Cordelia looked over at Xander, who was sitting quietly next to her in the passenger seat in her driveway. "Xander ... what does all this mean?"

"All of what, Miss Cordelia?" Xander responded respectfully

"This whole ... control thingy. Not that I don't like it. Don't think that for a moment or you'll be in big trouble!"

Xander nodded. "That question, Miss Cordelia, is pretty deep and complicated.   Everything that I know about this … whatever it is, is from magazines and the internet.  Right now you’re being the dominant, which means you’re the one in control.  I’m in the sub position- oh and sub is short for submissive,” he explained, warming to his role as teacher.”

“So really it’s business as usual, but with spanking and fun outfits?” Cordelia asked, grinning.

Xander chuckled and nodded.  “Basically,” he agreed.  “But an awful lot of people take it very seriously.  It’s a whole lifestyle thing to them.  They have all kinds of rules and stuff so everyone involved is safe and happy with what they’re doing.  Well, not everyone, ‘cause some of those Bible-thumpers definitely aren’t of the happy about it, but you know what I mean.”

“So …” Cordelia began to say before stopping and wincing.  Wrinkling her nose at her actions, she continued on, mentally crossing her fingers.  “Are you happy with it?  I mean, do you like what we’re doing so far?  I know we haven’t done a lot but I don’t want to be the only one having fun.”

Xander nodded.  “I do. Trust me, I do,” he said with a huge smile.  “Couldn’t you tell?”

Cordelia smiled.  “Of course I could,” she began haughtily.  “I just wanted to hear it from you.” Then her voice changed. “Are you sure about this? I’m scared I’ll be behaving like your parents … ordering you around and stuff like that could bring up bad memories.”

Xander sighed and nodded.  “It could,” he agreed.  Then he shrugged and continued. “But it’s you.  And I know that this is for fun and that I can stop it at any time if I don’t like it.”

“How will I know though?” Cordelia asked hesitantly.  “I mean, if you want to stop it.”

“I’ll have a safeword.” Xander said simply.

Cordelia raised an eyebrow.  “A what?” She asked, disliking the fact that he knew more about what they were doing than she did.

“A safeword,” Xander repeated.  “I read about them.  We’ll agree on a word, or a few words, to slow down or stop whatever we’re doing.”

“Oh, that makes sense,” Cordelia said, somewhat relieved that she wouldn’t have to be psychic to realize when Xander wanted or needed to stop.  “How do we decide?”

Xander shrugged.  “Well, from what I’ve read, we come to an agreement.  Which, knowing us, could take all night,” he added, glancing slyly at his girlfriend.

Cordelia fought back a smile.  “Are you implying that I’m difficult to get along with, Alexander Lavelle Harris?” She asked in a dangerous voice.

“Why no, Miss Cordelia!” Xander denied, grinning.  He swallowed as he watched Cordelia turn her body toward him.  “So, how about yellow for slow down and red for stop?  Kinda like stop lights, though with the way you drive … um never mind.”

Cordelia frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest.  “Do you have a problem with the way I drive, Xander?”

Xander shook his head, realizing that he was now treading on thin ice.  “No, you’re the epitome of a safe driver, Miss Cordelia!” He hurriedly assured her.

Cordelia smiled benignly.  “Yes, I am, aren’t I?” She agreed, gesturing for him to get out of the car.

As the two walked toward her house, purchases in hand, Cordelia leaned over and whispered in Xander’s ear.  “Oh, and red and yellow are fine with me, naughty boy” she told him.

Xander broke into a face-splitting grin as Cordelia led him up the stairs to her bedroom. ‘I’m gonna score!  I’m so gonna score!  Whoo hoo!’ Xander cheered as he walked through the door.

*                       *                       *                       *

Xander mentally cursed to himself--very softly. This wasn’t what he had in mind for what would happen tonight.  Upon entering Cordy’s bedroom, she had turned to him with a glare and asked if he was so sure he was going to score.  It was then that Xander realized that he had projected his thoughts as he entered her bedroom and she had heard his jubilant cheering and she was less than pleased.

So for the past hour, Xander had given Cordelia a massage, brushed her hair and painted her nails. And he had done all this in only a G-string.  He looked up into the relaxed face of his girlfriend and fought back a smile.  ‘It wasn’t what I thought it would be, but she looks so … happy and relaxed,’ he thought softly to himself as he gazed at the brunette beauty. ‘She looks even more gorgeous than usual.’ He winced as the G-string prevented his hardening cock from having enough room to expand, the pain forcing his penis to quiescence once again.

“Something wrong, Xander?” Cordelia asked innocently, noticing his wince.

He shook his head.  “No, Miss Cordelia,” he assured her, not wanting to incur her wrath any further.

Cordelia smiled down at Xander, and deliberately hitched the hem of the short silk robe she was wearing fractionally higher. She smiled innocently at Xander as he again groaned in a combination of pleasure and pain.

“Now, Xander, but really, is Xander the right term? What should I be calling you?”

Xander inwardly shuddered but retained his composure as he answered, “Anything you wish, Miss Cordelia.”

“Well, I really would like to call you Lavelle … but that’s too mean, even for me!”

Xander’s shoulders eased as subconscious tension eased away. At least that secret was going to be safe.

“What about …” Cordelia drew out the moment cruelly, “… Boytoy?”

At Xander’s appalled expression, she burst into gales of laughter. “Honestly, do you think I’d call you that? It’s just so Harmony!”

“So what do you want to call me, Miss Cordelia?”

“Oh, I was thinking Xandy-Wandy.”

“Oh God! RED!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Why are you using Willow’s nick … oh, you mean a safeword! Oh! Sorry honey. I was just kidding. Your face was so fun to watch. I’d never call you anything as asinine as that.”

Xander almost began crying in relief from what had been a mounting fear that he’d end up being called Tweety or worse, Elmer.

Cordelia smiled down at her devoted … ‘Concubine? No, that’s not right! Slave? Oooooooh I like that! Can I find a name for him?’

“Well, what about Boy?”

“Boy?” Xander said thoughtfully. He nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

Cordelia smiled, a delicious thought coming to her head. "Well then, boy, you've massaged me, painted my nails and made me feel wonderful. But there's one place that’s feeling neglected," she said, almost pouting. She held back a grin at Xander's curious look. Leaning back in the chair, she spread her legs and indicated the place between her thighs.

Xander's eyes widened at the sight of Cordelia's pussy. Before this he had been too busy to notice that she wasn't wearing underwear. He only just smothered a gasp of pain as he felt his g-string become agonisingly tight. He heard Cordelia clear her throat and glanced up. “W-w-what do you want me to do?”

Cordelia looked down at him. “I want you to do whatever you think will make me feel the best,” she told him simply. She moved her hands over her thighs and inched her skirt up farther, giving him an even better view. “Whatever you think will bring me the most pleasure.”

Xander nodded numbly. “Yes, Miss Cordelia,” he said absently, staring at Cordelia's sex.

A few moments passed, with Cordelia growing more and more impatient. “Boy!” She said sharply, finally getting his attention once again. “Get on with it!” She ordered.

Xander blushed. “I'm sorry, Miss Cordelia,” he muttered before reaching out with one hand to feel her thighs. ‘Oh God! What do I do now?’ He thought frantically. ‘I know the theory, but what do I actually do?’

~Part: 17~

Xander lay between Cordelia’s outspread thighs, aware that he was about to take a major step on his journey of self-discovery. Moving his head from one side to the other, he kissed the soft flesh of her inner thighs. He leant forward tentatively, once again becoming totally absorbed in the sight of Cordelia’s center and the enticing scent it generated. Closing his eyes, he moved even closer and kissed the pouting lips softly, reverently. ‘I hope this is right,’ he thought, to be rewarded by a series of pleasurable moans from the woman he was beginning to worship with his lips and tongue.

Cordelia was beginning to wonder when, or even if, Xander would start when she felt the first tentative touches of his lips on her thighs. She relaxed, knowing now that she would finally be able to release the pent up sexual tension. As Xander kissed her nether lips softly, she moaned and relaxed completely. ‘Good,’ she thought, ‘I really need this.’

Xander pressed his lips to Cordelia’s mound again, this time cautiously extending his tongue and licking the swollen lips in front of him gently. Encouraged by the small gasp he heard, he continued, beginning to probe between the lips and into Cordelia’s core. As he began to explore with his mouth, he felt Cordelia’s arousal grow as her wetness increased. As he truly tasted the essence of his girlfriend for the first time, his cock hardened uncontrollably and he yelped, pulling away from her in pain.

Cordelia raised herself onto her elbows and looked down at Xander, who was whimpering and clasping himself. “Don’t stop until I tell you to boy. Or you could be in a lot more pain!”

Xander’s eyes bulged at the threat and he moved back between Cordelia’s long, tanned legs. Again he pressed his lips to Cordelia’s sex and began to kiss and lick. As he felt himself harden in response to her small moans and increasing wetness, he forced himself to think of Snyder. That worked to keep him safely flaccid.

As Cordelia felt her arousal begin to intensify, her hands dropped to Xander’s hair. As he serviced her, she felt as if he wasn’t being close enough and grabbed his hair, pushing his face into her cleft. “Damn it Xand, deeper! Harder!”

When he felt Cordelia’s hands wrapped in his hair, Xander found himself becoming uncontrollably aroused, and this time the pain in his cock as it hardened felt good. He moaned deep in the back of his throat and began to really give of his best.

As Xander’s tongue began to thrust deeply inside, Cordelia let all of the tension release, although she kept a firm hold of his hair. She could now hear the moans of Xander’s growing arousal and pain. They excited her beyond anything she had experienced previously and she allowed herself to sink into the sensual pleasures she was receiving. She stopped seeing, and focused on other senses, sound and touch. She became one with her desires and needs, she suddenly realized that she needed this. She needed to feel in control, in charge.

Cordelia shuddered uncontrollably and cried out as her orgasm surged through her nervous system. She was vaguely aware as she shouted her pleasure that she could hear Xander peaking with her. When she had metaphorically drifted back to earth, Cordelia looked down at the equally exhausted Xander. Another evil idea took hold. “Did you cum, boy?” She asked in a stern voice.

Xander nodded weakly in response, and at Cordelia’s fixed look, emphasized the answer. “Yes, Miss Cordelia.”

        *                       *                       *                       *

Willow and Spike had started their patrol with good intentions, but they found themselves beginning to walk slower, and talk more and more animatedly. Willow was amazed at Spike’s knowledge, and she was beginning to realize that there was more to the vampire than met the eye.

‘Though what the eye does meet is very yummy,’ she thought to herself with a small grin.

Spike noticed her lustful glance and grinned inwardly to himself.  He wasn’t sure when this became more about Willow and less about the bracer but he was fast becoming enchanted with the redhead.

A rustling in the trees ahead caused them both to stop moving, eyes searching for the source of the noise. They spotted the vampire at the same moment and grinned at each other with ferocious smiles.

It would have seemed, if there had been a casual onlooker, that the pair had done this countless times. Willow moved to the left and Spike to the right, and both approached the vampire.

Thinking, perhaps, that two humans were going to attempt to mug him, the vampire accelerated to a dead run, heading straight for Spike. Spike also began to sprint, and the vampire slowed in surprise as he saw Spike’s game face emerge. The slowing down was fatal, because it gave Willow a chance to close on the blind side.

Spike and the vampire came to blows shortly before Willow got to within range. As Spike parried punch after punch, Willow was able to drive the stake violently into their victim’s heart from behind. As the vamp dusted, Willow’s momentum carried her into Spike’s arms.

“Oh,” she said softly, looking up into his face.  She noticed the prominent ridges and yellowed eyes.  She swallowed, fascinated as his features shifted back to those of a human. As she relaxed, she began to feel the leashed strength in his arms and something in that strength called to her primal nature. Taking a deep breath, she licked her lips as her imagination told her what that strength could do. ‘Bad Willow,’ she thought to herself even as she felt herself giving in to her desire. Grabbing his face between her hands, she pulled him down, her lips crushing his as her tongue now licked his lips.

Spike was momentarily astonished before returning the kiss. He was amazed by the warmth and sweetness of her mouth. Her taste was intoxicating--innocent and yet somehow also demonically corrupt. He felt emotions surging through him that he had not experienced since before Drusilla’s injuries in Prague. A raging desire and, simultaneously, an overwhelming urge to protect and cherish the slender and apparently frail girl in his arms.

Willow felt her desire surging through her body, her needs surging and overwhelming her. Her hands took on a life of their own as she forced Spike to the ground beneath her, her tongue ravishing his mouth relentlessly the whole time. She could feel his hands moving, caressing and grabbing as she tore his tee shirt open and bit hard over his nipple.

As Spike felt the redhead’s teeth biting his chest, he arched back and unzipped her corset. His hands slid up, underneath the straps.  He began slipping it from her shoulders and down her arms.  She sighed somewhat impatiently as her movements became constricted.  Pouting, she slipped her arms out of the straps and threw it to the side.  Grinning, she leaned over and bit again.  Spike moaned silently while his own hands were busy pinching her nipples.  He felt them begin to erect under his talented fingers.

“Harder,” Willow hissed at him.

Spike moaned in pleasure as he thrust upwards, his cock trapped by his jeans, and complied, pinching and twisting her nipples forcefully.  His hands began to roam freely, caresses and squeezing her nipples alternately.

Willow continued to shower kisses and bites over his exposed chest, reveling in the sheer sensation and uncontrollable desire rolling over her in waves. Her hands slid down and she raised her hips to allow herself access to the belt of his black jeans. As she fumbled with the belt buckle, she felt Spike’s hands unbuttoning the leather pants she still wore.

~Part: 18~

Willow pulled away as she felt Spike’s hands touch the skin of her lower abdomen. She smiled when she saw the confusion in his eyes. “Too many clothes,” she said huskily, raising herself a bit more. She pulled herself into a kneeling position before standing quickly. Toeing off her boots, she slid the leather pants off and tossed them in the direction of her bustier.

Spike grinned wickedly when he saw the redhead naked before him. He leaned back on his elbows, taking in the magnificent sight before him. “Naughty, Red, no knickers,” he teased with an appreciative leer.

Willow smiled back, her eyes taking on a questioning look. “I’m naughty? Well, I think someone else has been a very naughty vampire. I saw the way you were looking at Cordelia in the shop. You think she’s hot don’t you?”

Spike took an unneeded breath, his very being on fire at the tone of voice the redhead was using with him.

Spike took an unneeded breath, his very being on fire at the tone of voice the redhead was using with him. “Don’t you, love?” He asked.

“What I think isn’t the topic of our discussion,” Willow asserted, gesturing for Spike to remove his jeans. Her breath quickened when she saw the expanse of pale skin that became visible as the jeans joined her own clothes on the ground. This was the first time she’d seen a naked man in real life. She didn’t count her accidental forays into the seamier side of the internet. The thought brought her up short. ‘Do I want to do this? How much of this is the bracer and how much is what I want? Do I want my first time to be with Spike … here?’ She asked herself as she admired the male body lain out before her. She asked herself as she admired the male body lain out before her. She swallowed quickly as she watched him stretch slightly, his muscles rippling. She felt a surge of lust overshadow her previous thoughts. ‘Okay, enough of that. I don’t care. I want him,’ she decided silently. “And … love? Didn’t we already have this discussion?”

Spike grinned, unrepentant. “Why, I believe we did, pet,” he answered, emphasizing the ‘pet’. “What are you going to do about it?”

Willow’s eyes narrowed. ‘So he’s testing me, is he?’ She thought. Her mind raced to think of something to do to him to make him regret his words. Suddenly, she had a vision of Xander in a thong, his cock obviously aching from the painful restriction. A smile formed on her face. “Well, let’s find out, shall we?”

She glanced at the pile of clothes at her feet and back at Spike. “Close your eyes,” she instructed him. Spike raised an eyebrow but complied. Willow leaned over and extracted his belt from the belt loops of his jeans. Catching both of his wrists, she pulled them over his head. She could almost feel Spike’s curiosity as she wrapped one end around his wrists, making sure to loop them securely. She grinned in delight as she secured the other end of the belt around the tree behind them. As she closed the belt buckle, she looked down at Spike’s face. He had a smile of pure pleasure.

“Well, the little witch is full of surprises, aren’t you, pet?” He said, opening his eyes.

“I didn’t tell you to open your eyes,” she said. “And I didn’t tell you to speak, either,” she continued, a wicked thought coming to her. “Guess I’ll have to find something else to keep your mouth occupied.”

Without another word, she bent down to capture his mouth with her own. Her legs straddled his waist, allowing her aching center some measure of contact but denying him any on the area he most wanted it. She felt a surge of wetness as Spike moaned beneath her. Her heart began to beat even faster as she gazed onto his lust-filled face. ‘What do I do now?’ She wondered idly while continuing to kiss the vampire. Her lips moved over his jaw to his throat where she suckled where his pulse point would beif he had a pulse.

Spike thrust, desperately trying to reach the warmth and wetness the craved, but the firey little redhead was just tantalisingly out of reach. “Red, please …” he moaned. Any ideas of dominance had disappeared in the burning lust and need he felt.

Willow grinned against his throat and sat up, resting her hands on his chest. “Oh, so now you’re asking me for something?” she said throatily. She paused a moment before continuing. “Open your eyes and look at me.”

Spike complied, his mouth falling open at the site above him. Willow’s hands were covering her breasts, kneading them and pinching the nipples. She moaned softly. Her eyes locked with Spike’s. “What do you want, Spike?” She asked.

“You, m’lady,” he answered, hoping that if he used the term they discussed earlier, she would acquiesce.

“Really?” Willow asked leaning over, her hands supporting her on either side of Spike’s head. Her breasts hung tantalizingly close to his mouth. When she saw him lean forward slightly to catch one nipple in his mouth, she leaned away. “Uh uh uh, Spike. You haven’t earned it yet,” she chided him.

Spike’s eyes widened slightly. “Earned it?” He asked, slightly puzzled.

Willow nodded. “I want you to say it,” she said, her eyes boring into him. She could feel that her sex was incredibly wet. A quick glance over her shoulder showed Spike’s cock was at full attention. She smiled and leaned further back, allowing her full weight to settle on her knees. She spread her legs wider, allowing him to see her as she lazily ran a finger over her exposed clitoris.

Spike swallowed, his nostrils flaring as her scent overpowered him. It was a scent of innocence, pure lust and something he couldn’t quite put a name to. ‘Whatever it is, it’s bloody marvelous,’ he said to himself. It took him a moment to bring himself back to the situation at hand. “Say what, m’lady?” He managed to ask.

Willow smiled back a mischievous smile. “Uncle,” she said as she began rubbing her fingers over her clit. Her other hand found its way to her breast and began pulling on her nipples. She moaned deep in her throat as she felt herself begin to lose control. Her eyes once again locked with Spike’s as the waves of pleasure crested. Her hips bucked and her head was thrown back, exposing her slender, pale neck to the vampire’s hungry gaze.

Spike could almost see her blood racing through her veins. Her heartbeat called to him, pushing him further into the pleasurable haze that was threatening to overwhelm him. ‘Oh fuck,’ he thought. ‘She really means it!’ A part of him was somewhat annoyed at her behavior, but a larger part was incredibly turned on. No one had dared tie him up since the days of the pre-curse Angelus. He hadn’t realized how much he missed being dominated. “Uncle, m’lady!” He said, hoping to stave off further ‘punishment’.

Red smiled, her orgasm reaching its end. She shook her head at the vampire as she licked her juices off her fingers. “It won’t be that easy, Spike,” she told him as she stood up.

Spike groaned inwardly, his cock painfully hard. ‘Where’d she learn to do this? I know she’s a virgin,’ he wondered, which raised another question. “Willow?” He asked, wondering where his mind had gone for him to be asking this question. When her eyes latched on him, a brow raised in question, he continued. “You’re a virgin. Are you sure--“

The rest of his sentence was lost in a moan as he finally felt her fingers trailed up his right thigh, over his stomach and down his left. He attempted to ask again, but was forestalled by the nails of her other hand begin to lightly scratch up and down his inner thigh. He vaguely heard the words, “I’m sure” before surrendering to the painful pleasure that the redhead was bestowing.

Her fingers trailed over every inch of his body, avoiding his pubic area and nipples. He tensed every time she neared his hard cock, hoping that this time would be when she would relent. It seemed to go on for hours. From time to time, she leaned over to lick a trail around his belly button. He could feel the warmth from her breath on his stomach, causing him to harden more, if possible. His moans filled the air continuously now, but Willow continued. He was vaguely aware of the increase of Willow’s scent as she began rubbing a finger over her clit again. He opened his eyes and watched her. The play of emotions and lust across her face made her more beautiful than before.

“All you have to do to end this is say it, Spike,” she reminded him breathlessly as her second climax neared.

Spike was briefly bereft of her touch as he watched her orgasm again, her body scent into paroxysms of delight. Her low, moaning cries replaced his in the night air.

It was when she leaned over with her fingers tracing his lips, offering him the first taste of her he had been permitted that broke him. His tongue flicked out quickly, tracing her fingers, tasting the sweet muskiness of her. His eyes closed in pleasure as she filled his senses.

“Oh god,” he moaned, unable to stop himself.  “I need you, please Red.  Please.”

Willow smiled, satisfied that he had finally acquiesced.  “Well, since you asked so nicely,” she said before straddling his pelvis.  She felt the head of his cock against her warm wetness.  Briefly, she wondered if this was the smartest idea--losing her virginity to Spike, but all thoughts were abruptly ceased as Spike thrust upward.

There was a slight pain, but the pleasure far eclipsed it as she felt Spike’s cock slide into her warm wet channel.  Their soft cries mingled as they began to move in unison.  Willow rested her hands on Spike’s chest as she thrust herself down on his cock hard and fast.  With each thrust, they both came closer to completion.

“Fuck, you’re so bloody tight,” Spike groaned as his hips thrust upwards, attempting to drive himself further inside her.

“What’d you expect?” She asked breathlessly, leaning forward, allowing her breasts to brush his chest.  She felt tingles of pleasure from wherever their skin touched.  “Oh, god, it feels so good!” Her finger nails scraped down Spike’s chest, leaving long, red welts in their wake.  They both cried out as they neared.

Needing to taste him again, Willow grabbed a handful of Spike’s hair and pulled his face closer to hers.  Her lips crushed his, her tongue forcing its way into his willing mouth.  She could feel her muscles beginning to tense and she moaned into his mouth.  Her orgasm hit her hard, overwhelming her enough that she bit down in pleasure, catching Spike’s lower lip between her teeth.

The combination of her muscles clamping down on his cock and the taste of his blood sent Spike over the edge.  With a muffled cry, he too orgasmed, bucking his hips wildly with each spasm.

Willow collapsed on top of him, feeling his cock slip out of her slightly.  As she regained her breath, she pushed herself up on one arm to look down on him.  She grinned down wickedly at him as he returned her gaze.  “Wasn’t that fun?”

~Part: 19~
(takes place at the same approximate time as parts 17 and 18)

Joyce looked up, startled, as the front door swung open.  She smiled as she saw Buffy and Faith linked arm and arm on the front porch.  "Hi girls!"

"Hi Mom!" Buffy replied pulling Faith through the door and shutting it behind her.

"Hey, Mrs. Summers," Faith said, smilingly.

Joyce rose and walked toward the slayers.  "Early night?" She said hopefully.

Buffy nodded happily.  "Yup!  We're officially slay free tonight.  So we decided to come over and soak our training aches away.  Can you believe that Faith almost got attacked by a mildew monster the last time she tried to take a hot bath at her motel?"

Joyce looked at Faith in alarm.  "Are you okay?  Are mildew monsters very dangerous?"

Buffy rolled her eyes.  "It was a joke, Mom!  There's no such thing as mildew monsters," Buffy said with authority.  She turned to Faith.  "Are there?"

Faith shrugged.  "Well, on the Hellmouth you can't be too sure."

Joyce shook her head in amusement.  "Well, you can be assured that no mildew monsters will attack you in our bathroom.  I just cleaned it this morning.  Would you girls like some hot chocolate?" She asked.

Faith's eyes lit up.  "Thanks, Mrs. S, that'd be golden!"

Joyce started for the kitchen.  "Why don't you go get ready for your bath, Faith?  Buffy, get her a towel, and I just picked up some of that bubble bath you like.  It's on the shelf in the bathroom," Joyce told the girls.

"You got bubble, B?" Faith asked, her eyes closing in an _expression of delight.

Buffy nodded, noticing the way Faith's face softened in anticipation.  "Yup, gift of the gods, or at least the grocery store.  Vanilla scented-very relaxing. Just the thing for achy slayers!" She answered, pulling the younger girl up the stairs.

Faith giggled.  "Vanilla.  Why doesn't that surprise me?" She asked rhetorically.

Buffy stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to her with a quizzical look. "Huh?"

An innocent look appeared on Faith's face.  "Nothin', B," she answered, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Buffy looked at her suspiciously for a moment before shrugging.  "I'll figure it out, and when I do . you're so gonna be in trouble!"

Faith sniggered.  "Well, maybe you'll get it then, B," she muttered as she let herself be pulled down the hall to the bathroom.

Faith looked around the bathroom, drooling at the cleanliness, the size of the bath and the creature comforts that she had missed for so long. "Hey B, can I move in? I could really get used to this."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Only if you do my chores, F."

"Don't think that's what they mean by 'chosen one', B."

Buffy sniggered and sighed. "Okay, let's go hang 'til mom gets up here with the chocolatey goodness."

The girls entered Buffy's room and flopped; Buffy on the bed and Faith on the floor, her feet up on the arm of a chair. "So, B, what d'ya do for fun when you're not slaying or Bronzing?"

Buffy's answer was interrupted by Joyce coming into the room, bearing drinks for the girls. "Here you go girls. Extra whipped cream for you Buffy, and Faith, I wasn't sure how you'd like it, so I put in some of those little marshmallows that that nice boy Spike likes. I'm going to bed, so please put the cups in the kitchen when you're done."

"No problem, Mrs S, and thanks. Hey, aren't you having any?" Faith asked Joyce.

"No Faith, chocolate and I don't . get along well these days."

Buffy looked at her mother in horror. "Mom, I so didn't need reminding! And 'specially not just before bed."

Joyce smirked slightly as she shook her head.  "You know, Buffy, I'm not as old as you think I am.  In fact, I was asked on a date yesterday."

Buffy looked at her mother in shock.  "A date?" She squeaked.  "But . don't you remember how bad that turned out with Ted?  And . and Giles?"

Joyce smiled innocently at her daughter. "I don't know what you're talking about, dear," she said as she shut the door behind her.

Buffy sat dazed for a moment before Faith burst into laughter.  Buffy turned to Faith with a pout.  "What?" She asked in a sulky tone.

Faith grinned.  "Your mom sure knows how to get under your skin, B!"

Buffy fought back a small smile.  "Yeah well, she's had eighteen years of practice," she answered.

The two sat in silence while they finished their hot chocolate, each lost in her own thoughts.

Faith drained her mug and looked at Buffy.  Not for the first time, she admired the other girl's long, blonde hair as it cascaded around her face.  Her gaze traveled down Buffy's body, noting the slim waist and shapely legs.  Faith raised an eyebrow as she realized that from this angle she could almost see up Buffy's . "Huh?" She asked somewhat stupidly as she realized Buffy had asked her a question.

Buffy looked at Faith with a smile.  "I said, are you ready for that bath yet?"

Faith nodded enthusiastically, jumping to her feet. 'Perhaps a cold shower might be a better idea,' she thought to herself as she held out her hand to help Buffy rise from the bed.

Buffy took the proffered hand and was pulled up quickly, their bodies touching in a momentary embrace before Faith allowed Buffy to regain her own balance. The girls stared at each other for an instant. Finally Faith cleared her throat.  "Um, you promised me a bath?"

Buffy nodded.  "Uh, yep.  Definitely.  One bath coming right up!" The blonde answered, hurrying to the linen closet.  She grabbed two large, fluffy towels for Faith.

Faith took them with a smile.  "Ooooh, fluffy towels," she said, a note of pleasure and longing creeping into her voice.

Buffy's eyes widened, her stomach doing flip flops as Faith's tone seemed to reverberate down her spine. She turned quickly on her heel and led the way to the bathroom.  Flicking on the light, she gestured to the tub with one hand.  "There's the tub," she said unnecessarily.  She grabbed a bottle off the shelf to her right and handed it to Faith.  "And here's the vanilla bubbles."  Buffy turned to Faith, backing up against the wall to allow the brunette to enter the bathroom.  Buffy moved backwards, her hand on the door.  "Well, enjoy!" She said as she quickly stepped into the hall and pulled the door shut.

'Oh God, did I just get turned on by Faith?' She asked herself incredulously as she numbly made her way to her room.  She gathered the two mugs and hurried down to the kitchen, lost in her thoughts.  On auto-pilot she put both in the dishwasher and made her way back upstairs.  It was then she heard Faith calling her. "B!  Get in here!"

Buffy fought back a curse as the urgency in Faith's voice impelled her forward.  She burst into the bathroom, stopping short at the sight before her.  She swallowed, her eyes glazing over slightly.  Faith sat in the bathtub, her knees bent and her arms on either side of the raised edge.  What made Buffy mute, however, was the fact that there was only two inches of water in the tub.  When she noticed Faith's grin, Buffy shut her eyes quickly.  "Um . did you need something?" She asked in a strangled voice.

Faith's grin became a smirk.  "Could you shut the door, B?  You're letting in cold air," she complained with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

Without looking, Buffy reached back and pushed the door shut.  "What did you want?"

"I'm bored.  Talk to me," Faith replied.

Buffy's eyes shot open.  "I thought something was wrong!  Like there really was a mildew monster and it was pissed Mom had killed all its little spawn or something!"

Faith shrugged, causing her breasts to bounce slightly.  Buffy flushed and looked at the ceiling. "Sit, talk.  So who's this hottie your mom was talking about?" When Buffy looked confused, Faith elaborated. "Spike?"

"Ew!  Spike is so not a hottie.  He's an evil undead. He's got this whole bleached hair thing going, really eighties," Buffy explained, perching on the closed toilet.

Faith raised an eyebrow. "So he's kinda like your ex 'cept without the hairgel thing going?"

Buffy frowned.  "Well, no, no soul.  Though he did help me with the whole Acathla thing last spring," she replied, her voice steady.  'I'm talking about it without getting all mopey.  This, I think, is a step!' Buffy thought to herself, pleased at her progress.

Faith nodded. "Ah, him.  Giles never did tell me his name.  I always thought of him as Practical Vampire. It doesn't make tons of sense to me for everybody to want to destroy the world.  I mean, where would they all live?  I've been homeless before and trust me, it sucks.  And not in the good way," she said, pulling herself out of her momentary reminiscence.

Buffy's eyes flashed to Faith, relieved to see that bubbles were now covering a majority of Faith's body. "Good way?" She asked.

Faith rolled her eyes.  "Come on, B.  Oral sex? 'Going south and getting hungry'?"

Buffy felt her cheeks become red.  "Well, no.  I haven't," she replied lamely, her uneasiness with the subject evident.

"You're messing with me, B!  Not even with tall, dark and soul-having?" Faith asked incredulously.

Buffy straightened her shoulders and looked Faith square in the eye.  "No, I've never done . that," she reiterated.

Faith just grinned.  "You're missing out.  It's . better than chocolate and peanut butter," she replied, couching the metaphor in terms Buffy would understand.

Buffy raised an eyebrow.  "Oh, well . that's nice, I guess," she replied, not sure what to say.

Faith nodded and sat up, the bubbles slowly running down her breasts, revealing them to the blonde's gaze.  Faith smiled as she saw Buffy's eyes locked on her chest, holding out the loofah.  "B, can you do my back?"

Buffy blinked and returned her gaze to Faith's face. She blushed when she saw Faith's knowing smile.  "Um . okay," she said, hesitating slightly.

Faith sighed.  "Come on, B.  I won't bite," she promised. 'At least not until you ask,' she finished in her mind.

Buffy took the loofah and leaned over the brunette to apply the loofah to the other slayer's back.  As she leaned over, Faith reached out a hand and pulled Buffy down on top of her.  "Faith!" The blond slayer protested as she felt water soak her clothing.  "I'm all wet!"

"You aren't yet, but give me a minute," Faith replied with a wicked grin.

~Part: 20~

Willow walked up to Cordelia before school the next day. Cordelia took one look at Willow's outfit and grinned. "So, you look like you're doing well," the brunette noted in a tone that implied Willow had better tell her everything. Willow's black skirt reached her mid-thigh and her spaghetti-strapped red tank top was far more revealing than anything Willow had worn to school before. She was also wearing the boots she bought the night before. Her hair was held in twist with a few strategically placed clips. As for makeup, she wore only mascara and lipstick.

Willow looked back at Cordelia with an innocent expression. "Whatever do you mean, Cordy?" She asked, starting for the door of the school. She smiled to herself, loving her newfound confidence that allowed her to tease the popular cheerleader.

Cordelia raised an eyebrow and paused for a moment to admire the other girl's retreating form. Shaking herself out of her reverie, she hurried to catch up. "Don't be all innocent with me, missy!" She said in a commanding tone.

Willow turned her head and raised an eyebrow herself in return. "Well, aren't we being . dominating this morning?" She noted, a smirk on her lips.

Cordelia gaped for a moment before her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Telepathy?" She asked wryly.

Willow grinned and nodded. "Yep. I kept getting all these images while I was on . patrol. Figured it was just me but when I got home, I put two and two together and got telepathy," she admitted somewhat sheepishly. "Or empathy, 'cause it could be that too."

Cordelia nodded, her mind focusing on the important information in the sentence. "Geez, when did you get home then? Xander and I were . playing for a while."

"Well ." the redhead trailed off, her cheeks reddening.

"Whoa, what's Will so embarrassed about?" Xander asked, coming up to the girls and immediately noticing his best friend's enflamed face. He glanced down at her outfit and gave her an approving smile.

"I was about to find out until someone rudely interrupted us," Cordelia replied. Her face grew thoughtful as she noted both the interruption and the look he gave Willow. With a sultry smile, she ran a hand down Xander's chest and leaned toward him. "That was very naughty," she whispered. "I'll have to punish you."

Xander swallowed. "Yes, Miss Cordelia," he said quietly.

Willow grinned at the exchange; pleased she was no longer in the hot seat. "Looks like you two have a story to tell, too. I only got a few images and thoughts last night," she told the couple.

"You saw us?" Xander gasped, surprised. As his mind roamed over the events, he winced. He was all for sharing with his friend, but there were some things that he'd rather keep private. Like the thong. 'Does she know about the thong?' He asked himself speculatively.

Willow nodded, hearing his internally asked question. "Yep!" She grinned.

Xander gaped but quickly recovered as his own mind made a connection. "So, that image I got of you and Spike and some trees . not just my imagination?"

Willow's face once again reddened. "Well, um ."

Cordelia grinned. "Go Will! I want details!" She said, catching the other girl's arm. She sighed as the bell rang. "Later, I guess." She turned to go when she realized what Xander had said. She grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, accompanied by a sharp slap to his backside, she whispered, "So you were thinking about Willow and Spike while you were with me? That's another thing I have to punish you for."

She gave him a wicked smile and strode away, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Willow giggled and looked at Xander. He looked completely enthralled. "Come on, Xander. We need to get to class," she said, dragging him away while he stared after Cordelia.

         *                       *                       *       *

Faith stepped out from behind the fountain. "Looks like the boy wonder and the cheerleader are getting hot and heavy. And who's Spike? Wonder if B knows Red's got a boyfriend," she mused to herself as she headed to the library.

She pushed through the doors and looked around. She smiled when she spotted the man standing in the office door drinking tea. "Hey, Giles!" She said cheerfully.

Giles looked at her in surprise. "Faith. I didn't expect you so early," he admitted, motioning for her to take a seat.

Faith hopped up on the table and began swinging her legs. "Well, early bird gets the worm and all that," she noted. There was an awkward pause while the two just looked at each other. Faith looked around the library. "So, I don't see any books. No new apocalypse?" She asked, in a disappointed voice.

Giles sighed and placed his teacup down on the table. "No, sorry to disappoint you but the end of the world won't be occurring this week," he answered facetiously.

Faith sighed in return. "Bummer," she noted, absently. "I could really use something to slay."

Giles' eyebrows furrowed. "Why's that?"

Faith glanced at Giles quickly before shrugging. "Well, you know. I'm a slayer, it's what I do," she replied, somewhat annoyed with herself for her lapse. She cleared her throat. "But I'd settle for something to eat."

Giles nodded, accustomed to the nutritional needs of a slayer. Motioning for Faith to follow, he walked into his office and opened a small refrigerator he kept there. "Help yourself, but please do leave a little something for my lunch," he implored as he watched her open the door.

Faith grinned at him as she grabbed herself a bagel and cream cheese. "Gotcha, we're five by five. Wouldn't want to leave my favorite watcher all hungry, now would I?" She asked as she made her way back into the outer room. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

Giles sighed, knowing he would get no peace until he gave the slayer a task. "Well, you might try to do some research if you're so intent on doing something," he suggested. "I would like to find out a little more about that box and those bracers. I don't like what they're doing to Willow and Xander."

"What about Cordelia?" Faith asked, somewhat amused.

"Oh, yes, Cordelia, too."

"You haven't noticed much of a change either, huh?"

"Well, I wouldn't go as far to say that. She's simply . more naturally domineering than the others," Giles noted. He cleared his throat, deciding to change the subject. "Are you still interested in researching?"

"I'm game. Where do I start?"

         *                       *                       *       *

Faith looked up from her book with a sigh. She reached a hand back and massaged her neck. She glanced at the clock and saw she had been hunched over the books for two straight hours. She closed it with a sigh and stood up. "Haven't found anything yet. Are you sure I have the right books?" She asked. Seeing his nod, she shrugged. "Anyway, I need to move. Okay if I train?"

Giles looked up from his own reading. "Yes, yes, of course," he replied, also noting the time.

Faith went to the weapons cage and picked up a broadsword. Swinging it in an arc over her head, she gave it a few experimental twirls. She began to move through a series of basic defense, warning her muscles up before trying the more difficult offensive moves. After a few moments, a thought occurred to her. "So, Giles, you ever heard of a guy named Spike?" She asked, thinking that perhaps Willow had mentioned him to her mentor.

Giles looked up, concern on his face. "Oh dear, is he back? I thought we'd seen the last of him after the Angelus and Acathla debacle."

Faith paused in her training a moment to look at Giles in confusion. "Huh?" She asked, surprised by his response.

Giles closed his book and stood. Faith, seeing that Giles was about to begin a lecture, began moving around the room again.

"Spike, also known as William the Bloody," he began, pausing when he saw that Faith was staring at him.

Faith had stopped immediately upon hearing the information. "Spike is William the fucking Bloody?" She asked in shock.

Giles nodded. "Yes. Have you heard anything?" He asked, concerned by her interest. "Perhaps I should send Buffy down to Willy's after school to see if she can get any information on his whereabouts. Unless you know something? Did you see him last night?"

Faith shook her head vehemently. "No, no. I just heard the name from a vamp I dusted last night. Something about how much more fun the town was when he was here," she replied. "Wondered who he was, no big."

"Oh," Giles replied. "If you're sure?"

Faith nodded. "I'm sure," she confirmed.

'What on earth is Red doing?' She asked herself as she once again began to move around the room, sword flashing in the sunlight.

~Part: 21~

Faith put down the sword as she saw Buffy enter the library.  The blond slayer paused upon seeing the other girl.  "Faith, what are you doing here?" She asked, bluntly.  Her cheeks colored as she realized how that might sound.  She looked at the ground, not sure what to say to Faith after the night before. 'How do I handle this?  I can handle the day after with a guy but this is . Faith!'

Faith, interpreting Buffy's silence accurately, decided to answer the question and not take offense at the tone.   "Training," she answered as she walked to the weapons cage to return the sword.

"Okay, that's concise," Buffy said dryly, the tension dissipating somewhat.

"Concise?" Faith asked, raising an eyebrow.

Buffy smiled wryly.  "Vocabulary quiz today," she admitted sheepishly as she continued to walk into the library.  Dropping her books on the nearest table, she took a seat.  "So," she said, not really sure where she wanted to go with the conversation.

"So," Faith mimicked. "You're feeling awkward?  Dunno where to look, B?"

Buffy nodded, her eyes still fixed on the floor. "What we did ... I always thought I was, like, hetero-girl."

"And you can't deal with it now, is that it?" Faith snapped, hurt at the other girl's coolness.

"No!" Buffy protested. "It's just that I don't know how to behave. What should I do, how should I be around you. Why couldn't they cover this in sex ed?"

Faith fought a smile. "I dunno, though I'm sure you could talk to Snyder about it," she said.

Buffy glared at her in disgust.  "You did not just say I could talk to Principal Snyder about sex!  That is just . ewww," she said, shuddering.

Faith laughed. "Come on, it'd be a blast.  I can so see it! 'So girls,' " Faith began to impersonate Snyder as a sex-ed teacher.  " 'Once you've had your first lesbian experience, you should always blah blah blah.' Yeah, right. Just be yourself, B."

"You know," Buffy said, walking over and standing in front of Faith. "I've seen a lot of fucked up shit since I came to Sunnydale, but I think that image is going to scar me for life."

"B, what a dirty mouth you have," Faith observed.

Buffy smiled.  "That's not what you were saying last night," she whispered.  Her eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized what she had said.  "Did I just say that out loud?"

Faith grinned and put her arm around Buffy's shoulders.  "Yep!" She said, proudly.  "So, B," she continued. "You feel good about screwing the living?"

*****

'Screwing the living? . Screwing Faith?  My God!' The thoughts ran together in Xander's mind as he stood just outside the door, and like most eighteen year old boys, his mind immediately began fantasizing. Unfortunately, unlike most eighteen year old boys, his girlfriend could read his mind.

'Buffy and Faith are screwing?' Cordelia asked incredulously, masking her face from showing interest.  She glanced around at her fellow cheerleaders and noted that no one seemed to be paying particular attention to her, so she turned her full concentration to the telepathic conversation.

'I always knew Faith was after more than just friendship with Buffy,' Willow noted, from her own seat in the computer lab.

'Maybe this'll keep her off our backs now,' Cordelia said wistfully.

'Would you two mind?  I'm trying to listen!' Xander said somewhat annoyed at the conversation going on in his head.

Willow bit back a smile. 'Sorry, Xan, keep us posted though,' she instructed as she turned her attention back to her computer project.

'And stop fantasizing about Buffy and Faith, or you won't get any tonight,' Cordelia put in before she too returned her focus on the task at hand-getting the cheerleaders ready for the next football game.

'How do you expect me to do that? Remember what I told you last year? Eighteen years old, linoleum ... Buffy and Faith on linoleum ...'

'Xander!' Cordelia shrieked telepathically. 'Stop that this instant!'

Xander winced at the tone of Cordelia's telepathic command, and began to properly order and discipline his thoughts. He refocused on the conversation he was listening to.

"So, B, what's it like doin' it with a vamp?"

"It's okay, but you know . no blood, so not so passionate," Buffy replied.  "Well, at least in comparison to you."

'That's so not true!  I mean, no comparison here, but she must have done something wrong 'cause there is tons of passion!' Willow put in.

"Though honestly, Faith, I can't compare it to anything. I've only had two partners. You and Angel. And you two aren't exactly equipped the same way." Buffy said, smiling and leering at Faith's body.

'That's for sure,' Cordelia noted caustically.

Xander grinned.  He was enjoying himself immensely.

Faith chuckled and she shifted the tone of the conversation. "I wonder what Red could tell me about fucking the undead?"

"What do you mean? Willow hasn't . oh, you mean you think she's read about it," Buffy concluded dubiously.

"No, B! I'm talking about her new guy- Spike," Faith answered.

'Oh shit,' Xander thought.

'WHAT? How did she find out?' Willow screamed to the other two.

'Will, you should see Buffy's face . you should come in here now!' Xander advised.

'Wait for me, I'll be there in one minute, Will,' Cordelia promised. Willow hurriedly stood up at her computer, knocking the chair over in the process.  "Excuse me, I . I'm not feeling well," she apologized to the teacher before sprinting out of the room.  She met up with Cordelia in the hallway.

"How the hell does she know?" Cordelia asked as they jogged toward the library.

"I have no idea!" Willow answered, her face filled with worry.

The two burst through the library doors just in time to see Buffy questioning Faith.

The blond slayer turned and raised an eyebrow. "Something you need to tell me, Will?"

Willow shrugged nonchalantly.  "Not really.  You?" She asked looking pointedly at Faith.

'Nice one, Will!' Xander congratulated her, coming out of the stacks.

"Spying on us, Xander?  Or calling in the reinforcements?" Buffy asked, her cheeks burning from Willow's innuendo.

Xander stared at her for a moment before rolling his eyes. "Didn't really have to, Buff."

Buffy swallowed down her anger and returned her attention to the redhead.  "So, what's this I heard about you and Spike? 'Cause I'm hoping Faith is wrong here."

Willow crossed her arms as Cordelia and Xander moved to stand behind her.  "Depends on what she said," Willow conceded. "If she said that we're having romantic evenings by the fireside with candles and chocolate, she's wrong.  But if she said that we're fucking like bunnies in cemeteries and any other place we happen to be, she'd be right."

Buffy's jaw dropped open in shock as she stared at the redhead.  Her jaw opened and closed as she struggled to speak a coherent thought.  "What?" She managed to get out.

"Red and the vamp are having sex, B," Faith put in helpfully.  When Buffy glared at her, she simply raised her arms and shrugged.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Giles snapped, hearing the noise from his office.

Buffy pointed at Willow and gestured wildly.  "She's . she's . "

"Fucking the undead?" Cordelia offered.

"Yes! Exactly!" Buffy agreed.

Giles turned to Willow with a surprised look on his face.  "Willow?"

Willow sighed.  "So what?  I mean it's not like Buffy didn't do the same thing!"

"And that turned out just splendidly," the librarian added.

"Well at least Spike doesn't have a soul to loose!" Willow muttered.

"Yeah, so that'll stop him from killing you?" Buffy snapped.

"He won't kill me!" Willow retorted.

"Enough!" Giles said firmly, coming to stand in between the girls.  Looking from one to the other, he sighed.  In the silence, they heard the bell ring, announcing the end of the school day.  "Why don't you both go home?  We'll discuss this . later."

"But-"

"I said enough, Buffy!" He snapped.  Seeing her downcast _expression he relented.  "We'll talk about this tonight, after we've all had a chance to calm down.  Now go!" He ordered, pointing to the door.

With a shrug, Cordelia, Xander and Willow headed for the door.  As the door swung shut behind them, Buffy heard Willow's parting shot. "Have fun fucking Faith tonight!"

Giles turned to Buffy and Faith with a raised eyebrow.   At their abashed _expressions, he sighed and took off his glasses to polish the lenses.  The girls quickly headed for the door.

Part 22

Willow arched up into Spike's questing hands, moaning softly as his fingertips found her nipples, tugging slightly.  His lips caught hers as he kissed her, plundering her mouth with his tongue.  Her own hands pulled his shirt up until she reached his shoulders. Parting their lips briefly, she quickly divested him of the offending article of clothing.  She dropped it on the pile that had formed.

Beside them, Cordelia and Xander, both only wearing underwear, were kissing and writhing on the floor. Xander's hands found Cordelia's bra clasp and expertly unhooked it.  Pulling the straps down her arms, he threw the maroon bra to the floor.  Taking her breasts in his hands, he suckled first one and then the other.  Her hands clutched his head, her fingers running through his hair in pleasure.

Willow glanced over at the pair and smiled, aroused by the sight.

"Gorgeous aren't they, pet?" Spike whispered in her ear as he ran his tongue along the outside.  When Willow shivered, he bit down lightly on the lobe.

"Yes," Willow moaned, thrusting her hips into Spike's.

He growled, his hands quickly running down her sides. He leaned over and licked her stomach, his hands working at her bra.  Once she was free of the undergarment, his hands continued downward, pulling her underwear down over her hips.

*****

"Um, yes, I believe I know why Cordelia, Xander and Willow are acting the way they are," Giles told the slayers when they returned later that night.

"What?  Please tell me they're possessed or something!" Buffy said anxiously.

"Well, in a manner they are," Giles conceded.

"Yes!" Buffy said, pumping her fist in the air.  "I knew they were acting funky!"

Faith grinned at her, pulling her into a hug.  Turning to Giles, she asked, "So how do we de-possess them?"

Giles sighed. "That's the problem.  We can't."

"What do you mean we can't?  Isn't there some spell or something to fix them? I want my friends back!" Buffy asked.

"The bracers somehow transmitted a portion of demon DNA into their blood streams.  I managed to translate the writing on the box and from what I could decipher, they were intended to create a powerful demon army. Unfortunately, after a time, the DNA is rejected by the host's immune system."

"So, they'll go back to normal?" Faith asked.

Giles nodded. "Yes, as soon as the bracers come off. Apparently it is instantaneous."

*****

Willow snuggled into Spike.  "Mmmm," she said, quite satiated.

Spike chuckled.  "Happy, pet?"

Willow nodded, pulling the blanket over her naked body.

"Hey!" Cordelia protested as the blanket slipped off of her.

Willow grinned unrepentant.  "Sorry!"

"Uh huh, sure you are!" Cordelia answered.  She gestured for Xander to retrieve the blanket.  "Xander, I'm cold."

Xander sighed and sat up.  He reached over and tugged on the blanket.  "Can't we share?" He asked.  He heard a soft click and looked toward the sound.  His eyes widened as he felt the bracer slide off his wrist.  He met Willow's eyes and blushed as he realized he was ogling his naked best friend..  He turned to Cordelia and opened his mouth to speak.  He was forestalled as she held up her own bracer.

Willow felt her own click off.  She pulled it out from the covers and placed it by Xander's.  "Well, it was fun while it lasted," she said, snuggling back into Spike.  Her eyes flew open and she turned to face the vampire.  "Spike!"

Spike sighed, seeing the horrified look in Willow's eyes.  "Yes, pet?" He asked, dreading the answer. These past few days had been blissful for him.  He had really begun to care about the girl.

"Um ."

Cordelia stood, grabbing for her clothes.  Holding them in front of her, she handed Xander his own. "Well, we'll just be in the other room getting dressed while you two . talk.  Um . and I'll give Giles a call."  The two exited quickly, leaving Willow and Spike alone.

"So this is it, eh?" The vampire asked.

Willow swallowed.  "I guess so.  I mean, I'm all normal now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Spike asked suspiciously.

Willow stood, wrapping the blanket around her slender form.  She shrugged. "I mean, no superpowers, just a normal girl, so . I can understand why you don't want me anymore."  Her heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces.  She had started to have feelings for the vampire and now it looked like all her hopes were dashed.

"Don't want you?" He asked, confused.

Willow nodded.  "I mean, I won't bug you or anything." She promised, attempting to locate her pants.

Spike stood and grasped Willow by the arms.  He leaned down, his lips brushing over hers.  "I still want you, pet."

Willow's eyes widened. "Really?" She asked, a smile breaking out on her face.

"Really, pet," Spike said, claiming her lips once again.

*****

Willow and Buffy faced each other awkwardly in the office of the library.  After they had returned the bracers to Giles, Cordelia and Xander had apologized to Buffy, Faith and the Watcher.  Willow had gestured for Buffy to follow her to the office, wanting to make her apologies in private.  Only now, she wasn't quite sure how to begin.

Willow shifted from foot to foot while Buffy stared intently at the ground.

Finally, Willow spoke up.  "I'm . I'm sorry I said all that," she apologized softly.

Buffy met her eyes. "I am too, Will," she said, pulling her friend into a hug.

Willow felt tears fill her eyes. "I didn't mean it!"

"I know," Buffy said, tearing up as well. "But at least you had the excuse of being possessed by demon DNA."

Willow giggled.  "Yeah, but I was awful to you!"

Buffy smiled. "So, we're never going to fight again, right?"

"Well, I'll certainly try to avoid it!"

The two smiled at each other in silence for a moment.

"So, you and Faith ." Willow trailed off.

"We're . together . I think.  It's kind of hard to tell," Buffy admitted.  "I mean, we like each other and the sex-um, is nothing you need to know about," she interrupted herself, blushing.  "But yeah, we're . an 'us'."

"That's good.  I think you'll be good for each other," Willow said.

"And Spike?" Buffy asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.

"We're going to keep seeing each other," Willow said, searching her friend's face for condemnation.  Seeing Buffy's look of displeasure she sighed. "He makes me happy, Buff."

"Are you sure that isn't the demon DNA talking?" The slayer asked hopefully.

Willow shook her head.  "Nope.  We've talked and I still have . feelings for him."

Buffy sighed.  She turned away from Willow and stared out the window for a moment.  "If he hurts you, I will stake him."

Willow smiled. "That's fair," she admitted. "So, friends?"

Buffy turned, smiling.  "Of course!"  She grinned. "You up for some girl bonding?"

Willow grinned evilly. "Isn't that what you have Faith for now?"

"Willow!" Buffy protested, her cheeks flaming.

"Sorry," Willow apologized with a smile. "You left yourself open to that one."

Buffy shrugged, returning her friends smile.  "So? How about it?  You up for a little Say Anything?"

"John Cusack?  Are you kidding?  I'm always up for John Cusack!"

Tucking her arm, through her friend's Buffy led the way out of the office.

The End
 

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