Part 27

The distant sound of beeping broke through the haze of Willow's consciousness as she blinked away the sleep. Her eyes searched the darkened room and a soft smile lit her face when she saw Graham asleep in a nearby chair.

She tried to remember what had happened at Sunnydale High and the events of the battle. Did they defeat the First? The last thing Willow remembered was the pain of being hit by a crossbow bolt. She reached her hand up to her shoulder and rubbed at the bandage there. It was a good thing that she and Graham had worn their vests or Giles' bolt would have done more damage than it had. The plan had been to have Riley and Sam shoot Willow and Graham so everyone would think they were dead. They were to get new identities after the Mission, Willow wasn't sure if that was still the plan or not.

She turned slightly on her side so she could see Graham better and the rustling of the sheets woke him up.

"Hey, you." Graham slipped into the bed beside Willow and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Willow snuggled into his embrace and lay her head on his chest. "Did we win?"

"Did you have a doubt? Riley said that Buffy killed the First."

A soft smile lit Willow's features, "Buffy saves the day again. I'm glad."

"With a little help from the Agency. How are you feeling?" Graham lifted Willow's chin so he could see her face.

She wrinkled her nose at him, "There are some definite Willow owies but I'll live."

He placed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose and slightly tightened his hold on her. "Sam says that they've been asking to see you. Well, mostly Xander has been demanding to see you, Mr. Giles has asked how you are and Buffy wants to talk to you."

Willow cringed, she'd hoped to avoid this with the whole Riley/Sam killing her scenario. "Is the plan still in place for us to have new identities?"

"Yes, but with a slight difference. We're being transferred out of covert ops."

Willow sat up straight and winced at the pain in her shoulder. "NO! They can't do that to you! It's my fault that this turned out bad. It's my connection to Buffy and the others that messed things up. It's what you've always loved. They can't take that away from you because of me!"

Graham silenced her with a kiss. "This was the ultimate goal for me, Willow. Taking down the First and putting other agents in place to be with the new regime. I had planned to transfer out of covert ops in the future, this just moved my timetable up a bit. They're keeping us as a team and we'll be heading up a force like Riley and Sam's. Red Witch and Hunter tragically died in the battle with the First, or so the rumors will say, and they'll be circulating the demon community. Only a few close friends and relatives will know that Willow and Graham survived." He cupped her cheek and caressed her lips with his thumb. "The Agency has given its consent for Xander, Buffy, and Mr. Giles to know the truth."

A small tear escaped Willow's eye and ran down her cheek at Graham's announcement. He leaned down and kissed it away and was very glad that he'd insisted he be the one that told Willow the news. "They're setting up a meeting with them as soon as you're released."

Willow stood outside in the hallway looking through the two-way mirror at Giles, Buffy and Xander. They'd just signed the confidentiality agreement and were waiting for whatever was to come next.

Graham slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back into his chest. "Riley's almost ready to start. I think he's looking forward to seeing Buffy and the other's speechless."

She snuggled into his embrace, drawing strength and comfort from his arms, "I've hated having them think I was the big bad, but now that it's time for them to know the truth I'm nervous."

Before Graham could respond, Sam stepped up beside them, "Riley's about to begin. You okay?"

Willow stepped out of his embrace and turned to Sam, "Nervous, but okay."

Riley smiled as he entered the room. "Before you meet with Red Death I wanted you to meet someone else. A relatively new recruit that was very instrumental in bringing down the First and allowing him to be defeated. She was recruited a few months ago but the Agency had their eye on her long before then." He turned to the open door and motioned for someone to enter.

"She's a little nervous meeting you guys so I hope you make her feel at home."

"Riley, we just want to see Willow. Couldn't we have done a meet and greet after?" Buffy asked and placed a fake smile on her face as she heard footsteps.

"I don't know, Buff. I think a meet and greet might be a nice way to start." Willow said as she walked in the room.

Giles, Xander and Buffy looked from Willow to Riley and back again. "Are you saying…." Buffy for the first time in a long time was speechless. She'd believe the rumors, she'd believed Angel and the others that Willow had turned bad. She should have KNOWN. She should have known that Willow wouldn't have turned from them and their fight no matter what.

Graham entered the room behind Willow and watched as Xander's mouth opened and closed. "You… you're dead. I saw them put you in a body bag."

Xander turned his attention to Willow and couldn't help feeling hurt. She should have trusted him enough to know he wouldn't have said ANYTHING. Why hadn't she told him the truth when they were alone?

Willow chewed on her lip when she saw the flash of hurt in Xander's eyes before he quickly pushed it away. She willed the tears away, but was afraid they were pooling in her eyes anyway.

She didn't take her eyes off Xander, "I'm sorry, Xan. I couldn't tell you. Not only was my life at stake, but so was Graham's and the entire mission with the First. If it makes you feel better I was miserable for days after. And… and the reason you were having flashes of my life was because you were the only one I still felt a connection to." She didn't notice the slight tensing of Buffy and Giles at her words, but Graham did.

Xander pulled her into a tight hug, "Really? No, never mind. It doesn't make me feel better that you were miserable. Okay, maybe it does a little."

Willow smiled as she gently disengaged herself from Xander. Buffy and Giles had yet to say anything and she was nervous. She cleared her throat slightly before turning to Buffy and Giles.

"Um, first I want to say I'm sorry." Willow clinched her fingers together. "I'm sorry that I made you think our fight made me turn bad. I'm sorry that my actions made you doubt yourselves and me. If… if you don't want to see me ever again I understand. We… I just wanted you guys to know that I did continue the good fight and you don't have to worry about me anymore."

Buffy didn't answer, she just ran and pulled Willow into a tight hug. "Can't breathe, Slayer strength."

Buffy giggled and loosened her hold on Willow. "I should have known you wouldn't turn and that you'd still fight for the good guys. I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry I doubted you and that I believed what you wanted me to believe."

Willow looked up at Giles who had yet to say anything.

Giles cleared his throat and hoped he could speak before the tears threatened. Of the three he felt it more keenly. He alone had physically harmed Willow. Yes, it was because he thought he was protecting someone, but that didn't lessen his feelings of guilt. Giles didn't think he'd ever get the sight of Willow's face out of his mind as the crossbow bolt was released.

He held open his arms and Willow ran into them. "I'm so sorry, Willow. I'm sorry I caused you pain, both mentally and physically."

Willow interrupted before Giles could continue, "Don't. Please don't. You did what you thought best and if our roles were reversed I would have stopped you from hurting someone, too. Besides, I wore a vest so it wasn't as bad as it looked. I'm not saying it wasn't worse than… oh I don't know, making you blind but we can call it even."

Giles smiled as he tightened his hold on Willow. Buffy giggled and wrapped her arms around Giles and Willow. Xander yelled, "Group hug!" and wrapped his arms around them all.

Riley turned to Graham with a smile, "That's your future. They're a tight bunch, are you sure your ready for that?"

He looked at the smile on Willow's face and knew that he'd do anything and everything in his power to keep her just that happy. "I'm ready."

Riley smiled over at Graham, "You have it bad." He rubbed his hands in anticipation of returning the favor. Graham had teased Riley relentlessly during his courtship of Sam. "Just remember that pay back's a bitch."