Title

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Title: Daylight

Author: Sarah

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and the WB. I’ve just borrowed them for a little adventure then I promise to return them.

Summary: The story’s set ten years in the future. I’ve tampered with the timeline a little, but don’t I always!

Author’s notes: This is an attempt at more than mush! I hope you like!! I started it about six months ago and I’ve just picked it up again, this story had me stumped but the writers block seems to have passed for now!

Feedback: A really silly question, I love your feedback! It helps me to think of new ideas, and helps my fingers type quicker.

Dedication: To everyone at Wxfic especially; Louise, Chad, GM, Carola, Christi, Michael, Cri, Bri and Nikki.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They crouched in the sandpit. The little girl holding the bucket carefully as the little boy scooped in the sand. When the bucket was full, they both grasped it and turned it over, allowing the sand to fall out.

Their faces broke out into huge smiles, pleased with their work. Their giggles filled the air, their mothers smiling at their children’s happiness.

A girl approached them, her Barbie doll grasped tightly in her hand. Her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She walked over to the other children and dropped her Barbie on their castle. The building disintegrated under the impact of the doll.

She smiled callously as she grasped her doll from the castle ruins. “Sorry, I didn’t notice you there!” she said before turning and leaving the two children. Their faces filled with confusion and disappointment.

The little girl began to cry. The little boy appeared to be horrified at his friend’s reaction and hugged her briefly before jumping around and pulling faces at the other girl.

Willow smiled as she watched the children play. They reminded her so much of Xander and her as children. Their mothers used to bring them to the park every day. They spent hours playing in the sandpit, enjoying the other’s company.

They met Cordelia for the first time in the park. She’d been horrible to Willow teasing her about the colour of her hair. Xander had done what he’d always done, he’d stood up for her, returning Cordelia’s taunts with his own.

Willow came to the park most days. Spending her lunchtime watching the world pass her by. It gave her an opportunity to sit and remember, thinking of happier times. Especially of the times she spent with Xander.

She wondered what he’d be doing right now. It had been nearly a year since she’d last seen him. Although she e-mailed him and spoke to him at least once a week. She missed having him close enough to drop by, watch a video, or be able to talk about what was bothering her. But they’d grown up, made decisions, moved on.

That part of her life was behind her. She was independent now, she didn’t need Xander to stand up for her. She’d made it on her own and she was happy. Well most of the time she was happy, but no one was happy all the time were they?

Willow’s beeper buzzed. She plucked it from her belt, read the message and leapt from the bench. Grabbing her lunch and bag and hurrying out of the park.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The automatic doors opened, and Willow rushed into the Emergency Room. Quickly heading for the Doctor’s Lounge. She flung her bag into the locker, grabbing her white coat and slamming her locker door shut. She dropped her lunch into the bin and made her way to the nurses station.

“Dr Rosenberg. We have a M.V.A on the freeway at least four patients with serious injuries are on their way.” The head nurse explained from the other side of the desk.

“E.T.A?” Willow asked, adrenalin beginning to pump through her veins.

“Ten minutes” the nurse replied.

“Are the trauma rooms and teams ready?” Willow asked authoritively.

“Yes they’re just waiting for you to co-ordinate."

As the Attending Doctor in the E.R Willow was responsible for ensuring the E.R ran smoothly and large incidents made the staff’s adrenalin pump.

Willow thanked the nurse and headed for the trauma rooms, the next few hours would be extremely busy. At least when she was busy she didn’t have time to think. Time to think about the past and what might have been.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Willow checked over her patient as she listened to the paramedics who had been on site.

The young woman had low blood pressure, but there were no apparent signs of external or internal bleeding. Willow demanded a barrage of tests as the nurses and other members of the team carried out their tasks effortlessly.

Willow was at a loss for a diagnosis until she spotted two small puncture wounds on the young woman’s neck. It can’t be, she thought. Although after spending twenty years living in Sunnydale, Willow ought to know what a vampire bite should look like.

“What time did the accident occur?” Willow asked the paramedics.

“About an hour ago.”

Willow glanced at her watch to reassure herself. The display on her watch clearly stated it was 3.00pm. If the attack happened an hour ago, that would make it 2.00pm, broad daylight. Vampires couldn’t attack in sunlight. Something didn’t add up.

Willow left her patient in the capable hands of her intern and went to check on the other victims of the accident.

As Willow examined the third patient, she noticed the same puncture wounds on his neck as the young woman had.

He was falling in and out of consciousness. Calling for his girlfriend and warning her against the monster.

Willow leaned over and began to speak gently to the young man.

“How did you get the marks on your neck?”

“The monster… he bit me… and Anna… I couldn’t stop him.”

“He’s delirious Dr Rosenberg.” Dr John Barrett supplied “He’s been talking about monsters since he came in.”

Willow disregarded her colleague’s statement desperate to ask more questions. “What time did the monster attack you? Was it daylight?”

The patient nodded. “We were in the park having a picnic, he came from nowhere. Attacked me…then…Anna. There was nothing I could do.” He sobbed. “Then he left. I managed to drag Anna to the car. I drove… but… I must have passed out. The next thing I remember… is here.”

The heart monitor began to bleep furiously. The man began to convulse…

~*~

Willow and her colleagues shocked him for the fourth time. The monitor showing that their attempts had failed, the patient's heart refused to beat. Willow glanced at the clock on the wall recording the patient’s time of death. “Time of death 15.47. Does everyone agree?"

They all nodded.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow left the trauma room, confused and concerned about the attack. Did a vampire attack the couple? If so how did it manage to attack in daylight? Why didn’t it kill its victims? Chicago didn’t have a high vampire population. In the six years Willow had been working at County Hospital she hadn’t seen any vampire attacks and she made a point of being aware if there were any at the other hospitals in the city. Vampires just didn’t live in Chicago. Until now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow had finished for the day. Her last patient had been discharged. She rubbed the patient’s name off the white board and turned to the desk plucking the telephone receiver from its cradle. She dialled the third floor and waited.

“This is Dr Rosenberg from the E.R. I wanted to check on a patient I admitted earlier. The patient’s name is Anna Meadows."

“Ms Meadows is awake. Although as yet she hasn’t spoken.” The nurse explained.

“Would it be alright for me to visit? I’ve got some questions I need to ask about the man who came in with her.”

“I don’t see why not Dr Rosenberg.

“Thanks I’ll be up in a minute.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The elevator opened. Willow walked across the silent corridor to the nurse’s station. The nurse behind smiled as she saw Willow approach.

“Dr Rosenberg. Ms Meadows is in room 304, down the corridor.” The nurse indicated down the corridor as she spoke.

“Thank you.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow pushed the door open gently. Inside Anna Meadows lay on the huge hospital bed, her eyes closed tightly, her face peaceful as if she were asleep. The room was dark and shadows crept across the room. Willow felt nervous. There was something about the events of the day that unnerved her and the darkness in the room didn’t help.

As Willow reached for the light switch Anna Meadows opened her eyes.

Willow stepped back; she felt a scream rise in her throat. Anna Meadows’ eyes were yellow!

The vampire ripped out her I.V, her eyes never leaving Willow. Her forehead misshapen, ridges and furrows revealing the demon that now resided in her body.

Willow reached slowly into her jacket pocket reaching for the stake and cross she’d retrieved from her purse on the way to Anna’s room. She held the cross before her as the vampire threw back the bedclothes and jumped from the bed, her white fangs glinting in the shadows.

The vampire walked directly towards Willow, ignoring the cross. Sometimes newbies were over excited, but Willow had the distinct impression that this vampire knew something, she didn’t seem phased at all by the cross or the stake.

“Crosses can’t hurt a servant of Tranesk.” The vampire hissed, knocking the cross from Willow’s hand.

Willow’s mind furiously tried to work out a game plan before she became Anna’s first meal. A self-protection spell jumped into her mind seconds before the strong arms of the vampire touched her shoulders. All she needed was a distraction, something to momentarily take the vampire’s attention away from her.

The gods must have been looking down on her as the door creaked open.

Anna turned to the door, her head moving to one side, attempting to register the possible threat of the newcomer.

As Anna turned, Willow chanted the incantation, hoping that her Latin was passable.

The door closed again, the sliver of light disappearing leaving the room in darkness.

“Your blood will help my master rise!” Anna cackled; her fangs exposed as she grinned. She thrust out her arms attempting to secure Willow. As her fingers touched Willow’s skin a blue bolt of lighting resonated from Willow, sending the vampire backwards. As the vampire fell backwards a look of pure shock was etched onto her vampire features. The look was the last thing Anna Meadows ever did, as her body combusted leaving only ashes to remind Willow of where the vampire had stood.

Willow relaxed, her mind desperately trying to think of a plausible reason why Anna Meadows would have disappeared.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The security guards left the third floor to search the building for their missing patient.

Willow knew that she had to pay a visit to the morgue. If Anna Meadows had turned, surely her boyfriend Jack Masters would rise too. The one thing that still puzzled Willow was when did Anna Meadows change. She’d been monitored since the motor accident; her heart had never stopped beating. Vampire’s hearts didn’t beat. Willow had known enough vampires to know that truth.

The elevator doors opened, she stepped inside the empty car and pressed the button for the morgue.

As she travelled lower and lower into the basement Willow began to figure out her game plan.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The morgue was quiet and eerie at night. The flickering lights caused shadows to dance along the lonely corridor walls.

Willow finally reached the door to the morgue, turning the doorknob slowly. Listening intently for any sound. When she was certain there was no movement she opened the door.

The room was empty. Along one wall there were several cold storage compartments, each labelled with the name of the person inside. Willow moved along the wall reading the labels. Finally finding Jack Masters compartment. Once again she listened to make sure that there was no movement inside. Her heart pounding in her chest, she inhaled deeply as she flung open the door…

She gasped…

Jack Masters’ body had gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow unlocked her apartment door. Her head still swimming with the events of the day. As she entered her apartment, she threw her keys onto a table and dropped her bag on the floor. She turned and closed the door, clicking the deadbolt securely into place.

She glanced at the answer phone; the red LCD display indicated no new messages.

Willow picked up the telephone receiver and dialled a familiar number. She waited patiently as the phone rang. Eventually the phone was answered.

“Hello?”

“Giles. It’s Willow. Sorry to disturb you, but I think I’ve got a problem.”

“Problem?"

“A vampire problem.”

“In Chicago?” Giles asked, perplexed.

Willow explained the strange events of the day, her missing patient and Tranesk.

“Tranesk.” Giles mulled over the name, hoping it would stir a memory.

“That’s what Anna Meadows said. Tranesk.”

“I’ll start researching. I’m sure Buffy will help after she’s finished patrolling. It might even be worth a field trip to Chicago. The Hellmouth hasn’t been very busy recently, and a change of scenery might do us good. I’ll let you know if I find anything. Be careful Willow.”

“Thanks Giles. I’ll be careful and please say hi to Buffy and Riley for me.”

“I will. Goodbye Willow.”

“Bye Giles.” Willow placed the mobile receiver by her on the couch and rubbed her temples, attempting to ease the pounding headache that had developed.”

The shrill ring of her phone interrupted her peace and quiet.

“Hello?"

“Hey Will! How are you?” Xander’s jovial voice echoed through the receiver.

“How can you sound so happy at 3am in the morning?”

“Oops! Sorry, I forgot. It’s 9am here in sunny old London.” He replied in his best British accent. “I didn’t wake you did I?”

“No. I’ve only just got in from work and I’ve just finished talking to Giles.”

“How is the G-Man?”

“Carrying out a little research for me. I seem to have a little vampire problem.”

“In Chicago?”

Willow rolled her eyes. What was wrong with finding vampires in Chicago? “Yes in Chicago and they appear to be a little out of the ordinary. For one they’re not afraid of crosses and two, their hearts still beat.”

Xander sighed into the receiver. “Are you sure they were vampires?”

“Lets just say I got close enough to be sure they were vampires."

“Are you okay?” He asked his voice filled with concern.

“Yeah, just tired, frustrated and confused. Why did you call?” She attempted to change the conversation, hoping that Xander had pleasant news.

“I was calling to ask whether I could come and stay. I’ve got vacation time owing and I wanted to spend it with my best friend.”

“Of course you can stay. The guestroom has your name on the door.” She teased.

“That’s great. Any chance you can pick me up from the airport at lunchtime tomorrow? I’m about to catch my plane to Chicago now.”

Willow grinned, Xander always managed to surprise her. “What would you have done if I’d have said no? Don’t you believe in giving anyone a little notice?”

“I know you too well Will. You would never have said no, and I really didn’t know myself until yesterday that I had the time to come over. Please could you pick me up?”

Willow imagined Xander’s face contorted into the perfect puppy dog expression, it was a look she’d never managed to turn down and she had no intention of starting now. “Okay. What time is your plane scheduled to land?”

“Two o’clock. Thanks Will, I owe you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll hold you to your promise. The question is how will I collect?”

“As long as it doesn’t involve anything illegal, I’ll be happy to oblige.”

“Xander!”

“Anyway I’ve got to go Will. They’re calling my flight. I’ll see you at the airport two o’clock your time.”

“I’ll be there! Bye Xander.”

“Bye Will.”

The line disconnected and Willow turned off her phone. She got up from the couch and made her way to her room. She set her alarm clock and crawled under the covers, too tired to change. She’d worry about her clothes in the morning.

She closed her eyes, her dreams filled with Xander and images of the new vampires. Somewhere deep in her subconscious Willow knew that the next few weeks were going to change her life forever.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part Two

Willow read the headlines on the front cover of the Chicago Tribune. “Hospital patient disappears!” Underneath the article was a picture of Anna Meadows smiling happily.

Willow read the article, her eyes constantly drawn to the picture of Anna, she looked so happy and full of life, then it was all cut short by the intervention of a demon. Willow hoped that her move to Chicago had signalled the end of unnatural adventures; obviously her luck had just run out.

As Willow laid the paper down on the table she thought to herself that the authorities would have great difficulty in finding Anna, well unless they accepted the pile of ashes that were left on the floor of her room after she disintegrated.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow’s shift was short. The morning passed uneventfully, well as uneventful as it got working in an Emergency Room.

Security had been increased at the hospital and the rumour mill was working overtime. The news was out that the body of Anna’s boyfriend Jack had also disappeared. The staff were uneasy, attacks on staff they could handle, disappearing bodies was another matter.

Willow had listened to the rumours and tried to discourage them, although fortunately the stories of body snatchers were nowhere near the truth that vampires were running amok in Chicago.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow watched the crowds milling in the terminal, busily moving about their business. She glanced at her watch. Quarter past two. Xander’s plane was late. She shifted nervously, after her adventures yesterday she realised that the safety of daylight was now a thing of the past.

Her thoughts faded as she watched a young couple walking slowly through the terminal lost in their own world. An image of Anna and Jack eating their picnic oblivious to the fact that their lives were about to change forever, filtered into her mind. The more she allowed her mind to contemplate the events of yesterday the more nervous she felt. The realisation that vampires could survive in daylight was a truly horrifying thought.

“Hey! Penny for them!”

She turned towards the sound of the voice, the images of Anna and Jack pushed into the far recesses of her mind. She smiled as she was greeted by Xander’s handsome face.

“Xander!” She stepped forward and hugged him, his arms gently meeting in the small of her back, pulling her into his embrace.

“I missed you Will. For someone who works strange hours you look pretty good.” He teased.

“Well after all the late nights we pulled in Sunnydale, working in a hospital is like second nature. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I worked office hours.”

“I’m sure if that’s what you wanted you’d find a way.”

“Enough about my working habits. Why the sudden need to cross back to home shores?

“I thought it was time to come home. Even if home is now in a different state.”

They’d both decided that when they left Sunnydale to get on with their lives it wouldn’t be home again. The only real family they’d ever had was each other, although it had expanded to include Buffy and Giles.

“Do you ever talk to your parents?” Willow asked tentatively. Although, she regretted the question as soon as she saw Xander’s face cloud with emotion.

“No Will. I haven’t spoken to them since the day I left. I don’t think I’ll ever talk to them again.”

Willow recalled the night she’d found Xander on the steps of her dorm building, looking into space. He was lost in his own thoughts, his eyes red and swollen from crying.

She’d sat down next to him, feeling his pain as she’d always had. He hadn’t noticed her presence, not even when she’d gently taken his hand in hers.

Their friendship had been strained since the fluke. It was as if they’d both realised something, but couldn’t or wouldn’t act on it. After they’d been found in the factory they’d distanced themselves and because of that the closeness they’d once had was lost.

They’d both moved on. Xander with Anya . Willow first with Oz and then Tara. Well Willow had been in a relationship with Tara until she discovered that Tara was a descendent of an ancient organisation determined to bring forward darkness on Earth.

Tara had been sent to infiltrate the group who worked with the Slayer. To find their weaknesses and use them to destroy the group, leaving the Hellmouth defenceless.

It had been hard for Willow to accept Tara’s actions, especially when she’d been so vulnerable. Oz’s betrayal and departure had hit her hard, left her emotions in turmoil. Tara had offered her friendship when she needed it, they shared magic in common, and it was as if they understood each other and their need to explore the magical power they both displayed. But although the potential was there for being more than friends, neither wanted to take that step. Friendship had been enough.

Xander had helped her through; it was the start they needed to rekindle their friendship. Talking again. He’d been there for her and she’d returned it the night she found him sitting on her steps.

His father had finally been honest with him, sharing the feelings he’d suppressed for years.

Xander wasn’t his son. He’d resented him since the day he was born. He was a mistake, a mistake his mother should never have made.

Xander, according to his father was the source of every problem; he was the reason he was stuck in a dead end job, the reason he needed to drink, the reason why his mother never did anything other than drink. All of the problems his parents had ever faced were ultimately Xander’s fault. He was a burden pure and simple.

Tears had rolled down Willow’s cheeks as Xander had repeated his story, her heart breaking as she watched her best friend cry. She’d known that Xander’s parents weren’t the best parents in the world, but she’d always assumed that on some level they loved Xander. How wrong she’d been.

That was the night Xander left home and the night their friendship truly reunited them.

Xander used the opportunity to finally take control of his life. He had taken make up tests and enrolled as a student at Sunnydale College.

They’d both chosen their careers, Willow in medicine and a future in Chicago and Xander chose business, finding he had a flair for management. He’d spent four years in L.A before transferring abruptly to London just over a year ago.

Now he was back and he had perfect timing because she thought if they were going to stop Tranesk, his help was going to be invaluable.

“Earth to Willow!” Xander said waving his hand in front of Willow’s eyes.

“Oh, sorry. My mind was just wandering.”

“That was pretty obvious. Now are you going to fill me in on what’s bothering you.”

She smiled, “Yes I’ll fill you in on all of the gruesome details on the way home.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“So daylight isn’t even safe from vampires now?” Xander asked, although he was pretty sure of the answer.

“Seems like it. The key to this though is Tranesk. I haven’t had time to research and Giles hasn’t called.” Willow paused, shifted her feet and looked nervously away before continuing. “Maybe it was just a mistake, a newby trying to unnerve me. Which she successfully did. The cross didn’t work and I’m not sure the stake would have. If I hadn’t remembered the protection spell… well… I suppose I wouldn’t be standing here.”

“Will you would have stopped her whatever happened. You know how to defend yourself, we had plenty of practise in Sunnydale.”

“Had is the operative word. I hadn’t slayed a vamp since Sunnydale. I left that life behind me and I don’t know whether I want to live like that again.” She paused. “Then, in Sunnydale, I don’t know, I didn’t think about dying, well not seriously, but after Mom and Dad… Well everything just changed.”

Xander moved beside her gently moving his arms to encompass her into his embrace. The vampire’s appearance had shaken Willow more than he’d realised.

The loss of her parents had been traumatic, but at least their deaths hadn’t been at the hands of a demon, that was the one thing that had helped Willow. If they had been killed by a demon she’d have questioned how she could have saved them, or at least tried to. A car accident was completely out of her control. Willow hadn’t been close to her parents but losing them had been hard.

“Don’t worry Will. We’ll solve the vampire problem, we always do.” Xander attempted to sound confident, even though his heart wasn’t quite sure.

The shrill ring of the telephone interrupted their conversation. Willow swiftly disengaged herself from Xander’s arms and walked to the table, quickly picking up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Hello. Doctor Rosenberg?” The male voice enquired.

“Yes. This is Doctor Rosenberg.”

“Doctor Rosenberg, we have a problem with a patient.” Willow finally placing the voice of Tom Edwards one of the Residents at the hospital.

“What kind of problem Tom?"

“The patient’s presented with low blood pressure, we’re managing to keep the patient’s heart beating, but only just. The patient…”

“Yes?”

“Has two small puncture wounds on his neck. He was found in the park. His wife’s missing and when he came in he seemed very disorientated.”

“He claimed he was attacked by a monster?” Willow asked rhetorically.

“Yes.” Tom replied, a little surprised as to how Willow could have known that detail. “Doctor Rosenberg, he’s the third patient this afternoon who’s presented with these symptoms.”

“I’m on my way Tom.” Willow replied, grabbing her keys as she replaced the receiver.

“Will?” Xander asked from behind her.

“It seems our daylight problem has found a few more victims. Are you up for a visit to the hospital?”

“To see my favourite Doctor in action, of course. Do I need to bring my stakes and holy water supplies?”

“The way my week’s gone so far, they’re becoming essential fashion items.”

“And there I was thinking that only Cordy paid attention to the latest fashion trends!”

Willow batted his arm gently and rolled her eyes. “Xander!”

Xander smiled. It was good to be home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander watched as Willow checked the three patients. All had been found within the vicinity of the park and on their necks they each had two small puncture wounds.

As Willow examined the neck of the third patient she pointed out the puncture wounds to Xander.

“Do you think they’ve turned?” He asked Willow in a voice that was virtually nothing more than a whisper.

“One way to find out.” Willow replied as she took a vial of holy water and poured a drop of the liquid onto a piece of gauze. She wiped the gauze gently over the patient’s hand.

They both watched the small piece of skin. After thirty seconds a small angry red blister appeared.

“I guess that answers the question.” Xander replied quietly.

“Yes. Although the reaction wasn’t very extreme.”

“Usually holy water hurts like hell!” Xander exclaimed.

“And is very effective in protection against those who are less than human. It looks like this…breed? Has built up resistance to religious artefacts.”

“Lets test the others, just in case.”

“We need to be sure.” Willow replied, her heart sinking with the results of the test.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The holy water had the same reaction on the other two patients, although to varying degrees.

“Looks like we need super strength holy water. I wonder if the Pope’s available for a little blessing?” Xander asked hoping to lighten the tension in the air.

“I think we need to work on our defences, although somehow I don’t think the Pope will be available.” Willow returned a small smile on her lips.

“I guess it’s time to hit the books, the more information we have the better equipped we are.”

“I’ll see if I can arrange a room for the patients on the same floor, it will make keeping an eye on them easier.”

“I’ll hit the books to see what I can find out.” Xander replied seriously.

“How about we meet here in a couple of hours? I have a feeling they’ll rise after sunset. Their power seems to kick in then.” Willow explained as she nodded to the three unconscious patients.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander dialed the number and waited.

“Oxford Mews Store.” The polite British voice answered the phone.

“Book Department please.” Xander replied.

The phone clicked. A different male voice filtered through. “What title do you require?”

“Harris’ Dictionary of Demonology.”

Xander waited patiently as the voice on the other end appeared to check.

“Mr Harris, Mr Marsh is waiting for your report.” The phone clicked again.

“Alexander.” Xander heard the familiar clipped tone of Mr Marsh echo on the line.

“Mr Marsh.”

“What is the situation in Chicago?”

“It appears we have a problem sir. They’ve taken an evolutionary step. Exposure to sunlight and holy artefacts does not cause them any discomfort. We have a new breed.”

Mr Marsh sighed. “Do whatever you can, collect as much information as possible Alexander. It will be necessary if we are to stop them.”

“I’ll e-mail all the relevant information I have tonight.”

“Alexander.”

“Yes.”

“Be careful, we don’t want to expose ourselves to the Slayer and her friends yet. The secrecy of our operation is essential.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“That’s the very least I expect of you Mr. Harris.”

The phone clicked and the dialing tone returned.

Will, will not be impressed if she finds out why I’m here. He thought, and I’m not very good at keeping secrets from her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow sat at the Nurses station on the third floor, directly opposite the room she’d managed to find for her three patients. Whilst she’d been waiting she’d called her friend Matt O’Connor a doctor at City Hospital. He’d told her they’d had four patients admitted in the past twenty-four hours with the same symptoms. He’d also let it slip that two of his patients had disappeared from the hospital.

She sat with her notebook making a list of questions and notes for research. Her list was getting her nowhere, what se really needed was access to a computer.

A beeping sound interrupted her thoughts. She glanced down at her pager. The number registered as the ER Reception Desk. She picked up the telephone receiver and dialled the number

“ER.”

“Jenny, it’s Dr Rosenberg, you paged me.”

“Dr Rosenberg we have a problem.”

“Problem?”

“Jack Masters, the patient yesterday. He’s just walked into chairs, he’s demanding to see Anna Meadows.

“Oh.” Willow couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“Dr Rosenberg.”

“Yes Jenny?”

Jenny whispered. “He’s… he’s… he’s got yellow eyes.”

“I’m on my way.” Willow dropped the receiver onto the table and hurried to the elevator, praying that she wouldn’t be too late.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander walked through the automatic doors into the ER, his mind processing the information he’d found. As he walked towards the information counter he suddenly realised that there was something wrong. The ER didn’t have any patients; it was quiet, too quiet.

“Where is everyone?” He asked, more to himself rather than to the empty room.

The elevator doors opened, breaking the silence of the room. Xander turned; Willow hurried out, the top of her stake and cross poking out of the pocket of her white coat.

“Will?

“Xander. Jack Masters is here.”

“What?”

“He’s looking for Anna.”

“Where is everyone?”

“I don’t know. I don’t like this. Xander, its too quiet.”

As if waiting for his cue Jack burst through the door of trauma room three. His forehead ridged and his yellow feral eyes blazing with fury.

“Doctor. Where’s Anna? She should be here. Tranesk demands her presence.” The vampire shouted, his voice deep and full of danger.

“Will, do you know Anna?” Xander asked lightly.

“Well if you mean the pile of ashes on the floor the caretaker swept up last night, then I do.” Will replied, her voice calm. Whilst they were talking, Willow and Xander moved themselves into position, ready to deal with Jack Masters.

“Ashes! You killed a servant of Tranesk?” The vampire asked incredulously briefly exposing his blood tipped fangs.

“Killed no. Allowed her soul and body to rest in peace, yes.” Willow replied quietly.

The vampire leapt at Willow, the full force of his body hitting her and sending her backwards. The cross she’d had in her pocket was now firmly pressed against the vampire’s cheek. The usual sizzle and burning sensation that accompanied a cross touching demonic flesh wasn’t there; it was as if the demon was completely protected. Willow grimaced as she felt the vampire’s stale breath on her cheek.

Xander watched as Jack Masters leapt at Willow, he felt his jaw open as Willow placed the cross against the vampire’s cheek, there wasn’t any reaction at all. Xander grabbed his vial of holy water and dashed to where Willow was valiantly fighting the vampire. He poured the contents of the bottle onto the vampire’s face. The vampire flinched but the water didn’t distract him from his attack.

Willow began to mumble words; Xander couldn’t quite make them out. But he stood transfixed as the vampire began to glow as an eerie blue light encircled him. The vampire’s grasp on Willow relinquished. As the vamp’s hands lost contact with Willow the glow deepened, the vampire began to rise into the air. The vampire’s eyes were no longer filled with fury but understanding.

“Witch!” He hissed. “Your powers will not defeat Tranesk. He will walk again.”

“He might, but you won’t!” Willow replied flicking her wrist. The vampire screamed as he burst into flames.

“Xander?” Willow asked as she looked at her friend, his face filled with a look of disbelief.S

“Will. Did you just levitate that vamp?”

She nodded.

“Has your power increase been a recent development?” He asked seriously.

“Well I haven’t had to use my magic to protect myself since Sunnydale. But well, there has been an increase in my power recently. Why?”

“I think we might have more than a vampire problem.”

Willow looked at him, uncertain where he was heading.

“I think we have a mystical convergence problem.”

“But that’s in Sunnydale.”

“According to what I’ve found out, not anymore.”

“Oh.”

“I think it’s more than oh, Will.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow checked on her three patients, they were still unconscious. The hospital was on full alert. The intruder in the ER had attacked two patients and four members of staff. Fortunately no one had seriously hurt, but people in the hospital were beginning to panic.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hello?” Willow asked as she answered the phone.

“This is Oxford Mews Store, is it possible to speak with Mr Harris.”

“I’ll just get him.” She placed the receiver on the table and walked to the kitchen. The man on the phone had a strange accent, not American and not British, and she couldn’t remember a store in the area with that name.

“Xander!” She called as she approached the doorway.

“Yeah Will.” Xander replied as he walked to the door.

“You’ve got a phone call, a man from the Oxford Mews Store.”

Xander’s face paled.

“Thanks Will.” He walked quickly over to the table picking up the receiver; he spoke into it his voice barely an audible whisper. “Hello Mr. Harris here.”

He listened, and then said the strangest thing Willow had ever heard. “Harris’ Dictionary of Demonology.”

Willow didn’t mean to listen to his conversation, but the voice and the title of the book had piqued her interest.

She picked up the name Mr. Marsh in the conversation, but other than that she couldn’t glean any further information.

Finally Xander replaced the receiver in its cradle. He turned towards her, but the look on her face stopped him in his tracks.

“Harris’ Dictionary of Demonology? Mr. Marsh? Do you have something you need to tell me?” Her emerald green eyes capturing his gaze and holding it.

“Will.”

“Don’t even try to lie to me Xander. I know you too well.”

"This isn’t going to be easy.”

“Nothing ever is Xander, but I want to know why you’re here, because I think it has more to do with the sudden vampire population than it has visiting me.”

“I did come to visit you Will.” He said moving closer to her.

“Don’t move any closer. I want the truth please, Xander.”

“Okay Will. But I think you might want to sit down.”

Willow complied. If she was about to be shocked, sitting down was a very good position to receive such news.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part Three

“What?” Willow asked incredulously, her mind still desperately attempting to deal with the news Xander had bestowed upon her.

“I’m working for the Watcher’s Council, in an indirect way.”

“How indirect is indirect?”

“As in I’m not a Watcher and never will be. I’m sort of working for a little known section of the Council, one more concerned with research than actually protecting the Slayer.”

“Why?”

“Well…well, because they asked me. I wasn’t getting anywhere with work, I missed the kind of excitement we had living in Sunnydale, and I wanted a change.”

“So you decided to join the organisation that wanted to kill Faith, nearly killed Buffy and caused us far too many problems!”

Xander looked at her, a pained expression etched onto his handsome features, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. “Will.”

"Do not,Will me! You knew about Tranesk didn’t you? That’s why you dropped everything, caught a plane and ended up here!” She leapt from the couch and began to pace, her hands clenched in fists at her sides.

“Willow, I really did come to visit you, you know. Tranesk was a little unplanned development. I’m sorry.” He moved to gently touch her shoulder. As she felt his touch she shrugged her shoulder away.

“Don’t Xander. Sorry isn’t enough. I thought we were friends, the type of friends who could tell each other everything. But obviously you don’t feel the same.” She walked slowly away towards the mantle piece, lifting a photograph of Xander and her taken in Sunnydale.

“We are Will. I just couldn’t tell you this, I shouldn’t have told you even now.”

“Why? What will happen? Will you be fired? Packed away to a remote retreat somewhere?” Willow’s voice hollow and bitter.

“No Will, I just think I’ll disappear.” Xander replied quietly.

“What?” She placed the picture back and turned quickly facing him, her eyes filled with pain

He met her gaze. “The last person who happened to tell someone his business disappeared.”

“What do you mean disappeared?”

“Disappeared Will, as in one minute he was sitting at his desk, the next he was called into the boss’ office and then nothing. Gone.”

"Oh.” Will replied, a look of sheer horror on her face.

“I’m sorry Willow.” He tried again.

“Look Xand, I need time to think. I’m going out for a while.”

“Will?”

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

“Always, Xander, always.” With that she turned, grasped her keys from the table and let herself out of the apartment.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander mentally kicked himself as he watched Willow leave the apartment. She had reacted how he’d expected her to. Anger, pain and so many more emotions that Xander didn’t want to list them. Her friendship was too important to lose, it was what had kept him alive and sane in Sunnydale, she was the one person on this earth who grounded him. And what did he do? He hurt her. It was something he’d perfected as a child and he still could cause her more pain by just being himself. He certainly was the rightful owner of the crown belonging to the King of Cretins.

He stood for a moment, before deciding that he couldn’t let Willow go out alone. Daylight was becoming more dangerous than night. He quickly walked to the door, hoping that Willow wouldn’t notice him following her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow walked through the park her mind desperately attempting to process the information about Xander’s career choice. Why would he want to work for the Watcher’s Council? Why move to England? Why come back so suddenly? “Oh.” She sighed, as she sat down on her bench opposite the sandbox. Although today she didn’t watch the children play, her mind was too preoccupied to enjoy the innocence of childhood.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander watched her from behind a tree, his heart aching at the look of pain on her face. He’d put that look there, by not telling her the truth when he should have. As he watched, two young children approached the sandbox, accompanied by their mother’s. They eagerly ran to the box, working together building a sandcastle.

Xander smiled. Just like Will and me, he thought. Why does growing up have to get so complicated? Why can’t life be simple?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow felt uncomfortable. It was as if she felt someone watching her. She looked nervously across the park. As she saw the two children playing in the sandbox, a small smile briefly passed over her lips. She took a deep breath as a sharp pain penetrated her stomach, accompanied by a shivering sensation. The small hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention. Something was wrong, very wrong.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander watched as Willow suddenly bent forward clutching at her stomach. He began to move forward from his hiding place when he saw them. Two vampires were approaching her from behind.

“Willow!” He yelled as he broke into a run.

Willow looked up at him, shock and confusion etched on her face. She didn’t realise what was about to happen, and Xander hoped he’d reach her in time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow heard Xander’s voice and looked up to see him running towards her, a look of panic etched onto his face. Why would Xander be shouting at her? Then she understood. The pain. Could it be a warning? Then she felt the hands grasp her shoulders sharply. Not again? She wondered silently.

She felt her assailant’s fingernails pierce her skin. She winced and tried to pull forward out of its grasp, but her assailant’s grip tightened.

The pain in Willow’s stomach subsided, replaced by a bubbling sensation radiating from her stomach through her arms and legs. Willow began to panic, until the sensation reached her head, it seemed to relax her thoughts, her emotions. Everything for that moment seemed peaceful, Xander and her assailant seemed to fade into a distant memory. The world disappearing, a blue aura clouding her sight, a place of perfect peace materialised before her eyes.

A young woman walked towards her, appearing slowly from the blue mist, her outline shimmering with a blue light. The young woman’s hair shone like fire in the light, her green eyes glinting and an enigmatic smile brushed over her lips.

Willow should have been afraid, but she knew that whomever the woman was she wasn’t going to hurt her. In fact she reminded Willow of herself a little, her auburn hair, green eyes and pale skin. Willow decided to return her smile.

“Welcome Willow.” The woman’s voice echoed around her, a singsong voice that could soothe and remove all danger in an instant.

“Where am I?” Willow asked.

“I can’t tell you. That is for you to find out. For now I need you to trust me. I know that’s hard but please trust me. You will find the truth, I promise.” The woman replied a warm smile replacing her earlier smile.

“Who are you?”

“A friend.” The woman outstretched her arm, gently touching Willow’s hair. “Trust me?” She pleaded.

Willow couldn’t say no, every ounce of her flesh wanted to trust this woman. She made Willow feel safe and secure, the feelings she only usually associated with Xander. “I trust you.” She whispered.

“Willow, we will meet again. Remember you are the spirit; your spirit will help you to survive, as will the love and support of the Protector. Your spirit will guide you.” The woman began to back away from her, her form fading and joining the swirling mist.

“Wait! Please come back. Can you help me fight Tranesk?” Willow called after the fading image.

“Your spirit will guide you, my child.” The woman’s voice echoed in Willow’s mind.

The mist spiralled; the blue peacefulness began to fade, replaced with the park and Xander. He stood before her, his face filled with concern.

“Willow?” He asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“Xander? What happened?” She asked, looking for her assailant. Where had he gone?

“I’ll tell you when we get home.” He promised, helping her to her feet.

Willow glanced towards the sandbox; the children were no longer playing but crying in their mothers embrace. The two women glaring at Willow and Xander their eyes filled with fear.

“Okay.” Willow replied, accepting Xander’s hand as they walked slowly from the park.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow sat on the couch, a cup of steaming coffee grasped in her hands. She’d felt cold since the incident in the park. She watched Xander as he paced in front of the mantelpiece, deep in thought.

“You promised me an explanation.” She began.

He turned to look at her. “Okay, but I can only tell you what I saw. I can’t say I understand it, but maybe together we can.”

“Okay.”

Xander walked to the chair and sat down, his hands clenched together as he began to recount what he’d seen in the park. “I saw the two vampires moving towards you. I tried to warn you, you looked up and then it was as if you disappeared.” He paused at the confused expression on Willow’s face. “Well not physically disappeared, but your eyes, it wasn’t you looking through your eyes, it was a stranger.”

“A stranger?”

“Yes, it’s difficult to explain, but I wasn’t looking at you anymore it was someone else.”

“Oh, I think.”

“Then it spoke, well you spoke but it wasn’t you. Your voice was different, deeper and the words you spoke, well I’ve never heard anything like it and trust me I’ve heard a lot of languages. As you spoke the vampire that was touching you began to disintegrate slowly, starting at his fingertips then moving slowly up his arms, until all that was left was a cloud of dust swirling in the breeze.”

“I don’t remember.” Willow explained.

“The other vampire panicked and began to back away, you turned towards him and continued to speak, but this time I understood you. You said ‘Tell Tranesk that Senark will rise once more. His time on Earth will be short, he will be returned to the underworld.’ With that the vampire screamed and ran as fast as his stumpy legs could carry him. Then you seemed to deflate, the presence that was inhabiting your body left and you were back, sitting on the floor.”

“I remember that bit.” She smiled.

“What happened Willow?”

Willow explained about the dream, the woman she met and the complete peace she felt as she spoke to her.

“Who do you think she is Will?”

“I don’t know, but I do know I trust her. Somehow I think she’s going to help us defeat Tranesk.”

“I think we need to find out who or what Tranesk and Senark are.”

“Then I guess it’s time to hit the books.”

“And hope there are answers.” Xander replied.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow and Xander sat together on the couch reading through the numerous volumes of texts Willow had collected. They’d searched using Willow’s computer and come up with nothing. Tranesk and Senark weren’t listed anywhere.

Willow flicked through the pages of her books, looking at pictures of demon upon demon, scanning the words for anything familiar. As her mind processed the pictures she was glad in some respects that her life fighting demons was over, well was over until the sudden appearance of Tranesk.

A sharp knocking on the door interrupted their silence. Willow placed her book on the table and went to answer it.

She opened the door and found Buffy, Giles and Riley waiting patiently a stack of bags resting against the wall of her apartment. Willow grinned.

“Hey Will. Thought we’d come and join the party.” Buffy said as she embraced her friend.

“Hello Willow, we thought our help might, well er… be helpful.” Giles ventured, briefly hugging Willow when Buffy relinquished her grasp.

“Hi Willow.” Riley smiled as he lifted the bags into the apartment.

Buffy squealed when she saw Xander sitting on the couch. “Xander! When did you get back in the country?” She exclaimed as she hurried towards her friend.

“A couple of days ago. I thought I’d come and visit Will and I time it just right because I’m back to fighting vampires again. Hi Giles, Riley.”

“How are things here?” Giles asked as he sat on one of the chairs.

“Confusing Giles. Very confusing.” Willow began before explaining in detail the past forty-eight hours.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Did you find anything about Tranesk?” Willow asked Giles.

“Not exactly.” He began. “I’ve found only one reference to him being a demon of the underworld, but as yet I haven’t found out exactly what type of demon he is, or what his purpose may be. But now we have Senark, we might be able to find out something. I’ll need to spend some time researching, I noticed you have quite a collection of books Willow.”

Willow smiled at the compliment. “I collect them, sort of helps to be prepared.”

“Quite.” Giles replied. “However, I’ve brought a few books with me and I know where to get some of the rarer texts I might need, here in Chicago.”

Buffy nodded towards the bags on the floor. “I bet you thought they were full of our clothes and things. Well let me tell you, that is the majority of Giles’ private library, he doesn’t seem to grasp the concept of travelling lightly.” She teased.

Willow, Xander and Riley laughed, Giles reddened. “Well, I didn’t know which ones would prove useful, it’s better to be prepared.”

“Just like a boy scout!” Xander replied.

Giles rolled his eyes Xander never seemed to change.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The research party began in earnest; the group spent hours pouring over ancient texts in the hope of determining what Tranesk’s plans might be. Xander and Willow had fetched fresh doughnuts, remembering Giles’ passion for jelly ones.

Willow had checked on the three patients she’d admitted yesterday to the hospital, all three were still unconscious. She couldn’t understand why they hadn’t risen yet. Was Tranesk waiting for something?

Willow’s thoughts were distracted by the sound of someone knocking on the apartment door.

“Are you expecting visitors Will?” Xander asked.

“No.” She replied making her way once more to the door. She cautiously peered through the peephole. She smiled as she saw three more of her friends standing in the hallway.

“Who is it Will?” Buffy asked.

“Looks like more help is on the way.” She replied opening the door. “Angel, Cordy, Wesley, what a nice surprise.”

Cordy forced her way into the room. “Willow, you’ve got to be careful, you’re in danger. Some horrible demon’s going to try and kill you…” She suddenly noticed everyone else in the room. She reddened. “Hi guys.” She turned to Willow again. “Whatever is after you Will, it wants to destroy the world. We’re in serious trouble.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part Four

Everyone looked at Cordelia. Her gaze never left Willow; she stood waiting patiently for Willow’s response to her revelation.

Willow allowed a small smile to grace her lips. “I guess hi was just too much to ask for?” She asked Cordy.

“Well, I just… you know tact. Better to tell you now rather than waste valuable time on niceties when that big ugly looking, well actually more disgusting, as in really disgusting, sort of like the creature from the black lagoon but not, demon thingy turns up and turns you into…well…er…toast.” Cordy attempted to explain her sudden announcement.

“Thanks, I think, Cordy. Anyway glad you could join the party.” Willow replied.

“What Cordelia was trying to explain, was that she had a vision. We’ve tried to find out as much as we could about the demon Cordy saw, but without a name we haven’t found anything substantial. So we thought we’d come and help on the front line.” Wesley interjected.

“Front line?” Willow asked.

“According to my vision Chicago isn’t going to be a pretty sight when the demon rises from the underworld.” Cordy turned to Angel and Wesley. “Remind me why we had to come and tell Willow in person, because I could be missing a very important audition and L.A seems so much safer now that I’m here.”

Angel and Wesley looked at Cordelia, well-practiced stares causing Cordelia to shift nervously.

“Okay, I know, I know, sorry. The old Cordy just surfaced a little, must be the change of scenery.” She turned from Angel and Wesley and looked appraisingly around Willow’s apartment. “Willow I love what you’ve done with the place, so homey.”

“Good save, Cordy. When you’ve dug a hole that you desperately want out of, comment on the surroundings, change topic and divert attention. Glad to see some things never change.” Xander teased.

“Xander? When did you get back? I thought you’d done the decent thing and left the country permanently. What a shame the British didn’t want to keep you? Was your Xander humour too way out for them? Did you not fit in with the tweed?” Giles and Wesley turned to glare at Cordy again. Cordy felt the heat of their stares and her face reddened slightly with embarrassment. “I guess your timing’s perfect,” she smiled, “all ready to act like Sir Prance-a-lot, sorry that wasn’t right was it? Oh that’s it, Sir Lancelot, Buffy and Willow’s knight in not such white armour.” With that Cordy turned and retreated to the relative safety of the doorway to the kitchen.

“When the children in the sandbox have finally finished sharing taunts do you think we could move onto more grown up matters? Like saving the world?” Giles asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Cordy sheepishly began to examine her purse; desperate for the attention she’d caused to disappear.

Xander grinned. Some things never changed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow opened her eyes, the bright morning sunlight shining through the drapes. She tried to move, but realised that something heavy was resting on her hip. Lifting her head slowly, and found Xander’s head resting against her. She looked around her living room, Buffy was curled up next to Riley on the floor, and Giles’ head rested on an opened book on the table, Wesley was asleep in the chair. The final pair caused a huge smile to cross Willow’s lips; Cordy was curled tightly in Angel’s lap, her head resting against his shoulder, Angel’s head gently resting on hers, although he wasn’t asleep. He smiled when he noticed Willow watching them.

Willow shifted slowly, letting Xander’s head lower slowly onto the couch. “Morning, Angel.” She whispered, as she stretched and moved toward the kitchen to find breakfast for everyone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The smell of freshly cooked pancakes woke Xander from the relative peace of slumber. He opened his eyes and slowly stretched, he was lying on Willow’s couch. He glanced around the room the others were still asleep, except for Angel who was cradling Cordy.

Xander walked to the kitchen, a smile creeping over his lips as he watched Willow working, her hands gracefully scooping batter from the bowl to the pan. “Good morning.”

She turned to look at him. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”

“I did, but I think it had something to do with the pillow!”

“Well, my hip will never be the same again!” She grinned. “I thought the smell of food might wake you.”

“As always, you’re right, how could I sleep with the smell of freshly cooked pancakes? My nose has always been hypersensitive to the smell of food cooking, it was a skill I learnt when I used to sleep over at your house.”

“A skill you’ve never forgotten to use. Well, since you’re up would you like a pancake?”

“Just one?” He pouted.

“Just remember, there are five other people in there who will appreciate breakfast as much as you do.” She smiled, “and if you eat them all, you will be making more.”

“Me, cook pancakes? I don’t think the Scooby gang is prepared for food poisoning so early in the morning.”

“Well at least there’s a doctor in the house!”

“A very good doctor at that.”

Willow’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. “Thanks, but somehow being a good Doctor is not going to help us with our problem.”

“Hmm, although somehow, you hold the key, Will.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t think I want to hold the key. I just want to return to normal, before Anna Meadows died.”

“But we can’t turn the clock back, Will. We all wish we could, but until we fathom out how to conquer time, we have to abide by its rules.”

“When did you get so wise?”

“When I grew up I had a very wise friend, I just didn’t know how wise she was then. But her advice sank in to the depths of my mind, and is now ready for use!”

“Thanks, I think.”

“Who said it was you?” He grinned. “I could have been talking about Cordy or Buffy.”

Willow batted his arm with a dishcloth, rolling her eyes. “I might have known. One of these days, your brain is going to process the information before you speak. You let your eyes do all the work, like you’ve always done. You spent your high school career using your eyes to fawn over the latest pretty girl, instead of using your brain to work.”

Xander noticed the tinge of sadness in Willow’s voice. “Well that’s ancient history, Will. I realise now that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there’s more to life than looks, although if you have them it helps!”

“Xander!” She grinned, “don’t ever change, will you? It wouldn’t be the same without your unique viewpoint on life.”

“I promise never to change, unless I find a really good reason to.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I need to go to the hospital. I’m expected to work today; I just can’t call in sick, especially if I want to keep an eye on our three potential Servants of Tranesk. I want to run some more tests, find out if there are any weaknesses that we can use to stop them.” Willow explained to the gang.

“But with the recent activity at the hospital I’m not sure it’s safe for you to be there alone.” Giles stated as he cleaned his glasses.

“I won’t be alone! The hospital is full of patients and Doctors and it will be broad daylight!”

“That’s exactly it Willow, daylight is no longer safe, since this new breed is somehow able to protect themselves from the harmful rays of light. I don’t want to expose anyone to their potential threat, especially you, and somehow you’re an important element to solving the problem. Tranesk has already attempted to kill you twice and I don’t think he’s going to stop now.”

“I’ll go with Willow.” Xander offered. “Although she’s very good at defending herself, I’ve seen her powers twice, the Servants of Tranesk never knew what hit them.”

Giles sighed. “Okay, Xander you go with Willow, but I want you to report in regularly, especially if our three Servants rise. We need to know where Tranesk will rise from, the new Servants could lead us directly to him.”

“Or they could lead us on a wild goose chase.” Buffy added. “I think the park holds the key, everyone who’s turned so far have been attacked in the park. Tranesk’s lair must be situated within the park’s boundaries. I think a little slayer search might reveal more information, if we can get a description of Tranesk we might be able to find some helpful material.”

“I don’t want you to alone.” Giles said, a look of concern etched on his face. “Riley, Wesley and Cordelia, you go with Buffy, see what you can find out in the park. As with Willow, I want to hear you checking with us regularly. I want to know the instant you find something, not after you’ve got yourself into a dangerous situation. Is that clear?”

“Yes Dad.” Buffy mocked gently a smile brushed over her lips.

Giles blushed slightly and smiled. “Okay then, Angel and I will see what we can find out about Tranesk and Senark, one of these books must contain something useful. We’ll meet back here after Willow’s shift ends, by then we might have something to useful.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow left Xander in her office, he was going to use her computer and phone to contact the Watcher’s Council, to find out if they’d found anything useful to help them defeat Tranesk.

She walked to the Servant’s room. Her three patients had yet to wake up, the steady rhythmic beating of their heart monitors, indicating that on the surface they still appeared to be alive. Although, Willow knew that they had turned and somewhere deep inside lying dormant, were three demons waiting to expose themselves to the unsuspecting outside world.

Willow carefully took a blood sample from each patient, labelling and ordering a vast array of blood tests. She also collected skin samples in order to ascertain whether their skin composition had changed.

Before Willow left, she listened to each patient’s heartbeat. Sure enough, each of their heart’s pounded with the regular rhythm she’d come to expect. No hint of the changes their turning had caused on their bodies. This really was a fascinating case, Willow thought; I just hope that we can find the answers to stop them. Cordy’s description of her vision floating briefly through her mind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Xander replaced the receiver back in its cradle. His conversation with Mr. Marsh had thrown a little light on why Tranesk might have surfaced in Chicago. According to the Council’s research, there had been a subtle shift in the hellmouth’s power; the boundary that had been weakened in Sunnydale had slowly become stronger, through the influence of the Slayer and an unspoken force. As the hellmouth’s power dissipated in Sunnydale a new mystical convergence began to appear in Chicago. Slowly showing itself as a small crack in the surface between Earth and the underworld, but as the power shift continued the boundary between the two worlds had weakened allowing the dark powers of the underworld to find a new entry point to the upper world.

Xander thought about the timing of the movement of the hellmouth’s power, it coincided with Willow leaving Sunnydale and moving to Chicago. The more he thought about it, the more he thought about the changes in Willow’s power, and the way the Servants of Tranesk seemed to be drawn to her. Was it a coincidence, or was Willow really the key to the power shift? Willow had been present in Sunnydale when the Hellmouth erupted; Buffy had been called to Sunnydale to stop the forces of evil breaking through. Was it a coincidence that Willow and he had become involved in fighting evil, or was it something else. Why would the hellmouth’s strength move to a new location when Willow moved?

Xander doodled on a piece of paper, Willow’s words floating through his mind, her description of the mysterious woman, asking Willow to follow her spirit with the guidance of the Protector. The question was, where was her spirit going to lead her, and who on earth was her protector? Buffy easily fit the description, but something didn’t seem quite right.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I don’t see why I had to come. I’m not good with fighting demons; I’m only good at seeing them in my visions. I would have been much better staying at Willow’s and helping with the research. My computer skills have really developed, haven’t they Wesley?” Cordelia complained as she walked through the park with Buffy, Riley and Wesley.

“What?” Wesley asked, glancing up from the map he held in his hands.

Cordy rolled her eyes.“ Research, I’d have been better researching rather than walking around a park in the middle of the day looking for v-a-m-p-i-r-e-s.” She whispered the spelling of the last word.

“Well you’re here now Cordy, so make the most of it. The sun is shining so you can work on your tan.” Buffy sniped.

Cordy glared at Buffy, but decided it would be better to keep her mouth shut, she didn’t really want to have an argument in the middle of the park. The sooner they searched it, the sooner they could all get back to Willow’s apartment.

“I think we should split up. There are two possible locations for Tranesk’s nest; both are near to sewer access points. I’m assuming that even though they can move comfortably around in daylight, prolonged exposure might have serious detrimental effects.”

“Okay.” Buffy agreed, looking quickly at the map. “Riley and I will take the access point near the pond. You and Cordy check out the access point near the bandstand.”

Cordy reluctantly nodded her head.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cordy and Wesley approached the bandstand. The ornate metalwork glinted in the afternoon sunlight, the gold and silver paintwork shimmering like lost jewels in an emerald sea.

The area surrounding the bandstand was a mixture of bushes, trees and shrubs. For such a glorious sunny afternoon, the area surrounding the bandstand was deserted.

“I don’t like this Wesley.” Cordy whispered.

“It is a little quiet Cordelia. Perhaps the bandstand isn’t popular with visitors to the park. The access point should just be behind those trees over there.” Wesley replied, pointing in the direction of the trees.

Cordy followed Wesley, her stomach churning an uneasy feeling causing her to shudder.

As they approached the sewer entrance, Wesley turned to Cordy. “I can understand why this isn’t a popular location, there is definitely an uneasy stench in the air.”

Cordy nodded, “a smell of death.”

Wesley continued to walk towards the entrance to the sewer. He stopped short, turning his head from side to side, listening for a sound Cordy couldn’t hear. She watched as he picked something up from the ground, he turned to show Cordy. As he turned, her head suddenly was filled with the familiar sharp pain of a vision. Her hands reached for her head, attempting to shield her mind from the pain that accompanied the images.

She felt herself fall forward as the power of the images intensified, she saw Willow and Xander, but they didn’t appear to be the Willow and Xander she knew, their eyes seemed haunted, distant and full of pain and they were wearing strange outfits. Then she saw Tranesk, his evil orange eyes releasing the powers of evil, the bright orange fiery rays emanating from his eyes scorching and disintegrating buildings and people. The world changed from a green and lush land to a scorched and burning hell. Tranesk would bring hell to earth.

As the images faded, Cordy felt the welcome darkness of slumber as she relaxed into its embrace. Her mind recovering from the trauma of the vision, she was unaware of the Servants of Tranesk capturing Wesley and her and taking them into the depths of Chicago’s sewer system to meet their master, the Emperor of Death, Tranesk.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow entered her office, Xander was sitting at her desk doodling on a piece of paper, and he didn’t notice her arrival. She stood in the doorway watching him for a moment, allowing fond memories to swim through her mind, momentarily forgetting the threat of Tranesk.

“Hey.” She said finally, disturbing the relaxing silence in the room.

Xander snapped back to reality at the sound of Willow’s voice. “Hey. How long have you been standing there?” He asked.

“Long enough to realise that there’s something bothering you. Did you find something useful out from the Council?” She asked as she walked towards her desk, sitting down opposite Xander in a chair. As she sat she glanced at the paper he was doodling on, her name and his were written in his scrawl as well as Tranesk’s. A circle surrounded their names and Tranesk’s seemed to be surrounded by a wall of flame. Cordy’s comment suddenly filtered back into her mind. Toast. A glimmer of understanding filtered into her mind. Tranesk’s power is linked to fire; he wants to bring the burning of hell onto earth.

“What?” Xander asked, recognising the look of understanding on her face.

“Tranesk, he’s here to bring hell onto earth. He’s the demon of fire, the Emperor of Death.”

“What?” Xander repeated his face contorted into a look of complete confusion. He couldn’t understand where Willow would have found out the information.

“I don’t know where I know that from,” Willow began to explain. “I saw your doodle and everything just made a little more sense. Cordy mentioned that her vision saw Tranesk burning me like toast. Your doodle shows Tranesk’s name with a circle of fire surrounding him. He’s the Emperor of Death and he wants bring forward the flames of hell onto earth. His power lies in the flame, Xander. His power is fire, one of the four core elements. Maybe the other three will help us to defeat him.” She pondered.

“I’m still not following Will. You got all this from my doodle and Cordy’s reference to toast? It’s a little thin on the facts.”

“I just know Xander. Your doodle and Cordy’s comment just helped me to unlock something I already knew. Don’t ask me how I know, I just do.” She shrugged her shoulder for emphasis.

“Well, I suppose that’s something to go on. We could research all demons that have anything remotely linked with the fires of hell. Although I have a sneaky suspicion that fire and hell are quite a common connection in the demon world.”

Willow sighed, understanding Xander’s viewpoint, she couldn’t really explain how she knew herself, although she remembered the mysterious woman’s words about her spirit guiding her. She just hoped her spirit was guiding her in the right direction.

A comfortable silence filled the room, both of them lost in their own thoughts, trying to bring some semblance of understanding to the events of the past few days. Eventually Xander broke the silence. “Will?”

“Hmm.” She replied, moving her gaze from the desk to look at Xander.

“I spoke to Mr. Marsh, the Council have made some interesting discoveries concerning the Hellmouth and the movement of the mystical convergence point.”

“Discoveries?”

“Yep. Apparently the power of the Hellmouth began to dissipate after you left Sunnydale, the power transferred to a new location.”

Willow listened to Xander’s explanation a look of confusion on her face. “New location?”

“Yep.”

“Chicago.”

“Yes, Chicago. I know this sounds silly but it appears that the hellmouth’s power is following you.”

“No, that’s ridiculous. Why would the power follow me? There are still vamps in Sunnydale, Buffy still slays them. There hasn’t been a vampire problem here, until the past few days. Chicago isn’t like Sunnydale. The power didn’t follow me.”

“The Council has been monitoring the situation, the power in Sunnydale until recently, although diminishing, has remained fairly strong. However, there’s been a significant power change in the past few months, and the demons and vampires have felt the urge to follow the power. There’s been an increase in reports of unexplained deaths and animal attacks on a direct route from Sunnydale to Chicago. The new Hellmouth is drawing more and more evil to its location. The Chicago Hellmouth is going to be more powerful than the one in Sunnydale. It will be the key to the underworld.”

Willow sat and looked at Xander a complete look of shock etched onto her beautiful features.

“I know it sounds unbelievable, Willow. But the more I sit and think about it, the more it makes sense. The change in the convergence point, the increased attacks, the new breed, and… your power.”

“I know, Xander, I just don’t want to believe it. Suddenly I wish I’d never met Buffy, because then I might not have known about the darker side of life. I could have just lived my life without having to worry about saving the world.”

“I know, Will, but somehow I think we were meant to help Buffy. The Powers That Be have indicated how important our roles are, I think they knew a long time ago that you would be important in stopping Tranesk. All we’ve got to do is work out how you’re going to stop him.”

“And somehow, I don’t think that’s going to be an easy task.”

“Nothing ever is, Will. Especially when we’re fighting to save the world.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow’s pager beeped, she plucked it from her pocket and read the display. It was a call from the nurse’s station outside the Servant’s room. She hurried to towards the nurse’s station in the ER, phoning through to her office. She waited a moment for Xander to answer. “I’ve been paged to the Servant’s room. Something’s wrong, I can feel it.”

“I’m on my way, Will.” Xander replied.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow approached the nurse’s desk, the nurse sitting behind the desk smiled warmly. “Dr. Smith is in with your patients; they’ve regained consciousness.”

Willow returned the smile, even though her heart was pounding in her chest and her stomach was churning with the realisation that Tranesk’s Servants had risen. She thanked the nurse and headed towards the door, she waited a moment before reaching for the door handle. As her hand touched the cold metal of the door handle, an image jumped into her mind. She saw Dr Smith, her limp form on the floor, the Servants, morphed features gloating about their master’s latest kill. She saw herself enter the room, the Servants turning towards her, their arms linked, as fire began to pour from their hands, the flames licking and dancing as they approached her, singeing and burning her skin, the sound of their heinous laughter cackling in the air.

Willow released the handle and the vision dissipated. Her heart continued to pound, her mind focusing on the vision, knowing that it was a warning, giving her time to prepare. She heard the mysterious woman’s voice, “trust your spirit. Your Protector will help you achieve your destiny.”

Willow inhaled deeply and pushed the door open. As she stepped into the room she saw Dr Smith’s body outstretched on the floor, her throat torn by the force of the vampires’ attack, her eyes empty and glazed with death. Willow looked up towards the vampires; they were moving together their hands uniting. Their eyes turning from the putrid yellow to a deep and fiery orange colour, and their unlinked arm outstretching towards their quarry. A deep resounding voice emanating from their mouths. “You will die. The power of Senark is strong in you, but it will not stop me. The power of the Protector has not been found, without it you will fall at the hands of my soldiers and I will bring hell onto earth. Just as the prophecy states.” As they finished their speech their hands began to glow, flames beginning to lick at their skin, the flames gaining in strength closing the distance between them and Willow.

Willow felt the power surge through her body, her mind silently formulating the words, her arms moving towards the vampires. The familiar blue light began to lick at the end of her fingers. “Tranesk, the power of Senark will defeat you. My power will stop you, my heart is pure my spirit is strong. Together with the Protector, I will destroy you and banish you to the underworld for eternity. You will never walk on earth.” Willow’s voice was deep and emotionless. As she spoke the power she felt increased, the strength of the blue light intensified. “Your power may be that of fire, but mine is of Earth and water, these elements will defeat you.”

“You are missing the fourth element.” Xander’s voice echoed from behind her. “The power of air.”

The furniture in the room began to move and strain with the force of the wind that had suddenly appeared in the room. The flames that had been flickering from the vampire’s hands began to dance towards the vampires, engulfing them in their own flames. Their skins blackening and cracking, the voice of Tranesk echoing, “you will not stop me. I will walk on Earth and I shall use the power of the Seer. She will be my eyes, and her mortal body will carry my soul forward.”

The vampires screamed, as their flesh finally disintegrated, their skeleton briefly exposed before exploding into a hot cloud of dust, that danced in the declining wind.

Willow turned to Xander. “Where did you learn to do that?” She asked incredulously.

“I don’t know, Will. I just knew.” He replied a look of complete shock on his face.

“I guess I’ve found my Protector.” She smiled.

A small smile crept onto his lips. “Protector? I can’t be.”

“You are. I know it now. You are the Protector of the daughter of Senark.”

“Daughter of Senark?”

Willow nodded, her green eyes shining.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part Five coming soon.