Title: Home?
Author: Malana
Email: Malana@mac.com
Series: Truth, Justice, and the American Way
Pairing: Willow/Clark Kent
Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville or Buffy
Note: This is modeled after the style of Jinni's many When I Woke Up series. The story is written with her permission. This is a response to a challenge by Charley. Jinni is answering the Challenge with a Lex pairing, I'm doing it with Clark.
Spoilers: Through Chosen for Buffy. In Smallville anything up to The Truth is fair game. Things go AU near the end of season 3

I'm sitting in a rental car in front of Buffy's house in Cleveland. It's weird, but I’m actually nervous about going inside. I'm here to pack up my stuff, so I can ship it all out to Smallville. It's also an opportunity to say goodbye to everyone.

Clark insisted on coming with me. I'm not entirely sure why. I think he's trying to be supportive, which is kinda sweet, if a little annoying. After that disastrous first dinner at the Kent farm last week, I really thought that this whole marriage thing would end right then.

But it didn't. Clark apologized, and we talked things through. Even Jonathan said that he was sorry, though I'm pretty certain that Martha forced him to do it. He didn't exactly look happy to be apologizing. I think having to do it just made him more angry.

Chloe and Lex also helped. They came over to talk to me. The look on Clark's face when they arrived together was priceless. Clark looked positively gob smacked. Personally, I think they make a cute couple, though they deny that they are actually together. Clark seemed pretty desperate to believe that.

But Chloe sat me down and talked to me about Clark. Apparently, he hurt her a lot in the past. But the way she and Lex talked about him...you can really tell that they think Clark is a nice guy. And I hope that they're right.

"You ready to go in?" Clark asks.

I nod. "Good as time as any. Are you sure you want to do this, Clark? I mean, my friends are probably going to be more than a little hostile."

"I'll be fine," Clark insisted. "I should be there. I am your husband after all."

It still seems weird to hear him say that. I still have trouble believing that this is all real, that I'm really married to the young man seated beside me. But he is. Because, apparently, I am incredibly stupid.

I take a deep breath. "Let's go."

Clark and I walk to the front door, and I find myself wondering whether or not I should ring the bell. I'm just about to knock when the door suddenly opens and I find my arms full of bouncy brunette.

"Willow!"

A smile spreads across my face. "Hey, Dawnie. I'm glad to see you too." I hug her tightly, before pulling away.

"Dawn, this is Clark. Clark, Dawn Summers."

Dawn looks Clark over, appraisingly, before turning to me, "God, Wills. He's like my age."

Clark looks embarrassed.

"He's a little older than that, Dawn. He *is* 18, after all."

Dawn just grins. "Well, it's nice to meet you Clark. Why don't you guys come on in? Everybody's waiting."

Everybody. That means that Giles is here. I knew that he would be. Of course he would be. But I'm worried about seeing him. It'll be hard enough dealing with the others. But I hate it when Giles is disappointed in me. He's going to look at me all serious and British. I wonder how many times he's going to clean his glasses tonight. I'm betting at least seven.

Clark attempts to give me a reassuring smile as we follow Dawn into the living room. It's weird, even though I only lived here a couple of months, Buffy's Cleveland home feels like home to me. I guess it's just because this is where my family is.

"Hey everybody," I say as we enter the room. Xander, Giles and Buffy all face us. None of them look too happy. But, finally, Xander's face breaks into a small smile.

"Hey, Wills!" He quickly comes over and pulls me into a tight hug. Being in Xander's arms just feels so comforting. I wish I could stay like this forever. I pull away from Xander, and suddenly fine myself in Giles' arms. It's like being hugged by my father.

Well, not by my father. My dad's not really into the whole 'showing affection' thing. But Giles is like a father to me. He has been for years. Even when I was being a psychotic little snot and threatening him, I still loved him. God, I’m so lucky he forgave me. But I guess that's what fathers do.

"Giles," I say when we break apart, "I want you to meet Clark Kent. My husband."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Giles. Willow has told me a lot about you."

Giles doesn't react right away, so I clear my throat, and shoot him a glare. Finally, he gives in and shakes Clark's hand.

"Mr. Kent."

Clark looks nervous, and I can't really blame him. "Please, call me Clark."

"Yes. Of course. Clark. You are family now after all."

Oh god.

I was expecting uncomfortable, nervous Giles. This is getting dangerously close to Ripper-Giles. That would be bad. Clark and I are finally becoming halfway comfortable around each other. I don't need him to feel threatened by my friends.

It's interesting. I mean, Clark is an alien, and has super-strength, but he still scares easily. Buffy had freaked him out when they met in Vegas. And although Xander's punch didn't hurt him, I think Xan kind of frightens him too. Which is weird, cause it's Xander. I love Xander. He's courageous as hell, and fiercely loyal. But I didn't think a guy with super powers would be afraid of him.

Clark looks so uncomfortable. He may be a bit off an ass, but I still feel sorry for him. I know how weird I felt around his parents, and Clark has even more strangers to deal with.

"Good to have you back, Will." Buffy completely ignores Clark, which I guess is better than trying to attack him. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, and I certainly don’t want to have to explain to everyone that Clark is an alien.

Buffy’s thinking is sometimes simplistic, and I think in her mind alien might equal ‘evil demon that I must try to kill.’ From what Clark told me, Buffy wouldn’t be able to really damage him, but I’ve learned never to underestimate a pissed off Slayer.

“So, Willow. Are you changing your last name?”

Thank goodness for Dawn. It’s nice to have the tension broken a little.

“No. I’m keeping Rosenberg. Given our situation, I thought it was for the best.”

Dawn smiles, “Good. Willow Kent sounds like crap anyway.”

“Dawn!” Buffy admonishes.

“Sorry,” Dawn says with a shrug.

I try to look stern, but she does have a point. Kent goes fine with a name like Clark. But with Willow it just sounds weird.

“I’m going to go make some tea,” Giles says.

“Let me help you,” Clark volunteers.

Clark has chosen a bad time to show he’s a good guy.

“Th-that’s quite unnecessary,” Giles says as he takes off his glasses and cleans them. I’m surprised it’s taken him this long to do it.

“No, really.”

As Clark follows Giles into the kitchen, I can’t help but worry that this is a really bad idea.