“Same amount as always, too many.” Xander surreptitiously wiped spilt coke from a page.
“There will be as many books as it takes to find out what’s going on!” said Giles, in a voice of doom.
“Well, we’ve established that I have a suntan,” said Buffy peaceably. “Go us!”
“A deep submolecular suntan,” corrected Tara. “Because that’s what happens when you do the spell right.” She and Willow exchanged reassuring glances.
“So I was right,” said Willow, who had spent the previous three hours looking relieved.
“And irresponsible and dangerous,” muttered Giles.
“You don’t look any different.” Dawn, having campaigned fiercely to be allowed sit in on research, now seemed disillusioned.
.
“She’s not supposed to,” explained Tara.
“If we looked at her under a microscope?” Dawn asked hopefully.
“Probably not,” said Willow.
“Thought you’d be brown if you had a suntan,” grumbled Dawn.
“She has been in a coffin for four months,” said Spike, reasonably.
“Wanna see how you look with a suntan, mister?” asked Buffy, glaring at him briefly.
“Dawn, if you’re not reading that book, please stop leaning on it!” said Giles, reaching for it. Dawn took her elbows off the book with a deep sigh.
“Research is boring!” she lamented.
“Welcome to our world,” said Xander with a sigh. “You know, that one that we told you ten million times was boring?”
“And Buffy definitely isn’t going to grow a tail?” Dawn sounded distinctly disappointed.
“Hey!” Buffy looked up.
“But Spike can hit you. That’s way cool.”
“Dawn! You’re supposed to be on my side!” yelped Buffy. “I don’t want a tail and it’s not good that Spike can hit me!”
“Serves no benefit whatsoever,” agreed Spike in sugary tones, diligently reading his book. Giles looked at him with suspicion.
“Can you hit me?” wondered Dawn.
Spike closed the book. “Dunno, never tried.”
“You better not have!” said Buffy aggressively.
“Cos I’m The Key,” Dawn reminded her sister. “Would Spike’s chip know? Come on Spike, try!” she urged.
“No!” said Spike and Buffy in unison.
“Hasn’t Spike hit enough people for one day?” grumbled Xander.
“You still…sore about that?” asked Spike with mock-concern.
“Not as sore as you’ll be if you don’t shut up!”
“Any chance that research could be done here?” enquired Giles, rubbing his forehead.
“No fun,” complained Dawn, echoing the thoughts of all.
“This isn’t supposed to be fun!” argued Giles. “It’s…Okay, that was a little more discouraging than I had intended.”
“We need a break!” moaned Buffy, pushing her chair back and stretching.
“Want me to break your legs?” offered Spike.
Buffy brightened. “You can try.”
They grinned at each other.
“We could even things up?” she offered. “I could wear a blindfold, tie one hand behind my back?”
“Pleasant as that sounds…..”
“Right, you’re dead!” Buffy stood up and started towards him. Spike began a backwards retreat in the direction of the training room.
“Exercise!” Buffy hastily explained to Giles, who looked less than enthusiastic. “I’ve been sitting still too long.”
“Don’t kill each other!” he warned. “They’re going to kill each other,” he muttered to himself, watching Buffy break into a run.
“It’s kinda cool,” smiled Willow, watching them leave. “Buffy’s got someone to train with now. Someone who can give her a real fight.” She broke off and caught Giles eye. “Not that, I mean….she always loved training with you!” She slunk into her seat and concentrated on her book. “Oohh – cat demon!”
“We’re looking for a rabbit, honey,” Tara reminded her. “And I think it’s cool too. They’ve been getting along so well. And Buffy’s all enthusiastic about training now, that’s gotta be good?” she looked at Giles.
“I can’t believe we’re having a party about Spike being able to hit Buffy!” said Xander, no longer able to contain himself. “Where’s the streamers and balloons?! It’s not a good thing! Spike is evil or has every one else here forgotten that?!”
“Spike’s not evil!” protested Dawn. “He’s just….”
“Annoying,” supplied Giles. “He’s more annoying than evil and has been for some time. Buffy’s not concerned about this and I think we should trust her to look after herself.”
A yell of pain from Buffy and a triumphant cry of ‘Alright!’ from Spike reached them.
Everyone looked a little uncomfortable.
“You ready for another resurrection spell, Will?” scowled Xander.
The entire building vibrated and a roar of “Ow, ow, OW! Get off, you bitch!” was heard.
“I think they’re having fun,” suggested Tara, with a small smile.
“If he was really all that evil he would have run for it as soon as he found out he could hit Buffy,” said Willow thoughtfully. “Gone on the rampage to see who he could eat. Instead he stood here and let us test him.”
“That was quite impressive,” agreed Giles.
“He was just trying to impress Buffy,” snorted Xander.
“Sounds like he’s making quite an impression at the moment,” laughed Tara, as they listened to various thumps and bangs from the training room. She turned to Willow and under her breath said, “I think they seemed kind of – flirty!”
Willow’s eyes widened.
“Anya!” said Xander, spotting her. “Are you feeling better?”
“I’m okay,” replied the ex-demon, looking wan and shaky.
“Good. Then perhaps you can help with research,” said Giles briskly.
“About…bunnies?” asked Anya fearfully. “I’m not sure I’m quite that much better…”
“Well, it would be nice to avoid the arrival of armies of demon bunnies,” Giles suggested dryly.
Anya whimpered and Xander, wrapping a protective arm around her, glared at the Watcher.
“Myxomatosis!” said Willow, abruptly. “I could do magical myxomatosis! Or - not magical,” she continued, to a look from Tara, “Cos everyone thinks I’m doing too much magick!” She pouted.
“I think we need to concentrate on the origins…” pondered Giles, rummaging for a book.
Buffy and Spike emerged from training, looking flushed and high spirited.
“What have you been doing?” asked Anya.
“Beating up the Slayer,” chuckled Spike, getting her in a head-lock. “This is the way the world should be!”
“Spike can hit Buffy,” explained Xander, “And we’re all so very happy.”
Buffy struggled against him, then flipped him over her shoulder, throwing him to the ground. She rested a foot on his chest, crowing “Who’s the champion of the world?”
“Oh, I see, violence as substitute for sex,” said Anya matter-of-factly.
Willow and Tara seemed suddenly and deeply engrossed in research while Buffy’s jaw dropped.
“Okay, ready to read books now!” said Buffy, looking embarrassed.
“Was that an inappropriate comment?” asked Anya, concerned.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Xander affectionately. He stood up suddenly.
“Guys!” he said nervously. “I have an announcement.”
Anya looked at him in amazement.
“Me-and-Anya-are-getting-married!” he said in a rush.
*****
“Pity we don’t have decorations,” said Anya wistfully, as everyone jostled to admire her ring.
“Next time,” promised Tara. “If you give us a bit of warning!”
“Why wait?” said Willow, cheerfully. “Aratata !”
Tara rolled her eyes and Giles shook his head.
The Magick Box was filled with decorations. But something strange was happening to Willow. Her eyes flashed black and red. With a gasp, Tara realised that her girlfriend was hovering some inches from the floor.
“Get back!” she urged the others. “Willow!” she pleaded. “Can you hear me?”
“You thought there would be no consequences?” snarled Willow, crackling with magickal energy. “You thought that because you were not the one to cut the throat that you were safe? Always consequences!”
She raised one hand and a lightning flash was unleashed at Tara. Spike simultaneously dived at Tara, knocking the witch out of harm’s way.
“You think you could stop me?” spat Willow, with a flick of her wrist.
“I’m on fire!” yelled Spike. “I’m on bloody fire!”
He leapt about, trying to shake off his burning duster. Xander grabbed a jug of water and threw it over him.
“Willow, please listen to me,” said Tara, “Tell me what’s happening? What do you want?”
“You’re all going to suffer,” said Willow, throwing her head back.
The shop began to shake with the power of her magick.
They stood, transfixed, as Willow slowly dropped to the ground, revealing Buffy and a baseball bat standing behind.
“You guys know I hate earthquakes!”
*****
“She will be okay?” asked a tearful Tara.
“She’s just knocked out,” said Giles, reassuringly. “But we need to find out what happened there.”
“Will she be normal Willow when she wakes up?” asked Xander.
“Or will she be all black-eyed-world-destruction?” Anya elaborated.
“I’m sure that was the kind of thing I wasn’t supposed to see,” said Dawn, a little fearfully, watching Willow’s prone body from slightly behind Spike.
“At least you missed the killer bunny,” pointed out Anya.
“Giles, could they be connected?” Buffy wondered.
“I really don’t see how. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“No,” Tara shook her head. “It’s the magick. She’s been doing too much lately. And after the spell..” she indicated Buffy, “I’ve been so scared that this could happen.”
“The spell,” said Giles to himself. “There’s something…..”
He went to get a book, scanning through it quickly.
“I thought so,” he said, finally looking up. “The spell that Willow performed is ancient, hasn’t been used in centuries. There isn’t much information about it. What we do know is that it involves sacrifice on the part of those who perform it.”
“Like Willow doing the snake party-piece,” suggested Xander.
“I would suspect it is not that simple,” said Giles, rubbing his brow.
“Some day I want to find one thing that is that simple,” complained Buffy. “Giles, what the hell is going on?”
“Consequences,” said Giles simply. “A price to be paid by all who took part in the spell.”
“And that price is - what? Any chance the powers-that-be would take a blank cheque?”
“From what’s been going on here, probably the thing each person fears most.”
“Killer clowns?” gasped Xander in horror.
“Bunnies for Anya,” realised Buffy, “And…”
“This is my nightmare,” said Tara quietly, “Willow so consumed by magick that there’s none of her left.”
“She’ll be okay, I promise,” said Buffy, consolingly.
“She has to be.”
“What the freakin’ hell was that?” gasped Willow, sitting up suddenly.
“Consequences,” said Spike casually. “Oh, and you set me on fire, which I think is very unfair cos I had nothing to do with the bloody spell!”
“What!!”
“We’re reaping the rewards of your decision to perform a dangerous spell regardless of the consequences,” stated Anya. She saw the frowns of the scoobies. “That’s what Giles said!” she defended herself. “Of course, I’m paraphrasing, he was much ruder.”
“I’m quite sure I said no such thing,” blustered Giles, not meeting Willow’s eyes.
“What did I do?” wailed Willow.
“Gave me magical decorations, then went all kablooey and tried to kill us all,” explained Anya.
“It wasn’t your fault,” added Tara immediately, “It was like the killer bunny. The Osiris spell - we all have to pay a price, for tampering with those powers.”
“Didn’t I kinda do that at the time?” asked Willow, looking shaken, “Not that I’m saying it wasn’t worth it and all…but you know, snakes and stuff?”
“This wasn’t your price,” said Tara quietly. “It was mine.”
“I’m your….” Willow looked at her with pain in her eyes.
“You’re the only person in the world who could ever really hurt me,” said Tara simply.
*****
“Ain’t love grand,” said Spike sardonically.
“You big cynic. It’s sweet,” said Buffy, watching Will and Tara leave, hand in hand.
“Well, I feel in need of some violence,” said Spike. “How about it, pet?”
“Sure.” She stretched. “You wanna train or patrol?”
“Hmm. Do I want to fight random vampires or do I want to fight you. Let’s have a think about this one…”
She sighed. “You’re never going to fight to forces of darkness again, are you?”
“You’ll have to make it worth my while,” he said suggestively, earning an easily ducked punch.
“Or I could put you back in a wheelchair right now and get back to patrolling on my own again?” she offered cheerfully.
“You wanna bet?” he said with a challenge in his eyes.
“Nope. Wanna fight.”
He tackled her, grabbing her round the waist and pulling her to the ground with the full weight of his body.
“You could at least train properly,” commented Giles, stepping over them as they wrestled on the floor. “If you’re going to make noise and break things then do something useful. I’ll wager you haven’t picked up a sword since you’ve….. been back.”
“You’re allowed say it. Since I was dead. And that’s not going to help Spike on this one,” said Buffy, scrambling to her feet as Spike headed for the training room.
Giles watched from the door as Buffy caught with ease the sword thrown by Spike. He followed up with an agile attack, forcing the Slayer to be quick on her feet.
“Buffy! Mind your…” He was only going to distract her, he realised, deciding to be quiet. He wondered did she really know what she was doing here. She looked so happy, so immersed in the joy of the fight. Spike looked - like a vampire, thought Giles with sudden realisation. Sometimes he forgot. He had a feeling that Buffy did also.
And they looked happy together. Perfect, in fact. Tara and Willow were right. There was no one else who could train with Buffy like this.
“Oh for goodness sake, Spike, block with your left, you’re leaving yourself wide open,” he snapped, tired of watching Spike make the same elementary error and so narrowly avoid paying for it.
Giles turned his head to the ceiling. “I’m training a vampire,” he groaned. “The Council would have me killed.”
“Thanks, Rupert,” said Spike with a broad grin. “You know, this one’s got herself fiendishly strong. Could do with a few pointers or I’m never going to get my third Slayer. Ow!!”
He clutched his ribs, scowling at a grinning Slayer.
“You stabbed me, you bitch!”
“I did tell you,” said Giles. “You pay no attention, you’re worse than Buffy.”
“Hey!” said Buffy indignantly, waving her sword at him.
“And I think I’ll leave you to it now.” Giles left.
“Now then. You’re going to pay for that, pet.” Spike advanced slowly, a glint in his eyes.
He laid into her, fast and furious. Buffy dodged and weaved, enjoying this more than she had anything in a long time.
He forced her back, almost against the wall, still grinning. Finding herself cornered, she kicked viciously at his sword-holding hand, hard enough to break bones and make him drop his weapon.
“Mind your head!” she mocked, resting her sword at his neck.
“Lost my head over you a long time ago,” he replied, his arms by his side and defenceless.
Her own arm dropped slowly to her side, sword crashing to the ground.
There were many things she wanted to say.
She could have said, ‘I know how you feel but this can never happen.’
Or, ‘Spike, I know we’ve grown close lately but that doesn’t mean that….”
Or, ‘Spike, I’ve come to like you, respect you but I can’t….”
Instead she kissed him.
That had really not been the plan.
It seemed to take him by surprise too.
It took him long enough to react and grab her by the waist, deepening the kiss. A bloke could get used to this.
She broke away.
“I can’t do this,” she gasped, eyes wide with shock.
He came to his senses. Back to reality. To the real world where Buffy looked at him shock and horror and was not kissing him.
“I’m sorry,” she said, avoiding his eyes.
“Give me one good reason,” he said, determined to keep the plea from his voice. “And none of that ‘you’re a vampire’ lark.”
“There’s no way this could end well,” she replied, shaking her head.
“And a really good way to find out is by not trying. You can’t tell me you don’t feel something! You just kissed me, girl. And when we fight….I can see it Buffy, you come alive.”
“This could only end with bloodshed and horror and probably an apocalypse and all of us doing research till unholy hours,” she continued, ignoring him.
“That’s it? You’re just going to walk away?” He looked at her in disbelief.
“I’m sorry.” And she walked away.