Finding Her Way Home
by rebelrsr
Chapter 19
[reviews]
Disclaimer: All things Buffy belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and lots of people in expensive suits. I'm not making any money here, just trying to create a happier Buffyverse for my favorite characters.
Spoilers, etc.: Pretty much everything after the Gift.
A/N: Character thoughts are enclosed by **. Flashbacks are enclosed by //. Thanks to Zenithar and Zigpal for the beta and encouragement! I couldn't do it without you.
Archiving: By permission only.
A/N2: I'm mixing parts of S6 and S7 with very little regard to canon. For purposes of the fic, Dawn is over the age of consent *wink*.
Kissing the Slayer with all the love she felt, Willow slipped two fingers inside the blonde. Buffy groaned into her mouth, bucking, trying to get her lover to move faster, deeper. "Easy, baby. Don't rush it. We have all the time in the world." The witch pulled back a little, watching her lover's eyes darken with desire. "You are so beautiful, Buffy." She pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the Slayer's throat.
Although Buffy was writhing in need, she smiled at the witch's words. "Charmer. I look in the mirror every day. You don't need to exaggerate, Will. I can see the love in your eyes. I don't have to have the empty compliments to be with you."
The thrusting fingers stopped abruptly. "Excuse me?"
Sensing trouble in paradise, the Slayer scrambled to repair the damage. "Um, hey, it's OK, really. I love you, Will. That's all I meant."
Green eyes pinned her to the bed. "If I ever," a thumb flicked across the blonde's clit, "hear that kind of crap again," a finger curled up and tapped her g-spot, "I will unleash a firestorm on your head." A third digit slammed home. "Got it?"
Struggling to answer, Buffy croaked, "Yeah, Will." She pushed up into the slim fingers driving her mad. "I can't...can't hold out much longer."
"I don't think you really understand why I'm mad, baby," the witch cooed. She had to grin at the dazed look she received. It was no use trying to explain with Buffy in this condition.
"Will?" the name came out, whine and plea mixed.
Pushing away the lingering hurt at the Slayer's disbelief, Willow granted her girl what she needed. Driving her fingers in fast and hard, she kissed Buffy with all the love she'd hidden over the years.
For her part, the blonde jerked in surprise at the rougher pace, feeling her body tighten and then explode in pleasure. Sobbing, she slumped into the pillows, aftershocks shaking her body. Warm arms cradled her, and a soft voice whispered words of love and encouragement in her ear as she slowly came down from the orgasm. "Oh...my....God. I don't know where you learned that, Will, but I need to thank them."
Grinning wickedly, Willow murmured, "You can tell Tara how much you appreciate her skills when we get back to Sunnydale." She burst into laughter at the bright blush covering the panting Slayer. "Come on, Buffy. You didn't really buy that shy, stuttering act, did you?"
"Will...TMI,TMI. I'll never be able to look her in the face again." The blonde turned her head, trying to bury her face in the pillow.
Stifling her laughter, Willow drew the Slayer into her arms, snuggling close and resting her cheek on the blonde head. "I'm sorry, baby. No more teasing, at least for tonight. You need to rest."
The blonde blinked tired eyes. "What about you?"
Feeling the arousal heavy in her body, the redhead tightened her arms around her lover. "In the morning, Buffy. I want you to finally realize that love isn't about performing or even sharing." She tipped up the other girl's head. "Sometimes, it's about taking care of each other and just being together. You need to rest, sweetie. You look so worn out."
"I...it's been..."the blonde couldn't go on.
Willow waited patiently. The Slayer had never been good at emotional talks. Now wasn't any different. The words ground to a halt and never resumed. Silent tears worked their way down Buffy's face, and the witch wasted no time before kissing them away. "We'll work on it together. Always." Rounding up the rumpled blankets, Willow tucked them both in, keeping the blonde close. "Go to sleep, sweetie. I'll be right here when you wake up."
***
Dawn took a hesitant step forward. The shimmering light gathered form slowly, until a human outline stood across the kitchen. "Mom?" the young brunette tried again. At her words, the outline solidified. Joyce Summers smiled at her youngest daughter.
"Hello, Dawnie." The older blonde seemed radiant. "I'm sorry I had to leave."
Tears streaming, Dawn shook her head frantically. "You're back now. That's all that matters." She started to pick her way through the glass on the floor. "Why are you here? Is it some kind of resurrection spell?"
"No, Dawnie. Something brought me back here." The older blonde looked at the young brunette sympathetically. "Don't be afraid. Everything will make sense soon."
"If something brought you back, then do you get to stay?" There was a painful pleading quality to the words.
"That's up to you, Dawnie." Joyce looked over shoulder. "Do you really want me back?"
The lights flickered off, and a loud banging resounded throughout the house. Just as quickly, the kitchen brightened again. Mrs. Summers was gone.
It was too much for Dawn. Sobbing hysterically, she shrieked at the empty room, "Why are you doing this? Why?"
Tara moved to embrace the younger witch. "We need to find Faith, Sweetie."
"What about Mom? She might come back."
"Dawnie..."the blonde hesitated. "Your mom was never here. I don't know what we saw, but it wasn't Joyce." She fumbled for words. "All I could sense was energy. It was very old."
Unwilling to hear what her friend was trying to say, Dawn stepped away. "I'll stay her while you get Faith." She stared at the spot where Joyce had appeared. "Just in case."
"It's not safe for you to be here alone, Sweetie." Tara watched with troubled eyes. Although the younger witch had gotten better since Buffy's return, her emotional stability was shaky at best. "Come on. Let's go make sure Faith hasn't gotten into trouble and we'll come right back." She held out her hand. "Please, Dawnie."
Shoulders slumped, Dawn took the proffered hand. They never made it to the door.
All the lights went out again and a magical wind blew through the kitchen. The walls shook as the mystical energy built. Cabinet doors open and closed and the banging resumed. Shouting over the howling wind, Tara said, "We need to try to cast this magic out. Link with me again."
Too frightened to argue, Dawn merely closed her eyes, trying to block out the madness around her. Her control wasn't the best, but she was able to reestablish her earlier bond with Tara. The more experienced witch merged their energies. Through their link, Dawn heard the blonde say, "You have to stay focused this time, Sweetie. No matter what you think you see or hear."
"I'll try," Dawn thought back. She felt a drain on her magical energies and concentrated on smoothing the power transfer. Faintly, she heard Tara start to incant a spell.
"I cast you from this place.
It is your poison,
And your bane."
A steady green light grew around them, pushing against the magical attack. Despite the continued drain of her energy stores, Dawn started to smile. They were doing it. The evil was being forced back.
"Dawn, why are you doing this? Don't you want me to stay?" Joyce reappeared a few feet away. Her smile gone, the older Summers seemed tired and worn.
Biting her lips against the words longing to spring out, Dawn turned her head away. She wasn't going to fall for that again.
The green light expanded as Tara began the next verse.
"It is the light from within,
That shows us the way.
Listen now."
Lightning flashed inside the room, but the blonde witch calmly completed the spell.
"Thrice shall I speak to thee, Evil.
I cast thee out.
I cast thee out.
I cast thee out."
The green light exploded, particles reaching the farthest corners of the room. Silence descended on the kitchen. No wind, no banging...no Joyce.
Tara released her hold on Dawn, both physically and magically. "I'm so sorry, Sweetie."
"Me, too." For a long minute, the brunette stared at the space where Joyce had been. "I really wish it had been her, Tara. I miss her so much." She dragged her blue eyes back to the older witch. "Let's get out of here."
"Alright, Dawnie. We need to make sure Faith is OK." Both girls moved cautiously out of the kitchen. Furniture lay scattered around the living room and the TV blared the soundtrack to an infomercial. "Goddess! Faith!" Tara saw the Slayer lying in the shattered remains of an antique table by the stairs.
***
Buffy basked in the warmth and peace of Willow's arms. The redhead lay snuggled against her right side, arms wrapped securely around her shoulders. The Slayer had never felt this level of inner balance. She raised her head slightly and pressed a light kiss to the pale throat. A grin appeared when Willow shuddered and mumbled in her sleep, "Oh, yeah, baby. Just like that."
*Just like that, huh?* Buffy silently echoed. Maybe making love to her witch would be easier if she were asleep. The Slayer was reluctant to travel down this road with Willow's green eyes watching her every move. Moving slowly, she slipped out of the witch's grasp and propped herself up on an elbow. Willow's skin was pale and liberally covered in freckles. Hesitantly, the blonde pressed kisses to the redhead's shoulder and arm. The skin goose pimpled immediately. Figuring she must be doing something right, Buffy leaned in further, sliding her lips across Willow's chest to nibble at her other shoulder.
"B-Buffy?" a husky, sleepy voice inquired.
Pulling back abruptly, the blonde panicked. "Oh, hey, Will. Sorry if I woke you."
A sensual smile appeared on the face next to hers. "I'm not. What a way to start the morning. You got anything else planned? Cause I have a few ideas of my own."
The Slayer relaxed a little at the gentle teasing. "No. Kinda ran out of ideas." She swallowed. "I don't know what you want, Willow."
Heavy lids propped open, revealing bright green eyes. "Sure you do, baby. I don't want anything different than you. Do what makes you feel good."
Still afraid, but needing to touch and taste her witch, Buffy followed Willow's suggestion. She swiped a rough tongue across the redhead's nipples, grinning in delight at the shuddering breath and stiffening peaks she got in response. She continued to torment Willow's breasts and trailed her fingers down the long torso until they rested at the top of the auburn curls. Looking at the other girl's flushed face, Buffy knew she was ready. Combing her fingers through the wiry hair, she teased the swollen clit, circling it until it stiffened and grew larger.
Willow responded to her actions by pressing both heels to the bed and arching into her hand. "Please, Buffy. Oh, Goddess...so close."
The Slayer nodded. "I love you, Willow," she murmured and rubbed harder. It didn't take long. The witch stiffened and then shook as waves of pleasure inundated her.
It was an erotic sight, and Buffy felt her own body suddenly pulse with orgasm. *What the...?* The blonde collapsed against the witch, body alive with sexual energy. "Will?" she managed to croak. "What just happened?"
A dazed voice replied, "I think we just got married."