One Month Later

 

    A month had passed since the night that Robert had staked that vampire, and he and the Scoobies had shared their stories.  There hadn't been any huge evil to fight, which made everyone happy.  The gang all really liked Robert, and were pleased that he made Willow so happy.   He had even joined them on patrol a few times.  He was quickly becoming a trusted member of the group. Everyone could see that Willow was falling in love with the man.

 

    Willow had never met anyone like Robert Lyle before. The man was perfect.  It was like he knew exactly what to do to make her happy.  And she certainly was happy.  She had pretty much been walking on clouds since the day she had met him.  She didn't know for sure, after all it had been less than two months, but she thought that Robert might be the one.  She really could see herself spending the rest of her life with him.

 

    Mr. Lyle was also happy, but for far different reasons.  Everything was going as planned.  He gained more and more of Willow's trust each day.  He knew that with just a little more work, she would do ready to do almost anything she asked her to.  Especially since she believed that The Centre was working for the same things that she and her friends were.  The sex was great, and when the whole thing was over, he'd probably be getting a raise.  Even if Jarod tried to interfere, it wouldn't work.  The way Lyle had described him, Willow and her friends practically thought of him as the antichrist.

 

 

OUTSIDE SUNNYDALE

 

    Jarod sat in his rental car.  He starred at the "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign that stood a few yards in front of him. He had faced a lot in his life, but he wasn't sure if he was ready for this.  He hadn't known what to think when Sydney had told him that demons existed.

 

    He had researched it for days, and had finally come to the conclusion that Sydney had been truthful.  Jarod didn't know nearly as much as he would like to about the whole thing.  That's what he wasn't comfortable with.  He wasn't used to having so little information about something.  He thought he knew enough to keep him out of danger, but he wasn't positive.  He just hoped he could get to Miss Rosenberg right away.  He hoped that Lyle didn't have his claws to deeply into her.  He didn't want to see The Centre hurt this girl.

 

    He turned the engine back on, and headed into town. He wanted to find Willow as soon as he could.  He figured that with the witch thing, the local magic shop might be a good place to start looking.

 

    A few minutes later, Jarod pulled his car into a parking place outside of the Magic Box. He entered and starred for a moment, wonder what he was getting himself into.

 

    "Can I help you with anything?"

 

    Jarod turned to see a middle-aged man standing at the counter.  From his accent, Jarod could tell he was British.  He walked over to him pulling a picture he had found of Willow out of his jacket pocket.

 

    "Excuse me, I was wondering if you could give me a hand.  My name's Jarod. Jarod Matthews.  Could you tell me if you've seen this girl before?" He asked, handing the man the picture.  "Her name's Willow Rosenberg.  I have to find her, it's pretty important."

 

    Rupert Giles leapt over the counter, Ripper flashing in his eyes. He grabbed the lapels of Jarod's jacket and pulled him in, inches away from his face.  "What the hell do you want with Willow?"