Spoilers: Takes place after "The Gift"
Rated: This chapter is NC-17. Please don't read it if you're under 18 years old. Show your maturity level and read the PG-13 version instead. I promise you won't be missing anything.
Standard Disclaimer: The characters in this story do not belong to me, they belong to the Buffy The Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. I am only using them for my story, and no copyright infringement is intended. Please don't sue, I have no money. No, really.

Acknowledgements: As always, my thanks and admiration to Tracy and Abby. It's hard to find the words to express how much they have helped me, and how much I owe them. They're not just my beta's any more, I consider them friends.

Synopsis: Sequel to Dreams Come True. Buffy and Spike's relationship is progressing nicely untill it's threatened by the actions of the Watcher's Council. Spike is left to turn to outside help to get his new...or rather, return to his old...problem under control. Meanwhile, the dark spirit hiding in Willow finally makes it's move, attempting to completely control her... and her power.

******************

"Where is she and how do we get her out." Willow was barely keeping it together. She wanted to do something, anything. Grab this woman and fill her with all the anger and sorrow she was feeling, until she exploded from the immensity of it all. Instead she kept it all in check and forced herself to listen. She would make whoever did this pay, but she had learned the hard way that blind rage was exactly that, blind. If she wanted to win she needed to see clearly. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the woman before her.

The woman waved her hand over the mirror and Tara’s tortured image faded, replaced by the now moonlit woods around them. "A few weeks ago you and Tara decided to try out a new spell. Had it worked it would have opened your eyes to the dimension of the spirit. In essence you would have been able to see ghosts, am I right?" She knew she was. She had learned a great deal about Willow during her time hiding in the young witch’s body. That was the intent of the spell, and though it had nothing to do with the current situation, she decided it would work well enough to lead Willow down the necessary path. The best lies had some truth in them, the right mix of truth and lies could work magic of it’s own.

Willow’s angry, determined expression briefly flickered with confusion. "Yes, but nothing happened. Not even any side effects."

"Wrong. There was a side effect… unfortunately a rather serious one. As I said, unguided power is very dangerous. You have great power within you, my dear… but without a guide, it is hit or miss. The spell you did was off in one crucial way. Because of that, instead of opening your eyes to the spirit world, you opened a gateway from them to you… and Tara. She is being haunted, tortured by angry spirits who have finally found the gateway you opened."

Willow’s eyes went wide in shock. "No. No! That can’t be! We were so careful, we did everything exactly as the book said."

The woman shook her head sadly. "My poor child. Trusting a book written by someone who only practices magic for profit. Spells by witches such as those are also hit or miss, for they too are without guidance. Their purpose for learning magic taints it, colors the magic with the promise of wealth and makes much of it invalid. Combine that with your irreverent attitude and it’s no wonder many of your spells go astray."

Willow’s pride took over and she raised her chin slightly, insulted. "My spells don’t go astray that often. Hardly ever in fact."

"My dear, I’m not talking about the spells you use in crisis while helping your friends. Granted those are powerful and useful. I’m talking about the dabbling you and Tara do for fun. You think levitating an amulet is a harmless gesture, a simple thing that effects nothing else. But you are wrong." For the first time since meeting her, Willow noticed a dark emotion cross the woman’s features.

The woman took a deep breath. "Dear girl, everything connects to everything else in this world. The actions of a chemical company on one side of the globe effect the rainforests on the other side. The balance is even more delicate in the magic world. Every single time you touch magical forces, and bend them to your will, you effect countless other forces. If your attitude is not right, if your purpose is clouded, then things change. The spell is corrupt. You have been playing at magic for years, an unfathomably dangerous thing to do with power as strong as yours."

Willow’s face dropped as she realized the woman was right. The spells that went most wrong were the ones that were least important to her. When she was helping her friends, saving her friends, when it really counted Willow had a different attitude. Her concentration was so much more intense, her mind perfectly clear, the only focus that of the spell. When her and Tara were ‘trying out’ a new spell it was often preceded by giggling and chatting of unrelated subjects. Their attitude one of kids with a new toy.

She looked at the woman with a new attitude, her expression calm and resolved. "You’re right. I’m sorry. We haven’t had the proper respect, but we will from now on… I promise you that. Now how do we help Tara?"

The woman smiled again. "No need to apologize to me my dear. As far as helping Tara…" She gave Willow a thoughtful look, as if sizing her up. "Tara can be helped, but I’m afraid you will find it very difficult to except the method of her rescue."

Willow frowned. "What do you mean?"

The woman turned from Willow and walked slowly to the other side of the table. Willow kept silent, though her heart was screaming for her to yell at the woman to hurry up.

The woman turned a somber expression to Willow. Just a touch of truth, she though. To Willow she explained, "The spirit who tortures your friend was a powerful being when she was alive. Though she knew the magic arts, she preferred to use blackmail to get what she wanted. She is one of those spirits you released. Apparently now she is using Tara’s pain to draw you out, so that she may possess your body and lay claim to all the power within you.

The only way to defeat her is by using the amulet you wear. But in order to activate it you must be very close to her, and once you are she will be able to read your mind, and know what you are planning. Ultimately, you will fail."

Willow frowned. "So you’re saying there is a way, but I can’t do it? Then tell me who can."

"I can." She smiled slightly and began walking back to Willow’s side of the table as she spoke, "In fact this is the very sort of thing I’m trained for… consider me… a special agent of the magical realm." She smiled good naturedly, then continued excitedly, "If you were to trade bodies with me, allow me guardianship of your power, I could get close to her. I am strong enough to block my thoughts from her, she would have no idea what I was up to until it was too late. I would use the amulet you wear to send her back to where she came from, then Tara would be released from her pain and would return to her normal self, all traces of her torment erased." She paused briefly then began walking to the other side of Willow. "You and I would switch back and all would be right with the world once again."

Willow considered for a moment. "That sounds good except for one thing. What exactly do you mean by ‘guardianship of my powers’?"

The woman responded slowly, struggling to hold back her glee. She was so close to victory. "You have great power within you, Willow. Power so strong and vast that you may never realize it’s limits. It is a gift bestowed on you by the Powers That Be. A gift you have guardianship of for the length of this life. Over time it has grown more than even they could have foreseen.

You can work small miracles with a word, with a gesture. But those are puny compared to what your power can accomplish. To work spells of a greater magnitude, such as the one required to release your friend, you need a control you have yet to master. In transferring guardianship to me, your power becomes my power, it will bend to my will as it does now to yours. I will use it and the amulet to free your loved one from her torment." With a wave of her hand the mirror sprung to life, once again filled with the unbearable image of Tara, screaming in agony. "The transfer of power is only temporary, hours, perhaps days… but the love you two share…"

Willow’s eyes darkened with sorrow. She turned away from the mirror, unable to watch any longer. "Do it. Whatever you need to do, get it done." She rose her head to meet the woman’s eyes. "Save my girl."

The woman smiled in triumph. "Good. You need only take my hands and repeat after me." Joy lit her face as she took Willow’s shaky hands in her own. She looked her straight in the eye and began the spell.

"Powers of the spirit world, hear my call, hear my plea…"

Willow never took her eyes from those of the woman, as she repeated, "Powers of the spirit world, hear my call, hear my plea…"

"Powers of the Earth and Sky, hear my call, hear my plea…"

The wind had begun to pick up again, but Willow ignored it. "Powers of the Earth and Sky, hear my call, hear my plea…"

"Powers of the magic realm, hear my call, hear my plea…" The woman noticed the amulet glow faintly again out of the corner of her eye, as Willow repeated her.

"Powers of the magic realm, hear my call, hear my plea…"

"Take my powers now from me…"

"In good faith I give of them, sunrise to sunrise, return again…"

"With open heart and open eyes, I separate them from all I am…"

"My spirit, free, shall fly to thee, your spirit come here rest in me…"

"Transfer now before sunrise, transfer now I command thee!"

Like a bolt of lightning, Willow’s spirit was ripped from her body and shot into that of the woman’s as a dark mist flowed into Willow’s body.

When Willow opened her eyes again, she was instantly fearful. Something was terribly wrong. She felt heavy, every blink of her eyes an effort to complete. The woods around her were glowing ever so faintly with an eerie dark halo. She heard strange sounds, and an electrical crackling combined with a low hum.

"What’s happening? I feel so strange." She asked and realized her voice was now that of the woman’s.

The spirit now occupying Willow’s body laughed, a loud cackle of evil joy. "It’s done! The power is truly mine. Oh, I can feel it coursing through me." She smiled at Willow. "One more task and my plan will be realized." She removed the amulet from her neck and walked over to the table, placing the amulet on it. She took a step back and commanded it, "Melt."

The gold immediately softened and flowed, forming a puddle in the center of the table. She heard Willow cry out and turned to look at her.

"What have you done? You said that amulet was necessary to save Tara!"

"Yes, well… I lied." At her confused expression, the woman laughed. "Stupid girl. The amulet was necessary to save you. In two days time the sun will set on your last day in flesh. That body you wear is only borrowed for as long as the transfer spell lasts. The amulet was necessary to transfer you back into this body, without it, you will be trapped when that body reverts to it’s original state… stone."

Willow, now in an unfamiliar and strange feeling body, narrowed her eyes. Her power was gone, she could feel it. The body she inhabited may have superior senses but those senses were telling her that the only real power lay in her body. A body she had been talked into giving up and now there was nothing she could do about it. At least, nothing magically.

She suddenly lunged at the woman, knocking her to the ground as her fingers closed around her neck in a crushing grip. "If you don’t save Tara now… I will kill you." It was eerie looking into a face that used to be hers. She’d seen those eyes in the mirror countless times but never saw turn black as they did now. Willow suddenly went flying several feet back, landing hard on the ground.

The woman rose up in one smooth motion as if lifted by unseen hands. "Fool! You have no powers now, they are all mine. You wasted them on trivial things, but I will not. You were barely able to access the fringe of your power’s reach, I will be able to tap the very depths of it."

She spun around with her arms out wide. "This is the Hellmouth. The center of convergence for the forces of Evil. With your power… no, with my power, I will use those forces as I see fit. I will shape my own world. And you…" She leaned down and spoke in Willow’s face, suddenly calm and gentle, "… will be remembered as my stepping stone." She turned and floated away, as the sun peeked over the horizon.

****************
Angel and Spike both froze at the top of the steps as Buffy marched toward them. He had talked to her on the phone shortly after her return from the dead, but actually seeing her, walking and talking, Angel couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his old friend. He suddenly realized how he’d just thought of her… not his love, but his friend.

Buffy walked straight up to Spike and punched him in the nose. "What the hell did you think you were doing, leaving me like that?" She was furious… ok, mostly relieved. She wasn’t about to tell him that though, at least not yet. First she had to make sure he got the point that he was never, ever to leave her again, and that required anger.

She began pelting him with hooks and jabs which, for the most part, he managed to block. "Life has been so easy for me hasn’t it… I’ve lived such a sheltered life up until now… how could I possibly handle something like this? What is wrong with you?" Finally she landed a right hook to his jaw that sent him to the ground. He slowly wiped the blood from his lip and grinned up at her.

Angel stuttered out a hasty retreat, "Um... I’ll just be... over here... if you need me." He pointed to the counter and backed over to where Cordiela and Wesley were pretending not to watch the fight.

Spike rose to face her. "What’s wrong with me? There’s nothin’ wrong with me luv... not anymore." He began fighting back, throwing his own set of punches that she dodged just as easily. "Now you on the other hand have a real problem"

"Me?"

"Yea you. You’ll tell me you want me, you need me, but only when we’re alone. Soon as any of your little scooby gang’s around it’s suddenly ‘Oh no, he’s nothing to me, he’s just a monster.’ Nice little denial trip you have going on there. Just can’t stand to let anyone know how you really feel about me, can you."

"That’s not true. I did tell them." Spikes eyes widened in disbelief "Well... them being Willow... but I will tell the others too. Besides that is not the point here. Point is you promised me you’d never leave me, and then you did." He tried to speak but she stopped fighting him and suddenly placed a gentle finger to his lips. "Some stupid macho part of that worm-ridden brain of yours decided you needed to solve your problems alone." She dropped her hand and gazed at him sincerely. Anger, love hate, all showed in her eyes at once. "You know damn well that whatever problems you face… we face."

"But pet, this is different." He took a step toward her and gently touched her bare arm. "It’s not some external bad guy, the problem is me. It’s inside me, that’s not somethin’ you can help me with."

"Bull." She jerked away from his light caress and crossed her arms at him. "It doesn’t matter what package the problem comes in, we agreed that we’d face them together, remember? Together, period. Not ‘together if’ or ‘together except when’. You can’t tell me you’ll never leave then go running off every time you feel a problem is too tough for me to handle."

Spike smiled tenderly at her. She was right and he knew it. After years of his telling her the hard truth about herself, she had finally turned the tables and was giving him a taste of his own medicine. That medicine fixed something inside him. The final piece of the demon-control puzzle fell into place. He realized her love was just as unconditional as his. He was no longer alone. Whatever happened tomorrow or the day after she would be with him.

He fell in love all over again. Slowly he brought his sexiest smile to bear on her. "You can’t tame me you know. I’ll always be a man with a monster inside, sometimes… more monster than man." He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her to him, as her hands wrapped around his neck, and her fingers tangled in his hair.

"I wouldn’t have you any other way." She smiled looking deep into his eyes. For an instant she saw a spark of demon gold and it sent chills down her spine…good chills.

As he leaned in to kiss her, someone behind them cleared their throat. They turned to see Cordeila smack Wesley in the arm "What’d you stop them for? It was just getting good." Wesley nodded to a noticeably uncomfortable Angel, and Cordeila frowned. "Oh. Sorry."

Angel waved her apology away and turned back to the couple. "It’s ok." He turned away again, and pretended to be interested in a book on the counter. "So, I guess you two will be heading back… now that you’ve got everything straightened out and all."

"Actually mate, I’d love to. Problem is the sun’s just about up and I really don’t feel like barbeque at the moment." He guided Buffy away from the front door with one arm draped across her shoulders.

"Oh." Angel stared at them for a moment before realizing he really didn’t want to be in the same building with them while they… "I’m going to go help Gunn. He’s moving." He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

"I thought he wasn’t moving till next week." Cordeila called after him.

"Yea well, he’s got a lot of stuff." Angel disappeared out the door.

"I really should work on that translation." Wesley headed for the inner office. "I’m sure that it will come in handy…someday." He too disappeared.

Cordeila, apparently being the least wigged of the bunch, decided it was up to her to play hostess "Well, I’ll just show you guys to a room, this is after all a hotel…well, not in the we let people stay here for money sense of the word… but still, plenty of room... uh, rooms. Whatever. We even have one with a stocked fridge… of blood." Off they’re queried looks she replied, "Blathen demon was staying with us for a couple days… they drink blood too."

When Buffy finally closed the door, she sighed once, then ran and plopped down on the huge bed. "Man, talk about a stressful day." She said to the ceiling. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked pleadingly at Spike as he rummaged in the fridge. "Promise me when we get back they’ll be a no-stress-allowed zone, where we can veg for at least a week?"

Spike was downing the second of three packs of blood he had found, and answered with his back to her. "Wouldn’t that be nice."

She harrumphed in agreement, then rose and stealthily snuck up on him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close. He stopped drinking with the bag still half full. "Uh…luv… not that I mind, but I’m kind of tryin’ to have somethin’ to eat here. Can’t you wait till I’m finished?"

She quickly slid round in front of him, her hands clasped behind his back now. "Nope." She said with a smile. Buffy looked at his face, studying every inch of it. Her eyes roamed over his extended brow, the gold of his eyes, down his ridged nose and to his jagged, blood covered teeth.

She smiled as she copied a move he had done to her, ages ago it seemed. She reached out with the tip of her tongue, and licked the blood that trickled out the corner of his mouth. She felt him shiver and he nearly dropped the half full bag of blood he was still holding. She slowly moved her tongue across his upper lip, down the left side and back across his bottom lip, slightly warming his skin along the way.

She came back to the center, reveling in the way his body was trembling from her touch. He was holding back, she could feel it. She decided it was about time he realized he didn’t have to with her. She spoke with her lips barely touching his, her voice and breath captured by his slightly opened mouth, "Spike. I’ve waited so long to have all of you. Please don’t hold back on me now." She leaned into him and he finally dropped the bag, his arms wrapping around her as he leaned his head back to look into her eyes.

It was just like in his dreams the day before. Her eyes looked into his with such trust, so full of love and acceptance. She loved him for everything he was, both good and bad. "I’ll never leave you again." He promised. His head swooped down just as in the dream, but instead of her neck, it was her mouth he captured. His tongue quickly found hers and together they began a dance as old as time.

As he guided her over to the bed, her hands were frantically trying to free him of his t-shirt. He broke the kiss long enough to let her strip it off over his head. He was about to kiss her again when he decided it would only be fair for her to lose her shirt as well. He smiled and reached out for the thin fabric, but she was too quick for him, and had it off before he could blink.

She began struggling with the clasp of her bra, but the sight of his muscled chest and arms inches from her was very distracting. Spike noticed her fumbling and offered his assistance. "Here luv. Let me." She lowered her arms expecting him to undo the clasp, but instead he grabbed the front of the lacy bra and tore it off her effortlessly. She drew in a quick breath of surprise and excitement. He grabbed her and shoved her onto the bed.

She giggled briefly as she bounced unexpectedly high. Spike covered her body with his own and silenced her laughter with another searing kiss. His hands roamed over her breasts, hungry to possess her. He broke off the kiss in order to sit back and watch her. As his hands pleasured her, she closed her eyes and raised her arms up over her head. He watched her breathing speed up, felt her body heat rising, heard her blood beginning to pump faster. All the signs of rising desire turned his demon on, and he felt a momentary panic.

Determined to give his love all she craved, Spike grabbed control of his demon. He allowed himself to feel the hunger, the desire to taste Buffy’s blood. He let the feeling wash over him as he closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked down at her neck and the vein pulsing hard just below the surface. He released her breasts and smiled at the slight moan of protest that escaped from her full lips.

She opened her eyes and pouted at him. "You stopped."

"Not stopped, pet. Just paused. Thought you might want to get a bit more comfortable." Without warning he grabbed her shorts and yanked them down her thighs. As she kicked them the rest of the way off, he undid his jeans and removed them, tossing them over his shoulder and onto the floor.

Her eyes grew wide as she took in his naked form in all it’s glory. During their make out sessions she had gotten a pretty good idea of his size, but it still didn’t prepare her for the view she now experienced. He grinned at her shocked expression. "Like what you see?" Her answer was to grab him by the back of the head and pull him down to her. They kissed deeply again, but Spike couldn’t wait any longer to taste her neck.

He lifted his head and looked into her eyes, asking with his expression if she was really ready. She was breathing heavily, as her hands roamed over his sculpted chest and arms. She suddenly realized what he was waiting for and smiled, tilting her head up and back, she offered up her neck to him. A low growl escaped his throat. He slowly bent down and licked her at the spot where her neck met her shoulder. She moaned and he began sucking gently at the spot, not letting his teeth touch her yet.

He could taste her desire, her hot skin was sending off waves of it. He opened his mouth wide, preparing to sink his teeth into her flesh as gently as he could. She chose that moment to raise her legs, wrapping them around him. As her wet heat caressed the side of his shaft, he realized she had somehow managed to get her panties off, without him even noticing. He decided though he would bite her, it would be when she was completely lost, wrapped up in an ecstasy so overpowering she would hardly even feel his teeth. He began kissing the front of her neck instead, up under her chin and down to where it met her chest, then further down he found one breast and began sucking on the tip in earnest.

Buffy arched her back and moaned, as pleasurable sensations shot through her body. She had wanted this for so long, and now that it was finally here he was dragging it out, moving so slowly, every touch of his cool skin firing hers. She wanted him inside her, wanted him to bite her, and he was delaying both. She tried to shift her hips downward, searching for his hard shaft, but he drew away. She moaned in protest, and he just smiled as he moved over to work on the other breast, his hand caressing the one he had just finished with.

He wanted her as much as she wanted him, but he also wanted it to last. Every move, every sound she made told him she didn’t want to wait, she thought she was ready now, but he knew better. He watched her face as he slowly slid his hands up to her neck, across her shoulders, around the bend in her arm, and finally took her hands in a firm grip. He stretched her arms up till her hands were high over her head, and guided her fingers to grab the mattress above her. "Don’t let go." He whispered in her ear.

She shivered and nodded once, her breathing still heavy, eyes closed. He began with an all too short kiss on her mouth, then using his tongue and lips, he teased her skin; down her neck, over each breast, across her flat stomach, and stopping at her inner thigh. She spread her legs wide for him, not able to think, she was lost to the sensations he was creating in her.

With his fingertips he parted her lips, then slowly drew his tongue across the wetness he found there, moaning with desire at her taste. She groaned and arched her hips to him. He wouldn’t enter her though, and instead played all around the edge, up to her clit then down and around her hole, each time drawing near but never into her. He was driving her crazy and they both knew it. Her breathing was coming in gasps, she murmured small moans in between breaths, her hips unconsciously moving in a slight rhythm.

With one last, long, slow lick, Spike broke away and dove for her neck once again. Still not using his teeth he sucked hard as he finally guided himself into her. She drew in a ragged breath and let it back out in a guttural cry of his name.

Spike could hold back no longer. As he began thrusting, he sank his teeth into her neck and gently sucked once, letting her blood pour into his mouth and around his tongue. Buffy cried out again and came, her arms flying to his back and clawing her way through spasm after spasm.

The feel of her nails, taste of her blood, and heat inside of her, all combined to send him over the edge as well. His roar was muffled by her skin, but was loud enough to break through Buffy’s pleasurable haze. Her conscious mind suddenly aware of what was happening, she placed one hand behind his head and held him too her, not wanting him to stop. Allowing himself one last mouthful he sucked again gently, and heard Buffy gasp. They held each other tight as their spasm’s slowed, then stopped, Their trembling bodies beginning to relax. She smiled and let out a contented sigh as his body became heavy on her.

When he finally raised his head to look at her, his human features were firmly in place, but his eyes sparkled with such a love filled intensity, it took her breath away. They lay like that for several minutes, neither one ready to move, neither ready for him to pull out of her.

Spike suddenly frowned at her in concern. The ragged teeth marks on her neck weren’t bleeding but they looked very painful. "Did I… hurt you?"

"A little." She smiled as he frown deepened. "But it felt good. It made me come." She smiled slyly at him. He raised one eyebrow at her and she confessed, "Ok, it wasn’t the only thing that made me come, but it wasn’t until you bit me that I did. So it must not have hurt that bad, right?"

Spike sighed. "Guess so."

"And hey… still among the living, so points to you for keeping it in control." She grinned at him teasingly, but the love showed through and instead of taking the bait, Spike kissed her gently. When he finally let her up for air Buffy was speechless. It was Spike’s turn to grin and he slowly rolled off her, causing a moan from both of them as he pulled out of her. He spooned her in front of him and together they drifted off to catch a few moments sleep, before starting over again.

When the day was over, they were still in bed, snuggled in each others arms. Buffy smiled blissfully, thinking of all the ways he had shown his love for her. Her fingers tenderly felt the gash where he had bitten her. He had tried to be so gentle with her, and really she had hardly felt any pain, she had been so lost in the other sensations and the connection his bite had created. She trusted him completely. And she loved him truly, more than she would have ever thought possible. She turned to him and ran a finger down his jaw line, and across his lips. "The sun’s going down."

"Um hmm." He murmured, smiling at her.

"We should get ready to go home." She paused and looked deep into his eyes. "There’s something I want to tell the gang."

It took Spike less than a heartbeat to understand what she meant. "Are you sure ‘bout that luv? I mean, they’ve been treatin’ me pretty decent lately, makin’ me feel almost at home and all... but I’m pretty sure news like this won’t be exactly welcome."

"That doesn’t matter, it’s the truth. You’re a part of my life and it’s time they excepted that." She grinned mischievously at him. "Besides, they’ll have no choice but to except it when they see us holding hands, or hugging… or kissing." She placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Alright luv. We’ll tell them soon as we get back." He hugged her close. "But first…" He grinned as he rolled over on top of her. "there’s one more thing I need to show you." The sparkle in his eyes took Buffy’s breath away, and her eyes grew wide as he showed her yet another way to love.

*************
Willow approached the Magic Box at a full out run. She had stopped crying several miles back. She had found that though her movements were slow, she was able to continue at the same pace without tiring. Even so it had taken her all day to find her way back, getting lost in the woods ate up a huge amount of time. The sun was just setting as she approached the door.

She paused, listening to the conversations inside. Anya and Xander were there, whispering and giggling about their sexual escapades from the night before. Dawn was mumbling something about ‘stupid geometry’, and ‘when am I ever gonna use that in real life’. And Giles… She listened harder, and there it was. Though she’d never actually heard it before, the sound was unmistakable from her seeing it so many times; a soft cloth being rubbed over eyeglass lenses, and the slight squeak of the frame as it wiggled slightly back and forth.

Suddenly a loud voice boomed at her through the closed door, making her jump. "NOW DAWN," Willow realized she had ‘turned up’ her hearing so much that Giles normal speaking voice was unbearably loud. She put her hands over her ears and concentrated on making the voice quiet, it was instantly more bearable. "you know very well that Geometry is an important part of your education. When Willow and Tara get here I’m sure they’ll be more than willing to help."

Her heart nearly broke at the sound of Tara’s name, but she Took a deep breath and entered the shop. As she strode in the door, Anya came out from behind the counter and approached her with a cheery greeting.

"Welcome to the Magic Box. How may I…"

Willow breezed right past her without a glance. Anya, unaccustomed to being completely ignored by a potential new customer, turned her head and told Xander, "Well, that was rude."

Giles watched the woman breeze past Anya and stride up to him purposefully. He wasn't prepared for what she said.

"There's trouble. Big trouble. We're gonna have to work fast in order to save her."

"Oh. Well, uh, alright?" Giles frowned up at her from his seat. "Who are we saving?"

"Tara. She’s at home... I think." Suddenly Xander and Anya appeared at her side and Dawn closed her book. "I would have gone there first, but I know I won’t be able to do anything for her without your help."

"What’s wrong with Tara?" Dawn asked with a concern look.

"Is she ok?" Xander and Anya asked at the same time.

Willow turned her head toward them, and with a pressing down gesture of her hand, told them, "No, she’s not ok, but she will be." She turned back to Giles "I need you to figure out how to get me back in my own body, and fast. I think she’s got some ‘I’m gonna take over the world’ delusion thing going on, and I have a feeling with my power, she may be able to do just that."

Giles walked to the other side of the table. "I’m afraid you’re going to have to slow down and start from the beginning. Beginning with... who are you?" He pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit down.

"We don’t have time to sit." She looked pleadingly at him. "It’s me Giles, I’m Willow." He looked at her with a dumfounded expressions for several moments before Willow’s patience wore thin. "Look believe me or don’t." She reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out a flattened piece of gold. She handed it to Giles. "Maybe this will help. It’s an amulet. Or… was an amulet." She sighed, and began explaining from the beginning as quickly as she could. When she was done, Giles sat down with a worried look on his face. "Giles, you’re sitting. I told you we don’t have time for sitting. We have to find a way to re-form the amulet, find my body, and make the switch so I can save Tara."

Xander mused out loud, "What's with the hellmouthy events running in pairs all the time? Two Buffy deaths, two bad robotic encounters, two vampires switching sides, now we have the second in a wicked fun body switchorama. What's with that, anyway?"

"But what if she lied." They looked at Dawn. "I mean, she said she lied about the amulet saving Tara right? What if Tara’s ok? What if it was all an illusion to make you switch with her?"

Giles took off his glasses again and rubbed the bridge of his nose, as he mumbled, "I highly doubt that." He sighed and put his glasses back on. "From what Willow has said, this sounds very serious. I believe this is not a simple demon we’re dealing with here. If I’m right we need Buffy right away. Unfortunately I don’t have any idea where she is at the moment." As he stood, Willow Spoke up.

"Um… I do." she gave a guilty smile. "But do we really need her? I mean can’t we handle this ourselves?"

"No, I’m afraid not." His face was full of concern and he spoke quietly to her. "In order to save Tara, we need to have the Slayer’s presence."

"Well, see there’s the problem… Buffy’s not in town. See Spike left town because his cravings were kinda getting…um, hard to control. And he didn’t want to endanger any of us… so he left. And Buffy went after him. She was really upset. I think she’d figured she’d be back before anyone noticed."

Giles sighed. "So, where is she now?"

"L.A.. She thinks Spike went to see Angel for help." Willow replied.

Xander snickered "Oh, that’s a good one."

"No it isn’t." Giles stated in a voice that left no room for argument. "Dawn, call Angel. Tell him we need Buffy back now." She got up and headed for the phone. "Xander, go to Tara’s. Find out what kind of condition she’s in, but be careful. Do not, under any circumstances, confront whatever you find there. Get back here as soon as possible."

"Reconnaissance only. Gotcha." Xander threw Giles a sloppy salute and hurried out the door.

"Anya, close up shop, then come help me with research." Giles headed for the stairs that lead to the loft where his private collection was kept, but Willow stopped him.

"What about me?"

Giles turned his head to look at her. "You, sit. There’s nothing you can do, you need to save your strength for the coming battle." He paused and his voice took on a frightening tone. "And yes… there is going to be a battle." He turned and hurried up the stairs.

End ch 4
To be continued...



Chapter 5:

******************

Blissfully happy was not an expression Buffy used to describe herself often... or... ever, but as she headed for the hotel lobby she felt pretty close to blissful. She shared a look with Spike as their fingers entwined once more. Memories of their passion filled day fresh in her mind, she turned a hopeful smile toward her future as they descended the stairs together. That smile quickly faded the instant she saw Angels’ face. He was talking on the phone and as their eyes met an unexplainable communication passed between them. There was trouble.

Buffy gave an inward sigh as she thought to herself, "That was nice while it lasted. Back to reality." She dropped Spikes’ hand and put on her all-business persona as one would an old familiar coat. For an instant Spike thought she had broken contact because of Angel’s presence, but the change in her stride and tension in her bare shoulders told him she was in battle mode. "Somethin’ wrong?" he asked as Angel hung up the phone and strode around the counter to meet them in the center of the room.

"Big time wrong. That was Dawn on the phone..."

"Is she ok?" Wrong and Dawn were two words Buffy never liked to hear mentioned together. It always sent her into panic mode, a dangerous condition for a slayer.

"She’s fine, but they need you back there right now. Tara’s been hurt and Willow can’t help because someone stole her body..." Off their confused looks Angel confessed "... not sure I understand either. Dawn sounded pretty upset."

Buffy and Spike shared a concerned glance then headed toward the door. Angel fell into step directly behind them. Spike stopped in mid stride and turned to face him. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Angel stopped and looked between them dumfounded. "I’m... going with you. You need my help."

"No mate, we don’t. Remember what Mr. Green Skin told you? You can’t be there for her. She needs me." Spike stood ready for a fight, verbal or physical, but there was only silence and stillness as Angel thought.

He looked at Buffy poised by the door. She waited patiently, her explosive energy held in check by years of training. He knew it was time. She was the Slayer, probably the best Slayer ever to have lived. Whatever danger she would face in Sunnydale, she would do it without him, and she would survive. His sudden knowledge that she would be alright allowed him to take a step back. "You’re right. You don't need me." He took another step back and motioned to the door. "Go on."

After a moment of surprised stillness Spike snapped out of his daze, gave a nod of thanks, and walked up the steps, following her out. Angel watched the door close behind them. As the comforting silence surrounded him he murmured "Good bye, Buffy."

******************

The woman entered Willow’s apartment with a contented smile on her face. Everything was going according to plan. She paused to admire her reflection in the French doors leading to the balcony. Willow’s body fitted her well. It was comfortable to be in her skin, like a familiar summer dress. It was a big improvement over the heavy old body she had used for the transfer, and an indescribable relief after the centuries spent with no form at all. She stretched her arms and fingers enjoying the power coursing through them. No one would ever know by looking at her petite frame the amount of power housed within.

There had been a moment when she had been worried Willow wouldn’t give them up, but once she did everything had gone so smoothly. They switched bodies and after leaving the forest the woman had taken the long way back, taking time to test her new powers out on the town and it’s people. It was just as the elders had foretold. Willow's power was nearly limitless... in the right hands. The foolish child hadn’t even begun to realize what she was capable of, never mind control it. The woman had prepared for this for years, and would be sure to use the power to it’s full potential.

She entered Willow’s room and closed the door slowly behind her. She looked down at Tara crouched on the floor and the Tallinach standing next to her. Her smile faded slightly as she thought of the one thing standing between her and complete victory. She looked over Tara’s pale face and hair drenched with sweat. Her terrified eyes had thick black circles around them and her cheeks were slightly sunken, her lips dry and cracked, blended with the color of her skin. She actually looked dead. The spark was gone from her blue eyes and they were glazed over.

It was unfortunate she couldn’t just let the child die. But she needed to get rid of the Tallinach, and the only way to do that was with a spell cast by two witches. The woman took a step forward and tilted her head slightly, admiring the Tallinach’s handiwork. "You’ve outdone yourself my friend. I’m quite impressed."

"It was not easy. To keep one in the dreams this long without letting her completely give up is unheard of." he glanced at Tara’s eyes briefly, checking her status. As he turned back to the woman he straightened proudly. "This is my finest work yet." He paused and slouched ever so slightly. "But I am drained."

"Good." The woman said a little too quickly. "You will appreciate your rest much more. You have earned it. Release her now and I will give you your reward."

The Tallinach turned towards Tara and began to release her from her nightmare. Behind him the woman smiled slightly.

As Tara was once again witnessing her greatest fear her world suddenly faded away like so much smoke, revealing a dark man dressed in a hooded floor length cloak. His skin matched the cloak’s dark gray color giving him the look of a creature made of shadow. He had his arms up in front of him as if fending off some attack. Tara turned her gaze to see a furious Willow chanting at him. Eyes black, hair flying in a wind magically sprung up from nowhere, she was a vision of deadly fury. The shadow man disappeared into the floor as if a light was shone on him. The wind died and Willow turned fearful brown eyes on Tara as she hesitantly reached out for her. "Tara? Baby? Are you ok?"

Tara squinted disbelievingly at her and slowly rose, using the bed for support. "Willow? It... it’s really you?" Tara began crying again and fell into Willow’s arms. Great huge sobs wracked her body as Willow tried to comfort her. She struggled to get her story out as Willow gently stroked her hair. "It was so horrible... the dreams... I knew they weren’t real but I couldn’t wake up... then I thought I had, I thought it was over. But it wasn’t ... it started all over again... and the pain.... every time I thought I was safe... it would start again. I just wanted to die." Unable to talk anymore she clung tightly to Willow and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I know, but you’re safe now. Or, you will be." Tara looked up at her and she continued quickly. "I banished him but only for a while. I need you in order to make it permanent. We need to cast a spell together. Do you feel up to it?"

Tara looked at Willow as if not sure of what she was seeing. Willow sat back slightly, worried she may have been found out already. "I, I mean... of course you need to rest first. Regain your strength." She saw Tara's face change to being just plain tired.

Tara gave a weak nod, "Just a little." The woman helped her up and led her into the other room. She was so wrapped up in pride over her near victory that she never noticed the open window or heard Xander quickly climb out of the tree outside and run down the street.

******************

Anya struggled through the text in front of her, hoping against hope that something would pop out at her, promising to save them all from the certain destruction which loomed before them.

Unfortunately that constant swish, swish, swishing noise was distracting her and beginning to get on her nerves. She understood Willows anxiety, but did she have to continue moving back and forth so that her clothes made that annoying sound?

She decided to tell her exactly that. At the same time that she plopped her hands on the table, looked up and gave an exasperated breath, Giles dropped his glasses onto the table and spoke before Anya could, "Willow, will you please stop that infernal pacing."

Anya looked at him, pleasantly surprised. "Thank you Giles. Well said."

Willow had stopped moving at the sound of Giles voice. She had been extremely tired after her trek from the woods. The body she was now in was old and heavy, draining her energy the more she moved. She had sat still for as long as she could though, her fear for Tara’s safety causing her to walk in circles.

At the angry look on both their faces she dissolved into an apologetic babble, "I'm sorry, I just can't stop thinking that I should have known what was happening. I mean after all, here I am this all powerful witch and I let myself get talked into giving up my powers. How stupid am I?"

"On a scale of one to ten?" Anya asked innocently.

"Anya please." Giles admonished her. He turned back to Willow with a gentler tone. "You're not stupid Willow and you know it. You simply let your feelings for Tara cloud your judgment. It's perfectly understandable."

"No, it's not understandable. I've fought enough bad guys before, I should have seen it was a trap. Now a very evil being has my power, not to mention my body, is doing who knows what awful things to Tara, is coming for us next, we don't stand a chance, and it's all my fault." She waited in the awkward silence for someone to comfort her but no one spoke. She was right and they all knew it. Anger began to boil in Willow and it showed in her voice. "We have to do something."

Giles looked up from his book again. "We are doing something. We are researching to find her weakness, and you are conserving your strength." he stated in a firm tone.

"Is that Giles speak for sit down and shut up?" The only reply was a gentle look from Giles and a not so gentle look from Anya. "Message received." Instead of sitting she walked over to the counter where Dawn was reading through a huge ornate book. She stood right behind Dawn and looked over her shoulder. After a moment Dawn turned to look at her.

Willow took a step back. "I know that look. That’s the go away I’m busy look. Fine. I’m going." She walked back over to the table and sat down dejectedly. After a few unbearable moments of silence she jumped back up. "I just don't understand what's taking Xander so long. Shouldn't he be back by now? Maybe we should go after him?"

Giles sighed deeply and struggled to maintain a calm voice. "He will be back as soon as he can Willow, now please sit down."

Willow did as she was told "Ok. I'm sitting. See? Sitting down now... nice and calm." Just then the door opened and Buffy and Spike entered. Willow jumped back up excitedly but sat back down when she saw who it was.

Buffy strode purposefully toward the table, ready for a fight. "So, where's this witch who dares take Willows power..." She slowed her stride as she noticed the strange woman, "Uh... toothbrush. Power toothbrush... cause, you know... the regular kind just... uh..."

"It's ok Buffy. It's me, Willow. The witch had us switch bodies in order to take my power."

"Oh. Um, you wear it well, Will." Buffy looked her up and down trying to imagine her petite friend Willow underneath the large old woman before her.

Spike turned to Giles "So how’s the research coming? Any idea who this woman is?"

Anya answered. "We’ve turned up bubkus in the way of answers. There’s just nothing in any of these books that has anything to do with a conniving-witchy-woman, into power-stealing-body-switching through a pendant gateway."

"Dalina." Dawn looked up from her book and walked over to the table with it. She dropped it open on the table and turned it around to show a beautiful detailed drawing of a dark haired sorceress holding an ornate mirror in one hand and wearing the pendant. "There’s not much on her except her name and that she could ‘take the form of others in the service of the dark ones.’ Whatever that’s supposed to mean."

"It means she’s a bad guy. That’s all these cryptic books ever say." Buffy sighed. "Just her name isn’t enough. There’s got to be some other way to get vital information about her. Something we’re missing."

Zander entered the Magic Box out of breath and walked up to the table. "Can I make a suggestion? Next time we battle four scary demons that torture and try to kill us, can we make sure we get rid of all four of them? Cause, you know, letting one escape just leads to all kinds of nightmares later." After a slight pause he added "Pun completely not intended... though if I do say so myself...."

"What are you blathering about?" Spike had gradually learned to tolerate Zander but he still got on his nerves occasionally.

"Did you see Tara? Is she alright?" Willow looked hopefully at him.

He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "She's no longer being hurt, but witch bitch has her convinced she's you." He turned toward Spike "... and what I was 'blathering about' is the fact that the Dream Killers are back, or one of them anyway."

"Wait, what do you mean they're back." Anya was suddenly nervous. Just the thought of the nightmare they tortured her with last time was enough to give her chills. "I thought you got rid of them all. Remember, there was a whole timing thing? So what, we have to wait for the next eclipse again."

"Well, see that's the good and the bad. Apparently there is a way to kill him without waiting for a celestial event, but the witch is working on that plan with Tara." He told them everything he saw, from congratulating the Tallinach to banishing him, to helping Tara into the other room to get some rest.

"And where‘s the bad news in this?" Anya brightened. "Let the bad guy kill off the other bad guy... then we'll only have one bad guy to deal with instead of two. Sounds like all good news to me."

"No." Willow jumped up and her anger crackled through the room like electricity. "We are not leaving her with that ... monster." Thunder rolled in the distance and the lights of the store flickered momentarily.

While everyone looked around nervously, Spikes steady gaze fell to Willow. He spoke to her slowly, with a gentle warning in his tone. "Now Will, you might want to calm down just a touch. No sense wasting all that wrath when the one you want to use it on’s not even here."

Willow turned toward the table. "I won’t let her hurt Tara anymore. We save her now!" She pointed one finger downward over the table for emphasis. A mini lightening bolt shot into the table scorching a small starburst into the surface.

Buffys eyes grew wide. "That was a neat trick."

Giles slowly offered a hand to Willow. "Willow, you should try to calm down..." Everyone looked at her. Her breathing was heavy, her hair was flying away as if from static electricity and little sparks could be seen randomly traveling over her clothes.

Everyone took a step back from her. Everyone but Zander. He stepped closer and spoke calmly to her. "Willow, listen to me." His voice was low and unwavering. There was power in it. Not magical, supernatural or other worldly, the power Zander possessed was the power of friendship. A long standing, well-weathered love between them that rivaled willows strongest spells. It calmed her like no one else could have at that moment. He looked deep into her eyes and found the familiar spark of Willow within the old woman's body.

"We’re all here for you and Tara." Zander gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his face betraying the sting her electricity caused him as he touched her. He kept his voice even and his eyes never wandered from hers. "We’re not going to leave her but we have to be smart about it. We need a solid plan."

Willow looked around at their faces and became aware of what was happening. Her emotions had built the electrical static in the room to a dangerous level. She took a slow breath and closed her eyes as she stepped back slightly from Zander. The sparks disappeared and her hair returned to normal.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Spike was the first to try to break the silence. "Gee Red, good to know you've harnessed the power of the lightening bolt. Think you can direct that with any accuracy?"

"I don‘t know Spike. Let‘s find out." With a mischievous glare she pointed her finger at Spike.

"N, n, now Willow, lets not be rash!" A bolt shot toward him stopping inches away from the tip of his nose to form a ball of wild energy directly in front of his face. He stared at it curiously for a moment before it shot up through the ceiling raining bits of debris on his head.

"Bloody hell! Watch it."

"Looks like we have a weapon." Dawn said in awe.

"Guess you can sit this one out Buffy. I'm going to save Tara now." Willow turned toward the door as sparks began to race across her robes again.

Buffy quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Willow, there's one thing you're not thinking of. This Dalina person knows your powers... I mean this body's powers. This used to be her body right? You can't just go after her lightening bolts blazing, she'll know exactly what to do to counter it and will knock you down without batting an eye."

"Buffy..."

"No, Willow. We may be able to use her power against her but not that way. Zander is right, we need a plan." Willow glanced at Zander as Buffy continued. "We have to be smart. I need smart Willow now. Not scary vengeful Willow." Buffy looked into the green eyes of the woman’s body. Their color may not be Willows, but the expression was. Buffy had only seen it a few times before. When Willow was pissed.

"Ok. I'll try." Willow did not look pleased but she resigned herself to be as calm as possible.

"But I like scary vengeful Willow." Dawn pouted. "She's cool."

"So if we're not going in full throttle, what is the plan?" Spike took a seat on the stairway.

"First we need to contact the Tallinach and warn him." Buffy stated.

Giles eyes lit up. "Ah, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"Uh... right. If she wants to get rid of him that means he's a threat to her, maybe a threat we can use." A thought occurred to Giles and he walked behind the counter as Buffy continued talking. "We tell him he's going to be double crossed and it's in his best interest to join forces with us."

Willow wondered "And if he doesn't see it that way?"

"Then we make him see it that way." Buffys determined tone left no doubt what she meant.

"That's great but there's one little problem luv." Spike leaned back in his seat. "You usually try to get rid of the bad guys. How do you propose we go about calling one?"

Giles came back around the counter with an old notebook in hand. "Thankfully I have a solution to that problem." He sat at the table with the book open in front of him and went on to explain. "After our last encounter with the Tallinach I became curious as to their origins."

"Right. Cause it's always a good idea to get to know your would-be killer after you've defeated them into a pile of dust." Zander shot him a give me a break look.

"Scoff if you will, but in this case it worked to our advantage. My curiosity paid off in learning not only how they were brought into existence but in how one can call them to do their bidding. According to my research, the Tallinach are... or were, four demons working as one. They had dominion over nightmares. When they were first created they were fairly harmless..."

"Harmless!" Anya exclaimed. "They nearly killed us with our dreams. I don‘t call that harmless."

Giles answered her, "They were meant to cause regular nightmares. In general most people hate their nightmares but they can be quite useful. Nightmares can warn us of impending danger or motivate us to make tough choices... they’re really a force for good, and so to were the Tallinach."

"Wait, now your telling us the Dreamkillers are the good guys?" Zander looked around at everyone. "Anyone here have a problem with that description?" He raised his hand as if in class.

"Past tense." Giles corrected him. "They actually worked for the Powers That Be in the beginning. They only began attacking people with dreams a few centuries back. The who and why of it is a bit sketchy but from what I could gather a plot for revenge was cooked up and the Tallinach were caught in the middle, so to speak. They were used as minions and given great power to carry out their mission."

"Power corrupts..." Spike noted.

"...and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Buffy finished.

Giles continued. "Yes, exactly. They found a way to gather even more power from the fear generated by those in their grasp, and so began their allegiance with the dark forces. Strangely enough however they only attack when someone calls them. Kind of hit men as it were. Anyone knowing the ancient script can call them but in order to control them you must be..." He scanned to the line he wanted and quoted, "One with the reigning darkness. I believe that translates roughly to one of the bad guys." He gave Buffy a pointed look barely concealing a smirk.

Buffy rolled her eyes at him. Suddenly it hit her, they had a bad guy on their side. She turned to look at Spike and slowly the others followed suit.

"What? Me? I'm the one with the power? I'm the one who gets to be in charge? No... noooo... I couldn't possibly... Ha, ha! How do I start." He rubbed his hands together joyfully.

Giles put on his doubters face. "Now just a minute Spike. You've been working with... the good guys for a while now... and with your chip..." He paused. "I'm just not sure you can control him. I mean, you’re not exactly the big bad anymore."

Spike looked insulted then smiled a joyously evil grin. "Just tell me how to call him... and we'll just see how bad I still am."

****************

The ritual was fairly simple and once everything was set up everyone but Buffy and Spike went into the back room. Willow had tried to convince Buffy to let her stay but it was obvious she was far to upset to remain calm. Buffy and Giles were both concerned that she would attack him on sight. She tried to tell them that was ridiculous since he was now the only hope for getting Tara back. They made a deal that if she would wait in the other room without complaint they would consider her calm enough to face him once they had his cooperation.

Four candles were lit, a chant was read, and Spike and Buffy stood in complete silence waiting for something to happen. Seconds ticked by and a frustrated vampire turned to complain to the slayer standing behind him. "I knew this wasn't gonna work..." A dark mist began to form behind him. "not because of me of course..."

"Spike..." Buffy saw the shape of a hooded man form directly behind Spike.

"I am still very evil you know..."

"Spike!"

Spike spun around as the Tallinach took solid shape and began to speak, "What is your bid..." as soon as he recognized Spike his whole demeanor changed from one of service to defiance. "You!" Both Spike and the dreamkiller took defensive poses.

As the Tallinach began to disappear Spike commanded, "You must do as I bid."

A body-less face began to solidify and he glared at Spike for a moment. It began to disappear again and laughter filled the room, "You may be one with the dark, but royalty you are not."

Buffy stepped forward. "Stop, Tallinach. I offer an alliance."

The smoky figure hovered before them, as if struggling upstream against some unseen air current.

Buffy and Spike exchanged a knowing look. It would take both of them to win this minor battle of wills. Spike took one step to the right and slightly behind Buffys line of sight. "Better listen to her mate. She carries the authority."

Buffy stepped slightly forward and in front of Spike as he moved behind her and to her other side. "I'm the only one who can help you defeat what threatens you now."

The shadow struggled against the tide, the authority of Buffys voice and darkness of Spikes presence pulling him to them, even as his will struggled to retreat. "Nothing threatens me now. Your killing the others saw to that."

Spike stepped forward as Buffy drew back, their constantly changing positions and voices flowing together as one. "Right, we killed the others and we could kill you too..."

"But we won't, if...you do as we ask."

"Tell me what you ask and I will decide." His form settled in place before them, still mist-like in texture but no longer struggling against their draw.

They continued their dance before him, speaking in turn. "We know the witch is trying to get rid of you."

"We can help you defeat her."

The Tallinach was doubtful. "Then you will turn on me."

"No. Your alliance with us will grant you safe passage." Buffy gave Spike a questioning look and mouthed 'What?' Spike shrugged back at her.

Before Buffy could speak the Tallinach became solid. "Agreed." Buffy and Spike froze side by side, looking at him, unsure of how to proceed. They glanced at each other and back to him. "Call your servants into the room so we may begin to plan."

Buffy frowned at him, "Servants?"

Spike snickered, "He means the Scooby gang." He walked toward the back of the shop to bring them out.

Buffy turned back to him "They aren't anybody's servants and you will not call them that again."

He nodded slightly by way of agreement.

As they entered the room the Tallinach studied their reactions to his presence.

The vampire was first. A strange creature he was, at one with both darkness and light, he struggled to find the balance which would bring him peace. He felt nothing concerning Tallinach but thought only of the blond woman whose side he joined.

The teacher was next. A wise man whose guidance was under appreciated by those who needed it most. Though he feared Tallinach he hid it well beneath the armor of a dark sleeping warrior. He nodded a signal to the blond then stood at her side as a sentinel guard, watchful for danger.

He sensed the power before he saw her. Familiar and strange at once, he felt the power of the body she wore wash over him like a dark storm. Beneath that lay the core of the witch she truly was. Searing hatred burned along the edges of a knife cold with vengeful thoughts. Her eyes were pinning him before they were visible and as she walked into the room he could tell that she was barely keeping it in check. She would though. He could tell she was strong and as long as her love was alive she would do whatever she had to do to get her back. Even if that meant working with him.

Next came the boy followed closely by Anyanka. Inseparable they were, drawing strength from each others presence to buffer against the storm of fear threatening to engulf them.

When they were all gathered, Buffy spoke. "So, we know this witch wants to get rid of you. That means you pose a threat to her, what I need to know is why."

"Demon." He replied simply.

Buffy blinked at him "What?"

"Dalina is not a witch. She is an ancient demon."

Zander wondered out loud. "Why do you guys always have to have these weird names? Tallinach, Dalina... why can’t you be named something normal?"

The Tallinach responded with a slightly sarcastic tone. "Normal like Zander?"

"Hey, it happens to be short for Alexander... a very normal name thank you very much."

Buffy waved him off. "I don’t care if her name is Attila the Hun, just tell me why she wants to get rid of you so bad."

The Tallinach crossed his arms at her and returned to his monotone somber voice. "She failed in her mission once before and is paranoid of anyone that could possibly cause her to fail again."

Buffy frowned at him. "Ok, now you’re just gonna have to start at the beginning and explain what the heck you’re talking about, cause I’m extremely lost already." As he opened his mouth to continue she interrupted him. "Oh, and if you could speak in regular English not that frustrating cryptic prophesy-speak some people like to torture me with..." She glanced at Giles, who just looked back innocently. "I would really appreciate it."

The Tallinach sighed. "Dalina is a servant in the dark realms as I am. She is known among us as the Dark Lady. She will use any means necessary to accomplish her mission, no matter how cruel or dangerous. She is only sent on the highest priority missions. She is what you would call the big guns.

"Not long ago the dark forces discovered an extraordinary witch was coming to power. They decided to try to steal her power for their own use. That witch is Willow. They sent Dalina to hide in Willows body and lead her to one strong and wise enough to take control of her power. She almost succeeded until you managed to exercise the witch before she could make the transfer complete."

I believe it was during that battle that Dalina decided to steal Willows power for herself." He turned to speak directly to Willow. "Your power is well known on both sides. It was predestined that you would be given the gift of magic by the Powers That Be, but even they did not foresee that you would grow as powerful as you have. With all you can do Willow, you have not yet begun to tap your full potential. Dalina knows this and is determined to control that potential as her own."

Willow looked at Buffy "She told me the same thing... well, just the part about my power being strong. But if it’s so all powerfully then why hasn’t she wiped us out. You know...blink... poof?"

He frowned at them. "You did a spell to switch bodies, correct?"

Willow looked back to him. "Yea. She said I was giving her guardianship of my powers, and in the spell it said something about sunrise to sunrise... oh, does that mean we’ll switch back next morning?"

"Not automatically. The guardianship spell is temporary but it is also voluntary. You agreed to give up your powers..."

"She tricked me into giving them up." Willow corrected in a warning tone.

"Nevertheless, you agreed. In order to switch back she must also agree."

"And when she doesn’t?" Buffy wondered aloud.

"Then the transfer will become permanent." He looked closely at Willows borrowed form. "The body you are wearing is touched by magic." He studied her face for a moment. "This body was once stone. When the magic leaves it will return to stone."

"And by that you mean when the sunrises and the spell is broken?" Willow asked with a heavy heart.

"Yes."

Buffys voice was determined. "There has to be some other way to reverse the spell."

Tallinach shook his head. "She must give her consent. There is no other way."

"We’ll make one." Buffy crossed her arms.

"Very well." The Tallinach mimicked her gesture. "What do you suggest?"

Anya spoke up from behind Zander, "The 'Buffy can kick anyone's ass’ approach usually works pretty well for us. I vote for that plan."

"Maybe we give her a taste of her own medicine." Willow looked up with a new light in her eyes. "She used lies and trickery to get me to give up my power. Why don’t we use the Tallinach to get her to give it back."

Buffy turned to Tallinach suddenly realizing something. "That’s why she wants to get rid of you. You can control her dreams like you did ours?"

He became still. "Yes, now that she is in a human body. However she has Willows power and knows how to use it to protect herself from me. I would only be able to effect her if she was sufficiently distracted in using her power elsewhere."

Zander rubbed his hands together. "So we distract her and you hit her with your nightmare whamy. Great. We have a plan."

"Half a plan." Buffy replied.

"Huh?" Zander wondered.

"Half a plan. We still have to figure out how to actually do the transfer. Willow, you said she told you the amulet was necessary to transfer you back right?"

The Tallinach perked up "You have the amulet of Israhn?"

Giles pulled a misshapen lump of gold out of his pocket. "Um, this amulet?"

Anya took Zander’s hand "We’re doomed."

The Tallinach frowned. "There is one other way to make the transfer. Where is she?"

"She who?" Buffy asked.

"She who is light. She who completes the triad." Off their blank looks he sighed. "Where is the girl."

Buffy tensed even more and took one threatening step forward. Giles spoke quickly "We sent her home."

"You lie." The Tallinach turned toward the darkened doorway. "Come forth, I will not hurt you."

"No." Buffy stepped forward again now toe to toe with him. This close she could feel the cold his form gave off, like an underground cavern, dank and cool. She could still not make out a face though. She saw only dark swirling mist vaguely resembling the shape of a head. "She stays where she is."

"If we are to work together we must build trust." Tallinach stated matter-of-factly.

"Build it some other way. This doesn't involve her." Buffy was sure they could work with him to defeat Dalina but she wasn’t so sure she wanted her sister anywhere near him.

"Ah, but it does. She is the third." He stretched out his hand in her direction. "Come, you are part of this."

Slowly Dawn stepped out from the darkness and walked gracefully to stand in front of him. "It's alright Buffy." She spoke to him with chin held high and her voice strong. "I'm not afraid of you."

He looked at her closely for a moment then straightened. "You are, but you are beginning to learn to use that as strength."

She smiled briefly at the praise then sobered quickly off Buffy’s worried stare. "Actually, Buffy’s strength girl. Not me."

Spike took his place beside her. "You are strong Nibblet, don't sell yourself short."

"Spike." Buffy warned. "Stay out of this."

"You know he's right, luv. You're scared for her safety. Fine, be scared for her but don't hold her back."

"I’m not holding her back." She turned to him in defense mode. "She is strong, but I'm the slayer and she's my sister. I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her even give my own life to protect her, and not you or anyone is going to tell me otherwise." She paused trying to restrain the tears threatening to fall. Buffy looked straight at Dawn, her love for her sister thinly veiled by the harshness in her tone. "You will not be involved in this. I almost lost you to Glory, I won’t risk losing you to Dalina. It‘s too dangerous." She turned to stand defiant in front of the Tallinach. "We will do this without her."

The Tallinach took a step toward her and Buffy could see his face changing. Slowly a real face was becoming visible. Nose, mouth, chin, and eyes. The greenest eyes she’d ever seen, looked warmly back at her. His face was timeless yet had a sense of ancient wisdom about it. He spoke in a soft deep voice which soothed her. "Buffy, you are a great warrior and a loving sister. Right now you are thinking as a sister, you need to think as a warrior. Glory tried to use the key for evil, but the key can also be used for good. We must all fulfill the destiny we were meant to have, whether we wish it or not. Let her do this. Let Dawn reach her true potential."

He continued looking into her eyes, willing her to hear his words, to not be afraid of what she was hearing. He knew she would make the right choice if... she would not let fear decide for her.

Everyone waited while Buffy thought over what he had said. She looked at Dawn then back to Tallinach. "What does she have to do, exactly."

Tallinach stepped back and his face faded back to the in-descript form it was. "Once I have convinced her to do the spell, Dawn must stand between them to act as the conduit for their souls. Their essences will transfer through her."

"But then Dalinas soul could get trapped in me?" Dawn looked at Buffy.

"No. Tallinach replied firmly. "You forget child that you are more than what you appear. You are the Key, and as the Key you will channel their spirits. You have power no one knows of or understands."

"Yea, including me." Dawn rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her.

Willow sighed. "But you can do this Dawn. I’m sure of it." At her doubtful look she continued with a hand on her shoulder. "You may not understand how a toaster works but you can still make toast right?"

"Actually when you push down the lever a connection is made where the..."

Exasperated, Willow continued "Look. You know what I mean."

"Yea." Dawn sighed. "So I guess it’s up to me to save the world this time huh?"

Buffy placed her hands gently on Dawns shoulders. "With lots and lots... and lots of help from us." They smiled at each other. "We can do this. We have to."

End ch 5
To be continued...