Fic: Stones In The Road Part 6

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

Stones In The Road

PART SIX

"I know you're confused
I know that you're shaking
You think that we've lost 
Once we begin
I know you're weak
I know that you want me
Lover don't speak
Let me in - Melissa Etheridge"
*****

"Dawn, it's almost twenty after. Why don't you give Kit a call?" 
asked Buffy.

"No, she said she'd be here. She's not that late. Don't want to be 
the first ones there, you know?" said Dawn, staring out the front 
window.

"Maybe Xander could give you a ride over there," suggested Buffy.

"No. Thank you. She'll be here," said Dawn, very firmly and without 
turning around. Hanging her head for a moment, she finally turned to 
face Buffy. When she spoke her voice was in a much softer tone.

"You don't have to wait, Buffy. You and Willow should go patrol."

"Okay," nodded Buffy. "I'll go see if Willow's ready yet."

"Buffy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks again. For letting me go," smiled Dawn.

Buffy almost said something but changed her mind.

"Have a good time," smiled Buffy. Dawn glanced back out the window 
and immediately reached for her backpack on the floor by the front 
door.

"Carlos and Kit are here! Bye!"

"Dawn, do you have everything?" reminded Buffy.

"The brownies! Thanks," winced Dawn. She ran into the kitchen and 
came back out with a foil covered plate in one hand.

"Okay, bye again," waved Dawn.

"Bye. And be careful!" added Buffy, getting a rolling of the eyes 
from Dawn just before she shut the front door.

Dawn met Carlos on the front walk before he could make it all the way 
to her front door and was surprised to see Kit waiting out by the 
street. She was looking up at a streetlight, seemingly fascinated 
with it.

"Hey. Sorry we're late," shrugged Carlos." Would've been here 
sooner but I had to get a few things set up back at the house."

"No big," smiled Dawn. "It's only what, a few minutes after eight?"

"Here, let me carry that for you," offered Kit, reaching for the 
plate.

"Oh, thanks. I made some brownies. They probably suck, but hey," 
shrugged Dawn as she handed the plate to Carlos and adjusted her 
backpack on her shoulder. "Um, what's up with Kit?"

Kit stood in the street, looking up at the light with a big smile on 
her face.

"Kit? She's fine. She just started to party a little earlier than 
everyone else, that's all."

They stood next to her now but Kit seemed unaware that they were 
there.

"Wow, that's like so cool! Why's the light so yellow?" laughed Kit. 
Dawn looked up and then gave Kit a very puzzled look.

"Yellow?" said Dawn. Kit tried to focus on Dawn's face and smiled 
even more.

"I know you!" grinned Kit.

Dawn's puzzled look quickly changed into a very worried expression.

"Hey, Kit. Why don't we get back to the party?" asked Carlos, trying 
not to look at Dawn. He held out his arm and Kit laughed as she 
hooked her arm into his, letting herself be led along.

"Carlos, you should've seen the sky...before it got dark, I mean. 
Can't see it now," laughed Kit. "The clouds were purple and, and 
oh! The trees! The trees were red! It was so weird."

Carlos laughed and glanced at Dawn, his face going silent as she 
stared at him. He started to lead Kit away and Dawn, hesitating at 
first, followed closely behind, casting one last look over her 
shoulder as they walked away from her house.

*****

Buffy almost entered Willow's room but, unseen, stepped back and 
looked in from around the door. Willow was standing in front of the 
mirror, getting ready to go with her on patrol. She was brushing her 
hair and rummaging through a drawer, looking for a certain shade of 
lipstick. Knowing Willow was doing this for her only made Buffy 
smile even more. After all, it wasn't as if Willow got all dressed 
up for patrolling in the past.

She put the brush down and finally settled on a dark shade of red, 
quickly applying it and rolling her lips together. Satisfied with 
her reflection, Willow dropped the lipstick into the drawer. 
Thinking she would turn around, Buffy pulled back a little but still 
peered in. Yet Willow didn't move. Curious, Buffy leaned forward a 
little for a better look.

Willow was just standing there, staring at something on the dresser. 
But it wasn't until her hand slowly reached out to pick it up that 
Buffy knew what held her gaze. She was holding a framed photograph 
of her and Tara, one that Dawn had taken with her new camera. Only 
the slightest droop of her shoulders betrayed any emotion from 
Willow. Buffy wanted to look away but her body refused to move.

Willow brought the photo closer to her face and with two fingers 
gently traced a line on the cold smooth surface, as if wanting to 
touch Tara's hair. She lowered her hand, hesitating, taking in one 
last longing gaze and, as Buffy's mouth dropped open, Willow gently 
placed the photograph face down in the still open drawer among her 
lipsticks and perfumes, tissues and makeup. Silently closing the 
drawer, Willow leaned against the dresser palms down, gathering 
herself for a moment. When she turned around Buffy walked into the 
room.

"Hey. Ready to go?" asked Buffy, with neither her face nor her voice 
betraying the turmoil she felt.

Willow just stood there and smiled so warmly that Buffy almost 
blushed.

"Yeah. I think I am," nodded Willow. She walked over to Buffy and 
held out her hand. Buffy took it and turned to face the door.

"Willow?"

"Yeah?"

Buffy took the time to inhale and then simply smiled.

"You look nice," nodded Buffy.

"Thanks," answered Willow, giving Buffy's hand a grateful 
squeeze. "Now let's go kill something."

Laughing, Buffy glanced once over her shoulder to look back at the 
dresser and then, hand in hand, led Willow out into the night.

*****

"Carlos, what's going on here?" demanded Dawn.

"I told you..."

"Come on! Kit's more than just drunk. I'm not going in there until 
you tell me."

They both stopped and glanced back at Kit. She was just staring at 
the ground with her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if she 
were cold. Very cold.

"Okay, she's a little stoned. It's no big. And hey, you don't have 
to..."

"Stoned? Carlos, people don't act like this when they smoke pot!" 
snapped Dawn, though suddenly she wasn't so sure. "Do they?"

"Sometimes. My older brother had some fry sticks. Kit bought one 
off him," explained Carlos.

Dawn stared at him, shaking her head.

"Hey, he only charged her like ten bucks!" defended Carlos.

"Fry sticks?" questioned Dawn, crossing her arms.

"How much of a sheltered life do you lead?"

"Trust me, you have no idea," answered Dawn, shaking her head.

"Come on, you know. Fry. A joint soaked in embalming fluid. Burns 
slower, makes the high last longer, makes it more intense," shrugged 
Carlos.

"Embalming fluid! You've got to be kidding me! They put that stuff 
in dead people and you smoke it!?" yelled Dawn.

"Why do you think they call it fry? It fries your brain! Hey, 
what's with the all righteous act all of a sudden? No one made her 
do it, it was her choice!" yelled Carlos.

"Wait a minute...embalming fluid? Where did your brother get that 
from?"

"I don't know! What difference does it make? He knows some kids..."

"Who break into funeral homes and steal the stuff?" interrupted Dawn.

"Yeah. How did you know?" asked Carlos, his anger fading.

"It's been in the papers. Carlos, is she going to be alright? Is 
she?"

Carlos looked back at Kit and slowly turned to face Dawn, doubt 
creeping into his eyes.

"Sometimes...sometimes they treat the fry. Add stuff," shrugged 
Carlos, his voice small.

"What stuff?" asked Dawn, trying to control her anger. Carlos only 
shrugged.

"What stuff!?" shouted Dawn.

"Don't know. Could be PCP. Look, she'll come down in an hour or 
so. Let's just..."

Carlos froze, watching as a car pulled into his driveway.

"Oh, shit!" shouted Carlos.

"What?"

"It's my parents! What the hell are they doing here? Dawn, you gotta 
get Kit away from here. Now!"

"What? Where?" demanded Dawn.

"I don't know! My parents are gonna freak when they find all these 
people in the house...not to mention the beer!"

"But..."

"Dawn, my mom knows Mrs. Holburn! Kit's in trouble enough at 
school. If she finds out...we're not talking about just grounding 
here, Dawn. Kit could get suspended!"

"What? Her mom wouldn't..."

"Dawn, look, there's no time to argue. Just get her outta here, 
okay?" begged Carlos, glancing back towards his house.

"Yeah. Sure," nodded Dawn.

"Thanks. You're a real friend. I owe you!" said Carlos, leaving her 
alone with Kit.

Taking in a deep breath, Dawn slowly shook her head.

"An hour or so. Right. Where can I take her?" sighed Dawn. 

*****

"Willow! You're not exactly helping matters here!"

"What am I doing?" purred Willow innocently.

"You know exactly what you're doing. We should be patrolling. Well, 
I mean, that is why we're in a cemetery in the middle of the night," 
sighed Buffy.

"And you find my hand rubbing up and down your arm...distracting, 
somehow?" smiled Willow.

"Well, it's just not proper...procedure. I mean, Giles was right. 
There are certain rules and protocols one follows when...Willow, what 
are you...oh, that's...oh yeah, maybe, maybe just a little lower," 
gasped Buffy.

"Buffy! You're so tense!" said Willow, sliding her hands down from 
Buffy's neck, massaging her back between the shoulder blades now, 
pressing her thumbs gently but firmly into her flesh.

"Wow, that's...Willow, something tells me you've done this before," 
groaned Buffy, closing her eyes. "I had no idea that...oh my..."

"You didn't know my hands could do this?" smiled Willow. "Are you 
ever in for a surprise or three!"

"Willow," whispered Buffy, "maybe we should..."

"Shh. Relax. It's just me, you, my hands, one very naughty 
imagination and...and one really ugly vampire!" shouted Willow.

Buffy's eyes opened just in time to see a fist coming right at her 
face. She turned but too late and the stinging blow knocked her to 
the ground.

"Buffy!"

The vampire ignored Willow and knelt over Buffy, leering at what it 
assumed to be an easy kill. Willow lunged at him but the creature 
thrust an elbow at her, knocking the air from her lungs. She was 
hurled backwards, the small of her back catching the corner of a 
tombstone before she collapsed on the cold ground. Gasping, unable 
to breathe, Willow couldn't speak...and so was helpless to help Buffy 
with a spell. Buffy tried to rise but the vampire's legs had pinned 
her arms beneath him. Growling, the vampire grabbed Buffy's hair 
with both hands and yanked hard, exposing her neck.

Still trying to force air into her lungs, Willow raised herself up on 
one elbow and saw Buffy's face, her eyes wide open in fear. Willow's 
eyes suddenly went completely black.

"Willow, no!"

The vampire's hands went to his own throat and, snarling in anger, he 
turned to glare at the girl behind him. Willow was up on one knee 
now, one fist clenched tightly shut out in front of her. Suddenly 
whimpering in pain, the vampire stood and took a step towards 
Willow. Buffy winced as the night echoed with the wet sound of 
cracking bone. The vampire stumbled forward blindly, desperately 
groping for Willow.

"Ignes incente!" hissed Willow in utter contempt.

A blue flame burst outward from the vampire's chest, quickly 
consuming its upper torso. With a muffled shriek the vampire 
exploded. The silence that followed was empty and deep. Speechless, 
Buffy looked at Willow. Wincing in pain, Willow looked away.

"Willow!"

Buffy scrambled to her side as Willow fell to her hands and knees but 
Willow kept her head turned from her.

"Willow, are you hurt? Are you okay?" demanded Buffy desperately, 
one arm around her shoulder.

"Just...just give me a second," gasped Willow, one hand now holding 
her side.

"Willow, lay down. Let me..."

"No!" shouted Willow, freezing Buffy. 

"Willow?" whispered Buffy.

"Buffy, please. I, I don't want you to see me like this," pleaded 
Willow. Willow slowly sat down, careful to avoid looking at Buffy. 
Buffy reached out and put a hand on Willow's cheek, gently prodding 
her to turn her head. Willow knew that Buffy was stronger but she 
also knew that Buffy wouldn't force her to look at her unless she 
wanted to. Buffy smoothed Willow's hair to one side of her face and 
Willow finally looked up.

Willow's eyes were completely black. A single tear ran down her 
cheek as her lower lip trembled.

"I'm sorry. It, it just happened. I didn't mean to...Buffy, I'm 
sorry, I didn't want to..."

"Shhh. Willow, it doesn't matter. As long as you're not hurt. As 
long as you're safe," comforted Buffy.

"But..."

"It's okay. I don't care that you used magic! Just, just talk to 
me! Are you okay?" begged Buffy. Willow nodded but looked down at 
her hand, still pressed against her side.

"Buffy, it's more than the magic. I distracted you! If I hadn't..."

Buffy silenced her by placing her lips on Willow's, lingering just 
long enough to make Willow understand it was time to change the 
subject. Kissing her cheek and then her forehead, Buffy cupped 
Willow's cheek with one hand and smiled for her.

"Where does it hurt?" asked Buffy

"I mighta broke a rib or two," winced Willow. "It hurts to breathe. 
Well, it did...until you took my breath away."

Buffy smiled, her nervous tension disappearing as she realized Willow 
wasn't hurt as badly as she had feared.

"Lay down. Let me see," ordered Buffy. She helped Willow ease down 
onto her back and reached for the top snap on her windbreaker, 
popping it open. Willow swallowed hard as Buffy moved down to the 
next snap. Opening this one, Willow inhaled sharply. Their eyes met 
and Buffy smiled as Willow nodded once at her. Sliding her hand 
along the jacket, Buffy worked the next snap free. Willow responded 
with a barely audible moan.

Holding the last snap in her fingers, Buffy popped it open and Willow 
gasped. Pushing aside the jacket and slipping her hand under 
Willow's shirt, Buffy gently eased her fingers across Willow's 
stomach, feeling Willow's body tense in anticipation. Finally 
touching her ribs, Buffy's fingers gently probed and explored as she 
watched Willow's reaction.

"Does this hurt?" asked Buffy. Willow, her eyes still dark, stared 
back at Buffy, not even breathing.

"Only when you take your hand away," whispered Willow, slowly 
smiling. Buffy blinked in surprise but managed to smile.

"You little..."

Buffy left her threat unfinished and Willow laughed, immediately 
wincing with the pain but only laughing even more. Straddling her 
now, one knee beside Willow's hip and the other between her legs, 
Buffy leaned forward, her hair falling down, brushing Willow's face. 
Willow reached up with both arms to pull Buffy to her but Buffy 
resisted, intently watching Willow's eyes. 

"Sorry. I, I almost forgot. But they'll change back. Soon," nodded 
Willow. "I shouldn't have..."

Again Buffy silenced her with a kiss, this one harder, more 
possessive in its intensity.

"Willow," whispered Buffy as she pulled away. Willow didn't answer 
but didn't look away either.

"Willow, you might find this amusing, but, um...see, I'm usually the 
one who, uh...leads the dance. The sure, confident one who knows 
what to do," sighed Buffy softly.

"The one in charge," answered Willow. Buffy, somewhat embarrassed, 
nodded.

"Yeah. I guess. But it's also about letting go, not holding back. 
And this is new. So new."

Buffy paused and then kissed Willow, her lips barely brushing against 
hers, yet more of a promise then a tease.

"Hard to be confident, to be...in charge, when I'm not sure what you 
like."

"Hmm. Sounds like a fun problem to solve," winked Willow.

"Tell you what," whispered Buffy in a husky voice, her breath warm 
against Willow's cheek. "I'll do anything you ask. Anything."

Again Buffy brushed her lips across Willow's and this time Willow 
arched her neck, urgently seeking out Buffy's mouth.

"But you have to tell me exactly what you want. Understand?" smiled 
Buffy. "Exactly. What. You. Want."

Willow nodded and smiled in return.

"Kiss me. Hard," said Willow.

Willow's mouth met Buffy's but Buffy's kiss was soft, tender, barely 
urgent. Willow opened her eyes, perplexed.

"I know," nodded Buffy. "I know what you want...but hey, I still 
like to be in charge."

Grinning, Buffy kissed Willow before she could react, this time the 
embrace hard and passionate. Willow pressed herself against Buffy's 
knee, again trying to pull her closer. The moon above drifted past a 
cloud, its soft light flooding the graveyard, silhouetting the two 
lovers as they became lost in the dance.

*****

"Come on, Dawnie! Have a beer with me!" laughed Kit.

"Maybe later," nodded Dawn. "Where did you get that anyway?"

"Got a six-pack under my coat," smiled Kit. She leaned her face 
close to Dawn's and whispered. "I hid it."

Finding that very amusing, Kit broke out into laughter and took 
another gulp from the beer can she held, almost choking with the 
effort.

"You know, I don't really think you need that," frowned Dawn, 
reaching for the can.

"Hey, back off! I ain't hurtin' no one," glared Kit.

"Fine," replied Dawn coldly. 

"Dawn, where are we going?"

"Just going to crash for a little while. I know this place where no 
one will bother us. I hope," added Dawn, under her breath.

Dawn stopped walking, realizing that Kit was no longer at her side. 
She turned and saw her standing completely motionless, her eyes 
growing wide.

"Dawn...this is a cemetery. What are we doing in a cemetery? At 
night. In the dark," said Kit, fear very evident in her voice.

"Oh, hey, it's cool. I want to show you this place. We can hang out 
there for a while," encouraged Dawn.

"Dawn, I don't know," winced Kit, holding herself as she seemed to be 
cold again, like before.

"I've been here plenty of times. You'll love it! Trust me, you'll 
see," smiled Dawn.

Kit allowed Dawn to pull her forward but her eyes darted around, 
never settling on anything for more than a second or two.

"Dawn, someone's here. Someone's watching us. Can't you feel it? 
Can't you?" gasped Kit.

"Shh, there's no one here. Who would be nuts enough to come into a 
cemetery at night?" laughed Dawn bravely, though she searched the 
shadows and tombstones around them now as well.

Tugging on Kit's sleeve, Dawn pulled her along, relieved when they 
finally stood in front of Spike's crypt. She smiled for her but 
Kit's eyes, though wide open, were unfocused and Dawn doubted that 
she even noticed. Shouldering the door open, Dawn quickly lit 
several candles, recalling where they were in the dark from her many 
visits here. Turning, she was surprised to see that Kit had followed 
her in. Dawn closed the door tightly behind them.

"It's hot in here," said Kit, dropping both the six pack and the beer 
can she held onto the floor.

"What? You kidding? It's actually kinda cold in here," said Dawn, 
watching Kit.

"No. No, it's too hot in here!" shouted Kit, clawing at her coat. 
She frantically tore it off and tossed it aside.

"Kit! Hey, take it easy!"

But Kit only became more agitated now, scratching at her skin and 
obviously unaware that Dawn was even in the room with her.

"Oh God! I'm burning up!"

Kit tore at her shirt, pulling it over her head and shaking it free.

"No! No!" yelled Kit, tearing at her arms and shoulders, drawing 
blood.

"Kit!"

Not knowing what else to do, Dawn tackled Kit, pinning her arms to 
her sides. They crashed down hard on the floor and Kit began to cry, 
whimpering wordless sounds.

"Shh. It's okay. It's okay," comforted Dawn, yet holding on 
tightly. "I'm here. I'm right here."

Outside the crypt a booted heel ground out a cigarette into the 
dirt. Kit had been right about one thing; they weren't alone in the 
cemetery. 

*****

"What are you laughing at?" asked Willow, smiling and not knowing why.

"I wasn't going to tell you...but you have, like...straw in your 
hair," grinned Buffy. She pulled a dry twig from Willow's hair as 
proof, holding it up proudly in front of Willow's face.

"Well, you look like you've had a roll in the hay too, ya know!" 
laughed Willow, running her hands through her hair.

"Maybe we should get cleaned up," sighed Buffy. "After all, we 
wouldn't want the neighbors to talk."

"This cleaning up...does it involve getting undressed in the same 
room?" asked Willow innocently.

Buffy tilted her head slightly, wondering if Willow was serious.

"Buffy, your last lover wasn't too keen about mirrors. I, on the 
other hand..."

"Insatiable much?" grinned Buffy.

"Hey, where's all this fabled Slayer strength I've been hearing 
about?" pouted Willow.

Buffy immediately grabbed Willow's hand and ran for her front door, 
pulling Willow along with her.

*****

Skin slick with perspiration, panting to catch her breath, Buffy 
rolled onto her back and turned her head to smile at Willow.

"Wow, that was...you know, I never even thought of that. Hell, even 
after, I wouldn't think it was possible," grinned Buffy.

"You know the old saying," gasped Willow.

"Um..."

"Where there's a Will, there's a way," laughed Willow, finally 
catching her breath too.

"Ugh," groaned Buffy.

"It's not so much how slow you go, it's more the not being able to 
move much more than, well, slow," sighed Willow contentedly.

"There's that," agreed Buffy. She reached over and brushed Willow's 
damp hair away from her forehead, playfully twirling a strand around 
her finger.

"What are we listening to?" asked Buffy.

"Oh, it's..."

"Wait, let me guess! I'm thinking...Indigo Girls?" smiled Buffy.

"No," laughed Willow. "Girls being plural, meaning there's more than 
one, meaning there'd be a duet or two. You hearing two girls in 
harmony?"

Buffy smiled deeply.

"Yeah, I think I was," nodded Buffy. Willow absolutely beamed.

"Yeah. I think you were," managed Willow, her voice breaking. "For 
the record, it's Norah Jones. Nice mellow, non-distracting 
background music. Wouldn't want you getting distracted."

"Distracted? Willow, a moose could have come wallowing through this 
room and I wouldn't have been distracted!"

"Do moose wallow?" said Willow out loud, suddenly serious. 

Buffy laughed and Willow took in a deep breath.

"What?" asked Buffy.

Willow just shook her head and then rested her cheek on Buffy's 
shoulder.

"Hey, where's your happy face? You okay?"

"Oh, I'm happy. And I didn't think I could be, like, ever again," 
said Willow, snuggling closer against Buffy's body. Buffy smiled and 
stopped playing with Willow's hair, instead slipping an arm under her 
neck and pulling her closer.

"Go on," encouraged Buffy.

"What makes you think there's more?" whined Willow in baby talk.

"Because your words say one thing but your body tells me another," 
replied Buffy.

"My body's too numb to move, never mind tell you a story," protested 
Willow. Buffy waited patiently, knowing she didn't have to ask again.

"I can't act happy, can I?" sighed Willow. "I mean, I shouldn't, 
right?"

"That's crazy talk. Why not?"

"Well, what do I say when the others ask why I'm suddenly all smiley 
girl?"

Willow felt Buffy's arm tighten ever so slightly around her.

"Oh," nodded Buffy.

"I understand you not being comfortable with the telling...but sooner 
or later," said Willow.

"Yeah," agreed Buffy, swallowing nervously. "Guess it would be worth 
it if only to see the expression on Xander's face."

"For example," agreed Willow. "But I think it would be cool instead 
of just us being happy, our friends could be happy for us."

Buffy nodded but didn't say anything. Willow turned and rested her 
head on one hand, propped up by her elbow and looked down at Buffy.

"I'd be with you, Buffy, and, and we could tell one person at a 
time. Kinda ease into it, you know?"

"Yeah. But, um...soon, okay?" whispered Buffy.

"Soon is good," nodded Willow. "And so is this."

Willow pulled Buffy into a hug and just held her. Buffy welcomed the 
embrace, letting the sensation of Willow's skin on her own wash over 
her. But Buffy's eyes were wide open...and she knew shouldn't 
wouldn't fall asleep.

*****

"Hold on, hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell.
Hold on, hold on to yourself
You know that only time will tell.
What is it in me that refuses to believe
This isn't easier than the real thing.
My love, you know that you're my best friend
You know that I'd do anything for you.
My love, let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true.
Am I in heaven here or am I in hell
At the crossroads I am standing.
So now you're sleeping peaceful 
I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow
And will see another day and we will praise it
And love the light that brings a smile across your face.
Hold on, hold on to yourself for this is gonna hurt like hell." - 
Sarah McLachlan

END OF PART SIX