FIC: Enough of Me (7/7) FINAL PART

[Kimber]

Title: Enough of Me (7/7)
Author: Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
Disclaimer: I am a gnat in the world that is Joss. All characters
belong to him and Mutant Enemy. I'm only borrowing them.
Summary: Sequel to 'Many Facets'. Someone wigs out from the encounter,
two of the most unlikely allies bond, and Christmas just doesn't seem
like Christmas. Will it all work out?
Spoilers: Everything up to and including "Hush" is fair game. All
episodes are subject to bend to my will. *Bwahhhahahahaha*
Distribution: Just drop me a line and it's yours to archive.
Author's Notes: Feedback = Food. Thoughts are enclosed in < > and
flashbacks are enclosed in <<< >>>
------------

The trip back to Sunnydale was, thankfully, made in Myrddin's private
plane. It took about four hours, which left them all plenty of time to
unpack and rest up for tomorrow's events.

"Giles, I don't think it would be such a hot idea if we went back to
your place. I mean, if Xander finds out about this then…." Buffy
offered.

Yes, yes, you're quite right. As much as he can be a help sometimes,
well…"

"We could stay at my house. My parents are still in Chicago." Willow
responded.

"Yes, good idea. Lets got then, I'll call for a car." Giles was off to
the closest payphone at the airport.

They arrived at the Rosenberg residence and settled in. After ordering
a pizza they settled down in the den for some TV.

"Well, I for one am entirely wiped out. I think I'll retire and leave
you two to watch that mind sucking machine." He rose to go.

"Giles, do I have to remind you that you OWN one of those mind sucking
machines?" Buffy chided.

"Yes, um, well….goodnight ladies." He smiled and ascended the stairs
for a much needed slumber.

----------------

"So" Willow looked down at her hands.

"Yeah, so." Buffy responded.

"I'm kinda beat too. Why don't we head upstairs to sleep?" She looked
up at Buffy.

Buffy considered saying something else, but thought the better of it.
"OK."

Willow rose first and put her hand out to the blond perched on her
couch. It was a harmless gesture, but when their hands connected, they
both shuddered a bit from the contact. As they ascended the stairs,
Buffy recalled a hundred different times they'd done this….gone to
Willow's room. But this time it was different.

They walked in and began to dig through their bags, each searching for
pajamas. Willow looked over at her, preoccupied with thoughts that
didn't involve clothing. As if her feet had a mind of their own, she
crept over to the slayer and wrapped her arms around her waist from
behind. Buffy jumped a little from the sudden contact then let out the
breath she wasn't aware she was holding.

"Hey." Willow whispered.

Buffy chuckled a bit. "Hey yourself."

Willow's arms came up in front of Buffy and began to unbutton her blouse
slowly, methodically, as if she were peeling away the final layers of
what was between them. Finally down to the last button, Willow reached
up and pulled the shirt off of her. She wrapped her arms around her
again, running her hands over the smooth tight skin of Buffy's stomach
and lightly across her chest. Buffy let out a little shudder and leaned
back a little more, aware of the other girls' body pressing against
hers.

Buffy took Willow's hands in her own and turned around to face her.
Slowly she reached for the sweater she was wearing and realized it was
the one she gave her for her last birthday, and smiled. She pulled the
sweater off of her and stepped in for more contact. Her hands trailed
slowly down the redhead's arms to her shoulders, sending another shiver
through both of them.

"Wow." Willow breathed.

"Mmm…I'd have to emphatically agree." She smiled back at her.

Without any other words, Buffy leaned in for a kiss. Upon contact she
exhaled, then inhaled again…realizing maybe for the first time, exactly
what Willow smelled like. Willow let out a little moan and took the
initiative to deepen the kiss. Soon they were exploring each other's
bodies as if for the first time. Somehow they wound up on the
bed….Buffy trailing kisses down the middle of her chest and to her
stomach, stopping only to unhook the thin piece of cloth barring her
access. She reached over and began to unbutton Willow's jeans…with each
button undone, she planted a kiss on the newly exposed skin.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Willow reached out for her and
switched positions. Now on top of a very confused slayer, she leaned in
and kissed the nape of her neck, with some force…nipping at her pulse
point. Buffy couldn't believe how good it felt and pulled her in
closer. Breaking contact, Willow was propped up on her knees in front
of her, drinking in the sight of her lover….her soul mate. She reached
for the waistband of Buffy's pants and pulled them off in one
motion…..and smiled that seductive smile.

Buffy reached up and hooked her hand behind Willows neck and pulled her
in for a kiss. Before long, each kiss grew more passionate, their
tongues reaching out and dancing with each other in the darkness. They
slayer lay completely covered by the body on top of her, unable to
remember ever having this much desire inside of her for anyone or
anything.

Willow shifted and ground down against her as if by instinct and Buffy
growled a little at the newly discovered sensation. Both opened their
eyes at the same time, noticing each other's erratic breathing and how
their eyes had darkened in shade. Reaching down to remove the last bits
of fabric that separated them, Willow allowed her hand to linger and
then brought it up slowly.

<Ungh…Will….>

<Mmmmm, feels good?> She looked down at the woman beneath her. <I
love you Buffy….so much.>

<I love you too Will, more than anything…but….there was this hip thing
happening a second ago…> She blushed.

<Oh, yeah.> She wriggled a little bit again <Like this?>

<Mmmm…ah…yeah…that's…..ooh>

<Almost coherent, Buffy….almost.> Willow grinned.

<Oh, yeah?>

<Uh, oh.>

Buffy's hands reached up and pulled her into another passionate kiss.
Her hands trailed down to the hackers waist and pulled her down as her
own hips rose up to meet her. Willow moaned a little bit, shocked as
well at the feelings inside of her. Their breathing increase with each
movement…not wanting to let it end, yet each knowing they were drawing
closer.

In unison, they let out a groan, peppered with both pleasure and a much
needed release. They lay there trying to catch their breath. Finally,
Willow rolled off of her, breaking just enough contact so she could
gather her up in her arms. Soon, from sheer exhaustion, they both fell
into a blissful sleep.

-----------

They got up early and got dressed….something they forgot to do last
night. Making their way down to the kitchen they found Giles with the
morning paper, drinking a cup of tea.

"Morning, Giles." Buffy chirped.

"Yes, um…good morning, indeed." Shades of red began to rise up in his
neck and settled in his cheeks.

Both girls looked at him, embarrassed at the implications.
"Giles..I..uh…we…um." Buffy offered.

"Yes, well….if you'll both have breakfast and get dressed quickly, we
have a lot of work to do today." He got up and exited the kitchen
rather quickly, mumbling something about earmuffs.

"Oh, no…he….he heard us?" Willow looked a lot paler than usual.

Both girls looked at each other in shock and then broke out into a fit
of laughter.

"Well, at least we don't have to figure out a way to tell him." It was
a weak offer, but Buffy couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Great….he probably thinks we're both nymphomaniacs now.." Willow was
very disturbed.

Buffy came up behind her and gave her a little squeeze. "Probably
not." She nibbled on Willow's ear, "Then again, why disappoint him?"
She ran her hands down the redhead's thighs.

<Buffy! You're bad. Bad, bad, bad…>

<I know. You love me though.> She came out from behind her and gave
her a peck on the cheek.

"Always."

------

They ate, got dressed, and joined Giles in the den to go over their
notes. As night fell, Buffy and Willow went on a routine patrol through
the cemetery.

"Nothing." Buffy sounded disappointed.

"Yeah….they must know something's up toni----AH! Buffy!"

Without warning, a dark figure grabbed Willow from behind, knocked Buffy
to the ground and took off towards the high school.

"Willow!"

Buffy quickly got to her feet and looked in the direction she last saw
her. Nothing. It was like they disappeared. What began as a jog turned
into a full sprint as she rounded the corner and spotted the high school
just a block away. Buffy stopped short in front of it, unable to
believe her eyes. There, at the entrance, was Willow and she was being
held by Angelus.

"Buffy..it's a trick! It's not him…" She managed to get out before the
figure tightened his grip.

"Long time no see, lover. As much as I'd like to make with the small
talk, I have work to do….now if you'll excuse me…." His free hand shot
up and an energy ball came barreling at her. Rolling away, it missed
her by inches and turned the car behind her into a pile of dust.

It was distraction enough for him to get inside with Willow.

<Nope….definitely not Angelus….but enough like him to distract me.> She
thought to herself.

She worked her way around the outside of the school until she was at the
window to the chemistry class. An image of Faith flashed in her
mind…when she'd drawn the little heart with the stake in it on the
window. Shaking it off, she climbed in carefully and made her way to
the library. She was sure that's where they'd be.

Peering in, she saw Willow tied to a chair next to what looked like
Giles' old office. The library was in various stages of disarray….the
most destruction being in the middle and lessened as it got to the
fringes. The demon was on his knees, maybe five feet away from her. He
was in a circle, arms at his sides, chanting something. Willow looked
up and noticed her in the window. She tried to bring Buffy's attention
to something next to him. There, on the floor lay the most magnificent
sword she'd ever seen. It had a jewel encrusted handle, and seemed to
be made out of pure gold. It shimmered in the light cast by the fire in
the center of the circle. Buffy nodded her head in acknowledgement and
ducked down again.

Willow noticed a book nearby and kicked at it, distracting
demon-Angelus. He turned his head and it was that moment that Buffy
decided to run into the room and take a defensive stance in front of
him.

"Hello again, lover. I thought I took care of you before? Silly of me
to underestimate you, of course." He slowly began to work his way
towards the sword. "Trust me…it won't happen again." Swiftly he picked
it up and sliced vertically in her direction.

"Remember this, love? Well this time, it'll be your belly they find it
in." He attacked and she dove away towards the cage. Feeling around
behind her, she picked up the first thing she could get her hands on.
Scrambling to her feet, she brought the weapon in front of her and
realized that it was a replica of what the demon was holding…only in
silver.

"Well, this does nothing but put an interesting twist on things, don't
you think?" He smiled, and shifted into game face.

She thrusts at him with her sword, but he parries and swings around with
a thrust of his own, which she also parries. They clash blades several
times, and Buffy ducks a wide arcing swing from him. They face off again
and trade one thrust and parry after another. Angelus tries another
arcing swing from above, but she easily ducks and sidesteps out of the
way. They face off again in front of Willow and trade a few more blows.
Willow puts her foot out in front of him and he falls to the ground.
This gives Buffy enough time to run over and cut Willow loose.

Willow scrambles to the side and begins a chant of her own. Several
energy balls form in her upturned palms…each chant making them grow
stronger. Just as Angelus is about to deliver another blow to Buffy, A
ball shoots out from Willow's hand and strikes the sword, temporarily
blinding him. Each ball in turn shoots in his direction….leaving him to
deflect each in turn. Instead of them being deflected, they begin to
act like paddleballs, coming back at him as he strikes each one away.

While Buffy catches her breathe, Willow begins yet another chant. This
time her hands begin to glow with a yellow light and her eyes are
emanating a deep blue light that stretches across the entire room. By
this time, Angelus has dispatched with all the energy balls and turns
his attention to Buffy again. He strikes out at her with the sword but
she easily deflects it. Each of them strikes at the same time and they
come face to face. Angelus uses his height to his advantage and throws
her across the room, turning on Willow now.

Having stretched her hands out in front of her, she delivers the yellow
light to Angelus full force. He is struck in the chest and thrown
against the cage and then to the floor. Willow runs over to Buffy who
is trying to shake off the last blow she was dealt. Without thinking
twice, Willow grabs the silver sword from the floor and marches over to
where Angelus is kneeling.

He shakes his head and looks up upon her approach. Only, it's not
Angelus.

Willow…..what's happened? Oh, God….Will…It hurts….." It was Oz.

She stops dead in her tracks. "Oz…no…how did you……How did you get
here?" She lowers the sword a bit, afraid to trust what she's seeing.

"I don't know…."

Buffy reacted. "Willow, NO! It's a trick…."

He morphed into wolf form and tackled her. She dropped the sword and
they fell in a pile. Buffy rushed over and grabbed the sword, looking
for a clean shot. Willow brought her knee up full force and planted it
firmly in his groin. He recoiled in pain and Buffy was able to at least
nick him before he could scamper under the table. A deafening silence
fell on the library.

"Wha…where'd he go? Stay behind me, Will…"

Suddenly, a great rumble began to grow from under the table. It quickly
spread throughout the library and before them stood a knight in full
clad armor.

"I have come for you my love…" He pointed towards Willow, then turned
his attention to Buffy, "And you, Sir Lancelot, shall feel the wrath of
the King you have betrayed!"

"Buffy…do you trust me!?" Willow screamed over the noise.

"What!?"

"Do you trust me!?"

"Yes! Of course I do!"

"When I say now…..swing!"

Buffy deflected the blows Arthur threw at her the best she could.
Meanwhile, Willow stood a few feet behind her, with her arms stretched
out wide. Arthur swung and missed. Buffy was able to bring the sword
down hard on his armored back. It didn't even make a dent.

"Come on Will, I don't know how much longer I can hold out…."

Again they were sparring. Slowly, Buffy began to realize he was losing
power and his down slices were loosing their aggression. In a daring
move, Buffy advanced on him and pushed him back about five feet. He
came out stronger than ever. <He tricked me!> She stumbled and it was
all he needed to bring the golden sword down and cut her arm. She
screamed out in pain. He stood there, laughing at her.

"You think you can beat me, you pathetic fool?"

<Buffy….get ready.>

<OK Will.>

She felt Willow come up behind her and grab the sword underneath Buffy's
hand.

<One, two, three…NOW>

They swung the sword in unison and a great white light shot forth from
the tip. Swinging right to left then left to right they effectively
sliced him in two, without even touching him.

"The sword Buffy….destroy his sword!" Willow called out from behind
her.

She ran over to where the demon Arthur was squirming on the ground and
grabbed the sword. She placed it on the table and with a downward
strike she shattered it into a thousand pieces. The demon screamed out
in pain and exploded. When the smoke cleared, all she could see was a
puddle of steaming gray slime.

"We did it, Will…..we won…..."Buffy dropped the silver sword and grabbed
her arm. She turned around and saw that Willow had collapsed on the
ground. Immediately, she ran over to her.

"Willow…WILLOW!…..God, don't do this to me, Will, not now." She
gathered her up and was smoothing the hair away from her face. "Come on
Will, wake up….we won…..we did it…together….." She was crying and
holding her, rocking back and forth.

Nothing.

"Will, don't you leave me damn it!……we've been through too much for you
to just give up now. Come on!" She was sobbing uncontrollably.

Nothing.

Giles came rushing in. "Buffy..Buffy where…." He spots them on the
floor and rushes over. "Dear, God, what's happened?"

"She won't wake up Giles…..make her wake up…please." She looks
imploringly at him, her tears making a trail down her cheeks and
dripping into Willow's hair.

Giles reaches out for Willow's hand. "She has no pulse,
Buffy…..she's….she's gone." He removed his glasses and put his hand
lightly on her shoulder. "No….anyone but her…." A lone tear fell from
his eye.

"No, Giles…that's not good enough! You have to do something…..not after
everything…everything we've been through…we won, Will…..do you hear me?
We won….." She hugged her closer now, unable to accept what he'd said.
"She can't be…Giles she can't….I love you, Will……I wish it was me….I'd
do anything….please, why couldn't it have been me."

A brilliant white light emanated from the hallway, and the doors swung
open. He was wearing a royal blue robe, with stars, moons and suns
embroidered in it. He carried a staff and at the tip of it was a
beautiful orb. His beard reached almost down to his knees and his eyes
were pale yellow, but it was Myrddin just the same.

"These things happen child, no one can predict them. No one knows
exactly what we'd sacrifice for love." His tone was soothing and warm.

"But she can't go….We just found each other….I can't lose her….not
now….. It's not fair."

"You knew what to do. You listened to your heart and you knew. So did
she."

"But I love her…..she's so young…."

"In my time, it was an honor to give your life for the one you loved…do
you wish to dishonor her?"

It was a loaded question. "No…but I want to give her a second
chance….she doesn't deserve this….she deserves so much more…"

"Do you love her with everything you have to offer…and then more
besides?"

"What?" She couldn't quite place where she'd heard that before.

"I said, do you love her with everything you have to offer….and then
more besides?"

"I'm no expert on matters of the heart….but if she asked, I would offer,
and if I didn't have what she asked for, I'd find a way to give it to
her….simply because it's what her heart desired." Buffy made the
statement simply, truthfully…as if there were no other truth she knew
but the words that she spoke.

Myrddin smiled. "You are smart child, smart indeed. I can see the love
in your eyes, the purity in your words and the conviction you hold in
your heart. I offer you this: You know what to do. You know how to
heal her and make her whole again. Show her-give her-everything. It's
all there…right INSIDE of you." With that, he simply vanished.

Buffy looked down at her. "Show her…everything….inside of me…inside of
me…inside."

She closed her eyes and followed the link deep into the center of
Willow's soul. Mentally grabbing onto it with both hands, she felt the
reverberations coarse through her. Getting a good grip she yanked as
hard as she could. The minute she pulled she felt a sort of mental slap
vibrate through out her entire body.

<Come on, Will….wake up.>

<……>

<I know you're in there….get up…I swear, if you leave me, I'll never
forgive you.>

<……>

She grabbed onto the link again. With an even greater force than she
knew she possessed, she yanked on it again…this time, the slap sending
her to her knees.

<Willow, damn it….>

<…..>

<I can't do this alone. Who's gonna let me copy off of them in Walsh's
class? Who's gonna save my ass with the floating pencil when the vamps
attack all at once? Who's gonna bandage my wounds and chase the
monsters from under my bed? You're a part of me, Will….If you leave me,
I die….I can't survive without you…..two halves make a
whole…remember?……you complete me….I'm nothing without you…..nothing.>

<……..>

<I've waited my whole life for you, Willow Rosenberg, and I'm not going
to give you up now. Do you understand?…..I….damn it….I deserve you. I
deserve to have you in my life….I earned you and nothing is gonna take
you away from me now. NOTHING!>

<buffy>

<Will…Oh, God…Will.> "Willow…open your eyes…come on, you can do it.
Open your eyes for me." Buffy was looking down at her…waiting for the
slightest movement. Giles could do nothing but hold his breath and
witness the scene before him.

Slowly, almost sleepily, she began to stir. Then she squeezed Buffy's
hand. It wasn't much but it was a start. "Look at me, Will. Open your
eyes….."

She blinked once, twice…..then Buffy was able to look deep into a sea of
emerald green.

"Hey" She managed to whisper.

A sob escaped from Buffy's throat and the tears began to flow again.
She smiled down at her. "Hey yourself."

--------------

They made their way up the path. They could hear music coming from
inside the house they were approaching. Not wanting to walk in just
yet, they stood outside the window and looked in.

"Bloody hell, boy. You know I can't bite you." Spike was sneering at
Xander. "Would you untie me already….even dogs are allowed a longer
leash than this." In his hand he held a rope that was maybe three feet
long. One end attached to his neck, the other to the doorknob of the
closet.

"I don't think I like him very much. He irritates me." Anya offered
from the couch.

"Sod off you! Damn vengeance demons…never know their place….if I ever
get out of this, I'm gonna….I'm gonna…" Spike shot her a nasty look.

"You're gonna what? Close your eyes and wish really, REALLY hard that
you could bite me?" She smiled at him. Xander tried to contain
himself, but he had to turn away so Spike couldn't see him chuckling.

-----------

Buffy looked at Giles, then to Willow. "Yeah….I'd say we're home."

Willow shook her head in agreement and smiled her patented Willow-smile.
"Be it ever so humble."

"Hmm, yes. I quite agree." Giles added before putting his key in the
lock and opening the door.

-----------

"So nothing, huh?" Xander asked for the hundredth time.

"No Xand….no vamps, no tramps, no imps, no nada." Buffy smiled.

"Oh, well…at least you got to ski. Too bad you cut your arm when you
fell of the lift though. I thought slayers were supposed to be
graceful?" He gave her a sly grin.

"They are…I was just….distracted." She gave him a little pout.

I see…spotted another flavor of the week, huh?" Xander grinned at her.
"Was he buff, buff?"

"Xander, don't you think it's getting quite late? You should be making
your way home sometime this evening…no?" Giles interjected.

"Yeah…wow…look at the time…." He got up from the couch and made his way
to the door. "Hey, Will….how about I walk you home? It's on my way."

She looked up from her position on the couch. "No thanks, Xander. My
parents are out of town and I'm staying with Giles until Buffy and I can
get back into the dorms."

"Well, suite yourself….I for one, am camping out under the stars….the
Xander Harris tradition. Only this year, I'll have company…..ready,
Anya?" She walked over to the door and followed him out. "Night all."

"Well, I'm quite tired myself. I think I'll turn in." Giles got up
from his chair and put his tea cup on the counter. "Good night,
ladies."

Hey, Giles….wait a sec." Buffy called out. "I have an early Christmas
present for you." She looked in Willow's direction and gave her a
knowing smile.

"That's not necessary, Buffy. We can open them all together, tomorrow."

"Really, Giles….we insist" Willow gave him an innocent smile.

He walked over and retrieved the package Buffy had produced from behind
her back. He pulled off the ribbon and the paper. Then he opened the
box. His cheeks turned an interesting shade of red. "Yes, well….I
see. A practical gift, one would assume."

In the box was a pair of tweed earmuffs.

He smiled at them and went off to bed.

"I didn't think I'd ever see him turn that color again……Rainbow
Giles….distant, distant cousin of Rainbow Brite." Buffy smiled over at
her friend.

Willow crept over to the other side of the couch where Buffy was
sitting. "I have an early Christmas present for you Buffy…." She said
in a sing song voice.

Her eyes grew wide. "What? What, what what…come on, Will, what is it?
You know how impatient I can be!" Buffy had her by the shoulders and
was shaking her with each word.

"All right….but you have to close your eyes…." Willow gave her an
innocent smile.

After a bit of pouting, Buffy closed her eyes. Willow got them both off
the couch and led her into the bedroom they were sharing. Willow pulled
her to the middle of the room.

"OK, Buffy….open your eyes."

She opened them slowly and first noticed the red and green candles
everywhere and the soft light they cast on the room. Looking around a
little more, she saw that there was green garland on the walls and a
little Christmas tree on the dresser, right next to a miniature
Menorah. She was about to say something then she noticed something
hanging from the ceiling. Actually, she noticed a lot of something's
hanging there.

"Will?" Buffy gave her a questioning look.

"It's mistletoe….well, actually….it's A LOT of mistletoe. Do you like
it?"

"I love it…but there's one little problem…" Buffy looked at her
seriously.

"What?" The redhead's eyebrows arched at the thought she'd forgotten
something.

Buffy leaned in for a long lingering kiss. After a few moments she
broke away and looked deep into her eyes. "I never need an excuse to
kiss you. Ever. No spells, or mistletoe or special occasion." She
reached her hand out and touched her cheek. "It comes as natural to me
as breathing….."She smiled.

"Aw, Buffy…..that's…"

"Yeah, I know….again with the cheese factor." Both girls giggled. "I
hope you like cheese, Will….I certainly have more than enough to go
around."

"Absolutely…..I would have to say that Buffy cheese is my favorite
cheese of all."

They kissed some more. Neither one in a rush. They knew they had time.

<Merry Christmas, Buffy.>

<Merry Christmas, Red.>

---------

He peered in the window, taken by the sight they presented. The slayer
and the witch. They were quite a pair. He turned to his companion.
"They're meant to be, you know."

"I know."

They were kissing in the middle of the room. Soft music came from the
radio on the night table.

"Myrddin wasn't kidding when he said he needed a big favor. It's not
every day you find a 1400 year old wizard on your doorstep." He looked
at his companion again. "Something bothering you?"

"I get that it was meant to be, and I have no complaints about that. I
still can't figure out why he wanted to use our memories though……you
think it helped?" He looked up at his friend, and stood there in
contemplative silence.

"Just look for yourself." He waved his hand towards the window.

They had made their way over to the bed now. Willow reached out to cup
Buffy's face, the love in her eyes could be clearly seen…even from where
they were standing.

"What ever happened at the library must have been something else."

"Come on. I think we've seen enough. Don't you?" He stuck his hands
in his pockets, waiting for a response.

He gave one last look in the window. If they stood there any longer it
would definitely be an invasion of privacy. "As Willow goes……so does my
nation." He gave a heavy sigh, and they walked away into the night
together. Both realizing, maybe for the first time, what it was exactly
they'd lost.

FINIS

--
Willow: It's horrible! That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil and...
skanky. (aside to Buffy, worried) And I think I'm kinda gay.
Buffy: Willow, just remember, a vampire's personality has nothing to do
with the person it was.
Angel: Well, actually... (gets a look from Buffy) uh, That's a good
point.

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