Filling in the Gaps
by Red Willow
2
[reviews]
I broke away, knowing we had to stop and let my forehead rest against hers briefly before quickly reclaiming her mouth, sliding my tongue over her bottom lip. Her fingers laced into my hair, pulling me back tighter against her and I slid my hand up her neck, loving the feel of her soft skin under my hands. I found her pulse point and let my finger linger there. Quickly we kissed, desperate for a few extra seconds of each others touch and taste.
Muffled voices not far from the car made us pull back. Good thing too, I glanced out the side window to see Tara standing there holding a bag as Casey came toward the car. I sat back on my side of the car, straightening my shirt and running my hands quickly through my hair. Buffy did the same, producing a compact to check herself.
"We should just tell her." Buffy said quietly.
Casey and Tara were at the back of the car, putting the bags in the trunk.
"I know... it's just... kind of weird." I bit my lip, unsure if I could convey my feelings.
"You and me?" She asked, concerned.
I looked over at her, catching her hand on the seat between us.
"Never us." I smiled and squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her that it had nothing to do with us as a couple.
"Just... telling her... and..." I shrugged. "Maybe you're right. O-okay... idea."
"What's that?"
"You can tell her!" I said excited, completely convinced that would be the best course of action.
"Uh... don't you think you should do that?" She questioned, looking at me closely.
I rolled my eyes at her logic.
"Grumble grumble."
Casey and Tara got back into the car.
"Get everything you need?" Buffy asked them.
"Yup, all set." Casey smiled in the rearview before she gunned the engine.
We took off down the street and I leaned back, sliding down a bit in my seat for the ride, knowing it was at least twenty minutes to Kent Prep. I watched as Tara leaned over Casey, smiling up at her briefly, before turning down the visor and retrieving a CD from the sleeve there.
"This one?" She asked Casey who nodded her approval before Tara sat back in her own chair.
"Way cool Tar." Casey continued. "You guys like Orgy?" She asked looking at us in the rearview.
"Excuse me?" Buffy asked quickly.
"Music group, not an offer." Tara clarified for us.
"Yet." Casey added with a grin.
"Uh... don't think I've heard them before." I told them as I watched Tara swat Casey's arm playfully for the last comment.
In return, Casey grinned back at her, placing her hand on Tara's corduroyed thigh and giving her a squeeze.
"Like you'll say no later." I heard Casey say softly right before the music started.
Tara's blush flooded all the way down her neck, and from my angle behind Casey, I could tell Tara was trying to keep a grin off her face. From her reaction, I could tell that at some point she hadn't refused that offer in the past. My ex-girlfriend turned the volume up considerably and we were inundated with a heavy bass line and loud percussion. I had never heard them as far as I knew, but so far, they sounded pretty good. I was surprised though, to see Tara already into the beat, mouthing the words along with the singer. I also noticed that Casey didn't remove her hand from Tara's thigh, which made me wonder if they weren't going out and she just never told me, or did I just assume that Casey was going out with Claire?
"So..." I started, leaning forward to put my face near the backs of their seats. "You and Claire are together then?" I asked glancing from the girl's hand on Tara's leg to her face.
"More or less." She answered simply, keeping her eyes on the road.
"Oh." I wasn't sure how to respond to that.
"We're uh... non exclusive." She continued.
I still wasn't sure what she meant so I nodded as if I did anyway.
"They have an o-open relationship." Tara explained, glancing at me before she looking down at the hand on her leg briefly. She didn't turn back toward me, instead continued singing the song that was on while looking out the window.
"Oh, so... you see other people?"
"Sometimes."
"But you... live together... right?"
"Yup..." Casey turned nodded, turning onto another road. "Actually, there's very little seeing other people without Claire or I involved."
I frowned, not sure what she meant. Tara always was good at reading my mind and again she had to clarify things to me.
"What Case is saying, is that they have an open relationship that allows them to see other p-people besides each other... but most of the time, they simply invite... hmm... a third party to join them... does that make sense?" She asked, searching my face.
"Oh... okay." I nodded that her description made a lot more sense now, but it still didn't mean I got it.
I leaned back in my seat again turned my body toward Buffy, lacing my fingers with hers on the seat between us. I caught her eye and then gestured with my own toward the front of the car, trying to convey that something was going on between Tara and Casey. She was oblivious, as she often is not barring demons and vampires. That doesn't make me love her any less, just makes me want to try harder.
I squeezed her hand, grabbing her attention again and made my eyes wide before swinging them in the direction of our companions. She shrugged her shoulders as if to ask 'what?'
I rolled my eyes and made her look down at my hand. I pointed my index finger toward the front of the car, then showed her my hand, placed it on her thigh briefly, before pointing to Casey. Again I put my hand on her thigh before pointing to Tara. I could see something dawning in her features.
Abruptly she sat up, replacing my previous spot.
"So..." Buffy started. I saw her glance down between the two before she continued. "Is this an intimate setting, few friends good times kind of deal or uh drunken frat type frolic?"
Casey laughed at that and from between where Buffy was seated and the driver side car seat, I saw her remove her hand from Tara's thigh to cover her mouth as she laughed.
Buffy sat back with a scowl on her face.
"I... I'm sorry... it's just that..." Casey laughed some more, shaking her head.
Again, Tara had to interpret. "Casey and Claire have a strict policy against anything Greek." She explained.
"Yes, we have a... a very open party." She smiled at Tara who nodded. "We don't pay to have friends and we hate groups that discriminate, for uh... obvious reasons..."
"Oh... yeah I could see that." Buffy nodded.
I remembered the few parties that we attended at Riley's "frat" house and wow, always loads of fun boy, let me tell you.
"Mmmm... most of the time we just have a few friends over, hang out... and do... other stuff..." Casey grinned at Tara, who again couldn't help the blush that came over her face and I was soon dying to know just what my ex-girlfriend had gotten in to. "But tonight... well there's gonna be a lot of people there with it being Spring Break. Most of our neighbors are gone, but my friends Shelley and Andi live next door and above us is Melissa and Jen. We sort of all decided to throw a big party."
As if on cue, Casey turned into the small apartment complex, going past the first set of buildings toward the back. I looked out the window as a small crowd of people came into view near the end of the second building.
"Guess this is it." Buffy said looking toward the crowd of mostly girls hung on the stairs between the first and second floors.
Casey pulled into one of the only empty parking spaces, beeping the horn for a few stragglers to move out of the way. The three girls who had stood there moments before waved happily at us before turning back to their conversation. The deep thumping of bass and percussion could be heard even inside the car.
"Okay," Casey started as she shut the engine off. "That's me and Claire's apartment there," She pointed straight ahead where an open door provided a view into a very crowded apartment. "We have the liquor. Shelley and Andi's," She pointed to the open apartment beside hers. "They have food and beer, probably more liquor. Directly upstairs you'll find Mel and Jen, they have the keg and probably a few bongs... so if that's not your thing... well it can get pretty smoky in there." She giggled softly before stepping out with the rest of us behind her.
As soon as we exited the car, Casey and Tara were greeted by most of the women standing outside.
"You get the feeling Tara comes here a lot?" I asked Buffy who had met me in front of the car, looking from apartment to apartment and the many people that littered in and out.
"You noticed that too huh?" She asked, pointing toward two girls making out on the balcony. "And that?"
"Oh wow..." I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
"Come on Will... let's mingle!" Buffy joked, grabbing my arm and dragging me into Casey's apartment.
***
Stepping into the apartment was like stepping into another world. Candles and incense burned from various areas of the room, the floors vibrated from the music blasting out of the large speakers near the front door, and the lamps were shaded with scarves, diffusing the light into soft reds and gold. People, mostly women sat or stood throughout the large living room holding large red party cups trying to talk over the music. In various dark corners, especially near the hallway, which I assumed led to the bedrooms and bathroom, couples made out, groping and kissing oblivious to the throngs of people around them.
I had to admit; aside from all the people Tara's friends had a really nice apartment. Black, overstuffed furniture was set up around a large iron and glass coffee table with matching ends. A large entertainment center sat in the far wall, where I assumed the speakers had originally stood. On the wall opposite the couch and loveseat was a tall bookcase overstuffed with books, and on either side stood two very large rubber plants that looked as if they might break the pots that held them. A large painting hung over the couch of two nude women laying in each other's arms, their faces obscured.
"This place is nice." I said, looking around. We were heading toward the kitchen, trying to politely weave our way through the small group gathered directly in our path.
"What?" Willow shouted in my ear.
"Oh!" I leaned in to her, speaking close to her ear. "I said this place is really nice!"
She nodded in agreement. "I want a drink!" She let me know.
"Okay..." I gripped her hand and we finally made it through the slew of woman who smiled and parted for us.
After we each got drinks, of which I only sipped mine, having never fully gotten over the whole Cave-Slayer thing freshman year, we tried to relax and enjoy the music.
Unable to ever fully relax around a large group of people if Willow was near, I kept my awareness high and let her enjoy herself as she realized that she knew a few of the women here from her classes.
Trying to keep up with the conversation, even though I really had no idea what they were talking about, I found that I had drank my entire fruity concoction, even against my own warning. I looked over at Willow's and saw that she was almost done with hers as well.
I leaned toward her, getting her attention away from the others briefly.
"Hey baby." I whispered in her ear.
"Hey yourself." She smiled.
"Want another?" I asked, indicating the almost empty cup in her hand.
She looked down and shrugged. "Sure."
"Don't move 'kay?" I kissed her cheek. "I'll be right back."
"You're such the protector." She told me with a grin.
"Always." I said again before turning toward the kitchen.
I was almost to the kitchen when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning quickly I caught sight of Casey's tall figure.
"Hey!" She smiled.
"Hi."
"You getting another?" She asked pointing to the cup.
"Yeah... for me and Will."
"I'll come with." She told me and I followed her into the kitchen where two women, one with a shaved head and the other with long curly auburn hair stood mixing drinks.
Casey kissed the auburn on the cheek before telling her something I couldn't catch in her ear. She grinned, blushing, and turned away to go back to her task. Casey smiled broadly before turning back to me.
"Are you having fun?" She asked.
"Oh... yeah... much fun am I having..."
"Good..." She turned back to the other girls. "Two 'sex on the beaches' please ladies."
"I really like your place." I told her, not knowing what else to say.
She smiled, glancing around. "Well... it's home, ya know?"
I nodded.
"You like the music?" She asked just as the current song ended and a new one came on.
"Um... yeah... a lot of it I haven't heard before though."
"Really?"
"Yup... sounds pretty good though. Nice beat."
"Nice beat..." She grinned. "Yeah."
"Who's this?" I asked, gesturing with my hand and watched her pour a thick brown liquid into a shot glass.
She listened for a moment, swallowed the shot down, cleared her throat and then gave me another broad smile.
"The Crystal Method... Prodigy was the one before. Ever heard of them?"
"Uh... I think my sister might like them." I felt very out of the loop.
She laughed lightly and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "You're welcome to borrow some CDs if you really like them."
"Um... thanks."
"Here." I heard the girl behind us say. We both turned and the shaven head girl held out two plastic cups toward us.
"Thanks." I took the cups from her.
"Thanks Blakely." Casey said, all too sweetly. The other girl simply smirked.
We headed back toward the living room, Casey stopping at almost every woman we passed to either say hi or whisper something in her ear that would inevitably leave the woman blushing. I had an idea that this woman in my company got around a lot.
"So you and Willow are like together now right?" She asked suddenly, turning to me.
"Huh?" I wasn't sure how she had come to that conclusion.
"You and Willow, doing the deed...?"
I opened my mouth, but could only shut it again because I was at a loss for words.
She laughed again. "In case you haven't noticed, most of the people here are women, and almost all of them are lesbians. You might want to stake your claim, instead of pretending like there's nothing between you. Unless of course you're open, like me and Claire..."
"Uh... s-stake my claim?" I was only a sentence behind.
"Which..." She continued. "You know... you should really consider inviting Tara to join... she'd so be into that."
"Excuse me, did you just tell me to invite Tara?"
"Oh yeah... she'd so dig that."
"Uh... Uh..."
"Hey!" Casey shouted to someone behind me, waving her hand excitedly. "Sorry Buff, I gotta jet, I'll catch up with you and Will later, kay?"
"Uh... huh." I nodded, watching her disappear behind a small group of women only to reappear in another woman's arms, kissing softly.
Invite Tara? Huh? Not that Tara wouldn't be hot in bed, that I have no doubt. Memories of hearing her and Willow have sex while I slid my hips back and forth on my hand, knees drawn up, face buried in my pillow flooded my mind momentarily and I literally had to shake my head to rid the thoughts and clear my vision.
Looking around the large, dimly lit room, I spotted Willow and another woman standing near the couch. The other woman stood at least a half a foot taller than her. She had spiked brown hair and her defined muscles stood out on her sleeveless arms. Taking a step past a couple that were whispering in each other's ears, I finally saw that the woman was gripping Willow's arm hard enough to cause her to wince. Anger boiled up in me, making me want pick that woman up and toss her through a window. Who the hell did she think she was to touch my Willow like that?
I quickly made my way over to them, depositing the drinks on an end table on the way. I caught Willow's eyes as she whispered my name just as I came up behind the other woman. I couldn't see Willow from my stance any longer since the tall spiky haired girl towered over both of us and sported very broad shoulders as well.
Putting my hands on my hips and looking up at her I said, "I think you need to get your hands off her."
***
"Don't move 'kay?" She kissed my cheek softly. "I'll be right back."
"You're such the protector." I told her with a grin.
"Always." She responded before leaving in search of new drinks.
I followed her with my eyes through the small crowd, admiring that great back view, feeling like a teenager, remembering all those times in high school I walked up the stairs behind in.
"She's really hot." I heard Beth in my ear.
"Excuse me?" I asked turning to her. I knew Beth from my calculus class.
"Your girlfriend, right?" She asked, her eyes returning to where Buffy had been a second before.
"Oh... um... uh... yeah." I finally managed to get out.
"I was just saying she's a hottie. Not that I'm interested... just pointing it out." Beth finished smiling.
"Oh... um, yeah... she's... she's beautiful." I amended.
Hottie, yup, I know it. I got me a hottie. I couldn't help but grin. I got me a hot Slayer. Woo hoo for me!
"Hey you two, Andi wanted us to come see their new aquarium... you know how she is about those damn fish."
I looked over to see Jess lending her hand for another woman I didn't know to get up.
"You coming?" Beth asked me.
I shook my head. "No, I told Buffy I'd wait for her."
"Okay... we'll see you later."
With that, they all got up and left, leaving me feeling a slight bit out of place. I looked around, hoping I'd catch sight of Tara or Casey before Buffy got back. Unfortunately I hadn't seen Tara since we first arrived, and I didn't recognize anyone else. I tapped my foot to the music and finished the last of my drink, which actually wasn't as strong as I first feared. As long as I didn't find a dead body, I'd be okay.
"Hi there." I heard someone say behind me. I turned to see a tall, muscular woman in a tank top propped on the back of the loveseat.
"Oh... uh, Hi." I tried to smile, but something told me this woman wanted more than to just chat.
"Mind if I sit?" She asked as she came around in front of me and took as seat beside me where Beth had been sitting.
"Sure."
"You look damn good, you know that?" She ran the tip of her finger up my forearm.
"Uh... thanks?" I squeaked, trying to shift closer to the armrest and away from her. Only problem was I was already squished against it.
"You here with someone?" She asked, never meeting my eye. She was undressing me with her eyes, I just know it!
"Yes. Yes I am." I said firmly, my eyes darting beyond her head, hoping to spot Buffy in the crowd.
The woman shook her head, spiky hair never budging in the movement.
"What woman would ever leave you alone?" She asked, repeating her earlier action of running her finger up my forearm, only this time she let it linger near my breast until I pulled away from her. She met my eyes finally, trying to find something there I assume.
"She's coming right back." I assured her.
"I'm sure she is sweets." She grinned. "That doesn't mean you and me can't have a little fun though."
Instead of dragging her fingers across my arm, she put her whole hand on my upper thigh.
"Get your hand off my leg." I told her firmly, hoping not to cause a scene.
"Mmm... like to give orders huh?" She gave me a squeeze before continuing. "Sorry hon, I'm not really the bottom type."
I pushed her hand away, standing. She followed right behind me, an angry glint entering her eyes as she stared at me.
"What's your rush babe?" She grabbed my arm, squeezing tight. It hurt a lot and I couldn't yank free. My eyes darted around the room until they landed on Buffy rushing toward us, the anger evident on her smooth features.
"Buffy..." I whispered just as this tall menace began pulling me closer. Her fingers were entirely too tight on my arm and I knew I'd have a bruise in the morning.
"I think you need to get your hands off her." Buffy said, standing firm behind the towering form that held me.
"What?" She said, half turning to look at Buffy while she still held my arm.
"I said, get your hands off my girlfriend." Buffy's voice rose higher, while she still regained that self-control the vamps hated her for.
The woman began laughing, a deep guttural laugh, letting everyone know that she was highly amused. Glancing around I saw several others looking at us and noticed the scared looks on their faces. I'm pretty sure that this woman was not someone most of them would ever mess with. Fortunately for me, my girlfriend was the Slayer and could mop the floor with her ass.
"Oh please..." The woman sneered. "You've gotta be kidding me." She dropped my arm and turned to face Buffy fully. "What's little ol' you gonna do about it."
"How about you get lost... and I won't have to show you."
Again she laughed, shaking her head.
Without warning, the tall woman's arm shot out and I just knew her fist was going to connect with Buffy's nose. Having fast reflexes though, Buffy was able to sidestep and grab the woman hand with her own. Before any of us knew what was happening, Buffy had the woman turned back toward me, holding her arm against her back almost to the breaking point with one hand, while the other squeezed the back of her neck.
"Now..." Began Buffy as everyone in the room had their full attention on us. If this had been a bar room brawl in a movie, someone would've pulled the plug on the jukebox. "You see this beautiful woman in front of you?" She asked the tall woman, yanking her head up.
The woman glanced at me, from the way Buffy was forcing her to lean over, we were almost eye level. She didn't say anything and I saw the glint of fury dancing in her eyes. I was pretty sure she was not used to being on the receiving of her current position.
Buffy pushed the woman's arm up harder into her back and I was sure any further and I would hear it snap. As if they had read my thoughts about the music, someone lowered the volume and there was only the steady throb from the second radio in the apartment upstairs.
"Oww!" The woman howled before biting her lip. She closed her eyes in pain.
"I'm sorry... I didn't think you wanted a broken arm." Buffy quipped in her usual chipper way.
She put a little more pressure on the arm, making the woman's eyes shoot open as she gritted her teeth.
"Now... let's try this again." Buffy looked at me for a minute and although I kind of wanted her to just let the woman go so we could head home, I also wanted to let her do her thing, it was actually turning me on. "Do you see this beautiful woman in front of you here?"
As the woman looked at me, I saw her eyes well up with tears. I could tell she was in a lot of pain. She tried to nod, but Buffy's hand on her neck prevented her from much movement.
"Ye- yeah..." She finally managed.
"Good." Buffy nodded.
Behind Buffy I saw Tara and Casey come out from the hallway, both stopping in shock at the site in front of them. They looked around quickly before Casey attempted to take a step toward us. Tara stopped her with a hand to her shoulder.
"Because that's my girlfriend you were groping." Buffy continued. "She means everything in the world to me and I would literally kill to keep her safe." Buffy brought the woman's head up slightly. "Do you understand that?" Her voice took on a harsher tone.
"I..."
"Do you?" She asked again, putting even more pressure on the arm.
"Yes!" The woman shouted in pain.
"Now say you're sorry." Buffy's tone sounded like one she'd use on a child who wouldn't share a crayon.
"I..." The woman began, unable to look at me.
Buffy pulled the woman up higher and one lonely tear fell down her face. I couldn't help it, but I was mesmerized by Buffy's actions and could feel my heart beating faster with my arousal.
"I'm sorry." The tall woman finally told me, glancing at me one single time before averting her gaze to the floor again.
"Good." Buffy said happily. "Now behave yourself." She chided before letting her go.
I stepped out of the way as the woman stumbled a bit, holding her arm. You could see the fury dancing through her, bubbling just under the skin. She turned back and glared at us as Buffy wrapped her arm around my waist. Buffy raised her eyebrows as if questioning the woman if there was anything else she could help her with. With an angry scowl and a few curse words, the woman was out the door. No one said anything for a few tense moments and I turned to Buffy, burying my head on her shoulder. I hadn't realized it at the time, but I had been very close to using magicks on the woman.
"What the hell was that?" I heard a woman cry from behind Buffy.
Turning around we saw Casey and Tara standing there as everyone else's voices began to swell in volume again. I heard a lot of 'I don't believe it' and 'she's lucky.'
"Willow wasn't enjoying her company." Buffy told her, shrugging.
"No, no, no... I mean... how the hell did you do that?" Casey looked Buffy up and down. "I mean... J.J.'s a real bitch, hell I know that... and if it was up to me she wouldn't even be here... but... how the hell... she's strong Buffy... real strong, and you... you look like..."
"Well I work out too..." Buffy lied. "And... maybe it was just luck."
"No way... she could have gotten out of that easy..." Casey shook her head, not believing what she had just witnessed.
"Are you okay?" Tara asked me, glancing at Buffy's arm still around my waste.
I rubbed my arm where the woman, J.J., had held me.
Someone turned the volume on the stereo back up and we were once again inundated with heavy bass lines.
"Yeah... gonna have a bruise I think."
"Oh... shit... I'm sorry Will..." Casey started.
"No... no its cool, I've had plenty." I tried to smile, but the fact was I was feeling real uncomfortable standing there with Buffy holding me, and Tara waiting for the answer to her unasked question.
Buffy took her arm away and turned to face Tara.
"Hey Tara... um... look... uh..."
"I guess... you guys..."
"We're uh..." I tried.
"They're together sweetie. I thought we sorted this out." Casey said coming to stand behind Tara.
"Sorted?" I asked looking between the two.
"W-we saw you kissing... at the store." Tara told us, trying to keep her eyes between us, rather than on either one of us.
"Oh." I nodded.
"Sorry." Buffy started. "We should have said something."
"No, that's... that's um..." Tara nodded. "That's r-really great." One of her token smiles graced her lips and I felt pressure ease off my mind. I really didn't know how Tara would take the news; I just knew I didn't want to hurt her any further than I had when we were together.
Casey shook her head and shrugged, still not able to process how Buffy was able to subdue J.J.
"I still don't know how you did that." Casey told Buffy. "You're so tiny." She laughed, shaking her head. She put her arms out and shrugged. "But hey... if you ever feel the need to do it again, feel free. I can't stand that bitch!"
With that Casey leaned over and whispered something in Tara's ear.
"Uh... okay." Buffy responded.
Tara blushed and nodded, turning back to us.
"A-are you sure you're all right?" She asked her tone lowered in concern.
I nodded with a smile, linking my arm with Buffy's.
"W-we'll be next door." Tara said before turning away and following Casey out through the door.
Buffy turned to me, wrapped me in her arms and held me tight.
"I love you." She whispered in my ear.
"I love you too." I told her, holding her.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here... when..."
"No... no it's okay... I'm just glad you showed up when you did." I pulled back from her, looking her in her face, tracing the worry lines with my fingers. "Buffy... I..." I looked down, unsure of the words to use. "I almost used magicks..." I spoke in hushed tones and I feared she wouldn't hear me.
"You..." I glanced up to see her studying my face. She wrapped me in her arms again and I rested my head on her shoulder. "Baby, I'm so sorry... are you okay?" She asked softly.
"I'm fine. I just... I could feel it... like... right under my skin..."
"But... how...?" She asked, pulling away again to look me in the eyes.
"The power's in me Buffy... getting rid of the herbs and candles, the crystals... those are... they're tools for spells... but... the power..." I shook my head, looking down. "It's in here." I put my hand on my chest.
"Oh..." She nodded, placing her hand on my cheek.
Neither of us said anything for a few moments, just looked at each other, her hand softly stroking my cheek as people moved around us, some dancing while others simply talked.
"I'm so proud of you." She said at last.
"What?" I asked, not sure why she would be.
"Willow... you have the power to do magic... it's in you... and you still didn't use it." She took me in her arms again, placing her lips softly on my ear. "You always amaze me." She said softly.
Our lips met, soft pressure on barely parted lips before the tip of her tongue sought entrance and I opened my mouth, inviting, wanting and needing her inside me. I felt my arousal spike again and with the steady beat of the music I was tempted to grind my hips against hers. Her hands roamed down my back, brushing over my butt before resting on my lower back. I slid my hand up into her hair, entangling my fingers and pulling her against me, our lips crushing fiercely as I sucked on her tongue.
The people standing, dancing, and sitting around us became a distant memory as I was caught up in our kiss. It felt like my insides were on fire. I wanted to pull Buffy inside me, to devour her.