At Long Last
by willowfan
Chapter 4
[reviews]
Just to let you know that this has not been betaed--I wanted to post it ASAP because you all have been so good to review.
I sent it to Wolfkin today to check over and if there are any mistakes they're all mine. (Sorry!) I'll repost tomorrow if they're any glaring
boo boos found by my friend. Until then, hope you like the update.
At Long Last
Chapter 4
Kennedy finds the older Slayer an hour later sitting atop the headstone of a new grave. The once Rogue simply twirls a stake-waiting for the creature to rise. Kennedy walks closer, then looks up at her friend. "You're wrong you know."
"Not likely." Faith says without looking at her, the stake moving faster between her fingers.
"She loves you."
Faith scoffs at the other Slayer's words. "No way she picks me over her."
She hops up on the stone beside her and forces eye contact, "Probably not-since you're just giving up-makes her choice pretty simple." Faith glares at her. The younger Slayer hops back down, back turned. "Didn't know you were a quitter." Faith growls at her words. Kennedy smiles as she walks away.
Faith growls again. She swings herself down from the headstone and turns looking at the grave. "Get your fuckin' ass outta there. I got somethin' I gotta do." She buries her hands in the dirt, digging for the vampire.
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At the Rosenberg house Buffy watches the redhead's sleep, Eve's head pillowed on her mama's lap, while Willow's rests on Buffy's. Without thought the blonde's fingers trace through soft auburn locks before tracing down her jaw. "I missed you Wills." She lets her arm drape around the woman as she leans back against the couch, and lets her eyes close.
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Tara is on her couch, the lights off her eyes wet with tears. She has spent the hours without her Slayer trying desperately to sort out the thoughts and feelings that are running rampant. Flashes of Willow-their first meeting at the Wicca group, their first date after the redhead came to terms with her sexuality-all the firsts. Their first kiss, their first make out session, the first time they made love-their first fight and the making up after. She smiles at the images.
However, those pictures are replaced by the bad times. The hurtful comments, the control issues, the magic used to take her freewill. Those flashes cause her to tremble-Willow's angry words try to fill her mind. She takes a deep breath as she tries to push them away before-before-but she's too late. Willow's words echo, *You are nothing-nothing without me. You're just a sniveling worthless bitch-I made you-I took pity on you and allowed you to be near me and this, this is how you repay me?*
Tara's tears fall as she tries without success to forget the words. She knows the magic was in control then-the magic and not her Willow but-it was her voice she heard-her eyes she saw-cold and empty. An-and worse, her redhead's hand that slapped her so hard as she screamed them.
Standing, she walks to the window and looks out. She fights for control, centering herself-using her meditation and the techniques Faith taught her. The thought of her Slayer makes her smile through the tears. She takes a deep breath and runs her fingers through her hair. Faith had done so much for her, brought her from a place she hadn't been since before Willow.
She made her believe in herself again, trust, love. She loved Faith why had she not been able to say the words before? She whispers softly, "I love you." A smile finds her lips. She walks toward the bedroom and gets the suitcase from the closet. She puts it on the bed and opens it, that's when the Slayer walks in.
Faith's eyes go wide and she pales, her body feeling as though the life has been sucked out of it, "Tara?" She finally manages.
Tara smiles up at her, "Hey-what kind of clothes do we need for this trip you have planned.?"
"Clothes? Trip?" Then she remembers. "Oh tomorrow-" she relaxes and sits on the bed.
Tara realizes for the first time what her must have been thinking. "Fai-"
"No, it's okay I was just-I don't know what I was thinkin."
Tara walks over to stand between her spread legs, instantly Faith's arms circle her waist. "I'm sorry about before. I just didn't- all the memories coming back at once-it was Willow overload-and just the good stuff. I was confused and scared."
"And now?" She looks up into softly blue eyes.
The blonde gives her girl her patented lopsided grin, "Not confused-at least not about you-or us." She strokes Faith's cheek. "I love you and only you."
Faith smiles, "Yeah?"
"Yeah." She brushes her lips against her Slayer's gently-feather light-once, twice and then a third time before she deepens it. When they finally pull apart for air she raises an eyebrow. "Now what clothes do I need to pack?"
Faith smirks as she pulls Tara down onto her lap, "Ummm thinkin that the whole clothes thing ain't all that important."
Tara rolls her eyes. "We can't leave the room without being dressed."
"Guess we won't be gettin out much." She winks.
Tara leans in and kisses her again, "They why bother leaving here? Nice, big, comfy bed."
"Got a point-B thinks we're gone so no interruptions." Her grin gets bigger as she dips in and begins to nibble at her lover's neck.
Tara moans as she tilts her head giving Faith more room to play. She scoots the suitcase and it hit's the floor with a thud, pulling back, before pressing Faith backwards onto the covers she breathes out. "I love you." She states as their eyes meet again and Faith sees the truth to her words.
"Right back at ya Blondie. Right back at ya." She moans as Tara's lips meet hers and a hand snakes to unbutton her jeans.
Faith pushes her away, but grins. "Don't go there yet Blondie, need a shower in the worst way. Lots of dirt and vamp dust." She brings her hands to Tara's attention.
Tara sits up off her girl though her heart isn't in it. She watches Faith stand and grins as she sees her strip her clothes off dropping them onto the floor. "Hamper."
Faith looks at her and glares playfully, then pouts. "I'm all naked here in front of you and all you can say is hamper?"
The witch giggles then shakes her head. "Yeah, well best I could manage out loud all the other thoughts running around-well lots of blushing."
Faith smirks, "Really?" She steps toward her girl. She takes Tara's hand and places it on her hip. The older woman swallows noticeably and fights back a groan as she nods. "Just tell me one of the other words."
Tara's eyes darken as her fingers move against soft skin. She clears her throat and fights the blush as she whispers. "Wasn't one word actually."
"No?" Faith steps closer.
"More-more like a phrase." She moves her hand from Faith's hip and with just a little hesitation drops them to her own sides. As her girl looks on confused she pulls her shirt over her head and leans in closer to her Slayer's ear. Her words are soft and nervous at first but become louder with each chorus. A blushing grin covers her face as she sings. "I wanna kiss you all over-and over again." Her lips press against Faith's neck then she breathes the words again, "I wanna kiss you all over and..." she squeals as her panting, aroused, Slayer scoops her up and carries her to the bathroom. Giggles can be heard as the door closes.
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Across town the next morning Buffy wakes up. She can't help but smile as she sees Willow's face only inches away from her, resting on her shoulder. Eve is snuggled safely between them. Buffy opens her senses and takes in the redheads, their gentle breathing-the scent of strawberries, she can't help but smile. A hand, of its own accord, reaches out and caresses the woman's face. Buffy looks a little unsure. The feelings of the last few weeks all flooding her at once. She missed Willow, more than she realized-her smile, her laugh, just her Willowy ways. However, we was beginning to wonder if there isn't something more. Lying with her, with them like this seemed so right, so natural.
Her wandering thoughts are interrupted as Eve starts to wiggle around then open her eyes. Buffy smiles at her and puts her fingers on her lips pointing to the sleeping woman, "Mama's sleeping." Eve looks at her then back to Buffy. "Wanna help me with a surprise for your mama?" Again Eve nods this time more earnestly. "Let's go." She carefully lifts Eve over the redhead and to the floor then she gets up as well. Taking Eve's hand they go toward the kitchen.
In the kitchen Buffy sets Eve on the counter and then asks. "What do you think she wants for breakfast?"
Eve grins, "Fruity Pebbles." Buffy smiles and shakes her head. "Eve likes."
"That's what I thought but what about Mama? What does Mama like?"
"Mama likes mok-kas." She exaggerates the word and Buffy giggles.
"That she does, she's a mocha kinda girl." The Slayer has to agree. "But no mocha here." She shrugs, then a smile finds her lips. "Let's get dressed and go get some and bagels-do you like bagels?"
Eve frowns, "Like Fruity Pebbles."
Buffy laughs as she picks up Eve and sets her on the floor. She searches the cabinets and finds the cereal for the little girl. "Fruity Pebbles." She winks. Eve smiles and climbs carefully into a chair at the table. The blonde gets a bowl, a spoon and then the milk. She joins the child at the table fixing her food for her.
Buffy watches the little redhead as she works to get the cereal onto the spoon and into her mouth. She manages well for her age. She can't help but smile. A few minutes later with a plan formulated she gets the phone and dials. "Hey Dawnie, it's me can you do me a favor?"
"You still with her?" Dawn's words have an edge.
"Yes-look we talked about this right. Things are different."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Dawn says still a little angry.
"You can see it when you get here. Could you bring some breakfast?"
"Why can't you just go get breakfast?"
"Willow's still sleeping and I don't want to wake her. She's really tired."
"So, you're not, just go get bagels and mochas."
"I can't- look, just do this for me and I'll owe you big time."
"I don't know if I'm ready to see her."
"Then just leave'em on the porch and ring the bell."
"Fine. Six bagels and three mochas-two double chocolate?"
"Thanks Dawnie." Buffy hangs up the phone.
"Who's Dawnie?" Eve asks as she looks up from her cereal.
"My sister. She's gonna bring a surprise for Mama."
Eve smiles and chimes, "Mok-kas." As she puts cereal on her spoon this her fingers." Buffy can't help but smile.
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At the Summers house Dawn is complaining out loud as she gets the car keys and her purse. "I don't see why I have..."
Kennedy walks in and shakes her head, smiling. "Something not right D?"
Dawn glares at her, "One, don't call me that-or Little D or any other name Faith calls me-you're not Faith. And Two, why are you here?"
Kennedy rolls her eyes, "Maybe you should go back to bed and try getting up on a different side or with a different-"
"Don't say it I'm so not in the mood for your lame ass come-ons."
Kennedy holds up a hand, "Okay," she takes a step back. "Obviously you're being pissy, so I'm just gonna skip this. Where's Buffy?"
Dawn growls, "Willow's and she thinks I'm her delivery service. Calling here telling me to bring breakfast-don't know why she can't just go get it herself!"
Kennedy smiles as her mind works on a plan, "Okay, now I know why you're not your pleasant self." She pauses, "I could drop it off if that'll help."
Dawn looks at her with a raised eyebrow, "What's the catch-cause I'm not going out with you."
Kennedy smiles, her cockiness returning tenfold, "Eventually you will, but this has nothing to do with that. I need to talk to Buffy anyway."
Dawn growls, "You arrogant..." she just glares.
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Buffy has changed into her clothes and is changing Eve into a long sleeved green tee-shirt and a pink and green jumper. As she buttons the straps she smiles down at the little girl. "All done."
"Wake up Mama now?" Eve smiles up at the blonde.
"Think that's a good idea. Time for sleepy Willow to wake up and smell the mochas."
The little girl giggles as they start down the hallway to the living room. They slip quietly over to the redhead on the couch and sit down beside her. Buffy wiggles her eyebrows playfully as she looks from the little girl to her friend. Eve leans in and tickles at her neck. Buffy smiles as Willow stirs a little and turns away from the touch. Eve giggles just a little then covers her mouth. Buffy smiles.
Willow mumbles, "No butterflies on the launch pads." She shoos Eve's hand away as it brushes her face this time.
Buffy struggles to stop a laugh. "Wakey wakey Wills," she whispers next to the redhead's ear.
Willow whines and rolls away from them, facing the back of the couch. "Five more minutes," she mumbles though still not awake.
Buffy finally laughs and so does Eve. "Come on Mama," the little girl says. "We have a surprise."
Willow groans and rolls back to face them. She forces her eyes to open and focus on the people responsible for ruining her dream. "Surprise?" They nod. "What kind of surprise?"
"I can say, but I think you'll like it." Buffy smiles as the doorbell rings. "That would be for you."
"Since you're dressed in something not pajamas wanna get it for me?" They both shake their head no. "Meanies." She pouts but her need to know what the surprise is, out weighs her need for sleep. She pulls herself to her feet and walks to the door as the bell rings again. She glances back at them. "This better be good."
"You'll like it, trust me." Buffy says as she smiles, stands and picks up Eve. They follow the redhead, but not too close.
Willow opens the door, a smile comes to her face and then a frown as she takes in the dark eyed girl standing on her porch with a smile and mochas. The redhead's mind tries to understand what Buffy is doing. Then it hits her, she's trying to help her get over Tara by arranging a date for her. She looks at the girl again.
Kennedy speaks, "Hi."
"Hi." Willow squeaks, panic on her face. "Bye." She closes the door in the young woman's face.
She turns to Buffy, "Okay-not that I don't appreciate-but I'm not-the dating isn't something-just not ready," babbles the redhead.
Buffy looks confused. "Huh?"
"Door, girl, with mochas?-I thought you-" Willow stops unsure.
The Slayer moves toward the door, as she does she hands Eve to her mama. Buffy opens the door to find a confused Kennedy there. "Buffy?"
"Why are you here?"
"I just -Dawn said and well I was looking for you and-why did she close the door in my face?"
Buffy reaches out and takes the bag and the tray of mochas. "Thanks for breakfast and well-thanks. Bye." She closes the door and leans against it looking at the redhead. "Breakfast," she explains.
"Breakfast, oh-sure-right." She spots the mochas and her smile returns. "Yummy."
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On the porch Kennedy pouts, then growls, "Closing the door in my face, that's just well it's rude." A smile creeps across her lips. "But wow!-a redhead, I like redheads. Scarlet," she gets all dreamy eyed. "Now I know why Faith freaked-damn she's hot." She looks at the door and raises her hand to ring the bell again. She stands up straight putting on her best smile ready to get the girl.
Thanks for your patience. I'm trying to update like five different stories and work, things are moving slowly. Thanks for reading and for all the reviews-they keep the muse motivated. Hopefully more soon.
Thanks to Wolfkin for the beta work! Couldn't do it without you. Well not if I don't want the world--or at least the Buffy part of it-to know I can't spell.