I Heard a Rumor by CN Winters

Disclaimer: These characters are Joss Whedon's and not mine. I'm just borrowing them.

Author's Notes: Nothing too 'terrible' in this one – no sex, no drug use but of course you have standard 'Buffy' violence. PG – 13 for adult themes. Willow/Giles shippers might not like this one since the gang isn't too big on their possible pairing.

Summary: After Willow gives Giles a warm welcome after returning from England to Sunnydale, Xander and the gang believe the two had a love affair during Willow's stint overseas. Buffy is the only voice of reason until….

Buffy cleared her throat to get the attention of three vampires who were starting to emerge from a crypt. They turned to see her standing confidently, hands on her hips. She noted a wooden crate they tried to put down casually.

"Grave robbers? Hard up for cash boys? I hear the Double Meat Palace is hiring. You should look into it."

As the leader pointed to her, Buffy readied herself for the attack. She traded them blow for blow as their vamp commander looked on with a satisfied smirk. When Buffy was unable to block one swing that landed on her chin, the force of it picked her off her feet, carrying her six yards away and into the back of a head stone.

She quickly shook off her disbelief as they raced over to engage her again. With two solid kicks they forced the stake from her hand. It was only a matter of seconds before she found herself in flight again. This time she landed back where she started - just a few feet away from the vamp leader. He began to menace toward her, followed by his two accomplices. She looked for something, anything, she could use as a weapon. Thinking quickly she pulled her cross necklace out, thrusting it forward.

All three vamps laughed. The leader ripped it from Buffy's neck and began to toss it in his palm. "Look fellas. Slayer wanted to give me a gift."

Buffy had to retrieve her jaw from the ground. He should be burned, screaming in pain but he played with her crucifix as if it were nothing but . . . a necklace. "What are you?" Buffy asked.

"The last sight you'll ever see Slayer." He started to advance and Buffy threw a kick he easily blocked.

Willow raced around the tomb following the voices. All three vamps looked up to see the intruder and began to back away slowly. He pointed to Buffy as he spoke. "Don't think this is over Slayer. We'll meet again…soon."

With a nod to his partners, the leader and the other two vamps darted into the shadows.

"Okay," Buffy said cocking her head toward Willow, "What the Hell just happened here? They're tossing me around like a rag doll but the second they see you it's Splitsville."

Willow shrugged. "Beats me. Maybe my stakes more pointier than yours?" she replied deadpan.

Xander rounded the corner, looking winded and trying to catch his breath. "Okay. Don't say it. I know I'm out of shape on the patrol gig."

Buffy made her way over to the box they had left behind. She moved to her knees and looked inside, riffling through it.

"Something those vamps were taking," Buffy answered tossing them around inside the box. "It's loaded with crucifixes."

"Why would they want crucifixes?" Willow asked, kneeling beside Buffy to see for herself. "And how could they even pick them up?"

Buffy stood up and dusted herself off. "Let's get this stuff home. See if we can figure out what's going on." Willow picked up the box as Xander looked down at the glimmer he saw at his feet. It was Buffy's necklace.

"Must have been a rough fight," he said as he picked it up and handed it back to her.

Xander and Willow didn't quite understand the Slayer but they knew from the tone that whatever it was, it wasn't good.

The next day, Xander and Willow entered the Summers house briskly, deep into their conversation.

Willow stopped mid-sentence and a small grin quickly grew wider. The reaction forced Xander to look over to the sofa. Buffy and Dawn sat on either side of Giles who had an equally warm expression for Willow. He rose slowly and made his way over. "You look beautiful Willow," he told her softly. "You have your glow back."

Xander watched as the two of them hugged, a content smile on Willow's lips and her eyes closed, her head resting on his chest. Giles ran his hand down the back of Willow's head and through her red strains before pulling away and giving her a kiss on the forehead. He seemed almost lost in the redhead before his senses grabbed him and pulled back to make his way to Xander.

Giles offered his hand to Xander. "I hear your construction business is growing leaps and bounds. Congratulations."

Xander did the ritual handshake but the welcome that Willow just received still had him momentarily stunned to the point that he wasn't paying much attention. He knew that Willow and Giles always have a special sort of bond – a love of books, a love of magic. They had a connection quite similar to the watcher and the slayer. After Tara's death and the all to near apocalypse that Willow created he knew that bond had probably grown closer when he took her to England. But this welcome…it just seemed overly friendly like . . . perhaps . . . Forget it Harris. You're reading too much into it. They're just . . .

Xander looked over at Willow and saw the admiration and excitement on her face at seeing Giles. Quickly, he scanned the room. Was anyone else seeing this or was it just him? He watched as Buffy stood up and came over.

"Yes, the council sent me. There's something very odd happening here at the Hellmouth. Well odder than usually I should say. They thought it best I come to lend a hand."

"Nothing," Willow answered Giles despondently. "We've look at sites, in books, everything. But no solid leads. Spike is doing a little recon work – local haunts, things like that. But even he's hit dead ends. No pun intended."

"One thing's for sure," Buffy offered. "Whatever they are, Willow scared the Hell out of 'em."

Willow shook her head. "I don't think so. I mean I was already in the area and they were ready to pounce on Buffy. It wasn't until I rounded the corner and they spotted me that they backed off. It doesn't make much sense."

"At the moment no, but they are working on it. I told them to call here as soon as they had any word," Giles explained. "Anyway," he said turning to Willow, "Are you free tonight? I'd like to take you to dinner. Keep you abreast of some things."

"Can't say my dance card is full," Willow grinned. "Can't say I've been wanting a dance card period. So tonight's not a problem."

"Well I thought I would stop by the Magic Shop. Say hello to Anya. Maybe do a bit of research." Giles began to make his way to the door and Willow followed.

"Care for some company? I have no class…Quick rephrase. I have no scheduled courses today but loads of class."

"Dawn and I have to go to school and Xander is off to the site I'm sure," Buffy replied.

"Well then looks like it's just you and me," Giles smiled to Willow. "We'll report as soon as we come across anything."

With that, Giles led Willow to the front door as she waved goodbye. Once the door was closed Xander quickly turned back to the Summer sisters.

Buffy laughed out loud and walked over to the desk, starting to look through her purse for her keys. "Will and Giles? I can sum that up in one word…ewww." Buffy gave a little shake of her body at the mental image it conjured up.

Xander began to mimic Willow with a lovesick voice. "A watcher hand is always welcome." Dawn giggled from the sofa as Buffy placed her hands on her hips. The speculation was beginning to bother her but it didn't stop Xander from continuing, "And did you see the way he put his hand around her shoulder when they left?"

"Well technically," Dawn began, "it wasn't around her shoulder. It was his palm against her back. And come to think of it that makes four times instead of three. I didn't count that one."

"See that? Not three but four times he touched her," Xander nodded dramatically. "I'm telling you, Buff. Something is up."

Buffy traded a few glances between Xander and Dawn before she sighed. "I think you're both crazy," she said shaking her head.

"We don't know what happened in England," Xander continued. "Willow's been pretty stiff lipped about her time over there. And we all know she was pretty torn up when she left - Tara's death, killing Warren, that whole trying to destroy the world lapse in sanity. It takes a lot outta a girl I'm sure."

"Think about it. Willow's a beautiful woman longing for something to cling to. Giles is a middle-aged man who doesn't have a steady lady in his life. Late night conversations and middle of the night confessions leads to…you know…"

"A rehabilitating black magic addict," Buffy answered firmly. "And if you think there's something deeper than Wicca and mentor going on between Willow and Giles I'd venture to say that Will isn't the only one whose had a lapse in sanity recently."

"Look," Xander said as they made their way to the door. "All I'm saying is we should keep our eyes and ears open is all. I don't want to see Willow get hurt."

"Will won't get hurt," Buffy sighed reluctantly. "There's nothing for her to be hurt over. I'm telling you there's no hot international May-December romance going on here. Beside, like I said, the 'eww' factor just creeps me out so you can be as paranoid as you like. Just don't drag me into it, okay?"

Xander finished his shift for the day and walked into the magic shop to find Giles, Willow and Dawn seated at the table. Anya finished ringing up a sale as he made his way over to the group.

"Absolutely nothing," Giles answered as he closed yet another book in frustration.

"Wasn't just me," Willow added. "Seems Giles isn't having much luck on this one either."

Willow looked at her watch – 6:01 pm. She turned toward Giles, "Any chance of grabbing dinner earlier? My tummy is rumbling."

The bell jingled and the group turned to see Buffy entering the shop. "How goes it?"

"Not well," Willow answered. "We haven't heard anything from the council and the book worming hasn't dug up anything except my dormant dust allergy."

"Well you guys will find it," Xander commended. "With the two biggest brains at the Hellmouth working together it's only a matter of time."

Willow grinned at Xander as she rose and pulled her coat from the back of the chair.

"Where's everyone off to?" Buffy asked as she watched Willow zip her leather jacket.

"Great I'm famished!" Buffy watched as Giles got an uncomfortable look on his face. "Or maybe not…"

Reluctantly Giles gave a sigh. "I would invite you but there's some matters I need to discuss privately with Willow. I'm sure you all understand."

"Absolutely," Buffy nodded. Her voice conveyed confidence but on the inside she had to admit she felt a bit jilted. Besides they were 'the' gang, all of them, together, one team, working for the greater good of humanity. Besides Giles was HER watcher not Willow's and where the hell did Willow get off stealing HER watcher. And while she was at it…Buffy put on the breaks. This was ridiculous. She couldn't be jealous. What was there to be jealous of? So Giles wanted to catch up with Willow privately. It made sense. He helped Willow overcome a powerful force, perhaps something stronger than any of them realized.

He just wanted to touch base with Willow – making sure she was on the straight and narrow…well…at least the narrow. Buffy hadn't asked Willow if she still considered herself gay now that Tara was gone. That would be just plain…tacky. If anything, lately Willow had become asexual. Love, romance, sex…the topics never came up in their discussions and Buffy assumed that was best for now. Willow had lost Tara because of her magic addiction. When Willow finally won her back Tara was dead less than 48 hours later. She watched first hand what kind of pain that caused. And like Willow said earlier that morning, she didn't have a dance card and for the time being that was fine. Besides the most important person in Willow's life at the moment should be Willow, the slayer surmised. Once the reforming Wicca was comfortable with herself, learning the true ways of the Wicca life, maybe then she could focus on bringing someone else into her circle. Buffy was so lost in her thoughts that she nearly missed Giles suggestion.

"Me too," Dawn piped in. "It's been ages since I had pancakes. The last time…" Dawn immediately looked to Willow hoping her off handed comment hadn't offended Willow by conjuring up old memories. Both knew that Tara would make Dawn pancakes in the morning and always with the same question 'Funny shapes or rounds?' Since Tara had been gone Dawn hadn't ate a single pancake. She was quite capable of making them on her own but they just didn't taste the same. They would never taste the same, ever again. "I'm sorry," Dawn whispered to Willow.

"It's alright Dawnie," Willow told her. "Nothing to be sorry for. It's okay to remember her and it's okay to talk about her. You should in fact."

"Tara," Willow answered, not taking her eyes off of Dawn. "She used to make Dawn's breakfast and her specialty was pancakes. Not to fluffy and not to thin huh?"

Willow grinned. "I've tried…" Willow stopped her sentence when she realized she was using the present tense. She bit her tongue for a brief moment before correcting herself. "I tried to get her to tell me the secret but to no avail. Hey! Maybe you and I can start practicing in the kitchen? Do a little culinary experimentation in the mornings?" she offered as she smiled to Dawn.

It was the first time since Willow's return that she made the attempt to do anything with Dawn - something that was for just the two of them, outside of the Slayer Circle. Dawn hadn't pressed Willow because she knew, or rather Buffy warned her, that Willow need space and time to heal. Buffy also told her that at some point Willow would 'come around'. She'd be more like her old self. The suggestion that Willow just made put a smile on Dawn's face in spite of the fact her older sister was 'right again'.

"Sure," Dawn grinned. "But we should head to the restaurant first - just for a refresher course."

"I wholeheartedly agree," Willow said with a confident nod. She turned to Xander. "You coming tomorrow too?"

Anya rolled her eyes. "I can handle you being there Xander. You're standing in my magic shop right now, aren't you?"

"Fine - our shop. I think I can handle the social engagement of eating eggs with you."

Xander gave a small grin which melted Anya's icy demeanor if only a little when she gave a small grin of her own.

"And then there was one," Willow grinned as she walked over to Buffy. "I'm sure you'll be attending so I'm not going to ask."

"What if I have other plans?" Buffy asked. The group began to chuckle with various skeptical comments of 'sure' and 'yeah right'. "Hey! I have a life you know? Not everything I do revolves around you guys." The group fell silent, knowing the truth and waiting for her to admit it. "Okay. I have no life and yes I'll be there."

"Eight," Buffy offered in compromise. "Besides, I don't know how much slayage I'll have to do tonight. Might be a late night."

With that Willow and Giles left the shop. Immediately Xander turned to Dawn. "Okay what did you see?"

"Well he spent a lot of time leaning over Willow's shoulder while she was surfing for information."

Buffy pitched a thumb to Xander and her sister. "These two dweebs think that something is going on between Giles and Willow – something romantic," she added in clarification.

"Oh yeah…that," Anya said before stuffing her nose back into the accounting books.

"Okay. Putting on the brakes here," Buffy said making Anya look up. "What do you mean 'Oh yeah, that'? Did you see something?"

The door to the magic shop opened and Spike strolled inside. "Spike reporting for patrol Slayer. Wanna take out some baddies tonight Love?"

"Don't call me Love and at the moment no," she answered turning back to Anya. "You were saying something about Giles and Willow."

"Giles is back? Again?" Spike asked. Buffy nodded. "For a guy determined to leave he sure makes his rounds in Sunnydale."

"These three," Buffy said with a brief pause, "…delusional…people think Giles and Willow are having an affair."

Spike began to laugh and took a seat on the stool by the counter. "Like that old coot would be lucky enough to shag a sexy bird like Red."

"Exactly!" Buffy began, happy that someone was agreeing with her. But then the jargon he used to express his opinion sunk in. "Wait a second. For one thing, Giles is not an 'old coot' and second…Did I just hear you call Willow sexy?"

At first Spike looked guilty but he let it go and started to grin. "Jealous Love?"

"Hardly. And stop calling me Love. Do it again and I'm staking you," Buffy answered. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Anyway, they think something is going on for some unknown reason."

"Well it's not unknown," Anya answered. "You can just see the way they look at each other all 'doe-eyed'. He had his hand on her shoulder most of the time and even rubbed her back when she started to get frustrated."

"Oh no of course not," Xander answered sarcastically. "We all know Giles isn't a stuffy uptight Brit. He's all good with the touchy feely side of himself."

"Even though that did come from Xander," Anya began, "That is a very good point. Giles isn't known to be a physically affectionate person on a regular basis. I mean sure when it's life and death but while researching…I'd have to say his behavior was well…odd."

"Hold on!" Buffy said waving her hands. "We are not going to spy on Giles and Willow. That's just…wrong. So forget it. Besides you don't even know where they went."

"The Happy Komoto," Anya added. "The new Japanese restaurant on Elm? Willow wanted sushi."

"Thank you Anya," Buffy nodded, frustrated with the 'help'. "Thank you very much."

Anya made her way around the register. Dawn began to stand up and Buffy pointed at her.

"You. Sit. And you," she said pointing at Xander. "You leave them alone. Giles wanted to speak privately with Willow and you're going to respect that."

"Oh come on Buffy. This has nothing to do with respect. I think you won't go because you're afraid of what we might find there."

"Is it? Maybe you just can't deal with the fact that Giles has more interest in Willow than he does you. So now you're refusing to see what's really going on here."

"I know what you're tryin' to do. You're trying to bully me or use reverse psychology to get me to go but it isn't going to work."

"Fine, you don't have to go. But I am," he said putting on his coat and walking to the door.

"And let me ask you this Xander," Buffy asked, making him turn around. "What if you get there and you see something that proves without a doubt that you're right. Not that you will, mind you. But what if you do…then what? Are you going run their lives for them? Do the overbearing father bit and forbid them to see each other?"

Spike began to chuckle. "Oh yeah Mr. Responsible. If that's not the pot calling-."

"Nobody asked your opinion dufus." Xander turned back to Buffy and took a few steps toward her. "I love Willow, Buff. I've known her my whole life. I know losing Tara has left a gap in her life and I don't want Giles taking advantage of that."

"Okay poor choice of words. Like Spike said, she's a sexy 'bird' and I don't want Giles 'spreading her wings'. If Willow went to him looking for some type of solace from it all maybe something happened between them. And if that did happen it would only hurt her more. So if I can protect Willow from getting hurt I will. Just like everyone else in this room…well except for Spike…I don't give a damn what happens to him."

Xander turned back to Buffy. "Look, you don't have to be there Buffy. I hope you would but if it seems like a great disrespect to Willow and Giles in your eyes, I won't hold it against you if you stay."

Buffy considered everything that Xander said. He wasn't doing this out of jealousy or petty games to fill his time. He was doing it out of love. Plain and simple. She also knew there was only one way for him to get past it and move on. He needed proof; evidence. She gave a deep sigh and muttered. "Alright. Let's go."

With that, the Circle left the magic shop. When they arrived, Xander parked a block from the restaurant and the group walked back trying to look as inconspicuous as a group of five people possibly could. Xander peered through the large bay window to see Giles and Willow sitting at the sushi bar, their backs to the window.

"Well tell me Commander Harris," Buffy began with her back against the building refusing to look through the window. "What's their position?"

"Well at the moment it appears that Giles has said something humorous and Willow is laughing. Wait! She just touched his arm and he smiled."

Spike stood in front of Buffy ignoring the show too. "I'm dead and I have more of a life than you people."

"Oh yeah sushi and few laughs. Tragic," Buffy retorted as she smiled at Spike who returned it with one of his own.

"Giles has his hand on Willow's cheek," Dawn replied. "She's covering his hand with hers."

"What?" Buffy and Spike said in harmony. It was too much. They had to look too. They forced their way to the window to see for themselves and sure enough Dawn gave an accurate play-by-play description.

"Okay. Okay. That doesn't mean anything," Buffy said quickly. If Xander didn't know any better he might think she sounded a bit nervous at what they were witnessing. "It's not like they're kissing or any-."

Buffy stopped her sentence when she watched Willow turn her head slightly and place a lingering kiss in Giles palm before turning back to smile at him. They watched as his hand slipped from Willow's face and made it's way to her neckline to the charm that hung just above her bosom. They watched him playing with it as a gradual smile came to his face.

"I'll be damned," Spike chuckled after the shock wore off. "Guess the old dog does have a few new tricks left in him. I have to admit though...I figured Giles would be a man to make a woman lesbian and not bring her back from the other side of the fence."

"You get extra points for tacky with that statement Spike," Xander replied, shaking his head.

They watched as Willow began to turn around to reach for her jacket and they all ducked out of sight.

"Well we better bloody well move" Spike whispered. "They're probably on their way out."

"Now why is he whispering?" Anya said softly. "And why am I whispering?" she added with a confused look on her face.

"We're all whispering because we're guilty of spying on our friends!" Buffy retorted in a heated…whisper. "Come on, before they leave," she waved toward Xander's car.

"So what do you think now Buffy? Are we still all crazy?" Xander asked as they moved briskly along.

"I didn't call you 'Love' that time. And you made no rule about the word 'Pet'."

Spike grinned as Buffy shook her head and continued to walk on. "Giles and Willow can't be together. They just can't," she whispered more to herself than anyone in the group.

Dawn tapped Anya on the arm as they walked behind the three in front of them. "I have to admit this is more fun then egging and teepeeing." Buffy looked back at her sister with a scowl. "Not that I would know about those things first hand," Dawn said in a rush. "I've heard other kids talk about the adrenaline rush of property destruction."

"Uh huh," Buffy countered. "You better hope I don't catch those other kids out some night."

"It's when …other kids," Dawn stressed, "throw eggs at houses and rolls of toilet paper in trees."

"Like spying on your friends," Buffy added as Xander unlocked the doors of his car. Spike, Dawn and then Anya climbed into the backseat as Buffy and Xander faced off over the roof.

"Well now that you have this new knowledge Xander what do you plan to do with it?"

"I plan to wait. See what happens while Giles is here…I'm not going to make any rash accusations Buffy. At this point it's speculation only. But you gotta admit. I got more evidence in my favor at the moment than you do in yours."

Xander climbed inside the car and Buffy let out a sigh. She'd never admit it but it was shaping up that way. Quietly and without comment she sat down and shut the door. There has to be some explanation.

Willow called out as she and Giles entered the house but no one was answering upstairs. The living room was dark but there appeared to be a light in the kitchen.

Willow and Giles walked deeper inside the house to find the two of them sitting at the kitchen island, eating a pizza.

Willow let out a ragged sigh. "Educational." However, her mood changed in an instant to one of promise. "And productive actually."

Willow motioned to Giles who took off his glasses and began to clean them. "Well when Willow and I were at the restaurant I noticed her necklace."

Willow scrunched her eyebrows at Buffy's reply. The tone in Buffy's voice and the comment of 'really' just seemed…off. But she brushed it aside and listened to Giles continue.

"Well that's probably because she's Jewish Giles," Buffy grinned. He grinned in response.

"Yes she is and I think that had something to do with why those recent vampires turned heel when they saw her. You said you found a box of crucifix, o-one's they were taking from the crypt?"

"Here's the best part," Willow grinned excitedly, motioning for Giles to continue.

"What if they weren't affected because they're religious sect at the time of their deaths had no connection to the cross?"

Giles ignored their banter and continued, "…I asked Willow if she had the Star on that night and she said yes so it's possible that SHE didn't frighten them as much as the necklace did. Most of the world religions pray to the same 'God'. The ah - the Christian God, the Judaism God and even the Islamic God are all the same 'God'. However each religion has different teaching and different symbols it uses. The Star of David is just one of many holy relics you could say."

"Well at the moment nowhere," Willow answered Buffy. "I've been up since 5 this morning and Giles is exhausted from his flight so were going to bed."

"I mean you're both going to bed now?" She hopped that would be enough and not alert them to any suspicious she was having. Silently she cursed Xander for making her paranoid. Anxiously she waited for Willow to respond.

"Oh yeah," she said after Buffy's 'clarification'. "If we look at any more books tonight our eyes will fall out of our heads. We're gonna get some rest and hit it again tomorrow after breakfast."

"Sounds like a plan," Buffy nodded. "I'm gonna head out on patrol. Keep an eye on Dawn?"

"Yeah I know that but this is still Sunnydale after all and I don't like leaving you alone period."

"Thanks Will," Buffy said as she rose from her stool and started toward the door.

"Oh hey!" Willow called out. Buffy turned and watched as Willow walked over, taking her necklace off and put it around her own neck. "Just in case," she added with a grin.

"If I have to start carrying religious icons of every possible sect out there I won't be able to lift my head or fight," she grinned.

"Well let's hope it doesn't come to that," Willow grinned in response as she opened the door.

"Well the short version – Giles and Willow think we've got Jewish Vamps on the loose. Longer version – Reason being, Willow of all people scares them away. We think it might be the Star of David she was wearing."

"Come on Slayer. You saw what happened in that restaurant – just like the rest of us."

The grin on Spike's face was too much for her. Buffy pushed Spike, sending him on his backside. "That happens to be my family you're talking about."

"And you're in denial," Spike said rising, a seriousness returning to his voice. "Think about it Buffy. Red's been through Hell on her knees this past year. Rumor has it she even killed a man. Don't know if that's true. No one's found a corpse. But the black voodoo, the loss of the cute, lil bird of hers…she's had it bloody rough I tell ya."

"Point is, desperate times lead to desperate acts. Wasn't that long ago that your desperation to feel made you do things you regret. Am I wrong?"

"She used to have her head on her shoulders. I'm willing to bet dimes to dollars that some days she doesn't know up from down."

"Thanks for the cryptic message Spike. I'd love to stand around and listen to cheesy metaphors all night but I have patrolling to do."

"Buffy all I'm saying is maybe you can't see it all because you're too close. Too close to Giles. Too close to Willow."

"Fine," Spike sighed. "But whatever happens just be easier on Red. She's getting her soul back. And I know how that feels."

Spike turned and walked away. Buffy opened her mouth to form an apology but stopped herself. So wrapped up in watching Spike she didn't feel the vamp approach but the snap of a twig did ring in her ears. She turned swiftly, stake at the ready, as he advanced. He let out a battle cry, which Spike heard. The sound sent the reformed Vampire running back in Buffy's direction. He arrived to see two other vamps beginning to descend upon the Slayer.

He charged into battle but a single blow from one of them sent him back three feet. This bloke's got a bloody swing, he thought silently as he tried to steady himself for the next melee round. He watched as one of the vamps grabbed Buffy while the other ripped the stake from her hand. Instead of dropping the weapon, he raised it. They were going to slay the Slayer.

Spike raced over to the vamp that held Buffy captive but before he could reach her Buffy kicked the stake from his hand and tripped the other vamp that held her. Not releasing his hold as he toppled over, both vamp and slayer fell to the ground. He rolled her over but she worked an arm free and reached for the star on her neck. She pressed it to his forehead and watched as the smoke began to pour from his dead flesh. He admitted a howl of pain and jumped to his feet. Spike tackled him and they rolled to the stake. Acting quickly, Spike swiped it first and buried it quickly in his heart. Within seconds he turned to dust.

The two remaining vamps looked on slack-jawed before scurrying off into the woods. Buffy rose to her feet and walked over to Spike who still knelt on the ground but now with only ashes below him. Buffy offered her hand and pulled him to his feet.

"Head home tonight. Tell the big brains what happened. I'll see what the word on the street is."

Buffy turned to leave but stopped. "Spike what I said earlier…I'm sorry I got harsh. The thought of Giles with Willow is just…unnerving."

"I know," Buffy answered, letting the endearment float by without comment. "But Giles is like a father to us. Well, a rankish uncle, as he likes to say," she grinned. "And the thought of them together after all this time is just…"

Spike didn't add anymore. Buffy just considered all she knew at the moment. Love could be crazy but with Spike it was just lust; a lust to feel life again. Life via a dead man – it was ironic really.

She watched as he walked away slowly, "Hey Spike," she called out making him stop. "Thanks."

"I was but I couldn't sleep," Willow offered. "You know how you reach the point where you're too tried to sleep and too tired to be conscious. I'm right in that area at the moment."

Willow slapped his knee before resting her hand there. "That is not true and you know it." She gave it a light pat as she stood up. "I'm going to try a glass of milk. Anybody want anything?"

"I'm good," Buffy said taking off her coat. "But could you grab me another slice of pizza? I'm hungry again."

"She gets the munchies after slay time," Willow nodded toward Buffy. "It's amazing what you learn about someone after you live with them. Giles? Need anything?"

He turned it over and examined the cover. "Yes, I'm hoping the feature on the Backstreet Boys will be enough of a sedative to lure me to dream state," he grinned. "How did patrol go tonight? You're home a bit early."

Willow had just come back to hear Buffy's comment. "What happened?" she asked as she handed over the plate.

"Well let's just say there's one vamp that will be missing Chanukah this year. Or is that Hanukah without the 'C'? Why is that Will? What's with the different spellings?"

She shrugged her shoulders as Buffy took a large bite of her pizza. "Heck if I remember. I can't claim to be a practicing Jew. And if I walked into a temple now my non-kosher diet and lesbianism I'm sure it would be grounds for the boot. Oh! And let's not forget that pesky black magic and part-time hacker thing I've got going on. I'd probably give the rabbi a heart attack if I sat down for heart to heart talk."

"The star worked. One of them knocked me down and I put it to his forehead. It toasted him pretty good. Spike slayed him before I could get any information out of him but that's fine. Those boys are tough to contain."

"Yeah, it's like their juiced up or something. The one that Spike tangled with knocked him off his feet. That doesn't happen often. Even he remarked on how strong they are."

"Nah no worries," Buffy answered finishing the last of her pizza. "Right now bed sounds good."

"Thanks Will. I'll see you guys in the morning." Buffy said as she rose and made her way to the stairs.

Willow and Giles issued their goodnights and watched as Buffy slowly climbed the stairs to her bedroom.

The next morning came too soon for Buffy and she looked at her alarm clock with the one eye she managed to open. She heard her door open and rolled over.

"Yeah just give me five minutes to hop in the shower," Buffy answered pulling the covers from her body. When she emerged six minutes later fully dressed and hair in a wet ponytail, she and Dawn went downstairs. When they came to the bottom landing they saw Giles and Willow waiting in the living room. Willow sat on the sofa; Giles on the coffee table. Her head was down and her shoulders appeared slumped. Giles hands rested on her upper thighs as he whispered something to her. He looked over and upon seeing Buffy and Dawn his hands darted away and he shot up to his feet.

Buffy took a moment to examine them both before shaking it off. "Sure but don't we have to wait for Xander?"

"Anya said things are better. She's not as angry anymore and they seem to be civil with each other…now and then," Giles replied with a half grin. "I have my rental outside."

"Okay, to the restaurant it is," Buffy said going to the door. She let Giles and Dawn walk ahead to the car but she slowed Willow down as she locked the door. "Everything okay Will?"

"Nothing's wrong Buffy. A little stressful but that's par for the course lately," she managed with a half grin.

Buffy ignored her sister. "Well just remember I'm here, okay? It might not seem like it with everything I have going on but if you need it, I'll always make the time."

Willow gave a genuine grin. "That's good to know. I hope you always feel that way…No matter what I might have to tell you."

Willow began to walk away but Buffy caught her by the elbow. "So there is something."

"It'll keep," Willow said before starting down the stairs. "Let's get your sister fed before she gets too cranky."

Buffy examined Willow's departure for a few moments before making her way down the stairs. Something was definitely weighing on Willow's mind and shoulders based on the cryptic response and her body language. She just prayed Willow would come to her instead of leaving things bottled up as she had the last year of her addiction and Tara's death. With a tug of her jacket collar, putting it in place, she followed.

The restaurant was a much lighter affair. Everyone laughed and joked and Buffy had to admit it was a wonderful feeling having everyone there again. No 'big bads' to face at the moment. She mused that these were the moments that made her go out every night and why she didn't give up slaying when adversity struck like a sickle. Although they weren't joined by blood, Buffy had a family better than those that people are born into. Even Xander and Anya managed to smile at each other during the meal proving that truth could be stranger than fiction. Quietly, she sat next to Dawn and across from Giles and Willow.

As she watched them interact with each other Xander's accusations kept coming back in her mind. There was a certain closeness there, an even tighter bond than before, Buffy had to admit. Whether that bond was non-platonic, as the group had assumed she couldn't quite tell. And Giles was very 'touchy feely' as Xander had put it, more so than Buffy was used to seeing. Buffy tried to put it aside but slowly Xander's paranoia was becoming her own. Was Wills and Giles involved? Would they end up shattering the group with a romance gone bad? Things would never be the same if that happened.

But then again perhaps things could go right for them. Maybe they were what they both searched for, never realizing it was right in front of them until now? It was true that Willow was an adult now and not longer a girl but still…how would Buffy handle it all? She was sure, at first, it would be much like when Willow came out about Tara - the initial shock, replaced by a denial, which in the end led to acceptance and understanding.

By the time of Tara's death Buffy had to admit she was quite fond of Tara. Not that Buffy disliked Oz. He was quite a character but Tara was different. Subtle, caring, dependable…She could cry on Tara's shoulder without a sense of regret or remorse for her actions. She didn't feel like she had to be the 'Slayer' in front of Tara all the time. That was something Buffy could never do with Oz. He was a sweet guy. He adored Will to no end. But he still lacked the warmth that Tara always brought to a room. Buffy looked over and saw Dawn eating her pancakes. And Buffy felt herself choke down a tear.

She missed Tara too and in the rush of everything after Tara's death some days it seemed like it never happened. But once in awhile Buffy would peek into Willow's room and find her alone, going over her college notes and not see Tara there. At those times, Buffy could feel that flutter of loss. She felt it for Willow who sat alone studying. And she felt it for herself for losing a confidant she'd grown to love. Her thoughts must have shown on her face because she heard Willow's voice.

For some reason Buffy felt like she was going to break inside. "Yeah," she said softly. "I'm okay. Excuse me."

Buffy got up and headed toward the restroom swiftly. The group looked around at each other and Willow rose. "I'll be right back," she told Giles, her hand running across his shoulders as she made her departure.

Buffy heard the entrance of the restroom open. "Buf, are you sure you're okay?" she heard Willow call out.

Buffy stood inside a stale, dabbing the side of her eyes with some tissue paper. She took a breath to steady her voice before she spoke. "I'm okay Wills. I'll be out in a second."

Willow paused a moment. "Okay," she answered. She opened the door to the restroom but instead of going out she stayed inside. Thinking she was gone Buffy emerged from the stall to see Willow standing by the sink.

"I thought you left," Buffy remarked as she walked to the sink and started to wash her hands and dry them quickly.

"Yeah that was the point," Willow grinned. "Had to get you out of there somehow to talk …What's the matter? You know, the same rules that apply with me also apply to you too?"

"It's kinda stupid. I mean…I saw Dawn eating her pancakes and…" Buffy trailed off on berating herself and started to cry. Willow took two strides over and pulled Buffy into her arms. "I miss her Will and I don't want to unload on you. I know you've had a Hell of a time dealing yourself and – and-."

"Shhh," Willow said running her hand over the back of Buffy's head as she held her. "I know. It sneaks up on you. There are good days and there are bad days. Sometimes in the middle of a good day I'll see something or maybe I hear a song on the radio and, and I remember…But it's okay," Willow gave a light chuckle and Buffy pulled back with a questioning look. "I have to admit I wondered if you cared she was gone."

"I know you've said you miss her Buf. And I believed every word but…Now don't take this the wrong way. And please know that I am sorry you're hurting. Okay? I truly am…But in an odd way, I'm glad to see you're hurt because I can see it's not just me. Misery truly does love company sometimes. It's good to know I'm not the only one who blubbers at what seems like the oddest moments."

"I know. You've tried to be strong for me. I realize that and I do appreciate it. All I'm saying is…it's nice to know I'm not the only one who gets weak about it once in awhile." Willow paused and started to grin. "Actually, I think Tara is watching us right now laughing her ass off at the two dorks crying in the bathroom."

Willow chuckled slightly but Buffy could still see the onset of tears in her eyes. Buffy issued a half-laugh in response until turning serious again.

"Absolutely," Buffy said in a chipper voice. "So from now on we're free to be depressed together whenever we feel like it."

Willow chuckled and took Buffy by the hand. "Come on, let's hurry up and get back before they send Anya in to look for us."

By the time they made it back to the table both women were all smiles and they sat down without comment.

"Count me out," Xander replied. "Nearly twenty years with Willow and seven with you I'd like to keep what testosterone I have left." Giles smiled before taking a sip of his tea. Xander then turned his attention to Giles. "You know I say this in the most masculine and heterosexual of ways Giles, but I really miss you sometimes. I think I'm starting to become one of the girls and it's way scary."

"That's not entirely true," Willow said with a coy grin. "We do girl watch together at the Bronze."

Xander chuckled and held up his hands. "Don't take this the wrong way Will but it's just not the same," Xander replied before turning to Giles again. "At least when you were here it evened things out a bit. Any shot of bribing you to come back for good? I can get you a great deal on building a house," he grinned.

Giles chuckled. "At the moment no but in the future…we'll see. It could be quite possible that I may return to Sunnydale for an extended period of time in the coming months."

"Yes, really but nothing is settled with the council at this point. But if it does come to that then it appears that I'll be happily accepted back here."

"It's not news. It's only a rumor at this point," Giles corrected. "We'll have to wait and see how things go."

The open arms comment from Willow forced Xander to shoot a hunched eyebrow at Buffy. Dawn started to giggle in response.

"No," Dawn said quickly, "Just thinking of a joke someone told me. Anyway, do we have new some new theories on the latest vamps? I know you guys didn't go to sleep right away last night."

"No we just vegged out for awhile. We're gonna hit the books when we finish up here."

"Speaking of which," Xander began. "Mind dropping Anya off at the Magic Shop? I've gotta head out to the lumberyard," he said looking at his watch.

Xander rose, grabbing his coat. "Yeah I've gotta get some things in order for Monday so I better take off. But thanks for breakfast Giles. It was great getting together again for something other than an impending apocalypse. We should do this more often," he grinned. He paused a moment and looked to Anya. "I was thinking if you're not busy maybe I could take you out to dinner tonight?"

"Oh I don't know, the kindness of my shallow heart," he countered with a warm smile.

Xander nodded. He wasn't going to argue and decided to just let it drop. "It was just a thought. If you change your mind give me a call on the cell phone."

"Okay. I'll be at the shop then. I'll see you all later. Ring if you need me," he added to Buffy giving her a light pat to the shoulder.

With a chorus of various agreements, the group began to make their way to their feet as Dawn asked, "Can I help? Look through some books, do some surfing?"

"Dawnie's become quite the bookworm in recent months. Even helped finger that flesh eating monster I got to know all too well," Willow nodded proudly.

Dawn blushed and Buffy patted her on the back in support. "Look Will. She even blushes like you used to when you got a compliment."

"Any chance of showing me some hacker tips soon?" Dawn asked the witch. "After all Buffy's been training with me physically. Only fair that you sharpen my mind too."

"Yeah but if we train you physically and mentally what good would we be then? That would be a threat to our egos," Willow countered. "Let's just take it one step at a time before you put us old folks out to pasture."

Giles chuckled. "You don't understand the concept of old my dear. Give it another 20 years."

"Since a Slayer rarely makes it out of her teens let alone 40, I'll drink to that," Buffy said, before downing the rest of her orange juice. "Let's get going."

"I think I found something," Dawn said as she continued to read from one of the many books. She handed it over to Willow and pointed to the section she was examining.

Willow began to read as Giles and Buffy waited for her appraisal. "The sword of Mattathias," Willow muttered.

Willow looked up, "Oh, sorry. Mattathias started the revolt against the Greeks in Jerusalem when the Greek ruler Antiochus took control of the region and forced the Jews to worship him as a god. Mattathias who was a high Jewish priest refused and killed a Greek officer which began the rebellion."

"Well, yes and no," Willow answered. "Mattathias died before then but his son Judah Maccabee took charge of the army. Judah won but that was about three years later. When they got back to the temple for their victory celebration they wanted to light the menorah symbolizing the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people. They looked for oil but only found a small flask that contained enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Problem was it would take eight days to make more oil. The miracle at Hanukkah occurred when the one day supply of oil burned for eight days and nights until more oil could be made."

"Right," Willow nodded. "It represents the miracle of the eight nights the menorah burned."

"But it may not be a total wash out," she walked over and handed the book to Giles and pointed out the passage to him. "See here. It says he who controls the sword of Mattathias will control the Jewish Army. It supposedly has mystical powers – like King Arthur's Excalibur. Anyone who has this sword has the power to lead the Jewish nation. At the time of the original battle the Jews were out manned and out weaponed. Logically there was no way they could win but they did. Maybe the Jews are getting ready to battle again."

"Or a band of Jewish vampires? A group of hell demons working for God?" Dawn offered.

Willow nodded. "Perhaps. Those vamps were tough. Tougher than average right?" Willow asked turning to Buffy who nodded. "What if they got the sword? And what if this sword gives their followers unspeakable power."

"That's all well and good," Buffy agreed. "But what's up with the crucifix collection? And why did they beat the crap outta me yet run away from you?"

"Again, I haven't a clue. But it might be something to look into further…Actually that's not true. I think our original assumption about religious sects is on the mark…I mean the Jews don't see Jesus as the son of God. Grant it he was a swell guy and all but we view him as more of a …what would you call it?" she asked resting her hand on Giles shoulder.

"Yeah a prophet, much like the Islamic faith . . . which is kinda ironic when you think about all the fighting between the two," Willow added after considering it. "That's the closest thing I could use to describe him – a prophet. And since the cross represents Christianity and the fact that Jesus, the son of God, who died for the sins of mankind according to the Christians, then it would have little holy relevance to a pack of dead, blood thirsty Jews…And please…no anti-Semitism remarks to that 'blood thirsty Jews' comment."

Giles took his glasses from his face and began to chew on one of the ends. "Forgive me for asking Willow, I realize I should know, but when is Hanukkah this year?"

"There may be a connection. What exactly I-I'm not sure but…perhaps these vamps are planning something of a celebration themselves."

"Well if that's the case we have two weeks," Willow answered. "The Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles so when the sun sets on November 30^th, then Hanukkah begins."

"And the vamps come out to play," Buffy added."…But hey! Maybe we'll get lucky and their diabolical plot to take over the world will happen at the end of the Hanukkah. That gives us another eight days." Everyone at the table looked at Buffy. "Okay nothing ever goes according to plan but there's a first time for everything." Willow got a perplexed look on her face. "What is it Will?"

Willow went over and pulled two books off the shelve handing them to Dawn. "Look through these. Find out whatever you can on Christian-Jewish relations."

"I thought the holy hot spots were between the Jews and the Arabian nations?" Buffy asked.

"To the outside world yes. But since we're at the Hellmouth let's expect the unexpected for a moment…Consider this: thanks to the Crusades much of the world holds the Christian belief system. Judaism and the Islamic faiths are in the minority in the media spotlight. What if the Jews staged a 'rebellion' against the highest profiled religious order on earth? Would anyone expect that or see it coming? Honestly? The answer is they wouldn't."

"You raise an excellent point," Giles pointed out. "The world is focused on the relations between the Jews and the Palestinians as it has for thousands of years. What if these vampires decided to use the - what would you call it …the 'back door' to world domination by taking out the Gentiles first?"

"And what if they aren't waiting for Hanukkah to stage the new rebellion? What if this years Hanukkah will be the celebration after their efforts? If that's the case that means we have even less time."

"You have to be either be born of a Jewish mother or be honest about your conversion. Otherwise, it won't 'stick'," Willow offered.

"Yeah pretty much," Willow grinned with a chuckle. "Who ever thought being a Jew might actually help me in life?" she muttered in afterthought.

"Well I for one am grateful," Giles remarked. "And I'm crossing my fingers that you know more about your faith in the hours and days to come."

"Not sure if I can help you there," Willow answered. "It's been a few years since I've practiced but it might come back to me with a little more research," she added optimistically.

They heard the door of the Magic Shop open and watched as Spike walked in. "Well if it isn't the invisible man," Spike grinned, walking over to Giles. "Heard you were back in the old stomping grounds. I've got some information that you might find useful. It's not much but-."

"Seems your theory about the Moses demons might be right on. Word on the street is there's a gang planning a naughty shindig thanks to a big, shiny sword."

"We've been kicking around ideas but this helps confirm a few speculations," Buffy told him. "Anything more?"

"Excuse me," Giles said to the group as he quickly got up and walked to the phone. Spike took his seat and began to thumb through the book in front of him.

"I don't have a location on them yet but it's just a matter of time," Spike said, tossing the book back on the desk.

"We think they're planning something for Hanukkah in the next two weeks. Maybe sooner than that."

The door of the magic shop jiggled again as Xander walked in. He turned around the open sign in the window before making his way over to the group. "Any news?"

"Giles is on the phone with the council and Willow has a new theory," Buffy offered.

"Not so great," Willow answered. "If these recent Vamps have their way then… you, Dawn, Buffy, Giles and Anya are all doomed."

"Well thousands of years of persecution seems to have paid off. The Jews will be spared if our theory is right."

"So the JAP gets to live while we all get toasted?" Xander pointed to Willow while taking a seat at the table.

"I'm not a Jewish American Princess," Willow retorted as a playful grin came to her lips. "I'm a Queen," she added batting her eyelashes.

"Check out the attitude on Red," the vampire replied. "Good on you Love and about bloody time."

"From what I've heard, you've got power. Lots of it. About time you started throwing it around," he smirked.

Willow closed the book she was thumbing through and tossed it on the stack in front of her. "Some powers just shouldn't be thrown around," she said softly, leaving the table. She made her way over to Giles and listened to his side of the conversation.

Buffy watched her leave and then threw a disapproving glare in Spike's direction.

"Not really," Dawn answered, not looking up from her book. "It's kinda interesting though, seeing what's happened over the ages."

"Well keep reading. Once Spike and I do some patrolling maybe we'll have more information. A hideout would be nice."

"The council thinks our conclusions are on track. They've had reports of soothsayers claiming the rise of a new Jerusalem in the world. Here in Sunnydale as a matter of fact. They too feel that the sword is the key to the power. We get the sword and we strip them of their power."

"I don't want you to take this lightly Buffy. On the surface it would appear that we have faced worse but let's not under estimate these chaps. They have super strength and a religious zealot attitude to go along with it. They lost their souls but not their faith. The council's not sure what to make of that fact and they're currently researching how it's possible. But as we know it's not impossible for a demon to regain their soul."

"Here, here," Spike chimed in. "So Buffy and I should check things out then? Find out where the holy lair might be?"

With that Buffy and Spike rose from the table, leaving the group to their studies. "Where should we start?" Spike asked the slayer.

"Let's cut through the graveyard. Follow their path of departure from the other night. It's a long shot but it's starting place."

Spike gave a nod and obediently followed. They made idle chit chat as they walked along but once they got to the graveyard they quieted their conversation and took a path that lead out the other side of the cemetery. They walked along, pushing past overgrowth until they came to the onset of a lake.

They peeked through some bushes and found what looked like a compound filled with trucks, weapons and vamps. Loads of vamps. On the grounds they also found an assortment of small structures and one large one filling the area.

"More than we can take on that's for sure," Buffy whispered back. "Let's get to the Magic Shop and put a plan in motion."

Buffy and Spike returned about an hour after they left to the surprise of everyone.

"We found it," Buffy said despondently. "They're held up at Lake Higgins, just outside the cemetery."

"Oh yeah if the place wasn't surrounded by hundreds of vamps that would be even better."

"Hundreds? You're kidding," Giles asked as he stood up. "Of course you're not kidding. What am I saying?"

"Yeah at least. With that big building it's hard to say. It could be barracks of some kind. Maybe more than 300."

"I didn't think Sunnydale had a Jewish population that large…especially not Jewish vampires," Xander answered.

"They may not all be from Sunnydale," Giles offered. "Perhaps they've been 'recruiting' from other areas."

"I think you're onto something Giles," Buffy answered. "Aren't Jews required to make a pilgrimage of some kind?"

"Maybe Sunnydale is the new Jerusalem for the Jewish undead like the council mentioned."

"Speaking of the council they called back again," Giles began. "According to their sources they believe they have the name of a leader - someone powerful, ancient."

"If it is the same Judah, the Torah left out that small detail. You know, the one about the leader of the Jews being..all blood sucky," Willow added.

"Yes and the council believes that if we destroy Judah it will also destroy his hierarchy," Giles continued.

"Yes and hopefully many of the ones you seen tonight would be affected. If he allowed them all to drink from his blood, which he may to give them greater power then destroying him could mean destroying this congregation."

"So all we need to do is kill the leader? Then Judah's blood becomes Jonestown kool-aid?" Xander asked snapping his fingers.

"Well what's the plan?" Dawn asked when no one continued. "What are you going to do?"

"Well it's not like you can just walk right in there," Anya added. "Not with that many demons held up."

"She's got a point Buf," Spike replied as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "We've got to devise something other than becoming moving targets. These boys were heavily armed. You saw the goods."

"I realize that. We need a plan," Buffy replied. "Look, it's past dinner time. Why don't I call up the Pizza Shack, order us a few rounds and figure out our next step?"

"I've got a Torah at the house I want to grab and some other books. Want me to swing by and grab the pizza's?"

"Here," Xander said tossing his keys. "Take my car. Just try to bring it back in one piece."

The vampire gave a slight bow to another who appeared to be seated on a make shift throne. The décor was much to be desired. It was an aluminum barrack structure with no decorations with the exception of crucifix hung all over the area. Guards lined the long expansion of the wall on either side.

"Ahh," the ruler said, rising to his feet, taking his sword along with him. "The Gentile Slayer as finally arrived as foretold. By all means, show her in."

With another nod the vampire left and returned with his charge. He motioned her to step deeper into the room. With a polite nod to her escort she turned to face her 'host'.

The ruler gave a chuckled and walked several feet closer but not any great distance near her given the size of the structure.

"My prophets have told me you would come Slayer. At last we meet," he began, taking notice of her apparel. She wore black boots with black hip huggers and a solid black blouse with a row of numerous buttons up the front.

"Thanks for the villainous Darth Vadery welcome," Willow smiled. "But I'm not the Slayer… I'm just a Slayerette…And you've got something we need."

"Funny girl." He grinned and pointed to two guards along the wall. "Kill her please," he said politely. They charged ahead and with a simple swipe of her hand the guards flew back against the wall, shaking the crucifixes that hung there.

"You know," Willow began. "It's schlemiel's like you that create all the anti-Semitism out there," Willow began. "And what's with all the crucifix decorations? Planning some elaborate spell or concoction to knock off the Gentiles of the world?"

"Too bad you won't be around to see the big show," he said confidently. "And all those Christmas presents…they'll be useless this year."

"I think I get it," Willow told him as she started to walk forward. "You use the 'link' of Christ to get to the Christians…somehow the more crosses you have the larger a key for what you've got planned. I gotta tell ya. Ya get an 'A' when it comes to creativity. But there's no way you're gonna pass the final exam. The slayer…and the Slayerette…won't let that happen."

"Yeah that's so. You can call my alliance with the Slayer a merging of Christian-Jewish relations – two religions with one goal - getting rid of you."

"That's not gonna happen," he said boldly. Willow just grinned and walked a few feet closer.

"Look, we can do this the easy way or the easier way," Willow told him. Subconsciously, Judah found himself moving backward with each menacing step Willow made toward him.

As they moved in, the force that encompassed Willow pushed them back several feet, leaving them unable to harm her. They all looked at each other and then to their leader unsure of what to do next. One guard pulled his gun and fired a shot, which ricocheted off the beams surrounding Willow, hitting a guard two vamps down from him.

Willow totally ignored the commotion. She focused on one vampire and one vampire only, getting closer step by step. She stopped in the middle of the room as Judah scrambled up to his throne. "Easy way – I take the sword. Easier way – you give me the sword. Either way…I get the sword…So what's it gonna be?"

"Well you are already dead," Willow pointed out. "So I'll take that as the answer." She reached out and the sword flew from Judah's grasp, landing in her own hand. "It's been fun," Willow replied, as she examined the sword for a brief moment. As quick as she could, she ran from the building and outside.

Judah and the guards stood by totally stunned before Judah's senses took hold of what just happened.

The guards began to shout to their cohorts outside and gave chase on foot. Willow was already through the brush and climbing under the fence. Her protection spell however was wearing off. She spotted Xander's car parked in the cemetery to see the first wave of Vamps following her, pushing under the broken chain-link fence.

"Open," she muttered, feeling drained. She literally fell into the driver's side and started the car as she pulled her legs and feet inside. "Close. Lock" Abruptly the door slammed shut and the locks flew into place. She threw the car into drive as the vamps tried desperately to catch her. Unable to stop her departure the leader of the hunt pointed to two vamps.

Willow arrived at the Magic Shop, stumbling inside with the sword. "Chest. Table," she called out. Suddenly Buffy's weapons chest from the house was sitting in the middle of the shop as the group sprang to their feet. Buffy and Spike who were the closest to the front door raced over. "Gates. Lock" she called out this time. The window security and locks of the front door closed with a loud clatter. She took a few steps but started to collapse. Spike caught her decent and she dropped the sword. Deadpan she looked up to Buffy who was knelling over her. "Damn it. I forgot the pizza."

Buffy examined Willow and spotted the sword. "What did you do? Did you go in there?"

Willow nodded. "Bringing the fight to us," she muttered. "Need to secure the back." She nodded toward the training room and pointed.

"We're on it," Xander answered as he and Anya raced to the training room to block the back entrance.

"I can't believe you did this," Giles said as he made his way over. Willow could hear the displeasure in his voice.

"Had to," she answered as she tried to sit up. Spike helped steady her against the nearby bookshelf. "We need the sword and Buffy couldn't get it. Not with that many vamps. It was the only way."

"Yes but now you've managed to lead them right back here!" Giles answered. "They'll come for the sword."

"I'm planning on it," Willow answered, slowly getting her breathe back. "Now we fight them on our turf. By our rules."

"Back off!" Spike shouted to Giles before turning to Willow. "Listen Red. What you did took guts. And it's better than sitting here talking about what to do while they're out doing it. Good on you, I say. At least someone in this bloody group has a set on 'em."

"You don't have to. I know the answer…which is why I did it in the first place," Willow explained. "But you can all yell at me later. Right now we need to get set for their arrival. Battling 300 badies who have to fit through one or two doors at a time is much easier than 300 in a warehouse. We've got the sword, which means we've got their strength. But that's not enough. We've gotta take 'em out."

Willow tried to stand and Buffy and Spike lent a hand by hoisting her up on either side.

"I can't believe how irresponsible you've behaved tonight," Giles sighed as he followed Willow. She made her way to a stool by the counter, clutching her temple.

"No Jeeves! You don't understand!" Willow's eyes blackened over and Giles took a step back. She took a deep, calming breath, rubbing her forehead to release the tension. When she looked back to Giles her eyes appeared normal. "I'm sorry," she began. "but sending Buffy in there would mean certain death. I spent enough time around the council to know that would have been their request. I couldn't let that happen."

Giles nodded. "Yes," he began. "but I was against it. I told them I wasn't sure if you were ready…And I didn't want to risk losing you to the darkness if it should come to that."

Willow gave a harrumph. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Giles." He reached for her but she moved off the stool, heading toward the chest on the table, avoiding his touch.

Dawn walked over with a bottle of aspirin and water. "Here you go," she said. "Figured you'd need them."

"Thanks Dawnie." She opened the top, letting it fall to the ground. The bottle was nearly empty so Willow tossed the remaining ones into her hand, not bothering to count them and popped them in her mouth before taking a big swig of water.

"We're all secure out back," Xander said as he and Anya returned from the training room. "Anything else?"

"Well," the redhead began, "when the Persian Army attacked Greece, Xena lead them to a little house and killed 'em one by one. It worked for her." Xander chuckled but quickly shut up when the rest of the group failed to find the humor. "Come on guys. I'm joking okay?" Willow added. When nobody said anything she continued. "Well kinda…Xena did beat the Persians that way," Willow muttered guiltily before her voice grew strong again, "However it makes more sense to fight them in here instead of trying to take them on unfamiliar ground or out in the open."

"Yes but in planning all this did you stop to consider this is not YOUR Magic Shop?" Anya piped in. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to insure this place now? I had to beg and hand over a check with an enormous figure to my agent after the last time you trashed it."

"We won't let them trash it…much," Willow answered. "And I did apologize. I even offer to help you with cleaning it up and the extra costs," Willow added.

"And where does a non-working student get her money from anyway? Her part-time employed Slayer?" Anya retorted.

Xander stepped between them before things went any further. "Look, we've got 300 evil Jews on a pilgrimage to kick our ass. Chances are they're not gonna be in the best of moods. So can we put the bickering on hold long enough to defend ourselves?"

"Enough!" Buffy yelled. The room fell silent and they watched as Buffy went over to the chest. She picked up a cross bow and tossed it to Spike. "You – in the back." Next she pulled out a sword, handing it to Dawn. "You – upfront with me." Next came a series of stakes she placed on the table for Xander and Anya. "You two – back with Spike."

"I don't want to be in Spike's group," Xander complained. The look on Buffy's face gave no room for argument and quietly he picked up the stakes, walking back and Anya followed suit.

When Buffy didn't give Willow any directions the redhead issued an attention getting cough in her direction.

"Does it matter?" Buffy answered flippantly. "You'll go wherever you damn well please anyway. What's the point?"

"Don't 'hey Buffy' me," the slayer began. "Giles isn't the only one slightly pissed over the little stunt you pulled tonight. For the record, I agree with you. I think we should fi

I Heard a Rumor

By CN Winters

Cnwinters@hotmail.com