CSI: Sunnydale
by Rin
Finger Foods
[reviews]
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Buffy returned to work a few days after Christmas, and was worried about her reactions or demeanor. She didn't want to act too happy, and it was easier since the redhead didn't return to work until after the New Year. Doyle kept teasing her about the mistletoe, saying that she was just chicken, assuming she didn't do anything since he found the sprig in the locker room garbage bin. Buffy tried not to react again but found herself defensive. She was definitely not a chicken but she knew Doyle would be the toughest one to sneak this new relationship around.
Willow made dinner for Buffy a few times, and decided she liked having a few days off, where she didn't have to worry (though she still did) about what was happening in the lab. The second day, Buffy physically took the police scanner from her house, so that she would stop listening, and be tempted to go back into work.
When they arrived back at work after the New Year, things were awkward the first day. They'd spent so much time together, not hiding it since they were behind closed doors, and now they had to hide it big time. The hardest part was the start of the shift, afraid that Doyle, Xander, or one of the others would notice how different they were around each other. Even worse was when they ran into Kate at a crime scene. She still ignored them for the most part, though, so the women breathed a little lighter. They'd passed the big test, now they just had to keep acting like only colleagues, and save the wanton lust and smoochies for after shift.
The more noticeable thing was that the brutal murders seemed to stop.
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There was a package waiting at work for Buffy a few weeks later.
Opening it, she was confused and bewildered, as she dropped the severed finger to the ground. It was wrapped elegantly in a box, and her first thought was Willow sent her something, though she was confused (and excited) why she would take the risk. It definitely wasn't from Willow; at least she hoped this wasn't the redhead's idea of a romantic gesture.
"Looks like somebody is giving you the finger." That's all Willow could say, though she was internally worried and scared for her girlfriend. She'd learned how to control her emotions early on in life, and it was proving useful now.
"That's all you can say? Last time somebody sent me a disturbing gift, a serial killer kidnapped me!" Buffy remembered her time in Los Angeles, and how she didn't have any problems when she was offered the promotion in Sunnydale.
"Calm down, Buff." Willow stood, and closed her door to give them privacy. "I know; it's just...I don't want to have to think about that right now. Whoever sent this, we'll find them. It's what we do here."
"Not that well, though." Buffy huffed down into the chair, as she crossed her arms.
"Yes but a threat to us here is first priority." Willow sat down in the chair next to Buffy, and placed a comforting hand on her knee. "It's different here than L.A. because we have to be to get anything solved. It's been quiet lately, so we can start with all the old crimes that were closed. It gives us reason to open them again, especially the ones with severed limbs. I know you're worried. I am, too, and not just as your boss."
"I know that...I just...I keep thinking back to it, and it's all I can think about, even if I feel safe with you, even if I feel that you'll do everything in your power to figure this out." Buffy leaned forward, wanting to kiss the redhead but the curtains were open, and too many people were walking around in the halls.
"I'll come stay with you, okay? I'll crash on your couch, get the guys over at the station to keep patrol around your house. I want you to feel safe." Willow leaned back, removing her hand from Buffy's knee, already missing the warmth. It was the most physical contact they'd had in the lab, even when nobody was around.
"That's not necessary. Besides, people would start to get suspicious if you spent the night all the time, even with this happening. Just a patrol every once in a while is fine, and I'll keep my phone on me at all times." Buffy stood, and prepared to leave, afraid that she'd give into her whims, and wrap the redhead in her arms, just to feel safe, to feel comforted.
"I'll see you tonight? I'm making my famous peppered shrimp alfredo. I think you'll like it." Willow smirked, and watched the blonde prepare to leave her office.
"I'll be there with bells on." Buffy took a deep breath, and attempted to forget about the finger on Willow's desk.
"I'll hold you to that...literally." Willow smirked again, and walked to lean against her doorway, as she watched Buffy leave. The hallway was clear, so she didn't feel guilty watching her girlfriend's little sway, as she walked away.
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Darla followed the blonde home, glad that sunrise wasn't for another hour. However, the blonde didn't go to her own home, instead walking another block and a half to the redhead's house. She watched through the window as the two embraced. She was studying every move the blonde made, and decided that this redhead was the key to making the blonde suffer the most, and vice versa. For some reason, this was more fun than torturing that amateur slayer.
Faith patrolled the town, bored since Darla skipped town. Giles said that quiet only meant something big was happening, and he was making her study and read books, something she decided early on she hated doing. Research, trying to figure out what was happening, trying to determine whether Darla really had skipped town, or if she was just being really careful. Faith didn't want to think about another apocalypse happening; she remembered the last one. That was not a fun time.
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"Hey, you okay?" Willow looked over at her girlfriend, worried that she only played with her food. "Is it gross?"
"No, it's wonderful, excellent...very gourmet." Buffy sighed before leaving her fork in the pasta bowl. "I'm just tired, I think. I've been trying not to think about getting the finger but it's all I can think about. It doesn't help that it was the middle finger, thank you Jonathon for confirming."
"Buff, it's okay to be scared. You don't have to hide it from me. I'm scared, too." Willow scooted her chair closer, and placed a comforting hand on Buffy's back. "I may not show it but I am. I want you to know that, okay?"
"Okay." Buffy was quiet, as she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Maybe I should skip the movie tonight, and just head home. I'm afraid I won't be very good company."
"Nonsense. Of course you'll be good company. Besides, I won't let you go home, and that's an order." Willow smirked as she placed a soft kiss on Buffy's neck before massaging it. "I'd feel better if you stayed here a little longer, just so I can make sure you're okay."
"What if it's a vampire?" Buffy really was losing her appetite now. "I can't go up against that."
"Well...I think you can, if it's any consolation. I believe you can beat anything." They stayed quiet through the rest of dinner, both barely finishing the meal, and skipping the lemon sorbet altogether. They just cuddled together during the movie, neither really feeling the urge to make out or talk in long lengths. Just the company, just the closeness was fine for now.