Life is Short (revamped) Part 2/7

["TheBear" <thebear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Life is Short (Revamped)

Author: The Bear!

Spoilers: kinda spins away from Welcome to the Hellmouth, and there?s
elements of the Harvest as well, so no real spoilers, unless you?ve
never seen the show at all.

Pairing: B/W

Summary: Buffy moves to a new town looking for a fresh start, and maybe
a new love.

Warnings: NC17 (but not really till part 7) 

Disclaimer: If I owned ?em, they?d have to show it on the Ecstasy
Network.

Author?s Note: If you?ve read this before, you?re in for a surprise!
It?s nearly twice as long, and extensively revamped, so, give it another
shot!

========== BtVS ==========

Part 2

========== BtVS ==========

Buffy was in the ladies room, holding a damp paper towel to her face.
Any thought she had of going upstairs to talk to Giles evaporated with
that one touch. ?What is it with me? Sure, she?s sweet, and beautiful,
and shy and innocent and damn sexy... Ok, so maybe that?s what it
is...? she thought.  

?Why so damn strong though? I?ve never gone, you know, all the way...
but I keep thinking how she?d look... all that mass of red hair, all
spread out on my pillows while I...?  

?Oh God!? Buffy whimpered, as the mental images she was having caused
her to begin to feel a damp, heavy, swollen feeling in her panties.
?Jeeze, Lust much?? she asked herself in annoyance. ?God, I?ve had
serious make-out sessions that didn?t make me this hot and bothered...
One touch from Willow?s hand,? she mused- amazed and a little frightened
by the arousal coursing through her.  

?Definitely gonna hafta double-click the mouse tonight; it feels like
it?s been weeks!?

Buffy closed her eyes and spent a few moments breathing deeply and
trying to calm down. ?Ok, Buffy.? She muttered to herself, ?You?re
going to put yourself together and go talk to her like a normal human
being. Not some sex-starved maniac!?

?God I hope I don?t look as much the freak as I feel right now!? Buffy
suddenly thought. Immediately she opened her eyes to look at her
reflection; unfortunately when she did, what she saw was Cordelia Chase
and three other girls staring at her in shock. She shook her head and
thought, ?This one definitely goes in the ?bad-day? column.?

?Oh My God!? Cordelia said dramatically. ?You?re GAY??

Buffy closed her eyes and took another deep breath. ?Ok, how do I
deal?? she wondered. ?There?s denial, always a favorite... right,
?cause Cordelia?d buy that! Besides, I kinda am, and if I get lucky
with Willow, I?m gonna get ?outed? eventually anyway, so...? 

?Actually, Cordelia. ?Gay? seems so... limiting. I?m completely
bisexual,? Buffy said as she turned around. She ignored the pounding of
her heart which seemed to have taken up residence in her throat at that
moment.  

Steeling her resolve before it crumbled, she maintained a calm, relaxed
face as she went on, ?And, before embarrass yourself by asking; you are
*so* completely not my type. I prefer a girl who?s soft, and sweet.
Not hard and bitchy. If I want a self centered jerk, I?ll go back to
dating Varsity Football players. Sorry!?  

With that she walked out of the ladies room, head held high- hoping for
the best, but feeling her gut churning. ?By the time I get to school,
everyone?s gonna know...? She did, however, smile at the dropped jaws
her little tirade had caused.

Slayer enhanced hearing allowed Buffy to catch Cordelia?s indignant,
?Excuse me, I have to call *everyone* I?ve *ever* met!? as the door
closed behind her.

?The only way to salvage this situation is to make it worth while!? At
that moment Buffy Summers set a goal for herself, ?Ok self, the
seduction of Willow Rosenberg is *so* on!?

========== BtVS ==========

Willow was still sitting in the same place, rubbing her hand and
thinking. ?Gosh, she?s so nice, and pretty, and... How come I thought
that? I mean, she is pretty, really pretty. She is, isn?t she? So
it?s not a bad thing that I thought that... but why do I keep thinking
that? She is nice though, I can?t believe she actually came up and
talked to me!?

Looking down to where she was rubbing her hand, Willow wondered, ?Wow,
her hand was so warm... when she touched me it was... I can still feel
it! Is that strange? I mean, no one?s really touched me like that
before... gosh I kinda feel strange, all... warm and...?

Abandoning that train of thought as it became strangely uncomfortable,
Willow looked around, hoping to see the object of her thoughts. ?Oh, I
hope she comes back. She said she would, and, and why would she say
that if she wasn?t going to? I told her she didn?t have to...? Willow
suddenly felt very sad at the thought of Buffy not coming back. ?I
shouldn?t... I mean she?s got to have better things to do than hang out
with stupid old me. It?s not like she couldn?t find someone more
interesting than me to hang out with... but she said she would...? 

In the middle of these confusing thoughts, she felt a tap on the
shoulder. She looked up and saw a nice looking guy, wearing a jacket
with the sleeves rolled up.  

?Hi there. My name?s Thomas.? He said, a big smile on his face.

?Hi,? Willow replied, her mind suddenly blank.

A small frown suddenly appeared and then disappeared from the guy?s
face. ?Uh, is this seat taken?? he asked, indicating the empty seat
next to her.

Willow looked at the empty seat next to her and thought, ?She probably
isn?t coming back... But, she said she would... I guess it would be rude
of me to not believe her...?

?Uh, yes,? Willow said.

Thomas looked taken aback, he mumbled, ?Oh, ok...? and then walked away.

Willow felt a little sorry for the guy. ?Oh, he looks disappointed. I
guess he really wanted that seat...? and went back to her contemplation.

========== BtVS ==========

Buffy made her way back to the bar and was strangely relieved to see
Willow still sitting there alone. She stopped a moment before Willow
saw her, and just stared. ?That sweater doesn?t do a thing for her.
But the dress is nice; a little conservative, but nice,? she thought.
Moving on from her clothes to her hair, Buffy thought, ?Gosh, it?s so
long... it?s really beautiful, actually- even just straight with a part.
Nothing else, no curls, no bangs, no hairspray, no gel, no anything...
it?s so, so lustrous and shiny...?

The sudden urge to run her fingers through that long, gorgeous hair
snapped her out of her daze. ?No! Bad Buffy! No hair touching- much
too soon for that!?

After chastising herself, Buffy noticed that Willow was contemplating
her hand, looking at it while lost in thought. ?What?s going on in that
head I wonder??  

She realized that Willow was stroking the back of her hand- the one
she?d been touching a few minutes ago. ?Oh, she?s not... she couldn?t
be...? Buffy thought, suddenly excited. ?She wouldn?t be sitting there,
thinking about when I touched her? Not the whole time I was gone, would
she?  

Buffy felt a warm-fuzzy feeling at the thought that Willow might have
been as affected by that single contact as she was herself. ?Enough
looky, go talky now!? she muttered to herself. ?Don?t blow this!?

Willow was still contemplating her hand when Buffy sat down next to her.
She started to look up as she said, ?Oh, that seat?s saved...? but she
stopped when her eyes met Buffy?s.

Buffy raised a single eyebrow. ?Saved? For me, I hope?? she said with
a goofy smile.

Willow?s eyes dropped to Buffy?s mouth and she had a slight grin of her
own as she stared at it.

After a moment, Buffy thought, ?Why is she still staring at my mouth??
She frowned slightly and suddenly Willow?s eyes snapped back up to meet
Buffy?s. Her face started to turn deep red and she stuttered, ?Oh, I...
you... er...?  

Buffy tried not to laugh as Willow got tongue tied. ?Vowel sounds, I
get it!? Buffy thought, understanding what the girl had meant when she
had talked about ?making vowel sounds?.  

?Oh my God, she?s doing what she does when she?s attracted to someone!
She likes me!? Buffy thought excitedly. ?Plus- the blushing thing?
*So* adorable!? 

Buffy?s smile faltered when she remembered the rest of Willow?s
explanation of what happened when she was with a guy she liked, ?Oh no,
there?s the whole ?then I have to leave? part!? 

Seeing Willow?s increased agitation, Buffy reached out and grabbed the
redhead?s hand before she could take off. ?Please don?t,? Buffy said.
?Don?t go, ok?? She felt sick at the thought that Willow would take
off. ?And then when she finds out I?m bi, she?ll never wanna talk to me
again!? she worried.  

Willow seemed extremely skittish, but tentatively said, ?Uh, ok?? and
settled back down into her seat.

Buffy smiled at her, but then suddenly, visions of a certain Watcher, or
worse- Cordelia prowling around- filled her head. ?Need to find
someplace that?s else; quieter and free of watchers and bitches.? She
stood up abruptly and began, ?Uh, Willow??

Willow?s head was hanging and she mumbled, ?Oh, that?s ok, don?t worry
about it,? so quietly that Buffy wouldn?t have heard it without enhanced
hearing.

The apparent non-sequitor threw Buffy for a loop, until she realized
Willow was trying to reclaim her hand, ?Oh my God!? she thought as she
figured it out. ?She thinks I?m bailing!?  

?God, I can?t imagine how much your life must suck,? Buffy suddenly
thought, feeling overwhelming pity for this obviously damaged girl. At
the same time, she became extremely angry, ?That bitch,? she thought,
picturing Cordelia Chase, and anyone else who had helped to tear this
girl down so badly.  

She also felt a momentary pang of shame as the thought, ?She?ll be easy
to win over,? floated through her mind.

========== BtVS ==========

Willow was surprised at the gamut of emotions that ran across Buffy?s
face. She was also confused as to why Buffy wasn?t letting go of her
hand. She tried to ignore it, but she felt warmth creeping up inside
her at the prolonged contact. ?This is wrong! Buffy?s a girl, she?s
not interested in me that way, and why am I even... I?m not interested
in her that way!? she thought, her mind and heart both in turmoil from
this experience.  

?I mean, she?s a girl and I?m a girl and so why did I even think about
that? And how could I be interested... I mean I?m not interested... am
I? And why is she still holding my hand and just looking at me like
that, and why am I suddenly thinking that maybe I wished she was
interested in me like that and how sad is my life that I?m thinking
these things at all...?

Willow was so lost in her internal babbling that she missed what Buffy
said.

?Willow!? Buffy exclaimed, giving her hand a little shake.

?Oh! What?? she asked, confused again still.

Buffy smiled widely and said, ?Ok, I asked you if there was somewhere we
could go. Somewhere that?s else? Where it?s not so loud??

She would have blushed at missing the question, if she wasn?t still
blushing from Buffy holding her hand. ?Oh, I... uh, there?s an, uh
ice-cream bar that?s, uh, not too far...?

Buffy?s smile brightened even further, and she said, ?I like ice cream.?

Willow couldn?t help but smile back. ?Wow, that smile!? she thought,
then she suddenly realized ?Oh, a- a question, and she probably expects
an answer, so I should, uh, answer...? and stuttered, ?Uh, me too. I- I
like ice cream too.?  

?Nice, Rosenberg. Good one! That was about the most inane thing I
could have said right then!? she thought, embarrassed and angry at
herself all over again.

Buffy just continued to smile and said, ?Good!? and began walking toward
the exit, leading the redhead by the hand.

?Wow,? Willow thought in wonder, feeling strangely fluttery and nervous.

========== BtVS ==========

Xander Harris was eagerly strolling toward the Bronze. ?God, I hope
that new girl is there!? he thought, images of the petite blonde running
through his head. ?Ok, sure... there were a couple less than suave
moments today, but she didn?t blow me off... And there was the whole
thing with weird librarian guy... Vampires? Slayer? What?s the up with
that...? More images of Buffy, especially as she was bent over picking
up her stuff in the hall earlier, ran through his mind. ?So she might
be a little... insane,? he thought. ?But, God she is hot!?

When he approached the one and only club in Sunnydale, his heart soared
as he saw the object of his latest fantasies come walking out of the
Bronze. He stopped walking for just a second to savor the sight. ?Mmm,
Buffy. What a total hottie.?  

Suddenly he frowned, ?And she?s holding some guy?s hand. Jeeze, that
was quick! I mean... wait a minute...?

Xander?s eyebrow?s shot up when the identity of the person with Buffy
became evident. ?Ok, not a guy, a girl. A Willow. Ok, that?s cool,
right?? he asked himself rhetorically. ?I mean, girlfriends hold hands
and stuff... Friends that are girls I mean, not the other kind; it?s not
like they?re...?

A new fantasy image began showing in his head and Xander hummed in
appreciation. ?Mmm, Buffy and Willow. Buffy kissing Willow...?

It took him a moment to snap out of it. As he changed his direction to
follow the two girls, he saw another guy step out of the Bronze, look
around and see the girls, and start walking after them. ?Hmm, something
definitely off there,? Xander thought. He started to walk a little
faster.

========== BtVS ==========

Buffy was listening to Willow describe all the different subjects and
stuff that she was going to help Buffy with in order to get her caught
up at school. ?It?s amazing, like a completely different personality.
You sound totally confident when you?re talking about school-work
stuff,? she thought with a smile.

?Which, is, like, totally cool, cause I?m not so good with the learning
and schooling thing. I could help you with, like, social life stuff,
and you can help me with school-life stuff!? Buffy imagined happily.
?Of course, the whole social life thing is gonna be a little tough until
everyone gets over ?us being girlfriends? thing.?  

Buffy blushed as she realized she was getting ahead of herself. ?Whoa
Buffy- it might be good to actually get to the girlfriends thing before
you worry about how people were gonna deal with the girlfriends
thing...? she chastised herself.

Buffy?s thoughts and Willow?s explanation of Plank?s Constant were
suddenly interrupted by an arrogant male voice, ?Well, this is perfect.
Two little lovebirds. You?ll make a nice gift to the Master...

Buffy and Willow turned around, Their hands pulling away from one
another for the first time since they left the Bronze- not that Buffy
had noticed that fact until they actually let go.

?Thomas! W- what do you want?? Willow?s voice sounded nervous.

Buffy took one look at the guy and thought, ?Arrogant, sneering, and who
dresses you?? She immediately concluded, ?Vampire!? and began to move
towards the undead menace, her stomach sinking at the same time her body
began to amp up to face the confrontation.

?Well that?s just great! Here we... hold on, Thomas?? Buffy?s mind
whiplashed back as she realized Willow had called this thing by name.
She felt unreasonably jealous suddenly and turned back toward the
redhead. She raised one eyebrow archly and said, ?Thomas? You know
this guy??

Willow blushed strongly and began to babble, ?Know? No, not know. He...
while you left,? she gestured towards the Bronze. ?Before you came
back... he said he was Thomas, and I told him no, your seat was taken,
?cause, you know... it was... and... ok, shutting up now.? She trailed
off, her voice getting smaller even as her body language was screaming
embarrassment.

?I?m about to get outed as both the Slayer, and as a bisexual, all in
the same night, and all I can think about is how adorable you look right
now!? Buffy couldn?t help but grin at the babbling redhead.  

?You?re so cute when you babble...? Buffy said under her breath as she
turned back to the vampire.

========== BtVS ==========

Xander got close enough to hear what was going on just as Buffy began to
verbally lay into the guy that had followed them. ?Aha!? he thought.
?Here?s my chance to be Debonair Xander- I?ll swoop in and save the
day!?

========== BtVS ==========

?God, could you get anymore obvious? That outfit isn?t just dated, it?s
carbon-dated!? Buffy said contemptuously.

Thomas appeared to be taken aback by the unexpected sartorial assault.

?Hello?! Miami Vice is calling; Sonny Crocket wants his wardrobe back!?
Buffy said, just getting warmed up.  

?This is fun! I get to release my inner bitch, but no guilt for hurting
an actual person.? Buffy mused before landing another strike. ?l mean,
come on! You look like DeBarge!?

At that moment, Xander entered the fray, saying, ?Hello ladies. This
clown bothering you??

It would have been a great line in other circumstances. His delivery
was just right- very smooth, very stylish; just not appropriate in this
particular situation. Instead of fulfilling his apparent fantasy by
welcoming his help, followed by throwing herself into his arms in
appreciation, Buffy yelled at him!

?Xander! Get away from him!? Buffy shouted urgently.

Xander chuckled, apparently oblivious to the danger he was in, and
quipped, ?Oh, I hope he isn?t a vampire! Then you might have to slay
him!?

The joke fell flat when Thomas, apparently deciding the jig was up, put
on his game face and spun around and growled at Xander.

Xander?s face went from smooth amusement to wide-eyed, jaw-dropped
shock. He yelled, ?Gaahh!? and fell back on his butt, looking up at the
demonic visage in terror.

?Seriously, God- could this get any worse?? Buffy growled as she ran up
on the vamp and distracted him with a roundhouse kick to the side of the
head before he could attack Xander.

Her attempt at distraction turned out to be quite successful, as Thomas
was flung across the alley and into a brick wall with a meaty-sounding
smack.

Buffy took a moment to help Xander up and said, ?Find me something wood!
Preferably pointy.?

She had to give points for quick recovery, as he said, ?Where?s your
self-defense stake??

Buffy spared him a glance and said, ?Where am I going to hide a stake in
this outfit??

Xander?s eyes raked up and down her body, taking in the snug tank-top
and short skirt, and his eyes became glazed as he muttered, ?Right,
wood...?

Buffy heard Willow let out a loud ?Eeep!? and spun around to see that
Thomas had climbed back to his feet and was menacing the redhead with
his frightening features.

Before he could take more than a step towards Willow, Buffy was on the
vamp like a frat-boy on a drunk coed. She laid into him with a flurry
of kicks and punches, grunting out as she beat on him, ?Don?t... you...
dare... even... *think*... about... touching... her... you...?

Xander?s voice interrupted, ?Buffy, Here! It?s not pointy, but it?s all
I could find,? he shouted.

Buffy caught the thrown board without even looking. ?Not a problem,?
she said. She used both hands to twist the wood along its length,
loudly shattering it into splintery shards. Taking the biggest
remaining piece, she shoved it neatly through the vamps? unbeating
heart.?

As the guy exploded into dust, Buffy turned around to see both Willow
and Xander?s jaws dropped in shock.

Her eyes locked onto Willow?s wide stare. ?I have a crappy day, then
I?m outed by Cordelia- and now this!? Buffy thought, feeing frustrated
and upset and afraid of the consequences of this little scene. She
furiously brushed the dust off of her hands and turned back to Xander.
?Is there anybody in this town who doesn?t know I?m the Slayer?? she
demanded. ?Was there, uh, a school bulletin or something??

?Thomas is a vampire?? Willow was in a daze.

Xander said, ?Was, Will. I think the operative term is ?was a
vampire?... and I can?t believe I?m having this conversation.? He shook
his head. He turned to Buffy and said, ?I only know that you think
you?re the Slayer. I was in the library today when you and the English
guy were arguing about it.?

Buffy didn?t respond to Xander, she noticed that Willow seemed a little
dazed still and went over to her, ?Willow, are you gonna be ok?? She
took hold of Willow?s hand when the girl didn?t answer. ?Willow??  

There was fear in Buffy?s voice. She pleaded, ?Oh God, please don?t let
this ruin everything! It would?ve been bad enough if she?d found out
later, once we got closer maybe... now she?s gonna have to try and deal
with me being bi, and the Slayer... and- oh yeah, I?ve got a huge crush
on you too, wanna date??

Willow seemed to snap out of whatever she was focused on; she whispered,
?Yeah, I think so.?

?Well, she isn?t pulling away... maybe...? Buffy thought. She asked,
?Willow? I don?t know if you still feel up for ice cream? Or did you
just want me to walk you home...?

?oh please, oh please say ice cream!?

Willow looked into Buffy?s eyes silently for a moment. ?Uh, I don?t
know? Ice cream seems kinda weird after...? she gestured toward where
the vamp was now dust on the asphalt.

The blonde?s smile dimmed; even though she tried not to be hurt by
Willow?s words, her stomach tightened, and she thought ?Dammit! Can?t I
get just one break!??  

Buffy sighed and was about to say, ?ok I?ll take you home,? when Willow
continued, ?But still... ice cream is pretty good under almost any
circumstances...? she half-smiled at her ?savior?.

Buffy?s smile lit up the alley like a floodlight. ?Excellent!? she
said, happily. She then remembered Xander was there with them. ?Oh...
damn. I guess I can?t really be rude, not this early on at least...?
?Xander, do you want to go with??

Xander?s face stretched into a knowing smirk. ?Nah,? he said. ?I?m
gonna see if I can go find Jesse, maybe watch him get shot down by
Cordelia again.?  

Buffy could feel her face squinching into a sour look at the mention of
the über-personable Ms. Chase. She immediately forced a bright smile
onto her face, and said ?Ok, cool.?  

?Thank you Xander!? Buffy thought as happier images drove out the
lingering bitterness against the bitchy cheerleader. ?It?s sweet,
beautiful Willow time!? she thought, turning to the redhead in question.

?Uh, Buffy?? Xander asked.

Buffy wrenched her attention away from Willow once again, saying,
?Yeah??

?Um, could I talk to you privately for just a second before you guys
go?? Xander asked nervously.

Buffy looked at Willow, and saw an unhappy look on her face. She looked
back at Xander, saw the pleading look on his, and decided ?I owe him at
least that much, seeing how he?s letting me have Willow to myself...
and, he is being pretty cool about the whole vampires and slayers,
thing... and I do want to be friends with the guy...? 

?Ok,? she said after a few seconds of convincing herself. She turned to
Willow and said, ?Be right back.?

Xander took her aside just a few meters, and said, ?Three things:?

?Ok, shoot,? Buffy said.

?First, I?ve known Willow since before kindergarten... I?m pretty sure
she?s straight.?

Buffy?s eyes widened as her stomach sank. She had to look away and
dropped her eyes, and muttered, ?God, am I that obvious??

Xander?s voice was teasing as he said, ?Pretty much, yeah.?

Buffy blushed mightily, but thought, ?At least he isn?t freaking out...?

Xander laughed and said, ?I don?t think she?s figured it out yet, if
it?s any consolation.?

?It?s really not.? Buffy muttered, causing Xander to laugh again.

?Look, Maybe tomorrow you can explain more about this vampire thing?? he
asked, changing the subject.

?Yeah, ok. Why don?t you meet us in the library before school? Giles
will probably explain it better than me anyway.? Buffy said.

?And Giles is the librarian guy?? Xander asked.

?Yeah, sorta.? Buffy muttered, still pissed off about the whole thing.
?Dang Watcher person...?

?Ok.? Xander said.

?You said three things,? Buffy reminded him, eager to get back to
Willow.

?Right, number three; I love Willow. She?s my best friend. So...
whatever happens, or doesn?t...? he said, gesturing towards Willow and
back to Buffy. ?If you hurt her, I?ll kill you.?

Buffy suddenly felt a lump in her throat when he said it. ?Aww,? she
said, thinking ?How awesome is it that Willow has a friend like this??
She couldn?t help but hug him, briefly.  

?That?s so sweet, Xander!? she gushed. ?I?ve never been threatened like
that before! Don?t worry- hurting Willow is not on my list of things to
do, in fact- it?s now on my list of things never to do in a million
years!?

Xander seemed bemused by her reaction. ?Well, uh, ok. Just so long as
that?s clear... I guess,? he said. Looking over her shoulder at
Willow, he waved and said, ?Have fun Will! See you in the morning.?  

Buffy, who had already made it halfway back to the redhead, spun around
when she heard Xander quip, ?Don?t do anything I wouldn?t do!? 

?Xander!? she said, outraged.

Xander just laughed and Buffy felt her face flushing even harder.

When she turned back, she saw a very confused redhead looking back and
forth between herself and Xander. 

?What was that about?? Willow asked when Buffy made it to her side.

Buffy rolled her eyes and said, ?I?ll tell you later.? Her voice
betrayed her eagerness as she added, ?Right now there?s some sweet
creamy goodness waiting for us!? 

?Yeah, If I?m lucky... Oh, bad Buffy!? she thought with a giggle as she
once again claimed the redhead?s hand in her own.

========== BtVS ========== 

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