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Closer to the Heart	By : hfreak Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Willow Views: 3834 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Buffy fandom or its characters. They belong to Joss Wheodn. I make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
Title: Closer to the Heart
Chapter 18: Chosen
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Explicit femslash. Other than that, if you�re not offended by the episode, you shouldn�t be offended by this .
Summary: Buffy and Willow come up with a plan for victory.

A/N: It�s been a hell of a run. Enjoy the final installment.

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    �Well,� Angel said thoughtfully, �I guess that qualifies as �happy to see me.�� He still seemed a little put off by the hug, but his frown was hardly distinguishable from his typical brooding face. Buffy pulled back and smiled at him encouragingly.
    �Angel, what are you doing here?� she asked him.
    �Not saving the damsel in distress, that�s for sure.�
    �Oh, you know me,� said Buffy casually as she picked up the Scythe. �Not much with the damseling.�
    �Got your share of distress though,� Angel commented as he walked over to the wall.
    �You heard?�
    �I got coverage on the whole thing,� Angel informed her as he picked up a file folder. �It�s very gripping. It needs a third act.�
    �You have to leave L.A.,� said Buffy, shaking her head.
    �It�s The First, right?� Angel verified. �The First Evil. The power that tried to convince me to kill myself.�
    �Yeah,� Buffy confirmed. �It�s gotten a little more ambitious since then. It�s raising an army.�
    �Yeah, well, it failed once and I�m here to tell you-�
    Angel�s sentence was cut short as he was hit with a large statue, brandished by Caleb. The vampire slid across the floor, reeling from the blow. Caleb set his sights on Buffy, black blood streaming from his eyes and nose.
    �Are you ready to finish this,� he demanded thickly, �bitch?�
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    �So you�re gonna be with me in this?� Buffy asked, eyes still locked on the obnoxiously large amulet in Angel�s hand.
    �Shoulder to shoulder,� the vampire pledged. �I�m yours.�
    �No.�
    �No, what?� Angel questioned in confusion.
    �No, you�re not gonna be in this fight,� Buffy said flatly, turning to walk away.
    �Why the hell not?� demanded Angel.
    ��Cause I can�t risk you,� said Buffy impatiently.
    �You need me in this,� he countered.
    �No, I need you gone,� Buffy insisted.
    �Why?�
    They stared at each other for a tense moment.
    �If I lose,� Buffy began, �if this thing gets past Sunnydale, then it�s days � maybe hours � before the rest of the world goes. I need a second front and I need you to run it.�
    �Okay�� Angel crossed his arms stiffly. �That�s one reason. What�s the other?�
    �There is no other,� Buffy said shortly, leaving the tomb.
    Angel followed her readily.
    �Is it Willow?� Angel questioned. Buffy stopped and turned to face him again. �There�s something you�re not telling me,� he continued. �And you two smell too much like each other.�
    �You vampires,� said Buffy, shaking her head. �Did anybody ever tell you the whole smelling people thing�s a little gross? �Or awkward?�
    �Awkward?�
    �Never mind.� Buffy turned to walk away again.
    �Is she your girlfriend?�
    �Is that your business?� asked Buffy hotly.
    �You in love with her?� he pressed. Buffy sighed. �Okay,� Angel allowed, �maybe I�m outta line, but this is kind of a curve ball for me. I mean, we are talking about Willow?�
    �Why does that surprise you?� the Slayer inquired.
    �Unless I missed something � she�s still a woman, right?�
    �You mean you never noticed me checking out girls?� said Buffy. �I mean, I guess I was usually focused on you, but � really?�
    �Maybe sometimes, but � I didn�t really think� There was a time � I might�ve thought Faith � but not� So, all that time, you were�?�
    �Bi,� Buffy informed him, earning a sigh of relief.
    �And you don�t want me here because�?�
    �Do we have to do this?� Buffy sighed. �I�m already at my quota on lovesick vampires.�
    �Vampires?� Angel picked out the word, sniffing the air. �Spike?�
    �Actually, he�s probably less lovesick than you,� Buffy decided. �Or at least he�s less vocal about it.�
    �Why do you even keep him around?�
    �He has a soul now,� offered Buffy.
    �Oh.� Angel�s frown pulled lower. �Well.�
    �What?�
    �That�s great,� Angel mumbled to himself. �Everyone�s got a soul now.�
    �He�ll make a difference,� Buffy defended.
    �You know, I started it,� Angel pointed out. �The whole having a soul. Before it was all the cool new thing.�
    �Oh, my God. Are you twelve?� challenged Buffy.
    �I�m getting the brush off for Captain Peroxide,� Angel argued. �It doesn�t exactly bring out the champion in me.�
    �Getting the brush off? I don�t think it�s Spike that brings out your bad side,� the Slayer countered. �I think it�s me.�
    �Buffy��
    �Look at yourself,� she insisted. �Is this the same guy who defends L.A.? Tell me � honestly�can you keep your eye on the big picture with me around?�
    �Can you?�
    �Yes.�
    �Why?�
    �Because�� Buffy hesitated. �Angel � I respect you and I care about you � but I don�t love you. Not anymore.�
    �Anymore?� said Angel quietly.
    �I did � then. I loved you with everything I had,� she vowed, leaning against a tombstone. �And you know what? That blew up in my face.�
    �Buffy��
    �It�s not your fault,� she assured him. �Not my fault. It took me a while to figure that out.� Allowing a heavy sigh, she continued, �I always feared there was something wrong with me, you know, because I couldn�t make it work. But maybe I wasn�t supposed to.�
    �Because of being the Slayer?�
    �Because � okay, I was cookie dough,� she tried to explain. �I wasn�t done baking. I wasn�t finished becoming who I am.�
    �And are you � cookies or�� he frowned in thought. �Do I have to go with the cookie analogy?�
    �I think I�m done baking,� Buffy told him plainly. �Willow kinda turned up the heat. I understand myself a lot better now.�
    �And she gets to eat � um � enjoy��
    �Warm, delicious cookie me?� Buffy suggested. �Yeah, she does.�
    �And where does Spike fit in?�
    �Nowhere near the cookie jar,� said Buffy reassuringly. �I mean � I care about him � love him even, in a friendly way. And � in that sense � I love you too. But it would be rude to string you along.�
    �But it�s okay for Spike?�
    �He knows what�s what. That�s why he gets to stay,� she explained. �Can you love me without wanting me?�
    Angel passed her the amulet silently.
    �I�ll go start working on that second front,� he said tonelessly. �Make sure I don�t have to use it.� Quietly, he walked away.
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    �How you feeling?� Willow asked Xander gently. The carpenter was seated in a dining room chair while Anya massaged his shoulders.
    �Like someone tazered me in the neck,� said Xander dryly.
    �She�s out of control,� Anya said, nodding sagely. �We should get her on that show. The one with that man who yells at dysfunctional families.�
    �I think that�s at least three shows,� Willow pointed out.
    �And we are slightly preoccupied right now,� added Giles. �I think going on a talk show might actually accelerate the end of the world.�
    �That does sound like a workable topic though,� Xander reasoned. ��I�m being raised by my sister and her girlfriend and I�m out of control.��
    �I think they did that one last week,� said Willow with a grin.
    The front door opened and Spike walked in.
    �Hey,� Willow called out to him.
    �Uh, hey,� the vampire responded, looking up at the stairs as Dawn hurried down.
    �Oh,� the teen�s face fell at the sight of him. �I thought you might be Buffy.�
    �Right, well � I�ll be downstairs if � well, I�ll be downstairs.� He turned and walked off.
    Dawn folded her arms and stared at the door impatiently.
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    *How�s my wicked witch?* Buffy thought as she stepped onto the front porch.
    *You�re home?* Willow thought back. *Buffy, there�s something you should-* She stopped at the sound of the front door opening.
    Buffy stared at her sister for a moment before receiving a kick to the shin.
    �Ow,� the Slayer articulated.
    �Dumbass,� said Dawn coldly.
    Looking over at the group in the dining room, Buffy gave Xander a questioning look.
    �Don�t look at me,� he defended. �This is a Summers� thing. It�s all very violent.�
    Returning her gaze to Dawn, Buffy said, �If you get killed, I�m telling,� and then walked into the dining room.
    �Did you find out anything about the Scythe?� Willow asked her.
    �It slices, dices, and makes julienne preacher,� Buffy informed the group.
    �Caleb?� Giles questioned.
    �I cut him in half.�
    �All right!� Willow congratulated.
    �He had that coming,� said Anya with a nod.
    �Hey, party in my eye socket and everyone�s invited,� Xander added cheerfully, earning awkward looks from the group. �Sometimes I shouldn�t say words.�
    �Will?� Buffy requested, jerking head toward the stairs behind her.
    �Okay,� Willow said softly, crossing the room. She took the Slayer�s hand and squeezed it tightly.
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    �You wanna go first?� Willow offered as they sat down on the edge of the bed.
    �You have to go?� asked Buffy. �Did something happen?�
    �Nothing pressing,� said Willow reassuringly. �Well, there�s the Dawn part, but you kinda already found that out.�
    �Angel stopped by,� Buffy told her bluntly.
    �Wow, really?� Willow raised her eyebrows. �I thought there might be some truth to that.�
    �What?� Buffy requested in complete confusion.
    �The First paid me a visit,� Willow answered informatively. �It looked like � you. And it tried to get me to go to the tomb. I think it wanted me to see you two together.�
    �It looked like me? That�s just rude.�
    �So � what did Angel want?�
    �He wanted in on the fight,� replied Buffy.
    �Where is he then?�
    �On his way back to L.A.,� said Buffy shortly. �Working on the second front.�
    �Okay � I�m confused.�
    �He�s not the fighter he needs to be when he�s around me.�
    �And � and you?�
    �I can fight around him,� Buffy assured her. �You � you know I don�t love him anymore, right?�
    �I believe you,� said the witch quietly.
    �I � Willow, I need to take something back,� said the Slayer suddenly.
    �Huh?�
    �Before � before we even got together � I said � some words. I-I kinda need to eat those words.�
    �Sometimes you reach too far for your metaphors,� Willow pointed out.
    �Willow, I love you more.�
    �Oh�� Willow sighed softly in realization.
    �When � that time when we were all arguing about killing Anya � I said that I loved Angel more than I would ever love anything� That was then. This is now.� Leaning in, she kissed Willow deeply. �Willow, I love you more than anything I�ve ever loved.�
    �I love you too,� Willow whispered, eyes watering slightly. �I-I wish I could say more than... I can only offer the same.�
    �It�s more than enough,� Buffy pledged. �You had the real deal with Tara. If I can give you that again then I�m happy.�
    �You don�t think it was real with Angel?� Willow questioned doubtfully.
    �It was real, but � it wasn�t complete. I wasn�t complete,� Buffy clarified. �I was trying to explain it to Angel. There was a metaphor� I�ve spent a lot of time thinking about us � me and you. All those times it could�ve happened for us and it didn�t. I used to feel like it was wasted time, but � I don�t think we were ready for each other. But we are now.�
    �I�m glad,� said Willow warmly.
    �This � me and you � it�s right� You�re right for me.�
    �You�re right for me too, Buffy,� vowed Willow. �I feel the same way you do. I want to show you that.�
    �Just give me a few minutes,� said Buffy, standing.
    �What?�
    �Angel,� Buffy reached into her pocket, �gave me this,� she said as she pulled out the amulet. �It�s supposed to have some kind of power � and possibly scrubbing bubbles.�
    �Cleansing power,� Willow suggested.
    �Angel � wanted to wear it. It�s meant for someone with a soul, but more than human.�
    �You�re thinking � Spike, right?�
    �It could be dangerous � volatile. I�m gonna talk to him though. See if he�s willing to take the risk��
    �I�ll be here when you�re done,� Willow told her.
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    Spike was pummeling the punching bag that hung in the basement as Buffy walked in.
    �So�where�s tall, dark and forehead?� he prompted.
    �Let me guess,� said Buffy with a roll of her eyes. �You can smell him?�
    �Yeah, that and I also used my enhanced vampire eyeballs to watch you two snuggling.�
    �It was � a hello,� Buffy decided. �Besides, he�s gone.�
    �Oh, just popped by for a quickie, then?� Spike quipped.
    �Good,� said Buffy, tone dripping with sarcasm. �Good. I haven�t had quite enough jealous vampire crap for one night.�
    �He wears lifts, you know,� said Spike quickly.
    Looking over at the punching bag, Buffy saw a poorly drawn vampire with dark, spiky hair and a large forehead.
    �You know,� said Buffy, �one of these days I�m just gonna put you two in a room and let you wrestle it out.�
    �No problem at this end.�
    �There could be oil of some kind involved,� she added thoughtfully.
    �Where�s the trinket?� Spike asked, stepping closer to the Slayer.
    �The who-ket?�
    �The pretty necklace your sweetie-bear gave you. The one-�
    �Don�t do that!� Buffy commanded. �If you�re gonna revert to the same crap he�s pulling, then you can leave too.�
    They stared at each other boldly for a moment.
    �I�m sorry,� Spike said quietly, shoulders slumping. �It�s not really � I mean, I know you don�t want him any more than you want me.�
    �Then what is it?� Buffy questioned.
    �Jealousy,� he admitted gently.
    �And do you feel entitled to that?�
    �Not-� Spike started hotly, but took a breath. �I don�t envy him the snuggle time. It�s � are you really gonna make me say it?�
    �You want this?� Buffy pulled out the amulet.
    �Reckon it�s mine now,� Spike reasoned.
    �How do you figure?� asked Buffy levelly.
    �Someone with a soul, but more than human,� Spike pointed out. �Angel meant to wear it; that means I�m the qualified party.� He extended a hand.
    �It�s volatile,� Buffy cautioned. �We don�t know-�
    �You�ll be needing someone strong to bear it then,� the vampire interrupted.�You planning on giving it to Andrew?�
    Buffy looked from the amulet to Spike.
    �Angel said the amulet was meant to be worn by a champion,� she told him. At this he looked down, crestfallen, but Buffy stepped forward and placed the large crystal in his hand.
    �Been called a lot of things in my time�� said Spike briefly.
    �You�re a great man, Spike. Don�t ever forget that.�
    She turned silently and left.
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    �Before we start,� said Willow as she and Buffy grasped each other�s hands, �I wanna tell you some stuff.�
    �What is it, Will?� asked Buffy kindly.
    �It�s about w-when I was � last year� When I killed Warren.� Their eyes locked meaningfully. �Buffy, I�well, I know you guys put it down to the power.�
    �It�s okay,� said Buffy softly.
    �I was in control,� Willow confessed quietly. �When I killed Warren, I was still in control.�
    �It�s okay,� Buffy repeated. �I mean � i-it�s not high on my list of problem-solving strategies, but� Willow, I wouldn�t judge you for that.�
    �I don�t think I want it to be okay, Buffy,� Willow told her quietly.
    �Well, in � in some ways it�s not. It�s not okay in the way that I approve or anything. I just meant � I love you anyway. I think it was a huge mistake � but I�m not exactly mourning Warren � and I love you anyway.�
    �There � there�s a part of me��
    �That doesn�t want it,� Buffy supplied. �I know. I feel that sometimes too.�
    �You don�t need to though. Buffy��
    �Willow, I�ve killed people too,� the Slayer pointed out.
    �What, Ted and Katrina? Buffy, that�s hardly-�
    �You�re forgetting some,� said Buffy. �You were there with me � both times.�
    �Both? Buffy, I can�t even remember one.�
    �There was � God, I can�t even remember his name�� She sighed sadly. �He was a zookeeper.�
    �Okay, technically, the hyenas killed him,� said Willow levelly, �but I can see where you�re coming from.�
    �And the Knights of Byzantium.�
    �Oh��
    �Ten of them, according to that guy I talked to.�
    �A-at least it was � you know, in the line of duty. And � I love you anyway.�
    �I�m surprised everyone forgets those,� said Buffy, shaking her head pensively. �I don�t forget any of them, even the ones that aren�t really � I mean, I even feel responsible for�� She looked timidly into Willow�s eyes.
    �No,� said Willow flatly.
    �Willow, he was there for me��
    �And that�s his fault, Buffy,� Willow countered. �You don�t get to blame yourself for Tara.�
    �Willow��
    �If anybody has the right to blame you for Tara, it�s me. And I don�t blame you. I flayed the responsible party.�
    They both fell silent, staring into each other�s eyes again.
    �So�� said Buffy after a moment, �y-you said you were still in control then. What about after?�
    �I stepped out of the way,� Willow divulged. �I don�t know if � if I could have kept it under control, but I didn�t want to. I just wanted it to stop. So I let the power have me��
    �I still love you,� Buffy said by way of an answer.
    �I wanted you to know � before you go into my head� I didn�t want you to think I was keeping it from you or anything. It�s just hard to think about.�
    �I know.�
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    �Whoa, doors,� said Buffy in surprise. �I don�t remember doors in mine.�
    �It�s just a visual manifestation,� Willow reminded her.
    �Still � mine didn�t have doors. Or labels.�
    �I try to keep stuff organized,� Willow explained. �More or less anyway. Some of them kind of bleed together.�
    �You�ve been here?� Buffy commented.
    �I kind of live here,� Willow stated.
    �No, but I mean � you�ve been in the visual manifestation thing.�
    �Yeah. It�s � sort of therapeutic sometimes.�
    �So, should I just � I mean, can I�?� Buffy trailed off uncertainly.
    �Pick a door.�
    �Can I pick this door?�
    �You can pick any door.�
    �What about this one?�
    �Any of them,� Willow said firmly. �Buffy, I trust you with everything.�
    �I�m � really nervous about this, Will.�
    �You don�t have to be nervous with me, Buffy. You�re perfectly welcome here. Pick a door.�
    �Okay.� Buffy exhaled heavily. �If I pick something you�d rather not�you can tell me.�
    �Nothing�s off limits, Buffy.�
    �So�can I go in here?�
    �Yes.�
    �Did you even read the label?�
    �I know where everything is. I�m okay with it. Are you sure you want to though?�
    �I know that � that she�s important to you. She was and is a big part of who you are. I want � I want to � feel that part of you.�
    �Okay.�
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    �Wow, that was � wait, what�s this?� Buffy questioned in confusion.
    �I told you some of them bleed together,� Willow reminded her.
    �Yeah, but � but this room. I-I kind of figured this one would be untouchable.�
    �It was for a long time� There was one other room � and now there are two.�
    �So which one are we going to?�
    �We can turn around if you want, go back to the labels�or we can keep going.�
    �I think � let�s go back. Uncertainty isn�t really gonna help me right now.�
    �Okay. And�you�re okay with � with my feelings about Tara?�
    �Of course I am,� Buffy assured her. �I wouldn�t expect you to just forget her.�
    �It doesn�t mean I don�t love you just as much.�
    �I believe you.�
    �So, where next?�
    �Maybe we � whoa,� said Buffy suddenly. �Is � is that � why is there another me roaming around here?�
    �I think about you a lot, Buffy,� Willow explained. �I�m thinking she goes � you go � to a lot of these rooms.�
    �Where�s she going now?�
    �That one � oh�that�s the naughty room.�
    �You call it the naughty room?�
    �She�s probably trying out the ice cream machine.�
    �That sounds tempting�but maybe another time. I mean, could we though?�
    �You�re the one who didn�t want to use the Doublemeat Palace.�
    �No � I meant�this is probably gonna sound weird��
    �Oh�� said Willow softly, understanding Buffy�s meaning. �Yeah, we could.�
    �God, that would be hot.�
    �I agree completely. Your place or mine?�
    �Both. Whichever. You can pick� Anyway, we�re getting sidetracked. This trip is for � for educational purposes.�
    �Yes,� Willow agreed. �Education�which sometimes turns me on.�
    �Find me a boring room,� Buffy requested. �Or at least something unconnected to sex. Ooh, charts and graphs. That sounds safe.�
    �Well, relatively safe.�
    �Relatively?�
    �There�s some stuff about sex in there, but � you know, charts��
    �You have charts about sex?�
    �Adding some figures to them right now.�
    �I love your nerdy brain,� Buffy praised.
    �I think you�ll like charts and graphs. There�s some pretty interesting stuff in there.�
    �Let�s check it out then� Whoa. That�s a big board.�
    ��S why it�s called the big board.�
    �Clever� So��
    �It�s a Venn diagram.�
    �That�s a lot of circles.�
    �Look at the title,� Willow instructed.
    �If it says �a lot of circles�, I�m going to another room.�
    �Look at it, Buffy.�
    �Oh�I get it.�
    �That�s why there are so many circles.�
    �Love�� said Buffy softly.
    �There�s Xander, there�s Dawn. Giles is over here. And there�s my mom and dad.�
    �You have a circle for Spike?�
    �Yeah, it�s been there for a while. It�s gotten bigger recently.�
    �It�s a little surprising.�
    �There are lots of different kinds of love,� Willow pointed out.
    �I know that. I just didn�t expect you to�I mean, I knew I loved him, but � hey this one says��
    �Loving yourself is important too.�
    �But isn�t it overlapping with�I mean, that little sliver there is romantic love, right?�
    �It was that vampire�s fault,� Willow defended. �She got me all curious� Oh come on, like you wouldn�t. Didn�t it cross your mind at all when Spike had that robot built?�
    �Sorry,� Buffy offered, �doesn�t really appeal to me.�
    �Oh, I�m a freak,� said Willow sadly.
    �Yeah, but I love that about you. And let�s not forget my own freak-ish tendencies.�
    �Oh God, I just had a really � freaky idea.�
    �Oh God, now I�m having it.�
    �Are you sure?�
    �I think so.�
    �We could,� Willow hesitated. �I mean, we could probably swing that in here��
    �I�m both enticed and terrified.�
    �I know what you mean.�
    �So, back to the circles,� said Buffy quickly. �This � this is Tara� This really, really big one in the middle of everything��
    �Buffy, that�s two,� Willow corrected her.
    �Huh?�
    �They�re overlapping. Almost completely. But if you look hard, there�s this little sliver where they�re different because � well, they�re different people. But it�s the same feeling. If � if you touch the circle��
    �Two,� Buffy said gently. �A-and the other��
    �You know who it is.�
    Buffy inhaled sharply, releasing Willow�s hands.
    Willow blinked slowly, momentarily disoriented as Buffy�s bedroom came into focus.
    �Are you okay?� asked the witch, reaching for Buffy�s face.
    �I � I � when did I start crying?� Buffy asked in confusion as Willow brushed the tears away. �That was � that was intense,� she stammered in the wake of her emotions. �I mean, I believed you when you said it� But feeling it like that.�
    �Oh,� Willow sighed in relief. �I thought maybe��
    �Happy tears, I promise,� said Buffy reassuringly. �I love you, Willow.�
    �I love you too.�
    �I know.�
    �Buffy,� Willow said quietly as she and Buffy leaned on each other�s shoulders, �I�m worried.�
    �What about?� the Slayer prompted gently.
    �Tara,� Willow explained. �I need you to understand.�
    �I think I do,� said Buffy plainly.
    �It�s not like � like I settled or anything.�
    �I know that,� said Buffy fervently, pulling back to look Willow in the eyes. �You�re worrying way too much here, Will.�
    �And even though � I mean, there�s more than just love to think about. The big board isn�t the only thing in the charts and graphs room. All those file cabinets. There are other graphs � important graphs. Ooh, like the graph of importance. Oh, I really should�ve had you look at that one first. Because � yeah, I still love Tara and part of me always will, but � you�re the most important person in my life, Buffy.�
    �Willow,� Buffy said resolutely, taking the witch�s face between her hands, �calm down.�
    �Buffy��
    They stared at each other for a silent moment.
    �I get it,� said Buffy forcefully. �I understand. Do you wanna go in my head and see how okay I am with this?�
    �Buffy, it has to bother you a little,� Willow reasoned.
    �What matters to me is that I make you as happy as you make me,� Buffy replied, one hand dropping to Willow�s shoulder.
    �You do,� vowed Willow. �Really, you do.�
    �I believe you, Will. That�s what�s important here. I mean, I love going into your head, but I trust you even without that.�
    �Okay,� Willow said softly as Buffy�s thumb stroked her cheek. �I just � you were so curious about all the Tara stuff.�
    �Yeah, I was,� Buffy agreed. �I told you, this was an educational experience for me. It wasn�t about � comparing or anything like that. I just wanted to � learn, I guess. I�m having trouble putting it into words.�
    �You seemed pretty nervous about her circle��
    �That�s because � it probably sounds greedy, but I couldn�t find my circle,� said Buffy.
    �I don�t think that�s greedy,� said Willow reassuringly. �I�m actually surprised you didn�t want to go straight to the Buffy room. I mean�that�s the one I wanted to show you more than anything.�
    �Well, if you want,� Buffy suggested, �the night�s still young.�
    �You want to?� Willow verified.
    �I�d love to.�
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    Hours later, in the gloom of night, Buffy stirred restlessly. She was quiet as she left the bed, crossing to stare out of her window at the night sky.
    �Pretty, ain�t it?� said the voice of Caleb.
    Buffy glanced at the apparition.
    �You�re not him,� she noted.
    �No, you killed him right and proper,� The First admitted. �Terrible loss. This man was my good right arm. �Course, it don�t pain me too much. Don�t need an arm. Got an army.�
    �An army of vampires,� said Buffy. �However will I fight-�
    �Every day our numbers swell,� The First continued, undeterred. �But then you do have an army of your own. Some thirty-odd pimply-faced girls, don�t know the pointy end of a stake.� It feigned a look of concern. �Maybe I should call this off.�
    �Have you ever considered a cool name?� Buffy asked casually. �I mean, since you�re incorporeal and basically powerless� How about �The Taunter?� Strikes fear in the heart-�
    �I will overrun this earth,� The First interrupted her again. �And when my army outnumbers the humans on this earth, the scales will tip and I will be made flesh.�
    �Talk on,� Buffy encouraged. �I�m not afraid of you.�
    �Then why aren�t you asleep,� it challenged, �in your lover�s arms?� Looking over at Willow it added, ��Cause she can�t help you. Nor Spike, nor Faith, nor your friends, certainly not your wanna-slay brigade. None of those girlies will ever know real power unless you�re dead. You know the drill.� It shifted in shape to mirror Buffy. �Into every generation a Slayer is born. One girl in all the world. She alone will have the strength and skill to� There�s that word again. What you are. How you�ll die. Alone� Where�s your snappy comeback?�
    �You�re right,� Buffy mumbled distractedly.
    �Hmm. Not your best.�
    �Frogs! Frogs! Frogs!� Willow shouted suddenly, jerking awake as The First vanished. �Weird dream,� the witch commented, looking over at Buffy. �Something wrong?�
    �No,� said Buffy quietly. Then, �Yeah. I just realized something,� she explained. �Something that never really occurred to me before� We�re gonna win.�
    They stared at each other for a moment as Willow sat up against the headboard.
    �Cool,� Willow announced. �That�s great. Can I have my snuggle bunny back now?� she requested, patting the bed next to her.
    �Reporting for duty,� said Buffy, giving a salute before climbing into bed. �So,� she prompted as she draped an arm over Willow�s shoulders, �frogs?�
    �I think you might�ve stirred some stuff up while you were in there,� Willow responded. �Old recurring nightmare. I try to tell them about the tadpoles, but they never listen.�
    �Sorry to stir,� Buffy told her. �I�ll hold you close until those mean frogs go away.�
    �Good,� Willow sighed warmly.
    �I love you, Will.�
    �I love you too.�
    �The First stopped by,� added the Slayer.
    �And it didn�t want to wake me up?� Willow questioned. �Oh, and here I thought we�d become such good friends.�
    �That�s just it though,� Buffy reasoned. �When it came to you earlier, other than trying to get you jealous of Angel, what did it say?�
    �When I thought it was you � it tried to tell me I wasn�t useful to you because I�m so � uncertain about the magic.�
    �And after you found out it was The First�?�
    �It told me you would ask for it � the magic� And, Buffy, you can ask for it. It wanted me to be afraid of that � and I am � but you can ask.�
    �Will � I think you might be the key to everything.�
    �Not the most calming sentence I�ve ever heard,� said Willow flatly.
    �You�re stronger than the power,� Buffy told her. �I believe in you.�
    �Slightly better.�
    �Think about it though,� Buffy insisted. �It came to you earlier tonight, it tried to scare you when I asked you to heal Faith, it interrupted that locator spell you did � tried to say you were making it stronger, and the first time � when it was Cassie speaking for Tara��
    �I get it, Buffy,� Willow assured her. �I worked that part out � it�s afraid of me� But I�m afraid of me too.�
    �I know you are,� said Buffy softly. �And it�s not stupid to be � but you are stronger than it, Will. You can take that power and make it your own and The First knows it. You can hurt it�and I know how.�
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    �What do you think?�
    Buffy addressed Willow, Giles, Xander, Dawn, Anya, and Faith. The other Slayer smiled thoughtfully, Willow twisted her hands in her lap, and the others stared incredulously at Buffy.
    �That depends,� Xander said after a moment. �Are you in any way � kidding?�
    �You don�t think it�s a good idea?� asked Buffy doubtfully.
    �It�s pretty radical, B,� Faith offered supportively.
    �It�s a lot more than that,� said Giles as he stood. �Buffy, what you said, it � it flies in the face of everything we�ve ever � every generation has ever done in the fight against evil.� He smiled broadly. �I think it�s bloody brilliant.�
    �You mean that?� Buffy inquired.
    �If you want my opinion,� the Watcher replied.
    �I really do,� she assured him.
    �Whoa, hey,� Willow interrupted. �Not to poop on the party here, but I�m the guy that�s gonna have to pull this thing off.�
    �It is beaucoup d�mojo,� Faith pointed out.
    �This goes beyond anything I�ve ever done,� Willow persisted. �It�s a total loss of control��
    �I know you�re nervous, Will,� Buffy told her.
    �And I know you believe in me,� Willow returned.
    �We all believe in you, Willow,� said Giles reassuringly.
    �You know I do,� Xander agreed.
    �I wouldn�t ask if I didn�t think you could do it,� Buffy pledged.
    �I-I�m not sure that I�m stable enough,� said Willow anxiously.
    �Outsider�s opinion,� said Buffy quietly, �I think you are. I get that you feel � big unstable feelings � really, I got a taste of that last night.�
    �You guys must play some freaky bedroom games,� Faith mused.
    �Ignoring that,� Buffy said shortly. �Willow,� she continued softly, taking the witch�s hand, �you know I believe in you. You�re stronger than you give yourself credit for.�
    �You can do this, Willow,� Giles supplemented. �We�ll get the coven on the line and we�ll find out how they can help.�
    �Oh!� said Dawn suddenly. �Bedroom games,� she explained.
    �Dawn needs to do a research thing,� said Buffy quickly.
    �Yes, you do,� Giles agreed.
    �It�s cool,� said Dawn, rolling her eyes as she stood. �Watcher junior to the library.�
    �I�ll go dig up my sources,� Giles continued quietly as he and Dawn left the room.
    �Come on,� Anya said to Xander as she started to leave as well, �let�s go assemble the cannon fodder.�
    �That�s not what we�re calling them, sweetie,� Xander told her as he followed her to the door.
    �Not to their faces,� Anya noted as they left. �What, am I insensitive?�
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    �I hate this,� Buffy said to the entire group, assembled in and around the living room. �I hate being here. I hate that you have to be here. I hate that there�s evil � and that I was chosen to fight it. I wish, a whole lot of the time, I wish I hadn�t been. I know a lot of you wish I hadn�t been either� But this isn�t about wishes; this is about choices. I believe we can beat this evil. Not when it comes, not when its army is ready, now. Tomorrow morning I�m opening the Seal. I�m going down into the Hellmouth and I am finishing this once and for all.
    �Right now you�re asking yourself, �What makes this different? What makes us anything more than a bunch of girls being picked off one by one?� It�s true � none of you have the power that Faith and I do. So here�s the part where you make a choice��
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    �I really wish you hadn�t said that about me,� Willow told Buffy gently. Willow was sitting at the end of the bed, examining some paperwork as Buffy lay casually behind her, playing with the witch�s hair.
    �You know it�s true, Will,� Buffy asserted. �And I�ll be with you to keep you grounded.�
    �You will?�
    �Oh,� Buffy frowned slightly. �Not � I meant in the mushy metaphor way.�
    �Oh,� echoed Willow with a pout. �Someone should be there.�
    �Will, you�ll be okay,� insisted the Slayer.
    �I didn�t mean � well, yeah, I did� But I was also thinking to get the Scythe to you.�
    �I already asked Kennedy to do it,� said Buffy informatively. �It�s gotta be one of the girls and � I think I can trust her with it.�
    �Should I be jealous?� asked Willow with a small grin.
    �I�ve done the whole jealous-of-Kennedy thing,� Buffy pointed out. �I wouldn�t recommend it.�
    �And � does she know she might have to, um, kill me?�
    �She won�t have to,� Buffy responded flatly.
    �Buffy, the � the darkest place I�ve ever been�this is what lies beyond that. This is too important for me to-�
    �I believe in you,� stated Buffy firmly.
    �Buffy, you�re sweet, but sometimes you�re not that bright.�
    �Really, Will,� Buffy continued. �You�re the dummy this time. I wanna tell you something. Do you remember � well, of course you do � when I was under Dracula�s thrall��
    �Go on,� said Willow slowly, wondering where Buffy could possibly be going with this.
    �He told me something � and I think it applies to you too,� Buffy explained. �He said I didn�t resist because I didn�t want to. And he was right � I was curious. I wanted to taste the darkness, to understand it. My power has a dark source too. Dracula saw it � the Shadow Men showed me the same thing. But it doesn�t matter where the power comes from � what matters is what you make of it. And � after I satisfied my curiosity � when I wanted to resist � I was able to. And that�s the part that�s important here. It�s pretty deadlocked between you and the power. But what tips the scales is that you want to be in control. You want to resist. I�ve seen it. I�ve seen every part of who you are and I�m telling you that you can be truly amazing if you own your power.�
    Turning, Willow wrapped both arms around the Slayer as she leaned in for a kiss. It became clear in a matter of seconds what Willow had in mind as she traced her tongue along Buffy�s bottom lip.
    �Mm,� Buffy mumbled with a smile. �What about the studying?�
    �Screw it,� said Willow impatiently, pushing all of the papers away. �None of that will make me more prepared.�
    They started kissing again. Buffy pulled the witch closer and rolled her onto her back as their breathing escalated passionately. Grasping at Willow�s shirt with both hands, Buffy ripped it open forcefully.
    �Yes, please!� Willow encouraged as Buffy pulled the torn garment away and then went for the witch�s bra, mouth moving down to her neck.
    �I have a very important mission,� she informed her girlfriend coyly as she removed the bra too. �Gotta prepare my wicked witch for what�s to come, show her how wonderful she is.�
    �Oh God, it�s been too long,� panted Willow as Buffy licked at the hollow of her neck. The Slayer�s hands grasped each of Willow�s breasts, squeezing gently. Willow let out a vaguely frustrated moan and waved her hand. Buttons pinged against the walls as Buffy�s shirt ripped itself open. Reaching for the Slayer�s shoulders, Willow pushed the article of clothing off of her. After that she removed the bra, then wrapped both arms around Buffy�s strong back and held her close.
    �I�m beginning to suspect,� Buffy mumbled, softly kissing Willow�s neck, �that my wicked witch is horny.� Her right index finger pressed gently against Willow�s left nipple for a moment, before tracing circles around the areola.
    �Ohh, I love you, Buffy,� Willow groaned, arching into the Slayer�s touch. �God, I wanna feel you.�
    �I love you, Willow,� answered Buffy, kissing her way down the witch�s chest. �I�ve missed this so much. I�ve missed you.�
    �Feels so good,� moaned Willow as Buffy�s kisses neared her breasts. �Ahh yes,� she added as Buffy�s tongue brushed against her right nipple. The Slayer�s left hand moved down Willow�s stomach and quickly unbuttoned her pants. �Please � yes,� Willow uttered disjointedly.
    �Mm,� the Slayer smiled against her lover�s skin. �Let�s get these out of the way,� she suggested, tugging at the pants with both hands. Willow lifted her hips obligingly and Buffy stripped away all of the witch�s remaining clothing. �Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?� said Buffy, walking her fingers along the redhead�s thigh.
    �Remind me,� Willow sighed.
    �I love every part of you,� the Slayer vowed, leaning down to kiss Willow�s stomach. �Inside and out,� she said as she kissed, �you�re the most beautiful person I know.� Moving upward again, she took Willow�s right nipple in her mouth and gently nibbled. Willow whimpered appreciatively, grasping convulsively at Buffy�s shoulder blades. After a moment�s nibbling, Buffy kissed the nipple and then slowly began working her way down.
    �Ahh, Buffy,� Willow praised, one hand now stroking through long blonde hair. �Yes, yes,� she half-whispered as the Slayer�s kisses reached her right thigh. Buffy caressed the outside of Willow�s thigh with one hand as the other traced patterns on the redhead�s stomach. �Where � where you going?� Willow questioned as Buffy moved further down on her leg.
    �Taking a tour,� said Buffy happily, kissing Willow�s knee.
    �Can�t we just go to the beach?� asked Willow with a pout.
    �But there are so many sights to see,� Buffy countered as she kissed along her girlfriend�s calf. �Willowdonia is such a beautiful country. I wanna see everything.�
    �But the weather is perfect for a swim,� Willow argued. �The rest of that stuff isn�t so special.�
    �It�s all special,� said Buffy warmly. She kissed all five toes and then moved to the other foot. �Every,� kiss, �single,� kiss, �part,� kiss, �of you,� kiss, �is special,� kiss, �to me.�
    �That tickles,� Willow commented with a grin.
    �Besides,� the Slayer continued as she moved up the left leg now, �I think I remember,� she curled Willow�s leg up against her body, �this really � sweet � spot.�
    �I still think there�s lots of fun to be had on the beach,� Willow griped as Buffy began kissing the back of her thigh. �But � but,� she shuddered pleasurably, �that�s � nice too. Oh God, Buffy.�
    �It feels like so long since I�ve been to the beach,� said the Slayer, fingers stroking as her mouth moved away. �I hope I can remember the way. Hm, hm, hm.� Extending Willow�s leg, Buffy planted soft kisses all over the back of it, moving along toward the back of her knee.
    �You�re going the wrong way,� said Willow with a squirm.
    �You sure?�
    �Buffy,� Willow complained, fighting giggles as the Slayer repeatedly kissed behind her knee. �Please, Buffy,� she begged. �Please, please, please.�
    �So you think,� she kissed around to the side of the knee, �that the beach,� she kissed the kneecap, �is the other way?�
    �Please,� Willow groaned desperately, bringing her leg down to lie flat on the mattress again. �Oh, Buffy, please.�
    �If only I could remember the way,� the Slayer teased.
    �You�re getting warmer,� the witch announced cheerfully as Buffy started going up her thigh again.
    �I think you�re the one who�s getting warmer,� Buffy pointed out.
    �I�m on fire,� said Willow passionately.
    �I should probably leave your hair color out of my cheesy puns, huh?�
    �You better put me out before I get all burned up,� answered the redhead.
    �So I�m a fireman now?� Buffy inquired, kissing the top of Willow�s thigh where it met her stomach.
    �Yes,� Willow insisted. �And there�s a raging fire on the beach. Now go put it out.�
    �The beach,� said Buffy slowly. �Right. Now, where was that again?� She moved up.
    �Dooown,� Willow moaned. �Oh come on, Buffy.�
    �I wonder how big the fire will get if I don�t find it soon,� Buffy mused thoughtfully.
    �Please, I�m burning, Buffy,� pleaded the witch. �I need a big, strong fireman to rescue me.�
    �And you called little ol� Buffy?�
    �You�re definitely the only one who can put out this fire.�
    �I�m on the job,� Buffy assured her.
    �No you�re not,� Willow whined as Buffy kissed various spots on her left breast. �You�re just making it worse.�
    �I like a challenge,� the Slayer mumbled. �I�ll let the fire get really big � until you think you can�t take another second-�
    �I can�t, Buffy. Please, I can�t take it. I need you. Oh God, Buffy,� she added as the blonde�s tongue circled her areola.
    �Until,� Buffy continued as she pulled her tongue back, �you feel like,� she kissed the nipple, �the fire will swallow you whole.�
    �Please.�
    �Until you can�t tell where the fire ends and you begin.� The Slayer�s tongue trailed sensuously up the middle of the witch�s chest, returning again to the hollow of her neck. �And then,� her left hand caressed Willow�s right thigh, �just when you think that the fire will take you,� she traced a finger slowly upward and inward, �I reach out,� her right hand found the witch�s left. �I take your hand and I hold you,� the fingers of Buffy�s left hand met soft red hair, �and everything�s okay,� she kissed Willow�s chin. �The fire rages as strong as ever,� a single finger traced along Willow�s labia, �but you know it�s okay.�
    �Because I�m with you,� Willow breathed, smiling as she looked deeply into her lover�s eyes.
    �No matter how strong the fire is,� Buffy kissed Willow�s lips once, �I�ll always come to you.�
    �Oh, Buffy,� said Willow softly.
    Their lips met again, parting instantaneously and allowing their tongues to join in luxurious strokes. Both women panted heavily as their lips smacked wetly against each other. Willow�s free right hand entrenched itself in Buffy�s hair, holding her firmly as they kissed. Gently, the Slayer�s left index finger continued to run up and down the length of Willow�s labia, occasionally stopping to tenderly press the witch�s clit and elicit a moan.
    �Oh, Buffy,� Willow repeated in a low groan as their lips separated. Her fingers ran slowly through the Slayer�s hair as Buffy followed Willow�s jaw line to her right earlobe with a chain of soft kisses. �Oh, oh, oh,� whimpered the witch as Buffy�s finger brushed back and forth across her clit several times in succession before returning to her tantalizing strokes.
    �I love you, Willow,� the Slayer half-whispered as she leaned in to tease Willow�s earlobe with her tongue.
    �I looove you too,� Willow responded, inhaling sharply as Buffy�s finger slipped between her folds. �Oh yes, just like that,� she encouraged. Buffy nibbled softly at Willow�s earlobe and used her thumb to gently caress the area above Willow�s clit. �Oh God, Buffy,� panted Willow as the Slayer moved yet again to her neck. �Love you, love you, love you.� Buffy planted rapid kisses past Willow�s shoulders and down her chest. As the blonde reached her stomach, Willow�s fingers left Buffy�s hair. Bringing their linked hands to the center of her chest, Willow grasped Buffy�s hand with both of her own, gently stroking the back of it.
    �Found the beach,� Buffy announced, greeting Willow�s clit with a series of short licks and kisses.
    �Ohhh fuck yes,� exclaimed the witch, arching contentedly. Her groans quickly dissolved into a string of less coherent syllables as Buffy continued to lick eagerly. Writhing and squirming as the treatment continued, Willow gripped the Slayer�s hand more tightly and Buffy returned the gesture. �Oh � Buffy � God!� Willow moaned as Buffy�s tongue slowed. Wrapping her lips around the clit, Buffy gently sucked the straining nub and caused Willow�s tone to raise an octave.
    �Buffyyyy!� she praised, every muscle tensing in anticipation as the Slayer returned to licking at a moderate pace. �God � love � Buffy � fuck!� Buffy�s finger curled, very tenderly pressing against the upper walls of Willow�s flesh and earning a yelp in return. �Close,� Willow gasped. �Oh, Buffy, so close!� Buffy repeated her finger motion once more before withdrawing and placing her hand flat on Willow�s stomach to steady the witch as her hips bucked longingly. The Slayer�s tongue flicked rapidly up and down and she felt her girlfriend tense a second time.
    �YES!� Willow screamed in ecstasy. �Ohhh yes!� Her body shuddered and she convulsively gripped Buffy�s hand as each of her muscles rippled in tandem with the waves of pleasure rushing through her body. Buffy could feel Willow�s chest rising and falling beneath her right hand, abdominal muscles rolling beneath her left. Slowly, as Willow�s breathing began to calm, Buffy moved upward with a trail of delicately soft kisses.
    �I love you, Buffy,� said Willow breathily, tugging at the Slayer�s hand, wanting to be closer to her lover.
    �I love you too,� Buffy replied with deep warmth as she shifted. Willow finally released her hand, allowing the blonde to lie next to her. Buffy�s arm draped across the witch�s stomach as Willow wrapped an arm around Buffy�s shoulder.
    �That � was spectacular,� Willow sighed, still working to catch her breath.
    �Anticipation worked out, then?� asked the Slayer, kissing Willow�s shoulder affectionately.
    �Very well,� Willow conceded.
    �Feeling wonderful?�
    �Incredible,� the witch answered. �Thank you, Buffy.�
    �Here endeth the lesson,� announced the Slayer with a smile, laying her head on Willow�s shoulder.
    �Endeth?� Willow questioned. �But � don�t you want to�?�
    �Of course I do,� said Buffy quickly. �I just meant the part about how you�re wonderful. I mean, if you want, you can definitely-�
    �I want,� Willow assured her immediately, leaning in to kiss her girlfriend. �I would�ve been really disappointed if you didn�t want it too.�
    �Believe me, I never intended anything different,� said the Slayer fervently.
    �Glad we straightened that out,� Willow replied with a pretentious nod. ��Cause I�ve got some lessons to teach you too.�
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    �Smackdown on Red Riding Hood,� Xander proclaimed. �This could get ugly.�
    �Could it possibly get uglier?� Giles questioned, surveying the game board distastefully. �I used to be a highly respected Watcher and now I�m a wounded dwarf with the mystical strength of a doily. I just wish I could sleep.�
    �What kind of person could sleep on a night like this?� asked Amanda dubiously.
    �Only the crazy ones,� Xander said softly, reaching out to ruffle Anya�s hair as she slept with her head on the table.
    �Guess that makes me sane for once,� said Faith casually as she strode into the room.
    �Color my world-view skewed,� the carpenter decided.
    �Faith, what brings you downstairs?� asked Giles politely.
    �All the screwing,� said Faith with a shrug. �Apparently wicked witch gives it as good as she gets.�
    �Hardly seems appropriate to call Willow wicked,� Giles reasoned. �Especially on the eve of-�
    �Hey, B�s the one screamin� it,� Faith defended. �All the groaning seemed to get the wannabes riled up, so I just cleared out. What�s the scene down here?�
    �Dungeons and Dragons,� Andrew offered informatively. �So if you could, um, let us get back to that.�
    �I second that motion,� said Giles readily. �I don�t think we need the intimate details of � anything.�
    �Play proper all you want, G-man,� Faith dismissed. �I bet you�re a wild one in the sack.�
    �Oh, dear Lord,� mumbled Giles, taking off his glasses to clean them so he didn�t have to meet anyone�s eye.
    �Can we get back to the game?� Andrew asked impatiently.
    �So, what about you Faith?� Xander inquired.
    �What about me, what?� the Slayer challenged defensively.
    �Why aren�t you out molesting the first person who crosses your path?�
    �Whoa,� said Faith with a chuckle. �Carpenter�s got an axe to grind.�
    �Please,� Xander dismissed. �Hatchet long since buried. Just seems out of character that everyone else is on the dance floor and you�re in the corner with all the geeks.�
    �Hey,� Amanda complained.
    �Not so sweet on the pre-battle action,� Faith addressed Xander�s question. �Or the repeats,� she added as an afterthought. �You should know.�
    �Oh for the love of God,� Giles interrupted, �can we please just get back to the game?�
    �Seconded,� Amanda agreed readily.
    �Thirded,� said Andrew.
    �So�� Faith prompted. �How�s it work? Can I join in?�
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    �The sun�s coming up,� Buffy noted, stroking Willow�s hair and staring out the window.
    �Stupid sun,� Willow complained, not raising her head from Buffy�s chest. �Tell it to come back later.�
    �It never listens to me,� said Buffy sadly.
    �So, when do you want to�get ready?�
    �Never,� Buffy answered bluntly. �Maybe a couple of days after never. I don�t want to leave this bed.�
    �Fine,� Willow allowed, �but when will we?�
    �Well,� Buffy sighed, �we could wait until someone comes to get us.�
    �I don�t think they�re really excited to go either,� Willow pointed out.
    �I�m tired of being the responsible one,� said the Slayer with a pout.
    �Well�I mean, after today you might not have to be. Either I succeed or I go bad and destroy the world. Either one sort of lets you off the hook.�
    �You�re not gonna go bad,� said Buffy flatly.
    �You might be right. But still, if I pull this off� I know you wouldn�t want to quit forever, but you could � you know, take breaks and stuff.�
    �Really, Willow,� Buffy persisted. �You can do this.�
    �I think you�re probably right about that�but I�m still nervous.�
    �You won�t be alone,� the Slayer vowed.
    �Neither will you.�
    There was a weighted pause as Buffy pondered Willow�s words.
    �Are you sure you want to do this?� Willow questioned.
    �What?�
    �Are you sure?� repeated the witch. �I mean, you always talk about � are you sure you want to do this to them?�
    �This has already been done to them,� Buffy answered. �Before you and I ever came onto the scene, they got roped into a destiny. The First has been picking them off for � God knows how long. And all because of the Shadow Men and their stupid rules. All we can do is help them make the best of it. And that�s what we�re doing.�
    �I agree with you,� Willow assured her. �I do believe we�re doing the right thing.�
    �It�s not about that,� Buffy contradicted. �Whether it�s right or wrong is something the Shadow Men can worry about. It�s not about right. It�s not about wrong. It�s about power.�
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    �They should be in place.�
    Willow sat cross-legged in front of the Scythe, supplies spread out in front of her.
    �Now, if I go to the bad place, you�ve gotta bring me back,� she instructed. �Buffy thinks I can take this hammer by the handle and I hope she�s right, but you need to be ready. You see dark hair, you need to calm me down; that�s your job. And if I start causing trouble, then I need to be stopped � by any means necessary. Love stopped me before, so you�ve got to remind me of that. Remind me that Buffy�s with me. If all else fails � go for the heart.�
    Mr. Gordo stared back at her blankly.
    Kennedy chuckled, sitting across from Willow, behind the stuffed pig.
    �Come on, Red,� the potential Slayer mumbled as Willow reached for the Scythe. �Make it happen.�
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    I say my power�
    Kennedy smiled confidently.
    �should be our power.
    The Scythe glowed brightly beneath Willow�s hands.
    Tomorrow, Willow will use the essence of the scythe to change our destiny.
    Vi, Rona, Amanda, and all of the potentials inhaled sharply as the dormant power in their bodies was unleashed from its captivity.
    From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer�
    Willow felt them rising all over the world.
    �will be a Slayer.
    Buffy could sense it in the girls around her.
    Every girl who could have the power�
    She wasn�t alone anymore.
    �will have the power.
    The Turok-Han army rushed.
    Can stand up�
    The women watched the charge, standing confidently.
    �will stand up.
    The mouth of hell stretched wide.
    Slayers�every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?
    �These guys are dust,� Vi proclaimed with a grin.
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    �Willow?� Kennedy stared in awe.
    Willow glowed like the Scythe, hair shining a golden white color, eyes alive with light, the pure essence of power radiating from her entire being.
    �You�are a goddess,� Kennedy announced as the glow faded.
    �And you�re a Slayer,� Willow panted, holding out the Scythe. �Get this to Buffy.�
    Taking the weapon, Kennedy stood and hurried purposefully from the room.
    Willow fell to her side, one hand landing on Mr. Gordo.
    �That was nifty,� she told the pig with a smile.
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    �Oh bollocks!�
    A beam of bright blue light burst from the amulet around Spike�s neck.
    Willow sprang to her feet as the light burst through the floor of Principal Wood�s office and turned a warm, orange color.
    �Buffy!� Spike shouted, standing still in the light.
    �Spike!� Buffy called out to him. Before she could move, the amulet sent the light throughout the cavernous battleground, dusting the remainder of the Turok-Han army. The ground began to rumble angrily beneath them.
    �Everybody out now!� Faith yelled the order to the Slayers and they began rushing for the stairs that led back up to the Seal.
    Buffy approached Spike.
    �I can feel it, Buffy,� he said, a look of amazement on his face.
    �What?� asked Buffy, desperate to understand what was happening.
    �My soul,� he told her softly. �It�s really there. Kind of stings.�
    �Spike.� The Slayer�s eyes widened as she realized how it would end.
    �Go on, then,� instructed the vampire.
    �No,� Buffy protested. �No, you�ve done enough. This isn�t � it�s not fair to you. Not over me.�
    �It�s not about you.�
    �You could still-�
    �No, you�ve beaten them back,� he argued. �It�s for me to do the cleanup.�
    �Buffy, come on!� Faith bellowed from the stairs.
    �Gotta move, lamb,� said Spike gently. �I think it�s fair to say school�s out for bloody summer.�
    �Spike!� contested Buffy.
    �I mean it!� he insisted. �I�ve gotta do this!�
    Buffy put her hand into the light and grasped his. Both hands caught fire, but neither of them flinched. She looked into Spike�s eyes, aching with remorse and pity.
    �I love you,� she offered. It wasn�t untrue, and she knew he would like to hear it.
    �I know you do,� Spike replied. �Thanks for saying it.� Another tremor rocked the ground and Buffy pulled her hand back. �Now go!� Spike persisted. �I wanna see how it ends,� he added as she hurried for the stairs.
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    Buffy ran through the crumbling halls of the high school. Turning a corner, she saw a flash of red hair ahead of her.
    �WILL!� she cried out in simultaneous frustration and joy.
    �Buffy!� Willow exclaimed in relief as the Slayer reached her.
    �We have to keep moving,� said Buffy urgently.
    �It�s blocked,� Willow noted.
    �Upstairs,� Buffy said quickly. �I can carry you.�
    �No.�
    �What?� Buffy froze in place. Not Willow too�
    �This time I�ll carry you.�
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    �Look at me!� Vi shouted, shaking Rona forcefully. �This is nothing! Stay awake! This is nothing!�
    �There�s my girl,� Kennedy mumbled from the seat behind them.
    �Why didn�t I die?� Andrew asked blankly from across the aisle, staring forward with a mystified expression.
    Dawn stared anxiously out the back window of the bus, searching for some sign that Buffy and Willow had survived. As she desperately suppressed the urge to lose hope, something stirred in her peripheral vision. Looking up at the sky, she saw a strange and wonderful vision.
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    �Since when do you fly?� Buffy yelled over the roar of wind in her ears.
    Both of Buffy�s arms were wrapped tightly around Willow�s upper body. Willow held the scythe in one hand and Mr. Gordo in the other, arms hanging freely at her sides. The pair glided through the air, following the speeding yellow bus as Sunnydale crumbled beneath them.
    �Pretty much now,� Willow shouted back. Buffy whimpered nervously. �Trust me,� Willow said reassuringly. The Slayer locked her legs around Willow�s waist as they soared ever-further from the destruction. �Come on, Buffy,� Willow persisted, �we�re flying.�
    �You�re flying, I�m dangling,� Buffy pointed out. She screamed when Willow decided to perform a loop-the-loop and began a dive toward the bus. �Not better!� the Slayer shrieked. �Less better!�
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    �Ease off,� Faith instructed. �We�re clear.�
    Willow landed gracefully next to the bus as the rest of the group exited to survey the wreckage. Buffy clambered from Willow�s back, legs feeling unsteady, but grateful to be back on solid ground. Dawn opened the emergency exit door at the back of the bus and ran forward to give Buffy a hug.
    �I don�t understand,� said Giles as he walked forward, staring at the crater that was Sunnydale. �What did this?� He looked questioningly at Willow.
    �Spike,� Buffy supplied. Willow placed a comforting hand on her girlfriend�s shoulder.
    �Looks like the Hellmouth is officially closed for business,� Faith observed as she walked up behind them.
    �There is another one in Cleveland,� Giles pointed out. �Not to spoil the moment.�
    �We saved the world,� Xander noted, joining the group.
    �We changed the world,� said Willow thoughtfully. �I can feel them, Buffy,� she continued, rubbing the Slayer�s shoulder in a show of affection. �All over. Slayers are awakening everywhere.�
    �We�ll have to find them,� Dawn reasoned.
    �We will,� the witch replied.
    �Yes,� Giles agreed, pacing behind them, �because the mall was actually in Sunnydale, so there�s no hope of going there tomorrow.�
    �We destroyed the mall?� questioned Dawn. �I fought on the wrong side.�
    �All those shops gone,� said Xander, nodding sadly. �The Gap, Starbucks, Toys �R� Us. Who will remember all those landmarks unless we tell the world about them?�
    �We have a lot of work ahead of us,� said Giles somberly.
    �Can I push him in?� Faith demanded.
    �You�ve got my vote,� said Willow, smiling slightly.
    �I just wanna sleep, yo, for like a week,� Faith argued.
    �I guess we all could, if we wanted to,� said Dawn levelly.
    �Yeah,� agreed Willow, smile broadening. �The First is scrunched, so � what do you think we should do, Buffy?�
    �Yeah, you�re not the one and only chosen anymore,� Faith reminded her. �Just gotta live like a person. How�s that feel?�
    �Yeah, Buffy,� Dawn added, �what are we gonna do now?�
    Buffy smiled bravely, turning and grasping both of Willow�s hands as their eyes met.

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:::END:::
Buffy: Do we really need reviews for this?
Me: I just like them. They make me feel all manly.
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Closer to the Heart