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... eventually

Angst Rating: Highest rating... buy stock in Kleenex

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

lcountry@quiknet.com

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Buffy sat straight up in bed and gripped the stake from under her pillow. It only took a split second for the Slayer to realize she wasn’t under attack. She saw Willow creeping toward her bed in the dark room, and the redhead was bent over as if she was injured.

"Willow?" Buffy asked sleepily.

"Buffy." Willow was taking in sucking breaths as she fell to her knees beside her best friend’s bed.

"What is it?" Buffy tossed the covers off and pulled Willow up. "Is it the baby?"

Willow shook her head and continued crying.

"Tara?" Buffy asked gingerly. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

Willow crumpled into Buffy’s arms.

"Hey, it’ll be okay," Buffy swore, though she had nothing to base her promise on. She scooted over and guided Willow into the bed next to her. "Come on, tell me what happened."

The redhead only cried harder.

"Is Tara sick?" Buffy prompted.

Willow shook her head.

"Did you two have a fight about dark magic?" Buffy was going over every possible scenario she could think of.

Willow shook her head again.

"But you did have a fight?"

Willow became very still. ‘Had we fought?’ she wondered. ‘It was really me running out.’ It was too complicated to explain with Buffy’s game of twenty questions, so Willow nodded her head.

"It’ll be okay," Buffy promised again. She rubbed Willow’s back to soothe her.

Willow clung to Buffy for several minutes before she could even speak. When she did, it was between sobs. After telling Buffy what happened with Tara, Willow was exhausted and she drifted off to sleep with her head on the Slayer’s shoulder. Buffy couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t imagine Tara acting the way Willow described. Unfortunately, she couldn’t leave Willow to go ask Tara’s side of the story, so she stared up at the ceiling and let her mind wander.

By morning, she had changed her mind at least a dozen times. Half the time she wanted to gently ask Tara’s version of the events, but the other half, she wanted to throttle the blonde witch.

*****

The smell of bacon was the first scent that reached Buffy’s nose. She inhaled and her nose twitched as her belly growled. She shifted her weight, only then remembering that she had a Willow sized lump pinning her to the bed. She glanced over at the window and noticed a gloomy gray sky through the thin curtains. It had started to rain during the night but Buffy had been too exhausted to hear it.

‘Perfect weather after last night. Guess even the sky was crying.’ She sighed and made a decision. ‘I have to get to the bottom of this,’ Buffy thought grimly. She looked down and smiled. Willow had a handful of blankets pulled under her chin and was sleeping soundly … on Buffy’s chest. The redhead’s mouth was open, and luckily for Buffy, the tiny of bit drool that had fallen had disappeared into the soft fabric. The Slayer slowly wiggled out from under her exhausted best friend and climbed from the bed.

‘You’re quite the snuggler, Will,’ she thought with a fond smile. Buffy’s heart ached as she remembered the devastated sobs from the night before. Her pain shifted to anger and she pulled a fresh shirt over her head.

The door to Willow’s room seemed further away than it ever had before. Buffy moved down the hall and paused, not knowing if she should knock or just go downstairs and get breakfast. She realized Giles must be cooking. It was barely daybreak, and Buffy wasn’t all that hungry anyway. Still, she decided against knocking. She slowly turned the doorknob and ducked inside. She looked at the bed and her stomach dropped. The bed was empty.

"Please be cooking," Buffy muttered as she ran from the room and took the small staircase in a single leap. She hit the ground floor running and burst through the kitchen door.

"Good lord!" Giles spun and brandished a spatula at Buffy. "You startled me. I thought you were a demon." He took a deep breath and went back to the hash browns in the pan.

"And you were gonna’ give me a good flipping?" Buffy inquired.

"I’ve missed your wit first thing in the morning." Giles turned and gave her a droll glare that suggested he clearly didn’t miss it.

She scanned the kitchen for any sign of Tara but saw none.

"What is it?" Giles asked, sensing her discomfort.

"Is Tara around?" she asked casually.

"She hasn’t gotten up yet." Giles stepped closer. "Why?"

"She’s not in bed." Buffy’s eyes darted toward the door. "You didn’t hear anyone leave last night, did you?"

"Why would she go out while it was dark?" Anger flashed in his eyes. "It’s not safe. What was she thinking?"

Dawn shoved open the door and strolled into the room yawning. "What was who thinking?" she mumbled. She eyed the frying breakfast, disappointed that Tara’s famous triangle pancakes were nowhere in sight, and then sat with a flop.

*****

"Bloody rain," Spike muttered. He was drenched to the bone and his already cold body felt like he’d been standing in a freezer. He shifted his soaked feet and leaned further into the small doorway he was using for protection against the early morning sun. The cloud cover was dense, and he knew he could sprint short distances using his leather jacket to keep the muted rays of the sun from burning him.

"At least she finally got some sense in that head of hers." He stared through the window of a small health food shop that catered to the morning crowd. They served herbal teas and other hot drinks in lieu of coffee. He watched Tara and wondered what was weighing on her mind. She was sitting at a table near the window, staring down at a steaming cup. She hadn’t touched the beverage, other than to hold it in her hands to warm her fingers.

Spike had been covertly guarding Buffy’s house the night before, like he did every night. The Slayer had told him to leave her alone, and while she could beat the tar out of him for trying to talk to her, she couldn’t stop him from making sure she was safe. He had seen Tara rush out of the house the night before and decided he’d better follow her. He didn’t announce his presence, because … well, because he wasn’t supposed to be there.

The blonde witch had wandered aimlessly through the night and she didn’t even seem to notice when the rain began to fall. He knew she’d moved out of Buffy’s house after Willow lost herself to dark magic, and seeing her at Buffy’s had been a shock. That shock became sincere concern as he shadowed her through the streets of Sunnydale in a chilled downpour. He had considered offering her his leather coat, but quickly discarded that thought. A vampire had stepped out of an alley just out of Tara’s sight, and without even turning toward it, Tara lifted her hand and bolt of flame engulfed the prowling vampire. Spike fell back a few dozen more feet. He definitely didn’t want to startle Tara.

"What’s got your witchy robes in a bundle?" Spike asked as he watched Tara through the window. "Must be Red." He sighed and wondered what it was about Scoobies that made them break hearts on a regular basis. He looked down the street and saw a patrol car.

"Bloody hell," he muttered. He looked a fright, and not the sexy menacing kind either. He was soaked from head to toe. His platinum blonde hair was stuck to his head and if he could have seen his own reflection, he would have been horrified. His clothes stuck to his body making him look like disheveled homeless man instead of the suave vampire he was.

The patrol car slowed as the officers looked Spike over.

"Top of the morning," Spike said with a smile. "Move on," he whispered under his breath.

The police officer behind the wheel raised an eyebrow and sped down the street.

"What, too busy going for donuts to say good morning?" he asked as the car disappeared around the corner.

He looked back at Tara and decided she’d be safe now that the sun was up. Something in her eyes made him pause. He’d seen her sad many times since she’d left Willow, but now she looked completely lost.

"Bugger," he whispered angrily. He pulled his jacket over his head and trotted down the street to a pay phone that wasn’t in the direct sun yet. He patted his pockets, which were empty, and even if they hadn’t been, his jeans were soaked to his skin. He doubted he could force his hand into them until they were dry. He looked around and then yanked the plate off the locked coin holder and fed a few quarters into the phone. He smirked as the coins dropped into the newly exposed coin receptacle and he began stuffing handfuls of coins into his coat pockets. The leather was already heavy from the rain, but he figured he’d nick a few dollars while he called Buffy. He was doing a good deed, after all. He should be rewarded.

"Hello?" Buffy almost yanked the phone out of the wall on the first ring. She squeezed the phone to her face, hoping to hear Tara’s voice.

"Got news for you, Slayer," Spike said in a syrupy tone.

"Go to hell, Spike." Buffy wondered if someone could invent an over the phone method to stake vampires. It would certainly make her life less stressful. "Oh wait, you’re a demon. Hell? Been there, done that." She glanced over at the counter and saw Giles viciously butter a slice of toast. He wasn’t pleased about Spike’s call either.

"Now, don’t be that way," Spike began. "Thought you might want the scoop on Tara."

"What do you know about her?" Buffy demanded. She caught Giles’ eyes and mouthed ‘Tara.’

"Who?" Dawn spun a moment too late.

"No one," Buffy said curtly. "Where is she?"

"She who?" Dawn stood and faced Buffy. "It’s not a hell god is it?"

"Dawn, I need a few dish towels, could you run upstairs and fetch me some?" Giles gave the young teen a pointed look.

"Fine!" Dawn put both hands on her hips. "Don’t tell me who this ‘no one’ she is." She spun and stomped from the room.

"Lil’ bit’s in a tizzy, isn’t she?" Spike commented. He had heard the younger Summers yell at Buffy.

"Where is she?" Buffy demanded.

"Blimey," Spike said.

Buffy could picture his eyes rolling. She almost smiled, then remember she hated him. "Where?" she added a growl.

"She’s over on Fifth street, at that fruity coffee shop she fancies." Spike glanced across the street to verify that she was still there. "You know the one, the one that doesn’t even have coffee? Why have a shop with teas and biscuits and no coffee? This isn’t England," he muttered.

Buffy let out a sigh. Tara must have snuck out to have a quiet cup of her favorite herbal tea so she could think.

"Looks like a drowned blonde rat," Spike added as he looked across the street. His keen eyesight allowed him to see that Tara was shivering as she stared down into her cup. "She’s soaked clean through. Been wandering the streets for hours."

"Why didn’t you bring her…" Buffy stopped herself. She had thrown Spike out of her life, and out of the Scoobie gang. He didn’t owe them anything. "I’ll be right there," she said quietly. "Stay out of the sun ‘til I get there. I don’t want you turning to dust until I’m there to get her." It was the closest thing to an apology she could come up with.

"Right-o," he said with a smile. "Wouldn’t want to deprive you the pleasure of stickin’ it to me yourself."

Buffy slammed the phone down and shuttered. What had she been thinking when she had slept with him?

"Is she all right?" Giles inquired.

"I’ll bring her back," Buffy said, avoiding his question because she honestly didn’t know the answer. "If Willow asks, tell her Tara and I went for a walk."

He watched Buffy hurry out the door and sighed. He didn’t want to lie to Willow, and he knew her first question would be ‘where’s Tara?’

*****

Spike waited in the shadows until he saw Buffy go in the front of the small café. He wanted to get back to his crypt and out of his soggy clothes. He decided he’d nick some new clothes as soon as the sun went down. He smiled as he remembered how much Buffy liked him in his black leather pants. He’d hit the leather store for sure.

Buffy saw Tara and did a double take. The gorgeous blonde did indeed look like a drowned rat. She was sitting at a table staring at her cup of tea as if it held the answers to all her questions. The Slayer moved behind Tara and paused. Even from a few paces away, she could feel the cold radiating from Tara’s chilled frame.

"You ready to go home?" Buffy asked in a flat tone.

Tara didn’t flinch, which was odd considering how jumpy the blonde was normally. ‘Maybe she’s too tired from her late night walk,’ Buffy thought. She pictured Tara wandering alone; if she was as distracted as she was now, anything could have walked right up on her.

"Let’s go," Buffy said harshly. "It’s not gonna’ do the baby any good if you get sick."

"Wait," Tara said wearily. She looked down into her cup and studied the leaves looking for mystical guidance. There were no answers in the remnants of the tea, so she stood, using the table to lever her body up.

"See any answers in there?" There was a bitter bite to Buffy’s tone. She was angry with Tara for wandering off, and she was angry that the blonde had hurt Willow.

Tara shook her head. Her bangs fell onto her face and stuck. Her hair was still wet, and it clung to her wherever it touched skin.

"Come on." Buffy led the way to the Jeep Cherokee, which had become hers when her mother died. The two women climbed in silently, and each seemed lost in thought.

A few blocks from Buffy’s house, she pulled over and stopped the car at the curb. Tara started to open the door, then paused as she realized they weren’t home yet. She looked over curiously at Buffy.

"We need to talk." Buffy’s eyes were burning with the protective rage Tara had only seen the Slayer aim at vampires and demons.

"W-what about?" Tara asked nervously.

"How could you?" Buffy was furious. "She’s barely hanging on, she’s fragile, and you just stomped on her heart," she said indignantly.

"I didn’t mean to," Tara said as she looked down at the floor. She’d been wondering why she had pushed for intimacy the night before. She knew she still had doubts about any reconciliation, yet she had been drawn helplessly to her former lover. The night before, it had seemed mutual. She looked over at Buffy. "I thought she wanted me, too."

"Wanted you?" Buffy’s eyes flashed. "She’s completely devoted to you. She’s head over heels in love with you. Right now she’s feeling used, and that makes me feel … angry," she said the last word with a menacing growl.

"Used?" Tara turned so she could see Buffy more clearly. "She was willing, and, and … nothing happened anyway."

"You wanted to have sex with her," Buffy said as she caught Tara’s gaze and held it. "Now, me, I heard her tell me that, and I was all, ‘that’s a good thing, right?’ But Willow?" Buffy sighed. "She explained that you two have never ‘had sex,’ you’ve only made love. She said that you never wanted just sex … until last night."

"Is that what she thinks?" Tara’s voice raised. She was shivering uncontrollably, but didn’t seem to notice the cold. "I would never just have sex with her." Tara’s cold skin blushed faintly. She’d never expected to be discussing this with Buffy. "I w-wanted to make love with her."

"Really?" Buffy challenged. "Well, let’s see … it’s the middle of the night, you decide you feel like ‘making love,’ but you don’t want any commitment, you don’t want Willow to expect anything from you, and you just want one night … no strings?"

Tara opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out. When she heard it broken down, it was clear.

"Am I getting this right?" Buffy asked sarcastically.

"That’s not the way I m-meant it." Tara hung her head in shame.

"In all the time Willow was getting mixed up with magic, when you left her because she was addicted, was there ever one time when you doubted Willow’s love for you?" Buffy asked. "Did you ever doubt that she’d love you forever?"

"No, course not," Tara said defensively.

"Well, after last night, Willow can’t say the same thing." Buffy studied the soaked blonde witch. Tara was still shivering. "We need to get you home. You’re freezing," Buffy said.

"That’s not what I meant," Tara whispered. "I missed her so much, and I woke up and she was, and we were, and I just…"

"Do you love her?" Buffy whispered.

"Yes! Very much," Tara swore. "With all my heart." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Do you trust her?" Buffy asked a bit louder.

Tara didn’t respond. She didn’t know how to tell Willow’s best friend how she felt.

"I’ll take that for a no." Buffy sighed. "Well, after last night, you both need to rebuild some trust." She reached down and started the car.

Tara turned and stared out the window.

Once they arrived home, Tara went directly upstairs to take a hot shower. Buffy found Willow with the others in the kitchen.

"Hey, Will, you’re up." Buffy offered a reassuring smile, a smile that faded when she saw Willow’s eyes. Her eyes were green, but the classic ‘Willow-spark’ was gone. It was worse than after Tara moved out. "It’s gonna’ be okay." Buffy pulled Willow to the table and made her sit at one of the chairs.

Willow shook her head gravely and then looked down at table.

"You’ve been through too much to give up now." Buffy lifted Willow’s chin and looked into her eyes.

"Did you use magic?" Dawn asked suspiciously.

"Of course not," Willow said a bit too harshly. She saw Dawn flinch and softened her tone. "No, Dawnie. I’m not gonna’ use dark magic anymore."

"I want it back the way it was." Dawn shoved her plate away and stood. "I hate round pancakes!" She ran out of the room.

"What shape should they be?" Giles asked with a bewildered expression.

"Tara makes triangle pancakes." Willow took a deep breath and tried to stop her latest round of tears. She turned to Buffy. "Did you two have a nice walk?" She frowned. "You didn’t yell at her, or do a Slayer choke hold on her, did you?"

"No." Buffy snickered. "Willow, we weren’t actually taking a walk."

Giles leaned forward. He was curious as to what would make Tara sneak out of the house.

"Where were you?" Willow crinkled her brow.

"She left last night." Buffy sighed. "She was out walking … all night. Spike saw her and he kinda’ kept an eye on her."

"Spike." Giles looked like the vein in his forehead was about to bulge out of his skin.

"It was raining, and the vampires! This is Sunnydale. There are vampires." Willow glanced toward the door. "She’s okay? You brought her back, right?"

Buffy nodded.

"How did this get so messed up?" Willow plunked her elbows on the table and rested her face in her hands. "Oh, yeah. Me and dark magic," she muttered.

"I think she feels bad about last night," Buffy said delicately. "She loves you."

Dawn came back into the room and grabbed a soda. She rested one hand on her hip and frowned. "Remind me to never get pregnant."

"I better not have to remind you," Buffy said in a panic. "There’ll be no pregnancy, missy."

Willow smiled and lifted her head. She could see Dawn was uncomfortable.

"Geez, Buffy." Dawn let out an insulted huff. "I was talking about the barfing."

"Is Tara sick?" Willow jumped to her feet.

"Well, she’s puking her guts out," Dawn said as she took a glass from the cupboard. "And I think she’s crying too." She shuttered. "That’s gross and depressing." She turned toward Willow, but saw only an empty chair.

"Should I check on her?" Giles asked as he watched Willow bolt out the door.

"I think they need to be alone." Buffy sighed. "What a mess."

"No mess, I think she made it to the bathroom in time." Dawn left the room.

"I would have expected those two to have … bonded again by now." Giles took off his glasses and decided the enchanted stone must have been a myth after all. He hadn’t really expected it to work, but the romantic in him had hoped it might rekindle their love. "They are obviously meant for each other. Why can’t they see that?"

"Yeah, well, bonding wasn’t the problem," Buffy said quietly. "Tara was all about the bonding last night; she just doesn’t want to be Willow’s girlfriend."

"What exactly are you talking about?" Giles’ stomach tensed.

"Giles!" Buffy blushed bright red. "I can’t tell you about that."

"Buffy, I’ve done something," he admitted. "I wanted to help, and if you’re saying what I think you’re saying, I may have made things worse."

*****

Tara was shaking uncontrollably. She had already lost what little there was in her stomach, and dry heaves now racked her body. She always got the chills whenever she was ill, but she was still numb from being in the rain. The combination left her muscles aching as she sat huddled on the floor of the bathroom.

The door opened and Willow came inside. She knelt behind the blonde and rested a hand on her back. "You’re freezing," she exclaimed. "And wet," she added as she began tugging at Tara’s clothes to remove them.

"Stop," Tara whispered. She leaned against the sink and looked up at the redhead. "You shouldn’t be here." Tears rolled down her face, warming her icy cheeks. "Not after w-what I did last night."

"You’re having my child," Willow said as she reached for Tara’s jeans. "And no matter how mad or hurt I am, I’ll always love you." There was a hint of pain in her voice, but it was tempered by the love on her face.

Tara closed her eyes and lifted her body so Willow could peel off the wet denim. She opened them when she felt rough terrycloth on her skin as Willow rubbed a towel over her leg.

"Now the top," Willow ordered. She helped Tara wiggle free from the soaked material. "You gonna’ be sick again?" Willow grabbed another towel from the shelf and draped it over Tara’s shoulders.

"I’m not sure." Tara pulled the towels tighter. "I’m gonna’ s-stay here for a while." She shivered. "Y-you don’t have to stay."

"You’re staying?" Willow stood and took another towel and covered Tara’s head. She rubbed the towel and then backed away. "Okay."

Tara watched her leave. It shouldn’t have surprised her that Willow left, but it did. Just when she was throwing a ‘world class pity party’ for herself, the door opened and Willow came in with a huge stack of blankets.

"Up." Willow nodded for the blonde to move. As soon as she did, Willow put a thick comforter on the floor. "The tile’s hard," she explained with a deep blush.

"Thanks." Tara smiled and scooted onto the comforter. It was much warmer than the floor and she let out a groan as she realized how cold she was.

"Now the covers." Willow wrapped a fuzzy fleece blanket over the blonde and then sat near the wall. She patted her lap and raised both eyebrows. "You’re exhausted. We can fight and give each other dirty looks later. Right now, you need sleep, and you’re face is all green, so sleeping in the bed may not be a good idea."

Tara slowly lowered her head to Willow’s lap. She sighed and snuggled closer. "Thank you," she whispered. She didn’t know why Willow was being so loving, but she was going to enjoy it.

"You already thanked me, and I already told you I won’t leave you alone for this." Willow looked down at her former lover, just barely stopping herself from combing her fingers through Tara’s wet blonde hair.

They stayed there for a few minutes. Tara’s breathing slowed as her shivers subsided, but Willow knew the blonde was still awake.

"You should be sleeping," Willow chastised quietly. She ran a small towel over Tara’s hair.

"Last night, that wasn’t about sex, Willow." Tara’s voice shook as she explained what she had been thinking about while on her walk. She opened her eyes and made sure she had her former lover’s attention. "I wanted to make love to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t commit, but I’m…"

Willow waited as Tara gathered her thoughts. She tossed aside the damp towel and continued moving her fingers through Tara’s hair. She traced her fingertips along the blonde’s scalp as Tara cleared her throat.

"I don’t understand," Tara admitted. "I never wanted to lead you on. I wasn’t gonna’ do anything until I was sure about us."

"Why did you?" Willow asked. She wanted to believe, but the sting of the previous night still lingered in her heart.

"I woke up with you." Tara struggled to sit up so she could be on Willow’s level. "I needed you. It was overwhelming … primal."

"But you stopped," Willow pointed out more harshly than she intended.

"After you said … those things, I c-couldn’t lead y-you on." Tara started to pull away but Willow stopped her with a hand on her wrist. The blonde lifted her gaze and saw Willow’s eyes filled with confusion. She knew the look well. Willow needed to know everything. "I couldn’t commit," Tara said with a sigh. "I needed to love you, but I felt something else, too."

Willow nodded, needing to know, to understand, but most of all, she needed to forgive.

"I needed to keep her safe." Tara’s hand drifted down to her belly. "As much as I needed you, needed to believe we can make this work, it wasn’t enough. I had to keep her safe." Her eyes searched Willow’s, trying to make the redhead understand.

"Was it primal too?" Willow was slowly shifting from hurt and injured lover to curious investigator.

"Oh yes." Tara nodded eagerly. "I couldn’t control it. I felt like a lioness with her cub."

"Strong like an amazon?" Willow asked with a shy smile.

Tara gave Willow a warm half grin and then coyly glanced down. "Yeah," she whispered as her eyes drifted up and locked with the redhead’s.

"Will you go out with me?" Willow asked nervously. "On a date?"

Tara’s smile widened and her blue eyes shined.

"We’ll go slow," Willow promised. "Nothin’ to get your lioness claws all sharpened up for." She smiled and flexed her fingers like the claws she was joking about.

"I’d like that." Tara felt lightheaded. She suddenly felt more hopeful than she had in months. "Very much."

"Yay!" Willow wiggled excitedly.

"So, um, I think we can move to the bed now." Tara was feeling less queasy and didn’t think the floor of the bathroom was the most enjoyable place to spend her day.

"What?" Panic filled Willow’s green eyes.

"So I can sleep," Tara assured her.

"Oh, yeah, of course." Willow climbed to her feet and offered a hand to Tara. "I knew that."

Tara followed Willow into the hall. It hurt seeing the panic, pain, and doubt in her former lover’s face, and worse still, it hurt knowing it was there because of her.

*****

Across town, Amy was not feeling hopeful. She was sprawled on the floor of Rack’s room. Her body throbbed and she was pretty sure she was near fresh vomit. Worse yet, she wasn’t sure if it was even hers.

"Back among the living?" Rack laughed cruelly.

"It hurts." Amy’s eyes shot open. She barely recognized her own voice. The voice that came from her throat was scratchy, and hoarse, and barely sounded human.

"Yes, it does," Rack agreed. "Maybe next time you’ll do as I ask."

"I tried," Amy sniveled. She sat up with effort and tried to look at him. Her vision was bleary and it hurt to focus on anything. "I’ve done everything you asked me."

"You tried to do everything I asked you, which is why you’re still alive," he allowed. "You haven’t done anything for me yet."

Amy rubbed her jaw. It felt like she’d been kicked by a demon, but a vague memory of dropping from the ceiling flittered through her mind and she knew she’s done it to herself.

"I’m gonna’ give you one more chance," he said in a sugary tone.

"W-what do I have to do?" Amy asked cautiously. She was getting tired of his little errands. They all ended with her running from the Scoobies.

"Nothing much," Rack said as he pointed a gnarled hand at her. A vine of energy seemed to blossom from his finger. It shot over to Amy and she stiffened.

"Anything," Amy swore as her eyes rolled back into her head. She smiled and her eyes opened, but they looked empty. "I’ll do anything for you."

"I believe you will." Rack smiled and gave her another jolt of energy. His thin lips lifted into a savage grin. "And soon, so will Strawberry."

CHAPTER TWELVE

Willow came downstairs after making sure Tara was safely tucked in bed. She went to the kitchen, smiling at the recent turn of events.

"Everything okay?" Buffy asked as soon as Willow came into the room.

"Better than okay." She smiled cryptically.

"So, you talked?" Buffy stood and went to her best friend’s side.

"Yeah." Willow nodded. "I feel better, and we…" She blushed and cleared her throat.

"You what?" Buffy’s eyes widened instantly. "Willow! You guys made love?" she whispered.

"No!" Willow’s blushed shaded deeper. "Geez, Buffy." She took a step back. "We talked. Talked," she repeated insistently. "And then we … we kinda’ agreed to go on a date." She smirked wickedly. ‘As if we could make love in just an hour,’ she thought.

"Oh, well, that’s good too." Buffy waggled her eyebrows. "But it might end up the same—"

"Hey, scared Willow here," she reminded the Slayer. "Still in shock after last night?" She looked around the room for something else to think about because she didn’t want to continue the current topic. Luck was with her. She spotted the relic from Stonehenge on the table. "Hey, how’d that get down here?"

"Oh, that…" Buffy stalled. Giles was due back at any moment. He’d gone to pick Anya up, and Buffy suddenly wished she were anywhere else.

"Yeah, that." Willow ran her hand over the smooth stone. "Why is it down here?"

"Don’t touch it." Buffy leapt forward and pulled Willow’s hand away.

"Why not?" the redhead asked suspiciously.

The door opened and Anya came into the room. Buffy let out a sigh of relief. She was saved.

"Yep, that’s it," Anya said as she saw it. "The Stonehenge carnal cornerstone, the racy rock, the orgasmic ore, the Druid sex—"

"We get the picture," Giles said sternly. He went to the counter and leaned against it.

"Hey, you asked me to verify this thing." Anya pointed at it. "I verified."

"What is she taking about?" Willow asked.

"It seems I’ve done Tara and you a bit of a disservice." Giles blushed.

The redheaded witch crossed her arms over her chest and pinned him in her gaze.

"This stone … it’s a relic from the time of the Druids." Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them as he continued. "I thought the legend was just myth. It sounded so romantic."

"Myth, yeah right." Anya snorted.

"What myth?" Willow’s stomach tightened. She took a step away from the stone on the table.

"I didn’t mean any harm," Giles insisted. "I thought if anything, it would help ease things along."

"So, did you and Tara have wild animal sex last night?" Anya asked.

"Excuse me?" Willow spun and gave Anya a scathing look.

"It heightens primal emotions," Anya answered casually. "Makes people want to have sex." She sighed. "I actually used one just like this in the 1500s. Heck, this might even be the one I used. I stuck it under a priest’s altar. He’d broken up with his sweetheart to join the ministry, left her pregnant and alone. With that rock under his altar, he couldn’t keep his hands off any of his parishioners." She giggled. "The men or the women."

"You gave us a Stonehenge aphrodisiac?" Willow yelled. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"Oh, not just an aphrodisiac," Anya said happily. "It heightens all primal, instinctive feelings."

"Like fear," Buffy pointed out. She set her hand on Willow’s shoulder. "It would bring up all your fears, big time." She cleared her throat. "Along with the lust."

"So last night?" Willow paused and looked to Anya. "How strong is that thing? Could someone fight off the effects?"

"It’s possible," Anya said. "Especially if their feelings are conflicted, but it really messes with their heads. I mean, the only primal emotion stronger than lust is fear. " She noticed Willow’s concerned expression. "But you’d be protected by that necklace Tara gave you." She smiled happily.

"And you thought this was a nice gift?" Willow spun and faced Giles. "What do you give people you don’t like?"

"I had no idea it would cause such problems." Giles looked completely miserable. "At the most, I thought it would help you remember how you feel about each other."

"The next time you feel like lecturing me on the proper use of magical things … don’t," Willow said bitterly. She imagined the turmoil Tara must have been in the night before.

"I’m dreadfully sorry," Giles said sincerely. "I’ll explain to Tara if you like."

"I’ll tell her," Willow said. She was angry with Giles for his mistake, but she was also relieved that Tara’s assertive advances had been caused by an outside influence. She looked toward the stairs and frowned. She could wait until Tara got up, but she knew the blonde was racked with guilt over the previous night. "I’ll go up right now."

"Are you terribly angry?" Giles asked.

"Yeah, but I’ve screwed up too, so I’ll let you off the hook this time." Willow gave him a reassuring smile before heading upstairs.

"You’re off the hook, Watcher-man." Buffy patted him on the back. "They already made up."

"Yes, well…" He cleared his throat. "All part of my master plan."

"Right," Buffy said, drawing out the word. "I’ll just tell Willow you intentionally made her spend the entire night crying her eyes out while Tara roamed the street alone … with vampires in every alley."

"Oh, can I tell her?" Anya asked excitedly.

"There’ll be no telling of any kind," Giles decreed. "What am I going to do with this thing now?" He stared at the Stonehenge relic.

"Don’t even think of giving it to Xander and me," Anya said as she narrowed her eyes. "We don’t need the grief, and I want real wedding gifts."

Giles shook his head and went to the phone. He’d Fed Ex it to the Watcher’s council. Let them deal with it.

Upstairs, Willow explained the latest developments to Tara. To say that Tara was relieved was like saying Anya was mildly fond of money. The blonde witch was so happy she pulled Willow into a hug and began crying.

"It’s okay," Willow said soothingly.

"But I hurt you," Tara said quietly.

"Yeah, well, that rock of Giles’ kinda’ intensified everything you were feeling." She eased away so she could see Tara’s eyes. "So I should be kinda’ happy I was the one you wanted, cuz that was some serious wanting," she joked, trying to put the blonde at ease.

"There is no one else," Tara said seriously, but she smiled, appreciating Willow’s joke.

"See? It’s perfect we’re gonna’ start dating then." Willow smiled and nodded toward the bed. "You should rest now. I just thought you’d want to know."

"Thank you." Tara’s eyes sparkled. A huge weight had been lifted and her relief was obvious.

"And, um, my ritual cleansing tonight?" Willow said nervously. "I um, well, I…" She paused and took a deep breath. "I think if we’re starting over then I should do my cleansing alone, because well, taking a shower with a woman I am just about to start dating feels like rushing and I don’t want to rush." She paced nervously; her mind was made up. "I want to do this right. We can have dinners and stuff, but I’ll sleep downstairs and there’ll be no rushing."

Tara smiled warmly as she watched Willow babble.

"Not that I don’t want you, because, well look at you. You’re completely hot, but I want to do this right." She turned and saw Tara’s expression. "You think I’m crazy, don’t you?"

Tara shook her head, her smile widening.

"You do," Willow said with a playful smirk. "You can admit it. I’m a spaz, but this spaz is gonna’ do everything right so we can have a strong relationship."

"Strong like an Amazon." Tara nodded her head in agreement.

"Yeah." Willow blushed and backed toward the door.

"No rushing," Tara promised.

"Okay then." Willow dipped her head and had to tone down her brilliant smile. She was grinning like a village idiot. "Have a nice nap."

"I will." Tara climbed into bed and watched Willow leave. "Okay, she said as she looked around the empty room. "I’m suddenly feeling like rushing." She flopped onto the pillows. "She’s so cute," Tara whispered with a content giggle.

Willow practically skipped down the stairs and into the kitchen. All was right with the world, well, not right, but all was heading toward being right with the world.

"When you’re done unpacking, we can go on patrol." Buffy was talking with Giles. "It’ll be like old times."

"My hotel is close to the cemetery." Giles seemed happy to go on patrol and bond with his Slayer.

"In Sunnydale, everything’s close to one of the cemeteries." Willow went to the refrigerator and got a soda. "Did Xander pick up Dawnie and Anya?"

"Yep. Just you and Tara tonight at Casa de Summers." Buffy smiled. "Tara take it okay?" Buffy asked.

"She’s relieved." Willow turned toward Giles. "She was feeling horrible about last night."

"Is she angry?" Giles asked.

"She’s not," Willow said pointedly.

"I really thought it was an old wives’ tale." Giles squirmed nervously. "I would never do anything to endanger your relationship."

"Yeah, well lucky for you I’m in a good mood." Willow smiled, letting him off the hook. She and Tara were starting over, so she could afford to be generous.

The phone rang and Buffy pounced on it. "Hello?" Her eyes darkened and her body stiffened. "What the hell do you want?"

"Tell Spike his help isn’t needed," Giles said dangerously.

Buffy listened for a moment before speaking. "No, and if you think I’m letting you mess with Willow’s head, you’re obviously out of yours."

Giles gave Willow a curious glance.

"Look, Amy, do you really want to see what Tara’s gonna’ do to you?" Buffy asked sarcastically. "Cuz, I’m kinda’ curious to see what a pissed off, protective white witch in love can do to a rat girl."

"Hang up," Willow said angrily.

Buffy paused, something in her eyes softened. She looked over at Willow and covered the phone’s mouthpiece. "She says she wants to break free from Rack, but he won’t let her."

Willow was torn. She knew if Amy was telling the truth, she’d need all the help she could get. Unfortunately, it was difficult to believe anything Amy said. Her brow creased as she wondered what her own fate would have been if no one had been there for her.

"Let me meet with her," Giles said. There was an icy quality to his tone that made Willow shiver.

"Um, maybe I should talk to her," Willow suggested.

"I’ll meet you, Amy," Buffy said firmly. "I’m not risking Willow or Tara until I know you’re telling the truth." She listened. "Fine. Meet me in half an hour at the Happy Kup, down town. Yeah, Get a table in back and wait." Buffy ignored Willow and Giles’ angry glares. "And, Amy? If you’re lying, I’ll let Tara deal with you." She hung up the phone and turned toward the others.

Willow raised one eyebrow and Giles folded both arms over his chest.

"What?" Buffy complained.

"This meeting is pure folly." Giles was in full Watcher mode. "She can’t be trusted. It’s undoubtedly a trap."

"It could definitely be a trap," Willow chimed in.

"You just volunteered to meet her," Buffy pointed out.

"Yeah, well, I know a trap when I see one." Willow shifted her weight. "And, and, I know Amy. I could look into her eyes and see if she’s lying."

"And I’m a Slayer." Buffy yawned and arched her back. "If it’s a trap, and she’s lying … I’ll kill her."

"Buffy!" Giles gasped.

"I’m kidding," Buffy chided.

"You shouldn’t joke about that," Willow said sternly. "I mean, I was just gonna’ turn her back into a rat."

Giles’ eyes widened further as he turned toward Willow.

"Also kidding," the redhead said as she took a step back. She moved closer to Buffy. "So, we’re meeting her in half an hour?"

"No. Giles and I are meeting her in half an hour." Buffy nodded toward her Watcher. "If we decide she’s really trying to give up dark magic, then maybe we’ll let you meet with her … in a year or so."

"And that’s only if she’s serious," Giles added. "And she’s not coming anywhere near Tara."

"Of course not," Willow said instantly. She was willing risk herself if Amy seemed sincere, but she wasn’t about to risk Tara or the baby.

"Rat girl is staying away from Tara and Cletus," Buffy said as if hearing Willow’s thoughts.

"Who is Cletus?" Giles furrowed his brow.

"There is no Cletus." Willow put both hands on her hips. She gave Buffy a pointed stare, but one side of her lips curled into a half smile. "But thanks for looking out for her."

"Looking out for the who?" Giles asked.

"Cletus," Buffy and Willow said in unison.

"Oh, god, now I’m doing it." Willow shuttered. "Tara’s gonna’ kill me." Her eyes narrowed. "Xander is so dead."

Buffy laughed. She saw Giles’ confusion and took pity on him. "The baby, Giles. We’re naming her Cletus. Cletus the fetus."

"We are not," Willow said with a sigh. "Stupid Xander," she muttered under her breath.

"I see," Giles said slowly, though it was obvious he didn’t. "Must be a family name," he mumbled. He hoped Willow and Tara weren’t actually naming their daughter Cletus. After growing up with a name like Rupert, he knew how cruel children could be about such things.

Willow decided she really would have to kill Xander.

"You stay with Tara," Buffy said calmly. "And Cletus," she added with a wink. "Giles and I will find out what’s going on with rat girl."

"Be careful," Willow cautioned.

"I’m the Slayer. What could wrong?" Buffy smiled and headed for the door.

"Indeed." Giles sighed and followed her. "They’re not really calling the child Cletus, are they?" he asked as they left the room.

Buffy howled with laughter as she heard Willow cursing Xander’s name in the kitchen.

*****

The Happy Kup was a small diner that catered to all of Sunnydale’s residents. It didn’t serve blood to vampires, but the owners tolerated the unusual customers as long as they didn’t dine on the human regulars.

"There she is," Buffy said as she nodded toward the back of the restaurant.

"Oh, my." Giles frowned as soon as he saw Amy Madison. The dark haired witch had a black eye that was swollen shut and her uninjured eye was blood shot. She looked like she hadn’t slept or bathed in a week.

"You’re late," Amy said before Buffy could sit. "You said half an hour. I’ve been here 40 minutes. What took you so long? Were you followed?" She spoke in rapid-fire sentences, and she looked around the restaurant, her eyes darting from one patron to the next. "He’s looking for me. He wants us back. Both of us."

"Calm down, Amy." Buffy studied the nervous witch.

"It hurts," Amy complained. She was clutching her belly and slightly rocking.

"Did he hit you?" Buffy asked gently.

"I didn’t know it’d hurt like this." Amy didn’t seem to hear Buffy’s question. "Did Willow hurt like this?"

"She’s in withdrawal," Giles said in hushed tones. "We should get her out of here."

"Can’t leave." Amy shook her head. "He can’t do anything as long as we’re in public." Her eyes were wild and she kept licking her lips.

Buffy raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to Giles. "Okay, so you’re the expert. Is she lying?"

"She could fake the symptoms with a spell, but it looks real," Giles whispered.

"Willow’s okay?" Amy asked. "I didn’t want to hurt her. He made me. Is she okay?"

"She’s fine," Giles said. "When did you see this Rack character last?"

"Shh!" Amy’s eyes widened. Her swollen eye twitched and a trickle of blood rolled down her cheek as a tiny cut near her eyelid split open wider. "You can’t just say his name," she hissed. "He hears things." She looked around the room.

"Willow was never like this," Buffy said with a mixture of skepticism and fear. "Why is she worse?"

"She’s been using longer, and I fear she’s used a great deal more dark magic." Giles stared at Amy’s hands. The witch’s fingernails were chewed to the quick. The cuticles on several were bleeding. "If she’s deceiving us, she’s very good," he whispered.

"What should we do?" Buffy asked.

"You have to help me," Amy pleaded. "He’ll kill me. He made me promise to get Willow for him. I got away, but when he figures out I lied, he’ll kill me."

"Bring her to my hotel suite." Giles couldn’t risk Amy’s life. If she was telling the truth, she needed help.

"Keep Willow hidden." Amy emptied her coffee cup with a gulp and looked for the waitress. "He wants her."

"He’s not getting her," Buffy said emphatically.

"You can help me, right?" Amy looked up at Giles. "You helped Willow. You can help me, right?"

"We’ll help you." Giles smiled at Amy, but as soon as she looked away, he caught Buffy’s eyes. They exchanged a quick, but meaningful glance. They wouldn’t risk Willow. "You’ll stay with me, but you’ll not go anywhere near Willow or Tara."

"Good. Good. We should go." Amy nodded as she looked around the restaurant. "We’re going, right?" She looked toward Giles. "We can go, right?"

"Yes, let’s go." Giles stood.

"We’ll help you, but you’re not going anywhere near Willow. We’re clear on this, right?" Buffy clarified.

Amy nodded quickly and rubbed her chin and with both hands. The action reminded Buffy of the dark hair woman’s many years as a rodent. Buffy wasn’t sure if she liked her better as a human or a rat. At least she couldn’t hurt anyone when she spent her days running on a tiny wheel.

*****

Willow stared up at the ceiling in the living room. She had been trying to go to sleep for almost an hour. She rolled over and pounded her pillow, but she knew it wouldn’t help. The couch was lumpy, and the light from a street lamp outside shined directly in her eyes. Those problems wouldn’t stop Willow from sleeping; she could sleep anywhere, and in almost any circumstance … except one. She missed Tara. Without the graceful blonde at her side, Willow wouldn’t sleep.

The redheaded witch sighed and tried rolling over. She hugged the pillow and inhaled. The scent from her cleansing ritual filled her senses and that brought another sigh. She had showered alone, but when she came out of the shower, she had found Tara in the hall by the door standing guard, keeping Willow safe.

She sighed again and a smile covered her face. She heard a creak on the stairs and froze in place as she focused on the approaching sound. It took only an instant for her body to recognize the presence across the room. She sat up and squinted to see the staircase.

"Tara?" she asked in a concerned tone.

"Hey," Tara said sheepishly. "Did I wake you?"

"I was awake. Are you okay?" The redhead stood and moved toward Tara.

Tara stopped at the bottom of the stairs and leaned against the rail.

"Tara?" Willow hurried her pace and then stopped next to the blonde.

"I … well, I … Willow?" Tara covered her face with one hand.

"What is it?" Willow moved Tara’s hand so she could see her face. She kept the hand in hers and pulled it to her chest.

"You were awake?" Tara bit her lip and smiled.

"Yeah." Willow caressed the back of Tara’s hand.

"Couldn’t sleep?" Tara inquired.

"Um, well … no, I couldn’t." Willow blushed at the admission.

"Come back to bed," Tara said earnestly. ‘Where you belong,’ she added in her thoughts.

Willow smiled in the darkness as understanding dawned. "Can’t sleep, baby?"

"I miss you," Tara admitted bashfully. She moved up one stair, tugging Willow along with her.

"Yeah?" Willow asked coyly. She moved up to the next Stair. "So is this a date?"

"It could be," Tara said after a moment’s consideration. "If…" Her voice trailed off as she rubbed her jaw thoughtfully.

"If what?" Willow asked.

"Dates have food," Tara pointed out. "And eating."

Willow’s eyes widened and her cheeks burned.

"Real food! Eating real food!" Tara amended. "Oh, goddess." She covered her face with both hands to hide her blush in the near darkness.

"You need a snack, baby?" Willow asked with a giggle. "I’ll raid the frige and meet you upstairs. Would you like that?" She let the embarrassed blonde off the hook. She knew Tara wasn’t ready for spicy jokes just yet.

"Yes, please." Tara moved her hands and flashed her Tara-grin.

"Go warm up the sheets." Willow waved her hands at Tara. "I’ll be right up."

"Yay!" Tara spun and trotted up the stairs. "And find some chocolate!" she yelled over her shoulder.

"Guess the cravings have arrived," Willow said to herself as she went to the kitchen with a huge grin on her face.

She decided on a midnight snack of milk, which had healthy calcium for Tara and the baby, and chocolate graham crackers, which should satisfy Tara’s need for chocolate.

"Knock knock," Willow said as she pushed the door open. She grinned when she saw Tara sitting in bed like a blonde witchy queen. She certainly ruled Willow’s heart. Tara had a nest of pillows around her, which she was using as arm rests, and she had the blankets pulled up around her chest in a bundle.

"What’d you find?" Tara leaned forward and pushed half the pillows off one side of the bed to make room for Willow. "Scoot under here. It’s chilly."

The redhead happily complied. She handed the tray to Tara and climbed under the blankets and settled next to her.

"Yum!" Tara stuffed an entire graham cracker into her mouth. She closed her eyes and moaned happily. "Chocolate," she mumbled reverently around the cookie.

Willow giggled and took one for herself. She broke it into quarters and dipped one into her milk.

"It’s not funny. I thought cravings were a myth." Tara took a gulp of milk. She smiled as she looked into the glass. Two ice cubes bobbed in the white liquid, just the way she liked it. "Thank you."

"I glad I’m here to do it," Willow said honestly.

"How can you forgive me so easily?" Tara asked. She studied the complex woman at her side in awe. "I hurt you," she said quietly.

"It wasn’t your fault," Willow said as if the matter was closed, and to her, it was.

Tara looked down shamefully at the blankets. She wondered why she couldn’t forgive as easily.

"Hey, it’s not the same thing." Willow knew exactly what Tara was thinking. "I chose to use dark magic of my own free will. You had your primal instincts … amplified. You reacted to gut feelings." She cleared her throat and smiled when Tara looked up at her. "I am glad I was the star of your lustful, instinct-driven fantasies."

"Of course you were." Tara blushed and looked down again. "You star in all my lustful fantas—" The blonde stopped mid-sentence and froze. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just admitted.

"Well, that’s good to know," Willow said graciously. "Fantasies are healthy," she added. "And goddess knows I’ve been more than healthy when it comes to thoughts about you and me togeth—" It was Willow’s turn to freeze.

Tara chuckled and cleared her throat. "That’s good to know," she said using Willow’s words. She could feel it starting; they were rebuilding what had been lost, and it felt wonderful and exciting and scary all at once.

"Well, these are some first rate graham crackers," Willow babbled. "Quality work. How do they make these little perforations? And is one of these a complete cookie, or is each quarter consider one cookie?"

"I’ve missed Willowbabble," Tara said. She cleared her throat again and shifted so she could look directly at Willow.

"You have?" Willow turned toward her former lover.

"So very much," Tara admitted. She sniffled, suddenly overcome with emotion.

"No tears," Willow said as she took the tray and moved it to the nightstand. When she turned back, Tara was wiping her eyes. "Please don’t cry, Tara. I’ve caused you so many tears already."

"These are good tears." Tara smiled and sniffled again. She laughed at the concerned expression Willow had on her face. "I’m happy," she added with a loving smile. "Happy to be here with you."

"I’m happy too." She swallowed, gathering her courage, and then reached out a wiped a tear from Tara’s cheek. "I just hate seeing you cry."

Tara’s eyes fluttered shut and she pressed her face into Willow’s palm.

"You should eat." Willow cleared her own throat, which was now thick with emotion. She turned and handed Tara her milk and graham crackers. "Drink all that. You need extra calcium."

"Someone been searching the Internet baby sites?" Tara inquired innocently.

"I have to take care of my girl." Willow looked down at her milk. She swirled it in the glass and then chanced a look up at Tara.

"I am you know," Tara said, mirroring what she had once told Willow when they had first begun to fall in love.

"What?" Willow asked. She knew exactly what Tara meant and which conversation she was repeating, so she played her part happily. The tears she held back earlier now welled in her eyes.

"Yours," Tara answered as her blue eyes locked with Willow’s green.

Willow smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Happy tears?" Tara asked as she reached out and caught it with one finger.

Willow could only nod. She knew that if she tried to speak she would sob uncontrollably.

"So, Buffy and Giles, off checking on Amy?" Tara changed the subject. She knew Willow had reached her emotional limit. She didn’t want to make her cry, and she could tell by the way the redhead’s lower lip was quivering, she was about to completely lose control. "I hope she’s really giving up dark magic."

Willow nodded, grateful that Tara could read her so well.

"Buffy knows to keep her away from you, right?" Tara’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I don’t want her near you."

"She knows." Willow smiled and finished her milk. She loved seeing protective Tara.

"She better." Tara put her glass on the nightstand and scooted down under the blankets. "Or Buffy will answer to me, too."

Willow giggled as she pictured Tara chastising Buffy. She could just see Buffy trying her Slayer-pout, and Tara instantly responding with her ‘resolve face.’ She giggled again so hard she snorted.

"Oh, hush." Tara giggled with her. "Turn out the light."

Willow turned off the light, but she didn’t stop giggling. She slid down next to Tara and got comfortable for the night.

They snuggled under the covers and talked for a while as they fought to stay awake. Once they wrapped around each other, their exhaustion returned. They drifted off in almost the same breath, content knowing they were exactly where they belonged.

*****

"I can’t sleep," Amy said as she paced the suite. "There’s no way." She rubbed her arms as if thousands of unseen bugs were crawling under her skin. "He’s gonna’ find me, find us. He sees everything."

"Of course you can’t sleep. You’re pacing." Giles rubbed his forehead. "At least sit down."

"Can’t you give her something? Sleepy tea? Something?" Buffy was about to try duct taping Amy’s mouth shut. Knowing the dark haired witch, she’d talk around the tape. "How hard do you have to hit someone to make ‘em sleep?"

"Buffy…" Giles looked up and frowned.

"Come on," Buffy whined. She nodded her head toward Amy. The witch was pacing a path in the carpet. "One little bonk on the head?"

Giles’ expression soured.

"Fine!" Buffy let out an exaggerated sigh.

"You should at least try to sleep," Giles suggested as Amy made a lap around his chair.

"Can’t sleep. He’ll be in my dreams." Amy spun and made a lap in the opposite direction.

"I cast a protection spell," he said reasonably. "He can’t get in here."

"But he can get in here." Amy tapped her temple.

"Giles?" Buffy held up a fist and gave him a pleading look.

"No," he responded curtly. He watched Amy pass behind the couch. "Sit down," he said harshly.

Amy sat on the arm of the couch. Her eyes darted around the room. "He really can’t get in?" she asked.

"You’re safe," Giles said. "I may not be a witch, but I’ve been casting circles longer than you’ve been alive."

"Does that include the rat years?" Amy asked seriously.

"Yes," Giles assured her.

She looked at the door and then sighed. "I’ll try." She stood and went to the small rollaway bed near the wall.

"Finally!" Buffy said triumphantly. She bounced to her feet. "So, me … out there … patrol."

"You’re needed here," Giles said without turning to face her.

"It’s not like she needs someone to talk to," Buffy grumbled. "She’s got that covered."

Amy was sitting on her bed babbling to herself.

"This isn’t her fault per say," Giles pointed out. "She’s talking because she’s fighting the dark magic’s lure."

"Willow wasn’t like that," Buffy said grumpily. "And she’s like the world’s babbling queen."

"Amy doesn’t have Willow’s mettle." Giles glanced over at Amy; she was sprawled on the bed and tugging at the blankets. "And Willow hasn’t spent years as a rodent," he added. "That’s bound to weaken one’s mind."

"Yeah, well there’s that," Buffy admitted. She turned and saw that Amy had passed out as soon as her head hit the pillow. "Hey, blabber girl went to sleep."

"Thank the heavens." Giles took his glasses off and put them on the table. "She needs her rest."

Amy sighed loudly and then smacked her lips. Her back was facing Buffy and Giles. After a few moments, her eyes opened and a depraved smile covered her face. ‘Do gooders,’ she thought smugly. ‘It’s so easy when they always do the right thing.’ She had them just where she wanted them.

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