Enter: They’re still walking home. Sheila and Giles in the rear, watching the girls walking hand in hand.
Giles:
Sheila, I feel terribly sorry about this, I really do.
Sheila (not taking her eyes off the girls):
It’s not your fault.
Giles:
Though babysitting isn’t really part of my-- Beg pardon?
Sheila (looking at Giles):
I said it’s not your fault.
Giles:
Oh, yes, well.
Sheila (raising voice so the girls can hear):
Giles, take Tara home. Willow and I need to have a talk.
Hearing this Tara squeezes Willows hand softly. They break apart, Giles reaches out and takes Tara by the elbow, walking her forward. Willow stops and waits for her mother, head bowed in shame. Sheila doesn’t move, she’s waiting for Willow to come to her.
Sheila:
Willow!
Willow raises her head and walks back, seeing the stake still clenched in her mother’s strong hand irks her slightly, realizing the full weight of her future duty.
Willow:
Mum, I-I’m sorry.
Sheila breaks down, tearing up.
Sheila:
Willow! I could have lost you tonight! You could have been killed! You’re lucky you weren’t! And you put Tara in danger! Her mother has trusted me for years! You could have ruined a powerful alliance tonight! There are so many times I could have died if it weren’t for the Maclay witches! And this is how I repay their family!
Willow (crying pitifully):
I-I just wanted to be strong, like the Slayer.
Sheila:
The Slayer is only strong when she has to be, my first job will always be being a parent.
Willow:
But you’re not scared of anything.
Sheila:
I was tonight.
Willow (looking up):
You were?
Sheila kneels next to Willow.
Sheila (comforting):
Yes, I was so scared I might lose you.
Willow (brightening):
I guess Slayers are scared sometimes too, huh?
Sheila smiles tickling Willow’s ribs. Willow squirms and they land on the grass, tickling each other, they pause to catch their breath.
Sheila (panting):
Truce?
Willow nods, unable to speak, gulping in air. They spend a few beats resting against each other.
Willow:
Mum?
Sheila (tired like):
Hmm?
Willow:
We’re buddies, yeah?
Sheila:
Yeah.
Willow:
We’ll always be together right?
Sheila sighs, knowing this would come up eventually.
Sheila:
Willow, I’m the Slayer.
Willow (giggling):
I know that silly.
Sheila:
Slayers have to face a lot a very dangerous things and don’t usually live very long. Look at the stars Willow.
Willow looks up.
Sheila (con’d)
Giles once said that all the past Slayers lived with each other in the stars. I won’t live very long, but when I die, and you’re called, you’ll do the things I had to do, and then someday you’ll join me, up there. We’ll be together again. So whenever you feel all alone, just remember, a line of mystical warriors, our family, is always with you.
Willow:
Really?
Sheila:
Yes, they’re always there to guide you. And so am I…
They stare in silence, dwarfed by the night.
-Rei
"Tell them Amber says 'don't do drugs' Amber doesn't endorse drugs." -Amber Benson
and funny.