Disclaimer: None of the Characters in this story except Talitha, Cynthia, and Sara belong to me. All the others belong to Joss Whedon. Lucky bastard…actually, Joss, I love you! Your characters help get the creative juices flowing.

Dedication: Sara McMain, my best friend and a total Buffy-aholic just like me;) Love you girl!!!

Summary: There’re three new girls on campus, which usually doesn’t cause a lot of change, but these women have an air of mystery that everyone is drawn to. Their strange energy catches Buffy’s eye, but when she starts to investigate, she’s in for a whole lot more than what she expected!

Look for the next story, Strictly Salsa, not really a sequel, just a little piece of fun

*See note at end of story*

What’s in a Name?

Spring was just around the corner in Sunnydale, which meant two things, more frequent visits to the Beach and Spring Break. The campus of Sunnydale University was busy with activity, more so than usual. People were staying out later, partying longer and not caring so much about homework.

Cynthia Wilder took in her surroundings with a calculated glare. She was beyond unimpressed with the tall looming college halls surrounding and the students resting on the grassy moll in the mid-day sun. The noise was almost overwhelming, cheerful chattering, sharp shrieks of laughter, people calling to each other over long distances. Cynthia hated crowds almost as much as she hated noise and right now she had both, combined with the glaring sun that seeped through her sunglasses and added to the pounding in her head.

And she was lost, to top it all off. She looked down at the map she held taunt between her two hands with frustration. It showed the office building across from Gentry Hall, but she was right in front of Gentry Hall and could see no office building in the area, only more Lecture halls and some dorms. Cynthia crumpled the map into a tight ball and tossed it to the nearest trashcan with a defeated sigh.

“You look lost.” A helpful voice stated softly from over her shoulder. Startled, Cynthia turned to look at the source. The woman before her had the same bright red hair as Cynthia, but was much paler and tinier. She had kind green eyes and a nervous, contained energy about her.

“Very perceptive.” Cynthia replied. She could instantly tell the other girl was surprised. Cynthia’s voice was very deep for a woman, but not at all manly. It was strangely feminine and had a slight accent that no one could ever place. People were always attracted to her voice more than anything else about her. “I’m Cynthia Wilder, but you can call me Thia. I’m a transfer student and I’m supposed to be reporting to the admissions office, but I can’t seem to find the building.”

The girl nodded her understanding. “Hey, I feel ya. These people don’t know how to make maps.” She grinned, lopsidedly and was very cute when she did so. She shifted her books from one hand to the other. “I’ll show you the way if you like.” Cynthia nodded.

They started off together down the sidewalk and the shorter redhead added, “My name’s Willow, by the way. And if you ever need a study buddy, I’m your gal, just ask anyone on campus…I should have my own 900-number.” She paused, “That didn’t sound right, did it?” A few minutes later they stood in a less crowded section of the campus and the office buildings were surrounding them on all sides.

“You’ll wanna go to that one over there, otherwise they’ll play hot potato. We’ve got some really sick officials who get their kicks out of confusing new students. What year are you in, anyway?” Willow asked, leading her to the third building of the group.

“I’m a senior.” Cynthia replied, starting up the steps.

“Hey, me too! Maybe I’ll see you around.” Willow turned and started away, waving behind when she stopped, turning back. “Hey, Thia, be careful at night around here, there’s all kinds of crazies running around.” ***

Buffy bounced down the path towards Edward’s Centre, as cheerful as any senior approaching the end of the school year. She froze in her path when a delicate, child like voice spoke up. “Excuse me.” It giggled.

The Slayer spun in her tracks and found herself looking down a tiny girl that seemed to be eleven or twelve. “Um, hi.” Buffy murmured, “Did you need something.”

The girl nodded her head, her dark, ebony curls bouncy with the movement. “I’m looking for the Edward’s Centre. My English literature class is there and I’m new. I don’t know my way around.”

“You’re a student?” Buffy asked incredulously.

The girl sighed. She got that reaction a lot. “Yes, I’m Talitha Marcus, I’m a transfer student from Ohio State. I’m seventeen, I moved through school quickly. It’s my senior year and I was looking for a change. Ohio isn’t the most exciting place in the U.S.”

Buffy nodded sympathetically. “So, English lit, huh? I’m headed towards Edward’s anyway. You wouldn’t happen to have Professor Daniel would you?”

“Yes I do. I suppose we’re in the same class.” Talitha queried.

“Yep, and aren’t you in for some fun! I had Daniel for Freshman English, he’s the most egotistical man on the earth.” Buffy informed her.

“Great.” Talitha moaned, “My first class is with a world class jerk.” The two continued on the way, chatting easily. Buffy wondered at how she was so at ease with the other girl. She seemed to have a mysterious air about her that almost set of the Slayer’s alarms.

After class they agreed they’d have to get together sometime. Buffy wanted to introduce Talitha to Willow and the younger girl was just as eager for Buffy to meet her friends.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow at Shaky Pudding?” Buffy asked, referring to the coolest new club/restaurant in Sunnydale. Most people had to wait forever to get in, but since Buffy new the owner, she got the best table in the house whenever she wanted.

Giles had finally got some ambition a few months before and put some real effort and financial support behind the project. With the help of the Slayerettes, he knew just what to do to make the place cool.

“Yeah, and Buffy, just call me Marc. It’s what all my friends call me, I’m not very partial to Talitha.” The younger girl said, grinning.

“Right, Marc…I’ll see you later.” Buffy agreed, heading towards her room. ***

“I hate this bloody town.” Spike growled, stalking across the fresh cut lawn of Sunnydale University. He was headed towards Buffy and Willow’s sorority house to bring them a research book of Giles’ that spoke of horrible doom. “God I hate this town!” He repeated.

Halfway down the wooded path that led to the homes, Spike sensed something unusual watching him. He spun around to see a human girl a few yards away. She was extremely pretty with short blonde hair and large full lips that seemed to beckon him. Her brown eyes were large and clear and sat just above chiselled cheekbones. Long, tan legs were barely covered by her short, black skirt. Slowly, she moved towards the vampire. Actually, prowled might be a better word. She looked as if she were stalking her prey. Her hips swung with each step, her tiny waist swaying with the movement. The low cut, burgundy blouse she wore did nothing to conceal her generous figure.

Once she reached him, she allowed her self to smile, if you could call it that. It was actually a lazy upturn of one corner of her lips that drove Spike crazy immediately. “I’ve only been here two days, and I would’ve agreed with you until just now.”

“What?” Spike asked, staring at her confused until he realised she was referring to his comment about Sunnydale. “What made you change your mind?”

“Oh, tall, light, handsome man. Blonde hair, blue eyes, leather duster…maybe you’ve seen him.” Now she grinned openly. “Where you headed, stranger?”

“The Tai Delta Omega house.” Spike answered.

The girl laughed teasingly, “Up to some panty raiding…lucky thing that’s where I’m headed, too.”

“Really?” Spike challenged, “I’ve never seen you there before.”

“New pledge.” She explained. “I just transferred from Ohio State.” She made a gagging motion with her finger. “Never visit Ohio…I swear it must be on top of a Hellmouth.”

Spike was caught off-guard. “What?” He demanded, rather harshly.

The girl shrugged, “Lighten up…I wasn’t serious…I just meant it was boring as Hell.”

“Oh.” Spike muttered.

“Are you coming?” She asked, starting down the path. “I moved in today during classes, so I haven’t met many of the sisters. I’ll bet you have.” She nudged him playfully. “My name’s Sara, by the way. You can call me Sara.”

“I’m William, but everyone calls me Spike.”

Sara’s eyes widened. “I wonder how you got that nickname.” Spike groaned. She led the way up the stairs and slid her new key in the lock and walked on in. Spike hesitated at the threshold. It was the first time he’d ever been to the house and he had no invitation.

“What are you doing out there?” Sara asked, looking at him oddly. Luckily enough, (or maybe not) Willow was skipping down the stairs just then.

“Hey Spiiike…” She greeted in a singsong voice. “What are you doing here?” She looked as if she had no intention of inviting him in.

Spike growled in frustration. “Look, the watch-…I mean Giles sent me by with the book you needed for your little project.” He held up the ancient item for verification. Willow reached out for it, but Spike jerked it out of her reach and grabbed her wrist instead. He looked pretty pissed.

“Spike…” She gulped, “Why don’t you come in?”

The vampire smiled charmingly and stepped over the threshold. “Thanks, Red. We’ll discuss proper etiquette later. While Giles is present, so he can scold you.” He slowly passed her the book then released the firm grip on her wrist.

“So, Spike.” Willow taunted, “Who’s your new friend?”

“Sara, this is Willow. Willow, Sara.” The girls shook hands cordially. “She’s a new pledge…just transferred from Ohio State.”

“Really?” Willow asked, leading the group into the living room. “I met this really strange girl today. She had the most interesting voice. She was a transfer student from Ohio State, too. Cynthia Wilder. Do you know her?”

“Sorry,” Sara replied, almost too quickly, “Doesn’t sound familiar. There are tons of people at Ohio State.”

Buffy chose that moment to bounce into the living room, leaping over the couch and landing in Spike’s lap. “How’s my favourite creature of the night?” She asked, placing a kiss on his cheek. Spike scowled, but didn’t pull away from the embrace. As much as he hated to admit it, the Slayer and her friends had grown on him in the past few years. In fact, he and Buffy could be considered by some as best friends.

“You two are dating?” Sara asked in a less than friendly tone. Buffy turned in Spike’s arms to glare at the other girl.

“What’s it to you?” She demanded hotly, then broke into a smile. “Nah…Spike’s just one of the girls.” Spike reacted indignantly to that, turning Buffy on his lap to face him. Buffy forged on, “Why do you ask?”

Sara shrugged, her blonde hair bouncing. “Maybe I’m interested.” She stated without hesitation. Willow stared in open mouth shock while both Buffy and Spike raised a brow at her blatant comment.

“As much as I’d love to stay and chat, I do have some business to attend to.” Spike stated, ungracefully dumping Buffy from his lap. “You coming?” He asked her. She stood and headed for the door.

“Ready when you are, lover boy.” Buffy replied, already outside.

Spike followed and was nearly out of the room when Sara called his name. Looking back, he saw her mouth the words ‘call me’ while her fingers mimicked a phone. Spike grinned at her openly, flashing his lengthened teeth. Sara wasn’t the least bit fazed. She smiled back, posing suggestively on the edge of the couch.

After Buffy and Spike had departed, Willow was still left, mouth hanging open, sitting on the sofa back. “He’s damn sexy.” Sara purred in a predatory fashion, smoothing her leather skirt. “I’ll bet he fu-…”

“Ha, ha, ha.” Willow broke in with nervous laughter. “Hey, I heard there’s a great special on the discovery channel tonight!” She was trying in vain to steer the other girl’s thoughts a different direction. “All about the esophagus!”***

Buffy spun her stake skillfully through her fingers like a baton twirler at work, singing merrily as she went, “Spike and Sara sitting in a tree, s-h-a-g-g-i-n…”

“Stop right there, Slayer.” Spike warned, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him.

“Jeez, Spike, lay off. It was just a joke.” After the words left her mouth a sly smile spread over her features. “A little touchy, aren’t you.”

“Buffy.” He growled, using her real name. When he did that, the Slayer knew to listen. “There’s something wrong with that girl.”

Jerking her arm away, Buffy continued down the path, a frown covering her face. “I know what you mean.” She confided. “I met this other girl, Talitha today. She was really tiny and looked like a little girl, but she said she was seventeen. And she’s really smart. Still, the more time I spent with her, the weirder I felt.” She paused, taking a seat on a bench. “The way she talked made me feel like she knew something more about me than she should and she had no intention of telling me. It was so strange, I felt so uncomfortable around her, yet I was drawn to her.” Buffy looked up to find Spike looking right back at her.

“What else?” He asked, setting next to her, urging her on with his sparkling blue eyes.

“My Slayer senses were kind of warning me, like there was something wrong with her, not necessarily evil, just different. Like she wasn’t human.” Her voice was so confused. Spike tentatively slid an arm around her shoulders.

“With Sara, I felt something unnatural calling to my demon. Then, when we were talking, she mentioned the Hellmouth.” At Spike’s words, Buffy’s head snapped up quickly. Her eyes were wide with alarm.

“The Hellmouth? You don’t think she could be wanting to open it, do you?”

Spike shook his head. “I have no clue. She covered up, saying that her old college, Ohio State was like living in hell, but I could tell she was uncomfortable that I had called her on it.”

“Ohio State? That’s where Talitha was from!” She stated, jumping up from the bench. “It could be a strange coincidence…”

“Or not.” Spike broke in sarcastically, “Willow mentioned an strange exchange student from Ohio State as well.”

“Great!” Buffy whined, flopping back down on the bench. “Just for once it would be nice if we could meet some everyday, nine to five, painfully boring people.” Spike nodded his agreement. “We better go see Giles.”***

Cordelia rolled from bed, patting her swollen stomach. Beside her, the bed was empty and sheets were tossed in a rumpled pile over the bed. In the kitchen, she could hear Angel moving around and could smell baking waffles drifting under the door.

She stretched, snatching her lover’s discarded robe from the floor and pushing her arms through the holes.

Angel turned as she entered, pulling her close to him in a hug. Her large stomach made it difficult to be near, as she was unusually large for her eighth month.

“You hungry?” He asked, aiming his question to his child while kneeling to shower kisses over it.

“Angel, honey, up here.” Cordelia ordered, tucking her finger under his chin and pulling him to full height. She latched her arms behind his neck, kissing him. “And yes, we’re very hungry.”

After serving Cordelia, Angel dressed in his normal black attire while she mocked his inability to mix colors. “I’m going to see Becky and make sure she’s doing okay with her new job. I have a few things to take care of. I’ll be back around 5:30 or 6:00.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips before dashing out the door.

Around ten, Cordelia finally dressed and decided to open the office, against her wishes. At eight months, three days pregnant, she felt as if she would pop any minute. Angel bought a cell phone just so she could call him if he happened to be out when she went into labor.

At her desk she began to look over the most recent paper work. Becky, their latest client was a young, beautiful mother of two who had gotten into some dangerous stuff to provide for her children. Luckily, Cordelia had endured a rather painful vision and Angel had charged into battle. What a hero!

The day was progressing rather slowly and by five, only one person had called, mistaking the agency for an auto repair shop.

Cordelia was about to call it quits for the day and head downstairs when a familiar pain shot through her head. She gripped the desk, waiting for the flashes in her brain to stop. Once she regained herself, she reached for the phone. “It’s a wonder those things don’t induce labor.” She muttered. ***

“Not big enough. I want something that will catch the eye.” Angel explained, extremely frustrated.

The man appeared confused, “But sir, you said the last was too big.”

“Well,” Angel sighed, “I do think ten carats is a bit excessive, I don’t want to weigh her hand down.”

“Right.” The man shuffled away, returning with another tray. He picked a large diamond surrounded by over a dozen smaller ones.

Angel wasn’t impressed. “I want something simple. Elegant.” Something he felt fit Cordelia. Then he saw it. “That one.” As the man was wrapping Angel’s purchase, his cell phone began to ring. He fumbled in excitement to open it. “Cordelia?” He asked.

“Who else did you give this number?” She demanded playfully.

“Only you, babe. And maybe this girl I met at the bar. And come to think of it…”

Cordelia cut him off. “Sure, Romeo. You couldn’t pay a girl to take your number.”

“What’s up?” Angel asked, changing the subject from his romancing skills.

“Vision, bad. Potential disaster.”

“I’ll be right there.” He promised, grabbing his purchase and heading for the door. “I love you.” He added, before hanging up and starting home as fast as the sun would allow him.

Twenty minutes later, Angel pushed open the sewer hatch that led to his bedroom. Cordelia was on the edge of the bed, a small suitcase at her feet. Angel looked from his lover to the case in confusion.

“Cordelia, what’s wrong?” He asked. She took his hands, pulling him to her so his head could rest in her lap.

“We need to go to Sunnydale. I think the gang’s in trouble.” She explained, eyeing the plain paper sack in his hand. “What’s that?”

“Oh, nothing.” He replied, tucking it in the bag. “We should leave at sunset, it’s five-thirty now, that gives a while to get ready.

He stood, pulling her with him. “I could use a shower.” He told her, raising a suggestive brow, “Care to join me?”

“You’re insatiable.” She muttered, but followed him anyway, smiling to herself.***

The LA Couple pulled into Giles driveway at a little past eight. “I never knew you could make the trip from LA to Sunnydale so quick.” Cordelia commented sarcastically as she lifted herself from the car.

“Do you think we should have called?” Angel asked, taking Cordelia’s hand.

“No, we’re fine. They’re probably already here, just like old times.” She pulled him down the stairs that led to Gile’s apartment and hesitantly, Angel knocked.

A moment later the door opened and they looked in surprise at Spike. “Angelus! My dear poofy sire!” Spike declared, pulling the older vampire into a hug, “How the hell are you? And Cordelia, don’t you look radiant? You’re practically glowing!” He pulled her into a hug as well.

Cordelia wondered as to why the bleach blonde vampire was always giving her complements, but she’d learned to take it at face value. Spike just wasn’t all there and though she was pretty pleased with her Angel, Spike wasn’t bad looking at all.

“Cordelia, Angel?” Buffy asked, as they entered, obviously surprised at their appearance and Cordelia’s condition. Damn, maybe they should have called. “Cordelia, wow, what a change!” She exclaimed, hugging the taller woman. Cordelia smiled as much as she could, the corners of her mouth barely turning up.

“And you haven’t changed a bit.” Cordelia replied, taking in the tiny Slayer’s appearance. She was as thin and athletic as always, her blonde hair brushing her mid-back and her green eyes dancing with energy. And those beautiful eyes of an even more gorgeous woman were trained on Angel with scarcely hidden desire.

“Buffy.” He greeted, keeping his hand on the small of Cordelia’s back. Buffy dismissed it as a protective gesture.

“What brings you to Sunnydale?” Xander asked as he and Anya moved to greet the pair. “We haven’t seen you since Willow’s birthday.”

The entire gang was present, crowding around Cordelia and Angel. Everyone was marveling over Cordelia’s pregnancy and Angel’s outfit. Cordy had managed to dress him in blue jeans and a fitted green sweater she insisted brought out his eyes. Buffy probably thought so. Her eyes raked over his body with an appraising gaze.

“Yeah.” Anya added, “What happened to you?” Her non-presence of tact was even worse than the former May Queen’s. Everyone began to inspect her, noticing there was no ring on her finger, poor girl.

Xander rolled his eyes and spoke up, “What Anya meant to say, but was too careless to was, who’s the lucky man?”

Cordelia hesitated a minute, looking up briefly at Angel. “Well,” She began slowly, “That’s a long story that I will save until later.”

“So, why are you here?” Giles asked, parting the crowd so they could enter. “Not that we don’t enjoy your visit.” He added, so that he didn’t seem harsh. “It’s just that usually when you visit, bad things tend to occur.”

“I understand all to well.” Cordelia sympathized, taking a seat on the plush chair in the corner of the living room. Angel settled on the arm of her chair, effectively preventing any attempts Buffy might make to cuddle with him. Not that she should, the young commando Riley was present, making googly eyes at her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t returning them. “And I am afraid I will confirm you suspicions. I had a vision.”

“Vision?” Riley piped up from his position on the loveseat, his arm possessively around Buffy’s waist, noting the looks she was sending towards Angel. Even after nearly three years, the gang had kept some secrets from the depressingly dense psychology major. Including the fact Angel was a vampire, Oz was the werewolf he had been chasing and Cordelia’s visions.

“Cordelia’s my seer.” Angel told him, stressing the word ‘my’ more than he should have.

Buffy glared at him for a second before she turned her hazel gaze on her boyfriend and smiled sweetly, as if to allay his fears. “Cordelia sees people in trouble and future danger, sweetie.” She explained, as if speaking to a small child. Riley just nodded in confusion.

“Well?” Giles and Anya prompted at the same time, the only two who were missing the tension between Angel, Buffy, Riley and Cordelia. The others were painfully aware.

“I just got some faces and a name. There was a tall blonde, really skinny, with brown eyes. A redhead, brown eyes and a dark-haired girl with purple eyes. She looked about twelve or thirteen. The name was Aracelis, but I didn’t get a picture of her.” Cordelia noted the expression on Willow’s face and the look between Spike and Buffy.

“Any of this seem familiar, Spike?” Buffy asked, looking deep into the blue eyes of her friend.

“Enough for me to wish I could meet some of those boringly plain people you mentioned earlier.” The vampire moaned.

“There’s more,” Cordelia advised the group, who returned their attention to her. “We were underground somewhere. I think it was a laboratory. There were all kinds of monsters and technicians.”

Riley’s head shot up. “Sounds like where I work.”

“Then that must mean the big bad is going down, there.” The brunette explained.

“Not possible.” Riley protested, “Nobody can get down there without both an eye scan and a voice match. Not to mention the fact that the entrances are nearly impossible to find unless you know where to look.”

“Oh.” Cordelia replied, shaking her head in agreement, her tone meek. “Then you must be right.” She was acting properly chastised, at least for a second. “I mean, there’s no possible way I could be right since every single vision I’ve had in the past three years has been accurate down to the last detail. You must be right since there’s no conceivable way I could be.”

“Cordelia.” Angel growled softly, placing a large hand on her thigh. He was warning her, she knew, but she couldn’t help but be angry. The useless pile of muscle that Buffy considered hers was questioning her validity. Normally that would bother her, but she was on edge. Her hormones were at their peak and she felt that she could slip into labor at any moment, which, in reality, she could. Her lover’s ex was making eyes at him and Buffy’s current lover was being a dumb-ass.

Buffy’s eyes narrowed, focusing on where Angel’s hand lay. The vampire didn’t falter under her heavy gaze. Instead, he slid his hand higher, to the juncture of Cordelia’s hip and thigh and kept it there. Cordelia felt a little more self-confident at the gesture. “Look, I know what I’m talking about. I don’t know how it will happen, I just know it will. I get these things from the PTB’s, and they’re never wrong.”

“PTB’s?” Riley asked, becoming increasingly perplexed.

“I’ll explain later, honey.” Buffy placated, glaring daggers at Cordelia.

“Right.” Xander’s light voice cut through the tension. “So, that’s about all we can do tonight, I’d wager.”

“Actually, I agree with Xander.” Giles added, standing to stretch.

“Hey! I was just saying…” Xander began to protest until he realized that the Watcher was agreeing with him. “You do?”

Giles choose wisely to ignore him. “Cordelia, Angel, if you have nowhere else to stay…”

“No, we’re fine.” Angel interrupted, “Wesley and Kate headed down after she got off work. They were going to get us some hotel rooms over at the plaza.”

“Kate?” Buffy asked, remembering hearing the name of the cute police officer before. Suddenly her jealousy was transferred from Cordelia to the adorable blonde.

“Yeah, she’s really cool.” Cordelia said, stressing each word when she noticed the way Buffy had reacted. “She’s a great fighter for a human and she’s really efficient with a stake.”

“Huh? Imagine that.” Buffy replied coolly, “I just couldn’t see you guys working with the local law.”

“Oh,” Cordelia continued, “Kate and Angel work very well together.” Buffy looked as if she were about to leap on the pregnant brunette and claw her eyes out.

“Cordelia.” Angel cried sharply, caution clear in his voice. His eyes looking deeply into hers, urging her to stop tormenting Buffy. Cordelia seemed hurt by his gesture. He was still protecting Buffy, after all this time.

Perhaps Giles finally caught onto what was transpiring for he stepped in. “Yes, well. I suggest we meet tomorrow at sundown. If you will join us at my club, we can discuss what we shall do. It seems Buffy has turned the basement of my new business into Slayer central.” Giles told them, though one could see he was not truly upset with his former Slayer.

After Angel and Cordelia left, the room was terribly silent for a long while. Xander decided to ruin the dark moment with a dreadfully stupid joke of his. Willow pulled Tara aside. “Something’s wrong.” She told the her fellow witch.

“Yeah, it's too bad. I don't think she's realised that Angel and Cordelia are together. You think you can break it to her easy.”

Willow nodded, a worried look passing her face as she watched Buffy, who was ignoring whatever Riley was saying to her. “I have the feeling I won’t be staying over tonight. I’ll come over tomorrow afternoon, after my last class. I think Buff needs a shoulder to cry on.” Willow explained.

“Understandable, though I’ll miss you.” Tara added, bending to give her a quick kiss.

With some difficulty, Buffy separated herself from Riley, promising him lunch the next day and together with Willow, she headed to her house. “Was I imagining this or was Cordelia ready to kill me with her looks?” The Slayer asked, studying the pavement as she walked.

“Well, it could have something to do with the looks you were sending her.” Willow offered softly, trying to not over-step her bounds.

Buffy turned to her sharply, about to give a scathing reply when she realized her best friend was right. She hadn’t been the kindest to Cordelia, who’d done nothing to deserve her wrath. The poor brunette had probably been knocked up by some heartless jerk and was pretty shaken up. It made sense that she would be upset with Riley challenging her. It also made sense that Angel might be overly protective of her. After all, he did help the helpless and right now, Cordelia couldn’t hurt a fly.

“I guess I was a little pissed with all the attention Angel was giving her. I felt like he should be giving me his undivided attention. I wanted him to be jealous of Riley and I wanted Riley to be jealous of him. Why does he have to be so damn…understanding? I’m so confused.” She confessed. “I mean, the last time I saw Angel it was really brief and he was all broody and dark and all. And I was completely in love with Riley. But this time, he seemed so full of energy and life.” She paused. “And all’s not well in paradise, which is to say, I’m loosing interest in Riley.”

Willow’s eyes widened at Buffy’s admission. “But Riley’s totally crazy about you! I mean he even asked me what kind of ring you’d like and everything.

Buffy sighed unhappily. “I know, and I try to keep loving him…but then I saw Angel and things seemed to make sense again. Love seemed to make sense again.” Willow wrapped an arm over the shoulders of her smaller friend, drawling her closer.

“You’ll figure it out.” Willow whispered, feeling sad for her best friend, knowing already that things between Angel and Cordelia were far from innocent. It should have been obvious, but Buffy was refusing to see it. Willow hoped for her sake and Riley’s, Buffy realized her feelings before she destroyed everything she’d built with him in the past years.***

“You still love her.” Cordelia spat out, settling on the edge of the bed, her lower lip trembling. She glared in disgust and disdain at her reflection. The large swell of her stomach seemed to mock her, to compare her to Buffy and her gorgeous figure.

“No,” Angel said firmly in a tone that brooked no argument, hooking his finger under her chin and bringing her eyes to his, “I don’t. I’m madly in love with you and nothing will change that.”

“But I’m so fat!” Cordelia sniffled, sliding away from her lover. “Why would you want me when you could have her?”

“You’re pregnant, Cor, not fat.” That didn’t seem to convince her.

“But…but you were defending her, against me!” The brunette protested, struggling as he wrapped his arms around her large waist.

“Cordelia, you misunderstand.” He explained, placing soft kisses over her hair and face. “I felt sorry for her, she seemed so desperate. And I know she wasn’t kind to you, but you’re better off than she is, believe me. I just didn’t want you two to get into a cat fight. You have the ability to hurt people with your honesty, Cor. I appreciate your truthfulness, but I don’t think the others can, it frightens them.” He wrapped her in his embrace, his strong arms gripping her tiny ones, his deathly icy flesh cooling her fiery skin.

“I love you more than I could ever have loved Buffy.” He continued with his lips to her ear, “Our relationship is filled with laughter and love. My relationship with Buffy was filled with pain and darkness. You bring sunlight into my life the way she never could. You bring humanity to me the way she never could. You don’t ignore my past, you accept it, in a way that she never would.”

His hands splayed over her stomach, holding her to him firmly. The woman in his arms continued to astound him, after knowing her for over six years. She had put up with him and his mood swings and had forced him to love her. And the love she felt for him was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. “You are my best friend, lover and savior all in one.”

The tears on Cordelia’s cheeks were now coming in streams as she pulled him to her for a kiss. “And,” he added, retrieving a small velvet box from his bag, “If you’ll consent, my wife.” He presented her with the delicate ring-a large, solitary diamond in a floral pattern of glittering gold that tapered into a thin band. She offered her finger in acceptance and he slid the ring on, kissing away the tear tracks on her face.

“I love you so much.” He whispered reverently, turning off the lights and sinking into the covers with his family.***

“Something’s wrong.” Cynthia whispered, to no one in particular. As far as she knew, she was alone in the wooded clearing. The trees provided a canopy that shielded her from the sun’s harsh rays. She would have preferred to be out here at night, but with the ‘crazies’ as Willow called them, it was much safer to perform her ceremony during the day.

A soft, honeysuckle scented wind swept through the woods, lifting Cynthia’s yellow-red locks and tossed them behind her to whip in a tangled mass. “I come in the name of my protector and Goddess, Artemis. I come in Supplication, with this offering.” She produced a curl of red hair a few tints darker than her own that shone a dozen different shades of red in the sunlight. “This belongs to a strong Wiccan, whose powers surpass those of even mine.” Her gold-brown eyes locked on the hair, which burst into flames and disappeared in the air. “Grant me the powers and abilities she possesses, allow me to transcend this plane of existence. Something is here, something very powerful that draws me towards it. It pulls me in different directions demanding my attention.”

“Patience, little one.” A soft, feminine voice advised, flitting through the clearing.

Cynthia’s eyes snapped open, searching for the source of the mysterious, melodic sound. It was not her goddess, she knew that with a certainty. “Who’s there?” She demanded, growing scared. She knew this was the presence she had spoke of.

A noise from the trees drew her attention and her she glared up at the origin. Twenty feet up there was a tall woman, her hand holding a branch as she swung precariously, one foot on another branch, the other over empty space. She was thin, almost to the point of anorexia and her limbs seemed elongated and elegant as they folded against the tree. Her hair snapped in the wind, changing color from second to second, casting rainbow reflections on the ground beneath her.

In a fluid motion, the beautiful creature lept from her perch and landed before Cynthia in a crouch. She was like a predatory animal, sizing up her prey. Cynthia was in awe of the woman. Her skin was translucent, and seemed to change color as she walked, matching her surroundings, like one was seeing what was behind her instead of her skin. She had clear eyes as well, that changed colors depending on what she was looking at. She wore a short, sleeveless cream dress that clung to her gently, falling in several jagged layers around her body.

“It is I.” She replied, her voice like a whisper of the breeze. “You’re a pretty little thing, aren’t you?” She asked, dancing around Cynthia. The young witch merely held her tongue, staring in amazement at the sight before her. “Well, speak.”

“Are…are you…Artemis?” Cynthia stuttered in wonder. She had never hoped to communicate with her Goddess, let alone see her and the woman before her had such a presence that she must have been a Goddess of some sort.

The thing let out a noise that must have been a laugh, though it sounded like a quickly moving stream, floating through the forest.

“Heavens, no. I am not she.

I would not assume to have her capability.

My name is Aracelis.

Perhaps you have not heard of me?” There was self-depreciating humor in her question.

“N…no, I haven’t. I’m sorry.”

“No matter.” Aracelis dismissed, with a wave of her thin, fine boned hand that turned from green, to brown and back again with the motion.

“I’m not here to discuss my failure to assert my position with the other gods. I’m here because a situation is about to unfold that I’m dying to be part of. Mischief will ensue.” She advised, raising a brow that changed in color as her hair did, rotating the rainbow in an ever-changing pattern.

“Mischief? Of what sort? To what end?” Cynthia asked, genuinely concerned.

“Of the likes which I’m not allowed to relate to you.” Aracelis replied with a large, coral shaded smile. Her lips were the only non-changing thing about her.

“Who are you?” Cynthia demanded, feeling weak-kneed at the event that was taking place. She was speaking with a Goddess.

Aracelis lowered herself to the ground, where a tree stump appeared for her to sit on. Her incredibly long legs folded in, extending beneath her. “May I call you Thia?” She asked, then continued without a reply, “Well, Thia, perhaps you have heard of my father, Puck?” At the other girl’s nod, she continued.

“Lord Oberon was with Tatiana in harmony,

For a short time Puck was free to journey.

In a French vineyard the deed took place

With a human woman, very sweet in face.

And when the evening had been spent,

The woman did for her beloved goddess send,

Dear Aphrodite knew the child conceived would die,

And so watched my mother with close eye.

At her death, the day of my birth,

Aphrodite knew her place and took it with no mirth.

Instead of great virtues given princess by faeries three,

The gift of god-hood was given me.

Human-Fey in one combined

With powers of the Gods inside.

A rather unique individual, wouldn’t you agree?

Along with my father’s love for anarchy.” As she finished her narrative, she noticed Cynthia staring, rather blatantly at her.

“Sorry, did I slip into verse? I shall do that till the day someone drives my hearse.” Aracelis asked, her thin-lipped grin widening.

“So, you mean to tell me that Puck, Tatiana and Oberon are real?” Cynthia asked, rather skeptically.

Aracelis nodded her head earnestly. “Do you believe so readily in the gods of ancient Greece, and still refuse to recognize the powers of faeries?”

“This is too much. I’m really confused. What’s going to happen? You have to tell me.” Cynthia pleaded, trying to reach out for the Goddess.

“I have to tell you?” Aracelis demanded incredulously, standing up on her stump so that she towered over the small human. “I have to tell you nothing, little girl.” She said in a sharp tone. Then she relaxed visibly. “Ah, you are young and impetuous, as such I forgive you. Do not forget your place in the future, nonetheless.” Jumping from her roost, Aracelis crossed to the pretty redhead and tossed a slender arm about her shoulders.

“Thia, dear girl, you have little to fear.

I shall be perpetually near.

You should see me very soon,

Perhaps, if luck is good, next noon.

Do remember, dear, if you are strong and clear-headed,

The situation to pass can be fun, not dreaded.” She placed a quick, chaste kiss to Cynthia’s lips and then disappeared, gradually blending into the surrounding forest. The witch was left to wonder at what had just taken place. She heard the sound of approaching people and the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath their feet and with a last glance at the glen, she left.***

Talitha Marcus’ brows furrowed as she tried to concentrate on the text before her, but still the words didn’t seem to make sense. Her focus was split. She felt a strange force tugging at her, begging for her attention. Normally, Talitha didn’t believe in otherworldly entities, but at the moment she felt like one was present. “Is someone there?” She asked, spinning her chair around…and coming face to face, or perhaps nose to nose with the strangest creature she’d ever seen.

“How do you do?” The thing asked, her voice like the chattering of birds in spring. Talitha gasped in surprise, pushing back and in doing so, tipping her chair over. The fiend hovered over her, a deep peach color, like the ceiling above. Her eyes were the pale cream color of Talitha’s skin and her hair, which floated in long waves about her body was ever-changing. “Well, I’ve never had that exact reaction.” She murmured, staring in amusement at the human below her.

The girl sucked in the air around her and opened her mouth to scream. Quickly, Aracelis covered Talitha’s lips with her hand, effectively cutting off the noise

“Look, I know you’re probably freaking right about now, most people do. I need you to remain with me, in a levelheaded sense for just a couple minutes. Then, you can pass out or run screaming from the house, whatever you want. Understand?” Dumbly, Talitha nodded, as the goddess pinned her arms to the ground.

“What…what are you?” Talitha gulped, pushing herself up against the strong hands restraining her, hands that changed color along with the rest of her body with every movement.

“Why does everyone ask me that?” Aracelis asked, with a slightly perturbed tone of voice. “Basically, I’m half fey, half human and full Greek goddess, got it.” Again Talitha nodded. “No matter. I’m here for a very important reason…one which involves you.”

“But…” The mortal sputtered, glancing in every direction for a way to escape, “What involves me?” She asked desperately, falling down on her back again in resignation. “And who are you?”

“If titles are so important, I am Aracelis. And no, you aren’t supposed to recognize the name.” The goddess sighed in defeat. “I have a secret for you.” She added in a mere whisper, leaning in close to Talitha and putting her lips to her ear, “You aren’t what you seem.”

“What?” Talitha demanded in an incredulous squeak. Her eyes showed the confusion she was feeling. “Okay, Miss Aracelis…I’m very sorry, but I think I’m hallucinating.”

Aracelis sighed, “You’re being annoying.” She told the girl, hoping it would stop her whining.

“Can I pass out now?” She queried, desperately. The situation was far too surreal for her to handle. The girl above her changed again, before her very eyes. Her skin became a dark tan and her hair stopped alternating, landing on bright red.

“Something’s about to happen and it involves you. If you do exactly what I tell you, things will turn out just fine.” Aracelis paused, narrowing her eyes menacingly at the young girl beneath her. “However, if you disobey me, you will find yourself wishing you were dead.” She leaned in to Talitha, breathing hot breath onto her face. “Understand?’

Dumbly, Talitha shook her head yes. “Good Girl.” The goddess praised, “Now, listen up…”

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The End for now…don’t worry, more is on the way…I’m just so busy. School’s a pain in the ass I don’t need, but soon, we’ll be out for the summer! Yah!