Jean-Claude decided that he needed to speak with Buffy tonight. He landed at her front door only to have it opened by Warwick who waved him inside.
"Buffy felt you coming."
The knightly vampire left the Master of City without another word as he turned to walk back toward the study. Jean-Claude stared at his back caught off guard by his behavior. He looked around and seeing no one else about quickly followed Warwick's retreating figure. He stepped into the study and gaped in awe. The lady in question floated above the ground, bathed in blue light, with her eyes closed in meditation. She landed softly then turned to look at him with a huge smile.
"Come in, you don't have to stand in the door." Her eyes remained closed as she turned uncannily in his direction. Her tone softened as she addressed her stalwart guardian.
"Warwick, would you mind getting us something to drink, please."
His face transformed from attractive to breathtaking when he smiled at her. Warwick gracefully bowed to his mistress, and Jean-Claude startled at his movements. He was so taken with the sight Buffy made that he didn't realize the warrior vampire remained posted behind him. He turned back to find her staring at him. Jean-Claude found the penetrating gaze equally comforting and frightening. He wondered if she could see straight to the soul she said he had.
"He guards me whenever I meditate. He considers me too vulnerable. Asher and Damian told him that he's responsible for protecting my flank." She scrunched up her nose then looked at Jean-Claude. "What's a flank, and do I really want to know?"
Her voice lowered to a stage whisper, as she tried to keep her expression serious. It didn't last long before a bubble of laughter escaped her lips. Jean-Claude lost his usual self-control. He threw his head back in uncontrolled laughter.
"You're a minx."
His smile quickly faded into solemn stillness as his thoughts returned to Anita.
"I need your help, petite sorcière."
"What cha need?"
"How can I help, ma petite?"
Sadness filled Buffy's eyes. She wished that she could tell him what he wanted to hear. Her gaze strayed toward the skylight.
Mother, give me strength to help him understand.
Jean-Claude felt panic that quickly escalated into full-blown fear.
"She has to truly want to change, JC. Unfortunately, the last time I faced a similar situation, I didn't handle it well."
Jean-Claude watched the memories wash over Buffy. He couldn't remember the normally vibrant woman ever looking this disheartened.
"My best friend, from my world, killed two people and tortured several others, before she finally broke."
Buffy raised her hand to stop him from speaking. She knew she needed to explain her part in Willow's decline.
"Willow needed my help, but I let my own pain blind me to everything going on around me. She became addicted to her powers. Willow went from a loving, caring woman to a hate-filled, vengeance-seeking psychotic. She tried to end the world and it was only through love that she returned to us."
"You helped her when she needed you the most. I simply ask that you do the same for ma petite."
He would get down on bended knee, if it would convince Buffy to step in on Anita's behalf. When Buffy shook her head, Jean-Claude wanted to shake her. The pain that filled her eyes stopped him.
"You misunderstood what I'm trying to tell you, Jean-Claude. I didn't stop her, my other best friend did. Xander stood between her and her goal, while she lashed out at him with unimaginable power. We were only able to help her when she asked for it. Willow sought the right people, and learned to control her power. She dedicated herself to the fight against darkness to pay for her crimes. Her efforts eventually helped save my world. Anita's probably going to have to fall a little farther, before she's ready to ask for help."
"So, we stand by while she self destructs?"
He couldn't contain his fear and frustration, and started to pace the library as a means to hide it. Buffy watched the normally cool and collected vampire. She understood how he felt, and hoped for all their sakes that she proved worthy of the tasks given her by the Fates. It warmed her heart to see that he truly loved Anita the woman, not just her power.
"Well, well, Tinman finally found his heart."
He stopped his pacing to glare at her. She sent him a Madonna smile, which caused him to flash his fangs at her before continuing.
"I didn't say that, JC. My hand is out to her, she just has to take it. I'm willing to help her anyway possible, but no one can do this for her. She has to decide it's something she truly wants. I know that isn't what you want to hear. There's no quickie spell that will solve her problems. I wish there was, but I can't lie to you, not about this. You two will have to face this head on if you plan to come out the other side."
Jean-Claude let out a heavy sigh. He nodded in understanding, walked over to kiss her forehead then quietly left the room.
She started to return to her meditation when she heard wings fluttering. Buffy let out a heavy sigh. She loved her family, but tonight she had hoped to get her head together before they sent her on another 911 call. Buffy knew it was important when a small bronze man appeared, wearing winged helmet and sandals. He kissed her cheek tickling her skin, which caused her to laugh.
"Hi, Merc. Did you bring me some mail?"
The tiny man pouted, causing the wings to flap faster. "What if I just wanted to see my favorite niece, huh what about that?
"Okay, bad Buffy. How are you Merc? What cha doing? Are you hear to see me or you got biz?"
"You have a smart mouth, little girl?"
"Who you calling little?"
Buffy swatted the air near him. Mercury slid backward as he worked hard to remain upright.
"My husbands happen to like my smart mouth. They think it's one of my best qualities." She wagged her eyebrows up and down suggestively. "If you know what I mean."
"Okay enough, you naughty girl."
He zoomed around the room nervous about the news he had to tell her. She folded her arms across her chest, and jutted out her chin in determination. Mercury reluctantly landed on her shoulder. His tiny hands latched onto her ear as if he planned to hold her in place.
"It's bad, Buffy. In the rush to get you here, the Fates didn't fully debrief Selene. There are some pressing matters that you need to take care of pronto. Like right now!"
Buffy flicked him off her shoulder. "Wow, stop flapping your wings and the yelling, so not needed. Enhanced hearing in case you forget." She frowned at him. "Did a Hellmouth pop open or something? Wouldn't I have felt it?"
"No, Hades is furious and ready to let Ares go to war on his behalf. The spirits of the dead raised in this world aren't in Tartarus. Their graves hold them bound to this plane."
"WHAT!"
Buffy jumped to her feet in outrage. She couldn't contain her anger and started to pace the floor. It resembled the strange back and forth movements a predatory creature performed before it attacks. Mercury watched her and had no desire to anger her more, but he wasn't through delivering the news.
"Necromancers use blood and salt to call the spirits from their graves. The blood animates the body and the salt contains it. More blood puts them back, but they don't just put the body back in the ground and release the spirit. They bind it to the grave! St. Louis holds the largest concentration. Oh, and guess who raised them?
Her movements stopped as if her feet froze to the floor. Buffy's eyes widened in understanding, and her heart plummeted. The small messenger nodded. He hated the next bit of news he had to impart.
You have to release them tonight, or Hades will rain hell on Earth!"
Buffy turned and ran from the room, screaming for Asher, Damian and Warwick at the top of her lungs.
"Call Anita right away, tell her we're coming to get her. There's a situation we have to take care of immediately, or we're all screwed."
She ran past them to the bedroom to change her clothes. Buffy had never dressed so fast in her life. Five minutes later found her racing down the stairs as she pulled on her coat. Her hand went to her throat to ensure her necklace lay safely around her neck, as she ran for the door.
They piled into the car then raced toward Anita's. They reached the house in record time. Buffy jumped out before the car even stopped.
"Anita!"
Buffy burst through the door. She didn't bother to knock. Manners fell by the wayside, when world endage was at stake. Anita stepped into the living from the kitchen. Nathaniel followed her, while Micah exited Anita's bedroom. Buffy noted this, but had no time to ponder the Necromancer's living arrangements. She wanted to scream when she saw Anita's eyes go cold. Buffy hope just for tonight they could put aside their differences.
"Listen, I can't explain everything, but it kinda goes like this. When you raise people, you use blood and more blood to put them back. Balance right. Well you didn't just bind their bodies to the grave you bound their spirits too. It's all about balance and right now, there's a big honking hole in the balance. Anita, I need your help. I need you to show me every place in St. Louis you've raised anyone. Listen, I know that you are pissed at me and I'm your least favorite person, but lots of bad shit is gonna be knockin at the door if you don't help."
It was as close as Buffy had ever come to begging. She would do that as well if that was what it took to get the other woman's help.
"Let me grab my stuff. Where will we get enough blood this time of night?"
Anita's expression changed to horror. She handed her coffee cup to Nathaniel then quickly walker over to the hall closet to retrieve her bag.
"We don't need blood, just lots of salt. Wear shoes you can easily remove. Oh!" Buffy paused, knowing Anita wouldn't receive her next statement well. "You can't wear any weapons. Pick someone to protect your back, if you want, but you can't have steel on your body."
Buffy was a study of contained energy. The air nearly crackled around her it was so charged.
"You have got to be shitting me! I don't go anywhere unarmed."
Suspicion once again filled dark eyes as all emotion faded away, leaving her patented death glare in place.
"Anita for once would you just pick someone to watch your back, grab some salt and come on!"
She didn't wait for Anita to comply, simply turned to run for the door. She didn't have time to placate the woman's suspicions, not now, not tonight. Anita stared at the small blonde's retreating back, and finally realized Buffy wasn't yanking her chain. She turned to look at Micah to gage his reaction. Cool cat eyes met hers.
"Would you come and help."
She hated this shit, she was so not emotions girl. She planned on taking her weapons, but would leave them in the car. Zane and Caleb grabbed several large bags of salt, which Anita kept in her basement. They loaded them in the car. Micah quietly got into the passenger seat
Two cars raced down the road to the largest cemetery in St. Louis. Buffy instructed Damian and Asher to circle the entire parameter with salt. She grabbed Anita's hand pulling her to the side of a car.
"Pull off your shoes and coat. Make sure you don't have any metal on your body, Anita. Don't forget your jewelry."
"What about your necklace, Buffy?"
Anita cattily challenged, while she reluctantly did what Buffy asked.
"We're going to need it, believe me."
Buffy stood barefoot, waiting for Anita to complete her preparations. The minute the other woman completed her tasks, Buffy grabbed her, practically dragging her to the center of the cemetery. Damian and Asher closed the circle behind them. Everyone felt the power snap into place as salt met. Strong winds immediately started blowing, causing Buffy to speak loudly in order for Anita to hear her.
"Listen to me, Anita, hate me tomorrow just help me tonight. Please, do what I tell you when I tell you, okay?"
Buffy didn't wait for her response. She turned and firmly planted her feet. Her arms came up perpendicular to the ground. She slowly moved them in ever-growing circles.
"Hear me, earthbound souls. We come to send you to your final rest. Those responsible did not know and ask for your forgiveness. One comes tonight to represent them."
Buffy stared directly at Anita, her eyes glowing eerily in the night. Anita called out over the graves, as if she was trying to speak to each grave personally.
"Please, forgive our ignorance. We meant no harm. We only wanted to help your friends and families."
Buffy nodded in approval then raised her hands above her head. Her voice became whisper soft, but everyone heard the power behind it. It carried across the cemetery.
"Gaia, Mother Earth, please release the spirits of those children already passed. Let their spirits rest once more!"
The ground trembled under their feet. Buffy slashed downward toward the ground. Blue light shot from her hands, while the ground beneath her feet started to glow an iridescent green. The glow spread grew as it moved across the cemetery. It covered each grave, until it reached the salt circle. The trembling increased. Anita couldn't keep her balance, and fell to her knees.
Those watching from outside the circle saw what was happening, but the ground beneath their feet remained calm. Micah saw Anita fall. He started forward intent on helping his lover. Damian stopped him. The leopard turned to gaze questioningly at him. The quiet Viking simply shook his head then pointed at the salt ring.
Opalescent shapes started rising from over 400 graves. They floated about in a swirl; some were blindingly beautiful while others appeared dull grey. These attempted to race toward Anita. Buffy immediately threw her hands in their direction. The blue light pushed them away from the fallen Necromancer. They hung frozen between passing on and vengeance against the person who wronged them.
"Go to your rest. You're free from your bonds. She didn't know, and will atone for her mistakes. It isn't your place to punish her."
A large funnel opened up and pulled the spirits away. Buffy's necklace glowed softly. She turned to walk over to her fallen comrade. Lightning streaked across the sky. Thunder boomed, when it shot into the ground. Buffy smiled at her father's flamboyance. She held her hand out to help Anita up.
"Doesn't anything scare you?"
The dark haired reluctantly took the offered assist. She scrambled to her feet, and brushed the dirt from her black jeans.
"Lots of things, but I can't think of that right now. Come on places to go, Caspers to free."
Buffy gave her a saucy smile as she walked back toward the other. Anita shook her head as she followed Buffy. They had just reached the others, when Anita passed Buffy intent on retrieving her weapons. A shot rang out, and a body hit the ground. Anita's face paled, while eyes grew wide as she knelt beside the small body. Asher rushed over to examine the large hole that lay directly over her heart. Anita gasped when she saw the skin knit together. The bullet popped out, and the wound closed completely, leaving no trace.
"Damnit, I hate being shot!" Buffy cursed from her place on the ground.
"What happened? How did you do that?"
"I heard someone pull a trigger, you stepped in the way. It was too late for me to stop it. So, I just rolled our bodies around." Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "No biggie."
"No biggie! It's a biggie to me. You saved my life, and just healed before our eyes after getting shot by a high powered rifle."
"Listen, I'm very hard to kill, Anita. I would have saved anyone's life. It's what I do. We figured they would start sending people after me pretty soon."
Buffy spoke through her teeth, while Damian and Asher carefully placed her body in the car. Her mates kept their heads bowed as if they lost their mate. They wanted to make sure that anyone watching would think they had succeeded.
"We need to go to my house in case they follow us. Anita will you trust Damian to fly you to the next location? Asher can take Micah. This must be finished tonight, or there will be hell to pay, literally.
She waited for Anita's agreement then continued to lay out her plans.
We can leave through the back. There's no way for anyone to enter or see into the house. I can cloak us for short amounts of time. Are you up for a game of hide and seek?"
"Let's do this."
Anita climbed out of Buffy's car then headed straight for her Jeep. She had a bad feeling that she already knew who shot Buffy. The charade continued when they arrived at Buffy's house. Asher and Damian carried her body into the house, while the others solemnly followed them.
Buffy jumped up when the coast was clear. She kissed her mates then headed for the back door. They were airborne in minutes. The group worked diligently going from cemetery to cemetery, until they freed every spirit.
Damian landed with Anita in his arms only to find her fast asleep. Micah gently relieved the vampire of his cargo. Buffy appeared only to quickly wilt. If it weren't for her mates' reflexes, she would have hit the ground. They wrapped their arms around her, neither willing to give up their spot by her side.
Warwick waited anxiously for them; he smiled brightly when he saw Buffy. He hugged her before he realized what he was doing. He stepped back looking down at his hands.
"My pardon, Lady Buffy, my lords, I over stepped my bounds."
Warwick bowed his head as he awaited his punishment. It broke Buffy's heart to see him this way. She wiggled free from her husbands' arms, and walked the short distance to her friend. Her hand reached out to gently caress his face.
"Warwick, friends worry about each other and hug to express how they're feeling. They hug to say hi, bye, I'm glad you're safe, thank you and just because they're friends. We're friends, Warwick. You can hug me anytime. No one will ever punish or harm you as long as I am on this Earth. Your safe and you are part of this family. I always wanted a brother." She smiled at him hoping that he would understand and finally start to feel safe. Buffy hugged him then kissed his cheek. He gave her a 1000-watt smile and hugged her back.
"Damian, baby, would you show Micah and Anita to the guest room. They're too exhausted to make it home.
His eyes darkened at leaving her side, but he nodded his head. She smiled at him in gratitude. Her hand slipped into Asher's as she turned toward her study. She called over her shoulder
"I have to call Daddy. Come down when you're through. We'll wait for you in the study. Love you."
Buffy kissed Asher's cheek then walked over to the skylight. Her head tilted back as she gazed up at the night sky.
"Daddy, do you have a few minutes?"
Zeus appeared in a flash of lightning. "You look tired, baby girl."
"Well freeing over 4000 spirits will do that to you. Have we appeased Hades? Or, is he still on the warpath?"
The Ruler of the Gods sat down in a large chair. He seemed to dwarf it. Buffy crawled onto his lap as if she were a little girl. Damian walked in at that moment. He smiled at picture she made.
She is so complex. One minute, she's a warrior, the next an avenging angel then little girl, and finally, seductress. I love each of them. They peek out at the most interesting moments.
Asher caught his eye, and smiled as if he shared the same thought. He realized they probably did. It was very hard to know Buffy and not love her in one way or another. They were lucky enough to have her love them in return.
"What happens now? Am I supposed to release spirits across the entire globe?"
"No, the Fates say you tipped the balance in the right direction. They will send visions to those who sensitive enough to help free the rest. Justice will use her influence to change the laws. Licensed Wiccans will re-certify Animators to show them how to properly release the spirit."
Buffy hid her face in his shoulder. He felt her tremble, and wrapped his arms more tightly around her slight body. Zeus had to lean closer to catch what she mumbled beneath her breath.
"I wish that I could make it so that no one could ever be brought back.
Her entire body shuddered, when she remembered digging her way free from her own grave. She still had nightmares about it.
"We can't change everything this world's entirely, baby girl. There are reasons for people to have this type power. Most use it wisely in an honest attempt to help people. You can only punish those that abuse the power. They mistakenly trapped the spirits. Ignorance isn't a punishable offense. Pity. There are some fools I would happily allow you to judge."
His bright blue eyes lit with mischief. Buffy looked up and couldn't stop the laughter. Zeus smiled tenderly. He was happy to bring her out of her dark thoughts. He kissed her smooth brow as he rocked her as if she were a baby.
"The Fates agreed with your actions regarding the Ulfric and Anita. They left you with no other choice. Why didn't you pass judgment on them? It was your right, given the circumstance."
"I refuse to kill when there's still a chance to help them. I have to at least try." She shrugged her shoulders. "I had lots of chances and help along the way. I still do! Everyone deserves the chance to change."
Zeus nodded in understanding. He hesitated to break further bad news to her, but had no other choice.
"You're going to have to go to LA. The Master will refuse to come here. His situation is dire, and you must see to it." He paused to take her face in his hands. He hated to see the doubt fill her eyes. "Buffy this task will challenge you more than any that you've faced so far.
"Magic protected the people residing there. You'll know what to do when you arrive. It won't be easy to face your past. Trust yourself and your mates."
She looked at her father closely, knowing he was telling her something. Buffy thought back over everything she knew about this world. Realization dawned, and he nodded as they spoke without words.
"It's Angel isn't it, or should I say Angelus? He's the Master of LA. The Council didn't create him, and that's why I didn't feel him when I passed judgement on them."
Zeus looked at her closely trying to gauge her feelings. He knew she loved her bond mates, but did she still care about Angel?
"Yes, he is. He's caught somewhere between Angel and Angelus, a dangerous mix that constantly battle for dominance. Angel got distracted from his path long ago. The Powers disowned him. He failed every opportunity they provided him for his own selfish reasons. Now, he's a creature of his own making." His visage grew stern. "He will use your past against you, if you let him."
"Don't worry, Daddy, I stopped loving Angel long ago. I last all respect for him, based on the way he chose to live. The man I fell in love with when I was sixteen died the day he left me to fight alone on the Hellmouth. I simply didn't realize it at the time. The man I knew would have never conceived of charging people for his help, or allow his former family to kill an entire room of lawyers, even if they were evil. He certainly wouldn't purposefully try to lose his soul." She sent him a sad, but knowing smile. "Sunnydale had no short supply of vampires and demons only too happy to tell me latest news from LA, before I slayed them." She shook her head at the memories. "No, my Angel died long before I knew my final death on my world."
She gazed over at her mates, sending them a beautiful smile. Her father followed her gaze. He pulled her back into his embrace, happy that she was happy.
"I'm with who I'm supposed to be with, we complete each other."
"Okay, princess." Zeus kissed her forehead. He stood with her in his arms, placed her on the chair. "You know we are only a thought away and that we love you, right."
He waited for her to nod at him then disappeared.
Asher walked over and picked her up in his arms. He carried her upstairs, with Damian following close behind them. Damian opened the bedroom door, moving inside to pull back the bedcovers. Asher placed Buffy carefully on the bed. Each man slowly moved in synchronized movements to remove her clothes. They replaced each article taken from her body with their lips and hands.
Her exhaustion fell away as their bond filled her with love and passion. Buffy looked at them through heavy lidded eyes. It always amazed her that these two beautiful men were her husbands. A blood red head and one of molten gold snapped up to look at her. Their eyes burned like twin flames fueled by their love. Echoing growls sounded in the room as they crawled up her body.
Burying her hands in silken locks, she held them up to meet her hungry lips. They kissed in tandem. While one vampire sipped the nectar of her lips, the other buried his fangs in her neck. She never tired of sharing this with them of giving them her blood. It bound them together that much tighter.
"You have on too many clothes." She pulled on the offending garments. "I want to feel your skin next to mine." Her hands grew frantic as she all but tore the clothes from them.
"Shush, my love, let us love you. You have done so much tonight. Let us worship you and take you away from it all." Damian whispered in her small shell like ear.
Buffy tried to catch her breath at his words. This night caused long buried, bad memories to surface. The rustling of clothes brought her mind back to the matter at hand. She looked up to see her mates standing beside the bed. Their pale skin glowed from the moonlight that lit the room.
She pushed up to her knees in order to give her red haired husband better access to her body. Damian inhaled her fragrant arousal. Her scent never failed to heighten his passion. It was like no other in the world. It was moonlight, passion and power - Buffy. Damian couldn't deny his love anything.
Asher ran his fingers through her long blonde hair. His eyes caught Damian's. Their bond grew daily to where they feel the others emotions. Giving and receiving pleasure with her mates never failed to send her libido into overdrive. Her body felt as if it was on fire.
She smiled when she heard the twin moans. It created a chain reaction in all three lovers as their bodies shook with simultaneous orgasms. They crawled up onto the bed, and back into each others arms. The days ahead would bring enough problems between Anita, the Masters from various cities and eventually Angel, but tonight all that mattered was each other.