Part 6

After Spike tells Giles what happened on patrol, I give a tremulous smile, “Well, at least we know a powerful being is coming to fight the first evil.”

“There isn’t much known about this demon. Like Spike told you it was thought to be a myth. Anya, do you know anything about it?”

“Oh sure, just because I’m a former demon that’s over a thousand years old everyone thinks I should know everything demon-y.”

We all just look at her.

“Okay, so maybe I do know something about the first evil but it’s just because I’ve been around a long time. NOT because I was a demon. There were rumors back when D’hoffryn first approached me to be a vengeance demon that the first evil was real but imprisoned in a different dimension. He was supposed to be imprisoned there for 2500 years, he had been there for a thousand years when I heard this rumor.”

“So, that means that he is going to be getting out of this dimension soon if you’re over a thousand as well. Oh this can’t be good.”

“Willow, maybe he’s a myth. We don’t know that he really exists. All we have are rumors.”

“Xander, this is the Hellmouth. There’s an increase in the demon population and I had a funky dream close to the time that this Monster of the Week is supposed to be getting out of his dimension. What are the odds that this is all a coincidence?”

I turn to Giles. “Angelus wanted to open the Hellmouth and Glory wanted to open a portal here as well. Do you think that this is the entrance to this demon’s prison?”

“I don’t know, Willow. We’ll look through everything that I have and we’ll call Angel and have them look into this as well. If this IS the first evil they’ll need to know about it also.”

I’m trying to hold my hysteria down to a minimum. After I leave here I’m going to have a nice nervous breakdown quietly at home.

The scene from my dream keeps playing over and over in my mind, about the power I hold will be his key. Am I the key for the being fighting the demon or am I the key for the demon once he gets out of his prison? Well, that just sucks. I can’t even sacrifice myself like Buffy did ‘cause I don’t know if I’m going to be used for good or evil.

Giles seems to notice my inner hysteria ‘cause he asks Spike to take Dawn home, saying he needs to talk to me.

Dawn comes up and puts a comforting arm around me. “You going to be okay, Willow?”

I hug her back. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

“Come on bit, let’s go. See ya later, Red.”

“I’ll lock up, Anya. You and Xander can go home.”

“Bye, guys.”

I wander around the shop while Giles gets ready to lock up. “Ready, Willow?”

~~~~

Giles brings in tea while I wait on the couch. This is getting to be a habit, me running to Giles with my problems and him calming me. I don’t know if he’s okay with it or just being polite Giles while hoping I’ll suck it up on my own. The old Willow is starting to surface, the one that feels inferior and wants desperately to not disappoint him. God, I’m the Slayer now, suck it up Rosenberg and quit running to Giles every time you have a problem.

I look up out of my thoughts and see Giles watching me. I smile but he doesn’t smile in return. Oh, this can’t be good. Here comes the speech about sucking it up, you’re the Slayer now. Only with a lot more words and a lot more British.

He picks up my hand and holds it. “Willow, you don’t have to be so strong you know.”

Huh? Strong, me? Yeah, I have a nightmare and come running to Giles that’s strong. I might be used by an evil demon or a powerful being and I run to Giles, yep that’s me . . . strong.

He continues, “You’ve had to deal with a lot these past few days with Buffy’s death, becoming the Slayer and taking care of Dawn. Not to mention putting on a brave front for your friends. Have you even cried yet?”

“I can’t, Giles. If I start I won’t stop and you’ll probably have to commit me to a room next to Tara.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, Willow. You’re so use to being the glue that holds this group together that you aren’t taking the time to hold yourself together. You need to let your feelings out, then you can move on.”

I just look at him and the tears start to form in my eyes and he pulls me into his arms. I rest my head on his chest and let the tears come. I wanted to have my nice nervous breakdown quietly at home so no one can see. I guess it’s fitting that Giles is here to see it. He’s been there for all the other bad times in my life - demon computer guy, seeing Xander and Cordelia, vampire me, seeing Oz and Veruca, saying goodbye to Tara.

He just rocks me and strokes my hair as I cry it all out. I cry for the loss of Buffy, the loss of Tara, but most of all the loss of my childhood. You would think that growing up on the hellmouth and all that I have been through that I would have lost my childhood long ago. But I didn’t, it’s not until now that I feel the pressure and responsibility of being an adult. Poor Buffy never really got to be a kid.

As I’m enjoying being in Giles’ arms, I think back over all the times that Giles as been there for not only me but for all of us. Buffy and Xander both have always looked up to him as a mentor. He was that for me as well but also something more. I always feel safe with him and he also makes me feel like an equal. He never talks down to me and he’s always interested in what I have to say.

I feel like I can tell him everything. I don’t have that with Xander anymore and I’m not sure I ever did to this degree. I love the feel of his hands stroking my hair and the sound of his heartbeat under my ear. I could stay like this for a long time.

I stiffen and my heart starts to speed up, oh my god . . . I think I’m falling in love with Giles.

Oh God, can my life get any more complicated? You’d think I’d have learned with my experience with Xander. Don’t fall for your friends.

He must have felt me stiffen in his arms because he pulls back and looks into my eyes.

“Are you all right?”

I give him a little smile, “Yeah, thanks. Just a little embarrassed to have cried all over you.”

He gently wipes my tears, “Any time, Willow. Do you feel better?”

Yes and a great big NO!

“Yeah I do. You’re right, I just needed to let everything out. I guess I should be getting home. Thanks again for letting me use you to cry all over.”

He pulls me back into his arms and whispers, “I’ll always be here for you.”

I enjoy the feel of his arms around me for what I hope isn’t the last time. I hope that he won’t suspect my feelings for him have changed. I don’t want him ever to feel awkward around me.

Part 7

Just call me stealth girl. Yep, that’s me. The FBI, CIA and Interpol are going to come sign me up ‘cause I am so good at hiding my feelings. No one can tell what I’m feeling, that is unless you’re a 17 year old girl.

I’ve had a nice boring few days of research, patrolling, and training. I haven’t run across the first evil in patrolling or research, just a lot of demons searching for the mystical power that the powerful being is coming for. My life as an ostrich was going great. I was hiding my head in the sand and not dealing with my stupid feelings for Giles. I figure if I just ignore it, it will go away.

I was getting frustrated that research was going slowly and it was too early to go patrolling.

“You all right, Willow?” Dawn asked.

I stop tapping my fingers on the book I was pretending to read. “Yeah, just going to take a break outside. Walk around maybe clear my head.”

I see Dawn and Giles exchange looks and Giles shrugs.

I go outside into the alley behind the shop and take calming breaths. I feel a small hand in mine and they squeeze my hand. I smile with my eyes still closed. “Hey, Dawn.”

“What’s wrong, Willow?”

I think about Giles’ advice a few days ago about not being so strong and putting up a front for my friends.

“I’m just frustrated, Dawnie. I don’t know what to do about the next big bad coming. I’m so use to being the one finding the answers, not being the one that goes out and takes care of it. What if I mess up and the world gets sucked into a hell or the big evil is going to rule Earth and demons are going to come and suck all our brains out?”

Dawn just laughs. “Well, if they’re going to suck out brains they’ll be sucking a lot of air on some of us.”

“Especially Harmony.” I say with a laugh.

I start to feel better. It just gets frustrating not knowing the answers. Maybe I’ll scrye and see if I can see what’s coming. I haven’t done much with my magick training. If my dream is right, I’ll need both powers. Maybe I should talk to Giles about my magickal training.

Dawn’s voice brings me out of my thoughts. “Huh, sorry. What did you ask?”

“There’s something else that’s bothering you. Is it anything Giles did?”

“Why do you think that Giles has something to do with it?”

“I’ve noticed you watching him with a sad look on your face. I just figured that maybe you guys had a fight or something.”

“Or something.” I mumble. Yep, I’m stealth girl. “I just have to work out a few things.”

“Like how you’re falling in love with Giles?”

Shit. Even a 17 year old can figure me out.

“God, Dawn. Can my life get more complicated? How can I be so stupid as to fall for another friend? Just look how well that worked with Xander.”

“Yeah, but look how well that worked with Tara.”

Stupid Dawn giving me hope.

“Willow, I really don’t think it’s one-sided. Giles is always touching you. Whether it’s to give you a hug, or lean over your shoulder while you’re on the computer or reading a book or even holding your hand when you need that.”

“That’s just Giles being Giles, Dawn.”

“I don’t think so. I don’t see him do that with Anya and I didn’t see him do it with Buffy like he does with you.”

Great. Now I’m going to feel awkward around him trying to find little messages in everything he does. Thanks Dawn.

“Thanks, Dawn.” Good I said that without sarcasm. “I think I’ll go patrolling now. Tell Giles, I’ll be back later.”

I’m not really going patrolling I just want to walk and think. If I kill a few vampires or demons along the way then that’s a bonus.

I make my way to yet another cemetery but at least this one’s pretty. It has big trees amidst the graveyard. Usually vampires aren’t at this one because of all the trees. Too many available weapons for a Slayer to choose from.

I feel like someone is watching me but I don’t have the tingling feeling. Okay now, I’m getting that ‘by the prick of my thumb’ feeling again. Not a good thing since I’m by myself.

Okay, where did this fog come from? Shit, it’s like my dream. Oh, I am so not liking this.

There are a group of trees on the far side of the cemetery and I notice something move over there. Like any idiot from a horror movie I go to investigate it.

SHIT! There’s the wolf from my dream. Why can’t I run? Why can’t I attack? Oh yeah, I’m such a good Slayer that I’m immobilized by fear.

As I stand rooted to the spot watching the wolf watch me I oddly don’t feel afraid anymore, just curious. I could swear the wolf smiles at me. Can a wolf smile? I guess so, the phrase ‘smiles wolfishly’ must mean something.

The wolf morphs into a very pale man with white hair. His white hair is not from age but like Spike’s. His skin is so translucent that it looks like the moon is reflecting off of it. He smiles and approaches.

“Willow?”

Oh, this is seriously freaking me out. I’m hearing his voice in my head. He hasn’t spoken a word.

“Yeah?”

“Please don’t worry. I’m not going to harm you.”

Oh yeah. Gonna trust you now. You said you’re not gonna harm me. Ok, let’s be friends.

“If I wanted to harm you I would have done so already and I DO hope that we can be friends.”

OH MY GOD! He can read my mind. I narrow my eyes and try <Are you reading my mind?>

He speaks out loud for the first time, “Yes I can but I won’t. It’s an invasion of privacy.”

I begin to relax somewhat, because he’s right. He could have hurt me already. “Who are you?”

“My name is Londeyer. I’m a mage in my world. I have come seeking the one that was foretold to us.”

“How is it that I can help you? Do you want me to help you find this person?”

He just smiles gently. “You are that person.”

“Oh no I’m not! I’m just Willow. OK maybe I’m the Slayer now but that was through no great thing on my part. The stupid Powers tricked me into this after Buffy died. So you see, I’m not really the Slayer. I’m kinda the pinch hitter.”

“Actually, it’s not the Slayer part that I need. It’s the magick in you.”

“OH you are so in for a surprise. My spells are not the most reliable. Just ask anyone. They almost always blow up in my face.”

“That’s because you haven’t been trained properly. That’s is one of the reasons my fellow magi sent me to find you. I’m to train you in the magickal arts so we can defeat the one that’s time has come.”

Part 8

No, no, no, no, no. This can so not be happening. How can I be the one that was foretold? My magick sucks. Really. I’m thinking the whole battle with Glory and Angel getting his soul back was a fluke. Yeah, some spells work just fine but not really like I intended. Note the whole my will be done fiasco. I’ll just explain to this Londeyer guy that he has the wrong person.

I get ready to open my mouth to say something and Londeyer interrupts me, “Come. We must leave, I feel his minions approaching.”

He grabs my hand and poof we’re gone.

The next thing I know I’m standing across from Giles in the shop with Londeyer by my side. I quickly drop his hand and jump next to Giles. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?”

“I’m sorry I frightened you, Willow. But we had to leave there quickly before his minions found me with you.”

“Who are you?” Giles asks in that Ripper voice he sometimes uses and puts me behind him. I feel Spike come up behind me and stand next to Giles. He’s all grr.

I lean in to Giles for comfort for a minute and then stand back.

“Guys, this is Londeyer. He’s a mage in his world and has come looking for the one foretold. Guess what . . . he thinks it’s me.”

Giles looks back at me. “Is he the one from your dream?”

“Yep. I met up with him in a cemetery. The one with all the pretty trees.”

“He’ll find the power among the dead.” Spike mumbles.

I turn and look at him. “What!? You can’t be serious. I am so not the power.”

“Why have you come here?” Giles asks Londeyer.

“My fellow Magi sent me here to find the one foretold and train her in magick so we can defeat the first evil. He is imprisoned in my dimension but soon the time for him to depart will be here.”

“And you think Willow is the one foretold?”

“In a different time and place there will be a girl of fire that calls the wolves and uses great magick to restore the souls of the damned. She will be found among the dead killing the evil’s minions. She will unite all to defeat the first evil.”

Both Giles and Spike look at me. “How do we know I’m the only one that did that? Besides, I can’t call wolves. There could be hundreds of dimensions out there. How do you know it’s me?”

“Willow, may I?” Londeyer walks up to me with something in his hands.

“What are you going to do?”

“I have an amulet that only the one I seek can make work.”

He puts a necklace over my head. It has what looks like a rune on it.

“So what am I supposed to do?”

“Nothing.”

Londeyer looks at me expectantly. I start to feel warmth against my chest where the amulet is hanging. Londeyer breaks into a big grin.

“What?” I say looking around.

“Look down, Willow.” I look down at the amulet and the rune is glowing. There is like a hologram projection coming out of it. It is the form of a wolf.

“That is why I came here in wolf form. In my dimension, magi can take on animal forms. My fellow magi and I take on the form of the wolf. Our order has been trained for the day when the first evil will leave. Since the one foretold is to call the wolf I thought you would have felt more comfortable with my appearance as a wolf.”

“But I can’t call wolves.”

“What about Oz?” Dawn asks.

“That’s different. He was a werewolf and it’s not like I had him trained or anything.” Thank goodness Anya wasn’t here. So didn’t want to hear her response to THAT!

“Willow, you called to us in our dimension. That is how we found you.”

“What? When did I call to you?”

“I was on a vision quest hoping to find the girl of fire when I began a vision of being in a forest. I saw you walking towards the prison that holds the first evil. I sent demons to surround you so you wouldn’t go further.”

“I dreamed that. I didn’t call you.”

Giles answered, “Maybe your subconscious knew the time was close and you needed to call the Magi for training, so you had that dream.”

Oh great. Not only is my world dependent on me to keep the nasties away. Now I have to unite people and defeat the first evil. An evil so bad that Spike referred to it as the bogeyman.

I sit down and try to process it all. I look up at Londeyer, “So, when do we begin training?”

“Tomorrow morning, we will begin your magick training.”

He turns to Giles, “I sense magick in you as well. I could use your assistance in her training.”

“Yes, of course. I would be happy to help Willow all that I can. Maybe Spike could help you spar?”

“Yeah, I could do that. You know, chance to fight the first evil. Get my reputation back as the big bad.”

I turn to Londeyer, “Do you need to get back to your dimension or will you be staying here?”

“I am to stay here until you are ready to travel to my dimension. Then we will all go there to finish your training and to fight when the time has come.”

He turns to Dawn, “You have much power for one so young. You will be a great help to us when the time is right.”

“How is it that she will help exactly?” I’m getting a little suspicious that he can sense Dawn’s power.

“We will not hurt her, Willow. She has power that is connected to our dimension and she can be like what you would call a conductor. She will draw the power in my dimension for your use. She doesn’t even have to be near the battle or even in my dimension for you to be able to access it.”

I relax feeling a little better. I can’t even think what this world or his would be like if the big bad got access to Dawn the key.

“Does this evil have a name besides the first evil? I mean we can’t go around calling it that.”

“That is what he has always been called. I have not heard him called anything else.”

Giles says, “My grandfather used to tell me that if you could put a name on your fears, then it won’t have as much hold on you.”

I think about that for a little bit and then say, “Ralph”

Giles and Spike both have a confused look on their faces. “Ralph?”

“Yep. I’m gonna call him Ralph. I mean how frightening can a Ralph be?”

Dawn has been pretty quiet through this whole thing. I look over at her and she looks thoughtful.

“Are you okay, Dawnie?”

“Yeah, I just hate being reminded that I’m not a normal girl with a normal life, you know?”

“What’s a normal life? I mean, Buffy was a Slayer, I’m a Witch and now a Slayer, Anya is an ex-demon, and we hang with vampires. You’re just like the rest of us, you have something a little extra that makes you special. You can use that extra to help defeat Ralph. Besides, you can help Giles and Londeyer teach me to become this Bad Ass Wicca. Who would want a normal life?”

Part 9

After we left the shop we all returned to Buffy’s house. I moved into Buffy’s room since we hadn’t packed anything away and Londeyer went to the room I had been staying in. That one wasn’t as feminine as Buffy’s room. “Do you need to shift into the wolf or anything?”

“No. We don’t shift with a full moon or anything like that. We are of the brotherhood of the wolf, that is how we can shift to a wolf when we need or want to.”

“Do you keep your consciousness? I mean . . . do you know what’s going around you and stuff?”

“Yes I am aware of my surroundings. It’s like when a vampire goes into a demon face. They may look different but they are the same. Since we can communicate telepathically with those around us, being in wolf form changes nothing. That will be one of the advanced lessons that I will teach you. You will be able to shift into a wolf as well.”

“Get out! Will it only work when I am in your dimension?”

“I do not believe so. We call upon the Earth’s energies for our magick like you do in this dimension so I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to shift here as well. Thank you for taking me into your home, Willow. I’m a little tired from my journey and shifting, if it is alright I think I’ll go upstairs.”

“Good night.”

I wait until he has gone up the stairs and turn to Giles.

“Whatcha thinking?”

“I’m thinking that I have always sensed a powerful magick in you but I just thought you were a conduit for the Powers for Angel’s soul and fighting Glory. If I had any idea that the power was really yours I would have trained you properly years ago.”

“How do you know I’m not a conduit this time? I mean the Powers made a bargain for me to be the Slayer at the time when they needed someone to be both a Slayer and a Witch.”

“I think they may have had something to do with it. Like they may have given you your abilities, but I think it is mostly you. Maybe you are the first of the Next Generation of Slayers. Ones that will combine magic and skill. With Londeyer’s teachings you will be able to travel interdimensionally and shift into being an animal plus have the skills of a Slayer. I think you will become a very formidable fighter for the Powers that Be.”

“So you think I may be the beginning of Magical Warriors for the Powers?”

“I’m not sure but I’m glad I’ll be here to witness whatever it is the Powers have in store for you.”

Visions of being a Mystical Warrior and traveling through space and time run through my head. Man, I have been spending way too much time with Xander and the SciFi channel.

I walk Giles out to his car, “So I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning for the magick training?”

“See you tomorrow.”

~~~~~~~~

As soon as Giles arrives, Londeyer brings out candles. “Willow, please put these in circle on the floor.”

Visions of “My will be done” float through my mind. Hope this turns out better than that one did.

“I know this is a basic spell for you but we won’t be using our voices to say a spell just your innate abilities. I want you to concentrate on the energies of the Earth. Feel the energy flowing from the Earth into you and your surroundings. Now visualize the candles being lit.”

In my mind, I see myself sitting in the circle of the candles. I feel a tickling. Like when someone passes a feather over your skin. I see the candles being lit one by one in my mind.

I hear a gasp and I open my eyes. All the candles are lit and Londeyer has a huge smile on his face.

“You have learned to harness an element without using words to command them. That is a great first step. The magick that Giles and I will help you use is more an innate skill, like the faeries, than saying spells. In the heat of battle you don’t want to have to split your thoughts between what spells to say and how to fight. You will just be able to visualize and call upon them.”

“Will I get to carry a magick staff like Gandalf?”

“Who’s Gandalf?”

I smile, “Never mind. Occasionally I make references to pop culture. Sometimes Giles doesn’t get them either. A magick staff is like a walking stick that directs the magick toward wherever you need it to go.”

“Oh. No, you’ll not be using a magick staff then. It will just be you. Have you been able to move things with thought?”

“I’ve floated pencils and things like that.”

“Good, that means you have the basic skills. We’ll work on making inanimate object animate.”

He brings out what looks like a duffle bag. Huh, didn’t see him have anything last night.

He must have seen my curiosity because he smiled, “You will be able to call things from other places to you. I brought this over this morning.”

He brings out a small figure. “I want you to try to make this figure move with just using thought.”

I concentrate and nothing happens.

“Willow, it’s like when you were training with Xander. You’re trying too hard. Just let the magick flow through you. Visualize the figure moving not you trying to move it.”

Sure, easy for him to say. He’s not supposed to be some great Next Generation of Magical Warrior for the Powers. I sigh and try again.

In my mind I see the little figure walking. Nah, too boring. This isn’t going to work anyway so I try something else. Make the figure dance, Willow. I see it dancing like that little computer baby. I start to smile because it looks so stupid. I hear muffled laughter and open my eyes.

There is the little figure shaking its butt to my inner music. I laugh. I can’t believe it worked.

“You have more ability than I had first thought. Your training will go quickly. I think we will be able to move to my home for your advanced training with the brotherhood sooner than I thought.”

“She still has her training as a Slayer that she needs to concentrate on as well.”

“Yes of course. I was planning to bring along Spike when we shift to my home. She will be able to continue her training as a Warrior with him and the warriors of my world.”

“Hey, SHE is still here. Don’t I get a say in any of this?”

Both Giles and Londeyer look at me. I look right back. “Well...?”

“Sorry, Willow.”

“You will always have the ultimate decision on what you do and who goes with you to my home. I am sorry, I got excited when I saw that your abilities were stronger than I had thought.”

“It’s okay. My life already feels so out of control I just want to have control over something. By the way, how do I get this little guy to stop his dancing?”

“The same as how you got him to start, visualize it.”

It worked. I’m beginning to feel better about all this.

“I’d like you to try something with Giles’ help. It’s a little harder. This can help you and others in battles. I want you to put up a barrier between you and Giles and me. This will help teach you to call on the magic of others and protect yourself and others from harm.”

Giles steps closer to me and I reach for his hand. I can feel the magick in him now. I seem to have a heightened awareness of magick around me and in others. We smile at each other.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Yep, let’s build a barrier.”

This time I try using magick with my eyes open. Wouldn’t do to have to close my eyes every time I want to work magick. Especially in a fight.

I think of an invisible box around Giles and myself. I feel heat coming from Giles and into me. I visualize a strong wall surrounding us.

Londeyer picks up a book and throws it. It bounces off an invisible barrier. Woo Hoo. We did it.

“Don’t drop your concentration.” Londeyer says. He picks up a knife and throws to the left of us.

The knife bounces off, too. “Hey, what if that hadn’t worked?”

“That’s why I didn’t throw directly at you. I’m going to try magick to break your barrier. Not a lot because I know you’re just learning.”

I feel a push against the barrier. I hold Giles’ hand tighter and feel more heat and I make the barrier stronger.

“Great job, Willow.”

I pull on Giles’ hand and make him face me. “We did it!”

I pull him into a hug and to give him a kiss on the cheek. He turns his head to say something and our lips brush accidentally. Wow! I pull back slightly to apologize and can’t take my eyes of his lips. I finally look up and see Giles looking at my lips.

His eyes move up to mine and I see a spark there. The same spark that I am sure is in mine. Hoping it isn’t wishful thinking, I move my lips back to his.

Oh my god, I’m kissing Giles. Yippee, he’s kissing me back.

“Um, Willow, you can take the barrier down now.”

I ignore him. I’m kissing Giles!

Part 10

I lean back and look into his eyes, hoping to not find regret.

I don’t find any signs of regret or awkwardness, which I am thankful for. I smile softly at him, “Are we okay?”

“Yes, I think we are.” He gently puts a strand of my hair that had fallen forward behind my ear. “No regrets?”

“Nope, not a one.”

I look up at Londeyer who has wandered back to the couch and is absently looking through a magazine. “So, how do I take the barrier down?”

I think I hear him mumble “Finally” but I’m not sure. “Hold Giles’ hand and visualize the barrier getting weaker and softly melting away. Put your other hand on it. Normally this isn’t done but I want you to feel it melting away.”

I slide my hands down Giles’ arms, which is really just an excuse to cop a feel and hold onto his hand. We step forward with my other hand outstretched until I feel the barrier. I think of ice cream melting in a cone and feel the barrier melt the same way. It is a really odd sensation to do all this magick without the use of incantations. I never knew someone could really do magick with just a thought.

“I think that’s enough for today. I just wanted to assess your abilities and how well you adapt to changes. Your abilities are much further along than we had anticipated and your mind is very flexible. You just need training on how to access the energy around you. You have great potential and I think with more training in magick and warrior skills you will become a great warrior. We probably will be able to go to my home in a week or so. I’ll send a message to my brethren to let them know of your skills and to expect us sooner.”

I am both nervous and excited. It felt right training with Londeyer, like I was supposed to be doing this. I feel like my life up until this point was in preparation for this adventure. Stupid Powers, probably had this planned from the very beginning. I think the first stage of my life was finding out about the forces of darkness and fighting along side the Slayer. I mean face it, without the Powers intervention would someone like Buffy have looked at someone like me when I was in high school? Not likely.

“Take a walk with me?” I ask Giles.

He smiles and takes hold of my hand. It just feels right walking with Giles and holding his hand, I feel relaxed and that everything is right with the world. Only in Sunnydale would I finally admit my feelings for Giles were more than a schoolgirl crush and find out that he feels the same way while we’re preparing to fight the next evil.

“I think I’ve come to accept that this is my destiny, Giles. Everything feels like it is falling into place. Like it is meant to be.”

“Even this new development?” He asks as he squeezes my hand.

“Especially this one.”

“How do you feel about your training today?”

“It feels really weird to use magick without incantations and spells or herbs or anything just thought. I feel a little like Samantha. Think I should wiggle my nose and see what happens?”

“I don’t know if any magick will happen but you’ll look cute doing it. Are you ready to start training with Spike? It’ll be harder than your magick training.”

“I’m a little nervous. I mean I’ve done battle but mostly it was on the defense or from a distance with magick. I’ve done patrolling and killed vampires and demons but not like what we’ll have to fight later. I’m not a warrior, Giles. Under all these abilities I’ve suddenly developed I’m still Willow.”

“Yes you are. You’re Willow, who will go to any lengths to help others. I won’t lie and say it will all be right in the end because I don’t know that. But we will all be there to help you through the coming battles.”

Do you wonder why I love this man? We continue walking in companionable silence until we are in front of the shop.

Giles looks at me still holding my hand, “Do you want to tell the others or keep it to ourselves?”

“Let’s jump into the deep end of the pool. I don’t think it’ll be much of a surprise anyway. Dawn seemed to have figured it out.”

So into the breach we go and enter the store. “Hey guys.”

Xander looks up from a book that he’s reading and sees Giles and I holding hands. He breaks into a big smile, “Well, it’s about time.”

Anya looks up from the counter, “Hi Giles, Willow” and goes back to waiting on a customer.

Like I thought, I’m not exactly stealth girl.

Giles goes to the back and I sit down next to Xander.

“So how did the mojo training go today?”

“Pretty cool. I can do things with just a thought instead of using incantations.”

“Like what?”

I look around and see that Xander had been playing with the mummied monkey’s paw again and I get an idea that I hope doesn’t show on my face. I only have to concentrate and distract Xander at the same time.

“Well, let’s see . . . I was able to light candles with just a thought.”

I see the fingers move on the paw and I try to keep a poker face.

“That’s all?”

“That takes a lot of concentration, Xander to do that without spells.” I try to make him feel guilty while the paw is inching its way closer.

“Oh . . . I also was able to create a barrier that Londeyer wasn’t able to break. Of course he didn’t throw much at it since I was still learning.”

“Well, that sounds more interesting. How long do you have to trai…….”

Just then a shriek erupts out of Xander’s throat as the paw clasps itself to his arm.

I never knew Xander could shriek like a girl.

Giles, Dawn and Spike run out from the back when they hear Xander yell. Anya is laughing.

“Oh yeah, I can make inanimate objects move.”

“Good one, Red.”

I look up at Giles who is trying very hard not to laugh and I smirk.

“Sorry, Xan. I couldn’t resist.” I take the paw away and give it to Anya.

“Ready to fight me, Willow?”

“Always, Spike.”

 

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