Adjustments

See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers

Chapter 21

Willow drifts through dream fragments, deeply asleep, til a noise in her room alerts senses trained by years of fighting evil that she's not alone. She continues to lie there, though, waiting to see if she can catch whatever woke her unaware. When she 'hears' her lover's thought speech, as well as feels their gentle kisses, she starts to slide back into sleep, figuring they've just come to bed.

Then, she catches a scent she knows well and wakes up completely, though, still she gives no sign. Even though her sense of smell is no where near as good as Faith's, she is totally familiar with the scent her Slayers give off when they're aroused, and, right now, she can tell they're on fire.

She listens in on their mental conversation, paying close attention once Kennedy says she wants to make love with their Slayer without waking her first. She's grateful that they want to let her sleep, cause the spell was intense, but, since Vi did most of the work, Willow herself is mostly recovered. When the witch hears the comment about the toybox, it's all she can do to not giggle as she tries to imagine what Faith might have in there.

After they both kiss her again and turn to leave, Willow chances opening one eye and is rewarded with the sight of both her girls leaving the room. She smiles, shivering with anticipation as her Slayers head off to do almost precisely what she wants them to do. She still wants to watch them, though, and her smile increases as an idea comes to her.

Getting out of bed, she whispers, "Invisio." and looks down as her body shimmers and fades from view. "Yes!" she exalts quietly, then reaches over and opens the door to leave, following her lovers.

"Toybox, huh?" Kennedy asks, raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Think you have enough?"

Faith frowns, though her eyes are sparkling. "Hey! Not all of us have always had someone to help with the after slay Hs, you know." She selects one of her favorite toys and shows it to her lover. Kennedy smiles and shakes her head. Neither notice the door quietly open and quickly close. "Besides, I couldn't pick up some random person every night, could I?"

Kennedy smirks. "Why not? Hot chick like you? Who's gonna say no!" The expression fades from her face and she studies her girlfriend with a serious face. "Come to think of it, I would. Sorry, babe. Into redheads these days!" She turns and starts for the door. Her hand on the knob, she turns and looks back at the other Slayer. "'Course, brunettes are nice too," she spins with a smile, crossing back to her girl.

Faith drops the artificial phallus and stands, stopping Kennedy from pulling her into a hug. "Girl, if you don't stop doing that, I swear, I'm gonna tie you to a bed and... do... something." she finishes lamely.

Kennedy just smiles wickedly. "Promise? Just don't forget to tell Willow!"

Faith just shakes her head and laughs, finally allowing the younger girl to embrace her. As they come together, she leans down and kisses her, lips meeting, then opening and closing, tempo unrushed. Neither notices the cushion of the chair in the corner depress, like someone has sit down.

Kennedy moans as Faith thrusts her tongue into her mouth. The older girl runs her tongue ring caressingly around her Slayer mouth, across the other girl's studded tongue. She moans herself when Kennedy gently sucks on the intruder for a moment, before both women pull apart a little, gasping. They fall right back together, lips moving slightly faster, tongues dueling for supremacy. Four hands begin fumbling with buttons, pulling shirts up, tugging random bits of clothing.

Breaking the kiss with a moan, Kennedy pants out, "Too many clothes." as she jerks Faith's tank top and bra off. She looks at her girl for a second, just drinking in the sight of her half nude beauty. Darting forward, she presses her lips to Faith's in another searing kiss. Her hands move ticklingly light up the once rogue's sides, faint moans escaping from Faith, though they quickly gain in volume.

Moving her hands around, never stopping, the younger Slayer flicks her thumbs across the distended nubbins on Faith's breasts, causing the older girl to gasp and break their kiss. Using the chance, she strips Kennedy's shirt from her, quickly adding the girl's sports bra as well. Faith stops too, admiring the younger woman's sculpted body, the bronzed skin, muscles moving smoothly beneath.

The older Slayer presses a feather light kiss to her girl's lips, then another on her cheek, the neck, moving slowly, but steadily down the tanned flesh. Her hands trace patterns down her Slayer's body, caressing, tickling, finally resting on the waistband of Kennedy's jeans. Nimbly, her fingers make short work of the buttons, pushing the pants and the boxers under them lower.

Kennedy lets her head drop to one side, allowing her brunette ready access, soft moans falling from her lips as Faith kisses and licks her most sensitive spots. Her hands move up and she slides her fingers into chocolate colored tresses. Maintaining a loose contact as her Slayer teases her, the brunette just stands there on wobbly knees, trying to get her mind to work enough to suggest they move to the bed.

She gasps as Faith's tongue ring flicks across a nipple, tantalizing the hardened peak. In a momentary flash of coherence, she pulls the once rogue up to her face and kisses her passionately. Lips move and tongues dance for a moment, then she pulls back, both girls gasping for air. Taking a second to organize her thoughts, she manages to pant, "Take me to bed. Now," before collapsing back into her girl's lips.

Willow watches her girls kiss and fondle each other, her body becoming increasingly aroused. Wetness seeps between her tightly closed thighs as her our desires flare white hot. This was what she wanted, to watch her girlfriends make love, but she never imagined she would be this turned on. That she would want to be with them so much.

Steeling herself, she resolves to leave them alone for as long as possible, never noticing that her own breathing has picked up speed. That she is unconsciously clenching and unclenching her legs against her suddenly throbbing sex. When Kennedy had demanded to be taken to bed, she barely stopped the soft moan that nearly escaped. She leans forward, wincing when the chair creaks a little at her shifting weight. She watches her girls for a moment, hardly even breathing, til it was clear they hadn't noticed the slight sound in their passion.

In front of her wide eyes, Kennedy has pushed Faith jeans and panties down to the taller girl's ankles and she steps out of them. Bending slightly, the older Slayer picks up the younger and deposits her on the bed, herself on top, their kiss never stopping the whole way.

Willow's hand slowly creeps up and she starts fondling her own breasts, one then the other, tweaking rock hard peaks, her breath coming in sharp pants. Her other hand, almost unnoticed, eases it's way passed the elastic of her pajama bottom's waistband. Slowly, her fingers comb through soft, damp curls, and she lightly teases her own slicks folds as she watches.

Faith breaks off the scorching kiss, then after a few precious seconds to get air into her fired up body, she plants a little kiss on the corner of Kennedy's mouth, then the point of her chin, then under. On down the girl's throat to the hollow, then across and up the side of her neck. Kissing, licking, nibbling, sucking, she makes her slow, tortuous way up to her Slayer's ear. Her hands are not idle, but stroke, tickle and tease the girl's sides and stomach, tantalizing her breasts without ever touching where the passion inflamed girl really wants her to.

Kennedy's moans are steady and deep, as she struggles to force her mind to work enough to form words. She's lost in the pleasure her older lover is giving her, and in the tiny corner of her mind not consumed by the sensations Faith is producing, she makes a mental note to talk to Willow again about getting a tongue piercing. As much as she loves what Willow does to her, Kennedy has to admit, that little piece of metal of Faith's is making her absolutely crazy.

"G-god, Faith! Feels... so good!" she moans loudly. Faith just smiles and sucks the younger woman's ear lobe between her lips, nibbling and sucking gently.

"Shit! Yes!!", her Slayer nearly screams. Her hands fly up and once again tangle in her lover's hair for a moment, before she feverishly drags her nails across Faith's shoulders.

Willow sits watching, alternating between teasing and tugging on her own engorged nipples. She can't stop her moans, but manages to keep them quiet. Her top has appeared on the floor, though neither of her lovers has noticed it, as she needs to feel fingers on her breasts, even if they're her own. It's getting harder to not join them as she watches them, but she forces herself, reminding herself she wanted this. Her other hand still strokes and teases her overheated center, though the caresses are getting hard and a finger occasionally slips inside for a moment.

Faith has moved down her lover's sweat soaked body, licking at the slightly salty flesh as she makes her way down, reveling in the taste of the younger girl. Stopping for a second, the brunette grins up at her girl, telling her, "Taste so good, Kenn." before resuming her teasing. She kisses and licks her way along the outer edges of Kennedy's breast, careful to let her hair tickle across the hard, fleshy peaks there. Kennedy moans loudly and arches her back, the sensations driving her mad.

"God, Faith! Please..."

The once dark Slayer smiles and swiftly sucks a nipple into her mouth, her tongue ring flicking across and around it in a staccato rhythm.

"Faith!!" Kennedy screams, her body on fire as her back arches and she nearly leaves the bed.

Willow just groans and plunges two fingers into herself. This is the first time she's ever watched anyone have sex in front of her and she's never been this turned on, this fast. Not even her Slayers have made her feel this hot so quickly, not directly. She watches, faint feelings of unease creeping into her mind. This causes her to turn her thoughts inward a little.

Why would she be uneasy? Certainly, if it was anyone else but her lovers, she wouldn't even be here. Just the thought of watching anyone else having sex makes the redhead blush, even through her passion induced flush. As she watches her lovers, Faith now kissing and licking her way between Kennedy's breast, down to her navel and back up, she suddenly asked herself, could she be jealous?

Of who? Kennedy? Faith? Her eyes open wide as she realizes that's it. She's jealous. Not of one girl or the other, but of both. She wants to be either or both, giving or receiving the pleasure she's watching. She now understands what Kennedy was feeling, she thinks. It's a simple case of wanting to share everything with each other. Of not wanting leave any of their lovers out.

Kennedy's cries of, "F-Faith! Need you inside. Please!" shake her from her reflections in time to see Faith grin mischievously. The brunette reaches into the box beside the bed and pulls out a small, pink item, her other hand never ceasing it's teasing strokes along Kennedy's body.

Faith holds the object in her hand for a moment, warming it a little, before shifting it to a more comfortable grip to use. Willow sees that the object is a small vibrator, maybe four inches long, it's sides smooth plastic.

Returning her attention to her lover, Faith kisses Kennedy's stomach, darting her tongue in and out of the girls' navel, eliciting a deep moan and a shiver from her Slayer. the moans increase as she licks and kisses her way down the girl's body and along the inner surfaces of Kennedy's thighs. Faith never allows anything but her hair to touch her Slayer's heated mound, the tickling sensations causing the younger girl to start moving her hips, trying to get more contact.

She whimpers in need and begs, half groan, half scream, "Please, need you! Stop t-teasing and fuck me!"

Willow takes her bottom lip between her teeth and bites down, trying to stifles her moans of pleasure and desire. The hand over her center rides up and down, plunging her fingers in and out of her, the palm rubbing the bundle of nerves at the top. At Kennedy's begging, needing demand, she squeals and feels a climax rip through her.

Lost in each other, neither Slayer hears the hushed, extra sound. Faith grins and flicks her oral piercing lightning quick across the top of her girl's clit. Kennedy gasps and arches, thrusting her hips toward Faith, trying for more contact. Bringing the vibrator up, the dark Slayer touches it to the outer lips of Kennedy's mound, wiggling it slightly to slide in between the wet folds.

"Gah!" the younger Slayer shrieks, jerking away. "What the hell was that?" Her body was still making urgent demands to be sated, but the totally unfamiliar sensation had jolted her out of her pre-orgasmic haze.

Faith looks up at her girl's face, seeing the shock there. She's confused, but displays the small marital aid in her hand. "Just thought you might like to try something different." she offers in explanation. She kisses the inside of Kennedy's leg, then looks back into dark chocolate eyes. "No, huh?"

Kennedy shakes her head, her breathing becoming less ragged. "Don't like'em. Tried'em once."

Faith drops the toy in the box she got it from and smirks as she inserts two fingers into Kennedy. "Like this, though, right?" she asks in a husky voice.

The other Slayer's only response is a deep moan and her hips moving downward, impaling herself on the invaders. Faith smiles, and removes her digits. Before Kennedy can complain, she run her tongue up her girlfriend's sex, top to bottom, ending with a quick circle around the swollen button on top. Kennedy screams her name, and Faith repeats the action before reinserting her fingers and starting to slowly move them.

Willow leans forward and reaches slowly in Faith's toybox. After a moment, she finds and removes the small vibrator she attempted to use on Kennedy. The redhead had watched and heard the whole exchange and had filed it in her lust crazed mind to be remembered when she could order her thoughts more easily, but now just wanted to see the toy her younger lover had rejected. Bringing it to her nose, she inhaled deeply of the scent of Kennedy's heady arousal. The fluids from her girl were still on the first inch or so of the plastic phallus and before she could stop herself, Willow swiftly licked them off.

Her taste buds explode as the taste of her lover hits them and she moans again, louder, no longer caring if her girls know she's there. Despite her orgasm, her body is completely on fire with need. She doesn't know how much longer she can force herself to leave her lovers alone. She whimpers slightly as she realizes all of Kennedy's juices have been removed from the sex toy and she carefully replaces it in the box.

Standing, she pushes her pajama bottoms and underwear off her hips and down her legs. They appear on the floor as she steps out of them and she can smell her own excitement over the intoxicating scents of Kennedy and Faith. Crossing the room, she kneels beside the bed, still managing to keep her hands to herself, but needing to be beside her girlfriends. She can feel the heat rolling of Kennedy's heated, sweaty body in waves, hear the sounds her girl is making as Faith pleasures her in her most intimate areas. Her hand once more creeps down through soaked fur as fingers again explore and tease.

Her breathing and tempo keep rough time with her younger Slayer's as she seeks to bring herself to completion at the same time as her young Slayer. Long familiarity with the signals Kennedy gives off when she's approaching orgasm allow Willow to time things pretty well. Plus, the begging, pleading words and moans coming from her girl is another set of clues and the witch smiles to hear them. Usually, anything like that was a bit muffled, she realizes with a soft, inward chuckle.

Faith alternates with quick, stabbing strokes and swift flicks of her tongue, then changes to slow, teasing, deep motions, with broad swipes with the flat of her tongue, or nibbling lips. Kennedy just moans, occasionally succeeding in forming simple words. "Yes, there! Keep doing that!" or just near shouts of "Yes!" are all she can manage to say now, but it's enough. The once rogue grins a little at the thought of how much pleasure she's bringing to her lover, then resumes her sweet torture.

When Faith slows again, Kennedy pants out, "P-please, Faith! Need - need", then she screams her Slayer's name as the older girl takes her clit between heated lips and sucks hard as fingers plunge swiftly. Kennedy's body arches upward for a second as she screams, then falls back onto the bed, writhing wildly as her orgasm claims her. Faith never slows and the single crest is suddenly another climax, then a third. Kennedy can do nothing but quiver and shake, moaning out in mind blown pleasure.

Willow, meanwhile, feels her back curve sharply toward her lovers as her completion crashes over her. Her head thrown back, she again bites her lip to keep from shouting, and tastes blood. Even then, she can't stop the gasp and small moan that escapes, but they're lost in Kennedy's exclamations.

Both girls slowly regain control of their breathing, though one can't be seen by the other two. Kennedy is still trying to stop panting and slow her frantically beating heart when Faith stops planting little soft kisses on her belly and gently eases her fingers from her girl's folds. Kennedy moans, partly in protest, as she does, then grins as the Slayer licks them clean. "God, you're weird! Love you, though."

The older brunette chuckles, replying "Love you", then she resumes her kissing way back up Kennedy's body. She circles her navel, traces a path up through the valley between the younger woman's breasts, before finally kissing her gently, slowly. Kennedy tastes herself on her lover's lips and tongue and gives another little moan, relaxing into the kiss. After a moment, they pull apart and Faith lies next to her girl, smiling gently at her.

Suddenly her head shoots up, her expression clears and her nostrils flare. Kennedy watches, beginning to get alarmed. She's seen this behavior before and it usually mean trouble. Faith sniffs the air for a second, testing scents. She doesn't know why her sense of smell is so much sharper than her fellow Slayers, but it is. Nearly the equal of a vampire or werewolf. All she cares about is it helps her be a better Slayer and has saved her and her friends butts on several occasions.

This scent is so familiar, she knows she knows it. Sniffing one more time, she places the scent and realizes who it is and smiles.

"Faith? Is everything ok?" Kennedy tries to sit up, but she's still feeling the after effects of the several orgasms her older lover gave her. Her arms and legs feel like they're made of Jell-o and barely even try to respond to her commands. She listens hard, knowing her hearing is as sharp as Faith's sense of smell. They had all talked about that after a particularly slow night and discovered each Slayer seemed to have a specialty.

When Faith smiles, she asks, "What? What do you smell?" She still can't hear anything but a panting breathing, but that could easily be either of them.

The dark Slayer smiles at her. "It's nothing. We're just not alone." She looks to the side of the bed. "Are we, Red?"

"Willow?" Kennedy's eyes get big and she looks around the room. There's the just the two them, as far as she can see. Why would Faith think Willow was in there. Then her head whips around and she stares at a place beside the bed.

Willow sighs and shrugs. She's tired of watching anyway and wants to play too. She mutters, "exitus majica". Both her girls smile at her as she fades into view.

"How long have you been here?" Faith asks, chuckling.

Willow smiles at her girls. "Since you left our room. I followed you in here."

"If we'd known you were awake, we'd have stayed there. Why would you fake sleep?" Kennedy asks, curious and a little hurt.

Willow reaches up and puts her hand on Kennedy's cheek, feeling the younger girl lean into the touch. "Sweetie, I wasn't trying to trick you or anything. I heard you talking about letting me sleep and coming in here." She shrugs and smiles at her Slayers. "Besides, this was the favor I was going to ask you, so I used an invisibility spell and followed you."

Both girls look confused, and Faith voices for them both. "Which favor, Red? That surprise you were talkin about?"

The witch blushes, but smiles again. "Favor more than surprise, baby." Her blush fades a bit and captures Kennedy's eyes with her own. "Kennedy was saying she felt guilty for wanting to have - do this - with just you and I thought maybe I could help." Her gaze shifts back to both Slayers and she blushes again. " I was going to ask you to - have sex" she blushes the color of her hair, then it fades a little. "while I just watched. That way I'd be there for Kenn, but it would still just be you guys."

Kennedy laughs and brings the witch's hand to her lips, kissing it. "Now I remember why I love you so much. What did you think of just watching?"

Willow makes a face. "It was awful!" The shocked expression on her girl's faces causes her to back pedal quickly. "No! No! I mean, it was hot and you guys were really amazing! I got so turned on, I had to - you know- myself!"

Faith laughs. "That's how I knew you were here, Will. I could smell it when you came. Knew I knew that yummy smell!" she tells her witch, winking.

The redhead blushes again, but smiles.

Kennedy rolls over on her side and Faith rests her chin on top of the smaller Slayer's arm. "What was so awful about it, Will? I mean, if it was as hot as you say, where's the bad?"

Willow pouts. "I wanted to join you and couldn't."

Both brunettes look at each other, then break up laughing. Regaining control of her self, Faith sits up and holds out her arms. "Get that edible little ass up here, Red!"

Chapter 22

Dawn groans, her sleep disturbed by something, though she's not quite awake enough to discover what. She looks at the alarm clock on her dresser and groans again. Two in the morning, what the hell was she doing awake?

"Faith!!"

Her eyes widen a little at the muffled scream, then she rolls them in exasperation. "Give me a break, guys," she whines. In way less than a week, she's gotten used to the quiet on that end of the house, ever since Faith had moved in with Willow and Kennedy. Now, there was suddenly moaning next door again. It hadn't been so bad, before, when it was only Faith occasionally bringing someone home after patrol. But, if they were just gonna screw all over the house, instead of just one room, Dawn wasn't sure if she could deal.

"F-Faith! Need you inside. Please!"

The teen groans in protest again, pulling her pillow from under her head, then jamming over her ears. Willing herself back to sleep, she closes her eyes and tries to think of nothing. After a minute or so, she can feel herself drifting and eases her grip on the pillow.

"Please, need you! Stop t-teasing and fuck me!"

"Damn it!" Dawn throws her covers off her, sitting up and glaring toward the wall her room shares with Faith's. She knows it's useless to pound on the wall or knock on the door. The Slayer, if she answers, will simply tell her she'll be done soon.

Getting to her feet, she crosses to her door and leaves her room, knowing she'll never get any sleep until the couple next door finishes. She groans as she realizes, if Willow is with them, it may be hours before she can get back to sleep. Thankfully, tomorrow is Sunday, so she can sleep as late as she wants. The idea appeals to her, since it looks like she's gonna be up a while.

Automatically, she stops at Vi's room, to check on her friend. She blushes as she remembers her behavior, both before she yelled and after. [Not sure why I yelled at her. I'd go crazy having someone trying to help me do everything like I was doing. I'm sure that's what she meant.]

The teen thinks back to what Vi said and she blushes deeper, knowing that she was being too hover-y. She really had just wanted to help her friend, but, now that she wasn't still mad from... Well, whatever it was with Xander that had made her mad. Now that she was passed that, she could admit that she probably was over-helping.

Cracking the door open, she looks in at the youngest Slayer, deeply asleep in the aftermath of Willow's spell. Dawn smiles a little, seeing the slightly older girl, then frowns as she notices the casts are gone!

"What the...?" she wonders softly, then pushes her way into Vi's room. She goes to the girl's bedside and looks at the hand that's positioned on top of the covers. The full moon shines through her window, giving the brunette just enough light to see that, except for a very slight discoloration, the Slayer's hands are healed. Then a familiar scent tugs at her nose and she sniffs deeply, placing it after a moment. Vanilla and lavender.

The former Key smiles, knowing Willow prefers those scents when she meditates, so, she reasons, Willow must have helped Vi with her speedy healing. Pleased with herself for thinking this through, she smiles down at her friend, thinking she needs to apologize first thing in the morning.

Reaching out, she tucks a loose strand of the girl's hair behind an ear, then, after a moment, she leaves, deciding a snack might be nice. Besides, it would probably give the noisy pair time to finish and then she can sleep some more. Padding softly downstairs, she turns the corner and heads for the kitchen, stopping when she sees the light on.

Buffy watches Xander wander around the kitchen, the man gathering spoons and a small-ish tub of ice cream. She smiles as she asks, "You got that food for me, even when I said I wasn't hungry, didn't you?"

Xander sets the tub of frozen sweetness on the counter between them and hands her a spoon. Looking up at her, he smiles, nodding. "I knew you'd be home eventually and, no offense, Buff, but you've turned down food once since I met you." A thought occurs to him, and he adds, "Oh, uh, you did leave enough for Dawnie, didn't you?"

Buffy's eyebrows draw down in confusion. "Didn't she eat with you guys?"

"No. She got mad at something I said, not sure what, though. Willow said she and Vi also had words and she stormed upstairs to her room. Will told her when dinner got here, but she said she wasn't hungry." He thinks back over the evening. "I didn't see her come down anytime tonight, so she didn't eat yet."

Buffy scoops up some sugary confection, eating it while she considers her words. "Any idea what had her so mad? I mean, I know she got ticked when I hit you, but that wasn't still it, was it?"

Xander considers for a second, then shakes his head. "No, I don't think that was it. I mean, she was ok when she came back downstairs with the dinner orders." He grins evilly and she raises an eyebrow. "She was upset, but only because Faith flashed her."

Buffy's eyes get much bigger. "Faith did what?" she demands, her voice rising dangerously.

The dark haired man holds up his hands, back pedaling quickly. "No, it's ok! All that happened was our resident sex fiends were in their room when she went around asking about dinner. From what Dawn and Faith said and what they didn't, the girls were in the middle of, well," he wiggles his eyebrows. Buffy rolls her eyes and grins at his behavior. "Anyway, apparently Dawnie started babbling and Faith lifted the sheet for a second. I guess Dawn looked away and Willow or Kennedy hit Faith for teasing her." He looks at the blonde, capturing her eyes with his own. "Faith apologized for it, so don't give either of them a hard time over it, ok?"

Buffy looks dubious, and thinks over his request. "Well, I suppose, if Faith was all with the sorries, I guess I can forget it. This once," she qualifies, her eyes narrowing.

Xander smiles his thanks and takes her hand in his. They sit together and quietly share the frozen treat between them. After many shy glances, the man finally asks, "So, Buff, what do you wanna do for our first date?"

She chokes a little, then grins, holding up her spoon. He grins his goofy grin and nods. "Okay, then what about the second? And don't say patrolling, cause that's work."

She grins mischievously at him, teasing, "Not always. Didn't I catch you almost kissing Willow one time?"

Xander's expression is blank as he tries to remember what she's talking about. Finally, the ice cream in front of him brings a memory of himself and Willow walking near a graveyard in Sunnydale, talking about when Buffy would be back to the surface. He remembers touching the redhead's nose with his ice cream cone, then trying to lick it off. Willow had protested, then they'd been drawn together, lips nearly connecting, until a vampire had growled and killed the mood. Who knew where things would've gone if not for that vampire.

To this day, Xander didn't know whether he was grateful to it or not. Most times, he thought he was, because, then, he never wouldn't gotten together with Anya. Never known her, because it had been Cordelia's wish for vengeance that had brought her into his life, the only good thing about what he'd done to the brunette. Xander knew he loved Willow and always would, but she was his sister now, nothing more.

His eyes refocused on the blonde in front of him and he smiles. "That doesn't count. It was a boring summer and we weren't on patrol, just walking passed the cemetery. Besides, you killed the vamp, not me. Saved our butts again."

Buffy nods. "Ok, even if we forget that one, what about the double date Slayage you guys were doing the summer I went to LA, Nighthawk?" she asks him, her expression wicked.

He grimaces a bit, thinking about those few weeks, especially after he and Cordy had made up. The two of them patrolling, with Willow and Oz, helping to keep the vampires and demons from taking over til Buffy got back. There'd never been any doubt she'd be back and her friends just were not going to let her come back to a town overrun.

"Yeah, ok. That may count. A little," he concedes. "And I can see where you might get that confused, since I can remember a few nights we came looking for you and Riley and found you behind some tombstone, making out like it the last chance you'd ever get. And didn't you tell me the whole thing with the ghost kids started with you guys dealing with the double Hs?" he asks, his voice teasing.

Buffy feigns shock and snatches her hand from his. "I have no idea what you're referring to, Alexander Harris! I have never had that problem. That would be Faith you're thinking of!" She tries to maintain her air of disdainful superiority, but at his "Yeah, right!" expression, she giggles once, then breaks up, Xander joining her.

They pull themselves under control after a few minutes. The man takes the Slayer's hand again and she lets him, even intertwining their fingers. He grins at her, then states, "Seriously, though, I was thinking dinner, a movie, maybe both. Might even try a movie here later, little snuggly thing on the sofa? Too fast?"

Buffy takes another bite of ice cream, considering his words. She makes no move to separate their hands, but sits silently, every so often, getting a bit more of the frozen goodness. She looks at him after a while. "Yeah, dinner, and maybe a movie would be nice. We can check the theaters tomorrow and see what's playing and decide when, ok?"

Xander just smiles and nods, then frowns as the blonde sits up, alert and looks down the hallway. "What?"

Buffy stares for a second longer, using all her enhanced Slayer abilities, but all she got was something like a gasp, then the flip of a shadowed... something. She shakes her head, replying, "Not sure. I guess nothing." She turns her attention back to her friend, potential boyfriend, her mind corrects. She smiles a teasing smile. "So, for dinner, you were thinking one of the more expensive places, right?"

Xander looks shocked, but his eye sparkles as he plays along. "Uh, Buff? Hello! Haven't worked since Sunnydale fell in a hole? Thinking somewhere fast foody, really."

The Slayer's eyes open and she mock scowls. "Fast food? You were planning on taking the girl you've had a crush on since you were sixteen to McDonalds?"

Xander grins wickedly. "No. I was planning on taking you."

Buffy's mouth drops open and she pulls her hand away from his. Her eyes narrowing, she darts around the counter, heading for the furiously backing man. "Oh, you are so gonna pay for that!"

Dawn runs into the bathroom and slams the door behind her, her mind racing, but refusing to obey her command to ignore what she saw. Over and over, she sees it in her mind. Buffy and Xander, sitting, holding hands like lovers, talking about what to do on dates. She snarls silently, angry, though she still doesn't completely understand why. All she knows is, somehow, it's wrong for Buffy and Xander to date. Yet, she also feels guilt, because she knows that decision isn't hers and that she should be glad for her sister and her friend.

'Why?' she asks herself. [Why is this bothering me so much? Why does it bother me that Buffy and Xander want to go out? He's always been like my brother. If they got married, he would be then, and that's good right?] She shakes her head, trying to force the confusion from her mind, yet only succeeding in driving it deeper. [I'm acting all jealous, and that can't be right. Can it?] She feels her eyes prickle as tears begin gathering.

Her confusion and frustration finally getting the better of her, the teen stands and flees to her bedroom. Once in there, she almost screams as the sounds from the next room have intensified. She can easily tell all three lovers are in there, now, and, from the sounds, they won't be done for hours. Tears of anger and consternation slowly drip down her cheeks and she makes a quick decision.

Grabbing her comforter and pillows, she goes swiftly to Vi's room. She checks the other girl again, pulling the blankets back up over her, then makes herself a little bed on the floor at the foot of the Slayer's bed. Settling in, she lets her tears flow, quietly crying herself to sleep.

Chapter 23

"So, you think it's safe to go back to bed?" Xander asks, his voice only half joking. He rinses off the spoons they used and drops them in the dishwasher, while Buffy drops the empty ice cream container in the garbage.

The blonde shrugs. "Don't know. I'll check and meet you in the tv room, ok?" The man nods his agreement and she moves to the foot of the stairs and listens hard. For several seconds, all seems quiet and she begins to hope her friends have quieted down. After all, she really doesn't need to fight with her own body's need tonight, on top of everything else. Her hopes, though, are shattered when she hears the unmistakable sound of Willow screaming Kennedy's name.

Grumbling under her breath, the Slayer goes into the house's entertainment room just as Xander gets there. She looks at him and shakes her head, but he already knew that from seeing her "miffed" face, an expression he's long familiar with. It means Buffy didn't get her way and she wants to pout about it.

"Still at it, huh?"

Buffy just makes an 'Ewww' face. "Yeah. Can't they do that during the day, when they're not keeping people awake?" she asks, a little whine in her voice.

The man grins easily. "They do."

The Slayer just stares at him for a moment, then matches his grin. "Oh, yeah. Guess they do." She looks up at her almost boyfriend. "Can you please soundproof my room when you rebuild? That way, they can do what ever and it won't bother me." She smiles, pleased with her reasoning.

"Might not have to." Xander tells her. When she gives him a perplexed look, he elaborates. "Faith had an idea. Yeah, I know!" he laughs at her surprised expression. "Anyway, she told Will and Kennedy and they all agreed. They want the basement."

Buffy feels her eyebrows draw down are the confusion arcs through her. "Huh?"

"They want me to convert it into an apartment for the three of them. They move downstairs, I add a couple layers of sound deadening materials to their ceiling and we no longer have to hear just how much they love each other. Just watch'em constantly make out in the tv room," he adds as an afterthought.

The blonde thinks about this plan for a few minutes and discovers she likes it. Like Willow before her, she realizes that it'll help them stay in the house she's come to love. Old feelings about Faith aside, she's truly happy for her best friend and if this is what Willow wants, then she'll make it happen. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Not yet. Wanted to get all the measuring in today, but got a little distracted, what with the trauma and someone beating me up and everything." He grins wickedly at her, and she swats at him. His grin becomes a smile. "Seriously, I'm planning on measuring the house tomorrow and figuring up what I've got to work with. I've still got to build a little addition out back for the new training room. Might put a couple extra rooms up above it, too"

He yawns hugely, and, with a scowl, she does as well. "Can you hear anything, now?"

Buffy cocks her head and listens intently, then walks to the stairs and repeats the motion. Walking back to her... boyfriend? She shakes her head as the label doesn't feel quite right. Looking up at him, she reports, "Sounds clear." She yawns again. "Bed time, big guy."

Buffy extends her hand, helping the man to his feet. She doesn't release him, but holds hands up stairs and to his room. Stopping, they face each other. Xander reaches up and moves a strand of hair off her forehead, laying it to the side. "So, tomorrow evening, dinner?"

The blonde bites her bottom lip, then nods. "Sure. Surprise me with where, ok?"

He smiles and agrees. He leans down to kiss her good night, and she leans up, but both stop before their lips can touch. Xander gives her his goofy grin. "Still feels funny, doesn't it?"

The Slayer laughs. "Yeah, it does. Next time, maybe." She hugs him tightly, whispering "Good night," in his ear. He repeats it in hers, then they separate. She watches her friend go into his bedroom and, with a sigh, she heads for her own.

In Faith's room, the triple is on the bed, in a tangle of limbs and sweaty bodies, where their last orgasms have left them. All three are trying, with varying degrees of success to slow their ragged breathing and frantically beating hearts.

"Well, that was different." Willow says, her voice slightly muffled from where her face is buried in Faith's back. She's currently on her knees behind her older Slayer, laying across her back. Finding a little energy, she raises her body and pulls her hips back, the large-ish, flesh tone phallus she's wearing attached to a leather strap slipping out of the once rogue. Faith groans a bit as she feels the toy leave her body, then crawls forward and collapses beside Kennedy, planting little kisses up her Slayer's body as she goes.

Willow smiles and removes the harness she's wearing, tossing it back in the box with Faith's other sex toys. She stands, a little wobbly, but still stretches, then walks around the bed and lies down behind Faith, spooning around her. She starts presses little kisses into the brunette's shoulder and the back of her neck.

Kennedy just lies there, Faith's teasing lips sending little shocks and tingles through her as she finally relaxes completely from the last few peaks Faith took her up and over. Finding her voice at last, she smiles at her lovers. "If you do that every time she uses that thing, we're definitely bringing it with us when we move."

Both girls laugh at her shaky tone, though the redhead adds, "Yeah, but next time, we trade places. That was pretty intense and you look all melty now." She kisses Faith's shoulder again. "You both do."

Both Slayers agree that melty is how they feel. It starts with Willow, but within seconds, all three are yawning, the lateness of the night and the last few hours have really taken their toll. "I'm all sleepy, now," the witch complains.

"Me too, Red," the dark Slayer agrees. She looks around, as if seeing her room for the first time. "Bed's a little small here, sorry. We wanna move this back down the hall?"

Willow shakes her head, though neither girl can see her. "Too tired to move and I'm not sure Kennedy can, yet." She hugs her girl. "The bed's fine, sweetie. We'll just have to snuggle up close. That'll be tough, huh?" she asks, giggling tiredly.

Faith laughs quietly as Kennedy answers, "Oh, yeah. Pure torture. Not sure I can get to sleep at all." She rolls on her side, facing both girls. "At least, not 'til I get a good night kiss," she pouts.

Willow giggles again as Faith smiles and leans forward, her lips meeting her Slayers in a slow, heartfelt kiss. Pulling apart after a minute, the younger brunette smiles and says, "That's one." She leans up and over Faith to reach Willow. They share a kiss similar to the one she and Faith just did, but Kennedy moans as she feels the dark Slayer pressing a kiss to the valley between her breasts.

She settles back and looks at her dark haired girl. Faith just grins. "Did you really expect me to pass up the chance, K?"

Kennedy laughs and shakes her head. Rolling over to her other side, she snuggles back into her Slayer, feeling Willow's hand brushing ticklingly over her stomach, while Faith's arm curls around her middle. "Night guys," she yawns.

"Good night, Kennedy, Faith."

"Night."

Vi slowly opens her eyes, blinking at the sunlight streaming in her window where she forgot to close the curtains. She stretches and sits up looking around and frowning as she thinks something's wrong, then smiling as she realizes that it's actually ok, since her hands have finished healing while she was asleep. She brings her hands up in front of her, curling and uncurling her fingers, reveling in the feeling of no pain as she does so. Making a fist with her right hand, she lightly punches her left palm, wincing a bit as she expects it to hurt. She's surprised when it doesn't even tingle.

Smiling broadly, she gets out of bed and almost dances for joy, then stops dead, her eyes big and her smile banished like it never existed. Going to the foot of her bed, she stares down at the tangle of blanket and dark hair, knowing instantly it's Dawn. She's seen that form every day since she first came to Sunnydale and a thousand times besides in her dreams.

Walking around, she kneels down, looking in the other teen's face, noticing the unmistakable signs that her friend cried herself to sleep. Her heart both breaks and seethes as she wants to comfort her love and hurt whoever hurt her. Getting control over her emotions, she reaches out a hand that trembles slightly and brushes the hair back from Dawn's face, flipping it back over the former Key's shoulder. Leaning down, she presses a soft kiss to the other girl's forehead, holding her lips there for a few seconds, trying to offer comfort.

Pulling back, she watches the brunette sleep for a few minutes, then, with a small groan, blue eyes open and see the red haired teen watching over her.

"Hey," Dawn says, looking at her friend, feeling both comforted that she was watching over her and a little wigged at the same time. The only person ever to watch over her while she slept was her mother when she was sick, at least, 'til now. She decides it's nice and smiles at the other teen.

"Morning." Vi smiles, then lowers her eyes. "Dawn, about what I said last night."

The brunette sits up and lifts her chin with two fingers, a soft smile still on her lips. "Hey, no apologies, ok? I was the one who was wrong, not you. I was way too over-helpy, I know that, and Xander said something that made me mad and then, I came back in and you were saying that I was helping too much and I just snapped. I'm so sorry."

Vi touches Dawn's shoulder. "Hey, it was a little bit my fault, too. I shouldn't have said that. And you were only trying to help, I know that. I'm sorry, too"

Dawn puts her hand on top of Vi's and her smile becomes a little bigger. "Let's forget it, ok? Just be friends again."

The redhead smiles tentatively, then a little brighter, as she nods. Pulling her hand from the brunette's shoulder, she lightly traces a finger down her cheek. "What's with the crying? That wasn't from me, was it?"

The former Key looks confused for a moment, then realizes Vi can see where she cried herself to sleep. She blushes a bit and shakes her head, replying, "Oh, no. No, I was just mad and frustrated and couldn't help it. It's also kinda tied to why I slept in here for part of last night." Now, Vi looks confused. Dawn sighs and continues. "You know how Faith's room is next to mine?" A nod. "For some reason, Faith and Kennedy, then Willow, too, decided to use Faith's room last night."

The Slayer's eyes get big, then she giggles slightly, trying hard to choke it off when Dawn glares at her. The brunette glowers for a second, then smiles, releasing the mirth from her friend, who giggles loudly, covering her mouth. "Ok, I guess it is funny, but, rude much? They woke me up at two in the morning!"

Vi's giggles turn to genuine laughter as she tries to imagine being woke from a dead sleep by screams and moans of ecstasy. Since she has overheard the triple a time or two, Slayer hearing and all, she can easily picture it. She looks at Dawn, her eyes sparkling. "We have got to get Xander to include soundproofing for the rooms in his rebuild, right?"

Rather than agreeing, the younger teen's smile dies, for the most part, and she looks down. The Slayer picks up on her mood shift, asking, "What? Was there something else that happened last night?" Her eyes widen as she suddenly understands what cause Dawn to look despondent. "Is there something wrong with Xander? Is he ok?"

Dawn grimaces. She had hoped it wouldn't be that obvious. "Uh, no. No, he's fine, I guess. I mean, nothing's happened to him. He's peachy"

Vi feels her eyebrows draw down in her confusion, but Dawn's answer and the way she answered, have started a little feeling of dread in her gut. "Ok, if he's ok, why do you look like he's just this side of dead?"

The brunette tries for a smile, but misses and the redhead feels her heart lurch. "No, it's ok. It's just... When Faith and Kennedy woke me up, I went downstairs to get something to eat and wait for them to get done, you know? When I got to the kitchen, Xander and Buffy were in there. They were.... They were..." She swallows and manages to finish. "They were holding hands and talking about dating."

She shakes her head. "Not sure why, but I got so mad, I couldn't see and came back up here to go back to bed, but Willow had just joined the boinking and it was louder. So I grabbed my blankets and a pillow, and well... You found me, right?" she finishes with a lop-sided grin and a chuckle, eyes glistening with moisture.

Vi thinks about what Dawn said and didn't say and makes the only conclusion she can. Even if this woman she's come to love doesn't realize it herself, the redhead knows the brunette is falling for the older man. A man who, apparently, is just starting to date her sister. [And I thought I was screwed up!] she thinks with some asperity. [I'm in love with her, she's falling in love with Xander and it looks like he's falling for Buffy. I know this could get even more messed up, but please, God, I don't want to see how!] she prays fervently.

Her face goes through several expressions lightning fast, from sympathy, to annoyance to acceptance that Dawn will never be with her. The last one depresses her somewhat, but she does her best to hide it, even now, not wanting the brunette to guess how much she means to her.

Dawn notices the emotions flying across her friend's face, and asks. "What's with the faces?"

The redhead blushes lightly, mad at herself for letting Dawn see what was passing through her mind. "Oh, nothing, really. Just feeling sorry for you, I guess. What with the sleep interrupting and the finding out about your sister and Xander that way."

Dawn nods and looks pained at her words, then shakes her head, willing her thoughts to other concerns. "Never mind all that. I want to know what's with your hands. I mean, I figure Willow worked some magic and helped them heal faster, but I thought you didn't like it when she did magic around you?"

Vi smiles a little wistfully. "I don't, normally. This was kind of a special case."

"Because it was embarrassing to be waited on so much?"

The Slayer hesitates for a split second then nods. "Yeah, that's it. See? It wasn't really you, just the situation. You know, I'm a Slayer. I'm supposed to be able to take care of myself."

Dawn nods sympathetically. "Yeah, I kinda figured that was it. Sorry again."

Vi shakes her head. "No, it's ok. Let's just forget about it, ok?" The brunette smiles and nods eagerly, happy to have her friend back. The older girl smiles as well and asks, "Hey, what have you got planned for this evening?"

Dawn thinks for a moment. "Nothing really. Probably just gonna watch tv or listen to some music. Read, maybe. Why? Got an idea?"

The redhead grins and replies, "Maybe, yeah. I gotta be somewhere til a little after five, but after that, I'm good. Well," she adds, thinking of something. "If Buffy doesn't want me to patrol tonight, since, well..." she holds up her hands and grins sheepishly.

"Yeah," Dawn agrees, then smiles. "No, wait. It's Kennedy and Faith's night to patrol, so that should be totally of the good, right?" she bubbles.

"Should be, yeah, but Buffy may have rearranged things while she thought I was out of action for a couple weeks. I'll ask and see." She looks at the clock on the bedside table. "Listen, I have to get ready to go. Can we talk when I get home, say five thirty or so? I can find out about patrolling and then we can decide if we wanna do something tonight then, ok?"

The brunette teenager agrees, then they both giggle as Dawn's stomach grumbles loudly. "We can worry about that later, ok? I want breakfast now and I feel like waffles. Want one?"

Vi smiles and nods eagerly. "Yes, please! You gonna fix them?" Dawn nods, returning the other girl's smile. "Then, I'm gonna grab a quick shower and be down in a few minutes, ok?" She jumps to her feet and holds a hand down to help Dawn to hers.

Dawn takes Vi's hand in hers and allows the teen to pull to her feet. Once there, she doesn't release her hand, but instead, pulls the redhead into a tight hug. "Thanks for cheering me up!" She enthuses with a big smile.

Vi pulls back and forces an answering smile onto her face. "Hey, what are best friends for?" she asks, rhetorically. She pulls out of the other girl's embrace and motions to the door. "Come on, before you faint and die from hunger. I'll be down in a minute, ok?" Dawn agrees and grabs her bedding, heading for the door. She doesn't see the tremor that passes through the redheaded teen's frame or the bittersweet smile on her face.

Chapter 24

"Thanks, Dawn, that was great!"

The brunette smiles her thanks for the compliment as she puts dishes into the dishwasher. "Yeah, mom loved waffles, so I'd help her all the time."

Vi looks at her friend sympathetically. "I bet she was like you, really nice. I wish I could've met her."

Dawn looks sad for a moment. "Yeah, she was great. I still miss her sometimes." She gazes at the table top for another few seconds, then, with a little shake of her head, she looks back up at the redheaded Slayer. "Listen, I'm gonna grab a shower. Can you put this stuff in the dishwasher for me?"

"Sure. I need to be somewhere in about forty five minutes anyway."

The brunette turns a puzzled expression her way, asking, "Where do you need to be this early on a sunday?"

"Just somewhere," Vi evades. "Really just some errands and stuff," she says breezily. "So, still wanna do something later this afternoon? Movie or something, I don't know, maybe just hang out."

Dawn nods, but still looks a little confused. "Ok. That sounds great. What time do you plan for?"

"Well, like I said, I should be back around five thirty, so grab some burgers and then see what else interests us?"

The dark haired teen smiles and stands. "Sounds like a plan. Be back in a little while." She walks toward the kitchen door.

"I might be already gone by there," Vi calls after her.

Dawn looks back over her shoulder. "Ok, I'll see you this afternoon. Have fun!"

Vi stares at the doorway for a moment, hope rekindled in her breast, despite the earlier talk about Xander and her realizing Dawn was falling for the man. The brunette seemed resigned to the fact that he and Buffy were starting to date, so maybe...

The redhead shakes her head and stands, chastising herself for worrying about it. It's obvious, she tells her heart, that Dawn doesn't think of her as anything else than a friend, so just get over it. [Yeah, right,] her heart tells her mind and she knows it's true. She moves around the kitchen, cleaning up the breakfast dishes, rinsing them and putting them in the dishwasher.

Finishing, she goes back upstairs to get her shoes and backpack, so she can head out for the mall. As she passes the right hand bathroom, the door opens a crack. She looks that way automatically, and sees the top of Dawn's head, from the eyes up.

"Vi, can you do me a favor?" The other girl nods. "Can you look on my dresser and bring me that new bottle of shampoo?"

"Sure," she agrees. She crosses the hallway and enters Dawn's room, retrieving the asked for bottle. Going back to the bathroom door, she can hear the water running, so she knocks a little harder than she'd originally intended. "Dawn?"

A voice drifts through the wooden panel. "Is that you, Vi?"

"Yes"

"Come on in."

The redhead cautiously opens the door, keeping her eyes firmly down and trying to not look at anything. "Here you go," she says, thrusting the bottle in front of her. "Dawn?" she chances a look around and her eyes are immediately drawn to the tanned form behind the steamed up shower doors.

Thanking God that the other teen's back is to her, she quickly crosses the room and starts to put the bottle by the edge of the shower door. Suddenly, Dawn turns and Vi feels her breath stop. Though everything is blurry and ill-defined, Vi can easily see the two darker spots where Dawn's nipples are and the larger dark area lower, at the tops of her legs.

"Vi?" A hand shoots up over the top of the shower door. "Got it?"

Flushing furiously, the teen croaks out a yes, then shoves the bottle into Dawn's outstretched hand. Groaning softly, Vi retreats from the room, calling out "I-I g-gotta go."

"Ok, thanks!"

Propelling herself out the door, the Slayer leans back against it, sagging a little as she thinks back on what she just saw. "Oh, God," she breathes softly, her mind replaying the images over and over, her face on fire with the force of her blush. Dragging her breathing and mind back under control, the redhead straightens and goes downstairs, distracted enough to stumble on the last step.

Shaking her head, she forces the image from her mind, gets her pack and leaves quickly, knowing she'll never get the image of a nude Dawn to leave her thoughts.

Dawn finishes her shower and walks to her room, thinking about what she wants to do that day. She's decided that she needs to make it up to Xander for being such a spaz, so she can help him with what ever he needs to do around the house to get it ready for the rebuild.

She dries her hair and gets dressed with only a quick thought to what she's wearing, going for comfort and ease of movement. Pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail, the teen leaves her room and crosses the hall to Xander's room, trying to hear through the door if the man was awake yet.

Hearing nothing, she starts to knock, then thinks better of it, deciding that he'll be up when he wants. She goes down to the tv room and turns on the tv, settling it on a cartoon. Lying down, she pulls a light blanket over herself and settles in to wait for Xander to come downstairs.

Kennedy's eyes flutter open and she smiles as the first thing she sees is her dark haired lover's face. She leans in and kisses her forehead lightly, then rolls over, intending to get more sleep. "Whoa!" she cries as she suddenly finds herself falling from the bed. She feels a hand close on her arm and her movement stops with her still on the bed, but looking directly at the floor.

"Where ya going, Kenn?" Faith's amused voice asks.

Kennedy continues to look at the floor for a second before answering her. "Hadn't planned on going anywhere, Fai."

Faith chuckles and hauls her back in to her. As she moves, the younger Slayer rolls again, so she's facing her girl. She smiles and throws an arm around her with a cry of, "My hero!" She giggles and kisses her quickly, but pulls out of it immediately when a voice says, "Ow!"

Moving away from Faith's lips, Kennedy looks up and over the dark Slayer's shoulder. "You ok, baby?" she asks, looking at where Willow is rubbing her head.

"No," a petulant whine answers her. "Somebody hit me. What happened?"

Faith rolls onto her back and snakes an arm around Willow, gathering her redhead close and kisses her temple. "K fell outta bed, but I hauled her back in." She chuckles ruefully. "Told you guys this bed was too small for three."

The youngest of them nods. "That you did, but since none of us could move last night, we were kinda stuck," she says with a chuckle. Snuggling into Faith's side, she reaches across and lightly touches the spot she hit on her witch's head. "You ok, baby?" she asks again.

Willow glares playfully at her, then smiles a little. "I'm ok, but the first thing we're buying for the apartment is a king sized bed."

Her lovers laugh and agree, then all three settle down, trying to get back to sleep. After several minutes, Faith opens her eyes again and chuckles. "Not gonna happen, is it?"

"What?" Kennedy asks, opening her eyes and looking into her girl's face.

Faith shrugs and replies simply, "More sleep."

Willow smiles and turns a little, kissing the shoulder under her head, then giggles as Faith's stomach loudly complains. Kennedy smiles too and puts her hand on Faith's tummy.

Faith grimaces and glances back and forth between her girls. "Anybody else hungry?"

Willow grins mischievously at Kennedy. "Now that you mention it..." she replies, bringing her hand up to cup the breast on her side. Stretching up, she presses her lips to the pulse point on that side of Faith's throat, suckling and licking for a moment. Faith takes a sharp breath and Willow releases her kiss, grinning at her younger lover. "How about you, baby? Hungry?"

Kennedy returns her grin, cupping the breast on her side, fingers lightly pinching at the once rogue's nipple as well. Faith moans softly as a smiling Kennedy admits, "I could eat, yeah." Willow chuckles at her words and returns her attention to the older Slayers neck.

Kennedy raises herself up and begins planting little sucking kisses along the other side of Faith's throat, moving steadily downward. Her free hand begins to roam a bit, stroking lightly, almost tickling, as she kisses and nibbles her way down along her lover's skin.

Faith just lies there, her eyes closed and her breathing getting more and more rapid. "God, yes! Kenn, Will, please!" she whimpers and moans as the sensations begin to overwhelm her. She has no idea who's doing what, just as long as they don't stop.

Kissing her way up, Willow eventually works her way to just under Faith's ear. Pressing a soft, licking kiss behind it, she smiles to herself at the fresh, soft moan she's rewarded with. Using the tip of her tongue, she traces the outer edge of the Slayer's ear, first the underside, then on top, slowly, ending with a little flick of the lobe. Flicking her tongue out again, she draws the earlobe between her lips, suckling gently, nibbling at it with her teeth.

While Willow is providing sweet torture to their girl's neck, Kennedy kisses and licks her way down the other side of Faith's neck, to the base of her throat. Leaning up, she latches on to the dark Slayer's lips in a searing kiss, their lips immediately moving against each others. Faith brings her hands up and plunges her fingers into dark chocolate tresses, pulling her Slayer closer as their kiss intensifies. Tongues begin to taste and duel, first in one mouth, then the other as both girls explore, moaning at what they're doing to each other, though Faith's sounds are suddenly louder as Willow begins suckling on her ear.

Breaking their kiss only when their lungs are screaming for air, Kennedy pants for a minute, trying to get much needed air into her oxygen starved body. A small smile playing on her lips, she gives Faith one more quick kiss, then goes back and sucks and kisses at her girl's pulse point for a moment, before continuing her way down her lover's body. The young brunette kisses and licks and nibbles her way around the side of Faith's left breast, then along the underside and back up, the dark Slayer's moans almost continuous now.

Grinning wickedly to herself, Kennedy lunges up and sucks a hardened peak between her lips, suckling hard for a second. Faith arches her back, nearly leaving the bed, with a half scream of, "Shit, yes!!"

The younger Slayer chuckles softly to herself, biting the rubbery nipple in her mouth lightly before releasing it. Leaning back slightly, she blows gently across the distended nipple, causing it to get even harder and Faith gasps at the sensation. Smiling at the response, Kennedy kisses a path to the other breast and repeats her trip along the outer edge of the mammary. This time, instead of suckling hard, she softly nips and licks at the right nipple, alternating between each action for a moment, before repeating her earlier action and blowing her breath lightly across. Once again, the hard little button gets even harder and Faith groans and whimpers a bit.

"P-please, Will, Kennedy, someone. Need-need," Words fail the brunette Slayer as her body's desires take over completely

Kennedy smiles to herself again as she kisses her way to Faith's navel, relishing in the salty taste of her lover's body. Lightning fast, she runs her tongue ring along the outer edge before dipping her tongue in and out of her girl's belly button swiftly, not once, but three times. Faith's back arches again, her mind gone, her body screaming and quivering with the need for release. A release that's so close, but not quite there. She moans and whine with her need and Kennedy kisses her way lower, through damp curls, down along one inner thigh.

Willow, meanwhile, has abandoned the ear she was working on and has kissed/nibbled/licked her way back down Faith's neck and up her throat. Coming up and over the point of her older Slayer's chin, she presses their lips together in a scorching kiss. She begins moving her lips against her girl's immediately and, after a moment, Faith does the same, her passion confused mind completely overwhelmed with sensations.

As they kiss, the redhead brings her hands up and starts to play with her Slayer's breast, stroking them, lightly, then more firmly tweaking the nipples, very lightly scraping her nails across the flesh. Pulling out of the kiss as oxygen becomes a real issue, both girls pant for a moment, before kissing again. Willow's tongue plunges into Faith's mouth, the witch tasting her girl's tongue, stroking hers along it, teasing it.

Suddenly, Faith nearly screams and almost leaves the bed, her lips tearing free of Willow's. The witch looks to see what caused that reaction and grins wickedly to see Kennedy with her face buried between their girl's legs. Leaning in, her grin still firmly in place, Willow licks and nibbles at first one hardened peak, then the other as her dark Slayer screams and thrashes out her orgasm.

Neither girl relents, driving their brunette up the heights again. Sensing that she's about to fall once more, Willow captures Faith's lips in another scorching hot kiss, riding out the waves with her as her second orgasm washes over the once rogue.

Kennedy slows her fingers and pulls back a little, licking her lips. As the quivering and shuddering of her Slayer's body slows, she removes her fingers, smiling faintly at the small whine. The smaller woman retraces her path back up her lover's body, meeting Willow as she kisses her way down.

Both girls raise their heads off their girlfriend's body and smile at each other, before their lips meet in a kiss as searing as they've ever shared. Willow moans slightly, licking furiously, relishing the taste of one girlfriend on the lips and tongue of the other. Kennedy, for her part, just grins inwardly and intensifies their kiss, til they have to separate or pass out. Pulling back slightly, panting, Willow grins and flicks her tongue out again, licking Kenn's lips before kissing her again swiftly.

Easing back, she smirks at her younger lover. "Enjoy your breakfast, sweetie?" she asks, her tone teasing.

Kennedy laughs lightly. "Yeah, it was great! Really tasty, but not all that filling. Might need a pancake or something as well."

"Yeah," Willow laughs. "Not sure I want pancakes, though, after such a spicy appetizer!" She stops and her eyes open slightly, then she smiles at both her girls. She looks at Kennedy for a second, then kisses her softly, slowly. Drawing back, she says, "I've got my sweet." She leans up and kisses Faith the same slow, soft way, before pulling away a little and declaring, "And I've got my spice!"

Faith chuckles drowsily at her observation and puts her arm around her as the redhead curls up on her right side again. She repeats the action as Kennedy curls up on her left side, both girl's heads pillowed on a damp shoulder. The dark Slayer kisses the tops of both girl's heads, then drops back to sleep, just as she feels them both press a kiss to her shoulders.

Willow reaches across Faith's stomach, meeting Kennedy's hand halfway and their fingers interlace as they smile at each other. "Love you." Willow softly whispers to her original girl.

Kennedy smiles softly and responds with, "Love you, too, sweetie." They smile again and let their eyes drift closed, joining their girl in slumber.

Vi walks into the Pretzel Haus, continuing on back through the doors marked Employees Only, heading for the small employee's lounge area. Going into the tiny bathroom, she quickly changed clothes and came back out in her uniform, putting her pack beside and a little behind the tv/vcr set-up they used for training.

Her manager walks in as she's clocking in and sees her, looking a little surprised. "I thought you said you wouldn't be here for a few days, Renee."

Vi shakes her head and smiles apologetically. "It wasn't as bad as I first thought. Did you mark me off the schedule? Want me to go home?"

"No, that's ok. I couldn't find anyone to cover your shift anyway. Have you clocked in?" The redhead nods. "Ok, then I want you to cover the counter today, ok?"

The teen's eyes widen a bit and she starts to decline, but, she knows she can't. She'll just have to hope none of the others comes to the mall today. "Yeah, ok," she says, without any enthusiasm, walking passed her boss and into the counter area. Moving swiftly and surely, she prepares it for the short business day ahead.

About halfway through what has surely been the most boring day of her life, Vi is standing at the counter, rearranging the cups for the umpteenth time. As she looks around fruitlessly for something to do to help pass the time, she doesn't notice a tall, darkly gorgeous, short haired girl stop dead and stare at her.

After a few minutes, the girl comes in and walks up to the counter. "Hey," she says, "Could I get a pretzel, extra salt?"

Vi turns and smiles, her eyes widening slightly as she takes in the girl's beauty. "Sure. Just a second." She turns, reluctantly and gets a couple napkins and the requested pretzel. Setting them on the counter, she rings it up and looks back at the girl. "That'll be $1.87, please."

The brunette smiles and hands over two dollar bills and Vi gives her her change and food. "Where's the mustard and stuff?"

"Huh?" Vi looks confused for a second, then shakes her head, "Oh, all that stuff is over there." She points to the condiment counter.

"Thanks." The girl displays a dazzling smile before turning to fix her food to suit her. When she'd finished, she returned to the counter. Breaking off a piece of pretzel, she dipped it into a smallish dollop of mustard she'd prepared, then took a small bite, before looking at the Slayer again. "I hope you don't mind, but I have to tell you. You have the most amazing eyes. They can't be real." She smiles a little as she licks mustard from her lip.

Vi blushes dark red. No one ever gives her compliments, so she's totally unprepared to deal with one. "Um, no they're just my eyes. J-just plain old eyes," she stammers, trying to not look at the girl, but feels her gaze being repeated draw back to the mysterious young woman.

"Nope," she says, smiling mischievously. "Not plain, gorgeous." She laughs lightly at Vi's expression, then holds out her hand. "I'm sorry. My name's Tanya."

Vi automatically takes her hand. "I'm Vi."

Tanya looks politely disbelieving. "Then why does your name tag say 'Renee'?"

The redhead looks confused for a second, then glances down, then back up at the girl smiling at her. She blushes again. "Oh, uh, my friends call me Vi. Sorry."

"I see. May I call you Vi as well?"

The teen smiles tentatively. "Uh, if you want, sure."

Tanya smiles broadly. "Thank you, Vi"

She stays and continues to chat and flirt with the redheaded Slayer til it was time to close. Vi talks and shyly tries to flirt back, but the image of a dark haired teen keeps appearing before her mind's eye. Everytime the image of Dawn surfaces, she withdraws a little from the forward girl, but each time, the thought of the girl she's in love with takes longer to come back and stays for a shorter period of time.

By the time Tanya bids her a reluctant goodbye, leaving her phone number first, Vi has to think about it to see the former Key's face. Shaking her head, she finishes closing the counter, the clocks out, changes and heads for home. All the way there, she tries to forget all the things the dark haired girl said, to think of Dawn, but she can't. Not quite.

Chapter 25

Xander comes downstairs, lightly holding the handrail and yawning, his body still upset with him for the late night. Although he'd spent many a night up that late or later from the day he met Buffy till Sunndydale fell into a hole in the earth, he was severely out of practice, and, as a consequence, very tired now. As he hits the bottom of the stairs and turns toward the kitchen, he notices movement as his eye sweeps by the door to the tv room and, checking, he finds Dawn sleeping under a light blanket, the tv on and forgotten.

He smiles as he watches her sleep for a moment. He tries to see the little girl he watched grow up, and, she is there, sleeping innocently, but he can't help but notice that Dawn has grown into a beautiful young woman while the rest of them weren't looking. As he watches, she seems to sense him and her eyes flutter open.

Blue eyes track and look up at him and the brunette teen smiles. "Good morning," she tells him softly, stretching a little.

He returns both her smile and her greeting, adding, "Did you sleep down here last night after I went to bed?"

Dawn shakes her head, replying, "No, I was just watching tv, waiting for you, actually. I thought maybe I could help you with the measuring and stuff today. You know, kinda as a 'sorry' for being all 'Grrrrr' last night. Is that okay?"

"Sure," he grins. "You're definitely the cutest helper I've ever had!" he teases her gently.

She blushes, but grins as she ducks her head. "So, you wanna get started?" she asks, reaching to throw the blanket off and get up.

Xander holds his hand up, waving her off. "Whoa, there! Let me get a little food and blessed caffeine in me first, okay? Last night was kind of a long one!" He says, chuckling at her eagerness.

She smirks knowingly. "Willow and company? 'Cause, they definitely woke me up," she finishes with a petulant grumble.

Xander flushes a little at the thought of Willow, Faith and Kennedy and what they were most likely doing that kept everyone awake last night. As much as he teases them, he has no real desire to see for himself and, like Buffy and apparently Dawn, he can't wait till he can get the triple behind some soundproofing. "Yeah," he answers, "that and Buffy kept me awake."

The younger Summers girl's eyes open wide and her face shows something close to panic as she stammers, "Y-you? A-and Buffy?! You-Did you-"

The man shakes his head, her expression serious now. "Oh, no! Nothing like that, Dawnie. We just talked a while." He smiles a little. "She could hear Will and her girls way too easily to get to sleep, so we split a carton of ice cream and talked for an hour or so."

[Yeah, about dating,] the brunette thinks bitterly. Out loud, she just says, "Oh, okay. Cool." She turns her attention back to her cartoons. "Come get me when you're ready to start, okay?" she calls over her shoulder.

"Sure thing Dawn," he replies, turning toward the kitchen once more. As he enters that room, he can't help but wonder what the heck just happened. Dawn was in a good mood, playful and teasing, then suddenly, she's giving him this go away attitude. [Did I do something to bring that on?] he asks himself.

Shaking his head, he reaches for a coffee mug and decides to worry about it later. He's certain Dawn'll let him know if he did something to upset her as they work on the house. Moving the thoughts of the teen to the back of his mind, he begins to fix his food, then eats and cleans up behind himself. Walking back to the tv room, he sticks his head in long enough to tell Dawn, "Gonna grab a shower. Be back in 10 minutes or so, okay?"

She waves her understanding and he heads upstairs. He comes back down a little while later, dressed casually in sweatpants and a tshirt. Carrying the bag of measuring tools they're gonna need, he returns to the tv room. Moving to where Dawn can see him, he says, "Ready when you are."

She looks up at him and nods, then throws the blanket off and stands, straightening her clothes. After a second, she looks at Xander, and is surprised to see him staring at her, eye open wide and kinda slack jawed. She raises an eyebrow, asking, "What?"

The man shakes his head. "Were you working out earlier?"

Dawn shakes her head and looks confused. "No, why?"

Xander's hand kinda flutters in her direction. "Well, you're... with the, uh... and, well, uh..." He looks away, really confused by the feeling bubbling up inside him. His brain is telling him, insistently, that this Dawn, a girl who is in all real respects, his little sister. His hormones don't care about that, though. All they see is a gorgeous young woman, dressed in form fitting, skin tight clothes and they are screaming for him to get her now.

Dawn blushes a little from all the attention, but she also really likes it, pleased that he's reacting this way. She really didn't think when she got dressed, just threw on something she would be comfortable in while helping Xander. Now that she truly looks at what she chose to wear and her blush deepens a bit. She looks down and away from her friend's gaze and says, her voice containing an amused whine, "Stop."

The man blinks and looks at her again, his expression different as he smiles. "Stop what?"

She smiles shyly. "Stop looking at me like that!"

Xander chuckles softly. "Like what? Like you've become a beautiful woman?" She smiles gently as she blushes deeper. "Cause you have, you know."

She stammers and looks anywhere but at Xander. "Y-you really think I'm... beautiful?"

He just chuckles again and points to his face. "One eye still works, Dawnie." He grins at her. "You're gonna have guys lined up for dates and soon!"

Dawn smiles at his words, her blush easing a little, cheeks still red. She shrugs almost imperceptibly, the thought of lots of guys asking her out leaves her feeling somewhat indifferent.

He still notices. "Well, unless you want to get the girls lined up, cause that could work, too, once they see you."

The teen looks up at him sharply. "Why would you think I might want a girlfriend?" She inquires, not sure whether she should be mad or just curious. She's always been very supportive of Willow's relationships ever since she came out, but she's never really given the idea of herself with another girl much thought before this. She will admit, though, when Willow and Kennedy first got together, it had taken her a few weeks to get used to the then potential Slayer, but she'd soon come to like the older girl. To regard her as a friend independent of Willow.

Dawn stops her initial, almost automatic denial, seriously considering what Xander has said. She knows that, like herself, he often sees things the others miss, so maybe he could be right. The more she thinks, the more she realizes that the idea isn't a bad one. She's noticed girls before and she did have a crush on Willow and Tara both at one time or another.

Stalling, she asks, "What makes you think I might like girls?"

Xander shrugs. "Nothing really, just a guess, maybe. Just, you've always dealt with Willow's relationships the best of any of us and you always seem to find it romantic. Plus, I've caught you checking out a couple girls on various shopping trips!" He smiles at her, a teasing smile that causes her to blush slightly, but she smiles back. "And, of you and Buffy, you're the one I always thought might be a little more interested."

Dawn's eyes widen a bit as he begins speaking, then narrow again as he continues his explanation. As his words sink in, she has to admit, she has been kinda curious ever since Willow and Tara moved into their old house. Seeing and hearing how happy they were, she'd wondered about if another girl could make her that happy. Then, when Faith had joined Willow and Kennedy, someone she knew enjoyed time with guys, but who was apparently willing to give them up for two women, she'd begun to wonder even more. She knew Will and Kenn were happy together and seeing Faith around the house the last week or so, she appeared to be really happy too, for the first time Dawn could remember.

Still, she muses, it doesn't really matter. The only single girls she knew in Cleveland were Buffy and Vi and Buffy, well maximum 'eww!' there. Vi, on the other hand, well, the brunette has always thought Vi was gorgeous, especially her dark red hair. But, she's never really been more than curious about girls and she doesn't think Vi is even that. Besides, they're best friends and it would be too weird and then, there's the real reason. That Vi just doesn't feel that way about her. Since that's the case, why worry about it?

She looks back at her friend and shrugs. "Maybe, but not right now." She smiles brilliantly. "Right now, I want the boys!"

Xander grins and chuckles a little at her proclamation. "Sounds good. I'll take the girls, then. That a deal?" Dawn's smile brightens even more and she nods. The man nods as well, then tossed his head, indicating the stairs. "Come on, let's get started, okay?"

Dawn just makes a little 'lead the way' gesture and he leads them upstairs.

Dawn and Xander stay busy with working up the house's measurements, first upstairs, then back down to the first floor. The whole time has been something of a trial for Xander. The first time Dawn bent over to measure a small portion of the wall, he'd felt his jaw hit the floor and his blood supply rush elsewhere.

He also remembers the night in the Bronze, when that guy's jacket had made all the girls in his life so crazy, he'd looked at the dance floor and spotted a girl grinding on her partner. He can still remember the horror he'd felt when he realized the girl that was so firing his hormones was Dawn. But, looking back and looking at the vision before him, he had to admit, she was hot then and had only gotten better in the last couple years.

Every time he's noticed that he's staring at the teen, Xander reminds himself that he's interested in Buffy. He wants to date Buffy, not Dawn. He, in fact, has a date with Buffy that very night and he really needs to stop ogling her sister so much. As the day wears on and they move from room to room, he finds that he needs to repeat this to himself often, as the girl in his mind repeatedly has short-ish blonde hair replaced with longer brown locks.

Neither notice Buffy walk into the room they're in about an hour later 'til she speaks. "Hey. What are you guys doin'?"

Dawn and Xander both look around, though it's Xander who answers her. "Just working on getting the house's measurements," he tells her with a smile. "How'd you sleep?"

The blonde makes an 'Eew!' face and pouts. "Can you build Willow's apartment before anything else? Is that possible?" she asks, wistfully.

Dawn's eyes widen. "Yes, please, Xand. Can you, please?"

"You heard them too?" Buffy asks, looking directly at her sister, her own eyes widening a little in shock.

Giving them both a disgusted face, Dawn also rolls her eyes at Buffy. "Kinda hard to not hear them. I mean, hello! My room is next to Faith's? It was really hard to miss all the moaning and screaming."

"You see?" Buffy complains, her cheeks pinking.

Xander just smiles at Buffy's discomfort at her sister's description of the goings on in the triple's room. "Sure, I can slap their place together first, but what about your training room? You'll have to give it up for a couple months, you know."

The blonde nods her understanding, but makes a face when she thinks of all the noise the three lovers make an a regular basis. "That fine, cause there's just so many more vamps around right now, we don't really use it anyway." She thinks of something else and adds, "Besides, we can always just spar in the backyard, right? It's just so much more important to get those three some where quiet."

Dawn just nods fervently. "Yeah, I'll help with that. Anything for a decent night's sleep. Love'em all three, but so tired of hearing their constant, uh," she smirks at her sister as a memory surfaces, something her mother told her. "Their constant bible study."

The oldest Slayer looks at Dawn confused for a second, then remembers her making that lame excuse to her mother about why Riley would probably come over later that night. Joyce had obviously known better and, just as obviously, had told Dawn about the incident. She smiles and snorts a little laugh and swats her little sister lightly on the arm, shaking her head.

Buffy looks around, remembering the other reason she wanted to find Dawn. "Hey, have you guys seen Vi this morning? I wanted to check on her, but she's not in her room."

"Oh, don't worry. She's fine. Better than fine, in fact." Dawn relates with a smile. "Willow helped her with a healing spell, so her hands are good as new!"

The Slayer smiles as well. "That's great!" she enthuses. "Is she home?"

"No, she went somewhere, said she had some errands," the brunette teen replies, shaking her head. "She told me she'd be back around five thirty, though. What's up?"

Buffy shrugs, her face getting more serious. "I kinda wanted to apologize for being all crazy yesterday, to her and you both. A-and everyone else, I guess," she takes a deep breath and let's it out with a sigh. "I just worry about you, Dawnie. You're my only family and I don't want to lose you," she confesses, tears forming in her hazel eyes.

Dawn closes the distance between them and pulls her sister into a tight hug. "Hey, I know you worry, but I can take care of myself, now. I mean," she pulls a away enough for the two girls to see each other's faces. "Isn't that why you taught me all that self defense? So you wouldn't have to worry so much about me?" She smiles at Buffy. "Besides, when am I ever out without at least one of you super people?" She giggles at the involuntary laugh Buffy releases. "So, see? No worries!"

Buffy laughs more fully and hugs Dawn again. She draws away smiling, as she tells the teen, "Sorry, but I have to worry. It's in the sister's rule book, so no choice." She giggles at Dawn's eyes rolling at her. "But, I will try to keep it under control. Will that do?"

Dawn smiles and nods, not trusting her voice. She hugs Buffy again, more fiercely than before.

Xander stands to the side, a huge smile on his face, but a bit of embarrassment in his manner at the rather raw emotional display he had just witnessed. Buffy withdraws from her sister's embrace and turns to him.

"I've been wondering since I got up, where are you planning on taking me tonight?"

Xander smiles enigmatically. "Someplace nice, don't worry."

Buffy pouts, her lower lip sticking out a little. She starts to press for more details, when Dawn speaks up.

"You- you guys are dating now? When did this happen?" the teen asks, trying to act surprised by the revelation.

Both Xander and Buffy look uncomfortable, like they've been caught doing something they shouldn't have been doing. Finally, the older Summers girl asks, a slight stammer in her voice, "Would y-you have a problem with that?"

Dawn forces a small smile onto her face. She's still not sure why she is beginning to hate this idea, but she also doesn't want to let her sister and her friend know that. "Why would I have a problem? Have fun." She turns to Xander. "I'm gonna take a little break, okay? Thought I might get something to drink." she starts to leave, then turns back. "Want something, Xand?"

The man smiles easily. "Sure Dawnster. I like a soda, if you don't mind." She nods and starts for the door. "Thanks!" He calls after her, trying desperately to tear his eye from her retreating backside. He shakes her head slightly and reminds himself, for the hundredth time that morning, that the girl he should be obsessing over is the blonde turning to look at him.

"You think she's freaked and not showing it?" Buffy asks, worry strong in her voice.

He looks back at the door the teenager just left through for a moment, still thinking about their interaction this morning. The way she looked in those clothes, the way the cloth stretched when she moved. Shaking his head again, Xander looks at Buffy, allowing his eye to roam over her body for a brief second, hoping it'll finally dislodge the uncomfortable images of Dawn from his brain.

As he begins to remember various times he's seen her, and in some truly revealing clothing, the younger Summer's image slowly is replaced. He smiles as he returns his eye to the blonde's face in time to catch her smirk. He looks a little abashed and she smiles and shakes her head a little.

Chuckling, he reassures her. "I wouldn't worry, Buff. I think she's okay with it, just caught off guard a little, you know?"

Buffy looks to her friend, now potential boyfriend, for reassurance. "You sure?"

He smiles easily and nods. "Yeah, I think she'll be fine with it in a couple days. Happy, even." He chuckles as he remembers what he was like when they had first moved to Sunnydale. Even though Dawn hadn't really been there, she and everyone else had memories of her from that time, of course. "Remember, Buff, she saw me when I was at my crushy worst. You remember, right? When I was following you around everywhere, doing my lost puppy bit."

The blonde Slayer smiles coyly. "I do seem to recall a comment along the lines of, 'Can I have you.', " she teases him.

Xander feels his cheeks heating slightly as his mind kicks up the memory of his first real meeting with the person who would become one of his best friends. "Yeah. That's what I'm talking about." He gives a little self-depreciating laugh and looks down, shaking his head a little at how young and silly he'd been then.

"My point, though, is she had to have thought you just might give me a chance someday."

Buffy grins mischievously at the man and cocks her head, looking up at his face through her eyelashes. "I might, huh? Is that what I'm doing? Giving you a chance?" She closes the distance between them until she's pressed against him, her face upturned. The blonde goes up on her tiptoes and their lips nearly touch. Buffy holds herself that way for a moment, her greenish/hazel eyes searching Xander's brown one.

With a small growl of frustration, the Slayer pulls away from her friend and turns to look to the side. She can't understand why she can't bring herself to kiss him, but she can't and it's starting to make her a little crazy. She feels fingertips on her chin and allows them to turn her face back toward the man.

Xander watches Buffy as she silently berates herself and immediately moves to mitigate it. He reaches out and turns her face toward him, a reassuring smile on his lips. "Hey, it's okay, Buffy. It's still really new and weird for me too." Seeing her eyes narrow a little, he rushes to add, "I mean, we only decided to try dating last night. I'd be kinda worried if we just immediately started in with the making out. Why don't we give it a day or two before we start getting pissed, okay?" he requests with a chuckle and smile.

She stares at him, then, almost against her will, the blonde gives a little breathy snort of a laugh and smiles. "Yeah, that makes sense."

He hugs her, laughing suddenly as he pulls away. She looks at him, puzzled. "Sorry. I was just having a flashback of the time Amy cast the love spell for me. Remember? You, me, your skimpy raincoat, you trying to take it off, me not letting you."

"Yeah," Buffy says, softly, her eyes unfocused as she remembers. After a moment, she smiles a little and looks up at him. "Did I ever tell you how much it meant to me that you didn't take advantage of that?"

Xander smiles easily and cups the left side of her face. "Yeah, you did. But, hey, you're welcome again."

The blonde smiles her gratitude, then seems to remember something, and it changes to a pout. "You're still not gonna tell em where we're going tonight, are you?"

"Sure. I'll tell you around eight tonight, promise."

A smile starts to cover her lips, then evaporates as a suspicious look replaces it. "And what time did you want to leave?"

"Seven," he informs her with a wicked grin.

Buffy scowls at the now laughing man and swats at his arm, deliberately missing. He gives her a mock surprised look and she returns her trademark half-smile, looking coyly up through long lashes. "I'll be ready, but it better be worth it, understand?"

Xander chuckles at the implied "threat" and nods. The Slayer smiles more fully and turns to leave. At the door, she suddenly turns back and scowls at him again. "Oh, and no flirting with my barely dressed little sister, you got me Xander Harris?"

His face produces his patented goofy grin. "I'll try not to, but you tell her to not flirt with me, or no promises!" He winks at her.

Buffy laughs and agrees to warn Dawn off, then leaves.

Xander looks back at the pad of paper and his notes, starting to turn the raw data into rough sketches. He waits for Dawn to come back, so they can finish up, his mind drifting to thoughts of his upcoming date. He smiles absently as he thinks of how surprised Buffy will be when she sees the restaurant he's selected, then her choice of anything else for the evening; dancing, a movie, it doesn't matter to him.

The one-eyed man's smiles turns nostalgic as he remembers the two of them and Willow doing the dinner and movie or Bronze thing when they were younger. He wonders for a second if he should ask Willow and her girls to come along, then shaking his head at the idea, he tries to understand why he'd want others along for his date with the captivating blonde.

Thinking he's seen movement by the door, Xander looks up, expecting to see Dawn coming back. He feels a little disappointed when it turns out to be a trick of the mind. This stops him and he wonders why he's feeling so anxious for the brunette teen to come back. This line of thought leads him to memories of the morning he's spent with her. The images of Dawn smiling, moving around the various rooms, squatting to hold the tape measure, stretching for the same reason.

He shakes his head violently, trying to dispel the images from his brain. [Okay, this is getting ridiculous,] he thinks to himself. [Why an I obsessing on Dawnie? I mean, sure, yes, she's becoming a very beautiful woman. Any guy would be crazy to not want to date her, but I want to date Buffy. I've wanted to date Buffy for years and she's finally given me the chance and I'm not gonna screw it up cause my hormones are out of whack!]

Again, he thinks he sees movement and looks at the doorway. This time, he's right as Dawn walks back in, a can of soda in each hand. She walks to him, taking a sip from one can and extending the other to him. The teen looks around a little, then asks, "Where's Buffy? I was kinda expecting to walk in on some major kissage."

His eye widens slightly at her words and tone. "No, uh, she needed to do some things. Shower and breakfast, I think, so she left. You didn't see her?" Dawn shakes her head and, after a second or two, he shrugs and gives her a little smile, holding up his drink. "Thanks!"

She smiles in return, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks. "We through in here?"

He sips and nods, looking back at his pile of notes and papers. Setting the can down, he gathers them up, then picks up his drink again. "You have the tape measures?" He sees the various types in her hands and he nods, leading them from that room.

They walk into the dining room and Xander flashes her a bright smile. "Last room, Dawnie!" She laughs and nods, putting her burdens on the table. After the practice they've gotten in the other parts of the house, the two friends swiftly completely their task.

Xander writes the last notation in the proper place and looks up at the girl with a warm grin. "That should about do it, Dawnster."

"You sure? You have everything you need to start on the new place?"

"Yep," he replies, nodding. "Let's wind up that tape and I can get started on the design sketches for the architects."

She shrugs, her lips curled in a half smile that he thinks must be a genetic trait of Summers women. "If you're sure." She walks toward him, steadily winding the extra long measuring tool, when she suddenly trips and is propelled toward the man, her arms windmilling for balance.

"Whoa!" he exclaims, catching her and pulling her a little close until she can get her feet under her again. The man feels her slender arms wrapping around his torso as she fights to steady herself.

Setting her feet, Dawn straightens, preparing to toss the incident off with a joke about big feet, when she raises her face, an embarrassed, grimac-y smile forming and her blue eyes lock with his brown one. She's not prepared for the onslaught of raw emotions that surge through her. The need, the want, the desire to kiss her long time friend, to make him more than that.

As she stares into his eye, she thinks, with the really small part of her mind that's still functioning, that she can see a mirror of her feelings. They continue to stare into each other's eyes for several seconds, then, slowly, inexorably, they begin to close the distance between them. Their eyes never blink, never leave each other The couple draws closer and closer, their lips nearly touching. Dawn slowly closes her eyes in anticipation. Xander groans very softly as her sweet breath and scent washes over him.

"Hey, are you guys hungry?" Buffy's voice, preceding her down the hallway, causes both Dawn and Xander to stop, then jump back away from each other. Both look away, identical guilty looks instantly form on their faces.

Xander flicks a look at the teen, only to drop his gaze immediately. "God, Dawn! I am so sorry! I-I just don't know what came over me!" he apologizes, his words just spilling out. In his mind, though, he wonders if he's telling the truth.

"No, no!" Dawn stammers. "I-it was all my fault! Me and my big feet, you know? I-if I wasn't so clumsy..."

Buffy walks in at that point, a small smile on her face. "Dawnie? Xander? I'm fixing myself something to eat. Are either of you hungry?" Finally looking at them both, she sees her sister and erstwhile boyfriend both blushing heavily and looking at anything but each other. Her smile fades and her eyes narrow suspiciously. "What's going on here?" Her tone is a little harsher than she intended, and both Dawn and Xander flinch.

The brunette's eyes fly open and she frantically shakes her head. "N-nothing! I just tripped as we were finishing and Xander caught me and I was embarrassed and that's all! Right, Xander?" Dawn doesn't wait for him to answer, but babbles on. "Yep, that's it and since we're done, I'm gonna do find something else to do. Bye!" The confused teen practically runs from the room.

Buffy watches her bolt, then turns back to Xander, seeing that he was watching Dawn run out as well. She raises an eyebrow, silently asking what really happened.

He smiles sheepishly. "She really did trip, Buff."

"Uh huh." Her lips pursed, she gives the man an admonishing look. "What did I tell you about flirting with my barely dressed little sister?"

"I wasn't. Honest. Besides," he begins, closing the distance between them. He places his hands lightly on her shoulders and looks into her greenish/hazel eyes. "There's only one Summers girl I wanna flirt with."

Buffy smiles endearingly back at him. "Good answer," she replies, reaching up and pressing a chaste kiss on his lips. After a few seconds, she pulls back, looking at him and blushing faintly.

Xander smiles softly at her. "Now, what was so hard about that?" he asks, still fighting to clear his mind of the image and thought of nearly kissing Dawn.

The blonde Slayer shrugs and pouts a little. "Dunno." She smiles and kisses him again, just as chastely, but no where near as shyly. "But, I think we're passed it," she quips.

Xander smiles and caresses her cheek with the back of his hand. "Yep, I think we are. And as much fun as it would be to continue this, I better get back to the design thing if I wanna be ready to go down to the architect's office tomorrow morning. The sooner I can do that, the sooner the noisy ones'll be behind soundproofing."

Buffy pouts a little, then her eyes get a confused look before clearing as she exclaims, "Oh! Right, that." She smiles winningly. "Yes, please, I really want that!" She smiles wider at the thought of soon not having to listen to her friend's sexcapades. Turning her attention back to Xander, she nods and steps away. "I'll just let you get busy with that, then." The blonde walks to the door, then stops and spins back. "Oh, the reason I came in to begin with. Want to split an omelet with me?"

The brunette man grins hungrily. "Yeah, that sounds really good. You'll yell when it's ready?"

Buffy nods with a matching grin and leaves. Xander looks back at his paperwork and sits down, smiling at the memory of the feel of her lips on his.

Unbidden, the image of Dawn's face as they nearly kissed appears and pushes the feeling away. Confused, he shakes his head and tries vainly to dislodge the strange thoughts. Nothing seems to work.

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