Title: The Next Illogical Step 
 Author: Alex P keeper444@webtv.net
 Rating: NC-17 or UK 18 This story portrays a lesbian relationship between
 two consenting adults. If this isn't your thing or it is illegal where you
 live please delete it now.
 Feedback: Please any comments or suggestions to: keeper444@webtv.net
 Archive: Gary's site. http://psycho.simplenet.com/fanfiction
 Otherwise if you want it, please ask.
 Summary: Sequel to A Higher Power and Truth and Consequences.
 Spoilers: General Fourth Season
 Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy Willow Giles and any others from BTVS
 are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy etc. No infringement of any
 kind intended.
 Notes: So much research so little time. Willow learns a lesson in religion.
 
 
****Flashbacks****
<>Thoughts<>
 
The Next Illogical Step
By Alex P.
 
Willow turned away from her computer screen to give her eyes a much-deserved
rest; she looked over at the couch to check on her best friend and lover,
Buffy.
 
The Slayer had fallen asleep on Giles' couch again. Willow felt a slight
twinge of guilt knowing that she was the reason Buffy was sprawled on the
couch instead of in her own warm comfortable bed next door in their
townhouse.
 
She'd tried many times before to get her to go on home to bed, but Buffy
always mumbled something about not wanting to be alone anymore and refused
to leave until Willow did.
 
Willow noticed a slightly mischievous smile on the sleeping girl's lips.
 
<> I wonder what's going on inside that pretty head, <> Willow thought. <>
Something wickedly fun, no doubt. <>
 
In the time since they had returned from Teach Tu Dannan, both found that
they simply couldn't get enough of each other. Even now as tired as she was,
watching Buffy sleep, made Willow practically ached to take the blonde in
her arms and make love right there on Giles couch.
 
<>Bad Willow, bad, bad Willow, <> she scolded herself. <> You must let the
poor girl rest sometime or you'll wear her out and then what would you do?
<>
 
Willow sighed not wanting to think of a life without Buffy. She couldn't
resist one more look at her before returning to work.
 
<>Goddess, she is so beautiful, <> Willow thought as the longing returned.
<> I can't believe she's mine at last. <>
 
Willow knew the other reason Buffy was so tired.
 
She'd found out that last night was one of Willow's sabots, Litha, the
summer solstice. And the Slayer had insisted on joining Willow in the
ritual that had lasted until shortly before dawn.
 
As always after a celebrating a ritual Willow was energized, but poor Buffy
was completely worn out.
 
As she turned back to her computer, Willow heard Giles mumbling something to
himself in his study. He, too, was deeply immersed in his own research.
 
Ever since they had shown up on his doorstep with their gifts from Brigit,
Morrigan, and Lugh, Giles had been like a kid in a candy store. First he
went to work translating the runes, and writings on the weapons and Willow's
staff.
 
After finishing that he gathered the wooden dagger and the rings and took
them all to a jeweler he knew to have the stones identified and appraised.
All four of the large green stones turned out to be very rare very valuable
emeralds and the four smaller red stones in the hilt of the dagger were
nearly flawless blood rubies. The man had tried everything to get Giles to
sell them but he'd steadfastly refused.
 
Once he had finished with all he could find on those artifacts, he turned to
the one task she knew he'd love, the book. He became obsessed with it. He
was unable to put the book down by himself, if it hadn't been for Buffy and
Willow he would have starved to death studying that book.
 
Try as she might Willow was unable to fault him for his obsession; it had
saved Buffy's life more than once. Willow had to smile when she thought of
the look on his face when he came charging out of the study, to share his
findings the first time.
 
*****
 
"I can not believe this! It's just so bloody marvelous!" Giles kept saying
pacing too excited by what he was reading to sit. "After god knows how long,
I am the first watcher to ever see this and since we have broken off contact
with the council I can't even tell them about it."
 
He translated some more then began muttering.
 
"This is just fantastic," he said to himself. He then turned to the two
girls that were starring at him like he was insane. "Do you have any idea
what this is?"
 
"If we knew that then why would we need you?" Buffy said sarcastically.
He'd had a bad day in class and was in no mood to hear about the wonders of
a book.
 
Some times she wondered if 'coming out' was worth all the trouble, but just
one look at Willow always answered that question.
 
"Buffy!" Willow scolded, "be nice, Giles isn't the one you're mad at."
 
"Right, sorry Giles, my bad," Buffy apologized.
 
Giles looked at Buffy surprised, now he knew Willow was good for her; she
had never apologized before.
 
"Translating these kinds of things is your specialty Giles," Willow
continued. "Buffy and I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to even
begin. You are the one that figured out that my staff was made specifically
for me, to focus and amplify my powers. You were the one that learned the
dirks were once called the 'Spurs of Erin' and that the wooden dagger was a
Pictish artifact known as 'Demon Claw'. All that very helpful information!
Plus, in finding out their uses, you have found out something about the
origins of the book. I'm not surprised Brigit said you were the one to turn
to. We trust you completely."
 
"Oh...well...yes...I appreciate your trust." Giles stumbled, embarrassed by
the young witch's praise. He paused to clear his throat before continuing.
"Getting back to the book, I haven't gotten past the title and a few lines
here and there, but from what I gather, what you girls brought home is the
'Book of Souls'."
 
He finished dramatically expecting a reaction. When he was met with blank
stares explained further.
 
"Well, I suppose that would mean nothing to you," he said morosely. "But
believe me this is a major find!" He lectured, "It was the repository for
much of the Druid lore, their grimoire so to speak. It is even said that it
holds the secrets of creation and thus also it's opposite."
 
There was a hiss as Willow drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth.
 
"Exactly so," Giles said looking at the young witch over the top of his
glasses. "The power these people have entrusted into your hands is
unfathomable. Their confidence and trust in you is unbelievably strong. The
last time anyone heard of this book being seen was before the time of King
Arthur and the Christian incursion into Ireland. The legend said it was
returned to the gods and most scholars believed it was either destroyed or
that it never existed in the first place. I guess now we know the truth."
 
*****
 
Giles was in watcher heaven. With the help of Willow's expertise the two of
them came up with a program to help him translate the various languages used
in the book.
 
Every day he found some new medicine, spell, or piece of information that
had him running around all excited.
 
Soon between Willow being 'Research Girl' on her computer and Giles progress
with the 'Book of Souls' they'd pretty much learned just about everything
they wanted to know about the gifts and their uses, all that is except the
rings.
 
This soon became Willow's obsession, stopping only to eat or patrol with
Buffy, Willow spent nearly every waking moment searching any historical data
base she could find, but still no luck.
 
She finally got so bad that Buffy had suggested that she go to the goddess
either for help or at least some perspective on the subject.
 
Seeing no other available option Willow had done just that last night.
 
Yet here she was again, with her nose buried in her computer, searching.
 
<>I guess sometimes the answer is no, <> she thought discouraged.
 
At that moment a missed keystroke placed her in a section of the Vatican
library she'd never been in before.
 
It was the forbidden books section. Willow had picked up rumors about this
area but had never been able to find it, until now.
 
As she read through the thousands of files she came across the mention of an
ancient sect of Celtic female warriors called 'Sisters of the Soul.
 
Excited and thanking the Goddess Willow began searching and cross
referencing her way into several deeply encrypted files that the Church
considered so heathen and so blasphemous that only the most dedicated
priests were allowed to see them.
 
She delved deep into the files. After hours of searching Willow finally
found an eyewitness account recorded over a thousand years ago telling of
the sect and many of the ceremonies and rites they practiced.
 
It was here that Willow learned the purpose of the rings and where to look
in the 'Book of Souls' to find the details.
 
It was also here that she learned the truth behind the disappearance of the
sect. Because the ceremony called upon ancient gods and was the mating of
two people of the same sex, the church declared it blasphemous and an
obscenity in the eyes of their god.
 
But what she really learned was that it wasn't the Gods or the same sex
coupling that the Church feared; it was the power the 'Sister's of the Soul'
wielded. It frightened the church to no end to think that they could lose
their influence over the simple folk.
 
So they began a systematic campaign to wipe out all knowledge of the sect,
including hiring mythical assassins to murder the woman.
 
Tears were in Willow's eyes as she realized this was a record of hypocrisy
and deceit as old as time. But it was the idea of someone supposedly on the
side of the light committing the atrocities she was reading about that was
unforgivable.
 
Especially when it was women of the same caliber as they'er friends Brigit
and Morrigan.
 
<>Those Bastards! <> Willow said to herself. <>I hope that they're burning
in their own private hells! <>
 
The more Willow read the angrier she became until, after she copied all the
information--Willow decided to feed a virus she'd created into the system.
The viruse would not only cover her tracks but it would also destroy the
files she'd been reading if not that entire section of the
library--including the hard drive.
 
That done Willow gathered the print outs and went to show Giles.
 
*****
 
"You did what?" Giles asked angrily when Willow told him what she had done
to the Vatican's library files. "Why would you do that? How could you take
that kind of chance? What if they trace your virus back here? I just wish
you had put a little more thought into it or at least informed me before you
acted so rashly. Honestly, Willow I don't know what to think, this is
completely out of character for you. "
 
Willow sat calmly and let the over protective ex-watcher rant until he was
finished and glaring at her waiting for her answer. She knew he was really
mad, she could see the vein throbbing on his right temple and that was
usually reserved for his Slayer.
 
"Calm down Giles, before you hurt yourself," she said quietly yet firmly.
 
<> She's treating me like a petulant child, <> Giles thought.
 
He sat down behind the desk with a huff and she smiled at him sweetly.
 
"That's much better," Willow said patiently. "I don't know what your problem
is? Its not like I'm some rank amateur at this I took precautions. First I
went through so many different connections Ma Bell and all her little baby
Bells couldn't trace me."
 
She paused looking Giles directly in the eyes before continuing. "Second the
virus destroys all evidence of my incursion along with the files, that's
including the hard drive. They'll never be able to retrieve that information
again. Thirdly, I did it for all those women the Church had murdered just
because they had different beliefs and had the good fortune to find someone
they loved!"
 
Willow stood up and walked around Giles' office, she had to burn off some
the rage, still brewing inside of her. "They bragged about it, Giles! Here
read it, for yourself. Hell, they're lucky I didn't bring the whole place
down on them. Besides you know how the Vatican works they'd probably come
after Buffy and I if they thought they'd get away with it."
 
Faced with her logic and determination Giles had no alternative but to calm
himself and read the information she'd brought him.
 
"This is ghastly," he muttered as he read the account. "How could they
possibly justify this?"
 
"You see my point," Willow said softly sitting down again. "Those bastards
had dozens of innocent women slaughtered in the name of religious purity and
the Church condoned it!"
 
She got up and walked over to Giles' taking the papers out of his hands she
flipped through them. When she found what she was looking for she handed
them back to the ex-Watcher.
 
"Look here, Giles," she said pointing at the paper in his hands. "The
priests responsible were given rewards and promotions for their 'good
works'. I know what I did was a little rash but, I just couldn't let those
men be remembered by history as heroes of the faith, so I've done my best to
see that history doesn't remember them at all."
 
"All right Willow, while I can't condone your methods," Giles said holding
up his hand to stop the protest forming on her lips. "I do have to agree it
was at least a logical response. My only comment is that this is not the
last time you will run into this kind of thing! Please, the next time you
feel the urge to take action please consult me before you act? We might be
able to come up with a more appropriate response. One that wont deprive the
world of valuable historical records."
 
"Okay, I can live with that," Willow agreed. "Now let's get to work on the
section of the book that's mentioned here, and see what's next on my
schedule so I can clear my calendar."
 
She was joking but as she read some of the file she hadn't seen before it
suddenly became unfunny. Giles finished the section shortly after she did
and took off his glasses and began rubbing the bridge of his nose.
 
"Well that was certainly interesting," he said a little sarcastically. "I
will be interested to see how you handle this."
 
<> Now he shows a sense of humor, <> Willow thought.
 
"Thanks a lot," Willow shot back. "You mean no words of wisdom from the all
mighty all knowing Watcher?"
 
"No, I am afraid you are on your own for this one." Giles answered with a
slight smile. "This is one is all yours, Willow. This situation falls far
outside my duties and way beyond my experience."
 
"Oh great, nothing quite so useless, as a useless watcher." Willow grumbled,
"Can I at least count on your cooperation?"
 
Giles nodded his head trying to keep from laughing at Willow's newest
dilemma.
 
"Good," Willow said thoughtfully then she knew just the right person to talk
to. "All right, Mr. laugh at the confused witch; promise not to say a word
about this to anyone and I mean anyone."
 
He agreed quickly and satisfied Willow hurried out to find Buffy's mother.
 
 
 
 
Once Willow had tracked down Joyce Summers and explained everything to her
she suggested that they get Willow's mother on board for this situation.
 
Willow's mother wasn't as comfortable with her daughter's alternative
lifestyle as her husband but this problem was something she could
understand, in theory at least. She jumped in with both feet and was a
veritable fountain of information.
 
Arrangements were coming along nicely when Willow decided it was time to
'talk' to Buffy.
 
At Willow's insistence Buffy took a night off from patrol and wearing her
best dress went to meet Willow at their favorite Italian restaurant.
 
The owner of the restaurant had taken a liking to the couple and as soon as
he saw Buffy come through the front door he hurried over and gave her a
major bear hug.
 
"Please Mr. Lipari, can't breath," Buffy gasped.
 
"Your little Willow is waiting for you," the man said setting her down and
releasing her. "If you'll just follow me I'll take you to her."
 
"Sure thing Mr. Lipari." She said mystified, noticing the huge grin
plastered on his face. "Say, just between you and me, any idea what's going
on?"
 
"Oh, no Buffy," he answered. "I've been sworn to absolute secrecy. Willow
would skin me alive if I told you."
 
"Okay we wouldn't want that," she chuckled. "Who'd make my canolli if
something happened to you. I couldn't' eat anyone else's after tasting
yours."
 
"You are too kind," he said truly flattered then the grin reappeared. "But
I'm still not telling you. Now come along Ms. Willow is waiting."
 
The friendly man led her through the main dinning area but instead of going
to their favorite table. Confused Buffy still followed as he led her to the
door of one of the private dinning rooms.
 
What she saw when she entered the room took her breath away; the only
illumination in the room were dozens of flickering candles and standing next
to the only table was Willow.
 
She was a vision in an emerald green silk dress and it was obvious that
she'd been to the salon. Looking at her Buffy could feel that familiar ache
of longing deep in her soul.
 
Willow motioned to Buffy to come to the table and held her chair while she
sat down. Unable to resist Willow leaned down and lightly brushed her lips
against the soft skin of Buffy's neck.
 
"Oh god Wills," Buffy moaned trying to urge her to continue but Willow
straightened up and went to her own chair directly across from Buffy.
 
There was a single white rose next to Buffy's plate she held it to her nose
and slowly inhaled it's fragrance. She looked over the top of the rose and
smiled at the way Willow was watching her every move.
 
Mr. Lipari served their meal so they ate in complete silence. But their
eyes were speaking volumes across the table in a language only they
understood.
 
Finally, as they were finishing their desert Buffy's curiosity got the
better of her.
 
"All right, my little Witchy girl," Buffy began, as she ran the tip of one
fingernail gently over the back of Willow's hand. "What's going on here?"
 
"Why Slayer what ever do you mean?" Willow said with mock innocence, "I'm
just having dinner with my gal."
 
"Right, " Buffy said playfully. "I'll tell you what, I'll go on home now and
when you're ready to let me in on the secret that's where I'll be."
 
She started to rise but Willow grabbed her wrist to stop her. Buffy looked
into those pleading eyes and sat back down knowing she had lost.
 
"Please don't leave Buffy," Willow said in a strained voice. "I promise I'll
tell you soon."
 
"As you wish," Buffy said softly. The Slayer was totally lost in her
lover's eyes. "It's just I'm not a patient person," she added with a small
smile. "Life's too short, especially with the type of business I'm in."
 
"Don't," Willow said closing her eyes trying to stop the tears. "Please
don't say that."
 
Seeing the hurt she'd inadvertently caused Willow, Buffy went around the
table and cradled the weeping girl's head.
 
<> Geese Summers way to go, <> Buffy thought, mentally kicking herself. <>
Some day I just gotta learn when to shut up. <>
 
"Don't cry Wills, " Buffy said in a frightened voice. "It was a mean thing
to say I'm sorry I didn't say it to hurt you."
 
Willow looked into Buffy's clear blue eyes and felt herself drawn into their
depths.
 
"It's all right honey really," Willow reassured her. The Witch took a deep
breath and dried her tears with her napkin. "It's just that I don't want to
think about that tonight. Tonight is for better more optimistic things. Now
please go back and sit down."
 
Buffy did as Willow requested. Once she was seated Willow reached over and
took Buffy's hand. They gazed into each other's eyes and for a moment time
ceased to exist.
 
"Buffy," when Willow said her name like that it almost sounded like she was
praying. "I guess it's time to tell you why I wanted to meet you here
tonight."
 
"Well, to be honest, I'm getting a little curious," Buffy answered her with
a smile. "I mean aside from the good food and the pleasant company not to
mention a welcome night off, I figured there had to be some thing going on."
 
"It's just that, well, I, ah, found something a few days ago. The day after
Litha, while you were asleep and it's got me thinking." Willow started
holding on to Buffy's hand tightly. "I know we've just got done telling
everyone about us and after all we've been through with that--I know that
logic and common sense would dictate that we 'lay low'--not do any thing to
call attention to ourselves at least until things settle down."
 
"Breathe, Willow, breathe." Buffy told her lover. "Okay what's I kinda
figured." Buffy interrupted but Willow held up her hand to stop her.
 
"Like I was saying, I've come across some disturbing information that has
made me rethink that idea." Willow continued, "what I've found has made me
think about how short life can be and how easy it is for some outside force
to make that life even shorter." Willow couldn't stop the tears as they
began once more to stream down her face. A life without Buffy wasn't a
something she ever wanted to think about-and yet it had come up twice
tonight.
 
"Damn! I'm not doing this right." Willow picked up the hand she was
holding and slowly brought it to her lips-kissing the softness that was her
love, her life.
 
"My greatest fear has always been to leave this life with too many regrets."
She started; she had never realized just how hard this was going to be.
"Like everyone I have many things that I regret that it's too late to do
anything about--but I've decided that we...you and I...we...our relationship
is not going to be one of those regrets."
 
<> Oh god! She's leaving me! <> Buffy thought frantically, as an icy dagger
of fear pierced her heart. <>I've done something wrong, I've been too
clingy. <>
 
Willow saw the stricken look cross Buffy's face and hurried to reassure her.
 
"I don't mean I want out," Willow clarified quickly. "It's just that what I
want to do doesn't make any sense. I mean we're in a pretty good place right
now and most people would be happy to sit back and relax, but we're not most
people."
 
"Ain't it the truth," Buffy snorted, despite the seriousness of the moment.
 
"I guess the best way to explain this is to tell you what I've found."
 
Willow told Buffy everything she'd found about the 'Sisters of the Soul'.
She told her how they had been persecuted and murdered by minions of the
church. Willow cried as she explained to the Slayer that church used
whatever means possible to wipe them out. That finally, when there were
only two left, the Gods intervened and rescued the last two. That those two
remaining "Sisters" the gods had taken were made into gods themselves.
 
"I think you can figure out who those last two sisters were," Willow added.
 
"Yeah I can," Buffy said tears flowing unchecked from her eyes.
 
"Like I said, I've found out a lot," Willow said kissing Buffy's hand. "One
of the things I've learned is that when two sisters are united they go
through certain ceremonies. One is like a wedding with family and friends so
that everyone can celebrate the joining of souls. The second is a ritual of
joining with only their closest friends attending. Ever since I've found out
about it I've been running around trying to set this up and I've gotten to
the point where I can't go any farther without you."
 
Willow stopped and looked deep into Buffy's eyes. Then she got up, walked
around the table and dropped to her knees beside Buffy and looked up at the
angelic face she loved so much.
 
"I guess the best way to say what I'm trying to say is," Willow said her
voice trembling with penned up emotion. "I love you Buffy Summers will you
marry me?"
 
Buffy was speechless, she'd never thought in a million years Willow would
ask her that! Her mind was completely out of control her thoughts swirling
and jumbled, she couldn't put a single coherent thought together.
 
"Oh...I...ah...you...we..." No matter how hard she tried Buffy couldn't say
a complete sentence.
 
She knew she loved Willow more than life itself and she knew that she would
do whatever it took to make the little Witch with the bright green eyes
happy. She also knew that nothing in this world would make her happier than
to tell the world that she loved Willow Rosenberg. So her answer was short
easy and to the point.
 
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Buffy shouted. And then fell to her knees so she
could gather her future mate up into her arms.
 
Finish
 
 

Fiction