There Once Was A Demon Who Fell 1/1

[Shehulk <shehulk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: There Once Was A Demon Who Fell 
Author:Shehulk
E-Mail: shehulk@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Disclaimer: BtVS belongs to Joss and Co. Kellem is mine.
Distribution: Anywhere. Just send me an email letting me know 
with the URL. 
Pairings: B/W/K, B/W/K/T
Rating: NC-17
Feedback: Yes Please! 
Spoilers: Um, consider all episodes spoiled, cause I'm just not sure
anymore.

Sequel to There Once Was A Demon...

There Once Was A Demon Who Fell

By Shehulk(shehulk@xxxxxxxxxxxx)

        

The first
rays of dawn were edging over the foot of the bed when Kellem rolled over
and studied the face of the young woman beside her. Pale blonde hair
curled in pleasant disarray around a face that reposed peacefully in
slumber. Kellem resisted the urge to brush a stray strand away from the
Slayer’s cheek, knowing that the touch would not be welcome.

        

The Slayer
had yielded to the need to maintain the bond but she did so in an almost
clinical fashion. In public Buffy was distant and reserved with her. It
was only in the heat of passion did she let herself show any kind of
emotion towards the demon she was bound to. Kellem tried to rationalize
her behavior but was honest enough with herself to admit that it
hurt.

        

A slim arm
slipped around Kellem’s waist and she felt the press of soft lips against
the side of her neck. At least there was one person who seemed
comfortable with the situation. She glanced at Willow and smiled
sheepishly.

        

Willow’s
answering smile was sympathetic. She knew how much Kellem loved Buffy and
how much Buffy’s rejection of that love hurt the demon. She nodded
towards the door and mouthed the word ‘breakfast?’

        

Kellem
nodded and they got dressed quietly, not wishing to wake Buffy. As the
door shut behind them, Buffy opened her eyes and stared up at the
ceiling, wondering how her already complicated life had gotten even more
so.

        

Because
you wanted to save a demon…

___+___

        

“I don’t
know how much more of this I can take, Willow. She hates me.” Kellem’s
tone was morose as she idly stirred her coffee.

        

Willow was
quick to reassure her. “She doesn’t hate you, Kell. She’s just having
problems with this whole sharing thing. Not many people could be expected
to you know.”

        

“You seem
to be handling it.”

        

“But I’m
special.”

        

Willow’s
grin was infectious and Kellem laughed despite her somber mood. “Yes you
are. I don’t know of anyone else that would risk what you did to save
someone you didn’t even know.”

        

The reply
was soft. “I know somebody who would…who did. She just needs time. The
Slayer gig has pretty much guaranteed that Buffy’s life falls into the
bizarre category, but add a demon binding on top? She’s trying to deal
with a lot right now.”

        

Kellem set
her coffee cup down with a snap. “And I’m not? You’re not?” She reached
out and took Willow’s hand. “Willow I love you. I love Buffy. I have a
strong desire to please you both, but what Buffy wants just isn’t
possible and it’s tearing me up.”

        

Willow
frowned slightly. “What does Buffy want?”

        

“For me to
disappear.”

        

Quick to
disagree, Willow gripped her hand tighter. “No she doesn’t. She’s just-.”
Willow broke off as Tara appeared beside them. The other girl looked at
their clasped hands and seemed to pale. “Tara! What are you doing here?
Or were we supposed to meet?” Willow frantically tried to remember as
Tara began to back away from the table.

        

“S-s-sorry
to interrupt.” She turned and fled, leaving a very confused Willow
staring after her.

        

“Tara?”

        

Kellem
pulled her hand away and groaned. “Looks like I’m not the only one who
with unrequited love issues.”

        

The blank
look that she received in response made Kellem roll her eyes. “Willow,
she was upset that we were holding hands.”

        

“But Tara
doesn’t-.” She stopped suddenly as realization dawned. “Oh no!” Willow
slid out of the booth and raced after her.

        

“Bye
Willow. Have a nice day.” Kellem grimaced and pushed her coffee away as
she stood up. Time to get to class.

___+___

        

Willow
knocked on Tara’s door, knowing that she was there. “Tara please! Can we
talk?”

        

Tara
pulled her knees closer to her chest and stared at the door, refusing to
answer. After a few minutes the knocking stopped and Tara sighed in a mix
of relief and disappointment. She jumped as the door swung open with the
unmistakable tingle of magik.

        

Willow saw
Tara sitting on the floor beside the bed and frowned slightly as she
stepped into the room. The door closed of its own accord and Tara
blinked.  “How d-did you do that?”

        

Her smile
wry, Willow lowered herself the floor beside her friend. “That’s part of
what I wanted to talk to you about.”

        

Tara shook
her head and shrugged, but the gesture did not have the nonchalant air
that she hoped. Instead she appeared exactly as she was; hurt.

        

“Tara
there’s a lot of stuff that’s happened lately that I, I just didn’t know
how to tell you, or how to handle it.” She wondered where to start and
decided that the beginning was the only place that might hope to make any
sense. “I fell in love with Buffy a long time ago.” Tara looked up at her
in confusion. That had not been Buffy in the café. Willow understood her
questioning look and held up a hand. “I’m getting there. It’s just a
really tangled up tale, okay?”

        

Tara
nodded and let Willow continue.

        

In the end
it had taken only an hour to explain everything and Willow was amazed.
While it was happening it had felt like time had slowed to a crawl, but
know for the first time she realized that it had only been two months
since they had first seen Kellem.

        

Halfway
through the telling Tara’s _expression_ had changed from hurt to
disbelieving and in the end to sympathetic. She uncurled herself from the
floor and began to light candles, needing something to do as she took
time to digest this.

        

Willow
watched her closely, wanting her to understand and afraid that she
wouldn’t. She spoke softly. “So how mad are you?”

        

Tara
sighed and rested her head against the wall near the candles she had just
lit. How was she supposed to answer that? She turned around and met
Willow’s eyes. “I don’t know if I am mad. We…we didn’t exactly have that
kind of relationship, b-but I had hoped…” She trailed off.

        

Willow
rose and crossed to her. “I know. So did I.” She saw the barely concealed
hurt in Tara’s eyes and acted instinctively, hugging the other girl to
her. “I wish…”

        

Tara
pulled back. “D-don’t w.. worry about it. I guess you should go.”

        

Willow
shook her head and caught Tara’s face in her hands. “No. I don’t wantto
leave you.” The first tentative brush of Willow’s lips against Tara’s
made the other girl gasp, but she continued the caress, intensifying
it.

        

Tara felt
her head swim and part of her cried out that this was wrong, that Willow
didn’t love her. She pushed Willow away and stared at her in hurt
confusion. “You don’t love me!”

        

Touching
her lips with a shaking hand, Willow shook her head. “I… I don’t know
what this is.” She did feel something for Tara and that realization sent
the fragile house of cards that was Willow’s world tumbling down. A sob
exploded from her and she found herself on her knees in front of
Tara.

        

The storm
of tears continued unabated and Tara couldn’t stop herself from kneeling
beside Willow and taking her into her arms. She rocked the redhead
gently, murmuring soothing words of comfort and wondering how the tables
had turned.

        

Finally,
after what seemed like forever, Willow quieted. She made no move to leave
the circle of Tara’s arms. Her voice was tremulous when she spoke. “I’m
sorry.”

        

Tara
pressed her lips to Willow’s forehead without thinking. “Don’t apologize.
You… You’re hurting.”

        

Willow
laughed morosely. “Not as much as you.” She raised her head from Tara’s
shoulder and swiped at the moisture in her eyes. “I do wish that…” She
trailed off as her gaze was drawn to Tara’s lips once more. “I… Oh God…I
think I do love you.” Willow buried her face in her hands and laughed,
the sound touched with hysteria.

        

Tara felt
something inside her blossom at Willow’s words and she had to forcibly
remind herself that Buffy was definitely in her life and not going away.
“B-but… Buffy?”

        

Willow
sighed deeply. “I love her too.” She ran her hands through her hair and
barely managed to refrain from pulling. “I don’t know what’s going on
anymore.”

        

“Maybe
it’s the demon?”

        

“I… I
don’t know. You can’t love this many people…. can you?”

        

Tara had
no answer and as Willow’s lips claimed hers again, she let herself be
swayed by the steadily burning desire that flared between them.

        

___+___

        

Kellem
opened the door without looking through the peephole. She knew very well
who was there. She could feel Buffy’s presence, could smell her scent.
“Hi.”

        

Buffy
stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Kellem bit her tongue to
keep herself from speaking and waited for the Slayer to make the first
move. She knew she was hoping for the impossible but maybe this time
Buffy had come here to talk. As she watched Buffy cross the room and
enter the bedroom she chided herself for being foolish. Kellem began to
unbutton her shirt as she went to join Buffy, trying not to think about
how much this was going to hurt afterwards.

___+___

        

Kellem
heard the front door close and stared at the ceiling, willing the tears
away. She wondered if she would ever adjust to being used. The strange
pattern her life had fallen into was beginning to wear on her. Buffy
stopped by several times a week to have sex with her before patrolling
and it hadn’t taken long for Kellem to realize that she was being used as
a pre-patrol power up. And it was always sex. Not since the first time
had the Slayer made love to her and Kellem pressed her clenched fists
into her eyes as she forced the images away. Why was she letting this get
to her? 

Of all the beings she could have been bound to, Buffy was definitely at
the top of the list. She shouldn’t expect anymore than what was required
for the bond, but… Kellem rolled over and buried her face in the pillow,
inhaling the Slayer’s scent. But she was in love with Buffy. Perhaps the
worst curse that could befall one of her kind was to be in love with a
master that did not love her in return.

        

She tried
to rationalize the situation. Willow loves me. And the witch did,
but it wasn’t enough. Kellem had given her heart to both the Witch and
the Slayer, but only one was willing to accept that gift. She could feel
the distance that Buffy put between them in every word and action. Like a
moth to the flame, she kept trying to get closer only to be burned again
and again. “I shouldn’t care, damn it!”

        

The front
door opened again and Kellem stiffened for an instant, and then relaxed.
Willow’s presence filled the room and swept over her like a soothing
balm. She didn’t roll over, but instead waited for her witch to
speak.

        

Willow
knew instantly what had happened and she cursed Buffy for dong this
again. “Hey.”

        

Kellem
raised a hand and waved slightly.

        

“You still
want to study for that calc exam?”

        

The laugh
that escaped Kellem was a bit hoarse, but was filled with genuine humor.
“Sure, why not?” She rolled over and sat up, ignoring the fact that she
was naked. “You want pizza or Thai?”

        

“Thai.”

___+___

        

Kellem
gasped and waved her chopsticks at Willow. “Damn it, Will! I said mild!”
She grabbed her soda and drained it in a few gulps.

        

Willow ate
her own Khao Phat Naem, enjoying the heat that seared her mouth. “I did.
That is mild. Next time I’ll tell them to fix it for a baby, Miss Demon.”
She wanted to tell Kellem about Tara, but she didn’t. She couldn’t this
soon after what had happened with Buffy. Once again pushing her own
worries aside, Willow focused on Kellem.

        

“Funny.”
Kellem shifted into her demon form and selected another bite of Sa-Te.
“Well you’ll have to put up with this form while I eat this.”

        

Willow
shrugged, not willing to admit that she found the Jauda’s true form
extremely arousing. Maybe she had forgotten to order Kellem’s dish mild.
She couldn’t remember.

        

Kellem
continued to eat, wondering if she should mention the scent that lay
thickly along Willow’s skin. The blonde witch’s feelings had been obvious
to the Jauda and she could truly sympathize with her plight… but Willow
was hers. Hers and Buffy’s. Her fingers clenched around the thin sticks
and the bamboo splintered.

        

Willow
jumped at the sound and looked at Kellem in concern. “Are you 
okay?”

        

Kellem
shook her head and dropped the pieces onto the carpet in front of her.
“Not really.” She reached up and grabbed the collar of her shirt, ripping
it off with a quick motion that made Willow gasp. The blue skin beneath
glowed faintly in the lamplight and Willow saw the flash of power in the
demon’s eyes.

        

“Kellem?
What, what’s wrong?” The redhead scrambled backwards until the dresser
stopped her.

        

Kellem
rolled onto her knees and dropped her hands to the floor, never breaking
eye contact with Willow. She began to crawl across the floor towards the
witch and Willow swallowed hard at the strange _expression_ on her face.
“K-Kell?”

        

Kellem saw
the motion in the redhead’s eyes an instant before she actually moved and
she couldn’t stop the growl that tore free as Willow pushed herself away
from her. Her muscles bunched and she sprang, her arms encircling Willow
and tumbling her to the carpet.

        

Willow
cried out as she found herself flat on her back, an enraged Jauda demon
over her. She pushed against Kellem’s chest but it was like trying to
move a wall. Angry now, Willow glared up at her lover, “What are you
doing?”

        

Kellem
bent her face impossibly close to Willow’s and inhaled. The low rumble
that was emanating from her chest vibrated across Willow’s flesh and she
could feel the sound deep inside her. The demon took her time, carefully
sniffing Willow’s face and neck before she met the witch’s eyes again.
“You kissed her.”

        

It was not
a question but Willow’s flinch gave her answer. A pained growl ripped
from the demon’s throat. “You slept with her!”

Kellem vaguely heard the sound of something tearing and she looked
down to see her hands tangled in the shredded remains of the carpet. She
freed her fingers and then eased them into Willow’s hair, ignoring the
small whimper that escaped her captive, which only made her blood heat
more. Kellem ran her tongue down the side of Willow’s neck and tasted
Tara. “Why? Why did you touch her?”

        

Willow was
shaking so hard that she could almost hear her bones rattling. “I-I…don’t
know.”

        

Kellem’s
eyes were green fire and she stared at Willow in equal parts confusion,
desire and anger. “You love Buffy. You said that you loved me. Why would
you do this?”

        

How could
she answer that when she didn’t know herself? Willow thought back to how
she had felt with Tara and tried to form a response. “I… she needs
me.”

        

Kellem
froze. Needs her? Don’t I need her too?

        

“I do love
you, Kellem and I love Buffy. I don’t know how to explain this thing with
Tara. She fills something inside me that I didn’t know was 
missing.”

        

Kellem
rolled away from Willow and to her feet in a quick motion that startled
the witch. She didn’t look at Willow as she stood, instead choosing to
stare at the wall. It offered a safer target at the moment. “You’re in
love with her.”

        

Willow
shook her head. “I don’t know.”

        

“I do.”
The Jauda demon’s reply was harsh. “I can taste it in you. It mixes
inside you with the power of the triad.”

        

“M-mixes?
What do you mean?”

        

Kellem
drew a deep breath and forced herself to resume her human form before she
turned to Willow. “I’m not sure myself. I can feel your power. I can feel
Buffy’s. But now I can feel Tara’s connection to you.”

        

“But
how?”

        

Kellem
shook her head. “I don’t know. We’re in uncharted waters anyway. This… I
have no idea.”

        

“Here
there be dragons,” Willow whispered.

        

Nodding in
agreement, Kellem stepped closer. “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

        

“I, um,
I’m sorry about… Tara.”

        

Kellem
grimaced and reached out to thread her fingers through the scarlet
strands that framed her lover’s face. “I just wonder how for this
connection goes.” She bent her head and brushed her lips across
Willow’s.

        

A low moan
filled the small space between them and Kellem shivered at the sound.
“Willow? Do you still love me?”

        

Knowing
what she was asking, Willow answered by reaching out and cupping Kellem’s
breast.

___+___

        

Buffy felt
the desire spreading through Willow and Kellem and smiled grimly as she
prowled through the graveyard looking for her next target.

___+___

        

Music,
soft and sexy flowed over the bed as Willow found herself pressed back
against the tangled sheets. She threw her head back restlessly as Kellem
raked her teeth over her breasts and a small cry escaped her as the demon
caught a nipple between her sharp teeth.  Kellem laughed huskily and
moved down Willow’s body. “I’ve finally figured it out.”

        

“Wha-AH!
What?”

        

“You like
this.” She ran her claws across Willow’s abdomen and was rewarded by her
delighted shiver. “Don’t you?”

        

Willow was
having trouble focusing on what she was saying. “What?”

        

Kellem
touched the point of one claw to the hyper-sensitive flesh between
Willow’s legs. “My demon form.” 

Willow arched up off the bed as Kellem withdrew, trying to follow her
touch. She opened her eyes and stared into the jade depths of the demon’s
gaze. Willow licked her lips and whispered, “Yes.”

        

Kellem
dropped her hand to cover her heat, making Willow sigh in relief. “Tell
me.”

        

“I’d
rather show you.” Willow lurched up and caught Kellem by surprise. She
found herself laying flat on the bed with a naked redheaded witch
straddling her. Willow bent over her and fused their mouths together in a
scorching kiss. Kellem was gasping for breath when the kiss ended and she
stared at her lover mutely.

        

Pleased
with the stunned _expression_ on her face, Willow pressed her advantage.
She reached out and cupped her face, tracing the shape and dipping her
fingers playfully into Kellem’s mouth. “I love you like this. I love you
the other way too, but this,” She bent low and nipped at the blue skin
that covered Kellem’s throat. “This is sexy in a naughty kinda way.” She
stroked the length of Kellem’s horns, knowing what it did to the
demon.

        

Kellem
couldn’t stop the low growl that rumbled from her chest but then, Willow
didn’t want her to.

        

___+___

        

Buffy
jerked the stake back an instant before it would have pierced Kellem’s
skin and scowled at her. “What are you doing?”

        

Kellem
swallowed audibly and took a step back. “Uh, trying to help?” She pointed
behind Buffy, who swung her arm backwards without looking. As the dust
settled behind her, Buffy began to berate the demon for interfering. “I
don’t need your help. I don’t want your help. Understand?”

        

Ignoring
the pain that swept through her at her mistress’ words, Kellem nodded.
“I’m sorry. My mistake.” She turned to leave and then looked back. “Tell
me something Buffy. Did you ever care? Even for an instant?”

        

Caught up
in a confusing tangle of emotions, Buffy shook her head and walked away,
leaving Kellem staring hopelessly after her.

___+___

        

Kellem
unlocked the trunk and shifted the stack of folded clothes to the side,
revealing the large book underneath. She lifted it out, feeling the
tingle of age race up her fingers. The book had belonged to her mother’s
mother and before that it had been one of the last created by the now
dead council of Succubae. Kellem settled the book on her lap and shifted
into her true form before opening the latch. The book was spellbound to
keep non-Succubae out and would kill any that tried to open it.

        

She
flipped through the pages slowly, remembering the few times her mother
had read to her from the book before she had been bound to a Torment
demon. Kellem had learned the rest on her own and knew where the ritual
was, but she took her time getting there. What she was contemplating was
not something to be done on impulse or in the heat of anger and she
wanted to make sure that she was calm before she began.

        

Kellem
drew a bracing breath and turned the page. The script was ornate and
written in the blood of Succubae to give it power. She traced the ancient
words with a clawed finger; the slight scratching the only sound in the
room. 

Did she dare? Was it really so bad?

        

She
thought of the sleepless nights she spent, afraid to sleep because she
dreamed of Buffy. Of the cold indifference that Buffy displayed in public
and her periodic visits for sex. Kellem thought of Willow and the
friendship that had blossomed between them. That alone was almost enough
to stop her, but now there was Tara and she was unsure of her place.
Knowing that Buffy was only tolerating her presence in Willow’s life
finally decided her.

        

Kellem
noted the supplies she would need and tried not to look at the spell name
as she wrote.

        

Per
Dividere il Legame e Concludersi la Vita

        

___+___

        

The
demon’s cry was cut off as his body exploded and several headstones were
suddenly coated in green blood. Buffy looked down at her boots and
moaned. “Darn it! I just bought these!” She started back across the
cemetery, deciding to call it a night. Buffy stepped around a marble
statue and froze as a trickle of unease skittered along her nerve
endings. Years of fighting had taught Buffy that different demons came
with different feelings, but this wasn’t the sense of a nearby badie.
This was Kellem.  “What’s she-?” Buffy staggered as her mind filled
with images and she saw Kellem lifting a long knife to her wrist.

Buffy ran.

___+___

        

Kellem
finished drawing the runes within the circle and rose, tossing the bloody
brush of sage leaves to the side. She picked up the potion and held it
up, staring at the dark fluid a moment before stepping into the spell.
Her skin prickled as she crossed the magikal threshold. The spell was
very simple really and as she began the litany that would sever the bond,
she wondered if it would hurt to die.

        

The room
seemed to darken as the power built and Kellem uncorked the bottle of
poison. Her life force, her energy and powers would be divided between
Willow and Buffy at the instant of her death. She drew a deep breath,
closed her eyes and raised the bottle to her lips.

        

“No!”

The bottle exploded as it smashed into the wall beside her. Kellem opened
her eyes and stared at Buffy blankly. “Wha-?” Buffy grabbed the front of
her shirt and yanked her from the magik field. Kellem jerked away and
glared at her. “Why did you do that?”

        

Buffy
moved close, backing Kellem into the wall. “Why! What were you trying to
do?”

        

Kellem
lost her temper, shoving Buffy back. “I was trying to give you what you
want!”

        

“What I
want? When have I ever said that I wanted you dead?”

        

Kellem
laughed harshly. “Every time you look at me, Buffy.” She ran her hands
through her hair in agitation and groaned. “Damn it! Why are you here?
Forget something? Need a little stress relieved? Want another power
rush?”

        

The
underlying pain in her words was obvious. Buffy’s eyes narrowed.
“What?”

        

Kellem
began unbuttoning her shirt. “You only come here for one thing Buffy.
Come on Slayer, let’s get this over with.” She pulled her shirt off and
was reaching for the snap on her jeans when Buffy gripped her wrist.
Kellem growled and grabbed Buffy’s arm, knowing what would happen and
almost relieved when it did. Buffy’s fist struck the side of her face and
sent Kellem spinning across the room, through the open door of the
bedroom. She crashed into the side of the bed and slumped to the
floor.

        

Buffy
looked down at her clenched fist in disgust. Kellem eased herself into a
sitting position, ignoring the blood that seeped from the corner of her
mouth. She spoke quietly. “Thank you Mistress.”

        

Buffy
froze. When she spoke, Kellem had to strain to hear. “Why are you doing
this?”

        

Kellem
drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “I love
Willow. I love you. But you’re the one who makes me feel that it’s
wrong.” She closed her eyes. “That makes me feel like a whore.”

        

The raw
pain her words held made Buffy flinch. She opened her mouth to deny it
when a strange roaring sound filled the room. Buffy had a split second to
wonder and then the area around Kellem seemed to dissolve, taking the
demon with it.

        

“No!”

___+___

        

Kellem
staggered out of the remains of her apartment building and clutched her
head as the world tried to right itself. Nausea made her stomach roil and
she swallowed hard, determined not to give into the sensation as she
struggled to fasten her shirt.

        

The bright
sunlight streamed around her and Kellem squinted at the chaos she saw.
Charred corpses of things that could not have been human littered the
ground and she gingerly stepped around one, looking for her lover.

        

She closed
her eyes and sent out a call. Buffy? Willow?

        

Kellem
rubbed her head and tried again, focusing on the strands of power that
connected her to her lovers. Willow?

        

There.
It was very faint but she could just feel the witch’s lifeforce. Kellem
started walking.

+ + +

        

Willow
stood in the cemetery wondering how long it would take for the reality of
this to set in. She read the words that had been carved into the
tombstone, and bit her lip as a sob tried to escape. Tara’s arms wrapped
around her from behind and she turned to bury her face in the taller
woman’s neck.

        

Tara
rubbed her lover’s back and rocked her as the tears came again and she
silently prayed to the goddess for Willow’s pain to ease.

        

Kellem
entered the graveyard at a slow run, feeling Willow’s presence getting
stronger. She pulled up short when she saw the embracing couple. What
the hell? Taking a firm grasp on her temper, Kellem approached
them. Can’t kill her. Will loves her. At least Willow has nice
taste.

        

“Willow?”

        

Willow
heard the unfamiliar voice and raised her head, meeting a pair deep green
eyes. “What…I’m Willow.”

        

Kellem
smirked as she moved closer, her relief evident. “That’s for sure.
Where’s Buffy?”

        

Willow
blinked and her _expression_ hardened into a glare. “Who are you?”

        

That made
Kellem freeze and she forced a laugh. “Not funny Scarlet. What’s going
on?”

        

The
nickname made Willow bristle and she pulled out of Tara’s arms and fully
faced the intruder. “I don’t know you, but my name is not Scarlet. It’s
Willow. Now unless you want to feel what its like to be thrown across a
cemetery, I suggest you leave.”

        

Okay
this is getting weird. Kellem held up a hand and shook her head. “I’m
sorry. Look something strange is happening here. I think we need to find
Buffy and head to Giles’ for Scooby meet, okay?”

        

Willow
shook her head at the woman’s words and pointed to the grave. “Buffy’s
dead.”

        

Kellem
looked at the headstone and paled, her knees giving way. She hit the
ground beside the grave, shaking her head wildly as she muttered, “No
way. Not possible. She can’t be dead. She..” Kellem rose quickly and
gripped Willow’s arms. “This isn’t possible! She can’t be dead, cause
we’re still alive! What happened?!”

        

Willow
jerked away and her eyes went black. “Away!” Kellem soared
backwards several yards and crashed into the side of a tomb. Willow felt
the power surging at her fingertips and resisted the urge call a
fireball.

        

Tara had
stepped back and was watching her lover warily. “W-Willow?”

        

Kellem got
to her feet and began speaking. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but
let me tell you what I remember, alright?”

        

Willow
nodded shortly and Kellem began to tell her everything she knew.

        

Willow
listened quietly until she got to the part about Willow and Buffy being
lovers. “What? Buffy and I aren’t…”

        

Kellem
grimaced. “In my memories you are.” She shook her head. “You and Buffy
met me and found out what I am. Giles decided that I had to be killed but
you and Buffy didn’t want to do that.”

        

Willow
interrupted again. “What are you?”

        

A sigh.
“I’m a demon.”

        

Willow
tensed automatically. “And we didn’t want to kill you? Why not?”

        

Kellem ran
a shaking hand through her hair. “A lot of reasons, but mainly because
I’m not a evil. I’m a type of demon that can boost another demon’s power.
I was just doing the whole college thing. Trying very hard not to be
noticed by any demons.”

        

“So you
and Buffy decided that it would be better if I were bound to someone
safe. That way I wouldn’t become a threat later and you wouldn’t have to
slay me.”

        

“Bound?”

        

Kellem
grimaced. “You and Buffy magically bound me to you both. We’re connected.
Or at least we were. I can’t feel the bond the way it used to be. It’s
weak, distorted. But I do know that you and I should not be alive if
Buffy is truly dead.”

        

Willow
glanced at the grave and then back at Kellem. “What do you mean,
truly dead?”

        

Kellem
knelt beside the grave and placed both hands on the ground. “Help me. If
we can feel her essence then there might be a chance.”

        

Willow
mimicked the demon’s position and followed her instructions, reaching out
on an intangible plane, searching for that which was Buffy Summers.

        

She didn’t
recognize the tiny spark until Kellem murmured a startled exclamation.
“There! Catch it! Hold on to it and try to gather it.”

        

Willow
could feel herself embracing the spectral form that swirled around her
and Kellem.

        

Kellem
began to curse as the energy began to dissipate. “Too weak! We need more
power!” She opened her eyes and looked at Willow. “We need to re-seal the
bond. We need blood to call her forth.”

        

Willow
nodded. “How?”

        

Kellem
grinned and dug a folded knife out of her jeans pocket. “Blood to blood
summons. Not as pretty as the formal ceremony but it’ll do in a pinch.”
She paused and stared at Willow. “Do you realize what this will
mean?”

        

“We get
Buffy back?”

        

Kellem
nodded. “Yes, but we will be bound again. The last time it happened you
guys didn’t know what that entailed. I can’t let you go into this blind
again.” She detailed the exact nature of what the magikal bond
would be.

        

Willow
paled at Kellem’s words. “Oh.”

        

Tara spoke
for the first time. “But Buffy will be back, right?”

        

Willow
looked up at her lover and shook her head. “I can’t do this, Tara.” She
stood up and embraced her. “I love you. I just got you back and I’m not
going to toss that aside.”

        

Tara
swallowed back the knot of tears in her throat and summoned a weak smile.
“But the world needs Buffy.”

        

Kellem
cleared her throat and the witches looked at her. “Um…Don’t take thisthe
wrong way but why doesn’t Tara join the bond?”

        

Willow
blinked. “Is that possible?”

        

Nodding
carefully, Kellem continued. “It won’t be easy but in truth we’ll need
the extra power to pull this off.”

        

Facing the
taller girl, Willow asked a silent question.

        

Tara bit
her lip and considered the ramifications of this. She could lose Willow
and Buffy would be back…or she could share Willow and Buffy would be
back. Or she could knock Willow out and let the dead stay buried, keeping
her lover for herself….nope, not going to happen. Damn Scooby stuff
wears off on you after awhile. “Alright.”

        

Kellem was
surprised by the woman’s answer. She wondered if the Tara or her memories
was so understanding. Perhaps she had judged too hastily.

        

        

They knelt
around the grave and Kellem dug a shallow space in the dirt. She held her
hand over the cool ground and raised the knife to her palm, speaking the
ancient words of the ceremony and drawing the blade over her flesh in a
quick motion. She passed the knife to Willow and coached her through the
spell as the black drops of blood seeped into the hollow.

        

Willow
winced at the pain, but gamely held her own hand out to clasp the
demon’s. The crackle of magik filled the air and she passed the blade to
Tara. The crimson flow mixed with the darkness and dripped into the
earth.

        

Tara
forced her hands to steady as she spoke, not noticing that she didn’t
stutter once through the process. She gripped the other’s hands and the
level of energy increased exponentially.

        

Kellem
waited until the magik was at its peak and then gave the command to cast
the spell. Surging into the ground, the power sought out that which had
stilled and filled it anew. Coaxing the spirit back into its abandoned
shell, the power then healed.

        

Buffy
opened her eyes, gasping as her hands struck out blindly in the darkness.
Her scream of frustration was heard above and Kellem shifted into her
demon state and began to claw through the dirt that separated them.

        

The lid of
the coffin shattered under the force of Buffy’s blows and she cringed as
dirt began to rapidly fill the coffin. She drew a final breath and began
to dig. Upwards.

        

Kellem had
managed to get about three feet down when she encountered a hand on its
way up. She grasped the flailing limb and pulled the slayer from her
grave.

        

Buffy
coughed wildly, shaking the dirt from her hair and trying to focus on the
people around her.

        

Willow
peered back at her through her tears and Buffy realized that Tara was
brushing the dirt from her clothes. “Wil..Willow?”

        

Willow
laughed joyously and wrapped her arms around her best friend. “Buffy!
Thank the goddess!”

        

It was
several minutes before Willow calmed down enough to even begin to try and
explain. Buffy listened quietly, not realizing that she was being held by
strong arms. Strong blue arms.

        

Kellem
buried her face in the slayer’s dusty hair and grinned as she felt the
connection between them all. So close. She had almost lost everything.
Kellem still didn’t know what had happened to make them forget her, but
for now it didn’t matter.

        

Buffy
rubbed her face and grimaced at the layer of dirt that covered her.
“Um..where’s Dawn?”

        

Willow
explained that she was staying with Giles and Buffy sighed in relief.

        

Kellem
spoke softly. “Who’s Dawn?”

        

Willow
looked at Buffy and then at Kellem. “She’s Buffy’s sister.”

        

Kellem
felt her world tilt and she shook her head slowly. “Buffy doesn’t have a
sister.”

        

Buffy
pulled away from the demon’s arms and looked up at the woman in surprise.
She stiffened as she took in the skin color and the small horns that
sprang from Kellem’s forehead. “Who are you?”

        

Standing
shakily, Kellem staggered back, trying to make some kind of sense of
this. “I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.” She willed herself back
into her human form and looked at the others. “I don’t understand
this.”

        

Willow’s
_expression_ was thoughtful. “When Glory opened the portal between worlds a
lot of weird stuff got pulled into this one. Maybe you were too.”

        

Kellem
laughed harshly. “I seriously hope not. That would mean that my Buffy and
Willow were still bonded to me.”

        

Buffy
frowned at the possessive wording. “Yours?”

        

“We are
bonded, mated…lovers.” She ignored the slayer’s flinch. “Without methen
the bond will weaken and the three of us will die.”

        

“What
about the bond you just made with us?” Tara asked shyly.

        

Kellem
focused on the magik binding them and for the first time realized that
the passion was missing. “It doesn’t feel the same. I don’t think I’m
really a part of this.”

        

Willow
closed her eyes and tried to feel Kellem with her mind. She was there but
it was as if she was on the other side of a curtain. Buffy and Tara were
sharp and clear in her mind and she grinned a little at the feeling of
closeness. She opened her eyes. “You’re not within the bond. It feels
like you just mixed the ingredients so to speak.”

        

Buffy got
to her feet, swaying as her body took a moment to adjust to the new
position. “We…should find Giles. Maybe he can tell us what’s going
on.”

+ + +

        

Giles
watched Dawn stared at the wall in front of her and once again tried to
think of something, anything to draw the girl out. Since the funeral two
days ago, Dawn had not spoken more than a few words and Giles was at a
loss. The doorbell rang and Giles almost smiled in relief. Thank God! A
distraction.

        

He opened
the door and stared at the group in front of him, not recognizing their
leader at first. Giles blinked at the familiar eyes that were laughing at
him and then he knew no more.

        

Buffy
watched Giles hit the floor in amazement as Dawn screamed her name and
hurled herself into her big sister’s arms. “Buffy!”

        

+ + +

        

Buffy sank
onto Giles’ couch with a relieved sigh and hugged Dawn close to her. The
younger girl had been unwilling to let the slayer out of her sight and
had stayed right outside the bathroom door as Buffy had showered and
changed into a thick robe that Giles had lent her. She still hadn’t let
herself think about that fact that she had died. There would be time for
that later. Buffy watched Xander trying to pull off the man thing and not
give into the tears that simmered just beneath the surface. Anya had
stared at Kellem until the demon had sighed and then shifted into her
demon form, causing the ex-demon to snap her fingers. “You! I know you!
England 1885. You were running from a chaos demon.”

        

Kellem
wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Yeah that was me. Got to hand it to you,
though. You sure set one hell of a curse on that guy. I didn’t even know
it was possible to turn a chaos demon into a pig.”

        

Anya
grinned at the memory. “Well vengeance was the name of the game and the
woman he scorned could have given me lessons.” She shook her head. “You
know she ate him later?”

        

Kellem
grimaced. “Oh yuck! Thank you for an image I did not need!”

        

        

Giles
cleared his throat and tapped the page he was reading. “I think I may
have found a way for you to return to your reality Kellem.”

        

He
outlined the process and Kellem gave him a thumb’s up. “Sounds solid. So
when can we cast?”

+ + +

        

They made
preparations at the Magic Box and Kellem stared at her surroundings in
surprise. “A shopkeeper huh? I’ll have to suggest that to my 
Giles.”

        

Giles
paused. “Oh? What does he, um I do in your world?”

        

Kellem
shrugged. “Not a damn thing apparently. Buffy says you’re not her watcher
officially but she still treats you like one. After all this crap with
ADAM is over I think you’re planning on heading back to jolly old
England.”

        

Buffy
froze and stared at Kellem in surprise. “ADAM? But we nailed him last
year.”

        

“Not in my
world. We’re ducking the Initiative flunkies and trying to stay one step
ahead of Soldier Boy.”

        

“Riley? I
don’t understand. He’s on our side.”

        

Kellem
shrugged. “Um, not since he banged the bad girl in your body. You sent
him on his way and got it on with Willow.”

        

Buffy
wasn’t sure how to respond to that. “But that wasn’t his fault.” Why she
was defending Riley now she had no idea, but she didn’t like what this
demon was telling her about her other self.

        

“Look, I
wasn’t there. I don’t know why things went down that way. All I know is
that in my world ADAM is still on the loose and you, me and Scarlet are a
very happy thriple.” Okay that wasn’t completely true, but…

        

The
blush that bloomed on Willow’s cheeks matched Buffy’s and Kellem grinned,
unrepentant. “You do realize that now Willow, Tara and you share a
similar bond?”

        

A small
choking sound escaped Tara and she stared at Willow in shock.

        

Giles
cleared his throat. “Um, yes. Well let’s continue, shall we?” They loaded
up the supplies and headed back to what was left of Kellem’s apartment.
She wondered where her other self was in this world as Giles and Willow
began to construct a magikal circle in a small area they had cleared of
debris.

        

Buffy met
Kellem’s eyes and pointed outside. ‘Can I talk to you a minute?”

        

The demon
followed the slayer until they reached the burnt remains of a large tree
that used to shade the building.. “What’s on your mind?”

        

“There are
some things I want you to warn the other Buffy about.”

        

Kellem
nodded, but her face showed her doubts. “You realize that there’s no
guarantee that what happened in your world will happen in mine?”

        

“I know,
but just in case….” She pulled a small black book out of her back pocket
and handed it to Kellem. “Consider this the Slayer’s guide at a glance.I
really hope you’ll be able to prevent some of the needless pain that was
caused in my world.”

+ + +

        

A short
while later they reentered the building and found the others waiting for
them. Kellem stepped into the circle and waved at cheerfully at Willow.
“If something goes wrong then I want you guys to know that I’m glad I got
yanked into your world. I’m happy that I could help you get your Buffy
back Scarlet.”

        

Willow
smiled shyly and lit the first candle. Giles began to recite the spell as
the tapers were ignited and Kellem could feel a tug. The feeling
increased and she didn’t need to look behind her to see the swirling void
open. Her last thoughts were scattered as she felt herself being
separated from this plane and swept into the next.

___+___

        

Kellem
groaned as her body protested in a chorus of aches and pains. She slowly
opened her eyes and found herself staring into angry blue eyes. “
Buffy?”

        

Buffy
glared at her as the demon got to her feet and then jabbed an accusing
finger into her chest. “You scared the hell out of me!”

        

Kellem
ignored her tirade and gripped her head, pulling her into a deep
kiss.  She ravished the smaller woman’s mouth, knowing that the
Slayer wouldn’t understand, but not caring at that moment. Kellem
reluctantly ended the kiss and sank back down to her knees, waiting for
the explosion. It didn’t come.

        

Buffy made
herself calm down and focus on what had just happened. Kellem had tried
to kill herself. Then the demon had disappeared, scaring the Slayer badly
only to return an instant later. Obviously there were some questions that
needed answers, but one look at the pained _expression_ on Kellem’s face
made Buffy rethink her priorities.

       

Sensing
Buffy kneeling in front of her, Kellem opened her eyes and saw the
chaotic emotions that raced through the Slayer’s.

        

Buffy
reached out and brushed the hair from Kellem’s forehead, not meeting her
eyes. “I’m afraid. I want you so much, but at the same time I want
Willow. I’m afraid that I can’t tell the difference…” She trailed off and
Kellem, remembering where they had left off, finished her thought.

        

“That you
can’t tell the difference between what you feel for her and what you feel
for me.”

        

Buffy
nodded and Kellem sighed. “Does there have to be a difference? I love you
both, but I love you in different ways. Willow’s compassion and warmth
fill me with a hope that I didn’t know I needed. Loving her is soft and
sweet, an extension of the friends we’ve become. Your strength and
passion make me want to storm Hell beside you. Loving you is fire and
storm and it hurts, but it’s the kind of pain that makes me return to you
for more.”

        

Buffy felt
heat rise in her cheeks and was shocked to realize that she was blushing.
“It’s not that easy for me either.”

        

“Easy?
What the hell is easy about being in love with two people? I feel torn in
different directions all the time now. I want to be with you, to watch
you train, to help you slay. At the same time I want to be with Willow
and watch her practice her spells and help her study, not that she needs
help. What’s easy Buffy? When has anything in your life or mine been
easy?” Kellem reached out and slid her hand into Buffy’s hair, cupping
the side of her face. “Do you realize how much I love you?

        

Buffy
sighed deeply and nodded. “Yes.” She caught her hand and pressed a kiss
to Kellem’s palm. “I do. I think that’s what frightens me most.”

        

Kellem
blinked as she realized what Buffy was saying. “You feel guilty.”

        

Buffy
didn’t answer but she then didn’t need to. Kellem rolled her eyes in
exasperation. “I should have guessed. There’s nothing to feel guilty
about, Buffy. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

        

Buffy
stood up and took a few steps away. “Because of the bond Kellem. It’s
taken your free will.” She met Kellem’s dark gaze unflinchingly. “I took
your free will.”

        

Kellem
buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. Buffy frowned and
started to move to her when the demon’s head whipped up and she realized
that Kellem was laughing. “It’s not funny!”

        

“Of course
it is! Buffy I may be bound to you, but my will is my own. If it wasn’t
then I wouldn’t have been able to attempt the dissolution ceremony.” She
got up and absently dusted off her jeans. “You think because I’m bound to
you and Willow that it means I have no choice? You couldn’t be more
wrong. The loving isn’t necessary for the bond Buffy. It’s an unexpected
bonus.” Kellem reached out and caught Buffy’s hand, pulling her to the
side of the bed. She pushed the confused Slayer down and then straddled
her before Buffy could react.

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

Buffy
was still frowning and Kellem brushed her fingers over the lines in her
forehead. “Don’t you see? I was already falling for Willow before the
ceremony.” She ducked her head and nipped at the soft underside of
Buffy’s throat. Her voice dropped and her words rolled over Buffy’s skin
like warm honey. “But when I woke up and found you standing over me…well
then I really had a problem, because all I could think about was how much
I wanted you to take off that robe. And then you did.” Kellem’s smile was
salacious. “You could have skinned me alive at that point and I would
have enjoyed it.” 

Her teeth bit a little harder this time and Buffy caught her face in her
hands. She saw the truth of Kellem’s words and could feel the desire
building between them. She warred with herself for an instant before
gripping Kellem’s hair and using it to pull her closer. The kiss was deep
and biting, a silent battle of tongues and teeth. Moments later they
broke apart, breathing heavily, only to attack again. Buffy felt the
cloth of her shirt rip under Kellem’s claws and realized that she had
shifted into her demon state. She instantly gave up the tenuous hold she
had been keeping on her control and gave her desire free rein.

Kellem found herself on her back, but had no time to wonder how that had
happened before her shirt was torn away and a passionate assault was
launched upon her breasts. Kellem’s strangled scream did not slow the
Slayer in her task, but instead spurred her on and soon Kellem’s cries
filled the room.

Willow silently slid into the chair across the room and watched their
stormy lovemaking. Called by their desire and an incredible flare of
magik, she had known that something extraordinary was about to take
place. She resisted the urge to join them, knowing that they needed this
time to themselves, but feeling no need to leave.

        

        

Buffy was
overcome with the need to make love to Kellem. Not sex, but making love
and as she rolled the hardened tip of the demon’s breast between her
teeth, she realized that she understood the difference now. She slipped
her hand along Kellem’s body and unsnapped her jeans before pushing them
down to reveal her goal. Buffy smiled slightly as her fingers encountered
no underwear and she released Kellem’s breast long enough to mutter, “My
my. What have we here?” 

Kellem was given no chance to answer as Buffy ducked her head and ran her
tongue around the hollow of her naval. The demon arched up off of the bed
with a delighted gasp, but Buffy wasn’t finished. Her teeth scrapped
along the flesh of Kellem’s abdomen and she shoved the denim further
down, then off completely. 

Willow gripped the arms of the chair tightly and found herself leaning
forward slightly as Buffy pushed Kellem’s legs apart and knelt between
them. Now she’s getting the idea.

        

The
wood of the headboard creaked under the pressure of Kellem’s hands as she
tried to twist away from the intensity of Buffy’s touch.  Strong
hands gripped the insides of her thighs, anchoring her in place as Buffy
used her mouth to devour her lover. Kellem cried out when she felt the
slayer’s teeth close over her clit and her claws dug into the wood.

        

Quivering
in response, Willow shifted restlessly. The room grew darker as the few
lighted candles began to die and she absently lit more with a wave of her
hand as she watched couple on the bed intently.

        

Buffy felt
Kellem trying to twist away and chose that moment to push her tongue
inside her.

        

Kellem
screamed as her body surged, sweeping her into the maelstrom of sensation
that her mistress had created. Violent tremors swept over her, but Buffy
continued her caress, driving the demon higher until she felt her
pleasure crest again.

        

As the
shudders began to fade, Buffy rose onto her knees and looked at Willow.
The smile that slowly spread across her face made Willow swallow hard.
“B-Buffy?”

        

Buffy
stood up and peeled off the rest of her clothes as she moved across the
room. She dropped her panties to the floor beside Willow’s chair and then
gripped the arms as she bent closer. Her breath stirred Willow’s hair and
raised goosebumps across the young witch’s skin. “Now it’s your
turn.”

___+___

        

Willow
opened her eyes with a low moan and heard an answering sound from Kellem.
She lay perfectly still in the large bed, unable and unwilling to move at
that moment. In truth she was a little afraid to. The night’s and the
morning’s activities had been…. strenuous. Willow licked her chaffed lips
in a futile attempt to moisten them and then spoke softly. “Is she
gone?”

        

The pillow
she had her face buried in muffled Kellem’s reply, but Willow heard.
“Yeah. I think she left a little while ago.” She lifted her head and
stared at Willow through weary eyes. “What the hell was that?”

        

Willow
laughed quietly. “A Slayer. That was definitely a Slayer.”

        

Kellem
groaned as she rolled over and joined Willow in contemplating that. “I
thought so. It sure feels like I’ve been slain.” They lay in silence for
a moment.

        

“I wonder
if she’s coming back soon?” Willow’s tone was mild.

        

Kellem
grinned broadly. “I sure hope so.”

___+___

        

        

When the
Slayer returned a short while later, she came bearing food. The rich
scent of Chinese made Willow’s stomach do the happy dance and she started
to get up, only to be gently pushed back by Buffy. “Stay put. I have a
plan.”

        

Producing
a folding tray, she laid it over Willow’s lap and unpacked the food
cartons onto the small surface. Once everything was laid out, she
stripped of her clothes, much to her audience’s delight, and climbed back
into bed.

        

They
munched contentedly for a time and then Kellem brought up what had
happened before. “I have to tell you where I went when I
disappeared.”

        

“Went
where?” Willow knew nothing of Kellem’s brief vanishing act.

        

“I got
pulled into a different world. It was like this one but… Buffy was
dead.”

        

Not sure
how to respond, Buffy motioned for her to continue. The story took some
time and in the end no one was sure what to say. Willow had blushed
wildly at the mention of her and Tara’s relationship, something that was
not lost on the Slayer. She filed it away for further study.

        

“The other
Buffy warned me of some stuff that was going to go down. She gave me a
notebook full of stuff.” Kellem stretched mightily and the bed moved
alarmingly.

Buffy felt herself at the edge of the bed and sighed. “You know we have
another problem here.”

        

Willow
turned to look at her as Kellem rose up on her elbow to see. She peered
over Willow’s prone form and laughed. “You mean Willow’s unfair hogging
of the egg rolls?”

        

The
accused’s reply was to playfully shove Kellem and almost upset the food
covered tray that was perched precariously over her lap.

        

Buffy
steadied the tray and nodded. “That too, but I mean this bed.” They
looked at the full sized mattress and knew what she meant.

        

Kellem
shrugged. “Sorry, but the room won’t take anything bigger.”

        

Buffy
nodded again as if expecting that response. “Uh huh. This is a seriously
tiny room. So’s the apartment for that matter.”

        

Feeling
defensive and not sure why since she had to agree that the place was
small, Kellem was a little hurt. “Is there a point to this or are you
just trying to make me feel bad?”

        

Startled
by the accusation, Buffy quickly explained. “Oh no! That’s not what I-.
Let me start over. I think we should get a bigger place. All of us….
Together.”

        

Willow
clapped excitedly. “Oh yes! That would great!” She was genuinely happy
about this but knew that it would never work with secrets between them.
She wondered how to explain, where to begin.

        

Kellem was
astounded. “You’re sure?”

        

“Yes Kell.
I’m very sure.”

        

Willow
cleared her throat and looked at Buffy. “We… Buffy I have to tell you
something…. About Tara.”

        

Something
in her voice alerted Buffy to the seriousness of the coming revelation
and she tensed. “What is it Will?”

        

Helplessly
Willow stared at her best friend and lover, trying to make herself form
the words that would reveal her betrayal. Silent tears began to slide
down the witch’s cheeks and Buffy’s tension increased.

        

She set
the tray off of the bed and pulled Willow into her arms, despite the
girl’s protests. “Come on Willow, tell me what’s wrong. You’re scaring
me. Kellem?” 

Buffy’s eyes asked her what was wrong but the demon only shook her head.
“It’s Willow’s place to explain.”

        

Willow
sniffled and climbed out of the bed, leaving Buffy staring after her in
confusion. She tugged her shirt on and grabbed her jeans, dressing
hurriedly. She couldn’t do this naked. “Buffy…. I …I… I slept with Tara.”
She immediately winced at the way the words sounded. That makes it
sound cheap, but it wasn’t like that….

        

Buffy
shook her head a little, positive that her ears were playing tricks on
her. It almost sounded like Willow said she slept with Tara. But that
wasn’t possible. “Um, what did you say?”

        

“I didn’t
want…no..  I did want, but I never planned for this to happen,
Buffy. I didn’t expect…” Willow trailed off and waited for Buffy to
speak.

        

Buffy’s
face was stony. “You… slept…. with… Tara…WHY?” Buffy came off the bed in
a burst of movement that made Willow jump and fall back against the
closed bedroom door.

        

“B-Buffy?”

        

Kellem
stiffened, prepared to step in if she had to.

        

Grabbing
the redhead’s shoulders, the naked form of the Slayer pushed her against
the door and growled, “Why did you do this?”

        

Willow’s
anger sparked and she shoved Buffy away. “I didn’t do it to hurt you! I
did it because.. because.. damn it Buffy… I love her.”

        

Buffy
froze, at a loss for how to respond to the quite declaration.

        

“I never
meant for this to happen. I don’t know how to explain what I feel for
her.”

        

“Are you
leaving me?”

        

Buffy’s
quiet question made Willow flinch. “No. I… I don’t know what to do,
Buffy! I love you! I love Kellem! But now… there’s this thing with Tara
and it feels as strong as what we have together. Its not supposed to be
this complicated! I don’t know what to do.” She buried her face in her
hands and began to cry softly.

        

Kellem
watched the Slayer gather her clothes and slip out of the bedroom.

___+___

        

The
current inhabitants of the cemetery found themselves summarily evicted in
a rather permanent manner that evening as Buffy cut a path of rage
through their ranks. She left no headstone unturned and when there were
no more enemies to be found, Buffy went to the next graveyard and then
the next.

        

It was an
hour before sunrise when Kellem found her standing in a circle of ashes
that had once been vampires. She made sure that she was seen before
approaching the Slayer, very much afraid that the woman might strike
blindly.

        

Buffy
dropped the broken tree branch she had been using and nodded curtly at
the demon. “Kellem.”

        

“Buffy.”
Kellem leaned against a gravestone and sighed heavily. “Want to
talk?”

        

“I guess
we should.” She studied the dark haired woman closely. “You knew.”

        

Kellem
nodded. “Yeah, I, um, smelled Tara’s scent on her the other day.”

        

“And you
didn’t tell me this why?”

        

“Hell
Buffy! I thought you knew! I felt it the minute I saw her, didn’t
you?”

        

From her
bewildered _expression_, Kellem realized that Buffy hadn’t. “She’s in the
mix somehow, Buffy. She’s part of our little gang now.”

        

“But how
is that possible?”

        

Kellem
shrugged as she motioned Buffy closer. “Not sure. We could run a little
experiment and find out though.”

        

Buffy
stood next to the demon and nodded. “What do we do?”

        

Kellem
took her hand and directed her to close her eyes. She did the same. “Now
focus on me and I’ll focus on you. Try not so much to see me as to feel
my energy.”

        

A few
moments later Buffy spoke. “I have you.”

        

Kellem
grinned. “I know. I can feel your energy surrounding me. It’s very
comforting. Now let’s find Willow.”

        

Buffy
tensed but did as instructed. Soon they were both entangled with the
witch’s essence. Buffy watched the swirl of energy for a moment and then
realized what she was seeing. “What’s that?”

        

The faint
connection that was now winding it’s way through the trio’s knot of power
seemed not so much out of place, but rather it appeared to be lost,
aimless… alone. On the outside.

        

“That’s
Tara.”

        

“She’s…
its not what I expected.” Instead of trying to pull Willow away, the
energy seemed to be trying to join them.

        

“No, its
not.”

        

Buffy
frowned at the drifting force and as it began to slip away, she
impulsively reached for it. Tara was pulled back into the knot,
surprising Willow and Kellem. The unexpected warmth that Buffy felt from
the other girl made her smile.

        

Tara’s
voice echoed through Buffy’s mind. I’m so sorry. I never wanted to
hurt anyone.

        

The
loneliness that filled Tara was evident to Buffy as was the depth of
emotion that she felt for Willow.

        

Do you
understand what joining us will mean? Buffy’s question shocked Willow
and Kellem.

        

I know…
I… I can’t walk away from this.

Willow? Bring Tara to Kellem’s. Buffy reluctantly released the
connection and opened her eyes. She found Kellem watching her. “Looks
like we’ll need to find a really big bed now.”

___+___

        

When
Willow arrived that night, she had to all but drag Tara inside with her.
The shy blonde was terrified that the Slayer and the Jauda demon were
going to be angry with her. Willow had assured her that this was not the
case, but Tara wasn’t listening. “M-maybe I s-s-shouldn’t…”

        

Buffy
pushed the door closed behind the girl and smiled reassuringly. “Calm
down Tara. I don’t bite.”

        

Kellem
snickered. “The hell you say.”

        

Glaring at
the demon, Buffy motioned the pair towards the couch. “I think we all
need to sit down and talk about our options.”

        

They did
and Kellem found herself staring at the nervous young woman before her.
The tousled honey blonde hair that fell to her shoulders always seemed to
shout, ‘just been laid’ and Kellem smiled a little at the thought. She
dropped her gaze, taking in the bee-stung lips that begged to be kissed
and then lower to the marvelous display of cleavage that the witch so
obviously tried hard to hide. Her hips were soft, gently sloping into
gorgeous thighs and it struck Kellem that Tara was a beautifully ripe
young woman. And that she was getting aroused.

        

Willow
cleared her throat and glared at the demon, who shrugged innocently. “I
can’t help it Scarlet. You brought her into the triad, connecting her to
us. I’d have to be blind or stupid not to notice her.”

        

Tara
blinked in confusion and then blushed furiously when she finally got it.
Willow patted her hand and glanced at Buffy who had remained quiet during
this exchange. “What happens now?”

        

“I have no
idea. This isn’t exactly in the Slayer’s manuals.” Not that I ever
read them. “What do you suggest Kellem?”

        

The
absolutely devious grin that crossed the demon’s face made Tara gulp and
Buffy laugh. “Oh I think we should let the power lead us. Whatever the
bond needs, it’ll let us know.”

        

Buffy
stood up and leaned close to Willow, whispering in her ear. Willow nodded
and took Tara’s hand, leading her into the bedroom. Joining Kellem on the
couch, Buffy pulled the demon into her arms. “I thought they should start
without us.”

        

Kellem was
astonished at the Slayer’s casual acceptance of what was about to happen.
“I didn’t expect you to be so… open to this.”

        

Buffy
kissed the flesh of Kellem’s throat above the collar of her shirt and
began to work the buttons loose. “I read the rest of that book you
brought back with you.” She pushed the cloth off of her shoulders and
tossed it aside.

        

“Then you
know about Glory.”

        

“Yes. But
that’s not why I’m doing this.” She caught the tip of Kellem’s right
breast in her teeth and the demon groaned.

        

“Then, ah!
Why?”

        

Buffy
released her prize and met Kellem’s searching gaze. “Dawn.”

        

___+___

        

Tara
couldn’t seem to stop shaking as Willow kissed her way down her body.
Arousal swelled through her and her mind had lost the ability to
verbalize a while ago. She never heard the bedroom door open or the
other’s entrance. It wasn’t until another mouth caught hers that she
realized they were there.

        

Kellem
plundered the sweet mouth under hers and knowing that Buffy was watching
them only inflamed her more. She raised her head and held out her hand.
“Join us, Mistress.”

        

The bed
protested faintly as the weight increased but no one was listening. 
Buffy smiled at the pale face that was staring up at her with nervous
eyes. She reached out and brushed her fingers across the swollen lips
that Kellem had just released. Tara couldn’t stop the sigh that escaped
anymore than she could contain the cry that followed it when Willow
reached her center and began to do things to her that she had never
dreamed of.

        

Kellem
eased behind Willow and began to touch her, sliding her hands over her
skin and making the redhead’s temperature rise.  Buffy moved her arm
under Tara and lifted her upper body into her arms. She stroked planes of
Tara’s face, memorizing the way her face changed in passion and then
began to rain tiny kisses across her face and shoulders until Tara was
gasping. Buffy carefully breached the threshold of Tara’s lips, almost
timidly exploring the tempting depths.

        

Willow’s
shout of pleasure announced Kellem’s success in making her lose control
and Buffy smiled against Tara’s lips. She pulled away and beckoned Kellem
closer. “Touch her Kellem. Show her what’s waiting for her.”

        

Kellem’s
smile was the personification of sin as she lowered herself next to Tara,
who tensed as the demon shifted form. Tara felt the light skritch of
claws tracing her thigh and began to shudder.

___+___

        

Tara
slowly moved Willow’s arm from around her and slipped from the bed,
reaching for her shirt. She pulled it on as she watched the figures
sleeping in a comfortable tangle. Willow mumbled in her sleep then rolled
over slightly, her arm sliding around Kellem, who was spooned in behind
Buffy.

        

She left
the bedroom and wandered into the kitchen, still trying to sort her
jumbled thoughts. Tara took a coffee cup from the drain and opened the
refrigerator. She filled the cup with milk and then set it into the
microwave to heat. Round and round the cup turned and Tara could
sympathize with it: she was just as turned around.

        

Stopping
the machine before it beeped, she carried the mug to the couch and
settled in to contemplate what she had done. Images whirled through her
mind and she closed her eyes in reflex.

        

Somewhere
in the night she had forgotten just why it was she was doing this. It
wasn’t until she found herself being held by Willow while Buffy thrust
into her did she remember. Oh yeah. I’m in love with Willow.

        

        

Still, she
was unsure of where she stood now in all this. She could almost taste the
metallic tang of blood on her tongue as she recalled the moment the demon
had bared her throat to Tara.

        

Unaware of
the glow in her eyes, Tara had not understood what was being offered
until Kellem she had reached up and drew a single claw over her throat,
leaving a trail of ebony blood in its wake. There was no time to consider
what she was doing then, as the bloodlust swept through her and Tara
found herself on top of the demon, sucking greedily at the wound.

        

Tara
shivered at the memory but it was not in revulsion. The bedroom door
closed and she glanced up to see Buffy watching her. Not knowing what
else to do, Tara remained quiet.

        

Buffy
curled up on the couch and smiled. “You okay?”

        

Tara shook
her head slightly. “I don’t know. It doesn’t seem real, you know?”

        

Laughing
softly, Buffy nodded. “Oh boy, do I! I thought I had lost my mind the day
after we bonded with Kellem.”

        

“I don’t
know what to do now.”

        

Buffy
understood. “That’s up to you for the most part. I’m not sure how this is
going to work myself, but I do know that I love Willow.  She, Kellem
and I are going to be moving into a larger apartment soon. You’re welcome
to join us.”

        

Tara
wasn’t sure what to make of the offer.

        

“The only
thing I can assure you of is that I am not giving Willow or Kellem up.
You can be part of this or you can continue to stand outside.”

        

The slight
quaver that shook Tara’s cup made Buffy feel bad about her tone and she
reached out to steady the woman’s grip as she tried to ease her words.
“Don’t think that Willow is the only reason we’re making this offer,
Tara. I like you. And despite what you may have heard about me, I am not
the diehard bitch that everyone seems to think. Besides, you’ve tasted
the blood now. It’s not easy to walk away from. Even if you do, you’ll
probably have to return to us periodically to renew the bond anyway.”
Buffy smiled brightly. “Why not stay and help us fight the good
fight?”

        

Willow had
to smile at that, but she was on edge as she waited for Tara’s answer.

        

“I want to
join you… but I’m not… I’m not sure what good I’ll be.”

        

Willow
made a startled sound, revealing her presence. She moved across the room
and knelt on the floor beside Tara. “Don’t say that. You’re a seriously
talented witch!”

        

“No, I’m
not. I’ve read a lot, but I don’t have anywhere near the power that you
do.”

        

Kellem
staggered into the room and glared at the threesome, bleary eyed. “After
last night, I’d say that you could hold your own with Scarlet, Baby.” She
headed into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. No way were they
doing the girl chat thing without caffeine. She tried to focus on the
wall clock and groaned when she read the time. “Christ! It’s 4:30 in the
morning!”

        

Tara
wasn’t sure what she meant by her previous comment but she’d ask her
later. Right now Willow was giving her the ‘puppy eyes’ look and she
could feel her heart melting. “So now what?”

        

“Food.”
Kellem grabbed the cordless phone and hit number three on the speed dial.
“I’d like to place a delivery order. I want three large pizzas….”

        

___+___

Kellem snarled loudly as she charged forward, making Giles jump as he
watched from the corner. Buffy’s only reaction was to duck the swinging
claws and roll forward, bringing herself into position behind Kellem. A
quick snap kick that should have brought her down swept harmlessly
through the air as Kellem was no longer there. Buffy felt rather than
heard the rustle of cloth that warned her of the demon’s strike and she
dodged the blow easily.

        

Kellem
kept pressing the attack, moving in and out, working Buffy back towards
the corner. Out of the corner of her vision she could see the balance
beam behind the slayer but didn’t take her eyes off of her opponent.

        

Buffy
blocked a flurry of punches and then suddenly launched herself backwards,
coming to rest atop the thin rail. “You weren’t trying to corner me were
you Kellem?” 

Her tone was playfully reproachful and Kellem responded in kind. “Me
Mistress? Of course not.” She leaped onto the beam and struck a defensive
pose. “Why on earth would I do that?” 

Buffy crouched low to avoid a high kick but it was only a dodge and she
felt herself slip off the wood as Kellem’s foot dropped to hook around
hers. She hit the floor with a thud and Willow winced in sympathy.

Buffy stared up at the ceiling for a moment before flipping herself up
and to her feet. She smiled ruefully at Kellem. “That was my bad.” The
explosion of blows that followed had Kellem retreating quickly.

When she felt herself flying through the air, Kellem knew that the match
was about to come to an abrupt end. The sound of breaking wood filled the
air and hid the sound of the door opening. Buffy and Willow were at
Kellem’s side instantly, helping the demon to sit up. Willow could feel
the pull of magic and ran her hands over the deep bruise on Kellem’s
shoulder. “It’s just a bruise. You’ll be fine.”

Kellem laughed, but she was touched by their concern. Maybe things were
going to be all right after all. She grinned impishly and leaned forward
to kiss Buffy lightly on the lips. “Nice shot lover, but I’ll be prepared
for that next time.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and returned the caress. “Then I’ll have to think
of something new. Gotta keep you on your toes.” She stood up and helped
Kellem to her feet before turning to Giles…. and her mother.  Oh
hell. “Mom.”

Joyce Summers shook her head as Buffy started to speak and held up a
hand. “No. Me first.” She looked at Willow and then at Kellem, then back
to Buffy. “Just answer me one thing Buffy; who is it that you’re…
involved with?”

Willow blushed furiously and Kellem shifted uneasily. Buffy took a deep
breath and answered her truthfully. “Willow…and Kellem…and I guess Tara
now too.”

Joyce blinked. “I…see.” She took in Kellem’s demon appearance with a calm
she did not feel and forced a smile. “Um, Kellem? Just what…. are
you?”

Kellem swallowed hard and shifted her form back to human. “I’m…” she
glanced at Buffy, silently asking for permission. A slight nod and Kellem
faced Buffy’s mother again. “I’m a demon.”

Joyce swayed slightly but stayed on her feet. A demon! “A demon?
How…interesting. Buffy? Can I talk to you a minute? Alone?”

Buffy grimaced and nodded. “Why don’t we head home and I’ll explain on
the way?”

“Fine. You’re driving.”

___+___

Joyce drained her wine glass and resisted the urge to refill it. Buffy’s
explanation had been completely reasonable if you ignored certain facts
about what she was saying. “So you and Willow are… bound to this demon.”

Buffy nodded. “So is Tara but we’re not sure how strong that is
yet.”

“How long will this last?”

Buffy was slow to answer. “Well that’s the thing. I’m not really sure…”
She saw the impatience growing in her mother’s face and blurted it out.
“Forever. Or until something kills us. Which won’t be easy because the
bond makes us almost impossible to kill now.”

“But Buffy, how do you know you can trust this…demon?”

“Her name is Kellem. And I know I can trust her because of the bond. She
can’t hurt us Mom.” Buffy averted her eyes. “She’s in love with 
us.”

“Us? Buffy do you hear what you’re saying? You can’t be in love with
three people!”

“That’s what I thought. I was wrong. Besides I’m not in love with Tara.
At least not yet anyway. I hardly know her.” 

Joyce closed her eyes and counted to ten. Then to twenty. It was no use.
She opened her eyes and focused on Buffy with a determined frown. “Buffy
I’ve just managed to accept that fact that you’re a Slayer. I was still
working on you and Willow being together, but now this?” Joyce shook her
head wearily. “I was ready for teen dating. I was ready for possible
experimentation with alcohol and/or drugs. I had the ‘Talks’ all planned
out in my mind.” She refilled her glass and drank half of it in one gulp
before turning to face her daughter. The vampire slayer. The lesbian….
“How am I supposed to react to this?”

Buffy shifted uneasily on her feet. “I don’t know. But there’s no wayto
change this. The bond is unbreakable.” 

Joyce swallowed back the sharp words that sprang to her lips. “I just
want you safe.”

“I am safe Mom. Kellem would never hurt me.”

“She’s right. I’d die before hurting her Mrs. Summers.”

Kellem stepped into the kitchen and Buffy saw Willow and Tara behind her.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we kinda figured you could use a hand explaining
things.”

Willow nodded quickly. “And since this concerns us too…”

Joyce Summers did not appear too happy to see them and Kellem knew that
this was going to be more difficult than she had originally thought. “My
name is Kellem Duivel, Mrs. Summers. I know that you have absolutely no
reason to trust me. Why should you? You don’t even know me. I pop up in
your daughter’s life and suddenly she’s doing things you never would have
imagined. It makes perfect sense that you’re worried and suspicious. I
can’t stop you from worrying, but I can tell you who I am and just what
it is your daughter has done.” She paused and then leaned back against
the counter. “I was born Florence Italy in the year 1786. My mother’s
name was Genevieve. I don’t know who my father was, she never told me.”

“I am a Jauda Demon, which sounds fiercer than it is. Outside of strength
and a long lifespan, there’s not much power within us. My kind is the
rarest form of demon in existence. You see, when we’re bound to another
demon or being of power we become generators for the master,” She glanced
at Buffy and grinned. “Or the mistress that bound us. We’re
servants.”

Willow made a sound of protest and Kellem shook her head. “I know you
don’t think of me like that, but stripped to the basics that’s what I am.
I serve you both because of the bond.” She met Joyce eyes. “But I love
them both because I choose too.” Kellem laughed shortly and shook her
head. “That’s egotistical. I love them because I can’t not love
them. They’re each too special in their own right. I was lost long before
I was bound.”

 She was looking at Buffy as she spoke the last and Joyce could
easily hear the strong emotion in the demon’s voice. “I see. But what
about Tara? I don’t understand.”

Buffy grimaced at the thought of the coming explanation but gamely
plunged ahead.

___+___

Kellem leaned forward and poured herself a cup tea, earning a smile from
Giles. None of the Scooby gang seemed to like tea, but Giles had
steadfastly continued to prepare it for their meetings in the vague hopes
that one day they would realize what they were missing.

She sat back and Willow patted her thigh, whispering, “Good move.”

Giles hadn’t been too thrilled at first with Willow and Buffy’s
insistence that Kellem and Tara be included in the meetings, but even he
had to admit that having another demon and another witch’s knowledge to
call on might prove extremely useful.

Kellem responded to Willow’s unconscious desire and let her hand drop to
the witch’s thigh, where it began to move in small circles. Not realizing
what she was doing, Tara began to toy with the strands of hair at the
back of Willow’s neck. The slight sigh of pleasure that escaped Willow
went unheard by everyone but Buffy and Kellem. 

Forcing herself back to the matter at hand, Buffy willed herself to stop
watching her lovers and ignore the tang of desire she could now smell in
the air. Time enough for that later.

Xander blinked rapidly and swallowed several times. He opened his mouth
but no words would emerge, only a strange gurgling sound. Anya smacked
the back of his head and he seemed to recover, but was still unable to
form speech.

        

Willow
sighed and pushed Kellem’s hand off of her thigh as she reached up to
catch Tara’s hand in her own. “Down girls. Xander’s brain will
melt.”

        

Buffy bit back a smile and continued with her report of last night’s
patrolling. “So it was a pretty tame evening all things 
considered.”

Giles filled his teacup and began to pace around the room. “Have you run
into any members on the Initiative?” 

Buffy grimaced and shook her head. “Nope. Not a one.”

Kellem held up a hand. “Actually I had a little scuffle with them several
days ago.”

Stopping in front of the window, Giles sipped his tea and studied the
group behind him in the window’s reflection. 

Buffy was not pleased to hear this. “What happened? And why didn’t you
tell us?” Her voice had altered slightly as her agitation grew and power
crept over the room like a vibrant wave. 

Kellem straightened, setting her cup on the table. “I’m sorry Mistress.I
hadn’t realized that you wanted to know.”

The room shrank to the two of them as Buffy focused on the demon with
barely restrained emotion. “I want to know anything that happens to you.”

Kellem nodded slightly, resisting the urge to fall to her knees. “Yes
Mistress.” The erotic promise in Buffy’s eyes almost undid her and she
felt her heart begin to thud almost painfully.

The air was filled with sexual tension and Xander was wheezing as Giles
cleared his throat. “What, um, what were they doing? The Initiative I
mean.”

Kellem shook her head, breaking eye contact with difficulty.
“Uh…what?”

Giles repeated his question and mentally counted to twenty in Sumerian as
he felt his body reacting to the situation. Obviously there was a danger
of fallout from their bond.

“I was coming out of the library and they jumped me.”

Willow was puzzled. “You were in your demon form?”

“Of course not. I had been studying. Oddly enough the librarians frown on
blue skinned demons in the building.”

Tara giggled as Willow stuck her tongue out and Kellem smiled
seductively. “I warned you about that.”

“And I thought me and Xander talked about sex a lot.” 

Anya’s snide remark was ignored and Buffy clapped her hands. “Okay
people! Back to the point. What happened?”

Kellem shrugged. “I came out and found myself surrounded. We fought a bit
and I left them lying on the sidewalk. Alive, but lightly 
pummeled.”

“I wonder how they knew you were a demon?” They discussed possible
reasons for a time and then Buffy announced that she was heading out for
her nightly rounds.

Kellem held up a hand and whipped a small black book out, thumbing
through it. “Um, I have some stuff here on what the Initiative is doing
and where ADAM is holed up.”

Buffy blinked in surprise. “And you were going to share this when?”

“Well you didn’t seem to want to know before. I said that the other Buffy
told me about some stuff that was going to happen. Did you think I meant
who was going to win the Superbowl?”

Kellem flipped to a particular part that had concerned her and focused on
Willow. “Apparently in their world healing spells don’t work right for
some reason.” She met Buffy’s eyes. “So when your mom got sick there was
nothing that could be done.”

Buffy paled at the implications. “Mom?”

Kellem was quick t reassure her. “Don’t worry Buffy. Willow can easily
fix the brain tumor before…” She trailed off as Buffy leapt forward and
grabbed Willow’s hand.

“Come on!”

___+___

Joyce stared at the group that had just burst into her kitchen in
amazement. “What’s going on?”

Buffy wrapped her arms around her mother and held on for dear life. Joyce
returned the embrace, but her confusion was evident. She looked at Giles.
“Giles, what is this?”

“Ah, well that’s rather difficult to explain.”

“Okay, Buffy. Let her go so I can check okay?” Willow placed a comforting
hand on Buffy’s shoulder. “Could you sit down Joyce? I need to make sure
you’re all right.”

Once seated at the table, Joyce watched closely as Willow drew on her new
abilities and laid her glowing hands on the older woman’s head. The warm
energy sank into her and Joyce closed her eyes at the wonderful feeling.
She felt calm and well, the day’s tensions had disappeared, leaving her
relaxed and content.

Willow found the tiny imperfection and swiftly dealt with it, knowing
that left alone, it would grow until it took the woman’s life. She slowly
withdrew and released Buffy’s mom as her legs turned to jello. 

She didn’t fall though. Tara and Kellem were there to steady her and the
demon swept the exhausted witch up into her arms, holding her
easily.

“Willow?” Buffy went to her lover’s side and reached for her hand,
frowning at the cool touch. “Are you okay?”

Willow nodded sleepily. “Uh huh. So’s your mom, Buffy. I fixed it.”

The tears that escaped from her daughter’s eyes alarmed Joyce. “Buffy?
Will someone please tell me what’s going on?”

Kellem jerked her head towards Giles, Xander and Anya. “You guys tell
her. We’ll take Scarlet to the couch in the living room.”

Giles tugged off his glasses and began to polish them briskly as Xander
started rifling through the cabinets for munchies. “Well you see, it all
started when Kellem was pulled into a parallel world….”

___+___

Xander set the box down in the large living room and looked around
curiously. The kitchen was off to the left where Tara was busily
unpacking foodstuffs and he could see the dismantled parts of Willow’s
computer in the room in front of him. Xander walked down the short
hallway, passing the bathroom and a small closet. He pushed the last door
open and stared at the mammoth four-poster bed that dominated the
room.

Kellem dropped a stack of boxes behind him, making him jump. “Something
wrong?”

Xander swallowed and glanced at the bed again. “Nothing’s wrong, just
looking at the uh, view! A nice view of the uh,” he looked out the
window. “Of the parking lot. Yeah.”

Kellem threw an arm around his shoulders and grinned. “Nice isn’t it? The
uh, view I mean.”

He nodded mutely and Kellem leaned closer, whispering, “That’s why we
chose this place, you know? Had to have a bigger... view.”

Willow cleared her throat and Xander sprang away from Kellem as if they
had been doing a lot more than standing there. She set her box on the
king sized bed and then turned to them, her hands firmly on her hips. She
marshaled her sternest look. “Boxes people, boxes!”

Unrepentant, Kellem winked and followed Xander back downstairs. They past
Buffy and Giles on the stairs and she debated giving into the urge to
goose Giles as they passed. 

Buffy noted the twinkle in her lover’s eyes and shook her head slightly.
“Play nice.” Sometimes she was just a little too playful for her own
good.

Her disappointment evident, Kellem let the opportunity pass.

Giles waited until she had gone and then looked at Buffy inquiringly.
“Problem?”

“Not really. Just a frisky Jauda demon. We’re finding out that they
really do take after their cousins…. a lot.”

Giles ignored the sudden flush stealing over his face and started
climbing again. Well he’d asked for it.

___+___

Kellem smelled Spike before she saw him. The distinctive mix of cigarette
smoke and graveyard dust weren’t clues in themselves, but added to his
horrible taste in cologne, well… She waited until they had moved past a
couple strolling along the street and then ducked into an alley to wait
for him.

Spike smiled evilly and pitched his cigarette away before stepping
closer. “Out for a stroll?”

“What do you want Spike? I’m in a hurry.”

The smirk that crossed his features irked Kellem and she shook her head
as she turned to go. “Fine.”

She was unprepared to feel his arms wrap around her, jerking her off her
feet. The world tilted wildly and she found herself looking at the ground
as Spike gripped her hair, exposing her throat. “It’s not nice to walk
out during dinner. Especially when you are dinner.” 

“What are you talking about?”

Spike chuckled “Got it figured, see? I may not be able to snack on the
walking happy meals around here, but you’re a different sort
altogether.”

Kellem twisted frantically but the hold he had her in allowed her no
leverage. She felt a flash of pain and cursed as the vampire began to
drink.  Her vision began to cloud and she let herself go limp. 

Spike shifted to get a better grip on the now dead weight and that’s when
Kellem moved. She rolled forward and up, causing Spike to lose his
balance and fall to his knees. He looked up as she delivered a brutal
kick to his face and sent him flying backwards. She didn’t stop,
following him as he tried to scramble away, landing blow after blow to
his retreating form. 

“Hey! Ease up! Can’t you take a joke?” Spike protested as she grabbedhis
booted foot and swung him towards the steel dumpster. He hit the upraised
lid and fell inside. Kellem slammed the lid shut and bent the latch so
that he could not escape. “Bloody Hell! This reeks!” He shoved on the
lid, but it didn’t yield. “Hey! Come on! Let me out!” 

Kellem could still hear his faint cries as she crossed the street and
headed for home.

___+___

Whatever greeting Joyce might have made was halted when she saw the wound
at the girl’s throat and the dark blood staining her clothes. “Buffy!”
She closed the door and guided Kellem to the couch. Buffy appeared and a
wordless exclamation escaped her.

Kellem smiled, trying to minimize what she knew had to be a gruesome
picture. “I’m sorry about this.” 

Buffy touched her lips, halting her words and making Kellem sigh. “Don’t
be. What happened?”

Kellem shrugged as Joyce returned with a large medical kit. “I feel silly
saying it, but I got jumped by a vamp.”

Buffy cleaned the wound with an antiseptic soaked cloth, making the demon
wince. “Sorry.”

        

The front
door flew open and Willow and Tara entered in similar states of alarm.
“Buffy? Is she all right?”

        

They
looked at them in amazement. “How did you know she’d been hurt?”

        

Willow
knelt beside Kellem and cupped her face with her hands, tilting her head
so that she could see the wound clearly. “We just knew.”
 
Kellem glanced at Buffy and shrugged. “Don’t ask me. This three-way
binding thing had some unusual side effects to begin with. Now that we’re
at four strong it’s anybody’s guess.” She stopped speaking as Willow
touched her throat and magik filled the air.

The flesh seemed to flow together like liquid and a moment later there
was no trace of the bite. “All better.” 

“You have got to show me how to do that.” Tara smiled shyly. 

Kellem chuckled at Willow’s words and leaned forward to kiss her lightly.
“Thank you, Mistress.”

Buffy smiled fondly at them for a moment and then grew serious. “Now, who
did this?”

Shifting nervously, Kellem hesitated. “Is it really important? I feel
stupid enough for letting my guard down in the first place.” The
unshakable look on her mistress’ face was answer enough. “Um, it was
Spike.”

“Spike?” Willow’s tone was amazed. “But Spike can’t do that
anymore!”

Kellem let Buffy field that one. “He can’t bite humans, Will.”

“Oh. I guess he can do that then. But why would he? I mean, besides the
whole bloodthirsty killer thing.”

“Did I ever mention that Succubae blood could be consumed by vampires?
And is considered to be something of a delicacy for them?” 

“No, strangely enough that slipped your mind. Anything else you’d care to
share?”

“I don’t think so.” Kellem shrugged slightly. “A lot of things are just
automatic. I don’t realize that I’m the only one that knows about them
until they come up.”

        

        

The timer
on the oven pinged and Joyce was grateful for the interruption. “Why
don’t we talk over dinner?”

        

___+___

Buffy shoved the stake into Spike’s chest, just missing his heart. “Now
let’s see if you’ve gotten my point Spike. Kellem is not a numy treat for
you, understand? You touch her again and I won’t miss next time, got
it?”

She jerked the stake out and Spike fell to his knees gasping in pain. “I…
got it, Slayer.” He slowly got to his feet and donned a sneer. “Nobody
snacks on the bint but you, right?” Spike groaned as she punched his
wound.

“Please remember that the only reason you’re not cavorting with the dust
bunnies is because of that chip in your head. All I need is a good
reason, Spike. And believe me, Kellem is more than good enough.” She
tossed the bloody stake at his feet and strode out of the crypt.

“God I love it when you go all butch.” Kellem fell in behind her as she
moved across the cemetery. 

Buffy scowled fiercely. “Oh shut up.”

“Make me.” Kellem danced out of range and called tauntingly, “Big, bad
Slayer can’t catch me!”

“Oh yeah? Watch me!” She sprinted after the demon and the chase was
on.

>>From her perch on top of a nearby tomb, Willow watched them play and
smiled as she returned to her studying. Tara peered anxiously over her
shoulder as she read. She had gotten the spell to get her and Willow up
here to work. Now they just needed to figure out how to get themselves
down again.

___+___

Kellem froze as she scented something familiar on the breeze.  Her
voice dropped to a whisper. “Buffy? I think those Initiative guys are
around.”

Buffy moved closer. “How do you know?”

“I smell gun oil.”

“Neat trick. Any idea where?”

“Um, they’re probably after the three vamps that just emerged from that
crypt.”

Buffy watched the trio coming towards them and nodded. “That’s a
Duh!”

They walked out to meet their foes with a casual stride. “Good evening
gentlemen. Care to save us some effort and fall on a picked fence?” Their
ferocious snarls answered Buffy’s question and Kellem laughed. 

“I really do love your job Mistress.”

“It’s a living.” Buffy pulled a crossbow from her pack as she spoke and
took out the closest vampire. The other two looked at their fallen friend
and then at Buffy who was reloading. 

They ran in different directions and Kellem shifted form. “Bet I can bag
mine before you get yours.”

“Loser buys ice cream?”

Kellem’s laugh turned wicked. “And the winner gets to lick it off.”

“Deal.”

___+___

Riley saw the vampire burst from the bushes and charge towards him as he
calmly sighted the creature. It leaped at him and then was gone. He
blinked slightly and heard something behind him. Riley whirled to face
Buffy. “Buffy!” A pile of dust lay at his feet, Buffy’s crossbolt having
pierced its heart. “I could have handled it.”

Buffy shrugged and reloaded the weapon. “I’m sure, but that’s what a
Slayer does.” Her smile was anything but humorous. “We slay.” She sawthe
bruises on his face and one eyebrow rose. “Been wrasseling with the
boys?”

Giles, Willow and Tara, now officially known as the leaders of the
research team, had been searching for the spell that the other Buffy had
used to stop ADAM but until they were ready, Buffy had decided to keep up
her normal patrols and pretend that she didn’t know where the mechanical
nightmare was at.

Riley started to respond but froze as his eyes caught a flash of movement
behind Buffy. “Behind you!” He raised his gun as Buffy whirled to see
Kellem.

Buffy had no chance to explain before Riley fire two quick shots, sending
the demon reeling. “Kellem!” Buffy’s leg swept out in a sharp snap kick,
sending the gun spinning into the bushes. Riley stared at her in surprise
as she hurried to Kellem’s side.  “You idiot! She’s with me.” 

The sky overhead was crystal clear tonight and the stars were sparkling.
Kellem absently pointed this out to Buffy as she knelt beside her, but
her lover ignored her weak attempt at humor. “How bad is it?”

Kellem reached up and stuck her finger in one of the holes in her chest,
making Buffy wince. “Well I’m not going to die, but it hurts like hell.
When did hunting season for Jauda open anyway?” She pulled the blood
stained shirt away from the wounds and swore faintly. “Damn, Willow gave
me this shirt.”

She tried to sit up but Buffy held her down. “No. Lay still. Willow is on
her way.” She stood up and glared at Riley. “Well that was a wonderful
display of testosterone. Want to go kill a harmless animal now?”

Riley stared at Buffy in dismay. “She’s a demon!”

“No kidding! What was you’re first clue?” 

“She took out an entire squad Buffy. She’s dangerous.”

Buffy realized then that he must have gotten the bruises when they had
attacked Kellem. She shoved him back and he went flying. “You were one of
the goons that jumped her the other night.”

Riley slowly got to his feet. “She’s a demon. We catch demons. It’s what
we do.” His tone was mocking and set the Slayer off.

Buffy stared at him, her fury evident. “You stay away from her Riley.
Keep the goon squad away from her, understand?”

“I can’t promise that.”

The air seemed to crackle as Buffy stepped closer. “I don’t think you
realize what I’m saying. If anyone attacks Kellem again then they’ll
regret ever laying eyes on her. She’s with me. So tell your men to back
off and no one will get hurt. Is that clear enough for you?”

Thunder rumbled and Riley could have sworn that the earth trembled as she
spoke.

He didn’t answer and Buffy resisted the urge to strangle him. Instantly
Riley clutched his throat as invisible hands gripped him. As he fell to
his knees Buffy managed to rein in her temper and release him from her
mental hold. He began to cough wildly, but Buffy felt no desire to aid
him. “Serves you right.”

“Buffy!” Willow’s tone was admonishing. She smiled down at Kellem and
quickly placed her hands over the wounds, only to have the demon catch
them. 

“The bullets are still inside, Mistress.” 

Willow cringed but nodded. “Okay, then we need to get you home first.”
She looked at Buffy, ignoring Riley’s sputtered questions. We need to
go.

Buffy nodded. Willow hadn’t spoken but she had heard her clearly. She
helped Kellem to her feet and they propped her up between them, beginning
the walk back to the apartment. 

Riley watched them go, wondering why he suddenly felt afraid.

Buffy looked around and glanced at Willow. “Where’s Tara?”


Willow blushed slightly. “Um, there was a little miscalculation in the
last spell we tried.”

“Is she okay?”

Mumbling under her breath, Willow answered. “Oh yeah, if you ignore the
fact that I sort of teleported her back to the apartment.”

___+___

Buffy settled Kellem on the couch as Willow went in search of Tara. The
calm knocking was a good clue to her whereabouts and Willow unlocked the
balcony door to let the other witch inside. 

Tara grinned at the embarrassed blush staining Willow’s cheeks and
teased, “You need to work on your aim, Honey.”

“Why didn’t you open the door yourself?”

Tara shrugged. “And miss the look on your face when you realized just
where you had beamed me to?” 

Kneeling beside Kellem, Tara held her hands over the first bullet wound
and formed a picture of the projectile in her mind. She felt the magik
pulling at the metal and slowly it began to move, retracing the path it
had torn through Kellem’s flesh. 

A cry of pain escaped Kellem as the bullet left her and sweat broke out
over her body. Buffy immediately gripped the demon’s hand and smiled
reassuringly. “Almost done.”

Kellem laughed shortly. “What is it about me that makes the men in your
life want to kill me?”

Buffy pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Green-eyed envy of course.”

“Hmm. You owe me ice cream.”

With the last bullet removed, Tara moved aside and let Willow do the
actual healing. It had turned out that the healing ability that Willow
had was not common, but then neither was Tara’s manipulation of inanimate
objects.

Kellem ran her fingers over the newly healed flesh and smiled. “Thank you
Mistress.”

Willow didn’t blush at the name, much to Kellem’s disappointment.

Buffy was frowning thoughtfully at Willow. ‘Will/ Why is that healing Mom
wiped you out, but two bullets holes don’t even make break a 
sweat?”

“Actually I’ve been wondering about that myself Buffy.”

Kellem sighed and shook her head. “Isn’t it obvious? It’s not the what
but the who.”

“Okay, that needs go through some kind of filter, Kell so that it comes
out in English.” Buufy ducked the pillow thrown in her direction.

“I mean that your mom isn’t part of our group. I think it takes more to
heal an outsider, no matter how serious the injury really is.”

Willow agreed absently with the theory and then excused herself to go in
search of Tara, who had not returned.

Tara tossed the bloodstained cloths into the washer and stared at the
knob until it depressed and the cycle began. 

Willow slipped her arms around her and kissed the back of her neck,
making the blonde shiver. “And you said you weren’t powerful.”

Tara turned around and met her lover’s eyes, words lying heavy on her
tongue but unable to release them.

Seeing the look, Willow rested her forehead against Tara’s. “Tell
me.”

Tara dropped her eyes and spoke softly. “I… I want to be yours.”

Knowing that there was more to her statement than the obvious, Willow
waited.

“I... I’m jealous of Kellem.”

“Honey, there’s nothing to be jealous of. I love you.”

Tara shook her head. “You don’t understand Willow. She says you’re her
Mistress.” She blurted out the words. “IwantyoutobemyMistress.”

Willow slowed the sentence down and replayed it at normal speed. She
wants me to… The grin that spread over her face made Tara blush
furiously. Willow held her tighter and caught Tara’s earlobe between her
teeth. She felt the thrilled shudder course through Tara and laughed
huskily. “I already am.”


The End….for now.

___+___


There once was a demon that fell
Fleeing the furies of hell.
She slipped through a crack,
And found her way back
To succumb to the triad’s sweet spell

God I hate limericks. Worst mistake of my life was calling the first one
There Once Was A Demon... I never thought that there would be a sequel
you see....my bad.