Title- Admissions of Guilt 2/?
Sequel to- Admissions
Author- Veronica
E-mail- roni.s@sympatico.ca
Pairing- G/W
Rating- G, for now
Disclaimer- Joss owns all in the Buffyverse, I just use them like Barbie's for my own twisted fun.
Spoilers- post Grave
Distribution- If you like it, take it… just let me know where.
Summery- An old nemesis is back, and is seeking revenge on Giles and Willow.

A look of abject horror came over Xander's features as the most unconceivable information known to man was brought to his attention. `How could this happen?' he thought to himself.

"How could this happen?" he voiced aloud for all to hear.

"Its not the end of the world you know." Buffy replied.

"Not yours maybe… but mine has just shattered into a million little pieces." He turned his attention to Giles. "But your sooo `old'." He exclaimed. "Don't you think you're a little `mature' for my Wills?" he looked to Willow, "Your latching… you've only been back for a week and still trying to adjust to everything, and you latched on to what was comfortable- your father figure." he rationalized, "That's all he is, you know… a father figure."

"I am not `latching'!" fired the red head. "I love him… more so than just as a father figure, and have for a very long time."

Xander knew it was a childish thing to do, but he knew arguing with his best friend would get him nowhere… so he covered his ears with his hands and chanted.

"I can't hear you, I can't hear you, I can't hear a word your saying." Then began to loudly hum a tuneless song.

"See? This is why I didn't say anything before now. I knew this is how you would react. Xander! Stop acting like a child… your not a kid anymore!" shouted the red head with the hopes of being heard over his humming.

Xander quieted and removed his hands from his ears.

"As for being too `mature', as you put it… I would ask you to stop and think before making any such quips about our age difference. Might I remind you about your relationship with a certain demon? And as for being a `father figure', yes, I suppose at one time that is what she thought of me. But even you have to admit that we all have grown in one way or another, and things have changed."

"But…" the young man looked so crestfallen, "she's my Wills."

"No, Xander, she is not. She is `my' Willow." Giles face softened as he spoke to the brunette. "I promise you, I will take care to see that nothing happens to her. I would never let anything hurt her… you have my word."

"See that you keep it," Xander replied, "cause if anything happens to her… well, no offense."

"Understood, and none taken."

"Hecate?" Willow's voice said softly, full of surprise and wonder.

"Umm, Wills?" asked Buffy, but got no response from the witch as Willow carried on a one sided conversation, causing the small group to worry.

"Willow, luv?"

* * * *
* * *
*

"Willow." Came a soft voice slightly to her right. Willow turned her head, and there stood a figure in a long shimmering gown of white and gold staring back at her. Her golden hair was done in a single braid which was draped over her shoulder and ended at her waist, with silver strands braided throughout making it almost sparkle with a life of its own when the light shone on it.

Her face was strikingly beautiful with its creamy white skin, which set off her eyes and her soft pink coloured lips. Though her lips were not upturned, Willow could see the smile in her cerulean blue eyes.

"Hecate?" she asked.

"Yes, child… it is I. The time has come, and you are almost ready."

"Ready for what?"

"I have watched while you abused the power that I bestowed upon you, as I have watched you punish yourself in the aftermath of all that you did."

"I'm truly sorry about everything I did, Goddess. I'm doing better now though. I've been to…" but was cut off.

"I know all that you have done and been through, my child. I have seen the progress you have made while in the care of my followers in England. I have stood by without interfering, and watched as you learned the tools necessary… something you should have done when you decided to become one of my followers. You were warned by the man you stand with, warned years ago… but his warning went by unheeded."

"I remember." Willow replied, looking at the floor as shame overcame her.

"Do not look away from me." Willow immediately brought her head back up to look at the surreal being standing near her. "It is only fitting that you feel shame for all you have done. But even I am willing to overlook it. You have come far, my child, in such a short time since."

"Thank you, Goddess." Willow said meekly.

"Yet you are still not at peace with yourself because of those actions of the past."

"How can I feel at peace after hurting everyone I love, and almost destroying the world? I-I killed two men."

"You know what you must do. It will not stop the hurt you feel, my child… nothing can do that for you. But it will ease some of your suffering."

"I must sacrifice myself."

"Yes, my child. Offer yourself to me, and you will be reborn."

"Where should I go?"

"To that which almost ended all, so will it bring forth anew."

"The Bluff."

With that said, the figure began to slowly fade, and her final words sounded like a distant echo. "I await your offering there."

Willow stood silent and closed her eyes as she brought her hands up over her head, and murmured to softly for the others to hear what was said. When finished, the small group stood, mouths agape when Willow's clothes changed from jeans and a t-shirt, to a soft white, sleeveless dress.

"Willow! What the hell is going on? What did you mean, `sacrifice myself'?"

"I'm sorry, Buffy, I have to go. Something I need to do." Willow looked to Giles with a small smile on her lips. "Everything will be alright now. You'll see." She said as a hand came up and caressed the side of Giles face. "I love you."

"Willow?" Giles asked, unable to say anymore as fear gripped his soul.

The red head backed a few steps away from the group as a wind from nowhere came up and surrounded her like a whirlwind… and within seconds she was gone. There was only silence as the three looked at the empty space that was once filled with their friend.

"Willow, nooooooo!" screamed a terrified Xander.

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