They'd only been back a few minutes when the first knock came at the door and Buffy opened it to find Xander on the front porch. He'd showered and changed from what he'd been wearing last night, but looked as if he'd had little or no sleep. "Am I early?" he asked, his voice a touch hoarse.

"It's okay," Buffy told him, stepping aside so he could enter. "Willow and Giles are still at the hospital. Why don't you come in the kitchen and help Dawn with the snacks? I need to finish folding the laundry."

Xander agreed, which left him safely in the kitchen and Buffy near the front door when Anya and Spike arrived a short time later. "Did you manage to get some sleep?" Spike asked as he folded the blanket that had protected his dash from Anya's car and dropped it on the hall table."

Buffy shrugged. "A few hours. I should warn you; Xander's already here and he's not in the best of moods."

"That is Xander's problem, not mine." Anya headed for the living room. "I'm here because Giles asked me."

This was going to be so fun. Hopefully Dawn would keep Xander occupied a little longer. "Spike, could I have a word?"

He lifted an eyebrow but said nothing as she led him to the small room off the back of the house, leaning against the desk as she first closed the door to the kitchen and then the living room. Assured of at least a few moments of privacy, she leaned forward against the door, letting her shoulders sag. She was tired, but doubted there'd be a chance to rest until much later; too much to do and worry about. Already the tension level was creeping back up and she wished she could just crawl into bed, pull the covers over her head and hide from everything.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened and turned, ready to ask Spike to do his best not to rise to Xander's insults. To her surprise, she found herself wrapped in a tight embrace. "Thank God you're alright," Spike whispered in her ear. "When I saw you on that sidewalk..."

He didn't finish, but held her a little tighter, one hand rising to stroke her hair. After a moment's hesitation, Buffy let her arms circle him and her head come to rest more comfortably against his shoulder, breathing in his familiar scent, leather and tobacco with a hint of soap and something earthy underneath. She couldn't remember him ever just hugging her and it felt nice, as if she could lay her burdens down for just a moment before going out to face the world.

A voice at the back of her mind nagged that she shouldn't be doing this, shouldn't let herself fall into this pattern again with Spike. Hadn't she ended things because she shouldn't try to hide from the world in his arms? The voice was small, though, a nagging doubt easily silenced in the simple comfort of knowing she was cared for.

Spike's hand moved from her hair to slide along the line of her jaw, fingers coming to rest under her chin, bringing her head up. Then his lips were pressing against hers, surprisingly gentle at that moment. The kiss did not last long before he drew back, looking down at her with eyes spoke volumes on how he felt.

That was what made her pull away, the intensity of that look. Buffy knew she could easily throw caution to the wind and drown in those blue eyes. That was the problem; part of her wanted to. "I...I need to talk to you about Xander."

She didn't miss the flicker of disappointment as Spike stepped back to lean against the desk once more. "Not exactly my favorite topic, pet."

"I'd like you to try not to insult Xander this evening...and not react when he insults you."

For a moment, she thought he would argue or make some snarky comment, but he tilted his head to one side. "On edge, is he?"

"Aren't we all?" Now that the conversation had shifted direction, she felt comfortable taking a step towards him. "He's ready for a fight, but that won't help Willow."

"Then I'll do my best." She was close enough that he could reach out and catch her at the waist to pull her even closer. They stayed like that for a moment, just looking at each other. He searched her face, eyes dropping to skim over her torso. "How's the shoulder?"

Buffy did her best to shrug. "Sore, but I'll be okay. I'm fine," she insisted at his raised eyebrow. "I swear you're as bad as Giles."

"Just want to make certain you stay in one piece, luv." He gave her a slight smile. "Enlightened self-interest and all."

The words brought forth an answering smile, but she could sense there were things left unsaid. Of course, she was doing the same; so many thoughts whirled in her head she couldn't, wouldn't give voice to. Maybe if they took it slow...

Reluctantly, Buffy pulled away. There were things to tend to, responsibilities that required her attention. Xander was close at hand and Anya as well. Giles would be returning soon with Willow. It wasn't a gathering she looked forward to, but there were worse alternatives. "I've got to go," she said. "Get snacks, things like that."

"Snacks are terribly important," Spike allowed, his eyes still fixed on her face as she made no further effort to move. A person could drown in those eyes.

With a start, Buffy forced herself to look away. She could easily spend all day where she was, but there was the meeting to get through. "Give me your coat," she said abruptly, hoping the action would help her break free.

"Pardon?" Spike looked more than a little surprised at the request.

"Your coat. You're a guest in my home; I should make you comfortable."

A sly, snarky comment about exactly how she could make him comfortable was what Buffy expected. What she didn't expect was the way his face changed, how he suddenly just looked...happy, as if no one had ever said such a thing to him. He slipped out of the coat and handed it to her, then reached out his hand to caress her cheek. Before she could move, he leaned forward and kissed her again. Strange that they seemed to be kissing a lot lately, sweet touches that promised more, but he'd been surprisingly un-insistent on anything else. Not that they'd had time for anything else. She found herself hoping that might change.

This time, she forced herself to step away when the kiss was done, head for the door. Hang the coat in the hall, get the snacks get ready for the meeting. Spike didn't try to stop her, but followed her into the living room where Anya still waited. Buffy could think a little more clearly now, even though she still felt the distinctive tingle that said "Spike" at the back of her neck. That she could deal with. She thought.

Dawn and Xander were still in the kitchen, Xander making short work of the chips Dawn had poured into a bowl. "All we need now is Giles and Willow," Buffy said as she joined them at the counter. "We've got Anya and..."

"Anya's here?" Xander's eyes lit up. "Is she in the living room?"

Before Buffy could answer, Xander was off the stool and heading for the door. Repressing a sigh, she followed, hoping she could prevent a confrontation...and slammed right into Xander where he had stopped in the hall. "Get away from her," Xander was saying, his voice harsh.

Spike didn't move from the couch. "We were just talking business, mate. Nothing to get excited about."

"You already convinced her to sell you her share of the Magic Box; what other business could you possibly have with her?"

"Giles and Spike have asked me to deal with the insurance company, as well as help them restock the items Willow and Buffy managed to destroy last night." Anya looked past him toward Buffy. "You're quite lucky neither one of them hold you responsible."

Buffy saw Spike blanch. She'd ask him about that conversation later. Right now, she needed to do her best to keep Xander from imploding. "Xander, why don't we go back in the kitchen?"

"And leave her alone with him? I don't trust him, Buffy." Xander glared at the couch. "I know exactly what he is."

Spike's eyes darkened, his brows drawing together, but he said nothing. He wanted to, that much was clear by the set of his mouth, but he was doing his best to keep his promise not to rise to the bait. That meant she had to do her best, as well. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Can we remember that we're supposed to be here to help Willow, not fight with each other? Spike's promised to be on his best behavior, Xander; can I ask you to do the same?"

The glare was now for her. "He didn't look like he was being particularly helpful to Willow last night. You saw how it hurt her."

"Can you just let it go for once?" she asked, feeling herself rapidly reach the end of her temper.

"Why? I don't like the idea he thinks he has a right to sit in, give his opinion on what we should be doing about Willow. He's not one of us."

"Do you think I felt Cordelia was one of us or liked her 'Gee, you're all stupid and we're going to die comments'? Believe me, if I'd had my choice, she would have been banned from the library real quickly."

The words slipped out before she really had a chance to think about them, her voice slightly shrill with irritation. Taking yet another deep breath, she tried to remember the centering exercises Giles had taught her. She didn't have time, though. Xander was staring at her in surprise and she needed to press home her advantage. "Cordelia was a big pain in my butt all through high school, but I put up with her when you two were dating because you're my friend and she was your girlfriend. And she did contribute...sometimes. Can't you show Spike the same consideration?"

Xander was still giving her the deer in the headlights look. "Will you do that?" Buffy asked, wanting this done with.

He nodded. "I'll, uh, I'll help Dawn with the chips."

With that, he stumbled toward the kitchen. Buffy watched him go and turned back to the living room to find Spike smiling happily, almost goofily, with nary a trace of snark to be seen. "I don't think Xander was ready to hear you admit Spike's your boyfriend," Anya said, leaning back on the couch.

"But I didn't...oh." Oh. God. She'd compared Spike to Cordelia. To Xander's girlfriend. Part of her couldn't help commenting Cordelia was by far the more evil of the two, but Xander must have heard the same thing Anya had. That Spike had.

"We'll talk," she said sharply, really not wanting to deal with this.

"Just name the time and place, luv." Spike was watching her with eyes that glowed much the way they had the night she'd come back.

Buffy did the only thing she could think of doing: fled upstairs to occupy herself with mindless chores until she heard the front door open again. Only then did she deem it safe to descend and see how Willow had fared during her visit to the hospital.

Not surprisingly, her friend's eyes were red, evidence of more tears. Xander had caught Willow in a bear hug and the others stood back, letting the two be. A tread creaked beneath Buffy's weight and Willow looked up. A few more steps and Willow was launching herself into Buffy's arms. "It was dreadful," she whimpered. "She was just lying there, tubes everywhere and the machines were beeping and she didn't open her eyes until it was almost time to go."

Buffy held on tight, not knowing what else to do. She hated the feeling of awkwardness, her mind recalling the previous day's events even as she offered what comfort she could. Watching a grim-faced Giles lead Anya and Spike back into the living room followed by the sound of whispered conversations didn't help. She could see Xander's eyes following them, resentment simmering there and knew of no way to stop it.

"I shouldn't be so blubbery," Willow said at last, pulling back and wiping at her eyes. "I mean, I should be grateful she's alive and she's going to get better. The doctor says it's going to take a while -- months, even -- but she is going to get better."

"Then that's something to be thankful for," Buffy patted Willow on the shoulder. "Why don't we go sit down?"

She led the way into the living room, the others following. Giles stood by the fireplace, Anya in the leather armchair with Spike perched on the arm. Willow settled onto the couch and Xander immediately took the space next to her. When Dawn chose a wicker chair that put her a respectable distance from Willow, Buffy opted for the place on Willow's other side. "This is your show, Giles. Why don't you start?"

He nodded and for an instant she could almost imagine herself back in the library at Sunnydale High, with Giles ready to explain the latest threat they were about to face. World-saving would be so much easier than this.

A brief pause and Giles began, his voice low and calm. "I don't think we need a long explanation of why we're gathered. Yesterday was difficult for all of us and I doubt this is going to be easy. Willow, some decisions need to be made about your situation; the rest of us need to come to some agreement about what we need to do to support those decisions."

"But we are going to help her," Xander said, a note of uncertainty in his voice. "I mean, that's what we do, is help people."

"Yes, Xander, but the decision has to be Willow's. If she doesn't want our help, we can't make her accept it."

And such refusal would have dire repercussions was the unspoken statement. Sitting there on the couch in her living room, friends gathered around, Buffy didn't want to think what about what she would have had to do if the binding spell hadn't worked. If Willow refused now...

Willow looked up, face still tear-stained. "I want help. I'm all for the helping. I just...I don't know if anything will help me. I mean, I suppose you can take my power away permanently."

The glasses came off, though the handkerchief remained in his pocket. "The idea that we could remove your magic is a fallacy; it is a part of you and always will be."

"But last night..."

"We drained off the magic you 'borrowed'. A side effect is that it's left your own magic temporarily weakened." Giles cleared his throat. "It won't stay that way for long, though, which leaves us with the problem of what to do. Let me be honest; you cannot be left to your own devices. It is not safe. You need training and, frankly, some help for the problems which are driving you."

No one said a word in response, all staring uncomfortably at each other and the floor. Buffy caught a glimpse of Anya and even she looked like she'd rather be somewhere else. "What...what sort of problems?" Willow asked at last. "I mean, last night I went off because Tara died and I just sort of freaked out. I know I shouldn't have, but I lost control. Do I need to have more control?"

Giles opened his mouth, but Anya overrode him. "Oh, lord, the last thing you need is to wind yourself up tighter, think that you have to be absolutely in control every moment. That's the big problem...your mother taught you that you have to live up to this 'image' of always being the perfect student, the perfect daughter, the perfect friend. Probably has problems with the fact that you're gay, though she can get around that by patting herself on the back for being so 'understanding' about everything, hold herself up as a model to her friends. That's where you got your control issues, if you ask me. You had to do everything her way, worry about how it'd reflect on your parents, so you started thinking that was the way it was supposed to be, that when you got older, you'd get to be the one who decided what was best and get things arranged to your satisfaction. Magic makes it real easy to do that, which is how we ended up in this mess."

She crossed her arms and shook her head. "This is just the type of thing Halfrek specializes in; control freak mothers who don't actually pay any attention to their children except as something to brag about or show off to company, which means the children grown up with self-esteem issues that cause their own traumas."

Willow stared at Anya with large surprised eyes...then burst into tears. This wasn't the weeping-on-a-friend's-shoulder type of tears, but full blown "my life is so screwed" tears. Giles and Xander were both glaring at Anya, while Spike was looking distinctly uncomfortable in his position next to her. Dawn silently rose from her chair, her face tight, and marched from the room.

Buffy was thinking they would have to postpone this discussion, carry Willow away upstairs until the flood passed, but her friend started nodding her head. "She's right," she managed in a choked voice. "I hate it when she's right. I...I want to be what everyone expects me to be, you know, reliable Willow, but I want things my way. I don't like Xander's girlfriends and I hate it when Buffy gets gaga over a boy and forgets about me and I really liked being the Boss of Us, and I just want us to all be happy and I don't understand why we can't be and why I can't make it all better. I mean, magic's supposed to help fix things. I fixed Angel, didn't I? I brought Buffy back and that was good, even if she wasn't really in hell like we thought and it made her all kind of depressy, but my intentions were good and I was able to cure Tara when Glory mind sucked her and...and...and..."

Her words cut off as she buried her face in her hands. "Now you're telling me that's not what I should be doing, that I shouldn't use magic to make things go my way," came her muffled voice, "and I just don't know what to do anymore."

Dawn reappeared, bearing a glass of water. She knelt before Willow and touched her on the shoulder, offering the glass when Willow raised a red, puffy face. Willow accepted it, the merest hint of a smile on her face, but when she reached out to touch Dawn's hair, Dawn rose and quickly moved back to her chair.

"Do you think Willow can make any type of decision right now?" Buffy asked Giles, one hand rubbing small circles on Willow's shoulder. "Maybe we should..."

A big gulp and Willow was shaking her head. "No. I need to do this. Do you know someone who can help me, Giles?"

Giles let his face take on a less stern demeanor. "It won't be easy."

"I think 'easy' is what got me here." She tried to smile. "I should count myself lucky you don't feel the need to kill me or lock me away forever."

There was a look in Giles' eye, something that warned those were still possibilities even as his words did their best to sound comforting. "I know some people in England who might be able to help you. It will mean going away for an indeterminate time."

Things actually grew easier from there. Almost anything Giles suggested, Willow agreed to, ready and eager to do penance. Yes, she'd go to the coven in England Giles had contacted. Yes, she'd see the specialist he knew to help with her emotional issues. Yes, she'd stay as long as was necessary.

At the end, the only question remaining was both simple and complicated. "What do I tell my parents? Mom's not going to like this...oh, god, is she okay? I threw her against a wall."

"She fine," Xander assured Willow. "Maybe a bit bruised and shaken, but she's okay. Not happy, but she's okay."

And that was going to be such a fun conversation tomorrow. Thank goodness for Giles; he was the only one of them the Rosenbergs might take seriously....and there was no certainty they would.

A glance at Willow showed she was likely thinking similar thoughts; emotions were playing across her face, but the primary one was distress. "Are we done?" Buffy asked abruptly. "I think Willow could probably do with some more rest."

There being no objections, Buffy hustled an unresisting Willow upstairs, tucking her under the covers and promising to bring soup later. I'm starting to sound like Mom, she thought as she came back down. Noodles and stars to fix the world's troubles.

Those troubles were continuing in the living room as she resumed her seat on the sofa. "But why England?" Xander was asking. "It's so far away and she doesn't have any friends there."

"I'll be there," Giles said. "At least part of the time. Spike's not ready to run the store on his own, so I'll be dividing my time between England and Sunnydale. As for why England; frankly, I don't know any resources in this country that can offer the type of help she needs. I'm not saying they don't exist, but we don't have time to do a search. The sooner Willow's off the Hellmouth, the easier it will be for her."

"Okay, I get 'Hellmouth equal bad', but is it that urgent?"

"She's weak and that makes her vulnerable," Spike said quietly. "Red opened up some powerful mojo, the kind the Hellmouth feeds on. It calls to demons, makes them more powerful. I brought Dru here because she was dying and I thought the Hellmouth would help make her strong again. Why do you think the Slayer was called here? If Red's going to heal, she needs to be somewhere away from that pull."

Xander looked like he was going to argue, likely out of sheer habit, but stopped as the words hit home. "How long?"

The words were a bit raw and forced and Buffy could see the reality settling in on him that his best friend would be leaving them. "I don't know," Giles said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm not sure how long her recovery will take and there are..."

"That's not what I meant. How long before you leave?"

That was the other question that had been had been hanging over them since the moment Willow agreed to this process. "A week," came the answer. "A week and a half at most. It depends on how long it takes to make sure Willow's passport is in order."

Silence fell on them again, none of them sitting easy. It was Anya who broke it first, getting to her feet and heading for the door. "Well, I'd better get going. I want to get started on those searches, Giles. I suppose I'll see both of you at the store tomorrow."

She passed Xander without a word, but stopped and turned back to him. "It's what best for her. She's willing to get the help and the best thing you can do for her is give her your support, no matter how much you want her to stay. That's what you do with people you love; you support them and help them even when they've screwed up really badly. I have learned that much."

With that she was out the door, leaving Xander looking like he'd just had his guts ripped out and neatly arranged around his head. Giles snagged Spike by the arm. "Let's go in the kitchen; we need to discuss the store."

Spike didn't protest, but let himself be dragged along, disappearing around the corner with Giles. A moment later, he stuck his head out. "Um, Nibblet, we need to talk to you to."

Dawn didn't look fooled, but rose and headed for the kitchen. She'd been terribly quiet during this process and Buffy wondered when the explosion was going to come or if her sister would keep it tightly bottled up. That was for later, after everyone had gone home. Right now, she had a friend who needed help...and probably a shoulder to cry on.

They sat silently on the couch for several minutes. "I thought I had everything," Xander said at last. "The girl I loved, my best friend as my best man, my other best friend back from the dead. I had a good job, my fiancée had a successful shop, I was getting married...it was like everything was all for the good for old Xander. How the hell did I screw it all up?"

"You got scared. You made bad choices. You've still got your job and Anya's not actively trying to turn you into something slimy."

"No, I just get to see Willy Wannabite every time I go into the shop instead of her." His head hung down, hands clasped loosely between his legs. "Sorry, but I hate that guy. Cordelia and I wouldn't have broken up if Spike hadn't locked us in that factory."

"With you and Willow barely able to keep your hands off each other? After it happened, I thought about it and realized the signs had been there. You guys would have gotten caught anyway. Can you imagine if, oh, Harmony had..."

Buffy paused as a thought occurred to her. "Xander, do you still love Willow?"

"Of course I do, Buffy. She's my best friend."

"No, I mean love."

"Well, that's a little difficult since she's, y'know, gay now." He fell silent for a long moment. The murmur of voices drifted from the kitchen, Giles and Spike speaking in low tones. Buffy waited, wondering if Xander was thinking about what she'd said.

"I...I don't know," he said at last. "After the factory, she and Oz got back together and then I got together with Anya and..."

He trailed off and sat silent again. Finally, he rose slowly to his feet. "I gotta think about this. I'm going to take off. What time are Willow's folks coming by?"

"About ten."

"I'll see if I can make it. Can't promise, but I'll try."

The front door closed quietly behind him, leaving Buffy alone in the living room. She could feel the shards of what they once were slipping from her grasp. So many times she, Willow and Xander had collapsed on this very couch, watching videos following the conquering of great evil, munching on popcorn and making snarky comments.

No one had touched the snacks she and Dawn had prepared. With a sigh, she reached for the bowl and headed for the kitchen, pausing in the doorway to observe the two men who occupied the room. Giles was standing by the center island, talking about what sounded like insurance and some difficulties they might encounter. Spike sat on the counter near the sink, frowning as he listened. Both looked perfectly at home, as if they had every right to be there. But Giles would be leaving soon, winging back to England to see to Willow's care and Spike...

She wasn't sure what Spike was any more, but there were moments when he seemed the only constant in her life.

It was he who noticed her in the doorway first, head tilting ever so slightly as he fixed his gaze on her. Giles realized her presence a few seconds later, turning toward her with a questioning look. "Xander's gone," she said, putting the bowl on the island counter. "It's just hitting him that Willow's going away for a while."

"It may be quite some time," Giles told her. "Months, at least; perhaps even a year or more."

"Or she might not ever come home." She felt too old as she met Giles' eyes. "You didn't say it, but that's a possibility."

"It might be too painful for her here. There's Tara, of course, but we don't know how things will work out between them and there's always the possibility she may decide to relocate, leave Sunnydale."

Dawn said nothing, but her face hardened. "We don't know that," Buffy said quickly, wanting to cut off that line of thinking. "I mean, she's got to get better first."

"And it will be a long convalescence. She'll be in the hospital for several weeks at least and even when she's released, she'll need bed rest and assistance for a fair amount of time. I doubt she can get those at the dorm."

"She can stay here," Dawn said quickly. "I mean, Willow won't be using Mom's room and I could help take care of her."

The sensible side of Buffy that wondered what type of care Tara would need, who would watch her and what strain would it put on the already tightly stretched budget was quickly pounded into the ground by the side that thought how wonderful it would be to have Tara once more in her home. "If she doesn't want to go elsewhere, of course she can stay here."

Dawn's face lit up and she bounced off her stool to wrap her sister in a warm hug. "Thank you. I couldn't stand the idea of Tara having nowhere to go."

Buffy hugged back, glad they could at least agree on something and was relieved to discover the mood had shifted enough that Dawn decided she could finish her homework and excused herself. "Thank you," Spike said, hopping down from the counter.

Buffy shrugged. "I'd like to have Tara here too. It'll be good for all of us."

Spike smiled a little, then looked a touch embarrassed, as if he hadn't meant to be caught out in his concern. "I, uh, probably should go. Need to catch up on my sleep, especially if I need to try to get the engineers in tomorrow. I take it you'll be here, Rupert?"

Giles nodded. "At least until after we've dealt with Willow's parents. I'll have my cell."

"Good. I'll, uh, shove off then."

He headed for the foyer and Buffy followed, a bit confused at the sudden change in Spike's attitude. He'd just shrugged into his coat as she touched his arm and he turned to look down at her. "You're tired, luv," he said softly. "You should get some rest. Hard day tomorrow from what I hear."

"You don't have to run off." There was just a hint of a question in her voice.

"Don't think you're up to talking tonight," he told her, gently running a hand down her hair. "We do need to do that. Let's get Red all squared away. I'll take you out to dinner...a proper date."

"Sounds nice." It did, too. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Spike hesitated for just a moment, but nodded. "I'll stop by in the evening."

Buffy stared at the door once he was gone, considering. Giles came to join her, standing quietly by her side as he so often had, a steady source of comfort and support. "Giles, would the earth really stop turning if I decided to start seeing Spike?"

She didn't need to look at her watcher to know he was cleaning his glasses furiously.

***

Fifteen minutes into the Rosenberg's visit, Buffy found herself wishing she could kill something. It didn't help that they'd shown up at nine-thirty, not ten as Mr. Rosenberg had said. That was probably the fault of Mrs. Rosenberg, whose mouth was set in a thin line of disappointment. Willow hadn't been ready, nor did Giles arrive until after the first salvo had been fired. There was no sign of Xander, but then she'd told him the Rosenbergs were expected at ten.

Willow was huddled in the armchair Anya had occupied the day before, tear tracks running down her face. The tears were silent this time, head bowed as her mother told her how she'd disappointed her parents. Giles was trying to get a word in edgewise, with little success and his expression suggested he was calculating the distance between himself and Buffy's weapons chest.

"...And what are you going to do about school? Given what I've seen, I seriously doubt you're ready to take any of your finals. Do you realize what this is going to do to your prospects for grad school?"

"If you would give me a chance, Mrs. Rosenberg," Giles said through gritted teeth, "I'd like to explain to you about a marvelous opportunity Willow's been offered that should allay all your fears."

Mrs. Rosenberg didn't pay any attention, but kept on with her tirade. Mr. Rosenberg, meanwhile, sat silently on the couch, watching his daughter as the voices grew louder. At last, he looked up. "Sheila, enough."

The words were quiet and Mrs. Rosenberg didn't seem to hear at first. "Sheila, I said 'enough!'"

Mrs. Rosenberg turned in surprise. "Ira?"

"Enough. You have been talking since we got here." He patted the cushion next to him. "Sit. I want to hear what our daughter has to say."

Mrs. Rosenberg sat, her mouth still set along disapproving lines as Mr. Rosenberg turned back to Willow. "I want to know what happened yesterday. What really happened."

Willow looked up, confusion on her face. "I...I don't know..."

"Willow, I know about the crosses in your bedroom and the books on magic. I know that polite young man who drives that dreadful car who helped you move last summer is a vampire. I have lived in Sunnydale all my life. Just because I don't speak of such things doesn't mean I don't know they exist. I was at your graduation. I saw the...thing the Mayor became and that...Buffy, isn't it?...stood up to him. I think I can handle the truth."

Willow stared at her father in disbelief, and then haltingly began her tale. The nerds, the shooting, feeling Tara die and how she'd tried to call upon the powers of Osiris to bring her back. How she'd lost control and sought vengeance. How she'd torn Rack's powers from him and dealt with Warren. How she'd fought her friends and it was only Xander's news that Tara lived that gave Giles and the others the opening they needed. Then she broke down.

A knock at the front door and Buffy opened it to find Xander. "Sorry I'm late, I..."

He fell silent as Buffy put a finger to her lips, cocking his head as he heard the voices from the living room. He looked ready for battle as he followed Buffy back in.

Mr. Rosenberg looked up toward Giles. "It's bad, isn't it?"

"I won't lie to you. She needs help of a very special kind."

"And you can get her this help? You know about such things?"

Giles considered before answering. "Yes, I do. I know people in England who are trained to handle these situations. I think Willow would benefit greatly from their expertise."

"How long?"

"As long as is needed."

Mr. Rosenberg nodded, looking toward Buffy. "You think this is a good idea, Miss Summers?"

"I think it's what Willow needs to do. She's pretty powerful. She needs people who can teach her how to deal with this."

"Xander? You're her oldest friend. I know you have her best interest at heart. What do you say?"

Xander didn't answer immediately and Buffy found herself tensing, wondering what his answer would be. "If I had my way, Willow would stay here," he said at last. "She'd be around friends, people who care about her."

He crossed to the chair where Willow sat, kneeling down beside her. "I think you should go, Will. I thought about what Spike said. You need to get off the Hellmouth, even if it's only for a while."

Willow grabbed hold of Xander and held him tight, burying her head in his shoulder. "I think it's settled," Mr. Rosenberg said. "No, Sheila. It's what our daughter needs. We can tell everyone she's studying at Oxford. I believe that's the story Mr. Giles was going to suggest. She'll come home and finish her degree then."

"But..."

"No." His voice was firm. "I know your field is child psychology and I've always deferred to you, but this time, I know I'm right. Willow is going to get the help she needs before something even more dreadful happens."

Mrs. Rosenberg glared at her husband and rose to her feet. "We'll talk about this later, Ira. Right now, I have an appointment."

As the front door closed behind her, Mr. Rosenberg sighed, shook his head, then levered himself off the couch. "Mr. Giles, I believe we have details to discuss?"

***

The week passed too fast. Mr. Rosenberg had bent over backwards to do whatever he needed to help accommodate arrangements with Giles. Mrs. Rosenberg had not called or stopped by after that morning.

Personally, Giles was glad of that development; Willow had enough to deal with that her mother's absence was a blessing rather than a loss. Buffy helped with the packing, having decided to put her job search off until after Willow's departure, but relations were clearly strained between the two girls. Dawn blew hot and cold, appearing to feel little remorse for Warren's death, but clearly not comfortable around Willow.

The hardest part was the evening Willow told Tara what had happened. The doctor had been accommodating in extending the visiting period for one visit, though he'd warned that if Tara got too upset or her readings started being affected, Willow would have to leave whether the conversation was finished or not.

Tara listened calmly, still unable to speak because of the ventilator that assisted her breathing. Her concern was clear, deep frown lines forming across her forehead as Willow spoke. Only when the tale was done did she pull her hand from Willow's grasp and reach for the pad and pencil that were her means of communication. You realize it was wrong, don't you?

"Absolutely. God, Tara, magic shouldn't be used for stuff like that. It's dark and twisted and..."

Are you sorry?

Willow looked like the dam was going to break forth yet again. "You wouldn't believe how sorry. That's why I've got to go away. I don't want to, baby, but Giles thinks it's for the best."

Are you going to try and find the balance?

Seeing those words, Giles realized Tara understood, even if Willow didn't. He hoped the two could overcome their issues; Tara was likely the best anchor Willow could have. Willow was nodding furiously, promising anything that might make Tara happy. At moments like this, her eagerness to please in order to gain the approval of those she cared for was pathetically obvious. Hopefully she would learn to find the balance there, as well.

I love you, sweetie.

When he saw those words, Giles chose to step outside, give them a moment's privacy. He'd arrange for Willow to call Sunnydale once Tara was off the ventilator; the sound of her voice even over long distance would probably be helpful, though one might not think so given the tears Willow spilled when she finally emerged. Still, Giles liked to believe that as long as there was life, there was hope.

Tara being able to see Willow off would have been the best thing, but the circle of friends who were assembled in the departure lounge of Sunnydale Municipal Airport was support enough. Xander and Buffy, of course, were both doing their best to keep the mood light. Mr. Rosenberg, full of concern, but determined to do what seemed best. Dawn didn't look quite as sullen as she had in days past and even managed a smile now and then. Anya had reluctantly come along, though most of her conversation was confined to Spike and himself. Spike stuck close to Buffy, providing support and likely deriving some enjoyment from the fact they were teetering on the verge of couplehood. Giles planned to discuss the situation with Buffy on his next trip back, but he'd learned long ago he could only offer advice, not issue commands.

The flight attendants gave the boarding call and the passengers started to move toward the gate. Willow glanced that way then turned back to her friends, doing her best to smile. "I guess this is it."

Xander hugged her tightly, assuring her Sunnydale wouldn't be the same without her. Buffy followed next, then the others, all saying their goodbyes. Even Anya managed a kind word and a hug.

Mr. Rosenberg was last, probably showing more affection to his daughter than he had in some time. Willow lapped it up, though, hanging on tightly. Giles took the opportunity to pull Spike aside. "I should be back in a few weeks."

"Good. I promise to try not to kill Anya before then."

"Do your best. I'm going to speak with someone when I'm in England who might be able to give us some insight on Buffy's problem."

Spike frowned. "Someone who knows about the spell Red used?"

"Not necessarily, but someone who might be able to deal with some of the symptoms we've seen, such as her mood swings and detachment from what's around her."

Spike looked across the lounge to where Buffy stood next to Xander. "Can't help hoping she's getting better, but you're right; someone who can deal with these things might be useful. Won't say a word, though. You know she'd get her back up."

Glad to discover they were on the same wavelength, Giles clapped a hand on Spike's shoulder, then made his way toward Willow. "We'd best be boarding."

Reluctantly, she disentangled herself from her father, only to be embraced by Xander a final time. "Come back," he told her, hanging on as if he might never see her again.

She started to sniff, which wasn't a good sign and pulled away, heading for the gate. Giles followed closely and when she paused to look back a final time, he did the same. It was a strange group that watched them, a gathering that, in his youth, Giles would not have thought possible. Slayers were supposed to destroy vampires, not take them as allies or lovers. Neither vampires nor vengeance demons were supposed to run magic shops. Mystical keys weren't supposed to take human form. Ordinary humans without specialized skills and training were not supposed to last as long or stand as firm against the darkness as Xander had.

He looked down at Willow and dropped an arm around her shoulder. They were amazing, his slayer and her friends. It gave him hope.

The final call for boarding was given and Giles and Willow headed through the gate toward the plane. For the first time in a week, he was certain they would both return.

On to Registering the Dead

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