THE POWER OF THREE
Book 1 Part 03
By DragonWriter17
 

Rating: PG-13 through Part 10, R after that

Disclaimer: All of the materials borrowed from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel belong to Joss Whedon and to the entities and companies associated with their creation.  I have borrowed them for creative and entertainment purposes only.  No compensation has been or ever shall be received for the writing below.  No copyright infringement is intended.

My Website: http://www.dragonwriter17.net/

Feedback: Yes, but only if it’s of the non-flamey variety: DragonWriter17@aol.com

Distribution: The Mystic Muse, Near Her Always  (If you are interested in posting my story on your site, please contact me first for permission.)

Spoilers: The end of BtVS Season 4’s “Wild At Heart” and beyond.

Pairings: Willow/Buffy/Tara

Author’s Notes: I have kept to the BtVS/Angel canon in some ways, borrowing directly from aired episodes; however, I have also made significant changes: deleting certain storylines, moving some, changing others, as well as adding some completely original plots.  You may want to read my stand-alone story “Out Of Shadow Into Light,” which tells my version of Tara’s life prior to her arrival in Sunnydale; it is the backstory for Tara for this series.

Number of Chapters: 13

Complete: 1-12

Series Summary: After Oz leaves Sunnydale, Willow turns to best friend, Buffy, and new friend, Tara, for comfort, resulting in a remarkable new relationship for all three.  Amidst the daily dangers of life on the Hellmouth, the three women forge bravely ahead, unaware that their relationship has been predestined. 

Chapter Summary: While Willow and Tara begin making magic together, Buffy continues with Riley, although her heart bids her otherwise.  Meanwhile, an earthquake makes Buffy uneasy.  When Willow introduces Tara to Buffy, things don’t go according to plan.

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PART ONE       PART TWO       PART THREE       PART FOUR       PART FIVE      

PART SIX       PART SEVEN       PART EIGHT       PART NINE

PART TEN       PART ELEVEN       PART TWELVE       PART THIRTEEN

PART THREE

Buffy and Willow and Giles stood on the quad at UC Sunnydale.  The sun was shining brightly.  They looked around the grassy area currently populated by various clumps of students.  Then they looked again at the map which Willow held.

“Well, this is the spot, supposedly,” Willow said uncertainly.

“This can’t be right,” Buffy said.  “Spike would be dust if he were here.”

“Perhaps…perhaps we did the spell incorrectly,” Giles suggested.

“I don’t think so, Giles,” Willow insisted.  “We triple-checked everything before we did it.”

“I know, but clearly--” Giles said before being interrupted.

“Wait!  I know!” Willow interjected excitedly.  “The sewers!  Maybe Spike is in the sewer tunnels underneath here.  I mean, they do go all over town.”

Buffy’s eyes lit up.  “Yeah!  That makes sense.  I’ll go there right now.”

“Go where?”

Buffy froze in place when she heard Riley’s voice behind her.  She turned slowly to face him.

“Ummm…to the…Grotto,” Buffy answered quickly.  “For coffee.  I’m feeling caffeine deprived.”

“Hey, me too.  Mind if I tag along?” Riley asked.

“No, sure, feel free,” Buffy said.  Then she realized that introductions were in order.  “Oh.  Ummm…Giles, this is Riley.  Riley, this is Giles.  He’s...ummm…”

“A long time friend of the family,” Giles said, offering his hand to Riley.  Riley took Giles’ hand and shook it firmly.

“Riley is Dr. Walsh’s teaching assistant,” Willow explained.

“Oh, yes, I see,” Giles said.  “Buffy and Willow have mentioned their psychology class on numerous occasions.  They seem to be enjoying it very much.”

“Thanks,” Riley said.

“Well, you two better move along, if you want to get that coffee before class starts,” Willow nudged.

“Yeah, we better,” Buffy said.  “I’ll see you guys later?” Buffy said to Willow and Giles.

“Yes, of course,” Giles said.

“See you after class, Buffy,” Willow called.

Riley and Buffy left the quad and headed toward the Grotto.

*     *     *

“So, I was thinking,” Riley said as he walked next to Buffy.

“You seem to do a lot of that,” Buffy noted.

“What?” Riley asked.

“Thinking,” Buffy teased.

“Oh.  Yeah.  Right.  Must be the psychology major in me,” Riley admitted.  “Anyway, I was thinking that we could take that drive I promised you, maybe this afternoon?”

“Sure,” Buffy agreed.  “I have some…errands to take care of first, but after that, I’m free.”

Riley smiled broadly.

*     *     *

Back at the quad, Giles watched Buffy as she walked away with Riley.  Then he turned to Willow.

“I don’t mean to…to pry into Buffy’s affairs,” Giles said nervously, “but are she and Riley…ummm…seeing one another?”

“Yes,” Willow replied.  Then she turned and looked at Buffy and Riley in the distance.  “Yes, they are,” she said sadly.

*     *     *

Spike lay dreaming on the floor of a sterile white chamber.  He tossed and turned as his consciousness slowly came back.

“Slayer…I’ll kill you,” he mumbled, “Not so tough.  I…kill…Slayer…”

Spike opened his eyes.  Then he got up and looked around the empty cell.  He went to the glass wall in the front of the room and touched it.  He immediately received a substantial electric shock, causing him to jump back in pain and surprise. 

After a moment, he inched back toward the glass wall, this time being careful not to touch it.  He craned his neck, trying to see what lay beyond the confines of his cell.  What Spike could not see was the line of cells just like his, each containing an inhabitant of the demon-persuasion.

*     *     *

As Riley drove along the curvy road through the hills, Buffy looked at the beautiful countryside.  She smiled as the wind blew through her hair. 

I should have done this a long time ago, Buffy thought. 

Yeah, right, Buffy’s logical self said.  Like when?  Somewhere between Ass-Kicking and Apocalypse-Stopping?

Buffy looked over at Riley.  He smiled at her.  Buffy smiled weakly and turned away.  She knew that Riley liked her, but she wasn’t sure quite what to think about that.

On the one hand, Riley was handsome and smart and nice, definitely nice, and unlike her previous paramours, he was so normal.

But, on the other hand, Riley was so…normal.

Ack! What’s the matter with me? Buffy thought. Why are you so stuck on this with-love-must-come-pain thing?

Maybe because that’s all love has ever brought me, she answered herself.  First Angel, then Faith.  It was bad enough when Angel went bad, but when Faith did too…

Buffy sighed and closed her eyes.  Everyone I have ever loved has been bad. 

Buffy opened her eyes.  No, wait, that’s not true.  Not everyone.  Willow isn’t bad.

Auugghhh!  Buffy screamed in her mind.  Will you stop thinking about her?  There is no future there!  Willow doesn’t even—

Buffy stopped and thought of Willow’s expression the night before when she had spoken of meeting Tara at the Wicca group.  Buffy shook her head. 

I’m wasting entirely too much energy on this, Buffy thought as she looked Riley’s way.  I’ve got a perfectly normal, studly yet sensitive guy sitting next to me who actually likes me.  It’s time to shift focus.

Buffy felt Riley slow the car, and she looked to see where he was going.

Riley pulled the convertible up into the parking lot beside the scenic overlook.  After switching off the ignition, he turned to Buffy.

“So, change your mind about driving?” Riley asked.

“I think you’ve made a convert,” Buffy said certainly.  “As long as I’m not the one doing the driving.”

“Let’s go check out the view,” Riley suggested.

He and Buffy climbed out of the car and walked to the railing.  The view from the overlook was indeed impressive: craggy canyons, beautiful trees, a gorgeous sun-filled sky.

“It’s beautiful,” Buffy said, sighing contentedly.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Riley said.

Buffy turned to Riley, surprised at his words.  She blushed and ducked her head.  Then she looked up and met his eyes.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” he said huskily as he leaned down slowly to kiss Buffy.

Oh, god! Buffy thought in terror. He’s going to kiss me! 

What do I do? she frantically asked herself.

Kiss him back, you idiot, she answered herself, just as Riley’s lips touched hers.

It was a nice kiss, as kisses go, and Buffy reached out for Riley’s arm as she returned the favor, kissing Riley back.

Riley put his arm around Buffy and pulled her closer.  The kiss intensified.

Suddenly, an unbidden image popped into Buffy’s mind.  She imagined herself kissing, not Riley, but Willow.

Buffy pulled out of the kiss and gently pushed Riley from her.  Then she looked away.

Both of them were breathing hard.  Buffy took a moment to catch her breath.

“I…ummm…I think we should be heading back now,” she finally said.

Riley looked confused and a little hurt, but he nodded in agreement.

“Sure, no problem,” he said nervously as they left the overlook and headed for the car.

*     *     *

The old Sunnydale High School lay in ruins, having been destroyed when Buffy vanquished the newly-ascended Mayor Wilkins on graduation day.  Many of the structures were still standing, but none of them were safe.  The site had been condemned until the city council determined what they wanted to do with the property.  There was talk of building an entirely new state-of-the art facility on the same location, but nothing had been decided and probably wouldn’t be for several years to come.  In the meantime, the halls remained empty and unused.

Until now.

As sunlight shined in the occasional holes in the walls and ceiling, three dark and hooded figures moved about what had once been the high school library.  The center of the room had been exploded down to the very foundation.  At the bottom of the ruins, the figures were standing around a large fissure.  They were chanting in a guttural language.  Suddenly, they threw off their hooded robes. 

They were demons--green demons with red eyes and quill-like horns coming out of the back of their heads.

The three demons moved closer to the fissure.  One of the demons pulled out a dagger and cut the palm of his clawed hand.  Then he slapped his bloody palm onto the chest of the demon next to him and smeared the blood.  The second demon took the dagger, cut his palm in the same manner, turned to the third demon, and smeared the blood on his chest.  The third demon took the dagger and repeated the process, anointing the first demon.  All three gripped the dagger and held it over the fissure.  They spoke an incantation loudly and then dropped the dagger into the hole.

*     *     *

Willow sat on the floor in Tara’s room.  She held a single, long-stemmed red rose in her hands.  She looked around the room, taking in its unusual décor.  Its walls were painted black and covered with mystical posters.  The room was dimly lit by a string of white Christmas lights draped across the walls.  Magical artifacts such as candles, crystals, and spell books lay about.  She turned her eyes to Tara, who was kneeling on the floor across from her.  Tara was preparing the altar for a spell.  She poured white sand onto a dark cloth, forming a circular design.

“I’m glad you wanted to get together,” Willow said, smiling.  “I know it’s short notice.”

“Thanks,” Tara replied, returning Willow’s smile.  “I was happy you called.”  Ecstatic is more like it, Tara thought to herself.

When Tara finished the design, Willow placed the rose on top of the circle of sand.

“We’ll start out slow,” Willow said, reaching out her hands to Tara.

“Okay,” Tara said, joining hands with Willow.

Tara felt an immediate buzz of energy as she and Willow linked hands.  She wondered if Willow felt it.  She saw Willow close her eyes, so she did the same.  They sat in silence for a moment.

“Willow?” Tara ventured.

“Yeah?” Willow answered.

“Start out slow doing what?” Tara asked.

They both opened their eyes and reluctantly released their hands.

“Oh,” Willow said, embarrassed that she hadn’t explained the spell to Tara yet.  “We’re gonna float the rose, then use the magicks to pluck the petals off one at a time.”

Tara tilted her head, her curiosity definitely piqued.

“It’s a test of synchronicity,” Willow explained.  “Our minds have to be perfectly attuned to work as a single delicate implement.”

Tara’s lips curved into a quirky little half-smile.  “Cool,” she said.

“And it should be very pretty,” Willow added.  “Ready?”

Tara nodded, and she and Willow joined hands again.  They concentrated deeply.  The circle of sand glowed with a bright light.  A soft breeze swept through the room.  The rose shuddered.  Slowly, the rose began to rise into the air between the two witches.  When it reached chin level, Willow and Tara opened their eyes and looked at the rose.  They unlinked their hands.

“It worked,” Tara said softly in awe.

“Now for the hard part,” Willow whispered.  “The petals.”

Before Willow and Tara could start again, the rose suddenly shot straight up to the ceiling.  Willow and Tara jumped to their feet in surprise.  They watched as the rose flew into one wall, ricocheted off, and slammed into another.  Then it passed directly over them, forcing them to duck.   Finally, it shot straight down and landed in the center of the sandy circle.  Willow and Tara stared wide-eyed at the smoking and now-petal-less rose.

“What the heck was that?” Willow exclaimed.

“I don’t know,” Tara said, chuckling.  “But…uhhh…the petals are off.”

“They certainly are,” Willow said, laughing too.

Willow and Tara’s laughing was cut off as the room began to shake.  Items fell off shelves and tables, and pictures came off the walls.  Willow and Tara struggled to stay on their feet.

“Oh my god,” Tara said.  “It’s an earthquake!”

The room made a big lurch, forcing Willow and Tara back against the wicker hutch that contained Tara’s stereo.  The shelf started to fall forward onto Tara, but Willow pulled her away in time.  As the shelf crashed to the floor, so did Willow and Tara, Willow landing on her back with Tara on top of her.  Tara covered Willow’s body with her own as the quake made its final rumbles. 

When the earthquake was over, Willow and Tara were both breathing heavily, terror having taken the breath from them.  Tara leaned up on her elbow.

“Are y-y-you okay?” Tara said worriedly.

“I think so,” Willow said.  “You?”

Tara nodded.  Then she looked at Willow’s face.  She got lost in the gorgeous green that was Willow’s eyes.  She knew she should get up, but she couldn’t seem to break away from Willow’s gaze.

Goddess, I want to kiss her! Tara thought.

No, you can’t! Tara chided herself, averting her eyes. She’s not—

Tara’s internal rantings were stopped when she felt Willow reach up and tuck a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.  By the time Willow had rested her hand on the back of Tara’s neck, Tara’s resolve was gone.  She returned her eyes to Willow’s face.  Then she leaned down slowly…

Boom, boom, boom!

Willow and Tara jumped, startled by the knock on the door.  They looked at each other briefly then moved apart.

“Everybody okay in there?” the Resident Assistant yelled through the door.

“We’re fine!” Tara called out to the RA as she sat up.  “No one’s hurt!”

Tara turned to Willow, who was now sitting up.

“We should…we should…ummm…go see if anyone needs help,” Tara said nervously.

“Right,” Willow replied.

They stood up, looked at each other awkwardly, then left the room.

*     *     *

Riley and Buffy were both leaning against the car in the UC Sunnydale parking lot, riding out the last wave of the earthquake.  When the quake ended, they stood up. 

Buffy walked away from the car, a look of fear in her eyes.

Riley just grinned.  “Wow!  That was some ride!” he exclaimed.

Buffy looked at Riley like he was crazy for praising an earthquake.

“Sorry,” Riley said, shrugging his shoulders.  “I didn’t mean to get so excited.  It’s my first earthquake.”

“It’s not mine,” Buffy said ominously.

*     *     *

Giles sat at a table in the courtyard of his apartment.  He was pouring over a map that was spread over the top of the table.  Buffy paced nearby.

“Something horrible is going to happen, Giles,” Buffy said.

“It was an earthquake, Buffy.  A not uncommon occurrence in southern California,” Giles tried to reassure Buffy.  “There’s no reason to think it was anything more.”

“Oh, I so have a reason,” Buffy insisted.  “A damn good reason.  The last time we had an earthquake, I died.”

“Yes, I know that…and, therefore, I completely understand your anxiety,” Giles said.

“Oh, good.  Because I’d hate for my little untimely horrible death worry to be ambiguous,” Buffy said sarcastically, annoyed at Giles’ lack of concern.

“But unless evidence suggests otherwise,” Giles said, ignoring Buffy’s sarcasm, “I think that we can assume that it’s shifting landmasses and not a portent of some imminent doom.”

Giles lifted up the map he had been working on.  It had several red pins stuck in it at various locations.

“Now, in the meantime, I’ve got a few theories about our mysterious commando friends.”

“Oh,” Buffy responded flatly, not the least bit interested in commandoes at the moment.

“Now based on the locations of our various sightings--” Giles started to say.

“What if the quake was a sign?” Buffy interrupted suddenly.  “What if it’s a-a-a bad omen, and we just ignore it?  There’s going to be a lot of red faces when the world comes to an end.”

Giles sighed and stood to join his Slayer.  “Buffy, if the quake heralds some such catastrophe, I’m sure there will be other signs to follow, which will afford us plenty of time to avert it.  Now, I believe that the commando installation is very close to your school.  If that is the case, I’m convinced that one or more of them may be in your very midst.”

“Plague!” Buffy blurted frantically.

“What?” Giles asked, confused.

“What if the end of the world is coming in the form of a plague?” Buffy said.  “Then too many people may be infected by the time we actually--”

“Buffy!” Giles yelled.  “Will you stop worrying about what may be and concentrate on what is!”

Buffy started to speak again, but Giles stopped her with a hushing gesture.

“Vigilance is all very well and good,” Giles lectured, “but as I feel we are getting close, there is a much more pressing question.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and resigned herself to her Watcher’s lecture.

*     *     *

Buffy paced about the dorm room, anxiously awaiting Willow’s return. 

Where is she? Buffy thought nervously. What if she’s trapped somewhere?  What if she’s seen Spike?  What if she’s trapped somewhere with Spike?  Oh, god!

Buffy looked up when she heard the door open.

Willow walked in, carrying a book bag.  She smiled when she saw Buffy.

Buffy ran to Willow and touched her arm.  “Where have you been?” Buffy asked, a little more harshly than she intended.

Willow looked at Buffy funny, wondering why she was so upset.

“I was at Tara’s.  We were working on a spell,” Willow answered.

Buffy’s face fell.  “Oh,” she said.

“Why?  Is something wrong?” Willow asked, concerned.

“No.  No.  Nothing wrong,” Buffy said.  “I was just worried.  You know, with the quake and all.”

“Well, I did almost get buried under Tara’s stereo, but other than that, I’m fine.  What about you?”

“I’m okay.  There’s a few broken knick-knacks around here, but no biggies.”

“I guess we’re lucky.  Porter Dorm is completely blacked out,” Willow reported.  “So naturally, they are dealing with the crisis the only way they know how: ‘Aftershock’ Party.”

Buffy grinned as she thought about Porter.  “Ah, this from the dorm that brought us the ‘Somebody Sneezed’ Party and the ‘Day That Ends in Y’ Party.”

“Yeah, they do seem to be pretty generous with the milestones.  Hey, do you wanna go over there?  Much carousing by candle light, I’m sure.”

“No, I…ummm…I don’t think I’m in a party mood right now.  The earthquake kinda has me all…frazzled.”  Buffy paused and looked down at her hands.  “The last time we had an earthquake…”

“Oh.  Yeah,” Willow said, remembering.  “The Master.”

“Yeah.”

“Have you talked to Giles yet?”

“I went over there right after the quake,” Buffy said, “but Giles didn’t think it was anything to worry about.  He said if it was a portent of doom, there would be other signs, and I guess there aren’t any, so…”

“Well, there you go!” Willow said cheerfully, trying to ease Buffy’s mind.  “It was just an ordinary run-of-the-mill, garden-variety earthquake.  No doom intended.”

Buffy smiled weakly, trying to accept Willow’s statement, hoping it was true.  She decided to change the subject.

“So, what were you and Tara up to?” Buffy inquired.

“Oh, we were working on a spell, that’s all.  I still need to introduce you two, by the way,” Willow answered.

“What kind of spell?” Buffy asked.

“It was a levitation spell,” Willow explained.  “You know, the wanting-to-float-more-than-a-pencil thing.”

Willow thought about what had happened when the rose spell went haywire.  She wondered whether or not to tell Buffy about it.  She decided against it, not wanting to give Buffy any more ammunition in her ‘portents of doom’ theory.  Willow then thought of the events that had followed the earthquake, the closeness between her and Tara that had nearly resulted in a kiss.  She turned the conversation away from Tara.

“What about you and Riley?” Willow asked.  “How was your drive?”

“Good.  It was good,” Buffy said, trying to sound positive.  “We went up by the vineyards and then ended up at the overlook near Kingman’s Bluff.”

“Mmmm…sounds romantic,” Willow teased.

“Yeah,” Buffy answered flatly, before dropping her gaze to her hands.

Willow looked at Buffy worriedly.  Buffy seems really down.  I need to cheer her up somehow, Willow thought.  She nudged Buffy playfully.

“Heyyy, are you sure you don’t wanna go to the ‘Aftershock’ Party?  It could be fun.”

“No.  Thanks,” Buffy said.  “I really need to patrol tonight.”

Buffy stood up and walked to her closet to get her weapons bag.  She put her hand on the door, then stopped, and turned back to Willow.

“But maybe we could do something tomorrow night?” Buffy suggested.

“Well, I kinda planned to do something with Tara…” Willow said.

Buffy couldn’t hide the disappointment that crept into her face, a fact not unnoticed by Willow.

“But, it’s not like our plans are set in stone or anything,” Willow said hopefully.  “I’m sure we can work something out.  Count me in!”

Buffy smiled, comforted by the idea that she and Willow were going to spend some time together.

*     *     *

After several hours of patrolling, Buffy paused in front of her house.  She didn’t know how she got there.  She just did somehow.

The light was on in the living room, and Buffy could see that the TV was on.

Mom’s probably watching some sappy old romance, Buffy thought.  Like I need that right now.

Buffy turned to walk away.  But then she paused and gazed at her front door once again.  For a moment, Buffy looked like a little girl lost in a store.  Then she swallowed and changed direction, heading for the door.  She got out her key and opened the door.

“Buffy, is that you?” Joyce Summers called out.

“Yeah, Mom, it’s me,” Buffy replied, walking in to the living room.

“Buffy, what are you doing here this late?” Joyce asked.  “Is something wrong?”

Yes, everything, Buffy thought.  “No, nothing’s wrong,” Buffy said nonchalantly.  “I was just patrolling.  I saw the light on, figured you were up, so here I am.”

“Well, I’m glad you stopped by,” Joyce said.  “I’ve missed you.  I never get to see you anymore.”

“Yeah, I know.  I’ve missed you, too,” Buffy said.

“So, how’s school?” Joyce prodded.

“Good.  It’s great,” Buffy answered, moving so that she could see the TV screen.  “Whatcha watchin’ ?” she asked her mother.

“Casablanca.”

Bingo, Buffy thought.

“I just love that movie,” Joyce said.  “Don’t you?”

“Yeah, love it,” Buffy replied, hoping that she sounded convincing.

“Well, sit and watch it with me.  It’ll be like old times.”  Joyce held up a big bowl and shook it.  “I’ve got popcorn,” she said enticingly.

“Sure,”  Buffy smiled and sat down next to her mother.

Joyce pulled Buffy into a hug.  Buffy nuzzled against her, basking in the warmth of her mother’s love.

*     *     *

The ‘Aftershock’ Party was in full swing at Porter Dorm.  The music was blaring; students danced and milled about, drinking beer and waving their glow-in-the-dark party favors.  A congo line wound through the crowd.

In a room down the hall, a guy without a shirt worked on a set of mixed drinks.  He looked back at the open door as a group went by.

“Hey, you guys serious about naked limbo?” he called to them.  “I’m in!”

When he finished his drinks, he gathered them into his arms and turned to leave the room.

His eyes grew wide when he saw the monster in front of him.  Before he could even react, the demon, one of those who had been anointed in blood at the old high school, swiped a clawed hand across the boy’s throat, cutting it instantly.  The boy dropped the drinks on the floor.  Soon the cups were covered with his blood.

*     *     *

Forrest lounged in a chair while Riley sat on the corner of his bed.  Riley shot a small foam ball toward the hoop fastened on the back of the dorm room door.  He missed.

“Okay, that makes zero for a billion,” Forrest kidded Riley.  “You don’t got game, son.  What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“I’m just trying to make up my mind about something,” Riley responded.

Forrest went to shoot the foam ball he was holding.  Just as he got ready to shoot, Riley suddenly interrupted.

“Buffy--she’s pretty cool, isn’t she?” Riley stated.

Forrest sighed.  “Yes, already,” he said with irritation.  “She’s cool, she’s hot, she’s tepid, she’s all-temperature Buffy!  Now can we concentrate on the game here?”

Forrest returned to his shooting stance and released the ball.  Just as the ball was about to arrive, the door opened, and Graham came in.  The ball bounced off his head.

Forrest laughed.  “Good block.  You should use your face more often.”

Graham didn’t laugh.  “We have an alpha code blue situation,” he said seriously.

Riley and Forrest immediately got to their feet.

“One of ours?” Riley asked.

“Negative,” Graham answered.  “Civilian at the Porter Hall party.”

“HST attack?” Forrest inquired.

“Cannot confirm that,” Graham explained.  “I couldn’t get close without drawing attention to myself.”

Forrest turned to Riley.  “Should we mobilize?”

“No, I’ll go,” Riley said.  “Do a little recon.  See if it falls in our domain.  You alert command.  Tell them we have a casualty of an indeterminate nature.  Let’s not make a move until we get the whole story.”

*     *     *

The next morning, Willow entered the dorm room a little breathless.  She dropped her toiletries bag on her desk and went immediately to Buffy, who was just getting out of bed.

“Didya hear, Buffy?  Didya hear what happened?” Willow asked frantically.

“Will, I just got up.  How could I possibly have heard anything yet?” Buffy said wearily.

“Oh, right,” Willow admitted. “Well, anyway, there was a murder!  On campus.  At the ‘Aftershock’ Party.”

“A murder?” Buffy asked, concerned.

“Yeah.  And a grisly one at that, from what I’ve heard,” Willow said.

“We should check in with Giles,” Buffy said.

*     *     *

Willow sat at Giles’ desk, typing on her laptop.  Giles stood nearby, looking nervously through the morning paper.  Xander and Anya sat on the couch while Buffy paced about the room.

“Well, there’s nothing here in the newspaper,” Giles said, putting the paper away.  “It probably happened after the paper had already gone to press.”

Willow made a few more clicks on her computer, then looked up.

“There’s nothing in the police department’s database either, or the coroner’s,” Willow said.  “It’s probably too early in the investigation.  It usually takes them about twenty-four hours to get anything posted.  I can check tomorrow.”

“In the meantime, I think we should see what we can find out,” Giles said.  “I’ll go to the newspaper office downtown, determine if the reporters have heard anything specific.”

“Anya and I can do the donut-bonding thing with the campus cops,” Xander offered.

“I can check with the administrative offices, see if they’re issuing any information,” Willow said.

“And I’ll hit the demons in the demon bars, and see what comes up,” Buffy said.  Then she made a face when she realized how gross that sounded.  “Sorry.”

*     *     *

Willow was at the pay phone in the student lounge.  She punched the last number and listened while the phone rang and was then picked up.

“Hello?” Giles answered.

“Hey, Giles, it’s me,” Willow said.  “Did you find out anything?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Giles said.  “Whatever information the paper has, they’re not parting with.”

“Yeah, the administration isn’t talking either.  I guess the last thing ‘Hellmouth University’ wants to advertise is another unusual murder on its campus,” Willow stated.  “I think I’ll go see if the Porter residents are talking.  If I learn anything, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Willow,” Giles said.

*     *     *

Willow turned from the pay phone and walked through the lounge, thinking hard.

“Willow!” a voice called, pulling the redhead from her brooding.

Willow looked up and saw Tara across the room.  Willow smiled broadly and joined Tara in the sitting area.

“Hey,” Tara said as Willow sat down.

“Hey,” Willow said, still smiling.  “Whatcha doin’ ?”

“Just k-k-killing some time between classes,” Tara said.  “H-H-How about you?”

“The same,” Willow said.  “Speaking of killing, did you hear about the murder?”

“Yeah,” Tara said, looking spooked.  “Creepy, huh?”

“You haven’t…by any chance…heard anything…specific about the murder, have you?”

“Ummm…no.  Not really,” Tara answered, wondering why Willow was so curious.

“Sorry, I should know better.  Curiosity killed the cat!” Willow said, lightly.  Then she sobered again.  “I just…it makes me uneasy…not knowing, ya know?”

Tara nodded sympathetically.  “I get it.  It’s like if we just knew that it was some stupid drunken fight, we wouldn’t have to worry.  We wouldn’t have to wonder if some monster, some homicidal lunatic, was out there.”

Willow looked at Tara intently, surprised at her ability to know what Willow was thinking.  It was like they were always on the same wave length.  Willow smiled at Tara, and Tara smiled back.  They both blushed and ducked their heads.  Then Tara spoke up again.

“I’m g-g-glad I ran into you,” Tara said.  “I have something to show you.”

Tara reached into the outer pocket of her book bag and pulled out a fist-sized purple crystal.  She held it gently in the palm of her hands.

“Oh my god,” Willow exclaimed.  “It’s a doll’s-eye crystal!”

Tara nodded in affirmation.  When Willow held out her hand, Tara carefully placed the crystal in it.

“Wow, this is so cool,” Willow gushed.  “I’ve been trying to find a doll’s-eye crystal my entire life.  Well, since June, anyway.  Where did you get it?”

“I-I-It was grandma’s, I think.  I found it a long time ago in my attic,” Tara explained.  She paused and looked down at her hands.  “I-I-I want you to have it,” she said.

Willow was awed.  She couldn’t believe that Tara would make such a sacrifice…for her.

“Oh, no…Tara…” Willow said, shaking her head and handing back the crystal.  “Th-Th-That’s really sweet.  But I can’t.  It’s like a family heirloom.  I-I-I just wouldn’t feel comfortable.

Tara looked hurt as she put the crystal away.  Willow couldn’t stand to see the sadness in Tara’s eyes.

“But, i-i-if you wanted to try out some spells with it some time, I wouldn’t say no,” Willow offered cheerfully.

Tara seemed pleased with that idea.  “Maybe we could try one out tonight…w-w-when you come over,” she suggested.

Willow’s hopeful face quickly fell.  “Yeah…about tonight…” Willow said apologetically, “I kinda remembered that I was doing something with Buffy tonight, so I’m not sure if I can come over.”

Tara was crushed.  She looked down at her hands.  “Oh.  Ummm…that’s okay.  Another time, maybe.”

“Absolutely!” Willow said certainly.

Tara didn’t cheer up this time.  She sat quietly for a moment, before standing and gathering her book bag.

“I better get to class,” Tara said, not meeting Willow’s eyes.

“Ummm…okay.  I’ll see you later,” Willow said as Tara quickly retreated.

Willow’s face was pained.  She had hurt Tara’s feelings, and it hurt so badly to know that she had done that.  I’ll make it up to her, Willow thought.

*     *     *

Spike paced back and forth in his cell, fueled by hunger, anger, and frustration.  A sound stopped his pacing, and he looked at the ceiling.  A small motorized flap in the ceiling opened, and a blood packet fell out of it and to the floor.

Spike ran to the packet and scooped it up.  He greedily began to bite into it when a voice stopped him.

“Don’t drink it,” the vampire next door called out.  “It’s drugged.”

Spike looked at the pack and then threw it down.  Then he moved to the front and stood beside the wall between his cell and the next one.

“And who are you, mate?” Spike asked.

“I’m a rat. I’m a lab rat, just like the others.  Just like you.  They’re gonna kill us, you know,” the vampire answered.

“And how are they gonna do that?” Spike inquired.

“They starve you,” the vampire explained.  “And then, when you’re ready to bite your own arm, they shoot out one of those packets.  You drink it, and the next thing, you’re gone.  That’s when they do the experiments.”

“And…uhhh…they are…who?” Spike asked.  “The government?  Nazis?  A major cosmetics company?”

“Who cares?” the vampire said.  “All I know is, one minute I’m running from the Slayer, and the next thing, I’m here.”

“The Slayer!” Spike exclaimed disgustedly.  “I knew it!”

“Yeah, she took apart my crew and led me straight to these guys,” the vampire said.

“She set me up, too,” Spike lamented.  “I always worried what would happen when that bitch got some funding.”

Spike slammed his hands into the electrified wall.

“She’s wised up a bit.  Fine!”  Spike yelled.  “I’ll take her apart!  I don’t care how brilliant she is!”

*     *     *

Willow walked into her dorm room, still down about what had happened between her and Tara.  Willow plopped onto her bed.

Buffy came in seconds later.

“Hey, Buffy,” Willow said as her roommate shut the door.

“Hey, Will,” Buffy answered.

“Did you find out anything at the demon bars?” Willow asked.

“No.  Couldn’t get a thing out of them,” Buffy said before grimacing as she thought of her earlier faux pas.  “How about you?  Any luck?”

“Nope, nobody saw nothing, nobody heard nothing, and nobody’s saying nothing,” Willow reported.

Buffy looked disappointed.

“But I’m sure I’ll be able to find out something tomorrow,” Willow said encouragingly.  “Once all the reports get posted in the police department’s mainframe, I’ll do a little computer magic and zappo!  I’ll have all the information you need.”

“Thanks, Will,” Buffy said flatly.

Buffy walked slowly around the room, thinking, as Willow watched her.  Buffy seemed to come to some decision and headed for the door.

“Where’re you going?” Willow asked.

“To the tunnels to look for Spike,” Buffy answered.  “I haven’t had time to do that yet.”

Buffy opened the door then turned back to Willow.

“We’re still on for tonight, right?” Buffy asked.

“You bet!  How’s eight-ish at the Bronze sound?” Willow asked.

“Sounds good.  I’ll see you there,” Buffy said.

Buffy turned back to the door and went out, closing the door behind her. 

Willow looked at the door, with a frown on her face.  Something’s up with her, Willow thought. I wonder if it’s Riley.

*     *     *

Buffy made her way across campus, intending to enter the sewer tunnels near the quad where Willow’s spell had indicated Spike was supposed to have been.

About halfway there, Buffy crossed paths with Riley and stopped to talk.

“Hey, Buffy,” Riley called.

“Riley, hey.  What’s up?” Buffy asked.

“Just on my way to Dr. Walsh’s office.  We’ve got some student papers to go over,” Riley explained.  “What about you?”

“Oh, I’m…just…walking around.  You know me, avid pedestrian,” Buffy replied.

“I’m glad I ran into you.  I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out tonight,” Riley said hopefully.

“Sorry, I can’t.  I already have other plans,” Buffy answered.

“Oh.  Okay,” Riley said, trying to hide his disappointment.  “Well, maybe some other time.”

“Maybe,” Buffy said.

“Well, I better get going,” Riley mumbled nervously.

“Yeah, you better,” Buffy said.

“See ya,” Riley said as he resumed his walk to Dr. Walsh’s office.

“See ya,” Buffy echoed.

Buffy turned and watched Riley as he walked away, wondering what the hell she was going to do about the handsome young teaching assistant.

*     *     *

Buffy edged slowly along the tunnel wall, a stake in her upraised arm.

“Aha!” Buffy said, jumping into the open.

Then she squealed like a little girl as a rat landed right on her arm.

Buffy flailed about, twirled around, and continued to squeal before finally flinging the rat several feet away.  She shook her arm in disgust.

“Okay, that was so not funny!” Buffy said angrily.

Buffy looked down the tunnel and then groaned in frustration.  “This is a waste of time.  Spike isn’t down here.”

*     *     *

Later that day, Tara sat in her room.  She sighed and looked at her clock.  I guess she’s out with Buffy, Tara thought.  Tara hung her head.  Then she picked up the doll’s-eye crystal that was sitting on her night stand.

That was so stupid earlier! Tara chided herself.  You hardly know each other, and you’re giving her a priceless family heirloom?  God, no wonder she bailed on you!

Tara put the crystal back down.

Tara looked up when she heard a light tapping on the door.  She got up and walked to the door and opened it.  She was surprised to find Willow standing there.

“Willow?” she said.

“Hey.  Can I come in?” Willow asked.

“Sure,” Tara said.  She stepped aside to let Willow enter her room.  Once inside, Tara shut the door and turned to Willow.

“I…ummm…I thought you were doing s-s-something with Buffy,” Tara said.

“I am,” Willow replied.  “But I was kinda hoping you would come with me.  I’ve been wanting to introduce you, and I thought now’s as good a time as any.”

“Y-Y-You want me to come with you?” Tara asked in disbelief.  “W-W-Where are you going?”

“The Bronze,” Willow answered.

“The Bronze?” Tara asked, confused.

“It’s great, you’ll love it.  I used to hang out there all the time when I was in high school,” Willow explained.  “So…you wanna come?”

Tara smiled broadly and simply nodded.

*     *     *

Buffy sat alone at a table in the Bronze.  She looked at her watch.

Why am I so nervous? Buffy thought. It’s just Willow, for goodness’ sake.  It’s not like we’re on a date!

Buffy looked at her watch again and then glanced at the entrance.  She saw a familiar flash of red hair and smiled.  Her smile quickly fell when she saw that Willow wasn’t alone.

Willow was leading a blonde girl through the crowd.

Who is that, and why is Willow holding her hand? Buffy wondered anxiously.

Willow scanned the room until she found Buffy.  She smiled, released Tara’s hand, and waved at Buffy.  Buffy waved back.

*     *     *

“Hey Buffy,” Willow said as she and the blonde arrived at Buffy’s table.  “I-I-I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Tara along.  I’ve been wanting to introduce you, and this seemed like a good time since you weren’t busy and all.”

“No, that’s fine, no problem,” Buffy said.

All three sat in silence for a moment until Buffy lifted her eyebrow at Willow, hinting that the actual introductions should take place now.

“Oh!  Sorry,” Willow said apologetically.  “Tara, this is my roommate, Buffy.  Buffy, this is Tara.”

“It’s n-n-nice to meet you,” Tara stammered.

“Yeah, you too,” Buffy replied.

There was another period of awkward silence.

“So, are you a freshman too?” Buffy asked Tara.

“Yeah,” Tara replied, smiling briefly.

“But she’ll have enough hours after this semester to be a sophomore,” Willow bragged.  “She started early, in summer school.”

“That’s great…for you,” Buffy replied lamely.

Once again, the conversation lagged.

“So, I hear there’s been a lot of magic goin’ on at your place,” Buffy commented, not realizing how her comment sounded.

Tara and Willow looked at each other and blushed.

“Oh…ummm…yeah, w-w-we’ve been working on a lot of spells,” Tara said.

Tara looked down nervously then quickly looked back up.

“Hey, I’m gonna go get something to drink,” Tara said.  “Anybody want anything?”

“I’m good, so nothing for me,” Buffy said.

“I’ll have a Coke, please,” Willow said.

“One Coke coming up,” Tara said with a smile before heading for the bar.

Willow watched Tara until she was a safe distance away.  Then she turned to Buffy.

“So, what do you think?” Willow asked Buffy.  “A-A-About Tara?”

“She seems nice,” Buffy said.

“Oh, she is.  Super nice.  A-A-And very powerful.  She would never say that about herself, but she really is…”

Buffy watched Willow as she continued to rattle on about Tara.  Yep, Buffy sighed. There is definite Willow glowage here.  I don’t think Willow even knows she’s doing it.

Tara does seem nice, Buffy admitted.  And she’s pretty.  And smart, too, apparently.  Buffy sighed.  Great.  Two beautiful and brainy witches.  Match made in heaven.

*     *     *

In her return from the bar, Tara paused to watch Willow and Buffy as they talked.  She concentrated and focused her inner eye until she could clearly see their auras.

She was surprised to see their auras so discombobulated.  Their energies were darting about, moving towards each other and back, touching and then not.  It was very unsettling to watch.

Buffy’s probably mad that Willow brought me along, Tara thought.  She looked kinda disappointed when she saw me with Willow.  I should probably go and leave them alone.

*     *     *

Tara returned to the table and set down the two drinks.

“Oh, Tara,” Willow said excitedly, “I was just telling Buffy about the spell we were doing yesterday and how it went all ka-blewy, you know, right before the earthquake?”

“Yes, it was very strange,” Tara said thoughtfully.  “It was almost like…”

“What?” Buffy asked worriedly.

“Almost like it was disrupted somehow, like something else set it off,” Tara finished.

“Another spell maybe?” Willow asked.

“Could be,” Tara said.  “Or it could’ve just been the energies released by the earthquake itself.  We might’ve been feeling the quake magically before we were even able to feel it physically.”

“Hmmm, that makes sense,” Willow said.  “So much of the magic’s power is harnessed from the earth, so…”

Buffy tuned out as Willow and Tara fell into a deep discussion of the matter.

God, look at them, Buffy thought.  Two peas in a pod.  Could this night get any worse?

“Hello, all!” Anya said cheerfully as she and Xander pulled up chairs and sat down, Anya next to Buffy and Xander next to Willow.

Buffy groaned inwardly.  I had to ask, didn’t I?

“Hey,” Buffy said with little enthusiasm.

“Oh, hey!” Willow said excitedly.  “Tara, this is Xander and Anya.  Guys, this is Tara.  I met her at Wicca group.  She’s a really powerful witch.”

Tara hung her head.  “No, not really,” she quickly denied, blushing.

“Yes, you are,” Willow insisted sweetly, which made Tara blush even more.

“Well, any friend of Willow’s is a friend of mine,” Xander said jovially.

“And any friend of Xander’s is a friend of mine,” Anya chimed in.  “Because we are a couple and we share things,” Anya added matter-of-factly before smiling at Xander.

“Will, I thought you said your Wicca group was turning out to be witch-less,” Xander said.

“Fortunately, I was mistaken,” Willow said, smiling at Tara.

Buffy was beginning to feel nauseated, and her head was starting to pound.  She was just about to excuse herself when she heard Riley’s voice.

“Hey, Buffy!” Riley said cheerfully.  “I didn’t know you were coming here tonight.”

“Yeah,” Buffy said.  “Just hanging out with the gang, you know.”

“Hey, Riley, I want you to meet someone,” Willow said.  “This is Tara.  She’s in my--”

“Oh, I love this song, let’s dance!” Buffy interrupted rudely, before grabbing Riley by the hand and dragging him to the dance floor.

Luckily for Riley, it was a slow song, and he didn’t have to worry about his lack of dancing skills.  As he wrapped his arms around Buffy, he couldn’t help thinking that the day had turned out good after all.

*     *     *

As Buffy led Riley away, Willow looked on in hurt shock.  Then she turned away and picked up her drink.  Tara looked at Willow briefly, wondering what exactly had just happened.

Xander laughed in an effort to smooth the moment.  “I think somebody’s got a little crush,” Xander said pointedly.

“Either that or she’s horny,” Anya stated.

Willow choked on her drink.  As Tara began patting Willow on the back, Xander hung his head.  Then he looked up and forced a smile at his girlfriend.

“An, let’s dance,” he said, taking Anya’s arm.

“Okay!” Anya said happily as Xander led her to the dance floor.

When Willow seemed done with her choking, Tara stopped patting.

“Are you okay?” Tara asked, sincerely worried.

“Yes,” Willow wheezed.  “I’m fine, just a little cola in the lungs, that’s all.”

Willow took a big gulp of her soda.

“You’ll have to excuse Anya, she…”  Willow paused, not knowing how to safely describe the ex-demon to a non-Scooby.  “She…ummm…she’s weird.”

“Oh, it’s okay,” Tara said.  “I-I-I don’t mind.”

Willow looked over at Buffy on the dance floor.  What is up with her? Willow thought. She is acting so strange.

*     *     *

Buffy blocked Willow and the others from her mind.  She focused on the strong, warm arms wrapped around her.

Time to move on, she thought.

She looked up at Riley’s face.  He looked down at her and smiled.

He’s got a nice smile, Buffy thought.

I can do this, I can make this work, she thought.  If I can just get Willow out of my system.

An idea came to Buffy’s mind, and she grinned.

“Let’s get outta here and go back to your place,” Buffy said suggestively.

“M-M-My place?  Now?” Riley stammered, flabbergasted by Buffy’s complete turn-around from this afternoon.

“Yeah, why not?” Buffy asked.

“Sure.  Okay,” Riley agreed.

Buffy smiled and took Riley’s hand and led him toward the exit.

“What about your friends?” Riley asked, as the music picked up its tempo into a fast and loud number.

“They know the way home,” Buffy said, not even looking back.

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