Fic: Monster? (2/?)

[inell@xxxxxxx]

Title: Monster?
Author: Inell
Email: Inell@xxxxxxx
Disclaimer: Joss owns them all
Distribution: My site, Kiss or Kill, 
http://members.fortunecity.com/kissorkill Anyone that has permission, take. 
Otherwise, just ask. Honestly, why would you want this? LOL
Rating: PG-13 
Pairing: Willow/Buffy 
Feedback is always appreciated


MONSTER? (2/?)


"We don't know that it is a sock monster," Buffy said, rolling her eyes. Only 
her little sister could be excited at the idea of a sock monster. And, what 
the heck *was* a sock monster anyway? 


She looked at Willow, a small smile crossing her face as she looked at her 
best friend. She'd been doing that a lot, lately. Looking at Willow. Lately? 
Who was she kidding. She'd been doing it since Willow had confessed that she 
was dating Tara. That one statement had forced Buffy into dealing with the 
sudden blinding jealousy she had felt as well as the intense hatred she had 
felt for the other girl. She'd never liked Oz, deciding early on that it was 
merely because he was definitely not good enough for her best friend. It 
hadn't been because he was a werewolf; she had, after all, been in love with 
a vampire. It had been many different things that had never really mattered. 
She'd just known that she didn't like him. She knew it was horrible to admit 
that she had been pleased when he had left, though she had hated seeing her 
friend in such pain. It had only been the last few months, since her death 
and rebirth of sorts, that she had begun to realize the true nature of her 
feelings for Willow. Not only was the redhead her best friend, but Buffy 
truly believed she was her soul mate. It sounded so corny, but she knew that 
it was true. Even Angel had seen it, offering her reassurance during their 
reunion a few months prior. She honestly didn't know if her feelings had 
always been there or if they had grown over time, all she knew was that she 
needed Willow in a way that both scared and excited her.


Willow had to laugh as Dawn started to argue with Buffy, her smile freezing 
when she found the slayer's attention focused on her, the smile on the 
blonde's face one that she had seen several times in the past few months. It 
was a confusing smile, one that left her curious and confused and hopeful. 
She didn't know what it meant, but she was more than ready to find out. She 
had realized years ago that she was in love with Buffy, never being brave 
enough to confess her feelings. Then, it was too late. Buffy had been dead. 
That had been the worst summer of her life. She hadn't rested until she had 
found a way to bring her best friend back, only to find out later that she 
had pulled Buffy from heaven. Willow had lived with the guilt of that ever 
since, pushing it away gradually as Buffy began to live again. She shook her 
head slightly, deciding that she and Buffy really needed to have a talk soon. 
She hadn't confessed her love because it had all been so hectic. Buffy coming 
back, Tara moving back East, Xander's engagement, Giles moving to England…
.there hadn't been time to think lately much less have a serious talk that 
could ruin the most wonderful part of her life. Okay, honestly, she'd been 
scared. But, she had learned that life was too short to live it in fear. 
Soon, they'd have a talk. Soon, she'd tell Buffy that she loved her, wanted 
to be her lover, wanted to be her life. 


"Willow?" Xander said the redhead's name again, snapping his fingers this 
time to draw her attention away from Buffy. He exchanged a meaningful look 
with Anya, arching a brow as he made sure she observed this latest evidence 
in his belief that there was something happening between his two best 
friends. He smiled as Anya nodded, acknowledging the moment. He only wanted 
them both to be happy, knowing in his heart of hearts that they belonged 
together. Stop it, Harris, he scolded himself mentally. This wasn't the time 
to be playing matchmaker for his two friends. They had a sock monster to 
find. "Earth to Willow, come in."


"I can hear you," Willow said, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink at 
getting caught staring at Buffy. She glared at him as she grabbed his 
fingers, "and stop that snapping!"


"What do we do?" he asked with a smile as he gestured to the washing machine 
that Dawn was peering into. 


"I really don't know, Xander," Willow said with a frown. "It's not like we've 
ever dealt with anything like this before." 


"Well, I think we need to find out what sort of demon would want to steal 
socks," Anya said. "Then, we can figure out how he is doing it. After that, 
we let Buffy knock him around a bit and get our socks back."


"Hey now," Buffy spoke up, "there will be no knocking around by this slayer 
if we can help it. I mean, stealing socks isn't quite up there with plans for 
world destruction, ya know?"


"You're no fun," Anya said with a slight smile as she added, "Okay, no 
unnecessary violence, got it."


"Hey guys, I think I see something shiny," Dawn said with a triumphant smile. 
"Maybe it's a clue or something! I'll get it."


"Dawn, don't climb in there," Willow said, watching with amusement as the 
teen partially disappeared into the washing machine. Her amusement turned to 
surprise as the teen called out to them.


"Oh my God…you guys aren't going to believe this!" Dawn said excitedly right 
before she disappeared.