Chapter 41
Buffy pulled up in front of her old house; Connor leaned over to kiss her. "Come on let's go get Tara she needs you. It's just a house all the important stuff is already in our home in LA. If you see anything you forgot we will get it before we go home."
"I love you, Stephen." Buffy caressed his face with her hands as her eyes looked deeply into his.
"I'm glad because you are stuck with me now. I think I'm addicted." Buffy giggled as they walked up to the house hand in hand.
She knocked on the door. Faith opened it, "B, it is your house you don't have to knock."
"No, I am just the landlord now. How is the tummy?"
"You fixed it," Faith told her.
"What do you mean?" Buffy's face held a look of confusion and her voice held a note close to fear.
"When you put your hand on it, it got all warm. By the time I was home, no more boo boo."
"I will have to ask Lorne about it. All I remember was wishing you hadn't been hurt."
"Damn B, what are you now some magic fairy?" Faith grinned at her sister Slayer.
"Nope just a little more me. Is Tara ready? I wanted to take her back to the house before we go meet Giles."
"Here I am" Tara walked down the stairs carrying a large bag on her shoulder. Two suitcases were already at the bottom of the stairs.
"This everything Tara?" Connor asked as he met her on the stairs to relieve her of the bag. Tara nodded shyly.
Willow came out of the bedroom with her face and upper body all flushed. "Tara baby, where are you going?"
"I'm leaving Willow to go and stay with Buffy until I find another place." Tara didn't turn around after seeing Willow all flushed. She knew what her lover looked like after making love. Her pale skin always stayed that way for a while afterwards. She also noticed Willow was coming from the bedroom dressed in different clothes than earlier.
"Why are you doing this? Don't you love me anymore?" Willow pleaded giving Tara a sad puppy look.
"I think the wrong person is asking that question. I saw you, Willow in the bathroom." Tara said over her shoulder still unable to look at her 'lover's' face.
"You were spying on me?" she shrieked.
"No, I didn't know you were even home either of you. I hope the two of you will be happy. Maybe she is what you need right now, someone you don't have any past with. I don't know. All I do know is I'm leaving." Tara walked out the door.
"Buffy, please, talk to her for me," Willow pleaded.
"I'm sorry Willow I can't do that. She asked for a place to stay but if you two work it out, it will have to be between you. Hopefully you can but you can't do that when you are sleeping with someone else." Buffy's voice was firm but not unkind as she looked at her former best friend.
"Who said I slept with her?" Willow challenged, her chin shot out as she tried to bluff her way through the situation.
"Uh, one you are all flushed, been around you and Tara enough not to mention Oz. For another your shirt is on backwards like you grabbed it and weren't looking."
Willow looked down it looked like a four year old dressed her. She blushed bright red and ran back upstairs to the bedroom. She shut the door breathing heavily. She looked over to Kennedy sprawled out on the bed waiting for her. "Lock the door and come here, slave!"
"Yes Mistress." Willow's head bent down in submission.
"Drop your clothes and come here. I am in need of your talented tongue. If you are good, I will let you cum. But only if you are thorough."
Faith went up the stairs to check on Willow. She was about to knock when she overheard them. "Damn Red, I never knew you were into kink. It is always the quiet ones. Wonder who the Dom between her and Tara was." Shaking her head, she walked away. "Maybe I will go see my own stud see if he wants to play. Wonder if he would let me tie him up and spank his yummy ass. Nah, an ass that gorgeous shouldn't be abused."
Chapter 42
"Giles, what is up?" Buffy called out, walking into the office to find Giles and Anya in a heated embrace. "I give a 8 for technique and a 9 for spontaneity."
"Have you ever kissed him believe me his technique is definitely a 10?" Anya answered not leaving Giles' arms.
"Oh, hrm, Buffy, is it that time already? Time must have gotten away from us."
"Just glad I got here while you still had clothes on." Buffy wiggled her eyebrows at him.
"All right you have had your fun. Are you alone or is Stephen with you?"
"He will be here in a sec. So what's the what watcher mine?"
"Hey, he is mine now," Anya protested.
"Dearest, she doesn't mean it like that. Buffy is my daughter you are my" he bent down to whisper in her ear. Anya blushed,
Buffy stared she didn't know anything could make Anya blush. Even that and can she just say, eew. Why won't they ever learn enhanced hearing here?
"I will leave you to your amazing discovery." Anya kissed him sweetly and left the office closing the door.
"Buffy, the Council found a book no one could translate. It was sent to me when Kennedy was called for some unknown reason. I have had no luck with it until last night thanks to Anya. It is a mix of the written language of angels and ancient Sumerian. The written language that is closest in the time of the first slayer. I believe you are somehow the key to translating it. Would you take a look?"
He handed her a book bound with an unusual cover and an odd symbol on the front. Buffy opened it up but nothing made any sense to her. "Sorry Giles, it looks like scribbles to me."
"I don't understand you should have been able to read this. Wait here a moment."
Buffy closed the book looking closely at the front. There was a pair of wings lightly etched on it with something at their center. She bent closer "Oh how cute, a little stake." She touched it pricking her finger. "Ow," sticking it in her mouth, she didn't notice the drop of blood being absorbed into the book. The book flew open, its pages flipping rapidly then it suddenly snapped shut. "GILES!"
He ran into the office "Buffy are you okay; what happened?"
"That book bit me, then it went all Linda Blair and slapped close." Buffy had moved as far away from the book as she could get without leaving the room.
"Open it up, Buffy."
"No way you do it. It already bit me today it is your turn." Buffy stepped back further.
Giles walked over opening the book. The words were all in English whatever she had done had translated the book. "Of course how stupid I have been. Your blood must have been the key."
"I still say bad book," she pouted.
Giles was already busily reading, he waved a hand at her. Buffy quietly closed the door smiling.
"Anya, you may want to make sure he eats something. He is deep in Watcher mode so we are out of here." Buffy walked up to Stephen, who had been talking to Anya until she had to go help a customer. "There is somewhere I need to go will you go with me?"
"Of course." He grabbed her hand and they walked out together.
Buffy laid flowers on her mother's grave. "I miss you Mommy. I know Dawnie is with you and you are both happy. This is Stephen, you would like him; he is the best, Mommy. Someday, I will be back and we will be together." She kissed her hand then place it on the headstone.
That night after patrol, Buffy and Connor fell into each others arms. They kissed and held each other. "I miss her, Stephen."
"Shush, I know baby. I am here now go to sleep." They curled their bodies into each other as sleep overtook them.
Chapter 43 R
Buffy was caught in a slayer dream. Walls with the number three in blood on them, an older woman with white hair, the shine of a blade, a weird looking vampire, a deep cave, long dark hair and then a bright light. She startled awake.
"Are you all right?" Connor asked.
"Slayer dream, just pieces, like a puzzle."
He pulled her close to him as she curled into him. "What can I do?"
"I know how about a bubble bath."
"Are you sure? Don't do more than you want, Liz."
"We can soap each other up then drive each other over the edge."
"Sounds like torture but sweet torture. Come on." He pulled her to the edge of the bed picking her up, he carried her into the bathroom.
He set her on the edge of the bath so she could fix the water the way she wanted. Standing up Buffy slowly started to take off her clothes as she watched him slide out of his shorts. Connor's body was beautiful, toned with sleek muscles that weren't too bulky. They smiled at each other then stepped in after Buffy put her hair up. She squeezed soap onto a sponge then began to wash Connor.
He leaned back closing his eyes as her hands moved over his chest and stomach. Buffy laid on top of him and kissed him. "Do you want more."
"Yes please." Connor's eyes opened showing Buffy exactly how much she was affecting him. They burned with desire and love.
"Tell me if it is too much or you want something else. There are lots of ways for us to learn each other's bodies; to pleasure each other without that final step. When we do finally make love; we will know how to totally fulfill each other."
Her hand moved lower causing him to suck in his breath. She ran her hand down the length of him as she learned him by touch. Buffy's hand went up and down his hard length. "That feels good."
"It is supposed to honey. Just wait it gets better." Buffy's hand moved at a leisurely pace.
Connor brought his own hands up to cup her breasts teasing her nipples. He had soaped his hands so the golden globes were slipping and sliding through them. Buffy moaned as she continued to work on him. Leaning forward they kissed. She straddled his legs opening herself to him to explore. He touched her taut stomach hesitantly then gathering his courage, his hand wandered lower.
He brushed across her clit causing her to moan. "Mmm, yes."
Feeling more confident after her words, he rubbed in circles applying a light pressure. "More, Stephen, more." Understanding spread over his face as her own hands moved faster on him and feeling his own response. His fingers began a steady movement that matched hers.
"Yes baby, like that." Buffy's hips moved against his hand as her own kept on increasing its pace.
"Liz, I am going to." Connor's breath came out in heavy gasps.
"It's all right Stephen just let go." His body spasmed finding its release.
Determined to give Buffy the same experience, Connor's fingers quickened as he buried them in her body over and over. Buffy laid back watching his face as her body was about to explode. He leaned forward sucking on one breast then the other.
"Stephen!" She screamed falling over the edge. Buffy pulled him until he lay between her thighs then she stroked his hair. "I love you Stephen Connor Holtz with all my angel/slayer heart."
Connor had never felt so happy or loved ever. She made him feel like an equal, a man; Liz didn't care where he came from she just loved him. "Liz, let me see if I can remember all of this one; Elizabeth Liz Buffy Anne Summers, I love you. Since I came back from Quar Toth, no one has ever treated me like a person, a man but you. They all still saw me as a baby or tried to make up for what they thought was a terrible childhood. Father, Daniel, loved me and taught me right from wrong. He was good to me. Yes, Quar Toth was hard but I wasn't in hell. I thought when I came here that was what this was. Everyone lied, killed, all the anger and hate; none of it made any sense to me not until I met you. Liz, you helped me see there is good and bad of everything - people and demons. Father didn't know that so I just couldn't understand it."
"Oh Stephen, I understand, when I came back from heaven the first thing I asked was 'Is this hell?' Angel, your birth father's biggest problem is that he always thinks he knows what is best for other people. He never takes the time to find out what they want and consider it. You can't make other people's decisions, take their choices away it isn't right. Because Daniel hated him of course, Angel assumed you were punished for it. If he would have taken the time to listen to you ever talk of Daniel, he would hear the love and respect in your voice. That doesn't come from abuse baby that comes from care and nurturing. So let's get out of here jump in the shower and wash off all the bubbles. We can still catch a couple of hours of sleep." Buffy stood up causing the water to run off her body. Connor looked up at her grinning as he followed her into the shower.
Chapter 44
Giles worked on the book's text for the next three days while the others patrolled. The Turok-Han was sighted several times but it always seemed to disappear. It was disturbing almost like it was hiding from something or someone. The text seemed to talk of a balance between evil and good and the consequences of tipping that balance.
"Should the balance for good be tipped so heavily by unnatural forces a doorway shall open? Allowing the equal of evil into this world. Balance must be maintained. The scales will only be equal when only one remains. It can't be, I refuse to believe this not again. She has done enough, damn it, to hell." Giles threw a glass against a wall.
"Rupert, what is wrong?" Anya walked into the office.
"This bloody book is all about good and evil and the balance between them."
"Why would that make you break a glass?" Anya asked puzzled, "Everyone knows there has to be a balance. If it tips too far one way or the other bad things happen."
"Anyanka, it appears the book was somehow written about Buffy's return and the consequences. Here read this passage." He went to hand the book to Anya but she simply walked over and sat on his lap.
She read where he pointed to then turned to look at him. "Giles, we let something bad in by bringing her back? Whatever we let in must have brought or called the Turok-Han." Anya turned to him breaking down into tears.
He was taken by surprise; she wasn't an openly emotional person. Wrapping his arms around her, he tried to soothe her. "Anya, it will be all right. We will figure this out you will see."
"Rupert, I don't want to die. I don't want you to either I am happy with you. You are a wonderful lover and can give me so many orgasms. Plus Buffy, she has found someone to give her some too and she is happy. She deserves that, it isn't right. How come Willow and Xander don't have to fight it? It was their stupid idea, well Willow style='font-size:9.0pt'>'s. But she convinced Tara and Xander practically told me if I didn't do it, the engagement was off. So they should have to do it. Don't" Giles cut her off by covering her mouth with his.
Anya turned in the chair straddling his hips she grabbed hold of him tightly. They both moaned. She fumbled with his pants as he pushed up her skirt moving her thong aside. Freeing him from his pants, Anya rose and sheathed him inside her. Her hips were already moving as Giles pushed up from the chair. Both were breathing heavily as she leaned back to hold him deeper inside her. They were lost in each other's eyes as his hands rubbed her breasts through her silk blouse. They moaned at the intensity of the moment. They climbed high only to drop over the edge together.
That night on patrol Xander, Kennedy, Willow, Spike and Faith were all together. Spike and Faith were patrolling ahead of the others when they spotted the Turok-Han and took off after it. The others didn't bother to try to catch up.
Buffy's group wasn't far away and heard the commotion. Buffy rounded a corner to see the Ubervamp had Spike by the neck. It had Faith's unconscious body under its arm. "Hey ugly want to play?" Buffy ran at it full speed then jumped up to kick it in the head. It stumbled back screeching in pain as it got closer to Buffy. She gave it an evil grin. I could get used to this.
"Put her down and I'll kill you quick." The ancient vampire looked at the slayer under its arm that its master wanted. Its survival instincts were stronger so it threw Faith at Buffy. She caught Faith but stumbled allowing the Turok-Han to take off. Connor arrived so she handed Faith to him. "Watch her."
She took off after the Turok-Han since she could see its grey shape up ahead. Suddenly in an open clearing, the ancient vampire simply disappeared. Buffy looked around as best she could in the dark but would have to come back in the morning. Turning she headed back towards the others. As she jogged back, Buffy tried to memorize exactly where she lost Mr. Uberugly. It dawned on her that was the lot they brought their Christmas tree every year.
Chapter 45
Giles and Wesley were locked in his office in deep discussion. No one was sure what they were discussing except for maybe Anya. Surprisingly it was Willow who protested about the new couple. Anya told her off rather quickly and not another word was said.
It seemed as if Xander wasn't bothered by this development at all. He simply said he and Anya both had to move on with their lives. The only one who seemed aware of the dark turn in his nature was Tara. Xander always left right before Buffy arrived at the Magic Box. She was growing concerned about that fact.
Tara and Willow hadn't spoken at all since the earlier incident. Kennedy always made it a point to flaunt the relationship in Tara face. Willow seemed so caught in the younger girl's web that she jumped to wait on her hand and foot.
Buffy and Tara had discussed the vibes they got from Kennedy. Being near Buffy caused the other girl no problems and Tara was unable to read her aura clearly. They couldn't shake the feeling there was more to Kennedy than the face she showed and even that wasn't flattering.
"Giles you have to tell her personally what concerns only her but the passage seems to bring all three into the mix. Don't make the mistake I did and lose it all," Wesley warned.
"You are right of course Wesley. It is just she is like no she is my daughter. Damn it just one bloody time I would like to protect her."
"Then arm her with the truth all of it. She has grown into an amazing woman. I am proud to be considered her friend. Don't waste any more time Rupert you may not have it to spare."
"Could you see if she is out there then send her in alone please?" Wesley nodded as he left to retrieve his friend.
"Giles, you wanted to talk to me? I have something I wanted to check out more before it gets too late."
"Yes, Buffy, do come in and shut the door. I have been going over this text and the best way to, oh bloody hell. It is about your being brought back and the consequences. It seemed there are some rules regarding the balance and if either side, especially good, were to force the scales towards their side. They would open the door for a major evil to gain access here. When they took you from heaven, dear girl, they opened a door for an evil, an old powerful evil. It seems the only way for balance to be restored is for one of you to die."
"So I find it and kill it right. Of course not when has it ever been that easy. Tell me the rest Giles, all of it this time."
"You and this evil must fight in single combat and whoever wins will set in motion a chain of events. They aren't clear what doors will be opened or closed. Faith and Kennedy are involved as well since it refers to a time of three."
When the three shall be
You shall see
One shall stay true
One shall deceive you
One shall lead you
When the evil shows its face
The Guardian's key must be found
The battle call will sound
The key is the puzzle and the answer
Use it wisely and you shall see
When all seems lost look harder
Once you see the one's true form
The keys true purpose has been performed
The light will shine throughout
Turning inside out and outside in
Doors will open and close
Determined this night for all
"Not sure I understand all of that. Three and keys and doors but sounds to me like no more Hellmouth ever. Bang the door shut, kabow. So now, we tell everyone I guess since it involves others as well. I want you to know right now my vote on the bad seed is Kennedy. Something is off with her Giles and Tara feels it too. Did you know Tara couldn't read her aura?"
Giles looked shocked, aura reading was one of Tara's strongest gifts. "I'll keep an eye open Buffy. I would have to agree with you Faith has changed. I don't see her straying from the path."
Just as Buffy left the office, Jenny appeared to Giles. "I thought you loved me Rupert. How could you be with someone Buffy's age? Were you in love with Buffy all along - do you want her, lust for her?" Giles looked at the image of his lost love then threw some blue powder at it. The image faded away like smoke. "Now if I could figure out what the...oh I am getting stupid. Buffy come here a oment."
"What? I was almost out the door."
"When Angel saw the First Evil it took on Jenny's ghost to torture him correct?" Buffy thought back to that time.
"Yeah, then I killed the crazy priesty guys and it went poof. That all you wanted?"
"Yes dear, thank you and be careful at the lot."
"How did you know I was going there?" she pouted.
"You have been back there everyday for the last three days. Good luck hunting but don't go in alone."
"Yes Daddy!" She waved, not seeing his proud smile.
Giles walked out into the shop to talk to Buffy's green friend. "Lorne, I hate to inconvenience you but do you mind calling Angel? We could use his assistance on what we are fighting. I have found the source evil and he has come up against it before. I would but we don't get along, to be quite frank I hate the tosser," Giles said.
Lorne's eyebrows rose at Giles' tone. "It's okay, Giles, I understand; he hurt your little girl. No father in the world can ever exactly forgive that. Sure, I will call him. Where is everyone going to stay we are full at our place. Though we could surely sleep a few dozen in all the extra space, we have. But I was referring to actual bedrooms."
"Giles is going to come stay with me, so that frees up his room. Who all do you have?"
"Angel, Cordelia, Fred and Gunn so they will need at least three rooms."
"Well Tara moved out so I know Willow and Kennedy slid into the master. With Giles' room, you have two of the needed rooms. You could always see if Xander would take one in or maybe put one up over with Buffy. We could get one of those air mattress thingies. I am probably guessing though if you ask Faith she won't want to be in the same house as Cordelia. She will either stay with Spike or crash with Tara and all of your problems are solved." Anya walked off happy to have helped.
Lorne grabbed his head. "I need a drink. Is she always like that? That woman has answers for questions no one even thought to ask."
"You have no idea, Lorne." Giles smiled at Anya and she smiled back at him warmly.
Feedback © CJS Place 2004-2008