Willow lay grinning in her lover’s arms. "That was fun," she murmured as she nibbled the sensitive skin behind Buffy’s ear.

"Mmmm… yeah, very fun…"

"Ya know, we could do it again, if you’re up for it?" Like she’s ever NOT up for it…

It was a challenge, and the Slayer was usually more than game for the all night love marathons her hedonistic partner often initiated. "Can I take a rain check?" she asked and tried to shift into a more comfortable position. Her lower back was annoying her; a dull pain radiating into both legs and along her spine. She wasn’t quite sure how she tolerated Willow’s weight on her as long as she had.

The hacker stared down at the prone form. She couldn’t decide between the half dozen emotions swirling within her so she settled for annoyed. "You’re in pain and you didn’t tell me? Buff, I thought we were over that," she sighed, got off both her lover and the bed and started to pace, her arms alternating between hugging herself tightly and flailing. "I know you’re the Slayer. I know you don’t want to worry me. I know you’ll heal fast. Don’t interrupt," she added when Buffy looked like she was going to try to defend her actions. "This, this concern I have for you, about you, it’s not some generic human platitude. I need to know. I’m no longer just a concerned friend, even a concerned best friend. I’m you’re lover, I deserve to know these things. I deserve to make the choice to fuss over you, coddle you, worry about you."

Willow was quickly building up a good head of steam. "When you hurt, I suffer. You can’t stop it. You can’t mitigate it. I love you, dammit!" She turned her back on the stunned Slayer and flopped into the overstuffed chair by the window -staring out into the night. "It’s bad enough never knowing if tonight’s the night you’re not going to come home," she continued in a much quieter, controlled voice. "If tonight’s the night I loose you…"

The room was silent. The wiccan had burned herself out, knees drawn tightly against her chest, the moon casting a pale glow on her fair skin. Buffy was stunned. She continued to recline against the pillows trying to figure out a way to make things right, or at least, less wrong.

Her back had been a little sore when she presented herself to Willow after her nightly patrol, but nothing overly major. She had hurt it worse the past weekend moving boxes of books and demon related stuff at Giles’ place. Being in that position for so long had probably just made her tighten up. The hacker had seemed to be on a personal crusade to thank Buffy for each and every member of Sunnydale’s wellbeing. It had been supremely decadent – her body shuddering through multiple boughts of orgasms.

She wasn’t real sure what to say about her lover’s outburst, but she knew she couldn’t do it from across the room. Willow hadn’t moved from the chair; hadn’t made a sound. Decision made, she rolled off the bed and padded over to her lover. She tucked some hair behind the hacker’s ear and gave her a small smile.

Buffy pushed on Willow’s shoulder and the redhead scooched forward to allow her to crawl in behind. Buffy wrapped her arms protectively around her lover’s middle and rested her chin on her shoulder, right next to her ear.

They stayed like that for awhile, listening to each other’s breathing and the sounds of the night coming in through the opened window. Finally, Buffy spoke. "I’m sorry you felt I wasn’t tellin’ you stuff." She rubbed her fingers in tiny circles on Willow’s stomach. "Yes, I’m sore – I was sore when I got home. Your enthusiastic greeting did wonders for my mood, but was hell on my back. I didn’t think it was that big a deal. I love making love with you, but I really just wanted to hold you and feel you close."

Willow still hadn’t spoken, but her breath grew ragged. She trembled and Buffy felt a tear drip onto her hand. "Hey," she said softly as she turned the hacker to face her. "Will, what’s going on? This seems to be more than just me not telling you about a muscle pull. Why were you so afraid I wouldn’t be back? Tonight was so of the routine. No big, bad evilly thing, just the normal poofy evilly things."

Willow turned in Buffy’s embrace and burrowed herself against the Slayer’s chest, wrapping her arms around her partner and began to sob.

Whoa boy, what happened while I was out? "Hey, it’s okay. Everything’s gonna be all right. I’m here. I’m fine. You’re evidently not fine. It’s gonna be okay. C’mon now." Buffy kept up with a low soothing litany of soft, caring words and phrases until Willow cried herself out.

"There you go," the blonde said, tilting her friend’s face up to look into her eyes. "Better?"

The redhead sniffed and nodded, then pawed at Buffy’s chest. "Look, I got you all wet." She proceeded to wipe at the tears. This was anything but soothing to the recipient.

Buffy enfolded her moving hand and held it over her heart, more to stop the distracting motion than anything else. "It’s okay. I love it when you get me wet," she quipped and kissed her nose. "Wanna tell me what’s up?"

That got a small smile from Willow before she laid her head against the damp skin of the Slayer’s breast and sighed heavily. "Mom called before. They’re not going to make it to our shindig on the 4^th. They have a ‘sudden and pressing engagement’ that they simply must attend…"

Not again… "Mmmm, maybe it’s a conference. Your Mom is a respected psychologist after all." She tried to keep the bite from her words. How can they keep doing this to her?

Willow’s parent’s had cancelled the last three sets of plans they had with their daughter. The hacker had invited them twice out to see the new house and once over to the apartment for dinner. They had readily agreed, then called at the last minute because something ‘pressing’ had developed. It’s not like Dr. Rosenburg works a hotline. How ‘pressing’ could it be?

The redhead snorted. "Yeah, right. Over the 4^th of July? And she just found out about it now? Give me a break."

Buffy hugged her tighter. "I don’t know, Will. I wish I knew what to tell you."

"Yeah, well, three strikes and you’re out. They can make the next move. I’m tired of making all the moves. I am hereby move free." She sniffed again. "Stupid parents."

"Mmmm… maybe they’re wiggy about being around all of us? Especially if your Mom is finally dealing with the whole "burn ‘em at the stake thing." Maybe you could invite them out to dinner. Just the three of you. Less threatening." Buffy was trying to be adult and mature about the entire situation when in actuality she wanted to shake them both and yell at them. Find out why they where hurting their daughter and being so casual about it.

Willow just grunted.

They slipped into a comfortable silence. The Slayer making figure eights on the hacker’s abdomen while said hacker played with the fine, blonde hair on her arm.

The silence lasted so long Buffy had just about dozed off when Willow spoke again.

"Oz called too," she relayed quietly. "The band got work as an opening act…"

"Will, that’s great. Sounds like the break they’ve been waiting for."

"…in Chicago."

Chicago? "When?"

"Two days. They wont have time to stop on the way out."

He wont be around for the 4^th. I shouldn’t feel so good about that. "How long?"

"Few weeks. Maybe more."

"You miss him already," Buffy quietly stated. Her tone wasn’t bitter just neutral and resigned.

It was as if Willow finally realized just what conversation she was having with Buffy. I can so not talk to her about this…

She stiffened and tried to pull away. "Umm, yeah, I guess. No biggie. Gosh, am I tired."

Buffy wasn’t buying it, she just held onto the redhead and wouldn’t let her leave the protection of her embrace. "Nuh uh, it is a big deal, Will. You love him." She swallowed hard after that sentence. You can do this. Having her some of the time is better than none of the time. She needs her best friend – not her other lover right now.

Willow shuddered and covered her face with her hands and started to cry. "I can’t ask you to talk about this. It’s not fair to you," she got out between tears.

The Slayer attempted to blindside her with logic. "So, what you’re telling me is, when you took me as your lover, I lost you as a best friend? Doesn’t seem kosher, even for a non-denominational Christian or non-practicing Jew." She let that sink in for a moment.

"Hey, look at me." She turned the hacker to face her. "I knew you loved him when we started this. I’ve never asked you to give him up on account of me. He was your first and he has a special place in your heart; now and in the future, no matter what your relationship with him is." She wiped the tear stained cheeks with her thumbs.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

Willow took a minute to try to order her thoughts. "I don’t know how to say this without sounding conceded or degrading."

"Just say it. We’ll run it up the flagpole, whatever that means, together."

Willow nodded. "Okay… I know I started this, and I don’t regret it, not in the least, not for one teeny tiny second," she rushed to get out. "But I never asked you how you felt about, well… about sharing me… with Oz. I never really thought about it before, just blissfully living the charmed life and having two people who love me completely."

"I hear a ‘but’."

"But… why? Why don’t you mind, if you love me?" Willow turned back to look at her lover. "I know I have no right to ask you that." She dropped her head to her chest.

Those old insecurities are knocking loudly. The blonde tilted Willow’s face to look into her eyes yet again, then leaned in and kissed her – sweetly, almost chastely. "Honestly, I never really thought too much about it. You’ve never accidentally called me Oz when we’re together. You never say much at all about your private time with him. It’s not like he’s here constantly and I have to witness it. You go away. And you come back. I just don’t dwell on why you go away. I’m not gonna lie. If you said you wanted us to be exclusive, I would do back flips, you know I can and you’d get no argument from me. But…" Her eyes twinkled. "…but, I’m happy just having a part of you love me. It’s more than most Slayers get and knowing what a Slayer’s average life span is, well… I guess it makes it a little easier knowing you’ll have someone who loves you after I’m gone."

The redhead was shaking her head – almost violently. "No… that’s just it. Oz or no Oz, it won’t be easy for me when… when… No! You’re not gonna die! Well, you are, but not soon." Willow was clinging to Buffy and her voice was barely audible. "… not soon… you can’t… you just can’t…"

The hacker was crying again. Buffy didn’t think they’d get anything further worked out that night. She squeezed out from the chair then gently picked up Willow and brought her back over to their bed. She managed to get them both tucked back in; the redhead curled against her side. Willow, emotionally drained, drifted off to sleep. Buffy just lay there – staring at the ceiling.

* * * * * * * *

Mid-morning found them pretty much the same, Buffy on her back and Willow curled into her side. The blonde had managed a few fitful hours of dozing and was presently back to staring at the ceiling. The redhead really hadn’t moved much since they resumed their place in the bed. It was Buffy’s playing with her hair that finally dragged her into the conscious world.

As she opened her eyes, she leaned over and planted a kiss over the Slayer’s heart. Buffy couldn’t help the smile that brightened her features. "Good morning, Wills. How ya feeling?"

"Hrmph… like I’ve been run over by an emotional Mack truck," she answered, running a hand through her hair as she sat up. "Other than that, just dandy. Ready to start another fun-filled day in demon paradise."

"Well, you sound more like the Willow I know and love."

The redhead’s face briefly clouded over. She climbed out of bed and started to head for the bathroom.

"Hey, no festering," Buffy stated as she caught a slender arm, turning Willow back toward her.

The hacker gave a small smile. "I know, we’ll talk. Just, please, not right now." She looked seriously at her lover, then brightened. "We have party planning to do. The party’s a few less, but food and beverages must still be procured. I feel the need to shop."

The mention of shopping had Buffy grinning. "Okay, no serious stuff till later. We’ll put a dent in the gold card and then off to the beach. I’ll pack while you shower or would you prefer company?"

"Decisions… decisions…" The redhead glanced at the clock. "It’s almost ten, knowing us, we better do this separately or it’ll be noon before we get out of here."

Buffy pouted but had to nod her agreement. For some strange reason, it was almost impossible for them to shower together and keep to the business at hand. Basically they had a problem keeping their hands to themselves, although neither considered it a problem while it was going on.

"Don’t frown, it’s not of the bad, we just really should get going," Willow yelled back as she passed through the doorway.

Buffy ‘hurmphed’ then started tossing a couple of changes of clothes for both of them into a duffel. Rummaging through their communal underwear drawer, she was surprised at the lack of selection for herself as they has just done laundry. Another casualty of the slaying…

* * * * * * *

"Okie dokey now, the party platters are chillin’ in the fridge. Festive plates, napkins and other assorted paper products have been procured. Hot tub has been filled and chemicaled. Buff, can you think of anything else?" Willow yelled into the house from lounger she occupied on the deck as she placed neat little check marks next to items on her list.

"No. You have thought of everything. Plus a couple of somethings that probably weren’t really needed. Wills, the party is going to be a raving success. Mom’s even bringing Giles in the Jeep so he has not one excuse to pull a Houdini on us." The blonde handed over an iced diet coke and took a seat on the end of the lounger.

The hacker took a final glance at her list before capping the pen and tossing both onto the table. "You’re right. The party will be the bee’s knees." When Buffy looked at her strangely, she added, "I have no idea what that means. It’s a saying my grandmother used to use."

They lapsed into a silence that wasn’t all together comfortable. They both knew there were unresolved issues between them but neither were sure how to bring up the subject.

Buffy stood and moved over to the deck rail and looked out over the water. By unstated agreement, the position seemed to signal a desire to talk, even if the subject was less than pleasant. Willow took the invitation and joined the blonde at the railing. The pair just stared at the horizon before the Slayer finally got up the nerve to start. Early that morning, she thought she finally understood her lover’s discontent. It was time to see if she figured right.

"I can’t promise I won’t die on you," the Slayer began quietly. "As much as I want to make it, you know I can’t." Please, let me be right. Not that I have a clue what to do if I’m right.

Willow sucked in a shuddering breath and lowered her head as the tears began to fall. Buffy surrounded her with her arms. Bingo.

"I seem to be making this too much of a habit lately," the redhead choked through the sobs as she wiped at her eyes.

It got a crooked smile out of the blonde. "But what I can promise you, is that I won’t just leave you. Until you tell me differently, you’re stuck with me. The only way I plan on ending this relationship is when I stop breathing. And these days I have an awful lot of incentive to keep on with the breathing."

"How do you know me so well?" Willow asked ruefully.

"Lack of sleep," Buffy deadpanned. "I spent most of the early morning hours trying to figure out what happened. Look, I don’t take quite so many stupid risks anymore, Will. That’s because of you; of us. I’m the Slayer and fighting is what I was born to do. It’s part of who and what I am. And I plan on being around for a long time; ‘cause every night I come back alive is one more day I get to love you. Besides, as a super special added bonus, it’ll piss off Quentin to no end."

Willow giggled at the last statement as she squeezed Buffy tight, burying her face into her girlfriend’s warm neck. That’s gotta be the sweetest, most mushy thing she’s ever said to me, but I can’t handle any more heavy, deep and reals this afternoon.

As if reading her mind, Buffy added, "We don’t have to get into the rest of it now. Know you can with me. I want to be here for you, Will. Don’t cut me off."

Willow straightened and nodded. "You’ll be the first to know. Thank you for not pushing."

The Slayer kissed her quickly on the lips as she stepped out of the hug. "Your call. I won’t force you to talk." Yet. Time for a mood shift. She wandered over to the hot tub and pulled off the cover, then leaned over to turn on the jets. "Although, I may force you to share this really cool, hot pool type thing…"

Willow leaned back against the rail as she watched the blonde grab a beer bottle from the ice chest and deposit it near the tub before rounding up a couple of plush towels and setting them close by. Her eyes got round as Buffy kicked off her sneakers and stripped off her shirt. As she flung it towards the lounger she unzipped her shorts. Willow cleared her throat. "Ummm, Buffy? What are you doing?"

"Stripping."

"I can, ahh, see that."

"So where’s the confusion?" The bra got tossed on top of the shirt, followed by the underwear. The Slayer stood naked by the side of the tub. "So, are you just gonna stare or are you gonna join me? Not that I mind you staring."

"It’s the middle of the day!"

Buffy looked at the sun. "Yup."

"You’re all naked in the middle of the day!" Gloriously naked!!

The blonde looked at herself, at the sun and back at herself and nodded. "Yup."

She then vaulted over the side and settled into the chest deep water. She leaned back and closed her eyes enjoying the feel of the jets pounding on her back. She moaned and wiggled until they hit just the right spots. Finally she opened her eyes to see her lover still standing stock still against the rail. "What’s the difficulty?"

"You’re all naked in the middle of the day!"

"We’ve covered… or uncovered, that – as the case may be. Will, you have both male and female lovers, you don’t get all wiggy over anal sex, you made love to me on the beach at high noon. What’s with the big wig?"

"Closed doors, closed doors and we weren’t naked. I don’t know if I can do naked in sunlight. Outside sunlight, not window sunlight. What if someone stops by? What if it’s Xander and Cordy? What if it’s your mom and Giles? What if we get sunburn is really sensitive areas?" As Willow babbled on, Buffy went kinda bug eyed at the litany.

"Oooo-kay…" the blonde rose out of the tub and grabbed a towel wrapping it around herself.

"What are you doing?" her partner inquired, sounding a little upset her view was now covered.

"I was gonna go find a suit."

"Oh." Willow sounded truly disappointed.

"You don’t want me to find a suit? Do you want me naked or not? I’d like to buy a clue…"

"I always want you naked…" the redhead mumbled with a look of such consternation plastered across her face, those who didn’t know her well would have sworn she was trying to work out the proof to Newton’s Second Law of Thermal Dynamics in her head. She pondered a bit longer then shrugged and began removing her clothing. "No suits. New can be exciting."

It was the Slayer’s turn to shrug. She dropped the towel and jumped back into the soothing waters. "Works for me."

Willow climbed in after her. "Just promise me you’ll kill me quickly if your mom shows up a day early." She glided over and attached herself to Buffy’s side and let out a sigh of contentment.

The blonde kissed her forehead and wrapped an arm firmly around the redhead. "I can do that."

* * * * * *

After a long leisurely soak and a medium rare steak, the pair retired to cuddle on the couch in search of some entertainment. Buffy was beginning to think Giles was correct; the TV was an idiot box. You’d have to be an idiot to think it was worth a damn. Being the middle of summer, everything was either in re-run or wasn’t worth much to begin with.

With an aggravated growl, Buffy chucked the remote onto a distant chair. "Ugggh, next time we go shopping, I’m buy the contents of Blockbuster. Maybe then we’d have something to watch."

Willow twisted between her lover’s legs, pulled open the top few buttons of Buffy’s shirt and chuckled into her chest before planting light kisses down her sternum. "I can think of better things to do than watch TV…"

It was Buffy’s turn to chuckle. "You can, can you?" She tightened her hold on the redhead.

"Ummm, I can." The wiccan nuzzled the soft skin beneath her lips.

Buffy allowed the delicate sensation of Willow’s mouth and tongue on her skin to sooth her normally restless nature before bringing that mouth to her own. The kisses they shared were tantalizing but light. There was no rush to elevate their activity. They seemed perfectly content to trade gentle attacks. Willow would explore the recesses of the blonde’s mouth like it was the first time she had ever been granted admission, to be followed by Buffy tenderly sucking on the redhead’s lower lip. Back and forth, the pair shared themselves, relishing the mutual affection.

They pulled away from each other after countless minutes. Willow looked deep into Buffy’s eyes while stroking her cheek. "Thank you for being so understanding."

"That’s me, understanding girl," she quipped as she nibbled along the palm and wrist of the hand near her face. "Just remember that’s the way I want to be when I fly off the handle at something criminally stupid and insignificant." The Slayer resettled her friend against her chest, hugging her tight and kissing her behind a convenient ear.

Willow nodded. "I like this," she murmured, playing with fingers around her middle. She liked Buffy’s hands, so strong one minute, so gentle the next. A lot like their owner. The Slayer could tear a door of its hinges or the head off a demon, but when those same hands loved her… their inherent strength was muted.

Buffy worked the hand not being thoroughly examined under her partner’s thin shirt. She rubbed the warm expanse of skin for awhile before changing directions and worming her way under the waistband of Willow’s cotton shorts. She drifted lower until her fingertips found the wiry patch of hair. She alternated between playing with the strands that reached up towards the redhead’s navel and combing through the densest part of the triangle.

As Buffy played with her mound, Willow lost all interest in the hand she was holding. When she released it, the blonde used it to massage a breast, kneading the globe before concentrating on the nipple. She squeezed the peak, just enough to let her partner know she was there then began slowly running the pads of her fingers over the tip.

Her lower hand explored the crease between the hacker’s thigh and body. Willow shifted slightly, just enough to let a leg fall open. Buffy smiled into the neck she was nibbling, but her hand trailed over an inner thigh rather than take the offering presented to her.

She continued to stroke the thigh as her mouth closed over an ear lobe and applied a gentle pressure before sucking at it greedily. Finally, Buffy ran her fingers over her lover’s labia. She found a dampness there but not the wellspring usually present if they were going at it in earnest. If it wasn’t for the slight tickling sensation the redhead’s fingers were providing as they danced over her legs, Buffy would have thought her friend asleep.

Willow’s head was thrown back and to the side to grant unlimited access to Buffy’s questing lips. Willow’s eyes were closed, but a small smile graced her lips. Her breathing was almost normal, certainly not labored or erratic.

They had never made love in quite this way before. It wasn’t painfully slow – chances were that Willow would just drift off to sleep if Buffy switched her strokes from minorly arousing to down right relaxing. Yet both women were enjoying the physical and emotional closeness the touching and sharing were allowing them.

Not being tired herself, Buffy continued the gentle assault. She mouthed the neck in front of her and caressed the breast under her hand. Further south, she finally dipped two fingers between Willow’s outer lips to rub the length of her crease. She avoided stimulating her clitoris directly, not wanting to rouse her lover out of the sensual haze she seemed to be in.

Buffy’s mind drifted, not consciously paying attention to what her hands or mouth were doing. They fondled and stroked and licked with no pressing target in mind. And for a change, her head wasn’t dwelling on her destiny or the difficulties that were most likely going to arise if their relationship ever was revealed. All she thought about was how wonderful it felt to have Willow in her arms; her body yielding, responding to her touch, how she would be perfectly content to stay like this forever – longer if they’d let her.

With no real thought, she knew when it was time to advance her touch again. She slid a single finger into her lover. Willow’s only response was to release a breathy sigh. Buffy massaged her inner depths with the same thoroughness as her outer skin. She came to the conclusion she never really paid enough attention to what Willow felt like – inside. She took her time exploring the engorged walls, learning their texture, their depth, delighting in the feel of them spasming around her finger. She could feel the orgasm building as her finger was gripped and released in a quickening pace.

Buffy concentrated on the patch of nerves high on the top of the channel. The strokes did not increase in intensity or speed and after an amazing eternity, the walls clamped tight and held her still. Willow moaned, rolled onto her side and kissed the underside of the blonde’s chin.

Willow drifted off into a contented sleep. Buffy, her hand trapped between her lover’s thighs, tried to wrap her mind around what exactly happened. Deciding that if Willow was happy and satisfied, that was all that really mattered, she rested for a bit before rising from the couch with the redhead securely in her arms and retreated up to their bedroom.

* * * * * *

Willow awoke to find the sun shining directly into her face. Not right… Usually, Buffy’s body blocked the vast majority of the direct light. An outstretched arm quickly verified that her partner’s side of the bed was very empty and rather cold. She’s been up for awhile. Probably out running. With the immediate question to Buffy’s lack of presence answered, Willow rolled away from the window and decided another hour was definitely in order.

The redhead had been correct. Buffy was out on the beach at half past seven and ran six miles before cooling down with a routine Giles had helped her develop to practice some of her fighting moves even when she didn’t have all her training equipment available.

The house was still silent when she returned from the beach. Man, we even got to bed early last night. Poor kid musta been spent. As she went through a mental checklist of things that needed to be done before their guests arrived, Buffy set the coffee to drip. It had taken three pots of sludge and two of colored water before Willow’s lessons took hold. She pulled a bowl of fresh fruit from the fridge and wandered back onto the deck.

The Slayer absentmindedly ate as she tried to talk herself into acting like Willow’s best friend and not her lover. Her nose twitched as the sent of freshly brewed coffee drifted outside from the open sliders. Next stop, caffeinated heaven!

As she fixed a mug for herself, she did one up for Willow as well. Any die hard coffee fanatic would cringe the way the pair drank theirs. Warm milk and Autocrat with an extra tablespoon of sugar would have achieved about the same results. They made Dunkin’ Donuts’ Lite and Sweet seem strong by comparison.

Buffy climbed the stairs to their bedroom, placed the mugs on the night stand and sat on the edge of the bed watching the redhead’s face. It was relaxed and by the slight up turn of her lips, Buffy figured the dream was a pleasant one. Wanting and not wanting to wake up her lover, Buffy settled for running the backs of her fingers over the upturned cheek.

It didn’t take long for Willow to stir. "Mmmm, morning. Have a nice run?"

"Yup, all exercised," she confirmed, smoothing back a lock of hair before stilling her appendage and placing it on the pillow. After a moment she reached over and produced the coffee mug. "I come bearing gifts in the form of coffee."

Willow pushed herself up against the headboard and accepted the mug, bringing it to her face and inhaling the sent before taking a tentative sip. "Hey! This is good!"

Buffy acted outraged. "Like I make bad brew? Yea of little faith."

They both took another sip.

"Will, have you given any thought to the weirdness factor that today is gonna bring?"

"Weirdness? What weirdness? Why weirdness?"

Buffy got up off the bed and walked over to the sliders. "While I was waiting for the coffee to become coffee, I had to remind myself not to get too close to you once the others get here." She turned back towards the bed. "It’s getting harder and harder to just act as friends when we’re not alone."

"So… you want to tell them?"

"Yes. No. I don’t know," the Slayer stammered as she sat on the edge of the bed and cradled her head in her hands. "We barely understand what’s happening with us. Even if they accept us, there are questions we can’t answer."

Willow put her mug on the nightstand then wrapped her arms around her lover, lying her head on her shoulder. "Oz, I know," she nibbled an ear lobe. "I know I need to make a decision."

Buffy turned in the arms surrounding her. "No, I’m not pushing you for that. I told you, I don’t need exclusive and I mean it." She kissed a nose. "But our friends might not be so understanding of so open a relationship. I don’t want them coming down on you for that." She kissed lips for good measure.

After several moments of mutual exploration, the hacker pulled away. "And I meant what I started to say the other night. I was upset with my parents and with Oz, but the thought of you hurt was my undoing. As long as you’re okay, I’m okay. I’m thinking that tells me all I need to know."

Buffy didn’t want Willow making a snap decision based on fear. "Look, he’s gonna be away for awhile. Why don’t we table this until you have a chance to really think about it and maybe talk to him about his role in your life. I want you to be absolutely sure before you make any life altering decisions."

"You’re sounding all like the responsible adult. I am so lucky to have you looking out for me. In every possible way." Willow leaned in and the next kiss was nowhere near light and everywhere past intense. She tried to convey all her feelings with that one kiss. When they finally broke, both were breathless.

"So… what about today? How do you wanna play it?" Buffy asked.

"Mmmm… no overly fawning behavior, no volunteering of information but no denying it either if flat out asked. How’s that?"

"Workable. Now, go shower. We have company arriving in a couple of hours," the blonde reminded as she walked to the door.

The redhead made her way to the bathroom. "You’re not gonna join me," she pouted.

"I’m already clean and dry. Plus, I’m gonna double check the guest rooms for towel placement."

"I could change that," Willow said tartly.

Oh, God. Be strong. "Oooo, nope. No bath time fun for Buffy. I’m going." She ran from the bedroom to the sound of a chuckling hacker.

* * * * * * *

Buffy took her head out of the refrigerator at the ringing of the doorbell. "It’s open!" she yelled, grabbing then juggling a twelve-pack of beer and a couple bottles of wine.

Joyce opened the door and stuck her head in. "Honey, it’s just us," she responded before stepping into the entryway to be followed by a rather uncomfortable looking Watcher.

"Out back, Mom!" the Slayer called as she deposited her booty into a cooler full of ice.

Mother and daughter met in the kitchen and hugged. Buffy looked over her mother’s shoulder and stared in shock. "Giles, you look almost comfortable. Is that allowed?" The Watcher was in a pair of khakis, a soft light blue henley tucked into the waistband and cinched with a braided cordovan belt. The ensemble was completed with a pair of dockers the same color as his belt.

As expected, his response was preceded by the removal of his glasses and a quick cleaning with the hanky whipped from his back pocket. "Yes, well, um… Joyce seemed to think this would be more appropriate than the, um, outfit I had originally chosen."

"Way to make with the fashion make-over, Mom." Buffy was dually impressed that anyone was able to get her Watcher looking less uptight. "Giles, if you have semi-cool stuff like this, why do you insist on all those stuffy old jackets and tweed?"

Joyce saved Giles from painfully stumbling through an answer. "Actually, honey, these are new additions to Rupert’s wardrobe. We stopped at the Galleria on the way out here," she explained, offering her daughter a large Tupperware container. "Dessert."

"Ooooo," the blonde cooed, setting the container on the counter and peaking inside. "Brownies, rice crispy squares and chocolate chip cookies? Okay, Mom, dish. Whatever you need to tell me can’t require this much sugary goodness."

"There’s nothing to tell. I just remember Xander’s ability to put away the sweets," Joyce stated as she took in the open floor plan of the house.

"Ahh, here, let me give you guys the nickel tour." Buffy snagged a treat before closing and burping the lid. "Mom, I’m going to put you in the first room on the left. Giles, you take the second." She opened the first door and showed her mother the guestroom.

"Oh, Buffy, it’s beautiful. Did the house come decorated this way or did you and Willow do it?" Joyce dropped her overnight bag on the trunk at the foot of the bed.

"Willow used a design firm out of Boston when she was out there. We’ve added some nick-knacks here and there but mostly it was Willow and a designer. Oh, and that door opens onto the side porch and through here is the bathroom. Giles, you room is on the other side." Buffy led the adults through the bathroom into the next bedroom.

Giles was impressed with the more masculine feel of the room he was shown. Unlike Joyce’s room of cream with pale pink and seafoam green accents, his room tended towards burgundy and forest green. The dark wood was also in contrast to the whitewashed pine of the first bedroom.

"There’s a matching pair of rooms across the living room, only difference is the

coloring; one’s done in dark blues, the other in light. Come on and you can take a peek before Xander and Cordy get here." Buffy led the way with Giles and Joyce dutifully following.

"I must say, Willow has an eye for decorating. This whole house is very welcoming," the Watcher offered.

"I like it," Buffy responded, her tone depreciating. "Come upstairs and we’ll complete our tour in the master suite." Buffy started climbing up to the loft she shared with Willow. "Will?! You decent? I have mom and that funny old man that keeps hanging around."

"Yeah, come on up. I’m just trying to clear out my inbox before the festivities start."

The Slayer arrived on the landing and stepped to the side to let the others take in the upper sanctuary. The stairs terminated on the left of the back wall. The entire upper floor was open with the exception of the ensuite which notched a square in the right rear of the room, its door facing the stairs. A large four poster bed was canted towards the center of the room in the nook between the ensuite wall and the right side of the house. On the front wall, a set of glass french-styled door led out onto an upper deck; a panoramic view of the Pacific ocean beyond. The balance of the front wall was floor to ceiling windows. The left side of the room held a seating group towards the rear in front of the landing, followed by two desks facing each other closer to the front windows.

In an oversized desk chair facing the windows, Willow sat curled up with her laptop resting on her knees. Her fingers were busy moving over the keyboard, her attention solely directed on the response she was composing.

Buffy realized Willow was so involved with whatever she was doing she had no idea the group had made their way into the space they shared. The Slayer stuck her head around the corner of the chair. "Hey, we have company," she said in a low voice. "Care to put down the work and join the fun?" The blonde continued to stare until her better half finally looked up and shut down her computer.

Willow turned and stuck out her tongue. Remembering they weren’t alone, Buffy just stopped herself from answering that challenge in her usual manner figuring she’d blow their secret by sucking the inviting appendage into her mouth.

With one last longing look at the redhead, Buffy shook her head to clear the sexual fog she allowed herself to slip into. God, it’s gonna be a long day. "So, great view, huh?" As she spoke she joined her mom and Giles out on the upper deck.

"Spectacular, actually. I can see why you two desire to spend so much time out here." Giles seemed to visibly relax in the short period since his arrival.

Buffy stood at the rail with the two older adults. Willow followed moments later and seeing the Slayer by the rail moved to slip her arms around her waist. At the last instant she caught Joyce turning to watch her and she veered to the left and stood to the side. And I thought Buffy was bad.

"Willow, this is a wonderful house in an amazing location," Joyce started. "Thank you for having us out here."

The hacker quickly flushed a delightful shade of pink. Well, Buffy found it delightful anyway. "You’re family Mrs. Summers. You’re always welcome here. You too, Giles."

The quartet re-entered the loft talking about what the rest of the day was going to hold. As Joyce passed the desks she noticed a series of drawings pinned to the wall. Closer inspection revealed a loose story of what appeared to be her daughter’s life. "Buffy, what are these?"

The Slayer joined her Mom looking at her drawings. "Ahh, I guess you want an explanation."

"Did you do these, Buffy?" Joyce asked running a gentle finger across one of the drawings. "How is it that I run an art gallery and have no idea that my daughter can draw?" She wrapped her daughter in a tight hug.

"Yes she did. Aren’t they great?" Willow beamed as she watched Giles take a long look at all the panels before taking off his glasses and giving the lenses a good rubbing with his shirt.

"This is quite the over simplification of your sacred birthright, Buffy. I am not sure of the wisdom of publishing your calling for the masses." The Watcher had his patented British scowl plastered across his features.

"Geez, Giles, channeling the Council much?" Buffy quipped. "And I really don’t think a bunch of six year olds are gonna deconstruct Slayer history."

"Giles, be happy for her. She has a creative outlet that doesn’t involve killing things." Willow moved behind Buffy and embraced her shoulders. "And it’s a good thing. Okay, the creatures are similar but the goal is for each story to have a moral that is presented so both the kids and their parents get it. Cool morals, like the importance of friends, and, and talking if you’re upset… And you should support her." The redhead wound down as Buffy squeezed her forearms.

"Rupert, I think we should see the final product before offering any opinion." Joyce looked proudly at her daughter.

"Look, if you’re really so extra wigged about this, we can talk about it – after our fun holiday party," Buffy offered. I can do the adult talking thing. Doesn’t mean I’ll change my mind. "Let’s get this shindig started. Xander and Cordelia should be here soon."

Willow and Buffy skipped down the stairs. Joyce followed at a more reserved pace and Giles was his typical self. If it was possible to descend stairs uptight and stiffly, that was how the Watcher descended.

*********

Platters, bowls and baskets of finger food were gathered from the kitchen and set on various surfaces around the back deck. Cordelia and Xander arrived fashionably late, in time for the second round of drinks. The six fell into comfortable conversation, mostly able to ignore, if not forget, the reason they initially became involved with each other.

In the middle of the afternoon, the group headed to the beach for a swim and some touch football. Giles and Joyce begged off from the football game when touch quickly turned into tackle. Cordy wasn’t half bad once Willow promised a day at The Spa complete with manicure and pedicure. She even surprised herself by bring Buffy down once. She managed that feat as the Slayer was distracted by the sight of Willow giving her a look usually reserved for their most private moments.

As the afternoon blended into early evening, the friends returned to the house. It was decided that everyone could use a shower to remove the salt and sand before dinner preparations were undertaken.

As Buffy and Willow loaded some stray plates into the dishwasher, Joyce was already in the bathroom rinsing the beach from her skin. Giles has retired to his bedroom to escape the revelry for a short while. Cordy occupied the other shower. Xander sat flipping through channels knowing his girlfriend was going to be awhile.

Buffy leaned over Willow’s back as she was adding soap to the machine. "I’ll finish up here. Head upstairs and I’ll expect you naked, in the shower, waiting for me, when I get up there." She ran her hand down the hacker’s bare back before squeezing her right cheek.

Between the words and the moist breath on her neck, the redhead reacted with a full body shiver and an instant hot flush. She can’t be proposing what I hope she’s proposing. With Xander sitting in our living room. And, and Joyce and Giles here too. She closed and latched the dishwasher door before turning to face her tormenter. She looked wide eyed at her lover, aroused yet a little afraid.

After a quick check to make sure Xander was concentrating on the tube, Buffy cupped her girlfriend’s chin and planted a heated kiss on her lips. "New can be exciting," she reminded before giving her best confident face.

Willow finally closed her eyes and seemed to come to a decision. "Finish quickly or I just might have to start without you." Turning on her heel, she was gone; heading towards their bedroom. With that last phrase, the blonde’s mind skittered to scenarios that would take much longer than the short time they had to quench their thirsts.

"Xander, you need anything before I head upstairs?"

"If you’re playing wench, I’ll take another beer."

Buffy grabbed a bottle from the fridge and flipped off the top with her thumb. Slayer strength and stupid party tricks. Have to remember not to do that in front of Giles. Improper use of my calling, no doubt. "Here you are. More’s in the fridge should you desire to indulge."

"Thanks, Buffster. You make a mighty fine beer wench"

"You are so lucky I’m in a good mood." And have a wet redhead waiting for me…

Xander barely registered the comment, already reabsorbed flipping between a baseball game and a Xena marathon.

***************

Willow heard the bathroom door open, but ignored her partner as the blonde stripped out of the shorts and bikini, instead concentrating on lathering her hair. Before another minute could pass, the shower door opened allowing the Slayer entrance into the steamy enclosure.

"Mmmmm, hot and wet, just like I like you." Buffy molded herself to her girlfriend’s back, slipping her arms around her waist and kissing a soapy neck and shoulders. "We don’t have a ton of time to play, but you have been driving me nuts all afternoon. I need to have you." Her hands moved up and down the body she was hugging, stopping to fondle a breast or squeeze a thigh before changing position and touching somewhere else.

Willow leaned back, never able to get enough of the hands caressing her. "So have me, I’m not about to argue, ‘cause that would be stupid and everyone knows I’m not stupid. Oooo, yesss, right there."

Buffy was keeping Willow vertical with an arm about her waist. Her right hand was busy between the hacker’s legs. She stroked the length of the cleft for long moments before settling on making small circles over Willow’s engorged clit.

The direct stimulation caused the redhead’s hips to take on a life of their own rotating in a traditional rhythm. "Oh, Buffy… I’m so close." The words escaped her lips in a breathy sigh.

The water cascaded over the two flushed bodies, the tingling of the droplets adding to the pair’s over sensitized skin. Buffy kept up her tempo against Willow’s clitoris driving her partner to orgasm. Willow came with an almost silent gasp, gripping the arm around her waist. Turning in the arms that held her, Willow attacked the lips in front of her; nipping at them before plundering the mouth with her tongue.

"Mmmm… thank you. That was just what I needed."

"You are most welcome," the blonde responded guiding Willow backward under the spray and rinsing the shampoo from her hair. "I needed that too. So badly. God, I couldn’t even make it through one day without you when you’re near."

Willow just stood under the spray relishing the feel of her partner’s fingers scratching over her scalp. Realizing they didn’t have their normal unlimited time for their coupling, Willow moved to take Buffy back into her arms planning to kiss her senseless. One kiss then down to business.

The Slayer surrendered herself to the insistent oral ministrations of her lover, enjoying the onslaught as Willow controlled the kiss. When breathing finally became necessary, Buffy untangled herself from Willow until just her hands rested on the redhead’s shoulders. "This has been nice, but if you’re done in here, go get dressed and let me wash my hair so we can get back to our guests."

Willow’s face fell. "Don’t you want me to make love to you?"

Buffy smoothed some hair away from Willow’s face. "Now that’s just crazy talk." She leaned in for a kiss. "I always crave your touch." Another peck. "But we have guests and once you start, you don’t like to finish. We really don’t have time. Come on, go get dressed and let me finish up."

Willow slipped her fingers through Buffy’s labia and showed the results. "Are you gonna be okay for the rest of the evening, hmm?"

Buffy leaned in and sucked the two digits into her mouth. When she was done cleaning her excitement from the fingers, she kissed Willow, sharing her flavor. "I’ll be fine once you stop teasing me. Until later anyway when I expect to collect on your debt. Now, please, go check on the others before Xander comes up here and we feed his fantasies for a year. Please?"

Like I can deny her when she begs? "Later? Oooo, I like later. I’m gonna pay you back with interest."

**********

The mouthwatering aroma of grilling meat, fish and vegetables wafted across the rear deck. The wonderful smells came from an enormous stainless steel gas grill. In front of said grill with a pair of long-handled tongs in hand, stood Xander, complete with apron that read ‘kiss the cook’. Surprisingly, all the women present had done just that.

Xander was filling Willow in on the happenings on the latest job site as she sat on a bar stool commandeered from the kitchen island. Willow was enjoying the sun, her glass of wine and Xander’s animated speech. He’s finally found his niche. She glanced around the deck to make sure everyone was having a good time, her eyes lingering on Buffy just a tad longer than anyone else.

Joyce and Cordelia were in a quiet conversation stretched out on two of the reclining loungers. Giles and Buffy sat on opposite sides of the picnic table chatting about something probably slayer related. Like Willow, Buffy’s gaze settled on her lover more often than not during breaks in her conversation.

When Xander announced ten minutes to meal-time, Cordelia joined Buffy in bringing the remainder of the dinner items out onto the deck. Places where set and another bottle of wine opened. In short order, Xander arrived with a heaping plate of meat and fish while Willow added a platter of grilled vegetables to their feast.

Joyce and Giles sat across from each other at the far end of the table. Xander and Cordelia joined Joyce while Buffy plopped down next to her Watcher and Willow took up residence on the end. Platters were passed, the conversation lively as events from the afternoon were recalled and embellished.

"Look, all I’m saying is you got lucky," Buffy reiterated for the third time, pointing her fork at Cordelia. "If I had been actually paying attention, you would have never dropped me."

"Fine, it was luck," Cordelia countered. "I just hope you don’t go into those hazes on patrol. What were you finding so interesting anyway?"

As Buffy opened her mouth to reply, Willow kicked her under the table to reminder her winning this argument was going to come out as a loss in the long run.

"I’m sure it was just something down the end of the beach drew her attention for a moment. Right, Buff?" Willow supplied.

"Yeah, right, end of the beach," the blonde agreed, hating to loose any argument with Cordelia.

Joyce steered the discussion to the food and beverage selections, hoping to defuse the situation. The banter returned to a more sedate level with Xander and Giles having a debate over grilling techniques. Uninterested in the current topic of conversation, Buffy, Willow and Cordelia started gossiping about the latest sales at the Galleria.

Comfortable with the light chatting, both Buffy and Willow relaxed their guard, forgetting they had an audience.

The first time it happened Joyce wasn’t sure she was seeing properly. But the third time Willow helped herself from her daughter’s plate, she filed the action away for later investigation.

**********

A cascade of small golden sparkles bloomed outward before slowly making their descent earthbound. The gold blast was followed by multiple red bursts before a blue canopy filled the night’s sky. Muted rumblings could be heard in the distance preceding each explosion.

Giles had lugged a pair of low slung beach chairs from the house for Joyce and himself. Xander and Cordy shared a corner of the blanket in front of them. Willow planted herself on one side of the blanket and sat with her knees drawn up to her chest, arms holding her shins, her cheek resting on her knees. I can’t even look at her. If I look at her, I’ll just crawl into her lap.

To Joyce it seemed Willow spent more time staring into the darkness than watching the firework display overhead. Her daughter didn’t seem to be faring much better. Buffy had staked out a section of blanket as far from Willow as she could get and still be part of the group.

The Slayer was having a difficult time sitting still. She had started off on her stomach, legs bent, feet kicking idly. Another hour. These damn fireworks can’t last more than an hour, can they? That had last for less than five minutes before she flipped herself onto her back, legs stretched out, elbows resting on the sand. It’ll be time for bed when they’re over, right? It’s been a long day. Everyone will be tired. Going off to bed wont seem forced. Soon, that position changed into her sitting indian-style, picking at random fuzz-balls stuck on the blanket. Get it together, Summers. Crawling into her lap just isn’t possible, suck it up.

A light breeze picked up off the water. Willow shivered as the cooler air brushed over her bare arms and legs. Buffy didn’t so much notice the temperature as an unending need to be doing something, anything to get her mind off the redhead she couldn’t hold.

"Buffy," Joyce called. "I only grabbed one extra blanket. Maybe you wouldn’t mind sharing with Willow?"

"Thanks mom, and we can be all with the sharing." Buffy accepted the throw her mother held out. As she crossed towards Willow, she draped one end over her shoulders and sat beside her friend, holding the other end out. Willow grabbed her end and brought it around her shoulders. They sat side by side, as two friends would, and enjoyed the show. Better.

It did not go unnoticed that Willow’s eyes never left the sky during the remainder of the fireworks, or that Buffy sat calmly at her side, her restlessness seemingly dispelled.

**********

"Always nice to see things going ‘boom’ that we haven’t caused," Xander quipped. "I would say the 4^th has been a smashing success. Here’s to our lovely hostesses with the most-est-es." He helped his girlfriend to her feet.

The rest of the group also stood and began collecting the blankets and chairs for the walk back up to the house.

"It would take less than nothing to get entirely too used to this place. Willow, you sure know your beach-front property." Cordelia looped her arm through Xander’s.

"Thank you both and you’re welcome to indulge in rampant beach-bumming anytime," Willow offered.

Xander and Cordy were making good headway back to the house before the rest of the group turned to follow.

"Hey Will?" Buffy asked halting her forward progress. "Wanna join me for a stroll before we call it a night?"

"Sure, Buff."

"Giles, Mom, we’ll be back in a bit. A night without patrol and I seem to have energy to spare. We’re gonna take a walk."

Giles relieved Buffy of the blanket she was carrying. "Did you train this morning before we arrived?"

"Yup. Six miles on the beach and then your routine."

"Then I suppose I need to come up with something more taxing. Maybe we should move some equipment out here, to allow you to work out properly," Giles suggested.

Buffy just nodded her agreement figuring neither her mother nor her Watcher needed to know that excess energy wasn’t typically an issue if she could participate in her normal aerobics with Willow.

"In case we decide to turn in before you get back, we’ll see you girls in the morning," Joyce informed them.

**********

The pair walked until the lights from the house were barely visible before linking hands. They continued to follow the curve of the coastline enjoying each other’s company away from the eyes of their friends and family.

"So, how do you think today went," Buffy finally asked her lover.

"I almost blew it as soon as they arrived. I came so close to hugging you when you, your mom and Giles were on the upper deck. I just saw you at the railing and simply moved to wrap myself around you. It was such an automatic response. If your mom hadn’t turned towards me when she did, her next sight would have been me kissing your neck. Other than that and Cordelia laying you out flat, I guess we didn’t do too badly."

"I was about to crawl out of my skin before mom suggested we share that blanket during the fireworks display. Would I mind sharing?" Buffy turned them around and began the trek back to the house. "But did anyone notice anything and will they call us on it if they did?"

"I think we’re pretty safe. Xander and Cordy were too busy with themselves to pay too much attention to us. Giles would rather stick hot pokers in his eyes before getting involved with any of our personal lives. That leaves your mom. She’s been blissfully ignorant gal in the past, has she been any more attuned since she found out?"

Buffy just grunted noncommittally. "She notices the bruises. The quantity of homemade cookies does seem to be related to the severity of my injuries. And she no longer even asks about the damage that is my post-slaying wardrobe. It’s been a lot easier getting her to cough up the cash to buy replacements. Plus she did actually point out a newbie to me on the drive home one night. So, maybe a clue has been caught."

The walking and talking had brought them back in front of the house. Most of the house was dark, but a small table lamp could be seen through the sliders.

"I’m not ready to go in yet. Sit with me?" Willow plopped down in the sand facing the water and pulled Buffy snugly between her legs. She held the Slayer tight against her body, the blonde melting readily into her embrace. "I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of holding you."

"Good, ‘cause I can’t imagine ever getting tired of being held. Ah, man. We sound like a lesbian Hallmark card."

The conversation petered out leaving the pair watching the waves caress the shore with an easy rhythm. Not even Buffy’s Slayer Sense alerted them to the two pairs of eyes that watched them from the deck.

"Rupert? Do all young people sit like that these days? Have I missed some major societal shift?"

"Well… um… That is to say…"

"Is whatever’s going on between Willow and my daughter related to the slaying?"

"I… um…"

Joyce continued through his stammering unfettered. "Did you notice them watching each other all afternoon? And on the beach tonight; Buffy couldn’t sit still and Willow looked like she lost her last friend – until they sat together. And now. Look at them Rupert. If Buffy hadn’t always dated boys, I would swear they are a couple."

"Would it really be so horrible if that’s true?" He turned to face her, honestly wanting to know her response; trying to gauge how much damage control he was going to be forced to do.

"They are together then?"

"Joyce, I have no absolute knowledge of that fact; either to confirm it or refute it. But I have suspected that their relationship has changed since Willow returned to Sunnydale."

"Why? What would make you think such a thing?"

He took a deep breath not relishing the thought of going into Slayer Sexuality in general or Buffy’s in specific. "Mostly Buffy’s fighting style." Giles turned back towards the water, leaning against the railing. "She no longer plays with them, the newly risen, especially. She used to toy with them. Spar with them both verbally as well as physically before dispatching them. Since Willow’s return, she stakes them at the first opportunity. She has practiced more diligently, getting considerably stronger and faster. I can not place the last broken bone she suffered, something that was a near weekly occurrence last semester."

"Okay. I can see the positives if this is true." Joyce took a seat at the picnic table rubbing her temples. "But is this a Slayer thing? Are all Slayers gay? And if so, why did it wait until now to come out? Shouldn’t she have been dating women right along?"

"Historically, many, dare I say most, have been bi-sexual. Although referenced, that aspect of Slayers’ personalities has been actively discouraged for the last, oh, millennia, give or take a century. Just as familial ties were frowned upon, long-term, monogamous relationships with either gender were halted. The credo ‘The Slayer must work alone’ was the Watcher Council’s highest commandment. A few headstrong Slayers, like Buffy, bucked the Council’s edicts and had long term partnerships – some with men, others with women. It dumbfounds me to this day that the Council refuses to recognize the contribution those life mates made in regards to a Slayer’s success. Do you have any idea what the average life span of a Slayer is, once called?"

Joyce just shook her head.

"Two years, eight months."

"Oh, my God!"

"The shortest lived, lasted eighteen minutes. She was a fourteen year old Turkish girl called as a nest of vampires were decimating her village in the 1400s. The longest lasting Slayer in recorded history was Evangelina D’Alluzzio from Rome in the mid 1700s. She was called at thirteen, and by some twist of fate, her Watcher was also her aunt. Her family was active demon fighters, she never had to lie about her calling. She took a husband at seventeen, married in the Church. She also had a female lover from the time she was fifteen. She was finally killed a few months before her twenty-fifth birthday.

"There have been a couple dozen or so Slayers who have survived between five to ten years. All of them went against Council orders and had long-term partners. If Buffy has chosen to become romantically involved with Willow, I will not discourage it. It may be the tie she requires to keep her wanting to fight. Because, although it pains me to say this, when Buffy loses that desire to be the toughest, most lethal thing in existence, then we’re enjoying her company on borrowed time."

They sat silently for a while before Joyce spoke again. "She could do worse than Willow, couldn’t she?"

"She introduced me to that security guard she was dating last year. I would say she has done much worse."

"Rupert! You made a joke!"

Giles did the British thing and blushed. "Seriously now, Joyce, can you handle a daughter in a same sex relationship?"

"If it was anyone other than Willow, I’d probably have a much harder time with it. But after the vampires and demons, I can deal, when they decide to tell us there’s something to have to deal with. In the meantime if it helps keep her safe, who am I to get in the way of that?"

"What are you getting in the way of, mom?" Buffy asked as she and Willow strolled up the steps onto the deck.

"Oh, Buffy, Willow. We didn’t hear you approaching," Giles replied, hoping they hadn’t been overheard.

"It’s that stealthy Slayer walk," Willow helpfully supplied.

"So why didn’t they hear you?" Buffy questioned while giving the redhead a gentile nudge with her hip.

"Guilt by association." Willow stuck her tongue out at the Slayer.

"Guilt, huh?" Buffy gave her a fond look. "Mom, Giles, we’re going to bed. See you in the morning." The blonde stepped back allowing Willow to pass in front of her, then turned to follow, guiding the redhead with a hand in the small of her back.

The pair disappeared further into the house. When footsteps could be heard on the back stairs. Joyce turned back to Giles. "Think they’ll ever tell us or are we going to have to catch them in a lip lock first?"

"Ah… well… I would hope…"

"Rupert, don’t hurt yourself," Joyce chuckled. "I’m heading to bed, too."

**********

Willow exited the bathroom to find Buffy sprawled across their bed, naked as a newborn. "Like living dangerously, Slayer? Anyone could walk up those stairs."

"Don’t think it’s an issue. Don’t care if it is. I need you, Will. Please dump the robe and get over here."

Willow let the robe fall from her shoulders and crawled onto the bed next to her lover. "I seem to remember a debt I owe. With interest, if memory serves me." She started at Buffy’s navel and kissed her way north until she was covering the blonde and could reach her lips. "So, how do you desire payment to be made?"

For an answer, the Slayer grabbed Willow’s cheeks to control a searing kiss. Minutes passed as she plundered the redhead’s mouth. "I don’t think I can handle slow and teasing tonight, Will." She looked away, not able to meet her lover’s eyes. I need all you can give me, please understand.

Understanding both Buffy’s embarrassment and her desire; wanting to add to one and make her forget the other, Willow reached and gave a nipple a hard tweak causing Buffy to focus on her again. "No teasing, Slayer." Willow controlled the next kiss; Buffy reeled from the oral onslaught. I’ve only seen her like this once before; after she chased that scaly demon for an hour only to have him decapitate himself on that cable. Snaking her hand between their bodies, Willow reached between the lips of the blonde’s vulva, delighting at the wetness she discovered. Not needing to worry about lubrication, she entered Buffy with three fingers and set a hard, fast pace. On each down stroke, she rubbed her thumb over the hyper sensitive clit.

Breaking for air, Buffy latched onto Willow, careful not to squeeze too hard. She buried her face into the redhead’s neck and whimpered each time she was filled. "Oh, God, yes. Willow, more." So good. So good. So good.

"More?" Willow tested Buffy’s ability to take a forth finger by gently spreading the three gripped within her lover’s body.

"Please, more, please…"

Not finding a reason not to give Buffy exactly what she was asking for, Willow added her pinky on her next penetration.

"Ahhh… yes."

Three more thrusts and Buffy climaxed, holding Willow’s fingers deep inside herself. As Buffy’s vagina spasmed around her digits, Willow began to massage her lover’s g-spot while her thumb concentrated on her clit. Buffy’s breathing had no chance to return to normal before a second orgasm ripped through her.

The redhead controlled Buffy’s mouth again as she removed her fingers from their warm home. Again, not giving her any time to recover, Willow ended the kiss. "Interest," she whispered before disappearing between the blonde’s thighs.

Without preamble, Willow wrapped her lips around Buffy’s distended clitoris and sucked. Considering she couldn’t levitate much more than a pencil with magic, watching her lover practically float above their bed was awe-inspiring.

How Buffy found the were-with-all to scream her release into a pillow, would become one of the great mysteries of their relationship.

Willow crawled back up to the head of the bed and spooned behind her spent lover, holding her as her breathing finally returned to some semblance of normal. Willow gently stroked the damp hair away from Buffy’s face. "No teasing, Buff. Whatever you need. And isn’t interest fun?"