Down Twisted
by drkdreamer
Chapter 24
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In that relatively short time period, things had jelled when it came to caring for the mute, dark Southerner. Slayer and Witch, naturally, demanded the lion's share of responsibilities but the rest of the Scooby's insisted on pitching in too. Surprisingly, to Buffy at least, Joyce Summers insisted on offer her assistance once stepping foot back into Sunnydale. As it just so happened, today, it was her time to sit with one Alex Roberts. They where, presently, sitting in the air conditioned living room, Joyce was sipping her hot coffee while staring, quite speculatively, at the silent figure who resided on the recliner.
"You know, Alexandra, there's something different going on between my daughter and Willow."
The blonde woman who, in other circumstances, would never have talked to someone whom couldn't respond back, found it oddly relaxing to share her private musings with the other woman. While she hadn't talked to the Southerner before leaving Sunnydale, she wasn't a stupid woman and could clearly see that both Willow and Buffy cared a great deal about that woman. That went double for Rupert, Any and Xander and Joyce simply wanted to understand how the people she loved had come to care so much for Alexandra Roberts in such a short time. The Slayer's Mom hadn't yet talked with anyone yet because she honestly didn't know how to begin that particular conversation.
"I noticed the difference, immediately, upon returning home. Really, it's the little things. The girl's have always, in my opinion, stared a little too much at each other not to mention, they've also been quite touchy feeling towards one another but, now, it's gone to a whole different level. Do you know, two days ago, I would have sworn I saw my daughter actually cupping Willow's ass as they hugged out in the hallway?!?! There are three distinct possibilities going on here. Maybe I'm still jet lagged, I could
finally be going crazy or those girl's have become more than merely best friends. I'd ask you to help me figure this out, Alexandra but, that's a little redundant, don't you think?"
Anything else Joyce might have been going to say was interrupted by the redhead's return to the house she was, presently, calling home.
"Afternoon, Mrs. Summers, has there been any change?"
Willow Rosenberg's face literally fell with her answer which, the astute blonde woman couldn't help noticing. Joyce liked the younger girl and her maternal instincts where kicked in by that look.
"Honey, I hope I'm not being too forward, but are you all right? If you're having a problem, Willow, I'd be happy to talk it out with you."
The Witch wished, with her whole heart, that she could talk to this caring woman. If truth was to be told, Willow actually considered Joyce to be more of a mother than her own Mom. Because she was tied to her loyalty to Alex, and the silence she and Buffy had mutually agreed on, she said none of this.
"Honestly, Mrs. Summers, I'm fine just more than a little worried about Alex."
The older blonde woman realized she could have let it go at that and simply walked away but, dammit, she needed some answers!
"Could you, I don't know, try and explain to me why you and Buffy care so much about Alexandra Roberts? I understand, you both helped her out with the Skyton situation but, Willow, I can't make head's or tails out of the rest of it. If I where to hazard a guess, I'd even go so far as to say you and Buffy
love that woman. Please, Willow, I'm begging you to help me understand why this has happened."
The redhead would've liked to say these questions shocked her but she knew her headstrong lover. Buffy hadn't spoken to her Mom because she was afraid of how this woman would react to the news that they where in a love relationship. It was with more than a little begrudging glance that Willow tried to set Joyce Summers mind at ease.
"It...It's more than a little complicated. I really don't know how much I can tell you with betraying Alex's trust in us. Mrs. Summers, she didn't have, what you could call, a normal life. Alex went through things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy and, by all rights, it should have crushed her. Yet, and I can't go into the specific reasons why, Alexandra Roberts still retains the caring side of her personality. Do you know that she's the only adult, with the possible exception of Giles, who's never treated me, Buffy, Xander and Anya as just idiotic teenagers? She treated us as equals and that, alone, endeared her to me and your daughter. I can't speak for Xan or Anya; you'll have to ask them, if you want. Alex always tried to be openly, honest when it came to dealing with me and Buffy. Really, it's a shame you didn't get to know her like we did because Alexandra Roberts is a thoroughly fascinating individual. I dunno what else I can say but, perhaps, now you'll understand our feelings for her."
This was certainly more than Joyce had expected but, she instinctively knew, there was more to that story. Looking into the immensely sad eyes of Willow Rosenberg, she wisely didn't push things
any further.
"Thank you, sweetie, you've given me a lot to reconsider. I truly hate to complicate things even more but, do know how long Alexandra will remain like this?"
The older woman was deeply concerned by the utterly haunted expression that flashed across the younger girl's face.
"I honestly don't know. Hopefully, not too much longer."
A silence grew between the blonde woman and redheaded teenager, a silence that began to stretch on to be progressively more uncomfortable.
"Mrs. Summers, can...can I ask you something?"
The curiously agitated note in that girl's voice set Joyce slightly on edge. Realizing that Willow could see the tension feeling her frame, the Slayer's Mom tried to relax.
"Of course."
Given free reign, the Wiccan took a deep breath before gathering her scattered thoughts together.
"Is there anything, specifically, you wouldn't do to help someone you love? If they where in trouble and you where the only one who could save them, would you? If there where sky high costs to you own personal psyche, would you do it anyways?"
Joyce Summers could only sit there in stunned astonishment. She'd never expected anything of this nature and didn't quite know how to respond to the desperate edge in those questions.
"I guess it would depend entirely upon the situation, Willow. Regardless of what it might do to me, I would do almost anything to help out my daughter. Sweetie, I hope that can help you. It all comes down to the question of how much do you love this person? And, on that note, I'll leave you to head back to my
own home."
After the blonde woman left, Willow tried, fruitlessly, to get comfortable in the quiet living room. The frustrating knowledge that she and Buffy could help Alex was driving that girl slowly insane. The only thing that was stopping her was the knowledge that she'd been brought up by people who still viewed sex as some dirty act. The saner part of Willow knew her parents where wrong but the girl who stilled loved them, couldn't get past the thought that she'd end up disappointing them if she where to get naked and passionate with her lover in another's presence. With a heartfelt, troubled sigh, Willow Rosenberg walked over to the dark woman and knelt at her feet.
"I wish you could talk to me, Alex, because I honestly don't know what to do. I love you, I really do, but I don't know if I possess enough courage to get my groove on with Buffy when someone else is in the room with us. That's just my own personal quirk, however, I hate seeing you like this. I want the Alexandra Roberts who made me laugh, sometimes tweaked me, challenged my way of thinking and the person who can make me cry back in my life. Please, Alex, I'm begging you, tell me what I should do?"
There was, of course, no answer. In utter defeat, Willow put her head in the dark woman's lap and proceeded to cry her heart out.
That's how Buffy found them, 45 minutes later after returning home. She, silently, grieved for both Alex and her softhearted lover. She wished, with everything in her, that there was magical way that could relieve everyone's pain and hated the fact there was not.
"Baby, come here."
Once locked in each other's arms, the world seemed to brighten just the tiniest bit. After Willow got her emotions back under control, Buffy brushed a chaste kiss the tender lips that had always so haunted both her waking hours and dreams.
"Will, come into the bedroom with me. It's time, my love, to have the discussion we've both been dreading."
The compact blonde and slender redhead linked hand's as they walked through the open bedroom door, wholly unaware that the gray mist that clouded Alex's vision was beginning to, slowly, begin to fade. The silent dark woman knew this was a good sign and wanted to shout the news aloud. But, because her vocal cords seemed to still be frozen that didn't seem to be in the realm of possibilities.
Don't worry guys, she thought to herself, it may take a little more time but I'll soon be back to my own, ornery self.