Children of the Earth
by WillowX
Nowhere But Here Part 2
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I heard as Willow made her way up the stairs of the house and down the hall. Every step bringing her closer to our bedroom where I'd been hibernating for the last three days. Willow was beginning to get really concerned already ... I could tell.
"Baby...you've been in bed all day again." She said softly as she made her way into the room. I didn't answer. I just lay still with the covers over my head. I didn't feel like talking about it anymore.
"Buffy? Buffy? You have to get up to eat at least. Strong Slayers need their Wheaties." I didn't need to see her face to know that she was half smiling. She always half smiled when she was trying to be funny. But it wasn't gonna to work this time. I didn't feel like moving....ever.
"Alright alright....if you're not getting out of bed that means I'm gonna have to get into bed. I don't wanna, but you're making me. If cuddling is what it'll take then cuddling is what you'll get." I heard as her t-shirt sliced through the air and hit the floor, followed by the clunk of her left shoe, and then thump of her right. I stayed still as she made her way around the bed humming softly as she moved. She'd been humming since she got up this morning. I was listening to her around the house.
I followed the sound of her humming with my senses until she was on the other side of the bed and that's when I heard her zipper...she was taking off her pants. I felt a soft breeze of cool air hug my back as she lifted the covers and climbed in next to me. Once in bed the warmth of her body was electrifying. She wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me towards her spooning me softly. I felt as her nose found my right ear and caressed it. I loved her caresses.
"What's wrong Baby? Why won't you get out of bed?" She whispered into my ear.
"Don't wanna." I groaned under my breath.
"You've been in bed for three days straight....doesn't your butt hurt already?" She asked while she squeezed me softly.
"No. It doesn't. Now leave me alone." I said with a baby pout. It did hurt. But I wasn't getting out of bed yet.
"Come on ... Giles and Faith have been waiting to play with you all day." She said softly and I grunted in response.
"Staying in bed is not going to change what happened. Nobody blames you Buffy. You did what you had to. Hope would have been proud. It's what she wanted." She turned my body slowly until we were facing each other. She looked worried. "It was your destiny. Hope said so herself ... remember?" She finished as she ran her fingers through my hair.
I nodded softly as warm tears ran down my face. "Why is everything always so hard for us Willow?" I managed to say between whimpers.
"That's where you're wrong. It's not just us. Everyone has it hard. It's called life. Struggling is part of living. Granted, our struggle might be a little different than other people's but I'm certain that as long as we are together it will all be worth it." Willow finished with her eyes glossy with tears.
"I love you." I whispered and laid my head on her chest. I felt as her chest expanded and contracted when she breathed. Her heart was beating softly and I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, eagerly inhaling her scent. Everything about her was wonderful. Even her smell.
"What else is wrong?" She asked softly as she stroked my hair.
"Huh?" I couldn't hide from her...she knew me too well.
"What are you thinking?" She persisted. I thought about the response for a few seconds. Trying to find the best way to word it.
"I've been laying here for days trying to remember a time when you weren't part of my life. I can't. I can't remember my life before you. And now, knowing that I'll never have too. That I'll never have to face a day without you. That your last day will, thankfully, be mine as well. Well... I just find that comforting beyond words." I finished softly.
Willow looked at me steady for a few seconds. Her eyes were overflowing with love. "You're so beautiful Buffy." I felt my body weaken and my heart flutter as the words graced my ears. She finally said it.
"You finally said it Will. No more sexy word games?" I asked with an embarrassed smile.
"Oh come on Buffy. By now you should know that's the first I think of every single time I look at you." She ran her hand over my left cheek caressing it softly and repeated her confession for emphasis "Every single time." She guided my head with her hand and laid it on her chest once more. Our hearts were beating in unison...as if they were one. That's when I heard her soft humming again. Curiosity was getting the best of me.
"What are you humming?" I asked.
"What?" She responded.
"You've been humming all morning...super hearing remember?" I said in a nasal tone. I couldn't help it I'd been crying. I always get nasal when I cry.
"Oh. That. I heard the remix of an old song I like. The lyrics kind of remind me of you and I've been humming it all day." She conceded.
"Oh really? Sing it to me." I requested.
"What? Are you nuts? I can't sing. I don't sing...remember? Not even Sweets got me to sing a solo..." She was about to go into one of her nervous rants and I stopped her with a finger to her lips...just like she does to me.
"Please Willow? For me? It will make me feel better. Plus... I want to hear these lyrics you say remind you of me." I pleaded softly while running my fingernails over her bare stomach.
"Errrggggggg.... I can't!" She groaned and I felt as her heart beat quickened. Maybe I was being too pushy.
"Ok ok...don't wig out on me. We can just continue laying here...in silence." I finished pointedly as I rested my head next to hers this time... on her shoulder. I felt as her nervousness continued. Her heart was beating a mile a minute so I began stroking my fingernails over her stomach to soothe her. After a few minutes her breathing was almost back to normal and that's when I heard her begin singing softly in my ear.
"Oh thinking about our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me coming back for more"
She paused for a moment and took a breath. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and it was sweet and beautiful. I can't understand why she'd never sing out loud. She should sing every word that comes out of her mouth.
"Baby you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
Love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven"
She paused again and I felt as if her heart was going to explode. I lifted my head slowly to face her. I needed to see her eyes, her skin, her face... I needed to see her. Her eyes were closed tightly. I lowered my head and kissed her chest right above her heart. When I looked up at caught her smiling at me. She took my face into her hands and continued singing to me softly.
"Oh once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feeling down
Now nothing could change what you mean to me
Oh there's alot that I could say
But just hold me now
Cause our love will light the way"
She pulled my face towards hers until we kissed. I felt her lips quiver against mine. I loved her so much it hurt. She was my everything...my world. We stopped kissing for a moment, she rested her forehead on mine, and continued singing softly into my mouth.
"Now our dreams are coming true
Through the good times and the bad
I'll be standing there by you
Baby you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven"
I melted. It was official. The sound of her voice was the most beautiful sound in the whole world. This moment was absolutely perfect. The warmth of her body. The feel of her skin. The smell of her hair. Everything. Everything was perfect.
'Willow?" I asked softly.
"Yes Buffy?" She responded.
"Anywhere but here?" It was a game we used to play back in highschool. I don't know what possessed me to ask her now...I just know that I did. I needed to hear her answer.
Willow smiled broadly at the question. She wrapped her arms around and squeezed. Her grip was tight and I felt like she didn't want to let go.
"Nowhere but here Buffy. Nowhere but here."
The End.... Oh Come On.... Did you really think I'd end it?
EPILOGUE
The sewers were dark and musty. This was not what was supposed to be happening. I am not supposed to be here. I am Rack...son of the Children of the Moon. I was meant for bigger...better things. There were prophecies written about me. Yet ... here I am ... hiding in the caves and sewers underneath Sunnydale.
"Hostile 2... did you scope out the parameters?" I asked.
"Yes Sir. The parameters are clear." Hostile 2 responded.
"Hostiles 12 and 15...you take the watch for the night. I want these sewers secure. We don't want those Slayers meddling where they don't belong." I instructed.
"Yes Sir." Hostiles 12 and 15 responded in unison.
"Ahh ... Hostile 17...we meet again. That whole vengeance thing didn't work out for you ... did it?" I said as I turned to the Vampire in question. This one has been out of my control for a while. He is less docile.
"You're the one that removed my chip." Hostile 17 stated.
"No ... sorry dude... I simply modified it ... like I did to all of your friends here." I said motioning towards the rest of the demon troops.
"What do you want from me mate?" Hostile 17 growled harshly.
"Take it easy there Sparky. You'll do whatever I ask! If it wasn't for me you'd be kissing daylight. Besides...I can always make you do it." I threatened while extending my arm out to him. Hostile 17 doubled over in pain holding his head.
"Ahhhhh ahhhhhhh!" He bellowed and I smiled broadly. A few minutes after his pain had subsided he looked at me evilly.
"So...I take it you were responsible for the cardboard G. I. Joes that were prancing around here a few years ago." He stated.
"My father had The Council ... I had The Initiative. Dad was right after all... my approach was too aggressive. It didn't last very long but it sure as hell packed a punch." I said with a chuckle.
"Yeah ... they did." He said sourly. "So...what are we going to do now?" He finished.
"We, my dear vicious friend, are going to turn to plan B. They don't know who they messed with. I want what is rightfully mine. I want......the World! But first things first ..." I said as I turned to him "You need to find me an Urn of Osiris ... I need to bring my girl back. Then we can start this party."
"Where do I get that?" Hostile 17 asked sarcastically.
"I don't care if you have to go to Egypt yourself. Just get it! I'm going to be a lot stronger next time around." I finished.
To be continued in book two.... "The Chosen Ones"