Merry looked worried when Doyle and Buffy returned. Buffy had her arm wrapped around Doyle's waist and they strolled close together talking. Merry felt a rush of jealousy. Of all her consorts, Doyle still kept his distance from her. She suddenly realized that Buffy was helping him to walk as if he were hurt. She rushed from the house with the others close behind her. "What happened were you assaulted?" Merry looked them over for wounds.
"No, we just sparred. I only broke him, a little. He'll be okay." Buffy thoughtfully mulled over everything Whistler told her.
"You beat Doyle in a fight?" Frost asked, looking from the former Captain of the Ravens to the small blonde.
"Yeah, what about it Silver?" Buffy still wasn't happy with him from earlier.
"What kind of sparring?" Rhys asked, trying to think of a style that Doyle hadn't mastered.
"Blades, then we moved onto hand-to-hand. It was just what I needed. I'm going to take a bath, then a long nap." Buffy walked by the others, and into the house.
"If you value your life, Rhys, don't say a word," Doyle growled. "Princess, what happened after we left the bedroom?"
Merry let out a frustrated sigh, before recounting what she knew. "Taranis' seers know something happened in the Sithin. He wanted to know what it was and hoped I would tell him. There's something more to it, but he wouldn't tell me."
"The seers knew about Buffy's arrival and that it or she's somehow significant. The important question is for what or to whom," Frost said what everyone was thinking.
"Perhaps, we can help her find out. I'm worried that the Seelie Court will send spies. What happens when they find out about Buffy? Will they try to take her?" Merry pondered the implications. She knew about her great Uncle's secret. If she had to, she would use it. Merry felt that Buffy was important to her and to the fey. "I believe that she's going to require her own personal guard. Someone she trusts intuitively. Doyle, will you contact my aunt, please?" He bowed his head, moving into the house.
Frost wrapped his arms around her as she leaned into him. She realized that she loved him, and would be extremely happy if he got her pregnant. Frost would be a good consort to her and father to her child. If only she could control her future, but she was a pawn chased by time.
"The Queen's waiting for you, princess," Doyle called from the house.
She rushed inside to keep Andais from waiting. "Merry, what's the purpose of this meeting." Andais scowled at her, already unhappy with her niece.
"Taranis contacted me, aunt. His seers forewarned him about what happened at the Mound. There's more to this; the Seelie Court is unduly interested. Buffy needs a guard that she trusts and I humbly request one. The only person she seemed to like was Barinthus. Would you permit him to watch over her?" Merry watched her aunt, almost afraid what she would see or hear.
"Merry, do you want all my Ravens? She may have Barinthus. I discharge him from my service. I won't want him back once he's been with that girl. He'll be accountable for anything that she does. Do we understand each other, niece?" The queen looked at Merry coldly before disappearing.
"She released Barinthus from duty. What in the world's going on? What happened between her and Taranis, or her and Buffy?"
A scream from upstairs had them racing off to investigate, with Doyle disappearing to meet them there. They burst into Buffy's room where they found her in the throws of a nightmare. She thrashed on the bed with tears running down her face.
"No," she yelled before shooting up from the bed, wide-awake.
Merry moved to sit by her on the bed. "Buffy, are you all right?"
"Nightmares," Buffy replied in a child-like voice.
The others left the room, looking at the blonde with pity. Merry saw a lost child her huge tearstained eyes. "Do you wish to talk about it?" Merry asked in a comforting tone.
Someone knocked on the bedroom door before opening it. Barinthus stuck his head in and asked, "Can I come in?" Buffy flew off the bed, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her holding her as she cried. Looking at Merry over her head, he asked a question with his eyes, she shrugged in response. Barinthus rubbed Buffy's back soothingly until she quieted. Merry quietly left the bedroom. She forgot about Maeve's pool, although, she shouldn't set anything past Barinthus, he always seemed to make thing happen.
"How'd you get here? When'd you get here?" Buffy asked in wonder.
"Merry's worried about you and requested a guard. Andais released me, so that I could protect you, little one," he explained as he held her.
They sat on the bed with Buffy snuggled against his side. She couldn't explain it but she felt safe with Barinthus, as if they had known each other forever. "Why'd Merry do that? I can take care of myself. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I don't understand." She looked up at him, her eyes clear of tears.
Barinthus knew he was in trouble; this little pixie was something unique. He needed to protect her, feeling a stronger attraction than anything in all his 6000 years. What was she? He had never met anyone like her, and had seen every possible mix that between Seelie, Unseelie, goblins, human, gods and nameless others.
"Buffy, sweet, the Seelie Court knows about your arrival. Just not the wonderful results," he hugged her close. "Merry's right. No matter how well you can take care of yourself. If Taranis sends people after you, you'll need help. Do you have any idea why he'd want you?"
She stared into his ocean-colored eyes, hoping that he was the man she thought he was. "Bar, if I tell you something will it be just between us?"
"I give you my oath, little one." Barinthus gently kissed her brow.
"You know I'm from a different world. Well, I learned earlier why I'm here. This may take a while, so get comfy." She played with his hair as she told her story. He listened never saying a word only holding her while she talked. "Bar, say something. Please."
Barinthus blinked, coming back to himself. "You've lived through a lot for one so young. Maybe when you trust Merry more, you two could talk, she's lived a hard life as well. She knows a lot about destiny and fate. So, no magic can harm you and your dreams will tell you whom to help?" He repeated quietly, trying to take in all the information.
"According to the magic midget," she replied, her voice heavy with irritation. Barinthus looked at her in confusion. "The Powers messenger's a short guy that dresses badly with a Bronx accent," she explained and he grinned in understanding. "I guess that my slayer dreams are baby dreams, now. I just have to figure out how it works. The hardest thing's realizing that I'll never see my friends and family again."
Barinthus drew her close, she laid her head on his chest as her fingers continued to play with in his hair. "Your hair's so pretty. It's like its alive," she murmured before her eyes closed in sleep, one hand in his hair the other on his heart.
The door slowly opened and Merry peeked in. Her eyes widened at the picture before her. Barinthus' hair wrapped around Buffy like a cloak with her finger clutching it. The hand not in his hair nestled over his heart. His head lay back with his eyes shut, a look of peace on his face. Merry moved to close the door when his eyes opened. He looked at his friend's daughter then down at the tiny girl in his arms. If it came to a decision between them, who would he choose? He prayed he never had to find out. Let Buffy's dreams send her Merry's face as the one to award with a child. Buffy stirred as if feeling his unease. Her hand smoothed over his heart. Merry's eyebrows rose slightly before stepping out of the room
Buffy woke up smiling at Barinthus, snuggling closer to him. "I don't remember ever sleeping that well," she commented with a smile.
"No dreams?" he asked quietly.
"Nope, but no nightmares either. I can live with that. Maybe the Powers are going to let me get my feet under me, before I become the fairy stork." She giggled in amusement.
He laughed before pulling her up to his face. "You're an impertinent child."
They looked into each other's eyes for an eternity before she touched his face. She leaned in to kiss him. He stilled at first before opening his mouth. Her tongue entered to tease his as she buried her hands in his hair before straddling his hips. She felt drawn to him. His large hands swept along her back, one holding her head while the other held her hips closer. She felt him grow hard against her as she gently rocked her hips. Her body flooded with want for him to touch, taste and feel her. Buffy pulled his shirt open wanting her hands on his bare skin.
He looked into her lust filled eyes before pulling her face up to his. "Are you sure little one? It will change everything. It has been a long time for me." He asked, hoping that she was.
"I want you Bar, so much I hurt. I can't explain it or understand it, but I want it. Now shut up, and get out of those clothes. I'll lock the door." A naughty smile graced her lips. She ran to the door, secured it and was back before he could take off more than his shirt.
"This won't do at all. I tell you what, let's race." She grinned pulling her top off to reveal bare golden breasts. Barinthus stared at her beautiful body. "We'll have more fun if we take our clothes off, Bar." She chuckled, teasing him by playing peek-a-boo with her breasts. He laughed lunging for her but she stepped back. "Uh huh. We're tied right now; let's see who's going to win." She drew her pants off, hooking a finger in her underwear. In seconds, Barinthus lay on the bed nude, waiting for her.
Buffy crowed with laughter. "Ha, I won." Pleased that her idea for a race worked.
"How do you figure that, Pixie? I'm the one nude and waiting."
"Oh, but I didn't tell you what we were racing for. I wanted to see if I could get you naked first." He seized her, ripped the panties off, then smacked her bare bottom. She squealed in amusement. "You big bully, now you have to kiss it and make it better." She pouted, rubbing the offended area.
He bent to kiss the pink cheek. "My pleasure, Pixie."
Barinthus kissed a path from Buffy's spine to her neck. Flipping her over he continued to explore her body with only his mouth. He kissed down to her breasts, inducing her to arch up and press him against her chest. Barinthus scraped his teeth lightly against her nipples, and then pinched them until they perked up. Buffy moaned at the pleasure of his talented mouth. He kissed down her torso tickling her belly button. Long blue-toned hair smoothed over her skin, caressing everywhere his mouth left. When he reached her clit, he swirled his tongue around it before sucking it into his mouth. Suckling on it hard, pulling it back as far as possible almost to the point of pain.
Buffy screamed when he bit it, causing her body to orgasm. Barinthus licked a path from clit to tight rosette. She whimpered, moving her hips with him to increase the friction. He slid his tongue inside her, lapping at her juices as she went over the edge once more. She put her hand into his hair pulling him up until he rested between her thighs. Buffy spread her legs wide, rubbing against him. "I want you inside me, Bar, now," she told him in a voice husky with desire.
Barinthus kissed her, letting her taste herself on his tongue. Rubbing her clit, he guided himself into her. He stared down at her, golden from skin to hair even the specks in her eyes. Her body seemed to glow golden, much as his Sidhe skin glowed white. She was so tight, that her body squeezed him. He felt a moment of worry that he would hurt her until he looked at her face and saw her pleasure. It was a truly breathtaking sight. Her body seemed to hum with it as the muscles played under the down soft skin. He pushed into her until he was fully seated. Barinthus felt her walls undulate around him, causing his Sidhe skin to glow brighter.
Buffy looked up at him, he was beautiful and felt so wonderful inside her. He was a large man and she said a big thank you for that. Her body stretched to the limit; even the slightest movement stimulated each nerve ending. Barinthus started to move inside her. Buffy felt as if she was flying as her hips moved in rhythm with his.
They moved together like old lovers, knowing what the other needed. Buffy pushed up from the bed to stroke his body. She moved a hand down to his balls as they slapped against her. The other hand moved around to touch his back. It wandered down to strong hips, clasping a cheek in her hand. Feeling the muscles as they tightened when he moved. Moving further to the creases between to slide along the indentation, teasing it. She rubbed her finger up and down matching his pattern. It slipped inside him, causing him to shout her name. Buffy moved in him at a rapid pace adding another finger as he moaned again. Barinthus began to pound into her, right on the edge ready to take them there. He wanted them to go together, so moved a hand to her breasts, teasing and pinching her nipples. He bent his head and described all the things he planned to do to her. Buffy's breath quickened. She felt her orgasm coming. She matched him thrust for thrust, clenching around him. They shouted together as they came. He fell on the bed, drawing her with him holding her tight, still connected. They shut their eyes, falling back asleep once more
Buffy woke the next morning wrapped in Barinthus' hair. Her legs tangled in his, as she looked at his beautiful body, she grinned. Sliding down his body, she started licking his wonderful cock's head. It grew thick and hard in no time. She nipped, sucked and licked as if he were a gourmet meal. He started to groan and move his hips. She secured what she could in her mouth, while her hand took care of the rest. Barinthus woke to discover a bobbing golden head, doing amazing things to him. Holding her hair back, he watched her face. Buffy peered up at him while she stroked her tongue against his length. She nibbled the head, sticking her tongue into the opening, teasing it.
"More please more, take as much as you can," he begged in a voice husky with passion.
She sucked him down moving at a fast pace. He felt his balls tighten as he flooded her warm, talented mouth. Kissing a path up his body, she whispered against his lips. "Your wake up call, sir." He laughed, rolling her over to continue where she left off, when someone knocked on the door.
"Buffy, Barinthus breakfast is ready. Merry needs to talk to everyone," Nicca announced, through the door.
"We'll be down in a little while," Barinthus answered, but his attention remained on Buffy.
His fingers caressed her, not wanting to leave her unfulfilled. He looked at her flushed face, and felt her hips jerk to match the rhythm. He slid another one inside her while his thumb rubbed her clit. Her body flooded around his hand. Buffy grabbed his face kissing him deeply. They tilted their foreheads together to look into each other's eyes.
"We'll have to finish this later, Pixie."
"You better believe it, Bar." Buffy held his hand, noticing the webbing for the first time. She looked at it closely, while Barinthus tried to pull away. Buffy held on tight looking at him then backed down. He withdrew it, turning away from her. "Bring it back, Bar," she requested quietly.
The webbing reappeared, and Barinthus waited for her revulsion and rejection. Buffy bent down to kiss it; teasing it with her tongue. He groaned immediately hardening, almost painfully so. Buffy watched his body's reaction, and then repeated the process with an evil smile. He threw her on the bed where she landed on her stomach. Looking over her shoulder with a siren's smile, Buffy pushed up on her hands and knees, spreading her legs wide. Barinthus was behind her and pushing into her in seconds.
"You may receive more than you bargained for, little Pixie," he growled in her ear.
She shivered in pleasure. He started a hard fast pace, his hands moving under her body to grab her breasts. He pulled and squeezed them, until the nipples grew long and hard, using them for purchase to ride her body. Buffy squeezed him with her inner walls as he moaned. Barinthus moved a hand down to rub furiously at her clit, forcing a hard orgasm from her. She clutched a hand, teasing the webbing between his fingers with her tongue, causing his pace to increase. With a cry, he poured himself into her as they collapsed in a heap on the bed.
"Who needs breakfast anyway?" Buffy mumbled, exhausted from the morning's activity.
Barinthus rolled off her, popping a bare cheek. "If we don't go down, we'll never leave this room."
Buffy propped her head on a hand. "And the problem with that would be?" Wiggling her eyebrows at him.
"They won't leave us be Pixie. Come on," Barinthus reminded her, a hint of amused laughter coloring his voice.
"Fine ya big meany." She pouted getting off the bed
They walked down the stairs hand in hand, laughing. The others exchanged glances not sure how to take this development.
"Morning everybody." Buffy smiled happily at everyone in sitting around the table.
"Good morning, Merry," Barinthus nodded. "Everyone," he greeted, trying to include the others.
"Good morning, there's coffee if you want it." Merry pointed to the full pot. "Everything's on the bar just make yourself at home."
"Thanks." Buffy loaded up a plate and came back to the table. Not seeing a chair, she sat on Barinthus' lap and started to eat.
"I'm through Buffy. You can have my chair," Galen offered, vacating his chair.
"Thanks, but I like the one I have." Buffy turned to feed Barinthus some fresh melon. They resembled a couple that had been together for years. "So, Merry, what's the big pow-wow about?" she asked, prepared for business.
Merry felt stunned seeing her old friend acting like this and didn't answer right away. Frost nudged her and Merry smiled weakly. "Oh, we need to discuss several things. Clothes for you, possibly your working with me at the agency and how to best protect you from Taranis." Merry listed, trying to remember everything.
"Shopping's cool, you'll have to tell me about your work. I'm not sure I'd want to work there till I know the whole deal," Buffy commented with a smile.
"It's a detective agency that deals with supernatural problems and magical solutions. Jeremy Grey runs it and he's a great guy. You'd like him, he's a trow."
"A what?" Buffy asked baffled.
"He's something like a troll."
"I killed the last troll I met with his own hammer. He wasn't a nice person, let me tell you."
"What did your trow look like?" Merry asked, curiously.
"He was about eight foot tall and weighed close to four hundred pounds. His hammer's as tall as I am," Buffy responded, crinkling her nose trying to remember.
"That sounds closer to a jack-in-irons than a trow. Jeremy isn't quite five foot tall and is, well, grey," Merry tried to explain the differences.
"Sounds closer to one of Santa's elves than the troll that I fought. I'll meet him but if he gives me the wiggins, I'm out of there."
"What're the wiggins? Is it painful?" Doyle asked, trying to understand the unusual way that Buffy spoke.
Buffy and Rhys cracked up laughing. "No, it means creeps me out. I have an extra sense that tells me if someone's naughty or nice. Ooh, maybe I can work for Santa." She giggled at the thought. Barinthus squeezed her, causing her to squeak. He leaned his chin on her shoulder and she laid her head next to his. They created quite a picture together. "When can we go shopping? The few things you loaned me won't last long. Plus, be kinda nice to have something that fits. Do you have to wear specific clothes at your job?" Buffy rambled on animatedly at the idea of having new clothes.
"Wow, you sure can talk fast," Galen commented, as he tried to keep up with Buffy's rapid speech.
Buffy smiled at him. "I'm a woman and you're talking about shopping." She paused a few moments; finally noticing Kitto. "Can I ask you a question?" Kitto looked rather uncertain but nodded his head. "Why isn't your hair as long as the other guys?"
"That's it? You don't want to know anything else?" His surprise written clearly on his face.
"Why? What'd you expect me to ask?" She looked at him, curious about his expectations.
"Why I look the way I do," he said quietly.
"But, that's what I asked," Buffy answered, not grasping what he meant.
"No, you asked about my hair." Kitto clarified, or tried to anyway.
"Still not getting the difference here." Rather than answering her, he pulled off his LA Lakers t-shirt, turned around and showed her the iridescent scales on his back. "Oh, they're so pretty, look at the way they catch the light. It's like having little rainbows on your back. Can I touch one, will it hurt?" Buffy asked like an excited little girl.
Kitto spun around to look at her face. He saw genuine fascination with no maliciousness intent. "It won't hurt; you can touch them if you want." He turned his back to her.
Buffy gently touched the scales. They were smooth and cool under her fingers. She tickled his neck, causing him to laugh softly. "Thanks," Buffy murmured in awe.
"No, thank you, Lady Buffy. You've given me a great honor today." He left the room, glowing internally at being accepted for what he was on the inside.