FIC: To Thine Own Self Be True 12/?

["wizathogwarts" <mcronin24@xxxxxxxxx>]

Title - To Thine Own Self Be True 12/?
By mike (mcronin24@xxxxxxxxx) 
SPOILERS: Season 1, Welcome to the Hellmouth and The Harvest.
RATING: R. It is a Buffy/Willow fic that includes smoochies, 
caressing and mystical intimacy. 
DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters belong to 
Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox. 
FEEDBACK: Constructive comments are encouraged. 
SUMMARY: (Buffy/Willow) Buffy and Willow get a few surprises of 
their own.
Authors Notes: 

To Thine Own Self Be True
Chapter 12
Surprises


People try all their lives to imagine what heaven may be like. They 
search the bible, esoteric texts and hang on the words of every 
crackpot looking for attention. They try and try, but never get 
close. As for me, I get to experience heaven every morning. It's 
warm, safe and totally encompassing in love. Heaven is waking in 
the arms of a soft warm body with red hair and green eyes. Willow.

Through half open eyes, I gazed at the serenity of her sleeping 
face. Smooth ivory skin, soft delicate lips and long sweeping 
lashes resting on her delicate skin. All framed in soft waves of 
red hair. I don't move, I just look and feel. I feel her arm 
gently draped across my waist with her hand resting on my arm. Our 
legs are tangled intimately, contrasting feelings of delicious heat 
where we touched and cooling desire where we didn't. I don't want 
this time to ever end, but I know it must eventually. But since 
it's Saturday, there is no rush. So I just continue to enjoy my 
heaven for as long as I can.

A fluttering eyelid alerts me that I am about to be treated to the 
vision of Willow's beautiful eyes and if I am truly blessed, a 
Willow morning smile. A smile so languid and comforting that it 
would melt Gibraltar. Her eyes open, then the smile. Epiphany! 
Her arms tighten around me and she draws her lips close to mine and 
we kiss. A soft, delicate kiss with tantalizing currents that bring 
color to both our faces. We break before our hearts can begin to 
race, and she lays her head on my chest.

"How long have you been awake?" Willow whispers.

"I'm not sure, time seemed to have no meaning while I watched you 
sleep." I answered truthfully.

She tilted her head, and looked me in the eye. "Why Buffy, I do 
believe you're a romantic." Then she smiled. "And the idea of a 
romantic slayer just makes me tingle all over."

"Mmmmmm, a tingly Willow makes my thoughts go to some very nice 
places, soon to be followed by my hands." I slowly rolled over so 
that I was now face to face with her, both of us on our sides. 

Her eyes grew heavy with desire and as the sun peeked through the 
window, highlighting Willows hair into a glorious blaze, we took 
each other to heaven. 

We eventually made our way downstairs, showered and dressed around 
ten thirty. Mom had already left for the gallery. Until she could 
hire and train competent assistants, she didn't expect any free 
Saturdays. After setting things up for a late breakfast of cereal 
and fruit, we started discussing the coming day between mouthfuls.

"How do you want to approach this?" Willow's eyes showed cautious 
concern.

"Carefully." I watched relief spread across her face and I knew I 
had just said the magic word.

"Good, 'cause I know it should be a cinch to get them while they're 
sleeping but this isn't an ambush that we've setup ahead of time. 
You've gotta go in where they live, and it's kinda like the cornered 
rat situation... Ya know what I mean?" She was speaking very 
carefully, and I could feel the concern in her voice.

I reached out my hand and placed it over hers, and slowly caressed 
the back of her hand. She looked into my eyes and I gave her my 
most reassuring smile.

"Willow, thank you for caring. And most of all, thank you for not 
letting it interfere with me as the slayer or with us. I want you 
to know that you should never be afraid to let me know when your 
worried or concerned about something. I trust your instincts 
completely. You are my advisor, the one I need to make sure I don't 
overlook something that will get you or me hurt." As I spoke, she 
began to smile shyly and by the time I finished, her face was lit up 
with her patented make Buffy melt and put a goofy grin on her face 
smile.

Then I began to feel soft, magical fingers of energy spread across 
my body in a most loving and very arousing way. Willow's face had 
turned mischievous as my eyelids drooped and I began to moan. 
Incredible waves of desire crashing against the shores of need 
quickly had my body quivering around my warm, moist center. I 
grasped her hand and sent my own magical fingers spreading across 
her body, but I was too aroused, there was no time for play. I went 
right for her core spots and had her flushed and panting in moments.

"Oh Buffy..." Willow moaned.

"Willoooow!" I called out as she increased her assault to match mine.

We crested together and rode each other on waves of ecstasy, finally 
laying our heated heads on our outstretched arms that were still 
tightly clutching each others hand.

"Willow, you must promise to only use your power for good." I 
finally gasped in a weezy whisper.

"Wasn't that good?" I heard the playfulness in her voice despite the 
lack of breath behind the words.

"Oh yea, definitely of the good, but much evil could ensue. What 
with the kitchen and mom could have walked in and now we need to 
shower again 'cause I am just wet all over and I think I'm not the 
only one miss let's distract Buffy from vamp laundry day" I spoke 
while lifting my head to look at her face.

"It's your fault, you made me feel so incredibly wonderful and loved 
that I couldn't help myself. And you should be grateful, 'cause my 
first thought was to rip your clothes off and make love to you right 
on the table." She stuck her bottom lip out in what she knew was an 
irresistible pout.

"Oh god willow, you're killing me." I moaned. "OK, thanks for not 
ripping my clothes off and giving new meaning to breakfast is 
served."

Willow giggled and then I giggled and pretty soon we were laughing 
uncontrollably. 

We finally helped each other up off the floor, made it through a 
shower and clothes change and after cleaning up the breakfast 
dishes, got down to the business for the day.

"All their sleeping places must be underground because we don't see 
them during the day." I began.

"Think we can get the demonscape to include below ground?" She asked.

"Won't know 'till we try, you ready." I drew her into a hug.

She rested her head on my shoulder. "I'm your girl." She whispered 
as she wrapped her arms about me.

We reached out to each other and began to draw upon the pool for 
energy. Once we felt ready, we pushed or perception below the 
ground. This was difficult, we could feel resistance, like we were 
trying to push a heavy object. <stop buffy, we're doing this wrong.>

<i agree, got any ideas on how to do it right?> I said trying to 
ignore the headache that had quickly sprung up.

<yea, lets first find some access to below ground that isn't solid 
and then just expand along the path of least resistance, ignoring 
all the solid ground. We're only interested in the open spaces 
underground anyway, right?>

<you're absolutely right. Lead the way, i'm right with you.>

We located the nearest sewer cover and were able to quickly extend 
our perception throughout the tunnel. Even though it was pitch 
black, we had no trouble seeing our way because we're not using our 
eye's, which are dependent on light. Our vision was of a mystical 
nature, not photons. We spent nearly two hours exploring the 
tunnels, finding branches to other types of tunnels and soon 
discovered that Sunnydale had quite a subterranean highway system. 
Electrical service tunnels, sewer and even hewn out tunnels that 
linked certain areas like cross streets. About two hours in, we 
finally located some sleeping vamps, about six of them in a small 
cavern just off this electrical service tunnel that seemed to 
crisscross under most of the city. We carefully traced the quickest 
way to the cavern and noted two other routes in and out of the 
cavern. 

"Looks like a front door and two back doors." I said as we returned 
to our natural perception.

"Just a sec." Willow said as she dashed off, quickly returning with 
a notepad and pencil.
She then carefully drew a detailed map, occasionally returning to 
the scene in her mind to fill in any necessary details. I added a 
couple of points to the drawing denoting what I perceived were the 
dimensions of the tunnels and writing descriptions of their surface 
entrances.

When done, we felt that we had a completely detailed map and were 
ready to plan our assault. We finally agreed on a plan, Willow 
reluctantly because there were too many unknowns and I had to agree 
with her, but I convinced her finally with logic.

"This is the best way to solve the unknowns for future planning. 
And you know we can handle six of them." She couldn't argue with 
the need to do it without bringing the whole slaying gig into 
question.

It was now close to two PM and needed to get this show on the road. 
We called Giles and told him what we came up with. He agreed to 
meet us with the weapons in fifteen minutes.

The idea of the plan was that Willow and I could see in the dark 
using our vision scape so we would each take one of the back doors 
that were open to the cavern and Giles would take the service tunnel 
so he could use a flashlight. We would know when he was in 
position. He had a super soaker and crossbow. Willow had her super 
soaker plus a dozen very pointy stakes. Willow had discovered with 
some experimentation that she could mind fling the stakes without 
too much effort when she was in her body without the exhausting 
effects of doing it completely by remote. We hadn't filled Giles in 
on this yet, wanting to keep Willow's abilities under wraps as much 
as possible for the time being. When Giles was in place, Willow 
would be taking up guard at her tunnel entrance and I would sneak 
into position. If I could, I was to try and stake the vamps in 
their sleep. If they woke up, I would yell 'Now' and Giles would 
enter from the service tunnel with two high powered lanterns to 
light up the room and begin shooting holy water at their faces along 
with Willow while I got on with quick slayage like we had done in 
several ambushes previously. 

Everything went perfectly. Yea, and I'm going to homecoming with 
Xander. After Giles was setup, I took a couple of quiet steps 
towards the nearest vamp and stepped on a home made alarm covered 
with a thin layer of dirt. All of a sudden, six vamps jumped up 
with swords in their hands.

"Now!" I screamed.

Willow immediately began super soaking causing a major distraction 
and Giles entered within seconds with the two lanterns and joined 
in. Willow and I were wearing sunglasses so that we weren't blinded 
by the sudden light, unlike the even more confused undead.

I immediately leapt at the nearest confused vamp and shoved a stake 
through his heart while he was swinging wildly. I ducked a swing 
from another and blocked a second with my sword. I dusted another 
and was decapitating a third when I felt something approaching from 
behind and started to turn, not in time to completely avoid a lunge 
from a saber that grazed my side.

"Buffy!" I heard willow scream and then there was a big poof of dust 
as a dozen wooden missiles totally decimated the remaining three 
vamps including the one trying to skewer me.

I felt Willow's hands, carefully but urgently pulling my shirt up to 
see my wound. I rested my hand on her shoulder. "It's OK Will, 
just a scratch." I tried to assure her.

"Scratches are little tiny things that you can put some bactine on 
and a band aid and its all better. A four inch gash, half an inch 
deep that is bleeding really bad is not a scratch Buffy." I can 
tell she's about to cry, but she won't. Not until she knows I'm OK.

Giles walked up and pulled what turned out to be a pretty complete 
emergency first aid kit out of his utility bag. "I was hoping not 
to need this, but I remembered your better to have it and not need 
it speech Willow and made sure to pack it." Giles spoke while 
opening the case.

"You're OK, Giles." Willow said sincerely.

He handed Willow a clean cloth and a bottle of alcohol. Willow 
quickly cleaned the wound and then she held the wound closed as 
Giles applied butterfly type surgical tape along the slightly more 
than four inches of open flesh. Willow then finished wiping blood 
and Giles applied a field dressing over the wound and had me hold a 
towel over it to keep up pressure. Giles took all our weapons and 
we slowly made it back the shortest tunnel to fresh air and sunlight.
"Uhh, I think we can forego patrol tonight." Giles stated hesitantly 
as he and Willow got me seated into the back of his car.

"Damn straight." Willow hissed.

"Willow, I'm going to be fine, but I'm not so sure you are?" I 
reached up and cupped her cheek with my hand.

"Just let me get through this and know you're OK and then I'll deal, 
OK Buffy?" She pleaded.

"Whatever you need Will, <I love you>" and smiled

She looked me in the eyes and gave me a little grin <love you too 
you crazy slayer.>

"Giles, Buffy needs that training facility. She needs to get better 
with weapons. You better come through quick or I'm going to make 
your life a living hell. Capiche'" Willow said just before we 
pulled up in front of the house.

"Yes, I agree completely. Buffy's raw talent is incredible but she 
could be nearly invincible when fully trained. And I'll be pushing 
for it as quickly as possible." He spoke with true sincerity, 
knowing Willow needed the comfort.

Willow had apparently been doing a lot of thinking on the ride home 
and that thinking apparently included the memory of my rather clumsy 
attempt to deflect the thrust that nearly skewered me. A part of me 
thought that I should be insulted, but when it came to Willow, 
personal pride didn't stand a chance against the fierce pride I felt 
by being loved and cared for by this incredible woman. Plus, it was 
going to be fun watching her make Gile's life miserable until he 
came through. I nearly chuckled out loud at the thought.

"But in the meantime, could someone tell me what happened to the 
last three vampires after Buffy was wounded? It was if they just 
disappeared." He looked at both of us now, slowly switching his gaze 
between us.

"Uhhh, how about we let you know after we figure out what happened." 
I said cautiously.

"So, you're not sure what happened either?" He asked slowly. He had 
apparently learned that demanding tones only made us defensive and 
pissed off.

I looked at Willow, <what do you think>.

She looked at me, <we tell him, but not yet.> Willow took a big 
breath and looked back at Giles. "We know what happened, we just 
want some time to figure out how to tell you."

"Ahhh, I look forward to the moment." Giles smiled softly, accepting 
the bone Willow tossed him.

Mom wasn't due 'till five, so we had about forty-five minutes to get 
cleaned up and looking normal before she got home. Then I had a 
thought. Video party at Willow's. This would give me all night to 
heal without mom's observational skills to deceive. I mentioned 
this to Willow and she agreed and we asked Giles to wait a couple of 
minutes so he could give us a ride. He was all in favor of anything 
that would lessen the chance of my mother discovering that I'd been 
injured. I called mom at the gallery and explained how Willow needed 
to check on her house and since she had a great entertainment 
center, I wanted to do a movie marathon to celebrate my first week 
in Sunnydale and everything. She was a little resistant, I could 
almost hear the things going through her head and she was probably 
right about some of them. I then pleaded, "come on mom, I promise. 
No boys or alcohol, what could be safer?" I could hear her chuckle 
at my absurd comment and then sigh. 

"OK Buffy, but if anything goes wrong, you're both grounded in 
separate rooms." She finally relented with a warning that sent cold 
shivers down my spine.

"Thanks mom. We'll be home tomorrow by noon. Love you." I saw 
Willow jump up and mouth a silent yes as she went up to pack our 
overnight things and something to wear tomorrow. I stayed on the 
couch and she was back in five minutes with my small overnight bag 
packed for us both.

Giles dropped us off at Willow's with a "have a good night", and 
Willow called for pizza delivery right after we got inside.

"Any movies in particular you want to see?" She asked after ordering 
a large spinach, garlic and pepperoni with extra cheese.

"I'd love to see 'Personal Best', but I've never been able to rent 
it." I said sadly.

"Really? Well consider this your lucky night. The advantages of 
having shrinks for parents. Not only do we have 'Personal Best' in 
the library, but also 'Bound', 'Desert Hearts' and just a great all 
around love story, 'Princess Bride'." She said smugly.

I threw my arms up in joy and quickly lowered them as I felt my 
wound open with a sharp pain and wince on my face.

Willow was immediately by my side making sure I didn't move. 

"Let me look and make sure it hasn't started bleeding again." Her 
voice was soft but confident and betrayed none of the panic I sensed 
through our mental link.

"You're going to make a great doctor some day." I gently kidded her.

"Won't have time, too busy inventing impenetrable armor that I can 
get you to actually wear." She chided back while gently removing my 
shirt.

"I packed you a button blouse to replace this thing so you wouldn't 
have to raise your arms." She explained as she gently pulled my 
black T over my head and slid it off one arm and then the other so I 
didn't have to raise them up. She then pulled back the dressing and 
had me lay on my side. "Stay still while I get some supplies."

She returned in a couple of minutes with gauze, bandages and 
betadyne. I actually thought of telling her not to bother until I 
saw the look on her face. I knew that she was doing this for me, 
but she needed to do it. And denying her would have been truly 
selfish. It's amazing how when you truly care and love someone how 
your perspective totally changes. Without my love for Willow, I 
would have been self centered and considered it selfish to accept 
her help. Now I knew better. Even though I was wounded, she was 
the one who was scared. She was the one who needed to make sure I 
healed. I needed to heal for her. And the selfless thing to do was 
let her help me.

"Thank you, I really appreciate all this loving attention. If I 
didn't think you'd kill me yourself, I might be tempted to get 
wounded more often." I gave her a soft smile to let her know that I 
really did appreciate her help and also let her know I understood.

"Don't joke." She said softly. "Next time, I could be the one who 
didn't get out of the way in time."

All of a sudden my breathing stopped, my eyes bulged and I could 
feel myself going into something that I never imagined I would ever 
feel, a full blown panic attack. She saw the fear on my face and 
immediately leaned over and held me. "It's OK, I know that wasn't 
fair, but you seemed to understand what I was feeling. I just 
wanted you to know the full extent of it." She said soothingly.

"And you really shouldn't worry about that happening, I'm not as 
stupid as you." She then gave me her smarty smile. I relaxed and 
even chuckled a little.

The pizza arrived and Willow set things up, not letting me move from 
the couch except for a bathroom run, which I did with a slow walk. 
I knew from experience that in a few more hours, the wound would 
just be an angry red scar and by morning, fading to a thin white 
line and be almost invisible in a couple of days. But I also new 
that the more I pampered it in the first 12 hours, the more 
invisible that scar would be. So I settled back into my lover's 
arms and let her feed me pizza and spring water as we watched the 
movies. I got to cross out a couple more items on my things to do 
one day list that night. Unfortunately, Willow wouldn't let me act 
on the state of arousal the movies put me into, especially with 
being close to Willow.

"How do you stand it." I finally asked her after she gently pushed 
my hands away for the umteempth time.

She grinned slowly and wickedly, "I'm just thinking how you are 
going to be so begging for it by tomorrow night, that I'll able to 
get you to do anything."

<gulp> "Anything" I gulped out loud, now I was nervous.

"Don't worry, you'll love it. You just don't know it yet." She 
whispered with hot breath into my ear.

I felt shivers and she wrapped her arms about me a little more 
snugly.

After the movies, she gave me a sponge bath that nearly drove me 
through the roof.

"You're driving me crazy, Willow." I told her as she gently dried my 
clean, but now very aroused flesh.

"Patience, you must learn patience." She explained slowly.

'Argghhhhh." Was my only reply.

She helped me into night clothes and put me in bed and then put on a 
dark blue silk teddy and casually climbed into bed with me.

"G'night Buffy." She kissed me gently, rolled over and turned out 
the light. She then put her arms around me and put my head on her 
shoulder so that my cheek was resting on her upper chest. I could 
feel the silk of her teddy on my face and the gentle rise and fall 
of her chest. I thought it would take me hours to fall asleep but 
without even realizing it, I was opening my eyes to a bright sun lit 
room and the warmth of a soft body holding me safely in her arms.

I carefully turned my head to see sparkling green eyes watching 
me. "Good morning." Willow whispered huskily. I raised my eyebrows 
as I wondered what was going through her mind to have her aroused 
already. I decided to get a little fun revenge and got an image of 
me kissing her breasts and when I had it vivid and sharp, I shared 
it with her along with the passion I feel while kissing her. She 
rolled her eyes back, arched her body and moaned. I immediately 
slid her top up to expose her breasts and brought to her the reality 
of the vision.

"Oh goddess, Buffy, noooo..." And she pushed away, stumbling as she 
got her feet on the floor. "Bad Buffy." She wagged her finger at 
me. "You haven't been cleared for anything like that."

"Well, why don't you play doctor, and then we can play doctor." I 
said suggestively.

"Let me look at your side." I rolled over so that my injured side 
was up and she lifted my night shirt to expose the dressing. Very 
carefully, she removed the dressing to expose the wound and 
carefully removed the butterfly adhesive bandages. I could feel her 
fingers touch the fading wound and carefully caress it with her 
finger tips. I was watching her face and knew that the wound was 
nearly healed and I heard her sigh.

"Thank goodness, but I want to see you stretch your arms slowly 
while I watch your face." Their was so much relief in her voice that 
I wanted to put her concerns totally at rest.

I rolled slowly onto my back and as I lifted my arms up to begin my 
stretch, I brought my night shirt up over my head with my hands and 
began a very languid stretch watching to see if she could keep her 
eyes on my face. She nearly succeeded, but I caught her glance down 
and lick her lips.

"Satisfied?" I asked with an innocent smile.

"Not yet, but the wound looks fine." Her voice was husky.

"Well, it still hasn't been a full twenty four hours so I should 
probably have some help in the shower to make sure I don't get dizzy 
and fall, don't you think?" I watched her breath quicken.

"Yea, that's probably a good idea." She reached out her hand to help 
me up. I'm not the only with a patience problem.

We made it home about a quarter to noon and just in time for lunch. 
We found mom in the kitchen preparing food.

"Hi girls, have a nice time?" She gave us a quick once over as we 
walked in.

"Yea mom. Pizza, movies and just the two of us." I said

"Yep, really, really nice. And lots of good sound sleep. Waking very 
refreshed type sleep and all very healthy." Willow was about to 
give everything away as if she had just been tortured for twelve 
hours. 

<willow, willow babble and inspector mom equal dead slayer>

<ok, shutting up now>

Mom looked at Willow curiously, then at me. "Buffy, I don't want to 
put Willow on the spot. So why don't you tell me what she is trying 
so hard not to spill."

I let out a big sigh, <if I didn't love you so much...>

<i'll make it up to you, promise> <vision of how she would make it 
up to me> Time held still for a moment as my mind absorbed the 
vision until...

"Buffy, Buffy. Do you hear me?" Mom was waving a hand in front of my 
face that just went all flushed.

"Oh yea, mom, just thinking of wear to start." I answered quickly.

"Just the facts, and supporting details will be fine." She arched 
her eyebrows and jutted her head towards me.

"We located a vamp lair and set up an attack to take them during the 
day while sleeping. Well, the plan was good but they had an alarm 
that woke them up just as I approached them and all six of them 
jumped up with swords. We got them all, but I got scratched in the 
side by one of their swords. But it was just a scratch, really." I 
lifted up my shirt far enough for her to see the fading scar on my 
side.

She came around the counter and looked at the thin white line with 
just a hint of redness and touched it with her hand, pulling it back 
after she was satisfied that she couldn't feel anything significant. 

"Willow, how deep was this little scratch right after it happened." 
Mom turned penetrating eyes on Willow.

"Half an inch, maybe more, maybe less I didn't measure how deep. Oh 
god, it just didn't look very good, but like Buffy said, its all 
better now, like it never even happened, but it did happen cause you 
can see this little white line as if it had happened years ago but 
it really happened less than twenty four hours ago and can I please 
shut up now. Please mom." Willow was starting to sob and tears were 
running down her cheeks. Mom took Willow totally off guard and 
everything Willow was feeling just came spilling out, mom got just 
what she wanted but also a lot more.

"Oh Willow, I'm so sorry honey." Mom threw her arms around Willow 
and hugged her tight. "I'm so sorry Willow, I promise never to use 
you like that again. That was very insensitive of me. I just 
needed to know how badly Buffy was really hurt and while I know she 
won't lie to me, she is really good at being evasive. But that's no 
excuse for using you. Will you forgive me?" Mom nearly did a babble 
of her own except her voice wasn't frantic, it was calm, soothing 
and very motherly.

"It's OK. Nothing to forgive." Willow held on to mom tight. They 
finally parted and mom grabbed a tissue and wiped Willow's tear 
stained face and kissed her on the cheek. She then turned to me and 
said one word. "Buffy?"

I went to Willow and put my arm around her shoulder. I then looked 
at mom. "The cut was about three quarters of an inch deep in the 
middle and tapered at both ends. It bled pretty bad for a few 
minutes, but Willow and Giles bandaged me up really good. Then 
Willow took good care of me, not letting me barely move for twelve 
hours. It scared Willow at first and I think the memory of it is 
still prone to freaking her out right now. So if you want to punish 
me for not dodging quick enough, go ahead, but please don't do 
anything to Willow." I then kissed Willow on the cheek.

"Buffy, I'm not going to punish anyone, especially Willow. I didn't 
realize how fragile Willow would be to my questioning her. And I'm 
truly sorry about that." The tone of her voice and the downcast look 
truly indicated her sorrow. But it wasn't enough for me.

"But mom, you knew Willow would cave easier. That's why you went 
after her for answers. You used her." I was getting angry, I 
couldn't believe my mother had used Willow like that. I actually 
felt ashamed.

Mom saw the look on my face and I saw the horror develop on hers as 
she realized what she had been willing to sacrifice in the holy name 
of getting to the truth, no matter the cost.

"Oh Buffy, Willow. Please forgive me, I'm just so scared. I'm so 
afraid that Buffy is going to be hurt that I can barely think 
straight." Her face was pleading with us.

I felt Willow's hand on the side of my face, turning my face towards 
hers until she was looking me in the eye.

"Buffy, I know how afraid she is, and I forgive her and I need you 
to forgive her too. She is every bit as afraid as I am, but as a 
mother, she has a responsibility to interfere when she thinks its in 
your best interest. As your lover, I don't have that 
responsibility. I have the responsibility of helping you be who are 
even if it gets you killed. So I'm not going to fault anyone who 
might help keep that from happening. Ok?" Then she kissed me 
lightly on the lips. Just a gentle warm breeze of energy flooded 
me, conveying all her love and trust. We broke with a sigh and I 
turned to mom.

"Sorry I got all mad mom, I just don't like to see Willow hurt. And 
I understand the whole don't want to see me hurt thing. So, just 
want to let you know that we learned a very valuable lesson 
yesterday. We will be much better prepared next time." I didn't 
want to claim that I would never get hurt, 'cause she knows that 
would be a lie. I just wanted her to know that we would continue to 
be careful and work to minimize any risk.

"I think we're all pretty sorry and learned another valuable 
lesson. If you want me to trust you, I need your trust and 
apparently, I didn't feel I could trust you to tell me the whole 
truth. I don't know if I can forgive myself for using Willow as I 
did, but I promise I will never do it again." Mom pulled us both 
into a big hug.

"Won't ever be necessary again." I gasped into moms shoulder.

"OK, who's up for brunch. French toast, turkey sausage and poached 
eggs with hollandaise." Mom said as we separated.

"ME" Willow and I echoed.

*******************************

Have I mentioned how incredible Willow is lately? Well let me just 
do it again just in case. Willow is incredible. Instead of just 
being grateful that we made it through our first vamp cleaning day 
like me, she looked at what happened and got ideas. And her idea 
got her working on setting up our own alarm system. She had managed 
to create a kind of an energy trip wire in our demonscape that would 
give us a little jolt while sleeping if anything popped up. We had 
gone to bed around ten thirty after getting nothing on the old radar 
all evening. And after some great smoochies, had wrapped ourselves 
around each other and gone to sleep.

"Whoa!" I yelled.

"Ahh!" Willow exclaimed.

We desperately untangled ourselves blindly because our total focus 
was on the two vamps that had appeared on our demonscape. They 
appeared about 2 miles away, near the electrical plant.

"We need a ride." Willow practically hissed.

"I'll wake mom." I rushed down the hall and went into my mom's room.

"Mom, wake up." I gently shook her.

"Buffy, what's going on." She replied sitting up.

"Two vamps, about 2 miles away. We need a ride before they find a 
midnight snack." I told her desperately.

"OK, let me throw something on and I'll meet you downstairs." She 
swung her legs out and stood up as I dashed back to my room to throw 
on the clothes that Willow had insisted that we leave out just in 
case. Willow had already dressed and was double checking the 
equipment bag. I was dressed in a minute flat and we met mom at the 
car.

We were pulling into the street 5 minutes after we woke up. The two 
vamps were moving rapidly towards downtown.

"The bus station." Willow whispered. "They're going to the bus 
station. There is a 1:30am bus that comes in 3 days a week."

"We'll just head them off before they get there." I squeezed her 
hand.

About a block from the bus station, we stopped in front of the alley 
we knew they were coming down. Willow had a super soaker and a 
couple of stakes ready, taking up position from the back seat with 
the window down. I got out of the car with my short sword pressed 
to my leg so that it wasn't noticeable.

"Hey guys." I called out as they came into sight. "Would you mind 
giving us directions?"

"Oh yea, we got directions." I could hear them both chuckle as they 
got closer.

They were now about ten feet away and I leaped at the one on my 
right, a flying kick right to his jaw which sent him crashing to the 
ground. Willow had immediately super soaked the other right in the 
face. I came down right on top of the one I had kicked and plunged 
my stake into his chest as I heard the one behind me scream as the 
holy water blinded him. I quickly turned and swung my razor sharp 
sword through his neck, decapitating him cleanly. A gentle breeze 
caused a little dust to settle on me as I walked back to the car 
with a satisfied smile. I looked at Willow and felt this incredible 
expression of love and pride pouring out from her, so much so that I 
blushed and looked down at the ground.

"Don't you go all modest on me." She said softly, pulling me into a 
very nice hug.

"Come on girls, it is a school night. And don't think I'm going to 
let monster slaying get in the way of your education. And Buffy, 
you shower before getting into bed. I don't think Willow would 
appreciate sleeping with you all dusty and everything." Mom dead 
panned the last part beautifully. Yea, things were definitely all 
right.