Loving Willow by Rin

Rating: R
Disclaimer: These are Joss's bad boys and girls, and I'm just writing to keep them alive!
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
Rin's Spot: http://www.geocities.com/rin_wag/index.html
Feedback: If you want, I suppose it never hurts!
Spoilers: Parts of Season 1 and 2.
Author's Notes: This is the beginning of a longer story. For the purpose of this story, Fred is the same age as Willow and the others. Also, Willow already knows she's gay, and Buffy, Faith, and Fred know they are bisexual.
Pairing: Willow/Fred

Summary: Willow and the gang are just trying to get through their senior year in high school, coming up against whatever the Hellmouth throws at them.

"It's called an Argonasis crystal. It's meant to control the intended victim, and pull all of their weaknesses and fears to the forefront, thus causing their bodies to eventually be controlled completely by the crystal's holder. Since we're not sure who the holder is at this point, I'm afraid that Buffy, you'll be in serious danger. I suggest that you no longer patrol alone. Take Faith or Angel with you, since they are capable of handling the situation better should your body decide to attack them." Giles stood by the stairwell, surveying the group huddled around the stacks of books lying on the table. He handed Willow the book that he was holding, and motioned for her to show Buffy the picture.

"Woah! This thing is gorgeous. You sure it's all evil because it would go great with the dress I have planned for the prom." She outlined the picture with her fingertip, showcasing the fine, light pink stoneto the others. "It would make a pretty necklace."

"Be that as it may, I'm afraid it has been rendered quite dangerous to your slaying. According to Xander, your patrol last night was sloppy, and gave no show of any formal training, leaving you open to simple attacks."

"Actually, I said that it was like watching a bad kung fu movie, where the lead fighter was trained by a singing hamster." After seeing the looks of admonishment on her face, Xander quickly leaned back in his chair, hiding from the glare.

"Yes, well, you do need to be careful, Buffy. At least until we find at who is controlling the stone. Apparently, somebody has gone to great lengths to make sure that you are not yourself."

"Actually, Giles, it's more like she is herself, just without the conscience. It's sort of like living as a vampire but not." Everybody looked at Fred as she blushed from the attention.

"What do you mean, baby?" Willow linked their hands together, and had a thoughtful expression on her face, waiting for her girlfriend's answer.

"Well, it's like…vampires are only shells of their former selves, right? The demon takes over their body, and they can do whatever because they feel no remorse or guilt because they have no soul. Buffy is like that, only she still has her soul."

"And she's not allergic to sunlight." Xander was starting to follow along, and leaned forward in his seat.

"Which it wouldn't hurt her to get some sun." Cordelia finally contributed to the group discussion. Buffy just glared at her, and shook her head, turning back to Fred.

"Not exactly. It's like, this crystal…it's controlling your body, actions, and sometimes reactions without listening to your conscience, your morality so to speak. The same thing holds true for vampires, only they're taking over a dead body."

"I see what you're saying." Willow smiled at her girlfriend, as she squeezed her hand excitedly. Buffy watched the interaction with a slight scowl.

"See, that's the thing, Buffy. It's not going grr…not yet. It's going in slow motion, which means that you're still fighting against the crystal's hold over you. According to the text, it takes over the person right away, and it's like they have to live with the consequences of something else telling your body what to do. There is something in your system, or mind control that isn't allowing the crystal to take over completely."

"It could be but according to the slayer journals that Giles has, this crystal has been used on slayers in the past, and they lost control completely all at once." Buffy still looked confused but it was more from how she was fighting it than not getting it at all.

"We don't. That's the problem. Will and I could do some form of locater spell but according to the mystical background of the crystal, it appears not to exist."

"It's like this, Buffy. This crystal isn't supposed to exist, therefore it won't show up on any plane in any form. However, it does exist, which confuses the spell, and only causes a big boom." Buffy looked around at everybody, trying to process the information but still angry, just wanting to have complete control of herself once again. "I know it's hard to take but there's no way to trace this thing; we sort of just have to…come upon it."

"Why aren't things ever easy?" Bufy stood up, and began pacing, getting antsy but wanting to calm down. However, her body kept pacing, despite her many attempts to sit down. "See, right now. It's doing it. I'm trying to sit down but I keep going back and forth. It's frustrating."

"I know, Buffy but you need to understand that we are trying to help determine where the crystal would be located, and how to properly destroy the control it has on your body." Giles stepped down next to the table, grabbing the tome, and skimming over the page once more.

"I'm afraid it's not that easy. To destroy the crystal would only break it down into smaller pieces, giving more people access to your actions."

"Okay, so wait. You said the person that has this thingy decides what emotions to provoke through my body. I understand my fighting skills, that's perfectly explainable." Xander decided to add some witty commentary to ease the tension in the room.

"Right, cause if you wanna knock a slayer down, what better way than to suck at her job?" He received a glare from his girlfriend. "What? We were talking about her being a living vampire earlier."

"No, Xander, you're right. The best way to keep me from defeating somebody's plan is to make sure that I can't do my job. This thing would also give them control enough to where I myself would never be able to come near the crystal, right?"

"Thank you, Xander. Now, the part that I don't understand…and I know this is still a touchy subject, even though it's been a month…I still think it needs to be discussed, though…the part that I don't get is why use my body's reaction to Willow?" Fred and Willow averted their eyes away from each other, and the rest of the group.

"She's right. That seems to be the wild card in this game of Buffy. I guess we just need to sum all of this up because what would somebody want with you that would make you practically hump Willow's leg every five seconds but also slay like you're a virgin to the sport?"

"Xander's right. The two don't seem to connect at all." She then turned to Xander with a scowl. "And I do not practically hump Willow's leg every five seconds!" Xander held up his hands in defense, and she backed off somewhat. Giles cleared his throat, Cordelia rolled her eyes, and Fred and Willow still wouldn't speak or look at anything but their laps.

"Then, that means that it's crucial that you have either Faith or Angel helping you to patrol. They can pay attention to your body's reactions more closely, noting if there are certain areas that you are avoiding purposefully. That could give us a starting point for the search. As for the connection, I'm not quite sure that there is one. We won't know until we discover something more. Right now, I'm afraid there's nothing to tie the two together logically into one motive." Giles laid the book back down on the table, and pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose where they had slipped slightly. "Let's all just take a break for the night, and follow up with what you find on patrol tonight." Nods and agreements went all around, and everybody left the library with little relief, and even more tension. There was still too much work to be done.

As she was removing the dirty dishes from the dinner table, Joyce heard a knock at the door. After laying the plates and glasses in the sink, she went to discover her visitor's identity. When she opened the door, all she saw was a young brunette woman, decked in black leather pants, and a dark jean jacket. Immediately recognizing the stance and figure, she smiled, and cleared her throat. Faith turned around, aware of Joyce's presence, and a little nervous at the discussion that she wanted to have with the oldest Summers woman.

"Faith, come in. It may be February but the night air still has a slight chill." With a little reluctance, and trying not to show her nervousness, Faith entered the house. "Buffy just left about ten minutes ago; you just missed her."

"Alright, would you like something to eat? We just finished dinner but I'm sure if the chicken's not warm enough, we can stick it in the microwave."

"I'm five by five." Both women just stared at each for a moment until Faith decided to cut to the chase. "Look, I wanted to ask you somethin' if that's alright."

"No, no. I mean, I don't think it is. It's just…well, Buffy said you and she talked some about me maybe…well, movin' in…" She placed her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, and shrugged a little, afraid to be showing so much vulnerability. She didn't want to get her hopes up but she had decided that the move was well worth it.

"Of course, Faith. You're welcome to stay with us if you'd like. I can move the things from my study, and we can set you a room up there. Would you like to move in?" Upon seeing the girl kick her foot at the floor, and her eyes go downcast, Joyce realized that this was tough for the girl. To be asking for a place to stay was like giving up her independence but Joyce realized that underneath the hard-ass exterior, Faith longed for a place to belong. She also knew that Faith would never forthright ask to stay. "Well, tell you what. How about I go about making the arrangements tomorrow, and we'll have a bed and dresser in there by this weekend. Meanwhile, you can either stay with Buffy, or sleep on the couch."

"I don't wanna intrude or nothin'. I just thought, you know…it'd be good for Buffy. Having me closer by, especially since she needs me to patrol with her more often. There's no sense in her trekkin' all over Sunnydale to find me."

"Angel's on Buffy duty tonight. Giles gave me a breather after last week's big mess. Said I could use a little down time, ya know?"

"Five by five. It's all good. I mean, I was kinda trippin' at the time but I knew I'd get outta it somehow. Luckily, Angel was there to bust the guy's ass before those twelve vamps made a Happy Meal out of me."

"Yes, that is good. I'm glad to see that you're all right." Faith averted her eyes again, and Joyce decided to take the initiative again. "Tell you what, Faith. Why don't you bring your things over tonight, and we'll get you started here? Does that sound okay with you?" Faith just shrugged but Joyce knew that she would be back that night.

"You sure I'm not intrudin' because I don't wanna make things more difficult. I know it's just you and B here."

"Don't' be ridiculous, Faith. We'd both love to have you here, and not just for the extra strength." Joyce thought she saw Faith smile joyously underneath her slight smirk but she decided not to press…yet. There was still time to understand Faith's life, and she was determined to become a mother of two slayers if that meant that her Buffy would be safe. Having Faith around meant that both girls would have backup without having to find each other all over Sunnydale. "Now, go get your things, and I'll see you later tonight. Okay?" Faith just nodded, and left the house. Joyce stood there, watching Faith leave from the doorway, and she couldn't wait for her other 'daughter' to return 'home.'

"Buffy! Lookout!" Angel was currently dodging and attempting to fend off four nasty looking vamps, while Buffy was poorly trying to defeat two. Her blocks and punches were off, and would narrowly miss each time, allowing the vamps the upperhand in the fight. Buffy found herself on the ground as one leather clad vampire threw a loud crack to her ribs. The two vamps were taunting her, while she lie clutching her ribs on the ground.

"Slayer my ass. You're pathetic." Just as Angel managed to throw the fourth vampire into a nearby tree limb, turning it to dust, he ran behind the other two, and kicked one to the ground from behind, and plunged a stake into the other. Before the first vamp could get up, Angel threw the stake into its chest. After that as finished, Angel moved down to check on Buffy.

"Oh, I'm peachy. Just got a few cuts and scrapes, that's all." She tried to sit up but winced in pain as her muscles gave way to her weight, knocking her back down to the ground. "Okay, maybe that was an understatement."

"Buffy, we should get you out of here before more find you like this. I barely had time to get rid of my guys before the others made you a snack." He helped her stand up but her body kept protesting, so he had to pick her up gently, ignoring her pleas to walk on her own. "You can barely stand. How do expect to walk like this?"

"I just figured I would, you know…ease into it slowly. Eventually, slayer healing would go into effect, and we'd be running the 10K in no time."

"We don't have time for that right now. Those guys came out of nowhere practically. I could barely even sense them." He carried her out of the cemetery, and back to her house, where he managed to knock. Joyce answered the door, and quickly went into mother mode, taking care of her daughter, as Angel talked to Giles on the phone. When he hung up, Buffy was sitting up on the couch. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? Giles said he would come over if things are broken."

"Nothing's broken. Go home, Angel." She grabbed her side in pain suddenly as she stood up from the couch.

"Yes, now go before I start to feel antsy, and my body decides you're a bad guy." He nodded, and left the house, just as Faith was walking to the door, duffel bag strapped around her back.

"Oh, he brought Buffy home after patrol. Apparently, a gang attacked them, and Buffy wasn't able to control her movements again."

"Tell me about it." Buffy moved into the foyer to stand with her mother and Faith. "What do you need, Faith? I thought Giles gave you the night away from slaying."

"Faith is going to be staying with us now, Buffy. Isn't that nice?" Joyce's smile melted Buffy's heart, and she felt so lucky to have such a caring mother that she would take in a practical stranger because she could help her daughter with slaying. Sure beats kicking me out of the house. Now, she's adding to it instead. Glad that she's accepted that this is my life, and I can't escape it. This'll be fun.

"That's great, Faith. I'd hug you right now but…" She pointed to her bandaged ribs, and Faith held up a hand in a 'that's fine with me' gesture. "Um, mom? Not to state the obvious here but where is Faith going to sleep? I mean, the couch is comfy and all but after a while, it starts to be a moot point for the back."

"Actually, Buffy, I was thinking about transforming my study into another bedroom. I've been meaning to turn it into a guest room anyways, since I never use it, and now it'll serve it's purpose. Only, Faith is more than a guest."

"That's fine and all but what about now? I'd feel bad if she had to sleep on the couch until all of that gets taken care of."

"Well, then, why not share your bed with Faith? I'm sure she won't mind." Buffy's eyes widened, and Faith's smirk was in full force. However, Joyce was unaware of the implications behind the looks. She knew that Buffy had went out on a date with the girl but she was unaware that Faith and Buffy had already, literally, shared a bed…twice.

"Yeah, mom. That's fine." Her features returned to neutral but Faith's smirk still lingered on in a predatory way.

"That's settled then. It's kind of late so I'm going to bed. I have an early day at the gallery with a new shipment. Good night, girls."

"Night, Mrs. S." Buffy hugged her mother before she retreated up the stairwell. "So, B…looks like it's just you and me."

"Faith, my mom doesn't know about that…she doesn't need to, either, alright…and besides, we already talked about this. It was solely for the need at the time, and nothing else."

"Faith, please. I know you don't want to but please try and tone it down with the sex talk around mom. That's so not a conversation I'm prepared to deal with right now."

"No prob, B. Shall we, then?" Faith followed Buffy back to her bedroom, and laid her bag by the window. Buffy turned on her bedside lamp, and went to grab pajamas from her dresser. Faith took her jacket off, and laid it by her bag. "So, how you wanna do it?" Buffy turned around, and stared at Faith flustered.

"How you wanna sleep? You want the right or left? I can go either way: left, right, top, bottom…I'm not picky." Buffy started to breathe heavier, and was suddenly aware of the other girl's body in the room.

"My body is starting to react to you…and it's taking everything to stop myself from doing anything stupid. Could you please not do this tonight?"

"With the sexy…and the sway…and the…and the…" She trailed off as Faith took her pants off, and stood in nothing but a wife beater and her blue bikini underwear. She somehow managed to snap out of it, and shook her head in defeat. "No. This will not happen. I don't want this. I don't want this. I don't want this." She turned away from the other girl, and repeated her mantra with her eyes closed, and her pajamas clutched to her chest.

"Relax, B. I'll stop. Look, I even put on a pair of boxers so you'd manage to keep your grabby little hands off my bod." Buffy turned around, and relaxed a little when she noticed Faith had indeed put on a pair of boxer shorts.

"Yeah. Just…don't worry 'bout it, okay? We'll figure this thing out. That's what you guys do right. Although, from what I hear, you and Red were gettin' pretty hot and heavy in the school." Buffy frowned, and shot a look of utter resentment towards Faith. "Just sayin'…from what it sounds like…Red was all about some of the ole Buffy flavor herself."

Buffy shook her head, and went to the bathroom, choosing to ignore Faith's last comment. Willow doesn't like me like that. She's my best friend. She loves Fred. It was just the heat of the moment, that's all. Don't let Faith get to you, and make you think it was something more because it wasn't. It never will be, and that's that. End of discussion. When she returned to her bedroom, she found Faith tucked into the bed on the right side, her body facing towards the window. Dressed in a pair of blue plaid pajamas, Buffy climbed in next to Faith.

"Good night, Faith. I'm glad you decided to stay. It means a lot to mom…and me."

"Yeah, no problem." With that, both girls attempted their nightly submission into dreamland.

"I'm glad we decided to do this tonight. I've had a lot of fun." Willow stood nervously in front of Fred, not sure what she should do next. The entire month after the 'incident,' the two girls had been taking it slow, trying to reconnect and heal from the unexpected occurrence of Buffy's lips on Willow's, and the fact that Willow liked it. After they had talked, Fred still seemed to avoid her somewhat, only talking to her at lunch, and on the rare occasion when she would call. It had taken Fred time but she eventually decided that they should start seeing each other again. Now, after two years of dating, Willow wasn't sure what to do next. She was leaving it up to Fred, since she felt she deserved the other girl's treatment. Sure, the talk seemed to clear things up regarding the 'incident,' and everything seemed alright over the phone that weekend but when they returned to school that Monday, Fred saw Buffy and Willow together, and had told Willow that she wasn't sure she trusted her just yet, that she needed more time. Finally, after a month, Fred called Willow, and mentioned going on a date. Willow quickly took the opportunity, and the two had gone to see a movie, and ended up talking at the Espresso Pump for two hours, losing track of time as their conversation kept getting deeper (plus, the fact that their feet were connected under the table, having a little fun of their own). After that, Willow walked Fred to her door, and now she didn't want to do the wrong thing. She felt that if she did the wrong thing, then the rest of the relationship would be based on her giant urge to just grab her girlfriend and take her on her porch. Willow didn't want that, though, so she was struggling because she didn't want to not kiss her, either. She waited for Fred to say something but she just bit her lower lip, and turned her gaze up at Willow from underneath her lashes.

"Yeah. I had fun, too." Both girls were quiet, neither wanting to make the first move but neither wanting to leave, either. Finally, Fred decided to take control. "Willow?"

"Yes?" She practically jumped forward, heart pounding rapidly, with her breath coming in short pants, staring at Fred's mouth in hopes of just a little taste. She realized her response was a little loud, and snapped out of her Fred-induced haze. "Hmm?? What?"

"Would you…I mean that is if you want…maybe, if you're not too tired…like to come in? My parents should be asleep, and I was thinking we could continue that talk from earlier in the Espresso Pump. I know we're kinda mocha free now but I still thought that you'd like…"

"Yes." Jumping in a little too excitedly, she decided to tone it down. "I mean, I'd love to…come inside…to talk."

"Yeah, talk." Fred found herself staring at Willow's mouth now, wanting to taste which lip gloss the redhead had decided on that particular day. Instead, she ushered Willow inside, taking residence on the cushion next to her on the couch, forgetting to turn the lights on, leaving the only illumination in the room to be the half moon shining through the windows. "So…"

"How was your English exam today? Did Mrs. Botts make another ten page test?" Fred kept inching towards Willow's body, feeling drawn to its once familiar warmth.

"Um, no. She only made us do two essays this time, and there were only 50 multiple choice. As long as you read the book, you were fine. I thought it was easy. Poor Xander, though…he kept fidgeting throughout the whole thing. I thought he was going to cause an earthquake because his legs were twitching so fast." Both girls giggled, and Fred bit her lower lip again as she continued inching towards her. Willow noticed this, and her breathing was faster, and her heart was racing, while her mind screamed for the girl to hurry up and kiss her before she exploded. "Fred…" she whispered as the girl's body was practically on top of her, and their faces were mere inches apart.

"Hmmm??" She wasn't paying attention to what her girlfriend was saying, she had one objective, and that was to take those pouty lips against her own, and maybe even find a few nice places to put her hands on the other girl's body while doing that. She leaned in slowly, making sure it was okay for her to continue, even though she didn't have to ask, both girls had been begging for this since the movie ended. It took Fred a half an hour to grab Willow's hand in the darkened theatre, since she wasn't sure if the other girl was ever going to take the initiative. Then, from there, all she wanted to do was go back to the way things were before…when she could taste every square inch of her girlfriend's body. She had been longing for it for weeks now, and decided she could no longer hold out, which prompted her to set the date up in the first place. Touching herself was nothing like having Willow touch her, and she was growing increasingly frustrated as the days passed. Now, all she needed to do was lean in a little, and her frustration would be temporarily eased. "I want you so bad…" she hissed between their gently touched lips. Finally, Fred couldn't control herself any longer, and she positioned herself to where she was straddling Willow on the couch, and completely devouring the other girl's mouth with her own. "God, I've missed you…" She returned to her lover's open mouth, and decided to end the 'fight' once and for all. She did the one thing she knew that would signify this plan.

"Mmmmm…" Willow moaned into Fred's mouth as she felt Fred doing that thing with her tongue that she loved so much. Then, Willow knew that they were back to where they were before the whole kissing Buffy thing happened, and she felt herself relax into the couch, bringing Fred with her. How does she do that? It's like she's twisting it but then she's sucking at the same time. Yet, she's somehow managing to wrap my tongue around hers. Mmmm…Fred… Finally, things were perfect again. Well, almost perfect.

As the sun began to peek through the windows, two young girls bustled sleepily together on a couch. Their bodies curled into each other, neither girl noticed the day beginning. Instead, they were content in their warm confines, and slightly uncomfortable comfort. The sun was stubborn, though, and wouldn't relinquish its purpose to wake them. Finally, Willow started to mumble sleepily against Fred's neck, rubbing her eyes with her right hand, since other was tucked underneath her girlfriend's body. She slowly came back from dreamland, and noticed that Fred's back was still firmly placed against her front, and she moved her arm back to wrap around the slim brunette. Placing soft, sleepy kisses against the back of Fred's neck, she sighed, and pulled the blanket from the back of the couch to cover their bodies. Realizing that today was Saturday, she decided to enjoy this lazy morning, and wrapped herself more firmly around Fred, attempting to drift back to dreamland.

"Why'd you stop?" Fred asked rather incoherently from the front but Willow could make out the words, being used to their many morning cuddle sessions.

"Kissing me. It felt good." Fred wiggled her body closer to Will's body, wrapping her own arm around the one vacating her midsection. "You shouldn't've stopped."

"Right." Willow trailed lazy kisses slowly down Fred's neckline, or at least the parts she could reach without having to move from her currently snug position.

"I've missed this." When Fred spoke, Willow leaned her head up to see the side of Fred's face, and kissed her jaw just below her ear.

"Me, too." She moved her lips tortuously slow across Fred's jawline, and moved up to her ear, where she lazily nibbled right behind it, finding Fred's sensitive spot, which caused the girl to gasp, moan lowly, and tighten her grip around Willow's arm.

"What time is it?" Fred rubbed Willow's arm gently, smiling when she saw Willow's light hairs stick up from their spot. Willow continued to suck on Fred's sensitive spot behind her ear, and Fred's eyes were rolling back in her head sleepily and excitedly. "Will…"

"They didn't oh?" Willow smiled against her neck, and when she began to giggle, Fred's body shuddered with excitement. She became completely aware of her girlfriend's body pressed against hers, and her mind came fully awake.

"No, they don't know you're here." Her breathing was becoming faster, and her body tingled in frustration from finally having what she wanted and needed so close. "I don't want to startle them by a sudden view of us on the couch…if you keep doing that, I don't know what I'll do." Willow licked a trail down Fred's neck to her shoulder. Then, she blew cool air painfully slow against the wet skin, eliciting shifting in Fred's form, and a quiet moan. She could tell Fred was biting down her lower lip, and Willow smirked proudly at the effect she was having on her.

"Well, that was before I knew you were going to seduce me on my living room couch…you have no idea what you do to me sometimes."

"I have a little bit of an idea, I think." She started to nibble on her sensitive spot again, and this time, Fred's moan was louder as she pressed even further against her body, grabbing Willow's head from behind her.

"Oh, Willow…baby…" She was breathless, and wanted nothing more than to take Willow on the couch right there but she could hear rumbling from upstairs, and her eyes suddenly jolted open, causing her to sit up on the couch in a hurry. Willow startled by the movement painfully joined her girlfriend upright. She started to rub her left arm in discomfort.

"I remember that we were snuggling after some major smoochage, and we were talking. Next thing I know, I have sun in my eyes, and you pressed back into me. Not that I mind, though." They hadn't been paying attention, and missed Fred's parents coming downstairs.

"Good morning, honey. You're up early. It's good to see you Willow. I was beginning to think we'd never see you again. Winifred never mentioned anything about a breakup, and we were starting to worry."

"Morning, mom." Both girls stood from the couch, and smoothed out their rustled clothing. Willow folded the blanket, and placed it on the back of the couch. "I haven't been up long. Willow just came to visit."

"Oh, yeah? Well, Willow needs to learn to brush her hair, and not run over here. She's red as a beet, and her face still has pillow creases."

"Okay, so you caught us. We fell asleep talking on the couch last night. Sorry."

"No need to be sorry. It's good to see you two talking again. A mother worries when her daughter mopes around the house at night, barely saying two words at the dinner table for almost a month, and staying in her room most of the time." Both girls stared at the ground. "I have no problem with Willow staying over any time. Just, next time, maybe your bed would be a little more comfortable. Okay?" Fred nodded, and her mother went into the kitchen, her father trailing behind groggily.

"Is your dad mad at me?" Willow started to panic at Mr. Burkle's lack of communication that particular morning.

"No. I think he just thought something bad happened. He probably still does, and doesn't want to get his hopes up just yet that you'll be back around again."

"Something bad did happen, though. You didn't tell them?" Fred shook her head, averting her eyes. "Why not? I'm sure they would've understood. It's not like we stopped talking to each other completely."

"Well, no. I mean, we never really broke up, either. I didn't know what to tell them. I just…I guess I wanted to deal on my own."

"Yeah but Fred, you should have at least told them something. Maybe that we were cooling off, or having a fight, or…"

"I know. I just didn't know what to do. I was scared that I'd lose you, and I hated myself for not being mad at you. Yet, I couldn't stand what happened, and it was all so confusing, and I needed to deal on my own. We're growing up, Will. We can't always rely on our parents to have the answers."

"Well, I wouldn't know since my parents are never there to give me answers." Willow's cold tone stopped Fred from her musings, and moved to envelop Will in a loving embrace.

"You were right, though. I should have talked to at least mom about it." They tightened the hug, and Willow nuzzled Fred's neck, kissing that sensitive spot again. "Don't start that again. They're just in the other room now. It was embarrassing enough when they caught us kissing on the front porch last Halloween. They still tease me about that."

"Aww…" She kissed her again. Fred didn't let go, though, despite her verbal discouragement. "Well, I'm kinda sleepy gal now, and it is still early. Maybe we could go back to bed."

"Oh, yeah." Both girls giggled, and Fred went to tell her mother that they were going to bed for a couple of hours. When they changed into oversized t-shirts, they snuggled in together under the covers. "Still don't know why we had to put clothes back on after we took them off. I was just getting excited."

"Which is why we had to put clothes on…there will be none of that, Ms. Rosenberg. You're 'sleepy gal', remember?"

"Yessss?" She slurred, moving her body on top of Fred's, devouring her collarbone in longing kisses.

"Okay, that's a mood crusher." Willow crawled off of Fred, and settled into snuggling instead. "This is okay, I guess but I better get chocolates later to make up for it." Fred leaned over, and kissed Willow's mock pout.

"You're so kissable when you pout." Willow blushed, and relished in the feeling of Fred running her fingers through her tousled auburn locks. "Do you wanna do something when we get up?"

"Will…we can't stay in bed all day. My idea of a romantic evening does not involve lying around in our urine, and listening to our bellies battle to see who can be the loudest." Willow's nose scrunched up in disgust.

"Well…" Willow traced her finger teasingly along Fred's side. "I think a bath would be nice."

"I didn't say anything about bathing." Fred arched her eyebrows, and tried to hide her amusement and arousal at the proposition. "Just think…bubbles, candles…soapy bodies…hot wet chicks…"

"Me, too. Missed my naked Willow time, that is. Not naked Fred time because I have been naked. I had to take showers, and change, and…Will…Will? You still with me?" Fred looked at Willow's glossed over eyes, and faraway expression and smug gring. "Willow?"

"You know…I've been meaning to tell you that I slept with Faith while we weren't speaking. Also, I slept with the football team, four cheerleaders, and the entire drama club."

"Nothing. You just had this look of awe on your face. You went to Willow land, didn't want to interrupt."

"Actually, I was in Fred land…naked Fred land to be more specific." At Fred's eyebrows raising, Willow sighed. "It's been a month. Remember?"

"Oh, I definitely remember." They cuddled back together. "You never answered my question earlier…about what you wanted to do today."

"Yeah, I really do." Fred leaned up to kiss Willow sensuously before the two girls attempted to find a few more hours of rest before their big plans for the rest of the day.

Joyce was sticking a casserole in the oven just as Faith and Buffy walked back in the door from their early Saturday patrol. After removing their jackets, the two slayer joined her in the kitchen, and took a seat around the island. Joyce was pouring juice into three glasses, and handed the girls the drinks, keeping one for herself.

"Good news, girls. I managed to take a break from the gallery today, and walked down to that furniture store a couple doors down. I managed to find a nice double bed, and matching dresser. Is there any other furniture you think you'll need, Faith?"

"You're welcome. There's still a mirror in the closet in there from the last occupants. I never got around to taking it down when we moved in. I'll get you a shelf or two on the wall, and I saw a nice chair in the mall that would go nice in there."

"Well, the movers said that they'd bring the furniture over Monday. That was the only time that I could take off from the gallery. Today was hectic. Friday's usually are. You don't mind sharing with Buffy still, do you?"

"No prob. Just as long as she doesn't steal all the covers again. I was freezing my butt off last night."

"I was not being a cover hog!" Buffy glared at Faith in admonishment but quickly retreated once seeing her mother's amused smirk. "Okay, so I'm a cover hog. Sue me. I like to cuddle up."

"Well, you coulda cuddled up to me, ya know. At least that way, I coulda had some of the blanket."

"Okay, girls. I put a casserole in the oven for dinner. Are you going back out to patrol after dinner?" Faith took a swig from her glass.

"Nah. We're done for the night. It was slow, nothing big going down. Thought we'd take it easy for the night. Angel's checking out a lead, and said he'd call us if anything big came up." Faith took another drink from her juice, laying the now empty glass down on the counter.

"You just downed that whole glass in two drinks! I can't even do that." Buffy looked at Faith bewildered at how the girl could perform such a swift task.

"Oh, yeah. Guess I am a little dry. Didn't even notice. It's all in how you open your throat, though. Instead of taking it in little gulps, you take it down nice and easy. You can get more in your mouth that way." Buffy leaned over to Faith conspiratorially when her mom went to set the table.

"We still talking about drinking here, Faithy?" Faith just gave an evil smirk, and her eyes told Buffy everything she needed to know. "Oh my." Her body suddenly became flushed, realizing that there was an actual innuendo in there.

"Wha'sa matter, B? You need to lighten up a little. Relax." Faith just leaned into the counter, and smiled over at Buffy mischievously. "I can show you how later. Comes in handy when in certain…situations." Faith just winked at Buffy, and moved to get more juice, making sure to wiggle her hips a little.

"Faith. I thought I asked you to stop. You know I can't control my actions all the time now. I can't react to you."

"Why not, blondie?" After she finished pouring her drink, Faith put the carton back in the fridge, laid her cup on the counter, and sauntered over to Buffy, leaning seductively into her personal space. "Didn't mind it before. It'd do you some good. Get some of that frustration out…loosen the tension…might help a little, and your body might not react so irrationally. Don't wanna get all hot and heavy around Red again. She and Freddy are just starting to rekindle their old flame. Don't wanna mess that up again, do ya? This could be a good idea."

"What do you get out of it?" Buffy's body was beginning to react to Faith's seduction, and her breathing was labored, sweat beads forming on her forehead…feeling Faith's breath tickle her own lips was like slow torture. She was using all of her strength to control herself but she knew that she couldn't hold on much longer, and she didn't want her mom to catch her practically humping Faith on the kitchen counter. So, she did the only thing she knew she could do without much embarrassment. "Mom!! We're going up to my room for a while. We'll be down for dinner in about thirty minutes."

"Okay, sweetie. Don't forget to wash your hands before dinner. You want me to call you down when it's ready?" Joyce watched as Buffy pulled Faith along to the stairwell.

"No, Mrs. S. We'll be okay. We're just gonna take care of some slayer stuff. Shouldn't take too long."

"We will. Not a problem." Faith hadn't even managed to shut her door all the way when Buffy slammed her hard against it, crushing their mouths together fiercely, drawing blood from their lips. Faith murmured into her mouth, and Buffy quickly dominated her mouth with her own tongue, swirling and wrapping around, refusing to give up its presence. Buffy practically ripped Faith's shirt off of her body, and the only thing that stopped her was Faith grabbing her wrists. "Buffy. Slow down. I like it fast and hard but man…this is my favorite shirt." She wasn't even finished pulling the shirt off when she felt Buffy's mouth latch onto her bare skin. She threw her shirt over to the corner, and managed to get Buffy away from her body long enough to pull her shirt off, and unbutton her pants. Faith pushed Buffy onto the bed, and pulled her pants and underwear down to her ankles, trapping her legs. "This is more for you than me, remember?" She crawled up Buffy's body seductively, and crushed their lips together as she twisted Buffy's peaks harshly.

Buffy was moaning and gasping for air, grabbing at Faith's back, digging her claws in enough to draw blood, and form bruises on the tan skin. When she screamed out in ecstasy, she couldn't help but hold Faith in place, disallowing the other girl's hand to move from her center.

"I know…just do it. Don't stop until I tell you…no matter what." Buffy was panting, gasping, clawing, screaming, and writhing uncontrollably for another twenty minutes until she finally told Faith to stop. After calling out Faith's name, and several other obscenities, loud enough for the neighborhood to hear, she was sure her mother knew what exactly the 'slayer' thing was, there was no doubt. She almost feared going to dinner because of the awkwardness. However, she had to admit that after four orgasms, brought about by Faith's fast working hands, Buffy was extremely relaxed, and completely in control of her body for the first time in over a month, and she was overjoyed that Faith helped her out with her problem. It would be sex that would give me back myself. At least nobody turned evil this time…I don't think.

"Geez, Buffy." Faith's unusually low and hoarse voice lilted into Buffy's ear, and she could feel the other girl's body trembling more than hers. "That was the most intense thing I've ever seen happen in bed." Buffy released her death grip on Faith's shoulders, and finally noticed the blood that was clotted under her nails, and the thick red liquid seeping from Faith's body in rivers.

"Yeah but it's all good. Never knew you to be into s/m. That was rough. Guess you're not all vanilla after all." Buffy grabbed Faith, and held her close to her body, cradling her head in her shoulder, while kissing the side of her sweat drenched hair.

"No need to be sorry. Like I said, it's all good." Then, Buffy realized that Faith was trembling in frustration, and released her embrace to look into Faith's eyes. Her normally deep brown orbs were glowing with powerful need and lust. So, Buffy moved one hand down to cup Faith's leather pants. She squeezed her center tightly, and when she heard Faith groan in definite need, Buffy unzipped her pants, and slid her hand underneath, finding a rhythm that would bring Faith over the edge as well. When she finally released, both girls relaxed against each other. Faith couldn't lie on her back because the bruises and cuts were so harsh that the blood still seeped through. Finally, both girls stood up, and put their pants back on. When Buffy had her shirt on, she ushered Faith to the bathroom, and cleaned her numerous cuts. Buffy ran her hand gently down Faith's back, guilty as the other girl winced when she would come to a deep series of half moon shaped cuts, and hard purple and black bruises. It looked as though some vampire or demon had done a serious number on the other girl, and Buffy vowed that she was going to find this crystal, and put a stop to the madness that had been her life for the past few months.

"Again, no need to be." After a few silent moments of Faith hissing when rubbing alcohol came in contact with her deep cuts, she finally asked the million dollar question. "Did it help?"

"Did it help? You released enough times that it should have. Man, Buffy. You just kept going. I thought you were the friggin' Energizer bunny or something. Thought you were never gonna stop." Buffy ducked her head, and blushed, as she continued nursing Faith's back.

"Faith, you help. We've gone over this how many times before? You don't have to sleep with me to be useful."

"Yeah, well…that's not what you were screaming, literally…about fifteen minutes ago." Buffy's head shot up as she realized they were supposed to be eating, and her mom hadn't said anything after an hour.

"OhmyGod! Mom! I was loud…I could tell. I couldn't control it…I screamed! Faith, ohmyGod…"

"Buffy, it's cool. Your mom is cool. I mean, she got over the Angelus thing…she can deal with you screaming out my name in pleasure…over and over and over and…"

"I get the point." She finished cleaning the last cut, and put the first aid kit back in the cabinet. "It's just, she never came to tell us dinner was ready."

"Yeah but this is mom we're talking about here. If we went five minutes over the time we said we'd be down, she wouldn't hesitate to come get us."

"Look, don't worry, B. She's probably just overwhelmed. I mean, you were screaming loud enough to wake the neighbors. Plus, the things that were coming out weren't exactly soothing to the ear. Just chill, alright?" Faith put on a clean wife beater, and the two girl made their way down to the dining room, finding a comatose Joyce sitting in a chair.

"Mrs. S?" Still no response. Finally, Buffy moved over to place a tentative hand on her mother's shoulder, which caused the woman to practically jump out of her skin in panic.

"Yes, oh, well…I…the casserole is probably cold by now…I should go heat it up." Joyce grabbed the untouched dish, and moved to put it back in the oven, fanning herself off with the oven holder. Buffy and Faith moved to follow her, in hopes to explain a little about the noises.

"No, Buffy. It's perfectly fine. You're practically an adult now, and Faith is a lovely young woman. I trust that you're careful."

"No, it's okay. Look, remember how I told you about me losing my body's control. Well, it only reacts in certain situations like slaying, or anytime I'm around Willow. Well, Faith thought that we should experiment to see if a little, um…tension release? Would give me back some control." Joyce was fanning more rapidly, breathing deep and slow.

"No, mom. It's not an experimental thing. Well, I mean, it was in the sense of trying out a hypothesis but not like how one would usually experiment in that manner. It's like a slayer thing. We're trying to get my control back permanently, and we just discovered how to gain it completely back temporarily, not yet having discovered how temporary as I still have control."

"Oh, yes. Well, that's good." Joyce relaxed a little but still nervous about having this conversation with her daughter, and the other occupant of the house. Buffy let out an obvious sigh of relief, and smiled when her mom smiled at her. "Um, Buffy, can I ask you…"

"Yes? Anything. I'll tell you anything. If it'll make it easier for you, I'll answer anything."

"Um…do you have to be so loud when you 'experiment'?" Buffy ducked her head and blushed, forming her mouth into an 'oh.'

"Yes, well, next time, could you try to control yourself long enough for me to leave the house. You were so loud that the neighbor called, and asked if everything was okay."

"Oh, yeah…can do. Although, not sure if it will happen again. I'm hoping to find this crystal thingy sooner than later. Don't get me wrong, Faith. It was nice…really, really nice but…I think I'd rather have my control all the time instead of having to resort to sex all the time to get it."

"Hey, do what ya gotta. I'm just here if you need help." Faith winked at Buffy as Joyce pulled the casserole from the oven for the second time that night. "Smells good, Mrs. S."

"Thank you, Faith. Now, let's go eat this before it gets cold again." Both girls nodded, and followed Joyce into the dining room, where the three women sat down to a good dinner, acting as though nothing had happened.

The park was empty, except for a few stray animals that would appear from time to time. A small abandoned cocker spaniel was hunched by the swings, hoping that nothing would attack it or harm it in any way. Her previous owners had dropped her off at the park, and took off, confusing the tan puppy. Her big brown eyes full of coldness and fear, she started to lightly whimper. Then, there was a rustle in the bushes behind her, and she tried to escape within herself. However, her tan coat wouldn't allow her to camouflage her body in the grass. Then, two figures approached behind the bushes, and her whimpers grew in complete fear. Buffy stopped walking when she heard the cries, causing Willow and Faith to run into her.

"Oomph!" Willow found herself on the ground, and Faith was helping her to stand. "Geez, Buffy."

"No, guys…do you hear that?" Buffy was scanning the park, trying to find the source of the cries.

"Yeah…it's probably some stray. No big. It's nothing new here." Faith cautiously watched Buffy's reactions, trying to establish what the blonde was thinking. Just then, Willow ran softly past them, and they had to double take to figure out where she went. When they turned around, they saw the redhead gently rubbing a small, tan cocker spaniel over by the swing set. They moved to follow once the crying was no longer evident. "Red, whatcha got there?"

"Oh, guys, look! She's so cute! And scared. This is probably your mystery crybaby. Aww…" She sat on the ground, and held the puppy in her lap, trying to warm the cold creature into trusting her. "How can you not love a face like this?"

"Well…she is cute." Buffy knelt down to pet behind its ear. The dog tensed in Willow's lap at first but relaxed when she turned her head to view the blond slayer.

"You sure it's a she?" Faith sat down on one of the swings, swinging her body softly to and fro, and watching the two on the ground in front of her. Willow lifted the dog up, and established that indeed, it was a she.

"We've established that part already, Red." Just then, Willow's eyes brightened up, and the dog burrowed itself further into her body. "What?"

"I'm going to keep her! Fred's going to love her. It'll be like a 'thank you for forgiving me, I love you' type of gift. And I can keep her at my house so that I'll have company!"

"What about when your parents come home? They don't like dogs, remember?" Buffy sat down by her friend, and continued petting the small dog.

"Yeah, well…then, Fred can have visitation rights. Her parents don't mind pets. I mean, look at that beast in the backyard."

"Yeah, I gotta admit the girl's dog is a monster." Faith kicked her feet in the dirt, and continued rocking her body. "Think we can get goin'?" Willow and Buffy looked at Faith, and wondered what was with the impatient tone.

"Yeah…" The two girls stood up, and Willow brought the puppy with her, carrying her as they walked out of the park. "What do you think I should name her?"

"Hmm…not sure. Maybe you should wait for Fred, see what she thinks…you know, since it is supposed to be her gift." Buffy moved her hand over to pet the dog again as they continued down the sidewalk to Willow's house. Suddenly, Buffy remembered something important that she was supposed to do before returning home, and her head snapped backwards in panic. "Oh no! I forgot that mom has a date tonight! I was supposed to pick up something from the store before she comes home, in case she invites him inside."

"No, nothing like that…at least I hope not…ungh…" Buffy fidgeted back and forth for a while until Faith finally spoke.

"Go on, B. Red and I can handle getting her home in the dark. We have a flashlight and everything."

"Alright, guys. Promise me no funny business. I might call you later to see how the puppy's holding up, okay?" Both girls nodded, and Buffy hugged Willow before running down the street. Faith and Will just watched her running before they turned to continue their journey to the Rosenberg domain.

"Yeah…so…" Both girls just nodded, unsure what to say. When they reached Willow's house in silence a few minutes later, Will reached out and touched Faith's arm as the girl turned to leave.

"Faith…wait a minute." Faith turned around, and looked at the girl. She noticed that her auburn locks were shining beautifully under the moonlight, and her green eyes sparkled enough to give her a sex vixen persona. Seeing this, Faith let her eyes follow Will's body, and realized that she never took in all that was the redhead. She strangely found that she liked what she saw, and subconsciously licked her lips. "Come in."

"What?" Faith snapped out of her Willow-induced lust stare, and returned to awareness. Willow sensed that Faith was hesitant and distant, and decided to take the time to finally get to know the younger, darker slayer. She had been living in Sunnydale for almost nine months, and none of the scoobies had attempted to actually get to know the girl. Well, besides Buffy but even she didn't know much about Faith other than her tendency to be mysterious, and her 'want, take, have' attitude. For some reason, she started to feel guilty about this fact, and sensing a perfect opportunity, decided to hook the bait.

"Well. It's just that…see, it's been a long night of slaying…and you must be tired, or thirsty…and want to rest maybe…because resting is good, and can help relieve stress, which would be bad. So…do you want to come in? I can get you something to drink, or you can just take it easy and sit for a few. You know, whatever…" Willow had a pleading, vulnerable pout on her face, and Faith decided she couldn't deny the girl.

"Yeah, sure…whatever." The two girls went into the house, and Willow went into the kitchen with the puppy as Faith plopped down on the couch, suddenly finding herself nervous. What the hell? Come on…this is Red…no big deal. Why am I acting like a teenage boy in heat? Well, other than the obvious reasons. Snap out of it!!! As she was mentally chastising herself, Willow had joined her on the couch holding two glasses of wine. Faith arched an eyebrow at this. "You trying to get me drunk, Red?"

"What?! No…it's just…I know that you like beer but this is all I had, and I was in the mood. Figured that I'd share, you know?" Willow handed her a glass, and sipped hers, carefully watching Faith's reaction. When she saw Faith plop her boots up on the coffee table, lay her arm against the back of the couch, relax, and start drinking her own glass, Willow visibly relaxed herself. "So…Faith…anything exciting happen lately?"

"Not really." She eyed Willow again, and once again found herself trailing her gaze up and down Willow's form, stopping at an exposed piece of flesh on her neck. Faith quickly consumed her wine, and laid the glass down on the table. "Think I should go now." She moved to get up but Willow placed a gentle grip on her thigh, pleading for the girl to stay. She complied, confused as to why, and relaxed again when Willow smiled. "So…how's the dog?"

"Oh! I got her some water, and put out some of my leftovers from tonight. Dogs can't get sick on steak, right?" Faith shrugged, unsure. "Oh, well, yeah. She must've been really hungry because she dug into it as soon as I laid it down on the floor."

"I'm sure she will. You're quite loveable." Willow blushed, averting her gaze from Faith's obviously lusty stare. Faith found herself inching towards Willow on the couch, and Will just hid behind her wine glass that was now empty. "Want some more wine? Looks like we're both on empty." Faith took the two glasses to the kitchen before the redhead could protest, and came back with two full glasses and the rest of the bottle. "Figured it'd save us the trip, ya know? From going back and forth." Willow nodded feverishly, eyes wide as she noticed that Faith was sauntering sexily back to the couch. Her eyes couldn't avert their gaze, following Faith's obvious seduction as though they were glued to her curves, the swell of her chest jutting out from beneath her black tank top, and her full, luscious lips. Faith poured them another glass as they finished their seconds swiftly, and then another, and then another until the bottle was completely finished. Faith then grabbed Willow's glass, and laid it on the table beside her own. She moved her body closer to the redhead, pressing their thighs together as both girls' faces were inches apart.

"Faith, I can't do this again…" Willow whispered but her body protested as she found her hands playing at Faith's side, while Faith's hands were unbuttoning Willow's red dress shirt. "Fred…I can't hurt her again…" Their breaths were tickling their lips, and Faith pushed Willow's shirt down past her shoulders as her hands found their way back up to Willow's face. She cupped the back of her head with one hand, and moved her other hand to pull the other girl's body into her own right as she crushed their mouths together predatorily, claiming the Will's mouth with her own, sucking on her tongue feverishly while her hands moved to push the redhead back into the couch. Faith moved her kisses down Willow's jawbone, sucking fiercely at her pulse point, causing the spot to redden deeply in an attempt to mark the girl as her own. She cupped her right breast as her other hand worked quickly to unzip her jeans. Taking into full frustration at her lack of success, Faith moved off Willow's body enough, and ripped her pants down to her thigh, causing a loud creak to echo through the room, bringing the puppy to the couch, as she just sat there, wagged her nub, and watched the harsh attempt at sex. Faith started sucking, licking, and biting down Willow's entire body, causing the girl to arch her body more into the brunette, and grab her head in a plea for more contact. Her cries were of both pain and pleasure, and inside she stopped thinking completely, forgetting everything but the girl working over her body.

When Faith finally managed to pull her own tank top over her head, and throw Willow's tattered jeans and her own to the floor, she went back to the redhead's body, making sure to mark every single spot on the body below hers. Welts, scratches, and bruises were forming up and down Will's body, and Faith still wouldn't stop her torture until every piece of the flesh was claimed, in an act of sudden territorialism. Unsure of why her body was taking over, and her mind wasn't in control, she finally understood what Buffy had been feeling the past four months or so. She continued ravishing the body until all clothes were gone, and then she moved down Will's body, sucking, licking, biting, and kissing harshly the redhead's most private places. When she heard Willow scream in ecstasy, calling out her name loudly, twitching below her body, she still didn't stop her torture on the girl, only moving up her body, once again kissing her harshly on the mouth, biting her lower lip until she could taste the familiar copper remnants of blood. Her fingers continued pounding into the throbbing body below hers, and she wouldn't give up her ministrations, even after the redhead's body had gone completely limp below hers. She looked into Willow's eyes, and noticed that her eyes seemed permanently rolled into the back of her head, as her gasps and cries of pleasure and pain continued under Faith's control, or rather lack of control in this case. Faith tried to stop numerous times but her body just kept on going, not listening to what functions she was trying to do, and she began to internally panic until she felt the redhead's body come back to focus, and her arms wrap around Faith's back, scratching her nails in a downward motion, causing more fire to appear in Faith's body.

As she still continued her fierce movements on the redhead's body, Faith had long past the point of cramping, and she started to sob. Noticing this, Willow leant her head up under her rapid breathing and constant orgasms, and she began to kiss away Faith's tears, soothing the girl's fast movements by now gently stroking her back instead of drawing red lines with her nails. Faith's sobbing continued as she finally released her attack on Willow's body, and she completely broke down on top of Willow. Willow still unaware of anything but the body on top of her, continued to stroke the sobbing slayer, and sooth her with soft kisses against her neck and shoulder.

"It's okay, Faith. It's okay. We're okay. We'll be okay. You'll see…everything will be as it should now. You found me, baby. We're together now, nothing can harm us now. You'll see. I promise. I love you." Faith finally lifted her tear-stained face to stare lovingly into the eyes of her true love. She couldn't help but smile at the pure adoration and love that she found in those green orbs. She knew that there was nothing but good things to come; she could feel it. Then, both girls held on tight to each other while Faith was still hovered over Willow's body, as they felt an unfamiliar tickle at their feet. Moving their heads to figure out what was causing the tickles, both girls giggled when they noticed the puppy curled up at the other end of the couch.

"Hey, baby. You comfortable with your new mommies?" Willow used her foot to pet the relaxed dog, and Faith smiled at her lover's love for animals. Faith turned her head back around, and glared lovingly back into Willow's eyes, and couldn't stop herself from kissing those smiling lips again and again.

Buffy just finished combing through her wet locks when she heard a sudden knock at her door. Looking to see that it was 3 in the morning, she wondered what Faith was knocking for since she usually just busted in without a care. As she opened the door, she found her mom looked very distressed, and gave her a puzzled, questioning look.

"Buffy, honey…are you sure Faith was only dropping Willow off, and coming home? Do you think she may have stopped to get something first? Maybe she got lost? Or, what if something happened, and she was ambushed?" Joyce walked into her daughter's room, and started pacing, arms flapping in the air. Buffy watched her mom in confusion.

"Yeah, she was just going to make sure Willow got home before heading back. She's not home yet?" Her mom's panicked mode was starting to rub off on the younger blonde, and she watched her pace rapidly around the bedroom.

"No, she isn't home yet. I woke up to get a drink of water, and noticed that she wasn't in her room. So, I checked all over the house and nowhere. I thought that maybe she was in here with you but obviously not. Oh, no. Buffy, where could she be?"

"Mom, calm down. I told you that Faith was very independent. Maybe she went to the Bronze after she dropped Will off, and she met some guy there. She just didn't want to anger you into not letting her stay here anymore, and she went back to his place or something. She's done it before, I'm sure she's fine. If something bad happened, I would have felt it. It's like slayer sense, or something." Buffy calmed her mom down enough to sit on the bed beside her, and hugged her. "If it'll make you feel better, I'll call Will and see what time she left her house. Okay?"

"She won't mind. She's probably either still talking to Fred, or color coding her notes again."

"I know, mom. Good night. I'm sure she's fine." Joyce nodded, hugged her daughter again tightly, and left the room. Buffy picked up her phone, and dialed the familiar number. After four rings, she almost hung up but then she heard the receiver pick up, a crash, and a fit of giggles. "Will? Is that you?"

"Yes…" She kept giggling. "It's me, Buffy. Something wrong?" Buffy could hear two different voices giggling on the other end as Will's voice drifted a little, obviously holding the receiver with her hand to muffle her sounds. "Stop it. I'm talking to Buffy. Oh…oh…ohhhh…." Buffy just listened to the moans of her friend for a minute before Willow came back on the phone. "Buff? You still there?"

"Yeah, Will. Um, I thought Fred was gone on that trip to LA for two days. She's back already?" She could still hear giggles, and more moans coming from both voices.

"No, not really. I just wanted to call because you see, Faith hasn't come home yet, and my mom was starting to worry. I just wanted to call, see how the puppy was like I said, and find out what time she left your house." Buffy could hear something naughty being whispered close to the receiver, and Will moan deep in her throat. Buffy's breathing was becoming labored herself, and was finding herself turned on by her friend's obvious excitement. "Am I interrupting? Should I just talk to you tomorrow at school?"

"What? Hmm? Buffy? Oh, god….mmmm….stop, please. For just a minute…I promise. Okay, sorry Buff. What did you need?"

"Oh, um…just wanted to know how the dog was…and uh, when Faith left your house because she hasn't come home yet. Mom was worried." She closed her legs tightly together, urging the fire below her waist to cease as she talked to the girl that she wanted more than anything.

"Faith? Oh, she's here. You want to talk to her?" Buffy forgot her fire burning, and suddenly became very confused. She could hear the phone being issued to another, and suddenly the familiar raspy, deep throaty voice came loud and clear.

"Umm…Faith. Mom was worried, and I was just calling to see when you left Will's but apparently you never did…" Finally, Buffy put two and two together, and the fire left her core, and entered the rest of her in a suppressed bout of anger that she thought she'd never relinquish. "Faith!! How could you??!!!"

"With Will!!! You know that I love her, and you know that she's dating Fred!! You can't do this!!! Not with her!!!" Buffy was pacing rapidly, screaming into the phone. She was so consumed in her jealous rage that she didn't see her mom standing in the door. "This isn't right!!! You have to stop this!!!"

"You never call her Willow!! What's going on, Faith?? What have you done to her?!!!!"

"Yeah. Will and I are happy, never been happier. We finally found each other. What's with the big blow up all of a sudden?"

"Oh my God!!! There is no way this is happening. You don't even talk!!!!! How could you, Faith??!!! How could you???!!! With my Willow!!! She's my Willow!!!!!!!"

"B, I don't know what you're talking about. Look, I'm gonna get off…tell your mom I'm fine. Better than fine, actually. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye." With that, Buffy heard the other line click, and the dial tone ring in her ear. She stood there staring at the cordless phone before she suddenly lunged the phone at the wall, causing it to break the wall. She moved over, and sobbed uncontrollably into her pillows. Her mother watched the entire scene, and she didn't understand what Willow could have said to possibly upset her daughter so much, and why Faith was bearing the slayer's anger. She moved to sit next to her daughter's tense body, face hidden between her pillows, the overly dramatic sobbing that carried through the room. Joyce started to comfortingly rub her hand on Buffy's back, soothing her daughter's obvious distress. Buffy tensed, then relaxed, and her sobbing grew more quiet but still apparent. Suddenly, Buffy flung her body around with ultra slayer speed, and enveloped her mother into a tight embrace.

"Buffy…I need to breathe, honey." Buffy released her grip but continued her embrace, positioning her body into a fetal position against her mother's body. "Buffy, honey, what's wrong? Did you find Faith?"

"Faith…" Buffy's voice hissed with disgust, anger, and resentment, and Joyce cringed at the tone.

"Oh, she's alright. She said she's better than…but not if I have anything to do with it. She'll pay for this. She can't get away with it."

"She's at …Willow's." Buffy's body started to rack with sobs, and stay tense with anger at the same time, and her mother wasn't sure how this was possible but she was suddenly afraid of her daughter, and she had been aware of her feelings for Willow, and even the 'incident' as they liked to call it, but something else was seriously wrong. This wasn't her daughter. Whatever was controlling her daughter was beginning to slowly kill who her daughter was, and she knew that something needed to be done. She knew just where to go, and made a mental note to call first thing in the morning to get some answers, or at least some reassurance that she wasn't losing her Buffy.

School had been slow, and she couldn't wait to see Willow. When she arrived at school, there was no sign of her girlfriend, and she was beyond worried, since Will hardly ever missed a class. Last year, when she was barely standing from the flu, she still insisted on coming to school. Only when she had promised to baby her had she stayed in bed. Now, Fred was confused. After she came home from class last night at the university, she had tried calling Willow numerous times but she kept getting the machine. She was aware that she went patrolling with Buffy and Faith but she found it strange that she was still out so late. When she found that Willow wasn't in school, she began to panic. Then, she saw Buffy in the library during lunch, and she calmed down, knowing that the blonde wouldn't allow anything to happen to the redhead. Figuring that Willow was just sick, she decided to visit her girlfriend right after school. She had been away for two days in Los Angeles, checking out the UCLA physics department, and having numerous discussions with the professors. She came home early last night, and went to her night class, hoping to talk to her girlfriend when she returned home. She missed her, and wanted to let her know just how much.

Deciding that Willow was sick, Fred made her way to the local convenient store on her way to the Rosenberg house. She picked up a few ingredients for Will's favorite soup that just so happened to be good for the ickies, too. She made sure to get a teddy bear, some flowers, a 'get well' card, and many different medicines, still unaware of what exactly was wrong. She had a bounce in her step when she rang the doorbell. Arms full, she stood slack-jawed and wide-eyed as Faith opened the door, baring no clothing. Seeming totally comfortable, she ushered the girl in the door. Fred began to panic even more than before, unsure of why exactly Faith would be standing in her girlfriend's living room naked.

"Hey, Fred. Will and I were just about to take a shower." She hitched a thumb towards the stairwell. "Whatcha need?"

"Um…well…that is…Willow…need…talk…oh my…" Fred was speechless as Faith's comments finally sunk into her mind. "Faith…I need to go…tell Will I came by…I'll talk to her later…." Faith arched an eyebrow at the loaded down girl standing in front of her.

"Something wrong?" Fred shook her head fiercely, trying not to let tears well up in her eyes at the thoughts she was harboring.

"Well, it looks like you wanted something…" She looked confused, and Faith nodded towards the bags, and other necessities in her arms.

"Oh, yeah…it's for my …Hey!" Faith grabbed the card that the teddy bear was holding, and her jaw tightened. Fred shifted from foot to foot under the angry glare that Faith was shooting her way as she opened the card.

"Hmm…well, you know…I thought Willow was sick, and I wanted to come take care of her…she wasn't in school today…so I…"

"What do you mean? I'm not allowed to take care of my sick girlfriend?" Faith moved into Fred's personal space, and glared strongly into Fred's eyes, causing the other girl to tremble at the feral stare coming from the dark slayer.

"Hell, no! Your girlfriend? Yeah, right!! Willow would never want to be with somebody like you…" Faith narrowed her eyes, and moved her arm back to place a strong blow to Fred's face. Fred noticed this, panicked, and dropped the contents in her arm, as she placed her hands in front of her face protectively and closed her eyes tightly waiting for the damage. When she heard the quiet swoop echo from Faith's arm movement, she fell back wincing in pain as a supernaturally strong fist connected with her face, causing her to gasp for breath, and move her hand to find the blood falling from the cut beside her right eye.

"Why?" She cried, begging for answers to Faith's sudden anger. "What have I done to you? I don't understand." Faith snickered, staring down at Fred's trembling body, blood seeping from the side of her face, and an apparent large red mark around the blood, obviously forming a large bruise.

"Don't understand my ass. You know what you did. You were trying to steal her from me. Well, you can never have her. She's mine! Stay away from Willow! She doesn't want you!" With that, Fred glanced at the stairs with her tear-blurred eyes, and noticed Willow at the bottom, staring at the scene. Seeing her girlfriend, she began to feel mixed feelings of confusion, fear, anger, and relief. Still unsure of what was going on, she tried to stand, only to be punched in the jaw by Faith again. Falling back to the floor, she tasted the bitter coppery taste from the cut on her bottom lip. She began to sob in pain and hurt, and she began curling up into a ball, when all of a sudden, she felt graceful, warm arms wrap around her form. She moved into the body, and felt the embrace tighten around her, causing her to bury her face into the naked chest of her savior. Smelling the familiar scent of green tea and aloe, she relaxed, realizing that Willow was her savior. Then, another smell captured her attention. Willow smelled strongly of sex and blood. Moving back to look at her with tear-stained eyes, Fred noticed that Willow's body was covered in large and small cuts, welts, bite marks (some that had obviously bled), and large and small bruises. Scared that Faith had harmed her, she wrapped her arms around Willow, and sobbed again, whispering apologies and comforting words. Willow returned the embrace, and started stroking Fred's chestnut locks.

"Shh…Fred, it's okay. Faith says she's sorry for hitting you, and she promises not to do it again." The last part of the comment was aimed at Faith as Willow looked at her dark lover, daring her to protest. "She just gets overprotective of me. She must've been scared seeing you with all sorts of flowers and things. They are lovely flowers, Fred. Thank you." Fred moved back, tears falling freely, and smiled at her girlfriend.

"I thought you were sick, so I wanted to take care of you. I got back from LA a day early, and you weren't in school today. You never miss. Baby, I was so scared that something happened to you. I just wanted to come over, and make you better. I love you so much, Will." Willow looked at her face, and went back to stroking her hair, and smiled back sympathetically.

"That's so sweet, Fred. You didn't have to, though. I have Faith. You know that. She takes care of me. I do appreciate the gesture, though. It means a lot that my friends care." Fred began to panic again. This was not her Willow. Something was different. For one, she was in the middle of the living room, walking around freely with no clothes on, and Faith was doing the same thing. She was being matronly, and not loving. Something was off in the way that she held her, too. And her words…that Faith took care of her? The biggest problem that Fred found was that Willow didn't say 'I love you' back. That had never happened before; they always reciprocated. Willow wasn't acting like herself, and Fred finally put two and two together. The way Faith was acting, punching her…twice. Faith would never have punched the girl, she liked her too much. As a matter of point, the fact that Faith was actually over at Willow's to begin with was strange. The fact that the room, and the two of them smelled strongly of sex. Faith and Willow's reaction to the girl the entire time she was there. Something was definitely off, and when she finally let her mind register that it had happened again…the 'incident'…only with Faith instead, Fred stood up, and gasped, putting her hand over her mouth in an attempt to scream, yell, and say something she'd regret later. Willow and Faith had had sex. And from the marks on both girls' bodies, especially Will's…it was apparently brutal, primal, and harsh.

Not wanting to deal with the fact her girlfriend had cheated on her again, she bolted for the door, and was out of the house in no time, completely forgetting everything at Willow's house, even her purse. She just continued running, and running, and never stopped until she got to her house, slamming the front door behind her, and not stopping until she buried under her covers, clutching them tightly as she sobbed until her throat was dry, scratchy, and her voice was gone.

After finally getting dressed later that night, Faith and Willow were feeding each other ice cream from the carton, while sitting practically on top of each other on the couch. The puppy was sitting next to them, watching the two girls in their attempt at doing something besides having sex. Sometimes, Faith would poke Willow in a spot where her wounds were bad, and Willow would wince in obvious discomfort and pain. However, when the pain subsided, she leaned over and kissed Faith slow and sensual, making sure to thank her lover for the ice cream. After a particularly long kiss, Willow leaned back, licking her lips, savoring the taste of Faith on her own mouth. She smiled smugly, eyes still closed, and moaned her pleasure.

"Mmm…Faith and double chocolate cookie dough ice cream…such a wonderful taste…it's almost like tasting heaven." She opened her eyes to see her lover's dark, lustful eyes staring back at her, with the same smug expression.

"Mmm…you don't taste so bad yourself." She placed the carton and spoon on the coffee table, and moved Willow to straddle her lap, as she wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her into her body further. "You know what I'm thinkin'?"

"No…tell me." Willow wrapped her arms loosely around Faith's neck, playing with her long dark locks.

"Oh, yeah? How much?" Willow moved in to kiss Faith's ear, her breath sending shivers through the dark slayer's body.

"It's like heaven being with you. Every second of every day that I'm not with you, I'm lost. It's only when I'm with you that I'm whole. You're my everything. I love you so much, Willow." She gently stroked her arms up and down her back loosely, causing the redhead to squirm her hips further into her lover.

"You know…I gotta say…I feel the same way." She continued kissing a trail around Faith's neck, her whispers making the hairs on the back of Faith's neck stand at attention. Purring from beneath her ministrations, Faith gently caressed her lover, and just held her. Willow stopped when she felt the obvious change in her lover's mood. "Wanna just cuddle?" Faith nodded, and kissed Will's nose sweetly. "You're the best ever. I love you so much, Faithy."

"I love you, too, baby." They kissed sweetly before moving to turn the television on, repositioning themselves apart on the couch. Willow took the ice cream to the kitchen, and Faith just motioned for the puppy to join her, allowing her to pet her. "You're so cute, and special…you know that?" The puppy's big brown eyes met her own, and she smiled. "Will saved you from the park. We brought you home. This is your home now. Do you like that?" The puppy's nub just wagged against her lap. "We're your people now, and you're our puppy. It makes you special because you were brought into a home full of love. Our love, and now you're a part of that." She continued petting her, until Willow joined her on the couch, cuddling up against her body, and petting the cocker spaniel, too. The puppy seemed to enjoy the attention, and Willow and Faith shared a warm, loving smile. "We should name her."

"We should think of somethin' special, like that will let us remember how we got her, or why we brought her home instead of leavin' her."

"Slayer, huh?" Faith nodded, and Willow smiled at her girl's cuteness. She turned her attention to the tan puppy, and she looked up at the redhead. "Do you like that? Slayer?" Not being prone to give much of a reaction other a nub wag, it was decided that the puppy would be called 'Slayer.'

"And fierce. Matches what you are. Fierce when you're slaying but so loving and kind and generous…I love you, Faith. You're so amazing." Willow leaned in, and kissed the dark girl lovingly, eliciting a moan from both sides, obviously pleased with the other.

"I love you, too, Willow Rosenberg. With everything that I am, and more." Faith leaned in for another kiss, and then when their mouths parted, they positioned themselves and the puppy on the couch for snuggles, and a night of television reruns.

Joyce Summers entered the high school library the next day after school, finding Fred, Xander, and Cordelia around the table, feverishly going through dusty books. Giles came out of his office, looking through a book, while sipping a mug. When he finally noticed her presence by the doorway, he motioned for her to enter, and she took a seat beside Fred at the table.

"Joyce. I'm glad you could make it. I'm afraid there's been some news that the four of us need to discuss."

"What about Buffy, Faith, and Willow? Shouldn't they be here, too?" Xander unaware of the situation between the girls, and Fred's obvious discomfort and shifting at the mention of the three girls' names, continued. "I mean two slayer, and the witch…are we planning a party or something? And what about Buffy's mom? Calling reinforcements?"

"I'm afraid it involves the three of them, and Angel as well to some degree. They cannot find out about what we discuss, otherwise, there could be serious damage or consequence to one or all of us involved. I need you all to understand that the situation is highly dangerous but thanks to Angel's lead, we have more information on the crystal, which is why the four of us are here."

"Mr. Giles, I just called wanting to know if my daughter was alright. This control thing has started to completely strip her of her identity. She's not like my Buffy anymore."

"Yes, Joyce. I'm afraid you're right, which is why we need to be careful dealing with this. The crystal is being used for more than control. We have discovered that it forms as a sort of contest to 'mark' another, causing the people around the people involved in the crystal's thrall to suffer the consequences. I received a call from the Council last night, informing me of some information that they received regarding the Argonasis crystal."

"Yeah. No offense but I don't want to be here all night." Cordelia crossed her legs in obvious impatience.

"Yes, well, right. Apparently, the person controlling the crystal decides who will be involved, and why. He or she cannot control what exactly happens when there is more than one person involved in the marking contest, which would explain why Buffy did not lose complete control right away, and managed to function in other fields. The crystal's message to those involved is to control only those functions trying to be detained by the holder."

"That explains why Buffy hasn't been successful with her slaying. Obviously, somebody wants her to not find them, or be able to harm them if she does."

"Where does Will come into this, though? That's the part that doesn't make sense." Giles sighed at Xander's question, and removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He pulled out his cloth, and began cleaning his glasses.

"Well, yes. That brings me to my next point. There have been recent discoveries that have further progressed the crystal's hold."

"Well, according to Buffy, and Fred here as well…" Fred ducked her head, still in serious pain over the loss of her girlfriend. Cordelia placed a comforting hand over the one that was tightly clutching the book on the table. "Apparently, Faith has managed to…er… 'mark' Willow, giving us the information we need to proceed in our research."

"What do you by 'mark' exactly? You mean like…she bit her like a wolf or a vampire." Cordelia glared at her boyfriend's idiotic question, and decided to help Giles.

"No, you idiot. It means, she fucked her first. Like in the wild, the animals mark their mates…am I getting through?"

"But Willow wouldn't sleep with Faith. That doesn't make sense. She's got Fred." Seeing Fred wipe a free falling tear, he was confused. "Right? She does still have you…I mean…doesn't she? You guys didn't break up or anything?" Cordelia kicked his shin, and he winced in pain, grabbing it as an immediate reaction.

"Shut up! Your failure to process information that is clearly in front of you baffles me sometimes. I honestly don't know why I'm still dating you." He looked sad at her comment, and she relaxed her features. "Look, something happened. Fred went to Willow's house yesterday, and Willow wasn't acting like herself. She and Faith had obviously been involved in some rough, kinky sex. She ran out before she was hit again."

"That explains the cuts on your face, and the black eye and cheek. Fred, dear, are you okay?" Joyce placed a comforting arm around the girl's shoulder as she nodded her head under her distress.

"I'll be fine. It's just…I want my Willow back. That wasn't her. Something's going on, and Faith would never hit me. She only hit me when she thought I was trying to make a move on my own girlfriend. It was awful but I want her back so much. I love her, and this is the only thing that'll bring her back so let's get to work."

"Yes. Fred is right. Buffy, Faith, and Willow are involved in this spell. Angel is as well."

"Explains the awful plaid pants phase he was going through several months back."

"Yes, Cordelia. That does explain it. Somebody is trying to unleash Angelus again, or at least was until Buffy started going after Willow, which brings us to the point. Willow and Faith were unaware of their loss of control, perhaps because their involvement wasn't meant to be known. It is my opinion that the morning that we found Buffy and Willow…involved…that Willow was not in control, either but she was unaware. However, Buffy was fully aware, causing her to be the main target, or the person that poses the most threat to the holder. We need to find this person or thing, and destroy the crystal properly. If not, then I'm afraid that we'll never see them as we know them again."

"I don't know…I kind of like chipper, sweet Faith." Everybody looked at Joyce, wondering if she had lost her mind as well. "What? It's nice to see her happy. Can't blame a mother for that. I'm not saying that it's right, and I'm completely behind you here, Rupert, I was just saying that I like to see her happy."

"It gives me the creeps. The Faith right now isn't exactly going to be on the cover of Sanity Fair anytime soon. Her moods appear to change when they involve Willow."

"Yes, Cordelia. And I'm afraid until we destroy the crystal, that everything that she does will be about Willow, making her and Buffy dangerous and unpredictable."

"Well, the holder apparently wanted him to court Buffy again, and bring Angelus back. Now that Buffy is literally obsessed over Willow, and finding a way to destroy Faith for marking what she believes to be hers, Angel's anger will come forward, since his obsession is over Buffy."

"Just that, the Hellmouth. We're talking constant problems, no happiness for you, try again later. It's written somewhere, I'm sure." Xander motioned around the books on the table.

"I'm afraid one of us will have to play detective by following Faith and Buffy's patrol routes from now on…but do not let it be known that you are suspicious. If you do, then they could perceive you as an enemy, and harm you without second guessing."

"Yes, Cordelia, thank you. Fred and I will stay here, and try to gather the items needed to destroy the crystal permanently. Joyce, I would say that the best thing you could do would be playing buffer between the girls. Keep Buffy at home, and do not let Faith and Buffy in the same place if you can help it at all. However, do not put yourself in any danger. If you feel a threatening situation coming, I'll leave you a tranquil gun, and you can call me if the need arises. Xander and Cordelia will patrol with the girls and Angel, paying particular attention to the places that they avoid, and reporting back to Fred and I here afterwards. Then, the next day, I will send one of you out to investigate the potential location of the crystal. Is everything clear?" Nods went around the table, and everybody closed shop for the night. Each person made their way to their next task, complete with instructions to bring back their friends and loved ones.

"I'm not sure that would be safe. Having him nowhere near the situation is probably better. I'm only glad that he had the maturity to leave after the things settled down from the mayor's defeat." Giles and Fred had spent three days researching and gathering ingredients for the spell that would destroy the crystal. So far, everything had gone according to plan. Faith and Buffy stayed away from each other, much thanks to Joyce, and the fact that Faith never returned back to the Summers resident after that first night with Willow. Fred worked almost non-stop, fearing the worst for her friends, and especially her girlfriend. Despite the aching pain from catching her girlfriend with another woman…again, Fred knew that Willow wasn't responsible. Still, the pain was there, embedded in her mind, and she wondered if she was going to be able to get through it in time to help her Willow adjust back to real life after the memories of her life during the crystal's thrall consumed her in guilt. Fred needed to be strong for her girlfriend, and loved her too damn much to let go that easily. She practically lived in the library the entire time after the discussion that night. When she arrived the next day, she brought a toothbrush, and other needed toiletries, to keep there until things were fixed. She refused to take a break, and Giles was overly concerned for her well being, since it was obvious the girl hadn't slept in over two days. He admired her determination to restore Willow's mind but he couldn't help but wish there was an easier way than just waiting. Fred was ready to do the spell when the crystal was found. With the time she spent with Will, she had picked up on some minor power that would help her girlfriend and the slayer. With Giles at hand, she knew that there would be no problem returning the original minds back to the four involved in the crystal holder's twisted game. Finally, she realized that there was nothing else to be done but wait, so she pushed the books aside on the table. She looked over her notes, trying to find something to do besides sit in solitary pain waiting to find the crystal. Thinking back to a happier time, she remembered Willow showing her how to color code her notes according to subject and point, and she smiled fondly at the memory. As the memory faded, she found herself staring down at jumbled notes that looked unorganized. She went into Giles's office, brought back some different colored pencils, and started to rearrange her notes.

Giles returned to the library with two coffees in hand, and she suddenly realized that she didn't know that he had left. They had barely talked during those three days, and she started to feel guilty for not recognizing his presence more often. Looking up, she forced a smile as she took the offered Styrofoam concoction. Giles sat down in the chair next to her, realizing that yes; all they could do was wait. All research was final, and now the real torture began: searching for the crystal. There had been barely any leads that Xander and Cordelia could note about the patrol routes, and the few leads that they did have turned up empty. Still, they kept trying, deciding that wrong leads were better than no leads.

"This is frustrating." Fred sighed sadly, and she tried to hold back her tears from falling again. She had hid behind the research to avoid dealing with the situation. Now that everything was finished, there was no place to hide anymore.

"It hurts so much, Giles." Fred leaned forward, burying her head in her hands. Giles placed a comforting hand on her shoulder briefly before sighing himself.

"Seeing her at school…and actually not getting to see her. Having Faith follow her everywhere around the school, sneering at me when she sees me in Physics with her. The worst part is that Buffy does the same thing to me in Lit class. My glass is at the breaking point, and I'm not sure how much more I can hold before I shatter. I feel so empty." She started sobbing uncontrollably, as Giles tried to condole her the best his British manner would allow him. When her sobs started to die down, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "The thought that Faith and Willow…after we have…it just seems too…"

"Wait, what?" Giles looked at her shocked for a moment. Then, removed his glasses, rubbing at them fiercely, while his mind reeled with this new information. "Go back…I believe you said that you and Willow, er…um…"

"Yes, and it was perfect. Every time it was beautiful." Fred's eyes were a mixture of longing, frustration, fear, and love.

"Of course, why didn't I think about this? How silly of me to assume that you haven't…um…become physical in your relationship." He placed his glasses back on his head as he disappeared into the stacks, coming back with a new book, a hopeful look on his face. He started flipping through pages rapidly until his face showed excitement and possible relief. "We just might be able to find this crystal after all."

"Faith, what do you think about this one?" Willow held up a dress as Faith's gaze surveyed the formal gown with caution.

"Well…anything looks good on you. Just pick the one you like the best." Willow smiled at her lover as she placed the dress back on the rack, moving to kiss Faith sensuously where she was seated. "Mmmm…what was that for? Not that I'm complaining…" Faith opened her eyes lazily as she stared into the lust filled green eyes before her.

"Yes, ma'am." Willow smiled as she moved to kiss her more passionately. When they broke the kiss, they noticed several eyes glancing towards them in a mixture of shock, disgust, and arousal. Faith quickly glared at all of them, and they all went back to their shopping. "You always take care of me."

"Never." She kissed her gently one last time before returning to finding her prom dress. Picking a purple shiny one from the rack, Faith stood up, and grabbed it as she pulled Willow towards the dressing room in a hurry. When she shut the door, she quickly went about removing a flustered, shocked Willow's clothes from her body until she was standing in nothing but her underwear. Aware of the cold on her skin, and the arousal dripping from her body from the sudden attack, Willow snapped out of her sudden daze. "Faith, what are you doing?" Willow's whisper was so low that Faith almost had to use her slayer hearing to pick up her words. Almost.

"I'm getting you to try on this dress. What does it look like I'm doing?" She began removing the dress from the hanger, and unzipping it to allow Will access.

"Well, I wasn't sure there for a minute. I've only ever seen you move that fast once before."

"What? We only had five minutes before your next class…what'd you expect me to do? Leave you unsatisfied? Because that will never happen." Faith helped Willow into the dress as she zipped the back. She moved back to savor her lover's beauty, and gaze a nod of approval. "This one is perfect."

"What did you just say?" Willow was confused for a second, as a hint of some familiarity to that word rang in her mind. She brushed it aside, instead moving to view her figure in the mirror. Faith moved behind her, wrapping her into a tight embrace while kissing her exposed neck.

"I said that this dress is perfect. You are perfect." Again, Willow's mind was reeling trying to place the familiar phrase but letting it go again, not wanting to worry her lover over something small. "See, it's even easy access. So, when we're dancin', I can just move my hands a little like this…" Faith moved her hands down the back of Willow's dress, eliciting a small moan of approval at her choice. "All set then?" Willow smiled lovingly into the mirror, noticing the familiar lust looking back at her. Knowing what her lover had in mind, she nodded, causing Faith to jump into action. Her body was still healing from all the cuts, bruises, scrapes, welts, and other injuries from their four days and nights of practically endless sexcapades. When Faith finally had the dress removed, she gently placed it back on the hanger with care that still amazed Willow. Faith was so amazing…one minute so gentle, the next so fierce. Making sure that everything Willow wanted was taken care of, and that no need or want was left unsatisfied. They oozed sex, and every chance they got, no matter where they were, they made sure that that was exactly what happened. Here, in the dressing room, things would be no different. Willow reached up to kiss her lover passionately, while Faith's hands moved over her body, relishing in the contact. "God, Will…the magic in those lips…" Willow's head shot up with an image of those words being said to her before but she couldn't place it, only the voice sounded familiar but still no face. "What is it? Something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I just got…an itch…that's it! My back…I need to scratch it. Could you?" She moved around, letting Faith move her nails along her back, eliciting a wince when she touched the still healing injuries. "That's better." She turned back around, and went back to pleasing her lover, trying to forget the flash of memory that escaped her mind.

Buffy was staring at herself in the mirror, trying to decide if her dress was good enough to win Will over…yet easy enough to kick Faith's ass at the same time. Deciding that it was perfect, she removed it, and placed it gently back in her closet. Joyce walked into her open door, and smiled at her daughter as she returned the dress to her closet. Her senior prom…something that both overjoyed and scared Joyce at the same time. She was scared because she could tell that Buffy was planning something big, even though she still couldn't figure out her plans without being caught in the crossfire of a very angry mind-controlled slayer. There were times when there were still remnants of her Buffy, the one that smiled when she helped in the kitchen, or the tears when they watched "Fried Green Tomatoes." Even when she took a large amount of time getting ready for school in the morning, Joyce couldn't help but feel that part of Buffy was still in there somewhere. She still loved her unconditionally. No matter if this person was only small remnants of her daughter, she was still just that: her daughter, and nothing was going to change that.

"You really think so?" Joyce nodded, and Buffy smiled warmly, eliciting a smile from her mother. "I just hope Willow likes it. She just has to like it." Joyce tried not to avert her gaze at the sadness she was internally suffering at having to play her daughter in order to save her mind, and herself to some degree.

"It looks beautiful." Buffy sighed, and then the phone rang. Joyce moved to pick it up before Buffy had a chance. She had made the mistake of letting her daughter answer the phone in this state the night after her mind was completely lost. Unfortunately, Buffy yelled at the person on the other line, causing Joyce to wince at the harsh tones that she used for no apparent reason. Fortunately, they would not be getting a call again anytime soon from that telemarketer. She picked up the phone, and tried to keep her face neutral when she heard Giles on the other end.

"Yes, Joyce. I need for you to do something. Fred and I have found a way to locate the crystal, and we need one of the girls to start to retrieving their memories. Certain phrases, words, or memories that are seriously dear to the girls will start to trigger an aversion the crystal has over the mind. Certain events have recently been revealed that give us added hope at finding the crystal sooner. Fred and I have just finished a spell that will start to add better access to the trigger, making the mind more aware of the things being said outside of their thoughts solely on Willow. When the happiest memory is completely revealed to the girls' minds, then whichever one has tapped into it will be released somewhat on the hold. However, they will still be under the thrall of the crystal so be warned. It will be just like going back to how Buffy was before the incident occurring between Faith and Willow. Do you understand me so far?"

"Yes, I do." She nodded for silent emphasis as she continued listening to his explanation.

"Right, well. Fred and I are going to do another spell that will allow the essence that leaves the girl to follow back to the crystal."

"Well, I'm afraid it sounds much easier than it actually is. The memory revelation will be slower than we could hope for, which means that only certain bits will be revealed as things are said, or actions take place. In the meantime, we can only can watch carefully, and hope the right things are said. You should be warned that Buffy's mind is extra sensitive, perceiving everyone as a threat that asks too many questions, or mentions things about Willow and Faith. So, we can only hope that neither girl is involved in her dearest memories. This could cause her mind to repress them further, causing her to lash out even more so than before the memories were revealed. So, when you work on trying to reveal her mind to memories, stick to only words or phrases that you know she would recognize from a happier time that did not involve either girl. Are we clear?"

"For now. Keep me posted, and make sure to keep a watchful eye on her, noting when she goes into a daze. It will happen quickly when the essence leaves, and the mist should be of a light pink variety. This is very dangerous, again I warn you. Are you sure that you can handle this?"

"Good night." With that, the two hung up, and Joyce turned to see Buffy carefully viewing her expression. Used to this after three days, Joyce stood from the bed.

"He wanted to answer a question I had the other day concerning an artifact we received in the last shipment from the gallery. I wanted to make sure no more zombie master masks were sent. We all know how the last one turned out." Joyce smiled at her daughter but Buffy kept staring at her suspiciously. Deciding that she could accept that explanation, she nodded her head slightly, and relaxed her defensive posture. "Buffy, how would you like to make a trip to Los Angeles this weekend?" Trying to think of memories that didn't include Faith, and especially Willow, Joyce decided that life before Sunnydale was her only option.

"I don't know. I had a craving for that little diner that we used to always take you to when you were little. The one that always had the nice old man that would always give you a dollar every time we ate there. What was it he used to say to you?" She stopped to think for a moment until she remembered. "Ah, yes. 'A dollar for a pretty little girl.' I was just hoping that we could spend some time together, and take a trip to LA." She watched Buffy's movements and expressions to see if that returned a pleasant memory. Unfortunately, Buffy only fidgeted uncomfortably. "Something wrong dear?"

"No, I mean…I would love to spend time with you, mom. But it's so far away from Willow, and I only have bad memories from that diner."

"No. I just made you think that I did because I thought that you and dad did. That old man always scared the crap out of me. He still gives me the wiggins." She shivered as the memory seeped into her mind. "Besides, I have better times here with Willow. She's my everything." Joyce sighed as she realized that this task was going to be much more difficult, just as Rupert had warned her.

They walked into the house, ignoring the foreign car in the driveway. The whole way back from the mall, Faith couldn't keep her hands off of Willow, not fully satisfied by the impromptu sex in the dressing room. She couldn't wait to get her girl home, and take all of their clothes off. When they shut the door behind them, Faith pushed Willow against the front door, and teased her by starting to lean in to kiss her but pulling back at the last minute, causing groans to escape from Willow's mouth.

"Faith…" Willow's voice was pleading, while her pout tried to tempt her to give in from her teasing. It worked because Faith moved in to kiss her promptly, pushing her body further into the door against hers.

"You're so kissable when you pout." Faith claimed her lips again, as Willow's mind once again escaped, taking her back to a time when somebody else had said those words. Still, there was only a familiar voice that she couldn't place, and a truly content, happy feeling that consumed her entire being. She was becoming frustrated as these thoughts had kept randomly invading her mind when she was with Faith. Suddenly, there was the sound of glass shattering on the floor, and an apparently feminine voice gasping in surprise.

"Willow Danielle Rosenberg!" Faith gently extricated herself from Willow, and released her lover, both of them turning to see Will's mom standing there in an angry stance. Faith looked down, and noticed the broken Snapple bottle on the ground. "What in the world do you think you're doing?!" Faith noticed her lover's tense posture, and turned to glare at the woman.

"Don't yell at her." Her scowl caused Sheila to be taken aback, seeing the danger emanating behind the young brunette's eyes. "She didn't do anything to you."

"Yes, well. May I ask who you are? And why exactly you were molesting my daughter in my foyer?" Faith's eyes narrowed, preparing for an attack if this woman didn't back off soon.

"Mom, this is my lover, Faith. You haven't had a chance to meet her yet. Faith, this is my mom." The two women glared at each other, one seeking answers, and the other seeking a way to protect her lover.

"Not that long ago. We've known each other for about a year now but we just officially found each other the other day." Willow smiled at Faith lovingly as she took her hand, and moved to kiss her cheek gently. Faith relaxed a little at the attention, deciding that the woman was the mother of her mate, and that she was also trying to protect her in some way. "I love her. She's my everything." She sighed longingly, deciding that she needed to dispose of her mother quickly before jumping Faith's bones in front of her.

"Fred? I never dated…" Faith clenched her fists tight at the thought of her Willow being thought of as somebody's other than hers. Willow gently caressed her arm, and Faith relaxed, reassuring her that it was okay. She'd only ever loved her, and always would.

"Yes, well. Your father and I will be home until your graduation. I assume that your little friend here will be staying for dinner?" Sheila looked back and forth between the two girls, noticing the predatory way in which she protected Willow from her, and the hold that Willow had over her with just a glance. Saving that for further research later, she made a mental note.

"She'll be staying for always." Faith smiled, and kissed her passionately on the mouth again, causing Sheila to clear her throat at their display of affection.

"Alright, mom. We'll be in our room." Sheila nodded, and Faith practically dragged Willow to her room. When she wasn't moving fast enough, she picked her up, and kicked the door open further, slamming it behind her with her foot. She tossed Willow on the bed, and began her plan to ravish the redhead's body. When she had finished stripping them both, and was placing them under the covers. After several longing kisses, Willow managed to roll on top of Faith. Faith suddenly had a thought occur to her. Willow's parents were home, and Will was very vocal when they had sex. Knowing that she should respect her mate's pride, she stopped her kisses. Willow looked at her confused for a moment. Faith just smoothed auburn locks behind her right ear.

"Will…we should stop. You get kinda loud, and …your parents are underneath us." As if on cue, her mouth took control of her reply.

"Okay, that was a mood crusher." As soon as she said that, she looked down, and she didn't see Faith. At first, she began to panic but when the blurry image came to show an out of focus Fred, and the love that was in her eyes, Willow's heart melted. The gaze was familiar yet she couldn't shake the feeling that her mind was playing tricks on her. Deciding that Faith was right, she nodded, and the image of her dark lover reappeared below her.

"Willow land…ha ha…yeah, that's it." Willow tried to keep her thoughts in tact but she couldn't help but remember that look in Fred's eyes, and the way it made her feel. She rolled off of Faith, and just wrapped her body around her lover comfortably. Faith held her gently, stroking up and down her back in a loving manner. However, Willow just could not forget her thoughts of Fred. She remembered how the girl reacted a few days ago when she came to visit, and the things that her mother said earlier. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something but her mind didn't apparently want her to dwell to long because she just snuggled closer to Faith's warm body, deciding to relish in the feel of skin on skin, even if it wasn't exactly what she wanted to do at the moment.

"It will, Fred. You have to trust me. I just hope that the good memories don't trigger more violence, and only good comes from this. Otherwise, we may have made situations worse. Either way, we will be able to find the crystal and destroy it, bringing their minds back to reality."

"I still don't understand who would do such a cruel thing, and why. This just doesn't make sense." She shook her head, knowing that there was something missing from the entire formula. They had still been waiting but nothing had happened yet, and a week had passed already. There was more than frustration, and Fred was prepared to help Willow at all costs. Talking to Giles the entire week, she finally gave into the fact that it wasn't Willow doing those things, and that she still loved her even if it hurt. She gradually changed the hurt into anger at whoever was controlling the crystal, and vowed that once they met, her wild side was going to be fully unleashed. Now, as they sat around the table playing chess (they decided that sitting around and waiting was only making things worse), they still waited for a sign from Xander, Cordelia, or Joyce. Only minor things had happened, and nothing drastic: the same dead leads, Buffy pining, and Faith protecting Willow. Cordelia did discover that the Rosenbergs were home until after the graduation ceremony, and that Faith wasn't liked very well by Willow's father but only because she wasn't Jewish.

When Fred began to move her bishop to take Giles's knight, she heard the familiar sound of the library doors swinging open. She looked up to see Willow moving towards them carefully, eyeing her curiously. The strange thing was, though, that Faith was nowhere near, which was weird since the girl never left Willow's side…not even to use the rest room when at school. Willow never seemed to mind, though…always smiling and kissing her lovingly when she did those things, causing Fred's heart to shatter over and over again. They were unaware but it still didn't change anything for those not being controlled.

"Hi." Willow just kept looking at Fred, as though she were trying to figure something out about the girl. Either that, or she had some of her lunch still on her face. Fred waved back, cautiously looking around for any sign of Faith. Willow understood what she was doing, and wanted to reassure her that she was safe. "It's okay. It's safe. Faith stayed home today."

"How did you get her stay home, Willow?" Giles asked cautiously, keeping a close eye on the girl across from him at the table.

"Let's just say…I can be…persuasive." Giles and Fred just decided that they didn't want to know because it had to be something drastic or dangerous. "I won't let her hurt you guys. I love her but I needed to know something. I knew you'd be in here, Fred, and I didn't want her to flip out and hit you again. I just needed to talk to Giles about something." Fred wanted to rush up, and tell Willow how much she missed her, loved her, and that everything would be okay. At first, she thought that seeing Willow there, she had been released from the crystal, but when she heard her talk about Faith, she knew that she had to stay grounded. Giles nodded his affirmation, and they walked into his office, leaving a hopeful Fred gazing after them. In the short distance to the office, Willow still stared, studying Fred, until Giles shut the door.

"What seems to be the problem, Willow?" He still was amazed at how she managed to escape Faith, knowing that after she marked her, she would never know what alone time was again. Sitting down in his chair, he offered Willow a seat in the chair across from him.

"Well…that's the thing. I don't know what the problem is exactly." She was playing with the sleeve on her long sleeved t-shirt. She didn't know what possessed her to pull out a pair of her jean overalls, and this particular shirt but she had been craving to wear them for the last couple of days. There wasn't anything special about this outfit; at least, she didn't think there was. She came to Giles for answers about the images that would pop into her head, and when she walked in, Fred had been there like she had been the last week. She would walk by the library numerous times with Faith in tow but was always weary to go in there while Fred was. The thoughts started getting worse, though, and Willow was afraid that she was going crazy. When she saw the unconditional love and sadness that were glowing in Fred's eyes, she couldn't take her eyes away from the slim girl. She needed answers now.

"Well, it's Fred. You see, I keep having these thoughts, images…they're like memories but they're not mine. At least I don't think they are, and I don't know why but when somebody says something particular, I just flash back without warning. "

"And what does this have to do with Fred?" Giles was staying stoic, although he recognized that Willow was the one that was carefully averting the crystal's thrall. Knowing that he had to be extra careful, he listened to her descriptions of the many times that the images would appear. By the time she was finished, his glasses were extravagantly clean. Will did not hold back any details at all. Deciding to tell the man when it happened, what was said, the memories themselves, and worst of all, the positions that she was in at the time. "Yes, well, Willow. It seems that your memories are overlapping another."

"You need to understand that there are things that can, well…trigger thoughts and images into our minds. Sort of like a certain smell can remind the person what they are eating or drinking. What are your thoughts exactly on what's happening to you?"

"I'm scared. I'm frustrated that I can't figure it out. I'm afraid that Faith will find out, and hurt somebody. I don't know why but I don't want to see Fred hurt. It's almost like…like, well…like I'm starting to feel the things that the memories embed into my mind. It's like they really are my memories, and something is missing from my life but I just can't figure it out. Something is wrong, Giles, and I need it fixed before someone gets hurt."

"That's understandable. I do need to know, though, how exactly you managed to keep Faith away from your side so long." She sighed, knowing that she should tell him.

"Well. I may have put some sleeping potion into her juice this morning. She'll be out the rest of the night."

"It's hard to say. Being away from you so long, being out of commission will do something to her body and mind concerning her protectiveness over her mate."

"Yes. Willow, that's you. She marked you as her mate. I see a rather odd scar forming on your neck that resembles teeth marks that assure me of this."

"Willow, I believe it is in everybody's best interest if you keep this information to yourself. When she finds out who and where you learned this from, she will surely come after me, and quite possibly Fred, since she knows that she is here most of the time. You need to understand that Faith is quite dangerous if something threatens you in any way."

"How can she perceive you or Fred as a threat exactly? That doesn't make sense."

"Yes, well. I am not in danger as of now but Fred is in serious danger should she even speak to you. Once Faith learns that you talked to me, while I was around Fred, she will assume that we were partners in a battle to take you away from her."

"That is something I cannot say. I do know that when Faith managed to injure Fred about a week ago, that she was over at your house…presumably right after you, well…mated. Fred brought you things, and Faith took that as a gesture to steal you away."

"Oh. I wondered why Faith lashed out so violently towards her. It's really not like her. She's so gentle." Giles raised his eyebrows, amused by the thought of Faith being gentle. Yes, this spell truly did something to her personality. "I should go back. Thank you, Giles…and don't worry. You're safe." He nodded his appreciation, and they exited the tiny office. Once the door opened, Willow immediately sought out Fred, finding the girl rummaging through some papers at the table. Deciding that it was still safe, she walked over and sat down beside her, leaning over to view what she was researching. "Hey, I do the same thing to my notes."

"Yeah." Fred didn't want to make things worse than they already were but being this close to Willow after so long was slowly killing her inside because she still couldn't kiss her, and make the bad things go away. Somebody once taught me how. Outlining notes in different colors to indicate different points and topics. I'm so unorganized sometimes, this really seems to help, though." She was blushing furiously, and her body was reeling as she closed her eyes, taking in the familiar green tea and aloe smell of her girlfriend. "I miss her."

"Somebody that I love dearly that's gone away for awhile. If everything works out, though, she'll be back."

"I hope that she does." Willow smiled genuinely at the girl, remembering the feelings the memories provoked in her mind. Being this close to her was torture. Not knowing what was going on, she measured the proverbial line from her lips to Fred's. She wanted to taste her mouth, and see if she tasted as good as she did in her mind. She wanted to feel her skin against her hand, see if it was as smooth. Wanted to hear her say 'I love you, Willow'…to see if this Fred was anything like her imaginary one. Fred just looked at her briefly before smiling herself. "Why don't I know who she is?"

"Nothing important really. I was just reading over some notes for a project Giles is helping me with here in the library." She placed the notes back into her bag before Willow could see her name written all over the sheets. "What brings you here?"

"I needed Giles for a project, too." Fred was playing with a pawn from the chess set, twirling it around in her fingers, trying not to think about Willowy things, and doing her best not to look her in the eyes, in case she saw the hidden emotion there. "Did I interrupt your chess game?"

"No. I mean, that is…two more moves, and I would have had Giles in checkmate. It's not big deal. I'm sure that he thanks you, though." Willow smiled, and couldn't help herself. She had to know…had to know what she tasted like…what she felt like. So, she placed a tentative hand around Fred's forearm, causing the girl to look her way. Seeing the dilemma in her girlfriend's eyes, Fred knew her resolve would fade if she looked too long but apparently, Willow wanted something from her. "Yes?"

"Fred…I need to know…that is…" She leaned forward, and quickly moved her mouth against Fred's as gently as possible. Fred was startled, and without thinking about what it was she was getting herself into, she kissed her back, cupping Willow's face in her hands as her tears began to flow down her cheeks, leaving a salty trail in their mouths when they finally broke apart from each other. Willow stared at Fred, breathless, completely aware of the other girl next to her. It was like she had kissed her a thousand times before, and yet she couldn't understand why it was her first kiss with the girl. She touched her lips, feeling the tingly sensation that spread over her body. She looked up to see Fred panting, and the tears falling from her face. She moved her hand to wipe the tears with the pad of her thumbs, cupping Fred's face gently.

Giles just watched the interaction from his doorway, waiting to see if maybe this was the loophole they had been waiting for all along. He figured that Faith or Buffy would be the first to snap out of the hold but Willow's love for Fred had apparently proven him wrong in his assumptions. Watching them in those last few seconds, he thought it seemed as though things had never changed. That Willow still loved Fred but he knew differently. He knew that Willow wanted answers, and that her scientific mind thought that kissing Fred would solve her problem. Answer her questions. Help her to understand why the memories were appearing. He just continued to watch the display, and sighed in a defeated manner, wishing that the crystal had never taken control of anybody.

Fred allowed the warmth of Willow's embrace to flood over her broken heart, carefully mending the pieces back together slowly because she knew that this still wasn't her Willow. She decided that she would try to put memories back into Willow, since both she and Giles were already there to follow the mist to the crystal. She leaned in to kiss Willow one more time, just in case she wasn't able to get through, and break the spell. Willow replied instantly, letting Fred's tongue enter her mouth, and they both moaned in agreement. When Fred released Willow's lips, she looked at her seductively, deciding that it was now or never.

"You're my redhead in shining overalls, you know that? I love you so much." Willow stopped all movement when she said that. Everything Fred had just said took her back to the beginning, when she and Fred had first met, and how she saved Fred from that vampire. The nickname stuck, and Fred had called her that on occasion, especially during or after patrol when they would both accompany Buffy. Her mind released all doubt for a second, and hearing the words 'I love you' come from Fred's mouth was a reminder of many utterances of those three small words from the brunette. Suddenly, she felt something leave her, and her body shook from the cold that it washed over her. Coming out of her daze, she looked up to find Fred staring lovingly at her again, and her body immediately warmed to the core. Looking behind Fred's head, she noticed there was a light pink aura floating behind her.

"You're glowing." She pointed behind Fred, causing the girl to follow her gaze to the mist that they had waited for so long. Her body literally relaxed itself, and she saw Giles coming from his office. Looking up, he noticed the mist as well.

"Dear lord." His eyes were wide, and he could barely contain his excitement. "How did this happen?"

"Willow did this." Giles nodded, and moved back into his office. It was time for action now.

"Well, I felt cold, like something left me but then I opened my eyes, and I saw you. You made me feel no so cold anymore. I like that. It was like we're connected somehow."

"I felt it, too. It was like magick. You're magick." Fred gazed lovingly at her girlfriend, and noticed that Willow was gazing back at her as though she had just woken from a bad dream.

"Oh my goddess. What have I done?" Noticing that Willow had returned, she immediately enveloped her in her arms. Willow started sobbing into Fred's chest, holding onto her as though she was hanging on for dear life. "Fred, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I promised I'd never do it again, and I did…and I'm so sorry. Baby, I'm so sorry." Willow continued her mantra, and Fred hugged her tighter, stroking her hair and rocking her gently.

"Shh…Willow, baby, it's okay. It wasn't you." Willow released her hold slightly, and looked up at Fred confused.

"What do you mean it wasn't me? It was…I was there; I did all of those things. I let Faith touch me, and I liked it. I let her hurt me, and begged for more. I let her hit you." Her voice croaked on the last one, and she pulled Fred in again.

"No, baby. It wasn't you. Well, it was kinda but not. You see, the crystal that was controlling Buffy was playing a game with her, and you, Faith, and Angel were all involved, only you didn't know it because the three of you were barely around each other. I guess that night when Buffy left, and Faith walked you home…the game took another turn."

"Shh…calm down, Will. You weren't in control of who you were. Your mind belonged to this 'marking' game, and whoever is controlling the crystal. All of those things you did, the things you said while you were with Faith, they were all part of this sick, twisted game. There's no need to be sorry."

"Yes, there is. I remember it all. The touches, the kisses, the sex, and I liked it. Oh, God, Fred…I like it, and I hate myself for that." Fred had to take a deep breath, realizing that this was harder than she originally thought. She knew Willow would be full of guilt and remorse but she wasn't ready for that.

"It's okay. You only liked it because your mind wasn't yours anymore. It's all a part of who you are now. The things that happened. You're not going to forget that, and you're going to remember things fondly because at the time, it's who you were. But now, you're back. I got my Willow back." Fred kissed Willow softly, rubbing her back gently to calm her down. When it seemed that Willow's sobs were ceasing, Fred let out a deep breath that she had been holding for almost two weeks now, and thoroughly enjoyed having her love back in her arms for the first time in what felt like forever.

Willow and Fred retreated into Giles's office, deciding to continue their talk and reunion in private. When Xander and Cordelia finally arrived, the three headed after the mist to track down the crystal, and possibly the holder. Willow still wouldn't allow contact to be broken, even when they moved. She had to at least be touching Fred somewhere at all times. Sitting on the couch in the office, they lay in each other's arms, facing each other. Fred played with Willow's hair lazily, and continued placing warm, gentle kisses along her face as they continued just staring at each other lovingly. The talk had been long, and things were in the open. Fred explained that Willow was still under the thrall of the crystal, and there was a possibility that seeing Faith again would trigger her back. Willow resolved not to return home until the crystal was destroyed, and Fred happily agreed to keep her in the library's office until the others returned. They were going in blind, unaware of what was guarding the crystal, or who was even controlling it. This worried both girls but they decided to not think about, instead focus on being back together.

"I love you, too." Fred smiled at her girlfriend, kissing her gently on the lips before moving back to gaze at her again. "You amaze me."

"You went through all of this, and you still couldn't stay away from me. Guess there's just something about me you just can't resist." Fred looked playful, and Willow was ready to get back to normal.

"Yeah, well…you were better in bed." Fred smiled shyly, and was glad that they could joke about the whole situation. It still hurt but they would get through it.

"Well…good to know." They kissed again, and sighed, letting their shoulders relax even further as they continued their gaze.

"Well, then. I love you, too. Now…" Fred lazily swirled her finger from Willow's hair down to the sensitive spot on her side. "...about that bed thing…" Willow gasped as Fred reached her destination, moaning into her mouth when Fred kissed her. Their kisses lasted longer, and grew more passionate, with hands roaming, and clothes being removed in a fit of passion.

"Yeah but with it being the Hellmouth, it'll probably be sooner." Willow still continued kissing and groping, feeling her body protesting to any stopping.

"You worry too much…guess I'll just have to kiss those worries away." Fred kissed, sucked, and licked her way down Will's body until she reached the waistline of her blue panties. "Mmm…you look good in blue."

"Really?" Willow tried to keep some semblance of cool but after pure straight-up sex with Faith all week, all the time, it was good to actually be making love again, and her body was reacted with fervor.

"Yeah but you look better in nothing, in my opinion." Willow moaned loudly when Fred cupped her hand on her sex, kissing her way back up her body, while gently stroking the outside of her panties. "Guess this'll have to do for now. Don't want to leave evidence of our crime behind."

"Something that feels this good could never be a crime." Willow's breath was coming in faster, as Fred moved her hand under the waistline, and began to tease her.

"Yeah but Giles still might not like traces of our lovemaking on his couch. He can't even keep from rubbing his glasses when somebody mentions one of us kissing." They giggled, and Fred moved down to kiss Willow deeply, making sure to do that tongue thing that Willow had voiced her approval of on many occasions. Willow was moving to meet Fred's movements, and her opinions of the ministrations were loudly voiced. When she finally arrived at her breaking point, she completely released all hold that Faith had over her. This was her lover, the woman that she loved, and her true mate. This was perfect, and she let her guilt slide away as Fred continued kissing her as she came down from her blissful state. They just snuggled a while, lying on Giles's couch in their underwear, glad to be in one another's arms again. They began to doze off, and decided to take a little nap before the others arrived.

"Giles, it's not as big as I thought it'd be. I imagined a big boulder…or at least a nice size of kryptonite." The three dragged in, bloodied and bruised after a long night of fighting, and carried the crystal back to the library. When they noticed that Fred's things were still there, Giles explained that they were probably still in his office talking.

"It's a lot to deal with but I know they'll get through it." Giles laid the crystal on the table by the books, and moved to the book cage to retrieve the spell ingredients in order to destroy it.

"As determined as Fred was to get Willow back, I highly doubt that she'll let go so easily now that she does. I couldn't begin to imagine what that must feel like." Cordelia looked through the book pile on the table, trying to find the spell to destroy the thing. Xander helped Giles move everything to the table. Cordelia noticed the large cut on his arm, and decided to get the first aid kit from the office to bandage everyone up after the fight. The fight was difficult. They knew they were going in blind but luckily they had come prepared for anything. They managed to dust the ten vampires that were guarding the crystal in a house on the outskirts of Sunnydale. After getting the crystal, they rummaged up anything to find clues about the holder, since it was apparent that the vamps there were only minions. Not taking the time to look over the things they grabbed, they just through it all into a satchel that Giles had brought in case they needed something else to carry the crystal in if it was bigger than they all imagined. Fortunately, the crystal proved to be no bigger than Cordelia's hand, and she palmed it, and placed it in her person to keep it from Xander's clumsy hands. She opened the door to Gile's office, and stood there when she saw two half naked girls tightly clutch together on the couch. Deciding that she should probably warn them that Xander was here, and afraid he might ogle…actually, knowing that he'd ogle, Cordelia shut the door, and closed the blinds. Waking them up was easy, and they just stared at her in shock.

"You should get up. We just got back, and luckily I found you before Xander or Giles did. That would've been a disaster. And what on Earth possessed you to have sex in the office? Ick factor." Cordelia was tossing their clothes at them, while they caught them, and put them on in a hurry. They straightened each other's hair out, and smiled as the reality sunk in that things were back to normal. "Come on…I'm waiting. We have some serious injuries to take care of, and you're just delaying. We need to get this crystal thing destroyed."

"You did find it?" Willow was helping Fred stand, and they both checked each other over again, just to make sure.

"I don't know. This is Sunnydale." The three girls left the office, and Fred went to prepare the spell as Cordelia and Willow helped bandage cuts. Giles and Xander moved to help Fred when Willow was helping Cordelia with her injuries. "Cordy, this cut is really deep. I think I might need to stitch it." Cordelia rolled her eyes, and swiped her hand to give Will the go ahead.

"Figures that two days before prom I'd get into some sort of incident that involves saving all of your asses again."

"Well, if it makes it any better, I appreciate having my ass still." Willow stitched the gash gently, and smiled at the girl before getting up to put the supplies back in the office. Cordelia joined the others at the table. After the spell was complete, the crystal dissipated into a steaming liquid.

"It looks like somebody threw up pepto bismol." Xander's comment caused disgusted glares to turn his way. "What?"

"Well, it seems that everything is complete. How do you feel Willow?" She glanced over at her girlfriend, and they smiled warmly at each other. "Perfect."

"Good, who wants to call cranky and crankier, and find out about them?" Cordelia asked, hoping beyond hope she did not have to deal with Buffy or Faith before having some well-deserved beauty sleep.

"I'll call home, and have mom give the phone to Faith. She should be awake by now. I learned that Faith doesn't really have any friends here."

"No, sweetie. Buffy, Faith, and Angel didn't know, either. We couldn't let anyone involved in the spell be aware we were trying to destroy the crystal, or else someone might have been hurt."

"Fred's right, Wills. We were all playing roles of double agents, and didn't feel like having the wrath of the slayers or Dead boy coming down on us. We sorta, you know…wanted to stay alive."

"It's all over now, though. We can go back to slaying regular vamps for a while. There's no big apocalyptic threat over our heads now."

"The holder must've had something major planned because he made sure that all of us were preoccupied, and out of the way. That's always the first sign of a bigger evil plan. Glad that it's over with now, though."

"Actually, Fred…about that. We didn't exactly…get the holder. We still don't know who he or she is."

"What? I mean…how is that possible? The holder had to have been near the crystal, right? They wouldn't just leave it there."

"Well, it wasn't exactly unguarded, and I don't think that they expected us to find it to begin with. If they have a bigger plan, then that's what they must be focusing on because we checked the whole house up and down, and there was nothing but a few things left."

"What kind of things?" Xander moved over to the table, and grabbed the satchel, dumping its contents on the table by the books. A post-it fell on the now cool liquid, and Xander picked it up, and wiped it on his sleeve. "Oops. Maybe we should clean this stuff up first." Giles came back from the office, and Xander went behind the counter to get paper towels. Cleaning up the mess, the others were thumbing through the clues. There were several mundane things. Cigarette cartons, lighters, scraps of paper with notes written on them, books, and a set of dog tags. "There was a Playboy but they wouldn't accept it as evidence."

"I hardly would identify a gentleman's magazine as being end of the world worthy."

"Ah, yes…but you see, maybe that's what this person wanted you to think, and he kept all of his secrets in there like one of those hollow books you keep a bottle of bourbon in, and he knew we wouldn't pick it up, so he left it there to mock us."

"Xander, geez. Give it up, no wonder you're the Zeppo of the group. One track mind."

"Thank you, Wills, which is a good thing I went back, and snatched it." He started flipping through the pages, and a note fell out that he didn't noticed because he was currently studying some photos. Willow bent down to pick it up, and read it over, eyes going wide.

"I am? I mean, I am!" Willow flapped the paper in her hand excitedly, and pointed with her other hand.

"This is what, sweetie?" Fred snatched the paper, and read over as well, eyes going wide. "Oh my God. This is almost too easy."

"Not really, considering all we had to go through to get it." Cordelia took the passed paper, and read over it, unsure of what they figured out. "Meet us at the docks. D and I will have your cash. Don't keep us waiting, pet. Burn this note, you wanker?" She passed the note to Giles as his eyes widened, and Xander stood there as dumbfounded as Cordelia. "That doesn't help us out."

"Sure it does. Read it again. Who else uses words like 'wanker' and 'pet.'" Willow was still excited at the revelation.

"And has a major jonesing to see Buffy beat?" Fred smiled at her girlfriend's enthusiasm at a problem solved.

"Somebody wanna clue us in here? I must've missed the lecture on deciphering evil notes."

"Oh, okay…that makes sense now. He really needs to find a better system of communication. It's like he's practically begging to be defeated." Cordelia smiled as she recognized the logic.

"Thinking was never his strong suit. Come on, Xan. Think about it. Spike wants Buffy dead, he's made that clear on several occasions. D…Drusilla. And who else uses the words 'pet' and 'wanker.' I mean, come on…only Briti…" Willow saw Giles cross his arms, and she backpedaled. "I mean, only Spike."

"Well, Xan…yes but you don't honestly think he'd give up that easily, do you? After he was hurt in that fire, he couldn't do anything but I'm sure his healing has kicked in by now. It makes perfect sense, too."

"Attacking Buffy, trying to bring Angelus back…when he found out that didn't work, he must've decided to go after Faith and me, too. Bring down the power in the group, and what's left?"

"Nothing but the followers. I see what you mean. He thought that by controlling your minds, he'd be able to kill us all easier. By leaving us without a slayer or witch, then we lose the strength to win."

"I'll give Spike credit, he actually thought of a feasible plan." Xander was still amazed that he would actually come back to try. "Yes, and when the protectors are gone, then Sunnydale is a practical all you can eat buffet."

"Well, I say we gather back later on tonight. We are all in much need of rest, and I'd say that Willow needs to help Faith adapt, since she is still apparently there." They all nodded, and made their way to bed. Outside, the sun was already set, and things were once again put back in their proper place.

"There's history behind this dress. When Faith and I were…well, we…in the…" Willow and Buffy were in Buffy's room, preparing for prom. They had their dresses on, and were finally putting the final touches to their bodies by decking themselves in sparkly jewelry.

"Well…we kinda, ya know…in the dressing room…" Willow bugged her eyes out, and gave a shy smile to her best friend. Buffy simply nodded, and turned away so that Willow wouldn't see the pain in her eyes. The spell had been broken, and memories and reality were returned to the four involved. Faith and Willow had a long talk about what had happened between them, and decided to try to stay friends, agreeing that it was pleasurable, just not right. They still talked on occasion but it was always awkward, since the majority of the time they spent together during that week and a half was spent doing nothing but having sex, and sweet-talking one another. There wasn't much bonding at all. Willow still blushed around Faith, especially when she remembered some of their sexcapades. Her guilt had racked her brain, and Fred was loving, caring, and helping her lose the guilt slowly, even though they both finally agreed that it would take time. Angel only called from LA, telling Giles that he had started a detective service for the supernatural crimes with the aid of another demon that had premonitions.

However, with all the things that were returning to normal, one thing stayed the same. Buffy found herself still pining for Willow. Only now, it wasn't some sick obsession to mark her but rather, she wanted to merely love the girl. Seeing her best friend with Fred, the slayer could tell that Will was happy, and that warmed Buffy's heart, no matter how much she wished that it was her that made her Willow happy. She had to pretend that there was nothing there but it killed her inside. Fred made her extremely jealous, always reminding her of the one thing that she wanted but could never have, and Buffy's mood swings would go into overdrive whenever the slim brunette was mentioned. At first, she tried to chock it up to bleed over from the spell but whenever she would be alone with Willow, she found herself back into old habits of wanting to kiss her, or touch her a little bit longer than usual, just be near the girl so she could relish the closeness. Only now, she had complete control over her actions, and she without the acceptable excuse that she was under a spell, she had to face up to her own demons, and finally accept that yes, she was completely in love with Willow Rosenberg.

"Will, can I ask you something?" Willow turned around as started placing a diamond earring into her left ear. She noticed that Buffy's face was tortured, and had noticed since the crystal was destroyed. She wished she could take away her pain somehow, get her to talk to her but she knew not to push the slayer.

"Of course, you can ask me anything. What's up, Buff?" She finished putting her earrings on, and moved to her bag on Buffy's bed. She pulled out her shoes, and dropped them on the floor for when they left. Fred was supposed to meet them at the Summers residence before they went over to the Burkles for dinner. Faith had agreed, again, to be Buffy's date, and they were going to the prom in style. Or rather, in the shape of Fred's mom's school bus. Xander had brought up the idea, and the others just chuckled until he pointed out that it would be something new, and that nobody else he knew could get away with besides them, since Fred's mom drove one. After much hesitation, everyone agreed that it would be something they would always remember, and things were set from there. Now, Buffy knew she didn't have much time, and she needed to do this before she either lost her nerve, or the bus pulled in to pick them up for dinner. She stood up, grabbed a small box from inside her nightstand drawer, and joined Willow by the full-length mirror in the dimly lit room. "Is something wrong? Do I look stupid? It's the dress, isn't it? I should've taken it back, and gotten another one. Or, or the earrings! They're too much…they say 'I'm all sparkly, and my parents can afford diamonds'…"

"No, Will. Relax. You're beautiful. Beyond beautiful." Willow ducked her head, and blushed away from Buffy's admiration. "Willow, there's something I need to tell you, and I'm not sure if you're going to like it exactly." Willow scrunched her brows in confusion, and Buffy took a deep breath before continuing. "You know how we reverted the spell from the crystal? Well…"

"It's okay, Buffy. I know, it's embarrassing but we'll get through it. You were obsessed with me, and although disturbing that so many people were willing to kill to 'claim' me…it's almost flattering…in a psychotic, only one can survive type of way. I understand, Buff." Buffy didn't want to get her hopes up because she honestly didn't think that Willow knew exactly what she was saying.

"Will…that's not…I mean to say…yes, I was obsessed with you but there's more."

"What?! No, Will…never. You're the reason I continue to fight in order to protect people. You're my life source, and I don't know what I'd do without you." Buffy's eyes were panicked, and she wanted to scream 'I love you' over and over again but she knew that she couldn't. Willow smiled warmly at her, and Buffy almost lost her nerve until she dropped the box on the floor. She bent down to pick it up, and when she stood back up, her body was so close to Willow's that she could feel their breaths co-mingling. Her breathing was more rapid than Willow's, and her eyes were glossed over in want every time they darted down to her pouty mouth, or into her green pools. "Will…"

"Buff…" They were whispering, both feeling the tender moment, and neither wanting to break its spell by being too loud. Suddenly, Willow's tongue snaked out, and licked her lips subconsciously but she didn't understand why. This was just Buffy.

"As long as it's not something kinky, or something involving teeth marks." Buffy opened the box, and slowly moved behind Willow, showcasing their mirrored images to one another. Buffy wrapped her arms around Will's neck from behind, and dragged a thin leather strap around the back, hooking the two strands together by the link provided. Willow stared at the small black, pear shaped stone hanging from the strap, and her fingers moved up to touch it below the base of her throat. "Buffy, it's beautiful. Where did you find it?"

"The magic shop across from the university." Buffy shrugged, and just watched Willow's awe-struck reaction to the necklace. "I was there yesterday, looking for a book that Giles sent me after…don't ask why. I was browsing, and a lady in the store came to stand beside me as I was staring at this under the glass display. She was kind of scary but she said that I needed to give this to somebody special that only I would know…that its essence called out to me or something. It was strange but it was like…like it called to me."

"And that's why you're special. Because you're Willow. My Willow with all her wily Willow charms. I know we just had trouble with a crystal but this one felt different somehow. I got curious, and looked it up on the net."

"Buffy, you researched? Without Giles forcing you?" Willow turned back around to face the slayer. She was more than amazed that Buffy actually studied…but the fact that she studied over a gift that she wanted to give to her? Willow was speechless, and more than confused.

"Well, yeah…but don't tell him. Otherwise, I'll get the lecture again on how I need to learn to pay attention when we're actually researching a demon. You don't even want to know about the lecture I got on this Argonaut crystal thingy…I'm talking long-winded…"

"Because I love you, Wills. You're the best friend I've ever had, and like I said…this thing practically had a bullhorn to my ear." Willow finally smiled at Buffy, and grabbed her into a tight hug, and Buffy immediately responded, burying her face into Willow's neck. "The lady at the counter said that this thing was some sort of protection against other spells, and that it helped with emotional balance and sexual self-control. I thought that since you're always protecting me, that I could give you some protection after this whole fiasco."

"Besides, after the stories you told me about you and Faith, I figured that self-control in the sexual sense might just help you cool down a little." Buffy giggled as she pulled reluctantly from the hug. She looked at Willow again. "You really are amazing, Willow Rosenberg."

Willow's tongue darted out between her teeth because she was so ecstatic. This was one of those rare moments that she knew would be treasured forever, and one of those memories that would've helped her earlier in the week. The moment was broken, though, when the doorbell rang, signaling Fred's arrival. Willow jumped for joy in a nervous manner as she pulled her shoes on, and followed Buffy down the stairs. Joyce opened the door, and ushered Fred inside, and the four women stood in the Summers foyer.

"You look great, Will." Fred couldn't escape her gaze from Willow yet again, as her eyes snaked seductively over her form, studying how the shiny purple dress clung to her body in just the right places.

"So do you." Willow noticed that Fred was wearing a simple knee length silky white dress, and she thought that Fred was breathtaking. Faith came hopping down the stairs in black…usual. The dress was plain, not leather for once, and all four women shook their heads in surprise. "Faith…wow. You clean up nice."

"Yeah, well…thought I'd be nice for once. It's much more comfortable than those overalls and fuzzy sweaters from your closet that I was wearin' last week so I'm not complainin' too much." Faith shrugged as she joined them by the door. "You didn't change your dress, Red. What gives?" Willow blushed, and averted her eyes from the others. "Yeah, never mind…we gonna get this show on the road, or what?"

"Girls, behave. Tell your mother that I'll be over later, Fred. Have fun." They all nodded, and headed for the long, yellow Twinkie-like transportation on the street.

The dance had gone without any problems, and that made Buffy worry. She knew Spike was still out there somewhere, planning something big. She just wish she knew exactly what that something big was so she could be prepared. His attack could come anytime, from anywhere, and she wasn't even sure whether or not he was aware that they had managed to destroy the crystal. However, she decided to enjoy the evening. Faith had danced with her a little, and hung out with the gang before she left on patrol. The highlight of her evening had been when the senior class surprised her with the 'Class Protector Award,' something that had made the night special. However, the perfect moment the entire evening came when she and Willow sat down to talk. Willow explained how she was accepted into all of these prestigious colleges but there was only one choice for her. She wanted to stay in Sunnydale with the slayer, and fight the good fight. Buffy refused to allow her to throw away her future but Willow put her resolve face on, and both girls giggled and hugged in joy.

Gunn was currently dancing with her girlfriend, and they were laughing, and Willow was okay. She had finally decided to go to college, and she and Fred could see each other on weekends. She knew that LA was only an hour south but people kept warning them that long distance relationships never work. Willow just smiled when she realized that they had already beat the odds more than once, and felt happy in their decisions. She glanced over at Buffy, and noticed that the slayer was grinning from ear to ear.

"How can I not be happy girl? You're staying. I'm appreciated by the entire class, which I was unaware of, you sneak." Willow just smugly grinned as Buffy eyed her. "I feel…good. Hmmm…this is kinda nice. I like feeling good. I haven't felt it in so long that I was beginning to think that I forgot how."

"Do you wanna dance, Buff? I know that Faith cut out early, and well, as you can tell…my date is preoccupied as well…it'll be fun." Buffy swallowed hard, knowing that she'd be pressed close to Willow but she saw the look on her face, and knew that her unrequited love would be pushed aside to give Willow anything. She nodded, and they made it out to the dance floor, finding a comfortable embrace, and swaying to the slow rhythmic beat.

"Do you think that they mind me being here? I mean, how many times have we met? Plus, don't they still think you're with Faith?" Willow held her girlfriend's hand as she unlocked her front door. She ushered her in, knowing that her mother was probably still awake, probably either in her study or watching a late night lecture on the television. Sure enough, when she entered the house, she heard the familiar sounds of the television. She tried to usher by quickly, hoping to avoid her mother, even though when she was there, they barely talked. There was the rare occasion, though, and all she wanted to do was have fun, naked Fred time. The Burkles were having a small party at their house, and Fred decided that the two would stay at the Rosenberg's, especially since Willow's parents acted as if they were never home to her, even when they were. Willow made a quiet 'shh' with putting her finger to her lips for added emphasis. Then, the floor squeaked, and Willow stopped, praying that her mother would just leave them alone for the night. Unfortunately, she wasn't that lucky.

"Willow…is that you? Willow?" Willow made a defeated sigh, and rolled her eyes, causing Fred to giggle slightly. "Willow, I hear you giggling. Get in here now." Fred just smiled at her girlfriend's display of frustration, and had to hold her hand to her mouth to stop the giggles. "And bring whoever else is with you, too." The girls relented, and walked in to find Sheila positioned on the couch, wine glass in hand. "Now, Willow. What took you so long to answer?"

"Um, well…mom. We just got back from prom." She shrugged, hoping that she didn't have to explain, in fear that she would start nervously babbling about their private sex life. Her mother always did manage to stare her down, and cause her to breakdown nervously.

"It was okay." Will was trying to act cool but her body language was saying otherwise, since her body was screaming to be touched by Fred. The fact was that the prom had been beautiful. She talked with Buffy, and she even gave the redhead the beautiful necklace, which still amazed her. She and Fred danced and touched most of the night, and everything felt like it was back to normal for the first time in months. She even danced with Faith, and Fred didn't even cringe. All she could think about was that she wanted to end a beautiful night with a beautiful woman, and Fred was the only woman.

"Willow, I know you're lying but I'll let it go for now. Have a seat, girls. I'm just watching a lecture that was held at Boston University last week on child behavior. We haven't had much time to talk since we've been back." The girls went to the other end of the couch, and sat down beside her. Willow was fidgeting nervously, and Fred placed her hand at the small of her back to calm her down. The results were instant, and Willow's body relaxed. "How has school been?"

"Good. I have one more question that's extremely important, and I don't want any lies, Willow." She nodded, and Sheila continued. "What is with the beast that is out in our back yard as of right now? When did you plan on telling us that you brought a dog into this house?"

"You bought a dog?" Fred wasn't aware of the cocker spaniel. Willow had been so busy with reconciling that she always forgot to mention the puppy.

"Yeah. I mean, no. I didn't buy one. I found one in the park. It was crying, and she was so cute that I couldn't just leave her there. She was scared." Fred smiled at her girlfriend's loving nature, and had to restrain herself from kissing Will right there.

"Willow Danielle Rosenberg, we've made it very clear that we do not want any animals in this house. We only allowed you to have fish because we thought they would give you a chance to learn some responsibility on your own."

"Mom, I'm keeping her. Slayer's home is with me now. She has no place else to go."

"To the pound would be a nice place to start. You're just lucky I found the dog before your father. You know how he gets when it comes to canines." Willow nodded, remembering all too well the incident at her uncle's farm when she was ten. She still had shivers from the lecture he gave when she had first asked for a puppy.

"Mom, I'm eighteen. I can handle a small puppy. I'm not a kid anymore. Would you please stop treating me like one?" Willow knew she'd hide the dog in her room until they left if it came down to it. Either way, she wasn't giving her to the pound.

"We'll talk about this in the morning. Clearly, you don't understand what all this entails. Let's just hope your father doesn't find it before then." Willow and Fred left her mother on the couch, and when the girls were changing into their pajamas, Willow had an idea. While Fred was using the bathroom, she snuck downstairs and let Slayer inside, taking the small pup to her room to introduce her to Fred. When Willow opened her door, the dog immediately jumped on her bed, and burrowed itself under the sheets beside Fred. The girl smiled in delight, and enjoyed the immediate attention the puppy gave her. Willow could only smile at her girlfriend and her dog bonding, and immediately regretted that her mother had ruined the mood for them. When they got into the room, they tried to go back to ravishing one another but it just wasn't working. Sheila Rosenberg was a mood destroyer.

"She's so cute, Will. Hi, Slayer. I'm Winifred Burkle but you can call me Fred because everyone else does. You're the luckiest dog in the world because your mommy is the most amazing woman I've ever met." She was petting a very happy puppy that was staring up at her from her lap, and leaned in conspiratorially. "Don't tell her but I think I'm in love with her, too. I want to kiss her, too but I'm afraid she'll think I'm easy." The dog's nub was wagging, and her tongue was panting wildly, excited to have such secrets from a stranger. She immediately decided that she liked this girl, and that her master should like her, too. Willow turned off the lamp on her nightstand, and snuggled under the covers until both girls shifted to face each other on their sides with Slayer in the middle. They continued petting the quiet dog, and just gazed lovingly at each again, enjoying the warm comforts of time well spent. "Will, why didn't you tell me you got a puppy?"

"I found her the night Faith and I…well, anyways…I brought her home, thinking that she'd be a gift for you. You know, since we were doing so well. Plus, she was lonely and sad, and I couldn't leave her there for some creature of the night to hurt. She was just too cute and cuddly. Kinda like you."

"You're pretty cuddly yourself." They giggled, and sighed longingly in the excitement of being close again. "I wish that none of this never happened but I'm glad it did in a way." Willow furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Well, if we hadn't gone through all of this, we would have kept avoiding a lot of things."

"We both sorta were." Fred smiled shyly. "We could never discuss college, or life after high school. We were living in this dream fantasy where everything was kinda too perfect."

"I know. I did, too but it wasn't real. We didn't want to think about what might happen if we weren't together. You hardly ever wanted to talk about UCLA with me. There was always this tense vibe in the air when those four letters were formed together around us, and I don't want that."

"I know. It's all my fault. I just didn't want to think of losing you so soon. We've been together for two years, and I just had this fantasy that things would never change." They both stopped petting the dog, and the tiny cocker spaniel looked up to see where the hands had gone. She found their fingers together above her, and decided that she'd move to the end of the bed to allow the tender moment. "I was being selfish."

"So was I. Everything that happened…with Buffy, with Faith…the whole thing…it made me realize that even when things were rough, and things changed dramatically, I'd always love you no matter what, and would do anything to fix things between us if it was possible."

"And I always come back…if you remember." Quiet giggles erupted again, and Willow began to stroke Fred's chestnut locks between her fingers when they released their grip. Fred moved her hand to Will's side, and lightly traced her fingers back and forth.

"We'll get through this long distance thing, too. LA's only an hour away, and I'll come in to see you every weekend, or you can come and see me…whichever. We'll talk all the time, and I'll even send you little postcards with little hearts all over them."

"And I can send you all sorts of sappy love letters that profess my undying love to you, and even kiss the paper below my signature. It'll be just like all those cheesy teen movies and shows."

"Uh-huh." With that, Fred scooted her body closer to Willow's, and kissed her lightly, proud to be in love with Willow Rosenberg. The girls snuggled together the rest of the night, talking about random things, and enjoying each other's company until the Sandman decided to send them dreams of flowers, puppies, and love.

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Loving Willow

by Rin

Copyright © 2005

rin_wag@hotmail.com