By Capricorn

As Willow sneaked a glance at the currently strawberry-blond haired boy next to her, she could hardly keep from squealing with excitement. She and Oz had reconciled and been dating for nearly 4 monthes now, demonic activity had been low, but not so low that you just *knew* that something big was right around the corner, and her totally adorable 5-year-old cousin Madeliene was visiting her family for spring break. Her life, as of that moment, *RULED*.
So Cordelia was being worse than ever, but that was to be expected. I mean, she had sacrificed her entire popularity to be with Xander, and to help the Scooby Gang. Now she was even more unpopular becauseXander had cheated on her, so in her Cordelia-logic brain she figured that if she was even crueler than before to them, her ranks might rise again. So far, it had been working. Harmony was actually tolerating her now,and she had been invited to 2 major parties for the upcoming vacation.

Although Willow had never really liked Cordy, she had to admit that she missed the brunett's completely off subject remarks. They lightened the heavy feeling that knowing the continuation of the world depended on you left. It scared her a bit. She, Willow Rosenburg, former secretary of the We Hate Cordelia Club, actually missed the purpose of the club. Oh well, this *is* the Hellmouth, after all. Just then a familiar voice jerked her from her musings.

"So, Madeliene is Jordy's age? Maybe we can have them do something together, or do they have that huge kids-of-the-other-gender-should-be-deported thing going on?" Oz asked.

"I'm not the person to ask. I was friends with Xander and Jesse my whole life, remember? What did you think of girls at 5?" Willow answered to her oh-so-sweet boyfriend, while at the same time gathering up her stuff into her totebag, readying herself to leave the library where she and Oz were studying.

"Honestly, I blocked out my childhood. I can't remember. I say we just wing it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. Is it a plan?" Oz inquired of his girlfriend,putting his books into his backpack as well.

"I guess so. Come on, lets go to the Bronze and join Buffy, Xander, and Faith." And with those last words she pulled Oz from his seat and walked outside to Oz's van. She then heard Oz, being the gentleman he is,open the door for her, and then after she climbed in shut it and walk to the driver's side. In almost no time at all they were at their usual table chatting with Buffy,as Faith and Xander were on the dance floor.Xander was doing his infamous thrashing about he called dancing,thoroughly earning the dirty looks shot his way. As he and Faith made their way back to the table, Oz comfortablity pulled Willow onto his lap. Willow, liking this form of affection, nuzzled into Oz's hip. By this time, they had both forgotten the world around them. As they leaned forward to kiss, Xander "acidentally" knocked over his drink. No *way* was he going to see those two kiss. It hurt so much that after the fluke had been found out, Willow had chosen Oz and not opted to stay with him. It hurt even more that Cordelia was snubbing them. He did **not** want to see Willow and her boyfriend kissing.

After this little disturbence, Willow looked at her watch and realized that she needed to go home now to pick up Madeliene from the airport. Her parents wanted her there to meet her Aunt Lacy, Uncle Ryan and Madeliene. Regrettfully, Willow asked Oz if he could take her home. With a nod he lead the way to his van.

Willow's house came way to soon, and and soon it was time for Willow to go inside her house. She leaned over to give Oz a kiss goodnight and as she pulled back she felt Oz pull her close for another kiss. Not resisting his arms, she climbed over the gear shifts to Oz's lap. As the kiss deepened, a small part in the back of Willow's head screamed," Your parents could be watching right now!!!! What are you doing???" But the rest of her said "This is so great. Don't stop. Who cares what your parents think." Finally, after a few moments, Willow guiltilly broke away, explaining that she had to go get Madeliene. Promising to be at Willow's the next day with Jordy, they shared one more kiss, and Willow ran to her house. As Oz pulled out of his girlfriend's driveway, he asked himself, "How did I get so lucky? She's gorgeous, smart, deals with the werewolf thing, put up with him, everything. She's almost a goddess." And with those thoughts, he made his way home.

Upon entering her house, Willow could tell that her parents weren't in. She found a note on the kitchen counter saying that there had been an emergency and that Willow was to go get her cousin by herself. After grabbing some holy water, a cross, a stake,a few CD's, and the gift for her cousin, she made her way to her parent's Saturn and was on her way for the 30 minute drive to the airport.

After getting to the airport, Willow quickly found her reletives. After saying hello, and passing her neice an envelope, Aunt Lacy asked, "Not that we don't trust you with Madeliene, but where are Ira and Sheila?"

"Oh, there was an emergency of some sort, so here I am. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, dear. I know how responsible you are. see you in a week!" Uncle Ryan and Aunt Lacy had another plane to catch, so they were somewhat hurried. Waving good-bye, Willow found herself in charge of a hyper 5 year old, totally psyched at the idea of spending a week with her cousin.

As they made their way to Willow's car, Willow remembered the cross that she had bought for her small cousin. But since Madeleiene was also Jewish, Willow made sure that it was a brightly paintrd clay, non-religious looking one, nut as it was a cross non the less, it would protect her cousin from Sunnydale's nocturnal residents. On the way home, they listened to Everclear, Britney Spears, The Offspring, 'Nsync, and then the radio. It was a blast.

Once home, Willow made Madeliene a bedtime snack of milk and grahm crackers. After she finished fixing the snack, she heard the phone ring. Picking it up, she said,"Hello?"

"Hey, Sweetie, just wanted to make sure you got home O.K. How's Madeliene?"

"Oz! Hi! Madeliene's fine. She is so hyper, though. How have you been?"

"Fine, now that I've talked to you. Anyway, I need to let you go, I have to go get Jordy from my Aunt Sara early. Bye, baby."

"See ya tomarrow, Oz." Willow said and then hung up the phone. PLacing the phone back on the counter, she couldn't surpress a sigh of happiness. She was so lucky that Oz had given her another chance.

Looking back at her Madeliene, she realized that the child had finished her snack and had come over to listen to her cousin's conversation. Smiling, she said, "Are you ready for bed, sweetie, it's 11 and you have had a big day."

Madeliene said, whlie yawning, "Yeah. Let's go." So Willow lead the way to her room, saying that Madeliene could get ready in her room while she got ready in her parents' room. After making sure that Madeliene was settled in, she made her way into her parents' room to get ready for bed. After changing into a white sleeveless tank top and navy shorts, ahe washed her face and brushed her teeth. She had bearly finished doing this when she heard an ear-splitting scream. In an instant she knew that it was Madeliene screaming, and that it was coming from outside. SHe also knew that whatever it was was going down, cause nobody and nothing was going to mess with her cousin and get away with it.

Madeliene marvled in the midst of her favorite cousin's room. Willow was *SO* cool. She was gorgeous, smart, had a kick-ass computer(not her origional words, mind you), and had a sweet boyfriend in a band. She could tell that much from the short conversation she had heard between him and Willow.Stripping down, she slipped into her lacy victorian nightgown. She then proceded to brush her teeth and wash her small face.
She had hardly finished these chores when her petite frame involuntarily stiffened. She got this feeling sometimes, but never this strong before. And she had felt wierd ever since she had arrived at Sunnydale, but had attributed it to jitters. Suddenly pure instinct took over. Not even trying to resist instinct, she search for a stake Settling on a large pencil with the words 'DISNEY LAND' on it,she marched outside, nightgown and all. Searching quickly, she decided that the creature was hiding behind the house next door, and she marched up to the demon, yelling, "You are *SUCH* A BIG FAT **MEANIE**!!! You have to be punished!"

And with those words she stomped on his foot and kneed him in the groin. Surprised by the child's movements, the vampire cried out in pain. Knocking his feet out from under him, Madeliene straddled the vamp, ready to stake it when suddenly the creature gathered its wits and yanked her hair twords him, the rest of her going with it while she screamed in agony.

Buffy was so bored of patroling. she had stopped to swing when she hearded a loud yell. Using her slayer-sense, she ran tword the scream.

Running hurriedly to her room, Willow grabbed a stake and a holy water balloon. Juming down the full flight of stairs in 1 bound, she ran outside to the side of her neighbor's, the Stevens's, house. Seeing the vampire that was about to suck her small cousin's blood, she yelled, "You asshole!! What in the *HELL* do you think you're doing to *MY* baby cousin?! You are such a sorry bastard if you think I'm gonna let something happen to her!"

Buffy, who had arrived just in time to hear Willow's outbreak, was surpised when she saw her best friend charge at the vamp, knock Madeliene out of the monster's arms, and stake him in under 6 seconds. Coming out of her shocked-induced brain-freeze, she started clapping. Willow turned to see Buffy, picked up Madeliene and ran to Buffy talking hystarically all the way.

"I don't know what happened and it all happened so fast and it was pure instinct and what just happened and Buffy I'm so afraid and why are you clapping?"

Afraid for her friend, Buffy had been guiding her friend tword her house duing this time. Setting Willow on her couch, the redhead had calmed down enough to realize that Madeliene had gone outside, alone, been nearly killed by a vamp, and had seen a vamp dusted. She took that moment to ask her tiny cousin why she had gone outside. Madeleine had explained what had happened and by the end of her account both Buffy and Willow recognized this feeling as ones they have had before.

"Buffy,that's what happened to me! What does this mean?" Willow frantically asked.

"I don't know, Will, but I do know that we need to talk to Giles about this. He usually knows about this kind of stuff." Buffy said logically.

"If he knew about this and didn't tell me, I will kick is sorry ass worse than I did that vamp." Willow said menically.

"I think I heard you cuss more tonight than I have since I met you, did ya know that?" Buffy said.

"Ha ha, but I need to get to Giles. I want to know what the hell is going on."

Just then, the 2 heard a small voice say, "Um, Willow, what's going on? Who's Giles?"

Laughing slightly, Willow gathered her cousin up in her arms and said, "I'll tell you on the way, just let me get some jeans on. Buffy, you come, too."

Soon the 3 were on their way.

"Giles!!Where the *HELL* are you? Get your ass out here *NOW*!!!" Willow's vioce rang in thre silent library.

Waking with a start, Giles wondered why Willow was at the library at midnight and why she was so angry. But ever since he was a teen-ager he knew that women were hard to figure out, so it was best to ask straight out. Stumbling out of his office, he called to the red-head, "Willow, what's wrong? why are you so angry? And why are you angry at *me*? What did.....I....do...?"Giles stopped short when he saw Willow, Buffy, and a small child that looked just like the hacker. He saw what Willow was wearing. It was just jeans and a tank top with jeans, but she was covered with sweat and the top clung to her soft frame and.....with a shake of his head the librarian banished all unpure thought from his mind and asked logically, "Um, Willow, who is this child? And why are you 3 here?"

"Oh, Giles,i will *kill* you if you knew about this and didn't try to stop it. *MY* baby cousin Madeliene gets the urge to kill vampires, on an act of pure instinct,then nearly gets killed. Then i come, save her and dust the vamp in less than 6 seconds.Now, did you know anything about this, cause if you did I will bust your ass worse than I did that vamp." Although the words came out in a huff, Giles knew that Willow meant every syllable.

"You mean to say that you and Madeliene both,on pure instinct, kill vampires and that you killed one in less than 6 seconds?" Giles asked increduously.

"And she saved Madeliene at the same time and didn't get a scatch. Believe her when she sayes she'll kick your ass. I saw her dust that vamp. She was scarier than *me* even." Buffy said in her friend's defence.

"I don't doubt your words, Buffy. Now, shall we hit the books?"

"I thought you would ever ask." Willow said, and after settling Madeliene on the couch in Giles's office, Willow joined Buffy and Giles in the stacks. Finally, at 6 that morning, Willow was the only one left, so she gently picked Madeliene up and went home to sleep.

"Willow!!! Are you here? Open up please!!!" Oz pleaded from Willow's doorstep. He had come at noon with Jordy, just like Willow had asked, and she hadn't answered to the 2 rings of the doorbell, nor his knocking. Finally, he remembered that Willow had given him a key. Slipping the key into the lock, he opened the door. Using his superior sense of smell, he determined that Willow was in her bedroom. Rushing up the stairs to her room with Jordy close behind, he found her asleep with Madeliene curled up next to her. Gently shaking her, she began to wake.

"Oz, why are you in my room?"She asked, sitting up and streching. Then remember the past night's and early morning escapades. Sleepily, she related the story to Oz, who's face held emotions of pride, fear, and intrigue.

"Wow, what a story. And Giles, Mr. Bookworm Fuddy-Duddy has no idea of what happened?" Oz asked incredulously.

"He has as much a clue of what happened as he would of PMS. He's thinks that it may be an old, sacred birthright thing, kinda like Buffy. Except we wouldn't be slayers." Willow stated.

"Why are you still in you nightgown?" Jordy asked with scorn. *Yuck. I have to spend my day with a girl.*

"Non of your business, Mr. Busy-Body." Madeliene shot back angrily. *Ew. It's a boy. I have to be with a boy.>

"Anyway, right now I need a shower, And you, Madeliene Marie, need a bath. Come on. Oz, do you think that you could make up something to eat? I'm famished."

"Yeah, of couse. I good at cooking, believe it or not." Oz replied.

"It's not the only thing your good at." Willow said, giving her boyfriend a soft kiss.

"EW EW EW EW EW EW EEEEEWWWW!!!! THEY ARE ***KISSING***!!!!!! GROSS!!!! Madeliene and Jordy exclaimed with disgust at the same time. ( 5 year olds do it all the time, believe me.)

"Come on, Madeliene, we are both all grimey. Bath time." And she then grabbed her cousin out of bed and took her into her bathroom and after making sure that her cousin was ready she went into her parent's room and stripped off her clothes and stepped into the shower, realizing for the 1st time that she was *showering* while her boyfriend was in her home. *It's not like something's gonna happen.* she rationalized.

In no time she was out of the shower and changed into fresh clothes. After blow-drying her hair and then doing Madeliene's hair in a half-ponytail, she went downstairs to find Oz done with lunch.

"So, where are we going? Park, movies, or museum?" Willow asked, then took a sip of soup.

"Jordy wants to go to the park. What do you want to do, Madeliene?" Oz asked the little girl that looked so much like his girlfriend.

"I want to go to the part,too. Can we, Willow?" Madeliene pleaded.

"Of couse. As soon as we finish eating we can go. But you do have to finish luch, so eat."

The 4 were soon done eating and on their way to the Sunnydale Park, Madeliene and Jordy fighting the whole way. As soon as the 4 were at the park, Willow and Oz settled on the benches to supervise and talk, and Jordy and Madeliene engaged in all kinds of competitions to prove that they were better. Swinging contests, sand castle contests, every contest imaginable. Willow and Oz just laughed at their small cousins' obvious hate for one another.

After a few hours at the park, they all went for ice cream. By the end of the day, Willow and Oz knew that if the two were near each other for much longer, they would kill each other. So at the end of the day Oz kissed Willow and wispered,"Be careful. Don't stay up. You need your rest."

Nodding, Willow kissed Oz again and said,"I won't, don't worry. See you tomarrow." And after exchanging one more kiss, Willow went inside her house, and Oz went into his van.

Once inside, Madeliene asked Willow,"Do you **ALWAYS** have to kiss Oz? It makes me feel sick. Did you know that he is a *boy*?

"That's part of the reason I like him. Now off to bed. March!!!"

Laughing slightly, Willow made her way upstairs after Madeliene.

After telling Madeliene that in no uncertain terms was she to battle evil w/o permission I began to make up a dinner of pasta and garlic bread. Sitting down to dinner we talked on all subjects. Then, Madeline said innocently,"Willow, why did I want to kill that vampire? Isn't killing bad?"

Slightly stunned by Madeliene's question, I said uncertainly, "Well, yes, killing *people* is bad, but when you kill evil things it isn't bad. See, vampires and other demons kill other people and do bad things, so its okay to kill them. Tell ya what, After dinner we are gonna learn all about vampires and other baddies. 'Kay?"

"Okey-dokey Willow." Madeliene said cheerfully.

After quickly cleaning up, Willow led Madeleine up to her room and pulled out her book on the basics of vamps. Setting it and Madeliene on my bed, Willow began telling Madeliene all there was to know. About their weaknesses, about their strenghthes, about the ones to run like hell from, about how to kill them.

After nearly 3 1/2 hours of this, it was almost 10:30. Pulling herself from my bed, Willow said to Madeliene, "Let's get ready for bed. We have a big day tomorrow. We have to go see Giles and find out what is going on. Remember, before going to try killing a vamp ask permission."

After clearing that up, Willow settled Madeliene in my bathroom and got ready in her parent's bathroom. By the time they were both ready, it was almost 11. Remembering that there was going to be more research going on, Willow decided to call Oz and find out if he wanted to help. Picking up the phone she dialed the familiar number. Hearing 3 rings then a groggy "Hello?"

"Hi Oz, I was just wondering if..." Then Willow heard the door being kicked open, followed by heavy footsteps. Forgetting all about the phone call she was making, Willow yelled to Madeliene, "MADELIENE!! Go hide!! **NOW**!!!!!" Obeying the orders immediately, Madeliene ran to tje closet and shut herself inside. Bracing herself for battle, Willow grabbed several stakes (you wouldn't believe what all those things kill!), placing a few in cardinal points in my room just in case she dropped one. By the time she had done that, 3 demons burst into the room. She could tell that they weren't vampires thru some kind of instinct. Knowing that she had no idea as to how to defeat all 3 at the same time, Willow closed my eyes for a moment and enveloped herself in pure instinct, knowing that that was all she had to help. With a loud cry, Willow flung myself at the nearest creature.

After pulling some clothes on, Oz jumped outside to his van. After hearing the last part of that call, the only thoughts in his mind were of saving Willow and Madeliene. After making it to his van, he realized that he had forgotten the keys. Cursing himself, He ran back inside and retrieved them. Going back inside his car, he started it and burned rubber towards his girlfriend's house. Making it to her house in a record 9.5 minutes he flew into her silent home. Scared, he made his way up to her room.


*********************
Staking the last of the monsters, Willow ran to my closet and drew Madeliene out. She was shivering and crying like mad. Then I she heard the door open again. They didn't hear a thing. Very silently and quickly Madeliene stood up. Tensing up, she spread her fingers wide, closed her eyes, and her fingers started glowing, freaking me out again. When Oz appeared at the door, Willow breathed a sigh of relief until she saw fire shoot out of Madeliene's fingers straight at Oz.

Instantly Willow averted the balls into the bathtub, then realized that sheI had used telepathy, that Madeliene shot fire out of her fingers, and that Oz almost died. Her brain, finding this too much to deal, with, then decided to make shut down. Willow fainted. The last thing she saw was Oz running to her.

Opening her eyes, Willow found herself in bed with Oz and Madeliene hovering over me. Groaning, she said groggily, "Why are you here, Oz? I just had the freakiest dream." Then she remembered the fight, the levitations, the mind-reading, and the fire shooting, and her eyes went wide. "O my God, Madeliene almost killed you! Are you okay? And those guys disintegrated, and my stake levitated, and I read their minds!! And my room is now all messy!" she babbled senselessly until Oz gently placed his hand over mher mouth, silencing her.

"Baby, you're not making any sense. Now, slow down and start again."He said rationally.

Taking a deep breath, Willow relayed the fight, levitating the stake, reading the monster's minds, how when Madeliene had shot fire at him she just reacted, finishing off by bursting into tears. Oz gathered her into his arms and started stroking her hair and saying soothing thinks.

She calmed down and said, "We have to see Giles. He has to know what's going on. I can't not know anymore."

"No." Oz said firmly. "It's too late to bother him. We can see him tomorrow when everyone is fresher. We'll have a research-fest."

"Alright." Willow said resingnedly. But when he started to leave she said, "Wait! I don't want you to leave. I'm scared. Stay here."

"Okay. I'll stay until you fall asleep, okay?" Oz compromised.

"Okay." she said happily, having won.

Willow layed down and held Madeliene in my arms, while Oz stroked her hair. Willow was soon asleep.

Oz looked softly at his girlfriend as she slept.He knew he had better be leaving soon, but he was reluctant. Finally, he tore himself away from her and walked to the stairs. Just then the door burst open, revealing Buffy.

"Oz, what are you doing here, or is it X-rated?" She asked.

"Buffy, why are you here? We have something big going on. We need Giles." Oz said, not noticing Buffy's remark.

"Not you too? Giles sent me here to check on Will. What happened?"Buffy asked cautiously.

Quickly Oz told Buffy about the fight, and supernatural occurances. Gaping, Buffy siad, "You're right. We need to see Giles now. I think he know what's going on. Wake Will up, kay? O, don't forget Madeliene." Buffy directed.

Doing as Buffy said (all people wanting to live to a ripe old age do) Oz went to wake the 2 redheads. Soon we were at the school. Walking into the library, we found Giles pacing with worry.

"Giles, what's going on? Do you know about what's going on? Cause I need to know. I'm telekinetic, can read minds, and Madeliene shot fire from her fingers. What's the deal?" Willow asked angrily.

"I'm afraid it's bad, Willow.This hasn't happened in several hundred years, and it happening now means total chaos."Giles said gravely.

(Click here for more stories by Capricorn)

Home