Family Matters by Frau Hunter Ash

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. The X-files characters and show all belong to Chris Carter, Fox and possibly others. No copyright infringement was intended and suing me will not make you any money! The storyline, however, is the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
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Grouping: Buffy/Willow/Tara

Xander had grinned as the orderly wheeled Tara down the long row in the parking lot to the RV parked on the end. The orderly was determined to see his duty through even though Buffy offered to push the wheelchair and Tara protested that she could walk now or they wouldn't be releasing her.

Waiting at the RV was Xander and Anya. With them were members of Lupercalia, Sheriff Luke, Thena, Stefn and Helki, waiting to say goodbye to their pack member, Willow.

Buffy smiled as everyone said their goodbyes again to the werewolves and climbed into the RV. Buffy thought Tara looked much better than the night before but Willow still worried the Slayer.

Somehow Dr. Kieran had kept the nurses out of Tara's room and Willow had been allowed to sleep in the same bed with Tara while Buffy slept in a chair, guarding her lovers. When they awakened the next morning, Willow still looked tired.

"Phillip was one of the evil Weres," Buffy began explaining as Tara ate her breakfast. "He poisoned your soda to separate us on the road."

"Yeah." Willow nodded. "We fell for it too. Xander, Anya and I went down a detour and found a pack of Weres waiting for us. They drugged and used magic on me."

"Drugged wolf Willow joined the pack in hunting Xander and Anya," Buffy said, taking up the story. "It wasn't her fault."

"Xan and Anya kept just ahead of the wolves," Buffy continued. "Luke rounded up the good Weres and we found the camp. That's when we reached Will."

"I…the pack turned on me when I broke their control," Willow said, almost in a whisper. "I…I…Phillip and I fought."

"That doesn't help much," Willow admitted. "I killed him and howled in victory."

"Willow, you were fighting for your life," Buffy countered. "You also saved all of us by taking the pack out."

"I think so," Willow said slowly. "I don't feel jumpy or like I need a magic 'fix.'"

Dr. Keiran entered the room with a wide smile at seeing Tara sitting up and eating.

"Good, since we now know what happened and your labs look good," Dr. Keiran said, looking over Tara's chart. "I'm cutting you loose. Why don't you two grab some breakfast? It'll take at least an hour to get her out of here."

Finally they pulled out of the parking lot with Willow waving out the back window of the RV to Luke and the others.

Buffy rolled off the bed, wanting both Tara and Willow to rest, and sat down in the passenger seat behind Xander.

"Always a dangerous thing," Buffy quipped and smiled sweetly as Xander scowled at her.

"Reno? You wish to gamble?" Anya demanded. "I don't think that's a good idea, those games are never friendly."

"I don't want to gamble," Xander muttered and Buffy's eyes widened as she listened to her friend. "We almost died, again. I don't want to wait to marry you, Anya."

"A quickie wedding?" Buffy squeaked, glancing back as Tara and Willow both sat up, smiles on their faces.

"Yeah," Xander nodded. "A small one with just us and then we can do a big one back home."

"Pull over, Anya!" Buffy ordered as Anya looked at Xander in surprise and wasn't paying attention to the road. The former vengeance demon pulled over and put the RV into park. Xander laughed when she dived into his arms, kissing him all over his face.

Willow and Tara began clapping from the back as Buffy slid into the driver's seat.

"Sounds like a plan has been made," she announced, grabbing up the road maps from the console.

Anya moved into the passenger seat behind Xander as the RV began moving again and Xander spun his chair around to continue kissing her.

Tara laughed and lay back down next to Willow, gently stroking the red hair of her lover.

"I love you, Willow," Tara smiled and hugged the witch tightly. "You mentioned weddings last night before going to sleep."

"I remember," she said softly. "I meant it and was going to ask you and Buffy at the same time. Will you marry me? The three of us together?"

"Yes, Willow, I will bond with you," Tara said softly, kissing Willow just as Anya had done with Xander minutes before.

"Hey, what's up back there?" Buffy demanded from the driver's seat. "You're supposed to be resting, both of you!"

"Well, if you must know," Willow grinned, seating up. "I'm asking both of you to marry me and each other in a Handfasting ritual."

"Marriage? The three of us?" Buffy asked, pulling to the side of the road again.

"Yeah, we can't do it legally but we can do a bonding ritual, a wedding thing," Tara added.

"You bet!" Buffy squeaked and left the driver's seat to leap between the two witches.

The drive to Reno took less time than Buffy had originally thought. She laughed as Anya began acting like a nervous bride when they hit the city limits and Xander's eyes danced at all the neon and bright lights.

Tara and Willow were asleep in the back and Buffy glanced at the clock in the console, not surprised to see it reading 3:30 a.m. Once they had hit the road, Anya had been insistent on driving until they reached Reno. Knowing Anya's impatience, Buffy had agreed but they had switched drivers a couple of times.

Now that they had arrived, Buffy glanced around until they found a public parking area that said RV's were welcome and pulled into the driveway. The Slayer was surprised to find a very awake lot attendant more than ready to take her money and direct her to an empty slot.

"Have a good time!" he called as Buffy steered the small RV called Priscilla into the lot.

"Do we find a convenient chapel now, grab some sleep, or lose some money?" Buffy questioned as Anya moved into Xander's lap.

"It feels like it," Xander said. "I thought we might actually die with all those werewolves after us and that freezing river."

"I know." Buffy's voice lowered as she glanced back at the sleeping witches. "If she had hurt you…."

"She didn't," Xander said quickly, knowing what Buffy was thinking. If Willow had had hunted down and killed Anya and Xander, she would have been lost forever to the evil Weres or she would have killed herself. It was hard enough for the werewolf witch to live with the memory and knowledge of having killed another werewolf, now she had killed at least ten evil ones.

"She didn't," Xander repeated firmly. "It's done. She fought her way back to us and we're all okay."

"Yeah," Buffy sighed. "You're right. I'll get these two up and dressed. Then you two can get dressed up and we'll find a chapel. Do you want to rent a room for the night or take the RV?"

"We'll take the room and drive the neighbors crazy!" Anya jumped on the suggestion quickly.

"Okay," Buffy agreed with a grin and moved towards the back of the RV and opened the partition the rest of the way. Tara opened her eyes slowly. "Hi beautiful."

"Hey," Tara smiled and glanced down at the redhead sleeping in her arms. "What up?"

"Xan and Anya can't wait," Buffy said with a grin. "You guys up to serving as witnesses?"

Buffy smiled and leaned down to kiss both of them, helping Willow wake up further with a passionate kiss.

"Let's get these two married, they're already arguing like an old married couple," Willow teased and Xander threw a crumbled up t-shirt at her. "Yuck! Male germs! Help!"

Within two hours, Anya was crying, Xander was choking on the words and Tara, Willow and Buffy were all holding plastic flowers, alternating between crying and smiling.

The chapel wasn't as tacky as they had feared, especially after Xander put his foot down and informed Anya that he was not going to be married by an Elvis impersonator. The small old, New England style chapel was very nice and perfect for the young couple.

After quickly buying some rice beforehand, Buffy, Tara and Willow now threw it at the couple as they walked out onto the bright neon lit street and laughed along with Xander and Anya.

"Thanks, Will," he whispered. "You help keep me from running away from the good stuff."

Buffy had rented a hotel room in a small place a couple of blocks off the main strip, and the threesome accompanied the married couple to the door where they got to hug each other all over again.

Anya squealed in delight when Xander threw her over his shoulder and headed for the elevator.

"Xander! This is not the traditional way!" she protested as the hotel clerk laughed good naturedly, having seen many, many newlyweds before.

"In case you hadn't noticed, my arm is broken," he pointed out as he jabbed the floor button. "I can't carry you in my arms so over the shoulder you go!"

"I'll get you for this, Xander Harris!" Anya threatened. "You cannot throw me over your shoulder like a cave man or a sack of flour!"

The three young women laughed and turned back into the night air, heading towards the RV slowly, enjoying the crisp feel of the night and getting away from some of the neon.

"That brings up an interesting question," Tara said, her eyes dancing mischievously.

"Well, if we have a bonding ritual, who is going to carry whom over the threshold with three of us?" she pointed out.

Willow stopped, suddenly pondering the impossible physics and saw Buffy's eyes widen as well.

Tara grinned. "I don't think, even with Slayer strength, Buffy could carry both of us," she teased.

"Oh yeah?" Buffy grinned wolfishly. "Maybe each of you over my shoulder?" she threatened.

"Oh why do you get to be so butch?" Willow demanded, laughing at Buffy's surprised expression.

"Oh you two are in trouble!" Buffy growled and then spun around with her hand going to her belt. "Tara, down!"

The witch dropped without hesitation or question as a stake went flying over her head. Willow jumped next to Tara, her hands outspread in a defensive gesture.

"I think there was only one, guys," Buffy said slowly, letting her senses extend into the shadows.

"Why didn't I hear or smell him?" Willow demanded, helping Tara to her feet. "I should have!"

"I don't know, I didn't get a real good look at him before he dusted," Buffy said slowly. "Maybe he wasn't moving. I caught a glint of his fangs."

"Come on, Will," Tara urged. "Let's go back to bed and maybe get Buffy to show us some of that Slayer stamina."

"Tara!" Buffy squeaked. "Okay, I'm used to shy Tara, not forward and blunt Tara."

Buffy fumbled with the keys at the door of the RV as Tara stood behind her, arms wrapped around the Slayer's ribs and lips nuzzling her neck. It also didn't help that Willow was sneaking under her one arm, coming up to kiss Buffy firmly and passionately.

The Slayer moaned but managed to get the key in the door. Willow pulled back slightly with a giggle and let Buffy open the door, noticing Tara's hands under Buffy's shirt.

"Oh my God," Buffy whispered. It felt like their hands and lips were everywhere as Willow got through the door first, pulling Buffy in next with Tara quickly following. Willow drew Buffy back to her lips and whimpered when Tara's hands returned around Buffy and began tormenting both Willow and Buffy's nipples.

Buffy would have sworn in court that the few steps it took to get to the large bed in the back had somehow doubled. It felt like it took forever to reach the bed as hands removed clothing. Lips were everywhere now that cloth was gone with hands quickly following.

Willow moved to the far side of the bed and watched with anticipation as Buffy and Tara joined her. Tara grinned and lightly pushed the Slayer onto the bed, positioning Buffy between the two witches.

"What is this, a Slayer sandwich?" Buffy teased. "What if I want Tara in the middle?."

"No one gets ignored," Tara said confidently, running her hands over Buffy's hips as Willow moved her lips to Buffy's neck. Willow's hand ran over Tara's shoulder, wanting contact.

Buffy quit protesting as Tara moved down her body, lips kissing and tongue exploring the Slayer's body, from breasts to toes and then started working her way up the inside of Buffy's legs. Willow was focusing on Buffy's breasts as well with her hands while her lips and tongue occupied Buffy's mouth.

Buffy knew she was in heaven, nothing could be better than having Tara and Willow loving her. The Slayer's body arched as Tara's lips and tongue moved to her sex and Willow's teeth began working at her neck.

Buffy groaned in frustration when Tara held back slightly and, as if reading Tara's mind, Willow avoided the most sensitive spots of Buffy's nipples and neck.

Tara's tongue began worshipping her blonde lover, running her tongue between Buffy's labia, taking in the taste that was uniquely and wonderfully Buffy. The Slayer whimpered, one hand in Tara's hair and the other clutching Willow's shoulder.

Willow moved down to dance her tongue over Buffy's nipples as Tara's fingers joined the love fest by entering Buffy and her tongue moved to the Slayer's clit.

Both witches played Buffy's body like an instrument and the Slayer was a quivering mass of muscles. Buffy was making small mewling noises and her hands were clutching at the blanket under her.

Willow moved to Buffy's neck and bit down on the scars left from Dracula and Angel, knowing that spot was extremely sensitive and erotic for her lover. Tara concentrated on taking Buffy over the edge.

"Oh God, oh God," Buffy was whimpering and then screamed each of their names as her body arched.

The witches continued as more orgasms rocked the Slayer until Buffy dropped back to the bed, panting and exhausted. Willow kissed Buffy's lips gently and then pulled Tara up along Buffy's body, kissing her lover passionately, sharing Buffy's essence.

"Go to sleep," Tara muttered, pulling a blanket up over all of them. "Attack in the morning."

"Deal." Buffy smiled, realizing Willow was already asleep in her arms, the witch's fingers intertwined with Tara's across Buffy's ribs.

Xander and Anya didn't return to the RV until late afternoon and grinned when they found the trio still in bed, clothes thrown everywhere. Willow met their grins, pulling a sheet over the sleeping naked bodies of Tara and Buffy, grabbing a shirt for herself.

"Hey, Will," Xander grinned. Anya was sitting on his lap, looking at her simple gold band wedding ring.

"Anya!" Xander squeaked. "We still got to work on the casual conversation before getting to the point. It's called tact."

"I'm not," Xander said and shrugged as Willow looked surprised. "It wasn't your fault that we ran into good Weres and then bad Weres. You fought back and controlled it."

"Yeah." Willow frowned, looking thoughtful. "I killed someone again," she said with a heavy sigh, tears filling her eyes.

"Another evil Were," Xander countered. "Again, fighting for your life and ours."

"Good." Xander nodded. "We're human, Will. We're not Superman. Courts allow self defense, you know."

"I used major, major magic again," Willow protested, her face filled with doubt.

"To save your life, our lives and those of the good Weres," Anya countered. "Do you feel you tapped into evil?"

"You're right, I could never regret that" Willow smirked and reached over to hug Anya.

"Me too," Willow agreed with a smile at the affectionate nickname for their home.

"Yeah, I've got to face those bastards sooner or later," Willow said after a moment's thoughts. "I got in touch with my wolf and we know that I'll eventually come to control it. The magick feels okay. I used major magick and I'm not going through withdrawals or anything."

"We vote for a direct route home." Tara's voice carried from the back and they could hear Buffy and Tara pulling on clothes.

The group of young lovers took the next two weeks getting back to Southern California. Xander had requested they make a trip to Yosemite, shyly explaining that his family never went anywhere and he always wanted to see Half Dome and the park.

Willow, having known Xander from pre-school, smiled and hugged her friend fondly as Buffy and Tara nodded in agreement.

Buffy, Willow, and Xander, having never been to Yosemite, were amazed at the depth of the beauty, standing awestruck at the look-out points. Anya had seen it once as a vengeance demon in the 60s and Tara's family had visited twice in her teens. They stood back and watched their lovers taking in the sights with smiles.

More stops were made along the way, the pace relaxed but more determined than on the way up the state.

Buffy was most amazed by the rest of the gang when they hit Disneyland. None of them had ever been except Buffy, despite living in Southern California. Willow's parents were never around, especially during the summer; Xander's family never bothered with vacations; Tara's family never had the money to travel that far south; and Anya had never made it there in her demon years.

Once they hit the gates, the group became little kids or confirmed romantics, depending on their mood, which could switch in a moment. Climbing through pirate caves, screaming on Space Mountain, and eating in the French Quarter were all memories that none of them wanted to let go of any time soon.

They spent two days at the park and only had a couple of embarrassing moments when Anya inquired about Mickey's sex life with Minnie directly to the costumed worker dressed as Mickey. Xander had laughed and quickly dragged his wife away as the worker ignored the question, children crowding around him or her.

It was a month and a half after having left Sunnydale when the RV pulled over to the side of the road and Buffy looked at the roadside, announcing they were now entering the city. Willow, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced over at the Slayer.

"Ready for this, Buff?" she asked softly as the others looked up from their card game at the table.

"I should be asking you that," Buffy smiled. "You're the Most Wanted type by the Initiative, Dracula and the Watcher Council."

"You bet, I've got you guys." Willow nodded. "I'm not worried. I'm not out of control and I don't think I'm a danger."

Tara got up and moved to the seat behind Willow, wrapping her arms around her mate.

Buffy guided the small RV through the streets, easily. After handling the small monster through all kinds of country and across all types of roads, each of the Scooby gang was very adept at handling the vehicle. Only Xander was nervous on rough terrain or very curvy roads because of his cast and one-armed driving.

"How can you tell?" Tara asked softly, still holding Willow tightly from behind.

"They've got several magic workers with them," Willow grumbled and Tara sat back in her seat.

"She's right, they're scanning for us, testing Willow's shields," Tara said softly, rubbing her hands over her arms.

"That might be what's setting my spidey sense off," Buffy joined in the grumbling.

"Well, we knew they'd be waiting," Xander pointed out. "We did call earlier and say we were coming in."

"Well, do we wait out here with the motor running or face this?" Xander asked and Buffy turned to Willow.

"Do you think they want to hurt you, Will?" she asked softly, her body starting to hum with "fight or flight" energy.

"They aren't friendly but we knew that," Willow said bitterly. "Let's face them."

Both Tara and Buffy frowned as they sensed Willow's shields slamming down, stronger than when their lover had run away before.

The girls waved as the RV pulled away from the curb and then bent to pick up their bags. Buffy resisted dropping her bags and reaching for a weapon when the door opened and a man dressed in typical English tweed stepped into the light. Behind him were a woman and a man, both young and stern looking.

"No it doesn't," Tara agreed, slipping a hand into Willow's. "Take it easy, baby."

"Inside with some of my associates," Quentin answered easily. "You aren't armed are you?"

"Excuse me?" Buffy's eyebrows rose in question. "I'm the Slayer, of course I'm armed."

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you for your weapons while we conduct our interview with Ms. Rosenberg," Quentin said firmly.

"No way, pal," Buffy growled. "You're in my home and you're giving me orders? You don't seem to remember that I don't take orders well."

"Really, Ms. Summers." Quentin shook his head. "Please don't make me resort to threats against your mother and Mr. Giles. We wish to interview Ms. Rosenberg about her magickal abilities, dangers and her lycanthropy and we know how attached you are to her. Please hand over your weapons or this will get unpleasant very quickly."

Quentin shook his head. "You attempt anything and both Mrs. Summers and Mr. Giles will be burnt to a cinder."

"And you will be hit with such a backlash spell that will kill all of you as well," Quentin informed the witch. "Is this pissing contest worth it?"

"No, it's not, you bastard," Buffy growled and reached slowly into her jacket pocket and tossed Mr. Pointy at Quentin's feet and, then reached behind her back and pulled out a large hunting knife and tossed that as well. "You know Will's a good guy and couldn't fry you."

"We have to face them sometime." Willow frowned. "I'm not going to subject both of you to a blood hunt because of me."

Buffy walked up first and stopped to glare at Travers. "Just know this, no matter what happens, accident, intentional, whatever, if anything happens to my mother, Giles or my mates, I'll rip your throat out."

"I haven't been your Slayer since my 18th birthday, remember?" Buffy countered. "You're threatening my family and my mates, don't push me on this."

"Understand this, Ms. Summers; we will evaluate any potential threat by Ms. Rosenberg and we will neutralize it if necessary," Quentin countered. "No matter the costs."

"Oh this is ridiculous," Willow snapped. "Go on in, Buffy. Don't give them a reason to have trigger-happy magic fingers. I can pass any test they want."

"Oh really? Is that why you used dark magic to destroy a large pack of werewolves in the California mountains?" Quentin questioned.

"Is the interrogation started?" Willow countered. "Can I at least put my bags down?"

Tara was surprised. Willow isn't usually this…this…spunky. She felt the surprised energy from Buffy as well.

"You're right, no need to be barbaric about this," Quentin agreed. "Please, let's go inside and have some tea."

//I guess he brings out the alpha wolf in me. They want to hurt me, Tar.// Willow whimpered mentally as they walked inside.

//Don't give them a reason to react, Will,// Tara advised and then fought to control her own emotions when they entered the door and saw Giles and Joyce Summers sitting on the sofa. On either side of the couple was a young man with a pistol pointed at their heads. Standing at the base of the stairs was another young woman, her eyes magic-black and ready. A young male, eyes black as well, stood by the mantle.

"This make you feel important?" Buffy snapped, knowing that Quentin expected some sort of reaction.

"Why? We kept you informed of our trip and Willow's recovery," Buffy demanded. "We let you know when we were coming home. Why the hostility and show of force?"

"We've studied those reports carefully." Quentin nodded. "Particularly that last incident with the werewolves. We've concluded that Ms. Rosenberg is too powerful and untrained to just let run around."

"You wiped out an entire pack of werewolves by using magick, according to your report," Quentin said calmly.

"Yes, and I'd do it again," Willow commented. "I used their own energy and turned it back on them. They used drugs and spells to turn me into an evil werewolf, a killer. I resisted, I fought back."

"Her presence put you in that danger in the first place," one of the young men countered. "Being a werewolf drew them to her."

"I wasn't the first," Willow growled. "They were the pack that corrupted my ex-boyfriend and turned him evil and they would have kept on corrupting other Weres and killing passing tourists."

"She's not a Slayer," Quentin clarified. "Willow is a werewolf and a witch and not under our control or jurisdiction."

"That's what drives you crazy, isn't it?" Buffy asked bitterly as she slowly walked over to look at her mother and Giles, to reassure herself they weren't harmed. "You guys okay?" she asked softly.

"That you can't control us, that I'm the oldest living Slayer on record and you can't control me or my friends," Buffy snapped.

"Well, it is annoying and goes totally against tradition," one of the young men said.

"I killed a pack of evil werewolves that preyed on innocent humans and corrupted other werewolves into becoming killers," Willow said thoughtfully. "I don't see the ethical problem here."

"Ursula," Quentin said softly. "Yes, we know that you have a weakness for magick after Dracula subjected you to raw magick. You agreed to not use such power again until you had some control."

"Didn't you read the other reports?" Tara demanded. "Willow was taught a lot of control by the friendly Weres."

"They're not going to listen, Tar," Willow said slowly. "So, what's the verdict and sentence?" Willow demanded.

"Either you allow us to burn your magickal abilities out, you come with us for proper training, or we eliminate you here and now," Quentin said calmly.

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Family Matters

by Frau Hunter Ash

Copyright © 2001

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