Fic: Stones In The Road Part 4

["Jay <Swanrvr80@xxxxxxx>" <Swanrvr80@xxxxxxx>]

Stones In The Road

PART FOUR

"It's been so long since I've touched
So long since I wanted
Then you made me laugh
And my heart opened...
Please forgive me
I don't know what to do
It's an old fire
This familiar desire
But my skin is painfully new" - Melissa Etheridge

*****

"Xander, why aren't you out there with happy feet? Go make with the 
flirting," encouraged Willow, glancing past him at the crowded dance 
floor.

"Nah. My heart's just not in it tonight," sighed Xander, not even 
considering her suggestion. He took a sip of his beer, almost as 
uninterested in drinking as he was in dancing. 

"I hear ya," sighed Willow in dejected agreement. "My booty don't 
want no shaking tonight. Still, being here beats staying home and 
watching Demi Moore cry in Ghost for the umpteenth time."

"Or renting the Wedding Planner again," countered Xander.

"For example," nodded Willow approvingly.

"Still, doesn't mean we can't have some fun," smiled Xander.

"Such as?"

"Well...we could go down to the corner gas station and see if the new 
Playboy came out yet," grinned Xander.

"Xander!"

"Oh, methinks you doth protest too much," said Xander with mock 
surprise.

"Not at all. But don't be silly, all the new magazines come out on 
Monday," explained Willow.

"Oh. Right," smiled Xander awkwardly. "I, uh, knew that."

"Uh-huh," responded Willow doubtfully.

"Guess that only leaves..."

"You mean?" asked Willow suspiciously, hinting at a smile.

"I mean," nodded Xander. "It's time to rate that girl. You first."

"Me? Oh, alright." Willow scanned the room, her eyes pausing every 
so often on a likely candidate. 

"Well?"

"I'm looking!" snapped Willow, finally settling on someone. "I'd 
suggest that attractive redhead over there by the band, but you have 
a notorious track record of not noticing attractive redheads."

"And the more attractive they are, the less I seem to notice them," 
smiled Xander. Willow smiled gratefully in return and winked at him.

"You know what's scary?"

"That rather tall looking brunette over there?" suggested Xander 
timidly.

"No, and don't be rude! What's scary is that you and I have very 
similar taste in women."

"We do?" said Xander slowly, contemplating the consequences of that 
theory.

"We both noticed April the robot," said Willow, making quotation 
marks with her fingers when saying the word noticed.

"Not to mention Dawn the last time she was here," frowned Xander.

"Don't remind me," grimaced Willow.

"So that's your track record? Two equates a similar taste in the 
female form?" asked Xander.

"Just saying," shrugged Willow.

"Wait a minute. Common interest, similar taste...someone we both 
know," pondered Xander. Willow's eyes grew wide with a sudden fear.

"Willow!"

"What?" cringed Willow.

"Is this where you tell me about having a crush on Anya?"

Willow's head snapped up as if she had been slapped.

"Wh-what? Huh? What are you..."

Xander's laughter interrupted Willow and brought a red color to her 
cheeks.

"Bastard," muttered Willow under her breath even as she tried not to 
smile.

"How about that brunette over there," said Willow, nodding in the 
direction of the front door.

"Hmm, possibly...but on closer inspection I'd say there's a hint of 
Cordelia in the way she struts."

"I'm thinking it's the awkward walking in high heels more than a 
strut, but I see your point," agreed Willow.

"How about her?" suggested Xander. Willow followed his gaze and 
immediately frowned.

"Possible jailbait with a fake I.D.," dismissed Willow. And then her 
face lit up. "You know, twins are always fun."

Xander quickly snapped his head around but didn't see who Willow was 
talking about. When he looked back at her Willow had a much too 
innocent grin on her face.

"Didn't say they were here, silly," teased Willow.

"That's so not fair," protested Xander meekly.

"Sorry," apologized Willow, finishing her drink. "And don't think 
I'm done getting my retribution over that Anya remark." 

She looked over to the bar to see how long the line was and noticed a 
blonde with her back to them. Glancing back at Xander, she waited 
for him to look at her as he searched the room.

"How `bout that blonde over by the bar?" asked Willow. Xander looked 
and smiled approvingly.

"Nice butt," grinned Xander.

"Oh yeah," replied Willow a bit too enthusiastically. Xander raised 
his eyebrows at her.

"Is that what you notice first in a girl?" asked Xander, genuinely 
interested. Willow twisted her neck to look back at the girl.

"No. It's the eyes. Always the eyes," answered Willow, her smile 
slowly vanishing. "What about you?"

"Promise you won't laugh?" asked Xander, finishing his beer.

"No," replied Willow with a straight face.

"Fine. I'll tell you anyway. Her smile."

"Really?"

Xander nodded.

"Aw, that's so cute!"

"Yeah, that's what I was going for. Cute. Macho being so overrated 
these days," mocked Xander.

"Seriously, you noticed Anya's smile first?"

"Well, no. It was more her standing naked in my basement with her 
dress pooled around her ankles on the floor."

It was Willow's turn to raise her eyebrows.

"Huh."

"Huh?" repeated Xander.

"Just thinking. You and I found our loves so differently. You and 
Anya, it was more of a physical thingy which grew into love and 
friendship. Tara and I were friends first which grew into love and 
that physical thingy," smiled Willow wistfully. It took a moment for 
her to realize that Xander seemed uncomfortable...though she 
immediately understood why. She had mentioned Tara's name. Out loud.

"Huh."

"Again with the huh," commented Xander.

"Just wondering. You and Buffy. Friends at first...what if she had 
agreed to go to that dance with you a thousand years ago. What if..."

Willow didn't finish and her eyes weren't entirely focused on Xander.

"Where you going with this, Will?"

"Like I said, just wondering. If you two had been a couple, had been 
happy...what would've happened to us, to the gang, if you guys broke 
up or, or if it didn't work out? I mean, look at your friendship, 
look at what you could be risking, what you could lose," said Willow, 
real pain in her voice.

"Excuse me, present tense here? It's would have lost, not could 
lose. Cupid isn't shooting any arrows in that direction these days," 
laughed Xander.

"Oh. Right," said Willow with a forced laugh. "Of course."

"Besides, I guess we'll never know. I had that spark, the 
butterflies in the stomach every time she walked into the room. But 
she didn't. It wasn't meant to be," shrugged Xander.

Willow smiled, staring at her empty cup.

"Yeah. I get that," she whispered distantly. Xander scrunched up 
his face, wondering what Willow meant.

"Hey."

Willow looked up at him.

"Don't look now, but that blonde you were checking out before is 
walking over here," said Xander, looking past her. Willow turned and 
looked over her shoulder.

"Damn butterflies," whispered Willow to herself.

"Hey. Sorry I took so long, that line was like forever. And might I 
add that chivalry is officially declared dead. There were at least 
two guys up there that could've let me go ahead of them and didn't," 
said Buffy as she settled three full cups on the table in front of 
Willow. "I must be losing it. Am I losing it?"

"Huh?" tried Willow, reaching for one of the cups.

"My flirting skills. Those guys didn't so much as blink," pouted 
Buffy.

"Maybe they were a couple," said Willow. Buffy tilted her head just 
a bit.

"Oh. Hmm, hadn't thought of that. But thanks for stroking my ego," 
smiled Buffy.

"A couple of what?" asked Xander, perplexed.

"Here's to stroking," toasted Willow as she raised her glass, only 
just then realizing what she had said. "Um, I, I meant...well, you 
haven't lost it. The flirting. Not that your stroking leaves 
anything to be...okay, shutting up now."

Willow hid her face behind her cup as she drank. Buffy smiled and 
pushed a cup towards Xander.

"To stroking," giggled Buffy as she raised her cup to her lips.

"I'll drink to that," grinned Xander. 

"Hey. What's with the long faces? Why aren't you out there dancing?"

"Just not up for it tonight," shrugged Xander.

"What he said," nodded Willow. 

Buffy frowned and put her hands on her hips.

"What's with you two? I said we needed a night out to have some fun 
and fun will be had. You telling me that with that drool-worthy 
outfit no one asked you to dance yet?" asked Buffy, her eyes on 
Xander.

"Well, technically, I didn't ask her...but she didn't ask me either," 
replied Xander weakly, avoiding Buffy's stare. 

"Oh, not that we aren't having fun!" said Willow. 

"Right!" added Xander. "Why, we were just..."

Xander hesitated, seeing Willow shake her head vigorously at him.

"Um..."

"Just what?" asked Buffy, glancing from Xander to Willow and back.

"Oh, you know, just people watching, learning the newest dance 
craze," smiled Willow. Buffy rolled her eyes and sat down in the 
chair next to Willow.

"You were playing rate that girl again, weren't you?" admonished 
Buffy.

"What? Why Buffy, I'm shocked! You think we'd stoop so low as to 
judge people simply by their looks?" asked Xander in astonishment.

"Never. So who's the cream of the crop tonight?" asked Buffy, taking 
a gulp of beer from her cup.

"Pretty even field tonight," sighed Willow. She froze with a look 
from Buffy.

"Hey, wait a minute...I was out there!"

"Um, ya know, I suddenly feel like dancing. C'mon," said Willow, 
standing and grabbing Buffy's hand. "I'll show ya how it's done."

Buffy barely had time to put her cup down as Willow pulled her out 
onto the not too crowded dance floor. Yet almost as soon as they had 
begun to dance the song ended. The band didn't get much applause and 
as if they were accustomed to that quickly began another song. A 
very slow song. 

"Damn. Guess we'll have to sit this one out. I was just getting 
warmed up too," pouted Willow.

"So dance with me," said Buffy nonchalantly. It took a moment for 
Willow to register what she had said.

"Buffy, there's not a lot of couples on the floor. People are going 
to be staring at us," warned Willow, her voice not much more than a 
whisper.

"So? You know anyone here? I don't. Never really cared what 
strangers thought of me. Do you?"

"Um, no...no, I guess not," shrugged Willow.

"Hey, you promised me a dance. C'mon, show me your moves! They'll 
probably play another fast one right after this anyway," encouraged 
Buffy.

"Okay," smiled Willow weakly. "What the hell!"

Willow reached out and intertwined the fingers of her left hand into 
those of Buffy's right hand. An awkward movement of their arms, a 
few seconds to get positioned, and then Willow slipped her arm around 
Buffy's waist, leaving Buffy to wrap her arm around Willow's 
shoulder. Willow glanced over at Xander, catching his eye...and the 
way he looked at her seemed familiar somehow...

She was wearing a black sleeveless dress, he a borrowed tuxedo. And 
they were dancing. Close. Very close. Xander slowly leaned his 
head down to her, and she responded instinctively, without thinking, 
angling her lips up to his, as if it were the most natural thing in 
the world to do...

And then Willow was looking at Buffy. A very motionless Buffy. 
Whether it had been Willow's hesitation or the closeness of their 
bodies, something was different. Gone was the confidence in her 
eyes, the bravado, even though she was smiling. She felt Buffy's 
hand tremble on her back. Willow opened her mouth to tell Buffy that 
she didn't have to do this, that she didn't have to prove 
anything...but instead her lips curled up into a smile. And Willow 
simply nodded once to calm her, to reassure her.

Willow eased Buffy a little closer to her, meeting just the slightest 
resistance as they began to sway back and forth. Buffy's palm was 
sweaty but the tenseness Willow had felt before melted away. She 
tried to look at Buffy without her noticing, glancing up and then 
looking down at their feet, repeating this once, twice. Buffy 
responded by resting her head on Willow's shoulder.

"You like what I'm wearing?" asked Willow softly.

"Oh yeah. Gonna break some hearts tonight. Even more so when the 
guys find out you play for the other team," smiled Buffy.

Willow didn't say anything but Buffy was suddenly just a little more 
aware of Willow's hand across her waist. She nestled her head 
comfortably against Buffy's shoulder. They moved in time to the 
music, neither leading, neither following. 

"You've done this before, haven't you?" whispered Buffy into Willow's 
ear.

"What...danced with a girl?" asked Willow, her eyes just slightly 
more open than a moment before.

"Nooo. Even I've done that before," laughed Buffy.

"Don't remind me," sighed Willow. Buffy hesitated, unsure if 
Willow's tone held bitterness or jealousy. She had only told Willow 
about dancing with Faith. Willow had never seen them together...had 
she? Buffy pulled her head back, catching Willow's eye, taking in a 
shallow breath.

"I meant...you've tried to seduce a girl before," said Buffy with a 
straight face.

Even though the song wasn't over, Willow stopped dancing. Her eyes 
were intent on Buffy, her face expressionless. Buffy blushed.

"Sorry," cringed Buffy. "I was going for the funny. You know, a 
watch your expression thingy. I should've..."

Buffy stared at Willow but her friend's expression never changed. 
Once again she pulled Willow close and began to dance, though this 
time she had to nudge Willow into following her lead.

"Sorry," whispered Buffy, her head on Willow's shoulder.

"No."

"W-what?" stammered Buffy, pulling her head back.

"No, I've never tried to seduce a girl before. When you asked me if 
I've done this before...I thought you were going to ask me if I've 
ever fallen for a girl before."

And now Buffy stopped dancing. Her mouth slightly open, she glanced 
away but then again looked up at Willow, narrowing her eyes. The 
song ended and the couples on the floor began to head back to their 
seats.

"Thanks for the dance, Buffy," smiled Willow as she pulled away, 
their fingers slipping apart.

"Um, yeah, I uh...oh, hey, I get it. You wanted to see my reaction, 
right? Just like me. Had me going there for a moment, Will. 
Willow? Hey, wait up!"

Xander intercepted Buffy before she got back to the table.

"Buffy."

"Huh? What?"

Xander looked at a couple just leaving the Bronze through the front 
door. The guy seemed just a little too eager to leave. Buffy 
followed his gaze.

"Vamp. Good catch."

"Right. So maybe someone should, oh, I don't know, maybe stake him?" 
suggested Xander.

"Right. And that someone would be me," said Buffy, her eyes on 
Willow. "This shouldn't take long."

"It's okay, Buffy. I'll make sure Xander gets home safely," smiled 
Willow.

"Yeah, I...hey, wait a minute," complained Xander.

"Gotta run," yelled Buffy over her shoulder. She paused at the door 
and looked back at Willow. And Buffy smiled when she saw that Willow 
was still watching her.

*****

Xander kept glancing at Willow as they walked home. Even though she 
knew he was doing it she ignored him, though there was just a hint of 
a smile on her lips.

"That was some dance," commented Xander, looking straight ahead.

"Oh? How so?" asked Willow innocently.

"Oh, come on now! Two girls slow dancing together, cheek to cheek, 
hand to hand, bosom to..."

"Someone sounds jealous," teased Willow.

"Not at all!" protested Xander. "I just hope I'm there the next time 
you two tango."

"And what makes you think there'll be a next time?" asked Willow, 
suddenly intently interested in his answer.

"One can always hope," grinned Xander.

"Xander, Buffy wanted to dance. The song ended and she, being full 
of mischief girl, wanted to see what I would do when that slow song 
started. I think she was mortified when I took her up on her dare," 
smirked Willow.

Xander didn't answer but there was a smile on his face.

"You're still thinking about us, aren't you?" scolded Willow.

"Guilty as charged," laughed Xander.

"Hey, it wasn't as bad as that time she danced with you. Remember? 
When she got back from Los Angeles?"

"Oh yeah," agreed Xander, smiling even more now. Willow rolled her 
eyes.

"You're hopeless!"

"That's my middle name. Xander Hopeless Harris," nodded Xander.

*****

Buffy paused for a moment and leaned against the wall, instantly 
regretting it. A sharp pain stabbed across her shoulder and down her 
arm. She winced, grinding her teeth so as not to cry out and wake 
anyone. Her right arm hung down by her side and she held it against 
her with her left hand. Taking a deep breath, she eased her left 
foot onto the first stair but hesitated, waiting for the dizziness to 
pass.

"Buffy?"

"Oh, hey Willow. Didn't know you were still up."

By the way Buffy stiffly turned to face her, Willow knew something 
was wrong.

"Couldn't sleep. You're hurt," said Willow, stating the obvious. 
She walked over to Buffy and stood next to her, unsure of what to do.

"It's not bad. Really. Got slammed against a tombstone," sighed 
Buffy. "But you should see the other guy. Oh, wait! You 
can't, `cause he's dust now."

"Let me help you upstairs," offered Willow, smiling her approval.

"Thanks. I'm thinking a hot bath might be just what I need."

Willow wrapped her arm around Buffy's waist, careful not to touch her 
arm, and Buffy leaned against her, one arm across Willow's shoulders.

"Want some aspirin?" asked Willow.

"Bring the bottle," nodded Buffy, wincing as they made their way 
awkwardly up the stairs. Willow smacked the light on with one hand 
guided her over to the bed, worried even more now because Buffy 
seemed to be leaning on her with most of her weight.

"Here, sit," ordered Willow, easing her down. "You sure it's only 
your arm?"

"Yeah. I just landed wrong. A little soaking in hot water is just 
what I need," smiled Buffy, trying to calm Willow's fears.

"Okay, I'll go run the bath."

"Thanks," nodded Buffy. She heard the water running and Willow 
opening the medicine cabinet as she unbuttoned her blouse with her 
left hand. When she looked up she saw Willow standing there with a 
paper cup full of water and two aspirin in her palm.

Buffy took the aspirin but grimaced as she reached for the cup with 
her right hand. 

"I'll hold the cup," frowned Willow. Glancing down at Buffy's open 
blouse, she was surprised to see that she wasn't wearing a bra.

"Thanks," smiled Buffy, tossing the aspirin into her mouth. She 
waited a moment but Willow, distracted, just stood there. Buffy 
waved her hand and pointed to her mouth.

"Oh! Sorry," winced Willow, lifting the cup to her mouth so she 
could drink. Finished, Buffy slowly stood up from the bed.

"The bath will be ready in another minute or two," said Willow. "I 
made sure the water was hot."

"Thanks. Could you, uh, help me here?" asked Buffy, shimmying her 
shoulders to slip free of her blouse.

"Oh. Sure," nodded Willow, trying not to look at her friend's 
chest. Sensing her discomfort, Buffy hesitated but then awkwardly 
covered herself with her left arm. Willow tugged the blouse free 
from her right arm and tossed it onto the bed.

"Willow, could you do me one more favor?"

Willow glanced down at Buffy's pants and blushed.

"Um, no," smiled Buffy, trying not to laugh. "I can wiggle out of 
these. My robe is hanging in the closet. Could you get it for me?"

"Oh. Robe. Right. Of course," nodded Willow, rolling her eyes and 
quickly walking over to the closet. Buffy bit her lower lip to keep 
from laughing. Willow came back and handed her the tericloth robe.

"Thanks. I think I can manage the rest," teased Buffy.

"You sure?" countered Willow doubtfully, again glancing down at 
Buffy's pants. It was Buffy's turn to roll her eyes. "Call me if 
you need help with the wiggling or maybe if you want your back 
washed."

Before Buffy could answer, Willow walked past her, heading for the 
door.

"Where are you..."

"Be right back," answered Willow.

Puzzled, Buffy went into the bathroom and automatically reached to 
close the door behind her but paused, glancing back in the direction 
Willow had gone. With a smile known only to her, Buffy left the door 
open.

*****

Head leaning back against the tub, her eyes closed, Buffy almost 
dozed off. She shook her head, realizing that the silence around her 
was what had both let her drift off and had woken her.

"Willow? Hey, you hiding out there? Wanna help me with my hair?"

Buffy waited but heard nothing. Tapping her fingers on the edge of 
the tub, she slowly exhaled, puffing out her cheeks. She turned her 
hand over and saw how wrinkled her fingertips were.

"You can lead a horse to water," sighed Buffy as she stepped out of 
the tub and toweled herself off. Wrapping herself snugly into her 
robe, she heard Willow walk into the room. Buffy glanced into the 
mirror, only then realizing that she had been pouting. With a shrug 
she smiled and walked into the bedroom, feigning surprise at seeing 
Willow. She was sitting on the bed, obviously trying not to smile.

"What?" asked Buffy suspiciously, sitting down at her dresser.

"I made you something," said Willow proudly, holding up what looked 
like a toothpaste tube.

"Isn't that just one of those sport creams? You know, for achy 
muscles?"

"Well, yes, but I added a little something to make it more, um, 
effective," explained Willow.

"You mean magic," said Buffy.

"For example," grinned Willow.

"Thanks. Let me just brush my hair first," said Buffy, turning to 
face the mirror. She picked up a brush and winced in pain even as 
she raised it towards the side of her head.

"Here, let me," offered Willow, quickly getting up. She took the 
brush and stroked Buffy's hair, gently tugging any pulls free, 
wincing herself when she hit a snag.

"Sorry," apologized Willow.

"No need to...I mean, thanks. Really. For everything," smiled 
Buffy. Willow smiled in return, their eyes meeting in the mirror. 
Willow kept brushing her hair but didn't look away at first, her gaze 
lingering as Buffy watched her. Almost blushing, Willow concentrated 
on what she was doing. Buffy closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation 
of the brush, the rhythym of Willow's strokes. Willow's body pressed 
against her back and she felt the heat from her friend's body, warm, 
so close. Buffy's eyes snapped open, remembering who she was with 
and yet uncertain why she had suddenly held back, had pulled away 
from what felt so good. 

Willow paused, then put the brush down, leaning into Buffy even more 
as she reached across. Distracted by Buffy's gaze, the brush almost 
fell off the edge of the dresser and they both reached for it at the 
same time. Their hands touched. Neither one moved.

"I'll, um, get that cream. Oh, I made it lavender scented. No need 
for it to be smelly for it to work."

Willow picked up the tube, fumbled with it and almost dropped it, 
covering up her embarrassment by smiling. Buffy spun around in her 
chair to face Willow.

"Here, let's just push that robe back a bit so I can get at that 
shoulder," said Willow. Buffy sat still, letting Willow open her 
robe. She watched as Willow spread some of the cream into one palm 
and rub her hands together. As soon as her hand touched her skin, 
Buffy felt a warmth spread into her shoulder. She closed her eyes in 
appreciation.

"Mmm, Willow, I'm not sure what mojo you worked, but that feels good."

Willow put both hands on Buffy's arm now and Buffy pushed her other 
shoulder free, letting the robe droop down her back. Willow still 
worked the cream in but slowed her motion, leaning forward, her face 
now close to Buffy's. Buffy opened her eyes and smiled as Willow 
slowed even more, her fingers barely moving.

"Better?" asked Willow, trying not to look down.

"Much," nodded Buffy imperceptibly, nervously swallowing. "You 
feel...I mean, it feels...good. What you're doing. Good."

"Yeah. I, uh, thought it would feel...work! I meant work," 
corrected Willow, so close now her hair brushed against Buffy's neck.

Buffy reached up, touching Willow's wrist and Willow froze. She 
turned her head but didn't pull away, looking into Buffy's eyes. 
Ever so slowly she leaned closer, her lips almost brushing against 
Buffy's lips, but she hesitated. Buffy inched forward as if to kiss 
her but she too wavered, waiting. Their lips almost touching, Willow 
tilted her head, her breath puffing against Buffy's cheek.

"Buffy, if we..."

"I know," whispered Buffy.

"But..."

"I know," repeated Buffy even softer. And then her lips found 
Willow's. A first tentative touch, exploring, surprise at how soft 
her lips were, and then a real embrace as Willow finally responded. 
Each unsure of what to do with their hands, Willow rested one palm 
against Buffy's cheek, her other hand on Buffy's hip, Buffy in turn 
wrapping her hands behind Willow's head, gently pulling her forward.

Gasping, Buffy reluctantly broke the embrace to catch her breath. 
She smiled even as her lips trembled, shivered even though she wasn't 
cold. It took a moment for Willow to realize that Buffy 
was...nervous. No, more than nervous. It was an emotion she rarely 
saw in the Slayer, one that Willow refused to give a name to. But 
this wasn't the Slayer now, this was Buffy.

Willow leaned forward, kissing Buffy's forehead, letting her lips 
find their way down Buffy's cheek. Her hand cupped Buffy's face as 
her lips hesitated before Buffy's mouth, first brushing against her 
upper lip, then tugging gently on her lower lip. And Willow felt a 
smile form under her kiss, knew that Buffy's body was no longer 
shaking. Buffy lowered one hand, found Willow's hand on her hip and 
slipped her fingers into her own.

Willow opened her mouth slightly, intensifying the kiss, the 
sensation hinting at the familiar yet oh so new. Oxygen became an 
issue and she reluctantly pulled back. 

"Will?"

"Huh?" managed Willow, her eyes unfocused.

"One of us here is almost naked and the other one is kinda not."

"Oh," grinned Willow, looking down. "And I'm guessing that red 
flannel PJs do not sexy lingerie make."

"Don't sell yourself short," said Buffy, touching her nose to 
Willow's. Willow began to unbutton her top but Buffy stopped her.

"Let me," offered Buffy, eliciting the smallest of smiles from 
Willow. Buffy undid the last button and looked up at Willow, keeping 
her eyes on her as she pushed her top past her shoulders, letting it 
drop to the floor. And then Buffy stood up, waiting for Willow to 
make the next move. She reached for the knot holding Buffy's robe 
together and playfully tugged at it, leaving the robe open and loose, 
though Buffy kept it from dropping to the floor by pressing her 
elbows against her sides. Willow adjusted the robe so that it hung 
from her shoulders and then wrapped her arms around Buffy, hugging 
her.

"Nervous?" whispered Willow into her ear. Buffy leaned her head back 
just enough so that Willow could see her face but wouldn't look at 
her.

"Maybe a little," nodded Buffy, adding a shrug.

"Me too," admitted Willow softly. She slowly turned so that their 
lips were almost touching. Just before they kissed Buffy pulled back.

"Maybe we should..."

Buffy nodded in the direction of the bed behind them.

"Okay," murmured Willow, taking Buffy's hand into her own. Buffy sat 
on the edge of the bed, appreciating Willow's body but too 
embarrassed to stare. Willow sat next to her, one arm across her 
shoulders. She touched Buffy's cheek, her hand barely brushing 
across her skin. Turning her head ever so slightly, it was Buffy who 
sought out Willow's lips. This kiss wasn't as long as the first, but 
when Willow eased away, Buffy was smiling.

"Close your eyes," whispered Willow. Buffy did and felt her pulse 
quicken, throbbing against Willow's hand on her neck as she anxiously 
swallowed. Willow slipped Buffy's arms free from her robe, the white 
tericloth pooling around her hips as she gently eased Buffy back onto 
the bed. 

"Keep them closed," said Willow, her voice full of promise. 

Buffy simply nodded once. She felt Willow straddle her but didn't 
move. Willow brought her lips close to Buffy's mouth but didn't kiss 
her, moved to her cheek, her neck, barely touching her. A breath on 
her skin, a caress with hand held the same sensation as a kiss. 
Moving lower down, letting her hair drift across first one breast and 
then another, Willow both teased and yet relaxed her lover.

Buffy's lips parted, a single breath sharply drawn in, her fingers 
tensing, digging into the soft comforter beneath her... 

*****

Both wrapped in the bedsheet, Buffy rested her head on her pillow, 
the pillow they were now sharing, only inches away from Willow's 
face. Her lips moved, hinting at a smile. And Willow smiled back at 
her. She ran her fingers through Willow's hair, brushing it aside, 
playfully caressing it. Willow closed her eyes at the touch.

"That was...nice," whispered Buffy. Willow slowly opened one eye.

"Only...nice?" she teased.

"Okay, that was reeaaally nice," grinned Buffy. And Willow nodded in 
agreement.

"Oh yeah," breathed Willow, pressing her cheek against the warmth of 
Buffy's palm.

"Really? You're not just...I mean, I'm sorry I didn't...you know," 
winced Buffy.

"Oh, hey, don't be silly! One step at a time here, girlfriend," 
soothed Willow, smiling. "Gotta walk before you can run and all. No 
need to rush things."

"But..."

"Buffy. Slow is nice too."

Willow reached out and brushed Buffy's bangs away from her eyes.

"Oh yeah!" giggled Buffy.

Willow winked her appreciation at Buffy's compliment.

"Girlfriend. You said...girlfriend," said Buffy, thinking about how 
that sounded.

"Yeah, I guess I did," laughed Willow. And then her smile faded 
away. "How do you feel about that?"

Buffy rolled over on to her back and looked up at the ceiling.

"I'm thinking I could get used to the sound of that," nodded Buffy, 
glancing back at Willow and reaching for her hand. "Um...again, 
sorry `bout the fumbling around. Not that..."

"Hey. Fumbling around is very underrated and half the fun, 
girlfriend." 

They didn't say anything, content to simply drift into each other's 
gaze, getting lost there. Willow swallowed and felt tears welling up 
at the corner of her eyes.

"Buffy..."

"Shh. It's getting late. We'll talk in the morning," promised 
Buffy, touching a finger to Willow's lips. 

"Okay. But...can you stay with me? Might be awkward, what with 
Dawn, morning, raised eyebrows leading to questions leading to..."

"I'll stay."

Willow blinked, not sure if she had heard right.

"You sure? I mean, I want you to, but..."

Buffy leaned in and silenced Willow with a kiss, letting her lips 
linger for a moment. She pulled back and smiled as Willow took in a 
deep breath.

"Willow?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," whispered Buffy.

Willow again felt her eyes becoming moist and she nuzzled against 
Buffy's shoulder, pulling her close.

"Here," said Buffy, wrapping Willow's arm around her waist as she 
turned her back and spooned against her.

Willow lay there, eyes wide open, just listening to Buffy breathe, 
taking in the scent of her hair, her body, squeezing her ever so 
slightly.

"Will?" 

Willow had to swallow once to find her voice.

"Yeah?" came her whispered reply.

"I have a confession to make," said Buffy softly. Willow tensed, 
immediately hoping Buffy hadn't noticed.

"Okay," winced Willow. Buffy took a deep breath.

"My arm...it um...my arm didn't hurt as much as I let on."

Willow lay still until Buffy looked back...and saw Willow smiling.

"I know," nodded Willow.

Buffy raised her eyebrows in surprise and then smiled too. Willow 
leaned across and brushed her lips across Buffy's mouth.

"Goodnight," whispered Willow into her ear, settling back down 
against her back.

"Goodnight."

Buffy entwined her fingers between Willow's and then moved her hand 
up from her waist until Willow's hand covered her right breast, 
pressing her arm against her skin.

Willow didn't want to sleep, didn't want this moment to end. She 
held Buffy, listening to the stillness of the dark, feeling her chest 
rise and fall, her breath slowing, deepening, her body twitching 
slightly as she drifted into sleep. Comforted and warm, Willow 
snuggled close against her and closed her eyes. Soon she was asleep 
as well.

END OF PART FOUR