Adult-FanFiction.org : Buffy

Initiative	By : wright99 Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 9186 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
Initiative(�-n�sh�e-t�v)
noun

1.
The
power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or
task; enterprise and determination.

2.
A
beginning or introductory step; an opening move: took the initiative in
trying to solve the problem.^[1]

The Initiative. A top secret
organization created to advance scientific knowledge and technical abilities for
various Military and Intelligence applications. Funded by a variety of sources,
it explored various areas of biomedical, technological and chemical research
often thought ' risky' or ' unethical' by most societal standards. Its mandate
was to put the country in a position of total offensive capability far beyond
that available to it's enemies.

In a secret location far from
the prying eyes of government bureaucrats, The Initiative carried out experiments in
cross genetic hybridization with the sole purpose of creating a new race of
beings. The vision of Dr. Marguerite Walsh, the Initiative, and its prime
project, Operation Moreau, had been innovating new techniques in combining the
best qualities of man and animal into a new beings, a race of humans that had
superior capabilities.

A group of test subjects,
called " hybrids" had been created. They were currently located in controlled
circumstances in a small California coastal town know as Sunnydale. The current
experiment had a two fold purpose: to watch and observe the hybrid's interaction
with 'normal' humans. And, the crux of Dr. Walsh's work to day, to develop them
into 'breeding pairs'. The hoped for effect would be to create a self
replicating class of hybrids carrying the enhanced abilities of their
'parents'

But all wasn't well in the
Initiative. Some problems with the current test subjects had cropped up, and
leaks within the organization had prompted an investigation into the
Initiative's funding and purpose. A congressional committee was formed, with representatives from
congress, the intelligence community and the military. Their mandate wasn't
necessarily to shut down the Initiative; rather, they were to investigate
whether Dr. Walsh's work might have other, practical applications. The idea of a
race of Super-soldier-spies had been rather a pipe dream, a wish of both the
military and intelligence communities. Something that belonged in the realm of
science fiction. At least, until now.

Dr. Walsh looked grimly at the
group assembled before her. She had spent the better part of 2 hours brining the
'representatives' up to speed on her project and it's current state. By the
glazed look in their eyes, she could see that a great portion of her
presentation had flown right over their heads. She felt frustrated; she'd spent
the better part of the last two weeks preparing this presentation, dumbing it
down until it could be understood by 6^th graders. Bright
6^th graders, granted, but nevertheless, it should've been clearly
understood by this group. She sighed, and opened the floor to
questions.

" Dr. Walsh, " Superintendent
Meiser was the first to speak, " We want to know exactly what the progress is on
your latest experiment. There are some questions of the efficacy of your
research, and frankly, some doubts as to you're ability to justify our continued
support. While I understand the necessity of secrecy, still we should have some
accounting as to what our funding is going for."

" Supt. Meiser, I promise you,
current experiments are proceeding according to plans. You understand that I
can't go into great detail as to exactly what those plans are. The work we do
here is classified, with top secret confidentiality. I've given you about all I
can in terms of details. Rest assured, however, that when the time is right, all
will be revealed, and you'll see our research here has very many biotech,
medical and military applications. It's a win/ win
situation."

" That's all well and good, Dr.
Walsh, " piped up Major Cosgrove, a veteran of many battles, both in the field
and in the political minefields of the military command organization, " But
there have been rumors of some spectacular failures. How can we justify
continued support of the project without some positive news to report back to
the committee. There have been some cost overruns, and with the current budget
deficits, it's hard to keep expensive projects like " Operation Moreau" going
without some results."

" As you're aware, any endeavor
has its successes and failures, particularly ones that are as pioneering as
Operation Moreau. But you have to agree, Major, that we've kept within our
budget in most cases, and the overruns will be justified when we can release
more data." Dr. Walsh pulls out her ace in the hole, " and I do have good news
for you to bring back to the committee. I've just had word that our mate for our
second breeder is ready, and will soon join her in Sunnydale. If all goes well,
within a year we'll see the fruits of our labors."

" That's all very well, Dr.
Walsh, but we have a budget to balance. Secret Ops are not as � popular as in
the cold war days, " Senator Vance spoke up, " Without a time frame on results,
something more concrete than say a year, we'll have to reconsider our support of
this project."

Marguerite Walsh started to
feel a spark of panic. They couldn't take it away now. I've spent years on
this project, it's near fruition. Out loud she said, " Senator Vance, you
have to understand that science, especially pioneering science, can't be a
matter of schedules and deadlines. Science of this nature can't be rushed. I
need more time to prepare result, check data and report on ongoing
progress."

" Dr. Walsh. I understand your
dedication to this project, and our decision isn't made lightly," Supt. Meiser
spoke up, " Give me and my colleagues a moment to confer, and we'll give you a
decision."

Dr. Walsh acquiesced to their request, and excused herself,
exiting into the hallway. Once there, she leaned heavily on the wall. Her head
felt like it would explode, and panic was twisting her stomach in
knots.

They can't torpedo this project, not now! I've come so
close to realizing my life's work. If they pull funding now, all my research,
all my work will be for nothing! That can't happen� it' mustn't happen. I've got
to convince them to give me more time. I've spent the better part of my career
on this research, one way or another, and to watch it go to hell now? No way! No
way! If they cut me, I'll have to find another source of funding. One that might
not be so 'friendly' to their interests. Doesn't matter, It'll have to be done.
I won't quit now. Not when things are so close� I won't do it!

" Dr. Walsh, are you ok?" Lt.
Commander Riley Finn saw Dr. Walsh leaning on the wall and came up to her. He
could tell she was under enormous stress, and he wanted to help if he could.
He'd been with Dr. Walsh for 5 years, and had deep sense of loyalty to
her.

" No, I'm ok, Riley," Dr. Walsh
smiled. She was fond of Riley� almost felt like he was a son to her. He'd more
than once proven his reliability and loyalty to her and her cause. She promised
herself that someday he would share in the rewards of her work. IF she had work
to be rewarded for. " It's just not going as well as I expected. Damned bean
counters, trying to save money by cutting my research. But it's just wrong,
Riley. I know my work will have wide ranging applications� if they could only
see that. " Dr. Walsh rubs her forehead, a beauty of a headache beginning to
wear on her.

" Don't worry, Doctor, " Riley
replied. " You're a genius. They have to recognize that. They can't cut the
funding for the project; like you said, it'd just be wrong. I'm sure once
they've thought about it, they'll come around."

Dr. Walsh smiles, feeling a
little better. Good old Riley. Always dependable and in my corner. Even when
things seem bleak he can cheer me up. " Thanks, Riley. You're support means
a lot. I've got something for you
to do, when you have time."

" Name it , Dr.
Walsh"

" I need Drusilla and Spike
here. I need to find out the progress on the test subjects in Sunnydale. If you
could�"

" I figured you might want to
see them, Doctor. I've already brought over, and they're waiting in the lounge 'til you're ready for
them. I didn't think it appropriate to have them break up your
meeting."

What would I do without him? Don't even
want to know!

" Thanks, Riley. I'll see them
right after�"

At that moment, Supt. Meiser
appears at the door to the conference room. " Dr. Walsh, when you're ready,
we've come to a decision."

Marguerite's face is a neutral
mask, belying the turmoil going on inside.

" Guess I better face the
firing squad now." She says sotto voce to Riley. " Either way, have Dru and
Spike ready."

" You can count on it, Dr.
Walsh" Riley Finn replies.

" Come in with me. No matter
how it goes, you should be amongst the first to know. And they'll need an escort
out, after."

They return to the conference
room, Finn making himself inconspicuous in a corner, waiting. Dr. Walsh goes to the head of the table.
She again notes the presence of a fourth member of the committee, one who's been
rather quiet and has hardly spoken
since they began the meeting. She was young, mid twenties at most, and had a
pleasant, open face. She mainly took notes. For some reason, despite her smiles,
she made Dr. Walsh the most nervous. Exactly what is her position on the
committee, and what's her agenda? I'd give almost anything to
know.

" Dr. Walsh?" Senator Vance
addresses her, " My colleagues and myself have reviewed your data and your
presentation, and we've come to a decision." He pauses for effect." After
consideration, we've decided to continue funding the project. With some
provisos, of course," He stands, and faces Marguerite." We need stronger
controls on spending, with stricter accounting procedures. Further, we need
quarterly updates of your progress. That means the next review will be in 90
days. Finally, we feel we need to have a representative on hand to keep an eye
on things." He turns and indicates the young woman sitting at the conference
table. " This is Anne Price. Don't let her youth confuse you. She's a Harvard
graduate, with a degree in Biotechnology , with a specialty in genetic research.
She is to act as the scientific liaison between you and the committee. You will
report to her, and she to us. Any questions?"

So that's her role, is it? Why do I feel it's not limited
to liaison work? I'll have to watch her carefully, but what choice do I have?
Either I accept this, or I can tell
they're going to shut me down � and that can't happen. I'll deal with Ms. Price
in my own way� in my own time.

" Very well, gentlemen, Ms.
Price� that is acceptable" Maggie forces a smile. " Now, if we're done, I'll
have Lt. Commander Finn show you to your cars?"

The sub-committee agrees, and
Riley escorts them out.

Dr. Walsh, feeling exhausted, sits down
and puts her head in her hands. She was not at all happy about the ' new
arrangements", so to speak. This
young woman� what was her name? � Price, yes Price� she could be trouble. She
would , on top of everything else, find a way to keep her out of the loop. Give
her enough for the committee to salivate over, but not so much as her true
purpose here was revealed.

Just a little more time�
then all will be ready. IF she could
just keep them at bay a while longer, it wouldn't matter anymore who said or
reported what. But for now�

" Dr. Walsh, are you alright?"
Riley asks, standing quietly behind her. She almost jumps out of her skin, but
recovers quickly.

He looked at her and noted her
condition. He wanted to comfort her, let her know despite the setbacks, all will
be well. He for a moment contemplated reaching out to her, but pulled back. He
knew Dr. Walsh isn't the touchy-feely kind, and would be put off with any kind
of physical touch. Instead, he
stood close, at the ready.

" Riley�so, did our guests get
off ok then?" Dr. Walsh covered her nervousness.

" Yes, Dr. Walsh. They're quite
gone."

" Good. Then, would you be so
kind as to send in Spike and Drusilla?"

" Right away, Doctor," Finn
nodded, turned on his heel and left.

A minute or so later, Drusilla,
with Spike in tow, floated in. Float is the only way one could describe how
Drusilla moves. Despite her
striking physicality, Drusilla seemed to have a very tenuous hold on this
reality. It was as if she were tethered her by a mere thread. Perhaps it was the
insanity that informed her actions that gave this impression. Whatever it was,
it was unnerving to say the least.

Dr. Walsh looked at
Drusilla�like everyone else, she found it hard to keep her eyes off her.
Drusilla had been one of her ' first generation' hybrids, before Walsh had included
animal DNA into the mix. She was definitely a vampire, like her companion,
Spike. But it was much more than that which unsettled Marguerite when it came to
Drusilla. A certain vibe she gave off made Dr. Walsh's skin do the crawlies.
Perhaps it was her well developed psychic abilities. Dr. Walsh had given her them through
manipulation of her genes. There was a price however. The manipulation made
Drusilla somewhat insane and
unpredictable. Always a dangerous combination.

" Hello, Mummy, " Drusilla greeted her. That also
tended to disturb Dr. Walsh. Drusilla's insistence on identifying her as her
mother. It gave her the willies.

" Hello, Doc." Spike chimed in,
grinning slightly evilly, " You look quite� pale,
actually."

Dr. Walsh ignored Spike's
taunt, and got down to business.

" What is your impression of
the new breeder and her mate?" Marguerite directed the question to Drusilla.
However it was Spike that answered.

" Bleeding brilliant, I'd say,
Dr. Frankenstein. Two females as a breeding pair?" His sarcasm was
thick.

Dr. Walsh felt her irritation
rise as it always did when he referred to her that way. But she refused to rise
to the bait.

" Now, Spikey, be nice. Mummy
has had a bad old time of it with the nasty people that were here. Isn't that
so, Mummy?" Drusilla started to
weave in place.

" I really want your
impressions as to their suitability. Will they mate?" Dr. Walsh's tone was
somewhat clipped.

Drusilla closed her eyes, and
her weaving seemed to become more pronounced." Mmmm mmmmm�. Yes, Mummy, the
little girls, isn't it? I think they'll do fine�"

" You said that about the first
breeding pair, " Dr. Walsh says impatiently." As I see it, they haven't been all
that successful!"

" Right. But this pair, I'm
sure will be a success. I know they will, I can feel it."

" There you go, Doc
Frankenstein. Dru's feelings are always spot on!" Spike puts
in.

" I'm really, really tired of
you saying that, Spike, " Dr. Walsh said. She approached Spike, as if to punish
him for his insolence. Spike vamped out and snarled at her, preparing to
attack.

Riley, seeing the situation
spinning out of control, takes out his stun stick, which for all the world looks
like a Billy club except for the leading electrodes. Not waiting for
instructions, he approaches Spike and hits him with a severe jolt of
juice.

" Down, Dog, back on your
leash!" Riley says, firmly.

Drusilla, amused and somewhat
protective of her playmate, tried to defuse the situation a
little.

" RRRRR- RUFF! Down, boy " She
barked, smiling sarcastically at Riley. Spike, taking his cue from Dru's command, backs down, putting up his
hands and making with the " What's all the fuss about ?"
attitude.

" Now be a good doggie, Spike,
and don't being growling at Mummy, " Dru has gone to Spike, and was scratching
behind his ear. Spike deferred to his mate's wishes, standing down and backing
away a little. Riley, the situation defusing, lowered his stun
stick.

" Look, Spike, I'm sorry I lost
my temper with you, " Dr. Walsh said, " just that I'm really not a mad
scientist. What I'm doing here is for the benefit of you and your mate, Dru.
Don't you see that?"

" Right, right, Doc. Sorry,
just was kidding around." Spike, cowed by Dru, said, as apologetically as is
he's capable.

Dru starts to hum and weave
again, her fingers snapping and popping in some indecipherable pattern. A large, wicked smile breaks out on her
face.

" Oh, yes� this is good, very
good. Yesss, Mummy, they'll work
out just fine. I can see it, the stars tell me it's true. Yessss�Oooo� wait�
there's a spot� something I can't see through� can't make it out, can't make it
out� ooooo� "

" Dru? DRU! Blind spot? What
blind spot?" Maggie asks urgently, "Is it good or bad?"

" I can't see through it, Mummy� I just can't� but wait�oh yes�
with enough time, you'll have lots and lots of Grandchildren,
Mummy�"

Dr. Walsh smiled. " That's good
Drusilla. I need some good news� we're in a very delicate situation, and
something bad could be very bad for us� if you get my
drift."

" I can't tell if it's good or
bad, only that I can't see it, " Dru said, a little mournfully, " It's dark, and
the stars don't sing about it!"

Dr. Walsh contemplated
Drusilla's word as she watched her ' firstborn ' weave and sing to herself.
Mostly, she felt irritation that Drusilla can't make out what might be masked
from her. I don't like and don't need surprises now! But knowing
Drusilla, she's gotten as much as she could from her, for now. At least she
sees some successful mating of the breeding pairs. That's good
news!

" Thank you, Drusilla. You've
done well, " Dr. Walsh praises her charge, " I think that'll be all for now.
Riley, if you'd escort Spike and Drusilla back to their
quarters?"

" I don't see why we need a
bleeding escort to walk back to our room," Spike grumbled.

" It's for your protection, and
Dru's, Spike" Dr. Walsh was tired of explaining this repeatedly to the bleach
blonde vampire, " There are lots of subjects here that are less than willing to
have you around. Also, you have this nasty habit of picking fights�" Marguerite trails
off.

" Fine, fine, whatever. Just
tell soldier boy to put away the bloody cattle prod before I jam it up his
sodding ass, " Spike starts towards the door with
Drusilla.

Dr. Walsh gave Riley a look,
and he put the stun stick back in its holster. The trio departed, leaving her
alone.

She walked over to the phone in
the conference room and dialed a number. She waited impatiently until a familiar
British voice answered the line.

" Hello?"

" Mr. Giles, this is Dr.
Walsh"

" Ah, good evening Dr. Walsh,
What can I do for you?"

" We need to accelerate the schedule of
the experiment, Mr. Giles. I have the mate to the second breeding pair ready for
delivery. But I need to know the situation in Sunnydale."

" Actually, Dr. Walsh, things
are proceeding even better than anticipated. All indications are that the
current hybrid is close to maturation, and can accept her mate very
soon."

" I'm very pleased to hear it,
Mr. Giles. You're doing excellent work. Based upon what you tell me I believe we
can introduce her mate this evening."

" That soon?" Giles sounded
troubled

" Is there a problem?" Dr.
Walsh asked impatiently.

" No, of course not. I just
thought I would be given a little notice to prepare."

" I'm sorry, but things are
coming to a head, and I need a successful test as soon as possible. Expect the
new hybrid by tomorrow morning."

" As you say, Dr. Walsh, "
Giles replies, only to hear the phone click in his ear.

Giles sighed, looking longingly
at the poured Scotch in the tumbler close at hand. He knew he'd have to forgo
it; there would be a lot to do tonight, and he needed a clear
head.

Dr. Walsh, for her part, sat
down wearily and put her feet up on the conference table. She was exhausted
dealing with the clowns from government. For a moment, she indulged herself in
pleasant fantasy.

It was years earlier, in her
lab, when she saw the first of her cross cloning hybrid results. Drusilla and
Spike, wrapped in their growth Chrysalis, starting to mature sexually. Even
though she'd programmed them to be sterile, she still was pleased that they were
maturing sexually. It would prove beneficial for later hybrids, who she planned
to breed. As she studied the results, a thought occurred to her. If I could
find a way to breed the hybrids without a gender differentiation, that would
simplify the cloning process, eliminating the need to create a male partner for
the breeding pairs. She knew that in nature, there were organisms that
bred parthenogenetically, mostly in
insects. But what if I could
bring that ability to a higher order? Though, I'd really like a blending of
genetics. So I'd have to find a way to have the females transfer genetic
materials between themselves. It was an interesting thought, and an
intriguing challenge. Just the thing that excited her most. She knew she would
have a lot of work ahead to make it happen, but she was
confident�

And now, it's nearly at
fruition She knew that if her current
experiment was successful, she would have eliminated the need for gendered
hybrids. All could be made female, and could combine genetic material to create
new hybrids. A sexless species,
unconcerned with the gender inspired mating rituals, and all it's attendant
baggage. She was feeling more than a little pride in her
accomplishment.

As she continued to revel in
her thoughts, Dr. Walsh was blissfully unaware of the dark clouds beginning to
gather on the horizon of her dreams.

Midnight in Sunnydale. Along a road in the forest surrounding
the small coastal community, a black van drove into a clearing. The van halted,
and four men poured out of it. They wore black night camouflage gear, including
night ops goggles. Each was masked, and carried an assortment of stun guns and
trank sprays.

"Why do we always get this
duty?" The man riding shotgun complained to the driver as they rounded the van to
the rear doors.

" Because it's our job?" the
driver replied, tired already of the man's complaining. " Tell you what? I'll
let Dr. Walsh know you're tired of this duty. I'm sure she'll find that
fascinating."

" There's no need to get
snippy, " the first man grumbled, " just, you can't tell me you like doing this.
Did you get a load of the latest freak? It's huge� and looks dangerous. We
really just gonna let it out of it's cage?"

" It's not a freak, it's a
hybrid. One of Dr. Walsh's ' babies' ", the driver said, a slight sneer in his
voice, " Look you know the drill. We roll out the cage, open the door and get
out of the way. The thing is still half tranked. It won't be doing much but
weaving off into the bushes. Then, we're outta here." He waves to the other two
men standing by, " Ok, up in the truck, you three, and roll it
out."

The three men climb into the
truck, and as they were positioning the cage, the driver rolled out the portable
ramp, and positioned it behind the truck. Slowly, the edge of the cage appeared
at the opening, and the driver guided the three into positioning the wheels so
they roll smoothly down the ramp. Hooking the rope and pulley to the edge of the
cage, the three men slowly winched the cage down the ramp and onto the ground.
The driver guided it into position, and then unhooked the
rope.

" What the hell is that thing?
It's huge!" The third man, jumping down from the truck, exclaimed, " It feels
like it weighs a ton!"

" It's a panther, I think,"
said the second man, " it's a cat of some kind."

" Cat, schmat. That thing's a
monster," The fourth man, out of the truck finally, said.

" Ok, guys we can stand around
all night figuring out what it is , or do our jobs and get out of here, " the
driver said impatiently. He unlocked the bolts on the cage, and motioned to the
second man. " Ok, you, it's your turn. You open the cage, and we'll keep watch
to make sure it goes ok."

" Why me?" the second man said,
a little fear in his voice, " I don't wanna be anywhere near that
thing."

" Would you relax?" The driver,
growing more impatient, snapped, "
It's tranked up, and we've got stun sticks and tranks to knock it down.
All you gotta do is throw the bolts. Now, get to it so we can get the hell out
of�"

But at that moment, all four
men were surprised. The panther had been playing possum, and realizing its
prison was open, crashed through the door, knocking it down right on top of the
second man. Leaping over him, it moved to a position and crouched, ready to
attack.

" Aw, shit, " the fourth man,
clearly scared, backs away.

The panther, seeing the
movement, went for him. It's a huge specimen, nearly 8 feet long and 4 -1/2 feet
at the shoulder. Before the others can react, the panther was on him. The man,
panicked, goes over, but struggles against the Panther's
attack.

The other two went in and hit the beast with everything
they had. They stunned it over and over, but it seemed to almost shrug off the
effects. They pulled out the trank
sprays, and start hitting it directly in the face with the powerful
anesthesia. The panther shook its
head, trying to escape the cloud of gas, but finally succumbed to its effects,
first staggering then falling down
on its side.

The second man, finally getting
the heavy steel cage of himself, got up and went over to where the fourth man
was lying. There was a lot of blood.

" I told you. This is nuts.
That thing is dangerous. We should kill its ass before it wakes
up!"

"Sure, sure, then YOU can
explain to Dr. Walsh how you killed one of her precious breeding pair." The
driver moved over to the fourth man.
He knelt down and inspected him. " Lot of blood, but it's not that bad.
C'mon, help me get the cage back in the truck then well get him to the infirmary
in town."

" Fuck the goddamn cage, lets
just get the fuck outta here!"

" Right. And when they find it,
wanna explain how it got here?" The driver nearly comes over and belts the guy.
" Just get it on the truck, and lets get going."

With the reluctant help of the
other two men, the driver managed to get the cage back in the van, then they
help the fourth man into the van. They return briefly, and hit the cat with
another dose of tranquilizers. That done, they get in the van, and it pulled
away, leaving the huge panther in the clearing, sleeping.

Earlier in the evening, at the
Rosenberg house, Willow read the note left by her parents.

Hi,
sweetie,

Sorry we can't be there
for dinner, but I have a board meeting at my company, and you're dad is meeting
with the PTA tonight. We left some money so you could get dinner. Need I remind
you? NO PIZZA! Anything else is ok, however. Anyway, we should be in around 10
or 11. Be good. Do your homework( as if I really have to tell you
that.)

Love,

Mom

No pizza
huh? Willow thought to herself.
We'll see about that! I'm so not a baby anymore!

Willow, picking up the twenty
the parentals left for her, sauntered over to the phone and
dialed.

" Hi, Frantones? Yeah, this is
Willow. Right, the usual. Half Anchovy, half not. Extra jalapenos. Right�.load
up on the olives� and the fishies. Yeah, I want it delivered. You guys are the
best!" Smiling wickedly at her little rebellion, Willow puts down the phone� to
have it ring as soon as it hits the cradle.

" Hello?"

" Hey, Will, what's
up?"

" Buffy! When did you turn into
Miss Cleo? I was just gonna call you!"

" No
way!"

" So way! Hey, the parentals
are out, and I was thinking� we could do a girls night. "

"Aw, Will! It sounds great, but
I can't. I gotta patrol. Giles is so getting on me about that. If I skip, he'll
have a Guernsey."

" C'mon, Buff. Blow it off one
night. I've got pizza� extra jalapenos, just like you like it! And no fishies on
your part!"

" Frantone's?" Buffy said,
weakening.

" Is there any
other?"

" Aw, Will, I just can't."
Buffy whined a little.

" I got James Spader on video�"
Willow said in her most sing-song voice.

" You're killing me here, Will,
" Buffy complained" I really, really want to but�"

" Buffy?" Willow turns serious,
" Please, come over? I � look, I'm feeling kinda weird, ok? I mean� I feel
something's gonna happen, and well� I dunno� I don't wanna be alone. It's only
til the parentals get back�"

" Hey, Will� are you ok? You're
sounding really � "

" Yeah, I'm ok, but I really
don't want to be alone�" Willow makes a face, " God, I'm sounding like a child.
Know what? Just forget it. I'll be ok�"

" No way! My friend needs me.
That beats out patrol any time, you know? I'll be over in less than 30 minutes. Better than
Dominoes, huh?"

" Yeah, " Willow says, sounding
grateful, " thanks Buffy."

" Hey, no big. What're friends
for?"

"Yeah, " Willow agrees, and
then tries to lighten the mood, " But it's Frantone's and Spader that's getting
you here, right?"

" Oh yeah, " Buffy agreed,
giggling.

" Oh yeah, " Willow giggled
with her.

Willow hung up the phone,
humming. She felt better now that Buffy's coming over.

She just wished she could shake
off the creepy feeling she's having.

Buffy put down the phone,
feeling a little creepy. Well, she bought it. I'm in. She felt lousy
lying to her friend. She had no intention of patrolling tonight. Not that Giles
didn't want her to; what she said about Giles getting all huffy about her
patrolling was true. But she was having a major wiggins, and it concerned
Willow.

Earlier in the evening, she'd
gotten this sudden overwhelming feeling that something strange was going to
happen. Something that would affect her friend, Willow. At first she dismissed it, thinking she
was just being a worry wart. C'mon, what's going to happen to Will? Maybe
she'll overdose on organizing her notes? She laughed at herself for being
such a mother hen.

But the feeling kept coming
back. Try as she might, she couldn't dismiss the feeling that Willow might be in
some kind of danger. She knew if she came out and just told Willow what she was
feeling, Willow would either (a) laugh at her, figuring Buffy had finally needed
to book a room at Insanity Farms, or (b) start to panic, and make things much
worse.

So she lied to her. Got Willow
to invite her over for a girl's night. All the while having this feeling of
danger. Bonus that Willow was also feeling a need for company. That however,
just increased the creepiness. If Willow's sensing it too� she shook her
head. It's probably nothing, she thought to herself. All this demon
fighting is getting me into major paranoid land. Maybe I do need a suite at the
Hotel Insane-o. Nevertheless,
Buffy put on her slayer coat, making sure that she had plenty of stakes, holy
water and a variety of weapons. Better safe than sorry, I
think!

Sliding out her bedroom window,
Buffy made her way down the roof, through the tree and down to the street. She
truned, heading towards Willow's house.

Later , much later that night,
at the Rosenberg household.

Willow was sleeping peacefully,
dreaming of Molly Ringwald and James Spader, when she sat bolt upright suddenly,
as if an electrical shock hit her. She jerked around numerous times, as if being
hit again and again by shocks. Then she felt woozy, and a sharp pain hit her,
doubling her over. She felt nauseated, and her stomach started to rumble.
Getting scared, and feeling like she's going to hurl, she climbs out of bed, and
wobbled towards the bathroom. But her legs won't hold her, and she fell. She
crawled, trying to make it, but finally grabbed her wastebasket and started to
vomit into it.

The light to her bedroom
snapped on, and she looked up into
the concerned faces of her parents. She made a sorry face, then vomited
again.

" Willow, honey? What's wrong?
" Sheila Rosenberg goes to her child, holding her head as she vomits. " Ira,
call the doctor. Willow's sick!"

" No� no, no, no, mom, I'm ok�
just�help me to the bathroom?"

" Willow, you're sick. You
should see the doctor, " Ira says, turning to go to the
phone.

" No, please, it's just a
stomach cramp. I'll be ok, I just need to�" suddenly, turning a little greener,
she broke from her mother's arms and flew to the bathroom. Sounds of her being
sick could be heard in the bedroom.

Ira and Sheila, alone, whisper
so Willow can't hear. " I don't like this at all, Ira. This isn't normal. I
think we should take her in for a ' checkup'.

Ira nods agreement, then makes
a cutting motion across his neck. Willow, looking a little pale, re-enters the
bedroom. Despite the paleness, she looks better.

" That settles it, young lady.
First thing tomorrow, you're going in for a checkup� "

" Daddy, please, I'm ok. I � it
was just stomach cramps. I'm fine now.
Probably just something I ate." She looked a little
guilty.

" Willow? Did you have
pizza?" Sheila asked, her voice a
little strained.

Willow smiled guiltily. She nodded.

" Well, there you go. You know
what it does to you. Why do you keep eating it?"

" Cuz it's yummy?" Willow
said, almost in a whisper. She
wondered how long her grounding will last.

Sheila sighed. Despite what
Willow might think, she remembered what it's like to be young. She smiled.

" I just wish you'd be more
careful honey. It might go a little easier on your tummy if you didn't order it
with all that junk on it."

" But, it's the junk that makes
it yummy!" Willow piped up. Seeing her mother's look, she blushed. "
Sorry."

" Well, I think you've paid
enough for your indiscretion� but do clean up your trash can before going back
to bed, ok?"

" 'K" Willow perked
up.

" Hmmm." Her father said.
Willow's perk wilted." I'm thinking you still should see the doctor tomorrow,
Willow. "

" Aww, Dad!" Willow
moaned.

" Don't ' Aww, Dad ' me , young
lady. You scared me and your mom to death. So, plan on going to the doctors
tomorrow."

" But� it was only a stomach
cramp, Daddy. I'm good now!" Willow put on her best daddy's girl
face.

"Well," Ira said, falling for
his daughter's charm as he always did, softened his stance a little, " We'll
talk about it in the morning." He came over and kissed her forehead, " goodnight
sweetheart."

"Goodnight Dad�
Mom!"

They left.

Willow picked up the trash can,
and holding it well in front of her, carries it to the bathroom. The toilet
flushes, and water runs. She returns, still holding the trash can away from her.
She put it down, and then went to bed.

Lying in the dark, Willow found
it hard to get back to sleep . She was worried. She's never had a reaction to
Pizza like that before. It's something else� something scarier. She pulled up
her pajama tops, and gently poked her tummy. It was still sore.

Willow slid out of bed, trying
to be as quiet as she could. She listened for awhile, to be sure the parentals
weren't stirring about. Quietly, she goes to her desk, and picks up the phone,
dialing a number

Buffy was snuggled deeply into
her covers, having a wonderful dream about Angel and kissing and stuff. They
were just sharing a really intense kiss when the phone at Angel's began to
ring.

" Shouldn't you answer that?"
Buffy asks, breaking the kiss.

" Ummm� I don't have a phone,
Buffy" Angel replied.

PHONE!

Buffy bolts awake, realizing
the phone is ringing next to her bed. As quickly as she can, she picks it up�
but just a little late.

" Buffy?" Joyce Summers calls
from her room." Is that the phone?"

" It's ok, Mom. Just a wrong number. I got it!" Buffy calls
back.

" Ok, honey. Well � well,
goodnight. Sweet dreams!"

"Thanks Mom!" Buffy calls
out.

I so was having sweet
dreams! Buffy thought, a little
crossly. This better be good!

" ' Lo?" Buffy said into the phone, still feeling a little
dazed from being woken up.

" Buffy? It's me, Willow!" Willow says.

WILLOW!

" Hey, Will. What's the what? It's like�" Buffy looked at
the clock, " 1 a.m. What's going on?"
Buffy's tummy started to churn. This can't be good.

" Hey,
Buff. I'm sorry to call , but well� gee, I got sick on that pizza we
had tonight. I was wondering if it was me, maybe, or if you got sick
too?"

" No, I'm ok,
Will. Sure, the jalapenos gave the tummy a little rumble, but nothing out of the
ordinary. Anyway, you know what pizza does to you sometimes. I'm sure it's just
that."

" Yeah," Willow
replied distractedly.

Buffy, knowing
her friend like the back of her hand, picked up on Willow's
tone

" Will� are you
ok?"

" Yeah, " Willow didn't sound very
convincing.

" You sure?"
Buffy probed. Something was up with her friend.

"It's just� I've
never gotten that sick on pizza before. Sure, I'd get mega stomach aches, but I
feel all achy all over, and I hurled, you know? I mean, lots of times," Willow's
voice takes on a note of panic, " I'm scared, Buffy."

" Hey, hey�
Willow� I'm here, honey, " Buffy was growing more concerned. She's been with
Willow when she's had a bad pizza night, and she never threw up before. " Will,
do you want me to like come over?"

" No, of course
not, Don't be silly, Buffy. I'm not a baby� I'm just acting like one. I just
needed to talk to someone, someone not a parental unit."

" Look, Will� if
you wanna talk, I can slip out�"

" No, you're
already got troubles with your mom and slipping out. I'm ok, I just� I got a
little shaky. Being the big baby cuz I got a little sick. Probably some of the
fishies on the pizza were bad. Really, I'm ok now. Feels better since I'm
talking with you." She's trying to hide her stomach was still in some
pain.

" Will, you
sure?" Buffy's not buying it entirely. Willow's not the world's best liar. She
sensed, however , that pushing it would only make Willow more
scared.

" Yeah. Look,
Buffy, I'll see you tomorrow in school. I'm fine, I promise,
ok?"

" Ok, Will. But
if you get sick� I'm gonna tell!" Buffy tried to jolly Willow a
little.

" You're such a
nut, Buffy, " Willow said, pretending to be irritated, but actually feeling a
little better. " Goodnight."

" Goodnight, ya
big baby, " Buffy said, and hung up.

Buffy put down
the phone, and settled down in her bed, trying to go back to sleep. But again
she got the strong feeling that something was happening to Willow. Something way
out of the normal. C'mon, Buffy,
she just had a bad reaction to the pizza. Don't make a major deal out of
it. She just couldn't shake the
feeling. It worried her, because Willow was the first and best friend she made
when she came to Sunnydale. Now she might be getting sick, or worse� and she
couldn't do anything to protect her. Buffy felt entirely useless and out of her
depth. She wasn't used to the
feeling, and she spent a bad night, tossing and turning.

Willow was also
worried. Despite what she said, her
tummy still felt like rocks were rolling around in it. She wondered if she might
be getting an ulcer or something�something worse. She lay down in her bed, but
for the longest time her eyes refused to close. She kept having visions of
doctor's visits, and hospitals, and strange things happening to her. As if some
memories were awakening in her. That's crazy. I'm just getting all wigged
for nothing. I got some bad anchovies and I hurled my cookies. It happens. God,
I'm laying off Frantone's for awhile. This just feels icky!

Convincing
herself that it's nothing, Willow finally felt sleep coming on. She closed her
eyes, and her breathing became deeper, more regular. Despite that, little things
kept nagging at her. Wouldn't leave her alone. Things that just didn't add up.
Oh, forget this. I'll figure it out
tomorrow, as she tried to shut out
the thoughts.

She wondered exactly what was
going on as sleep finally claimed her.
- 1
- 2
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Initiative

Mom