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See Chapter 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers
Kennedy wakes with a sharp intake of breath as I brush my fingers against the underside of her breast. My green eyes meet her chocolate. "Morning," I smile as I lean to kiss her lips softly, my fingers still moving against her skin.
She kisses me back-then pulls away playfully to kiss the tip of my nose, "Morning beautiful."
I touch her cheek and whisper-mere inches from her ear, "You are at that." We kiss still again, slowly-unrushed our lips moving together.
As we break apart I can see a soft blush on her face, "No you-" she snuggles into me and I wrap my arms around her. Goddess I'd give anything to stay here, like this with her, all day. But I know that's not possible. There's work- "If we hurry he may not be all grrrrr about yesterday."
"Huh? Who baby?"
"Giles-the Watcher guy-remember us not going back?-You awake?" I tease playfully.
"Oh-right," she frowns and then smiles. "Think the new box of books will make him happy?"
"I'm hoping-" I don't want him mad at me, it makes me all eeeee-I think to myself.
"Did you look through them while I was gone last night?"
"A little-" I lay my head on her chest. I don't tell her how much they upset me-the memories they triggered or that I cried myself to sleep. She would only worry and I don't want that. Missing Tara is just part of life-I can deal mostly. "I found a couple I might keep-" I say forcing my mind to stay away from the bad place. "The rest I thought I'd give him as a peace offering." My mind knows that he'll love them and all will be forgiven, but my heart isn't so sure.
She runs her fingers through my hair and I raise up looking at her with a smile, "So-shower and breakfast, then off to work?"
She shrugs and smiles, "Sounds like a plan. You wanna go first?"
First-no- together whispers my body as I think and my mind is instantly there-under the water-us-together. Hands touch wet skin-lips-okay-stopping now before we're late again. "Sure," I manage to say though my body screams, letting me know it's not happy with my choice.
Almost as if she read my mind she says, "I'd say we could shower together and save water, but then we'd be late again."
I smile at her-and bite my bottom lip, "Yes we would." I kiss her softly and get out of bed.
She pulls me down to her and kisses my forehead, "How about I fix you some pancakes while you're in there okay?"
"Yummy," I smile.
She winks, "So are you."
I blush-can't help it-as I walk to the bathroom. As I slip out of my pajamas, I think of her again and I smile. The blush returns as I remember last night. The couch-the bed-and here in the shower. "Okay-Rosenberg-gonna need a cold shower if you keep thinking like that." I turn on the water as I shake my head. Goddess, the thoughts return. I adjust the knobs and step under it. I gasp as the cold water hits me.
Later I walk into the kitchen and breath in the smell of pancakes, bacon, and coffee. As I sit down she puts a plate in front of me and a cup of coffee. I pick it up and take a sip-it's sweet just the way I like it. I smile at her, "Thank you." Thank you echoes in my thoughts but not just for breakfast but for everything. Thank you for taking a chance-for rescuing me from myself-for not letting me win when I tried so hard to push you away. Where would I be without her? I shiver at the thought.
"Cold?" She asks and I look up to see her sitting across from me, her food almost gone.
"Well-ah-maybe a little," I hedge. Hey the shower was cold.
"I'm a little surprised that Giles hasn't called already. You see what time it is?"
I look across the room and see the clock. I am shocked. "We slept-it's almost-how?" I can't complete a thought. No amount of books is gonna help this! "I'm so in trouble."
"It's okay, I'll go call him," she moves to the phone and frowns as she picks it up. "Line's dead." I realize what has happened. The phones, I unplugged them. "What?" She asks.
I bury my face in my hands, "I unplugged them," I mumble. "Last night-" I look up at her. "When Faith-" I stop myself-no thinking of Faith or what she interrupted.
"Oh yeah-" her eyes harden. "Okay if I drop you off baby? I need to see a certain Slayer."
"No-" it comes out louder then I intend, "You promised I could watch." A pout covers my face-cause pouting always works with my girl.
"I did promise-" she says.
"But I guess I better go see Giles. Don't wanna-wanna watch you spar."
"Okay-G-man's first-then kill Faith."
Problem solved, I smile. "Maybe not kill-" I add. "No killing-okay?" I shake my head.
"Promise-no killing," she kisses my cheek. "Be right back." She runs up the stairs.
I return to my food, though I know I should plug in the phone and call Giles. It can wait I decide-what's a few more minutes?
Later I move to plug the phone back in. I smile when I think of the night before-way better than a DO NOT DISTURB sign. I dial his number with a little hesitation, I know he isn't gonna be happy. "Hi Giles-" I start then pause to listen. "No-we're okay-just-we-there was some trouble-with the-the phone. It was mostly not working." Well not working cause it was unplugged but still not working-I think with a smile. "Yes, I know what time it is. We're on our way as soon as Kennedy gets out of the shower." He's being all British and stuffy-calm but cool-I hate when he's like that-it's never good. "I'm sorry," I try. "There's a surprise," I pull out the big card. His words hit hard-like a punch to the midsection.
"The surprise would be you actually arriving as scheduled. It's very irresponsible Willow."
"I'm sorry-" it's all I can say because a part of me knows he is right.
Kennedy comes down the stairs as the conversation ends. "He was really mad-used the 'R' word."
"The lateness?" She asks and I nod as I worry. I don't want him to be mad-to think less of me. I respect him more than he knows. He's like a father to me, since mine was mostly not there. He risked his life for me with the borrowed magicks. He taught me and cared for me after-I don't want to think the words but I do; after I-when I killed Warren and went all Grrrrrr-nearly ending the world. I hear Kennedy's voice as words make it through, "It's okay, you can blame me."
"Can we blame Faith?" I ask as she puts her arms around me and leans her forehead to mine. She always seems to know when I need her touch. I always mean to ask how-but I forget.
"Plan to do that too," she says.
"Goody-" I force a smile. I start to tell her I love her when a loud, frantic knock interrupts. I hate being interrupted!
Kennedy kisses my nose for the second time today and walks toward the pounding. I follow reaching for her hand and she takes mine in hers as she opens the door. We are both surprised to see Buffy there.
She asks, her voice worried- "Are you guys okay?"
"Yeah-why?" I ask unsure.
"Then why haven't you answered the damn phone all day?" She asks as she gets a bit angry.
"It is-well we-ah-" I look at Kennedy unsure of how to tell her we unplugged them so we could make love-I fight away a blush. Some things are just private.
"Telemarketers-all day yesterday-pissed me off, so I turned them off," answers my young Slayer. I look at her unsure of why she lied. Why not tell her they were unplugged. "You know my memory-" my girl jokes-always protecting me I reason and smile.
Kennedy picks up my coat and hands it to me. She gets her coat as well and puts it on. As I slip mine on I remember the box of books. "Don't forget the books."
"Right, hang on." She leaves us and goes into the living room. She is back quickly. I see her look at Buffy a little surprised she's still here. "Listen," says my Slayer. "We were just headed for Giles's. Do you want to tag along?"
"Sorry, I can't-I have to meet Faith."
"Faith-hey-where our the two of you gonna be in a few a hours?" I know what she's thinking-getting even.
Buffy looks unsure, "Uh-probably the gym why?"
I know, but I keep quiet. I can't, however, just can't keep the smile from my face.
"Nothing," Kennedy smiles. "I just wanted to spar later."
"And I'm gonna watch-" I blurt out.
Confusion returns to the blonde's face. She shrugs not understanding, "Just call my cell phone when you're ready-or maybe you should let Will do it, since you can't operate a phone."
I try to stop a giggle-after all she's protecting me, taking all the blame-but it hits me funny. A picture of a struggling Kennedy trying to work a phone and as it's attacking her enters my mind. I laugh out loud.
My girl smiles, "Okay we can do that right sweetie?"
"Yep definitely," I assure Buffy.
We start out of the house and my Slayer gestures for Buffy to lead. She follows her and I wait to close the door.
"Got the door baby?"
"All locked up," I say with a smile.
But instead of seeing the smile back I expect I see my girl's 'Aw crap face,' "Will, can you get my keys-they're in the front pocket of my jeans."
I smile relieved that it isn't a real problem, then I almost smirk as I think of the things I could do-discretely-here on the sidewalk in front of our house. "I think I can manage," I move to her and she sees the smirk before I can hide it as our eyes meet for a second.
"Just the keys now," she says with an evil grin, "We're already late."
She knows me too well or maybe she just thinks like me. I chew on my bottom lip as I move behind her. She watches me unsure. I clear things up for her as I put my hands on her hips and slowly slid my right hand down her body and into her pocket. I press my body to hers, my breath hits her neck and then her ear-she shivers. I smile as I tease her, touching her thigh with my fingers under the pretext of searching for the keys. My nails move against her leg inside the pocket-I can't see her face but I know the effects of my actions. I hear a soft intake of breath before I hear words.
"Stop that-" her words are soft. I smile against her neck. "You are so gonna pay if you don't." She threatens.
I call her bluff and slide my fingers as far to the inside as her pocket lining will allow- "Oops-" I whisper in her ear. "No keys here," I hear her moan softly and feel her body relax into mine. "Wrong pocket. Let's try the other one."
I hear Buffy's voice as she looks back from her car, "Don't you two ever stop?"
I'm too busy to answer as I slip my other hand into my lover's other pocket again searching for the keys. My girl answers, "Only when we have to," as she manages to open her eyes and smirk at the blonde Slayer. I tease her and then lean even closer to kiss her neck. Deciding to end the adventure I whisper, "Found them-" I smirk as I suck her ear into my mouth and then slowly pull away moving from my Slayer.
She leans against the box and capture's my lips in a heated kiss. Goddess I love her lips-what they do to me. I try to unlock the door our lips still moving together.
She breaks the kiss, "You're still gonna pay for that," she whispers.
I can't stop the smile, "Promise?"
"Definitely," she smiles back.
Finally I get the door open as I feel her lips on mine again quick and light, "Pop the trunk, okay?"
I lean in and hit the release. Kennedy smiles a silent thanks and puts the box in the trunk. She walks around the car and then moves behind the wheel as we head for Giles's.
Later we pull up to his house and park. "Why don't you head on in and I'll get the box and follow okay?"
I smirk, "Chicken," I'm not going in alone no way. I think to myself.
"What? I'll be right behind you."
"Sure you will after the yelling-" I start towards the house.
I hear her words, "Okay fine," I turn to see her mock pout. "Gimme a sec-" she says. I wait for her as she gets the box and catches up to me.
At the door I knock and Giles opens it almost immediately.
"Hey G-Man-" she smiles big but I cringe in my mind at her choice of words, he truly hates that name.
I just wave at him sheepishly. "We brought you books," I try hoping to undo some damage. My girl offers him the box. As I hold to her arm preparing for the chastising.
He starts, "If you think this will make up for the shirking of-" his words stop as he picks up the top book. Kennedy looks angelically innocent and me, well I'm sure I look relieved. "The Fillians text.-Where did you get this?"
Kennedy answers, "A new bookstore Xander told me about. They had a whole table full. He let us have them for next to nothing."
I venture to speak, "So you like them?"
"Bring them inside," he says simply.
I hear my girl's words in my mind, 'I told you it'd be alright.' I feel my face smile a little relieved-no a lot relieved. She smiles back and nods for me to go in first. We follow him inside the house.
Later the man is still looking over the old books. "It's remarkable-some of these were thought to be lost at the turn of the century."
"Then we found'em huh?" Her tone is a bit flippant.
"Yes, it would appear so."
"Will kept a couple. What where they baby?"
"A book on talismans and a couple spell books. All magic-y stuff." I feel my mood shift- maybe I shouldn't have keep them. All the memories. Maybe he should have those too. "I could bring them to you tomorrow."
The man smiles at the young witch, "I would like to see them, but you should keep them."
Again Kennedy is in my head, and honestly it's getting crowded. 'Not the talisman one baby, it's yours.'
'I guess,' I answer not wanting to worry her with the whole memories thing. She worries too much now.
'If you want to-I mean-' she stops but then starts again. 'I just know what it means to you.'
No you don't-I start to say but stop the thoughts. I settle for a half truth though I feel guilty already. 'It's hard but I should. Thanks."
'Anything for you. Love you.'
'Love you too,' I smile at her and without realizing where you are I lean over and kiss her softly.
She pulls away with a smile and a look that confuses me until I here her words. "So-G-Man-"
Giles is here-I kissed her in front of him. I fight away a blush.
Her words continue, "Uh-Giles-this make up for the lateness?"
"Normally no-" his look is stern.
"But?" Kennedy starts.
"But," he says as he smiles at me and my Slayer, "This one time I'll excuse it."
Kennedy smiles back and I see it turn sarcastic I wonder what she is up to then she speaks, "Can I get reimbursed?" She laughs.
"Let me give that some thought--no, consider it-"
My girl holds up her hand before he can finish, "Just kidding." She says. "Friends are the next best thing to spend my money on."
'Stop now sweetie,' this time its me inside her head.
'Huh?-Okay.' The talking continues, 'Just teasing a bit.'
'He doesn't like teasing.'
'I'll stop.'
'Thank you.'
She speaks to the man again and I hold my breath, sometimes the girl worries me-all action and not enough thinking. "Seriously Giles, They're all good stuff?"
"Yes, yes indeed."
"I'm glad, then enjoy," she beams.
"Most definitely."
Her smile dims. "What did you want us to do today?"
"I need to go over these-since it is nearly time for lunch, why don't we start on time tomorrow?"
"Will?" She looks at me unsure.
I smile as I wonder what he means-is he really gonna let us leave- I have to know, "So we can leave?"
"Yes." I smile and in my mind I giggle as I watch my Slayer back out of the room like she's retreating from a demon. Eyes on him, moving slowly so as not to spook him. "But be here at 8 sharp tomorrow."
"Eight-absolutely," I start to move like my Slayer-backing to the door.
"I'll set the clock when we get home." She takes my hand and we start from the room.
"Later Giles," I call over my shoulder. "I'll bring the other books with me.
"See ya," calls Kennedy. As we leave the house.
When we reach the car Kennedy opens the door for me and I get inside. Then she moves around the car to her side and slides in as well. "So, we have a little time to kill. Anything you wanna do baby?"
I smile as my mind remembers her promise to get even for the whole key incident. But then might mind turns 180 degrees--the bookstore- it's just down the street. "We could go back to the bookstore. We might find more goodies."
Kennedy looks thoughtful for a second and then smiles, "Sure. Maybe we can find out where they got those books, the ones Giles said were lost."
I nod-always the Slayer I think as I take her hand in mine suddenly needing to touch her. She leans over and kisses me on the cheek, then starts the car. She puts the car in gear with her left hand not letting are joined ones separate and we pull out.
As she drives I find myself watching her. I can't help but stare at times, she's amazing. Her eyes, her smile-she's beautiful, but what amazes me the most is that she's mine. She could have anyone, but she chose me. Silly girl I think before I can stop myself.
I hear her voice, "What?" She asks. I just shake my head not wanting to explain. She squeezes my hand tighter and smiles. She looks back to the road as we approach the store. I start to tell her there's a parking place but she sees it and pulls in, then stops. She kisses my hand before releasing it and we both get out of the car.
We join hands as we walk to the store and then inside. I watch her as she looks around. I know the Slayer in her is looking for the guy that waited on us yesterday. I just smile at her, then my eyes fall on a shelf of books to my right.
"What sweetie," I ask as I missed her words. I got lost in books without realizing it.
"The sales guy from yesterday, do you see him?"
I look around and see a guy near the same aisle as the books I was just lost in, "No, that's not the same one."
"Oh, well-" she shrugs, "He'll turn up. Wanna look around?"
"Can we?" Without anymore words I get lost in the books. I feel my hand leave hers as I begin to wander in the stacks. I pick up book after book-all interesting but none like yesterday of the magic variety. I can sense Kennedy behind me and I am surprised as she picks up a book as well, "What did you find?" I ask without turning around.
"Nothing really-" surprise in her voice as I turn to face her. "Just my nanny had one like it."
I see the title 'Classic Fairytales'-and I smile. "Why don't you get it?"
She shrugs, "Don't know-seems kinda silly." She lays it down.
I pick it up, my mind turning to kids-I try to imagine her as one. "You should--if you want."
"Well I guess I could." She smirks and I'm not sure why. "Anyway, one of the others might need it someday, right?"
I smile but it fades as her words sink in. Others-she said others not us. "Ah-right the others." I hand the book to her.
"Something you wanna tell me?" She smiles.
Tell you no-ask you absolutely. Don't you want kids with me someday?-I wonder but I can't make the words work out loud. "No-" I surrender and say. "Nothing-" then I force out. "I mean-I like kids stories." Damn-just tell her you want to have kids-do it. I challenge myself. Tell her with magic it's possible-that you found a way. Her eyes meet mine and I chicken out.
"How about the kids?"
I feel nervous-does that mean-does she want- "Do I like them?-Ah-yeah."
"Yeah me too." She keeps the book in her hand as we walk side by side. "Find anything you like?"
Me find something?-That just sounds funny and I roll my eyes at her, "It's a bookstore sweetie, I like them all." I smile and take her arm.
Kennedy smiles, "What me to buy the store?" She says teasingly. Well at least I think it's teasing-not sure with her when it comes to money.
I raise an eyebrow. "You could buy me the store?"
She shrugs and her smile fades a little. "Well, not without calling dear old Dad first but yeah, I think so."
I consider her words and realize she's not teasing at all, "Not today," I answer. "But maybe-someday." The thought appeals to me suddenly.
"You sure you wanna run a bookstore?"
"Maybe-" I answer- "With books and magic stuff and-" I stop and shake my head as I think of the Fairytale book-first things first. "But not right now."
She wraps me in her arms, "Could you really stand to sell the books Red?"
I frown thinking about her words. People would take my books and then they'd be gone. "I could loan them-like a library." I tell my girl and she laughs at me. I smack at her playfully. "Don't laugh at me."
"Sorry," she kisses my forehead. "Come on, let's see what else we can find today."
I still pout at her playfully and then glare. "Meanie." She just smiles and gently pulls me along the aisle.
After a moment I see her pull a book down from its spot on the shelf. I watch her unsure wondering what she has found. "Look baby," she says. "History of Witchcraft." My heart sinks just a little as I think of Tara-that was the first book we read together. I watch my girl as she opens the front cover. "Whoever owned this one before it came here put their initials in it. Look, T.M."
"T.M.?" My heart drops. It couldn't be.
"Yeah-" I hear her say as she moves closer to show me the ornate script of the initials. I can feel all the color leave my face as my heart races in my chest. I feel all wobbly-
Kennedy's POV
Thoughts slowly return and I leave the dream I was having reluctantly. Like most of my dreams, it involves Willow and myself, soft light, softer silk sheets and hours of slow love making. It's a dream that's come true on more than one occasion and God knows, I want it to continue coming true until the day I die.
I breath deeply, a sharp intake of air and my mind finally lets me sort out what woke me as I feel fingertips brush along my body and along the underside of my breast. Opening my eyes, I see my goddess and immediately fall in love all over again as I fall into the depths of her eyes for the first time today.
"Morning," she says with a smile, then she leans in and softly kisses my lips, her fingers still tracing a path on my skin and I feel myself starting to get lost in her touch and kiss.
I return her kiss, our lips moving slowly for a moment, before I pull back a little. Leaning back in, I kiss the tip of her nose, playfully, whispering, "Morning, beautiful."
I revel in the feel of her hand on my cheek. She moves her head beside mine and whispers, her breath tickling my ear. "You are at that," she tells me, then kisses me again, her lips moving against mine, slow and unrushed and I loose myself in the sensations for a minute.
Pulling away from her lips, I can feel a blush creep across my cheeks and I snuggle into her chest with the words, "No, you-" Her arms slip around me and I want nothing more than to lie here all day, just like this.
I enjoy protecting her. It's what I was born for, and I knew that the moment I saw her, but sometimes, I want to be the one who feels safe. To be held and to know that nothing can hurt me while I'm in those arms. I can feel my body getting heavier, a sure sign that sleep is trying to reclaim me and, safe and warm in the embrace of the most beautiful goddess on earth, I let it.
"If we hurry he may not be all grrrrr about yesterday."
As I start to drift, her words penetrate my mind and I struggle to understand them, finally succeeding, but they still make no sense.
I open one eye. "Huh? Who baby?" Still confused here. Who'll be mad?
She smiles her little teasing half smile, the one I love so much. Ok, I love all her smiles, but this one is a real fav. "Giles-the Watcher guy-remember us not going back?-You awake?"
Giles. "Oh-right." I frown. We were supposed to go back, but I couldn't do that, as upset as she was. Then I remember and smile. "Think the new box of books will make him happy?" I roll over onto my back, a little frustrated that my day of snuggling just got ruined.
"I'm hoping-"
"Did you look through them while I was gone last night?" I ask, deciding that the box will stay here until she does, 'cause getting a book back from Giles is not easy.
She lays her head on my chest and I automatically put an arm around her, holding her close as I breathe in the scent of her hair "A little- I found a couple I might keep-" I hear the catch in her voice she probably isn't even aware of. She found something else that upset her, but doesn't want me to worry. "The rest I thought I'd give him as a peace offering."
I start running my fingers through crimson strands, idly, barely even aware I'm doing it. She raises up and I'm jolted from my thoughts. I look at her in time to see a smile spread across her lips. "So-shower and breakfast, then off to work?"
My first thought is to say no, that I want to stay here all day, making love and sleeping, but I know Giles is expecting us and Will so hates to disappoint him. So, I shrug and return her smile. I start to suggest we shower together, but then, we'd really be late, so, as much as I hate the idea, I reply, "Sounds like a plan. You wanna go first?"
"Sure," she answers, her tone a little disappointed.
Damn, she wanted to shower together too. I'm tempted, sorely tempted to give in to my desires, but, duty calls, I guess. Silently, I vow Giles owes me big time! "I'd say we could shower together and save water, but then we'd be late again."
She smiles and bites her lower lip and I suppress a groan as my desire to forget Giles and stay here redoubles. If she only knew what that does to me, how sexy I find it. How much I want to ravish her every time she does it. With difficulty, I focus on her words as she says, "Yes, we would." She kisses me, her lips soft on mine and I quickly lose myself in the sensations.
She pulls away and starts to get out of bed. I grab her hand and pull her back to me, kissing her one more time. "How about I fix you some pancakes while you're in there, okay?"
She smiles and says, "Yummy!"
My mind flashes back to last night and how sweet her kisses are and I wink and assure her with a grin, "So are you."
She blushes and walks into the bathroom as I chuckle at being able to make her do so. I love when she blushes, cause she's just so cute when she does. Almost as cute as when she babbles.
'Okay, Kennedy,' I think. 'Don't think about that or she won't be showering alone.' And, of course, all I can think of now is her, us, last night and hundreds of nights before, never the same, never "routine". I can feel it in my heart and soul. When we're both old and white haired and in our nineties, I'm still going to want her, want to make love to her as often as possible.
I hear the water start and shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts of her naked over me, under me, all around. Again, my mind is full of images of my love and our love making. I'm really starting to get worked up, my body humming, almost begging for release, and I decide we can be late. I need her and she wanted anyway, so...
My enhanced hearing picks up her gasp and I can't help but smile. She was thinking the same thing and I know, from my own experiences, she just turned off the hot water. Surprisingly, the now cold shower she's in is working for me, too, and I leave the room grinning.
Once in the kitchen, I start the coffee maker and get the ingredients for pancakes out and start mixing the batter. Soon, I'm flipping the breakfast cakes in one pan and frying bacon in another one. As always, I get half again as much food as Willow, blessing my Slayer metabolism for that. I've lost track of the looks I've gotten from other women as I shovel in sweets and other foods the diet worriers can only dream of without a care. Not that I'm all that bothered about watching my weight. Fighting the forces of evil is a lot of exercise for a girl.
Willow comes in just as I take the last pancake from the pan and I put it on her plate, then fix her coffee for her and set both in front of her as she sits down. I set the small plate of bacon between as and get my own meal and sit down, just in time to see her reaction to the first sip of coffee. She smiles as she takes a second sip, then puts the mug down. She catches my eye and her smile turns a little softer, as she tells me, "Thank you."
I return her smile, a little embarrassed to be thanked for taking care of her, cause I really love doing it. I give her a little "it's ok" shrug and start eating at my usual speed when it's just us. I see her shiver and stop for a second. "Cold?"
"Well, ah, maybe a little."
I wait for her to say something else, knowing full well why she's a little cold, but she just goes back to eating, so I finish my meal, then look around the room for a moment. Noticing the clock, I feel my eyes widen slightly. Before I can stop it, I make the comment, "I'm a little surprised that Giles hasn't called already." I toss my head back toward the wall clock behind me. "You see what time it is?"
She looks up and her jaw drops, her face screwed up with fear of Giles' reaction. A small, irreverent part of me remarks that if I'd known we were already running this late, I'd have joined her in the shower. I suppress a grin for the truth of the observation.
"We slept-it's almost-how? I'm so in trouble," she says, her voice becoming softer as her panic begins to grow. She so hates it when Giles is upset with her and he's very good at being angry and civil at the same time in that proper British way of his.
I stand, motioning her to return to her meal. "It's okay, I'll go call him." Crossing to the phone, I pick it up, automatically starting to dial, before I notice the dead silence. I frown and look back at her. "Line's dead." She gets a stricken expression I don't understand. "What?"
She drops her face into her cupped hands and replies, her voice a little muffled, "I unplugged them. Last night-" She raises her eyes to mine and pink slips across her cheeks. "When Faith-"
Faith. The good mood I've enjoyed all morning is gone in an instant as I think of her. Suddenly , I'm right back there last night, when she called me out and away from my Willow for nothing. I feel a need to explain her mistake to her in much greater detail, so she doesn't make that mistake again.
"Oh, yeah." I feel my body start to lightly quiver with the force of my anger and I know there's fire in my eyes from Willow's reaction. "Okay if I drop you off baby? I need to see a certain Slayer."
"No," she says loudly and I'm surprised by her tone and the volume of it. I start to ask, but she interrupts. "You promised I could watch," she finishes with a pout.
I feel myself calm down even as I think, 'Ok, the pout was totally unneeded and not fair!' "I did promise," I say softly, thinking of how to solve this.
"But I guess I better go see Giles. Don't wanna-wanna watch you spar," she says, somewhat petulantly
I smile as the perfect solution occurs. Easy, really "Okay-G-man's first-then kill Faith." See? You can accomplish a lot in one day with proper organization!
Willow smiles at me, then it dims a little. "Maybe not kill. No killing, okay?" she requests, shaking her head.
I smile my agreement. "Promise-no killing." Coming around the table, I lean over and kiss her cheek, letting my lips linger for a few seconds before straightening. "Be right back," I assure her as I head up for my own shower.
Heading into the bathroom, I do everything at top speed, hoping to maybe get Giles to not be quite so angry if we can honestly tell him we hurried as soon as we saw what time it was. As soon as I'm out of the shower, I dry my hair, get dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and sweatshirt, I throw on shoes and jog back downstairs, just as Will is finishing her talk with Giles.
She looks at me as I enter the room, worry in her eyes. "He was really mad-used the 'R' word."
"The lateness?" I wonder and she nods. Damn it! Now I know for sure that Giles is, for all intents and purposes, her father. Only your parents can tap dance on your buttons like that, and he must have hit seven or eight in that little talk. I give her a small smile. "It's okay. You can blame me." I tell her as I take her in my arms and touch our foreheads together.
"Can we blame Faith?"
I smile more fully and even chuckle a little. "Plan to do that, too," I assure her.
She smiles. "Goody!" She starts to say something else, but a loud, almost frantic knocking comes from the front door.
We both look that way, but I turn back to her and plant a little kiss on her nose, grinning at the reaction, and pull out of her embrace. I turn and walk toward the front of the house, wanting to see who wants us so badly. Within three steps, I feel her beside me, her hand slipping into mine, our fingers interlacing.
I open the door and we're both startled to see Buffy there, a scared look on her face. I know that look. If we hadn't answered when we did, Xander would've been here this afternoon replacing the door.
"Are you guys okay?" she asks, worriedly.
Willow looks like she isn't sure why the worry. "Yeah-why?"
Her expression goes rapidly from worry, to relief, then into anger, as she replies, "Then why haven't you answered the damn phone all day?"
"It is-well we-ah-" Willow starts, but stammers to a stop and looks at me. I can tell, she's embarrassed to admit, even to her best friend that we unplugged the phones to make love. Of course, we wouldn't have, if Faith hadn't-
I forcefully turn my thoughts from that and to helping my girl. "Telemarketers-all day yesterday-pissed me off, so I turned'em off." It's an easy lie, close to the truth, especially since I've done it before. I give Buffy my very best, 'Aw, shucks' grin. "You know my memory-"
I can tell from her face, she's trying to decide on whether to buy it, but I decide to simply go and not worry about it. I get Will's coat and hand it to her, then get my own and put it on, making it obvious we're leaving.
My everything shrugs into her jacket, then looks at me. "Don't forget the books," she reminds me. Right. Need to make peace with the G-Man. Giles. Gotta remember, he hates that name.
"Right, hang on." I duck into the living room, looking around for the box of books I left there last night. Spying it, I see where she was going through it and quickly repack the box, then pick it up and head back the foyer.
Seeing Buffy still there, I tell her, "Listen, we were just headed for Gile's. Do you want to tag along?"
"Sorry, I can't-I have to meet Faith," she says, shaking her head.
I almost smile, seeing my chance. "Faith-hey-where are the two of you gonna be in a few a hours?" Play it cool, Kennedy, I tell myself. No need to let Buffy know I intend to beat the second oldest Slayer to a bleeding mess.
"Uh-probably the gym. Why?" she answers, looking a little unsure and puzzled by my question.
I smile, anticipating the pummeling to come.Willow smiles as well, almost bouncing in her excitement. "Nothing. I just wanted to spar later." Yep, that's it, uh huh.
"And I'm gonna watch-" she blurts out, in a kind of giddy, giggly voice.
Buffy looks confused by our reactions for a second, then shrugs it away. "Just call my cell phone when you're ready-" She stops and grins evilly at me. "Or maybe you should let Will do it, since you can't operate a phone."
Will laughs and I smile again. "Okay. We can do that, right, sweetie?"
"Yep, definitely," she assures Buffy, nodding.
I motion with the box to the blonde in a 'You first' gesture and she leads the way out of our house. I follow, with my redheaded beauty bringing up the rear. "Got the door, baby?" I ask over my shoulder.
I look back at her and see her smile as she assures me, "All locked up." God, I love that smile. Well, ok, I love all her smiles. All her frowns, her pouts... I stop my thoughts before they can get carried away and we have to go back in the house.
I start to smile in return, then realize what I forgot to do inside and grimace. "Will, can you get my keys-they're in the front pocket of my jeans."
I look back over my shoulder and see her smile as she moves up behind me. Then she smirks as she says, "I think I can manage."
Oh, man, I know that look. "Just the keys, now," I tell her, but I feel a wicked grin cross my face as I realize what she's got planned. I really can't complain, cause I'd do the same thing in her place. "We're already late," I remind her.
Oh, God, she's biting her lip. I try to keep a hold on my desires as she sidles up behind me. She puts her hands on my hips and I face forward again as her right hand slides slowly down into my pocket. Her body molds itself to mine and I feel her warm breath on my neck and I shiver as it hits my ear. My mind flashes to other times when her breath was where it is and my libido surges again. I feel her fingers on my thigh, her nails tickling my skin through the thin fabric lining the pocket. My eyes slip closed as I both revel in and fight against the feelings she's causing and I suck in a sharp breath.
"Stop that!" I whisper. "You are so gonna pay if you don't." I try to threaten, but, God, I don't want her to stop!
"Oops- No keys here," she whispers in my ear, her breath tickling erotically. I moan, giving my desires voice and relax my body back into hers. "Wrong pocket," she teases. "Let's try the other one."
"Don't you two ever stop?"
Buffy's voice jars me out of my haze, allowing me to remember we're on the sidewalk if front of our house. I manage to open my eyes and see she's gotten as far as her car. Smirking, I croak out, my mind still mostly on my girl's teasing fingers and lips, "Only when we have to!"
Willow's hand slips into my left hand pocket as I talk to Buffy and she resumes the teasing she was doing on the other side. My breathing increases in speed as my arousal begins to heat up. Her fingers tease and I feel her lips on my neck as she whispers directly into my ear, "Found them." I start to answer her, but my every thought is lost as she sucks my ear between her lips.
She releases my ear and slowly backs away. 'Oh no you don't!' I think, leaning around the box in my hands. Pressing my lips to hers, I take her lower one between mine, sucking on it for a moment before moving my lips against hers. She responds and we stand there, completely oblivious to everything except each other for several seconds before she fumbles with the car door, trying to unlock it.
I pull away first, still breathing heavily. "You're still gonna pay for that," I tell her, quietly.
She smiles devilishly. "Promise?"
I match her smile. "Definitely," I assure her before quickly kissing her again, just a light one. "Pop the trunk, okay?"
She leans in the car and hits the button, the trunk opening obediently. I smile my thanks to her and put the box in the trunk, closing the lid after. I go around to the driver's side as Will settles into her seat, then climb in myself and drive us to Giles place.
When we arrive, I park the car, pocket the keys and turn to Willow. "Why don't you head on in and I'll get the box and follow okay?"
"Chicken," she responds, smirking at me before getting out.
I jump out, looking at her over the roof of the car. "What? I'll be right behind you."
"Sure you will," she says, giving me a look as she turns and walks toward the house. "After the yelling-"
Oh, right. He was really mad because of the lateness on the phone. Can't let her face that alone, so, "Okay, fine." For appearances sake, I pout a little. "Gimme a sec-" I open the trunk and get the box of books, running a bit to catch up with her just short of the front porch.
She knocks and the door opens almost before she can lower her hand.
"Hey, G-Man!" I say, smiling broadly, but inside, I slap myself. Willow's told me he hates that name and asked me to stop. He's told me he does, hell, I told me to stop doing it, but sometimes, it just slips out.
My girl waves at him, kind of embarrassed like. She nudges me slightly and I offer up the box of books, trying to distract Giles from yelling. Will takes my arm, keeping me between her and Giles. "We brought you books."
"If you think this will make up for the shirking of-" he starts the fussing immediately, but stops when he sees the top book. He takes it and looks closer, opening it to the first page and I manage to give him my best innocent look, while my love looks relieved the grousing has stopped.
"The Fillians text.-Where did you get this?" Giles asks one of us, though I'm not sure which, still flipping through the book.
Smiling inwardly, cause the distraction worked, I answer him. "A new bookstore Xander told me about. They had a whole table full, and he let us have them for next to nothing."
Will finally says, a little timidly, "So, you like them?"
Never releasing the Fillians book, he turns and goes back in. "Bring them inside," he says back over his shoulder.
'I told you it'd be alright' I send my thoughts to my redhead. She smiles at my comment and I return it, adding a little nod and a gesture to go on in. She does and I follow.
Setting the box on the table near Giles, I return to Willow, standing behind the chair she's in, placing my hands on her shoulders, rubbing lightly, trying to ease the tension I find there.
Willow sits quietly and I follow her lead, contenting myself in feeling her neck and upper back relaxing slightly. After a little while Giles makes a remark, almost to himself, like he's forgotten we're in the room. "It's remarkable-some of these were thought to be lost at the turn of the century."
"Then we found'em, huh?" I ask, my tone a little more smart-mouthed than I intended.
Still distracted by the contents of the box, he says, absently, "Yes, it would appear so."
Good, he didn't notice. "Will kept a couple." I look down at her. "What were they baby?"
"A book on talismans and a couple spell books. All magic-y stuff." Damn. I can feel all that tension I just worked out her muscles start seeping back in. "I could bring them to you tomorrow."
"I would like to see them," he assures her with a smile and I start to argue, until he finishes with, "But you should keep them."
If she really wants him to have the ones she kept, that's fine, but, 'Not the Talisman one, baby. It's yours.' I quickly send.
'I guess-' she thinks in return, her thoughts a little listless, it seems.
'If you want to- I mean' I start to send, then stop, thinking maybe she might not want it around. No, that's stupid. I saw how much she wanted it, how much it upset her when she found it. 'I just know how much it means to you.' I come around and squat down at her side, so we can see each other.
She looks both sad and- I'm not sure, but her thought, 'It's hard, but I should. Thanks.' reassures me, a little.
I give her a small smile and, I hope, a look of total love. 'Anything for you. Love you.' I send to her, along with a mental caress.
'Love you too.' She thinks in response, smiling at me before leaning toward me and pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
I pull away from her, reluctantly, and smile, glancing toward the watcher. "So, G-man, uh, Giles-" I see Willow trying to fight a blush and cover her hand with mine. "This make up for the lateness?" I ask as I stand again.
"Normally, no," he tells up both, sternly, but I'm suspicious.
I decide to prompt him. "But...?"
"But," he relents with a smile for us both. "This one time, I'll excuse it." Yes! I look at my girl and she looks a little more relieved.
I smile in return, then a thought wanders through my mind and I feel it turn sarcastic. "Can I get reimbursed?" I ask with a laugh in my voice.
"Let me give that some thought," he replies, appearing to actually think it over for a second. Then he finishes his thought, his tone reproving, "No. Consider it-"
I hold up my hands, quickly back pedaling. Don't want him mad, now. I mean, it's not like I care about the money. "Just kidding! Friends are the next best thing to spend my money on."
Willow's voice enters my mind, admonishing me. 'Stop now, sweetie.'
'Huh? Okay. Just teasing a bit.'
'He doesn't like teasing'
Ok, I know he doesn't really like being teased, but honestly, anyone who's that serious all that time, needs to be picked on a little. Sometimes, anyway. 'I'll stop.' I think to her.
'Thank you.'
Looking at our Watcher again, I ask, "Seriously, Giles. They're all good stuff?"
He answers, a little absently as he goes back to sorting, "Yes. Yes, indeed."
I smile broadly, happy he likes them. "I'm glad, then. Enjoy."
"Most definitely."
My smile dims a bit as I remember the real reason we're here. Ok, now I understand why Will wants to get here early as I realize we're probably not going to be able to escape til dark, at least. Maybe if I help, it'll go faster. Resolutely, I have to ask, "What did you want us to do today?"
He finally looks up at us, his expression one of distraction and delight. Willow's told me about the size of his library in Sunnydale and, from his reaction, even then, he didn't have several of these. "I need to go over these-Since it is nearly time for lunch, why don't we start on time tomorrow?"
Ok, I'm hearing things. He so did not give us a get out of jail free card. Gotta ask Will, make sure I'm not hearing things. "Will?"
She smiles, but looks directly at Giles and asks the question I want to. "So, we can leave?"
"Yes." he says, simply and Willow smiles. All I need to hear, and I start backing out of the room, slowly, trying not be noticed. Come on, baby, I think to myself, before he changes his mind. "But, be here at eight sharp tomorrow."
"Eight-absolutely," my girl assures him, following my lead, and backing from the room, toward me. Ok, I think, trying to suppress a wave of desire. Here's a good thing about leaving like this, my mind rambles, lost is admiration for Will's form, especially her butt as she comes to my side.
I take her hand and tear my eyes away from her body. Taking a breath, I decide to reassure Giles one more time. "I'll set the clock when we get home."
As we turn to leave, my beautiful redhead calls back over her shoulder, "Later, Giles! I'll bring the other books with me."
"See ya," I call back as well, the open the front door and lead us out and to the car. Opening her door, I release her hand long enough for her to sit and for me to scoot around and get in the driver's seat.
"So, we have a little time to kill Anything you wanna do, baby?" I ask, turning slightly to see her.
She smiles and I'm lost again. "We could go back to the bookstore. We might find more goodies!"
The bookstore? Well, if that's what she wants. Besides, I think suddenly, we might be able to find out where they got those books and if they can get more. "Sure. Maybe we can find out where they got those books, the ones Giles said were lost."
She nods, taking my hand in hers. The feel of her skin on mine makes me want more, so I lean over and kiss her cheek, relishing the sensation of soft skin under my lips. Pulling back, I start to release her hand to start the car and get us going, but my mind rebels, not wanting to end the contact. It's a little awkward, but I manage to start the car and put it in gear with my left hand and we head downtown.
As I navigate the complex city streets, I keep glancing at my girl. She's been staring at me since we left Giles place and it's beginning to make me a little nervous, like I'm half dressed or something. "What?" I ask her, smiling a little.
She just shakes her head and squeezes my hand a little and I decide to let it go. Sometimes, I catch her looking at me, like she can't believe I'm here. Silly girl. Doesn't she realize how deeply I'm hers? That if I had to choose between her and breathing, I'd pick her? I'm the one who can't believe she let me in, that she loves me.
Giving my head a small shake, I return my attention to the road and we're soon there. I spot a fairly close parking place and pull in, shutting the car down. Raising our joined hands, I kiss hers before releasing it and we get out and walk around the nose of the car, our hands rejoining as soon as we're close enough.
Going inside, I immediately start looking around for the guy who waited on us the day before. Looking all around, I see her smile, then start looking at the shelves of books.
"Do you see that guy, Red?" I ask absently, eyes still searching for him.
"What sweetie?"
"The sales guy from yesterday. Do you see him?"
I see Will look around a bit, too. She seems to spot someone, then shakes her head a little. "No, that's not the same one."
"Oh, well." I stop looking all over and turn my gaze to her as I shrug. "He'll turn up. Wanna look around?"
"Can we?" she asks as she pulls away from me, lost immediately in searching through titles. As her hand leaves mine, I have to smile. I love watching her when she's like this. It gives me a glimpse of what she was like when she was younger, when she was, as Buffy and Xander describe her, a shy, geeky bookworm. She's still a major bookworm, and certainly shy in certain circumstances, but geeky? No way. Now, she's my hot, redheaded super-witch, maker of Slayers and keeper of my heart and soul.
I follow a couple steps behind her, watching her pick up and put back book after book, never keeping any of them. I start looking through them too and quickly spot a title I recognize. Smiling, I pick up a book of old fairytales, remembering the copy my nanny used to read from when I was younger. She'd read to both me and my sister and I can still hear her voice when I close my eyes.
"What did you find?" Willow's voice breaks into my memories. I look up and am surprised to see she hasn't turned around. How did...?
"Nothing really," I start, trying to understand how she knew I'd picked up a book without seeing me do it. She turns and faces me and I raise the book slightly so she can see the title. "Just, my nanny had one like it," I explain, hoping she'll drop it.
She smiles. "Why don't you get it?"
I shrug, trying to not think about kids when I answer. "Don't know," I hedge. "Seems kinda silly," I say as I lay the book back down where I found it. I try to push the thought of children away again. Since we can't have our own, I've tried not to think about it, tried not to dream.
She picks it up again and looks at it herself. "You should - If you want."
Maybe if I agree, she'll forget about it. "Well, I guess I could." I force a smirk. "Anyway, one of the others might need it someday, right?"
She smiles, then it fades a bit. "Ah-right. The others." Hope flares in my heart. Does she mean? But, no. The only way I know for two women to have children is adoption or with some guy's help. I want kids with Will more than I ever wanted to be a Slayer, but not if they're not at least part her. And I can't stand the thought of sharing her with some strange guy, even to have a kid. I take the book when she hands it back, looking at it again, thinking.
Then, it occurs to me. The magic. If she can activate every Slayer on the planet, can she fix the little problem of creating a baby with me? I have to smile and ask, "Something you wanna tell me?"
"No-nothing," she answers and the hope that flared so high, crashes back down again. Then it starts to get up again with her next words. "I mean-I like kid's stories."
"What about the kids?" I wonder, hoping for the answer I want.
"Do I like them? Ah-yeah," she says, looking so nervous, I have to stop. I feel a little sad as I suddenly realize, maybe this means I'm the only one of us that wants kids. I feel a little of my heart cringe at that thought, but if that's how she wants it...
"Yeah, me too," and with that, I decide to change the subject, before one of us says or does something that could be taken wrong. I keep the book and we start walking side by side up the aisle. "Find anything you like?"
She rolls her eyes at my question and smiles. "It's a bookstore, sweetie. I like them all." She takes my arm and glances around.
I have to smile at the truth of that, and think to myself that there's a simple solution to that. "Want me to buy the store?"
She raises an eyebrow and I can see she thinks I'm kidding. "You could buy me the store?"
I shrug and feel my smile fade a bit as I look around, realizing that I'd probably need a little help and that means calling my father. Joy. Still, if that's what she wants, it would give us something to do during the day. "Well, not without calling dear old Dad first but yeah, I think so."
She looks around, clearly thinking about my words, and I think she finally understands that I wasn't kidding. "Not today." She looks around a bit more, before returning her eyes to me. "But maybe-someday."
I grin a bit and ask, "You sure you wanna run a bookstore?"
"Maybe, with books and magic stuff and-" she stops and gives her head a little shake, her expression a little weird. "But not right now."
I smile and take her in my arms. As much as she loves books, I have to ask, "Could you really stand to sell the books, Red?"
She frowns. Obviously, she hadn't thought about that part. "I could loan them-like a library." she tells me, her tone full of satisfaction with her solution and I have to laugh. She smacks me, playfully. "Don't laugh at me!"
"Sorry," I apologize, and I kiss her forehead gently. "Come on, let's see what else we can find today."
She pouts a bit, then glares at me. "Meanie." I smile as I gently pull her down the aisle.
We look around for a few more minutes, then I spot a title and pull it down. I can't believe she didn't notice this before I did. "Look, baby, The History of Witchcraft." I open the front cover and look inside. For such an obviously old book, it's in really good shape. Once the cover's open, though, I see something I can use to get the price lower, if Will wants it.
"Whoever owned this one before it came here put their initials in it. Look, T.M." I tilt the book so she can see.
"T.M.?" I look up, her voice sounding funny to my ears.
"Yeah-" I move closer to her and tilt the book some more, showing her the ornate script the person used. I look at her in time to see all the color drain from her face, as she wobbles unsteadily.
"Willow!" I cry, dropping the book.
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