Shattered by cjsplace

Shattered ~ 7 [PG]

The Scooby dynamic had changed drastically. It stretched to include new members, while some existing members felt the boundaries shrinking their place in the group. Buffy had given each person their reason for coming together, and except Willow and Xander none would have had anything to do with the others were it not for the still missing blonde. Cordelia and Xander's relationship gave them another common thread, while Willow and Oz's romance appeared doomed. The laconic musician still wasn't talking to the budding witch over her involvement in hurting his 'pack' with the spell that gave them a shared soul.

She felt jinxed or worse, as if some higher power had decided to punish her. And, it simply wasn't fair! Willow huffed, mentally stomping her foot as she expelled air to blow her bangs from her eyes. Everyone had differing opinions about whether she should have performed the spell. Willow was starting to think of herself as yo-yo girl. Her own emotions ran the gamut lately, although they bounced more between angry, resentful and confused rather than doubt.

Willow knew that Giles watched her every move since the 'spell', and she hated it. She was fast growing to hate his knowing looks, and the way he pocketed his office key each time he exited it, as though thinking she might do something behind his back. He was researching the spell and any long-term repercussion, and she sure wished he would hurry. This waiting to hear his conclusion wasn't helping anything. The worst part came when she learned about the residual effects of the spell cast to enhance her powers. Every time she got near any type of electric equipment, it tripped the power surge. Lights and computers went all screwy whenever she came into the room. She had to slide into her classes along the door, trying to keep as far away from the light switch as possible. It was starting to shake her budding confidence as a witch.

Amy offered to sit in as her typist, and Willow had given it the ole Scooby effort. She sat far enough away from the computer so as not to short it out, while Amy typed the commands that she called out, and waited for the results. It was workable for accessing the normal informational routes Willow used to keep Buffy and company abreast of Sunnydale's inner workings. The programs, related searches and databases were already there, allowing Amy simply to access the information.

The tag team setup was cumbersome, but worked out well enough. Willow just didn't see how it would work when she needed to do any actual hacking. She knew everyone thought she plugged simple words and numbers into the computer and the information just came spilling out for her. Hacking was much harder than most people thought, and not everyone who knew about computers could hack. It wasn't some specific set of keystrokes that created an all-access pass to information. Hackers felt their way through the code, acting and reacting to any obstacles they encountered. I'm supposed to be Hacker-Girl, how can I be Hacker-Girl if I can't get near any computer?

Willow wasn't even sure she could verbalize half the commands needed to tell Amy where to start. It was the reason she hadn't even started searching for any information on the envelope Faith had found. She thought about asking Oz to help her, but he still wasn't talking to her. Willow had to say his continued standoffish attitude over the spell hurt more than she thought it would. She tried to talk to Amy about the spell seeing, as she was part of it. Willow had wondered if the other Wiccan practitioner had experienced any fall out from that night. Every time she brought it up, Amy got nervous, changed the subject and got an irrational craving for cheese.

She and Amy weren't really friends before the rat incident. They had known each other growing up, had always been friendly, but had never hung around outside of school. Willow thought changing Amy back to human form might somehow bring them closer, and that they could cast together. Shouldn't Amy feel even the teensiest bit grateful toward her? She just didn't get why the other girl kept sending her furtive glances when she thought Willow wasn't looking. It was as if Amy thought Willow was about to start cackling and grow warts. Willow wished Buffy would come back home, she needed her best friend to talk to and most of all she missed her, and just wanted everything to go back to normal.

Faith burst through the Library doors, startling Willow from her thoughts. She didn't know what to think about the loud and overtly sexual Slayer. She was so different from Buffy. It was hard to think of Faith and Buffy as having the same responsibilities. Willow tried to hide how nervous the other girl made her, but she wasn't too good at the pretense. Faith teased her every chance she got, which in some strange way had bonded the girls into some strange pseudo-friendship.

"Hey, Red, you been waiting for me to give your day some meaning?" Faith asked as she walked through the doors. She threw her arms open wide in invitation. "I'm finally here, doll; your day can officially begin."

Willow rolled her eyes, finally figuring out the best way to handle Faith was to play along, giving as good as she got.

"Ooh, Faithy, I'm so happy you're here, my life's now complete," she squealed, clapping her hands.

The dark Slayer sauntered into the room, all rolling hips, tight leather and smoldering eyes. She stopped mere inches from the small redhead, leaning down until their noses touched. Lids fell to half-mast as lush lips darkened to the specific shade of "Drop Dead Red" pursed into the perfect Cupid's bow to brush lightly against the startled pale pink ones across from them.

"Wow, that's hotter than Brittany Spears and Madonna!!" Xander exclaimed, his jaw dropping open as he froze in shock at the teenage male fantasy coming true before his eyes.

"WHACK!"

Pain resounded through his head. Damnit! He knew he had to be dreaming, he must have fallen out of his bed. Xander rubbed his eyes as he looked around the room. Whoa, wait a minute, this isn't my bedroom. He turned and glared at his girlfriend.

"Why'd you hit me?"

She rolled her eyes at him. Sometimes she wondered why she bothered with him, then she would remember their make out sessions and the wondering stopped. He may dress like a used car salesman, but he kissed like James Bond.

"You're taken remember, Dweeb Boy," Cordelia replied as if that explained everything. Xander turned to her, with anger evident on his face. "I'm dating you, not indentured for life." He continued when Cordelia started to interrupt. "Not to mention, I'm still a living, breathing teenaged boy."

Cordelia's face flushed with embarrassment at Xander's tone and expression. She simply excused herself from the library and walked away with her head held high, without saying a single word.

Willow and Faith shared knowing glances as they rushed over to Xander's side. "Uh, aren't you going after her?" Willow asked him. She had never heard him talk this way, especially toward the beautiful girl he liked so much.

"No," he answered, walking more fully into the room. He pulled out a chair and sat down at the table.

"Hey, Xan-Man, what'sup with you and cheer girl?" Faith asked, curious to know what had happened but willing to let it go if he didn't want to talk.

Xander threw his arms outward onto the table, sprawling his hands flat against the smooth wood. "So, what's new with you?" He wiggled his brows at them suggestively.

Willow caught Faith's eye unsure how to take Xander's behavior. Faith shrugged her shoulder then proceeded to flirt outrageously. The teen held his own for far longer than Willow thought he would. She watched an evil gleam enter the dark haired Slayer's eyes and knew that Faith was about to do something truly evil. She knew it wasn't right and he was her best friend, but Willow couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face.

Giles had called everyone together, Vampires, Scoobies, Faith, and even Cordelia. Willow had no idea why he had included her, maybe she was a Scooby by proxy since she was still dating Xander, regardless, everyone showed up to listen to his conclusions about the spell. Willow listened to him go on ad nauseaum about why proper spell preparation increased the spell's impact and power. She was ready for him to get to the point already, enough so that she was about to do something rude and speak out of turn if he didn't hurry. Giles cleared his throat, and Willow sat straighter in her seat as she prepared to listen to the important part.

"As everyone is aware, I've been researching the full implications of the spell Willow performed to ensoul the three of you," Giles said as he allowed his light green eyes to wander over the three master vampires. Angelus tilted his head, Spike's eyebrow rose in its trademark lilt while Drusilla sent him one of winsome smiles. "Madame de Esty, the owner of the Grimoire from which Willow," 'hmmm' he cleared his throat before continuing, "borrowed the spell came from an ancient and well respected line of casters. The spell though simple in its appearance is much more than it seems. Its performance even under the most pristine of circumstances still requires the utmost care in its undertaking."

Giles shoulders slumped heavily as though burdened with some great load. He withdrew his glasses and polished the lenses more for the soothing motion than for necessity. "I take the blame for the part I played in this folly." His soft cultured voice wrapped around those listening. Giles' gaze went from Willow to the newly souled vampires. "The Council's strictures against fraternization are there exactly for situations like this. I allowed my feelings for Buffy and by extension, the rest of you, to cloud my own judgment. Buffy's dream of living her life like every other normal teenaged girl was just that - a dream." His hand came up immediately to stave off the protests that began from his audience. "Oh, I know how different Buffy is, how special. She tried so hard to pretend she was just a normal teenager, who was also the Slayer, and by extension, I went along with her foolishness. I should have trained her to focus on the job at hand, which was putting her feelings aside and doing what's right for humanity."

Xander jumped to his feet. "Finally, that's what I've been saying all along."

"Do sit down, Xander," Giles reproved the rather spastic youth. "Now, as I was saying. Willow has recently showed some minor magical aptitude." He sent a fatherly smile her way, missing the frown marring her brow at his 'minor' comment. "I noted this of course, but with my focus on Buffy and the events of her life, I sadly didn't give this matter the attention it deserved."

Cordelia rolled her eyes at him. "Oh, please, can you get any more British. You were all up in Buffy's business and didn't notice that you needed to teach Willow about magic, enough already. Tell us how the spell she did is going to screw with our lives." Everyone turned to stare at the tactless cheerleader. "What? You were all thinking it." She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she waited for Giles to continue.

Giles' hand went up again to pull his glasses off to clean them when he changed its course midway and placed it in his pocket. He started pacing the Library's front entry as he spoke unsure how to tell them the results of his research.

"Well, uhm, as I was saying. The entire Grimoire had certain caveats levied on any who used the magic held within. Its premise was the simple rule of three. Perhaps, if Willow had bothered to read…" He shook his head murmuring to himself. "Simply put, for these spells to work correctly the caster must have an honest intent."

Willow felt the entire room turn to stare at her. She felt like Alice after she swallowed the shrinking potion. It took everything she had not to squirm in her chair. Until, Giles' words hit her fully, and her back straightened and her temper hit maximum throttle.

"Are you honestly going to sit there and tell me you wished I hadn't done that spell and just let Angelus make vamp chow out of all of you? I didn't do it for me, I did it for you," she growled, pointing her finger accusingly. "He wasn't making my life a living hell, not really. I wasn't his prime target, you three were. All he did was kill my goldfish, not torture me or send minions after me. How honest did my intent have to be?" she huffed, crossing her arms over chest as she glared back at them.

Giles stared at the young, bright girl he had always admired for her intelligence and common sense. He wasn't sure he even recognized the angry, belligerent teen he saw before him.

"Willow, as difficult as this is to hear, as well as say, it would have been best if you hadn't used the spell," Giles said.

The room exploded with everyone's reaction.

"Whoa, G-Man, that's taking it kinda far! Kinda happy not being one with the dead."

"Have to agree with the Xan-Man on this one. I'm just getting into my groove on this Slaying gig, and ain't looking to hand in my gloves this soon."

Giles lifted his hand to stave off the others, before they voiced their opinions as well.

"Before the rest of you give your colorful and expressive insights, please hear my reasoning."

He paused to see whether they would listen or continue with their ranting. When the room quieted to hushed whispers, Giles tried once more.

"While it's true Angelus, Spike and Drusilla," he started to speak.

Dru chose this moment to growl and paw in Giles direction. He pulled his glasses off, cleaned them while he muttered under his breath for strength dealing with children and vampires.

"As I saying, had you not interfered in casting a spell for which you were terribly under trained and ill prepared to carry out, it is true that Angelus along with Spike and Drusilla would have no doubt seen to our demise. What you had not considered was that it would have incurred the wrath of the Council. They would have raided the Hellmouth enforce, bringing not only the newest Slayer, but their Special Forces groups as well. The Council does not normally interfere in such matters. They do however look down on the outright genocide of their Watchers and Slayers, and will not allow such matters to go unchecked because of the message it sends out to the demonic world."

Faith exploded from her seat with waves of anger exuding from her in near visible patterns.

"That's bullshit, and you know it. Why didn't the Council come in with their guns a blazing when Kakistos killed Diana? Huh? Where were they when he was hunting me down from Boston to good ole Sunny D?" she screamed with tears clogging her throat. "How come it was three vamps, sharing one soul who helped me take him out? Not, your damned Council, can you tell me that G? Can you?"

Giles stepped forward intent on calming her. He stopped when she sent him the death glare that had quelled many vampires and lesser demons into running for their lives. To everyone's surprise, Drusilla slid behind the distraught girl to warp those deceptively strong, slender arms around her shoulders. The somewhat sane vampire rocked Faith to the tune only she could hear. It seemed to calm the normally self-sufficient Slayer. Faith nodded her thanks as she extracted herself and calmly walked back to her chair. Giles felt more than saw Drusilla's dark knowing eyes leveled at him. He knew this night would only grow longer if he didn't finish what he had started.

"I can't explain their reasoning, or why they don't hold every Slayer or Watcher's death in such high regard. All, I know, is that they take it seriously when an outright hit transpires that causes the death of both, which was what Angelus intended. Losses of either, while performing their duties, is simply what they consider casualties of wars."

"B-but, you never told us that!" Willow screeched at him. "All you ever told me was to stay out of your office and away from your books."

Giles pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stave off the migraine aching to break free behind his eyes.

"Did you really expect me to confide in you, Willow? The Council's inner workings are to say the least convoluted. Each of us had to deal with Angelus' personal attacks until we were to the breaking point. Did you truly expect me to tell you that should he decide to assassinate us the Council would send enforcement? He could have just as easily went another route, leaving the Council without the slightest clue as to what had happened here. It doesn't negate the fact that you performed a spell, which will have long reaching affects not only for those intended but for you as well. The issue here is what will those affects be and how will we deal with them."

Angelus had remained strangely quiet as he listened to Giles long-winded diatribe. He wasn't much into share mode, unless it provided him some guilty pleasure. His little family had already felt the side effects of the spell. He needed to know if there were more to come, without letting the others know about the bonding.

"Rupert, you mentioned the rule of three earlier, could you expound on that for me, please?" Angelus asked politely. He did so enjoy winding the Watcher up without even trying. "Does it apply beyond the initial misfiring of the spell's implementation, as we've already witnessed."

He allowed his words to hang heavy in the air. Every eye watched him, waiting to hear what he had to say. Angelus did so love an audience.

"Or, will those repercussion spread beyond exponentially to any of us involved as these things tend to do? That is the meaning behind the power of three isn't it?"

"Oh, my goodness, this is beyond even my worst reckoning," Giles sighed.

Willow stared from Giles' pale, drawn face to the decidedly evil gleam in Angelus eyes. The gleam let her know for the first time that partially ensouling Angelus did not an Angel create. He seemed unfazed at the idea that he might suffer from some consequence of the spell if it meant the other Scoobies would suffer equally. She raised her hand suddenly feeling less sure of herself.

"Yes, Willow," Giles asked, fighting hard to keep his voice level.

She fidgeted in her chair as she worked up her courage to ask what she was dying to know.

"Well, uhm, what repercussions? Me not being able to get near electric equipment right now, or are we talking about ever, cuz if you're talking about ever then you, you have to fix it. I mean how am I supposed to be Hacker Girl if I can't hack, and then, well there's like school and college. I can't go to college and just tell them I can't use a computer because well I won't be able to be near one without it going all screwy then I'll have to work at Starbucks, oh but then there are the lights and cash registers and…"

Xander slapped his hands over her mouth to stop the babblefest. He watched her eyes grow wide and felt her lips continue to move underneath his hand.

"Breath Willow, you're starting to cause our ears to bleed. Plus, you're cutting off oxygen to your brain."

He slowly took his hand away, watching his best friend take in gulping breaths of air.

"Better?"

She nodded as her breathing slowly returned to normal. Willow's shoulders sagged with exhaustion as if she had run the marathon. Xander scooted his chair closer to hers, and she leaned against her best friend. Her head lay on his shoulder as she tried to prepare for Giles' answer.

"To answer your questions, I'm not sure. But, my best guess is that Willow's current situation is most probably permanent."

Willow's loud wailing drowned out his next words. He waited for her to calm down, before he continued. Willow curled into Xander chest as she felt her world shatter. She wasn't sure she could survive this without Xander's strong arms holding her. Willow wished Buffy were here. If only Buffy would come home then everything would somehow return to normal, she just knew it would.

"You should prepare for other such instances. I'm truly sorry, Willow, but such is the nature of magic. It's powerful, and intended for use with the utmost caution and proper respect."

He turned away from the shell-shocked girl to address the others. Giles couldn't bring himself to speak directly to Angelus given their history.

"With regards to those of you affected by the spell and its results, my best guess is that you too must be wary regarding any ill effects. Please, let me know of any oddities no matter how small. I've inquired with the Salem Coven, and they've agreed to look into it. That's everything I know and am able to do for now."

Cordelia stood up, pressed the wrinkles from her skirt with her hands and announced, "Next time you want to have one of these long-winded meetings, leave me out, okay. I'll read the cliff notes. Now, we have to watch out for whatever some weirdo magic from some long dead witch decides to pay Willow back with for stealing from her spell book. What more could go wrong?"

The phone in Giles office started ringing as the words left her mouth.

"Great, just great! I'm out of here; some of us still have lives."

She swept from the room in true Queen C style.

Faith stepped into the office to answer the phone, happy to have something to do away from the others. She came back out, smiling bright enough to blind the others.

"Mrs. S is awake."

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Shattered ~ 7 [PG]