Willow gawked at the figure above her. So large was it, that it's shadow imposed darkness upon her pastel face.

So this is my enemy. The Witch recognized, drawing a deep breath. It's eyes, although hollow spoke a myriad of threats and warnings, and at last Willow averted her gaze from the figure.

"Willow really, must you look so concerned?" Giles's English brogue broke into her thoughts. "It is after all only a punching bag."

"With drawn-on eyes." Dawn added reassuringly.

"Yes." Willow affirmed. "But no. What this punching bag represents is so much more Giles. My magic has been…unsteady at best lately and now I'm attempting a dangerous and complex spell like this? What was I thinking!"

"There is no need for worry Willow." Giles assured her, crouching down to meet the gaze of the sitting witch. "There are many of us here to break the spell if necessary. It will not get out of hand."

"Now it won't." Willow agreed. "But what about when I'm working this whammy against Glory? Everyone will be too busy to monitor the absorption of magic then! What with the injury, the maiming and the…death."

Wesley, upon overhearing the conversation from the door of his office approached the woman. "Willow, if this method works as I believe it will there may be no injury at all. Don't you think that's worth aiming for?"

With a swift nod, Willow asked. "Then how do we get this thing started?"

"Giles and I have discussed this, and we believe that logically the person you should erm… 'borrow' energy from should be strong enough to remain functional without the energy." Wesley spoke.

"So somebody with super strength, like Buffy or Angel or something?" Dawn guessed.

"Possibly." Wesley responded. "Although we are currently unsure as to whether the spell refers to physical strength or psychic strength."

"Or for that matter any type of strength: intellectual, emotional. It is all rather vague." Giles put in. "We feel it would be safest to start with someone who has great physical strength…"

"That's the regular muscle man that is me." Buffy chirped from the foot of the stairs. Her petite form and blonde locks protesting against her statement.

"Buffy." Giles met the slayers eyes and then stood. " I shall assemble the others then."

The spell itself was not a traditional one, with a lack of any real ingredients or rituals-much to the convenience of the individuals who gathered around the two figures on the ground of the basement.

Wesley, who had taken an increasingly foremost role amongst the group, directed Willow. "Your skin must connect with Buffy's in some way, according to my sources."

Willow took Buffy's hand within hers, and Buffy gave her friend a reassuring squeeze.

"Now you must centre yourself Willow, taking Buffy's force as your own."

The room fell silent. Willow squeezed her eyes shut, and Buffy followed. The silence grew longer as the surrounding group waited tentatively.

After many drawn out minutes, Xander lost patience. "Why isn't is working?" He asked almost accusingly of Wesley.

At the very same moment, a soft white light appeared where Buffy and Willow were connected, and Willow's closed eyelids began to dance with movement.

"It's working." Fred gasped.

Willow's cheeks began to blossom with colour and energy, as Buffy's skin took on a dull pallor. Their hands shook with power.

"Yes, now Willow. Direct your power at the punching bag." Giles directed.

The witch did not respond, causing Wesley's eyebrows to furrow with concern.

"Wesley?" Angel from his point beside Willow, questioned as to whether he should break the spell.

Wesley held his hand up.

Willow at once dropped Buffy's hand, breaking the connection and gazed up at the punching bag, with a simple blink sending it exploding into thousands of pieces of stuffing.

Fred shrieked at the noise, fearfully hiding behind nearby Gunn.

"That was cool." Dawn exclaimed.

Xander approached Buffy. "Hey, are you ok?"

The slayer nodded, but her pale face told otherwise.

Giles counseled Willow. "Good work Willow, how do you feel?"

"There's still so much power in me. That I haven't used. Giles I need to get rid of it." Willow gripped Gile's lapels fiercly.

"This is normal Willow. I assure you. Perhaps, if anything, an advantage, as you can store this power until later, when it is needed."

The witch shook her head wildly. "I can't control it-."

"Yes you can. Breathe Willow, slowly now." Giles withdrew some powder from his pocket and muttered several phrases in an undistinguishable language before sprinkling it's contents upon the witch below.

Willow instantly quieted. "Thankyou Giles, I'm sorry. I-."

"Nothing to be sorry about."

Xander assisted Buffy in standing. "I'm going to help her upstairs." He announced, leading her off.

Cordelia, sensing she was needed, helped Willow to her feet and up the stairs towards the lobby.

After the basement was largely clear, Giles approached Wesley.

"That worked better than expected, not to mention unexpectedly."