The Hart of L.A.

Willow didn’t know what she was going to do. She had the general idea, but she didn’t know if she’d be able to pull the essence of this demon out of Talia’s dream. In theory it would be very easy, but it really wasn’t. They’d dimmed the lights so Willow could concentrate extra hard, but it was hard to do. Xander was sitting next to Talia, holding her hand. What Willow was going to do, was go into Talia’s head, and pull the dream out for everyone to see. Talia had objected to that, but it was the only way to pull the essence out. Willow would work on the projection, while Giles would do the ritual to pull the essence out. If it didn’t work with Talia, then they’d have to go into Faith’s head. As for right now, they were sitting at the kitchen table, getting ready to start. Willow looked up at Xander and smiled

" I’m going to need you to stand over there with the others. I’ll take good care of her for you." Xander nodded, and went to stand next Buffy and the others. It was obvious to everyone that she was very nervous. She was shaking like a leaf, but she was trying to hold it in from everyone. Willow turned and faced her.

" It’s going to be okay, Talia. I just need you to relax, and allow me access. If your subconscious is freaking out, then it won’t let me in your mind, okay?" Talia nodded shakily at her. Willow placed her hands on either side of Talia’s head, and started chanting in Latin. A few moments later, Willow’s head whipped back and the image of what was happening in Talia’s dream was there for everyone to see. It was like watching a movie on a video projector. The moment the Demon showed up, Giles went to work with the chanting. The dream changed, and the Demon turned to face Giles, and growled at him. Giles started chanting quicker to get a hold on the Demon’s essence. The Demon started walking towards Giles, as if he was trying to get to him. Giles finally finished the incantation, and the Demon started shining with a blue light, and Giles held a up an ancient looking bottle, and the blue flowed into the bottle. A few moments after that, the dream was gone.

Talia sat back in her chair a little dazed at what just happened. Willow sighed, and shook her head. She looked over at Talia, and sighed.

" No wonder you didn’t want to relive that, that was horrible. Xander dead, gives me the willies." Talia nodded her head, and a single tear slipped down her cheek.

Meanwhile, Buffy walked up to Xander and patted him on the back. She couldn’t help but grin at him. At first he looked confused at her gesture, but she soon elaborated.

" I don’t know how you do it, Xander, but when you hook a girl, she’s hooked for life. Whether it be a friend, or a girlfriend, you’ve got them for life." Xander lowered his head and grinned at her.

" Does that include you as well?" Buffy smiled at him.

" Xander, you know it does. May I suggest, you go and comfort you’re girlfriend. She looks pretty worked up. If you wouldn’t mind, tell her that when this is all over, I’d like to talk to her. I feel bad that I haven’t talked to her sooner, but she’s my friend, and I will hang with her soon." Xander nodded, and walked over to where Talia was sitting. She looked at him, and gave him a shaky smile.

" How’s my girl doing? You alright?" She took in a ragged breath and nodded.

" I think I’ll be fine, just as soon as I can kick some Demon ass. I think I want to go patrolling tonight. You know, to blow off some steam. I hope you don’t mind." He nodded, and Faith walked up to her.

" I’m with her, I need to blow some steam after that damn dream. I’ll look after your woman, Xand." Xander chuckled, and settled down in the chair next to Talia, and put his arm around her.

" I have no doubt that you would, Faith."

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Spike was in the basement of Wesley’s apartment, working out in the mini gym that he’d set up. That dream was rather intense, and he was sure that Talia was worked up about it. He hadn’t told anyone, but as soon as they located this thing, and killed it, he was gone. He couldn’t handle seeing them together anymore. He thought that he’d overcome the petty feeling of jealousy, but he’d been wrong. Every single time that he saw them touch, or laugh together, he lost his cool. It was like now, as soon as he saw her reaction to the dream she’d had, he couldn’t help but want to vomit. While these thoughts were running through his head, he didn’t hear Whistler walk into the room.

" I don’t know why you’re getting yourself so worked up about this. I tried to warn you who she belonged with. I’m sorry you don’t like the outcome, but your destiny lies with a different path." Spike turned around and faced the man, that Spike wanted so badly to punch out.

" Well, what’s the matter with a fellow trying to change his destiny? As futile as it might have seemed, I thought I had a chance to win her back. I frankly don’t think it’s fair, that he gets chance after chance. I was the one who was there to help her, and yet he still gets the girl." Whistler walked around him and smiled.

" Of course he does, blondie. His path lies with her, but yours doesn’t. Now, you’re path lies to greatness as well, it just doesn’t give you the girl you want at present time. I know you love her, William, but you’ll find the right girl. In fact, I can tell you right now, that you already have. You are one of the key elements in this fight against the senior partners. I need you back in the game. I need you to go upstairs and tell the others that the game has changed. Being the fact that the girls survived their dreams, they’ve changed the Jackoral’s weakness. It’s no longer his head that’s weak, it’s eyes are the weak spot now. If you can get close enough to punch through the eyes, and reach the brain, then you can kill it. Now how hard do you think that is going to be?"

Spike just stared at him open mouthed, not knowing what to say. He knew as well did Whistler, that it was going to be impossible to kill this Demon now.

" What in the bloody hell are we supposed to do now?" Whistler grinned at him.

" You know if you take some of the people without powers, then they’ll die, right? Now, I don’t normally divulge so much information about a situation, but the truth is, we don’t know how this is going to end. It’s a big possibility that the Slayers could lose. We don’t want that. Make sure it doesn’t happen." With that said he left the room, leaving spike staring after him, knowing what he had to do.