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Disclaimers in Part Four
A
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They were well clear of the Sound, and the dirty piggie water, as Buffy now thought of it, when Willow spoke again. ?While we are still under engine power I'd like to show you the wheel.? Buffy was relieved to see Willow was all business when she turned around. The cockpit area was small and Buffy felt slightly hemmed in by it. The steering wheel dominated the tiny space. ?I can see the wheel just fine from over here.? The Slayer said hoping the Witch didn?t want her to drive. Willow?s steady gaze told Buffy all she needed to know. The blonde knew that resistance from futile. ?Gag, I?ve been spending too much time with Andrew and Xander.? The redhead smiled at her as she dragged her feet the few steps it took to stand next to the Witch. ?Come to think of it Willow does look really pale ? and tired.? ?Don?t you remember that Buffy and driving are unmixy things?? The Slayer questioned and she was rewarded when Willow chuckled. ?Yes, I do remember. Now hold the wheel here and here.? The Wiccan said pointing to the wheel and where to hold it. When Buffy took it, Willow smiled at her. ?Honest to God, I hereby vow to do anything possible to get Willow to smile more often ? anything.? Buffy thought wondering how she could be so calm being close to Willow after all these years. Willow closed her eyes briefly and swayed slightly catching herself by putting her hand on Buffy?s shoulder. The Slayer tensed at the touch, expecting to feel something from Willow. Then she realized that the ?no smell spell? was thankfully affecting all of her senses. The Wiccan slumped further and Buffy quickly wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from falling. ?MMM, sorry.? Willow said trying to push away from the Slayer. Buffy held on to her and guided her the few feet to the bench that ran around the back of the boat. ?I had to add a little extra to the shield and it?s really wiped me out.? Willow explained, leaning back with her eyes closed. ?Just keep the wheel steady ?.? Buffy reached back to the wheel, holding it as instructed. She watched as Willow rubbed her eyes and shook her head. The Slayer turned back so that she could see where they were going and noticed several different screens placed above the entry to the cabin. They were conveniently labeled, wind direction, speed, compass, engine temp, and fuel, but the coolest thing was the GPS. It had a map of North Carolina along with a bunch of dots. She could tell which one they were because they were the only dot going southeast. ?Pretty amazing isn?t it?? Willow said standing next to her, startling Buffy that she could get so close without her realizing it. ?I want that spell off me, like now!? Buffy thought, then saw Willow sway again. ?Willow really does look pale and drawn. I don?t want to ask ? but ?.? ?Earth to Buffy?? Willow said reaching out to touch her arm. ?Huh?? Now that was articulate, Buffy. ?The sea, the wind, the ?. Spell? Oh, I haven?t, I?m so sorry Buffy.? The Wiccan gasped horrified. ?I normally just let it wear off, it will in a few days, for them, I?ll take it off of you right now, I am so sorry ? with the shield spell needing so much and being on the Star with you ? and I?m babbling? Professors are not supposed to babble.? She finished indignantly. It was all Buffy could do to keep from laughing at the expressions that flew over Willow?s face. It was almost like the years dropped away and she was her Willow again ? Not that she ever was her Willow, no?. ?Internal babble, never a good thing.? The Slayer thought and then was staggered when the redhead waved her hand and, stunningly, every thing came into focus. From the bright sunlight filtering down through the soft clouds to the sparking blue of the water, everything slammed into her senses at once. The gentle breeze on her face as the boat cut through the ocean, the refreshing smell of the sea ? clinging to the wheel Buffy leaned heavily forward trying to steady her reeling senses. ?Buffy?? She heard Willow?s worried voice and felt her touch on the exposed skin of her wrist searing her. It was like a light switch had been thrown and all Buffy senses had turned on at once. Willow?s natural scent filled her and she remembered how she would draw comfort from the smell. Even now it was calming her ? helping tense muscles relax ? helping her remember to breathe. Deep breaths, in and then out, each one filled with memories of her best friend that the smell invoked.
Willow smiling at her after telling her that she was staying in Sunnydale. Buffy holding her while she cried after Oz killed Veruca, Willow holding her after Angel left one memory after another. The years melting away. Buffy looked up into confused and worried green eyes and it was so hard for her to remember that they were no longer best friends. That holding her, hugging her, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek was no longer her privilege. And it hurt, everything hurt all over again. Waking up in the hospital, all those many years ago, and finding out that there would be no more chances. That she had used up her last one and that Willow was gone ? tears threatened and Buffy couldn?t let Willow see the pain, so she turned out of her embrace and put on the heavy sunglasses on ?Um, sorry, overloaded for a moment.? Buffy told Willow as she turned back to the wheel. ?I?m ok now.? She said gruffly, shrugging her shoulders to avoid Willow?s touch as the Wiccan reached for her. She heard the sad sigh as Willow backed away. ?That?s right, just hold the wheel steady.? The redhead coaxed. ?You just want to keep her going straight, see the direction?? She pointed at the compass. ?Just keep her going that way and if something changes call me.? ?Call you?? The Slayer Prime squeaked. She seemed to be doing that a lot today. ?Yes, I need some aspirin and something to eat. I?ll bring it back up here.? Willow said, rubbing her temples. ?We're on engine power, in light seas; I don?t see a reason to anchor for the three minutes I?ll be gone. Also, I want you to learn how to sail her in case ?.? The Wiccan?s voice faded as she went down the short set of stairs to the cabin. ?Well, I?ll just stay up here ?.? Buffy whispered when Willow disappeared.
Bright Blessings,
Ivy
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