FIC: These Roads We Travel (2)

["Kimber" <feralspirit@xxxxxxxx>]

TITLE: These Roads We Travel 
AUTHOR: Kimber (kimbertvs@xxxxxxxxx)
DISCLAIMER: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. 
SUMMARY: The long awaited next story in "The Road Series". 
SPOILERS: Everything is fair game.
DISTRIBUTION: The usual suspects. Anyone else, e-mail me please.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This comes because I've had so many great responses to the series and many people begging for another. Be careful what you wish for.

{{{Indicates Flashbacks}}}

-----------

*CowPrincess: So then he was all like. . .gimme that flute! And I said. . .no way, besides, you have no idea where this flute has been!!!

*Laureltvs: LOL. . .oh, no! You didn't?! I can just imagine the look on his face! It must have been classic.

*CowPrincess: Totally. I wish you could have been there.

*Laureltvs: Me too.

(There was silence on both sides of the computer for a while)

*Laureltvs: *tap tap*

*Laureltvs: You still there?

*CowPrincess: Yeah, just working on a paper. . .and thinking.

*Laureltvs: bout? (Laurel asked, but she knew exactly what her friend was thinking about. It had been the source of her confusion over the past few months)

*CowPrincess: You know. Come on, Lau-Lau. . .do I really have to say it?

*Laureltvs: No. I just. . . you know how hard it is for me to get away. Since mom's been gone, Buffy's been watching me like a hawk! And if I'm not with her then I'm with Faith on patrol and then we go to my grandfathers. It's difficult. But we'll find a way to meet.

*CowPrincess: I guess you're right. I just, you know. . .wish we at least went to the same school. I mean I'm *all* the way over here and you're *all* the way over there ::big sigh::

*Laureltvs: LOL 

*Laureltvs: you make it sound like we're twelve states away! It's only across town and you go to another school cuz your parents are nazi's and are sending you to catholic school so you're raised with 'good Christian values' ::snicker::

*CowPrincess: Ok, ok I get it. :) But you know it's not working. . .the Christian values stuff....*evil grin*. . .I'll be bi till the day I die!

*Laureltvs: ::blush:: You know you embarrass me when you talk like that. . . .

*CowPrincess: I know. But it's so much fun! Come on, Lau-Lau. . . lemme corrupt you! You know what they say about genetics. . .you can't fight genetics. You have 2 mom's for gods sakes! It should be the most natural thing in the world for you.

(a few minutes passed without a word.)

*CowPrincess: Laurel? You there?

***Laureltvs signed off 3:23pm

Laurel closed the lid of her computer and sighed. She leaned her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Sure, she dated some boys in high school, without her mom's knowing of course, but still. . .she'd been kissed and there had been some *minor* touching involved, but. "I hated it." She whispered to herself.

"Hated what?"

She jumped and looked behind her. "Uncle Xander!" She slugged him playfully. "When did you get here?"

He sat down in the grass beside her. "Don't worry, I wasn't spying. But I did hear what you said. So what's up?"

"I don't know. I'm just being sixteen I guess, and feeling everything that comes along with it." She put her head on his shoulder. "Why does everything have to be so difficult?"

"Buffy and Willow met when they were your age." He commented.

"I know. They told me the story a million times. What's that got to do with anything?"

"Well, they both went though what you're going though now. I'm sure if you talked to Buffy then,"

"Uh uh. No way." Laurel interrupted. "I can't. It's too. . .personal." She grabbed her computer and stood up. "Come on. Lets go join in the family fun." She put her hand out to him and yanked him up.

"Whoah, take it easy there, kid. You're gonna break me."

She smirked at him. "I wasn't even tryin."

He nodded and looked at her knowingly. "Since?"

She shrugged. "Bout a year. The genius' back there just figured it out." She pointed to Faith, Buffy and Giles still sitting on the blanket. "You'd think with all the evil and prophesies they've seen, they'd be a little more in the know." She shook her head.

Xander laughed. "Let me clue you in, Laurel. They're not gonna see what they don't wanna see until it practically bites them in the face. And it'll never change." He grinned and put his arm around her. "Come on. I'm starved."

"What else is new?" She smirked at him and they walked over to the others together.

-------

Willow watched with awe from behind Buffy as Xander and Laurel walked over to meet the others. "She's. . .she gotten so big." Willow shook her head. "Where has the time gone?" She turned to Jesse, angrily. "What the hell am I doing here? I should be here with them, with my daughter! Mine and Buffy's daughter!"

Buffy felt a shiver run up her spine. "That was weird. I just got a chill and it must be ninety degrees in the shade." She looked around suspiciously.

"Your radar goin off, B?" Faith asked and looked around too.

"I don't know." She scrunched her eyebrows in concentration. "What ever it is, it's gone now." She shrugged and went back to eating her sandwich.

"She felt me." Willow said in surprise. "Buffy felt me here!" She got closer to Buffy and whispered. "I'm here. I'm *right* here, Buff. Concentrate." She got no reaction from the Slayer. "Buffy, think. . .think about me. I haven't gone anywhere. . .I'm still here." Willow paused a moment. "Hey."

"Hey yourself." Buffy whispered. Her head immediately shot up and she looked around frantically.

"Buff?" Laurel looked at her, worried. "Momma, what's wrong?"

Buffy looked around some more then tried to calm herself down. She could have *sworn* she heard Willow. "Nothing, sweetie. . .cemeteries still freak me out after all this time I guess. What do you say we head back? It's getting hot and you should rest up before patrol tonight."

"Okay." Laurel nodded.

Buffy put her arm around her daughter's shoulder and winked at Giles. "How would you like to stay at your grandfather's house tonight? You don't have school in the morning and it's close to where you'll be patrolling and---"

Buffy didn't get a chance to finish because Laurel stopped short and jumped into her arms, squeezing with all her strength. "Oh, yes!! Thank you, thank you , thank you!!! You don't have any idea how much this means. . .it's been such a long time since I stayed with Papa." She jumped down and ran over to him. "Is it okay? That I stay with you?"

He smiled at Buffy then took Laurel's hand. "That's never a question you have to ask." They walked together and he turned to Buffy and mouthed the words 'thank you' to her. She nodded and the four of them continued to the car.

------

Willow looked off after them long after they left. She turned to Jesse. "She heard me." She had a wide grin plastered across her face. "Buffy heard me and she answered. That means something. Right?"

He shrugged. "It might. It might not."

She ignored his vague answer. "I'm worried about Laurel though. She looks. . .preoccupied, like there's something bothering her."

Jesse nodded. "Yeah, the girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders."

"The weight of the. . ." She trailed off. "No. It can't be." She shook her head. "This couldn't have been for nothing. She can't be the Slayer." Jesse simply looked at her and she knew. She knew it had happened. Laurel was now the Slayer and the fulfillment of the prophesy was inevitable. "God, no. She's gonna die. There's no way to stop it now." Willow looked up to the sky and screamed. "NO!!!!"

Thunder clapped in the distance and a bolt of lightening skittered across the clouds.

------

"So you'll go right to Giles'. No stops or side trips or window shopping. Got it?" Buffy was relenting to Laurel's wishes, again. She wanted to walk to Giles' alone and not have Faith and Buffy escort her.

"Yes, *mother*. I understand and I'll be fine. I'm a Slayer. . .geez!" Laurel was exasperated. She just wanted to go, to think. The walk to Giles' was close to twenty minutes and it was a beautiful night. She wanted to enjoy it alone.

"Keep the Slayer thing under your hat, kid. We may have been living in this town forever, but the towns people are still pretty clueless." Faith jumped in with more words of wisdom.

Laurel rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't turn the neon sign on over my head with the big pointy arrow and lights flashing and---"

"I get it." Buffy put her hand up. "Got it. Good." She hugged Laurel and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Call me when you get there." She turned and walked down the street with Faith.

Laurel watched them go. "Finally."

"I thought they'd never leave." A voice came out of no where.

Laurel was immediately on the defensive. "Alright. Come on out and play. I promise to make it quick, I don't have all night." She opened up her Slayer senses to take in her surroundings. She didn't sense anything undead, but there was an unfamiliar scent in the air. 

The person chuckled. "If I wanted it to be quick I wouldn't have come *all* the way over here from *all* the way over there."

"Li?" Laurel dropped her stance and looked around. <It can't be.> She thought to herself. 

She came out from behind a tree ten feet or so away from Laurel. "In the flesh, Lau-Lau." She smiled. "Surprised?"

"How? When? How?" Laurel shook her head and rubbed her eyes. Her friend was still standing there. "How did you get here?"

"Bus. Then taxi. You have no idea the look I got when I told the driver to drop me off at this cemetery. He thought I was nuts." She smiled. 

Laurel laughed and nodded her head. "You are. Completely and totally bonkers. You've lost it totally. . .I'm sure of it now."

"Are we gonna chit-chat in a graveyard all night or do I get a proper hello?"

"Huh?" Laurel went pale as all the possibilities of what a 'proper hello' could be. "What do you mean?" She asked in a very un-slayer like voice.

"A hug silly! I want a hug! You owe me a few of them and I intend on collecting each and every one." She smiled and walked up to Laurel who stood there with a dumb expression on her face. "Laurel?"

"Huh?" She blinked.

Lisa put her arms out. "Hug?"

Laurel gulped and stepped closer to the girl and put her arms around her. Suddenly, everything fell into place. "Wow. It's so great to see you, Li. Really."

Lisa squeezed her a little more tightly. "Good, cause I thought I lost you in the clouds at some point." She looked at her. "You okay?"

Laurel nodded. "Very. I just, was. . .you know. . .shocked to see you and all. You're the last person I expected to see on patrol. Ever."

Lisa smirked. "Well, with as fast as you ran off today, I thought something was wrong. I've been looking for an excuse to finally come see you. That seems as good a one as any."

Laurel backed away and dropped her head. "Oh, um. . .my uncle showed up so, I had to sign off." It was lame, she knew, but it was the only thing she could think of.

Lisa nodded her head. "I see."

They stood there in silence for a while. Looking around, not really looking at each other. Laurel was at a loss. She didn't know what to say, what to ask, how to say it. They'd never had a problem talking on the computer at all. They talked almost every day and always had funny stories to exchange. They even told each other secrets. . .things that you would never even dare to write in your diary because there was a chance your mom would be 'cleaning' and just happen to find it under your bed, but now. . .now it was as if they were strangers. "So. . ." Laurel peeked up at her from under her bangs.

"So. . ." Lisa kicked at a loose stone on the ground.

"I kinda have to, you know. Go. I'm spending the night at my grandfather's and. . .look out!" Laurel grabbed her and tossed them both to the ground. A newly risen vamp came out of no where and lunged at them. Laurel saw him just in time and got her friend out of the way. 

Laurel quickly got to her feet and pulled out a stake. The vampire charged, but she threw him off to the left. He was on his feet again, but sizing her up this time.

"The new Slayer." He growled. "You know, I liked 'em young when I was alive. . .this is no exception."

"Vampire." She smiled eerily. "I like mine dead." She attacked head on and landed a flying kick square in his chest. It sent him reeling backward to the ground. She jumped on him and plunged the stake home. "and this is no exception." She got up, dusted herself off and turned to Lisa. "You okay?"

She sat there in the grass, her mouth wide open. She looked at Laurel, then to where the vampire got dusted then back to Laurel. Then she pointed. 

Laurel walked up to her and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Li? You alright? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

She shook her head. "No." She looked away from the grass and to Laurel. "That's slaying? I mean, that's what you do?"

Laurel smiled. "Yeah. That's part of it, well, most of it actually." She shrugged. "He was a newbie. . .didn't have a chance." She stood and put her hand out to her friend. "Come on. Up you go."

Lisa took her hand and got up. "That was. . .so cool! I can't believe I just saw that! You do that every night? Do they always turn to dust? Ever run into demony things. . .you know, with like horns and stuff? Cause that would be awesome!"

Laurel chuckled. "Slow down, slow down." Her cell phone rang from her backpack and she reached for it. "Hold that thought." She flipped it open. "Hello?. . .yeah, Buff, I'm fine. Late riser. . .yeah, I know, I'm going now. I will. . .bye." She turned back to Lisa. "See? Like a hawk! And even more now that I'm the active Slayer."

"Active Slayer? And why did you call her Buff? Wasn't that your mom?" She ran her fingers though her hair. "I'm *so* confused."

Laurel smiled. "I know, but I'll explain everything, I promise. Which leads me to my next question. You're here, which is nice, don't get me wrong but. . .what now? I mean, I don't think the bus runs this late."

Lisa shrugged. "Um, crashing with you?" She walked over to the tree and grabbed her backpack. "I was kinda, you know, hoping for a warmer reception but, if you want me to go then I can just call a cab." She looked down and kicked the rock again.

Laurel frowned. "I'm happy to see you, I just, I wasn't expecting you and so much has been going on with Buff and my grandfather. . .they're finally talking again and then something funky's happenin with Faith and I don't know what yet and we had a picnic today near mom's grave and it was so nice, not that, you know, grave side picnics are *supposed* to be nice but it was and. . ."

"Laurel!" Lisa put her hand on Laurel's arm and she stopped talking immediately. "Now I know what you mean about your tendency to babble."

"Hey!" Laurel pretended to be hurt. "I didn't tell you that so you could use it against me, missy." She pouted.

"Okay, okay fine. I won't use it against you."

Laurel smiled. "Good. So, shall we? My grandfather's house isn't far and I'm sure he won't mind you staying over."

Lisa brightened up. "Sure! Lets go."

------

Buffy and Faith sat facing each other in the kitchen. Faith had gotten in from patrol about a half hour ago. She'd eaten and they made some small talk. Now there was nothing left to do but make with the big talk. Laurel was at Giles' place for the night, they ate, talked about patrol and there was only one thing left. 

"Faith," Buffy started.

Faith put her hand up and stopped her. "Let me." Buffy nodded and Faith took a deep breath. "What you and Red had, B. . . it's something that everyone in this world looks for their whole lives. And if they find even a shadow of it, then they think they're the luckiest person in the world. You got the real deal with her, a complete set, no missing or broken parts. I can't, no, I *won't* interfere in that. It'll be like spitting on her grave and as much as me and Red butted heads in the past, I won't do that."

"That's not what this is about, Faith. I. . .I don't know where to start or how to begin. You know everything about Will and I. And I think that only makes this better. . .easier. You know exactly what we went though to get to where we are. . .were. .where we were." Buffy paused a moment. "I. . I don't know. I'm lonely. Don't you get lonely, Faith? I don't think I've ever seen you hold a relationship for more than a few weeks."

"Lonely? Is that what this is about? Cause I'm no one's consolation prize, B, not even yours." She said angrily. She got up off the stool and grabbed her jacket. "Maybe I should just go."

Buffy jumped up and grabbed her arm. "No! That's not what I mean. That's not what this is about, Faith." She shook her head. "I. . .I miss Willow terribly. I think you know that better than anyone." Faith nodded and Buffy continued. "No matter what, nothing and I mean *nothing* could ever compare or come close to what Will and I had, but that doesn't mean I can't have something different with someone else." She took a step closer. "With you." She whispered.

"It's been six months, Buffy. How do either one of us know that this isn't some rebound? Some kind of an 'I need a warm body' thing?"

"We don't." she stated honestly. "But I'd like to find out, if you'll let it happen. I need to get on with my life, focus on my daughter and the future. I'm not helping anyone if all I do is sit around crying over Willow and mourning for her. You said it yourself. I'm no use to anyone like that." Buffy stepped even closer and put her arms around Faith's waist. She pulled her closer into a hug. "Help me, Faith. Help me to focus, to move on. . .not to forget cause I'll never do that, but to maybe heal a little." She hugged her tighter when she felt Faith's arms wrap around her. "I need you." She whispered.

Faith sighed. That was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. People had said it before but, it never had this much meaning, this much history behind it. Buffy needed her and was asking her for help. Maybe even asking Faith to help her love again. Could she do it? "I. . .I don't know, B. That's a hefty request." She said. "The best I can tell you is that I'll try. . .I'll try to help you but, I've never been much of the 'healing touch' type. Ya know?"

Buffy smiled and looked at her. "I know but," she shrugged. "No time like the present. Right?"

Faith nodded and smiled back. "Right."

"Can you. . .kiss me?"

Faith wanted to, but she still felt guilty. Willow was the only one Buffy had kissed for years except for last night, and...

"It still feels like I'm movin' in on her territory."

Buffy was about to protest but something stopped her. A breeze came through the kitchen window and fluttered through the wind chimes hanging there, causing them to clink together and create an eerie yet pretty sound. "I don't remember opening the window. Did you. . ." 

Faith shook her head and just stared at the chimes. "Uh uh. Nope." She looked at Buffy. "That was. . "

Buffy nodded. "Very strange and *so* creepy. You know, I had the feeling that Willow was close at the cemetery today."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Like she was standing next to me, with us. It was. . .nice." she smiled.

"You need to do that more often."

"What?"

"Smile. It looks good on ya." She looked at Buffy for a few moments. Was she sincere? Did she really want this? Willing to try and heal. . .with her? What ever that meant, Faith would have to stick around to find out. "oh, to hell with it." She leaned down and kissed Buffy. It was light and short and very sweet. 

Buffy smiled at her. "That was. . .nice. And slow. Slow is good." She nodded.

"Yeah." Faith agreed. "Slow."

Buffy took her by the hand and led her out of the kitchen and upstairs to the guestroom. That's where Buffy had been staying since Willow was gone. She couldn't bring herself to stay in their room. . .not yet, anyway. They changed in the cover of darkness and slipped under the covers. Buffy snuggled up next to Faith, and Faith gladly put her arm around her. They were asleep in moments.

-------

Willow stood in the middle of the kitchen. Her kitchen. Hers and Buffy's kitchen. She smiled to herself, even if it was a little sadly, then turned to Jesse and chose her words carefully. "I don't think I need you anymore."

"And why is that?" He wasn't surprised. He knew she'd arrive here at some point.

"Because you're not real." She shrugged and smiled again. "I made you up. You're a comfort mechanism I created to help talk my way though this. But I don't need to tell you that. Do I?"

He shook his head no.

"I think I figured it out. Why I'm here, what I'm supposed to do." She moved over to the window and played with the wind chimes again. They echoed through the kitchen. "But it's gonna take some time." She turned back to him and smiled. "You know. . .when I imagined what it would be like to talk to my conscience. . .I always thought it would be a cute little cartoon character like Jiminy Cricket or something." She laughed a bit. 

"Well, even if you don't know exactly what you need right at the moment you need it. . .you're soul knows, and your heart. Trust your heart, Will. It can never do you wrong." He faded out of sight.

---------

Lisa had been going back and forth between her house and Laurel's for over two weeks now. Every Friday she'd hop on the bus and spend the weekend with Laurel at Giles'. Giles was glad for the company and even happier to slipped into the role of grandfather to Lisa as well.

Currently, the only light in the room was a flashlight. Not an ordinary flashlight. It was a Scooby Gang flashlight. One of those huge industrial ones that made it look like noon if your room was small enough.

The room Laurel and Lisa were currently occupying was just big enough for them to use the flashlight to throw an eerie glow on their faces as they tried to scare each other while telling ghost stories. Laurel was in the lead of course, lending personal experience to the tales. 

"Okay. Can we stop now?" Lisa asked.

Laurel smirked. "And why would you want to do that? Getting scared?" Lisa looked down and didn't respond. Laurel felt bad. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, Li. We can stop if you want. I'm sick of ghost stories anyway. I live it every night. Let's talk about something else."

Lisa nodded and was relieved. "Okay. So. . .why did you sign off without saying goodbye that night we met? I mean really. . .and don't give me some lame story about your uncle showing up. I'm not buying it."

Laurel opened her mouth to respond, but shut it again. She'd been caught and she knew it. She wanted to tell her but, there were so many things to consider. "I, um. . .I don't know really. I was scared, I guess." She shrugged.

"Did I do something or say something to scare you? If I did, I'm sorry. You know I was only kidding around. Right?"

Laurel sighed. "It's not you know. . .natural to me, I mean. All the flirting and stuff, sure that's fun but I've, well, I've had boyfriends but, nothing serious. You know? The thought of being with someone is. . .nice. I think about it all the time, what normal sixteen year old wouldn't. . .but when I think about that person's face I. . .I can't see it. It's like their features are erased or something." She looked up at her. "You think I'm a total freak now. Right?"

"No, Laurel, no. Of course not. I think about it too. I mean, I may come off as all knowing and bold and all but, I'm really just as scared as you are. And I get the whole faceless person thing too." She chuckled. "It's like I can see myself cuddling or snuggling or even kissing *a* person but, I don't know what they are. I think I'm scared to define them, their features. Cause one way or another, that's a choice I'm making and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that choice."

Laurel looked at her, confused. "But I thought that you. . .?" Lisa shook her head no. "You mean you've never. . .?" She shook her head no again. Laurel thought about this for a few moments. . .then nailed her on the head with a pillow.

"Hey! What was that for?" Lisa held her hands up to block the next blow.

"*That*?" Laurel hit her again. "Oh, gee, I don't know. Why don't you tell me miss 'bi till the day I die'?" She tried to hit her again, but Lisa caught the pillow and tugged it away from her.

"Okay, okay. . .so I deserved it." She laughed. "I just. . .oh, I don't know. You were so cool when we met in the chat room and I took a chance and messaged you privately and we kinda hit it off. . .I mean, that's what I believe anyway and it's not like I haven't given the whole 'other team' thing some serious thought. I have, I. . ." She shrugged. "I just wanted you to like me. I wanted to keep you interested so you'd keep talking to me. I. . .I liked having you as a friend and you seemed to enjoy the jokes so I just ran with it." She looked at Laurel seriously now. "I'm sorry if you feel like I lied to you. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. Honestly."

"No, Lisa, it's okay, really" She placed her hand on her leg. ". . .I don't want you to feel bad. I'm just kidding around. Well, kind of." She smiled. "I'm kinda, you know, relieved that you're not, I mean that you haven't. . ." She froze when she looked down and noticed her hand was still on Lisa's leg.

Apparently, Lisa noticed it too because she slowly reached over and put her hand on top of Laurel's. She entwined their fingers together and squeezed reassuringly. "I was so scared that you'd be. . .I don't know. Disappointed I guess?"

"In what?"

"In everything. In me, how I look, how I sound and the way I act. Just, disappointed in me generally." She whispered.

"Li, no. I'm not, really. A lot of the reason I didn't want to meet you was because I didn't want to be a disappointment to you." She smiled. "I mean vampires, sure that's exciting and all but, take that away and I'm just plain old Laurel Summer Rosenberg."

Lisa quirked her head to the side. "Uh, Summer?"

"It's my middle name. Got a problem with it?" She narrowed her eyes at her friend playfully. "It's Buffy's last name, well, without the 's' at the end."

"No, I think it's cool. You've got a part of both of your moms in your name. Speaking of which, I can't wait to meet Buffy, and Faith! I'm so excited about tomorrow."

"I see how it is now." Laurel nodded knowingly. "You're just using me so you can meet Buffy and Faith. You didn't wanna meet me at all. Now I get it."

Lisa didn't respond. Instead, she hit Laurel with a pillow - hard. This began one of the most famous pillow fights in the history of their relationship. The only casualties were Giles' goose-down pillow, but both girls agreed that it was well worth it.

---------

Xander moved about his home looking for something. It was a very important something, but he just couldn't remember what. He'd been sleeping soundly and suddenly found himself in a dream. A voice surrounded him telling him to find 'it' and that 'it' was very important - that his life and the existence of the rest of the world as he knew it depended on him finding this item. It had to be prophetic, it just had to be. He realized early on in his Shadowman career that he had the tendency to get prophetic visions in his sleep. They weren't anything like Slayer dreams. Buffy and Faith had tried to explain it to him once, only to let it drop after about an hour of talking in circles. His dreams were different - vivid - and not usually filled with double entendre's or hints. They out and out told him what he needed to do. 

He made his way from the kitchen to his den and continued to search. He was going through a drawer in his desk then suddenly froze. Someone was in his home. His anger rose at the thought of one of the lower beings treading on the Shadowman's mansion. He rose to his full height and willed his 'mask' in place. "Show yourself. Now." He bit out angrily.

A breeze came through the room and fluttered his curtains open. The window was closed.

"I don't have time for these games. Who dares enter my home uninvited?" He turned around and saw a figure standing in the doorway. It was translucent and he could see the door behind this person but, the person was unmistakable. "Oh, God." He whispered.

"Not quite. . .I haven't met him yet. I mean there weren't any angels or pearly gates or anything. . .and St. Peter didn't read me my sins so," the figure shrugged. "What do you think that means?"

"Will!" Xander screamed out and bound over to her with arms open wide. He didn't stop to think and - wham!!! Crashed right into the door and fell backwards, hitting his head on the edge of the desk. "Ow, ow, ow, ow. . .that's gonna leave a mark." He shook his head and looked up at her. "Transparent." He swiped his hand where her legs were and it went right through them. "I am *not* pleased."

"Well, if you're not happy to see me then I can just go." She stepped halfway though the door.

He grabbed for her and hit the door again. "Ahhh!"

She giggled. "So are you gonna stop trying to punch though your door and relax? Geez, you act like you've never seen a dead person before."

"Ah, but that's where you are wrong my translucent friend." He smiled at her. "If you were dead, then you wouldn't have been able to come into my house. I have a protection spell on it and Cyberus' pups keep guard at all the entrances." He shoved his hands in his pockets and gave her a self satisfied smirk. "So, that means that you are not dead." The words he spoke registered two seconds after they left his mouth. "Will! You're not dead! You're not dead! That means you can come back! Woo hoo!!" Xander broke out into a full 'Snoopy Dance' complete with wiggling his butt and flailing his arms in the air. "Wait till I tell Buffy and Laurel and Faith and Giles. . .I can't wait!"

"Xander! Xander, calm down." She laughed. She waited until his dance slowed then eventually stopped. He gave her a sheepish grin and mumbled 'sorry'. "It's okay, but. . .you can't tell them. *Anything*. Got it? I need your help and we can't let them know until we're sure that it's gonna work, and I'm not even that sure what *it* is."

He stood there in awe. He looked at her, really looked at her and realized this wasn't a dream. Willow, his best friend of forever and a day, was standing in his den asking for help. She wasn't dead, translucent maybe, but definitely not dead.

She saw his expression sober up a bit and was concerned. "Xand?"

He looked around then back at her again. "I would give everything up right now if only I could hug you." He said sadly. 

"Oh, Xander." She reached up to his face and tried to touch him. "I know. I need you to try and be strong and to help me. I know you have a job to do, but."

He shook his head. "Doesn't matter. If it takes me a millennia to get you back, I'll do it. Job be damned." He paused a moment. "They miss you, a lot. Laurel keeps it hidden well but Buffy. . .you could always see in her eyes when something wasn't quite right."

"I know. I saw them, at the cemetery." He gave her a confused look and she put up her hand to silence him. "Don't ask, it's a long story. Laurel looked disturbed and Buffy looked like she hadn't slept in months. It's a good thing Faith is around."

Xander nodded. "Yeah, I tried to talk to Laurel but. . .no dice. She's not givin an inch. Geez, remind you of anyone?" He smiled. "I think I know what's going on with her but, Buffy. . .she's another story entirely."

"I know what's going on with Buffy." Willow remarked a little sadly. "I wouldn't worry about it. She'll be fine as long as Faith is around to keep her in line." 

Xander caught the tone of her voice. "No. Uh uh, not if I can help it. I'll keep Buffy in line myself."

"She's lonely Xander and I can't blame her. I can't even be mad really. I kept so many things from her over the past two years, things that led me to where I am now. . .practically invisible visiting you in Limbo. If anyone should be mad, it's Buffy and Laurel. She's only sixteen. . .I know what it's like not to have your mom around when you're at that age."

"You two belong together."

"I can't even 'get solid' Xander. . .how am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with Buffy? Come on, now is the time to get realistic. If I can't live with her and love her the way she deserves then I don't want to stop her from being happy either."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Will. We don't even have a plan yet, and already you're giving her up. Hang in there. We'll figure something out."

Willow smiled. "Okay. Hey, Xand? Mind if I stick around? Cause in my condition, I really don't have any place else to go and I don't think I sleep. . ."

He grinned widely. "You never have to ask that! Of course you can stay. I'll ring up the butler and have him get a room ready for you."

She smirked. "'Ring up the butler?' You sound like. . ."

"Giles, yeah, don't remind me." He shook his head. "After you're settled in, the first thing we're gonna do is take a walk around and find out if we can get you all together. I have a few favors owed to me."

She laughed. "I'm warning you mister, one humpty dumpty crack and I'll. . ."

He put he hands up in defense. "Okay, okay. . .I wasn't even thinking about it. Much."

They moved into the living room where they could talk comfortably. Willow sat down on the couch beside him and smiled. "This is weird." She shook her head. "I'm practically invisible, yet I can still sit down on solid furniture. . .something I'll have to get used to I guess."

"Not for too long though. We'll figure something out."

Willow smiled at his optimism. "Tell me, Xander. What's wrong with Laurel? She looks so sad, so. . lost. I'd hate to think that I did that to her. That she's hurting over me."

Xander sighed. "She is hurting over you, Will. She lost her mother and it's not an easy thing to deal with at her age. I'm sorry if you feel guilty over that, I really wish there was something I could do but, there's not. She's dealing with something now. I can only guess what it is, but, I know it's big. She does that 'twirly hair' thing Buffy always does when she's disturbed. . .freaks me out too. She's got so much of both of you in her."

"Well? What do you think is wrong?" Willow pushed him.

Xander smiled. "Well, what was wrong with you when you were sixteen? Wait, that didn't sound right. . .um, what disturbed you and was constantly in the back of your mind? What's the one thing that you were scared to death of people finding out about you?"

Willow thought for a few minutes. It could have been anything, really. Sixteen was a tough age to get through. . .so much was happening. She was just glad she had Buffy there to help her. Buffy. . .how she felt about Buffy. It would have devastated her if anyone found out, but it was her inner most secret. She looked up at him in surprise. "No, it can't be. Can it?"

Xander shrugged. "I don't know, Will. I tried to get her to talk to me. The only thing she said was that she was being sixteen and that it sucked. . .I suggested that she talk to Buffy but she totally nixed the idea and told me it was way too personal. I could only think of one thing."

"Well, science has tried to prove that it's genetic." She laughed. "Does she, um, have a friend?" Xander was silent and looked away. She tried to slug him on the arm but she went right though him. "Damn it!"

He laughed. "Ha! Don't like it very much. Now do ya?"

"Xander!"

"I think so, I don't know. She's. . .she's such a private kid, you know? Keeps everything locked inside the way Buffy does. She's been hangin out with this one girl a lot. They stay at Giles' every weekend. Who knows."

"Name?" Willow prodded.

"You never stop 'momming', do you?" He smiled. "Lisa, her name is Lisa. She looks like a good kid, goes to catholic school over on the other side of town, both parents are together but we both know that doesn't mean anything."

Willow nodded. "Yeah. So can you find out more for me? About Laurel I mean. I'm keeping my eye on Buffy, so don't worry about her." She smiled.

"Yeah, I'll find out. It's late and I have a full day ahead of me. You gonna be okay? I can stay with you if you want. Technically I don't need the sleep but,"

"No, I'll be fine. I'll head up to my room as soon as it's ready."

He got off the couch and headed towards the stairs. "Hey Will? I missed you, so much. We'll take care of everything tomorrow. I have a few errands to run but, you're my priority now. Okay?"

She smiled. "Okay. Thanks Xander."

--------------

"So you'll go right to Giles'. No stops or side trips or window shopping. Got it?" Buffy was relenting to Laurel's wishes, again. She wanted to walk to Giles' alone and not have Faith and Buffy escort her.

"Yes, *mother*. I understand and I'll be fine. I'm a Slayer. . .geez!" Laurel was exasperated. She just wanted to go, to think. The walk to Giles' was close to twenty minutes and it was a beautiful night. She wanted to enjoy it alone.

"Keep the Slayer thing under your hat, kid. We may have been living in this town forever, but the towns people are still pretty clueless." Faith jumped in with more words of wisdom.

Laurel rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't turn the neon sign on over my head with the big pointy arrow and lights flashing and---"

"I get it." Buffy put her hand up. "Got it. Good." She hugged Laurel and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Call me when you get there." She turned and walked down the street with Faith.

Laurel watched them go. "Finally."

"I thought they'd never leave." A voice came out of no where.

Laurel was immediately on the defensive. "Alright. Come on out and play. I promise to make it quick, I don't have all night." She opened up her Slayer senses to take in her surroundings. She didn't sense anything undead, but there was an unfamiliar scent in the air. 

The person chuckled. "If I wanted it to be quick I wouldn't have come *all* the way over here from *all* the way over there."

"Li?" Laurel dropped her stance and looked around. <It can't be.> She thought to herself. 

She came out from behind a tree ten feet or so away from Laurel. "In the flesh, Lau-Lau." She smiled. "Surprised?"

"How? When? How?" Laurel shook her head and rubbed her eyes. Her friend was still standing there. "How did you get here?"

"Bus. Then taxi. You have no idea the look I got when I told the driver to drop me off at this cemetery. He thought I was nuts." She smiled. 

Laurel laughed and nodded her head. "You are. Completely and totally bonkers. You've lost it totally. . .I'm sure of it now."

"Are we gonna chit-chat in a graveyard all night or do I get a proper hello?"

"Huh?" Laurel went pale as all the possibilities of what a 'proper hello' could be. "What do you mean?" She asked in a very un-slayer like voice.

"A hug silly! I want a hug! You owe me a few of them and I intend on collecting each and every one." She smiled and walked up to Laurel who stood there with a dumb expression on her face. "Laurel?"

"Huh?" She blinked.

Lisa put her arms out. "Hug?"

Laurel gulped and stepped closer to the girl and put her arms around her. Suddenly, everything fell into place. "Wow. It's so great to see you, Li. Really."

Lisa squeezed her a little more tightly. "Good, cause I thought I lost you in the clouds at some point." She looked at her. "You okay?"

Laurel nodded. "Very. I just, was. . .you know. . .shocked to see you and all. You're the last person I expected to see on patrol. Ever."

Lisa smirked. "Well, with as fast as you ran off today, I thought something was wrong. I've been looking for an excuse to finally come see you. That seems as good a one as any."

Laurel backed away and dropped her head. "Oh, um. . .my uncle showed up so, I had to sign off." It was lame, she knew, but it was the only thing she could think of.

Lisa nodded her head. "I see."

They stood there in silence for a while. Looking around, not really looking at each other. Laurel was at a loss. She didn't know what to say, what to ask, how to say it. They'd never had a problem talking on the computer at all. They talked almost every day and always had funny stories to exchange. They even told each other secrets. . .things that you would never even dare to write in your diary because there was a chance your mom would be 'cleaning' and just happen to find it under your bed, but now. . .now it was as if they were strangers. "So. . ." Laurel peeked up at her from under her bangs.

"So. . ." Lisa kicked at a loose stone on the ground.

"I kinda have to, you know. Go. I'm spending the night at my grandfather's and. . .look out!" Laurel grabbed her and tossed them both to the ground. A newly risen vamp came out of no where and lunged at them. Laurel saw him just in time and got her friend out of the way. 

Laurel quickly got to her feet and pulled out a stake. The vampire charged, but she threw him off to the left. He was on his feet again, but sizing her up this time.

"The new Slayer." He growled. "You know, I liked 'em young when I was alive. . .this is no exception."

"Vampire." She smiled eerily. "I like mine dead." She attacked head on and landed a flying kick square in his chest. It sent him reeling backward to the ground. She jumped on him and plunged the stake home. "and this is no exception." She got up, dusted herself off and turned to Lisa. "You okay?"

She sat there in the grass, her mouth wide open. She looked at Laurel, then to where the vampire got dusted then back to Laurel. Then she pointed. 

Laurel walked up to her and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Li? You alright? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

She shook her head. "No." She looked away from the grass and to Laurel. "That's slaying? I mean, that's what you do?"

Laurel smiled. "Yeah. That's part of it, well, most of it actually." She shrugged. "He was a newbie. . .didn't have a chance." She stood and put her hand out to her friend. "Come on. Up you go."

Lisa took her hand and got up. "That was. . .so cool! I can't believe I just saw that! You do that every night? Do they always turn to dust? Ever run into demony things. . .you know, with like horns and stuff? Cause that would be awesome!"

Laurel chuckled. "Slow down, slow down." Her cell phone rang from her backpack and she reached for it. "Hold that thought." She flipped it open. "Hello?. . .yeah, Buff, I'm fine. Late riser. . .yeah, I know, I'm going now. I will. . .bye." She turned back to Lisa. "See? Like a hawk! And even more now that I'm the active Slayer."

"Active Slayer? And why did you call her Buff? Wasn't that your mom?" She ran her fingers though her hair. "I'm *so* confused."

Laurel smiled. "I know, but I'll explain everything, I promise. Which leads me to my next question. You're here, which is nice, don't get me wrong but. . .what now? I mean, I don't think the bus runs this late."

Lisa shrugged. "Um, crashing with you?" She walked over to the tree and grabbed her backpack. "I was kinda, you know, hoping for a warmer reception but, if you want me to go then I can just call a cab." She looked down and kicked the rock again.

Laurel frowned. "I'm happy to see you, I just, I wasn't expecting you and so much has been going on with Buff and my grandfather. . .they're finally talking again and then something funky's happenin with Faith and I don't know what yet and we had a picnic today near mom's grave and it was so nice, not that, you know, grave side picnics are *supposed* to be nice but it was and. . ."

"Laurel!" Lisa put her hand on Laurel's arm and she stopped talking immediately. "Now I know what you mean about your tendency to babble."

"Hey!" Laurel pretended to be hurt. "I didn't tell you that so you could use it against me, missy." She pouted.

"Okay, okay fine. I won't use it against you."

Laurel smiled. "Good. So, shall we? My grandfather's house isn't far and I'm sure he won't mind you staying over."

Lisa brightened up. "Sure! Lets go."

------

Buffy and Faith sat facing each other in the kitchen. Faith had gotten in from patrol about a half hour ago. She'd eaten and they made some small talk. Now there was nothing left to do but make with the big talk. Laurel was at Giles' place for the night, they ate, talked about patrol and there was only one thing left. 

"Faith," Buffy started.

Faith put her hand up and stopped her. "Let me." Buffy nodded and Faith took a deep breath. "What you and Red had, B. . . it's something that everyone in this world looks for their whole lives. And if they find even a shadow of it, then they think they're the luckiest person in the world. You got the real deal with her, a complete set, no missing or broken parts. I can't, no, I *won't* interfere in that. It'll be like spitting on her grave and as much as me and Red butted heads in the past, I won't do that."

"That's not what this is about, Faith. I. . .I don't know where to start or how to begin. You know everything about Will and I. And I think that only makes this better. . .easier. You know exactly what we went though to get to where we are. . .were. .where we were." Buffy paused a moment. "I. . I don't know. I'm lonely. Don't you get lonely, Faith? I don't think I've ever seen you hold a relationship for more than a few weeks."

"Lonely? Is that what this is about? Cause I'm no one's consolation prize, B, not even yours." She said angrily. She got up off the stool and grabbed her jacket. "Maybe I should just go."

Buffy jumped up and grabbed her arm. "No! That's not what I mean. That's not what this is about, Faith." She shook her head. "I. . .I miss Willow terribly. I think you know that better than anyone." Faith nodded and Buffy continued. "No matter what, nothing and I mean *nothing* could ever compare or come close to what Will and I had, but that doesn't mean I can't have something different with someone else." She took a step closer. "With you." She whispered.

"It's been six months, Buffy. How do either one of us know that this isn't some rebound? Some kind of an 'I need a warm body' thing?"

"We don't." she stated honestly. "But I'd like to find out, if you'll let it happen. I need to get on with my life, focus on my daughter and the future. I'm not helping anyone if all I do is sit around crying over Willow and mourning for her. You said it yourself. I'm no use to anyone like that." Buffy stepped even closer and put her arms around Faith's waist. She pulled her closer into a hug. "Help me, Faith. Help me to focus, to move on. . .not to forget cause I'll never do that, but to maybe heal a little." She hugged her tighter when she felt Faith's arms wrap around her. "I need you." She whispered.

Faith sighed. That was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. People had said it before but, it never had this much meaning, this much history behind it. Buffy needed her and was asking her for help. Maybe even asking Faith to help her love again. Could she do it? "I. . .I don't know, B. That's a hefty request." She said. "The best I can tell you is that I'll try. . .I'll try to help you but, I've never been much of the 'healing touch' type. Ya know?"

Buffy smiled and looked at her. "I know but," she shrugged. "No time like the present. Right?"

Faith nodded and smiled back. "Right."

"Can you. . .kiss me?"

Faith wanted to, but she still felt guilty. Willow was the only one Buffy had kissed for years except for last night, and...

"It still feels like I'm movin' in on her territory."

Buffy was about to protest but something stopped her. A breeze came through the kitchen window and fluttered through the wind chimes hanging there, causing them to clink together and create an eerie yet pretty sound. "I don't remember opening the window. Did you. . ." 

Faith shook her head and just stared at the chimes. "Uh uh. Nope." She looked at Buffy. "That was. . "

Buffy nodded. "Very strange and *so* creepy. You know, I had the feeling that Willow was close at the cemetery today."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Like she was standing next to me, with us. It was. . .nice." she smiled.

"You need to do that more often."

"What?"

"Smile. It looks good on ya." She looked at Buffy for a few moments. Was she sincere? Did she really want this? Willing to try and heal. . .with her? What ever that meant, Faith would have to stick around to find out. "oh, to hell with it." She leaned down and kissed Buffy. It was light and short and very sweet. 

Buffy smiled at her. "That was. . .nice. And slow. Slow is good." She nodded.

"Yeah." Faith agreed. "Slow."

Buffy took her by the hand and led her out of the kitchen and upstairs to the guestroom. That's where Buffy had been staying since Willow was gone. She couldn't bring herself to stay in their room. . .not yet, anyway. They changed in the cover of darkness and slipped under the covers. Buffy snuggled up next to Faith, and Faith gladly put her arm around her. They were asleep in moments.

-------

Willow stood in the middle of the kitchen. Her kitchen. Hers and Buffy's kitchen. She smiled to herself, even if it was a little sadly, then turned to Jesse and chose her words carefully. "I don't think I need you anymore."

"And why is that?" He wasn't surprised. He knew she'd arrive here at some point.

"Because you're not real." She shrugged and smiled again. "I made you up. You're a comfort mechanism I created to help talk my way though this. But I don't need to tell you that. Do I?"

He shook his head no.

"I think I figured it out. Why I'm here, what I'm supposed to do." She moved over to the window and played with the wind chimes again. They echoed through the kitchen. "But it's gonna take some time." She turned back to him and smiled. "You know. . .when I imagined what it would be like to talk to my conscience. . .I always thought it would be a cute little cartoon character like Jiminy Cricket or something." She laughed a bit. 

"Well, even if you don't know exactly what you need right at the moment you need it. . .you're soul knows, and your heart. Trust your heart, Will. It can never do you wrong." He faded out of sight.

----------

Lisa had been going back and forth between her house and Laurel's for over two weeks now. Every Friday she'd hop on the bus and spend the weekend with Laurel at Giles'. Giles was glad for the company and even happier to slipped into the role of grandfather to Lisa as well.

Currently, the only light in the room was a flashlight. Not an ordinary flashlight. It was a Scooby Gang flashlight. One of those huge industrial ones that made it look like noon if your room was small enough.

The room Laurel and Lisa were currently occupying was just big enough for them to use the flashlight to throw an eerie glow on their faces as they tried to scare each other while telling ghost stories. Laurel was in the lead of course, lending personal experience to the tales. 

"Okay. Can we stop now?" Lisa asked.

Laurel smirked. "And why would you want to do that? Getting scared?" Lisa looked down and didn't respond. Laurel felt bad. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, Li. We can stop if you want. I'm sick of ghost stories anyway. I live it every night. Let's talk about something else."

Lisa nodded and was relieved. "Okay. So. . .why did you sign off without saying goodbye that night we met? I mean really. . .and don't give me some lame story about your uncle showing up. I'm not buying it."

Laurel opened her mouth to respond, but shut it again. She'd been caught and she knew it. She wanted to tell her but, there were so many things to consider. "I, um. . .I don't know really. I was scared, I guess." She shrugged.

"Did I do something or say something to scare you? If I did, I'm sorry. You know I was only kidding around. Right?"

Laurel sighed. "It's not you know. . .natural to me, I mean. All the flirting and stuff, sure that's fun but I've, well, I've had boyfriends but, nothing serious. You know? The thought of being with someone is. . .nice. I think about it all the time, what normal sixteen year old wouldn't. . .but when I think about that person's face I. . .I can't see it. It's like their features are erased or something." She looked up at her. "You think I'm a total freak now. Right?"

"No, Laurel, no. Of course not. I think about it too. I mean, I may come off as all knowing and bold and all but, I'm really just as scared as you are. And I get the whole faceless person thing too." She chuckled. "It's like I can see myself cuddling or snuggling or even kissing *a* person but, I don't know what they are. I think I'm scared to define them, their features. Cause one way or another, that's a choice I'm making and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that choice."

Laurel looked at her, confused. "But I thought that you. . .?" Lisa shook her head no. "You mean you've never. . .?" She shook her head no again. Laurel thought about this for a few moments. . .then nailed her on the head with a pillow.

"Hey! What was that for?" Lisa held her hands up to block the next blow.

"*That*?" Laurel hit her again. "Oh, gee, I don't know. Why don't you tell me miss 'bi till the day I die'?" She tried to hit her again, but Lisa caught the pillow and tugged it away from her.

"Okay, okay. . .so I deserved it." She laughed. "I just. . .oh, I don't know. You were so cool when we met in the chat room and I took a chance and messaged you privately and we kinda hit it off. . .I mean, that's what I believe anyway and it's not like I haven't given the whole 'other team' thing some serious thought. I have, I. . ." She shrugged. "I just wanted you to like me. I wanted to keep you interested so you'd keep talking to me. I. . .I liked having you as a friend and you seemed to enjoy the jokes so I just ran with it." She looked at Laurel seriously now. "I'm sorry if you feel like I lied to you. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. Honestly."

"No, Lisa, it's okay, really" She placed her hand on her leg. ". . .I don't want you to feel bad. I'm just kidding around. Well, kind of." She smiled. "I'm kinda, you know, relieved that you're not, I mean that you haven't. . ." She froze when she looked down and noticed her hand was still on Lisa's leg.

Apparently, Lisa noticed it too because she slowly reached over and put her hand on top of Laurel's. She entwined their fingers together and squeezed reassuringly. "I was so scared that you'd be. . .I don't know. Disappointed I guess?"

"In what?"

"In everything. In me, how I look, how I sound and the way I act. Just, disappointed in me generally." She whispered.

"Li, no. I'm not, really. A lot of the reason I didn't want to meet you was because I didn't want to be a disappointment to you." She smiled. "I mean vampires, sure that's exciting and all but, take that away and I'm just plain old Laurel Summer Rosenberg."

Lisa quirked her head to the side. "Uh, Summer?"

"It's my middle name. Got a problem with it?" She narrowed her eyes at her friend playfully. "It's Buffy's last name, well, without the 's' at the end."

"No, I think it's cool. You've got a part of both of your moms in your name. Speaking of which, I can't wait to meet Buffy, and Faith! I'm so excited about tomorrow."

"I see how it is now." Laurel nodded knowingly. "You're just using me so you can meet Buffy and Faith. You didn't wanna meet me at all. Now I get it."

Lisa didn't respond. Instead, she hit Laurel with a pillow - hard. This began one of the most famous pillow fights in the history of their relationship. The only casualties were Giles' goose-down pillow, but both girls agreed that it was well worth it.

---------

The slight fog of just waking was still clouding Laurels brain when she rolled over. She flung her arm over to the other side of the bed and came in contact with. . .a body. A body that was currently snoring lightly. She went to move her arm, but another arm reached up and tugged her back into position. Laurel opened one eye, then the other, and found Lisa snuggled deep under the comforter hanging onto her arm. "Li." She whispered. "Hey, Li."

"Mmm. .rrumph." Came the sleepy and very cute reply. Laurel couldn't help but smile fondly.

"Li, gimme my arm back. You're cutting off the circulation for gods sakes." Laurel tried to tug it away.

"Don't wanna." Came the muffled reply, right before she tightened her grip.

Laurel sighed and looked at her watch. "Buffy and Faith are gonna be here in two hours. Don't you want to get up and get ready?"

"Nope. Plenty of time." She smiled and opened one eye. "Since when do you complain about being lazy in bed? It's Saturday and we don't have anything planned really."

Laurel shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just. . ." She looked at Lisa who now had both eyes opened and patiently waiting for her to finish. Laurel looked down and pulled at some fuzz on Lisa's shirt. "This is. . .weird. Not bad weird, just,"

"Good weird?" Lisa smirked.

"You know what I mean." Laurel swatted her playfully. "I mean, my mom's, they love each other so much. When I was little and had a bad dream, I'd crawl into bed and snuggle in between them." She smiled. "Even though I didn't hear them professing their love for each other every second, I could just. . .feel it. Ya know? Like words weren't good enough. You could just 'feel' it in the air."

Lisa smiled at the memory. "That's so beautiful. . .the way they loved each other. I wish I could have met her."

"Me too." Laurel smiled back, but there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

"What's that got to do with what we were talking about though?"

"I'm. . .I don't know." She shook her head and pulled away from Lisa. She turned over and faced the window.

Lisa frowned and reached out tentatively for her shoulder. Laurel stiffened at the touch, but Lisa didn't retract her hand. Instead, she began to rub her back trying to sooth away what ever the other girl was fretting over. "I can't help you. . .if you don't tell me what's wrong." She whispered. They laid there like that for a few moments, then Lisa moved closer and wrapped her arm around Laurel's waist. 

Laurel looked down nervously at Lisa's arm there. Touching her. Wrapped around her. She was scared, more scared than she'd ever been up against anything else. 

"You're right."

Laurel was broken from her inner struggle by Lisa's comment. "Wha?"

"It's. . .weird." She gave her a little squeeze. "But I was right too. Good weird."

Laurel turned her head just enough to look at her. They were inches away. She visibly gulped when Lisa's hand came up and touched her cheek, caressing it softly. She smiled and relaxed considerably under her touch.

"Better?"

Laurel nodded. "Much." She closed her eyes instinctively when she saw the other girl glance down at her lips.

"Laurel!" Footsteps resounded down the hall.

Within seconds, both girls were up and at opposite ends of the room as the door opened. "Laurel?" Faith poked her head inside. "You up?"

"Uh, yeah, Faith. We're up."

Faith turned her head to see, Lisa next to the dresser. She waved at here and smiled, and Faith smiled back. "B and I got up early and decided not to wait. Why don't you two get dressed? Giles is making breakfast."

Laurel nodded, a bit too emphatically Faith noted, and reached over to start going through her bags for something to wear. Automatically, Lisa did the same. Faith smirked and closed the door behind her.

-------

The group sat around Giles' table eating breakfast. Buffy and Faith asked Lisa all the usual questions about where she lived, went to school, and what her hobbies were. The girl answered the questions gladly, even after Laurel complained that they didn't need to give her the third degree.

"It's okay, Laurel. I don't mind." Lisa smiled at her.

Laurel looked up at Buffy and Faith. "She has a pulse and no record. Isn't that good enough?"

"Laurel, they're simply curious about your friend. I've had the pleasure of her company every weekend and this is the first time your mother and Faith are meeting her." He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Humor the two old ladies."

Laurel smirked and kissed him on the cheek. "Okay."

Buffy narrowed her eyes at Giles. "What was that all about?"

"It's between my granddaughter and I. If you don't mind?"

Buffy was about to say something, but Faith stopped her. "Anyone for more juice?" She picked up the pitcher and began pouring. "So what do you two have planned today?" She asked the teens.

Laurel shrugged. "I dunno. I was thinking we could go to the beach. . .maybe?" She looked over at Lisa who nodded. "Then back here. We rented some movies for tonight and we're gonna have a vid fest and stuff our faces with popcorn." She smiled.

"Oohh! I know. . .we can stop at the mall before we get back and grab some lunch then ice cream." Lisa responded.

"Yeah! That way by the time we get back and put the movie in, we'll be all ready for the popcorn. Good idea, Li."

Lisa nodded. "Thanks, Lau-Lau."

Faith smirked again watching the banter between the two girls. They got up, put their plates in the sink and headed off to their room to get ready for their day.

Buffy watched Faith's expressions as the two girls planned their day. Once they were out of the room, she turned to Faith. "Okay. What'd I miss?"

Faith shook her head and looked at Giles. He looked back at her and put his hands up. "Well, don't look at me like that. I'm not getting into this."

"So you see it too then, G-man?"

Giles simply coughed and excused himself to go do the dishes.

"Faith?!" Buffy nudged her. The exasperation was clear in her voice.

"Your daughter's got it bad, B." Faith sat back with a self satisfied grin on her face. She looked over at the blonde. "And don't give me 'for who' either. We both saw that little glowy thing both of their faces did when they looked at each other." She shook her head and mumbled. "And they said it wasn't genetic."

Buffy opened her mouth to respond. . .only to shut it again with an audible click. She shook her head and growled at Faith, which sent the Dark Slayer into, of all things, a giggle fit. "I don't see how this is amusing." Buffy pouted.

"Look at it this way, B." Faith slung her arm around Buffy's shoulder. "At least you don't have to worry about her getting pregnant." She laughed again.

"Oh, very funny. Ha ha. I'm so amused." Buffy tried to be mad, but a little smile crossed her face. She laid her head on Faith's shoulder. "You think they know?"

Faith nodded. "Oh, they know alright. When I went in there this morning, they looked guilty as sin."

"What? What were they doing?" Buffy looked at her.

"Nothing as far as I can tell. Relax, Buff. I don't think they've even kissed or anything yet. Not with as fidgety as they are around each other. They're in the butterfly stage now. . .but believe me, with the way Laurel looks at her, it won't last long."

Buffy sighed. "Why couldn't we have had a boy?"

Faith smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "You wouldn't trade that kid for the world."

Buffy smiled at her and kissed her on the lips softly. "You're right."

--------

Laurel was on her way back down the hall to turn on the 'puppy dog face' and beg her mom to let Faith drop them off at the beach on her motorcycle. She stopped in her tracks and caught the tail end of their conversation. <wouldn't trade that kid for the world.> <You're right.>

She stood stock still and gasped when she saw Buffy kiss Faith. She couldn't believe it. In nearly three seconds she ran the gambit of emotions; shock, then fear, then confusion then loathing firmly set in. Her mother had been gone not even a year and there was Buffy, moving on already. And with Faith! Laurel couldn't believe what she'd just seen. She was angry that Buffy could forget about her mother so easily and just move on as if. . .as if she'd never existed.

"Laurel?" Giles stood in the doorway concerned.

She turned to him, then glanced back at Buffy and Faith as they kissed again, then headed back down the hallway without a backward glance.

"Oh, dear." Giles rubbed his temples.

------

"I think this is our best shot." Xander sat on the edge of a table outside his home. He and Willow had been brainstorming what their course of action should be.

"They're dead, Xander. How are they gonna help?"

"The Oracles are dead, Will. . .not the Powers That Be."

"Yeah, and it's even harder getting an audience with them than it was with The Oracles. What about Anya? Did she come up with anything yet?"

Xander shook his head. "She wants to know why I'm asking all these questions. She won't help unless I tell her."

They'd been avoiding telling Anya that Willow was 'existing' in Xander's house. They thought that as soon as she knew, she'd go to Buffy and Faith about it. Now it seemed like they had no choice." "Then tell her. It's the only option we have right now. On top of trying to get me tangible, we still have this damn prophesy to figure out. Has Giles made any headway on it yet?"

"Not yet but he's got the council on it." Xander jumped off the table and smiled at her. "You gonna be okay? I need to run and take care of some business, but if you need me then,"

"No, Xander really. . .I'll be fine." She smiled. "I'm gonna keep looking through your books in the study. I still can't believe you have them all crated. Do you know how much easier this would be if they were on the shelves where they belonged?"

"I know, I know. I'll get some of the staff to help you out. It'll go much quicker that way. But I have to run now. My line of work really can't wait. I'm sorry, Will."

She smiled at him again. "Don't use the puppy dog eyes on me and it's okay, really. I'll manage."

----------------

Laurel and Lisa were lounging on the beach. They'd been there for almost two hours and Laurel had hardly said a word since they left the house. Buffy had even suggested that Faith drop them off on the motorcycle, but Laurel declined and practically dragged Lisa out of the house with her.

"Laurel?" Lisa nudged her friend.

Laurel looked up and blinked. "Huh? Did I miss something?"

"Only the past two hours. You're in a fog. What's up?"

She shook her head and turned back to watching the waves. "Nothing."

Lisa studied her for a moment. She looked so sad and confused. "Did. . .did I do something? Was it about this morning? Cause if it is then I'll never, I mean I won't, you know. . ." She shrugged.

Laurel took her hand and squeezed it. "It's not you. I saw Faith and my mom in the living room this morning. They didn't know I was standing there. They. . .they were kissing."

"Is that all?"

"What do you mean is that all? She was kissing Faith! Mom hasn't even been gone a year and she's already moving on and Faith and mom never got along anyway. . .mom always thought that Faith was after Buffy and now that she's gone the first thing that happens is that they get together and how can you say is that all? That's a lot if you ask me."

Lisa withdrew her hand without a word and got up to walk down by the water. There was a slight chill in the air and she could feel summer coming to a close. Laurel's words hit close to home and stung. She really couldn't blame her friend for reacting like that, but it still hurt none the less. Lisa had been going though an inner struggle ever since she met Laurel and found out who Buffy and Faith were. Now she was stuck and didn't know what to do. She jumped a little when she felt a pair of hands settle on her shoulders. She glanced back to see Laurel behind her and she could tell she'd been crying.

"I'm sorry." Laurel stated as she brought the girl closer. She wrapped her arms around her waist and settled her chin on her shoulder. "I was surprised and hurt and confused. I never should have taken it out on you like that."

"It's okay. That's what friends are for."

They stood there for a few moments enjoying the new and surprisingly comfortable closeness. Lisa leaned back into Laurels arms and smiled a little when she tightened her grip just a little. 

"I just don't understand. How could she?" Laurel whispered.

"My dad. . .he raised me. My mom took off right after she had me. . .I don't even think she stuck around to see my first tooth. Although I never met her and I knew that she left me when I was a baby, I idolized her and was always asking my dad questions about her so I could be like her. It was kinda silly I suppose. Then two years ago he met a woman who knew my mother when she was younger. Apparently they weren't the best of friends if you know what I mean. Well, my dad got involved with her and I was really hurt over it. I'll spare you the details but. . .after a long time I realized that my dad deserved to be happy and that my mom was never coming back."

"What made you realize that?"

"My dad came to my room one night after a big fight we had. He said that if it would make me happy, he's give her up and not be with her ever. . .just because I asked him to. I realized right there how much he loved me. And he loved my mom too. . .she was really the love of his life and I don't think he'll ever get over her. Ever. But that doesn't mean that he can't try to be happy with someone else. . .and who was I to deny him that?"

"And your mom?"

Lisa sighed and shook her head. "It's not important." She turned around to face Laurel. "Not any more." She whispered.

Laurel took her hands in her own and gave her a half smile. "You know, you say that a lot. 'It's not important.' Why?"

She shrugged. "Why do I say that or. . "

"You know perfectly what I mean, Li."

"I dunno. I guess. . .well, you've got stuff goin on and I just. . don't want to bother you. . .ya know? I mean, my dad getting married kind of doesn't measure up to, say, getting tackled by a mucus demon."

"Eww, don't remind me. Big oaf ruined my only pair of leather pants! Now I have to save up and beg Faith to. . ." Laurel trailed off suddenly remembering that she was angry at Faith. Or was she? Should she be? She shook her head in confusion. "Wait. How'd we get back to me again?" Lisa shrugged. "You sure know how to skirt the issue when you want to, missy."

"Yes, I most certainly can zig-zag with the best of them. Can't I?" She gave Laurel a wry smile.

Laurel grinned mischievously. "Well, metaphorically of course. Physically you'd be a late night snack."

"Hey!" Lisa slugged her playfully. "I resemble that comment. Uh. . .I mean, resent, resent! Yeah, that's it!"

Both girls fell to the sand in a fit of giggles until they had to hold their sides because it hurt so much. "Okay, okay. . enough of that for now. . . for a week even. I don't remember the last time I had such a good laugh." 

Lisa smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's been a while for me too."

Laurel propped herself up on one elbow and looked over at Lisa. "And don't think I've forgotten about what we were talking about, cause I haven't. I want to know about you, Li. All about you."

"It's not imp---"

"And if you say it's not important one more time you'll become the next hapless victim of *the* Slayer tickle machine. Got it."

Lisa gulped. She heard about the tickle fights Laurel had with Buffy and Faith. . .and even Willow. Laurel always won.

-------

Buffy and Faith stood on the small boardwalk leading out to the beach. They'd arrived a few moments ago to offer Laurel and Lisa a ride home, but from the looks of things, they wouldn't want to leave anytime soon. Or be interrupted for that matter.

"How'd she grow up so fast?" Buffy was leaning back into Faith's embrace.

"I dunno, B. Feels like I was runnin after her to keep her off my bike just yesterday. Remember the first time she saw it?"

"God, yes." Buffy laughed. "She had to have been about six. Her eyes went wide as saucers and she sprinted across the yard as soon as she saw you pull up. I didn't think she could smile any wider until you put her on the seat."

"She couldn't even reach the handlebars." Faith smiled at the memory. "And she refused to get off. So you me and Red left her there and sat on the porch."

Buffy smiled and nodded. "She fell asleep on it. I still have the picture in her scrapbook."

Faith turned Buffy around and grinned. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise. Just come on." Faith tugged her towards the bike. A few moments later they were set and rode off down the street.

--------

Laurel looked up in time to see Faith's bike pull away and frowned.

"I'm sure they were just here to offer us a ride home." Lisa commented.

"They know I have to patrol. Then we're goin to Papa's for the movie fest."

"Still, Lau-Lau, even if they were checking up on you. . .what's the harm? You were kinda cold to them when we left. You didn't even say goodbye."

"I had every right to be pissed off!" Laurel stopped herself when she saw Lisa wince at the tone and volume of her voice. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on Lisa's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I've been doing that a lot lately."

Lisa shrugged and mumbled. "It's okay."

Laurel shook her head and pulled herself up into a sitting position. She beckoned for Lisa to do the same. When they were finally facing each other she took Lisa's hand in her own and squeezed it. "It's not okay. I care about you, I really do. . .but lately it seems like all I've been doing is hurting you and that's not what I want. . .I want the exact opposite, Li. I. . ."

Lisa looked up at her with the biggest brown eyes Laurel could ever recall seeing in her life. "What?" She whispered. Tentatively, she reached over and cupped the young Slayer's face with her hand.

Laurel closed her eyes and leaned into the touch.

"What are you thinking?" Lisa asked as she rubbed the pad of her thumb lightly across Laurel's cheek.

She grinned a little. "I'm thinking that oxygen's becoming an issue right now." She opened her eyes and regarded the girl before her. "Seriously, I'm thinking that. . .that this is nice, better than nice and I don't want it to stop. . .I don't want to ever *not* feel this way. . .and that scares me to death."

Lisa dropped her hand from the other girls cheek and stood up. This gained a curious look from Laurel but she smiled when Lisa put her hand out to help her up. They stood face to face looking at each other, both unsure of what was to happen next. Finally, Lisa stepped closer and put her arms around the slightly taller girl's waist. She smiled when she felt Laurel's arms go around her shoulders. 

Laurel smiled and nuzzled Lisa's neck. . .placing feathery kisses on her shoulder, neck then her cheek. She pulled back long enough to look into Lisa's eyes just to make sure everything was okay. . .and she found that it was so much more than okay when Lisa smiled right before leaning up and kissing Laurel for the first time.

--------

{{"I'm no good for her. For anyone." She paused a moment. "I'm leaving."

"You've got to be kidding me! I thought you were gonna try and make this work? I thought we were going to be a family? What the hell is going on?!"

"I can't! It's not what I'm about. It's not for me and I'm sorry I dragged you into it, really, I just. . ."

"Not only did you drag me into it, you dragged a child into this world! How can you be so selfish!"

"I know. . .I know how wrong it is. . .all of it, but believe me it's for the best. She'll just wind up resenting me when she's old enough to know how much of a freak her mother is and always will be."

"She'd love you, no matter what." He sighed. "Just like I do."

She shook her head. "Don't waste your time. . .you know it's not mutual." He winced, but she continued. "Look, I packed last night so you don't have to worry about me bothering you. I'll send you money for the kid every month so you at least have one good thing to tell her about me. I have to go."

"Please. . .why are you doing this? Talk to me." His eyes were wet. He didn't care.

"No. Don't do this, J. You know I'm not gonna talk through it. . .work through the pain. It's just not my gig." She grabbed her jacket. "Goodbye." and closed the door behind her.

He dropped to his knees in front of the cradle that held their two month old daughter, and cried.}}



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