IV - After The Spell

Buffy woke slowly and stretched as she lay in her bed. Her back and shoulders popped satisfyingly. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she slowly sat up. She hadn't slept so well in ages. Her night had been devoid of the doubts and worries that constantly assailed her. Her rest had been deep and dreamless.

~ Dreamless? ~

A frown creased her brow as she tried to force her mind to recall the night and her dream of dying lovers. It was no use. There was nothing. With a sigh of disappointment she rose from the bed and dressed. Willow and Dawn were already up and about. She might as well find them and break the news that things hadn't gone as planned. It was probably those moldery old ashes. They'd have to try the spell again.

Finally ready, she knocked on the door that connected to Giles' room. He greeted her with an inquiring gaze and a cup of tea, then ushered her into his room.

"Well, what did you discover?"

Buffy sighed and flopped down on the hotel issue armchair. "Nothing. I didn't dream."

"That's curious," Giles took a sip from the small cup in his hand. "No dream at all?"

Buffy shook her head. "Just good old-fashioned sleeping. I didn't even hear Dawn snore."

Giles' face lit up with a smile. "It must have been a sound sleep indeed. I've always thought that girl's snoring must be inherited from her mother."

"Huh?" Buffy wasn't sure what he was talking about. "Mom didn't..."

There was a knock on the connecting door. Giles deposited his cup on a small table beside the bed and went to answer it.

"Ah Willow, come in. Buffy and I were just discussing her dream."

"Lack of," Buffy interjected. She hoped Willow wouldn't suggest a re-do.

"Really?" Willow asked, "No dream?"

"Nothing. Not even a little something." Buffy sighed, "Just sleep."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Willow blurted out, her eyes welling up with tears. "What could have gone wrong?" she asked Giles.

Giles patted the witch's shoulder. "We'll just have to check over the incantation and ingredients again."

"This is just so horrible for Buffy." Willow was beginning to sob, "She's so confused and needing our help. We have to help her!"

"And we will," Giles assured her. "I know you did your best."

"My best? MY best?" Willow began to bawl in earnest. "That's the problem!"

Buffy was mystified. What was the deal? "Hey, it's okay Will. Really! Nobody is growing horns or turning demony. It could have been worse. At least I finally got a good night's rest."

Willow crumpled to the ground and buried her face in her hands. Buffy couldn't make out anything she was saying between sniffs and snorts and hiccups. She sidled over to Giles. "What is going on with her Giles? I haven't seen her like this since she tried to destroy the world."

"She'll be fine Buffy. It's just Willow."

"Huh?"

She watched Giles slap his palms together and rub them back and forth in anticipation. "Well then, are we ready for breakfast? I believe we're to meet the others downstairs."

"What about Willow?"

"She'll be fine." He leaned over the girl who was still crying on the floor. "Willow, you're distressing Buffy. Come along now."

Buffy watched her miserable best friend look up at her, then to Giles. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Willow stood up and pulled awkwardly at her skirt. "I didn't mean to make such a scene," she took a deep, quavering breath. "We can go. Everyone is waiting."

"Are you sure you're all right Willow? Because this..." Buffy gestured helplessly, "This is just a little weird."

"Peachy!" Willow said. "Let me get the door for you." She opened the door and waved Buffy through. "Are you coming, Giles?"

"Be right there," he replied. He paused at the mirror to straighten his tie, smooth his hair, and then leaned forward to check his teeth. He finally seemed satisfied and joined the girls with a big smile. "Very well. Let's be going."

"I thought that was tea you were drinking," Buffy told him.

"Why yes, indeed it was. Why do you ask?"

"You just seem to be all pip pip and tally-ho this morning."

"Why thank you, dear girl." Giles smiled broadly, adjusted his glasses, and then closed the door behind them as they stepped into the hall.