This piece contains information from BtVS season 5 which may spoil the programmes for you-especially if you are just watching them on BBC2 for the 'first' time!
Disclaimer:Main characters belong to the owners of the TVshow-we only borrowed them to play with.
Title;"...Down a Wide Road."
Author:Emily First.
Feedback:Yes please.(be sweet...be kind...be gentle).
Timeline
ivergent (from "Doppelgangland"-after VampWillow arrives in Sunnydale).Post season 5.Spoilers:Yes-sorry-see above note now!
Rating:PG-13...Please respect the conventions behind such ratings...they are there for a reason!
WARNING!...SPOILER * ALERT * NOW!!
-Early evening,an hour after sunset-
"Willow?"
"MmHm?"
"That is gross!"
"Tis not!- its a perfectly natural result of eating and then pooping."
"Willow I couldn't reproduce those colors mixing paints in art class! I mean just look at those Pinks and Greens - yeuch!"
"Okay so she hasn't got the internals working 100% yet but the outside is just perfect-don't you agree?"
"Yes...she's beautiful-but I'm never volunteering for changing duties-you can only call on me as a last resort."
"Bing!"
The sound of the microwave from the kitchen saved Dawn from this rapidly 'digging a hole' conversation.Shouting out, "I'll get it",she jumped up and moved round the ell to retrieve the new batch of popcorn.
"My little Sis-always saved by the bell.She's right though Will-you've got a beautiful daughter.Have you thought of a name yet?"
Buffy didn't miss the glance between Willow and Tara lying curled up in the chair by the fire.
"What?"
"We wanted to talk to you both before everybody got here." This to Dawn as well;coming back through to the living room.
"We want to call her Joy.After your mom - and for ourselves as well."
Buffy could feel her eyes tearing up but she grabbed Willow in a fierce hug anyway and just whispered into her ear,"Thank you"
"Dawnie?" asked Tara.
"No I don't mind - I think mom would have been proud.Erm.. can I have a hug as well?"
"C'mere."
Enjoying a moment of mutual sniffles and hugs,they were interrupted by the voice of House speaking from the middle of the room."Willow,Spike is at the gate asking permission to enter with a guest he says needs to speak to you."
"Who is it?"
Unexpectantly diffident,House replied."I think it's another Vampire,you'd better see for yourself."
"Okay,let them come up to the door.I'll check it out-see what's going on this time."
House had some formidable defences...but,just in-case...
"Buffy you stay here with Mr Pointy,Tara you hold Joy and Dawn...sit!" And she stalked out of the room.
"Tara - your wife is turning into a Ms Bossy Pants."
"I know - and I think its so cute."
**
As Willow got to the front door she could make out the figures of Spike and a woman making their way up the driveway.In the shadows from the trees she could not make out the females' face,concealed beneath the hood of a cloak.
As they approached the door she could see that Spike had a rueful expression on his face.
"Spike?"
"Sorry,Red.She came by my place this morning.Said she needed help-couldn't find you at any of your old haunts and did I know where you were? Said it was urgent."
The figure beside Spike had partially pulled the hood of her cloak back so that Willow could see her face.
Oh!...Goddess.
"Willow...can I come in?"
******
End of part 1a.
vive,valeque.
Part 1b.
Like an unexpected gust of wind,Tara felt the shock from Willow course through her body.
Extending the moment - to give herself time for all the things she had to do - she rose from the chair where she had been playing with the infants' toes.
Turning to Dawn she handed the baby to the teenager,"Dawn go over there and stay in the corner with Lucy."
Dawn was about to protest when she looked at the expression on Taras' face and moved immediately to obey the command.
Feeling the rise in tension from where she had been working in the kitchen,Lucy had come around the corner from the dining area and at a look and a thought from Tara she moved in front of Dawn and the baby cradled protectively in her arms.In less than the blink of an eye the Blade which had been peeking over her left shoulder was held in her hand,ready to defend this strange tribe which had accepted her into their ranks and the young female who had become an unexpected friend.
Reaching into a nook beside the fire Tara transferred her Wand into her right hand and prepared for what was to come.
Reaching deep down inside herself she set her Source to spin,drawing and storing energy from the world she lived in.
The reactive shields round her mind were the first to come on-line.Ever since the battle with Glory which had almost cost her so much she had been practising with Willow to stengthen her innate abilities.
To fortify her soul she looked round the room which she had helped to make part of a home for herself and her family:
The small fire Willow had kindled with a thought.
The large scruffy armchair they had bought together for $35 and which had room for two people to snuggle up and exchange smoochies in.
The few books she had managed to save from her previous existence.
The small patch of wall where she kept her pictures:
The 8x10 photo of Daryl Hannah she liked.And which Willow said she liked for the makeup effects,
A copy of the only picture she had of her mother-wearing a short summer dress,her hand holding her windswept blonde hair away from her face and smiling into the camera,
A picture she had taken of Willow sticking her tongue out at something she'd said,
The picture Mr Giles had taken of the two of them at their Handfasting ceremony,
Lucy,the young female they had taken in and adopted after she had been trapped here when her tribe had been moving through Sunnydale.
Buffy, her lovers' best friend, standing before the entrance from the front hall, ready to give her all against any threat.
Dawn, who could change moment to moment:from a gauche teenager sniping at her big sister about her fashion choices to a young woman just coming into her power; who could one day hold the future of the world in her hands.
Joy,the life she had created with her partner,the precious young spirit she had brought into the world.
She was ready.
"Buffy,move to the left,away from in front of the door."
Buffy looked round at Tara coming up on her right side, ready to protest the tone of command...
She moved.
Willow came back into the doorway from the hall,taking in the scene in front of her.
"Tara...?"
"Move aside Willow,let her in."
She felt Buffys' jolt of recognition at the figure moving into the doorway,the surprise and shock from Dawn and Lucy.
She issued her challenge.
******
End of part 1b.
------------------
vive,valeque.
Part 1c.
VampWillow stopped just inside the doorway to absorb the scene before her...
The Slayer on her right with Mr Pointy ready in her hand...
To her left a small dark haired female she did not know-with a Blade held at the ready.Behind her was somebody she could not make out...holding a new human protectively in her arms.
She knew they would not attack unless there was some kind of aggressive move on her part...
No...The danger in the room was coming from the woman standing in front of her...
She was of a height with herself,but she could not make out any features - all she could see behind the aura emanating from her was a pair of eyes which even as she watched were changing from a very cold light-blue to a silvery-grey color that was starting to glow with the identity which stirred behind them.
"Why are you here? Why should I let you exist!?"
When she spoke,all VampWillow wanted to do was to curl up into a ball and hide in the back of her skull.
She had to try."My Queen..."
"Your Queen!?...Your precious Queen tried to kill us last year,sent us one of her assassins as a suprise package-did she not get my response? I'm sure I sent her back all the pieces!"
Oh...Sugar!.. "Willow..."
When she spoke her sisters' name the aura around the womans' head flared into a hood which changed to a roiling mass of red-black,shot through with green flashes;and the Wand in her hand became instantly white-hot, extending towards her with a slowness which was frightening.
There was only one thing she could do now...
Falling to her knees she leant back on her heels;turning her hands palm up,crossing right wrist over left she lowered her head and raised her arms."Mercy...?"
"TARA!!! Please..."
Her reflection...always was the bravest of humans-stepping where even angels feared to tread.
"Tara,I invited her into our home.I said we would listen to her problem and consider what she had to say.Please...power down."
After a long agonising moment Alterna' knew she might have a chance-she was still here after all.
"C'mon baby...lets go and talk...Buffy will you take care of things here?"
"Sure,Will."
**
The Slayer placed Mr Pointy under Alternas' chin and raised her gaze from the floor.
"Not only is your Queen stupid but she's wasteful of her resources-perhaps you should consider changing your allegiance."
"I had no choice at the time Buffy- I had to accept the link.It's all irrelevant now anyway."
"We'll see...Spike,are you still hiding out there?"
Spike showed his head round the door."Is it safe yet?"
"You're another one that needs to get their brains tested-what were you thinking of..? No,don't answer that.Go get some blood out of the fridge and heat it up for our guest,I'm sure she needs the nourishment about now."
Dawn had come forward with Lucy to inspect this stranger who had so disturbed her friends.
"What are you..? You are a Vamp,right?"
"What about you,little girl?You are human...right? Wanna play?"
"Hey! that's my little sister you're trying to rag.You sure do take your chances Alterna'.I thought you might have gained some more smarts in the time you've been away."
"Sorry,Buffy.I'm still shaking inside- I don't want to think right now-why don't you make introductions all round?"
"Okaay...Dawn,Lucy this is...Alterna'...She's Willows' ...sister."
"Alterna', this is my sister Dawn and her friend Lucy who lives here with Willow and Tara.The baby is named Joy,your niece."
"Niece?,Tara?...what's going on here Buffy?"
"It seems your Queen has difficulty passing on information to her people as well.You really ought to think about your options here."
"Buffy...A couple of years ago I saw the Destroyer in N'Orleans.She has nothing on this woman...Tara? Who is she?"
Buffy smiled."She's your sister-in-law."
"...Gods' below...I don't know if I can take much more."
Looking around..."Buffy,is Giles here? Xander...are they still alive?"
"Yes...No,they're not here...Why,what's wrong?"
"That Queen you were talking about...you...and I,don't need to worry about her anymore.She's toast."
*
"...Honey? Put the Wand down,I need a hug."
Willow had taken Tara to their bedroom at the back of House;a large room containing a four-poster bed which they had managed to find in an antique shop in LA;on their way back from a short but blissful honeymoon.Joys' cradle sat on Taras' side of the bed,and an on-suite bathroom with a tub big enough to happily accomodate two people was off to their right as they entered the room they had spent many a happy argument over,deciding on decor and furnishings.
Tara walked over to the small chest on her side of the bed,and placing the wand in its holster,turned back to Willow.
"Willow...why?"
"Why do I need a hug?"
"No...silly.Why did you invite her in...give her guest rights?"
"Lots of reasons really.One,whatever she is,Tara,I still consider her my...sister...a part of who I am,a part of my life I have to deal with.Two,she's been disconnected from her link,she needs someplace to recover...and...Three,she's brought bad news,and we need to consider the implications...all of us...together.Will you give her a chance to explain..? For me?"
"Of course I will...but if she's going to stay,then you know what I'll have to do...I will not have her here any other way Willow,not with Joy being so vulnerable...Will she accept?"
"I'll talk to her...Meanwhile we need to get a hold of Giles,Xander and Anya...Get them over here sooner than expected...Now,c'mere,I really do need a hug."
*****
End of Part 1c.
------------------
vive,valeque.
Part 1d.
"Well...You were right,Willow,this is bad news indeed.In fact,the consequences could be catastrophic for all of us."
Giles was standing with his back to the fire and looking at all the occupants of the room gathered together in front of him.
Anya was leaning against Xander's chest her arm wrapped around his body as they sat at one end of the couch.Every now and then her gaze would wander to the figure kneeling at the side of the fireplace, and just as suddenly jerk away again.
Beside them,Dawn was holding Joy as she slept peacefully,oblivious to the tension permeating the room around her.
Spike and Lucy were sitting in chairs brought through from the kitchen;Lucy as usual leaning her arms on the back of the chair she was straddling as she faced them all.
She and Willow having come to an accomodation,she was only wearing the one Blade which peeked over her left shoulder;having left its' mate up in her room.Wearing both out in public was no longer a problem,ever since Willow had defined a spell which caused anybody looking closely to slide their gaze past what they might have seen.Even if you knew that the Blade was there,it seemed to want to hide until it was needed.
Being fairly sure it was 'Blood' she was wearing,he gave thanks for small mercies... ' Terror' had the ability to set everone's teeth on edge if it so chose.
Willow and Tara were cuddled up in their ratty old armchair beside him and Buffy was sitting on the other couch by herself,her left leg curled under her body in that way that only women and cats could achieve.
And kneeling beside Willow and Tara,in what she must hope was a very submissive posture,was the bearer of bad news...
When Giles,Xander and Anya had arrived early in response to Willows' phone call they had been shocked to discover the visitor that Spike had brought with him this evening.
Giles had been knocked back on his heels and Anya had turned white as a sheet,as all the blood drained from her head,seeming to pool in a solid lump in her belly...She only managed to stay on her feet by wrapping her arms round Xander who looked almost as shocked she did.
This must be so difficult...even awkward,for Willow...and especially Tara,but he had to try and make the best of a situation which was disturbing,to say the least.
"Alterna'...How is it that you escaped this...unfortunate event?"
Looking up at him as if she could determine his every thought,with that knowing smile which so reminded him of 'their' Willow,she took her own sweet time about answering...
"I'm sure you,now that you're no longer a Watcher,have not been kept informed of what's happening out there in the wide world,especially of what's been happening in Europe fairly recently...no?"
Holding her gaze,he was determined not to react to her jibe..."Get on with it."
She gave him a full blown grin,and turned to the others as she began her explanation.
"Okay...A bit of background information first...Just over a year ago Emma Blood,the 'Prime' for Europe was challenged and defeated in one-on-one combat by one of her brood,an upstart called Huntley Cameron.Unfortunately for Cameron,he was so weakened by the fight that he was unable to actually destroy the Black Rose,and some of her followers smuggled her body out of the Hive...Taking it to a place of safety they stood guard until she could recover her strength.Since then they have been carrying on a viscious little war amongst themselves which has been spilling over into the human 'ken' of things."
Pausing to take a sip of her mug she continued..."I was summoned to Washington by the Imperial Council and told that I would be accompanying the 'Hand' of the Empress to Paris to resolve the situation one way or the other."
At this,Buffy looked up from where she had been gazing at the cup held in her hands..."Paris?..Did you..? No,never mind...carry on."
Alterna' looked at her carefully,before beginning once more...
"Anyway,the 'Hand' put Cameron down and was instructed to stay available to the Black Rose whilst she dealt with any remaining problems...There was nothing much for me to do,so I was exploring the city...I mean it could be ages before I managed to get over there again.It was while I was wandering around that my link was severed and I was laid low for a couple of weeks."
"There was no inclination before the link was severed...no warning at all?"
Turning to Willow,she shook her head,"No...nothing.I was heading back to my quarters just before sunrise,and one minute it was just 'there' and the next it was 'gone'.I just felt this overwhelming weakness and collapsed.Luckily for me,someone found me and got me under cover; looking after me until I could move on by myself.When I had recovered enough strength,I asked permission to head home."
"You were 'found' by someone who just happened to know what to do for you?"
"Yes." She said nothing more.
Giles interrupted."Never mind that...what happened when you got back to 'Merica?"
"Well,after I'd made my report to the council,they rather casually informed me that my Queen had been destroyed along with her entourage,and that her brood was now scattered and expected to fend for itself."
"Rather a cavalier attitude to take I would think."
"Giles,they were scared...I think more because of the fact that they didn't know what happened."
"They have no idea? I find that a little hard to believe."
"She was moving from Denver down to Col'Rado Springs with a full compliment of guards and followers when they were seemingly attacked...There were no survivors,and nobody has managed to come up with any information at all."
Tara spoke up into the silence."That sounds ominous...You know how Demons like to brag about their exploits...If there's not even any rumours flying around...I think you could probably say it's not a brood war.And if that's the case,it sounds like an individual."
With a sly look at Spike,she continued,"Someone with enough ' juice' to take on an entourage...That means someone with a great deal of power,and...I think with the destruction of your Queen,Alterna',the balance will have changed somewhat in the Council of Nests'.I didn't like Her much as an individual,but at least she didn't believe in 'messing' in her own backyard.With her out of the picture some of the militant Queens' will be moving to become more aggressive to the humans in their own territories...Perhaps the whole point of her death was to engender just such a situation."
Willow turned to her love,"Tara,you know the Empress better than any of us...What do you think she's doing?"
"Na-Tasha? I don't think there's much she can do until some more information becomes available.She'll have brought her 'Hand' back from Europe,and probably set her Chancellor to gather intelligence by whatever means possible...Really,there's nothing she can do but wait and see what,if anything,moves into the ensuing vacuum."
"Mmm...I think you're right Tara," Giles said.
"Excuse me?"
Giles turned back to the young female,"Yes,Lucy?"
"I'm not sure yet how the Demons in this world act amongst themselves,but it seems to me that if this was a move for territory,then whoever was responsible would be trying to attract followers,to hold whatever they gained,and word would get out.There would be no need to scramble to gain information...It would just be 'out there'."
"Your point being?"
"Well,if it's not a move for territory,and the fact that Tara thinks it could be an individual...Then it seems to me that 'that' individual has an agenda of its' own and we've no way of discerning what it is...The problems will still be there in the morning and we're not going to learn anything more tonight.We might as well stop speculating and make with the happy times...We're here to celebrate the birth of a new human after all!"
Spike burst out laughing at the look of chagrin of Giles' face,"Nice one,Lucy! C'mon Giles,you know she's right...Get with the fun."
Anya piped up,"Here,here...Fun is what I need right now." She reached over to take Joy from Dawn as the infant woke with a sleepy yawn.
*****
End of Part 1d.
------------------
vive,valeque.
Part 1e.
As Giles came round the ell from the kitchen with another pot of tea and cookies on a tray,his gaze swept over the company settled amongst the various couches and chairs arranged around the large comfortable room...For a moment he felt perfectly happy and content...
Xander was getting thoroughly beaten by Dawn as they played the latest computer game on the full-screen television.At one end of the table Willow and Lucy were playing their seemingly endless game of chess,and Spike and Anya were on one of the couches,discussing the attributes and merits of Demons they had known in the past...
Buffy,on the other couch,was holding Joy.She was just letting her thoughts bubble to the surface,
thinking over the last year-and-a-half ...
Her Love had been Banished into exile in Europe;forbidden contact with anyone in Sunnydale...She had acquired a sister...Her mom had become ill,seeming to recover after the operation...There had been a new Big Bad,a God no less...
Then...Then her mom had died.
There had been no time to mourn...Dawn was in trouble at school...It had seemed as if she might lose her as well.Glory was attacking her friends;Tara was hurt real bad before things had come to a head...
Even as she'd been pounding on Glory with Olaf's hammer,she'd felt detached,not taking any notice of what she was actually doing...Just swing the hammer back over her shoulder,and bring it forward to crush the chest and head.
She'd not even made any objection when Giles had finished the fight...
Perhaps it was then that the Ennui had climbed onto her back,digging its' claws deep into her mind and body...
Oh,she'd carried on well enough,going through the motions...Regular patrols,keeping up appearances,
giving good face;but...She couldn't cry herself into exhaustion any more...Could get no more than an hour or two of sleep at any one time...
Then...Tara had invited her to stop by after patrol one night...
She'd been large with the baby,almost eight months,when she'd patted the couch beside her and invited Buffy to sit...
Opening her shirt,she'd held out her hand, "Give me your hand..." Buffy had complied and she'd watched Tara place her hand on the bulge of her belly.Willow,who had sat down beside her,wrapping her arms around Buffy's waist,leant against her back and rested her chin on her shoulder...
At first there'd been nothing,then...She saw the ripple travel over the stretched skin,had felt the 'thump' against her palm...
There had been no warning,no time to prevent what was happening...She had burst into tears,bawling out loud,her body rocking back and forth as the scab over her pain had cracked,and all her hurt and loss had poured out...
Whilst Willow and Tara had held her,she'd sobbed until her throat was raw...
Now she held that baby in her arms,watching her as she was being scrutinised in turn...
She'd read somewhere that all new babies had blue eyes,but she thought she could discern flashes of green in the reflected light of the youngsters gaze...
"Buffy?"
She looked up at Alterna' as she stood in front of her...The Red and Black seemed to suit her in a way that it never would Willow.
"Can I hold her?"
Instantly the whole room was focused on the pair of them,and Tara,who was immediately beside Alterna',a carefully maintained neutral expression on her face.
Looking at Tara,she received a nod of permission,and she reached up to hand the baby to Alterna'.
Joy,who had been lying quiet in Buffy's arms,became agitated and started to bat her arms at the Vampire as she reached for her...
There was a colorless flash of light,and Alterna' collapsed to the floor in a boneless heap.
Buffy looking at Tara in surprise,caught a small smile playing along her lips,and heard her whisper something softly to herself.
Willow moved over swiftly from the table."What happened!?"
"It's okay Willow...It was just a small protection spell I laid on Joy...It reacted to Alterna's nearness, that's all.She'll recover in a couple of minutes."
Willow looked at Tara carefully...She had 'felt' the surge of majick;and it didn't have the feel of Taras' working,but,if she was not prepared to elaborate in front of their guests,then Willow would hold off talking about it for the moment...
Taking Joy from Buffy,she cuddled the infant in her arms,crooning to her softly...
Tara turned to the slowly recovering vampire,"Alterna',get up...It's time...I hope you've made up your mind,but I want you where I can keep an eye on you anyway."
Moving to lead the girls out of the room she turned to men they were leaving behind..."Make yourselves comfortable.We wo'nt be long."
End of Part 1e.
Part 1f.
Upstairs - somewhere in House -
Standing before the doors,they waited for Lucy to come back from her room where she had gone to fetch ' Terror'.
"Dawn,this is your first time here,so,just a word of warning...Whatever you see is to be considered real,and as such,it has the potential to harm you if it so wishes.Nothing should happen...We'll be on our guard,but just be careful."
Dawn was excited,and glad,that Willow and Tara had asked her to be present at tonights' ceremony,but she also knew that there was 'stuff' she had not yet met;even living on a Hellmouth.
"Okay."
As Lucy moved back to join them,her other Blade now nestled securely against her right hip,they turned and moved through the doors;Willow and Tara leading the way with Joy,Buffy and herself following along.Anya and Alterna' came next with Lucy bringing up the rear,to guard their backs and keep an eye on the Vampire as per Tara's instructions.
The doors closing softly behind them,the veil parted to reveal a landscape lit by the full moon shining from over their right shoulders.
They were at the base of a short slope of grassland leading down from a ridge of hills which curved round in a horseshoe shape to a point almost opposite where they were standing.Small stands of various trees were growing throughout the small protected valley;rowan,ash,even a few of willow...
Setting out along a path seemingly formed by the tread of many previous visitors,they made their way towards a building which looked like the classic Greek temple;columns a handspan wide,cased in a pale blue marble with darker blue streaks running up the length to support a roof of white tile,the whole of which glowed with reflected moonlight.
Moving quietly between two of the columns,they walked directly into the inner sanctum;a rectangular space approximately 20metres in length by 10metres wide.The wall opposite them was supported by a dais reached by seven steps cut into the center of the raised platform.In the exact middle of the platform,just out from the back wall was a throne carved from a black stone;sparkles in the stone gave the impression of starlight twinkling in the night sky.The only light present was that provided by the moon;entering softly between the columns.
They waited together in the middle of the sanctum,feeling no urge to speak in such a place...
As Dawn was looking around with a sense of wonder,she suddenly heard the sqeals and laughter of young children echoing through the room from an unseen source.
It was Tara who spoke up,"She's here."
Turning towards the throne centered on the dais,Dawn could see a figure slowly begin to coalesce from out of the visible moonbeams.
Female;she had dark,raven blue hair framing a heart-shaped face with pleasant features...
Standing from the throne,she moved down the steps,and Dawn could see that she was no taller than herself.The white dress she was wearing trailed to the floor,covering her feet as she moved over to inspect the women who had entered her temple.
Glancing at Lucy,and Alterna',whose normally pale features turned a sickly grey as she collapsed to her knees,She turned to Dawn..."Well come."
"Th..thank you."... She couldn't think of anything to say,her natural exuberance overwhelmed by the Presence regarding her calmly.
"Willow...Tara,I'm glad to see you...It's past time you brought this young child to visit." Reaching out her arms,she took Joy from Tara,and,closely inspecting the young infant,She knelt on the floor and gave the impression of showing Joy to the collection of giggles and "Ooohs" and "Aaahs" which had gathered round the visitors...
"I welcome this child,Joy Rosenberg-Maclay,to Life...Joy,may your journey be worth the effort."
Joy was looking at the woman,the mask of concentration on her face being replaced by a gurgle of satisfaction as she gave a very natural response to the excitement.
Laughing with delight,She stood and gave the baby back to Willow,whose face had turned a shade of red as deep as her hair."Something for you to deal with,I think."
Face now becoming more serious,She turned to Alterna',and,placing her hand around the neck of the Vampire she forced the head up to look at her.Alterna' tried to keep her eyes down but the woman was having none of it."Look at me,Demon...Accept or refuse?"
In as steady a voice as she could manage,Alterna' replied,"I accept."
"Tara?"
"I take the responsibility."
"Very well...Give me your right hand."
As Tara extended her arm,it was taken by the wrist and placed against Alterna's forehead.From the connection a soft glow began to appear,and expanded until it enclosed all three figures.As soon as it did,the light went out,as if switched off.
"Done! She's yours now...To do with as you will."
Making Her way back up to the throne,She turned to speak once more,"Come back soon,don't be strangers,any of you."
Her Presence fading from the Temple,the sound of young children moved away with her...And they found themselves back on the other side of the veil,the doors leading back into House opening silently before them.
Stepping through into the short corridor beyond,Tara turned to Alterna'..."Do it now." Making 'shooing' gestures to the others,she moved them off,leaving Alterna' and Buffy alone for a moment.
"Buffy?"
"Yes?"
"In Paris...She asked me to hand this to you personally;the first time we were alone." Reaching into one of the pockets concealed on her bodice,Alterna' removed a small rectangle of parchment and handed it to Buffy.
Buffy turned the envelope over...One side was inscribed with the letter 'B' ,the other carried a coin-sized blob of black wax into which a seal she recognised had been impressed.Written below the seal in neat handwriting was the legend, 'Paris,September,Year 6AR.'
Alterna' turned and,leaving Buffy by herself,moved off after the others...
******
Complete.The End.
(Okaay...That seemed a natural place to finish...This will probably end up being part of our series "The Will and the Word.").
------------------
vive,valeque.