THE POWER OF THREE
Part One
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.oocities.org/dragonwriter17/

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.  Although Tara does not appear in the first chapter of this series, 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: As Buffy comforts Willow after Oz’s departure, the Slayer discovers she has feelings for her best friend.  Meanwhile, Riley tries to get Buffy’s attention.

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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 ONE

Giles and Buffy sat in Giles’ apartment as Buffy related the previous night’s events: how Veruca had attacked Willow, how Oz had killed Veruca and then rushed Willow, how Buffy had been delayed by some kind of commando in the woods.

“Well, this fellow in the woods,” Giles asked, “he was in military garb?”

“Yes,” Buffy replied.  “And he was toting some serious weaponry. The thing is, I saw some guys dressed exactly like him on Halloween night. I just assumed they were in costume.  But maybe they were working.  I wanna know what’s up.  The guy got in my way.  I almost didn’t catch up with Oz in time.  And as it was, I was too late to--”

“You saved Willow,” Giles reminded Buffy.

“Right now she wishes I hadn’t. Giles, I’ve never seen her like this. It’s like it hurts too much to form words.”

“You’ve...you’ve felt that way yourself, and you got through it,” Giles pointed out.

“Yeah.  I ran away and went to hell and then got through it,” Buffy said disgustedly.  “I’m kind of hoping she doesn’t use me as a model.”

“Fair enough,” Giles conceded.

“I just don’t know how they’re gonna deal with this,” Buffy said sadly.

“They’ll manage.  And we’ll be there to help them,” Giles said reassuringly.  “I…um…I don’t want to add to your burdens, Buffy,” Giles said, removing his glasses in his typical worry gesture.  “But…ummm…I think you should know that I’ve gotten reports that…well--”

“Come on, Giles, spit it out,” Buffy prodded.

“That Spike is back in town,” Giles stated.

Buffy rolled her eyes in annoyance.  “Great.  Just what I need, a big bothersome bleach-blonde burden.”  Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head.  Then she looked at Giles.  “I don’t have time for him right now.  I need to get back to the room, for when Willow comes back.”

“Where is she now?” Giles asked.

“She went to see Oz,” Buffy said worriedly.

“Oh,” Giles said, nodding, understanding Buffy’s worry. 

Buffy rose from her seat.  Giles stood and gave Buffy’s shoulder a good squeeze.  Then Buffy left the apartment.

*     *     *

Buffy paced nervously around the dorm room she shared with Willow.  For the umpteenth time, she replayed the previous day’s events in her mind.  She always ended up at the same place: a distraught and sobbing Willow collapsed on the science lab floor.

Oz, I swear to God I wanna kill you! Buffy thought to herself as she slammed her fist into the wall.  Buffy blinked and looked at her hand embedded in the wall.  Damn! There goes that deposit.  Buffy pulled her out hand and examined it.  It was fine.  Sometimes being the Slayer did have its advantages.  Buffy’s perusal of her fist was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.  Buffy turned quickly to face her roommate.

Buffy’s heart stopped when she saw Willow enter the room.  Willow’s shoulders were slumped in utter defeat.  Her eyes were red from crying.  She stood nearly motionless as she met Buffy’s eyes. 

“Oz is gone,” Willow said simply. 

“What do you mean, he’s gone?” Buffy asked.

“He left me, Buffy, he’s gone.”  Willow barely got out the last word before the sobs hit her.  She wrapped her arms about her chest and sank to the floor.

Buffy was instantly at Willow’s side.  She pulled Willow into her arms and held her tightly as the redhead cried her heart out.  Buffy stroked Willow’s hair, trying to comfort her.

“Oh, Will, I’m so sorry,” Buffy whispered.

After a while, Willow’s tears stopped, and she was able to sit up.  She didn’t meet Buffy’s eyes.  A few snivels made their final exit, and Willow was able to breathe normally.  She looked at Buffy and smiled weakly in gratitude. 

“Thanks,” Willow said before quickly dropping her gaze again. 

Willow felt Buffy push the hair out of her face.  Then she felt Buffy cup her cheek and wipe away the tears with her thumb.  Willow lifted her eyes to Buffy’s.  She saw the unconditional love and support that was there; it brought new tears to her eyes.

“It’ll be okay, I promise,” Buffy said.  “Not today, and not tomorrow, maybe not even next month.  But one day it will be.  And until then, I’ll be right here for you.”

Willow pulled Buffy into a strong hug.

“Oh god, I am so lucky to have you as a friend,” Willow cried, hugging Buffy even tighter.  “I love you so much!”

“I love you, too,” Buffy said, as she hugged Willow back, closing her eyes and nuzzling her nose into Willow’s hair.  This feels so good, I love the way her hair smells, Buffy mused before clamping down on her inappropriate thoughts and turning her attention to caring for Willow.   Buffy pulled out of the hug and held Willow’s arms. 

“I think the best thing for you right now is to get some rest,” Buffy stated in a motherly tone, “so it’s bed time for you.  I’ll even tuck you in.”

Willow nodded solemnly.  Then Buffy helped Willow to her feet.  Willow went to her chest of drawers and pulled out her pink pajamas.  She took off her shoes and started to pull off her shirt, but then she abruptly stopped and turned to Buffy.

“Buffy!” Willow said, so suddenly that she startled her roommate.

“What?” Buffy said, jumping slightly.

“Sorry.  I…I…never mind,” Willow said, turning away again.

Buffy moved closer and touched Willow’s shoulder.

“Will, what is it?” Buffy said softly.

“I…I don’t want to sleep alone,” Willow whispered.

Buffy squeezed Willow’s shoulder and then walked around to stand in front of Willow.  She lifted Willow’s chin, forcing Willow to look at her.

“You don’t have to,” Buffy said firmly.  “Just let me change, and I’ll be right over.”

“Okay,” Willow said.

Buffy returned to her side of the room.  She dug her sushi pajamas out of the drawer.  Then she pulled off her shoes and clothes and put on her pajamas.  As she changed, she watched Willow as she donned her pink pajamas.  She looks so cute in those, Buffy thought, smiling involuntarily.  Then she chastised herself.  Stop it!  What is the matter with you?

When Buffy looked up from her musing, she found Willow already in bed, looking at her with a nervous and vulnerable curiosity.  Buffy cleared her throat and turned off all the lights.  Then she came to Willow’s bed and slipped in beside her.

“Come here, you,” Buffy said teasingly as she invited Willow into her arms.

Willow gladly obliged, snuggling into a comfortable position with her head on Buffy’s chest and her arm wrapped around Buffy’s waist.  Buffy put one hand on Willow’s arm and used the other to stroke Willow’s hair.

“Better?” Buffy asked.

“Much,” Willow answered.

Buffy could feel Willow’s hand on her stomach, just inches below her breasts.  She imagined what it would be like if Willow just happened to move her hand up and just accidentally started tweaking her nipples.  Buffy felt her heart start to race.

“Boy, your heart’s goin’ ninety miles an hour in there,” Willow stated.  “Is it always like that?”

Oh, god, I am so busted, Buffy thought.  “Yeah, it is,” she lied. “It’s a Slayer thing.  A super heroine’s gotta have a super heart, right?”

“Hmmm.  I had no idea.  I learned something new about you today,” Willow said, pleased with this tidbit of information about her roommate and best friend.  She leaned up for a moment to look at Buffy.  “I wonder what else I’ll learn about you this year?”

“Ohhh, there’s sooo…little left to learn about me.  You already know everything there is,” Buffy said nervously.

“Yeah, right,” Willow replied, putting her head back down and snuggling back into place.

The two women were silent for a moment, both of them staring off into space, eyes wide open, sleep the farthest thing from their minds.

“Buffy?” Willow said softly.

“Yeah?” Buffy answered.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

*     *     *

Xander sat in Giles’ living room, perusing a book while Giles worked on his sketch.  Giles made a few more marks on his drawing of the mystery commando Buffy had seen while rushing to save Willow.

“Well, based on Buffy’s description,” Giles said, “I believe the men that we’re after look something like, ummm...like this.”  Giles held up the drawing for Xander to see.

“The latest in fall fascism,” Xander joked. “I like it. A bit full in the hips for my taste, but--”

“I think we can safely assume they’re human, so, um, no research needed,” Giles said, clearly disappointed.

“No studying? Damn!” Xander said, slamming his book shut.  “Next thing they’ll tell me is I’ll have to eat jelly doughnuts or sleep with a supermodel to get things done around here.  I ask you, how much can one man give?”

“Not too much, I’m afraid. Ummm…once again I’d say that you and I will not be needed to help Buffy.”

“Really?” Xander asked in disappointment.

“Really.”

“Well, how about this?” Xander said slyly.  “We whip out the Ouija board, light a few candles, summon some ancient, unstoppable evil. Mayhem, mayhem, mayhem.  Then we show up and kick its ass.”

At that moment, Buffy walked into Giles’ apartment.

“Wee bit unethical,” Giles said quickly to Xander before Buffy made her way over.

“Hello, people!” Buffy said as she came to stand beside Giles.  He held the drawing up for Buffy to see.  She looked closely at the sketch.  “Look, it’s my late-night storm-trooper pal,” Buffy said.

“It’s--it’s just for reference, you know, but fairly accurate you’d say?” Giles asked.

“That’s your man,” Buffy assured Giles.

“Your man, actually,” Giles corrected.  “You are patrolling tonight, yes?”

“Nope, I am going to a party tonight,” Buffy replied.  “Hopefully, a no-fighting, no-biting kind of deal.”

“Buffy, somebody’s got to find out who these people are,” Giles warned. “And there’s Spike to consider.”

“Giles, I live in a dorm now, and the girls in my hall want to party,” Buffy insisted.  “Besides, Willow needs some cheering up, so I’m going to take her.”

“How’s Will dealing with--” Xander started to ask.

“With the black hole of despair she’s been living in since Oz left?” Buffy finished for him.  “She’s dealing.  I’m helping.  It’s hard.  Ergo, party.  You two can take patrol.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find something slutty to wear tonight.”

*     *     *

Professor Walsh’s psychology class had just ended, but Buffy was still warring with her ballpoint pen.  Ink covered her hands and her notebook.

“Stupid pen,” Buffy mumbled before noticing that her notes were now covered with black smudges.  “My notes!”

Willow shook her head in a tsk-tsk-like manner.

“Bargain ballpoints can be tricky,” Willow teased, a smile touching her lips for a moment before disappearing into a frown. 

Buffy and Willow collected their things and made their way down the lectorium stairs.  Instead of exiting the classroom, Willow went up to Professor Walsh’s teaching assistant, Riley.

“Riley,  I noticed you left off a name today in roll call.  Osbourne, Daniel Osbourne, Oz?” Willow said nervously.

“He’s not in this class anymore.  I hear he dropped out,” Riley responded matter-of-factly.

“Oh, well, you heard way wrong then,” Willow said.  “I mean, he’s not gone.  H-H-He left temporarily to work out a few things.  I know that sounds lame in its vagueness, but I assure you, Oz will be back.”

“Not to my class, he won’t,” Professor Walsh interjected.  “An educated guess.  You know the rules, you know I hate exceptions, and yet somehow you feel your exception is exceptional.”

“Oh, but--” Willow said, trying to explain.

“It is.  To you,” Walsh continued, cutting Willow off.  “But since I’m neither a freshman nor a narcissist, I have to consider the whole class.  If your friend can’t respect my schedule, I think it’s best he not come back.”

Willow was crushed by Professor Walsh’s speech.  It was just one more nail in the coffin, one more reality check that said, Oz isn’t coming back.  Willow didn’t say another word, but simply walked off.

Buffy couldn’t believe what she had just seen.  That Walsh woman was a monster, a cold-hearted, unfeeling monster.  And Buffy knew how to deal with monsters.  She walked straight up to her professor and confronted her.

“You know, for someone who teaches human behavior, you might try showing some,” Buffy said hotly.

“It’s not my job to coddle my students,” Walsh countered.

“You’re right. A human being in pain has nothing to do with your job!” Buffy said before stomping out of the room.

Riley looked on in shock, but Professor Walsh merely lifted her eyebrows, unfazed.

“I like her,” Walsh stated.

“Really?” Riley asked.  “You don’t think she’s a little peculiar?”

*     *     *

Xander added another stack to his growing pile of military gear that sat on the table in his basement apartment.  Giles poked curiously through the stack.

“Here we go,” Xander said, picking up a pistol.  “Gear for tonight.  If some commando squads are out there, fully loaded, these babies might give us the edge we’ll need.”

“That’s a very impressive array.  Where’d it all come from?” Giles asked.

Xander was attempting to open the chamber of the pistol, but wasn’t having much luck.  “Uh, I requisitioned it.  Back when I was military guy.”

“That was two years ago. You still a hundred percent?” Giles queried.

“Are you kidding?” Xander replied, still struggling with the pistol.  “I put the ‘semper’ in ‘semper fi.’ I might not be able to assemble an M-16 blindfolded like I used to or pass weapons drill from the mobile infantry --”

Giles grabbed the pistol from Xander and opened it easily.

“Might as well face it,” Xander said sadly, “Right now, I don’t have the technical skills to join the Swiss army. And all those guys ask you to do is uncork a couple of sassy cabernets.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll be ready when the time comes,” Giles responded.

“Oh, fear not. Hand to hand? I’m still the man. Whoever these guys trained with, I’m sure they’re not ready to deal with--”

“Xander!”

Xander froze momentarily at the sound of his mother’s voice calling from upstairs.  Then he answered.  “Yes, mom?”

“I made up a nice fruit punch for you and your friend,” Mrs. Harris called.  “Would you boys like some?”

Giles looked up, his interest now piqued.  He called up to Xander’s mother, “Is it, uhhh, raspberry fruit punch?”

*     *     *

Buffy hurried out of the building and then stood on the steps.  She scanned the campus grounds until she saw the familiar red hair of her best friend.  Buffy dashed in her direction.  Moments later, Buffy caught up to Willow.

“Willow!  Wait up!” Buffy called out as she made the last few steps to Willow’s side.

Buffy grabbed Willow’s arm and forced her to stop.  Then she moved to stand in front of Willow.

“I’m okay, Buffy,” Willow said in a slightly annoyed tone.

Willow didn’t look up, but just stared at her feet.  Buffy lifted Willow’s chin.  Tears were coming down Willow’s face.

“You don’t look okay to me.  Why don’t we go back to the room and talk?” Buffy offered.

Willow wanted so much to accept Buffy’s offer.  She longed to let Buffy hold her as she had done before.  She wanted to feel those strong Slayer arms wrapped around her.  But she couldn’t.  She pulled away from Buffy’s touch.

“Buffy, I know you have class now.  I’m just going to go back to the room and lie down for a while.  Okay?”

Buffy tried to hide her disappointment and her hurt at Willow’s brush-off.  She stepped away. 

“Okay.  I guess I’ll see you later then, huh?” Buffy said.

Willow nodded and then moved past Buffy to continue making her way toward Stevenson Hall.

Buffy watched with concern as Willow strode off for their dorm room.

*     *     *

Willow lay on her bed, her face creased with a frown.  Depressing music oozed out of the stereo, making her melancholy even worse.

Damn you, Oz!  How could you do this to me? Willow thought to herself.  Willow pulled her green afghan from the end of the bed and wrapped it around her legs.  She grabbed a nearby throw pillow and hugged it to her chest, trying not to cry.  I mean, you screw around with Veruca, and then you just up and leave.  Like we couldn’t’ve worked this out.  How could you abandon me like this? 

A knock on the door interrupted Willow’s internal tirade at Oz. 

“Come in,” Willow called to the door. 

Riley opened the door and walked in.  Willow was not happy with this development.  Riley was the last person she wanted to see right now.  No, actually, Professor Walsh might be the last person.  Riley would have to settle to for next to last.

“Oh. Riley.  Hi,” Willow said with no enthusiasm.

Riley took in the sight before him: a clearly upset Willow, wallowing in her own depression.  He decided to try and lighten the mood.

“Hi.  Gee, I hope I’m not interrupting anything really depressing,” Riley joked.

Willow wasn’t in the mood for joking.  She punched the button on the stereo.  “What’s up?” Willow asked, even though she was thinking, What do you want?

“Right to the point,” Riley said, looking nervous as he sat near Willow.  “Okay.  I was thinking of asking out Buffy.”

God, what a doofus, Willow thought.  If you want to ask out Buffy, then why are you here with me?  “She’s not here,” Willow said, pointedly stating the obvious.

“I know,” Riley explained.  “See, I don’t know that much about Buffy.  But I’m interested in what she likes, and so far, well, the only thing that I know she likes is you.”

“W-W-What do you want me to do?” Willow asked.

“Just tell me something.  Anything.  Just give me something that will start us talking, you know?” Riley suggested.  “I’m thinking that ‘how about them Broncos’ won’t really cut it.”

Willow eyed Riley with suspicion.  “Ok, say that I help, and you start a conversation.  It goes great.  You like Buffy, she likes you.  You spend time together, feelings grow deeper, and one day, without even realizing it, you find you’re in love.  Time stops.  And it feels like the whole world’s made for you two, and you two alone.  Until the day one of you leaves and rips the still-beating heart from the other, who’s now a broken, hollow, mockery of the human condition.”

“Yep, that’s the plan,” Riley agreed glibly.

“I figured it was,” Willow said, vindicated in her suspicion.

“Look, if you want to tell me to go to hell, that’s okay,” Riley said.  “Maybe this is the last thing you want to talk about.  I just feel that, well, I’ve never courted anyone like Buffy before.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like Buffy before.”

“Why should I trust you?” Willow asked.

“I was just sort of hoping you’d think I have an honest face,” Riley said, putting on an innocent smile.

“I’ve seen honest faces before.  They usually come attached to liars,” Willow stated.

“All right.  I guess I’m not gonna win, here.  And I appreciate you wanting to protect your friend,” Riley said as he got up to leave. 

“She likes cheese,” Willow said suddenly.

“What?” Riley asked, confused.

“Well, I’m not saying it’s the key to her heart,” Willow explained.  “But Buffy…she likes cheese.”

“That’s a start,” Riley said, hoping he sounded appreciative.

“She has a stuffed piggy named Mr. Gordo, she loves Ice Capades without the irony, and she’s dragging me to this party tonight at Lowell House.”

“Oh, you’re going?  That’s my house.  I live there,” Riley said, excited about the prospect of seeing Buffy there.

“Well, it’ll give you a chance to interact,” Willow admitted.  Then she added a warning: “But don’t get fresh!”

“Fresh?  I don’t even know if we like each other yet,” Riley said.  Then he asked, “Hey, does Buffy ever talk about me? Like, has she ever said...”

“Sorry,” Willow replied, shaking her head.

“That’s discouraging. Still, I feel like I have a fighting chance with my new accomplice.”

“I’m not your accomplice,” Willow said firmly.

“No, no.  Of course not,” Riley said, backing toward the door.

“I’m not,” Willow insisted.

“You’re not,” Riley agreed.

“Are we clear?” Willow prodded.

“We’re clear,” Riley responded as he slipped out of the room and shut the door.

With Riley gone, Willow was alone again.  Her conversation with him had unnerved her.  She had a bad feeling about all of this.  Not bad in the sense of impending doom, but bad as in, This isn’t right. 

Willow wondered why she felt this way.  Riley seemed like a nice enough guy, but so had Parker, and look how he turned out.  Above all, Willow didn’t want to see Buffy hurt.  But she also didn’t want her own situation with Oz making her unfairly biased against Riley.  Riley might be just what Buffy needed. 

Willow felt a sharp pain hit her heart.  Why does that thought hurt so much? Willow asked herself.

*     *     *

Giles and Xander staked out a patch in the woods, watching for Spike and other ne’er-do-wells.  Xander scanned their surroundings with his binoculars.

“Every man faces this moment,” Xander said in a low and dramatic narrative voice.  “Here.  Now.  Watching.  Waiting for an unseen enemy that has no face.  Nerve endings screaming in silence.  Never knowing which thought might be your last.”

Giles looked at Xander with irritation.  “Oh, shut up!”

*     *     *

Buffy and Willow entered Lowell House, where the party was already in full swing.  Buffy looked around the room to scope out the place.

“Looks cool,” Buffy said hopefully.

“Uh-huh,” Willow replied unenthusiastically.

“Look, we could go,” Buffy offered.

“No, no.  We’re here for fun,” Willow insisted flatly.

Buffy looked across the room and saw some people she knew.

“Oh, look. Some of the guys are here already.”

Willow didn’t even look.

“I’m gonna grab a soda.  I-I-I’ll find you guys,” Willow said.

Buffy looked at Willow.  She knew Willow was acting strangely, but she couldn’t see past the walls Willow had put up.

“Okay,” Buffy said.

Willow left Buffy and sneaked over to where Riley was standing.  Willow stood nearby facing away from Riley.

“Okay,” Willow called over her shoulder in secret agent mode.  “She’s wearing the halter top with sensible shoes.  That means mostly dancing, light contact.  But don’t push your luck.  Heavy conversation’s out of the question.”

“So what do I do?” Riley asked worriedly.

“Ask her to dance.”

“Right.  Dance,” Riley said as he started to move toward Buffy.  Then he stopped dead in his tracks with a look of terror on his face.  “Wait!  No.”

“What’s the matter?” Willow asked as she turned toward Riley.

“I can’t dance,” he admitted.

“Then talk.  Keep eye contact.  Funny is good, but don’t be glib,” Willow said.  Then she added: “And remember, if you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel.” 

Riley looked at Willow in shock, while she simply returned his gaze.  The girl clearly meant every word.

“A vague disclaimer is nobody’s friend,” Willow explained.  Then she smiled and patted Riley on the shoulder.  “Have fun!”

Riley took a deep breath and set his shoulders and headed straight for Buffy.  She was standing in a small group.  Riley made his way through the crowd until he was right next to her.

“Excuse me,” Riley said.  “Hi.”

“Hi,” Buffy replied.

Riley paused, completely lost.  “Ummm…Buffy…You do the reading on Chapter 9?”

Buffy looked at Riley like he was crazy for bringing up homework at a party.  “Uh-huh,” she answered.

“Wow.  Some theories, huh?” he said.  When Buffy didn’t jump on the topic, Riley held up a cube of cheddar on a toothpick.  “Cheese?”

*     *     *

Riley sat, dejected, next to Willow, who looked equally down.

“I can’t believe it.  I choked,” Riley said disgustedly.

“You really, really did,” Willow agreed.

“You don’t understand,” Riley said.  “I’m good at things.  That’s what I do.  Work hard, apply myself, get it done.”

“Well, you failed extremely well,” Willow said encouragingly.

“That’s a great comfort to me,” Riley said as his eyes fell on Buffy across the room, dancing with another guy.

“You need to relax,” Willow suggested.  “I mean, you’re not proposing.  You’re just making contact, getting a reaction.  Any reaction is okay, well, except projectile vomiting.  But, what are the chances of that--”

Willow stopped mid-sentence as the party music changed to a ‘Dingoes Ate My Baby’ song.  Willow’s face fell.  She looked close to tears.

“Are you okay?” Riley asked with clear concern.

“This song…” Willow whispered.

“Oh, yeah, it’s a tape of some bands from last year’s party.  Associations?”

“Big,” Willow admitted.

“Bad?” Riley asked.

When Willow nodded, Riley turned to the D.J. and gestured for him to cut the song.  The D.J. complied, and the crowd mumbled in complaint, but only until the next song came on.

“Thank you,” Willow said as she rose from the couch.  “Now go find Buffy,” she ordered.

“There’s no hurry,” Riley said gently as he got up, “I mean, if you want to talk.”

“No, I…I want you to find Buffy and tell her that I went home and not to worry about me,” Willow said firmly.  Then she shrugged her shoulders.  “That will at least give you something to say.”

“Thanks,” Riley said sincerely.

Willow watched as Riley slowly made his way across the room toward Buffy.  Willow sighed and frowned and then walked out of the party.

*     *     *

Riley put his hand on Buffy’s shoulder to get her attention.

“Hey,” Buffy said.

“Hey.  I…ummm…I wanted to ask you something,” Riley said.

“Ask away,” Buffy replied.

“Oh, wait, before I forget, Willow said to say that she took off--”

“What?  You let her leave?” Buffy demanded.  “By herself?”

“Well…ummm…yeah,” Riley stammered.  “I mean, she seemed fine.  Kind of blue, but otherwise okay.  She said not to worry.”

“Of course, she said not to worry.  She said not to worry because she didn’t want us to worry,” Buffy stated plainly. 

Riley, however, stayed clueless. 

Buffy rolled her eyes.  “Because she knew there was something to worry about,” Buffy explained.  “And you call yourself a psychology major!”

Buffy pushed past Riley and headed for the front door of Lowell House.

*     *     *

Buffy ran along the sidewalk towards Stevenson.  About halfway there in a secluded grove of trees, Buffy stopped suddenly, directed by her Slayer senses to do so.  She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.  She looked around and settled on a large tree to her left.

“I know you’re there.  Come on out,” Buffy warned.  “Come on out, or I’ll come get you and drag you out by your--”

“Now, now, Slayer,” Spike said, his voice trickling from the darkness.  “I don’t think you ought to be throwing threats around.” 

Spike stepped from behind the tree.  He held Willow tightly in his grip, his hand covering her mouth. 

“Not when I’ve got Red here,” Spike said menacingly.

Buffy’s expression changed from annoyance to alarm as she saw her best friend in Spike’s clutches.  There was blood on Willow’s neck, and terror was in her eyes.  With one look, she begged Buffy to save her.  Buffy turned her attention back to Spike.

“Let her go, Spike.  This is between you and me.  Leave her out of it!” Buffy warned.

“Damn right it’s between you and me!  I just took Red here to get your attention.”

“You’ve got my attention,” Buffy said calmly.  “Now let her go.”

“Okay,” Spike said, shrugging his shoulders in apparent compliance. 

But instead of releasing Willow, Spike picked her up and threw her violently into the side of the tree.  Willow hit the tree hard and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

“Willow!” Buffy screamed as she saw her best friend go down.

Spike took advantage of Buffy’s change in attention and rushed her, tackling her to the ground.  Buffy kicked Spike off and rolled to her feet.  Soon they were in a flurry of punches,  jumps, and kicks, and hits, blocks, and misses.  After a particularly tricky tangle, Spike pushed Buffy away.  Somehow, Buffy came away with his pack of cigarettes.  She paused and looked at the pack in her hand.

“Give me those!” Spike yelled when he saw Buffy holding his cigarettes.

“You know I’m glad these can’t kill you,” she said as she crumpled the package and threw it to the ground, “because I wanna be the one to do that!”

They flew into the fight again, Vampire and Slayer going full tilt.  Suddenly, Spike got in a good hit and sent Buffy flying into a nearby park bench.  She hit the bench hard, her ribs cracking from the blow.  Before she could recover, Spike was on top of her, straddling her, holding down her arms.  When Buffy tried to struggle, he just laughed.  Buffy looked truly afraid.

“Finally got you right where I want you,” Spike taunted, as he morphed into vampire face.  “And you know what?  As soon as I’m done with you, I’m gonna finish what I started with Red over there.  I think she’ll look great in fangs.”

Spike roared and dove for Buffy’s neck--only to have his head suddenly snapped back by Buffy’s now-freed fist.  Buffy quickly turned the tables and straddled Spike, punching him violently in the face over and over.

“You will not…touch Willow…ever!” Buffy yelled, punctuating each phrase with a punch. 

With great effort, Spike managed to throw the maniacal Slayer off his body.  Buffy was slow to get up.  Spike took his chance and stumbled away, putting a safe distance between himself and Buffy.

“This isn’t over, Slayer!” Spike bellowed.  “I’ll see you dead if it’s the last thing I do!”

“Not if I see you first,” Buffy mumbled as she watched Spike slip away.

*     *     *

Spike ran until he couldn’t run any more.  Then he stopped and roared in frustration.  He turned and looked back in Buffy’s direction, his eyes full of rage and hatred.

“You just wait, bitch,” Spike said venomously.  “When you least expect it, I’m gonna be there, and when I do…urggghhh….gackkk!”

Spike’s threat was cut off as electrodes embedded into his back, sending a massive shock through his body.  He dropped to the ground, immobilized.

Green-clad commandoes inched out of the brush, training their weapons in Spike’s direction.  When they were sure he was neutralized, they dragged him away.

*     *     *

Buffy cringed in pain as her broken ribs made themselves known.  She struggled to her feet and then stumbled to where Willow lay motionless beside the tree.  Oh, god, Willow! Buffy thought frantically.   She fell to her knees beside Willow.

“Willow?” Buffy said, touching Willow’s arm gently.  Willow didn’t respond.  Tears welled in Buffy’s eyes, and her expression became desperate.  “Willow!” she cried, this time grabbing Willow’s arms and giving her a small shake.

When Willow’s eyes began fluttering open, Buffy began to cry in earnest, this time with joy and not fear.  She thanked all the gods and the powers-that-be and pulled Willow into a fierce hug. 

Willow lay limply in Buffy’s arms, not yet able to make her body obey her commands.

“Buffy?” Willow whispered weakly.

“Willow, thank god!  Are you okay?” Buffy asked as she laid Willow back on the ground.  She ran her fingers through Willow’s hair to push it out of the way, carefully avoiding the new gash on her forehead.  She cupped Willow’s cheek. Willow leaned her face into Buffy’s hand. 

“I think so,” Willow said, trying to sit up.  She swayed a little until Buffy steadied her.  “I’m kinda woozy.”

“You’ve lost blood, and you hit your head pretty hard,” Buffy said.  “You’ve probably got a concussion.  I need to get you to the hospital.”

Buffy helped Willow to her feet.  When Willow swayed again, Buffy wrapped her arm around her and held her up.  A hiss of pain escaped Buffy’s lips.

“Buffy, put me down.  You’re hurt,” Willow insisted, trying unsuccessfully to pull away.

“I’ll be fine.  Slayer healing, remember?”

“But you’re not fine now,” Willow countered.  “You can’t carry me and yourself.  Leave me here and go get help.  I’ll only slow you down.”

“I am not leaving you here, Will.  It isn’t safe.  Spike is still out there.”

“But--”

“No.  End of discussion.”  Buffy held Willow in front of her and looked into her eyes.  “We’ll go slow.  We’ll help each other.  Together we’ll make it.”

Willow’s eyes filled with tears, and she pulled Buffy into a hug.  After a moment, she released Buffy, and the two women started limping away.

*     *     *

Buffy thanked the emergency room doctor when he finished wrapping her ribs.  When he had gone, Buffy gingerly jumped down from her hospital bed.  She put her shirt back on and left her room.  She moved slowly down the hall and went into Willow’s room.  Buffy walked to Willow’s bed and stood beside it. 

Willow had a bandage on her forehead and another on her neck.  A pulse monitor was attached to her finger; it beeped softly in the background.  Willow’s eyes were closed. 

Buffy glanced down at Willow’s free hand.  She took it into her own and stroked it gently.  Then she lifted her eyes to look at Willow’s face.

“Thank god, you’re all right, Will,” Buffy whispered.  “If anything ever happened to you…”  Buffy didn’t complete that sentence; she couldn’t bear to think of it.  She looked away for a moment before returning her gaze to Willow.  “I love you,” Buffy said softly.

Buffy had said those words to Willow many times, but this time was different, and she knew it.  She wasn’t sure when her friendship-love for Willow had turned into something else, but she was certain that it had.  Now it was something so much more than friendship. 

Oh, god, Buffy thought, as she released Willow’s hand and turned away. What am I gonna do?

Nothing, that’s what, her logical self replied. Willow isn’t gay, in case you hadn’t noticed.  She’s heartbroken over a guy, not a girl.

So was I once, Buffy countered. Until I met Faith.

And you see how well that all turned out, her logical self chided.  You went from one impossible relationship with a killer to another one.  So, don’t do it.  Don’t…or you’ll ruin your friendship.

You’re right, Buffy reluctantly agreed.  Then she nodded her head firmly to seal the deal.

She turned back around and returned to Willow’s bedside.  She once again took Willow’s hand in her own and began to stroke it, trying desperately but unsuccessfully to keep the tears from falling.

*     *     *

“So, Willow’s gonna be okay?” Riley asked for the third time.

“Yes!  She’s going to be fine!” Buffy assured Riley.  “Like I said before, it’s just a concussion.  A few days of bed rest, and she’ll be back in the swing of things.”

“I feel so guilty,” Riley said.  “I mean, I let her go, I let her leave the party.  I should have known better, with all the vam--ah--very bad people out there.”

“It’s not your fault,” Buffy countered.  “Unfortunately, Sunnydale’s full of…muggers…and like you say, very bad people.  It was just Willow’s unlucky day.”

“I guess,” Riley said.

“I’m sorry I kinda went off on you last night,” Buffy said.  “I was just worried about Willow.  She’s had a hard time lately.”

“Oz?” Riley asked.

Buffy nodded.  “He’s her…He used to be her boyfriend.  They had a bad breakup, and he pretty much bailed overnight.”

“No wonder she was so upset,” Riley said.

“Yeah,” Buffy agreed.

Buffy looked at Riley intently.  He seems really concerned about Willow, she thought.  Maybe he’s not so bad after all.

“Say, last night, at the party, you wanted to ask me something?” Buffy prompted.

“Oh yeah.  Very important stuff,” Riley said.  “I don’t remember any of it now.  But you would have been fascinated, possibly even moved.  Did Willow tell you I like cheese?

“You’re a little peculiar,” Buffy teased.

“I can live with that,” Riley said, grinning.

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