by Rob Sorenson

Watcher's Council Headquarters--London, Mar 1975

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

Inge was screaming for all she was worth, thudding away at the cage. Travers sighed. "Oh, do shut up."

He turned to the fuse box, found the proper button, and pressed. The ceiling above Inge's cell began slowly retracting, revealing brilliant shafts of sunlight inch by inch.

The former Slayer's screaming continued as she backed herself against the bars in terror. "What is this?! Wait!"

Still the ceiling slowly retracted. Inge forced herself to take her eyes off the slowly brightening floor inching ever closer, and turned to face the Chairman. "Travers, why would you go to all this trouble if you didn't want something?! Come now, let us be reasonable."

Travers now stood directly across from her, just out of arm's reach. She began thrashing wildly, flinging herself with terrifying force against the bars. He merely looked on impassively. Inge was now heaving with panic and exhaustion.

"Please!! I will do whatever you ask. Do not do this!!"

She shrieked in animal terror as she turned, now discovering her cell almost completely bathed in sunlight. When a mere 12 inches of shadow remained, Travers almost imperceptibly signaled Peter. Instantly the ceiling froze in its current position.

For a moment, there was no sound in the room. Inge had crouched into a fetal position, huddling herself against the inevitable combustion. Her eyes were tightly closed.

The Chairman spoke softly. "I wonder, Inge, if you could show me the respect of looking me in the eye when I speak with you."

She opened her eyes, almost unbelieving that she still existed.

Travers spoke with a bit more steel in his voice. "Get up, Inge. Look at me."

Her knees were a mere inch from daylight from her perch on the concrete floor.

"If I get up and turn around, I'll be exposed."

"Only for a moment, dear. Let's see if you can face your fears."

She hesitated a moment, then smiled. "At the risk of being burned, I must say you are quite the bastard, Quentin. I could learn to love that about you."

Inge rose to her feet slowly and turned, her right shoulder singed and smoking as she moved. Once she completed the brief rotation, her face was smiling softly, taunting him. Travers couldn't help but smile himself.

"You always were extraordinary, Inge. I believe I chose well with you."

"Chose?"

"Yes. I have been waiting for some time for a Slayer with the qualities I need. Your fighting skills are unparalleled. We've been watching you for quite a long time...and no, I do not mean Hans. I mean my own people. There have been Slayers turned before in the history of the Cruciamentum. Eight, in fact. Of those, none have lived long enough to rise. We simply beheaded them all...until now. Allow me to introduce my sons, Peter and Paul." He indicated the twins, now standing a respectful distance behind. Inge eyed them for a moment and leaned her head toward the Chairman, speaking in a mocking stage whisper.

"I think it's best that I warn you, sir. Your sons aren't people."

Travers almost laughed. "Thank you, Inge. I am quite aware of this...but we'll come to that in a moment. Katzenbach is speaking to young Rupert as we speak, and I'd like us to come to an understanding before he returns."

She said nothing at the mention of her former Watcher's name, merely waiting for Travers to continue. He obliged her.

"Quite a few years ago, there was some...experimentation done in the science of genetics. Rather complicated to explain in the amount of time we have, actually, so let me come to the point. A theory developed that DNA could be replicated artificially, thereby eliminating the need for traditional human reproduction."

"Cloning?"

Travers nodded his approval. "Quite so. A great amount of theory regarding the manipulation of species has developed in our world as a result. It is rumored, for example, that the Americans have begun secretly funding certain agencies devoted to the alteration and control of demonic activity." He smiled. "They are far behind us, of course."

"This is all very exciting, Quentin, but what does this have to do with me?"

His eyes became slits. "Unless you wish to lose the amount of shadow you currently have, I would advise you not to interrupt me again."

She said nothing, eyes displaying a flicker of yellow, then back to their original blue.

"As I was saying, the Americans have only just begun. The Watcher's Council, however, has been dedicating considerable funds to this research for the last twenty-five years...its been my project since I became an active member in 1950. It was recently decided, however, that the implications of altering primeval forces could be potentially catastrophic. I didn't agree with that, but I was outvoted by the likes of Tristan Giles and Jurgen Katzenbach. Weak men with a stubborn devotion to the past that borders on ridiculous. I fear--though Rupert's insolence was once promising--that their children will follow the same misguided path."

He hesitated for a moment, seemingly gathering his thoughts. "Therefore I was given no choice. Officially the work was set aside, but I began financing research out of my own family's purse, while working my way up within the ranks. Licking the boots of men who didn't have the required elements to change with the times. At last, through hard work, I became Chairman in 1972. Slowly, I have been able to divert funds and manipulate events. The creation of Peter and Paul was meant to be a demonstration of the capabilities of the new technology: demons with an unchanging human visage. They have the strength of an M' Fashnik and the demeanor of an accountant....and they do whatever I tell them without hesitation. They are, by all rights, my children...and I therefore refer to them as such."

He smiled affectionately toward them. They mirrored his expression.

"You, on the other hand...you are to be my crowning achievement. The strength and instincts of the Slayer combined with the single minded purpose and strength of a vampire...yet under my control. That is why you are here, Inge. I have deemed you to be worthy."

She swallowed and spoke with an effort. "May I speak?"

He nodded with approval. "You learn quickly, child. Yes, you may."

"What is it you wish for me to do, exactly?"

"For the moment, I wish to see a demonstration for my own benefit. Peter, if you please?"

The "son" of the Chairman stepped over to the control panel and pressed the button that restored the ceiling to its original position. Inge tried not to show the enormous relief she felt inside as Travers resumed speaking.

"I sent Sebastian to sire you. He was the original prototype...a captured vampire. Once a classical pianist in his human life."

"Right. Played Wagner as he stalked me."

"Yes, he had his affectations. Still, he was gifted. Alas, Inge, you slayed him even without your supernatural gifts. Quite remarkable actually. Fortunately I sent his minions along as a backup."

"Very wise."

"No need for excessive praise, darling. I don't require it. Now then, I wish to see you in action."

At another wave of his hand, Peter opened a hidden side door of the cell. The five vampires who had ambushed Inge in the East End now joined her in the enclosed area. Travers pulled a stake from his tweed jacket, tossing it through the bars. He stepped back and uttered one word. "Slay."

Inge smiled and turned to her attackers. "Forgive me, but I really couldn't tell in all the darkness and confusion earlier. Which one of you gentlemen actually did the siring?"

They looked at one another. Clearly they weren't certain either.

She shook her head sadly. "No one knows? That is a shame. I was going to let him live the longest."

One of the vampires laughed. "You sure talk big for one against five."

She merely raised an eyebrow, maintaining her merry expression. "Perhaps I'll do better this time than last."

He sneered. "I highly doubt--"

Inge moved across the cell, her stake moving at a speed that had never been seen before. To Travers's human eyes, she was no more than a blur. The stake penetrated three chests so quickly it looked like a finger punching holes through a piece of tissue. Three clouds of dust appeared virtually at once.

"--that you could take us all."

The vampire froze in place. Inge had resumed her position across from them, standing with arms folded. She had literally destroyed three of his companions during the span of one sentence.

"Interesting. It appears I have the combined speed of a Slayer and a vampire along with the strength. I'm sorry, that was rude. Were you saying something?"

The vampire swallowed hard. Inge was rubbing her thumb and forefinger against her chin.

"Let's try it this way." She morphed into her demon face, yellow eyes glowing to match her opponents. Inge looked down at the stake. "Suddenly holding this thing bothers me." She tossed it out of the cell. "Let's see how I do without it."

The two remaining vamps were making no effort to attack, looking wildly left and right. She stunned them by turning and running two steps in the opposite direction. Inge leaped and placed one foot halfway up the wall. Like a swimmer pushing off in the middle of a lap she catapulted herself toward them across the cell, her magnificent body parallel to the ground. For one amazing moment, she was literally flying. In midair, Inge grasped the head of one of the vampires while at the same time wrapping her calves around his companion's. They staggered against the wall at the unexpected weight. Inge sent herself into a spin, beheading them effortlessly. She began falling to the concrete floor, flying through her victims' dust on the way. She absorbed the impact with her hands and flipped herself to her feet. The rest of her body hadn't touched the ground. She immediately found the dancing eyes of Quentin Travers.

"How do you feel, Inge?"

She smiled as she brought back her human face. "Well, that was just.....groovy."

"Indeed. You are everything I could have imagined. We have a great future, you and I."

He looked to Paul. "Release her."

Inge's eyes widened. "Are you serious?" Paul had pressed another button and the cage moved slowly sideways into the wall. She didn't move for a moment, disbelieving. "Is this another test, Quentin?"

"Of a sort. Please come join us."

Inge walked slowly out, eyes on him. "You DO realize I am a vampire, yes?"

He smiled. "Attack me whenever you wish."

Instantly she shot toward him....and stopped. Her hands trembled as she reached for him...but they were prevented from making contact, as if held back by an invisible force. After sixty seconds of trying, she moved back from him, yellow eyes burning with frustration.

"What the Hell have you done to me?"

"Inge, I cannot very well control your actions if you could kill indiscriminately. You're to be better than that. Therefore I've implanted a...controlling device in your cerebral cortex. From this moment forward, I say who you kill. I will also specify where and when. You will only be allowed to destroy targets of my choosing. Outside of that, you can kill no living creature."

She stood stock still. "Are you saying that I can't feed? I'm a vampire, Quentin. I need blood to live."

"Of course you do, darling. I plan to provide it for you. You will simply eliminate people I deem appropriate. Allow me to provide you with an
example." He took a picture out of his pocket and held it out for her to examine. "His name is Theodore Hampton. An American by birth, he murdered his wife and children in their beds while they slept. His case was dismissed due to mishandling of evidence and physical abuse inflicted by the arresting officer. Soon after he emigrated here. He currently resides in a rather nondescript flat in Manchester. You may go there and feed on him. Once you finish, you report back to me."

She sneered. "This is beneath me. I wish to hunt."

"Oh, you most certainly will do that. You'll simply hunt targets that I need eliminated; primarily demonic in nature, of course. We'll find as many suitable humans for you to feed on as possible. If there is one thing about this world that I can depend on, it's the remarkable number of people who deserve to die who manage to avoid it. We will remedy that."

Inge sighed and folded her arms. "All right, Dr. Frankenstein, I suppose you leave me no choice. Work for the Council or die of starvation, is that about it?"

He shook his head. "Not the Council. Not as yet. For the moment, you work directly under myself or my sons. The three of use control your actions via voice activation. A time will come when I establish a separate arm of the Council to handle security. You will be a vital part of that team, and serve under whomever I see fit to run it. He will also be given authority to control you, after a bit of reprogramming."

She spoke quietly. "What of Hans?"

"You still care?"

"Oh, yes. I care very much."

"Hans is never to know you exist. I'm not ready to fully implement my plans to the General Council, and he will be a part of that. I wish to keep an eye on him."

Peter spoke up respectfully. "I'm sorry to interrupt, sir. Katzenbach has just left the library. He should be here in roughly seven minutes."

"Thank you, Peter. Paul, I need you to remove some dust from the cell. Make it appear as if one vampire has been eliminated. Hans isn't stupid."

He turned back to Inge. "I cannot properly express how much I have looked forward to this moment. The last twenty-five years of work have finally come to fruition. Inge Steiner..." He hesitated dramatically, leaning in close to her. "You are MY chosen one."

She said nothing for a moment. Finally she smiled. "Do I have time for one more question?"

Travers walked with her to the secret side door of the cell. "Just a quick one, dear."

"What of the Slayer line?"

He shrugged. "What of it? Your human death generated another. They are still quite useful. I've yet to get around the problem of your weakness to sunlight. Apocalypses occur during the day as well, you know."

"Really?"

"Not often, but on occasion. One way or the other, the Council must not know what has happened. The Slayer and Watcher relationship will continue, though I have plans to establish a more firm control over them as well. Don't take this personally, but I've always envisioned male Slayers someday. Women are just too emotionally unstable for my taste."

Inge rolled her eyes as she stepped through the side door to head to Manchester. Stopping herself, she turned around. "Am I allowed to make requests?"

Travers appeared amused by the question. "No guarantee I will grant it, but I suppose. What would you like?"

"Can I hunt down and kill the person who came up with the idea of bellbottomed pants?"

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

The room shared by Willow Rosenberg and Dawn Summers was an eerily quiet place. For the second time that evening, no said a word for five full minutes after Willow finally shared her thoughts.

At last Xander looked at his oldest friend. "Ok, I've been running over the Scooby handbook in my head, and I'm pretty sure this is the part of the script where I'm supposed to say this: are you kidding?"

The Witch merely shook her head slowly, maintaining her gaze on him.

He shook his head. "This is crazy. You can really do that?"

"I can. It won't be easy...but I can."

Angel found his voice. "Assuming this works....you can just turn it off when the time comes?"

"I should be able to reverse it, yes."

"Should, or will? I'm sorry to ask, but this is a pretty big deal."

"There are no guarantees with magic, but if it can be generated, it can be reversed. Basic principles. The one problem would be my lack of availability to help in the actual fight. I might be able to do little things, but it would be a huge risk. It's going to take everything I've got to set this in motion."

Spike was staring off into space, focusing on no one in particular as he spoke. "You have some internal magic gauge, do you? Something that tells you how much you've got left?"

"Sort of, yes. I can feel what it takes to do something. It's not an exact science, of course..." Willow trailed off. The truth was she didn't know for certain, and she wasn't going to lie. Not about this.

"Hey, Red."

"Yes, Faith?"

"You're nuts."

"Is there a question in my future or did you just want me to agree with you?"

"Nope. No question. Just wanted to say that your idea is the best we got. If you can pull this off, at least we have a shot. We sure as Hell didn't have one before. That's all."

Willow was actually touched. "Thanks."

"Yeah, whatever."

Wesley cleared his throat. "Willow, I'm certain you've thought of this, but I must put this before the group. A great many people will be..." Wesley searched for a gentle word to use. "...adversely affected by this. Is there anything that can be done regarding that?"

Willow was staring directly at Buffy as she answered. "Some. I can interweave a protection spell to go with the main one for certain areas. Honestly, I'm not sure whether or not it will do a lot of good."

"In which case, I'd like to expound on a few possibilities. I've prepared some notes..."

Xander was rapidly tuning out Wesley's drone, concerned with how this was affecting Willow. He had to say it, but he desperately wished it weren't necessary. In a burst of inspiration, he hit on an idea. He stared at her and concentrated.

<Willow>.

She flicked her eyes from Buffy to him.

<Xander? Are you actually trying to talk to me telepathically? You hate doing this.>

<Special exception being made here. I don't want to ask in front of everybody.>

<What? I'm sorry, Xander, what did you say?>

<I said-->

<Hold on. Buffy's trying to talk to me at the same time. Let me open it up so we can all hear each other.>

<Buffy's talking in your head too? Copycat.>

<I heard that.>

<Sorry. Didn't know you were there already.>

<Well, I was. So watch your mental mouth.>

Xander glanced over at Buffy, who gave him a very subtle twitch of her eye, indicating a wink.

<Ok, now that we can all hear each other, what the Hell do you want?>

Willow's attempt at humor didn't even get a response from Xander, a sure sign that he was genuinely worried.

<Will, I need to hear you tell me that you can do this without losing control.>

Buffy flicked her eyes toward Xander and nodded almost imperceptibly, indicating that she'd asked the same question.

Willow looked from one to the other. <Guys, I'm not sure of much. People could very easily get hurt or killed by my doing this...I'm aware of that. Just not as many as the other scenario. I promise you this, though. No matter what the cost, I would never endanger anyone here by going Dark, even for one second. I did it in New York with Dawnie's help, but only because that clone would've done everything I did...in my bad period. Probably worse. There was absolutely no other choice. That's not the case here.>

Xander frowned. <There's another choice besides the one you just gave us?>

<Yes. Our death or the death of a few thousand people.>

<Will...>

<I never said they were good ones. Let's get back...I think Wesley's about to wrap it up.>

Buffy rolled her eyes. <Watchers. They're all the same.>

"--so, in summary, I believe this to be the lesser of all evils."

Angel looked at his friend. "Wes, you could've just said that last sentence. I think we would've got it."

"Simply being thorough."

Dawn stood unexpectedly and walked to the other end of the room. Buffy looked at her with concern.

"Dawn, is your leg hurting you?"

She shook her head in annoyance. "I can't even feel that any more. It really was nothing. Its just....are we ok doing something like this? Are we so much better than everybody else that we can make this decision?"

William spoke softly. "Faith was spot on earlier, Bit. Nothing about this is ok."

"Yes, but Spike...we're just people, right? I don't mean to sound stupid, I mean of course...most of us are. I've only been a real person for a couple of years, but..."
Dawn sighed harshly, frustrated at her inarticulate effort. "What I mean is..are we Gods now? Are we qualified to do something like this? Most of you guys are superheroes and stuff...but I'm not." She shook her head. "Just forget it. I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense."

Angel surprised her by speaking up. "Yes, you are. You're making perfect sense. Well, maybe not about the superheroes part, but....this is a brutal decision to have to make. Sometimes, we have to be the ones that do it. Then we have to be the only ones who live with those choices." He and Buffy exchanged glances for a moment and Angel continued. "When I first came into this in New York, you'd just been shot at by these guys. Now we're here, and you're in there fighting Special Forces troops who are twice your size and age, getting injured by them and telling everyone it's nothing. When I was eighteen, I would've bailed so fast it would make your head spin at the first sign of trouble. Yet I sit here and watch you and listen to you. A couple of hours ago you volunteered to give up your life. We don't know each other Dawn...not really. This is the most time I've ever spent around you. Let me tell you something: you're not just a person. You're a hero. The most important kind."

Dawn saw the look in everyone's eyes and felt so humbled she nearly burst into tears. She took a deep breath and gathered herself together.

"Does it make me immature to wish there were a way to do this without any innocent people getting harmed, even though it's impossible?"

Xander grinned at her. "If it is, grab me a pacifier and a rattle, 'cause I'm in that crib with you."

Dawn smiled back, grateful for the break in tension as a new voice spoke for the first time.

"If I may."

All eyes turned in surprise to the far corner of the room. Hans Katzenbach stood slowly, grimacing slightly as he reached his full height. Buffy spoke gravely.

"Of course."

"I am at an even bigger disadvantage then Angel. I don't know any of you, other than files I've studied over the last eight years. I am well aware, however, of all you've been through. Your sacrifices. The loved ones who have come and gone. No one on this Earth has had to deal with a weight of responsibility like you have."

He paused, shaking his head.

"Therefore I marvel at the fact that I am sitting in this room, listening to your feelings regarding the importance of preserving every human life...even when the only reasonable alternative is sacrificing your own. I'm not qualified to give you answers...but I can guarantee you one thing." He pointed out the window toward the Magic Kingdom. "Not one of our adversaries is losing a minute of sleep over any of this. That fact alone makes me realize that for the first time in many years, I have chosen my allies well. I'm proud to be in the same room with you."

He slowly resumed his sitting position, now openly grimacing. For a moment, no one said anything.

Finally Buffy made her first open contribution. "If we do this, we do it together. If we only have one vote against...then we try to come up with something different. Unanimous is the only way we're going to go here. I'll ask one person at a time."

She went from right to left.

"Faith?"

"Yeah."

"Xander?"

He took one more long look at Willow. No matter what anyone said, she was the person who would make this happen. After they exchanged the slightest of smiles, Xander looked back at Buffy. "Yes."

"Dawn?"

No hesitation. "Yes."

"Angel?"

"Yes."

"Spike?"

"Yeah."

Buffy took a deep breath. "Ok, then. I vote yes also. Let the record show that we're unanimous."

Dawn raised an eyebrow. "We keep records of these meetings? Who does that?"

"Figure of speech, Dawnie."

"Oh. Right."

Willow spoke up. "Don't I get a vote?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "You're going to vote against your own idea?"

"Well...no, of course not. It's just that we've never been able to vote like this before, and I didn't want to be left out."

Buffy shook her head. "Fine, Wills. How say you?"

The Wiccan threw her best friends an impish grin. "I vote aye. There. Now I feel complete."

"Ok, then. Moving right along...we've all agreed to do this, so I'm making a rule right here and now. No more talk about whether or not this is the right thing. We've got too many other things to worry about. We're committed, and that's the end of it. Agreed?" She looked around the room to universal nods. "Ok. Wills, do you have everything you need to perform this spell? Need any supplies of any kind?"

"No, I'm good. It's a pretty basic incantation, without a lot of ingredients involved. Either I have the juice to make this happen or I don't."

Buffy nodded her approval. "Ok, then. Let's operate under the assumption that this is going to work, and it's just us vs. the bad guys. We're going to need them to come out in the open. How do we flush the rabbits out of the hole?"

Angel looked to Spike. "I've got an idea about that. You and I are particularly qualified to handle this one. We need to do a little breaking and entering to make it work, though."

Spike grinned. "Sounds like fun. Nothin' like a little illegal activity to take the edge off."

Faith whined playfully, "I wanna go do illegal stuff. Its been so long. Can I come?"

Angel shrugged. "We could probably use you in case things get rough."

"Cool. I actually get to do something I'm qualified for."

Buffy frowned. "You going to share the plan?"

Angel looked to her seriously. "Pretty simple. We smoke them out."

"We're gonna start a fire?"

"Not literally. Tunnels like that require a ventilation system. We simply flood it with as much tear gas as we can get our hands on."

Xander looked up. "I don't mean to rain on your parade, Angel, but troops like these will probably be equipped with gas masks."

"I don't doubt that. Something tells me, though, that Martineau won't like being on the other side of things. Might just piss him off enough to order a counterattack."

Katzenbach was nodding. "That is precisely his mentality. He is not accustomed to being on the defensive, and Miss Rosenberg's spell would certainly change the rules.."

Xander was now nodding as well. "This is good. Play on his vanity. I could tell after two minutes around him the guy thinks he can out fight anyone. He'll take the gassing as an open challenge."

Dawn was confused. "Wait a minute. I thought we'd already established that he has cameras everywhere. Won't he know where we are all the time? I mean, we're pretty much fighting blind, right?"

Katzenbach was feeling more comfortable now that he could actually contribute something. "Not necessarily. Yes, the Security Council has camera access, but Disney Security does as well. It's in a different part of the property. If Miss Rosenberg's spell works, and the park is truly empty..."

Buffy nodded, a spark in her eye. "Then we can level the playing field. We get access to those cameras and look at the same things they do at the same time. Good one, Hans."

Xander was in deep thought. "We need to get hold of some wireless communications gear. I'll bet security has that on hand somewhere. Assuming he orders his men out of the tunnels, how many different ways out do they have?"

Katzenbach spoke up again. "From our--" He corrected himself. "Forgive me. From their section of the tunnels, they have a total of four realistic ways out. There is a fifth, but it's a twenty minute walk."

Faith had a gleam in her eye. "Four, you say? We can work with that. Thirty guys divided by four is what, seven or eight guys for each exit? That's no big, right?"

Willow corrected her. "Seven and a half, to be exact."

Faith just glared at her, causing Willow to cower a bit.

"Sorry."

Spike was frowning. "Wait a moment. While I agree that eight humans shouldn't be too much trouble, these blokes have M-16s. Angel and I can handle getting shot--though it bloody stings--but the rest of you can't."

Dawn's eyes lit up. "Oh! Oh!"

Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Bathroom's right over there, Dawn."

"No, not that kind of oh. That was the 'I think I have an idea' oh."

"Ah. Sorry. They kinda sound the same. What's your idea?"

"Simple. Everyone covers each exit at the same time."

Silence filled the room for a moment. Faith was looking at Dawn, head tilted. "Could've swore we killed all the clones, so I'm lost."

Dawn just looked at Willow, whose eyes lit up in recognition. "Yes! That might just work, Dawnie. Can you handle it without me? I'm going to use up so much doing this other thing..."

Dawn nodded confidently. "Oh yeah. No problem."

Buffy held up her hands for quiet. "Ok, it sounds like everyone has a job to do." She addressed Spike, Angel and Faith. "You three find the headquarters for the local S.W.A.T. team. That's where they should keep the gas stashed, right?" Three nods to the affirmative. "Ok. Dawn, anything you need for whatever you're planning to do?"

"Salamander eyes. You think they sell those in Animal Kingdom?"

No one said anything for a moment. Finally Buffy just moved on. "Hans, we need everything you know about Disney's Security areas. Locations, cameras, everything."

He simply nodded in response. Buffy turned back to the group. "Let's do it."

At that, everyone rose to make their way to their respective destinations. Katzenbach approached Willow.

"Excuse me, Miss Rosenberg. May I speak with you a moment?"

She smiled. "You can if you call me Willow."

"All right. Willow, I offer to assist you in creating the circle you'll need to perform this spell. I have a certain amount of skills with magicks."

Her smile faded. "No. Thanks for the offer, but...there are two reasons why I can't use you."

"And those would be?"

Willow paused before responding. "Number one, this particular type of elemental spell requires a different formation. A circle isn't what the spell calls for; I actually need a different pattern. I've got all the help I need. If anything, additional magical presence would make things harder."

He eyed her a moment. "I see. Well then, that makes sense. I suppose. What would the other reason be?"

She was suddenly embarrassed. "Oh. Well...I think it might be too much of a...um...difficulty in your case. It takes a lot out of a person to do these spells."

He smiled softly. "You really shouldn't be breaking into the Council's medical records."

"What? No...I didn't mean that. Just that..."

He turned toward her laptop that clearly showed the icon "Council Medical Files," at the bottom, then turned back to her, eyes twinkling.

Willow reddened even further. "Oh. We were just looking around in there, you know...nothing specific about anyone."

"It's perfectly understandable, Willow. I'm new here. One can never know who to trust."

Willow sighed, tired of the pretense. "I'm sorry."

He merely shook his head. "Are you certain there's nothing I can do to help with the spells? Perhaps I could assist young Dawn in her efforts."

"No. Dawn will be fine. You just relax. There's no need for you to strain yourself at all."

He gazed hard at her for a moment. "You saw the records, Willow. Surely you understand that it no longer matters."

She gazed right back. "It does to me."

After a moment, he shrugged slightly and went back to his seat. Willow caught Buffy and Xander doing the Scooby lover's duty: asking their others to be careful. To their credit, Faith and Spike held up their end of the charade and assured their respective honeys that they would indeed do so. Willow thought it was sweet of them to make the effort, even though the word careful could rarely be associated with Spike or Faith....which Buffy and Xander knew perfectly well.

<Oh, the games we play>, Willow thought. She looked to Angel, standing off to one side slightly. "Angel, promise me you'll be careful."

He smiled at her. "We are a little left out, aren't we?"

"Just trying to fit in."

"Yes. Well...unlike those two, I really am careful sometimes. Your thoughts aren't wasted on me."

"Ok. I feel better. How about you? You feeling better?"

"Loads."

They shared a brief smile as Angel made his way out the door with his two companions for the evening. She made a brief stop to give Dawn the required salamander eyes (a good Wicca always carried a few in their purse...just in case), then made her way over to Buffy and Xander while they were still watching their other halves walk out.

"Hey guys. Got a minute?"

Buffy shrugged. "I guess. Just realizing I have no assignment for myself."

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I need two other people to help me with this spell." She looked from Buffy to Xander.

Buffy raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Willow, you know I stink at spells. Don't you think Dawn might be the better qualified person?"

Willow hesitated awkwardly. "Actually, this one is a little different. It's a certain type of incantation. Instead of the standard circle, I need to have a triangular formation. That means two other people along with me."

"Right. Still not past the 'why me' stage here, Will."

Willow looked from Buffy to Xander, suddenly embarrassed. "I need the strongest possible emotional connection with the other two parts of the triangle for this to work."

Xander looked at Willow for a moment, smiling slightly. "Oh."

"I mean, I care so much about everybody here, but..."

Buffy smiled. "I think we got it, Willow. What do you need us to do?"

Willow took a deep breath. "The three of us join hands and get on our knees. I chant. You guys close your eyes when I say so and hang on. That's about it."

Xander was still smiling. "Sounds like fun."

Willow looked down at the floor. "Yeah. Fun."

"Hey," Buffy said. "We made a rule, remember? We're doing this together."

Willow took a deep breath and nodded. "Right." The Wicca broke into a grin. "So....you guys ready to go for a ride?"

- End Chapter Twenty-three -