Chapter 9:

William awoke before Buffy and he had the pleasure of watching her wake up. He smiled in amusement as she fought wakefulness. First, she stretched and rolled over away from him. Then, she rubbed her feet together, a motion he’d noted she’d done last night after he was sure she’d ‘arrived’ many times. When that didn’t work, she rearranged her pillow and then finally, she opened her eyes.

He chuckled softly and her head whipped to the side so that
he could only see the side of her beautiful face. “Are you
laughing at me?”

He reached out and pulled her close, the distance between
them too great for his liking. Wrapping his arms around her,
he nuzzled her neck, dotting kissing to her shoulder. “Yes, I
am.”

“Why?”

“I was watching you try to go back to sleep. It was comical.”

He knew she was blushing, he could almost feel it. He
clutched her tighter. “How do you feel?” he asked huskily.

She squirmed a bit in his arms, which signaled her
embarrassment.

“What is it?” he asked.

She froze, “Nothing, why?”

“You’re lying.”

“William!” she exclaimed, frustrated.

“What?” he bit back a smile.

“I’m just feeling . . . you know . . . “

“Shy?”

She buried her face in the pillow. “You suck.”

“Not as well as you do,” he said, wanting to make her blush
more.

She laughed and turned her head, “Well, I don’t know about
that.”

He leaned in and softly bit the shell of her ear and then
whispered, “I do.”

She turned in his arms then so that she was facing him,
which he liked so much better. He drew a breath at how
beautiful she was even in the light of early morning. Her face
was scrubbed clean, her hair tousled from sex and sleep,
her lips plump, her green eyes bright – she was a vision. He
knew he’d be drawing her very soon.

A fist clenched around his heart as he beheld her, looking up
at him with trust and affection in her eyes; her body soft and
warm against him.

He wanted her again. He wanted her always. Closing his
eyes, he kissed her. A moan tore from his throat as she
unknowingly pressed herself against him even more. Her
breasts pressed into his chest and he slid his hand to her
hair, cupping the back of her head as he deepened the kiss
and rolled her to her back. He was rock hard and ready for
her. He parted and gazed down at her while she caught her
breath. His heart swelled and it was on the tip of his tongue
to tell her what he felt, but instead he buried his face in her
neck and shut his eyes tightly.

It truly overwhelmed him what he felt for this woman. This
GIRL. How she did it so quickly; burrowed inside his heart
and took up camp, he didn’t know. But he didn’t want it to
end.

Ever.

The passion and possessiveness he felt for her threatened
to overwhelm him, but he couldn’t stop it. “Buffy, Buffy,
Buffy,” he chanted and slid one hand down her side and
between them. She opened for him instinctively, her back
arching slightly to accept him. He smiled against her neck.
She was definitely his now. He slid a finger inside her and
she moaned. He groaned at how wet she was already for
him.

“Buffy—“ he said.

“Yes,” she breathed.

He smiled and popped his head up, his breath catching at
how lustful she looked; her eyes darkening with passion. He
smothered her in a kiss and took her with him as he rolled to
grab a condom from the nightstand. Rolling them back, she
giggled and he laughed in return. She surprised him by
helping him sheath himself in the latex. Then she wrapped
herself around him as he drove himself home in her hot
depths.

God, there was nothing like being inside her. He wanted to
stay inside her forever. He started with long, deep strokes,
watching the pleasure play across her face, reveling that it
was him that caused it. She clawed at his back, raking her
nails down it and he started going harder; faster. He could
feel his balls start to tighten, but was determined that she
would cum first.

“Please,” she whimpered, and he could see she was
straining toward completion. Faster he went, pounding into
her.

“Buffy,” he said tensely, “Am I hurting you –?“

“Oh—I’m going to–William!” her eyes rolled and she tightened
around him which was all he needed to spill himself. He
came, her name bursting from his lips and he jerked once,
twice, three times and collapsed against her. She held him
close and his heart hammered in his chest. He didn’t want to
crush her but he was loathe to sever the connection of being
inside her. She seemed to feel the same way –at least he
hoped—because she curled herself around him, keeping him
inside her.



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



Watching her as she padded around his apartment,
clad in his black t-shirt and her panties poking out from
underneath if she moved a certain way, brought a smile to
his face. She seemed out of place in it though, on that end,
he felt out of place in it as well. Buffy was spirited and
brought sunshine to his life. She made the sun come out and
all that other sodding crap the poets talk about. His penthouse was cold, dark and lonely. He used to like it that way, but it’d been starting to depress him. Watching her now he was gripped with the thought that he wanted to make it homier for her. He wanted to see her in a place that reflected her light and warmth.

Slow down, he told himself.

She looked over at him as he sat in front of his
computer from her spot in front of his entertainment center.
He was supposed to be checking emails, but was far more
interested in following her every move.

“You’re into punk rock?” she asked him.

“Mmmm,” he nodded.

“Will?”

“Yes, my love?”

“I’m hungry now,” she said with a pout that
made him want to take her bottom lip in his mouth and suck on
it. Oh, what she did to him without even being aware of it.
God, he’d never felt this way before. He’d never felt so
consumed by another human being before, and every
moment with her intensified the feeling.

The few days they’d spent apart had only
intensified the feeling that he’d been trying to squelch. It was
the whole reason he’d gone out with Darla. And, it was the
whole reason his date had failed. Buffy was whom he
wanted; the only one he wanted and to try and fight it was
only serving to drive him round the bend. He thought of her
going out with other men and jealousy overcame him. He
might be a bad man for wanting her, but he’d take care of
her. He’d treat her like the Goddess she was.

“What would you like?” he asked, getting up
from his chair and making his way to her. He drew her into
his arms and smiled when she wrapped her arms around him
immediately.

“Pancakes, eggs, bacon—maybe sausage. Do
you want to go out?”

He chuckled, “You’ve got an appetite.”

She buried her face in his bare chest, “Yes.”

“I like it. Come on, Princess, let’s go see what
we can do up.”



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

“Will?” Buffy asked later as they strolled down
the street together, window shopping hand in hand.

“Mmm?” he murmured and brushed a kiss
across her temple.

“What are we going to do?”

He tensed, “What do you mean?”

“With my father, me working for you. . . this.”

“We’ll take it one day at a time, I suppose.”

“Do you think it’s a good idea that I continue to
work for you?”

He stopped walking, pulling her to the side
away from the people around them. “Nothing has to change
at work, Buffy. You’re doing a fantastic job for me—“

“Will, what if people find out? How would that
look? Especially for me?”

“No one will find out,” he promised.

“Will . . .” she shook her head. “What is it you
want to happen?”

He cupped her face in his hands, “I want you,
Buffy. I just want you. I don’t care that I’m older or that I’m
your boss. I care about YOU. For once in my pathetic life, I
just want to keep feeling what I’m feeling and damn the
consequences. I’m scared too, but I can’t stop now. I told you
last night once we did this I’d want everything and I do.”

“My father—“

“I’ll deal with Hank. For now, let it just be us,
yeah? We’ll take it one day at a time.”

“All that sneaking around, Will. . . I’ve never
done it before.”

“It’ll add some excitement,” he shrugged. “Stop
thinking so much.”

She looked at him warily. “Maybe you should be
thinking MORE.”

He shook his head and smiled, “Don’t want to.
Not now on this beautiful day with my girl with me. Let’s
suspend reality for now and we’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

She sighed heavily, “Okay. For now.”

“Stop worrying so much,” he leaned in and
kissed her. “We’re on the start of something new here. Let’s
enjoy it and bugger all else.”

“For now anyway,” she muttered. “’All else’ has
a way of catching up with you.”
 

Chapter Ten

"Wow," Buffy said nearly breathless as they lay in the middle of William's living room on the floor, naked.

"I'll say," he chuckled and rolled from his back to his side to gather her up
in his arms. He kissed her forehead tenderly. "All right, sweetheart?"

"I definitely don't need to go to the gym," she quipped and he laughed. The
pair had spent the day out in the city, just walking and talking, laughing and
not having a care in the world. Well, PRETENDING not to have a care in
the world—at least for Buffy who was constantly looking discreetly over her
shoulder to make sure no one they knew saw them. It hurt some part of
her to feel the need to do that. Will, on the other hand, seemed blissfully
unaware of her concern and showered her with affection that she was sure
made others around them blush on occasion.

They'd gone to have a late lunch at a small little restaurant on the corner
near William's apartment and while Buffy was thoroughly enjoying her
yogurt parfait, William had been watching her hungrily as if he wanted to
consume her. Needless to say, he'd gotten them out of there quickly after
that, practically running to his penthouse and barely making it through the
door before he was on her.

Buffy couldn't argue. It was hot. With a capital H, capital O and capital T.
She was finding that his fervent lovemaking made her lose all sensibility
and then when it was over, she was left breathless and not quite sure what
had just happened. But before she could gather her thoughts, he was there,
holding her, cooing to her. His attention was at once addictive and
overwhelming.

She felt as if she were on a whirlwind roller coaster that didn't stop to pick
up other passengers such as Retrospect or Insight. It just kept going with
Desire, Passion and pint sized Recklessness. It'd only been a day and she
was already wondering when it would crash itself off the tracks and how hurt she was going to be and whether or not she'd be able to walk away or if William would be dragging her onto another ride. She was aware that her feelings for William were moving beyond the adolescent crush she'd been feeling – or thought she was feeling—and into something deeper and more profound. And, with every passing moment, she was sure that it was going to knock her on her ass wondering what the hell just happened only to find William standing there, smiling, and holding the rug he'd just pulled from under her.

She was also aware that her sudden need to run had little to do with the commencement of falling in love, but rather with her inability to process any of it due to William's ardent affection.

She considered herself an intuitive and insightful kind of person, but with
William, she found from the moment they'd re-met, those things took a
backseat to her driving desire to be with him.

It truly was a double-edged sword and she hoped that their affair didn't
leave them in shreds. And she hated the word ‘affair'. It reminded her of
what her father was doing –possibly doing—to her mother. However, that
was how it felt with William wanting to keep it secret. She didn't much feel
the excitement, rather, the dread. He was thinking of the short term
ramifications of them being together while working together, while she was
thinking of the long term ramifications of what would happen if someone
found out.

Especially Dru.

And what would it do for her reputation?

"What are you thinking about, love?" William asked huskily, gliding his
hand down her back and nuzzling her neck. "Hmmm?"

"I—uh—I should get home soon, Will."

He pulled back just smidge and pouted. "Soon, but not yet?"

She smiled, unable to resist that pout. "Soon, but not yet," she agreed,
nodding.

"Good. I'll make us dinner before you go. Until then," he rolled on top of
her, "I think we should work up an appetite, don't you?"


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


"Will?"

"Yes?"

Buffy paused, taking a bite of the pasta William had made for them for dinner. They'd spent the rest of the afternoon working up that appetite William had mentioned and watching TV. In fact, Buffy had put on one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers—that he had so far not worn—and made a parody out of pretending she was him watching his crap TV. She even stuck her hand in the boxers on her stomach and propped her feet up on the coffee table with the flicker on her lap. He broke up laughing when he saw her and then joined her. Now that they were both dressed and eating, she figured now would be the time for some insight.

"When was your last relationship?"

His eyes rolled up, thinking. "Couple years ago."

"What happened?"

"I worked too much, she was too needy and then wanted to get married,
even though she didn't like that I worked a lot."

"Did you love her?"

"No."

"How long were you with her?"

"About a year and a half. Maybe two."

Her eyes widened, "And you never loved her?"

He sighed heavily, "It was. . . convenient. She was there to take care of me
and I could appease her from bitching at me by buying her things. There
was companionship—it kept me from being completely lonely."

Buffy looked down at her plate. "Oh." She wasn't sure what to make of
that. For some reason, she had a hard time picturing William staying in any
relationship that he wasn't happy in. He was a passionate and affectionate creature; she couldn't see him spending his time pacifying a woman to stop her from bitching just for the companionship. It made her wonder about their . . . fling? Relationship? What was it exactly? He'd said that he wasn't going to be able to let her go now and that hinted at something serious and her feelings for him were more than just a passing fling and really, she wouldn't risk all she was risking for something casual. She so did not want to do the ‘where is this relationship going' talk with him. It was still too new and she was still trying to get her ‘sea legs' in it herself.

"Buffy," he said and startled her by taking her free hand in his and kissing her palm. "That's not how this is going to be."

"I know," she nodded. "If anything, I'll be the uber busy one and I'll be
pacifying you with gifts," she joked out of nervousness.

He chuckled, "At least we'll get to see each other at work every day
though, right? And you can always come here to study—"

She was suddenly hit with the exhaustion of it all. "One day at a time,
right?" she said lightly.

He nodded, "One day at a time."
 

Chapter 11:

Buffy found herself quite nervous about going into work the next day. She wasn't sure why considering she had spent the entire day with William the day before. She felt very much the way she had when she'd woken in his arms—embarrassed and unsure of herself. Almost a full day had gone by since she last saw him and that gave time for doubts and insecurities to take root. This was their first day in the ‘real world' together. What would it hold for them? Would he be cool and distant to keep rumors at bay or would he be the same as he always was. Surely he wouldn't be all over her the way he had been over the weekend. She frowned as the doors dinged open. Would he?

Stepping out, her heart fluttered with nerves and she clutched her purse tighter in her hand. "Hi Harmony," she greeted the girl who seemed determined to ignore her no matter what.

"Mr. Madden wants to see you immediately Miss Summers," Harmony said, a slight
smirk on her face. "What'd you do?"

Buffy blinked, "I didn't do anything."

"Yeah, right. He's been a bear all morning and now he wants to see you? I'll bet you've
done something."

Oh great, Buffy thought. What could possibly have happened? Did Dru mess something
up for her? Had her father somehow found out? It was impossible. Oh God, had he decided he
didn't want any part of her? Was he dropping her like a hot potato? Was he from now on going
to be a complete ass until she quit? No. That wasn't right. That wasn't like him. But it did bring
up an important fact: She had more to learn about William Madden.

Walking down the hall to William's office, Buffy took a deep breath before knocking on
the closed door.

"Come in," he barked.

I don't want to, Buffy thought as she pushed the door open, bracing herself.

He was hunched over, peering at his computer with his glasses on. Buffy stared at him.
Yee gads, did he look scrumptious in glasses. Immediately, her desire for him swelled,
tempered only by what he wanted with her.

"Will?"

His head popped up and all seriousness left his face. He broke out in a brilliant smile.
"Close the door Miss Summers."

She did as she was told and turned back to him. He sat there in his leather chair, leaning
back with his hands stacked behind his head, grinning. "Hello gorgeous," he greeted her.

"I hear you've been a bear all day," she said smiling, but fidgeting a bit under his close
scrutiny.

"Come here," he purred.

"Will—"

"You wouldn't deny me would you Buffy? That's insubordination."

She raised her brow at him. "You wouldn't be seducing me would you Mr. Madden?
That's sexual harassment."

He laughed and held out his hand. "Please, Buffy, come here."

She walked slowly to him, placing her purse on his desk. When she was within arms
reach of him, he took hold her hand and yanked her to him, placing her on his lap and nuzzling
her neck as he wound his arms about her. "I missed you," he murmured. "All I could think
about today was you. All I wanted today was you." He licked her neck and she shuddered.
"I'm drowning in you."

"Should I send out a life jacket?" she quipped nervously, her nerves tingling from his
ministrations.

He brought her face down to his and his eyes burned into hers. "No, I just want you,"
and he smothered her in a passionate kiss that felt more like a years worth of longing rather
than a day's.

When he broke away to let them breathe, he brought her forehead down so it was
resting against his. His eyes were still closed and he was slightly panting. "What have you done
to me?" he whispered.

Buffy didn't have an answer to that. "Will, I should get to work."

He nodded, "Yes, yes, I know. Don't want anyone to know."

"Right. So what is the work you have for me?"

"All on your desk, my love. I'll come see you in a bit hmmm? You have plans this
evening? I want to take my girl out."

"I can have dinner with you but I have to get back early so I can study. I fell a little
behind on my reading from this weekend." She promptly blushed at the mention of their
weekend together. Similarly, his eyes darkened further with lust at the mention and he kissed
her again.

"Dinner and an early night. No problem," and he smiled.

Sliding off his lap, she felt his eager response to their impromptu make out session. She
smirked at him. "Better hide that Mr. Madden."

He leered at her, "Want to take care of it for me?"

"William!" she exclaimed and smacked him playfully on the arm. "Behave. Go back to
work ya slave driver."

"You just wait, Missy," he told her and she laughed, grabbed her purse and left his
office—and ran right into Drusilla.

"Hi Dru," she said trying to sound at once normal and cheery, but not too
cheery—suddenly she felt the urge to bang her head against the wall.

Dru just looked at her as if she'd already done something horribly wrong. "What were
you doing in there?"

Buffy started, "What?"

"What were you doing in there for so long with the doors closed?"

"Oh, uh, William was just giving me some pointers, that's all. He noticed some errors to
the Answers to Interrogatories I plugged in for him on Friday."

"You really should pay more careful attention, Elizabeth. Mr. Madden cannot afford to
have any mistakes. He's an important man and does not need anyone bringing him down."

Buffy stood there, stunned. "Are you saying that I'm bringing him down?"

"I said ‘anyone', not you specifically."

Buffy's fists clenched at her side and she had the urge to pummel the woman in front of
her. Not very professional to do, Buffy.

"It was a mistake, Drusilla. Everyone makes them. I'm sure even you make them."

"I check and recheck my work all the time, Elizabeth. I leave nothing to chance."

"Do you want a medal?"

"Everything all right out here?"

Both women turned to see a curious William.

"Everything's fine, Mr. Madden. Elizabeth was just asking for my help on something,"
Dru smiled at him and it made Buffy want to gag. Well, isn't that convenient. Making herself
look ever so important and knowledgeable. Bitch, Buffy thought.

"Yes, thank you Dru," Buffy said shortly and stalked off to her office. She resisted the
urge to slam her door and instead quietly shut it and proceeded to bury herself in her work
while she fumed.





By the time her work was done, it was just about time for her to leave. She'd talked
herself down from being so angry and ended up just blaming herself for it. She'd set herself up
for the fall by Dru by telling the woman she'd made a mistake. Dru, who was just waiting for
her to fail for some bizarre reason, would of course latch on to the admittance of a mistake.
She'd hang her for it if she could, Buffy had no doubt.

Being angry certainly took a lot out of a person and after Buffy shut down her computer,
she bent over the desk, resting her head on the desk. She was so lost in her musings, she didn't
hear the door open and William come in until he placed a kiss at the nape of her neck.

"Are you all right?" he asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.

She started to lift her head, and he placed pressure on her shoulders to keep her still.
"Let me give you a massage."

"Will, the others—"

"Have gone home. It's just us. "

"You sure? I'm sure Dru's probably waiting out in the lobby for you so she can spit
shine your shoes before you go home. Got any dry cleaning for her to pick up? Strap a collar on
her and she'll be your own personal lap dog, I'm sure."

He started kneading her shoulders and she let out a moan. "Are you jealous?" he asked,
amusement evident in his voice.

She thought about that for a minute. "No, actually, I'm not jealous. She's just a fucking
bitch."

"Buffy, such language!" he mock admonished her.

"She's out to get me."

"I'll talk to her."

"No. I'll handle her."

"Why won't you let me help you?"

"Because I'm a big girl and I can do it myself. You can't come to my rescue every time
something happens."

He stopped kneading and spun the chair so that she was facing him. He dropped to his
knees and took her hands in his. "I'd like to."

She smiled, "Thanks."

"Did I help you relax?"

"Little bit. My ranting in between wasn't probably conducive to helping you help me to
relax."

He released her hands and skimmed the hem of her skirt with his fingers. "What else
can I do to help then?" he asked.

Her breath caught, "Will, everyone—"

He now glided his hands up her calves and to just inside her skirt. "I told you.
Everyone's gone."

"Will—"

"Ssshhh… Let me take care of you."

He slipped off her shoes and placed them to the side. She bit her lip and placed her
hands on the handles of her chair, watching him.

He grinned up at her and slid his hands inside her skirt. "Lift up a bit, baby," he urged
and she lifted so that he could slide her skirt so that it bunched at her waist. He spread her legs
wider, and lifted them so that her thighs were resting on his shoulders and her feet dangled
near his waist. He leaned in and closed his eyes, breathing deep as he neared her panty clad
pussy.

"Oh baby, I can smell you. You're already wet for me, aren't you, luv?"

She'd been wet since she saw him with his glasses on and she nodded. He outlined her
pussy lips with his finger and then snuck a finger on the inside. With one tug, he ripped her
panty clear away. She gasped.

He grinned at her before peppering kisses along her thighs and the kissing all around
her pussy lips and then outlining them with his tongue. She jutted her hips forward, wanting
him on her clit, needing to feel his expert tongue on her. The anticipation was killing her. She
moaned and he spread her with his fingers and licked her clit quickly.

"Yes," she hissed and placed her hands in his hair. "Will. . . "

"What is it baby, what do you need?"

"I need . . . "

"Tell me, tell me and I'll do it."

"Make me cum, please. . . lick me."

With his tongue stiff and pointed, he circled around her clit and she strained toward
him, tugging on his hair. "Please. . . " she whimpered.

He then made quick circles around her clit and then flicked it.

"Please, please, please," she babbled, her head thrashing, her fingers tightening in her
hair. She was so close . . .

Then he sucked her into his mouth and she released her just before she came.

"Will, please!"

He teased, he nibbled and then took pity on her by sucking her clit hard into his mouth
and she went off. She came hard, hips involuntarily gyrating, her fingers gripping the soft
brown curls on his head.

She felt boneless after she'd cum again from his ministrations of licking her clean. He
tore his face away and leaned over grabbing tissues from her desk and wiped his face and then
her.

"Relaxed now, kitten?" he mused.

She nodded wearily. "I need to clean up," she said, mindlessly.

He stood and helped her up, kissing her deeply. "Go on now luv. The quicker you clean
up and get dinner, the quicker I can make love to you."

She nodded and trotted off to the bathroom.
 

Chapter 12:

Studying had definitely taken a backseat to being with William. After dinner, he'd kept true to his word on making love to her. Twice. He'd then told her she could stay the night with him, but she declined. She didn't have a change of clothes and didn't really feel like going home early or doing the ‘Walk of Shame' the next day. He drove her home, following the same drill as the night before and Buffy nearly passed out by the time she made it up the stairs to her room. She forced herself to do some work only to fall asleep with her face in her book.

So, needless to say, she was, as she told Willow ‘dragging ass'. She loved being with William, but she also needed to do her work. She was going to have to be firm and tell him that there was no way she could see him tonight. She had to be strong.

No matter how adorable he was or how he made her heart race and her panties wet. No matter how she loved to hear his laugh and make him smile.

Strong Buffy, strong.
**********************************************************************
"Buffy, why didn't you come to see me when you came in?" William asked, coming into her office.

She looked up at him, "Drusilla told me all that I needed to do was on
my desk. Plus, Wesley flagged me and asked me if I could do a couple
things for him since his secretary was out today."

"Are you upset with me?"

She stared at him, "What?"

"Are you upset with me," he repeated.

"Will, no, I'm not—can you shut the door?"

He shut the door and stood before her, arms folded. "Buffy—"

"Will, we can't make like a . . . whatever we are here."

His eyebrows shot off his head and the look he gave her could only be
described as disbelief mixed with hurt. "Whatever we are? What the hell is
that supposed to mean?"

"Will—"

He stalked over to her, "You're my girl, Buffy."

"Yeah, except I don't know what that means exactly."

"What are you on about?"

She sighed heavily, "Will, I don't want to talk about this right now. I
have work to do, remember? Work FOR you."

His eyes darkened and his jaw clenched. "Fine. I expect it done in an
hour and before Wesley's stack."

"Will, Wesley asked me to put a rush on—"

"I don't care. You want me to be your boss here? I'm being your boss."

She wanted to scream at him and it was on the tip of her tongue to call
him an asshole, but she held herself back. She had to be the bigger person
here. She wanted to be able to separate work and her relationship with him
and he was the one that was making it difficult for her to do that. He was
blurring the lines he'd told her he hadn't been willing to do with Dru—even
if he had truly not been interested in dating her. She would not give in by
yelling at him. Instead she simply nodded and turned away from him. He
stalked to the door and she braced herself, waiting for him to slam it shut
after he'd walked out, but he didn't.

Good to know he had some boundaries. Resisting the urge to cry in part
because she was overtired and her emotions felt out of whack, and mainly
because she really hated seeing such a dark side to Will. That wasn't the
William she'd known thus far. Though, she had to expect it would come out
sooner or later. She'd heard the stories and hadn't Harmony said he'd been
a bear the day before? Just three days and they'd had their first row. It
seemed the ‘all else' he'd wanted to put off was creeping in and Buffy had a
feeling there was still more hurdles to come.

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

William regretted the way he'd acted as soon as he entered his office. He
took pause, trying to decide whether he should go back and apologize or let
it be for now. He decided that perhaps what they both needed was some
time to cool off.

Why did he have to be such a bloody git to her? Because, he thought, the
relationship is still new and what I feel for her is already so intense. It's
probably not normal to feel this strongly over someone he barely knew, but
then, he'd always been an intense sort of man. He was also insecure when it
came to relationships and when you couple that with dating a twenty year
old --- Well; it wasn't fair for Buffy to bear the brunt of his insecurities.

"William?"

William looked up to see Drusilla standing before him all in her customary
black and watching him with unconcealed concern.

"Yes?"

"Are you all right?"

He nodded, "I'm fine, Dru. Just a little under the weather today."

"If I might be so bold, Will . . . "

He sighed inwardly, knowing he was not going to like what was going to
come out of her mouth.

"Yes, Dru?" he prompted.

"I think you should fire Miss Summers."

He sat back, "And why is that?" he asked casually.

"Because she is not good for you."

William narrowed his eyes at her, that comment could go either way and
William was beginning to wonder just what Dru knew; and meant exactly.

"How so?"

"She's fresh, she barely knows what she's doing and –"

"Stop right there," William said, holding up his hand. This was perfect
actually. He could defend Buffy now and stop Dru's harassing her in one fell
swoop. He'd promised Buffy he would keep out of it, but now he was in the
perfect position to put a stop to Dru and her meddling.

"Dru, Buffy is bright, diligent, willing to learn and efficient. She comes to
work on time, she does what she's supposed to do and she does it in the
time frame allotted to her and most often with time to spare. I have not
once witnessed her being ‘fresh'." Even when she should have been, he
thought remorsefully.

Dru openly glared at him. "Just because she is Hank's daughter—"

"It's NOT just because she is Hank's daughter, Drusilla. You should know I
would not keep anyone on if they were not a good asset to this firm just
because I happen to be friends with someone they know or are related to."

Dru jutted out her chin and raised her head defiantly. "Fine," and she
started to leave.

"And Dru?"

Dru turned, "Yes?"

"Don't be giving Elizabeth a hard time, she's a hard worker and if you give
her a chance, I think you'll find she'll be beneficial to your own work load."

"I do not mind my work load, William. I rather enjoy it."

"Surely there have to be other things in your life that you'd like to get to.
Miss Summers can take some of that work load and enable you to do those
things. Would you like to be able to go home early some days?"

She looked truly appalled by the idea and William was starting to get
nervous. He couldn't fire her for having a crush on him or revolving her life
around her work, but he wished he could. She was starting to scare him
with her devotion. He was going to have to keep an eye on her with Buffy.

"I would not like that at all. May I return to work now, William?"

"Yes, Dru," he said wearily. All he wanted to do was right the wrong he'd
made with Buffy.

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

William looked up from his computer screen and found Buffy standing
there, looking tired and yet ready for battle. He hated that.

"You said to come see you, I'm seeing you," she said tersely. "Everyone's
left already and I'm heading out."

"Why don't you have a seat?"

"I'd rather stand. If this is about my job performance, then just tell me
and get it over with. If not, I'd rather just go now, please."

He shook his head, "Buffy, I hate that you're upset with me."

She looked at him incredulously, "What did you expect?"

"I know, I was well, an ass—"

"Huge ass."

"I know and I'm sorry."

"Will, I come here to do my work, not to – and don't take this the wrong
way—see you."

He nodded, though it did hurt to hear her say that. " I know."

"And you're not making it easy on me. I don't like keeping this a secret,
and at the same time, I don't want to tell anyone because of what it could
do for my reputation and then there's Dru who is constantly hovering and
afraid I'm hording in on her territory, which since I'm sleeping with you, I
am."

He winced at that; it sounded so callous, so inconsequential, when it was
anything but.

"What would you like to do then?" he asked quietly.

"I don't think I should work in this office anymore."

"Buffy—"

"Don't talk me out of it. It's not FAIR William. If anyone finds out about us
sleeping together—"

"Would you stop saying that? It's more than just sex, Buffy and you know
it."

"That's all anyone will see it as Will! I'll be this giant cliché of the young
secretary making time with the Attorney. I'm a smart person Will—"

"I never said you weren't, Buffy. I think you're very intelligent—"

"Thank you, but that's not my point. I'm smart. If anyone caught us or
even if we were open about it it'd look bad for me. It'd look as if I was
sleeping my way through the big attorney's office to become successful."

"Buffy, you're going to school to become an attorney. I have nothing to do
with you making it on the bar. That is all you."

"That's not how anyone will see it. They'll just see me as the office whore.
I'm not going to be that. And if you cared about me as much as you say you
do, you wouldn't want that for me either."

That got his attention. His eyes widened, "Buffy, I'm sorry, I didn't realize
I was making you feel that way. I just . . . I'm impulsive when it comes to
my personal life. I don't think things through all the time—I get caught up
and—God, Buffy. I'm sorry."

"Then if you feel sorry enough, I want you to write me a letter of
recommendation."

He nodded. "Yes, I can do that for you."

"Thank you. Consider this my two weeks notice."

He sighed and got up, making his way to her. He cupped her face in his
hands. "I'm a bad, rude man."

"You're not bad, Will, although I will go with rude after earlier. Yet another
reason why to leave. I can't work for you and be in," she gestured between
them, "THIS. You blurred the lines today William. You lashed out on me
and became a colossal asshole because you were upset with me for not
coming to see you right away."

"Stop calling it ‘this'," he said and released her, running a hand through his
hair. "You cheapen it."

She gave him a pointed look.

"I got the point, Buffy. I understand and I said I was sorry."

She looked down, "Look, I'm sorry. I'm tired and cranky and I just need to
get some rest—"

"Let me take you out. I'll feed you and then I'll take you home and you can
study—"

"No, Will. Going out with you only leads to other things after. I can't do
that tonight."

"Buffy, I just want to feed you. You don't have to sleep with – Is that what
you think?"

She sighed and shook her head. "I don't know what I think, Will. I'm just
confused."

He reached for her, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him. "Tell me,
baby. Tell me what it is you're confused about and I'll make it better."

"Not now Will. I can't do this right now. I'm exhausted and I've got
studying to do. I've got to make up for last night plus do tonight's---"

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's just as much mine."

"You told me you had homework—"

"And I still wanted to be with you. I'm not blaming you for that, I'm just . .
. I need to focus tonight and I can't focus when you're wanting answers that
I'm not sure I even have the questions to right now. Can we do this another
time?"

The feeling he'd had earlier, the feeling of her slipping through his fingers
already, of the hand squeezing his heart took over and he fought every
instinct he had to demand it out of her what she was confused about. He
jammed his hands in his pockets balled them into fists and nodded, trying
to appear calm.

She leaned over and kissed him chastely. "Good night, Will."
 

Chapter 13:

After her talk with William, Buffy felt drained. She wasn't sure how she was going to be able to stay awake for studying, but she had no choice.

She'd wanted to fall in his arms, and at the same time, she'd wanted to
leave whatever they needed to hash out for another day.

When the elevator doors opened, she saw her father leaving and called
out to him. He turned and smiled, "Hi pumpkin. Heading home?"

She blinked. Pumpkin? Oh yes, they were in front of others. Though, that
wasn't completely fair. It was a nickname her father had called her many
times in the past. Just not recently.

"I am, you?"

"I am. Hey, want to have dinner with your old man?"

"Who are you and what have you done to my father?" she couldn't stop
herself from asking.

His smile dropped and his features darkened. "That's not fair, Buffy."

"Oh come on. You've barely been able to stand me."

"Buffy . . . you're my daughter and I love you."

"You been practicing that?"

"You know I love you, Buffy. I know I gave you a hard time when you
wanted to come home and I'm sorry for that."

Buffy sighed, just not up to having a confrontation with her father at the
moment, no matter how many questions she had for him.

"You want to call in dinner and take it home to your mom? How's that
sound?"

He was just full of surprises wasn't he? She stared at him.

"I'm trying Buffy, please." And the thing was, he sounded so sincere and
looked so earnest, she knew he meant it.

"Sure, Dad. I'll call mom and find out what she's in the mood for."


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


Buffy opted not to get into anything too deep with her father. Whatever
was happening, she would broach at a later time. Coming on with a barrage
of accusations and questions would do nothing to help the bridge he was
trying to repair. The important thing was that he was trying as he'd said.
Whether he meant with her and their strained relationship or with her
mother—or both—she wasn't sure. She wondered if it had anything to do with her arrival home, but decided not to dwell on that too much either. And as she listened to him as he gave her some tips on her homework, she wondered when the rift between them had happened. Once upon a time she'd been Daddy's little girl.

Thinking back on it, they'd started to butt heads when she'd been planning her future. He had been too demanding and overbearing and she'd completely shut him out for it. He hadn't taken kindly to that. So, in actuality, she was just as much to blame. Instead of trying to work it out with him, she'd just slammed the door on him and in retaliation; he'd pounded on the door until he couldn't pound anymore. Thus, the Great Divide. When she'd started to suspect infidelity that had added to the rift. Maybe if he was acknowledging his mistakes, she could acknowledge her own and they could both work on it. On that same end, maybe her parents had a chance to work on things between them as well.
Of course, these thoughts led to William and her ‘relationship' with him. That was an issue right there. What exactly were they? He'd said she was his girl. But what did being his girl entail? Aside from sounding as if she was property. Or cattle.

"How are things at work?" Hank asked, breaking her out of her
straying thoughts.

Oh great. She hadn't thought of what she was going to tell her dad about
her leaving the firm. Well, it wasn't like she had another job yet anyway, so
until then, she'd downplay it.

"Good, it's going well over there."

"You and William getting along?"

She felt the blush start to creep up and fought it, but to no avail. "Yeah,
we're uh," sleeping together, "Getting along quite well."

"Good," and he ruffled her hair as if she were a child again. "Come see me if
you need any help pumpkin."

"Thanks, Dad," and she watched him go with a slight smile playing on her lips.

Once her parents were in bed and she was snuggled under the covers, Buffy toyed with her cell phone. She flipped it over and over in her hands pondering. Should she call Will or should she not call Will? She didn't want to get into anything with him, she just wanted to call to wish him goodnight. She knew he hadn't been exactly pleased with how they'd left things, and she wanted to call to let him know – just by the simple act of telling him good night—that she wasn't upset with him.

Taking a deep breath, she punched in his number and held her breath until
she heard him answer.

"Hello?"

"Hi," she said, letting out her breath in a rush.

"Buffy?"

"You expecting someone else?" she teased, thinking that he BETTER not
be expecting someone else.

"No, no, of course not. I'm just surprised to hear from you. How did
studying go?"

"Got it all done. My dad even helped out a bit."

"So, how are things with that?"

"Surprising. When I was leaving I met up with him in the foyer and he
asked me if I wanted to go with him and pick dinner up for us and my
mom."

"You did say yes, right?"

"Of course I did."

"So, do you think that he's still cheating on your mum?"

"I don't know. And if he was, he feels guilty about it and is trying to make
amends now. He said he was ‘trying'."

"What did that mean exactly?"

"I think because I gave him a hard time when I saw him and he called me
‘pumpkin', which he hasn't done in a very long time. He said he was trying."

"I think he means it, kitten."

She smiled at his endearment. "I think so too. I'm a pessimist though so
the jury's out until then."

He chuckled and Buffy warmed at the sound. "Sometimes people might
stray from what's right, but I like to think that as long as it's not a
recurring theme and they realize that what they did was wrong and they
feel genuine remorse and not selfish remorse, I think they deserve a second
chance. There's hope in that."

"Selfish remorse?"

"The kind of remorse that happens when they feel bad just enough to get
sympathy or when they want to get back in the good graces of the one they screwed over because the thing they were after didn't turn
out to be so great after all; Then there's the Scarlet O' Hara remorse."

She giggled. "Pray tell."

"You saw the movie right?"

"Who didn't?"

"Okay. So after her second husband dies and Rhett comes to see her and
she says she fears she's going to go to hell for all the wrongs she's done. He
says she's like the thief that isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but terribly
sorry he got caught."

Buffy laughed quietly. "I remember that. Great movie, by the way."

"It appeals to men and women. It's got war, history and romance."

"And I know you're a sucker for romance Will. Don't lie."

He chuckled and she yawned.

"Princess, I think you should get some sleep now."

"I think you're right."

"I'm glad you called. Did you call for anything special?"

"No, just to tell you good night."

"I'm glad you did, luv. I was just thinking of you."

"Good thoughts I hope?"

"Always."

She smiled at that. "Good night William."

"Good night, kitten. See you tomorrow."

Clicking the phone shut, Buffy placed it on her nightstand and smiled.
Closing her eyes, she fell into a deep sleep and dreamt that she was Scarlet
O' Hara and William was Rhett, taking her in his arms and up the stairs to
make passionate love to her.
 

Chapter 14:
Buffy decided to forego even trying to be nice to Harmony considering all the girl ever did was look at her distastefully. Like she was the one that practically had SLUT emblazoned across her shirt. Harmony’s
plunging neckline nearly plunged to her knees.

“Hi Elizabeth,” Harmony said indignantly when
Buffy was almost past her desk.

Taking pause, Buffy turned slightly and
said “Hello.” To which Harmony looked her up and
down with a look that told her she was a fashion
disaster and turned back to her computer. Shaking her
head, Buffy continued to her office thinking the woman
was a menace.

“Elizabeth.”

Buffy snapped out of her musing to find Wesley
standing before her looking somewhat grim.

“Hi Wesley, what’s up?” Buffy greeted him
lightly. She was learning with Wesley that despite his
tendency to look as if the world were ending, it was not
often the case. In fact, he was quite funny; it was just
that his humor was so dry and delivered with such a
straight face; it took a minute for the joke to be realized
as a joke. She’d also learned that when his jokes
were understood and appreciated, he even smiled.
Buffy had decided it was a goal of hers to make the
man smile at least once in her presence.

“I wanted to speak with you about something.
Can you come in?” he asked gesturing to his office.

“Of course,” she answered and felt her heart
rate kick up. Oh God, what if he’d found out about her
and William? What if he was going to fire her before
she could find another job and properly give her two
weeks?

“Please have a seat,” Wesley said, gesturing to
the swivel chair in front of his desk. He strode over to
the gigantic window behind his desk and looked
outside, apparently deep in thought.

“Wesley?” Buffy said nervously, “Did I do
something wrong?”

“Elizabeth, I found out something rather
disturbing today. Apparently it’s gone on a while now
and I just found out,” and he turned and looked at her
sternly.

Her throat closed and her hands trembled. “Wh-
what?” she stammered.

“I didn’t even realize how dire it was, but
Harmony informed me that everyone knows and it is in
fact a big deal.”

She couldn’t even speak; she just sat
there with her heart hammering in her chest. This was
officially the end of her career.

He looked at her sadly now, “Jennifer
Aniston and Brad Pitt have split.”

She gasped, placing her hand over her heart
and then broke out into nervous giggles to which
Wesley grinned.

“Wesley, you scared me!” she scolded, the
relief flooding her, “I thought I’d done something
wrong.”

“You have done something wrong.” And
like that, he was back to business.

She raised a brow, “And that is?”

“I hear you’re leaving us.”

Buffy looked down, “Yes, that’s true. I’m
looking, but I haven’t found anything yet.”

Wesley sat down across from her, placing his hands
on his desk as he peered at her, “Why do you wish to
leave?” he asked, cocking his head to the side
thoughtfully.

“It’s not that I—I really WISH to leave. It’s that I
think I should,” she said wondering how in the hell
she was going to talk her way out of this one. It wasn’t
as if she could tell him the truth. And what had Will
said?

“It’s William. He’s too hard on you,” Wesley
said, nodding knowingly. He frowned, “Or it’s Drusilla
making work hard for you.”

“No, well, yes. I mean, it is William, but it’s not
that he’s hard on me—“

“I knew it. Too easy on you!” he smiled happily
as if he’d just won a case. Though Buffy wondered if
he really did smile on that occasion. He sat back and
rested his palms together in front of his face. “We can
fix that.”

“W-we can? Wesley, I really think I should just
go—“

“Nonsense. I want you to work for me instead. “

She blinked, “What?”

“You heard me. I want you to work for me
instead. Will you?”

“You’ve no idea what I can do. If I’d be
good for you.”

“You down play your abilities. Why is that?”

She didn’t know what to say to that.
Wesley’s eyes narrowed. “It’s your father, isn’t it? You
compare yourself to him.”

“How do you know that?” she asked,
feeling slightly dazed.

“Because I’ve done the same thing with
my own father. Not a healthy thing to do.”

Buffy picked at invisible lint on her dark
brown suede tailored jacket and nodded, “I didn’t
realize I was doing that until recently. Comparing
myself to him, that is. My father and I used to be really
close and as of late we’ve had more of a love- hate
relationship. I pushed when he pulled and then we
found ourselves at a standstill. I wanted to be
successful like him, but I didn’t want to be compared
to him. So far, aside from Drusilla, I’m the only one
that does the comparing.”

“It’s normal and natural, Elizabeth. The
important part is to find your own niche. Once you do,
everything else falls into place. Every attorney has a
different approach, a different method if you will. I am
willing to bet that your father’s way and your way will be
quite different.”

“Because I’m a woman?” Buffy asked,
trying to tamp down the sarcasm.

“No, not at all. I have found your father to
be cut and dry in his dealings. You do not strike me as
the same.”

She shook her head, “No, you’re right, I’m
not.”

“I have seen that in the short time you’ve
been with us. In the questions you ask, in the way you
approach your work. You seek knowledge and that’s a
wonderful thing.”

It stunned her and warmed her to be so
complimented by someone like Wesley. She’d been
so wrapped up in her drama with William; she’d never
thought that anyone had taken notice of her. William
had praised her, yes, but she’d chalked it up to his
affection for her. Wesley though, Wesley had noticed
and coming from him it meant a lot.

“Thank you, Wesley,” she said, touched.

He smiled, “You are quite welcome. So,
does that mean you will work for me instead?”

“Yes,” she agreed readily. How could she
not?

“Excellent. I will tell William if you wish.”

“Can I?” Buffy asked, jumping on that one.

“Of course. Would you like to start with me
tomorrow?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Excellent,” he stood and held out his
hand. Quickly, Buffy stood and took it. He shook it
quickly. “Glad you will be working with me Elizabeth.
Come see when you arrive tomorrow.”

She nodded, “Thank you again, Wesley.”

“Don’t mention it.”



************************************************************
Excited over Wesley’s offer and his praise, and nervous about telling William, Buffy decided to tell him straight away. She made her way down to his office with an extra spring in her step and upon rounding the corner, nearly slammed into him.

He caught her just before they made contact. “Easy
there, luv. I was just coming to find you.”

She grinned up at him. “Hi. I’ve got to talk
to you,” she rushed out.

He quirked a brow. “Oh? What’s this about
then?”

“Can we uh, go into your office?”

He grinned saucily, “Of course.”

He turned and started for his office,
opening the door and gesturing for her to enter. He
closed the door and as she sat down on the chair
reserved for clients and his paralegals, he perched on
the desk before her. “What’s going on?”

“I was just with Wesley and—“

“All this time?” he frowned, glancing at his
watch. “You’ve been in there for nearly a half an hour.”

She knit her brows together. “So?”

He shook his head, “Nothing, never mind.”

Just as she opened her mouth to speak,
he jumped up and took hold of her hands, tugging her
to her feet and into his arms. He smiled tenderly and
leaned in, kissing her sweetly. “I missed you, Buffy.
After we talked last night, I wanted nothing more than
to have you in my arms. I wanted to be there talking
with you while you fell asleep with me holding you. I’m
so glad you called me last night, kitten.” And he kissed
her again, leaving her breathless. He smiled and
tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “What did you
need to speak with me about?”

“Wesley offered me a job with him and I
took it,” she blurted out.

He blinked at her, his hold on her
loosening. “Oh?”

She rushed to tell him all they had talked
about, not wanting to make him feel out of the loop
and wanting him to not be upset. She couldn’t really
gather why she felt he would be though—

“Did I make you feel as if you weren’t doing
a good job?” he asked, his tone slightly hurt as he
pulled away from her.

She shook her head and reached for him,
taking hold of his hand, “No, Will, not at all. It’s just . . .
like when your parents tell you that you’re good looking
or smart or whatever – you feel that they tell you that
because they love you and they’re supposed to say
that, not because they actually SEE it—“

“You think I just said all that because we’re
together?”

She let out a frustrated sigh and let go of
his hand, “How is this not coming out right?”

He shook his head, “I’m sorry, Buffy. I
just . . . I guess I just hate the thought of you feeling
that I don’t think all those same things as Wesley
does.”

“I’m sorry—“

“Don’t be sorry. I know what you mean,” he
put his hand under her chin and tilted her head to look
up at him, “I understand,” he said deeply, his eyes
conveying the truth of his words.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling softly.

He dropped his hand, “I never knew you
felt that way about your dad though,” he said quietly.

“I try not to dwell on it too much. Wesley
said he went through the same thing with his father so
he understood.”

“So you and Wesley have something in
common then,” William said turning away from her,
his tone slightly bitter.

She watched him retreat to his chair, eyes
narrowed. “Are you jealous?”

He guffawed. “No.”

She pointed at him, “You are. You’re
jealous of Wesley. Just because we had a chat—“

“He knows things I don’t, Buffy,” he said
forcefully, his eyes glittering.

“You know about how I think my Dad is
having an affair. Wesley doesn’t know that—and you
know what? I shouldn’t have to defend myself to you. I
have a right to talk to other people, William. And this is
exactly why I am no longer working for you.” With that
she spun on heel to leave. Before she made it to the
door however, William was on her, grabbing her about
her waist and hauling her against him. He wrapped
his arms around her, nuzzling her neck from
behind. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. My stupid jealousy and
insecurities . . . Don’t go, Buffy. I’m sorry.”

She went lax against him, all the fight
leaving her at his desperate words. “Will, Wesley is going to be my boss, there’s nothing for you to be jealous about.”

“I know, because you’re my girl, right?” he
said huskily and bit lightly on her ear, causing a shiver
to course through her.

“Yes,” she whispered, and he dotted
kisses down her neck, biting softly on the skin there
and then kissing it. She let out and soft moan and he
spun her in his arms, plundering her mouth hungrily
with kisses and nibbles. Sliding his hands under her
bum, he lifted her and instinctively, she wrapped her
legs around his waist.

“William—“ she breathed, between heated
kisses.“We can’t.”

“We can. Business meeting—sshhh...Just
have to be quiet luv, can you do that?”

“Will—“

“Let me take care of you, Buffy,” he
whispered and placed her on the desk. He tugged off
her jacket and immediately lifted her camisole off her,
tugging her bra off her shoulder and down so that it
rested on her rib cage, releasing her breasts to his
gaze and touch. He kissed her as he kneaded them in
both of his hands, brushing his thumbs across the
peaks, making them hard to which he then attacked
with his mouth, laving them and biting gently.

The sensations were going straight to her
pussy and Buffy found herself forgetting about the
others in the office as she ground her mound against
his leg that was in between her legs. Soon, he was tugging her out of her pants, her panties following shortly behind. She reached for his buckle and undid
it, moaning as he kissed her and slid a finger inside
her slowly, rubbing her clit in circles with his thumb.

“Sshhh...have to be quiet, kitten,” he purred
and helped her undo his pants. His cock sprang free
and he grabbed her, sliding her close to him. He
teased her with the tip of his cock, taking his finger out
and gliding his tip up and down her slit, teasing her clit
until she shook with need. He plunged inside her, and
she gasped with the feel of him inside her. She
wrapped her arms around him, using him as her
anchor.

“God, you feel so good,” he groaned softly
and started thrusting madly.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she whispered, her nails
digging into his shoulders as she clamped down her
inner muscles around him.

“Fuck,” he ground out, “Do that again.”

She did so and he started pounding
harder inside her.

“Gonna burn me. . . God, Buffy, love being
inside you . . . Need you . . . “

When she felt him pinch her clit, she bit
down on his shoulder and closed her eyes tightly,
coming apart. Dragging her face to his, he kissed her
hard. Holding her hips with bruising force, he came.

Breaking away to breathe, he rested his
forehead against hers. “Bloody amazing you are,” he
whispered.

“Oh God, I don’t think I can walk.”

He grinned.

She buried her face in his still covered
chest. “What are we going to tell everyone now?”

“We were having a meeting, that’s all.” He
reached over and grabbed some tissues from the
tissue box on his desk and as he slipped out of her
with a mutual whimper, he cleaned her up and then
himself. Quickly they righting themselves, Buffy having
jelly legs as she slid to the floor.

William chuckled and when they were sure
all traces of sex had been cleared, including Buffy
opening a window to clear the air, she swung the door
open with an armload of files. Wesley was just coming
to the door when she opened it.

“Everything all right?” he asked.

She smiled, fighting down a
blush. “Perfect. He took it well.”

Wesley smiled, “Wonderful.”

“You were in there for a long time,” Drusilla
nearly barked as Buffy passed her in the hall.

Buffy stopped and glared at her. “Well, you
no longer have to worry about me Dru. I’ll be working
for Wesley now. I was just telling William.”

Dru stared at her expressionless. “So
you’re not leaving.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and continued
on. “Nope!” she called over her shoulder and
practically slammed her door shut.

She leaned against the door and heaved a
tremendous sigh. That was exactly the sort of thing
she’d wanted to avoid doing at work. She couldn’t help
the euphoric grin that escaped however.

God, that was hot.
 

Chapter Fifteen

It didn't hit Buffy until later while she was writing up her timeslips with her mind wandering to her coupling with William in his office, that they hadn't used protection. She froze, pen in hand, poised over her papers, eyes widening. Her whole life flashed before her eyes and, considering she was only twenty, it was quick.

Then William walked in. "Hey pet, come to see if you wanted—what's wrong?"

"We uh, we uh—can you shut the door?"

"There's no one here luv, it's just us. What's wrong, Buffy. You're white as a sheet." He came over to her and knelt before her, "What's gotten you spooked?"

"We didn't use protection, and I'm not on the pill."

It was his turn to feel as if his heart was going to drop to the ground. He stilled instantly. Then he sighed, and relaxed. He reached out and tucked some hair behind her ears. "It's okay."

She pulled her hand from his and rolled her chair back. "What do you mean it's okay? What exactly is okay about that?"

"We'll deal with it, Buffy. Whatever comes, we'll deal with it. Getting worked up about it isn't going to solve anything. It's been my experience that you worrying about something that you can't control doesn't help any and things end up working out the way that they're supposed to in the end anyway. Putting energy into something only makes it come to fruition. "

"So you're saying if I basically mind fuck myself and say that I'm not pregnant, then I'm not going to be pregnant?"

"Yes," he stood then and took her by the hand again, this time pulling her into his arms. "It's all right, kitten. Whatever happens we'll find a solution."

"I don't believe in abortion."

"Me neither." And he sounded relieved.

She pushed out of his arms and stepped away from him, gathering her papers. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him nod his acquiescence. When she looked at him fully, she saw some hurt lurking behind his eyes. She peered at him curiously. "What?"

He blinked, "What?"

"Are you all right?"
He nodded and then shook his head, "Do you want to get dinner? Or do you have homework to do--?"

"A class got cancelled today so I had a couple hours to do my work. I'm free." She had wanted to surprise him with that. She'd had this whole plan of them falling in each other's arms and spending some time together free of responsibility. Funny how responsibility found a way in anyway. A responsibility that she was not ready to deal with.

It wasn't that she didn't want kids; she did. One day. One day not being nine months from that moment. And the thought of having a baby when she was not yet done school, when no one even knew of their relationship and when she still barely knew William—it made her head spin to think of it. Here was this man that she had all these feelings for, that was fifteen years older than her, and she could possibly have his child? It seemed . . . surreal. As if it wasn't happening to her, but rather to someone else and she was watching it from the outside looking in. It was crazy that one moment in time could possibly alter her whole life. She'd figured getting pregnancy test results was life altering, the whole planning a family thing; but no, right this second realizing her folly in not using birth control –scratch that their folly in not using birth control was doing it's job on altering her life. By sheer imagination only. She was having flashes of being round with William's belly and not being able to attend class. Of not finishing school, of not becoming an attorney.

"Buffy, stop it right now," William bit out harshly.

She snapped to attention. "What?"

"I can see the wheels turning in your head. Stop it. "

"I can't help it."

"It wouldn't be the end of the world would it? Having my baby?"

She looked at him as if he'd grown three heads. "William, I haven't finished school yet. I'm not an attorney yet. Having a baby would really put a definite crimp in those plans."

"We'd work around it; we'd find a way."

"Easy for you to say, you're the man," she retorted. "We played Russian roulette and
guess who gets to carry the bullet around for nine months?"

"That's nice, refer to our baby as a bullet," he snapped.

"I'm. Not. Pregnant, remember?" she said angrily.

He took a step back and held up his hands. He looked down and took a deep breath.
"Look, we're both overreacting. Let's just calm down. You're right, you're not pregnant." He
looked up at her, suddenly looking like a pleading little boy. "Buffy, can we just forget the past
ten minutes and move on from this?"

Studying him, her mind racing, she realized he was right. There was no point in getting
worked up about something she had no control over at the moment. She had to calm down.

Then it hit her. Fumbling in her bag, she reached for her day planner. Really, why
hadn't she thought of it sooner?

"What are you doing?" Will asked.

"Looking at the calendar to see when I had my period last. I'm not always regular so I

never keep track, which I will so be doing from now on, along with getting on the pill a.s.a.p.
Okay, now when did I have my period last? It had to be before we uh, got together . . . I'm. . .
yeah, I'm due in about . . . four days. I am going to mark that down so I can keep track of this.
No more slip ups for Buffy!" She took a deep breath of relief and sat down in her chair. "We're
clear. At least, the outlook looks much better anyway." She looked up at him, smiling. Her
smile immediately fell. He did not look happy. "Now what?"

He shook his head, "Nothing. Listen, why don't I walk you out and we'll have dinner
another night."

"You're upset with me."

"No, Buffy I'm not. I'm just—"

"Don't lie to me William. You're upset with me because I don't want to be pregnant. It's
not you William. It's not that I'm rejecting you; I'm not ready to have kids yet Will. I'm
not ready to get married and settle down and –" she studied him. "You are, aren't you?"


He shook his head, "I'm not, I'm really not. We just –we're still new."

"And we don't know a lot still about each other," she pointed out.

"And this was just a – a—"

"Fluke. A bump in the road," she supplied helpfully.

"All couples have them, and we've moved on from it," he shrugged.

She fell silent and then asked tentatively, "Have we?"

He reached out for her and gathered her in his arms, kissing the top of her head. "Yes,
we have."

"A minute ago—"

"That was a minute ago. It's over, it's done. No worries, right?"

She looked up at him, "Sure?"

He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Positive."

"Do you . . . do you want to go out?"

He nodded and smiled, "I do."

"I'll just grab my stuff and we can go," she told him. And try to squelch down this
sudden feeling I have that everything is about to blow up in our faces, she thought, trying not
to push down the rising fear she had inside her that this was just the beginning of many more
‘flukes'.
 

Chapter 16:

Buffy opted not to tell William about her trip to the doctor the following morning and receiving the morning after pill whilst putting herself on birth control. The whole experience had given Buffy food for thought. Especially when she'd seen someone her age, maybe even younger, pregnant. The concept sent her head reeling with the possibilities of what could have happened.

They didn't talk about it at all in the days to come. Buffy felt at times she wanted to bring it up; wanted to clear the air because while things appeared normal, she knew they weren't. There was a strain between them and if William felt it, he didn't say it. There was an elephant in the room with them, and neither wanted to draw attention to it.

Buffy hadn't had much experience with relationships, but she knew that the not talking couldn't be healthy; and she wanted to know things. Like what he foresaw for them; what he wanted. She wanted to know exactly
what it meant to be his girl. She wanted to know about the others before her. She wanted to know if he'd ever been in love and who she was and what had happened.

She got her chance the following weekend after the pregnancy scare—scare for her anyway. He'd asked her to spend the day with him and after spending the day out and about the city, they'd rented a movie to watch for after dinner. As they sat in what she suspected was a hardly ever occupied dining area, she pondered how to bring up the subject.

"Will?"

"Yes, my love?" he asked as he sipped his wine.

"Can I ask you a question?"

He set his glass down and frowned slightly, "Buffy, you can ask me anything."

She took a deep breath. "I want to know about your past relationships, William. The one's before the one you bought off."

He stared at her for a long time before nodding, "Okay."

"All right. Most of my relationships over the years have been inconsequential except for one."

"When was it? How old were you?" she pressed.

He gave her a funny look before continuing. "I was a college student, same age as you. It was an older woman; Buffy," he took a deep breath, "And she
was married. Though I didn't know it until later on. By then I was already in love— Buffy?"

Buffy stiffened, having not expected that. And not sure how to take it either. Especially in lieu of what her suspicions had been of her father, and the fact that William knew about those suspicions. Open mind, Buffy, she told herself.

"Buffy, it was a long time ago, I was barely more than a child—"

"Much like me, some might say."

He looked at her pointedly. "I don't care about your
age, Buffy—"

"You could start to," she said lightly.

"Are you starting to care about my age?"

She sighed, "Just tell me about her, Will. I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't hit close to home about having an affair with a married woman—"

"Buffy—"

"But it was a long time ago and I can't pass judgment on something like that, can I?"

"It was wrong of me to continue the affair even after I knew Buffy."

"How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long were you with her?"

"Six months."

"How long after you found out were you with her?"

"Four."

She took a deep breath. "Okay. What happened?"

"Buffy, I couldn't bear it if you hated me for that what with what you think is going on with Hank—"

"I don't hate you William. I think I'm incapable of hating you, which makes me want to hate you . . . I don't hate you. I just. . . I don't agree is all. But I
can't change the past and neither can you."

He looked her in the eye, "I would never do that again, Buffy."

She nodded quickly. "So, what happened? Must have been a thoroughly tragic affair."

He nodded, "It was. She was in her thirties and he was older by about twenty odd years. I met her one day while I was out and about. She was walking her dogs—"

"Name, please?"

"Isabel."

"Thank you."

"She was walking her dogs and one of them escaped, I helped her get it back and it started from there. It was. . . intoxicating. I'd never been in love
before and she was my first. I'd had sex before, but had never been had sex with love. She was the first one – Are you all right?"

Buffy was squirming in her chair a bit with a pinched expression on her face. She nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He cocked his head to the side. "Jealous, pet?"

"No," she said emphatically, but it gave her away.

"It's okay if you are. Makes me feel good, plus, now you know how I felt when I heard about the wanker that you had sex with for the first time. Not to mention the wanker that kissed you before you
came home."

"You were jealous of that?" she asked, surprised.

"Very."

"Oh. Well, continue."

"We dated like any couple would and stupid me didn't give much thought to why she always insisted on meeting me somewhere or why the apartment she'd just moved into was completely bare. I found out later that she'd rented it to be with me and to have a ‘holiday' from her husband. Apparently, he was rich and very busy—"

"Let me guess. He was too busy working and never paid any attention to her?"

He smiled, "Yes."

"Continue."

"We were together all the time and I loved her, Buffy. I loved her completely. It was passionate and heady and . . . " he shook his head, "And she was never quite therewith me."

"What do you mean?"

"After I found out about her husband—"

"How did you find out about him?"

"I saw them out together and I confronted her later about it when we were alone and she told me the truth. She cried and told me how sorry she
was and how she didn't want to lose me and how she'd wanted to tell me, but couldn't bring herself to . . . "

"Did she have plans to leave her husband?"

"No, she didn't. She did love him."

"And you?"

"She said she cared about me a great deal, she wanted to be with me—but she never said she loved me. I thought she might, I believed that she did, and when I asked her to leave her husband, she said no. She flat out refused. She loved him and had no desire to leave him. She said when he was attentive; she was the happiest girl alive. She came to me to ease her loneliness and when I was . . . when I was inside her, she was mine. She was all mine. So many times I thought she loved me back when we were making love."

"How did it end?" Buffy asked quietly.

"Her husband found out about it and gave her a
choice. Him or me. She chose him."

Buffy stared blankly at her plate of pasta, contemplating the information.

She wasn't exactly sure what to make of it.

"Buffy?"

His voice jarred her out of her thoughts. "Hmmm?"

"What are you thinking, luv?"

"I'm not sure, I'm processing."

"You don't—you don't think less of me for having an affair with a married woman do you?" he looked so fearful that Buffy rushed to assure him.

"No, Will, I don't. I—that was your past. It's in the past."

"It is. And you," he said deeply, rising from his chair and stalking over to her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arms
possessively around her. "You are my future, Buffy."

Images of the pregnant girl at the doctor's office flashed in her mind and Buffy swallowed hard.

"I'm falling . . . No, Buffy. I pretty much know, but in order to not frighten you, let's just say I'm falling in love with you, Buffy. I'm falling hard and I'm falling fast."

He pulled back slightly, cradling her face in his hands. "Can you say the same Buffy? Do you feel the same?"

She nodded, "Y-yes," she stammered and buried her face in his chest.

That's what terrifies me, she thought, for the question is: Will love be enough?
 

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