dreamerjules
bookish brits are it
Here's another fic. Set Season 6, before OMWF. Willow's friends are concerned about her use of magick and who she's been learning from.
Let me know what you think. Good or bad.
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"He's more powerful than you give him credit for."
"You would know, wouldn't you."
"Yes, Willow, I would." Ethan Rayne stepped out of the shadows of the alleyway behind the Magic Box. "It's not unlike yours in some regards, but he was more aware of the difference between white and black magick."
"The only difference is intent. I'm one of the good guys."
"Keep telling yourself that." Ethan turned to walk out of the alley.
"Where do you think you're going? We're not finished yet."
"We may not be, but I am. The student has surpassed the teacher and all that. Best of luck, Willow. You're going to need it."
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Thud. Thud. Thud.
Willow could hear the sound of Buffy training. She knew Giles was going over the books with Anya. It felt so good to know that everything was as it should be. And even better to know that it was all because of her. Her magick. Her power. True, Buffy didn't seem to be quite herself, but spending the summer in a demon hell dimension would do that do you.
Life was perfect. She had Tara and Giles was back for good. So what if they thought she was using too much magick. She knew what she was doing. She not only had power, but she could control it and she only used it for good. Unlike Ethan. Beyond his extensive knowledge of witchcraft, she couldn't understand why Giles had ever been his friend. Yuck. Still, he had been helpful.
Why did Giles have to be so stubborn about her magick? It would have been so much more fun to have had Giles teach her the magicks Ethan had. Especially that one spell. Maybe she'd try it on Tara tonight. She smiled to herself as she walked home. Maybe when Giles found a place she'd try it on both of them. Or maybe just Giles. She could fulfill all her high school fantasies about the Watcher and he'd never have to know. Or rather, remember. Some spells could be very useful indeed.
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Setting his glasses on the desk, Giles rubbed his tired eyes. Anya was proving to be a better manager than he had anticipated. Nothing to worry about on that front. Willow was another matter however. Though neither she nor Tara had given him details about the spell used to raise Buffy, Giles know of only one or two spells capable of doing such a thing, and they weren't the kind of magicks that Giles wanted to be associated with. Or anyone he cared about either. And may the powers that be help him, he cared about Willow. He always had, far more than he should, but hearts are notoriously difficult things to control. But that wasn't relevant at the moment. The danger Willow was putting herself in was greater than she imagined. The danger wasn't only to herself either. Tara, Xander, Dawn, Buffy. Even Anya. Even himself. Something had to be done and soon.
"Tara."
"Yes, Giles." Tara placed the books she had been shelving on the table and walked to Giles. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, there is. I'm concerned about Willow. That spell you all did to raise Buffy. I fear there may have been elements of the spell that she didn't share with you, for one thing. Also, it appears she has a very cavalier attitude about using magick. I believe she's relying on it too heavily. She's going to get hurt and I'd like to prevent that from happening. I'd like your help."
"I wasn't sure how to bring this up. Thank you." Tara smiled, sadly and joyfully at the same time. "She doesn't think about the consequences, the cost. Magick should be treated with respect and she uses it whenever the mood strikes her. I'm so worried about her."
Relief flooded through Giles. He hadn't been sure how much Tara was willing to notice with Willow's magick.
"As am I. I tried to speak with her about it, but she... well, let's just say she wouldn't listen."
"She won't listen to me either. Every time I try to bring it up, she gets angry and changes the subject. To be honest, I've been afraid to bring it up. That's what we argued about before the Glory brain-sucking episode."
"That's a good reason." Giles smiled gently. "Do you think it would help if we spoke to her together? Presented a united front, as it were."
"I think it's worth a try. And we could ask Xander and Anya. I know Xander's concerned as well."
"Yes. I think the more people who show Willow that we care about her, the better our chances of succeeding. But I think it's best if we don't involve Buffy or Dawn. Buffy's dealing with enough at the moment."
"I agree. Anya is in the stock room. Do you want to talk to her?"
"I think we both should. We'll hear the bell if anyone comes in."
As if on cue, the bell rang. Standing in the doorway was Ethan Rayne. Giles couldn't decide what to be more shocked at: the fact that he was there or his appearance. Ethan's normally neat appearance was a shambles. His clothes were torn and dirty and from what Giles could see of his skin, covered with blisters and lesions.
"My God. Ethan, what happened?"
"Hello, Rupert. Long time, no...." Ethan toppled over in a dead faint.
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The front door opened just as Willow finished the incantation for candle lighting. Hoping it was Tara, she hurried to the hall. Disappointment flickered across her face when she saw it was only Buffy and Dawn.
"Where's Tara?"
"Still at the Magic Box with Giles. Ethan Rayne came into the shop today. Dawnie, don't forget what Giles said to you about your homework."
"Kendall was helping me with my homework. You never believe me. I don't know why I bother." Dawn stomped up the stairs
"What did Ethan want?"
"Don't wig, Will. Apparently some spell or something back fired on him. He looked pretty badly hurt. I got Dawn out of there as quick as I could."
"What did he say?"
"I don't know. He passed out before I finished training. I think Tara and Giles were going through the books, trying to figure out what he was trying to do or find a healing spell."
Willow grabbed her coat and keys. "Dinner's in the kitchen. I'll be back later."
"Will, what's up? It's just Ethan. I'm sure Giles has everything under control. Tara and Anya are there."
"Buffy, don't you understand? Ethan's dangerous. I need to make sure Giles and Tara are safe."
"Willow, I think they can take care of themselves. Ethan's not a big bad. He's more of a little bad, plus he's hurt and unconscious."
"That doesn't matter. He's devious. He could be faking. I'm not going to waste time talking when Giles could be in danger."
And with that, she was gone.
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"I don't understand why we had to close early. He's in the training room. The customers wouldn't be frightened." At the counter, Anya was closing out the cash register.
"That wasn't the only consideration, Anya. And it was only ten minutes early." Giles stood at the door to the training room. Ethan was resting on the couch, slipping in and out of consciousness. Tara was at the books trying to find a healing spell. She and Giles had come to the conclusion that Ethan's injuries were magickally induced, so a healing spell would be more helpful than a hospital. He hadn't been able to give them any idea what spell he had been attempting or who, at this point in time, would try to harm him magickally.
Though he hadn't said anything to Tara, Giles had heard Ethan mutter Willow's name. It disturbed him. He couldn't come up with any plausible, a good, reason for Ethan to mention Willow. He didn't care to contemplate the less savory reasons. It's a wonder his hair wasn't grayer from worrying about Buffy and Willow.
The bell rang as Xander entered the Magic Box. "Greetings all. Ahn, honey, you about finished closing up? I thought I'd take my best girl out to dinner unless there's some big honking evil we need to fight."
"There's evil all right, although it didn't look particularly big or honking. A friend of Giles' showed up, injured by a spell and we had to close early."
"He is not my friend."
"You know him and you're concerned about him."
"Yes, I do know him and I'm concerned about what he's been up to. If Ethan's involved, it's no good, I can promise you that."
"Ethan Rayne's in town?"
"Yes."
"Does Buffy know?"
"Yes. She's taken Dawn home. Whatever Ethan's capable of at the moment, he's not a physical threat. Tara is looking for a healing spell. I've been trying to find out from him what's happened, but I can't get anything coherent out of him."
"Wasn't he supposed to be locked away by the Initiative?" Xander sat down by Tara and grabbed a book.
"Yes, he was. Again, information he's not capable of sharing at the moment."
"NO. Willow, no!"
Ethan's outcry was compelling. As one, Giles, Xander, Tara and Anya moved to the training room.
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Giles knelt by Ethan's head. Ethan was fully conscious and in a great deal of pain.
"Willow. She isn't here, is she?"
"No. She isn't here. My name is Tara. Wh-why are you asking about Willow?" Tara was to the right of Giles, by Ethan's head. Anya was standing to Giles' left with Xander standing by the arm of the couch. Hurt or not, Xander wasn't willing to cut Ethan any slack.
"She's powerful, you know. A lot like you Ripper. I didn't realize how very much you have in common. That was my mistake."
"Mistake? Like me? Ethan, you're not making any sense. How did you come to be injured?"
"Willow. I've been training her the past few months. Spells, magicks. Helping her harness her power. But she surprised me." A coughing fit came over Ethan just then.
"Anya, would you get him some water."
Anya nodded and left.
Giles turned to Ethan. "All right then. What you're saying is that Willow did this to you. Willow used magick to physically injure you. And you did nothing to provoke an attack. You were just sitting there, quietly minding your own business like you always do and Willow happened along and decided to hurt you. Like this."
"You weren't listening, old man. I've been teaching her magick. The kinds of magick that you wouldn't teach her. The kind of magick that you don't do any more. Not that you ever really did. It was all a game to you, wasn't it. Slumming away from your precious Oxford and holy Watcher's Council. Ow."
Giles covered Ethan's hand none too gently with his own. "Cut to the chase, Ethan, before I ask Tara and Xander to step outside."
"And me an injured man. All right. With Buffy back from the great beyond and you no longer blithering about going back to England, I knew my luck would run out. I told her I had no more to teach her and that I was leaving. She said she wasn't ready for me to leave just yet and did this to me."
"That's not true." Willow stood in the doorway. "He's lying."
"Keep her away from me." Ethan pressed himself against the back of the couch, whimpers of pain escaping him as he moved.
"That's enough. Willow, wait in the shop. Xander, Tara and I will be right in. Anya, I hate to ask this of you, but would you mind sitting with Ethan while we get Willow's side of the story."
"Story as in lie?" Hurt and anger marked the pretty redhead's face.
"Story as in sequence of events." Giles matched Willow for hurt and anger.
"You believe him." Willow felt like the floor had just disappeared from under her feet. "Oh, god. You believe him."
"I don't believe anyone at this point. I simply wish to determine the truth. Whatever it may be."
"Giles, you have to believe me. I didn't do this to him."
"Perhaps not. But he did teach you magick, didn't he? Since Buffy... since Glory... since last spring. It was last spring, wasn't it?"
"Yes, but...."
"But what? But you could handle it? But you only intended to use it for good? Willow, these forces you have been playing around with are far darker and far more powerful with millenniums of experience. How could you possible think you could be unaffected by it?"
"I can handle it. I have only used it for good. There's so much that Ethan's taught me that I haven't used. But I have the knowledge and the power to use if need be. I can use the power that you're too afraid to. I can use Ethan's knowledge, all the knowledge of dark magick, for good. How can you ask me to give that up?"
"I don't have Ethan's depths of knowledge of the dark arts, but there is one thing I know and I'm curious. What did you kill as part of the spell to resurrect Buffy?"
"No way. Willow would never do that." Xander jumped to his best friend's defense.
"Willow." Tara stood between Giles and Ethan, off to the side a little. Her voice was not accusing or pleading or angry. Just quiet and strong.
"It was just a fawn. It was for the spell. We had to bring Buffy back. Buffy's life is more important than an animal's."
"Who gave you the right to decide that? Wicca holds all life sacred, including the lives of animals. Buffy's life is important, yes, but you should have let us know what was really involved."
"I was saving my best friend from untold suffering in an hell dimension."
"Do we really know that? We never made any attempt to locate her soul. What if she was some place good? You wanted her back and none of us were strong enough to fight you. We wanted her back too and it was easier to go along."
"I knew there was something bad going on when you puked up that snake, but Willow. You took a life."
"An animal's life. I didn't see you getting all "life is sacred" when Uncle Rory took you fishing."
"We never caught anything, Will. There's a difference between killing for food and sacrificing for magick. That leads to the dark side."
"Xander's right, Willow. What possessed you to think you could play with such darkness and emerge unscathed? You're damned lucky that spell worked. What if it had backfired? What if what rose from Buffy's grave hadn't been Buffy? What if the Powers That Be felt the life of a deer wasn't sufficient price for the return of a Slayer." Giles's heart tore in two as he realized how much of a child Willow still was.
"Everything worked out fine. We have Buffy back. I don't see why you're all so upset."
"Which is precisely part of the problem." Giles looked over at Anya, who was uncharacteristically quiet. She had silently closed the door to the training room. Giles could see her lips moving in a silent incantation. Tara and Xander moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Giles.
"Willow, you're getting out of control. You need to stop before anyone gets hurt," said Xander. Ethan groaned loudly from the couch. "Anyone else."
"Tara, you have to believe me. I did not hurt Ethan, magickically or otherwise."
"You admit that he taught you magick. You kept that from me, from the rest of the Scoobies. What else have you been lying about?"
"Tara, baby. I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you. I didn't think you would understand."
"A lie by omission is just as much of a lie as one you tell. That doesn't make it better and what wouldn't I understand, Willow? That you don't respect magick or its consequences? That you only see magick as a means to an end? That all you see is the power and not the responsibility that comes with it? You were right about that. I don't understand."
"I'm with Tara on this one, Willow. You know Ethan is one of the bad guys. He's nearly gotten us all killed at one time or another. He turned Giles into a demon. What good could possibly come from anything you could learn from him?"
Willow could feel the panic rising. She had to make them understand. Why didn't they understand? Why were they attacking her? There must be something she could do to make them understand. A spell. Surely there was a spell that could make them understand. What about? Maybe that one would work.
Before Willow had really started the spell, there was a flash and she couldn't move. Anger flared in her as she realized someone - Anya - had cast a spell to prevent her from casting. Fine. If they wanna play rough, we'll play rough.
"Release." Willow was free and turned to face Anya. "Did you really think your lame magick would hold me?" Willow concentrated and Anya flew into the door hard. Xander moved to protect his girlfriend and grabbed Willow by the arm before she could inflict any further harm to Anya. With no thought as to who was attacking her or why, only knowing that she was under attack, Willow lashed out, sending Xander crashing into the weapons locker.
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Although the noise level in the emergency room waiting area was anything but subdued, Willow Rosenberg heard nothing. Nothing except the sound of Xander's body smashing into the metal locker. She did that. She had hurt the one person who knew here as well as she knew herself. Probably better. How had things gotten so out of control? When had things gotten so out of control?
Giles was finding it difficult to give the doctor his full attention. Willow looked so small and broken sitting there. He would have given anything to have been able to prevent this all from happening. Perhaps if he had taken a firm hand in her magick training, but he had been afraid of getting too close to Willow, of inadvertently letting her know how he felt.
"But when can he go home?" Anya's strident voice cut through Giles= musings. "I want him home."
"I'm going to keep him overnight for observation, but I'm sure we'll be able to release him in the morning. Let me see if we can make arrangements for you."
As Anya and the doctor went to find a comfortable place for her for the night, Giles went back over to Willow.
"The doctor said Xander will be fine. He wants to keep him here overnight for observation thought. How are you doing?"
It was only when Giles put his hand on her arm that Willow realized he was sitting next to her. "How is he? Did I break him?"
"No, you didn't break him. The doctor says he'll be fine, though he wants him to stay overnight for observation. How are you?"
"I've been better, Giles. I hurt him. I could have...."
"You could have, but you didn't. That's the important thing to remember. You've made some rather foolish choices lately, but that's all part of growing up. I just wish I could have prevented you from making the same mistakes I did. I suppose I hoped you had learned something from that encounter with Eyghon and knowing what Ethan is capable of, it never occurred to me that you would study with him. Although I shouldn't be surprised by his wanting to teach you. You have a great deal of power, but you must use it wisely."
"Ethan says you're very powerful."
"Ethan's a flatterer."
"He is that. But you do have power, Giles. Why don't you use it more? It could be such a help to Buffy. You, me and Tara, we could do such good."
"Haven't you heard anything we said today?"
"Yes, I heard you."
"Did you really? I don't think so. You ask why I don't use my power more and yet you know about Eyghon. About Randall. The magick I was involved in resulted in the death of a friend. Not using magick to clean the house won't bring Randall back, but it does make me feel better knowing that when I do use it, it's for a specific purpose."
"I don't use magick to clean the house. I...."
"I was exaggerating, Willow. But your first thought appears to be to use magick to solve anything that requires effort. You have a brilliant, beautiful mind, Willow. I'd hate to see it used for nothing bu magick."
"But I can help. Buffy needs me to help."
"Yes, she does. She's always needed your help and you've always been helpful, even before you started learning magick."
"Are you saying you want me to stop using magick?"
"No, Willow, not at all. Just start thinking about what you're doing. Magick isn't the solution to every problem. It isn't the solution to most problems. It is a tool. A tool that can be used wisely or carelessly. The choice is yours."
"But, Giles, what if I can't? What if I don't know what the wise choice is? I don't want to hurt anyone the way I hurt Xander today, but I don't want to give up magick."
"I'm not saying it will be easy. It won't. But there is a middle ground. I'll be there to help you in any way I can. We all will."
"Giles, I'm so scared." Willow turned to Giles and buried herself against his chest. Giles put his arms around her, holding her tight for his own comfort as well as his. Even knowing that he would not have done anything differently, Giles wished things could be different between him and Willow.
Tara stood in the hallway, watching Willow and Giles. She knew that Willow had had a crush on Giles in high school. She just realized that Giles cared for Willow in return.
Reluctant to interrupt, she moved forward. "Giles, Willow."
They moved apart quickly - Giles with a twinge of guilt and Willow with a sense of loss.
"Tara, shouldn't you be at the shop with Ethan?" Giles couldn't quite look Tara in the eye.
"That's why I came. He's gone. I went to answer the phone and when I came back, he was gone. I looked for him, but I couldn't find him. I came to tell you and see how Xander's doing."
"Xander's fine. He'll stay overnight for observation and go home in the morning. I suppose I should look for Ethan. There's no telling what he could get up to here. Willow. Tara. I'll call later and see how you are."
Giles left, adding yet another regret to the list.
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He tried the door knob quietly, checking to see if he needed to dust off his lock picking skills. Unsurprisingly, he found the door unlocked. Just as quietly, he shut the door behind him. Looking around, he saw only the neglect that had greeted him last time. And a faint light from the doorway leading to the back.
"No need to run away on my account."
Ethan, looking quite healthy, jumped. "I'm leaving, all right? Not turning anybody into a demon, not causing chaos, and most especially not teaching that red-headed witch of yours. I just want to leave, Ripper. Preferably in one piece."
"Just tell me one thing. Why did you do it?"
"She has power and talent and intelligence. She wanted to learn everything. And she asked me. Found me in San Francisco after Buffy died and asked if I knew a way to get her back. It was irresistible."
"Not that. The performance earlier today."
"Oh, that. She began to frighten me. She's progressed too quickly. She's a wild card. She's like a child playing with a gun. She thinks it's fun and games til it goes off in her face."
AWhen did you become so concerned with other people=s welfares?@
"I like the girl. She reminds me of you. Besides, she wouldn't be the only one hurt. I don't want anything to happen to you that's not my fault."
"How thoughtful of you. So, seducing her to the dark side never entered your mind? You're slipping in your old age."
"The thought occurred to me. She'd make a valuable asset. But I throughly detest playing second fiddle, especially to a slip of a girl. Also, I realized that if I had done anything you would have disapproved of you would hunt me to the ends of the earth and between an angry Ripper and any number of demons, I'll take the demons."
"Whose to say I'll let you leave?"
"I'm to say. You really don't want me around the kiddies, corrupting them. Filling their heads with tales of our adventures. You're not going to kill me, so what are your options?"
Giles smiled. "To let you leave. Don't come back, Ethan. There's nothing here for you. There's nothing here for me for that matter."
"You have your slayer back. You have your witch. That sounds like a lot to me."
"Buffy doesn't need me anymore. I'm only standing in her way, and the witch isn't mine. Good bye, Ethan. You'll understand if I don't offer you a farewell drink."
"You're wrong, Ripper. Willow is yours for the taking, probably always has been. That's the sad thing about doing the right thing. You invariable sacrifice your own happiness. And hers."
"She's happy with Tara."
"She'd be happier with you."
"You can't know that."
"No. I can't. But I'd venture a guess that it's what you want to be true. You haven't denied that you have feelings for her."
"You're mad. Of course, I don't have feelings for Willow."
"Too little, too late, old man. You used to be a much better liar. Take care, Rupert. And take special care of our little witch. She's going to need a lot of support."
Ethan made his way out the back door, leaving Giles alone with his thoughts.
Shaking his head, Giles looked at his watch. He had just enough time to run by the liquor store on his way home.
Let me know what you think. Good or bad.
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"He's more powerful than you give him credit for."
"You would know, wouldn't you."
"Yes, Willow, I would." Ethan Rayne stepped out of the shadows of the alleyway behind the Magic Box. "It's not unlike yours in some regards, but he was more aware of the difference between white and black magick."
"The only difference is intent. I'm one of the good guys."
"Keep telling yourself that." Ethan turned to walk out of the alley.
"Where do you think you're going? We're not finished yet."
"We may not be, but I am. The student has surpassed the teacher and all that. Best of luck, Willow. You're going to need it."
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Thud. Thud. Thud.
Willow could hear the sound of Buffy training. She knew Giles was going over the books with Anya. It felt so good to know that everything was as it should be. And even better to know that it was all because of her. Her magick. Her power. True, Buffy didn't seem to be quite herself, but spending the summer in a demon hell dimension would do that do you.
Life was perfect. She had Tara and Giles was back for good. So what if they thought she was using too much magick. She knew what she was doing. She not only had power, but she could control it and she only used it for good. Unlike Ethan. Beyond his extensive knowledge of witchcraft, she couldn't understand why Giles had ever been his friend. Yuck. Still, he had been helpful.
Why did Giles have to be so stubborn about her magick? It would have been so much more fun to have had Giles teach her the magicks Ethan had. Especially that one spell. Maybe she'd try it on Tara tonight. She smiled to herself as she walked home. Maybe when Giles found a place she'd try it on both of them. Or maybe just Giles. She could fulfill all her high school fantasies about the Watcher and he'd never have to know. Or rather, remember. Some spells could be very useful indeed.
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Setting his glasses on the desk, Giles rubbed his tired eyes. Anya was proving to be a better manager than he had anticipated. Nothing to worry about on that front. Willow was another matter however. Though neither she nor Tara had given him details about the spell used to raise Buffy, Giles know of only one or two spells capable of doing such a thing, and they weren't the kind of magicks that Giles wanted to be associated with. Or anyone he cared about either. And may the powers that be help him, he cared about Willow. He always had, far more than he should, but hearts are notoriously difficult things to control. But that wasn't relevant at the moment. The danger Willow was putting herself in was greater than she imagined. The danger wasn't only to herself either. Tara, Xander, Dawn, Buffy. Even Anya. Even himself. Something had to be done and soon.
"Tara."
"Yes, Giles." Tara placed the books she had been shelving on the table and walked to Giles. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, there is. I'm concerned about Willow. That spell you all did to raise Buffy. I fear there may have been elements of the spell that she didn't share with you, for one thing. Also, it appears she has a very cavalier attitude about using magick. I believe she's relying on it too heavily. She's going to get hurt and I'd like to prevent that from happening. I'd like your help."
"I wasn't sure how to bring this up. Thank you." Tara smiled, sadly and joyfully at the same time. "She doesn't think about the consequences, the cost. Magick should be treated with respect and she uses it whenever the mood strikes her. I'm so worried about her."
Relief flooded through Giles. He hadn't been sure how much Tara was willing to notice with Willow's magick.
"As am I. I tried to speak with her about it, but she... well, let's just say she wouldn't listen."
"She won't listen to me either. Every time I try to bring it up, she gets angry and changes the subject. To be honest, I've been afraid to bring it up. That's what we argued about before the Glory brain-sucking episode."
"That's a good reason." Giles smiled gently. "Do you think it would help if we spoke to her together? Presented a united front, as it were."
"I think it's worth a try. And we could ask Xander and Anya. I know Xander's concerned as well."
"Yes. I think the more people who show Willow that we care about her, the better our chances of succeeding. But I think it's best if we don't involve Buffy or Dawn. Buffy's dealing with enough at the moment."
"I agree. Anya is in the stock room. Do you want to talk to her?"
"I think we both should. We'll hear the bell if anyone comes in."
As if on cue, the bell rang. Standing in the doorway was Ethan Rayne. Giles couldn't decide what to be more shocked at: the fact that he was there or his appearance. Ethan's normally neat appearance was a shambles. His clothes were torn and dirty and from what Giles could see of his skin, covered with blisters and lesions.
"My God. Ethan, what happened?"
"Hello, Rupert. Long time, no...." Ethan toppled over in a dead faint.
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The front door opened just as Willow finished the incantation for candle lighting. Hoping it was Tara, she hurried to the hall. Disappointment flickered across her face when she saw it was only Buffy and Dawn.
"Where's Tara?"
"Still at the Magic Box with Giles. Ethan Rayne came into the shop today. Dawnie, don't forget what Giles said to you about your homework."
"Kendall was helping me with my homework. You never believe me. I don't know why I bother." Dawn stomped up the stairs
"What did Ethan want?"
"Don't wig, Will. Apparently some spell or something back fired on him. He looked pretty badly hurt. I got Dawn out of there as quick as I could."
"What did he say?"
"I don't know. He passed out before I finished training. I think Tara and Giles were going through the books, trying to figure out what he was trying to do or find a healing spell."
Willow grabbed her coat and keys. "Dinner's in the kitchen. I'll be back later."
"Will, what's up? It's just Ethan. I'm sure Giles has everything under control. Tara and Anya are there."
"Buffy, don't you understand? Ethan's dangerous. I need to make sure Giles and Tara are safe."
"Willow, I think they can take care of themselves. Ethan's not a big bad. He's more of a little bad, plus he's hurt and unconscious."
"That doesn't matter. He's devious. He could be faking. I'm not going to waste time talking when Giles could be in danger."
And with that, she was gone.
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"I don't understand why we had to close early. He's in the training room. The customers wouldn't be frightened." At the counter, Anya was closing out the cash register.
"That wasn't the only consideration, Anya. And it was only ten minutes early." Giles stood at the door to the training room. Ethan was resting on the couch, slipping in and out of consciousness. Tara was at the books trying to find a healing spell. She and Giles had come to the conclusion that Ethan's injuries were magickally induced, so a healing spell would be more helpful than a hospital. He hadn't been able to give them any idea what spell he had been attempting or who, at this point in time, would try to harm him magickally.
Though he hadn't said anything to Tara, Giles had heard Ethan mutter Willow's name. It disturbed him. He couldn't come up with any plausible, a good, reason for Ethan to mention Willow. He didn't care to contemplate the less savory reasons. It's a wonder his hair wasn't grayer from worrying about Buffy and Willow.
The bell rang as Xander entered the Magic Box. "Greetings all. Ahn, honey, you about finished closing up? I thought I'd take my best girl out to dinner unless there's some big honking evil we need to fight."
"There's evil all right, although it didn't look particularly big or honking. A friend of Giles' showed up, injured by a spell and we had to close early."
"He is not my friend."
"You know him and you're concerned about him."
"Yes, I do know him and I'm concerned about what he's been up to. If Ethan's involved, it's no good, I can promise you that."
"Ethan Rayne's in town?"
"Yes."
"Does Buffy know?"
"Yes. She's taken Dawn home. Whatever Ethan's capable of at the moment, he's not a physical threat. Tara is looking for a healing spell. I've been trying to find out from him what's happened, but I can't get anything coherent out of him."
"Wasn't he supposed to be locked away by the Initiative?" Xander sat down by Tara and grabbed a book.
"Yes, he was. Again, information he's not capable of sharing at the moment."
"NO. Willow, no!"
Ethan's outcry was compelling. As one, Giles, Xander, Tara and Anya moved to the training room.
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Giles knelt by Ethan's head. Ethan was fully conscious and in a great deal of pain.
"Willow. She isn't here, is she?"
"No. She isn't here. My name is Tara. Wh-why are you asking about Willow?" Tara was to the right of Giles, by Ethan's head. Anya was standing to Giles' left with Xander standing by the arm of the couch. Hurt or not, Xander wasn't willing to cut Ethan any slack.
"She's powerful, you know. A lot like you Ripper. I didn't realize how very much you have in common. That was my mistake."
"Mistake? Like me? Ethan, you're not making any sense. How did you come to be injured?"
"Willow. I've been training her the past few months. Spells, magicks. Helping her harness her power. But she surprised me." A coughing fit came over Ethan just then.
"Anya, would you get him some water."
Anya nodded and left.
Giles turned to Ethan. "All right then. What you're saying is that Willow did this to you. Willow used magick to physically injure you. And you did nothing to provoke an attack. You were just sitting there, quietly minding your own business like you always do and Willow happened along and decided to hurt you. Like this."
"You weren't listening, old man. I've been teaching her magick. The kinds of magick that you wouldn't teach her. The kind of magick that you don't do any more. Not that you ever really did. It was all a game to you, wasn't it. Slumming away from your precious Oxford and holy Watcher's Council. Ow."
Giles covered Ethan's hand none too gently with his own. "Cut to the chase, Ethan, before I ask Tara and Xander to step outside."
"And me an injured man. All right. With Buffy back from the great beyond and you no longer blithering about going back to England, I knew my luck would run out. I told her I had no more to teach her and that I was leaving. She said she wasn't ready for me to leave just yet and did this to me."
"That's not true." Willow stood in the doorway. "He's lying."
"Keep her away from me." Ethan pressed himself against the back of the couch, whimpers of pain escaping him as he moved.
"That's enough. Willow, wait in the shop. Xander, Tara and I will be right in. Anya, I hate to ask this of you, but would you mind sitting with Ethan while we get Willow's side of the story."
"Story as in lie?" Hurt and anger marked the pretty redhead's face.
"Story as in sequence of events." Giles matched Willow for hurt and anger.
"You believe him." Willow felt like the floor had just disappeared from under her feet. "Oh, god. You believe him."
"I don't believe anyone at this point. I simply wish to determine the truth. Whatever it may be."
"Giles, you have to believe me. I didn't do this to him."
"Perhaps not. But he did teach you magick, didn't he? Since Buffy... since Glory... since last spring. It was last spring, wasn't it?"
"Yes, but...."
"But what? But you could handle it? But you only intended to use it for good? Willow, these forces you have been playing around with are far darker and far more powerful with millenniums of experience. How could you possible think you could be unaffected by it?"
"I can handle it. I have only used it for good. There's so much that Ethan's taught me that I haven't used. But I have the knowledge and the power to use if need be. I can use the power that you're too afraid to. I can use Ethan's knowledge, all the knowledge of dark magick, for good. How can you ask me to give that up?"
"I don't have Ethan's depths of knowledge of the dark arts, but there is one thing I know and I'm curious. What did you kill as part of the spell to resurrect Buffy?"
"No way. Willow would never do that." Xander jumped to his best friend's defense.
"Willow." Tara stood between Giles and Ethan, off to the side a little. Her voice was not accusing or pleading or angry. Just quiet and strong.
"It was just a fawn. It was for the spell. We had to bring Buffy back. Buffy's life is more important than an animal's."
"Who gave you the right to decide that? Wicca holds all life sacred, including the lives of animals. Buffy's life is important, yes, but you should have let us know what was really involved."
"I was saving my best friend from untold suffering in an hell dimension."
"Do we really know that? We never made any attempt to locate her soul. What if she was some place good? You wanted her back and none of us were strong enough to fight you. We wanted her back too and it was easier to go along."
"I knew there was something bad going on when you puked up that snake, but Willow. You took a life."
"An animal's life. I didn't see you getting all "life is sacred" when Uncle Rory took you fishing."
"We never caught anything, Will. There's a difference between killing for food and sacrificing for magick. That leads to the dark side."
"Xander's right, Willow. What possessed you to think you could play with such darkness and emerge unscathed? You're damned lucky that spell worked. What if it had backfired? What if what rose from Buffy's grave hadn't been Buffy? What if the Powers That Be felt the life of a deer wasn't sufficient price for the return of a Slayer." Giles's heart tore in two as he realized how much of a child Willow still was.
"Everything worked out fine. We have Buffy back. I don't see why you're all so upset."
"Which is precisely part of the problem." Giles looked over at Anya, who was uncharacteristically quiet. She had silently closed the door to the training room. Giles could see her lips moving in a silent incantation. Tara and Xander moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Giles.
"Willow, you're getting out of control. You need to stop before anyone gets hurt," said Xander. Ethan groaned loudly from the couch. "Anyone else."
"Tara, you have to believe me. I did not hurt Ethan, magickically or otherwise."
"You admit that he taught you magick. You kept that from me, from the rest of the Scoobies. What else have you been lying about?"
"Tara, baby. I didn't lie. I just didn't tell you. I didn't think you would understand."
"A lie by omission is just as much of a lie as one you tell. That doesn't make it better and what wouldn't I understand, Willow? That you don't respect magick or its consequences? That you only see magick as a means to an end? That all you see is the power and not the responsibility that comes with it? You were right about that. I don't understand."
"I'm with Tara on this one, Willow. You know Ethan is one of the bad guys. He's nearly gotten us all killed at one time or another. He turned Giles into a demon. What good could possibly come from anything you could learn from him?"
Willow could feel the panic rising. She had to make them understand. Why didn't they understand? Why were they attacking her? There must be something she could do to make them understand. A spell. Surely there was a spell that could make them understand. What about? Maybe that one would work.
Before Willow had really started the spell, there was a flash and she couldn't move. Anger flared in her as she realized someone - Anya - had cast a spell to prevent her from casting. Fine. If they wanna play rough, we'll play rough.
"Release." Willow was free and turned to face Anya. "Did you really think your lame magick would hold me?" Willow concentrated and Anya flew into the door hard. Xander moved to protect his girlfriend and grabbed Willow by the arm before she could inflict any further harm to Anya. With no thought as to who was attacking her or why, only knowing that she was under attack, Willow lashed out, sending Xander crashing into the weapons locker.
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Although the noise level in the emergency room waiting area was anything but subdued, Willow Rosenberg heard nothing. Nothing except the sound of Xander's body smashing into the metal locker. She did that. She had hurt the one person who knew here as well as she knew herself. Probably better. How had things gotten so out of control? When had things gotten so out of control?
Giles was finding it difficult to give the doctor his full attention. Willow looked so small and broken sitting there. He would have given anything to have been able to prevent this all from happening. Perhaps if he had taken a firm hand in her magick training, but he had been afraid of getting too close to Willow, of inadvertently letting her know how he felt.
"But when can he go home?" Anya's strident voice cut through Giles= musings. "I want him home."
"I'm going to keep him overnight for observation, but I'm sure we'll be able to release him in the morning. Let me see if we can make arrangements for you."
As Anya and the doctor went to find a comfortable place for her for the night, Giles went back over to Willow.
"The doctor said Xander will be fine. He wants to keep him here overnight for observation thought. How are you doing?"
It was only when Giles put his hand on her arm that Willow realized he was sitting next to her. "How is he? Did I break him?"
"No, you didn't break him. The doctor says he'll be fine, though he wants him to stay overnight for observation. How are you?"
"I've been better, Giles. I hurt him. I could have...."
"You could have, but you didn't. That's the important thing to remember. You've made some rather foolish choices lately, but that's all part of growing up. I just wish I could have prevented you from making the same mistakes I did. I suppose I hoped you had learned something from that encounter with Eyghon and knowing what Ethan is capable of, it never occurred to me that you would study with him. Although I shouldn't be surprised by his wanting to teach you. You have a great deal of power, but you must use it wisely."
"Ethan says you're very powerful."
"Ethan's a flatterer."
"He is that. But you do have power, Giles. Why don't you use it more? It could be such a help to Buffy. You, me and Tara, we could do such good."
"Haven't you heard anything we said today?"
"Yes, I heard you."
"Did you really? I don't think so. You ask why I don't use my power more and yet you know about Eyghon. About Randall. The magick I was involved in resulted in the death of a friend. Not using magick to clean the house won't bring Randall back, but it does make me feel better knowing that when I do use it, it's for a specific purpose."
"I don't use magick to clean the house. I...."
"I was exaggerating, Willow. But your first thought appears to be to use magick to solve anything that requires effort. You have a brilliant, beautiful mind, Willow. I'd hate to see it used for nothing bu magick."
"But I can help. Buffy needs me to help."
"Yes, she does. She's always needed your help and you've always been helpful, even before you started learning magick."
"Are you saying you want me to stop using magick?"
"No, Willow, not at all. Just start thinking about what you're doing. Magick isn't the solution to every problem. It isn't the solution to most problems. It is a tool. A tool that can be used wisely or carelessly. The choice is yours."
"But, Giles, what if I can't? What if I don't know what the wise choice is? I don't want to hurt anyone the way I hurt Xander today, but I don't want to give up magick."
"I'm not saying it will be easy. It won't. But there is a middle ground. I'll be there to help you in any way I can. We all will."
"Giles, I'm so scared." Willow turned to Giles and buried herself against his chest. Giles put his arms around her, holding her tight for his own comfort as well as his. Even knowing that he would not have done anything differently, Giles wished things could be different between him and Willow.
Tara stood in the hallway, watching Willow and Giles. She knew that Willow had had a crush on Giles in high school. She just realized that Giles cared for Willow in return.
Reluctant to interrupt, she moved forward. "Giles, Willow."
They moved apart quickly - Giles with a twinge of guilt and Willow with a sense of loss.
"Tara, shouldn't you be at the shop with Ethan?" Giles couldn't quite look Tara in the eye.
"That's why I came. He's gone. I went to answer the phone and when I came back, he was gone. I looked for him, but I couldn't find him. I came to tell you and see how Xander's doing."
"Xander's fine. He'll stay overnight for observation and go home in the morning. I suppose I should look for Ethan. There's no telling what he could get up to here. Willow. Tara. I'll call later and see how you are."
Giles left, adding yet another regret to the list.
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He tried the door knob quietly, checking to see if he needed to dust off his lock picking skills. Unsurprisingly, he found the door unlocked. Just as quietly, he shut the door behind him. Looking around, he saw only the neglect that had greeted him last time. And a faint light from the doorway leading to the back.
"No need to run away on my account."
Ethan, looking quite healthy, jumped. "I'm leaving, all right? Not turning anybody into a demon, not causing chaos, and most especially not teaching that red-headed witch of yours. I just want to leave, Ripper. Preferably in one piece."
"Just tell me one thing. Why did you do it?"
"She has power and talent and intelligence. She wanted to learn everything. And she asked me. Found me in San Francisco after Buffy died and asked if I knew a way to get her back. It was irresistible."
"Not that. The performance earlier today."
"Oh, that. She began to frighten me. She's progressed too quickly. She's a wild card. She's like a child playing with a gun. She thinks it's fun and games til it goes off in her face."
AWhen did you become so concerned with other people=s welfares?@
"I like the girl. She reminds me of you. Besides, she wouldn't be the only one hurt. I don't want anything to happen to you that's not my fault."
"How thoughtful of you. So, seducing her to the dark side never entered your mind? You're slipping in your old age."
"The thought occurred to me. She'd make a valuable asset. But I throughly detest playing second fiddle, especially to a slip of a girl. Also, I realized that if I had done anything you would have disapproved of you would hunt me to the ends of the earth and between an angry Ripper and any number of demons, I'll take the demons."
"Whose to say I'll let you leave?"
"I'm to say. You really don't want me around the kiddies, corrupting them. Filling their heads with tales of our adventures. You're not going to kill me, so what are your options?"
Giles smiled. "To let you leave. Don't come back, Ethan. There's nothing here for you. There's nothing here for me for that matter."
"You have your slayer back. You have your witch. That sounds like a lot to me."
"Buffy doesn't need me anymore. I'm only standing in her way, and the witch isn't mine. Good bye, Ethan. You'll understand if I don't offer you a farewell drink."
"You're wrong, Ripper. Willow is yours for the taking, probably always has been. That's the sad thing about doing the right thing. You invariable sacrifice your own happiness. And hers."
"She's happy with Tara."
"She'd be happier with you."
"You can't know that."
"No. I can't. But I'd venture a guess that it's what you want to be true. You haven't denied that you have feelings for her."
"You're mad. Of course, I don't have feelings for Willow."
"Too little, too late, old man. You used to be a much better liar. Take care, Rupert. And take special care of our little witch. She's going to need a lot of support."
Ethan made his way out the back door, leaving Giles alone with his thoughts.
Shaking his head, Giles looked at his watch. He had just enough time to run by the liquor store on his way home.