Shades of Gray by The Rainbow Writers

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of Josh Wheldon, Fox and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Please contact the author for permission to reproduce this story on any other fan fiction site.
Distribution: The Rainbow Writer's Homepage: http://www.therainbowwriters.com/
Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
Spoilers: Season 7.
Feedback: All feedback is welcome.
Pairing: Willow/Tara Buffy/Other Faith/Dawn

Summary: An unexpected ally shows up to assist with the battle against the First.

Buffy paced around the living room obviously agitated. The last thing she had wanted was to receive a frantic call from her sister that had told her almost nothing but filled her with a very real fear she was going to arrive to find more people she cared about dead.

"So basically if it wasn't for Kennedy none of this would have happened?" She looked at Tara who was sitting sipping some tea as she gave Buffy the explanation.

"Well not technically no." Tara shook her head. "If it wasn't for Kennedy both her and Willow may have been hurt."

"No but the hot head Queen was the one who left Willow alone in the first place." Buffy pointed out. "I'm taking a strip off her ass." She turned towards the door.

"Buffy wait." Tara pushed up from her place and Buffy stopped and turned looking at her.

"No." Buffy shook her head without hesitation. "It's tore through dozens of them, it almost killed me the first two times."

"Then if it wasn't for her, then Willow would be dead." She shivered sitting back down.

"I don't understand you said you were the one who killed it?" Buffy paced back to her.

"I was, but if Kennedy hadn't have woken me up I would have slept through Willow's murder." She blinked blue eyes.

"It's not that simple." Buffy sat down with a sigh. "God every time we get a foot ahead it beats us back down."

"First breed, some sorta bad fairy tale that gets passed from older vamps to the sires. The ones that came first before they were deluded with human blood." She tried to explain. "The pure vampires."

"Harder to kill, chest cavities like iron, takes a sledge to get a stake in them. Decapitation works, sunlight but they are hardy bastards." Buffy ran her hand through her hair. "They come right out of the Hellmouth."

"You open the seal with blood, then the start popping out like corn." Buffy turned to look at her. "We closed it though, well for now."

"So any chance I can get you to take Dawn and Willow, put them on a plane and head back to Florence?" Buffy gave her a lopsided smile.

"I will willingly put Dawn and Willow on a plane out of here." Tara nodded. "But you know I can't leave."

"Damn it Tara, this isn't your fight. You just walked into this." Buffy stood up again. "It doesn't even know you're here, get out now while you can."

"Buffy you said yourself, you're not winning this right now and having a witch…" She paused. "Having a powerful witch on your side might help tip the scales."

"No offence but Willow can't even do anything." Buffy looked at her sadly sitting down only because she didn't want to tower over the quiet blonde. "She tries and the First sends a full force of evil into her threatening to turn her."

"Willow and I are very different witches Buffy." Tara looked up though long eyelashes.

"I know." Buffy held the gaze. "Tara, I know you know a lot but this is a whole other arena. This is full contact, those things, the First they don't pull punches and twinkle bell isn't going to cut it."

Tara looked down briefly closing her eyes she whispered a few words and looked at Buffy.

"Ha, ha funny Tara." Buffy went to stand up again and found she couldn't move. "Yeah okay so..." She pushed harder using her strength but got nowhere, she found quickly she couldn't even turn her head. "I can... so..." She locked her jaw and pushed harder and harder. "What the hell are you doing?"

"What that you can glue me to a chair? Nice trick." Buffy growled and managed to raise the top of her finger.

"Liber." Tara whispered blinking, she hoped Buffy had stopping pushing up because she knew that instantly the Slayer would be free and if she wasn't careful would topple out of the chair.

"I think it's time you tell me what you've been up to while you've been away Tara." Buffy hand flung up but the rest of stayed down.

"To come back here." She replied relaxing back into the chair again and crossing her long legs.

"Well if not mine then..." Buffy's face went pale. "Tara, tell me I've gone insane."

"I didn't know it was Willow and for all I know now it isn't Willow." Tara shook her head. "I worked with a coven in Italy." She explained with a soft sigh matched by the Slayer.

"How powerful are you?" She moved over closer to the blonde. "And I want the truth, no being modest or hiding behind anything. How powerful?"

"Powerful enough to face what it is they sent me here to face, at least I hope I am." Tara blinked at Buffy. "The coven were sent word of a dark power source which they traced here. I volunteered to be the one they trained and sent."

"Because if it was Willow?" Buffy turned to her and the blonde looked away. "Don't answer that." Buffy stood up shaking her head. "Please... I had to face down Willow, I tried to face down Willow. I don't ever want to hear that answer again." She took a few deep breaths. "You are so messing up my Dawn and her happy lesbian moms fantasy you know that right?" She looked at the blonde frowning.

"Maybe there was a really good reason the First sent a shadow of you." Buffy looked at her; the Slayer's voice was soft but honest. "Maybe this is our sign that we can win this."

"Tara, we're losing." Buffy admitted sadly moving over to sit on the coffee table in front of the witch. "It's picking off the SIT's and there's nothing we can do to stop it." She looked down. "You killed an uber by yourself. Up till tonight only I'd done that and it kicked my ass while I did."

"So do you want me to book two tickets?" Tara asked softly, her blue eyes gentle.

"Willow won't leave you." Buffy admitted. "Dawn won't leave." She sighed. "We just need to come up with a plan."

"What do you know about what you are facing?" Tara asked for information gently.

Willow pulled the ice pack off her head when she heard the bedroom door close and looked up in the dim light to the figure that moved in and over to the bed.

"Are you okay?" She questioned her lover softly, easily seeing the ginger way that she tried not to jostle herself around as she laid down in bed.

"Let me get you a heat pack and some pills." The redhead immediately pushed up knowing that whenever the blonde had gotten a headache there was a certain regime that must be followed to get rid of it.

"No angel, you rest, hopefully it'll just pass." Tara reached out blindly to her side to keep the redhead laying down, having not already seen her sit up.

"Nope. I know the drill." Willow moved around drawing the blanket up over Tara's body. "Heat pack, three pills and nice large glass of ice water." She leaned down kissing Tara's cheek very softly. "Please baby, I want to take care of you." She whispered her voice a little shaky. "I never dreamed I'd get to do it again."

"Mmmm feels like I have a very large vampire trying to choke me but he's only using a quarter of his strength now." Willow assured her. "I'll be right back." She kissed her lover's cheek again and moved out.

Tara took a light breath and closed her eyes trying to force her body to relax into the comfort of the bed and make her head to settle from its crazy cartwheeling whirl.

It didn't take long before Willow returned with a long thin heat pack and another one shaped like a crescent moon. Both were toasty warm, in her other hand she had three painkillers and a large glass of ice water.

"Here we go, just need to get these down." Willow sat down on the edge trying not to rattle the bed.

"Is Buffy still here?" Tara asked softly as she took the pills and leaned forward. "She went in to talk to Dawn."

"I think so, Dawn's door was shut." Willow nodded letting Tara swallow the pills before she settled the large heat pack behind her shoulders and then helped her lie down, settling the long one over her forehead. "How's that baby?"

"Mmmm better." Tara closed her eyes again. "You're not getting up are you?" She checked.

"No, I got a lot of ice left to melt." Willow smiled and slowly moved around to her side of the bed settling down beside her. "Did you talk with Buffy?"

"Yes." Tara replied and then paused for a moment. "Do you want to talk to me about Kennedy?" She asked in an even quieter voice.

"I... I'm sorry." The redhead apologized turning over to look at the blonde even though most of her face was obscured. "She's really a very nice girl, she's just hurting I guess and not thinking straight and it wasn't her fault with the Uber, you know that right?"

"Well I can't say I wasn't mad at her for being so foolish as to leave you alone." Tara replied honestly.

"She wasn't thinking very straight at that moment." Willow bit her lip thinking about how helpless she had begun to feel when Kennedy had kept baring the door.

"Again I ask is there anything you want to tell me about Kennedy." Tara turned her head slightly and opened on blue eye.

"She had this crazy notion that I might still want to be with her and not you." The redhead pointed out sheepishly. "She didn't react well when I corrected her."

"She kept talking, trying to get me to agree to what she was saying, agree that I should have space from both of you to make my decision." Willow didn't answer right away but then she saw Tara frown harder. "She boxed me in, kept shutting the door to the elevator because she wanted to 'talk with me alone'."

"I don't think I want to know the answer to this really, but just h-h-h-how serious were you two?" She asked in a whisper.

"Not that serious... No! We never slept together." Willow shook her head against the pillow. "Well no we slept in the same bed because it was so cramped at Buffy's and I didn't want to have to sleep on the floor but we didn't.... Didn't have sex." Her voice went down to a whisper.

Tara took another breath and turned on her side, feeling the heat pack slip from her forehead.

"No!" Willow shook her head leaning up on one elbow. "Tara I love you, I don't ever need time or space to think about whether or not I want to be with you. The answer is always yes, right now." She looked at the blonde. "Baby, if... If I hadn't of thought... If the First hadn't of tricked me." She scowled. "Then there never would have been anything at all with Kennedy, ever. Only you, I want to marry you remember?"

"I want to marry you too." Tara cupped the redhead's cheek. "Though I think there may be a need for that to be underlined to a few people." She added softly. "As does the little matter of your safety." She rubbed her thumb lightly in place.

"She's not a bad person and I've never seen her act like that." Willow leaned her hand into the touch. "But she needs to know, I... We need to tell her so that she understands." She shifted closer to the blonde. "That there is only you."

"Guy's I need to get back to the house." The bedroom door opened and Buffy's head appeared around it.

"Okay... Okay that's great." Willow pulled back a bit almost feeling like some silly teenager who'd been caught with her girlfriend in her room. "Oh wait." She saw the Slayer closing the door and called her back. "Buffy, we need to tell you something." She gripped onto Tara's hand.

"Okay." Buffy stopped and turned trying not to frown. "Shoot, that is tell me." She frowned at her own insensitivity.

"Tara and I, well when all this crazy First stuff is over and you've defeated it and we've closed the Hellmouth... We're getting married." Willow looked at her lover and smiled lovingly.

"You're..." Buffy looked between them. "Married?" She whispered the foreign word.

"Going to get, yes." Willow grinned as best as she could with the ring of bruising around her throat and looked between them. "Aren't we baby?"

"When everything is over and sorted." Tara nodded. "It's the plan." She looked at Buffy whose hazel eyes looked right back at her.

"Well that's, that's great Will, for both of you." She tried to move her eyes back to Willow.

"We wanted to tell you, to tell everyone." Willow smiled leaning into Tara's shoulder carefully. "You'll be careful on your way home right?"

"Super careful." Buffy nodded. "You want me to drop Dawn off at Anya's so you two can you know, celebrate?" She checked thinking it had been a spur of the moment recent decision.

"No she's fine, we both need to rest our heads." The redhead secured Tara's arm around her body.

"Not yet, you're the first to know." Willow smiled at her best friend. "Is she still up we could tell her?" She looked at Tara.

"I'm up, tell me what?" Dawn bounced into the room carrying a large bag of chips.

"Hey I thought I told you know coming into Willow and Tara's bedroom, adult private place." Buffy turned and scowled at her.

"Hello Buffy you're in it, they're hardly going to be making out with you watching." The teenager defended herself. "You wouldn't right?" She glanced at Willow.

"Not much." Willow teased Dawn, hoping the teenager would remember how they used to tease Buffy about stuff like this. "Right Tara?"

"We have something to tell you Dawn." Willow looked at the blonde. "You should tell her, I got to tell Buffy."

"Dawnie." Tara looked at the teenager who had looped her arm through her sister's and was looking over at the both of them on the bed. "Willow and I are engaged."

"No actual big thing until after all of this is over, when things get settled." Willow grinned at her enthusiasm. "But once we've defeated the First nothing will stop us." She turned giving Tara a soft kiss.

"Oh my God!" Dawn pulled her arm free of Buffy's and clapped skipping over to the bed and bouncing down on it. "This is so amazing, first we get Tara back and now you two are getting married." She dropped forward and hugged them both in unison. "We need a party." She looked over at Buffy.

"We have to deal with the First Dawn then we can think about having a party." Buffy watched the three of them. The ease and familiarity between them making her feel more and more like an outsider. "I should get home though. Dawn don't bother them all night." She warned. "Congratulations guys, I'm really happy for you." She smiled lightly and then pushed out into the hallway.

Buffy felt heavy as she dragged herself up the stairs of the quiet house. Though she'd never admit it to anyone, she'd actually gotten used to the constant din of SIT's fighting and talking. It meant life was going on around her but right now in the quiet she felt like life was going on somewhere far away without her.

Not that she wasn't happy for Willow, somewhere inside she was so relieved but in another instance she just felt apathy about it. Here it was Tara was alive back in town and planning on marrying the redhead, for what? So that in the battles ahead they could both see each other suffer and die?

She sighed again pressing into her room without thought that it was where she had set Owl up to rest when they'd gotten her back from the hospital. She walked to the closet in the dark and pulled off her blouse, kicking off her boots and moving to undo her belt.

"What?" Buffy turned around a bit startled staring at the bed. "Oh Owl, I'm sorry I forgot. I'm sorry." She grabbed her robe from the back of the closet door.

"You can stop apologizing it's okay." The SIT said shaking her head. "And do you want me to leave you in peace, I'm pretty sure I could make it out of the room and collapse in the hallway."

"No, you better stay right there. I didn't drag you up here to drag you back in later." Buffy shook her head and moved over. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"Pain killers wore off. How's my bike?" Owl asked. "The girls told me you'd gone round to the apartment building. I hope Willow didn't mind me asking, I didn't mean to make you go over."

"You're bike is... Well... Really good considering." Buffy bit her lip. "It sorta had a run in with an Uber vamp."

"I'm thinking oh crap." Owl frowned. "Shit tell me Willow wasn't hurt, God I'm an ass, it's just a bike I didn't think."

"Tara saved her." Buffy shook her head. "She's just got a nice ring of nasty bruises..." She put her hand by her throat. "It's not really oh crap, just gonna need a good wash and shine."

"Okay relaxing about the bike and Willow." Owl was visibly relieved. "But run that by me again, Tara saved her? I thought Tara was well just Tara."

"No." Buffy shook her head and sank down on the edge of the bed. "Apparently she's been all witchy combat training while she was away, some coven sent her back her to help with the evil uprising in Sunnydale."

"Well that's good news isn't it?" Owl frowned wondering why Buffy wasn't being brighter about this. "I mean a super trained witch specially focused to put the First through her magical paces, one for the good guys."

"If that was the possible case then Willow would have been able to slice and dice it." Buffy shook her head. "Oh and they're getting married, with the woo and the hoo." She frowned more.

"Okay let me get this straight, Willow is your best friend, Tara her lover who you all thought was dead is back and healthy and trained to kick ass. Now add that she and your best friend just got engaged and you are moping around like you just lost the key to a deposit box of hundred dollar bills." The potential raised an eyebrow.

"No, no I'm not moping I'm happy for them, very happy. I just wish they weren't making all these expectations when we're in the middle of a war with Evil." Buffy looked at the SIT in the dark. "I saw what happened when Willow thought she was dead, what if this time she dies for sure? Or worse Willow dies and now Tara's poised for world ending witch power."

"Are you always this optimistic or am I just getting a special Buffy show?" Owl asked from her place.

"Look I should go, do you want more painkillers? They're in the drawer." Buffy moved to pull it out.

"You need to heal and rest, you don't need me running down non-optimistic lane dragging you along." She rummaged around and found a large unmarked bottle.

"Buffy please." Owl restated. "Sit with me for at least a minute, I've been up here alone for what feels like forever."

"Yeah very, the girls are all huddled together downstairs." The potential explained. "They felt safer in the basement with you not home."

"It's been a madhouse." The Slayer admitted. "But you miss it sadly enough when it's gone."

"I would like to be able to say they are safer where they are, but the whole Willow attack doesn't scream that does it?" Buffy leaned her arm over Owl's lower legs so she could rest on it.

"No it doesn't, that kind screams in the middle of no where with no protection." Owl was honest.

"Now you're panicking me." Buffy looked at her. "I should round everyone up and get them home." She began to push up again.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Owl shook her head and made a move to push up wincing. "I'll come with."

"Hey Miss staying in bed girl." Buffy reached up to guide her back down. "Notice the clever name denotes what you are going to do."

"It's probably not wise to move everyone tonight, the First doesn't bother to waste more than one Uber at a time yet."

"Yeah, I guess some sleep wouldn't kill me." Buffy nodded pulling her arms back.

"Are you sure there's nothing else bothering you?" Owl watched the move carefully.

"Well you're tense, you're bordering on exhaustion, you're concerned that your best friend has been given her life back on a plate and that it might be all taken away from her. You're facing an enemy you know little about, without any real idea of how you are going to kill it." The potential began with the obvious facts.

Buffy stopped and turned her eyes flashing in the dark showing the SIT was right long before she managed to object.

"It's okay Buffy, I get it. Well no, I don't, but I understand why you would." Owl replied softly.

"Can you explain it to me because I have no clue?" The Slayer pushed up and moved to retrieve her brush and started running it through her hair.

"Willow has Tara back, no doubt your sister is like on cloud nine if they've told her about the engagement. Xander and Anya are well, lets be honest, they'll be sleeping together again soon if nothing else and your facing the end of the world and you're, alone." She summed up. "Spike may not be any of the things you actually want right now but he's better than having nothing."

"And what do you want right now?" Buffy asked the simple question moving back over and sitting down again, something about the way that Owl just jabbed in the accusation without malice or pretence was comforting.

"To stop you from going." Owl answered honestly. "Because you're better than that."

"I don't need to know you to know you are worth more that sleeping with someone who would rape you." Owl retaliated.

"I'm sick of being alone." Buffy looked away the word biting into her as she flashed back to a scene from the bathroom.

"You're not alone Buffy, you have amazing friends and a great little sister." Owl shook her head.

"Oh come on Buffy, I mean I've never met Tara, but hello! Willow and you have been around each other for an age, if you'd leant her way at all, the two of you would be celebrating your golden wedding anniversary soon." Owl smiled at the image.

"Isn't that a bit inclusive to say that if I was remotely gay I'd be with Willow?"

"She's my best friend, there's that line there." Buffy turned a bit. "Who was the first girl you were with? The one that told you that you weren't straight."

"Oh go for the jugular Buffy why don't you." Owl winced slightly and leaned back.

"Good point." Owl conceded the point easily. "The first girl I kissed was called Joanne, we were both sixteen."

"Well I lost my virginity to a girl, that helped seal the deal." Owl gave a wide smile.

"I lost my virginity to a vampire." Buffy rolled her eyes. "I'm doomed." She leaned back on the bed fully.

"No, you just like setting yourself a challenge." Owl shook her head. "So I'm taking it that vampire isn't this vampire."

"No, I really loved Angel. More than anything." Buffy sighed. "He has a soul, long story but if he has a moment of pure happiness he turns back into a soulless monster. Guess when he lost it?"

"I'm thinking it's linked to the virginity story." The potential frowned at the irony.

"Great for a girl's ego, one night with me and you turn into a bloodthirsty killer." Buffy sighed harder. "I think I should just give up on living."

"What?" Buffy turned pushing up so she could see into the SIT's eyes in the dim light.

"Yeah, it's a blind bet. I bet if you decide that you're going to live the life you have left before whatever happens- happens, something will happen to you that has never happened before."

"How do we know when one of us has won?" The blonde wasn't completely convinced.

"Easy, it'll happen pretty quick after you decide and if it doesn't you win and I have to do the laundry for a week, and if it does you have to." Owl paused to think for a moment. "You have to repeat the event at least twice to give it a fair shot."

"We're betting my eternal happiness on laundry duty." Buffy couldn't help but laugh, rather loudly as she looked at the SIT's serious face. "Fine you're on."

"Cool, now all you have to do is think about whether or not you want to live." Owl leaned her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. "Oh and you have to tell me when you've decided." She opened on eye.

"Owl, everyone wants to live. If I didn't I would just let some two bit vampire bite me." Buffy watched her settle down almost pleased to see the injured woman relax.

"You're confusing living with existing Buffy." Owl closed her eye again and shook her head. Buffy sat there for a few minutes, choosing to look at the window until she took a big breath.

"I want to live, I want to see Willow and Tara married, see Dawn grow up." She whispered feeling her body grow heavier.

Painfully shifting up on the bed Owl moved swiftly forward, sliding one hand up Buffy's cheek and boldly pressed her lips to the Slayer's. She kissed her with passion but tenderness for a moment, releasing her just as quickly to drop back on her pillows.

"Good choice." She said smirking closing her eyes and fighting the wave of pain that flooded over her.

"You just..." Buffy sat up her fingertips going to her lips as she tried to consolidate just how there was a shot of pleasure going through her.

"Kissed you, never been kissed by a girl before have you?" Owl kept her eyes closed.

"No." The Slayer was forced to draw in a long breath as she pushed out the word.

"Well looks like I won, good job really I hate laundry." Owl forced her cramping muscles to relax, not wanting to break the strange spell that seemed to hang in the air.

"Our bet, I bet you that if you decided to live life then something would happen to you that has never happened before. You decided, I kissed you, I win." Owl smirked and closed her eyes.

"Ah actually I believe you said it had to happen at least twice." Buffy put forward her eyes glancing down to the SIT's lips.

"No, you're penalty for losing was that you had to repeat it at least twice." Owl smirked behind closed lids.

"I guess I should go find Willow then." Buffy made a calculated guess waiting to see Owl's eyes open.

"I wouldn't, not if Tara is all big magic trained because she'll kick your ass." Slowly Owl opened one eye.

"Guess I'll just have to settle for a repeat." Buffy didn't know what possessed her but before she could stop herself she leaned forward and meshed her lips to Owl's.

Owl had to be honest she had not expected the Slayer to return her kiss. One of the reasons she had done it was because she had wanted to from the moment she had sat on her bike and wrapped her arms around her, and the opportunity to at least kiss her once had been too good to pass up. Especially as being injured already she doubted Buffy would hit her for her boldness.

Owl was even more surprised when instead of pulling back, Buffy pressed harder into the kiss her mouth opening as she moved her lips against the SIT's. Lifting her strangely no longer aching arm, Owl cupped the back of Buffy's head and pressed slightly harder in the kiss herself, trailing her tongue lightly over the Slayer's lips. It only took the briefest contact to make Buffy open her mouth more, urging Owl's tongue to move further.

Owl wasn't about to refuse the invitation as she slid her tongue passed Buffy's lips into the warm mouth beyond, moaning softly as she did so. The Slayer, who was surprised by the noise that came out of her own body, echoed the moan. For a body she knew had been gearing up in its own way for another round of hard, dangerous sex with Spike, now found itself in a soft embrace and engaged in a toe curling kiss.

"Wow." She summed up pulling her head back a little she opened both eyes and looked at Buffy.

"I don't do laundry for just anything." Buffy blinked trying to keep her cool veneer but finding it failing.

"Buffy I think maybe I should explain, oh hell why should we..." Owl pushed back to recapture the Slayer's mouth, this time going into the kiss with an open mouth and an eager tongue.

"Just what I was thinking." Buffy groaned when their hot mouths parted for a moment, a moment she didn't let linger as she sunk into the luscious feeling their kisses brought her and kissed Owl a fourth time.

Ignoring the flares of pain through her body, Owl moved her arms loosely around Buffy gently suggesting to her that they recline. The other woman's body followed her down immediately, settling tentatively as if aware of her aching ribs but still eagerly increasing the contact between them as she caught Owl's tongue in her mouth and sucked on it.

Owl groaned again, the pleasure Buffy created overtaking the pain she was feeling. Buffy knew she didn't know what she was doing, but she didn't imagine that enjoying time with a woman wasn't much different minus the glaring differences.

She leaned her arm up so she could hover, assaulting Owl's mouth with continuous kisses. She was in that vulnerable position, when she heard a hard knock come to the window behind the closed curtains. She pulled back almost panicked, acting like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"Stay there." Buffy rolled expertly off the bed coming down on the other side without a noise, she pulled a stake out from under it and crept her way to the window peeking out. "Spike, what the hell are you doing?" She pulled it back staring at him angrily.

"Heard about the fire at the apartment, was wondering if everyone was okay." The vampire replied his eyes narrowing a little.

"I was almost asleep." Buffy looked back to where Owl was on the covers. "Go home Spike." She reached up to close the window.

"Hey, hey now be friendly slayer." Spike put his hands up to stop the move. "I could come in."

"I'm always busy Spike, the world is attempting to end and I'm trying to stop it." She hissed back at him.

"You're a surprise every time aren't you." Spike heard his voice growl slightly.

"You have no idea what you are talking about." Buffy leaned in growling at him more. "Now go home."

"Who's the lucky SIT eh Buffy?" Spike pushed his hand around the open window as if to push himself in

"You know I can give you what you need now, you don't have to do this." Spike tried to reason with her.

"You can never give me what I need Spike." Buffy shook her head. "It's time for me to start living and you smell like death." She leaned back closing the window on him and locking it.

"Damn you slayer!" He cursed and then could be heard to jumping down to the lawn.

"I'm sorry about that." Buffy lay down on the side away from Owl taking a deep breath.

Buffy pulled the bottom of her robe down to cover her legs even though she still had her pants on.

"I don't want to smell death tonight." Buffy's voice was as fractured as her spirit.

"You've done nothing wrong Buffy." Owl reached out and placed her hand lightly on Buffy's back.

"Didn't I? All those times I didn't send him away." Buffy's body shivered relaxing a bit with the touch.

"Everyone wants to feel something Buffy, everyone." Owl rubbed her hand back and forth slightly.

"What do you do when you want to feel something?" She whispered pulling her arms up to her body.

"Reach out and touch it." Owl replied her voice soft. "Just touch it, hold it." She added turning slightly she laid her arm over Buffy and pressed her head against her back.

Buffy felt the SIT's warm body settle against her, seeping heat through her thin robe into her skin. She felt her body break into a silent sob, not even registering in her own mind that she was crying as slowly her hand moved down and covered the one resting open on her stomach.

Buffy was woken from her comfortable sleep, without registering the warm body next to her she pushed out of bed and down the stairs towards the door that had starting banging and been the reason for an end to her slumber. Retying her robe she looked out the security glass and laughed in disbelief.

"Nice to see you to B." Faith smiled and looked the blonde up and down. "Did I get you out of bed?"

"I was..." Buffy suddenly realized what she was wearing and pulled it tighter. "It is six in the morning Faith."

"Yeah and you'd be up having your Wheaties right about now last I knew you." The dark Slayer nodded.

"Things change." Buffy looked her up and down seeing the classic leather on leather style that the dark Slayer loved.

"Well everything apart from my dress sense it seems." Faith caught on to the other Slayer's evaluation of her. "Hadn't you better hop back to bed before Mr. Right wakes up?" She eyed the stairs behind Buffy.

"For your information I was keeping watch on an injured potential." Buffy sighed and stepped back waving her in. "Join the mayhem devil child." She rolled her eyes at the predicament. After all she needed every fighter she could get and could hardly afford to send Faith away.

"Been called worse things by better." Faith strode in and picked up an apple from the fruit bowl near the door. "So where's the hubbub, I'd heard there was big trouble."

"It's called the First, as in the first evil." Buffy followed it in. "It's trying to end the slayer line. We figured you were safe in prison, oh by the way... why the hell aren't you in prison?" She looked at the dark Slayer.

"Got bored of going down on girls I normally wouldn't look twice at." She gave Buffy a charming smile and bit into the apple.

"You know I almost missed that crude way you have of dragging a conversation down to the lowest possible point." Buffy shook her head and sat down on the couch.

"Hey at least you know it can only go up from here." Faith sat on the arm of a chair. "So again I say where is everyone? I expected at least Red to be up and with the research, not to mention the G-man. Though doesn't she do that shit now that... well you know I heard that the shy blonde got shot." Faith actually winced. "Tough break."

"Actually..." Buffy was forced to laugh. "She didn't get shot, a shadow that the First planted died in her place. She's back in Willow's arms as we speak."

"Wow the LA grapevine screwed that one up." Faith shrugged. "Still doesn't tell me where the love birds are."

"We have a lot of potential slayers here for safety, I've got them split up over three other locations to try and keep some of them alive. Dawn is with Tara and Willow and Giles is with Xander at his place, Anya has some girls at hers. The rest are here." Buffy finally gave her the answers.

"Hmmm okay I'll ask since when has divide and be stronger been a tactic?" Faith frowned.

"Since they are getting killed off more than one a night." Buffy looked away. "Faith, if you're here to help fight this fine I'll bury the hatchet somewhere other than your head but if you're here to cause trouble I will pull up on the blade this time." She looked back her stare hard.

"Easy B easy." Faith frowned and pulled back dropping onto the cushion of her chair. "I'm one of the good guys now, all redeemed and righteous. Well you know trying not to kill the innocent anyway." She gave a usual smoldering smile.

"Then I should tell you all the details." Buffy took a breath and started the long story.

"The girls are getting married, the girls are getting married." Dawn did a little dance across the kitchen singing her little song vaguely to the tune of some old conga like song. Dropping two slices of bread into the toaster she pushed it down and pulled open the fridge.

"The girls are get... Oh hello." She squeaked. "You're not supposed to be up. I'm making engagement breakfast."

"Well you wouldn't, it's a surprise." Dawn replied grinning. "Are you okay?" She added loosing a little of her momentum.

"Neck feels mushy." Willow explained. "Remind me never to let an Uber corner me again."

"Not yet." Willow shook her head. "Want me to help you with it and we can surprise her?"

"I wanted to surprise you both." Dawn grumbled looking at her. "Unless, do you not want a celebratory breakfast?" She softened her disappointment.

Dawn's smile went back to full force as she went back to work on her toast and other breakfast items. Just as Willow left the kitchen the doorbell sounded making her veer away from the bedrooms and to the front of the apartment.

"I'll get it then straight to bed I go." Willow moved to the door to stop Dawn from following. Seeing who was there through the safety glass she opened the door slowly. "Kennedy." She said the SIT's name leaning on the door.

"I… I just wanted to apologize." Kennedy stood where she was and looked uncharacteristically sorry for herself.

"No." Kennedy shook her head. "The witch… I mean Tara, she took care of everything."

"I'm glad you weren't hurt." Willow didn't rise to the way that Kennedy said her lover's name.

"Well, like I said I only came to say sorry and to check that you were okay." Kennedy shifted a little in her place. "And to apologize for being an ass, it's just..."

She took a breath. "You could have told me." She glanced into the apartment. "About Tara."

"Could have told you?" Willow looked at her. "Kennedy she's been back three days, I haven't really had a chance to do much. I'm sorry, I was going to speak to you as soon as I could."

"No, I know I meant more tell me that she was like hello Super Witch." Kennedy shook her head. "I mean there's me with the I can protect her and look after her and then she throws a jeep at an Uber and makes you disappear, makes me fly through the air and then makes a car explode." She coughed lightly. "I mean even as a slayer I couldn't better that."

"What?" Willow looked at her confused. "I thought... she made me disappear? She blew up a car?"

"Awesome." Kennedy nodded. "You really should have told me Will, I'd have been you know, more respectful." She shuffled a little more. "Its just you made her sound you know, kinda, well." She struggled to find a word. "Weak."

"Kennedy, I don't know what went on down there but Tara was never weak, she's not super witch either." The redhead shook her head. "That you ever thought she was weak isn't something I ever told you."

"No you never said it, just you know with all the you were private talk, and everything, I just got the impression she was little miss do not a lot. But hey." Kennedy shook her head. "Respect to her, she totally kicks ass."

"She does." Willow tried to keep her mind on the conversation but she was confused and glanced back down the hallway.

"Well look it's early, I only, well like I said." Kennedy shifted on the spot again and then took a step back. "You should put some rub on your neck."

"I was just going to. I'll see you later okay? Willow nodded and put her hand on the door.

"Yeah, later." Kennedy put her hand up in a still wave before turning and walking to the lift.

Willow found herself moving on automatic as she shut the door and plodded back to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her and moved over to the bed.

"I went to get some heat rub." She moved over and sat down taking her lover's hand.

"Oh sweetie I'm sorry, you should have woke me to get it." Tara frowned holding onto the hand lightly.

"No, its fine." Willow shook her head. "Tara..." She looked at the blonde. "What spells did you do yesterday?" She tried to keep her voice even.

"Spells?" Tara looked away briefly. "Oh nothing really, Kennedy deserves the credit for carrying you away to safety, I was just you know the bait to keep the ugly away from you." She offered trying one of her best innocent shrugs.

"Kennedy just stopped by to apologize." Willow looked at her. "Baby, what spells did you do?" She asked again.

"I..." She stopped. "I did a primal release, to get the Uber to let you go. Then I did a mask to cover you, a levitation to move a car and then a combustion to blow its engine." She relayed the information. "And a shield, for me, so I wasn't turned into Tara toast." She tried a goofy smile.

"All together?" Willow reached up smoothing her thumb over Tara's cheek the smile melting her.

"You didn't just go sightseeing in Florence did you?" Willow checked her brain finally catching up. Tara shook her head slowly. "How powerful?" She brought Tara's hand up and kissed it.

"The people I worked with, oh they were very powerful." Tara nodded her head sounding very much like she had a good two years before she and like she was hiding something

"Tara, you were always powerful but you never used that much power in a year before." Willow tried not to make her words sound accusatory. "I just want to understand."

"I trained." Tara replied softly. "With some witches and warlocks in Italy." The blonde looked down for a moment. "I did a lot of work with them on harnessing and channeling my energy."

"All white magic." Willow checked holding her breath. "Please don't tell me I drove you to the other stuff."

"All magic is benign Will, I know you know that, it's how you use it that changes it." Tara said gently, this time raising her hand to cup Willow's cheek.

"Thank Goddess." Willow moved forward hugging into the blonde's body. "I would never forgive myself if you channeled it to dark."

"I could never do that Willow." Tara cradled the back of her head lightly. "It nearly took everything from me."

"I... I was going to tell you about the magic, the training." Tara pulled back and looked at her lover.

"Oh Tara, I didn't think you weren't." Willow looked into blue eyes. "You've only been back a few days, it's been crazy here. It's still crazy here."

"It is." Tara nodded in agreement, "But it'll calm..." She was about to continue when Dawn pushed the door open.

"The girls are getting married." She sung loudly not actually bothering with a key or a tune now. "I made breakfast."

"Dawnie made breakfast." Willow repeated, almost trying to push down the emotion that she knew must be on their faces with the words.

"Wow." Tara subtly slid her hand down and clasped it tighter around Willow's. "Now I feel all super special."

"What are we having?" Willow pushed up a bit, thankful when Tara wiggled over so they could share more of the bed.

"Toast, and toast, oh and juice." Dawn giggled at her nicely presented but sparse offering.

"I would love some toast." Willow grinned at the teenager being infused with her silliness.

"So…" Dawn took a big breath and beamed. "Have you thought about bridesmaids?"

"I'm not sure." Willow looked at Tara trying not to laugh. "What do you think Tara?"

"Mmmm I'm really not sure, I think didn't we have a list of things that we needed in a bridesmaid, I think anyone we even consider has to fill all of those." Tara winked back.

"Dawn, you know we want you to be in the wedding." Willow laughed with her. "The question is whose side do you want to be on?"

"You do?" Dawn bounced in her place. "Oh, oh." She continued glancing between the two of them. "Hmmm." She frowned Tara laughed softly.

"No, I know, but I want to be on Tara's." She announced bouncing down on the bed and lying over the blonde's legs.

"No but you'll have Buffy and anyway, I'm taller than you and that won't look right." The teenager pointed out seriously to defend her position.

"Dawn, it's fine." Willow leaned over and rubbed her hand over dark hair. "You'll look great on Tara's side."

"I love you guys." Dawn closed her eyes briefly at the touch and wound both arms around Tara's legs through the duvet.

Faith looked around at everyone and flicked to the next page of the book she'd been given. If one thing time had dulled it was her memory of just how numbingly boring a Scooby research meeting could be. This one especially as they had nothing to go on at all.

"So we've got nothing and you want us back in the house?" Kennedy pushed her book back and looked at the Slayer.

"Yeah, unless you want to face another Uber there pop and fresh girl." Faith looked up meeting eyes with the potential. She could smell the adrenaline and aggression on her.

"We've faced them before and it didn't stop one of us being murdered right here in this house." Kennedy bit back. "I don't see what has changed, why we should comeback?"

"Because there are two Slayers now." Faith pushed up. "Gonna make this evil shit think twice."

"Yes well." Giles coughed and looked over to Faith. "As glad as I am that you are here Faith, I do understand Kennedy's worry, a potential was killed in the grounds of the house, lured to her death by the First." He unnecessarily recounted the details.

Owl sat uncomfortably on he couch, doing her best to dumb down the feeling of uselessness inside her.

"You see even the watcher doesn't think we should do it." One of the nameless SIT's spoke up.

"Well I do." Anya piped up. "I think it's a great idea, all of you move back out of my apartment."

"Have we tried to shake and bake one of these Bringers for info?" Faith put forward. "See if this First has a flaw."

"If it was pure evil and didn't have a flaw or a fear why the hell hasn't it just done a full scale attack on you all and wiped you out? Why is it using us like sport game? That's its flaw, it's enjoying this, it isn't eye on the prize, it wants to play this game out step by step." Faith summed it up as she saw it.

"Well we could all kill ourselves that would end its game." A glum suggestion came from a chair.

"Okay everyone time out." Buffy pushed up from her place. "Firstly, we are not going to make the First's job any easier by doing its job for him. Secondly, Faith is right, its time we got proactive rather than just taking this shit and thirdly..." She stopped. "Where is Dawn?" She added frowning and looking around.

"Awhile ago." The redhead glanced at the clock. "Dawnie?" She pushed up off the chair she was sharing with Tara. "Dawnie?" She kept moving and pulled open the kitchen door. The sight of the teenager dancing around the kitchen while she made nachos made her heart start beating again. "Are you okay?"

"Uh-huh, sorry?" She plucked a half-eaten sausage roll out of her mouth. "I was making snacks, what's up?"

"We just were talking and missed you." Willow smiled at her. "I'll tell everyone to expect snacks."

"Sorry was I a long time? Did I miss anything important." Dawn frowned and glanced at the clock. "Have you told every your other news?" She ran forward and stopped Willow leaving.

"Oh goodie I didn't want to have missed it." Dawn released her and clapped. "Should I get champagne?" She glanced at the basement door.

"Dawn, I think maybe we're not going to tell everyone for a bit. Just till we have a First defeat plan." The redhead came into the room away from the door.

"What?" Dawn stopped and frowned. "But, but this will like perk them up. Think of how perky we were with Xander and Anya."

"I know, which is why we told you and Buffy. I don't think the SIT's will care that much." She tried to convince the teenager.

"But Anya and Xander will and Giles. Even Andrew, I mean he's still a bit freaked with her in the room and everything but I think he'd be super happy." The teenager tried to make a case.

"Yes of course, but maybe telling them on their own." Willow helped her put the nachos on a double plate to carry.

"But a party might be what we need, get everyone to calm down a bit." Dawn gave her doe eyes.

"About telling everyone, having an engagement party." Willow informed her trying not so sound against the idea, even though she was.

"I was just trying to say it might not be the right time." Willow broke in to stop her panicking.

"But it is." Dawn interrupted again. "It's a perfect time. Buffy wants us all back in the house, we can even drink because no one would be going anywhere after wards."

"If there's a suitable opportunity we'll tell them how about that?" Tara offered looking at Willow for support.

"So cool." Dawn clapped again and skipped through completely forgetting the food she had prepared.

"Tara, I am so happy that happy as a word is woefully inadequate." Willow moved over and slipped her hands onto the blonde's waist. "I just don't know if flaunting that to everyone is a good idea, not with what we are facing and..." She hesitated. "A part of me is afraid that telling the world will make the world want to hurt us."

"Oh baby." Tara kissed Willow softly just as the door behind them opened again, this time revealing Faith.

"Hey, don't mind me there." The dark slayer smiled and moved by to pick up plates.

"You know when B said she wants us all back at ground zero she sure as hell wasn't taking into consideration the pheromones you two will feed us all with." Faith balanced four plates expertly and picked up a beer with her teeth.

"Tara, this is Faith." Willow rolled her eyes lightly. "Last time you only got to meet her spirit, this is the whole package."

"Worth giving up the stick for Red." She offered Tara her hand, Tara took it and shook it lightly. "All the things she told me about you, they're true." She smiled and was surprised when the blonde didn't look away and smiled back.

"Faith we both know stick is nothing when you have a beautiful woman." Willow gave her a stare.

"Well I don't know, I kinda miss a bit of stick now and again. In prison they don't allow that kind of add on." She winked at the redhead. "Right I think it's time for me to get this food through." She added picking up the plates again.

"You want me to keep everyone out of here for what, an hour or so?" Faith asked from the door.

"I doubt the meeting will go on long enough for that Faith." Tara replied before drawing Willow closer and kissing her deeply only stopping when she her a soft laugh and the door click shut.

"That was very vixen Tara." Willow was left swaging in pleasure when Tara pulled back.

"You couldn't, she was asking to be shut up." Willow laughed and leaned to kiss her again.

The nachos that Dawn had made and Faith had delivered didn't go far in filling the empty stomachs of the gathered and so the two witches had volunteered to go back into the kitchen and make more. The procedure had given them some alone time in the crowded house, and as Willow continued shredding cheese she felt Tara's arms slipped from around her waist ending the nice warm hug she'd been getting.

"Mmm so how much cheese do we need?" She checked as she looked at the small pile in the bowl.

"Mmmm, well the last lot got demolished." Tara smiled softly. "So I'm thinking more than that."

"Okay, just call me the magic cheese grater." Willow began shredding with more vigor.

"S-e-x-y- g-r-a-t-e-r." Tara shimmied back over and slid her hand back around Willow's waist pressing against her lightly.

"Mmmm will get distracted if you do that more." The redhead pushed back into her.

"But you're in meeting mode, I know my Willow she doesn't get distracted in meeting mode." Tara slowed the motion a little.

"Oh I can get distracted, remember all the times at the Magic Box." Willow swayed against her.

"Mmmm remember the Talion demon research?" Tara leaned and hooked her head over Willow's shoulder breathing lightly in her ear.

"I still don't think I know what a Talion demon is." Willow giggled and put down the grater slipping her hands over Tara's.

"Mmmm I think it has a long tail or was it horns?" Tara rubbed her fingertips lightly on Willow's tummy.

"Isn't it slimy?" Willow closed her eyes tipping her head back a bit to rest on Tara's.

"I have no idea." Tara admitted she slid her hands further around and loosened the bottom button on Willow's button down shirt so she could draw her fingers around soft warm skin.

"We're bad." Willow groaned as Tara's fingers did another circle on her stomach.

"Mmmm we might miss this meeting too." Willow groaned lightly. "Because I want to love you right now."

"Well why don't you get that through to them, then come back to get drinks. I'm just going to slip to the washroom, we could meet back in here in five minutes or you could join me upstairs in the bathroom." Tara swirled in the other direction.

"Oh you always think of the little things." Tara wrinkled her nose in a cheeky smile. "Don't be long."

Tara blew the redhead a kiss and then hurried around through the dining room and up the stairs.

She was rather surprised when she went into the Summers' bathroom, it had been painted and themed in soft blue with gentle waves on the tiles and shower curtain.

She eyed the large deep pile blue mats with a smile. At least they would give her some thing rather than the cold flooring to lay on.

"Remember to wash your hands baby girl, and actually use the soap to wash them not to play with the bubbles." A soft feminine voice followed Tara into the bathroom very close behind her.

Tara's head shot up instantly recognizing the voice, but seeing nothing in the large mirror over the sink.

"Mommy?" Tara turned around, her hand wrapped tightly in the small flannel beside the sink.

"Baby girl." The blonde woman was older than Tara her shoulder length hair pulled back from her ears and her bangs perfectly curled on her forehead. She wore a simple but flattering flowered dress that went down to simple white sandals.

"You're in Sunnydale Tara, don't many weird things happen here?" She smiled softly.

"That's because this time is special, I came to talk to you. You have to leave, you have to get away from here and never come back." Her mother warned.

"What?" Tara frowned more. "But mommy, I... Willow...Mommy you know my heart is here."

"Tara, you left her remember? That was the right choice." She gave her a concerned look. "If you're here in Sunnydale only bad things will happen, you'll watch them all die."

"But Momma bad things happened when I left, people I love were hurt." Tara shook her head. "I can't leave them to face that alone."

"Then you're going to die with them." The older woman shook her head sadly. "What was it your father used to say, die like the dogs in the dirt?"

"Why mention him?" Tara's eyes flicked up. "Momma?" She frowned and took a slight step forward.

"I'm mentioning him because he was right baby girl, you're lifestyle is wrong, it's going to kill you." She frowned more. "There is a way you can stop all of this Tara, keep all of them safe, save the world."

"My l-l-lifestyle, what?" Tara's face screwed up more. "You mean I'm going to help the First? If I stay, I'm going to hurt them?" She asked for clarification.

"You will be if you don't do what I tell you, now I know it will hurt Tara, it will break your heart but you have to do what is right." The woman nodded. "Are you listening?"

"That witch, your Willow. You have to bind her magic." Tara's mother moved around standing in front of her a few feet away. "Then you must leave her."

"Bind her?" Tara shook her head. "Mommy I can't do that to Willow, why would I do that to her?"

"So that she can never hurt you again, so that she can't be used by the First." Her mother underlined. "She's dangerous Tara, she's a time bomb."

"But that all happened because I left her." Tara rubbed her hand on her forehead.

"Tara, are you okay?" Buffy questioned suddenly from the bathroom door seeing the small way that Tara was curled up on her perch rubbing her head almost in agony.

Pushing some strength into her trembling legs Tara pushed off the side of the tub, her hand reaching for Buffy's.

"It wasn't your mother." Buffy said firmly pulling her out of the bathroom concerned.

"You didn't tell her did you Slayer?" The first appeared again, this time as Buffy herself in the hallway. "Interesting technique. Though I have to ask when did I lose you're obedience? When I said you had to leave or you had to bind her?" The Buffy copy looked at Tara.

"Or what?" The First challenged her. "I know your little secret, do you think I care if she's in Florence or Sunnydale? You're all going to die."

"Fine, fine, and here I was going to ask if I could have nachos too." The First shrugged and blinked out of existence.

"No, no it didn't." Tara shook her head and rubbed her arm with her hand. "I just feel." She shivered. "My skin is crawling."

"It wants you out of Sunnydale." The Slayer tried to get her mind thinking. "It wants you to bind Willow's magic?"

"Come on lets go tell Giles about this." Buffy urged her to come down the hallway.

"Why don't you have this place shielded?" Tara found her feet moving as she asked the question.

"I would answer that question if I had a clue what you were asking me." Buffy admitted stopping her. "We can shield it out?"

"Yes, if it's an entity, a non-corporeal being." Tara nodded. "We can but a barrier spell up around the house."

"What do you need to do that? We didn't know you could." Buffy almost jumped on her excited for something that they could use.

"We would start with a low level one and build up if it doesn't work." Tara went on. "Well it takes maintenance that is probably why Willow didn't suggest it."

"No maintenance in that." She took a breath and look at Buffy. "A person." She explained badly.

"It's a channeling spell." Tara explained. "It requires energy like a battery." She tried to explain.

"You need a non witchy person to channel it constantly?" Buffy caught on a little.

"Yes, a battery." She nodded. "It's doesn't do them any harm, just makes you kind a tired, oh and means you can't do anything else at the same time."

"Andrew." Buffy said without a thought. "Can you use him for it? He doesn't serve any other purpose."

"Then I'd need a room to centralize the shield, as near to the middle of the house as we can." Tara continued to give details.

"If we can make Andrew comfortable there." Tara nodded. "He wouldn't have to do it all the time, I mean I could take rotational turns with him."

"Tara, I don't care if he's comfortable. All I want is a way to keep that damn First out of this house." Buffy pointed out firmly.

"Okay so that was me being selfish about wanting to be comfortable on my shifts."

"Would the living room be good then? If we move a couch over to the middle wall?" Buffy smiled back seeing what she meant now.

"Perfect." Tara nodded. "I have to get some things from the apartment." She took the stairs carefully.

"Everyone's coming back here, if you can get a block up I want everyone behind it." Buffy assured her feeling like they finally had been given some sort of break.

Buffy wasn't aware that her quick three steps turn three steps turn pattern back and forth through her bedroom would even garner Owl's attention let alone disturb her.

Giles' had managed to convince the SIT to get back to resting and letting her ribs heal after their meeting and she was propped up on the bed now researching to pass the 'boring' time as she called it. The Slayer instead was impatiently waiting for Tara to finish working out what she needed for the barrier spell with Willow so that they could go shopping for ingredients.

"Buffy, please, what's wrong." Owl closed the book she was reading. "With the super witches being all magic downstairs, don't you even get five minutes non pacing?

"I'm trying to work things out." Buffy admitted still on the move. "Figure out why the First would want them gone, why she'd want Willow bound? How she found out Tara is back?" She looked at the SIT. "Now I'm even calling her a she, she's an it, an it."

"Well I'm thinking that the Uber that tried to wipe out Willow must have had some kind of feedback loop thing wouldn't it?" Owl offered her own explanation.

"Great, big bad had telepathic connections." Buffy moved over and plopped down on the bed obviously pissed off by the idea.

"Oh and don't get any big kick ass ideas from Faith, understand? You've got enough gun ho in you without her filling you full of her live wild, die young thing." Buffy turned pointing a finger.

"I was going to ask about her." Owl admitted pausing from reading. "Well more about you and her."

"Old enemies, I put her in a coma." Buffy related but found the words didn't bring her any satisfaction. "She got lost to the dark side, killed some innocent people. It was a bad time."

"But you guys are on the same side, I mean, I heard that stuff about her past but you know she's here and she wouldn't be here if she didn't want to do the right thing, right?" Owl explained her viewpoint.

"No, you're right. Faith wouldn't be here if she didn't think it would one hell of a fight and she wanted a piece of it. She'll help us defeat the First." Buffy nodded. "Its just there's no excuse for what she did but now I'm not sure how much better than her I am."

"Buffy you slept with a vampire who tried to rape you, how does that make you bad?" Owl frowned and put her book down again.

"Because I am." The Slayer didn't really come back with that much strength. "I used to think she was a slut." She admitted. "Okay I still think that but how can I?"

"Okay now wait." Owl shuffled al little in her place. "Including Spike how many people and vampires have you slept with?"

"Okay now I could be wrong but Faith looks like the kind of girl who had that many in a week." Owl didn't pull a punch.

"You know why, because I feel empty inside. How can I not be if slept with Spike just to feel something?" She blinked at the SIT.

"I think slut might sound better than desperate at this point." Buffy laughed sadly at herself.

"I don't know what I'm desperate for." Buffy looked back fidgeting with her sleeve.

"Well whenever you're in the same room with Faith for more than ten minutes I'd wager desperate for a fight." Owl smirked.

"She just..." Buffy gripped her fists. "GRMMMM... she just gets on my one nerve and I want to smack her in the head."

"WHAT?" Buffy turned to her horrified. "Are you feeling okay? I so do not want to kiss Faith."

"Buffy come on." Owl chuckled laughing at the display. "The sexual tension between you is like palpable."

"No, it isn't because there isn't any sexual tension." Buffy shook her head standing up aghast. "Maybe okay just maybe a very long time ago before she became Miss. American Psycho I had slightly confusing thoughts about her but not now, nope completely clear."

"Slightly confusing thoughts?" Owl raised an eyebrow. "Buffy she's hot, there's no getting around it and you were how old? Late teens, we're talking sexual tension level ten."

"Ewww I don't believe we are even discussing this." Buffy moved around sitting on Owl's side of the bed. "The last person on earth I would kiss is Faith. I would never be a notch on her very notchy bedpost."

"Because of what happened, now Faith is here and you're thinking you see all this huge tension. I am so not Faith, I'm not a notch on the bedpost girl." Buffy tried to assure her.

"So we're okay?" The blonde checked her own voice soft, not that if she was honest she was quite sure what she was checking on.

"What are you asking Buffy?" Owl frowned again. "Of course we're okay, you're the Slayer, I'm a SIT, I know my place, we're good."

"Great, and please remember your place is in bed healing." Buffy pushed up to stand smoothing out her shirt. "I'm going to go see about magic shopping."

"Like I can forget that." Owl leaned into the pillows wincing at the pain in her side.

"So her ribs are healing, I'm sure it was some sorta First thing with the car veering, you know, way too convenient." Buffy felt herself babbling a little as they walked down the dark alleyway. "Are you sure that there is a shop down here?"

"Positive." Tara nodded. "It's n-n-not like the magic shop though." She pointed out.

"Well I think everyone is starting to head out of town slowly, it's unlikely anyone reputable or who can go out during the day is left." Buffy admitted as she sidestepped some garbage that had spilled out of an overturned dumpster.

"Let's just get what you need, any extra's you think that'll come in handy and get you home to Willow okay?" Buffy stopped in front of a dark door that had a long reddish stain on it. "I'm assuming creepy door number one?"

"Yes, you'd better stay out here." Tara pointed out putting her hand up to the rusted handle.

"Um no." Buffy put her hand out. "I'm not letting you go into creepy door by yourself." She shook her head.

"Buffy please." Tara glanced at her. "This really isn't your average Sunnydale high street store."

The blonde witch raised her hand and gave a series of three short knocks on the stained wood.

"Enter witch, leave the half breed human outside" A gravely voice called through when a small peephole opened.

"I'm sorry Buffy." Tara glanced at the Slayer. "I really have to do this alone." She glanced back at the door and said something to the person behind it in Italian.

"Okay so I'm right there." Buffy pointed to the wall on the other side a few feet away. "You need me you yell." She admitted defeated.

Tara turned back with a small breath, pushing open the ajar door to reveal a dark shadowed hall beyond.

"If I'm longer than fifteen minutes then you can worry." Tara smiled as she eased into the inky blackness.

"How is Marveni?" The gravely voice questioned as Tara emerged into a dimly lit room filled with rows of dusty shelves.

"I shouldn't keep you with pleasantries you're half breed is agitated." A hooded figure stepped out from amongst the selves. "If she's not careful she will get the death she think she deserves."

"As we all will if she is not served and supported as she should be." Tara nodded not rising to the verbal attack.

"How might I serve?" The hood was pulled back to reveal a withered gnarled woman's face.

"I prepared a list." Tara slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled it out offering it to the other woman.

"As always efficient." The aged face managed a slight smiled before it looked over it. "You have big plans."

"There are big times ahead." Tara nodded watching as the other witch collected a basket from an overcrowded desk and began to fill it with ingredients. "Marveni asked me to make a plea to you to leave this place."

"Her pleas are heard." The hag nodded. "But you needed assistance, if I may add a few things you might need when I leave this place."

"She told me of your gift to see that which is to come." Tara glanced down. "And of your wisdom and courage."

"I wish this I could see young one, but there is much undetermined." She handed Tara the first basket and started on another. "Do not doubt you have a chance." She whispered passing by behind Tara in another lane.

"I shall try not to." Tara nodded. "Wistarnia." She turned and looked at the figure almost reverently whispering her name.

"Anything I can offer." The hag walked closer to her handing her the heavy second basket.

"Ah little one." The hag shook her head sadly and moved back to her desk picking up a small black box. "You do not trust enough in your heart." She moved back holding it out. "If you do not trust you will not prevail."

"I try and trust." Tara whispered. "But, I have proof that both my heart and the love of my heart have their weaknesses."

"Then with my blessings I have made you these." She nodded to the box she held out.

"Be warned, you are not weak and if you use them or use them on your love, they will burn into place, it is the only way they will work." The hag nodded to her knowledge. "And they will never move again."

"I cannot tell you what you or she will do, but I beg you heed my warning." She urged her to take the box.

Tara had tucked the small box into the inside pocket of her jacket and man handled the two baskets down the dark narrow hallway to the large heavy door that lead outside. Putting the baskets down she pulled it open.

"Sorry, we got chatting." Tara apologized and happily handed over one of the baskets.

"Did you get everything you needed?" Buffy questioned taking the heavy basket without noticing the weight.

"Yes." Tara nodded as they began their walk. "I'm taking it that was nice and quiet out here."

"Any hints on how to beat the First?" Buffy questioned knowing more than likely there would be no easy answer.

"Insightful, not the answer to all our problems." Tara gave the Slayer a soft, very Tara smile.

"You want a coffee?" Tara glanced at the closed Expresso bar. "Or not." She added with a sigh. "Looks like we really are living in a ghost town."

"Yeah, a mass exodus has occurred." Buffy looked over at the deserted buildings. "We could go in and make our own, I don't think anyone would mind if we clean up."

"Or would you rather get back to the house, I know that you don't exactly." She took a breath trying to weight out her words. "Trust Faith."

"No it's okay, she's not the only one there. Willow and Giles will keep everyone in line and Owl has a good head on her shoulders. She'll point out they're being stupid." Buffy explained moving over to yank the door and found it was actually not locked.

"Apart from the fact that she's confined to bed or have you relaxed that rule in the last hour?" Tara arched an eyebrow.

"Oh course not, her ribs need to heal." Buffy moved in flicking on the lights and moving back towards the counter.

"Seems to be." Buffy shrugged pouring water into one of the pots and with a quick inspection clicked on the coffee maker after filling it with freshly opened coffee grounds. "She's been through a lot."

"The First murdered her lover, who was her Watcher." Buffy filled in quietly. "Shanti." She gave the name softly.

"Don't, Giles was the one who really put his British sized twelve in his mouth."

"He's still not very…" She thought of the scene at the Watcher's house when Willow had announced they were going out. "Up to date is he." She smiled more.

"Well I think he's move into the twentieth century, two bad we're in the twenty first." The Slayer laughed.

"How am I?" Buffy looked at her not sure where the question had come from. "In need of a good cup of coffee." She sniffed as the hot water started to strain down filling the room with a more familiar smell.

"I talked a little to Willow, about last year, about after I'd gone." Tara glanced over at the blonde.

"Oh that." Buffy turned to the fridge. "I think this is still good, do you want milk or cream?" She looked at the labels.

"Tara, whatever Willow told you about its over and done." Buffy turned back with a small container of milk.

"Over." Buffy couldn't contain the small shiver that went through her back. "So last year."

"That's good." Tara nodded. "Willow hinted that, that he hurt you." She explained her judgment. "And how are you feeling, inside and I don't mean about the First and all that's going on."

"Tara, you couldn't have stopped what he did, I barely did." The Slayer tried to explain. "It's not your fault, trust me I would rather have you here now then here then."

"Thank you." Tara said softly and honestly. "You haven't answered my how are you now question."

"I'm focused on killing the First." Buffy answered honestly. "There's not room for anything else."

"There has to be Buffy." Tara found herself frowning. "You have to have something."

"There can't be, we've got a bus load of new SIT's due in. The First is threatening you and Willow directly. I have to make this all stop, that's the only thing I can focus on." Buffy disagreed firmly.

"But you're not in it alone." Tara pointed out. "We're with you, beside you, I'm sure that you could find security and comfort within that."

"I do." Buffy looked at her and nodded slightly. "It's just we both know when it comes to the shove Tara I'm going to have to make the hard decisions."

"Because I'm the Slayer, I'm the one everyone looks to. I'm the one who has to decide." Buffy rinsed out their cups.

"Yes but we both know she can't organize anything other than a kegger." Buffy challenged back.

"How do we?" Tara shook her head. "She's older, wiser and smarter than she used to be Buffy. Prison has to have taught her things."

"Apparently how to give better oral sex." Buffy huffed putting sugar into both their coffees and t comment made the tips of Tara's cheeks tinged pink.

"Well I..." Tara blushed harder. "I just meant you know Faith being a Slayer, Owl being a potential, them both enjoying girl on g..." She stopped far too embarrassed to continue.

"Piper would not sleep with Faith." Buffy stirred the coffee with a stronger force.

"Owl, her real name is Piper." Buffy explained stopping and moving the cup and saucer forward for Tara.

"Oh I see." Tara leaned back a little nursing her coffee. "Pretty." She assessed the soft name.

"The two of them seem oddly similar in some ways." Tara noted blowing over the top of her hot drink.

"In what ways?" Buffy moved around with her coffee sitting on the stool next to Tara.

"You don't have the same kind of…" Tara paused. "For want of a better word, butch streak."

"It's nice to have a mix of both." Tara laughed softly. "So you and Piper, have you…" She took a sip of coffee. "Talked much?"

"A lot more." Buffy admitted. "She's mobile and has been in her fair share of fights. She's more like a mini Slayer than an SIT."

"It's nice that someone sees that I'm not some scary mythical creature." Buffy reached to top up her coffee then topped up Tara's.

"Thank you." Tara nodded in appreciation. "Buffy I have to ask you something." She glanced down.

"You and Owl... Piper, are ... is there..." Tara shook her head. "Oh ignore me, I think I am back, engaged and endorphin happy."

"Wait, are you asking me if there is something going on between Piper and me?" Buffy's eyes went wide.

"No, no. Why would you ask me that?" The Slayer waited impatiently for an answer.

"Just there's something about you two, the way she looks at you, the way you focus on her during a conversation." Tara offered the brief reasoning.

"Yes, you look at her, just quickly trying to find out her reaction to suggestions before gaining other peoples." Tara nodded. "Almost like I am sure I used to with Willow, only not so intense."

"She has, and she's very..." Tara paused not sure what word to use. "Attractive."

"Who wouldn't be when they're tall, have great hair and the face of a super model?' Buffy shrugged off the appraisal as she drank her coffee and was surprised when Tara snorted into her cup. "What?" Buffy looked at her concerned after the noise.

"Oh nothing, it's just you sounded like Willow describing someone she's trying not to stare at." Tara explained with a shrug.

"But Willow has that whole girl loving appreciation thing." Buffy countered with a light laugh. "Though I haven't seen her eyes go off you since you've come back."

"Oh no they have, once to check out Owl, and once to check out Faith." Tara laughed gently.

"Anyway Buffy what I was pointing out was that wasn't a very heterosexual description of another woman." The blonde witch tried to draw back to her original conversation and not get sidetracked by talk of Willow.

"Tall, great hair and the face of a super model?" Tara repeated the evaluation. "Wouldn't the usual be 'God I hate it, her hair is too perfect, and why was anyone born looking that pretty?'."

"Okay, so she kissed me." Buffy suddenly blurted out chugging her coffee. "Do you want something flavored?" She pushed up moving around the counter.

"She kissed you?" Tara's blue eyes shot up from examining the contents of her coffee cup as she repeated the words in a whisper. "When?"

"Oh." Tara nodded trying not to let her reaction go to any extreme when she saw Buffy's concern. "Why?" She asked gently.

"I don't know." Buffy shook her head sadly. "She just... She just knows how to get in my head."

"Yes, yes okay I find her attractive." Buffy answered her voice agitated. "But before you ask me I have no idea what that means."

"It's not a trick question Buffy and as for what it means, it means just that you find her attractive, its no different that looking at a boy and thinking, mmm yes I'd like to find out how he can move me." Tara replied gently.

"It's confusing because of Spike." The Slayer breathed out putting on a second pot of coffee.

"You love Spike?" Tara was shocked an emotion that clearly showed itself on her face.

"No! No." Buffy looked up shaking her head firmly. "He..." She looked down again.

"He tried... before he got his soul... he tried too..." The Slayer looked up her words broken as she tried to get them out. "Force me." She managed the words looking into blue eyes long enough to manage the two words before she turned to the sink.

"Oh Buffy." Tara frowned even more. "I... I didn't know." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. Goddess that's a stupid thing to say." She brushed her hair back behind her ear.

"It's fine, there's no way you would. Willow doesn't know." Buffy assured her turning on the water to wash out her cup. "Willow... you can't tell her." She turned back shaking her head as the fact dawned on her.

"It wasn't important anyway, I'm the Slayer." Buffy moved to watch the coffee drip out of the other machine.

"Buffy please, not with me." Tara shook her head. "You know I don't think in terms of labels or titles. What happened with Spike does it make you afraid of Piper?"

"Oh Piper?" Buffy shook her head. "She'd never do that, to anyone." She answered confidently. "It makes me more worried I'm going to hurt her, use her."

"Does Piper know what happened with Spike, all of it?" She checked and she couldn't say she was surprised when Buffy nodded. If the Slayer felt that Piper was able to get into her head then Tara was sure that Spike would have been one of the first things to shake out into the open. "Then I think that she understands you fears doesn't she?"

"Her lover was just murdered I'm not sure she knows up from down right now." The Slayer admitted.

"Which puts her in a vulnerable place Buffy but not necessarily one that needs isolation. People need different things in life." She continued. "I'm not sure Piper strikes me as someone who lists personal detachment as one of those things."

"I don't even know if she thinks I'm attractive or if she's just trying to shore me up to get the First killed." Buffy shrugged.

"You think her kissing you was just a way to get you to focus?" Tara shook her head even as she asked the question.

"No… maybe... I don't know why she did it other than she wanted me to feel alive." Buffy pulled out a box of cookies.

"Ohhh means." Tara shifted a little. "I think you can guarantee that she thinks you're attractive."

"Depends what you want." Tara replied honestly. "I could be wrong Buffy and I mean completely wrong because I'm not, I'm not like this, but a lot of people don't have an issue or a second thought about meeting someone thinking 'wow' and then enjoying each other." She phrased cautiously.

"I'm not sure what that is anymore." The Slayer shook her head finally pouring out the new batch of coffee.

"Then perhaps you should take her up on her all be it subtle offer." Tara suggested.

"No Buffy, I mean live." Tara shook her head and clarified softly. She just knew the Slayer was the one who would have an enormous problem with labeling herself that.

"We'll see." Buffy answered not committed to the idea. "We should take these to go, it's starting to get dark."

"You're right." Tara looked out at the darkening sky. "Buffy, what ever you decide, all you need to remember is to check yourself. Check and ask am I hurting, is Piper hurting, and does it feel good?"

"Thanks, I really appreciate you talking to me about this." Buffy put the lids on cups though her voice was a little stiff.

"Apparently one thing the First got right was my shades ability to listen." Tara sighed at how sadly ironic it was.

"Buffy no, if you'd have known then the First would just have found another way." Tara took it. "Another way to hurt you."

"The First is so in trouble now." Buffy laughed picking up the basket by her stool. "One pissed off Tara Maclay is something it didn't count on."

"Let's get these back to the house." Tara smiled and then reached out and put her hand on Buffy's hand. "It's good to be home." She whispered.

Buffy led in everyone from the beleaguered group, watching as on automatic they went to tend to each other's injuries and relive their patrol experience. They'd bagged three vamps and had to fend off a half dozen Bringers but at least no one was lost this time. She tried to comfort herself with that fact.

"Andrew don't even start." She walked past the young man who was sitting pouting on the couch. It was obvious that Tara and Willow had completed the house shield.

"You can move Andrew just not off the couch other than the bathroom." She rolled her eyes. "They didn't tell you that you had to stay in one position."

"In fact you were told that moving was fine as long as you didn't spend more than thirty minutes out of the contact zone." Tara clarified as she brought in a tall glass filled with blue drink and ice she handed it to Andrew.

"The battery is being a pain." Anya stalked through staring at him as she thumped down a freshly toasted bagel.

"I'm going to grab a shower then before the potentials make me line up." She moved to the stairs. She was very relieved when no one interrupted her and she pressed upstairs heading to her room. "It's late you should be asleep." She commented softly when she saw that Owl wasn't.

"Everyone's fine, three vamps and a six Bringers less in the world." Buffy filled in for her.

"I was going to take a shower, I got graveyard smell." Buffy nodded that she had figured that. "Do you need anything?"

"Maybe to move out." Owl frowned but then shook her head. "No, go have your shower."

"He's been up here three times Buffy." Owl growled slightly. "Dropping off your laundry, bringing up pills in case you need them in the night if you get hurt in patrol."

"If he comes up again I'll tell him to stop bothering you. This is your room now." Buffy spelled out.

"No it's not, it's your room." The SIT replied. "The third visit was to remind me of that, he's set a cot up for me in the basement for when I'm feeling better."

"Owl, Spike doesn't make my decisions for me." Buffy shook her head. "You're here. There's not room for anyone else in the basement and I want you up here."

"Do you want to go to the basement?" Buffy asked her becoming confused by the conversation.

"How could I get to kiss you again if I did that?" Owl replied quickly looking up into the Slayer's eyes.

"You want that?" Buffy felt her body instantly go flush and her heart race a little.

Again Buffy surprised herself when she pushed forward and a little more forcefully then she intended to kissed the potential. Kissing her back for a long moment Owl pulled back and ran her hand over Buffy's hair.

"Easy, I'm right here." She whispered kissing her again this time a little gentler.

"Don't be sorry." Piper shook her head while kissing the blonde's lips over and over softly getting her to relax. Buffy kissed her back each time. "I was worried you were avoiding me." She pulled back further for a moment and held her hand on Buffy's cheek."

"I wasn't, there was just stuff to do." Buffy tried to make her understand. "Willow and Tara have erected a shield so the First can't come in the house anymore. We had to get ingredients and then there was patrol with some of the others."

"Wow, one for the mega witches." Owl smiled and stroked the skin behind the Slayer's ear over and over with the fingertip.

"How are your ribs?" Buffy checked her voice low as her eyes dipped closed from the touch.

"Better, only hurts in certain places now." Owl replied swirling her fingertip in a smooth circle

"How does that feel?" Piper asked softly letting her fingers play lightly in a more erratic movement.

"Mmmm makes me realize what a long day it's been because I can feel so much tension relaxing." The Slayer admitted.

"Lay down." Owl shifted the books on the bed bedside her off and dropped them down to the floor. Obediently Buffy slid down onto the bed on her side facing the potential. "On your stomach." Piper instructed gently.

"Do both?" Buffy put her hands up under her head turning her head to look at the potential.

Piper stretched her fingers and leaned over the Slayer slightly drawing two fingertips up and around the back of both of Buffy's ears.

"Ohhhhh." Buffy let out a long sigh at the relaxing motion as she put her head in a more central position.

"Mmmm you're good at that." Buffy admitted her eyes closing as her shoulder's relaxed.

"I should be, I got enough practice." Owl replied as she followed the muscles around down the Slayer's neck.

"Good for any of the house who've got muscle aches and pains wouldn't you say?" Piper went back up to caressing behind Buffy's ears.

"Your personal masseur huh." Owl slid her whole hands down to Buffy's shoulders lightly drawing them over her shirt.

"What?" The Slayer's eyes popped open and she pushed up confused before it settled down to understanding. "Yes, right..." She locked her jaw and swung off the bed.

"I won't be too long." Buffy stopped turning back before her face relaxed a bit.

Spike made his way up the stairs to the main level and pushed down the hall, he stalled at the front door and then turned up the main stairs.

"Go back down into the basement or better yet go out and do a quick tour of the grounds and the block." Tara suggested the alternative.

"I meant more what are you doing to do when I don't jump at your little instruction?" Spike came down a few steps to the doorway where he faced off with her.

"Well that depends on what you want me to do Spike?" The blonde challenged didn't waiver.

"I want you to mind your own business." He winked at her and turned back to the stairs.

"Transa farata." Tara whispered waving her hand and the vampire disappeared to reappear outside the front window.

"Nice trick witch." He banged on the window with his fist. He moved around and tried the front door only to find he couldn't open it. "Fine have it your way for now, we'll see how she likes you abusing our powers." He stomped down the front walk.

"Tara, is everything okay?" Willow came out of the kitchen carrying some popcorn.

*If you try and rape someone you love, I don't want to know what you do to someone you dislike.* Tara blinked not meaning to ignore Willow as the vampire turned on his heel and stalking off.

"Are you okay?" Willow asked again. "I heard a bang and you seemed distracted." She looked to where Andrew was curled up sucking his thumb. "Is he bothering you?"

"No, it was... I had a moment with Spike." She replied. "I had to... I transported him outside."

"I don't know why he can't just let it go and leave her alone." Willow snuggled in next to her.

"Maybe if we underline it enough for him, he'll understand." Tara, oddly for her, suggested direct intervention.

"You don't like him do you?" Willow turned questioning her. "Not even with his new soul?"

"I just don't like how he treats Buffy." Tara clarified her reasons a little, but knew she couldn't tell Willow the complete one.

"If Buffy wasn't the Slayer I'd worry about her more, but she can kick his butt if she needs too." Willow underlined faithfully.

"If anyone can help it's me and you working together." Willow leaned up and kissed her.

"Yes." Tara leaned in for her kiss. Willow kissed her harder, hoping for a moment everyone would stay out of the living room. "Mmmm do you want to take this up to our room?" Tara purred softly.

"Oh yes, very sure." Willow nodded. "It's been hours since we..." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"I think he's asleep yes?" Tara checked glancing at Andrew as she stopped on the stairs.

Buffy slowly pushed out of the steamy bathroom securing the knotted towel around her body as she did. After all there were supposed to have one other potential on the floor in her with them and she wasn't sure if she'd come up yet.

"Hey there." Owl greeted softly as the door opened, revealing a low-lit room heavy with the smell of incense and warm from the myriad of candles that burnt on the windowsill.

"Come lay down." Piper was stood at the side of the bed, the bedclothes tied in a knotted pile on the floor beside the window.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Buffy questioned even as her feet moved her over and she lay on the bed.

"I can give massages in my sleep." Owl nodded coming happily up along side the Slayer and resting her butt lightly on the edge of the bed. She gently gathered wet blonde hair out of the way. Buffy relaxed against the mattress. "So now you need to close your eyes and relax." Piper smoothed her hands over soft still damp shoulders.

"How was patrol?" Piper asked as she lightly pressed her hands over lines of muscles testing their tension.

"Quiet, the town is almost deserted." The Slayer's voice was warmer as she relaxed.

"But the Bringers still managed to make it a party eh?" Owl said as she actually put a little pressure into her movements.

"They just keep coming." Buffy groaned both as a knot release in her shoulder and the frustration of the Bringers.

"Yeah but you'll beat this thing, we'll beat this thing and then you won't have to face another one." Owl worked carefully on the muscle.

"There is nothing I want more than to just be able to lay back and relax without any big bads or worries." Buffy shifted a bit, the towel loosening around her.

"I bet." Owl nodded using the new looseness to move further down the Slayer's back. "So can I come out with you tomorrow?"

"What am I going to have to do to prove that one?" Owl drew her hands up and down the Slayer's spine.

"Not wince when you move or groan all the time." Buffy teased. "You couldn't roll over last night without making that pathetic noise."

"No, not too noisy, I just know you're in pain." Buffy opened one eye. "And you're not patrolling until your healthy or we're absolutely desperate."

"Thanks so I'm too noisy and to be brought out when you're desperate. I think it's a good job I don't have confidence issues." Owl laughed.

"Owl, that's not what I meant." Buffy pushed up to look at her. "We're not risking you on some stupid Bringers on a Wednesday night."

"But if I was decent at what I trained, then it wouldn't be much of a risk." Owl countered.

"You are decent, you're a great fighter who got hit by a car." Buffy pointed out. "You deserve a few days off."

"Now I should be horrified." Buffy put her head back down. "Here I am half naked and you're saying you're unlucky."

"Oh no, God no, hugely lucky. I just didn't want to draw attention to it in case you'd forgotten that it was me." She chuckled stroking softly over her back.

"Mmmm." Buffy's body moved under the kiss slightly as through the relaxation of the massage a shudder of pleasure ran through her.

"Just so you know, I don't do that in most massages." Owl whispered massaging again.

"Mmmm lucky me." Buffy pushed her legs more apart the towel falling off her back.

"Buffy." Owl pulled back a little. "Stop me any time, I don't want to do anything you don't want me to."

"You're really, really good at that." Buffy whispered her voice thick and obviously at ease.

"Thank you." Owl smiled. "Buffy." She dropped her voice a notch. "Would it be okay if I got on the bed? To get the best position for this I really need to be astride you."

Very gently Owl eased up on the bed and eased one of her legs over Buffy's legs to settle back on her calves. Buffy realized she was almost impatient for her to settle and continue touching her. Happy with her place Owl reached up and slid her hands up Buffy's spine and over her shoulders.

"I wouldn't say that, I have trained hands." Piper ran them up and down and over Buffy's shoulders.

"You trained in massage?" Buffy checked only vaguely concentrating on anything other than the relaxing strokes.

"Mmmm I'm happier with it already." Buffy shifted and rested her other cheek on the bed.

"Good." Owl shifted from it to run over Buffy's whole back again. "You have beautiful skin."

"My pleasure, it's really soft, hardly scarred." Owl worked back up to the trouble spot.

"I try to take good care of it to keep the scars down." Buffy admitted. "Vain I know."

"Not vain, feminine." Owl shook her head and changed her massage to light gentle strokes.

"Just because I'm the Slayer doesn't mean I shouldn't stay feminine." Buffy agreed her body arching lightly with the pleasant strokes.

"Oh no, I agree." Piper smiled more even though Buffy couldn't see. "Though with all these curves in just the right places, you'll always be feminine." She let her hand wander over Buffy's hip.

"You should." Owl encouraged. "You are beautiful Buffy." She added in a whisper.

"Well you haven't during the massage," Piper pointed out softly leaning down and placing a soft kiss on each of the Slayer's shoulder blades.

"What ever you want, what ever you need Buffy, you can always ask anything of me." Piper whispered as she kissed the base of her neck.

"But it has to be what you want too." Buffy didn't miss the noise from the back of her throat that the kisses caused.

"I think we can guarantee that and anyway I would say if it weren't." Piper replied moving her kisses to behind Buffy's ear.

"Then don't stop." Buffy whispered her hand coming up to thread her fingers into soft brown hair.

"Okay, I won't." Owl promised moving the kisses around Buffy's left side then crossing to her right. Buffy let her fingers slip away as Owl moved. "Buffy I don't want to rush you, and I want to do everything with clear and direct permission, but I'd love you to turn over."

"Okay." The Slayer nodded. She waited until Owl lifted up some of her weight and putting one hand down to keep the towel over her breasts she turned over.

"Hi." She replied softly reaching down a fingertip to flick away some of the Slayer's hair off her face. "You're beautiful." She whispered again, leaning down to lightly kiss her forehead.

"You have a great learning curve." Piper smiled. "To add to the list of all your other great curves."

"You have to when you're in my line of work." Buffy smiled as the other woman's eyes drifted over her. Putting her fingers lightly on Buffy's temple the potential began a head massage. "You just... umm… discovered the Summers' girls Achilles heel." Buffy's eyes closed and her lips parted slightly.

"Enjoy." Owl whispered. "Here let me get off you." She added slipping off from over Buffy's body resting on the bed beside her.

"You were fine." Buffy objected lightly though her focus was on the rubbing over her temples.

"This way you don't have any pressure on your body, it's all just about relaxation." Owl explained her fingers never stopping.

"Good, it's nice to know though slightly car spoiled I have my old touch." Owl gave a quirky smile.

"Good, I want you to feel good." Owl stroked over and over Buffy's forehead and temple.

"Mmm so good its like I could just fall asleep." She admitted then opened her eyes completely. "I mean not that you're boring or that I want too..." She panicked thinking she'd said the wrong thing.

"Buffy, shush." Piper leaned in placed a kiss on the Slayer's lips. "Sleep if you want to sleep."

"I don't want to sleep." Buffy looked up into the potential's eyes. For a moment Tara's words came back to her and she ran through the short checklist. This wasn't hurting her, she felt warm and relaxed and beautiful. "Piper, is this hurting you?" She asked very softly.

"That's up to you Buffy." Owl stated simply. "If you want nothing more, and to just give in and sleep, that's fine." She drew her fingers around across Buffy's collarbone slowly.

"I don't think I do." Buffy shook her head. "I think I want..." She leaned up and kissed Piper. "To see the rest of your massage." She looked her straight in the eye.

"This doesn't tie you to anything Buffy." Owl pressed back into a deeper kiss after her words. "Even if we spend the whole night enjoying each other, it doesn't have to be more than that." She pulled back again. "But if you're sure." She moved her hand to play with the towel. "Then this needs to go."

"Just promise me that this won't hurt you, just enjoying tonight won't hurt you?" Buffy put her hand over Piper's.

"Then we don't need the towel." Buffy used both their hands to pull it off her body and toss it away.

"God, you're hot." Piper breathed out, letting her eyes linger on the Slayer's body. Buffy felt her stomach shiver as the words spun down, forming a hot pool between her legs.

"Nah right now I'm a bruised car wreck." Owl laughed. "Hence the still fully clothed."

"I was going to point out your way overdressed." Buffy reached up toying with the collar on her shirt.

"Well beneath this are bandages which are sexier." Owl chuckled and without a care reached up easing her shirt off to reveal the slightly lesser strapping around her torso, now under her breasts.

"But... oh my." Buffy's eyes strayed down to see Piper's full breasts and it made her stop all thoughts.

"My legs look better though see." Owl pulled back and pushed her red plaid pants down off her hips in a gentle motion.

"Piper, God you're beautiful." Buffy couldn't take her eyes off the potential's body.

"In that very fashionable blue and purple blotched way." She poked at a bruise on her leg.

"I'm used to bruises, they are signs of truth." Buffy reached and ran her hand softly over it. "They are signs of courage."

"Good." Piper pressed close into the kiss, her hand sliding over to rest on her side, just at her waist.

The Slayer was with the kiss wholeheartedly as she felt the warm strong hand on her skin and she wound her arms around Piper's body pulling her closer. Piper slid her leg up without encouragement to guide over Buffy's calf, rhythmically sliding up and down as she explored the Slayer's lips with her own. Before introducing her tongue into the sweet caress, her hand ran up the side of Buffy's body and then downward over her hip.

A momentary mental check confirmed to Buffy this didn't hurt, it wasn't rushed and the body against her was warm and attentive rather than trying to rip pleasure out of her. She pressed her leg between Owl's as she brought her hand around cupping it around a hot breast.

"Yes Buffy, mmmmm yes." Owl encouraged her in a low moan before pressing her tongue deep into the other woman's mouth, her hand sliding around to cup the Slayer's butt cheek.

Buffy felt her lips opening to the questing muscle as she kneaded the flesh she held, finding it too much for her small hands she pressed side to side, bringing her thumb to caress over a hard nipple.

"Mmmmmmhhmmmm." Owl encouraged with a moan and a nodded, reluctant to answer her verbally as she was happily exploring the Slayer's mouth.

Buffy didn't bother with words either as she pressed her tongue back against Owl's chasing her into the potential's mouth as she pulled and pressed more on her breast enjoying every hot moan it caused. Piper let Buffy's tongue slide into her mouth sucking on it lightly to welcome her. Sliding her hands off the Slayer's ass she drew them up her spine, all the while arching her back, pressing her breast to Buffy's hands.

On the prompting Buffy brought her other hand up between them, lavishing equal attention on both of the potential's breasts while her hips pressed to Owl's over and over.

"God you're so hot." Pulling her head back breaking the kiss Piper looked at Buffy.

"Good." Owl smiled and moved her hand to run over the back of Buffy's head. "Why don't you taste them?" She asked arching her back slightly more.

Buffy licked her lips for a moment before she took the slight prompting and lowered her head, she flicked out her tongue first feeling how Owl arched harder to her before she closed her lips and sucked hard.

"Ohhh yes." For a moment Owl went to tighten her hand at the back of Buffy's head, but not wanting her to feel in any way restrained or forced she drew it lower and massaged her shoulder lightly. "Feel how they like that, how I like that."

"Slide over onto me Buffy." Owl encouraged drawing her hand lightly up and down the top of her spine.

Buffy followed her easily, landing with her hips straddling low to avoid the potential's ribs, her hands braced into the bed as she dug forward to suck more of the potential's breast into her mouth.

"Look at you." Owl breathed. "God you're amazing." She felt her nipple straining to be touched by the Slayer's exploring tongue or lips

"I'm winging it." Buffy grinned as she pulled back licking her wet lips. She ground her hips down.

"Well I'm more wringing it, as in you have me soaking Buffy." Owl panted slightly. "Between my legs is a pool of pure desire."

"Because of me?" Buffy looked at her blinking rather innocently as the comment made her grind her own hips down harder, she knew that between her legs was exactly what Owl was describing.

"You and only you. Give me your hand." She offered softly and wasn't surprised when Buffy did it immediately. "Feel." Owl breathed letting the tension fall out of her lower body so that she could slide Buffy's hand with her own over the top of it down between her legs. Putting light pressure on Buffy's middle finger she eased it between her hot swollen aroused lips into the pool beyond.

"Oh my God." Buffy's eyes went wide and she fought back a groan when she slipped into the potential's body feeling the molten liquid wet pooling there.

"I never knew that..." Buffy moved her finger up and down without prompting. "I could do this."

"Well you can." Owl nodded. "You so can." She breathed a little faster, moving her hips more. "I'd love it if you did it more." She admitted. "Because this feels so good."

"It feels good?" Buffy questioned as she slipped another finger in drawing them back and forth over the potential's center spreading the wetness over her own skin.

"More than good." Piper groaned. "It makes me throb inside, and fill with passion."

"If you feel deeper you'll see how I want you deeper. How ready and wet you've made me, so that I can embrace your fingers." The potential described.

"No, I just love this feeling, this is being alive, this is living, to feel this, to make someone else feel this." Piper explained groaning again.

Buffy groaned as she did finally moved lower, unable to believe how easily her fingers were almost dragged in past wet inner lips and engulfed by the potential's hot inner muscles.

"Oh God this is alive." Buffy whispered in shock as Owl gasped in pure pleasure as she pushed against Buffy's penetrating fingers. She felt the flexing and jumping around her fingers and pulled out before she pressed back in starting a fast rhythm.

"Oh Buffy God." Owl tipped her head back not expecting Buffy's take charge and keen instinct for how to turn her into mush in seconds.

"Yes." Buffy shifted her body back so she was over one leg so that she could have more thrust, she pressed in harder against each arch of Owl's body.

"Here." Owl panted using strength from somewhere she braced the leg Buffy straddled up a little so that the Slayer's movement rubbed her center over her tensed thigh. "Now do what feels good." She let her head loll back her neck relaxing as her inner muscles worked locking and releasing Buffy's fingers.

"That does feel good." Buffy found the new friction itching the ache she felt between her legs. She worked her hips in time with her hand as she pressed and pulled, twisting to change the way her fingers entered and rubbing inside. She was amazed when she could feel Owl's heart beat pumping into her hand.

On one of the Slayer twists Owl felt exploring fingers press up and rub against a spot that she knew she couldn't restrain her reaction from. Bucking hard and crying out in pleasure the potential felt her insides literally pulse with reaction.

"What was that?" Buffy questioned feeling stupid as she repeated the motion and saw the extremely almost insane reaction of pleasure in Piper's body.

"I thought that was a myth?" Buffy concentrated on figuring out exactly where it was as she rubbed her fingers over it lightly.

As if trained Piper's hips jumped and bucked to Buffy's every move, until the potential squeezed her hand tightly around Buffy's hip, orgasming hard. Buffy watched everything amazed by the uninhibited release she was causing.

"Oh yeah, I'm on the wow train." Piper's breathing began to slow. "Wanna go there?" She asked looking at Buffy with sparkling eyes.

"Lay down, the first time should just be about feeling, not having to worry about keeping your balance or anything like that." Owl urged the Slayer to slide onto the mattress. Buffy shifted over groaning when she pulled away from the potential's leg.

"I like it that way." Owl ran her hand over it and nodded. "I really like it that way." She added slipping her hand from her own thigh onto Buffy's, moving up onto her knees beside the other woman. "I'd like to feel the source of that wetness." She added looking up through heavy eyes.

"My pleasure." Owl moved more as she slid her fingers in and down the inside of Buffy's thigh, bringing her self round to kneel between wider spread legs. "Beautiful." She pressed her lips onto Buffy's right inner thigh while letting the fingers of her right hand drift up her left inner thigh and then through hot wet curls.

"I can move, any time." Owl drew in a breath as she kissed soft inner thigh skin and stilled her fingers gentle stroke.

"No, it's just..." Buffy put her head back. "Only... no one ever..." She arched into the gentle stroke. "Please Piper."

"Shhh Buffy, feel, live." She breathed each word after placing light kisses on Buffy's thigh. Her fingers stroking over and over and then pressing easing apart swollen lips to bask in the glorious pool of arousal beyond drawing the precious honey like fluid out and over the Slayer's heated lips. Owl kept kissing over and over in small tight circles

Buffy didn't know if she was groaning or moaning or just holding her breath as she arched and moved under the attention.

"Christ you're beautiful." Owl breathed blowing out lightly over hot skin as she let her central finger ease up and gently into the blonde. The Slayer's body buckled up under the cool air and she gasped as Piper pressed into her body filling the space that ached to be filled. "That's it." Owl breathed out.

"Yes." Owl agreed easing out to her first knuckle and then back in again, her thumb coming in to nudge lightly on Buffy's center.

"You really know you're..." Buffy moaned again. "Way around down there." She danced with the motion.

"I hope so." Owl breathed out, picking up on the fact that the Slayer needed one focus to center an experience on right now rather than being present with the world of options. Lessening the pressure of her thumb and lips Owl moved her finger around lightly inside the Slayer's body.

Buffy moaned as everything focused down to the pressure inside her, the gentle movements that carved out against her inner muscles. Mapping carefully the Slayer's pressure sensitive skin, Owl let her finger slid deeper for a moment in a certain place and then slid it out just a fraction, rubbing forward on it and then side to side.

"Piper!" Buffy almost sat up as a shot of fiery almost unbelievable pleasure went through her.

"Yesss." Buffy was able to relax back on the bed. "God... what... did you do?" She panted as her hips rocked.

Owl went directly back slipping her finger sideways onto the sensitive spot teasing and drubbing it.

"That's unbelievable." Buffy's body arched again as her eyes squeezed shut, she took a few quick panting breaths before she just held it, her body grinding down against the pleasure.

"Feel." Piper whispered, moving to place her lips more or less still on the flat stomach just above where her fingers rubbed, put giving a little pressure for her to rub her fingers against.

Buffy nodded as she breathed out hotly through her nose, her entire body focused on the tiny movement that flared through her like wildfire. Turning her head Owl rested her cheek against Buffy's lower abdomen and put slightly more direct pressure on the exquisite spot.

Reaching down Buffy curled her fingers into brown hair flexing tightly a few more times before her hips locked and she let out a long muffled groan as she began jumping between Piper's body and the bed.

Moaning in pleasure that literally buzzed in the room Piper let Buffy enjoy the longest most fulfilling orgasm she could using her fingers carefully and teasing light kisses to hot smooth skin.

After a long time Buffy's electrified body finally lowered back to the bed, her leg muscles twitching as she panted for breath. Owl gently eased out of her and lifted up from her stomach, resting just a hand lightly between her breasts.

"I'm…" Piper breathed and looked into hazel eyes. "I'm not hurting, not bruised and not regretting a single second." She leaned in and kissed Buffy briefly. "But I am knackered." She smiled.

"Did you hear something?" Willow questioned rather breathlessly looking to the hallway as her concentration was pulled rather unwontedly away from the hands that were massaging across her stomach.

"I wasn't actually listening." Tara replied honestly drawing her hands back to her own body.

"Oh no baby, I didn't mean to interrupt." Willow looked back. "Just you know with all that is going on." She listened and didn't hear anything. "No screaming, it must have just been someone snoring or something." She tilted up to Tara. "Where were we?"

"Let me go check." Tara flipped back the light cover that was over them and swung her bare legs out of the bed.

"It caught your attention which means it will worry you." Tara shook her head and hurried naked to the door, pulling the robe off the hook on it she slid it onto her body.

Tara eased out into the hallway and took a few hesitant steps down towards the other rooms coming to a gentle stop, a slow smile crossed her face as she tuned in to the noise and the obvious cause. Turning she tiptoed back down the hall going into there room and easing the door closed. Shrugging off her robe she hung it back on the door.

"Buffy." Tara replied drawing her fingers up through red hair as Willow settled on her shoulder.

"I see that." Willow leaned over a bit reaching up to tap her lip. "What's going on?"

"Her and Owl?" Willow raised an eyebrow. "But if it was a good thing and not a bad thing then it sounded like someone..." Her eyes went wider. "Are you saying?" She couldn't even say it.

"Willow!" Tara chided her softly. "Personal time is personal." She tapped her lover's nose lightly.

"So you confirm you heard personal time." Willow grinned. "Personal time between Buffy and Owl."

"If you are that interested go 'check for danger'." Tara giggled glancing at the door.

"Doesn't that border on creep factor?" Willow bit her lip. "I mean I don't really want to hear Buffy..." She though about it and then firmly shook her head. "No, I don't want to hear that."

"Oh course I don't." Willow shook her head. "I just can't believe... she's... with a girl."

"Why?" Tara asked innocently. "Is there a homophobic Willow in there trying to get out."

"Have you been having naughty other women thoughts Ms. Rosenberg?" Tara giggled.

Willow found all other thoughts floating away as her lips played over those of the blonde's, every ounce of her attention on the soft skin and breath that poured out over her face.

"Like I want to make love to you until the dawn." Willow whispered tracing her fingers over Tara's collarbone.

"Or when the children have had us up on the hour every hour wanting feedings or diaper changes." Tara's blue eyes dipped closed under the kisses.

"It will have to be a quickie so we don't miss the next feeding, but yes." Willow kissed over the top of her right breast.

"What about when its Christmas morning we've just got all the presents in the right place, I've got out of my Santa suit and you've taken off your Rudolf head, it's four thirty and you know the children will be bouncing on our bed at five." Tara reached up stroking Willow's shoulder.

"What about when our youngest moves out, leaving us alone in the house together for the first time in twenty five years?" Tara moaned softly as her nipple reacted almost instantly to the kisses close by.

"Mmmmmmm ohhh Willow." Tara curled the fingers of her other hand into red hair making sure that her lover didn't stray far from excited flesh.

"Every time I can I want to make love to you." Willow wound her tongue around the stiff nipple.

"And I want you too and to make love to you as soon as I get the strength again." She smiled her eyes still closed.

"No, no." Tara shook her head. "I want you to make love to me baby." She added softly.

"Mmmm good." Willow ran her lip along the nipple she teased closing her eyes as she memorized the texture and taste of Tara's skin.

"My favorite breasts." Willow leaned back a little and looked at where she was kissing before she began licking and sucking more.

"Mmmm yes please." Willow groaned kissing and licking every inch of Tara's right breast before she sighed and moved to the other one.

"I'm going to have to remember we're not in our little love apartment anymore." The blonde reminded herself.

"You can blame it on Buffy." Willow shifted so that her licking and sucking of Tara's sun kissed skin reached more area.

"Oh to your arms." Willow leaned in a bit kissing her forearm and then her elbow.

"Tummy?" Willow teased bringing her fingers down to twirl around Tara's belly button.

"Oh I know your thighs?" Willow purposely shifted her hand sliding down over Tara's hips and skirting around on her right thigh.

"But not the most of it?" Willow checked sliding it up the inside but stopping a few inches away from where she knew Tara wanted her fingers.

"No, most of it is where you have caused it to be." Tara blinked her blue eyes open and smirked at her lover.

"Me?" Willow faked innocence. "What have I done?" She slowly dragged one finger up and slid it through neatly kept hair to wind in a slow circle without any pressure.

"Willow." Tara shook her head. "You turned a shy, scared, stuttering witch into… Mmmmmm." She had to stop to moan in pleasure. "Into what I am now, your sensual, sexual, incredibly turned on lover."

"How turned on?" Willow felt her body shivering as the words flowed through caressing her. She slid her finger down carving out the slight indentation that promised so much waiting beyond.

Willow took the immediate cue and pushed in through swollen outer lips, groaning as she was engulfed by the hidden pool within and drawn deeper.

"Yes." Tara closed her eyes again in pure pleasure, her hips rising up off the bed slightly.

Slowly Willow slid her finger all the way forward until it threatened to slide out and then slid it all the way back circling.

"Goddess baby I will never be ready for just how good you feel." Willow ran her fingers back and forth, carving out the hard rise of Tara's center before she eased down and slipped inside just a bit.

"Ohhhh Willow." Tara's hips pushed higher before she slid her leg to the side more, giving her lover more room and easier access. Willow gladly took the invitation pressing in deeper in a slow thrust before she pulled out. "Oh Willow, you've... I'm so close." Tara bit her lip slightly recognizing her body fast reaction to Willow's touches.

"And if I touch here?" Willow brought her thumb around pressing against Tara's center.

Tara's hips bucked up, before the witch thought to control the wave of pleasure, a hard low groan escaping from her open mouth.

"You know my body so well." Tara agreed her breath shortening into soft pants. "I really am yours."

"Just as I'm yours." The redhead vowed swirling her thumb to match the motion inside.

Tara felt her hips take on a familiar comfortable flex her light pants becoming a little louder and faster.

"Just like that baby." Willow soothed dipping her lips to lick and suck at her nipple.

"How do you... every time..." Tara breathed out feeling her body warming through.

"Because I love you." Willow whispered between licks, she kept the movements of her hand constant and steady.

"Always." Willow breathed speeding up the movement now wanting Tara to know just how constant her love had been.

"Oh yes." Tara breathed more than happy at both the sentiment and the movement, her body picking up the tempo easily.

Willow busied her lips again, sucking and nibbling as her thumb swirled faster and she slipped in a second finger. Tara's body relaxed willing to accept more from her lover, but closing tightly around the new offering though covering it quickly with thick warm arousal. A deep groan came instantly as Willow moved in faster, wanting to draw out more and more of the wet response.

Tara felt her body eagerly providing the lubrication her lover sought. Her muscles flexed and spasmed slightly around Willow's fingers, coating them over and over as her excitement grew.

"Yes baby yes." Willow encouraged the changes in Tara's body as she flicked her thumb stroking her fingers in and out. Bright blue eyes flared open and looked at Willow.

"Baby I'm going to... oh sweet mother earth...." Tara's hips bucked a little erratically.

Willow closed her lips again, sucking hard as she sped up her hand trying to keep up a rhythm as Tara's body rocked beneath her.

"Oh Willow, Oh Willow, oh Willow." Tara's mantra like moan grew in volume as she raced higher towards release, her inner muscles tightening trying to pull the redhead in deeper.

Willow groaned with her, flicking her tongue inside her mouth over just the tip of Tara's nipples. She let the blonde's body grip and flex around her fingers, pressing them in deep ad leaving them there.

Tara's muscles flexed and then locked around the redhead's fingers when they adjusted to the sudden stillness, gripping tightly as the whole of Tara's body tensed and tremored. Willow waited until she felt spasms beginning inside before she swirled her thumb, riding the hood of flesh over Tara's center.

"Benevolent Goddess!" Tara suddenly screamed loudly as a hard orgasm rocked her body and soul.

"Oh baby." Willow whimpered tipping her head up to watch her lover as the hard release struck through her and arched her up off the bed.

"Oh Willow, Willow, Willow." Tara panted feeling her spasming body release wave after wave of thick hot honey over her lover's fingers.

"Yes Tara, yes." Willow urged her moving to stroke in and out again through tight muscles.

"Oh Goddess baby, please don't... Don't stop." Tara's body began a second much faster rock and buck off the bed.

"Don't baby, ever." Tara shook her head feeling her inner muscles tensing all over again.

"Never." Willow groaned again feeling the way Tara's body gripped her, pulling and pushing her.

Tara wrapped her arm loosely around Willow's head while the fingers of her other hand balled up into the sheet covering the mattress. Willow leaned into her, her hot breath panting over Tara's skin as she pulled out and then boldly pushed in with three fingers bunched together.

"Yes Goddess yes." Tara tipped her head back pushing her hips clear of the mattress, her stomach muscles fluttering and tensing her thigh muscles locking and trembling slightly. The movement didn't get her free from Willow's fingers completely as they slipped in and out of her body. "Willow." Tara's eyes flared wider as she called to her lover, her body loosing a little of its tenseness just so that it could fall into a fast erotic rhythm.

Tara's eyes dipped closed again briefly as she felt every inch of Willow's slow push into her body flattening her hips slightly to change the angle of entry Tara hinted that Willow might want to explore her surroundings more. The blond witch knew that she was in Willow's hands now, in all ways and that probably one touch of her most sensitive areas would reduce her once more into orgasmic bliss.

Willow let her lover move and settle before she twirled her fingers inside, switching the angle of her wrist so her fingers pressed downward against the blonde's movement.

"Come on top baby." Willow moved slightly urging the blonde around and over her leg.

"On top?" Tara checked that the redhead had uttered the soft words and that she hadn't just made them up in her own bliss filled heady brain.

"On top." Willow instructed again wanting Tara to follow without having to move her hand. Willingly the blonde began the soft transition executing a gentle shift and then settling in her new position over the redhead. "There you go." Willow braced her leg up, rocking her body so that Tara slid against her thigh. Slowly now she pulled her fingers back, making it so that the blonde's open body rested tightly against her skin.

Tara again whimpered in total pleasure as she felt them settle together tight and hot.

"Sweet goddess angel." Tara felt her hip flex pressing her a little down Willow's thigh.

"Mmmm you feel so good." Willow leaned into the bed feeling the hot flush soaking into her skin.

Tara breathed out quickly and then pressed her back upright, tipping her head back and letting her long hair trail down over her back. Reaching her hand behind her she lightly held Willow's other leg and began sliding up and down Willow's thigh. Willow's hands came up as she did, cupping around the blonde's breasts. Catching her bottom lip between her teeth Tara moaned as she felt Willow's hands her nipples hardening more straining to the touch. Willow sprayed each thumb over the hard fleshy tips. Tara's long erotic rhythm was interrupted with a hard buck as she felt the move of Willow's thumbs, the move releasing a wave of arousal between her body and Willow's thigh.

Shifting a little in her position Tara felt her knee nudge up in between her lover's legs as her thigh riding sped up a little.

"Tara!" Willow jolted with the contact, her overly aroused body arching. "Ooh Willow baby." Willow's heat and desire suddenly warmed the skin of Tara's knee, deliberately now she rocked her knee in place as she moved filling her own bodies demands. "Yessss baby." She found her focus on Tara split as her own body was filled with rocked desire as her flush aroused skin was rubbed against Tara's knee.

"Mmmmm Willow." Tara's eyes closed again as she swapped hands, bracing her weight back with one hand on the mattress behind her, the other one sliding up Willow's lowered thigh her own body still gripping and sliding over the redhead's other leg.

Aware that her back was tightly arched and her neck tipped back and more than aware of the bounce of her breasts as she rode Willow's leg Tara let herself feel the incredible sexual power between her and Willow. The thoughts caused another soft flood out over the redhead's thigh as she nudged her knee up tighter and moved faster.

"Goddess Tara, Tara." Willow whimpered as her hips started to shiver the muscles of her thigh flexing and releasing against Tara's body. She couldn't believe the jolt of pleasure that was steaming through her body, she felt herself pushed up onto her shoulder blades as she tried to ride the crest of it.

"SWEET WILLOW." Tara gasped as her body jumped from sensual riding to shuddering shaking climax her hand gripping Willow's thigh and the mattress cover as she trembled against her lover's leg breathing out in long staggered breaths. "Oh Willow, Willow." She moaned through the panting.

Willow made the ride harder and harder as her own body flexed and bounced around. She'd lost her voice, reduced to a number of grunts and loud moans, as she didn't feel the orgasming ebbing.

Tara was lost in blissful oblivion as her body danced and rolled in continuous release, held there by the sent and sounds from Willow's climax and the overwhelming high of soul filled love.

Willow wasn't sure when they had started to slow and Tara had tipped forward resting on top of her. What she was first aware of was their breaths, panting together as they tried to catch up with themselves.

"Oh Goddess baby." Tara's damp head rested panting on Willow's chest, her words barely audible.

"I love you." Willow tried to get the words out evenly as she pressed her lips to Tara's hair.

"Tell me I don't have to move." Tara heard the heavy tiredness in her voice. As she let her longer legs slide down the bed rest her body more or less fully onto Willow and the mattress beneath her.

Tara lifted a shaky hand and cupped it round one of Willow's small but perfect breasts tipping her head to the side letting her eyes drift close.

Willow felt a minor surge of pleasure drive her eyes closed as she settled in with Tara.

"I love you too." She whispered feeling sleep creeping up to take her exhausted and fulfilled body.

Faith was busy rushing through her fourth bowl of cereal when she saw Willow and Tara come strolling in giggling.

"Yes, it is." Willow agreed with her rather caught up in the blonde as she kissed her hand then wandered over to make them toast.

"We all know Willow." Faith grinned putting more cereal in her bowl to use up the milk. "It's... oh goddess oh goddess oh goddess great." She imitated sniggering as she picked up her bowl moving to the living room.

Willow stood there with her jaw hanging open as she stared at Faith's back and it took all of Tara's strength not to drop the juice bottle in her hand as she turned and looked at Willow.

"Though my question is, who is the Goddess Piper?" Faith's head stuck back into to look in the kitchen, her natural desire to see the effect of her teasing making her return necessary.

"Some one want me?" Without thinking twice or hearing all of the conversation, Owl opened the door and walked into the kitchen carrying up a small pile of towels.

It was Faith's turn to nearly drop the bowl as she came around the corner fully. She appraised the way that Tara's cheeks went even redder.

"Yeah Piper, just wondering how you did last night with the ribs? Did Buffy look after you?" Faith smirked.

"Much better, they're..." The potential stopped. "Am I missing something?" She asked glancing between Faith, Willow and Tara.

"No, seems you didn't miss a thing." Faith moved over and patted her on the back congratulating her secretly. "Did she girls?"

"I have to bring these up to the bathroom, the others were all wet when Buffy wanted a shower." Owl moved several steps closer to the door of the kitchen.

"Well I'm glad everyone's bright and happy this morning." Owl gave a slightly uneven smile as she went to leave the room. "Does anyone need anything from the bathroom before Buffy hogs it for a while?" She checked.

"Well I'm just doing a little research you know but okay, you have fun too." Owl nodded awkwardly and slipped out.

"Shut up." Willow swung her hand smacking Faith in the arm. "Not one word." She warned.

"Willow is right Faith." Tara looked at the other Slayer. "We don't know that." She tried an uneven frown.

"Please I know I heard hot lovin' and if it wasn't you and Red, then it has to be the Goddess Piper." Faith clapped her hands together.

"It could have been my Goddess and Buffy just saying Piper to stop the poor thing hurting herself." Tara offered lamely.

"Or your Goddess my Piperesous." Willow tried to help. "It means wow in Latin." She tried to lie to Faith.

"So you two are trying to convince me it was you and the hot lovin' not Owl and B?" Faith gave them an unconvinced look.

"Um hello talk drink of dyke goodness and B who can't keep from twitching in her pants every time Owl walks into a room?" Faith informed them. "This is like my thing to notice."

"That Faith needs new pants." Willow blurted out the first thing in her head. "We thought maybe shopping."

"Do you wear anything other than leather?" Dawn asked sounding truly shocked as she looked at the dark haired Slayer.

"We're going to try her in jeans." Willow continued. "Do you need anything new?"

"Are you sure you should go out? Did Buffy say you could, I mean she likes to know who comes and goes and when." Dawn looked a little uncertain.

"We're going to finish breakfast then see what she says." Willow nodded. "Right Tara, Faith?"

"Wonderful." Willow looked to Tara and smiled broader and Tara blushed slightly turning to get the juice poured before the teenager could notice.

Buffy paused at the door to her room rubbing the towel into her wet hair. She didn't know why suddenly she felt this pressure on top of her. When they'd awoke this morning things had gone on like normal, they'd untangled and Owl had volunteered to get her some towels, then she'd been in the shower. Now though, she wasn't even sure if Owl was still in her room and if so she wasn't sure what they were going to say to one another. The pleasure of the night before was still making her feel wobbly on her feet and she wasn't sure if the feeling made her feel better or more off center. Deciding she had no choice she pushed open the door and walked in and closed it behind her.

"Hey there B." It came therefore as a total surprise to see the dark haired Slayer lying full out on the bed, her head propped up on the pillows.

"Faith." Buffy did a double take. "What's wrong?" She assumed that must be the reason she was here.

"Nothing I don't think." Faith looked left and right and then at the Slayer and shook her head.

"Good." Buffy nodded moving to the dresser to brush out her hair. "So why are you up here?" She asked the obvious question.

"I just you know was feeling kinda nostalgic for the big house." The dark Slayer shrugged.

"Wanted to you know, see if I could help myself by you know surrounding myself with the kinds of smells and things I got used to." Faith braced her hands together behind her head.

"I know that somewhere in there is one of your depraved sexual prison references Faith but I'm not seeing your point." Buffy shook her head.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Buffy stood up. "And if you don't mind I want to get dressed."

"Okay." Faith pushed up. "Though B hey it's cool with me okay?" She pointed out. "Birdy's a cute kid." She crossed to the door in four long strides.

"Who the hell is Birdy and why do I care if you think whatever is cool?" Buffy glared at her.

"Birdy, Owl, poor beat up little potential with the nice bike." Faith clarified.

"Owl who is not a kid as she's almost as old as you." Buffy pointed out. "And I still have no idea what you're talking about."

"Fair enough B." Faith shifted her weight from one hip to the other. "Shame really 'cause I thought for once you might have you know, lived a little." She held the door open.

"Hey don't rip a girls head off B." Faith paused and turned frowning. "You could do worse, she's got balls and skills from what I hear."

"And you just felt the need to come up here and what? Give me your seal of approval, try to edge a little superiority on me?" She accused totally thrown off by how first Faith seemed to know and secondly why the dark Slayer was even bothering to try to be nice.

"You know what fine." Faith shook her head. "I thought for once I might come up here and actually find you smiling, having had someone treat you right for a change." She frowned harder. "But you're still the same stuck up tight ass, even if Piper gave you the ride of your life." The dark Slayer spat out the words harshly stalking out of the door and slamming it hard.

Buffy sat down on the bed putting her head in her hands, she had no idea what had just happened.

"Great can I grab a show..." Piper's voice drifted off as she opened the door and stepped in, the last thing she'd expected was to find Buffy sitting on the bed looking, well like she'd just found the First in her top drawer. "Buffy?" She said in a whisper.

"Owl... yes I'm done with the shower." Buffy didn't turn around trying to compose herself.

"Buffy what's wrong, what..." She glanced behind her at the hall. "Did something happen?" She checked. "Has the shield not worked." She frowned more. "God tell me the First hasn't..." She crossed over and knelt by the bed putting her hands on Buffy's knees without thinking. "Did it hurt you?"

"No, it wasn't the First." Buffy shook her head taking a deep breath. "It was Faith."

"She was just being Faith it's fine." Buffy shook her head. "She found out, she must have heard." She looked at the bed and then at Owl.

"Yeah." The Slayer breathed out. "She was making these gross prison references and then when I wouldn't tell her about it got all huffy like I'd done something wrong for not rising to her teasing."

"Want me to go tell her to piss of and that it has nothing to do with her what you do or who you do it with?" Owl offered instantly.

"She's not worth it, she'll just shoot her mouth off more." Buffy shook her head.

"Last night was supposed to make you feel good Buffy, not worse." Owl rubbed her thumb in place on Buffy's thigh.

"Well not if Faith has taken a bazooka to my balloon of happiness no." Owl scowled.

"No, I'm not letting Faith drag me down." Buffy shook her head and rather quickly leaned forward and kissed Owl firmly on the lips. "Last night was amazing."

"It was very, very cool." Piper nodded and pushed up slightly pushing Buffy back towards the mattress, not hard, just exploring if there would be resistance. Buffy felt herself fall back not wanting or able to resist. "I woke up this morning wanting you." Owl admitted beginning to cover Buffy's throat with hot fast kisses.

"I was going to come into the shower, but you locked the door." Piper revealed her foiled plan.

"I couldn't be sure it would be you coming in to join me." Buffy laughed remembering how she had hesitating between locking and not locking.

"Well I'm." Owl's eyes flicked to the door. "I'm heading to the shower now." She arched an eyebrow.

"Sure?" Piper pushed back and grabbed a towel from the chair crossing quickly to the door.

"Yes." Buffy moved over kissing her and then heading for the door. "Screw faith, she's not ruining my mood."

"Oh no, no screwing her, I got you first." Piper grabbed her hand and pulled her off to the bathroom.

Faith paced back and forth by the curb on the road. This was officially not Summers territory, this was just the street and she was as far away from Summers territory as she could be. She took a hard long draw on her cigarette glaring at the house.

Why had she even bothered? Why the hell was she even here about to go in a blaze of glory next to tight ass Buffy? Here she was trying to find a little benevolent happiness for B and her newfound sexual expression and as usually she got beat down again.

"If the world is ending I should be out partying not taking your shit!" She barked at the house pacing over to lean against the mailbox. "Not taking your shit for sure, taking way too much of it already." She agreed with herself.

"Then why don't you leave?" A male voice from Faith's past asked from directly behind her.

"Hello." Faith turned flicking away the smoke expecting a fight but finding herself face to face with the Mayor. "You're so dead." She pointed out her jaw open.

"Faith please." The mayor frowned. "I might not be the person I was, but to tell me I'm not real is a little unnecessarily unkind."

"It's alright, I'm guessing that things aren't that fun in there." He glanced at the house

"Why do you doubt it's because I took the opportunity I could to come and see you?" He smiled at her.

"Because you never lied and that would be a lie. You always had things on the go." Faith pointed out. "Lots of things."

"You know you shouldn't be here don't you." The mayor took a slight step forward, but for some reason didn't actually seem to come any closer than the sidewalk at the front of the house near the mailbox.

"I'm a slayer, I have to be here." She said defiantly standing her ground on the last square of the Summers front walk.

"But you're in danger here, I don't like the thought of that." He shook his head.

"I'm in danger everywhere." Faith cocked her head to one side. "Come on Mr. Mayor, where's my apocalyptic message."

"I just want you to think about leaving Faith, what's going to happen when Buffy is faced with tough choices? Who's going to be the one she sacrifices?" The Mayor stated.

"She's not going to sacrifice anyone. B doesn't work like that." Faith shook her head.

"But it does mean no one knows how she will act, you're not exactly her favorite person." He countered accurately.

"But she's their leader, what are you? You're the dispensable slayer that's what." He shook his head sadly adjusting the handkerchief in his blazer pocket.

"I'm a slayer, Buffy is not the only one." Faith pointed out. "You told me that, remember?"

"I'm my own slayer." She glanced back. "So come on why are you here?" She egged him on. "You've always got some apocalyptic message for everyone else."

"Over? If Buffy wins then there might be a good over, if the First wins it's game over." She reached into her pocket playing with her lighter.

"No one know what the first plans to do with the world Faith, not Buffy nor her ineffective friends and watcher." He offered her a alternative view.

"But who knows what role you could fulfill within that?" The mayor's eyes sparkled.

"I know the deal Wilky, the First needs me dead to end the line. There's no place for me on your side." She shook her head.

"But just think Faith, think of the good times we had. Think of all the plans and dreams I know live inside you." He tried again.

"To live outside the restraints of this 'civilized' life." The mayor shook his head.

"Maybe I love this civilized life." Faith heard herself and laughed. "Look this isn't working, you're not going to get me to off myself or kill the others."

"You're not as much fun to play with as you used to be Faith?" The mayor shook his head. "Where's that fire I saw in you, nurtured and loved?"

"It really was a pleasure knowing you Faith." He bowed his head to her slightly.

"Other than the killing and murder, yeah it was cool." Faith admitted hearing her voice go softer.

"What was it you used to say?" Faith looked at him. "It was on that plaque that you stuck up right where everyone would have to see it when they came to work every day downstairs." She looked at him seeing nothing. "You know... while the righteous sleep the wicked will find their rest, is that it?"

"You think to much these days Faith, I would concentrate on just surviving." With that the First disappeared.

"Well that pissed you off didn't it." Faith looked around seeing nothing left at all to indicate her visitor was there.

"With twelve more." She turned and leaned her butt on the table edge. "Where am I going to put them, how am I going to keep them safe?"

"Oh, oh I know." Willow put her hand up. "Tara and I think we worked something out."

"Yeah sorry will I didn't mean that like no one was helping or anything, the shield is just great, well no more than great it's just I mean dealing with the new ones is just added hassle." She apologized looking over at her.

"No, helping more." Willow put her yogurt down and moved over. "Remember Mrs. Scary belly totem." She plucked the wooden statue that was on the side table that she knew Buffy hated. "We were talking, we think we can use it to channel a portable shield. One that we only need to recharge every twenty six hours."

"Please Will no torturing me with grotesque furniture and ornaments." Buffy frowned not really listening.

"Hello slayer girl, ears open zippy lip." Willow moved over. "We make a portable shield, like a cell phone accept it only gets one call and that's no First allowed."

"To keep the person carrying it free from first interruptions?" Buffy wasn't sure she was getting the point

"But Will I don't want to have to split you and Tara up just to power out some mystical shields." Buffy shook her head.

"Buffy did you listen to anything I just said?" Willow blinked at her curiously.

"You guys think you can make a portable shield so that we can at least let some of us live something resembling normal lives at Xander's." Buffy paraphrased what she understood.

"Yep that only needs to have its battery changed once every twenty six hours." Willow smiled. "See I knew half your brain was listening."

"So wait… are you suggesting that we can just put the new SIT's at Xander's, maybe convince say him and Anya to stay there with them and then put this mystical guard over them?" Buffy caught on.

"They'd have to be careful. No incense or other barrier spells could be cast. But we should be able to make it stable." Willow nodded. "Whatcha think? Worth a shot?"

"Of course it is, oh Will." Buffy hurried to the redhead and hugged her. "Wait." She pulled back. "They probably need someone who can take care of themselves there too. I don't want Anya or Xander hurt."

"Faith will kill you if you put her there." Willow laughed. "What about Kennedy? She would be so excited if you gave her some responsibility."

"I'm not sure Kennedy is a wise choice Will." Buffy shook her head thinking of the stupid move that she had pulled leaving Willow alone to be attacked. "There's always Owl I guess." She added frowning.

"No, Buffy she's learned her lesson." Willow saw the flicker. "And Owl isn't healed, she needs to be here. Anyone injured should be." She tried to cover before she said too much.

"She says she's okay, she wants to come out with the others tonight." Buffy shook her head still looking unhappy. "But I really don't know if Kennedy..."

"Can't we at least draw the bloody curtains." Spike grumbled loudly as he crossed through the room having to avoid pools of sunshine that streamed in from the clear windows.

"Yean well maybe I wanted the walk." He replied sharply. "Maybe I wanted to burn off a little energy that's been building up since walking in here last night to sounds of you and your little witch practicing the art of making babies." Willow stared at him horrified. "Not that I'm saying it didn't help me drop off to sleep." He added grinning, pleased to see the effect he had.

"I'm going to work on the shield." Willow clutched the totem and scowled at him.

"See ya red, I think your little witch needs a hand." He winked salaciously and ginned at Buffy.

"If you ever pull that again." She glared at Spike. "I'll do more than leave the curtains open."

"What? Hey it was almost a compliment. It's been a while since I had anyone who could make me scream like that." Spike objected to the admonishment.

"What?" Spike hurried after her. "Just 'cause I rib a friend about her and her girlfriend having sex I'm sick?" He demanded.

"You're sick because you probably lurked outside their door..." She grimaced. "Enjoying it."

"I did not." Buffy snapped at him. "I don't need to steal my pleasure from other people."

Buffy felt the rage well up inside her fast and hard but she looked at him, feeling her hand curl into a fist before she made herself relax.

"I bet she doesn't make you feel like I did." Spike pushed close to her, so close that his hair brushed on her forehead

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Almost from out of no where it seemed, the tall figure of Owl was suddenly between Buffy and the vampire, pushing both hands up to his chest to force him back.

"And here she is." Spike snarled as he bounced off the fridge. "Running to the rescue of the one who doesn't need it, running like a puppy dog."

"I'd come running to any woman who's faced in a one to one with you." Owl snapped her eyes cold.

Owl threw a quick unsure glance in the blonde slayer's direction before looking back at the vampire.

"I could drink you dry little girl, I've killed slayers before what do you think it would take to kill you?" Spike snarled the comment obviously hitting a nerve.

"You're..." Owl bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, but before continuing her angry retort she glanced at Buffy, dark eyes meeting hazel ones just briefly. She turned back to Spike. "You're so not worth bruising my knuckles on." She shook her head and turned away from him.

"Go downstairs now Spike." The echoing voice came from the doorway, in which stood Tara.

Spike looked between them all sticking out his tongue to poke on his closed lower lip. His eyes fell briefly on Buffy and then Owl, staying the longest on Tara as he saw power brewing in the witch's blue eyes.

"Don't forget to video the fun for me." He grabbed his blood off the counter and moved to the basement.

"It… it rained last night, she can be grumpy when she gets wet." The tall SIT didn't stop on her way out of the door.

"Did you talk to Willow?" Buffy nodded rather unconvincingly. "She had some idea to use the ugly preggers totem."

"The portable shield, yes, we think its possible." She nodded. "What happened here?" She asked not willing to pass on the topic so easily.

"Spike was, he was being Spike and Owl stepped in and then you came in." Buffy summed up. "How powerful will it be?"

"Were working on making it as powerful as it can be. Willow wanted to work possibly to make it a hybrid version of this one, so that as well as mystical it has some physical barrier properties too." Tara explained as from the yard there came the sound of clattering tools and a sharp curse from Owl.

"To keep the SIT's in place?" Buffy's head shot up as she looked out to the source of the curse.

Out in the yard Owl was on her knees beside her bike her head resting forward on the broad leather seat, her arm wrapped tightly around her injured ribs.

"Not so much to keep them in place, but to keep things from getting to them." Tara looked over to the window.

"Great anything will help." Buffy moved towards the door not really listening as she pulled it open and moved outside. "Piper, you need pills." She offered softly moving over to bend down with her.

"I'm okay." Piper pushed back and staggered to her feet, cursing when she had to bend forward to retrieve a fallen spanner from the path.

"You're not okay." Buffy shook her head reaching out to take the wrench from her. "You need to rest." For a moment Owl held on to the metal handle, her eyes cast down, before slowly looking up meeting hazel ones. "Please." Buffy asked her softly.

"I'll go and get out of peoples way then." With her head slightly down Owl turned to walk back up the path to the door.

"No, but its what some people think." Owl walked the short distance to the house.

"No one thinks that, well other than Spike but don't tell me you're counting his opinion?" Buffy tried a half smile.

"I don't count anything to do with Spike." She shook her head. "Oh no, that's not true. I count the many reasons I have to stake him every time I meet him."

"Thank you." Piper smiled. "So where are my painkillers?" She added rubbing her ribs.

"Come on." Buffy moved after her. "Let's get you settled then I'll take care of your baby." She put her hand gently on Piper's back urging her inside.

Buffy wasn't surprised to find Tara still in the kitchen once she'd gotten Owl settled upstairs.

"Hey." She moved to the fridge noticing the distracted way Tara was washing the same cup over and over.

"I have to go get a tarp for Owl's bike, is there anything else we need picked up that you know of?" Buffy chugged a small bottle of juice.

"In pain." Buffy shook her head. "I managed to get her to take something and lie down." She frowned. "You know how bad broken ribs are."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." Buffy frowned more as she saw the flash of memory.

"I think most of the shops are empty, can I steal you some apology flowers?" Buffy put forward.

"There really is no need." Tara shook her head again. "Maybe some for Faith might help." She added softly.

"God, I don't know why her and I can't have a civil conversation." Buffy sat down sighing.

"I really don't think she want to cause trouble earlier." Tara spoke up for the other Slayer softly.

"No she did, she heard something last night." Buffy played with the label on the bottle.

"I doubt it, Willow and I only heard because it happened when we were… recovering from, well you know and Faith was awake on guard." Tara explained.

"I'm not sure Faith's intentions were as valiant as you think they were." Buffy shook her head to the past comment.

"Buffy, I heard you in the shower this morning. You were singing." She smiled softly.

"I know, I was... am happy." Buffy nodded. "But Faith wouldn't be happy for me, she'd just see it as another way to give me flack."

"It's all she used to do maybe, can't she have changed?" Tara began folding the dishtowel.

"Easier not to think she might have isn't it?" Tara offered and wasn't surprised when Buffy didn't really comment looking down into her juice. "I'm sorry." Tara apologized softly. "I had no right to say that."

"No, you're right." Buffy shook her head. "I just... I look at her and I can't not see who she was."

"But maybe this time she's here to save the world." Tara reached out and put her hand on Buffy's

"Do you know anything we can do for Piper? To help her heal, just to make her more comfortable." Buffy changed to topic of conversation.

"Sometimes, sometimes she's being a hard ass and won't show it." Buffy admitted.

"It was nice, more than nice." Buffy looked down but she felt her face pulling into a smile. "It was like you said, like living without the pressure."

"She seemed happy." Buffy nodded. "Maybe too much activity for her ribs." She admitted softly.

"In that case I'm sure I could rustle up something to ease the pain." Tara smiled more.

"Tara, thanks." Buffy looked at her seriously. "For understanding, not freaking out... not... you know."

"Buffy..." Tara moved closer coming down to the Slayer's ear level. "I was away from Willow for eleven months, it's a very long time to be alone." She whispered.

"Alone?" Tara asked shaking her head slightly. "Not exactly." She admitted keeping the Slayer's eyes.

Her first reaction was judgment of course, how could Tara have been with anyone? But then reality settled in, Tara had left and Willow, had in her world just let her go to find a way through the magic that had hurt her so much. Add to that the fact that she'd watched Willow, even with the redhead thinking Tara was dead, starting to gravitate towards Kennedy. Yes, eleven months was along time.

"No." Tara shook her head. "We only ever kissed once." She explained. "But she made me feel, she made me alive again."

"I'm glad." Buffy reached out and put her hand over Tara's. "I'm super glad you're back with Will but you know, you don't deserve to ever be alone."

"Thank you, neither do you." Tara nodded with the words seeing that Buffy did understand.

"Sleepy is great." Buffy nodded. "I'll go get a tarp and some Flower's for Faith."

"Perfect, take care." Tara underlined softly. She watched the blonde Slayer pull on a light jacket and tuck her stake away before she went outside.

"Where's she going?" Faith appeared in the dining room doorway the moment Buffy was out of sight.

"To get something for the bike." Tara replied glancing at the dark haired Slayer.

"If she's fine I won't follow her for backup." Faith moved through to loop around to the back door.

"I think perhaps you staying here with the troops might be the best thing." Tara watched her.

"That transmissions going to need to be flushed and reset, the bolts are bent." Faith commented blandly.

"A bit." Faith shrugged. "Enough to know that one needs some work, she must have hit the pipes off the curb too. They'll need to be fixed."

"If I had some tools and the parts I could do it." Faith shrugged again moving to the fridge. "My cousin used to have an old Harley, we worked on it one summer."

"Well there are lots of tools in the basement." Tara pointed out. "And if you could take a look at her, would you know what parts she needed?"

"Get me the parts and I can see what I can do." Faith nodded. "Though I'm not sure Buffy would be happy to see me fucking around with her girl's bike." She laughed harshly. "Probably think I'm wiring it to blow up or something."

"Either of them." Faith eyed her. "What the hell did I do to you this morning? I was only joking earlier, getting a blush out of Red."

"Nothing Faith." Tara shook her head. "I'm just trying to work out why you are here."

"Because it's the same score it's always been, you don't know the deal okay you weren't here." Faith dismissed her slightly. "Look get the parts I'll work on it, better than listening to the SIT's bitching."

"You think there's anything there anyone is interested in?' Faith turned back at her.

"Friendship Faith, there's nothing wrong with it." The blonde explained trying to back down a bit hoping Faith would do the same.

"Look Blondie I know you had a really shit go okay, maybe as shit as mine but you beat the odds, you got Willow and the whole sewn up future. Run with it, go for it with all you got." Faith shook her head. "People like me don't make good friends."

"At least one of us could die facing this Faith, nothing about the future is sewn up." Tara shook her head.

"Yeah, and I know I'm going to be the head of the line when it comes kamikaze time." Faith informed her.

"Why would you be?" Tara frowned, that plan of action made no sense to her. If anything they had to focus on keeping Faith and the other SIT's alive to keep the First from getting what it wanted.

"I'm disposable. When push comes to shove and Buffy needs to herd some of us off as bait I know my name will be first off her lips." Faith thought back to her conversation with the major. "Can't say I blame her, she might not hate the next slayer that's called."

"How can someone who appears as confident and as strong as you, be so insecure." Tara shook her head sadly.

"Don't shrink my ass." Faith snarled at her. "Look do you want me to work on the bike or not?"

"Your choice Faith, isn't that the kind of thing one does for friends?" Tara challenged not reacting directly to the intimidating tone in the Slayer's voice.

"You think we're friends?" Faith looked at her, the tone in her voice slipped away, as she looked more confused or surprised.

"Don't you think knowing me would be part of the whole friendship thing?" Faith leaned against the wall.

"Then fine, go ahead." Faith moved over defiantly and sat down. "Go on Friend." She put heavy emphasis on the word.

Faith hesitated for a moment before she got up picking up the jar and moving back with it, she took off the lid and gulped one down. Tara was quick to make the drinks bringing them over and putting them down gently.

"I bet there pretty similar, right now at any rate with so many women in a small place." Tara nodded.

"Helped me sleep actually." Faith laughed. "You get used to background noise, it gets so quiet here at night."

"No, really." Faith shook her head. "There was thirty five on my cell block. It was noisy."

"You know you can do whatever you want or need to do here don't you?" Tara said softly glancing up at the Slayer.

"Wait, I so must be getting this wrong." Faith shook her head clearing it. "You and Willow talking about my 'needs'?"

"Sorry, for a second there is sounded like you were offering to buy me a vibrator or have a threesome." Faith laughed and took another cookie.

"No thank you to the threesome." Tara blushed. "I have one of the other though." She smiled coyly.

"Watch out for the shy blonde." Faith grinned. "And don't worry I packed my own." She winked.

"I'm not exactly shy anymore." Tara chuckled and shook her head and picked up another cookie.

"Willow just touches me like no one else." Tara explained thinking back to the wonderful night they had shared.

"Space, activity and sex." Tara chuckled as she answered and heard Faith evading her question.

"Desperately lacking, the bike will keep me busy and everyone has left town so unless I start lining up SIT's..." She gave a firm headshake.

"Willow didn't mention that you leant our way." Tara politely phrased with a smile.

"Blondie, I was your way long before Willow knew there was a way." Faith grinned.

"Just because." Tara replied. "So you wouldn't consider it with any of the SIT's?"

"This may surprise you but I think most of them are virgins and one thing I've learned about virgins they are emotionally not worth the fun of popping." Faith was bluntly honest. "One night turns into weeks of mess."

"I'm glad you hadn't passed that information on to Willow." Tara laughed softly.

"That's different, I'm talking fun sex you two are forever sex." Faith contradicted.

"It's not just that, who do you know who would put up with my shit?" Faith gulped the cooling coffee.

"Oh I don't know, you have charm that almost balances it." Tara grinned as she appraised the dark Slayer. She might not have known Faith before, but it was obvious from taking with her now there was more of a balance inside her.

"This is cycling back to the threesome or the vibrator conversation." Tara laughed a little harder

"Don't push your luck." Faith wagged a cookie at her. "I'm just here for the chocolate chips."

"Yeah okay." Tara nodded pushing up. "Go look at the bike, I'll make you another coffee… Friend." She put the emphasis Faith had put on the word earlier but smiled as she turned to put the kettle back on.

Buffy moved out of the hardware store with the large bag and swung it over her shoulder as she moved. It was eerie being in town now, there was no one left making it seem more like a movie lot than a real place. She'd already made stops at the hardware, the grocery store and the flower shop. Another stop at the pharmacy had let her discover anything of worth had already been stolen. No one could blame her shock when she came around a corner to see a woman a little taller than herself with long brown hair walking down the middle of the street.

Walking with a slight swagger, a small backpack slung over her shoulder and the wires of some form of personal entertainment device trailed up over her brown suede jacket to her ears. She was humming along to the tune she was listening to, paying little if any attention to the shops as she passed them.

"Excuse me." Buffy didn't see the wires and called to her from behind. "Excuse me?" She finally caught up and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Huh?" With a slight jump the individual turned around, pulling one of the wires, dropping a small round earphone down onto her chest.

"Um hi... is there something I can help you with?" Buffy looked her up and down. She looked a little too old to be a potential but she had to be sure.

"You could tell me if any of these places have anyone in them, I could kill for a cold coke." The soft Canadian twang of her accent was unmistakable.

"About the only place in town is my house." Buffy couldn't place why she would be so calm. "Why are you here?"

"You know, thanks for the offer but I'm kinda looking for someone." The brunette smiled.

"Funny from what I heard about this place it didn't sound like the kind of place that everyone knows everyone else." The other woman arched an eyebrow.

"Look this isn't the place you want to be wandering around, so I suggest you leave while its still light." Buffy gave the cold instruction.

"Thanks for the advice," The taller girl smiled. "But I really can't leave until I find my friend Tara."

"My Tara I know because we were..." She paused. "We trained at the same place. I don't know about your Tara."

"My Tara's tall and has red hair." Buffy lied to see what the other woman would say.

"Well good for you, mines not that tall with blonde hair, and if you don't mind I wanna find a building with a telephone book, so I can at least look for a number where she might be." The Canadian looked around.

"Look, I don't know who you are, you know maybe police or something, but I really need to find Tara Maclay and if you cant help me, it kinda means you're hindering me." Her voice was more firm.

"Tell me your name." Buffy pulled out her cell phone. "I could make your search easier."

Buffy nodded waiting till the phone got picked up and then turned having a brief conversation. At one point looking very much as if she was being told off for something.

"Let's go." She snapped it closed and moved down the street. "Tara's worried that I'm letting you wander the streets."

"Hey, hey why am I going anywhere with you, I mean no offence, but I need to find Tara or a Buffy Summers, who she might be..." Zoë stopped. "My Tara is your Tara?"

"Italy." Zoë replied. Her long toned legs kept easily up with the Slayer, as bright green eyes flickered up to the sidewalk ahead and then back to the Slayer.

"Oh I'm not visiting." Zoë shook her long hair and shifted the pack up a little on her fairly broad shoulder.

"I've been sent, by the coven." Zoë explained. "You know about the coven don't you." She frowned briefly wondering exactly what she knew and cursing herself a little for not checking before hand.

"Phew, could have blown something then." Zoë gave a childish grin. "Yeah anyway the coven sent me."

"I have a book for a Mr. Giles." Zoë pointed to her backpack. "And a few things I need to talk to Tara about."

"I'm afraid the house is overfull with Potentials but you're welcome to join us." Buffy motioned down another road.

Buffy made it up to the door and pulled it open ushering Zoë in. Just waiting inside the doorway was Tara looking a little anxious.

"Tara." Zoë moved forward and hugged her immediately. "Damn, you are hard to find." She laughed as Tara held on tightly to the taller woman.

"I didn't know you'd be trying." She said softly rubbing the other woman's back slightly before leaning away.

"Neither did I, but I'm not the coven's messenger." The Canadian laughed lightly. "Well now I am."

"You volunteered didn't you." Tara looked at the tall brown haired woman and shook her head.

"Of course I did, Italy's no fun with just me and Pascal." Zoë laughed swinging off her pack.

"Oh Zo." Tara hugged her again. "If I'd hung 'police do not enter all' around the area and had armed guards you'd still have volunteered."

"Naw, then I'd have already come to see what all the shit was about." Zoë laughed and hugged her back. "And you'd still be laughing at me."

"You are just delivering messages and then leaving right?" Tara looked into dark green eyes.

"Do you want a shower or anything?" Tara checked. "Or is it a case of finding a quiet corner and catching up?"

"Quiet corner, then I can indulge in a meal and a shower." Zoë nodded. "Thankfully Buffy found me wandering or I'd still be out there."

"No worries, I'm going to go put this stuff away." Buffy rattled the bag she was carrying.

"Faith is out in the yard Buffy, she went out a few hours a go just to take a quick look at the bike." Tara explained trying to give the Slayer a logical reason to leave them alone.

Giles sat in an armchair, flicking through what looked like the most ancient book to have survived into the 21st century.

He frowned occasionally and flicked further in, only to read a paragraph and flick back.

"Okay Giles, more talking less with the boring use of complicated over and over." Buffy growled at him. "Does it say anything we can use?"

"Find what?" Buffy felt like screaming at him, his calm demeanor driving her crazy.

"Buffy this book as innocuous as it may seem is actually not." He closed it and looked at the Slayer. "It is both a history book, a spell book and a book of prophecy."

"Though one can sit her and read it cover to cover, one would learn nothing from it." Giles explained. "Instead one needs for example to read the paragraph at the top of page 29 and then the last paragraph on page 78," He flicked between the two texts.

"Giles are you trying to purposely be a totally annoying git?" Buffy accused using a word she'd heard from the Watcher once or twice.

"No, I am trying to explain by combining the two paragraphs you will discover the words of an ancient channeling spell and in the paragraph on page 3 you get the details of the ritual needed to make the spell work." Giles explained.

"No, no, that is an example Buffy." Giles shook his head. "Of how the book is written. Now the hidden content suggests that there is a spell in this book that may give us something against the First. But as I said I have to find it to learn it."

"Well the coven have studied extensively and they have narrowed down the task." He tried to be positive.

"Okay, I'll leaver you to it." Buffy pushed up. "I have to go check on Owl." She stopped. "Is she a witch Giles, she doesn't seem like one. My senses aren't twitching."

"Well I don't understand why she would be at the coven in Italy is she weren't, but she is not a witch like Willow." The watcher replied.

"You should talk to her, she can explain to you." Buffy didn't want to be the one to tell him Tara's business.

"Well it is obvious that she has been training." Giles put forward as he tapped the small sticker on the inside cover of the book. "I know this woman." He underlined her name. "And the coven she runs."

"Yes." Giles nodded. "And believe me, talking to Tara about exactly what she has been doing is high on my list."

Willow rubbed at her neck and yawned. She could hardly believe that she'd fallen asleep doing research, especially since Tara hadn't even been up to cover her over which was how she usually woke up.

"Hi." She found the Slayer in the dining room. "Where's Tara?" She questioned yawning again.

"The garden." Buffy glanced up from her book taking a small bite out of her apple.

"Woo, woo Will." Buffy raced after her pulling the door closed before Willow could step out.

"No, no." Buffy took a sideways glance out of the window to see Tara sat forward in a sun chair frowning slightly with Zoë next to her talking through a point.

"Buffy, I want to go see Tara." Willow followed her view. "Who the hell is that?" Her eyes went wide when she saw the tall brunette.

"They're talking Will." Buffy frowned slightly as to make matters worse, Tara pushed up off her chair and stalked away from the taller girl shaking her head.

Things got a thousand times worse when the Canadian followed up to stand and moved over coming behind her and putting her hands on Tara's shoulders. As they continued to watch Tara turned, her head still shaking as she pressed her body into a tight embrace with the taller woman.

"She has messages from the coven." Buffy watched trying not to read anything into what was going on.

"Willow come on they're only talking." Buffy tried again when from the garden there came Tara's voice, sterner than Buffy had ever heard it.

"Willow?" Tara's attention was briefly split as she turned to the open door and the fast approaching redhead.

"When did you wake up sweetie?" Tara took a light step over to the redhead and reached for her hand.

"Just a few minutes ago." Willow took it. "What's going on?" She looked at the other woman.

"Hi Willow, I'm Zoë." The Canadian extended her hand. Tara frowned a little at the Canadian's typically gregarious greeting.

"Tara asked you to go." Willow didn't reach her hand out, falling back onto the comment she'd heard.

"Yeah, she did, but she didn't really mean it, did you Tare?" Zoë blinked dark green eyes at the blonde. Tara just blinked blue eyes back at her, not knowing exactly what to say.

"You need to eat, and have a shower." Tara looked at Zoë. "We can talk about this then." She offered an alternative.

"I'll get Buffy to show me around." Zoë looked up to the door where the blonde was standing and moved off.

"That's Zoë, she's..." Tara frowned gently. "A friend from the coven in Italy."

"Why is she here?" Willow continued the barrage of questions. "Why are you upset?"

"M sent her, with a book for Mr. Giles and some messages for me, some more research, some new spells to become proficient in." Tara replied glancing at the house.

"She's a witch?" Willow clued in for the first time surprised. "She doesn't seem..." She stopped herself.

"She's worked hard, very hard, to become what she is." Tara explained looking back at her lover. "She is a witch. A witch who needs to go home, away from the danger."

"But if the coven sent her..." Willow didn't know why she was going against her initial thoughts to get the Canadian far away from Tara.

"I don't know why they did that." Tara's blue eyes narrowed. "I need to talk to M." She raised a hand and massaged her temple.

"They wouldn't have sent her if she wasn't ready." Willow argued, she knew how coven's worked, they were cautious at best.

"Ready?" Tara frowned. "Willow, Zoë can barely float a pencil." She couldn't help the bite in her voice

"Then I don't understand." Willow looked back to the house. "Why would she be studying with a coven in Italy?"

"To learn, to focus." The blonde grumbled upset with the turn of events. "To help her."

"But if she can't float a pencil she's not worth all the work." Willow shook her head. "Giles wouldn't even let me read spells when I couldn't float the pencil."

"Willow isn't not about what someone can't do, it's about what they can do. Zoë needed to learn a lot about temperance and patience, she has a gift, it's just a gift that needs time to develop." She explained more. "What I don't understand is why she's here? No, not even that." Tara paused. "Why M wants her to stay here?"

"No, no I need to just..." Tara stayed in place taking a breath. "I just need to hold you." She looked at her lover.

"The book, that M sent Giles, 'Il libro di magia di combattimento', do you know what that is Willow?" Tara whispered holding her back tightly.

"It's an old Italian text translates to 'The book of combat magic'." Tara offered. "M has two of her most trusted colleagues working on a translation of it most of the time, it's a book of great power Will, but a book of destruction." She frowned harder.

"I don't know." Tara shook her head. "Even in all my training, I was never allowed to learn anything from it or to even touch it, read it."

"But she let your friend fly all this way with it." Willow questioned seriously.

"Can we go and sit together Willow, I - I just want to sit with you for a while." She whispered.

Zoë was peering into the mirror, a towel loosely held around her body when the door suddenly pushed open.

"Hello, and lock." Faith stopped and didn't bother to check her slow appraisal of the tall woman before her. "That is, busy house you should use it." She turned and pointed to the small metal catch.

"I thought it was." Zoë laughed. "Hi, I'm Zoë." She stuck out her hand. "Hanlon, I'm a friend of Tara's."

"Faith." The dark slayer extended her hand and shook the other woman's. "Nice tat." She nodded looking at the tattoo that was just visible in the mirror on Zoë's shoulder.

"Oh yeah." She turned immediately without thought to let Faith see the Ying-Yang symbol. "You got any?"

"That'd be telling, I never show a girl my tats on a first date." Faith laughed then pushed up her sleeve a little.

"Nice wire, not your usual." Zoë leaned and pulled up the towel to reveal the enormous wolf on her thigh. "My real treasure."

"Wow nice work." Faith squatted down to get a closer look. "Must have hurt like a bitch."

"The ears and the back leg bled like I was in a war but it wasn't too bad. Worse part was the constant wiping, I was over three hours in the chair." The Canadian admitted not even thinking about the fact a relative stranger was inspecting her thigh.

"Thanks." Zoë nodded. "So you desperate for in here? I can get dressed if you show me another room."

"No, I'm fine, I was just trying to avoid a bunch of SIT's." Faith waved her hand. "You finish up, take your time."

"SIT's?" Zoë questioned picking up her toothbrush continuing on with what she was doing anyway.

"Slayers in Training, boy you sure as hell didn't know what you were walking into did you?" Faith replied with a smirk.

"Not at all." Zoë shook her head turning with the toothbrush. "I just know something big is going on and I want to help."

"Yeah that's great, so when are you hoping on a plane out of here?" Faith asked seriously.

"You're here, you don't know why, or what's going on and you're staying?" Faith arched her eyebrow. "Are you certifiable?"

"Canadian." She gave a wide toothy grin. "Got my little blue hard hat and I'm ready to spread peace."

"I'm okay with brushing my teeth." Zoë laughed lightly. "Though you could tell me where I can get something to eat?"

"I meant the shower." Faith winked. "Kitchen's the best place, though boy you should have got here earlier, the vultures probably got the best stuff."

"So you'd drown me in the shower? Is that a very nice housewarming?" Zoë turned back to her. Her voice amused and not at all offended.

"Nah, only if the next ship load of SIT's get dumped here and only then because we'll run out of room and well have to us the shower to sleep at least two of them." Faith laughed happy the girl had a sense of humor.

"That's a good thing, I usually expected my shower mates to wash my hair not off me." Zoë grinned and turned back to rinse off the toothbrush.

"Well I think there's a cot or two left over in the basement, I would say join my in my room, but I'm bunking down on the floor in he lounge, so believe me grab a cot!" Faith chuckled.

"Yeah that's right, give you an ice cube tray and hell you can probably fashion an igloo right?" Faith grinned.

"Great, cause most of the SIT's aren't legally old enough to drink." Faith backed up to the door. "I'll let you get on with it." She put her hand on the handle.

Buffy saw the small group gathered wince when Giles slammed the book on the coffee table.

"It's useless." Giles pushed the book away. "I would apologize," He glanced up vaguely in Tara's direction but scowled. "But I'm not going to, I can't just pick this damnable book up and come up with something life saving, it's taken decades just to get the contents ordered and filed."

"Yes, she might have narrowed it down Miss. Hanlon, but there are still 247 pages that could be a part of the reference I need." Giles pointed out staring at the book again as if it were its fault.

"Yes, but the reference might stand alone." She argued. "M is convinced it must, none of the other's couple with it."

"Il esiste ciò può fare il il e ritorno a. Nello spirito, nella carne, lo sguardo alla superficie di rivelare la forza interna." He read in not quite fluent Italian.

"Hello which means what?" Faith growled from her chair. "Rigatoni with extra sauce?"

"The weapon exists that can make the first the last and return order to chaos. In spirit, in flesh, look to the surface to reveal the inner strength." Tara translated for everyone in the room.

"But it looks like a long book." Kennedy spoke up from her place. "How can we find one spell in all of that?"

"Yeah um so don't you think maybe a combat magic guy would have known of some magically made weapon that kills our big bad?" Faith glanced at Zoë.

"Then why not just say go here for great big honking supernatural slaying thing?" Xander chipped in

"Even if you're right." Buffy looked at the other Slayer. "Without knowing what it is or where it is how does it help us?" She looked back at Giles.

"Could you try a locater?" Zoë looked at Tara. "If it is a weapon it has to have a signature."

"But I'd have to know what we're trying to locate." Tara frowned. "Giles what else is there on the page?"

"Nothing really, the text goes on, Foggiato nella forma corporea col ventilatore di cinque, né altalena né lo sciopero né il parry né lo scopo." He stopped as he turned a page.

"Fashioned in corporeal form with the fan of five, neither swing nor strike nor parry nor aim." She said and then looked at Giles. "Or at least that's close." She added when he didn't challenge her.

"Clearly suggesting a spell of sorts." Giles quickly followed up her translation.

"And spells are non corporeal." Willow added. "I'm with Faith I think it's a weapon or at least we should look at both options."

"Could I see the book Mr. Giles." Tara asked politely. "What about this?" She glanced at the text and read allowed. "Once forged will gravitate to the mouth with demons as its guard." She paused. "I think I got that right, Una volta forgiato graviterà alla bocca con I demoni come la sua guardia." She read out looking at Giles for confirmation.

"But if the First is here wouldn't it be here to find the weapon and protect itself?" Buffy argued.

"Well there is that line about fan of five, but I can't think of a weapon that has five anything's." Kennedy shrugged.

"B, I got to go out I'll be back." Faith looked at the other Slayer moving towards the door.

"Look..." She waited till they were in the hall away from the powwow in the master bedroom. "Early it came to me as the Mayor and there's this staff at his office that I mentioned and poof the First went away. I want to go check it out."

"That's a bit of a jump isn't it? The First pops up and disappeared when it likes." Buffy shook her head.

"You, won't the First have this thing guarded if it knows how important it is?" The blonde Slayer pointed out.

"Not if it doesn't think we have a clue." Faith reasoned. "He kept it out in the open, right under everyone's noses."

"Wait-wait, no way," Buffy shook her head. "What is Willow going to say about this?" She shook her head more aggressively.

"I told her I had to go somewhere." Tara replied cutting off the reason to deny her request.

"You know I can handle Uber vamps Buffy, it's okay." Tara whispered softly as she hurried after the other Slayer.

Faith flicked on the wide beam flashlight as they moved through the broken front doors of the Mayor's office. The marble floors were littered with papers but other than that everything seemed fine. It was likely there had been some looting but all in all the building had got away with little to no damage.

"It's in the back atrium." Faith relayed to Tara as watched the witch's flashlight appraising the area.

"It's very quiet." Tara admitted as she stepped over an upturned telephone. "That must have happened so quickly."

Pushing open some double doors. The interior of the atrium was vaguely lit by the glass ceiling that let in the day's fading light. Tara stepped to follow Faith,

"Airy." Tara glanced around and picked up a potted palm, putting it back on its base as she watched Faith.

"Matter of days, hours to have everyone clear out." The dark slayer nodded. "Well definitely looted." She looked at the large glass display case that was broken open, the stand within empty. "Good thing Wilky never left anything he loved out in the open where dirty hands could touch it."

Faith leaned down running her finger along the bottom edge of the stone base until she found a switch. She stepped back as the stone opened up like two doors and revealed a long staff inside.

"He let me see it once, used to say if I was good he might give it to me one day."

"Then come to Faith." She reached in gripping her hand around the metal molded hand shaft in the middle. "Oh she's nice." She took it out and twirled it.

Just as the dark haired Slayer rested its weight in her hands twirled it their came the crescendo of panes and panes of shattering glass as five deformed figures dropped through the roof landing in a haphazard circle around the girls.

"We got company." Faith twirled it again moving closer to Tara. "Guess we find out quick if this is the good stuff."

"I'm hoping it is, there aren't many trucks to throw around." Tara frowned at the Ubers.

Faith found that she could hold the middle grip with both hands, one up one down as she charged forward at two of them and spinning it with her body she was as shocked as the Ubers when two blades shot out the bottom ends and decapitated them. "Oh yeah, I like it." She swung back and the blades retracted. She gripped and re-gripped her hands realizing it was the pressure that brought out the end blades.

Tara whispered a short spell and sent two of the large potted trees crashing into a vampire pushing it back and off from its steady advance.

Quickly Faith jumped over to two others, battling with them for a moment before she decapitated a third and used the blunt wooden end to stab into the second staking it.

"No, I got it." Tara shook her head and as she did so, one of the large broken panels of glass flew through the air cleanly removing the last vampire's head from its shoulders turning it to ash instantly.

"So what you think?' Faith played with it for a bit, making the blades snap in and out.

"I think we should get it back to the house, before news spreads." Tara admitted.

"Definitely." Faith retracted the blades and bent down into the cabinet finding a leather sheath for it she slipped it in.

Faith did another spin showing them how the blades worked. Her audience was completely captivated.

"I think its pressure. That's what I figured out so far." She tossed it for Buffy to have a look.

"Are you sure there isn't a hidden catch?" Giles asked watching as the dark haired Slayer tossed the weapon. Buffy looked carefully at the long staff inspecting it from end to end.

"Who cares it blows through Ubers like butter?" Faith sat down next to Zoë who was watching everyone.

"Under over grip." She reached out putting her hands on the smooth metal center. "Then squeeze, each hand sends out the opposite blade.

"We'd be better putting her through her paces in the yard, less things to damage."

"You two go look at it, we'll do research see if there are any reference to it or it's marking." Giles nodded.

"Magical etchings." Tara smiled and shook her head as both Slayers got up. Kennedy pushed up too.

"Yeah, but everyone stay back we don't want to get anyone hurt by accident." Buffy nodded.

With a mumble of agreement the Slayers and potentials and slayers slipped out of the room, leaving Willow, Tara, Giles, Andrew and Zoë in the room. Dawn hung in the doorway obviously undecided where to go. Finally deciding to take a seat next to Tara.

Buffy waited until everyone was a fair distance away from her in a circle before she gripped the staff and began experimenting. She kept trying to use the grip as Faith had instructed originally but nothing happened, not sure if it was just a matter of getting familiar with the weapon she started to do some more complex moves.

"It's got nice weight." Buffy commented as she did some other staff moves, swinging and bracing it. "Got nice..." She spun it in front of her, edging out her grip to go hand over hand and when she brought it to a sharp stop she almost dropped it when five layers of round blades spun out forming a shield around the middle staff.

"Wish I knew how I did it." Buffy moved it back and forth without the blades contracting. "Nifty shield though." She twirled it harder and snapping it to a stop was surprised when they didn't retract. "Really wish I knew how to undo it." She held it in one hand and dropped it to the side tapping the edge on the ground. In a quite whoosh the blades all fell back into the staff invisible. "Oh cool." She swung it up again making the blades come out and the retracting them to confirm to herself she knew the trick involved.

"Great as a shield but I'm not jumping up and down for its weapon potential." Kennedy commented.

"What you don't like the idea of being able to protect?" Buffy swirled it again moving quickly over to Kennedy and swinging it down at her in a controlled arc wasn't as surprised this time when just the end blades shot out like axe heads.

"I think it responds to need... somehow." Buffy looked at Faith. "Smart weapon."

"Try more moves." Buffy flicked it again feeling the blades retracting before she handed it to Faith. "I can't get it to do the straight blades you had." She admitted finally.

"Sure." Faith handed it to her. "Give it a go. Can't hurt right." She looked at Buffy who shook her head.

Kennedy held it tentatively before she tried to twirl it and snapped it a couple of time without anything happening. She even tried to grip and pressure the middle but no blades came out.

"Well if it's some super First evil killing weapon." Buffy shrugged. "It'd have to be right?" She watched Faith grip her hands and the blades pop out.

"Woo this is well out of the normal league." Faith looked at the weapon in her hand. "Damn I wish Wilky had shown me this years ago."

"Give it to you so you could save the world." She said though her voice oozed with sarcasm.

"You're funny." Buffy growled at her. "He probably didn't give it to you because you would have cut your own arm off."

Willow shifted the book on her lap looking sideways at Tara who was right next to her.

"No love it wasn't, it was the beginning of a discussion, a discussion that you have every right to want, to need even, but not here." Tara glanced at her lover, smiling softy.

"I don't know it's a discussion, I just know you two are very..." Willow hesitated. "Chummy."

"I think we need drinks." Tara suddenly pushed up and then took Willow's hand. "Will and I will go and sort out drinks for everyone." She encouraged the redhead to stand and Willow anxiously followed her.

"Keep reading, we'll be back." She pushed out after the blonde into the kitchen.

"This is better." Tara turned and looked at Willow brushing locks of red off her lover's shoulder. Willow nodded softly waiting for her to continue. "Right, okay, over to me." She drew in a breath. "Zoë and I met in Italy." She began turning slightly and backing off from Willow.

"When I was, very, very unhappy." Tara turned and looked at the redhead. "We spent time together, I learned a lot about her, and she learned a lot about me."

"Oh my, you mean..." Willow's eyes went wide and her lip shook instead of finishing.

"No, no, Willow we never..." Tara moved quickly back reaching out to put her hand on Willow's arm.

"Oh good." Willow breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh I'm sorry that was unfair, I mean you could have, you were allowed... we weren't together, I'd hurt you and she seems nice, you wouldn't be with anyone not nice."

"We kissed Willow." Tara couldn't keep this from the other woman. "And only once, nothing more, just kissed and held hands. She used to hold me after my nightmares." She explained the extent of their relationship.

"Yes." Tara nodded. "I love her like I love Buffy, Dawnie and Xander. Not how I love you." She pointed out firmly.

"Yes." Willow nodded. "I was just wondering, she's only been here a few hours probably not yet. Which is fine, she might just be happy for you, being your friend."

"Buffy and Dawn." Willow laughed more. "Okay. What do you want to get everyone for drinks?"

"It's traditional when toasting good news." She added realizing Willow hadn't caught on.

Owl tried not to look uncomfortable about the being last on in the room as she eased the door closed and looked around the large group of people. Unlike when she had gone to rest there was an air and buzz of excitement about the whole house.

There was an assortment of cakes and cookies on the table and oddly enough a range of empty plastic glasses. At the head of the dining room table stood Willow and Tara, the redhead looking slightly nervous, where as the blonde had an air of control about her.

"Come on where's the drinks?" Faith jeered a little, she'd seen the bottles of champagne on the side, and though was slightly confused about the bottles, figured it was Tara's way of lifting everyone spirits with the discovery of the magic mystery weapon.

"Drinks?" Buffy looked over at the bottles. "Dawn you're having apple juice." She looked at her sister. Looking to see Owl had nowhere to sit she stood up. "Owl, take my chair, you shouldn't be up." She held it out for the SIT.

"Thank you." She smiled slightly and eased down realizing it would be more of a scene if she refused.

"Actually Buffy." Tara spoke softly and looked at the Slayer. "I think maybe Dawn is allowed champagne just this once." She went on. The Slayer looked at them waiting for her to explain. Clearing her throat a little she squeezed Willow's hand. Willow nodded grinning widely.

"As all of you have heard, or even seen, today saw the discovery of a weapon, a weapon we believe will help us in the battle that is to come." She took a small breath. "Which in itself is cause for great smiles." She looked at Faith. "But…" She paused again and glanced at Willow. "Are you sure?" She mouthed.

"Yes." Willow held her hand tighter trying to avoid Kennedy who was in the far corner looking more and more angry.

"We also thought that, though many of you don't know us well, to give you all, especially those of you who do, an extra boost." She smiled proudly. "Willow and I are engaged." She almost whispered.

"I bet she doesn't leave Willow at the alter, I bet they have a lovely wedding." She glared at him before turning back. "I'm very happy for both of you, I hope we aren't all killed now even more so we can be at your wedding."

The front door slamming and the disappearance of Kennedy punctuated Anya's words.

"That's great news Red, Blondie." Faith nodded at both of them. "So pop the cork already." She added grinning.

"Tar, that is fantastic." Zoë got up and moved over giving her a big hug. "See I told you it could be storybook." She whispered to the blonde.

"Yeah, yeah." Dawn bounced up from her chair and ran over hugging Willow. "This is so cool."

"You're one lucky woman Willow." Zoë pulled back smiling moving over when Dawn was finished to hug the redhead.

"Champagne." Giles was smiling, even though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I can't tell you how happy I am." The Watcher moved over and passed a bottle to Tara.

"Baby?" Tara wrapped her hands around the neck of the bottle waiting for Willow to put hers over them. Willow did so grinning.

"Ah for God sake do this right," Faith grabbed a bottle and shook it violently flipping the top off she sent a wave of spray over everyone at the end of the table. Tara gave a squeak and felt Willow arms tugging the bottle they held up and down their thumbs pushing the cork out to send a shower of sparkling wine over the other end of the table.

There came a squeal from a couple of the SIT's that were drenched and who scrambled over to claim a bottle for themselves.

"This is not..."Buffy tried to object but found herself nailed by a stream of champagne. "Who did that?" She sputtered. "OWL!" She squealed surprised.

Within moments the room was filled with squeals, laughter, and soaked young women, with even Xander, Andrew and Giles joined in the frivolity.

"I'm using you as a shield." Zoë hung behind Faith when her bottle ran out. "Most of them are afraid to shoot at you."

"Or no fun." Zoë winked at Tara as she brought up the apparently empty bottle and dumped it down the back of Faith's shirt.

"Hey!" Faith shot up as cold sparkling wine trickled down her back. "Ooh you're gonna pay for that maple leaf."

"You wish." Zoë took off towards the kitchen and what she hoped was safety on the back porch.

"Such a bad move." Faith took off in pursuit grabbing the garden hose off it rest and flicking on the jet spray.

"Hey, hey!" Zoë screamed as she tried to dodge the stream. "So no fair." She finally gave up making a charge at Faith and trying to get control of the nozzle. It waggled between soaking one or the other of them.

Dawn chased through into the kitchen to follow the pair, looking out into the garden she turned her head.

Within seconds a steady stream of SIT's accompanied by Anya, Xander and Andrew filtered out into the garden, followed by Giles who took up a place in the kitchen watching the chaos.

Owl and Buffy lagged behind the group. The two looked at each other for a moment and then Owl eased slowly over to the blonde Slayer.

For a moment Buffy seemed to consider the offer and Owl just let her, giving her space and time to decide whatever she wanted.

Fifteen minutes after the first popping cork, Dawn and the SIT's baring Owl and Kennedy were all in the garden, soaked to the skin and still chasing one another. Faith was drinking a beer, watching them leaned up against the side of the house, with Anya and Xander carrying out their own personal water attack on each other. Andrew had slunk back inside and was helping Giles with the clearing knowing he couldn't leave his post as magical battery.

"I don't want to break up a party but, shouldn't someone go look for Kennedy?" She whispered.

"Damn that's right she left at the announcement, Crap." She shook her head pushing off the wall and putting her beer on the decking. "Okay I'm gone." She glanced at her watch, they had an hour or so until nightfall.

"Where should we look for her?" Zoë asked keeping up with the Slayer as she strode into the house.

"We don't." Faith stopped in the kitchen and looked at the Canadian. "I'll just do a local check, she won't have gone far, she's not completely stupid. Hey G-man you got SIT watch. If I were you I'd grab the super soaker from under the sink." Faith grinned at Giles and gave Andrew a look that said 'get your ass out there too'. Not stopping to see if they followed her direction the dark haired Slayer walked through to the sitting room, flicking open the weapons chest.

"I should come with you." Zoë followed her, picking up her jacket from off the chair, even though her outfit was already completely soaked.

"No offence, but you're a witch right, I'm a slayer, if our little potential is in trouble, that trouble is being brought either by a Bringer, big guy with a knife, or an Uber vamp, but hard to kill vampire guy." Faith explained. "I can't watch out for Kennedy and you in a fight."

"But if she's hurt I can help, I have medical training and I'm not keen on danger, I'd know when to run and hide." Zoë pushed. "Besides, if I'm sticking around, I need to see a Bringer and an Uber vamp don't I to know what to look out for?" She added logically. "And who better to be shown the sites of Sunnydale by?"

"Okay, you can come, but don't get in the way okay?" Faith shook her head and pushed off towards the front door.

Willow pulled back from the hot kiss that she and Tara had been caught up in the hall on the way back through to get some dishes. Looking up at the blonde and she briefly wondered where everyone had gone to until she heard the happy squealing outside.

"Good, I want everyone and everything to know how much I love you. How much I want you." Willow felt her voice notch lower.

"Want me?" Tara heard her voice drop too, running her fingers slightly up Willow's arm.

"Tones of it." Willow reached down for her hand standing up. "We should... go upstairs." She prompted.

Tara took a slightly staggered breath and closed her long fingers around Willow's.

Willow felt her stomach jump as they pressed up together and literally floated up the stairs from their joy. Willow turned when they entered their room and locked the door behind them, her hands went to her shirt undoing the buttons immediately.

Tara crossed straight to the bed lying down on the soft mattress, watching Willow with bright eyes.

"You're not getting undressed." Willow blushed a little as she stepped out of her sneakers and pushed down her jeans.

Willow blushed more, her cheeks bright as she reached behind her unclipping her bra and pulling it off her small-excited breasts.

"Beautiful." Tara breathed again, slowly lowering her hands to the bottom of her stretch pink top, pulling it off her body.

Willow obediently pushed down the small panties and then yanked off her socks before she came over kneeling naked on the bed.

Outside the SIT's could still be heard yelping and dosing each other with water.

"Some thing needs your attention." Tara trailed her hand up between her own breasts.

"Mmmm my favorite perfect breasts." Willow dipped her head down licking her lips before she started to place kisses over the soft mounds.

The redhead kept her lips busy, kissing a line from one end to the other placing chaste teasing kisses over hardening nipples. Only once she had finished the line did she bring her lips back, placing kisses all around the dark puckered areas around Tara's nipples, teasing them even harder.

Moving her hands to the sides of breasts Tara pressed them lightly together her breathing shifting to be shallower and faster.

Willow reached up pressing her hands over Tara's to squeeze them closer together, using the proximity she let the tip of her tongue snake a figure eight around both of her nipples.

"Yummy." Willow grinned as she licked her tongue over one nipple then the over then back wanting to taste both of them at once.

Tara eased one hand off her breast and treaded it through Willow's red hair holding her head lightly in place.

Closing her eyes Willow licked back and forth a few more times, before she pressed even tighter with her hands to bring the blonde's nipples close enough together than she could close her lips over both of them at the same time.

"Mmmm mmm oooo yes." Tara flexed her hips. "Willow, I love you." She whispered feeling her nipples stiffen and strain more.

Willow sucked harder, treading her tongue around the two peaks of flesh. A mumble that was in fact 'I love you too' came back without Willow moving her lips, she was too driven to devour the breasts she loved.

Tara's hand slipped from the back of Willow's head down over her shoulders, then focusing on running up and down the top of her spine. Willow groaned as her body arched, she immediately focused on one breast, sucking the nipple deep into her mouth as she filled her mouth with flesh.

"Oooo yes Willow." Tara literally felt her toes curl, the muscles in her body dancing as she felt her body flared with electric arousal.

Alternating the pressure, she let the hard nipple play against the ridges at the top of her mouth as she pulled her head back a little, pulling flesh taunt.

Willow's hips pressed back to her as she kept up the hard pressure before she let the nipple slip from her mouth with a soft pop and took a quick breath before she moved to suck the other one deep into her mouth.

"I'm so lucky you like breasts." Tara breathed bringing her other hand to stroke up and down Willow's lower back at the same time as she stroked the top of her spine.

"Love yours." Willow mumbled running the sensitive flesh of her lips across the blonde's nipple, feeling the way it strained and throbbed almost.

Tara knew that the fast hard drumming of her heart would be echoing through her body to Willow's though the soft connection point of her lips.

"That's cause." Willow placed kisses all over them. "No one loves them as much as me." She let the pressure of her hands relax and kissed between them.

"No one could ever love me like you do either." Willow leaned up kissing her softly.

"Me either, I want you as my wife forever." Willow pulled away and lowered her lips again licking down her left breast.

"Thank you." Tara whispered softly moving her hand back to stroke her lover's hair.

"I'm not a Goddess, I'm your Tara." The blonde shook her head softly. "Suck harder love." She encouraged.

Almost immediately Willow did just that, using her hand to cup Tara's breast and keep the nipple pointing up so that she could get more pressure with her lips and tongue.

As her lips stayed in place she brought her hand up, teasing the other nipple with the blunt edge of her thumbnail.

"Oh Willow every time you do that, desire flows through me." Tara rocked her hips in time with Willow's thumb movements.

Willow nodded, pulling the nipple with her for the movement. She flicked faster wanting to feel Tara's hips speed up.

In turn Tara's body moved eagerly to the new speed causing the blonde to breathe faster her hand slipping down again to rub down her back.

In an easy move Willow slipped her leg over one of Tara's, pressing her growing wetness against her lover's thigh as she tried to find some friction for her own ache. The taste and texture of the flesh in her mouth was driving her wild.

Tara moaned as she felt Willow's hot flesh pressing against her skin, and instantly tensed the muscles in her long thigh, sliding her hand down to rest on Willow's hip.

The invitation made Willow groan as she wiggled a bit, getting herself closer to Tara before she started pressing back and forth with her hips to slide her body on the blonde's thigh. Her groan was matched as she sucked harder, breaking her lips away to press Tara's breasts together again ravishing both nipples.

"That's so nice." Tara moved her other hand to Willow's other hip encouragingly rubbing her thumb over her lover's hipbone. She arched her back slightly more as both her breasts were ravished.

"Never too wet." Tara stretched her fingers out over Willow's slender back, keeping her thumb rubbing over the soft skin.

"Are you?" Willow questioned slipping one hand down now that she had balance over Tara's leg to draw the blonde's skirt up higher.

"Oh..." Tara smiled. "Me? I thought we were talking about you." Tara flexed her hips slowly wishing her panties would just disappear and the Willow would touch her hot body. Quickly she curled her fingers around the tight cotton material, pressing two into wetness. "Am I too wet?" Tara whispered.

"Never." Willow moaned resting her head against round breasts as she breathed hotly, her fingers swirling around her lover's clit.

Tara felt her hips rotate and roll in a soft motion as she encouraged the strong hard push and press of Willow's hips over her thigh almost feeling high on the scent and heat of her lover,

Willow flicked her tongue around a nipple in the same pace that her fingers swirled deeper in Tara's body and her own hips pressed against the blonde's thigh.

"Perhaps we could... if you want... the box is just down by the bed." She whispered her voice heavy and aroused.

"Mmmm the box, let me get it." Willow pulled her hand away slowly, bringing her fingers up to lick them clean with a light blush before she leaned over the edge of the bed pulling out the small box. She pulled out a small battery powered finger massager, clipping it around her middle and ring finger before she dipped her hand back down between Tara's legs. A gentle almost silent hum started when she turned it on and teased it over the wet cotton to send the vibrations into Tara's pussy.

"You like that?" Willow half commented, half questioned as she pressed it in a bit harder.

"Oh yes, yes I like that." Tara confirmed though verbal confirmation was hardly necessary as her body released another wave of fluid further soaking her wet panties.

"You do." Willow pressed her fingers around the soaked cotton, moving her fingers and the vibrator head in to tease around Tara's throbbing center.

"You feel so wonderful." Willow groaned her hips sliding more on Tara's leg as her fingers moved faster.

"Do... do you need anything more?" Tara moaned and breathed faster feeling her clit begin to pulse.

"Touch me." Willow groaned her voice higher as she rocked faster against Tara's thigh.

Tara moaned and slid one hand over and across Willow's trembling stomach trying to keep the rhythm of her body even.

Willow didn't help her as she closed her lips over a tight nipple again sucking as her fingers swirled below.

"Ahhh baby..." Tara groaned louder. "I need... I need to get my hand there baby."

Willow slowed for just a second lifting her hips up enough to let Tara wiggle her hand between them. Tara slid her hand into place and pressed her hand flat to the heated body rubbing against her. Willow's back straightened as she moaned loudly from the more direct contact.

"So close baby." She breathed in warning as she pressed the vibration tighter to Tara's center.

"Ahhh I.... I know." Tara acknowledged as her body began moving harder and faster. "Me to."

Willow concentrated on rocking harder as the bed began to move with them, knocking lightly against the wall and joining into the noise of their moans and pants.

"Ooh Willow, oh love." Tara put the effort in to speak as she felt her body tightening.

"Together baby," Tara made the soft request her free hand moving to rest over Willow's

"Yessssssssssssssssssssssssss." Tara pushed harder up to Willow's body her insides trembling and releasing, her breathing fast and shallow.

Feeling the change in her lover, Willow's hips bucked harder without rhythm her insides going tight.

"I... I don't want to stop." Tara panted curling her central finger up to slip inside Willow.

"Ahhhhhhh." Willow felt her tight insides pushed open and it made her slide closer to release.

"Oh Goddess baby." Tara felt her body swell and release a blown away by how Willow felt inside. Wanting to feel her lover, Willow wiggled her fingers out of the small catch on the vibrator and pressed them lower, pushing two into Tara's hot body.

"Ooooooooooo!" Tara's eyes squeezed closed as she felt her lover press inside her. "Yes darling, yes."

"Mmmm so love you." Willow leaned closer, their bodies braced against one another as she ground her hips and stroked her fingers in and out.

"More than love, you complete me baby." Tara growled, as she angled her penetrating finger forward slightly to rub inside her lover's body.

"Ahhhhhhh me too." Willow's hips arched up flat whimpering as Tara's finger teased her.

"Oh baby, you feel so good... oh TARRAAAA." She screamed her name softly as the bedpost hit against the wall harder, her own fingers driving faster.

"Oooo, Oooh Willow, WILLLOW!" Tara's cry wasn't soft as the blonde climaxed hard.

"Baby, baby." Willow panted out her voice getting lower as she tumbled into her own orgasm suddenly pressing her fingers in deep and holding them here against spasming muscles.

Tara bucked and rocked, pressing round and up over and over, her whole body shaking in release, her breath hot and fast, coming out with soft pleasured moans.

Willow's reaction was similar, her hips sliding on Tara's hand drawing out her screams and moans before she shivered and felt more limp against Tara.

"Complete." Willow agreed in a hard whisper as she drew her fingers out slowly so she could hug Tara.

Buffy left Owl to sort out the door and sat down on the bed pulling off her boots and then standing to pull her wet shirt off. Owl closed it carefully and flicked the lock into place. Turning she rested her back on it and watching the Slayer.

"I'm wet." She explained feeling hotter as Owl watched her taking off her jeans and even when she moved to undo her bra.

"You are." Owl nodded and ran her hand over her stomach her fingers splaying out over the wet ribbed cotton of her sleeveless shirt.

"I'm getting more that way by the second." Owl smirked slowly rubbing her fingers back and forth.

"Tease." Buffy smirked back pulling off her panties slowly, her body shivering under Owl's stare.

"Oh I'm not teasing." Owl shook her head licking her lips. "God you're hot." She added appraising Buffy's naked form.

"I'm enjoying the view right now." Owl admitted walking slowly forwards. Buffy almost brought her arms up to cover herself but the look in Owl's eyes made her stop. "You're... you have a fucking amazing body." Owl whispered reaching out and trailing her fingers up Buffy's arm.

"I could lose a little weight." Buffy objected softly shivering under the touch.

"No, you couldn't." Owl shook her head, bringing her lips down to kiss Buffy's shoulder. "You're perfect."

"Mmmm so are you." Buffy titled her head. "Are your ribs okay?" She asked reaching her hand up to Owl's shoulder.

"I know, but I've aggravated it... with all the..." She breathed out relaxing against Owl's body. "Sexy time."

"Nah." Owl shook her head. "You want to be thankful for the injuries, if it hadn't have been for them, we'd still be having 'sexy time'." She used Buffy's term with a wide grin.

"Oh no." Owl shook her head. "I might like the big bikes and the leather, but I'm no boy, if a beautiful woman needs me, I'm right there."

"You're definitely not a boy." Buffy leaned up pressing their lips together as she lopped both arms around Owl's neck.

"No, not even with all the gear I have, I'm no boy." Owl slid her arms around her waist.

"Though if I were, God I'd be uncomfy right now, I'm uncomfy enough as it is just thinking abut you." Owl grinned.

"Hell yeah." Owl nodded. "Buffy you have an amazing body and a personality to wow anyone, and what's more than that, unless I'm mistaken we came up here to have great hot sex."

"We did." Buffy nodded pressing her body to the SIT's. "You need to get undressed." She pointed out.

"Do I? Why, what do you want to do to me?" Owl growled softly, stroking her hands over Buffy's naked hips pressing her jeans forward rubbing them against the blonde's neatly trimmed mound.

"Then touch me." Owl purred she slid her hand down over the front of her pants and rubbed her knuckles against Buffy's body sliding her other hand round to cup Buffy's ass cheek.

"I..." Buffy's eyes slid closed at the new pressure against body finding her track of thought lost. "Oh God Owl." She shivered.

"What Buffy?" Piper pressed her fingers harder against her, following them up with a press from her hips.

"I'm touching you." Owl leaned in and kissed her neck lightly. She carefully turned her hand round and slipped her fingers down cupping Buffy's pussy.

"I thought you were mad at me." Buffy admitted softly melting into Owl's kisses and hand.

Very gently Piper moved her central finger back and forth, shaking her head and kissing along the soft well in the Slayer's neck.

"I wasn't mad at you." She cleared up the matter. Buffy's breath was hitched as the single finger made her thighs quiver. "And even if I was." She paused and grinned. "I couldn't have stayed that way." Owl found her finger gracing lightly over the Slayer's clit, leisurely she stroked over and over.

"You could have." Buffy groaned out lightly as she felt her body relaxing under the gentle almost casual touch. She'd never felt anyone touch her so leisurely. "You're definitely not a boy, they never go that slow." She massaged her hand into Owl's neck.

"A girl like you, deserves slow." Owl breathed out stroking over and over. "Deserves to feel all her body can give."

"I don't know how long I can stand up." She admitted. She tipped her head forward to look at her lover. "Do you want to lie down?"

"I want you to be comfortable." Owl replied kissing Buffy. "Though…" She paused and looked deeply into the Slayer's eyes.

"Buffy have you ever... you like straight sex don't you?" She asked the odd sounding question.

"Do you trust me?" Owl pulled back slightly but kept her finger moving softly. "And I don't mean like huge world changing trust, just in this."

"Lay down, you might want to look after yourself softly, but don't get too excited without me, I'll be back really soon." Owl slowed her finger down to the slowest speed before stilling.

"Yes." Owl nodded sliding her hand sensual out of its place she threaded her fingers through one of Buffy's hands and slowly eased it down. "Feel how good you feel." She didn't pull the hand all the way not wanting to worry or upset the blonde.

Buffy hesitated for a moment, looking into Owl's eyes and saw only encouragement and lust looking back at her.

"Let me lie down." She didn't put her hand any further as she backed up and lay down.

"Beautiful." Owl whispered her voice catching in her throat. Very slowly Buffy ran her hand down her stomach. "Only do what feels okay." Owl whispered mesmerized.

Buffy saw how she was being appraised and boldly leaned back with her legs more open sliding her hand lower, her hips flaring a bit as she came to feel her own wet heat.

"You are so hot." Owl licked her lips and ran her own hand over the crotch of her jeans pulling them up and pressing in with her finger lightly.

"Not as much as you." Buffy watched what Owl was doing almost forgetting about her own hand as she mimicked the movement biting her lip when her fingers pressed onto her clit.

"That's it." Owl moaned. "Feel how hot you are." She pressed her fingers harder on her pants feeling her own heat.

"Where are you going?" Buffy settled herself, pulling over the other pillow so she was propped up a bit as she let her finger circle over her center.

"Bathroom, I'll be right back." Owl kept the movement of her hand up as she ducked down and picked up her backpack from the floor. "Just keep comfy." She breathed.

"Okay." Buffy nodded softly as Owl eased the lock of the door and then slid out.

Being left alone, with the door unlocked for that matter, made Buffy feel a lot more vulnerable. After all she couldn't be sure anyone wasn't just going to come upstairs and barge in. Her fingers stilled but she could feel the deep ache that Owl's touch had started in her begging to be satisfied. Just a few short moments later the door handle turned.

"Only me." Owl whispered softly. She pushed open the door and slipped inside closing and locking the door behind her. She turned back to the bed, still dressed in her pants and tight wet T-shirt.

"I thought you were getting changed." Buffy questioned confused seeing that Owl was in exactly the same outfit.

"I said I was going to the bathroom." Owl reminded as she crossed over to the bed, a certain swagger to her steps. "How are you?" She asked eyeing the Slayer's prone naked body.

"A bit nervous, I was worried one of the SIT's would barge in." Buffy admitted watching her swagger over.

"Still out in the yard." Owl crossed over to the open window motioning to it and the loud screaming and giggling that floated through it. Smiling Owl pulled the window closed.

"They are." Owl nodded, kneeling light on the bed. "And you needn't worry, they wouldn't come in here with the door shut.

"I have the only one that I want in her with me already." Buffy admitted holding out her hand urging her to lie down.

"Mmmm looks like you stopped." Owl smiled glancing at the soft blonde 'v' between Buffy legs.

"I..." Buffy felt her other hand where it rested on her thigh. "You weren't here to watch."

Buffy slid her hand down Owl's body, her mind mostly concentrating on the kisses that moved across her breasts. That was until she reached the crotch of Owl's jeans and felt a very hard lump where there shouldn't be one.

"What..." Buffy pushed her hand back. "Are you hurt? You have bandages." She asked confused.

"Bandages?" Owl frowned and shook her head. "Don't think so." She continued kissing.

"Owl." Buffy had to physically stop her. "You have a..." She dragged Owl's hand down. "Lump."

Slowly almost luxuriously Owl ran her hand over her crotch her fingers tracing out over the discernable lump.

"Piper, that has nothing to do with this. What's wrong?" Buffy was worried as she rolled a bit checking the other bandages.

"Buffy." Owl put her hands gently over Buffy's. "There's nothing wrong." She stated clearing.

"But you have mysterious lump." The Slayer shook her head. "Could be a ripped muscle, I should have pushed the docs to check you over more. I know they were busy and about to all skip town but..." She frowned.

"Oh I don't know about mysterious, I think its pretty much to be expected for someone sharing a room with naked, sexy, you." She again punctuated her words with kisses.

"Buffy its okay, I just..." Owl seemed to become serious for a moment. "I wanted to pack for you, kind of a way to show you what you make me feel."

"Oh God Buffy I'm sorry, its just I completely forgot you're new to this, you're just so hot and so sexy I didn't think that..." Owl moved her hand and brushed a few stands of dark blonde back off Buffy's face

"Owl what the hell are you talking about?" Buffy felt herself growing tenser as the Potential talked around whatever this was which apparently she was too stupid to be getting.

"Hey, hey there's no need to tense up." Owl instantly saw the Slayer's shoulders twitch. "Here let me lose the jeans.

"Piper, I don't understand what you're talking about with packing and me being new." Buffy shook her head not moving to help.

"Or for girls who want to have that extra bit for their lovers." Owl tried to explain.

"You mean?" Buffy looked down at the bulge in Owl's jeans again her eyes going wider as she squeaked out the question.

"No, no wait." Buffy gripped her hands into the shoulders of Owl's shirt to keep her there. "You mean... you have a..." She looked down again her voice more normal.

"I didn't know you could have one." Buffy admitted running her hand down Owl's body again this time without the panic, more curiosity and a bit of anticipation fueled her exploration.

"You can, many different ones, like I say this one is called Myst, I have others, but she's my favorite and the harness she's in is made of a stretchy material called PVC." Owl explained wanting to give Buffy as much warning as she could.

"And you put her on for me? You packed for me?" She tried to use the term that Piper had.

"Yeah." Owl nodded. "Because I like how she feels when I'm pressed up to a beautiful girl and I love the pleasure I can bring with her."

"I just want to feel." Buffy whispered feeling her body relaxing completely and settling more into anticipation as she cupped her hand over the hard area. "She's hard." She pointed out looking in dark eyes.

"I... she seemed nice." Buffy nodded slightly. Moving her hand over to Owl's hip she leaned up kissing her again.

"Let me go take her off, we can have proper introductions later." Piper caught her mouth and drew the kiss out.

"No, no." Buffy squeaked this time in protest. "Not yet." She shook her head moving one around Owl's body pulling her closer.

Piper moved closer dipping her head to begin kissing her again. Buffy kissed her back feeling more relaxed, or at least relaxed enough to move to find Owl's hand and guide it back between her legs. Piper let her fingers slid back over the still hot and wet flesh.

"Mmmm oh God Buffy." She moaned kissing along her throat her fingertip carving lightly the ridges and valleys around Buffy's clit.

"Missed those fingers." Buffy moaned as her hips flared open, all the misunderstanding and confusion completely forgotten.

"They missed your body." Owl whispered dipping back drawing forward the soft liquid gold from the Slayer's open body smoothing it over and round the hardening clit.

"How long have you had Myst?" Buffy asked her hips moving slowly with the exploration.

"Myst? Oh she's kinda new." Owl replied keeping her voice soft. "About six months, I used to have one just like her, but I gave that to…" The tall woman stopped as the memory stalled her slightly.

"Lucky girl." Buffy reached her hand up cupping Piper's cheek. She could feel the flash of grief hitting the potential.

"I am, for ever knowing her." Owl seemed to take a moment and then steeled herself some inner strength. "Just like I am for now knowing you." She blinked slowly at Buffy.

"Knowing how to live again..." Buffy leaned up brushing their lips together. "Live through the pain."

For a moment forgetting what she as wearing and the previous hesitation and tension, Owl pulled Buffy close to her and held her tightly pressing her head against the side of Buffy's.

"To rise from the ruins of that which has been spoiled." Her voice choked slightly as she placed a hard kiss on Buffy's shoulder.

"You will, you are..." Buffy hugged her tightly reaching up to rub though her hair. You're going to make it through this Piper."

"Even if I don't." Piper shook her head. "I'm not scared anymore." She pulled back slightly and pressed her lips hotly to Buffy's.

"That happens tomorrow." Owl pulled back panting a bit. "I'm more interested in what happens today." She groaned into the kiss and sucked on Buffy's tongue. Buffy groaned her body pressing to Owl's feeling the lump in her crotch pressing into her hip. "Oh Buffy, really, you are so beautiful." Owl groaned unable to stop the soft flex of her hips forward into Buffy's.

"Today I want you to introduce me to Myst, to what you can do with her." Buffy growled out pressing her hand into Owl's back.

"Are... are you sure?" Owl's voice hitched slightly as she felt a surge of desire through her.

"Well the first thing I'm going to underline is that though I have Myst, it's not all about her." She smiled softly and then slid her fingers back, over and over Buffy's clit. "It's still all about you. Well me and you." She added with a smile.

"Ummmmoohhh." Buffy's body reached to the touch. "Better be me and you." She smiled back.

"Oh it is, believe me, the reason I'm not wearing the leather one, is that the PVC doesn't mind being completely soaked." She explained.

"Does it feel good?" "Buffy moved her hand around pressing against the lump in time with the fingers flicking over her clit.

"And you're..." Buffy breathed out deeply as felt Owl show her how Myst pressed feeling the firm pressure grin into her pelvic bone. "Wet?"

"I thought we'd already cleared the you're the sexy one thing up." Owl groaned sliding her hand back and forth over Buffy's swollen clit and outer lips.

"I've been building for so long with you doing that." Buffy broke off panting as she felt her hips moving harder against the stimulation.

"You build beautifully." Sliding her fingers a little further back Owl pressed two gently up into Buffy's body, testing her arousal. The Slayer instantly locked down on the finger's, arching up in ecstasy. "Mmmm mmm Buffy." Owl was both surprised and delighted her breath pushing out in a hot gasp. Buffy was only able to gasp back as her body bucked and shivered. "I don't want to rush this Buffy, but do you want to feel her?" Owl whispered her voice soft like melted chocolate.

"I think... yes." Buffy nodded feeling herself flush with pleasure from head to toe.

"Okay." Owl breathed lightly. "You want to go on top that way you have the control." The potential's voice was low.

"Do you have a flavor preference?" Owl wiggled her hand into her jean packet and pulled out a selection of condoms.

"It makes it feel nice, smell good and you can never beat the safety features." She grinned back spreading them out in a small fan shape.

Owl grinned and let the others drop from her hand and slip off the bed onto the floor. She then pushed open her jeans more as she eased the soft baby blue silicon out of them.

"I'm predictable aren't I?" Buffy laughed lightly. "She's blue." She looked down breathing out a bit shocked.

"I have a pink one if you prefer, though she's a little larger." Owl smiled all the while.

"No, I just figured she'd look more like... well like a penis." Buffy studied the smooth shaft and head.

"Well they can do, I have a marbled effect one that looks more like one than she does." Owl explained. "I just thought not too long, not too thick, but with a nice head for you to grip would suit a gorgeous thing like you." She explained her choice.

"You're so confident when you talk." Buffy moved over closer, kissing her slowly.

"Yeah maybe it's to cover the fact that really deep inside, I'm shy." Owl winked. "You gonna open that and slide it on her?"

Buffy took the condom and slowly opened it up, she threw the foil at the dresser and pulled out the clear condom. Carefully she slid it down the blue shaft smiling at the chocolate smell in the air.

"You might be shy." Buffy moved over to straddle her stomach. "But you hide it well." She leaned down kissing her again.

"Just like you hide your hot lesbian side." Owl winked and ran her hands over Buffy's bare sides.

"If you say so." Owl winked putting up a hand she cupped Buffy's breast and squeezed softly.

"Good job I'm a boy then." Piper winked pushing her hips up pressing the tip of Myst against her back.

"Piper..." Buffy arched looking into dark eyes. "I'm a bit nervous." She admitted softly.

"Of course you are." Owl's voice dropped as did her hips. "And this can be a brief hi this is me intro or something more, there is no rules here. No agenda or check points, no expectations." She shook her head going back to just gently stroking the Slayer's legs.

"But I want it to feel good for you." Buffy objected though she found herself concentrating on the soft hands that ran up and down her legs.

"Just having you naked, sitting straddling my tummy makes it more than good Buffy." Owl explained honestly.

"You mean it don't you? If I said I wanted to stop and got up off the bed you wouldn't be mad or upset would you?" Buffy reached up tracing her fingers over Owl's cheek.

"Why the hell would I be mad or up set?" Piper moved her hand and lightly took the hand that Buffy moved over her cheek, she guided the fingertips to her mouth and kissed them gently. "I would be okay with it, if all we ever did again was lay beside each other fully clothed or even fight together side by side to make this world a better place." The potential spoke frankly.

"Disappointed that I didn't get to see sexy gorgeous you writhe around screaming my name in the height of release. Hello, Buffy I might be considerate and non pushy but I'm not brain dead." She grinned.

"And boy would I need to slip off to the bathroom to finish." Owl kissed her before leaning back and winking obviously.

"You'd have to touch yourself for me?" Buffy pressed down against her stomach more. Owl ensured her stomach muscles were tense for her to grind down against.

"No ones ever said that before." Buffy leaned down kissing her pressing her hands into Owl's breasts.

"Stick around me and you'll get to hear it a lot." Owl winked again her back arching and her nipples stiffening at the simple touch.

"I want to hear it a lot." Buffy leaned down kissing her as she massaged. "This feels good."

"Well if you shift onto your knees, you can rest above her and then ease down as little or as much as you want. You can guide the head yourself to get it in the right spot." Piper rubbed her legs again.

"On my knees?" Buffy shifted slowly, moving down until she felt the stiffness against her leg. "Could you... guide." She asked breathing out.

"Of course." Piper whispered, smiling softly as she moved her hand to rest between Buffy's legs taking the opportunity to again stroke over her clit back and forth gently.

Buffy moaned forgetting almost what they were doing as she just enjoyed the intimate touch that made her hips rock and flare. Deciding to focus on this and the luscious feeling it brought to her to watch Buffy rock and shift to the soft motion. Owl drew her fingers over longer and fuller then burred them over the hard nub briefly going right back to stroking. Each motion made Buffy move differently as she groaned louder, her hand going up to brace on the headboard as her legs shook.

"God you're beautiful." Piper breathed following the move with her eyes tipping her head back slightly as she watched the gentle bounce of Buffy's breasts.

"Please make me... before I..." Buffy ground down on Owl's fingers feeling hot shivers flush up inside her.

Bringing more of her fingers in to play with and over Buffy's clit Piper teased and then stroked and then directly stimulated the Slayer.

Buffy settled into the touch by the time Owl's fingers were settled directly on her center, her breathing was fast and the long build up in her body made it no time before her hips were jerking and she was smearing hot wetness over the potential's stomach with her motion. She called out loudly, bending her head down near Piper's ear as her back arched.

"Put... Myst... now." Buffy panted into her ear feeling her hot insides shivering.

Bringing her other hand down she gently tilted the silicon shaft and guided it to Buffy's body. The Slayer instantly called out again in pleasure as the ache inside her was filled. She pressed back sitting up more, the silicon sliding up deep until she was snug to Piper's body.

"Piper, it's warm." She breathed out completely shocked as she felt her interior muscles gripping it tightly.

"Oooh christ." the potential groaned having not expected such depth. "Yes baby, warm." She breathed out sliding her guiding hand out and up over her lover's back.

"I didn't expect that." Buffy admitted pulling up slightly with a loud groan before she let her body slid down the shaft again.

"Is it okay for you?" Buffy dipped down letting her lower body grind against Piper's staying deep on Myst.

"More than okay." Owl nodded trying hard to keep her lower body and not push up into Buffy's body.

"You're not moving." Buffy pressed one hand under Owl's shirt teasing her nipple.

"Ahhhhhhh." Owl groaned, biting the edge of her lip. "I… I can move? That'd be okay?" She asked softly explaining her stillness.

"Please... I want you to like it." Buffy played with the nipple between her fingers.

"Mmmm." Gently at first the potential let a slow ripple of pleasure run through her body pressing her hips up just a little. Even the slight move made Buffy groan as Myst shifted inside her. "God you feel amazing." Owl moaned as she let Buffy groan flow through her.

"Ohhh God yes." Owl felt a shudder going through her and pushed her hips up faster and more direct feeling the angle of Myst shift slightly.

Buffy groaned again leaning back a bit, letting her hips drive down harder, the thick head of the silicone pressing through her tight muscles.

"Ooh god." Piper moaned again, feeling the silicon judder a little and then press into the hot body above her deeper. Drawing her hips back into the mattress, she pressed up with a low pant of effort.

Buffy rode the shaft harder as she felt the silver 'o' ring and PVC straps bumping against her already shivering clit, pushing her closer to another mind blowing orgasm.

"Oh God Buffy oh God." Owl panted over and over as she thrust up and up again, her eyes watching as Buffy rode her hard. She knew the slayer had strength but her body was completely pinned underneath the tiny blond and happily she found herself being brought along for Buffy's ride.

"I'm... oh Piper..." Buffy leaned forward, grabbing the headboard with both hands the mattress squeaking and moaning as they pressed even harder together.

"I know baby, fuck I know." Piper moved both hands and gripped Buffy's hips adding what strength she could to the movement. "God you are amazing. a…ma...zing." She thrust between syllables.

"Fuck... yesssssssssss." The Slayer hissed unable to believe how hot Myst had become as it slid in and out of her body at an almost impossible pace.

Pulling down hard on Buffy's hips Owl thrust up deep into Buffy's body, not letting her hips drop back she just pushed up and up in a faster blur of hip thrusts.

"PIPPPER!" Buffy was left screaming out her lover's name as the fast pressure made her tumble into her building orgasm, her muscles gripping the shaft almost keeping it in place and making the base bounce against Piper's body as she continued to try to move.

"Ooooooh God." The hard repetitive ricochet was too much for the potential who though trying desperately to keep control, lost it as she began to climax, her body moving, rotating and pushing up her hands sliding over as much of Buffy's skin as they could touch.

"Yes, yes, yesssss." Buffy couldn't believe how good she felt as orgasms rolled through her again and again.

"Yesssss, Bufffy ooooh baby." Finally the strength in Owl's lower body faded slightly, dropping her butt back onto the mattress she tried to still softly push up for Buffy.

"Oh god Piper." Buffy kept rocking her hands dropping down so her breasts pushed against owl's T-shirt. "That... you're amazing."

Using the strength she just about had left she reached down and wriggled the top up and off her head wanting to feel Buffy's skin.

Owl wrapped her arms around Buffy and stroked her hair trying to even out her breathing and encouraging Buffy to do so too, though this proved to be a hard task as ever brush over soft damp hair made a pulse rush through the potential.

"Pip-per." Buffy tried to get her voice to work but she felt small almost miniature orgasms rolling through her hips catching her by surprise.

"Buffy, god, I think I need a cold shower." She tried to stop touching the other woman but found it next to impossible not to stroke her back.

"But..." Owl began to object worried out of her need and desire by the Slayer's trembling. "Oh Buffy, let me get a blanket." She fretted.

"No, I'm ... mmm on fire." Buffy titled her head up kissing Owl firmly on the lips. "Just want to feel how warm you are." She pulled back laying her head between the potential's breasts.

"I know." Buffy groaned. "It feels so alive." She moved her hips a little moaning loudly.

"Oh I'm sorry did I hurt you? I wasn't even thinking about slayer strength." Buffy panicked slightly.

"Buffy no, no its not that, I just am going to want to flip us over and fuck you harder if you don't stop." Piper shook her head and kissed her cheek.

"I didn't want to... to rush you, or hurt you." Piper bucked once unable to control the surge through her at Buffy's response.

Buffy pressed back into it eagerly. Kissing her long and hard, Owl pulled back as she slid her hands down onto Buffy's ass.

"I might slip out." She said gently as she began to push her back up off the mattress.

"I'm ready." Buffy groaned trying to keep her muscles loose. She tucked her leg and helped Owl make the quick roll so that she was on her back with the potential above her.

"Mmmm yes." Owl arched her eyebrow. "I want to do this slow and you know sensually." She began. "But, my body, Myst and my ache is screaming fuck her hard."

"Mmmmmm hard." Buffy heard herself growl not sure where it had come from but she knew it was indeed what she wanted.

"Ooh god Buffy." Owl pushed forward with her body, shifting her hands carefully so that they braced her up with her hips down against her lover's.

"I trust you Piper." Buffy arched into the first press watching the woman above her.

Pulling her hips back, Piper expertly drew the long hot shaft of silicon backwards withdrawing it slowly from Buffy's body until she felt the Slayer's initial ring of muscle ease to release the head. Stopping at that place she held her position, her weight fully supported on her arms.

Buffy groaned as her body was left empty and grasping. She snaked her hands up between them putting her palms flat against Piper's breasts.

Owl gave a whimper of pleasure her arms threatening for a second to buckle, but after only a little dip she steadied them and looked down into hazel eyes, panting lightly.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." With a low labored moan Owl dipped her hips down and forwards, feeling inches of hot silicon press through recuperating muscles deep back into Buffy's body.

The moan was matched by Buffy as she felt herself entered slowly right to the point she thought she couldn't take anymore before it pulled back leaving her wishing for just that.

The withdrawal was as slow as the penetration had been but the second thrust was quicker pressing back deep inside her.

"Yes Piper." Buffy urged her on keeping her eyes open and locked with the potential's.

Her brain for a moment detached from her body, thinking of Spike for an unwanted moment but instead of it making her feel dirty and ashamed she realized she was finally truthfully free of him and the sick hold he had on her psyche. She didn't need him to make her feel anything, she didn't need him to hurt her. What she needed was this, to make her feel alive, sexy and precious.

"Oh Buffy precious, you're beautiful." Owl dipped her head down a little more to whisper as she changed the depth and length of her penetration, opting instead for rhythmical medium paced thrusts.

"You are." A light sheen of effort-induced sweat broke over Owl's forehead as she focused on flicking and rolling her hips into Buffy's.

"Thank you." Buffy pressed up to her making their motions grind against one another lightly.

"No need for thanks Buffy." Owl shook her head, speeding up slightly. "This... you... its thanks enough."

"It's not." Buffy groaned pressing up to her faster, the mattress straining beneath them again.

"It is." Owl caught hold of her lip with her top teeth as pushing became harder when Buffy's muscles tightened slightly.

"So good." The Slayer was forced to close her eyes briefly putting her hands on Owl's shoulder, pressing her hips up to meet each thrust.

Piper felt her body tremble slightly with each forward push as the feedback through her rocked into her body from her clit through to her soul as she made the moves both faster and harder. She panted louder with effort feeling her own arousal seeping out making everything hotter and wetter.

"Tell me you feel something." Buffy opened her eyes looking into dark ones seeing the struggle of pleasure and desire.

"I feel everything, God I feel you, I feel the heat just pouring from your body, the tension in the muscles inside you holding me there, the strength in your legs around me, I feel my own heart hammering inside as if it might burst, I feel my own heat, my own desire pulsing through me." Owl's voice became breathy and fast as she continued thrusting as she spoke.

"Yess... yesss." Buffy held her eyes her own thrusts more frantic and desperate.

"I feel your hot breath on my face, on my breasts, I feel my body clenching inside, as I get closer and closer." Owl latched onto her bottom lip thrusting. "Oh Christ Buffy I feel you, I feel me... I feel it all. Ahhh ahhhh ahhh." She panted with each push.

"All." Buffy's body arched up pressing them up locked together as they both screamed out in passion.

As Owl climaxed hard, her tensed arms gave out and she collapsed lightly on top of the blonde gasp and panting as her body shook.

Buffy's strength was more than able to hold them aloft in the arch until gasping for breath she collapsed onto the mattress taking Piper with her as they lay panting together. Slowly she brought her arms up around Owl's body holding her as the potential had held her earlier.

"We are." Buffy settled with Owl on top of her breathing out slowly. "Sleep baby." Buffy cradled her.

Piper felt her eyes dip heavily down, as like a wall exhaustion ran into her but remembering then she was still buried deep inside the Slayer she tried to fight it.

"You're fine." Buffy assured her closing her own eyes exhausted. "I want you there." She kissed Owl's hair as she started to fall asleep.

"Wake me if you need me my precious Buffy." Owl murmured before becoming a heavier weight on top of her as sleep claimed her.

"You are what I need Piper." Buffy whispered closing her eyes barely noticing the weight.

Zoë knew that her limited sense of her surroundings was on high as she followed a few steps behind Faith. The dark Slayer had been fairly relaxed and talkative for the first portion of their outing but now that the sun was sinking below the horizon she was getting more down to business.

"Nothing much is open, she could be visiting anywhere." Zoë knew the comment wasn't very helpful but she was tracking the insides of the houses for movement or signs of life as they passed.

"That would have been smart, I bet she's somewhere in the open." Faith almost cursed as she crossed the road glancing to make sure that Zoë was following as she crossed through the bike path into the back of the local grade school. "She won't have gone far, she's pissed she's not runaway."

"Why is she upset?" Zoë asked guessing it had something to do with the announcement but not knowing why.

"Her and Red had a thing, had being the important bit. Now that Tara's back you can see she's got no chance." Faith shrugged. "From the attitude she's been giving everyone I'd say she was falling hard."

"It's hard when someone you're in love with crushes you, for whatever reason, especially if it's not Willow's fault. I mean she thought Tara was dead, how crazy is that." Zoë laughed as they came around the side of the school and heard the squeak of metal on metal, a noise she recognized as being a swing of some sort.

"Hey Kenny." Faith tried to not act as irritated as she was as they entered the sandy area of the playground. "Having fun?"

"If you didn't notice you're in deserted Sunnydale and the sun's going down." Faith moved over closer seeing the bottle of champagne she had cradled between her legs. "And trying to take on vamps or Bringers when you're drunk is never a good idea."

"Either way come on back to the house." Faith made a sweeping motion with her hand.

"I said piss off, I'm not going back there with 'Her' playing house with 'My Willow'." Kennedy hiccupped and pointed to herself.

"Kennedy, come on." Faith glared at her. "Look we can drink more at the house but we need you behind the shield."

Zoë stood back giving them both space enough to talk, as she kept a vague eye out.

"Yeah another thing Tara the wonder witch swoops in on her broomstick and fixes." Kennedy pushed off the swing and staggered a little, dropping the obviously empty bottle to the floor.

"Yeah well maybe I don't want her to bother." Kennedy pushed at Faith's hands. "Maybe I don't want any of you to bother."

"Hi Kennedy." Zoë realized that Faith was about two seconds from just pushing the SIT down on her ass. "I don't know if we got introduced, I'm Zoë." She stuck out her hand.

"I wish, I'm not much of a witch... well I'm sorta a potential witch. Heavy on the potential low on the witch." Zoë shrugged.

"Well welcome to the world of not quite good enough." Kennedy leaned forward and limply shook her hand. "Now piss off and take Faith with you." She pulled back and staggered off in the direction of the slide.

"See I really can't do that." Zoë followed her a few feet behind. "And I don't think Faith will leave either, so it's the three of us going down or home together."

"What the hell does any of this have to do with you?" Kennedy snapped, stumbling as she attempted to climb the steps.

"It has to do with us because right now you're hurting and the last thing we want is for you to turn up another dead statistic tomorrow." Zoë watched her.

"Kennedy you're going to crack your fucking neck up there." Faith shook her head.

"Nah, wonder witch will swoop down and save me." Having got to the top Kennedy balanced on the top step on one leg.

"Why would she when you're acting like an ass?" Zoë questioned rather bluntly even making Faith cough with the unexpected comment. "You're the one who was supposed to be loving Willow while she was gone and all you've done is act like a child who had her toy stolen. Maybe if you really loved Willow at all you'd think of her instead of yourself for even a minute."

"Who the fuck are you to be talking to me like this? I bet you have a honey just waiting for you to get home from your little messenger job." Kennedy snarled.

"Actually Kennedy I know just how you feel, accept my honey didn't leave me for someone she was still in love with she left me for a two bit actress who is probably just using her for a few moments on her way to wherever." Zoë snapped back. "So you and your pain aren't the only pain that exist in the world."

Faith watched them both with curiosity, all she hoped was that Zoë could get the potential at least close enough so that she could pick her up and carry her drunk ass home.

"Why the hell didn't you fight for her?" Kennedy barked down at her slowly dropping down, letting her legs rest on the slide.

"I did, I slogged by ass to England trying to get her to see and then it dawned on me Kennedy. It wasn't the other girl's fault and most of all it was Beth's choice." Zoë looked up from the bottom. "And what was I gaining by stalking her like some crazed idiot? Nothing... the only way I could prove to her I loved her was to let her go on her little way and if one day she figures out I'm the one I want then I'll make my choice then."

"Yeah well fine, that's what I'll do." Kennedy pushed down the slide, falling off the bottom but scrambling up. "I'm going to go wait for Willow."

"Hold on that wasn't what I said." Zoë caught up and put a hand on her shoulder stopping her. "I said you have to let her make her choice."

"Tara or me." Kennedy announced. "I'm her knight in shining armor, she's just forgotten that because of the distraction."

"She's already made her choice." Zoë informed her sadly. "You heard her, they're engaged Kennedy."

"No problem I'll up the offer." Kennedy weaved a little before correcting her path.

"No, no I'm fine." Kennedy pushed on. "I'm gonna go in, ask Willow to marry me. Show her I can do serious."

"That's a stupid idea." Zoë moved in front of her. "Unless you want to get your heart broke even more."

"What do you know about it?" Kennedy came to a staggering stopped looking at Zoë. "Willow might agree, might think about it."

"Kennedy I'm going to say this too you in the hopes of stopping you from making a total fool of yourself, the only thing you're going to find when you go back to that house is..." Zoë looked at her softly. "Willow and Tara making love or having just finished."

"Ah but there you go, that's why she's winning, I have to get Willow to understand that someone else can be just as good as Tara." Kennedy patted Zoë's shoulder hard.

"No, this isn't about sex. This is about their hearts, and their hearts are with each other Kennedy." Zoë kept Kennedy's shaky stare.

"Because they are unicorns and their hearts reach out to each other, weave together. They mate for life, there is no pulling them apart, not while they both live." Zoë informed her sadly. "I know I sound crazy Kennedy but this is the only magic I can see, what people are, how they interact sometimes."

"And you think I'm drunk." Kennedy laughed and looked at Faith shaking her head, she turned and began staggering again.

"You're an eagle Kennedy, you've spend your whole life sheltered in a nest that you couldn't wait to get out of and then, just when you got to fly you found the forest wasn't yours. There were bigger eagles and other predators, even willing to take on a creature as mighty as you." Zoë followed her. "And then you met a magical creature, who you thought could help you fly higher and farther than anything. But she's not the one Kennedy, if you stay with her you will plummet out of the sky and die broken on the ground."

"You're crazy." Kennedy tapped the side of her head. "You'd better take her home killer." She looked at Faith before staggering on.

"No, I think she's got you about right." Faith followed behind her making sure Zoë was following them.

"I never said baby." Zoë contradicted her. "That would be like calling Faith a baby tiger."

"Do you listen to anything anyone says?" Zoë asked her actually getting pissed off. "Or do you have this filter that makes you hear only whatever warped thing you want that suits your little tantrum at the time?"

"Why you going to call me names? Hit me?" Zoë challenged. "You don't want to be a baby bird, then stop acting like one who just got her worm pulled away."

"Oh I'm not an ass, I'm an eagle." Kennedy stretched out her arms making birdcalls.

"Okay, enough." Faith walked up hitting her with a precise solid punch that knocked her out right away. She caught the SIT's body as it slumped throwing her over her shoulder.

"She's the first ass eagle I've met." Zoë waited till Faith was ready and started walking.

"I'll put her on the couch." Faith eased both her and Kennedy through the door as Zoë held it wide for them.

"God lord was she attacked?" Giles was at the door in an instant, shooing the two potentials of the couch so that it was free.

"She fell down, she's drunk." Zoë put forward as she closed the door behind them.

"I think she'll sleep it off." Zoë answered honestly. "Faith you should just put her down in bed, can someone watch her for a bit?" She looked at the other potentials.

"I can watch her right here. Hey geek boy are you supposed to move off there?" Faith called to Andrew who quietly crept back to the chair.

"She doesn't need a babysitter Faith." Zoë shook her head. "She just had a little jolt, I think the champagne is keeping her out."

"Yeah but why make the rest of the girls who've had a good day have to suffer because of her." Faith shook her head. "I can watch her, no worries, though this could be me officially sending you lot off to bed. B patrolling is she?" She glanced at Giles and then threw a blanket over Kennedy.

"No, I believe she went to bed early. With the shield she's been able to get a few hours sleep." Giles shook his head. "Now come on girls, we can make everyone cocoa then head to bed it is fairly late."

"Okay so maybe I can't watch her." Faith pushed up from the floor where she had dropped. "Giles get them organized, I'll only do a quick one."

"Be careful, I still want a tour one day to see these creatures." Zoë smiled and moved over to tuck Kennedy in.

"Keep talking like that and I might just think she had a point about that little thing." The dark haired Slayer tapped the side of her head grinning as she walked to the door.

Buffy didn't so much wake up as suddenly feel that her right leg was asleep, as was most of her right side. The annoying sparkling feeling throughout the muscles and skin made her ungratefully become more and more conscious. As she did she remembered the reason why she hadn't just rolled over into a new more comfortable position.

She tried to untangle her hand from the soft hair she had threaded it into, her other running down over the now chilled skin of Owl's back. She turned her head slightly to see that it was almost two thirty in the morning and the house was completely quiet.

She smiled waking up more and realizing first that Piper's hips were still over hers and Myst was somehow still pressed inside her, though her body now had gotten completely used to the feeling. Piper was using her left breast as a pillow while her right hand was cupped around the right almost protectively.

Buffy's hand snagged slightly as she tried to ease it out of Owl's hair, making the potential groan light and flex her body. The flex in Owl's body pushed against her hips and inside her, the sudden movement making her groan back.

"You're cold Piper." Buffy whispered trying to rouse her enough to help move the potential off onto her side so that she could work at getting some blankets over them.

"Mmmm Buffy." As she stirred more, Piper pressed kisses on her pillow. "What time is it? It's so quiet." Keeping her body somewhat still as she woke up more she did lift her head slightly looking up at the Slayer.

"Two thirty in the morning. I guess everyone's asleep." Buffy saw the potential's sleepy eyes and her tousled hair. "Just like you will be again once I get you wrapped up in a blanket."

"Why are you awake?" Owl blinked more and carefully moved her hand to brush against Buffy's warm cheek.

"My leg woke me up, it fell asleep." Buffy smiled softly and tried to wiggle the limb that was trapped under Owl's body.

"Oh God I'm sorry let me..." Owl was about to just push up when the cold metal buckle on her hip from the harness lightly pressed against her skin. "Mmmm okay I just remembered where I feel asleep." She smiled at Buffy.

"You did." Buffy continued to smile as she reached up pushing wild hair behind Owl's ear. "Not that I'm complaining." She brushed her finger down Owl's nose.

"Is she uncomfortable?" Piper asked her voice incredibly soft as she moved to put her arms either side of Buffy's body.

"I would have thought she'd be after so long but she's not." Buffy shook her head watching the tender way her lover made the enquiry. "Feels warm inside." She admitted.

"Shall I ease her out?" Owl dipped her head and kissed Buffy's collarbone lightly moving her hand to stroke the Slayer's arm near where it rested.

Buffy nodded closing her eyes and focusing on the warm lips that touched her skin trying to keep her body completely relaxed.

"I won't hurt you." Owl promised as she kissed across the Slayer's collarbone and then up her throat. Still keeping her lower body still, she placed her lips over Buffy's kissing her tenderly as she slowly eased one hand onto Buffy's hip beneath her.

"I know." Buffy whispered bringing her lips back for a moment before she kissed her again.

Stroking her thumb over the skin on Buffy's hip and kissing her gently Owl carefully eased her hips back a little testing the tightness of the Slayer's body around the warm silicon inside her. Feeling it ease back with the move Piper shifted carefully and eased her inch by inch free, pausing slightly as the larger head reached the last ring of muscle, to work it free from her lover. Instantly the taller woman eased her body to the side of Buffy's so that the parts that lacked unrestrained blood flow could begin to work back to normality.

"Mmmm mmm..." Buffy groaned softly as the potential's lips moved away from her own. "I miss her already."

"She misses you too." Owl smiled and reached her hand round to the buckled on the hip that she wasn't resting on. "Really though, you're okay, no pain, no discomfort of any kind?" She checked as she worked one handed to unfasten that side.

"Probably very much in need of a shower." Buffy giggled lightly as she shifted onto her side-facing Owl, flexing her leg so it would wake up. "But other than that... Wonderful." She leaned and kissed Owl again. The dark quiet night just made her feel so relaxed.

"How about a bath, I could run you one?" Piper offered turning on her side away from Buffy briefly to unfasten the other buckle.

"How are you doing? You had that on for hours." Buffy worried when she saw the red imprint of the rubber into Owl's skin. She reached out soothing her hand along it.

"I'm okay." Piper felt a shiver race through her at Buffy's touch, her breath caught lightly in her throat as the shiver cantered where she was about to ease the harness out from.

"You're not your cold." Buffy worried when she saw the shiver. "I could run you a bath, or just get the blankets up over you." She continued to rub her hand on the sore looking patch of red skin.

"I'm not cold Buffy." Owl shook her head she moved her hand and stroked it over the back of Buffy's hand where it touched her skin, leaving the harness laying loosely off her sides but still caught between her legs. "That feels nice." She added her fingers matching the motion of Buffy's against her skin.

"If you're not cold then..." Buffy found her own questioned being answered as she felt her legs slide over each other making her own body shiver. "We could take a bath together." She made the very soft offer.

"What do you want?" Buffy waited until Owl rolled back over, straining in the dim light to see the potential's dark eyes.

"To look at you, to touch you." Owl replied honestly reaching out to stroke Buffy's shoulder.

"Not sick of me yet?" The blonde couldn't keep the disparaging comment from slipping from her mouth, she just couldn't believe Owl was still here. Couldn't believe she wasn't rolling over at the first opportunity and going to sleep.

"No, not sick of you." Piper smiled and kissed her. "But if you need me to go, you need space or anything, I get that, I can go sleep on the floor or even the landing."

"I..." Buffy felt herself hesitating, she could feel something different. The scariest part of that was the part was that she could feel it, it sat heavy and yet weightless in her body, inching up to cover her mind with the thoughts that accompanied the feeling. She didn't know for sure what it was, or even when it had started but it was there and it wasn't dimming. "I just want to be here with you." She reached up tracing the line of Owl's throat.

"Let me get out of this." Owl leaned in again and kissed Buffy before pulling back and slipping off the bed, stripping completely before moving over to the small beside lamp, she flicked it on and then knelt by the bed. "Need anything?" She asked pressing a fingertip across Buffy's brow and then round her ear.

"Come back to bed." The blonde heard the soft plea escape her, tracing her eyes over Piper's face.

"Of course." Instead of expecting the Slayer to move Owl slipped around to the other side of the bed, laying down, bringing up the light top sheet to cover them, she took a moment to press it around Buffy's body.

Buffy felt a strange anticipation fill the room as the cotton settled around her with Owl's hand. She leaned back into the potential's body closing her eyes for a moment, not sure what was going to happen or what she wanted to happen.

Very gently Owl slid her arm forward laying it softly over Buffy's stomach, rubbing there lightly with dancing fingertips. Moving her face close to Buffy's head Owl just drew in soft regular breaths breathing her warm breath over the Slayer's hair and ear.

"Are you tired?" Buffy whispered her eyes staying closed as she felt a warm wave run down her spine.

"Not particularly." Owl shook her head. "Tara's spell was great, she said it wouldn't fix the ribs but would make then more or less pain free until they did heal, and as for the hand." She wiggled it, not sure if Buffy had seen that there was only a faint red scar line over her palm.

"Tara did that?" Buffy reached up, freeing her hands from the sheet to take Owl's hand inspecting the thin line. "I'm glad it doesn't hurt anymore." She rubbed her thumb over the potential's palm.

"She said it might hurt occasionally, like a phantom pain or something but that it'd be fine. She said, and I quote…'Flesh wounds I can deal with'." Owl watched the motion of Buffy's thumb. "Has she always been so, you know mystical?"

"Not in a heal wounds way. Apparently she trained a lot in Italy, she thought maybe the evil here would be Willow." Buffy admitted softly, still caressing the potential's hand. "When Willow though Tara had been murdered she lost her mind and tried to blow up the earth."

"Hey me torching our apartment and getting the hell out of there to come her and kick the First's ass seems kinda mild in comparison." Owl smiled, though it was obvious that the subtle reference to her dead lover caused her pain.

"You torched your apartment?" Buffy was forced to turn over looking into Owl's face seeing the pain and anguish there easily. "Oh Piper." She held the potential's hand to her body cradling it.

"I'm not sure I can deal with sympathy Buffy." Owl warned. "I might do something retarded like cry."

"I wish I could have saved her for you, even if that meant you wouldn't be here now." Buffy whispered not releasing her grip or the constant stroking against the back of Owl's hand.

"They'd have got her sometime." Owl shook her head, something in her eyes turning angry. "She was an easy target with just me to keep her safe. The Council... they didn't care if we lived or died."

"The Council never cared about anyone but the Council." Buffy reached one hand up massaging her fingers into Owl's temple. "They should have never made her choose you or them. It was wrong."

"That's nice." She whispered as she closed her eyes and took a few calming breaths.

"You're probably not ready to hear this." Buffy kept up the gentle motion her voice shaky. "But any, all of the time you got to spent with her without them there to look over your shoulder. That they walked away and left you two together, it was a blessing Piper. If you'd have been called, been the Slayer, they'd have never let you just be, never left you alone."

"Haven't you ever been happy?" Owl asked moving her hand up to rest on the gently rise of Buffy's hip

"Since being the slayer sometimes, a few hours, sometimes a few days." Buffy began to guide her fingers in the other direction on Owl's temple. "In between the world almost ending, hordes of endless vampires every night, everyone I loved being threatened constantly."

"And next, when you beat this, what then?" Owl slid her hand over and down onto Buffy's stomach.

"I kill vampires and wait for the next apocalypse." Buffy laughed sadly. "The First one you stop you think wow that was cool and now its over, but then another one comes and another one comes. It never ends Piper."

"It could, you could ask Faith to stay, move away..." Owl offered some suggestions.

"I tried to run away once, but they're everywhere. You just can't turn your back on it, it won't let you." Buffy shook her head.

"Well, you know, if I make it through this, I could always, stick around maybe." Piper offered casually.

"You like the idea of constant danger and witchy healing?" Buffy stopped from blurting out just simply 'why'.

"Not particularly, but I do like the idea of being close to you." Owl replied softly.

"I like that idea too." Buffy felt her stomach flip flop inside her body, more from the words this time than the soft touch of Piper's hand.

"I've had five hours Piper, I didn't sleep that much last week." She answered honestly feeling her hip press into the potential's hand.

"Are you sore?" Piper ran her hand back over Buffy's stomach and down a little her middle finger curling around trimmed blonde hair.

"I don't feel sore." The Slayer shook her head feeling her hips instantly press into Piper's hand. "One good thing about being the slayer." She admitted gently.

"You shouldn't have let me go to sleep, I wouldn't have left her inside that long." Piper frowned softly as she rubbed over and over Buffy's stomach.

"Having her there meant you stayed close to me." The blonde admitted the small fact. "I was very comfortable, well until my leg fell asleep." She smiled. "And then I got to wake up to beautiful you."

"I'm not beautiful Buffy, I maybe be something's but not beautiful." Owl smiled but shook her head. "It was amazing to wake up there."

"Hey listen to me." Buffy fought against the dismissal of her words. "I know what death looks like, what it feels like... I know what evil is, and ugliness. You are beautiful Piper." She leaned in kissing her.

Owl moaned softly and slid her hand round the Slayer's back and pulled her closer pressing her tongue against Buffy's closed lips as she did. Buffy's lips parted slowly, enjoying the feel of the potential's exploring tongue before it finally pressed into her mouth swirling around her own. Her fingers curled around Owl's ear, caressing over and over as her entire being became about the hot contact between their mouths. Finally Owl pulled back, a little breathless.

"Don't go back on the I'm not beautiful thing." Buffy warned giving her a look to back it up. "Or I might make you go run that bath for me and not do this." Boldly Buffy slid her hand down, threading her fingers into trimmed dark hair and cupping the warmth there.

"So you agree you're beautiful?" Buffy gave her a second to clarify as she ran her fingers back and forth in the soft bristle hairs.

"You're smart." Buffy smiled back as she let her fingers run in circles for the first time really letting herself explore Piper's body without hesitation or worry. She pressed and caressed watching how each subtly different motion changed how she reacted.

Owl moved softly and groaned gently, her body moving slightly as Buffy touched her.

"We could have a shower, together, doesn't take as long as a bath, but it might give us renewed energy for fun afterwards." She offered.

"I think you just like having me naked and wet." Buffy smiled and then blushed when she realized what she had said.

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Shades of Gray

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