One Last Shot
by Whedonist
Chapter 5
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Disclaimer: See priors.
A/N: Gotta say once again thank you for the input. Rin, it's good to see you back, broken bones suck.
Chapter 5
Xander...father...my world is rotating backwards. With FAITH!!! Oy, my head hurts. Buffy does look better though. Colors returned to her face since the fall. I can't believe she fainted. Of course, I probably would have to if I had had more time to digest that info. Wow and double wow. Xander dad, more over Faith now equals mom? I wonder if I'm in another dimension where things that aren't actually are and my dimension is missing me right now.
Oh Buffy's looking at me. Screw it. If I get looked at by Buff like that in this dimension, I'm sticking around.
"Wills, you've got..." Buffy leaned over and instead of wiping the offending cream cheese off the side of Willows mouth licked it clean. Willow turned a light shade of red and looked at the other customers in the Deli. No one seemed to notice so she relaxed a little and eyeballed the blonde.
"Licking me in public now?" The words left Willow's mouth and then she realized how it actually sounded. Dropping her eyes to the table, she repressed an apology and the reactions of severe embarrassment.
Buffy started laughing and said, "I didn't know you were an exhibitionist Wills, but if that's what you're into then eh, sure I'll give it a go. I can't promise we won't get arrested. And then I'd have to tell my boss. He seems ok, but he might get cranky over having one of his people arrested for severe pda's of the x-rated variety."
"I..it wasn't..."
"Willow, it's ok I get it. The Freudian slip was cute. How does that work anyhow? You come to town, we have a talk and then wham, I'm lust girl. I was never lust girl."
Willow raised her eyebrow and halfed smiled at the blonde, "Might I recall a certain incident in a frat house with a strapping Teutonic young marine from Iowa and a large amount of ghosts? Buff, trust me some days you and the raging hornies are two peas in a pod."
"Hey, I was under a spell. And can I make a small confession."
"By all means Detective."
"Most of the time when I was having sex with Riley or Spike or the other very few men that followed, I was thinking about this redhead I know. Sure, I know it makes me bad, but really Wills you should meet this girl. Sexy, smart, funny, all the stuff people want in a partner. I think you'd like her."
"See, here's what gets me. I didn't know how you felt and sure there were lusting moments on my part, but I also lusted after Xander for a while and thought that it was normal. I did not know you were reciprocating the lust albeit silently but there was reciprocation missy. You could have clued a girl in."
"And what would I have said? Will, I have a thing, do you maybe have a thing and how do you feel about Mexican? There never seemed to be an opportunity and the one time I was going to talk to you about it, you went and brought a girlfriend to a Scooby gathering."
"Tara?"
"No ya goof, Susie? Sally? Whatever the hell the slut's name was at Christmas"
"Sharon?" A light bulb went off in Willow's head. "Wait a minute, is that the reason you didn't say three words to me the entire week? Is that why you haven't talked to me or made it known that I should come see you?"
Buffy saw the hurt on Willows face and looked down. Quietly she said, "Sort of. I..Will...I had promised myself that I would talk to you and we were gonna be in Paris, very romantic city...and it was Christmas... and I had finally convinced myself to tell you how I felt. You showed up with that girl and I was so hurt. Maybe I didn't have that right, but it still hurt." A tear slipped down the blonde's cheek.
Willow had moved over and took Buffy's hand, "Buff, hey look at me. I didn't know. I thought you were just being avoidie girl. Didn't I ever tell you I can be dumb sometimes?" Willow tilted Buffy's head up to make eye contact. "Ya know slayer, I never understood. I am sorry. Here I thought I was the one with the issues, but you have them to."
Willow leaned in to kiss the smaller girl. It was soft, tender even, but Buffy got the message. Willow wanted her. It was also an apology from the witch that Buffy ached for.
"Summers?"
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Buffy barely heard her last name being called. Untangling herself from the world of Willow she shook her head and looked up at James.
Shit...partner...work partner...cop...making out with girlfriend in public...wait what the hell is he doing on this end of town?
"Jimmy! I...hi?"
The older man crossed his arms and looked between the two women.
"So Summers, you want to explain to me what's going on."
Who is this guy? Why is he looking at my Buffy like that and can I punch him? No neck Neanderthal.
"Uhm, Jimmy this is uh, my friend, Willow. She's the one that was coming in from out of town. The reason for the vacation. Uhm, Willow this Jimmy, James McAllister, my partner. Jimmy this is Willow. You want to sit?"
Jimmy pulled out the chair Willow had vacated and plopped down looking over at the redhead. He nodded his head and gave a small smile.
"Hi, nice to meet you. Buffy's said some great things about you. It's nice to know you look out for her. So uhm thanks."
"It would be cool to say the same thing, but she doesn't tell me shit, and then I come in for some coffee and find the two of you making out. No offense blondie, but what the fuck. You and I are supposed to be partners. Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"
Buffy was taken back by the anger from her partner. She noticed his narrow set eyes and the vein that popped out in his neck when he was pissed.
What the fuck? Why is he acting like this? Shit. This is going to end poorly. Damnit Jimmy.
"Hey, Jim calm down. It's a long story. Besides, I don't need to tell you anything about what I do after work. So chill the hell out."
"That's a load of horse shit Buffy and you know it. I get I'm not high on the totem pole of people you give two shits about, but it doesn't mean I don't give a fuck when some red headed bitch is making my partner cry. I care damn it." Turning to Willow he jabbed a thick finger in her direction. "And you, whoever the hell you are, I could care less who my partner wants to suck face with, but in the year we've been thrown together, I've never seen her bat more than an eyelash at most anyone. Then you show up and you're all over her and to make it worse she's crying. You hurt her and I bring you a world of pain. You feeling me?"
Oh, oh, oh, he's upset because Buffy looks upset. Isn't that sweet?
"Jimmy is it? I can see how you might think what you thought, but really it's okay and I've known Buffy a hell of a lot longer than you so back the hell off. Thank you for your concern, but really it's not necessary."
"Hey you two, I'm right here. Still present and I am not three years old. Willow, baby, relax. And Jimmy can I see you outside for a moment?" Expecting him to just follow she made her way outside.
He came out a short moment later and mirrored her stance. Both had their arms folded tightly across their chest and both looked ready to strangle one another. She stepped up into his space. Poking a finger at the taller man, she started in.
"A few things: First, you ever call Willow a bitch a gain and I break every bone in your body. Two, as much as I appreciate the concern for my emotional well being, do not go uber-protective on me. I'm a big girl; I know how to handle myself. Third and most importantly, my private life is just that private. If I think you should know what I do off the clock or on vacation, I will tell you. We clear?"
Jimmy looked down at his feet. He hadn't intended to come off so harsh, but he had grown attached to the blonde girl in the time that they had worked together. He just came into Sam's for a cup of coffee and saw her crying. To say that had shaken him would be an understatement. She had never intimated she was interested in anyone, boy or girl, in the time they had been partnered together. Then all of a sudden there's the redhead and it freaked him out.
"Look, Summers I'm sorry for the over reaction, but I worry. I...fuck...I hate when your pissed at me. Can we uh maybe start over?"
Taking a moment to think about it she shook her head yes and said, "On two conditions, you go apologize to my girlfriend and we go out to dinner tonight?"
"Sure, that's be fine, but can I pick the place to eat. No offense there kid, but you got horrible taste in food."
Swatting him on the arm, they made their way back inside. He smiled sheepishly at Willow.
Extending his hand, he said, "Sorry about that Willow. I...well, I can be an asshole sometimes. My partner here has requested that I make amends by taking you two ladies out to diner. So whaddya say? Dinner on me. Again, I am sorry, but this one's special I get concerned."
Smiling, Willow shook her head yes. Jimmy relaxed visibly and looked at his watch.
"Shit, I gotta go, uhm how about I call you around 6. With you gone, I got stuck with desk work. I fuckin' hate paperwork."
"That's fine. And Jimmy? Can we, uh, keep this between us?"
"Come on Summers. Do you even have to ask? This is gong to make me a mint. Your bedroom proclivities has been one of the longest standing pools between me and a few of the guys for over a year. I'm gonna win that pool today and retire early."
Buffy's mouth fell open and she stared at him in shock.
Throwing his hands up in the air, he said, "Joke. It was a joke. The me winning money bit, but there is a pool going on in the locker room. I'll be a gentleman though and only lay the rumors to rest."
Buffy launched a half eaten doughnut at him as he walked out the door.