Succubus of Lilith

Part 1

Author: Frau Hunter Ash

Email: hunterash@sti.net Feedback welcome!!
Homepage Addy: http://www.hunterash.com/

Disclaimers: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. The storyline, however, is the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

F/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same and opposite gender. If this offends or is illegal for you, then please leave. Come back when you are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws.

Spoilers: up to Tabula Rasa in Season 6

Summary: Confusion and angst in the Scooby ranks causes problems as the gang try to get to the bottom of an unusual demon in Sunnydale. One that seems to prey on lonely bachelors.

Rating: R

Author's Note: B/S, G/other, W/T, X/An

Succubus of Lilith

Frau Hunter Ash

hunterash@sti.net

www.hunterash.com

# # #

Giles frowned, watching Willow toss and turn on his sofa. It had been a long night for the ex-Watcher and he was sipping his third cup of tea. He had finally resorted to giving the young witch a light sedative and stayed up watching over her.

The ex-Watcher found it slightly amusing in a pathetic way to be watching Willow instead of Buffy. Then he shook his head, he hadn’t been watching much of Buffy lately. Not since her return from the grave.

His absolute joy at her resurrection had turned to confusion and then despair as the month wore on. Buffy had been withdrawn and shut down emotionally. Giles found himself more and more on the outside of the group. Willow and Tara were caught up in the magic, taking care of Dawn, and worrying about Buffy. Anya was concerned with the shop and her engagement to Xander and Xander was trying to keep his emotions intact in face of his fear of marriage.

Giles had made the decision to leave again, permanently this time. Maybe he could find some peace in England. Retire as a country gentleman and write his book or something.

“Stupid songs,” the ex-Watcher muttered. Finally the truth of everything and everyone had come out in song thanks to a demon Xander had summoned. Buffy hadn’t been in some form of Hell, she had been at rest and wasn’t amused to be The Chosen One again and resented them on some levels for bringing her back.

Seeing Buffy kiss Spike after the demon Sweet had left had sealed Giles’ decision. His witch didn’t need him, Willow had Tara for guidance, support, and love; his Slayer didn’t need him for anything except occasional research and that could be accomplished over the computer long distance.

Then Willow had tried to “fix” things again with a spell. Of course things had gone drastically wrong.

He had almost caught the plane just after everything had been settled but had changed his reservations for the next day, choosing to get some sleep. That had lasted about an hour before Willow was pounding on his door in tears, almost hysterical.

Giles had finally gotten out of the young woman that Tara had left her, Buffy was no where to be found and no one seemed to care. The ex-Watcher had held her until he had finally gotten a sedative down her.

Sunrise was beginning to turn the sky purple as he looked out the window when he came to another last minute change and decision.

He knew he couldn’t leave Willow this close to an edge. He had been in that darkness she was heading for. It was his place to try and stop it as her friend, mentor and Watcher.

# # #

Giles sat napping on the sofa with Willow’s head in his lap. He had sat down to comfort her from a nightmare and had drifted off as he gently stroked her hair.

The Watcher blinked when he heard his lock door being opened. He realized it was still daylight so he wasn’t worried about vampires but he had no idea who would be opening his door uninvited. He was surprised to find Buffy looking inside with a frown.

“Giles? Will?”

Giles motioned for her to keep the volume low as Willow frowned in her sleep. He gently pulled away from the witch and went to the door, moving Buffy outside to the bench in the courtyard.

“Hello, Buffy,” he said calmly.

“I came looking for Willow, Dawn told me what happened last night. What the hell are you still doing here?” Buffy demanded. “I thought you were leaving the children behind so we could become adults.”

Giles sighed. “Willow needs guidance yet. She arrived here last night upset and I talked with her, held her and encouraged her to sleep.”

“So you’re staying for Willow,” Buffy said, her voice bitter.

“What do you want from me?” Giles snapped and Buffy pulled back, surprised. “You haven’t needed me to help you train since before…”

“Before I died,” Buffy supplied. “We were a little busy trying to defeat Glory and keep Dawn alive.”

“And you decided to do that by sacrificing yourself,” Giles snapped back.

“I should have thrown Dawn off the tower?” Buffy shouted, standing over him.

“Yes,” Giles said firmly. “A Slayer’s life in place of a teenager’s? You had no idea that your death would close that portal, we might have still been stuck with Glory!”

“I knew it would close the portals and save the world,” Buffy snapped, her fists clenched. “Slayer dies the world is saved, isn’t that how its supposed to go? Besides, Glory was stuck here after that and left town.”

Giles laughed and shook his head. “You left us to deal with her! A vengeful Hell-God whose plans had been shattered. I dealt with her.”

Buffy blinked and drew back slightly.

“W-what? I… I asked Xander and…”

“And they never asked what the hell happened to Dr. Ben and Glory,” Giles said bitterly. “You let her live. What would have happened when she came back and was brassed off at all of us? She would have tortured Dawn just for spite and killed the rest of us! Willow sapped her mind to get Tara back. We had just stopped her from winning and reclaiming a hellish empire. You think she would have invited us for tea?”

“W-what did you do?” Buffy asked softly, seeing her Watcher in a new light.

“I cut off his airway and killed him. I tossed his body under some rubble in time to see you die,” Giles said calmly, but his fist were clenched, betraying his feelings however.

“Giles…”

“What?” he demanded. “You wouldn’t kill him, I couldn’t risk it.”

Buffy was quiet for several moments. “What happens now?”

“That’s up to you,” Giles said softly. “I’m going to stay and try to guide Willow away from the casual use of the magic and help Anya run the shop. I’ll be here for you, Dawn, and the others. Not as a substitute father, Uncle or whatever but as your friend, researcher and Watcher.”

“What do you mean?” Buffy asked with a puzzled expression.

“I’m not going to handle your finances, I’m not going to scold Dawn for sneaking out and I’m not going to help you find a job,” Giles shrugged. “You’re the oldest living Slayer, Buffy. You’re in uncharted territory. You actually have to grow up, sooner than most your age because of your guardianship of Dawn and… Joyce, but you’re old enough to handle it.”

“I… I thought you wanted to help,” Buffy said softly.

“Yes, as a friend. You’ve treated me like a step-father, uncle or banker or something,” Giles complained. “You expect me to do those things. I’m your Watcher and friend, or I was. I want to spend time with Dawn because I want to spend time with her, not because you NEED me to spend time with her as a substitute father. I want to help you with the confusion you’re going through, not because I’m supposed to ‘fix’ it but because you’d come to me as a friend. Those are my boundaries, Buffy. I’ve devoted half my life to Watching and good portion of that to you, I deserve better.”

Giles stood up and leaned against the tree, restless at having finally saying something to his Slayer.

Buffy was frowning, pondering.

“I love you, Buffy,” Giles said gently. “When you’re ready to hear it, I’ll tell you that you’re making a very big mistake in your life. When I’m your friend.”

The Watcher opened the door to his condo and softly shut it behind him, leaving the Slayer to her thoughts.

# # #

Giles wasn’t surprised but he was very hurt when a week went by without Buffy returning or calling.

The surprise in his life was Willow’s constant presence at his place or at the shop. After three days he finally suggested that he clear some of the boxes out of his spare bedroom and she move her things in.

Willow had smiled for the first time since the singing demon and hugged him tightly, startling the Watcher and causing him to blush.

Dawn had come by and told them that Tara had moved her things back in and was helping Buffy take are of the precocious teenager. Giles had spent hours with Dawn, trying to explain not only his decision to stay but also his decision to leave in the first place. That had involved pizza and then ice cream to reassure her that she wasn’t the reason he wanted to leave.

Anya had been annoyed that he had decided to stay but has calmed down once she realized he wasn’t taking over the shop again, merely helping her keep it running. He spent most of his time doing his own individual research for his planned Codex of Demons.

# # #

“Giles?”

“Hmmm?” the Watcher muttered from his desk as he took notes from a book one evening.

The roommates had settled into a comfortable co-existence that surprised both of them. Sometimes Willow would cook, sometimes Giles. Both took turns keeping things clean and picking up after themselves. Giles had been pleased he hadn’t felt the need to warn Willow about touching his books or papers and, she in turn, had begun to show him how to work his computer with a bit more patience than earlier lessons.

“I, uh, I’ve seen some guitar cases. When we were… were researching stuff on Eyghon, we found a photo in your files…”

Giles looked over his glasses, smiling. “Didn’t recognize me, did you?”

Willow’s eyes widened and she blushed a bright red. “I thought maybe but wasn’t sure.”

“It was me,” Giles acknowledged. “I still play.”

“Could you… maybe sometime?” Willow asked shyly.

“I’d be honored,” he said softly.

“Giles?”

“Yes?”

“Why haven’t you lectured me about that spell?” the red-head sighed, not looking at him.

“Did it hurt when Tara left you?” Giles asked softly, moving to sit next to her on the sofa.

“Yes,” not surprisingly Willow’s eyes filled with tears.

“And everyone not trusting you or your magic, that hurts, yes?” Giles added.

Willow nodded, choking on a sob.

“Then I don’t need to lecture, do I?” Giles asked gently as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“I won’t do magic again!” Willow sobbed, moving to cling to the Watcher.

“Yes you will,” Giles smiled sadly. “I was wrong to try and discourage you. I should have guided you but my own fears got in the way and Tara wasn’t self-confident enough to rein you in.”

“W-what do you mean? I’ve been so angry at you for not helping me and stuff!”

“Willow, I was a sorcerer once,” Giles said slowly with a frown. “I went down that path you’ve started. Far down that path and people died because of me.”

“When you and Ethan messed with Eyghon,” Willow nodded. “But I thought you were just… I don’t know, along for kicks. You said your first magic working was when you fought Amy’s mother.”

“I lied,” Giles shrugged with a slight smile. “I wasn’t going to tell all of you I was once a adept sorcerer who did evil and was reformed. I had known you all, what, a fortnight or less? I tried to discourage you when I should have been guiding you.”

“But I shouldn’t do magic,” Willow protested, not moving out of his arms. “It’s too easy and tempting and stuff. You were right.”

“No, you’re talented and living on the Hellmouth, you need proper training. Not just stern warnings that no teenager would listen to in the first place. I was an idiot,” Giles grumbled and shrugged again. “I had hoped Tara would guide you but it’s hard to tell your lover things are getting out of hand until it’s too late.”

“Is that why you’re staying? You think I’m a danger?” Willow asked in an almost whisper.

“You’re not a danger yet but you could be easily,” Giles said truthfully. “If I don’t teach you, someone else will and in Sunnydale that’s not a good idea. You’ve an incredible potential, Willow. I’m sorry for planning on leaving and not teaching you sooner. Forgive me?”

Willow looked up and then away, frowning as she pondered. “You were… I knew I had disappointed you and you wouldn’t help and… it didn’t feel like you were a friend about it!” the young witch sighed and looked at him. “You’ll help me now?”

“I’d never deny you, Willow,” Giles smiled. “What else troubles you?”

Willow asked after a moment. “W-when I called England, a woman answered the phone.”

“The woman was Olivia. We were working reconciling our relationship. It was up and down still and then you called. Olivia told me if I decided to return, we were through for good. Why are you asking?”

“Why are you letting Buffy turn to Spike and letting Olivia slip away?” Willow asked, avoiding his question.

Giles shrugged. “Buffy’s an adult and I can’t force her to turn to us to help with her confusion. Olivia, like Ethan she can’t handle me being a Watcher. Now, what’s for dinner?”

“Tonight we’re going out,” Willow announced, her face in resolve mode. “We’ve been in this apartment for days and I know you remember where the front door is.”

Giles raised his eyebrows as he pulled back slightly.

“And we’re going where? Pizza, I suppose,” he smirked and Willow lightly hit his arm playfully.

“No, Mr. I Know Everything Watcher,” she teased back. “I’ve got plans for you tonight that include getting out of this apartment, having a good meal, a cup of wonderful tea and then a night here without researching anything.”

“Sounds… intriguing,” Giles smiled.

# # #

Buffy’s face was almost without expression as she entered the familiar surroundings of Giles’ apartment. The Slayer would see some slight changes since Willow had moved in but not many. She knew Willow would practically be in heaven with Giles’ books surrounding her. Buffy spotted Willow’s desktop computer on a small desk and her laptop on the coffee table and Giles’ desk actually looked organized for once.

Xander and Anya smiled politely as Dawn ran and hugged Willow.

“Hey, Buff,” Xander said softly. “Spike coming? I mean, is he gonna show tonight?”

“No,” Buffy shook her head, perching on the edge of the arm of sofa. “He knows he’s not welcome. I’ll fill him in later.”

“Buff,” Xander began but Buffy held up her hand.

“You don’t like me dating vampires, got that,” she said quickly. “He helps on patrol and has been there for all of us.”

“I don’t care who you date,” Xander grumbled. “I do care that he’s a vampire and one without a soul. The only reason Spike doesn’t kill all of us is that damned chip. He sided with Adam and… and… he’s a jerk!”

“Any idea what the pow wow is about?” Buffy asked, ignoring Xander’s outburst.

“No, Giles just said to come by that something had developed he wished to discuss,” Anya said. “Much like old times.”

Giles entered from the kitchen with a tray of chips, dip and pizza. “Sodas are in the fridge. I thought we’d have a friendly evening as I explain what I’ve been tracking for a week.”

Willow trotted down the stairs with a cautious look around the room.

“Tara stayed home with Spike,” Dawn said quickly, rushing to hug the red-haired witch.

“T-tell her hi for me?” Willow asked softly.

“Yeah, she misses you a lot, Willow,” Dawn nodded. “Why can’t you guys work it out? I mean, Giles says you’re doing okay with the magic stuff.”

“I broke promises and was out of control,” Willow said simply. “We might work it out, might not. I’m not sure she feels she could ever trust me again. I messed with her memories twice. That’s kinda really hard to forgive.”

Dawn sighed and nodded.

Everyone gathered around the food and drew their attention to the Watcher as he sat down in his favorite chair.

“I began noticing some unusual cases being reported in the newspaper and Willow went into the police reports. I think it’s something more than just random murders.”

“What’s the 411 on them?” Xander asked.

“Four men have been arrested, each for a gruesome murder of young girls, some as young as fourteen in the last month,” Giles began explaining. “None of the men are connected to each other that Willow, myself or the police can determine. The thing that ties them together is the way the victims are murdered and the men’s statements to the police.”

“Each of the girls were, uh, assaulted until they were dead,” Willow continued.

“They were beaten to death?” Buffy frowned. “Someone beat teenagers to death?”

“Uh, no,” Giles said slowly. “They were, uh, well sexually assaulted until they died.”

The room filled with silence as the description sank into everyone. Xander, pizza slice halfway to his mouth, hesitated and put the slice down. “Raped to death?”

“Yes,” Giles nodded with a sigh.

“Okay, these guys are human, right? How do we fit in?” Buffy asked. “Can I beat them to death since I’m not technically a Slayer?”

“No, no crossing that line, thank you,” Giles said absently.

“You can but I can’t?” Buffy snapped.

“What do you mean?” Anya asked, obviously curious as Giles blushed and his eyes flashed but his expression remained calm and cold.

“I killed Dr. Ben Chapman to keep Glory from coming back to kill us,” Giles grumbled. “Can we focus, please?”

“The men say they don’t remember the attacks,” Willow continued quickly, cutting off any reply Buffy might have had. “They all describe pretty much the same thing for the two weeks preceding the attacks. The men frequented single bars, found a fantastic woman, took her home and uh, well…”

“Had great orgasms with her?” Anya suggested, not really understanding everyone’s stammering when it came to sexual discussion.

“Yes,” Giles smiled with a shake of his head. “They then describe the next two weeks as slightly hazy with incredible dreams of sex that left them feeling weak, sleepy and disorientated.”

“Succubus?” Anya suggested with a bright smile. “They usually don’t kill though. Just have great sex with their victims, drain their life force a little and leave them with memories of a great dream.”

“I agree,” Giles nodded. “I think this might be a different type of succubus or similar demon that not only drains life force through sex but also requires total life force or death through sex or violence. Succubi normally don’t possess victims, they’re solid, physical.”

“How do we find that out?” Buffy asked. “And if we find a sex demon that possesses somebody, how do we fight it?”

“Typically, kill the host body,” Willow explained.

“Like Dr. Ben,” Xander nodded, turning away from Buffy’s angry glance.

“What about an exorcism?” Dawn suggested.

“Possibly,” Giles sighed. “I need to talk with the men and find out everything I can about the woman they became involved with. Willow is going to Los Angeles to research this with Angel and Wesley, they believe they might have dealt with something similar.”

“What do we do?” Buffy asked.

“Ask Spike, Willie and however might have some ideas,” Giles instructed. “Keep an eye out wherever teenagers might congregate, and watch for older men stalking them. Xander, would it be possible to spend a few nights at that bar, hoping to draw the demon out?”

Xander quickly looked at Anya who was frowning.

“I’d be right there keeping an eye on him,” Buffy quickly put in. “No demon would get past his belt, An.”

Anya nodded reluctantly. “Alright, as long as no one has orgasms with my Xander or hurts him.”

“Thanks, baby,” Xander smiled, kissing her cheek. “You’re the only one who gets happys from me.”

“We’ve a plan now?” Buffy rolled her eyes, ignoring Xander. “Giles talks with the bastards and researches what type of demon, Xander is bait, Willow is off researching and Anya, Spike and me keep an eye on Xander, trying to catch demon in human form. That it?”

Giles blinked, surprised. “Yes, it is actually.”

“What about me?” Dawn demanded.

“You do your homework and get good grades,” Giles suggested, chuckling as Dawn stuck her tongue out at him.

“I’m off to LA tomorrow,” Willow smiled. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”