Of Times Past

Sequel to- A Matter of Time & A Little More Time

The `Time' series

Author: Veronica

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~Part:21~

Giles dropped into his chair, and all three sat in stunned silence as they stared at the newly returned slayer. Kennedy looked at each one with a smirk on her face, then set her bag on the floor as she lowered herself into a chair near Willow.

"Sooo? Aren't any of you going to say anything? Or are you just going to sit there all day like statues and catch flies with you're mouth."

"Uh, I'm s-sorry, Kennedy. It's just that you're being here is sort of a surprise, that's all."

"Hey, it's okay. I sort of expected this reaction. Well, except for the part where Xander was choking on his food." She laughed. "Just kidding big guy. Actually, I kinda thought you knew."

"I really don't mean to sound rude here but………..what on earth are you doing here?"

"I heard all of you were going to England and that you needed a slayer to train the newbies to fight. And since I have experience in training and fighting, here I am."

"Oh? And just how, precisely, did you find out about this?" Giles asked

"Buffy called and told me." She looked at the three. "Didn't you know? She said that you'd need me since she can't go." She replied as she took in the sights around her. "I've gotta say, you guys have done an awesome job here. You know, when Giles first brought the idea up, I didn't think it would fly. No offence, Giles." She quickly added.

"None taken." He said. "I suppose." He added under his breath.

"But now that I see the place………..WOW! Oh, and remind me to give Buffy a congrats in person about taking over here when we leave. I can't wait to see the rest of it." she finished as Xander pushed his tray away. "So, umm. Where can I put my stuff?"

"Oh, uh, just a second." Willow said as she stood and turned to the group of girls. "Erin?"

"Yes, Miss Rosenberg?"

"Could you come over here for a moment please?"

"Sure." The young lady replied as she handed her food to one of the girls with her.

"Wow. So now it's `Miss Rosenberg'. You're really stepping up in the world." But Willow ignored Kennedy's comment as she talked to Erin.

"Erin, I need you to show Kennedy to a room where she will be staying for a while. Find her a room with the least amount of girls in it."

"No problem, Miss Rosenberg. If you would please follow me, Kennedy?"

"Excuse me kid, but that's Miss………….." but Willow cut her off in mid sentence.

"You have not been made a member of this faculty. And until we decide to do just that, the girls will call you Kennedy." She turned to Erin. "Understand?"

"I do, ma'am, and I'll be sure to let the other's know too."

"Thank you, Erin. Kennedy, if you'll follow Erin, she'll show you where you can bunk."

"Fine. Oh, and thanks for the warm welcome." Said the slayer, dripping with sarcasm as she stood, turned on her heel and left the room following behind the young woman.

"Well." Xander said, finding his voice for the first time. "That was just a little tense, mixed with a whole lotta awkward."

"What the hell was Buffy thinking? Calling Kennedy?" Willow sat and exhaled sharply as Giles and Xander noted her pale complexion.

"You okay, Wills?" Xander asked in concern.

"I don't know. Would you be? I mean, this was like totally outta the blue here, and I'm not quite sure how to handle this." She looked at Giles. "Why would she do this to me?"

"Kennedy did say that she was here to take Buffy's place in England. And we do kinda need her." Willow glared at Xander. "What? We do. I mean, you, me and Giles-sure, we can fight when we need to. But teaching it is a whole other matter."

"I find, as unbelievable as it may be, that I have to agree with Xander."

"Really?" Xander asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes, and Xander is quite correct. She has taught before, and proven herself to be very capable in that area."

"But, Giles. You could do it! After all, you did teach Buffy everything about fighting."

"Willow, listen to reason. I taught Buffy everything I knew, the rest she learned on her own through experience. And let us not forget that I'm not as young as I used to be." His voice softened. "I realize that this will be a difficult adjustment for you, but in my opinion, I think we should consider it."

"Look, if we try this and it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out. But we should at least give it a shot. What have we got to lose?"

"You mean, besides my sanity?" she sighed "Alright, alright. You both win. And I know I'm being kinda petty about all this, but she isn't part of the faculty until we reach England."

"Agreed. For now she can go on the routine with the rest of the girls."

"Are you sure about that, Giles? She isn't going to like it." Xander asked.

"It doesn't matter one wit to me whether she approves of it or not. She is roughly the same age, and a little older than some of those girls she will be teaching. I see no reason why she cannot participate until such time when she is given her own class to teach. Not to mention, it will keep her skills sharpened for when the time comes." Giles retorted hotly.

"You're not happy about her being here either. Are you, G-man?"

"Xander, I have asked you repeatedly over the years to stop calling me that!" he exclaimed, then sighed and shook his head. "Xander, please accept my apology. I should not have raised my voice to you like that."

"Giles, it's okay. Look at me," he said, patting his chest. "no harm done."

"Thank you. Sometimes you're kindness amazes me." And the young man smiled at his words. "And it is not so much that she is here that bothers me. The fact that Buffy did not inform me in the first place does. She should never have done this without our approval. We are the counsel, after all. If I am to lead this new order properly, then I must be consulted. If I'm not, then how am I to be expected to do my job?"

"I understand you're point, and it's a good one."

"Well guys. Not that this hasn't been fun………….actually, it hasn't. But anyway, I've got to break the news to Kennedy about her role here for the time being. And I'm so not looking forward to her reaction." Willow said as she stood.

"I think I shall join you. There's no need for you to go through this alone. And maybe my presence will stave off any possibility of a temper tantrum." He said, as he too, stood to leave with Willow.

"If you guys don't mind, I'll just stay here outta harms way." Xander chuckled, lightening the mood a little for the other two. "Have fun."

"Gee, Xander. Thanks for you're help."

"Hey, what are friends for." He laughed, and they left, shaking they're heads.

*     *     *     *     *     *

"It feels like she went and did this behind you're back, doesn't it?" she asked when they were alone.

"I'm sure she didn't mean for it to be that way."

"Maybe, but I bet it doesn't change the fact that it still hurts."

"No, it does not."

"I know, Giles. I feel that way too." She answered softly and put her arm around him as they walked along the hall.

~Part:22~

The two figures stood outside the door trying to steel themselves for what they knew was to come. Neither looked forward to the idea of dealing with the dark haired slayer, but given the circumstances, it was unavoidable.

"Normally there are only four girls to a room, but this one has three." Said Erin as the two figures listened while staying out of sight. "So I guess this is where you will be staying for a while."

"Cool." Replied Kennedy as she randomly chose a bed and threw her bag on it.

"Uh, that bed is already taken."

"Yeah, well I'm sure the owner won't mind moving for me."

"No, I don't think so."

"Oh? And what's she gonna do about it? Look here, little girl. I happen to be a personal friend of Willow and Giles, and I helped save the world. So tell me, what have you done?"

"Yup, you're right. I haven't saved the world-in fact, I'm still learning about my gift just like the rest of the girls here."

"Thought so."

"But that is still Carol's bed. Now, let me tell you something." Said the young woman as her face reddened in anger. "You may be a `personal friend' of Miss Rosenberg's and Mr. Giles's, but Carol is Miss Rosenberg's slayer."

"What?"

"That's right, `Kennedy'." Erin said, making sure to enunciate the slayer's name. "How do you think Miss Rosenberg is going to feel about you, knowing that her `friend' kicked her `slayer' out of her own bed?" She finished, and Kennedy walked to Erin and placed her face a couple inches away from the younger woman's.

"I don't like you."

"Consider the feeling mutual. If you don't mind, I'd like to go eat my breakfast now that my favor to Miss Rosenberg is done." And she turned and walked out the door, and straight into Willow. The red head placed a finger to her mouth and made a shush sound, as Giles tapped her shoulder and pointed in the direction for her to go.

Erin started down the hallway as Giles and Willow entered the room. But unknown to them both, the young slayer quietly came back and stood outside the door to listen.

"Kennedy." Willow said as she walked over, grabbed the bag off the bed and threw it onto the one that wasn't occupied.

"Hey, Willow, Giles. I was just going to move my bag."

"Well, now you don't have too." Said the red head.

"I hear you have a slayer now. You're really hitting the `big time'."

"Kennedy, please. Niceties aside, we really need to talk."

"About what?"

"Listen." Giles spoke up. "Neither Willow nor myself had any idea of the arrangements between you and Buffy."

"You guys really didn't know I was coming, did you?"

"No, we did not, as Buffy failed to inform us of this. Needless to say, we were totally unprepared for you're arrival, and thus, we have found ourselves at a loss as to what we should do."

"No big. I could always just jump right in and start teaching. I mean, hey, that's what I'm good at." She smiled.

"I am afraid that under these circumstances, that would be quite impossible at the moment. But we have decided on a course of action."

"And this `course of action' is?"

"Ken, Giles and I, as well as Xander, have decided that for the time being, you will bunk here with the girls and follow the same routine that they do. Fighting class, school, demonology class and so on."

"I beg you're pardon?" she looked at the two incredulously. "Are you telling me that I have to go to school?"

"The others do, and we don't see any reason why you can't do the same. After all, you're about the same age, and I know you didn't finish high school. And this just happens to be one of the requirements for anyone who wishes to be here." Finished the red head, and waited for the outburst to follow.

"This has to be some kind of a joke or something."

"I assure you, this is no joke. Willow and I are quite serious in this matter."

"You want me to sit in a class with the same kids that I'll be teaching?"

"Hold the phone there, Ken. We never said anything about giving you a position here. Giles and I haven't exactly had a chance to talk a whole lot on the subject about this yet." The red head said. Kennedy opened her mouth to say something when Giles spoke, not giving her the chance to utter a sound.

"That is not to say that you can not have the job of teacher when we move. But the point is, the counsel members need the chance to talk about this fully. Not to mention, taking Buffy's class will keep you're skills sharpened in the event you do get the position. As well as taking these classes will give you the opportunity to get to know who you're students are. That in itself will be an asset in the future."

"Okay, I guess you got me on that one. I can see you're point."

"Good. That gives you two months to get to know the girls, and learn they're daily routines. Now, given that it is Christmas, the schedule is off for the next few days, but will commence soon after. For now, you may, however, want to take the time to get to know you're roommates."

"Sure, Giles."

"Now bear in mind, you are to be considered a student here until such time when we leave. Willow? Is there anything else?" Giles asked.

"Yup, just one more thing." And she looked Kennedy straight in the eyes. "Don't you ever throw around our past acquaintance again to get what you want. You will follow the exact same rules as everyone else to the letter. Cause if it happens again, I will kick you out on you're ass so fast, you'll see tomorrow coming before it even gets here!" and she shot out a finger to accentuate her point.

Erin held a hand to her mouth with the hopes of not breaking out into laughter and getting caught for eavesdropping. Quickly, she turned and ran as quietly as possible down the hall to tell the others what happened.

"Well," Giles said as he clapped his hands together. "I think this concludes our discussion for the time being. Kennedy, if you will excuse us, we do have other matters to attend to." With that, Giles and Willow turned and walked to the door.

"By the way, welcome back." Willow said over her shoulder as to two left the room.

"Yeah, thanks."

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

"Well, I must say, that went better than I'd hoped."

"Maybe, but it's not over yet." Said Willow disdainfully.

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because now I get to talk to Buffy." She said as she headed towards the blonde slayer's room, with Giles in tow.

~Part:23~

Willow looked at Giles, who gave her a reassuring nod, and sucked in a deep breath before letting her hand smack against the door.

"I'm sleeping, go away!"

"Buffy, it Willow. Can I talk to you?"

"Will, can't this wait till later?"

"No, Buffy." Giles said. "I'm afraid that it cannot wait." And both heard a clamber inside the room before the door finally opened and the sleepy blonde ushered them in.

"Okay, what's the what?"

"Buffy." Giles said in greeting. "Is there anything that you neglected to inform us about? Something important that may have slipped you're mind?"

"No, nothing that I can think of, Giles. Why?"

"Well, Buff. We had a surprise visitor this morning."

"Really? Who?" asked the blonde while trying to stifle a yawn.

"Kennedy." At that, the slayer's eyes snapped open. "That's right, she's here. And she says that you called her."

"Oh, Wills. I'm sorry. I forgot all about it, what with Christmas coming and all. You know how it is."

"No, Buffy, I don't. Why don't you tell me?"

"Come on, Wills. It was a simple mistake. You don't need to get all bent out of shape about it." she replied, exasperation in her voice.

"Well, then. How about I call Riley. And ya know, maybe I should forget to tell you all about it too."

"Hey! Wait a second!"

"No, Buffy. You wait a second! First of all, you had absolutely no right to do that without first informing me, Giles or Xander! Even Wesley! Second, what on earth ever made you think you had the right in the first place? And third; like it or not, me, Giles, Xander and Wesley are you're bosses, and need to know about everything that goes on here."

"Hold on there! For one thing, YOU are definitely NOT my boss!"

"Actually, Buffy." Giles interrupted. "I beg to differ. Willow is, quite frankly, you're employer, as is Xander and I, and Wesley."

   "Excuse me?"

"Like it or not, the four of us are the founding members. And that makes ME one of you're employers! And don't for a second think that I wouldn't consider the idea of firing you're ass. If this is how you want to run this operation, I am quite capable of firing you for the little stunt you just pulled."

"I don't have to stand here and listen to this." Said the blonde. "Please leave."

"Oh for heaven's sake, Buffy! Show some maturity in the matter!" said Giles loudly, quickly losing his patience. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his voice. "What if this had been a business? If I am not informed of important details such as this, the business would fold, and quickly. Willow and I were not prepared for this."

"Isn't that one of the things you taught me? One of the first things I teach in my class is the exact same thing you told me when we first met." She looked at them smugly. "Always be prepared. And wasn't that you're motto for years? Be prepared?"

"And this is how you expect to run this branch?" Willow asked, stunned. "I can't believe it!"

"Neither can I, I assure you."

"Okay, here we go." Said Buffy, throwing her arms in the air.

"With what?" Giles asked.

"With you, and her." She pointed to Willow. "You're always taking her side!"

"He does not!"

"I do not!"

"Yes, yes you do! All I've heard since you two got back from England is Willow this and Willow that!" And she began mimicking Giles Voice. "Oh look, Buffy! Willow's back from stealing you're ex- boyfriend. Buffy, Willow has such great ideas. Willow is going to be a watcher. Isn't Willow doing well? Isn't Willow a remarkable young woman?" then she changed her voice to sound like a little girl as she began pacing around the room. "Oh, Miss Rosenberg, here's a present for you. Oh, Miss Rosenberg, will you be my watcher? Oh Miss Rosenberg, you've got such a big heart!" she finished.

"Is this what this is really about? You're jealous?" said Willow, but Buffy continued on as if she hadn't even heard her.

"Look at the facts, hmmm? First you steal Angel, then you steal my watcher, and then you steal the students. You're not even a teacher, you don't teach them a damn thing!"

"Let's just get a few things straight, right now. Angel was never `yours' to steal. Giles is no longer you're watcher, and hasn't been for years. And as far as the students go? I treat them like people-not students. I talk to them, and I listen to them. What do you do with them? You teach them to fight, and as soon as class is done you have nothing more to do with them. They aren't stupid. They know when someone really cares, and when they don't!"

"You really think you're something, don't ya? You've let all this attention get to you're head."

"No, Buffy. I haven't. But you did. For so many years you thought that the world revolved around you. And in a way, I guess it did." Willow stopped, and her eyes widened as realization dawned. "So that's what it is. You don't like the fact that mousy little Willow, who used to take orders from you-is now giving you the orders. That's exactly what it is. Talk about you're irony."

"That's not true!"

"Yes, I believe it is." Said Giles. "And I must say that I'm rather disappointed in you're behavior, Buffy. I trusted you to be able to run this branch on your own. But now I find that I am no longer sure that I can trust you're judgment when it comes to the important matters that require scrutiny and careful decision making." Giles lowered his head sadly as Buffy stood, no one daring to break the silence that followed his statement.

"Giles?" The slayer said softly.

"Any problems you have about Willow should never have been allowed to interfere with the operations of the `New Order'. You let you're personal feelings get in the way, something that should never have happened."

"You're right, Giles. I should never have done that."

"No, you shouldn't have, I thought I taught you to be better than that. And now I'm not sure that I can excuse this, or let it go unpunished."

"I understand. I'll take whatever punishment you want to give me. I deserve it."

"That is very noble of you, but it does not change what has transpired. Now, if you will excuse us. I must gather the counsel together and discuss this matter. Someone will get back to you on this later today." He finished as he placed a hand on Willow's back and guided her out of the room. Once out, Willow placed a hand on her stomach. "Willow, are you alright?"

"Actually, Giles, I'm not. I'm kinda feeling a little sick to my stomach."

"That reaction is quite understandable after everything that's happened this morning."

"Uh huh. And the worst part is, we've all only been out of bed for about two hours. I don't really think I want to see how the rest of the day is gonna go anymore."

"Indeed. Come along, let's get you a cold cloth."

~Part:24~

Giles and Willow could hear the chattering teenagers as they walked towards the cafeteria to get Xander, but upon entering the room, everyone fell silent. This caused the two to look in the direction of the girls, and noticed that they were being stared at. But the girls quickly averted their eyes down to the food in front of them, and began eating.

"Is there some sort of a problem here?" asked Giles.

"No sir. Just eating breakfast." Replied Rona.

"Alright then. Please continue." He said sternly, and he and Willow continued on to meet Xander.

"Hey, guys. How did it go?"

"Xander, this is not the place. Come along, please. We are going to my office to discuss this matter in private."

"Right behind ya." Said the young man as he got up and walked to the counter. "Here, Andy." And he handed him the tray of unfinished food and followed the other two out the door. "Shouldn't we wait till Wesley gets back?"

"I'm afraid that this cannot wait that long. Mr. Price is not due back for another week, and this is something that needs tending to now." Giles said as they reached his office and went inside.

"Okay. I'm guessing this has something to do with Kennedy." Xander said, waiting expectantly. "Talk with her not go well or what?"

"Actually, our discussion went far better than we had planned. She is agreeable to the idea we presented her with, albeit, reluctantly."

"Well, that's good anyway." He said, and looked to Willow, who sat silent and pale. "So if the problem isn't Kennedy, what is it?"

"It is something that neither of us had anticipated, and I'm afraid that it's thrown us for a bit of a loop."

"Okay. That's it. Right now you're telling me about a whole lotta nothing, so lets get down to what is going on." Said Xander in frustration.

"I'm sorry, Xander." Giles took a deep breath before continuing. "It seems as though there is a problem with Buffy."

"What's wrong with Buffy? Is she sick or something?"

"In a manner of speaking, I suppose you could say that."

"Look, just tell me already. Enough with the cryptic shtick."

"Xander, it appears that Buffy is jealous of Willow. So much so, that she called Kennedy here as a way of making a small jab at her."

"Are you sure about that? Cause, I mean," he looked to the red head. "No offense, Will, but we do need her here."

"Yes, that may, I admit, have been a small part of her reasoning. But the underlying factor in this is that she did it as a way of getting back at Willow. Right now she is contending with the fact that she thinks Willow has stolen Angel from her and…………………"

"Wait, wait a sec. Stolen Angel? Buff and Angel aren't even a couple." He looked to Willow. "I warned you a long time ago that this would happen."

"Enough, Xander. They aren't even a couple, just like you said. He's not hers anymore, and she has no right to say who he can see and who he can't." Willow said defensively.

"The point here is, there are other things that have added to this situation, but the biggest of them all, is that she cannot reconcile with the idea that Willow is now an authority figure."

"I'm afraid I don't get you're meaning."

"Let me put it this way, Xand. For almost eight years Buffy was the slayer and gave us orders-orders that we willingly and gladly followed. If she wanted us to do something, we did it, no questions asked. But now the shoe is on the other foot, and she's the one taking orders from us-from me, and she can't stand it."

"Are you sure? I mean, this doesn't sound like the Buffy I know."

"Haven't you been paying attention to anything? For the last year or so things haven't been right between her and I. How could you not see what was going on right under you're nose? Are you really that blind, Xander?" but as soon as the last sentence passed her lips, she covered her mouth with her hand and started to cry. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it, I really didn't." the brunette moved to sit beside her, and putting his arms around her, he pulled her close to him.

"Shhh, I know you didn't mean to say that. It's okay." He comforted while rocking gently back and forth until her sobbing subsided. Giles handed him a tissue from his desk, and he gave it Willow to dry her eyes. Once finished, he tilted her face up with his hand to meet his. "Everything will be alright, I promise. Just like you're always here for me, I'll always be here for you too." And he kissed her forehead.

"This has been a rather shocking day for all concerned."

"Okay, Willow's right. I did notice that something wasn't quite right between them. I mean, you and I kinda talked a little about it some odd weeks back. I just didn't think it had gotten this bad." And Giles nodded at Xander's statement.

"She never really needed us, we were nothing to her." Willow said softly to herself.

"Of course she needed us, we were-are-her friends."

"No, she didn't. She didn't need us for anything, unless it was to do something she didn't want to do herself."

"Let's try and keep this conversation on track. Shall we? I honestly don't know what to do about this situation as yet. I told Buffy that someone will see her later today regarding our decision on this matter." He sighed. "If it were anyone else, we would have fired that person."

"No!" everyone's head shot in Willow's direction. "Please, don't fire her. I realize that it's only been like ten minutes since we talked to her, but I've been going over everything in my head." She said as she swiped her eyes with the tissue again. "And you know, everything with Buffy would be fine if I wasn't here."

"Whoa, wait. You're not saying that you're gonna quit, are you?"

"You had best rid yourself of that very idea, Willow. I will not have it."

"No, not quit. But I, I mean we, will be leaving in two months anyway. With me out of the way, she'll probably run this place the way it should be run."

"So what are you trying to say, Wills?"

"Let's just leave things the way they are. Give her a stern warning of sorts, but," She sniffed. "I'm sure if she's told that she can still head this branch when we leave, her and I-if nothing else, can at least have a decent working relationship for the length of time we are here."

"Are you saying that you would let you're friendship…………"

"I would love to see that nothing happened to it, Buffy and I have been friends for far too long. But a friendship can't go on if it's one sided, and if she doesn't want to be friends, then I'm not going to force the issue with her. If nothing else, I'll have to settle with having a `civil' relationship with her. Work related only, I guess."

"I can't believe what is going on here." Xander said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Then I guess I shall go tell Buffy. There is not much point in putting it off until this afternoon."

"No, Giles. I'll do it."

"Xander…………."

"I said I'd do it. You and Willow have had you're chance to speak with her, I haven't. And I'd kinda like to clear the air if possible." The brunette said as he stood and left.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

"Who is it?" asked the blonde slayer.

"Buffy, it's me." Xander replied, and a moment later the door was opened to reveal his friend. "You've been crying." He said as he looked at her puffy eyes.

"I'm pretty sure you know what happened. Wouldn't you cry too?"

"Maybe." He shrugged. "I'm here to talk to you, about the decision that was made. But first things first." And he walked in and took a seat. "What about your friendship with Willow?"

"What friendship? Xander, there is no friendship anymore."

"And why the hell not? You, me and Willow, the three of us have been through hell and back more times than I care to count, and we've always managed to stick together. What makes this any different? Tell me, cause I'd really like to know."

"Great. I guess this means that I've lost you as a friend too."

"Quit making assumptions and trying to put words in my mouth- especially when that's not what I was even thinking! I am you're friend, and so is Giles…………..and so is Willow if you let her."

"I can't do that."

"And why not?"

"I can't! I can't because……..because what Giles said is true."

"Well, goody-goody-gumdrops! Look at us! I didn't know we were back in grade two!" he yelled as he threw his arms up in the air, causing Buffy to flinch. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling, but I'm just a little upset here."

"I know, and you have a right to be."

"You're damn right I do. I'm having a really hard time believing that you would let Willow's position come between you two after everything you've been through." He took a deep breath. "Listen, she still wants to be friends with you, but if you don't want that to happen, then she's willing to at least have a civil working relationship with you. Can you handle that?" he asked, and the slayer nodded but said nothing. "Good."

"So, what happens to me now?"

"As Giles said, if it had been any other employee, they would have been fired."

"Oh."

"But we've decided to let you keep this job, and take over when we leave."

"Really?" she said in disbelief.

"But, and I stress the `but' highly. The three of us will be watching you from now on, at least until we think we can trust you again."

"I'll find a way to prove to you that you can trust me again, I swear! And Xander? Tell Giles I said thank you."

   "Why? It wasn't Giles idea not to fire you………….it was the person you don't consider to be you're friend anymore." He said, voice lowered. "And I'll warn you now, Buff. I love you, I really do, but if you ever try to come between me and Willow…" He let the warning trail off, knowing she understood.

"I won't." she said, voice shaking as he stood up and kissed her on the cheek.

"I gotta go. See you later."

Present Day

Willow's eyes began to droop as she closed the book, giving it to Angel to set on the nightstand.

"Here, lay back and get some rest."

"Thank you." She said. "I'm so tired, and that was such a long entry."

"I know. Sleep now. You can read more tomorrow." And he kissed her softly on the lips before she snuggled down and closed her eyes. "Sleep well, my love." He said, and turned off the lamp.

~Part: 25~

Present Day

Angel listened quietly to the tune Willow was humming as he ran the brush down the length of her silver hair. It was a hauntingly beautiful tune; one that he had never heard composed before, so full of sadness, and it was one she seemed to hum all the time.

He turned his head to the mirror, all the while never missing a stroke with the brush, to look at her face. She looked so far away- somewhere lost in thought, and Angel knew where her thoughts were; in the past, as they have been a lot in the last few years.

"Where are you?" he asked softly.

"Back there, in `once upon a time'. That's where I always seem to be anymore." She said wistfully. "Lost in the past, and waiting for the right time to change."

"Change what?"

"The future."

"Willow, using your magic to alter…………….." but she cut him off with a chuckle.

"Don't be silly. It's nothing like that." She said, and turned to look at him.

"Then what is it?"

"By the time I've finished reading to you all of my entries, you will understand." And she rubbed his cheek with her hand, then stood and took her book off the nightstand. "Come with me." She said as she made her way out the door, and headed down the staircase.

"Willow?" he said as he shut off the hidden tape recorder, and quickly followed along behind. "What are you doing? You should be in bed." He reprimanded.

"Sometimes I get so tired of seeing that room." And she walked to the couch and sat down, pulling the blanket draped over the back and covering herself with it. "Incinero." She said, and the fireplace began to glow and send warmth from the fire she created. "Ah, much better. Don't you think?"

Angel said nothing as he sat down beside her, giving her a look that told her in no uncertain terms, that he was not pleased with her actions.

"Oh, for Pete's sake, Angel. Lighten up." She admonished playfully. "Now that we're both nice and comfy, I have another entry to read to you."

"Are you sure you're up to it? Yesterdays was a pretty long one."

"Oh pish posh!" she said, waving a dismissive hand in the air. "I'm fine. Don't treat me like I'm fragile, I'm not gonna break my eyes from reading." She smiled playfully, then looked to the book in her hands and began leafing through the pages.

"Is it true?" he hesitantly asked.

"Is what true?"

"They way Buffy behaved. Is it true?"

"That's what I wrote, didn't I?"

"But why? I don't understand the reasoning for it."

"Oh, Angel." She said sadly. "Buffy wasn't the same girl you knew. I don't know if my taking her from heaven was the catalyst for it or what, but she was never really the same afterwards."

"But still……………"

"Look at the facts, Angel. I was taking trips to see you, and you and I talked to each other on the computer as often as we could when we couldn't be together. That would spell relationship to almost anyone. And because of that, she tried to make me see things between Giles and I that weren't there, just to keep you and I apart. After a while, I think, even she saw what never really was."

"But her outburst?"

"I think, more than anything, she was just frustrated with the fact that as close as Giles and I were, we weren't progressing the way she'd hoped. She saw things, but it wasn't enough to solidify her hopes. And because of that, the potential for you and I was still there in her mind. And when she finally broke down and had her little temper tantrum, it was mainly used as fuel for the fire. Something else to throw in my face out of desperation and defending her actions."

"I don't know if I fully understand."

"You don't need to. It will be explained later in my diary." She patted his hand. "Hush now." She looked down at the page. "Dear Diary…………."

2005

The castle inside was huge, and everyone's mouths hung open in awe and admiration from the moment they stepped inside. Willow looked around at the furnishing and tapestries in amazement, and though the majority of it was stunning to say the least, there were some things she found to be a little tacky.

The place was spotless. As promised, the sect had taken the time to hire a cleaning crew to dust and wash, and kept a few hired full- time. They had even hired a full-time kitchen staff for Andrew, who was only too thrilled at the prospect of having people to tell what to do and what to prepare for the daily meals.

They had also hired a teacher to replace Robin Wood, as he had decided to stay behind and teach there. Wesley had also talked to the sect, at the urging of the other three, about putting another teacher on retainer. Though Kennedy was to be teaching the girls to fight, it was quite clear to everyone that none of the girls liked the dark haired slayer. To them, it was best to have another option on the off chance that Kennedy didn't work out as planned-an option they didn't see the need to tell her about.

Excitement filled the air as they all walked around to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. The servants had already lit the fireplaces, hoping to stave off some of the chill that had settled in, making each room a welcome sight for the eyes. Xander ran up behind Giles and Willow and placed a hand on each shoulder.

"Wow! This is quite the place!" said the brunette excitedly.

"Indeed, it is." Replied Giles, and Xander bounded off in another direction as Andrew came up to them, with Jenna in tow.

"Can you believe this place? And did you see that kitchen? It's huge!" he grabbed Giles hand and the older man's body shook from the overenthusiastic handshake he received. "Thank you so much!" he released Giles hand and scooped Willow up in a tight hug. "I have a kitchen staff! A kitchen staff!"

"Andrew, <cough> Andrew, let go." She gasped.

"Ooops, sorry." He said upon releasing her. "I have a kitchen staff!" he said excitedly.

"Isn't he cute?" said Jenna as she watched her boyfriend bouncing happily on his toes.

"Yes, cute as a button." Giles replied dryly as he grasped his arm with his hand.

"Yup, that's our Andrew; a real cutie-pie."

"C'mon, Jen. Let's go look around some more!" and the two were off as the red head turned to Giles.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. Although, I will be much better once the circulation in my arm begins again." He chuckled.

"Excuse me. I'm looking for a Mr. Giles?" said a female servant at the end of the tour.

"I am Rupert Giles."

"Oh, Mr. Giles. This is for you." She replied as she held out a clipboard for him to take. "It will tell you who is assigned to what chamber and where it can be found, as well as the office locations, and who will inhabit them."

"Thank you. I'll look it over now. The sooner we are settled, the sooner we can get started."

"Yes sir. Is there anything else?"

"No, nothing I can think of at the moment."

"Dinner will be served at seven. If you will excuse me."

"Yes, thank you." Replied Giles, never taking his eyes from the clipboard in his hands.

"Giles!" Willow said, smacking his arm and causing the older man to jump.

"What on earth was that for?"

"Did you really have to be like that?"

"Like what exactly."

"The way you treated her."

"Oh? And how was that?"

"You treated her like a servant!"

"Willow, she is a servant."

"She also happens to be a person, Giles, with feelings."

"Oh good lord, Willow." Giles rolled his eyes. "This is her station in life, and this is what she is accustomed too."

"Well, maybe. But if you're going to boss her around, could you at least do it nicely?" she asked. "Besides, you don't want the girls to get the wrong idea. Last thing we need is for them to end up with an attitude problem that we will have to deal with later." And Giles couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.

"You are always thinking with your heart." And he caressed her cheek lightly with his fingers. "But what you say does hold merit. I will do my best to remember." He said and watched her beam at his words.

"Thank you. Now, who goes where so we can get things started?" she asked, and both directed their eyes back to the clipboard.

~Part: 26~

Getting everything set up wasn't as hard or as long a process as originally anticipated, mostly due to the fact that the castle was already furnished. Each bedchamber was set up to house two girls, while the staff members had their own rooms. The only thing for everyone to put in order was his or her own personal possessions such as toiletries, pictures and other things that were of sentimental worth to them.

And needless too say that none of the girls were all that thrilled upon hearing the news that the regular routine was to begin tomorrow: all but Kennedy, who was practically bouncing in her seat at the idea of her teaching career starting so soon.

Huddled around the fire in the main living area were Xander-with a blanket wrapped tightly around him, and the girls. Giles and Willow sat on one end of the couch; Giles arm was around the red head in a mixture of relaxing comfort and sharing body heat, while Andrew and Jenna sat cuddling at the other end.

Kennedy sat in an armchair near the couch, with a small table and lamp in between, separating the two pieces of furniture. Periodically, the dark haired slayer let her eyes move to where Willow sat, and regarded her with curiosity as the red head leaned against the older man with her closed eyes.

"Miss Rosenberg?" came a voice, startling the witch.

"Yes, Carol?"

"I was just wondering when I'd get to start going out on patrol?"

"Oh, uh." She looked to Giles, then back to the young woman in front of her. "Well, why don't we give it a few weeks? Let everyone have a chance to settle and get back on schedule, and then we'll see how your classes are going first. If all goes well, then I don't see any reason why we can't start within a month's time. How's that sound?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Good. And just for the record, since you're my slayer and I am you're watcher, please call me Willow. I don't see why you and I can't go on a first name basis anymore."

"Okay, Willow." Carol smiled proudly at the statement.

"Alright then. Now that that's settled, I think it's time all of you headed off to bed, it's getting late." Willow said, and heard groans in response from the other end of the room. The red head looked to the young woman at the end of the couch. "That means you too, Jenna."

"But, Miss Rosenberg. Can't I please……….."

"Sorry, but just because you chose to date a member of the faculty, it doesn't mean it gives you special privileges. Off you go."

"Yes ma'am." Was the slightly saddened reply. "See you tomorrow, Andrew?"

"I wouldn't miss seeing you for all the stars and planets in the galaxy." He said, and she leaned down and kissed him.

"Awww. Isn't that sweet, Giles? Young love." Said Willow teasingly, and gave an exaggerated sigh as the two parted and blushed. "Now, go to bed." She said with a smile, pointing to the stairs.

Jenna joined the group of snickering girls and they all headed up the stairs, but about halfway up, the people sitting downstairs heard, "Stop that!" from Jenna and hysterical laughter from the rest of the girls as it echoed through the living area.

"I'm gonna head off too. Night, Willow, Mr. Giles." Said Andrew as he stood.

"Andrew. I think that after our prolonged association, it is quite alright for you to call me Giles."

"Really?" he asked, a little surprised.

"Really."

"Thank you." Said the young man, breaking into a grin. "And goodnight…Giles."

"Sleep well."

"Hey, aren't you going to say goodnight to me?" asked Kennedy.

"Why? It's not like it's a requirement or anything." Andrew said, openly displaying his dislike of the dark haired slayer, causing Willow to bite her tongue and Giles to clear his throat. And with a nod towards the couple, the blonde was off.

"That was really sweet of you, Giles." Willow said after the young man disappeared.

"Yes, I suppose it was." He chuckled. "Actually, I find that I've grown rather fond of him these past two years. He has proven to be a loyal and hard working young man, and I believe he has earned the right to address me as you and Xander do."

"I guess he's kinda surprised us all, huh? A few years ago I never would have expected to see him like this. He seems to be happy here, with us and what he does, I mean." She said, looking up at him.

"Yes, he does. He has accomplished much, and I do believe that our young Miss Jenna has played a rather large part in that area of reasoning." He looked at his watch. "At any rate, you, my dear, should be heading off to bed as well. It is getting rather late." And he gave her shoulders a little squeeze.

"I know, I know. Tomorrow is back to `business as usual'." She said as she moved away from him and stood. "Night, Giles." And she gave him a small kiss on the cheek and walked away, all the while, Kennedy sat silently watching the by-play between the two.

"Hey, Willster. Walk you to your room?" asked a shivering Xander as he left the warmth of the fire and stood next to her.

"Wow, and escort and everything. I think I'm gonna like it here." She laughed and took the arm he held out for her, and then looked intently into his face, brows furrowed.

"What?"

"It's just that…….I mean, wow. Ya know?" she pointed to his eye. "It's so real looking. If I didn't know what happened, I'd never know it was fake." And he smiled at her words.

"I know. Scary, isn't it?" he turned to Giles. "Night, Giles." And he and Willow left, leaving Giles and Kennedy alone.

"Will there be anything else you require for the evening?" came a female voice upon entering the room.

"Hmm? Oh, no thank you. You may retire for the evening." He replied, then remembering Willow's words to him a few days ago, he added. "And thank you for all of your help. It was very much appreciated." At his last statement, the woman beamed.

"You are most welcome sir. And if there is anything we can do to be of service, you need only ask."

"That is very kind of you, thank you."

"Your welcome. And goodnight, sir."

"Goodnight." And a moment later she was gone.

"You know, Giles. You didn't have to be quite so polite to her, she's just a maid-it's her job to do what you tell her." But after hearing her words, Giles had to stop and think. `Did I really sound so incredibly low and shallow when I told Willow the very same thing?'

"She may be just a `maid', as you put it. But she is-unlike the creatures you slay-a human being with human emotions." He said, using a variation of Willow's words. "You would do best to remember that, Kennedy."

"Whatever." Was the slayer's only response, and Giles took a sip of his scotch, careful to hide his annoyance. "Sooo. You and Willow seem to be getting along pretty good lately." She said, and the older man inwardly flinched.

"Willow and I get along fine, as we always have." He said curtly.

"Oh, I don't know. You two seem a little `cuddlier' than I remember, back before I left for Arizona." She said. "Not that it's really any of my business what goes on behind closed doors or anything." She added quickly.

"You are quite correct." He said as he placed his glass on the table, a little harder than necessary. "It is none of your business." With that, he stood and faced her.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to tick you off or anything." She said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "I was just making an observation."

"Be that as it may, I find your `observations' to be somewhat of an insult." He said, desperately trying to remain calm. "If you wish to remain here, might I suggest you keep your comments and observations to yourself? I, for one, am not interested in hearing such drivel, as I am sure that no one else is either. How Willow and I conduct ourselves is our affair, and, frankly, none of yours." He drew in a deep breath. "I will refrain from telling Willow of this conversation. And as I do not wish to continue with this nonsense any longer, you will have to excuse me while I retire for the rest of the evening." And Giles turned on his heel and left the room, with Kennedy glaring at his retreating form.

~Part: 27~

A few weeks later

Xander, Giles and Willow sat around the breakfast table, hungrily waiting for everyone else to join them. The aroma of food filtered through from the kitchen to the dining hall, causing stomachs to growl in frustration of having to wait.

Luckily, the wait wasn't a long one as the sounds of happy chatter, followed by the girls, entered the room. Everyone found a place at the table and sat, then sniffed the air appreciatively. But as Carol turned her head to comment on something Erin had said, Willow caught the sight of a bluish-purple colour surrounding her left eye.

"Carol?"

"Yes, ma'am?" she asked, already knowing the question.

"What on earth happened to your eye?" but once the question was out, the entire room quieted down unexpectedly, causing the three members to look around at all of them.

"Oh, it's nothing really." She replied as she tried to pull her bangs forward to cover the bruise. "During class last night, I forgot to duck, that's all."

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?" asked the red head with concern.

"I'm fine, really. Slayer healing, it'll be gone by tomorrow anyway."

"Are you sure? Would you like some ice for it?"

"Willow, really, I'm fine. Just a little embarrassed, that's all. Next time I'll just have to make sure to duck." She chuckled and Willow nodded.

"Alright, if you say so. You'd think after knowing a slayer for almost ten years, that I'd remember how much better the pain threshold you guys have is." That said, all the girls snickered, and then carried on with chatting to one another again.

"Okay, here we go again." Said an annoyed Xander. "She's late again, and here we are, sitting here waiting to eat." He looked to Giles pleadingly. "Can't we just start without her this time?"

"Certainly not! We will not start without her."

"But I'm hungry. And we do this everyday at every meal." He whined. "Same bat time, same bat channel."

"Tell you what, Xand. Why don't the three of us talk to her about it after breakfast, when the girls have gone to their morning classes? Will that make you feel any better?" asked Willow, but only received a shrug in response.

The entire room quieted once again, and the three looked up to see Kennedy walk in and take her seat at the other end of the table. The room also seemed a little chillier as the three noticed the dirty looks directed towards the slayer from the girls before turning their eyes to the table. Could their eyes have thrown daggers, no one would have recognized the body from the amount of metal that would be protruding from her.

"Well, that was a little spooky."

"Indeed."

"Hey, Andy! We're all here now, so you can make with the vittles!" shouted Xander in the direction of the doorway leading to the kitchen. All the girls covered their mouths to keep from laughing, but a couple of snorts were heard as Giles and Willow rolled their eyes while the servants came out with plates of food sitting on the tops of large trays.

"I was talking to Mr. Fredericks yesterday after his class finished. He said Carol was doing really well."

"I must say, that is good to hear." Replied Giles.

"Yup. He took a look at her records and is very impressed with her progress since she came to us, and that she has managed to bring her grades up from a D to a B-."

"That is truly wonderful news, Willow. And I have no doubt that Mr. Wood would like to hear of this."

"I thought so too. I figured that if she's doing that good, then I don't see any reason not to start taking her out on patrol. What do you think?" she asked, as a steaming plate was set down in front of her. "Thank you." She smiled at the servant.

"You are quite welcome Miss."

"Please, it's Willow."

"Willow." The servant smiled and moved on.

"I can't think of a reason not to. However, you might want to ask Kennedy how she is doing in her defensive training class as well."

"I'll wait till the girls are dismissed from breakfast so I can talk to her privately about it." she replied as she picked up her fork and began to eat, giving Giles a sideways glance. "Giles?"

"Yes?"

"Is there something bothering you?" she asked, and watched as the fork-full of food stopped its travels halfway to his mouth.

"Everything is fine. Why do you ask?" and he placed the fork in his mouth.

"Oh, I don't know. It's nothing really." And she went back to eating. Honestly, she wasn't sure how to bring up the question to him without making it sound wrong.

`Hey, Giles. Why don't you hug me anymore? Hey, Giles. Why won't you hold my hand? Hey, Giles. Why do we sit apart on the couch now?'

Even though all these questions ran through her mind these past few weeks, she did her best to act as though nothing were wrong with their relationship. But the fact still remained, he was pushing her away and she didn't know why………and it hurt. She wiped her mouth with a napkin, pushed her unfinished plate away and stood.

"Willster? Aren't you going to finished your breakfast?"

"No. I'm not really that hungry." She looked to the dark haired slayer. "Ken? When you're finished, would you mind coming to my office? There's a report I'd like to go over with you."

"Sure. I'll be done in a few."

"Thanks. See ya then." And with that, she left the room and went to her office.

* * * * * * *

A soft knock sounded at the door, then opened with Kennedy peeking her head through.

"Hey, here I am."

"That was quick. I didn't expect to see you so soon. Did you even taste the food you were eating?" joked Willow and both laughed nervously.

"Barely." And Kennedy took a seat. "I couldn't pass up the chance to see you alone. We never really talk anymore, at least not since I came back."

"I know, it's just that for the past couple of years there's been so much to worry about. Ya know?"

"Uh huh. I know." She nodded in agreement. "I mean, all you have to do is look around to see what you guys were trying to do. It's totally understandable that your mind was somewhere else."

"Yeah, it was, and still is a lot of the time." Willow sighed. "There's so much work already done, but still so much more to do."

"You know, if you ever need a hand, just say the word and I'm there."

"Thanks, Ken. That really means a lot to me. And you're right; we've never really had the chance to talk since you came back. How were things in Arizona for you?"

"Hot. That pretty much sums it up. And boring. There was nothing to slay there. All these new powers and nothing to use them on." She laughed. "So when Buffy offered me this, I couldn't turn it down." She stood up and walked over and sat on the corner of the desk beside Willow. "I couldn't turn down the chance to see you again, either." She said, and reached out and began stroking Willow's hair. "I've missed you, a lot."

"Kennedy." She replied, tensing.

"Shhh." And she leaned in close to Willow's ear. "There's no reason why things can't be like they were before. You and me, like we used to be." She said in a husky tone as she caught Willow's earlobe in her teeth, then brought a hand up and laid it on Willow's breast. The red head immediately pushed her chair away from her desk and stood, moving quickly to stand on the other side of her desk, and away from the young woman.

"That's enough!" she shrieked, then cleared her throat. "I was hoping you and I could still talk to each other and be friends, which would've made working together a lot easier and less weird for both of us."

"I don't want friendship, Willow………I want you."

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but you can't `have' me. Look, our relationship was nice while it lasted, but it wasn't based on anything real."

"Nice? Wasn't real? It sure as hell was real for me!"

"It wasn't for me. Don't you get it?"

"No, I get it just fine! First you start boinking Buffy's ex, then you move on to an old man just so you can get a position of power in this place."

"Excuse me?" Willow was totally stunned at this revelation. "You think Giles and I……………..?"

"Oh give it up, Willow! You and Giles can try and hide it all you want, but I'm not stupid! Buffy was right; you are quite the little slut." but at Kennedy's words, a thought struck Willow.

"Did you say something to Giles about this?"

"Yeah, I did. I brought it up a few weeks ago, and let me tell you, he's not very good at the denial game." She said snidely.

"Get out." She pointed to the door. "Get out now before I really lose my temper!"

"Fine with me." Kennedy replied coolly, but stopped when she got to the door. "Oh, I know what you wanted to talk to me about. And just for the record? Carol isn't ready, she's too slow. If you want a dead slayer on your hands, then go ahead, take her out. But don't say I didn't warn ya." That said; she left Willow alone, fuming from the conversation.

Willow paced around her office trying desperately to calm down, when she finally picked up the phone and dialed the extension to the kitchen.

"Kitchen, Andrew speaking."

"Hey, Andrew. Could you do me a favor?"

"Anything for you, Willow. What is it?"

"Could you ask Giles to come to my office? It's really important."

~Part: 28~

The past ten years had been an emotional roller coaster; but the last four, Willow had to admit, were the worst of them all. And quite frankly, Willow wasn't sure how much more she could take.

A knock sounded at the door, and the red head got up and answered it, already knowing whom she would find on the other side. As expected, it was Giles, and she quickly ushered the man in and closed the door for some much needed privacy.

Giles took a seat and remained silent as he watched the young woman pace around the room, but not a word came forth from her mouth as to why his presence had been requested. He folded his hands together and waited patiently as he watched her move to her chair and take her seat, only stand again.

"Given your agitated state, I presume that your conversation with Kennedy did not proceed as you would have hoped?"

"Well isn't that the understatement of the decade!" she said sarcastically. "No, Giles, it did `not' go as well as I'd hoped!" She breathed in deeply and let it out, hoping to calm down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

"I assure you, it is quite alright." He said softly.

"Giles? Why don't you touch me anymore?" she blurted out. "I mean, lately you've been acting like I'm `cootie-girl' or something. What's going on?" she asked, and watched as the older man took off his glasses and began to clean them, avoiding eye contact with her.

"I do not know what you are talking about." He stated flatly, void of emotion.

"Yes, you do. You've become so withdrawn lately. I mean, we don't sit together anymore, you don't hold my hand, no hugging and the list goes on. Did I do something wrong?" she asked, and he quickly put his glasses back on, stood up and placed his hands on her upper arms. "Are you mad at me?"

"You did nothing wrong, don't ever think that." He said sternly. "And you have done nothing to upset me in any way."

"Then why?"

"It is not you, Willow, really it's not. It's me."

"I don't understand."

"I did not want our actions to be misinterpreted by the young ladies that reside here, so I thought it best not to continue with our displays of affection. It was my decision and mine alone, and it had nothing to do with you or any actions you may have thought you did."

"You didn't want the girls to get the wrong idea?"

"Exactly." He said, and then returned to his seat.

"You mean like Kennedy?" his eyes went wide. "She's right, you are a lousy liar. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Willow, please………….."

"I've been walking around here for the past few weeks thinking that I must have done something to make you mad at me, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what. Oh sure, you still talked to me about business and all, but with anything else you avoided me like I was a plague! All this time, only to find out from Kennedy what was really bugging you. I mean, damnit Giles! You pushed me away because of her. Do you have any idea how much that hurt me? You should have told me! I thought there weren't supposed to be any secrets between us."

"I suppose that, in a way, I did push you away, but I did not wish to upset nor hurt you with her nonsense, just as you are upset now. So I thought it best to say nothing and save you the aggravation."

"Giles, I would've found out about it sooner or later, and of course I'd be upset. But look at me, I'm not sixteen anymore, and I don't need you to ride to the rescue like a knight in shining armor to save me." She sighed. "And anyway, it wasn't just our actions that made her think this." He looked at her quizzically until she continued. "Buffy planted the idea in her head. And the fact that you and I are close made it even more real."

"Buffy? Buffy did this?"

"That's right. It wouldn't have mattered one bit about what she saw, she already believed Buffy. Y-you wanna hear something funny?" she gave a small, almost hysterical sounding laugh. "She tried to seduce me." Giles jaw dropped at this statement. "That's right. She thought she could get me back, but when it didn't work she got angry and that's when spilled the beans about Buffy and about her talk with you."

"Oh, Willow, I didn't realize. I'm so terribly sorry to have put you through such misery." He said sincerely as he got up and pulled her into his arms. Her body trembled from the missed contact with him and the emotional overload. It took every ounce of willpower not to cry from relief while in his arms.

"If this stuff keeps happening, I'll end up having a nervous breakdown. Sometimes I think you and Xander are about the only things keeping me sane. And there's nothing worse than a nutty witch with some serious fire power." She said chuckling, hoping to lighten the serious mood in the room.

"Of that, I have no doubts." He pulled back but didn't release his hold on her. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I'm okay." She nodded. "I just needed to get it out. And by the way, I'm going to say this once and only once."

"You have my undivided attention."

"Make sure I do." She wagged a finger at him. "I don't care what anyone thinks about us or our relationship, and I don't want Kennedy ever coming between us again. Is that clear mister?"

"Clear as crystal." He replied, and she smiled brightly at his comment.

"I'm going to take Carol out on her first patrol this week, in a couple of days. Thursday to be exact."

"I'm delighted to hear that. Did Kennedy approve of the idea as well?"

"No, she didn't. She didn't tell me what she thought until after our argument, and I'm not sure, but I think she said it just for spite."

"What did she say?"

"That Carol was too slow, and would basically wind up dead."

"Do you think what she said holds any merit?"

"C'mon, Giles. You and I have gotten to know Carol pretty well. Does she strike you as the type that is a slow learner?"

"Admittedly, no, she does not."

"I'll take her out Thursday night, then when we get together for our regular Friday poetry reading, I'll let her tell you all about it."

"I'll be waiting in anticipation; on the edge of my seat in point of fact." He giggled, and she did the same.

"I'll talk to Mr. Fredericks tomorrow about letting her miss classes that day. This way she can get lots of sleep, and be ready and energized when we go out that night."

"That is a wise suggestion."

"Giles?"

"Yes?"

"I've missed you, a-and thank you, for trying to look out for me."

"My dear, whatever are knights and armor for, if not for saving a damsel in distress?"

~Part: 29~

Willow walked towards the library, but upon hearing voices, opted to not go in. She couldn't stop the giggles that escaped her as she listen to Giles arguing with the man inside, and couldn't resist the temptation of opening the door a crack to peek in.

She saw Giles standing by the fireplace, his right elbow resting on the edge of the mantel, while a book was held in his other hand against his chest. His expression was one of dislike for the man behind the camera, who really didn't care one way or the other.

"C'mon, mate. Would you give a hard working bloke a break? Smile for the camera now."

"I will not."

"Well, what kind of look are you going for then?" asked the frustrated photographer.

"I want this picture to look regal."

"Regal shmegal! You're not a bloody prince you know."

"Look here, you ponce. You have no idea what it is that we do here, or why this is important." Giles retorted.

"You're right mate, I don't. And I don't bloody well care for that matter either. I'm just a guy tryin me best to do the job I was hired for. A smile is all I want, a little one. Is that too much to ask?"

"That is not what I am looking for."

"Bugger! I don't get paid near enough to put up with things like this."

"I beg your pardon!"

"Hi, Giles!" said the red head as she walked in and waved. The older man's face softened as he caught sight of her, and a smile turned up the corners of his mouth.

"That's it!" they heard, but before they could react and look at the photographer, the flash went off.

"Bloody hell! I was not ready!"

"Oh yes you were!" and the man quickly went to work packing his camera into the bag. "It will be ready in two weeks, framed and all." He said as he picked up his things and rushed out, but stopped momentarily by Willow. "Good day, miss. And thanks for your help with the picture." He said politely with a nod and laughed, then hurried out the door.

"Can you believe what he just did?" he said, pointing in the direction of the door. "That man did not show once ounce of professionalism, and has no right to be operating a business if this is how he chooses to treat his clientele."

"Oh, I don't know, Giles." She said sweetly. "I think the picture will turn out pretty good. I mean, you do have a nice smile."

"His attitude is totally………….really? You think?"

"Yup. And you look great in the suit too. Carol will be thrilled you wore it for the picture."

"Yes, well." He cleared his throat. "Speaking of Carol, I thought you were taking her out for her first patrol tonight."

"Oh, I am. I just wanted to let you know that we're almost ready to leave. Didn't want you wondering where we were or worrying about us or anything."

"Thank you. That is very considerate of you." He said as both turned and left the room. The two walked towards the main living area, but both sets of eyebrows furrowed as they heard Carol and Erin talking, and slowed their steps.

"Please, Carol." Erin pleaded. "Don't go out tonight."

"I have to go."

"No, you don't, not tonight. I'm sure if you tell Miss Rosenberg she'll understand….……….."

"I'm going, Erin, and that's all there is to it." she gave Erin a hug. "I'll be okay, I swear." She pulled back and smiled reassuringly at her. "Besides, you worry way too much. I've got the best watcher in the world with me tonight." At those words, Giles looked at Willow and saw her beaming with pride.

"I-I don't know about this." Said Erin nervously. "I think you should wait, at least until…………."

"It's alright, really." She said, cutting her friend off. "I'll be okay. And I'll tell you all about it when I get back………if you're still awake." She laughed. Giles and Willow decided to go ahead and make their presence known, and walked towards the girls.

"Hey, guys. Carol? Are you almost ready?"

"Yes, ma'am. I am whenever you are."

"Great! But if I were you, I'd button up my coat. It's pretty cold out there." Said Willow, and the young woman complied. "I'll see ya later, Giles."

"Good night, and do be careful." He replied as the two headed to the door, leaving him and Erin alone. He looked to the girl beside him, and noted the worried expression on her face. "Erin?"

"Sir?" she replied, a little startled.

"Are you alright?"

"I-I don't know." And she looked back to the door. * * * * * * *

The ride to the cemetery was a quiet one, and Willow noticed how stiff and straight Carol sat in her seat, but said nothing. Once at the destination, Carol slowly got out of the car and the two began walking, making sure to keep their eyes peeled for anything that may jump out at them.

"Now, you've never exactly had the chance to test this," Willow began. "But a slayer has a sense or feeling, and it's triggered when anything non-human is around. It will also go off even if it's just an animal, but it usually only ever happens when an animal is dangerous."

"A feeling? But how will I know when it happens?"

"For one thing, you'll get a tingly sensation that comes over you."

"Oh! Kinda like spider man with his spider sense?" Carol asked, causing Willow to chuckle, and Carol blushed at the reference. How many times has she heard it put that way before?

"Exactly. Now I'm not sure what the range is-how far away or how close the `things' have to be for you to feel it, but when it happens, you'll know."

"Got it."

"Buffy also told me once that the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, and she gets a feeling in the pit of her stomach. She said that the closest way to describe it is that it feels almost like a nervous reaction, but without the nervousness. Did I say that well enough?"

"Yeah, I understand what you mean."

"Oh good." She exclaimed in relief. "Uh, Carol?"

"Yeah?"

"I hope you don't think I'm trying to pry in on a personal conversation. Giles and I heard a little bit of it, but, what were you and Erin talking about before we came in and interrupted?"

"What part did you hear?"

"Nothing really. Just that Erin didn't want you going tonight. Why is that?"

"Oh!" she said, but it almost sounded like relief in her voice to Willow. "Erin was just, you know, scared. It being my first patrol and everything."

"And that's all it was?"

"Uh huh, honest." She said, but Willow was still a little dubious about her explanation, but didn't push any further.

"Alright." She let that part of the conversation drop and pointed in a direction just off to the left of them. "Fresh grave. I did some checking in the coroner's database, and this guy died of suspicious circumstances. They didn't specify, but he was totally drained of blood. And that's usually a good indication that it was a vampire attack."

"Wow. You must have been doing this a long time to figure things out."

"Ten years." She sighed. "But it feels like forever sometimes." She shook herself and led the girl to the grave.

"What do we do now?"

"Just wait. Sun went down a couple of hours ago, that's when they usually wake up. But you also have to take into account that they still have to smash through the coffin and dig their way out. `Bout two hours for that, so he should be making an appearance any time now."

"You know so much about this."

"Don't worry, you will too. Another thing to remember is that if he's just a minion, he'll be easy to fight; they usually aren't all that bright up here." She tapped her forehead. "But, if he's a childe, he'll actually have some brains to him, and his sire will be somewhere close. They prefer to be there when the childer find a way out, but with you here, he or she will wait just out of sight somewhere." She said, and noticed Carol tense up.

"He's a childe."

"And you know this because?"

"Because I can feel him coming closer, and not only that, but something is telling me that there is another somewhere behind us." At that last statement, both quickly stood, but before they had a chance to turn around, each felt a hand on their backs right before they were shoved forward.

Willow landed hard enough to have the wind knocked out of her, and Carol collided with another gravestone. The red head desperately tried to gasp for, breath and turned her head to look at Carol, who lay on the ground clutching her stomach.

The vampire grabbed the young slayer by the front of her coat and pulled until she was standing, but didn't let go as he punched her twice in the stomach. Carol crumpled to the ground as a hand found its way through the dirt, and the vampire grasped the hand and pulled, freeing his childe from the earth.

Willow slowly stood as the childe came towards her, and its sire went back and began punching Carol in the head. `Something's wrong.' But Willow had to pull her thoughts back to the charging vampire in front of her.

At the last second, she pulled her stake and pointed it at him as the vampire lunged at her. The wood embedded itself into his chest, and within seconds a cloud of dust surrounded her. "You're not as smart as I gave you credit for." and she bent down and picked up the stake that was now lying on the ground, then ran up behind the vampire bent over the slayer, and shoved it in his back.

Willow didn't wait until the dust cleared before kneeling beside the young woman and lifting her head to place in lap.

"Carol? What happened? Carol, please. Speak to me, come on now. Carol?" she pleaded as she watched blood trickling from her mouth. She straightened and looked up as she uttered; "Caru inatum domar!" And the air around them swirled until they could see nothing but darkness. * * * * * * * Giles sat in the library at the huge oak table copying down notes about a kralich demon he once encountered, hoping that he remembered every detail, when he heard his name being yelled; yelled in a way that sent chills down his spine.

"Giiiiiiiiillllllllllessssss!!!!"

He raced out of the room and down the hall as fast as he could, but stopped dead in his tracks at the sight before him. There, in the living area, was Willow sitting on the floor with Carol's head cradled in her lap.

He quickly regained his composure and went to them, kneeling down on Carol's other side. He noted the bloody bubbles at the corner of her mouth, and immediately knew what was wrong; a rib had punctured her lung. He looked up to see all the trainees gathering around them and yelled hoarsely.

"Back to bed, all of you! Go now!" and they turned around and hurried away, all but one. Erin came over, with tears streaming down her face, and looked down at her best friend lying motionless. "Erin, go back to bed. Please."

"Willow." Said Carol, and Erin's presence was forgotten.

"Oh Carol!"

"Not your fault."

"You're going to be okay. Carol, I'm so sorry!"

"Not your fault." She coughed. "Mine. Let you down. S-so sorry." And with that, the young girl's eyes closed, and the ragged breathing ceased.

"Carol! Wake up! Please wake up!" Willow shouted. "My fault, it's all my fault! I killed her." She looked to Giles, who was silent and staring teary-eyed at Carol. "She wasn't ready to go yet. It's my fault-I killed my slayer." Willow was sounding almost hysterical.

"Miss Rosenberg?" came the trembling voice of Erin.

"I told you to go to your room!" Giles yelled.

"I know, and I will, Mr. Giles. But you and Miss Rosenberg should know something first." She looked back to Willow. "You didn't kill Carol." Her voice cracked. "Your friend Kennedy did."

~Part: 30~

At Erin's statement, the two stared wide-eyed, totally transfixed on the young woman standing before them, and both were at a loss on how to react to this information. Carefully laying Carol's head on the floor, Willow stood-as did Giles, and faced the girl who was wiping away the tears that refused to stop flowing.

"What?" Willow uttered, and then shook her head. "Erin, that's not possible. I saw everything for myself, I was there."

"No, you don't understand."

"Erin, please. I took Carol out before she was ready, and a vampire killed her. It's my fault, no one else's. Kennedy wasn't even there."

"No, no, no! It was Kennedy!"

"Erin." Giles said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I realize that Carol was your best friend, and it's only natural for you to want to blame someone else for her death." Giles choked on the last word in that statement. "However, the fact remains, Kennedy was here all night."

"No! You're not getting it. It's no secret that none of us liked Kennedy, but we wouldn't try to pin the blame on her because of it. Carol should not have gone out tonight."

"I know that…………" Willow said, but was cut off by the young woman.

"No you don't! Carol was already hurt!"

"W-what?"

"Carol got hurt in class last night, fighting class. I think Kennedy cracked her ribs or something, I'm not sure, but I know Carol was in a lot of pain." She finished and Willow began shaking her head in disbelief. "It's true."

"Erin, what is going on?" Giles asked, unable to comprehend the situation the girl was trying to explain.

"It started long before we moved here."

"What did? Erin, please, this is important. What started, what was happening?" Willow almost begged.

"The hatred. From the minute she found out that Carol was your slayer, Kennedy hated her. In Buffy's defense class, sometimes she and Carol would get paired together as sparing partners, but Kennedy would get way too much into it and Carol would get hurt. Nothing major, but still."

"She was like this with everyone?" Giles asked curiously.

"No, that's just it, it was only with Carol. We all saw this and told her she should say something, but she didn't want to start any trouble or make it any worse than it was. And she swore us all to secrecy about it. But when we moved here and Kennedy became our teacher, things started getting really bad."

"'Really bad' how?" Willow asked, her anger growing with each new sentence.

"Well, you already saw the black eye. She didn't get it from `not ducking'. Kennedy sucker punched her. And her excuse was that a slayer should always be prepared for anything." At the mention of the last sentence, Giles groaned heavily.

"P-please continue." He said, not really wanting to hear the rest.

"That was the first and only time she made a visible mark, the others were easy to hide. At times Carol was walking around with twisted ankles and a badly hurt knee. When she was around you guys she made sure not to limp or anything, and wouldn't do it in front of Kennedy either. She said she didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing she was in pain."

"But the nurse would have said………….."

"Would've said something to you……….that's why she never went to the nurse. And yesterday, Carol did everything with her right hand, eating, writing, everything." She looked at the two. "Carol's left handed."

"We never noticed anything."

"That's because Carol didn't want you to notice. Whenever Carol was feeling up to it, we used to go to the training room and spar with each other. I'll tell you something, we gave it everything we had and couldn't beat each other. Carol is an awesome fighter, and we were both evenly matched. Unless something was wrong, a vampire wouldn't have got her. Ask any one of us if you want, they'll tell you what was going on."

"Oh my goddess." Willow said breathlessly, and Giles reached over to steady her as she felt her legs go weak. She felt like she had been hit in the stomach by a runaway transport truck.

"You walked in on us before you left with her." She said sadly and wiped away the fresh tears flowing down her face as she looked to her friend's lifeless body. "I tried to talk her out of going tonight, but she wouldn't listen. I knew something bad was gonna happen, I knew it!" the girl broke down and Willow pulled her into a hug. "She wanted you to be proud of her. So you s-see, Miss Rosenberg? It wasn't you that killed her, i-it was Kennedy!"

"Erin, I want you to go to your room." Giles said sternly. "Willow and I will take over from here."

"B-but, Mr. Giles."

"No `buts'. Please allow Willow and I will handle matters from here on out." He said, but his attention was taken as the slayer in question entered the room. Erin backed away, but didn't leave the room as Kennedy made her way towards the other two.

"Hey, what's up? I heard all this yelling and screaming and………" her eyes fell to the body on the floor. "Carol!" she exclaimed. "Oh, Wills. I'm so sorry." And she went to the red head and wrapped an arm around her.

"Carol's dead."

"I'm sorry, really. But I told you she wasn't ready yet, she just wasn't quick enough."

"I have a question for you."

"Okay, shoot."

"How is Erin's fighting skills?"

"Why? You want her to be your next slayer?" she said, with a slight hint of sarcasm, but one look from Willow quieted her.

"No, it's just a progress report." She said flatly. Kennedy figured it was just the shock of Carol's death talking and this was a way for her to not have to think about it. Later Willow would go to bed and cry, but for the time being, she would indulge the red head.

"Actually, Erin's really good. She's a fast learner, fluid in her movements and pretty good with the speed and reflexes."

"But not Carol." It was a statement.

"I already told you no, but you didn't listen." she replied, exasperated, as Xander slowly made his way down the stairs.

"Oh god!" he said upon seeing the body, and he ran down the stairs to join them as Willow grabbed hold of Kennedy's arm and yanked her down till she was squatting on the floor.

"Hey! What are you doing?" she hollered, but Willow paid no mind as she reached out a hand and placed it on Carol's lifeless form, never releasing her hold on Kennedy's arm. "Willow, stop it!"

"Everything you did to her, and all she felt are now yours." She said simply as her eyes clouded over and became dark pools. No emotion showed on Willow's face as the dark haired slayer screamed in agony. "Feel this? I know all about your little game, and this is all the pain you caused her in the three months that you've been here. How do you like it? Feel good? This is what my slayer walked around with almost daily because of you!" she said between clenched teeth.

"Willow, you must stop this!"

"Oh, come on now, Giles." And she laughed menacingly. "I'm just giving her a little taste of what Carol had to live with."

"Willster, this is not the way to do things. Please, don't do this." Said Xander and Willow looked at him with a smirk.

"You know sumthin, you're right. This isn't what I should be doing." And she let go of Kennedy's arm. "This is!" and bolt of green energy hit the slayer as she was attempting to stand, sending her flying across the room and hitting a wall, where she slumped to the floor.

"Willow, no!!" Giles reached out to hold her back as she started towards Kennedy, but the blue charges snaking along her body made it impossible for him to touch her. "Don't do this!" he said as the red head made it to the slumped slayer, where she wrapped her fingers around her throat and stood her up.

"You killed my slayer!" she hissed. "Oh you may not have been there to physically strike the killing blow, mind you. But you're the reason she couldn't defend herself, couldn't fight back. Do you know what that makes you?" she put her face within an inch of Kennedy's and said just above a whisper. "A murderer." Kennedy's eyes widened in fear; she had never seen Willow like this before-the red head looked like she was enjoying every second of what she was doing, and it terrified her.

"No!" she tried to shout, but Willow slammed her hard against the wall.

"MURDERER!" she screamed.

"Willow, stop this! I beg of you!"

"I'm not going to kill her, Giles." She said as she rolled her eyes, then looked back to Kennedy and sing-songed; "I'm just gonna make wish I did, <giggle> that's all." And with that said, she placed her other hand on the woman's chest, and a pink energy stream went from Kennedy's body and traveled up Willow's arm. Willow rolled her eyes heavenward and said;

"The gift of power, I take back from thee In place of power, a curse from me The evil you've done, back times three As I will, so mote it be"

She finished, removed her hand from Kennedy's throat, and watched as the woman slumped back to the floor.

"W-what did you do to me?" she asked, and Willow bent down close to her with a smile.

"What did I do? You mean, aside from taking your slayer gifts away from you?"

"You……………."

"Yup, you got! You're as weak as a newborn baby."

"B-but you can't………….."

"Yes, I can. I can speak one sentence and your heart will stop beating. Or I could get into that pretty little head of yours and mess around a bit, then have you institutionalized, and no one would be the wiser." she laughed. "I'm the one who gave you your power in the first place. And I have another little juicy tidbit for ya. <Giggle> You're gonna love this. You'll get to live just like any other `normal' girl out there but-and this is the kicker, no matter what you do or where you go, to any demon or vampire you're still the slayer."

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"You see, you're still going to give off the aura, vibes, whatever you want to call it, of being a slayer, even though you won't have the power to defend yourself anymore. You're going to be just as helpless as Carol was tonight."

"If a demon kills me then that will make you a murderer too." Kennedy spat, but was surprised when Willow shrugged and leaned closer.

"Not like I haven't killed before." Willow stood and towered above her. "I want you out. Not tomorrow or the day after, but now. Giles will handle your severance pay, if he feels you deserve one." She said as she turned to leave, but after taking a couple of steps, she stopped to say one last thing. "You might want to think about going somewhere a little safer and less demon-y to live." And she walked away, throwing one last comment over her shoulder. "I seem to remember hearing that Arizona is pretty hot and boring."

"Willow, let me………"

"Xander?" she said as she walked by without looking at him. "In your own best interest, I think you should just leave me alone for a while." And the red head walked passed him and headed to her office.

"Xander, please call Mr. Fredericks and tell him that school is cancelled until Monday." Said Giles after Willow disappeared.

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