Red Series: Making Things Perfect by Rin

Rating: R
Disclaimer: Aww, shucks...I don't own 'em. I just like to play with 'em, and take 'em down from the shelf every once in a while.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
Rin's Spot: http://www.geocities.com/rin_wag/index.html
Feedback: Sure, if you feel like it.
Spoilers: Who knows? I wrote the series in a real world setting here, so I guess anything goes.
Author's Notes: This is my baby, the Red Series. There are several stories already in production, and I've decided to keep adding them in different places.
Pairing: Willow/Buffy

Summary: Life goes on for Willow and Buffy, but problems keep cropping up.

"How about March? First day of spring?" Buffy watched her girlfriend pour the coffee into two mugs sitting on the counter in front of her. Willow looked up from her concentration, and had a pensive look of confusion plastered across her face. It was too early on a Saturday to be up but she promised Buffy that they would go shopping in LA, just to get some ideas, nothing concrete. It had been a month since they became engaged, and they didn't want to rush things. They hadn't even set a date yet.

"Why not? It could be a metaphor, you know, for our life together. Spring represents the dawning of beautiful things in nature, and we can use that to represent our love for one another. Like it's just starting to bloom. Plus, flowers…pretty." Willow just smirked playfully at her lover. "What?"

"Yeah but you knew that before you asked me to marry you." Willow walked around the island counter, and handed Buffy one of the mugs, nursing one between her own cold hands. She sat down on the stool next to the blonde's, and kissed her sweetly before returning back to her hot beverage. "So, what do you think?"

"It sounds perfect." She kissed her again sweetly, and turned around to face the counter, where she picked up the newspaper, and started browsing through the various columns. "What made you think about that day?"

"It just came to me in my dream last night. I woke up, and remembered it…the day just sounded better the more I thought about it." Willow glanced up from the newspaper, and glanced at her again with a playful smirk. "You're awfully smirky today. What gives?"

"Oh, nothing…" Buffy arched her eyebrows at the playful tone, and decided that two could play that game. She stood up from her stool, and moved around to Willow's back, rubbing her arms painfully slow down the redhead's arms that were clutching the newspaper and coffee mug. With barely enough touching to constitute actual touching, she rubbed her arms back towards their bodies, and smirked herself when she saw the goosebumps rise on skin, and thin light hairs stand on end.

"What? Huh? Saying? I wasn't saying anything…no…just sitting here, drinking my coffee, reading the newspapers, thinking about you naked."

"One track mind much?" She kissed behind her earlobe, and took the ear softly between her teeth, moving her arms around Willow's waist before starting to untie the robe. Unaware of the robe untying, the redhead was too caught up in the sensation of Buffy's mouth in her sensitive areas around her ear…the areas that she knew Buffy always used to get her way, and that she didn't mind giving her when she kissed her like that. Of course, she had her own secret areas she knew held sway over the blonde, as well. It was an equal opportunity relationship, after all.

"Buffy…" She knew she was groaning but she couldn't help but chuckle a little at her girlfriend's now obvious attempt to coax her into revealing her smirkiness that particular morning. "Okay…"

"I had a dream, too…and I couldn't shake the same feeling about that day, either. I didn't know why but I couldn't wait to tell you. Then, I woke up, and you weren't there." She stopped teasing her, and just wrapped her arms around her, pulling the sides of the robe together to keep the cold draft away from the redhead's skin.

"I know…I just missed my morning cuddles." She mock pouted, and Buffy kissed the cuteness that was her girlfriend. "What were you doing anyways?"

"I wanted to write the dream down, and I didn't want to disturb you. You're the cutest thing when you sleep. I've never told you that before,

"Nope…but you have now…so, I can forgive the early morning cuddles if you tell me about your dream." She smiled hopefully, knowing that Buffy sometimes had some harsh dreams that begged of violence, and that they seemed so real to the blonde, that she'd wake up sweating, and wouldn't be able to get back to sleep until she was safely tucked in with her. This dream didn't sound violent, though, if the blonde wanted to write it down, and Willow wanted to hear about it. It's where Buffy usually got ideas for stories: when she went to write down her dreams.

"Well…you were there…and I was there…and it felt warm, peaceful. We were standing in a field of all sorts of flowers. Pretty colors…it felt soft…like butterfly kisses all over the body. It was amazing, and I just woke up remembering that date for some reason." Willow just relished in the warmth that was surrounding her entire body.

"No. I think it makes it perfect. We're both agreed, and look, no argument for once."

"That's true. It was just an argument over what type of wedding. We compromised, and now things are settled. Nobody told me that this

"You should have seen Xander and Anya." They both chuckled, and Buffy remembered the stories that Willow told her about their preparations, and even how Xander went missing for a while because of cold feet, delaying the nuptials. The redhead had to go out in that hideous cocktail dress out in public, and she finally found him at the park, sitting on a swing. After a few minutes of talking, she calmed him down, and the wedding went ahead as planned, with groom in tow after an hour delay.

"I know you want a Jewish wedding but I couldn't give up my traditions, either. If my mother can't be here, I at least want her to be there in spirit."

"I know, and I'm sorry I got upset. I just wasn't thinking clearly at the time. You know me…sometimes my brain doesn't work before I speak."

"It's okay…I still love you for it." She rocked their bodies together, tightening her hold into a warm hug. "We got through it, though…see…another apocalypse averted, and no limbs lost."

"I'm still sorry that I locked you out of the bedroom." Buffy kissed her cheek, and rested her own against Will's where there was still traces of residual wetness from her lips.

"It's okay. I made you mad. I forgave you already…even though the couch was a little lumpy, and I couldn't get warm without my Willow pillow."

"It's okay, Wills. You're just passionate about everything you do, and that's one of the things I love most about you. You love with your whole

"I try." Willow turned her head to kiss Buffy, who turned her head to meet the kiss. "Just promise no more couch. I can handle you being mad at me but I can't handle not sleeping next to you. That's almost worse than prison for me."

"Duly noted." Buffy arched an eyebrow, knowing that Willow was playing but still wary that the redhead would have no problems punishing her if something made her really mad. She also knew that Willow didn't like sleeping without her, either, and that the redhead couldn't sleep that night, either. "So, we have six months to prepare for things. I think we might just be able to handle that."

"But there's still the dresses, flowers, getting a section of the beach reserved, which means we have to find the perfect spot first, and I still need to ask Giles to do the ceremony. Plus, there's the whole…"

"Will…calm down. We have a date now…we have time to worry about the other things. All that matters is that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you, and I'll even come back to life a couple times if I have to…just to be with you."

"That works out perfectly then because I happen to constantly need you around, and still can't get my fill of Will." Willow arched an eyebrow at Buffy's seductive smirk.

"What are you gonna do about it?" Her tone was oozing sex, and she started to pull Willow's robe apart again, placing her cold hands on the warm skin she found underneath. The redhead gasped at the sudden temperature change on her stomach, and wrapped her arms behind Buffy's neck, pulling her head into a sensual kiss from behind. That morning, they had their first sexual excursion in the kitchen, and both completely forgot about the fact that the curtains were wide open, and that the neighbors would have no problem getting a free show if they looked hard enough.

"Ladies and gentleman…our newest addition, and a promising new talent in the literary world…Buffy Summers." The claps were heard around the hotel conference room, and Buffy stepped up to the podium. Her book had been released that day, and the publishing company was holding a party to celebrate its newest arrival. The publishers had high hopes for the book, believing that it could go on to sell successfully, and plummet the young blonde into a successful writer overnight. Critics had written a few base comments on the book but overall, the reviews were praiseworthy. Buffy was more than nervous, knowing that it was hard to become a successful writer, especially after hearing all the horror stories in college from all of her professors. The room was filled with critics, executives, and big wigs from the literary world, and she was standing on stage, waving to them all, embarrassed at the attention but loving every minute of it. The book was released today, so she'd get a call from her publisher tomorrow, letting her know how the book sold on the first day. Inside, she was all a bundle of nerves, and the only thing that could calm those nerves wasn't able to make it to the party, especially after much grumbling and cursing the drama that was her label. Buffy played it like it would be fine but she was heartbroken that Willow wouldn't be there on her big night, her premiere, and she couldn't sleep the night before, crying in her sleeping girlfriend's arms, trying to stay quiet so the stressed girl wouldn't wake.

One of her label's bands had gotten into major trouble the night before, and Willow had been at her office most of the day, and she mentally cursed all the powers that be for having the drama have to land on this night of all nights. Currently, she was in the middle of a press conference, giving statements to the press about the condition of the rock girl duo Darla and Drusilla. Some crazed fan had actually tried to 'stake' them with a wooden stake at their concert there in Sunnydale, taking their lyrics of vampirism literally. Now, they were in critical condition at Sunnydale Memorial, and running the entire label, Willow was forced to make comments regularly on their conditions, and answer questions from the press concerning the validity of the lyrics, and whether or not the band's songs were actually suited for audiences. She was overstressed, overworked, and angry as hell that she wasn't with Buffy. Looking over at Xander standing next to her, she leaned in and whispered something into his ear, which made him smile in understanding, and nod in apology.

It was half an hour later, and it was time for Buffy to read a few lines from the book, and introduce herself and the work, which basically meant a lot of ass-kissing to the higher ups for publishing her in the first place. Right as she stood to move to the podium, the door to the conference room creaked open, and in walked in an extremely attractive woman in a short red dress. She cocked her head to the side before her view moved to the figure walking in behind the buxom brunette. Buffy's heart stopped in her chest when she realized who was walking in the door, trying not to trip while fixing her heeled shoe, bent over slightly in the knee length green dress that she had bought her for her birthday earlier that year. It was her favorite thing Willow ever wore. The redhead finally looked up to notice Buffy on stage, and smiled, sighing full of love and relief upon seeing her girlfriend returning the same look, although the blonde thought she might cry from the sudden joy that leapt in her heart. Willow had left work…for her.

"Ms. Summers…if you will." Her publisher called her name for the third time, and she finally snapped out of the joy bubble that she'd produced upon seeing Will walk through the door. Moving to the podium, her gaze followed her girlfriend to the table that she sat at in the back. Smiling one last time at her, she mentally pulled herself together, and remembered why she was there. She took a deep breath, and stepped up to the microphone.

"I just wanted to thank everybody for coming tonight. It means more than you'll ever know." She moved her gaze back to Willow, letting her know that the comment was actually directed at her, and she could see her mouth 'I know. I love you.' "Robin here wants me to read a little from the book, and tell some general things about it and myself. I've never done this before, so please bear with me here." She took another deep breath before she opened the book to the marked place, which she smiled again when she saw the cocker spaniel bookmark. Holding it under the book, she began to read from the book, someplace near the beginning that didn't give too much away about the story but gave a general feel for what the story was going to be about character wise.

Finishing, she took another deep breath, closed the book, and glanced at a teary-eyed Willow. The story wasn't sad; sure, it had its sad elements but it was so much more. It just held a lot of significance to the two of them, and she had to mouth another 'I love you,' which made the blonde want to cry as well but she choked it in, not wanting to break down on stage. Buffy wouldn't let her read the manuscript like she promised…and after much quiet arguing, she made the redhead understand why. It was the first time she let Willow know the storyline, and the redhead was crying happy tears. Only happy tears. There was a lot of hidden meaning between those few paragraphs that others in the audience wouldn't understand because it was just between lovers.

"Well, that's it, I guess. I'm not a speaker. I'm good at motivating speeches but that's about it, as you're about to find out, I'm sure." She took a deep breath, hoping she didn't start crying those happy tears, even though it was hard to hold back when she looked at Will's face. "The story revolves around a young girl of about fifteen. In a life-changing moment, she discovers that she's part of a line of girls that are chosen to fight evil: vampires, demons, anything that crosses her path. She's called the Slayer, and she is trained and guided by her Watcher, who is usually a stuffy old British man that likes to wear a lot of tweed." Having read the book already, and knowing the humor behind it, the audience laughed a little. Buffy smiled, glad that she managed to get a rise out of the audience; instead of the catatonic approach they seemed to be giving her. "When she moves to a new town, she discovers that the town is situated on top of a portal that opens the mouth of hell, which attracts more evil to the small town. She meets a group of people that change her life, and she does everything in her power to protect her friends and loved ones, and power is something that she supernaturally has, even though she doesn't know where the power comes from exactly. A souled vampire…I know…ironic but my muse works in mysterious ways…he brings a book of prophecies that tells that this young girl will die at the hands of a very powerful, very old vampire that is one ugly creature that's been tormenting her from his cage underneath ground, and she rebels, turning her back on her calling, not willing to die for anything, not even to save the world. I won't give the entire story away because what's the fun in that but…let's just say she changes her mind when a certain redhead turns her life around." She smiled lovingly at Willow, who was wiping the tears away still with a tissue that the woman next to her gave her. "Again, I just wanted to thank everyone for this. My professors told me nothing about this part. If I'd that you got to party, then I would have been doing this a long time ago."

Again, more chuckles from the audience, and she let the publisher walk up beside her. It was time for a few questions from the press, or audience if wanted. A few people raised their hands, some with pencils and paper, some without. There were some basic questions, easy to answer, mostly about whether she thought about making the book a series, which she answered that the thought had come across her mind a few times. She just had to see where her mind went with the story. When they were finished with questions, the audience stood up and clapped, and went back to mingling, and enjoying the party. Buffy dodged everyone else, not caring how rude she appeared, and made her way directly to a certain redhead.

"I do…but I wasn't going to miss this for anything. I told Xander that I'd be back later, that there was something more important at the moment. He can handle the press for a while." Buffy pulled the grinning redhead into a tight hug, and feathered kisses all over her face, causing Willow to giggle.

"It's your premiere…how could I not be?" She kept her arms around her neck, and Willow kept them together by wrapping her own arms around Buffy's. It appeared as though they were dancing without moving.

"Why didn't you tell me your book was about that? You made it sound like it was the worst thing, and that I'd get offended when you wouldn't let me read it earlier. That's the sweetest thing anybody's ever done…"

"Yeah well, you said to write a book about you…so I took some of the more amusing moments of conversation we've had, and had an idea that just wouldn't let me kill it."

"Now I have to read the book, and I don't think I'll get through it without crying."

"I know but…just the thought that you got the idea…that I changed your life…the metaphor in the fact that the redhead changes the slayer's mind in the end, making her willing to die to save the world for her…would you really die for me?"

"I wouldn't even hesitate. If I could save the world, or make it a better place for you to live in, I would do it in a heartbeat, and you'll just have to read the book now to find out how it ends." Buffy put her lips close to Willow's but not quite touching them, teasing her for a moment, not caring that they were at a party in her honor, and that other guests were gawking at the two lovebirds.

"Does she sweep the redhead off her feet, and they live happily ever after?" Willow was too giddy not to be playful, and her tone was like a child's but quieter so others wouldn't hear their intimate conversation.

"I guess so…" Willow moved the few centimeters towards Buffy, and kissed her sensuously. Some members in the crowd were taking pictures of the author, and her lover, and others were writing notes on pads. Others were either watching with interest, disgust, or not paying attention at all, engaged in conversations. When they heard and saw the flashes of a few cameras, they broke apart, and Willow hid her head slightly to hide her blush. Buffy's eyes were wide, finally registering that they were still at a party, and that her publisher was on his way over to her with a pensive look on his face.

"Ms. Summers…although I have no problem with you displaying your private life, there are other guests here that would like to spend time talking to you, as well." He half-grinned at them, and held his hand out for Willow, who had broken their embrace when the young, handsome black man reached them. "I'm Robin Wood, Buffy's publisher. You must be the infamous Willow." She took his hand, shook it, and blushed crimson at the thoughts that the 'infamous' could entail when it came to Buffy. "Don't worry, I've only heard good things." He glared amusedly at the blonde, wanting to embarrass her through playful banter. "You're the only thing we ever heard about when she was in the office. 'Willow made me this.' 'Willow bought me that.' 'Willow is so amazing.' 'I love it when Willow…'" Buffy grabbed his arm, getting the picture, wanting him to stop before he continued that sentence, knowing the many things she talked about him with concerning her girlfriend.

"I think she gets the picture, Robin." Willow blushed even further under the comments, and Buffy grabbed her hand in a loving gesture. "Yes, this is Willow, so don't get any ideas."

"I wouldn't dare of it." He held up his hands in surrender. "How about mingling with the guests?" She nodded, and he went back into the folds, shaking hands with some others.

"You spent a lot of nights with him?" Buffy could hear the jealous undertones in Willow's question, and laughed internally because her girlfriend was so cute when she was being possessive. "You didn't tell me he was good-looking."

"Well…I was never looking." Buffy kissed her pouting lips again, and tugged slightly at their conjoined hands, tightening her grip a little, and pulling her into the mob. Walking around, she'd greet people, and always introduce Willow as her fiancé. A few critics kept her longer in conversation, wanting to know about the series idea more, and reporters asked random questions for their articles. She even posed with Will for a few pictures, telling them she wanted copies…maybe a poster sized photograph of the one of them kissing earlier. The atmosphere was light, and the evening was comfortable. Her nerves were now soothed because of a certain redhead that held onto her hand most of the night.

Lying in bed, the girls didn't want to sleep, just continue staring at each other on their sides, face to face, and play with the other the other's hair softly. It was moments like this that always reminded them that it was real, and that they weren't dreaming. When they got home, Willow called Xander to make sure things had gone well, and he said that they had, and that Drusilla was back to her crazy self already. She was back to talking as though she belonged in a mental institution, and that oddly brought a sense of relief to the stressed redhead. That meant things were returning to normal again. Darla was still in ICU but the doctor's kept telling him that she seemed strong, and would pull through. Sighing with relief, Willow went into the bathroom, where Buffy had already changed into a tank top, choosing to sleep in her bikini underwear that night since it was one of the warmer nights in September. She decided to mirror her girlfriend, and took her dress off, and put on a simple black, fitting t-shirt. When they finished getting ready for bed, they crawled in, and just went immediately to gazing at the other, instead of directly cuddling for sleep like usual.

"Everything. I know it's rough at the label right now but you have no idea how that made me feel seeing you walk in the door. That right there let me know that we're going to make it without a doubt."

"You had doubts?" Willow moved her hand from behind her ear, and started stroking her forearm, causing the blonde to do the same. She had a look on her face that let Buffy know she was listening.

"Well. I always have doubts, you know that…but I never once doubted that I love you. It's just that, every relationship, every marriage I've ever been around has failed, and I didn't want it to but feared that we would, too."

"Well, he is…and you were the one that told me first. I'm just agreeing after having met him."

"You have nothing to worry about because I'm not going anywhere. If something's wrong, we'll fix it. If we start fighting, we'll sit down and work it out. I'm not going to let you go…because if I do, then I'm letting part of myself go, too. Now, do you see any sense in that?"

"No…I just…it still feels surreal. Like this is all just a dream, and I'm not really this happy. That it's all going to be yanked from me without warning."

"No. If I didn't heal so easily, you'd see all the bruises I give myself because I have to pinch my arm everyday just to make sure I'm not dreaming."

"Buffy, you hurt yourself?" Willow lifted her head a little, and viewed her girlfriend with concerned eyes.

"Not really hurt…it never hurts to know that I really do have you in my life."

"How would you know what I was like? I could be telling you all kinds of stories just to make you like me better. For all you know, my name's not really Buffy Summers. I could really be some coal miner's daughter from Kentucky who ran away from home when she was fifteen because she was pregnant with her white trash boyfriend's baby."

"Buffy…I think I'd know better by now. Besides, who's not to say that I'm not some nymphomaniac flute player from Michigan that likes kinky things?"

"Well…you do like kinky things…" Buffy's tone was pondering the idea. Willow playfully swatted her arm, and the blonde caught her hand, bringing the palm up to her lips to kiss it sweetly.

"Okay…sometimes I like kinky things but not all the time. And I'm not a nymphomaniac, and I don't play an instrument. Well, the piano but not in front of anybody."

"Would you play for me?" Buffy pouted, and gave Willow her puppy dog eyes, holding the redhead's hand against her pounding heart. Her tone was pleading, and Will just smiled, knowing that she probably would end up playing for her eventually anyways, so might as well give in now.

"For starters…" Willow eyed Buffy innocently, and decided to play with her. "I need to clean the bathroom tomorrow. It's a mess. Plus, there's the grocery shopping…we ran out of milk. Um…I want to go visit Jesse, and Dawn wanted me to call her. Hmmm…is there something I'm forgetting?" She tapped her fingers on her chin in contemplation.

"I'm not sure…but why don't you come here, and I'll help you remember." Buffy pulled an eager Willow towards her.

"Yes, ma'am." They kissed passionately for several minutes, and things started getting a little heated. Willow lifted her body a little off of Buffy's, from where she was almost laying on her, and looked down at her in playful contemplation again. "Now, what was I saying about kinky things earlier?" She just smiled before she moved under the sheets, and her arm appeared from underneath for a second, to flip blue underwear around her index finger before slinging them across the room.

"Willow! Oh…oh…okay…" At first Buffy was surprised by the sudden movement, and twist of events, but now she moved her hand to cup Willow's head from overtop the sheets. She leaned her own head back in delight before moving the other hand to grip the headboard, while her body hummed, and eyelids fluttered shut in ecstasy. "Mmm…Will…" Willow giggled into her center, which caused the blonde's body to shiver in even more need from the vibration. "Oh, gods…" For the remainder of the evening, until they fell asleep in the wee hours of morning, Willow made sure to give her girlfriend a private party of her own to commemorate the release of her first book, which Buffy seemed to enjoy far better than the party from earlier.

She awoke to the sound of the phone ringing. Feeling the rise and fall of the chest her head was using for a pillow, she groaned before relaxing back into her, deciding that the phone could wait. When the phone wouldn't stop, she groaned again, realizing that it was probably important but grumbling nonetheless. It meant that she'd have to leave her warm, comfortable spot in bed, curled up with a warm, comfortable blonde. Rolling over, and rubbing her face to will herself awake, Willow grabbed the phone from the nightstand.

"What?" Her tone was more mumbled and tired, and she was surprised that the person on the other end could understand her.

"What do you mean what? I've been calling for two hours! Where have you been?" The man on the other end of the call sounded ecstatic, and it was too early in the morning for that enthusiasm, Willow decided, until she narrowed her eyes to clear the blurry away, and noticed that it was almost noon. She was still too tired to get up, and Buffy was still out like a light, sleeping with a permanent smile plastered on her face that she'd put there the night before, with much pride.

"Well, get up!! It's almost noon, and you need to read the paper! You're on the front page! You're a hit! They loved the book! It's been selling like crazy all over, and the CEO wants to make a meeting with you ASAP."

"Oh, sorry…" Robin laughed on the other end, too excited to care much about the mistake. Not to his surprise, the numbers from the first day were high, and there was already major reorders being placed for the book with the company. He was right. Buffy Summers became successful overnight, and all over a silly story about a high school girl that saved the world! Who would have thought?!

Willow turned around again, and smiled at the sight of Buffy still smiling peacefully in her sleep. She didn't want to disturb her because she knew she'd worn her out last night, and parts of that morning. Placing the phone back to her ear, she started talking to Robin again.

"She's still asleep, and I don't want to wake her. She was really…worn out last night. Do you want me to have her call you back?"

"No, I don't mind. It's important, and also exciting. So, she's really a hit, huh?"

"The numbers are excruciatingly high. It's almost surreal. It's the highest first day the company's ever had, and just between you and me, Willow, Buffy is our biggest asset right now. The big guy wants to meet with her, and offer her a contract for more books in the series. He's never actually made house calls before but I expect that if she doesn't come in today to meet him, she'll be getting one. I've never seen him like this. It's almost scary."

"Well, if you don't mind, Robin…is it really important that she meet him today?"

"Oh, I guess not…just as long as she meets with him sometime this week. Do you know her schedule?"

"Well, she quit working at the paper full time, and only works freelance articles now for them, so I'd say that she's free anytime this week as far as I know but you should check with her to make sure. Sometimes, she makes plans to go somewhere for an hour or so…to get a feel for something. You creative writers sure are an odd lot but I'm not complaining."

"Oh, well…have her call me back. Is there any reason in particular that she can't come in today? It wouldn't have anything to do with that wearing her out thing would it?" His tone was playful, and Willow knew he understood exactly what she meant earlier, even though she thought she covered it well. Her eyes were wide with shock, and she was gaping, even though he couldn't see her reaction. "Take care, Willow. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Bye, Willow." They hung up the phone, and Willow's shocked expression settled when she saw the blonde stirring slightly, and humming in pleasure from the residual effects her body was experiencing from the night before, stretching with her grin getting bigger. Opening her eyes slightly, she felt Willow lay back down beside her where the warmth of her body was greatly missed.

"Hey…good morning." Willow was trying to keep the excitement out of her tone but the conversation with Robin gave her knowledge of Buffy's victory. Leaning up, and kissing a yawning Buffy on the cheek, she moved over to kiss her sensuously when she finished, leaning her own nude form into hers. She decided to tease her a little in a singsong voice. "I know something you don't know."

"No but close…" Buffy stretched quickly again, willing herself awake, and positioned her body around until she was looking Willow in the eyes clearly.

"Hmm…that you're going to kiss me again, and tell me you love me?" Willow leaned over, kissed her again, and kept her lips pressed loosely against hers.

"I love you but that's not it…" She moved back a little to look into hazel eyes again, wanting to see the expression on her face when she found out.

"That…Robin just called…and said your book is already on backorder, and it's the first time in the history of the company that a book has sold this many copies in the first day."

"Would I kid you on something like this?" Buffy looked her, wide awake after hearing that, and swallowed hard, in shock from the news. "He also mentioned something about a certain blonde author being on the cover of the newspaper, and the big bossman wanting to meet with her this week."

"I said later…right now, we have a little more celebrating to do." Willow leered seductively down at her, her resolve face planted in with it, conviction strong in her sensual tone.

"Wow, Will…I've never seen you this dominant before…maybe I should publish more often."

"Oh, yeah…" Her red locks were falling to the sides of Buffy's face, where she had her arms pinned down by her head. Leaning in to kiss her passionately, she licked her up the neck before moving to her mouth, instantly deepening the kiss. Buffy moaned and groaned over the new sexual side of her girlfriend, and when Willow was finished playing with her body to her heart's content, she decided that if the sex was going to be that amazing, she would publish a book everyday.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Willow looked down at her still crumpled girlfriend in their bed, and instantly went into concern mode. Buffy woke up, and just smiled when she saw Willow watching her sleep. Instead of saying a word, or kissing her good morning, she just opted to snuggle closer to her body, tightening her hold around the redhead's stomach, and falling back asleep. Willow just continued stroking her hair, and felt the heat coming from the blonde was more than usual. She got out of bed, and got ready for work earlier, so she'd have time to nurse Buffy's fever down to some degree. Once she finished getting ready, she chose to ignore her morning coffee and newspaper, and just make sure her lover was feeling okay. She sat down on the side of the bed, and placed a comforting hand on the blonde buried in a ball under the sheets. Buffy just groaned, and curled into a ball tighter. "Baby…"

"Funny…you don't sound fine." Buffy groaned again, and shifted in the sheets a little until her hair was peeking out the top. Willow pulled the sheets back further to see that Buffy looked too pale. Placing a hand over her forehead, she moved it around her face, feeling the fire that was emanating there. "Buffy…"

"Go to work." She coughed again, and moaned as she tried propping herself up on her elbows, only to feel dizzy, and fall right back down. This put Will in to action quick.

"You're not fine, Buffy." The blonde just moaned in discomfort, and coughed again in response. She saw Willow's resolve face, and knew that she wouldn't win the argument over her health. "I'll be right back. Stay here." She walked out the door.

"No problem." Buffy's voice was hoarse, and low. It hurt too much everywhere, and her body felt like a playground for germs. She was sick but she refused to admit it. Unfortunately, this time denial wasn't going to let her win, either. The room was spinning way too much, and there was just no position comfortable enough to stay in for too long. When she moved, her body protested…basically, she was miserable.

Willow returned with a few things in her hands. She laid the materials on the nightstand. Pulling out a thin thermometer, she shook it a few times, and stuck it into Buffy's grumbling mouth. Her face was etched with concern, as she noticed that the blonde's chest was rising harshly, and she hadn't stopped sniffling or coughing. Brushing back some blonde locks that were matted from sweat from her forehead, Will kissed her temple, letting her lips linger to feel the heat once again. Sitting up, she started to rub her girlfriend's belly softly, and stroking her hair, watching her with compassionate eyes, seeing how much Buffy was really suffering through her pained, hazel eyes.

Taking the thermometer out of her mouth, she checked it, noticing that she was right…Buffy had a high fever of 101 degrees. Laying the mercury stick back on the nightstand, she picked up a cold, damp cloth, and wiped the blonde's face gently, finally laying it to rest on her forehead.

"Now, tell me…what's wrong?" Buffy coughed, and tried to sit up again but Willow placed her hand on her chest, willing her to stay down. "Don't try getting up. I know you're sick. Your fever is 101, Buffy. That's not good. Just tell me what's wrong, and I'll fix it." She just coughed, and the sniffles just wouldn't stop coming. Willow handed her a tissue, and she clumsily wiped her nose, continuing with her harsh, hoarse cough.

"Kinda late for that, and I don't mind. You're still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. So you're not in your prime right now…big deal. We all have our days. Let me take care of you. I want to take care of you but you have to tell me what's wrong first." Buffy smiled but her head was throbbing to the point that she couldn't hold her face that way for long.

"Um…my head? And my entire body feels like it's doing a tug of war. My stomach is wrestling with my intestines, my throat feels like sandpaper is being pushed across it, I can't stop sniffling because my nose keeps wanting to run but is dry, and obviously my cough is pretty bad. Then, I feel so hot but I can't shake these chills. I've never felt this bad before in my life." Willow moved the cloth over her face again, and watched her with concern and compassion.

"Sounds like you have a bad flu." She turned the cloth over, allowing the cold from the other side to contrast the warmth the current side had become, and kept it on her forehead. Grabbing some pills from the nightstand, she helped Buffy sit up a little to take them, as she helped her drink the water by placing the glass to her lips. Letting her take a few more sips of the water, she looked over at the clock, and noticed that she was already late for work. Brushing it aside, she wanted to finish her task, giving Buffy a dose of cough syrup, which she predictably choked on as it ran down her throat in an oozing fashion, coating the walls of her throat to help release the soreness that had formed there. Coughing a few more times, Willow continued to hold her up a little from the bed, and helped her take a few more sips of water to help take away the taste. She helped to tuck her under the covers again, and placed another kiss to her temple before getting off the bed.

"Where are you going?" Willow turned back around at the soft cry, and wanted to take all the pain away from her, seeing how utterly miserable she was. Making up her mind, she picked up the phone from the nightstand.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to fill the glass with more water, and get another blanket from the closet."

"Don't be gone long." She coughed again, sniffling when she was finished. Willow smiled compassionately towards her, and left to complete her tasks. In the kitchen, she filled the water glass, and speed dialed, placing the phone to her ear, hearing the familiar monotonic ring.

"Xander Harris's office. How may I assist you?" She placed the steam kettle on the stove, turning the burner on high.

"Just one moment, Ms. Rosenberg." She was put on hold a moment before she heard her best friend's voice greet her on the other line.

"Wills! Where are you? I was just about to call. You're an hour late…you're never late…matter of fact, you're never on time, either…you're always early. So, what gives? Did Buffy wear you out last night, or something?" The toast popped up, and she pulled them out carefully trying to avoid burning herself, and placed them dry onto a small plate beside the glass of water.

"No, actually. Buffy's sick, and I'm going to stay home today to take care of her. Do you think you can man the office today? If something major comes up, call me. Oh, and if Darla comes out of her coma, or the doctors call, then just call me at the house, okay? I'll try getting some work done here. Just email me the Rogue Slayer documents, okay? I'll go over them here while she's asleep." She pulled out a tray from underneath the sink, and laid it on the counter, moving the plate and glass there.

"Hey, what are buds for? Besides…I've missed more days this year alone than you have in your entire life." She pulled out a mug, spoon, and herbal tea bag, and put the spoon and bag into the mug, placing it on the tray.

"Go, take care of your girlfriend. Heal her back to health. You always were good at playing doctor." Willow blushed at his playful jab, especially when she replayed back the memories of the night that Buffy had taught her the proper way to play 'doctor.'

"Bye, Will." He chuckled, and they both hung up the phone, and she laid the phone onto the tray. Just then, the kettle on the stove started whistling, and she turned the burner off, carrying the kettle carefully to the tray, pouring it gently into the mug. Placing the empty kettle onto a cold burner, she started sifting the tea bag with the water, magickly making a cup of hot, herbal tea remedy for the ailing blonde upstairs in bed. Picking up the tray, she carried it up to the bedroom, and laid it down on the nightstand, moving the medicines out of the way.

"I'm not hungry." Buffy grumbled under the covers. Willow pulled the tea bag and spoon from the mug, and laid them onto a napkin on the tray. She turned back to her girlfriend, who had managed to turn to her side to face her. Smiling gently, she started rubbing the blonde's stomach again, pushing back more stray, sweated locks from her forehead.

"You need to eat something, though. If you don't, you'll never get better, and I need you to be better." Willow pouted to prove her point, and Buffy laughed slightly, only to cough from the vibrations in her chest. "I brought you some tea, too. It'll help make you feel better; I promise."

"I'm all oogy." She stuck her tongue out of her partially open mouth, and made a heaving sound in the back of her throat for emphasis. Willow just stroked her cheek.

"Aww…baby. I'm sorry. I wish I could make it not hurt now but I'll take care of you until it does."

"I love you, Wills…my little Wills…my baby…my love." Willow giggled at the delirious state Buffy was in from the fever, and couldn't help but lean over and kiss her temple again. "Willow kisses…my favorite…"

"Well…you can have more Willow kisses after you eat something." She put some pillows at a 60-degree angle on the headboard, and helped Buffy sit up slightly. Placing the plate of toast on the blonde's lap, she helped the sniffling blonde drink some of the steaming tea, using both hands to steady the cup to her mouth. Taking the cup away, she lets Buffy eat some of the toast, and just helps her drink the tea in between bites. When she finished the toast and tea, Willow placed the mug and plate back on the tray, helping her lay back down again. "I'm going to get that blanket. I'll be back in a second."

"K." Willow returns shortly with the blanket, and places it over the comforter, wrapping the covers around Buffy more. "Shouldn't you be at work right now?"

"No, you're not, and I want to take care of you. It's not everyday your girlfriend gets sick. I want to take the pain away…help make you feel better." Buffy smiled up at her girlfriend as much as she could without exploding. "Do you need anything else while I'm here?"

"Try and get some rest. I'll work in Dawn's room, and leave the door open, so that I'm not far. I had Xander email me some documents that I can take care of from here, so it's not a big deal for me to take care of you. I want you all better so that I can give you those Willow kisses you're so fond of."

"That I am." Willow smiled warmly at her before kissing her temple one last time, and making sure she was tucked in comfortably. Picking the tray up, she left the room to let Buffy get some sleep, and sweat away the fever.

Hearing Buffy groan and cry in her sleep, Willow's heart went out, and she looked up from her laptop to look into their bedroom, seeing the blonde slightly thrashing on the bed. Suddenly, Buffy bolted upright, and swayed around a moment or two obviously dizzy and lightheaded, especially from the sudden movement. Getting up, Willow followed her as she rushed to the bathroom. She moved in quick, grabbing the blonde locks so that her girlfriend wouldn't get vomit in her hair, stroking her the small of her back gently to calm the straining body.

After about ten minutes, Buffy flushed the toilet, finally relaxed somewhat, only to curl up into a ball, and start crying softly into Willow's chest. Soothing her, the redhead just continued rocking them back and forth, while continuing to rub her back gently. The blonde tightened her grip the best she could around her waist, and just cried with the occasional sniffle, and harsh cough into her girlfriend's white t-shirt. Willow decided to change before starting to work, knowing that she didn't have to be that presentable to take care of her sick lover. She had changed into sweatpants and a simple, white t-shirt, and was glad that she didn't have her business suit on when she would make the occasional trip to the bathroom with Buffy.

"Shh…baby, it's okay…it's okay…shhh…I'm here." After a few more minutes of rocking gently, Buffy finally calmed down. Releasing her loose grip from Willow's waist, she tried dizzily to stand up but had to let the redhead help her. Will put the toilet seat down, and sat her down on top of it. She pulled the wet cloth from the sink she had been using, and the glass to fill water, and went about the procedure. Helping Buffy take small sips, and rubbing her face softly, she finished by starting to pull the blonde's own soaked, white t-shirt from her body. Then, she pulled off the thick socks, and gray sweatpants that had traces of sweat marks as well.

"What are you doing, Will?" Her voice was weak, and her body swayed a little until she relaxed her back against the cool toilet.

"Shh…I'm going to give you a bath…wash some of the sweat off, and it'll help soothe all those aches and pains. I'll even get your rubber ducky if you're good." Buffy smiled lazily, and just allowed Willow to start the water into the tub, not complaining one bit about the comfortable, loving treatment she'd been getting the entire day from her caring girlfriend. Once the water was high enough, Willow pulled a couple of towels, wash cloth, and rubber ducky from the closet, making him dance slightly before placing him on the side of the tub with the towels. She moved to pull Buffy's soaked underwear off, and helped her gently get into the bathtub.

"I know…it'll help you sweat the fever out, and will get you clean at the same time. Plus, see? Ducky…" Willow placed the yellow plastic toy into the tub with her, as she relaxed slightly against the back, falling a little further into the water. She just idly played with the bath toy, while Willow stroked her hair from beside her. Willow let her sit in the tub for a while before she went about scrubbing her hair clean with a gentle shampoo that evaded the room with a light apple scent. Rinsing the suds from her hair, she just ladled the water from a cup, making sure not to leave any hair still soaped.

Finally, she softly rubbed soap around her body, and even leaned her forward a little to scrub her back gently. It was one of the most erotic things Buffy had ever experienced, and she couldn't enjoy it because of her stupid flu. She mentally cursed the powers, and made a mental note to have Willow do this for her when she felt better.

The redhead had been so gentle and caring for her all day, and she was amazed at the lengths Willow was going to in order to make her comfortable, and get better. If it were possible, her love for her lover grew in those moments, and each kiss to her temple, each soft rub of her tummy, each hot cup of herbal tea…everything that she did, let Buffy finally quell her fears about ever running away…she would never run away from this, even if the world was ending, and things were so bad that it seemed things couldn't be mended. This was where she belonged, and she knew that she would do the same exact thing if the roles were reversed. Those very thoughts, and the nearness of Willow were helping her heal just as much as the medicine.

"Remind me when I'm better to thank you fully…starting with me giving 'you' a bath…" Her eyes half closed from a mixture of the illness and enjoyment, Buffy lazily smirked in a sensual manner, and that caused Willow to arch an eyebrow at the thought, making her blush deep crimson.

"Leave it to you to make the flu sexy." Willow helped her out of the bathtub, draining the water, and drying her off softly, as she pressed her tightly to her body to keep Buffy grounded. She wrapped a towel around the now semi-dry Buffy, and led her back to their bedroom. Sitting her on the bed, she went about quickly grabbing another pair of underwear, sweats, and t-shirt, and picking up the comb from the dresser. Helping Buffy get into the clothes with a little struggle, she pulled her under the covers with her, and sat behind her as she combed her dampened locks. Once finished, she laid the comb on the nightstand, and positioned them so that she was spooning her girlfriend, pulling the covers over them.

"I know. You don't like to sleep with your socks on…that's why you've been struggling in your sleep. You need to rest, and you can't do that with socks on, so I left them off…okay?"

"Yeah." Her tone was drifting, and the sniffles and coughs weren't as strong as before, mostly due to the medicine that Willow had her take on the dot from her last dosage. She could feel her body start to fight it, and was more than eager to get it out of her system completely. She wasn't sure if she could handle much more of this without breaking down again, and she wanted to be strong. 'Willow's the best girlfriend ever…I should buy her a hallmark card that says that…'

"Shh…sleep, I'm right here with you. I'm not going anywhere this time. I'll sleep with you." Willow was talking in whispers, already feeling Buffy's breathing start to relax. The entire day had been filled with working on documents, helping Buffy in the bathroom, giving Buffy her medicine, making sure she was comfortable, going back to work on documents, medicine, bathroom, helping her eat something in hopes that it would stay down…it was quite the eventful day, and she wasn't happy that her girlfriend was sick but she was happy that she could stay home, and help nurse her back to health. In sickness, and in health, she was there no matter what.

The phone ringing caused Buffy to jolt from her somewhat peaceful rest in Willow's arms. Picking up the phone, she coughed and sniffled before putting it to her ear. There would be some major disinfecting going on in the house once this was all over, and she hoped it was soon. She knew her voice would be mumbled and hoarse but she didn't want to wake the sleeping redhead that had cared for her all day.

"Well, listen. I won't take up to much of your time since you're sick but it's been a week since the book came out, and the bossman enjoyed meeting you, surprisingly."

"That's the nice way of putting it." Buffy chuckled hoarsely, and coughed again. "Listen, your book, as you know, has been selling like crazy, and I know you signed a contract for at least four more in the series but we need to discuss your book tour."

"Basically, this is how we do it. It'll only be a month long, and you'll travel around the country, visiting certain places to do interviews, and book signings. We even have a few spots for you on talk shows."

"But Oprah wants you, too…so don't fear. We're just working on that date still. Nothing to worry about, though."

"Well, yeah…I have a wedding in five months, and there's still planning. Plus, I don't think I could sleep that long without Willow…it'd be like hell."

"Well, listen. The book's extremely successful, and you're in high demand right now. That's just how

"Sure thing. Just call me when you do, okay? This is important, especially to your career. It's in your contract. The economy's not particular worried about your love life, or wedding plans."

"Bye." She hung up the phone, and breathed out heavily, releasing the breath she had been holding. Coughing violently, she snuggled back into Willow's comforting arms, letting that conversation wait until after she started to feel better.

Waking up the next morning, she still felt nasty. The symptoms that had shown signs of waving had reappeared through the night, and once again Willow called in to take care of her, even after much protest and hoarse, coughing argument. Robin had called back, letting her know that she'd need to be ready to fly out in a week, not giving her much choice on the matter, not that she'd argued anyways. She wanted to be successful, and she knew that this book was jump-starting her career. Now, all she had to do was tell Willow she'd be gone for a month, and get over this stupid flu.

"How are you feeling? I made you lunch." Sitting the tray down, and following the same routine as

"I still feel nasty…but I'm getting better, I think. I haven't thrown up again, so that's of the good."

"Yep." She ladled the warm broth to Buffy's willing mouth, and let her try drinking her water on her own, even if her hands were still a little shaky.

"Oh yeah?" She continued feeding her soup, wiping the warm liquid that missed her mouth from Buffy's chin with the back of her hand, as she moved the spoon back to the bowl.

"Next Wednesday. I fly out to New York for a week, and have a few interviews. I'm actually doing Conan O'Brien, if you can believe that. I didn't even know authors went on late night shows; I thought they were just morning show people."

"I love you so much, Willow…nobody's ever taken care of me like this before. Not even mom. You didn't have to but you still did."

"I wanted to, and I'm sure your mom would have if she could have. She just had to work to support

"Yes but she didn't have the luxury of being the boss, and besides, I'm still working here…I'm just leaving office stuff to Xander, and he'll call me if something major explodes." Buffy finished off the soup, and Willow laid down the bowl on the tray, picking up a few crackers to feed them to her. "Tell me more about your book tour."

"Will, there's something that's not so good about it…" Willow cocked her head a little, and eyed her girlfriend with curious green eyes that were full of caring, love, and concern. "I'll be gone for a month." Willow's head dropped for a moment, and she missed Buffy's mouth when she went to feed her the cracker, which caused the blonde to chase after it, in turn making her fall over from the dizziness. Seeing the fall, Willow gently scooped her back up, trying not to panic at the thought of Buffy being gone for that long. She chose not to react just yet, and focus on making her lover better.

"Okay. Here…chew." Buffy scrunched her eyebrows slightly, trying not to wince in pain from the headache, and started to chew the rest of the cracker slowly. Willow kissed her temple softly, once again lingering to check the heat there. Giving her the last of the water, she helped her lay back down comfortably in the bed before taking the tray back down to the kitchen. "Get some rest now. Just call if you need me."

"Okay…" With that, Willow took the tray down to the kitchen, and went about cleaning the dishes. Then, she started cleaning the entire kitchen, eventually moving to the entire bottom floor of the house. She dusted, cleaned windows, swept the floors, and even vacuumed, hoping that it didn't wake the blonde upstairs in bed. When there was nothing left to clean downstairs, she moved to the basement, doing laundry, and then cleaning Buffy's training equipment to some degree, trying to get the smell of sweat from the room until the familiar smells of laundry detergent and fabric softener started to fill the air. Again, finding everything clean in the basement, and putting in another load of laundry, she moved to the second floor, starting with the guest bedroom, and then working her way to the bathroom, totally oblivious to that darkness that permeated the entire house, and the ill girl in the other room.

Looking up from her knees, scrubbing the bathtub, she saw Buffy come in, and use the restroom on her own, without any help. She looked down, and stared at the yellow gloves on her hands, mentally admonishing herself for not noticing that it was dark outside. She had just been trying to occupy her mind, not wanting to think about her girlfriend leaving for an entire month, the only form of communication from electronic sources. When she stopped working, she could already feel the coldness on the other side of the bed in the morning, the gentle kisses before they snuggled in for the night, the synopsis of their days over dinner, and especially the passionate moments that always lingered, were always there.

"Now that I'm feeling better, are you sure that you're okay?" Willow brought her attention back to the now squatting Buffy, taking the scrub brush from her hands, and placing it beside the bottle of cleaner. She pulled Willow's rubber gloves off, and placed them beside them as well, noticing the elements of well worked hands, and knew her girlfriend was trying to avoid dealing. Pulling her into a hug, she kissed her temple this time, letting Willow sob against her body, clutching her still aching body tightly. She may be feeling better but she still wasn't great. Her fever had gone down again, and the dizziness had diminished. She was once again granted the use of her limbs, and had been taking the medicine and taking care of herself for the past 8 hours, hearing her lover going on a cleaning spree from where she was lying.

After crying softly for a few hours, she knew the reason Willow was avoiding was because she knew it was for the best, that she didn't want to argue because it was important to her career, and she wanted her to be more than successful. Buffy knew that the redhead was trying to quell her temper, and her fears about the time apart, not wanting her to go at all but knowing that she needed to. She felt the same way, and cried not just for herself but also for her lover, and knowing it would be hard on both of them, especially since they hadn't spent more than two nights apart since they'd moved in together. It was going to be difficult, a test of sorts, and she wanted to pass this one more than any before in her life.

"Wills, baby…it's okay. I'll call every night, sometimes five times a day if possible, and you'll see me on TV. I'll make sure to say hi to you each time I'm on screen." The redhead's sobs were still strong, and Buffy's tears were falling rapidly, too.

"I'm not leaving you. I'm going away for work, like you do sometimes, only longer."

"Yeah…like 28 days longer." She looked up panicked. "Oh, no! Don't come back as a zombie, please."

"Okay, I'll come back as just Buffy then." Willow smiled sadly, and Buffy wiped her own tears away before caressing Willow's cheeks between her hands, and wiping the warm liquid with her thumbs. "I'll bring you back something special from every day we're apart, even if it's just a tiny paper umbrella from a drink, or a newspaper from that city. I don't want to be without you but I have to go."

"You have been…you've more than taken care of me. It's more because of you that I'm feeling

"How are you feeling now? You're walking, and not falling over, so that's good."

"Yep! Fever's gone, I think, and my stomach isn't so blechy but my body still aches all over, and my throat is a little sore. No coughing but still some minor sniffling. Should be good as new by tomorrow."

"Not your fault, and you've done more than take care of me. You put your job on hold for a while to do just that. I wish I could do the same." Willow sighed, and caressed Buffy's cheeks as well, tracing her thumbs in a soothing motion across her cheeks, similar to what the blonde had done to her earlier.

"That was different, though. If you were sick for a month, I'm not sure I could've completely avoided not going into the office. The work I needed to get done could be done at home but you can't publicize your book that way. You need to be out there. You need to show the world how great you are…how amazing…how beautiful…how special. I understand that, and we'll get through it. Who knows? Maybe I'll even find a few days off to fly out to be with you. That's still an option at this point. Do you even know where you're going yet?" Buffy looked into loving, sad eyes, and couldn't stand the thought of being away that long after seeing the soulful green gaze.

"New York mostly but there are towns and cities that I'll be at to do book signings. Robin called this morning to let me know that I was booked on Oprah officially."

"I'm not sure exactly. I have to go into his office, and get all the details. All I know is that I'll be gone until December 2nd…home in time for the holidays."

"I know. I don't know where I'll be physically but I know I'll be emotionally and mentally here with you, Dawn, and the others. I'll be home in time for Chanukah, though. I'll even try and find you a fancy dreidel or menorah…something from that art shop down in Greenwich Village maybe. They had neat things…maybe they'll have something like that." Willow just nodded, and pulled Buffy tight to her body in an embrace, not wanting to ever let go.

"You're going to miss our one year anniversary…" Buffy hadn't realized this yet, and she started breathing heavier. The test just kept getting harder and harder, and there was no way to fully prepare, or study for the exam, even though she knew that her brainy girlfriend would try just that.

"But I'll be missing too much…that's too important, and Thanksgiving…not to mention your birthday! You only turn 27 once."

"I know but we'll talk every day, and you're going to get me something every day, and I'll do the same for you. If push comes to shove, I'll even have phone sex."

"Really? Will, that's…you don't have to…I know how awkward it made you when I mentioned it when we first started dating." She recognized the deep blush running from Willow's neck to her face, and smiled knowing that it was something she regretted asking to begin with after hearing the discomfort in the redhead's voice. She thought it just wasn't personal enough.

"But we're not just dating now…and we've actually started building a life together. Things are so much different from almost a year ago. I'll do it…especially if it's the only way I can be with you."

"I love you so, so, so, so much…and I promise I will more than make it up to you when I'm back." Willow kissed her sweetly, not caring about the spread of germs anymore, just needing to feel the familiar taste of Buffy's mouth pressed against her own, even if it had an added cherry cough syrup flavor. When their lips parted, they rested their forwards together, still kneeling on the bathroom

"Yeah…" She kissed her more firmly, this time aware of Buffy's still being sick but not caring about the spread of the germs so much as her body was still aching. So, she got up from the floor, bringing a healing blonde with her, and took her back to the bedroom to tuck her in for the night, hoping that she would feel better in the morning, and they could make good use of the remaining days they had together before Buffy had to leave on her book tour.

When Buffy's flight was announced for the final boarding call, Willow had not let her go, crying her eyes out, lavishing her entire face with kisses but eventually they were pried apart, and she had boarded her plane. The entire flight Buffy had sat beside Robin, trying to hide her tears, already missing the warmth of the redhead pressed against her in a tight embrace. As soon as they left JFK, they got into a taxi to take them towards their hotel, and Buffy whipped out her cell phone predictably, causing Robin to chuckle lightly as she talked to her girlfriend with many 'I miss you already,' and 'I love yous' in the mix. When they arrived at their hotel, they both settled into their conjoined rooms, and Buffy just continued talking to Willow as she prepared to adjust to the time change. Finally, they reluctantly hung up, and Buffy went to bed with more tears in her eyes, clutching the extra pillow for the bed, willing it to be her redheaded lover.

In the morning, they met with a few people at the 'Morning Show,' and she began her stint on publicity for the week. She made sure to secretly say hi to Willow by winking at the camera, which made the redhead smile all the way in California when the show aired there a few hours later. After a few interviews with local newspapers and magazines, she was exhausted, and in need of a nap. Instead, she was forced to go to a power lunch to meet with the manager of her book tour, since Robin was needed back at the company's office in Sunnydale. They chose a nice restaurant that was quiet enough for a late lunch in Manhattan but busy enough to be tasteful. When at their table, she noticed that the attractive brunette that had walked in the conference room before Willow was already sitting there, and Robin introduced them.

"Buffy, this is your tour manager. She'll be taking care of you the rest of the month. Anything you need, she's right by your side the whole way." Robin held the chair out for her, and the three settled in to the cozy table. The woman extended her hand, leering at Buffy as though checking her out completely.

"Lilah Morgan." Buffy took her hand, and shook it briefly, noticing the darkened glance being sent her way. "I was at your release party but unfortunately we didn't have a chance to meet."

"Buffy Summers but I guess you already knew that." Lilah just smirked at her, noticing that she was also being checked out by the blonde but not quite in the same way. "So, you're stuck with me, huh?"

"I suppose we do." Buffy tried not to show her sadness by smiling but inside, she was still torn apart emotionally. After lunch was over, Robin rode a separate cab to the airport, while she and Lilah rode to their hotel. Once in, Lilah went over the entire itinerary with her, explaining details in a lawyer-type manner. Everything was set out for her, all she had to do was show up, and smile pretty basically.

Over dinner, the two women bonded slightly, letting each other know that it was at least going to be comfortable in the other's presence for an entire month. They had ordered in Chinese, and stayed in Buffy's room, making polite conversation where possible. Once they finished eating, Lilah left, and the blonde immediately went to her cell phone. Dialing Willow, she went over her day, hearing the excitement from the redhead's voice about seeing her on television earlier that day. She was worn out completely from the long day, and knew that it would be nonstop the entire month. Willow's birthday was in a week, and she tried to find a way to get to Sunnydale that day but it was impossible, since she was scheduled for an all day signing. Huffing, she went to bed the same as the night before, cuddled up to a cold pillow that she wished was her lover.

"Lilah, does this look good to you?" They were in a shop on Fifth Avenue, and Buffy was currently trying on an outfit for her Oprah spot. Of all things, she was being mentioned in her book club, and it baffled her that the extremely influential woman was making her book a part of such a nationally recognized following. She was in her fifth store, and her fifth outfit, and Lilah had finally decided to help her pick out the perfect outfit. Her manager had started to relax in her company, and they had bonded slightly over the past few days. Today was all about shopping, and especially for Willow's birthday present, since she was going to express package it to Sunnydale the next day. Currently, she was standing in front of the mirror outside the dressing station, and Lilah cocked her head to the side, fully taking in the outfit.

"That's perfect, actually. It brings out the blue in your eyes nicely." Lilah smirked seductively towards her, and Buffy turned around to face her, smoothing her hands over the sky blue, thin strap dress that fell over her small form like silk.

"Positive. Now, let's get this to the register, and find something for that girlfriend of yours. Shall we?"

"Yeah." Buffy went back to her dressing booth, and changed back into her white dress shirt, and black slacks. Lilah went to the register, paid for the dress, and went to answer her ringing phone in her purse. Buffy came back out, carrying it on the hanger, and placed it on the counter. The cashier just went about packaging it properly, and handed it over, as Buffy stood there with a confused expression on her face.

"It's all right. Who we love shouldn't matter on gender, or anything. Here you are, ma'am." Buffy was trying to process the thought of Lilah as her girlfriend. How the cashier came to that conclusion confused her but she mentally pushed it aside because she had some shopping for her actual girlfriend, who she was missing more and more each day. Finding Lilah standing outside the store window, she made her way towards her, and when she made her way to her, Lilah hung up her phone, placing it back in her purse.

"Yeah…" She just eyed Lilah, analyzing her body movement. She moved with confidence, and her body language oozed sexuality, which reminded of her slightly of Faith. Making their way into Willow's favorite clothing shop, she picked out several pairs of pants, and shirts to match, even buying her a pair of funny, red boys cut underwear that read 'Hot Mama' for a joke. Paying for items, she added the bags to her collection.

Once they had finished there, Lilah informed her that she had an interview back at the hotel with the New York Times. Making their way there in a taxi, she put all of her bags into the corner with her other little items that she'd already collected to give the redhead when she returned home. So far, she'd picked up a funny paper weight she'd found at the gift shop around the corner that had a willow tree, a small, original painting from a struggling artist on the street in front of Rockefeller Center, a t-shirt that said 'I heart NY,' and a hematite necklace that she'd bought from a metaphysical shop. She still had two-dozen gifts to go, and she couldn't wait to give them all to her lover, and see her face as she explained how she came by them. Two more days until Willow's birthday, and she had cried herself to sleep every night this week, knowing that she was missing the first time she'd ever get to celebrate the redhead turning another year older since they'd been together.

"You miss her." It was a statement, there was no question in the voice, and Buffy turned around to see Lilah looking upon her with concerned eyes, which was odd for the brunette. Realizing that she was wallowing again, she shook her head clear, trying to mentally prepare herself for yet another interview.

"She is. She's more than wonderful." Buffy sighed deeply. "Do you have anybody back home waiting

"Waiting on me? Hardly." Lilah's expression was amused, and she looked at Buffy with hungry eyes that the blonde was still oblivious to for some reason. She was always able to get anybody she wanted in her bed but this particular blonde was too preoccupied with her girlfriend, which was bothersome to Lilah but she wouldn't give up without a fight. She resolved to have the petite young woman in her bed by the end of the month.

"Let's just say that I'm not the type to tie myself down to one particular thing."

"Oh, really?" Lilah saw this as a cue to test the waters, arched an eyebrow, smirked seductively, caught her gaze with seduction, and moved right in front of her, noticing how Buffy's breathing starting getting a little quicker. 'Maybe this won't be as hard as thought…then again, I do love a challenge…'

"Yeah…" Buffy smiled sheepishly, hoping that Lilah understood but knowing that she couldn't do anything, even if she wanted to help her.

"Well, I'm afraid that it's not in my jurisdiction. You're under contract, and since the book has been so successful, you're tour's just a little longer than others." Lilah laughed internally, glad that it wasn't going to be too easy. Just then, there was a call to the room, and Lilah picked up the phone, having a quick conversation with the other end, while Buffy stared again at the pile of gifts, willing the month to just be over already. The brunette returned to her side, and placed her hand on the small of Buffy's back, running small circles there to entice her, tease her a little without being too obvious. "That was the reporter. He's on his way up. You should take a breather for a second. Get your mind clear of the redhead before he gets here."

"Just clear your mind…this is the 'Times.' After this, we can go back out, and get some more shopping done. How's that sound?"

"I live to shop." She grinned somewhat, and then there was a knock at the door, which Lilah promptly answered, and allowed a woman to follow her. When the interview was over, Buffy smiled excitedly, and bid farewell to the pleasant woman, having actually enjoyed the interview within their comfortable atmosphere. Riding the subway, they arrived at Greenwich Village, and Buffy immediately went about finding Willow the perfect gift. In one metaphysical shop, she found a beautiful necklace that the owner said represented love and commitment. Also purchasing a few minor things, she made her way to a small music store. In there, she found memorabilia, and LPs organized in rows. After a little browsing, and much contemplation, she decided to buy a few records that Willow couldn't find in Sunnydale, or even LA. Deciding that she'd done well, she went to find Lilah in a bookstore, browsing the law books. 'She must have been a lawyer in a past life.'

Walking through the dusty collection of rare books, one particular title caught her attention. She grazed her fingers across its leather binding, and traced the outline of the letters. Pulling it from the shelf, she placed her bags to the floor, and started flipping carefully through the yellowed pages. The musty smell that permeated the books brought back memories of Willow's apartment playroom, where she kept her collection of various books.

"What did you find?" Buffy's heart leapt from her chest being caught off guard, since she was so entranced by the words escaping from the pages. Turning her head slightly, she regarded Lilah with an admonishing glare, which only caused the brunette to lean in further, allowing Buffy a good view down her somewhat exposed blouse, and smell the same perfume that Willow wore, which tore her sense to pieces.

"Oh, it's called 'Vampyr.' Awkward title but it seems interesting enough. There's also five books here called the 'Books of Ascension.' Then, up here…" She pointed to a spot on the shelf she couldn't quite reach but could easily read. "That's the book Willow can't find anywhere, not even on ebay. I just can't reach it." Lilah leaned over her body, pressing her chest into the blonde's back, causing Buffy to catch her breath, so that her senses wouldn't confuse this woman with her girlfriend. Handing her the book, Lilah just leered at her again. "Thanks, Lilah."

"Um, I think I'm ready when you are. I never thought I'd say this but I'm all shopped out for the day." Buffy slumped her shoulders, and started piling the other five books into a pile. Lilah helped by picking up her bags, and ushering her to the counter. After paying, they went back out into the New York evening, hopping a subway back to the hotel to settle in for the night. Just like every night, as soon as she bid Lilah a good night, she speed dialed home.

"Yes…I mean, well…I missed you, and I was just thinking about you, and then here you are, calling me that is, and I was happy. That's all."

"I was just thinking about you, too. I miss you, baby. New York's not the same without you, and I have to go to this big fancy party tomorrow night. It's for some benefit, and I'm one of the presenters. I don't know what exactly I'm supposed to do. They'll tell me when I get there."

"You bet." Buffy couldn't hide her grin, as she stripped her clothes, pulling a pair of blue pajama pants on, and leaving her white tank top on that she'd worn underneath her blouse. "I wish you were here right now."

"How was your day? I haven't had a chance to check the news yet. Any news on Darla, or is the stress still mounting?"

"Actually, she woke up early this morning, and we've been all over the news again. If you put it on the music channel, I'd say they're still airing yours truly."

"Well, let me turn it on then." Buffy picked up the remote from the top of the television, and turned the channels until she found the right station. The news wasn't on yet; she still had five minutes before it came on again. She moved to the bathroom, and prepared to brush her teeth. "So, that's good. How is she?" She started brushing her teeth, and listened to her girlfriend as she scrubbed them clean.

"I went to talk to her earlier today, and she had talked to Drusilla already. They're going to break the band up because Drusilla is being placed into a mental institution. I asked if she wanted to stay on as a solo act, try that, but she declined. What did you do today?" Buffy rinsed her pasted mouth clean with water, and cleaned her toothbrush before placing it back on the counter by the rest of her things. Grabbing her face wash, and a clean cloth, she turned the hot water on before gently rubbing some of the cleanser on her face.

"Well, I had that interview with New York Times, and early today, I was doing another signing. Other than that, nothing but shopping." She wet the cloth, and rinsed the wash off of her face.

"Ohh…get anything good? Something maybe that revolves around two more days?" Buffy giggled at the childlike tone of her girlfriend, and went to use the restroom before returning to her bed for the night.

"I know…me, too." Buffy flushed, and washed her hands. Lotioning her arms and hands, she flicked the bathroom light off before turning the bedroom lights off as well.

"As much as I can without you here." They both sighed, as Buffy snuggled underneath the covers in

the cold, darkened hotel room, the sounds outside the Waldorf-Astoria permeating the silence.

"I'm okay…I wouldn't exactly say happy but I'm not unhappy given the circumstances."

"I know…it's been really hard. I came home yesterday, and my first instinct was to find you, and take

care of a little frustration I've been experiencing these past few days but you weren't there, and I had to take matters into my own hand."

"No…I just ended up crying, and couldn't…you know." Buffy could hear the blush coming from her lover, and had to sigh expressively, sharing the same frustration.

"Well…we can always try it over the phone. We did talk about it before I left."

"Do you want to? I mean, it's one in the morning there. You must be exhausted, and need some rest for tomorrow."

"Um, if I told you that I was in my red flannel pajamas, would you find me less desirable?"

"Yeah. I think so. I just put a pair on, didn't really pay much attention. I was busy talking to you,

"Too late for that." Buffy's breath was starting to come faster, and her heart was steadily picking up pace. "Will…I want you so bad."

"Yes?" Buffy began absent-mindedly rubbing her palms across her chest, and her entire body heated up at the sultry tone in Willow's voice.

"Yesss…" She could hear Willow's breathing start to get heavier through the receiver, and that caused her to draw lazy circles down her stomach.

"Oh, Buffy…" With Willow's husky tone, Buffy didn't hesitate to bury her hand between her underwear and her center, starting to take matters into her own hand. As she heard Willow start to gasp and moan from her own hand, Buffy couldn't help but mirror the noises. After a few minutes, when things were about to peak, and there were all numbers of name calling and admissions of love, there was a knock at the conjoined door, indicating that Lilah needed her.

"Dammit!" Willow thought something was wrong, and Buffy could practically feel the redhead discard her hand from her pants, especially since she was doing the same, wiping her dampened hand on the sheets before making her way to the door.

"No. No, baby…Lilah just knocked on the door. She must need something, and knowing her, she

"K." Buffy opened the door, and pressed the phone to her shoulder. Lilah was standing on the other side, dressed in lingerie. "Yeah?"

"Just wanted to let you know that Oprah's full segment cancelled at the last minute due to health issues, so she's expanded your short segment to an entire show. Is that okay?" Buffy didn't know what to say…this was a huge deal. An entire hour with Oprah was any author's dream…that meant they had done something right, and the fact that her people had set that up meant that she really had made it.

"No…" She reeled in her frustration, and humming body that was protesting from being so close and not releasing, and focused on what would happen in two days. She would miss Willow's birthday but instead of ten minutes with the pop culture icon, she would spend an entire hour. There was an excited squeal from the phone on her shoulder, and she smirked upon hearing the excitement in Willow's voice.

"Yes but you're successful, and the book's been signed for publication in 34 other countries already. That's quite the feat that is rare in the industry, especially in the age of the moving picture. Robin called, and said there were producers in Hollywood wanting to turn the book into a movie, too…that says a lot about your talent. Oprah's not going to find that something simple. The book's only been out for three weeks, and you're already getting more attention than most authors get in their lifetime."

"He's a prude but that's in his nature. He's only concerned about his business, and doesn't really

care much about the people involved but you already knew that…" Buffy just nodded. "Well, Robin said they've been preparing to hold a party for your millionth copy sold since last week."

"It was a surprise, actually, but he decided to let me go ahead and tell you instead. They want to start discussing the second part of your series. We'll also be meeting with an old colleague of mine when we return."

"Actually, no. He's a lawyer, and just as determined as I am. They want to make sure you're story's rights are clear and settled before moving on to the next."

"Oh. Of course…wow…over a million?" Lilah just nodded with that same sensual leer she kept directing towards the blonde. "Ohh!! Can I get one of those signs like McDonald's? You know… 'Over a million served'…?" She could hear Willow giggling from her shoulder.

"Well, I'm not sure about that but there are certain traditions that will take place once we get back, as well. You'll find that you're going to like this career, I think."

"I already do. If I didn't have to be away from Willow so long, it'd be more than perfect."

"Well…get your rest. We start early again tomorrow, and we have some extra preparation now for Thursday."

"See you in the morning." With that, they shut their doors, and Buffy sighed excitedly, pulling the phone back to her ear.

"I know." With that, the two girls forgot about their unsettled passion, and continued talking for another half hour about the coming show, and finally said their respective goodnights, and settling in to get some sleep.

Waiting in the wings of the soundstage, Buffy shifted from one foot to the other nervously. Until then, it hadn't occurred to her that she wouldn't know what to say to one of the most influential women in America. It was surreal, and her nerve calming system was all the way on the other end of the country. Taking a deep breath, she felt Lilah attempt to calm her by massaging her shoulders. When she was cued to the stage, she took a deep breath, and put on an excited smile. This was it. The very thing she imagined when she was a little girl. The thought made her miss her mother, and how they would watch Oprah on her days off from school when she was younger, curled up on the couch with her mother, while her dad was at work. Her mother would be more than proud, and that gave her a little bit of confidence.

Making her way onto the soundstage, she waved briefly at the applauding crowd, and made her way to the sofa, where Oprah was standing. When she reached her destination, the host hugged her, and that startled her, since they hadn't had a chance to meet backstage. The cab had taken longer than expected to get to the building, and when they arrived, the pop icon was already in makeup, preparing for the show that started in fifteen minutes. When she was rushed to makeup herself, the woman was already done, and made her way onto the soundstage to greet her guests before cameras rolled.

"Buffy Summers…this appears to be your month." She offered her a seat, and the blonde gladly followed her example by sitting down.

"Now, Buffy is the author of the quick, best-selling book, 'The Vampire Slayer.' Let's take a look at some footage that our cameramen caught at a signing she did yesterday in SOHO."

On the screen behind them, a shot of the line outside the bookstore showed that there was a crowd that morning just to meet the young blonde, and get their copies of the book signed. Overhead, Oprah's voice could be heard in the background, narrating the event, briefly explaining the synopsis of the book. The camera panned to a shot of a smiling Buffy greeting a young man, who was obviously flirting with her, as she just smiled, and kept safe actions towards him. Lilah could be seen in the chair beside her, and there were two bodyguards on either side of the table. The single file line kept moving along until the camera showed Buffy during a brief coffee break, talking on the phone. The sound picked up part of her conversation to Willow, and she kept saying that she missed her and loved her, as she returned to the table before she smiled and waved at the camera. The screen went off, and the attention was settled back on the two ladies.

"Oh, well. It was just a joke between she and I. Some of our conversations in the early months of our relationship revolved around playful banter, and it would just segue into me calling myself a slayer. That's where the idea originated."

"It's a very interesting concept…one that the entertainment industry hasn't touched upon too often. The idea of a petite young girl having super powers, and saving the world, is something that goes against the norm. It's quite a bold move for somebody new to the literary world but that has obviously helped you skyrocket to success. How are you handling your newfound success?"

"Well, the book tour that I'm on right now is making me miss a lot of things back home."

"Well, today is my girlfriend's birthday, and it's the first one that we'd be sharing together, since next week is our one year anniversary. Then, there's Thanksgiving, of course, and it's always been one of my favorite holidays. The idea of being around family, and we're preparing to start a family together by having a ceremony in March." Buffy's expression fell to one of utter sadness, and her eyes screamed pain from being away from Willow. Oprah looked at her with compassion, and laid a comforting hand on her knee briefly.

"Well, Buffy, it's amazing that you're so open about your sexuality, especially since so many authors, actors, and musicians lay low about their relationships. Have you found any grief concerning that aspect in your career?" Buffy adjusted in her seat, and tried to find a polite way to answer her question.

"Well…to be perfectly honest, there's always some prejudice, and people calling you names but I don't pay any attention to them. I won't let anything get in my way of loving Willow. She's my life, my love, and I can't believe I'm talking about this to you on television."

"Oh, no! I just mean that it's surreal. This is the best stop on my book tour this far because I'm talking about her. She's the best thing that's ever happened in my life, and I would gladly give my life for her without hesitation. I would do anything to protect her, and to make the world a better place for her."

"Your book packs humor, drama, romance, and horror all into one, and yet it's not really a scary book. It's more metaphor for life, and that's why it's been so successful. People are identifying with the characters, and scenarios within the book, and it's just the right amount of difficult and easy to read and understand. It's quite an accomplishment for somebody so young." Oprah smiled at the slight blush that came upon Buffy's face.

"Well, truth be told, I wasn't expecting this to happen, especially so fast. Like I said, it's all surreal…

"Would you like me to pinch you, and make you believe it?" The familiar voice rang from behind her, and Buffy looked at Oprah noticing that she hadn't said that. She had a huge, knowing smile on her face, and looked over Buffy's shoulder to where the voice was coming. The blonde followed her gaze, and took in the person, knowing that she would definitely wake up any minute. She just sat there in shock, and the young woman standing there waved shyly, not really sure what to do or say.

"Well, Buffy, since it was her birthday, and we knew you'd be away, we flew Willow out here so that you could celebrate together. After all, you only turn 27 once." Oprah just sat there, and watched the two girls sigh, and gaze at each other lovingly, completely aware that there was no doubt in anybody's mind that these two were, indeed, madly in love.

"Will?" Buffy's voice was soft, not wanting to wake up if it was a dream but Willow just nodded her head, and that was enough confirmation for her. She stood up quickly, and showered the redhead with kisses all over her face, ignoring all the 'awws' and clapping from the audience, finally kissing her sensuously on the lips before hearing Oprah clear her throat. Both girls blushed, flushed and heavily panting from the deep on camera kiss. Buffy pulled Willow to sit down close to her on the couch beside Oprah's chair, and grasped their hands together on her lap, rubbing her thumb gently over the redhead's soft hand. "Sorry…"

"That's quite alright. From my source, you two are quite the inseparable pair, and you just proved to the world that you're in love."

"This is the best thing that's happened to me in awhile. I don't know how to thank you." Oprah just chuckled in her deep voice.

"Well, you just did, and seeing the smile on your face is enough for me. So, tell me Willow, what's

Buffy really like?" Willow half-grinned in a playful manner, and Buffy's eyes went wide, pleading not

"She's a shower hog. She takes forever in the bathroom but I don't mind, really. Let's see…oh! There was this one time…at our cabin…that she tried to impress me by cannon balling into the lake but calculated the distance wrong, and ended up falling in the boat. That entire day, she kept pouting. She's always trying to impress me but she doesn't realize that it's too late for that. I'm already impressed." Some members in the audience awed again, and Buffy couldn't keep her adoration from her face, and kissed her cheek gently. The rest of the show, there was easy conversation, and Oprah had been fond of the two girls. To be brave enough not to hide your love on live television in a non-traditional relationship was something she could easily admire, and she just hoped that the stations wouldn't cut too much or cut the show that day because of the fact that they were two women, and shared their feelings for the other without a care in the world.

The rest of the day, Buffy showered Willow with everything she could possibly think of…dinner at a fancy restaurant, shopping for more birthday gifts (even though she'd already gone overboard), making brief stops to kiss, taking a carriage ride through Central Park, and finally arriving back to the hotel late that night. The two immediately went about their passion, and completely ravished the other's body…not caring that they had managed to knock over things, and even break a lamp in the throws of that passion. After several hours, the two collapsed in the bed, a sweaty, wet mess. They immediately clung their over sensitive, sated bodies together, as though it were their last moments, and cuddled in for the rest of the morning, especially since Buffy had nothing on the itinerary that day. Lilah moved the magazine interview to the next day, in order to give the two lovers time together.

"Most definitely." Buffy moved the sweaty, auburn locks that were matted across Willow's forehead, and kept stroking her hair slightly before relaxing in their embrace again.

"Apparently, Robin called Oprah's people, and mentioned how miserable Lilah said you were."

"I got a call, and let Xander know I'd be gone for a few days again, and to close the office on Saturday to give everyone a break after this Dru and Darla thing. Next thing I know, I'm in makeup getting ready to see you."

"The best." They said good night, kissed softly one last time, and snuggled together, completely content with how they were. Unfortunately, Willow had to fly back to Sunnydale on Sunday. Only three days left, and they planned on savoring every moment, especially since there was three more weeks left before Buffy was home again.

Two days later, and Buffy wouldn't let Willow leave her side for a moment. The redhead went with her to interviews, talk shows, and even dinner and lunch dates. Buffy still bought Willow something for every day she was away, and managed to hide them in her hotel drawers because she still wanted to surprise her lover when she returned home for good. The next day, Willow would be leaving back to Sunnydale, back to the label, back to the Bronze, back to the life they were making for themselves, and Buffy had been a little quiet at lunch that day, the sadness showing in her eyes.

Willow noticed the sadness, and decided that she was going to do everything in her power to make weekend trips to wherever Buffy was at the time. The blonde only had one more week in New York, and then she started traveling to other destinations. The next stop on her list was Boston, and then she moved on to Philadelphia, Orlando, Cleveland, and many other major cities, her final stop in LA. 'I hope nothing too big comes up at the label this month…I'm not sure that she knows that I'm suffering just as much.' After lunch, the redhead made up her mind. Buffy was her family, and she was her own boss, so she would finally take that initiative, and worry about her family more than her job, which was something neither of her parents ever did.

Buffy mentioned something about a headache, and being the concerned girlfriend, Willow rushed her back for the rest of the night, opting to order room service for food. Lilah had left the two alone after Buffy was finished working for the day, and that was something both girls were repeatedly thankful for, especially the blonde, who couldn't shake the looks that Lilah always sent her way. She knew she wouldn't do anything but she wasn't so sure about the brunette. Sure, she had phoned Robin, and mentioned that she was miserable, which in turn caused Willow to meet her on Oprah but something about her irked Buffy to the point that she was more careful around her.

When they were back at the hotel room, the redhead immediately went about nursing her protesting girlfriend. Buffy kept telling her that it was just a headache, and that she didn't need to go to bed yet but Willow quickly pulled all of her clothes off, and threw them on the floor. It wasn't until she looked up at the seductive smirk on her girlfriend's face, that the blonde knew that it was just a ploy. She was being stripped for sexual purposes, which would normally make her feel dirty but since it was Will…there was no complaining. 'Okay…two can play at that game.' Grabbing her head in a searing motion, she grumbled in protest, wanting to tease her lover a little before giving in to their primal instincts.

"Buffy…are you alright?" She looked up to notice that Willow's smirk was replaced with genuine concern, and the blonde knew that the game was all too easy.

"My head is throbbing!" She sat down on the bed, and that made Willow take her head between her hands, and massage the temples with a little pressure. "Oh…that's a little better but I don't think it's working…"

"Let me get you some ibuprofen. Hold on a sec." Willow went into the bathroom to retrieve some pills from the duffle bag, and that gave the underwear clad Buffy just enough time to turn all the lights off, and completely strip the two remaining garments, sliding under the covers to hide the fact. Willow noticed, and thought she was turning in to rest, so she moved slowly towards the bed, laid the pills and water cup on the bedside table, and started to take her own clothes off for the night. Once she was in only her underwear, she felt something pop at her back, and it took her a moment to notice that her bra wasn't fastened anymore. Turning around, she noticed the playful smile on Buffy's lips, and she returned a mock admonishment expression of her own. "Your head didn't hurt, did it?"

"Nope." Buffy kneeled on her knees at the end of the bed, and started to pull the straps of Willow's bra from her shoulders, exposing the redhead to the room.

"Yep." Buffy kissed the crux of her collarbone, and moved soft, wet kisses up her neck.

"Ever heard of the little boy that cried wolf? What if I don't help you next time because I think you're bluffing again?" Buffy was only half paying attention, and Willow was only half serious, as the blonde reached the sensitive point behind the redhead's ear.

"Yes?" Her tone was husky, and Willow couldn't hold on much longer. It had obviously become a game to the blonde, to see how long she could hold on without giving in to the temptation of her lips sucking, nipping, licking, and kissing her neck, and especially that special spot that always made her weak in the knees when Buffy kissed her there behind the ear.

"I'm not going to spank you…" Her voice was started to trail, as her eyes started to roll back in pleasure. Trying to sustain a moan, she kept talking. "There are other ways, more creative ways to teach you a les...son…" Buffy could feel Willow start to give in, and knew the stubborn redhead couldn't hold on much longer. She started to actually nibble the top of her earlobe, as she let her breath linger when she spoke.

"Ungh…oh…well…I'm not exactly sure at the moment…mmm….but I'm sure…ohh…that…mmm…there's…ahhh…" Willow released the tension she'd been holding to keep her self from giving in, and admitted defeat under the mouth of her lover. 'Okay…you'll get yours. You cheated…knowing how I can't resist those lips.' She allowed Buffy to pull her onto the bed, as she crashed their lips together in a searing kiss that had their bodies collapsing to the bed, one on top of the other.

Moving to a more comfortable position on the bed, the two girls were giggling wildly, as they started tickling the other, trying to get the other to give in, and surrender. Buffy had Willow pinned to the bed, and when the redhead broke free of her grasp, she sat up, and tackled the straddled blonde onto her back, causing her legs to rest at either side of Will's hips, which gave the redhead free range to cause friction. With a deep moan, Buffy's legs wrapped completely around her lover's, rubbing gently up and down to urge the redhead on in her movement. Their lips were once again molded together in a sweet kiss that severed the giggles, and both were content to be exactly as they were, no fears or thoughts about Willow leaving the next afternoon. All that mattered was that they were there, now, and with each other. It wasn't about sex, passion, or pure wanton lust (although they were playing a key part in the festivities); it was about sharing their lives with the other, making love, doing things to please the other.

Just holding the other, and kissing in their comfortable embrace was enough. When things started to get a little more heated, they would back away, only to find that point over and over again. It was sweet, gentle, and pure love. They didn't focus on the continually increasing frustration, and need to feel the other intimately. All that mattered was that they were together, and in that particular moment, they wanted to make it last because the moment would never be lived again. Breaking the kisses, Willow looked lovingly down into the darkened hazel eyes of her lover. Buffy's face mirrored the redhead's, and they just held each other's gaze for what felt like hours, happy to just study the other's eyes, seeing things in them that only they could see.

"I'm going to come back next week." Willow's voice held no question, and her resolve face was firmly set but Buffy still had to protest.

"No, Wills…you don't have to do that. I'll be fine out here. You have to work, too, you know?" Buffy just tucked auburn locks behind Willow's ears that kept falling.

"I'm not fine there, though, and we both know you're not fine here. Buffy, you were right. We are going to be missing a lot of important things in our life, and I refuse to let work dominate my family. I'm not going to be like them." Willow's face showed hints of sadness at the memories of her lonely childhood, and Buffy nodded understandingly. She was already bought on the idea when she mentioned it but she needed to be logical for both of their sakes, even if she wanted to damn logic all to hell.

"You could never be like your parents. You're too caring, loving, and down right amazing to ever put your work before anything that you loved…even if you're a workaholic." Buffy half-grinned, which provoked Will to do the same. "Willow, I love you, and you've done more for me than anybody ever has. You're my life…my everything. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, and if I had the option, I would never have gone on this stupid book tour to begin with. It's nothing but a test, and it's worse than any exam I've ever taken in my life but one that I'm more determined to pass with flying colors than anything."

"I love you, too, which is why I'm doing this. I'm going to fly out to wherever you are that weekend, and we're going to spend time together. No more argument. It's settled. I want to be there, and I know that you want me there. I have the authority to make it happen, to take off from my job, even though it is the weekends. Even if it's only for two hours that I get to see you, it'll be the best two hours ever…guaranteed. I would rather have those two hours than to not spend any time with you at all. All the hassle with flying will be more than worth it, and you won't hear me complaining." Buffy just stared at her with tearful eyes, realizing that these were the moments that she lived for: when both of them were proverbially naked to the other, baring their souls, sharing them.

"Shh…just kiss me. Make love to me. Love me. That's all I'll ever need to be happy." Buffy didn't hesitate, and grabbed the back of Willow's neck, pulling her into a deep, soul-consuming kiss that expressed everything, told the other what could never be said in words, and never needed to be when these moments occurred. After a few hours, Willow fell on top of Buffy's body limbless, more than sated for the evening. Their sweaty forms stuck together slightly from a combination of sweat and secretions caused by their lovemaking. Their breaths were audible, as they both tried to reel in their pounding hearts, trying to calm down from the sexual exercises they'd performed. Maneuvering the covers over their bodies from underneath the redhead's still calming form, the blonde wrapped her arms around her lover again, holding her in a loving embrace, rubbing small lines up and down in a soothing gesture.

"Shh…I'm here…I've got you…I'm not letting go…" Willow started to cry into Buffy's neck, her emotions running wild after the beautiful dance that the two had just performed. She was just reeling with happy tears, choking on her sobs as she started to feel her lovers warm tears start to fall onto her forehead as well. The room was just full of love, and there was nothing that could sway the sensation of the two wrapped together in a sticky mess. The sobs and tears started to dissipate, and Willow moved her weight completely from her girlfriend, suddenly worried that she'd crushed the petite blonde underneath her.

"Are you okay?" They both moved together, faces only inches apart, as they rolled onto their sides, still holding onto the other.

"More than okay." Their hands gently attempted to bring some form of semblance to their sex-tousled, sweat-matted hair that was lying all over their faces and heads.

"I didn't hurt you?" Willow's face was concerned, and Buffy couldn't help but kiss the juncture where her eyebrows scrunched.

"I'm in Boston next week. Then, I…" Willow kissed her sweetly this time, stopping her

"I know your entire itinerary back and front. You don't have to go over it with me. That's Lilah's job." Buffy buried her face into the pillow slightly, and Willow moved her hand to bring it back to her. "Our anniversary is Friday."

"And now, we're going to spend it together. None of this apart for a whole month stuff. That just won't do." Willow smiled playfully, eliciting a huge grin from Buffy.

"I know, and it'll be my last day in New York on Saturday." They shifted their heads around on their pillows, bringing their foreheads together.

"Which means that I'll have to make it extra special…" Buffy moved her hand to pull Willow's naked form closer by the waist, causing their sticky bodies to mesh tightly together again.

"As long as you're there, it's already extra special…" Buffy's grin just grew, and Willow's eyes started to drift shut in an attempt to stay awake. She was just so worn out from their activities but she didn't want to fall asleep on her girlfriend.

"I never left…" Buffy moved her face the few centimeters, and kissed her girlfriend sweetly, knowing that they both were tired. "Let's get some sleep. We're both tired. I don't want to but I'm afraid that I have to give you back tomorrow, and I have to prepare for all the crying that's to come."

"On both ends." Buffy saw Will's eyes drifting shut again, and kissed her lightly before positioning themselves so that the redhead was spooning her. She needed to feel that the redhead was really there, that it wasn't a dream. Of all things, she just needed the reassurance through the arms of her lover, and Willow could feel this, so she had no problem complying to the simple request, something she planned on doing for years to come.

It was Thursday night, and Buffy was standing around in a short, white dress, trying to mingle with the guests at the benefit she was attending. She and Lilah hadn't been there for long, and she was currently nursing a cosmopolitan, just wishing the night would end, so that she could see Willow sooner. The redhead was supposed to be there in the afternoon, and Buffy was glad that her book signing was in the morning; that meant she could spend the entire evening alone with her girlfriend, and she was already getting antsy, moving from foot to foot where she stood. She could practically already smell her, feel each piece of flesh being slowly revealed as she stripped her from her clothing. It was simple prophecy that she was going to completely ravish her lover when they saw each other again. Now, all she had to do was wait…and that was the hard part. Sometimes, she could be impatient, especially when it came to being along with her Willow.

The guests at the benefit seemed to be mingling, and normally she would be one of them but her mind was too preoccupied. In an attempt to at least look sociable, she walked over to the food table, and immediately found herself at the strawberries, which was the place she always went to first after that gallery opening. At every party, when hunger arose, or the need to do something came about, she would always go to the strawberries. It was a reminder of the very thing that introduced her to heaven, and they would hold a place in her heart as the greatest fruit of all time, even if she enjoyed citrus better for the taste. Moving around, she stuck one on a napkin, just holding it, imagining that it was the very strawberry that had cast a spell on her a year ago tomorrow. 'Wow…a whole year…time has flown…it doesn't seem that long…Willow…mmm…'

Standing off to the side a little, she felt a tap at her shoulder, and turned around to notice a young man eyeing her with interest. Realizing that he was trying to be suave, and possibly even hit on her, she just smiled at him for the flattery but didn't want to lead him on, even if she did have the tendency to be a big flirt at times. This time, or rather since that fateful day, her flirty nature had been reserved for only one person, and it would be for the rest of her life. She smiled warmly at the thought of Willow, and the young man took it as directed towards him, which made him proceed with his mission.

"Hi, I'm Parker." He held out a hand, and Buffy shook her head clear, and remembered where she was. Taking his hand, she shook it firmly, trying not to act too gentle.

"Buffy Summers." She took her hand back, especially after she realized he was trying to hold onto it longer than needed for a natural greeting.

"I know. I recognized you from television. I finished your book the other day, and I just wanted to come over and say that I enjoyed it thoroughly. It practically changed my life." Buffy just looked at him, amused at his obvious attempt to act like a sensitive guy that understand girls. She could see straight through him, though. This was a guy that only wanted to live in the moment, dropping a girl once he had slept with her.

"That's interesting." She tried not to laugh in his face. Apparently, he thought she was gullible enough to fall for his routine. "What was your favorite part?"

"Oh…at the end, after she's killed the Master, and she comes back to the redhead, professing her love to the girl, and then they kiss. That was a truly exceptional moment. It was truly touching." He was trying to hard, and Buffy felt sorry for him. She didn't want to toy with his ego, so she decided to just let him down without the added talking.

"You don't understand. I'm getting married in March, and I'm totally committed to her. I'm not going to do anything to ruin that. She's the only person I need." He rolled his eyes in defeat, and shrugged his shoulders again. Only, this time it was more for apology.

"Sorry. I didn't know. Can't blame a guy for trying." She smiled at him in thanks, and watched him walk back towards somebody else. After a few moment, she noticed Lilah walking towards her but her mind started to blink. She felt drunk all of a sudden but couldn't place why, since she hadn't even finished her one cocktail. The last thing she remembered was smelling Willow's perfume.

As she stepped off the plane, Willow was giddy with excitement. Once she got a taxi, all she had to do was get to the Waldorf-Astoria, and then she'd be with Buffy. That's all she wanted, which is why she had decided to surprise her by taking an earlier flight. Placing her carryon bag into the seat next to her in the back of the cab, she told the driver where to go, and even though it was 4 in the morning in New York, she was bouncing in her seat with more energy than a four year old that found a chocolate bar hidden in his mom's purse.

Making her way to the elevator, she cursed it for being so slow, even though it was running its usual speed. She just couldn't wait to crawl into bed next to her lover, and surprise her by being there in the morning when she woke up from sleep. She had talked to Buffy twice that day, and had called the airport once they got off the phone before she left for the benefit. Getting an earlier flight, she was going to start off their one-year anniversary celebration right. It was only four more floors, and she'd be there.

Stepping off onto the 26th floor, she couldn't think the desk clerk enough for letting her have the key. Buffy had already left instructions the day before to let her have it, in case her flight came in early, which was possible. Since the redhead wouldn't know where she was, and she turned her phone off during her book signings, she wanted to be prepared for anything, and make sure that Willow was properly taken care of in every way possible. She had left no stone unturned, and it didn't take any argument to retrieve the key to her room from the clerk. When she arrived at the room, she dropped her carryon bag to the floor briefly, while she fiddled with the card lock. 'These things always give me trouble…it locks before I can get to it…well, this time, I'll show it who's boss…'

Turning the doorknob successfully, she mentally patted herself on the back for thinking ahead. Grabbing her bag, she moved into the room, and noticed that there was a lamp knocked over. Laying her bag down to catch the door, she kept the light from the hallway in the room to further investigate without having to wake up Buffy by turning on the room's light. Apparently, the lamp was out of question completely. Looking further into the room, she noticed clothes flung out all over the place, in various places. It was unlike Buffy to be so untidy about her clothes. 'She must've been really tired tonight.' Going a little further into the room, she noticed the outline of her lover's body in bed, and she smirked, knowing that the… 'Wait…she's naked.' Again, Willow's grin returned, until she took a good whiff of the room. The smell was familiar, and when the sheets beside Buffy's body moved, she noticed another naked figure, and realized that the room reeked of sex. It was everywhere…the signs, and she'd been too preoccupied with being naked next to her that Willow failed to see the other person in the bed. When her face came into the light, she collapsed completely onto the floor, quietly pained for a moment, letting it sink in that Buffy and Lilah had made with the naughty. Standing up, she grabbed her carryon bag, and ran from the hotel room as fast as the elevators would let her. Making her way back out into the Manhattan street, she finally hailed a taxi, and caught the next flight back to Sunnydale, crying to entire time. She couldn't believe it…her love, her life…Buffy had cheated on her. She didn't want to believe it but she couldn't shake what her eyes and nose encountered. It had to be a dream…a nightmare. 'Buffy wouldn't…would she? I don't think she would…would she? Am I not enough for her? Has this been going on ever since she's been there? I don't believe that…or at least I don't want to but what I saw…what I smelled…it doesn't make sense. Actually, I guess it does…everybody I love leaves me. Why should she be any different? She's only the greatest thing that's ever happened to me…of course she'd leave. I just wanted to believe she wouldn't…I did believe she wouldn't…but she did…my goddess…she did…'

When the flight landed, she immediately went to the house, and as soon as she stepped in the door, Bubbles was at her feet, begging for attention. Dawn would be home on Wednesday for Thanksgiving break, and they would celebrate as a family…the two of them, while Buffy was in Detroit at a Thanksgiving benefit, where she would be signing the next day. All thoughts of family made her feel too sad to walk any further into the house, and letting Bubbles out to pee in the yard, she just sat on the swing waiting for the cocker spaniel to do her business. After putting her back in the house, she locked it, and just started walking. She found herself at the Espresso Pump, and just sat there with her untouched mocha for hours, causing the waitress to ask what the problem was, until it was time for them to close the joint. Then, she was forced to go someplace else, and her defeated body told her she had no other option but up a flight a stairs.

When Kennedy called, she had been hesitant at first to join her and her art friends at a local bar. Deciding that she needed to get out of her lonely apartment, she finally relented, and showed up much to the younger brunette's excitement. They had become friends, and Faith even found herself starting to like the younger woman who reminded her a little of herself. However, she just wasn't Willow. Nobody could match up to the redhead, and the smoky brunette wondered if she'd ever be the same again. Surely, there was nobody to replace the section reserved for the woman in her heart, and she knew that even if nothing could ever happen between them, she'd love her unconditionally until the day she died. 'Yep…I'm a big softy now…dammit…' There wasn't anything she wouldn't do to make her happy.

Ordering a beer, she made her way through the fog of cigarette smoke, and found her way towards the table full of young women, arching an eyebrow at the attractive selection Kennedy's friends were. Sitting down next to the younger woman, she started to attack her beer immediately, glad for the break from touring, interviews, and recording. The band had managed to start recording their sophomore album, and were just waiting for a release date to be set. All of that went through Willow, and the entire month of November to that point had seen the redhead slacking in her duties because her constant state of depression at being without Buffy.

During their many conversations since the blonde had left for New York, all Faith could hear was a person that was once Willow Rosenberg. Apparently, the redhead just wasn't herself without her lover, and the brunette could totally understand that, especially since she wouldn't be the same if she didn't have Will in her life. It's a mixed up world, and the heart and soul are the strongest elements driving it. Faith just sat there without saying anything for several minutes, finishing her first beer, and ordering another soon after she'd drained it of almost every sud in the cold glass. Kennedy just stood there, and watched her carefully, trying to be inconspicuous about her watching.

"You okay?" The voice brought Faith back to her current position, and she shook her head clear of all thoughts previous.

"Oh, yeah…just thinkin'…" Kennedy was persistent, and wanted to know more but she wouldn't give it to her. At least, not in front of strangers.

"Nothin'…" Kennedy nodded, noticing that she didn't want to talk about it. "What's up?"

"Oh, well. We just decided to come out, and celebrate." Kennedy smiled big, and that caused Faith to get curious.

"What exactly are we celebratin' here?" Faith leaned forward a little towards the table when the waitress laid her beer on the table in front of her.

"I have another big show in San Francisco next month, and I just found out today that they want to show it at their gallery the entire month." Faith couldn't help but smirk at the girl's enthusiasm for art. She understood the excitement that came from having people praise you; she just didn't let her emotions show too easily. In fact, the only people she'd ever been truly open around were Willow and Ken, and not really that often.

"Well…good. I suppose that calls for a toast." Faith held up her frosted glass, and the other held their own drinks up as well. "To Ken…may your show be successful." They clicked glasses, and were all in the process of taking a drink when Faith added to her toast. "And may she paint pussies with the best of 'em." Suddenly, the table was filled with various alcoholic beverages that were in the process of being swallowed, and five girls trying to calm their choking. Kennedy was the first to wipe her mouth, and scowl at the older brunette.

"Willow told me all about your little sex paintings. Wish I'd seen 'em…would've been a hoot." Faith just took another drink, and leaned back, putting her arm on the back of Kennedy's seat, tapping her back to help control the choking. "Who wants to play some pool?" The girls moved from their seats, and went to find an empty billiard table, deciding that Kennedy's crush was a little outspoken and tactless.

Lilah woke up in bed next to Buffy. Stretching like a cat, she purred at the buzz her body was giving from the aftermath of one hell of a night. It wasn't too hard for her to slip a couple pills into the blonde's cocktail, and it didn't take long for her to lose any inhibitions, or even train of thought. All she went with was touch, smell, and sound, which had proven well worth it to the brunette's still humming body. Buffy Summers was one hell of a lover.

Slipping out of bed, she cracked her neck before grabbing her clothes, and making it back to her own bedroom, leaving the rest of the room the way that it was. After showering, she dressed, and started making her phone calls for the day. She hoped that Buffy would wake up soon, since there was a book signing scheduled for the morning. Tomorrow was their last night in New York, and today the redhead was due to arrive. With an evil grin, she was glad that she had succeeded in her goal of banging the petite author, and the challenge that was posed was well worth the means that she had to go through in order not to fail. She was not a failure, and this time it was no different.

After trying to wake Buffy up by yelling for her, Lilah tried shaking the girl's sleeping body but to no avail. She still wouldn't wake. Turning on the television full blast, she didn't care if it woke the other occupants in the hotel. The only thing that mattered was that she got the blonde to the bookstore on time. She tried jumping on the bed. No luck. She tried throwing water on her but all that did was make the sheets wetter than they already were. As the day went by, she spent time on the phone to the bookstore, explaining that the blonde was sick but she'd be there in two days. Deciding that she probably used too high a dosage, Lilah cursed herself for not being more aware of the fact.

The next day, she had to do the same thing, and the naked blonde still wouldn't react. She was out cold, and even another glass of cold water didn't help. Cursing everything, she had to call the other bookstore, and reschedule for the next day. The blonde would be busy on the next day, and they wouldn't get that day off in Boston like originally planned on the itinerary. Lilah was pissed…at Buffy for being out so long, at the kid who sold her the drugs, and especially herself for not paying more attention to the drug's side effects. Of course it would hit her like that, she was smaller than the average person, and the double dosage was enough to knock an overweight man out for a night.

As she walked into the familiar apartment, everything reminded her of Buffy. She looked over at the couch, and remembered cuddling, watching television, making love, and just talking or goofing around with the other. When she walked into the kitchen, she remembered the days that they would make a mess in the kitchen because they ended up throwing more ingredients at the other in a playful manner, than actually making dinner. Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she saw the blue PowerAde that the blonde would drink when she would return from her morning jog. Deciding to just call it a night, since it had already been a trying day, and she was still jet lagged, Willow proceeded through the large apartment to her once bedroom, and started to get changed for bed, finding some of Buffy's pajamas next to hers in the drawer. Wanting to still be near her girlfriend, she put on the yummy sushi ones that she wore the first night that they slept beside the other: a year ago yesterday. The second trip to New York had been wearisome. Finding out about Lilah and Buffy broke her heart. It had happened again; only this time, they were actually officially dating, and it hurt even worse because the blonde had no reason, mistaken or otherwise to sleep with somebody else. She didn't know whether to be mad at herself, or at her girlfriend, if that's what she even was anymore. Willow wasn't sure after what she'd seen in the hotel room in Manhattan.

Brushing her teeth slowly, she just stared at her face in the mirror. It was stained with hours of sobs, even the older lady sitting next to her on the plane had tried calming her down but nothing worked. She was too heartbroken to comprehend anything but the pain. Her eyes were still puffy and bloodshot, and her expressionless face told the tale of a long, heart-wrenched day that had caused her to go numb of emotion. Willow could only believe that she was only a shell of what she once was. Her girlfriend, her lover, her Buffy…naked, in bed with that woman…that vindictive woman…knowing good and well that the blonde belonged to another. Unfortunately, that other found them in the early morning hours, naked and worn out from an apparent night of sex. The room reeked of it, and the clothes thrown in varying directions, scattered all over the room were surefire signs what had happened only hours previously. Willow had just been able to stand there, seeing the bare, spent form of her lover sharing a bed with another woman, one that the redhead trusted would keep her safe. 'Too safe…'

After washing her face, she couldn't stop staring at her lifeless face in the mirror. She was like a ghost in this place, not having slept here since they had moved all of her things to the house, and the once familiar comfort she would find in the expansive apartment was long gone, possibly forever. There were too many memories that were haunting her, and everywhere she turned, all she could think about was Buffy, and that would only make her cry more. Of all days to find your girlfriend cheating on you, it had to be your one-year anniversary; the blonde even knew she was coming, albeit earlier than planned, but the fact still remained. 'How long has this been going on? Am I blind? Has it been happening since she's been there?' Again, the warm streams flowed down her cheeks, and she left the bathroom to curl into a ball under her sheets. She didn't want to be alone, in case she did something irrational. She wouldn't kill herself, or do something of that nature but she feared that in her anger and grief, her hair and eyes would turn black, and she'd find a way to magickly destroy the world. It was too much, and she couldn't do it alone.

Turning around in the cold bed, she picked up the phone on the nightstand, and dialed a newly familiar number. It was still early evening, and she figured that the girl still had her key, so she waited for the other line to pick up, hoping that it'd be okay. When the smoky hello came from the other end, all she could do was cry, and words wouldn't leave her mouth. After a few questions of 'who is this,' and 'can I help you,' the girl on the other end only had to hear Willow cry her name, and she went into immediate concerned mode.

"Willow…where are you at?" Faith was in action, and started to feel the warmth of her friend's soothing words, only making her cry more because she knew it pained the brunette to be around her, and reminded of what she could never have.

"The apartment…" Faith sighed deeply, and reassured her that she was on her way. It only took ten minutes for the brunette to find a crumpled Willow dejected, in a pool of wet, salty pillows and sheets. Kicking her leather combat boots off, she pulled off her over shirt, and peeled off her leather pants, crawling in bed beside the obviously heartbroken girl. The brunette could tell that all Willow needed was for somebody to hold her now, and ask questions later, and she was more than willing to comply to any terms needed in their friendship. She loved the redhead, and there was nothing that she wouldn't do for her, even if she could never have that love in return.

"Shh…go to sleep. We can talk about it in the morning." Willow nodded mutely, and crawled into a ball with Faith spooned behind her, holding her close, letting her know that she was there, and wouldn't let her go. Her mind was running in every direction possible, and a thousand thoughts penetrated her busy mind. She wanted to yell at Buffy. She wanted to hold her. She wanted to make love to her. She wanted to slap her across the face, and call her a jerk. She wanted to have sex with Faith to get back at her. She just wanted Faith to hold her, and comfort her, to keep her grounded. She wanted to smack Faith for loving her. She didn't think that anybody could actually, truly love her, even if it were clear. Even then, it was all a lie. 'But it isn't a lie. We love each other. We're getting married…I guess not now…' She sighed for the millionth time that day, trying to keep her sobbing at bay.

Faith felt her sigh, and she held her tighter, stroking the auburn locks in a soothing motion, willing the redhead to just sleep it off, and then they could talk in the morning. The brunette had been at a bar, shooting pool with Kennedy and some of her art friends, when her cell phone rang. Picking it up, she was angry at first that nobody was talking, thinking that it was a joke but when she heard the sobbing, she decided to wait it out…it could've been anybody. When she heard her name, and the way it was said, there was no question who it was, or what she would do. She could've been in the middle of a concert, and she would've left to be where she was at that moment. No matter how hard she tried, Faith couldn't shake her love for the small redhead. They were almost complete opposites, and the only thing they really had in common was the music industry but there was something there, and the two had even talked about it several times when they were still living in that same apartment. The redhead never treated her any differently, and they still clicked, which made it harder for Faith to be around Buffy. Part of her wanted to revert back to her evil, teenage ways, and kill the blonde but she couldn't do that. She actually did care, unlike her younger years when it all seemed like a game.

Feeling Willow's breathing calmed, Faith leant her head up a bit to check, making sure the redhead was asleep. She buried her neck into the crux of her neck, and cuddled up, holding on to her so that she could feel the safety and warmth of her arms even while in slumber. Breathing in the air, her senses could only capture Willow's essence, and her body and heart ached; not just for her unrequited love but more for the pain that the redhead was obviously in…she hurt when her friend hurt. It was just the laws of nature, and felt like the most natural thing to her. Seeing the redhead happy made her happy. When she was sad, Faith was sad…often being there for her if Will would let her. Things would never be perfect in her life, and she had long accepted that, but with this one woman, she felt that she was closer than she'd ever get to it. Finally, taking one last deep breath, she closed her own eyes, and allowed slumber to take her to dreamland, too.

Yawning, Buffy started to wake up, and the only thing she could feel was the massive pain that seemed to be shooting from every nerve in her brain. Wincing, she started to rub her temples, and pinch the bridge of her nose to find some comfort but to no avail, so she opted to try opening her eyes. As soon as they opened, she regretted the decision. The light that was shining in her eyes was surging directly towards her, causing her head to explode even further. The hotel room's light was shining brightly, and she never even remembered coming back to the room the night before. All she remembered was the benefit that she had attended, and the excitement over getting to see Willow the next day. 'Today. Will's coming today. Ohh…I really need to fix this headache. I need to be in tip top shape for her.' She couldn't remember anything, and when she realized that she was naked, the panic started to surface rapidly.

Sitting up but wincing as she did so, she noticed her clothes scattered unceremoniously around the room but they were only hers. Deciding not to go into full panic mode just yet, she decided to fix her headache first. She just couldn't shake the pain. Moving, she realized that the sheets seemed to be damp and unkempt. Checking her body, she noticed that she wasn't sweating, so the panic mode went up another notch. Since she couldn't remember the night before, she decided to ask Lilah, hoping to see her before her girlfriend was to get to the hotel around 5 that evening. Looking at the clock, she realized that it was 9 but the sky outside was completely dark, so panic mode went up a notch again. 'Where's Will? Did her flight get delayed? Is the weather bad outside? Is it snowing? Wait, the forecast didn't call for snow…at least that's what Lilah said…maybe I should check.' Getting up, she made her way to the window but stopped before pulling aside the curtains fully, recognizing her lack of clothes. Peeking out the corner, she saw that the roads and sky were clear, and that's when she went completely panicky.

"Where is Willow?!" Her first action was picking up her cell phone, and calling her girlfriend but after several rings, nobody picked up, and she left a voice mail. She started grabbing at her clothes, tossing them into a drawer in a quick movement, not caring about tidiness, and she dragged out a pair of pajama bottoms, tank top, and undergarments, rushing to the bathroom while dressing on the way. She looked at herself in the mirror, and noticed the hickeys that were placed down her entire neck in a slightly curvy row, and she wondered for a moment if the redhead was maybe already here, and had taken care of her the previous night, and apparently the entire day. Wondering how in the world she had slept the entire day, and lost memory of everything the night before, she went back over what she did remember, hoping to get a clue. Thinking that maybe alcohol could be a factor, she went over her drink consumption, and ruled it out when she remembered only drinking one cosmopolitan. She knew that Wills wouldn't take advantage of her in a drunken situation; no, her lover would take the opportunity to make sure she was okay instead, which made it even harder to understand where the bruises, dampened sheets, nakedness, and row of hickeys on her neck (not to mention the massive headache that the pills weren't helping with yet). 'Lilah was there; maybe she'll remember something.'

After trying Willow's cell again, she left another voicemail, and tried calling the house and apartment, wondering if she could be there, and only getting the answering machines for those locations, too. Knocking on the conjoined door, Lilah appeared, wearing a pair of black slacks, and a nice white blouse that Buffy hadn't seen on her before, and she wondered where she bought it. 'Willow would like that…' Lilah just looked at her, as though she had lost her mind, and waited for a response. Buffy looked up, and noticed that she hadn't spoken yet.

"Oh, um…this is kind of strange but I need to talk to you about something." Lilah nodded, and made her way into Buffy's room, sitting on the unkempt bed as though it were her own room. Buffy just stood in front of her before finally sitting down next to her. "Okay, well…remember last night?"

"Yeah…" Lilah's face twisted into one of confusion, wondering where the blonde was going with her question.

"I don't." It was simple. She needed answers, and she knew that the brunette could at least give her some details.

"Well, I suppose you wouldn't. You've been out for two days straight. I've tried waking you in all sorts of ways but you wouldn't respond to anything. I had to move back your interviews to later dates, and now we have to stay an extra day just to make up for them. The reporters weren't too happy but I convinced them that it was in their best interest to cooperate." Buffy arched her eyebrows at the vixen like tone that Lilah had taken all of a sudden. She particularly paid attention to her expression, and the way she said the words 'all sorts of ways,' wondering exactly what she had tried.

"Two days? I've been asleep? I don't remember anything past the party, and even that's a blur." She stared off into space, trying to process the information that she'd lost two whole days, and that she'd missed her anniversary, and possibly Willow, completely. This made her bite her lower lip to hide her anguish, and sadness that she'd missed her girlfriend. 'She probably just slept next to me the whole day…now I feel even worse.' "Do you remember anything?"

"What do you want to know?" Lilah was picking at lint on her slacks, as though the conversation really didn't interest her in the least.

"We came together." The sexual undertones in that sentence were oozing from the brunette, and Buffy noticed them as they were said.

"Buffy, you were wild. I had to bring you back. Some of the other guests were complaining because you kept going around singing 'Macho Man' in an extra perky manner. I have to say…it was a truly disturbing image." Buffy groaned, wishing that things would just come back to her…it would be so much easier.

"What else did I do?" She suddenly remembered the bruises, hickeys, and other telltale signs of a night of wild sex, and things started to piece together. She looked up at Lilah, and all she saw was a vixen, a half smirk that screamed sex and predator. "Oh, god…did I? Did we…?"

"You're quite the spitfire, I must say. Somewhere between the third and fourth time, I thought the floor was going to cave in. Lucky for us, it didn't. That would've been a hell of an explanation, and costs for hotel damage." Lilah's predatory grin still hadn't left her face, and Buffy's eyes just widened in panic, the tears threatening to spill over but the need to not fall apart until she had all the answers prevalent. "Surprised me, too…when you attacked me in the elevator on the way here. I thought you were happy with the redhead but apparently, she's not filling your cup." What Lilah didn't mention was that she had slipped an extra dose of roofies into her cosmo when she ordered it, and made sure to wear an outfit that would befit the redhead, and the perfume, shampoo, and body wash that Buffy described as strictly Willow's. She was playing on her senses, and when she would moan out a name, it would always be her lover's, and not the brunette's. That didn't stop her, though. She knew what she wanted, and she would go to any length to get it, no matter the consequences for the other parties involved.

"She makes my cup overflow, and what gives you the right to…to just…argh!" Buffy jumped off the bed, angry at herself more than anything for not keeping in control. She started pacing, not saying anything for a moment, trying to get her bearings clear. "So, what you're saying is that we…" Lilah nodded. "And more than once…"

"Don't worry. We were the only ones on there. You pushed the emergency stop button, and practically dry humped me against the wall. Risky stuff…didn't know you had it in you." Buffy hated that Lilah was having too much fun with this, and that she wasn't upset in the least, especially since she had taken advantage of the girl in a state of…something. She wasn't sure what happened yet.

"Was I drunk?" Buffy's tone was pleading, and Lilah wanted to chuckle at the ridiculousness of the situation. Sometimes, she wondered if her little conquests were worth it sometimes but the blonde had proven herself the other night. Lilah could barely catch up with her, even while under the influence twice the usual amount.

"Not unless you can't hold your liquor. You only had one cocktail that I saw you drink. Other than that…" Buffy sighed, and slumped back onto the bed, a broken and guilty woman. Even if she hadn't been aware of it, she had cheated, and that made her feel like she'd already lost Willow…something she thought would never happen, and hoped never would. In one lost night, possibly two, she had managed to completely screw up…again…and this time, it wasn't because she ran away from the relationship. She didn't know what the cause was, and if it wasn't alcohol, then there was no logical explanation, which made her feel empty inside. Knowing she'd be more than honest to Willow, she just didn't know if her girlfriend would be able to forgive her even if she believed her story. It was a lose-lose situation, and she was stuck in a place that she never wanted to be after living in heaven with the redhead: the hell that came with being without her.

"Willow…" Her sobs couldn't be held in any longer, and she completely broke down on the floor. For a brief moment, Lilah felt guilty over what she'd done to the talented young writer's relationship but the fact that she'd achieved her goal of banging the blonde overruled the entire guilt factor. She just left Buffy to sob on the floor instead of moving to comfort her; she wouldn't know what to do anyways. There was never any compassion in her that could seep through to others, especially her conquests. If it had to do with business, it was her way or the highway.

"I haven't seen her but the desk clerk mentioned a redhead asking for the key to your room, and that she threw it at the desk in a sobbing mess. One could only assume…" Buffy looked up at her, tears flowing, and eyes screaming pain and disgust with herself, and for another brief moment, Lilah felt that unfamiliar feeling of guilt surface. The blonde quickly made her way to her phone again, and dialed all the phone numbers, leaving another message on each, begging her to call, stating it was urgent. If it was Willow that had left in a hurry, then there was a possibility that she had seen something, especially if she retrieved a key to the room. 'This is worse than Spike…'

Making her way to leave the room, Lilah turned around briefly, glancing at the torn blonde that was currently tearing the covers from the bed, throwing them in a pile by the dresser for the maid. She didn't want to be reminded of what they had done…of what SHE had done. It was painful to bear, and she just wanted to close her eyes, and wake up from the nightmare. She knew it was too good to be true, and it took everything that was in her not to scream out loud at the failure at communication that was going on with her lover. Lilah shut the door, and for another brief moment, the guilt surfaced again, leaving Buffy to wallow in the pain that she had caused just two nights ago…the night before the two lovers' one-year anniversary.

"Buffy…" The heart wrenched sob woke Faith up from her own fitful sleep, and she shook her head slightly to clear her head. Realizing that it was Willow but that she was still asleep, the brunette tightened her hold on the sleeping form, willing the obvious nightmare to disappear. However, the tighter hold only caused the redhead to stir in an uncomfortable manner for the both of them. When she felt that the redhead was fully awake, she pulled her to her side, comforting her in a soothing embrace. She still didn't know what had happened but from the tears and hiccups from the sobs coming off her friend, and the way she had said her lover's name during sleep, Faith could only imagine that Buffy was the problem. 'Somethin' must've happened.' When Willow's sobs started to dissipate, the musician just continued to stroke her hair, allowing the redhead to take calming breaths, and gather her bearings.

"Willow…it's okay. I'm here." The redhead just turned her body around into Faith, burying her face into the buxom brunette's chest, and clutching to her for dear life. She was just into too much pain to not hold on to something.

"Faith…it hurts soooo much…" The brunette just allowed the redhead to cry gently into her chest, trying not to pay attention to her own body's reaction to the placement. "Why….?" Willow's cries were so pained that even Faith's heart was breaking for her friend.

"Red…what happened?" Willow wiped her eyes, and brought her head slightly from Faith's chest, looking up with red, tear-stained orbs.

"I figured as much. Tell me…" Willow willed herself not to cry again. She'd been doing that ever since she walked out of the hotel room in New York. Looking up at Faith, she slightly nodded, and moved back from her body a little to bring them face-to-face.

"The other day…I went to New York to see her…" Faith tucked some stray auburn locks behind a crimson ear.

"I know…you told me…" Her face was one of knowing compassion, and concern for the mental and emotional state of her friend.

"I saw her…" Willow's voice was dripping with a mixture of ice and fire, not sure which should be the dominant emotion.

"Well…one would think if you went to see her…" Faith was taken aback at the tearful stain that was sent her way. Now was not the time for sarcasm. "Sorry…where did you see her? What was she doing?"

"Faith…" The brunette wrapped her arm around Willow's back when she heard the sobbing tone return, and saw the tears start to fall again. She started rubbing her back with gentle, soothing motions.

"It's okay, Red…you can tell me." Faith moved her other hand from underneath her head, and started softly wiping the falling tears from the soft skin of Willow's face.

"She slept with…Buffy…she…with…her…her manager…and I saw them…" By this point, Faith couldn't keep up with the tears that were falling, and Willow started to sob again, heart wrenched, and broken. "Faith…why…am I not enough? Am I not what she needs? Was I stupid to think that I was? That she loved me?"

"Willow…" Willow looked up at her, and smiled gently through her tears. It wasn't a full smile but it was gentle, and shy.

"You've never called me by my name before…" Faith shifted a little, trying to hide her blush, and not wanting to seem vulnerable. She hadn't realized that she hadn't used the familiar nickname, and her defenses hadn't caught up in time with her heart's voice. "It's okay…you don't need to hide from me. I liked it…" It was Willow's turn to do the soothing, and she felt needed for the first time in over a day.

"Yeah, well…it's cool. I was just sayin' that Buffy's an idiot if she doesn't think you're enough." Willow wanted to smile at the heartfelt words but the thought of not being enough for the blonde overpowered every emotion that went through her body at the moment. "But…you're more than enough for her. During the time that I've known you two, there's never been any doubt about that. If what you're saying is true, that she slept with somebody else, then I'd question it."

"What do you mean?" Willow's eyebrows scrunched in confusion once the words registered.

"Just that…well…B wouldn't do anything to hurt you. Something must've happened. Did you actually catch her in action, or in aftermath?? I remember that you were going to get there early in the morning…there's a chance that she was still asleep, which means that…"

"What?" Faith stopped talking when the redhead interrupted, and didn't catch what she

"Then, are you sure that something happened at all?" Faith started to wonder if Willow had jumped to conclusions, when all Buffy was doing was sleeping beside another person, no sex involved.

"All the signs were there, and the room reeked of fresh sex. Their clothes were scattered all over the place, and even a lamp was broken on the floor." Faith regarded her with confusion, wondering what exactly the lamp had to do with it. Willow noticed, and explained. "Sometimes, Buffy's a little…uncoordinated when things get a little heated." Faith just smirked, giving kudos to the blonde for destroying things during sex, glad to see a wild side there. "It doesn't make sense, though. It was obvious what they'd done. What else could possibly have happened?"

"I'm just sayin'…that maybe…just maybe…this manager woman did something." Faith was careful to choose her words, not wanting to provoke any anger in the temper-laden redhead. Luckily, all Willow did was question her with her eyes. "Look, you told me you didn't like the way this woman looked at B, and that Blondie even mentioned somethin' was off with her, that she kept getting' sexual predator looks from her."

"Oh." Willow just agreed, knowing that Faith was right, until it finally registered exactly where her friend was going with the reminder. "Oh!! You mean that…that maybe…"

"Yep…just maybe this manager chick did somethin' to her…to get her in bed. You said that B told you she was ambitious, and would stop at nothin' to get what she wanted, no matter what. So, if she wanted your girlfriend, then…"

"Ohmygoddess…Buffy…she…they…with the…you think that Buffy was raped?" Willow was on the verge of panic, ready to fly back to New York that moment to retrieve her deceived lover.

"Well, from what you said, it looks like it was consensual, so maybe she was slipped somethin'…it's not impossible." Willow was in panic because if that was true, then Buffy did cheat on her but didn't. It was all too much, and she groaned in over thought. "Call her…see if she remembers anythin'. There's a chance that she thought it was you, since she was expectin' you anyways."

"Faith…" Faith just nodded, and Willow quickly turned over in bed, and grabbed her cell phone. Noticing immediately that there was five messages in her voicemail, she quickly called, grumbling that she hadn't turned it back on when she got off the plane. Listening to all five distressed messages from Buffy, her face screamed outrage, confusion, and sadness. Faith just sat up, and placed a comforting hand on the crux of her back. Hanging up, she looked over at Faith, and tears were falling again. Buffy was scared, didn't remember what had happened in the past two days, wondered why Willow wasn't there, thinking that something had happened, that she had been harmed, or worse. "She doesn't remember."

"Then, that explains it. Little miss manager did somethin'…and payback's a bitch." Faith cracked her knuckles, and Willow's eyes widened, afraid of what her impulsive friend would do. "Don't worry. I won't do anything…at least not yet."

"Faith, please don't do anything bad. That just makes things worse, and more work for me!" Faith smiled, seeing that Willow was really torn up, wanting her to beat Lilah to a bloody pulp but being more logical about the situation. "I have to call her back…" There was no question about it, and Faith just sat there, allowing the redhead to call her girlfriend on the other side of the country. She glanced over at the clock, and noticed that it was 8 in the morning, which meant that it was 11 in New York.

Waiting for her girlfriend to pick up, Willow started to pace around her sunlit bedroom, and running her extra hand through her hair in a frustrated gesture. After the fourth ring, she heard the line connect, and sat down, waiting for the voice to come. When nobody said anything for a moment, she started to wonder if maybe Buffy was waiting for her to say something, and after another few seconds of listening to her breathe heavily on the other end, she decided to do just that.

"Buffy?" She closed her eyes, waiting for a response, and feared that when it came, it would be a negative one. 'They all leave me…'

"Buffy…are you okay?" Willow could hear the dejected sigh, and knew that her girlfriend was stalling for time, and that she really wanted to tell her what happened but also feared losing her, as well. That's when the redhead knew that it wasn't because she wasn't enough for the blonde, and she decided to help Buffy out a little. "I was there…at the hotel." Listening to the sharp intake of breath from the other end, she could tell that her lover had started to cry from guilt. "Buffy…it's okay. Tell me what happened."

"Willow…I'm soooo sorry…" She was sobbing, and that caused Willow to start crying again, which made Faith move to sit next to her on the edge of the bed, and hold her hand for comfort. Squeezing gently to acknowledge her thanks, the redhead smiled at the brunette warmly, and went back to her conversation.

"Buffy, I don't know what happened but I know what I saw. You and Lilah were in bed naked, and the room smelled like sex. Your clothes were all over the place, the lamp was broken…please…please tell me that…"

"It's true. I won't lie to you." Willow was shocked at the heart-wrenched admittance. That wasn't what she was asking but it was good to have a confirmation for her hypothesis. "I don't know what happened, either, Willow, but I'm soooo sorry. I never meant for it to happen. I thought it was you…the parts that I do remember…what my senses told me…but I don't remember doing anything. I just remember your perfume, and your clothes, and being excited that you were coming the next day. I'm sooo sorry…Wills…baby?"

"You do? It sounds ridiculous, though, even to me…I'm not even sure if I believe it but I really don't remember anything after the party. The next thing I remember is waking up in bed two nights later, and Lilah telling me that we had sex. How is that possible? Not the sex part but the not remembering…" Willow took a deep breath, glanced at Faith, and squeezed her hand again for courage. It was so hard to think about her girlfriend with another woman but the thought of Buffy being tricked into the adultery angered her more.

"Faith thinks that something happened…like you were drugged or something." She could hear Buffy contemplating the idea on the other end, and realized that the thought hadn't crossed the blonde's mind until then. "We were talking, and we think that's the only logical explanation…about your not remembering but still being able to…to…"

"Yeah…that would make sense but why would anyone…" Willow could feel the tornado getting ready to hit ground from the silence on Buffy's end. It was obvious that her lover had understood completely, and was ready to jump into battle without thinking first.

"Buffy…Buffy, listen to me, baby. Don't do anything rash. We both know it'll be worse in the long run, and if…"

"No, Wills…this has got to stop." Willow panicked again, thinking that she meant their relationship had to stop. It was what she feared the most in the conversation. "Oh, oh…that's not what I meant. I can hear you panicking silently over there. I didn't mean us, baby. I meant with Lilah. She's been playing these sexual mind games with me from the start, and it ends now."

"Buffy…" She let out the deep breath that she was holding, and Faith squeezed her hand again, more for something solid to grasp than anything. "Buffy, listen to me. Don't hurt her. I've already had to calm Faith down already, and I don't want you to hurt your career. I love you, and don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"Buffy, please. Yes, it's bad what happened, and believe me, I'm just as angry, if not more so, but don't make it any worse than it has to be." She could hear traffic in the background, and figured that her lover had left a building. "Where are you at?"

"I'm on my way to the hotel right now. I just finished a book signing. Where are you?" She yelled for a taxi, and Willow could hear the engines in the background swishing by slowly. 'She must be in upper Manhattan…'

"I'm at the apartment. I couldn't stay in the house…it was…I…I couldn't…"

"It's okay, Wills…I get it…and I'm soooo sorry. I wish I could go back, and have none of this happen but I'm afraid I can't, and you'll never know how sorry I am. I'll never stop apologizing, I don't think…it hurts so much…to think of you having to see that…and what you must've been going through. I remember what it was like when I thought you and Faith had…" She trailed off, not wanting to remember the horrible week. "If it's anything like that, I'll never be able to repay you…please don't leave me, Willow…I'm soooo sorry. I never meant for this to happen."

"I know, baby. That's what I'm telling you. You don't need to apologize because technically you did nothing wrong. It was Lilah."

"But it wasn't really you because you weren't you at the time. It was your body, sure, but you were never there."

"How can you say that? I cheated on you, Wills…it doesn't matter how or why…I cheated on you, and that makes me the worst person in the world." She was practically crying her words, and Willow just wanted to hold her, cursing the mile barrier.

"Buffy, I love you. You know that. I'm not going to leave you because in my eyes, you weren't the one cheating. Your body was, yes, but your emotions, your soul wasn't."

"You are my soul…but…how can you just forget all of this…I cheated on you." Willow wanted to hold her even more now; she wasn't getting through, so she needed another approach.

"Buffy…answer me this…if you weren't under the influence of something, if you had a choice right now, would you sleep with Lilah, or anybody for that matter? Would you cheat on me if you had a choice?"

"Never! I would never. I could never. You're all I want…from here until eternity…only you. There is nobody else, nor could there ever be." The conviction in the redhead's voice made it clear that she wanted a direct, honest answer, and she was given one that quelled her own fears. 'Now, we just have to get Buffy to see that I still love her…and none of this is her fault.'

"Okay, then. There's your answer, and a mighty good one, too." She could practically feel the warmth running through her body when she heard the distressed blonde chuckle under her breath. She had finally made her understand. "Buffy, I love you. What Lilah did was wrong…we all know that but you need to stop blaming yourself for something you couldn't control."

"Enough blaming yourself! Now, listen. I'm going to catch another flight out there, and we're going to celebrate our anniversary…even if it is two days late. No arguments, I'm coming there, okay?" She released Faith's hand, and the brunette immediately missed the warmth of Willow's hand, knowing that things were going to be okay again, and she would fall back into her unrequited love.

"I'm going to call Robin…see what he says. I'm hoping that I don't have to mess with Lilah anymore." The sounds of a car door slamming shut could be heard, and soon after, the traffic seemed to disappear.

"I could hear the background of the city dim." She waited for Buffy's 'oh,' and continued when she got it. "That's completely understandable, and I hope that Robin can do something about it." She sighed a moment, when she heard the familiar ding of the elevator. "Buffy…"

"Yeah, Will?" She wasn't sure how to say it but she needed reassurance. She was still hurting from seeing the two together but she believed that Buffy didn't know what she was doing. However, she still couldn't shake the pain that she'd felt the past two days. She just needed to hear the one thing that always made all of her fears and insecurities subside.

"I love you, too, Willow…and I promise no more cocktails. Only beer. Beer good." The two shared their first giggle together in what seemed like forever, and the whole fiasco was finally settled between them. With everything thrown at them, there was no doubt that they could make it perfect when got married in March. Things were back to normal, and both girls smiled just to hear the other one breathing calmly on the other end, on opposite ends of the country. "Will, I promise that I'm going to make you so happy. I'll be so sweet that all of your teeth will fall out in no time. I'll be so loving that hearts and flowers wouldn't begin to describe it. I'll be so caring that Hallmark will go out of business. You make me so happy that I could only hope to do the same thing for you."

"Aww…sappy Buffy. I miss you, and you do make me happy. More than you'll ever know. I love you. Now, call Robin, get it all settled, and call me right back. I'll start heading towards the airport, and you'll see me sometime in the early morning hours. I love you so much." She left the bed, and found her discarded carry on bag on the floor, adding another outfit, preparing to stay an extra day than originally planned.

"I love you. I'll talk to you in a little bit, Wills." They hung up, and Willow explained to Faith that she needed to get back to the airport. The brunette just stared at her in amusement, and she wondered what was so funny. Looking down, she noticed that she still had the yummy sushi pajamas on, and blushed crimson from the sight that she probably made. Putting the bag back on the floor, she grabbed some clothes, and headed towards the bathroom for a quick shower, while Faith dialed the airport to reserve a ticket on the next flight that just so happened to leave in two hours. 'Yep…it's already started out great today…' Moving from the bed, she put all of her clothes from the previous night on that smelled like cigarettes and beer, and she went into the other bathroom to brush her teeth and hair, preparing to take Willow to the airport.

The conversation with Robin was simple, yet somehow complex. She was still reeling with the fact that Lilah had used her, abused her in ways that she couldn't imagine. It wasn't consensual, and after she had the fear of losing Willow subsided, Buffy could focus solely on what had happened to cause that fear in the first place. Plain and simple: Lilah, in no uncertain terms, had raped her, used her body and mind without permission. The aftermath had her freaked out, and especially if she had actually cheated on Willow but once the redhead made her realize that she wasn't in control, that in fact it wasn't consensual since she had been drugged, her anger started towards her brunette manager full force.

After hanging up with Robin, she called Willow immediately, and found out that her lover was waiting for her flight at the airport. The conversation with her publisher had lasted longer than she imagined, and they discussed getting her a new manager pronto after she went to the police with her complaint. However, Willow, happy that Buffy now understood that it wasn't her fault, was reeling with red-hot anger towards the brunette that had taken advantage of her lover. After several minutes of calming her down, the redhead's flight was boarding, and Buffy was happy that she'd be there with her again. She really needed to feel the warmth of Will's arms around her, especially after such a horrible experience.

Hanging up with her girlfriend once she was on the plane, Buffy left the hotel again, intent on heading the New York Police Department. The taxi had dropped her off at their headquarters, and she found herself in the expansive building, waiting to speak to an officer. When the desk officer called her back, she was ushered to a room with another officer, and started to recap the details of the previous few days. The officer ordered a drug test, to check if the drugs were still in her system, as a precaution, and listened to her distressed story with seeming interest. If he wasn't, then he had her fooled completely. When the drug test came back with only a minor trace of a toxic inhibitor in her blood, which the officer explained slowed the brain's function to where it only worked on sensory nerves, while the mind took a short vacation, he explained that the amount of drugs that must've been in her system should have killed her, and that she was lucky to only have been unconscious for a few days. Confirming with the bookstore that Lilah had rescheduled twice, giving no reason other than health, another officer came into the room with a file on the brunette, which consisted of two complaints from other states regarding the same incidence but that evidence couldn't charge her, and the cases were dismissed without further review.

When a charge was filed, Buffy started to feel a little better but it had still happened, and she was still living with the aftermath of that. When the officer said that she should have died, the only thing she could think about was Willow. Her mind was solely focused on the pain that would've cause her lover, and Buffy's resolve deepened, intent on making sure her manager got what she deserved, and that was to be exposed as the rapist she is. The officer calmly explained that rape is a serious offense, and that she was brave to come to them, especially when she did, because if the drugs weren't still in her system, the evidence to convict her would be lacking, and there would probably be no charge. The blonde thanked the officer before leaving, and she thanked the powers that be that if it had to happen, that it happened in New York because Sunnydale's cops would have just thrown it away immediately.

Making her way back to the hotel room, she noticed that there was a cop car, and it didn't take long for a cuffed Lilah to walk by with two officers in the lobby. Apparently, Buffy's warning that they were leaving town the next day was taken, and the NYPD had moved into action immediately. The thing that the blonde didn't know was that Lilah was wanted under other circumstances, as well, and that detectives had been trying to find her for over a year. The brunette was good at covering her tracks but now, thanks to the blonde, another criminal was being hauled away to the justice system, and with one less person to worry about, the world was a safer place.

When she opened the door, she saw that it was late, and that Willow's flight would be there in an hour. Knowing that the redhead would take a taxi there, she called down to the desk, and gave instructions again for the key approval. Regarding the lights of the city from her window, she just sat on the bed in the dark, hugging her knees in thought.

Willow walked in two hours later, and found Buffy crawled into a fetal position on the bed. Seeing that her body was tense but her chest was slowly moving, she figured that the blonde was sleeping, so she moved quietly into the room. Putting down her bag by the dresser, she turned off the lamp that had been replaced. Noticing that it was already 9 pm, she went to the bathroom to fix that little bladder problem she'd been holding since she left the airport. She didn't want to stop, just wanted to get to the hotel, and hadn't used the bathroom yet. Walking in, she turned the light on, and shut the door quietly, not wanting to wake her lover. After relieving her bladder, she took out her needed items from the toiletry bag she brought into the bathroom with her. Once she was ready for bed, she flicked off the light before opening the door, and started stripping her clothes off when she noticed that her sleeping lover hadn't moved.

Deciding to just crawl in to bed with her tank top, and panties, she took Buffy's shoes and socks off before she positioned her body around so that she could pull her pants from her hips, discarding them in a neatly folded pile beside her own on the chair. Taking off the blonde's jewelry, Buffy shifted a little in her restless sleep, and that gave Willow the chance to unbutton her blouse, and pull it from her shoulders, picking up her body gently to place the shirt with the other clothes. Finally, her lover was down to her own underwear and tank top, and Willow pulled her body gently up to pull the covers down, and getting into the bed, she pulled the covers over their bodies. Once they were settled under the blankets, she kissed Buffy's temples, spooning her from behind, and this caused the blonde to relax, as though she knew even in sleep that she was safe in her arms.

When Willow buried her head into the crux of Buffy's neck, she felt the blonde stir in her arms. Yawning, she kissed the nape of her neck, and she felt her lover moan in approval, and that's when she recognized that Buffy was awake. They hadn't even been snuggled together for ten minutes, and already she had woken. Part of Willow didn't mind because she would get to talk to her girlfriend but the other part wanted her to get some rest, knowing that she probably had a long day while she was on the plane. When she'd called from her flight, Buffy's phone had been off, and this would be the first time in over ten hours she'd get to talk to her.

"Hey…" Buffy stirred a little, moving her body to let Willow know she was awake, and also pushing their bodies further together.

"Hey…" Willow kissed her neck again, and started playing with the blonde locks.

"When did you get here?" Buffy took a deep breath to clear her head from her tiredness. It had been a trying day, and now Willow was with her, so everything was perfect.

"Obviously…" Buffy wrapped her arm around the one Willow had around her abdomen, and started running her hand softly against the soft skin there. Feeling the goose bumps and soft hairs from the redhead's arm stand on end, she finally let herself relax completely with her lover. 'Will…if I could only find the words…'

"When did you fall asleep?" Willow just continued playing with the blonde's hair, gently sifting the locks through her thin fingers.

"I'm not sure. I was just waiting for you; I guess I just dozed…" Buffy turned her head to take a look at Willow for the first time since all this fiasco started, and the honest love and genuine devotion that she saw in her eyes made her eyes start to well up with tears. 'Oh Willow…my Will…' "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." Willow let her fingers drift one last time through the silky strands before gently wiping her lover's quiet tears with the back of her hand. Not once had Buffy stopped her caresses on her arm, and the redhead could already feel that sexual frustration and tension coming from them in waves. They needed this, so she leaned in, softly hugging their lips together in a long overdue embrace, keeping hold of her, and only parting her mouth partially, and moving her mouth slowly. It wasn't about passion at that moment; it wasn't about pure lust and need. It was about love, and the tenderness that is sometimes needed to go about daily life, and when Buffy turned more towards Willow, it wasn't long until the two fell into a familiar pattern of quiet, slow, gentle lovemaking that eased each other's minds, and reassured the other that everything would be okay.

When both girls had released all the anger and frustration from their bodies, Willow hovered gently on top of Buffy, arms positioned like the Sphinx on both side of her head to hold her weight. They just stared at each other as their breathing started to return to normal, and their sweat-formed bodies stuck together in a sticky mess. Green eyes looked down into hazel, and it was as though the two were having a private conversation that even the walls couldn't hear. The just lie there, bodies pressed together, hearts in synch, breathing slowly calming, just gazing directly. It was one of those completely open moments, where their souls were bared to the other, and Buffy finally found the use of her limbs return, so she tucked Willow's stringing down, auburn locks behind her ears, holding her hands gently there, rubbing soft circles behind her ears to help calm her.

"I love you…" Buffy's voice was barely a whisper but they were so close to the other that Willow could hear, even if words weren't needed at the moment. She would've heard her no matter if she had said it aloud or not. They just kept staring at each other, and Buffy kept caressing her until Willow finally gained use of her body again.

"I love you…" With a deep breath, she leaned her head the few inches, and embraced their lips softly again. When the loving embrace ended, she kept her face there, her lips brushed against Buffy's as she moved her own hands to caress the blonde's head gently. "Soo much…"

"Oh, Will…" She moved her arms completely around Willow's shoulders, pulling her down completely on her body, causing Willow to bury her face in her neck, kissing it quietly, barely brushing the skin. "I'm so glad you're here…"

"Me, too…" Even though her voice was mumbled, the vibrations from her voice against her neck caused Buffy to shiver again, only not from anticipation, more from pure love, and knowing that it was over finally. Willow just stayed there, letting Buffy guide her to what she needed from her at the moment. When the blonde finally released her tight grip on the redhead's body, they shifted to more comfortable positions, bodies still pressed together but relaxed completely. "How are you? Did the police say anything?"

"Yeah, turns out that it's happened before with her, only in different places. There was never enough evidence to charge her until now. When I got back to the hotel, I saw her being escorted out by the police with her bags and all." Willow shifted her legs around a little, wrapping them with the blonde's. Buffy just sighed, and smiled, rubbing her top leg that was trapped between her lovers', causing friction between her still throbbing center. "I need to call Robin again in the morning. I'm supposed to fly to Boston tomorrow. I guess that means there's an extra seat beside mine that'll go empty…" Will could hear the hopeful smile in the blonde's voice, and kissed the top of her shoulder, hugging her even tighter against her body from behind her.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Buffy again wrapped her own arm around Willow's, rubbing gently with her hand.

"Well…there is that thing you do with your back…you have that going for you…" Buffy could feel Willow smile into her neck. "Then, there's that highly known fact that I happen to love you…that helps your cause…"

"There's that…" Willow sucked softly at Buffy's pulse point, and felt the vibration from the moan more than heard it.

"I happen to have it on authority that there's a little ceremony in March that agrees with me…" She moved her slow, wet kisses from her neck to her shoulder.

"That reminds me…I found the perfect dresses on Fifth Avenue the other day…I thought that maybe before the flight, we could go take a look…"

"Of course…what time is the flight?" She kissed her way back up the blonde's neck, and started nipping behind her ear slowly.

"Two…we'll be in Boston by the evening. We can get some of that famous Boston Crème Pie that Faith's always going on about…"

"What time is it?" Willow turned her head to glance at the clock. After focusing on the red digits, she saw that it was 2 in the morning already.

"2…we should get some sleep…" She moved her head back around to bury into Buffy's neck again, resuming her gentle, comforting kisses.

"Don't wanna…" Willow smiled against Buffy's shoulder, hearing the sleepy whine.

"Too bad…I'm cutting you off…" She moved her head back to lay it on the pillow beside the pool of blonde locks, moving them so that she wouldn't be smothered in her sleep.

"No…" Her whines were getting softer, and her arm rubbing had finally stopped. "More Willow kisses…"

"In the morning, I promise…" Willow kissed her one last time on the nape of her neck before feeling Buffy stop protesting, and her breathing starting to calmly labor. Smiling herself, she relaxed with her girlfriend in her arms, glad to be exactly where she was, and knowing that if she died in that moment, she would die more than happy.

Walking into the shop on Fifth Avenue, Buffy pulled Willow quickly behind her. She brought her over to the place where the mannequin had a simple, mid-thigh length, white dress. Pulling their joined hands, she had the redhead feel how soft and gentle the material was, making it perfect for a beach wedding. It would add that extra wind blowing affect if there was a breeze next to the ocean that day. When she explained that, the only thing her lover could do was brightly smile at her enthusiasm. It was true, the dress would work perfectly, and if Buffy wanted that, then that's what they would have.

Finding an associate, Willow had the woman get two of the dresses in their sizes. When she came back out, she handed them the expensive silk garments, leading them to two separate dressing rooms. Buffy explained that they'd only need one, since they could help the other, and analyze the outfits. The associate agreed after raising her eyebrow at them. Walking away, she left them to it.

Once they were stripped, they helped each other into their dresses, and turned to face one another with appreciative grins. White wasn't Willow's best color but it still made her look beautiful nonetheless. 'Wow…she's so gorgeous…' Buffy turned Willow around, and wrapped her arms around her waist from behind, letting them get a glance of themselves together in the mirror.

"You look beyond beautiful, Will…almost angelic…" Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy's, and leaned back into the embrace. "Do you think this defeats the purpose of the not seeing the bride in her dress before the ceremony?"

"Well…since we're both the brides, I suppose that tradition crosses itself out completely…" Buffy just rocked their bodies from side to side in a slow dance of sorts.

"Me, too…can't wait to see you, that is…" Willow tilted her head back a little, and Buffy leaned forward to capture their lips together clumsily. Breaking apart, they both tilted their heads to the side, admiring the other in the mirror. "We should get these off, and pay for them."

"I know they're not the traditional wedding dress but when I saw them, it's the first thing that came to mind…how beautiful you'd be wearing this on the beach…" Buffy unzipped the hidden zipper on Willow's dress, and Willow turned around to do the same thing for her.

"Well…you don't look too shabby yourself, and it's not exactly like it's the most traditional wedding anyways. I'm more concerned about the marriage than the ceremony itself. It could be a complete disaster but as long as you're there, then it's more than perfect." They inched their ways out of the dresses carefully, and placed them back on the hangers.

"Aww…I think you're taking lessons in sappiness…" She leaned forward to kiss Willow before pulling her jeans up her legs.

"Well, I learned from the best…" Willow pulled her shirt on once she had the clasp of her bra fixed. Once she had her jeans buttoned, she moved over to Buffy, and cupped her breasts from behind, startling the blonde.

"Will!! What are you doing?!" Her frustrated whisper let the redhead know she had provoked her but that she was also excited, and didn't want to get caught.

"Hmm…I'm just checking for something…" Rolling her palms around the blonde's firm breasts, Willow waited until she felt her nipples harden. "Found it!"

"Will…" Buffy's voice was oozing with sexual undertones, and the huskiness behind the one word sent shivers down Willow's body. That's all she needed to continue in the small room. She moved one leg between Buffy's, spreading them further apart with no protest. Kissing, sucking, and nipping all along her neck and collarbone, she could hear the blonde trying to stifle her moans quietly as she started to press her thigh into her jean clad center, causing friction. "Mmm…Will…."

"Buffy…I need you to plant your feet firmly, and hold yourself up against the mirror with your hands. Can you do that for me?" The blonde nodded, biting her bottom lip at the friction Willow's rocking was causing, and the heightened arousal at the risk of being caught. This is something that in an entire year, they hadn't done. Buffy knew about Willow's seemingly endless sexcapades with Fred, and even Kennedy to some degree, but she would always get frightened before things would go too far in public places. Now, she didn't care…she knew that the risk of being caught made Willow crazy, and she could never give that to her. Here, in this heated moment, all inhibitions were thrown out, and she was going to let Willow have her in a way that hadn't yet. It was long overdue, and now seemed like a better time than any. 'At least we'll never forget how we got our wedding dresses…'

"Buffy?" Shaking her head from her thoughts, she moved forward a little towards the mirror, planting her palms over the picture of them, leaving room so that she could watch Willow's expressions. When she was comfortable and set, Willow moved her thigh a little harder and further into her center, making it harder to suppress her moan but keeping her lower lip between her teeth for control. She watched in the mirror, as one of the redhead's hands continued playing with her breast, while the other was drawing slow, seductive circles down her bare stomach. Willow pressed her own heated body against Buffy's as she unbuttoned the jeans, and torturously moved her hand underneath her panties. When she felt more than heard the blonde gasp from the first touch, she again went to teasing her, wanting to make her suffer and beg for it more. She loved having this control over her lover, and she realized that it was the first time they were having sex in a public place. Buffy was giving herself completely to her, and that made her even more determined to please the blonde.

"Will…" Buffy wiggled her legs further apart, as she tried pressing further into Willow's warm, teasing hand. It wasn't long before she turned her eyes up to look from her panting motions to lock gazes with Willow in the mirror, who was watching her face intently, studying the emotions that played across her face as she was brought closer and closer to orgasm. Buffy started rocking in rhythm to her lover's playful fingers, her entire body filling with an explosion that threatened to drop any moment. As their bodies rocked together, she dropped her gaze as the pleasure racked through every muscle, nerve, and bone in her body.

"Buffy, look up…I want to watch you…" Immediately, she looked up into the passion-filled eyes of Willow's, and a few moments later, she exploded in ways that she'd never done before, dropping to the floor on weak legs, as Will held her steady on the way down, her hand drawing out the pleasure, and the shudders making it one of the best orgasms she'd ever had. 'If I'd known this was…man…we would've been doing this a long time ago…I've been missing out…no wonder Willow likes this…' Once her breathing returned, she turned and kissed Willow hard against the lips, as the redhead removed her wet, sticky hand from her panties, using her willpower to keep from caressing Buffy's face.

Tasting the faint metallic remnants of blood, she realized that her lover bit her lip too hard. Moving breathlessly from the kiss, she pulled a tissue from her purse with her dry hand, wiping the slight traces of blood from Buffy's face, and then cleaning her hand. After washing it with sanitizer, she helped the blonde stand, and finish getting dressed, their bodies still humming from the activities.

After paying for their dresses, they headed towards the hotel, grabbed their bags, hailed a taxi, and headed towards the airport. By evening, they would be in Boston, and the blonde wouldn't be due to work until the next day. They could celebrate their anniversary finally, and so far, the celebration had started off great.

When they entered their hotel room, they were both exhausted. The plane was delayed due to inclement weather, and they had arrived later than usual. Finding an all night pizzeria, they made their way in for some dinner. It wasn't the most romantic celebration in the world but they didn't seem to mind as they played footsie under the table, and shared a pitcher of beer. Willow had said that if they couldn't have champagne, then they would just have to make due what was available. The spontaneity of it all was made it special. After finishing their dinner, they moved along hand in hand, body to body, walking down the street a little until they reached an ice cream parlor. Sharing a strawberry shake (Buffy's idea, since it was a single strawberry that introduced them in the first place), they sipped together from two straws in the cup, giggling at the clichéd vision they were producing. After finishing their shake, they just talked about everything and nothing on the walk back to the hotel.

In desperate need of a shower, Willow started taking her clothes off as soon as Buffy shut the door. The blonde arched an eyebrow at the immediate strip show but just watched the redhead in admiration. 'That body…' When Willow was down to her undergarments, she saw that Buffy had been watching her, and this caused her to smirk seductively, removing her bra in a teasing manner, throwing it at the flustered blonde. When Buffy pulled the bra from her shoulder, she turned her gaze back to her lover, who was turned around, playfully taking her time pulling herself from her underwear. Every nerve in the blonde's body was screaming to touch the redhead, and be touched by her in return, and it took her a moment to register that there was water running in the bathroom, and that Will was nowhere in sight anymore.

Snapping out of her daze, Buffy quickly tore her clothes off in a clumsy fashion, and just tossed them unceremoniously wherever they landed. Moving towards the bathroom once she was bare, she wasn't sure if her goose bumps were from the sudden cold, or from the anticipation of what she would find behind the unopened door. Pulling back the shower curtain, she noticed a very wet Willow standing there, tapping her foot slightly, her arms crossed in mock admonishment.

"What took you so long?" Buffy edged into the shower, and wrapped her dry arms around the redhead's dripping body.

"Well…that little strip tease kinda put me in a trance…" Willow turned them around carefully, placing Buffy under the pressured water, getting her as equally wet. Crashing their lips together simultaneously, their hands went about soaping up the other's body without breaking their lips apart. It was quite the adventure, and some patches of skin were cleaner than others, while the blonde mirrored their earlier dressing room fiasco for her lover, having their positions reversed, and exchanging a mirror for warm spraying water against their naked skin.

"Mmmm…Buffy…" When Willow yelped her release, Buffy turned with her in her arms, turning the water off, and pulling the curtain back. The steam from the shower had fogged the mirrors, and was rolling out into the main part of the room. Drying them both off, Buffy pulled their exhausted bodies to bed without worrying about clothes. Grabbing a comb, she combed her hair, and then worked out the kinks in Willow's, tossing the comb on the nightstand as she turned off the lights. Limbs tangled together under the covers, it didn't take long for either girl to fall into a restful sleep in the other's arms.

Monday rolled around, and Willow had to return back to Sunnydale. After hours of crying, Buffy finally let her lover board her flight. She would see her in LA next Monday, and the extremely horrible month away would be over finally, and she'd be back at home with her family again. Waving with tears in her eyes, already missing the warmth of the redhead's embrace, she watched her flight take off from the window. Robin stood beside her, and urged her back to the hotel. After the whole Lilah thing, he had been given leave to take a break from publishing to help finish her tour management. She was going to miss Thanksgiving, her favorite holiday, but she did get to spend more time with Willow than first expected when she'd left for the tour.

All in all, it wasn't the worst month in the world but even with all the Willowy goodness, there was still the whole rape thing lingering over her head. She hadn't really thought about it since her lover had arrived but now that she was gone…now that she was gone it was hard to forget. Clutching tightly to her lover's tan jacket, she moved back to her hotel room in the cold breeze that was Cleveland. Yesterday, the book signing and interview had gone well but the city was awkward, reminding her of Sunnydale somewhat; she just couldn't place it exactly. Something about the big city's vibe mirrored that of her home.

Typing on her laptop that Willow had given her before leaving on the tour, she started working on the second book in the series, intent on finishing at least a rough chapter or two before returning to California. She had more ideas written down in her leather journal than ever before, mostly due to her muse: Willow, the one that gave her everything, and the one who was mostly responsible for the first book in the first place. Robin told her that a company had bought the rights to the movie version of the novel, and that it was currently being scripted. Excited that it was such a huge splash, Buffy wanted to get to work right away on the second installment in her series. It was like life to her. She could feel herself as the slayer, fighting all the vampires, and just trying to live her life with her friends, and her redheaded girlfriend. So far, she decided to make the vampire lose his soul, and wreak havoc on the small community, since he had been one of the most brutal vampires before getting his soul from a gypsy curse. She had the basic idea, and knew what she wanted to convey in the last moments but wasn't sure of all the in betweens.

After writing more than twenty pages of a chapter, her cell phone started to ring, and recognized that she'd been working practically nonstop for over six hours. Glad that she'd been able to escape from the reality into her fictional alternate reality without interruption, Buffy beamed when the display showed that it was Willow. Flipping the phone open, she pushed the disk into the drive, and saved her work.

"Hey, Buff! I just got off the plane, wanted to call, and see what you were doing. I miss you already." Buffy could hear the planes taking off around the small airport.

"I miss you, too! I've just been writing for a couple hours. I already have a chapter practically under my belt. I'm hoping to have a couple completely finished before I get home next week. How was your flight?" She moved her laptop, and shut it down, placing it on the nightstand, waiting for it to completely shut down.

"It was okay. No big delays, or anything. There was one scare somewhere over Nevada with turbulence. Other than that, I'm still in tact." Buffy smiled at Will's easy going demeanor, and sighed, wishing that she could be there with her, or that she didn't have to leave. It was going to be the longest week of her life.

"You're so cute." Buffy could practically hear the blush emanating from her lover, and closed her laptop, placing it back into the backpack that Willow gave her to use as a carryon bag on the plane.

"I know but you have to work, too, you know. You have a label to run, missy. As much as I thoroughly enjoy your company, and would rather you be with me, I know you need to be there. Poor Xander's probably about to shoot a load…" She thought about what she said when Willow didn't reply, and realized how that sounded. "Oh! Oh, um…well, that is…not shoot a load as in a sexual manner but more…more like in a stressful situation type of way. That's to say that he's about to go crazy with not having you there…because of the work." She could hear Willow giggling on the other end, and scrunched her eyebrows in confusion at what was so funny but smiling because her lover's laugh was contagious. "What's so funny, Wills?"

"You were babbling. I was wondering how long it would take before you caught it from me." Buffy understood, and giggled herself. There were many things that were contagious about her girlfriend, and she didn't mind catching anything from her.

"Well, you didn't used to use body wash, instead opting for gentle soaps. I have to say that your skin is much, much softer now. And, there's also the fact that you've started drinking decaf mochas and tea instead. You haven't drank anything with caffeine since you've moved in to the house." Buffy went into the bathroom, pulling out her toiletry bag.

"You've learned how to cook." Buffy put the toothpaste on her brush, and turned on the sink to a low stream.

"You've learned how to do laundry correctly." She started brushing her teeth clean, waiting for the argument she knew was coming.

"Hey! I did it right before!" She finished brushing her teeth before commenting. Spitting out the minty paste, she rinsed her mouth.

"Will, you never separated delicates from your other clothes. You just threw them in with your colors and whites. Honestly, you never separated your darks and lights, either. You would throw them all together, too." She rinsed her toothbrush off before laying it down on the counter in its protective case.

"Well…nobody ever taught me how to do it properly." Buffy changed the tap over to a little warmer water, grabbed a washcloth, and foamed up her face wash in her hand before lathering it onto her face.

"Tara never taught you? I thought you said she was Miss Domestic?" When the other line was silent, she knew the redhead was thinking about her deceased lover, and she ached for the place the former blonde left in her Willow's heart when she died. It took the first few months to realize that there wasn't any comparison, and that the redhead was solely focused on her but from the stories of the gentle woman, she couldn't help feeling like she couldn't take her place. It wasn't until the first trip to the cabin that Willow had completely taken all of those fears away from her, making her understand that she was the only woman she wanted, even if there would be a small part of her heart reserved for her former lover because she had been a major part of her life, and Buffy understood that it wasn't a competition. She had Willow's undivided attention, and that's when the relationship deepened, and nothing held them back from the other anymore. When she had managed to get the redhead to talk about Tara with her that weekend, there was an unspoken understanding there, and she could practically feel her girlfriend let go of a part of her life that had her weighed down for years, and she was the reason for that release.

"No, no…she always did our laundry. I would just help her fold. I liked the spin cycle on the washer…" The sensual tone made Buffy's eyes widen in shock.

"Will!!" She rinsed the cleanser from her face, and put lotion on her skin before taking off her blouse, leaving her in a white tank top. She heard her girlfriend chuckle on the other side, and she longed to be by her side, feeling cold from the lack of warmth emanating from her soft body pressed against hers.

"Where are you now?" She pulled her dress pants off, and decided to sleep in her bikini underwear. They were her favorites. Willow had given them to her as a joke but the soft blue cotton underwear had been comfortable, and it made the redhead blush when she found them on her. On the front, there was the superman logo, and the back had supergirl printed on it. She had bought them for her the day after her book was released, and the blush was usually because Willow would remember the sexy way that she had modeled them the next night after doing laundry. She loved when the redhead blushed from her provocations; it meant that she could still make her squirm in a good way.

"I'm just walking in the door." It was confirmed when she heard Bubbles barking, and Willow talking like a baby to the cocker spaniel.

"Well, get used to it because you have a lifetime of hearing it everyday at least twice." She pulled the covers back, and crawled into bed, willing the redhead to magickally appear in the cold spot beside her. They continued talking as Willow unpacked, and got herself ready for bed. When both girls could hardly keep their eyes opened, they decided to call it a night, and cuddling under the covers by themselves on opposite ends of the country, they wrapped their bodies around the other pillow, wishing that it was the other.

"Dawnie!" Willow and Bubbles rushed to the door, finding the youngest Summers in the foyer with a duffle bag, and a man. The redhead stopped to examine him but Bubbles rushed to Dawn, wagging her nub as the brunette knelt down to greet her dog. He towered over Dawn, and his short brown locks were well kept, along with his clothing. The man looked about the same age as Willow, if not older, and the redhead scrunched her eyebrows, trying to guess who he was but coming up blank. She wasn't told that the brunette was bringing anybody with her but when she glanced at the military bag that was slung over his shoulders, it was obvious there'd be another guest in the house for the holiday break.

"Willow!" Dawn rushed forward, and crashed into the redhead, wrapping her in a tight embrace, which was returned once the initial shock from being attacked was over. Backing away, both girls were nothing but smiles, and they both forgot about the curious man in the foyer. When he cleared his throat, Dawn turned around, smiled at him, and motioned him towards them. Putting down his bag, he shook Willow's hand.

"Hi. You must be Dawn's sister. I'm Adam." Willow arched an eyebrow, and released his strong grip. His posture and mannerisms screamed military training.

"Actually, Adam, this is Willow, my sister's girlfriend. She lives here, too." He nodded his head slightly in understanding, and just continued to glance around the house, taking it all in for the first time. "Remember? I told you that Buffy was away on her book tour this month. She won't be back until Monday. You won't get to meet her this time."

"This time?" Willow watched Dawn caress his muscled arm, and finally figured out who the man was: her boyfriend. "Um…well, that is…with the house, and Buffy not here, I'm not so sure that this is a good idea…she might want to meet him."

"And she'll get to…don't worry, Willow. He didn't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving, so I brought him with me. I didn't think it'd be a problem. He can sleep in my room with me." Willow shook her head clear, and her eyes widened.

"No! We have a guest room. I don't think Buffy'd like it very much if you stayed in the same room." Dawn rolled her eyes, seeing that the blonde had sway over her girlfriend when it came to dealing with her.

"I'm 22, Willow. I'm not a little kid anymore." Willow just tilted her head to the side to tell her there was no argument but Dawn wasn't giving up that easily. "You and Buffy slept in the same room, and you'd only been dating a month!! We've been dating for six!!"

"That was different. We were older, and nothing happened that first night!" Dawn rolled her eyes again, and snickered in disbelief, knowing that her older sister surely couldn't hold it in around the redhead. She didn't ask too many questions about their sex life, and was all the happier that they didn't offer any details. "Plus, I don't run the house! Buffy does."

"Well, you'll be married in March. Don't you think it's time that you started?" Adam just stood behind them, taking in their expressions and tones with a curiosity, as though examining everything they did in a scientific manner.

"Dawn…this has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with you and Buffy. I've only lived here for three months but I know she wouldn't want you to entertain your boyfriend at night while she was gone. At least…at least wait until she's met him. I'm not trying to say no. I'm just saying that we should think this through…you know how she is when it comes to you." Willow was speaking in calming tones, hoping to ease the tension.

"Yeah…overprotective." Dawn crossed her arms, and avoided looking at the redhead, knowing that she had already lost the battle due to logic.

"More like over loving. She loves you, and just wants to see you happy. Humor me, please? Just do this for me, and if there's a next time, then we'll let Buffy decide. For now, let's just do it this way." Dawn uncrossed her arms in frustration, and Willow smiled, pulling her into a tight embrace again, happy to see her soon to be sister-in-law.

"Okay but I don't have to like it." They parted, and Dawn smiled again, also happy to be spending time with her newfound family, even if her sister wasn't there. It was the white elephant in the room, and neither was willing to talk about it just yet, so Dawn ushered Adam up the stairs, and settled him in to the guest room before taking him to her room and shutting the door.

Willow shook her head in amusement, glad that she wouldn't have to do any unnecessary explaining to her girlfriend about why her baby sister was sharing a bed with a man of about their age. 'Maybe he just looks old for his age…' She shrugged, and went back into the kitchen, making preparations for the huge feast the next day. The entire afternoon, she'd done nothing but cry over missing Buffy. They wouldn't get to share their first Thanksgiving together, and nobody seemed to want to talk about it, instead opting to walk on eggshells around the others.

Every night, the two had talked on the phone but neither would mention the looming holiday approaching, acting like it would be a normal day they would be apart from each other, as though if talking about it somehow made it not true. The hardest part was the fact that Thanksgiving was Buffy's favorite holiday, and they'd been talking about the celebration for months. There was no way that the blonde could get out of her benefit thing, and they couldn't cheat like they had all month, when Willow would take off work. Instead, they had decided to eat their dinner at the same time, and the redhead would put her on speakerphone, as though she was really there at the table with them, exchanging in the conversations during the meal, getting to say her thanks with the others, and crying just like Willow knew she would be doing. They were both glad that they had switched to the family share plan on their cell phones, or otherwise their bills would be outrageous with the number of minutes they spent on the phone with the other all month.

As Willow put the turkey in water to thaw, she couldn't stop the tears at missing Buffy. She didn't even hear Dawn walk in, and watch her with compassionate eyes from the doorway. The brunette knew all too well the feelings going through her but imagined that it was worse for the redhead because of the intimate connection. She was glad that her sister had found somebody as exceptionally amazing as her girlfriend. Dawn couldn't imagine seeing another couple so much in love; they were just tuned into each other completely, like they fit perfectly…as though they were molded that way, made for each other.

"You need any help?" Willow wiped her cold, wet hands on the towel at her hip, and attempted to hide her tears before turning around to acknowledge her.

"I'm good right now. I was just making some basic things, and thawing out the turkey. Are you all settled in, ready to start your long weekend away from school?"

"More than you know…thank every deity that ever existed that it's my last semester." Willow genuinely smiled at her, causing Dawn to smile back with a giggle. "I've been in school way too long."

"I thought you liked school. Buffy was afraid that you were going to make a career out of going." They both shared a warm giggle, finally relaxing a little.

"Oh, I do but there's only so much a person can take. I need more than a week break; it's time to stop stalling, and start making money."

"Buffy will be glad to hear that." The relaxed manner was tense again after the announcement of the B word. "I'm glad that you're growing up, Dawn. I just wish I could have been there to watch it happen. It's like coming in at the end of a movie…all the stuff leading up to it are missing, and you just get the end result. Sometimes that's good but not in this case."

"I'm glad you're in our life, Willow. You have no idea how bad things were before you came." Willow took the towel that was tucked into her jeans waist, and laid it tidily on the counter.

"I'm sure things weren't that bad. I mean, I know you guys didn't exactly get along the best but that's normal between sisters." She started playing with the strings at the end of the towel, picking at them between her fingers, hoping that she wouldn't start crying again.

"No. I mean, sure, part of it was because we were sisters but not all of it. After mom died, it was like she became a whole different person, as though she turned all emotions off, and just was going through the motions. It sounds crazy but it was hard to deal with her on a daily basis, and Riley wasn't helping matters any. At least he left before things became worse. Buffy would be out all hours of the night, sometimes not getting home until I left for classes the next day. She wouldn't talk about them but that's when she and Spike became really heavy, and she'd come home with bruises, and reeking of his cigarettes and the death smell. I don't think she knows that I know about them having sex in cemeteries. It used to happen even when she was with Riley, and he was no more aware of it than she was letting on." Seeing that Willow paled a little, she recognized the fear that her sister said the redhead had about people leaving her. "She won't leave you, or do anything like that, though. She knew you for one night…that first night that I caught you two kissing on the porch." Dawn saw Willow smile, and arch an eyebrow.

"How?" Willow scrunched her eyes in confusion but amused at the new bit of information, and especially reliving that amazing first kiss. 'The best first kiss ever…'

"Both of you were redder than a baboon's ass, and not only were your lips swollen but you were breathing pretty heavy." They giggled, relaxing again, and Willow stopped picking at the loose tendrils of the dishtowel.

"Well, it was a great kiss." Dawn arched an eyebrow. "Okay…it was amazing. Your sister is an extremely good kisser, can't blame me."

"Eww…so didn't need to hear that." She raised her hands, silently asking Willow not to go any further with the details but the redhead smiled, and decided to play with her a little bit.

"Well, that's not the only thing she's great at…" Willow had a far away look in her eyes, watching Dawn's wide-eyed reaction, and started giggling, glad to have succeeded. "She's really good at massages. You wouldn't think it but she has powerful hands."

"Willow! Please…so not needing a description of my sister's sex life here…" Dawn covered her ears but released them with a giggle when she heard the redhead genuinely laugh. It was the exact laugh that Buffy thought was contagious, and she could understand why. There was something truly remarkable about this woman, and she was more than excited to have her join her family. "Honestly, Will. That first night after you left, it was like she was completely changed. You hadn't known each other for that long but you had managed to melt all the ice that she was buried in, and for that alone, the conversation afterwards, she was hooked on you. She was already addicted to you, and I don't think she ever plans on attending a meeting. People around her always seemed to die. Our cousin Celia when they were little…" Willow's face became sad, knowing the stories all too well that Dawn was recounting. Again, the need to hold her lover became her prime concern, wanting to make all of those bad memories disappear. "Mom was the hardest…some friends of hers from college were killed in a car wreck, and one of her roommates was raped and beaten to death."

"I'm sorry she had to go through all that…I'm sorry that you had to go through that. I know what it feels like…to lose a parent, even if my dad and I weren't as close as you and your mom. It's still hard." Dawn fought back the tears, seeing Willow's threatening to spill as well, the redhead's hand placed gently on her knee in a comforting gesture.

"Well…it still hurts sometimes but at least I grieved. Buffy didn't even do that; I don't she ever really has completely. She always said that death was her gift. That anything she came across would eventually die; it scared her for the longest time, and she just wouldn't open up to anybody. Then, here you come along…and she completely ignores that fear…already in love with you, in my opinion. Honestly, I think that you're her gift from the world…like she had to experience all of this bad stuff before meeting you. It's like it was predestined to happen, or something."

"Like a prophecy?" Willow's tears were falling, and Dawn wasn't faring much better but the heavy conversation was heartfelt, and that made them both smile through their happy tears.

"Yeah…something like that. Maybe Buffy will write about it." They wiped at their tears, and stood from the counter stools.

"Willow…I just want you to know that you're already my family. Even if you guys never did the marriage thing, I'd still think so." Willow smiled again, hoping that her tears would stay back this time. Luckily they did, and she hugged the girl loosely. Pulling out some items from the refrigerator, Dawn sat back down on the stool. "What are you making?"

"Dawn cookies." The brunette's eyes lit up, and she sat up straighter. "I found your mom's recipe in her cookbook the other day. I know it'll miss that special mom ingredient but I hope you still like them."

"I don't think that'll be much of a problem. Anything you make always turns out great, especially my sister" Willow placed a glass bowl, and whisk on the counter beside the ingredients.

"Aww…I see sappiness runs in the family." Finally, she placed a cookie sheet on the counter, and greased it. Dawn went about measuring the needed ingredients. "So…Dawnie, tell me about Adam. He seems…nice."

"Oh, he is. What do you want to know?" She cracked the eggs into the glass bowl, and Willow poured the milk and oil in after that.

"Everything. If he's staying in the house, then I should find out something." After adding the other base ingredients, and poured in the extra chocolate chips and walnuts, Willow began mixing the bowl with the ease of an experienced chef, or baker.

"He goes to school with me. He's a graduate student, actually, in biological science. He's going to get a job researching for the government; I'm not sure what that entails exactly but it sounds interesting." After the batter was mixed completely, Willow sat the bowl down on the counter, and both girls went about spooning the dough onto the cookie sheet. "He is older than me."

"He's only 28. That's only a year older than you and Buffy." Willow picked up the tray, and placed it in the ready oven.

"Does Buffy know this?" She washed the dough from her hands at the kitchen sink, and waited for Dawn's reply, already knowing the answer was a big negative.

"Not exactly…I was going to tell her, though. You don't think she'll be mad, do you?" Willow wiped her hands dry on her hip cloth, and just leaned against the other side of the counter, facing Dawn.

"I think she'll be worried, concerned, and a little overprotective, as you say…but if you're truly happy, then I don't think she'll be blowing a casket."

"I'm just worried about her reaction. I haven't really talked much about him because it's still new to me but I really like him, and he really likes me, and we get closer by the day. He likes to examine my body when we…" Willow jumped from her position, and stopped Dawn telling that particular story, figuring that it only led to hot, naked bodies pressed together, and she wasn't ready for that mental picture.

"Okay! And on that note…" She placed the towel back down on the counter, and set the timer for the cookies, and the two girls left to find Adam, who was watching television in the living room. It was going to be an interesting Thanksgiving, and there was only one person lacking that would make it perfect.

Xander was changing Jesse's diaper in the bathroom, while Anya helped Dawn and Adam make the table. Willow was in the kitchen with Faith, who was carving the turkey because she seemed to be particularly skilled with a knife. The redhead was talking to Buffy on the phone, sharing the many antics that had already gone on that day, while bringing all the ready dishes to the table. Faith was the first to arrive at 6 in the morning, not having been able to sleep that well, and Willow answered the door in a tank top and pajama pants, coffee mug in hand. She had ushered the brunette in, and made her a cup of coffee before they went into the living room to watch some of the Thanksgiving specials. When the morning news came on, Buffy was on it, and that made the redhead turn up the volume. It was about Lilah's conviction; the case was closed quickly without question, and the details were lacking, other than the fact that she'd 'drugged and raped best-selling author, Buffy Summers, who had alerted New York police in time to find traces of the drug still in her system.' The rest of the brief story mentioned how the amount of drug content in her would have killed the blonde, and she was lucky to have survived. Then, it gave a quick tab at the success of her, showing a screen capture of the two of them on Oprah holding hands, and giggling with the host. The reporter stated who she was, 'her girlfriend, the well-respected, successful owner of Watchers Records, Willow Rosenberg was unavailable for comment.' When she had received the calls the day before, she refused to give any information. It wasn't her place, and she didn't want to make a bigger deal out of it, and upset her girlfriend, who wasn't commenting, either.

The rest of the early morning was spent in idle chatter, the two friends glad to be with one another to celebrate. Willow knew that Faith wasn't one for family gatherings before they had met but she had softened her up to the idea, and she was now there at every get together. Finishing another cup of coffee, Dawn trotted lazily down the stairs with a wide-awake, military prompt Adam following behind her. She didn't want to miss the parade, and it took a lot of convincing from her curious boyfriend to get her out of bed.

When noon rolled around, Xander and Anya had baby Jesse in tow, and the baby was crawling around the house with just as much curiosity as Adam. It was amusing to watch Adam study the movements and expressions coming from the little girl, and even Willow had to admit he was an interesting character. She just didn't know him well enough to form an opinion one way or the other yet. After eating a light lunch from the many cold side items already prepared the night before, the gang had gathered around the television, watching more specials, and chatting idly, while waiting for the big dinner to arrive. Xander, especially, looked eager to get an oversized portion of grub in his tummy.

Willow had talked to Buffy three times already that day, and now, as they were sitting down to eat, she tried to act more excited than she was, knowing that her lover's absence was the missing ingredient to the meal. After some private comments, Willow blushed, more than ready for her girlfriend to return home in a speedily fashion. She had to fan herself to cool off, in case Faith noticed because she didn't want to deal with embarrassment from the brunette's crude sexual comments. When everyone was settled at the dinner table, Willow put Buffy on speakerphone, and they all greeted her.

"Hey guys! I miss you all! I'll get to see you next week, though. How's Jesse doing? Willow said she was crawling now." Anya, always ready to talk about her baby, and showcase her pride and joy, lit up at the sound of her baby's name. Only three things ever got her excited: Xander, Jesse, and money.

"She is, Buffy. She's grown so much this month, so hurry up and get home, so that you can give her many presents, and spoil her like an aunt." Buffy giggled, and everyone else did, too. Willow beamed at Anya's 'aunt' comment because it hadn't hit her until that point that Xander's wife truly saw the relationship as such. It warmed her heart just a little more.

"Well, I can't wait to see her. I hear she keeps Xander busy, too." Xander, currently feeding the baby, wiped the mushy food from his sleeve, and turned towards the phone, as though she were really there in the flesh.

"But without complaint." Xander's smile again caused Willow's heart to warm. She'd never seen her life-long friend so happy in his life, and she could relate.

"What about Faith? I hear that the album's finished, and due to release next month." Faith just leaned back in her chair a little, trying not to show too much excitement, or much emotion at all.

"Yeah, B. It comes out before Christmas." Even with Faith's attempt at not caring, she could see the slight traces of a smirk behind her big, brown eyes, and once again, her heart warmed a little more.

"And what's this I hear about your boyfriend being there, Dawn?" The mock admonishment in her tone wasn't lost on her younger sister, and the brunette eased up a little, looking towards the phone the way she would if Buffy were actually there: with apology and happiness.

"Yeah, Adam. He came in with me because he didn't have a place to go, and I wouldn't let him spend Thanksgiving alone. If there's anything you've taught me, it's that today was the day to spend with the ones you love…even if they aren't here physically…" Everyone's expressions turned sympathetic at the missing blonde. Her absence was greatly noticed, and every person in the room (barring Adam, who hadn't really met her) wished that she wasn't halfway across the country, some more than others.

"Well, guys…I can practically hear Xander's stomach, so I say we get this party started with the thanks…what do you say?" Everyone agreed, and they started around the table. Adam made a brief comment, thankful for having a place to go for the holidays. Anya was thankful for Jesse, Anya, and capitalism. Xander was thankful that they could join together, and that he was blessed with such a wonderful family, in which he glanced at everybody at the table, although awkwardly at Adam, unsure of the older man. Faith was thankful that she finally had a place to call home, and that the band was doing really well. Of course, she had to add in that she was especially thankful for Willow, and the friendship she offered after the band was signed. Next, Dawn explained that she was thankful that Buffy hadn't managed to kill Bubbles yet, and the fact that she was with her family, even if her only immediate member was only on the phone. Everybody looked at Willow, who was trying to hold back tears from the comfortable way the day had been, especially since she expected nothing but tears on her part. Luckily, she was kept busy enough that the tears were only minimal.

"Wow…where do I even begin? This entire year has been amazing…I'm thankful for friends who stay by you through anything…even if you're knee deep in self pity…" She glanced at Xander and Anya, who smiled and nodded their quiet agreement. "I'm thankful for new arrivals, and the chance to spoil her with many presents like an aunt." Anya beamed at the reference to her earlier comment, and placed a loving hand on Xander's back, which caused him to smile at her. "I'm thankful for new friends, who come to your rescue without question, and stick by you, even when it hurts them sometimes…" She trailed off, staring compassionately at Faith, who couldn't hide her easy grin, nodding her own approval and agreement, knowing that the redhead was gentle about her feelings towards her. Willow looked at Adam briefly, and decided just to move on down the line to Dawn. "I'm thankful for family…knowing that in a bind, there'd be no question that they could be counted on, and even tell secrets about their sisters that would embarrass them…" Everyone laughed, and even though Buffy cried 'hey!' from the phone, her tone showed that she was giggling, too. Finally, the redhead's gaze turned towards the phone, and she took a deep breath, not sure where she could even begin to describe the things she was thankful for when it came to her blonde girlfriend. "Most of all, I'm thankful for love, and everything that's included in the package. The pain, the tears, the confusion, the hurt…but more importantly, the kisses, the hugs, the gazes, the wordless 'I love you s' that come from a simple glance. The bad times and the good times, the hard and the easy…the extremely passionate, and the oddly disturbing. I'm thankful for it all, and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world." By that time, she was crying, and of all people, Faith handed her a tissue. Xander had to be funny man, though.

"Will, it's just Thanksgiving; you can save your vows for the ceremony." The gang laughed, and even Willow couldn't help but chuckle at that. 'I did maybe go a little overboard there but it was too hard not to…how can you say you're thankful for the best thing that's ever happened in your life?'

"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to get all teary gal. I just want Buffy to be here right now." She turned towards the phone, and leaned down a little closer to make her voice clearer. The blonde hadn't said anything through the entire thanks tradition. "You hear that, baby? I wish you were here right now."

"Done." Everyone turned around, and looked at Anya with puzzled faces, and she just shrugged, and pointed at the figure that was crying in the foyer that nobody had noticed until that point. Nobody could believe their eyes; through the entire thing, nobody had heard the door open and shut, or the quiet sobs that were coming from the darkened foyer. They were all focused on the other members of the table, and it wasn't until Anya looked up briefly that Buffy put her finger to her lips to silence her before she announced her presence. The blonde wanted to hear what her girlfriend was thankful for, and she got more than she ever imagined. It did sound like wedding vows, and that had caused her heart to expand, giving her the image of the Grinch Christmas cartoon, where his heart kept growing. Every day with Willow, her heart grew more and more, and today was no different. Luckily, the benefit had ended early, and Robin had given her leave to head home from the book tour completely, as long as she showed up in LA that Sunday. That's when she hopped the earliest flight to Sunnydale, figuring that she'd be there by 3. Her plane had been delayed due to weather, and she had arrived 4 hours late but it was well worth it for the moment that she entered on; it was surreal, and almost too romantic filmy, and she couldn't hide her utter joy at seeing Willow's face light up in shock at seeing her standing there, her bag by her feet. She knew Anya wouldn't keep her presence a secret for too long, and she figured that somebody else would have noticed soon enough anyways, and alerted the others. Now, all she was focused on was her lover.

"Buffy?" Willow couldn't believe what she was seeing. Buffy, who was supposed to be in Detroit, was standing there, bags by her feet. Glancing back at the phone, she picked it up, and noticed that it had been disconnected right before Dawn's brief thanks. That meant that her girlfriend had been standing there throughout her entire spill. 'How come nobody noticed? How come I didn't notice?'

"Hi." It was a simple comment but there were so many things emanated from it. That's when Willow's shock finally wore off, and she rushed to her, kissing every inch of her face, and pulling her tightly against her body, afraid that it was all just a dream. "Will…oxygen…baby, need to breathe."

"Huh?" Buffy's face was getting red, all from the meshing of their bodies, Willow's adoring kisses, and the tight squeeze that was cutting off her air supply.

"Breathe…" Willow just kept her tight hold, and finally registered what her lover said. She released her tight grip, and just returned to kissing the blonde's face, every inch covered in her quick, loving pecks, causing Buffy to giggle from the care and emotion. Dawn was the next to stand up in an excited gesture, flailing her arms from excitement. She crashed the two girls into a hug, and that's when Xander stood up, doing the same, followed by his wife. Faith and Adam just sat there, looking at each other, and shrugging. Everybody let go of the blonde, and Willow just kept her arm tightly around her waist, causing Buffy to keep her own arm around the redhead's back in an embrace. "So, where's Bubbles? I'm surprised that she didn't alert everyone. I figured she'd be barking like crazy."

"Oh, she kept playing with Jesse, and was getting a little too sniffy. Jesse didn't mind at first, just giggling, probably from the cold nose and licks but she started to cry because Bubbles wouldn't leave her alone, so we put her in the basement," Dawn said, as she moved to sit back beside Adam, grasping his hand in hers, and moving closer to his body. Xander and Anya did the same; the love in the air was too hard to ignore. That left Faith alone again, and the brunette tried not to show her loneliness in the situation. It was hard to be the only single person in a group of couples. She hadn't planned on Dawn bringing her boyfriend, and she especially didn't expect Buffy to show up that night, so now she was left out of the loop, and it hurt even worse that the only person she'd ever loved was currently kissing her girlfriend with passion, no regard for anybody else. She tried not to show that it hurt but sometimes it did too much, and it was so hard to move on, and go back to her want, take, have life; not after knowing what actual love felt like. It was an addictive feeling, and she just couldn't shake it.

"So, guys…what's this I hear about a giant turkey?" Buffy noticed that Xander rubbed his hands together at her comment, and smiled warmly, more than happy that she would get to spend her favorite holiday with her family after all. She and Willow walked body to body, hand in hand back to the table. The redhead let Buffy have her seat, as she pulled another chair to the table closely beside her, practically no space between them. The rest of the meal went with easy conversation, and they even managed to get Adam to talk about himself. Buffy eyed him, deciding that she needed to have a conversation with her younger sister sometime during that weekend. She knew all too well the dangers of dating an older man. When the meal was over, everybody hung out a little more, gathering around in the living room as Dawn and Adam went about doing the dishes. When everybody left the house later that night, the two couples that were residing in the Summers house that weekend, only one not a true resident, went to get ready for bed. Buffy had argued that she hadn't gotten to know Adam yet, and that until she did, he would stay in the guest room. Dawn finally agreed, and she went to bed, leaving a blonde and redhead to finish getting ready for bed.

"Wow…I can't believe you're actually here." Willow rubbed Buffy's clothed stomach, and the blonde in turn ran her nimble fingers through auburn locks. "I mean…it's…wow…"

"Pretty much." Buffy smiled, and kissed her girlfriend as they lie in their bed, more than comfortable, and excited to be in the other's arms. It was something neither expected for another few days, and was a more than welcome occurrence. "Like I said, Robin gave me leave. I didn't have anything until Sunday in LA, and that's not that far from here." She shifted her body around a little until she and Willow were face to face, only inches apart, freshly minted breaths dancing on the others' mouth. "The benefit ended early, and he called, getting me a ticket, and it was a surprise to me even but not unpleasant, and more than welcome. He had my bags sent to the building we were in, and next thing I know, I'm standing downstairs, listening to the most beautiful voice to ever grace my ears." Willow just smiled, the one that was Buffy's favorite, where her tongue stuck out slightly from between her teeth, showing her pure joy. It sent the most amazing feeling through her entire being, and she wanted to make sure that she put it on her lover's face every day for the rest of their lives.

"Aww…sappy Buffy. This room has missed you." Willow placed a soft, gentle hand on her cheek, and rubbed the smooth skin with her thumb.

"Is that the only thing that's missed me?" Willow stuck her bottom lip out slightly in mock concentration, and turned a playful grin towards her lover.

"Well…maybe…just maybe…okay, I missed you more. You caught me. I guess that means you'll have to tell me what you missed." Buffy matched the playful grin, and moved her body until she was staring down into Willow's darkened green gaze.

"I can do better that…how about I show you?" Willow's eyebrows scrunched in confusion

briefly until she felt Buffy brush her lips lightly against the place between them. "I missed the way your eyebrows move together when you're confused about something." Moving her head slowly, she brushed her lips against both eyelids, which fluttered closed when her mouth barely touched them. "I missed the way you look at me. When I gaze into your eyes, no matter how bad my day has been, everything is fine." She kissed the top of each ear slightly, which caused a soft gasp from Willow underneath her. "I miss the way you listen to everything I say. You're not just hearing me; you're actually listening." In the dark, she could tell that Willow was blushing crimson, and that cued her for another comment. "Plus, I love the way your ears are the first thing to turn red when you blush." Willow moved her head to the side slightly, trying to cover her blush, even though she knew Buffy couldn't make it out completely in the dark. The only light in the room was the moon, and even the curtains blocked it.

"I missed the way your smile seems to make a bad day great." Willow pulled Buffy's mouth towards her own, cupping the back of neck, and running her other hand through blonde locks to keep them out of the way. When their lips crashed together, the passion flowing from the other was hard to ignore, and the blonde had to deepen the kiss on pure instinct. It was always hard not to kiss her redheaded girlfriend. If she had a choice, all she would do every day would be kiss her pouty lips, and cuddle with her soft form. It sounded like heaven to Buffy, and that's where she would find true peace.

"I missed all of your smiles. The yummy grin, the funny smile, the seductive smirk, the half grin that drives me wild, and especially your pure joy face…the one where your tongue darts out slightly between your teeth. That's my favorite." Buffy leaned down, and kissed her sweetly again. Moving her face down again, she kissed her way sensuously down her jaw line, finally resting her mouth on Willow's pulse point, sucking gently a few seconds before licking a slow, wet trail up to her ear. "I miss your freckles. They're lickable." Her hot breath made the wet trail that it reached make Willow's body react, and the redhead wrapped her legs over Buffy's, and her arms were working its way under her tank top, caressing the bare breasts she found there, making her girlfriend gasp in pleasure.

"I missed these." Buffy smirked by Willow's ear, and allowed her to continue her ministrations, as she moved to start nibbling and kissing at the sensitive spot behind the redhead's ear. The one that always caused her to moan in utter delight, the place that was solely reserved for her alone. When the moan came from her lover's throat, Buffy sucked gently before moving back to ear, whispering with her hot breath, causing the girl's body to shiver in more anticipation, as she made her own hands under her tank top.

"I missed this spot. It's my fourth favorite spot on your body." She moved back up to gaze into Willow's lust-filled gaze.

"What are the top three?" Buffy smiled seductively, moving to show her those as well. Removing their tops, she ran her tongue and lips down her throat again until she came to her breasts, kissing each one several minutes before looking back up at the panting redhead's open-mouthed gaze. "These are number 3." Moving her licks, nips, sucks, and kisses further down her body, she tortuously removed the redhead's panties before moving the sheets back with her, coming to her second favorite spot. When Willow had crashed to the bed in a torrent of spasms, Buffy moved back up the bed to notice the powerful love screaming from her girlfriend's sated eyes. "Number 2."

That's when Willow didn't question, and pulled their mouths quickly together before Buffy had a chance to clean her face with a tissue, and grab an Altoid from the dresser. Usually Will didn't like the thought of kissing the blonde after she'd gone down on her; it just wasn't something that appealed to her. However, looking up at her lover's wet face, she couldn't help it, and crashed their lips together in a tight, loving embrace, tasting herself on Buffy's lips, something she thought she'd never do. It wasn't as unappealing as she thought it would be…just a little awkward but very needed at the moment. She couldn't wait until the blonde wiped her face to kiss her again, so she had grabbed the startled blonde, making sure that the passionate kiss was deepened when her limbs gained reuse. When that happened, she switched positions, laying gently on top of Buffy before breaking the kiss.

"That's my number one," said Willow, as she lowered her mouth again for a brief, sensual kiss that lasted a few more minutes than she'd meant.

"Mine, too. I'm glad we're agreed." Buffy pulled the redhead closer to her, grasping for life, and knowing that it was being given. The two girls spent the rest of the holiday making love…sweet, gentle, passionate, and with utter abandon. They clung to each other in a dance so familiar, and one that neither could get tired of even in death. Neither cared that at times, their moans and groans were a little louder than usual. Normally, they would keep quiet, not wanting to share their pleasure with anybody but each other but that particular night, their love was known throughout the house, and they knew there'd be some apologizing to an older man, and a younger girl that were just a few doors away. However, at the moment, the only thing they focused on was the other, and that's all that mattered. The last thing that both remembered as they drifted to sleep, tightly clasped in the other's embrace, was how thankful they were to be there.

"Buffy!!!!!!!!!" Willow shot up from the bed, hitting her lover in the head as she moved from the tight hold around her body. When the elbow smacked her hard in the head, the blonde woke up with a major head pain, wondering what the sudden intrusion was. Noticing that the sweat-laden redhead was panting heavily, and sobbing uncontrollably, Buffy went into instant concern mode, wrapping her tired arms around her lover, and trying to calm her somewhat.

"Willow? Willow, baby, what's wrong?" The only reaction she got was her girlfriend turning in her body, and tightly embracing their bodies together, holding on for dear life. Just rocking her crying form, and soothingly stroking her sweaty auburn locks, she placed gentle kisses on her neck to let her know she was there, and wasn't letting go. Once the redhead's sobs subsided, she cupped a startled Buffy's face with both hands, and looked at her as though examining her under a microscope. The careful gaze let her see that the blonde was really there, and that the nightmare was over finally. Relaxing, she couldn't hold in her emotions any longer, and crashed their lips together so fiercely that she knocked Buffy back on the bed. After breaking the kiss for air, Willow kept kissing every inch of her face as the blonde giggled from the sensations. "Not that I mind the sudden attack but what happened? Did you have a bad dream?"

"Oh, Buffy…" Willow just kept kissing every inch of her lover's form, needing to feel more skin immediately. She had to know that Buffy was still there, was still hers, and it wasn't a dream.

"Will…" Buffy gasped as the redhead ripped her tank top from her body, and immediately latched her mouth onto the skin underneath. She was enjoying the primal side of her lover but it was obvious that something was wrong. Willow needed this from her, though, so she didn't mind, opting to just hold her afterwards, and soothe her matted hair back as she caressed her lover back to sleep, she hoped peacefully, which is exactly what she did as the redhead crashed against her after their shared release, and began crying herself to sleep again from Buffy's care.

The blonde just lie there, quietly listening to Willow's breathing, feeling her chest rise and fall, and the hiccups that came from her gentle sobbing that was still coming through sleep. It wasn't the first time this had happened. Her lover had woken up thrice that week from a hideous nightmare, and she would ravish Buffy through her tears and urgent ministrations, and would fall asleep back in her arms until the morning. However, she wouldn't talk to her about it, and the blonde was beginning to wonder how bad the dream was that it would cause the redhead to keep the secret from her. They never kept secrets from each other any more, and when Willow was hurting, it made Buffy cry out for her, in order to ease the pain. Whenever she would ask her girlfriend about the dream, she would just shrug after wincing slightly, and brush the question off, as though she hadn't heard it. That was what bothered Buffy the most. Her lover was avoiding her questioning, and wouldn't talk to her about the problem. When she asked Xander and Faith, they mentioned that they knew nothing about it; that it was the first time they'd heard the obvious nightmares mentioned.

Lying there, holding Willow in her arms, Buffy started to cry herself from the turmoil her lover was in, and she couldn't stop the feeling of being pushed away by the redhead. It had been three weeks since her tour had officially ended in LA, and they had fallen into a familiar pattern of living. Since Thanksgiving, they could barely keep their hands off one another, finding them having little sexual trysts in public places sometimes. Their passion, love, and need had been rekindled, and they had started making plans for the wedding. Since it was a simple ceremony, there wasn't much to do other than preliminary things.

After they celebrated Hanukkah, they had started preparing for Christmas, since they had agreed to mix their two traditions together, and bring their lives together as a family. They had put up the tree that day, and Buffy giggled slightly, remembering how she managed to wrap Willow in gold tinsel playfully, and the redhead in turn had placed a red bow on the area where her buttons weren't done completely, making the laughs and pure joy truly memorable for their first real Christmas together. Last year, they hadn't been dating for a month even, and hadn't even slept together at that point but did get the other something small for the holidays. This year, though, was their first real holiday together completely, and so far, it was turning out nicely.

Then, three days ago, Willow had started waking up in the middle of night in a pool of sweat not from their numerous lovemaking sessions. No, she was usually screaming something before she would shoot up from the bed, and would tackle Buffy in a primal manner back to the bed. It was the third day, and Christmas was in a week. No matter how many gifts the blonde bought for her lover, she would always find something else, and the gifts that she had yet to wrap were ridiculous in number. It would definitely be an eventful holiday, especially with the others gathering again to celebrate with them, and Dawn had even planned on Adam coming again, much to Buffy's dismay, since she had promised they could share her room next time; something she was already regretting.

Kissing Willow's temple one last time, she tried to relax, and get some semblance of sleep. She almost had her book ready for editing, and it wouldn't be long before the movie started production, which was more than exciting. "Oh, Wills…I wish you would just tell me…I could help you…any way I can…I promise that whatever it is, it'll be all right." Her words were said to the sleeping redhead but she could tell that her voice had somehow soothed the girl in her arms, and she stopped sobbing.

Groggily turning the coffeemaker on, Buffy started placing slices of wheat bread into the toaster. Pulling out the eggs and milk from the refrigerator, she laid them beside the stove, and started the burner that the pan was on already. Yawning, she scratched the back of her neck, and mixed the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a glass bowl before pouring the contents into the sizzling pan, giving the eggs a minute to cook before she moved them around with the spatula. Just as the toast popped out of their slots, she felt Willow wrap her arms around her from behind, and she smiled at the soft kisses that she placed on her silk-robed shoulder. She continued to move the eggs around, forming them into a scrambled mess in the pan as they cooked.

"Mmm…morning…" Buffy leaned back into the warm body surrounding her, and moved the pan from the burner, making one last motion with the spatula before placing it on a cool burner.

"Morning…" Willow kept her arms tightly around her, and kept kissing her neck, as Buffy pulled the toast from the machine, placing the slices on a plate before moving it to the counter, where several other items were sitting.

"I was making you breakfast in bed but now you've ruined it…defeats the purpose if you're not in bed anymore…" She turned around in the embrace, and gave her lover a sweet good morning kiss before pulling back, wrapping her own arms around the redhead.

"Well, I can go back to bed really quick, and feign sleep if you want…" Willow's grin was hiding all the pain behind her eyes but Buffy could see it as she gazed into her lover's green stare.

"Nah, you're here already…we'll just say I made you breakfast in the kitchen, and dub it more special than every other day that I do that. What do ya say?" Willow bit her bottom lip, and leaned in to kiss her again.

"When I get back tonight from the office, do you want to go over ideas for the honeymoon?" Buffy's eyes lit up at the several places she'd like to take her lover, and nodded vigorously before kissing her again, and pulling them to get some breakfast. Willow had to be at work in an hour, and she still had to dress. As they sat on the stools, their knees were touching, and their bodies were pushed together. The conversation was light hearted, and they giggled when a few stray eggs would fall from their forks, missing their mouths. "I still don't understand why you got the Tabasco sauce out…we're not eating anything spicy."

"I saw it on the food channel." Buffy shrugged, and Willow scrunched her eyebrows in amused confusion. "What? I used to eat salsa on my scrambled eggs when mom would make them, why should Tabasco sauce be any different? I was just giving us more options." Willow rolled her eyes in amusement before kissing Buffy again, taking her plate to rinse it off in the sink, and placing it in the dishwasher. "What time are you coming home tonight?"

"I'm not sure. Depends on what's on my plate when I get there. For all I know, I could be there until late. Darla is supposed to come see me today; she wanted to talk about something. I'm not sure what, though. She didn't tell Vi, just made the appointment." Willow washed the egg pan before moving it on the rack to dry, and placing her now empty coffee mug, and the bare toast plate in the dishwasher with the other used dishes. Buffy finished her coffee, and forked the remaining eggs in the garbage disposal, turning it on, and placing the dry toast in Bubbles' bowl for an added breakfast treat, which the eager cocker spaniel practically swallowed whole.

"Well, I should be here when you get back. I have to run the manuscript over to Robin today, and I'm supposed to drop off that article at 'Art Today' sometime, so might as well get that over with. I'm not looking forward to seeing Tim again." Willow wiped her hands on the dishcloth, and leaned over to kiss Buffy as the blonde placed her dirty dishes in the washer. Moving her way back upstairs, Willow jumped into the shower to rid herself of the sweat residue from the night before, and again found herself crying in the shower like she had the past few days, as she recalled the nightmares that had been tainting her thoughts. They were endless, and seemed and felt so real that Willow thought she was living a double life: one without Buffy, and one with her. Whenever she wasn't directly touching Buffy, it was just like the dreams again, and she feared she would wake up sobbing again.

After drying her hair briefly, she felt a brush suddenly start to stroke her locks, and looked over her shoulder to notice that her robed girlfriend was helping her. Her entire body tingled from the contact, sending goose bumps throughout her body from the sensations the gentle strokes. She heard Buffy chuckle slightly under her breath when she whimpered from the loss of contact when the blonde stopped brushing her hair. Leaning her head back, she noticed that her girlfriend seemed to be studying her intently. Curiously, she turned around from the chair, and cocked her head to the side a little to get her attention.

"Buffy? Is everything okay?" The concern edged in her voice caused the blonde to sigh deeply, as she decided that now wasn't the time to question Willow about the dreams. It would have to wait until later, when they would have time to talk about it thoroughly, and the redhead couldn't use the 'I have to get to work, or I'll be late' excuse again.

"Just hoping you have a good day at work, dear." Buffy's playful tone caused Willow to chuckle briefly before standing, and embracing her, kissing her deeply before grabbing her purse and briefcase, and heading out the door. Watching the redhead walk out the door from the top of the staircase, she smiled, thinking about how 50s suburban family she felt, and that she was the wife sending her husband off to work with a kiss. It was the 21st century, though, and things had changed tremendously, the most obvious one in their relationship being that they both were women. Again, Buffy chuckled as she made her way to grab a shower before starting her own eventful day.

"Okay, Darla. I have no problem with that but I still don't understand why of all people, you would want to tour with Rogue Slayer. For one, you would still have to use the material from yours and Dru's albums, and the harsh lyrics aren't exactly…"

"Jazzy?" Willow sighed, and tried to look sympathetic as she nodded at the sexy blonde sitting on the couch with her. She liked Darla, and wasn't sure why. They even had a brief one-month relationship a couple years back but it never went anywhere. Basically, Darla was too dark for her, and Willow wasn't really looking for anything serious. Of course, then, neither had the blonde but the sex was still wild. All that was pre-Buffy, though, and other than Tara and Fred, she really didn't like to dwell on her past love life too often. She saw the blonde beside her sigh in defeat, and knew that the stubborn woman wouldn't give up that easily. She really wouldn't mind letting the two bands tour together but ever since the staking accident, Darla and Drusilla were no longer together. Their friendship had even dwindled, according to the blonde, and it appeared that it was better for her not being around the psychotic woman.

"Yeah, it's not jazzy. I mean, your music isn't metal like because there aren't any acts like that on the label but I'm still not sure that the two styles would mix exactly." Darla grasped Willow's hand in her own, and started rubbing her thumb across the soft flesh. For a moment, the redhead looked wide-eyed at the older blonde until she saw the sadness that seemed to be there. Once upon a time, it was the same look that usually made her compassionate, and they would find themselves naked someplace. Now, though, things were different, and Darla wasn't asking for sex, just understanding, and Willow completely understood. Darla was lonely, and needed music to keep her occupied from that loneliness.

She remembered signing the two girls, and it wasn't even two months after their first album was released that the two found themselves finding comfort together. It was at a hotel in LA after a television interview, and Willow had mingled with the other guests at a party, noticing the smoldering leers that came from the blonde, who would be talking to another group of people. The gazes became a sort of game between them, and when Willow went to catch the elevator to her hotel room, Darla pushed through the doors, and entered the box before it could take off to their floor. Just standing there, they waited for the other two guests on the machine to exit, and the peripheral stares continued. The game had continued until they had reached their conjoined rooms, as Darla pulled Willow to her in a frighteningly intense kiss, never breaking for air as they stumbled to remove the other's clothes. The entire month had been nothing but a game, and when they both just decided to stop, that was that. No questions, no explanations, plain and simple.

Now, as she looked over at the woman, she wondered where the smoldering glares had gone. This seemed to be only a mere instance of the person she knew, and she could relate. Before Buffy, and times when she thought she had lost her, Willow had been that person. Deciding that with a little improvisation, the pairing could work but it still baffled her why she wanted Rogue Slayer.

"Okay. Here's what we'll do. Instead of the whole back up band, how about I give you a small set up instead. It'll help ease the intense sounds that you guys sometimes used, and it'll blend in better. Sort of like an acoustic setup…like unplugged." Willow noticed Darla say 'thank you' with her eyes, and they just grinned slightly at each other, the unsaid being completely understood. "I just want to know one thing…"

"Yeah?" Darla's expression lightened from the intense pleading that she had been doing, and Willow decided that there was probably an interesting story behind her request.

"Why Rogue Slayer? I mean, it may sound absurd but your sounds would easily match the Nerds better." Willow was taken aback at the sight of Darla blushing. 'Darla blushes? Did I miss a memo somewhere?'

"Well, see…the thing is…" Suddenly, Willow understood, and perked up slightly at the thought.

"You like Faith!!!" Darla seemed to blush even further, and the redhead wondered where the brash, harsh woman had disappeared to; this new woman just didn't fit into the badass, hard core image that she had planted on the blonde. This woman was shy, and reminded her of Tara in some ways. 'Okay…hell has just frozen over…it's official…'

"Please don't tell her?" The pleading in her tone calmed Willow down, and she relaxed again, a fit of smiles at the thought of her ex lover, and her friend together. It was strange but their attitudes just might mesh together somehow. Where Faith was distracted, Darla was completely focused. Both girls were forward, and seemingly unafraid to show their wild streaks, giving into the dark sides of their personalities.

"I won't but…this is…when did this happen?" Willow positioned her body more comfortably on the couch, tucking her leg underneath her.

"A couple weeks ago, I ran into her at a bar. She recognized me, and we just started talking. I heard rumors but I had no idea how sexy she was." Willow smirked at the blonde, and arched an eyebrow slightly.

"Well, you're pretty dead sexy yourself." Darla chuckled deeply in that evil way that let Willow know she was planning something. "Oh no…what now? Just tell me it doesn't involve you in a Catholic schoolgirl uniform again. I don't think I could live through that one again."

"No…no schoolgirl. Hey, thanks Red." Willow looked confused at the nickname; Darla always called her by her name. It was decided that Faith had already managed to get under the woman's skin.

"I know. She's pretty fond of you, actually. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was in love with you, or worshipping the ground you walk on at least, although I don't see her doing that." Willow just rolled her eyes amusedly; Darla had hit a homerun with her speculation, and didn't know the first of it.

"Well, I'll let you know when I get the promos, and the rest sent to me. I'm hoping that it'll be in before May when the tour is scheduled to begin." Both women stood up, and Darla shocked her by hugging her tightly. When they had dated, the woman was never gentle, and had a fondness for biting and sucking at her pulse points when they had sex. She was never touchy-feely. 'Okay, who are you, and what have you done with her?'

"Thanks, Red. I'm going to go catch up with Xander a few minutes. See what I can suck out of him…" Willow just smiled at her, and ushered her out the door before turning around, turning all of her gadgets off, grabbing her purse, and heading home for the night. She needed to be in Buffy's arms.

"Honey, I'm home!" Willow looked around, and noticed that there were several books scattered on the coffee table but no blonde. Taking off her jacket, she placed it on the rack before going upstairs to their room but still no sign of her girlfriend. Starting to panic again, thinking that she was back in the world of no Buffy, the redhead tossed her shoes into the closet, laid her purse on the dresser, and started to search the house. "Buffy?" When she reached the kitchen, she heard grunts and groans coming from the basement, and again panicked at what she'd find. However, her curiosity got the better of her, and she walked down the wooden stairs until she smiled, sitting somewhere in the middle of the staircase, watching her sweaty girlfriend pound the heavy bag like she was trying to show it no mercy.

After a few concentrated, hard blows to the bag, Buffy grunted hard as she landed her final blow. She had been working on the punching bag for over an hour, working up a good workout, and releasing all the pent up anger about Willow not telling her what was wrong. She was afraid her girlfriend had stopped trusting after the whole Lilah thing but her logical side wouldn't allow her to think that, so she made a stop at Anya's bookstore before heading home from her errands. Playing with baby Jesse for a little bit, she finally came home with an overabundance of books on dreams. It was new age-y but she would do anything to help her lover.

As she leaned forward, hands on her knees, she let out the deep breaths that had worked up through her poundings. After a few seconds of heavy breathing, she heard clapping and dog whistling from the staircase. Turning around to discover the intruder's identity, she blushed as she noticed her barefooted lover. Grabbing the water bottle from the shelf, she took a long squeeze before pouring a little on her overheated face, head, and chest. Partly, she did it because she was hot but she did it more because she knew Willow liked to see her all sweaty and wet. 'Who am I to deny her a little show?' Wiping the sweat and water with a towel, she came to sit next to her girlfriend, who had moved a few steps to down.

"Hey…" Buffy leaned forward, and gave her a wet kiss, the salt from her sweat beading into their mouths.

"My, Buffy…you're all sweaty and wet…what have you been doing down here?" Willow's mock curiosity and admonishment was met with another sweaty kiss, as Buffy shook her dampened locks to get her girlfriend wet a little in the process, which caused the reaction she was going for as the redhead up the stairs, trying to escape her pursuit. Tackling her on the living room floor, she pinned her arms by her head, and straddled her legs so that she couldn't move, even though she was playfully struggling. Buffy leaned down, and kissed her with sensuous passion, letting her know how much she was missed. Willow parted her lips slightly, allowing the blonde to deepen the kiss, which she immediately did at the open invitation.

"Mmm…girl taste good…" Buffy's closed-eyed smirk was barely seen through Willow's half-lidded grin.

"What…are we cave Buffy now?" Willow opened her eyes further, and saw the blonde looking down into her own, shaking her head as she bit her lower lip to keep from laughing.

"Fire bad, tree pretty…" Buffy leaned down, and started sucking at Willow's lips again, deepening the kiss, and adjusting her body to a more comfortable position, as she continued to keep the redhead pinned beneath her. "Mmm…tingle moment…"

"Yeah…a definite tingle moment…" Buffy kissed her passionately again, as she let one of Willow's hands go as the redhead squirmed, and she threw the towel around her neck to the side, landing who knows where.

"Want to take this elsewhere?" Willow shook her head, and used her now free hand to start tugging at the tight spandex midriff shirt that adorned her lover's body. She could smell the sweat as Buffy allowed her to sit up completely, letting her other hand go as she pulled the stretched shirt over her head. Crashing their lips together again, the blonde's chest was completely exposed as she started unbuttoning her girlfriend's blouse, wanting to play equals. Once Buffy's sweats were removed, and the tape from her hands thrown to the side in a flying manner, she worked carefully on Willow's nice work slacks, ducking her head to her neck, and kissing a trail of wet kisses down to her bellybutton until she was in a position to pull the black pants completely off, letting them join the other clothes in the room…wherever they were. "Maybe I should close the curtains…" Again, Willow shook her head, excited at the risk of being seen. It heightened her sense for some reason with Fred, and she had never been able to shake it, even though she'd boxed the feelings up when finding out that her lover was uncomfortable with the idea.

Deciding that she would be okay with it, Buffy returned to kissing Willow, and the two rolled around on the floor for a while, giving each other's body carpet burn from the rugs. When they fell apart, sated for the time being, they lie there while their breathing returned to normal. Buffy was the first to recover, and wrapped her leg and arm around the redhead, as her other hand played with the sweaty, matted hair of her lover.

"You know…I love it when you do that…" Willow's body was still humming, and she couldn't respond just yet, even though her smirk was huge. 'Well, I love it when you do that thing with your back…' Her eyes rolled back into her lids again as her entire body was coming down from the high. "Come back to me, Wills…"

"I'm right here, Buffy…" Her eyes just continued rolling back, as the blonde kept stroking the side of her waist lazily.

"Well…I just wanted to let you know that I love it when you do that…did you hear me, or were you too preoccupied in your own little world there?" Buffy positioned her shining body up somewhat to look down at her pleasured girlfriend. She loved watching Willow as she came down from their lovemaking. It was one of the most amazing things to watch. 'I did that…I made her feel like that…god, I love her…'

"What would that be?" Willow still hadn't gained the use of her limbs but her eyes had stopped rolling back in her head, as the strong tingles and spasms had started to dwindle at a snail's pace.

"Well, it's more about the way the bodies fit together, and our just happen to fit perfectly. I've never been able to do that properly before…it's a good feeling on both ends…" Willow let out an exceptionally deep breath, and moved her hand to brush away some stray, matted locks from Buffy's face, gazing into her eyes, saying everything with them that couldn't be expressed through any language, or other gesture. These were the perfect moments, and she knew there would be many more to come, which made her smile grow.

"Are you pulling a 'Star Wars' again?" Willow just nodded slightly, and half grinned at her lover, who rolled her eyes amusedly. "You've been hanging out with Xander too much again."

"Well, how else am I going to see Jesse?" Willow pulled Buffy to her, allowing her to rest her head on her shoulder, as she sifted her fingers through sweaty, blonde locks.

"Is that the only person you want to see? I figured you couldn't wait to see Anya again. I know how much you enjoy her company." Willow snickered under her breath briefly, and then smiled genuinely at her girlfriend, who was viewing her from her shoulder. "Do you promise not to get mad at me…?"

"What is it?" Willow's expression changed to one of concern from where they were, and tried to read to the problem in Buffy's eyes but could find nothing. She was being blocked, which made her panic a little. 'Does she not trust me anymore?'

"I was at the bookstore today, and promised Anya that we'd babysit Jesse tonight." Buffy's eyes were pleading, and she pouted for emphasis, hoping that the redhead wouldn't get angry.

"Why would I be angry at that? Of course I don't mind…she's practically our niece. What kind of aunts would we be if we didn't babysit every once in a while?" Buffy smiled at the casual way that Willow had said 'we,' as though they were already married. This was her family, and she wouldn't give them up for the world. She would do anything in her power to protect each and every one of them. These were the people that made the world worth protecting.

As if on cue, Xander walked in the door without ringing the doorbell or knocking. The two girls panicked at hearing the door open, and the young man crying out for them. They quickly grabbed their clothes before he could see them, and moved into the kitchen, trying to dress themselves somewhat. Buffy had her underwear and top on, and Willow had managed to pull her undergarments and slacks on as Xander came barreling through with the baby carrier in tow. His gaze glared towards their half clothed bodies, and his jaw dropped a little. They tried to hurriedly dress, glad that their private areas weren't completely exposed but wholly embarrassed nonetheless. As Willow managed to button her blouse up crookedly but enough to cover herself, she turned back towards the young man who was fantasizing in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Um…Xander, a little drool…" Buffy wiped her mouth, as her blush was still heavy on her face and neck, glancing over at her lover who was even worse for wear, as her improperly unbuttoned blouse was showing the crimson skin that flowed down her neck. He wiped at his mouth, and came back to reality.

"Oh, well, that is…um…with the…sorry." He shrugged, shaking his head to clear the wild thoughts. "I brought Jesse. Anya called, and said that you were going to watch her tonight for us. Thank you wouldn't begin to express it. Anya is freaking out because it's the first time that she's leaving her alone with somebody else but it'll be good for her."

"A natural mother instinct." Buffy smiled at her intelligent girlfriend, and moved over to take the carrier, and laid it on the island, uncovering the blanket from the tiny girl to show her sleeping face.

"She should wake up from her nap in about an hour or so. She fell asleep on the way over here." He laid the diaper bag from his shoulder onto the counter by the carrier. "Everything should be in there. If not, just improvise. I'm sure Will's smart girl skills will come up with something."

"Smart girls are so sexy…" Buffy smirked at her girlfriend, and Willow's blush deepened again, just as it was waning.

"Anything else?" He rubbed his palms together, nervous about leaving his baby, just like Anya was, but happy to have a chance to spend a night alone with his wife. Besides, he knew that the little girl was in safe hands. Willow was good with children, and the little time that he'd known Buffy, he could tell that she was in that category as well. He'd grown extremely fond of the blonde, and knew he would have a crush on her if it weren't for having Anya. Willow had done good for herself, and he was more than ecstatic that they made each happy…like they were made for each other in every way. "Well, I guess I'll be off then." He tried to relax his shoulders, as Willow ushered him to the door, knowing what was coming.

"Have fun tonight. Don't do anything I wouldn't do…" She blushed, as she realized that they had pretty much been caught moments before, and opened the door to let him out of the house.

"You have our cell phone numbers?" He turned back to her once he walked onto the porch. She nodded. "And the house number?" Again, she nodded with a smile. "And you know the number to 911 right; in case something happens?" Willow regarded him with a perplexed expression, wondering if the young man even knew what he just asked. "Okay…I can do this." He took a deep breath, and walked a few steps away from the porch before turning back around to face the redhead in the door. "What about…"

"Xander…she'll be okay. If you want, we'll even call every so often to let you know." Willow just smiled, as she half-embraced the door.

"No. There's no need. We'll be okay. We can do this. We need this…Anya and I, and I'd say we'll be busy." His smirk returned, as his fantasizing gaze turned back to his best friend. "Just like you were from the looks of things…are you sure you're up to this?"

"Positive. Now go…and don't mention this to anyone…" She resolve faced him, and he sighed, trying to take deep breaths and relax before just smirking, and heading back towards his car, leaving his baby in the care of the two capable women.

Willow moved back into the kitchen, and watched as Buffy sat there on the island stool, and just stared at Jesse, studying the sleeping baby. Wrapping her arms around her neck, she interlocked her fingers in front of the blonde, as she kissed the crown on top of her head, and went about Jesse watching herself.

Jesse had woken up, and the two had enjoyed spending time with the little bundle of joy. She was a handful, just like her father, and liked to crawl all over the place. Buffy would get on the floor, and crawl with her. While she was sleeping, Willow and Buffy took turns taking quick showers to rid themselves of the sweat that adorned their bodies. As if Xander had timed her actions precisely, the baby woke up an hour later. Through the night, the two women just played with her, fed her, gave her a bath, and made her a fit of giggles. It was just natural instinct for both, and they would cast loving glances at the other, realizing that they would be good parents, raising a kid of their own.

Now, Willow was rocking the baby to sleep, almost succeeding, and then she noticed that Buffy was just watching her with an adoring gaze from the couch, nursing a cup of herbal tea. Sighing deeply, she decided to ask the blonde what had been on her mind. The entire night, when Jesse would calm down for a few brief moments, Buffy acted like she wanted to say something but the internal debate seemed to tell her not to, and it was left unsaid.

Willow's rocking was soothing the baby to a calm, restful sleep, and when she was finally out cold, the redhead carried her up the stairs, and placed her carefully into the crib that Xander had built to keep there at the Summers home. It was retractable, so it was easy to store in the storage closet down the hall, and the two girls had set it up in their room. A few minutes later, Buffy joined her in their darkened bedroom, and wrapped her arms around her lover, as Willow pulled a blanket over the sleeping girl. They stood there, and gazed at Jesse for a few moments, entwining their arms and hands together, and caressing the other, pushing their bodies together as far as they would go. Finally, since they were already in their pajamas from their earlier showers, the two went into the bathroom, and prepared for bed. When they were settled under the covers, they snuggled together, and Willow decided to ask Buffy about what was on her mind.

"Buffy…?" The blonde moved her head from Willow's chest to look up into the curious, concerned eyes of her lover.

"Yeah?" She positioned her body a little, so that she was lying on her stomach next to the redhead, and moved her hands to play with the auburn locks on the pillow.

"A few times tonight, it looked like you were going to say something to me but you always backed away. Is something wrong? Are you okay? Do you want to talk about something?" Buffy looked up into the pleading eyes of Willow, and took a deep breath before relenting. 'I was going to ask sooner or later. Looks like sooner…'

"Willow…these dreams you're having…" Willow tensed a little, and shifted somewhat uncomfortably. "Why won't you talk to me? It feels like you're pushing me away for some reason. I'm here. No matter how bad they are, I'm not going anywhere. You can tell me anything."

"Buffy…do we really have to talk about this right now?" Willow's expression and tone were pleading but the blonde wasn't going to give in so easily. This problem had to be fixed between them.

"We really do." It was plain and simple. She refused to let it fester, and make things worse in the long run. If these nightmares were scaring her so badly that she wouldn't talk to her about them, then she needed to help her lover understand that they were only dreams. The books from Anya's shop would help them comprehend what was going on to some degree but the major problem with Buffy was that Willow wasn't talking to her about it. "I know it makes you uncomfortable but I'm here. You can talk to me. I wish you would, so that I can help. I want to help."

"You die." There, she said it. It was out in the open. The redhead's tears were falling now, unable to control them. It was hard to relive the nightmare night after night, and she always felt alone when she woke up, thinking that the dream was real, and that Buffy was really gone. She looked over at her lover's face through blurry eyes, and saw the pooling tears from the blonde, obviously hurting because she was hurting, and her heart warmed to know that they were so connected. 'Goddess, Buffy…I love you…'

"You die. You have to save the world, and you jump off this tall tower into a ball of energy to protect Dawnie from having to, and it kills you. You die, and it feels so real…the pain, the way my heart falls with you. I just…it…oh, Buffy…I…I can't…it hurts so much. It's even worse than when Tara died, and it hurts…oh Buffy, please don't leave me. I couldn't bear losing you…" Willow clung the petite blonde to her, and there was no protest, as she felt her lover's arms wrap protectively around her as well.

"I'm here, Will. I'm alive. I'm right here. See? Feel…" Buffy brought Willow's hand to her chest, letting her feel the heart that beat only for her. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise…no matter what, I'm right here, by your side…I'm not letting you go, Willow Rosenberg. If I do, then I go with you, and I'm no longer me. I'm just hollow because you are my life. I love you so, so much." She brought her girlfriend's hand to her lips, and kissed her tenderly, conveying all her thoughts through their locked gaze, reassuring the redhead through a silent embrace, pulling her to her body.

Willow nodded, and clung to Buffy's body the rest of the night, afraid to let go, and for the first time in three days, her dreams were pleasant, and she didn't wake up in the middle of the night. Buffy just lie there in the bed, stroking her sleeping girlfriend's hair, as she slept in her arms. She watched her slow, calming breaths, and thanked the powers that be for allowing such a wonderful woman in her life.

"Oh!! Xander, do the Snoopy dance!!" Willow was waving her arms excitedly in the air, trying to convince her friend to keep their yearly tradition. Xander handed Jesse to Anya, and proceeded to do the goofy little dance trademarked by Charlie Brown's beagle. In the corner, the Summers' cocker spaniel just cocked her head, ears pressing forward in confusion as she watched the young man bounce up and down. Deciding that she much preferred just lying there, she gave up trying to figure him out, and laid her head back on her furry, than paws.

When Xander was finished amusing the gathered crowd, he bowed as they all clapped, and took a seat on the couch between Willow and Anya. Dawn and Buffy walked back into the living room, holding a tray filled with steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Faith just shrugged in her chair, and joined the others in taking a glass of chocolatey goodness. It was Christmas Eve, and their family had gathered for a little movie fest, chocked full of Christmasy treats. The only light in the room was from the medium-sized tree in the corner, and the glow gave the room a serene ambience, reminding some of the gang of Christmases past. They all would be there again in the morning, and Willow already had a feeling that her excited girlfriend would tear into the presents like a child. 'She's so cute when she opens things…' Christmas dinner, complete with a feast, presents piled unceremoniously high around the tree, and decorations would make for a pleasant holiday, one that everyone would enjoy.

Buffy came to sit down on the edge of the couch next to her girlfriend, and Willow immediately placed her free hand high on her jean-clad thigh, causing the blonde to gasp at the slight touch. Everyone around them kept watching the movie on the television, 'It's a Wonderful Life,' as the redhead moved her fingers in lazy circles, knowing that she was provoking the blonde. When she reached the point where her thigh connected to her center, she barely brushed there before moving back down, and smiled somewhat when she heard the barely audibly groan emitted. Willow looked around slightly, and realized that nobody had heard it, and were too preoccupied with the black and white classic on the screen. Smirking mischievously, she upped the ante by moving her hand to the inner part of her thigh instead of the top, and thought she heard Buffy purr, as her breathing became heavier. The two tried to act like nothing was happening, which was easier for the redhead, since she wasn't the one being teased, and were actually succeeding. 'Oh, you'll get yours Willow Rosenberg…you just wait until everybody leaves…' The blonde had an evil glint in her eye, and when her lover risked a smirking glance her way, she knew that it was going to be a long night, and suddenly the room's temperature felt like the Sahara sand. Behind their mutual blushes, they just kept gazing into the other's eyes, promising more to come (pun intended).

"Adam said he'd be here tomorrow morning." Both girls snapped out of their haze, and saw that Dawn was rolling her eyes at them, having been caught. Willow quickly removed her hand from Buffy's thigh, and hid behind her mug, finally taking the first sip from her now lukewarm chocolate beverage. "Don't you two ever take a break from it? It's been constant all week long…" The two girls blushed, and averted their gazes from the now interested gang, who had stopped watching the film to snicker at them, knowing all too well what Dawn meant.

"Well, Dawnster…if it's any consolation, at least they aren't going at it in the kitchen this time." Willow's eyes shot wide open, and Xander thought that they would fall literally out of their sockets from the comment.

"Actually, it was the living room floor, we were just trying to dress before you found us." Buffy's comment was nonchalant, staring off into space, remembering the impromptu pre-babysitting activities. Xander coughed, Anya smacked him in the arm while holding baby Jesse, Dawn just stood up from the floor with a look of trauma, and Faith just leaned back, arched an eyebrow, and enjoyed the festivities. Finally, Buffy realized what she'd revealed, and blushed as red as her gaping girlfriend. "Oh, I mean…that is that we…um…no, no sex. Sex is bad."

"Buffy, it's okay. We all realize that you and Willow have a natural tendency to give the other one orgasms, and that is okay." Anya just moved to lay the baby in the carrier, noticing that the movie was over, and the hour was upon them to get Jesse to bed. Xander just shook his head clear of naughty thoughts, and went to grab their jackets from the foyer. Faith followed them, and waved her goodbyes before heading from the house, and it wasn't long before the Harris family followed. Dawn just gathered the mugs from around the living room, placing them on a tray, and leaving the still shell-shocked lovers to fix the furniture.

"Willow…sorry about that…I kinda got in my memory zone…" Buffy pouted, giving her lover the puppy dog eyes that always worked on the redhead. However, her girlfriend wasn't budging, not even casting a glance her way; she just kept folding blankets, moving chairs, and replacing cushions in their proper places. The blonde stood there for a moment, worried that she was really mad, and then just watched Willow walk up the stairs without a word. Sighing, she really thought she had done something wrong. She went into the kitchen, and helped Dawn clean up, and couldn't shake the feeling that she had made the redhead angry.

"Buffy, what's wrong?" Dawn eyed her sister with concern, noticing that the blonde hadn't said a word for five minutes, and that her girlfriend was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, nothing, Dawn. I was just thinking. It's going to be a long day tomorrow." Buffy wiped her hands on the kitchen towel before turning to head back to her bedroom. Noticing that the door was unusually closed, she tried opening the door but the knob wasn't budging. The door was locked. Knocking on the door in a panic, she couldn't understand why that simple comment would make her girlfriend that angry. It just wasn't in the redhead's character to completely shut her out over something so simple. When Willow was having those nightmares the week before, she hadn't even been locked from the room. "Willow?? Willow!!!! Let me in!!" It wasn't long before she heard the lock click, and took a deep breath to calm her nerves before slowly pushing her way into the room.

Around the room, she noticed that candles were lit in various places, and she looked up to see that there were over two-dozen mistletoe sprigs hung from the ceiling. Willow had brought her into a trap. 'Okay…you're definitely going to get yours…' Moving further into the room, she wondered where the redhead had disappeared to, since the bathroom light was off, and somebody obviously unlocked the door. Suddenly, the door closed painfully slow behind her, and she turned around to see her lover in a red robe with green trim leaned against the door, hearing the lock click in place.

"What is this?" Willow sauntered the few feet to Buffy, and placed her lips softly against hers without actually kissing.

"An early Christmas present…" The sex oozing from Willow's tone, and the feeling of soft hands unbuttoning her blouse slowly caused Buffy to shiver slightly. When her red top was removed to the floor, she decided that her lover was calling the shots, since she hadn't yet grasped their lips together once. The blonde was dying to feel those lips against hers; pressed firmly, softly, passionately…she wasn't picky. That's why she resulted to begging.

"Will…kiss me…" Willow had her jeans undone, and tucked her hands inside the waistband slightly on both sides, pulling their bodies closer.

"Can't…" The redhead tortuously kept her mouth against hers, letting her hot breath caress with the blonde's, as she tugged her jeans past her thighs, letting her soft hands linger painfully close to her lover's need.

"Will…please…" Buffy gasped as she felt her lover move her hands to remove the white cotton that was covering her chest, and couldn't take it anymore. She tried to lean forward herself, and lock their lips but Willow would pull back just enough to bar her, which wasn't too hard since she had trapped her lover's legs in her jeans. The redhead just giggled, as she kept moving her mouth close but moved it back when Buffy would try to kiss her. It was a fun little game. "Why can't I kiss you? This isn't a very fun Christmas present." Buffy mock pouted, and tried again but to no avail. "Will…" Her whines made Willow smile wickedly against her mouth.

"You can kiss me when…" Buffy started bouncing on the balls of her feet but fell, forgetting that her legs were a little tangled in her jeans. Willow startled giggling, and knelt down next to her, pulling her fallen girlfriend's jeans off completely, leaving her clad in only her underwear that said 'Don't open 'til Christmas.' Buffy found some balance, and managed to sit up, and mock pout by crossing her arms. When Willow looked up briefly, she smirked, and leant over, kissing Buffy sensuously.

"Now you kiss me?" They giggled, as Willow helped her girlfriend stand back up, and pointed to the ceiling. Buffy understood at that point, and moved them under another sprig of mistletoe, closer to the bed, and the redhead allowed her to kiss her. "This is quite the festive little activity…"

"I thought so…" Willow beamed, and pushed them onto the bed. While their lips tangled, and Willow moved on top of her barely clad girlfriend, she straddled her hips, and her hair strayed down into the blonde's face. Buffy tucked the loose strands behind the redhead's ears, keeping her hands cupped on her face to pull her closer to deepen the kiss. They continued crawling in their positions up to the headboard, and the blonde untied Willow's silk robe, moving her hands sensuously over her body to push it off the freckled shoulders. Noticing that all Willow was wearing was…well, nothing underneath the robe, she felt her mouth go dry, and her tongue salivate at the same time from the way her pale body glowed in the flickers of the light. When her girlfriend moved her kisses along her neck, she held onto her head, and managed to look up from her gasps. She smiled, and started to giggle, causing Willow to smile against her neck through her kisses. "Find something?"

"Maybe just a little…when did you get so creative? I thought I was the creative one…" Willow moved her kisses to beside her ear, and placed her mouth barely on it, whispering with hot breath into her ear.

"I guess I've been taking lessons from you…" Buffy bucked her body a little upwards when she felt Willow's teeth and lips barely scrape against the sensitive spot behind her ear.

"Mmmm...keep this up much longer, and we may actually miss Santa Clause…he'll definitely put us on his naughty list this year…" Buffy's eyes rolled back in her head when Willow started sucking sweetly at the special spot. "Mmm…"

"Well, no need to worry about that because right now, I'm your very own tiny, Jewish Santa…" Willow moved her face above Buffy's, and teased her lips again by not pressing them together.

"Is that so?" Willow nodded, and locked their lips together sweetly for a few moments.

"Oh, yeah…and you're the only one on my list…and you get extra presents for being naughty…" Willow kissed her passionately, and allowed Buffy to remove her robe completely, as she started to play with her lover's breasts.

"Oh…mmm…then, I should be set for the year…" Buffy bucked her hips up a little to divest herself of the only barrier causing their bodies' flesh not to touch all over, and she sat up slightly, meeting her lover for another heated kiss in their upright positions. Falling back on the bed, the two went about taking advantage of all the mistletoe in the room.

Waking up in the other's arms, both girls started to stir when they heard to bustle downstairs. Deciding to just lie there in their warm comfort, they clung their arms tighter around their bodies. They could hear Dawn yelling for them to come downstairs but refused to move. Each thought that it was impossible after the loss of limbs that had occurred the night before, and one yawned, causing a chain reaction to the other. Finally, they both stretched, and started giggling as they made their way for a quick shower. After all, time was an issue, and it would conserve water if they shared. Buffy couldn't help but giggle when she saw the mistletoe hanging above the bathtub. That's what caused them to be late for their family gathering downstairs. They had missed a sprig of the traditional kissing plant, and couldn't break tradition on their first Christmas together.

An hour later, they bounded downstairs, happily holding hands. Looking into the dining room, they noticed everybody sitting around having breakfast. Making their way to the table, they started the day off right with a complete breakfast, a la Dawn and Adam, who had arrived while they were sleeping. After their morning caffeine was in their systems, they were more than excited to get the day started but lo and behold, there had to be a comment said about their tardiness the table. The shocking thing is that is was Adam.

"I don't understand. I thought that you two would be the first one's awake, and in fact, you were the last ones. I'm curious to know…" Dawn nudges him with her elbow, and he looks over as she shakes her head, trying to be nonchalant underneath her hand.

"Alright! Who wants to open presents now?" Buffy jumps up, wanting to change topics quick, and wide-eyed Willow follows suit, grabbing their plates and mugs, taking them into the kitchen, to find the others standing up at the table, as well.

They all pile into the living room, where it seems a gazillion presents are stacked everywhere. Since Willow and Buffy realized that they had gone a little overboard with packages for the other, they decided to open theirs that night, when everybody was gone except Dawn. They chose a few presents to exchange that morning, and piled the others on the other side of the chair. Xander went about being present passing out guy, and soon, everybody had a pile of presents in front of them, except Adam, who only had a few but didn't mind. They took up their positions from last night, only Anya and Xander moved over a little to allow Buffy to sit on the oversized couch instead of the arm. On the count of three, they all started opening their gifts. Anya was like a kid in a candy store, as she opened packages like crazy, looking at the items, and moving to the next one swiftly, including Jesse's. Xander practically tore through his gifts, placing things to the side, as he too grabbed for another gift in the fashion of his wife. They were the first two finished unwrapping.

Dawn and Adam went through her gifts, whispering to the other, and the young brunette girl would giggle here and there. Faith was smug, not showing emotions one way or the other regarding her emotions but inside, she was beaming with excitement and tears because it was the first family Christmas that had ever gone on without violence or verbal abuse. She glanced at Willow, and saw the redhead smile back at her warmly before moving back to take a good look at the tribal knife that she had received from her boss. Willow had known about her knife hobby from when they lived together but she had to sell them when she was struggling for money, just to eat or find someplace to sleep. She had to hold her tears in because the redhead had actually found her favorite knife, and she could tell as she examined the engraving that was on the handle that it was the very piece of weaponry that was her great grandfather's. It was the most amazing gift she had received at any point in her life, and couldn't begin to imagine the trouble her friend went to just to find it.

After gifts were pushed aside for the afternoon, Buffy and Willow went into the kitchen to finish fixing the dinner feast, while the others stayed in the living room playing with their assorted toys. Once they were in there, Willow rapidly found her girlfriend, and pulled her into a much needed, very passionate kiss. Breaking apart, they kept their foreheads pressed together, and brought their rapid breathing back to normal through their locked eyes. Finally, Willow leaned forward, and kissed the blonde again sweetly before sighing when she reluctantly broke the embrace to start cooking.

As they were preparing things, they kept kissing each other between takes, and were caught several times in heated kisses by different members of the gang. Finally, they managed to finish every dish, and started transporting them to the set table that Adam and Dawn had set earlier. Everyone settled in for dinner, and ate in joyful conversation. The mood was light, and even the very Jewish Willow was having fun at the Christian tradition. However, she would start blushing furiously, hoping nobody noticed when Buffy would lean over to whisper in her ear how she liked tiny Jewish Santa better. When the dinner was finished, everybody helped clean up in both rooms, and the tired gang took off back to their respective homes, and Dawn and Adam went upstairs to watch another Christmas movie in her room (at least, Buffy hoped that was all they were doing), leaving very smug-grinned Willow dragging her excited girlfriend back into the living room to divest of the obscenely large pile of gifts.

When they gathered around the tree, they sorted through them on the floor, and made sure that they were sitting right next to each other, so that they could kiss and cuddle in between and after unwrapping. After moving through several outfits, they both blushed when they opened a simultaneous present, and held up the same themed pair of underwear. Laughing hysterically, and falling on the floor, they turned to face each other, and kissed. Buffy placed her black, 'Slayer' underwear on her head, causing her girlfriend to laugh, and Willow mirrored her action by placing her red, 'Witch' on her head, too. They both giggled at the silly things that the movie company was coming out with to promote the movie adaptation of Buffy's book.

Fishing through the jewelry, movies, books, and all types of things they adorned the other with, they decided to give the other their last gifts. After giggling through a clumsy paper, rock, scissors to see who would go first, Willow beat Buffy's rock with paper, and the blonde had to open hers first. Unwrapping the shiny paper, she found a simple white box about the size for a shirt, and slowly opened, watching the way that Willow bit her bottom lip in anticipation. Opening it, she unwrapped the tissue paper, and pulled out an old, mint copy of a book that felt as though it had been printed from the first printing press. Pulling it out, she let her fingers graze over the gold lettering that adorned the faded, black cover. Opening it up, she noticed that the author signed it, and that it was also a first edition, one that was hard to come by, especially with the autograph. Buffy was taken aback, wondering where in the world her girlfriend had found such a treasure, and the amount of money such a piece of history must have cost.

"A 'Dracula' first edition signed by Stoker? Where in the world did you find this? This had to cost an arm and a leg…" Buffy was shaking her head, debating whether or not she could even accept such a costly gift but when she saw her favorite smile emit from her girlfriend's face, she immediately decided that it didn't matter the cost. All that mattered was Willow, and it wasn't like she hadn't done the same thing. "Thank you…I don't know what to say…"

"It wasn't easy to find, I can tell you. Giles found it in a used London bookstore, and shipped it to me. I've been asking him to find a first edition ever since your book was published, and it just had an added bonus by being signed. It just arrived in the mail last week; I was lucky to keep it hidden from your snooping eyes." Willow smiled again, and leaned forward to meet the happy tear kiss that Buffy was offering. When they broke apart, the blonde pushed the last gift towards her girlfriend, and the package was opened with an organized fashion that could only be described as something Willow would do. When she pushed aside the red tissue paper, she was also surprised to find a book there, and one that she had searched for a long time, and couldn't even find a copy on ebay. It held the same worn quality as Buffy's book but didn't have such a faded cover. As a matter of fact, it looked as though it had survived centuries without a scratch, and Willow couldn't believe her lover had been able to find such a rarity. There were hardly even five copies of the 'Darkest Magicks' in print, according to Giles.

"Yay…I made you give the squeal of geeker joy. You're so cute." They smiled at each other warmly before Willow placed the book carefully back into the box. "Of all places, I found it in a quiet, old used bookstore down in Greenwich Village. It's where I found those 'Books of Ascension,' and 'Vampyr' books. It was showcased high on the top shelf. Lilah had to pull it down for me because I couldn't reach it." There was a brief moot point at the mention of the villain but their excited mood couldn't be swayed for long.

"Buffy…this is…wow…I mean…really? In New York? I…that is…with the…" Buffy leaned forward, and softly embraced their lips together, and the two girls laid their boxes from their laps to the floor beside them, and Willow let her girlfriend lean in between her legs, as she wrapped her own around the back of Buffy's calves. Making out pretty heavily in the barely lit room, neither noticed another presence for several long moments until they heard somebody clear his or her throat. It was impossible to register to the gender because they were so caught up with each other. Pulling herself up from Willow, the blonde managed to wipe the lipstick from the redhead's cheek, as their heavy breathing started to come back to normal. Glancing up through bright blushes, they noticed that Dawn was standing in the doorway to the foyer with a half-grin.

"Well…I was right…you two really don't quit. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to spray a hose to separate you two." Both girls leaned forward, trying to put some semblance to the mess in front of the tree. "And you say that you're worried about me and Adam? Come on…you two were practically humping each other right there on the floor. You're always overprotective but you don't think that my younger eyes will be traumatized by seeing that?"

"Oh…well…that is, Dawnie…that we were…um, opening presents! Yeah, and…and I…or we…" Dawn just smirked again at the flustered babble of Willow. It was true that the redhead like the risk of being caught but actually being caught was a different story.

"Well, unless you were the present, I'm not sure there's a cover story there, Will." Dawn chuckled, and shook her head as she made her way back up the stairs with the bag of popcorn, and two bottles of water. Buffy fell on the floor laughing, and Willow just smacked her playfully on the arm, as she lay her head down in the redhead's lap.

"It wasn't funny, Buffy. What if we weren't able to stop? You know we're going to have to stop having sex around the house now that Dawn's moving back in with us." Willow started sifting her slim fingers through blonde locks, as her girlfriend became more than comfortable under the attention. She loved the feeling of the redhead's fingers everywhere on her body but when her girlfriend played with her blonde strands, they were her favorite moments. That's when she thought back to the time when she was sick, and the erotic feelings she had from Willow washing her hair, even while she was down with the nasty flu. That gave her an idea; she had yet to payback the favor.

"Will…" She moved from the soft cushiony lap, and started to place things in an organized fashion under the tree, and picking up the discarded remnants of wrapping paper.

"What are you doing? Are you sleepy already? I thought we could snuggle on the couch, and maybe watch the 'Mickey Christmas Carol,' while drinking hot cocoa. We didn't exactly get to have ours last night with the others due to welcome distractions…" Willow got on her knees, and wrapped her arms about her lover, who was stuffing the torn paper and tape into a garbage bag that had been placed there before they started unwrapping.

"As enticing as that sounds, I have some ideas of my own that involve a very naked you…and somebody, maybe both of us, is gonna get wet…" The sensual tone, and double entendre in Buffy's voice made Willow decide that the blonde's plan was better. They could always catch the 30-minute movie later on the Disney Channel. She found herself being lured into the bedroom, as Buffy shut and locked the bedroom door, and sat her on the comfy bed. 'This nice bed that can bounce…and cushion our backs…and provide grips if needing to hold on to something…mmm…where did she go?' Willow was already getting excited, and was startled to hear the sound of water running in the bathroom.

Checking it out, she found a very naked Buffy running steaming water in the bathtub, and adding the strawberry bubble bath that they would use on special occasions. The room smelled of hot steam, potpourri, and generic strawberry scent, as Willow seductively started removing her own clothes, as she lit the many candles that adorned the bathroom. When she reached her eager girlfriend, she licked her lips subconsciously as she stared at Buffy's body, letting her eyes trace it through the soft glow of the candlelight. All of a sudden, the steam wasn't only coming from the hot water, and she removed her underwear, while keeping her gaze locked on her girlfriend's, before wrapping her arms around her, and crashing their lips together.

"I told you somebody would get wet…" Buffy pulled Willow into the scorching water before pulling back slightly to adjust to the major temperature change. Their bodies finally allowed the heat, and they grasped both hands together as they disappeared under the bubbles. Willow positioned her body to lean against Buffy's, as the blonde wrapped her arms around the now slick, glistening skin of her lover. "Mmm…merry Christmas, baby."

"Merry Christmas." Willow turned her head around, and kissed her lover, wrapping one arm behind her head to steady herself. "I love you…more than anything. Thanks for everything today…it was amazing. You were amazing. I've never actually celebrated Christmas before…it wasn't what I thought it'd be."

"Oh, yeah? What'd you think it would be?" Buffy started moving their bodies a little more comfortable, as she leaned them back against the tub.

"Well…for one, my Christmas knowledge revolves around Xander doing the Snoopy dance." Buffy nodded, as she ran her hands down Willow's slick arms, and conjoined her fingers between the redhead's. "Boy, if Ira Rosenberg knew his only daughter snuck over year to watch something that didn't adhere to the Jewish traditions…let's just say it wouldn't be a pretty day." Buffy giggled a little, and started kissing her girlfriend's neck. "So…this bath thing…is it actually to get clean, or just have a little naughty fun…'cause you know…tiny Jewish Santa doesn't just come on Christmas Eve." The leer in her voice made the blonde tighten her hold on the redhead, and start kissing on sensitive spots, especially behind her ears, which always caused moans.

"I'm thinking that tiny Jewish Santa comes a lot during the year, too…after all, you are down with the naughty fun." Buffy heard Willow squeak from the double meaning, and especially from her light sucking on her sensitive ear. "But…I was thinking that I'd get you a little clean. I'm jonesing to put a whole new meaning to good, clean fun."

"Mmm…Buffy…what did you have in mind?" Willow leaned further back into her slick lover, and emitted a successful groan in response. Buffy took a deep breath to calm her hormones for a moment, and grabbed the apple shampoo from the side of the tub.

"I need you to get your hair wet, so duck under, Wills." Willow smirked evilly, and turned around slightly to kiss Buffy before disappearing under the bubbles. "Oh…oh! Not what I had in mind but not unwelcome…oh…mmm…Wills. Willow?" The redhead would come up for a breath every once in a while, and dip under with a mischievous grin, intent on finishing her task. It was uncomfortable in this bathtub but well worth it when she felt Buffy's body tense, and her hands grip the side of the tub, and the small bar that drained the washcloths. With an audible moan that told tales of a happy, Willow kissed her way back up the slick body before kissing her sensually on the lips, letting Buffy grasp her face between her hands when she finally regained use of her limbs. "You really are a witch…"

"Buffy…you have that look." Buffy tried to play innocent but her face just wasn't budging. 'It's payback time for that one, Will…' "Buffy? Buffy, you're scaring me…I know what happens when you get that look."

"What? I can't have an expression now?" Willow shook her head amusedly, and barely had time to react as her girlfriend twisted her body around in the tub, causing a little water to splash out of the tub. When the giggles died down, and the initial shock wore off completely, they started to relax again. "Well…at least your hair's wet now." Buffy poured some of the shampoo into her hand, and worked up a lather before she started working it into Willow's hair. The moans that she was causing were evidence that the redhead was feeling the erotic effects of having another, preferably a lover, wash their hair.

Buffy thought she'd play around a little, since she was doing this while her lover wasn't actually sick. She started making fun shapes with the soaped hair, and Willow became a unicorn, Bubbles, and even Punky Brewster at one point. The giggles and love that were filling the room helped to make the holiday into a perfect first celebration together. Once they were finished in the tub (since the water became cold from staying in too long), they dried each other off with more giggles, and wiped the water that spilled to the floor in their passion earlier after combing the tangles out of their hair. Then, they moved into their bedroom, and decided to just sleep nude, crawling in, and immediately snuggling with huge smiles across their faces.

"Good first Christmas?" Buffy pulled Willow even closer if it were possible, and kissed her shoulder lightly.

"The best because you were there." Willow turned her head over slightly, and kissed Buffy sweetly on the lips. "What about you? Did I do too much? Do you think the clothes will fit? What about the back massager?" Buffy chuckled softly, and started to sift her fingers through her girlfriend's darkened, damp locks.

"Everything was fine. Perfect; even the back massager. Thank you." Willow gave her that smile that Buffy loved so much, and she couldn't help leaning in to kiss her again. It seemed that they'd been kissing nonstop since they had woken up that morning, and there were no complaints in either department. "What about you? Did I do too much?"

"The only gift I need was you, and I already have that, so I'm more than happy. I would have been content if we hadn't exchanged gifts." Buffy half-grinned, and her eyes told her that there was humor behind her next statement, and that she felt the exact same way.

"No prezzies? That's like a kid's birthday party without the horsy." Willow slightly shuddered, remembering her own traumatizing horse experience. Buffy noticed, and went into concern mode. "What's wrong?"

"Oh…nothing. It's silly. I had a bad birthday pony thing when I was four." Buffy chuckled lightly, and kissed Willow's temple before the two relaxed again. "What do you think about Adam?"

"Hmm…that's a good question. I'm not entirely sure yet." Willow began stroking the sides of Buffy's arm, and snuggled in closer to the blonde, wrapping her leg between both of her girlfriend's. "He's very curious…seems to want to know everything about everything. It was giving me the wiggins during Thanksgiving when he started asking all those questions, and studying our…physical attributes. Dawn seems to like him enough, though. I still think he's like some Frankenstein monster with the little girl and the flower. Plus, I'm not sure how okay I am with him being older than us, and dating her. There's a major age difference there, and I'm not entirely comfortable with that factor yet."

"That's understandable. I wasn't so sure at first, either, but it wasn't my place to comment." Buffy sighed, knowing that her girlfriend was still getting used to the idea of having a soon to be sister-in-law. The wedding was three months away, and as every day passed by, both seemed to grow closer and closer.

"Sure it's your place. She's your sister now, too, and she respects your opinion. Whether you realize it or not, you're a major influence on my now graduated from college sister…oh my god, I can't believe that Dawnie's gonna be out in the real world now." Buffy buried her head in the pillow, and groaned slightly, wondering where the days went when she would push little Dawn in the swing in their back yard.

"I've only known her for a year but I can already tell that she's a handful. She's really good at what she does, though, and I don't think you have anything to worry about with her. She's a grown woman now, even if all you'll ever see is that little girl that you'd push in a swing." Buffy looked at her lover, wondering how the redhead had literally read her thoughts. Leaning down, she kissed her gently before settling back into a comfortable position, and just stroking the damp locks until they fell asleep from the eventful festivities of the day.

This year, I'm not sure about my resolution. I mean, I already have you, so that's all I'll need. Maybechmmm…I guess I'll resolve to love you even more, even though it's entirely impossible at this point. Okay, that'll be it. I resolve to bring you breakfast in bed more often, massage your shoulders and back when you look stressed, learn how to play chess so that you can beat me at a game for once…hmm…I'll even finally teach you how to do laundry properly. How does that sound?" Buffy was a fit of smiles and giggles, as she cuddled on the couch with a vibrant redhead wrapped in her arms. Willow just kept her hand underneath the white tank top that Buffy was wearing, and playfully drew figures with her index finger on the blonde's toned abdomen.

"Well, that's hard to beat…and I'm doing better with the laundry, you know? I haven't shrank anything lately." Willow leaned upwards slightly, and kissed the blonde's shoulder. "Okay…let's see. A new year's resolution…hmmm…oh! Okay, I resolve to not work so much, and rid myself of my workaholic persona. That way, I'll get to work out on the road while you take your next book tour. I'll just fly into the things that are absolutely necessary. I'll work it out with Xander."

"Wills…you don't have to do that. Your work is important, and it can't be easy running the label, and making sure that the Bronze runs smoothly." Buffy started sifting her tiny fingers through auburn locks, and smiled warmly when she heard Willow's sigh of approval. 'She loves it when I play with her hair…'

"No, baby. You shouldn't stay away that long from here. Shit could hit the proverbial fan without you around; I've seen you work, and know how much you do. Your employees, bands, and even your bouncers like you. I don't want to take you away from them. Vi even threatened to stake me the first day I came in to bring you lunch after Thanksgiving. She said that I took you away from the office too long, and that it just wasn't as fun. I may want to be greedy and selfish but I can't all the time. I do have to share you sometimes." Willow stopped playing with her lover's stomach, and just snuggled into her warm, inviting body even closer, wrapping her arm entirely around the blonde's waist. Buffy loved it when they had a lazy day to themselves, and New Year's Day was no different.

The night before, they had spent going from place to place, finally ending up at Xander's for the Times Square ball to drop during the countdown. That Dick Clark…he's a winner. Rogue Slayer was one of the acts for Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve Bash, and Faith's presence was greatly missed at the party but they luckily got to hear her sing on live television. First, the two lovers had to attend a few hours at Willow's office party, and then Buffy had to attend her publishing company's party. Fortunately, they didn't stay long because Brie and tea didn't exactly excite either girl. Quentin Travers was even British when it came to ringing in the New Year. When they arrived at Xander's, Jesse was already asleep, and Anya was already half way to drunksville. It wasn't too long after that Buffy started with her own Cave Slayer routine. When Willow thought that her blonde lover was about ready to pounce on her in front of the others, she decided that Buffy had a little too much beer for the evening, and walked the few blocks back to their house, while Dawn and Adam stayed for a little while longer…something about Anya, and ohhh, the game of Life.

When they arrived home, Willow laughed to find Buffy passed out on their bed. When she finished stripping her girlfriend from her jeans and jacket, she went about getting ready for bed herself, glad that she opted to drink lightly for the evening. The hideous hangover that her lover had that morning was nursed to care by her, and now they just enjoyed being in the other's company, while Dawn and Adam watched a movie in her room upstairs. Alone time was something hard to come by with the younger girl in the house. However, Dawn had found a job working as an associate professor at UC Sunnydale, which was a plus. She would start teaching basic ancient language courses in the spring semester, since one of the college's primary professors had died during the break due to some mysterious dog attack.

"Okay, then…I've thought about it." Willow squeezed Buffy tighter around the waist, and relaxed again through a deep sigh. "My resolution will consist of me learning how to do laundry properly as you teach me…I'm going to kiss you more often…"

"I'm liking this plan already…" Buffy looked down, bunching her chin slightly, and saw Willow smiling mischievously. 'Uh-oh…what's going on in that head of hers?'

"And that's not the best part yet. I'm going to start working out with you." She moved her position until she was practically half atop of Buffy, and saw the blonde's eyebrows arched in amusement and curiosity. "Think about it…you, me…sweaty…together, and there's always shower fun to be had afterwards…together."

"Sometimes I think you're insatiable, Willow but that only makes me love you more…because you make me that way, too." Buffy leaned down, and joined Willow's inviting kiss.

"Sappy Buffy…I haven't seen you since last year." Both girls giggled, as Buffy playfully tapped Willow's forearm. "I think we have good resolutions, personally."

"Hey!" Buffy's smile gave her away, though, and she pulled her giggling girlfriend's body to straddle her own. Pulling their faces close together, mere centimeters distance from the other's lips, the blonde put on a mischievous smile of her own. "If we want to keep these resolutions, we need to start right away…"

"You wanna get sweaty?" Willow matched the husky tone in her girlfriend's voice, and licked her lips in anticipation. The two were definitely going to start the year off right.

"I was thinking somewhere along those lines, yes…but we have to keep another one of your decrees, as well…" Buffy moved the few centimeters they were apart, and started teasing Willow by barely brushing their lips together, then pulling back, only to kiss her swiftly, and listen to her girlfriend moan when she'd pull away again. She loved provoking the redhead, and always loved hearing the frustrated groans emitting from her. Finally, Buffy kissed her firmly on the mouth, deepening the kiss when she felt Willow wrap her hands within her blonde locks, twisting them through her passion.

"Mmm…more Willow kisses is the best resolution ever, bar none." Buffy smirked sensuously through her lidded eyes, and Willow's grin matched it. Leaning in to kiss her again, the blonde started fiddling with the thin t-shirt that her lover had put on after their shower. It was their day off, and they planned on starting the New Year with a bang. From the feel of it, there was bound to be quite the explosion.

"Buffy, have you seen my clogs?" Willow was practically tucked under the bed, searching for her shoes but was finding nothing in the assortment. Buffy just watched her girlfriend's butt wiggle to and fro from underneath the moderately sized bed. 'Mmm…maybe I should just…' She moved over, and knelt down next to the half- Willow, rubbing her palms over the jean clad bottom. She felt the bed move up a little, and the little squeak that came from the redhead under the bed, and couldn't help but giggle at her sneak attack.

When Willow wriggled her way out from under the bed, her auburn locks were a static mess, and Buffy immediately went about brushing them down with her hands. However, the redhead's mock stern expression made the blonde pout, and move in to kiss the wrinkles on the bridge of her girlfriend's nose. When she felt her lover's wrinkles submit to the gentle kisses, she moved down slightly, and kissed her sweetly. Pulling back, she wrapped her arms around Willow's waist, and swayed them slowly from side to side.

"I believe that the Dawn monster has taken your clogs." Buffy smiled when she saw Willow's eyes roll in that amused way that meant she would have a hard time being stern once the inevitable denial from her younger sister came forth.

"She's the key. Sometimes, I wish that she were your shoe size; then you'd know what I go through almost everyday. For once, it'd be nice to find the shoes that I want that particular morning." Willow's pout was kissed away by Buffy, and she wrapped her own arms around the blonde, finally letting her move their bodies. "I suppose I should just pick out another pair of shoes, huh?"

"Uh-huh." Buffy nodded, and kissed her sweetly again before releasing her to grab another pair of shoes. When Willow finally put on a pair of orange retro shoes, Buffy grabbed the two duffle bags by the door, and shut the light off before heading downstairs with the redhead trailing behind her. When they placed their bags in the trunk of the Jeep, they went back inside to gather Bubbles, who was making the weekend trip with them. Willow felt the need to take a trip to the cabin, and Buffy had decided, wanting to show Dawn and Bubbles the lakeside house. There wasn't much argument from either of them, and the younger girl was already settled into the car, eager to take a vacation. It had been far too long since she had taken a family vacation, and decided that this would be an exciting adventure. The weather was a little chilly, so there would be no swimming in the lake but she knew Willow had a small rowboat, and the place was secluded, which meant lots of rest and relaxation. After almost five years of college nonstop, she felt that she deserved a lot of R & R.

Buffy had been hesitant at first about letting her sister come with them, mostly because she had wanted Willow all to herself, and it would be hard for her to make love to her girlfriend in front of a fire if her sister was in the other room. It wasn't something she was too happy about but the redhead had very convincing ways, and she succumbed in no time. What could she say? She was putty in Willow's hands, and figured that she would let her girlfriend drag her anywhere.

Once everybody was ready, and buckled in, Willow drove the group out to the quiet cabin. As soon as they entered, the two lovers were clung to each other, as they gave Dawn a brief tour. It wasn't that hard, since the cabin wasn't overly large. The young brunette insisted on bringing 'Cabin Fever' to watch but Willow immediately shook her head, remembering how she refused to come to the cabin for months after Buffy had brought it home one evening from the video rental store. Instead, Dawn brought books, a Walkman, CDs, and magazines to keep herself occupied. When the tour was over, Dawn immediately took Bubbles out for a walk around the lake but not without a 'be careful' from her older sister.

As soon as she was out of sight, Buffy practically leaped on top of Willow, knocking them to the ground before crashing their lips together in a long needed kiss. It had been an hour without a kiss, and if the resolution was going to stick, they had to do better than that. Buffy decided that there had to be a Willow kiss at least every other minute if she had any say. She just wanted to ignore the facts that they'd both be returning to work on Monday, and that she'd go long hours without them. 'Oh well…we'll just have to make up for lost time…' The redhead managed to find some control finally, and started to tug at Buffy's shirt, which didn't take long for the blonde to tear over her head, only losing lip contact for a brief moment.

"We…ungh…need to go back to the…mmm…bedroom, Buf…Dawn'll…" Willow was relishing the blonde's lips attacking her neck, and small fingers tugging underneath her 'Harvard' t-shirt her mom had given her that Hanukkah. "Oh…Buffy…" She moved her hands, pulling her girlfriend's head closer to her body, trying to get as much contact as humanly possible. When she felt her t-shirt wrap in a bundle around her neck, she whimpered at the loss of contact until her shirt was thrown to the side, and their lips crashing together in a bruising fashion. Finally, she managed to get Buffy to move with her to the bedroom, and slammed the door closed behind them with her foot, already working on unzipping the blonde's jeans.

"Willow…" The moan of her name caused the redhead to clumsily try to tug the dark blue jeans down Buffy's legs, causing a giggle when the blonde lost her balance, and pulled her down with her. Ignoring the pain from the fall, they latched onto each other again, and tampered with ways until their clothes were successfully removed, no matter paid to the burns or cuts from the scratches or rug. "Bed…now…" On Buffy's squeaked pleasure, they managed to stumble up onto the well-made bed, and immediately rumble the sheets. After a long awaited release, they fell back on the bed, a sweaty, sticky mess, and didn't mind the way their body secretions (both perspiration and results of their pleasure) felt as they clung together, panting heavily to gain some sort of normal breathing pattern again. With heavy, pleasured sighs, the two girls finally noticed that the sun had set, and started giggling at their lack of timekeeping.

"Dawn must've gotten back a while back. Maybe we should've been a little quiet…" Willow wrapped her arms around the blonde's body, as Buffy wrapped her body around the redhead. Sifting her hands through the soft locks, Willow sighed again, completely content with her company. 'It's like seeing paradise for the first time, every time…'

"Yeah…but I can't help it when you do that body roll thing…I lose all coherency, or brain control. I'm completely in your hands at that point."

"Both literally and physically…" Buffy looked up slightly, and saw the smirk coming from Willow, which made her lean her body up until their lips met intensely again for the seemingly thousandth time that day. Yet, it still wasn't enough for either. They were completely addicted to the other, and it was the sweetest addiction ever.

"Yeah?" Willow moved into concern mode when she heard the tentative tone in Buffy's voice, so she rubbed the blonde's back lightly to soothe her.

"Do you have any doubts?" Willow moved her head a little back, so that she could see the confusing expression on Buffy's face.

"Us…being married to me, in particular?" Buffy held her breath, hoping that she hadn't opened a can of worms, and that she would be rejected. Even after all this time, she still didn't feel like she deserved the happiness that she received with Willow. It was just so surreal, and she couldn't believe that she was getting to live a fantasy life, where the redhead was the fantasy.

"Oh, nothing. I just…it's silly but Xander was talking to me about his wedding, and how he had those jitters. I remember you telling me how he disappeared before the ceremony, and I don't exactly have the best record of not running away when things get too difficult. You have no fears or doubts?? None that I'll run?" Buffy leaned her body up on her elbow slightly, and positioned herself to look directly into Willow's eyes underneath her.

"None. Because you won't run…if anybody should have fears about somebody leaving them, it's me, and hey, newsflash here! I'm not the least bit afraid that you're going to leave. I believe in you. I love you, and nothing is going to stop me from marrying you on the beach in March." Willow moved her hands up again, and started sifting her fingers through blonde locks that were falling from Buffy's face. "What brought this on? Do you want to run? You aren't planning on running are you because…" She was stopped by a set of firm lips pressed against her own, and she had little time to react. When she finally understood that they were silly questions, she cupped Buffy's face, and allowed her girlfriend to deepen the kiss.

"I love you, and no, I would never run. Xander just made me start thinking about all the times that I ever did, and I came to the conclusion that I could and would never run away from you, from this, from us. I just needed you to know that. That's all. Okay?" Buffy gently caressed the redhead's cheek, and Willow moved her face further into the warm palm.

"I love you so much, Buffy, and you didn't have to but thanks for saying it." Willow pulled the blonde into a deep kiss, and rolled their bodies around until she was on top. Looking down with a sexual prowess, she didn't give Buffy time to react before she disappeared under the sheets again, prompting the blonde to grab the wooden headboard immediately upon contact.

"Buffy? Willow? Are you guys here? It's starting to rain, so I brought Bubbles back in with me." Dawn was yelling when she came into the cabin, and didn't see her sister or the redhead in the living area or kitchen. Since it had been a somewhat lazy day, she figured that since she had stayed out longer than intended, and since the sun had set hours ago, that maybe the two had gone to bed. Still, she needed to let them know that she was okay. Being cautious not to catch them in a passionate act, she listened for a few seconds before knocking. Ever since she had moved back in to the Summers home, she had caught them one too many times, and had seen a few more body parts of both girls than she'd care to have ever. 'At least they have a healthy sex life…mine is nonexistent. All Adam does is studies my naked body…well, I say it's time to study his!!!' Knocking lightly before entering, she discovered that she was correct in both assumptions. The two girls were snuggled tightly together in a seemingly peaceful sleep, if their grins were any indication. Of course, they could also be from the fact that they were naked, and the sheet barely covered them. Their torsos were covered but their legs were jutting out from underneath the sheets in a tangle, and Dawn could only tell whose was whose by the pale and tan complexions. Since the weather was ultimately freezing for California, and moreso because of the breeze from the lake, Dawn moved quietly in, stopping Bubbles with her foot, and wrapped the blankets around the two slumbering lovers.

Moving back into the living room, she started a fire. It was one thing she'd learned how to do on one of her skiing trips with her friends from college. Now, it came in handy, and she beamed with pride when the fire startled to sizzle. She went into the kitchen, and started preparing some dinner for the three of them, since they opted to eat a light lunch earlier that day, and she figured that the two girls in the other room would wake up from their little nap, and would be extremely hungry after what appeared to be quite the workout. When the water pot was placed on the stove, Dawn dug through the grocery bags they had brought, and dug out the chicken and Bisquick. After that, she went about placing the forgotten items in their appropriate places, and knew from their lack of organization that they had started attacking each other as soon as she walked out of the cabin. Outside, she cringed with the thought of her sister naked and having sex but inside, she was beaming with happiness because their happiness rubbed off on her. Plus, a happy Buffy was much easier to live with, in her opinion.

After she finished making the biscuit dough, she chopped carrots and celery, and wiped her hands off, while she waited for the chicken to finish boiling. She went about gathering the girls discarded clothing, and folding them neatly in a stack that she placed on a nice wooden table along the wall. For the first time, she took a really, intense look at the decoration in the cabin, and noticed that it was really rustic. Having heard several stories from her sister about the place, she agreed that it looked like a real, American cabin from the movies. This made her chuckle, knowing that Willow had no real decorating into the house. She had told Buffy that she didn't want to change anything from the way her dad had it, thinking that it somehow preserved his memory. 'Well, it certainly looks like it…there's nothing quirky about it.'

When she heard the timer in the kitchen go off, she moved back in, and made sure the chicken was cooked all the way through before shredding the breasts into tinier bits, and placed everything back in the pot, adding salt, pepper, and a little onion salt, since they didn't have onions. She wasn't entirely sure how to make Chicken and Dumplings. She was solely guessing but she figured that it couldn't be that hard, since she knew what it was supposed to look like, and what was supposed to go in it, from the cookbook at home. It just sounded good, and appropriate for the Southern feel that the cabin was emanating. Placing a lid back on the large pot, she let it boil, while she sat down, and started thumbing through one of her magazines. Occasionally, she'd get up to stir the concoction, deciding that it was successful so far but the dough balls kept bunching together, and she'd have to separate them.

"Hey Dawn." She turned around from her stirring, and saw Buffy clad in sweats and a t-shirt, scratching her ruffled hair as she yawned her greeting.

"Hey Buff. Good nap?" Dawn smirked knowingly, and couldn't help but laugh when she saw her sister's admonishing glare. Buffy was too happy, though, and couldn't hold the glare for long, giving into her own satisfied smirk. She moved to sit down at the table, bringing her socked feet on the chair with her, hugging her knees.

"Whatcha makin'?" Buffy sniffed the air, trying to place the smell but it was unfamiliar. She saw the Bisquick on the counter but apparently Dawn had put everything else away; either that, or was being extremely sneaky. Her sister stirred one last time before replacing the lid, and moving over to the table to join her, shirt powdery from her meal preparation.

"Chicken and Dumplings. I don't know why but I remembered seeing the picture in one of mom's cookbooks at home, and thought of it while walking around the lake. It's raining, by the way." Dawn closed her magazine, and pushed it aside on the table.

"Hmm…don't remember ever eating it. What are dumplings?" Buffy was trying to recollect the dish but nothing was coming to mind.

"Um…I think they're the biscuits. Either that, or it's the soupy stuff. I'm not sure, either. I'm actually just guessing here." Dawn shrugged, hoping that Buffy wouldn't give her the speech again.

"No. I told you, I'm not going to invent that ever again. This time, I at least know what's supposed to go in it, and what it looks like. It's an actual southern food." Dawn gave her pleading look, so that Buffy wouldn't give her the wasting food speech. Luckily, her sister was too preoccupied with a yawning redhead walking into the kitchen at that moment, seemingly mirroring the blonde's earlier entrance. Buffy released her legs, and pulled the still yawning girl onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's body from behind, and resting her chin on the lazy shoulder by a mess of unkempt auburn locks. "Hey, Will."

"Hey, Dawnie. I thought I smelled something cooking. What are you making?" Willow tried to take some of her weight from the blonde's lap but Buffy was having none of it, pulling her back as though her strength was more than one would think just by looking at her.

"Chicken and Dumplings? It's a…" Dawn had another hopeful look, hoping that Willow wouldn't mind too much.

"Yeah, I know it. Tara used to make it sometimes. Did you get the recipe from home?" Dawn just nodded, surprised that the redhead knew about the food. She didn't even know it, and she was the one making it. "It's raining outside."

"Both of you have said that. I don't hear anything." Buffy listened but couldn't make out the sounds of the rain. "I must be losing my super hearing abilities."

"Yeah…we slipped you something that would make you lose your abilities, and make you have to defeat us using only your wits. No super strength, no super hearing…nothing. It's like a rite of passage…" Dawn was giggling at how Willow was teasing her sister, and Buffy couldn't help but smile, even though she was trying to play angry. It was just too hard to mad around Willow, even if she was only teasing.

"What exactly am I going up against here?" Buffy eyed between the two other girls, and wondered what exactly was going on in their seemingly concentrated minds. Willow was the one to resume the teasing.

"Hmm…I'm thinking you have to go against somebody crazy. Somebody really cruel…who has really big issues because his mother didn't love him enough, maybe." Buffy shifted a little to get more comfortable with Willow on top, and Dawn moved to stir the food again.

"This doesn't exactly seem fair. I'm going to issue a complaint." Everyone giggled, and Buffy turned her head on Willow's shoulder, kissing her neck while Dawn was at the stove.

"I think it's done…I mean, it looks kinda like what's in the book." She stirred again, looking down into the pot. "I think." The uncertainty in the girl's voice made both women tense slightly, remembering all too well the times that Dawn had cooked them all dinner. The young girl made three bowls, and brought them to the table. Buffy made them all drinks, while Willow got the spoons and napkins.

As they sat around the wooden table, the three girls chatted idly, and it was all together comfortable. Bubbles sat in a begging position by Dawn's chair, and she would try to sneak the cocker spaniel a bit of dumpling or chicken when the other two weren't looking. They all spoiled the tan dog but feeding from the table wasn't something Buffy ever allowed; she always said it was annoying to have a panting dog on your leg while you were trying to eat dinner. Dawn didn't care. She braved the odds, and fed the dog anyways.

"Are you excited about school starting this semester, Dawnie?" Willow was inching a spoonful into her mouth, eyes watching the brunette.

"Somehow…that doesn't sound so stressful anymore." Dawn's smile let the other girls know that the young woman would be just fine, and would possibly even enjoy her new job. "Yeah, I think I am. I'm meeting with the dean of the department this week, and then he'll give me my office, and go through all the things I'll need to know in general, and show me the basics about the classes, since they already have the textbooks ordered. I have to make a syllabus, and I picked up copies of the textbooks the other day, since I was already forewarned about that problem. Shouldn't be a big deal but yeah, I'm excited."

"Well, that's great, Dawn! I'm sure you'll be a great teacher. You get your own office, too? That's…" Buffy placed a hand overtop Willow's, realizing the beginnings of a seemingly endless rant of excitement.

"I believe you've made my girlfriend give the squeak of geeker joy there, Dawnie." Buffy arched an eyebrow amusedly at the two.

"What can I say? Summers women have an effect on me like no other…" Willow's fake, far away look earned her a playful slap on the hand by the blonde, and Dawn just sat back, realizing that they truly were a happy family, even with Bubbles still drooling on her bare feet.

"As long as I'm the only Summers girl that has certain effects, then that's okay." Buffy playfully threatened Dawn, and everyone just giggled as they ate the rest of the meal in comfortable, companionable silence. Since the young brunette made the meal, the two lovers volunteered to clean up, while Dawn went to take a quick shower to get warm. As the two were washing dishes, Buffy was washing, and Willow was drying, which the redhead regretted, since the blonde kept splashing water on her.

When everybody was done with their tasks, the three gathered around the fire that Dawn had created. Sipping on hot cocoa, they chatted about everything and nothing, sharing stories, plans, and even pet peeves. Once the fire started to die down a little, the three hauled off to bed, ready to get a good night's rest, hoping that the rain would let up by tomorrow, so they could take a quiet row in the lake.

"Willow…can I talk to you about somethin'?" Faith peeked her head into the redhead's office, and was tentative about just walking in until Willow motioned her. Shutting the door, she joined her friend on the couch.

"What is it? Is everything all right?" It was her first day of work of the new year, and things were hectic as usual at the label. As soon as she walked in, it was like she hadn't been gone a day. She was immediately drowned in work, and all she could think of was the weekend, and the perfect vacation her little nontraditional family had shared. The cabin was always fun but it seemed so much better with family. She never remembered it being so magickal, as though some unseen force was making things so pleasant. Being there just with Buffy was always memorable but she couldn't shake the feeling that having Dawn, and even Bubbles there, it had been the best trip the cabin had ever experienced. Willow remembered the short trips with her father, and even then, something was missing, some element to the many adventures. Now, she understood what she had been missing all those years, and that was family. For the first time, the cabin had experienced a happy family within its walls, not a father who took his daughter there to make up for things, and would only pass her off to her friends to play, while he kept working. No, Willow Rosenberg had finally come home, after unknowing years of searching for it.

"Actually, I need some advice, Red." Faith felt vulnerable, and she didn't like it one bit. She trusted Willow but she still had a hard time trusting herself, so the usual defenses were brought up again, and hid behind familiar nicknames.

"Sure. What is it, Faith?" Willow's face scrunched up, concerned by the frightened look on the buxom brunette's.

"I have a problem, and I'm not sure how to handle this…I wouldn't normally ask but I'm not like I used to be, ya know?" Willow nodded, letting Faith continue. "Well, ya see…it's kinda ironic, really…I had two girls ask me out within two days."

"Well, that's not new for you. You have people flocking to you like crazy. It's part of being famous, Faith. I thought we'd already gone over…"

"No. I mean, girls I know…and you know 'em, too. Quite intimately, actually." Willow was confused, and Faith sighed, running her hand through her hair in frustration.

"Do you like either of them? I mean, are you attracted to them?" Faith noticed the confusion, and knew that it was now or never.

"Darla and Ken." The names were just floating there, and then Willow remembered a conversation regarding another former bad girl gone good (which still confused her). That's when the redhead smiled, and it was Faith's turn to be confused. "Come on…give me somethin' here…ya gotta admit the irony here."

"Well, irony's kind of ironic that way. Look, do you like either of them?" Faith groaned, unsure of what she felt. The only thing she had ever been certain about was her unrequited love for the redhead currently next to her.

"I don't know." Faith was vulnerable again, and groaned, letting her head fall into Willow's lap, as the redhead looked down in shock. The brunette was a little too close to parts that were solely reserved for a certain blonde but she understood that it was solely to hide embarrassment.

"Well, Faith…people don't always know until they get to know a person. I know that you and Kennedy have been hanging out but I had no idea that she liked you. It seems like something she'd mention to me. I knew about Darla, though. She actually came to talk to me about it, just like you're doing right now. It's nothing to be ashamed of; you're just not used to dating. I've heard all your stories. Just let me ask you this…" Faith came up from the girl's lap, and looked at her with hopeful eyes, wanting any kind of advice at this point. She just didn't want to go back to the love 'em and leave 'em routine she was so familiar with; loving Willow had changed her whole perspective on life and love. "Would you ever consider dating them? Like…could you possibly see yourself being more intimate than just friend with either of them?"

"Well…yeah. Both actually…but I mean…man, it's hard. They're so different. Kennedy still has a little bit of innocence in her because she's younger but Darla is an old soul, who has seen and done her share of horrible things. They're so different."

"Well…don't make a concrete decision yet. Maybe…tell them that you're not ready for a serious relationship yet but you'd like to go out with them sometime. Just let them both know up front that you'll be seeing other people, and leave out the part where you're just undecided. That way you're not leading them into something you're not ready for, and you get to see which one you fit better with; if you fit with them at all." Willow could tell it was killing Faith, since the brunette had never had a serious dating experience, and she was willing to see her through every step. "I'll be here for you the entire time, and if you even need, Buffy and I can double date with you. That's only if you think it won't make you uncomfortable. If so, then I'll only be a phone call away, as long as you let me know when it is."

"New, I know, and don't worry. I might not be familiar with the old Faith but this new you…you would be a great girlfriend." She laid her hand on the brunette's knee for emphasis, and to make sure that her words registered. "I mean it, Faith. I want to see you happy, and I hate to see you brood all the time. If things were different…"

"Listen, how about calling one of them…the one you think you'll like the most, and bring them to the Bronze this Saturday. One of the new acts is playing, and I want you to check them out anyways." Faith nodded absentmindedly, and then the final part sunk in completely.

"Wait…huh? Why would you want me to check 'em out? Don't you have…I don't know…people that do that?" Faith's curious face was evident, and Willow couldn't help but smile at how much she had seen the brunette change since their first meeting over a year ago.

"Well, Faith…you have an ear for jazz. I just want your opinion on them. So, tell me…which one do you think you'll ask out first?" Willow nudged Faith in the side slightly, teasing her a little, and Faith finally relaxed on the couch, sighing as she leant back into the cushions.

"I'm not sure. I mean…I know Kennedy a little better. We've hung out but Darla…I've only had drinks with her once night when I recognized her, and we just ended up talking." Willow leaned back into the cushions, too, and rested her head with her elbow on the back, listening intently. "What do you think? I mean…are you okay with this? They're both your exes…that makes it kinda ironic…me being in love with you but your exes asking me out."

"Well…Kennedy and I were together about maybe 2 years. When I paid attention, and it wasn't about sex…hmm…the friendship was nice. She does still have that innocence you're talking about but she's been through more than first recognized. She's more the spoiled brat type. On the other hand, Darla…well, our relationship was nothing but sex." Faith arched an eyebrow, learning something new about the seemingly shy at times redhead. It was hard to picture Willow as promiscuous. Even seeing her with Fred in that tape, it seemed as though they had been in love, and it wasn't all about the kinky sex. "Okay…I know. I was numb to emotion. I just wanted to feel something, and I did try to make a relationship with some of them, even if they were twisted like the month I was with Darla. She's just…hmm…where Ken's the spoiled brat, Darla's kind of like the wild child that goes after what she wants, and isn't satisfied until she's there. She's more the seductive type. Kennedy's sweet compared to her."

"Faith…please. I told you. After Tara died, I just couldn't feel anything…like I was dead inside, and my relationship with Kennedy isn't one of my better points. I really hurt her, and I'll never be able to forgive myself for the way I treated her. She really loved me, and I just ignored her unless I wanted something like sex." Willow's eyes were pleading, and Faith understood, as she gazed into the green depths that let the brunette know that it really was a tough time for her friend. "It wasn't until I met Buffy four years after Tara's death that I came back to myself. All the bad things that I've ever done…the way I treated Ken…I'll always regret them. The guilt will always be there but I'm happy now. More than I've ever been."

"You really are, Will." Faith sighed, and her sad gaze showed that she was happy for her happiness, too. "Kennedy."

"Kennedy. I've lived the bad girl thing my whole life. I think I'm going to try out some of that innocence, see what that does for me. If not, there's always Darla. Either way, I figure I'm not doing bad for myself. Thanks, Willow." Faith half grinned through sad eyes, and Willow nodded, her expression somewhat the same. With that, things were settled, and the brunette left the office, leaving a stressed Willow to finish her work for the day, so that she could get back to start working on that New Year's resolution. Besides, it was laundry day, and she figured that it wouldn't hurt to have a little fun on the spin cycle, while she learned how to do laundry properly, and kissed Buffy over and over and over…

It was supposed to be Valentine's Day but with Willow in the office all day, Buffy kept tapping her foot nervously, wondering when her workaholic girlfriend was going to arrive for their evening together. Dawn had gone over to wherever Adam lived, which still unnerved the blonde, since he was still an enigma to her. All day long, she had been preparing the house for a quiet, romantic evening indoors but the redhead was over two hours late. Whenever Buffy called her office, Vi said she was in a meeting, and that had been three hours ago. She tried calling again but Vi mentioned that it was hectic over there, and that the meeting sounded heavy. Now, all she could was sit and wait, and as the clocked ticked on, the blonde wondered if the dinner that she'd made would even still be good. The candles on the dining room table had already melted halfway down, and were making a white mess all over the surface. Buffy grumbled, and blew the pillar flames out, and went about cleaning up the waxy mess.

Sighing, she walked into the kitchen, and portioned her well-thought out dinner into Tupperware before placing the bowls into the refrigerator. Noticing that it was already eleven, she turned out the lights, and locked the back door. When she walked past the still made dinner table, she decided to leave it for clean up the next day, and left the card, vase full of flowers, and gift box at the end of the table, too. Turning off the lights as she went through the house, she checked to make sure the front door was locked before moving up the stairs, and sagged into the bathroom to get ready for bed. She was more than upset, and it took several tries before she successfully brushed her teeth, since her sobs had made it so difficult to keep the paste or brush in her mouth. After pulling on some pajama pants, and a tank top, she crawled into bed alone, turning off the nightstand lamp before crying into her pillow.

She knew what she signed up for when dating a major business woman, especially one that runs two booming businesses, but that didn't mean it hurt any less. 'Oh Will…" After what she felt was an eternity, she heard the front door open and shut, and the familiar rattle of quirky keychains on her girlfriend's keys. She figured that Willow was moving through the kitchen, trying to find something to eat, but when she heard the loud bang from downstairs, she winced from the sound. Still crying, she decided that her girlfriend could do the investigating for once, to see where the loud crack had come from but when she heard footsteps trying to move swiftly but quietly up the stairs, she saw the bathroom's light flicker on from the cracked door opening. Hearing the water run, she could make out the slight hisses of pain coming from her Willow, and sighed, unwilling to move. 'I shouldn't be upset…it's her job…but why isn't it always at important moments in our life that bad things happen.'

Finally, she heard the shower running, and figured that the redhead had decided to take a hot shower to relieve her frazzled nerves. 'It must have been a stressful day…if I wasn't so upset, I'd help her…' After what seemed like another eternity, she heard the shower turn off, and the sounds of Willow brushing her teeth. When the bathroom light flicked off, she decided to mock sleep, so that she wouldn't have to talk to her girlfriend; her own emotions were too broken to really talk, fearing she would play defenses, and say something she didn't really mean. With her back towards everything, she couldn't see Willow but she could hear her movements, and recognized that she was pulling on some pajamas, and combing her dampened locks.

The second Willow climbed under the covers, the redhead's sigh was barely audible but Buffy could tell that she was just as upset about the ruined evening. Still, it hurt, and she had to use all of her anti-Will power to stop herself from turning around, and snuggling with her lover. Sure, it was selfish but her emotions were going crazy at the moment. When she realized that the redhead was still awake after several long minutes of just breathing, Buffy peeked an eye open, and noticed her girlfriend's reflection in the mirror. Willow was lying on her back, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling lost in thought, and she had her hands folded above her stomach on top of the comforter. It took the blonde a moment to focus but she finally noticed the large bandage across her lover's left hand. Sighing, she turned over out of concern. Her Willow was hurt.

When she was laying on her other side facing Willow, she kept her eyes open, ready to talk but the redhead's gaze was unmoving. Her girlfriend wouldn't acknowledge the fact that she had turned over, and suddenly 'woken up,' even though Buffy knew that Will knew that she wasn't really asleep. Sighing deeply, she looked over at the redhead's bandaged hand, and recognized that the tape wrapped around her knuckles mostly. Giving completely in, she wrapped one of her warm hands with the injured limb carefully, and Willow visibly flinched, hissing her discomfort from the movement, yet she still wouldn't turn her eyes

"What happened?" Buffy's voice was croaky, since she had done nothing but cry for the last few hours, and hadn't said a word for longer than that. She cleared her throat, and tried again when Willow didn't answer her. "Wills? What happened to your hand?" The redhead just shrugged, and that let the blonde know that something was not right in the world of Willow. "What is it? Did you get a papercut? Slam your hands too hard when negotiating, or…"

"You ran into the wall?" Buffy was a little confused, and needed things clarified. 'Now, if I can just get her to cooperate, and give a little here…'

"No. I hit the wall." Still, Willow's voice was dead, and she turned her head away from Buffy, ashamed all of a sudden.

"Why? When?" It wasn't like her girlfriend to resort to violence at all, and her own frazzled emotions took a break, letting her focus all of her attention on Willow.

"Earlier…downstairs in the kitchen when I came inside, and because it felt like the thing to do at the time." Willow turned her head back to stare at the ceiling, and out of nervous habit, started playing with her knuckles, only to be reminded once again of her earlier misbehavior.

"Well, obviously it wasn't…so tell me, Wills…what's the what? Don't go all stoic on me here…" Buffy moved her hand to pull Willow's nervous ones away from picking at the bandaged knuckle, and held it in place above the covers, rubbing her thumb in gentle circles to help calm her nerves. "Come on, baby…was it that bad at work?"

"Of course it was…but that's not why I did it." Moving closer to Willow, she could feel the warmth that still seeped from the redhead's body from her steaming shower. Buffy leaned up on her other elbow, trying to get her girlfriend to finally meet her worried gaze.

"Then…are you gonna tell me, or are we going to dance around the subject? I have to say that I put up my dancing shoes about an hour ago." Buffy tried to keep the harshness from her voice but the wounds were still too fresh. "Just tell me what's wrong, Willow…please."

"Buffy…" Finally, Willow sighed, and turned her head slightly to lock eyes with her girlfriend. Seeing the worry lines on her forehead, the redhead moved her free, bandaged hand to gently smooth them out with the back of gentle fingers. "It's nothing. Silly, really. I just punched the wall in the kitchen, and split open my knuckles."

"Will…that's not nothing. You could have broken your hand." Buffy's worry lines deepened, and Willow just kept her ministrations.

"You should see the wall…" Willow's half-smirk loosened some of the tension but there was still too much to extinguish it all. Her face grew serious again, as she moved her bandaged hand to play with the hand holding her other one. "I'm sorry I'm so late…I know we had plans but…"

"It's okay." Willow raised an eyebrow speculatively, and Buffy knew she had to tell the truth. "So it's not that okay. I'm a little upset…all right, a lot of upset but you were working. I'll get over it…"

"Huh?" Buffy's eyebrows scrunched in confusion, as she went back over the last few bits of conversation, trying to figure out how Willow's confession fit in exactly. "What do you mean you…"

"Earlier…when I came home. I was already more than upset about missing our date…on Valentine's Day of all days, and I was overstressed from the stupid legalities regarding Drusilla's breach of contract." Willow looked over again, and saw the beautiful hazel eyes that were always waiting for at the end of a hard day's work, and she had to sigh from that feeling of solid joy.

"That's understandable, Wills. You have too big of a heart to not give somebody what they need, even if it means more work for you later." Buffy took a few moments to study her girlfriend's loving, green gaze, and couldn't help but let all previous emotions wash away, since Willow would always come home to her at the end of the day. She had to give a little half-grin. "And less playtime for me…"

"Buffy, I really am sorry, and I promise I'll call Xander in the morning, and have him come over and fix the wall in the kitchen."

"That's…wait, how hard did you hit exactly? What happened to the wall?" Buffy pushed her body a little further up, and looked down at Willow, who was casually trying to avoid eye contact. When she did look her way, she had that shy smile that let the blonde know that she felt guilty. "What'd you do?"

"Um…you see…the thing is…when I blamed the wall, I didn't know how bad the dry walling was, so my fist kind of went through it, and that's why I was all like…ow…and with the bloody knuckles…and the bandage." She held up her injured hand slightly for emphasis. "Forgive me?"

"Um…wow…that's…hmmm…" Buffy took a moment for the babble to register before she went to the most important questions at bay. "And you're all right now? All non-bloody, and nothing broken?"

"Nope. Just a little scratch…okay, maybe a really big couple of scratches but they'll heal." Willow tried to full on smile but the worry still etched on Buffy's face was present.

"Um…about a little larger than my fist…and it's not really a circle, per se, as it is a…"

"Okay…just as long as you're good. Even if a little scratched, at least it's not worse. What in the world possessed you to hit the wall again?" Buffy was still baffled by the random act of frustrated violence towards the inanimate object by her pacifistic lover.

"I told you. I was already stressed, and upset that our plans were ruined. I passed by the table, and saw how nice you made it, and went to find something to eat before bed, and saw the dinner you made in boxes, and my frustration kind of lashed out a little, I guess…"

"Willow…yes, I was upset but you're here now, and so what? We didn't get to spend Valentine's Day like we planned but we still have…" Buffy looked at the clock on Willow's nightstand, and saw that it was 12:23. "Okay…so it's 23 minutes over but it's not in Hawaii yet…or Alaska, I think. I'm not sure how that works exactly." She pondered that for a moment before moving along with her previous declaration. "So…I say we celebrate anyways. It's not like anything ever comes easy, or normal for us. Plans have been ruined before, and we came out of it no worse for wear. I say, let's not make a big deal…even if it feels like it at the moment."

"No, no buts. Let's make the most of our backtracked time." Buffy crawled out of bed, and crossed around to turn the digital clock back an hour (even though, technically she was moving it forward 23). Willow decided to just give in to her scheming girlfriend, and crawled out of bed, just as she was placing a CD into the player. Before she could reach her, Buffy turned around, and pulled her into a tight embrace…one that was much needed the entire day. With that one embrace, she could feel the majority of her frustration fall away, and she fell into the swaying arms of her lover.

"Yeah…" The blonde turned around, and pressed the play button on the player, striking up the soulful sounds of some good, old-fashioned Marvin Gaye…the ultimate music for lovemaking. Buffy turned back around, and wrapped her arms entirely around Willow, trying to get her as close as possible but still be able to see her elfin face.

"Buffy…" Willow's whispers were showing through her smoldering green eyes, and just as the song ended, the blonde found herself wrapped into a desperate kiss, one that had been long awaited, and much needed for both girls. As they continued kissing, and barely swaying to the music still playing, Marvin Gaye continued crooning the two lovers in their passionate embrace.

Putting her bandaged hand gently against Buffy's chest, palm forward, Willow could feel her girlfriend's rapid heartbeat, and smiled into the deep kiss, causing a chain reaction. Through their smiles, they kept their lips together but pulled from the kiss in pants. Resting their foreheads together, the two girls just continued the sway they had going. It was a quiet dance; one that was meant to bring together everything the evening's plans had disregarded. Instead of moving back to their previous heated kisses, the two lovers just kept their quiet dance.

"Might as well do this right, then…" Buffy stopped their sway once the music stopped, and pulled Willow downstairs with her, as she hit the stop button on the player. There would definitely be more time for music later. Turning on the dim light above the stove, the redhead watched as her pajama-clad girlfriend pulled out the Tupperware that held the evening's unfortunately uneaten dinner.

"Okay…so…do you think it looks bad?" Willow was wary, pointing to the hole in the wall. Buffy turned around, the hole forgotten over the concern for the redhead's cuts. The blonde was glad that she had already placed the bowls on the counter. Even if they were plastic, she knew there would still be a scene with chicken all over the floor. The wall had a misshapen section taken out, and moving closer to investigate, she could see the dry wall bits falling into the interior of the wall, and the slight traces of blood from where Willow must have taken her fist from the damage. Turning around, she saw the redhead wringing her hands nervously, again wincing in pain from the injury, and tearing at the bandage.

"Will? You're lucky you didn't break your hand. This is harsh." Buffy came over, and placed a gentle hand over her hands, stopping their nervous movement. When she was certain that Willow was relaxed again, and knew she wasn't mad about the damage, they went about heating up something to eat, even though it was already 1 in the morning. 'Stranger things have happened…'

After eating, they just rinsed their plates, silverware, and glasses, and stuck them all in the dishwasher before putting away the leftovers. It was late, so they really didn't eat that much but it was the principle of the idea. Making their way back upstairs to bed, Buffy grabbed the card and gift from the dining table on her way. When they snuggled in bed, they exchanged cards and gifts. Buffy opened hers first, from utter insistence from her girlfriend. Opening the card, she wasn't surprised to find a Hallmark card that all but made her cry, except it wasn't one of those cheesy cards. All it had on it was two of those sweetheart candies on it. One said 'I'm Yours,' and the other said 'You're Mine.' It was totally Willowy, simple, and to the point but it said so much more. Turning a happy grin towards the redhead, Buffy kissed her firmly on the mouth before opening the box. Willow knew how much she loved to unwrap things, and she tore into the heart paper, revealing a simple white box. Before she could open it, though, she turned towards her lover.

"I am, you know?" Willow looked at her, confused why the normally childlike behavior of Buffy's gift unwrapping had stopped.

"Yours, too." Willow's smile increased, and she couldn't help but wrap her arm around Buffy's waist, pulling her closer as she opened the box. Inside, there were several littler items, and the blonde smirked at the redhead's sneakiness. First, she pulled out a CD-RW that had 'To Buffy, From Willow.'

"It has songs on it that I think are really cheesy that suit you to a tee." Buffy rolled her eyes amusedly at the smirking redhead, and continued digging through her assorted goodies. There was the ever-popular chocolate, only it was the good stuff, and the blonde had to arch an eyebrow at the fact Willow had managed to not any herself. "I know what you're thinking, and it's because I have a box in my desk at work." Buffy giggled, and went back to the box again. Finding a new pair of pajama pants with matching tank top, she laid the hearted clothing aside, as she pulled out some red candles.

"Keep going…" Willow motioned towards the box with her head, and Buffy did just that. Pulling out a fitted piece of thin cardboard, she reached into the depths of the deep box, and found a large velvet box, and a black leather coat. Laying the smaller box in her lap for last, she unraveled the gorgeous, thin black leather outerwear. It would go just past her thighs, and the buttons and zipper would make it a soft, comfortable fit on her petite frame.

"Just one more…" Willow's smile urged her on, and she tucked the coat back into the box, and palmed the black velvet box before slowly urging it open. Inside, there was a silver cross pendant that wasn't that big, and would fit perfectly on her smaller form. She had to close her mouth with her hand to keep the quiet, happy tears at bay. Turning towards Willow, she noticed the shy smile there, and wrapped her arms around her, kissing her sensuously. "I felt kind of awkward buying it…me being Jewish and all…but I remember you mentioning your mother gave you one when you were younger but you lost it, and I saw you always eyeing this one when we went to the mall. Is it too much?"

"No. Not at all. It's perfect, wonderful. You're wonderful. I love you so much, Willow. Thank you." She kissed her sensuously again before urging the redhead to take her turn. "It's not as much…but I did get you flowers. They're downstairs on the table."

"I'm sure it's perfect, as well." Willow opened the card, and smiled at its simplicity, as well, even though it did still have that sappy Buffy affect thrown in for good measure. Two people were holding hands on the front, and the inside read… 'This love thing just keeps getting easier to do...and hard to live without. Happy Valentine's Day.' "Aww…sappy Buffy…" She kissed her, as she laid the card on the nightstand, standing it up for show. Unwrapping the small box, she opened it to reveal a velvet box, as well. Mirroring the blonde's earlier action, she slowly edged it open, and had to put a hand over her mouth to control the happy tears. "Buffy! Where did you find this? It's gorgeous…"

"A good gift giver never gives their secrets away…" She kissed her cheek, as the redhead just continued running her fingers over the silver chain, and the pendant that held its place in the box. "I got one for myself, as well. It's hidden in my underwear drawer."

"A place where many men have gone before…" Willow tried imitating the narrator from the science fiction series but wasn't that successful. She just didn't have that deep voice.

"Hey! You're definitely spending too much time with Xander, and I'll have you know that only one woman will be in that drawer from now on…thank you very much." Buffy grinned, and Willow turned back to the necklace. It was only two Hebrew letters but to a Jew, it meant so much, and especially coming from somebody you love. It was Chai and Hey, and together, they meant 'Life.'

"L'chaim!" Buffy couldn't stop smiling at her happy lover, and crawled out of bed, lighting the candles that she had received.

"Where did you learn how to speak Hebrew?" Willow watched her girlfriend exchange the CDs in the player, and smiled that she placed them in their actual cases, something that she hadn't done before living with the redhead.

"Actually, Dawn was watching 'Fiddler on the Roof'…and then, I was at the jewelry shop by the publishers, and the man in there told me what it meant, and how special it was to give it to somebody you love, and I immediately found the perfect one, and bought two." She smiled, as she turned around, and grabbed the new pajamas, stripping her pajamas off until she was clad only in underwear, giving the redhead quite the show. Before she pulled the pants on, she heard Willow 'tsk' at her, so she looked up at the smirking redhead.

"Might as well just keep those off…at least, for what I plan on doing to you…" Buffy felt her heat rise all over, and easily tossed the pants aside, taking her underwear with her. Baring it all, she tackled the redhead back on the bed, just as she laid the velvet boxes on the nightstand. Kissing her with all her might, Buffy tore Willow's shirt over her head with a primal force. 'Gotta make it even ground here…' When the redhead kicked the covers off, she tore her socks off, and helped her girlfriend pull her underwear and pants off, too. Both naked, and kissing feverishly, the two didn't notice that it was already 3 in the morning, and the music that was playing in the background.

Faith was trying not to act nervous but even after five dates, she still couldn't stop shaking her legs, or twitching her hands. She

had decided to go out with Kennedy, and the first date was pleasant. The only thing they did was clumsily chatter through dinner, went to see a movie, and then a couple drinks, leaving their separate ways (despite protest from the younger brunette). Faith wanted to take things slow. She had taken Willow's advice, and wanted to be that great girlfriend the redhead thought she could be, and just moved at a slower pace, hoping that things were okay, since they were still new to her.

She had tried to go out with Darla, too, but that was a disaster. They had several things in common but both decided to part as friends, and instead got together again another time to discuss their upcoming tour in the summer. The blonde, if you got past the badass material, was actually a pleasant person to be around…plus, she was hot, so that didn't hurt anything, either.

Kennedy, though. The girl was an enigma to Faith. The shorter woman reminded her so much of herself but there was that innocence that still lurked on the surface, and she found to be underneath, as well. After a few more dates, they still hadn't had sex, and Faith was finding it hard to turn down the younger girl every single time. She had too, though. Not just for herself but also to prove to herself that she really did make that great girlfriend, and that Willow was right.

Now, it had been a little over a month, and she was craving that itch to just take the girl anywhere. The sexual attraction had grown stronger as the days grew longer, and Faith was finding it hard to control her urges, especially talking to her on the phone at night. She had no problem with phone sex whatsoever, and was glad that Kennedy had initiated the previous night but now, she was craving it even more, especially sitting next to the younger girl in the crowded Bronze. She was actually surprised that she didn't see Willow, and her permanent attachment there but then again, she wasn't really looking; she kept casting longing glances at her Valentine's Day date, and with a need that she was fully aware of, pulled her out the door with a start, and took her back to her apartment. Enough was enough. It was time to get down and dirty…

"Do you think this song would work?" Buffy skipped to a particular song on a CD, and Willow cringed, and shook her head disapprovingly. They were currently trying to find a few wedding songs that they could play at the reception held at the Bronze. The wedding may be small but the party would be bumping. At least, that's how Dawn had put it. "What about this one?" Buffy skipped another few tracks, and Willow listened, thought a moment, and then nodded, as she was buried in a large collection on the floor, listing the songs in an organized fashion using different colored pens. The blonde watched her over organized girlfriend write the tune down on the 'fast, techno dance' list, and rummaged to find another song to put in the 'slow song' list. Pulling out one of Willow's favorites, she placed the Glenn Miller in the player, and turned it to the song in question. As soon as the first notes were played, she saw the redhead's eyes light up, and glance lovingly her way.

"I actually already have that song down in the 'band list.' Jonathon from the Nerds, and also the son of your Jewish deli guy…he actually volunteered to sing it for us. What do you think?" Willow stood up from the pile to stretch, and Buffy left the music playing, pulling her girlfriend into a slow dance to stretch their aching limbs. They had been working hard at the lists for a week, and were no closer to having it complete than when they started.

The reception had turned into an all out bash, and it was more stressful to get everything together for that than the actual ceremony itself. Several of the label's acts, and even some that weren't but were friends with Willow from the business, had readily volunteered to do a song or two, and it wouldn't cost a thing. Laughing at the enthusiasm of her friends, the redhead eventually agreed not to pay them anything, and found that the party was going to be huge, and that it would be almost as large as a busy weekend night at the club. The place was surely going to be packed. Besides the live performances, the two had to go about finding several songs to fit into the rest of the time, which was about two hours. So far, they had managed to break the lists down but there were still several rounds of elimination left.

"I love it when you dance close to me like this…" Willow wrapped her stretching arms around Buffy's waist, and curled them up her back to pull her closer, as the blonde laid her head on her shoulder, practically gripping her entire back, as well.

"Me, too…" They just continued to dance within the pile of CDs and papers, and they took a short break for what they knew was going to be a long, hectic month but would be well worth the outcome in the end.

"Giles!!" Willow rushed towards the British man, and attacked him into a large hug with an audible thump. Buffy just stood back, and watched her overexcited girlfriend greet her father figure. The redhead had spent the previous night going over story after story with eager excitement that only she could get when describing things. After a while of giggles and in between story smoochies, Dawn had pounded on the wall, and yelled for them to be quiet, since she had to teach an early morning class. However, Willow just lowered her voice a little, and kept telling stories about her mentor. The excitement hadn't died down when they woke up that morning, and even at lunch in the redhead's office, Xander joined in with some of his stories about the stoic librarian.

Watching with loving eyes, Buffy couldn't help but smile at the way her girlfriend practically wrapped herself around the former librarian. 'She's just so cute when she gets excited…' When the hug was over, Willow wasted no time, and dragged him over to the blonde. Once they were there in front of her, Buffy watched the older man try to regain some of his British pride by positioning his glasses better, and clearing his throat before extending his hand to her.

"You must be Buffy…" The blonde took his hand, and noticed that there was something genuine in his eyes.

"That'd be me, which would make you Mr. Giles! Willow has spent two days practically recalling everything you ever did…from yelling at Snyder to dropping a pencil. If she wasn't marrying me, I'd be jealous." Buffy's smirk showed the playfulness that Giles had been warned about regarding his surrogate daughter's lover. There was a lot of things that he had heard about her from the redhead, and recognized that she was definitely going to be a handful for the redhead.

"Yes, well…it is very nice to finally meet you, Buffy. Willow has told me a few things about you, as well." They stopped shaking hands, and the redhead moved over, linking her arms between theirs, and pulling them along to the car.

"Oh, I assure you." He smiled at the blushing Willow, and found it hard to retain his British stoicism; he just wanted to hug his dear friend again but alas, his upbringing didn't allow for it, and the three just continued on outside. Putting his bag in back, Buffy allowed him to sit up front, much to his protest, and she just leant forward in the middle on the whole drive to the Summers house. When they arrived at the house, the two girls gave him the two-cent tour, and helped him settle into the guestroom down the hall. Sitting on his bed excitedly, Willow still couldn't believe that he was really there. It had been way too long. "So…are you girls ready for the excitement this Sunday?"

"What's happening this Sunday?" Buffy sat down beside Willow on the bed, and kept her face neutral. The redhead just looked at her, face aghast, and Giles took a moment to ponder her meaning, until she finally started to laugh. "You should have seen your guys' faces. They were priceless."

"Not funny…" Willow mock pouted, and scrunched her eyebrows together for emphasis. Giles just continued hanging his tweed garments into the closet, and smiled at the genuine interaction between the two young adults. When Buffy finally called a truce with Willow, the two started kissing, until they were reminded of where they were when they heard the deep clearing of the throat. "Sorry Giles…"

"Quite alright, girls. Now, move along. I'm afraid I'm still a little jet lagged, and need some rest. Plus, I believe you have some more planning to do for this Sunday." The girls nodded, and exited the room, hand in hand, and went to their own bedroom, where things were positioned everywhere. There was a pile of CDs in the corner that were meant to be taken to the Bronze sometime this week, their dresses were hanging on the closet door, airing out for the big day, and there were also bags along the wall for the honeymoon. Everything was in place, and they would just tell people that it wasn't so they could disappear from their excited friends, who seemed to be planning their futures for them. Faith was usually in the corner making out with Kennedy (which was awkward for Willow at first but was more than happy to see them both happy), so they really didn't have to worry about those two but it was Xander, Dawn, and Anya that were constantly at their toes about something. Anya kept mentioning the joys of motherhood, and the possibilities it could hold for them, and Dawn was with her in that boat, ready to be an aunt. Xander was constantly hounding her about the duties of a marriage, and the differences the union was going to make in their relationship. Mostly, he was warning Willow not to mention anything about the weight gain, which she only shrugged, and looked to Buffy for help.

It was times like these: the few quiet moments, especially the past few days that reminded the girls why they were going through with the ceremony. Doubts never crossed their minds but the whole hassle, and constancy of everything…it was unnerving, and they would be glad when it was all over, and they were just married finally. Cuddling together in the dimly lit room, the two girls just held onto the other, relishing in the warmth of the other's body.

"Giles is nice." Buffy started to stroke the auburn locks on her lap, while Willow drew small, gentle patterns on her midriff. "I see why you like him."

"Wait until you hear him sing. He is kinda sexy." Willow giggles when she hears Buffy's snort of jealousy. "It reminds me why I used to have such a crush on him."

"Okay…maybe you should marry him then." Buffy stops running her fingers through Willow's hair, and moved to get off the bed, forcing the redhead to get up, and watch her with a concerned look. She watched the blonde move to the window, and positioned herself to sit on the edge of the bed, and study her movements. Standing up, she moved to wrap her arms around Buffy's waist, and felt her girlfriend sigh when she leaned back into her.

"No…no, it's me. I guess it's all just…I don't know…getting to me? I mean…in three days, we're going to be married. Never in my life would I have thought it was a possibility. Then, you happen to me, and all of a sudden, it's a major possibility…one that's about to happen, and I can't help but wish that my mom was here to see it." Buffy wiped the tears from her cheek, and just wrapped her arms around Willow's, pulling the redhead closer.

"I know you do, and I'm sorry I went all catatonic on you the other day. I guess it was just worse than usual. It's been almost seven years but it still hurts, and I still don't think I can protect Dawn." Buffy moved around in her lover's arms, and wrapped her own around Willow's waist, locking their gazes together.

"You can, and you do. Besides, Dawn's a big girl now. She's even dating…whatever he is…but the point is that maybe you don't need to protect her from the world anymore." Willow kept one arm around her waist, as she used the other hand to wipe the tears gently from Buffy's face. "I think maybe now is the time to show her the world instead."

"You're right…why are you always right?" Buffy faintly smiles, and Willow sifts her hands through blonde locks, pushing them behind her girlfriend's ears, and just smiling at her in response. "I need you, Will. You're my big gun." Again Willow just smiles, and kisses her softly on the lips as her hands move up her back, holding her in place.

"And you…are going to be fine. We're going to be fine. We'll solve this. We will. Don't

have another coma, okay?" Buffy chuckled slightly, and kissed Willow again, tightening her hold on her soon to be wife.

The doorbell rang, and Buffy moved from her comfortable position in Willow's arms with reluctance, and went to answer it. When she opened the door, she just stared slack-jawed at the figure beyond it, and couldn't think of anything to say. Of all the times to show up, Spike decided that seeing Buffy actually pretend she was going to go through with the wedding would be his entertainment for the weekend. So, he rode down on his Harley, and wasted no time in torturing her about her dark past. It was all fun to him, and he had spent a year without having her call him for one of their many games, so he was also frustrated, and was determined to do anything to get into her pants again, no matter who he had to hurt in the process. She was his…she always came back to him in the dark, and he just assumed she always would. He wanted to prove that theory correct.

"Spike…what are you doing here?" Buffy's tone was icy, and Willow could practically feel the blonde tense from the living room, so she moved to her, and saw the bleach blonde on the other side of the door.

"Well, aren't you going to invite a chap in?" Buffy just rolled her eyes, and he took that as his invite, walking past them, and sniffing the air audibly, gathering the way the home smelled. "Red's been living here…"

"Yes…now what do you want Spike? We're kind of busy here…" He just looked Willow up and down a moment, believing that Buffy would spend the rest of her life with the redhead. He wasn't sure if that made him happy that the blonde had found happiness, or sick because that meant Buffy would never again be his…even though she never was to begin with.

"Right…well, you see…a little birdie told me that you two birds are getting hitched, so I thought I'd come down, and take in all the festivities." He just moved further in, and dropped his duffle loudly to the floor, once again sniffing the air. "Home sweet home…"

"This is not your home, Spike, and as long as you're under this roof, no funny business, okay?" Buffy pointed towards him, and he smirked at her mischievously.

"Wait! Buffy, he can't stay here!" Willow's eyes became saucers, and she shook her head furiously at her lover, trying not to believe that her soon to be wife would invite the one person that would cause more problems to the fold, and add to the already intense stress.

"He can't? Why not, Willow? There's a cot in the basement; he's slept in worse conditions." Buffy turned curious eyes at her lover, suddenly wondering where the fright in the redhead's voice was coming from, and with disbelief that Willow would turn anybody away from the place without consulting her first.

"Then what exactly is the point, Willow?" Buffy crossed her arms, and positioned herself to lean on one foot, eyeing the redhead with intensity. Her tone sounded a lot meaner than she had intended but seeing her girlfriend flinch, she suddenly felt guilty. 'Dammit, Spike…just…just…argh!'

"The point is…um, well…the point is that…Come on, Buffy, remember what happened last time he was here?" Willow's eyes and tone were pleading to her but for some reason, the blonde still had a bond with Spike, and although she knew where Willow was coming from with her logic, Buffy couldn't turn him down if he wanted to see them get married. He was a big part of her life, however twisted, and she wanted to share her moment of happiness with Willow with anybody that came along…she just couldn't say no to him.

"Look, Will…baby, it's okay. Nothing like that is going to happen. Besides, we're still together…so together, and even more together Sunday, so nothing to worry about whatsoever. Okay?" Buffy unfolded her arms, and made her way to rub Willow's forearms, relaxing the redhead slightly in her grip.

"Yes, yes you do." Buffy smiled, and leaned in to kiss Willow sweetly, as Spike watched with a careful eye, taking notes on how to keep them apart long enough for him to do his thing.

"Oh, hello. Who are you?" Spike looked up from his position on the back porch, and took the cigarette from his mouth, studying the man behind him by the closed kitchen door. Puffing out the smoke, he nodded that he saw him, and the man came to sit by him on the stairs in the black night.

"Name's Spike…who the hell are you?" Again, the blonde eyed the figure up and down, noticing that the man was considerably taller and larger in build than himself.

"Niblet, eh?" Adam's face took on one of confusion, and he cocked his head slightly to study Spike somewhat.

"Dawn…that's what I call her. So…little bit's got her a man now, eh? Aren't you a little old to be snogging in her cradle?" Spike placed the cigarette back into his mouth, and took another drag, keeping it in his mouth, while the smoke puffed from his nose.

"Well, she is an interesting young woman. Her sister, and that girlfriend…they are truly baffling."

"Oh, yeah? How so, mate?" Adam looked at Spike again, wondering who exactly this man was.

"Well, they seem to be in love but I do not understand how two women could do that. It doesn't make sense to me. It truly baffles me, and I would like to see them not get married this weekend. If they do, then that completely ruins the system that mother has created." Spike looked at Adam as though the man was nuts but still liked one aspect of the guy so far: he wanted to see the two lovers apart.

"My creator…she is what brought me life, and the chain should continue to grow as such. The chain would not continue properly with those two interfering. What would you say, Spike?" Adam looked to the bleach blonde, and Spike just pulled his cigarette between his fingers.

"Spike…hmmm…Dawn says that you and her sister once had a past together. Now, you cannot touch her. Being so close to her but not being able to give into your urges. I know what you feel."

"Not likely…" Spike just stuck his cigarette back in his mouth, as Adam stood up, and started pacing in front of him on the grass.

"You feel smothered. Trapped like an animal. Pure in its ferocity, unable to actualize the urges within. Clinging to one truth. Like a flame struggling to burn in an enclosed glass. That a beast this powerful cannot be contained. Inevitably it will break free and savage the land again. I will make you whole again. Savage." Adam stopped pacing, and noticed Spike was speechless, and the cigarette was dangling from his partially opened mouth.

"Wow…yeah. You're like Tony Robbins. If he was a big, scary…" Spike turns his head slightly, and takes another good look at Adam. He notices the broad body, and the way something was just unfitting with the man. "Frankenstein looking…You're exactly like Tony Robbins." Adam just stood there, non-fazed. "That doesn't explain what exactly it is you're helping 'me' with, though. I don't need any help, mate."

"The blonde…you want her back. I can help you. I will restore you to what you once were."

"Her lover. The one she always turned to whenever things got too tough, and even when they weren't at times. I can see it in your eyes…that primal need to make her yours again. This wedding…it has you afraid that she will never be yours again."

"You can't hurt them, that would be too obvious. So, what exactly do you plan to do to break them apart?" Spike smirked, and looked up at Adam with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Not a blessed thing. They're gonna do it for me." With that, he stomped the cigarette under his boot, and turned to walk back inside, leaving Adam pondering in the backyard.

"Buffy!! Buffy, wait!" Spike caught up to the blonde, just as she was running down the stairs to exercise. He had been playing stealth guy all day, making sure that Willow would see him with her, and that Buffy wouldn't notice the redhead was watching. So far, he had noticed the fumes that came off Willow every time, and when the other guests that day had arrived, he noticed how he could get Buffy angry, too. The little tree's friends from LA had arrived, and the Fred character that the blonde had extremely jealous of was constantly in the presence of the redhead. 'This is going to be easier than I thought…'

"What Spike?" Buffy started to tape her hands, and Spike just slumped down on the bottom step, watching her.

"Are you sure this whole wedding gig is for the best? I mean…this is a forever thing. You sure you're gonna last that long?" Buffy continued taping her hands, and just looked up at him from her task.

"There won't be a problem with that, Spike. No need to worry. Willow would leave me before I left her, and that would never happen, either." She finished taping her hands, and stretched a little, preparing herself for the workout.

"Don't be so sure there, love. She seemed a little more than cozy with Fred earlier on the back porch. You sure she's as sure as you are there, pet?" Spike looked up at her, testing his sensitive eyes, trying to act concerned, and noticing from the harsh punches that Buffy was throwing that it was working.

"Was happening early this morning. You didn't wake up alone this morning?" Buffy thought about that, and realized that Spike was right but couldn't possibly have known that. Willow hated him, so there was no way they would have talked, and she hadn't mentioned it to anybody. She had woken up alone that morning, and the other side of the bed was even made, no longer warm from the redhead's body. This morning, she had just assumed Willow didn't want to wake her, and run to the store quickly, since they had made a grocery list of items that needed to be stocked for Dawn before they left Monday. Since there would hardly be any time to sneak away with all the guests around, Buffy just figured that her girlfriend went to take care of that. Now, thinking back, she remembered how the refrigerator was still missing those needed items, and she began to panic. 'Willow wouldn't…there's no way…then again, she did cheat on Tara…and almost slept with Fred when she was in LA that one time…granted we weren't actually together at that point, and I was messing with Spike…but still…Willow wouldn't…would she? No…a definite no.'

"When you first got up? Because you were nowhere in sight, and she was bloody outside with Fred, who seemed to be helping Red with the wedding kiss, if you get my drift there, pet…" Spike just watched as Buffy continued to pound even harder on the bag, and internally smiled at his success. Meanwhile, Buffy was a bundle of nerves. Normally, she would have no doubt but things were close to being perfect, and she knew that things would eventually be too good to be true. Why not two days before the wedding? Instead, she just kept punching the bag forcefully, trying to pull out all of the frustration and tension from her body that had racked up the last few days. The wedding really had her a bundle of nerves. She wasn't nervous about marrying Willow; no, she was nervous about screwing something up big time. With all of the preparations made, Buffy wanted the ceremony to be perfect; there was too much at stake if it wasn't. What she didn't know is that Willow would find it perfect no matter what, as long as she showed up, and said 'I do.' That's all that the redhead needed but the blonde couldn't shake the thought of her girlfriend forever thinking about their marriage as a disaster if the wedding was, too.

Spike just smirked, knowing that he'd succeeded, and moved his way up the stairs. 'She'll find me later…she always does…' Keeping the basement door open, he could hear the loud grunts from Buffy, and the pounding of the bag. Passing Giles, who was sitting at the island, he saluted him briefly before moving to the living room to watch his daily dose of 'Passions.' No matter where he was, he always made sure he caught his favorite soap opera.

Giles, hearing the grunts and bangs, decided to do some investigating, and found his way in the basement, watching Buffy punch and kick the bag with clumsiness. When she stopped, the blonde was panting for breath, and the sweat was all over her clothes. Turning around, she jumped a bit to find Giles there in place of Spike. It was like the British exchange. Wiping her face with a towel, and taking a long drink of water, she smiled at him, even though her mind was still reeling from the thought of Fred and Willow.

"If I may ask…what seems to be the problem?" Giles leaned against the wooden railing, and crossed his arms, studying her intently.

"Well…I was just working out, and Spike came down here." Buffy put down her towel and water, and started to punch the bag with a little less fierceness this time.

"Yes, I noticed that but what I was referring to was why you seemed to be putting more punch than needed into the bag." He motioned towards the bag with his head, and continued to watch as the blonde kept her focus on her punching.

"I was a little upset, I admit. Spike has that effect on me sometimes. I'm fine now."

"Funny. You still seem to be sloppy in your attacks. If you were a real fighter, then you wouldn't last a minute in a ring." She stopped, and took another drink before turning to face him again.

"Willow said that you were a trainer in your days…that you trained girls to fight when they had a free period at school. So, you partied with the students. Isn't that kinda skanky?"

"Hardly my idea of partying. I would much rather be at home with a cup of Bovril and a good book." She eyed him, and realized that he was just like Willow described him…even down to the tweed pants.

"So why did you train them then? If it wasn't to be all creepy older pervert guy?" Buffy laid down her water again, and cocked her head to the side slightly, already understanding why Willow was so comfortable with him. She just liked to tease him, and watch him squirm a little. She'd been doing that all day, and found it one of her favorite activities.

"Well…I wanted to be sure that the girls were able to defend themselves. Sunnydale is not the safest place to walk alone at night, or even in crowds sometimes, so I used my own training to aid in their safety."

"Yeah. There are lots of strange things that happen around here. I'm glad that you trained Willow somewhat, though. She's the best sparring partner I've had in years."

"Well, if this weekend is any indication, she will be for many years to come. She seems truly happy with you, Buffy; happier than I have ever seen her, and for that, I am grateful. You two are very much in love, and I'm honored that you would allow me to oversee the ceremony."

"No problem. It was Willow's idea, and I have a hard time denying her anything. After we compromised, you were the number one choice." He smiled, and Buffy went back to punching the bag again, while he stayed on, critiquing her method.

"Poor technique. Prioritizing, sub-par…if you were in a situation that required you to fight, then your execution would be adequate but a bit bloody for my taste." She stopped again, and shot an eyebrow up in question.

"Yeah…don't mention it." She smirked somewhat, glad that the man was comfortable enough to critique her fighting style.

"I'm not saying that your methods are without merit. It's, uh…y-you're spending too much time and energy. It should be kept simple." She thought about this for a moment, and nodded.

"Tell you what…why don't you help me out while you're here? I mean…Willow has a few moves that I can't seem to block, and I figure the best way to learn how is to learn from the source…where she learned them. So, whaddya say? Wanna train me? Pretty, pretty please?" She gave him a little pout, and he just nodded slightly, amused at her attempt to beg him.

"You needn't beg. I would have regardless." He moved over to her side, and positioned her hands differently, showing her a few new ways to position her arms.

"Huh…my trainer always showed me the way I've been doing it. Since I've never been in a real fight, I wouldn't know exactly whether it was productive but I can tell how this is better. It takes away a lot of the pressure in the forearms and wrists…makes it easier to punch. This is great!" She kept up her punching exercises, as Giles just watched her, smiling at her efforts to become a better fighter, even if she would never use the techniques learned. To Buffy, it was a great workout, and it always helped relieve her stress, which was something in an overabundance lately.

"Willow…" The two girls entered the room later that night, getting ready for bed, and neither would look at the other. There were too many thoughts driven into their heads, and they refused to acknowledge the problems at hand. Instead, Willow crawled under the covers, clad in her flannel pajamas, while Buffy went into the bathroom, ready to brush her teeth. The redhead flicked the nightstand light off before settling in for the night, turning her back away from her lover, not wanting to deal with her thoughts concerning Spike. When Buffy returned, she settled under the covers, and turned her back towards the redhead, keeping her distance.

Finally, after several minutes of trying to find a comfortable spot, Buffy picked up her pillow, and started to make her way to Dawn's room. Before she could open the door, she heard Willow sit upright in bed, and she turned around, noticing the way her girlfriend's eyes sparkled from the moonlight that was streaming in from the window. Completely facing the redhead, she decided that now wasn't the time to let things fester, so she clutched her pillow to her chest, and waited.

"Where are you going?" Willow's tone wasn't whiny, nor was it icy. It was more of a flat nature, and Buffy couldn't read it. It was almost like the redhead knew something like this would happen, and just needed a verbal confirmation.

"So, what? You think that sleeping someplace else is the answer? You could have said something…I would have gotten you some sleeping pills, or even sang you a lullaby, even if it did keep you up more than soothed you." Willow's brow scrunched together, more from admonishment than actual anger.

"Well…if you can find time enough away from Fred, that is…then, maybe I would have let you."

"What do you think it means?" Buffy moved forward a little in defense, and Willow kicked the covers off a little, sitting more upright.

"I think it means that you need to calm down because nothing is going on between Fred and I."

"I never said there was but apparently, you've thought about it some, or wouldn't have mentioned it yourself. So, what is it, Willow? Do you need to get your kicks in before the wedding? One last brouhaha before you're tied down forever?"

"Spike…" Willow practically spit the word out, as though it were unclean, and a sin. She loathed even saying his name.

"That's just it Buffy!!! It is my business!!! We're getting married!!! That means commitment but apparently you can't seem to keep your hands off Spike every time he's around!!" Willow got out of bed, and stood at the side, non-verbally daring Buffy. Their voices were louder, and they knew that their guests could hear them but they didn't seem to care at the moment. They needed everything out of their systems. "So…how was it? Did he give you everything that I can't?? Is that what this is about??"

"I could ask the same of you…since I'm not Fred!! Do you just have a tendency to cheat on all of your girlfriends with her?"

"That's not fair!!! I would never…" Buffy threw her pillow at Willow, and it hit the redhead in the face. This caused Willow to just stare at her girlfriend with disbelief in her eyes, and her mouth open in shock. The blonde had actually thrown something at her; that had never happened before, and she didn't care…she had to get out there. Putting on her sandals in a hurry, she brushed past Buffy, and ran all the way to her old apartment, finding herself staying there for the night.

Curling up into a ball in her old bed, she wrapped the covers around her for protection. She didn't want to see anything, and was afraid that her girlfriend would come after her. Right now, Willow just wanted to be alone. Too much had been said, and Buffy had actually thrown something at her. Granted it was only a pillow but it was the principle of the situation. 'What if it had been something harder? What then?' The redhead just continued crying into her pillow the entire night, and she still hadn't stopped when the sunlight came through the skylight above her head.

A few blocks down, Buffy fared no better. The entire night, she stayed crawled into a fetal position in nothing but tears. She couldn't help but replay the entire fight. 'She never denied that something happened…she and Fred…they really…oh my god, I think I'm gonna be sick…' She kept hurling in her bathroom, and felt familiar hands wrapping her hair back from her face. Thinking that it was her lover, she relished in the comfort but remembering what had happened, she would just start to heave again. Sometimes things would come up, and other times…she would just sob into the dry nothingness that caused her throat to be sore. When she came back into focus, she noticed that Dawn was holding her tight, and rocking her on the floor gently, trying to soothe her. 'When did I become the one that needed this? Dawn really has grown up…'

Throughout the night, she was nothing but a ball of tears, and she kept having to switch sides on her pillow, trying to escape the wetness, and never able to fall asleep. When the morning came, Dawn had crawled into bed with her, and held her, soothing her to sleep. The younger Summers had heard the fight, Willow storming out, and Buffy's constant sobs, and just wanted to help. With it being so close to the wedding, emotions were frazzled, and anything went…she just needed to find a way to get the truth to surface, and fix things between her sister and her fiancée. The love and happiness there was too much to just throw away, and Dawn refused to let them to do just that. When the late morning came, the younger brunette decided that it was time to do a little research of her own.

"Faith…" Dawn came bounding down the stairs in the early afternoon hours. She had finally managed to get Buffy to sleep, and left her older sister in a ball under the covers. The young brunette was confused at what happened, and needed to do a little searching, and fast. With the wedding only a day away, there wasn't much time to mend things between the two lovers. Willow was missing, and she had an idea that Faith would know exactly where the redhead would be, so she went in search of the buxom woman first thing.

"Yeah? What is it, brat?" Faith looked up from her coffee mug that was barely steaming. She and Kennedy had arrived only moments before but her girlfriend had started having a conversation with Spike in the backyard, and left her to her coffee. Dawn sat down in the chair next to her at the dining table, and positioned herself towards the older woman.

"Will…she and Buffy had a fight last night…I couldn't hear everything that happened but it was tense, and next thing I know, I heard doors slamming, and Buffy in the bathroom. Whatever happened, it's bad…Buffy was even throwing up, and I just now managed to get her to sleep. Do you have any idea where Willow is, or what this is all about?" Dawn's expression was pleading, hoping that Faith had some answers to the unsolved mystery.

"I think I have an idea where she is but no clue what the problem is…how bad?" Faith was confused. She noticed the tension in the two, and that they barely had a moment together the day before but she never suspected trouble.

"Weak points for both of them…that would make sense. I'd say start with Fred because I'm not so sure I trust Spike." Faith took her mug into the kitchen, drained the remaining liquid in the sink, and placed the mug in the dishwasher. Turning back around, she almost ran into Dawn, who had followed her heel to toe the entire time. "Woah there."

"Sorry…so…I think Fred is staying at her parents, so I guess we start there. Are you going to get Kennedy?" Dawn motioned towards the backdoor, where the girl in question was laughing with Spike and Adam about something.

"Maybe we can save some time…give me a minute." Dawn nodded, and Faith moved to the back porch, sitting down next to her laughing girlfriend on the steps. She leaned forward, and whispered in her ear, so that the two men wouldn't hear. "We have a problem. Red's missin'." Kennedy looked over at her girlfriend with disbelief, confusion, and curiosity, while the two men just continued chatting in the background. "Yeah…apparently she and B had some big fight last night, and she stormed off…I think I know where she is but Brat's sayin' that there's more to it, so we're goin' to investigate but we need your help."

"Sure. What is it?" Kennedy leaned further into her girlfriend, and kept her voice to a low whisper, as well, especially since she had discovered Spike had excellent hearing.

"Watch Spike while we're gone. We think he and Fred have somethin' to do with it, and we're headin' over to Fred's right now." Faith placed a hand high on her girlfriend's thigh, and squeezed a little in assurance when Kennedy nodded. Leaning forward for a quick kiss, she rose from the wooden steps, and made her way back inside the house.

"Well?" Dawn was getting nervous. She could hear Giles in the living room, and didn't want to alarm him unless necessary. Still being younger, and closer to the situation than the British man, she thought that she needed to solve things without his help, even though she'd learned the previous night that he was extremely useful in research situations. Her entire week's lesson plans were already taken care of, and she had a semi-relaxing week to look forward to…if she could only manage to get the two lovers back together, so that they could actually go on their honeymoon. She had plans for the house, and none of them included the two.

"She's on duty. Let's book." Faith and Dawn grabbed their coats from the rack, and headed off in search of Fred.

Sitting in the Burkle's living room, they waited for Fred to emerge from the kitchen. The two had managed to wake her up, and Dawn felt really bad when she saw Charles coming down the stairs. Apparently, it had been a long night for everybody. The two brunettes looked up when they saw the two coming back into the living room, steaming mugs in hand. Charles sat beside Dawn on the couch, and Fred took a seat in the chair next to it.

"Now…what do we owe this pleasure?" Charles asked, as he wrapped Dawn in another hug. It was always good to see the Summers girls. After all, they had saved him from a life on the streets when he was younger, and for that, he would always be grateful. It was the love and friendship afterwards that he would always cherish, and considered them closer than family. He, too, felt the pang of the loss of Joyce Summers, and had even quietly shed a tear (a manly one, though…of course) that the amazing woman had to miss her oldest daughter's wedding, which was a feat in and of itself, Charles had decided…since it seemed that nobody would ever be able to tame Buffy.

"Red's gone missin'." Faith stated it simply, and looked at Fred with questioning eyes, as though maybe the slim girl knew something they didn't. Her intimidation worked, and she could see the girl squirm in her seat.

"Well…why? I mean…that's not like Willow. She's always prompt, and prepared for anything. Plus, there's no way she's pulled a Xander. I mean, she was there for that, and loves Buffy too much…there's too much happiness written all over her for that to happen. She wouldn't just get up and leave, would she? I mean…it doesn't seem likely. Plus…there's that whole Spike thing…" Fred was cut off from her ramblings when Charles placed a comforting hand on her knee, and she blushed from the looks of amazement from the two women on the couch, who hadn't quite fallen trap to a Fred babble yet. Willow hadn't warned them, and the fast talking, and lack of breaths took them back. Finally, Faith recovered.

"Yesterday…Buffy was all over Spike, or so Willow saw. She was really upset, and had cried to me all day because she thought Buffy was messing around with him. She said that every time she tried to talk to her, Buffy was always with Spike, and they were always touching, and one time, she had caught them kissing." Fred seemed nervous, and didn't want to break Will's confidence by telling everything but if the redhead was missing, Fred would cooperate. No matter what, she would always love Willow, and didn't want the girl to give up her chance at being blissfully happy, even if it wasn't with her.

"Buffy wouldn't do that!" Dawn jumped up from the couch, fists clenched at her sides, and steam practically rising from her ears. Her red face was calmed down when both Charles and Faith pulled the angry brunette back down to the couch. When she finally calmed down, she sighed, and tried it again. "I mean…she loves Willow, and she wouldn't do that to her. Spike must've done…"

"Wait. Willow said something like this happened before, though, so how can you be so sure…" Fred eyed the younger Summers girl with part fear, part curiosity. The outburst had startled her but she couldn't blame the girl for taking the defensive against her sister. She would do the same thing for Willow.

"That was different. They weren't together at the time, and I was scared, so I called Spike. He always gets Buffy out of her depressed states somehow…and I still don't want to know how…but I thought he could at least get her to leave her room, and eat something. I honestly didn't think she would…you know…again…with him, that is but Willow forgave her for that because Buffy never technically cheated on her. They've fought before but not like this. I've never seen my sister this upset before…and your name was mentioned when they were yelling at each other last night." Dawn was being held down by Faith, and calmed by Charles. Fred almost felt like she was being drilled but her intellectual mind had an idea why. It all went back to that weekend…

"She never in a million years thought that Buffy would then, either. She didn't even know Spike then but now she does, and knows what he was, or possibly still is, to your sister. Willow may seem confident but she's still that shy, little hacker underneath that was picked on in school. She never thought that she could be happy like this, and losing Buffy is her biggest fear. Now…what is the most likeliest thing that would make that fear surface?" Fred watched as realization came over Dawn's face, and Faith seemingly felt uncomfortable, since the whole breakup was about her loving Willow. Sitting across from her was somebody that could relate.

"Of course…and what would make Buffy nervous about the same thing? She has the same exact fear…losing Willow is the worst thing ever…and this is even worse than before, since she must've seen something, too…" Dawn looked up at Fred, knowing that the slim woman knew the answer.

"Willow kissed me." Fred refused to meet anybody's gaze. She wasn't sure who she wanted to avoid more…Dawn's glaring, accusing eyes, Faith's disbelieving ones, or Charles's hurt ones. She felt the need to elaborate, since it wasn't completely Willow's fault for the interaction. Emotions were running high the past few days because of the upcoming wedding, and the two friends had spent the day together, since Willow was having a hard time finding time with Buffy alone, and had witnessed her intimate interactions with Spike. Fred felt the tension, too…knowing that this was the final closure in their relationship…that the redhead was really staying away from her forever. Every time they had tried for closure, the feelings always returned, and they needed a definite finality this time, since there would never be another chance.

"Care to vague that up?" Faith was utterly jealous but knew she didn't have the right. No matter how many times she admonished herself for being in love with her friend, she still had trouble when she heard about Willow's intimate excursions with others, especially those that weren't her, and especially not Buffy (since she had given up that fight long ago).

"Yeah…go on…we're waiting…" Dawn was getting impatient. Beside her, Charles was trying not to act mad in front of the others, and Faith was trying not to bolt.

"Well…you all know about our past…and how things were a little…intimate that same weekend." Fred was wringing her hands together, and still refused to meet eye contact.

"Yeah…but you said nothing happened." Charles finally spoke up, and tried to keep the anger from his voice but there were still traces there.

"Well…nothing beyond kissing, and a little heavy petting…I stopped her before things went any further, even though I really wanted to keep going more than anything." She stopped, and took a deep breath, willing herself to be calm. "I did, I admit that…I always will but she wasn't with me. It wasn't me. She was upset about Buffy, and just wanted comfort sex. Somehow, I managed to use logic, and wouldn't let her do that to herself…or me. I know what she went through when we were together…when she was still dating Tara. I couldn't do that again. I couldn't watch her go through that, and I know my heart wouldn't be able to take much more heartbreak."

"So, what? You two just decide to make out for the hell of it then?" Dawn had no problem showing her anger.

"No…I mean…" Fred took another calming breath. This was a lot harder than she thought, and she knew her heart was taking another beating at the expense of the redhead…it always would but she knew that it hurt worse when she didn't see her, no matter the circumstances. "Yes, she kissed me but I did nothing to stop her, and I could have. Emotions have been running wild, and the tension from the wedding was already getting to her, and when she saw Spike and Buffy kissing, she started to rationalize a little, and decided that she would calm down before confronting her, so we ended up talking, and feelings started to be expressed again, and we both decided that it was time for that final closure, so she kissed me as a sort of goodbye. It's not what you think…things between us…they were always intense, and we've tried so many times to just end things but it seems they always surface. Now, with the wedding, I guess my mouth came before my mind, and I mentioned that this was really hard for me…watching her with Buffy…watching her getting married. Willow's the type of person that…when she makes a commitment to something, she sticks by it…and this is a commitment she will never break. Knowing that, I guess I finally realized that this was it for us…there was no turning back, so we talked about it, and even though it still hurts…we sealed the deal."

"I can vouch for that." Faith was leaning into the couch, arms folded across her chest, and eyes peering towards her lap. She refused to look at anybody. More than anybody there, she understood exactly where Fred was coming from, and she didn't want the other two on the couch to attack Fred before thinking. Whether she liked it or not, she and Fred, much like Kennedy, were all connected through Willow…the love they would never have.

"Faith…" Dawn looked at Faith, and couldn't believe that the older woman was actually taking sides. She usually just sat off in the corner, and tried to stay out of all of the problems that would arise, offering support to Willow when alone. Faith hardly ever voiced her opinion, stating that she was merely five by five, and she was cool with whatever plan of action was set. She just added her sarcastic wit, and overall bluntness to the fold whenever felt necessary.

"Look…Red's not the type to take things lightly. She has a temper…we all know that but I see where Fred's comin' from here. It's not like Red was cheatin' on your sister. It's more like she was drawin' herself more to her by endin' somethin' that's always haunted her…like she's buryin' the past, which could be what B was doin' with Spike." Faith shrugged her shoulders, and leaned back into the couch, having put in her two cents.

"She has a point. I mean…Buffy usually does find solace in Spike, and even when she was with Riley. Since she's actually settling down, which face it…is something nobody would have ever guess for your sister in a million years…maybe she needed to bury her dark past, as well." Charles was taking deep breaths, finally understanding himself that it wasn't about cheating, it was about ending things, and he had a new respect for the dark girl on the other side of Dawn, since she was able to see this for what it was, and not what it appeared on the outside.

"Hey! I'm not Willow's dark past! We had a good past! A light past!" Fred knew that after their initial breakup, they were never really together, and she had even participated in something with Willow that the redhead regretted, probably still to this day, but she still didn't want to believe that anything they had ever done was somehow bad.

"Look…we've established a little of what's going on…can we just…" Dawn stopped when Faith's cell phone rang. The musician's eyes bulged, and she quickly answered it, and listened to the other line intently, not being able to get a word in edgewise. Her girlfriend was rambling a mile a minute about what she had discovered on her end, and nobody else in the room knew what was being said but could tell that Faith was mad by the pure fire that was coming off of her in waves. When she hung up, she had to run her hands harshly through her hair, and sigh before grabbing her coat, and urging the others on, intent on finding Wills.

Dawn and Faith left the other two at the Burkle house (they still weren't dressed), and would meet them back at Buffy's. They made their way to Willow's old apartment, and weren't surprised to find the redhead still hidden under the covers. Pulling back the covers, Faith picked the girl up, and placed her in the shower, as Dawn watched the scenario from behind, noticing that the normally harsh brunette was nothing but gentle when handling her sister's girlfriend. Still clad in her flannel pajamas from the night before, Willow suddenly snapped out of her puffy, blurred daze when she felt cold water sting against her body. Standing up, still in the shower, she was soaking wet, as she snapped on Faith, wanting to unleash her anger somehow.

"What the hell are you doing????!!!!!!!" Dawn watched as Willow stomped her foot, splashing the water that had drawn somewhat on the bottom of the shower, and causing Faith's pants to get wet from the calf down. The redhead was yelling, and Dawn finally understood that this was a lot more than she had first imagined. She just thought that she would go in, find out what happened, and get them back together but the look on Willow's face told her otherwise. She might just have to call in Giles after all. Unless…

"You look like a drowned rat, Willow. Why don't you get out of there?" Faith kept her calm, ready to form a defense should her friend suddenly attack.

"Well, I wasn't the one that put me in here…so what the hell are you doing?!!!"

"Harsh language…" Faith leaned, and turned the water off, helping Willow out of the shower, as the redhead pounded her chest, trying to get her away, until finally she collapsed into the brunette's arms, sobbing. Faith just stroked the dampened hair, and didn't care that she was becoming soaked in the process, or that Dawn was seeing her sensitive, caring side. She just held her friend tight against her body, and even rocked them slightly, as she brought them down to the floor when Willow's knees went weak from her torment. "Shh…it's okay, Willow. It's okay."

"How can it be okay?" Her voice sounded tortured, and strained through the sobs, and Dawn couldn't help but fight tears herself upon seeing her (maybe) soon to be sister-in-law.

"It will be…I promise…it's all a mistake…everything…I promise you, Willow." Faith picked the redhead up again, and Willow held tight around her neck, as she was placed on the side of her bed. Dawn followed, and watched as Faith went about changing the soaked redhead carefully, and taking care of her in every way possible. She'd seen her sister do it when Willow had a bad flu but it shocked her to see this loving care coming from somebody she thought was bad, and sometimes maybe even evil to a degree. When she combed Willow's hair, had her dressed in dry clothes, and fed her, she placed the redhead on her large couch, and wrapped a blanket around her, as she went to the guestroom to retrieve some of her clothes that she'd left there. When she returned, she found Willow talking to Dawn, who was filling her in on the events so far.

"So…you're not mad then?" Willow's eyes were pleading, and Dawn could tell how vulnerable the redhead was at that moment.

"A little still, yeah…but I understand. I just don't get why Buffy would do the same thing with Spike…I mean, you and Fred actually loved each other, still do…but Buffy hates Spike…she hardly tolerated him sometimes. Something just doesn't feel right…" Dawn was rubbing Willow's back, much like she did to her sister the night before, and Faith walked back from the hallway. Seeing Willow's tense face, Faith quickly moved to sit beside her, knowing that Dawn was getting her up to speed.

"There's more…" Willow looked up at Faith, and flinched seeing the fire in her eyes, and the harshness in her voice. "I didn't want to say anything yet…because I know you like him, D…but that was Kennedy on the phone earlier. She overheard Spike and Adam talking…"

"Go on…" Dawn wasn't sure she wanted her to but knew she had to listen, as well, already suspecting what was happening, since she knew Adam was too conservative for his own good. Plus, his religious and spiritual beliefs always worried her…she never knew exactly what he was talking about…she just thought he was cute, and he always treated her okay.

"Kissing, I know. The key word there bein' Spike…and think about it. Willow didn't kiss Fred until she saw Spike and Buffy kissin', and from what she heard, Kennedy's not entirely sure that they were. Seems like Wills was fooled into thinkin' that by our best bud, Spikey." Faith was talking more to Dawn but was still commenting for her friend's sake. She just didn't want to be the bearer of bad news the young girl because her boyfriend was the mastermind behind the whole thing.

"Hey! Sitting right here! Sitting right exactly here." Willow looked at them, wondering if they even remembered she was right there between them. It was hard to miss her.

"Oh, yeah…sorry, Wills. It's just that Adam…" Faith placed a comforting hand on the redhead's leg, and turned a weary gaze towards Dawn again. "He didn't want you guys to get married…somethin' about messin' with the order of things…that it wasn't right, and Spike just wanted Buffy, so he helped him, only he didn't."

"Okay…huh?" Dawn was confused but wasn't surprised that her ultra-conservative boyfriend thought that way, and she was fuming with anger, ready to send him packing as soon as they got back to the house. First things first, though…Buffy and Willow must get back together.

"The tension…especially with the wedding two days away, and the arrival of Spike and Fred, what better way than to lead them to a major fight." Faith took her hand from the redhead's leg, realizing that it had stayed there too long, especially since she was becoming a little flushed from the close proximity.

"Makes sense…but how…" Dawn kept her hand on Willow's back, feeling the redhead's heart beating faster, probably remembering the fight.

"Ken says that they were talkin' about makin' things appear as not, or rather Spike was. He was braggin' to Adam about how he managed to break them up, and that Buffy would be crawlin' to him any minute. Kennedy's watching guard over Buffy; she called from her bedroom, and said she was still sleepin'."

"Well, that's good…I mean…it's good somebody slept…because I sure as hell didn't." Willow's tone was icy, still angry for some reason. "Doesn't explain why I saw them kissing."

"Spike can be really…persuasive." Dawn finally clicked all the pieces together, and came up with a theory. "He has a way to get under your skin, and put thoughts in your head that aren't entirely true, although you take them as such. He knows Buffy…he knew exactly how to play her, and I'd say he knows enough about you, Will, to know how to push your buttons, as well…if there's any indication in the last time he was in Sunnydale."

"Okay…so Brat's got answers…now we deal with the problem." Faith looked at Willow's cold stare, and internally shivered. Whatever happened really did a number on the girl. "How exactly were they kissing, Willow? I know it's hard but we need help if we're going to figure this out…"

"I mean not 'kissing' kissing. Well, maybe. I don't know. It was inconclusive, and I didn't stick around to find out. Might have slammed my fist through another wall or something." Willow's voice changed, and the icy tone was replaced with doubt. It was just too hard to deal with everything…especially since they were happy only moments before she saw them.

"Well then…what Ken said may be true…Spike may have managed to position himself to a place that made it appear like they were kissin' but they weren't. From what she heard, she was pretty sure they didn't. She also mentioned that Spike was braggin' about how he made the slayer think that more was goin' on between you and Fred. Apparently, he saw you two actually kissin', and decided to use that angle, since you're Buffy's weakness." Faith looked at Willow, and noticed that things were starting the click in the redhead's mind, and guilt from mistakes, and the things said the night before settled. Then, she remembered what made her run, and it had nothing to do with Spike, or Fred, or kissing.

"What?" Dawn was confused. She wasn't sure where the random comment surfaced from, since they were talking about something completely different.

"Buffy…she threw a pillow at me. That's when I ran out of the house. I didn't even grab anything other than my sandals. I just left. She was going to sleep in bed with you because she couldn't stand to be beside me, and that's when we started fighting. When she was really mad, she threw her pillow at my face." Willow wouldn't look at either of them, who weren't understanding

"I…a pillow? You left because of a pillow? I heard some of the things you two said…and it was a pillow that made you leave?" Dawn couldn't keep the angry sarcasm from her voice, and she was still sour over the whole thing. She was very overprotective of both women, especially her sister, who had taught her that very trait.

"It was more than a pillow." Willow's voice was quiet, and she wiped the tears from her cheeks, sniffling, and taking a deep breath to calm herself. She just wanted Buffy…wanted her to hold her, make things better, kiss away her tears, and cuddle…but she knew that was impossible at the moment. Her life was at stake…because Buffy was her life…but it was hard.

"She threw a rock at you, or somethin'? Help us out here, Will…" Faith was failing to understand, and when she met Dawn's gaze, knew she wasn't the only one.

"No…she just threw the pillow but she did it when she was angry. How do I know that when she's mad, she won't throw something else? What if next time it's a…a…something hard? It's not that she threw a pillow…it's that she threw something at me because she was mad."

"Oh." Both girls understood completely, especially Faith, since she had been on the receiving end of flying objects thrown from rage. However, it was different with Buffy. She highly doubted that the blonde would ever throw something to hurt the redhead physically…it was meant more to hurt her emotionally, since Buffy's defenses were aimed to make the person feel what she felt. She didn't think that the blonde knew that Willow already felt that way.

"Wills…come with us?" Faith edged the girl from the couch, and put her coat on her without protest. When they reached the Summers home, Willow refused to see Buffy, even though every bit of her was crying to do just that and more. Instead, she stayed on the couch with Faith, Fred, and Charles, while Dawn went upstairs to work on Buffy. Giles just looked up from his book, and cup of tea, feeling the nervous tension flying everywhere but deciding to stay at bay.

"Buffy?" Inching in the room, she closed the door, and sat on the crumpled bed next to her covered sister. She waved Kennedy over, who was sitting in the chair by the window, just as Faith said…keeping watch. They finally managed to get Buffy to sit up, and look at them, and once again, Dawn wanted to scream and cry out for everything and everyone that ever made her sister and Willow feel like this. She narrowed her eyes when Adam and Spike's faces appeared in her head. When they finished explaining things, and managed to get Buffy calm and decent (much like Faith had done for Willow earlier), they let the blonde explain.

"I never kissed Spike. I never would…well anymore. I have Willow…or rather had…" Buffy's tone was sad again, feeling utterly guilty for her reactions and actions the day and night before, and now wanting nothing than to hold her lover again. It's all she wanted now…it's all she'd ever want. "I messed up…I never meant to hurt her…I just…everything's so messed up. I messed up."

"We kinda got that part…" Kennedy urged, as she watched Dawn finish Buffy's blouse.

"It's just…I would never throw anything at her to hurt her…it was just a pillow, and I just couldn't take anymore. I didn't think she'd run out like that…I didn't think she'd think I would actually throw something at her to physically harm her. It never crossed my mind."

"Well, you should know by now that Willow takes things seriously. You…she takes the most seriously. The littlest thing regarding you, and the two of you together, is going to send her over the edge. If you were shot like Tara…it wouldn't surprise me if she tried to destroy the world." Kennedy was sincere, and Buffy smiled at her girlfriend's former lover, even though it was a pained smile. Sighing, she took a deep breath, and nodded. Both girls looked at each other, knowing what that nod meant, so they left, and twenty minutes later, Willow emerged into the dark bedroom. She merely just sat there at the edge of the bed, afraid to come any closer in case something else happened. It was still fresh, and they hadn't touched each other in over a day…barely saw each other…it was too surreal.

"Buffy, I…" They both giggled slightly at their synchronicity, and that caused Buffy to move from the headboard, and wrap her arms tentatively around her lover, testing the water before jumping in completely. When Willow didn't flinch, or make any notion that she should stop, the blonde dove headfirst, wrapping the redhead in the biggest hug she could bear.

"Willow, baby…I'm so sorry. I never kissed Spike. I promise. Dawn's down there taking care of things right now…he won't be back for a long time, and neither will Adam. Baby…I'm so, so, so, so sorry…with another gazillion 'so's added." Buffy just allowed Willow to bury her neck into her unclean neck, and didn't care one bit that she smelled of sweat. It was Willow…she was holding her Willow…that's all that mattered, and the same thing went for the redhead, too.

"Buffy…I'm sorry that you thought I was…with Fred…but I would never…that's the past…that's what I was doing…I was giving more of myself to you, and it may be an awkward way to do it but it needed to be done."

"I know…I know…just…I love you so much, Wills. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, and tomorrow, I am going to make sure that never happens. I'm going to hold onto you for the rest of my life…no holds barred." Willow nodded, and looked into Buffy's hazel eyes for the first time in what seemed like years, and she was lost again…falling in love even more, if at all possible. She was speechless, and the only thing she could do was kiss the blonde senseless, and make sure that Buffy understood that she felt the same…only using more primal, heated ways…loving that the blonde wasn't holding back, even though there were guests scattered around the house. Some that were no longer welcome.

Meanwhile, Dawn was standing outside, watching Spike's back, as he puffed on a cigarette in the moonlight. Her eyes were narrowed with hatred, and her jaw was clenched tight. Resolve was set, and Spike finally turned around, and noticed her standing there, looking like she was about to hunt something with her bare hands, and give it the fight of a lifetime. Standing up, he was truly concerned. No matter what he did, or ever would do, he would still love Buffy, and always care for her little sister. Inside, he wasn't as soulless as he appeared; his soul just lost its way most of the time, and he focused more on his own primal need than others' reactions towards it.

"Spike. You sleep, right? You…you sleep?" Her cold, icy glare was starting to unnerve him, and didn't understand where this was going exactly.

"Well, I can't take you in a fight or anything, even with you chained. But you do sleep. If you hurt my sister or Willow at all…touch them…you're gonna wake up on fire." With that, she turned around, and left him shocked on the back porch, not caring what he took of her threat but knowing that she would have no problems with going through with it. That's when Spike noticed that Adam was missing in action, too.

"I do…love you with everything that I am…because you're a part of me…and without you, I'm nothing. You make me want to live. You're my Willow." Buffy was gliding her gorgeous wife across the dance floor in a slow sway in time to Faith's singing, which had caused her to shed happy and sad tears from the memories the song produced, and was currently making. No longer would such a beautiful song hold a tortured place in her heart.

"Well…I guess that makes you my Buffy, then." Willow smiled that happy smile that made the blonde whirl with complete joy, and she just continued swaying her wife…yes, her wife. It was still surreal that only hours before they had stood on a beach, and declared before their friends and nature that they were forever united. When they arrived at the Bronze, the place was packed with all sorts of people, most of them Buffy didn't know but recognized a few from movies, television, and music. Willow was more popular in the entertainment industry than she ever would have guessed. Apparently, some of the women there had slipped through Willow's black book, since some of them would congratulate Buffy on managing to settle the redhead down in an actual relationship. Some were jealous but most were utterly excited that she succeeded where they failed. She was more than happy that she was the one that succeeded, especially as she remembered the way that Willow's hair shined as the setting sun, her auburn locks flowing slightly in the wind. It was like a movie…too surreal…that was a word she used a lot to describe her relationship with the redhead, and knew it would forever be a part of her lexicon.

"This is nice." Willow pulled Buffy's body tighter to her, and couldn't help but place little kisses on her lips, as their faces stayed practically glued together, much like they had been since the night before when things had settled from the constant drama that was their life together.

"I love you, Mrs. Summers." Willow smiled, and placed another gentle kiss on Buffy's lips before pulling back, and letting her wife comment.

"Well, I love you, too, Mrs. Rosenberg, so I guess that works out perfectly then."

"Yeah…I guess it does. We've managed to make things perfect. How'd that happen?" They kissed again, and just let themselves sway to Faith's smoky voice, letting the night take them completely away, and more than excited to spend the rest of the nights in the other's arms.

I'm under your spell
Surging like the sea
Drawn to you so helplessly
I break with every swell
Lost in ecstasy
Spread beneath my willow tree
You make me complete…

Main What's New Fiction by Author Fiction by Pairing eBooks

Subject Index Submissions Gallery Forums Links Awards Contact Us

If you find problems on these pages please email your host.

Red Series: Making Things Perfect

by Rin

Copyright © 2005

rin_wag@hotmail.com