Buffy took a deep relaxing breath as she opened the front door and moved slowly into the hall. Her pursuit and subsequent losing of the mysterious demon had left her feeling spent of excess energy and with another place to focus her emotions on the lost foe.
“Hello?” She called out looking into the dining room first to see that everything was cleaned up.
She was more than a bit surprised when no one called back to her and she moved into the kitchen. Spying a square of purple paper she pulled it off the fridge and read it quickly.
“Oh shopping, they could have waited for me.” Buffy read over the note and felt a pang of jealousy. “I guess that leaves me to...” She looked around the empty kitchen. “I guess I can watch TV.” She trudged off towards the living room.
“I’m really not sure how you managed to knock twelve thousand off the price.” Giles pushed the front door open as he chatted comfortably with the Spellcaster whom he held the door open for.
“I told you Mr. Martin was desperate to make the sale, he would have gone another five if you hadn’t of mentioned that you needed to move in immediately.” Madalene laughed lightly as she passed through.
“But I do.” Giles laughed too.
“Yes, but you don’t tell him that.” She shook her head. “Remind me when we go Antique shopping that you aren’t allowed to talk to the vendors.”
“I think it would save me money to do so.” He admitted smiling broadly.
“I guess I have that gift.” She laughed as she went into the living room. “Hello Buffy.” She smiled at the Slayer who was sitting on the couch.
“Oh Buffy I didn’t see you for a moment, how was your patrol?” The Watcher enquired.
“Weird demon down by the docks but he got away.” Buffy summed up. “So did I hear you found a box?” She grinned happy for him.
“A box?” Giles frowned for a moment. “Oh a house.” He keyed in. “Yes, yes I have.” He smiled and nodded. “Now you said a demon? Something you’ve seen before?” He moved straight to business.
“No, about seven feet tall, scaly, long claws and teeth. It was mumbling in some strange gibberish and having a munch on some rotting fish but I don’t think it liked them.” Buffy gave the information she had.
“Is it worth rallying the troops and doing some research?” Giles asked taking off his glasses and suit jacket to hang it over the back of a chair. “Did it look specifically dangerous?”
“Probably, I mean we can’t have a hungry demon running around. If we find out its harmless then we can let it go.” Buffy shrugged. “Though the troops left a note, they all went shopping so it’s just us doing research for now.”
“Oh, well.” For a moment Giles seemed surprised. “There’s still three of us.” He pointed out optimistically.
“It would also give us a chance to discuss our future endeavour.” Madalene admitted sitting down.
“Yes.” Giles confirmed.
“You told him?” Buffy questioned feeling apprehension creep into her as the Spellcaster nodded.
“Don’t worry Buffy.” Giles spoke quickly. “For once I can’t see a better option.” He admitted. “With the severity of her reactions we need to act quickly.”
“Well I would rather do this with your help then behind your back.” Buffy smiled softly at him.
“But we’re going to take our time Buffy.” He warned her that this was one condition he wouldn’t waiver on. “We’re going to do everything right.”
“We have too.” Buffy nodded thoughtfully as she remembered all her best friend had done for her over the years they owed Willow this.
“But as they are shopping I suggest we have a demon to find.” Giles moved over to pick out some books.
******
Anya glanced around pensively as she pushed yet another chair up to the door of the Magic Box attempting to block the entrance.
“Just how strong is Buffy in a temper?” She asked looking worriedly around the small group.
“Strong.” Xander pushed the bookcase over straining with the weight.
“Well thank you for that comforting support.” Anya bit sarcastically.
“I’m just telling you the truth.” Xander sighed at her attack. “Hello she’s going to kick my ass too when she finds out what we’re doing here.” He added under his breath.
“I’m just doing my job.” Anya defended her actions, after all Buffy should understand that she really had no choice. Vengeance was her job.
“How is this getting vengeance on anything?” Xander questioned still not understanding. “There are no boys being disembowelled or snake penises now is there?”
“Magic.” Anya pointed out. “Tara is taking vengeance on magic for the damage it has done to her life. Dark magic specifically.” She pointed out.
“Would you two hurry up.” Dawn came over anxiously. “Willow’s pills are going to wear off soon.” Anya looked up at the barricaded door and then at the teenager.
“Does that look like it would keep your sister out?” She pointed to the door and the shuttered windows.
“If she thinks Willow is in danger nothing will keep her out, which is why we need to get this done before she knows we’re up to anything.” Dawn made the logical outline.
“Is Tara ready?” Anya asked looking back to the open door to the training room.
“Yes.” Dawn nodded and looked back with her frowning slightly.
“Well we might as well do it then.” Anya took a long look around her perfectly tidy and stocked shop before moving towards the back.
“Is there anything else we need to do first?” Xander questioned anxiously.
“It’s not like magic Xander.” Anya stopped and pointed out. “It’s pretty much just wish, action not warm up and then blow up the world.”
“What should I do during the action?” Xander rubbed his hands together.
“What the rest of use do.” Anya replied as she turned to keep walking.
“Which is?” He jumped on her immediately for more information.
“Watch my shop.”
“Oh.” Xander dimmed a little as he hung by the wall.
“I’m sorry,” Anya apologised her voice suddenly soft. “I understand you want to help, actively help Willow.” She admitted turning back to him. “But really this is the best chance she has.”
“Okay. Go grant a wish.” Xander nodded. “Make it a good one.”
Anya nodded and turned walking the rest of the distance through to the back room. The demon hung in the doorway for a moment and watched Tara as she stroked Willow’s hair softly talking to the redhead. They had placed a layer of mats in the centre of the room to offer a comfortable location and it was here that they were curled up.
“I love you baby.” Tara spelled the letters out on the back of Willow’s hand as she whispered them.
“I luv you too.” Willow’s eyes didn’t open and her words were a little slow but she was still aware enough to say them.
“It’s nearly time to give in and go to sleep baby, you can stop fighting the medication now.” Tara soothed her still rubbing her hand.
“Are the daisies closing their eyes?” She yawned deeply.
“Yes, the sun told them to tuck up tight just a moment ago and the fire flies are just about to light up.” Tara played along softly.
“Did you close the door to the treehouse? I feel a draft.” She moved a little closer to the blonde’s body.
“Do you want me to check it?” Tara let Willow cuddle closer for the comfort she needed.
“Mmmm no, stay.” Willow held tight to Tara’s hand.
“I bet the squirrels will fix it if it slips.” Tara squeezed her lover’s hand.
“Good squirrels, fuzzy tails.” Willow’s words dropped off and she snored lightly. Tara smiled warmly and leaned to kiss her forehead. She carefully spread locks of red hair back off Willow’s cheek.
“You don’t have to stay in the doorway.” She added softly to Anya and the other two she knew were standing there watching.
“We want to make sure you’re okay.” Dawn admitted coming in a bit closer.
“We’re ok.” Tara nodded and reached out for the teenager’s hand. Dawn moved over and filled it with her own immediately as she knelt down by the pair. “You okay?” She asked looking into brown eyes.
“I just want this over.” The teenager admitted.
“Of course.” Tara nodded appreciating the young woman’s honesty.
“How long will you be there?” She looked at Tara.
“I’m asking for three hours, wishing for three hours.” She corrected her terminology.
“That’s a long time.” Dawn chewed on her lip. “Do you think it will take that long?”
“I’m hoping not but I also don’t want to run out of time with no way of getting back in.” Tara explained her reasons.
“This is a one time deal.” Anya supported that fact.
“Thank you for supporting me in this Dawn.” Tara spoke kindly to the youngest Summers. “I know how much trust you are placing in me.”
“I love you both.” Dawn leaned over to hug her. “Be safe.” Tara kissed Dawn’s cheek nodding that she would be.
“Ready?” She asked looking up to Anya.
“When you are.” Anya’s face effortlessly morphed into her demon persona.
“I wish that for three hours, I have the chance to right the wrongs and gain my vengeance over dark magic by sharing my lover’s dream space and banishing the darkness that lurks there forever.” Tara said breathing in a carefully controlled pattern.
“Wish… granted.” Anyanka reached up to her necklace and nodded.
******
(and a huge hug for my beloved to underline that though Im sick i'm still me
)
Edited by: Beth Dragon at: 8/9/02 2:54:18 pm
We need our Wills back. 
at: 8/9/02 10:24:59 am
she's not that whiny, okay then she was but I blame that on Josh... 
... and I know poor Xander he's taking a verbal beating in this one
... no not goddesses... laugh we're just two little people... well no Beth is a goddess 
you blown kiss 
at: 8/9/02 9:24:25 pm