Please read the Disclaimer before continuing to remain in the site or reading the stories. These stories contain adult material with scenes of women loving women. Consider this story to have an R rating. If this is illegal in your state or you are underage, please go to a more appropriate site now.

Disclaimer: I don't own any Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters. No copyright infringement is intended. Original characters are mine.

Pairing: W/T... of course.

Angst Rating: Some angst, less than most of my stories.

Rating: PG 13 for adult themes and W/T goodness.

This is a sequel to the Willow and Tara novel, Unexpected Consequences. If you haven’t read that first, you will be quite lost. It can be accessed at

http://www.quiknet.com/~lcountry/unexpected01.html

By Lisa Countryman

© beginning July 2002

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The room was filled with the sounds that Willow loved to hear. She couldn’t sleep, or rather she knew Megan would wake up so she hadn’t bothered going to sleep, but she didn’t mind. She was resting with her face nestled against Tara’s chest, and that was her favorite place to be. Tara’s arm was draped over Willow’s back. It gave Willow the chance to listen to her lover inhaling deeply and making cute little sighing sounds as she exhaled. Willow smirked. That was the ‘satisfied Tara sigh’ the blonde made in her sleep after being thoroughly pleasured.

A tiny squawk caught Willow’s ear and she carefully untangled from Tara and went to the bassinet. She looked down and smiled at Megan. The infant was making a face of extreme displeasure that could only mean one thing, a dirty diaper. She scooped up the infant and instantly figured out that the current diaper had suffered a major malfunction.

"Oh, my. Someone had a blow out," she whispered as she kissed Megan’s forehead.

Megan grunted, wishing her mommy would just get the nasty diaper off her at once.

Willow started past the bed but stopped when Tara whimpered.

"Will?" Tara was still sleeping, but she could sense her lover’s absence and didn’t like it any more than Megan liked the dirty diaper.

"Shh, darling." Willow leaned over the bed, balancing Megan, and then kissed Tara’s ear. "Shh, I’m here. Sleep, baby."

Tara inhaled and sighed. "Willow…" She grunted, sounding much like Megan and then drifted into a deeper sleep.

Megan kicked her feet, wondering what the hold up was. She had a dirty diaper, and the universe was supposed to deal with these things for her.

"Okay, okay." Willow kept her voice down and she took Megan to the master bathroom. This was no simple wet diaper and Willow needed light and supplies. She flicked on the light and closed the door. Megan squinted her eyes and let out a grunt of disapproval.

"I’m sorry, sweetie. Is that nasty light too bright?" Willow put Megan onto a changing table in the far corner next the sink. It had been a gift from Anya. The former demon wanted a safe place for Tara and Willow to put Megan while they were brushing their teeth or showering. Anya thought they shouldn’t let Megan out of their sight for any reason, lest demons or fairies make off with the child. Both witches found the table incredibly useful in the bathroom when Brianna was little, so it was one of the first pieces of furniture they moved in when Megan was due.

Megan frowned as Willow stripped off her soiled sleeper. That frown turned into a full-blown scowl as Willow cleaned Megan with cold baby-wipes.

"Sorry, honey," Willow said with a chuckle. She made sure the mess was completely gone and then she finished by carefully cleaning each of Megan’s hands. "I know these are cold." She quickly redressed Megan in a fresh sleeper from the supply of clothes under the table and then secured Megan to the table with the safety straps. "Now, you just wait and I’ll clean up, and then you can have your snack, okay?"

Megan squeezed her hands into fists and kicked both feet.

"Temper, temper." Willow chuckled. She was thankful Megan couldn’t yet manage to flip her off, because the child’s expression certainly sent the same message.

A squawk was Megan’s only reply.

Willow slid on a robe from the back of the door and then washed her hands in the sink. After that, she used a steaming cloth to wash her breasts. She had left kisses on every inch of Tara’s body earlier in the night, and they had worked up quite a sweat. Plus, there were certain other body fluids from Tara on various parts of Willow’s body. Willow wanted her breasts to be clean for Megan.

"Oh… you sure have me trained," Willow commented as her milk came down.

Megan’s squawk became more insistent. She didn’t like sitting through the meal preparations.

"Okay, okay, all done." Willow dried herself and then picked up her fussy child.

As soon as Megan’s cheek touched Willow’s breast, the child let out a happy squeak and latched on. Life was good again for the infant. She was clean and dry and had warm milk filling her tummy.

Willow noticed a brown bottle on the counter. She frowned and read the label, quickly seeing that Tara needed another dose of her pain medication. She got a glass of water and one pill, all without Megan ever losing her industrial strength suction attachment.

"Let’s go eat next to mama so she won’t get lonely." Willow kissed her daughter’s face and flicked off the light. As soon as she entered the bedroom, she knew she’d made the right choice.

"Mmm?" Tara was tossing and turning. Willow’s absence set the blonde mage on edge, and despite her injuries, she had rolled over and was reaching across the mattress looking for her soulmate. The pain in her shoulder and leg was secondary to the ache of missing Willow.

"Shh…" Willow put the pill and the water on the dresser and then sat as she balanced Megan. She rubbed Tara’s arm. "I’m right here, baby."

"Willow?" Tara’s eyes opened, but she was disoriented. "Honey?"

"Feeding time," Willow explained.

Tara frowned as sadness filled her. She hated that she couldn’t feed her own child.

"Honey, it won’t be that long," Willow assured her. "As soon as you’re feeling better, you can stop taking these." She leaned over and got the pill from the dresser. "Here." She held the pill between two fingers and balanced Megan with the other arm.

Tara lifted her head and opened her mouth, taking the offered pill directly from Willow’s fingers. Only then did she sit up and take the glass from the dresser. "Thanks," she said after taking several gulps of the chilled water.

"Drink it all," Willow ordered as she sat next to Tara.

"Yes, dear." Tara smirked behind the rim of the glass.

Willow raised an eyebrow. "Nice sucking up," she complimented.

"I do my best." Tara sighed and put the empty glass on the nightstand and reached for the breast pump. She cringed as her stiff shoulder ached.

"Baby, are you okay?" Willow moved closer and leaned down to look into Tara’s eyes.

"Yeah." Tara rolled her eyes. "Stupid shoulder." She struggled to get the breast pump into place.

"Just let me know if you need a hand." Willow leered at Tara’s bare chest.

"As soon as I finished with this, and you finish feeding Megan, I could use a hand." Tara looked down and then lifted her gaze to give Willow a demure smile.

"Only one hand?" Willow shifted Megan to the opposite side.

"A hand, or maybe two." Tara let her hair fall across her face, concealing her expression.

"Hurry up," Willow whispered to Megan.

Tara laughed and leaned against the headboard. She watched as Willow fed their daughter, and each minute that passed, her love for Willow seemed to double.

"You’re staring," Willow said as she ran her hand over Megan’s back.

"Can’t help it." Tara shifted the breast pump to the other side. "You’re so beautiful. Do you know how beautiful you are?"

Willow smiled as she lifted her head and gave Tara an adoring look. "I do. Every time I look into your eyes."

"I think I’m ready for those hands of yours." Tara gave the breast pump a shake. "This thing takes forever."

"Yeah?" Willow looked down and smiled at Megan. She was finished and was now nudging Willow’s nipple to amuse herself. "Well, this little one is finished."

"Is she playing?" Tara asked with a chuckle.

"Yep." Willow smirked. "She is your child, that’s for sure." She lifted Megan to her shoulder. "Get to burping," Willow whispered as she gently patted Megan’s back. "Mommy has plans and they do not involve you staying up all night."

Tara smiled as she finished using the breast pump, but her eyes never left Willow.

"The pump’s done." Willow had a smug smirk. She heard the change in the sound of the pump that signaled Tara’s breasts were empty.

"Hmm?" Tara asked. She was staring at Willow and Megan, unable to take her eyes off them.

"The pump, sweetie." Willow nodded at Tara’s breasts.

"Oh." Tara blushed and pulled the pump away. "I get distracted," she admitted. She smiled as she watched Megan. The infant had dozed off and was sucking her thumb as Willow held her.

"Me too," Willow admitted. She kissed Megan’s forehead. "You wanna hold her before I put her back down?" She crawled closer to Tara.

"Let her sleep." Tara reached out and ran her hand over Megan’s back. "Mama loves you," she whispered as she left a kiss on the top of her sleeping daughter’s head.

Willow treasured the way Tara interacted with their children. She knew Brianna and Megan would always know how much they were cherished. Willow smiled as she took Megan to her bassinet and put her down. Willow knew firsthand how incredible Tara’s love felt.

"Nice view," Tara said wickedly. She was staring as Willow leaned over the bassinet. Willow’s short robe rode up, giving Tara a perfect view of Willow’s shapely behind.

Willow smirked and kissed Megan. "Night, sweetie." She paused, giving Tara plenty of time to enjoy the view. She stood and turned toward the bed. "Sleepy?"

Tara shook her head.

"Hmm?" Willow slipped the robe off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. "Neither am I. What ever shall we do to pass the time?" She tilted her head to one side and rubbed her chin.

"Come closer and I’ll give you a list." Tara pulled the covers back.

"Now you have a list?" Willow crawled under the sheets like a lion tracking a tasty meal, fitting, since she intended to make a meal of her wife.

"An extensive list." Tara nodded. "Detailed even." She studied Willow’s breasts and felt her body awaken. "On your back," she ordered.

Willow raised an eyebrow and continued crawling until she was leaning over Tara. "Not what I had in mind," she whispered. She dipped her head closer and kissed Tara’s neck.

"Oh, that’s nice." Tara smiled and wrapped her uninjured arm around Willow. "Right there." She inhaled as Willow continued her kisses. "Honey, it’s your turn," she said with a whimper. Tara had already had her turn earlier, several times.

Willow lifted her face and met Tara’s eyes. "Honey, remember the thing about you sucking up?" she asked playfully.

Tara nodded and gave Willow a sensual leer. "That’s what I had in mind."

Willow smiled in return, then reined in her wandering mind. "Well, right now, what I want is to love you."

"Again?" Tara’s smile brightened and she ran her hand through Willow’s hair.

"Yep." Willow dipped her head and kissed Tara’s collarbone. "Any complaints?" she asked as she moved her lips to Tara’s breast.

"Nuh uh." Tara groaned and shook her head.

"That’s what I thought," Willow said smugly. She pulled the sheets over her head and moved her attention lower.

Tara laughed throatily.

*****

"Donald?" Caleb asked in the darkened room.

"I’m here, daddy." Donnie was sitting in the chair next to his father’s bed. "Are you in pain?" he asked quietly.

Across the room, Donnie’s wife Marsha sat up.

"Get the doctor," Donnie ordered, ignoring the call button on his father’s bed.

"Did you call her?" Caleb asked weakly.

"Cousin Beth went to get her, daddy." Donnie scowled. He didn’t approve of contacting Tara. In fact, he had insisted that Beth drive across two states to find Tara, saying that a flight was a waste of money they couldn’t afford. With any luck, Beth wouldn’t find Tara in time.

Caleb nodded. "Good," he said with a sigh. He hadn’t seen his daughter in more than a decade. He hadn’t even opened any of the letters she had sent, but now he wanted to make peace before he crossed over to eternity. Pastor Crow said it was God’s way.

"You know what she is, daddy," Donnie whispered angrily.

"Yes, I do," Caleb replied. "She’s my child."

"We don’t need her kind," Donnie insisted.

"I’m afraid we need her more than you know." Caleb coughed weakly and reached for the light switch.

Donnie flicked the light on. "What will Pastor say?" he asked. "You brinin’ her kind here? Especially at a time like this."

"Pastor Crow is the one who convinced me to call her." Caleb sighed and looked around the room. He was more lucid in the evenings for some reason. He’d wake up energized and could talk with less effort than during the day.

"But Pastor Crow knows about her!" Donnie was shocked. Pastor Crow had helped when Donnie’s mother let her magic out. Pastor Crow had helped contain things. He helped keep Donnie’s mother in her place.

"Yes, Donald, he does. He knows the lord’s way. He says I need to see her." Caleb looked at the door. Some part of him was looking forward to seeing Tara, even if she was a doomed sinner.

"She’s living in sin!" Donnie yelled.

"We don’t know that she’s still … that way." Caleb cleared his throat. "Besides, I need my little girl right now."

Donnie’s eyes flashed with jealousy. "Pastor Crow really said you should call her?" he asked.

"He insisted." Caleb was tiring. He had spoken more in the past few minutes than he had in days. "I wasn’t too sure I should do it, but he is a man of the cloth."

"Well, if Pastor says so…" Donnie nodded. Pastor Crow was an elder in their church. He had recently returned from another parish after a long absence. He had been the Pastor when Donnie had been young boy. Pastor Crow left a few months after Donnie’s mother died, but now the elderly man was back, and just in time. The congregation had fallen to modern ways. Some members attended church even though they were living in sin. It was an affront to God, and Donnie was thrilled when Pastor Crow put an immediate stop to it. Couples who didn’t marry were excommunicated, as it should be.

"He’s putting our flock back on the path." Caleb closed his eyes. Their church had been growing too liberal, but with Pastor Crow’s return, the old ways were coming back.

"Yeah." Donnie smiled. He leaned back into his chair and smiled. With Pastor Crow back, things would return to the way they should be, and Donnie would make sure of that. He was already sitting in his father’s seat on the church board, and once his father passed away, Donnie would hold the seat in his own name. Sinners like Tara would not be tolerated. He frowned and looked down at his father. "She might not even come, daddy," Donnie said.

"She’ll come," Caleb said. He let out a sad sigh, as if that bit of news wasn’t exactly what he wanted.

"If you don’t want her here, daddy, why are you lettin’ cousin Beth go after her?" Donnie tilted his head to one side.

"Pastor Crow says it’s the only way," Caleb said sadly.

"The only way for what?" Donnie challenged.

"He says I have to let go of the anger in my heart if I ever want to beat this sickness." Caleb looked up at Donnie and smiled.

Donnie looked at his father skeptically. The doctors had made it perfectly clear Caleb would not recover. "Whatever you say, daddy," Donnie said with a sigh. He couldn’t imagine how accepting his evil, sinful sister would help his father.

*****

Bre’s room was mostly dark, but the sky outside her window was beginning to lighten. The inky black of night was slowly giving way to indigo, and the subtle shift in color was enough to alert Bre to the coming morning. The young guardian was groggy, but years of waking with the sun had her body trained to wake up with the sun. Bre’s right shoulder ached, but the left shoulder felt heavy and warm. Bre inhaled and twisted her face to the left and instantly recognized the scent of Dawn’s shampoo.

Bre’s eyes shot open and she almost let out a squeak.

Dawn was sleeping soundly, using one side of Bre’s pillow. Her arm was slung across Bre’s belly.

Bre bit her lip and studied her best friend, remembering the previous night. Dawn had suggested watching a DVD of an old movie, and it quickly became an impromptu slumber party, complete with popcorn and chocolate. Of course, Dawn swore Bre to secrecy, because chocolate and popcorn were not on any hospital diet.

"Mmm?" Dawn sighed and snuggled closer. Her hand inched higher on Bre’s belly until she rested it just under the guardian’s breast.

They had decided to share the bed as they watched Young Frankenstien, and apparently they had both dozed off.

Bre swallowed hard. She wondered what the protocol was when your best friend, who you were in love with, was very close to copping a feel … in her sleep. It wasn’t like Bre could grab Dawn’s hand. Dawn was pinning Bre’s good arm down with her body, and Bre couldn’t even lift her right arm. ‘Maybe she’ll just leave her hand where it is,’ Bre hoped.

Dawn smacked her lips and nuzzled Bre’s shoulder … and then moved her hand up and onto Bre’s breast. "Hmm." Dawn sighed happily and fondled Bre’s breast.

"Dawn?" Bre’s voice came out sounding more like a startled hawk than a trained warrior. "Dawn, wake up," she said frantically.

"Whu? Huh?" Dawn continued playing with Bre’s breast, only now her thumb wandered over and found the nipple.

"Dawn!" Bre was in full panic mode. "Doctor Summers!" she tried desperately.

"I’m up!" Dawn’s eyes snapped open and she sat halfway up, leaving her hand in place on the warm mound of flesh. "I’m up." She quickly scanned the room, realizing where she was. She looked at Bre and then her gaze drifted down a few inches. Dawn’s eyes widened as soon as she realized where her hand was and what it was doing. Her thumb was still happily circling the pebbled nipple. "Ack!" Dawn rolled off the bed and promptly fell flat on her butt.

Bre began to giggle uncontrollably.

Dawn’s face peered over the side of the bed. She was not amused, which only made matters worse.

"Oh, goddess." Bre snorted and bent forward, laughing so hard she almost wet the bed. Her shoulder ached, but she couldn’t ignore the shocked look on Dawn’s face.

Dawn slowly stood. She looked down at her hand as if it were possessed. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I so did not mean to do that."

"You always toss in a free breast exam with the overnight observation?" Bre joked. She hated seeing Dawn uncomfortable and she knew that joking was the best way to break the tension.

Dawn smiled and blushed deeply. "That was the deluxe version of the observation." She stood and rubbed her butt. "Ouch."

"You okay?" Bre asked sincerely.

"Yeah. Stupid tile," Dawn grumbled. She tilted her head to one side. "How are you feeling?" She hurried around the bed and began poking and prodding the bandages over Bre’s wound.

"A little sore," Bre said honestly. "But I slept really well." She blushed at the admission. "Thanks for staying."

"That’s what best friends are for." Dawn took Bre’s hand and held it, gently running her thumb over the back of the guardian’s fingers. She looked down and realized that her thumb once again had a mind of its own. She jerked her hand back and crossed her arms over her chest.

"And feeling me up?" Bre joked. She reached for a glass of water, but Dawn grabbed it first.

Dawn blushed brightly, and her entire face felt hot. As soon as she gave Bre the water, Dawn dropped her head and sighed. "I’m never going to live that down, am I?"

"Nope," Bre said with a huge grin. "I never knew you played for my team," she added, hoping the familiar banter would help break the tension. She took a long drink of the cool water. Her medication made her mouth dry.

"Who said I have to pick one team?" Dawn lifted her face and smiled suggestively.

Bre coughed and sent a shower of water out her nose and across the bed. She continued coughing as she nearly choked. "Dawn!" She stared at her best friend in shock.

"What?" Dawn asked innocently. She smiled and giggled. "You should see your face."

Bre wiped the water from her nose and then stared at Dawn.

"Would that be a bad thing?" Dawn asked hesitantly. She was about to panic.

"Um, uh, no." Bre studied Dawn and wondered if her best friend was still teasing her. "So … do you? Ya’ know, play for both teams?"

"I’ve only gone to bat for one," Dawn said nervously. "So far…" she added in a whispered. ‘There. I said it,’ Dawn thought with a gulp.

Dozens of thoughts raced through Bre’s mind. Most were fantasies of dating Dawn, but one thought overwhelmed even the most pleasant possibilities. ‘Dawn likes women? Then why doesn’t she want me?’ Bre wondered.

The door swung open and Buffy hurried into the room with a plate of donuts. "Hey, you’re up!" She smiled and went to the side of the bed and sat near Bre’s feet. "So, whatcha talkin’ about?"

Dawn’s eyes widened.

"Baseball," Bre said. She glanced at Dawn. They needed to talk, and they needed to talk soon.

"Oh…" Buffy scowled.

"I’m kidding," Bre said. She nodded at the donuts. "Are those for me?"

"I don’t know." Buffy smiled and held the donuts out of Bre’s reach. "Doctor Dawnie, are donuts on the approved diet?"

"One," Dawn said cautiously.

"Dawn," Bre whined, managing to make her friend’s name have two syllables.

Dawn folded her arms over her chest.

"She’s the doc," Buffy said. "She knows how to take care of you."

Dawn blushed as her mind drifted to possible ways to take care of Bre.

"So, did you finish that movie last night?" Buffy gave Bre a donut and then grabbed the remote and turned on the television. "I love the hermit. Did you get past the hermit?" She switched the DVD player on and turned toward the screen. "Maybe we can watch it again? I’m not used to sleeping all night, so I’m wide awake with nothing to do."

"Sure." Dawn sighed. "Why not?" She glanced at Bre, then looked away. She wasn’t sure she’d have the nerve to bring up their earlier conversation again.

*****

The sun was rising over the horizon as Willow finished feeding Megan. She and Tara had spent most of the night making love. They had managed to get a two-hour nap between feedings and now Willow wanted more of Tara’s treasures. She smiled as she watched Tara still struggling with the breast pump. It amazed Willow that Megan could finish eating before the mechanical pump could perform the same task with Tara. Megan seemed to eat twice as fast as the pump.

As soon as Tara finished her task, she looked over at Willow and held out both arms. Even though she couldn’t feed Megan, she could at least burp her.

"Here," Willow said with a smirk. She handed their child to Tara and watched as Megan cooed happily.

"That’s my baby girl," Tara said as she patted the infant’s back. After a moment, Megan let out a loud belch. "Wow, such a big noise from such a little girl." She smiled contentedly.

"She gets that from you," Willow pointed out.

Tara raised both eyebrows and looked over at Willow.

"Okay, so maybe she gets it from Anya." Willow smiled mischievously.

"Oh?" Tara narrowed her eyes, pretending to be jealous.

"Yeah, a few days around Anya will ruin anyone’s manners," Willow said innocently.

"That better be what you meant," Tara said playfully. She shifted Megan in her arms, away from her tender shoulder, and studied her child.

Megan looked enough like Brianna to be a twin instead of a younger sister. Megan yawned and then sucked happily on one fist. All was perfect in Megan’s world.

"Were we ever that easily satisfied?" Tara asked.

"Well, you were a few hours ago," Willow reminded her lover.

Tara only smiled.

As soon as Megan went to sleep, they put her back in her bassinet and then the two witches went to bed and cuddled. Neither was ready to go back to sleep. They were just about to begin a forth round of making up when they heard a tapping on the door. They recognized it at once.

"Brianna?" Tara called out. She held Willow’s hand at her waist, stopping its journey lower.

The door handle turned and then there was a hesitant voice on the other side of the door. "Mama? Mommy?" Brianna wasn’t used to finding the door locked, in fact, there hadn’t even been a lock until the previous day. Willow had it installed so Tara would never have to suffer through an interruption again.

Willow hopped out of bed and quickly slipped into a nightgown, then tossed one to Tara. "Just a minute, honey." She opened the door to an incredibly insulted young child.

Brianna stood with both arms folded over her chest and she had a world class pout on her tiny lips.

"Oh, sweetie, I had the lock put on so no one can walk in without knocking." Willow fought the urge to giggle. Brianna’s expression was the prefect blend of Tara’s frustrated frown and Willow’s own angrily crinkled eyebrows.

"But I knocked," Brianna said indignantly. "I always knock!" she insisted with a stomp.

"I know." Willow knelt and ran her hand through Brianna’s hair. "But not everyone remembers as well as you do."

Brianna bit her lip as her mind quickly processed her mother’s comment. "You mean grandma," she deduced.

"Yep." Willow ruffled Brianna’s hair.

"Grandma’s gone," Brianna pointed out. She was taking the locked door personally.

"Come on, sweetie." Willow led Brianna to the bed and boosted her up.

"You okay, mama?" Brianna was afraid to move closer to Tara.

"I’d feel better if I had my baby girl in my arms," Tara explained. She lifted the covers and Brianna quickly scooted under them.

"You have a…" Brianna stared at Tara’s bruised shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

"It’s okay." Tara guided Brianna closer. "You can cuddle on this side," she said with a smile.

Brianna curled up next to Tara and sighed happily. She rested her cheek on Tara’s shoulder, smiling contentedly.

"Well, doesn’t that just look cozy," Willow said as she climbed into the bed next Brianna. She snuggled her daughter from behind.

"Mommy!" Brianna giggled. "You’re cold."

"She always does that," Tara said as she pulled Brianna closer. "She gets up during the night and wanders around and gets into bed when she’s freezing cold." She kissed Brianna’s forehead. "And she expects me to warm her up."

Brianna giggled.

"That is one of your duties," Willow said. She reached her chilled hand over and snuck it under the bottom of Tara’s nightgown and teased her wife’s leg.

"Willow!" Tara snorted and used her right hand to gently swat away the offending fingers. Her arm felt better after a night’s rest, though there hadn’t been much actual rest involved. Being with Willow had been just the prescription Tara needed.

"Fine, make me freeze." Willow moved her hand away from Tara and quickly snuck it under Brianna’s top and rested her icy palm on her daughter’s back.

Brianna squirmed, but she wasn’t as involved with the horseplay as she usually was.

"Are you okay?" Willow asked. She moved her hand and rested it on top of Brianna’s shirt, smoothing it into place.

Brianna bit her lip and sat up. Her face was just as expressive as Tara’s was. She looked up at Willow.

"What is it, honey?" Willow asked as caressed Brianna’s cheek.

Brianna’s lips began to shake, which generally meant she was about to cry.

"Hey…" Willow pulled Brianna onto her lap and hugged her. "You can tell us anything."

"Mommy, is your bedroom just for Megan now?" Brianna asked.

The sorrow in her voice almost brought tears to Willow’s eyes. She and Tara had discussed the possibility that the new baby might bring up some jealousy issues for Brianna, but Willow had never considered the thought that Brianna might actually worry she wasn’t loved anymore.

Tara could not see her child’s pain without responding. "Honey, that’s not it." She sat up despite her pain and hugged Brianna, squishing the little girl between her two mothers. "The only reason Megan is in here and you were locked out is because she’s still little. She sleeps next to us until she’s a big girl like you."

Brianna sniffled as tears slid down her cheeks. She snuggled against Willow’s chest.

"Mommy and I locked the door so no one would come in while we were having our mommy adult time." Tara kissed Brianna’s head.

"But Megan’s not a adult," Brianna pointed out.

"No, Megan isn’t an adult." Tara rubbed Brianna’s back. "But we need her close by so we can take care of her." She kissed Brianna’s cheek. "Just like we did with you when you were little."

Willow was too shocked to speak. She was doing her best not to cry right along with Brianna. The thought that her child felt abandoned was too much for her to remain silent. "Brianna, we love you so much," she said adamantly. "Please don’t ever doubt that. Mama and I love you more than anything."

"But you have Megan now," Brianna said as she pulled back. "And she’s cute and little and you can hold her … and she’s little," she repeated, as if that would make Megan the perfect child.

"Honey, you will always be my baby girl," Tara said as she hugged Brianna again. "Even when you’re a big girl, when you’re an adult, when you’re an old lady, you’ll still be my baby girl."

Brianna furrowed her brow and turned toward Tara. "If I’m an old lady like Mistress Brent, how can I be your baby girl?"

Tara briefly met Willow’s eyes and the redhead scooped Brianna up and moved her to Tara’s lap.

"That’s easy." Tara smiled and looked down at her daughter. "Because, my darling, I will always be your mama. We will always be your mothers." She smiled at Willow and then pressed a kiss to Brianna’s forehead. "And our hearts will always hold you."

"But now it has to hold me and Megan," Brianna said logically. "Like fractions." She looked over at Willow for an answer. Willow had already been teaching Brianna fractions, despite the fact she was only about to enter kindergarten. "There’s two of us, so that means we each get half." She had spent a great deal of time thinking about the situation.

"That’s not the way love works." Tara could tell that Willow was overwhelmed, so she decided to take charge. "Brianna, love isn’t like anything else in the whole world. It can’t be divided up."

"What do you mean?" the curious child asked.

Willow’s mind was logical, just like Brianna’s. They both needed concrete examples. "Brianna?" Willow rubbed her worried child’s back. "Do you love Emily?" she asked.

"Yeah." Brianna smiled at the mention of the elderly mage.

"When you started loving Emily, did you love Brent, or mama, or me any less?" Willow asked.

Brianna furrowed her brow as she processed Willow’s question. "No…" She tilted her head to one side and then her entire face lit up. "I didn’t!" She spun in Tara’s arms and beamed at Willow.

Willow smiled back at her daughter. "And does having a baby sister make you love me and mama any less?" she asked with a smirk. In Willow’s mind, if one example was good, then two was better.

"Nu uh." Brianna shook her head.

"Every person we bring into our family adds more love," Tara explained. "Your baby sister just makes our hearts that much bigger. Love is the greatest magic there is." Tara eased Brianna back so she was resting against the injured arm. She held her, much like she had when Brianna had been an infant, only now her daughter covered all of Tara’s lap and filled Willow’s as well. "Let’s say you have a pie, and your mommy and I give it to you."

Brianna nodded, giving Tara her complete attention.

"Now let’s say we have that same pie and we want to give it to you and Megan." Tara smiled and tapped Brianna’s nose. "What would happen to the pie?"

Brianna bit her lip, giving it some thought, and then smiled up at Tara. "Megan’s too little for pie. She can’t eat it, so I could have the whole thing."

Willow chuckled and wrapped her hands around Brianna’s feet. She was cradling Brianna’s legs in her lap and she was utterly charmed by her child’s logical mind. "Let’s say Megan is big enough to like pie," she suggested.

"Then … I guess we’d have to share it," Brianna deduced. "And we could each have half." She smiled at Willow. "But that’s still a lot of pie," she pointed out.

"But that isn’t how love works," Tara whispered into Brianna’s ear. "It’s magic." Her eyes sparkled. "Love is the only thing in the whole world that the more you give away, the more you have."

Brianna’s eyes widened. She looked at Willow for verification.

Willow nodded sagely.

"How?" Brianna asked. She wiggled and looked back into Tara’s eyes.

"If our love were a pie, you and Megan would both get an entire pie." Tara squeezed Brianna and leaned closer. "You each get all of our love."

"Really?" Brianna’s voice was full of wonder. She studied Tara, in awe of her mama who seemed to know everything.

"Oh, yes," Tara assured her. Her arm ached, but the joy of holding Brianna outweighed any discomfort. "The more people you give your love to, the more love the goddess gives you."

"So…" Brianna chewed her lip and her eyes shifted upwards as she followed that idea to its logical conclusion. "Oh! If we have like ten babies, we can have lots of love." She looked to Willow expectantly. "Can we have ten more babies? Can we? Please, mommy."

Willow squirmed. "Um … I think ten is a pretty tall order," she said nervously.

"Why not?" Brianna already loved her baby sister and the idea that she could love ten more was too wonderful to give up, but she had one thing to clear up first. "Can you really love us both, and more babies?" She wanted to clarify that before convincing her mothers to give her more sisters.

"Hey," Willow leaned over Brianna, gently pressing her forehead to her daughter’s. "Do you really love both your mama and I?" She pulled back a few inches.

Brianna nodded.

"Do you love your mama more than me or differently?" Willow gave a kiss Brianna a quick kiss on the cheek.

Brianna smiled and shook her head.

"See?" Willow asked with a crooked smirk. "Loving both of us doesn’t mean you have less love for each of us." She looked into her child’s blue eyes. "It means there’s more love," she promised.

Brianna considered her mother’s words. She chewed her lip again, and then her entire face lit up. "It really is magic!" She looked down at Willow’s belly. The redhead hadn’t yet lost her pregnancy weight, so she still had a slightly rounded tummy. "When can we have more babies?" she asked excitedly. "I want lots more love. Tons. And lots and lots of babies." She smiled. "Now, please."

"Well, honey, we wanna give Megan a chance to be the only baby for a while," Willow said with a sad smile. "And you can learn to be the best big sister possible."

Brianna frowned. That was not the answer she was looking for.

"But we do want another baby someday," Tara assured Brianna. "In a couple of years."

Brianna’s frown deepened.

"Do you want another baby sister right now?" Willow asked.

Brianna’s brow crinkled and she slowly shook her head. "I don’t want another sister," she said after a moment.

"Oh…" Willow swallowed hard and looked into Tara’s eyes. She could tell that her lover was just as stymied. They hadn’t considered that Brianna might want a brother for a sibling, and that was something they couldn’t offer her. They couldn’t have a son, not without using a sperm donor, and neither wanted to do that. Since they were lucky enough to have magic to create their family, they wanted to use it. They loved the idea of mingling their DNA and seeing each other reflected in the faces of their children. Certainly, they could love any child, but they preferred using the gifts the goddess offered.

"Honey, your mommy and I can’t give you a brother," Tara said gently.

"Ew!" Brianna said, clearly disgusted. "Brothers are gross."

Willow was thoroughly confused. She looked at Tara and saw that her lover wore a matching, perplexed expression.

"Annie has a brother and he’s gross," Brianna said. "He eats mud." She rolled her eyes.

"Wow, that is kinda’ gross," Willow agreed. "But, well, honey, if you don’t want a sister, and you don’t want a brother, that doesn’t leave any other choices." She tilted her head and wondered if Brianna thought they could give her an aunt or uncle.

"Well, what do you want?" Tara asked.

Brianna smiled brightly and rested her hands on Willow’s tummy. "The next time we have a baby, can we have a kitten? A girl kitten," she quickly clarified.

Tara let out a bark of laughter.

Willow giggled, then cleared her throat. "Sweetie, that is not going to happen."

Brianna scowled, clearly offended. "Why not?

"Only a mama kitty can have a kitten," Tara explained as she rocked Brianna in her arms.

"But a kitten is way better than a brother or a sister," Brianna whined.

Willow and Tara exchanged amused glances, doing their best not to laugh.

"Sisters are pretty special," Willow suggested.

"I know, but Annie has a brother, and he eats mud and she has a kitten and it follows her everywhere and sleeps in her bed and it loves her." Brianna had Willow’s ability to babble. "It has fur and he’s soft and he has a pink nose that’s not runny at all and he gives kitty kisses, but they’re really licks, and he’s really cute and I love the kitten and he follows her. He follows her everywhere," she added again as she sat up.

"Someday Megan will follow you around, and I’m sure she already loves you," Tara said.

"But mama…" Brianna spun and faced Tara. "Annie got her kitten a month ago. A month! And we’ve had Megan almost that long and she doesn’t follow me yet."

"She has to get bigger, darling." Tara cupped Brianna’s chin in her palm. "Give her time." She smiled warmly. "You were her size once, baby girl."

"But mama, Annie’s kitten is tiny and he already follows her everywhere, and he sleeps with her, and he lets her hold him and he plays with string, and chases a little ball." She frowned, seeing that she was not making any progress. "And he can hold his head up," she added, as if that would be a key kitten selling point.

"I’m sure it’s a lovely kitten," Willow said as she scooted up and rested her back against the headboard. "Unfortunately, your mama and I can’t just hatch one for you." She draped her arm over Tara’s shoulder, scooting closer so she was pressing against her wife and their daughter.

Brianna’s eyes lit up and she turned to Willow. "We can get one at the pet store," she suggested logically. "Like Annie did."

Tara bit her lip as she smiled. She glanced down at Brianna and then looked over and met Willow’s gaze. It was obvious Brianna was using a well thought out plan to work the system. "Honey, I don’t think now is the best time for us to get a kitten," Tara said.

"But, mama." Brianna turned and gave Tara her most pitiful pout. "You and mommy get to carry Megan around and hold her, but I don’t get to," she argued. "If I had a kitten, I could put it in my room and it could sleep with me and I could hold it and it could be a little orange kitty with stripes and I could name it Flame." She looked sincerely into Tara’s eyes before adding, "Like Brigit’s flame, for the goddess."

Willow smirked and wondered if Brianna was meant to be the Imbolc mage or the ‘Imbolc attorney.’

"And I could lock it in my room like you and mommy do with Megan in your room." Brianna folded her arms over her chest. "And take care of it ‘til it gets big."

"I see you’ve thought this all out," Tara said with a tolerant smile. She looked over at Willow and met her soulmate’s green eyes.

"Well, not with the lock, but, ya’ know, so, um … can I get a kitten?" Brianna crinkled her brow and chewed her lip. She looked like Willow waiting to hear if she’d gotten an A or an A+ on her finals.

"No pouting." Tara snickered.

Willow had a huge grin, enjoying the conversation. She met Tara’s gaze and mouthed, ‘I love you.’

Tara felt like her entire body was warmed from within. This was what she needed. Spending time with her wife and children was all the medicine her battered body needed. "We’ll think about it," Tara said neutrally.

"Right now is not the best time to bring a new pet into the house," Willow added. She rested her chin on Tara’s shoulder and wrapped one hand around Brianna while keeping the other around Tara.

"But mommy, I need a kitten." She gave Willow heartbreaking look. "So I can have more love."

"You have Dylan," Willow reminded her stubborn daughter. "How many little girls are lucky enough to have a beautiful horse? He carries you around." Willow sighed and gave Brianna a pensive look. "A kitten can’t carry you around," she said logically. She was trying to shift Brianna’s focus. The young child could be extremely single-minded when she wanted something.

"Well … I could ride a kitten, when it got bigger." Brianna scrunched her forehead as she imagined how big the kitten might grow.

Tara cleared her throat. "Honey, even if we get you a kitten, you are not going to ride it," she said. "You’d squish it."

"Oh," Brianna said in a defeated tone. She had hoped that tactic would work. "But, it could follow me everywhere," she reminded Tara.

"You have Dylan. He loves you." Tara ran her fingers through Brianna’s hair as the young girl frowned.

Brianna’s brows knitted together as she considered tactics. A small smirk tilted up the edges of her lips as she looked up at Tara. "Dylan is like my kitten?" she asked.

"Yep," Willow answered before Tara could. "A big ol’ kitten with horseshoes."

"Okay…" Brianna’s smirk widened into a triumphant smile. "Then I want him to sleep in my bed."

Tara let out a snort as she burst into a fit of giggles. She covered her mouth and coughed. "Sweetie, that’s not gonna happen," she assured Brianna.

"But if he’s just like a kitten, he can come in the house and we can get a really big litterbox…" Her eyes lit up. "Annie’s kitten uses a litterbox, and he uses it all by himself and he doesn’t have to wear a diaper … and he can hold his head up," she added again, just to be sure her mothers understood the kitten with it’s superior neck was much better than a sister.

"I’m sure the kitten holds its head up," Tara said tolerantly. "And I’m sure his litterbox is amazing, but we are not having a 1,000 pound horse in our house."

"Even if he does use a litterbox," Willow added. She didn’t laugh, though she really wanted to. "And Dylan is not sleeping in your bed."

"Then it’s not the same," Brianna said primly. "I have to sleep alone."

Willow leaned down and kissed the top of Brianna’s head. "You’re not getting a kitten. Sorry." She added another kiss and then climbed out of bed and scooped Megan out of her bassinet and climbed back into bed. "But you can hold your sister," she whispered.

Brianna wiggled excitedly. She wanted a kitten, but she wasn’t going to pass up a chance to hold Megan. She carefully balanced her sleeping sister in her lap and rubbed her chin over Megan’s hair. "She’s soft," she whispered. "But not softer than a kitten," she quickly added.

*****

By mid morning, storms were brewing in the sky and at each end of the sanctuary; they just hadn’t hit yet.

Buffy sat next to Bre’s bed enjoying the movie while Dawn talked with Doctor Bailey about Bre’s condition. Bre watched her best friend and worried. She worried that Dawn was in fact bisexual. That was good, but if Dawn was bisexual, that meant that she liked women. It was just Bre she wasn’t interested in dating.

Buffy sat in a chair next to Bre’s bed and watched the movie, oblivious to the trouble escalating in the room around her.

Dawn talked with Doctor Bailey, and went over Bre’s chart in detail. They had no way of knowing that Bre’s doubts were her biggest threat.

Bre stared at the screen, but she didn’t really see the actors. She was thinking about what she had just learned, and what it meant. Dawn was bisexual, and she had kept it a secret. There was only one reason Bre could think of to explain the secrecy. She looked at Dawn and sighed. ‘Did she really think I’d hit on her?’ she wondered as she studied her best friend. She looked back at the television screen, brokenhearted. ‘Of course she did. I’m in love with her.’ She stole one more glance at Dawn. ‘Don’t worry, Dawnie. I won’t screw up what we have. I swear, by Brigit, I will never try to hit on you.’ It didn’t matter that the promise hadn’t been witnessed, or even spoken outloud. It was a sacred oath, in Brigit’s name, and Bre would die before breaking her vow to her goddess.

Across the sanctuary, Willow and Tara made breakfast for Brianna and then gave her a bath. As soon as Brianna was presentable, they sent her to spend the morning with Ceri. Willow and Tara needed to talk, and for that, they needed privacy. Unfortunately, Brianna was a typical five-year-old and she had her own agenda, an agenda that would inadvertently end in heartache.

Bre looked up when the door to her room opened. She smiled brightly. "Look who’s here."

"Hi." Brianna squirmed out of Ceri’s arms and ran to the side of the bed. "Your arm is better." She ran her hand over the low rail as she studied Bre’s strong, bright aura. She frowned when she saw bits of darkness. "Are you sad?" she asked.

"I’m doing fine, Miss Brianna." Bre hoped Brianna would stop her running commentary.

Ceri cleared her throat. She could tell the young child was busy reading Bre’s aura, and she knew Willow and Tara would not approve.

"Hey, Embrianna." Buffy held out her arms.

Brianna smiled shyly and climbed onto Buffy’s lap.

"She’s doing great," Buffy said as she squeezed Brianna. "She’ll be playing lacrosse in no time."

"No she won’t!" Dawn spun and glared at Buffy. "She’ll be taking it easy for several weeks and then she’ll go back to lacrosse slowly."

Bre rolled her eyes and groaned.

"She sounds like mama," Brianna whispered. "She won’t let mommy do anything since Megan got here." Her lips pursed. "Cuz mommy got hurt," she explained in a whisper.

"I know, sweetie." Buffy kissed Brianna’s temple. "But she’s fine now."

"Her tummy still hurts," Brianna said quietly.

"Do you need anything?" Ceri asked, wanting to intercede before any more private information came out. She moved next to Buffy and ran her hand through Brianna’s hair.

Brianna’s bit her lip and looked up with a guilty expression.

"Well, I was gonna ask for my lacrosse gear so I could clean it," Bre said with an exaggerated sigh. "But since Dawn is being Doctor Hardas—" She glanced at Brianna and then back to Dawn. "Doctor Hardnose, I guess I won’t need my gear."

"I have a new stick!" Brianna said excitedly. "It’s just my size and mama says I can use it every day after I do my chores."

"Wow," Bre said. She knew about the miniature stick, in fact, she had helped Tara order it. "I’ll bet it’s beautiful."

"It looks just like yours," Brianna continued.

"Wow." Dawn came back to the bed and leaned against the headboard.

"You wanna’ see it?" Brianna asked. "I could get it." She wiggled excitedly.

"Well, sure," Bre said. She could see how excited Brianna was.

"You got this stick on you?" Buffy tickled Brianna’s sides.

"No. It’s in the shed with the team stuff," Brianna said proudly.

"I see." Buffy nodded. "Want me to take you?"

Ceri shifted her weight. "I’ll go," she said firmly.

"You haven’t got to spend any time with Bre yet," Dawn said. "I’m sure you big warrior types need to talk, or smack each other around or something. I’ll go with Buffy and you two can talk."

"I can’t leave Miss Brianna," Ceri said quickly.

"Okay, one, we’re on sanctuary grounds," Dawn said.

Buffy cleared her throat.

"I’m getting there," Dawn said impatiently. "And two, Buffy is the Slayer. She can take care of Brianna."

"Excuse me? I get second billing now?" Buffy asked indignantly.

"Hush," Dawn ordered.

"I don’t know," Ceri said slowly. She was still reeling from Tara’s hurtful words.

"Okay, now you have to stay," Dawn insisted. "I am not going to let you mope around feeling like a warrior screw up."

"Hey!" Ceri glared at Dawn. "I’m in charge of Miss Brianna. Just stay out of it."

Bre smiled and looked down at the bed. She knew those simple words sealed Ceri’s fate. Dawn would not back down now.

"Stay out of it?" Dawn’s voice rose to a high pitched whine. She took a deep breath and moved toward Ceri.

After five minutes of lectures, Ceri relented. She agreed to let the two sisters take Brianna directly to the equipment room, but only after Buffy swore to be on her most Slayery behavior.

As soon as Buffy and Dawn left, Ceri sat next to Bre and leaned forward. "How do you feel?" she asked quietly.

"Fine," Bre said with a smile.

"You did well," Ceri said proudly. "You kept Brigan safe and you stopped two of the Keeper’s men."

"I killed them," Bre whispered.

"I know." Ceri took Bre’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. "I’ve been where you are." She waited until Bre looked into her eyes. "The hurt will fade. Right now you have to focus on the big picture. You made sure Lady Tara and Lady Willow are safe, and so are their children. That is your goddess given duty."

Bre nodded. "It still hurts," she whispered. "The goddess hates waste, and this whole thing was a waste." She looked away, studying the far wall.

"Bre, as soon as those men decided to come to our sanctuary, they sealed their fate." She tugged Bre’s hand and waited until her friend turned back toward her. "They knew the deal. They cannot be anywhere near Lady Tara or her family. Hanging out in our canyon violates the agreement."

"And that meant death." Bre let out a long sigh.

"Yes," Ceri said firmly. "And they knew it when they decided to come."

Bre nodded. She tried to smile. "So, have you seen Miss Brianna’s new stick?"

Ceri laughed. "It’s adorable."

Bre smiled and hoped Brianna didn’t run Buffy and Dawn ragged.

Brianna frowned as they neared the equipment shed. She realized that her lacrosse stick was not at the equipment shed at all. She remembered her mama bringing it home so she could paint the handle. Brianna slowed her pace, not sure what to do. She knew her mothers needed their mommy alone time, but she really wanted to show Bre her new lacrosse stick.

"You getting tired?" Dawn asked. She ran her hand over Brianna’s shoulder. "Cuz if you are, Aunt Fluffy can carry you."

"Gee, thanks," Buffy said with a snort.

"Well, hello? Slayer … doctor … which one of us has heavy lifting in their job description?" Dawn smiled down at Brianna. "You want Fluffy to carry you?"

Brianna shook her head.

"Why so quiet, squirt?" Buffy scooped up the young girl. "You’re light as a feather. I can carry you. I have big muscles."

"Okay." Brianna smiled and then squealed as Buffy flung her over one shoulder.

"See? You’re easy to carry." Buffy hurried up the path.

As soon as they went into the equipment building, Buffy let Brianna down. "So, where is this magical stick?"

"In back…" Brianna looked toward the rear of the huge building.

"Looks dark. You need a Slayer," Dawn insisted.

"I’m a big girl," Brianna said with a pout. "I can get it."

"Uh oh, nice move, Doctor Dawnie." Buffy glared at her sister. She turned to Brianna. "How about I go with you and you keep me safe."

Brianna folded her arms over her chest and gave Buffy a stern glare.

"Oh, good lord, it’s Willow-resolve-face … junior!" Buffy giggled, then cleared her throat. "Sorry," she said when Brianna’s glare doubled in intensity.

Dawn snickered. "Looks like she gets to brave the scary equipment room all alone."

"It’s not scary," Brianna said with a smile. She trotted off toward the back of the building.

Buffy scowled. "We’re supposed to be watching her," she reminded Dawn.

"She’s proud of her new stick and wants to get it for us," Dawn said.

"Yeah, well…" Buffy glared at Dawn.

"We’ll give her two minutes and then go after her." Dawn giggled.

"Two minutes. I’m checking my watch." Buffy pulled up her sleeve and sighed. She had forgotten her watch.

In the back of the building, Brianna had her own plans. She decided she’d just hop out the back window and run home and get her new stick. She leapt out the window and ducked into the thick shrubs. Brianna had spent hours helping tend the grounds, so she knew all the secret passageways. Of course, Ella, the head gardener, didn’t call them secret passageways, but Brianna did. She loved running through the low, narrow spaces between the plants and the buildings, even though she had gotten in trouble several times for hiding. The guardians didn’t like it when Brianna hid. It made them nervous, so Brianna decided she wouldn’t tell them about her secret trip back home. Besides, she didn’t want anyone going into the house without knocking, like her grandma did. Brianna would just sneak in while her mommies were napping, get her stick, and sneak back out. All before anyone noticed.

The storm was also hitting at the Imbolc house. Tara gently told Willow her news, but Willow did not want to hear it.

"I can’t do this," Willow said. She felt hot tears slide down her cheeks. "Tara, I can’t be a mage. You know what magic does to me." Her tone was desperate and pleading. "I don’t want to be evil." She sobbed and fell back into the couch, covering her face with both hands.

"You won’t be evil," Tara assured her. "You’ll have me to help you." She pulled Willow’s hand from her face and looked into her eyes.

"Yeah, because you’re handling your own powers so well," Willow snapped. She was terrified. "You blew up our fucking bed, Tara. How can you help me control my magic?" She inhaled sharply. "Oh, goddess… my magic? I don’t want it. Take it back." She was crying hysterically now. "Please, Tara. Don’t make me do this."

"I don’t want you to go through this either," Tara said. She was crying too. "Willow, I would keep your magic for you, but Brent won’t let me." Tara didn’t add that it could hurt her.

"I hate magic!" Willow yelled. "Did you ask Brent what she’s gonna do if I get addicted again? Did you remind her that I almost killed Dawn the last time I used magic?"

"Willow, that wasn’t you. It was dark magic." Tara held both of Willow’s hands.

"I hurt you," Willow yelled. "Did you forget what I did to you?" She was breathing in fast, erratic gasps.

"I know," Tara said. She shivered. "Willow, I wanted to keep taking your power, but Emily said I can’t." She looked down at the floor.

"What will it do to you?" Willow asked. She knew Tara was keeping something from her.

"I can’t take that much power," Tara said plaintively. "I’m overloading already."

"It’s hurting you!" Willow began to hyperventilate. "I’m hurting you already."

"Not you," Tara said quickly. "It’s the magic." She sighed. "Honey, I’m not supposed to have all this power."

"News flash! Neither am I!" Willow yelled.

"I’ll keep it," Tara said calmly. "I don’t care what Brent says. I can’t let you go through this."

Willow froze. "You can’t do that."

"And I can let you get torn apart by this?" Tara yelled.

"And just what will it do to you?" Willow demanded. She jumped to her feet and challenged her wife.

"There’s a chance I can survive," Tara said quietly.

"A chance you might survive?" Willow yelled. "So you’re saying this … this … magic is killing you?" She rushed to Tara’s side. "Baby, no. There has to be another way. Can’t we get rid of it?"

"I wish we could." Tara slumped onto the couch and sobbed.

"Honey, don’t cry." Willow sat next to her wife and held her. Their roles instantly reversed. Each woman responded when the other needed comfort. It was Willow’s turn to take care of Tara. "Shh," Willow whispered. "Shh, baby. I’m here."

Across the room, Brianna stood frozen in the hallway. She’d snuck in through the back door using a hidden key, and now she stood gripping that key in her tiny fist. Her lips began to quiver as she listened. Her mommy was afraid of magic. Her mommy was afraid the magic would make her bad. The magic was gonna hurt her mama. Brianna backed up and then ran back out of the house the same way she’d come in.

After a few minutes, Tara composed herself. "I won’t let anything happen to you," she swore. "Willow, we’ll fight it. I swear."

Willow fell forward, hunched over her knees. "Tara, I can’t do this. What if I hurt our girls?" She was in shock.

"No, baby," Tara pulled Willow into her arms. Their roles switched again, and Tara took care of Willow. "No, baby. You could never do that." She kissed Willow’s head. "We’ll teach you to use it. It’s not dark magic. The goddess wouldn’t give you more than you can handle."

"Swear to me." Willow’s voice was tiny. The thought of magic filling her body again had her heart pounding.

"I won’t leave your side," Tara swore. "We will get this under control and you will never hurt our children. I swear."

Willow nodded and lifted her head. She pulled Tara into a hug and sobbed.

"I’m here, love." She held Willow, wishing she could take her lover’s pain as easily as her body and had intercepted Willow’s magical power.

Willow clung to Tara. Neither woman was aware that Brianna had seen the display, and neither could know the consequences of that fact.

*****

"What?" Ceri yelled into her cell phone.

"What is it?" Bre struggled to sit up.

"They lost her!" Ceri said with a growl. "Buffy and Dawn lost Brianna," she clarified.

"Let me up." Bre reach for her IV, intent on yanking it lose so she could get dressed and help search for Miss Brianna.

"Stay!" Ceri ordered. "You too," she said into the phone.

"Miss Brianna is missing," Bre said angrily. "I can’t waste time in bed when I should be finding her."

Ceri held up a hand, keeping Bre in place. She focused on the phone. "No, do not call Lady Willow or Lady Tara." She sighed. "She’s on sanctuary grounds. I’m sure she just got away from you. I will find her, I assure you." She sighed again, knowing Brent would not be pleased.

"I’ll help," Bre insisted.

"You’ll stay here," Ceri said as she rushed toward the door. "And that is an order," she added as she disappeared into the hall.

Bre glared at the door. She waited but she was frantic.

After five minutes, she continued looking back and forth from the window to the door as if she was watching a Ping-Pong match. She had no information and it was making her restless. She started to get out of bed, but the IV at the back of her wrist pulled, sending a sharp pain up her arm. The pain didn’t stop her, but the knowledge that she had been ordered to stay in the bed did. She leaned against the pillows and let out a frustrated growl. There was nothing she could do. The door opened and she turned toward it, hoping it was Buffy or Dawn or Ceri, any of the women as long as one of them had Miss Brianna. It wasn’t any of them.

"Kaley?" Bre said with a sigh. "What are you doing here?"

The other guardian stood under the threshold nervously. "I brought you something."

"Shouldn’t you be out looking for Miss Brianna?" Bre asked angrily.

"Actually, I’m supposed to … um, I’m restricted to the barracks," Kaley admitted.

"So what are you doing here?" Bre asked.

"I had all night to think, and I got bored. There wasn’t anything to do, so…" She took a step into the room. "I thought you might like these." She reached under her forest green robe and pulled out Bre’s sword and her Imbolc dagger. "I know I don’t like to be without mine," she said as she moved closer to the bed. She placed them on Bre’s lap. "I took the liberty of cleaning them," she said. She didn’t mention that both blades have been covered with Bre’s blood. "There wasn’t much else to do," she admitted.

Bre was torn. On the one hand, having her familiar tools calmed her nerves, but on the other hand, Kaley had violated any number of rules by leaving the barracks to bring the tools. Most importantly, Kaley had been less than friendly with Dawn.

Kaley seemed to sense Bre’s turmoil. "I, I just … I’ll just leave them and go," she said quickly.

Bre smiled, accepting the gesture for what it was. "This was nice, but … you know, I just…"

"I know you’re not interested in me," Kaley said as she turned to face Bre. "You have your sights set on someone else. That doesn’t mean I’m not capable of being a friend." She nodded toward the weapons. "I know us warrior types need steel at our side or we feel naked."

"Thanks," Bre said with a half smile. She stared down at her things and pulled the sword from its sheath and examined it. It wasn’t just cleaned. It was polished to a mirror finish. "You did a great job."

"Well, if there’s one thing I know, it’s swords," Kaley replied. "Look, I’m really sorry I was rude yesterday."

"To Dawn or to Lady Tara? You’ll have to be a little more specific," Bre pointed out. Dawn had explained everything to Bre.

"I guess I deserved that," Kaley admitted. "Look, I care about you." She edged even closer and rested her hands on the low rail. "I’ve never hidden that. I know how you feel, or rather how you don’t feel. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop caring about you."

Bre looked down at her lap.

"Even if nothing ever happens between us, I still care about you, Bre, as a friend," Kaley quickly added.

Bre nodded. Kaley’s words were true. She and Kaley did have a friendship before the other guardian began pursuing her romantically. She’d actually missed the conversations they used to have. Both had grown up in families dedicated to Brigit and they had a great deal in common when it came to family expectations.

"I’m sorry," Kaley said again. "It’s just, when I heard that … well, when I heard … that Lady Tara was out, I was so angry that she was putting everyone in danger."

"Our duty is to put ourselves in danger for Lady Tara and her family," Bre said sharply.

"I know. I know," Kaley said quickly. "It’s just … You know, I started thinking about…" She rubbed her hand across her eyes, willing her tear ducts to remain dry.

"About your sister," Bre said quietly.

Kaley sighed. "Yeah. And then, we found Lady Tara, and it looked so bad, and…"

"You realize Lady Willow is gonna rip you to shreds, right?" Bre asked.

The other guardian nodded.

"I don’t suggest you spend any time with Dawn in the near future either," Bre added helpfully.

"Yeah, well, what can I say?" Kaley asked sadly. "It was like hearing about my sister all over again."

"You can say her name," Bre whispered.

"I know," Kaley said even more quietly.

"Kate would be proud of you." Bre slid her sword back into its sheath.

Kaley snickered. "Oh, really? Let’s see, I slander Brigit’s chosen one, I pissed off her wife, insulted her surrogate sister and hit on one of her elite guards."

"Okay, other than that, Kate would be proud of you," Bre said with a smile.

"So, are you and Dawn a couple now?" Kaley asked.

"That’s really none of your business," Bre said a bit more harshly than she intended.

Kaley cringed. She’d wanted to make amends and ended up pissing off her fellow guardian. "I’m sorry. I just thought with the way she was acting…"

"She’s my best friend. She has been since we were teenagers, and she will be for the rest of my life. No one will ever come between us," Bre said. ‘Not even me,’ she added in her thoughts.

"I see that," Kaley said. She reached out tentatively and picked up Bre’s hand. "I didn’t mean to get in the way. I just…" her voice trailed off. She took a deep breath and started over. "When I came in here, I couldn’t help comparing what happened to you with what happened to Kate." A tear slid down her cheek. She released Bre’s hand and angrily wiped the tear away. She hated the show of weakness.

"It’s okay to mourn her," Bre said.

"How can I possibly mourn her?" She rolled her eyes. "Goddess. She gave her life the way each of us swears to. All they ever talked about at my sanctuary was how giving your life in the name of Brigit or in the name of the Imbolc guard is the greatest honor anyone could ever have." She shook her head bitterly.

"She did her duty. That doesn’t make it hurt any less." Bre reached out and took Kaley’s hand. "You lost her."

"Tara’s not even the Imbolc mage," Kaley said angrily. "Not any more."

"Lady Tara has been touched by Brigit." Bre would not let anyone speak against Tara. She tried to rein in her own temper. She could see Kaley’s pain painted on her cheeks in salty streaks, but that didn’t excuse her insolence. "Lady Tara is the only woman to carry the mantle and successfully defeat the challenge. Don’t you think that means something? By the goddess, she was blessed twice by Brigit."

"Yeah," Kaley said. "That doesn’t make Kate any less dead." The tears began to slide down her cheeks again. The drops came faster as her emotions got the best of her. She tried wiping them away as she sniffled, but more took their place on her skin.

"Hey, it’s okay," Bre said as she squeezed her friend’s hand.

"I don’t want to do this," Kaley whispered. The last thing she wanted was Bre’s pity.

"It’s okay for two members of the Imbolc guard to mourn the loss of one of our own." Bre waited for Kaley to look up. "She may have been your blood, but she and I shared a sacred oath. She was my sister just as well. Even though I never met her."

It was too much for Kaley. She sank into the chair next to the bed and sobbed. She leaned forward, resting her cheek on the bed.

"Shh," Bre whispered as she ran her hand over Kaley’s head. "It’s okay."

Kaley wept a torrent of tears that had been held in too long. She scooted closer until her face rested on Bre’s thigh and she let her tears wash away some of the stored anguish.

"Shh," Bre repeated. She comforted the other woman, taking her own comfort from the action. Seeing Kaley’s grief reminded Bre just how dangerous the Keeper’s men were. Bre knew if she had not shot the two men on the ridge, her sisters may have been mourning her and Brigan.

Kaley cried for a few minutes and slowly composed herself. She kept her head on Bre’s lap, enjoying the quiet friendship Bre offered.

That was the scene that greeted Dawn when she opened the door. Her eyes widened as she stared at Kaley sprawled across Bre’s legs. Bre was calmly petting Kaley’s head. The intimacy was evident in a single glance, and a single glance was one too many.

"No…" Dawn whispered as she backed out of the room before Bre could say a word.

*****

Brent marched past her secondary office to her official space. The smaller office was in a shambles after Tara’s training the night before. Brent was furious that Brianna had wandered off. It didn’t matter that she had been found, or that she had hidden from Buffy and Dawn. Brent wanted her guardians on high alert until she had the chance to give them all a lecture on proper surveillance techniques. She paused at her door and took a calming breath.

"Mistress," Brigh said as she snapped to attention.

"Is Miss Brianna inside?" Brent asked.

"Yes. Ceri and Buffy are with her." Brigh knew they were all in trouble. "They found her near the main hall. She was heading for you. Miss Brianna is quite bright for her age," she added.

"Apparently brighter than her guardians." Brent reached for the door
handle. "Have Lady Tara and Lady Willow been notified?"

"They were not disturbed," Brigh promised.

"Good. I'll talk with you later," Brent said gruffly. She went into her office and saw Brianna standing on a chair looking out the window at the lacrosse field.

"Look at her go." Buffy was standing beside Brianna, trying to get the child to smile, but nothing worked. "That stick can fling that ball far."

Brent cleared her throat.

"Mistress!" Brianna jumped off the chair and stood with her hands at her sides as she had seen her guardians do many times.

"Brent." Buffy swallowed with a gulp.

"Out," Brent told Buffy.

Brianna stood tall, but she did glance at the door.

"Not you," Brent told Brianna harshly. "You, sit." she pointed at the chair as Buffy rushed out.

Brianna remained standing. Her eyes were locked on Brent.

The elder waited until the door clicked closed and then raised one
eyebrow at her young companion. "I told you to sit, Miss Brianna."

"Mistress Brent, give me the athame of Brigit," Brianna ordered. Her
voice shook but her conviction did not waver.

The request caught Brent off guard. She stood frozen for a moment as she wondered why the child would ask for the most sacred of the Imbolc items. It had been transferred to Brent's sanctuary as soon as Tara became pregnant with Brianna.

"You're changing the subject," Brent said. "You’re not getting off the
hook that easily."

"My athame?" Brianna demanded with a regal tone that could not be ignored.

"Why do you need it?" Brent knelt in front of Brianna. The athame of
Brigit was kept in a secure room and that room was guarded at all times, and the athame was locked inside a vault. Brianna had only seen it during the Imbolc celebrations.

Brianna faltered. Her lips quivered as she looked up at Brent.

"Miss Brianna?" Brent rested a hand on Brianna’s shoulder.

Tears ran down Brianna’s cheeks, but she held Brent’s gaze. "I..." She
crinkled her brow, trying to remember the right word. "I invoke the
Imbolc challenge," she said firmly. If her mommy was afraid of magic, Brianna didn’t want her Imbolc powers … ever.

Brent’s eyes widened and she almost lost her balance. "What?" She wondered how the young child had heard about the challenge to the death. Whoever was responsible would pay.

"The Imbolc challenge," Brianna said insistently. "I invoke it. I invoke the Imbolc challenge," she repeated.

"Sweet Brigit, " Brent whispered. She felt like her heart had just shattered.

End chapter fifteen

Love Tara? Hate what they did to her and Willow on Buffy? Let the ME, UPN and Fox know how you feel. Please take a few minutes to send an email and let the people at Buffy the Vampire Slayer how you feel. Write every week if you feel like it. They need to know we still miss Tara and want her back. I would consider it a personal favor. Thanks!