FIC: Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 11c/?

["Beckett, Kevin" <kevin.beckett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 11c/?
K. Beckett © 2000, with the exception of musical lyrics which are © the 
individual artists / labels.

Disclaimers:
Buffy, Willow and all of the other characters and places from the show
belong to 
Joss Whedon, WB and Mutant Enemy etal. Everyone and everything else is
mine.  
None of my characters are meant to resemble anyone living, dead or un-dead,
if 
you see yourself you are looking way too hard.

This story contains descriptions of sexual acts between consenting adult
women, 
and was written in a jurisdiction where it was legal to do so. If this
offends 
you, don't read.

----------------------------------
Elsewhere in the mountains, far to the north of the village, the leaders of
the 
demon force hunting for Willow were sitting around their campfire,
discussing 
their plans for the next few days.

"Well the last two weeks haven't accomplished much," complained Hugh, as he 
stirred the fire with a long branch, trying to coax a little more heat from
it, 
"none of the villagers we've tortured knew anything about that damned witch
or 
the slayer."
"At least it made the troops happy," said Junulak, "that does account for 
something."
"But it still hasn't brought us any closer to our goal," replied Talor, "and
if 
anything our activities may have alerted our prey to our existence."
"Need I remind you two that attacking the villages was your idea," said
Junulak, 
his voice ringing with steel, "I agreed with you, yes, but it was your idea,
so 
no more complaints about lack of progress. Now, lets take a look at the map
and 
I show you my ideas for what we are going to do next."

Junulak unrolled a large parchment, which was a detailed map of the
territory 
they were in. The three demons spent some time looking over the map and 
familiarizing themselves with the various villages and natural features
detailed 
on it.

"They way I see it," said Junulak, pointing out a hamlet and a mountain
pass, 
"we have to check out both this hamlet, and the farmsteads along this pass
here.  
Then, the way will be clear to focus on this village at the end of this
valley."  
Junulak concluded his mini-briefing by pointing out the village of Morning 
Breeze.

"Going to take some time," commented Hugh, "if we check out the hamlet, then
the 
pass it's going to take at least two weeks, maybe more."
"Not my plan," replied Junulak, "I want to speed this up, before our master 
takes an interest in us, so I'm going to split our forces. Hugh, you are
going 
to take half the troops and check out the pass, while Talor and I will take
the 
remainder and takeout the hamlet. We will meet at the north end of this
valley 
in one weeks time."

"Sounds good," said Hugh, "I'll leave at first light.

"I think that this is our last chance," commented Junulak, "if we don't get
some 
information, soon, our master will be certain to take an unpleasant interest
in 
us."
"That is something we want to avoid," said Talor, shivering at the thought, 
"let's prey that we find some answers in our efforts."

----------------------------------
Not that far from where the demon leadership was having their strategy
session, 
four young women were in the process of setting up their campsite for the 
evening. They were at the southern end of a long mountain pass, which had a

fast flowing stream running down its centre, with steep forested cliffs
running 
parallel to the stream. The stream had cut a wide plane through the
mountains; 
there was approximately twenty meters of open mountain meadows on either
side of 
the stream, testimony to the extent of the spring flooding, before reaching
the 
edge of the cliff faces. The stream was the same one that wandered by the 
cottage; the foursome had followed it as a starting point for their 
investigations into demon activity in the area. It was cold, the
temperature 
hovering at the freezing point, and there was a light dusting of fresh snow 
decorating the mountain pines and the meadow in which they had chosen to
camp.

"This sucks," commented Willow, echoing her life-mates comment of the
previous 
day.
"No kidding," agreed Buffy, trying for the fifth time to erect the tent that
the 
four of them would be using. "This demented excuse for a tent is possessed.
It 
refuses to stay together."
"Now, you know its not possessed," replied Willow with a laugh, while
arranging 
a circle of stones for their fire, "its just that you are mechanically 
challenged."
"I am so not mechanically challenged," retorted the slayer, "I'd get this 
blasted thing to stay together if my fingers weren't freezing off my hand."

"What, the tent not up yet," commented Aiofe, as she and Bridie entered the 
campsite, each carrying a load of firewood.
"No," replied Buffy frostily, "its not up yet."

"Here let me help you," said Bridie, as she deposited her load of wood
beside 
Willow's fire pit before going over to Buffy, starting her assistance by
rubbing 
some warmth into the slayer's hands. "I told you that you should be wearing

your gloves, now where are they?"
"In my backpack," replied Buffy, "its just that I'm not ready to wear gloves
in 
July."
"But you are ready to have them freeze," responded Bridie, pulling the
leather 
and fur gloves onto Buffy's hands, "that doesn't make any sense now does
it?"
"I suppose you're right," grumbled Buffy, flexing her fingers to try to get
the 
circulation going.

Within minutes everything was in order. Willow had finished making the 
fireplace, and had built up a large cheery fire in it. She had also dragged
a 
large fallen tree next to the fire pit, to be used for seating. Bridie and 
Buffy had finally managed to set up the tent, while Aiofe put together a
simple 
dinner of soup and bread. They were all sitting close together, and close
to 
the fire, to ward off the chill temperatures.

"We are going to freeze tonight," commented Buffy, "once we leave this fire
we 
are going to turn into popsicles."
"Nope," replied Aiofe, "we will be nice and warm."
"How," asked Willow, "what are we going to do for heat?"
"Simple," answered Bridie, "our sleeping bag is down-filled, and it has a
series 
of pockets running along the outside edge of it."
"So," queried Buffy.
"So," continued Bridie, "we will take the hot stones from around the fire,
and 
put them in the pockets. They, combined with our joint body heat, and a few

layers of clothing, will keep us warm."
"Cool," said Willow, "that is one nifty idea."

The four women sat in silence, watching the figures dancing in the flames,
and 
the sparks, thrown up by the cracking of the logs, as they leaped up into
the 
air to join the billions of stars in the crystal clear moon-dark sky. The
four 
of them had become more than comfortable with each other, and worded 
communication was often no longer necessary. They could therefore sit in 
silence, not needing to fill the breathtaking surroundings with needless
words, 
each of them contemplating their own thoughts.

Willow, allowed her mind to wander, secure in the knowledge that she was
among 
friends and safe. She thought about the tremendous events that had happened
to 
her over the last six months and how her life would never be the same, even
if 
she and Buffy managed to make it back 'home' somehow. She realized that
even 
though she missed her earth tremendously, sometimes, deep in the night when
she 
was the only one awake, to the point of tears, that as long as she had
Buffy, 
she was in fact 'home'. As she continued her musings she began to
understand 
that for her, 'home' now also included Aiofe and Bridie, in addition to her 
life-mate. Willow was now having, consciously, the same thoughts that she
had 
previously only expressed subconsciously, in particular during the dream
that 
Buffy had witnessed over four months earlier, just before they had been
driven 
into the mountains. Willow was curious to see if the others shared her 
feelings. "I've been thinking," she said, breaking the stillness of the
night.

"Dangerous," replied the other three women simultaneously.
"Buffy and I are bound to each other forever," continued Willow, ignoring
the 
sarcasm by the others, "and that will never change, but, I've been wondering
how 
all of you feel about the relationship between the four of us."

"What do you mean sweetheart," asked Buffy, realizing where the conversation
was 
leading, but wanting to give her lover an out, if she needed it.
"Well," started Willow carefully, "I think that I've come to the realization

that Aiofe and Bridie are more than good friends, and more than 'family',
and I 
was wondering how everyone else saw things."
"Deep thinking," replied Buffy, "I know how I feel, and like most things
your 
soul and mine share the same thoughts. To be honest, I've been having ideas

similar to this for the last few months. Its just that I think that I was
afraid 
to mention them aloud."

Both Buffy and Willow turned expectantly to the other young women, who let
out a 
deep, joint, sigh.
"Buffy," began Aiofe.
"Willow," said Bridie simultaneously.

After a moment, Bridie continued, "ladies, you have touched upon something
that 
Aiofe and I have discussed many times. We both love you two more than
anyone 
else, and share your insight on the strength and depth of our joined 
relationships. We also think of you as more than friends, and more than
family, 
and have grown to love and trust you both very deeply. That love and trust
led 
us, more than anything else, to asking for your help in making us mothers to

be."
"We were hesitant to mention anything directly," added Aiofe, "for fear that
you 
didn't feel the same way, and that you would not want us as a permanent
feature 
in your lives."
"Not that we have really thought that far ahead," added Bridie, "given that 
recently we haven't had much opportunity to plan beyond the next week or so
at 
any given time."

"Well," said Willow, knowing that she could speak for both herself and for 
Buffy, "I would be honoured if the two of you could become, as you so nicely
put 
it, 'permanent features' in our lives."
"I do see a problem," said Buffy, "when it comes time for us to leave. What
do 
we do then, and how do we remain so close?"
"We will find an answer," replied Willow reassuringly. "Now, group hug
time, 
and maybe some hot cider to celebrate."

The women all embraced and kissed each other softly, each now reassured by
the 
knowledge that their feelings for the other women were reciprocated. There 
would be problems and difficulties ahead, particularly when it came time for

Buffy and Willow to leave, but somehow they knew that between them they
would 
find the answers and solve all of their problems.

As Willow was pouring each of them a mug of hot cider, Buffy's slayer sense
went 
off.  
"Heads up gals," she said in a whisper, "we've got trouble nearby."

"What's up," asked Willow, the concern obvious in her voice.
"A vamp," replied the slayer, her attention now totally focused on the hunt,
and 
the slay, "not to far away, maybe a hundred meters or so."
"It won't get by our protections," said Willow, referring to the protection
ring 
that she had cast in a ten-meter circle around their campsite, "you could
stay, 
and not worry about it tonight."

"You know that I can't," replied Buffy softly, as she got up from the fire, 
looking for her weapons, "want to come along?"
"Wouldn't miss it," answered Bridie for the other women, "we are here to
guard 
your body after all."

Suddenly there was a bellow of rage, which emanated from the far side of the

camp, it sounded like a creature in abject pain.
"Sounds like our visitor has found the ring," said Willow, "it looks like
he, or 
she, is not too happy about it either."
"Shall we go and see," asked Buffy, "I must admit, that the hunt is a lot
easier 
when they come to you."
"Better than checking out the graveyards every night," agreed Willow, as she
and 
the other young women formed up behind the slayer to check out who, or what,
had 
yelled in pain.

They quickly crossed the campsite, to an area well behind the tent. They
could 
see an indistinct figure standing just beyond edge of Willow's protection
ring.
"We could do with better light," commented Buffy, "I can't really see what
we 
are dealing with."
"No problemo," replied Willow, who concentrated for a moment then with a
softly 
whispered, "leayrtrys," created a ball of light and set it floating in the
air 
above Buffy's head. "There we go. That better," she asked.
"Much, thank you love."

Revealed by Willow's light, was a fully morphed vampire, his face twisted in

rage, pacing back and forth, just outside the edge of the protection circle.

"What have you done, you bitches," he yelled, "why can't I get in at you?"
"One track minds," said Buffy, totally ignoring the agitated vampire, "you
think 
that after all of this time I would learn, but I still expect something 
different."
"What," asked Willow, also ignoring the vampire, "witty conversation, dry 
humour, discussions on literature or fine art?"
"I don't know, something," replied Buffy, finally turning her attention to
the 
vampire, "oh well, maybe next time. Now what do we have here?"

Both Aiofe and Bridie were more than a little confused by the banter between

Buffy and Willow. They were faced with what was a major source of fear on
their 
world, and Buffy wasn't showing any signs of concern. Granted, they knew
she 
was the slayer, and they had seen her in action before, but it was still an
eye 
opening experience to witness the self-confidence of the slayer when she was

engaged in her mission.

"Well," answered Willow, "it looks like one really pissed-off vampire, who
is 
nonetheless really stupid to stick around when faced with something totally 
unknown. Do you want to simply dust it, or do you think that we should get
some 
info first?"

"It seems such a shame to simply dust him," said Buffy, "after all he did
come 
all this way. Why don't we ask a few questions first."
"Sounds good," said the arch-mage, "do you want to beat him up first, or
simply 
hold him?"
"Hold him, I think. After all it is late, I'm cold, and I don't really feel

like spending a lot of time chasing him through the woods and up and down
the 
mountains."

Buffy then cast the same binding spell that she had used before, and once
the 
vampire was totally immobilized, she and the others went up to the now
slightly 
confused, and terrified demon.

"This one is older," commented Willow, walking around the bound demon,
"looks to 
have been around for a while."
"Yep," added Buffy succinctly, also spending a few minutes investigating her

prey, "definitely been doing this a while." She stopped her pacing, stood 
directly in front of the vampire and addressed him, "hey, fangy. Before you

die, I've a few questions you are going to answer."
"Go to hell, bitch," he replied. He was an old vampire, having been turned
over 
two hundred years previously, however, he was terrified by this totally
unknown 
experience. He reacted with bravado, trying to mask his fear.

"No, that particular spot is reserved for your kind," replied the slayer as
she 
swiftly dropkicked the vampire, doubling him over in pain. "I don't have
much 
time, and we can do this one of two ways; one, you answer my questions,
nicely, 
and then I dust you; or two, you try to resist and I cause you severe pain
by 
slowly ripping off your limbs, then you answer my questions, then I dust
you.  
Now which is it?"

"Shut up, and let me go," replied the vampire, trying to use all of his
powers 
of compulsion, "I need to feed, and you are going to be my meal."
"I rather doubt it," replied Willow, as she watched Buffy calmly walk up to
the 
demon and rip his right arm out of the socket.

The vampire screamed in agony as his arm was removed, "you total bitch," he 
screamed, "I'm going to get you for that."
"They never learn, do they," asked Buffy turning towards her lover.
Retuning 
her attention to the vampire she proceeded to beat him over his head, with
his 
arm, while saying, "now, are you going to answer my questions, or am I going
to 
continue to remove your limbs?"
"What do you want to know?" 

"There, wasn't that easy," replied the slayer, tossing his arm over her 
shoulder, "first, are you alone, or are you with the group of demons causing

havoc in these mountains?"
"Alone."
"When was the last time you fed on a human?"
"Last week, a farmer and his wife."
"Did you turn them," continued Buffy, pacing back and forth, trying to stay 
warm, "or just feed?"
"I just fed."
"When was the last time you turned someone," asked Willow, "and where?"
"Months ago," replied the vampire, "some village idiot down the mountain."

"Looks like we found our sire," commented Buffy, "any other question love?"
"Just one," replied Willow, turning to address the demon, "now, do you know 
anything about the demons in these mountains?"
"Some."
"What," asked Buffy, the annoyance evident in her voice, reaching for his
other 
arm.
"They are about a day or so north of here," added the vampire quickly.

"That does me fine," said the arch-mage, turning to Aiofe and Bridie, Willow

asked, "ladies, can you think of anything else?"

Buffy, seeing answering head shakes from Bridie and Aiofe pulled Mr. Pointy
from 
her jacket pocket and swiftly flung it at the vampire. He was too startled
to 
react as the stake entered his chest, resulting in a small pile of dust on
the 
meadow floor.

"No miss this time," commented Willow, "nice throw lover."
"Thanks," said Buffy, "now, lets get back to the fire, before we all freeze
to 
death."

The four women returned to their fire and refreshed their mugs of cider
before 
making preparations to head off to bed for the night. Soon, all four women
were 
dressed in multiple layers, and snuggled closely together, to stave off the 
cold, deep in their shared sleeping bag.

<Red, you ok?>
<Yep, you?>
<Fine. We really do care for them don't we?> 
<That we do. Its like they've become an extension of us. Its like the more
you 
and I become one, the more we need them, almost as if we need them to
express 
our individuality. Maybe, I'm just babbling. Maybe I'm way too tired to
think 
strait.>
<We are having one strange year, that's for sure,> added Buffy just as the
two 
of them drifted off to sleep.