Then There Was You

by Buffy Writer

Copyright © 2006

feedbacktome@hotmail.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't have the pleasure of owning these characters, only the plot is mine.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse:  http://mysticmuse.net
My Site: http://www.angelfire.com/vamp/bwriter/
Anyone else, just ask.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Spoilers: Nothing really.
Author's Notes: Abuse, non consensual.
Pairing: Willow/Buffy

"Yo Buff, wait up!"

Buffy turned with a smile on her face to greet Xander and Anya.

"Hey guys."

Xander smiled and threw his arm around his best friend.

"So, we were thinking of going for food. You in?"

Buffy was about to say yes when Anya cut in.

"Actually, we were going to go have sex until Xander saw you. Thank you for that by the way, you just had to be walking by."

Buffy rolled her eyes as they made there way over to the college cafeteria.

Buffy was in the middle of telling Xander something that had happened in one of her classes, when she noticed that he wasn't with her any more.

Turning her head, she spotted him talking to a redhead. The Redhead. The one that starred in most of her late night dreams.

Seeing the frown on his face, the Slayer wondered what was wrong.

"Problems?" asked Buffy, as she stared after the redhead, when he returned.

Xander frowned and met her gaze.

"I don't know. Maybe." Turning to face Buffy, an idea entered his head.

"Could you do me a favor?"

Buffy put her full attention on her best friend, noticing that Anya was looking at him too.

"Sure. Whatever you need."

Xander smiled and pulled both Buffy and Anya over to a small alcove for privacy.

"I was wondering if you could keep an eye on Willow."

Buffy's eyebrows rose at the mention of the redhead.

"Why?"

As she saw Xander's face drop, Buffy wondered just what was going on.

"See, me and Willow were friends right up until the last year of high school. She started dating Cameron Walker and after a few months, she just stopped hanging out with me."

Buffy frowned and looked over in the direction the redhead had left in.

"And I'm guessing you think it has something to do with her boyfriend." It wasn't a question.

Xander's head lowered as he nodded.

"Sure, I'll keep an eye on her, make sure she's okay."

Buffy paused and looked back at Xander.

"Any idea how I should even approach her?"

Buffy saw Willow hunched over the table in the library, thumbing through a book, just like Xander said she would be.

Taking a deep breath, she made her way over.

"Ah, hi. You're Willow right?"

Willow looked up at her, and Buffy nearly melted at those green eyes.

"Yeah. Why?"

Buffy, taking that as her cue, sat down in the seat opposite her and put her book bag on it.

"Well, I was talking to a friend earlier and he told me that if I wanted to get a good grade in English that I should see you." Buffy crossed her legs and prayed this would work.

Willow face lit up before her smile fell.

"Well, I would love to help, but I'm not sure that I will have the time."

Buffy sighed and was about to excuse herself when a shadow fell over the table.

"Willow. We're leaving."

Buffy saw Willow flinch at who knew was Cameron and stood up.

"Ah, sorry, but I need to borrow Willow for an hour or two. She is very kindly helping me with English."

This guy gave Buffy the creeps, but not in a demonic way, mores the pity.

Buffy ignored his stare and she saw a thankful look cross Willow's face before she made it look neutral.

Cameron sighed and turned to face his girlfriend.

"My place. Nine o'clock and don't be late."

He stormed off in a huff leaving the two girls alone.

Buffy watched as Willow closed in on herself and cursed the boy that just walked away.

Whoever made up the rule about Slayer's not killing humans obviously hadn't met the jerk.

Of course, her feelings on him may have been corrupted by the jealousy she felt.

Willow jumped when Buffy sat down beside her.

"You didn't need to do that."

Buffy frowned and leant forward on the table.

"I'm pretty good at reading people, and you didn't look like you wanted to go with him."

Willow never said anything for few minutes, but when she spoke, she changed the subject.

"So, what is it you need help with?"

Buffy sent her a smile, and Willow caught herself blushing for some reason.

"Look, I have to run. How about you call around to mine tomorrow and we can finish off the chapter. Say about noon?"

After getting her dorm room number, Buffy watched as Willow left, before standing up and following her.

When Willow stopped, it was outside a frat house.

So this is where He lives then, thought Buffy as she scoped out the area.

Seeing Willow go inside, she couldn't follow without raising questions.

Turning, Buffy decided that she really needed to pummel some undead ass right now.

Buffy looked up and smiled as Willow came into view. The smile fell when she noticed the limp.

The Slayer in her was screaming, the girl wasn't far behind.

"Hey Wills."

Willow smiled and sat down beside her new friend.

They had been meeting everyday for the past month and had grown close, though Willow still knew nothing about Buffy being the Slayer, and Buffy hadn't officially been told by Willow about Cameron.

"I cant stay long, I have to meet Cameron at one."

Buffy scowled but hid it behind her cup of coffee as Willow began chatting about the last chapter of Macbeth.

"Your late."

Willow cringed at the tone of his voice.

"I'm sorry, things with Buffy ran on and I-"

She was interrupted by the slap to the face she got. That surprised her, he never usually hit her where people could see.

"I don't care. When I tell you to be somewhere, you fucking better be there."

Willow meekly nodded her head and slipped off her back pack.

Cameron pulled her close and placed a bruising kiss to her lips, smiling at her whimper of pain.

"You know I love you don't you babe?"

Willow nodded her head yes, and was unprepared for the punch to her stomach.

"Answer me when I ask you a question bitch!"

"Yes… I know." Willow doubled over, clutching her stomach, trying to breath.

Smirking, Cameron threw her onto the bed, before stripping off his leather belt.

"Now, you were late, you know what that means."

As he stripped her from her clothes, Willow retreated into the part of herself where he couldn't reach.

Her mind took her away from that room, away from him and the whipping he was giving her.

Buffy looked at her watch, she was late by ten minutes.

Arriving at Willow's dorm room, she knocked on the door and heard shuffling coming from inside.

Willow opened the door half way, shielding herself from Buffy's gaze.

The Slayer's nostrils flared as she smelt fresh blood.

"Will? You okay?"

Willow weakly nodded her head, but as she did, Buffy saw the purple bruise on her neck.

"Willow, let me in." Her tone was one the Vampire's knew well.

She was not a happy Slayer.

Willow opened her mouth to say no, but instead she found herself opening the door and letting the blonde in.

Buffy swore when she saw Willow hobbling back to the bed.

"What happened?" The barely contained fury in her voice went unnoticed by the redhead.

"I slipped on the stairs."

Buffy knew she was lying. Stairs didn't leave hand prints.

"Willow, the truth. Did Cameron do this?"

Willow's head lowered and that was answer enough for Buffy.

"Bastard." Willow heard the fury in Buffy's voice this time.

The Slayer turned, intending to find Cameron and beat the living shit out of him, when a weak voice stopped her.

"Don't! It was my fault!"

Buffy turned around very slowly, not believing her ears.

"Is that what he told you?"

Willow shivered from the intensity of Buffy's look.

"It's the truth."

Buffy walked back over to the bed, before sitting down on it and pulling Willow into her arms, fighting back the rage when she heard her begin to sob.

"I wont let him hurt you again."

Willow pulled away, fear on her face.

"Buffy, you can't do anything. Promise me you will stay away from him."

Buffy shook her head no.

"You don't need to worry about me. I can protect myself against worse than him."

Willow clung to Buffy as more tears fell.

"You don't understand, he'll kill you!"

Buffy pulled the terrified girl into her arms again.

"He wont kill me."

"Then he'll kill me." The quiet statement rocked Buffy to her core, as she heard how much Willow believed that.

"Then why haven't you left him?"

Willow sniffled and pulled away.

"Because, I'm more worried about what he'll do to me if I leave him, than if I stay."

Buffy leaned forward and placed a small lingering kiss on Willow's forehead.

"I promise, he wont hurt you again."

Buffy stood up and left the room with one destination in mind.

Willow picked up the phone and rang a familiar number in a panic, hoping that Xander hadn't changed numbers.

"Hello."

"Hi, is Xander there?"

"Xander, there's some girl on the phone and its not Buffy. Tell her your mine and all your orgasms belong to me."

Willow's eyes widened before she heard her friends voice.

"Hello?"

"Xand, its Willow, I need your help, can you come over?"

"On my way."

Willow put the phone back in its cradle before curling up into a ball and waiting on her friend to arrive.

She had missed him the past year and a half but she knew that if he had found out in high school about Cameron, he would have done something stupid that would have gotten him hurt, or worse.

So she had cut all ties.

And now, Buffy was bringing them back together again.

Xander knocked on her dorm room door ten minutes later.

Opening it, she saw the worry on his face.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you to find Buffy, she went after Cameron!"

Xander let out a relieved breath.

"Oh thank god! I thought something had happened to -"

He trailed off when he saw the bruising.

"Bastard."

Willow fell to the floor sobbing, her sore body hurting even more.

"Xander, he'll kill her!"

He lifted her gently in his arms and carried her to the bed.

"Buffy's special. She can take care of herself. Don't worry."

But she did worry.

She knew what Cameron was like.

Buffy didn't knock on his door, she kicked it open.

"What the fuck bitmmph-"

Buffy had him by the throat and pinned to the wall before he could finish his sentence.

"If you ever, and I mean EVER go near her again, I will kill you."

Punching him once, Buffy let him feel the full force of her Slayer strength, smiling as he fell to the floor clutching his broken jaw.

Again, Buffy didn't knock on the door, but this one she opened gently.

"Hey Xander. Is she asleep?" If she was surprised to see him there, she didn't show it.

Xander stood up and stretched his legs.

"Yeah. Everything sorted?"

Buffy sat down on the bed and began stroking Willow's hair.

"Cameron has a broken jaw but other than that, he's alive."

Xander smiled at the thought of Cameron in pain before a loud whimper brought his and Buffy's gaze back to the girl in the bed.

Buffy nodded towards the door and Xander got the message.

"I'll call later."

Just as he was leaving Buffy called out to him.

"Will you lock the door?"

He nodded his head yes and twisted the little lock, knowing that it would stay locked once the door closed.

Buffy sighed and lay down on the bed, pulling Willow into her arms and murmuring words of comfort to her.

Willow woke up to find Buffy wrapped around her.

Groaning, she tried to move away. She was in too much pain, and Buffy's added pressure wasn't helping.

For whatever reason, Cameron had gone extra hard on her.

Buffy stirred when she heard Willow's whimper and pulled back.

"Are you okay?"

Willow shook her head no and tried to move away.

When Buffy pulled her back in close, she couldn't stop her cry of pain.

The Slayer froze before easing Willow out of her arms.

"How bad?"

Willow knew what she was asking.

"I don't think anything is broken."

Willow flinched back at the look of pure rage on Buffy's face.

When the Slayer realized how Willow was reacting to her, she drew back before standing up.

"Fucker deserved more than a broken jaw."

Willow's mouth dropped open.

"You broke his jaw?"

Buffy's eyes narrowed.

"He hurt you."

Willow looked very doubtful, why would anyone, never mind Buffy, stick up for her? Hadn't Cameron told her she was worthless enough times for her to get it by now?

Buffy noticed the look on her friends face and sat back down.

"Look-" Buffy saw Willow flinch and decided that a change in subject would be best.

"-How about we do something tomorrow night? Nothing to outrageous because of - well – but we could go to the movies or something?"

Willow perked up at that.

"Sure, I guess." Her face fell after a second and Buffy wondered what the problem was.

"But, people will know."

Buffy was about to ask how, when she saw what Willow was talking about. The bruises around her throat.

"OK, then how about I rent us some movies and we pig out here?"

"Great!" Buffy couldn't remember ever seeing Willow smile the way she did at that moment.

"Ok, look, I'm sorry but I have to go, I promised a friend that I would call in tonight. I'll be here tomorrow night, say ten?"

Willow frowned at the lateness of the hour, but agreed anyway.

"Giles, before you hear from Xander, I broke a guys jaws tonight."

As Buffy expected, his glasses came off and out came his handkerchief.

"Any particular reason?"

Buffy's face turned hard as she thought about Cameron.

"He hurt a friend."

Buffy swore as the vamp caught her on the jaw.

"Look, I'm already late for something really important so could we hurry this up?"

The vamp paused, and that was the opener Buffy needed.

Xander's head appeared from behind the dust and Buffy grinned before pocketing her stake.

"We're six for six. Ready to call it a night?"

Xander smirked and threw his arm around Buffy as they walked.

"You just want to slack off and go meet Willow."

Buffy blushed and looked anywhere but at her friend.

"It's not like that."

Xander just gave her a look that screamed 'yeah right'.

Willow jumped when she heard the knock on the door.

Smiling, she stood up from the bed and took a quick look around, making sure that things were sitting just right.

"Your lat-" Willow's words cut off when she saw who was leaning against her door.

Cameron glared at her as he pushed his way into the room.

He couldn't speak because of the broken jaw, which was hurting like hell, but that was okay, because he didn't want to talk to the bitch anyway.

Willow stumbled back in fright.

No matter what Buffy had said, promised, Cameron was going to hurt her.

Buffy jogged up the steps that led to Willow's room, the videos and munchies clutched in her hands.

She paused and stood still when she thought she heard someone whimpering.

Turning, she followed the sound, running full speed when she heard it coming from Willow's room.

Pushing open the door so hard it fell off its hinges, Buffy barged into the room, nearly growling at the sight before her.

Cameron had Willow backed into the corner and was pawing at her breast.

Buffy saw red.

Willow wasn't sure what happened next.

One minute, Cameron was about to hurt her, the next, Buffy was in front of her and he was no-where to be seen.

Sobbing, she fell forward into her friends arms, not questioning why she felt safe in them.

Buffy looked over Willow's head to see Cameron crawling on all fours out of the room.

She longed to go after him and break more of his bones, but the crying redhead in her arms needed her attention.

Willow looked sadly at the videos that were lying over the floor.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy looked down at the girl still in her arms, though now they were on the bed instead of the floor and Willow didn't even know how that happened.

"What are you sorry for?"

"For ruining everything."

Buffy almost tightened her grip before she remembered that Willow was in pain.

"Will, you aren't to blame for that sick bastard."

Willow never responded and Buffy sighed, knowing that no matter what she said, Willow just wasn't going to believe her.

Not yet.

Willow studied her reflection in the mirror, sighing in relief that all the bruises had finally disappeared.

It had been two months since she had last been hurt by Cameron.

Every time she saw him, Buffy was always right there.

It was like the blonde knew exactly where he would be.

Little did Willow know that the reason Buffy always knew where Cameron was, was because she had people watching him.

Charles Gunn, a friend of Xander's was in frat house across from Cameron's and always let her know if he saw him up to anything.

At night, she had Spike tailing him.

It had taken some persuasion, but the Vampire had finally agreed to it for a year's supply of blood and smokes.

It had cost her, well Giles, a pretty penny, but Buffy insisted on it.

Besides, it wasn't like he had anything important to do with his time now he was Chipped.

Two months of no hurting and Willow almost didn't recognize herself.

Looking up as the door opened, she smiled as Buffy, Xander and Anya entered.

"Hey guys, I just have to finish my make up and then we can go, okay?"

Buffy held back a groan at what Willow was wearing.

It wasn't anything special, just a pair of low hippy jeans, and a pink tank top, but to Buffy, she looked gorgeous.

Xander nudged her when Willow wasn't looking and mimicked wiping drool off his chin.

Buffy glared at him before walking over and sitting on Willow's bed, breathing in the scent of the redhead, and feeling good knowing that Xander and Anya couldn't smell it.

"Hey Buffy, you ready over there?"

Buffy looked up to find Willow, Xander and Anya all staring at her, though the last two were smirking.

Blushing at Willow while glaring at Xander and Anya wasn't easy, but Buffy pulled it off.

The bronze was packed, and from she first stepped foot in the club, Buffy was on alert.

Willow looked around, remembering the very first time she ever went to the Bronze.

Xander nudged her and pointed to the table they always sat in.

There were three people sitting at it now, and Buffy followed Xander's gaze before heading over.

"Hey Gunn, Fred, Wes." Buffy sat down beside Gunn, making sure there was enough room for Willow to sit beside her.

Xander and Anya each sat on either side of Fred, leaving Willow to sit beside Buffy or Wes.

Neither was surprised when Willow sat down beside the blonde.

It had taken her ages not to flinch every time Xander hugged her after that first time when she was scared, there was no way she would sit down beside a stranger, even if everyone else did know him.

Buffy smiled and rested her hands on the table.

"I don't know if you guys know her or not but this is Willow. Will, this is Fred, that's Gunn and that's Wes."

Buffy pointed out each of them in turn before introducing Willow to them.

They of course knew who the redhead was, but went along with Buffy.

"Hey, I know you, your in my Art class." Fred and Willow were immediately involved in a conversation revolving around DaVinci, leaving everyone else at the table behind as they discussed his early work as apposed to his later pieces.

Buffy stretched before standing up.

"I'm going to get a drink, who wants what?"

When she had their orders, she headed over to the bar, only to bump into someone she really didn't want to see.

"Fancy seeing you here B."

Willow followed Buffy with her eyes and frowned when she saw a girl she didn't know step into her friends path.

"Hey Xander? Who's that?"

Everyone looked over to where Willow was pointing, and Xander groaned before banging his head off the table.

"That, is Faith."

Buffy recovered quickly from the unexpected meeting with her Ex.

"Faith. I didn't know that you were back in town."

The brunette shrugged and stepped closer, invading Buffy's personal space.

"What can I say? I couldn't stay away."

With that said, Faith moved in, and before Buffy had time to react, the brunette was kissing her.

Willow's mouth dropped open when she saw Faith kiss Buffy.

Xander groaned again and thumped his head back down on the table.

Once the shock wore off, Buffy gently pushed Faith away, hating the hurt look that crossed the other girls face.

Buffy had never loved the other girl, but she had cared for her at one point in the past.

"Faith, look, its not like that with us, not anymore."

Faith sighed and pulled back.

"And we all know whose fault that was."

Buffy didn't reply, it had been her fault.

She had kept to many secrets, the fact that she was a Slayer for one, and that their were Vampire's and demons for another and Faith got annoyed with not knowing every single aspect of Buffy's life.

Buffy frowned before looking over in time to catch Willow avert her gaze.

She didn't want things to end badly with Willow, even if it was just friendship.

The truth was, she felt worse about not telling Willow the truth about her, than she did about not telling Faith.

"That your new girl?"

Buffy brought her gaze back to Faith and shook her head no.

"But you want her to be though don't you." It wasn't a question.

"We're friends. That's enough."

Faith whistled before giving Buffy's body the once over.

"If you ever change your mind, give me a call. I still remember how wild you are."

With those parting words, Faith turned around and walked away, leaving Buffy free to get her drinks and go back to her friends.

As she was making her way back to the table, Buffy suddenly realized that Willow must have seen the kiss.

Buffy groaned, not wanting to have the 'gay' talk any time soon.

Willow looked over to see Xander watching her.

"What?"

Xander leaned across the table so none of the others would hear. It wasn't like they didn't know Buffy was into girls, but he knew for a fact that Willow didn't.

"Are you okay?"

Willow nodded her head before stopping.

Was she okay?

Xander saw the look on her face and sighed.

It would kill Buffy if Willow stopped being friends with her over the little matter of her sexual preference.

He realized he said that out loud when Willow pulled away from him.

"I'm not going to stop being her friend just because she's gay Xander."

He cringed before smiling and sitting back when he saw Buffy coming.

Buffy was quiet as they all walked back towards the college campus.

Xander, Anya and her were walking Willow home before they all went on patrol.

She risked a look over at the redhead, only to see her staring straight ahead.

Buffy's shoulders slumped.

Ever since the kiss with Faith, Willow had barely said two words to her.

Xander looked sadly at his friends.

No matter what Willow had said to him, she had put space between her and Buffy ever since she found out Buffy was gay.

He could kill Faith for this.

The rest of the walk was made in complete silence, apart from the chit chat of Xander and Anya.

They walked Willow to her dorm room door before the other two backed off to give the Slayer some privacy.

"Look Will-"

"Buffy, its late and I'm tired. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Good night."

Buffy stared at the wood of the door before turning to face her friends, a heartbroken look on her face.

He heard it a second to late, but luckily Buffy was there.

Twisting her body, she pushed Xander out of the way and staked the Vampire, but not fast enough.

Looking down, she saw the knife that was embedded to the hilt in her stomach before she fell to her knees.

"Xand," gasping, Buffy fell forward before she was out cold.

Xander blanched before picking his friend up and running back to his car that they had decided to take.

Opening the door, he set her into the back seat, making sure she was comfortable, before running around to his side and jumping in, Anya right behind him.

Willow woke up to the telephone ringing.

Looking at the clock, she saw that she had only been asleep for an hour. The rest of the time she had thought about how Buffy had kept this huge thing from her.

She thought they were friends.

Tiredly, she lifted the phone, "Hello?"

"Will, its Xander, look something happened, Buffy's hurt, we're at Sunnydale Hospital, can you come?"

Willow paled and told him she'd be there as soon as the cab arrived.

As she dressed, she began to slow her movements.

Who hurt Buffy? Her face paled.

Cameron.

It had to be.

It was all her fault.

Buffy woke up groggily to see a concerned watcher and her mom sitting by her bed.

"God, what hit me?"

Giles smiled and stood up.

"Well, now that your wake, I'll go let the others know."

"Wait," Buffy stopped him before he left, "are they okay?"

Giles smiled at her and nodded his head yes before he left the Slayer with her overly emotional mother.

"She's awake."

Willow sighed in relief before standing up.

"I know I have no right, but could I go see her first, I'll only be a minute?"

Giles frowned at her wording.

Joyce appeared before looking over Buffy's assembled friends.

"One of you can go in at a time."

Willow looked pleadingly at those around her and they nodded.

Buffy looked up as her door opened and she was surprised to see Willow.

"Didn't think you would come." Things weren't exactly a barrel of laughs between them earlier in the night.

Willow flinched and hovered by the door.

"I only came to tell you how sorry I am, and I understand if you never want to see me again."

Buffy's eyes widened before she motioned Willow over to her.

"I'm not going to stop caring about you just because you freaked out over it. My mom went into shock for a month when she found out."

Willow frowned and wondered what the hell Buffy was going on about.

"I mean, yeah it hurt that you blanked me, but I should have told you about me being gay, if I had of none of this – why are you looking at me funny?" Buffy asked when she noticed the way Willow was looking at her.

"Buffy, this isn't about – I'm talking about what Cameron did to you."

Buffy's eyes widened before she began shaking her head.

"Cameron didn't do this to me Will. None of this is your fault."

Willow's brow creased, "but then, what happened?"

Buffy paled as she realized she had reached a crossroads.

She could either tell Willow the truth about her, or she could lie.

Willow looked at Buffy like she had two heads, before she tried to hide her expression.

If you had asked her that morning if she trusted Buffy, she would have replied with a big yes, now though… First she finds out that her friend is gay and keeping it from her, then she finds out she has mental problems to boot.

But Buffy was her friend, so she wouldn't call her crazy.

"You don't believe me do you?"

Willow tried to smile, before it dropped.

"I think that maybe you hit your head as you fell."

Buffy sighed.

Looks like Willow would have to see for herself then.

Willow was amazed that the hospital let Buffy out so soon.

"I keep telling you, its part of the Slayer package."

Willow shook her head. She still didn't believe that story. Last night, she had been sure Buffy had hit her head, but the blonde was still going on about it.

As soon as Willow realized where they were, she looked at Buffy.

"Any particular reason you brought me to a cemetery?"

Xander slung his arm around her shoulder and steer her over to his favorite seat.

"Trust me Will, just sit back and watch. Its great when she gets going."

Willow opened her mouth to protest everything, when she saw the ground over were Buffy was standing, shake.

"Buffy!"

Buffy turned to look at Willow before giving her a smile.

Willow's mouth dropped open when she saw a hand burst through the ground.

"Welcome to our world," Xander stage whispered as Buffy pulled the vamp the rest of the way out of his grave.

Willow hadn't spoken the whole way back to the dorm.

Buffy fidgeted and was about to just follow Xander and Anya, when Willow invited her in.

"Your really strong." That frightened Willow.

Cameron was strong.

Buffy wasn't anything like him.

Buffy frowned before catching Willow's worried unfocused eyes.

Standing, she crouched in front of Willow and reached out to cup her face, trying not to notice how soft and warm her skin was.

"I would never hurt you."

"He said that too."

Buffy stumbled back and landed on her ass, looking up at Willow, hurt.

Willow didn't know why she said that. She knew Buffy wouldn't hurt her.

"Buffy…"

Buffy scrambled to stand up and moved over to the door.

"Its been a long day for you. You should get some rest."

Just as she opened the door, it closed on her, Willow's hand holding it shut.

"Don't go."

Buffy turned around, and immediately noticed how close they were.

Willow realized at the same time and her breathing came heavier.

Buffy licked her lips as she stared at Willow's before forgetting everything and going with impulse.

Willow's shocked gasp at the feel of Buffy's lips, let Buffy slide her tongue inside the redheads mouth.

The kiss wasn't anything special, that is until Willow started kissing Buffy back.

Groaning, Buffy reached up and cupped Willow's neck with one hand, while the other stoked her face, trying to keep things light.

Suddenly, Willow was gone, backing across the room, away from Buffy.

Gasping, Buffy tried to remember the last time a kiss left her like that.

Seeing the look of shock on Willow's face, Buffy's shoulder's slumped,

"I'm… I'm sorry."

Willow never spoke, just raised a finger to her lips, where she could still taste Buffy's.

Making her mind up there and then, Willow made her way back over to the Slayer.

"Don't be."

Buffy looked up as Willow moved her face closer, but this time she waited for Willow to make the first move.

Willow took a deep breath before leaning in and placing a soft, tentative kiss on the Slayer's mouth.

Buffy kept things light, though all she wanted to do, was to turn Willow around, plaster her to the door, and kiss her senseless.

After a few minutes of Willow's lips caressing her own, Buffy couldn't take it.

Reaching out, she let her tongue stoke along Willow's lips, groaning when the redhead opened up for her.

Pulling back, Buffy met Willow's wide eyed stare.

"Are you okay?"

Willow nodded her head, too stunned to speak.

Buffy smiled before leaning back in and placing a small kiss on Willow's lips.

"I really do have to go, I have to check in with Giles."

Willow nodded her head that she understood.

Buffy frowned, wondering if her friend was really okay with this.

Willow saw the frown and smiled at her… friend? Willow didn't know what to call Buffy now.

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

Buffy's smiled snapped back on place and she nodded her head before leaning in to place one last kiss on Willow's lips.

"No classes. You have to love the weekends. I'll be around at ten."

Willow opened the door at nine thirty to see Buffy standing on the other side, looking nervous, holding two coffees.

"Your early."

Buffy shrugged and set the coffee down on the desk.

"Couldn't sleep."

They both stood looking at each other, neither sure how to act after their kisses the night before.

Willow couldn't take it anymore and she sat down on the bed, jumping when Buffy sat beside her.

"We need to talk." Buffy reached out and held Willow's hand within her own.

"I agree."

They both sat like that, for five minutes, neither speaking.

Buffy finally couldn't take it anymore and jumped up and began pacing.

"I want us to date."

Willow's mouth opened and closed a few times.

"Okay."

Buffy stopped pacing.

"That went easier than I imagined."

She walked over and lifted coffee she had brought with her and took them over to the bed.

"Here, I brought us coffee."

Willow smiled and lifted her coffee, leaning in to place a quick kiss on Buffy's lips.

With a groan, Buffy pulled Willow closer, neither noticing that their coffee cups fell and spilled on the carpet.

Buffy was devouring the redhead's mouth, not holding anything back.

Willow moaned and tried pulling her girlfriend closer, wanting more.

As soon as that thought hit her, she began to panic.

Buffy noticed and pulled back.

"Willow," Buffy voice came out as a husky whisper.

Willow gasped, trying to catch her breath.

"That was… wow." Willow blushed even as she said the words.

Buffy smiled and leaned in again.

"Wow indeed."

Willow, still in panic mode, jumped up off the bed before Buffy could make contact.

Buffy frowned and stood up, but when Willow backed away from her, she backed off and sat back down.

"What is it?"

Willow took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she did so, and remembered all the times her and Cameron had had sex.

It wasn't fun, at least not for her. He seemed to enjoy himself.

When she had questioned him on it, he had told her that it was all her, that she was no good.

That was when he started hitting her.

Would the same thing happen with Buffy?

Her heart was telling her no, that Buffy wasn't like him. But a part of her brain was telling her that it would, that as soon as Buffy found out about how she really was, that it would be over, or worse, that Buffy would turn into Cameron.

"Willow, your scaring me here."

At the worry and concern she could hear in Buffy's voice, Willow looked up and saw those emotions clearly in Buffy's eyes.

She opened her mouth to say something, just what, she didn't know. She was interrupted by the telephone ringing.

Shaking her head, she picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

There was silence on the other line.

"Hello?"

Without Willow knowing, Buffy had moved behind her.

Just as she was about to put the phone down, she heard her name.

Taking a deep breath, she was about to hang up on him, when he began speaking.

"I know she's with you, you never were nothing more than a whore."

Behind Willow, Buffy tensed, knowing who was on the phone due to her slayer hearing.

"Leave me alone." Willow's voice wavered at the end.

"No can do bitch. See, you may be a whore, but you are MY whore, and believe me when I tell you, that when I get you back, your going to beg me to kill you."

He hung up, leaving Willow pale on the other end of the line.

Buffy took the phone from Willow's numb hand and steered her girlfriend back over to the bed.

Kneeling down in front of her, Buffy clasped her hands over Willow's, urging her to look at her.

"I swear to you on my life, he will never touch you again." Never before had there been so much conviction in Buffy's voice.

Willow blinked and huge fat tears began rolling down her face.

Buffy could only sit up and lit her girlfriend into her arms, rocking her back and fourth, whispering words of comfort.

Buffy pulled away from Willow to answer the knock on the door.

"Hey Xand."

She opened the door and let him in before returning to her place beside Willow.

He noticed the closeness and he gave them both a smile.

"So, Buffy finally made her move huh?"

Willow blushed but gave him a smile, it fell as soon as she remembered what had happened an hour earlier.

He was never going to leave her alone.

Xander frowned and looked to the Slayer.

"Cameron called."

Xander swore and sat down on the chair.

"There has to be something the college can do."

Buffy's forehead creased before her face lit up. Giving Willow a kiss, she stood up.

"I have an idea, will you stay here with Will?"

Xander nodded his head and then Buffy was gone, not giving them any clue as to what her plan was.

Cameron looked up when a shadow fell over the table where he was eating breakfast.

When he saw Buffy, he glared at her even as his grip tightened on his knife.

Buffy raised an eyebrow and quicker than he could see, she took the knife off him, throwing it to the side out of reach.

"What do you want?"

"Ask me again nicely."

He swore under his breath but repeated his question.

Buffy smiled, and he couldn't help but be a little afraid of it.

"I want you gone, as far away from Willow as possible. That's why you are going to apply for a transfer. I don't care which school it is, as long as its in a different state than this one."

He smirked and stood up, towering over her.

"You think you scare me little girl?"

Buffy squared up to him, a hard look coming into her eyes.

"There is no thinking involved. You either leave, or you'll regret your decision to stay."

She turned her back and walked away.

Cameron seethed behind her before a smile lit his face.

Oh he would leave alright, but not before he took back what was his and got some payback on the blonde bitch.

Grinning, he followed Buffy out and made a detour to his room.

When Buffy reached Willow's dorm room, she was surprised to find the door locked.

Sighing, she took out her cell and called Xander's.

She rolled her eyes when she heard the phone ring from inside Willow's room.

Next she tried to reach Anya.

"Hello?"

"An, is Buffy, have you by any chance seen Xander and Willow?"

"Yeah, they are here now, you want to talk to one of them?"

"No, just tell them that I'm on my way over."

"Okay bye."

Buffy closed her phone and turned to leave, only to stumble back when she was hit over the head with something wooden.

Working on autopilot, Buffy attacked.

Swinging with her left fist, she connected with her attacker's temple before bringing her foot up to connect with his nose.

When he stumbled back, her vision cleared and Buffy saw Cameron in front of her.

She watched as if in slow motion as he tripped over his own feet, before falling backwards down the stairs.

Xander looked at his watch again, wondering why Buffy was taking so long.

Willow was flicking through the television channels when she froze.

"Police have identified the victim as one Cameron Walker and they have arrested a nineteen year old girl on suspicion of murder. More on this story as we get it but for now back to the studio."

Willow had paled but Xander was already on his feet and grabbing the phone.

"Giles, we have a problem."

Buffy sat across from two police officers wondering how she got herself into this one.

"You understand what we're saying here right?"

Buffy nodded her head.

The officer sighed before laying it out.

"You could go to jail for the rest of your life kid."

Swallowing hard, Buffy nodded her head that she understood.

"Just tell us what happened."

Closing her eyes, Buffy told them about his hitting her and her defending herself, to him tripping and falling.

The officers exchanged a look before standing up.

"Your allowed one phone call. Come with me."

Buffy stood up and followed the officer to a payphone.

Rooting in her pocket Buffy pulled out some changed and dialed a number she knew by heart.

"Mommy?"

Joyce yanked open the front door, ready to run to the police station if she had to, when she saw Giles, Xander, Anya and Willow all on her front step.

Giles looked at the frantic woman and sighed.

"You know then?"

Joyce nodded.

"She just called."

As one they all turned and piled into various cars, every one of them breaking the speed limit in their haste to get to Buffy.

Buffy looked up when the cell door was unlocked and saw her mom's lawyer standing there.

"Hey Mike."

He smiled at her and looked over his shoulder to make sure there was no-one in hearing distance.

"Mr. Giles said to tell you that he had contacted a cow and that you would know what he was talking about."

Buffy smiled to herself.

"Yeah I know. So, how's it look?"

"Why don't you tell me everything from the start."

So she did, everything from Xander first asking her to keep an eye on Willow, to Cameron falling down the steps.

Giles looked up when Xander called his name.

Handing him his cell phone, Xander told him that there was someone called Peter's on the phone.

"Michael hello, any word?… I see… how long?… no that's not acceptable… think about who she is…right that's better… now?… good, I will call you when its completed."

Giles hung up without saying anything else and handed Xander back his phone.

"The Council are going to sort it all out. They are calling some people now and the charges should be dropped."

Everyone smiled in relief and slumped back in their seat.

"So now we wait?"

Giles nodded his head to Willow's question and closed his eyes, wishing for a cup of tea.

Buffy looked up when her cell door opened yet again, only this time it was the detective who arrested her.

She wanted to flinch from the look he was giving her but held strong and kept his gaze.

"You have friends in high places Miss Summers. The charges have been dropped, you are free to go."

She stood up and followed him out of the cell. After sighing some papers, she was free.

When she left the holding area and reached the front of the police station, the tears came when she saw her family.

As one they rose and enveloped her in a hug she finally broke, crying in the arms of her mom when they all stepped back to give her space.

The ride back was quiet. Buffy stared out the window as her mom drove.

Giles was behind them in his car, and Xander, Anya and Willow were behind him in Xander's.

"Honey?"

Buffy turned to stare at her mother and Joyce sent her a small smile.

"Would you like to tell me what happened?" She didn't want to push, but she desperately wanted to know the facts, and not what the media had reported.

Buffy shook her head.

"Giles and everyone will want to know, and I only want to say this once."

Joyce nodded her head that she understood and silence fell again.

Buffy looked at the people gathered in her living room. One was a watcher who she owed her freedom to, one was her mother, who she knew loved her no matter what, one was her best friend, the other his girlfriend, and the last person in the room, was Willow.

Catching and holding Willow's gaze, Buffy told them how she had gone to see Cameron and told him nicely to leave.

"Buffy! You can't just bully people."

Buffy turned hard eyes to her mother.

"You don't know the full story, and its not my place to tell it."

She turned back, this time facing her watcher.

"I was at Will's dorm about to head over to Xander's when I was hit over the head from behind. I didn't think, I just reacted. I punched him and kicked him before I realized who it was." Buffy swallowed as she recalled the look on his face as he realized he was going to fall.

"I could have stopped it, but I just stood there and watched as he tripped over his own feet and fell down the stairs."

Giles stood up and raised his hand to grab her arm hard.

"You did not kill him."

Buffy shook her head.

"I know that, but I could have saved him, that's what a Slayer does, that's what I do, but I didn't, I let him die."

Xander looked at Willow, before turning his brown eyes on Buffy.

"And why do you think he was even there Buff?"

Buffy's eyes moved to Willow, and that was all the answer anyone needed.

Willow looked up and met Buffy's eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy shook her head and knelt on the floor at Willow's feet.

"No, none of this is your fault. None of it. He made his choices, and this is where they led him. I don't regret what happened, not if it means that you are safe from him."

Willow reached out and cupped Buffy's cheek, smiling through her tears as Buffy leaned into her touch.

"Right well, how about a cup of tea?"

Buffy snorted before laughing at her watcher.

"You English, your all the same."

Willow smiled as she watched Xander throw Buffy into the water before running away.

Buffy came up spluttering, spitting out the salty sea water and glaring after her friend.

He was so going to pay for that.

Squeezing the excess water out of her hair, she made her way over to Willow and Anya, taking the towel Willow handed her with a grateful smile.

Xander edged his way over and ducked out of Buffy's reach when she grabbed for him.

"Your going to pay for that."

Xander smiled unrepentantly and lay down on his towel beside Anya,

"It was worth it."

Anya snorted and handed him a coke.

"Just remember Buffy, you can't damage him too much, I need him later on."

Buffy rolled her eyes and smiled as Willow blushed at Anya's comment.

Buffy was surprised. It seemed that Anya was starting to censure herself, because not that long ago that sentence would have been much more crude.

Willow sighed and relaxed against her towel, thinking of how her life had changed in the past six months.

Looking at the blonde beside her, Willow knew none of it would have happened without her.

Buffy looked over and caught the look in Willow's eyes. Smiling, she leaned up on one elbow and hovered over Willow.

"What are you thinking in there?"

Willow blushed and looked to make sure Xander and Anya weren't listening.

"Thinking about how much I want to make love to you."

Buffy's eyes widened.

They had been together for just over seven months, but they hadn't progressed beyond kissing and over the clothes touching, Buffy hadn't wanted to rush Willow into anything.

"You sure?"

Willow nodded her head and leaned up, kissing her girlfriend.

Buffy pulled back when she felt it was starting to get to intense.

"Maybe not here though." Smirking, she indicated her head over to where Xander and Anya were.

Buffy smoothed out the material of her skirt before raising her hand to knock.

"Just a minute."

Willow opened the door and her greeting died in her mouth as she stared at Buffy.

"Wow."

Buffy echoed her wow and moved further into the room.

"You look gorgeous."

Willow blushed at Buffy's comment and picked up her purse.

"Ready?"

The smile Buffy sent her was predatory.

The restaurant was small and cozy. Buffy sat facing the door, the warrior in her demanding that she be aware of her surroundings.

"God you have to try this." Willow held up her fork which was filled with the chocolate pudding she had in front of her.

Buffy leaned forward and wrapped her lips around the spoon, and knowing Willow was watching every move, moaned as her tongue lapped up the chocolate.

Willow's pupils dilated in arousal as she dropped her fork.

Buffy smirked and called the waiter over for the check.

After it was taking care of, Buffy stood up and geld her hand out for Willow.

Willow fidgeted as she took her key out of her purse, acutely aware of Buffy's presence by her side.

Buffy felt like her entire body was humming in anticipation.

When Willow finally got the door open, Buffy was almost inside before her.

Smiling, Willow followed her, her own nervousness returning as her eyes found the bed.

No matter how hard she tried to stop the insecurities, every little thing He ever said about her came back, but unlike the times before, Willow was able to push them down.

Buffy saw that Willow was nervous and walked over to her, leaning in to leave a small, gentle kiss on her lips.

"We don't have to do anything."

Willow pulled back and saw what Buffy was trying to hide.

She knew without a doubt that if she said no, Buffy would pull back and respect her wishes, but she saw the raw desire in Buffy's eyes.

"I love you." Willow had never said the words to Buffy before, though the Slayer had told Willow how she felt.

Buffy's eyes watered as Willow leant into kiss her.

Willow stared down at the blonde hair that fanned out on the pillow beside her.

Last night had been amazing.

For the first time in her life, Willow felt truly loved. Sure, Buffy had told her before, but Willow had heard those three words from Him.

Last night, Buffy hadn't told her that she loved her, she had shown her with her touch, with her kisses.

Smiling, she leaned down and kissed the stirring Buffy into full wakefulness.

"Morning."

Buffy purred and pulled her lover closer.

"Mmm morning baby."

Buffy closed the gap between them and kissed Willow, before moving her lips alone her jaw and down to her neck.

Willow whimpered as Buffy rolled them over until she was on top.

Last night, Buffy had let Willow have full control in their lovemaking, this morning was her turn.

Smiling down at her lover, Buffy bent her head to suck at the skin just above Willow's collar bone, knowing from last night that it drove Willow mad.

"Buffy…" Willow gasped as Buffy's lips covered her hard nipple and her back arched, pressing more of her flesh into Buffy's.

Abandoning the prize her tongue had, Buffy moved down Willow's body, nipping lightly at the skin along the way.

Willow's mouth opened in a silent gasp as Buffy's tongue found her clit.

Buffy loved the taste of Willow, she couldn't get enough as she thrust her tongue into her lover's body.

Willow met Buffy's thrust as her body climbed higher and finally crashed over the edge, a cry of Buffy's name escaping her lips.

Buffy eased her down and crawled up her lover's body, snuggling into her and grinning as she saw Willow flushed and panting.

"Love you."

Willow felt unexpected tears and buried her face into Buffy's neck.

"Hey what this?"

Buffy pulled back, concerned that she had hurt Willow.

"I'm happy. For the first time in years, I'm happy."

Buffy smiled and leaned in, kissing away her lover's tears.

"Me too."

The End

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