Fic: Wild Cards 2/2

[crys_loch]

Fic: Wild Cards 2/2

Game Series, story 7

BtVS / Buffy/Willow (overall)  Buffy/Spike & Willow

NC- 17

Summery: The game's circle widens as reactions begin to overcome control.

 

Wild Cards, part 2.

Disclaimers and warnings are listed in part 1 and still apply.

 

 

 

Outside and on their way to the first cemetery, they immediately started talking.

 

“That was, um...”  Buffy couldn’t find the words.

 

“Yeah.”  Willow could only agree.  “But helpful.  We saw the helpful side of Giles.”

 

“We saw an intriguing side of Giles, and all together unexpected.  I still don’t get, really.  Fetish?”  Buffy could still hear him say ‘gloves turn me on’.

 

“It just is.”  Willow didn’t know enough to fully explain, but would make an attempt anyway.  “Not everyone would understand what turns you on.  It’s like that.  I’ll research more and try to come up with the details.”

 

Buffy laughed.

 

“Stop it.”  Willow protested.  Willow and details were fast becoming a running joke.  “You want to know or not?”

 

“Sure.  But it’s all good anyway.  Everyone has their thing, right?  I wonder if I should wear gloves tomorrow.”  Buffy teased.

 

“It’s still late summer, Buffy.  I think that might go noticed by more than Giles.  Hey, what’s with the flirting with him thing anyway?  That was stranger than the conversation.”

 

“I know.  And I don’t know.  He’s kinda cute, mysterious past, not my father and not so old seeming any more.  It just kinda happened.  We lived right?  I’m tired of him hanging onto the daughter image, so it was an impulse to break it.”  Buffy admitted.

 

“We come to a little self awareness and all hell breaks loose.”  Willow commented.

 

“Nah,” Buffy countered, “we’ve seen hell break loose, remember?  This is just living.  Similar, but the only demons are in our head.”

 

They were now through the first cemetery and all was quiet, so they continued the patrol.

 

“Well, I had some trouble tonight.  I’m really gonna have to remember that ‘not all opportunity is mine’ advise.”  Willow was still feeling bad about the witnessed scene.

 

“Okay, now what did that mean?”  Buffy asked.  “And not what he said, that part I got.”  She then clarified.

 

“Okay, remember when I came out of the office with a guilty look?”  It was Willow’s turn to confess.  “Well, Xander and Anya were in there, playing pretty heavy.  And they thought the door was closed, but it wasn’t quite.  And I heard them, so I peeked.  And I know I wasn’t supposed to.  Cause they really did think they were in private, and no one could see.  But I did.  I watched until I finally could make myself pull back and knock.  I know, I know, control and consent.  I gave into temptation.”  Willow wasn’t very comfortable with confessions.  They tended to spill and threatened to not end.

 

Buffy stopped them outside the second cemetery.  “Willow, it’s okay.  We’ve both done a little of that lately.  Okay, me a lot lately.  Next time you’ll do it different.”

 

“Next time?  Oh, no, I’m staying clear.”  Willow was not hoping for a repeat, however much the images still played in her mind.

 

“Well, I don’t know how you’ll manage that.”  Buffy laughed.  “Even I have caught a glimpse or two, and I’m not tempted.  They are always sneaking smoochies and more.”

 

“Yeah well, for now on it’s knock first, seek observations later, girl.”  Willow pledged.

 

Buffy laughed.  “Alright, but first let’s see if anyone’s playing in this part of town.  So far this has been way too quiet.”

 

“I kinda hope things pick up.”  When Buffy turned to give a questioning look to the comment, Willow shrugged and gave her a sheepish grin.  “I want to watch you fight.”

 

Buffy just shook her head a little and continued with the patrol.  “Well, I’m sure Spike’s around here somewhere.  I could always knock him around a little for ya.  Actually, I think he is here.  I can feel someone watching me.”

 

“Oh, that’s just me Buffy.  I was watching your ass.”  Willow was following behind, grinning.

 

“Hey, trying to concentrate here.”  But it made Buffy happy anyway.

 

“Sorry.  This place is dead tonight.”  Willow observed.

 

“Well, anyplace other than this town that’s how things are supposed to be.  But I know what you mean.  Maybe we should find Spike.  Try to get some answers.”  Buffy could feel there was a change in the town.

 

“Yeah, okay.  This should be fun.”  Willow agreed to the plan.

 

“Stop it.  No reactions, only barbed comments.  You’ll see.”  Buffy headed to his crypt, but wondered if he’d just pop out of the shadows before they got there.

 

“Right.”  Willow said with a hint of sarcasm.  “Can we switch topics?”

 

“Gratefully.”  Buffy replied.

 

“Um, tomorrow I begin the lessons with Toni.”  Willow started.

 

“Hmmm.”  Buffy gave the continue response.

 

“And I'm nervous.  Well, no, actually scared and quickly moving to terrified.  So, I was gonna ask a favor."  Willow's bravado of the night before had ended and was replaced with second guessing.

 

“Hold that thought.”  Buffy interrupted.  “I see trouble.”

 

Willow didn’t see anything but Buffy ran ahead towards something, so she quickly followed.  When she finally caught up she found a young man was being attacked by a vampire just behind a tree.  Buffy never slowed down, tackling the vamp off the man and sending them both tumbling to the ground.  Before she was on her feet, a stake was in her hand and she was ready.  The vamp didn’t recover as quickly, but was to his feet before Buffy hit him across the face, stunning him.  It was an easy battle, she wasted no time and simply staked his heart while he was trying to find his bearing.  The young man had fallen to the ground, mostly scared and somewhat dizzy.  Willow rushed to him to make sure he was alright.  When the dust had settled, Buffy walked over to the man and helped him up.

 

“What... what was that?”  The man asked.

 

“Um, nothing.”  Willow answered.  “Just the local thugs.  Are you okay?”

 

“No, I know what that was.  I’ve read about them.  That was a vampire.”  The man ignored the reasonable answer offered.

 

‘Great’, Buffy thought.  ‘Another fan of Anne Rice.’  “What makes you think there are vampires?”  Buffy countered, though it felt strange denying the obvious.

 

“I’m a great fan of Jim Morrison’s poetry.  He knows the truth.  But I admit I wasn’t certain until tonight.”  The man explained.

 

‘That was unexpected.’  Buffy thought, as she wondered who Jim Morrison was.

 

Willow was impressed and wondered who else he read.  “Okay, yes, that was a vampire.  But don’t go talking about it or people will just think you’re nuts.  Again, are you okay?  You’re bleeding still on your neck.”

 

He reached up to his neck and felt the sticky wetness still flowing though slowing down.  “Yeah, I think I’ll be alright.  I, um, couldn’t get away.  They’re strong.  How did you do that, by the way?”  He pointed the question at Buffy.

 

Buffy paused, giving herself time to form a good answer.  She spent the few minutes looking at the young man.  He was handsome, almost like a model.  Tall and almost too thin, but muscle and strength evident in his arms and chest.  He was wearing loose khakis and tee-shirt, and simple canvas sneakers.  His hair was a curly long dark brown and kept falling over his eyes.  He showed a habit of always running his hand back through his hair to pull it from his face temporarily.  A clean shaven strong jaw and a very pleasant face that even after what just happened was smiling.  Of his eyes, she could only tell in the lack of light that they were not blue.

 

It was time for Buffy to explain or skirt the issue.  “Well, I’ve been living here a while and you learn to survive.  Not that you should learn, cause they are strong and dangerous.  I mean, well, I can’t really tell you.  Okay?”  She had done better.  She just didn’t want to lie to him.  Time to change the topic.  “What were you doing out here at night, anyway?  You shouldn’t do that in this town.”

 

“I live in the night.”  He started.  Both Willow and Buffy tensed with the possible explanations.  “I’m a poet, out on a road trip.  My name is Ramone.”

 

“Nice to meet you, Ramone.  My name’s Willow, and this is Buffy.”  A poet.  Willow was interested, despite her recent history.

 

“It is fortunate to meet you both.  I should return to my motel room.  Perhaps we will meet again.”  And before they could suggest he should just leave for a safer town, he walked off and was quickly out of site with a turn of the path.

 

“Wow.  He was cute.”  Willow complimented.

 

“Hey, I thought you were all converted.”  Buffy lightly admonished.

 

“I am, for the most part.  Sort of.  Still easily sidetracked.”  Willow grinned toward the man’s exit.

 

"The cute factor was all there.  Though the ‘I'm a poet who lives in the night’ was a little dramatic."  Buffy stared down the empty path a little lost in thought.

 

"Well that's how poets are.  I think.  A little like musicians."  Willow reasoned.  "He took the whole almost died from a vampire well."

 

"Yeah, for a moment I thought he was a Lestat groupie.  Who is Jim Mor-whatever anyway?"

 

"Jim Morrison.  Lead singer of the Doors.  He also wrote a book of poetry.  Very cool of Ramone to know it, by the way."  Willow proudly filled in her friend.

 

"Okay, cool, check."  Buffy admitted.  "And you?  When did you start listening to the Doors?  Old band, right?"

 

Willow shook her head slightly.  "Buffy, think.  I was always around Giles in high school.  Then boyfriend in a band.  I learned the classics."

 

"Willow, tell me the truth?"  Buffy sidetracked suddenly.

 

"Ah, sure, of course.  You know that."  Willow eyed her warily.  "What?"

 

"Did you have a crush on Giles?"  Buffy teased knowingly.

 

"Buffy!"  Willow inwardly groaned at the turns Buffy's mind could take.  "Fine.  Yes, way back in the beginning.  And especially when Xander was acting like such a clueless boy."

 

"Okay."  Buffy relented.  "Just checking."

 

"Now, back to the present.  Ramone, what do you think?  Stranger on a train potential?"  Willow grinned and turned the topic right back on Buffy.

 

"I don't know."  Buffy hedged.  "I don't know anything about him."

 

Willow laughed.  "That's the point."

 

"Didn't Giles just say not to take every opportunity given?"  Buffy stalled.

 

"But he didn't say we couldn't act on an opportunity."  Willow corrected.  "Think about it.  He's cute, cool, and just passing through.  And would probably be into it.  You could do what you want, wherever you want, and no weird seeing him months later."

 

Buffy was lost in thoughts and images for a moment.  Returning her attention to Willow, "And I guess you would watch?"

 

Willow grinned.  "Or hear all the dirty details later."

 

Buffy shook her head.  "You are so bad."

 

"Just say maybe and I'll change the topic."  Willow bribed.

 

"Fine."  Buffy continued at Willow's look.  "Okay, maybe."

 

"Okay.  A strange time to ask a favor, but tomorrow night, will you walk with me to Toni's place?  Just to meet her.  I kinda want to know what your instincts say."

 

"Yes.  Absolutely.  Um, do you want me to stay?"  Buffy felt kinda strange at the idea of watching her friend.  Especially when it would include watching her learn to mix sex with power and pleasure with pain.

 

"No!  Sorry, no need to stay.  I just kinda want your help to get there.  And I'd feel better you knowing exactly where and who.  Plus, I trust your instincts.  I mean, when I told Tara she was kinda worried about it, but she did kinda start it with the whole there's this meeting thing.  Then she calmed down a little cause she's heard of Toni and how everyone likes her.  But, still, will you meet her?"  Willow babbled on to clarify.

 

"Already done, or will do.  Whatever.  Back to the night at hand?"  Buffy wanted to get away from images of Willow learning to be a Mistress and public fun with strangers on trains.

 

"Sure, what's next?"  Willow was glad to get the question out of the way.

 

“I'm not sure.  That vamp was new and stupid.  There’s still something going on.  Should we continue on our quest for Spike?”  Buffy suggested, and even looked forward to taking a little of the strange energy of the night out on him.

 

“A quest is it?  I’m flattered.”  Spike seemed to just appear from down the path.  Buffy blushed slightly under his teasing eyes.  “Willow’s here.  Shall we have a replay then?”

 

“There will be no play of any kind Spike.  Ever again.  So I hope you enjoyed what you got.”  Buffy said it not as a snide comment, but with an honest tone.  This took Spike back a little.  She meant it.  He cocked his head to the side slightly, trying to see her from a different angle and nodded.  He stopped his teasing tone.

 

“Well then, what is it I can do for you young ladies?”  Spike offered.

 

Willow was surprised.  It seemed somewhere and at some point they had come to an understanding.  And she guessed that their encounter that night broke the thin ice they had been dancing on.  They apparently were willing to swim now back to shore.

 

“We’ve had a quiet night and wondered why.”  Buffy noticed his change in demeanor, but also noted his gaze still glanced over her.  She willed herself to calm.

 

“Oh, and you were hoping for some action?  I might could still help you there.”  Spike suggested before continuing.  “But if you mean a quiet slaying it’s probably because there’s a new bad scaring the kiddies away.  And all the others are laying low.”

 

“That bad?”  Willow worriedly asked.

 

“That unknown.”  Spike directed his answer to her.  “The only thing anyone seems to know of this guy is he lies.  A lot.  So no-one is sure of anything, even what he’s going around looking like or where he’s shacked up.  That makes even the ugliest demon nervous.”

 

“And yet you still walk around.  What are you doing, Spike?”  Buffy knew the answer, she just wanted to needle him a little.

 

Spike mumbled something about fresh air.

 

“There’s really only two choices in this multiple guess pop quiz.  You were either watching out for me or just watching me.  That about cover it?  Really, I’m just kinda curious.”  Buffy shrugged.  She still enjoyed this, their unique banter, it just wasn’t as aggressive as it had been recently.

 

“Keep that up and I’ll keep quiet about the rest of what I know.”  Spike taunted back.

 

“Oooh, come on Wills.  We can tie him up.  It’ll be hard, but he’ll spill.”  Buffy even smirked.

 

Spike coughed, then glared in surprise. 

 

“Buffy!”  Willow protested.  “Now I have images.  I really need to learn to turn the mental video player off.”

 

“Videos, great idea Willow.”  Buffy then dropped her voice and whispered to Willow, “You said you wanted to learn.”

 

Recovering, Spike asked, “Learn what?”

 

In her fun, Buffy had forgotten what great hearing vampires had.  She looked sheepishly at Willow.  “Sorry.”  Turning to Spike and hoping to divert him.  “Nothing really.  You said you know.  What else do you know?”

 

“I was bluffing or kidding.  I don’t know anything about this guy.  Never even heard of him before.  I don’t much believe in the boogieman.”  He shrugged.  “I guess we’ll see.  Now about this other thing.  Learn what?”

 

“You’ll keep another secret?”  Willow boldly asked him.  She was frantically thinking of something to say other than the truth.

 

“Sure.  More fun for me.”  Spike smirked.  “Seriously, go ahead, tell the dead man.  I’ll take it to the... well, dust.”

 

Willow smiled.  “Okay, so I know you know about the game.”

 

“Yeah, I’ve heard.  Seen a few played in my time.  Most haven’t lasted this long.”  Spike nodded his congratulations.

 

"Well, I'm hoping to learn more.  About sex.  From watching."  Willow thought up the quick lie and decided as well, a little revenge is sweet.  Buffy turned to her friend, surprised, and not sure she liked where this could lead.

 

"And you're hoping to learn this from the Slayer?"  Spike asked not quite believing.  "Not exactly Doctor Ruth.  Now that old dame, she knew about sex.  No, the Slayer claims more to be the Dear Abby type.  Nevermind the false claim."  Spike smirked at Buffy.

 

"Hey!"  Buffy protested automatically, not sure yet whether she should defend her honor or her experience.  Even conceding the point mentally, she chose to defend her experience.  "That night in the alley wasn't innocent or naive."

 

"No," Spike agreed while approaching closer to Buffy, facing her with only inches between them, "that show in the alley was the true Slayer, and was priceless." 

 

They both stood their ground, neither one willing to be the first to back down and enjoying the growing tension.  Willow knew she should say something, should stop this or send it a safer direction.  But she was also enjoying watching and decided that Buffy didn't need saving.

 

Spike smiled with one corner of his mouth, took a step back but continued the conversation.  Turning to Willow, "I'm only saying there's more you can learn than by watching Buffy."

 

"Well yeah."  Willow agreed, hoping the obvious didn't hurt Buffy's feelings.  "What are you suggesting, that I watch you?"  The idea was absurd.

 

Spike smiled.  "Sure, I'm up for that.  Give me a part in this little game of yours.  And a bit of trouble is always fun.  If Buffy won't play, I'm sure Hazel wouldn't mind."  Spike was having fun, seeing just what they would go for, and willing to take up any dare they made the mistake of making.

 

"Um."  Was all Willow could get out.  Her mind suddenly flashed many strangely pleasant images.

 

"Willow, stop thinking."  Buffy cautioned.  "Spike, stop suggesting."  Buffy warned.

 

"Make me, Slayer."  Spike smirked.  "You jealous?"

 

"Hardly!"  Buffy was having a hard time keeping her own thoughts on safer ground as well.

 

"We could do a repeat of the show.  This time you could hold on to your dear friend for dear life."  Spike was caught up in the taunting, forgetting the earlier reprieve they granted each other.

 

"Oh, gods, that would be good."  Willow mumbled, unable to keep the desire from her mind.

 

"Not good."  Buffy reminded her friend.  "Spike stop.  It's not going to happen."

 

"Why not?"  Spike decided to keep on, trying reason now.  "All the time things happen that aren't supposed to.  You're the bloody walking proof of that one.  And don't you think my falling in love with you was a little on the surprise side?"

 

"That's why it can't happen, Spike.  You're in love.  I'll admit I only get the occasional flashes of lust."  Buffy tried to reason back.

 

Spike grinned evilly.  He got her to finally admit the truth.  "You don't think I know that?  Bloody hell, I've been around for two hundred years.  I knew when I tried to bring you flowers and sympathy you weren't in love with me and probably never could be.  And I knew every time we fought there was something between us.  I can add two and two.  Yeah, it hurt.  And yeah, I went deep end.  But I got over it, the bleedin' one sided love.  So now are you gonna deal with it?  The idea of wanting me."  It felt great getting this off his chest and out in the open again. 

 

Buffy just stood there, breathing deeply, and trying again to reason through a turned on mind.  The dare hung in the air in front of her.  She turned to Willow to see her reaction or opinion, only to see Willow glance over her body and close her eyes in her own way of trying to gain control.  Turning again to Spike, who stood patient and calm, she shook back her hair from her face and challenged him with her eyes.  Then she surprised everyone, including herself, by taking Willow's hand and leading her to the large tree nearby.

 

"What are you doing, Buffy."  Willow harshly whispered.  "You can't do this."

 

"But I need to do this.  I need to get him out of my system.  I need to get this over with.  And he's right, you know.  Every time we fight, every time we taunt each other, I want him."  Buffy then leaned in and whispered directly into Willow's ear trying to turn her on beyond a reason to stop this.  "And I want something more than my fingers inside of me, and I want you to watch it.  Just, hold me."  And with that Buffy turned around and with her back pressed up against Willow, she raised her arms and locked her hands together behind her friend's neck in an imitation of that night in the alley.

 

Spike knew the invitation when he saw it and quickly closed the distance between himself and the two women.  But to emphasize this wasn't exactly the same thing, he leaned in suddenly and kissed Buffy.  At first Buffy was startled then opened to the kiss.  It deepened and grew till she felt his cold tongue trace her lips, pressing lightly.  Buffy responded, parting her lips and meeting his tongue with her own, drawing him inside her.  Her hands pulled away from behind Willow and wrapped themselves around Spike's head and shoulders, pulling him closer.  The kiss was passionate, thorough and long, only briefly pausing for breath before Buffy initiated another.  Willow groaned softly in her ear, her hands gripping Buffy's hips, almost leaving bruises before wrapping themselves around her friend, pulling her tight against her.  Willow lowered her forehead to Buffy's shoulder and closed her eyes against the sudden desire.  Her hands feeling the tight muscles of Buffy's abs, clenching her shirt, resisting the urge to travel up to her friend's breasts.  She moaned again, "Buffy."

 

Spike broke the kiss, pulling back and finding Buffy's hands with his own.  He directed them back to around Willow's neck, silently asking Buffy to hold them there.  She could feel Willow moving against her back, her breathing in her ear.  Spike removed Willow's hands from Buffy’s shirt and slowly pulled it up and off, dropping it to the ground.  Then reaching back behind Buffy, slightly caressing Willow's breasts with the back of his hands, he undid Buffy's bra and removed it as well.  Willow moaned at his brief touch, wrapping her hands again around Buffy and stroking the bare skin of her stomach.

 

Buffy gasped when she felt Spike’s mouth on her skin, colder than the night air.  He laid kisses across her collar bone, his tongue tracing the way down and over to her breast, then teasing around her nipple before suddenly sucking hard, scraping his teeth against it.  Buffy bit her bottom lip trying not to cry out.  Laying her head back against Willow's shoulder, she felt his cold touch moving down.

 

Willow watched in desire overload.  She barely noticed the rough bark of the tree cutting into her back.  She vividly felt Buffy moving against her body, her back rubbing against her breasts.  Spike moved Willow’s hands again to dip and swirl his tongue in Buffy’s navel.  Willow lowered her hands to Buffy's pants, undoing the button and slowly lowering the zipper as Spike traveled back up to the other breast, pulling the nipple into his mouth.

 

"Willow."  Buffy managed to say, feeling her friend’s hands opening her pants then retreating to rest on her thighs.  Then Buffy was pulled into another kiss by Spike.  She could feel the hard bulge in his jeans against her open pants.  Spike took a step back and undid his belt and his jeans, then took his pulsing erection out and stroked it slowly.  Buffy's eyes, unable to look into Spike's, traveled down to his cock, unconsciously licking her lips.

 

"Turn around luv."  Spike suggested. 

 

Buffy quickly turned around, pausing only when her eyes met Willow's.  They stared at each other a moment, each almost leaning towards each other for a kiss.  To break the impulse, Willow lowered her head which only brought to her sight Buffy's bare chest.  Buffy leaned forward bracing herself on the tree, her hands just above Willow's head.  She rested her head on Willow's shoulder when she felt Spike's hands lower her pants to the ground, lifting a foot to remove one leg fully from the binding. 

 

"Spike.  Willow."  Buffy was shaking in anticipation and need.  "Someone, please, now."

 

Willow was the one who groaned aloud as Spike moved forward, thrusting into Buffy fully, impatiently, pressing her into Willow.  As he pumped steadily, deeply, in and almost out, Buffy's body moved forward and up then back down, bringing both women's breasts into constant contact.  Willow tangled one hand in Buffy hair, holding her.  The other stroked her back, daring only that much touch.  Her eyes were glued to the place where Spike and Buffy joined.  It was rough, urgent.  Buffy pushed back against Spike's thrusts, driving him deeper.  Her hands moved down to cling to Willow's shoulders.

 

"Gods, yes."  Buffy finally cried out, pushing back harder, trying to increase the pace, pulling herself tighter against Willow, increasing the friction between them.  There were no thoughts of the game or if this was right.  There was only pleasure and need.

 

"Buffy."  Willow clung harder to Buffy's head, holding her to herself.  Her other hand reached between them and undid her own pants and reached inside, stroking herself in her own need.  She didn't care that they might know and barely kept in mind that this was part of the game, this was just a show, and realized it was all out of control.

 

"So cold.  I forgot how cold."  Buffy babbled into Willow's shoulder.

 

Spike was caught up in the heat around him, the tight wet fire that clenched and kneaded him.  Bringing his hand around from her hip, he started stroking her clit, determined that she would climax for him, because of him, that she would want this and need this again.  He could feel the back of Willow's hand moving to please herself and smiled.  He was impressed the witch could take so much, this was far more than the show he withstood in the alley.  Moving faster now, he pinched hard on her clit and was satisfied to hear her cry and feel her spasmed muscles around his cock.  Thrusting one last time deep, he climaxed as well, biting back a roar.  Willow closed her eyes, feeling her friend shake, her fingers leaving bruises on her shoulders.  She climaxed as well, letting out a whimper with the release and relaxing back against the tree, quickly redoing her pants before all was too obvious.

 

It was over just as suddenly as it started.  And just as after an unexpected use of dynamite, there was a strange quiet left over in the air.  Spike pulled out and carefully redressed himself as well.  Running a hand through his short hair.  "Right, um, well then."  He didn't dare say anything the wrong way.  He didn't want Buffy to regret this little escapade.  So he wasn't sure what to say at all.

 

"Oh, no."  Buffy's sense was coming back to her as the high wore off.

 

"Buffy, just get dressed first."  Willow came in with the practical suggestion and the almost reassurance. 

 

In silence Buffy climbed back into her clothing.  Her mind, finally having the chance, screaming at her that she just fucked Spike.  As if her body didn't know.  "Spike, um, well."

 

"Yeah Buffy."  Spike couldn't help but grin, but a part of him braced for heartbreak.

 

Rolling her eyes at his Cheshire Cat attitude, her grin calmed the worst of his fears.  "Go home.  Don't worry, but go home.  I need some time to think this out."

 

"It's your thinking that worries me, luv." 

 

"Nah, you’d be surprised what my mind can handle now.  Finally.  Eventually."  Buffy conceded.  "I knew what I was doing.  I'm a big girl now."

 

"No luv, you're a woman."  Spike bowed his head slightly and made his getaway.  He would deal with her reactions when they came.  And even trusted Willow a little to calm her down.

 

"You can't go home like this."  Willow observed.  "Dawn isn't totally clueless."

 

"Your place?"  Buffy groaned.

 

"Yep.  Parent free and everything.  You okay to walk yet?"

 

"Oh yeah, Slayer strength to the rescue in the oddest of situations."  Buffy assured.

 

"Yeah, I'm learning that."  Willow remarked while rubbing an aching shoulder.

 

"Did I hurt you!  Oh, Willow, I'm sorry, I just..."  Buffy started.

 

"No Buffy, I'm fine.  Really."  Willow interrupted and reassured.  "Well, okay, a little sore.  But not that I noticed at the time.  Just after.  But it's okay.  See."  Willow illustrated by moving her shoulders around.

 

"I don't know.  That was crazy.  I was crazed."  They started walking home.

 

"Right there with ya.  In kinda a literal sense even.  You okay?"  Willow wanted to get right to checking in.

 

"Yeah.  I kinda am, even.  Okay, surprised, shocked, and thinking that's what Giles might have been warning us about.  But I'm good in a I'm sure I'm gonna have to deal with this kind of way."

 

"Right."  Willow wasn't sure how to interrupt that yet.

 

"Think I screwed up?"  Buffy asked after a few moments.

 

"No."  Willow projected her sure voice.  "I think you screwed.  But I don't think you screwed up."

 

"Willow!" 

 

"Buffy, after what just happened you can't really be shocked that I used slang, can you?"  Willow laughed.

 

Buffy laughed as well, the tension finally leaving the space between them.  "I can if I want.  It's just so, not Willow."

 

Willow shook her head.  "Come on.  We're almost home.  I'll call Tara and then we'll both get some needed sleep."

 

"What are you going to tell her?"

 

"I don't know yet.  I won't tell her about Spike if you don't want me to."  Willow offered.

 

"No.  I don't want you to keep any secrets from her.  Just, give me some time to let it sink in.  Then you can tell her later."  Buffy honestly didn't want the game to get between Willow and Tara and sometimes worried that it might.

 

"Okay.  Buffy?  How did we not, you know, and I would use slang here but it might shock you again, but how did we not do anything?"  Willow still couldn't believe much of what happened tonight.

 

"I don't know.  I honestly don't know."  Even now, Buffy wanted to kiss her, her mind replaying the almost kiss.

 

"Okay."  Willow accepted while opening the front door and ending a stranger than most evening.

 

 

The end