FF: Razor's Edge - 5/9 - W/Fitz - R

["Hunter Ash" <carrkjar@xxxxxxxxx>]

Razor's Edge
Part 5

Author: Frau Hunter Ash 
Copyright © 2002 by Hunter Ash. All Rights Reserved.
Email: carrkjar@xxxxxxxxx Feedback welcome!!
Homepage Addy: http://www.hunterash.com/ 

Disclaimers: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox, 
Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. The storyline, 
however, is the sole property of the author. This story cannot be 
sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made 
for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright 
notices.
The lyrics to "Just Like Jesse James," belong to Desmond Child/Diane 
Warren (sung by Cher) and no infringement is intended. Just 
borrowing it for a little bit.
F/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship 
between people of the same gender and may even include 3 at the same 
time <G>. If this offends or is illegal for you, then please leave.  
Come back when you are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed 
your laws. 

Spoilers: Up to season 5's New Moon Rising. Oz didn't return.

Summary: Fitz can't go home but can she stay in Sunnydale? What will 
the crippled Slayer do about her feelings for this world's Willow and 
does Willow share those feelings? How will the gang deal with the 
Slayer, a witch and Willow's surprise?
Rating: Strong R for sex

Author's Note: Pairing: AU Jess FitzHugh/W, X/An


Buffy thought it was a good sign that Willow was curled on her bed 
with Fitz, with a blanket thrown over both of them. The Slayer took 
in the sight of her best friend spooned up next to Fitz' back and the 
peaceful look on both their faces with a smile.  

"Will?" Buffy said softly and gently shook her friend.

"Go 'way," Willow muttered. "Nice and warm."

"Will, I'm back and I've got news," Buffy urged.

Willow moaned and rolled over with a yawn. "Hasn't anyone told you 
eight hours of sleep is a good thing for non-Slayer types?"
"I know and I'm sorry," Buffy smiled. "Come over to my bed, I've got 
news I want you to hear before Fitz wakes up and you make decisions."
"I'm tired, Buff," Willow complained as she sat up and then moved to 
Buffy's bed. "I've got a headache from where Dru smacked me, it's 
way early in the morning and I've got a suicidal Irish woman in my 
bed."
"And you're probably stuck with that same Irish Slayer in your bed if 
you want her," Buffy joked. "Giles found the spell but it had a time 
limit to reverse it."
"Time limit? The demon put in a time limit? Clever," Willow muttered 
and tried to focus her eyes. "Time limit? How long?"
"We only had 28 days to get Fitz back to her realm," Buffy announced.

"But&that&that means we're too late?" Willow whispered, her eyes 
widening.
"Yeah, we can't reverse the spell and Giles won't let you do the 
spell yourself, it's too dangerous," Buffy explained. "Something 
about summoning demons to perform services and promises and risks and 
all that black magic stuff."
"I understand, that stuff is dangerous and demons are always looking 
for loopholes in the contracts to grab your soul or kill you and 
stuff," Willow said absently. "Fitz is stuck here?"
"Yes," Buffy repeated. "You don't have to worry about us sending her 
back, not that we would if you got involved with her. You only have 
to worry about convincing Fitz not to kill herself or leave for 
England."
"If I want to risk a relationship," Willow added with a frown. "How 
can I ask her to take on this kind of responsibility?" the witch 
demanded, pointing at her womb.
"Shouldn't that be her decision?" Buffy countered. "The Council is 
willing to supply her with a legal background, so she can get a job 
here or there with a museum, college or whatever teaching or 
research. Seems she's extremely intelligent and well learned, mostly 
self-taught. Giles also thinks that if she's able to get on her feet 
that we could open a dojo and teach self-defense. There's a martial 
arts technique that uses the cane and it's taught to a lot of people 
who can't use other techniques because of some physical problem."
"The Council wants you both, don't they?"

"Yeah, but we're not focusing on me right now," Buffy countered.

"Okay, when Fitz wakes up, I'll talk with her," Willow conceded.

"Good, now let's grab some sleep," Buffy suggested. "Giles is going 
to call around 2pm for a meeting."
"Okay," Willow muttered and moved back to her bed, crawling under the 
blanket with Fitz.
Buffy was pleased with the move. She knew that Willow had no 
problems sleeping with the blonde Slayer, they had spent the night 
together as friends plenty of times, Buffy took it as a good sign 
that Willow returned to her own bed to snuggle with Fitz. Buffy 
relaxed and fell back into sleep with a smile on her face. 

* * *

Fitz opened her eyes and smiled as she took in the sleeping beauty of 
Willow Rosenberg. The red haired witch had a leg thrown over Fitz's 
good one and an arm thrown over the Slayer's ribs and was still sound 
asleep.
The dark Irish Slayer felt her heart melting as she watched the woman 
sleeping in her arms. Somewhere during the long hours in the 
hospital, Fitz had grieved for her wife and had become friends with 
her double. That had turned into love quickly, Fitz knew.
Fitz wasn't surprised and knew the odds had been stacked against her 
and this Willow the more time they spent together. This Willow was 
so much like her Willow that the Slayer couldn't help but find her 
feelings softening towards the girl.
Jessica FitzHugh reached out and gently brushed a lock of red hair 
from Willow's eyes and moved to stroke Willow's cheek, her hand 
trembling slightly. A half smile crossed Willow's face and Fitz felt 
her heart lurch in her chest.
"Blessed Mary, woman, it would take a saint to resist you," she 
muttered, moving closer to Willow, trying not to moan aloud as 
Willow's arm tightened around her in sleep, welcoming Fitz closer.
Fitz swallowed and ran her hand down Willow's arms, not daring to 
move past the witch's elbow or over her ribs, despite the building 
arousal in the Slayer. Willow shifted in her sleep and Fitz' hand 
fell to Willow stomach, just below the belt line of her sweat pants.
Fitz moaned and moved to kiss Willow, asleep or not, the Slayer 
couldn't resist a moment longer. Suddenly she pulled back and sat up 
on her elbow with a very surprised look on her face.
"What?" she asked aloud.

"Hmmm?" Willow muttered, snuggling closer to the Slayer. "Shut up, 
Jess. Go back to sleep."
"Will?" Fitz said softly, spotting Buffy's sleeping body in the other 
bed. "Please!"
Fitz pulled back from Willow and struggled to sit up against the wall 
without banging her cast against Willow.
Willow blinked and frowned with the loss of bodily contact with Fitz 
and leaned up on her elbow.
"What happened?" Fitz demanded.

"I got attacked by vampires, you wigged but saved us by starting a 
fire and confusing the heck out of the said vampires," Willow began 
explaining. "We came up here, you told me about your wife and fell 
asleep. Buffy came in later and then you woke me from a very nice 
sleep snuggled with you."
Fitz frowned. "Last night you didn't want to see me, this morning 
you want to snuggle? I can't take games, girl," the Slayer warned.
"No, but you can take the easy way out?" Willow demanded, sitting up, 
fire in her eyes. "A razor blade? Do all Slayers focus on blood?"
"Damn!" Fitz muttered, realizing Buffy had told Willow about the 
razor blade and probably about the drinking as well. "Tis fine then 
that I'm leaving, right?"
"Only if you want to run away and be a coward," Willow snapped and 
didn't flinch when Fitz pulled her fist back, the Slayer's face 
livid. 

"I've never run from a damned thing in me life!" Fitz growled.

"You're just moving forward to the rear?" Willow asked 
sarcastically.  

"You're the one that won't take a chance because I loved my Will," 
Fitz snapped.
"Are we going to do this tennis match of words all day?" Willow 
demanded. "I've had very little sleep and a major wigging last 
night. You told me you didn't love me."
"And last night I admitted I lied," Fitz countered. "Want me to shout 
it to the world? I am in love with Willow Rosenberg who lives in 
Sunnydale, not Sunnyville. The Willow who is a computer hacker 
genius and witch. I'll always love my Willow but she's gone. This 
Willow isn't my wife but I'd like her to be!" Fitz shouted, startling 
Buffy.
The blonde Slayer was sitting up, breathing heavily, with a stake in 
her hand.
"Sorry, Buff," Fitz said, a little lower, a sheepish look on her face.

"It's okay, honest," Buffy muttered, falling back onto the bed and 
turning over.
Willow frowned.  

"Willow, I'm not one for begging," Fitz said slowly. "I have fallen 
in love with you, not my wife but you. If you'll give us a chance, 
I'll stay here. I won't go back to my world and I won't go to 
England."
"Fitz, you can't go back to your world," Willow said softly. "Giles 
found the spell but there was a time limit and we missed it."
Fitz leaned back against the wall, lost in thought. "Then it's 
settled, either I go to England and not see you again I promise you 
that I'll be right miserable for the rest of my life but I'll never 
bother you again. Or I stay here, try and build a life around this 
crippled leg of mine and treat you right for the rest of our lives."
Willow felt tears filling her eyes.

"Jesse, before you ask that," Willow said slowly. "I need to tell 
you something, something that you need to think seriously about 
before asking me this."
"I know about the child," Fitz said softly and grabbed Willow's arm 
before she could fall off the bed in shock.  

Buffy turned over and sat up, equally in shock.

"I'm a bit psychic, love," Fitz said gently. "I felt the child this 
morning when I touched you."
"Listen, guys, I'm going to get some shoes on and go for donuts or, 
better yet, something healthy for us," Buffy grumbled, grabbing for 
her shoes and wallet. Since everyone had slept in their clothes, she 
didn't have to get dressed.
"Thanks, Buff," Fitz muttered. 

Willow felt her heart skip a beat at the look of absolute love from 
Fitz' eyes.
"I figure its Oz' and given the time bit, you've decided to keep the 
child, right?" Fitz asked softly.
Willow pulled herself to sit against the headboard, her face blushing.

"Yes, I can't do an abortion," the witch said softly.  

"And you can't give the child up either, especially if he's inherited 
his father's furryness," Fitz commented. 

"No, I'm keeping him or her," Willow said firmly, her eyes almost 
challenging Fitz to try and talk her out of it.
"Good," Fitz said easily, surprising Willow.

"Aren't you going to argue that I'm too young, I have my future to 
think about, it'll be too hard as a single parent and all of that?" 
Willow demanded.
"No, I'm figuring that your parents will be doing enough of that," 
Fitz pointed out.
"Oh God, my parents are going to freak!"

"Aye, I think they will," Fitz smiled.

"You&," Willow stammered. "You knew I was pregnant when you kinda 
proposed?"
"Yes," Fitz said firmly. "I'm scared to death here, Will, and I'm 
admitting it. If you'll have me then I'll take care of you and the 
child. I'll force the Council to hire me on for something or find a 
way to make a living."
"We don't even know if a relationship would work and you're willing 
to take on me and a child?"
Fitz laughed softly. "Tell me you don't feel it between us, you know 
it'll work because something brought us together."
"A spell, a ritual brought us together," Willow said, somewhat 
bitterly.
Fitz sighed and leaned over to grab Willow's hand and pulled the red 
head closer.
"Trust me?" Fitz asked softly.

Willow hesitated. "I am so on emotional overload right now, but I 
trust you."
"Come here," Fitz said softly, pulling lightly on Willow's 
hand. "Kiss me and tell me it's not something cosmic."
"How the hell would you know what it's like kissing me?" Willow 
demanded. "I'm not your Willow."
"I remember the electric spark when I thought you were, when I was 
feverish and all," Fitz countered. "And I would like you to be my 
Willow."
"I can't risk being hurt, not with what's happening with me," Willow 
mumbled, still frowning.
"I love you, Willow Rosenberg," Fitz said firmly. "Tell me to go and 
I'll walk away."
Willow turned, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. "I'm 
supposed to decide the rest of my life in the next five minutes!" she 
complained. "I already decided the most major thing someone can 
decide, I'm having a baby and keeping it."
"I know, and if you want, I'll leave you alone," Fitz said 
softly. "Just help me back into me chair."
"Jess," Willow felt the tears filling her eyes again.

"No, you need time to think and I want a drink. Just get me back into 
my chair," Fitz growled.
Willow could hear the pain underneath the anger and didn't know what 
to do. "Jess, just give me a day."
"It's Saturday, I'm scheduled to leave Tuesday," Fitz said 
softly. "Take the time, just once I hit that boarding gate I'm gone 
and I'll not be back, Willow. You've been hurt and I know that but 
understand this, I've been crushed. I can't just be friends with you. 
Seeing you at first hurt because of my Willow, now it hurts to see 
you because I can't have you. I can't live with this pain."
"Jess, I just don't know what to do," Willow said honestly.

"You'll help me into my chair and a cab for me," Fitz said 
firmly. "Or you'll turn around kiss me and I'll never let you go."
Willow closed her eyes against the overwhelming rush of emotions and 
confusion crowding her thoughts.
"You don't mind about the baby?" Willow whispered.  

"No, Will," Fitz said softly, reaching out to touch the witch's 
shoulder. "If we wanted a future with children, we'd have to look 
outside ourselves for help anyway."
"Not exactly easy starting a relationship with someone already 
pregnant with someone else's child," Willow frowned.
"I'm a crippled Slayer without a past and an unstable future," Fitz 
pointed out. "I think I can handle you being pregnant. You'll be 
giving me a future, my love."
"And if I can't?" Willow asked, turning to face Fitz, tears filling 
her eyes.
"I'll go to England, let the Council dissect me and my past and 
slowly drink myself into oblivion," Fitz answered honestly.
"That's not a future for a Slayer," Willow complained.

"I'm not a Slayer anymore," Fitz countered.

Fitz noticed Willow's clenched hands and pained expression and wanted 
to reach out but held back.  

"Jess, the way you look at me makes my heart race and I can't 
breathe," Willow said softly, reaching out for the Slayer's hand. "I 
need to know if it's me that you're thinking of and not you're wife. 
I'm not that Willow and I can't be a replacement for her."
"How can I prove that to you?" Fitz demanded, her expression one of 
frustration. 

"What did you call her? Your special name?" Willow asked softly, 
moving closer on the bed to the dark Slayer.
"Will, like Buffy calls you," Fitz answered slowly.  

"What would you call me?" Willow asked, moving along side the 
Slayer's body, letting Fitz wrap an arm around her.
"My Red Willow," Fitz said softly, her voice dropping an octave as 
Willow moved into her arms. "Gentle but with a hidden strength, roots 
that are deep and strong."
"Can I call you Jess or Jessie?" Willow asked, moving her lips to 
Fitz' throat. "Like Jesse James?"
"Yes," Fitz whispered as her body began trembling, Willow's hand 
began roaming over her rib cage, pulling Fitz down onto the bed. "Oh 
Saints, Willow!" 

"Tell me how I'm different," Willow demanded, moving to lay beside 
Fitz' body, snuggling in the Slayer's arms.
"My Will wasn't as good on computers as you," Fitz said slowly as 
Willow's hand moved under her t-shirt, exploring the Slayer's 
skin. "She was quick with the magic."  

"What else?" Willow demanded, nibbling on Fitz' earlobe.

"Uh&she was a little harder," Fitz muttered, cursing the cast on her 
leg as Willow shifted a leg over the Slayer. "Please, Red," the 
Slayer begged. "We got together in our Junior year and her parents 
threw her out."
Willow stopped moving her hand and listened.  

"Tell me," she whispered.

"Spike and Dru wanted me back as their torture and sex toy," Fitz 
said bitterly. "We used that against them and set a trap. I took 
Dru's head off and Buffy hit Spike with holy water, ruining half his 
face. Then we found Xander after Cordelia was hurt. Something died 
inside my Will that night."
"I can understand that," Willow said softly.  

The door opened slowly; Willow waved her hand and the door shut.

"Buffy's giving us time," she commented.

"Aye, we do seem to complicate things, don't we?" Fitz smiled and 
then lost the smile. "Xander was killed horribly and Will lost a lot 
of her aura of innocence."
"I left at this part of your story, what happened after that?" Willow 
asked.
"Please, you don't want to hear this," Fitz said slowly.

"Tell me," Willow said firmly.

"My Will was taken by Angeleus and Spike," Fitz snapped. "They 
snapped her mind, her will, and her body before tossing her back to 
me."
"Fitz, Jess, I'm sorry," Willow said softly, leaning up on her elbow, 
her face pained.
"It took a long time for her to come back to me," Fitz 
continued. "Angeleus wanted her like Dru, insane before he turned her 
but we got her back. Will wasn't the same though. It took a year 
before a smile would reach her eyes."  

"Angeleus just choked me and Dru dropped a bookcase of books on me," 
Willow muttered.  

"When Will parents found out about us, they threw Will out and 
disowned her," Fitz continued. "She lost a lot of that carefree 
spirit and trusting nature that you have."
"You really know the difference between us?" Willow asked, her 
fingers beginning to move over Fitz' ribs again.
"Aye, you're not the young girl I fell in love with or the shattered 
woman I married," Fitz said slowly. "You look like Will and sound 
like her but you've both had different experiences at a young age 
that shaped who you became. I am in love with you, Willow, my Red."
"I'm kinda nervous here," Willow admitted.

"Me too," Fitz whispered, pulling Willow's lips to hers.

"I love you, Jessie," Willow whispered, pulling back to look into the 
Slayer's bright blue eyes.
"I love you, Green Eyes," Fitz smiled, delighted in the smile that 
the name brought.
"Show me!" Willow demanded, her lips going back to Fitz', almost 
desperately.
Fitz moaned and pulled Willow on top of her, ignoring the stab of 
pain from her cast enclosed leg. The Slayer's fingers trailed 
through the red hair that she adored as Willow explored her lips, 
demanding entrance with her tongue. The Slayer responded readily, 
her body jerking in response.
"Oh goddess, it's never felt like this," Willow whispered. "I need 
you!"
"Forever, my love," Fitz answered, her hands moving under Willow's 
pajama top, not wanting to move too fast but Willow seemed to have 
other ideas. Fitz raised up slightly at Willow's insistence, her t-
shirt pulled over her head and off.  

Fitz felt her heart skip a beat as Willow sat up over her, the 
absolute look of desire and wonderment bringing tears of joy to the 
Slayer's eyes. Fitz' hands, shaking with emotion, slowly unbuttoned 
Willow's pajama top. The Slayer's breathing was ragged as she took 
in the sight of Willow's beautiful pale skin and breasts that Fitz 
would always think of as perfect.  

"Jaysus, you're so beautiful, Willow," Fitz whispered in awe.  

Willow's eyes burned with desire and she moved her body down over 
Fitz until their lips met again, both women moaning as bare breasts 
touched, sending sparks of energy between both of them. Willow 
thought she would crash right then, nothing she had ever shared with 
Oz had been like this. The witch ran a hand along Fitz' cheek in 
amazement and began rocking her body slightly, Fitz' thigh between 
hers, skin meeting sex, offering little relief.
Both hesitated, blue eyes watching green eyes darken.

"I love you, Red Willow," Fitz whispered.  

"I love you, Jess," Willow said softly.  

Willow moved her lips back to Fitz' neck and lightly nipped at the 
nerve center, causing the Slayer to cry out and her hips to buck, her 
nails digging into the witch's shoulders.  

"Ah! Oh Saints, Red, don't stop, please!" Fitz begged as Willow's 
teeth worked at her neck and the witch's fingers played over already 
aching nipples and breasts of the Slayer. 

Willow moaned and danced her fingers over Fitz' ribs and stomach, 
delighting in the way Fitz was responding to her touch. Small sounds 
escaped the Slayer's throat as her hands clutched at Willow and her 
body writhing under the witch.
Fitz rose up and sank her teeth into Willow's neck as Willow's tongue 
moved down to the Slayer's nipples. The red-haired witch cried out 
and Fitz felt Willow's body shudder in her hands.
"Let me touch you, Willow, please," Fitz asked, pulling Willow's chin 
up until their eyes met, letting Willow see her desire and love.
Willow squirmed off Fitz, afraid of hurting the Slayer's injured leg, 
and pulled her pajama bottoms and underwear off. She was blushing 
red as Fitz leaned up on an elbow, relishing the sight of the witch's 
body.  

"Can I?" Willow asked softly, tugging at Fitz' sweat pants.

"Aye," Fitz agreed, trying to raise her hips as the witch pulled the 
sweat pants off over the cast.  

"Goddess, you're beautiful!" Willow exclaimed, taking in the muscular 
but curved body of the Slayer, including the dark hair that seemed to 
beckon to her. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Ah, I'm so turned on that I don't think a hammer could hurt me 
again," Fitz smiled. "Sit on my hips and kiss me."
Willow, blushing a bit, moved her naked body onto Fitz and felt 
shudders rack her body as she took in the heat radiating from the 
Slayer, echoed by her own. Willow's head fell back when Fitz' teeth 
went to her neck again and the Slayer's arms wrapped around her, 
holding Willow close to her, skin to skin. Willow's fingers danced 
through Fitz' spiky hair as she rocked against the Irish woman's body.
"Oh goddess, I&please!" Willow begged.

Fitz moved and played her tongue over Willow's nipples, first one and 
then the other until the witch was moaning and squirming in her lap.  

"Oh sweet Mary, you're so wonderful!" Fitz whimpered, moving her 
fingers slowly down Willow's back and then over the young woman's 
hip. The Slayer moved cautiously, gauging Willow's reactions, trying 
to sense any hesitation. Finding nothing but impatience, she moved 
her hand between Willow's legs and cupped the witch's sex.
"Oh!" Willow mewled and bucked against Fitz' hand. Willow laid her 
forehead against Fitz', panting. "Please, I need you, Jess."
"I don't want to hurt you or scare you," Fitz said softly, kissing 
Willow's lips and neck and lips again.
"Jess," Willow pulled back with a smile to look into Fitz' bright 
blue eyes. "I've had sex, just never with a woman. I&I&I've never 
felt like this. I need to feel you inside of me."
Willow blushed at her own forwardness as Fitz kissed her neck and 
moved back to her nipples and then cried out as fingers parted her 
labia lips, discovering that she was soaking wet from arousal.
Fitz moaned at the softness and warmth before moving her fingers over 
and through the lips as Willow's body jerked and her lover bit back 
another cry. The Slayer captured Willow's lips with hers and thrust 
two fingers into her love.  

Willow found whatever sound her body made at the intense reaction 
drowned in the kiss as she clung to Fitz' shoulders. The red-head 
groaned in frustration when the Slayer held still inside of her, 
teasing until Willow's body began rocking against the fingers.
"Tell me, lover," Fitz urged, nipping at Willow's neck.

"I can feel you, just inside of me," Willow panted. "More, please!" 

Fitz whimpered herself and moved deeper inside her lover. She was 
rewarded by Willow's head snapping back in reaction and then forward 
again, her fingers digging into Fitz' shoulders.  

"Oh, it feels so warm! I&I&like something building," Willow whispered.

Fitz realized with a moan of her own that Willow was describing her 
approaching orgasm like it was something the young woman had never 
experienced. "Oh God and Saints, just let it ride, love. Trust me 
and try to relax into it."
"Jess, I&oh God!" Willow cried, biting her lip.

Fitz added another finger, thrust deeper, pulled on Willow's nipple 
with her teeth and ran her thumb over Willow's clit all in the same 
moment.
Willow screamed as her body bucked against the fingers, taking the 
Slayer deep inside and clamping down as waves of heat shook her 
body. "Jess!"
Only Fitz' Slayer strength kept Willow in her arms as her lover 
thrashed, digging her nails into Fitz' skin and drawing blood, as she 
screamed again. Afraid of hurting Willow too much, Fitz withdrew 
gently as Willow collapsed in her arms, sobbing.
"Shhh, tis fine, Green Eyes," Fitz said softly, pulling Willow down 
beside her, holding her close and stroking the red hair. "I love 
you, Red Willow. I'm right here, I've got you."
Willow's breathing finally settled down after a few moments as she 
clung to the Slayer.
"God, Jess," she whispered. "I&I didn't know."

"It didn't feel like that with Oz?"

"I should hit you for mentioning Oz in our bed," Willow muttered, 
closing her eyes as her fingers lightly played over Fitz' tight 
abs. "But, no, it never felt like that with Oz. It felt like 
something beginning to build inside of me but it never happened."
"Thank you, my love, for gifting me like that then," Fitz said 
gently, her own eyes filling with tears of gratitude.
"Thank you," Willow smiled. "I want to touch you and drive you 
insane but sleepy now."
Fitz grinned and hugged her lover tightly. "Shhh, we've all the time 
in the world now."
Willow frowned, remembering the same line in a James Bond movie, just 
before his wife was killed.  

"Red?" Fitz questioned, noticing Willow's expression.

"Bad thoughts," Willow muttered, snuggling closer. "I'm not going to 
lose you now."
"No, never," Fitz promised.  

"For once a spell worked right in Sunnydale, I found my soul mate," 
Willow smiled, drifting into sleep.
* * *

Buffy grinned when she opened the door a few minutes later and found 
both women very naked and asleep. The scent of arousal lay heavily 
in the room as Buffy grabbed a comforter off her bed, tossed it over 
her friends and lay back down on her own bed. "Guess that means 
Sunnydale has two Slayers again."
The blonde Slayer growled and threw a pillow at the desk when the 
phone refused to stop ringing sometime later. Buffy glanced over and 
grinned as Willow's feet hit the floor as she moved to answer the 
phone, moving in automatic pilot.
"Looking good there, Will," Buffy teased.

Willow, looking down at her naked body, squeaked and jumped back onto 
the bed, throwing the comforter back over her and Fitz.
Buffy laughed and grabbed for the phone. "Yeah? House of Lust, can 
we help you?"
"Uh, well, yes," Giles' voice stammered on the other end.

"Hi, Giles," Buffy said cheerfully, enjoying the fact she had 
embarrassed two of her friends in less than a minute. "Time for the 
meeting?"
"Yes, I thought we'd let everyone know what we found about the spell 
and I've been in touch with the Council today," Giles informed her.
"Okay, let me get these two dressed and call for Xander to transport 
us over," Buffy grinned at the blushing faces of Willow and Fitz as 
they watched her.
Buffy laughed and hung up the telephone, she could almost hear Giles 
taking off his glasses and begin cleaning them. A tell-tale sign 
that he was uncomfortable with the sexual talk.
"I'm going to use the pay phone in the hall to call Xander so you two 
can get dressed," Buffy grinned. "I've seen you both naked before 
but I understand first sex together thing."
"Someday, I will find a way to make you suffer, Buffy Summers," 
Willow threatened.
Buffy merely laughed and trotted out of the room with coins in hand.

Willow was bright red when she turned back into Fitz' arms.

"Regrets, Green Eyes?" Fitz asked gently.

"Just that I fell asleep," Willow said honestly. "I don't think I've 
ever been this happy with anyone."
"It'll not be easy," Fitz warned. "Your parents won't be happy with 
me or our child and I've been here long enough to realize that both 
realms are a bit brutal in how they treat lovers of the same gender."
"Yes, we'll be called names, some might try to even get physical," 
Willow nodded as she sat up and moved to her dresser for clean 
clothes. "We could lose jobs and housing because of it."
"You still want me for it then?" Fitz asked softly.

Willow's expression was firm as she looked over at the Slayer.

"Yes, no doubts."

"Even if it costs you family?" 

"I love you, Jessie," Willow said firmly, slipping on a pair of 
carpenter's pants and moving to help pull the sweat pants back over 
Fitz' cast. The witch took advantage of the position to grab a quick 
kiss. "I'm the one asking you to make sacrifices. I know the Council 
was going to offer you a decent living. All I can offer is hardship."
"Loving you will never be a hardship, lover," Fitz promised.

Buffy knocked before opening the door and she was still smiling.

"Xander and Anya will be here in a few minutes. Fortunately, he 
called in sick to work today after staying up most of the night 
fighting vampires," she announced.
"They didn't sleep?" Fitz asked and Buffy surprised her by laughing.

"Nope, knowing them, they didn't," she grinned. "See, danger and 
fighting vampires always gets Anya hot and bothered."
Willow laughed in agreement. "And Xander gets to pay for it all 
night."
Fitz shook her head in amusement as Buffy moved to help her into the 
wheelchair. "I'm glad I get to see the adult Xander."
"Let's find out what Giles has worked out," Buffy suggested, spinning 
the wheelchair towards the door. "Have you decided if you're going 
to tell the gang about your decisions, Will?"
"Which ones?" Willow quipped, almost dancing behind the two Slayers.  

Buffy was almost feeling giddy herself at the sight of her friend 
looking and acting so happy.
"Well, unless you two want to go back and change into turtle-necks, 
the gang will figure out that you both hooked up," Buffy teased and 
grinned when Willow began blushing, feeling the side of her neck. "I 
mean about the other decisions."
"Yeah, all of it," Willow said softly, her mood dampening, unsure how 
everyone was going to take the news.
Xander's eyes narrowed when he spotted the look on Willow's face and 
her neck and his eyes quickly went to Fitz' neck as well. The Slayer 
wasn't sure if he was going to hit her for a moment. Fitz heard a 
warning growl from Buffy behind her and Xander gritted his teeth and 
moved to the back of the pickup to let down the tailgate.
"Let me ride up front with him, please, Anya," Willow said softly.

Watching her boyfriend's furious expression, Anya nodded and climbed 
in the back with Buffy and Fitz as the blonde Slayer helped pull Fitz 
into the bed.
Fitz and Buffy, despite Slayer senses, couldn't hear anything from 
the cab of the pickup because Xander had intentionally turned up the 
music. The three young women could see the expressions on both 
Xander and Willow's faces on the short ride. They saw a range from 
angry and hurt to confusion but then nods between the two oldest 
friends.
When they pulled up next to the curb in front of Giles' condo, Xander 
was quiet and Willow merely shrugged at Fitz' questioning look.  
Together the group got the injured Slayer out of the pickup and into 
the wheelchair just as Joyce drove up to join them.
"Mom?" Buffy asked.

"Giles asked me to attend the meeting, I guess since Jessica is 
living with us and I'm involved," Joyce answered.
"Okay," Buffy smiled as Joyce's eyes widened, taking in the bruises 
on Willow's and Fitz' neck and her mouth dropped open when Willow 
leaned over and kissed the Slayer. "Careful, Mom, you'll catch 
flies."
Joyce snapped her mouth shut and glared at her daughter. "I guess 
they worked things out."
"Yeah, it's been a really long night," Buffy nodded. "Vampires, 
fires, rooftop discussions, life changing events, and very little 
sleep."
"Want to explain that in longer sentences?" Joyce asked.

"Inside, with everyone," Buffy hedged.

Once inside Giles' apartment, Buffy and the gang repeated the story 
of the previous night's events up to the point of visiting Giles.  
Buffy also left out Willow's surprise, figuring that was up to the 
witch to decide how to tell everyone else.
"Yes, well," Giles began, cleaning his glasses. "I found the spell 
that brings one's soul mate to the ritual circle. To reverse the 
spell required that the same demon be summoned before the next full 
moon. We're too late to send Fitz back to her own realm."
Xander frowned. "Why can't we do the original spell?"

"Because that's extreme black magic and I'm not willing to go back to 
that level of magic," Giles explained. "I won't let Willow do it 
either."
"Besides, I'm not going back," Fitz said firmly and met Xander's 
glare with her own hardened eyes, challenging the young man. "I've 
been gone so long they'll think me dead as it is. My life is over 
there in that realm."
"So you'll stay here and use our Willow to replace the one you 
couldn't save?" 

"You best be shutting your gob, boyo!" Fitz warned.  

"Xander!" Willow snapped. "I told you this is what I want! I fell in 
love with her!"
"Stop it!" Giles shouted. "Fitz is stuck here, that's that."

"In case someone missed it, Jessica FitzHugh and I are together as a 
couple," Willow said firmly, her eyes blazing at Xander and then 
softened. "Xander, please, I don't want to fight with you. I need 
you and our friendship, now more than ever."
"Why, you've got Buffy as your best friend and Fitz as your 
girlfriend, where do I fit in with Slayers?" he demanded.
"Is that what the problem is?" Willow asked softly, getting to her 
feet from sitting on the floor next to Fitz' wheelchair. She walked 
over to Xander as he leaned against the wall, sulking. "Xander, 
you've my best friend since kindergarden, sometimes you were my only 
friend. I need you, especially now."
Xander's expression softened but he looked troubled.  

"I love you, Will," he said softly.

"I love you too, Xan," Willow smiled and fell into his arms when he 
extended them for a hug. "Thank you," she whispered.
"I'm sorry," he whispered back.

Willow nodded and turned out of his arms and moved back to stand next 
to Fitz. The dark Slayer, sensing her nervousness, reached out for 
her hand.
"What did you find out today, Giles?" Buffy asked quickly. She knew 
once Willow made her announcement; all other discussion would be 
forgotten.
"Yes, well, I told the Council that there was a good possibility that 
Fitz would like to stay here in Sunnydale with us. They were less 
than happy," he smirked. "They wanted her under their control, of 
course. They threatened to cut off any financial assistance."
"They can right well take it up the arse!" Fitz growled.  

"I told them that in a more polite manner," Giles smiled. "After 
several hours of haggling and bargaining, we reached a settlement if 
everyone agrees. One: Buffy continues to be the Slayer, complete 
with pay. Fitz will answer any questions they have about her realm 
through email as she's been doing."
"Pay, as in I get money for doing this?" Buffy asked, her voice 
reflecting her disbelief. Giles grinned.
"We all do," he announced. "Buffy and I get a salary, retroactive, I 
might add. The rest of you get half-Watcher salary for being 
invaluable to Buffy and her Slaying, which includes Fitz. They are 
also in agreement to pay all of Fitz' medical bills and continued 
therapy. They feel it's only right since you were a Slayer and 
injured in the line of duty."
"What about my future here?" Fitz asked as Willow squeezed her hand.  

"Buffy and I have talked a bit about that," Giles said slowly. "The 
Council also agrees. They and I think it would be an excellent cover 
for Buffy to start a dojo and teach self-defense. It'll also help 
pay the bills now that she's an adult. Fitz, you can join in once 
you're back on your feet. There's a martial arts style that is 
structured around a cane."
"Nice, maybe a little teaching of Irish history," Fitz nodded. "I've 
learned that the basics are pretty much the same in both realms."
"That's my love, brawn and brains," Willow teased, delighting in the 
embarrassed smile from the dark Slayer.
"It'll be awhile before I can even stand," Fitz said thoughtfully.

"We'll manage, my love," Willow said softly.  

"What does the Council get out of this? They always have agendas," 
Buffy asked.
"Well, they would get regular reports on your slaying and any new 
information we gain on demons, vampires and whatever the Hellmouth 
throws at us," Giles explained. "They can also request our help at 
other hot spots around the world."
"No more demands? No more telling me what to do?" Buffy demanded.

"No, they assured me that they will make 'requests' from us," Giles 
smiled.
"What else?" Buffy demanded.

"They want to train Willow to be a Watcher," Giles said slowly and 
wasn't surprised at the rapid protests coming from Xander, Joyce and 
Buffy nor the silence from Fitz and Willow.
"Me, why me?" Willow squeaked.

"You're highly intelligent, have great computer skills, have magic 
abilities," Giles explained, "and you've survived 20 years on a 
Hellmouth. You already know Slayers, demons, vampires and werewolves."
Willow began blushing and Fitz wrapped an arm around her lover's 
waist. Giles was confused. He didn't think that Willow's recent 
relationship with Oz would be a problem in her new relationship with 
Fitz, the Slayer hadn't even known Oz.
"They would offer you complete graduate studies at Oxford: housing, 
training, everything," Gils continued. "Of course, I'm not overly 
fond of the Council but it is a good training considering everything 
we've been through."
"Two, uh, questions," Willow said slowly, kneeling down beside Fitz' 
wheelchair, leaning on the arm as Fitz wrapped her arm around 
Willow's shoulders. "How would they feel about Fitz?"
"I don't think they would be amused but they couldn't say much, some 
Watchers are married," Giles said thoughtfully. "Second question?"
"Uh," Willow hesitated. "How&how would they feel about a married 
student with a wife and child?"
"Child?" Giles repeated.

"What?" Xander muttered, sliding to the floor as Anya stood next to 
him, looking stunned.
"Willow?" Joyce questioned softly, noticing that Buffy didn't seem 
surprised.
"I&Oz&we tried to work it out," Willow whispered, her head dropping 
and hair falling forward to hide her face. Fitz tightened her hold 
on her lover. "He doesn't know."
"Are you going to tell him?" Xander asked.

"How can I? I don't even know where he is," Willow growled, her head 
snapping up.
"You're keeping the baby?" Joyce asked, moving to lift Willow into a 
hug.
"Yes, I can't do an abortion after all the death we've seen," Willow 
said, welcoming the hug. "I can't give the baby up for adoption 
since&because he or she&because Oz&"
"Because the child might inherit Oz' lycanthropy," Giles finished and 
Willow nodded, beginning to cry as Joyce held her.
"You knew?" Xander demanded from Buffy, noticing her calm manner.

"She told me last night, that's why the lack of sleep," Buffy 
nodded. "I came over and talked to Giles. I knew both Will and Fitz 
were about to make major life decisions last night and I wanted to 
know if we were sending Fitz back or not. Willow told me about the 
baby."
"So how does that fit into your relationship?" Xander demanded from 
Fitz.
"Right fine with me!" Fitz snapped back. "I'll love the child, 
werewolf or not, as if it were my own. I'll be there every step of 
the way if Red will let me."
"Xander?" Willow asked, pulling out of Joyce's arms. "Please?"

"You should tell Oz," Xander grumbled.

"Why?" Willow demanded. "He lost his options when he left and cut 
all contact with me. I don't need him in my child's life."
Xander frowned and dropped his eyes. Fitz moved her wheelchair 
across the floor and turned it sideways, getting as close as she 
could to the young man.
"Xander, in my world, you died too young and I never got to see the 
man you would have become," Fitz said slowly. "Now I get that 
chance. I want to get to know you. I need you in our lives. Willow 
and I will need help raising a child, especially since I won't be 
able to run after a rug rat. Will you stand with us and be the 
child's uncle?"
"Uncle? I get to be an uncle?" Xander's face lit up and Willow sighed 
with relief. "You mean football, trips to Disneyland and all that?"
"You bet!" Fitz grinned.

"Cool!" Xander declared and Anya smiled, sinking to the floor next to 
him.
"It won't be easy, Willow," Giles warned. "Have you told your 
parents?"
"Not yet," she said slowly as Fitz moved back across the room, 
Willow's eyes never leaving the Slayer. "I just decided last night 
to keep the baby and this morning to keep Fitz."
"Well, I'll talk with the Council," Giles said slowly. "I'm sure 
they could set up a small apartment or something for the three of you 
if you wish to study with them."
"We'll do a lot of talking about it," Willow said slowly as Fitz 
nodded.
Willow noticed the tightening of Fitz' face and leaned over the 
wheelchair, her hands on the arms, looking deep into Fitz' eyes.
"You're hurting," Willow declared. "You didn't have your pain pills 
with you last night."
"No, I was floating on liquid painkiller," Fitz admitted. "Give me a 
minute."
The Slayer turned her chair to face the rest of the group.

"Thanks for accepting me. I'm sorry for worrying you, Buff," Fitz 
said softly and reached in her sweatpants, handing the blonde Slayer 
something.
Buffy took the wrapped object and unwrapped the small paper and 
looked up at Fitz. "No more walking on the edge of this thing?" she 
asked softly, holding up a razor blade.
"No, I found my soul," Fitz smiled, looking up at Willow with such 
love that Buffy felt her eyes filling with joy for her friends. Fitz 
turned her wheelchair to face Willow and held up her left hand for 
the red-haired witch to see. Slowly Fitz removed her wedding ring 
and tossed it to Buffy.  

"Willow Rosenberg of this world, will you be marrying me?" Fitz asked 
softly. "I'd be down on one knee but I can't bend my leg."
"Yes!" Willow grinned and almost knocked Fitz out of the chair with a 
massive hug. After a moment she looked up at the grins of her 
friends as she wiped away tears of happiness. "Can you take us home, 
Joyce Mom?" Willow asked. "Fitz needs her pain pills and some rest."
"Sure," Joyce smiled. "Coming, Buff?"

"Nah, I'm going to grab some of Willow's stuff from the dorm," Buffy 
grinned. "I think she'll be staying with us for awhile."
Willow began blushing as her best friend laughed.

Willow leaned over the wheelchair. "I want to download that Cher 
song you mentioned. Then I'm going to take down my own Jesse James."
Fitz grinned as her pale Irish skin blushed.

Just Like Jesse James
Cher

You're struttin' into town like you're slingin' a gun
Just a small town dude with a big city attitude
Honey, are you lookin' for some trouble tonight
Well alright

You think you're so bad, drive the women folk wild
Shoot 'em all down with the flash of your pearly smile
Honey, but you met your match tonight
Oh, that's right

You think you'll knock me off my feet
'til I'm flat on the floor
'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm begin' for more
So come on, baby
Come on, baby
Come on, baby show me what that loaded gun is for

If you can give it
I can take it
'Cause if this heart is gonna break, it's gonna take a lot to break it
I know tonight
Somebody's gonna win the fight
So if you're so tough
Come on and prove it

Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
Just like Jesse James