Growing Up and Moving On
by Kimberly
Rating: R

Disclaimer: Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Tara, Faith, and all the others (except Iz) are all property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB, the actors, and the other creators.
Spoilers: Everything in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series is fair game.

*Coffee Shop*

“What do you want Dawn?”

“Just soda.”

“What no coffee?”

“Stunts your growth, hey so that’s what happened to you.” Dawn stuck her tongue out at her older yet shorter sister.

“Smartass, go find a table.” Buffy smirked at the retreating figure of her little sister, they were getting along good these days, which was good since they were both out of school and seeing each other a lot. But Iz helped keep the younger girl occupied when she started to get on her nerves, and then there was always Faith. Buffy’s face lit up with just the mere thought of her lover.

“Ma’am can I help you?”

Buffy snapped out of her daydream and ordered for Dawn and herself, when she received her order she went in search of the younger girl. She found her in the back of the shop staring at something past her. “Whatcha looking at?”

Dawn had a goofy look on her face and didn’t even notice her sister had sat down and started talking until a hand was waving in her face, “huh, what?”

“I asked what you were looking at, so?”

“I’m in love.”

Buffy smirked at her and turned around to see who Dawn was in love with now. The object of Dawn’s attention was a tall, handsome, sandy haired kid. “Cute.”

“Hey he looked at me and smiled ohmygod he’s coming this way, don’t look!” Buffy did as her sister asked fondly remembering the days at Hermy when she was the same way, sad really, she was really glad she had Faith now.

“Um, hi, Dawn right?”

‘He has an Irish accent I really am in love.’ “Hi, yeah, and this is my sister Buffy.”

“Oh, hi, um I know you don’t know me, I’m Danny by the way, but I was wondering if you would like to ah, oh um, maybe see a movie or something?”

“Sure! Oh I mean ah, yeah sounds cool.”

“Great I’ll ah call you sometime then.”

“Ok.”

“Great.” Danny started to walk away and then remembered something, “I ah, don’t know your phone number.”

“Oh, here,” Dawn quickly scribbled out her phone number and handed it to him, “bye.”

“Yeah, bye.” After Danny walked away Buffy couldn’t hold the laughter in anymore, it was just so damn cute.

“Dawny has a boyfriend.”

“Shut up!” Dawn threw her napkin at her sister but couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

*****

*Magic Box*

Buffy and Dawn walked into the magic box discussing what Dawn would wear on a date when Danny finally asked her out. “Hey.”

Buffy looked up and saw Faith approaching her, “hey yourself.” Faith pecked her on the cheek and smiled.

“What’s up, how was the sister lunch?”

“Dawny got asked out, cute kid too, what can I say she’s a Summers.”

“Really, what did he say?” Willow asked happily from where she was sitting at the round table with Tara.

“Oh it was adorable, neither could make a complete sentence with out babbling or stuttering, reminded me of you two actually.” Tara and Willow both stuck their tongues out at Buffy, but then smiled to each other remembering how their relationship was in the beginning.

“He is so hot, I can’t wait till he calls,” Dawn completely ignored what Buffy had said as she relived the moment in her head over and over again, “oh and he had the cutest Irish accent, I’m in love.”

“Already, weren’t you just in love last week with, what was his name again?”

“Please Faith, that was so over like three days ago, keep up.”

“AHHHHH!” Everyone stared at Xander after he screamed, “sorry high school Cordelia flashbacks, it was scary.” Those of them who went to high school together just shook their heads in understanding. That’s when the door chimed that they had a customer.

“Travers, didn’t I send you back to England to never return?”

“I’m not here for you young lady.”

“Then why are you here.” Buffy still really didn’t like this guy.

“I’m here to introduce Faith to her knew watcher.” As he spoke a tall sandy haired woman walked in and smiled, “Faith, this is Tabitha Cook, your new watcher.”

“Hello everyone, Faith it’s nice to meet you.” As she spoke Buffy couldn’t help but think, ‘where have I heard that accent before?’

“Sorry Mr. T. but I’ve got a watcher, G-man over there.” Faith pointed at Giles who had just walked into the room.

“Travers.”

“Giles.”

“Well I’m beginning to wonder if I should just use my last name too, it seems to be a theme here.” Tabitha smirked at the two senior watchers, 'Englishmen, they get flustered over anything.'

Faith was trying not to like this new woman, but after that comment it was going to be hard, the woman had a sense of humor, and like to make fun of the watchers, all good things in her mind. But she still didn’t want a new watcher.

“Yes well I’ve got to get back to England, so have fun getting to know each other.” With that Travers walked out the door. Tabitha for her part looked like someone caught in a trap with all eyes staring at her.

“Well this is starting off nice and uncomfortable, I’m sorry, I was told you knew I was coming… Obviously I was misinformed.”

“Seems that way. So you can leave now.”

“Sorry Faith you can’t get rid of me that easily.”

“Oh yeah, and why’s that?”

“’Cause I’m going to be paid a lot of money to put up with you, and that always a good incentive.” Faith smiled at the woman’s words, ‘oh yeah it’s going to be tuff to hate her.’

“Well ah, Mrs. Cook ah, please come in.”

“Ms. actually and thank you.”

“Would you ah, like some tea perhaps?”

Tabitha gave him an amused smirk and asked, “what is it with you people and tea?” Giles just smiled, a genuine smile at that, he was beginning to like this woman already.

“Um welcome to America,” Tara said letting the woman know she would try and give her chance.

“Thank you, ah I’m afraid I only know Faith and Giles’ names.”

“Oh right where are my manners, that is Tara, and the young woman next her on the right is Willow, then Dawn, Buffy, Faith of course, the young man is Xander. That’s Anya behind the counter and I’m sure you’ll meet Kate and Cordelia later.” Everyone just kind of half waved to the intruder on their little group.

“It’s nice to meet you all, and I look forward to getting to know you. But if it’s okay Faith I would like to talk to you alone for a few minutes.”

Faith wasn’t worried that this woman would hurt her, she was the slayer she could take anyone on, so she nodded and pointed to the back, “we can talk in the training room.”

“That would be perfect.” The two walked off to the back.

“Giles did you know Travers was going to do this?”

“I assure you if I had know what he was up to I would have told you and Faith, this is all news to me.”

“So what are we going to do about her?”

“Ah, welcome her?” Giles gave a hopeful statement that just screamed that he was tired of being the only older adult in the group.

“Ok for now, but if she pulls anything like that last lady watcher to show up, I’ll …”

“Well this time Travers introduced her personally, so I don’t think she’s all evil Buffy,” Willow said trying to diffuse the anger she could see in her friend’s eyes.

“But this is Travers we’re talking about he is all evil and…” Willow shot Xander a look that could turn someone to stone and he shut up. Tara just squeezed Willow’s hand for support, and to make sure she didn’t attack Xander with a levitating pencil or something.

*****

*Training room*

“I don’t want a new watcher.”

“I know.”

“Well now that we got that straight you can leave, have a nice flight.”

“Like I said Faith you’re not going to get rid of me that easily.”

“I don’t s’pose they told you what I did to the last one?”

“You mean Wesley and you’re let’s have fun with torture routine, yes they told me, and yet here I am.”

“Death wish?”

“I know you were different then, I’m not worried.”

“So how can I get rid of you?”

Tabitha pretended to think it over, “sorry nothing comes to mind, but if something does I’ll let you know.”

Faith smiled at her, “you do that then Tabitha.”

“Call me Tabby, all my friends do.”

“’k.” Faith and Tabitha then walked back into the main room of the shop. And the chime once again went off.

“Danny.” Dawn’s whole face lit up with seeing the boy again so soon.

“Dawn what are you doing here?” Before Dawn could answer Danny added, “hey mom, why you here?” Everyone stared at Danny and Tabitha, and for the second time that day she felt trapped.

*Summers’ Home*

Faith sat on the couch flipping through the channels trying to find something decent to watch, but it just wasn’t happening. When she heard someone come into the room she looked up and saw Dawn looking at her intently. “What?”

“You’re not going to try and make her leave are you?”

“Huh, what ya talkin’ ‘bout kid?”

“Tabitha, Danny’s mom, ring any bells.”

“Look Dawn I’m gonna try and throw your boyfriend’s mom out the country if that’s what you’re worried ‘bout.”

Dawn came over to the couch and sat down in a huff, “they don’t seem evil, or bad or anything. We should give them a chance.”

“He called didn’t he?” Dawn’s whole face lit up and she shook her head vigorously. “Got everything all planned?”

“Cordy and Buffy are going to take me to the mall later and help me find something cool to wear.”

Faith stood up and started walking out of the room, “just be careful and have fun kid, I’ll try and behave with Tabby.” Dawn smiled her thanks and Faith walked into the kitchen where Buffy was rummaging around.

“Did you know we have no real food?”

“That’s why me and Iz are gonna go shopping later, if there’s somthin’ special you want just write it down.”

“I love you.”

“Ok, luv you too.” Buffy smiled at her girlfriend and started to kiss her when someone walked in the back door interrupting them.

“Jees don’t you two ever do anything else, you’re worse than Xander and Anya!” Cordelia walked over to the counter and set her purse down, “so where’s Dawn, we want to hit the mall early if we’re going to have enough time.”

“C there’s still like five or six hours.”

“That’s it?! Dawn let’s go move it. You too Buffy come on.”

Faith stared at Cordelia like she was crazy and just shook her head. “Have fun.” She kissed Buffy and walked back into the living room in hopes something good would come on soon, ruefully she thought 'the only good TV comes on, on Tuesday nights.'

*****

*Outside the Magic Box*

Willow and Tara walked along the sidewalk to the Magic Box, Giles had called earlier and told them about a new shipment of magic books he thought they would enjoy. Willow suddenly stopped and looked around her. “Honey what’s wrong?” Tara asked worriedly.

“I don’t know, it just feels like someone’s watching us or something, you know that feeling when someone’s eyes are boring into you, I just got it.” Tara looked around the deserted street and shivered.

“Lets go inside now.”

Willow smiled, “lets.”

When the two walked in they saw Giles sitting at the round table talking to Tabitha and Anya behind the counter looking bored because there were no customers. “Hey.” They said together, they were doing that a lot lately, a couple thing they guessed.

Anya looked up with a smile on her face and then frowned “you’re not paying customers.”

“Nice to see you too Anya,” Willow said annoyed, Tara just squeezed her hand gently and they walked over to the table where the watchers were discussing watcher type things.

“Hey Mr. Giles, Tabitha.”

“Oh, hello Tara, I ah, I didn’t even hear the ah, door chime.”

“Hello Tara, Willow, how are you two?”

They sat down and Tara answered her, “just fine, Mr. Giles told us about some magic books, and we’re here to have a looksie. You?”

Tabitha gave a little laugh, “well Danny’s date with Dawn is tonight and he was freaking out over everything, it was getting to me so I came to hide.” Tara and Willow both laughed and Anya looked up annoyed again, Willow just glared at her.

“Buffy said that she and Cordelia were taking Dawn shopping today for and outfit to wear, poor Faith and Iz are going to be stuck in all the commotion tonight,” Willow said with a slight laugh at the antics of the two young teens.

“Ah, I think it’s cute.” Tara stuck up for her little buddy, plus she remembered her first real date with Willow, she was a complete mess.

The chime on the door went off and everyone looked up at the young man who was now standing there. He was tall with dark skin and even darker hair, with ice blue eyes. “Hello, I’m looking for a Willow Rosenberg and Tara McClay.”

Willow and Tara looked at each other curiously and Tara answered him, “I’m Tara and this is Willow, what can we do for you?”

The man gave an almost evil smirk and said, “death be the punishment for your kind,” and with that he pulled out a handgun and pointed at the two girls who now had a look of fear on their features.

*****

*Sunnydale Mall*

“Hey Dawn how about AHHHHHHH!” Cordelia fell to the floor with the impact of her vision. Buffy and Dawn were at her side at once. “Oh god no! Willow and Tara, we have to go now!”

*Sunnydale Hospital*

Buffy paced around the waiting room waiting for the doctor to come tell them something about Willow and Tara condition. She couldn’t help but think back to just a short time ago when she was pacing waiting to hear about Faith. She looked at her lover, who was sitting there staring into nothingness, then she glanced around at the rest of her friends, Willow was the glue that had held most of them together. She was the strong one when it came to emotional stuff, as Giles had once said, she truly was the best of them. And now this happened. And not only to Willow but to Tara too, the shy, sweet girl who had never done anything to ever purposely hurt anyone in her lift. She couldn’t loose them, either of them, they were family.

Just then the doctor came out and asked for any family of either Rosenberg or McClay, the whole Scooby gang jumped up. “I’m sorry but I can only talk to the family.”

Tabitha had not been a part of the group long, but she knew that if the doctor didn’t start talking soon someone would attack, so she did the only thing she could think of, after all she had the same hair color as Tara, “I’m Tabitha Cook, Tara’s aunt.” The doctor smiled and asked her to a private room, but she refused, “I think you should just tell all of us at once, it will be easier that way.”

The doctor looked wary but complied, “very well, I’ll tell you your niece’s condition first, Tara has a mild concussion, and a gash on her side where the bullet grazed her. I’m afraid Miss Rosenberg didn’t fare as well, she had massive internal bleeding, but we’ve managed to stop it and she is stabilizing now. She hasn’t regained consciousness yet, and at this stage we can’t even be sure she will. We have high hope for her though.”

“When can we see them?”

“Miss McClay will be put in a private room shortly, but I’m afraid Miss Rosenberg will be spending sometime in the ICU.”

“Thank you doctor.” When the doctor left everyone seemed to deflate, their hopes that both girls would be ok quickly disintegrating. Buffy and Xander just sat there staring ahead at the wall, not saying anything. Faith shot Anya a look and then sat down next to Buffy trying to draw her out of her thoughts.

She knew what her girlfriend would be doing now, she would be blaming herself, she was the slayer she was supposed to save the world and her friends. But she hadn’t been there, and ever if she had slayers can’t stop bullets. Before she said anything to the her lover she looked over at Anya who was trying as best she could to get Xander to come out of his shock.

“B?”

Buffy looked up her eyes brimmed with tears, “this shouldn’t have happened.”

“I know B. But there was nothing anyone could do. The cops are looking for the little bigot now. They’ll find ‘em.”

“It doesn’t matter. It won’t change any of this.”

Faith didn’t know how to respond to that so she just pulled Buffy into a tight embrace and held on to her through her sobs.

Tabitha felt extremely out of place, she went over to Giles and pulled him off to the side to speak to him, “Dawn doesn’t need to be here, and I have to go make sure Danny is ok, should I take her with me?”

Giles smiled warily, “thank you, that would help some, so soon after Joyce… She shouldn’t be here.” Tabitha just nodded and went to collect the girl and leave.

Iz stood off to the side being one of the newest members she didn’t really think she should be there, so when she saw Tabitha start to lead Dawn out she ran after them. After all they didn’t know the woman yet, she wasn’t just going to let her take off with the girl she now saw as a little sister. And she would do anything to not have to be in the hospital, just waiting.

“Mind if I come with you?”

“Not at all.” Tabitha smiled at the two young girls. Dawn seemed more at ease with Iz with her, so that was good, although she was almost certain she would cling to Danny when she saw him. The two made a cute couple, and it was good that Danny had someone he could talk to about what went on in the world, they all needed that sometimes.

*****

*Several hours later*

Tara woke up to the unusual surroundings of the hospital room. When she looked around she could tell her friends were there in the shadows, probably sleeping due to the late hour. She examined the faces of the people closest to her in the world, and found that one was missing, Willow. Then like a ton of bricks the scene played back in her head. The man, the gun, then shots, and everything went black. She was near panic now, she wanted to make sure her lover was ok, her soul mate, the person she couldn’t live without.

She tried to speak and found her voice wasn’t working because her throat was dry, she cleared her throat and tried again, she called to Buffy, in a voice close to that of a croak, because she was the closest.

When Buffy heard someone call her name she opened her eyes and saw Tara staring at her, “Tara?”

“Buffy where’s Willow.”

Buffy’s eyes watered again just at the mention of the little red-head whom she adored, “she’s in the ICU Tara, do you remember what happened?” Upon hearing Buffy talking everyone seemed to wake up and come to attention in time to hear Tara’s answer.

“A man with a gun said we should die, and then he shot, that’s all. Please is Willow ok, I want to see her, I have to see her.”

Buffy gently took Tara’s hand in her own and with her voice soft and low said, “Tara you can’t see her now, she’s in ICU, she made out a little worse than you.”

“But she’s alright right?” Tara was in tears and near hysterical when the doctor came in to check on her. When he saw the state she was in he assumed it was because of whatever the blonde standing over her had just said, and told them all it was time to leave.

When Tara heard the doctor telling everyone to get out she held on to Buffy’s hand that still held hers gently, “no, please don’t leave me here along, please.” Buffy didn’t want to leave the panicked girl alone so she simply told the others to go, and then told the doctor she was staying. After arguing with her and realizing he wasn’t going to win the doctor left the two alone. “Buffy?”

“Yes?”

“The man who did this did it because…”

“He was a bigot!” Buffy stated firmly, wishing for nothing more than two minutes along with the guy to inflict some serious hurt on him.

“No, Buffy he did it because we’re witches, he’ll go after anyone else doing witchcraft, he needs to be stopped, and this isn’t a case for the cops.”

“Tara how do you know this?”

“His arm had the tattoo of Tabalen on it, they’re a cult of half-breeds who despise witches. Stop them.” Tara was so exhausted she fell asleep after making sure Buffy had heard her; she hoped that when she woke up this would all be over.

*Magic Box*

“She said something about the tattoo of Tabalen, and it having to do with her and Willow being witches.”

“Yes they are ah, a breed of ah, half demons who um, hate witches. They believe that witches stole their ah, power hundreds of years ago. He was young, this could have ah, been a, a test.” Giles was worried, if Tara was right, then someone older might come and try to finish the job started by the younger half-demon.

“You mean like to get in a gang ya gotta steel somethin’”

“Yes Faith, that’s actually a very good example.” Faith smiled at her new watcher’s approval of what she had said. “I believe we should research this better, and see if we can’t find out more about them.”

“I agree, I have plenty of material in the back room, that should suffice for now.” The younger watcher smiled at him and headed to the back room to find the books that would be helpful. If the Tabalen were really behind this, it wasn’t good at all, for any of them.

“Half-demon, means they are also half human? Can be arrested?”

“Ah, yes I believe so.”

“Good I’ll give the SPD a visit and see if I can find anything out.” Kate kissed Cordelia lightly and walked out of the shop, finally something that fell in her department, she was getting tired of not being able to do anything for the Scoobies.

“Research then.” Cordelia said solemnly as she watched her girlfriend leave.

“Jus’ till visitin’ hours though…”

“Yeah Tara gets lonely there all by herself,” Buffy finished for her girlfriend, and they set about getting out books to start researching.

*****

*Sunnydale Hospital, ICU*

The nurse gently pushed the chair with the young woman up to the bed so she could see her beloved. “I’ll come back in little bit for you dear.”

“Thank you,” Tara replied but never took her eyes off Willow’s beautiful face. “Hi honey, I miss you. It’s been two days now, that’s the longest we’ve been apart since we met pretty much. Please come back to me, I can’t live without you.” Tara picked up Willow’s limp hand and caressed it with her own. ‘This shouldn’t have happened; I’m the one that should be lying there not her. She’s the one no one can live without, this shouldn’t have happened to my Willow.’

Tara watched her lover closely for any signs of a reaction to her presence, there was none. Willow made no movements other than the even rising and falling of her chest as she breathed, and the moving of her eyes under her eyelids.

The nurse came back and took hold of Tara’s chair giving her enough time to say goodbye, “I love you, please come back soon. Sweet dreams.” Tara lightly kissed Willow’s hand and put it back where it was, resting on her chest, and gave one last glance back before the nurse rolled her out.

*****

Willow was faintly aware of someone talking to her, she couldn’t make out most of it, it sounded like they were so far away and whispering all at the same time. But it was there, she knew it was. Now all she had to do was figure out where she was. The voice spoke again, soft and gentle, loving. ‘Tara?’ The voice it was Tara she knew it was!

“I love you, please come back soon. Sweet dreams.”

‘No Tara don’t leave me here please, Tara?’ She was gone she hadn’t heard her call for her, or she would have stayed. Willow didn’t like this place it was dark, and lonely, she wished Tara would come back.

A glow in front of her caught her attention and she started towards it. When she got to where the glow seemed to be coming from she saw two figures, both male, and both had gold skin.

“Hello Willow.”

“Um, hi.”

“Do you know who we are?”

“The Oracles?”

“Yes.”

“Am I still alive?”

“Yes.”

“Do you ever elaborate?”

“Hardly ever.”

“Why are you here, better yet why am I here?”

“You’re in the hospital, unconscious. We have simply borrowed you for a few minutes.”

“Why?”

“A warning.”

“Care to be more specific, and does he ever talk?” Willow pointed to the gold guy on the left, completely annoyed by whole situation. She wanted to go home to Tara, not be here talking to the Oracles.

“You must beware of the watcher.”

“The watcher, what, why?” The room and the Oracles started to fade as Willow regained consciousness. Willow opened her eyes to see a nurse watching over her.

“Hello little one, welcome back. There will be a very happy girl upstairs to know you’re awake.” The nurse smiled warmly at her, and Willow did her best to smile back.

*****

*Magic Box*

Ring. Ring.

“Hello… Yes… Really… Thank you, we’re on our way.” Everyone looked guessingly at Giles, “Willow woke up.”

By time the Scooby gang got to the hospital Willow had already been moved so that she was sharing a room with Tara. The group piled into the little hospital room bearing gifts of all sort for the girls.

“Willow!” Before Willow even knew what was happening Buffy had her in a breath-taking hug.

“Buffy I can’t breathe!” Buffy loosened he hold on Willow but didn’t let go completely. She sat on the bed by Willow’s side so she could keep contact with her, proving to herself that in fact Willow was there, and ok.

“Don’t ever do that to me again!” Buffy looked to other bed to see a smiling Tara, “you either missy!”

Both girls in question just smiled and shook their heads to the affirmative. Next to assault was Xander; only his weapon of choice was a teddy bear almost as big as Willow herself. When she gave him a questioning look, he just gave his goofy grin and shrugged his shoulders, “couldn’t resist, he was so cute, and you deserve him, and hi.”

“Thank you.” Willow looked around at everyone there and noticed for the first time that Tabitha was there, and then she remembered what the Oracle had said. “Where’s Dawn?”

“Magic Box hanging out with Danny.”

Willow saw her chance and took it, “Tabitha could you go pick ‘em up, I’d really like to see Dawn.”

“Of course I’ll be back soon.”

“Thank you.” When Tabitha was gone Willow turned to her friends and said, “we need to talk.”

Buffy saw the change in her best friend and straightened immediately, “what’s up Wills?”

“I saw the Oracles when I was in the ICU and unconscious.”

“You saw them?! Damit if they are going to visit everyone why in the hello do I get visions, that by the way hurt like hell!”

Willow looked at her friend who gave an apologetic face, well as apologetic and Cordelia got anyway. “They told me to beware of the watcher.”

“The watcher? Damn I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her so easy, it was the kid, and he threw me off. Made her seem all trustworthy.” Faith hated it when she was wrong about people, and she had started to really like her new watcher. Almost as much as she liked Giles, or her first watcher.

“Don’t be hard on yourself Faith there is no way you could have known this,” Buffy had a sudden realization, “Dawn! She went to get Dawn.”

“Relax Buffy I’ll call An and have her come with them. I doubt she would do anything with Anya there.” And Xander set about calling his girlfriend.

“Ok. So did the Oracles say anything else?”

“Not really, they’re very cryptic, and the one didn’t ever talk.”

“That was Orsen, I’ve never heard him talk either,” Iz smiled to the redhead and added, “Tobias on the other had talks, but sometimes never more than one word sentences, it can take hours to get something usable out of him.”

“Tell me about it, I was ready to snap with him just saying yes and nothing else.”

“I’ve learned that’s all in how you ask the question, which can still be frustrating.”

“If you weren’t there with me I probably would have gone postal on ‘im.” Faith said joining in the conversation while everyone else just kind of looked at them funny.

They talked for a while longer about anything and everything, everyone having plenty of opportunity to talk about something they knew. About and hour after Tabitha had left she returned with Dawn and Anya in tow.

“I thought you were with Danny too?”

“He didn’t feel right coming not knowing you very well yet, so he went home. How you feeling Willow, oh and Tara?”

“I’m better, and awake, and hey awake is always good. Except when it’s bad, and then it isn’t good, and hey I’m babbling again hehehe.”

Dawn looked at her sister’s best friend and with the straightest face she could muster said, “yup she’s awake alright.” Everyone just cracked up at that, and Dawn gave herself a satisfied smirk.

Tabitha’s beeper choose that time to go off, she looked at it and then said, “excuse me,” and ran out of the room.

Dawn looked at her and said, “wonder what that was all about, didn’t know watchers had beepers.” Everyone who had been in the room earlier looked at each other asking the silent but very important question ‘do we tell her’ with their eyes.

Anya looked around bored and asked Xander, “can I go home now, there is a neat show on the discovery channel and I want to see how many of the people they talk about that I knew.” Xander shook his head for yes and then walked towards her.

“I guess I’ll go to and let you girls get some sleep, I’ll be here to pick you up about noon tomorrow Tara.”

“Thanks, bye Xander, Anya.”

“Bye Xand.” They all waved and said their good byes, and it was just the witches, the slayers, a watcher, the time traveler, and the key left in the room. ‘Only in Sunnydale’ Buffy thought to herself.

Iz saw Tara yawn out of the corner of her eye, “come on Dawn someone still needs to go grocery shopping, and if we do it we’ll get the stuff we like.” Dawn grinned at her and they too said their goodbyes and left. Giles thought it an appropriate time for him to leave as well.

“I think I’ll head back to the shop, I’d like to call the council and see what I can dig up on Ms. Cook.”

“See-ya G-man.”

“Bye.”

Buffy looked down at the girl she was still sitting next to, “so how are you really feeling?”

“Buffy I’m fine really.”

Buffy looked to Faith, who seemingly reading her mind just shrugged her shoulders, “you and Tara are moving into the Summers’ house till you’re all better.” Willow and Tara simultaneously started to protest, but Buffy just held up her hand, “you’re going to need some help just being out of the hospital and all, we have the room, and it will be safer with the Tabalen out running amuck.”

“The who?” Willow looked confused.

“We gotta go patrol, so we’ll let Tara ‘plain it to ya.” Faith practically had to drag her girlfriend from Willow’s side and the two left. When the door shut she felt someone else sit down next to her, and looked up in to Tara’s beautiful eyes. She rested her head on Tara’s chest and yawned, they could talk later, for now she just wanted to hold her girlfriend close and feel safe. Which she always did in Tara’s arms.

*Sunnydale Hospital; waiting room*

Tabitha slowly hung up the phone. She couldn’t believe what they had asked of her. But she would do it, it was her job. And she needed this job; Danny needed her to have this job. So she would do it, she wouldn’t like it, but she would.

Tabitha walked back into the room only to see everyone gone and Willow and Tara in one bed snuggling as best they could with their injuries, so she left and closed the door. She needed some fresh air after that phone call anyway.

*****

*Cemetery*

Tabitha had decided to take a shortcut home; she after all had spent many hours training how to take care of a vampire. A being the key word, so she had no idea how she was going to get rid of three. She needed her slayer, and quick. ‘God who will take care of Danny?’ No she didn’t even want to think about that, she would survive, it’s what she did, survived, always.

Buffy and Faith heard a scuffle up ahead and ran in that direction, the first thing they saw was Tabitha take out one of the vampires, they each ran forward and took care of the other two for her.

“What the hell you doin’ here, you’re a watcher you should know better.”

“I’m sorry Faith, I wasn’t thinking straight and decided to take a shortcut, I’ll be more careful.” She wanted to say something else about not being told when everyone had left the hospital, but she held her tongue, they could have that discussion later when both slayers weren’t there staring accusingly at her.

“S’ok but get home quick, and don’t get dead on the way.”

“Didn’t know you cared,” Tabitha took off not waiting for an answer, or not wanting to know what the answer was.

Faith stared after the retreating woman and said out loud, but almost to herself, “it’s hard to believe she isn’t on our side.”

Buffy took her hand and started them walking again, “we don’t know that for sure Faith, Willow said we have to beware the watcher. They are all cryptic, you said so yourself, it could mean something else.”

“Yeah it could,” Faith didn’t sound very convincing; in fact she sounded as though she had given up on the situation, whichever way it went she wouldn’t care. Buffy squeezed the hand she held, but didn’t say anything else.

*****

*Summers’ House; next day*

“Buffy Willow and I really don’t have to stay here, plus I’m sure Dawn doesn’t want to give up her room.”

“Tara, Dawn doesn’t mind, she’s bunking with Iz, and I don’t want you two alone, this way someone is always looking out for you in case that guy comes back. I don’t want either of you hurt.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you need anything?”

“Just some sleep, it was a long drive listening to Xander and Anya, those two could tire anyone out,” Tara smiled at her friend as she flew around the room making sure everything would be in ease reach.

“Ok I guess I’ll let you rest then. Oh Faith and I have some slayer stuff to do today, but Iz and Dawn will be here if you need anything.”

“Thanks Buffy, for everything.”

Buffy smiled and walked out of the room closing the door so the girl could get some rest. She knew that Tara was just putting on a brave front, she was really scared stiff about what would happen if… She didn’t even want to think about the possibilities.

“Ready to go scare Willy?” Faith walked out of their room and up to Buffy who still stood at the door to the room Tara was staying in, “is she ok?”

“Yeah, I think she’ll be better in a few days when they let Willow out though,” Buffy knowingly to her lover, “come on I feel like hitting someone, preferably Willy.”

“What if he just tells us what we want to know, hey I actually said that with a straight face, maybe I should be an actor like C.” Buffy just groaned and started down the stairs, “hey I could do it!”

*****

*Giles’ House*

Kate walked into her temporary home and looked around, “I really need to get a place of my own.” Two arms encircled her from behind.

“That would be nice, more alone type time. Find out anything?”

“Hi Delia, no there wasn’t anything to find out, nothing showed up in past cases, and they’re not holding anyone matching the description of the guy who shot them.”

“And here I thought that L.A. was the place where people were likely to get shot.” Kate turned in Cordelia’s embrace and faced the younger girl.

“You can get shot anywhere Delia…”

“That’s reassuring.”

“You didn’t let me finish, what I was going to say is, you can get shot anywhere, but as long as I’m around I’m not letting it happen to you. Got that?” Cordelia smiled at her and kissed her soundly on the lips.

“I love you Katie.” Kate kissed her back.

“Mmm, love you too, now lets go make use of the handy dandy spare room I’m staying since no one’s here.” Kate stared pulling Cordelia along to her room, “I definitely can’t wait to get my own place.”

*****

*Sunnydale Hospital; Willow’s room*

Willow was in a light sleep when the phone rang, “hello?”

“Hi darling, how are you doing?”

“Missing you.”

“I miss you too.”

“So how’s things?”

“It’s weird staying in Dawn’s room, and she and Iz are constantly asking if I want something, I’m not use to that kind of attention.”

“Oh pooh, you’re loving it.” Willow smiled even though she knew her girlfriend couldn’t see her.

“Still can’t wait till you get here and I can give you attention you’ll love.”

“Oooh, promises, promises. The doctor is here so I should go I love you.”

“Love you too Willow.” They both hung up the phone on their ends. Tara couldn’t wait, two more days till she’d have her Willow back. And Willow couldn’t wait to collect on that attention Tara had promised her.

*Magic Box*

Kate walked into the magic box and looked at the group assembled there and without preamble stated, “we got ‘im.”

This of course piqued the attention of everyone in the room. “Him as in the guy who shot Will and Tara?”

“Yup. SPD picked him up a little while ago. They’re holding him at the precinct.”

“So they’re safe?” Buffy liked having a reason to keep the two little witches around, but she like the idea of them being safe even more.

“From him.”

“Ooh we should tell them, they should know.”

“Come on we can take my car to pick up Tara and take her to the hospital to tell them together.” Buffy got up kissed Faith lightly on the cheek and left with the former cop.

“Well, this is ah, certainly good news.” Giles’ worried look betrayed his statement.

“What’s up G-man?” Of all the things in this world that Faith didn’t like it was Giles’ worry-face.

“Well, ah, in all honesty, it ah, wasn’t really the ah, boy we were worried about. But er rather someone from the clan with ah, more experience.”

“So they ain’t safe? B’ll love that, she can keep ‘em at the house and spoil ‘em.”

*****

*Sunnydale Hospital*

Tara sat on the bed by Willow’s side and looked at her friends, “so?”

Kate looked to Buffy who nodded at her, this was Kate’s news to tell not her’s. “We caught the young man who shot you.”

“What? Who…who was it?”

“Jeffrey Allen. Never been in trouble before, but he has already confessed, but Wolfram and Hart will represent him, so there’s no telling if he will stay locked up.”

“Just as long as he stays away from us I’m good. Right Tara?”

“Definitely, away from us is good.” Tara smiled at her girlfriend, she was glad to see the girl recovering so quickly; they got to take her home, well Buffy’s home, tomorrow. Inside her head she was picturing Xander doing the snoopy dance and started to giggle. Everyone looked at her. “Sorry, suddenly got the image of Xander doing the snoopy dance.” It was Buffy and Willow’s turn to laugh, Kate just looked at them. ‘Kids.’

“So have you decided anything about Tabitha yet?” The little visit with the Oracles still weighed heavily on her mind, and what he had said about the watcher.

“We’re going with Faith’s plan since it’s her watcher we have to watch.”

“Faith planned? What did she come up with?”

Buffy stuck her tongue out at her best friend in her girlfriend’s defense and said, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer. So Faith is just going to work with her until she makes her move, if she does.”

“Hey Faith can actually plan good, tell her she should do it more often.”

“Gottcha.”

“So you were working with Sunnydale’s finest?” Willow asked seeing Kate was uncomfortable and not a part of the conversation.

“No I was working with their police, the finest were either in here or sitting around waiting for the ones in here to get out.” Kate smiled at them; if anyone in this town could be called the finest it was absolutely the Scooby gang.

“Aw shucks, and here I didn’t believe Cordelia when she said you could be all sappy.” Buffy smiled at Kate as she squirmed.

“She talks about me?”

“Yup I tell her all about Faith and she tells me about you, you know girl talk during shopping.”

Kate just groaned and said, “I’m going to find a snack machine anyone want?”

They all said no and she left in search of something to eat. “That was kinda mean Buffy,” Willow smiled to her friend, “yet so funny.”

“Hey have you ever shopped with Cordelia, she doesn’t shut up.” Buffy smiled at the memory of shopping with the other girl and Dawn, and then the memory of Cordelia’s vision, and the news that came with knocked the smile off her face, and was replaced by a far away look.

“Hey Buffy come back, hello?” Willow worried when her friend got like this; it usually meant she was remembering something bad.

“Huh, oh sorry. So just a matter of hours till you’re let go, happy?”

Willow looked up at Tara and remembered the promise of special attention when she was let out of the hospital and smiled, “oh yeah!”

*****

*The next day*

Buffy helped Willow out of the car while Faith helped Tara, and then led them up the stairs to the Summers’ home. Willow had spent much of the last five years of her life in this house with Buffy, but still it was weird thinking of living there. But Buffy insisted on it, and when the slayer got something into her head, you had no choice but to go along with it. Before she went into the house she looked around, she had that feeling like someone was watching her again. When nothing stood out she turned back around and let Buffy lead her into the house.

*****

The man across the street watched the slayers lead the witched into the house. That stupid little brat had ruined his plan when he shot them, and for something so stupid as to get into the cult of Tabalen. Ha! His plan was so much better. He would make them suffer, but now that would have to wait, for now he would just wait and watch.

*Summers’ home*

Willow and Tara were snuggled up on the couch watching a movie, while Buffy and Faith lay before them on the floor more engrossed in each other than the movie. Tara glanced down at the two slayers and got what could only be considered a mischievous glint in her eye, before anyone had the chance to notice she threw the kernels from the popcorn bowl at them.

“Hey what the?”

Willow burst out laughing as Faith and Buffy started pulling kernels out of their hair and muttering to themselves, “serves you right for not paying attention to the movie.”

Buffy seemed to get the same glint in her eye that Tara had earlier, just before she launched an attack of her own, her weapon of choice… a throw pillow. Before Tara could retaliate on her and Willow’s behalf, cause Willow still wasn’t up to any sort of fight, Dawn and Iz came into the room to find out what the squealing was about.

“Tara MaClay and Buffy Summers knock that off right now before we have to separate you!” The two girls being yelled at had the decency to look reprimanded.

Buffy pointed to Tara, “she started it.” Tara just stuck her tongue out at her and smiled.

Iz shook her head and walked out of the room muttering, “they act like five year olds, I swear one of these days I’ll…” They couldn’t hear the rest as she was too far away.

Dawn looked at her sister, no sisters, they were all her family now, and smiled, “and people say I’m the immature one.”

Buffy looked between Tara, Faith, and Willow, and before Dawn knew what she was thinking two pillows sailed across the room at her. She masterfully avoided them though; she did learn some things being Buffy’s little sister for 14 years. “Missed me!” She stuck out her tongue and ran out of the room so Iz could protect her.

There was a knock on the door and Buffy got up to answer it. A few seconds later she came back into the room followed by Tabitha.

“Hey Faith, ready?”

Faith looked at the clock, “you’re like 15 minutes early!”

“Am I, oh sorry, I can wait outside if you like,” Tabitha turned toward the exit but her beeper went off, “Buffy do you mind if I use your phone?”

“There’s one in the kitchen.”

“Thanks.”

When Tabitha was out of earshot Faith got up, “why in the hell does a watcher have a beeper anyway? Giles doesn’t have one and neither did Wesley or my first watcher, it’s just weird.”

“Want to eavesdrop?”

“Yeah, it’d be good to know what she’s plannin’ this waiting crap is gettin' to me.”

Buffy and Faith walked up to the closed kitchen door and listened to the one sided conversation. “Cook here… Yes… We have a training session today… Now… I don’t think that’s wise… I know that… Don’t you dare threaten me with my son… Yes… I’ll do it, but not because I want to… I know… Just don’t ask me anything else, ever… Goodbye.” Buffy and Faith just looked at each other and went back into the living room where the two witches looked at them asking the silent question of what was said.

They didn’t have a chance to answer though; Tabitha came back into the room, irritated and not in her earlier good mood. “Ready now?”

“Actually do you think we could postpone, too much junk food I feel sick.” Well that wasn’t really a lie, after what she heard she did feel sick to her stomach.

Tabitha looked annoyed but shook her head that is was ok, “I’ll call later and see how you’re feeling, we can meet tomorrow at the same time?”

“Yeah.”

“Bye.” When Tabitha was gone Buffy got on the phone and called a Scooby meeting at her house pronto.

*****

*An hour later*

“Ok we’re all here what’s up?” Xander asked, a little put off with meeting at Buffy’s house, they hadn’t done that since just after the troll incident, his arm ached at just the thought.

“We sorta eavesdropped on one of Tabitha’s phone conversations, and didn’t like it.”

“We think she was talking to the council, she said she’d do somethin’ but she didn’t like it.”

“And she said never to threaten her with her son.”

“Oh and she mentioned we were supposed to train today, and she thought it was a bad idea whatever the other person suggested.”

“And she said for that person to never ask for anything again. That’s ‘bout it.” Buffy and Faith finished and looked to the assembled people waiting for their response.

Giles was the first to speak, “I ah spoke to my ah friend at the council, and he ah gave her a um glowing recommendation. Everyone there seems to agree she is the best at her job, which is hard to do, to ah please both the ah conformists, and the ah radicals.”

“We should really talk to her and see what she says, there could be a perfectly good explanation for all this, one we just don’t see right now.”

“But Tara the Oracle said to beware the watcher,” Willow reminder her girlfriend of why the suspected Tabitha of anything in the first place.

“Ok, but what were their exact words?” Iz caught on to what Tara was thinking and listened to what Willow said with rapt attention.

“Exact words… Beware of the watcher.”

Iz took over for Tara at this point, “then it probably has nothing to do with Tabitha.”

“What then we beware of Giles or Wesley, I doubt that.”

“Faith think of your visit to the Oracles, did they ever come out and say what ever it was they were trying to say?”

“No, but…”

“But nothing if they say beware the watcher then it has nothing to do with someone with the job title.”

“A stalker than?” Willow was slowing figuring out what Iz meant, she felt horrible now about what she thought of Tabitha.

“Maybe it was the kid who shot you.” Everyone looked at Kate.

“Good point, to know who they were he must have watched them, that could be what the Oracles meant.”

“Doubtful, they gave Willow the message after she was shot remember.”

“Ok so someone else is watching one of us. We don’t know who is watching, what they want, or even who they are watching. Could we have any less info?”

“I need to call Tabby.” Faith got up to go to the kitchen, she should hear the rest of this, and she had some apologizing to do too.

Tabitha looked at the group that surrounded her, “you really thought I was out to get you Faith?”

Buffy interrupted what Faith was about to say with, “what was the phone conversation about?”

Tabitha smiled, “yeah I thought you were at the door, I suppose you have to find out sooner or later, but believe me I wanted no part of it, but they threatened to take Danny away from me, and I can’t let that happen…”

“What did they say Tabby, and who?”

“The council, other than my responsibilities as a watcher I’m supposed to report on everything and anything that happens here. You relationships, how you deal with things, and so on.”

“They threatened to take Danny away from you if you didn’t keep tabs on us?” If Buffy hadn’t already hated the council, she really hated them now.

Tabitha looked down at her hands, “yes, I tried to… I didn’t want to, but he’s all I have and… you really shook them up before the Glory thing Buffy, they don’t like to be powerless, this way they feel they have power.” Tabitha let a tear escape her eye but quickly wiped it away.

Faith got up and went over to Tabitha and gave her a hug, “we won’t let them take Danny, and you don’t have to tell them anything you don’t want to, we’ll make sure of that!” Tabitha silently thanked Faith with her eyes and then looked at the rest of the group, she didn’t know how she got so lucky as to have friends like this, but she was glad she did.

“So now we have to figure out who is watching who and why. Easy.” Everyone looked at Xander, the comic relief for the group, and knew thought he was trying to lighten the mood, his statement was right.

“Where do we start?”

“Good question Buffy, unfortunately I haven’t a clue.”

“Would you like me to put an officer on each of you?”

“Um Kate I thought only officers could make those arrangements.”

Kate looked at Buffy and gave a huge smile, “that’s right, which is why it’s a good thing that I’m detective Lockley of the Sunnydale Police Department.” Cordelia gave Kate the smile she reserved just for her, she was so proud of her. “It’s not the best department in the world, but it’s a job, and it will get my out of Giles’ hair.”

“You know you’re no bother Kate, but all the same I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, so the officers?”

“If it’s demon it wouldn’t do us any good. I say we just team up, don’t go anywhere alone, day or night.”

“I’m with Xander!” Anya glared around the room daring anyone to challenge her. Xander just gave his usual goofy smile and put his arm around her.

“Ok Anya and Xander got ya, Will and Tar, me and B and…”

“Iz will you watch out for Dawn, she likes hanging out with you anyway.”

“Sure thing Buffy. I think I can handle playing chaperon, ‘cause you know where ever Dawn goes so does Danny.”

“G-man and Tabby?”

“Watcher unite, I can handle that if Giles can put up with me.”

“Of course.”

“Well now that we have the buddy system all planned out, what do we do?”

“Wait.”

*****

*Crypt somewhere in Sunnydale*

The man sat in a circle of candles chanting, he was finally putting his plan into motion, they would suffer. A blue smoke piled out of the bowl in the center of the circle. A face appeared in the smoke, “why have you summoned me?”

“Great one I ask your assistance.”

“In what task?”

“To make the ones who so often thwart your plans suffer.”

“How?”

“Give me the power, and I will make it happen.”

“And what will I get?”

“The souls of two powerful witches, two slayers, the key, and the ancient one.”

“The ancient one is with them? Does she know who she is?”

“Only parts, in this life she is the child of an ex-vampire, she knows of her past lives, but not the power she holds.”

“Do what you will, but the souls are mine.”

“Thank you master.”

The blue smoke and the face disappeared into the man; he could feel the power surge through him, now to test their limits.

*****

A blue smoke floated around the members of the sleeping Scooby gang and slowly disappeared inside of them, Xander, Anya, Iz, Cordelia, Buffy, Faith, Giles, Tabitha, Kate, Willow and Tara all awoke at the same time, but not knowing what woke them simply went back to sleep, not knowing what awaited them there.

...continued in Haunted