FF: A New Begining

["David A. Knapton" <belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: A New Beginning.
Author: David A. Knapton.
E-mail: belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxx
Archive: Any and All.
Spoilers: Set after the end of S5. So everything is fair game.
Rating: Probably 18
Pairings: Buffy/Willow/Tara Xander/Anya Dawn/Kevin.
Disclaimer: I own none of the people in this story, but if I did the 
show would probably never be shown again?
Note: This story takes up from just after the demon Kellem has been 
returned to her own dimension in Shehulk's AU story 'There once was a 
demon'. Buffy has to come to terms with her relationship with Willow 
and Tara now that Kellem has helped bring her back after she had 
sacrificed herself for Dawn. [] = Flashback. <> = Thought.
Note2: I started this story at the time of the terrorist attack on 
the WTC, I was feeling very emotional at the time I make no apologies 
for any of this that comes out in the story?
Dedicated to Shehulk for allowing me to use 'There once was a demon' 
AU as a backdrop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffy walked back to the Magic Box with Willow and Giles, having 
returned the demon Kellem to her own dimension. She let her thoughts 
drift over what had happened to her. The time between her leap off 
the tower and waking up in her coffin was a total blank, was there no 
afterlife? Or was it something that the human mind could not hold 
onto while alive?
Willow was walking beside Buffy when she felt Buffy's hand slide into 
her own. She looked at her in surprise only to see her lost in 
thought? She obviously had no idea she had done it. Willow smiled to 
herself deciding that she and Tara would need to talk to Buffy about 
this bonding thing, but for now she was happy to just hold her hand.
As Giles held open the shop door for her and Willow, Buffy saw Tara 
standing by the counter with Dawn and Anya, she smiled at her Tara 
smiled back before looking at her hand in Willow's. Buffy suddenly 
realised what she was doing; she let go of it and stepped away from 
her blushing.
Willow sighed this was going to take longer than she had though, she 
gave Tara a knowing smile as she walked over, took her hand and led 
her to the table, they sat down before Willow turned to Giles, "So 
what happens now? I mean Buffy's officially dead?"
"Well could you get into the police and medical reports on your 
computer and alter them? Not erase them, that would raise to many 
questions?"
"What do you want me to change?"
"Something minor! Let's change the spelling of Buffy's surname to 
Sommers with an 'o'? That should do it. Then leave a false trail 
implying that Buffy was not in town at the time of the fight with 
Glory?"
"Well changing the name will be easy, the other will be harder... hey 
why not contact Angel get him to help? Perhaps lay down some things 
in LA implying that she was there?"
"Excellent idea I'll contact him straight away," he smiled going into 
his small office to make the call.
"Dawn haven't you got any homework you can be doing?" Asked Buffy 
trying to come up with anything so as not to have to look at Willow 
or Tara.
"No. I haven't been to school this week?"
"WHAT? Why not? They told me that they would take you into care if 
you didn't go to school?"
"Ah Buffy the school thinks you're dead, they told Giles that I could 
take sometime off," Dawn pointed out.
"Oh I guess that's ok then? I think we should go home and I'll fix 
you something for dinner, get your coat."
"But I want to stay here!" Dawn pouted.
"Get your coat NOW," said Buffy as anger crossed her face. She had to 
get out of here, away from Willow and Tara, so she could think! Being 
in the same room as them was becoming too much for her? All she could 
think was how cute they were; she could also feel herself becoming 
aroused?
As Dawn stomped over to the table and picked up her coat before 
walking towards the door. Buffy turned to the others; "We'll see you 
tomorrow." She turned and followed Dawn out the door.
As they walked up to there front door Buffy could see several of 
their neighbours staring at them, at her? She opened the door and 
entering she let out a sigh. She turned to Dawn, "What do you want 
for dinner?"
"I don't know? Anything! Buffy what's going to happen to me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Dad's coming here? I phoned him just after you died. How are we 
going to explain you're not dead?"
"Well we'll think of something I'll talk to Giles tomorrow. Hey how 
about we have a girl's night in, you order pizza I'll get the videos?"
"Ok but not Thelma and Louise." Dawn smiled, "Hey why don't we invite 
Willow, Tara and Anya over?"
"No let's just have an evening with just the two of us, besides 
Willow is probably busy with her computer!"
Dawn saw the look cross her sister's face; "What's happening with 
you, Willow and Tara?"
"What do you mean? Nothing we're just friends?" Even to herself she 
sounded lame! "I don't know Dawn... I don't know?"
"Hey what about Titanic? Leonardo DeCaprio is such a hotty I could 
really jump his bones!"
"DAWN," screeched Buffy at her sister who just giggled.
--------------
After checking with Giles that Willow had changed the reports she 
took Dawn to school to explain that she was not the one who had died 
in the construction yard four days before, but had been in LA on 
business for her gallery? She could tell that most of the people did 
not believe the story, but had obviously been in Sunnydale long 
enough too not ask to many questions!
She was going to drive to the Magic Box but changed her mind and 
headed for UC Sunnydale instead; she had to talk to Willow and Tara. 
She had had several very erotic dreams last night involving her two 
favourite witches. As she parked the car she again noticed several 
people she knew staring at her, she decided to just ignore them, 
after what had happened the stares were inevitable.
She stood staring at the door in front of her debating whether to 
knock or just walk away? She had just decided to walk away when the 
door open, she jumped, looking up she saw Tara smiling at her, she 
couldn't help but smile back, Tara had the cutest smile!
"Hi do you want to come in?" Tara asked opening the door wider.
Buffy entered the dorm room, Tara closed the door as Buffy looked 
around the room avoiding eye contact with her; "I wondered if you 
were ever going to knock?"
Turning to face Tara she frowned "How did you know I was outside?"
Tara shrugged "I just did, I could sense you outside and your 
emotional turmoil?"
"Where's Will! I had hoped she would be here so we could all talk 
about this thing? This bonding thing?"
"She signed up for an extra class, she won't be back until about 
eleven. Did you want a drink or something?"
"Yeah a coke would be great," she said sitting on the edge of the 
bed, still avoiding eye contact with Tara.
Tara handed her a can of coke and sat down next to her, Buffy edged 
away from her. Tara sighed "Buffy what's wrong? Have I done 
something?"
Buffy turned to face her she grabbed Tara's hand, "No you've done 
nothing but be a good friend to Willow and me, I love you... I-I mean 
I like you."
Tara smiled at Buffy, "And I love you, so does Willow," she lifted 
Buffy's hand to her lips and kissed it. Buffy had the look of a deer 
caught in headlights?
As Tara leaned in to kiss her Buffy's brain started to process what 
was happening, she sprang to her feet turning towards the door she 
placed the can of coke on the desk as she passed; "I got to go I 
can't do this?"
"Buffy please don't go!" Tara called out as Buffy opened the door and 
ran out.
She wondered for hours around town, seeing nothing, deep in thought, 
she had left the car outside Willow and Tara's dorm building, with a 
sigh she realised that she would have to go and collect it, Dawn 
would be home from school soon?
As she walked across the park in front of the building towards the 
car she got a sense that Willow and Tara were nearby! As she got to 
the car Willow and Tara came out of the building. Buffy tried to get 
in the car and drive away from them before they got to her but she 
saw Willow point and say something, the car engine died, she cursed 
her best friend's growing power as she leaned back in the seat.
The two witches walked over to the car they went around to the 
passenger's side; Willow climbed into the front and Tara in the back. 
Willow turned to Buffy; "We need to talk!"
"There's nothing to talk about!"
"Yes there is I'm willing to bet that you had at least one dream 
about us last night?" Buffy blushed, "I though so! Look Tara and I 
went into this bond thing with the full knowledge of what it meant, 
you didn't? We did it because the world needs you, we need you, and 
Dawn needs you. Buffy we love you, can't you return that love?"
Buffy turned in her seat so she could look at both of them; "That's 
not fair I love you both... There I said it are you satisfied?"
Willow and Tara both smiled. 
"It's a start, look we don't want you to do anything you are 
uncomfortable with? We just want you to be our friend. Everything 
else can wait until your ready," said Willow.
She looked at the puppy-dog eyes they were giving her; she 
sighed "Okay stop with the looks! Best friends again," she leaned 
over and without thinking gave Willow a quick kiss, sitting back she 
realised what she had done; "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," smiled Willow before turning to Tara, "She's a good 
kisser Tara."
"Good to hear, I didn't get the chance earlier, she ran away."
"Well perhaps you can try her out sometime?" said Willow.
"Hey in the car here!" pouted Buffy.
All three laughed breaking the tension that had built up between 
Buffy and her friends.
"Look if you'll take the spell off the car I'll invite you to my 
house for dinner!"
"There's no spell on the car! All I did was cause the engine to 
stall?" laughed Willow.
They went to pick up Dawn from school. When Dawn appeared a boy 
walked up to her, she smiled at him as he seemed to shift from one 
foot to the other in a nervous way, she smiled again then said 
something, he grind and leaned in kissing her.
"I think Dawn has just been asked out on a date by Kevin, Blayne's 
kid brother," said Willow.
"Blayne as in Blayne Mall?" asked Buffy.
"Yeah but Kevin has never been a jerk like Blayne, he was always a 
sweet kid? I understand that he's a good football player too," 
explained Willow.
"Oh great next Dawn will be telling me she's trying out from the 
cheerleading squad?" groaned Buffy.
"Ah Buffy weren't you a cheerleader? When you were in LA," asked Tara.
"Well yeah but all I keep picturing is Cordelia!"
"Oh yeah Cordelia in her cheerleader outfit," mused Willow then she 
saw the looks she was getting from both Tara and Buffy, "Ah because 
of it making her look all skanky... Yeah skanky?" she blushed bright 
red.
Buffy turned to Tara, "How often does she check out these other 
girls?"
"To often for my liking, but now I have you to help keep her in 
line!" Laughed Tara, she knew that Willow would not cheat on her, or 
Buffy, but she did enjoy it when she caught Willow out with these 
statements?
Before they could continue Dawn got into the car. She looked at the 
other three who were grinning at her, "What!"
"So where's Kevin Mall taking you?" Asked Buffy.
"How do you know Kevin?"
"Willow and I went to high school with his brother Blayne."
"And Buffy rescued him from a giant she-mantis," put in 
Willow, "Blayne that is not Kevin."
"So is it serious?" Asked Buffy.
"What? Kevin and me? I don't know he only just asked me out 5 minutes 
ago?"
"So where's he taking you, somewhere nice," smiled Tara.
Dawn looked around at the others; "What is this an interrogation?"
"No just doing the grown-up thing, making sure he's a nice boy and 
good enough to go out with my baby sister?"
"He's ok, he's nice he asked me to a party after his football game 
tomorrow! So can I go?"
"I don't know I'll think about it!" said Buffy.
"Buffy don't be mean let her go, she's had a lot to handle lately!" 
Said Willow.
"Oh alright but I'll pick you up at eleven o'clock!"
"12"
"11.30"
"Deal."
"Right let's go then, I still have dinner for four to cook," said 
Buffy starting the car.
--------------
It had been a very pleasant meal she had started to relax with Willow 
and Tara, both of whom volunteered to do the washing up; Dawn was in 
her room finishing some homework. Buffy was relaxing with her feet up 
when there was a knock at the door, Buffy groaned before shouting 
that she would get it!
She opened the door, stood on the porch were a man and a woman. Buffy 
and the man just stood staring at each other.
"Dad what are you doing here?"
"Buffy, Dawn phoned me she told me you were dead? What the hell is 
going on?"
"It was all a mix up someone called Sommers with an 'o'. Apparently 
she looked enough like me that they thought it was me."
"I think we should continue this inside don't you?" said Hank Summers.
"Yeah I suppose your right, come in!"
She led them into the living room; Willow and Tara were just entering 
from the kitchen.
"Where's Dawn?" asked Hank.
"She's in her room doing her homework," answered Buffy, "Who's your 
friend?" she asked looking at the woman that couldn't be more than 5 
or 6 years older than her?
"Oh I'm sorry this is my girlfriend Jennifer Nickles."
"Pleased to meet you. I was sorry to hear about your mother?" said 
Jennifer.
"Yeah it's a pity others didn't feel the same?" said Buffy.
"Buffy," said Hank walking towards her.
She put her hand up stopping him, "Don't."
Hank stopped unsure what to do, he looked at Willow and Tara; "Who 
are your friends?"
"This is Willow and Tara. Will, Tara this is my dad Hank Summers."
"Pleased to meet you Mr Summers," said Tara.
"Likewise. Buffy we need to talk about Dawn."
"What about her?"
"I want her to come and live with me and Jennifer."
"Go to hell, there is no way she is going anywhere with you."
"Buffy she needs a mother and father, you should be in school not 
having to look after your younger sister?"
"Who did you have in mind for the mother role? Jennifer's mum?"
"That was un-called for Buffy, you don't even know Jennifer."
"No that's true, I'm sorry Jennifer," Buffy nodded to her; Jennifer 
gave her a half smile back.
"Buffy I'd rather not fight you for custody of Dawn, but I'm her 
father see should be with me!"
"You haven't been our father since we came to Sunnydale. If anyone 
has been a father to us it's been Giles!"
"Giles? The librarian from your high school?"
"Yes he has been a good friend to Dawn, mum and me from the time we 
came here."
"I'd like to talk to Dawn."
"I don't think that's a good idea, she's had a lot to cope with 
recently she doesn't need anymore just now?"
"I have no intention of leaving without seeing Dawn first?"
"Your wrong about that," said Buffy in a very ominous voice.
"Buffy please this isn't the way, let him see Dawn," said Tara "Mr 
Summers I'm sure that if you promise not to do anything to upset 
Dawn, Buffy will let you see her? Won't you Buffy?"
"If he promises he can see her!" She said almost like a pouting child.
"Very well I will not say anything about taking her away from here?"
"Why would I want to go anywhere with you?"
They all turned to see Dawn standing in the doorway.
"Honey we didn't hear you come in, how have you been?" said Hank.
"I've been better! First I lost mum, then I thought I had lost Buffy, 
now I hear my father trying to take me away from the only family I 
have."
Hank looked at her not knowing what to say. Jennifer touched his 
arm; "Honey I think we should go? You can talk to Dawn and Buffy 
again tomorrow after you and they have calmed down."
"Yes tomorrow, why don't you come to Giles shop, use it as sort of a 
neutral place." Suggested Willow.
"Alright I'll be there." After Willow had given Hank directions to 
the Magic Box he and Jennifer left, neither Buffy nor Dawn said 
goodbye.
When Willow and Tara came back from seeing Hank Summers out they saw 
Buffy and Dawn hugging each other in the middle of the room; they 
could feel the turmoil coming from Buffy as well as see the tears 
running down her cheeks. Both looked at each other seeing the tears 
standing in their own eyes they ran to Buffy and Dawn joining in the 
hug.
"Stay with us tonight... We... I don't want to be on my own!" 
Whispered Buffy.
"Of course we'll stay, we love you," said Willow through her tears.
Buffy smiled at the two putting the love she felt for them in the 
look.
Dawn pulled out of the hug looking at the three, "Eeew gross."
Buffy started to laugh, it slowly spread until all four were laughing 
and rolling around the floor.
Buffy was first to recover wiping her eyes; "I didn't mean it that 
way? Just the company, we'll have a sleepover?"
"Can we invite Anya and Xander over as well?" asked Dawn.
The others looked at her; "I don't think so? Ah Anya probably has 
Xander doing other things? They will want to be on there own!!!" said 
Buffy.
"You mean they're having sex?" said Dawn.
"Well yeah?" said Buffy blushing.
As the evening went on Buffy and Dawn began to relax again, ate 
popcorn and pizza watched some videos. The evening ended up with a 
pillow fight the Summers girls against the two witches, Willow and 
Tara cheated outrageously using magik to throw the pillows, it was 
only Buffy's slayer skills that stopped it becoming a rout?
They let Dawn take the settee, while the others laid some blankets on 
the floor. It must have been the early hours of the morning when Dawn 
woke up, for a minute she couldn't think where she was? She then saw 
the three lying on the floor, then she remembered the sleepover! She 
smiled Buffy who had been a little away from the others was now 
tangled up with Willow and Tara. Although earlier she had said the 
idea of her sister with Willow and Tara was gross the more she 
thought about it the more she liked the idea, not the sex bit that 
was still gross, but she saw how happy Buffy was when she was with 
the witches.
As she lay there thinking she realised that Tara was looking back at 
her, she smiled and Tara smiled back, she untangled herself from the 
other two and whispered "Let's go into the kitchen?"
Dawn nodded and followed Tara into the kitchen who turned to 
her, "Would you like some warm milk?"
"Yeah maybe I'll be able to get back to sleep?" Yawned Dawn.
Tara smiled "The way you're yawning I'd say you don't really need 
it." She took some milk out of the fridge and pored some into a pan, 
she sat on a stool next to Dawn; "How are you feeling now about your 
dad?"
Dawn was silent for a minute, "I don't want to go with him, I want to 
stay here. Even though those monks placed false memories of me and I 
remember him! He isn't my father he isn't family, my family is here?"
"Do you remember when my family came to try and force me to go back 
with them?"
["I'm sorry. I'm s-s-so sorry." Tara sniffled, "I was, I was trying 
to hide." 
Willow walked over and knelt by Tara.
"I didn't want you to see... what I am."
"Tara, what?" Asked Willow.
"What do you mean, what you are?" Asked Buffy.
Tara tried to speak but couldn't.
"Demon. The women in our family..." Mr Maclay started to explain 
everyone looked up at him. "Have demon in them. Her mother had it. 
That's where the magic comes from." 
Tara looked down, then looked up at Willow, who stared at her. 
"We came to take her home before..." he sighed, "Well, before things 
like..." he pointed at the dead demon, "This started happening." Mr 
Maclay finished.
Giles looked at Tara "You cast a spell on us, to keep us from seeing 
you're... demon side?" he turned to Buffy "That's why we couldn't see 
our attackers." 
Buffy looked behind her at Dawn. "Nearly got us killed." 
"I'll go." Said Tara getting to her feet. She turned to Buffy, "I'm 
very sorry."
"The camper's outside," said Mr Maclay.
"Wait! Go?" Willow grabbed Tara's elbow, "I, she just did a spell 
that went wrong. It-it was just a mistake."
"That's not the point and it's not your concern. She belongs with us. 
We know how to control her... problem." Said Mr Maclay. 
Willow looked at Tara in distress. "Tara... look at me." Tara turned 
to face her; "I-I trusted you more than anyone in my life. Was all 
that just a lie?"
"No!" said Tara tears in her eyes.
"Well, do you wanna leave?"
"It's not your decision, young lady." Interrupted Mr Maclay.
Willow turned sharply to him; "I know that!" Then she turned back to 
Tara speaking more softly; "Do you wanna leave?"
Tara shook her head, crying. 
"You're going to do what's right, Tara. Now, I'm taking you out of 
here before somebody 'does' get killed." Said Mr Maclay, Tara wiped 
her face on her sleeve; "The girl belongs with her family. I hope 
that's clear to the rest of you." Stated Mr Maclay.
Willow looked anxiously at Tara.
"It is," said Buffy, they all turned to look at her. Buffy narrowed 
her eyes at Tara. "You want her, Mr. Maclay? You can go ahead and 
take her." 
Tara looked sad, as if that's what she expected. Willow felt shocked 
that her best friend could do this to someone she loved. Mr Maclay 
nodded in satisfaction. 
Buffy whirled around to face Mr Maclay, putting her hands on her 
hips. "You just gotta go through me."
Tara looked up in amazement as hope began to grow in her heart.
"What?" said Mr Maclay.
"You heard me," said Buffy staring him down, looking very tough. "You 
wanna take Tara out of here against her will? You gotta come through 
me."
"And me!" Said Dawn walking over to stand by her sister. Joining her 
in giving Mr Maclay the same steely glare.
Tara smiled. 
"Is this a joke?" said Mr Maclay stepping down one of the 
stairs; "I'm not gonna be threatened by two little girls."
"You don't wanna mess with us," stated Dawn.
"She's a hair-puller," smiled Buffy proud of her little sister.
Giles walked up behind them; "And...." he put on his glasses; "you're 
not just dealing with, uh, two little girls."
Tara smiled even more. 
"You're dealing with all of us," said Xander.
"'Cept me," said Spike from the back.
"'Cept Spike."
"I don't care what happens," said Spike.
"This is insane. You people have no right to interfere with Tara's 
affairs. 'We'... are her blood kin! Who the hell are you?" stormed Mr 
Maclay.
Giles, Dawn, Buffy, Willow, Tara, Xander, and Anya were all standing 
together in a group.
"We're family," stated Buffy.]
"Yes I remember?" said Dawn.
"Well in a way we're alike both outsiders that have found this 
family?"
"I suppose your right!"
"None of your family is going to let anything happen to you that you 
don't want?"
"That's right Dawn, your not just Buffy's sister, your like a little 
sister none of us have?" Said Willow walking into the kitchen 
followed by Buffy.
"You two are up early?" said Buffy.
"Tara was just making me some warm milk, do you two want some?"
"Yeah why not," smiled Willow taking a seat next to Dawn as Tara got 
up to put more milk on.
"So guys what's the plan for today?" asked Buffy.
"Well Tara and I were going to do some spells, why?"
"Well... As much as I've tried to ignore this bond thing you two cast 
with Kellem I can't? So if it's okay with you two and Dawn! What do 
you say you two move in here you can have mum's old room?"
Willow and Tara looked at each other, no word had to be spoken both 
knew the answer was yes? 
Willow looked back at Buffy and Dawn; "Are you sure? About this 
Buffy!"
"It's our home from now on... The four of us I mean?" Said Dawn.
"Well that's settled then after we talk to dad at the shop we grab 
Xander and the five of us go and get your stuff?" Smiled Buffy.
"About your dad Buffy, if he finds out about the three of us he may 
use it to get Dawn away from you. Ok if it was just two of us living 
as a gay couple he wouldn't be able too, but the three of us is 
another matter?" said Tara.
"It doesn't matter I won't go with him?" said Dawn.
"Still I don't think we should let him know about the three of us?" 
Said Tara.
"I agree with Tara we should keep it quiet at least for now?" Said 
Willow.
"Ok but what do we say about you two moving in?" asked Dawn.
"Well all we say is you and Buffy have a spare room and we want to 
get out of college housing so we all decided we could help each other 
out and it would make it easier on you and Buffy?" suggested Willow.
"Ok we'll try that and if it still becomes a problem you can always 
turn our dad into a rat? After all he's halfway there."
"Buffy!" scalded Willow.
--------------
Magic Shop
When they got to the shop Giles had already placed a notice in the 
window informing the customers that the shop was closed until 12. 
They had phoned Giles the night before about Hank Summers, he had 
told Buffy he would help in anyway he could? They entered to see 
Giles and Anya sat waiting!
"Where's Xander?" asked Buffy.
"He said he wanted something to eat so he went to the donut shop, I 
told him to get the normal mix," explained Anya.
"You should feed him more?" smiled Buffy.
"That would interfere with my orgasm time?" said Anya.
Giles cleared his throat "Ah shall we all sit down and go over what 
happened last night and what we are going to tell Buffy and Dawn's 
father?"
"Right we asked him to get here in about half an hour!" Explained 
Willow taking a chair.
"As we told you last night he wants to take Dawn away from me. I 
won't let that happen," stated Buffy.
"Buffy I know you are upset about this but you need to calm down? 
Attacking will only give your father ammunition to use against you?" 
said Giles, he knew his slayer's first reaction was always to attack.
"Buffy why don't you go in the back and do some training, work off 
some of your excess energy," suggested Tara.
"Ok," said Buffy rising and going to change.
Anya watched her go before turning to Tara; "She did what you told 
her?"
"Yes she did didn't she!" smiled Tara.
Both Willow and Dawn also had smiles on their faces. Giles looked at 
the three smiling girls; "What's going on here!"
"Willow and Tara are moving in with Buffy and me... Well Buffy 
really!" said Dawn.
"What do you mean?" asked Giles.
"It's the bond that Kellem helped them with. It wouldn't be exactly 
the same as the bond with a Jauda demon but most would still apply?" 
Said Anya.
Giles looked at Willow and Tara who were blushing; "I think you three 
and I should have a talk about this?"
"Ok?" said Willow continuing to blush.
"Dawn maybe you should go and keep an eye out for you father," said 
Giles.
--------------
Dawn leaned against the wall by the shop door, she hated the way 
Buffy or Giles would send her out of the room when they talked about 
something dangerous or in this case her sisters relationship with 
Tara and Willow? It wasn't as if she didn't know what happened in 
this town after dark! Her sister was the slayer after all?
"Hey what you doing?" came a male voice.
Dawn looked up when she saw who it was she smiled, "Hey Kevin. I got 
sent out because they're discussing my sister and her sex life?"
Kevin gulped "Oh ah sorry!" he said blushing.
Dawn realised she had said the wrong thing, she back tracked, "I'm 
joking I'm supposed to be waiting for my dad to arrive? I think 
there's going to be a big fight? He came here to get me, but I don't 
want to go!" She burst into tears, flying into his arms.
Holding onto her he was unsure what to do? So he just held her.
"Hey what's going on," asked Xander coming around the corner carrying 
several boxes of donuts.
Kevin pulled away from Dawn frightened that Xander Harris would think 
he was responsible for Dawn crying, "I didn't do anything she was 
just upset and grabbed me?"
"Its ok Xander, Kevin's my boyfriend I told him about my dad coming 
to get me?"
"He's your boyfriend? I though I was your boyfriend!" said Xander, 
Dawn could see the twinkle in his eyes.
"Sorry you had your chance but you chose Anya instead?"
"Funny. So you coming in?"
"No I'm supposed to be looking out for my dad?"
"Well keep it up I'm sure Kevin will keep you occupied?" Xander 
winked at them before going into the shop.
"Do you want me to go?" asked Kevin.
Grabbing his hand she smiled at him, "No please stay."
"Alright. So are you allowed to come to the party tonight?"
"Yeah I was going to phone you last night but then my dad turned up 
so I didn't get a chance to..."
"That's ok at least you can come! Is Lisa coming cuz Rob likes her?"
"Really? We'll have to get them together I know Lisa likes him," Dawn 
smiled.
"Ok make sure she comes to the game, then we can work on them 
together."
As they finished there planning Dawn saw her dad pull-up in his 
car; "That's my dad, you better go?"
"Are you sure? I don't mind staying with you? If you want..."
"No its ok you should go! I'll see you later ok," she stood on tiptoe 
and kissed him, before he walked away, waving as he went around the 
corner.
Dawn stood waiting for her dad and Jennifer to come over; "So my 
little princess has a boyfriend?"
"Yeah he's taking me to a party tonight after the football game?"
"Well I hope he behaves himself? I think we should go in and talk 
over what is going to happen, we need to leave Monday morning and we 
will need to sort out a lot of things before then?"
"I told you last night I'm not going anywhere with you?"
"Let's go in and talk about it," Hank pushed the door open.
As they walked in they saw everyone sat at the large table, they all 
looked up and Giles rose and walked over to Hank extending his 
hand; "I'm Rupert Giles, you may not remember but we met once when 
you came to visit Buffy at school. This is my shop Buffy and her 
friends like to hang out here?" he said shaking hands.
"So you own this shop... how interesting and you allow my girls 
to 'hang out' here? What is your interest in my daughters Mr Giles?"
"I'm not sure I like what you are implying? But I have sort of become 
the father figure to all these young people; I have tried to guide 
them in what is right and wrong, and without being conceited I think 
they have all grown up to be well rounded individuals. Now would you 
and your young lady like to have a seat so we can sort out this 
situation?"
Hank was embarrassed, he knew he had all but deserted his family 
after the divorce and this man had taken up the slack; "I'm sorry, I 
apologise!" he said with sincerity following Giles to the table.
As they sat Buffy looked around the table; "For those that haven't 
met them before this is my dad Hank Summers and his girlfriend 
Jennifer Nickles. Dad this is Xander and his fiancee Anya who works 
for Giles."
"Please to meet you, I only wish it was under better circumstances!" 
Said Hank.
"I understand you wish to have Dawn live with you? Mr Summers," said 
Giles.
"Yes I feel it would be best for both her and Buffy. I want to try 
and make up for the mistakes I have made over the years?"
"And taking Dawn away from me is going to make up for that how?" said 
Buffy anger clear for all to hear.
"Buffy I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused you and your sister 
over the last few years! I just want the chance to make it right. I 
know you think I didn't care for you two because I didn't come here 
when you called to say your mum was sick? It's not true I'll always 
love you and her," He gave a little smile, "Did she ever tell you how 
we met?"
"Only that she met you at a dance in her freshman year of college and 
that you were with another girl?" Buffy smiled for the first time 
since leaving home.
"Well she arrange for my date to have punch spilt down her dress then 
locked in the toilets, at which time she moved in and casually 
informed me that she had seen my date leaving with another guy? It 
was months before I found out what had really happened? By then I was 
so in love I forgave her!"
"So what changed?" asked Buffy.
"Over the years we just drifted apart. We had our own group of 
friends, I was under pressure at work," he sighed "And then you 
started getting into trouble at school." He held up his hand seeing 
the anger in his daughter's eyes; "I know I handled it badly, I 
should have been more supportive, I'm sorry!"
"So you want to take Dawn from me and her family?" Said Buffy.
"What do you mean!" Asked Hank.
"About 6 months ago Tara's father came to try and take her away from 
us? As I told him and now I'm telling you. We" she indicated the 
people sat around the table, "Are family and if you want Dawn you'll 
have to go through me," she looked at her friends but mainly at 
Willow and Tara pleading with her eyes.
"You'll have to go through us all," said Willow.
Tara nodded, "Mr Summers we will do everything we can to stop you 
taking Dawn away from us? But we would rather you became a part of 
Buffy and Dawn's life again."
Hank looked around this odd looking group before returning his gaze 
to Buffy and Dawn, both nodded their heads to confirm Tara's 
statement and that they were willing to let him back into their lives?
Hank sighed, "I see if I want to take Dawn away I'll have a fight on 
my hands."
"You better believe it buster... Ah Mr Summers," said Anya.
"Alright I'll leave Dawn here with you, but maybe she can come and 
stay with us this summer? My firm is transferring me back to the West 
Coast possibly San Francisco or San Diego."
"I'd like that," smile Dawn.
"Ok then we'll leave you in peace now," said Hank beginning to rise.
"Hey why don't you come to dinner tomorrow before you leave?" Said 
Buffy.
"No? Why don't I take you out to dinner?"
"Ok but only if Willow and Tara can come too," said Dawn jumping in 
before Buffy could answer.
"Dawn you and Buffy should go alone," smiled Willow.
"No its ok I'll pick the four of you up from your home at 6 tomorrow 
night."
With that Hank and Jennifer left.
--------------
Xander carried the last box from his car, as Willow and Buffy pulled 
up in Buffy's car with the final load, Tara and Dawn were busy 
putting the things away in what had been Joyce Summers room.
"So how long do you think it will be before Buffy moves in here with 
you and Willow?" asked Dawn.
Tara blushed "I-I don't know wh-what you mean!" she stammered.
"I can see how you are around each other? You love each other don't 
you?"
"Yes but Willow and I don't want to rush things with Buffy, we'll 
wait until she's ready."
Just then the others trooped in carrying more boxes; "Well this is 
the last of it?" said Xander, "I hope you got some food I'm staved."
"Yes Xander we did plan to feed you! After all you have been working 
hard today," said Tara.
"Xander you must have hollow legs," laughed Buffy, "There's plenty of 
munches in the kitchen," she turned to Dawn, "We'll finish up here, 
you should start getting ready for your date!"
"But it's only 3 o'clock there's ages yet?" Said Dawn.
"This is your first date you need to give a good impression. You need 
to take a shower, wash your hair then pick an outfit to wear? Believe 
me two and a half hours isn't long!" explained Buffy.
"Ok ok already I'll take a shower," she trooped out heading into her 
own room.
Tara turned to Buffy, "Dawn asked when you were going to move in here 
with Willow and me?"
"You mean she knows what the bond means? How?"
"Buffy she's smarter then you give her credit!" said Tara.
"Yeah but I still feel the need to protect her?" said Buffy.
"That's because she's you little sister," smiled Willow.
"I need time to get use to this situation?" said Buffy in a quiet 
voice, answering Tara's question on when she would move in.
"We understand, there's no rush. Now let's finish up here so we can 
feed the black hole that is Xander's stomach?" Laughed Willow.
Buffy, Willow and Tara helped Dawn pick out an outfit to wear and did 
her hair. At 5.30 there was a knock at the door.
"That's him? How do I look?" Dawn asked again, she had been asking 
the same question every few minutes for half an hour.
"I'll get it," said Buffy.
"Your fine, just try and relax," smiled Willow thinking back to her 
first date with Oz.
On opening the door Buffy was confronted by a nervous looking 
boy; "Hi Kevin come in Dawn's been waiting for you." She led him into 
the living room.
"Hey," said Kevin smiling at Dawn.
"Hi," replied Dawn.
"We got two Oz's here?" laughed Buffy.
"Leave them alone Buffy. Now have a nice time we'll see you later 
ok," Willow.
"We will, see you later, Bye," said Dawn leading Kevin out the door.
Buffy went to the door closing it behind them, on re-entering the 
living room, Willow asked something she was curious about, Buffy had 
left the house for half an hour and wouldn't say where she went? She 
had a feeling that it had something to do with Dawn; "Where did you 
go earlier?"
Buffy smiled "I told Spike to follow her from the game to the party, 
to keep out of sight and make sure that nothing supernatural happens."
"And he agreed?" asked Willow.
"Surprisingly yes? I think somehow that chip in his head has changed 
him? Plus I think he really likes Dawn."
"Perhaps we should talk to Giles about it?" Said Tara.
"Yeah I've been thinking the same thing," said Buffy.
"So what we going to do between now and picking up Dawn?" Asked 
Willow.
"Well I'm thinking bronze it's been ages since we went dancing?" 
suggested Buffy.
"That's true! Let's get ready," smiled Willow leading the three up 
stairs.
Before leaving they phoned Xander and arranged to meet him and Anya 
at the bronze. About two blocks from the club they saw two vampires 
moving towards a couple walking hand in hand towards the bronze.
Buffy groaned, "It seems I've been neglecting my calling!"
"Well you've been busy fighting a god? Dying, coming back..." Willow 
pointed out.
"Finding true love..." added Tara quietly whispered.
Both Buffy and Willow burst out laughing bring the three to the 
attention of the vampires. They walked towards the slayer and her 
friends, they started to grin then seemed to recognise Buffy.
"Slayer... they said you were dead?" Said the blond haired vamp.
"Yeah but she's still pretty," put in Willow. Buffy and Tara looked 
at her; "Sorry couldn't resist it... But you are... pretty I mean!" 
she blushed.
"Thanks Will but I think I should deal with these vamps, then you can 
continue telling me just how pretty I am!" smirked Buffy. She sprang 
at the vamps without missing a beat pulling Mr Pointy out of her 
jacket and plunging it into the blond vamps chest, she roundhoused 
the second sending him into a tree. The vamp turned to dust having 
taken a branch in the back.
Buffy turned back smiling at Willow and Tara; "Now where were we? Oh 
yeah you were saying how pretty I am?"
Willow and Tara each looped their arms with one of Buffy's and 
continued moving towards the bronze; "Your very pretty, in fact you 
are tied for top place with Tara as the prettiest girl in the world," 
smiled Willow.
"Can't agree with you there Will you and Tara are the pretty ones 
here?" Buffy said looking back and forth between them.
"Sorry both of you are only half right you two are far more pretty 
than me?" said Tara.
"I don't think any of us can win this argument so I say we 
compromise! We are all pretty... and smart and capable of delivering 
major ass kicking's... although you do do that better than us two," 
said Willow looking at Buffy.
On entering the club they spotted Xander and Anya dancing, on 
spotting there friends Xander waved as he led Anya over to the table 
Buffy had grabbed. She could still feel people staring at her, which 
in a way was strange, here they were on the Hellmouth, the undead 
regularly came to the bronze but as far as they knew she had never 
died? She shook the feeling off she was here to enjoy herself with 
her friends.
The bronze had always been a place they could relax and forget the 
problems of living on the Hellmouth; ok there was the occasionally 
problem with vampires deciding to crash the party but generally these 
days they avoided the place. Although Buffy was always commenting 
that vamps never learned anything new? But they finally realised that 
the slayer and her friends spent quite a bit of time at the club, so 
tended to avoid the place these days.
They danced for hours, in groups and in couples. Buffy, Willow and 
Tara got some strange looks when they danced with each other but one 
look from Buffy stopped any snide comments leaving their mouths.
They left together Xander and Anya to go back to their apartment and 
have several hours of sex if Anya had her way (she generally did.) 
While Buffy, Willow and Tara went to pick up Dawn.
--------------
Buffy was wide awake she had been tossing and turning for two hours 
she could not stop thinking about Willow and Tara in the room down 
the hall? Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to invite them to move in? 
She got up and went down to the kitchen; she warmed some milk, then 
sat sipping at it.
<What am I going to do?>
<You're a coward Summers. You know you want to go up those stairs 
walk into their room and announce you want to make love to them.> 
stated her little inner voice.
<I cant do that, I wouldn't know how to... I'd be embarrassed?>
<You're a coward you know they both love you, you have nothing to be 
embarrassed about? Now get up their, march into their room and tell 
them.>
<NO.>
<Coward.>
<Shut up.>
<Make me?>
Buffy walked up the stairs she stood at the top staring at their 
door; she looked at her own door then back at theirs.
<I can't do it?>
<Yes you can?>
Suddenly their door opened, stood in the doorway was a blond goddess? 
Tara smiled Buffy smiled back. Tara held her hand out, Buffy 
hesitated for a moment before her feet seemed to move of their own 
accord towards Tara. She took the hand and allowed herself to be led 
into the bedroom, she looked around half a dozen candles were already 
lit, Willow was lighting a couple more before she turned to look at 
Buffy and Tara.
"Buffy we could sense your emotional turmoil! Stay with us tonight?" 
said Willow.
"I'm frightened?" whispered Buffy.
"You don't need to be as I said before you don't have to do anything 
you are uncomfortable with just relax and let us show you how much we 
love you," said Willow walking over and taking Buffy's other hand.
Buffy looked into their eyes, "I love you so much?" She said as they 
led her to the bed. Sitting down on the edge she allowed Tara to pull 
her tank top over her head exposing her breasts to her lovers view. 
They sat either side of her Willow started lightly biting her 
earlobe, while Tara lightly kissed her before placing one of her 
hands behind her neck and capturing her mouth with the most sensual 
kiss Buffy had ever experienced? Tara lightly pushed her tongue 
against Buffy's lips wishing to enter, Buffy let out a low moan as 
her lips parted for Tara's tongue as Willow moved down to her neck.
They gently pushed her back onto the bed her legs over the bottom; 
Tara released her mouth moving down her chin to her neck placing 
kisses as she went. Her right hand began to caress Buffy's right 
breast she rolled the rock hard nipple between her thumb and 
forefinger. Willow moved down from Buffy's neck to her left breast 
she took the nipple between her teeth lightly biting it. Buffy 
moaned, the two witches where doing things to her that no other lover 
had ever done before? She grabbed the back of their heads running her 
hands through their hair.
Tara continued kissing her way on down Buffy's front to her other 
breast and started doing exactly the same as Willow they seemed to be 
mirror each other, had Buffy been in a position to think clearly she 
would have wondered about it? All she knew was that she was close to 
an orgasm, she had never been given an orgasm from just having her 
breasts caressed. She did remember that Dawn was in her room so 
grabbed a pillow from above her head and pressed it over her face as 
the orgasm shook her whole body.
When she lifted the pillow off of her face she looked into a pair of 
green eyes, she could feel Tara licking and kissing her way down 
under her breast towards her navel.
"Lift your hips sweety so I can take you sweats off," whispered 
Willow, Buffy smirked and lifted her hips. Willow gently pulled them 
off then knelt down between Buffy's legs, Buffy giggled when she saw 
the lust in Willow's eyes and she lick her lips before lowering her 
head. Meanwhile Tara had reached Buffy's navel and was licking and 
planting feather light kisses around it.
In a moment of clarity Buffy realised that Willow and Tara were 
concentrating on her most erogenous zones all she could think was 
that they knew because of the bond? Willow used the fingers of her 
left hand to pull back the hood covering Buffy's clitoris, she gently 
blow on it, she smiled as she heard Buffy moan. She placed two 
fingers of her right hand at the entrance of Buffy's vagina; she 
slowly pushed them into the opening slowing moving them in and out. 
She lowered her head taking the clit gently between her teeth, 
flicking her tongue around and over it.
Meanwhile Tara had moved back up to Buffy's breast attacking the 
nipple again she used her right hand to gently caress her other 
breast occasionally scraping her nails over the nipple. Willow could 
feel Buffy's vagina walls starting to grip her fingers, she knew 
Buffy was very close.
"Willow, Tara please I can't take anymore, let me come?" cried Buffy.
Willow increased the speed as she started sucking hard on her clit; 
Buffy just had time to cover her face with the pillow as she cried 
out in ecstasy. She knew that she would have to confront Dawn with 
her relationship with Willow and Tara but the last thing she wanted 
was Dawn hearing her making love or worse walking in?
Buffy almost blacked out from the mind-blowing orgasm, but she was 
definitely disorientated the last thing she remembered, before 
falling into blissful dreamless sleep, was that Willow and Tara 
helped her into the bed proper before cuddling up to her one on each 
side and falling asleep.
--------------
When Buffy woke she realised three things first she wasn't in her own 
bed, second that she was naked and last there were two other people 
in bed with her? She looked down to see Tara asleep, using her chest 
as a pillow, her hair partly obscuring Willow who seemed to be using 
her stomach for her own pillow. She decided she liked it, she looked 
over at the clock, 7.30 she'd need to get up soon and get her day 
started? She felt the two witches stirring they both raised their 
heads and looked at her grins on their faces.
"Morning sweety so how you feeling this morning?" said Willow.
"I'm not sure, I mean what you two did to me last night was 
incredible! I'll have to return the favour? But I still need to 
figure out what to tell Dawn?"
"Well you could tell me your going to move in here, that way I can 
have you room?" said Dawn who stood in the doorway.
"Dawn how did you know I was in here?" asked Buffy pulling the duvet 
up to cover hers as well as Willow and Tara's naked body's.
"Well when I went to the bathroom late last night I saw your door 
open and when I checked you weren't there so I guessed you were here? 
Then I heard you moaning which I must say really grossed me out so I 
slept downstairs?"
"Oh Dawn I'm so sorry," said Buffy.
"It's ok I've seen the way you three look at each other, it was bound 
to happen sooner or later? But although I'm happy for you, really I 
am? I'd rather not have to hear you? So if I had your room I wouldn't 
have too?"
Buffy looked at Willow and Tara, who had huge grins on their faces, 
she turned back to Dawn; "It seems we have a lot more moving to do?" 
Willow and Tara hugged her letting the cover fall away from them.
Dawn Blushed, "Ah I'll wait down stairs." She turned and rushed out 
the room, she could hear the three laughing.
It only took a couple of hours to move Buffy and Dawn's stuff; they 
spent the rest of the day just doing some chores around the house. 
Willow, Tara and Dawn got to work on Buffy eventually getting her to 
agree to try and get back into college? Dawn suspected that she 
agreed only because Willow and Tara both gave her there best puppy 
dog eyes, it was going to be fun living with the two Wiccan's.
Their dinner with Hank Summers went surprisingly well? They kept the 
fact that Willow and Tara were Buffy's live-in lovers secret. Buffy 
and Dawn's reconcile with their dad went really well, they promised 
to keep in close contact with each other and Hank insisted on sending 
Buffy some money each month to help pay for things Dawn needed?
Buffy took Dawn to say goodbye to their dad and Jennifer the next day 
before dropping her off at school. Buffy was surprised when she 
realised that she was sorry to see her dad leave?
As Dawn was getting out of the car Buffy turned to her, "Ah Dawn 
would you mind asking your friend Lisa if you could sleepover at her 
house tonight?" she asked.
"Why!"
"Well I was sort of hoping to have a night alone with Willow and 
Tara?" Buffy blushed.
Dawn laughed "Eeew gross?"
"Dawn that's starting to get old? I can't help how I feel about them? 
I know you don't want to know what we do but the bond has to be 
renewed every so often. Giles believes that if we don't we will all 
die? Dawn the three of us are trying to shield you from the grosser 
side of the bond as you put it? But we need this."
"I-I'm sorry I don't mean it? I like having Willow and Tara living 
with us? It's like having two more sisters? And they promised to 
teach me some spells and Willow helps me with my homework!" Dawn had 
tears standing in her eyes.
"It's ok don't cry. So will you do this for me?"
"Yeah I'll check with Lisa and let you know after school ok?"
"Thanks. Ah Dawn you better wipe your eyes Kevin is on his way over?"
--------------
Lisa checked with her mum, who said it was ok, so Buffy dropped Dawn 
off at her house with her overnight things. 
She then rushed home to get everything ready, she knew that her 
lovers would pick up her emotions and know she was up to something so 
she forced herself to just project happy feelings as she prepared a 
romantic dinner for three. She had just finished setting the table 
when she heard them open the front door.
"Hey guy's were home," Willow called out.
Buffy walked into the living room just in time to see them both flop 
down on the settee; "Dawn's having a sleepover at Lisa's, so we have 
the house to ourselves?" she smiled at them which they returned, "You 
have half an hour to shower and change into something sexy? Before 
dinner is ready, of course you two would look sexy in ripped jeans 
and an old T-shirt? Which you can change into if you really want too!"
Tara smiled and looked at Willow, "Willow I think you gave Buffy your 
babble in the bond?"
"Funny now upstairs and get ready," said Buffy standing with her 
hands on her hips.
They decided that as Buffy had gone to so much trouble, arranging for 
them to be alone and cooking a special dinner, they would wear their 
sexist outfits. At exactly 6.30 they came down and entered the 
dinning room. The room was bathed in candlelight, Buffy was stood 
behind one of the chairs, she pulled it out to allow Tara to sit she 
then leaned down and kissed her, she then did the same with Willow 
before taking her own seat and dish out dinner for each of them.
They relaxed, joked, flirted with each other but Willow and Tara 
mainly tried to find out what Buffy was up to? All she would say was 
it was a special occasion and that she would tell them later. Willow 
and Tara smiled at each other, the smouldering looks Buffy was giving 
them suggested they had a very interesting night ahead?
After dinner Buffy rose and walked around to her lovers she held out 
her hands; "My ladies please come with me," she smiled at them as 
they each took one of her hands. She led them up to their bedroom, 
she turned to Willow; "You don't remember what today is do you?"
"Well its not our birthdays and a lot has happened recently so no?"
Buffy smiled "Willow two years ago today you told me you were going 
to go to UC Sunnydale and help me fight the good fight? It's also one 
year since you told me about you choosing Tara over Oz, which I admit 
did freak me out a little at the time! So I decided that I wanted to 
mark this day with this;" she took Willow's right hand and slipped a 
ring on her finger, she then did the same to Tara. She held up her 
own identical ring; "I don't know if Willow ever told you about the 
ring Angel once gave me?"
"No I don't think so?"
"Well it was the same as these, it's called a Claddagh ring, the 
hands represent friendship, the crown loyalty and the heart love. If 
you wear it with the heart pointed towards you it means you belong to 
someone! I just wanted to show you both that I want this relationship 
to work. I love you both so much."
They both had tears running down their cheeks as they both began to 
hug her as well as each other while exchanging kisses.
Buffy pulled away from them, "Now it's payback time? You two did 
things to me the other night that I intend to repay you for? Tara 
sit," Buffy pointed to the vanity table chair, "you'll have to wait 
your turn and no cheating? Keep your hands away from that sexy body 
of yours?" She turned back to a smirking Willow. She walked behind 
her and unzipped her dress as she slipped it off Willow's shoulders 
she began kissing the back of her neck. She turned her around and 
undid her front fastening bra slipping it off and allowing it to join 
the dress on the floor. She leaned over and gentle kissed the top of 
Willow's breast slowly moving down to the nipple taking it into her 
mouth and sucking it quite hard bringing a moan from Willow.
She released the nipple and straightened up, Willow groaned at which 
Buffy smiled, "Patient's sweetpea;" She picked her up easily and 
carried her to the bed. Placing her down gently she trailed her 
fingers down along Willow's body; she could see the goosebumps 
appearing on Willow's flawless skin. Grabbing the top of her panties 
and pulled them off and throwing them across the room.
She looked down at Willow lust in her eyes Willow returned the look 
she started to caress her breasts. Buffy made a waved a finger in 
front of her smirking, "Uh huh no cheating." Willow giggled as Buffy 
leaned over her body and gently started to lightly kiss her breast so 
lightly it was like the brush of a feather, causing Willow to arch 
her back towards the touch. Her left hand went to Willow's other 
breast teasing the nipple, while her right slowly caressed it's way 
down to between her thighs bring yet another moan from Willow.
Tara seated on the chair watched intensely as Buffy began her 
assault. She opened herself up to the emotions coming from her lovers 
as she closed her eyes and let her head fall backwards, a moan 
escaped from deep within her throat and her knuckles turned white as 
she gripped the sides of the chair.
Buffy gripped the nipple between her teeth and bit on it, she then 
began to flick at the tip with her tongue; she could feel what this 
was doing to Willow through the bond! It was only this past year's 
mental training she had done with Giles that stopped her being swept 
up in the emotions coming from not only Willow but Tara as well? 
While her mouth was busy with Willow's breast, Willow's clitoris was 
being rolled around by the thumb and forefinger of Buffy's right hand.
As Buffy continued to concentrate on stopping her lovers emotions 
effecting her she suddenly realised that the mental barrier was not 
actually working as she had thought? It was actually reflecting the 
emotions back into Willow and Tara, amplify them? Buffy could see out 
of the corner of her eye, Tara flop to the floor she was in the same 
throes of ecstasy as Willow?
<This is so cool I can do them both at the same time> thought Buffy. 
She could sense that they were very close now, she kissed her way 
down Willow's belly going straight to her clitoris she started to 
suck hard on it. As Willow started to come Buffy forgot to keep the 
mental barrier up! She collapsed onto the floor next to Tara as all 
three of them started to orgasm over and over each caught in a kind 
of feedback loop as the bond continued to send the emotions from each 
of them into the other two, this went on and on until all three 
blacked out?
When Willow opened her eyes the only light was coming from the moon 
and the streetlights, she licked her dry lips as she rolled over and 
moved to the bottom of the bed. Curled up next to each other were 
Buffy and Tara.
Tara's groaned, opening her eyes she looked at Willow; "What 
happened?" she groaned again as she rolled over to look at Buffy.
"Don't know? All I know is Buffy was doing the most incredible things 
to me, it seemed that everything I was feeling kept coming back to 
me, then when I came I felt you and Buffy coming as well, it seemed 
to send me over the top again. It just went on and on?"
"Well as for myself I allowed what you were feeling to sort of wash 
over me, then everything Buffy was doing to you seemed to effect me. 
I think I came at the same time you did because a split second after 
I started I felt yours! Willow how and what did Buffy do to us?"
"I don't know? But it was the most incredible feeling I have ever 
had?"
"Well thank goodness for that, I don't think I want to do that every 
night?" Put in Buffy.
"Buffy what did you do?" asked Willow.
"Not entirely sure. Tired now, go to sleep now," said Buffy her 
speech pattern reminding Willow of cave slayer Buffy.
"Buffy don't you think you should get in bed first?" said Tara.
"No floor nice and flat," she answered patting the carpet, "Night-
night." She slowly lay down on the floor.
Willow giggled "We better get her to bed, she'll only moan at us 
tomorrow if she wakes up with marks on her face from the carpet?"
"Right sweetheart, but I think we need to find out tomorrow what she 
did?"
They struggled to get her clothes off, they didn't bother putting her 
into her night things, after all Dawn wasn't going to walk in on 
them. By the time they finished they felt exhausted, they were asleep 
as soon as their heads touched pillow.
--------------
Buffy reached over to cuddle her lovers, but found no one to hold, 
she bolted upright looking around in panic? She looked over at the 
clock.
<10.30? What the hell happened? I must have over slept? I never over 
sleep? Where's Will and Tara.>
The last part was answered when they walked through the door.
"Morning sleepy head," smiled Willow.
"Morning Will, Tara. What happened, why did you let me sleep so 
long?" Asked Buffy.
"Well we were kind of hoping you could tell us? What exactly did you 
do to us last night?" said Tara.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean?"
"Well when you were making love to me," Willow started to answer then 
smiled at Tara before correcting herself, "Us last night, somehow you 
seemed to be reflecting our feeling back at us? Then just as I was 
starting to orgasm you collapsed on the floor and both of us felt you 
coming as well, but it also seemed to effect us as well? Buffy how 
exactly did you do that?"
"I'm not exactly sure? I was using some of the mental discipline 
training Giles taught me over the last year to block your feelings 
from effecting me so I could concentrate on making love to you. But 
then I realised it seemed to reflect them back on you both, I could 
sense what effect it was having on you so I carried on doing it! But 
when you started to come I let the block slip for a second and both 
of your orgasms sort of went through me sending me over the top as 
well. But it was more intense than anything else I have ever 
experienced? The more I think about it the more I think that because 
I had cut myself off from both of you, when I let you both back in it 
sort of overloaded me, getting all of it at once and I then 
subconsciously sent it back at you two?"
"That's more or less what I though? It was incredible but I think we 
should be careful about doing that again AND please warn us in future 
ok sweety," smiled Tara.
"Ok. Do you think we should talk to Giles about this?"
"Ah Buffy even though I know Giles and the others know we have sex I 
don't think I want to discuss our sex life with them?" said Willow.
"And Giles is British he will probably get very embarrassed about 
it?" pointed out Tara.
"I don't want to tell him about our love making either, but we need 
to find out what this bond has done to us? I know that demon Kellem 
told you how it's supposed to work but it doesn't seem to be doing 
it? If you know what I mean?" said Buffy.
"I think your right Buffy. We need to find out if there are any other 
side effects?" nodded Willow.
"Right I'll grab a quick shower then we go and see if we can turn 
Giles the colour of your hair Will," smiled Buffy.
--------------
The three were thankful that Xander was at work, they had agreed that 
talking to Giles about their sex life was going to be hard enough 
without the added embarrassment of doing it in front of Xander. After 
telling him they needed to talk to him and seeing the blushes on 
their faces Giles decided he would close for an early lunch.
The three sat down with him and Anya and gave them as much detail of 
what had happened the night before. Giles surprised them by going 
redder than Willow's hair and Buffy was pretty sure he stopped 
breathing on at least two occasions? Each of them could feel the 
embarrassment of the other two making their own worse?
It was Anya that eventually came to their rescue? Her almost clinical 
attitude to sex actually worked in her favour they started answering 
her questions like they would a doctor?
"But when we made love to Buffy the night before how come we didn't 
blackout," asked Willow.
"Did she make love to you as well?"
"No? Would that make a difference?" answered Willow.
"Yes to the bond it would! The bond is maintained by sex, but until 
all three of you fully excepted the full sexual side of the bond it 
was not in full effect? Last night that happened. But some of the 
things that you have experienced as far as I have heard do not happen 
when a Jauda demon is bonded to another creature?"
"Well I think we need to research this but in the mean time I suggest 
Buffy you do not do what you did last night until we find out what 
this bond really means?" said Giles.
"Ok with me," she said, although she felt a wave of disappointment 
from both Willow and Tara, which she felt herself. She was not sure 
how long she or they could resist before doing it again? Only they 
knew how incredible the sensation had been!
Over the next two weeks they discovered that as long as they made 
love at least every couple of days and Buffy did not try and block 
the sensations coming from the others they were ok! The gang 
researched, Giles gave them various mental and physical tests. At the 
end they had discovered all they could? Giles did suggest contacting 
the council, but Buffy asked him not too she didn't want them getting 
involved with her relationship with Willow and Tara? 
The three all seemed to have increased abilities in fields that they 
always had such as Willow's ability to harness the elements, Giles 
was thankful that he had tested her in the desert or she may have 
destroyed the Magic shop by accident? She could harness the energy 
they produced when having sex to throw huge fireballs or make the air 
as dense as steel etc. but she had to use it within a day or two or 
it dissipated.
Tara had always been able to sense people's auras like she had when 
Faith had taken over Buffy's body? But now she could sense animal and 
people's emotions completely and to some extent influence what they 
felt. 
As for Buffy like Willow she seemed to be able to draw on the energy 
produced when they made love, but unlike Willow she seemed to be able 
to store it for days possibly weeks almost like a battery before it 
dissipated or she used it? She could use this energy in various ways, 
to heal minor wounds almost instantly or fight for hours without even 
breaking a sweat?
It turned out that Buffy's ability to block the emotions etc. coming 
from her lovers had nothing to do with the bond, but as Buffy had 
suspected was connected to the mental training Giles had taught her 
over the last year. Giles did offer to train Willow and Tara in the 
same techniques but they declined!
--------------
Over the next two months things went by quietly, at least for 
Sunnydale? Buffy patrolled on her own or with other members of the 
Scooby gang. Buffy also started teaching Willow, Tara and Dawn how to 
protect themselves, she even allowed Dawn to go on a patrol when the 
whole gang went with her. Everything seemed to be moving along nicely 
which of course meant it wouldn't last.
One night Buffy and Tara were out on patrol, as they walked hand in 
hand, Tara was giggling as Buffy told her yet another story about 
Xander's high school antics. Just as she got to the part where he had 
Amy cast a love spell, she stopped, letting go of Tara hand and 
started to slowly scan the darkness around them. Tara started to 
quietly chant a protection spell.
Out of the bushes to their left came three vamps, two others came out 
of the one's to their right, Buffy took up a defensive stance Mr 
Pointy seeming to spring into her hand. Tara held her own stake with 
more confides than she would have only a couple of months before.
Buffy did not wait for the vampires to attack, springing at the three 
on the right and hoping Tara would be able to hold off the other two? 
She fainted a blow at one's chest with Mr Pointy then swept all three 
off their feet with her right leg, as they hit the ground she staked 
the female and back handing the redheaded one sending him flying 
backwards into a park bench shattering it. She sprang to her feet as 
the third also got up and dived at her. She waited for the best time 
to strike upper cutting him to the chin sending him flying across the 
path into the vampire that had moved past Tara in an attempt to get 
to the slayer. Working on instinct born of years of experience she 
spun plunging her stake into the vamp that had just risen from the 
destroyed bench.
She looked over to check Tara was ok just in time to see her stake 
the vampire that had attacked her. She had her back to the two 
vampires that were left. As they started to move towards her Buffy 
through Mr Pointy turning one to duct as she ran at the remaining 
one, getting to him just as he hit Tara across the back of the head 
sending her face down into the grass. 
"You bastard you'll pay for that?" She shouted as she tackled him to 
the ground and started pounding fist after fist into his face. The 
last time she had felt this angry had been just before she had put 
Faith into a coma?
Tara groaned as she rolled over onto her side she could see someone 
on their knees punching someone lying on the ground. She was having 
trouble focusing but knew through the bond that Buffy was the one on 
top; "Buffy," she managed to say before blackness took her.
Buffy even through the rage heard Tara call out to her, she punched 
the paste that was once the vampires face once more before plunging 
Mr Pointy into his chest.
She crawled over to where Tara lay unconscious; "I'm here baby, 
please wake-up don't leave Willow and me," tears were running down 
her cheeks.
<You have to get her help or she will die?> The small voice in her 
head told her.
<Who are you?> Buffy thought back.
<That's not important at the moment you have to save our love!>
Buffy shook herself out of the despair she had been falling into, 
wiping her eyes she bent and picked Tara up cradling her gently in 
her arms she walked towards the hospital, which luckily was only a 
couple of blocks down from the park.
Buffy kicked open the door, looking around she cried out, "Someone 
help me?"
A nurse rushed over to her as an orderly pushed a gurney over so 
Buffy could place Tara down.
"What happened?" Asked a doctor also coming over.
"She fell and hit the back of her head, please help her!"
"We will don't worry," the doctor said as they pushed Tara down a 
short corridor into a room. As Buffy went to follow the nurse stepped 
in front of her; "I'm sorry miss but you can go in there!"
"But Tara... she needs me," she cried, Tears starting to run down her 
cheeks again.
"The doctor needs to examine you friend! There is really nothing you 
can do for her right now? Why don't you go to the desk and give them 
your friend's medical details?"
Buffy stood staring at the nurse for a couple of heartbeats before 
taking a deep breath to try and calm herself; "Alright, where's the 
phone? I need to call some people?"
The nurse pointed to the waiting area, "just by the door you came 
through."
--------------
10 minutes later Buffy saw Willow and Dawn walk in, followed almost 
immediately by Giles, Anya and Xander. She ran over and throw herself 
into Willow's arms, both crying.
"Buffy what happened?" Asked Giles.
"We were attacked by five vamps in Weatherly Park, I took out three 
and Tara took another one, but before I could stop him the last one 
hit her across the back of the head!" Buffy explained.
"Were is she now?" Asked Willow between sobs.
"She's in the examining room down the hall, the doctor's looking at 
her," she started crying again while hugging Willow very tight, "Will 
what if she dies? I don't think I could go on without her?"
"Buffy she can't die that's part of the bond as long as at least one 
of us is alive nothing can kill the other two, she'll be fine... 
she'll be fine," answered Willow, saying it to herself as much as to 
Buffy.
They sat or wandered around the waiting area for about another twenty 
minutes. Throughout Buffy and Willow felt the need to be in constant 
physical contact.
Both rose and walked hand in hand towards the doctor that came out of 
the room Tara had been taken too; "How is she?" Asked Buffy.
"She's going to be fine, she suffered a mild concussion we want to 
keep her in overnight just to be on the safe side!" explained the 
Doctor.
"Can we see her," asked Willow.
"She's been given some medication that's made her very drowsy! You 
may as well go home and come back tomorrow."
"We aren't leaving without Tara, if she has to stay here so are we," 
stated Buffy, steel coming into her eyes.
The Doctor took a step backwards as an identical look appeared on 
Willow's eyes; "Very well you may stay with your friend? But you'll 
have to wait until she is transferred to a ward."
"Thank you Doctor," said Buffy, she nodded to Buffy and the rest of 
the gang as she left them. Buffy then turned to Giles, "Can Dawn stay 
with you tonight?"
"Of course, I'll take her home to pick-up some things."
"But I want to stay here with Tara?" said Dawn.
"No your not you have school tomorrow? You'll go with Giles and 
you'll behave! You can see Tara tomorrow when we bring her home," 
Buffy replied.
With that the others left, leaving Buffy and Willow to wait to follow 
Tara to the ward. When Tara was pushed out of the emergency room they 
rushed over to her worry on both their faces? Tara had her head 
bandaged and seemed to be very drowsy? They walked by the sides of 
the gurney each holding one of Tara's hands. She smiled at them her 
eyes half closed, "What happened I'm sleepy, are we going to bed now?"
Willow blushed as she saw a smirk appear on the orderly's face; "You 
hurt your head baby, you have to stay in hospital but don't worry 
Buffy and I are going to stay with you?"
"Goody, will I be able to cuddle up to you and Buffy?" Giggled Tara.
Both of them went bright red as an even larger grin appeared on the 
orderly's face, "Ah we'll have to see sweety," answered Willow.
Willow and Buffy spent a restless night worrying over Tara, whenever 
the nurse came to check on her she found them holding her hands?
The sun was shining in through the window, Tara squinted as she 
opened her eyes and got assaulted by the light, her head hurt! She 
slowly looked around the room. <This isn't my room? What happened? Oh 
yeah the vamps.> She looked down at the red and blonde heads resting 
on the edge of the bed, she could sense them waking up. She smiled as 
she thought of the attention that she was going to get over the next 
couple of days?
Willow raised her head looking towards Tara, she smiled and leaned 
over and gently shook Buffy, "Buffy, honey wake up, Tara's awake!"
"Huh!" said a very groggy Buffy taking her head off the bed looking 
around. When her eyes fell on Tara, what Willow had said began to 
register her eyes sprang open wide she jumped up sending the chair 
flying across the room as she started hugging Tara planting kisses 
over Tara's face. She pulled away looking into her lover's eyes, "I'm 
so sorry baby I should have been more careful not left you so 
exposed! I'm so so sorry," tears starting to rundown her cheeks.
"Buffy it wasn't your fault, you trained me good enough to never turn 
my back on a vampire. Please don't cry?"
"Buffy she's right we both insisted on helping you with the patrols, 
we know the risk!" Said Willow.
It was midday when Buffy and Willow helped Tara into the living room, 
although Tara kept telling them she could manage, they insisted on 
helping her in fact it had taken a great deal of talking on her part 
to stop Buffy carrying her from the car to the house.
"Buffy you get her settled on the settee I'll go and get some pillows 
and a blanket!" Said Willow heading for the stairs.
"Willow it's over 80° outside I don't need a blanket?" sighed Tara.
"Oh! I guess your right," grind Willow going to the stairs.
After helping Tara sit down Buffy lifted her feet onto the 
settee, "Do you want anything? A drink? Some soup?"
"Buffy," she turned to look at Willow who had just come back with the 
pillows, "Willow please stop fusing so much?" She felt the 
disappointment coming from her lovers, "I understand you want to take 
care of me, but you don't need to coddle me so much just being with 
you two is all I need."
Two 1000 watt smiles appeared on their faces, "We just want you to 
get better, you gave us a lot of worry last night?" said Willow.
When Dawn walked into the living room having just been dropped off by 
Lisa's mum from school she saw the three were on the settee Buffy and 
Willow sat with Tara's feet on their laps. She dropped her bag and 
ran over grabbing Tara in an awkward hug, "Tara how are you, I was so 
frightened you would leave me like Mum," she released Tara and sat 
back on her haunches, they could see she was crying.
All three got up from the settee and hugged her; "Dawn everything is 
fine, nothing can take us away from you," said Tara smiling at her as 
they released her.
"What do you mean," said Dawn wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
"The bond Dawn! We can only die if all three of us die at the same 
time. If one of us is alive she can return the other two to full 
health?" Explained Willow.
"You mean if you do die I'll lose all of you?"
"Well yeah if you want to think of it that way..." Willow saw the 
pain in Dawns eyes, "But the chances of that happening are slim in 
the extreme? We are far harder to kill than we were... I mean look at 
Buffy she fought a god and jumped off a hundred foot tower and she's 
here."
"I guess your right?" Sighed Dawn.
"So how do you feel about Tara-sitting tonight while Willow and I go 
on patrol?" said Buffy. Tara knew why Buffy had suggested that Dawn 
look after her, Dawn needed to feel useful?
"Well ok but can Kevin and Lisa come over only we were planning to do 
our science project tonight?"
"Yeah that's ok," smiled Willow.
Dawn had noticed that over the weeks since Willow and Tara had moved 
in that they were sharing the responsibly's when it came to her.
"Right I better get dinner sorted out," Buffy said getting up and 
heading for the kitchen.
"So what's your science project?" Asked Willow.
--------------
Buffy and Willow left for patrol after making sure Tara was 
comfortable on the settee. She thought that she could get use to this 
amount of pampering? Dawn, Lisa and Kevin were in the kitchen working 
on there project when Spike walked in.
"Hey little bite where's Buffy?"
"Hi Spike, she isn't back yet? Why?"
Spike looked at Lisa and Kevin; "Business, how long before she gets 
back did she say?"
"She didn't tell me but Tara might know? She's in the living room..." 
Before she could suggest he go and ask Tara they heard the sound of 
breaking glass coming from the front of the house.
As Spike ran into the front room followed closely by Dawn and the 
others. Two Fyarl demons were just climbing through the destroyed 
living room window along with four of Glory's minions. As Spike put 
on his game face and sprang at the closest Fyarl, Tara cast a spell 
which sent the closest minion into two of it's fellows.
Spike kicked the demon in its midsection as it doubled up he upper 
cut him to the chin sending him back into the last minion.
Spike took the opportunity to turn and shout to Dawn and her 
friends; "Go... find Buffy." He spun around backhanding the Fyarl 
demon.
Dawn took stock of their predicament before turning and pushing Lisa 
and Kevin back into the kitchen; "Quick out the backdoor NOW."
As Dawn led her friends down the street praying that it wouldn't take 
to long to find Buffy and Willow, she decided to go to the closest 
cemetery.
"What was that back there?" Shouted Kevin as he followed after Dawn.
"It's a bit complicated? To complicated to explain now just trust
me 
that we need to find Buffy, we'll explain it later," she entered the 
cemetery gates. She heard the sound of fighting coming from up ahead, 
hoping it was Buffy she ran towards it.
As Dawn and the others got the otherside of a large mausoleum they 
saw Buffy plunge a stake into a vampire turning it to dust; "Buffy 
demons broke into the house, Spike and Tara are trying to fight them?"
Both Buffy and Willow paled.
"Dawn go get Giles tell him what's happened and to get to our house 
as soon as he can," said Buffy as she and Willow took off at a dead 
run.
They ran into the destroyed living room looking around for Tara and 
Spike? A grown came from under the upturned settee, Buffy lifted it 
up to see Spike lying on top of the broken coffee table, she threw 
the settee aside.
Willow bent down to help Spike up; "Where's Tara?"
"Took her... too many? Tried to stop them," explained Spike between 
the waves of pain.
"Who were they? How long have they been gone?" Asked Buffy.
"Those things that worked for Glory, they had two Fyarl demons with 
them, as for how long not long probably 10 minutes or so?"
"Spike don't think we're not grateful but what were you doing here?" 
asked Willow.
"I came to worn you that I heard a rumour tonight that someone has a 
plan to bring back Glory? And the attack yesterday was part of it? I 
guess that's why they took Tara?"
They both went pale with fear of what could happen to Tara. At that 
moment Giles came in with Anya and Xander.
"Where's Dawn and her friends?" Asked Willow.
"We thought it would be best if they stayed at my place, not knowing 
what we would find here?" Explained Giles.
"Giles someone is trying to bring Glory back?" Said Buffy.
"Oh great that's all we want on top of this?" Said Xander.
"No this is all part of the same thing? Somehow Tara is involved," 
said Willow, she turned to Spike, "Where did this rumour come from," 
they could all hear the anger in her voice.
They could all see Spike pale even through the blood and bruises; "A 
Fariss demon at Willy's, he had had to much to drink!"
"Right this is what we are going to do. Xander can you get the front 
window boarded up, Giles, Anya go with Spike and try and find this 
Fariss demon see what is involved like will this continue to plague 
us? Buffy and I are going to follow Tara's trail?"
"How are you going to follow her trail?" Asked Xander.
"The bond," smiled Buffy.
"Wouldn't it be better if we all went?" Asked Xander.
"No. This is personal, Tara is part of us and they are trying to take 
her away from us. Anyone who gets between us and Tara will not 
survive?"
"Willow I've never seen you like this? What has made you like this?" 
Said Giles.
"That's because you're not part of the bond. First they tried to take 
Buffy from us now they want Tara well not gonna happen," said Willow. 
Giles could have swore he actually saw sparks flash across Buffy and 
Willow's eyes!
"Alright if that's what you want we'll try it your way!" sighed Giles.
"Thanks Giles, we really do need to do this on our own?" said Buffy 
following Willow as she left via the backdoor.
It was completely dark, she could feel the cold concrete floor, her 
hands and feet were tied. She groaned in pain as she struggled to sit 
up.
<Why is it that every bad guy want's to hit me on the head?>
<Because if you are unconscious you can't use your powers?>
Tara froze for a second <W-who are y-you?>
<Cute we even stutter in our mind?>
<I c-can't help it, but since the bond it seems t-to be g-gett-ting 
better?>
<Thank you, think nothing of it?>
<What do you mean? Who are you?>
<Can't we guess?>
<I hate guessing games?>
<Yes we know? Very well you might say we're the bond!>
<What do you mean we're the bond! Willow, Buffy and I are the
bond?>
<Yes that's right, when the bond was created each of us gave part of 
yourself to create it, this part becomes part of the others in the 
bond as well as part of you? Do we understand?>
<Not really? Are you separate from the three of us?>
<No. We're not explaining this right.>
<No kidding?>
<Funny. Let's see? we think the best way to describe us is to think 
of us as what people describe as their conscience, we are the 
conscience of Willow, Buffy and Tara, we are separate from them but 
at the same time part of them. Does that explain it better?>
<A little! Do you know where I am?>
<No we only know what the three of us know? Except that we are 
following our trail here at this moment.>
<Good! Do Buffy and Willow know about you?>
<No not exactly! We have talked to Buffy a couple of times, but 
haven't had a reason to explain the bond?>
<So why have you now?>
<Because we found out from Spike that somehow some of Glory's minions 
are trying to bring her back and they need us to do it?>
<Oh! That doesn't sound good?>
<We know. The Willow and Buffy part of the bond are very angry that 
something is trying to hurt the Tara part.>
<So what can I do to help them?>
<When we attack use our powers to increase the demons negative 
emotions. Like fear and hopelessness?>
<Good idea?>
<Of course it is, we thought of it.>
<My we have got a big ego haven't we?>
<Why yes we think we're right?>
<Can you tell Buffy and Willow that I'm ok?>
<There's no need we already know?>
<This is going to be very strange having you in my mine all the time? 
Why didn't Kellem tell us about this?>
<We don't know? Maybe its different when a Jauda demon is in the
mix! 
But at least we will never be on our own again!>
--------------
Meanwhile
Willow walked deep in concentration following the trail that led to 
their love, Buffy was only partly following the trail she decided to 
look for any dangers they may run into?
<I hope she's ok? If they hurt her I'll give them so much
pain before 
I kill them?>
<Glad to hear it, but we're ok?>
<We who is we? Who are you?>
<We are the bond! Look we haven't got time to explain it all now.
All 
that is important at the moment is that our love is ok for now,
we're 
tied up in a dark room?>
<Can Willow and Tara hear you?>
<Yes and no?>
<Huh?>
<We're like you conscience each of us has a little of the others
in 
them. We can't speak with each other directly but each part of
the 
conscience can sort of relay information?>
<Ok tell Willow to stop for a minute.>
She smiled as Willow stopped and gave Buffy a curious look; "How did 
you do that?"
"I didn't do it, I asked our conscience to ask you to stop!"
Willow leaned her head to one side as a look of deep thought came to 
her face.
<Tell her she looks so cute when she does that.>
<Buffy asked us to tell you, you look cute like that?>
Willow smirked "This is weird, she said you think I look cute?"
"I did, I think this is going to be so cool?"
<Ah we hate to interrupt but we need to get Tara?>
"Right lets go!" Said Buffy.
--------------
Tara blinked at the light coming from behind some person silhouette 
in the doorway. "Bring her!" Said a male voice, as the person 
disappeared and four others walked in and walked over, as they got 
close she could see that they were the little creatures that worked 
for Glory? They picked her up and carried her into the adjoining room 
it seemed pointless to struggle at the moment as she knew that Buffy 
and Willow were coming to her rescue?
She took the opportunity to look around the room, it wasn't a room 
but a cavern it was huge, it was at least as big as the RCA Dome in 
Indianapolis where she lived for a number of years with her family.
There had to be a million candles burning in the cavern, under 
different circumstances Tara would have thought it looked beautiful? 
Scattered around were hundreds of Glory's minions as well as dozens 
of different demons.
She was carried behind the creature she could now see was Doc, they 
took her to a stone altar of black stone. She gasped and had to look 
away from it, never had she sensed such an evil thing? They placed 
her on the stone untied the ropes and chained her arms and legs to 
it, the very feel of the stone made her skin crawl. If she survived 
this she swore she would shower for a week?
--------------
Buffy and Willow entered the mansion that looked like it had been 
abandoned for about 50 years. They moved with purpose but also making 
sure that they weren't walking into a trap, all the rooms they passed 
showed no sign of habitation, they proceeded down some stairs to a 
basement.
The trail ended at a wall! "What the hell? Must be a secret door?" 
mused Buffy.
They felt around for a catch, after several minutes they found it on 
the wall to the side. On opening it they saw stairs spiralling down, 
it was well lit, they continued to follow their lover's trail. After 
some two or three hundred steps they got to the bottom, it opened 
into a small cavern with an opening on the other side. They could 
sense Tara was near, they walked with determination down the twisting 
passage, they could see a large amount of light coming from ahead?
--------------
Doc turned to face her, Tara caught the glint of the knife as he 
turned; "W-what are y-y-you go-going to d-do?"
"How cute you stutter," he smirked at here, "I'm going to slit your 
throat? You see my dear when your girlfriend used her powers to 
restore your mind, she also took a small piece of Glorificus, and 
once I have drained your life's blood and recite the proper 
incantation she will be reborn in your body. You should be honoured 
you are to become a god?"
"You may want to think this over? My girlfriends are not going to be 
please if you hurt me?" Tara smiled, now that she could feel Buffy 
and Willow were near, the fear she had felt only a moment ago had 
vanished. She remained calm preparing to start using her ability to 
influence these creatures' emotions?
Buffy and Willow entered the huge cavern making a beeline for Tara, 
as soon as Buffy entered she started attacking with a purpose she had 
rarely achieved, none of the creatures seemed to be able to touch 
her? Willow was floating just above Buffy's location; several flying 
creatures that had tried to attack her were now just charred remains 
having been hit by fireballs and bolts of energy, which Willow was 
currently sending into the creatures that were coming at them from 
all sides?
Tara was projecting fear into the creatures near her, especially 
Doc; "If you don't want to join your friends you better go before 
they get here? They won't be happy at what you have done to me?"
Doc and the minions turned back to look at her, she could sense as 
well as see the fear in the minions who slowly began to back away 
from her before turning and running for the exit.
Doc smiled at her his eyes completely black, "Don't try your powers 
on me Witch! To feel fear you have to have emotions, I don't suffer 
from that weakness?" He walk towards her with purpose, the dagger in 
hand; "Glorificus will be reborn in you before they can reach us?"
"Think again," said Willow, Doc clearly hearing her he turn just in 
time to be hit in the chest by a bolt of energy which sent him flying 
into the wall some 15 feet behind Tara, his lifeless body slumping to 
the floor.
Buffy was finishing off the few remaining creatures in the cavern as 
Willow slowly lowered herself to the ground near Tara, she was 
smiling as she walked over releasing her she hugged her tightly, "Are 
you ok sweetie did they hurt you?"
"Yeah I'm ok now you and Buffy are here," Tara sighed as she hugged 
her back.
Willow helped Tara down off the altar and hand-in-hand they joined 
Buffy who stood surrounded by a large group of dead and groaning 
creatures, Tara took Buffy's hand and led them towards the exit. As 
they were about to leave Tara came up short as she remembered 
something, she released her lovers hands and turn back towards the 
altar. As she looked at it, it was like looking into an abyss, she 
paled as she thought about what kind of evil could warp the very 
earth.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Asked Willow.
"The altar! We need to destroy it somehow? If it remains it will 
start to corrupt the Earth around it?" Explained Tara.
"Ok but I don't know if I have enough energy left to do it?" Said 
Willow.
"We have to try, we have enough problems now? We don't want anymore," 
said Buffy.
"Ok I'll try," nodded Willow.
Willow walked back towards the altar till she was about 40 feet away 
she looked deep within herself drawing an every ounce of reserve she 
had she looked up at the altar Buffy and Tara could see her eyes were 
glowing with a white light. She raised her hand pointing at the black 
stone; energy began to pore into the stone. The stone began to glow 
but still nothing happened, "Not enough energy going to need to stop 
soon," She said between clenched teeth.
Tara knew instinctively what Willow needed, she placed her hand on 
her arm, Willow instantly felt the power return tenfold after a few 
seconds the altar stone exploded. The shockwave hit them throwing 
them back across the cavern, as Buffy helped the others up she heard 
an ominous rumbling from above. Looking up they saw dust and pebbles 
start falling from the cavern; "Tara run," she screamed as she 
scooped Willow up into her arms who seemed to be dazed? They ran to 
the exit as larger and larger rocks fell around them. By divine 
intervention or just dumb luck they got to the exit without being 
hit, they ran down the passage and around a corner just as with a 
great rumble they heard the cavern cave in?
Coughing Buffy started walking down the passage again Tara just 
behind, when they got to the small cavern dust hung thick in the 
air; "I think we should get out of here that roof doesn't look that 
safe?" said Buffy.
"Ok you better lead, I was unconscious when they brought me here?" 
said Tara.
When they got to the top of the stairs Willow had recovered enough to 
walk the rest of the way to their car, where she curled up with Tara 
on the backseat.
"That's so not fair? I carry you all the way from that cavern and 
then you get to cuddle Tara?" They could see Buffy pouting in the 
mirror.
"Ok we'll both thank you properly later!" Smirked Willow.
"That's okay then?" Buffy smirked back; "Right lets go I think we're 
all going to need a shower?" She started the car and pointed it for 
home.