The Next
Illogical Step
Disclaimers - Buffy, Willow and any other characters from the series belong to
Joss Whedon & Mutant Enemy. I'm just borrowing them for a while.
Feedback - Yes, definitely. Send all comments to Alex at keeper444@webtv.net .
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Chapter 1
Willow
turned away from her computer screen to give her eyes a much deserved rest, she
looked over at the couch to check on her best friend and lover, Buffy. The
Slayer had fallen asleep on Giles couch again. Willow felt a slight twinge of
guilt knowing that she was the reason Buffy was sprawled here on the couch
instead of in her own warm comfortable bed next door in their townhouse.
She'd
tried many times before to get her to go on home to bed, but Buffy always
mumbled something about not wanting to be alone any more and refused to leave
until Willow did. Willow noticed a slightly mischievous smile on the sleeping
girl's lips.
<I
wonder what's going on inside that pretty head.> Willow thought
<Something wickedly fun no doubt.>
In
the time since they had returned from Teach Tu Dannan, both found that they
simply couldn't get enough of each other. Even now, as tired as she was,
watching Buffy sleep Willow practically ached to take her blonde haired lover
in her arms and make love right there on Giles couch. <Bad Willow, bad, bad
Willow> she scolded herself. You must let the poor girl rest sometime or
you'll wear her out and then what would you do?>
Willow
sighed not wanting to ever think of life without Buffy. She couldn't resist one
more look at her before returning to work. <Goddess, she is so
beautiful.> Willow thought as the longing returned, <I can't believe
she's mine at last.>
Willow
knew the other reason Buffy was so tired. She'd found out that last night was
one of Willow's sabats, Litha, the summer solstice, and she had insisted on
joining Willow in the ritual that had lasted until shortly before dawn. As always
after a celebrating a ritual Willow was energized, but poor Buffy was
completely worn out. As she turned back to her computer, Willow heard Giles
mumbling something to himself in his study. He too was deeply immersed in his
own research.
Ever
since they had shown up on his door step with their gifts from Brigit,
Morrigan, and Lugh, Giles had been like a kid in a candy store. First he went
to work translating the runes, and writings on the weapons and Willow's staff.
After finishing that he gathered the staff, the wooden dagger, and the rings
and took them all to a jeweler he knew to have the stones identified and
appraised.
All
four of the large green stones turned out to be very rare very valuable
emeralds and the four smaller red stones in the hilt of the dagger were nearly
flawless blood rubies. The man had tried everything to get Giles to sell
them but he'd steadfastly refused. Once
he had finished with all he could find on those artifacts, he turned to the one
task he knew he'd love, the book. He became obsessed with it he was unable to
stop himself, if it hadn't been for Buffy and Willow he would have starved to
death studying that book.
Try
as she might Willow was unable to fault him for his obsession, it had saved
Buffy's life more than once. Willow had to smile when she thought of the look
on his face when he came charging out of the study, to share
his
findings the first time.
*****"I
can not believe this it's just so bloody marvelous, Giles kept saying pacing
too excited to sit. "After god knows how long, I am the first watcher to
ever see this and since we have broken off contact with the council I can't
even tell them about it."
He
translated some more then began muttering.
"This
is just fantastic." he said to himself then turned to the two girls that
were staring at him like he was insane. "Do you have any idea what this
is?"
"If
we knew that then why would we need you." Buffy said sarcastically, she'd
had a bad day in class.
Some
times she wondered if 'coming out' was worth all the trouble but, one look at
Willow always answered that question.
"Buffy!"
Willow scolded "Be nice, Giles isn't the one you're mad at."
"Right,
sorry Giles, my bad." Buffy apologized
Giles
looked at Buffy surprised, now he knew Willow was good for her, she had never
apologized before.
"Translating
these kinds of things is your specialty Giles," Willow continued,
"Buffy and I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to even begin. You are
the one that figured out that my staff was made specifically for me, to focus
and amplify my powers, you learned that the dirks were once called the 'Spurs
of Erin' and that the wooden dagger was a Pictish artifact known as 'Demon
Claw', all very helpful information in finding out their uses and now you have
found out something about the origins of the book. I'm not surprised Brigit
said you were the one to turn to. We trust you completely."
"Oh..well...yes..I
appreciate your trust." Giles stumbled, embarrassed by the young witch's
praise, he cleared his throat then continued "Getting back to the book, I
haven't gotten much past the title and a few lines here and there, but from
what I gather, what you girls brought home is the 'Book of Souls'." He
paused expecting a reaction when none was forth coming he explained further.
"Well
I suppose that would mean nothing to you, but believe me this is a major
find." He lectured, "It was the repository for much of the Druid
lore, their grimoire so to speak. It is even said that it holds the secrets of
creation and making thus also their opposites."
There
was a hiss as Willow drew in a sharp breath through clenched teeth.
"Exactly
so." Giles said looking at the young witch over the top of his glasses.
"The power these people have entrusted into your hands is unfathomable.
Their confidence and trust in you is unbelievably strong. The last time anyone
heard of this book being seen was before the time of King Arthur and the
Christian incursion into Ireland. It was said to have been returned to the gods
and most scholars believed it was either destroyed or that it never existed in
the first place. I guess now we know the truth." *****
Giles
was in watcher heaven. With the help of Willow's expertise the two of them came
up with a program to help him translate the various languages used in the book.
Every day he found some new medicine spell or piece of nformation that had him
running around all excited.
Soon
between Willow being 'Research Girl' on her computer and Giles progress with
the 'Book of Souls' they'd pretty much learned just about everything they
wanted to know about the gifts and their uses, all that is except the rings.
This soon became Willow's obsession, stopping only to eat or patrol with Buffy,
Willow spent nearly every waking moment searching any historical data base she
could find, but still no luck.
She
finally got so bad that Buffy had suggested that she go to the goddess either
for help or at least some perspective on the subject. Seeing no other available
option Willow had done just that last night. Yet here she was again, with her
nose buried in her computer, searching. <I guess sometimes the answer is
no.> she thought discouraged.
At
that moment an accidental missed keystroke placed her in a section of the
Vatican library she'd never been in before. It was the forbidden books section,
Willow had picked up rumors about this area but had never been able to find it,
until now. As she read through the thousands of files, Willow came across the
mention of a an ancient sect of Celtic female warriors called 'Sisters of the
Soul. Excited and thanking the goddess Willow began searching and cross
referencing her way into several deeply encrypted files that the Church
considered so heathen and so blasphemous that only the most dedicated priests
were allowed to see them.
Delving
deep into these files Willow finally found an eyewitness account over one
thousand years old telling of the sect and many of the ceremonies and rites
they practiced. It was here that Willow learned the purpose of the rings and
where to look in the 'Book of Souls' to find the details. It was also here she
learned the truth behind the disappearance of the sect. Because the ceremony
called upon ancient gods and was the mating of two people of the same sex, the
Church declared it blasphemous and an obscenity in the eyes of their god. So
they began a systematic campaign to wipe out all knowledge of the sect,
including hiring assassins to murder the women.
Tears
were in Willow's eyes as she realized this was a record of hypocrisy and deceit
as old as time but the idea of someone supposedly on the side of the Light
committing the atrocities she was reading about was unforgivable. Especially
when it was women of the same caliber as their friends Brigit and Morrigan.
<Those Bastards!!> Willow said to herself <I hope they're burning in
their own private hell!>
The
more Willow read the angrier she became until, after she copied all the
information, Willow fed a virus she'd created into the system that would not
only cover her tracks but it would also destroy everything in the files she'd
been reading if not that entire section of their library including the hard
drive. That done Willow gathered the print outs and went to show Giles.
Chapter 2
"You did what?" Giles
asked angrily when Willow told him what she had done to the Vatican's library
files. "Why would you do that? How could you take that kind of chance?
What if they trace your virus back here? I just wish you had put a little more
thought into it or at least informed me before you acted so rashly. Honestly
Willow I don't know what to think, this is completely out of character for you.
"
Willow sat calmly and let the over
protective ex-watcher rant until he was finished and glaring at her waiting for
her answer. She knew he was really mad, she could see the vein throbbing on his
right temple and that was usually reserved for the Slayer.
"Calm down Giles before you
hurt yourself." she said quietly yet firmly
<She's treating me like a
petulant child.> Giles thought.
He sat down behind the desk with a
huff. She smiled at him sweetly.
"That's much better."
Willow said patiently I don't know what your problem is. It's not like I'm some
rank amateur at this, I took precautions. First I went through so many
different connections Ma Bell and all her little baby Bells couldn't trace me.
Second the virus destroys all evidence of my incursion along with the files
including the hard drive, they'll never be able to retrieve that information
again, and third I did it for all those women the Church had murdered just
because they had different beliefs and had the good fortune to find someone
they loved, and stayed with them no matter what."
"Then they bragged about it
Giles read it, that's all those records are is some old bigot of a priest
bragging about how many blameless women he personally had murdered. Hell, their
lucky I didn't bring the whole place down on them. Besides you know how the
Vatican works they'd probably come after Buffy and me if they thought they'd
get away with it."
Faced with her logic and
determination Giles had no alternative but to calm himself and read the
information she'd brought him. "This is ghastly" he muttered as he
read the account. "How could they possibly justify this?"
"You see my point."
Willow said softly "Those bastards had dozens of innocent women
slaughtered in the name of religious
purity and the Church not only condoned it, the priests responsible were given
rewards and promotions for their 'good works'. I know what I did was a little
rash but, I just couldn't let those men be remembered by history as heroes of
the
faith, so I've done my best to see
that history doesn't remember them at all."
"Alright Willow, while I
can't condone your methods," Giles said holding up his hand to stop the
protest forming on her lips "I do have to agree it was at least a logical
response. My only comment is that this is not the last time you will run into
this kind of thing and the next time you feel the urge to take action please
consult me before you do anything and we might come up with a more appropriate
response. One that wont deprive the world of valuable historical
records."
"Okay I can live with
that." Willow agreed "Now let's get to work on the section of the
book that's mentioned here, and see what's next on my schedule so I can clear
my calendar,"
She was joking but as she read it
suddenly became unfunny. Giles finished the section shortly after she did and
took off his glasses and began rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Well that was certainly
interesting." he said a little sarcastically, "I will be looking
forward to seeing how you handle this."
<Now he shows a sense of
humor> Willow thought.
"Thanks a lot," Willow
shot back. "You mean no words of wisdom from the all mighty, all knowing
watcher?"
"No, I am afraid you are on
your own for this one." Giles answered with a slight smile "This is
one Slayer/Willow situation that falls far outside my duties and way beyond my
experience."
"Oh great, nothing quite so
useless as a useless watcher." Willow grumbled "Can I at least count
on your cooperation?"
Giles nodded his head trying to
keep from laughing at Willow's newest dilemma.
"Good" Willow said
thoughtfully then she knew just the right person to talk to. "Alright Mr.
laugh at the confused witch guy, then not a word to anyone and I mean
anyone."
He agreed quickly and satisfied
Willow hurried out to find Buffy's mother. Once Willow tracked down Joyce
Summers and explained everything to her she suggested that they get Willow's
mother on board for this situation.
Willow's mother wasn't as
comfortable with her daughter's alternative lifestyle as her husband and Joyce,
but this problem was something she could understand, in theory at least. She jumped
in with both feet and was a veritable fountain of information. Arrangements
were coming along nicely when Willow decided it was time to 'talk' to Buffy.
At Willow's insistence Buffy took
a night off from patrol and wearing her best dress went to meet Willow at their
favorite Italian restaurant. The owner of the restaurant had taken a liking to
the couple and as soon as he saw Buffy come through the front door he hurried
over and gave her a major bear type hug nearly crushing the breath out of her.
"Please Mr. Lipari, can't
breath," Buffy gasped.
"Your little Willow is
waiting for you." the man said setting her down and releasing her "If
you'll
just follow me I'll take you to
her."
"Sure thing Mr. Lipari."
She said mystified and noticing the huge grin plastered on his face. "Say,
just between you and me, any idea what's going on?"
"Oh no Buffy." he
answered "I've been sworn to absolute secrecy. Willow would skin me alive
if I told you."
"Okay we wouldn't want
that." she chuckled "Who'd make my canolli if something happened to
you. I couldn't' eat anyone elses after tasting yours."
"You are too kind" he
said truly flattered then the grin reappeared, "But I'm still not telling
you. Now come along Ms. Willow is waiting."
The friendly man led her through
the main dinning area but instead of going to their favorite table he led her
to the door of one of the private dinning rooms. When she entered it took her
breath away, the only illumination in the room were dozens of flickering
candles and standing next to the only table was Willow. She was a vision in an
emerald green silk dress it was obvious that she'd been to the salon, looking
at her Buffy could feel that familiar ache of longing deep in her soul.
Willow motioned to Buffy to come
to the table and held her chair while she sat down. Unable to resist Willow
leaned down and lightly brushed her lips against the soft skin of Buffy's neck.
"Oh god Wills." Buffy
moaned trying to urge her to continue but Willow straightened up and went to her
own chair directly across from Buffy.
There was a single white rose next
to Buffy's plate, she held it to her nose and slowly inhaled it's fragrance.
She looked over the top of the rose and smiled at the way Willow was watching
her every move.
Mr Lipari himself served their
meal that they ate in complete silence, their eyes speaking volumes across the
table in a language only they understood. Finally as they were finishing their
desert (Mr Lipari's famous canolli, Buffy's favorite) Buffy's curiosity got the
better of her.
"Alright my little witchy
girl," Buffy began,as she ran the tip of one fingernail gently over the
back of Willow's hand, "What's going on here?"
"Why Slayer what ever do you
mean?" Willow said with mock innocence, "I'm just out to dinner with
my bestest gal."
"Right, " Buffy said
only semi playfully "I'll tell you what, I'll go on home now and when your
ready to let me in on the secret that's where I'll be." She started to
rise but Willow grabbed her
wrist to stop her, Buffy looked
into those pleading eyes and sat back down knowing she was lost.
"Please don't leave
Buffy." Willow's voice was strained "I promise you'll understand real
soon."
"As you wish." Buffy
said softly "It's just I'm not a patient person, life's too short,
especially a Slayer's life."
"Don't" Willow said
closing her eyes trying to stop the tears. "Please don't say that."
Seeing the hurt she'd
inadvertently caused Willow, Buffy went around the table and cradled the
weeping girl's head.
<Geez Summers way to go>
Buffy thought, mentally kicking herself <Some day I just gotta learn to shut
up.>
"Don't cry Wills " Buffy
said in a frightened almost little girl voice. "It was a mean thing to
say, I'm sorry I didn't say it to hurt you."
Willow looked into Buffy's clear
blue eyes and felt herself drawn into their depths.
"It's alright honey,
really" Willow reassured her. "It's just that I don't want to think
about that tonight. Tonight is for better, more optimistic things. Now please
go back and sit down."
Buffy did as Willow requested and
Willow reached over and took Buffy's hand. They gazed into each other's eyes
and for a moment time ceased to exist.
"Buffy," when Willow
said her name like that it almost sounded like she was praying "I guess
it's time to tell you why I wanted to meet you here tonight."
"Well to be honest, I'm
getting a little curious." Buffy answered her I mean aside from the good
food and the pleasant company not to mention a welcome night off, I figured
there had to be
some thing going on."
"It's just that well I found
something that day after Litha, while you were asleep and it's got me
thinking." Willow started holding on to Buffy's hand tightly "I know
we've just got done telling everyone about us and after all we've been through
with that and I know that logic and common sense would dictate tat we 'lay low'
and not do any thing to call attention to ourselves at least until tings settle
down."
"Okay that's kinda the way I
figured." Buffy interrupted but Willow held up her hand to stop her.
"Like I was saying, I've come
across some disturbing information that has made me rethink that idea."
Willow continued "What I've found has made me think about how short life
can be and how easy it is for some outside force to make that life even
shorter.
My greatest fear has always been
to leave this life with too many regrets. Like everyone I have many things that
I regret that it's too late to do anything about but I've decided that we...you
and I..we...our relationship is not going to be one of those regrets."
<Oh god she's leaving me!>
Buffy thought, she felt an icy dagger of fear pierce her heart. <I've done
something wrong, I've been to clingy.>
Willow saw the stricken look cross
Buffy's face and hurried to reassure her. "I don't mean I want out."
Willow clarified quickly "It's just that what I want to do doesn't make
any sense. I mean we're in a pretty good place right now and most people would
be happy to sit back and relax, but we're not most people."
"Ain't it the truth."
Buffy snorted despite the seriousness of the moment.
"I guess the best way to
explain this is to tell you what I've found." Willow told Buffy everything
she'd found about the Sisters of the Soul and how they were persecuted and
murdered by minions of the church until there were only two left and the legend
that said the last two were rescued by the gods and taken still living to
paradise to become gods themselves.
"I think you can figure out
who those last two sisters were." Willow added
"Yeah I can." Buffy said
tears flowing unchecked from her eyes.
"Like I said I've found out a
lot." Willow said kissing Buffy's hand "One of the things I've
learned is that when two sisters are united they go through certain
ceremonies. One is like a wedding with
family and friends so that everyone can celebrate the joining of souls. The
second is a ritual of joining with only their closest friends attending. Ever
since I've found out about I've been running around trying to set this up and
I've gotten to the point where I can't go any farther without you."
Willow stopped and looked deep
into Buffy's eyes. Then she got up, came around the table and dropped to her
knees beside Buffy and looked up at the angelic face she loved so much. "I
guess the best way to say what I'm trying to say is," Willow said her
voice trembling with pent up emotion "I love you Buffy Summers, will you
marry me?"
Buffy was speechless, she'd never
figured on this. Her mind was completely out of control her thoughts swirling
and jumbled, she couldn't put a single coherent thought together.
"Oh..I...ah..you..
we..." No matter how hard she tried Buffy couldn't say a complete
sentence. She knew she loved Willow more than life itself and she knew that she
would do whatever it took to make the red haired girl with the bright green
eyes happy. She also knew that nothing in this world would make her happier
than to tell the world that she loved Willow Rosenberg.
So her answer was short easy and
to the point.
"Yes yes yes yes !" was
Buffy's final word on the subject.
.........................................
No matter where you go - there you are.
~Buckaroo
Bonzai~