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 FIFTEEN

A nest of vampires surprised Buffy as she made her last pass through the graveyard. She defeated them, but not before being tossed face first into a mud puddle that looked like a small lake. She went home and stomped upstairs to take a long hot shower, pausing only long enough to slam the bathroom door right off the hinges.

The sound was more than enough to wake Tara. Her eyes opened and she held perfectly still until she was certain there were no vampires, demons, or warlocks lurking.

"We have to neuter the bunnies," Willow said in her sleep. She was still sprawled across Tara’s bare chest, and her hand was still possessively cradling the blonde’s breast.

Tara smiled at her lover and wondered if Anya’s fear of bunnies had somehow infected Willow. She looked around the room and frowned. The protection candle had almost burned out. She shifted and tried to move out from under Willow, but the redhead wasn’t about to allow that.

"No," Willow grumbled. She nuzzled her lover’s chest. "Stay."

"Shh, baby." Tara untangled from Willow and went over to the dresser and lit another candle next to the other.

"Tara?" Willow sat up and rubbed her eyes. "You okay?"

"Fine, darling. Just lighting a new candle." She rested her hands on her rounded hips and tilted her head to one side. "Go back to sleep."

"Is the candle extra flamey?" Willow asked as she stared openly at Tara’s exposed and quite voluptuous body.

"Yes, darling." Tara snickered. She felt her pulse quicken under Willow’s hungry gaze. "See something you like?" she asked in a sultry tone.

"Oh, yeah." Willow licked her lips and cleared her throat. "Definitely." She smirked as a dozen lurid thoughts danced happily through her mind.

"Care to share what’s going through that head of yours?" Tara asked innocently. She could see the fire in Willow’s eyes and it matched the flames in her own heart. She climbed into bed and settled onto her back and held her arms out to Willow.

"You’re so beautiful." Willow reached down and cupped Tara’s breast. "I love your breasts. Have I told you that?"

"About a million times." Tara inhaled sharply as Willow’s fingers grazed her stiffened nipple.

"Well, they’re just so perfect." Willow leaned down and kissed the puckered nipple and then rubbed her hand over it, enjoying the sensation of the tiny nub tickling her palm.

Tara’s eyes fluttered shut and she bit her lip. "I’m kinda’ partial to Willowhand," the blonde admitted breathlessly.

"Breasts are the most wonderful things ever." Willow ran her hand over Tara’s chest, thoroughly memorizing every contour. She sighed and tilted her head and placed a lingering kiss on the swell of Tara’s cleavage. "So soft, like velvet." She nuzzled happily. "Squishy but firm." She hummed contentedly and then surprised Tara by nipping her.

"I’m glad you like them." Tara had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from moaning. "I have a matched set."

"I know," Willow said huskily. She was fully awake now, and so was her libido. Her hand drifted over and cupped the neglected breast. She gave it a loving squeeze before grazing the nipple with her thumb.

"Oh … my." Tara swallowed hard, no longer having the slightest interest in sleep.

"Still sleepy?" Willow seemed to sense Tara’s mood. She shifted higher on the bed so she could reach Tara’s neck. She kissed the blonde’s delicate throat and moved her leg over Tara’s hip.

"No … no sleepy witches in here." Tara’s eyes closed as she felt Willow’s insistent caresses. She smiled as her body came alive under Willow’s touch. The smile faded as she realized she didn’t want to have her reunion with Willow in such a mundane fashion. "Honey?" she asked as she scooted out from under the redhead. "I’m not sleepy, but I am thirsty."

"Thirsty?" Willow crinkled her brow and looked down at Tara in disbelief.

"I’m really craving some fresh orange juice," Tara said with as much conviction as she could muster. "Diana said I’d crave whatever the baby needs, and I’m so thirsty right now I can barely stand it." She hoped Willow would forgive the tiny white lie.

"Are you dehydrated?" Alarm filled Willow’s voice. "Honey? I’ll get you some water." She leapt from the bed and hurried toward the bathroom.

"Wait." Tara was fighting not to laugh. "I’m craving orange juice."

"I’ll get some. We have some frozen OJ down stairs." Her green eyes widened. "Maybe your blood sugar’s low!"

"I’m fine, darling." Tara’s heart filled. She loved seeing this adorable, panic-stricken, yet loving side of Willow. "But, honey?"

"Yeah?" Willow paused near the door.

"Two things," Tara said patiently. "One, you might want to put on a top…"

"Oh!" Willow blushed hotly and grabbed a shirt. She pulled it over her head and smiled back at Tara. "And two?"

"We bought those fresh oranges today at the organic market." Tara frowned and stuck out her bottom lip. She was playing the pregnant craving card to her fullest ability. "Can I have fresh squeezed?" She actually batted her long eyelashes.

"Sure." Willow smiled brightly and almost swooned.

"And honey, by hand." Tara batted her eyelashes again and gazed up at Willow with her slate blue eyes. "The electric machine bruises the juice." She smiled sweetly, praying to the goddess that Willow would agree.

"O-kay," Willow said slowly. She’d never heard of juice getting bruised, but if Tara wanted hand-squeezed juice, she was going to get it. "I’ll be back in a jiffy."

"Will?" Tara crooked her finger and invited the redhead back to the bed.

"Yeah, baby?" Willow paused at the side of the mattress wondering what other strange pregnancy request Tara had in mind for her.

Tara crooked her finger again, drawing her lover closer and then she wrapped her hand in the baby-soft hairs at the base of Willow’s neck. "Thank you." She kissed Willow, slowly claiming every inch of her mouth with sensual intent.

"Sure…" Willow’s eyes were glazed over when she backed away. She had a goofy smile plastered to her face as she hurried out the door.

"Take your time, Willow," Tara whispered as she leapt from the bed. She ran to the closet and found the negligee she wanted and quickly slipped into it and then grabbed a brush and tried to make her hair presentable. Once she finished with that, she took a box of candles and began placing them around the room. She hoped she had enough time before Willow came back because she wanted her lover to be surprised.

*****

"Fresh squeezed juice," Willow said as she carefully washed the oranges in the sink. "Fresh hand-squeezed juice." She set them aside one by one on the counter, gently, so she wouldn’t bruise the juice. "How exactly do you bruise juice?" she muttered.

"Willow?" Buffy asked from the doorway. "What are you doing up?" She went to her friend’s side and frowned at the old-fashioned hand juicer. "Um, Will? We have that nice electric juice maker in the cupboard."

"Hi, Buffy." Willow smiled and held up two oranges. "Tara had a craving." She sliced the oranges and began grinding them on top of the juicer.

"And once again, why aren’t you using the expensive electronic juicing gadget." Buffy tilted her head to one side and bit her lip. "The one you and Tara bought from that infomercial? The Juicemaster 2000?"

"Well, Tara didn’t want bruised juice." Willow continued her task. "The electric juicer is all wild and harsh and the juice gets all smooshed and bruisey." She raised one eyebrow and turned toward Buffy. "Didn’t you know that?"

"Well, of course I knew that." Buffy scratched her chin. "Everyone knows that." She furrowed her brow. "What are you talking about? You can’t bruise juice."

"Thank god!" Willow spun and let out a relieved sigh. "I have no idea what she means, but she said it had to be hand squeezed, so I’m squeezing."

Suddenly Buffy understood. Willow wasn’t crazy; she was whipped. She giggled and covered her mouth with both hands.

"It’s not funny." Willow pouted.

"Oh, it’s funny." Buffy pointed at the oranges. "You better hurry. You may not have bruised that juice, but if you take too long, it might get stale." She laughed.

"Oh, goddess, can it get stale too?" Willow started to panic and then realized Buffy was tormenting her. "Oh, shut up." She giggled as she grabbed another orange half and continuing her juice task.

"Things are good?" Buffy asked with a hopeful smile.

Willow nodded as she scowled down at an uncooperative orange.

"So, have you guys… you know?" Buffy cleared her throat and blushed slightly.

Willow’s hand stopped. She slowly looked up at her best friend. "Not yet, but I think we both want to." She blushed a shade darker than Buffy.

"So why haven’t you?" Buffy scooted a bit closer and lowered her voice. "I mean, if you both want to, what’s the holdup?"

"We’re together," Willow said earnestly. "There’s no need to rush. I know she loves me. Besides…" Willow’s voice trailed off and a serene grin covered her face. "We’ve cuddled." She sighed as she remembered thoroughly enjoying Tara’s breasts a few hours earlier.

"Wow," Buffy whispered. She could see the absolute tranquillity and satisfaction in Willow’s eyes. She wondered what it was like to be loved by someone who could put that look of love on your face with only cuddles.

"Okay, mission accomplished." Willow tossed the empty orange halves into the garbage and wiped the glass with a fresh towel.

"Go to her." Buffy could see Willow’s anxiousness. "Can’t have Cletus getting thirsty."

"Her name isn’t Cletus," Willow said primly. She paused at the door and smirked at Buffy. "Her name is Embry-anna." She spun on her heel and headed for the stairs.

"Embry-anna?" Buffy snickered and went to the counter. A few oranges were in the fruit bowl next to the sink. She picked one up and studied it. "Bruised orange juice?" She shrugged and carefully placed the orange back into the bowl.

*****

Willow opened the door to her bedroom and froze in the threshold. Her eyes widened as her jaw went slack.

"Hi," Tara said calmly. She was standing next to the bed with her hands clasped together.

Willow took a step into the room and held out the glass of juice. The room was lit by dozens of candles and the subtle aroma of incense hung in the air. All of these things surprised Willow, but it was Tara’s outfit that left the redhead speechless. The silky, cream colored fabric clung to Tara’s body making her look like a goddess sculpted from the finest marble.

"Is that for me?" Tara sat at the foot of the bed. The pale nightgown made of silk reached to the top of her knees when standing, but when she sat, it rose well above mid thigh. She smiled and leaned back onto her hands. The action edged the nightgown higher, exposing even more creamy flesh.

Willow nodded mutely and stared down at the glass. She blinked a few times and then slowly scanned the room. In just the few short minutes Willow had been gone, Tara had transformed the room into a beautiful, seductive setting. She took the final few steps to the bed and handed Tara the juice. Her mind was reeling and coherent speech was still beyond her ability. "Juice," she said shakily. "Fresh squeezed … bruise-free."

"Thank you." Tara took the juice. Her fingers brushed Willow’s as she took the glass and a jolt of energy passed between them.

"Tara?" Willow was in shock. She nodded her head toward the candles and then Tara’s new outfit.

"Do you like it?" Tara’s voice was husky and her eyes burned with need.

"Well, yeah." Willow shifted her weight from foot to foot. "But … I thought you were thirsty."

"I need something to drink while I watch you undress," Tara said in her most alluring voice. She blushed slightly, not quite as comfortable in the role of seductress as she had hoped.

"You’re not tired?" Willow smirked as she suddenly realized she was being seduced. She liked that idea very much.

"I had a nap." Tara sipped the juice and her eyes raked up and down Willow’s body.

"So did I." Willow smiled as she began to relax. "So, here we are … two women in a room full of romantic candles … and neither one of us is sleepy. What ever shall we do?" She batted her eyelashes playfully and she rubbed her chin as if deep in thought.

"What do you want to do?" Tara asked sincerely. She sent the ball into Willow’s court.

"I want to taste this unbruised juice," Willow said quietly. She took the glass and sipped the juice. "Then I want to make love with you." She handed the glass back to Tara. "What do you want to do?" She tossed the ball back to Tara’s court.

Tara downed the juice in one gulp and handed the empty glass to Willow. She smiled and crawled backwards toward the head of the bed. "You’re overdressed for what we both want." She climbed under the covers and then licked her lips.

Willow carefully put the glass on the dresser next to several of the candles. She looked into Tara’s eyes and moved toward the bed. "What do you want?" she asked again as she started to lift her nightshirt. "Tell me."

"I want to make love with you." Tara’s eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She folded back the covers in silent invitation. "I want to make love with you every night for the rest of my life."

"I want forever." Willow’s nightshirt dropped to the floor and she took the final few steps to the bed. She climbed onto the mattress. Her flannel pants still covered her lower body; she knew Tara loved removing them. "Can I be your forever, baby?" She leaned over Tara and paused just before her lips met Tara’s.

"You already are." Tara buried her hand in Willow’s hair and pulled her the final few inches. Their kiss was gentle, and loving. Tara whimpered and moved her hands down Willow’s bare back to the elastic band on the pajama bottoms. She continued kissing the redhead even as her fingers danced over the fabric.

"Goddess." Willow broke the kiss and moved her mouth to Tara’s throat. "I love you," she whispered as she devoured her lover’s delicate neck. She rested her weight on one arm while the opposite hand slid over the silky fabric of Tara’s gown. Both women moaned when Willow’s hand found Tara’s breast.

"Willow, oh, darling … I love you." Tara frantically cradled her lover’s face in her hands and brought Willow’s mouth back to her own. "Kiss me, baby." She sobbed into the kiss and arched up into Willow’s body. She kissed her lover feverishly and lifted her hips in a familiar rhythm even as her hands moved down Willow’s back to pull her closer. Their breasts pressed together in a perfect fit.

Their kisses grew hungrier but neither woman escalated their lovemaking just yet. For the moment, they lost themselves in their impassioned kisses.

"Tara?" Willow had to twist her face to one side to break their kiss. She took in gulps of much needed oxygen even as Tara pulled her closer and kissed her jaw.

"Yes, darling?" Tara bucked her hips and rolled to the side. The action shifted Willow off the top of her and allowed Tara to slide up onto Willow’s body. She took Willow’s hands in each of hers and gently pressed them onto the mattress.

Willow moaned. It was the only answer she could manage as Tara’s leg moved between hers.

The blonde witch used her knee to open Willow’s legs and she gracefully moved her body between them. She pressed against Willow as she continued to shower her neck with kisses.

"I need you," Willow said shakily. She inhaled sharply as Tara pressed against her hips.

"You have me," Tara pointed out with a giggle. She moved her mouth back to Willow’s and kissed her without reserve. She gave her entire to soul to Willow with the kiss. Her tongue gently sought entry and then claimed every inch of her lover’s mouth.

Willow was lightheaded. She returned the kiss with equal fervor, but her body ached for more. She sucked Tara’s tongue, trying to draw her lover deeper. She moaned as Tara passionately deepened the kiss.

"Off," Willow murmured between kisses. She pulled her hands out of Tara’s grip and tugged at the blonde’s nightgown.

Tara smiled into their kiss and shifted her weight. She never broke the kiss as she and Willow worked in tandem to move the silk garment up her body. They paused with the negligee tangled just over Tara’s breasts. Neither wanted to relinquish the kiss.

Finally Tara whimpered and lifted her head. She yanked the garment over her head and flung it across the room as she fell back into the kiss. The feel of their bare chests together was intoxicating. They lost themselves in the new sensation for a few minutes as their hands inched between their bodies and enjoyed bare flesh. The only thing between the skin of their chests was the amulet Tara had given her lover. The metal heated as their bodies moved together.

Tara’s hands left Willow’s breasts and detoured down past her belly. She dipped her fingers under the elastic of Willow’s pajamas and tugged the soft fabric lower.

"Goddess, yes!" Willow lifted her body and wiggled out of the last bit of her clothing. As soon as she was completely naked, she wrapped her legs around Tara and arched her heated flesh up against Tara’s body.

They continued kissing, but Tara moved off to one side so she could be next to Willow. She took Willow’s hand and moved it down to the top of her legs.

Willow didn’t need further encouragement. She teased Tara’s legs apart and then traced the inside of her thighs.

"Together," Tara said as she broke the kiss. Tara slid her hand down and cupped Willow’s sensitive flesh. "I’ve missed you, darling." She leaned closer and gave Willow a slow, burning kiss.

Their hands moved in perfect synchronicity as they rejoined.

"Tara!" Willow pressed her forehead to her lover’s and took in gulps of air. Both women paused as they absorbed the feeling of the other.

"You feel so good." Tara’s breathing was labored and her eyes fluttered as she adjusted to feeling herself filled again after so many months without Willow. She moved her own hand inside her lover and sighed. "I’ve missed this." The luxurious feeling of loving Willow always astounded Tara. She loved the softness, the warmth, the powerful feeling of belonging she felt whenever they made love.

Tears ran down Willow’s cheeks. She shifted her weight and deepened her touch. Her eyes closed and she smiled radiantly. She kissed Tara as they fell into a loving rhythm. She needed more, so she rolled Tara onto the mattress and leaned over her as they continued making love. It was slow, and gentle, but the passion was growing like a smoldering flicker of flame just before an inferno.

Tara broke the kiss and looked up into Willow’s green eyes. She smiled in the candlelight and her tears mirrored Willow’s. "Yours," she whispered. She was taking deep shuttering breaths in rhythm with their lovemaking, and her eyes never left her lover’s. "Only yours, Willow. Forever."

It was too much for Willow. The passion ignited and she pressed her body onto Tara’s and kissed her with a growl. "Mine," she said as she ripped her mouth aside and claimed Tara’s throat. She knew there’d be a mark there, but she needed to own her lover’s body the way Tara already owned Willow’s soul. "Tara, oh, baby, yes," she cried out as Tara’s loving touches drove deeper.

"You’re mine," Tara declared. She gripped Willow’s hip with one hand as the other continued its loving attention.

"Forever," Willow promised. Her hips rolled in time with Tara’s hand. She was panting now. She pressed her forehead to Tara’s and they shared the same air. "Yours, Tara." Her breathing hitched as she felt Tara’s body grip her fingers and she felt an answering shutter in between her own legs.

"Come with me," Tara pleaded. As soon as the words left her mouth she felt Willow’s release. A heartbeat later she followed with a loud, keening scream. "Willow!" Her body shook and she rocked her hips. She wasn’t finished yet.

"Oh … goddess." Willow wasn’t finished either. Both kept up their loving touches and soon they cried out again, only this time their voices mingled as they reached release as the exact same moment.

Willow collapsed on top of Tara, being careful not to let her full weight crush her pregnant lover. She rested her chin on Tara’s shoulder and took in gulps of air as her pounding heart gradually slowed. She smiled as she felt Tara’s hands tracing patterns on her back. Willow sighed and started to move off of her lover.

"Don’t go," Tara pleaded. "I love feeling you on me." She squeezed Willow closer and let out a contented murmur. "You feel so perfect."

"I love you," Willow said with a smile. She shifted her legs, moving both between Tara’s and then settled down onto Tara’s body. "I love it here." She nuzzled Tara’s breasts and used one for a pillow.

"I’m glad." Tara giggled and squeezed Willow with her legs. "I love you more than my own life." She was still breathing heavily, but her heart rate was almost back to normal.

They held each other for some time, simply enjoying the silence. Finally Willow spoke. "Guess you really liked that juice."

Tara laughed and rolled them both over so she was pinning Willow to the bed. "That wasn’t for the juice, you doofus."

"What was it for?" Willow asked innocently. She reached up and tucked Tara’s bangs behind her ears. She loved Tara’s ears. She smiled and traced the left ear with one finger.

"That was because I love you." Tara leaned closer and gave Willow and tender kiss.

"Well, what do I get for hand squeezing that juice?" Willow asked impishly. She lifted her head and took another kiss.

"What would you like?" Tara leaned down and slowly kissed Willow. It was a deep, sensual kiss that erotically charged Willow’s entire body.

"You," Willow replied with a throaty growl. "Again." She smiled pulled Tara in a carnal kiss that only ended when they rolled to the other side of the bed. Their bodies tangled as each woman tried to take the lead. They paused, each giggling, a bit embarrassed by their eagerness.

"Me first, then you," Willow offered with a shy grin.

"Okay," Tara agreed happily. She rolled Willow onto her back and began ravishing her breasts.

"I meant … I get to take you first," Willow protested. "Oh … oh, Tara…" Her protest was forgotten as Tara continued loving her body. "Oh, yeah … you take me first," she said happily. "Oh, yeah … definitely me first."

*****

Dawn stumbled into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She took a drink of milk directly from the carton and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Use a glass," Buffy said with a yawn. She was sitting at the table nursing a cup of coffee.

"So, Willow and Tara … back together." Dawn filled a glass with milk and sat across from Buffy. "Took them long enough."

"How did you … how do you know?" Buffy asked.

"Hello?" Dawn rolled her eyes. "I have ears, Buffy." She smiled as she watched her sister blush the color of a stop sign. "Thank god for headphones or I wouldn’t get any sleep."

"And extra batteries," Buffy muttered. She had also been forced to wear her headphones to drown out the sound of her two friends rather enthusiastic reconciliation. Unfortunately, the two witches outlasted the batteries in her personal CD player.

"You’re still using a Discman?" Dawn sighed and looked at Buffy as if her sister was a child playing with a rock when there was a world full of video games. "I plug my headphones directly into my clock radio. I figured that out ages ago."

Buffy stared blankly at her baby sister.

"Well, come on." Dawn yawned and went to the cupboard. "Those two… yikes. You and Riley never went all night." She cringed. "I’m so not talking about this with you."

"Good idea." Buffy was shell-shocked. She had no idea Dawn had ever heard Riley and her making love.

"So, is that normal?" Dawn asked, ignoring her promise to not discuss the matter any further. She poured a bowl of cereal. "I mean, do most guys … you know … go longer … like Willow and Tara?"

Buffy blinked several times as she prayed she was having a nightmare.

"I mean, what do they do for that long?" Dawn poured the milk into her bowl. "Willow and Tara … good god, don’t they ever get tired?"

"Stop," Buffy pleaded. "Dear god in heaven … please stop." Buffy went to the coffeepot and poured another cup.

"Tara answers my questions," Dawn remarked casually. "She doesn’t treat me like a baby." She flopped into a chair at the table and stirred her cereal.

"Exactly what questions does she answer?" Buffy demanded.

"Geez, Buffy! I don’t ask ‘how to’ stuff about her and Willow." Dawn giggled. "Just general stuff." She sat and glared at her sister. "But if I did have ‘how to questions,’ which I so don’t … Tara would tell me."

"What have you asked her?" Buffy asked curiously. She knew Tara was completely honest and that the blonde witch always treated Dawn with respect and caring.

"Stuff." Dawn blushed.

"What kind of stuff?" Buffy plopped down across from her sister and smiled evilly. She was more than a little curious now.

"About, well, stuff." Dawn’s cheeks darkened.

"Uh huh?" Buffy wiggled closer.

"Stuff," Dawn stalled. She studied her cereal intently. "Ya’ know, about how women, well, you know…" She cleared her throat. "Stuff."

"I thought you didn’t ask ‘how to’ stuff?" Buffy teased. "What did she say?" she asked impatiently.

"Ask her if you wanna’ know!" Dawn wanted to dive into the bowl and hide beneath the milk.

"No way!" Buffy blushed beet red. There was no way she’d ever ask Willow’s girlfriend a question like that. "What did she say?" Buffy asked in a plaintive whine.

"She gave me a book," Dawn whispered.

Both of Buffy’s eyebrows shot high onto her forehead.

"An educational book!" Dawn added when she saw her sister’s expression. "It explains stuff." She cleared her throat again. "All kinds of stuff." Her eyes widened. "And can I just say … if sex education were that explicit in school … There’d be no rush to try it."

"When did she give you this … book?" Buffy bit the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing. Poor Dawn looked mortified.

"After Halloween … after parking with that boy." Dawn couldn’t look at Buffy.

"Parking with that vampire," Buffy corrected.

"Yeah, well, Tara and I talked after … and I think I understand stuff better." Dawn slowly looked over at her sister. "Not that I’m in any big hurry to try any of it. Cuz, well, a lot of it … well, ew!"

"It just different," Buffy said gently. "There’s no ‘ew’ about what Willow and Tara do together."

"Buffy!" Dawn glared at her sister. "That’s so not what I meant." She shook her head. "I meant what guys and girls do." She sighed and glanced toward the ceiling. "What Tara and Willow do, that’s love. It’s beautiful."

"So, do you like girls?" Buffy asked delicately. "In that way? Cuz, it’s perfectly okay if you do…"

Dawn covered her mouth with both hands and snickered. She could tell Buffy was trying to be supportive.

"You have to be who you are," Buffy continued. "And I’ll always love you."

"Buffy, I’m not gay." Dawn continued snickering. "I was just a little intimidated by the boy–girl sex stuff."

"Oh," Buffy said. "Well, yeah, it can be…" She furrowed her brow as she tried to think of the right word.

"Scary," Dawn said for her. "I mean, there’s the stuff part of the stuff, but there’s also the pregnancy and the… oh, my god. I guess you can get pregnant with a girl too." She giggled. "Someone should have told Willow and Tara about safe sex."

"Oh, god, please let me be there when you tell Willow." Buffy giggled along with her sister.

"She’ll die of embarrassment." Dawn snorted and dropped her spoon.

They continued laughing for a few more minutes. Every time one of them would stop, the other would start another round of giggles. It felt good. The two sisters hadn’t bonded much since Buffy’s return from the dead and both needed it.

"You can ask me, you know?" Buffy said as she wiped a laugh-induced tear from her cheek. She looked into Dawn’s eyes. "About stuff. Any stuff."

"I … I know." Dawn blushed so deeply that even her ears were cherry red. "You’ve just been kinda’ doing your own thing."

"You’re my sister," Buffy said intensely. "I’m never too busy for you."

Dawn smiled and looked down at the table. "Yeah, but you’re a dork," she joked.

"Well, get used to it. It’s genetic." Buffy could tell Dawn was touched by her comments, but she could also tell her younger sister needed a break from serious discussion. "So, are you gonna’ embarrass Willow, or am I?"

"We could do it together," Dawn suggested with a devilish smirk. "Double time her."

"She doesn’t stand a chance." Buffy smiled. She felt good. She felt like she and Dawn were connecting, Willow and Tara were back together, and everything was going perfectly.

The phone rang and Buffy cringed.

‘I just had to think it,’ she chastised herself in her mind. ‘I had to jinx it.’ She went to the phone and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Who is it?" Dawn asked.

"She’s in bed. Should I go wake her?" Buffy said into the phone as her face paled. "Yeah, I’ll tell her."

"Buffy?" Dawn’s voice was full of panic.

"I will." Buffy swallowed hard and rubbed her hand over one eye. "Yeah. Thanks." She sighed and nodded, even though her nod couldn’t be seen over the phone. "Yeah, bye."

"What?" Dawn demanded as Buffy hung up the phone.

"It’s nothing. Don’t worry." The sparkle that had lit Buffy’s eyes only minutes earlier was gone.

"No," Dawn said as she shook her head.

"It’ll be okay." She wrapped her arms around Dawn and squeezed her close. "I won’t let anything happen." She closed her eyes and rubbed Dawn’s back as the young teen began to cry.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Some mornings were better than others were, and Willow decided this particular morning was perfect. She inhaled deeply and ran her hand down Tara’s naked back. The blonde was snuggled contentedly with her cheek resting on Willow’s shoulder.

"Good morning," Tara said with a squeak as she yawned. She slid her hand down Willow’s chest and flicked her thumb over her lover’s nipple.

"Morning!" Willow’s reply came out as a startled squeal. "Oh, goddess, you do that really well."

"I love doing it." Tara shifted her weight and replaced her thumb with her mouth.

"I figured that out last night. Well, I already knew it, but you reminded me last night." She bit her lip and arched her body up toward Tara’s scorching mouth. Willow’s body responded instantly. She had been sleeping only minutes before, and with just a few well-placed touches, Tara had her completely aroused.

"I’m ready for seconds," Tara whispered huskily. She looked up into Willow’s eyes as she moved down the redhead’s body. Her half grin could only be described as predatory.

"You had seconds last night," Willow reminded her lover playfully. "And thirds, and fourths, and I think even fifths."

Tara lifted her head and raised one eyebrow in question.

"Not that I’m complaining," Willow quickly amended. She smiled sensually and glanced down between their intertwined bodies. "Think of me as your own personal sand-witch, a sand-wiccan even." She waggled her eyebrows.

"That was bad." Tara giggled wildly. She pressed her forehead to Willow’s naked hip and laughed as she ran her hands down her lover’s legs and then back up again. "Sand-witch?" she asked with a snort.

"Hungry?" Willow asked innocently. She reached down and tucked Tara’s bangs behind her ears. "Cuz I wouldn’t want you going without."

"I’m famished." Tara nipped Willow’s hip and then soothed the bite with a searing kiss. "Starving," she whispered as she lowered her head beneath the covers and bit Willow’s inner thigh. She chuckled sensually when Willow’s legs opened to welcome her.

Willow started to make a witty remark, but it never reached her lips. She inhaled sharply and tossed her head back onto her pillow. "Oh, darling." Willow’s entire body shook as Tara’s mouth found its mark. She rocked her hips and tangled her hands in Tara’s hair.

"You like that?" Tara lifted her head and smiled dangerously as she peeked out from under the blankets.

"Don’t stop," Willow pleaded. Her eyes opened and she looked down beseechingly. "Tara?"

"Well, I did have several servings last night," the blonde replied innocently. "I don’t want to be greedy." Her hand teased Willow’s inner thigh and then dipped into the waiting wetness only to pause.

"Tara Maclay, don’t you even think of stopping." Willow’s pleading tone was gone. She cupped Tara’s face in her hands and her eyes narrowed. She made a noise that sounded surprisingly like a growl.

The blonde smiled triumphantly and dipped her head.

"Oh, god, yes." Willow released Tara’s face and relaxed onto the mattress. "Right there," she whimpered. She gripped the sheets in rhythm with Tara’s touches. "There." She rocked with her lover, their bodies moving in harmony for several minutes until their lovemaking reached its crescendo. Willow’s body stiffened. "Sweet Hestia!" she gasped breathlessly.

Tara felt her lover’s release and she guided her down from it. She left a few more kisses on Willow’s hip, then her belly, and then climbed up her body. "Hestia?" Tara asked with a smug smirk. "That’s a new one." She settled on top of Willow’s chest with her weight resting on her elbows on either side of the petite witch’s body.

"Goddess of home and hearth, and you are my home." Willow ran her hands down Tara’s smooth back and playfully squeezed her rounded hips. "You feel incredible," Willow said as she shifted her chest from side to side so she could feel the sensation of her breasts rubbing Tara’s.

"Yeah, I do," Tara agreed. She sighed and rested her cheek over Willow’s shoulder. She had everything she could ever want. She was with Willow in every way and they were going to have a child. She had never felt more incredible in her life. She wiggled closer to her lover and smirked. The previous night had been filled with passion and more than a little screaming. The blonde Wiccan was definitely feeling smug.

"You feel incredible on top of me," Willow amended. She snickered at her self-satisfied lover.

The blonde lifted her head and looked into Willow’s eyes. "Willow?" she asked seriously. Her blue eyes shined brightly as she held back tears.

"What is it?" Willow asked.

"You know I love you, right?" Tara caressed Willow’s cheek. "You know this is forever? It’s not just sex? No matter how much we joke around?"

"Yeah, baby." Willow’s heart felt like it was going to burst. She ran her hand through Tara’s hair and then guided her closer for a tender kiss. "I love joking with you, Tara. " She rolled to her side, carefully guiding Tara alongside her. "This is making love." She cupped Tara’s cheek in her palm. "This is how I want to spent the rest of my life." She leaned over and slowly kissed the woman who was her everything.

"The rest of your life?" Tara asked when the kiss broke. A playful sparkle flashed in her slate blue eyes. "Won’t you get a little sore?"

"You are such a doofus," Willow said lovingly. She snuggled onto Tara’s shoulder.

"Your doofus," Tara corrected.

"Yeah, you are." Willow sighed and tossed her leg possessively over Tara’s thighs.

"I’m happy," Tara said contentedly and then smiled giddily.

"You should be." Willow moved a hand down and cradled Tara’s belly. "After all those sand-witches."

Tara let out a bark of laughter. "Can you pack me one for later?" she asked. "I might need a snack."

"Just don’t plan on opening it in front of anyone," Willow answered. "I like my picnics private."

Tara smiled sensually and tugged Willow closer. Her grin grew as she imagined having a naughty picnic.

"Tara?" Willow asked tentatively. She sat up and looked into the blonde’s mischievous eyes. "No! Tara, no. No sand-witches in public."

Tara glanced down shyly, but her grin didn’t fade.

"Tara!" Willow implored. "They still won’t let me back in that bookstore downtown. Please, honey, no." She blushed as she remembered an impromptu necking session in the sacred herb section of a small Wiccan bookstore across town. The shop owner had told them to never come back and then escorted them out the front door … after Willow finished getting dressed.

Tara giggled as she squeezed Willow tightly.

"Honey, please?" Willow asked.

Before Tara could reply, a soft knock on the door broke the moment.

"You guys up?" Buffy asked through the door.

"No naughty Tara in public," Willow whispered sternly as she tugged the blankets over Tara and then herself. She turned toward the door. "We’re awake, Buffy."

"You like naughty Tara," the blonde witch whispered as she held the blankets to her abundant cleavage.

Willow shook a finger at her lover as the door opened.

"Hey, guys." Buffy came into the room. She almost choked on her own tongue when she noticed that her friends were obviously naked beneath the blankets.

"What’s up?" Willow asked. She snuggled under the covers and gave Buffy her full attention.

Tara yawned and then blinked as she studied the Slayer.

"Um, you know, I’m used to dealing with witches of the more clothed variety." Buffy backed against the doorframe. "Can you guys shower and get dressed, and then come downstairs? It’s important."

"Is it Amy?" Willow asked.

"We’ll talk downstairs." She backed out the door and closed it in her wake.

"Willow?" Tara sat up and looked at her lover.

"It’ll be okay," Willow swore. She leaned over and kissed Tara’s forehead. "Come on. It’s probably nothing." She smiled reassuringly. "How could anything bad happen on a day that starts like this one?" She climbed from the bed and stretched.

Tara nodded, but fear gripped her heart. Buffy had been frightened, and that meant something was terribly wrong. All Willow’s promises couldn’t do a thing to change reality.

*****

"What?" Tara yelled angrily. Her blue eyes flashed menacingly as she took a step toward Buffy. "No! Willow isn’t going anywhere near that bitch."

"Giles wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t an emergency," Buffy explained delicately. "Amy’s going through major withdrawals. She’s terrified."

Tara folded her arms over her chest defiantly. She had no sympathy for Amy; she had no sympathy for anyone who tried to hurt Willow.

"Giles is scared," Buffy added. The admission spoke volumes.

"I’ve been through this," Willow said as she moved alongside Tara. "Maybe I can help."

"No," Tara stated flatly.

"It’s kinda’ my fault," Willow said quickly. "I mean, maybe if I hadn’t kept her a rat so long, she wouldn’t have turned to dark magic."

"That’s crap and you know it." Tara scowled at her lover. "She would have just turned to it sooner."

Buffy backed up and tried to stay out of Tara’s way. She wondered if Tara’s fiercely protective side had been triggered by her pregnancy or if it was simply her love for Willow. All she knew for sure was that she didn’t want this Tara pissed off at her.

"Maybe Willow can talk to Amy over the phone," Dawn suggested. She’d never seen Tara so protective and unwilling to offer help to someone in need. "Willow can talk Amy through the withdrawal … be her witchy sponsor?"

Buffy shot her younger sister a suspicious glare.

"After school special," Dawn explained. "Very informative."

"That would be okay," Tara said cautiously.

"Honey…" Willow took Tara’s hand and squeezed it. "If she’s as bad as Buffy says, she won’t be able to come to the phone. I’d be really careful." She hated the idea of abandoning Amy. Willow wanted to believe her childhood friend hadn’t meant to hurt her and had only acted under duress, and she wanted to help get her old friend back.

"And I’m supposed to risk you?" Tara asked plaintively. "I just found you again."

"Buffy will be with me the whole time. Giles too," Willow promised.

"I’ll keep her safe." Buffy straightened to her full, though somewhat petite, height. "I am the Slayer," she reminded Tara. "And Willow has that witchy necklace you gave her."

"Fine," Tara agreed. She stuck her jaw out obstinately. "I’m going with you."

"But…" Willow started to argue but stopped. Tara’s ‘resolve face’ was not to be challenged. Willow’s mind flashed back to a horrible day, back to the day she had watched helplessly as Tara stood up to a hell goddess. Glory had ordered Tara to expose the Key, and Tara had stuck her jaw out defiantly, she faced down a goddess, suffered torture without so much as a sound, and had her sanity sucked from her mind rather than risk Dawn’s safety. No, Willow knew she couldn’t break Tara’s will once her mind was made up.

"Willow?" Buffy asked in a concerned tone. She could see the emotions flickering over the redhead’s face.

"Okay," Willow told Tara quietly.

"What?" Buffy asked incredulously.

"What happened to keeping Tara away from dark magic?" Dawn was terrified.

Tara pulled Willow closer and draped her hand around her petite lover’s waist. "I can’t use dark magic," she explained. "Or be with someone who uses it." She squeezed Willow closer. "But facing it, fighting it off, that actually strengthens my system."

"Huh?" Buffy asked in her typical astute fashion.

"And a big ‘huh’ from me too," Dawn added.

Willow raised her hand into the air as if asking a question in class. "Put me in the ‘huh’ camp too."

"Gran never used dark magic or allowed any of her loved ones to either." Tara sighed and nodded toward the door. She headed toward the exit as she spoke. "But Gran dealt with dark magic, she fought it." Tara opened the door and nodded toward the driveway. "Giles did say we should hurry, right?"

Buffy nodded and followed mutely.

"So your Gran was a ‘cool monster fighter’?" Willow asked.

"Sometimes." Tara smiled enigmatically.

"Did that make her a mage?" Buffy asked.

"It helped," Tara said. "Fighting dark magic r-requires huge amounts of energy; she had to directly channel the goddess in those times."

Buffy hurried around Willow and Tara so she could unlock the car. "How often did your Gran fight monsters?"

"Three times." Tara went to the passenger side of the car. "S-she told me all about it when I was little."

"Tara, you’ve fought monsters, vampires, ghosts, and evil witches," Dawn pointed out. "Not to mention … a hellgod." Her voice quavered. "What has that done to you?"

The blonde witch’s eyes widened. She’d never considered that particular point.

"Oh, boy," Willow said nervously.

They climbed into the car and sat quietly as Buffy started the engine. No one knew what to say. They all wondered exactly how much divine essence Tara had already accumulated while fighting monsters in Sunnydale. During the months following Buffy’s death, Tara had spent every night on patrol with Willow and the others. She had channeled divine magic more times than she could count.

As they left the driveway, the phone inside the house rang. After three rings, the answering machine picked up and Buffy’s cheerful message asked the caller to leave a message and then the machine recorded the incoming call.

"This is Chava. Doctor Diana asked me to call. Tara, you need to call us as soon as you get this message, in fact, just come to the office if you can. Call me. It’s important. 555-8372."

*****

On the short trip to Xander and Anya’s, Tara laid down the law. Willow was not allow to go closer to Amy than five feet, Dawn wasn’t allowed in the same room with the dark haired witch, and Buffy was to be nearby at all times in case she had to restrain Amy.

When they knocked on the door, it opened instantly and Giles stepped into the hall before they could go into the apartment.

"Thank you for coming," he said quietly. "Before you go in, we should have some ground rules," he told Willow.

"Tara already covered that," Buffy interrupted.

"I rather thought you’d stay home where it’s safe," Giles told Tara in a chastising tone.

"I don’t trust Willow’s safety to anyone," Tara said firmly.

"Yes, well … I see." Giles had no answer for that. The blonde witch had basically just said she didn’t think he could keep her lover safe.

Willow and Tara went into the apartment hand in hand.

"She’s just all hormonal gal." Buffy tried to comfort her maligned Watcher.

"After my pitiful performance during Rack’s attack at the hotel, I rather think Tara is correct." Giles met Buffy’s eyes briefly and then he smiled at Dawn. "Good to see you. Shouldn’t you be in school?"

"Teacher training day," Dawn explained.

"Yes, well, we should get inside," Giles said cheerfully. "Stay away from Amy," he cautioned. "Actually, it’s best you don’t even go into the same—"

"Room with her," Dawn said before he could finish.

"Mama bear Tara already laid down the law," Buffy explained with a snicker.

Inside the apartment, Amy was in the back bedroom pacing. "Don’t let Tara kill me," Amy said as she wiped her nose with a Kleenex. "She said she’d kill me if I ever came near Willow again, and I believe her. She’s unstable." Amy ran her hands through her greasy, uncombed hair.

"Yes, and aren’t you just the model of stability," Anya replied astringently. She didn’t like having a junky in her home, and she really didn’t like being forced to baby sit that junky while she could be at her shop making piles of beautiful money. Unfortunately, keeping a magic addict at a magic shop just wasn’t a bright idea.

"You won’t let her hurt me, will you?" Amy asked.

"Look, as much as I’d enjoy watching Tara disembowel you, she’s much too sweet to do that." There was a healthy dose of disappointment in Anya’s voice. "She’s nice," Anya complained. "She’ll take one look at your sorry butt and get all maternal and try to make chicken soup for you."

Amy gave Anya an incredulous stare. "Are we talking about the same woman?" She sat on the bed and clutched her belly.

Anya smiled as she remembered Tara tossing Amy into the wall at the shop. She liked take-charge Tara. Take-charge Tara was actually kind of sexy.

"Amy, how are you?" Willow asked hesitantly from the door.

"Willow!" Amy started to get up but then she saw Tara at Willow’s side. "Oh, god, don’t kill me!"

Willow and Anya smirked and rolled their eyes in unison at the absurdity of Amy’s fear. Tara did not. The blonde witch’s eyes lost almost every hint of blue. She glared at Amy with a steely gaze.

"Don’t give me a reason to," Tara said dangerously. She took a step closer to Amy.

"I … I…" The dark haired woman actually stumbled to her feet to get away.

"Nobody messes with my girl," Tara said as she kept Amy pinned in her gaze.

"Well, you go, Tara!" Anya smiled and lifted her hand as if to offer Tara a high-five.

Tara’s eyes never left Amy. The blonde witch wasn’t in the mood for frivolity.

"Honey, it’s kinda hard to help Amy on the road to recovery if ya’ scare the heck outa’ her and she runs away." Willow rested a hand on her lover’s shoulder. "Hey," she complained when she felt that the muscles were stone solid. She moved behind Tara and massaged her neck and shoulders.

"I’ll just be going now." Anya scurried out of the room.

"Rack wants us back," Amy said as she paced the room. She was covered in dried sweat that was mingling with a new coating of perspiration. Her hands shook as she fidgeted with her dirty, painfully short fingernails. "He won’t let us just leave." She grabbed her belly and cringed. "Oh, god." She sprinted into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Tara stared at the bathroom door, her eyes still not softening. She heard Amy being sick, and then she heard the water running in the shower.

"She’s having a rough time," Willow said to fill the awkward silence.

Tara turned toward her lover and studied her. Willow looked like the healthy, happy woman Tara had fallen in love with. She was wearing a long skirt, and boots that went to her knees and a sweater with a silly cat on the chest. Tara couldn’t imagine Willow looking like a junky.

"What?" Willow asked.

"Did it get that bad for y-you?" Tara asked as her tough exterior cracked.

Willow looked down at the floor, her shame making her blush. "Worse," she said in a humiliated whisper.

"Oh, Willow, please forgive me." Tara’s facade crumbled and she pulled Willow into a fierce embrace. "I’m so sorry." She began to cry. "I never should have abandoned you," she said between sobs. It broke her gentle heart to think that she had left Willow to endure such pain alone. "I’m so sorry, baby."

Willow let Tara cry until she her sobs slowed. She was getting a handle on Tara’s pregnancy moods, and she’d found that when Tara cried, it was best to let her get it out of her system before trying logic.

"My poor Willow." Tara eased back and ran her fingers through Willow’s hair. "Forgive me," she asked with trembling lips.

"Tara, I’m only gonna’ say this once." Willow looked deep into her lover’s eyes. "You did the right thing. I don’t even want to think what might have happened to you or the baby if you’d stayed. You had to leave."

Tara’s eyes shined with tears as she pictured Willow going through withdrawal alone and scared.

"Honey." Willow squeezed Tara’s shoulder to draw her back from the painful thoughts. "I don’t know if I would have stopped using dark magic if you hadn’t left."

Tara’s blue eyes widened in shock.

"Losing you was the first, and most painful, wake up call." Willow pulled Tara into a hug. "It hurt so much watching you leave," she whispered. "But even then, I wasn’t ready to give it up. After everything with Dawn getting hurt..." She took a deep breath and admitted something she hadn’t wanted to even admit to herself. "If I’d had you at home waiting to hold me, and love me, and make it all go away, I would have went out the next night to get my magical fix."

"No," Tara pulled back. "Dawnie was hurt, you would have stopped."

"Tara, you saved my life by leaving." Tears rolled down Willow’s cheeks. "I’m an addict. If I had someone waiting at home to pick up the pieces every time I screwed up my life, I wouldn’t have bothered to stop using."

"What about now?" Tara asked.

"Now?" Willow smiled and leaned forward and kissed her lover’s forehead. She ran her hand over the tiny Band-Aid covering the stitches in the blonde’s hair. "Now I’d know I was throwing away everything that mattered. I threw it away the night I let you walk out." She smiled and leaned in to kiss Tara again, only this time she gave her a sweet, lingering kiss on the lips. "I’m a fast learner. I’ll never risk losing you again."

They were still holding each other when Amy came out of the bathroom freshly showered. Amy sat on the bed and rambled while Willow sat a few feet away in a chair. Tara sat on the floor between Willow’s legs. She wasn’t going to give Amy a clear shot at Willow.

Most of the morning passed, and Amy seemed to feel better after crying and talking to Willow. She talked about her mother’s dark magic use, and about how Rack made her feel, and she talked about how much the withdrawal hurt. Tara sat vigil the entire time. Her blue eyes scanned Amy for any sign of danger, but she saw none.

By lunchtime, Amy was exhausted. She drifted off to sleep and didn’t even stir when Willow and Tara crept out of the room.

"Hey, how goes the Amy watch?" Buffy asked when she saw her friends coming down the hall.

"She’s resting," Tara said. After watching Amy suffer for several hours, she was beginning to feel sympathy for the dark-haired witch. Of course, that sympathy was overshadowed by her willingness to rip Amy limb from limb if she so much as gave Willow a dark look. She lifted Willow’s hand and kissed her knuckles. She was proud of her lover. Willow had been strong, caring, and forceful with Amy. Every time Amy suggested using just a little magic to take the edge off, Willow would have a dozen reasons why that wasn’t a good idea. She kept promising Amy it would get better, but she wouldn’t lie. She told Amy it would get much worse before it improved.

"You should eat something," Willow suggested. She had made Buffy stop on the way over to get breakfast at a fast food drive-thru. "Something healthy," she quickly amended. "You had junk food this morning."

"What are you in the mood for?" Buffy asked.

Tara dipped her head and a mischievous smile curled her full lips. She lifted her gaze and caught Willow’s eyes with a heated look. "Maybe we could go out for something," she told Buffy without breaking the smoldering gaze with her lover. "I have a really, really intense craving for a sandwich."

Willow let out a squeak. She shook her head and pleaded with her eyes. She fully remembered Tara’s naughty comments about sand-witches. Tara’s expression made it clear she was craving a fresh Willow sand-witch.

"Since when don’t you like sandwiches?" Buffy asked curiously.

"Yeah, since when?" Tara asked innocently. She slowly licked her lips and smiled sensually. "I thought you loved having a nice sandwich." She batted her eyelashes demurely. "These cravings are really intense. You aren’t gonna’ make me suffer, are you?" Her slate blue eyes sparkled.

"Geez, Willow, pregnant girlfriend … craving? How mean are you?" Buffy put both hands on her hips and gave Willow a stern look. "Just give the poor woman her sandwich." She looked over at Tara. "Where do you want to go? I’ll drive. Giles can stay with Amy, and since Dawn went to the movies with her friend, it’s just us gals, um adult gals."

"I love that health food store downtown," Tara said innocently. "Is that okay with you, Willow?" She batted her eyelashes at her lover.

"Sure, fine." Willow agreed helplessly. ‘Great, I love that place,’ she thought grouchily. ‘I really don’t want to get kicked outta’ there too.’

"Let’s go now," Tara grabbed Willow’s hand and pulled her toward the front door. "I’m starving!"

‘Oh, well,’ Willow thought with a wicked smirk. ‘At least it’ll be fun.’

*****

Diana went to the front desk in her office and leaned over the counter and caught Chava’s attention. "Well?" she asked anxiously.

"Nothing." Chava frowned. "I even tried the magic shop on the emergency call list. I can’t get a hold of anyone."

"Keep trying," Diana said as she stood and smoothed her white smock into place. "If you can’t reach Tara in the next hour, go over to her house. Maybe the phone’s out."

"Diana, how bad is this?" Chava stood and folded her arms over her chest.

"I don’t know," Diana said testily. "That’s why I’m so worried." She sighed. "Okay, is my next appointment here?"

"In exam two," Chava said quietly.

"Thanks." Diana smiled halfheartedly. "Keep calling," she said as she spun and went to see her next patient.

*****

"Vegetarian health food store and organic sandwich shop?" Anya asked as Buffy parked in front of the small building. "And it’s a co-op." Anya snickered and covered her mouth with both hands. "Why don’t they just hang a big ol’ ‘lesbian Mafia’ sign on the front window?"

Tara snorted but then covered it with a faked cough as soon as Willow glared at her.

"Just because it’s a health food co-op, that doesn’t mean it’s lesbian owned," Willow said defensively.

"Honey, it is lesbian owned," Tara whispered.

"Oh," Willow said. She smiled at her lover and then giggled. "How stereotypical is that?" She smirked.

"Hello? Apology?" Anya spun around and glared at Willow. "You … owing me one…"

Tara folded her hands in her lap and smiled sweetly at Willow.

"Sorry," Willow mumbled. "You were right. We’re going to the lesbian Mafia outlet. Stay close to me and don’t piss off the butch bodyguard at the front door." She opened the door and climbed out. "I can’t show you the secret handshake, not unless we convert you first."

"Xander wouldn’t like that," Anya said with a sigh. "He frowns on me thinking sexually about other people."

Buffy turned and looked over the seat at Tara. "You really had to get her going?"

"It’s a gift." Tara shrugged.

"How’s that craving going?" Buffy asked sympathetically.

"It’s intense." Tara smiled as she looked out the window at Willow. "But I’m sure I’ll satisfy it right now."

"Cool." Buffy climbed out of the car and shook her head ruefully as she watched Willow open the door for Tara. "Love looks good on ya,’ Will," she whispered too quietly for her friends to hear.

"Ready, honey?" Willow took Tara’s hand and guided her out of the car.

"Very ready." Tara raised her eyebrows quickly and then licked her lips.

"Honey…" Willow squeezed Tara’s hand and gave her one last pleading look.

"My god, Willow," Buffy said testily. "When did you get this sandwich phobia?"

"That’s very common," Anya pointed out. "Fear of sandwiches," she clarified as the others followed her into the small shop. "It stems from a genetic memory of a demonic condiment outbreak at the turn of the century."

Willow, Tara, and Buffy all stared at Anya dumbfounded.

"Hey, demonic mayonnaise can be very frightening." Anya pointed behind the counter. "Oh, look, a PETA poster." She smiled smugly. "Nope, no lesbians stereotypes here."

"Hey!" Willow glared at the ex-demon. "Do I make fun of your demony things?"

"Yes," Anya said in a bored tone.

"Do I have to separate you two?" Buffy asked sweetly. "Because I will." She made a show of cracking her knuckles in front of her chest.

"Buffy, could you order our sandwiches?" Tara asked. "Just ask for two number 23s."

"Why can’t you order them?" Buffy asked.

Willow nodded enthusiastically. She had a very good idea why Tara wanted the Slayer to order, and Willow wanted to cut that idea off at the pass.

"I’m feeling a little…" Tara scowled and pointed toward the bathroom at the back of the dining area. "Pregnancy stuff," she added. "And well, I feel so much better when Willow’s with me." Tara looked over at Willow and waggled her eyebrows. Her back was to Buffy and Anya, so only Willow could see the lustful look on Tara’s face.

Willow squeaked.

"Get in there and comfort her!" Anya ordered. "And why didn’t you pack any of those ginger snaps I baked?"

Tara cringed. After tasting the medicinal cookies, she much preferred morning sickness.

"Yeah, go comfort," Buffy ordered. "I’ll order the sandwiches. Two number 23s." She waved a hand at the two witches. "I don’t want Tara’s cravings going unanswered."

"Yes, Willow." Tara leered at her lover. "We wouldn’t want that."

Willow looked around the small shop. Other than the Scoobies, the shop was mostly empty. She looked at back at Tara and saw the raw need in her eyes. A flutter of arousal she’d been fighting to restrain came crawling up and she shivered.

"No, can’t have that," Willow agreed. She grabbed Tara’s hand and hurried her toward the bathroom.

"This place must have good food," Anya observed. "Tara looked really excited about that sandwich. Order me a number 23 too."

Buffy nodded as she scanned the list of sandwiches. She saw number 23 and frowned. "What’s so special about a roast chicken sandwich?" she asked.

"Well, they are lesbians," Anya pointed out. "And it’s made with a whole chicken breast." She snorted at her own joke.

Buffy shook her head and went over to the register to order.

"Tara, um, honey, I’m intrigued by your wild streak, but, a restroom? Um, not exactly the most roomy setting." Willow jogged alongside Tara as the blonde hurried to the door at one end of the hall.

As soon as Tara opened the door, she yanked Willow inside and pressed her against the wall. The restroom was actually quite large and roomy, and it was decorated tastefully. It was immaculate, as if a swarm of cleaning elves had just scoured every surface.

Tara kissed her, but it was not the scorching kiss Willow had expected from her highly aroused lover. It was slow and sensual and after a moment, Willow forgot where she was and simply sank into the kiss.

Willow moaned as Tara’s tongue flickered inside her mouth. She felt lightheaded and had to wrap her arms around Tara to steady herself. She heard the click of a deadbolt and she abruptly opened her eyes.

"Do you have any idea how much I want you?" Tara asked huskily. She lifted Willow off the floor and leaned into her.

"I think I do." Willow swallowed audibly and wrapped her legs around Tara’s waist. "How far are you planning on taking this?" she asked. Her heart rate doubled and she felt a skittering of electricity spread from her belly outward.

"All the way." Tara took possession of Willow’s mouth in a deep, lingering kiss.

"Oh, goddess." Willow dropped her head back and it slammed into the wall with a loud thump. She was breathing in ragged gasps and she still wasn’t sure if Tara was teasing her or if the blonde actually planned to make love to her a few yards from the deli.

"I love you." Tara smiled sensually and nipped Willow’s throat. She lifted Willow up and settled her against the wall again, this time holding the petite redhead’s weight up with only her left arm.

"Tara…" Willow shivered as she felt the blonde slide her skirt up and out of the way. She started to ask if she was too heavy but she never got the chance. Tara kissed her again and Willow was lost. She arched into Tara and rocked against her hips. Any doubt as to what Tara’s intentions were disappeared when Willow heard the sound of tearing fabric and then she felt her panties fall away.

"Can’t deny these cravings," Tara whispered hotly in Willow’s ear.

"Oh god!" Willow slammed her head against the wall again as Tara took what she was craving. "Tara … Tara … Oh, Tara." Willow was rolling her hips with Tara’s commanding touch. She took in gulps of air between kisses and then she inhaled a long breath with a high pitched whine. "Oh, sweet goddess." Her entire being shook as her body released. It was the fastest she’d ever reached climax, but instead of leaving her unsatisfied, it left her drained, as if her body had just sprinted an entire race from the starting gun to the tightly strung finish tape.

Tara moaned sensually as she continued kissing Willow’s throat. She chuckled. "Thank you for the sand-witch," she whispered with a giggle. She gently cradled Willow, holding her safely in her arms.

After a few moments, Willow opened her eyes and smiled at Tara. "You’re insane," she whispered. She sighed contentedly. "Hey, I must be heavy," she said anxiously.

Tara quirked her lips into a wry grin. She nodded downward.

Willow followed Tara’s gaze and saw that she and Tara were both hovering a few inches from the ground.

"Oh god!" Willow squealed. She and Tara both dropped, but Tara caught them.

"Easy," Tara whispered.

"No, honey, magic," Willow was panicking.

"It’s okay, love." Tara kissed Willow’s frown. "It’s not dark magic."

"But last night…" Willow said as she untangled from Tara’s body. "Last night, there was no floating. I’m sure there was no floating." She was quickly hyperventilating.

"That’s right," Tara said warmly. "There wasn’t. We made love, but in the back of your mind, you were scared of letting your magic out." She rested her palm over Willow’s heart. "Willow magic," she whispered. "Light magic." She kissed Willow, and as their tongues met, the redheaded witch began floating up the side of the wall. Tara guided her lover higher until Willow’s hips were at eye level for the blonde witch. That was exactly where Tara wanted her.

"Tara? What are you—" Willow gasped and grabbed Tara’s shoulders as the blonde witch helped herself to a Willowy sand-witch. Many minutes later, when Tara finally finished, Willow floated limply to the ground. The redhead sighed clung to her lover.

"So, seems like you can channel light based magic just fine after all," Tara observed with a smug smile.

"So that’s what this was about?" Willow studied Tara. She was in awe of her. The blonde put everyone’s needs above her own. "You wanted me thinking about this unusual setting … who might walk in on us, and not about containing my light magic?"

"That, and I thought you’d look really hot squirming as I took you against the wall," Tara said wickedly.

"Tara!" Willow blushed and cleared her throat. Her body reacted to the spicy words. She exhaled a calming breath and looked around the room. "We should go," she said as she tugged her collar.

"We might want to … um … freshen up a bit," Tara suggested. She pressed a hand between Willow’s legs over the rough fabric of her skirt.

"What?" Willow furrowed her brow, then realized what Tara meant. "Oh, goddess!" She looked around and then rushed to the sink.

Tara watched her lover and sighed. She’d known that Willow was holding back the magic side of herself, and that it was based in light. She leaned down and picked up the torn panties from the floor and then tucked them into her pocket. ‘I’ll just take this as a nice little souvenir,’ she thought happily.

*****

They collected their sandwiches, the ones from the deli, and then went back to the apartment.

"We brought you a corned beef sandwich," Buffy told Giles. "Don’t you English guys like corned beef?"

"That’s the Irish," Anya pointed out. "But you’ll like it, Giles. It’s free-range beef. Happy little cows from the lesbian deli." She held her fingers to her head like horns. "Happy little gay cows roaming the flower covered prairie, wearing their little bovine Birkenstocks … right up until they slit their little cow throats. That’s a whole lotta’ blood."

"I’m sure the corned beef is fine." Giles took the sandwich and sat at the glass-topped table.

Buffy cringed and was suddenly happy she had a chicken sandwich.

"I have to take Xander his lunch. Don’t let that rat-girl chew the furniture." Anya grabbed a bag and headed for the door. "Thank god she’s house broken. I do not want any stains on this white carpet."

"Yes, Anya, white carpet," Giles said with a frustrated sigh. "Run along. I’ll see to it the carpet is pristine upon your return."

"It better be." Anya slammed the door as she left.

Tara and Willow sat across from him and dug into their own lunches. They exchanged smiles as they exchanged bits of their meals. It was a pointless trade, since they had ordered the exact same things. They just liked feeding each other.

"So, did you satisfy that craving of yours?" Buffy pointed at Tara’s sandwich.

"I’m definitely feeling satisfied," Tara said sweetly.

Willow choked on her soda and coughed diet coke out her nose.

Tara patted her lover on the back until her coughs subsided.

"Are you quite all right?" Giles asked.

"Something just went down the wrong way," Tara explained with the utmost sincerity.

Willow coughed again and shot Tara a warning glare.

The blonde witch shrugged and smiled. "You okay, honey?"

"Easy there, Will," Buffy said as she went down the hall to call Dawn. "You can’t just let stuff go down anyway it wants to."

"That would be bad." Tara smiled innocently. "Wrong even." She waggled her eyebrows.

"Yes, must take care to see that everything goes down all right." Giles took another bite of his sandwich. "Um, this really is delicious."

Willow bit the inside of her cheek and prayed she would stop blushing. She wondered how many more times her friends could mention ‘going down.’ She stared at Tara, but the blonde looked as innocent as a newborn babe.

Tara leaned over and kissed Willow’s ear. "There’s a detailed description of how to make things go down correctly in that volumey text, the maroonriffer report," she whispered.

"You’re not helping," Willow said in a sing song whisper. She remembered the volumey maroonriffer report all too well. Finding the nonexistent text had been the excuse she and Tara had cooked up to escape a Scooby meeting. They successfully escaped the meeting and went home and conceived their daughter. No, Tara was not helping Willow’s predicament one tiny little bit.

Amy came into the room and paused in the doorway. "Hey," she said in a gravely whisper.

"Amy, do you feel up to eating something?" Giles reached into a bag on the table and pulled out a sandwich. "Chicken salad?"

Amy scowled and shook her head. "Not really feeling like putting any more ammo in the vomit cannon." She gingerly patted her belly.

"It’ll get easier," Willow said with a supportive smile. She cleared her throat, her coughing fit finally over.

"I can feel him," Amy said as she rubbed her arms and looked around the room.

"I know it feels that way, but that’ll pass," Willow promised.

"No," Amy insisted. She waved her hand in the air. "I can feel him." She spun and looked behind her. "Here. I can feel him here, now."

"T-that’s not possible." Tara stood and took a protective stance in front of Willow.

"Wait…" Willow stood and closed her eyes. She could feel it too. "Oh, goddess." She reached for Tara just as the air rippled near the front entrance and then the oak door shattered.

"Buffy!" Giles yelled. He grabbed a butter knife from the table and moved in front of Tara.

The Slayer came running down the hall. She’d been in the other room talking to Dawn on the phone when she heard the commotion. She ran toward the living room, but she was too late.

A blonde warlock walked over the broken remains of the door and looked at Amy and then Willow. He had tiny green lumps on his forehead that looked like newly sprouted horns. "No one leaves Rack."

Giles ran toward the intruder but the warlock flicked a wrist and sent Giles flying.

"I have a message for you," the warlock said and then he shoved his hands at Willow and bolts green lighting shot out of his fingers. "Rack sends his regards."

Tara grabbed Willow and held the redhead behind her. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply and a white light appeared in front of her and it absorbed the green bolt. She was pushed back, causing Willow to stagger with her.

"Get down!" Amy yelled. She dove across the room and tackled Willow and drove her to the floor.

A second bolt of energy flew at Tara, but seeing Amy grab Willow distracted her. She was looking at her lover when the next bolt hit her shield.

"Tara!" Willow yelled. She watched in horror as Tara was tossed over the glass table and slammed into the wall ten feet away. The blonde slid down the wall and settled in a crumbled heap on the floor with her back to Willow.

Buffy hit the intruder in a full body tackle. They rolled across the wooden fragments of the door and Buffy reacted instinctively. She grabbed a splintered piece of wood and drove it through the horned warlock’s chest.

He screamed, and blood bubbled out of his mouth. His eyes closed as his last breath gurgled out.

"Get off me." Willow shoved Amy away and sprinted to Tara’s side. "No! Baby?" she said as she rested her hand on Tara’s back. "Oh, god, baby, talk to me."

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