Loving Willow Til Death Do Us Part
by Rin
12
[reviews]
A/N: Well...I've finished a story!! Can you believe it?!?!?! I broke down, and decided to just write the rest of this, since I didn't have internet for awhile. YAY...pat me on the back. LOL. There's only two season left to play with...and something from the last story will become important.
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Human form. Such a pathetic thing, or so Glory thought, though it did have a few perks, she had to admit. Even with those, being in a human form was pathetic. Sharing a human form with another person, a person of the opposite sex...even more pathetic. She was starting to lose control over the switches, and they seemed to happen more frequently. Ben was becoming a real pain in the ass, too...trying to foil her plans wherever he could.
Last week, she had just wanted to kidnap the other slayer, maybe get some information out of her. After all, it was unheard of to have two slayers at a time. It only made since that the other slayer was the Key. The kidnapping was nothing short of a disaster, since the blood she licked off of the brunette's face after hours of torture only proved her theory wrong.
She hated to be wrong.
Back to square one, Glory vowed to figure out which one of the slayer's friends was the key, even if she had to kidnap and torture every last one of them. The human form bled so easy; it was her favorite part.
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Faith was lucky to be alive. If Buffy and the others hadn't found her in time, her brain may have been sucked by the hellgod. She already had enough mental problems as it was. She didn't need help in that department.
"You okay?" Tara rubbed up and down her girlfriend's arm. Faith was never loud and super talkative but she was never this quiet and brooding.
"Five by five." Faith just sighed softly, and closed her eyes to focus on Tara's fingers against her bare skin.
"You know, I'm starting to understand your Faithisms. You're going to have to get some new ones soon, or I'll have you figured out completely." Tara smirked, and sighed in relief when she noticed the slight smile cross Faith's face.
"I may have a few reserves. You'll just have to wait and see, Blondie." Faith moved to her side, and watched Tara's features change to worry. "Don't worry 'bout me. I'll be fine. I know the slayin' stuff is hard for you...and I can't promise it'll get easier because it won't but I can promise that I'll do my best to come back to you every night."
"This last time, though...Glory could've...and I would've lost..." Tara held back her tears again. She cried too much the night before, just tending to all of Faith's wounds without saying a word the entire night.
"Hey, we're good together. You think I'm gonna give that up without a fight? Hell no. I've never been good at anything in my life. I'll keep fightin', goin' out there every night. I want to make the world safe for you. You deserve the world but you're stuck with me. I'm not lettin' you go, so you might as well get used to the idea of me comin' home battered and bruised. Just remember that I'm home." Faith played with Tara's falling hairs, as the two just lie staring at each other.
"You think of me as home?" Tara really did want to cry now. It was the sweetest thing anybody had ever said to her.
"Yeah, well...don't go tellin' nobody. Don't want them to think I've gone soft." Faith smirked before leaning in for a short kiss. "I'll be fine. You'll be fine. We'll be fine. Okay? Slayin's a tough gig, and it will involve the occasional kidnapping...and not to sound all punny but I have faith in the gang. They'll always find me, even when I'm lost."
"I have faith in you." Tara chuckled slightly. "That doesn't mean I still won't worry. It just comes with loving a slayer. I know that. I've talked to Willow."
"You talked to Red? By yourself?" Faith didn't know whether to be jealous or proud. "When did this happen?"
"While we were looking for you." Tara bit her bottom lip, and ducked her head slightly. "I admit there's still an admiration for her but she's not you. The goddess blessed me with you."
"Did she say how she was dealin' with the whole B movin' out again thing?" Faith was worried about her friends. They kept playing this chess game, and always seemed to stalemate. Faith had moved into Tara's dorm after Joyce died, and didn't bond as much with Buffy. The blonde slayer always talked about Willow; it was her favorite topic. However, when it came down to actually taking action, the almighty slayer was a coward.
"She seems to be dealing okay. I mean...they're still going to date. So, it's not like it's permanent. She could still move back in somewhere down the line. I think Willow has that hope, and that's why she's dealing okay." Tara was worried for them, too. Buffy seemed to finally start dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death, and taking care of Dawnie. "That reminds me. I promised we'd have a Dawn day tomorrow."
"That's cool. Buffy needs a break." Faith looked over at the clock. "We should get some sleep, then. No matter how many demons and vamps I've fought over the years, that kid is the only one who ever wears me out. We'll need all the energy we can get."
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An actual date.
Dawn was spending the day and night with Tara and Faith, so Buffy had asked Willow out on an actual date. One filled with flowers and candy, movies and dinners, maybe even hands held and first kisses.
It was like the beginning of their relationship all over again. Neither one wanted to make the first move, no matter how many dates they'd have. Was it nerves again? Were they afraid the other would reject the idea of serious kissage? Was Buffy afraid that it was going too fast? Did Willow not want to push?
Whatever it was, the redhead wanted to get to the kissage soon. Three official dates, and the furthest they got was holding hands, and playing footsie under the dinner table. Buffy was right; she was getting frustrated...but Willow knew that the end result would be well worth the wait, so she tried to remain patient. It was just...seeing those lips...watching the blonde's eyes sparkle...it was hard not to just lean over and kiss her, just like she used to whenever she wanted. That was the hard part: not falling into old patterns.
This was a new relationship, not their old one. They were starting over but it was hard not to get lost in the memories. Even the most basic touch wasn't innocent anymore. Just touching Buffy, being near her, smelling that familiar scent...it took all of her willpower and discipline to stay calm, cool, and collected. Her passion for this woman was overwhelming, even more so when said passion couldn't be quelled by anyone but herself.
"Come on in." Willow was struggling to insert her earring when she heard a knock at the door. Buffy was always early.
"Take your time." The blonde let herself in, and watched as Willow scrambled back down the hallway. The redhead's hips swayed a little, and her natural grace made it seem like she was floating. Being a witch, maybe she was. Who knew nowadays?? Willow was becoming more and more powerful by the day.
"I'm ready." Willow came back down the hallway, shoes on her feet, and earrings finally dangling from her earlobes. "Are you?"
"Yes." Buffy stood from the couch, and let Slayer follow her to the door. "You look nice."
"You, too...look nice. You look nice, too." Willow swallowed hard. Buffy always looked nice, even wearing dirt and demon goo.
"Shall we?" Buffy held out her hand, and was rewarded with an adoring smile. They left the house, and started their walk to town. Buffy wanted to do something a little different tonight, so she decided that miniature golf was in order. Truth was...she just liked to watch Willow concentrate. She always got the cutest look on her face.
After miniature golf (in which Willow kicked her ass...she always did), Buffy escorted the redhead to the Espresso Pump, where amateur poets reciting their creations greeted them. They stayed for an entire mocha before leaving, afraid they would start laughing out loud. It was only nine, so the girls opted for a pizza arcade. Willow knew Buffy was sad about losing the golf game, so she wanted to boost the blonde's ego by letting her beat her at air hockey and other silly games. After their pizza was inhaled, sure enough, game after game (except for skiball...Willow was just naturally good at that...lots of practice over the years with Xander), Buffy got the most prize tickets. When they went to redeem their prizes, Buffy handed her large wad of tickets to a little kid that was having trouble winning any games against his bigger brother. Willow was so touched by the gesture that she did the same.
On the walk home, they just swung their hands between them, and stayed in silence. Buffy was briefly on alert for vampires but most of her senses were focused on the redhead beside her. Their sweaty palms meshed together was something she missed, and she squeezed her hand a few times just to convince herself that this was really happening again.
When they arrived at the house, Willow unlocked the door but stayed where she was. She didn't want to presume that Buffy would want to come inside. There was always the excuse that Slayer would want petted again by her other mommy. Then again, it might be too much too soon. The fourth date, and still nothing past handholding.
"Would you like to...um...that is, if you'd like...there's tea...and how Giles am I right now?" Willow took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She couldn't believe how nervous she was. "I have other things, too. Coffee, soda, even milk if that's your drug."
"I should do a quick patrol, and check on Dawnie before I go back to the apartment." Buffy bit her lip to keep herself from licking them.
"Right...um...another time?" Willow swallowed hard before getting up enough nerve to run her fingers lightly down Buffy's bare arms. "Do you want a jacket?"
"Um...I think I'll be fine." Truth was, Buffy was almost sweating from every crevice in her body. Her nerves were on fire, and she felt a slight twitch in her eyelids. "I should..."
"If you want, I can make you an after slayage snack. You know...if you don't wanna go back to your apartment after patrol. I'll be up anyways, most of the night probably. I was planning on finishing my term paper." Willow didn't want to hold her breath because she knew the answer. It was always no but she wanted to make sure Buffy knew the offer was always there. "Just...ya know, in case you want."
"Well, I'll...I'll see you tomorrow at the Magic Box?" Buffy started to walk down the front porch steps, her arm still sporting goosebumps from Willow's fingers.
"As always." Willow smiled, and waved slightly. Frustrated even more, she watched Buffy back down the sidewalk with a goofy grin and wave. What was holding them back? It'd been almost two months with four official dates, hanging out in between, even a few dual patrols and Dawn-sittings.
Willow went back in the house, and decided to focus her worked up energy on research for her term paper. Several hours later, she was startled from her concentration by a light tapping at the front door. Worried and a little scared, she followed the barking Slayer to the door. A silhouette appeared behind the curtain, and when the redhead turned on the porch light, there stood Buffy.
At first, the redhead was worried that the blonde was seriously hurt but when Buffy entered the house, there was a bounce in her step, and no major injuries present save for a minor cut above her right eye. Sighing in relief, Willow ushered the blonde to the kitchen, where she prepared the promised post slayage munchies. Two peanut butter sandwiches later, Buffy was still hyper.
"Thanks for the nummies." Buffy rubbed her stomach. "My tummy thanks you, too. It was a long night, lots of...frustration released."
"That's...that's good. Do you want more?" Willow swallowed hard, trying to prevent herself from just tackling the blonde then and there. Buffy's eyes were dilated, and her breathing was still heavier and deeper.
"I could...yeah...but I better not." Buffy stood to leave but stopped herself. She had come here tonight with a purpose. The entire patrol, she just kept rerunning the night in her head over and over. She regretted not scooping the redhead up in her arms, and kissing her senseless. At least a light peck would've been better than chickening out again. Wasn't this the same problem they had the first time around? "Dawn was already asleep, so I didn't bother them. Thought I'd take you up on your offer."
"Well, it's always open." Willow put away the bread and peanut butter before rinsing the knife off in the sink. Normally, she would've washed it but she wanted to put her focus on the blonde. "You scared me but nothing seeing you on the other side of the door didn't fix."
"Sorry about that. I just...well..." Buffy swallowed hard before standing from the kitchen island. "I love you, Willow."
"I know. I love you, too." Willow's eyes got bigger, both scared and hopeful for the next moments that passed between them.
"I should get going." Buffy took a deep breath. The almighty slayer really was a coward when it came to love. Saying the words was always easier than proving them.
"You...you don't have to." Willow watched the blonde's retreating back, and decided to take a little initiative. "I can keep my hands to myself. I promise."
"It's not you I'm worried about." Buffy turned around, fear written all over her face.
"What are you so scared of? It's just me." Willow walked forward, and cupped Buffy's cheek in her warm palm. "I don't bite unless you ask me to, remember?"
"I remember." Buffy chuckled slightly, glad for the tension relief but it was back in an instant. "I'm not scared of you. You're the only thing I'm sure of."
"Then what is it? Does my breath smell bad? Should I go brush them, or would that ruin the moment?" Willow was on the brinks of begging; she would get on her knees if she had to...just for one small taste of those lips pressed against hers. The memory was nothing compared to the real thing.
"No...you're all minty fresh still." Buffy smiled slightly before her features turned serious again. "I'm scared that..."
"It's okay, you can tell me." Willow stepped even closer, and raised Buffy's head so that they were eye to eye.
"I don't want to make it harder for you if I don't make it when it comes time for the final showdown with Glory." Buffy took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. "I know it'll already be hard but I don't want to make it worse by only getting to be with you for a short time, whether that's tomorrow or several weeks from now. She's so unpredictable, and I've never been able to best her. I know it's coming, and as much as I want this, I want to spare you more pain if I can."
"Oh, Buffy." Willow wiped away the blonde's falling tears with the pad of her thumb. "Oh, Buffy. It would be worse if I knew I could've had you, and we never...I would rather have you for one day than to never have you at all."
"I just..." Buffy went to look down but Willow wouldn't let her. Instead, the redhead took a deep breath, and quickly and softly placed their lips together. It was brief, gentle, and barely touching but it was there. "But..." The blonde was not getting the point, so Willow made the next kiss a little longer, and a little more full of love and passion. "Wills...Willow...please...don't stop kissing me."
"Only on one condition." Willow smiled through her heavy eyelids.
"What's that?" Buffy just wanted those pouty lips pressed against hers again. This time, she was ready.
"You kiss me back." Willow leaned forward, and was greeted with equal fervor this time. Their lips meshed together, as the two girls stood in the kitchen doorway, holding each other as tightly as possible. Neither moved for several minutes, just holding each other, wrapped up together. Heads rested on shoulders, arms folded around backs, hands gripping sides.
Finally, fatigue got the better of them, and they moved apart. Buffy left the house with the biggest grin on her face, and tears in her eyes. She looked up to the sky, and sent a silent thank you to her mother, and whoever was listening. Even with everything bad that was happening, and the constant fear of Glory's attacks over her head, Buffy Summers was extremely happy.
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The next morning at the Magic Box, Anya and Giles were tending to customers, as the others waited for Buffy to arrive. Dawn was in the corner doing her homework for the weekend, while the others scrolled through the minimal texts revolving around Glory, continuing to look for something they were missing. There had to be a way to beat the hellgod.
The bell above the door jingled, and Buffy walked inside, stepping aside for the retreating customers to exit. Upon seeing Willow's bright, glowing smile directed towards her, the blonde just beamed in return. Sighing, she walked further into the shop, and sat down in the empty seat beside Xander, directly across from the redhead.
All throughout research, they would send glances and smiles to each other, and Willow had even went so far as to scoot her foot to where it was touching hers. They played footsie under the table for a bit, not really paying attention to the words in the texts. Then, Willow stopped all the little flirting, and her expression grew serious. She'd found something.
"Wait a minute. This keeps referring to 'The Ritual Scroll.' What if it's not the same ritual we think it is? What if we're looking the wrong way? Maybe we should redirect, and find out exactly what the Key's actual purpose is, instead of focusing all on Glory. If we know her motives, then we know her eventual plans, and it'd be easier to stop her." Willow was so wired last night after Buffy left, her lips and limbs still tingling from the brief kisses and tight hugs. She finished her rough draft, and even managed to get a few hours sleep. Not the best sleep but at least it was more than she had been getting lately.
"Of course. That makes sense. Let me grab those texts, while you clear the table." Giles ushered himself up the ladder to the more forbidden books. The redhead really was a genius when it came to research, and he admonished himself for not thinking more along those lines originally.
"I'll make a donut run. Any requests?" Xander stood and stretched. He needed to walk around for a while, let his eyes rest. This wasn't his favorite part of the job.
"Mochas, please?" Buffy and Willow said at the same time, and giggled when they realized it.
"Okey-doke! Be back in a flash." Xander took Dawn with him, figuring the girl needed a break from her homework. Buffy only let her go when Faith agreed to go with them. Even though it was daylight, one could never be too safe in Sunnydale.
Buffy moved to the back room to hit the punching bag awhile. She needed to work off some more frustration. If Willow hadn't stopped running her foot up and down her leg, the blonde was pretty sure she would've hopped over the table, and taken the redhead right there. Audience or not.
After a few hard hits, she felt a presence enter the room. She didn't have to think twice to know it was Willow, watching her get sweaty. It always was one of the redhead's favorite activities. Buffy decided to put on a little show for the girl, and started doing some fancy kicks and punches, pretending to really be taking down a demon. In reality, her senses were more focused on the scent of the redhead, and the way she tasted last night.
"Giles got down all the books. If you wanna take a break and train, I can let him know." Willow stepped onto the mat in the middle of the floor, bringing her closer to Buffy.
"That'd be great. I'll be there in a few." Buffy smiled at the girl, and bit her lip, trying not to stare at the redhead's pouty smile.
"I could save you a seat, if you'd like." It was like high school again. She felt shy and innocent.
"That'd be perfect." Buffy swallowed, as she felt herself move closer to Willow. The thought of their thighs brushing together excited her more than was willing to admit at the moment.
"Great. I'll make sure to get you while your mocha is still hot, too." Willow moved backwards as she talked, as Buffy followed her movements. They just continued to stare at each other.
"Again with the perfect." Buffy couldn't help herself, as she licked her lips in anticipation. Willow's back hit the wall, just as she came in contact with her body. They didn't hesitate, as they clung to each other, grasping and groping helplessly just to touch the other, as their lips crashed together, melded, molded, and burned. Their heartbeats were racing each other, and sweat started to form at both brows. From slow, gentle, short kisses last night to practically humping each other in the training room. It was a little fast but neither seemed to notice or care at the moment. If the door bell in the other room hadn't startled them both, there was no telling what would have happened in those next few moments. "Sorry."
"Never be sorry for kissing me like that." Willow took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves, and wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Your mouth is just there, tempting me all the time with its come hitherness. You don't even know how hard you are to resist, Willow Rosenberg." Buffy took a deep breath of her own before pulling the redhead in for a tight hug. Whispering in her ear, Buffy relayed her emotions entirely for the first time since her mother died. "I want you so bad but I'm so scared. You're absolutely right; I don't want to die tomorrow, and not know what it's like to have you again. Meet me tonight?"
"Oh, Buffy..." Willow's voice was deeper than usual, as she felt the blonde's hot breath against her ear. "When and where? Just tell me when and where."
"Here and now would be nice..." Buffy took a deep breath. "...but with everything I plan on doing to you, we wouldn't have enough time before they sent a search squad in here."
"You're right." Willow couldn't believe Buffy was being this bold again. From nothing to everything overnight. She was almost faint from the sudden change. Good thing Buffy was still holding her against the wall. "When and where?"
"Tonight...our house. I'll sneak over when I'm sure Dawn is asleep. Giles is watching her tonight, so I feel okay leaving her again." Buffy nuzzled the redhead's neck, wanting to feel her skin right then and there. When she'd gotten home last night, she couldn't sleep. Her mind kept running down the reasons she was waiting so long with Willow. Those small kisses were short but amazing. Her entire body, mind, and heart screamed for the redhead, and she couldn't deny it anymore. Almost six months of beating around the bush, two months of actually dating, and Buffy Summers was ready to give herself to this woman again.
"Two nights in a row. How'd you get so lucky?" Willow swallowed hard, feeling Buffy start to suck at her pulse point. Only promises of what was to come later.
"I've learned not to look a gift horse in the Trojan." Buffy felt the redhead's throat bob before she heard the slight giggle. Looking up, she saw the happiness in those emerald eyes. "What?"
"Don't you mean mouth?" Willow chuckled again. She loved how Buffy always seemed to get old sayings wrong. It was a strangely endearing quality.
"I love your mouth." Buffy's eyelids narrowed in lust, as she leaned forward for another smoldering kiss. It didn't last long before Faith rushed through the door, making them break apart quickly.
"Well, well...for once, I'm not the naughty slayer skipping out on the books in favor of Sapphic lovin'." Faith smirked that evil, sexy smirk she got whenever she used to catch the two making out. "Giles sent me to spar with you if you wanted. Looks like you're doin' a different kind of sparrin'."
"Okay, we get it. Haha." Behind her blush and flushed features, Buffy sent a challenging stare towards the brunette. "We're on our way."
"Yeah yeah. Just don't make me interrupt you two lovebirds again." Faith ducked out before peaking her head around the corner again. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Which isn't much." Buffy rolled her eyes in amusement before turning her attention back to Willow. "You okay? I know you always get a little embarrassed..."
"No, I'm good. Just still...wow. You have no idea how much I've missed that." Willow took a few calming breaths before rearranging her clothes.
"Faith's innuendoes?" Buffy was perplexed for a moment.
"No...your kisses." Willow snuck a quick peck before returning to the main room. Buffy just had a goofy grin on her face again, as the redhead left her standing there.
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Of course, plans get botched, and frustration becomes an even bigger issue. Spike was supposed to be some diabolical genius, so why does he get kidnapped by Glory? Was the hellgod going to do kidnap every last one of her people, whether she liked them or not? If Spike didn't know that Dawn was the Key, Buffy was seriously considering letting Glory just torture him to undeath.
She'd gone and bought new lingerie this afternoon, and spent all evening shaving, waxing, and anything else she could think of to prepare for tonight. It'd been almost ten months since she'd been touched by another person; longer than that if she was honest with herself. She was ready for tonight, more than ready. When she'd had to call Willow and cancel because Spike was kidnapped, she had to do everything in her power not to scream and yell out her frustration.
When they'd found Glory's "lair" (though it was more luxurious than anything she'd ever seen for an evil lair), Buffy tore through the minions like they were ants. When she stared down Glory, her look must've sent more than a bag of knives because the hellgod actually quirked an eyebrow to hide her fear. Instead of bothering to fight Glory, the blonde just hoisted Spike over her shoulder, and took off in a run. The neutered vampire was unable to walk without help, and his normally chiseled, handsome features were bloodied and bruised. She had to help him clean his wounds, and put him back in his crypt before she could do anything else.
After she determined that Spike hadn't given any information to Glory (though she was confused by this fact), Buffy ran all the way to Giles's flat to check on Dawn. It still baffled the blonde why the vampire hadn't taken the opportunity to make her life hell. That was for another day, though. Checking on Dawn, she wound up finding Faith and Tara crashed on the couch. They'd come over to help Giles, while Buffy was out finding Spike.
"Shouldn't you be seducin' a redhead about now?" Faith looked up from the couch, and extricated herself from the witch without waking her.
"I should, yes...but we all know plans never happen on the Hellmouth. It's random, spontaneous, or nothing pretty much." Buffy huffed her frustration, as she downed two cups of yogurt from Giles's fridge.
"Well, the night's still young. I'm sure Red wouldn't mind you just...spontaneously droppin' by..." Faith quirked an eyebrow, surprised that wasn't exactly what Buffy was doing.
"Yeah but..." Buffy licked the excess yogurt from her lips before dropping the spoon in the sink.
"No buts...you want her, go and get her. Take a page from my book." Faith leaned against the counter. "You want her, so take her, and have her. Easy as pie."
"Not that easy, though. This morning, I was so ready...but part of me is happy this happened. Maybe it's a sign. Maybe I'm not as ready as I want to be." Buffy sighed, as she went to the fridge again. Faith stopped her by pushing the door shut.
"Eatin' your way into a sugar coma isn't gonna help matters any. I'm sure Red'll understand. Hell, she's waited this long...which surprises us all." Faith didn't want to mention the brief reunion between Red and Fred.
"Yeah, well." Buffy didn't have any points to argue. "I made it pretty clear what was gonna happen when I got there tonight. I don't want to disappoint her anymore."
"And you won't...if you just talk to her. Tell her you're not as ready as you thought. Be honest with her. Open up. Hell...if I can do it, you can definitely do it." Faith snickered before pushing Buffy out the door. "Take advantage of this Dawn-free time. She's safe, all is well. Go take care of your own messed up life for once."
"Gee, thanks for those words of encouragement." Buffy stared as Faith pushed her out the door.
"Anytime, Blondie." Faith actually smiled for once, no snicker or sarcasm behind it. A true, genuine smile.
"We should talk...about everything. I've been so wrapped up in...well, everything that I haven't had time to ask you how you were doing after the whole Mom thing." Buffy's features showed her sincerity, and the brunette was taken aback a little at the guilt there.
"Hey, I'm fine. I had my witch to help me out." Faith swallowed hard, holding back her smile at the thought of Tara. "Go get yours."
Buffy didn't answer, just nodded before she disappeared into the night. She ran the entire way to their house. When she got there, she had to stop, and catch her breath. Staring at the house, she felt her entire chest drop. The person behind those walls was everything to her. Willow was still the reason she fought, the reason why she was stronger, faster, and more in tune with her slayer senses. They even had scientific proof to back her emotions.
Walking up to the door, she noticed that the only light in the house was from a tableside lamp in the bedroom. Willow was already in bed. The thought of seeing the redhead in nothing but the bed sheets caused Buffy's legs to move on their own accord. She carefully trudged up the stairs, and heard Slayer bark her excitement before she even had a chance to knock on the door. The redhead pushed aside the curtain to see her standing there before opening the door.
"You okay?" Willow was worried, as she checked the slayer's body for injuries. None were present, so she let out a sigh of relief. "Did you find Spike?"
"Yes and yes, albeit worse for wear. Him, not me." Buffy took a step forward, allowing Willow to shut the door behind her. "Glory's new hobby of kidnapping the people around me is going to get old fast."
"We're making progress on the Key, so we should know pretty soon what she wants it for exactly. That'll help us with..." Willow didn't get a chance to continue. A pair of slayer lips pressed firm and wet against her own successfully stopped her mouth. The redhead's eyes widened in shock at the sudden attack but she quickly recovered, and wrapped her arms around Buffy's neck, pulling her closer, keeping the contact.
"I was so mad." Buffy continued her kisses, pushing Willow to the bedroom. She remembered the way. "All I could think about all day was you, and feeling you beneath me, and she goes and pulls something like this." Buffy guided them to the room, Slayer following at their feet. "I need you so much." She never stopped her kisses, and Willow just let her vent. "I want you so badly." Buffy found the bed without problem, as she started to paw her way under Willow's tshirt. Breaking the kiss only for a second in order to remove the article of clothing blocking her way from the redhead's skin. "We should probably talk...but right now, I just wanna feel." She saw the familiar bout of lust coming in waves from the redhead, and it was hard not to pounce right then and there. However, Buffy wanted to take her time. She wanted to study Willow all over again. "We'll leave talk for the awkward morning after."
"There won't..." Willow was stopped again by a pair of lips.
"I said no talking right now." Buffy was demanding, as she shed her own clothing before attacking the redhead. For the first time in almost a year, the two young women felt complete, whole, and satisfied, their sounds of lust and love resonating throughout the house, and probably the neighborhood. And here, the nosy neighbor lady thought she'd gotten rid of them.
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There was no awkward morning after because they were still going well into the daylight. Finally, they'd worn each other out, and had to take a breather. Once the feeling in their toes returned, Willow made her way to the bathroom. Buffy followed, only to find a new toothbrush sitting beside the sink.
"You and the hygiene and well-being of others." Buffy smirked, as she wrapped her arms around a foamy-mouthed Willow. "Is that for me?"
"O'cor." Willow's mouth was full of toothpaste before she spit and rinsed. Turning around, she wrapped her arms fully around her lover (ah...that sounded good). "I never put it away from earlier before you called. I wanted to be prepared for anything."
"You usually are. That's one of the things I love about you." Buffy planted a sweet morning breath kiss on her minty fresh girlfriend. "Oh...that is...if it's okay that I say that?"
"Say what? That you love me? Of course...I'll never get tired of hearing that." Willow moved aside to let the blonde brush her teeth. Standing in the nude never felt so good.
"Girlfriend? I mean...can I call you that again?" Buffy bit her lip a little, as she looked at Willow's expression from the mirror.
"Of course!" Willow was enthused, as she wrapped her arms around Buffy's waist, allowing the blonde to brush her teeth. "Girlfriend...you have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear you say that to me again."
"Gir'frien'." Buffy smirked through her foamy mouth.
"Want some breakfast?" Willow let go of the blonde long enough to go pee.
"I think I want some more Willow instead." Buffy's smirk seemed permanently plastered on her face. "You have no idea how much frustration I have built up."
"What about that talk?" Willow smiled. Who was she to argue if Buffy wanted more sexy time?
"I didn't say which morning..." Buffy just scooped Willow in her arms, and carried her back to their bed.
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Bliss can only last so long before Glory kidnaps somebody else. She really was out to ruin lives. Tara was the unfortunate victim this time. Faith was quick to the punch this time, and punch she did, even if she didn't faze the curly-haired bitch. That's when the Scooby gang discovered a new text relating to a bloodletting ritual and the Key, opening up the portal to all dimensions. It would literally be ALL hells on earth. This was definitely the worst big bad they'd ever come across, especially since they couldn't figure out how to best the hellgod. Now that they knew what Glory wanted, they just had to find a way to prevent it.
Spike had healed nicely, and was already out, scoping out places the ritual would take place. The two slayers kept training, the two witches tried looking for ways to stop or prevent the ritual through magicks, while the others researched anything and everything about the ritual. It was Giles who brought the bad news.
"Buffy, if you have a minute?" He was trying to stay calm but he feared this news would upset his charges.
"Of course, Giles." Buffy stopped pummeling the punching bag long enough to towel her sweat. "What's the what?"
"It's about the ritual." Giles removed his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose before returning his full attention to his slayer. She was growing so fast. "...and Dawn."
"What about Dawn?" That had Buffy's attention. Glory hadn't kidnapped anybody since Tara, and Faith and Buffy had upped their training tenfold. The blonde slayer was so caught up in her newfound sexual transactions with Willow that she hadn't paid much attention to the research. She waited for the redhead's updates at bedtime, though even then, she was too focused on trying to seduce.
"I'm afraid it's not good." He cleared his throat. "If the ritual were to start, I'm afraid there's only one way to stop it."
"Kill Glory?" Buffy walked over to the pummel horse, and leaned against it.
"No...not Glory." Giles looked to the floor before taking a small breath. "You would have to kill Dawn."
"That's...no. That won't happen. I won't kill my sister." Buffy crossed her arms before staring at Giles, her jaw tense. "She and Willow are the only family I have left."
"That's not entirely true." Giles leaned against the pummel horse with her. It was time for some fatherly advice. "There's a room full of people in there that would beg to differ, myself included."
"I know...but Dawn is blood. The monks made her from me. I can't just ignore that. She's more real to me than all the other people I protect but will never know. I remember teaching her to tie her shoelaces, and helping her dress for school in the mornings. Watching her skin her knees when she'd fall off her bike, and holding her when my parents would fight." Buffy didn't want to show emotions but it was almost impossible these days. "You're telling me that the only way to stop a ritual is to kill my sister? Then, I say we don't let the ritual start at all."
"It's just a precaution. If we're unable to stop the ritual from happening, then...we may not have a choice." Giles hated to tell her this but his duties as a Watcher always seemed to war with his love for these children. When it came to saving society at large from becoming hell on earth, his Watcher side won.
"Then, we leave the Hellmouth. I'll take Dawn, and leave the Hellmouth. The ritual needs to be performed here, right? Well, then we won't be here." Buffy closed her eyes. Leaving Willow would be harder this time, especially since they were just starting again.
"I'm afraid it's not that easy." Giles saw the steel in his slayer's jaw, and had to turn his head to prevent from looking in those emotional eyes, lest his own British demeanor falter.
"Well, then...we all leave. School's finished for the summer, and there's a deadline for this ritual, too...so I figure a good long vacation is exactly what we need. All of us." Buffy looked at her father figure, hoping it was a good idea.
"It may work but we have other things to think about. We can't sit by idly, and wait for the next time. If we can stop this threat now, then you and Faith are the people to do it." Yes, this group of kids was the very thing this world needed. They were the protectors of the people.
"I'm not sure that I can do it this time, Giles. The only thing we know about her is that she shares a body with somebody. How are we supposed to find the person holding her? Better yet, how could I kill an innocent person? It's not in me, Giles. It's not what I do." Buffy walked back over to the punching bag, and ignored the rest of what her watcher had to say. She needed time to think about her next move. Giles left her to it.
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The Sunnydale night was unusually rainy. The lightning outside was bright, as the thunder crashed wickedly across the sky. Buffy just stayed on the couch, attached to the redhead beside her, while her sister was asleep in the extra bedroom. They had agreed to stay in the house at least once a week, though it seemed it happened more than that. Whether they made love or not varied on the moods but it was never a problem when it didn't happen. This time around in their relationship was different.
"I think we've found a spell to reveal Glory's other person." Willow adjusted her hips a little, as she tightened her arm around Buffy.
"Okay." Buffy swallowed hard. She had ruled out leaving Sunnydale, and opted to stay and fight when it came time, even though she didn't know how to win yet.
"We'll figure it out, Buffy. I don't like the idea of killing anybody, either. Nobody does but it's the only weakness we can find, and maybe there's a way to keep her down, trapped inside the body again. Tara's working on a spell for that." Willow started moving her thumb up and down, slightly massaging the sample of bare skin that was showing above Buffy's boxers.
"The rain is loud tonight." Buffy felt her heartbeat pick up.
"I think it's nice. The noise helps me sleep." Willow took a deep breath, and relaxed further into the embrace. "I like that you're here."
"I love being here." Buffy brushed Willow's red locks back, and kissed her temple.
"Maybe you could...um...move back in? You and Dawn? It would help out, since you wouldn't have to pay rent over there, and you could go back to class next fall, if you'd like. I could help you." Willow leaned her head up, and looked at the blonde.
"I...well, it's just..." Buffy knew this would come eventually. They'd officially been intimate for two months, as the summer months began to slowly pass. Normally, the big bad would have already hit, and they would be lying low for the summer but Glory was taking her time. She really was an oddity in their book of foes.
"It's okay. I just thought I'd offer." Willow placed her head back down on Buffy's shoulder, and relaxed again.
"It's not that I don't want to...more like...I don't think I'm ready to." Buffy leaned to scoot up, moving them in a little upright position. She leaned back on her elbows, and waited for Willow to look at her. "I do want to, Wills. Just...let's talk more about it when this Glory business is over."
"What if we can't..."
"There is no can't anymore. I have you, and I'm fighting to keep it that way until the end." Buffy brushed those falling red curls behind Willow's ears. "I love you. I want to do this right, and I'm only giving you about 80 percent of me right now. When we get to that point again, I want to be able to give you 100 percent of me, even more if I can. I just know I couldn't at this point."
"It's okay. I know...and...that's okay." Willow smiled slightly. "I'm okay with that. I can wait; I've waited this long."
"I know but I don't want you to have to wait. I wish I was ready now." Buffy let her frustrations show, as she pouted a bit. Willow just smirked before leaning up to kiss it away. Soon, the two just got wrapped up in their exchange of kisses, until Dawn yawned her way into the living room.
"Eww...gross. Is that all you two do?" Dawn was really glad to see her sister happy again. She didn't want to admit it but she thought the two were perfect together, and the sappy part of their romance was intoxicating. She was getting to that age where she was ready for her own romance.
"Well, it's very addictive." Buffy smirked before sitting up, bringing Willow with her. "Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"
"I'm fourteen, and it's not like school is tomorrow." Dawn's eyes widened a bit to show her frustration.
"Yes but we still have to be at the Magic Box in the morning, and I know how you get cranky." Buffy set her own resolve face.
"Did you have a nightmare or something?" Willow tried to ease the sisterly tension. She knew Dawn didn't like being bossed around by Buffy anymore than the blonde liked being the motherly figure.
"No. Just woke up, and needed water." Dawn made her way into the kitchen before returning back to bed. Buffy could hear her little sister crying herself to sleep again.
"She misses mom." Buffy sighed.
"So do you. We all do. It's normal. Tara says it's something you don't forget but you're doing good. Both of you. I'm so proud of the way you are with her, even though I know you don't like feeling like a substitute. You're great with her, Buffy." Willow took a deep breath before placing a light kiss on Buffy's cheek. "I'm going to bed myself. You should think about it, too. I know how you get cranky."
"Yeah, yeah." Buffy smirked before turning the lamp off, and following Willow back to their bedroom.
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This was the final straw. Glory had finally kidnapped Dawn, and was doing everything in her power to keep the Key. Buffy was on overdrive with the panicking. Willow would try to calm her but the blonde just would not sit down. They were trying to think of a plan to get to Dawn before the ritual started. Otherwise, they all knew Buffy would have to kill Dawn to stop it. Willow knew that Buffy wouldn't do that, so they had to think of ways to prevent the ritual from starting.
Where would they even begin?
They'd separated into groups, trying to come up with some plans. How would they even find the place when the time came? That part was easy. They would go to the giant tower that was suddenly erected in the middle of Sunnydale. It was hard to miss, and it was obviously the place (as Spike had scouted it earlier, and verified the theory). Now, they were together again, brainstorming one more time.
"What about the sexbot? We could use it as a decoy...have Buffy sneak up from behind. Glory wouldn't know which Buffy to hit!" Xander was more than excited about seeing the Buffybot again. After he and Anya 'relieved' some tension in the basement, they'd stumbled upon a few things that would work.
"That's actually not your worst idea ever, Xan." Faith slapped the boy on the back, and smirked at Spike. If the vampire could, no doubt he would be blushing at this point.
"W-we...we thought that we could use that troll hammer, too." Tara bit her lip before hiding behind her knees again. It was the only contribution other than small magick tricks and slayer strength they had managed to uncover between kisses.
"Of course! If you want to defeat a god, then use a weapon of the gods." Giles smiled warmly at Tara, and the girl relaxed somewhat. Faith wrapped her hands around the girl's shoulders, and squeezed lightly.
"We found this ball thingy in the basement. I remember Buffy found it right before she met Glory for the first time. It can't be a coincidence that the monks that wanted her gone had it." Anya placed the ball on the table, and the ideas just kept coming.
"Will, you're my big gun. I need you on this one." Buffy had decided that she'd let Willow do that spell to extract Glory's other person. It would take all of her strength and concentration but it was their biggest wildcard.
"I...I don't know if I can do it." Willow swallowed hard. She'd toyed with the idea but actually putting that power to use was a different story.
"What did I say about 'can't'?" Buffy let herself breathe a moment, as she remembered their intimate cuddles. "You can do this. I know you; I trust you."
"I know. It's just...if it comes down to me, I don't think I have the power to..." Willow stopped at Buffy's admonishing look.
"Of all of us here, you're the most powerful. I love you, okay?" Buffy placed a comforting hand on the redhead's arm before returning her attention back to the door, as the bell rang.
"Besides, you have a few extra backups to make sure you're not alone." Angel looked over the gang, and noticed how they were all growing so fast. He hadn't seen most of them for two years or more.
"Yeah, wouldn't want you to get all the glory for stopping hell on earth." Cordelia moved further into the room, Fred and Charles behind her.
"Good to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances." Fred looked over to see Buffy caressing Willow, and for once didn't feel a pang of jealousy; only a sense of rightness. They weren't meant for each other, and no amount of pining would change that fact. For the first time in years, Fred felt a sense of peace about Willow.
"I'm glad you're here. We could use all the help we can get." Buffy sent a thank you smile to Angel, who just coolly nodded in response. "I suppose we should suit up, meet back here in thirty? The sooner we get there, the more chances we have to stop it."
Everybody was starting to part ways, and gather for the coming storm. The night sky was looming overhead, and they all knew it wouldn't be long before everything started. This was their biggest battle yet. They mingled for a few minutes, giving hugs to the Angel Investigations gang, and welcoming them for the battle, trying to keep their mind off of not seeing one or the other again.
"Fred, can I speak with you for a minute?" Buffy surprised them all by ushering the nervous brunette to the back room. "No need to be alarmed. I just wanted to say...I should have said something to you at the funeral. We're family now...or guess we always have been but my point is..."
"It's okay, Buffy. I get it." Fred smiled in relief. "I...um...sure, it will probably be awkward because of Willow...but I guess we can just say it runs in the family."
"I guess so." Buffy allowed herself a slight smile before turning serious again. "Listen, you made her happy once. If I don't make it out of this, and there's a ninety nine percent chance that I won't...I want you to help her. Don't let her fall into grief, or never love again. If anybody can do it, it's you."
"Oh, Buffy...you'll make it through. Don't worry about that. With everything we have, all these weapons and people...you'll win. You'll save the day like always, and we'll go for pizza afterwards. It'll be like old times." Fred really wanted to believe it but from what she'd heard, Buffy could be right.
"Just promise me you'll take care of her, love her like she deserves to be loved." Buffy was showing the only vulnerability she'd allow herself before the battle. From here on, she had to be steel-jawed.
"I promise." Fred could tell the blonde was torn, so there was no sense in arguing. They would all do their best to prevent the ritual, all the while making sure everybody came out alive.
"Thank you." Buffy took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they weren't the eyes of somebody worried about what happens after the battle. No, she WAS the battle now. She was the slayer.
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Let the games begin!
That's how Xander had seen this entire escapade. When they first arrived at the site, the first person to enter was Buffy...or rather Buffy's decoy. She'd managed to toss the glowing orb at Glory, who was repulsed by the thing, causing her to weaken just a bit. It gave them a little help in the big fight, since the real Buffy just swung the big troll hammer, knocking the hellgod off guard, and throwing her several feet. It was the best hit the blonde had ever gotten in on the other woman.
"Oh, you're gonna pay for that one." Glory came out of the dented pipes that buried her, and dusted herself off like it was nothing.
"Try me." Buffy didn't risk a glance anywhere else. She was focused on three things: Glory, Dawn, and Willow. She trusted the others would be safe, as long as she kept the main threat occupied.
"With pleasure, little girl." Glory and Buffy took swing for swing, each going blow for blow. The hellgod was impressed that this puny slayer was able to get a few good shots. When Glory was smirking at her latest knockdown of the blonde, she was caught off guard by Xander's swinging ball. She flew into the banisters holding up her tower, and a little debris tumbled down; the tower already wasn't that sturdy.
The battle just continued, as Fred (being the lightest) made her way up the tower to release Dawn from her shackles. Willow was busy in the corner, gathering her own spell, feeling the power course through her veins. Angel, Faith, and the others fought off all the minions, while Tara, Anya, and Cordelia formed a circle to keep Glory's headcases at bay. Everything was fine...for a few minutes.
Something always goes wrong. This IS the Hellmouth, after all.
Fred was tugging at Dawn's shackles, just as she felt herself pushed back hard. A strange man stood over her, holding a knife, nothing but a wicked smile on his face. He didn't look like a minion, and none of their research helped her remember him. Glory had a wildcard, too. This was not good.
"Get away from her!" Fred yelled up at him. He didn't listen, just turned around, said a few words, and cut Dawn. The brunette could see blood start to pool down the young girl's feet. It all seemed surreal. One minute, they were winning; the next, an explosion of power sifts through the universe, and a bright whiteness appears in the air. Electrical shocks of lightning filled the atmosphere, and a dragon appeared in the sky. What was happening? Why couldn't she move?
Down below, Buffy saw what was happening, and hated Glory for doing this. She took the hammer, and smacked the hellgod with all her might, knocking her down, just as the power flowed through Willow's fingers. The redhead's hair was as black as her eyes, as she opened them, chanted a few words, and poof...Glory turned into...Ben? The orderly that flirted with her in the hospital when she'd visit her mom?
She didn't notice Giles stepping up to the young man.
No time for that. She had to get to Dawn before this thing got out of hand. Running up the tower, she felt it waver, barely holding her few added pounds. When she got to the top, she saw a creepy little man stabbing Fred. She couldn't get to him on time to stop the knife from entering but she did manage to knock him off the tower. She checked on Dawn first, knowing Fred could take care of herself. Buffy had to stop a ritual.
"No...this...no. I...I can't..." Buffy's eyes welled up with tears, as she noticed the reasons for the sudden change in environment was because the ritual had started. She had failed everybody; her sister, Willow. She couldn't kill her. There was no way. She was her little sister, no matter how much of a pain she was at times.
"Buffy!" Dawn yelled, as the blonde undid her shackles. "Buffy...I know...I won't make you. I know what I have to do."
"No...you...you can't. You've just started to grow up; you've just started to see the world. There's more...you...no, I won't let you." Buffy pulled her sister into a tight hug, as they noticed parts of Sunnydale change, and new alien creatures started to appear, and the buildings would transform. All hells were literally breaking loose.
"Buffy..." Fred called from her spot. The man had stabbed her where it counted. She was bleeding too much, even with the knife still in her chest. When Buffy had tossed him off the tower, his hand was still on the handle, as it twisted before he fell. The blonde wasn't paying any attention to her, too focused on saving the world.
That's when it hit the tiny brunette. Her life began to flash before her eyes, and things started to reveal themselves to her. Blood. That's what it took. The blood had to stop flowing; she was a part of them, no matter how small. Her death would save the world. She found an odd solace in that thought, as she took her last breath, blood spilling from her mouth. Her final thoughts were happy memories of loving Willow, and the thought that she was giving the girl she loved a future. Winifred Burkle died with a smile of pain plastered across her cheeks.
Everything stopped.
Everything was quiet.
The dragon disappeared out of the blue, all the buildings turned back to normal, the lightning stopped crackling, and the white bundle of energy in the sky went poof. It had worked. The blood connected to the Key had stopped flowing, and nobody knew why, since both Dawn and Buffy were standing very much alive on the top of the falling tower.
That's when Buffy noticed Fred's lifeless form lying on the banister. She rushed towards her, hoping she was okay. Searching for a pulse, she found none. Looking to her crying sister, her own tears started to fall further. Cradling the slim brunette in her arms, the slayer carried her friend down the tower, hoping it would hold them.
When she got to the bottom, she placed Fred in Angel's arms, knowing she wouldn't be able to carry the young girl's lifeless body much further without losing herself. She fought the tears, as everybody gathered around. Bruises, deep cuts, sprained ankles, and black eyes all stared back at her. They had won the battle, and lost it at the same time.
She saw Willow passed out in the spot she left her, and rushed to her side, fearful that it had happened to her girlfriend as well. No, she couldn't be dead. It was bad enough losing Fred...but Wills?
Feeling for a pulse, she was relieved to find a steady one in return. She cradled the redhead in her arms, this time knowing she couldn't lose her legs. They had to get everybody to a hospital, and call the Burkles. Yes, they may have won but they lost so much more.
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"Come back to me, Wills." Buffy kissed her girlfriend's knuckles. She hadn't left the redhead's bedside for a week, only moving to pee, shower, and allow the doctors room to move. She didn't even attend the funeral, afraid that Willow would wake up then, and have nobody there for her. A week after the battle, and still no signs of waking.
Tara had explained that the spell had drained the redhead, and her body was just recovering. Buffy wanted her to do a healing spell but the young witch ducked her head in embarrassment and shame at having to explain why she couldn't. Faith had offered to watch over Dawn at the house, and everyone came to visit a few times a day. The hospital staff quickly learned not to argue about the abundance of visitors.
Giles had been acting strange, too. He couldn't explain that he had killed Ben to prevent Glory from rising again. If that happened, the hellgod would hit Buffy with everything she had, no doubt killing her without a second thought. He couldn't allow that to happen, so he let the little bit of Ripper he had left in him take over, and he murdered a man in cold blood. Once he'd phoned the council, the body was disposed of without problem. They were the only ones that understood, even if they did condemn him for his actions.
Everything hit the blonde at once. The battle, Willow...Fred. If she'd only stopped to make sure the brunette was okay before she checked on Dawn. She'd seen the knife enter her but she didn't stop to check, assuming it wasn't fatal. It felt as though she was the one that stuck the knife in her friend. Exhaustion took over, and Buffy finally passed out after a week of nonstop staring at her girlfriend.
The nurses put the blonde in her own bed in the same room with Willow. It was easy for the gang, as they took turns sitting bedside for the two. The waiting was harder than the battle itself. The punching and bloodiness they could take; the waiting to see if they would lose more friends was the tough part.
Beep...beep...beep...
That's the first thing Willow registered. Two simultaneous beeps. When her eyes opened, she was glad the room was dim enough to keep her headache from hurting worse. It was a big spell, and it took all of her energy, every last ounce to control it. She never knew she had that much power. Taking a few deep breaths, she looked over to see the source of the other beep. They were in sync, and it was no surprise that it was Buffy.
Panic welled into her for only a moment upon seeing her lover in a hospital bed. That's when Mr. and Mrs. Burkle walked in the door, followed by Giles. They didn't say a word, just had tears in their eyes (except for Giles, who remained British), as they looked at her.
"How are you feelin'? Want us to get a nurse? We should probably tell them you're awake." Mrs. Burkle sat in the chair next to the bed, and held her hand. The woman's hands were warm and soft.
"I'll go get them." Mr. Burkle left the room, trying to hide his own tears. He needed to be strong for his wife. They'd just lost their only child.
"No. I'm okay." Willow's voice cracked, as Giles poured her a glass of water. "Is Buffy okay?"
"She'll be fine." Giles handed her the cup. "You two always like to do everything together. I don't see why a coma would be any different."
"Thanks." Willow tried to sip but found her arms were still tired. "Did we win?"
"Yes." Giles looked away, as he helped Willow finish her water.
"Willow, honey...somethin' happened." Mrs. Burkle was about to cry again, as Giles placed a comforting hand atop the ones holding Willow's.
"The gang managed to stop Glory...but people were hurt." Giles sat down on the bed, knowing Willow wouldn't take the news well. "The ritual did start...and Buffy was going to have to kill Dawn."
"Dawnie?" Willow couldn't believe it. Buffy really killed Dawn? No way; she didn't believe it.
"Just a few shallow cuts. She'll be fine." Getting a confirmation nod from his friend, Giles continued. "It's Fred. The bloodline she shared with Buffy must've transferred to Dawn, since she was made from her blood. When she...passed, the blood stopped, which stopped the ritual."
"I don't understand." Willow was afraid she was going comatose again. Were they sure the hells didn't leave a little residual? Fred was dead, and Buffy was in a coma?
"Winifred was stabbed trying to help Dawn. She didn't make it, sweetie." Mrs. Burkle was in tears again.
"But...but..." Willow couldn't find the words. She'd loved Fred, still did to some degree. Her eyes started to flow water without warning. This didn't seem possible.
For a brief moment, the lights flickered in the room, as Willow's entire body shook. The synchronized beeps from the machines were no more, as the redhead's heart started to beat faster. Out of anger. Sadness. Pain.
"It's been two weeks, Willow. I'm sorry we...we had to bury her." Mrs. Burkle craved for just one more smile from her little girl. She may have saved the world but her sacrifice meant more to this small group than it ever would to society at large. Her only child died fighting a cause she believed in, and that made her proud. "Your spell must've been somethin'."
"Buffy stayed by your side nonstop for about a week before she finally passed out herself. She's been in and out this past week, and the first thing she does is look to make sure you're okay. The nurses say she won't let them touch her until they check on you." Giels looked over at his charge, sleeping peacefully again. The nurses and Mr. Burkle chose that moment to arrive. "We know it's a lot to wake up to but...we're all here, my dear."
"If you ever need us for anything, please don't be afraid to call." Mrs. Burkle squeezed Willow's hand before standing, ready to let the nurses do their job. "Fred loved you so much...to the very end. For that, you'll always be a daughter to us."
"Let these ladies take care of you, and we'll be just a phone call away if you need us." Mr. Burkle squeezed his wife's shoulders, as his painful smile tried to soothe Willow.
"I'll be just outside, dear. I'll come right back, okay? I'll bring Dawn with me. She'll want to see that you're awake." Giles followed his friends out of the room, as the nurses tended to the redhead. The Burkles had the right idea. Willow really was like another daughter...to them all.
"Is...is she okay?" Willow risked a glance at Buffy.
"She wakes up every day or so. Always asks about you first thing. She'll be glad to see you're awake finally. Maybe next time she wakes, she'll stay now that you are, too." The nurse took some blood, and checked her blood pressure before writing a few things on the chart. "I'll send the doctor in shortly to check on you. In the meantime, I'll send your family back in."
"Thanks." Willow swallowed hard, as she wiped at her swollen eyes. It was all too surreal. What was the last thing she'd said to Fred? When was the last time they even hugged, had any form of physical contact? Had she even told her how much she cared, how much she still loved her, even if it wasn't the same love they used to share? The only thing she knew for sure was that she felt guilty for feeling relief at finding Buffy alive. Her recurring nightmares had shown Buffy jumping from the tower, and sacrificing herself. Willow started to cry again at the memories. She wept for Buffy, she wept for Fred; she cried every tear she'd ever held back.
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Cont...