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whedonistAs Buffy read over the preliminary report that the CSU’s primary, Andre Loe, had written up, her fingers drummed against her desktop. This day could just be over. I mean, anytime now, really. I promise I’ll be good. Her free hand went to the side of her face. She brushed a few stray wisps of hair away, tucking them behind her ear before propping her head up.
Only half interested in what she was reading, she listlessly turned the first page. It’s bad enough I spent the entire morning jumping through hoops for Internal Affairs. They so weren’t impressed with what happened at the warehouse. She scanned the first couple paragraphs.
Her vision clouded. Staring blankly at the white swirl, she muttered under her breath, “What is it with me and shrinks?” It seems like pretty much everyone who has some sorta interest in—or authority over me sends me to a goddamned shrink.
Her head pivoted against her hand as she shook it. Oh well, I was a good girl. I called Doctor Costanzo to let her know I haven’t completely flipped out…yet.
Buffy scrunched her eyes and rubbed them. Maybe next week? Could be fun. They fluttered open and she skimmed the page, quickly moving on to the next. It’s procedure. I get that.
Funny, when the ‘cop’ thing first came up back in high school, the uniform was what made me cringe. But there was sense there, so here I am. And the threat of polyester was nothing—nothing getting a detective shield couldn’t fix. Thing is, stuff goes the least bit sideways and—
God I despise shrinks! It’s not like I can object. Being committed as a juvenile—while it may look great on paper, it’s not exactly a stunning career builder. Sensing someone’s approach, Buffy looked up.
Andre Loe smiled as he neared her desk. Leaning casually against its right side, he remarked, “California, I see you got my report.”
Buffy blinked her bleary eyes. Instantly chipper, she replied, “Hi, Loe, I did.” In no way is it good to fall asleep on the CSU report. She glanced down at the pages, hoping there wasn’t any drool. Especially, what with the… After offering him her most fetching smile, she amended, “Well, sort of. I just got done with Pat and started reading. Anything new?”
“There was actually,” Andre offered. His attention drifted from the report. He met Buffy’s eyes and explained, “Les ran the blood on that platform. From what I understand, there have been a total of three vics.” When Buffy nodded to confirm the statement, he continued, “But when we typed the blood on the platform, we found five different blood samples. We haven’t run a DNA analysis on them yet, but I thought you should know.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” Buffy said as she shut the folder. Pushing it aside, she inquired, “How long before we can bump anything against CODIS, or NDIS?”
Confidently, Andre responded, “Give me forty-eight hours and I should have it for you. Your boss wants whoever it is found. I get it.” His expression softened as he asked, “How’s your partner by the way?”
Absent-mindedly picking up a pencil, she replied, “He’ll live,” downplaying the concern. She turned the pencil between her fingers.
Andre’s brow crinkled.
She teased playfully, “Oh, c’mon, Jimmy’s way too mean to let a little thing like his heart get in the way.” Her smile turned gracious. She glanced self-consciously at the pencil before adding, “The doctors said he’d be okay.”
He watched the pencil fall to Buffy’s desk and roll. When it came to rest against the base of her monitor, he offered, “Good to hear. We didn’t get much of a chance to talk non-shop talk at the scene, so I wanted to make sure. Couple of us techies were gonna stop by after work and check in on him. You want to go with us?”
Buffy shook her head and explained, “I wish I could, but I’ve got to get back to my apartment and pick up some of my family before I head over.”
Andre commented, “Gotcha,” appearing preoccupied. “Well, uhm, then I’m gonna let you get back to work.” He pushed off the side of the desk and made to leave. Stalling, he fidgeted with his watch while he muttered, “Uh, Buffy, I was wondering…if you’re not busy—maybe Friday—would like to get a drink with me? I know we kinda work together, but I checked and it’s good. I mean, if you want to. It’s safe and uh, legal.”
She couldn’t help the grin as he sputtered his request. She reached out and grabbed his hand, trying to calm him. “Loe, I can’t.” She smiled in hopes of letting the young technician down gently.
“Oh,” he gasped anxiously. His face fell. He scrambled to cover. “That’s okay. Maybe another time then?”
Putting her hand up, she said, “Stop.” She dropped her hand to the desk and quickly filled in, “I’m involved. Like seriously involved. If I wasn’t—” she grinned “—I’d take you up on the offer.”
Pleased with her response, he calmed a bit as he remarked, “Oh, lucky guy.”
“Umm, no guy. Lucky girl,” Buffy supplied candidly.
The tension picked right back up. He took a step back and corrected, “Huh…well, uhm, lucky girl.” He offered a feeble smile, followed by mock cheer. “That’s cool. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Sorry.”
“No, no, it’s okay. I didn’t know, or I wouldn’t have asked,” he replied. His posture stiffened. Already moving, he excused himself. “I need to check with Les before we leave for the hospital. I’ll see you around, California.”
“Have a good night, Loe,” Buffy said with a lame wave. But he’d already rounded a cubical wall, skittering off towards the labs.
Willow walked out of her and Buffy’s bedroom still damp from her shower. Now at least I feel kinda normal. Not like bright-eyed, with the bushy tail, but feeling kinda human instead of greasy, grimy pseudo-human will always be a plus in my book. Now all I’ve gotta do is wait for Buffy.
She padded into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. I sorta feel bad leaving the gang to finish the footwork, but I seriously needed the slack.
Intent on relaxing for at least a few minutes, Willow went to the living room to turn on the TV. A knock at the door stopped her from sitting. She cocked her head. Did the buzzer sound? Did I buzz anyone up? Sighing, she walked to the door and looked through the security lens.
She squealed as the face came into focus. Rushing to undo the lock, she threw the door open and jumped into the arms of the grinning, slender woman standing there. “Oh my Goddess, Aradia, what are you doing here?” she exclaimed.
Aradia returned the embrace with equal fervor. A moment passed and she mumbled, “Willow, I’m afraid that I may pass out. Please.”
Willow’s cheeks colored. She released her friend and took a step back. Meeting the other witch’s hazel-green eyes, she explained, “Sorry, it’s just that it’s been too long. You weren’t in Devon the last time I was there and no one would tell me anything.” The hallway might not be the best place to talk. Not to mention, it’s just plain rude. Taking Aradia’s hand, Willow led her into the apartment and shut the door. As she strode to the couch, gesturing an invitation, Willow asked eagerly, “When did you arrive? And what are you doing here?”
Aradia set her bag down by the entryway, answering, “I just arrived. Trans-Atlantic teleportation spells are tricky,” as she followed the excited redhead. She took a seat, reclining casually back and commented, “Althenea felt it was best. She thought you could use some help, so I offered to come.”
“You brought the books?” Willow asked. Of course, she brought the books. Stupid, stupid…get a grip, this isn’t an interrogation. Bashfully, she added, “And why weren’t you in Devon the last time I visited?” staring self-consciously at her lap.
Aradia replied, “They’re in my bag,” shifting to face Willow. “I wasn’t in Devon because I was in San Francisco with Liz. She finally got the restaurant finished and she had this celebration I had to go to.”
The excitement returned and Willow gushed, “She did it finally. That’s great. I’ll have to call her.”
Aradia glanced around the empty apartment before inquiring, “So, where’s the famed Sunnydale gang?”
“Uhm, we’ve been shaking down the demon community. It’s been…bad.”
“Well then, hopefully what I brought will help.”
Willow was about to respond when the front door swung open. Buffy entered the apartment, followed by the rest of the gang. Willow shot off the couch and all but tackled her slayer.
Appearing mildly taken aback, Buffy said, “Hey, Will…” directing her interest to the other redhead standing in front of the couch “…and…?” Weird. When did Willow get a sister? She reached out with her senses and touched the energy the other woman radiated. ’Kay so, if I wasn’t a slayer, she’d get a wide berth. She’s strong—like nearly Willow strong. She glanced from one witch to the other and asked, “You didn’t let her have coffee, did you?”
Willow chidingly tapped the slayer’s forearm.
Aradia smiled and walked over to Buffy. “Hi Buffy, I’m Aradia Iver. Sorry to pop in on you unannounced, but Althenea said that Willow sounded worried and we don’t like hearing her worry.”
The playful pout Buffy wore turned to a smile when the other witch approached her. She took the offered hand and grinned. Willow knows her and apparently likes her. That’s enough in my book. “Well then, thanks for the help. We could really use it.”
The rest of the gang stood behind Buffy, awaiting introductions. Xander coughed loudly and said, “Sorry to break up the reunion, but…”
Willow tapped her forehead with the heel of her hand before making introductions. “I’m sorry guys, this is Aradia. Aradia…” she pointed as she went through the names “…that’s Xander, Faith, Dawn and Kennedy. You’ve met Buffy. And Giles you already know.” She stepped aside to allow for the expected pleasantries and platitudes.
Aradia confirmed, “I do,” presenting her hand in greeting. “Hello, Rupert. How’ve you been?”
Smiling warmly, Giles gave the offered hand a firm shake and replied, “Quite well. And you?”
Returning the smile, she said, “Good,” turning her attention to the rest of the gang. “Hi. Willow’s said so much about all of you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you all.”
Anxious to move things along, Willow caught Aradia’s eye and prompted, “So…?”
Aradia clued to the vague hint and responded, “Ah, books.” Stooping to open her satchel, she removed three books and handed them to Willow, who turned and passed them off to Dawn.
Dawn took the new material to the kitchen table while everyone else piled into the living room and made themselves comfortable.
Willow scooped up her slayer’s hand and asked, “Buff, you want to go over the ‘what’ with Aradia?”
Buffy nodded and peered across the living room at Aradia. After taking in the relaxed demeanor of the newcomer lounging in her chair, Buffy began to recap the events. Several minutes elapsed while everyone patiently listened to her explanation. “And that’s pretty much the ‘it’,” she concluded with a shrug. Moving on, she added, “We’ve gotten little to nothing from the demon community here in Manhattan,” for Willow’s benefit as well. Then she speculated, “Could be ’cause we haven’t been hitting up the right spots. I’d like to start looking south since that’s where we found the site.”
“So the symbols on the floor were replicas from the calling of the first slayer?” Aradia asked for clarification.
“Yeah, but it was different kinda. There was—like if you were to draw a pentagram through the spirals—where the points would hit the outer spiral, there were piles of vamp dust. That and the platform that sat in the center was bloody. Like Texas Chainsaw Massacre bloody. My tech team typed the blood. And the funny… Everyone listen up. There were five different blood samples, not three.”
Aradia inquired, “Anything else?” glancing around the room to see if anyone had something to add.
“We didn’t get to look at too much seeing as how ‘Mister Creepy Guy’ interrupted the looking,” Buffy offered with a shrug.
Aradia gave her friend a nod. “Willow.” When the other witch met her eyes, she asked, “What sorts of energies were given off?”
“I…it’s hard to describe,” Willow stammered, struggling to voice what she felt. She collected her thoughts, then reflected, “It felt like whatever was there was supposed to be destructive, but in a controlled way.” She added, “Sorry—” with a soft sigh “—that’s the best I can do.”
Glaring, Dawn poked her head up from the books and whined, “Guys, please, I need some quiet,” growing progressively more frustrated as she went on. “Can you maybe, uh…go somewhere else? Has anybody been to the hospital today? Maybe you guys could go out to eat, or something, anything, not here.” A sheepish smile curled the corners of her mouth. She finished the rant by apologizing, “Sorry. It’s just—”
A flurry of shrugs and glances quickly gave way to planning.
Eager to escape her whining sister, Buffy suggested, “Aradia, do you maybe want to come with us to the warehouse? I might be able to get you a peek at the scene. And we need to go to the hospital too. That is if you don’t mind.”
“That’s fine. I’m here to help.”
Buffy gave Xander and Faith a passing glance. She didn’t want to take Faith with them, for obvious reasons, but she also wanted another slayer there with her. Fixing her attention on Kennedy, she nodded. “’Kay, then, Xander, Ken, you’re with Aradia, Will and me. Faith, Giles, Dawn hold down the fort while we go have a look-see and drop in on Jimmy.”
Faith protested, “Hey, why do I get stuck with book sitting duty?”
“Because you’re with child, Faith. I’m not risking you miscarrying. No way. Deal. If you didn’t want to give up the action, you should have used a condom,” Buffy replied firmly, unable to suppress a smirk. Placing her hands on her hips, she awaited the challenge.
There wasn’t a lot to say. Faith folded her arms across her chest and pouted, offering a sullen, “Fine, but when you and Red decide to squirt one out, I’m makin’ you stay put while I go and have all the fun.”
Buffy shook her head and giggled. Everyone that was going gathered their things and piled out the door.
Buffy held the door to the ICU for Willow. As they approached the nurse’s station, they were stopped by one of the nurses on duty. “Ladies, Mr. McAllister was moved to the third floor.”
Buffy was slightly taken aback by the familiarity. Wondering what she had done to leave an impression, she stuttered, “Oh, uh…what room?” I bet it’s the questions. There aren’t many medical miracles in a place like this. I know I’d be looking for answers. The ‘who’ is sorta part of that.
Overhearing the conversation, the desk nurse interjected, “Three-fifty-two.”
“Thanks,” Buffy replied as Willow echoed the same. Giving the nurses a warm smile, Buffy turned and led the way out of the ICU. Jimmy being moved is a good. I’m so not complaining. But the running’s kinda getting old. It’s been way over an hour and we’ve gotten a whole lot of nothing done. I figured the warehouse might be rough, but who knew the forensics teams would still be there?
When they reached the waiting room, Buffy gestured for the others to follow, explaining, “They moved him.” Smiles and nods were the only communication needed or offered. Good.
After leading the gang to the third floor lobby, Willow and Buffy set off to find Jimmy’s room. A game of ‘follow the signs’ later, they stepped into the room and smiled when they saw him sitting up in bed eating. A small scowl passed over Buffy’s features when she saw Suzie sitting next to him. He looked up and beamed at the two women approaching his bed.
“Well, look what the dog dragged in. You guys coming to bust me out of here? Susie-Q won’t let me leave and neither will the doctors. I’m right as rain and they say it’s not normal,” he grumped lightheartedly, giving Willow a wink.
After she weaved past the furnishings in the cramped room, Buffy replied, “No, not busting you out. Just wanted to see how you were.” She eyed the bed table. “And from the three empty trays, I’d say you’re good,”
Jimmy grinned and patted his stomach. “I’m good, despite the cynicism from the medical staff. Almost everyone in the precinct’s been in. Even Andre and Les stopped in.”
Shaking her head, Buffy smirked and said, “Good. Loe said he was gonna.” She paused to move the bed table aside so Willow could slip in next to her before she commented, “Really?” quirking her eyebrow, “Les showed too? Wow, she must like you. She doesn’t talk to anyone.”
Jimmy snorted. “It’s the rugged good looks. That and I think she was hopin’ to get a sneak peek at my tuckus. These damn hospital gowns.”
An amused grin warmed Buffy’s face. She shook her head, bowing it as she snickered.
Willow leaned in and gave Jimmy a peck on the cheek. As his face flushed, she pulled back and smirked.
Stepping around Willow, Buffy lowered the rail and sat down on the edge of the bed. She completely ignored the harsh glare Susan was giving her and asked, “Seriously though, you’re feeling better?”
Seemingly aloof to his daughter’s angst, Jimmy responded, “All is good. Wouldn’t lie to you about that, Cupcake.” He smiled sheepishly and asked the sixty-four-thousand dollar question, “So, we got anything yet?”
Buffy rolled her eyes and replied, “Y’know you’re supposed to be resting, right?” When Jimmy put on the puppy eyes, she sighed and said, “Oh, alright…we’ll know more by tonight. A friend of Willow’s brought some material that may prove useful. I’ll call you.” Buffy took Jimmy’s free hand and leaned down to kiss his cheek. As she rose from the bed, she teased, “You be good, old man,” giving Jimmy a wink. “You wouldn’t want us to have to punish you.” With a quirky grin on her face, she waved to Susan and chirped, “Toodles, Suz.” After returning the bed rail, she took Willow’s hand and led her out of the room.
Once they were in the lobby, Willow pulled Buffy aside, “What was that?”
“What was what?” Buffy asked innocently.
“The kiss and the toodles,” Willow answered gruffly, “And the punish.”
Rolling her eyes, Buffy replied, “Oh, I just thought I’d have a bit of fun.” When Willow put her hands on her hips, appearing way less than amused, Buffy shot a defensive. “Willow, come on, you can’t tell me that wasn’t funny? Did you see the look on her face?”
“Yes, and if looks could kill, you’d be dead again,” Willow grumped. She shifted her weight, cocking her hip and asked incredulously, “What were you thinking? Were you channeling Cordelia?”
“No, it’s just—she’s all with the hate and the jealousy. She—she’s groundless for the icky thoughts and deserves the poking,” Buffy said with a pout.
Willow threw her hands up in the air and took off toward the others. Things are bad enough without that. Stubborn slayers! Or maybe it’s catty girl’s from Southern California? Whatever it is, I forget that she was just as bad as Cordy before she became a slayer. Waiting for Buffy to catch up, she escorted the gang wordlessly out of the hospital in a huff.
Buffy clambered unsteadily out of the cab, making room for Willow to pile out behind her. She handed the cabbie a wad of cash and tromped off to get the door. After propping the door open, she glanced at her watch. Twenty minutes. Not bad for someone with a fake green card and license. I mean really, I drive better than him.
When Xander entered the building, he remarked, “So right, if I’m ever late in this city again, I’ll run to where I need to be,” for Buffy’s benefit. He waited for her to file in behind them before concluding sarcastically, “Or maybe finally get the radioactive spider bite I’ve been dreaming about for years.”
As they boarded the elevator, Aradia mumbled, “Well, it could be worse, I was in Argentina last month, and let me tell you, the driver I had gave this guy a serious run for his money.”
Once they reached the apartment, Buffy opened the door and ushered the others inside. After locking up behind them, she asked, “Hey squirt, what did you find out?” as she strode across the living room. Plopping down into the recliner, she swung it around to face the kitchen table.
“Uh, wow. Back so soon? I figured it’d be at least forty-five minutes when you called,” Dawn replied, appearing bemused.
An evil grin made a brief appearance, corrupting Buffy’s features before she demanded, “Look, munchkin, I didn’t risk all our lives getting back here just to have you stall. Spill.”
“Okay, okay…I’ll give you a lollipop if you can get it in three?” Dawn conceded with a snarky grin.
Buffy tapped her right index finger against pursed lips, mocking serious contemplation as she replied, “Was it the meaning of life?” When Dawn stifled a laugh and shook her head, Buffy tried again, “Did it explain the ‘why’ behind Tom Cruise on Oprah’s couch?” Big surprise, Dawn shook her head and Buffy went on, “Was it a, hmm…prophecy?” This time, Dawn rolled her eyes and nodded.
Buffy gave an excited theater clap and extended her hand, demanding, “Where’s the lollipop, runt?”
Dawn absently reached into her purse and tossed a sucker to her sister.
As Buffy unwrapped the raspberry Tootsie Pop and shoved it in her mouth, her eyes lit up.
Dawn peered thoughtfully down at the book while she explained, “There’s that and a spell. What I could get from the spell is that it seems to be a written record of how to unmake the slayer line. At least I think so. I’m going to need more time with the prophecy though. From the wording, I think it was translated from Latin into French. Then, circa the fourteen-hundred’s, it was finally translated into English. It’s not the best.”
“Unmake? As in unmaking a bed, or perhaps untying a shoe? We can ‘un’ lots here,” Xander teased, pulling Faith down on his lap.
“Xander,” Giles warned.
Xander retorted, “What?” his tone conveying traces of hurt and disbelief. He gave Giles a glare that was more playful than mean before explaining, “All I’m saying is that if undoing what was done was so easy that they could just leave instructions lying around, then obviously they were off their game.”
Willow pinched the bridge of her nose and looked at Faith, pleading, “Do something with him.”
“Sorry, Red, no can do,” Faith replied with a grin as she patted Xander’s arm.
Buffy pulled the lollipop out of her mouth, twirling it between her fingers as she remarked, “Uh…not to agree with the Xander, but…” The delicateness of her tone reflected wariness at the prospect of getting caught in the middle of another Scooby spat. When no one retorted, she went on, “You can’t just ‘unmake’ a ‘me’ or a ‘Faith’.” She gave Kennedy a quick glance and added, “Or a ‘Ken’,” as an afterthought. Why’s this stuff always so non-sensey? What if…If it was that… Struggling to find the words, she stammered, “I…if it was that easy,” picking up steam as she went, “what about the First? My opinion: way easier to work a little mojo than to go around finding and killing a bunch of random teenage girls.”
“It’s a rather valid point,” Giles noted from the kitchen counter.
Xander grumped, “Now it’s valid,” rolling his eyes.
Dawn interjected, “Before we start with the jumping, let me finish,” cutting Xander’s grumble short. When she had everyone’s attention, Dawn explained, “The book has a few spells in it. There’s the original spell cast to actually make a slayer. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but it gives a recipe high on the ick. Also, I might like to add, the spell for the reversal—the one that we should be most interested in right now—is equally gross. Maybe even retch-worthy. While this wouldn’t really be a turn off for something like the First, it does add a slight complication.”
“Still not seeing the ‘why’ for the spell. Kind of already been done, or tried at least. I mean, we’ve sorta been and done. And the t-shirt wasn’t very nice either,” Willow said, appearing confused.
“Willow, my Willowy Waffle, what do all evil masterminds want?” Xander asked. Sticking a finger in the air to comically punctuate, he declared, “I will tell you. They want—” his tone dropped to a deep rumble “—world domination of course!”
Buffy raised her eyebrows and asked “If it’s world domination he’s after, why not just make a death ray and hold the world hostage?”
Perplexed by the seriousness of Buffy’s statement, Xander stammered, “I, well, maybe…”
Faith interjected, “Give it up, Xan…” When his brow furrowed, she snickered and remarked, “Best I’ve got,” shrugging for emphasis. She took on a more serious manner as she recapped, “So our baddie unmakes the slayer line. That leaves this world open to become a smorgasbord for the demon kind at large. Spells trouble. Lots.”
“So what now?” Buffy asked, still playing with her sucker. Focusing on the spinning red candy, she commented, “We’ve got a spell and a prophecy that hasn’t been decoded. Still sounds like a whole lotta nothing,” popping it back in her mouth when she finished.
Aradia interjected, “Not necessarily,” drawing the interest of everyone in the room. “Considering the coven houses the oldest written records of the slayer in existence, what I’d like to know is where this person got the spell.”
Dawn looked up from her notepad and said, “I’m not sure how he got them, but from what Buffy and Willow have said about the warehouse and the bodies, I don’t think it’s a proper translation of the spell.”
Giles perked up from his perch against the wall and asked, “How so, dear?”
“Well, the way the girls were killed. There isn’t a sacrifice in this spell. Not a traditional one. It says something about ‘grazing the vessel.’ Whatever that means. But there’s no death, or bleeding, or any of that stuff.” Dawn stretched and felt her back pop. I need to find a better way to research. If I keep this up, I’ll look like Quasimodo before I hit twenty-five.
Appearing puzzled, Giles glanced at Dawn and said, “I haven’t the foggiest,” then turned toward Buffy to explain, “Perhaps, Buffy—to answer your question—The First wasn’t aware of its existence.”
While the others continued to discuss the spell and its ramifications, Aradia caught Willow’s eye and motioned towards the hallway. Willow nodded and excused herself from the group. Aradia followed a few minutes later.
“What’s up?” Willow asked as she shut Buffy’s bedroom door. She walked over to the bed and sat down then motioned Aradia to sit with her.
Smiling, Aradia joined her friend and tried to explain, “I-it’s, this is rather different and not what I had expected.”
Willow cocked her head to the side with confusion. “Umm…?”
Fidgeting with the ring on her right hand, Aradia tried again, “I’m sorry, Willow. This isn’t…” But words failed her, so she trailed off.
“You know words usually help when you want to talk,” Willow joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
The other woman blushed and nodded. “I’m sorry. This isn’t what I expected.”
“Again, huh?”
“You didn’t say you and Buffy were together,” the other witch finally admitted.
The lights came on and Willow gasped, “Oh…oh!” The confusion returned and she stammered, “I—well, there wasn’t much time. But why would that matter?” You not…and—well, us not—I sorta thought it was over. What the heck is she getting at? When she motioned for more with a wave of her hand, Aradia supplied, “Because you need to understand that she’s in danger. We didn’t get to cover this either, but that spell. I’ve looked at it. Not as closely as Dawn has, but your girlfriend is in danger.”
Willow’s features softened and she grabbed Aradia’s hand. “I get what you’re saying, but the thing with Buffy is that she’s always in danger.”
“I’m glad you realize that, Willow, but it doesn’t mean I can’t worry.” She found herself unable to voice the rest of the thought. Her gaze dropped to her lap
“Don’t worry. It’s what we do. I’m not. It’ll be okay,” Willow chattered eagerly. When she sensed that Aradia didn’t share her confidence, she added a tentative, “Okay?”
Aradia nodded and laughed. “You know the reason I took the assignment?”
Playing coy, Willow teased, “Because it’s New York and you love this city?”
Aradia squeezed Willow’s hand tighter as she responded, “No.” A wry grin curled the corners of her mouth. She loosened her grip and admitted, “Well, okay, maybe just a bit. But it was more for you.”
Willow tried to shrug off the blush. Miserably failing, she mumbled, “I kinda figured, but…”
When Aradia interrupted, “But you and Buffy are special,” Willow fell silent.
She shook her head and struggled to explain, “We’re just…us, I guess.”
With another miserable failure in the bag, she allowed Aradia to continue, “Willow, have you bothered to read her aura?”
Becoming more sheepish, Willow replied, “No, I don’t like to. You know that was never my strongest area.”
Aradia caressed Willow’s back to comfort her as she reflected, “True, but you should be able to see hers. It’s magnificent. It’s bright and steady. The white nearly looks blue, but then it changes.”
Shifting, Willow put a little more distance between them before she responded, “Auras do from time to time,” sounding amused. She gently pulled her hand free and combed her fingers through her hair.
Aradia laced her fingers together in her lap and peered down at them. “True, but there’s—” her brow knit “—if I could describe the color when you’re around her and she’s around you, I could probably sell it to Crayola.”
Willow’s mouth pinched and asked, “So we read funny non-colors.”
Aradia muttered, “You do and that makes you a target. Do you know what it would mean to undo the slayer line?”
Willow considered the question for a moment and replied, “I’m thinking world endy type situations. Granted it wouldn’t be ‘The First’ bad, but it’d be pretty close.”
“To say the very least,” Aradia answered with no hesitation. She sighed before stating the obvious, “There’d be nothing standing in the way between the demon world and human one. This is a very unique situation you’ve found yourself in.”
Willow shrugged and stated nonchalantly, “It’s kinda standard really. One ride of badness after the other. You just sorta learn to deal.”
“Willow, you know what I mean. You’ve read the texts as much as I have.” She suppressed a laugh as Willow looked at her. “Okay, so maybe not as much. But you’ve read them and—with you and Buffy—you have to know that a slayer like her has never existed.”
Looking glum, Willow tilted her chin, giving a brief nod before she responded, “It makes her more of a target. But Buffy’s special. And not just in the slayer way.”
“She’d have to be for you to do the things you’ve done for her,” Aradia bluntly remarked. Her demeanor became more morose as she commented, “And here I thought we could…” Falling flat, she focused her gaze on the carpet.
Willow offered a sympathetic smile that went completely unnoticed. After a long pause, she remarked, “Well, not saying that it wasn’t fun times, but I’m with Buffy.”
“I know,” Aradia whispered, looking up to meet Willow’s soft green eyes. She slowly inched closer, giving her friend a chance to withdraw. Aradia lacing her fingers through Willow hair and murmured, “Take it as a goodbye,” drawing her into a brief, tender kiss.
Willow went with it for all of two seconds before she pulled back sputtering. Aradia pressed her finger to her ex-lover’s lips and hushed her, merriment at the befuddled look Willow wore dancing in her eyes.
Willow kissed the finger that rested on her pursed lips, lifting it away before she mumbled, “If Buffy wasn’t, then—”
Aradia hushed her friend once again and replied, “I understand. What you two have is special. Coming between that would be monstrous and, while one could argue that I have my moments, I’m not that bad.” Aradia smiled warmly and took Willow’s hand placing a kiss on her palm. “If you two ever decide to bring in a third party, I beg you don’t lose my number.”
Willow laughed, then wagged her finger as she teased, “You’re terrible. I might even say incorrigible.”
Aradia’s features turned from playful to shocked. “I don’t want to be treated like a little boy.”
Rolling her eyes, Willow said, “You’ve seen that movie way too much. You can overdose on Julie Andrews you know?”
“This from the girl that watched The Breakfast Club every Friday for three months?” Aradia snarked.
Willow grumbled, “Hey, it’s John Hughes. What do you expect?” indignation clear in her tone.
“From you, nothing.”
13 - Ground Zero
