The Witch, The Warrior, and the Vampire

Chapter 15
The Tests Begin

Spike led Xander through the tunnels of the city. There was only one place in Sunnydale where a demon, particularly a vampire, could get a haircut: Willy’s. It seemed that the human barbers and hairstylists freaked out more than a little to customers without reflections, so Willy had gone to cosmetology school not long after he opened his bar.

*

The late afternoon sun was beaming down in the courtyard of the mansion. Willow, Tara, and Dawn were waiting for Morgaine. Now that school was over for everyone, their training was going to start in earnest. The few sessions they had already attended had been lecture-style.

Dawn had wondered if the endless repetition of “not to be taken lightly”, “everything you send out comes back times three”, “love spells are forbidden”, “dangerous, must be properly trained” and many other comments had been directed to her. She had started to ask Willow and then she realized, the instructions had been meant for everyone, but all the repetitious warnings had been directed to Willow. She shivered a little as she recalled how out of control Willow had become with her magick, before she’d stopped. That forgetting spell had crossed lineline, about 1000 miles back.

Morgaine entered the courtyard with a breeze. Willow wondered if the woman could command the weather with her powers. It always seemed that the wind blew, a mist would fall, or lightning would strike whenever the woman made her presence known; the whole thing would’ve seemed cartoonish if it weren’t for the utteriousiousness of the priestess. Morgaine was wearing a sleeveless yellow tunic belted at the waist with a braided purple cord. She stood quietly and waited for her students to notice her arrival. When she had their undivided attention, she motioned them inside.

There were tunics spread out on the couch in the sparsely furnished living room. She handed a vibrant blue tunic with a yellow cord to Tara, a white tunic and black cord to Dawn, and a black tunic and white and purple cord to Willow. “You need to wear these whenever we practice magick. Aype ype of dress is appropriate for studying and discussion but when practicing, for now at least, you will wear these. Once you have changed, meet me in the courtyard.”

*

The bell over the shop door jingled and Giles was pleased to see the Lawe’s enter. Maggie dashed to the training room, anxious for physical activity. Giles invited James and Bridget into his office to discuss his meeting with the Messenger.

*

“Dawn, I want you to explain the significance of the colors I have chosen for everyone’s tun” Mo” Morgaine gestured for the girl to begin.

“I didn’t realize we’d have to take an oral examination,” Willow muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes.

“Tara is wearing blue to enhance her psychic awareness, and her healing abilities. Yellow is for divination, maybe to help her with her aura readings? You’re in yellow because you scry and the purple tunes you into the goddess and god. White is for cleansing, purity and spirituality, I think I’m wearing this because I’m new to all this and the black is for protection.” Dawn turned her eyes to Willow, the only one of them in three colors. “You’ve put Willow in a black tunic for protection and to prevent falsehood. White is to cleanse her, and the purple to tune her into the goddess and god.”

“Excellent.” Dawn flushed with the compliment.

Willow’s face flamed as bright as her hair. Even during training, Morgaine would not allow anyone to forget that Willow had abused her power. A wave of anger swept over Willow, the urge to unleash her power at Morgaine was overwhelming. How dare she humiliate her? She felt her fingertips tingle and prepared to strike out at her teacher like she had Glory. Her eyes became black pools but before she could raise her hands to release the power, Morgaine held up her left hand and released her own power at Willow. The power of the goddess.

Immediately a feeling of serenity washed over her. She took a deep breath and started to apologize, but Morgaine interrupted her. “Your tests have begun, Willow. You would have failed if I hadn’t stopped you. The Master’s call is reaching you. You must battle the darkness you invited into yourself. I will not always be here to save you. You must learn to protect yourself.”

Willow couldn’t meet Morgaine’s eyes. She knew there were would be tests, but she hadn’t counted on the Master’s influence. She chanced a glimpse at Tara and saw disappointment on her face.

“Today we are going to call the corners and ask for the goddess to bless us. It is the most basic aspect of magick. You may ask the goddess for anything you wish during the blessing.” The four women stood in a circle and prepared for the spell.

*

“Why are we at Willy’s?” Xander’s constant questions were beginning to remind Spike of a child on a long car ride.

“So you can get a haircut,” he said simply.

“Why didn’t we go to the barber shop?”

“What do you think he would have said when you didn’t have a reflection?” Spike held the door to the bar open for the other vampire.

“Oh.” Xander nodded.

Spike went straight to Willy’s office. “Oi, Willy, need some beauty help!”

Willy had his back to the door, focusing on a spreadsheet he had pulled up on his computer; without turning around he answered Spike. “I wondered when I’d see you again. I think you’re due for a root job, too.”

“Brought someone else with me, too; ‘e wants a haircut.”

Willy saved his spreadsheet. “You know I’m not taking new customers right now.”

“You’ll take this one mate, or I’ll kill you.” Spike countered evenly.

Willy laughed as he turned around to face Spike. “Forget you’re chipped? Xander! What are you doing here?”

“I’m not chipped anymore mate, and I’ll kill you if I want to.” The vampire then gestured to Xander, who was standing awkwardly in the doorway.

Willy took in Xander’s appearance. He’d changed a great deal since the last time he’d been in for information. “You’re a vampire!”

“And?” Xander asked.

“Does the Slayer know this?” Willy looked utterly gobsmacked.

“Yes.” Spike and Xander answered together.

“And you’re not dead?” Standing up, the bartender moved towards the pair, eyeing the brunette curiously.

“Still have my soul.” Xander shrugged.

Filing that tidbit away for future use, Willy quickly changed the subject. “You guys are the first vamps I’ve seen in days, what’s going on?”

“The Master’s back. Look, can we get a haircut or what?” Having lost all patience with small talk, Spike lit a cigarette and glared at Willy.

Willy swallowed hard. “The Master’s back? I guess that explains a lot. Let’s get you guys fixed up.”

Willy led them down a dark hallway and into a room Xander had never seen before. A beautician’s chair was in the middle of the room surrounded by video cameras. There was a television anchored to one wall, a mirror to another. In the back of the room there was a hair-washing station.

“You want a shampoo?” Willy asked Xander as he pulled a cape over his shoulders.

“Nah. What’s with the cameras?” He looked around the room curiously.

Willy clicked a button and suddenly all the cameras were on, and so was the TV. “Vamps don’t have a reflection. None of them believed me when I told them their hair looked good, so I set this up.”

“Yeah, went up on the prices too.” Spike looked at the TV image and realized Willy was right; he was overdue for a root job.

“Hey man, I’ve got to cover my costs somehow.”

Spike snorted and sat down in an empty chair. Xander’s eyes were riveted to the TV. He hadn’t seen himself at all since he’d been turned and was stunned at the differences. ‘Wow, I’ve got cheekbones, not Spike cheekbones, but they’re there.’ Shaking himself out of his reverie he told the bartender-barber-snitch what he wanted. “Willy, cut it real short. Not a buzzcut, but short.”

“Got it.” In a short amount of time the image on the TV reminded Xander of his senior year in high school. He was a bit heavier than back then, but not much. Pleased with the results, he handed Willy a ten-dollar bill. “Not gonna cover it Xander.”

“Why not?”

“Got to cover my costs, that’ll be twenty plus tip.” The weasely little man held his palm out.

Xander growled but pulled out a twenty and handed it over. Willy grinned at the generous tip. “Tip my lily white ass! Go get the whelp some blood for that ten.” Willy’s smile faded, but he did point Xander towards the refrigerator.

“How about you Spike? Roots and all?” Spike nodded, and Willy got to work.

*

“And the Oracles confirmed everything?” Bridget asked.

Giles nodded and added some bourbon to his tea.

“I think we need to step up Maggie’s training. If the rules have changed like Ashton and the Oracles indicated, she’ll be allowed to fight in this battle.” James was drumming his fingertips on the table, contemplating his Slayer’s strengths and weaknesses.

“As will Angel and his group from LA.” Giles sipped his tea.

“Rupert, let’s call Buffy and get her over here. I’d like to see the Slayers training together, and then add a vampire to the mix. Xander perhaps since he’s a fledgling.” James’ voice indicated that he was still deep in thought.

“I’m afraid that won’t happen anytime soon. It appears that Buffy’s appearance made him lose control of his demon completely. I’m sure Spike would be willing to help, though. Angel as well. Do you remember Wesley Wyndham-Price? He’s been working with Angel for a few years. I need to give them a call.”

“Is he still the foolish, pompous windbag he used to be?” Bridget chimed in, suddenly feeling the need for bourbon herself.

Giles raised his eyebrows in shock. He’d never heard Bridget insult anyone before. “Angel says he’s changed so we can only hope.”

*

Elizabeth and William were enjoying a picnic in a sunny meadow. Spike and Buffy patrolled the cemetery trading barbs. The Slayer circled the Demon, preparing to strike.

“Why are you doing this?” The Slayer turned to face the voice.

“You are me. Why must you ask?”

“We will die and the world will end. Why are you fighting it?”

“I AM NOT FOOD FOR A DEMON!” The Slayer shrieked at yet another version of herself.

Faith stepped out of the shadows, her hair falling in loose waves, framing her face. Wearing her favorite pair of burgundy leather pants, black tank top, and clunky boots she stomped to the Slayer. “You just don’t get it do you? Were you this pig headed when you lived in me? This is not about being demon food. It’s not about selling your stupid soul or defying your calling. This is your calling. Saving the world, no matter the means. You’ve been offered eternity in the perfect host. What the fuck is your problem?”

The Slayer felt her anger rising to heights that usually only vampires could summon, “Who are you to question me? You defiled everything I am.”

“Yeah, I did. And I paid for it too.” Their eyes clashed; neither blinked.

The Slayer nodded her head regally. “You did achieve absolution in the end, forgive me.”

“I’ll only forgive you if you quit being a dumb ass. If you kill the Demon, you kill Spike. If you kill Spike, you destroy the world. He is necessary.” Meanwhile, the Demon stood quietly by, listening to the exchange.

“He is an evil, soulless, bloodsucking, fiend!” The Slascrescreamed and launched herself at the demon. Faith tackled her from behind and pinned her to the ground.

“No, he’s not! You know it; Giles even admitted it.” Buffy woke screaming the words Faith had spoken in her dream. Sweat was pouring from her body and the sheets that were tangled around her had soaked through. Torn, confused, and scared, she started crying again. She showered quickly in Spike’s makeshift bathroom and redressed. Determined to purge herself of the visions from training and her dreams, she headed for the Magic Box. She hoped her punching bag could handle what she had to dish out.

*

Xander drained Willy’s entire stock of human blood to prepare himself for the trip to the mall for new clothes. As they went through the electrical tunnels, he listened to Spike ramble with one ear. A loud drumming sound was threatening to overtake his senses. He noticed that they had stopped in front of a door. The drumming was overwhelming him, and he was starting to get scared. “What is that?”

“The humans in the mall. No need to be scared, they can’t ‘urt you.” Spike could sense the other vampire tensing when they were within blocks of the mall.

“I’m not scared of them hurting me, more like the other way around.”

“Look, we don’t have to do this.” Spike felt for the boy; he himself had been living among humans for so long that he often forgot how much control he exercised without even thinking about it.

“I need to see if I can handle it.” Determination colored Xander’s words.

“What if you can’t?”

“Then you drag my ass out of there fast.”

Spike nodded, grabbed Xander by the arm and opened the door. The smells overwhelmed Xander. Blood, sweat, pheromones, hormones, fear, anger, happiness, arousal, perfume, food, dye, leather. His head was spinning as the scents washed over him.

“Smell the leather?” His sire’s voice penetrated Xander’s fog.

“Yeah.” He nodded.

“Concentrate on it.”

Xander nodded and focused. Slowly the other scents faded into the background, but now the sounds were threatening him. Heartbeats, blood rushing through veins, breathing, talking, laughter, water running, movements, music, doors opening and closing. Once again he was getting lost in his own senses.

“Concentrate on that crap they call music.”

Concentrating on leather and crappy music, Xander felt the demon inside him relax. The tight grip he had on Spike was helping too. “We’re going to do this real quick, Xander. This is the back of a big department store. We’re going straight to the men’s department, gettin’ you a coat, a pair of jeans, and some shirts, then we’re out of here. Do not let go of me and do not for one second let your concentration on the leather and music slip, got it?”

Xander nodded, “Don’t let go of me.” Spike squeezed Xander’s arm in reassurance and they headed for the men’s department. The fluorescent light was hurting Xander’s eyes. It was way too bright in there and his demon was getting restless again. Spike reached into one of his duster pockets and handed Xander a pair of sunglasses. Soothed by his sire at precisely the right time once again, Xander muttered a thank you. As the sunglasses cut down on the glare from the lighting, he felt a little more in control.

The department store was severely understaffed, and thankfully few customers around. In less than ten minutes, Xander had selected a black leather jacket, a pair of boot cut jeans that were one size too small, but would probably fit in a week, and four packs of white sleeveless undershirts. They found someone to ring up their purchases. Xander handed over a credit card without a word. He was standing way too close to the human and could feel the demon trying to push its way out. He backed away from the counter and pushed Spike in front of him. Spike growled softly so only Xander could hear it. Immediately the demon within him receded. They gathered up Xander’s purchases and almost sprinted back the way they had come.

*

“Goddess, help me to place their feet on your path.” Morgaine intoned.

“Goddess, please give Willow the strength to pass her tests. Give me the strength to help my lover.” Tara added her voice.

Dawn’s voice rose to meet the others. “Teach me what to do, I don’t want to be a burden anymore. My sister needs my help.”

“I’m so sorry, help me goddess, give me the strength to follow you and fight the darkness.” Willow prayed with everything she had.

When they finished their prayers and opened their eyes, a rainbow was in the middle of the circle. A sense of calm filled them and the witches knew they’d been blessed.

*

Buffy burst through the back door of the Magic Box. She was dumbfounded when she saw Maggie hitting her punching bag.

“Hey Buffy! We just got back into town. Wanna help me train?” She brightened visibly at the idea.

Buffy studied the young Slayer. She looked eager to learn from the best, but Buffy was scared she’d hurt her. “Go get our Watchers and we’ll train. They need to you know, um, watch.”

*

After they entered the apartment Xander allowed himself to relax. Immediately his face shifted and the demon was free. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. All that cattle there for the taking.”

“You did well, take your reward.” Spike replied and bared his throat. Xander roared and sank his fangs into his sire’s neck. He gulped down his sire’s blood and purred in satisfaction. His sire was pleased with him.

*

Sparring with Maggie had been fun for Buffy, but unfulfilling. They had to clear out of the Magic Box by sunset so Xander could train. She decided that she would skip dinner with her housemates, and instead went out to patrol. ‘I know there won’t be any vampires, but maybe I’ll find a Fyarl demon, or something else that’ll be hard to kill.’

*

More pre prepared a meal of fruits, vegetables, bread, and water for her acolytes. After explaining that flesh clouded the mind and could prevent the flow of magick, the girls had agreed to give up all animal products. During the meal Morgaine instructed them to; meditate when they got home, what texts to read to prepare for the next day, and a menu to follow when they prepared their own meals. Before she bade them good night, she slipped a talisman into Willow’s hands. “It’ll help protect you from the darkness until you are ready for the tests. Keep it on you at all times.” Willow thanked her and hugged her close, whispering apologies, once again.

*

At sunset, the Board of Directors and the Vice Presidents of all the divisions for Wolfram and Hart met. Trinity waited until she was sure everyone was there. Then she set the detonators. Seconds later the whole city block was dust. A wild and wicked grin split her beautiful features. No one would attempt to control the Master now. Her job was finished. She gathered her minions and headed towards Sunnydale, expecting to be richly rewarded. Before she blew up the building, she’d stolen every scroll and book in the building.

*

Cordelia began float. “The Master has destroyed Wolfram and Hart. A vampire named Trinity has stolen the scrolls. She’s in a black van headed this way. We have to get the scrolls.”

Angel, Fred, Wesley, and Gunn grabbed weapons and headed to intercept the van. Lorne and Cordelia stayed behind with Connor. The sixteen-year-old was anxious to join his father. After a quick reminder that he couldn’t control his limbs well enough to run, much less fight, he agreed to stay behind.

*

As soon as the sun set, Spike and Xander headed to the Magick Box. “Can we run again?”

Spike grinned and took off with Xander on his heels. They reached the Magic Box at the same time. Xander rushed in and grabbed Anya, spinning her around in a circle. “What do you think?” He put her down, held his arms out and turned around in a circle.

“Ooh, nice haircut, it shows off your handsome face. And those jeans look great on your butt too. So is this the vampy Xander look?” Anya took in the new jeans, tank top, construction boots, and the very sharp leather jacket. Xander nodded. “I love it! But will you stilar yar your button downs sometimes? They’re sexy too, you know.”

Xander agreed, and pulled Anya to him again, this time he kissed her breathless. He heard a throat clear from the back of the room and released Anya. His demon surged forward as he looked at the Watcher. With Spike less than a step behind, he approached the Watcher.

Giles, to his credit, was not in the least bit afraid. He was too busy making mental notes about the differences in Xander to even think about the fact that Xander could kill him now. He stood, easily filing away details, as Xander scented him and learned his presence. Tea, liquor, power, darkness, lightness, safety, strength and the mustiness of ancient books invaded Xander’s senses.

“Knowledge. The scent of Giles is knowledge.” The demon receded and Xander hugged Giles to him hard.

Shocked at this display of affection, Giles awkwardly hugged him back. “I beg your pardon, I smell like what? And let go, you’re hurting me.”

Xander laughed and released Giles. “I have to name what you smell and feel like to me, you know, relate to it in non-food type ways.”

“A very wise course of action I’m sure.” The idea of being classified as ‘non-food type’ appealed to Giles.

“Yep, Anya’s heart, Spike’s security, Willow’s home, and you’re knowledge.” Xander affirmed.

“Can we skip all this rot and get to the training, I’m itching for a good fight.”

Giles stepped aside and motioned for them to go ahead. He stopped by his office and grabbed a journal that he’d never written in. This was going to be his Vampire Watcher’s diary. The irony wasn’t lost on him. He got to the back room just in time to see Xander roar and vamp out completely out of control. He stayed in the door and waited for Spike to handle him.

“There’s two of them,” the demon screamed, eyes rolling wildly and nostrils flaring. “They just left.” Another deep breath. “They were training to kill us. Why do you endanger us like this?”

Spike growled and punched him in the face four times in quick succession. “Look, you bloody twit, get over it. We are on the Slayer’s side. Both of them. Neither of them will ‘urt us and you bloody well know it! Xander, come out of there and control your fucking demon, or you’ll get ‘it’ again. I will not have you threatening my woman again. I’ll fucking stake you myself first.”

Deep inside Xander was fighting for control. He knew Buffy would never hurt him or Spike, as long as they were on her side. He also knew that Maggie wouldn’t either. The demon growled again. Xander was pushing as hard as he could to gain control but it wasn’t working. He saw Spike unbuckle his belt and unfasten his jeans and he knew remembered exactly what get ‘it’ meant. He was in control in less than a second. The demon receded and Xander panted for unnecessary breath. “Good incentive to gain control, Spike. Thanks.”

Spike smirked and refastened his pants. “Anytime. I think I’m going to let Buffy teach your demon a thing or two about who’s in charge. When I’m not, she is. When neither of us is, Giles is. Got that?”

The demon was deeply offended, a Slayer and a Watcher outranked him? He didn’t gain control, but growled at his sire and nodded. Both vampires had forgotten Giles’ presence. He’d given up his diary for a recorder oagaiagain. He noted that Spike was forcing Xander’s soul, to control the demon by threat of sex. That was interesting. Teaching control of the soul as well as the demon.

“Now wander around, hell, sniff sof thf the Slayer’s stuff if you ‘ave to, but get it under control before we start.” Xander nodded and inspected every inch of the training room. Breathing deeply he scented the entire area. The Slayer’s scent permeated everything, but so did the scent of his sire. In one corner of the room his nostrils flared again. He grinned widely, “So you guys train here a lot, huh?”

Spike cocked his head to left and smirked around a cigarette. “Among other things. Get used to it. Everywhere we go, you’ll pick up on her, me, and that.”

“Everywhere?” Xander sounded slightly awed.

“Anywhere we frequent, yeah.” The cocky pride Giles hadn’t noticed in Spike for a while was back in full force. He wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly what they were talking about, although he wished he didn’t. He also didn’t miss the wistfulness in Spike’s tone when he referred to Buffy; he sensed that that wasn’t the only thing the vampire was missing. The forced separation was obviously taxing them both.

Xander entered the bathroom and opened Buffy’s gym bag. Her work out clothes were in there, and he held them to his face and breathed deeply. He really needed to name her scent soon, so he could be around his other best friend again. It bothered him more than he could explain to anyone, the way his demon reacted to her. He let the demon come out as he held her clothes. When the bone-crushing fear her scent created in him disappeared, he could detect Buffy and not the Slayer. Relaxed the demon receded and he went back into the main room where Giles and Spike were waiting.

“Let’s do it.”