Fic: Triskelion (4/5) B/W/T NC-17

["TheBear" <thebear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Triskelion

Author: The Bear!

Spoilers: up through season 5: This begins to diverge from Checkpoint
episode canon

Pairing: B/W/T

Summary: Second in the Triad Trilogy- Sequel to the Please Trilogy. The
new Triad deals with an angry Hellgod, an Insane Vampire, and a
vengeance demon.

Warnings: NC17 Ahoy! I love Sex! I Love BDSM. I Love chains and
whips. If any of these gives you the wiggins, then so will this story.


Disclaimer: If I owned 'em, they'd have to show it on the Ecstasy
Network.

Author's Note: Part four was getting too long to fit it all into one
post. I am posting what I've got so far as four, and I'm gonna have to
expand this book to five parts. Sorry about that.

Part 4

========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS
========== BtVS ==========

Xander and Willow were dancing to a moderately slow trip-hop number.
Mostly, they were just swaying and gently bobbing to the electronic beat
and the singer's sad and soulful lyrics.

Willow was having great fun. They'd been there for about an hour,
mostly just taking turns dancing with each other- switching off in
pairs, while the third watched. They got the most stares, of course,
when it was Buffy and Willow dancing together. "Tara was right," she
said with a happy laugh.

"About what?" Xander asked. He also was having a lot more fun than he
thought he would, what with breaking up with Anya that morning.

"We needed this. Just the three original Scoobies, hanging out at the
Bronze like old times." She said.

Xander laughed. "Not exactly like old times, Will," he said, smiling in
humor.

"Whaddya mean?" Willow asked in her innocent voice, as she raised her
hands above her head and swayed her hips exaggeratedly.

Xander was still dealing with trying to hide his partial erection. It
hadn't subsided since he walked out the door of the Summers' house over
an hour ago. He couldn't believe how hot these girls looked! Buffy was
hot just like always- but familiarity did not breed contempt. Xander
may have moved on from his High School crush, but he still found her to
be a very beautiful woman. Willow, however was affecting him even more-
not only was she dressed sexier than he had pretty much *ever* seen her
before, but she had a new confidence and self-assurance that turned her
from the pretty, but shy little hacker of days gone by, into this
amazingly sexy woman before him. He smirked as he answered her
question, "Well, in old times you and Buffy didn't spend quite as much
time making out on the dance floor as now."

Willow laughed out loud at that. 

Xander just shook his head; she was amazingly unembarrassed by the whole
thing. Somehow she had totally changed, while still being the same
Willow he had loved his whole life- she still had that lighthearted
innocence of her youth, even after years of dealing with the most
horrifying evil in existence. He continued his 'then and now'
retrospective, "Buffy was busy moping after Angel all the time and you."
he trailed off as he realized that he might be opening old wounds.

Willow didn't break stride, continuing to move and sway to the music in
a way that was sexy, without being aggressive- as though her movements
were a celebration of her own sexual awareness without being designed to
necessarily entice anyone to her. She completed Xander's statement, "I
was busy moping after you." She said it without rancor or bitterness.
It had taken her a long time to get over her desire for Xander, but she
had. Not that she didn't find him attractive even still, but she no
longer ached for him; she no longer desired Xander as a boyfriend or
lover. Tonight was, however, reinforcing just how much she had missed
their easy friendship. She laughed again, as she added, "While you,
were busy moping after Buffy. Just think; if Buffy'd had the hots for
me back then, we could have had a fun little unrequited love triangle."
She giggled at her own silly thought.

Xander did falter a little at Willow's easy statement. "Yeah. I. I
want you to know, Willow."

Willow met Xander's gaze. She saw sorrow there, and even a little
regret. That concerned her, because she didn't feel there was anything
for him to be sorry for.

Xander continued, "I want to apologize, Will. I wasn't always as good a
friend as you deserved. I'm sorry for being so blind to your feelings
for so long, and then for finally returning them at the worst time."

"Xander." Willow started, wanting to assure him that she didn't hold any
grudges.

He interrupted, "I think things are finally good between us again, Will.
I know you have moved past all that, and I think I have too." He tried
to explain why he'd even brought it up, "It's just. I don't think I ever
actually said I was sorry for all that. And I am. And you deserve to
hear it, even if it is years later than it should have been."

Willow thought that was probably the sweetest thing she'd ever heard
Xander say. "Oh, Xander. You know I forgave you for that stuff years
ago," she said and then pulled him into a hug."

"Oh Crap." Xander thought as Willow pressed up against him. This wasn't
exactly the best time for Willow to be hugging him. Not that he wasn't
enjoying it; as a matter of fact he was enjoying it a little too much.
He quickly broke the hug and began stuttering, trying to think of a way
out of getting slapped. "I. uh, sorry."

Willow giggled melodically at Xander's deep blush and his stuttering
embarrassment. "Oh, how the tables have turned!" she thought. She
couldn't help but tease him, "Xander Harris! Is that a stake in your
pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

Xander's eyes bugged out, "Ok, who are you, and what have you done with
Willow?" he asked, partly shocked at her new boldness, and partly
relieved that she wasn't angry about it.

Willow laughed out loud again, and Xander marveled, thinking that he
hadn't ever heard Willow so free and easy in a public place before. He
liked the new Willow a lot. She was the perfect combination of all of
the best of his childhood friend, without the painful shyness and
embarrassment of old. He as much as told her so.

Willow fingered her collar as she reacted to his compliment. "I feel so
free, so alive; for the first time in my life, Xander. It's. well it's
indescribably wonderful. I mean here we're facing a hellgod, and I feel
happier than I think I ever have before!"

Xander looked at the choker Willow was stroking. He'd never seen one
quite like it, it apparently clasped in the front, with a tiny little
lock, and there was a ring set into the lock, it almost looked more like
a. "no, that couldn't be it," he thought. "Nice necklace, Will. Buffy
give that to you?" he asked.

Willow laughed again- it was quickly getting to be a habit. "No Xan,
not really," she answered. She imagined he'd be shocked by what she was
about to tell him, but the triad had decided not to hide anything from
the Scoobies- though they wouldn't share actual intimate details, of
course. "Tara gave it to Buffy. And it's a collar, not a necklace."

Xander was suddenly confused again. "Wait a minute- if Tara gave it to
Buffy. A collar?" he asked, his voice cracking a bit.

Willow nodded her head. "Tara gave me to Buffy for her birthday," she
explained. Seeing Xander's dumfounded look she stopped dancing and took
his hand. "Come on, I have to ask Mist. Buffy before I say any more."

Though dazed, Xander caught that slip. "Oh God," he thought,
"Mistress?" He was suddenly glad to be heading for a seat. If he
remained standing much longer, he was going to be pitching a tent for
all to see.

========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS
========== BtVS ==========

Dawn called Janice soon after her sister left the house. She didn't
think her mom and Tara would want her hanging around while they played
'getting to know you.' Plus, she needed to seriously start planning
now. 

Xander was available, and she meant to have him.

Dawn didn't just want to seduce Xander- she figured she could probably
do that with a little work and maybe some alcohol or something. No,
what she wanted much more than one night of sex. She wanted Xander for
a boyfriend. And, she knew she had some pretty big obstacles to
overcome to get him. And while Janice didn't have any more experience
with what Dawn wanted to do than she did herself, she did have that
computer with open access to the net, and she was devious- both were
going to be necessary for this project. She'd have to overcome her
mom and Buffy, as well as convince Xander that she was girlfriend
material. She figured it would take a year, easy- but then she'd be
sixteen, and he wouldn't be quite twenty-one yet. It wouldn't be
illegal if she had her mom's approval.

Ok, so this was starting to sound more and more like mission impossible,
but she figured she didn't have anything to loose- none of the boys in
school were remotely appealing to her. Anyway; shouldn't she aim high?
Both Buffy and her mom would have to admit that Xander was a great guy.
and, well. she had to try. Xander was worth it.

She walked into the living room. "Mom? Is it ok if I spend the night
at Janice's?"

========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS
========== BtVS ==========

Joyce was more than happy to let Dawn spend the night at a friend's.
She was looking forward to spending time with Tara, and getting to know
the mysterious girl that had not only captured her daughter's heart, but
had apparently managed to subjugate the wild-child as well. That was
something no boy had ever come even remotely close to accomplishing- on
any level, let alone the Mistess/sub relationship Tara had with Buffy.

Joyce decided the conversation would go more smoothly with a little wine
to break the ice. "Tara, I'm having a glass of wine, would you care to
join me?" 

Tara wasn't much of a drinker, but she occasionally indulged in a glass
of wine with dinner- on special occasions. Wasn't this a special
occasion? A little wine sounded alright. "S- sure, that sounds nice,"
she said. And, she thought it might help her get rid of this annoying
stutter. Stuttering was Tara of old, and she wanted it stopped. 

She liked the person she had become in the last couple of months. She
was a powerful witch, and had two powerful lovers- another witch like
herself, and the vampire Slayer. She was part of a team of demon
hunters that had saved the world on more than one occasion! No more the
shy mouse, she was strong, self assured, and confident. Except when it
came to Joyce Summers; the mother of her girlfriend; the mother of her
pet- whom she regularly tied up and whipped with a riding crop. "Gosh!
Could that be why I'm so nervous?" she asked herself sarcastically.

Maybe she would have to talk about her sex-life tonight. If she didn't,
it was going to continue to eat her up. "I'll just have to ask Buffy
and Willow to forgive me later." She thought. She blushed lightly as
she also thought of a few ways she might make it up to them.

Joyce walked in to the living room with two glasses and a just opened
bottle of German Riesling, one of her favorites- it was just a little
bit on the sweet side, without being cloying.

She offered Tara a glass and she sipped at it and then smiled. "Oh,
that's good!" she said.

Joyce smiled and said, "Yes, that's one of my favorites."

Tara smiled and nodded her head.

Joyce sat down at the end of the couch and turned so that she was facing
Tara, who was at the other end of the couch.

Tara half turned, so she was somewhat facing Joyce.

Neither spoke for about thirty seconds.

Tara was desperately trying to think of something to say that wouldn't
sound stupid, but she wasn't coming up with anything.

Joyce was noting the differences between the commanding young woman who
dealt so effectively with Spike the other night, and this shy, quiet
woman now sitting next to her. They almost seemed like different
people. "You're awfully quiet tonight Tara." She finally said.

Tara rolled her eyes at herself. "This is going well," she thought.
"Uh, yeah. Willow usually babbles when she's nervous. I usually just
kinda. keep quiet," she said.

Joyce said, "I make you nervous?" "That's a dumb question," she
thought. "Obviously I do. The poor girl's sitting there like she's
been sent to the Dean's office."

Tara took a little larger sip of wine and tried to answer honestly.
Maybe if she just talked, and didn't worry so much about whether it
sounded stupid, she could make this work. After all, sitting there and
not saying anything was worse than sounding stupid anyway. "Normally,
you don't make me nervous, when I'm with Buffy and Willow, but this is
the first time you and I have talked alone. Plus, now I'm involved in a
non-traditional relationship with your daughter, so there's that."

Joyce smiled, and even laughed a little at that. "I guess I could see
how that might make you nervous to be alone with me for the first time."
Joyce had something on her chest so she decided she should just say it
and maybe she could get past it. Her smile disappeared as she said,
"Tara, I have to be honest. I'm not entirely comfortable with the S&M
thing."

Tara's eyes got huge, and she thought, "Ok, that didn't last long!" she
had been wondering if their sex-life might come up. "Well, that question
got answered."

Joyce went on, "I know it's not really my business, and Buffy would be
horrified to know I was even bringing this up, but. I got into 'that
scene' when I was younger, and I had some bad experiences, and I worry."
She finished her glass of wine in one gulp and went to refill it. Then
she gestured toward Tara's glass questioningly.

Tara was still a little shook up at both the subject, and Joyce's
admission that she had firsthand knowledge of it. She copied the older
woman, downing her wine in a big gulp and holding out her glass for a
refill. She was going to need something to relax her if this was how
the conversation was going to go.

As Joyce refilled the glass, she noticed that Tara's hand was shaking
just a little bit. She smirked and said, "I bet you're wishing you'd
gone to the Bronze after all, aren't you?"

Tara smiled, appreciating her attempt to diffuse the tension. "Well,
yes. but this is something we probably should discuss, if it bothers you
that much."

Joyce quickly reassured her, "It doesn't. Not always, anyway. I. I
know that it isn't the same as it was for me. you have to understand
though; I know she's the Slayer, but it bothers me- the thought of her
being hurt. I mean, I've accepted the fact that that's her job, it's
what she has to do- being the Slayer, I mean. not the other. Anyway, I
know it's her calling and all, but I hate it. I hate that she's facing
death every night. She's my little girl and I worry about her."

That was one subject where she and Joyce were on exactly the same page.
"I know what you mean. Willow and I hate the thought of her having to
face death on a nightly basis too. That's why we try to be there with
her, to help her and protect her." Tara caught Joyce's gaze and added,
"I know it's harder for you, because you can't be there to protect her.
But, I want you to know, Willow and I both would die to protect Buffy.
And, I made her promise not to patrol without one of us there, ever
again."

Joyce said, "I do feel better knowing you two are there for her,
especially after seeing you handle Spike the other night."

Tara smiled at that memory. She then addressed Joyce's original
concern. "I take it that you're experiences in 'the scene' were as a
sub?"

Joyce blushed, remembering some of her experiences. "Yeah. A couple of
different times, I had doms that ignored my safe word."

Tara's eyes got wide again. She had only just started learning about
the whole BDSM scene since she and her girlfriends had started playing,
but that was a basic tenant- when a safe word was used, the scene
stopped immediately. "Oh, my gosh, that's. that's.Horrible!"

Joyce dropped her eyes, focusing for a moment on the upholstery on the
couch. "It's my fault. I was playing at being the rebel, and I ended
up with the wrong crowd, and played with people I didn't know well
enough."

Tara was still shocked, "But, but that's as bad as. rape." There were
tears in her eyes as she continued, "I could never. we don't. I wouldn't
ever hurt Buffy like that."

Joyce saw that she had upset the girl terribly. She set her wine down
and moved over, hugging the now crying blond. "Shhh, I know you
wouldn't. I never imagined that you played like that." She rocked Tara
gently, saying, "I think I was just letting my own bad experiences
prejudice me."

Tara pulled away, "No, i- it's good. you were just concerned. she's your
daughter. That's the way a parent is supposed to be. Buffy's lucky to
have you watching out for her like that."

Joyce moved back away from Tara, but only to the midpoint of the couch,
so there was only about a third of a meter separating them. She picked
up her wine glass and sipped at it as she calmed herself down.

"I take it, your parents weren't quite so." Joyce began.

Tara said, "Oh, no. My mom was great. She taught me every good thing I
know, practically." She gulped down half of her glass, then said, "She
died when I was seventeen." Tears welled up, but didn't spill as she
said, "I still miss her a lot."

Joyce filled the silence with, "Buffy told me your father and brother.
weren't very supportive."

Tara snorted in surprise, "Buffy said that?"

Joyce tried to keep the grin off of her face as she said, "Well, those
weren't the exact words she used."

========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS
========== BtVS ==========

"Hey guys, you done already? Whatsamatter Xan, did my girl wear you
out?" Buffy joked when her girlfriend bounced over to their table, with
a somewhat stunned-looking Xander in tow.

Willow giggled, while Xander gave her a wan smile as he collapsed down
into the corner of their booth. 

Xander took a moment to thank God that Buffy hadn't kept the ability to
read minds, 'cause his was filled with images that would probably get
his ass kicked. He watched as Willow kneeled on the seat next to the
Slayer and clasped her hands behind her back, leaning in to whisper into
her ear. He barely stifled his groan as Willow's posture served to arch
her back, squishing her breasts even more tightly up and out of the
bustier-halter top thing she was wearing. He had to close his eyes as
the pressure of his cock at full mast, trapped in the confines of his
pants, made him squirm.

Buffy's breath caught a bit when Willow assumed her subservient
position, even though she was fully dressed. She found her body
reacting almost instinctively- her nipples tightened and she felt a
moist warmth begin to develop at the junction of her thighs.

Willow almost brushed her lips against Buffy's ear as she whispered,
"Mistress, may I tell Xander about the collar, and what it means?"

Buffy turned to look at Willow as she pulled away, the question clear on
her face- 'Why?'

Willow explained, "He complemented me on my 'necklace', and asked me if
you gave it to me, and I said not really, that Tara had given it to you
and it was a collar, and then I thought I'd better ask you before I went
into any more detail, Mistress."

Buffy couldn't help but smile at Willow's babble. She hoped the day
would never come when she would stop thinking it was cute. "Have I told
you how much I love you lately, pet?" she whispered.

The grin on Willow's face warmed Buffy's heart as much as Buffy's words
did Willow's heart. She said, "It's been at least ten minutes,
Mistress." Her eyes involuntarily closed as she felt Mistress' fingers
comb through her hair. She gasped as those fingers tightened, grabbing
a fist full of hair and drawing her forward. She felt like she was in
slow motion as she moved, pulled roughly by her Mistress. Her breathing
sped up, and she could feel Mistress' hot breath against her lips
moments before Mistress' began to devour her mouth, running her tongue
over her teeth and gums as if re-establishing her territory. Willow
felt her own tongue drawn out of her mouth as Mistress sucked on it,
even biting it slightly, before releasing it and nipping at her lower
lip. She couldn't help the whimper that escaped her as Mistress ended
the kiss. Willow thought she could do nothing but kiss her Mistress
forever; even though she knew that wasn't really possible, when she was
in the moment, it felt like it was. It felt like it could go on forever
and it still wouldn't be enough.

Buffy finally had to push Willow away. She was so worked up, all she
could think of was that there was a storage area behind the stage that
no one ever used. (She only knew about it because she followed a vamp,
who was taking a snack with her back there once.) She was imagining
taking Willow back there and ravaging the girl. 

Willow pouted when Buffy got up from the couch-like thing they were
sitting on. She was hot enough that she would have serviced Mistress
Right there if she'd ask it of her. She was so focused on her lover
that she missed Xander's groan.

Buffy didn't miss it. She looked at Xander peripherally and smirked to
see him looking like he was in agony. She didn't miss his surreptitious
manipulation of his pants at the crotch. She couldn't see it through
the table, but she imagined he must be rock hard after seeing that kiss.
"Bad Buffy!" she chastised herself for taking some pleasure in the fact
that she was driving poor Xander crazy. Somehow the humor of that,
overcame the embarrassment of such a public display. "I'm going to go
and get us a round of drinks. I suddenly need to cool off a bit," she
said to them both. 

"Good idea!" Xander said, his voice cracking as he spoke.

Willow got a devilish look to her and said, "I could, you know, take
care of that for you, Mistress." 

It was all Buffy could do not to groan out loud as a sharp slap of
arousal coursed through her. Her voice was rough as she said, "Behave
pet."

Willow dropped her head and said, "Yes Mistress."

Despite her submissive attitude, Buffy could see the smirk pulling at
the corners of her mouth. She silently vowed to make her pet work extra
hard to earn her release tonight. "You have my permission to explain
things to Xander, but keep it general, pet. I don't think he needs
anything too intimate."

"Yes Mistress, Thank you," Willow said.

Buffy thought for a moment, then looked over at Xander, who was still
staring at both of them with wide eyes. She smirked and said, "I think
Willow might be subconsciously getting back at you for all those times
in High School when you left her frustrated, Xan.

Xander's eyes widened even further and darted between Buffy and Willow.

Buffy looked back at Willow and said, "Be nice Willow," tacitly implying
that playtime was over for now.

Willow relaxed out of her posture and said, "I'm always nice, Buffy!"
with mock-indignation.

Buffy just mumbled, "Mmm hmm." and went over to join the long line at
the bar.

========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS
========== BtVS ==========

"They convinced you that you were a demon?!" Joyce was outraged. This
sweet, loving girl had grown up thinking she was tainted with some
unspeakable evil. Her father and brother had used it as an excuse for
beating on her and treating her like. 

Tara put her hand on Joyce's knee, seeing the rage behind her eyes- it
was the same look Buffy got whenever she thought about it. "It's in the
past mom. They can't hurt me anymore," she reassured this wonderful
woman who had taken her into her home, who had accepted her despite the
unusual relationship she had with her daughter- something that most
parents would probably have a coronary over.

Joyce gave a sad smile, sighed and said, "I know, honey. I just. it
makes me angry to think you were treated like that."

Tara laughed, "You look just like your daughter when you say that."

Joyce's smile turned genuine.

Tara got serious and said, "You know, I think that's the moment I fell
in love with Buffy."

"When your father came to get you?" Joyce asked.

Tara nodded her head. "I mean, I'd just cast a spell on everyone to
hide my supposed demon side, nearly getting everyone killed in the
process- and that's the moment my supposed family comes to try and take
me back." Tara shook her head, tears in her eyes as she relived that
horrible, wonderful night in her head. "I was so sure everyone hated
me. I hated myself. Poor Willow was so confused because I kept saying,
'I'll go' thinking that's what they wanted. Willow had this look of
betrayal on her face, and she asked me if everything I'd said and done
with her was a lie. Then she asked if I wanted to leave and all I could
do was shake my head and try not to cry."

Joyce felt tears in her own eyes as Tara described this terrible event.

"And then my dad said, 'We're taking you out of here,' and Buffy said
that if they wanted me they could have me. Right then, I think my heart
broke. I felt like the worst person on the face of the earth."

Joyce took Tara's hands in her own and squeezed them tightly.

"And then, Buffy said, 'you've just got to go through me first.'" Tara
looked up into Joyce's eyes and bit back a sob as she continued, "And
then Dawn, then Mr. Giles, and Xander. everyone but Spike, of course,
and t- then when he asked who they thought they were to interfere, Buffy
said." she could barely speak, she was so choked up with emotion,
".'We're family.' I fell in love with her right at that moment." 

Joyce pulled the weepy blond into her arms again and hugged her tightly
as she whispered, "you are family, Tara; and I'm glad you're there for
Buffy. and Willow." She let go of the hug as she continued, "I've
thought of Willow as a daughter almost since we moved here. I'm glad
you are in their lives, and." 

Tara could see that she was having a hard time figuring out how to say
what she wanted to say next.

".I guess. I think I get it. The three of you, I mean." She took a
moment to refill both wine glasses, emptying the bottle. She
immediately got up to go get another.

Tara picked up her glass and took a sip, taking a moment to collect
herself after the high emotion of a moment ago.

Joyce returned with another bottle of the same wine, saying, "I wouldn't
have ever thought of the three of you being. together. Not in a million
years. But seeing you. I get it." She sat down and picked up her own
glass, taking a sizeable drink. "Buffy has conflicting needs. She
needs to be in control, but she seems uncomfortable being in control
sometimes, so with Willow she gets to be in control, and with you she
gets to be controlled."

Tara was amazed. That was a frighteningly accurate simplification of
their relationship.

Joyce continued, "I mean, I'm sure there are a lot of dynamics involved,
but I know those are two primary, but conflicting, needs she has.
That's why sometimes she would rebel against me with all her might, but
other times it seemed like she wanted to crawl in my lap like a scared
little girl; though I doubt she'd ever admit that."

Tara smiled, "She can be a little stubborn, sometimes." 

Joyce gave her a funny look. "Tara, I know you love her, but come on;
this is her mother you're talking to. A little? Sometimes?" she
snorted with disbelief.

"Well. she does sleep sometimes." Tara said, deadpan.

It took Joyce half a beat to catch the joke and then she almost choked
on her wine. "Oh, I like this girl!" Joyce thought as she caught her
breath.

========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS ========== BtVS
========== BtVS ==========

"So, let me get this straight. Tara gave you to Buffy." Xander asked.
His head was swimming from Willow's babbling explanation.

"Yes, for Buffy's birthday," Willow explained.

"And now, you belong to Buffy." he started.

"Yes."

".but you and Tara are still." he trailed off, trying to think of how to
put it.

"Lovers? Girlfriends? Yes to both," Willow said. She could see that
Xander was having a hard time with the concept, so she tried again to
explain.

"We are all girlfriends. We're all lovers. But, I am Buffy's pet," She
said.

Xander interrupted, "And Buffy is Tara's pet."

Willow nodded her head.

"But you aren't Tara's pet any more." he said, still confused.

Willow suddenly thought of a comparison that might help; "Your boss,
Jimmy right?" she began.

"Yeah, he's the foreman," Xander said.

"Foreman, right. You work for him, but he has a boss too, right?
Someone that he reports to."

The little light in Xander's head went on for a moment, "Right, the
owner. I technically work for the owner, but not directly." the light
flickered out. "But, I never see the owner, practically."

Willow quickly said, "Ok, now imagine you and the foreman and the owner
are all friends and you hang out together and do stuff outside work.
And, sometimes the owner might come out to the place you guys work and
take a more direct hand in things."

The light flickered back on, "But, not always. And, the three of us
spend time together outside of the 'work' thing." He started nodding
his head, "Ok. I think I get that." Suddenly he shuddered and cringed.

"What's wrong?" Willow asked worriedly.

"Scary mental place! Oh, ewww!" Xander cried out.

Willow laughed out loud, realizing what he meant.

"You couldn't come up with a better example?! I don't know if I'll be
able to look at Jimmy ever again, without becoming ill."

Willow laughed even harder, entirely unrepentant.

Xander stood up, saying, "I've got to go. I'll be back in a minute."

Still laughing, Willow said, "Hey Xan, at least now you can stand up
without embarrassing yourself!"

Xander blushed, "Embarrassing but true," he thought. That mental image
had cured him of any erection. As he started toward the men's room he
wondered if he'd ever be able to get a hard-on again after imagining his
boss naked. 

Xander hadn't made it three steps when he was struck hard in the chest.
He had a brief image of pale skin and long black hair before he landed
on the table and crashed to the floor on the other side.

Willow looked up, shocked, as her best friend's body flew past her,
crashing through the table and onto the floor. She saw a face she
hadn't seen in years. "Drusilla!" she whispered.

Drusilla stood before the redheaded witch and the boy she had once
thought of as her kitten. "You! You nasty witch with your dirty,
hurtful spells! You've ruined my darling Spike with your bad magic!" 

Willow took in the sight of the insane vampire with wide eyes,
momentarily stunned. She could see burn scars on the vamp's face and
chest, where revealed by the low cut white dress.

Drusilla began moaning loudly and scratching at her face with both
hands, oblivious to the crowd that had formed a half circle some
distance from her and the two Scoobies in their secluded booth. "I knew
something was different, the stars were singing about danger, but Ms.
Edith wasn't there to show me where the flowers were planted!"

Willow began muttering a spell under her breath while the lunatic moaned
and spat nonsense. She really didn't want to have to cast in front of
an audience, but she'd be darned if she'd let this creature of the night
hurt anyone.

"It smelled like rotting orchids! I followed it here; I knew it was
you- bad, bad girl!" She began wagging her finger at Willow, saying,
"You shouldn't have done that to poor, poor Spike. Now he's all over me
from within, and he'll never be the same again!"

Willow realized what Drusilla's gibberish must mean, and couldn't help
herself. She started to laugh.

Xander had just managed to extricate himself from the position he ended
up in, when he heard Willow start laughing. He looked at her like she
was the insane one. 

Willow thought of a spell that would be less showy and was a simple
cast- though it would only last for ten minutes, it should be enough.

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========== BtVS ==========

Buffy arrived back at the remains of the table ready to start kicking
ass, but was suddenly struck by the scene. Drusilla was just standing
there, pulling at her face, like her hands were glued to the skin.
Willow was almost cackling, she was laughing so loud and Xander was
covered in bits of wood, looking back and forth between the vampire and
the witch like he was trying to figure out which one was the craziest.

"Ok, what the hell is going on here?!" Buffy demanded. 

Willow managed to get a hold of her self and stood up. She whispered
something in Xander's ear, and then went over to her girlfriend.

Buffy frowned as Xander shrugged and walked away, carefully circling the
vampire who was now moaning loudly and yanking her hands away from her
face, but unable to let go somehow. "What did you do Will? Where's
Xander going? And why is Drusilla having tug-o-war with her face?" she
asked, completely confused by the situation.

Willow smiled and hugged Buffy, whispering in her ear, "Xander's gonna
flip the breaker, and then when it's dark you can."

Buffy nodded, understanding that part at least. "You, what, froze her
or something?" she asked.

"Let's just say, she's almost as stuck on herself as Harmony was in High
School, only literally."

A loud cry went up from the crowd as all the lights suddenly went out.

Buffy wasted no time, grabbing a shard of wood from the remains of the
table and driving it through the vampire's heart.

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========== BtVS ==========

Xander counted to thirty before flipping the breakers back on. He
figured that would give them ample time to take care of Spike's insane
girlfriend.

He started to head back toward their booth, or the remains of it. He
wanted to know just what the heck was going on. He just got his mind
wrapped around the concept of Willow being a birthday present from Tara
to Buffy, "And why does no one ever give me such a thoughtful gift?"
his mind interjected, interrupting his own musings. Shaking his head at
himself he continued with the rumination.

He just worked out the latest dynamic in his friends' relationship, when
he got tossed around like a sack of potatoes. "No, I think potatoes get
more respect," he thought. "Although there is a 'being dinner' theme to
us both." He was ignoring the scary mental images that occurred between
the Willow-present part and the being-thrown-through-a-table part.

Xander's thoughts were once again interrupted, this time much more
pleasantly as Buffy and Willow met him halfway back from the fusebox,
wrapping him in a hug.

"Are you ok Xander?" Buffy asked.

"That mean old vampire didn't hurt you too badly, did she?" Willow
asked, only half teasing.

Xander decided he definitely liked the new, touchy-feely behavior his
friends were displaying. "No serious injuries," he said. "Nothing that
the healing power of a BuffyWillow hug can't fix, anyway."

The girls pulled away, giggling. Willow said, "I don't know, Xander.
You seem to be getting light headed a lot tonight," Willow joked.

Buffy laughed, while Xander pouted, "Hey, be nice. It's not my fault
you guys dressed with lethal intent." Attempting to change the subject,
he segued, "Speaking of lightheaded, I take it Princess Psycho is
dust-buster chow?"

Buffy nodded, "Yep. I even managed to keep from getting her all over my
skirt!" she said, brushing her hand over the front of said skirt and not
seeing any dust. When she looked back up, she noticed both Xander and
Willow had equally hungry looks in their eyes, which were focused on her
hand as it moved over the stretchy fabric. She blushed and the thought
popped into her head that, with Anya gone, Xander would probably spend
his late evening masturbating to the thought of her and Willow. "Poor
Xan. We need to find you a new girlfriend soon," she thought. 

Willow noticed Buffy's blush and turned to Xander. Seeing his look, she
giggled and teased, "Hey bucko, quit ogling my girlfriend, or I'll have
to kick your ass!"

It was Xander's turn to blush in embarrassment. "How can I possibly
help myself?" he lamented silently. 

Buffy said, "You know what? I think I'm Bronzed out. Why don't we take
off while Xander can still walk upright, and then you can explain
exactly what just happened here."

Willow laughed and Xander just said, "Hey!"

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========== BtVS ==========

Xander was starting to feel like his brain wasn't functioning right. He
had to ask for clarification once again, "You cast a spell to make his.
manhood. explode?"

Buffy and Willow were still laughing about it, which in and of itself
was giving Xander the wiggins. Sure, he hated Spike, but there was a
certain. visceral sympathy. that any guy had when another guy took a
shot to the groin. When you saw that, you cringed. It was just
instinctive.

Willow calmed down enough to try and explain it again. She'd gone over
it a couple of times already as they drove to the Espresso Pump, and now
they were sitting at a table, drinking mochas. She'd been almost giddy
when Buffy let her have a regular, caffeinated, version. She hoped it
meant Mistress had plans for channeling her pet's hyperactivity. In
answer to Xander's question, she said, "It wasn't supposed to make it
explode, it was just supposed to be a punishment for mackin' on Buffy
last night. Last time he did it, I cast a spell that made him stay. up,
and not be able to do anything to make it go away, or, uh, be satisfied.
It lasted for about a day."

"But this time." Xander led.

"I changed it so this time it would just keep getting more and more. uh,
erect. It was supposed to make him stop his fun. It wouldn't keep
going if he didn't, uh, keep going," She said.

Buffy was still wiping tears away from the laughter as she said,
"Drusilla must not have let him stop."

Willow snickered, "Maybe she squeezed to hard."

Xander cringed again and held up his hands as though surrendering, "Ok,
I give up. I think that's about all I can take of that subject for one
night." He finished his mocha, and said, "Are you ladies ready to head
home?"

"Did we wear you out already?" Willow asked.

Xander smiled, "Some of us spent the day doing manual labor, Will."

Buffy and Willow traded a glance. 

"Actually, Xander, I think Willow and I are going to stay out for a
little while."

Xander didn't miss the nature of the look between the two girls; he
said, "Yeah? Don't do anything to get arrested, ok?"

The girls smirked at him.

Buffy said, "You know? This was nice. The three of us hanging out, I
mean."

Willow nodded her head, "Yeah, just like old times!"

Xander laughed ruefully, but smiled as he said "Hanging at the Bronze,
getting sexually frustrated; being attacked by insane vampires, and then
going for coffee. Yup, just like old times."

Buffy and Willow laughed again at that. 

Buffy said, "We'll call you tomorrow, 'k? We need to have a Scooby
meeting.

Xander said, "Ok see you guys tomorrow."

As Xander went out to his jeep, he felt an itching sensation on the back
of his neck. He turned around, but didn't see anything. Shrugging his
shoulders he climbed into the driver's seat. A thought struck him as he
turned the key, "You know, Spike's gonna be pretty pissed off when he
finds out about Drusilla." He whispered, "Maybe I should go break the
news personally." as he drove off into the night.

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end part 4



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