<see Part 1 for disclaimers>

 

 

Jeopardy

ABC Series, Part 10

Frau Hunter Ash

hunterash@sti.net

www.hunterash.com

 

 

Rating: R/MA/15

* * *

 

* * *

 

Buffy handed Giles the nightly delivery of a knapsack filled with packets of blood.  The Slayer was still shocked at the changes in Giles, the man she had considered her surrogate father.

 

This was more like the teenager she had run into over that damned cursed band candy, or possibly the flashes they had seen of Ripper.  This Giles was younger, stronger looking, and more cat-like in his moves. 

 

No longer needing the glasses and forsaking his usual tweed, he was dressed in a white t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes. 

 

"Come in, please," he offered. 

 

"How is she doing?" Buffy asked as he took the knapsack from her.

 

"Better, I think," he said slowly. "I sometimes see recognition in her eyes for moments at a time and they're getting longer."

 

"Giles, I'm so sorry about all of this," Buffy said softly.

 

"No need to be, Buffy," he smiled, offering her a chair.  "Both Willow and I knew that we were taking on the world when we took on the Council to warn you they were up to something. We just didn't think Spike would go off the deep end as well."

 

Buffy nodded, trying to accept all the sacrifices her friends and family had made for her and were willing to make.

 

"It took Angel two nights to come back to himself after he returned from Hell," Buffy said thoughtfully.

 

"Angel says that Willow has some strikes against her," Giles said slowly. 

 

"How so?"

 

"Well, the Watchers kept her blood starved all the time, almost insane for two years while pounding magic lessons down her throat," Giles explained bitterly.  "I don't even know how she learned what she did with all that pressure. The magic itself is a temptation and seeing me and you attacked, having to turn me, it all adds up to bordering on losing control."

 

"Saving me and then being kidnapped by Dru and Spike would do it for me," Buffy commented with a smirk.

 

"It's only been three nights so I'm not panicked just yet," Giles smiled.  "Would you like some tea?"

 

Buffy laughed for the first time in weeks. 

 

"That's my Giles," she grinned.  "Set yourself up nicely in this place after we ran Dru and Spike out?"

 

"Yes, Angel and Cordelia helped stock and bring some things in until Willow can be moved safely," he smiled.

 

"Dawn isn't happy about being kept away from you guys, she doesn't quite get the vampire frenzy thing," Buffy smiled.

 

"Tell her we'll catch up once Willow is feeling better," Giles said softly.

 

"We haven't talked, have we?" Buffy commented, sighing.

 

"I know this isn't what you wanted for your friends," Giles said calmly.

 

"No, but I'm glad Willow did the soul thing," Buffy smiled. "So much happened in such a short time."

 

"How is it going with Faith?"

 

Buffy began to blush slightly.

 

"We're taking it very slow," she said softly. 

 

"You're not betraying Riley, Buffy," Giles smiled shyly. "He knew how you felt about Faith."

 

"I know, I just haven't got my legs under me yet," Buffy said slowly as she followed the vampire into the kitchen.  "Electric?"

 

"Gunn pirated it, I figure we've got a couple more days before the power company catches on, turns it off and sends me a bill," he grinned as he placed the tea kettle on the stove. 

 

Buffy found herself smiling and sat down at the kitchen table Giles had rummaged from somewhere and three chairs that didn't match anything.

 

"Giles, I love you," Buffy said softly. "More than I do my own father, I think. We haven't talked about this and I'm sorry.  I was really, really angry when you left the way you did but I'm glad you're back. For now, at least."

 

"I don't know what our plans will be when Willow snaps out of this," Giles admitted.  "I know she'd like to spend some time here, getting to know you and Xander again. She's so strong but still the insecure high school outsider."

 

"I know, I'm the Slayer and I don't think I could have survived what she's been through," Buffy nodded.

 

"I didn't tell anyone but she's one of the reasons I left, Buffy," Giles admitted, not looking the Slayer in the eyes.  "I was so in love with her, you were falling apart and wouldn't reach out and she was with Tara."

 

"I always knew you were in love with her but kept quiet," Buffy smiled and took his hands in hers.  "I knew you held back because she was a student and she was dating Oz. I thought you might tell her how you felt when Oz left, though."

 

"I tried and drank myself silly for many nights over it," Giles admitted.  "By the time I worked up the courage, she had started spending time with Tara, you were with Riley and I was getting ready to leave.  I was feeling most unneeded."

 

Buffy shook her head.  " I turned to Angel and he turned evil. I was afraid of reaching out to Faith until it was too late and she was lost. I should have said something and let you know I supported you."

 

"Thank you for that, Buffy," he said gratefully and pulled his hands back as he stood to make tea for both of them.  "She was happy with Tara though and it was something they both needed.  I'm not sorry Willow and Tara were lovers."

 

"And now?"

 

"Willow still loves her, always will, but not like she does me," he shrugged, placing a cup in front of her.  "I trust that. Just like I know she loves you but she isn't in love with you."

 

"There's been no sign of Spike or Dru," Buffy changed the subject after a moment of sipping tea with her former mentor.

 

"What does Angel think?"

 

"That they've left town," Buffy answered.  "He can't sense them anywhere and he's been going crazy trying to find them."

 

"He took Willow's vampire frenzy rather hard," Giles nodded.  "And Spike's attack on you, as well."

 

"Yeah, Spike doesn't stand a chance if any of the gang get a hold of him," Buffy smiled bitterly. 

 

"No mercy on this end," Giles growled and Buffy looked up into yellow vampire eyes and knew she was looking at a vampire named Ripper.  "He hurt Will."

 

Buffy was about to respond, trying to think of something to calm the vampire in front of her when both of them turned, ears cocked and listening.  Both of them heard the door to the cellar opening at the same time and dived for the hallway.

 

Giles instinctively moved Buffy behind him as Willow stepped through the door and into the hall.  Her wrists were bloody from fighting against the chains and she looked confused.

 

"Giles? Help me?" she whispered, falling to her knees.

 

Giles rushed forward, motioning for Buffy to stay back.

 

"Willow? Willow?" he whispered as he pulled her into his arms, quickly checking her over.  Her face was human with no sign of vampire frenzy.

 

"I feel like hell, lover," she whispered and Giles sobbed, holding her close.

 

"Bring her over to the sofa, Giles," Buffy instructed, grabbing up the backpack.

 

The vampire easily carried his lover to the sofa, holding her tightly as Willow opened her green eyes and saw Buffy approaching with the backpack.

 

"I take it that I've been a little out of it?" she whispered.

 

"Yeah, just a little, Will," Buffy nodded. "Dru and Spike messed with you and put you into a frenzy."

 

"How long?" the vampire whispered, holding tightly to Giles' arms.

 

"Three nights, this is the fourth," Giles answered softly.

 

"Did I kill?" she asked as her lover wiped a tear from her cheeks.

 

"Will..." Buffy hesitated.

 

"That's what Spike and Dru had planned," Willow said. "Did I kill?"

 

"Yes, luv," Giles said gently. "Two girls that were dying from Dru's attack on them."

 

"I finished them?" Willow demanded.

 

"Yes," Giles said truthfully.  "We found two different fang marks on them and they were at your feet."

 

Willow closed her eyes as tears continued to escape.

 

"Will, it's not your fault!" Buffy said firmly.  "You were forced into it!"

 

"I know," Willow nodded but she clung to her lover.  "Just don't expect me to be happy living with it."

 

"Hey, if Angel can, then anyone can," Buffy countered, stroking Willow's hair softly.  After a few moments the Slayer smiled, watching the lovers. "I'm going to hit patrol duty. You guys gonna be okay tonight?"

 

"Yes, we'll be fine now," Giles nodded, the relief making his face seem younger and calmer.  "I'll take her back to the mansion before dawn."

 

"Okay, we'll drop by tomorrow after sunset then," Buffy said, sounding better than she had in weeks as she leaned in to hug Willow tightly.  "I love you, Will."

 

"Stay safe, Buff," Willow said softly.

 

Giles smiled and nodded his thanks as the Slayer stood up and made her way to the door.

 

"What happened to Spike and Druscilla?" Willow asked as Buffy shut the door behind her and Giles reached into the backpack for the packets of blood.

 

"They fled, left the city," Giles answered.

 

"They're...they're still out there?" Willow whispered and Giles dropped the blood and wrapped his arms around the red-haired vampire tightly.

 

"They won't get their hands on you again, I swear!" he growled. 

 

* * *

 

Tracy pulled Tara into her arms later that night, feeling her witch lover relax for the first time since Willow and Giles had showed up in Los Angeles. 

 

"How's Willow?" Tracy asked. 

 

"A lot better," Tara said with a small smile.  "She's back to her vampire self."

 

"And that bothers you," Tracy commented, knowing her lover's moods and expressions.

 

"Yeah, she's not the same Willow I knew but she is in a lot of ways," Tara complained, curling up in Tracy's arms.  "She's shy and a little withdrawn."

 

"No one has had a chance to talk since she came back," Tracy said slowly.  "You know she's nervous about that."

 

"I'd like to stay a couple of days before we go back to Los Angeles," Tara said softly and Tracy could hear the tremor in her lover's voice.

 

"I thought you did," Tracy said calmly. "I don't have a problem with it, my love."

 

Tara reached up and kissed the red-head. 

 

"Thank you," Tara whispered. "I want to know she's okay."

 

"We'll stay and get to know them," Tracy said firmly.

 

* * *

 

A figure stepped out of the shadows as Giles and Willow sat in the courtyard of the mansion.  Willow was in the arms of the former Watcher, her own wrapped around his neck as he nuzzled and kissed her.

 

Giles, sensing someone near, raised his head with a protective growl.  Willow spun with her hands raised. 

 

"Amy?" Willow whispered as the young woman stepped further into the light.

 

The last time Willow had seen her former high school friend and rat, Amy had been with Rack and Willow had been out of it with magickal overload.  The redhead barely recognized the witch now.  Amy was gorgeous in a very seductive and evil Morticia Addams type way.  Tight clothing, dark makeup and an energy that nearly crackled visibly around her.

 

"Welcome back, Willow," Amy said softly. 

 

"Uh, how did you know I was here?" Willow asked cautiously.

 

"That blast that took the military types out has your energy signature all over it," Amy smirked and Giles placed his hands protectively on Willow's shoulders.  He could feel how tense Willow had become.  "I was glad that rumors of your demise were exaggerated." 

 

"Somewhat," Willow said slowly, keeping her hands free.

 

"See you decided to try males again, that night with Rack turn you back?"

 

Willow felt and heard Giles' growl behind her as her own face flushed with anger and guilt. 

 

"The only thing Rack could do for me was scare me into working magic properly,"

Willow snapped.

 

"Really? No more fun at the Bronze?" Amy said with an exaggerated pout.

 

"No!" Willow snapped.  "I learned control and some ethics."

 

Amy laughed and Giles and Willow began backing away slowly.

 

"Oh, that blast was very controlled!" Amy continued to laugh.  "How many did you take down in that? How many humans?"

 

"They got out in time," Giles countered. 

 

"Really?" Amy asked, her voice almost a purr as she moved forward, following them. "Too bad."

 

"What do you want, Amy?" Willow finally demanded. 

 

"Well, Rack sensed your power and has an offer," Amy said slowly with a smile that sent a chill up the spines of the vampires.

 

"No," Willow said firmly and Amy pouted again.

 

"Awwww, you haven't even heard the offer," Amy said in a playfully sullen voice.

 

"I don't care what it is, the answer is 'no.'" Willow said firmly.

 

"Well, I'm not sure that's an acceptable answer," Amy smirked as she glanced over at the gate leading to the street.

 

Willow wasn't really surprised at this moment to see Rack walking through it.

 

"You're right, love," Rack said easily.  "It isn't."

 

Giles had never met Rack but he instinctively growled and pulled Willow close to him.  Willow felt a familiar fear as she looked at the sorcerer and took in the fact that he hadn't changed.  In fact, he looked younger and more dangerous.  She could feel the power radiating from him.

 

"Giles," Willow whimpered.

 

"You're not the scared young woman he took advantage of, my love," Giles said softly in her ear. 

 

Rack and Amy laughed as the black magician walked up and wrapped his arms around Amy from behind, almost mimicking Giles and Willow.

 

"No, but she's closer to the darkness than the light," Rack smirked.  "We can see and feel the innocent blood."

 

"Giles, get out of here," Willow said softly.

 

"Never!" he growled. "I won't leave you, Willow."

 

"Neither will we," another voice said firmly.

 

Willow glanced behind her and sighed with relief as Tara and Tracy stepped out of the mansion.  However, she was also afraid for them.

 

"Ah, the white lighters," Rack smirked.  "You lost her once to me, witch."

 

"No, I lost her to the power, you were a magical drunken one-night stand," Tara snapped.

 

Rack and Amy laughed as they raised their hands.  Willow squeaked and threw hers back up as Tara and Tracy shouted in anger and Giles growled.

 

The English vampire managed to wrap his arms under Willow's ribs as Rack and Amy's energy bolt caught her in the chest, throwing them backwards.  Tara and Tracy worked in tandem, Tara sending a bolt of energy back at the sorcerers and Tracy throwing up a shield between the two groups.

 

Rack and Amy deflected the bolt easily and laughed as Willow convulsed in Giles' arms, her eyes rolled backing her head. 

 

"We need her for a triad working," Amy smiled.

 

"We'll be back," Rack promised.

 

The witches turned quickly and knelt beside the vampire witch.

 

"Tara?" Giles begged as he held Willow tightly.

 

"A burst of magical energy," Tara assessed.  "Same type of energy he fed her before."

 

"Goddamn them!"

 

"Let's get her inside and seal the mansion," Tracy suggested.

 

"Doesn't this ever end?" Giles snapped as he lifted his twitching lover into his arms.

 

"Doesn't seem to around here," Tara said ruefully.  "Goddess, we even get a break in LA."

 

"Where's Angel and Cordelia?" Giles asked as he carried Willow through the house and up the stairs as Tracy began working on sealing the mansion against unwelcome intruders.

 

"They should be back soon," Tara muttered as she watched Willow thrashing on the bed as Giles laid the red-head down.  "This isn't good, Giles."

 

"What do you mean?" he demanded as he sat beside his witch.

 

"She just came out of a blood frenzy," Tara said pointedly.  "Willow killed two innocents in that frenzy and she's been susceptible to dark energy from the beginning."

 

"I know, it's very seductive," he nodded.  "I fell into that for several years.  I was lucky to get out alive and sane."

 

"Rack and Amy are going to use that weakness," Tara commented.

 

"We find out what they want Willow for and stop them," Giles said firmly. 

 

"I'll call Buffy," Tara said but Giles touched her arm.

 

"I'll call, you stay with Willow," he suggested.

 

"Why me? You're her mate, Giles," Tara asked with a frown.

 

"Rack was right, you and Tracy are like a white light. You always have been, it's one of the things that drew Willow to you," Giles said slowly, watching Willow's twitching lessen slightly.  "Willow and I have our souls but the demon is also there and always trying to come out and take over."

 

"You're afraid that dark energy they sent through her will call to your demon too?" Tara asked softly, hating the look of pain on Giles' face.

 

"Yes," he admitted.  "Either of us could frenzy. I'm hoping your light, your goodness, will hold her on this side of the fence when she wakes up from this energy."

 

"Giles, do you know what she's going to be like when she wakes up?" Tara asked, her eyes wide in panic.

 

"Yes, and I'll be waiting outside and I'll handle that," Giles said calmly.

 

"Giles, isn't that most likely when either of you would frenzy? Doesn't the sexual arousal hit extremely high after a bout of energy like this? You'd both be out of control in moments," Tara protested.

 

"Then we tie her to the bed and wait for her to ride it out," Giles snapped. 

 

"Gods, that could take days after what she's been through," Tara complained.

 

"What do you suggest? Willow will need to burn off that energy and it usually hits a person's sex drive. If I can't get her through it who would you suggest that I won't kill," Giles demanded. "That's how Rack took advantage of her before!"

 

"I might be able to use magic to drain off the energy as it hits her," Tara said slowly.  "It'd still be intense."

 

Giles frowned. "Tara, are you suggesting that you stay here, cast a spell and have sex with Willow until this rogue energy dissipates?"

 

Tara began blushing furiously and her head dropped shyly.

 

"I...I'm not sure what I'm suggesting," she said softly.  "I need to talk to Tracy and find out if she has any ideas."

 

"I heard that and I don't," Tracy said easily, walking up and hugging Tara tightly.  "Did I catch that Willow is going to be out of control sexually when she wakes up? Why not Giles?"

 

"Vampire, demon, darkness, temptation, too risky," Tara said, summing it up in several words.

 

"Gotcha," Tracy nodded, watching Willow thrashing and mumbling on the bed.  "Rack is expecting Willow to try and get out to find him?"

 

"Or fall into darkness and seek him out for more," Giles nodded.

 

"I'm getting really sick of Sunnydale, lover," Tracy complained.

 

"I know," Tara said softly. 

 

"Let's talk," Tracy said firmly, leading Tara to the door of the bedroom as Giles frowned. 

 

Tara felt tears welling up in her eyes as Tracy raised her chin, forcing Tara to look at her. 

 

"Tell me," Tracy demanded.

 

"I think I can drain the energy slowly when she starts to come out of it but she's going to be totally uncontrollable, sexually," Tara explained. 

 

"So the solution is you? How about someone else, Buffy or Faith Slayer stamina? Or you and me?"

 

"Well, I hope we wouldn't have to, that I can drain the energy quick enough but she might need to be distracted sexually to keep her from using that energy in the wrong way," Tara said as Tracy leaned against the railing of the balcony.

 

"Can't you drain the energy as Giles...as he...they are lovers," Tracy countered. "This is so twisted!"

 

"Giles is a very young vampire and a former black sorcerer, I'm not sure I could shield him from his demon responding to the black energy in Willow, drain her energy and keep her from going out of control at the same time," Tara explained.

 

"What about both of us? You take Willow and I'll take Giles," Tracy suggested and her eyes widened as Tara giggled.  "I did not mean that the way it sounded!"

 

"I know, it's just an impossible situation," Tara smiled.  "With four magic users in the same room and two of them out of control, I'm not sure we can handle it."

 

"Why not chain her to the bed and let her get frustrated for awhile?"

 

"That in itself might send her over the edge," Tara countered.

 

"Admitting I'm jealous here!" Tracy snapped.  "I look a lot like her, I've noticed that and now you might get sexual with her again? Your first true love."

 

"Tracy, I love you," Tara said firmly.  "This isn't about what I had with Willow."

 

"It is in a way," Tracy shook her head, tears filling her eyes.

 

"Okay, it is in a way," Tara said after a moment. "Because I loved her and I know how tempted she is by the dark magic, I want to help her."

 

"Alright, I see the sense in it, sort of," Tracy said slowly.  "If we get her through this, we can keep her on this side of darkness?"

 

"It will, and then we figure out what Rack and Amy want with Willow and stop them," Tara said firmly. 

 

Tracy frowned and Tara stayed silent as her lover debated mentally.

 

Finally the young LA witch turned to her lover and pulled Tara into her arms.

 

"I love you and I trust you," Tracy said softly, kissing Tara's neck.  "I don't like it but I trust you."

 

"You're the one I want to be with, Tracy," Tara said firmly.

 

"What about both of us?" Tracy suddenly asked, her voice small and shy.

 

"What?" Tara stammered, backing up to look her lover in the eyes.

 

"I can work the magic to drain her energy while you...you keep her busy," Tracy suggested. 

 

"Could...could...we handle that?" Tara whispered.  "I know you're jealous of Willow. I don't know if this is a good idea."

 

"I don't know how I'll react," Tracy admitted. "It might get all three of us through this though. You won't have to concentrate on the spell working."

 

"Tracy, baby," Tara hesitated. "I can't do this if it's going to hurt us."

 

"Tara, I said I trust you and I do," Tracy said a little firmer.  "I've also seen how much Giles and Willow love each other, it's almost frightening. I think she's sensual as hell too."

 

"I admit I'm still attracted to her," Tara frowned. "How are we going to deal with that if we even think of going through with this?"

 

"Well, Buffy admitted that she had sex with Willow so Giles could feed, that it was an act of friendship and love and didn't threaten their relationship," Tracy said thoughtfully.  "Maybe we can work it like that."

 

"It might have damaged Buffy's beginning relationship with Faith though," Tara countered. 

 

"They're just beginning," Tracy pointed out. "We're secure and I trust your Handfasting vows to me."

 

"This is insane," Tara complained, her expression one of exasperation.  "To save Willow from slipping into the darkness she just came out of, I might have to have sex with her.  Only in Sunnydale can things get this twisted."

 

"Well, things have gotten pretty weird in LA, too," Tracy countered and drew Tara back into her arms.

 

Giles walked out into the balcony area. 

 

"Buffy and Faith are on their way over," he said slowly. "Xander and Anya are out for the evening, I just got their answering machine."

 

"Giles," Tara said slowly, turning to face him.  "Do you trust me? Us?"

 

"Yes," he answered quickly and firmly.

 

"Tracy is going to drain the magic energy from Willow slowly when Willow starts coming out of it.  I'm going to be there to make sure she doesn't frenzy until we bring her down."

 

"Sexually," he said flatly.

 

"Possibly," Tara admitted. "I'm hoping we don't have to. If you'll let me, I...I would..."

 

"I would be honored if you would help my mate through this, Tara," Giles said firmly.  "I know she loves you and there are still feelings between you but I'm not threatened. She loves me."

 

"And I love Tracy," Tara said just as firmly.

 

"Hey, guys!" Angel called out from the doorway of the mansion. "What's the magic energy around the place?"

 

"I'll explain to him and Cordelia, you take care of Willow," Giles said.  "Just keep yourselves safe."

 

"We will and we'll bring her back," Tara promised. "Rack is not going to get her!"

 

* * *

 

Faith trotted along with Buffy easily, welcoming the release of energy.  It felt good to be running through the cool night air next to the blonde Slayer.  Faith always loved patrolling and working out with Buffy, not only for the arousal factor but for the sheer joy of having someone who could challenge her.  No, not just challenge, probably beat her, Faith corrected mentally.  No one could do that and still be called human.

 

"Did Giles say what the 911 was?"  Faith asked.

 

"Rack and Amy zapped Willow with black magic," Buffy said, her face reflecting her worry.

 

"Damn, he just got her back!" Faith complained.

 

"Yeah, I haven't even had a chance to talk to her since this whole mess started," Buffy added.  "I never did tell her I wasn't mad at her anymore for dragging me back."

 

"What do you mean?" Faith asked as they rounded a corner.

 

"I told you about dying to save the world from Glory," Buffy began.

 

"Yeah," Faith nodded.

 

"Well, Will and the others thought because I died in a portal to one of regions of Hell that I was trapped in a horrible place," Buffy explained.  "I wasn't."

 

"Where were you?"

 

Buffy's frown deepened.

 

"I haven't been able to talk about it," she admitted. "Except that it was warm, safe, loving and peaceful.  Anytime I try and say more than that, everything shuts down mentally."

 

"And you weren't happy to be back?" Faith asked.

 

"No, no more responsibilities," Buffy said slowly. "Dying didn't hurt, I didn't have to save the world anymore or be responsible for everything."

 

"And Willow knew that?" Faith asked.

 

"Yeah, it came out," Buffy continued.  "I was really wigged about the whole thing.  I woke up in a coffin and had to dig my way out.  Then everyone found out the truth and we were never the same."

 

"That's why you got sexual with Spike?" Faith asked, trying to understand.

 

"Yeah," Buffy blushed.  "I didn't feel like I could turn to the others and he was always there. I felt alive when we were together but it was an empty rush that didn't last. Then Riley came back after his wife was killed and we comforted each other."

 

"Wife? Captain America got married before you?"

 

"Yeah, her name was Sam and I actually liked her," Buffy shrugged.

 

"Hello, Slayers!"

 

Both Buffy and Faith skidded to a stop, stakes in hand as Amy and Rack stepped out of the shadows of some trees two houses away from the mansion.

 

"Amy," Buffy growled.  "That must be Rack."

 

The sorcerer and witch smirked.

 

"Amy, we were friends once and we watched over you all those years when you were a rat. Walk away now," Buffy said firmly.

 

"Rat?" Faith questioned softly.

 

"Short story, her spell went wrong and we couldn't get her back," Buffy growled.

 

"Probably better as a rat," Faith smirked as Amy's eyes flashed angrily.

 

"Buffy, we were friends once," Amy nodded.  "I'll give you fair warning. We need Willow's power and her darkness. Stand aside and you might get her back in one piece."

 

"I don't know how sane she'll be," Rack taunted.

 

"Buff, how do we feel about evil sorcerer types and killing?" Faith asked softly.

 

"I'm a little fuzzy on the ethics of that one," Buffy admitted.  "They're human, sort of but totally evil."

 

"Oh you can't kill us, Slayer," Rack laughed.  "Just step aside and stay out of our way."

 

"Willow is going to be clawing Giles' eyes out to get to us in a little bit," Amy nodded and Buffy felt an almost overwhelming urge to smack the young woman until no one could recognize her.

 

"We'll take care of her, whatever you did!" Buffy snapped.

 

"None of you have the guts to give what she needs," Rack taunted as he and Amy melted back into the shadows. 

 

Buffy blinked as she realized they were no longer were there.

 

"What the hell did he mean by that?" Faith demanded.

 

"Probably wanting Will to turn to black magic again," Buffy complained, pulling on Faith's arm, as they began to run towards the mansion.

 

* * *

 

"Oh Goddess," Tara whispered as Giles tied Willow's wrists to the bed posts.  The vampire witch was thrashing against Tara and Tracy as they held her arms down so Giles could restrain his lover. 

 

Willow's eyes were magic black and she was growling and sweating.  The three of them could feel the energy flowing and surrounding Willow like a fog.  Tara looked up as Giles began muttering and noticed his shaking hands.

 

"Giles?"

 

"I'm alright," he growled, his eyes vampire yellow. "It's not easy, I'll admit."

 

"What are you feeling?" Tracy asked as Willow screamed in frustration, her teeth gnashing, attempting to bite either of the females.

 

"Hunger," he snapped. "It's worse than when I worked with Ethan."

 

"I think you should leave, Giles," Tara said softly.

 

"Can you two handle this? Unless that magic is dissipated, she's going to be miserable for days," he demanded.

 

"Giles, we'll bring her down as best we can and as quickly as we can," Tara assured him.

 

"It won't matter if you dispel the energy, she'll still be out of control sexually," Giles countered.  "It was one of Ethan's favorite tricks with young students."

 

"Apparently Rack uses it a lot as well," Tracy muttered.

 

"Giles, you said you trusted us, let us help her," Tara said gently. "If it's safe, you'll be the one to take care of that, okay?"

 

"Alright," he growled and moved off the bed, watching Tracy move to the head of the bed, placing her hands on Willow's wrists and closing her eyes.  "Please take care of her."

 

"As best we can, Giles," Tara said, placing her hands on Willow's ankles and closing her eyes as well.  The ex-Watcher turned vampire observed the two witches for a moment as they began breathing in sync and the energy turned into a visible glow around Willow and began crawling along Tara and Tracy's arms.

 

Giles turned and closed the door behind him, taking a moment to lean against it heavily.  He shoved his trembling hands into his jeans as he fought against the desire to rush into the room and join in that energy and use it. 

 

The Englishman hadn't told anyone how involved he had been with Ethan Rayne.  He knew they had figured out that it hadn't been good nor had it turned out well but they probably didn't want to know exactly how involved he had been.

 

There was a natural curiosity about his younger days and his nickname of Ripper but he had managed to fend off the questions quite nicely.  Not even Willow had gotten around to asking about that yet, their time together had been so short.

 

Giles moved slowly down the hall towards the stairs, needing to get away from the magic before it overwhelmed him.  One thing he felt very guilty about was leaving Willow in Sunnydale when he knew she was heading for trouble with the magic.  He hadn't expected her to fall so far so quickly but he had known she was in trouble when he left.  He had cursed himself for a coward, especially when she had disappeared for two years.

 

Giles knew the temptations of the quick and easy magic that the darker forces offered.  It was very seductive, almost worse than a drug.  He and Ethan had spent many nights working the Black Arts and then either finding a woman or women in a bar and shagging for days on end or turning to each other for relief and dominance play. 

 

The vampire knew exactly what Rack and Amy had done to Willow, they had hit her with the same energy that used to drive him insane sexually.  It was meant to drag Willow back to the sorcerer and witch and nothing could stop the arousal except relief.

 

The key now was to keep her away from Rack and Amy and get her through the spell like energy.  Giles reached out and kicked a chair absently, ignoring the crashing sound and breaking of the wood as he growled with his thoughts.

 

The problem was that Willow needed someone sexually very badly and it couldn't be him.  The former Watcher growled and stalked down the stairs and outside onto the courtyard, ignoring the small group of LA heroes and Slayers watching him.

 

"Oh not good," Buffy muttered.

 

"Not a happy face on a vampire," Faith agreed.

 

"That means Tara and Tracy are with Willow?" Cordelia asked with a frown.

 

"Apparently," Angel nodded, wrapping his arms around Cordy. "They can help with the magic energy, I hope."

 

Buffy's eyes narrowed and Cordelia turned in her lover's arms with a frown as well.

 

"What else? Give," Cordelia ordered and Angel refused to meet their eyes.

 

"That energy has a residual affect," he said slowly. "Rack uses it to get young witches into his bed."

 

"Sex, it acts like a sex drug?" Buffy demanded with an intense frown.

 

"No, she won't be helpless, she'll be more aroused than she's ever been," Angel corrected. "Except maybe with Giles when he was first turned."

 

"And Giles is outside and the witches are upstairs?" Cordy squeaked. "How does that help?"

 

"Giles has a weakness when it comes to magic," Buffy pondered. "He's mentioned it before. Does that mean he can't be around this kind of energy?"

 

"More than likely," Angel agreed. "The demon in him would be very tempted to come out and shove his soul away. We could lose them both in the frenzy."

 

"So Tara and Tracy are going to detox her and have sex with her?" Cordy squeaked and blushed as Buffy glared and Faith frowned, watching Buffy's reactions.

 

"Maybe," Angel said cautiously, wishing everything was back to semi normal where they were just chasing demons and vampires.

 

"Buffy?" Faith asked softly.

 

"This is just so screwed up," Buffy complained, reaching out for Faith's hand.  "Hasn't she been through enough?"

 

"Haven't we all?" Faith muttered.  "Come on, let's see if we can talk with Giles and calm him down."

 

"How calm would you be if it was me getting horizontal with Tara and Tracy?" Buffy asked as they walked towards the courtyard.  Angel and Cordelia settling in front of the fireplace.

 

"I dealt with it, remember?" Faith growled. "You got horizontal with Willow while Giles munched on your neck and you said that was pretty sexual."

 

"Faith..."

 

"No! Is that what's bothering you? That Willow might be with someone else sexually?" Faith demanded.

 

Buffy spun the brunette Slayer around and threw Faith up against the wall, just out of sight of the living room.  Faith squeaked and raised her fist instinctively but Buffy was quicker and grabbed the dark Slayer's wrists and pinned her against the wall, her lips inches away from Faith's.

 

"I love Willow, I love Giles, I love Xander," Buffy growled. "Hell, I even like Anya. I like Angel and Cordy, Tracy and Tara, that doesn't mean I want to sleep with them. What happened with Willow and Giles was more than casual sex and less than a lover relationship."

 

"Where does that leave us, B?" Faith whispered, trying to ignore the tears filling her eyes.

 

Instead of answering verbally, Buffy leaned in, her lips meeting Faith's. Instead of the dominance Faith was expecting, the kiss was gentle and tender.  Faith moaned and shifted her body slightly.

 

As Buffy released her hands, Faith wrapped her arms around the blonde Slayer, pulling her body even closer as the kiss became more passionate.

 

Both Slayers temporarily forgetting the problem of Rack and Amy.