Title: The Saving of Souls
Series: The Council War, Chapter 1
Author: Watcher_Giles
Pairing: Giles/Original Character
Rating: NC-17
E-Mail: jldanna@earthlink.net or jldanna@yahoo.com.
Summary: A ghost from Giles' past helps him reclaim his soul. The same ghost causes revelations in Buffy.
Spoilers: Occurs just after Episode Grave (S6)
Distribution: I'm not really picky, just make sure you ask first.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm just taking them out for a spin. Buffy and the gang belong to Joss, Fox, WB, Wicked Enemy, etc. etc. I'm not making any profit on this story - much to the dismay of my bank account.
Notes: I beg that all of you be patient with me. I am writing this as a favor for my little sister. Truth is, I've only seen Buffy Seasons 1 & 2, and part of Season 3 and Season 6. So forgive me if I might have the characters do something they might not ever do. Bear with me, please. I would appreciate any feedback - good or bad. Since I don't have a Beta reader. This is my first Buffy fic. I hope you all enjoy.

CRYPT UNDER SUNNYDALE

Kane shook his head in frustration. The Slayer was thinning their ranks to the point of extinction. Anytime they came close to killing her - that damned Watcher of hers would come to her rescue. Now he was back in Sunnydale, and the demons and vampires had their chance at revenge. His lip curled up in a snarl as his childe stepped forward.

"Take this…it is a gift. I am pleased with the initiative you have shown of late."

Truthfully, he turned the young man for the sole purpose of this assignment. The arrogant childe placed the ring on his finger and felt the magic course through his body. Little did he know - the spell on the ring amplified his presence to the Slayer. He would be staked within minutes.

"Very good, Carl. Now take Erica and Ben to Restview Cemetery. And bring me the head of the Slayer," he ordered. He smiled to the Sorcerer in the corner as the three vampires left for their "deaths."

"Give them ten minutes - then bring me the body of the Watcher."

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LOS ANGELES

"Are you sure it has to be like this?" Angel asked the woman in his office. Sara Covington gave him a placating smile.

"You of all people know that we can't run from out destinies, Angel." Sara's crisp English accent was virtually identical to Rupert Giles'. "We can, however, find creative ways around them." She passed the glowing Amulet to the vampire. Getting around prophecies and destinies seemed to be a specialty of Buffy and Giles. He thought it was a bit ironic that the woman before him - a ghost from Rupert Giles' past - was going to help them circumvent things again. He was just concerned at how high the cost might be. Angel had to admit - he hadn't liked Sara Covington when she first came to LA. It probably had to do with the fact that she beat him within an inch of his "un-life." She called it incentive, in case Angelus ever felt like harming a hair on Giles' head. The lesson learned, she turned around and helped Angel and his friends keep the bad things at bay…biding time until she had to go to Sunnydale. She had saved all their lives at least a half a dozen times, and now she was going to meet her own fate.

"I'll take good care of this, Sara." He told her. The sadness clear on his handsome, young face. He had grown fond of the Watcher, and despite their chance at beating this…he couldn't help but feel that he was sending her to meet her death.

"Don't be sad for me, Angel." She reached up touched his chin - the gesture almost motherly. "Just get that amulet to Rupert, when it's time. Only he can activate the magic inside." The vampire placed his cold hand over Sara's and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I won't let you down." A small smile curled the corners of his mouth. "Just take care of them, for me. I'll be there when it's time." She stepped back and began chanting as Angel slipped the Amulet around his neck. When he looked up, Sara Covington was gone. "God speed, Sara."

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RESTVIEW CEMETARY

They had been late getting out for patrol tonight. Buffy had to practically carry Willow over to her house to talk things out with her and Giles. The young witch was letting her guilt consume her almost as much as the magic had. She had let Giles do most of the talking since he had a similar magic background, like Willow. And after two hours of efforts…the girl finally broke down and cried in her friend's arms. It was kind of a group hug thing. Giles made it clear that she meant too much for him to hold a grudge…even though he was still recovering from his physical injuries. Buffy reaffirmed the Witch's place in her life. No matter what was done. Both promised to help Willow through this. It took an additional two hours to get both Giles and Willow to accompany her on patrol. The Slayer thought it would be a good exercise in bonding, given the heavy feelings they had just trudged through. They were still talking as they came through the gate.

"I'll be by at 6am to help clean up, Giles." Willow promised. He eyed her skeptically. He wasn't planning on waking up until at least noon. Her hopeful expression was his undoing.

"All right, Willow. Six it is." He sighed. He took a moment to stretch the kinks out of his aging back. Buffy sensed the Vampires before she saw them.

"Giles." The Watcher brought his sword from under his coat, while Buffy and Willow armed themselves with stakes. Within seconds, the three young vampires made their appearance. They were dusted without much effort. Giles and Willow sensed something else though. Given that Buffy couldn't sense it…the Englishman was positive there was magic nearby. He just couldn't pinpoint it.

"Stay sharp, Buffy. Something else is here." He reached out with his limited abilities and felt nothing. The small witch shook her head - obviously she couldn't pinpoint it either. He was about to turn back to his Slayer when a glint of Silver in the grass caught his eye. "Hello?" He kicked it over with his shoe…it was a ring of some sorts. With Buffy covering his back, he stooped down to pick the ring up. As soon as his fingers touched it, his whole body was wracked with pain. Giles let out a scream as the magic that flowed through him felt like it was turning his skin inside out. And he never saw that the identical thing was happening to his Slayer - not 3 feet away from him. Willow was terrified as she witnessed her two closest friends seize with pain…and then collapse. She hesitantly touched the Watcher to make sure she wouldn't be affected as well. When nothing happened, she pried open his hand and removed the ring. As soon as the connection was broken, Buffy and Giles both relaxed. She checked to make sure both were still breathing - and sighed with relief when she felt strong pulses under her fingers.

"Buffy? Giles? You have to wake up. It's not safe." She tried shaking their still forms. "Guys? Come on, please wake up."

"I dare say the curse worked it's magic." Willow flinched at the familiar voice coming from the other side of the nearest crypt. "They won't be waking up for some time. And by then, I'll have taken Ripper away with me." Ethan Rayne gave Willow an evil smile as he was flanked by a pair of vampires. And bringing up the rear of the sorcerers little party, were a trio of demons. The small witch picked up Giles' sword and pointed it at Ethan.

"I won't let you hurt them." The Sorcerer laughed at Willow's bravado. He began to applaud, which made her nervous. But she stood her ground.

"My dear girl, I don't see how you can stop me. Ripper here tricked you into using up your most powerful magic. You're nothing - and by my count, there are six of us…" No sooner were the words out of Ethan's mouth than both he and Willow felt the familiar hum of powerful magic. The demons and vampires didn't know what to make of the winds picking up - and frantically tried to locate the cause in the night. Willow took advantage of their distraction and plunged a stake into the closest vampire…turning it to dust. Before the others could move on her - she heard several things whip by her and when she looked up: Only Ethan Rayne stood in front of her. He began to chant and she steeled herself for the final blow.

"Ethan!" She heard a distinctly female voice yell out. She spun around to see a tall woman standing her ground. Magic flowed from her very being. She manipulated a ball of electricity in her hand. She "threw" the ball and it hit Ethan Rayne in the center of the chest…effectively knocking him off his feet. The mystery woman began chanting loudly and Willow watched her power grow exponentially.

"God, I hope you're on our side!" She prayed. The woman's hands began to glow red. She dropped to her knees on top of the downed Sorcerer. The witch watched in amazement as she slammed one hand down in the middle of Ethan's chest and pointed another one at the sky. The man screamed in absolute agony as the magic was literally "ripped" from his body and sent into the atmosphere. Willow kept trying to rouse Buffy, thinking that if the mystery woman wasn't on their side…there really wasn't much any of them would be able to do. "Buffy, you gotta wake up." She pleaded. Her heart began to beat faster as the Slayer stirred.

"Uuuuuhhhhh…anybody get the license number of that truck?"

Sara Covington had had enough of Ethan Rayne. She smiled evilly when he opened his eyes.

"I warned you," Sara told him. "I warned you what an attack on Rupert would bring from me." As the magic flowed from her fingertips, Ethan cowered in fear.

"BUT YOU'RE DEAD!!!"

"Not even death can stop me from protecting him," Buffy knew if she was here to protect Giles - definitely a good guy.

"Willow, watch Giles," she jumped to her feet and went to help their rescuer. The Slayer saw the glow from the woman's hands grow brighter.

"SLAYER! HELP ME!!" Ethan begged. She got a sly grin on her face as she looked from the terrified sorcerer to the woman kneeling above him. Part of her was a bit concerned. As long as she has known Ethan Rayne…nothing has ever terrified him like this - not even her or Giles. Whoever this woman is - she must be powerful.

"Let's see…ever since I've known you, Ethan, you have brought us nothing but trouble. I don't know her - but as long as she's here to protect Giles…she's OK in my book. Besides, anyone who makes you that scared can't be all bad." She looked at the mystery woman, "So if you want to kill him…" she trailed off hoping the woman would give her name.

"Sara," she supplied.

"So if you want to kill him, Sara. Feel free, I'm not gonna stop you." Sara Covington had to swallow the chuckle that threatened to escape. So this was Rupert's Slayer. An impressive young woman. Buffy smiled when Ethan began to sob.

"Did you alter the Curse on the ring?" Sara demanded from her old acquaintance. She placed one of her glowing hands on Ethan's chest. He screamed when the searing pain ran through his body. "Ethan, I will not ask you again." Buffy noted Sara's British accent was virtually identical to Giles and Ethan's. She rolled her eyes, 'what is it with me and Brits?' As she went to add her other hand to the Sorcerer's chest, he gave in.

"No! I didn't cast the spell! I don't know who did! Please…please, just go back to whatever hell you were conjured from!" He began sobbing openly.

"I'm not going to kill you, Ethan. I want you to return a message to your master. I will not let any harm come to the Slayer. You better hope no one else comes for Rupert, because if anyone touches a hair on his head…I promise you a slow and very agonizing death. Any pain inflicted on him will be returned to you ten-fold." She chanted half dozen words and touched a hand to Ethan's brow. He snapped to a rigid posture and passed out. "Be seeing you," she sneered at his unconscious form. Sara got up and finally faced Buffy. The Slayer scrutinized the woman before her. Sara Covington was roughly 5'10" tall with short brown hair with flecks of grey throughout. The stature made it clear that she could handle herself in a fight - if need be. She was quite beautiful and had bottomless blue eyes. Buffy thought she looked to be about forty, but her eyes looked older. She held her hand out.

"Buffy Summers," she introduced herself. The older woman gave her a small smile as she shook her hand.

"Sara Covington." Her eyes shot up to Giles' still form. She didn't need to ask if he was breathing, she could sense him. "Miss Summers, if we may continue this someplace safer? We should get Rupert inside." Both women went to Giles' side. Before Buffy could reach down and pick him up, Sara put a hand on her arm. "I'll get him. You can't touch him until we figure out how to dispel the curse." When she saw the Slayer's eye flare with anger, she tried to be diplomatic. "Please, Miss Summers. I promise I'll explain everything once we're safe."

"All right." She agreed.

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"Hang on everyone." Sara stepped back and began chanting. Within seconds, everything went dark and they appeared in Buffy's living room. She made a scooping motion with her hands and Giles' still form floated up from the floor and settled on the couch. She kneeled down next to the couch and traced his jaw with a trembling hand. She pushed his hair off his forehead. "He has more grey than when I last saw him." Her voice was thick with emotion. Willow shared a look with her friend. The love in Sara's eyes was as clear as day. The witch cleared her throat.

"Ummm….how do you know Giles?" she asked. Sara felt the pain of Rupert's recent injuries and decided to heal them as she spoke. She held her hands at different spots on his bruised face. The girls saw the unmistakable glow under her palm. Buffy, thinking she was hurting him, stepped forward to stop her but Willow caught her arm.

"Don't worry, Miss Summers. I'm not hurting him. No more than I already have." She gave a watery sigh, but continued to work.

"Explain." Sara took a long breath and began.

"My name is Sara Covington. I am from a long line of Watchers myself…just like Rupert. We grew up together - he and my brother are the same age. My mother was his mentor." She seemed to be trying hard not to cry. Sara had sworn she wouldn't cry…but now, here with Rupert, touching him, she found it was impossible. "We were meant for each other, you know." The tears came hard. Buffy - thinking she had caused Giles another chance at happiness - immediately felt guilty.

"I'm sorry."

"You didn't do anything, Miss Summers…" she began. But Buffy cut her off.

"Buffy…it's Buffy, not Miss Summers." She smiled at the older woman.

"Right, Buffy…my entire life, I have loved this man, heart and soul. And I was blessed with the knowledge that he loved me." Sara moved her hands down Giles' chest and began healing bruises and fractures. "As you can see, my family has a magic base."

"That's an understatement," Willow snorted. Sara gave her a warm smile, through her tears.

"Yes, well…to put it plainly, the Covington's WERE the magic of the Council. We have served the Slayers for 16 Generations. And yes, we can be quite powerful when we choose to be. One child, every generation, becomes the focus of all that magic." She took a shuddering breath.

"You?" Buffy asked and Sara just nodded.

"I had the distinct advantage of also being blessed with my fathers telepathy and telekinesis as well. Which, like you Buffy, made me an excellent prospect to be the Council's pawn - Slayer abilities aside. Two people fought the idea of my being taken away so young. My mother - and even though he was scarcely eight years older…"

"Giles."

"He traded himself in my place. He would openly embrace his destiny as long as I was allowed to remain at home and train under my mother's eye. They did him one better…BOTH of us would stay and train with my mother." She healed some of his bruised ribs. "He never held a grudge, and accepted his fate willingly. Through all the years we trained, I found my little girl's crush transform to a love and passion that was unrivaled. We were inseparable…there was even talk of sending us both to train the Slayer down the road. And NOTHING could have prepared me for the absolute bliss I felt when Rupert proposed." The girls were floored. It was clear this woman loved and worshipped Giles. So much, they couldn't understand how they weren't together.

"He came here alone, so what happened?" Sara paused and took a deep breath.

"Two months before we were supposed to be married, I was practicing my spells. I ended up in the cemetery we just left. Only in the original history, the three of you were killed, tonight. The mere idea of Rupert's death was almost enough to make me fall to pieces. I cross-referenced what I saw with every piece of text in the combined libraries of the Watcher Council and BOTH our families. The result was always the same. The three of you died here tonight. I discussed my findings with my mother and I did the only thing I could to make sure I'd be here at the necessary time." She placed her hand over Giles heart.

"You left?" Willow asked, giving the woman time to cry. Sara shook her head adamantly.

"No," her voice broke. "Rupert would have never let me go. He had to believe that he didn't have a choice." She began sobbing. The picture clicked into place for Buffy.

"Giles thinks you're dead!" Sara nodded as her body shook with sobs. Willow came forward and wrapped her arms around the older woman.

"My family, as well as Rupert's mum, helped with the details. Needless to say, in his world, I was dead. I watched him go mad - he wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink. He was completely catatonic for weeks. They had to strap him down and give him fluids through an IV. I let him go to save him…and I broke his spirit by doing it." Sara's tone turned disgusted. She considered herself the basest type of person. "I left him to face his destiny without me - while I was content to watch him from the shadows. For 22 years, I watched him from a distance - lending help whenever I could. Waiting for this day." The three women jumped when Giles began to stir. Buffy practically shoved her into the dining room, out of sight.

"If he thinks you're dead, it's probably a good idea if he doesn't see you as soon as he wakes up. Might give him a heart attack." She hadn't thought of that. She gave the girl a nod and Buffy turned to see Willow helping Giles sit up on the couch.

**Buffy, I've waited 22 years, please don't make me wait much longer.** she heard Sara's distinctive voice in her head. Remembering what the woman said about touching Giles could kill her; she stayed on the opposite side of the room.

"Buffy?" He called, as Willow tried to steady him when he stood up.

"I'm here, Giles."

"W-What happened?" he asked as he sat back down. There was something weird going on. Despite the pain he felt when he picked up the ring…he felt immensely better. All of his injuries from the battle with Willow, he no longer felt them. No bruised ribs, no hairline fractures…nothing.

"Willow?" the witch had seen everything from the beginning.

"Well, when we dusted those Vampires…and you felt the magic Giles? I felt it, I know you did too. Then you bent down and picked up this ring. You screamed and you and Buffy collapsed. I didn't know what to do, so I made sure you both were still breathing. And then Ethan Rayne and friends showed up and said they were going to take you with them. I picked up your sword and pointed it at him. And when he laughed at me and said I couldn't stop him…this lady showed up and took out the vampire and 3 demons. She hit Ethan with some powerful magic and used a spell to pull his magic out of his body and send it into the air. She saved us, Giles. Your friend saved us." Willow relayed all that in one breath. He looked up at Buffy.

"Friend? What friend?" Buffy made sure to keep her distance.

"A British lady said she knew you. She said that ring you touched was cursed. She told me the way the curse works; If I touch you, I'll die." She explained. Giles mind began working double time at the mention of Ethan Rayne's name and a British woman that could throw the type of magic Willow had described. There wasn't a single female sorceress that he knew of that had the capabilities.

"May I inquire as to how we got back here? If you can't touch me, you obviously didn't carry me." Sara smiled to herself. Rupert was still sharp. She could sense him working out the details of everything he had been told.

"We were teleported," Willow supplied. Giles sucked in a terrified breath. The only woman he knew of that could pull off all of those spells - plus come armed with the knowledge was Sara - his Sara.

"S-S-So we were r-rescued by a s-specter. H-how did you know s-s-she was B-british?" It wasn't common for benevolent specters to talk to anyone. His heart was beating itself to tatters at the memory of his lost love. "Buffy?" She knew her Watcher was smart. She could tell from the look on his face that he suspected something.

"Giles, you might want to sit down."

"I am sitting." He began to breathe hard with the effort of calming himself.

"Giles, the woman that helped us…she's here. She's not a ghost; she's flesh and blood. Come on out," she called out to Sara in the dining room. Hesitantly, Sara had to force her feet to work. She withdrew the cross from her pocket and held on to it…in case he feared the worst. Giles held his breath waiting for the person to come around the corner. Never taking her eyes off the floor, she stepped into view.

"Oh My God!!" Rupert Giles thought he was going insane. His heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. "Sara?" His voice broke with the emotions that were overwhelming him. He felt the pinpricks of tears welling up behind his eyes. He staggered to his feet and took two steps in her direction. Seeing him standing there, in so much pain…and she knew she was the cause. Sara Covington couldn't breathe. The emotions were squeezing in on her. She saw him stop after two steps and swayed on his feet. "Say something, please!" he begged. "I need to know you're real."

"Oh, Rupert, has life been so terribly unbearable for you?" she asked as the tears filled her own eyes. Giles sank down to his knees, hard. He looked so defeated. Buffy looked across the room to see Willow having the same problem. They both wanted to comfort their friend…but agreed that it wasn't their place. Not this time. Giles wrapped his arms around himself and let his grief consume him. Sara kneeled down in front of him and gently pulled him into her arms. "Shhhhh…Rupert. I'm here." For the next 30 minutes, Sara, held him, rocked him, whispered to him, wiped away his tears…only to have fresh ones replace them. The whole time he had a death grip around her mid-section. It was almost as if he expected her to disappear again. She reached out through the connection she knew they both still had - even after all this time. She poured all the love and support into him that she could. Buffy and Willow decided to disappear into the kitchen to make some tea. They would all need to do some serious talking. Sara sat on the floor without letting go and curled herself around Giles. She began to whisper comforting words to him, while touching his face everywhere she could. He still had his arms around her as he fell asleep several minutes later. Sara closed her eyes to concentrate.

**Give us an hour, Rupert has nodded off. I don't believe he's willing to release me. Please call your friends, we'll talk then.** Buffy heard in her mind.

"Giles is asleep. Lets go upstairs and call everyone. Sara says we'll talk in an hour." She told Willow. The witch turned off the water and they headed for the stairs. They saw Sara lying on the floor in Giles arms. She was gently stroking the hair on his temples whispering to him. Buffy grabbed a blanket and draped it over them. Sara spared her a glance to smile at her kind gesture. Truthfully, she knew Giles was in good hands. The girls went upstairs to call in the cavalry.

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Rupert Giles felt someone shaking his shoulder. 'Figures, it was all a bloody dream.' He mused. He hadn't had a dream about Sara in years, and wondered what brought this one on.

"Giles? Giles, you have to wake up." He sighed when he realized Willow was the one interrupting his dreams. "Everyone will be here soon, you guys have to get off the floor." At her plural use of "you guys" Giles eyes snapped open. Before him was the very figment of his dream. His Sara - older, but just as beautiful as the day he proposed to her. He brought a trembling hand up to touch her cheek. He smiled when her blue eyes opened and looked right into his soul.

"You're really here," the joy in his eyes was enough to turn Sara's knees to jelly. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. At the touch of her lips, Rupert Giles felt the holes in his soul fill. She was surprised to feel him respond without hesitation. They broke the kiss more out of shock and amazement, than anything. Willow thought now would be an excellent time to retreat to the kitchen to help Buffy with refreshments.

"Sara, how…?" The hurt and confusion in his voice was enough to almost get her crying again. She placed her fingers over his mouth.

"I know you need answers, dear heart. When this is all over, I promise you all the answers you need." Giles was a bit concerned at the nervous look that crossed her face. "I fear that when you hear them, it will be another twenty-two years before you wish to see me again." He stopped her fears by leaning forward and giving her the most passionate kiss he could give - the lost time not diminishing the fire of his love. Now it was Sara's turn to be stunned speechless.

"You surprised I still need you?" he chuckled.

"I'm surprised you still want me." She clarified.

"Yes, well, we have always owned pieces of each other's souls. I won't pretend that when I lost you, a large part of myself wasn't lost forever. It was, it was a hurt I thought I would never recover from. And I didn't … until I saw you standing there tonight. Yes, I want answers. But don't you know that you own me, heart and soul? Knowing you're alive, I could no more turn you away than I could stop breathing." She trembled as he pulled her into his arms. She reached up a hand to smooth his brow.

"I have never stopped loving you."

"All right, you crazy kids. Up and at 'em.." came Buffy's teasing tone from the doorway. "Are you decent?" Sara chuckled and ducked her face into Giles' chest. The sound was music to his ears.

"Yes, we're decent. We'll be there momentarily." Giles called back. He rubbed small, comforting circles on her back. She seemed to sink farther into his chest. Sara realized that feeling his body against hers, Rupert had filled out. He had a little more meat on his bones, and she thought it was the sexiest thing she had ever seen. She gave him a quick hug and jumped to her feet. She extended her hand to help Giles to his feet. He never noticed the devilish gleam in her eye. When she planted her foot to brace, she added the power of her telekinesis behind the pull. Giles was propelled from the floor - right into Sara's arms. He smiled down at her. "You don't have to resort to telekinesis to wrap your arms around me, luv."

"Rupert Giles, do you know how amazing you are?" She gave him the same mega-watt smile he knew she reserved for only him. He hadn't seen her in 22 years and it still turned his insides to mush. He trailed his knuckles along her jaw. She had aged beautifully. He remembered being the envy of England when she accepted his marriage proposal. Sara Covington had always been stunning. Now, 22 years later, she was absolutely breathtaking.

"And you, my love, still take my breath away." He bent down and kissed her. The kiss was tentative and chaste, at first. Sara opened her mouth when she felt his tongue touch her bottom lip. He moaned, and deepened the kiss in response.

"Do I have to throw a bucket of cold water on you two?" Buffy called from the dining room. Sara smiled against his lips.

"Is she always this…forward?" Sara asked.

"Forward? You're cleaning my Watcher's tonsils with your tongue and I'm forward?" Buffy couldn't keep the teasing out of her voice. She laughed out loud when she heard Sara's voice in her mind.

**Bloody Slayer Hearing!**

Giles chuckled as he reached down and entwined his fingers with Sara's. He led her through the dining room into the kitchen. She saw Rupert's young witch friend making tea at the stove. She sniffed over the pot.

"Earl Grey, mmmm. Thank you Ms. Rosenberg." Willow smiled at the older woman.

"Willow. If you're a friend of Giles, you can call me Willow. And you're welcome." The witch replied. Giles stepped behind Sara and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back into his chest. "So you two were really engaged?" she asked. A sudden thought occurred to Giles.

"Actually, we still ARE engaged." Sara's eyes went wide with shock. She turned in his arms to face him. "Well, you never did break things off." He smiled at her. When she prepared the amulet, she couldn't be sure that Rupert still loved her enough to complete the necessary spell. Now, looking up into his eyes - she knew she had nothing to fear. He had lost her once…he would not do so again.

"A twenty-two year engagement?" Buffy asked from the dining room.

"You have always been my soul-mate, Sara Covington. I was not meant to move on without you. I'll wait as long as it takes." Giles told her.

"I never wanted you unhappy, Rupert. I was sorry things didn't work out for you and Miss Calendar. Or Olivia…" he was stunned that she knew about Jenny. But it warmed him to know that she obviously watched over him. He felt a slight pang of regret when she mentioned Jenny's name. He had loved her, deeply. Willow and Buffy both knew how painful Jenny Calendar's death was for him. Sara's next statement to their friend would be her litmus test. To see if she was good enough for Giles. Sara noticed the regret and sadness that made itself known before he tried to tamp it down. She held his face in her hands. "Rupert Giles, it is natural that you miss her. You loved her, there is no crime in that." She saw the surprise register in his green eyes. "I am grateful to your Jenny. If even for a short time, she made you happy. When this is over, will you tell me about her?" The younger girls smiled to each other…Sara Covington passed with flying colors.

"I'd like that," Giles told her before he leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss. Sara withdrew a chain from her shirt and undid the clasp. She grabbed his hand and placed the item in his palm. He was stunned when he looked down to see the engagement ring he gave her all those years ago. "I can't believe you still have this."

"Of course I still have it. You gave it to me, and it is as much a part of me as my heart. Will you put it on me, again?" She held out her hand while he removed the ring from the chain. They shared a chaste kiss when he slid it on her finger."Why don't you help Willow finish with refreshments? I need to talk to Buffy." Sara asked him. Giles seemed hesitant to let her go. "Rupert, I'll be in your life as long as you'll have me." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the top.

"Forever sounds good to me." Sara trailed her fingers down his face and went to find Buffy. She found the Slayer in the living room, with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you," she told the older woman. Sara didn't quite understand. "He did love her. I'm glad you realize that. I don't know you, but the only other time I've seen him break down like that is when Miss Calendar was killed. I appreciate that you're here for him. But Sara, I have to tell you - Magic or no magic, if you hurt him like that again, you'll answer to me. As long as I've known him, Giles cares. He cares with everything he is. If you left him again, I don't think he could take it."

"You care a lot about him?" Sara asked her. When Buffy nodded, Sara smiled. "Good, he deserves every bit of your love - and more. I should thank you, Buffy. You looked out for him." The Slayer shook her head. "You did. Rupert and I had our destinies, just as much as you did. The two of you have thwarted fate more than I can count. You and your friends have become his family. Kept him grounded and sane. Everything from the time I was eighteen has led to this moment. I have no intention of leaving him again. But my own destiny may jeopardize that."

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked.

"This enemy we face, now. They obviously haven't been able to kill you physically. A Slayer that has returned from the dead not once, but twice, is unprecedented. Yet, here you are. So, now they are using the only avenue they have left: Divide and Conquer…as well as powerful Magics. If they had taken Rupert, they would have turned him. Could you have honestly done what would have needed to be done…if it was Rupert Giles you had to stake?"

"Probably not," she admitted.

"Neither could I." Sara gave the girl's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "But this curse, the Curse of Zha-Sun, was meant to begin that process. His body is toxic to you. His sweat, blood - any thing that touched you - would kill you. It's something like a DNA specific virus. And you're the target."

"So how do we get rid of the curse?" Giles asked from the doorway. Neither of the women had heard him approach.

"We have to kill the mage that initiated it," Sara sighed. She waited for the realization to hit her love. It took mere seconds.

"No! Absolutely not!" He yelled. He had just got her back - he wasn't ready to lose her again. "Sara No!" Buffy flinched at the sudden anger and fear that came through on her friend's face. Sara just sat on the edge of the couch and hung her head.

"It's the only way, Rupert. You know that," she said, without looking up from the floor. The Slayer looked from one to the other, still trying to figure things out.

"Giles, what is it?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. Both women knew he was fighting to reign in his fear.

"Buffy, the mage who created the Curse of Zha-Sun is also a Vampire. An extremely powerful one at that. Sara, he'll kill you." His voice wavered, slightly.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, luv." She teased him. He wasn't rising to the bait. "Rupert, I've been preparing for this day. I think you'll be surprised at just how ready I am." It was a bluff…she knew the outcome of the battle. But as long as Rupert and Buffy survived, she could accept her fate. There was still a chance - her ace in the hole that resided in Angel's possession. He was about to respond when there was a knock at the door. Buffy opened it to find Xander, talking civilly with Anya. That in itself was a shock. Dawn was leaning on the railing behind them. She had felt bad sending her sister to stay the night with Anya, but things with Willow had to be sorted out.

"Come in, guys." Buffy opened the door and everybody headed for the dining room. Xander's eyes lit up when he saw the cake and chips on the table.

"So what's going on, Buff? You sounded a bit nervous on the phone." Xander asked as he started in on the chips.

"Where's Giles?" Anya inquired. She had always had a soft spot for her silent partner. But they had grown closer when she sat by his side when Willow left him to die.

"I'm over here, Anya." He gave her a sad smile from the doorway. Xander almost choked on a chip when Sara came in the room right behind him.

"Wow!" he said, the awe clear in his voice. Anya and Giles followed his gaze to Sara and both fumed. Buffy arched an eyebrow at Sara.

"Thank you, Mr. Harris." Sara was grateful for the momentary distraction. She laughed when Willow administered a small slap to the back of Xander's head.

"Who is she?" Anya's irritation was clear. She was still furious at Xander leaving her at the altar. And seeing him find another woman attractive was adding to her foul mood.

"SHE is Sara Covington," he hesitated to glance at Sara, "My fiancé." Giles responded by pulling himself up to his full height and glaring in Xander's direction. Sara and Buffy both laughed at the chest thumping. Giles backed off when he felt his love's hand on his arm.

"Down, Ripper." She teased. "He's just a boy." Both men embarrassed, turned away. Giles looked at Sara.

"Luv, please don't do this." He couldn't shake his fear on this. As he took her in his arms, she placed a hand on his cheek.

"We'll think of something, Rupert. Trust me?" She smiled at him and he pushed his fear down a bit. She knew what kind of effort that took and rewarded him with a hug. The scene made Anya ecstatic. Sara was obviously in love with Giles, so she wouldn't give Xander the time of day. If she wasn't having orgasms, then Xander shouldn't either. She smiled at the pair…but Giles was having them. Good for him, if anyone deserves them, he does. Giles shoulders slumped. He had just been rude to Xander for no reason. Those pillocks in England used to fall over themselves for Sara's attention, and it never bothered him. So why did he try and intimidate his young friend?

"Xander, I apologize. This has been somewhat of a trying day for me. You didn't deserve that." The young man relaxed and played it off like he usually did…with a joke.

"No sweat, G-Man. I just have to ask: Will you adopt me? Because you attract the most gorgeous women." He teased. Giles just chuckled. He considered making a joke about getting engaged, but reigned himself in when he caught Anya's glare.

"What's this about, Giles?" Dawn asked.

"Perhaps we should let Sara explain." He offered. He motioned for everyone to sit down at the dining room table. Sara held his hand and sat down on his right. Buffy, afraid of the effects of the curse, sat at the other end of the table. The older woman squared her shoulders and looked up at Rupert's Slayer. That was when Buffy saw what the woman was hiding from Giles. The mission they were about to embark on - Sara was going to die. She gave a slight shake of her head. Giles wouldn't be able to handle her loss again. After what she saw not two hours ago, she was sure it would destroy him as well. Sara opened her mind to receive the young girl's thought.

**Don't do this to him! Don't come into his life, just to leave him again!** She begged Sara. **It was hard enough to pick up the pieces after Miss Calendar…If you love him, you won't do this!**

**I do this because I love him.** Sara's calm voice replied in her mind. **Buffy, I will do everything in my power to remain with Rupert. But know that his, and your life, are all that matters here. If my life is the price of your survivals, I will gladly pay it. Trust me?** The Slayer felt the familiarity of the statement. When they first met, Giles had worked so hard to convince her to trust him. Now, here was another person, asking the same thing. Her ties to Giles made it easy to want to give her the benefit of the doubt. But knowing what lied in store for her friend caused her to hesitate. She would side with Sara…for now. She nodded to let the other woman know as much.

"Guys, I don't mean to sound rude, but Giles has always been big info guy. So he's passing the buck off to his little woman?" Giles eyes flashed in anger before he felt Sara's hand on his arm. She realized he felt the statement was derogatory towards her. "So, are you some kind of Watcher too?" the boy continued. She pulled the Codex out of her coat and laid it on the table. Giles and Buffy both recognized the book. Sara could feel him coil with tension.

"I apologize for borrowing this from your flat, Rupert. But you were busy with the Witch's coven. And I needed it here for tonight." He nodded his acceptance. She turned to face Xander, "Mr. Harris, like Rupert, I come from a long line of Watchers. I even trained to be a Watcher until I was eighteen. And like him, I am thoroughly versed in the texts of the Watcher's council…in addition to the ones in my family - 16 generations of Watchers, as well as the ones that belong to the Giles family. My family's strength has always been magicks." She smiled when she heard Willow and Giles both snort.

"That's a bloody understatement." Giles supplied.

"I was sworn into the Watcher's Council 22 years ago." Xander noticed the Onyx ring on her pinky was identical to the one Giles always wore. "Not long after that, I had a vision of this very night. And the original outcome was very different, I'm afraid. So, I disappeared. And spent my entire life preparing for the battle we must all face. Tonight was only the beginning." She explained. "I was hoping to get to them before Rupert set off the Curse of Zha-Sun, but I was a bit late. So we must all face our destinies with a little added pressure."

"Giles is cursed?" Dawn's voice broke a little. He gave her a sad smile across the table.

"I'm afraid so. But the curse is not immediately lethal to him. It is however, extremely lethal for your sister. If she were to touch Rupert, his blood, and his sweat - anything that can soak in her pores, would be fatal. The Curse is very specific from Watcher to Slayer. I believe it was their intention to turn Rupert, knowing that none of you - especially Buffy, would harm him." Giles felt his blood run cold. He hated being a threat to Buffy. Any the only cure was likely to get Sara killed. He briefly thought of giving them the easy way out. If he was dead, they couldn't turn him. Sara picked up on his dismal thoughts.

**Don't even think about it, my love. Even dead, your blood would still be fatal to Buffy. And I would feel obligated to stand by her, in your place.** He heard her soft voice in his mind. He just nodded, she was right. Playing the martyr wasn't going to work this time. **Besides, you're part of the Codex prophecy.**

"You stopped that by taking out the welcome committee and zapping Ethan's powers." Willow offered. She began to put the pieces together.

"Wait, wait, wait. You zapped Ethan's powers?" Xander asked. He never did like the sorcerer. A big smile came across his face, "Cool!" Sara gave the boy a sly grin of her own.

"I didn't "zap" them, I just hid them for a while. Magic powers cannot be destroyed. They can either be absorbed," Willow ducked her had down, not being able to look Giles in the eye, "Or they can be hidden. I cannot absorb Ethan's magic, it would taint my own. So I encapsulated it, and hid it on him. Chaos Sorcerers can be devastating in delicate situations such as this. I wanted him out of play." She opened the Codex to the appropriate page. "The jealous brother shall unite the dark forces against the light. The only salvation lies in The Mind Mage and Her mate standing with the Slayer and the Clan of the Dog - Strength, Wisdom, Innocence, Pain, Heart and Love will defeat him. The White may be lost - but other chances abound. The Cursed Grey is the Key." She read the prophecy. Giles started laughing.

"Clan of the Dog?" It was all too much. Sara knew he would see the humor in it - as she had. He couldn't stop laughing, and laid his forehead down on the table to catch his breath. Sara stroked the hair on the back of his head. It took Willow all of three seconds to piece together what Giles was laughing at.

"Oh my God! Clan of the Dog? The Scoobies?" She began giggling as the older woman nodded at her. The rest of the gang began laughing as Anya snatched the book from Sara.

"We're in the Codex?" She thought it was the best thing in her 1100 some odd years. Sara took the book back from her. The ex-Vengeance Demon just glared. The older woman waited for everyone to calm down before continuing. The kids noticed that Giles had stopped laughing but hadn't picked his head up from the table. And Sara was still running her fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

"Giles? You OK?" Dawn asked with an ear-to-ear grin.

"Smashing." He mumbled, still not picking his head up. The others smiled at each other. He was clearly enjoying his fiancé's efforts. And she was happy to see the same emotion radiating from all of them - if he was happy, so were they.

"So," she continued, "Lets move on to the complete interpretation of the prophecy. The jealous brother is most likely the vampire/mage Kane. He is the creator of the Zha-Sun curse. In the Watcher texts I've read, he only began delving into magic some 800 years ago. Fortunately, my family's magicks are just a bit older. Kane was tired of being bested by the Slayer and her Watcher. He devised it for them specifically. But with a sorcerer's help, it could be modified for another Watcher and Slayer. Hence Rupert's current predicament." She explained. She paused when she noticed Xander rolling something serious around in his mind. His eyes snapped up in surprise.

"Cain - as in Cain and Abel? Biblical Jealous Brother?!" He was terrified when Sara nodded her head. If he has been a Vampire that long, he sure as hell would be powerful.

"So this Cain guy is mounting the beasties to take us out? How are we supposed to find him? He could be anywhere." Buffy asked.

"No, he's in Sunnydale. He would need to be within our proximity to activate the curse." Giles mumbled, still not lifting his head. When he thought about the next line, 'The Mind Mage and her mate,' his eyes snapped up to meet Sara's. She smiled at him.

"I believe Rupert has figured out the next part of our prophecy as well." Giles just kept shaking his head, as if this was all a bad dream he could will away. Willow and Buffy noticed the fear in his eyes.

"Sara, are you the Mind Mage?" Willow asked. The woman nodded and gave her a warm smile.

"That's a dumb name. Why would they call you that?" Anya asked.

"Because Sara is not like any other magic user. She never has been. Where as Willow and I need to chant and sometimes use our hands, she doesn't. Her magic is 100x greater than anything we could produce, and she can release it Telepathically." Giles explained, his eyes never once leaving Sara's. "Sixteen Generations of pure untainted magic, all rolled into the perfect weapon." His voice began to grow hoarse with emotion. He cleared his throat. "And that was twenty-two years ago. I can't begin to fathom what power you can wield now."

"I can," Willow whispered meekly. "And by your mate, they mean Giles, right?" Anya asked in excitement. Completely wanting to rub in the fact that a woman Xander found attractive was already taken.

"Even when we were apart, Rupert has been my one and only love. So yes, I do believe they are referring to him. When I was a teen-ager, my mother had us begin to cast spells together. My own powers aside, spells cast with a soul-mate, take on a power that cannot be equaled." She explained. Sara noted the guilty look that passed Giles eyes upon her confession.

**Don't, luv. I don't fault you your striving for happiness. You believed I was lost to you years ago.** her soft voice echoed in his mind.

"Obviously, the Slayer is Buffy. Ironically, I also believe it refers to all of your positions within 'The Clan of the Dog.' Buffy is strength, Rupert, wisdom, Anya, innocence, Willow, pain, and Xander, you are the heart of the Scoobies." Anya was about to protest being innocent until Dawn put a hand on her arm. When she stared at the girl, Dawn shook her head adamantly. "And Love, I believe is all of you. The Love all of you have for each other." She looked right at Giles, "And the love I have for you." He felt his heart swell and fill. The emotions threatening to overwhelm him again. He had missed her so. "You're a family, and have proven - even through the most dire situations - that you are devoted to each other." She smiled at each of them. These kids were what heroes were made of. They stood by Rupert and Buffy without hesitation…and would continue to do so until God removed them from this Earth.

"The Cursed Grey is obviously Giles," Buffy added. "But why Grey?" The answer clicked in the mind of the most unlikely of them all - Dawn.

"Magical Auras," The girl stated. Everyone was stunned.

"Of course, Rupert!" She slapped her palm down in frustration. "Your history with Eyghon would put dark sections in your aura. Blend the dark, with the light and you get grey. Thank you, Dawn."

"I'm the key in this? The Codex is supposed to be the most accurate prophecies of the Slayers." Giles couldn't understand why he would suddenly be the key to this prophecy.

"But aren't Slayers and Watchers ultimately bound? Two halves of the same destiny?" his Slayer asked. "But if you're the Grey, who's the white?" Again, Dawn supplied the answer.

"Sara is," She got annoyed when the others looked at her like she had three heads. "Come on! You heard her before! She went through a lot of trouble to make sure Ethan's magic didn't taint her's. I figure she's been looking out for that since back in England." She continued when Sara smiled at her. "If she doesn't have any history in the same type of stuff Giles did before, wouldn't her Aura still be White?" The Mind Mage smiled at her love.

"You've taught them well," she chuckled when he blushed.

"Apparently." He replied, in awe. Willow, however, remembered the part of the prophecy that might bring Giles pain.

"Giles, you may not be the Key for the mission. Maybe it's a bit smaller than that. 'The white may be lost - but other chances abound. The Cursed Grey is the key.' You might just be the key to making sure Sara isn't lost." The older woman smiled at the witch. That had been her suspicion, too. He pushed his chair away from the table and pulled Sara into his lap. He held onto her as if she would disappear without his touch. Only Buffy and Willow understood where Giles desperation came from, the reclaiming of his lost love. But the others loved him enough to accept it. Xander, was scared for his surrogate father. If Sara was the White, the prophecy was telling them she might die. And with the serious love vibes he was getting from Giles, he knew it would destroy him. So the young man did what he did best. He picked a question out of the blue.

"So…you're a telepath?" Buffy sighed. The telepath issue was like half a conversation ago. Leave it to Xander to just be catching up now. Sara gave Giles a chaste, reassuring kiss.

**Yes, Xander. I also possess Telekinetic abilities.** the boy jumped back from the table when he heard her voice in his mind.

"Whoa! I heard that! Anybody else hear that?" he asked. When they all shook their heads, he realized she had just given him a small sample. Giles and Sara were still looking into each other's eyes. The Watcher laughed at his friend's shock. "You have Teleke-whatic?" the boy asked her.

"Telekinesis?" Dawn asked, excited. "You can move stuff with your mind?! Cool!"

"Huh?" Xander again. Sara sighed and rolled her eyes at Rupert. They both knew his young friends would desire a demonstration - especially Dawn and Xander. She reached into Rupert's coat for the knife she knew he had hidden in there. She threw it up in the air and used her telekinesis to force it to sail through the air and imbed itself into the door jam. When Dawn squealed with delight, she sighed and called the knife back to her hand and replaced it in Rupert's coat. She hadn't noticed his surprise at her demonstration.

"When did you learn to control it like that?" he asked her. She just shrugged.

"I've had excellent control for over fifteen years. I can put the force of an oncoming train behind it, as well. Or be gentle as a lamb. Don't look so surprised Rupert." Buffy had been quiet. Something about the prophecy was bothering her.

"Sara?" she would bounce the thought off of everyone.

"Hmmmm?"

"It says the White may be lost, does that necessarily mean dead? I mean, what if they turn you? You'd be just as lost to us, right?" The Slayer asked. Sara looked into Rupert's eyes and saw her fear mirrored there.

"Buffy, if I am indeed turned, you must not hesitate. You must stake me…promise me that. My magic, with a vampire's strength and lack of morality …" She shuddered at the implications of that idea. "You mustn't hesitate." Buffy wasn't sure how to respond. She could see the waves of tension radiating off of Giles. Could she do this to him?

"Buffy, please." Giles' voice was tight and strained. "Promise!" he pleaded. He looked at Sara, "I won't be able to do it, Luv." She ran her fingers through his hair.

"I know, Rupert. I wouldn't ask you to." She assured him. She looked around to each of the Scoobies, her eyes begging them to do exactly as she asked. If not for her, then for Rupert Giles. They each agreed.

"So…we have to kill this Cain joker, and the curse on Giles will be gone." Xander attempted to sum up the gist of it.

"Cain, and the sorcerer who altered the Curse for Rupert and Buffy." Sara explained. "Which means we need to research who would have enough power to alter it, then we have to find him. But I do think Rupert is right. They would both have to be in Sunnydale in order for the curse to have taken hold so suddenly."

"So, let's break out the books and get cracking." The boy was ready to do what it took, and Sara loved him for it. Heart of the Scoobies, indeed.

"Willow, you and Dawn are on food and refreshment detail Sara, you obviously didn't come with books in your pocket…" Buffy stated. Sara pulled herself out of Giles' lap.

"Quite right," she took off her coat and everyone was a bit surprised to see the various weapons on her hip, and occupying shoulder holsters: two ten inch knives, a baton, throwing stars, several throwing knives, two stakes and one gun, containing silver bullets. Everyone stared at her in stunned silence. "May I bring the books into the living room?" she asked her hostess. Buffy nodded. Sara tapped her finger under Giles' chin. "Close your mouth, love, before you catch flies," she teased him. When he had seen her last, she was almost eighteen, and a bit soft, and naive to the things that went bump in the night. All the studying in the world could never prepare you for the real thing. Now, she was a seasoned warrior - much as Buffy and Rupert were. She called up the appropriate spell - she intended to bring both the Covington and the Giles collection of texts. The Scoobies just watched as Sara stared out into the living room. They remembered what Giles had said about her projecting spells through telepathy. The only telltale sign she was casting anything was the increase of her breathing rate. Within minutes, Buffy's entire living room was packed full of old texts.

"Note to Giles, don't piss the little woman off. You could find yourself sitting buck-naked on an iceberg, somewhere." Xander joked. He was a bit in awe of what he'd just seen. Putting that same power in the hands of a vampire? No, Sara was right…if she was turned, Xander knew they couldn't hesitate to stake her…she'd be unstoppable.

"Magic based books are over there." Sara pointed to a section of the living room. "If you need help with any of the translations, find me or Rupert." She told everyone. "You're looking for a mage, sorcerer, or any kind of magic using creature that might have a particular grudge against a Slayer and her Watcher." She bent down to pick up a small stack of texts for herself, and one for Giles. When she sat them on the table, she noticed he wasn't in his seat. When she looked around the room, she noticed Buffy was missing as well. 'They need to talk,' she told herself as she sat and began reading.

Buffy had seen Giles sneak off to the kitchen and decided to follow. As she pushed the door open, she kept the curse in mind.

"Giles? Could you stand on the other side of the kitchen?" When he did, she stepped into the room. "I just wanted to make sure you were OK?" She was truly worried about her friend's sanity right about now. He looked …haunted.

"I can't…" he was having a difficult time putting his thoughts into actual words - just like when they first met. He gazed toward the dining room. "Buffy, I'm…I don't know how I feel. Overwhelmed, Terrified, Disgusted…take your pick." He took a big shuddering breath, "I love Sara so much, it hurts. I always have. She has always been my better half, and now…after feeling the utter pain and desolation of her loss so long ago, I have her back." He felt the pinpricks of tears behind his eyes. Buffy was a bit shocked when she saw the flash of anger in his green eyes. "And that damned prophecy says I'm going to lose her again! I can't do this." He was breathing hard with the effort of calming himself down.

"Giles, easy." She called to him in the tone she knew would get to him to pay attention. She sat down at the stool on the opposite side of the counter. "Look, Sara trained to be a Watcher too, right?" Giles nodded. "She seems like she really knows her stuff - 'Textbook with arms," her friend smiled at the name she had called him the first day she met him. They had come a long way since that day - saved the world countless times. "If she turns out to be half as capable as you did, we'll be fine."

"I appreciate what you're trying to do, Buffy…really, I do." She smiled at the blush that colored the tips of his ears. Good, she meant to do that. "But the Codex Prophecy…" Buffy cut him off.

"Giles, how many times have we thwarted prophecies? We never do anything by the book, you know that." She smiled when she saw his eyebrow arch when she said 'thwarted.'

"But this is the Codex…"

"And I seem to remember you saying that it is the most accurate for Slayer prophecies. Sara isn't the Slayer…it just might be wrong about her." She explained. He was surprised she remembered their fight after she discovered she was supposed to die at the hands of the Master. She's right, he mused. They had come a long way. "Besides, Sara went through all the trouble to turn the tide in our favor, tonight. Do you honestly think she'll go down without a fight?" It was a rhetorical question. "She loves you Giles - any idiot can see that." He snorted in annoyance. "What? You don't think so?"

"No, I know she loves me. I was just remembering what the Council put her through for loving me." He seemed to change gears for a moment. "Didn't you ever wonder where the animosity between Quentin and myself, began?" he gave her a half smile.

"Over Sara?" Giles nodded.

"She's a member of one of the founding families of the Council. The Covingtons are the only ones of the original six families that never forgot that we are all here to serve the Slayer…you. But the power they wielded, was very appetizing - especially to a leech like Quentin. The Travers and The Giles are both Fifth Generation Watchers. Quentin, the pillock, got his father to begin a blackmail campaign against Sara's parents. Sign their daughter over to the Council under the Travers direct control, or go down in the biggest ball of fire the world had ever seen. My father - who had given me the "Duty to the Slayer" Speech made me a deal I couldn't refuse." His eyes glazed over with the pain of the memory. And for a moment, Buffy saw the young boy - with dreams of being a fighter pilot (or a grocer) - and the pain of the decision.

"Sara told me, you voluntarily came to the Watchers. Sounds like Travers' dad wasn't the only one who had big marriage plans for his son." She really didn't like Giles' dad, all of a sudden.

"You're right about that. But my mum managed to keep me from his corrupting ideals by sending me to stay with the Covingtons. Sara's brother was a friend of mine, so I really didn't mind. And Miranda, everyone on the Council feared and respected her. She protected me as if I was her own child….even from my father." He explained. "And when I rebelled with Eyghon, the Covingtons never judged me. None of the other families were willing to allow me back after Randall died. Sara withdrew her name from the list that year so I could take her spot, and Miranda sponsored my return to the Watchers. They knew everything, yet they never turned me away. Quentin was livid about the whole ordeal."

"I'm assuming Miranda is Sara's mom."

"She was, yes. She was an amazing woman. She managed to teach me the necessary skills to protect and teach you, without taking away from my still being a boy. She was my mentor, my friend; And she made me the man - and Watcher - I am today." He considered how to continue his explanation. "My defending - or protecting, for lack of a better word - Sara began out of respect for Miranda." Buffy just let him do what he needed to do - talk. He told her of the almost spiritual connection with Sara as a child, the developing love - despite Quentin Travers continued interference. "The closer we got, the more hoops Quentin and his father forced us to jump through. Sara never once complained about any of it. Said as long as she was with me, they could all go to hell." He smiled at the fond memory. He talked about his proposing with the ensuing happiness, Sara's 'death' along with his devestation, Quentin's continued antagonism - that was usually deflected by Miranda Covington, herself. Buffy felt a pang of love for Sara's mom. She sounded like a wonderful woman; and she apparently loved Giles enough to protect him. A promise to her 'dead' daughter, maybe? Giles continued with his tale of how he was sent to Sunnydale, and how Miranda Covington died protecting his Slayer. And after he was fired by the Council, how the entire Covington family walked away from the Watchers. Sixteen Generations, and they walk away for Giles - and probably for her. He did say that they were the only ones of the founding families that believed they were there to serve the Slayer.

"Giles, how much different would the Watcher's Council be if the Covingtons were in charge?" She asked him.

"It would be the organization it was always meant to be. The Slayer would be the weapon, the Council the arm that weilds that weapon. Just as Miranda always taught me." He answered without having to think about it. They smirked at each other…both painfully aware that Quentin Travers and his cronies had thoroughly tainted that idea.

"Giles, I won't let her die without a fight." They both knew she was referring to Sara. "I can't even begin to know what kind of loss you went through the first time." He gave her a sad smile. No, she couldn't imagine. "I like her, I like her a lot. We did OK - you and me. But I can't help but wonder what kind of element Sara would have brought to our team."

"We were both cheated in that regard, Buffy." He stated, sadly.

"Hey, she's here now." She tried to comfort him. "Yet, we're sitting in here, moping." She teased. She was about to suggest they get back to the research group when there was a tap on the wall. Giles and Buffy looked up to see Sara standing in the doorway. She was holding two very old, intricately carved swords.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," she wanted to allow them to talk, but this did seem somewhat important. "Dawn found these in among the stacks of books. Michael and Amelia have been busy." She laid the swords on the counter. Buffy thought they were the most beautiful weapons she had ever seen. Runes and writing she knew was older than the Master, wound themselves around the hilts of both swords. There was more etchings and writing down the blades, and on the handles of both swords were crests - family crests, Buffy guessed. That was confirmed when Sara passed one of the swords to Giles. "Family Giles," she stated. As soon as he wrapped his fingers around the handle, the Slayer saw it glow blue with magic.

"Whoa!" Sara wrapped her own hand around the remaining sword…again it glowed with magic. "What's going on?" Sara and Giles placed the swords in close proximity of each other, and both blades magical glow turned from blue to bright yellow.

"That's different, interesting." Buffy rolled her eyes. That was her Giles; completely absorbed until he was through learning.

"Sara?" try the other smart person.

"Ah, yes. Sorry, Buffy. It seems the Coven that bestowed Rupert with the powers to come here to face Willow has decided to bestow him with another gift. Asthame - one for him, one for me. Extremely powerful ones at that." She seemed a bit distracted too as she was trying to read the etchings on the blade.

"Asthame? I thought that was a katana?" she pointed to the sword in Giles' hand.

"It is a Katana. But it has been magically enhanced to amplify my own magical abilities. An Asthame is a Witch's talisman. It is particular to each person. These will focus and amplify both mine and Sara's abilities for the upcoming battle." He looked up to see that Sara had noticed the same thing he did. "But these aren't just from one Coven. I've got at least 5 different Covens casting on this blade." The same thought occurred to her. "You don't suppose…?" Sara put a hand up to halt the rest of his question. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the necessary magicks to ferret out the answer Rupert was seeking. She reached out with her powers, using the Asthame as her focal point. There…she felt the magic tingling in her mind. Covens was right. Sara found her essence in the Covington mansion with over seventy witches, all preparing casting herbs, charms and spells. Her eyes fell to the two talking hurredly in the corner - her brother, Michael and Rupert's sister, Amelia. Both seemed to sense her there at the same time and looked up.

"You two have been busy," she smirked at them. Amelia gave her a sad smile.

"We felt Zha-Sun go into effect. We thought you could use the reinforcement." Sara felt the guilt twist her insides. She hadn't gotten there soon enough.

"I'm sorry, Amelia. I failed you…I failed him. It won't happen again. I will defend him with my life." Back in Buffy's kitchen, Giles and his Slayer could hear Sara's side of the conversation.

"You have to talk to her when she gets back here," Buffy whispered to him. He nodded and put a finger over his lips telling her to be quiet.

"Sara, any fool knows you love my brother - Despite Zha-Sun, I know he will be safest with you…and happiest." Amelia told her brother's love. "I understand you had to prepare the amulet, but was it wise to leave it in the City of Angels?" Michael gently scolded his wife.

"My dear, you know it has to be protected. Angel is a friend." He told her. Amelia didn't look convinced.

"Some friend. My brother still can't close his hand properly on cold nights." Sara couldn't figure out how Amelia could be so like Rupert in so many ways…and so different in others. Her sister-in-law could hold a grudge forever.

"Amelia, I told you - I had a discussion with both Angel AND Angelus regarding his treatment of Rupert. Soul, or no soul, I believe he'll think twice before harming him again." The answering grin she got from her brother's wife was something akin to Rupert's Ripper-grin. "The item is safe with him. He will bring it to Rupert when the time comes." The Slayer and Watcher looked at each other in confusion. Item? And now Angel was involved? "Michael, is the house safe?" Sara asked her brother.

"Very. Council never could break the Wards and Traps you and Mum set. We have Covingtons lining the outer edge of the house. Our magic will protect the witches casting in here. You'd be proud of us love, Eighteen Covens in all. You'll not only be fighting with your own magicks…but place the Asthames together and they channel ALL eighteen covens." He smiled at his sister. "Go back to Rupert, love. I would imagine he and the young Miss Summers are starting to get worried." As she started to flow back to her body, Michael blew her a kiss. "When this is over, bring your husband home." With that, she snapped back into her own body, and was forced to gulp in air as fast as she could. She squared her stance to prepare for the vertigo she knew was coming. Giles stepped up and pulled her against his chest.

"I'm here, easy." He gently told her. He steered her to the counter and lifted her up to sit on the edge. Buffy, still mindful of the curse, stood back by the door and let Giles tend to her. He wet a towel and pressed it to the back of her neck. The Slayer felt a slight pang of jealousy. Giles used to tend to her injuries and illnesses like that. She pushed the feeling down and cursed her own selfishness. He loved Sara…and had every right to take care of her. That was the type of man he was. He stood in between Sara's knees and applied feather touches to her face. "Hey." Feeling more herself, she looked up into his eyes and smiled.

"Hi, handsome." She placed her palm flat against his cheek. He turned his face and kissed the center of her palm.

"Welcome Back." He could still feel the excess magic radiating off of her. She shook her head, trying to force some of the fuzziness from it. "Michael and Amelia?" he asked the identity of their benefactors. Sara nodded.

"Amelia is a bit concerned about you, luv. They felt the curse take affect. They have Eighteen Covens entrenched at Covington Hall ready to give us back up when needed." She explained. "Michael said placing the Asthames together will channel the magic of all Eighteen Covens, in addition to our own." Buffy was a bit nervous at the surprised look that crossed her Watcher's face.

"Giles, is that a lot?" She really didn't know anything about magic - that was always Willows bag. She smiled when she heard both his and Sara laugh from across the kitchen.

"You might say that," he was using the damp towel to wipe Sara's face. His gentle touches were immensely loving. "Each Coven contains anywhere from five to twenty witches - each witch with varying abilities, but combined into the Coven, can be quite powerful. Michael and Amelia seemed to have rounded up Eighteen such Covens to help us." He calmly explained. Buffy smiled when he threw the towel in the sink and gathered Sara into his arms.

"Sara, are you OK?" She looked totally wiped. The older woman nodded at her.

"Tracer spells take a lot out of me. They are usually cast with two or three people. And I had to fight my way back along the traps my brother sent for unwanted snoopers. But I had to make sure the swords were safe." Her voice was a bit hoarse. Buffy went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. "I'll be fine in ten minutes, or so." She took the water the younger woman offered. "Thank you."

"You guys keep mentioning this 'Michael and Amelia' Friends, I hope?" Both Sara and Giles smiled at her honest question.

"Quite a bit more than friends. Michael is Sara's brother…and his wife, Amelia, is my sister. Lord and Lady Covington are no strangers to the eccentric needs of their siblings." He quirked. Buffy was enjoying her journey to stunned silence again. She didn't even know Giles had a sister. Sara attempted to get down from the counter before she was ready. As soon as her wobbly legs hit the floor, they collapsed underneath her. Giles caught her before she went down. "Easy, luv. You're not ready to go, yet." She closed her eyes as he began to massage the knots out of her shoulders and arms.

"Michael has most of the Covingtons there providing protection for the witches. Did I mention that my family knows some bloody nasty defensive magic?" She smiled wryly at him. She groaned when he forced a particularly tense knot of muscle to relax. "Thank you, dear. That knot had been there for so long, I was thinking of naming it." Buffy was amazed at the level of concern she felt for Sara Covington. It wasn't just that she was Giles' fiance'. She truly felt she had gotten a raw deal by the Council. Watching Sara, she knew that if her family would have been running the Council, her and Giles would have had whatever help they needed at all times. She was sure of it. And that pissed her off even more. When this is all over, she decided to ask Sara to help her with Council issues.

"Sara, when was the last time you slept?" Even though some of the color had returned to her face, she still looked like death warmed over.

"What day is this?" Sara asked. Buffy shook her head. She looked down at her watch…2am. She decided that Sara and Giles needed some serious sleep. They were going to be the primaries in this little prophecy, and she wasn't going to lose either one of them to exhaustion.

"Alright, we can handle research down here for now. Time for all British people to get some sleep." They were both about to protest when Buffy cut them off. "Giles, look at her, she's dead on her feet. I don't know much about the technical aspects of this magic stuff, but from watching you and Willow, I know casting takes up a lot of energy. Sara, if you can't remember the last time you slept, it has definitely been too long. Look, we've done the research thing alone before. But we don't stand a chance if you both aren't at the top of your games. Giles, take your woman upstairs. You guys can have my room." She crossed her arms over her chest, knowing Giles would understand that 'no' was not an option here.

"Buffy…" Sara began.

"It's no use, luv. The Slayer has spoken." He sighed. "I know that look, she'll flatten us both before she lets us anywhere near the dining room."

"Sara, you're not doing us any good like this. A few hours is all I ask. Besides, you and Giles can use some down time before the stuff really hits the fan." She gave the older woman an evil grin. Neither Sara nor Giles could hide their blush. "Oh my God, British people are the most repressed…"

"All right! We're going." Her Watcher cut her off before she could continue with that thought. He was worried about Sara taking the stairs, so he scooped her up into his arms. She walked them to the foot of the stairs, heading off any questions. She waited until they were halfway up the stairs before calling out.

"Goodnight!" she chuckled when she heard their mumbled responses.

"Why do they get to go to sleep while we have to study?" Anya was clearly offended. Buffy sighed as she sat at the table by a pile of books.

"Because Sara saved our butts today. She hasn't slept in days and has been throwing around magic like it was water. She needs rest, so just deal, An. Ok?" Buffy told her as she opened a book.

"If Giles is with her, she won't be sleeping." The ex-demon mumbled in frustration.

"Buffy, what was the sitch on those swords I found?" Dawn asked.

"Oh, little presents from Sara's big bro and Giles' sister. We now have some serious magic backup. Those swords are talismans…"

"Asthames." Willow supplied.

"Yeah, those. I guess they're supposed to make Giles and Sara's magic stronger. And according to Sara, they channel about Eighteen Covens." Unfortunately, the witch had decided to take a drink as Buffy was explaining this. On the words 'eighteen covens' she spit her tea out in shock.

"That's over 100 witches!" The Slayer shrugged.

"Her family is like, all magic. Giles said they're also one of the only Council families that always believed they were here for me…for the Slayer. Guess Sara's brother is just trying to stack the deck in our favor for once. So cut them both a break for a few hours. Ok?" The Scoobies found it unusual that Buffy would take such a protective interest in Sara Covington so soon. Dawn was glad…she liked the older woman. And she made Giles happy, which was a total bonus. They all settled into their seats to study.

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"Rupert, set me down at once." Sara begged as he carried her into the room. "Please?" He sat down on the bed and held her in his lap, refusing to let go. She knew exactly what he was feeling - even more so. While he believed her to be dead, she had watched him from the shadows. Her heart aching with the lonliness of her task. Her hands burning to touch him. She didn't want to let him go either. Ever since they woke up on the living room floor, she had felt the emotions he was battling. She placed her cheek on his - her lips mere centimeters from his ear. He was working hard to keep it together. Giles had almost lost it in the kitchen, but his Slayer had seen his dilemma and come in to calm him. Now, here he was again…In serious danger of falling to pieces. He was breathing hard with the effort of calming himself. "Rupert?" His started as he felt her breath cross his cheek.

"Hmmmm?" he replied, not completely trusting his voice.

"Let it out," she whispered in his ear before she pressed her lips to his cheek. He choked back a groan as he tried to control the trembling her words had caused. "I've missed you." Her voice cracked with the effort of controlling herself. When she heard his painful cry, the wall came down for both of them. For Giles, looking into her eyes, he remembered every vivid moment of their youths. The gentle touches and shy glances that blossomed into a love that fired him down to his very soul. The amazement that this magical, sensuous woman could love him. At the time he proposed, he worshipped her. Who was he kidding? He still worshipped her. But the anger started to roll in the pit of his stomach. The betrayal he felt that she would be so cruel as to make him believe she had died. Sara flinched when she saw the waves of anger that flared through his green eyes. She steeled herself; she deserved every bit of his anger, and more. They had to get through this. Giles held her face in his hand and pressed his forehead to hers.

"You left me, Sara. I would have given my life for you…but you left me." Tears filed his eyes. She saw the anger, desperation and love all warring for dominance. Just for a moment, she wondered if she had made the right decision. She squared her shoulders, preparing for his worst. She deserved anything he could dish out, and more. She raised a trembling hand to his cheek.

"I'm so sorry, Rupert." Giles noticed the tightness in her voice. "We never could escape our destinies, could we?" That did it. The floodgates opened wide and the tears came full force. "No matter how much I loved you, our lives belong to that girl down there." He nodded. Despite the utter desolation he felt upon her loss, she was correct. As Watchers, what they wanted, or even needed, was second to the needs of the Slayer. Miranda taught him that. "It was so hard, luv. Watching you, and to not give into this need. There were a few times I almost chucked it all away…to return to this." She confessed. She turned in his lap so that she was straddling his hips. He sucked in a surprised breath. "To return to you, mind and body…heart and soul, I belong to you." He wrapped his arms around her waist while she pulled his head to her chest. "Be sad, be angry, be anything you need to be for us to get through this. But please, I beg you, forgive me?" He began to sob.

"I'm tired. I can't do this anymore, Sara. Blasted business cost me everything…I don't even know who I am anymore. I just know I'm tired of it all." She ran her fingers through the hair at his temples. She was worried that he had reached the end of his rope. She opened her mind trying to get a sense of the emotions churning in her love. He was tired, but he knew. He knew duty and responsibility was what drove them both. But tonight, just for tonight, he wanted it to be about them. No Watchers, no Slayers, no Curse. Just two Soul Mates rediscovering themselves. She wasn't going to deny him this. Sara placed a kiss on his forehead and threw her link with Giles wide open. He sucked in a breath at the shock of her emotions hitting him. She tilted her head farther down and kissed his tears.

"Breathe, luv." When he moved his head back, she swooped her head in and claimed his lips. Rupert Giles was in heaven. He felt her flood his senses, and fill every part of his soul. He felt her love, and he felt her pain. He, at least had the luxury of believing she was dead. Sara had to watch him from a distance, and know that he was loving other women. It had to hurt; he knew it would hurt him to see Sara in another man's arms. He moaned as he felt his anger dissipate. It was her turn to tremble when he began nuzzling at her neck. She grabbed the bottom of his sweater and pulled it over his head. She gave a disappointed growl when she felt the t-shirt under her hands. "Layers, some things never change" He just chuckled as he pulled the offending item off. She stood up and began removing the weapons that were strapped to her body. Giles thought his heart was going to beat right out of his chest. His love, his soul mate, was here. The dark realism of their possibly bleak futures tried to creep into the happiness he was feeling. He slammed down on it as hard as he could. 'Later!' he told it. 'Just let me love her tonight.' He sighed as he felt the feelings receed back into their shadows. He looked up in time to catch Sara pulling her own sweater off.

"Sara, what the hell happened?!" he cried out at the image of the twelve inch angry gash that ran across her abdomen. As her thoughts ran back to the night she received her wound, Giles flinched as if he has been cut himself. She gave him a sad smile.

"Do you remember when you called Wesley for information on how to defeat the Korak demon?" He nodded. He and all the Scoobies had taken a severe beating at the hands of the demon. Wesley has produced the answers they needed in less than 3 hours. "This little beauty was a memento from our journey to the demon world."

"You went with them?"

"I had to. You and Buffy were in danger. And Angel needed the magic reinforcement. As lovely a man as Wesley is, you know as well as I do, his magic isn't strong enough." She explained. A thought occurred to Giles as he pulled her into his embrace.

"How many times?" He smiled at her quizzical expression. "When I'd call Michael or Miranda or anyone for help for Buffy…how many times were you the one to provide it?" The Mona Lisa Smile he got in return took his breath away. Her Rupert was too smart for his own good.

"Most times it was me. Mum and Michael were watched too closely by the Council to be of any real help. You know what happened the one time mum tried to go on her own." Her voice took a sad turn. Giles did know, Miranda Covington died closing a temporal rift to prevent Botsgil, a demon god of pestilence, from entering their realm. His mentor had known, the Slayer was not ready to face him…and sacrificed herself to keep the demon at bay. For that, he was eternally grateful. "Don't be sad for mum, Rupert. She died protecting the Slayer. More importantly, protecting YOUR Slayer. She wouldn't have had it any other way." Her death had been difficult for him. Miranda Covington kept his personal demons at bay, gave him the safety and solace he needed at the right times. And he loved her for it. It was her death that gave him the courage to go against the Council and their barbaric test. He nodded at Sara's words though.

"I know. I just miss her sometimes." He replied, sadly. "Look who I'm telling." He turned her so that she was straddling his hips again. Even as a teenager, he had been addicted to her eyes. The deep blue that carried wisdom beyond their years. Sara caressed his face.

"Rupert, I am revealing myself by coming here. I need to focus myself for the battle with Kane. The Council will know I'm not dead, I won't have the energy to keep my aura hidden anymore." They both knew what that meant. The Council would come for her. Attempt to make her the pawn they had always intended. And Quentin Travers would be leading the charge. Giles sighed in exasperation. He had just gotten Sara back. He wasn't going to let Kane kill her, why the hell would he let Travers? He and his generous brother-in-law had been discussing a possible solution to Quentin. Maybe after Kane, it was time. Sara's magic would negate even the best the Council had to offer.

"Sara, what if we reclaim the Council?" he asked. She seemed to consider the idea, then shook her head.

"As much as I love my brother, he doesn't have the knowledge - or the abilities - to hold power." He would be picked off in less than a week by the barracudas on the Council, she knew that for a fact. She wouldn't feed her brother to that evil.

"No," Giles agreed, "But you do." Her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't thought of that. She did have all the necessary qualities to return the Council to the path it was originally intended. Quentin Travers was not the only danger, but he was by far, one of the strongest. The corrupt support system the man had built needed to be destroyed. "The birthright would be Michael's, as oldest. But he could pass the right to you if he saw fit." He began placing small kisses just above her collar bone. She only half glared at him…he was driving her to distraction, and he knew it. "Yours is one of the original families, your birthrights would be considered before Quentin's." He continued his kisses up to her neck and jaw. 'A War with Quentin Travers?' she thought. Would she be up for it, after dealing with the Vampire Mage? "Return the Council to the Slayers." He knew that would get her. Miranda and her children were cut from a different cloth then the rest of the Watchers. They lived and died by their code…for the Slayers. In his mind, they were just as heroic as Buffy and every Slayer that stood before her. Sara tried to concentrate through the fog of emotions his kisses were creating. She dipped her head down and caught his lips in a passionate kiss. When she felt his tongue begging entrance to her mouth, she gladly received him. His passion was driving every coherent thought out of her mind. She groaned into his mouth when she felt his hand on her breast.

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Willow felt the magic as it began to swirl in the house. Elementals, spirits and various other supernatural entities began moving through the house. Most were centered at the point right under Buffy's room - where Giles and Sara were. She didn't feel anything dark from the creatures. Quite the opposite, these magical beings seemed to be carrying a blessing.

"Oh my god." She said quietly. Of course, Buffy, with her Slayer hearing, heard her.

"What is it? Willow?" She considered trying to ask her questions in the most tactful way. Given the feelings of the Elementals alone, she could guess what Giles and Sara were doing upstairs.

"I felt the level of Sara's magic at the cemetery. But how strong is Giles'?" She asked.

"Magic wise? I don't know, why?" When Willow pointed at the ceiling, everyone looked up, but only Anya saw the magical creatures.

"Whoa!" Anya said in admiration. "I've only heard about this. I've never seen it for myself." Buffy, Dawn and Xander were completely lost. All they saw was a white ceiling.

"WHAT?!" The three asked simultaneously.

"Do you remember what Sara said about Soul Mates casting magic together?" Willow asked Buffy.

"Yeah, she said it was even stronger than what she can do."

"No," Dawn interrupted, "She said when they're together they can't be equaled."

"If they truly are soul mates, their magic together, would be as pure as you can get." Willow continued. She pointed up at the ceiling again, "There are magical entities in this house that I've never seen - even from Giles' books."

"They're blessing them. The magic is blessing them." Anya replied.

"This is of the good, right?" Xander asked. Willow, with as big a grin as he had ever seen on her face, just nodded adamantly.

"It's very good."

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This was a rebirth for Rupert Giles. The woman writhing under his hands and lips was restoring his life. They had only been together once before her "death" all those years ago. And Giles was thoroughly enjoying rediscovering her body. As he noted the spots that made her moan, he replaced fingers with lips and tongue. With each new spot, he felt the magic coursing through his body increase. He knew from their previous time, that making love to a magic user of Sara's abilities brought a certain level of Euphoria that was tied directly to the magic. But this was different. As he trailed his tongue down her torso, he felt an echoing stroke on his soul. Sara's hands were hardly idle either. He smiled wryly as he recognized there was a pattern to what she was doing to him. So she remembered the spots that drove him crazy as well. Since her power was significantly stronger, Sara Covington could clearly see the magical entities swirling throughout the room. Her abilities allowed her to see into the other plains and dimensions at times. Magic aside, the touch of her love was stirring it's own power within her. The swirl and strength of the entities increased with the frenzy of their passion. It took Sara a few moments to concentrate through the lust-induced haze, to recognize what was happening to them.

"The Cristening…" She groaned when he dipped his fingers into the lace of her panties to test her wetness. He slipped a finger into her warmth, causing whatever thought she has been fighting to maintain…to go right out the window. Now they were both operating on instinct. Sara's hands shot to Giles' belt. He lifted himself on his elbows to allow her hands room to work. Frustrated at her shaking hands, she skipped right over the belt - it wasn't cooperating anyways - and pulled the zipper of his trousers down. She turned her hand to apply slight pressure to the bulge as she slowly lowered it.

"Nnnnngggggg…." His shaky arm collapsed under him and he flopped on his side. He unfastened his own belt and opened the button on his pants as Sara's hand slipped through the cloth to his erection. He felt the fire lick up his spine as she began to stroke him. She gathered him to her with her other arm. They were practically nose to nose as she continued her efforts.. He lifted a trembling hand to her neck and brought her lips to his. It was all too much. The physical bliss of her hands on him - along with her mere presence in his heart - was all too overwhelming. He began to cry. Ashamed, he tried to pull away from her. She wrapped her free arm around his neck, refusing to let him pull away. She pushed her tongue past his lips. After a moment of hesitation, he accepted her willingly. They broke the kiss when Oxygen became a necessity. Sara pressed her forehead to his.

"Let this be for us. No past, no future, no Watchers, no Slayer, and no bloody destinies. Just you and me…here, right now."

"Christ, I love you so much!" He snuffled. Sara increased the pressure of her strokes on his erection.

"Show me." With tears still coming, Giles stood up next to the bed and removed the rest of his clothes. He turned to see Sara standing to remove the last of her clothes. He wiped the tears on the back of his hand and stepped forward to her.

"Let me," he put his hand on hers. She trailed her fingers from his temple to the nape of his neck. Her touch was absolute Heaven. He began trembling as he grabbed her panties and sank to his knees to allow her to step out of them. He moved his fingers over the large scar at her abdomen, then leaned forward and pressed his lips to it. "You have never left my heart." He confessed to her. She hugged his head to her stomach and allowed him to cry. Sara felt the emotions roll off of him like water. The desire and love were the strongest. But underneath, was fear. Within minutes, his tears began to subside. Giles had been running his hands gently over her thighs. Her legs nearly gave out when he slid one hand up the inside of her right thigh. He could smell her arousal as his fingers begin to tease her labia. He smiled seductively when he felt her adjusting her stance to angle her hips toward his questing digits. Her strength did fail her when he slid two fingers into her channel and curled them inside of her. She whimpered as Giles caught her as she fell - the force driving his fingers deeper. Sara, acting on the fire in her being, hungrily attacked his lips. He began plunging his fingers in and out of her warmth, swallowing her cries into his mouth. He felt the tension in her and knew that she was close. He used his thumb and began slow, sensual circles on her clit. He pressed harder when he felt her teetering on the edge. When she cried out her release, he plunged his tongue into her mouth to swallow her shout. He kept moving his fingers, despite feeling her muscles clamping around them. Once the stars cleared from her vision, Sara decided to give Giles a taste of his own medicine. He moaned his disappointment when she slid away from him to catch her breath. She moved back on all fours trying to bring gulps of air into her abused lungs. Rupert sat back on his heels and enjoyed the view. Her skin was coated with a fine sheen of sweat - desire clear in her eyes. He was too caught up in his passion to recognize that the hum in his body was different from before. The magical enitities were now swirling throughout the room like a tornado…with the two lovers at its eye. Sara crawled forward and encircled him with her hand. She gave him a few strokes to return him to his prior hardness. Without giving him a chance to adjust - still holding his member, she raised herself above him and sheathed him in one quick motion. She had forgotten how big he was, and bit down hard on her lip, drawing blood, to keep from crying out at the suddenness of it all. She kept still, waiting for her body to adjust. Giles was too far gone to think of that. "Oh My God!" He rasped out. He moaned loudly when he felt her channel spasm. 'She was coming!' his body told him. She clenched him with her inner muscles - hard. He gasped, and flinched in response.

"Do I have your attention now, Rupert?" She purred. His strangled exclamation was his answer as she began moving slowly up and down his length. He pulled her mouth to his, and took possession of it with a Ripper-like fierceness. She cried out when he bit down on her bottom lip - reopening the cut she had caused minutes before. As the metallic taste of her blood hit his mouth, every cell in his body became hyper-aware. He sensed his own magic - not the borrowed Earth Magic of the witch's coven - but the magic of his ancestors. The untapped energy that his family had lost connection with centuries ago. That power mingled with the pull of Sara's energy, lit every nerve in his body. His blood was absolutely boiling. The tornado of magical entities closed around Giles and Sara. She was purposely keeping her pace maddeningly slow, enjoying every stroke of his shaft. Both of them could hear nothing but the blood roaring in their ears. Every sensation was exponentially magnified. Giles suddenly surged up on his knees and laid Sara down on her back. The change in angle allowed him to put more power behind his thrusts. He increased the pace of his hips while he leaned up to reclaim her mouth. The magical entities got closer to them the quicker they approached their orgasms. Giles was too close…he wanted Sara to go over before him. He reached a shaky hand in between them and began fingering her clit. Three more pumps of his hips and she screamed her release. Her passage wringing him hard, and pulled his orgasm out with a searing intensity he had never known.

"Sara!" he cried out as he emptied himself into her. Both their bodies were absolutely aglow. The magic radiating from them flared like a beacon as the entities began to move away from the lovers. Their blessing given, they began to leave. Giles finally got his breathing under control and started to roll off of Sara. She whimpered in protest and tried to clutch onto him. "I'm too heavy, luv."

"No," she was still fighting for her own breath, "you're not. You feel good," she moaned as he gave a short thrust with his hips. Giles grabbed her and rolled them both so that she was straddling his hips. She was still slumped down against his chest.

"What was that?" he asked. His senses were no longer clouded by their lovemaking. And he noticed the distinct hum of magic in his body. They were both fighting to regain control of their breathing. She leaned up and gave him a passionate kiss. He felt his cock stirring again.

"The Christening." She explained. Giles snorted in response.

"The Christening is a myth, luv." Sara shook her head.

"I used to think so. But, it is real, Rupert. I saw them. The elementals, the faeries, all of them - they were here. What you are feeling is your own magic, responding to mine. This isn't borrowed witch magic, it's what your ancestors were born with. The Christening has removed the blocks, finally allowing you access to your true power." To prove her point, she gave him a searing kiss and rocked her hips. He felt the magic in him, surge again. Each kiss, each caress, brought the magic in his body to another level. Sara wanted to help him understand what had just happened to him, but his reawakening member was still buried deep in her body. Every movement sent spirals of pleasure shooting up her spine. They both whimpered when she stood up and stepped away from him. Giles felt the humming in his body recede. He shook himself to try and clear his head.

"What is that?" He began shaking a bit when she came close and placed her palm flat over his heart. The hum became stronger, again.

"It's you, luv. Your magic is recognizing mine." She left her right hand on his chest and held her left arm back away from their bodies. She quickly recited an elemental spell and a sword of blue fire appeared in her hand. Every nerve ending in his body seared with magic. He was overwhelmed.

"Even at my strongest, I've never felt this level of power. There is no record of ANY Giles possessing magicks such as these." His mind was racing a mile a minute. Sara chuckled at his nievete as she disengaged the spell.

"No, no Giles." She explained. "But there have been Byrnes that have claimed their mantles of power - in the past."

"My mum?!" Even as a boy, Rupert always believed his mother to be terrified of magicks. Now Sara was telling him that the power surging through his veins came from HER line. His love snorted in disdain.

"Rupert, for all of your brilliance…you have never even looked into your mum's family, have you?" She smiled when he shook his head. "Your father - however brilliant - is a bureaucrat, with minimal magic abilities. Like me, your true power - the thing the Council always feared most in us - comes from our mothers. The Byrnes are elemental experts. Didn't it ever occur to you, even in your Ripper days, why the element spells were at your beck and call? Yet, the other energies were so difficult to control?" He considered her question. Elemental spells were always his favorite. His mind flashed on Ripper avoiding a particularly deadly bar fight by calling up the Earth to envelop his opponents. Or using Fire Spells to ignite the Watcher "Goon Squads" from across the Quad. Then calling the Rain to put out the flames. She was right, the elements did come easy to him. He felt the pang of sadness when a dark realization claimed him.

"I never stood a chance of controlling Eyghon, did I? Randall would have died no matter what I did." Sara was careful in her answer.

"My love, if I could have spared you that sadness…I would have. But no, you and Ethan were the strongest of the magic users present. And neither of you were prepared for Eyghon." He hung his head in shame. Randall's death still weighed heavy on his soul. "If I hadn't followed you…" she trailed off, seeing the tear escape his eye. She wiped it away with her fingertips.

"If you hadn't been there, Eyghon might have killed us all. I never wanted you to see me like that, Sara. I betrayed you, and you still came for me."

"You never betrayed me, Rupert. You were a bit lost in your anger, luv. But I knew the good man was buried under that Ripper ferocity. And I would have followed you to hell itself, if it meant bringing you back to me." She quirked a half smile at him. She couldn't help but think that by coming to Sunnydale, she had indeed followed him to the very depths of hell. Sara knew how his mind worked. He was a martyr, through and through. He carried guilt for a great many things…most of which were out of his control. If she let him get to deep into his own thoughts, he would find some way to add to his guilt. She took both of his hands in hers and placed them on her naked waist. His breathing picked up a bit when she slid her palms up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. When she caressed his cheek, he leaned into her touch. "Listen to me, Rupert Sebastian Giles. I love you, with everything that I am. I don't care what I have to do, as long as the result is I end up in your arms. Do you understand me?" She smiled at him to take a bit of the sting out of her words.

"Yes, dear," he smirked as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. Giles began trailing slow, sensuous nips down her neck - making it difficult for Sara to concentrate.

"So…I'm going to h-help - oh, that's lovely…" she gasped and Giles smiled into her neck. He had just hit one of her 'sweet spots.' He especially enjoyed the noises she made when he touched on it, and trailed his lips toward the next spot. "…you master your magic. T-then we'll see what else comes up." Giles actually giggled as he looked down at what has "come up" between them.

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CRYPT UNDER SUNNYDALE

Kane swung the chair against the wall in his fury.

"Fuck! How did the Watcher get his magic?! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" he yelled. Every minion within earshot visibly flinched. Each one silently praying their lives wouldn't be the next victim to his anger.

"It's Sara Covington," came the answer from the door. The Vampire turned his anger toward Ethan Rayne. Without his magic to defend himself, Ethan was susceptible to this vampire's every whim.

"Explain." He ordered.

"She killed your men, at the cemetery. And I'm fairly certain she is the one who released Ripper's "true" abilities. What is going on? You told me she was dead. The one bloody person that can ruin everything is here! What happened?" Ethan didn't know what was making him speak to the vampire this way. Fear, maybe. Stupidity, definitely.

"Their own organization said she was dead. I tortured half a dozen Watchers for 3 weeks…they all said she was dead. Phillip!" He called out for one of the Watchers he had turned. When the vampire in question appeared, he grabbed the man by the collar. "You told me the Covington Bitch is dead! Correct?!" It wasn't really a question.

"Yes, sir. B-Both of them," the terrified vampire responded. "Daughter, Sara, fiance' to Rupert Giles…died 22 years ago. And Mother, Miranda died almost five years ago. They both were powerful mages. Their auras would have been tracked if they were still living." He trembled visibly in his sire's hands. "Especially Sara," he added.

"Why?" Ethan had been curious about Ripper's love since she rescued them from an out of control Eyghon. His friend always had fantastic choices in women. Every one of them a tasty morsel.

"Sara Covington masters her family's magical capabilities - both the mother and the father's lines." He began to recite her Watcher file from memory, hoping to buy his life. "Her father's telepathy and telekinesis as well as the magic of her mother - who is rumored to be the granddaughter of Merlin himself." Now there was in interesting twist. Ethan chuckled - Merlin indeed. Only Ripper could fall in with a family that believed itself to be out of a fairy tale. Kane's eyes shot to the sorcerer.

"I know from personal experience, their line is Merlin's. Do not feed me rumors, boy. My patience is growing thin." He kept eye contact with Ethan while speaking to the vampire in his hands.

"Quentin Travers wanted her for himself - to control. And to breed off of her line." The Vampire practically stammered out. He could tell from his sire's face that this was something he didn't know.

"Other than the obvious magical benefits," Ethan was having a difficult time with this Merlin aspect still, "why would Travers give a whit about the girl?"

"Answer him," Kane ordered. The frightened vampire shrugged his shoulders. He could only give them educated guesses.

"Status, for one. The Covingtons were one of the original families of the Watchers Council. Travers would have secured his line by marrying Sara Covington." Ethan gave the vampire a sly grin.

"But Ripper got there first," he supplied.

"If you mean, Mr. Giles, he was always there. Word was, Sara was still a toddler when he began staying there. Drove Travers around the bend. Even though he was some fifteen years older than Rupert Giles, he still lived in the man's shadow. Sara Covington was just another thing that Quentin couldn't have, that Rupert got. And his father never let him forget it. Both Old Man Travers and Old Man Giles were right bloody bastards - pitting their sons against each other. Mr. Giles even more so, with Rupert being so young. Sara Covington was considered the ultimate prize." A prize indeed, mused Ethan. And quite ferocious in her protection of Ripper. Now here came his ultimate gamble. Anyone who knew him, knew he lived by a "save your own arse first," policy. With Sara Covington alive, he stood a better chance with Ripper and his damned kids. The trick was to get out of here without Kane realizing he didn't have access to his magic.

"Phillip, was it?" The scared vampire nodded. "Answer me this…if she is in fact deceased, how in the bloody hell did I see her casting spells not three hours ago?!" He raised his voice just enough to make Phillip flinch.

"Perhaps she was turned?" he cast a terrified glance toward his own sire. Ethan shook his head adamantly.

"Think, you fool. She protected Rupert. If she were a vampire, why would she be fighting Kane's plan? She would want him to join her. Have you ever seen the two of them together?" Phillip shook his head. "They worship each other. She will - and has - endured every kind of hell for him. No, she is very much alive. And she is bloody furious." The Sorcerer smiled when the Vampire Watcher's eyes snapped up to meet his. Now he was getting it.

"Where would they go?" Kane asked, already beginning to formulate a plan. Ethan considered the question.

"The Slayer's house." He surmised. Since Ripper no longer had his flat in Sunnydale, it was the only place that made sense.

"Memnon!" The Vampire called out. Within seconds the dark mage appeared. "Take the Alpha squad Demons, and a dozen vampires and pay a visit to the Slayer's house. Be careful, Sara Covington is guarding them." He smiled when the mage's eyes flared in hatred at the mention of his rival's name. "Bring me BOTH Watchers - ALIVE. Kill the rest if you choose." Memnon was about to protest. He wanted Sara Covington's death to be by his hands. Kane cut him off. "I said ALIVE." He emphasized the point again.

"Yes, sir" he replied grudgingly.

"Is that wise?" Ethan inquired. "If the Watchers manage to kill him, they would be that much closer to breaking the curse on Ripper." He smiled when Memnon growled and took two steps toward him. His best chance of survival was to get Kane to allow HIM to lead the force to Buffy's - where they could be dispatched. The Dark Mage's presence could jepordize that.

"Possibly, which is why you will go with him. Seperately, she may very well kill you both. Together, I want you to bring both Watchers to me - ALIVE.

"Yes, sir." Both magic users responded. Ethan just prayed he might have a moment to slip away and warn Ripper.

"Oh, and Phillip…" Kane waited for his childe to look at him. "Call the Watcher's Council and let them know where their missing Mage is." He turned toward Ethan and Memnon, "You have 30 minutes to gather forces and depart." Both the magic users left to do as they were told. "Merlin's progeny, I shall have your magic, as well. Then no one will stop me."

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BUFFY'S HOUSE

The Scoobies had the list of possibilities down to a dozen or so, when Xander came across what he believed to be the winner. He hurried over to Willow to show her what he'd found in a Covington Family Diary. The witch managed to fine corresponding volumes for the time frame in both Giles and Watcher's Council texts.

"Buffy, I think we found the guy. Um, the second spell caster." She began to summarize from the Covington Diary. "Memnon, newest generation of mages. Their family seems to specialize in Dark Magics. He seems to be the same age as Giles. There was an incident about 25 years ago. Memnon's family wanted to infiltrate the Council. To gain access to their own "potential" Slayers. It seems this Memnon got half way through the trials, using magic - of course. Sara was the one who figured out what he was up to. She wasn't even an initiate at the time. She was visiting Giles and her mom. Her and Giles countered his spells, and he fled for his life."

"I would hate them too." Anya supplied. Buffy considered this from Anya's point of view, for a moment.

"But Anya, you don't." She smiled at the Vengeance Demon's confusion. "You love Giles, right?"

"Of course, I love Giles!" She was insulted that Buffy would suggest otherwise. "He is a fine human." She left the 'good friend' unspoken.

"When you first became human, wasn't it Giles - in the other world - that destroyed your power source? Wasn't he the one who made you human?" Buffy knew even though the demon had her powers back, she would never harm any of them. She watched Anya work things out for herself.

"You're right, this Memnon is bad, we have to kill him." She finally stated. Willow had been reading some of the things Memnon was noted to do, seeing if she could get an idea of the level of the mage's powers. It was clear that with his level of magic; physically, they couldn't get anywhere near him.

"Guys, I think Sara and Giles are going to have to deal with him." Dawn came over and began reading over her shoulder.

"Whoa!" The shock was clear in her voice. This guy was bad news. "Buffy, this guy is like uber-bad. Some of these things he did, makes Glory look warm & fuzzy. He's got some powerful magic on his side. Willow's right, we won't be able to get to him without Sara and Giles." Dawn cast a worried glance at her sister.

"We?"

"Yes, WE." The teenager crossed her arms across her chest. "I'm part of this family - Summers AND Scoobies. I know how to fight, you saw. And I'm not about to let these jerks kill you OR Giles. And I like Sara. She's nice, and Giles loves her." As much as Buffy hated to admit it, her sister was right. And she was getting to old to need to be coddled.

"You're right. We can do this together. Giles needs us." She didn't want to think how her friend would deal with Sara's death. And she knew it was selfish, but she wanted Sara alive to help her deal with the Council. "We have to get both of them through this. We owe it to Giles. Let's do a weapons check before they get up."

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COUNCIL OF WATCHERS - ENGLAND

Quentin Travers enjoyed these weekly brow-beating sessions. The old man sitting in front of his desk had encouraged his son to humiliate Quentin as much as possible, in their youth. 'Now who has the last laugh, old man?' he sneered at his enemy. It was of no consequence that his fight was with the son, besting the father would make him feel just as good.

Cedric Giles, for his part, did not fear Quentin Travers. He had already worked long enough to receive his pension, and he was well aware that the hateful man kept him around to have a Giles around he could beat. Since Rupert was twice the man he was - Cedric smiled to himself - he had to settle for his father. It didn't occur to the git that Rupert could care less what happened to him. They hadn't said more that half a dozen words to each other in the last 25 years. And sadly, Cedric Giles knew he had no one to blame for that, except himself. He steeled himself for Quentin's diatribe when a frantic knock interrupted things.

"Come!" Travers called. A man that Cedric recognized as Peterson - one of Travers crooked Council partners - entered. "What is it?" he asked the man impatiently. Cedric couldn't hide his amusement at the look of panic on Peterson's face. That look usually meant his son and the Slayer were about to stick it to Quentin Travers.

"Problem in Sunnydale?" Cedric practically purred the question. Peterson was to panicked to pay attention.

"Rupert has undergone the Christening. His aura is radiating like a beacon. As he is now, we have 2 mages that could possibly best him." He put emphasis on the possibly.

"Do they work for us?" Travers inquired. His calm exterior betraying the fear he had inside.

"One does. But that's not the biggest problem." Peterson explained. "There is another aura with him. One I've never seen before. Whoever is with Rupert Giles, will not make it easy for us to get to him." This was too good. Cedric could not contain his laughter any longer. He nearly collapsed with merriment at the affronted looks on Travers and Peterson's faces.

"You fools. You bloody fools." He stated between chuckles.

"How dare you!" Quentin spat. Cedric, for the first time in his entire life, pulled himself up to his full height, and got nose to nose with Travers.

"She'll come to reclaim the Council for the Slayer, and my son will be by her side. There's nothing you can do!" he spat right back at his nemesis.

"She? She who?" Peterson asked. The evil smile he received sent shivers down his spine.

"Go on, Quentin. Tell the boy who will kill him if he opposes them. Who my son's soul mate is."

"No! She's dead!" he refused to admit what the old man was saying.

"Who!" The younger man yelled.

"Sara Covington. If Rupert has indeed undergone The Christening, it would have to have been her that triggered the change. The Christening only works with one's soul mate. I thought she was dead, as well. But The Covingtons always were a resourceful lot." He went back to laughing when he saw the genuine fear in Travers eyes. "You're a bit young to remember Sara," he told Peterson. "But I know you remember the parents. You, yourself, trained with Frederick." He continued when the young man nodded. "Combine the abilities of both parents, tempered with some 40 odd years of knowledge and usage. THAT is what you shall be facing in Sara Covington."

"Good Lord!" Peterson took two steps back away from Travers' desk.

"That's right, son. Distance yourself from Quentin as much as you can, because when they come, they'll come for him and his entire corrupt network. But don't let me sway you…do the research yourself. Sara, was - and still is - a Watcher. She has a file." As Peterson made his way to the door, Cedric called to him once more. "As you watch the tapes, just remember she was sixteen then. She'd be around forty, now." The younger man nodded and made a hasty exit.

"I don't know what you're so bloody happy about. She will come for you too." Cedric Giles considered the man's words and realized he was correct. There was also something else he realized - he didn't care.

"Of that, I have no doubt. I was the worst kind of father to my children. And if that wasn't crime enough, I sided with you to betray my son and his Slayer. I used to think the Covingtons were bloody insane…but they had it right, all along. We are here for the Slayer - somewhere along the line, I forgot that. Our lives mean nothing compared to her's. I will gladly embrace the death they will bring for those who oppose that ideal. Protecting the Slayer is Paramount. And I will die a happy man, knowing that the Covingtons, along with MY children - and my grandchildren - will be the keepers of the Council. Enjoy what time you have left Quentin, I don't know how long it will be - but they will come. Your reign is at an end." Travers had to grind his teeth in frustration as Cedric Giles began laughing again. Damn the old man, he was right.

"Get out," he growled through clenched teeth. The old man got up from his chair, still laughing all the way out the door. The way Travers saw it, he had two options; One, go to Sunnydale and try and kill Rupert and his bitch before they stepped foot in England. Once he thought about it for a moment, he realized that really wasn't an option. Sunnydale would be unfamiliar terrain for his extermination teams. Rupert and the Slayer would have a distinct advantage. His only other option was to fortify himself here at Council HQ. Sara Covington hadn't been there in over 20 years, while he knew every nook and cranny in the place. Yes, he would turn Council property into a fortress for himself. He knew as soon as that fool Peterson spread the word of The Covingtons return, he couldn't get enough Watchers to do the job. Oh well, he would just have to "Borrow" a bit of the Council's finances to pay for more bodyguards. Since he was the Council, he had a right to the money anyways - he reasoned. Quentin couldn't help the small smile of his own. He had just the contact to put him in touch with the deadliest mercenaries - mystical, or otherwise. He picked up the receiver and began to dial.

Cedric Giles knew now was the time to leave. He knew of the Prophecy Quentin liked to hide from the others. The Return of the True Council. He had always believed - like Quentin Travers, that the Prophecy was referring to Rupert. With his son's status as a confirmed bachelor - and the prophecy's mention of a soul mate - the arrogant Councilman thought he was out of the woods once Sara was "dead" and Rupert was separated from his Slayer. Cedric, leaving nothing to chance, had the two remaining Giles researching the prophecy. He and his nephews might not have the magical abilities of all the players - but NO ONE could find hidden information like a Giles. The spell Rupert and Sara would need had been written so it couldn't be destroyed. But that didn't stop Quentin Travers from trying to hide it. It had been discovered by a mage-in-training after the girl accidentally countered the hiding spell. Only his nephew's quick thinking guaranteed the parchment would get to its intended destination. He hurried down the two flights of stairs as fast as his 70 year old legs would take him. Waiting in the Archives were his two nephews.

"Let's go, boys. It's time." Nathaniel Giles gave his uncle the copy to the spell they were transporting. His brother Henry also had a copy. Three separate copies, traveling on three different flights. Travers might be able to stop one of them - maybe even two. But this spell had to get to Rupert in California.

"Uncle Ced, do you have the tickets?" Henry Giles asked. He considered his Uncle as he handed him his plane ticket. "Is it wise for you to go, sir? Rupert will not be happy to see you. In fact, he may kill you." The young man noted. There was a time when Henry and Nathaniel Giles shared their cousin's hatred for the old man walking next to them. But he was attempting to make amends for his actions.

"Yes, he might. But as long as Rupert gets a copy of this spell, what happens to me is irrelevant. Do you understand me boys?" They had never seen the old man so deadly serious.

"Yes, sir." The both echoed as they stepped out of Watchers Council HQ - perhaps for the last time.

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BUFFY'S HOUSE - UPSTAIRS

Without his magic, Ethan had to rely on his instincts and familiarity with his old friend to pinpoint Rupert Giles' location in the house. He treaded lightly as he slid in through the open window. The Sorcerer smiled when he saw just the pair he was looking for, asleep on the bed. He considered another dilemma he was facing. The two in the bed were trained Watchers - quite deadly with their hands. And now that Ripper had possession of his magic, they were an even deadlier magical duo. So how the hell was he going to wake them without getting himself killed?

"What do you want, Ethan?" Giles' growl sounded from the bed.

"Ripper! Good Lord, give a man a warning before you surprise him like that!" Within seconds, Giles jumped out of the bed and pinned Ethan against the wall.

"You mean like the warning you gave me at the cemetery?" He pushed his forearm into the Sorcerer's throat. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you." Ethan's eyes went wide with surprise. The man in front of him was not his old friend Ripper. This creature was far more dangerous. And now he had his love to protect as well as the Slayer.

"Because I bring information that will help you," he rasped out through his compressed windpipe. It was clear that Giles didn't believe him. Ethan was terrified when he felt the other man's forearm compress on his throat even harder.

"Rupert," Sara's quiet voice cut through his anger. "Let him speak, luv." Giles suddenly stepped away from Ethan and allowed the man to crumple to the floor. The sorcerer stayed down trying to draw air into his bruised trachea. She could still feel the tension radiating from her love. She touched her forehead to his and murmured soothing words until she felt his tension recede. "Why don't you get dressed and I'll see if I can't get the pest to speak." She had already pilfered his t-shirt before throwing on her own pants. Using her telekinesis, Sara picked Ethan up off the floor and slammed him into the nearest wall with enough force to knock the air from his lungs. He was a bit shocked to find himself suspended roughly four inches off the floor.

"The Vampire was right, you are powerful."

"I'm thrilled I have your approval." She added dryly. "Say what you came to say, then get out." Sara was losing her patience with this man. If he didn't get to the point quickly, she might be forced to reconsider killing him.

"No, you have to protect me." Ethan stated. His heart dropped when Sara shook her head. "You have to! You took my magic, I haven't a chance without it." He tried begging this time. "How about you just promise me you'll consider it, and I'll tell you what I know?" His betrayal of Ripper already had him on shaky ground.

"How about I just pull the information out of your mind by force," Sara growled and reached to the edges of his mind with her telepathy. Not enough to actually do it, yet. But enough to let him know she could back up her threat. Survival being Ethan's greatest concern, he gave in.

"All Right!" Giles joined Sara and both folded their arms across their chests waiting for him to talk. "Kane knows your bird is here, Ripper. He wants you both - alive. The good news is he sent the missing piece of your puzzle to fetch you; your second magic user. Kill him, you've only got to dispatch the big, bad vampire to get rid of your curse. The bad news, is he's bringing a small force with him. A dozen vampires, and a dozen various demons to kill the children and bring you two back alive."

"Who is the second magic user?" Giles asked him.

"Some bloke named, Memnon. Berk gives me the creeps. But one thing is for sure, he hates the two of you with a passion - especially her." Upon hearing Memnon's name, Sara immediately closed her eyes and began warding the house. Ethan gasped in surprise when he felt the magic level in the house go up exponentially. "Blimey! You're more powerful that they fear." Giles eyed him warily.

"What do you mean?"

"The Vampire - supposed to be all powerful - is afraid of your little woman. Says her power comes from Merlin's line. He wants to harness her magic for himself, but I recognize the fear. Now why would a vamp as old as him - who has centuries of magic under his belt - be afraid of a bird like her?" Sara sighed. Now was as good a time as any to tell Rupert.

"Because his magic is stolen. When LeFaye attempted to take over Camelot, Merlin was forced to flee. He believed he had teleported all of his books safely.. But he realized, later, that four volumes were missing…stolen. Kane may be using a corrupted form of my family's magic, but the driving power of that magic recognizes me as its master. Anything he can throw, I should be able to either counter, or take the sting out of it. Without the magic, he's just another Vampire for Buffy to Slay." Rupert's eyes were wide as saucers. He knew about her lineage, but not that Kane was using Covington magic.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"There wasn't time, there still isn't." She looked at Ethan, "How much of a head start did you have on Memnon?"

"Ten minutes, tops." Sara began picking up some of her weapons and headed downstairs. She whirled on Ethan when she sensed him following them.

"Stay here and stay out of sight." He nodded and moved back into the bedroom. "Ethan, if you double cross us again, I will not hesitate to kill you in the most painful way imaginable." She and Giles hurried downstairs.

"Everyone arm yourselves, I'm afraid trouble is on the way." Giles told everyone. The young people jumped up and went to Buffy's weapons closet.

"What are we arming for, Giles?" asked Xander.

"Vampires…" Sara cut him off.

"No, I'll take care of the Vampires. Go with swords, and arm for demons. We don't know what kind as of yet." She focused all her attention on Buffy for a moment. "Buffy, the second magic user will be part of this group. This may be the only opportunity we get to kill him."

"Memnon?" She asked. Sara was stunned. Buffy laughed at the shocked look on both Watcher's faces. "It wasn't a tough leap to make once Xander found his name in the Covington diaries." She shrugged. "Hey, you guys keep good records. We figured out who he was, and we know why he hates you. Normally, I don't kill humans. But this guy forfeited his right to live by working for the vamps and attacking my watcher. He goes down, tonight." She stated, as-a-matter-of-factly.

"I'm glad you feel that way - he'll be here momentarily."

"So what's the plan?" Xander asked, getting out a short sword for Dawn and himself. When Giles looked to Sara, so did the rest of the Scoobies.

"Buffy and I will take the brunt of the battle. We'll actually move away from the house to meet Memnon actively. Xander, you and Willow will be at the foot of the stairs. We'll need you to pick up the demons we manage to weaken…finish them off. And keep them from getting into the house. Dawn and Anya, stay on the front porch and guard the door. You'll take care of anything that gets by Xander and Willow. And for god's sake, if the fight gets to be a bit much for you - retreat in through the front door. I've warded the house - but if any of them manage to get through, they can only come through the door one at a time." Buffy noticed Giles getting antsy. He wouldn't be able to sit this battle out. "Rupert, if your blood were spilt, and any of it got near Buffy…" He nodded. "I need you to go out onto the roof." Everyone except Willow was co