Nothing But You
by Whedonist
Chapter 12
[reviews]
Disclaimer: I tried writing the disclaimer to the tune of the Oscar Meyer Weiner song and it went something like:
Oh, I wish BTVS belonged to me,
And then everyone would be in love with me,
But it belongs Joss, Fox *Scowl* and ME Production
Then I lost the tune...for some reason it just didn't work. Go figure.
Chapter 12
The girls walked into the police station and were told to wait. 15 minutes later Xander was being led out by a uniformed officer. They stared at his tattered shirt and bruised face.
"Xand," Buffy ran up to him and gave him a hug, "what happened?"
He laughed and shrugged, "I..." He didn't get much further because as soon as Buffy let go Willow had her arms wrapped tightly around him. "Girls, I'm fine or at least I think so. Let's get out of here and I'll explain."
They each grabbed a hand and led the man outside. They walked in silence back to the dorms and allowed him to get more cleaned up. When he walked back into the room, Willow gave him the look.
"Ok see it's like this Riley and his frat boy friends were talking about you two. Apparently you shot him down Buffster and they made some comments. I couldn't just stand there and listen to it so I did what any self respecting best friend of the two hottest ladies on campus would do, I fought them."
"Wait, you fought who and how many?"
"Riley, Parker Abrams, and some other guy named Forrest."
"So you went all John McClane on 3 guys for saying something about Buffy and I?"
"Yeah, Will I mean they just, look I'm still kinda pissed about it. Thank you two for coming and getting me."
"Are the cops going to do more with this?" Buffy asked.
"Uh, don't think so. The other guys weren't looking to take this further, but there was some property damage."
"Ok well as long as you're not in too much pain. Xand I can't believe you. It's sweet, but not worth bodily harm. I like my Xander shaped friend to stay Xander shaped thank you." Buffy smiled at him and winked.
Honestly this wasn't the first time he had gotten into it with some Neanderthal making comments about her sexuality, but it was the first time it was more than one guy and the cops were involved. Willow looked over at the clock it was 6pm and they had to be at the Bronze to help Angel in an hour.
"Guys, we should get a move on. Bronze, Angel, Faith, we're helping him open up."
"Xander you want to go tonight?"
"Yes and more yes. I promised Dawn some dancing."
"Guys I'll meet you back here in 30." Willow turned to Buffy and planted a firm kiss on the blonde's lips and walked out.
Xander grinned at Buffy and made the "shame, shame" finger jester.
"Ok Xand, spill what did they say?"
He knew it was coming and did the only thing he could think of, "The "d" word may have come into play. After that I kinda lost it."
"I see." Buffy said hands on her hips. She walked over to Xander and kissed him on the unbruised portion of his face. "Thank you."
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The day before Christmas found Willow shopping with Xander, Cordelia, Faith, and Kate. She had bought for nearly everyone except Buffy. She had no idea what to give the girl.
"Xander," Willow said, "What did you get for Buffy?"
"The Buffster got a gift card to Macy's. I can't shop for her."
Willow sighed and turned to Cordy, "Help?"
"Willow you're putting too much thought into it. It's a guarantee that she'll love pretty much anything you get her."
"Heya Red, you can always fall back on what I got her our first Christmas together."
Afraid to ask but needing ideas Willow asked, "And that would have been?"
"Me, naked with a red bow around the naughty bits."
"I should have known. Faith that might work for you, but no and more no and no on top of that no."
Kate smacked Faith in the arm, "You, be nice."
"What? All I'm saying is that me naked is a great present."
The entire group shook their heads and turned from the brunette.
"Seriously though Willow. I've known Buffy for a while and Cordelia, as much as this pains me to say it, is right. Just find something that let's her know how you feel." Kate offered.
Willow turned around and went back to the department store they just came from.
~I can do this. I can find a present for my girlfriend. It shouldn't be that difficult. She likes clothes and shoes and I'm sure I can find something in here.~
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"Angel you can't be serious?' Buffy scoffed at the man.
"Why not Buffy? I think it makes a great present."
"Tell me you aren't planning on giving this to Cordy?"
"Are you insane? I know better than to give her a book. She'd castrate me. I got her jewelry and a new jacket. I'm not that stupid."
"So you would tell me to get a book for Willow because?"
"She likes books, not only does she like books she likes to read." Angel looked through the book one more time and then looked at Buffy and cocked his head, "Wait isn't Willow Jewish?"
"Yeah, but she celebrates Christmas because of her friends."
"Oh I'm telling you Buffy. This is the best present."
The book in question was a collection of poems that ranged from Shakespeare, Rilke, Rumi, to modern days poets like Burroughs and Turner and Giovanni. He thought Willow would love it if Buffy gave it to her, but the blonde was not being as receptive as he would have liked.
"I was thinking like jewelry or something like that, but it's too soon for me to give her a ring. "
"The book, Buffy, get her the book. Take an hour and mark some of the poems that make you think of her and then point them out. Trust me."
"Fine, but I swear if she hates it I'm coming after you."
Buffy took the book from Angel and made her purchase. They walked out into the mild California air and went to the Pump to get juiced up for the last bit of shopping they had left. Making their way into the shop, Angel let Buffy go sit while he got the drinks.
He set the blonde's favorite drink in front of her and sat down.
"Peppermint mocha for the pain in the ass."
Buffy slapped his arm and laughed, "I'm not that bad."
"You've never been shopping with you. I think you're worse than Cordy."
"No one is worse than she is."
"Not when she's shopping for someone else."
"She doesn't"
"Doesn't what?"
"Shop for other people."
"True. So you were saying in the bookstore something about a ring?"
Buffy blushed and sipped her drink. "Well, it's way too early for that I think, but I would give her a ring or something. If it didn't make me look like some obsessed stalker person."
"Why is it too early?"
"Uh, hello only been dating for 10 weeks and 3 days. That's too early or at least she might think it's too early. Trying not to scare her off. Besides I don't think we've moved past the honeymoon stage of the relationship. When does that end anyhow?"
"I distinctly remember that stage ending about 7 months into your relationship with Faith."
"That short?"
"Well, something told me you wacky kids weren't gonna make it."
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
"Because it's true. Buffy I love Faith like a sister and I love you like I love someone who's like my sister's girlfriend that I think is really great, but you two make much better friends than lovers."
"Huh, I see you've given this some thought."
"No more than I do anything else. Also, it's never too early to show someone how much they mean to you."
"Well then I'll chalk it up to me being a great big coward and the fear of rejection."
"Have you seen the way she looks at you?"
"Yeah."
"Buffy she's in love with you."
"I don't think so, not yet anyhow."
"You're hopeless."
"I know. I like it that way."
The two continued their coffee in relative silence. Buffy was thinking about the book and trying to figure out if that was the best she could for the girl she loved or if she could find something more.
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Willow awoke to a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. She smiled and pushed back against the blonde holding her. She felt Buffy stir and heard a good morning whispered in her ear.
"Morning you and Merry Christmas."
"Happy Hanukkah," the blonde said kissing Willow on the cheek.
"So should we get out of bed or can we sleep in?"
"I give Dawn about another half hour maybe an hour tops before she comes pouncing on the bed. So before she get's here I wanted to give you the first part of your present." Buffy said leaning over the bed and grabbing the book.
She had decided to give the book to her in private. She had taken Angel's advice and picked out three poems that she felt related to the feelings she had for the redhead and she wanted her girl to read them before the day started. Willow took the offered present and laid it on the bed. Reaching over to her side of the bed, she pulled out the deceptively large box she stashed there the night before and handed it to Buffy.
"I hope you like it, but before you open it read the note on the inside please." Willow placed a soft kiss on Buffy's lips.
"You first."
"Nope."
"Same time?"
"K."
Both girls opened the presents slowly. Buffy was crazy curious about what could be in the box. It was half a meter long and nearly just as wide, but only a quarter of the way deep. Willow removed the ribbon around the book and opened the front cover, inside a piece of paper slipped out. It just said, "See my tabs." Willow turned the book to the pages and saw three post-its sticking out. Opening the book to the first tab, she read.
The sky was lit
by the splendor of the moon
So powerful
I fell to the ground
Your love
has made me sure
I am ready to forsake
this worldly life
and surrender
to the magnificence
of your Being
-Rumi
She smiled and ran her hands over the page. Excited about the rest of the selections she flipped to tab two.
I would ask of you a question,
A question soft and low,
That gives me many a heartache
As the moments come and go.
Your love I know is truthful,
But the truest love grows cold;
And it's only this, my darling:
Will you love me when I'm old?
Life's morn will soon be waning,
And the evening bells be tolled,
But my heart will know no sorrow
If you love me when I'm old.
Down the stream of time together
We have drifted side by side,
Hoping some bright day to anchor
Safe beyond the surging tide.
Today the sky is cloudless,
But tonight may clouds unfold,
And the storms may gather 'round us--
Will you love me when I'm old?
When my hair shall shame the snowdrift,
And my eyes do dimmer grow,
I would lean upon some loved one
In the valley as I go.
I would claim of you a promise
Worth to me a world of gold,
And my heart will know no sorrow
If you love me when I'm old.
-Anonymous
A tear slipped down Willow's cheek and she turned to the third tab.
You Came, Too
I came to the crowd seeking friends
I came to the crowd seeking love
I came to the crowd for understanding
I found you
I came to the crowd to weep
I came to the crowd to laugh
You dried my tears
You shared my happiness
I went from the crowd seeking you
I went from the crowd seeking me
I went from the crowd forever
You came, too
-Nikki Giovanni
Buffy had opened up the large package from her girlfriend and had expected some type of clothing, but inside was a plain white envelope and a small box. She turned the envelope over and pulled the note out.
Buffy,
So I tried to find the perfect gift for you and well I know it's only been a few months since we started dating, but there's apart of me that feels like we've always been together. I'm not sure if you know, but my mother's Irish and converted to Judaism when she married my dad. I did a little research and found this ring. The way to wear it is explained in the box. Wear it either way, I just wanted you to know that there's no kinda about it when it comes to loving you. I do.
Always,
Willow
With shaking hands, Buffy opened up the small box and read the card inside. It was a Caladdaugh ring. She removed it and slipped the ring on per the instructions with the point of the heart facing towards her. She smiled over at the redhead and removed the boxes from the bed. Gathering the girl in her arms, she kissed her slowly and then broke away.
"Thank you Wills. It's perfect."
"I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure ya know? I mean we haven't been together that long, but it's like I saw it and it said 'buy me, Buffy will love it' and so I made with the buying."
"I love it."
"I'm glad. Oh, thank you for the book. The poems were...they were..."
"Is Willow speechless?"
"No, never, but I just it's hard to put into words I guess. I didn't know you 6 months ago and now it's like I don't want to not know you. You weren't something I was looking for Buffy, but we happened and so far it's been the best ever. Thank you for the book I love it." Willow placed another kiss on Buffy's lips and moved so that she was now straddling the other girl. Her hair fell in a curtain and she pulled back to look at her girlfriend. She looked into hazel eyes and said, "This is the best Christmas/Hanukkah ever. It even beats out the year Tara and I went to visit her grandma in Oregon. Thank you."
Buffy pulled Willow down and began kissing her neck and shoulders. Willow was melting further into the girl below her when Dawn walked in.
"Okay really now I don't need to see that. I'm damaged goods. Thank you very much." Dawn let out before turning heel and walking back out of the room. Calling from the hall, she added, "Everyone's here and if you lust bunnies would give it a rest you could eat breakfast with all of us. Faith and Angel cooked."
The other girls giggled and detached themselves from one another. Pulling on robes, they both left the comfort of Buffy's room and made their way downstairs. Buffy smiled when she heard Xander, Cordy and Faith bickering from below.