FIC: Repost of Coming Home Parts 6-10

["jend1205 <jend1205@xxxxxxxxx>" <jend1205@xxxxxxxxx>]

Author: Jen D
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I just like it.
Rating: R-just to be safe.
Spoilers:Up to season four then AU after.


Willow sat on the exam bed and waited for the doctor to come back 
to put the stitches in her hand, "Buffy, when did you decide you were 
bi-sexual?"
"Huh, who?oh mom. Well I guess it was not to long after you left. 
Tara and I spent a lot of time together after you went away, she made 
me look at things that I had been to afraid to face."
"You care about Tara a lot don't you", Willow asked.
"I love her. I'm not sure what would have happened after you left if 
it hadn't been for her. I'm not saying she took your place because no 
one could ever do that but we both needed a friend. I guess Tara was 
my Cheryl."
"Did you ever date each other", Willow asked?
"No"
"Why"
"I don't know really. We talked about it once but we just always felt 
we would be cheating on you."
"Why" 
Buffy laughed, "You have been hanging around the kids to long. I had 
this first grader once who always asked me why", Buffy face took on a 
serious expression, "Will, I'm not sure this is the best place to 
have this conversation."
"Buffy I have three kids, do you realize this is the quietest place I 
have right now."
"I know but what I have to say might make you run screaming from this 
room and I don't think the doctor would like that much."
"Buffy", Willow said and her best mom look.
"Ok just don't give me that look. It makes me feel like I'm three 
years old again. One of the other things Tara made me realize was 
that I loved you."
"Buffy I love you too, why would I run from the room. You were my 
best friend for five years."
"No Will, I realized I was in love with you", Buffy said and looked 
at the floor.
"Oh, Oooh, well um wow. I'm not sure what to say."
"Will I don't expect you to say anything? I just wanted you to know."
"Buffy I'm glad that you felt like you could tell me. I'm flattered, 
another time, another place and who knows but I don't think that I 
have a place in my life right now for that kind of love. I do love 
you and I do mean more then a friend I always have I think. I know 
that I was in love with Tara too. I know that I'm not ready to move 
on yet Buffy and I'm not sure when or if I ever will be. It's not 
fair to you to wait around for something that might never happen."
"She's gone, Will", Buffy whispered.
"I know but I just can't but that shouldn't stop you from moving on. 
Buffy, I think you should ask Tara out. She is an amazing woman and I 
think you could make each other happy. I told your mother that today."
"I don't know. Maybe, I'll think about it."
"Good but Buffy don't wait to long. One thing that I have learned is 
life can be taken away before you know it", Willow said just as the 
doctor came in.


Willow and Buffy came into the kitchen laughing. Jen came running 
down the steps and jumped into her mother's arms. 
"Hey what's up", Willow asked after getting a big hug.
"Tara said you got hurt and I was scared. She said it wasn't anything 
to bad but still."
"I'm ok, see just a few stitches. So how was school today?"
"I really liked it. My teacher is really nice too. We talked and she 
said that she had you in her class when you were little."
"I know I remember her, she was a good teacher. You should do well. 
Where is everyone", Willow asked seeing the empty downstairs.
"Well Angie is in her room putting stuff away and Tara is in our room 
helping us."
"Nope Tara is down here. Buffy, Angie needs some help moving the 
dresser in her room. We tried but I think we might need someone with 
a little more strength then us", Tara said.
"Oh now she needs the teachers help. Come on Jen, you can help me 
tease your sister", Buffy said and took the blonde child upstairs.
"How you doing hon", Tara asked.
"I'll be fine. Thank you for helping."
"I got dinner in the oven too."
"I know it smells great. Thank you"
"Well I figured it would be hard to for you to cook tonight", Tara 
said.
"Yeah I was just going to get pizza but this smells much better and 
healthier", Willow laughed.
"Yup, so does it hurt much", Tara asked pointing to her hand.
"A little but the doc gave me something for the pain."
"Ok then why don't you take it and I will tuck you into bed. Dinner 
is going to be a little while longer. Buffy and I will help the kids 
with homework or unpacking. We will wake you up when dinner is done."
"Tara, I can't ask you to do that", Willow said.
"No arguments, now lets go. You can say hi to the kids on the way to 
bed. They are great kids. I have Angie in my class, she seems very 
bright and outgoing."
"She is and they are. Cheryl did a good job with them."
"I think they got a lot from you too, Will." 


  
Willow flopped down on the bed after having the kids drag her into 
their rooms to see all the things that they had done since was gone. 
Tara went into the bathroom and returned with a glass if water. 
Willow took the pill and pulled the covers over her, "Tara, Buffy and 
I talked at the hospital. I want you to know how much it means to me 
that you took care of her after I left."
"We took care of each other. She is an incredible woman and to be 
able to be a part of her life has meant the world to me."
"Do you love her?"
"Yeah", Tara whispered, "But I have loved you since the first time I 
saw you."
"I love you too and her but I'm not ready and I might never be. Love 
her Tara. Make a life for you both. You deserve to be happy", Willow 
said and fell asleep. Tara pulled the blanket over her and kissed her 
forehead, turned out the light. She took one last look at the 
sleeping red head and shut the door.


Buffy was sitting at the kitchen table when Tara came in. Buffy 
studied the blonde thinking about what Willow had said. Tara sat down.
"Tara"
"Buffy", Tara said at the same time, "You first."
"She sleeping?"
"Yeah it took about five minutes. I think she isn't sleeping very 
well."
"Yeah I can see that. We had a good talk when we were waiting on the 
doctor. I told her that I loved her. She told me she loves me and you 
both but that she wasn't ready for that."
"I told her too and she said the same thing. I think we need to talk 
Buffy. She said some things that have made me think."
"I know me too. Tara she's back, we have our Willow back and she's ok 
or will be sometime. We can help her. She told me it was ok for us to 
be together."
"I know she said to love you and to make a life for us. Buffy I love 
you and I think she might be right at least for now."
"Well were do we go from here", Buffy asked pulling Tara into a hug.
"We take it slow go out get to know each other as more then friends 
and take care of her."
"I think I can handle that, now I think we have some kids to feed and 
other good aunt things to do."
"We're aunts I like the sound of that", Tara and placed a light kiss 
on Buffy lips.
"And I think I like that", Buffy laughed.     


Willow rolled over and looked at the clock. She groaned when she 
saw that the glowing numbers said it was 7:30 . She jumped out of bed 
and ran to the kids rooms. Finding them empty she made her way 
downstairs coming to a halt in the kitchen where she found the kids 
with Buffy and Tara.
"Good morning sleepy head", Tara told her motioning her to sit down. 
Tara brought her a plate over and sat in down in front of her.
"I can't believe I slept for twelve hours. Why didn't someone wake me 
up?"
"I was going to but you looked so cute sleeping. I just didn't have 
the heart to wake you up", Buffy said.
"The kids got their rooms done last night. We got homework done and 
everyone is ready for school. Speaking of school I think I hear the 
bus, guys. Kiss your mom and get going", Tara told the younger kids.
"Beth don't forget that your dad is picking you up for the weekend", 
Willow said.
"Whoo hoo", Beth yelled and kissed her mom and ran out the door.
"Oz is coming", Buffy asked.
"Yeah, he wants to start being a bigger part of her life now that we 
are closer. He feels guilty for missing so much of her life, even 
though it wasn't all his fault."
"That's nice to know that you two can be friends and be there for 
her", Buffy said wishing that her own father had been a bigger part 
of her life.
"Yes it is. She loves him and he is really good with her." Tara 
looked at Angie, "Hey you ought to go get your bag. We should be 
ready to leave in a minute." Tara waited until she was out of earshot 
and tuned to look at Willow, "What about the wolf. Does Beth change?"
"No from what I found out she had a fifty fifty chance of inheriting 
the werewolf. I think she missed it."
"Thank god", Buffy whispered.
"Yeah I know. I was terrified that she would have it."
"So Will have any plans for today", Buffy asked?
"Nope what's up?"
"Well Tara and I wanted to talk to you. We both have lunch at 11:30 
and wanted to know if you would join us."
"Sounds good. I have some more unpacking to do, even though the 
kitchen seems done", Willow said looking at her best friends. Tara 
blushed, "Well Angie helped me put things away. I hope you don't 
mind. I hope I put things where you want them."
"No of course I don't mind. It's just one less thing I have to mess 
with. Now don't you have kids to mold and shape into the future 
leaders of the world."
"Yup, We'll see you later, Will."


Willow walked up the steps to the new high school. She 
stopped and read the names on the plaque by the front door that had 
all the names of the kids that had died in the `gas explosion' on 
graduation day. She shook her head and sighed as she read the names, 
they all had been so young. After signing in at the office she walked 
the hallways and remembered her own days in the old school. She 
stopped outside of one room after hearing a familiar voice float 
through the hallway. She peered through the door and saw Tara 
standing in front of a group if kids. Tara saw her watching and 
Willow gave her a small wave. Tara opened the door and stepped 
out, "Hey glad to see you made it. Buffy will be in the gym."
"Cool, I'll see you in a minute", Willow said and turned to walk away.
"Um, Will, the gym is the other way", Tara laughed and pointed Willow 
in the right direction.
"I knew that", Willow waved goodbye and made her way to the gym. She 
went through the doors and saw Buffy refereeing a volleyball match in 
the middle of the room. She waved and sat down on the bleacher to 
watch. Buffy dismissed her class and sat down next to her best 
friend, "Hey I see you made it. Tara's going to grab us some lunch 
and meet us in my office."
"Wow your own office huh."
"Yup, I love being the teacher. It's so much better then being a 
student", Buffy laughed and led Willow into her office and gestured 
for her to sit down.
"So what's up", Willow asked.
"I thought we would wait for Tara to get here first, seeing how this 
has to do with her too."
"Tara's here and she has brought food too", Tara said stepping into 
the office and shut the door.
"Ok your both here, spill." Tara pulled a chair over to the desk 
and sat down next to Buffy, "Willow, you know that we love you, both 
of us."
"I know and as much as I love you both, I just don't think I can move 
on."
"It's ok, Will. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going 
through and I honestly hope I never do", Buffy said, "Tara and I did 
some talking last night, we have decided that we are going to take 
your advice and start seeing each other." Willow jumped out of her 
seat and pulled them both into a hug, "I'm so happy for you. It's 
about time."
Buffy looked her best friend in the eyes, "Are you really ok with 
this." Willow rested her head on Buffy forehead, "More then I could 
say. Take care of her." Willow sat down and looked at both of 
them, "Take care of each other. Tell each other how much you love 
them whenever they walk out the door. Never, ever take the other for 
granted. Thank god ever night when you go to bed for giving you 
another day together. Love and live each day to the fullest." Tara 
had to wipe the tears out of her eyes, "We will and we will always be 
here for you." Buffy took Tara's hand and Willow smiled, "So 
girlfriends now huh."
"Yup and you're the first to know. We're going on our first official 
date tonight."
"I'm so glad that the two of you finally got it right." Buffy 
laughed, "Ok well I have a class that will be here in a minute."
"Me too", Tara said.
"I'll see you both this afternoon."



Beth came flying through the door, "Is he here yet."
"He just called he should be here in just a few minutes", Willow told 
her excited daughter.
"She really does love her father", Buffy said coming in behind her 
and watching her run up the steps.
"Yeah she does", Willow said.
"I still have problems seeing Oz as a weekend father or you a mother 
for that matter."
"Well we are", Oz said coming in the door.
"Oz it's good to see you man", Buffy said.
"Buffy how are you."
"Can't complain and you"
"Pretty good and who is this beautiful woman", Oz asked.
"Oz this my girlfriend Tara. Tara this is Oz."
"It's nice to finally meet you Oz. I've heard a lot about you", Tara 
said.
"Tara as in used to date Willow, Tara."
"Yeah we kind of dated", Tara said unsure of exactly what her and 
Willow had done.
"Cool, nice to meet you. Will, I have a big studio party tomorrow 
night and I was thinking that maybe Jen and Angie would like to go 
with me." Angie perked up at hearing her name, "Mom, can we go 
please."
"Are you sure Oz, three is a lot different then one."
"I know and I wouldn't ask if I wasn't sure I could handle it."
"Come on mom, please", Angie begged.
"Ok go pack a bag. Jen I'll be up in a minute to help with yours."
Willow looked at Oz, "Well I'm going to go help. I'll be down in a 
minute."
Oz watched her go up the steps and turned to Buffy, "You don't know 
how glad I am to see you here, Buffy. She was so afraid that you 
wouldn't forgive her for running away."
"Why didn't you call us and tell us where she was", Buffy asked?
"I figured she would call or come home when she was ready. She's been 
through hell the last few months, guys. That's why I'm taking the 
kids. I know she hasn't had a lot of time to herself lately."
"Oz you're a good man."
"Thanks just take care of her for me. I never stopped loving her."
"We kind of know how you feel", Buffy said.
"She loved you from the minute she meet you Buffy. I always knew that 
I was second best. I just thank god for giving me the chance to be a 
part of her life and for the beautiful little girl she gave me."
"DADDY", Beth yelled coming down the steps and jumping in his arms. 
Willow and the other kids came down behind her.
"Ok last chance to back out", Willow told him.
"Nope we are going to go party and I am going to be the envy of all 
the guys."
Willow watched them pull away from the curb and gave one last wave.
"So Will, you have the whole weekend to yourself, what do we have 
planned for tonight", Buffy asked.
"Well YOU two are going on a date and I am going to curl up on the 
couch with a book and a beer."
"Will", Buffy started but was interrupted by Willow.
"No don't Will me. Tara tell your girlfriend that she is going on a 
date and dates do not contain three people."
"Why not", Tara asked.
"Why not what", Willow asked in confusion.
"Why can't it be with three people", Tara said.
"Huh", Willow stammered, "Um I don't know. Go have fun, call me 
tomorrow and give me details. We can go out tomorrow night, I 
promise." Willow pushed them out the door and whispered to 
herself, "Yeah why."


Willow poked at the wood in the fireplace not because it needed it 
but because she needed something to do. After kicking Buffy and Tara 
out she had settled down with a book but her thoughts kept replaying 
the words that Tara had said. Willow sighed and looked at the TV. She 
opened the cabinet and found the tape that she was looking for. She 
put it and pushed play. She watched as the screen filled with the 
images from her last birthday party. Cheryl and the kids had worked 
hard to surprise her. For the first time since Cheryl had died Willow 
allowed herself to cry. The doorbell cut through the quiet that had 
settled on the house and Willow opened it to see Faith standing on 
her porch.
"Hey Red, long time no see. How are you?"
"How the hell do you think I feel? I'm alone in this house, my 
girlfriend is died. I'm never going to see her again. I'm never going 
to hear her say she loves me. I'm never?", Willow knees gave out and 
only Faith's slayer speed stopped her from hitting the floor. Faith 
scooped her up and carried her to the couch. The damn broke inside of 
Willow and she lost the control she had fought so hard to maintain. 
Faith wrapped her arms around her, rocking her and rubbing small 
circles on her back trying to offer some comfort.
"Why are you here, Faith."
"I ran into Buffy and Tara on patrol, they told me that you were 
going to be alone tonight. I just wanted to stop by and make sure you 
were okay and I see that it was probably a good thing. Red, I know I 
did some bad things in the past, I hurt you but I changed. I paid for 
what I did. I can't take it back but please don't judge who I am from 
the past."
"I told Buffy the first night I came back that I couldn't be the same 
Willow that I was when I left. How could I expect you to be the same 
person you were when you left?"
"Thanks Red, it means a lot that you won't hold the past against me."
"Only if you promise not to hold mine against me", Willow said.
"Deal, is that her", Faith asked pointing to the TV.
"Yeah, we took this at my birthday party. She died two weeks later." 
Faith watched as the red head and the blonde danced on screen, " She 
was very pretty."
"Yes she was. We didn't even know that Angie was taking this part." 
Faith could see the love that two women shared, "Tell me about her."
"Really", Willow asked amazed.
"Yeah"
"Ok but let me get some drinks first", Willow said and headed for the 
kitchen but turned, "You really have changed." Faith laughed and 
turned her attention back to the TV. Willow returned with a tray with 
four beers, shot glass, salt, and a bottle of tequila.
"Hey you pretty good with that tray."
"I worked part time as a server when I first moved to Washington. I 
got good at balancing things", Willow said and sat the tray on the 
table.
"You weren't kidding about the drinks were you", Faith asked as she 
looked at the tray.
"Nope I want to get completely knock down drunk. Care to join me on 
my trip", Willow asked giving her a smile.
"Would love too."


Willow tried to see the clock on the wall but couldn't make out 
the numbers in her present state. She looked at the empty bottles on 
the table beside her and groaned, "Yup it's official, I am going to 
have one hell of a hangover tomorrow."
"You know you have changed too. You went from a geek to a mature 
woman who I might add is very hot." Willow blushed, stood up, and 
turned the radio on to a classic R&B station, "If I didn't know any 
better I would think you were flirting with me."
"Would that be all bad", Faith asked.
"Not all bad just a little." Faith looked so serious that Willow 
jumped in her lap and started to tickle her.
"Hey no fair sneak attacking me", Faith said and flipped her on her 
back causing the coffee table to tip over, "Payback is a bitch." 
"God Faith stop, I can't take it", Willow yelled between laughs. 
Faith stopped and realized that her face was inches from the red 
heads. Willow could feel her body responding the sensation. Faith 
jumped up before she could act on her desire to kiss Willow, "Dance 
with me. I love this song." She pulled Willow into her arms. They 
danced in silence just enjoying the feeling of being in someone arms.
"Do you feel better", Faith asked tucking a stray lock of red hair 
behind Willow ear.
"I do, thank you", Willow said and thought about how they had just 
talked for hours about her life. Willow snuggled closer to Faith.
"Red from everything you have said she wouldn't want you to close 
yourself off from your feelings. I think she would want you to feel 
again."
"I know she would hate the thought of me being this way. She would 
probably yell real loud." 
"How do you think their date is going?"
"They belong together. They deserve to be happy."
"What about you", Faith asked? Willow thought for a minute and looked 
into the brunette eyes, she saw nothing but concern and caring, "I 
think that I'm pretty happy right now." They danced in silence 
neither sure what was happening.
"I want to show you how to feel again", Faith whispered in her ear 
causing her to shudder.
"Faith"
"I know you love them and I know that they love you. I'm not asking 
for love or tomorrows. I'm more of a here and now kind of girl", 
Faith said and leaned in and kissed her. Willow was just beginning to 
return the kiss when the doorbell interrupted the moment. They jumped 
apart liking that their parents were catching them and Willow giggled 
at the guilty look on Faiths face. She opened the door to find Buffy 
and Tara on the front porch. When Buffy saw Willow's tear stained 
cheeks and the overturned table, then Faith standing in the middle of 
the room, she went into slayer mode. She started after Faith but 
Willow blocked her path.
"Faith what the hell did you do to her", Buffy yelled.
"B, damnit Faith now you got me calling her that", Willow said giving 
the dark slayer a glare but when Faith shrugged her shoulders she 
giggled, "Buffy she didn't do anything. She came over to see how I 
was doing. I guess I wasn't doing very well cause I kind of broke 
down."
Faith laughed, "Honey you didn't breakdown, you went into total 
meltdown. I really expected the EPA to show up to clean up the mess."
Faith saw the glare she was getting from Buffy, "Well Red I think I 
will head out of here."
"Faith sit. Buffy it's ok. She didn't hurt me; she was actually a big 
help. We talked a lot, drank cried, drank and cried?"
"And drank seeing a pattern here, B"
"Oh hush not helping your case here."
"How did the table get flipped over, Will", Tara asked with concern.
"Well we were just playing around and I kicked it over. Guys I'm ok 
really. For the first time since Cheryl died I can breath again and 
it doesn't hurt. I needed tonight. Now go home. Buffy make love to 
your girlfriend. Tell her how much she means to you. Show her hold 
her. I will be here tomorrow being it hung over but I will be here. 
Call me we will go out them."
"Are you sure", Tara asked.
"Yeah", Willow said and glanced at Faith, "I think I'll be fine 
tonight."
"We love you Will", Buffy told her.
"I know I love you too. It will be ok", Willow told her and kissed 
her on the cheek and then did the same to Tara, "No go have fun."  
Willow watched them go down the sidewalk holding hands and smiled. 
She closed the door, walked over to Faith and pulled her up, "I think 
you said something about showing me how to feel." Willow led her to 
the stairs but Faith stopped her, "Red are you sure." Willow smiled 
and started up the steps, "Come on."

Willow woke up to the feel of someone hugging her close. She 
opened her eyes and looked into the eyes of the dark slayer.
"Morning Red, sleep well."
"Mmm better then I have in months. Well after you finally let me go 
to sleep."
"We ok here", Faith asked afraid of what she might hear.
"Faith last night was?well I needed it."
"So no regrets about having a one night stand", Faith asked.
"It doesn't have to be", Willow said.
"Huh, it doesn`t"
"How about I tell you what I'm thinking and then you can decide. I 
don't love you Faith. I think I care for you. I had a wonderful night 
last night. It's been a long time since I have laughed so much. You 
are fun and I miss that. Cheryl was always there to cheer me up when 
I felt down. She reminded me of Xander because of her ability to find 
a joke in almost everything. I'm not going to lie about my feelings 
for Buffy or Tara but they need to figure out there own relationship 
before I throw myself into it. I'm not too conventional to think that 
a relationship between three people couldn't work. Hell I lived on 
the Hellmouth for the biggest part of my life. I know that you have 
to find love when you can because it might be gone the next day. I'm 
not ready yet though. They're not ready for it. I want them to find 
the love that they share for each other so there is no fear that one 
or the other might leave for me. I want them both but I can wait. 
Until then Faith I want to offer you a really good friend who cares 
for you and maybe from time to time more. Oh yeah lots more."
"Red I think that's the best offer I've had in a long time. What are 
you going to tell the others mainly Tara and Buffy that is?"
"The truth", Willow said, "I learned that secrets don't work well."  
The phone next to the bed rang and out of instinct Faith turned and 
answered it.
"Faith what the hell are you doing there", Willow heard Buffy scream 
into the phone.
"Um B what's up"
"Where's Will" Faith groaned and handed the phone to Willow. She had 
to stifle a giggle, "Hello"
"Are you ok", Buffy asked?
"Fine, how was your night", Willow asked and had to fight hard to not 
to moan as Faith began to kiss her neck. Willow half listened as 
Faith continued to have her way. 
"Hey Buff, I need to talk to you guys today. Why don't you come over 
about 5 and we can have dinner and then we can go out." 
"Ok Will, we'll see you at 5" Willow hung up the phone and pulled 
Faith down on her.
"So you all going out tonight", Faith asked.
"Yup, will you go with us"?
"Only on one condition, Red. You'll go as my date and I don't have to 
be here when you talk to Buffy and Tara."
"Yes and yes but you can't stop what you are doing right now", Willow 
moaned.
"Deal"


"Will you home", Buffy yelled coming in the front door. She looked 
around the living room and noticed that the mess from last night had 
been cleaned up.
"In here" Willow yelled from the kitchen, "Hey guys."
"Hi", Tara greeted her friend.
"Smells good Will."
"Thanks Buffy. It's got to cook a little more why don't you go sit in 
the living room and I`ll get some coffee."
"No beer today", Buffy asked with mischief.
"Ugh no way. I had a headache all morning or most of it anyway", 
Willow said and thought back to the one time she didn't even notice.
"So you wanted to talk to us", Tara asked?
"Yeah and this may take a minute. I want you to know that I love you 
both. Faith made me see a lot of things last night. If Cheryl could 
talk to me right now she would be really pissed at me. She would 
never want me to turn down the opportunity to love again. I have been 
so afraid of letting go because I thought that if I let go I would 
lose her all over again. Faith made me realize that no matter what 
happened Cheryl would always be with me. In my heart, my memories and 
in the faces of the kids. A lot of who I am now is because of her and 
the life that we built together", Willow stopped and took a breath.
"So are you trying to tell us that you and Faith", Buffy said 
thinking back to Faith answering the phone.
"No well kind of but not really. I had a good time with her last 
night. We talked and she's not a bad person. I love you Buffy and 
you Tara but I honestly am not going to come between what you guys 
are building together. Tara I know you asked why three people 
couldn't have a relationship together and I think that they can but 
we aren't ready for that yet. I'm in no position to have something 
like that in my life. I don't think that the kids would understand, 
even if they do think that the sun rises and sets on you both. So 
that leaves me with being the third party. I want you to find your 
own way together and then maybe we can find us. Until then I have 
every intentions of having a unique relationship with Faith so if 
either of you have a problem with that or with anything I've said 
please tell me now so we can talk." Buffy and Tara sat in silence 
thinking of all the things Willow had just told them. Buffy was the 
first to break the quiet that had come over the room since Willow had 
stopped speaking, "So the three of us."
"Someday", Willow answered.
"Faith though", Tara asked her?
"Yup you wouldn't believe the things that girl could do", Willow 
giggled.
"Must be a slayer thing", Tara whispered to Willow.
"TARA", Buffy yelled and then blushed. Willow tried to hold back her 
laughter but couldn't any longer. Willow and Tara collapsed on the 
floor in a fit of laughter. Faith walked through the front door, "Hey 
what's so funny." Willow and Tara looked at her and busted out 
laughing again.
"You don't want to know", Buffy groaned, "Perverts that's what they 
are. Just trust me." Willow regained her composure and grabbed Tara 
hand, "Come on you can help me finish dinner. We'll leave the slayers 
to compare notes." Tara snorted and followed Willow to the kitchen.
"So B"
"You hurt her I'll kill you", Buffy warned.
"Won't, couldn't if I wanted to. So we ok."
"Yeah just make her happy. But from what I heard you did a pretty 
good job of that."
"Aww man is that what they were laughing at, me", Faith asked and 
blushed, something Buffy never thought she would see.
"Us actually. They decided it was a slayer thing."
"So we did good", Faith asked?
"I'd say so", Buffy said with pride.
"Go us."


"So do you think we should have left them alone in there",
Tara 
asked me. I thought about things for a minute and shrugged, "Well
it 
seems pretty quiet in there. I think it will be ok. So what do you 
think about all this." I saw her get a far away look and I
wondered 
what she was thinking.
"I don't know really. The last few days with Buffy have been 
incredible. We have been taking things slow but somehow it feels like 
I found my home. Last night after we left we went home and just 
cuddled in bed for a long time. I have only felt that complete once 
and that was back in college when you used to stay. Will, what did 
you mean you would be the third party to this?"
"I can't be in a relationship with two women, not right now.
I have 
the kids to think about and they have to come first. As much as I 
love you both I can't bring you both into my bed everyday. Angie 
would probably understand but the others are just too young. They 
have had so much to deal with already; I don't want to add any
more 
confusion to their lives. It doesn't mean that it can't
happen just 
not the way that I want it to. So you see for now, when we are ready, 
it will always be me coming to you guys. That's why I want you
to 
find the love between you too", I said and tried to read her
face. I 
saw emotions that I couldn't recognize go across her face.
"You're a good mother and when you feel that we are ready I
would 
like it very much to have you around."
"Good because I want to be there", I said and felt tears
trying to 
escape. It seemed like I had been holding my breath waiting for her 
answer. I felt strong arms wrap around me and pull me close and a 
whisper tickled my ear, "You ok", Faith asked me. I turned in
her 
arms so that my face was inches from hers, "Yeah I think I am. I
take 
it there was no bloodshed in my living room." I watched as Buffy 
snuck up behind Tara and snatched a piece of tomato from the salad. 
Tara swatted at her and laughed.
"There cute together", Faith whispered to me.
"Yeah they are", I said and kissed her on the tip of her
nose, "You're
pretty cute yourself."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Red." I used to hate it
when she 
called me that but now it seemed right, it was meant as an endearment 
now and not an insult.
"Really I asked, will it get me?", the rest I whispered into
her ear 
not wanting the other couple to overhear. Faith let what I'd said 
sink in and turned as red as my hair, "Red", she choked. I
had to 
giggle and Buffy and Tara looked at us.
"Faith are you ok", Tara asked her, seeing the blush she just
smirked.
"I-I um oh?", Faith stumbled. 
"Will, I think you hurt her."
"Not yet", I smirked and I thought all of their eyes where
going to 
bug out.
"Well", I said, "I think dinner is almost ready. Faith
can you grab 
some drinks while I set the table. Buffy can you grab that bowl. Tara 
can you bring the salad." I laughed at the way they all jumped
and 
began to run around the kitchen, running into each other. This could 
be way too much fun I 
thought.



"Red", I cried. I can't believe she said that to me and then
just 
giggled. I thought I was going to lose it right there in her kitchen 
in front of everyone. No I was right when I told her she had changed, 
she was defiantly not the same shy geek she was in high school. Nope, 
no way. I wanted to just skip dinner and our night out and just carry 
her upstairs right now. Damn, Tara said something, don't know 
what, "I-I um oh". Oh great one, now their just looking at me
with 
smirks on their faces, come on Faith, get it together. "Will, I think 
you hurt her", Buffy said. 
"Not yet." Huh 
what. Hurt huh. She talking again, hell what did she say, get drinks, 
gotta move she giving me that mom look. Drinks, getting drinks. Now 
she is laughing what is she laughing at. I look at her and she has 
this `cat that ate the canary look', I wonder what she is
thinking. I 
can't believe she said that to me and then giggled. She is so in 
trouble when we get
back 
here tonight.

  

In my most stealthy slayer move I crept up behind my girlfriend, ooh 
I like the sound of that. The way it rolls off my toung, my 
girlfriend, Tara is my girlfriend. I'm really not sure when I
have 
been this happy. I have Tara, Willow is back, I glance around and see 
Faith holding Willow, whispering in her ear. I see Will smile,
I'm 
not so sure if I like the thought of her and Faith but she does look 
happy. Plus she gave me hope for some kind of future with her and 
that's all I can ask for right now. A threesome, oh how the mind
can 
wander. Tomato, I see it, can I get to it before she see me. Jackpot 
and I got away with just a swat and a smile. I love a Tara smile it 
lights up the whole room. I think I could lose myself in it. I open 
my mouth to tell her just that when I hear Faith yell. Tara and I 
both turn to see what had happened. Faith is standing their as red as 
Will's hair. 
"Faith are you ok", Tara asked and I'm touched at her
sincerity, well 
that is until she sees the blushing and then she just smirks. I
don't 
think I have ever seen Faith so lost, "I-I um oh", was all
she could 
say. Oh how the mighty slayer had fallen.
"Will, I think you hurt her", I said. 
"Not yet", she said and I really had to concentrate to keep
from 
having to pick my jaw up off the floor. I looked at Tara and saw what 
I know had to mirrored on my own face. Disbelieve, shock, and I might 
add just a touch of lust. "Well", she said, "I think
dinner is almost 
ready. Faith can you grab some drinks while I set the table. Buffy 
can you grab that bowl. Tara can you bring the salad." Grab the
bowl 
was all my brain was able to digest as I run into Faith getting 
drinks. She's laughing at us, I try to read her face but all I
see is 
a look of pure mischief, oh boy we are in so much trouble.


   
 
I can feel her sneaking up behind me, she thinks that she is being 
sneaky but I know. After all of these years of being beside her 
through the good and bad, I always know where she is. This is the 
person I want to spend the rest of my life with. Well her and a 
certain red head. Will people understand? Oh hell like I care, after 
everything I have seen in the last six years. They love me, me, 
scared shy little ole me. Me who grew up thinking I would turn into a 
demon, the one thing that these wonderful people had pledged their 
lives to fight. Buffy saved me from my family and I'm sure if
Willow 
hadn't had to go fight her own insecurities she would have too.
They 
were my family now, all of them. She grabs a tomato out of the bowl 
and pops in her mouth. I swat at her arm. She gives me these sad 
puppy eyes and all I can do is laugh. She has me wrapped around her 
little slayer finger, she knows it, and I know it. She looks at me 
like she would like to lose herself in me. I have seen that look many 
times in the last few days and I will never get tired of seeing it. 
She opens her mouth to say something but is cut off by a cry from 
Faith. I turned concerned that she had hurt herself, "Faith are
you 
ok", I asked but when I saw the blush all I could do was smirk
and 
wonder what Will could have possibly said to make the slayer blush 
like a school girl.
"Will, I think you hurt her", Buffy said and I was going to
agree 
until Willow in a straight face said "Not yet". I thought my
eyes 
were going to roll across the kitchen floor. She started to issue 
orders, we all jumped almost running over each other to comply. She 
just stood there and laughed. I stopped, looked at her and for minute 
I couldn't help feeling like I was getting on a very long roller 
coaster and it was going to be one wild ride.  



"Red, do you want a beer", I asked her after we had settled at a 
table. She thought for a second, "Yeah I think my head and stomach 
can take it now." I smiled and looked to the other two, "you guys 
want anything."
"Coke for me", Tara said.
"Me too", Buffy said. I took off toward the bar. I watched the three 
of them as I waited for the drinks. If you'd asked me three days ago 
if I would be here with the three of them I would have laughed. Sure 
I had made amends with Buffy long ago but we were far from being best 
friends. We were more like co-workers. Now after one day, well one 
very interesting day, I'm sitting at a bar having drinks with them. 
It's all Red's fault I thought, if she hadn't came back so damn sexy, 
I wouldn't be here. I sigh, grab the drinks and head back to the 
table.
"Ok one coke for the slayer, another coke for the beautiful witch and 
for the sexy mother of three a beer", I smiled and couldn't help but 
flirt a little after there little tease fest in the kitchen earlier. 
I sat down next to Willow and I felt her hand on my knee. 
"Would you like to dance", Buffy asked Tara. They headed for the 
dance floor. I turned and looked at Red, "So I take your talk went 
well."
"Yeah I think so, they didn't yell and walk out so I guess it was a 
success."
"I'm glad to hear that", I said and I really was. After I left her 
house today I did a lot of thinking and I had to admit that a part of 
me was scared that I might be jealous but I realized now that I 
didn't think I was going to be. Willow had been very up front with 
her feelings and what she wanted from me and the others.
"Are you", she asked me.
"Yup, Red I'm the only active slayer now, sure B helps when I need it 
and Tara has even helped with witchy stuff but I'm pretty much on my 
own now a days. I know there is a possibility that I might die 
tonight, I can't ask someone to put up with that crap. You know about 
me, you learned to accept that a long time ago with B. I like you, I 
mean look at you, you are one of the hottest girls I have ever had 
the pleasure of meeting, and you want me." I saw the blush creep up 
her face and I laughed.
"Thank you, Faith. I like you too but you are not on your own 
anymore. Come on", she said and pulled toward the dance floor. We 
stepped into the middle of the crowd and she pulled me close.
"Faith I will always be here for you. I know that Buffy and you 
haven't had a very close relationship since you came back but I have 
a feeling that that might change now that you and I have this between 
us", she said and kissed me. 
"I still owe you for that in the kitchen today", I said and picked 
her up and twirled her around.
"I hope so", she said and once again she surprised me with her 
boldness.


I saw Tara watching Faith and Willow sitting at the table, "So 
what are you thinking about."
"I was just thinking about how much better she looks, happier."
"I know, I can't believe Faith of all people was the one that helped 
her. She has always seemed so selfish, maybe I was wrong."
"Maybe we all were, honey", she said and snuggled closer to me. 
"What do you think about what Will said today", I asked. It occurred 
to me that we hadn't talked about it.
"It could work but there will have to be a lot of honesty and 
communication for it to work."
"Do you understand what she is saying because I am a little confused 
about it", I asked her.
"I think she is offering us the same thing she is to Faith, 
friendship with more. We talked in the kitchen today and she knows 
that a three way relationship isn't possible for her because of the 
kids. That doesn't stop her from wanting us though."
"So she wants us to stay together and join us when she can."
"Yes I think so. She loves us Buff but I think there is still a part 
of her that is afraid of those feelings. That she feels like she is 
cheating. Remember the day I had lunch with Angie, we talked a lot 
about Will and Cheryl. Angie showed me pictures of the two of them 
together and Buffy it was incredible. I could see it, the love that 
the two of them shared. I had never seen her that happy. Even now 
there is sadness behind her smile. It almost broke my heart to look 
at her then and to see her now. They were meant to be together 
forever and now she's gone, way to soon." I looked into her eyes and 
kissed the tear that was making it's way down her cheek, "Kind of 
like us. I mean the being together forever and the incredible love 
that I feel for you."



"You always know how to make me feel better", I told her.
"Hey that's my job now to make you happy and feel good", Buffy told 
me and pulled me back into her strong arms. Yup, I am truly madly in 
love with this strong woman. For a long time after Willow went away I 
thought it was her that I had wanted to spend my life with but then 
my father came to get me and Buffy stood up to him. I think, no I 
know that was the minute I knew what I felt for her was more. I fell 
for her that day. I tried to hide it for so long, I knew she loved 
Willow and so did I. I knew we would never be able to put the ghost 
of the red head behind us, so we concentrated on becoming the best 
friends we so desperately needed. Willow departure left us both so 
lost and confused. I knew that Buffy had nightmares of coming across 
Willow some night on patrol and having to kill her best friend, no 
not just best friend but someone she loved more then life itself. I 
know that part of me is angry at Willow for leaving us. She went away 
and got to be happy while Buffy and I had to ignore the feelings that 
were bouncing between us. I looked at Faith and Willow dancing not to 
far from us and I have to shake my head, she had been scared and the 
emotional abuse that her parents had laid on the already lacking self 
confidence girl had been to much. I guess I couldn't blame her for 
running. Isn't that what I'd done with my own family? Some how I felt 
she had already been punished enough for her youthful mistake. 


I noticed Tara was lost in her own world, "Hey baby where did you 
go."
"The past", she said and sighed.
"Was it a pleasant trip", I asked wondering what past she had gone 
back too. She never really talked about her life before coming here 
but after meeting her brother and father I didn't think I ever wanted 
to know. If I ever did I might have to go and kick their asses. 
"Mostly, I was thinking about the moment I realized that I was in 
love with you."
"Oh really when was that", I asked my curiosity getting the better of 
me.
"The day you stood up to my father. You know you saved me that day."


"I will always save you", she told me and I lost myself again in her 
arms. I somehow knew that she would too. I saw Willow and Faith 
settle beside us. Willow looked at me and smiled, "Tara do you mind 
if I trade you for a minute."
"No have fun", I told her and found myself in the arms of the other 
slayer. I hadn't known Faith when she had come to Sunnydale the first 
time but I had heard the stories, she had not been someone that had 
been easy to like. I know it had taken everything inside of Buffy to 
forgive the dark slayer but Faith had shown all of us that she had 
changed. I never really talked much to her but considering the odd 
relationship that was forming between the four of us I felt it was a 
good idea. 
"Faith, why did you turn against everyone the first time you were 
here", I asked her?
"Uh oh time to get the dirt on the lover of the potential lover." I 
looked at her confused face and chuckled. She blushed and said, "Um 
that sounded a little strange didn't it."
"A little but I guess it's pretty accurate though."
"I didn't have a very good home life growing up. I wanted to be good, 
hell I wanted to be just like Buffy but I got scared and I guess I 
ran. Not from here physically like Red did but from them. Maybe 
that's why I understand her leaving better then anyone. The scoobies 
were so close and tight knit that the thought of disappointing them 
can just be too much, even if you know deep down inside that they 
will always forgive you and be there for you. She was scared of 
letting them down more then she was afraid of raising a child on her 
own." I wondered for a second about whether Faith had been reading my 
mind a little bit ago but shook it off.
"I know about how hard it is to keep control of your emotions when 
everything around you feels like it is falling apart. After my mother 
died my father and brother used to beat me", I whispered.



If it hadn't been for my slayer hearing I'm not sure I would've 
been able to hear her whisper. I never would have imagined that this 
sweet forgiving woman could have went through something like that.
"Tara I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"I know no one really does. I couldn't tell Buffy about it because I 
think she would hunt him down and do god knows what to them. I'm 
saying that I understand you more them anyone." I had always 
wondered why she had been the one to defend me and encouraged the 
others to accept me back now I knew why. I felt the rage inside 
build, not at my own mother but at the men that could hurt this 
amazing woman that was dancing in my arms.
"How", I had to ask.
"How what?"
"How did you survive to become who you are. I tried to forget it and 
move on when I got here but I couldn't. The rage and hatred was 
always right there just waiting to explode all over the place."


"I guess maybe because it happened later in my life. I was 
seventeen when my mom died. She always tried so hard to make sure 
that had a somewhat normal life. I was already who I was by then. 
Faith I'm not the same person I was when I got here. Will can tell 
you that. I couldn't even look at anyone because I felt like they 
knew. I was so shy. Sometimes it hurt just to think about having to 
talk to someone." Faith looked at me, "What changed?" I looked over 
to Buffy and Willow dancing, Buffy was laughing at something and for 
a minute I knew how perfect this life was becoming, "They did."
"Maybe I should have given them more of a chance." I wondered whether 
she was right, "Who knows maybe it wouldn't have made a difference, 
maybe you needed to do the things that you did to become who you 
needed to become. Just like maybe I needed to do the things that I 
needed to do. Or Willow and running away, would she be who she is 
today. Would Buffy? Would I? Would you? If she stayed would we be 
here. Fate and life are funny things. I for one, happen to think that 
we might be better the way we turned out. We all had our fair share 
of pain that we had to weather but I think we are stronger for having 
done it."


I listened to her and for the first time in a long time I felt a 
peace that I hadn't felt. "Thank you", I told her. She wiped the tear 
that was falling down my cheek, "For what." "I don't think I have 
ever felt this close to anyone before. I always put distance between 
myself and others. I was afraid to get to close to anyone because of 
the fear of getting hurt." She hugged me closer and whispered in the 
sweetest voice I have ever heard, "We would never hurt you." 


I saw Tara wipe a tear from Faith cheek and I wondered what they 
could be talking about that would make her cry. I wanted to rush over 
and protect her but I knew that the two of them shared something that 
Buffy and I couldn't understand. 
"I missed you, Will", Buffy said as she stroked my cheek.
"I missed you too Buffy. There wasn't a day go by that I didn't 
wonder how you were doing."
"Why didn't you call us. Damnit Willow do you know how many nights I 
had nightmares about having to stake you." I lowered my head in 
shame. I knew I owed her an explanation but I honestly didn't know 
where to start. 



"I should have I know but I was afraid", She told me. Afraid, of 
me. 
"Of me", I choked out. It was more then I would have been able to 
take if she was going to tell me that the reason she hadn't come home 
was because of some fear I would hurt her.


I felt her stiffen in my arm and the look of guilt that crossed 
her face, "No not of you, of myself and what I had done. I was 
pregnant with a werewolves baby, you are the slayer, what if things 
had turned out different with Beth. What if we hadn't been able to 
control her, what would you have done. There was no way I could have 
stood by and had to watch my best friend have to kill my daughter. I 
just felt like it was better that I go and deal with it on my own. 
Then by the time I knew for sure it was ok, so much time had passed. 
I was different and I wasn't sure if you would be able to forgive me 
for leaving. My parents were so disappointed in me and I couldn't 
have been able to handle it if you all would have been too."
 


I felt myself relax a little as the she spoke. I knew she was 
right to some extent I would have had to handle it if Beth had been 
bad and I knew that our friendship wouldn't have survived. We had 
grown up so much, her and I in the time she had been gone.
"Will, I love you and I'm sorry, I had to know."
"It's okay Buffy. I made a big mistake in not trusting in you and 
everyone but I was young."
"How about we make a pact right here and now that the past in exactly 
were it should be in the past."
"I like the sound of that. Buffy I always planned on coming home it 
just took a lot longer than I planned on. I never thought I would get 
wrapped up the way I did."
"Why did you come back then", I asked her, "I mean why not stay there 
and be normal."
"I missed it, here, you, everyone. I needed my family. I don't know 
what I would have done if things hadn't work out with everyone. I 
guess we would have just went to LA and lived there. I stopped and 
talked to Angel when I went to LA before I came here. He told me I 
always had a place there and I could have helped them."
"So you aren't looking for normal?"
"No, I have to have some normal but at some point I'm going to have 
to talk to the kids about who I am and the things that go on here. I 
mean Beth's father is a werewolf how normal can we pretend to be." 


I knew that Buffy was trying to process everything I was saying. 
She had always just wanted to live a regular life but I knew that 
after you know what we knew it wasn't possible. What I hadn't told 
her was the reason that I had chosen Seattle or the things that I had 
done when I was there. I guess it just made me feel closer to the old 
gang and made me feel like maybe I was helping in some way. I caught 
Faith and Tara out of the corner of my eye and decided that Buffy and 
Faith needed to talk too, " Buffy about Faith. I know things have 
been ok between you since she came back but are you really ok with 
her and I?"



"Why her", I asked. Faith had changed, I couldn't argue that. She 
had paid her price for the things she had done but part of me could 
never trust her. Now one of the women I loved was getting involved 
with her. 
"How much time have you spent with her since she came back", Willow 
asked me.
"Not a lot", I admitted to her and myself. 
"Buff, I never thought that I would say what I'm about to say about 
Faith of all people but she's funny and there's warmth and 
understanding there. She tries to hide it below this tough cold 
exterior but it's there. You just have to know where to look. Think 
for minute about how far she was gone and how far she has come." I 
glanced over seeing her with her arms wrapped around Tara, she was 
smiling and laughing, I think for the first time I really looked at 
her since her return. I had always been afraid to look into her eyes, 
afraid of seeing the cold emptiness that had always been there, what 
I saw tonight almost made my knees go week. She was looking at my 
girlfriend with so much understanding and I had to admit concern.
"See it's there", Willow whispered in my ear.
"I do, I see it", I said, "Thank you Will."
"Your welcome. How about we switch for a little while. I think I 
would like to dance with your girl."
"Our girl", I said and I saw love cross my best friends face.
"Yeah someday."


Before I even knew what hit me I found myself in the arms of Buffy. 
I stiffed a little and tried to put some distance between us.
"Relax", she whispered to me, "I'm not going to hurt you." I looked 
into the blondes eyes and saw something I have never seen in Buffy's 
eyes, respect.
"B", I started but she placed a finger on my lips to stop me.
"No let me talk for a minute. I know I haven't been support girl for 
you since you came back but Faith so much happened between us I was 
scared. I was afraid that if I trusted you that you would hurt me 
again." I tried to gather my thoughts, I knew this was my chance to 
finally make things right with us, something I had wanted to do for 
so long, "B, I couldn't hurt you. It's my own fault. I should have 
trusted you all back then but it was hard. All I wanted when I came 
here was to be like you, and I ended up being the opposite of you. I 
let all the bad things she had said and done to turn me into 
something I didn't want to be but the only person I thought I could 
be. That turned out to be the dark slayer."
"Faith I was jealous, I never gave you a chance. Maybe if we had 
accepted you, you wouldn't have had to find acceptance with the 
mayor."
"It doesn't matter now, B. Tara just told me that maybe the things 
that have happened have happened for a reason. We are the people that 
we are because of the all of it."
"Well I happened to think she is pretty smart and we ought to listen 
to her."
"I agree", I said and relaxed into her arms. I caught Red eye and 
mouthed thank you to her and her smile lit up the room.


My smile could have lit up the room when she mouthed thank you to 
me. I knew that I accomplished what I had came here tonight to do. 
"Proud of yourself aren't you", Tara asked me. I was I had managed to 
bring the four of us together and create a bond.
"Yup, they needed it. They need each other. The slayers have feelings 
and emotions that only another slayer can understand. Tara I want 
this to work and the only way is if everyone can be open with each 
other about the things they are feeling."
"I agree with you on that one."
"So is Buffy really ok with things."
"Yeah she is and Faith is she?"
"Yup"
"Well were do we go from here", Tara asked me and I suddenly realized 
that they were all here because of me.
"We take things slow get to find the friendship again and then go 
from there but for now I need to get a drink." She laughed and lead 
me back to the table. Buffy and Faith collapsed beside us. 
"So Will", Buffy asked, "What did you say to Faith in the kitchen." I 
smirked and shook my head, "I'm not telling."




I saw him out of the corner of my eye, I glanced around to Faith 
and Buffy to see if they had noticed it too but they were both caught 
up in talking to each other about some demon that Faith had killed 
last week. I stood up, "Hey I'm going to go get some more drinks"; I 
said and made my way to the bar. 
"What the hell are you doing here Mike", I asked him coming up behind 
him. 
"Can't I come to visit my partner without getting the third degree, 
my friend"; he said not even turning around to look at me.
"Not when there are two slayers sitting thirty feet away, who would 
love nothing more then to stake your ass right here." He turned and 
glanced toward the table that I had just left.
"I guess we'll just have to make sure that they don't do that now 
don't we."
"Why are you here, Micah?"
" I wanted to make sure you got here safely."
"You know we did, you would feel it if I didn't. Keep that up and I 
might start to think that you care."
"Oh but I do, my friend. How are the kids?"
"Their fine, doing well. You need to be careful in this town, Micah. 
This is not Seattle."
"I know but something is going to happen, soon", he said and I felt a 
shudder run through me.
"What and when and why didn`t I feel it?"
"Don't know but I do know that it will involve your daughter and I 
shielded it from you, I wanted to know more before I told you."
"Which one, Mike", I asked afraid of the answer.
"My sweet Angela. Willow I think you need to call the council on 
this. They know but they are keeping it to themselves."
"I bit vague here can you be a little more specific, Micah?"
"I wish that I could but the vision was very cloudy. All I saw was 
Angela."
"The council knows though. Damn I really don't want to have to call 
them. Mike, would you do it", I asked him and batted my eye lashes at 
him.
"Get the watcher to call them, hell I hate them as much as you do."
"I know but I had to give it a shot. I don't want to have to explain 
everything about my time in Seattle."
"They do not know, Willow?"
"No Buffy thinks I had this normal life. They have no idea of the 
things I was there for. Micah you don't think?"
"Don't finish that sentence please."
"We knew that it was going to happen someday."
"Yes we did but not yet. We are being watched, you had better go back 
before they get suspicious, my friend."
"Are you staying around?"
"Yes until we know more about this development, I feel my business is 
here."
"I will call you later after I contact the council."
"Be careful my friend, I think the ride is about to get rough."
"You don't know the half of it", I said and headed back to the table.



"Who was that", I asked her. At first I thought it was just some 
guy trying to hit on her but I saw an expression of familiarity 
directed toward him.
"Who was who, oh that guy, no one. I worked with him for a little 
while in Seattle."
"I thought you worked from home", I asked feeling like she was hiding 
something.
"No Buffy, I worked with him at the restaurant when I first got to 
LA."
"Oh", I said still feeling like something wasn't right. I glanced 
around to look at him one more time but he was gone.

   
I saw Buffy looking for Micah but I had seen him go out the front 
door as soon as I had sat down. I knew that she didn't believe me. I 
had a feeling that I was going to have to tell them all very soon. "I 
have to run to the restroom, I'll be back", I told them. I slipped 
out the backdoor and lit a cigarette; I pulled my cell phone out and 
dialed the number. 
"Robert, what the hell is going on? I just had Micah show up in 
Sunnydale telling me that something is going to happen with Angie. 
What do you know?", I said trying very hard not to scream at him.
"Willow I don't know. Quint is being very hush hush about whatever it 
is. It sounds like you may know more then I do."
"Robert that's not good enough. I want you to tell Travers that he 
has until tomorrow to call me or so help me god, Robert I will go 
over there and kick his ass."
"Calm down Will. I'll see what I can do and call you back."
"Thanks I'm sorry I yelled at you but damnit this is my kid we're 
talking about this time."
"I know I'll be in touch." I clicked off the phone and sighed. I 
threw the cigarette on the ground and turned around, running right 
into Faith. Shit, how much of that did she hear?
"What are doing out here, Red?"
"Just wanted to smoke", I said quickly maybe too quickly.
"Last time I checked it was ok to smoke in the bar", she said and 
gave me a puzzled look.
"I figured I'd get a little air too."
"And yell at someone on the phone?"
"How much did you hear", I asked her. Damn slayer hearing.
"Not much just an apology for yelling and something about it being 
your kid. Which one? What the hell is going on? First you're talking 
to a strange guy in the bar then yelling at someone on the phone. 
Raises a few red flags in my book."
"Faith", I started but my phone started to ring interrupting 
me, "hold that thought. Yeah?Faith can you give me a minute." I saw 
her start to argue with me but turned and walked back into the bar.
"Faith is with you", I heard Roberts voice ask me.
"Not anymore, thanks for getting back to me so fast."
"Hey I know how I would feel if it was my kid. I did what you told me 
and I have to say that I'm impressed I have never seen the old man 
look scared before. I got the file and I both think we know what it 
says."
"Shit, I'd hoped we would have more time."
"Well it looks like time has run out. I'm on the next flight out. I 
should be there Sunday night."
"Bring the file with you. I want to know what we have to look forward 
too."
"Got it, Willow your going to have to tell her about this."
"I know she's out of town this weekend with Oz but when she gets 
home."
"Well at least she has had a heads up for while. You won't have to go 
in cold like most times."
"I guess but I so did not need this right now. Call me when you get 
in." 



I sat down at the table and looked at Buffy and Tara, "Something's 
going on with her."
"Did she say anything", Tara asked me.
"No as soon as I asked her the phone rang and she asked me to leave. 
When I went out there she was yelling at someone telling them it was 
her kid this time."
"Beth", Buffy asked?
"My gut tells me no but I could be wrong", I said.
"Do you think we should be worried Faith", Tara asked me.
"I don't know but when she was talking to the guy at the bar I could 
have sworn that my slayer senses were going off."
"Mine too but I thought maybe I was sensing one somewhere else", 
Buffy whispered.



I walked up to the table and saw the group stop talking and look 
up. I knew that they had been talking about me, "So what's up guys", 
I asked and put on my best nothing to worry about smiles. 
"Why don't you tell us? Red if you're in trouble you need to tell us."
"Nope no trouble here. We are a trouble free zone", I babbled. Oh 
great job Will they'll really believe you if you keep this up. Buffy 
has a look of disbelief that I know that if I look will be on the 
other two's face. 
"Willow I don't believe you", Buffy said.
"Look why don't we get out of here. It's getting late", I said and 
got up. Maybe change the subject; "I had a wonderful time tonight. I 
haven't had a lot of chances to go out lately." I see that they 
aren't going to bite, "Ok, would you settle for I'll tell you 
tomorrow. There's someone I need to talk to first."
"Do you promise", Tara asked me as we made our way down the street?
"I guess I don't have much of a choice now", I said and stopped. I 
felt Micah in the shadows and a dull feeling he was not the only one.
"Red", Faith asked?
"Do you guys trust me", I asked them moving them to the side.
"Of course we do", Buffy said. I felt rather then saw Mike come from 
the shadows and head toward us but before I could say anything Faith 
pulled a stake from her coat and ran for him.
"Faith", I yelled and concentrated on the stake in her hand. It flew 
out of her hand and hit the vamp that was coming from behind. I 
walked up to Micah, "How many more?"
"Five, just like old times here", He growled and switched into game 
face.
"Trust me and let us handle this", I yelled to the three women 
standing to the side. 
"Red", Faith yelled as she saw the five surround us.
"We're fine, slayer", Mike yelled and kicked the vamp closest to him. 
I picked up a branch and dusted the first to attack.
"Willow catch", Mike yelled and threw the second to me. Then the 
third. The fourth one hit me in the face and I went down. I kicked 
him off of me and jumped up, "You know you picked the wrong damn day 
to piss me off." I kicked in the stomach sending him flying. I stood 
over top of him; "I have had one hell off a day already. What do we 
look like we would make a good dinner." I looked over and saw Micah 
losing his battle, "You're lucky my partner over there is having 
problems cause I would like nothing more but to take some 
frustrations out on someone." He turned to dust just as the last one 
came 
flying toward me. I raised my stake oh hell who was I kidding my 
branch and he was gone. I brushed off my pants and walked toward 
Mike, "Why can't you be a real man and just rip there heads off or 
pull out their hearts."
"Eww that's disgusting", he said. I started to walk away, "Oh no 
you'd rather I get all dusty. You are such a wuss. Well next time you 
can play catcher." I kept walking and turned to say some other remark 
about his lack of manly hood, when I noticed he'd stopped. I turned 
around to yell at him when I saw Buffy, Tara and Faith standing there 
slack jawed. Shit, shit, shit, I just did that in front of everyone. 
I sighed and headed back to them. 
"You-you just? with him?five of them?", Buffy stuttered.
"Six actually, so much for tomorrow. Guys, I would like you to Micah. 
Micah this is Buffy, Faith and Tara."
"It's a pleasure to meet the slayers in person, even if you were 
trying to kill me", Micah laughed.
"Will, he's a vampire", Tara said.
"Well hell I knew there was something funny about him. Mike why 
didn't you tell me", I said sarcastically. 
"So not funny Red". 
"I don't know I saw a little humor there which is more than she 
usually has", Micah teased. I glared at him; I was not in the mood 
now. 
"Someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I would 
think that getting some last night would have helped your less then 
sunny personality." 
"Not helping your case here", I growled and hit him.
"Oww that hurt."
"Aww it was supposed to. Now shut up for a minute."
"Willow what's going on here", Tara asked.
"How about we go back to the house and I'll try to explain things", I 
said and turned to Mike, "Roberts on his way."
"Did he find out anything, Willow"?
"Yeah I was right. He has the file we'll need."
"Well I guess better him then someone else."
"I know, I trust him. I had to threaten to kick ass." Micah 
chuckled, "I bet that went over well."
"Said he never seen the old man look so scared."
"Way to go", he said. I groaned and glanced toward the rest of the 
group. This was going to be a long night. I opened the door and let 
everyone in, "Micah come in." Buffy turned on the light and her and 
Tara sat down on the couch. Faith grabbed a chair.
"I'm going to go make some coffee. Micah play nice with the slayers", 
I said and went into the kitchen. I started the coffee and grabbed 
the phone, "Hey Oz how was the party?good?it's time?I know wanted 
more time too?just watch your back tonight?no I don't think they know 
yet?I'm getting ready to talk to them now?Micah's here?Yup it is 
serious?I'm going to tell her tomorrow?tell them I miss and love them
?
goodnight." I hung up the phone and finished the drinks. I carried 
them to the living room. I looked at the group of them and wondered 
if they had even breathed since I left. I sat down on the floor in 
front of them. I opened my mouth to speak when the phone on my pocket 
started to ring. 
"Hello", I answered and began to pace the floor.
"Will, I just sent you a fax that I thought you might want to see."
"Ok let me see if I got it", I told him and went over to my desk. I 
looked over the paper that was sitting on it and handed it to 
Mike, "Robert please tell me this is a joke."
"Sorry hon. no joke. Can you confirm it"?
"Maybe I don't know. Let me get back to you. Are you in the air", I 
asked him.
"Yeah I'll be there about 8 on Sunday."
"Ok I be in touch if I get anything."
"We don't have a lot of time from the looks of things."
"Got it see you soon", I clicked off the phone and faxed the paper to 
someone I'd hoped could help me.
"This just keeps going down hill faster and faster doesn't it, my 
friend."
"What the hell was the council thinking? I mean he is going to go 
ballistic on them when he finds out", I glanced at the rest and saw 
that they were losing patience quickly, "Guys give me just a few more 
minutes with this and I'll be right there." The last thing I needed 
tonight was two pissed off slayers and a witch. I picked up my phone 
and waited for the answer, "Did you get that fax?"
"Willow tell me this is a joke", Angel asked me.
"Nope just made things a hell of a lot more complicated, Angel. Is it 
possible", I asked him.
"I did feel something when she was here but I wasn't able to put my 
finger on it. It is possible. He's going to be pissed."
"I know."
"You going to tell him", Angel asked me.
"I guess I have to, he has a right to know."
"You want me to come up and help?"
"No just stay put. I'll call you if I need you. I want to have a back 
up plan. Thanks Angel, I'll be in touch soon." I sighed and sat down. 
I wasn't sure where to begin and I really needed a drink.
"Here there wasn't much to drink in there but I think you may need 
this", Micah said handing me a glass."
"Have I told you that if I had to have someone in my head I'm 
grateful it's you."
"Not usually, ready to get started? I think the slayer's heads are 
going to explode." I looked at Buffy and then Faith, "Oh boy so how 
are you?"
"Willow Rosenberg I have waited patiently for you to sit down and 
explain to me first why are you fighting with a vampire, second what 
do you mean inside your head, Third which one of your kids is in 
trouble and why, Fourth why did you call Angel and Fifth well I'm 
sure I will have other questions", Buffy said.
"Ok well how about I start from the beginning. When I decided that I 
was going to leave I called the council. I thought maybe I could go 
over there and go to school. I thought about being a watcher and 
coming home. Sounded good in my head. They accepted me but they 
didn't want me to come to England. I was staying in the US and 
working with a girl that they thought was going to be a slayer. At 
first I figured I would be teaching her how to research and be like a 
big sister. Well there was a lot that the council didn't tell me 
about her until after I had already gotten there. It seemed that this 
slayer was special. She was a child of a vampire and a slayer witch", 
I paused to let that sink in for a minute.
"How did a vamp have a kid", Faith asked.
"They don't know the slayer refused to say. We know that it had to be 
some kind of spell but we don't know for sure. As soon as the council 
found out about the baby, she was shipped back to England and her 
watcher was shipped to god knows where. I believe he died shortly 
after. The slayer was killed as soon as she had the baby. They 
brought the baby back to the US and she was given to a women who's 
own child had died soon after birth. The woman didn't know that the 
child she had raised for nine years wasn't hers. No I had the 
pleasure of informing her about that. She took it well all things 
considering. That's were Micah comes in. He was in charge of her 
magic training. Robert was her watcher and I helped with magic and 
just being a friend. About two years went by and then the shit really 
hit the fan. The child's prophecy calls for her to close the 
Hellmouth but first we have to keep her alive long enough."
"Will, who is she", Buffy asked me.
"Angie" I whispered, "There is a lot of people gunning for her. We 
have kept her safe, how many times is it now, Micah, eight or nine."
"Twelve"
"Or twelve, really that many times. Damn, oh ok back on track. This 
time is different though. The threat is very big this time. There has 
been rumbling in the demon community for a while now. A very strong 
vampire wants her because not only can she close the Hellmouth but 
she can open it too."
"So which one of us is going to die Red", Faith asked.
"I don't know maybe neither, the prophecy is pretty vague. It never 
said whether she had to be called to do it. I have researched until I 
have exhausted all of my leads, now we just sit back and fight what 
comes up and play it by ear." 
"What was in that fax that upset you so much", Tara said.
"Angie's father is a vampire and up until that call I had no idea who 
it was."
"Now you do", Buffy asked.
"Yeah I do and I have no idea how he is going to react."
"Who, Red"
"Spike", I whispered.
"WHAT", they yelled at the same time.
"I know, surprised me too."
"What are you going to do, Red?"
"Tell him I guess and hopes he cares enough about his child to help 
protect her."
"I just hope he doesn't go kill the council", mike chuckled
"Now about the vampire in your head", Buffy asked.
"Well Micah decided that he wanted to rid himself of his demon, so 
after some research we were able to find a soul restoration spell 
that didn't have a happy clause. It anchored his soul to mine. One of 
the drawbacks is we know what the other is feeling all the time. The 
other is that we both share each others memories."
"Wasn't that kind of dangerous for you", Tara asked.
"A little"
"A little my ass. If I had known she was doing that spell I would 
have never allowed it. I thought we had lost her for a while. The 
brain just wasn't made to handle a 125 years of horrific memories in 
minutes, her brain shut down. The spell called for my demon and her 
soul be split in half. We each received half of each. She was in a 
coma for a week. It took us another week to get her out of the closet 
and I don't mean that metaphorically either. She spent a week curled 
up in a fetal position in her closet. It took another three weeks for 
her to talk. We had to finally get the council to send us a doctor. 
It was almost another month before she would come out of there 
bedroom. She still has to take pills to control the emotions."
"Micah", I yelled.
"No, Will remember I'm in your head. I know how you feel about these 
women and I'll be damned if you are going to keep things from them. 
How do you think she went so long without breaking down after her 
girlfriend died? Why do you think she is so afraid of her feelings 
for you all, it's not because of Cheryl? No Cheryl would kick her ass 
if she knew she was using her as an excuse. She knew in the line of 
work that we did that our time together was short. We talked about 
what we wanted if something ever happened to one of us and the one 
thing she always made sure of was that, Will would come home to you 
guys. Willow, Cheryl knew you loved her with all your heart but she 
knew she shared it with Buffy and Tara. No, Willow's afraid to feel."
"Is this true", Buffy asked me. I knew I couldn't lie. I glared at 
Micah, "You had no right to tell them this."
"But I did, you gave me the right to butt into your life when you 
lied to me about the spell. We share a soul now. I know what you 
feel; I know how much you love Buffy and Tara. I was there when you 
realized you loved Buffy. I was there when you realized you loved 
Tara. I was there when you fell for Cheryl. I also can feel the 
feelings and emotion swirling in you about Faith. Willow, Cheryl is 
dead, they`re here. She`s gone and she`s not coming back. If you 
can`t see that then you are a damned fool. Look at them they are 
standing here offering everything they have and you're still afraid 
to take it. Why because you might feel human again", Mike yelled at me
"I didn't have a choice. We needed you; I couldn't protect them on my 
own. I couldn't worry about you going nuts and having to defend us 
against you too", I yelled and began to pace.
"We could have found something different", Mike whispered.
"What like Angel, did you want a clause hanging over your head all 
the time?"
"No but I would have if it would have saved you from having to go 
through what you have."
"I will do anything to protect my family", I said and looked at the 
rest of them. I could see the fear and confusion in their faces.
"Why did you tell us or come to us for help", Buffy wanted to know.
"She wouldn't put you in that kind of danger. We have to be on the 
lookout at all times. We have spent the bigger part of the last six 
years looking over our shoulders waiting for the next attack", Mike 
said. I needed to get out of this room, "I'm going to go smoke and 
get some air. Don't hurt him ladies, it gives me a headache."



I watched her go out the backdoor. I wondered where the shy hacker 
that had left six years ago went. I glared at the vampire sitting in 
front of me, was it his fault or was it everything she had been 
through had made her that way. I felt Tara reach out and grab my 
hand. 
"What can we do to help her", I asked the one person in the room that 
really knew her. 
"Realize she is not the same person she was when she left. Respect 
that and understand that this is not your fight. This one is ours. We 
know what we are doing. She doesn't need you to protect her. I would 
bet money that she could probably kick your ass. She needs you guys 
to support her and stand behind her."
"We can do that. We just want her to know she is not alone."
"Show her. Tell her I will be around tomorrow when Robert gets here. 
Stay tonight, talk, cry, yell, sometimes she needs to be yelled at. 
Hell the four of you have wild passionate sex and I'm not just saying 
that because I can feel it either. Even if she won't say it out loud 
she needs you", Micah took one last look at us and walked out the 
door. I thought about what he had said. Could we be lovers the four 
of us? I guess Faith must have been thinking the same thing, "Can we 
I mean would that work?" I looked at Tara to figure out what she was 
feeling. If anyone in this room could figure it out she could.
"Buffy you know that I love you right with all my heart", Tara asked 
me.
"I know I love you too."
"I think the rules changed. Buffy how do you feel about Faith", Tara 
said. How did I feel about Faith? If you asked me yesterday if I 
would even be considering sex with her I would have laughed in your 
face, hell if you asked me two hours ago I would have laughed but 
Tara was right the rules had changed. Willow had made me see things 
that I hadn't been able to see on my own.
"Are asking me to have sex with the three of you", I asked?
"I think I might be, I mean you love her, I love her and what about 
you Faith", Tara said looking at Faith.
"I care about her, is it love maybe a little to soon to say but after 
hearing everything about her life since she left there is a hell of a 
lot of respect."
"Well what about sex with the three of us."
"Would it be rude to do Xander happy dance around the living room", 
Faith asked. I couldn't help but laugh, "I take that as a yes."
"Buffy", Tara asked.
"I'm with Faith on the happy dance", I said.
"Ok well I pass on the dancing but feel free to do it, I'm human and 
two hot women dancing always was a turn on."
"Tara", I yelled.
"What", she said and tried to put her innocent look on.
"Nope doesn't work anymore with me", I chuckled.
"Still does it for me. Now what", Faith asked?
"Now we find out what Will thinks", I said.


I looked up at the stars and sighed. I had my back to the door but 
I could feel them come out, "The stars are beautiful tonight."
"Hey channeling Dru now", Buffy laughed.
"After living with just half a demon for the last couple of years, I 
can understand why she was nuts. Look I'm sorry for the scene in 
there tonight. Sometimes he knows how to push its buttons."
"So you can control it then", Tara asked me.
"Most of the time. Sometimes when the emotions are strong it's harder 
to keep it under control. I'm even known to let it come out and play 
sometimes."
"Is that dangerous", Buffy asked me. Leave it to the slayer to think 
of that.
"No I only have half and if I get to far gone Micah can sense it and 
pull me back. I use it to fight a lot. It comes in handy to have a 
125 year old demon in your head once in a while."
"He said to tell you he'd be back when Robert gets here", Faith 
said. I laughed, "I know." Faith looked confused.
"The bond remember. I know what he is doing at all times", I closed 
my eyes and smiled for a minute, "Right now he is beating the crap 
out of some demon at Willy's trying to get information." I saw all of 
them blush at knowing that I probably knew about him telling them to 
sleep with me. I lit a cigarette and sat down in a chair. I figured I 
let them tell me what they had decided after Micah had left. 
"You know what he said don't you, Red", Faith asked.
"Yup I do. What I don't know is what you thought about it."
"The thought of sleeping with three women doesn't wig you out at all 
does it Will", Buffy asked me.
"Nope, guys there are a lot of things that wig me out but the thought 
of the three of you in bed with me isn't one of them."
"Have you ever before", Tara whispered.
"What have more then Cheryl in my bed? Yes, after my little 
breakdown, they began to understand that we were different. I loved 
Cheryl, hell even the demon loved her but it needed more. She 
understood that sex was different for the demon. It needed something 
that she couldn't give it. It wasn't about love, it was an outlet for 
the aggression that it had."
"We have a lot to learn about you don't we", Buffy asked me.
"Oh yeah, so what was the verdict", I asked and tossed my cigarette 
of the deck.
"Can I ask you something first Red? Is this you or it talking."
"Depends on the answer. Is it on the surface waiting to come out and 
play, yeah? I told you when my emotions go haywire it's harder to 
control."
"Will it be here tonight or you", Tara whispered.
"Depends on what you want."
"We want you", Buffy said.
"You understand that it's a part of me. It is half of me."
"I think that with two slayers and a witch we can handle it", Faith 
said.
"We'll see", I smirked. They had no idea.