In Thrall - 3/7 - B/W/T - NC17

["Hunter Ash" <carrkjar@xxxxxxxxx>]

In Thrall, Part 3
Red Moon Rising, Book 4

Author: Frau Hunter Ash 
Copyright © 2003 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.

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 New Moon Rising

Summary: It's the morning after, did Willow's spell work on Angel? 
Can Buffy, Willow and Tara connect again? Who will end up in Los 
Angeles or in Sunnydale?

Rating: NC-17 (US) 18 (UK) R (Aus)

Pairings: B/W/T, An/X, A/C, G/J 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Buffy opened the door to her hotel room just as Angel was passing 
by. The former lovers stopped for a moment.

"I take it the healing soul thing worked," Buffy finally commented.

"Yeah," Angel said slowly, feeling awkward. "Buffy, I&I don't know 
what to say," he finally admitted.

Buffy moved closer and touched his cheek softly.

"I'm happy, Angel," she reassured him. 

"I know, it was always Willow and Tara is fantastic," he said as 
softly. "I just want you to know that you meant everything to me and 
still do."

"And Cordelia?"

Angel broke into a rare grin. "She's&she's&I fell in love again."

"Good, I am very glad, honest," Buffy smiled as well. "Are you 
happy?"

"You mean, did last night work?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm happy and 
still here, no more Angeleus."

"I'm happy for both of you, Angel," Buffy said sincerely.

"Willow and Tara still asleep?" he asked, relaxing a little as they 
began to walk towards the coffee shop.

"Willow is but Tara wasn't in the room when I woke up," Buffy 
answered, a slight frown on her face.

"Do you know the levels Willow is working with now?" he asked.

"I'm beginning to get an idea," Buffy said slowly. "Willow admits 
that it's dangerous and possibly addictive. I think that's what 
bothering Tara this morning."

"What do you mean?" he asked, grateful that the coffee shop was 
inside the hotel and not outside. It was a nice sunny day at the 
beach and Angel really didn't want to spoil his newfound freedom by 
turning into a pile of ashes.

"I can sense what Willow and Tara are feeling and they can sense me," 
Buffy explained.

"You said that in LA, I wasn't sure you meant all the time or just 
strong emotions," Angel commented, opening the door for the Slayer.

"Almost all the time if we concentrate. We can communicate as well," 
she said and grinned when she spotted Carson leaning over a cup of 
coffee with Wesley and another young man.

"Looks like the bartender kept Wesley company last night," Angel 
grinned.  

"I thought he was interested in Cordelia," Buffy grinned.

"He is when they aren't trying to rip each other's throats out," 
Angel continued to grin. "He swings."

"Must be interesting working with the two of them," Buffy laughed and 
grinned at the young men as they noticed the vampire and Slayer. 

"It can get a little intense," Angel admitted. "Hey, guys."

Buffy saw Wesley's eyes widen and become fearful and Carson, noticing 
Wesley's reaction, snapped his eyes towards Buffy and Angel. Buffy 
glanced over and noticed the love bites on Angel's neck and the 
contented look on the vampire's face.

"A-Angel?" Wesley asked slowly.

"Yes, I'm still Angel," the vampire said, trying to reassure his 
friend and ex-Watcher. "Willow."

Wesley, wanting a full explanation, glanced over at the bartender in 
frustration and merely nodded.

"Where's Cordelia?" Wesley asked.

"Still asleep, she& uh, she was up late last night," Angel admitted 
and Wesley looked at Buffy with a confused look.

Buffy began to blush when she realized the ex-Watcher thought she had 
gotten together with Angel the night before.

"Have you guys seen Tara?" she asked. "She wasn't in bed when I woke 
up."

Given Wesley's confused face and Carson's smirk, Buffy knew she had 
made it clear who had slept where, finally.

"She's outside walking along the beach," Carson said. "Willow still 
asleep?"

"Yeah, the `party' on the beach last night wore her out," Buffy 
responded, getting to her feet.

"I think we'll be heading back to LA later today," Angel said and 
Buffy nodded as she headed outside.  

The Slayer was glad she had thought to bring her jacket when she 
walked out the far door of the coffee shop; it was a little cold 
along the coast in the morning sun. She also thought her mom had 
been right; the group had needed the break after the recent 
nightmares they had been through.

Buffy couldn't believe it had only been four months since Oz had came 
back to Sunnydale, demanding Willow's return and all the damned 
things since: werewolf bites, curses, Initiative tortures, Willow's 
disappearance, and then Adam.  

Buffy smiled when she caught sight of Tara sitting on some rocks near 
the waves, lost in thought, watching the ocean crash against the 
rocks and sand. The Slayer felt her thoughts and face soften as she 
approached her lover.

Tara, sensing Buffy's presence, looked up and smiled. She waited 
patiently as the Slayer made her way across the rocks and accepted 
Tara's hand, sitting next to the blonde witch. Buffy leaned her head 
onto Tara's shoulder and sighed with pleasure.

"Morning, love," Tara said.

"Morning," Buffy smiled as she held Tara's hand. "I missed you this 
morning."

"I needed some time," Tara explained. "Angel okay?"

"Yes, it worked. Is Willow's magick wigging you?" Buffy guessed and 
felt Tara nod.

"She's stronger than even my mother was," Tara said.

"Giles seems okay with it after they talked last night," Buffy 
mentioned.

"Yeah, guess we take it a step at a time," Tara said calmly.

The two sat watching the ocean for awhile, cuddled in each other's 
arms and content to simply be with each other while thinking about 
Willow.

After awhile Buffy kissed Tara gently.

"Why don't you wake up Willow and I'll see if everyone else is 
finally up?" Buffy suggested.

"You don't want to wake her up with me?" Tara asked, a gentle and 
welcoming smile on her lips.

"It's the first time since she's been gone, we'll take it slow," 
Buffy suggested.

"Okay," Tara nodded, agreeing with her lover as they stood up and 
began to walk back to the hotel.

* * *

Buffy found Giles, Joyce and Cordelia sharing a table for breakfast 
with no sign of Angel, Wesley or Carson.

The Slayer grinned at her mom and future step-father as she sat down.

"Hi, guys," she said cheerfully. "Have you seen Angel or Cordelia?"

"No, not yet," Giles answered, reaching across the table to hold 
Joyce's hand.

"Well, I've got some news," Buffy said with a grin. "It worked, 
Angel and Cordy got happy last night and no Angeleus. Most of the 
night, in fact."

"Buffy!" Joyce squeaked, realizing what Buffy meant and Buffy grinned 
a mischievous grin, knowing she was making her mom and Giles 
uncomfortable with references to sex. The Slayer could see a love 
bite on Giles' neck just below his collar too.

"Oh thank God," Giles muttered and Buffy knew he was remembering when 
they had all dealt with Angeleus. It had cost Jenny her life and 
Giles had gone almost insane with grief. Being tortured physically 
and mentally by Angeleus didn't help Giles' trust of Angel either.

"Where's Willow and Tara?" Giles asked and then pulled his hand back 
to start cleaning his glasses. "Uh, nevermind," he muttered as Buffy 
grinned.

Joyce shook her head at the look of amusement on Buffy's face. The 
mother of the Slayer still wasn't sure she understood her daughter's 
relationship with Willow and Tara. Joyce knew that they were closer 
than any other lovers she had ever seen but it was still hard to 
adjust to. Joyce knew the three of them were happy together and 
seemed lost whenever one wasn't around but Joyce wished it could be 
easier for the three girls. Even if they lived in a normal town and 
led normal lives, a three-way relationship was more than difficult 
and Joyce didn't know of any that lasted more than a few years at the 
longest. Joyce also reminded herself that most Slayers didn't reach 
legal drinking age either.

* * *

Tara opened the door to the hotel room quietly and was surprised to 
see Willow still in bed and glanced at her watch with a frown. She 
never knew Willow to sleep this late, but then again, she had never 
known Willow to do such powerful magick before either.

The blonde witch was across the room in an instant when she heard 
Willow whimper. Tara pulled the covers back to discover Willow in a 
fetal position, clinging to her stuffed fox, the witch's face 
troubled. Willow whimpered again and absently pulled at her hand, 
the one that had been shattered by Oz's manic grip.

"Willow, hey," Tara said softly and slowly lay down next to her 
lover. Tara gently touched Willow's shoulder and winced when Willow 
flinched and drew away from her touch, the red-haired witch crying 
out in her sleep, caught in a vicious nightmare.

"Willow, it's okay," Tara continued talking, keeping her voice low 
and soothing and touched Willow's arm again. When Willow didn't 
flinch away, Tara moved closer, letting her warmth touch 
Willow. "Willow, come on, baby," she called softly and began to 
shake her lover.

"Come on, Will," Tara urged and saw Willow's frightened expression 
become puzzled. "That's it," she urged. "Wake up, Willow."

"No," Willow mumbled, her hands moving slightly, as if warding off 
blows. "Don't hurt me again&Angel, please don't do this&not this&"

Tara frowned, her face puzzled. She had gathered enough from the 
Scooby Gang that when Angel had lost his soul and became Angeleus 
that he had tormented all of them, killed Jenny, tortured Giles and 
had almost killed Willow. She just didn't know the details of how he 
had hurt Willow and now her lover was caught in a nightmare about 
Angeleus.

"Willow, please," Tara said a little more firmly and shook her 
lover.  

"Angeleus, no, not like this&" Willow whimpered.

"Willow!" Tara snapped and shook Willow roughly and then wrapped her 
arms around the witch when Willow cried out and opened her 
eyes. "Its okay, Will. I'm right here."

"Tara?" Willow whispered clinging to the blond witch.

"I'm here, Willow," Tara reassured her mate as Willow broke into 
tears. "Willow, it's only a nightmare. You're safe."

"Angel, did it work?" she demanded.

"Yes! Its okay, Buffy saw Angel, he's happy and still Angel," Tara 
said quickly.

"Oh thank the Goddess," Willow whispered, wiping at her tears. "I 
couldn't face Angeleus again."

"What did he do to you?"

Willow glanced away. "Nothing, just the usual torment stuff&killing 
my fish&choking me&threatening death&having vampires drop bookcases 
on me&you know," Willow rambled softly.  

"Willow, no h-hiding things, remember?" Tara insisted.

"Please, Angeleus is gone. No more nightmares," Willow pleaded.

"At least about Angeleus," Tara agreed, her eyes loving and 
concerned. "I love you, Willow. I-I don't want you h-hurting."

"I know," Willow said softly. "I love you, Tara."

Tara held Willow until she felt the red-haired witch relax and 
snuggle next to her. Tara began to slowly stroke Willow's hair and 
kissed her forehead softly before moving down to Willow's lips.  

Willow whimpered and melted into Tara's arms. Tara broke off from 
the kiss and leaned her forehead against Willow's.

"Come back to me, Willow," she whispered. 

Willow drew back slightly and looked deep into Tara's blue eyes and 
saw the love and desire that caused Willow to moan. Something 
snapped inside Willow, causing her walls and shields to crumble. The 
walls she built up to protect her mind from the horror of having 
killed, of becoming a werewolf and the fear of the overwhelming power 
open to her, she let them fall away from her.

Willow invited herself back to her soul and invited Tara along.

The young woman felt Tara's welcoming energy and spirit and touched 
it cautiously. Instead of recriminations for leaving, Willow found 
openness and love; instead of fear, Willow found trust and a calming 
presence to balance her.

"Yes," Tara said softly and opened up even further and let her desire 
for Willow and Buffy flow from her to Willow. She watched as Willow's 
head snapped back, a moan coming from the witch.

"Oh Goddess," Willow whispered and cried out as her own desire 
overwhelmed her.

Willow growled softly and flipped Tara over, putting herself on top 
of Tara. Willow felt her body trembling and wasn't surprised when 
her hand was noticeably shaking when she reached out to stroke Tara's 
face and hair.  

"The feelings," she whispered. "I've been shut down for so long; it 
hurts."

"Shhh," Tara said softly, wrapping her arms around Willow. "What do 
you need, Will?"

Willow's eyes darkened to an emerald green. "You," she 
whispered. "But it's so strong, so intense."

"You won't hurt me," Tara assured her. "Come back to me. I'm yours, 
Willow."

"Tara, I love you!" Willow whispered and felt her control slip.  

Tara cried out as Willow's lips went to her neck and the witch's 
hands began pulling at her clothes. The blonde witch sat up with 
Willow in her lap, lips meeting in a rough and passionate kiss that 
felt like it was going to bruise both of them. Tara grabbed at 
Willow's pajama top with a whimper and Willow pulled back from the 
kiss long enough for Tara to remove the top. Willow felt her body 
trembling again as the connection with her mate deepened and she felt 
Tara's desire for her sweeping over her like a tidal wave.  

Tara gasped in surprise and arousal when Willow grabbed the front of 
her shirt and ripped the buttons off, revealing her plentiful breasts 
to the red-haired witch. Willow's face and eyes reflected her 
desire, her lust, and Tara blushed at the absolute look of wanting.

"You are so beautiful," Willow whispered and lowered her lips to 
Tara's nipples. Tara's head dropped back as she ran her hands 
through Willow's hair.

* * *

Giles looked over at the Slayer when he and Joyce noticed her jerk 
suddenly and begin blushing.

Buffy looked away quickly. "I, uh," she stammered. "I think Angel, 
Cordelia and Wesley are heading back to LA this evening."

The Slayer gritted her teeth as another mind wave hit her and moved 
her hands under the table where Giles at least couldn't see her 
clenched fists.

"Really? Is Carson going back to Sunnydale or LA?" Giles asked, 
trying to ignore the Slayer's obvious discomfort. Whatever was 
bothering the girl, she didn't want to talk about it, apparently.

"Sunnydale," Buffy answered. "He has a weird idea of trying to 
convince other vampires they can exist without killing. Wants them to 
conquer their demons like he did."

"Most vampires weren't priests in their human lives," Giles frowned 
and then raised his eyebrows as Buffy began to look flushed and 
nervous.

"Oh God, you two," Buffy muttered.  

* * *

Willow suddenly giggled and rested her head on Tara's shoulder. Tara 
looked at her lover like she had lost her mind, causing Willow to 
giggle even more.

"What?" Tara managed to ask, holding Willow in her lap.

"I caught a flash from Buffy," Willow giggled. "She's having coffee 
with Giles and Joyce Mom and catching our energy."

Tara joined in Willow's giggles until Willow began nibbling on her 
neck once more and her hands roamed to Tara's breasts.  

"Oh Goddess, Willow," Tara groaned. "Yes!"

Willow encouraged Tara back down to the bed and worked her way to 
Tara's nipples with her lips, kissing and lightly nibbling down 
Tara's neck, shoulders and chest. Tara whimpered and raised her hips 
when she felt Willow's hands at the waistband of her pajama bottoms, 
demanding. Willow pulled what remained of Tara's clothes off and 
Tara followed with Willow's clothes.

Both women moaned as skin touched skin. Willow began a trail down 
Tara's body; exploring every bit of her with her hands and lips. The 
blonde witch was quivering beneath her lover when Willow went between 
Tara's legs, working her way down one leg and up the inside the other.

Tara focused on keeping her shields open and Willow bounced Tara's 
energy and added her own back to Tara, locking them in a circle of 
energy and desire.

Tara almost screamed in frustration when Willow's fingers and tongue 
merely began to tease her without any release or stimulation.

* * *

Buffy dropped her cup of coffee and stood up rapidly.  

"I&uh&see you later," she stammered and rushed out of the coffee 
shop.  

Giles tried not to laugh as they watched the Slayer stumble out the 
door.

"Think she'll be alright?" he asked as Joyce tried to ignore what was 
happening to her daughter.

"She's probably about to jump into that very cold ocean," Joyce 
commented, finally smiling and trying to see the humor in the 
situation. "I take it that Tara woke up Willow."

"I assume so," Giles grinned. "Either that or your daughter found 
our conversation extremely stimulating."

"Rupert!"

* * *

Tara grabbed the headboard as Willow's tongue alternated with her 
fingers by entering the blonde witch and dancing across her clit.  
Tara moaned and tried not to thrash, she was rapidly becoming afraid 
of throwing Willow off the bed.  

It took Tara a moment to realize that something was different. She 
opened her eyes and squeaked when it became clear that she was about 
three feet off the bed, levitating, and Willow was sitting up, 
continuing her sexual attention to the blonde witch.

Tara looked down and Willow glanced up.  

"Relax and enjoy, I've got you," Willow whispered.

The sensation of floating and being driven crazy sexually combined 
into heightened waves of orgasm that sent Tara's mind into red and 
then darkness before crashing back on the bed.

* * *

Buffy leaned against the wall of the hotel hallway and tried to 
control her breathing. She managed to straighten up and moved down 
the hall as quick as she could.

"Oh God!" she muttered. "What the hell are you two doing?"

She reached a door and began to pound on it.  

"Carson!" she yelled and continued pounding.  

Finally the door opened and Buffy pushed past the vampire and sat 
down on his bed, wrapping her arms around her knees.

Carson, dressed only in a pair of blue boxers looked at her in 
disbelief as he shut the door.

"Verdamnit, Slayer!" he shouted. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Leave me alone," she muttered. "I just need&just let me sit awhile."

Carson studied the young woman in front of him for a few moments. He 
finally shrugged and crawled back into the bed and threw the sheet 
over his body. He sat up after a couple of minutes and watched Buffy 
rock slowly on the bed.

"Willow told me that she's connected to you and Tara," he 
commented. "Does it work both ways?"

"Yes," she whispered, gritting her teeth as the sexual attention 
turned from Tara to Willow.

"Why aren't you in there with them?" he asked.

"We haven't& not yet&we just got Willow back," Buffy struggled with 
the words.

"Women!" Carson complained and threw a t-shirt over his head.

"And you're an expert?" Buffy demanded.

"Why do you think I joined the priesthood," the vampire mumbled.

Buffy tried to focus on strengthening her shields as another wave of 
desire from Willow hit her.

"God, Will," Buffy muttered.

* * *

Willow smiled as the door to the shower opened and familiar hands 
reached for her from behind. The red-haired witch leaned back into 
the arms of the Slayer and sighed with pleasure.  

Buffy's lips began exploring Willow's neck and she moaned as she felt 
a shiver of delight run over Willow's body, followed by Buffy's hands.

"You two just about drove me insane in front of Mom and Giles," Buffy 
scolded, her voice husky with desire.  

"I can't say I'm sorry," Willow teased and gasped as one of Buffy's 
hands went to her breasts and the other between her legs. "Oh 
Goddess," she whimpered and grabbed the shower walls for balance.

"It was a little awkward, thank you," Buffy growled, dancing her 
fingers in between Willow's sexual lips, while pinching first one and 
then the other nipple.

"So, this&this is my punishment?" Willow teased. "What&what about 
Tara's punishment?"

Buffy was so overjoyed to hear the teasing and laughter in Willow's 
voice that tears of joy filling her eyes. Willow feeling Buffy's 
emotions, turned and grabbed the Slayer to her lips, the kiss 
passionate and desperate.

Buffy moaned and held the witch close to her, Buffy's heart pounding 
loudly in her ears. The blonde whimpered as she felt Willow's energy 
touching hers, Buffy concentrated on mentally lowering her shields 
and grabbed for the shower wall behind her as the emotions, desire, 
fears, and love from Willow hit her.  

Willow followed Buffy, her lips going to Buffy's neck, her hands to 
Buffy's breasts and between the Slayer's legs. The rebound of the 
energy from Buffy and her own, hit Willow like a blow, dropping what 
few shields she had left, leaving nothing but an overwhelming need 
between them.

Buffy cried out as Willow, growling with desire, thrust into her and 
bit the Slayer's neck hard but not hard enough to break Buffy's skin. 
Her hands held Willow's body tight against her as she thrust against 
Willow's fingers and the witch matched her moves.

"Oh, don't stop, please, Will!" Buffy begged, her hands gripping 
Willow's shoulders tightly.

Buffy whimpered and tried to stay upright in the shower as Willow's 
lips and teeth left her neck and began to work their way down her 
body. She took a long time, driving the Slayer's nipples and breasts 
into an overload of sensation with light kisses, sharp bites and 
raking of the teeth over them.

Buffy wasn't sure she could stay on her feet as Willow went to her 
knees, her lips exploring Buffy's ribs and tight stomach, finally 
settling on breathing in the essence of 
Buffy's scent that was mixed with the slightly different scent of 
arousal.

The Slayer was beside herself and grabbed the shower rod for balance 
as Willow gently lifted Buffy's leg to a bended position on the side 
of the tub. Buffy felt herself becoming flush as she looked down 
into the dark green and hooded eyes of her lover.

Buffy cried out and almost whacked her own head against the shower 
wall as her head snapped backwards as Willow entered her again and 
began running her tongue along Buffy's labia lips and over her clit.  

Buffy felt Willow's own pleasure building as the witch lost herself 
in loving Buffy. The blonde knew that her emotions and building 
orgasms were reflecting back into Willow as well and felt her legs 
trembling beyond any control.

"Will!" she growled, biting her lip, trying to keep from screaming.  

Willow mewled as her body connected with Buffy's, tightened every 
muscle in her body and shocked every nerve ending. She knew she 
would never get enough of Buffy and Tara; ever. Each woman was 
different in all aspects and Willow wouldn't have been able to answer 
which woman she loved more or even preferred sexually. Each had 
their own scents, own rhythms, needs, erogenous zones that Willow had 
delighted in finding and exploring. And each touched her differently 
but just right at the same time.

Willow clung to Buffy as the waves hit both of them, pulling a scream 
from Buffy and Willow's breath from her.

Buffy went to her knees beside Willow and kissed the red-haired witch 
firmly. They held each other as the water crashed over their heads.

Willow grinned and reached back to turn the water off.

Both women looked up and blushed as Tara opened the door and laughed 
at the sight of them, an impish glint in her eyes.

"You t-two look like d-drowned rats," she teased. "Do I get to dry 
both of you off?"

Buffy looked at Willow and saw the same impish glint in the red-
headed witch's eyes.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Willow agreed.

"Me too," Buffy nodded, a mischievous look in her own eyes.

* * *

Willow sat in a chair near the main desk as the evening grew darker 
and smiled when Angel finally appeared from the elevators with 
Cordelia.

The former cheerleader spotted her friend and dashed over as Willow 
stood up, grabbing the young witch in a rib crushing hug.

"Thank you!" Cordelia kept saying over and over again. Willow 
laughed and playfully smacked Cordelia's arms until the brunette put 
her down.

"You're welcome!" Willow grinned and looked up into Angel's eyes.

"Why don't you check us out, Cordy?" Angel suggested, "While I give 
my own thanks to Willow here."

"Sure, lover," Cordy grinned and headed towards the desk, taking the 
room key from Angel as he sat their bags down.

"I see you wanted private goodbyes before everyone else sees us off," 
he said.

"Yes, I wanted to tell you I just found that spell a month ago, 
before everything broke loose in my life," Willow explained. "I 
never would have held it back from you and Buffy."

"I know that, even though you've loved Buffy for years, you never 
stood in the way of our love," he nodded. "I also know that you 
forgave me for things that were unforgivable and fought for me and my 
soul. Thank you."

"That wasn't you, Angel," Willow said softly. "That was Angeleus."

Angel lost his smile as he looked into Willow's green eyes.

"You do remember," he whispered, his voice almost fearful.

"That was Angeleus!" Willow repeated firmly. "Not the man I know as 
Angel."

Angel hesitated, then nodded and pulled her into a hug.  

"I can never repay you or make it up to you," he said softly. "Just 
know that I will always be there for you and will always be your 
friend."

"Even when I show up on your doorstep about to sprout fur and fangs?" 
she teased and grinned when he laughed a deep laugh.

"Yeah, even covered in red fur!" he agreed and grinned at Cordelia 
walking over to them, his eyes darkening with desire.  

Cordelia smiled at the look on her lover's face as he released Willow 
and tossed her hair back, revealing his mark on her neck. She saw 
Angel lick his lips unconsciously and Willow broke into laughter.

"What?" Angel demanded.

"You two should take the room back!" Willow teased. "I don't think 
you'll make it back to LA before attacking each other again."

"You should talk, Ms. Shy Computer Geek who screams like a banshee!" 
Cordelia countered. "If I were into females I might have to make a 
play for the shy types, seems you and Tara nearly took the paint off 
the wall this morning."

Willow tried not to choke and come up with a witty comeback but 
Cordelia's sharp wit and tongue were victorious once again when the 
round was called to a halt by the appearance of the rest of the group.

Hugs took up the next half hour as both groups made their farewells 
to each other with promises to visit more frequently. Promises that 
were actually believed by both parties this time.  

Within an hour Willow was snuggled in Buffy's arms in the backseat of 
the Summers' car with Tara in front watching her two loves.

Carson was riding back with Giles, Xander and Anya and being 
basically ignored in the back seat but the vampire didn't mind. As 
long as the young couple in the front seat wasn't trying to stake him 
or bore him to death, he was pleased.

He was also pleased with the way things had turned out over the last 
two months and congratulated himself on trusting his instincts when 
he took a naked and confused Willow into his life that morning in the 
sewers.

Now Angel had his soul firmly rooted and was letting himself feel 
love; Buffy, Willow and Tara were connecting again; Giles and Joyce 
were planning their wedding; and Xander and Anya were busy working on 
their own sex record; and the Slayer wasn't out to kill him.

Carson thought it was a good turn of events.

Adam and the Initiative were both either dead or out of Sunnydale and 
Carson had new friends.

He tried not to think of the law of averages in Sunnydale that told 
him good times lasted for a damned short time, especially for the 
Slayer and her friends.

* * *

"So what next, guys?" Buffy asked as she dropped her suitcase on the 
floor and grinned at Tara and Willow's confused faces.

"I mean, think about it," Buffy continued as she threw herself across 
the bed and rolled over to look at them. "No more Adam, no 
Initiative, no Riley. Spike isn't talking to us; Angel has his soul 
firmly in place and no danger of Angeleus coming back and no Mayor or 
high school. What shall we do for fun?"

"You are twisted, warped and have a strange sense of humor, Buffy 
Summers," Willow declared with a laugh and landed on the bed on one 
side and Tara on the other in the Slayer's arms.

"Yup! And I love both of you!" Buffy added.

"Well, considering how much school I've missed," Willow said 
seriously. "I think I need to withdraw for the semester and start 
again next time."

Buffy and Tara frowned. "Will, won't that mess up your record?" 
Buffy asked.

"No, the administration knows how injured I was and I'm sure Giles 
can vouch for my mental breakdown this last month," Willow 
shrugged. "If I keep up my grades I think I can talk them into 
erasing this semester of any Incompletes I've collected."

"Okay, as long as you promise to go back," Tara grumbled.

Willow laughed at their concerned faces. "You know me; I'll be a 
student walking around with gray hair and a cane!"

"Nope," Buffy said firmly. "You'll be running your own computer 
company or a well respected professor by then."

Willow blushed under the praise and snuggled down into Buffy's 
shoulder.

"I could get used to this," she mumbled as Tara reached across 
Buffy's ribs for Willow's hand.

"I think we all could," Buffy said with a happy grin.

* * *

Across town, two men began unloading a large crate in front of a 
castle-like mansion as a storm breaks loose in Sunnydale.

Allen Robertson grumbled as he lifted one end of the heavy 
crate. "Come on, hurry it up. I'm getting soaked."

Tommy Barnes grunted. "I'm trying! Geez, this thing weighs a&.."

The box dropped out of their hands, landing hard on the ground. Both 
men moaned when they noticed the split boards.

Allen looked down and glared at Tommy. "Nice. Good job."

Tommy frowned and knelt down beside the crate, examining the dark 
substance spilling out between the cracks. "Look at this. The guy's 
carting dirt around."

"Leave it, we'll turn the thing on its side," Allen 
suggested. "Maybe it's dirt for a prime crop of pot."

"Yeah, right," Tommy muttered. "Man, rich people are so weird and&."

As they tried to turn the box, more boards shattered and Allen 
couldn't comprehend the fact that a hand shot out of the box. Tommy 
fell backwards clutching his throat as blood flowed through his 
fingers faster than the rain off his hat.  

Allen was still staring at Tommy's terror filled eyes when the box 
broke wide open and a figure was flying at him.