Thirteen Steps -6- Pet
by Valyssia
The Rhythm of...
[reviews]
They woke, showered and dressed the following morning with scarce little sleep to show for the previous night. Then cleaning up the mess in the room they prepared to leave.
"I'm going to just call in to check in with Giles. I think we should actually spend that day together out and about finally. It'll help burn some of the space between..." Buffy said in a pensive voice.
Willow nodded, "Yeah... Sounds like a plan. I don't want to think too much about what's to come. The distraction will be very much of the good."
Buffy made the call and grabbing gear, the two set out the door. "Wait a min, Will before we get too far I want to do something," Buffy said, looking off toward the field the horses were kept in.
"Oh...Kay... What's up Buff?" Willow said, looking at the fence where the Slayer stopped.
"Have a seat...I want to test...my balance feels a bit wonky this morning and before I put us on Bernadine I wanna know that I'm okay," Buffy said, placing her helmet and jacket on the ground next to Willow. The Slayer leapt up onto the wooden fence and after fumbling at balancing for a second of two, stepped right back off. "See that shouldn't be happening."
"Yeah...I'm not surprised you're a bit off. You just went through this huge change. Work with it until you're happy," Willow said patiently as she pulled Buffy's jacket over to lie on, propping her self on her side.
"What was up with you last night? Not that I'm complaining, but...well Wow!" Buffy said as she bounced back up onto the top board of the fence. Working to right herself with a flourish of her arms, she finally settled perfectly still, then hopped backward, landing near the witch. The Slayer turned slightly to watch Willow as she answered.
"Was I too rough? I didn't mean... Just territorial I guess. Sorta new for me...so I'm not sure myself," Willow said, looking a bit guilty and agitated.
"No, not so much with the rough as...well...very surprising," Buffy said, giving the witch a warm smile as she turned to jump back up to the top board of the fence. Wriggling a lot less this time, she settled motionless and bounced back down saying, "Actually...once I got past the shock...well...it was pretty amazing. I was just really off last night and...well...last thing I expected." She turned again to observe Willow, making sure she was not distressed and said, "So...He bugs you that much, eh?"
"Yeah... I guess that's it. Anyway...I won't miss him when he leaves," Willow said, appearing lost in her own busy head.
Satisfied her partner wasn't upset, Buffy leapt back up on the fence saying, "Should be all sortsa fun if Angel ever visits," midway through the bounce. She stood balanced on the board and turned to watch the redhead as she answered.
Willow met the Slayer's eyes with a look of complete seriousness before she said the words to open their thoughts. Actually except for those obvious times... I've always liked Angel. He loved you in the good way. It was easy to see. It wasn't tainted by some sick sense of conquest like Spike.
Buffy bounced off the fence and walked over to Willow, sitting down to draw her up into a gentle embrace. She stoked the witch's hair and thought; Once more...I'm almost there. Cupping her lover's face, she gave her a gentle kiss, then released her and rolled onto her back, flipping onto her feet.
Taking two intensely fast steps forward the Slayer leapt back onto the fence as the thought, the only thing better than killing a Slayer is fucking one, flitted across her mind.
A look of disgust crept over the witch's features as she tried to track Buffy's movement and failed. He said that? Yeah...hate him more.
Willow, you shouldn't hate him, Buffy thought as she turned and bent over to catch the fence rail in her hands. Pulling her self into a handstand, facing the redhead, as she continued the reflection. That was before he went to get his soul...like way before...and you know why he went to hell and back to get his soul, right? The Slayer released the board with her left hand, lifting the arm up to her side.
Not so much... No... I mean I can speculate but... Willow considered Buffy with an amused look on her face.
Buffy returned her hand to the board and sprung off it with her arms, moving into a spin, landing to face Willow. She sat down in front of the witch and taking her hands, she said in a soft voice, "He couldn't live with what he'd done...how he hurt me... He went to get his soul back for me...because he really did love me," a quirky sentimental smile came over her face as she finished.
"...And he still loves you?" Willow said, looking into the Slayer's eyes.
Buffy sighed deeply and nodded as she stood up. Reaching down, she took the witch's hands again and pulled her to her feet. "Take it easy on him. He's here because he cares," she said as she bent to collect their gear. Handing Willow her helmet, she put her jacket on and bent to pick up her own helmet. "Let's head out," she said, taking the redhead's hand and starting toward the garage. It was a matter of moments before they were on the road that led to Westbury.
As they rode Willow said the words again to make their thoughts open. We'll have to poke around. I really don't know this place well.
Sokay... Just the enjoying the ride will be fun. Not that I didn't get enough of that yesterday but it's different with you. Though, I'm thinking breakfast...soon please. Buffy smiled to herself as she finished the thought.
Definitely! I could go for a bagel. Willow chuckled.
Works for me... if we can find some... I'm about to settle for gas station snacks...starved. Buffy punctuated the sentiment with a deep sigh.
Willow watched the horizon come back level with her view as the Slayer negotiated Bernadine through another turn. In the valley below she could see the small metropolis of Westbury. We're nearly there. You know these old roads were all once livestock trails. That's why they're so twisty. Strange to think the path was chosen by the hooves of beasts...not so much the feet of men. Anyway...looks like you love it. She gently pulled Buffy tighter, passing her hand over the Slayer's stomach and breast, resting it on the surface of her shoulder.
I do...it's much better with you here though...don't get me wrong...plenty fun solo but... I feel like I'm sharing something with you when I do this. Not so much for the sharing as you've been, the Slayer reflected as she approached the next turn and gracefully angled the Ducati into it.
Yeah...there's actually a part of me that's worried... I feel like there's been so much...so fast...that you might think I'm trying to change you into something I want you to be. Like it's for me...all selfish and stuff, the witch offered as though she was just trying to work the idea into coherent thought the first time herself.
Willow. I don't think you're being selfish... That's just silly. Buffy smirked as she gently applied the brakes and downshifted to scrub speed off for the next tight corner. The Ducati rumbled throatily as it compression braked.
The redhead moved her hand from Buffy's shoulder to the rear of the Ducati's fuel tank to avoid putting too much pressure on the Slayer's back. I don't think it's silly at all. Were it not for all the yucky stuff we've been through recently I would've taken things much slower with you. I mean I always wanted to work the magicks with you so...that part would have still been there, but...our first real project together would've been something lots less complex...well you know...
Am I not doing okay? Buffy looked a bit worried as she leaned the Ducati into a deep left hand corner, carefully choosing her line. She shifted up, as they exited and set up for the sharp, sweeping right-hand turn, in front of them.
No sweetie. Don't fret...you've been amazing. You have a natural gift I never thought to see. I just want to be gentle with you...test more before diving in...and the time was not there. I feel like it's just all so rushed...not so much for the rushing... Then there was the thing last night...change doesn't get much bigger than that, Willow thought as she moved her hand back to her Slayer's stomach.
Will, you've been nothing but gentle with me...well except for last night and well...that was different...the sex part...you know. It sort of scared me a little at first 'cause you were so strong. I've only seen you that physically powerful once before and well...that was much with the badness. Made me nervous, anyway... Once I understood it was really cool though...much, much different...and really well... Wow! Really hot! Buffy dropped Bernadine into a steep counter steer and the Ducati drifted through the last corner that emptied out onto the valley floor.
Willow felt herself flush. Yeah well...ummm...yeah... It was... she shifted slightly to move the pressure on her legs as Buffy straightened the motorcycle back up. Well as long as you're comfortable. I just want you to understand...I've been trying to protect you... Best way to do that is to help you protect yourself. None of this has been...self-centered... Except last night and...that was...yeah...hot is a good choice of descriptors.
In the simplest terms...what I'm really trying to say is something Xander told me a long time ago. He said he loved all the Willows he'd ever known...the crayon breaky Willow...and the dark veiny Willow... Same thing...I love the Buffy that would fuck a vampire to feel...the Buffy that exploded in a fit of rage at one of her oldest friends the night I arrived...and the Buffy that looks into my eyes like there's nothing else in her world that really matters... I'm not trying to change you...to suit some personal need. You are what I need...all those Buffy. Willow tucked back up to her Slayer.
I know, Will. Wait you knew I was upset at Xander that night? Buffy shifted Bernadine into 6th and opened the throttle to meet the posted 120kmh limit.
Of course I knew...I was watching you. Think about what you've seen since we've been together.
You know I love you. Buffy smiled with this thought as she shifted Bernadine down to enter the city limits of Westbury at the posted limit.
Willow caressed her Slayer's stomach again as she returned, and I love you.
They made their way down the boulevard and soon Buffy spied exactly what she wanted, pulling into the parking lot of a small, local bakery.
Willow gracefully swung herself off Bernadine, removing her helmet, she ran her fingers through her hair.
Buffy chuckled to herself, shutting the Ducati off and removing her helmet, she flipped the side-stand down. Dismounting she walked up to the door to hold it open for Willow. She pulled and felt it shudder and creak. Blushing as she realized she had pulled it open a bit too hard. Still adjusting...at least I didn't break it.
Willow sighed as she walked up to the counter to look over the goodies. She made eye contact with the man at the counter and ordered a cup of coffee and a bagel with cream cheese and lox.
"I'll have the same," Buffy added smiling at the counter man.
He gave her a curious look and went about preparing their order.
I may need to get some sunglasses. I think he's a bit wigged over my eyes, Buffy sighed softly.
Willow shrugged slightly...just barely noticeable. Yeah...maybe... I think they're pretty...striking with your hair color and complexion but definitely different... The way they pick up the light is almost feline.
I'll just do it... Having people freak out over me just makes me nervous. Buffy accepted their food from the man and paid him.
They sat to eat and Buffy considered, I may need another one of these, with a chuckle.
Willow laughed and broke the connection saying, "Poor guy's going to think we've lost it if we continue to do that. Reacting to things unheard...mark of a total nutcase..."
"May have a point, Will. Course between this, that, and the other, I bet we're on his most memorable customers list today. Not sure you see many small blond women on liter Ducati's. Sort of an oddity in itself..." Buffy said with a smirk.
Willow shrugged, "May have a point but I think it's becoming more popular...the whole motorcycle thing." The witch smirked as she added, "Anyway...he's likely just thinking, 'Bloody Americans'."
"So tell me about that spell. I want to be able to do it. Not sure I have the talent but it'd really be handy." Buffy said, taking a bite of bagel when she finished.
"You might with me...it's a weird twist on the classic love spell...or the one I use with you is. There are a few ways to communicate telepathically. Anyway...this one is pretty low level, so it should work for you, but the person you're communicating with has to love you, and you them. That's why I only really used it with you or Xander," Willow said with a wink.
"Really...? That's cool, Will." Buffy smiled, taking a sip of her coffee.
Willow returned the smile, took a bite of her bagel and chewed before continuing. "Yes, the spell is, 'Goddess Hera... Unbind the thoughts of my love.' Anyway...old spell...very useful, but the person you intend to communicate with has to be willing to hear. It's a two-way thing. I sort of pushed it on Xander once or twice. He wasn't impressed, but there wasn't much he could do. I'm way, much stronger than he is. Mighta been mean. Now you probably could never force him to hear. Not like that's a big, though."
Buffy smirked as she finished her food and went to order more. Returning she said, "Yeah...I just thought it would be hella useful in situations like the one we had with Amy."
"You're right...it would be. Well try it. Make eye contact with me and say the words. You'll have to really want it for the spell to work. It's a desire thing," Willow said frankly.
"Kay...Want half of this?" Buffy offered as she muttered the words and looked deeply into Willow's eyes.
No thanks, Willow said in a firm thought voice hoping to help Buffy.
Buffy grinned as she caught the thought. Okay...more for me, though I may end up unpleasantly full if I eat it all.
You should try to finish it. I suspect that you'll find you need to eat more...and regularly as a result of last night. Willow smiled warmly at her Slayer as she moved to brush a hair out of her face and cup her cheek.
Oh well that should be helpful. I already eat like a horse if I'm active. Buffy sighed loudly and took another bite of the bagel.
Willow shrugged again and sighed softly. There's always a price...but you got that... I'd suggest buying a bunch of different types of those nutritional supplement bars. There has to be one that doesn't taste like chalk. Anyway...it'd be easier.
Yeah...they all taste like chalk but there are a couple kinds I can stand. We'll pick some up. I think I feel the need to humiliate Spike this afternoon. Buffy took the last bite of her bagel and drained her coffee cup. Ready?
Ready... Not looking forward to facing Giles. He may find this a bit alarming. Maybe he'll understand that I was just trying to protect you. I think that's a goal we share. Willow sighed again, more heavily this time.
They asked the counter man for advice on where to go in town for their needs and set back out. The rest of the morning was spent shopping in a small district not too far from the bakery. Buffy bought a pair of sunglasses after the fourth and fifth persons stared at her with curious looks on their faces. After much deliberation the rings were purchased and the trip home began. Pulling up in front of the citadel, the couple dismounted and walked in the front door.
"We should go see Mr. Giles first. Need to face the music. Better sooner than later," Willow sighed and shook her head as she started off toward the communications center.
"Just get him... I'm going to go locate my punching bag and drag him to the training room. If I can find the training room, that is. Meet us there," Buffy set off deliberately with an evil smirk on her face.
Willow made eye contact with Mr. Giles and motioned him over. "Buffy and I need to talk with you if you can afford the time."
Giles smiled genially and said, "Certainly Willow, is there some trouble I should know about."
"Dunno...m-might be...s-sorta depends on how you f-feel about... Well just c-come," Willow stammered.
Giles motioned that he was leaving and set the earpiece down. "Is everything okay? You're making me quite uneasy."
"Well I think things are just dandy, but you might not." Willow sighed and asked, "Would you please lead me to your training room? I have no idea where it is, but Buffy's supposed to meet us there."
"Right...just follow me," Giles said with a look of concern.
They entered the large room and found a place to sit to wait for Buffy. She followed them in moments later and placing her helmet, jacket and sunglasses aside, headed straight to the weapons.
Grabbing an axe and tossing it to Spike, she said in a low growl, "Kill me."
Spike looked at her like she might've gone mad. "I will not."
"You'd better try..." Buffy snarled and lunged taking the vampire's legs out from under him, with a low sweeping kick...
Spike flipped back onto his feet and Buffy lunged again striking him hard in the chest. He went down again, flipping back up to right himself. "Bloody Hell woman! I can barely see you move! What happened to your eyes?" Spike looked confused and Buffy took the opportunity to put him on his ass again with a hard kick to the chest. There was a slight cracking sound.
The Slayer grinned sheepishly. "Sorry Spike," she said, as she skirted the edge of the room, making her way to him again.
The vampire growled saying, "Right!" He got up, took a swing at the Slayer with the axe and missed.
Buffy parried the next blow with a sweeping motion of her forearm and vaulted over Spike somersaulting in midair. She kicked him in the small of the back and sent him flying toward Giles and Willow.
"How'd you? Christ!" A look of fury came over Spike's face as he crashed into the pommel horses. He stood up and his features changed to his demon visage. He growled and shook himself off, turning to face her, he charged the Slayer.
"Kill me...you're not trying Spike!" Buffy spat, dancing around the vampire avoiding his charge.
Spike lunged and struck at the Slayer with his axe again.
Buffy jumped over him, landing on one of the pommel horses, she skipped down to the ground.
Giles was smiling as he spoke, "What'd you do?
"Couple things...not so much..." Willow said shyly as she watched Buffy take Spike off his feet again with a forearm across the face.
Giles patiently repeated the question, adding the word, "specifically" to the end of the statement.
"Well Buffy and I made a necklace for her that hardens her skin so she can do...well...that nifty parry thing she's doing... See? She's right...it is sort of Matrixy..." Willow said pointing. "And... Ummmm... Well... Ummm... We sorta used the scythe to make her a tiny bit stronger." Willow said the last bit in a rushed voice, hoping she could get it all in before Giles exploded.
Spike flew across the room again, landing near their feet and Giles smiled at him saying, "You did what? No, no...Never mind I heard you." He just sat and stared for moment or two, shaking his head, as Buffy snapped the Wing Chun training dummy in half with a high roundhouse, catching the piece that flew up with her second rotation. She sent it hurling at Spike as he got to his feet and ran toward her.
The vampire evaded, but only barely. "Right! Stop you two! Come here!" Giles commanded with a loud clap, as he watched Willow absently conjured a quick shield to block the dummy. The pieces skittered across the floor.
Spike spat, "Oy! Watch it with the wood Goldilocks!" as he turned to face Giles.
Buffy bounced over to the group barely winded. She absently grabbed a nutrition bar out of her jacket and nibbled with a disgusted look on her face.
"Let me have a look at you Buffy. Come here and sit down." Giles said in a fatherly voice. "What's the matter with your eyes?"
"It's a side-effect," Willow said in a guilty tone as she watched Buffy come closer.
Spike sat down panting, bleeding from his mouth and nose. He mopped the blood and looked grudgingly at the Slayer. Then he licked the blood off his hand and shook his head. His face returned to normal. "What'd you do to her, Red?" he said in an accusing tone.
"Nothing... You know that's still gross, Spike?" Willow said with a mixed look off shame and disgust.
"She only did what I asked her to. This was my doing. I helped her work the magicks, knowing that there would be minor consequences. The eyes thing...consequence...no big... I can actually see a lot better in the dark now. In fact, I can see perfectly with almost no light. I have a bit of trouble in bright sunlight, but...that's what these are for," she swept the sunglasses up and put them on. "Sunglasses are of the good...gives me an excuse to accessorize," she said brightly, adding her best smile to soften the effect.
"We were careful...very careful. I stopped when I saw her eyes change, figuring the physical change indicated we should test." Willow said still looking ashamed.
Giles took his glasses off and began to clean them, "And the scythe..."
"...Still feels like it should," Buffy confirmed. Taking the glasses off she sat down next to Giles and took his hand gently saying, "It's still me...I feel one hundred and thirty-three percent a-okay. That's about what Willow guessed my combined strength would be post change. I gained about thirty-three percent. My reflexes increased too. I'm guessing that the healing part of the package changed. Dunno that yet... Can't find anything that can hurt me," Buffy said, grinning at Spike.
"Well you hit almost as hard as Illyria," Spike said spitting a mouth full of blood on the floor. "Are you done beating on me? I'd like to go watch some telly," he finished, looking at Buffy grudgingly.
"Yeah Spike... Thanks for letting me test on you. Sorry for the breakage." Buffy looked up at him sheepishly.
"Yeah... Right! I saw your face. You loved it," he said, stalking off.
Buffy giggled and stood up to sit across from Willow and Giles, facing them, leaning on a pommel horse. "Sorry about the training dummy...I just wanted to see if I could. I knew I could break it but...well...that was way cool!"
"Yeah...He may not be fit for the mission tonight," Giles said, looking mildly amused. He sat considering Buffy for a moment, "...And you are fine with this?"
"Absolutely...I actually feel great. Fighting Spike used to be a chore. Now it's like kicking a puppy...not that I would, that is...well kick puppies. Kicking Spike...not so much worried about that...he gets off on the kicking. Not sure now though...he's sorta used to how things were." Buffy concluded with a pensive grin.
"Alright then...if you are fine." Giles said thoughtfully.
Willow interrupted, "Giles...it was a much better solution than the Shadow Men offered. Buffy's entirely human...or as human as she was... It's a similar result though...at least I suspect. She still has all her fine motor control. Though, it's a bit shaky right now because her body's adjusting to the change. You probably shouldn't have hit Spike in the face, dear."
"Yeah...I know... I suppose I should go find him soon and make up. He'll forgive me...and odds are he'll be happy that... Well...he still cares about me...and what with the worry...you know." Buffy said in a soft brooding voice.
"Yeah... I guess so," Willow confirmed reluctantly.
"Well I should get back. Please pick up a bit." Giles said in a firm voice.
"Are you upset, Mr. Giles?" Willow said, still looking guilty.
Giles considered Willow for a moment. "No, if it was Buffy's choice and she's pleased with the results, I have no room for upset. Frankly, you girls are probably correct. It was the best course. Though, it does make the body doubles we have in place, a bit pointless. Once the rumor mill does its work, the real Buffy will be simple to spot, based on how she moves. No matter though... She does seem much better able to defend herself."
Buffy stood up and walked over to Giles, giving him a gentle hug. She motioned for Willow to come and join. Separating from the two she said, "Once we're done tonight I'll be returning to Scotland. In the morning I believe. I want to ride Bernadine back. If it's okay with Willow, I'll send her back through a portal."
"It's not okay...I want to go with you," Willow said, giving the Slayer a dirty look.
"Alright then... Willow and I will be riding back to Scotland. I just wanted to spare you the long trip, dear. So much for the sparing...we'll take our time this run," Buffy sighed and drew Willow up next to her.
"We'll stop by to see you before we leave. I hate not having you around," the Slayer said in a gloomy voice.
Giles gave her a sympathetic gaze. "And I, you, but it's for the best."
"Alright... See you tonight. Will and I will be working from the coven so..." Buffy concluded, heading over to right the equipment, grab the remains of the Wing Chun dummy, and her gear.
They all left the room together. Buffy and Willow headed outside to throw the dummy out.
"Let's go find Spike and then head back home. We should pack tonight and get everything ready to ship in the morning. Do you plan to keep your cabin here?" Buffy asked in a curious tone.
Willow pondered for a moment and answered, "For the time being. It's just not practical to ship everything and it gives us a place here, outside the fortress. The sisters aren't lacking for space. In fact, if you'd like, leave some spare clothing behind, and we can visit Dawnie...that is without having too pack much."
Buffy nodded and headed off to find Spike in his room with Willow in tow. They knocked on his door and awaited his reply.
"Yes...what do you want?" Spike said in a grudging voice as he swung the door open.
"Just came to apologize for being so hard on you," Buffy offered sheepishly. "Really am sorry," she added, looking guilty.
"It'd be nice to give us a bit of warning next time Red gives you the makeover of the damned," Spike said in a harsh tone.
Buffy grinned. "I think that'll just be this once." She started to chuckle.
"Yeah...right," Spike said with a grin. "So no more kick the Spike?"
"Nope...completely done kicking the Spike," the Slayer said as her face warmed.
"Red...?" Spike said, giving the witch a hesitant look.
Willow grinned mischievously, "Me? I'm a good girl. Innocent and sweet..."
"Hell you say... You've had your knickers in a twist since I landed. What's the issue?" Spike questioned, leaning against the doorframe.
Willow appeared sheepish as she spoke, "I dunno..."
"Look Red, Buffy and I are finished. We said our goodbyes a long time ago and thanks to some circumstances, I got another shot... I moved on because I knew she would. No blood...no foul... We're friends...hope you're okay with it, is all," Spike said, meeting the witch's eyes.
"Give me time Spike. It's just hard," Willow said truthfully.
Spike looked amused. "Right then...all I needed. Remember came to help. Not sure you need it now, but I'm not missing out on the fun. Paid the man for the ticket...gonna stay for the show." He turned to close the door, and stopped. Looking back, he said, "Thanks for taking care of her, Red. What you did was a good thing. Lets a bloke get some rest..."
"You're welcome Spike," Willow said, her face softened as she turned to leave.
"See you tonight Spike. Show up at the coven at around half past midnight. We'll be warming things up," Buffy said with a wave.
"We should track Dawnie down and see if she has time for us. It'd be nice to see her a bit tonight before we leave. She deserves to know you'll be fine. I'm sure she's worried," Willow said as they walked to the door.
"Sounds like a plan," Buffy said, catching the door and heading straight for Bernadine.