted to be on his own, so he left and your cousin Beth headed to her mother's to stay. I was left at the farm and I tried to take care of things there for a while, but it was hard. I sold the farm and the townhouse to a nice couple looking to settle down. They gave me a nice amount for the land and I just left. After I leave today, I'm planning on going up to Seattle."
"Why Seattle?" Willow was interested.
"I've decided to use the money I made from the farm to start a business. I wanted to choose a nice city where I could have a fresh start. I ended up choosing Seattle. I've started a new video store up there. The store's closed right now so I could make this trip. Tara, I just wanted to clear things with you before it became too late. I really do want to have a fresh start with you and I'm not going to let my personal feelings about your relationship with Miss Rosenberg ruin that."
She reached over and grasphed his hand, squeezing it. "Thank you, dad." she said, sincerely.
He nodded. He looked at Tara's engagement ring, then at Willow's. "So...um....when are you two getting married? Have you found someone to perform the ceremony?"
Willow's face lit up at talk about the wedding. She looked at Tara and waited until she received the nod from her before she spoke. Willow let a smile light up her face when she did speak. "The wedding's gonna be in December. December the ninth actually." Willow said.
Richard Maclay nodded, watching the smile that lit Willow's face and watching the unconscious smile that appeared on Tara's face when Willow smiled. He shook his head to himself, beginning to acknowledge for the first time that his daughter was happy with this redheaded woman. "Well, I'll be sure to return in December for it." he said to them.
Tara's smile turned to him and he was suddenly grateful for deciding to attend his daughter's wedding.
On one hand, he was happy that the two of them seemed to be happier now than they had ever been before. But, he was also very concerned about the consequences of their getting together could have in the long run once the Council learned of their romantic union. Giles knew enough about the Council to know they would resort to brutal tactics if it meant keeping them apart. The Council would be convinced that their union would be a mistake and would do whatever it took to separate them.
That was Giles's main concern as far as the two of them having a relationship was concerned. He didn't want Buffy to put so much time and effort into this relationship to have it completely dissapear when the Council steps in. And he didn't want Jacob to settle down with Buffy knowing the possible consequences of that action. So Giles didn't know what to do. He thought it might be best to convince them not to forge ahead with the relationship, but he knew they wouldn't listen and he really didn't want either of them mad at him.
He took another sip from his bourbon as he thought about the other couple he knew. Willow and Tara. Those were two names he would never forget. Sometimes, the Watcher was at awe at the complexity of their relaitonship and at the awe of them surviving all the odds they had to just be together. First, there had been Oz when he had returned to Sunnydale. But that was just a minor situation. The bigger obstacle they had next faced was Tara's family showing up that time last year.
And Tara had put a spell on them to keep them from seeing a demon side she was sure she had. That had turned out alright. Tara learned she wasn't what she thought she was, her family had left and Tara's relationship with Willow was stronger for it. The remainder of that year had passed them them getting a little closer. Then, Glory had taken Tara's sanity and Willow had first tasted dark magick when she went after Glory. Giles knew that that was when Willow's overuse of magick had first began. It was something that no one had questioned at the time because it had weakened Glory to a point.
But in the end, Glory had been defeated and Tara had survived. And just when the two witches thought that their problems were in the past, their biggest obstacle came in the form of Willow's use of dark magick and the spell she put on Tara. It eventually led to their separation. Giles had thought for sure after he left Sunnydale that they would never be able to repair their relationship. But they had. It had taken time, a good amount of it, but they had repaired their relationship and had been stronger for it. But that was when Warren Mears almost ruined it all for them.
The shooting had changed Willow, that much Giles knew. Willow had simply lost her meaning, she had lost her reason to live and she wanted to make the world pay for her misery. And she had almost succeeded too. If it hadn't been for Giles's use of the coven's magic making Willow feel the last remnants of her humanity, Giles was sure the world would be ended by now. And after Xander brought Willow back, things had changed again.
Willow had gone into a depression so deep that he knew she would never have gotten out of if it hadn't been for Sonya Baxter showing up. But even with Sonya's help in bringing Tara back to life, Giles still couldn't help but wonder what exactly had been brought back within Tara. He truly believed that the Powers That Be had given Tara strong powers. Not only the powers of the visions, but other powers. Giles could just feel it radiating off the blonde witch. He just didn't know how to approach her about the subject. And now that Tara had experienced the visions, Giles was beginning to wonder how much power the PTB had gifted her with.
Giles sighed as he drained the remainder of the bourbon in his glass. He set the glass down as he leaned back on his couch and crossed his legs. He held his head in his right hand as he stared around his living room. His eyes drifted to the door when he heard a swift knock at the door. The Watcher rose from his seat and headed over to the door. He opened it.
A demon with red skin and green horns at his forehead was standing there. The demon was dressed in a business suit and he had a black hat on with a feather on it. "You asked for me to come over?" the demon said in a clear tone.
Giles nodded, spreading his arm out in an enter type of fashion. The demon entered Giles's residence and waited for Giles to close his door. Giles and the demon walked over to the living room and the demon sat down on one of Gile's chairs while the Watcher retook his seat. "Did you find anything Tritan?" Giles asked the demon.
"Given the information you provided, I'm surprised but yes, I did uncover some information." the demon named Tritan replied.
"Let's hear it." Giles said.
Tritan put the thick volumed book on the table that he brought. He opened the book to the middle. "This girl you mentioned, is she a witch?"
"Yes." Giles replied.
The demon pointed a red skinned finger at the page. "This book I have tells of one reference. Back in the 1600s, there was a female witch named Isabella who was murdered by her rage induced ex-husband. He had caught her in bed with a female lover and he brutally murdered her. He left the lover alive and he made it look like the lover had done it. Well, the lover was a powerful witch and she knew of the ways to bring the dead back to life. She performed what's called the 'Returned Soul' spell. I'm surprised you didn't know about it, Rupert."
"I didn't think the spell worked." Giles admitted.
"Yes, it does work. It hasn't been attempted in over two hundred years, but it does work. Anyway, after the lover brought Isabella back, Isabella found that she received powerful abilities that she hadn't had before her death. Through researching with her lover, she learned that while she was dead, the Powers That Be, or a powerful God that Isabella believed they were, gifted her with extraordinary strengths. She could destroy buildings by concentrating hard, she could move things with her mind and she could transport herself and her lover anywhere on the planet with just her mind." Tritan said. "But she recieved powerful visions. These visions were of events that would happen in the future."
"What happened?" Giles asked.
"Well, Isabella believed that the future could be altered by making changes in her life. This one vision she had showed her lover's death by her hands and then showed Isabella's death by a mob of villagers who burned her alive. She believed that if she stopped using her powers, she could stop that future from happening. But that wasn't possible, that future was already put in motion that it couldn't be stopped. Six months after the vision, Isabella had a fight with her lover about whether it was safe for her lover to remain with Isabella. Isabella wanted her lover safe and she wanted her to leave, but her lover refused. In order to force her to leave, Isabella used her power and sent waves of energy at her lover to scare her into leaving. The energy ended up killing her lover accidentally. One of the villagers saw it happened and soon after, a mob had gathered and they took Isabella to the town square and burned her. But Isabella didn't event try to stop them, she allowed them to do that to her because of her guilt at what she'd done to her lover."
Giles removed his glasses as he looked at Tritan. "So, you're saying that these visions are of a future that can't be changed?"
"If this witch you asked me about has already received visions about a future event, then that future is going to happen and no amount of changes is going to alter it. That future event will happen one way or another. Whatever changes that this witch does make will only prolong this event from happening for a limited amount of time." Tritan answered, looking sympathetic for Giles.
Giles's body tensed, not yet ready to admit defeat, but unwilling to come up with another possibility. He closed his eyes, not sure where to go from here.
"Hey ladies. What's so funny?" Xander asked, seeing them.
"Oh um...it's nothing." Willow said, blushing.
"Judging from the shade of red you're blushing to, I definitely think it's something." Buffy remarked.
"Something naughty." Dawn said, smiling at them.
"The words you're looking for are not coming from these lips." Willow told them, sitting down over by Xander. He was sitting on one of the recliners.
Tara took the redhead's purse and turned towards the stairs. "I'll take these upstairs." she said. The papers and the picture were in Tara's bag. She headed upstairs, Willow watching her leave.
The redhead turned back towards the others, raising her eyebrows when she saw they were looking at her. "What?"
"Something going on that we don't know about?" Buffy asked, leaning forward.
Willow crossed her arms over her chest. "Tara's father left today."
"Oh." Xander muttered.
"Did it....go well?" Dawn asked.
Willow nodded. "It actually went better than I thought. He told me and Tara about some stuff."
"Can you tell us what he told you?" Buffy asked.
"I'll let Tara tell you." Willow said, falling silent.
A minute later, Tara came back downstairs. She opened her dark red button up shirt and there was a white sleeveless top underneath. She squeezed into the recliner chair. Actually, she ended up sitting in it with Willow now on her lap. Tara wrapped her arms around Willow's waist and the redhead relaxed in her arms. The others shared knowing grins at seeing it.
"What's up?" Tara asked, seeing their expressions.
"Willow was just telling us about the lunch with your father." Dawn said.
"Oh." Tara said, looking down.
"Will you tell us about it?" Buffy asked, interested.
Tara sighed, not really sure of what she thought about it. As she began to tell them about what she'd learned, she silently acknowledged that she'd have to go to San Fransisco soon to meet her famous cousins. Her life was once again changed. That much was for sure and Tara wasn't sure whether she liked it or not. She smiled for their benefit. She was looking forward to meeting her cousins and she hoped they would like her when they met her.