Fic: Stones In The Road Part 5

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

Stones In The Road

PART FIVE

"...for when I look on you a moment, then I can speak no more, but my 
tongue falls silent, and at once a delicate flame courses beneath my 
skin, and with my eyes I see nothing, and my ears hum, and a cold 
sweat bathes me, and a trembling seizes me all over, and I am paler 
than grass, and I feel that I am near death." - Sappho 

*****

Groaning but not opening her eyes, Willow hit the snooze button on 
the alarm clock. And remembering last night, she smiled and rolled 
onto her side, blindly reaching towards the other side of her bed.

"Morning, Buf..."

Willow's smile vanished. Not only was she alone, the other side of 
her bed had been made, covers tucked tightly under the mattress. As 
if it had all been a dream. Or worse, as if Buffy had tried to hide 
any evidence of where she might have been last night.

Willow rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling, easily 
ignoring the temptation to be angry but only making the pang of 
sadness a little worse.

*****

She adjusted the towel covering her hair and stood with her arms 
crossed over her robe. Standing by the kitchen doorway, it took a 
moment for anyone to notice her.

"Morning, Willow. Thought I heard the shower running. Hope you're 
hungry. My sister seems to be overcompensating girl this morning. 
Probably for supplying me with a steady diet of take-out food. She's 
cooked more eggs than we could eat even if Xander were here. Which 
he isn't, might I add," said Dawn, glancing up from a book.

"Dawn, I wish you had finished your homework last night instead of 
talking on the phone," reprimanded Buffy as she dug some more 
scrambled eggs from the frying pan she held in her hand onto a 
plate. "Morning Will."

"Morning," smiled Willow, even as Buffy turned away to put the pan 
into the sink. 

"I only have this one chapter," protested Dawn. "It's no big."

Dawn went back to her reading and Buffy began washing out the pan. 
Noticing that Dawn had her back to them, Willow stepped over and 
stood behind Buffy.

"Morning," whispered Willow, placing a hand on Buffy's shoulder.

"You should have some eggs before they get cold," said Buffy, her 
attention focused on scrubbing the frying pan clean. When she was 
done she grabbed a dish towel and dried the pan off before placing it 
in the dish rack. 

Willow slowly lowered her hand, looking from Buffy to Dawn and back. 
She stood there a moment and then made her way over to the 
refrigerator. Removing the orange juice, she closed the refrigerator 
door with her hip and reached for a glass in the dish rack. Without 
looking, Buffy reached for the same glass. Their hands touched and 
Buffy pulled away as if she had been shocked, immediately turning to 
see if Dawn had noticed. Willow stood there, staring at her.

"What's up?" asked Willow, her head slightly tilted to one side.

"Sorry, didn't see you. Take that glass, I'll get another one."

"No, I'll..."

"Dawn, hurry up and eat. I don't want you late for school," said 
Buffy, a little louder than she meant to.

"I won't be late. How can I be late? Xander's picking us up."

"Yeah, okay, so you won't be late but if you don't put that book down 
you won't have time to eat. You can read in the car on the way," 
said Buffy, pushing past Willow to get another glass out of the 
cupboard. Dawn snapped the book shut and bit into a piece of toast 
while rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

"Did you get in late?" asked Dawn with her mouth full. "I got up to 
get a drink last night and saw that your door was open and your bed 
was still made."

"Um, yeah. Yeah, I did. And, um, I was so beat that I just crashed 
on the couch. Down here," added Buffy quickly.

"I kinda know where the couch is, Buffy," replied Dawn, giving her a 
strange look. Dawn turned her eyes to Willow and Willow realized 
that she was still just standing there. Snapping out of it, she 
poured herself a glass of orange juice, watching Buffy out of the 
corner of her eye and glancing at Dawn to make sure she didn't 
notice. Standing at the counter, Buffy was playing with her food but 
not eating. Willow noticed that she was rapidly tapping one foot on 
the floor.

"Buffy, do you want the orange juice?"

"Huh? What?"

Willow held up the container of juice with one hand.

"Oh, sorry Willow. I'm a little distracted today. I have to meet 
with some students later and I have no idea what I'm going to say."

"So what's the problem?" asked Willow, handing her the juice.

"Not really sure. Slipping grades, not paying attention in class or 
doing their homework. Unless I can get them to talk to me I can only 
guess what's bothering them. Thing is, they act like nothing's 
wrong," shrugged Buffy.

"Really. Not talking...acting like nothing's wrong, yet you know 
something's bothering them. Sounds kinda familiar somehow," said 
Willow, glaring at her for a moment but then noticing that Dawn was 
looking at them. Willow looked away and was saved by the sound of 
Xander's horn in the driveway.

"Time to go!" announced Buffy so loudly that it startled Willow. 

"Go on, get your stuff, Dawn. I'll clean up," said Willow.

"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Dawn.

"Nah. I'm suddenly not feeling hungry," answered Willow, shaking her 
head.

"You feeling okay?" asked Dawn, genuinely concerned.

"I guess," shrugged Willow. "Maybe I'm just tired."

"Yeah, I don't think you slept too good. Thought I heard moaning 
coming from your room last night. Maybe you can sneak in a nap after 
class later...or better yet, during class!"

Willow raised her eyebrows but looked at Buffy, not Dawn. Buffy's 
eyes were wide open and looking right back at Willow.

"Thanks for cleaning up, Will. Have a nice day! Let's go, Dawn," 
ordered Buffy quickly. Very quickly.

"Alright! Jeez, what's your problem? Xander's like five minutes 
early," whined Dawn. Willow sat down and watched them leave.

"Have a nice day?" grimaced Willow. She sighed, puffing out her 
cheeks.

***** 

Willow stood in front of her closet with her arms folded across her 
chest. She heard Buffy enter the room but didn't turn around.

"Thought you were leaving," stated Willow flatly.

"I can be late. Just have to bat my eyelashes at the principal and, 
well...I can be late."

Willow stood there, staring into the closet but not moving.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Trying to find something to wear," snapped Willow, still without 
turning around. Buffy nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. 
Willow tried to follow her out of the corner of her eye but wouldn't 
face her.

"New poster?" asked Buffy, glancing at the wall.

"Yep."

"Hmm...anyone I know?" tried Buffy.

"Melissa Ferrick."

"Oh. Never heard of her, but I'm thinking Lilith Fair alumni?"

"Yeah," nodded Willow. "Think Melissa Etheridge without the grumpy."

Buffy nodded and exhaled, puffing out her cheeks.

"Willow?"

Willow finally turned around and faced her, expressionless. She did, 
however, adjust the robe more snugly around herself.

"I'm sorry about this morning. In the kitchen. With Dawn," said 
Buffy, one corner of her mouth turned up.

"You didn't do anything wrong," replied Willow, trying not to pout 
while looking down at the rug. "Nothing to be sorry about."

Buffy stood up, catching Willow's eye.

"No, I was acting all...I don't know. This is all so new to me," 
winced Buffy, hoping Willow would understand.

"Hello! New to me too, ya know!"

Buffy raised her eyebrows and tilted her head slightly.

"Okay, not so new with the oh-my-you-don't-have-a-penis-and-we-
just...well, you know, but yes, a big new to falling for my best 
friend and, and..."

Willow paused to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry," said Buffy again sadly, as if only now understanding how 
much she had hurt Willow.

Willow nodded but didn't say anything.

"I was just trying to act like..."

"Nothing happened?" finished Willow.

"No! No, Will, I overcompensated. I, I...I'm sorry," frowned Buffy.

"I know. Me too," sighed Willow, holding open her arms. Buffy 
quickly stepped into the embrace. One lingering hug and then Willow 
stepped back, still holding on to Buffy.

"I get it. I feel all walking-on-eggshells with Dawn too. When I 
touched your hand I thought you'd jump out of your skin," sighed 
Willow.

Buffy was going to say something but winced in embarrassment instead.

"And last night..."

"Last night?" encouraged Buffy, though not without dread.

"But last night, you said, you said we'd talk in the morning. And 
then no talk, no Buffy, empty bed," frowned Willow, looking over 
Buffy's shoulder at the bed.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I should've been there. But I heard 
Dawn in the bathroom and, well..."

"Yeah," nodded Willow sadly.

"Hey, why don't you wear that new green top I bought?" suggested 
Buffy, trying to change the subject.

"But you haven't even worn that yet!" protested Willow, pushing away.

"Sure I have."

Willow scrunched up her lips doubtfully.

"Okay, I tried it on. But that counts! Besides, it'll really bring 
out the color in your eyes," added Buffy softly.

"Well..."

Buffy smiled and leaned in, her lips close to Willow's mouth, waiting 
to be invited in.

"What time do you have to be in class?" whispered Buffy.

"An hour...or so," smiled Willow. "Why? Have something in mind?"

"Or so? Well, you could help me...make this...feel that 
this...isn't...so new," whispered Buffy, her lips dancing around 
Willows lips.

"Hmmm...yeah, there is so much you don't know yet," nodded Willow.

Buffy smiled.

"I mean, you don't even know the secret handshake yet. Oh! And 
dues! We have to get you a membership card!" added Willow, slapping 
her forehead.

"Secret...dues? You guys have a union?" stammered Buffy.

"See, there's that word, Buffy. There's no guys in our club."

Buffy wrinkled her nose at that prospect. And Willow covered her 
mouth with a hand, trying to stifle a laugh. Giving in to it, Willow 
shook her head and burst out laughing.

"Shoulda seen your face. It was priceless!" grinned Willow.

Buffy's face turned red but then her eyes took on a mischievous look.

"Hey, another rule here. No tickling," warned Willow wagging a 
finger at Buffy and quickly becoming worried.

Buffy took a step and with a high pitched squeal Willow ran from the 
room with a grinning Buffy in pursuit.

*****

"So, you understood the assignment...right?" asked Dawn hopefully.

"Me? Um, no, not exactly," said Janice. "I was kinda hoping you 
did."

"Oh, this is not good. Why do teachers torture us like this?" 
groaned Dawn.

"Who else in class is there that we can ask? Oh, how about Mark?" 
suggested Janice.

"Mark? He wears velcro laced sneakers because he hasn't mastered the 
mysteries of tying a shoelace! I don't think he knows what's going 
on."

"I kinda like his sneakers," smiled Janice.

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on! He's cute and you know it!" laughed Janice.

"So not my type," replied Dawn, shaking her head.

"Let's stop at my locker first. I need to get a book."

"Can't you wait until after lunch? I'm starving," whined Dawn.

"Hey Dawn. How ya doin'?"

"Wh...oh, hi!" waved Dawn, unsuccessfully hiding her confusion.

The girl who had said hello didn't stop and didn't turn around as she 
walked away from them.

"Wasn't that Marlene? Isn't she like a senior or something?" 
whispered Dawn.

"Yeah. I think it was," nodded Janice.

"I didn't even know she knew my name. And now she's saying hi to 
me? What's up with that?" asked Dawn, staring down the hall as 
Marlene disappeared into the crowd.

"Maybe she knows you because your sister's a counselor now," said 
Janice.

"Maybe," shrugged Dawn. As they passed other kids on their way to 
the cafeteria, both Dawn and Janice noticed other girls would stop 
talking as they walked by yet they would watch them as they passed. 
As soon as they were far enough away these groups of two or three, 
congregating around someone's locker, would start talking again.

"Okay, what the hell is going on? Do I have a zit on my face or 
something?" whispered Dawn while not looking directly at Janice.

"No, don't you get it? Word got around that you've been invited to 
Carlos' party. I bet you Marlene is going. Congrads, Dawn! You've 
been booted out of geekdom," smiled Janice.

Dawn was about to laugh or argue but when she thought about it, 
Janice's assumption made sense.

"You're one of the cool kids now," teased Janice.

"But I like being a geek!" whispered Dawn.

"Right," laughed Janice.

"Well, maybe like is too strong a word," nodded Dawn, giggling.

Dawn noticed another two girls looking at her. At her, not at her 
and Janice. And Dawn began to smile. In front of the cafeteria they 
almost bumped into Carlos.

"Hey, Dawn. Janice," nodded Carlos.

"Hey Carlos," smiled Dawn.

"Hey," added Janice. "Dawn, I'll go get us a table."

"Okay. Carlos, I wanted to thank you for inviting me to the party. 
So...how many people are going?" asked Dawn.

"Don't really know. Maybe twenty. Depends on who crashes," shrugged 
Carlos.

"Oh," replied Dawn.

"Gotta run. And Dawn, you're gonna have a great time, I promise! 
I'm glad you and Kit are spending the night. Maybe we'll get videos 
or something."

"Staying the...what? Um, no, I'm staying over at Kit's house," 
shouted Dawn as Carlos walked away, waving at her with one hand. 
Dawn immediately turned and searched the cafeteria to find Kit. 
Janice caught her eye and waved at her. Dawn held up one finger, 
signaling that she'd be there in a minute. She looked around again 
and finally found Kit, laughing at a table with three other girls.

Dawn made her way over to Kit's table, not noticing the disappointed 
look on Janice's face.

"Kit. Hey. I need to ask you something. About Saturday?"

"Dawn! Sit down," offered Kit.

"Well, just for a minute. Janice is waiting for me," frowned Dawn, 
taking a seat.

"Oh, Dawn. This is Kristin and Tori."

"Hey," nodded Dawn. The girls each repeated Dawn's greeting.

"So what's up?" asked Kit.

"I just talked to Carlos. He said we were sleeping over his house. 
I thought I was staying at your house."

"Damn, I forgot to tell you, huh? My bad. See, if we stay at my 
house my mom would want me home by midnight. I mean, come on! What 
am I, twelve?" sighed Kit.

"Oh," winced Dawn.

"So I told her we were sleeping at your house," smiled Kit.

"You what!?" said Dawn, a little louder than she had intended.

"Sorry," shrugged Kit. "Is it a problem? You do want to go to the 
party, right?"

"Yeah, but..."

"Dawn, don't worry about it. My mom doesn't care. She'll be glad to 
have to the house alone with her boyfriend. Trust me, she'll never 
find out," smiled Kit. "So, again with the sorry. I forgot. But 
you still want to go, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I do. Um, I'd better go sit with Janice," said Dawn, 
forcing a smile.

"Okay. Catcha later."

Dawn made her way over to Janice's table and slumped down into a 
chair, suddenly not feeling very hungry.

"Dawn, you don't have to sit with me if you don't want to," said 
Janice. "You probably want to talk about the party. It's cool."

"What? Oh, no. No way. It's...no. I'd rather be here," smiled 
Dawn.

"Thanks," smiled Janice. 

*****

Willow pulled the covers tightly up to her neck, suddenly aware that 
she was cold. Which could only mean...

Her hand reached out to the empty bed beside her but almost 
immediately she realized that Buffy was standing by the window, 
staring out into the night. Willow glanced at the clock; sunrise was 
only about an hour away. Quietly slipping out of bed, she settled 
her robe over her shoulders and picked up Buffy's robe off the end of 
the bed. The moonlight silhouetted Buffy's form, highlighting her 
face and Willow smiled even as a knot of worry tightened in her 
stomach.

"Hey. You okay?" asked Willow, standing behind Buffy, the robe 
draped over one arm.

"Yeah," nodded Buffy, not turning around.

"Whatcha doin'?" inquired Willow, placing the robe around Buffy 
without being asked.

"Thinking. Pondering. Contemplating. Wondering. `Bout...stuff," 
shrugged Buffy, snuggling into her robe. "Thanks."

Willow nodded, unseen.

"Am I among that pondering and wondering?" asked Willow playfully. 
Buffy smiled and finally turned around. "Is the word us being 
contemplated?"

"Oh yeah."

"Thought so," smiled Willow. "Wanna talk about it?"

Buffy half-rolled her eyes and Willow crossed her arms in response.

"Is that a yes or no question?" winced Buffy.

"Buffy...it's me. Oh, wait a minute. You really don't wanna talk 
about it. Did I...I did something wrong, right?"

"No, Willow..."

"I made you uncomfortable, didn't I? I, I..."

"Willow!"

"It was the scarf, wasn't it?"

"What?" asked Buffy, suddenly blushing. "No, I really liked what you 
did with..."

"We're going too fast. No, I'm going too fast. Me. Buffy, I'm 
sorry. You shoulda told me," whined Willow.

"Willow! Take a breath. It's not you," said Buffy, touching her 
arm. Willow tilted her head, unblinking, doubt on her face.

"It's my feet," whispered Willow.

"Don't be...huh? What the hell are you talking about?" asked Buffy 
somewhat fearfully.

"My feet. They're cold. In bed. And you couldn't tell me."

"Willow!"

"I could wear socks," pouted Willow. 

Buffy shook her head and smiled. She didn't have to say anything.

"It's not my feet, is it?" asked Willow awkwardly, suddenly realizing 
how silly that sounded.

"It's not your feet," laughed Buffy, though she quickly frowned in 
confusion. "Wait a minute. Feet? I thought that expression was 
colder than a witch's..."

Willow put her hands on her hips and glared at Buffy.

"Never mind. It's not any one thing. It's lots of things. 
It's...yes, this is new for me...but I don't think we're going too 
fast," added Buffy, taking both of Willow's hands into her own. That 
alone made Willow smile. And Willow didn't say anything, encouraging 
Buffy to go on. She did but she let go of Willow's hands.

"Part of the wondering is about me. I have these feelings. 
These...confusing feelings. I mean, it's not like I'm out there 
checking out other girls," said Buffy.

"Not yet," teased Willow.

Buffy's eyes froze as she considered that. Willow stopped smiling.

"Oh, hey, not that I want you doing that. A big no to the checking 
out the competition," emphasized Willow, shaking her head.

"Willow, I'm attracted to you," said Buffy softly. "Not..."

"Been there," answered Willow. Buffy thought about that for a moment 
and then nodded.

"Buffy, it's not about body parts. It's about loving another 
person. That's what makes it special," comforted Willow. Buffy 
immediately smiled.

"Makes sense. A lot, in fact. I like that. Oh, not that I'm not 
likin' the body parts," added Buffy quickly. Willow laughed.

"Buffy, you're lucky. You can talk to me. Repeating the been there 
part for emphasis," smiled Willow.

"I am lucky. Yeah...and I feel bad about that," sighed Buffy.

"Sure, `cause...huh?"

"You went through this, alone, with no one to talk to. Really 
getting that perspective now, what you must've been dealing with. I 
was a bad friend. I wasn't there for you."

"Hello! Who's fault was that? You didn't know! I wanted to talk to 
you, but I didn't because...because..."

"Because you were scared?" ventured Buffy. Willow nodded.

"And you're scared. Buffy, I so get what you're feeling. Only now, 
you have someone to talk to. Me," smiled Willow.

"Guess I do," grinned Buffy even though she was blushing again. "I'm 
having a blonde moment."

"No. Not at all."

Buffy opened her mouth, hesitated, then just blurted out what she 
needed to say.

"Did you? Go too fast, I mean. At first. Just the watercolor 
version, not the kodak moment," added Buffy.

Willow took Buffy's hand and pulled her back to the bed. They both 
sat down.

"Well, I did have a good teacher. Didn't realize it at the time, but 
she was even more shy than I was, even though she was comfortable 
with her sexuality. So, too fast? Let's just say you're way ahead 
of the learning curve," grinned Willow.

"You're not half-bad either. As far as teachers go," smiled Buffy 
even as Willow's face became serious.

"You know, it's okay to say her name, Buffy. Tara. You...no one 
says her name anymore. No one. Yeah, it's still with me, the pain, 
the...it's like you guys think I'll break down if I hear her name. 
It's like you want to forget she was ever..."

Willow had to turn her head away so that Buffy wouldn't see her face.

"Hey, no, it's not like that. Will, no one's ever going to forget 
her," said Buffy, placing an arm around Willow's waist. "I'm sorry 
you felt that way."

"I know," whispered Willow. She looked at Buffy and forced herself 
to smile. "I don't want you to feel all uncomfortable about her. I 
want you to know I'm not comparing or anything."

Buffy didn't say anything.

"Just needed to say that. Just being honest," sighed Willow.

"Honest," repeated Buffy softly. She inhaled slowly and 
nodded. "You're right. It's okay to say Tara's name. I mean...you 
did...last night."

Buffy felt Willow's body tense under her touch. As much as she 
wanted to, she couldn't raise her eyes to look at Willow.

"I...what? I said...no, I didn't. I wouldn't," protested Willow 
weakly. She stood up, looking down at Buffy. Buffy looked up and 
winced in sympathy but didn't say anything.

"I, I said it in my sleep, right?" begged Willow hopefully. "It was 
a dream."

"I think you can guess when you called out her name," whispered 
Buffy, biting her lower lip.

"No," mouthed Willow, no breath escaping her lips. She covered her 
mouth with one hand and turned around with her head hanging low. 
Buffy instantly stood up and even though Willow kept her back to her, 
Buffy wrapped her arms around her, held her, resting her chin on her 
shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," whimpered Willow weakly, her voice 
cracking.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything! It was stupid. I'm 
stupid!"

Buffy turned Willow around and hugged her. Willow pressed her face 
against her, trying not to cry.

"Willow. Willow, look at me."

Willow shook her head.

"Hey, come on now."

"Buffy, I swear to you I wasn't thinking of her. I wasn't," cried 
Willow.

"Shh. It's okay."

Buffy gave her a moment then eased her back down onto the bed, 
sitting as close to her as she could. Willow looked up and Buffy 
smiled for her, gently wiping away Willow's tears with a finger.

"I'm so embarrassed," said Willow tensely, shaking her head.

"Stop it. It's okay. I'm sure down the road we'll have a good laugh 
about it."

"Thanks. You're a good liar," sniffed Willow.

"Yeah, I am, aren't I?" boasted Buffy proudly. Even Willow had to 
laugh at that.

"We're fine. A big yes to fine. And you're not going too fast so 
get that notion out of there," said Buffy, tapping Willow's 
head. "If I had a wiggins it was more about me taking advantage of 
you."

"You?" said Willow, sitting up a little straighter. "You taking 
advantage of me!?"

"Perhaps I should explain that," frowned Buffy.

"Perhaps?" repeated Willow, incredulous.

"I meant I was worried that this...us," explained Buffy, touching a 
hand to her chest and then Willow's, "was too soon for you. I know 
you're still hurting. Will, I've heard you crying in your room at 
night."

Willow looked down, ashamed that Buffy knew.

"I wanted to comfort you. Okay, maybe I'm not so good with the 
talking. But I never knew this would happen. I didn't, I didn't 
want to hurt you," sighed Buffy, taking Willow's hand.

"Hurt me? Buffy, you couldn't."

"Nooo, because I've never done that to a lover before," reminded 
Buffy.

"That's different! This is me...us," said Willow, cradling Buffy's 
cheek with her hand.

"And, um, I was scared that maybe...maybe you'd hurt me," whispered 
Buffy. 

"If this didn't work out," nodded Willow knowingly.

"Yeah," agreed Buffy. "You're my best friend. More than anything I 
didn't want to lose that."

"I get that. It's what made me so nervous. It's why I didn't dare 
act on what I felt. But if it works, what could be better than being 
with your best friend?"

Buffy smiled, bravely ignoring the if part of that question.

"Yeah," nodded Buffy. Willow leaned her head on Buffy's shoulder and 
neither one of them spoke for a while.

"I am sorry," whispered Willow. "But I'm glad you told me."

Buffy nodded.

"Well, I wish it had come up differently, but we needed to talk about 
her. She was my friend and sometimes...sometimes I can't help but 
feel that I'm..."

Buffy didn't finish what she was saying. Willow raised her head and 
gently lifted Buffy's chin so that she would look at her.

"Feel what? Like you're cheating on her? Betraying her?" suggested 
Willow softly. Buffy winced and nodded.

"Her ghost is in the room with us, Will. But maybe now that we...no, 
not we. I mean now that I have said that, out loud..."

"We," corrected Willow. "We said it. Buffy, more than anything 
else, Tara would want me to be happy. And I am...because of you."

Buffy smiled and Willow quickly leaned in for a kiss, pulling away 
much sooner than Buffy wanted. 

"Come on, let's go back to bed. Maybe we can get in an hour's sleep 
before we have to get up," suggested Willow.

"Sleep?" asked Buffy suspiciously.

"Yes, sleep. We're talking some serious snuggle time," said Willow 
seriously, trying not to smile. They each slipped out of their 
robes. Buffy sat up enough to slide in under the covers, pulling 
Willow in after her.

"Still, if you wanna cop a feel, that would be within the parameters 
of a snuggle," winked Willow.

"Big tease," grinned Buffy. And there, in her arms, her grin was 
replaced with concern. 

"What?" asked Willow.

"You okay? I'm here too, you know. For talk, for cuddling, for..."

"I'm fine," smiled Willow.

"I had another for coming," pouted Buffy. Willow silenced her with a 
lingering kiss.

"You were saying?"

"Um...I forget now," giggled Buffy.

"To answer your question, I'm fine. In fact I'm way past fine. 
I'm...how can I describe it? Being with you is like having my cake 
and eating it too," said Willow firmly.

Buffy tried to stifle a laugh but ended up snorting instead.

"Yeah, I might wanna rephrase that, huh?" laughed Willow.

"It might be a good suggestion in mixed company," agreed Buffy. 
Buffy stroked Willow's hair away from her forehead, staring deeply 
into those green eyes.

"Willow?" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Hold me."

*****

Buffy eased the door shut behind, turning the handle so that it 
wouldn't click into place. Pleased with her efforts to be quiet, she 
smiled and turned to sneak back into her room. And almost bumped 
into Dawn.

"Oh, hey! Morning, Dawn," smiled Buffy, just a bit too cheerfully.

"Um, yeah. Good morning. Buffy...did you sleep in Willow's room 
last night?" asked Dawn, somewhat confused..

"What? Oh, uh, well, yeah, I did. See, um, Willow woke up. I mean 
I heard her. Wake up. During the night. She was having a 
nightmare," nodded Buffy. 

Dawn stared at her with a blank expression on her face. 

"And I calmed her down, told her I'd stay until she fell asleep. She 
was pretty upset. Guess I fell asleep too," shrugged Buffy.

"Oh. So she's still having nightmares, huh?"

"Yep. In fact, I told her that maybe it would be a good idea if I 
slept with her. Just for a few nights. You know, to, um..."

"Buffy, you don't have to explain. That's nice, what you're doing. 
You're a good friend," smiled Dawn.

"Friend," repeated Buffy. "Yeah. That's what friends do. They 
sleep together."

"You know what I mean," laughed Dawn. "Although with your friends, 
ya never know who's kissing who!"

"Dawn!"

"Think about it. Xander liked you, Willow liked Xander, Anya loved 
Xander, Xander kissed Willow, you slept with Spike, Anya slept with 
Spike..."

"Thanks for the history lesson," smirked Buffy.

"Hey, I'm just glad Giles isn't in that mix," teased Dawn.

"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't," countered Buffy, grinning. Dawn 
blinked but didn't fall for it. 

"Here's a warning, if there's a thunderstorm, don't be surprised if I 
sneak in under the covers too!"

Buffy's eyes opened wide but Dawn didn't notice.

"I'm already dressed. Want me to make breakfast?" asked Dawn.

"Unless breakfast involves pouring dry cereal into a bowl, the answer 
is no," warned Buffy.

"Fine. Be that way," whined Dawn, stomping away.

Buffy wasn't sure but she thought she heard Willow giggling.

END OF PART FIVE