Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon, 20th Century Fox, and the UPN or WB Television Networks.
One problem with working for the Powers, Skip thought, was that sometimes you had to do unpleasant things. Like that whole recent business with Angel. Or like this. Skip watches the scene in the yard of the Summers' house, magically hiding himself from view. Buffy and Xander are in the backyard when Warren comes up wildly waving a pistol. Skip freezes Xander in place for a split second, long enough for Warren to start shooting. He next gestures twice, changing the course of two bullets. He sends one into Buffy's chest instead of her leg, and sends the other (which would have struck harmlessly against the side of the house) through the second-story window at a very specific angle. He then transports himself back to his observation post and carefully watches events. Near sunrise Skip becomes aware of another presence in Sunnydale and receives another command from the Powers. He transports himself to the new presence. "Message from the Powers, Whistler. Don't interfere." Whistler says in surprise, "Don't interfere? The redhead is completely out of control, she might destroy the entire planet and you don't want me to interfere?" Skip responds "The Powers are testing Willow. They want to see how much power she can wield if she totally loses her restraint. They need to be sure it's enough. If nothing else stops her, the Powers have contingency plans that will stop Willow from really destroying everything." Whistler remarks "So the Powers have decided they're going to wind Willow up and point her toward their foes. One problem with the plan. Tara's dead now. No traumatic death, no rampage from Willow." Skip shakes his head. "The Powers plan to arrange for Willow to bring Tara back. When the time is right. A week or so before they need Willow to play her real role." Whistler's eyes widen. "So your bosses want to bring Tara back just to kill her off a week later. Seems a very cruel thing to do. To both of them." Skip replies "It isn't my place to question the decisions of the Powers. They will do what is necessary. Don't interfere." He vanishes. Whistler considers carefully. Skip was probably right about the immediate situation, he decides. But, despite what Skip tends to think, the Powers are far from infallible. And the sort of rage-fueled magic that they are counting on is very unpredictable. Whistler comes to a decision. The Powers aren't the only ones who can arrange for Tara's return. And although he can't stick around to give the two lovebirds tutoring in magic, he knows some folks who can. A year of practice just might bring Willow up close to the level the Powers were planning for, but in control of her powers and therefore using them more effectively. The bulk of the time, he reflects, being a servant of Balance means working against some Dark Lord or other. Surprisingly often, however, it's the Powers That Be whose plans need a bit (or a lot) of tweaking.