Red Ace by Nika

Disclaimer: Disclaimers: I don't own them, I won't make money off them, I'll leave that to Joss Whedon and the rest of the gang. They've been sanitized for your protection. I'll put them back when I'm done.

Author's Notes: Insomnia + 2 frappuchinos with amaretto + 2 Bogart rentals = this insane portrayal of the BTVS gang. If you hate it I state in my defense 'the coffee beans made me do it'. If you like it and want the sequel, please don't be shy, let me know. Also, I refrained from the use of the phrase 'private dick' —though it was commonly used in those olden days, now it just doesn't sound right. 'Specially with all those 'public dicks' running around out there, I thought it wouldn't be very P.C. Well, on to the story, may both Bogart and Cagney forgive me.

Summary: Hard-nosed private eye Willow knows when trouble in the form of a beautiful blonde dame walks into her office.

Four Aces Investigations, that's the name on the door. I'm one of those Aces, my name is Willow Rosenberg. That name's like a curse to me in this business. So my friends and my enemies if they know what's good for them call me red. That's what my pop used to call me too. He said it wasn't only cause of the hair it was also cause of my temper. He's the one that got me hooked on the P.I.. business. He's been gone for a couple years now. The only things he left behind after a life time of work and trouble was this agency and me. So I've been more than happy to carry on the family tradition and let me tell you it ain't easy buster. I tell ya skirts get no respect, not before things get ugly anyways. It's a good thing I got my friends and good old Jackie Daniels to keep me sane.

My friends they're the other three Aces on the door. There's Buffy, what a name huh? she's worse off than me. It's the kind of name an upiddy dame in a tea room would have not a P.I.. in truth that's probably what she would have become if it wasn't for the fact that life can be more than a little strange.

The road in my experience is never straight, it's always topsy-turvy . She lived up town, the high life, until her old man ran off with the secretary and left her and her mom without a cent. The kid got pulled off her ivory tower and landed in my public school and neighborhood. I couldn't help but taking her under my wing. Those school bullies would have eaten her alive without my protection. Nobody messed with me without walking away with at least a bloody nose. I rescued her when Jimmy the moose was gonna steal her lunch. I hated bullies, they're cowards at heart so I ran him off. After that I couldn't have gotten away from that scrawny squirt of a girl if I had wanted to. She hung around me like Christmas lights on a tree.

We've been friends ever since and she's grown up real nicely too. She can hold her own in a fight and those looks have helped us out of more than one jam. Buffy's the looker with brains type, she opens doors for us in more ways than one.

Xander is the muscle and the go getter. He's got gophers all over town, he'll get you anything, any time you need it.

Anya is my secretary and Xander's main squeeze. She's got a big mouth and a heart to match, though she tries to hide it.

The last member of our little group is Mr. G, we call him that cause he's an ex-G-MAN. He had some back trouble and they—the feds—dropped him like a hot potato, he's still a tough guy and his government contacts come in handy now and again. Together we've built up a pretty nice reputation in a not so nice line of work.

To think it's all about to go to hell and cause of a dame no less. When pop told me to get myself a nice boy he didn't say it out of prejudice. He said it cause he knew women would bring me nothing but trouble. If I had listened to pop and my gut I wouldn't be in this jam right now.

It was exactly two weeks ago today that everything started. It was a hot summer afternoon, all my friends left for lunch and I stayed cause I wasn't hungry and I had a strange feeling that I couldn't shake. I knew something was about to go down, I just didn't know what. I sat enclosed in the heat of my office and waited, with my piece handy just in case. The ceiling fan wasn't giving me any relief and I wiped the back of my neck for the tenth time in five minutes. Fortunately I had a box of hankies stored in my desk, they always came in handy one way or the other. My pop always used to say 'in this business you gotta be prepared to sweat'. Well nothing could have prepared me for what was about to happen next.

Then the doorknob turned slowly and she walked in, a fallen angel, a risen devil everything rolled up into one fine looking package.

I was struck speechless, there was this vision in heels, a navy blue skirt slit on the side down just below the knees, leaving just enough legs for the imagination, a white silk blouse and form fitting I mean Form fitting jacket, what curves…long neck connected to a Greek Goddesses face, complete with full red lips, sky blue eyes and long blonde hair to boot.

For a moment I thought I was hallucinating from the heat. We just stared at each other for what seemed to be centuries. I'm sure it was just a couple of seconds suspended in time. I know how it sounds… I didn't think it was possible either, until that day…until she walked in.

I finally got my voice back and heard myself saying "Hello, may I help you with something?" I could swear I heard a little gasp coming from in between her ruby-red lips.

Now that I think about it she really did look surprised to see me. At the time I thought it was cause of me being a woman P.I., I was used to it and she covered her reaction by saying as much.

"Good afternoon, I'm looking for Frank Rosenberg…I think he's better known as Frankie red."

"Well sweet heart if you had an appointment you're two years too late and so is he."

"Yeah I mean…but I'm.. you could say Red junior…now, please take a seat and tell me how I can help you."

She took a seat looking a bit unsettled, now I know the real reason why. Still, I've never wanted to switch places with a chair so badly in my life. I was just hoping she wasn't there looking for paternity rights or something like that. Dad was after all a ladies man. That would have killed me right there where I stood. I don't think I could've seen her as a sister, no way.

"Yes forgive me I was just surprised, you don't hear about many women being detectives these days."

"Don't worry about it I'm used to taking heat for it. Now I assure you anything my pop could have helped you with I can help you with just as well. I don't work alone either so instead of enlisting the help of one you'd be enlisting the help of many. Now again how may I help you Miss…." She hesitated for a few more seconds.

I hoped she was convinced, I didn't want to part company just yet. I hadn't grown tired of the view. I began to doubt if I ever would. Even her name sounded perfect.
I saw her fidget a little in her chair and caught a glimpse of a little bead of sweat rolling down her temple. She took out a hankie and wiped it away discretely. Boy I wished I could've been that hankie.

Yeah, It was so bad from the start that I wanted to be every object she touched, every object she had ever touched in her life.

"Miss Maclay excuse my manners, this heat is infernal and I haven't even offered you a drink…there's an ice box in the back, what can I get you and do you mind if I pour myself a hard drink?"

Usually I wouldn't ask for permission to drink but this dame oozed up-town class and looked like she never drank anything harder than soda pop in her life. That's why her request surprised me in a nice way.

"Of course I don't mind it's your office and I would like a drink too, what ever you're having will be fine, please."

I came back with two gin and tonics in tow. When I handed her the glass our fingers touched and I swear I felt an electrical current flowing through my body. I even thought she had felt it too, something in the expression of her eyes. Then I thought nah, wishful thinking red, wishful thinking.

I sat on the edge of the desk and waited for her to explain what she needed a detective for. She took a slow lingering sip of her drink and left the mark of her red lips on the brim of the glass. Damn that lucky glass! I was staring so hard I got caught. She looked up from her drink and I turned away glancing nervously at the clock. Me, nervous over a skirt! Like I hadn't had my share of debutantes.

What was it about this dame? When I turned my head back she was staring in turn and held my gaze tight. Her eyes had turned a different shade of blue, deeper, smokier. There was desire in those eyes I could practically feel it or maybe I was just seeing what my own eyes were reflecting.

My heart was racing so fast I could hear raging like thunder in my ears. My mouth got dry and I could hardly think of anything anymore. All I knew was the look in her eyes.

The room seemed to get hotter. I downed my drink with one gulp and loosened my tie before I choked to death. She parted her lips as if to say something, but nothing came out, just a short gasp her face was a little flushed and she began to rise from her chair.

We locked gazes again and I know this is going to sound insane, but for a moment it was like time froze and split in two. Suddenly I felt dizzy, the room was spinning and I saw these visions of her and me. Only it wasn't us. It was like seeing a picture show, only in color, moving at locomotive speed.

There was Tara and me, but dressed differently, sand dunes and deserts. Tara and me staring at each other, in love, making love, and a dozen other images that I couldn't make any sense of. I had to hold on to the edge of my desk to keep from toppling forward. I wondered if she saw and felt the same things. I couldn't tell, I couldn't focus, everything was blurry. For a second I thought maybe I had eaten some bad tuna, then I remembered that I hadn't had tuna in over a month. Her voice pulled me out of the daze.

I didn't let her finish the sentence, I didn't even let her finish getting up. Something compelled me to grab hold of her and not let her go. Somehow I knew she had just experienced the same things I had. Her breathing had changed just like mine. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, a tell tale sign that her heart was hammering in her chest just like mine was. wild horses galloping everywhere.

"Don't go…you don't have to go…please…" I know I sounded as desperate as I felt.

"You don't understand, I do.. I have to…" She sounded scared. She was scared. But for the first time in my life so was I.

"I do understand…stay…" I didn't know exactly what it was that I understood, I just did.

"God help me…yes. I can't wait anymore, I just can't. It's really you." She said in a whisper while closing the distance between our bodies. "You're real. I need to feel that you're real…" She kept saying between desperate caresses to my face. I couldn't understand what she was saying, not with my head, but it's like my heart understood every word and agreed.

And if you make a wise crack about me goin' soft I'll give ya a fat lip. And no I'm not going to tell you what happened next. Just pour me another one so I can remember or start to forget. God that's a good one, how could I ever forget?

I know that if Heaven were a moment this would be it and if hell were a moment this would be it too.

She dropped her drink and attached her hands to the back of my head. I've never been hungrier for a kiss in my life. I was drawn to her like the moon to the tide. I drank from her like a nomad from a fountain in the middle of the desert.

She in turn kissed me back with ferocity and despair. What ever was happening to us was primitive and uncontrollable. The heat became unbearable, skin I needed to feel her skin against mine. Still kissing I began to undress her and she followed my lead. Soon we were clad only in our underwear and I was in awe of the beauty before me. Some part of me thought, just like I remember. It was like I'd known her forever. I cleared the desk with one swift motion and lifted her on top.

I started running my hands over her long, smooth legs from the calves to the thighs. Again pulling her close for a kiss, while caressing up her sides and torso, finally reaching and stopping to give attention to her full and perfect breasts. I circled the nipple with the tip of my finger over the fabric of the silk bra before reaching to the back and releasing my coveted prizes. Once they were free I stuck out my tongue and licked the tips. She arched her back and pulled me closer releasing labored gasps and moans as I suckled and pulled lightly. 'Peaches' oh baby you tasted like peaches and smelled like rain. I could write a song. I could a million songs about you, cause I still remember…

The sound and the smell of her arousal was driving me insane. I was trying to no avail to remain in some semblance of control. I pulled off her panties tearing the smooth material, I made my way down her body kissing and biting softly. I stopped just outside of her entrance and let myself get lost in her scent, then I feasted on the most delicious flesh I've ever tasted. Wild berries and wine. My tongue twirled, lunged and danced over every velvety corner. I feasted with the fervor of a cannibal.

Her juices were flowing freely and I wasn't wasting a drop of her precious essence. Her groans and pleas were growing more urgent and I held back just a little longer I wanted to make her mine, I wanted her no matter what happened next to have something to remember me by forever.

When I thought she was close enough I withdrew and came back up to kiss her I wanted her to taste herself on my lips, she groaned into my mouth and I took my fingers to the inside of her wet center. I was surprised when I found resistance in my path.

I searched her eyes curiously and she said the most amazing words I've ever heard in a soft voice, almost like music, she said… "Please…Willow…it's you…it's always you…I'm yours, take me…please." I didn't know then how it was that she knew my name, at that moment it didn't matter. I loved the way she had said it "Willow" it had never sounded right until it came from her lips, until it was sung in her voice.

I was overcome with emotion I broke through as gently as I could and stilled my hand waiting for a signal from her that the initial pain had passed some. She had her eyes closed and began to softly rock her hips back and forth I resumed movement and soon we were connected to an ancient rhythm. We were both sweating and our moans got confused in the air. She took a hold of my wrist and stopped my hand just when I had felt her getting close again.

"NO, it…I-I.. want to feel you too, come here…please…" The way she said "please" seemed to melt me from the inside out. I lay down next to her we were face to face and it was like the whole kooky world had disappeared and it was just us. I knew then that this was the closest to perfection I was ever going to get and I wished I could die right then and there just so I could relive that one moment for all eternity. If this was my entrance ticket to hell I'd gladly pay the admission price… twice.

She kissed me with a passion no one's ever kissed me with before or after and she guided my hand inside her again while she let herself inside of me. I remember biting back a near scream of pleasure when I felt her fingers moving inside my core. I didn't even know I was as close to coming as she was. We moved together, fingers, hands caressing erect nipples and breasts, hips bucking together, flesh to flesh heated and flushed, moans and groans piercing the air thick with our combined scent. I wished again that this could go on forever her voice sang in my ears and brought me even closer to the edge. They say when you're in deep you hear bells, well I heard Angels singing.

"Sooo close…come on let go…come for me baby…." I said while rubbing the small bundle of nerves I had avoided on purpose until now.

"Ohhhhmmm…..Taaaraaaaa….yessssss!!!!!" We released almost at the same time. I can honestly say it was the best orgasm of my life. Later the after shocks passed and we came back down to planet Earth, she was laying there in my arms looking like Venus and I had a smile hanging from ear to ear, like the cat that had swallowed the best tasting canary in the world and got the cream for dessert to boot. >I would've died a happy woman just then<

She spoke softly into my chest with a small almost faint voice, without looking at me directly.

I didn't know exactly what she meant but I answered honestly, cause I knew I would do everything to protect this woman in my arms, who ever she was.

"You promise?" She asked me with watery eyes, big as saucers. I thought then this kid has trouble mayor league trouble. Still I answered with certainty.

Well cause of that promise I may get to see the old man sooner than I thought. I can hear his words ringing in my ears like sirens: Stay away from the skirts…Dames are nothin' but trouble…don't go for the high rent broads—those are the worst…they'll drive you to your grave, while they whistle Dixie in their in their cocktail gowns…I bet he's waiting for me at the gates with a sermon and an I told you so handy.

Of course if I'm gonna be honest here, I'll have to say that even after everything that's happened I wouldn't trade one moment that I've spent with her. I know, I know, I'm off my rocker right? Love does that to you and I fell for her since moment one, I never had a chance to run. Of all the private eye offices in all the world, she had to walk into mine.

"Mmmmhhh.?. what was that Mack ? what did you ask? Oh, why DID she go to see me that day and how DID I end up here waiting to get clipped off ? Well…that's another story…Pour me another drink and that last song, could you ask Sam to play it again?

Red raised her glass and downed her drink, trying to make the lump in throat die a watery death.

Mack watched the P.I. and shook his head "Look here, this be the last drink I serve ya lass. One more and ye'll be hitting the floor. And since when are ya the kind to sit and wait around to be "clipped" by anyone?"

"Since I just don't give a horse's ass…" Mack's face turned red and he interrupted the P.I. in mid-sentence "Now hold yer horse's asses and heads too while yer at it. I've known ya since you were just a wee tyke holding on to yer father's hand. I used to give ya piggy back rides when you wore out yer uncle and I'll have none of that attitude…"

"I didn't say I was finished. Now no more of this self-pity. If you're in trouble get out of town while things cool down or find a way to fight. Don't you be like yer uncle, he got himself a nice bullet shaped hole in the gut over some girly-girl too. Now ya pick yerself up from that stool, stop thinkin' from in between yer legs like ol' uncle Johnny and take of business like ya always do."

Red smiled as recognition and an idea finally filtered through the murky waters in her mind. She squared her shoulders "skirt troubles…" checked her piece for bullets "ol' Uncle Johnny…" straightened her tie "you're so on the money Mack" she said, leaning over the bar and planting a kiss on the bartenders cheek, plus a light smack and a pinch for good measure before storming out of the smoky bar.

The burly Irishman took a step backwards and rubbed his cheek. after speaking like that to red the last thing he expected was a kiss. A good right hook, o.k. or a slap in the face, sure. But a kiss?

He scratched his head in confusion and winced as the door slammed shut behind the retreating figure.

Red shook her head and walked out the bar with a small smile on her face. The streets were dark and slick with the puddles that remained after a rainstorm. Red stood under the street lamp staring up at her old bedroom window wondering if she was right or if at this point she had completely lost her mind. I wonder…It would make sense…as much as any of this can I suppose.

It seems like it was centuries ago and yet just a moment ago too that she was in my arms.

I never wanted to let her go. But in this world all good things come to an end. She was getting dressed and we both got shy all of a sudden, turning red around the ears and not knowing what to say to each other. Sounds silly doesn't it, getting shy after what we had just done?

I wanted to throw myself at her feet right then and tell her to stay till the end of the world.

She refused to look at me "I think I should go." She said in a small 'little girl lost' voice.

She began to head for the door "I shouldn't have…I've just waited for so long…I-I can't do this to you."

"Tara wait…" It was too late, she ran out just as I was pulling my pants up. It didn't help that just then Xander bumped me on the way out. I made it to the street, but she was already gone. Who knew a dame in heels could run so fast?

I walked in cursing under my breath. The whole gang stood around grinning. I guess I must have looked like quite a sight, my shirt half buttoned, shoeless and holding my pants up with one hand. It's hard to act dignified when you're only half dressed. I squared my jaw and took my lumps as best I could.

Xander looked me up and down trying not to grin too widely "Hey boss. We brought ya a sandwich, but I see you 'ordered in'."

Buffy piped in too, wagging a finger in front of my face "Tsk-tsk shame on you having dessert before dinner."

Anya opened her mouth as if to say something, then she closed it again and pouted "Aw, heck!…they took all the good jibes."

I finished arranging my clothes "har-har everybody's a comedian…you all done? Or are you gonna ask me who's on first?"

My gut was telling that she was in trouble, I had to find her and find her soon.

Trouble it was. Xander did a fine job of finding her. If you would have asked me I would have guessed 'The Plaza' and I would have been wrong. She was uptown, but not in the swankiest joint. Funny, her silk stockings didn't spell out 'penny pincher'. Neither did her perfume, if I closed my eyes and tried real hard I could still smell it in the air around me.

I took the elevator and walked quietly down the dimly lit hall. Room 506, I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard the loud voices coming from the inside. I felt the urge to bum rush the door, but thought better of it. I put my ear to the door and my hand on my piece just in case.

An angry man's voice was shouting things I couldn't quite make out. There was a radio on as well and the noises got jumbled. I did hear her loud and clear when she said, "Donnie, it's not like that. I'll get it done, please don't…" in a pleading voice. The guy yelled back something like "You'd better or…" Or what? I thought angrily from behind that damned door. He seemed to lower his voice and I couldn't hear anything else. I put my hand on the knob and held it tightly wondering if I should burst in or wait for a sign of trouble. I couldn't stand the thought of Tara being in danger. But I couldn't be certain of what was going on. For I knew the guy was her boyfriend or something and my bursting through the door could make things worse for her.

I heard footsteps coming towards me and I headed quickly three doors down, making believe that I was searching for my key. He rounded the corner towards the elevators and I went to make sure he was gone.

I stood before the door and knocked on it firmly. She came out, holding her robe shut and sobbing into a hankie, my hankie, I noticed. Her eyes were set down on the floor. "Did you forget something…" She began to say before looking up.

She looked at me like a deer caught in headlights "W-what are you doing here?" she said nervously looking out into the hall and pulling me into the room. She closed the door behind us and put the lock in place. Okay I thought safety first.

"I was just in the neighborhood. And you did forget to say what it was I could help you with, so…"

She walked towards the window, with her back to me and the full moon casting a beam in her direction she looked like an angel, just standing there in the darkened room. "You shouldn't have come Willow. It's dangerous."

I took a few steps towards her "Why? That guy that just stormed out of here, I could take him. Who is he, jealous boyfriend ?" I was trying to keep the 'jealous' out of my voice and failing miserably.

She shook her head "No. He's my brother. He's also dangerous. I never should have come to you. Please leave, Please Willow." She leaned her forehead to the window sill and I saw her shoulders slump a little.

I closed the distance and held her from behind. I just couldn't help reaching out to her.
"Hey…kid you're shakin' like a leaf. Take it easy. Who ever he is, whatever's going on, I already promised to help you and I never back out on a promise."

She turned in my arms with fresh tears in her eyes "You have to go. You don't understand. I can't even understand it yet. If you stay, you could get killed. I couldn't live with that. Please go." She sounded as desperate as I felt. All I knew was that I couldn't walk away from her. What she was saying made no sense, but neither was what I was feeling for her.

I didn't care if I had to face the Devil himself. I was already condemned if I couldn't have her. I didn't care if I had to face death .I didn't want a life where she wasn't by my side.

I looked into her eyes and forced her to look straight into mine. "Now you look here kid…I don't run from danger, I run straight into it, see? I've never backed down from a fight and I'm not gonna start now that found something really worth while to fight for. You're gonna tell me what's going on and we're gonna get through it together. And I ain't taking no for an answer, you hear? So I don't want no lip…

Then just like that, in the middle of my rant she leaned down and kissed me. I smiled and said something cheeky like, "Okay that kind of lip is fine." She smiled too and resumed the kiss. This time I kept my trap shut, well to words anyway.

These kisses were different from the ones in the office. They were unhurried, languid and sweet. This was it. My own private Eden. How come every time she kissed me it was like leaving this Earth?

As much as I enjoyed the attention I was getting, something kept gnawing at the back of my mind. I retreated softly and took her face in my hands, I took a moment to breathe and regain some control over my senses. "Those lips of yours will be the death of me. Before we go on I have to know what's going on?"

She upturned my palms and kissed them softly one by one before walking away. She turned towards the door "You should go." She said in a cracked voice. I could tell she was biting back a flow of tears.

I never could stand to see a broad cry and of course this wasn't just another ordinary broad. This was Tara Maclay, mystery woman and it was breaking my heart to see her eyes watering with little drops of pain. I guess I'm a sucker and a sappy one at that.

She shivered slightly and wrapped her arms around her self "And I already told you, how can I explain anything, when I don't understand it myself? All I know is that you'll be in danger if you stay. Please Willow walk away."

I was about to protest full heartedly when I heard a noise just outside the door. She heard it too and got a panicked expression on her face. She ushered me inside the closet. I saw through the small blinds that she hurried to turn the radio up and wiped her tears before sitting down on the bed.

The doorknob clicked and a man entered the room. I recognized the voice. He was the one who was screaming at her when I was behind then door and he didn't sound too pleasant now either.

"Yeah? Well I guess it would be. It's not like you have any friends in this city or in any other."

There was a cruel tone to his voice and his remarks that I didn't appreciate. If he had kept it up much longer I would've dammed the consequences and rushed out to give him a fat lip.

"Listen up Tara, I've asked around that Frankie Red character bit the dust, but the office is still around. He had a daughter who runs it now. Were going to have to change strategies. The gist of the plan remains the same though. We'll go there tomorrow and feed her the story. Don't mess it up or there will be Hell to pay. You understand me?"

She nodded as he gripped her shoulders. Even through the blinds I could see that he was gripping her too damn hard for comfort. The uneasy feeling I had in my gut had multiplied by a million. What did any of this have to do with my Pop and why was Tara a part of a plan that included feeding me a story? There were more questions than answers and I didn't like it one bit.

My knuckles were turning white from gripping them so tight at my sides. He let go of her and I saw a wisp of a cruel smile on his face as turned to slick his hair back in front of the dresser mirror.

"That's a good girl. Now I'm going out. I'll be back tomorrow, ten o'clock sharp. I booked a reservation at the Plaza. There are people who have to think were still rolling in dough. "

He raised his voice again "That's none of your business. I got connections. I'll get my job done. You just make sure you do your part."

He passed by quickly and shut the door with a slam. Tara stayed still on the bed. When I came out of the closet I found her with her face buried in her hands, she was crying again. I was determined to question her hard about everything, but one look into those watery eyes and all my anger faded. I sat next to her and held her tight. There would be time for answers later.

"I'm so s-sorry…you must be thinking that I'm awful…I…"She started saying in between sobs.

She was about to open up the water works again. I had to respond fast I couldn't take much more of this brand of torture. For me that's saying a lot and I got the scars to prove it.

"Listen sweetheart, enough with the tears." I took out another hankie from my breast pocket and wiped her face as gently as I could. "I don't think you're awful, but you've got some explaining to do."

I took her hand in mine and tried to be gentle. "You haven't exactly lied to me yet. You can't lie if you're not saying anything. What I heard though, it wasn't pretty. Talk to me." She shut her eyes and bit her lower lip.

"I'm supposed to lie to you. Tell you that I have a case and keep you busy, chasing fake leads."

"Yeah I about heard that much, the real question is why?" I asked keeping my eyes fixed on hers she was wiggling like worm on a hook and that didn't sit well with me. Pop used to say "If they're sweating or squirming they're either lying or trying to kill you." Either way, my gut was turning upside down.

I stared even harder. She lowered her gaze and continued nervously "All they told me was to keep your father busy this week. I guess they didn't know he had passed away. It has something to do with some jewelry of my Mother's."

"Alright, let's back up and take it step by step. First who's ' they' exactly? And second why would my Pop have anything to do with your Mother's jewelry?"

"My Father and my bother to answer your first question. As for the second, you won't believe me, but the truth is that I really don't know anything, except that he has or had a piece of jewelry that belonged to her and that according to Donnie is ' our salvation' "

"Well kid I think your bother is wrong. I don't know anything about expensive jewelry, except that my Pop never had anything more pricey than what he could buy at the ' nickel and dime' store. He never told me anything about working a case for anyone named Maclay either."

I could sense she was still holding something back. I decided to keep my cool. If she was playing a game with me I could play too. "O.k. That still leaves more questions than answers. Now that I know about ' the plan' what are you going to do?"

"I know what I don't want to do. I don't want to lie to you. I want you to trust me. I know you have questions so do I, so many you can't even begin to imagine, I …"She hesitated before continuing.

"I don't want you to get hurt. There's no telling what Donnie would do if he found out that you knew something. Maybe if you could trust me enough, we could find some answers together?"

She sounded hopeful, but trust? That wasn't exactly at the top of my list, but my curiosity was peaked. I had to find out what was going on. "So doll…how are we gonna play this?"

She served me a drink from her bother's stash and we talked for a while. It was simple enough, she would go into my office with her brother as planned. We would both play along and while he thought that I was chasing wild geese I would really be chasing him. Tara would stick to me like she was told while trying to find out more about her brother's intentions. I was worried about the connection between her Mother and my Father. I couldn't make one from what she was telling me. There were too many blanks to fill in.

She told me that her family had once been one of the most influential and wealthy families in all of the South. Crops, factories, mining, you name it they had it. Her Mother inherited the fortune from her grandfather and married very wealthy at very young age. She said things were good for a while.

Aren't they always? I knew the rest of the story. It's the same one all over the world. Still I listened patiently. She had a far away look in her eyes and I could tell it hurt her to remember.

"He was a good father and a good husband. He used to call me princess and take me horseback riding. Then one day everything started changing. His Father, I guess I should call him Grandfather came to live with us. Things were never the same. There was fighting all time, Donnie and Papa began to have mood swings. Grandfather had a say in everything from the running of business to the running of the house. My Mother fought him all the way. I over heard them one night and she even threatened to get a divorce, but then she started getting sick. She was getting weaker as time passed. Then one day she just went to sleep and never woke up again."

"No I want to." She took the glass of bourbon from my hands and stole a little sip. "I hope you don't mind." She said almost shyly. I nodded my head 'no' of course and she continued, "After that it was down hill. Papa drank, Donnie drank, Grandfather ran the business right into the ground. At least I think that's what happened, because the money just stopped coming in and everything was getting shut down or mortgaged."

"I was young and sheltered to an extent I suppose. Momma was teaching me about business and other things, but with Grandfather even that became a problem. After she got sick she really couldn't protect me anymore and the men of the house didn't let me question these things. When Momma died the first person Grandfather called was the Family lawyer, Mr. Duncan. They had a meeting that lasted hours behind closed doors and ended with a shouting match that could be heard all over the house and Mr. Duncan leaving the house in a huff slamming the front door nearly off its hinges. The very week the will was to be read, he passed away and a new attorney took over. The will was read only in the presence of my Father supposedly as per my Mother's wishes."

She sighed deeply and rubbed her temples "I don't know what to think or who to believe anymore."

I took her hand "You can believe in me." then stood and walked to the window. "So according to this lawyer everything went to the old man and your bother? I guess that would include her jewelry and anything else of value. Why would they think any of it is here, hundreds of miles away and in the possession of a dead P.I?"

"I know that Grandfather was angry for a very long time. Like I said I wasn't exactly miss intrepid, I'm not very brave. They could be so cruel…it hurt so badly sometimes…I was afraid to even ask questions, still am I guess." She said in a sad tone that tore me up.

Boy my blood was boiling now. Have I told you how much I hate bullies? I wish I could get those three jokers in a room alone. I rubbed the back of my neck and made my way back to her.

I squatted on my heels and put my hands on hers squeezing them to offer support. "Listen it's not you who lacks bravery. They're cowards for picking on someone who doesn't know how to fight back. The good news is you can learn to fight them, you already started by siding with me." She gave me a little smile and squeezed my hands right back.

"Let me remember…maybe I could remember something useful. The only time I knew anything about what they were doing was when I accidentally heard them talking from time to time. I was always so quiet I guess they never felt me coming. One of those times I heard Grandfather saying something like ' That bitch…she hid it…she knew and she hid it.' I can only suppose he was talking about Mother and whatever it is Donnie is here to look for."

I looked up into her face streaked with some of the tears that she had shed earlier. I looked for a sign, any sign that she wasn't being honest with me. Maybe I only saw what I wanted to see cause I swear all I saw was honesty. I guess the joke's on me.

So there it was, a mystery that spelled out 'cheap novel' in bold letters: A dame with a past, an evil family, a missing gem and a clueless gumshoe. I would've liked the outline if I wasn't playing the part of the patsy.

We sat in silence in the semi-dark room for a while. I was trying to put together the bizarre puzzle, but too many pieces were missing. My head was starting to hurt and I paced the room rubbing the back of my neck vigorously.

Don't laugh, but I think I blushed when I said that to her. I've never been too keen on the mushy stuff.

She smiled even brighter a sort of lop-sided really sexy smile and I melted like butter on hot popcorn. Boy did she have my number. She motioned for me to sit back on the bed.

I obeyed like a puppy. Hell if I had a tail I would've probably wagged it.
She made me sit sideways on the bed. She took off my jacket and began rubbing my shoulders. Man I had to hold myself back from groaning at the first touch. It's just that every time we even came close to each other the air around us became alive with electricity. That's why I knew I was in deep trouble from the moment she walked into my office.

The more her hands traveled over my shoulders and up and down my back the more unsettled I became. My brain was shutting down like a burnt out light bulb and my body was coming alive. I had to swallow hard cause my mouth was starting to get dry. My hands were sweating and I had a funny feeling in my gut that was slowly but surely making its way down south.

I was surprised at just how much she was affecting me with just a few simple touches. I had never felt like that in all of my life. It was like I was a different person whenever she was near me. The strange thing is I liked it. I liked that I could be completely different and yet still be completely me, really me around her. It didn't make sense, but it sure felt perfectly right.

Her eyes were locked onto mine, her lids fluttered just a little and in a slow and deep tone she said, "Then don't think."

I shook my head, as the blood rushed through my body. "Not thinking is a no-no in my line of work. It can get you a nice new pair of very gray, very heavy shoes."

She hesitated for a moment, but then surprised me by putting her right hand on my cheek and her left hand on my leg. She caressed my face and again spoke to me in that throaty tone that was turning the heat up in the room and in my body. "This isn't about work. It's about…something else. My bother won't be back until morning. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but we've got tonight. You're here and I'm feeling…brave." She then leaned in and kissed me.

Well three cheers for bravery. I snaked my hand behind her head and buried it in her hair. I was falling and I didn't care. I couldn't care, even if the fall never ended, even if it broke me, shattered me completely.

Her lips were soft, sweet and warm. I felt grateful that she had offered them to me. I felt them part and I accepted the invitation. Our tongues began a gentle and firm duel. I felt her body reacting and changing with each stroke, just as mine was. Our breathing became rapid and shallow. I could hear the mingled beat of our hearts. My skin was on fire and her's also felt ablaze. I parted from her lips only to give attention to the rest of her body.

I kissed her graceful neck and she threw her head back moaning as her hands traveled the length of my back. I could feel every inch of my skin sensitized by her touch. My lips were thirsty for her. I wanted to taste her everywhere at once, but at the same time just stay in one place forever. I returned to her lips and ordered myself to take it slowly.

She was right. We had all night, but who knew beyond that? This was the first time that I've ever really wanted not to just have sex and be on my way. Usually one-night affairs suited me just fine. No questions, no complications. With Tara Maclay I wanted questions and answers, I wanted more than just a quick goodbye at dawn, in a nutshell: I wanted her to complicate my simple life.

She sucked on my bottom lip making it difficult for me not to just ravish her completely. I let her take the lead of the kiss, while my hands started wandering down her luscious curves. She gasped as I barely touched the underside of her breasts. I caressed them gently, tracing the nipples with my open palm through the fabric of her robe.

She traced my thin lips with the tip of her tongue and I shivered from arousal. She teased me relentlessly, pulling away from me every time I moved in to capture her warm and full mouth. She played this game so well, it was hard to believe that I had been the first. What I knew was that I wanted to be the last. I finally caught her and I sucked on her tongue for little while before lightly biting her lips. We couldn't stop kissing even when oxygen became an issue. We parted only for seconds at a time. We took the air that we needed from each other. We were breathing as one.

At some point we ended up lying on the bed I was slightly on top of her and when I felt her moving beneath me kissing was suddenly not enough. We both had reached the point where we needed so much more that it was physically painful. The truth is that I ached to have her. I lifted myself briefly from her body and I stared down into the most beautiful, deep blue eyes I had ever seen. Again like the first time, I was silently thanking whatever deities existed for this one moment in my life. I could've gotten lost in that azure depth, as matter of fact I think I did.

Our lips met again and this time more frantically. She moved sensuously as I pressed my leg to her center. We both sucked in a wild breath of air upon contact. She lifted her leg and we rocked back and forth in a fevered state. My hands got restless and I struggled with the sash of her robe. Her hands were also busy fumbling with the buttons of my shirt. We parted again with the unspoken promise of hurrying right back. We needed skin-to-skin contact. The heat was suffusing up our mingled bodies. Her flushed face made me tingle all over.

We sat up to facilitate the discarding of everything that came between us. We undressed each other and kneeling on the bed we took a moment to really look at one another. I had to struggle to breathe. It was like I was seeing her for the very first time. She was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, in life or even in dreams. I had found my religion.
This was the Goddess I wanted to worship. I couldn't tell you what she was thinking at that moment, but I could've sworn I saw love written in every one of her features.

We pulled out of our daze and locked our hands together. Our foreheads touched and we exhaled a breath I think neither one of us knew we were holding. We lay on the bed face to face to face her mouth and whole body, opening, inviting me in. I gladly complied. My hands traced her smooth skin, as her hands danced on me at their own beat.

I traced the lines on her face, I wanted to remember every detail. My lips retraced the steps of my fingers. Her brows, eyelids, nose and neck I stopped there for a while lightly sucking on the throbbing pulse point, she whimpered just a little making me smile. I licked her neck and bit her earlobe making her squirm and breathe heavily. Our arousal was thick in the air and I was in no condition to linger as much as I would've liked.

I continued my path down and across her collarbone. When I reached her breasts she pushed herself into my hands groaning, I felt a jolt of pleasure traveling at lightning speed towards my already wet center. I caressed the perfect and full flesh, I teased the already hardened nipples with my thumb and forefinger. The dark erect tips made my palms tingle. Tara continued her soft moaning, it sounded almost like purring.

Her voice was driving me wild. Her hands were caressing my breasts as well and I had to retain her. I was getting lost in her touch. I couldn't function properly if she was touching me. I wanted this to be about her. I needed to please her, like she deserved. She seemed to understand. I took turns loving each of her breasts with my mouth. I leisurely sucked on them until I was satisfied that I had paid them the merited homage. She caressed my head and ran her nails through my back, making me shiver. I looked up and she was chewing on her bottom lip, picture perfect. I strummed my fingertips along her ribcage like I was playing a guitar and she sucked in a breath, raising her hips slightly off the bed. I reached her navel and dipped in the tip of my tongue, swirling it a little, enjoying the soft sounds of pleasure that were coming from her mouth.

Her movements were becoming more agitated. I wanted to continue a slow pace, but her unique aroma was engulfing my senses. I could barely contain myself. I closed my eyes and let the air around us encompass me. I was shaken to the core as I let this feeling of red desire wash over me. I slid down her body moist with sweat and I rested between her legs. I shifted my position to have better access to her silken temple. I parted her legs and from my kneeling position bent my head down to kiss the apex of her inner thighs, one at time I kissed, licked, bit and teased the sensitive spots that were at the limit of where I knew she needed me the most. It was a torture for her, but it was agony to me. I was eager to taste her, but I was thinking of her pleasure. I wanted to make this special for her. Her hunger was as palpable as mine. I could feel her throbbing need as sharply as felt my own. Finally when she couldn't stand it any longer, she uttered the breathless plea that I couldn't ignore. "Ohmm…God…p-p-please…I need…oh-ah-a-I…need…"

I knew exactly what she needed. I parted her outer lips and let my tongue sneak out for a taste, I flicked it over her clit only ever so slightly. She nearly rose off the bed completely. I held her down with my hands and finally fully entered her with my tongue. It was like drinking ambrosia. She rocked her hips and rode my mouth. I entered and exited at her rhythm, but when her undulations were becoming frantic I retreated. She let out a groan of frustration, but I didn't intend to let her suffer for long. I licked up and down the length of her hot opening, lapping up the exquisite juices. She pushed my head down entangling her fingers in my hair. I took the hint and again seized the swollen bundle of nerves between my lips. I could feel the small pearl pulsating with need. Tara rocked herself against me and writhed in pleasure. She was calling my name and I knew she was close. "Willow…Willow…Willow…"

She had hardly touched me but her smell, her taste, her movements and her voice were equal to a million caresses. There was a wild fire coursing through my veins as I sucked on her clit. Her legs were beginning to quiver. I used one hand to steady her and with the other I paved the way to her release. I took two of my fingers and entered her portal, her moaning became strangled, I picked up the pace, thrusting in and out, feeling her inner walls contracting around my digits, feeling every drop of her liquid heat. I lifted my head so I could see her face. It was gorgeous. Her head was thrown back, her long blonde hair shimmering in the dark, her neck muscles straining and sticking out, her hips in air and her hands clutching the sheets while she crashed down on the mattress her essence spilling onto my fingers with my name still fresh in her lips.

I crawled back up her body and held her still trembling form. She clung to me for dear life breathing heavily in my ear. I was aroused from hearing her call out my name in ecstasy and her hot breath on my skin was making the tension in body climb at a supernatural speed. I gazed at her flushed face, she was biting her bottom lip again and her eyes were closed. I could feel her body heaving up and down next to mine, trying to recover oxygen and her heart pounding at a fast beat, just like mine.

She opened her eyes and I subconsciously licked my lips. Her pupils were slightly dilated and she was looking at me with a hungry gaze that mirrored my own. Her breathing steadied and she pulled away raking her eyes up and down my naked form. Suddenly she embraced me and captured my mouth in a searing kiss. Our tongues slid against one another in swirling, deep motions. We hadn't nearly had enough of each other, if anything we were only beginning. She left my mouth and attached her lips to my neck. It's like she knew my body and how to get it to react. My neck is one of my most sensitive spots and her sucking and nibbling on my pulse point was driving mad with desire. I wanted to regain control and tried to get on top again, but she surprised me by showing incredible strength. She kept me pinned down with her body and went as far as to take my arms and hold them with her's over my head. She looked at me intensely "Stay…It's my turn. I want to make you feel good. I need you, I need to have you so badly." She said in a husky voice while placing soft kisses on my throat and sliding to and fro on my leg.

I don't think I could've refused even if I had wanted to. And of course I wasn't crazy, I didn't want to. I let her feed off my body and I enjoyed every bite she took. I could feel her getting wet again while she slid on my thigh muscle, I nearly came just from the delicious sensation. She shifted her weight and placed her leg on my eager center. "Oh God yessss!" I uttered breathlessly, pressing up on her thigh to ease some of my need. She tilted her head down and devoured my breasts with her mouth one by one, while steadily rocking our bodies to and fro. I could feel my juices coating her leg more and more as our joint movements became faster. She teased the nipple on my right breast with her tongue and teeth and fondled the left with her palm and fingers. I was melting into her touch. Both our bodies were covered in a heavy sheen of sweat, we were swelling and thrashing together. Her hips rolled into circles, meeting my upward movements, pulling me in, slicing me up with pleasure. My breathing was labored and I was close, achingly close to the edge of a powerful climax.

She wasn't through with me though. Just as I was on the brink, she lifted herself away from my body. I groaned in near agony. She smiled at me, a half smirk that held a promise. I was trembling from anticipation as she made her way down my body. I moaned when the tips of her breasts grazed my heated flesh. She knew that I had enjoyed that and made her way up and down again a couple of times just to tease me with her hardened nipples. I arched my back at every passing. "Oh…Mhhhmm…"Was all I could get out.

"I want you come for me Willow" She said while kissing my stomach, slowly making her way to where I needed her the most. "I've dreamed of tasting you…mmmhhhmm…you smell sooo good."

She opened my legs wider and inhaled my scent before parting my outer lips with her fingers and softly she took her tongue out and just barely touched me with its humid tip. My head rolled back and I groaned deeply. "Aahm… Tara…"I gasped for air "Tara…" My hips quivered when she started running the length of her tongue up and down my opening again and again. I could feel my legs starting to shake and the inside of my belly began to hum and burn. "You taste delicious." She said before taking my clit in between her lips. She circled it with her tongue before sucking on it with abandon. I shut my eyes tight and let the electrical current overtake my body. My spine started tingling and a shock wave traveled from the tip of my toes to the top of my head. An explosion of colors flashed behind my eyes and I felt myself flooding Tara's mouth. "Taaara…"I cried out her name in my release just as she had cried out mine in hers.

Then for a while there was just silence. Not the dead kind of silence that tears you up inside. The good kind that you want to get lost in forever. The kind that you breathe in and share without discomfort or remorse with the person laying next to you. The kind of silence that you can only share when you're in love.

Those are the kind of moments that you want to live in. Those are the kind of moments that get you through the bad one's or take you apart when you realize they may never come back. Right now that night and the others like it haunt me.

At least I have an idea of what it is that I'm looking for. I was so clueless. How could've I been so blind?

Red let the thoughts of the recent past run through her mind as she carefully entered her house. She turned the knob as quietly as she could with one hand while holding her revolver with the other. She didn't need any more surprises on this dark night.

The P.I checked every room carefully making sure she was alone before holstering her piece. She took out a set of keys from her pocket and entered her uncle's old bedroom.

She went to the closet and started her search. "O.k. Johnny…let's see if you've got the answers."

While she was searching for the final pieces of the puzzle Red couldn't help but replay in her mind the series of events that had led her back to the room that she was currently taking apart piece by piece.

After they had made love many times in the darkened hotel room they embraced each other tightly and succumbed to sleep. The morning came quickly and started filtering bright light into the room casting a warm glow over the two slumbering lovers.

Tara shifted lightly in Red's arms causing the P.I to stir in her sleep and awaken. She was disoriented for a few seconds. She took a careful look at her surroundings before settling her eyes on the blonde beauty in her arms. The detective had no choice but to smile. She was suddenly aware of the bright light coming in through the window. It was already morning and she needed to know the time. She carefully disengaged herself from her sleeping companion. Tara mumbled a small complaint at the loss of her lover. Red stilled her movements and looked expectantly at the blonde who emitted a tiny whimper and rolled to her side without waking. Red smiled again and slowly she left the bed to look for her pocket watch. Fortunately it was still early. It was only seven o'clock. There was still time to get things ready. She had been worried that it was close to the time when Tara's brother had said he would return. She had to shower, change and plan a strategy with the gang before the meeting with the Maclays took place.

She circled the bed and gazed down at lovingly at the blonde. She looked angelic, there was a light orange glow shining off her bare shoulders from the sunrays kissing her skin. Her lips were sticking out in an adorable pout and her blonde hair gleamed in the morning light. Red's heart was soaring. The thought of leaving this woman behind made her stomach clench and her hand shook a little as she extended it to softly caress the blonde's cheek. She knew she had to leave and recover her composure for both their sakes. The P.I kneeled next to the bed and placed a feather light kiss on the other woman's forehead. Tara sighed contentedly and smiled still in deep slumber.

Red stood up and dressed as quietly as she could. She searched the dresser drawer for a paper and pencil and wrote a note placing it on the pillow next to the blonde before exiting the room. She stepped out slowly and carefully checked the corridor, she looked around and ducked into the service elevator anticipating that it would be best to leave by the back door. A front desk -man was often too easily bought and even more often too nosy for their own damn good. It seemed to the P.I that the less risks they took from now on, the better. The Maclay men certainly seemed to be capable of being devious and dangerous, but what about the Maclay women? That was the real question in the back of the detective's mind. It was a question her heart chose to ignore.

I clued everyone in on the situation. In the beginning I got a few eyebrows in the air, a couple of disbelieving looks and even a few lines of the 'kissing in a tree' song, courtesy of Anya of course. I gave them a 'look' to let them know I meant business and from then on they behaved and gave me their full attention. For the moment we would keep it simple. We didn't have enough information for anything else our first step was to get it any way we could.

Xander was going to tail Donnie from the moment he left the office, Anya was going to lift his prints so Giles could run them through the records and in the given case that Tara left the office with her brother Buffy was to serve as back up on the chase, in case they split up. I hated the feeling of having to mistrust Tara so much. I wanted desperately to believe in her, but at the same time I couldn't shake the feeling that she was still holding something back. If it was just me in the ringer I probably wouldn't even think twice about helping her, even with a blindfold on the whole time, but I wasn't working alone. I had to think about my team. Every time we took a case it involved us all, we either shared the glory or took an equal share of lumps. This looked like a lumpy kind of case.

While the gang kept their eyes peeled and their ears open I was making a few calls. If there were jewels involved in this kooky case there were a couple of names that came to mind. In this game and in this town the rules changed often, but the players almost always remained the same. None of the people on the list were forthcoming with information. That was to be expected. I should have known better. There's a kind of business that you can only do face-to-face. You've got to be there to see them twitch. I've always been pretty good at reading body language hardly anyone has ever gotten away with lying to me.

It helps that the gang and I have reputation for being tough as nails. Usually I never had to do more than issue a colorful threat to get a wise guy to spill the beans. Course there was the occasional dimwit that didn't take me seriously or used the ' B' word to my face. They normally wound up taking the next bus out of town after meeting the business end of my knuckles and shoes.

I had to hit the street. If any one of them knew something I would find out later. With the anxious mood I was in I almost felt sorry for the chump who tried to pull a number on me that day. Pity I couldn't include Tara's bother in that sentiment. I had to play it 'cool as cucumber' with him, tsk-tsk a real shame. I wouldn't mind introducing him to the dark side of my temper. I've been told it's not pretty.

I looked at my watch again it was only 9 o' clock and was already getting jumpy. I had done all I could without leaving my office and I couldn't risk going out and having them come in early. Without anything to do my mind started wondering.

I couldn't get Tara Maclay out of my head. I had reluctantly taken a shower because I really wished I could have kept her scent lingering on me all day. Of course that would have made it even harder to concentrate on work. I replayed our first meeting and the night at the hotel over and over in my mind, behind closed lids. As time passed I could practically see her, taste her even smell her regardless of the shower I had.

I relived every touch, she was crawling under my skin, moving inside of me like my body was her home. I ran my hands over the surface of the desk as I remembered the mixed look of surprise and pleasure that she got on her face when I cleared it and hauled her up to kiss her and bare her skin. An involuntary shiver ran up my spine and I had to shake my head to try and clear the tingling sensation washing over me. I had to get a hold of myself or my usual 'poker' face was going to crumble as soon as she walked through the door and that just wouldn't do. I started giving myself a little pep talk to shake the images out of my mind. Sure they were pleasant, but distracting as all hell and I had to be on my game.

"Come on Red get it together!" The P.I cranked her neck a couple times and rubbed her temples as she tried to regain focus.

She spoke to herself in an effort to control her emotions. "You can do it. Just remember to breathe." she took a couple of deep breaths just for practice. "O.k., now think un-sexy thoughts…like…frogs and frog legs…mmmhhh…Tara legs, long and smooth and…darn it! Uhm…ponies…Tara on horseback, riding with the wind in her hair and…ugh! Ahh…sister Mary Frances, whose habit always smelled like something inhuman, yuck! O.k.…that's working, uhm…the wart on her left cheek and her pulling on my ear, taking me to the rectory, because…because…she caught me kissing Katy Connor and two seconds before she would have caught me with my hand up her skirt, he-he, I bet Tara would look great in one of those old Montessori uniforms, ARGH! Here I go again. This isn't working. I can't stop thinking about her and since when in God's name do I babble?" Red nearly screamed out the last phrase completely exasperated with herself. "I gotta get a grip." She said putting her head in her hands. In mid sentence Anya decided to walk in.

"You know boss they say that people who talk to themselves have money in the bank. Is that true?" The quirky secretary asked with a smirk on her lips and gleam in her eyes.

Red chose to ignore the comment. "Are they here already?" She asked a bit too anxiously.

Anya shook her head. "Easy there boss. I've never seen you so jumpy. I come bearing coffee. I figured you might need some by now. Though it looks like a nice, soothing tea might have been a better choice."

It bothered Red to no end that she was rattled enough that people would notice. She steeled up her resolve and worked on putting up her ' poker' face. She squared her jaw and gave Anya an easy smile, almost a grin. "Coffee is fine. Thank you Anya, just buzz me when they get here. Oh and…"

Anya smiled and finished the sentence. "First tell them that you're busy on a call so you'll have time to get ready. I know the drill."

"Bet you say that to all the girls." Anya said winking before closing the door behind her.

The secretary's visit had offered the P.I a very needed distraction and she finally felt more at ease. She took out a pen and paper and started to jot down a 'to do' list after the Maclays left her office.

At ten on the dot the desk buzzer rang. Red took a small moment to really compose her self. The gumshoe was as ready as she would ever be. She spoke into the buzzer in cool and firm voice. "Anya please, have them come in and hold all my calls."

The door opened, Donald and Tara Maclay entered Willow Rosenberg's office ready to present her with a case. The detective sat back in her chair and thought. "Let the games begin."

They entered my office and I stood to greet them. Donald Maclay had a smug look on his face from the moment he set foot through the door, just like I imagined he would. My eyes shifted unconsciously up and down Tara's perfect form. She looked stunning as always and slightly nervous as was to be expected. I could read in her eyes that she was trying hard to remain calm. I extended my hand, Donnie had a limp shake, it figures. When I touched Tara's hand I tried giving her a hidden, reassuring squeeze to let her know that everything was going to be all right. As usual the simple touch electrified my skin. I smiled and cleared my throat to buy some time before speaking, just in case I choked on a word.

"Mr. Maclay, Ms. Maclay, how may I help you?" I asked in my best 'boy scout' voice, motioning for them to sit down.

I wished I would've had popcorn at the time cause little Donnie sure could put on a show. He never even batted an eye slash while spinning his yarn. He went on to explain in a grave voice how his family had received threatening letters from an unknown source and how concerned he was, especially for his sister's safety. He had business to attend to here and his sister had begged to accompany him, since she had never been to such a big city before. He of course hadn't had the heart to say no. Being a small town boy himself, he didn't know the ropes and preferred not risking her safety. He said our agency came highly recommended by a friend. He knew he would be busy meeting with several associates and he couldn't be at these meetings with Tara ' Boys Club' business he said. So basically what he needed was someone to escort his 'helpless' sister in the city just in case the letter fiend had followed them and maybe try to find a clue of who the culprit was, if it was possible.

Tara sat quietly for the duration of the speech, merely nodding when Donnie made dramatic pauses and took her hand gently asking, "Isn't that right sister dear?"

He said something like "As you can see she's a bit on the shy side and I do worry about her. Besides this lunatic who's taken an interest in our family there are dangerous people out there in the world, just waiting for a chance to prey on the innocent."

His mock seriousness was making sick. I couldn't wait for that phony to get the Hell out of my office, unfortunately he still had some more lies to spew out.

"I won't spare any expense to assure the safety of my family. I must confess that when I heard that you were a woman detective I was a bit shocked and had my apprehensions about it. You know coming from a small town and all. But the more I thought about it, the better I liked it. Like I said I worry about my sister and well I think she might be safer in your hands. Someone else might try to take advantage if you know what I mean."

"Oh brother!" I thought. I had to chew on the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing out loud. I also had to pull my eyes away from Tara cause I knew that if I looked directly at her we could both break out in a fit of laughter. I was trying so hard not to bust my sides that I nearly missed out when he finally got to the point.

"So would you be willing to assure my sister's personal safety for the duration of our stay?"

I went through the motions of asking the right kind of questions before committing myself to the so-called 'case' so he wouldn't suspect that I was on to him. I asked about the letters and he even produced a couple of copies for me to check out. I asked about the conditions regarding Tara's safety and of course discussed the standard fee for the job. What he said about the accommodations was what really sparked my interest. He seemed eager, too eager to get me to agree to move into Tara's double suite at ' The Plaza'. That could mean a few things: one, he wanted my full attention on Tara so he could move around town, two, he wanted to keep his eyes on me himself, that meant he could have a partner or three, he wanted me out of my place. I chose number three. I had to gauge his reaction and made him a counter offer. I stated my reasons for why it would be so much better to have her stay in my place and how I could better guarantee her safety. He looked rattled for a moment and then he seemed to have a second thought. He smiled and coolly said. "All right. We could do it your way. So we have a deal?" he asked extending his hand.

I responded and couldn't help giving him a steely glare. "We have a deal." I felt like I was shaking hands with the Devil. I wasn't making a fake promise though, cause in my heart I had already promised to safeguard Tara from any and all danger.

He looked at his watch and started to rise, putting on his hat looking quite satisfied with himself. I couldn't wait to get the chance to wipe that smug look from his face. "Detective, I have a business appointment now. Would you mind starting on the case right away? I'll leave you an advance for expenses."

Good, I was hoping to get Tara alone. I agreed to the money because it would've looked fishy if I didn't. I wanted him to shove it but instead I politely nodded." Of course I don't mind. You go right ahead, I'll drive Ms. Maclay to her Hotel and get her things. Don't you worry about a thing, I've got everything under control."

He smiled again "Of course you do." Was what he said before placing a kiss on Tara's cheek and a wad of money on the desk. He exited the office with a confident stride and I straightened my tie praying for my five minutes alone with him.

After he left I was finally able to look straight into Tara's eyes. They were wide and expectant. I came around from my desk and crossed my arms over my chest. I leaned back on the edge and tilted my head to stare down at her lovely features.

She shied away and tried hiding her eyes. I bent forward and put my index and thumb under her chin gently making her look up at me. She looked worried and scared.

She let out a breath I guess she wasn't aware that she had been holding. "Oh. God Willow. How did you do that?"

"Just stay there looking so calm, like nothing was going on. I felt like I was going to burst the entire time."

"It comes with the trade sweetheart. Though if you really want to know the truth, I wasn't really that calm the whole time either."

"Really. You know when he stated his reasons for preferring a woman detective I had to choke back a peel of laughter like you wouldn't believe."

She let out a musical laugh that lit up my face. I would have to remember to make her laugh more often. "Gosh! Do you realize I couldn't even look at you? I stared at that wall clock for what seemed like forever." She said in between little chuckles.

She looked beautiful. I couldn't help myself I leaned down supporting my weight on the armrests of the chair and kissed her. She blushed a lovely shade of pink that made my heart stop for just a brief moment. "And do you realize that I couldn't look at you for more than a full ten seconds cause I was afraid that your brother would see straight through me?"

"Why?" She asked softly in a shaky voice. "Why would you think that he'd see straight through you?"

I didn't want to say too much, but I couldn't help answering her with honesty. "Because what I feel when I look at you is so strong that every Joe on the street can see it just by taking a quick glance."

She smiled that half smile that made me nuts and pulled my head in for a long and deep kiss.

Somehow in the middle of heated kisses we made it to the leather couch on the left wall. I was almost lying on top of her, caressing her breasts over the soft material of her blouse, just inching my hand up her skirt. That's when Anya decided to come in for a situation report. I heard the doorknob turn just in time to jump away from Tara's arms. She sat up and tried composing her disheveled clothing, blushing to the roots of her hair and looking everywhere except at me and my inopportune secretary.

"Well I would think that you'd be in a better mood." She said looking at Tara. "Just came in to tell you that Xander is on the case and I got that other thing we needed, Giles is running it over to his pals right now and Buffy wants to know what she can do in the mean time, since that other thing didn't work out."

She was being cautious around Tara. That was good, it was better that what I was doing. Well maybe not better, just more appropriate. I debated with myself just how much Tara should know and decided that if she was going to stay with me all day it would be unavoidable for her not to know some details.

I stood and tried acting normal so Anya wouldn't give me too much grief later on. "Tell Buffy to get over to the docks and see if she can find out where Mr. Maclay is getting his spending money. With the kind of dough he's throwing around there's got to be some shady name involved. You can go out to lunch now if you like. Ms. Maclay and I will stay here for a while working on…some details of the case."

Anya snickered and tapped her pad "Sure Boss, I'll tell Buffy. By the way it's only eleven thirty, a bit early for lunch, but I'll go anyways, oh and that excuse of ' working on the case' would sound a lot more convincing if your pants hadn't just dropped down to your ankles."

I'm pretty sure I turned redder than my hair as Anya left the office laughing and I'm pretty sure singing something like "The boss and blondie, K-I-s-s-I-n-g…"

I turned to Tara and she had huddled up in the corner of the couch and her shoulders were shaking. Oh man! Anya made her cry from embarrassment. I thought. I pulled my pants up and scooted over to her side. I tried to comfort her. "Hey…look kid…it's o.k. Anya didn't mean any harm. She's just Anya, she never knocks and hardly ever knows when to shut up." I turned her around expecting to see a pained expression and instead I saw mirth. She let out a hearty laugh and I scrunched my eyebrows in annoyance. "Hey wait a minute…"I tried to protest, but soon I was also laughing as I finally grasped the humor of the whole situation." You had me going for a minute. Say why didn't you warn me about my pants?"

"I couldn't. First, I wasn't looking at either of you and then when I did look I was busy covering my mouth so I wouldn't laugh out loud." She said nearly out of breath, looking highly amused.

We both laughed again. It felt really good to relieve the tension I had felt all morning.

She caressed the sleeve of my shirt "Some where between you kissing my neck and putting your hand up my skirt." Suddenly Tara stopped looking amused and stared looking positively feral.

Her gaze was intense and it caused my body temperature to rise quite a few degrees. It seems that she had forgotten about the embarrassment caused by Anya's intrusion. She seemed to be transforming before my very eyes from a shy country girl to a sensual predator. She kept her eyes on me as she toyed with the edges of my sleeves.

"I still can't believe how calm you were before. I had to remind myself to breathe. Every time I looked at you I couldn't help remembering…"She said reaching out and loosening the knot on my tie.

I in turn inched closer and began to slowly undo the buttons of her blouse. "Remember what exactly?" I asked in a playful manner.

She tossed my tie on the floor and began to slowly undo the buttons on my shirt as well.

"Everything. I couldn't even look at your desk without my heart wanting to pound straight out of my chest. I wanted to reach out and run my hands through the wooden surface right over the spot where you took me for the first time. Where I came and screamed out your beautiful name."

Her words were soft and heavy they were caressing my skin and making me tingle from head to toe. I sighed deeply "Oh Tara" and pushed the blouse off her shoulders. I thought, > Has she read my mind?<

"When I woke this morning and you weren't there I kept thinking, please God let it not be just a dream. I hugged the pillow and it still had your scent on it. I nearly didn't make it out of bed." She pushed my shirt off and brought it up to her nose inhaling deeply. She set it gently down on the floor and brought her hands up to my chest, lightly tracing her fingers through the edges of my bra straps. "I even wished I didn't have to shower so I could keep you on my skin." She said running her fingertips right down the middle of the valley of my breasts. My skin rippled in response to both her touches and words.

I was speechless. How could we be so connected? Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought, > I should stop this.< It wasn't the right time for this. I was a professional. I had things to do, there were leads to chase, clues to discover…
What was happening to me? > Am I under some kind of spell?< I wondered. I just couldn't stop. Instead of stilling her hands and my own I started to deftly bring the down the zipper of her skirt as she unbuttoned my trousers. She pulled the pins from her hair and let it cascade down her shoulders while she continued teasing me with her voice. A voice rich in desire that left me powerless in its grasp, "Every time I see you I feel you inside me, filling me up completely, yet making me want more."

My mouth was dry and I had to focus on breathing as she raised herself from the couch to step out of her skirt. She stood before me in her white bra, panties and garter stockings. She was about to bend down to take of her high heels when I finally found my voice. It was so scratchy I could hardly recognize it as my own. "No, please leave them on."

Tara complied. I stared unwaveringly. She was a wet dream come to life. She knelt in from of me and pushed her body up on mine as we kissed long and deep. I could feel our breasts brushing against each other, making my nipples and her's hard as diamond peaks.

I ran my hands up and down her back and she kneaded her fingers up and down my legs. I felt the hairs in the nape of my neck stand on end when she pulled back from my mouth and gave me a sultry look while bending down to slip my shoes and socks off one at a time taking her time. She then pulled my trousers down and took my underwear with them. I felt moisture accumulating in between my legs in copious amounts. She caressed my ankles and calves with her hands and then with her mouth. She kissed and bit every inch of skin, from my heels to the back of my knees making me shiver with delight. Caressing and massaging my thighs she began to part my legs softly, kissing around my mound and licking at the apex of my thighs. She stopped only to look up at me as if asking my permission to continue, I was transfixed by the sight of her smoldering blue eyes on me and I could only nod my assent. She licked her full lips and had her tongue sneak out just enough to tease my opening with its tip. I could feel my eyes roll inside my head. I clutched at the leather couch beneath me and let out a strangled groan.

She pulled out and said "I've wanted to have your taste in my mouth all morning" before swiftly re-entering her tongue as far as it would go. I thought I would pass out from the pleasure of feeling her swimming inside me. She pushed in and out, making me throw my head back and moan wildly. "Oh God Tara…"I said grabbing the back of her head and tangling some of her blonde locks in my hand. She pulled out and stroked up and down my slit in long and thorough motions. I pushed her head down harder and she quickened her movements. I was so hot and wet I knew I had to be close. She knew it too, she stopped her motions for a second and again looked up at me. She licked her lips coated with my juices and descended on my hardened clit, sucking on it with fervor.

I spread my legs wider, draping one over the armrest of the couch and I raised my hips slightly in the air. "OH, YEAH BABY LIKE THAT…."I cooed and croaked out loudly. She sucked me harder and I clutched at her shoulder with my free hand, my body tensing and then finally releasing in her mouth.

I was right the first time. I was a woman in trouble. Who knew trouble could be so much fun?

Main What's New Fiction by Author Fiction by Pairing eBooks

Subject Index Submissions Gallery Forums Links Awards Contact Us

If you find problems on these pages please email your host.

By Nika

latinnika@yahoo.es