Title: Waking Up

Author: Lost

Pairing: Buffy/Willow

Disclaimer: The characters? So not mine.

Rating: Mature

Author's Note: AU- all human.

Chapter One: Waking Up

Willow sighed as she looked out at the dance floor, watching the swaying crowd. I'm not sure what to do? It had been an awkward few weeks between her and Buffy. As if it wasn't enough that it would be awkward between the two best friends, it was awkward between Willow and Angel as well. They all used to be really good friends, and just that. Friends.

Then he asks her out, and Bam! No more Buffy and Willow time. Not that we spent a ton of time hanging out just me and her before that anyway, but any time that we had had? Now it's virtually non-existent. And if I say anything she gets defensive, almost like she's mad at me or something. Willow glanced at the couple as they danced. It had been a long night, and one song had turned into six as they continued to move to the music. Goddess, she looks beautiful. Willow thought to herself. Wait, what am I thinking?! She shook her head as if to clear it for a minute before staring at the blonde again.

At first Willow assumed her snippiness towards the couple was simply jealousy over the feeling that she was losing her best friend, and then she accredited it to the fact that her best friend actually had someone. But now, now, she had changed her mind once again. She wasn't jealous at her lack of relationship, nor was she jealous of Buffy. She was jealous of Angel. Gah, this is bad. A world of bad. She's my best friend, heck, not even just my best friend, but my best FEMALE friend!

It had taken her nearly a week to finally admit it to herself; to admit that she was in love with Buffy, but once she did, her life seemed to be nothing but misery. It's bad enough she doesn't want to spend any time with me, no; I had to go and fall in love with the girl who doesn't want to spend time with me. Smooth Rosenburg, way to go. She sighed in frustration as she let her head fall down on her hands, and pushed her drink forward, almost knocking it over.

She grabbed a napkin and wiped up the little bit that had sloshed out of the cup. She stared at the condensation as it started to build up again on the soda, letting her thoughts wander. Do I tell her? No, she'll freak. I'll ask Xander, he might have an idea what I should do.

"Hey, you ready to go?" Buffy asked, keeping a tight hold on Angel's hand. When Willow didn't respond she waved her hand in front of the hacker's face. "Earth to Willow, come in Willow."

"Huh? What? Sorry, I just zoned out for a second there, what did you say?" Willow looked startled that the object of her affections could have snuck up on her so easily, and blushed slightly when she began to chastise herself for not really paying attention the whole night.

"I said, are you about ready to go?" Buffy asked her again. Willow nodded and stood up. Man, I wish that Xander and Cordy hadn't bailed on the Bronze tonight. Not too sure I want to walk home with the 'happy couple.' She dropped the plastic cup in the trash and headed towards the exit.

Angel led Buffy along, and they followed the redhead out of the club and out into the night air. Willow saw the looks they were shooting one another, and tried to stay a little bit ahead of them, so as to keep them moving while still giving them some privacy. Plus then I don't have to watch. Mentally she cursed herself. I should be back there. Buffy's gonna know something's up. Even though she knew it would raise suspicion she couldn't force herself to be in the same vicinity as the mooney-eyed couple.

Once they arrived at the Summers' residence, Willow waited almost impatiently as Buffy and Angel kissed goodnight. She stood on the porch, facing away from them. One, Two, Three, Oh come on. How long does it take to say goodbye? It's not like he won't see her tomorrow. By the time they had finished Willow had given up the pretense of standing and had plopped rather ungracefully onto the steps to wait for Buffy to open the door.

"Goodnight. I love you." Buffy said to the jock.

He smiled slyly, "You too."

*******

Buffy walked slowly towards Willow, with her back towards the other girl as she kept her eyes on the retreating figure of her boyfriend. She turned once she reached the step, and then held out her hand for Willow to take. Alright, time for girly talk, lets find out what's bugging Will. A look of contemplation crossed the redhead's face before she stood up on her own. Okay, she's gotta be way pissed at me to not even wanna let me help her up. The blonde unlocked the door and let it swing open. She followed the redhead in.

"Hey Buff, if it's okay, I think I'll just crash out on the couch instead." Willow plopped down none too gracefully onto the couch, already unfolding the quilts that were resting there.

She's been all bad moody for a week now, thought she might open up. Guess not. "Uhm, yeah, sure." Buffy paused, her eyes searching her best friend's for some clue as to what was happening to them; "I'll be upstairs if you need me."

Willow nodded; I can't force her to tell me. I guess I can ask her in the morning. Buffy headed up the stairs, glancing back down at the redhead who was pretending to be asleep. Whatever's the matter, I wish she would just tell me. I miss my best friend. It's like she's been avoiding me all week.

Buffy lay on her bed for all of five minutes before she let sleep claim her, vowing that tomorrow she would find out what was wrong with Willow.

*******

It seemed as if she had just fallen asleep when Willow heard someone knocking on the door. She opened her sleep filled eyes, and looked down at her watch. 6 A.M.? Who would be here at six in the morning? She closed her eyes again as she resigned herself to the fate of opening the door. She lifted herself off of the ground and made her way groggily to the door. As she reached for the handle Buffy practically bounced down the stairs, and Willow turned around, heading back for her pile of blankets. Okay, she wants to get the door, she can get it. I want sleep.

Angel leaned in for a kiss, "Hey, I brought you doughnuts and coffee." He said, holding up a white box and a few jars of starbucks.

"Aww, your so sweet." Buffy yawned out. "Just put it in the kitchen wouldja?" Angel nodded and left her standing in the foyer.

She walked over to the sleeping form of her best friend, and lay down next to the hacker. She spooned to her back, wrapping one arm lightly around the redhead. What's she doing? Okay, stay still. She won't notice that I'm not asleep. "What's goin' on in that head of yours?" The air tickled the back of the hacker's neck as Buffy whispered. I have to tell her. Okay, I can do this. One, she concentrated hard on forcing herself to turn around, Two, c'mon Willow, you can do it. Three. She opened her eyes to see the retreating figures of her best friend and her boyfriend as they made their way up the stairs.

Willow pounded her head back down rather roughly onto the pillow before sighing in exasperation and asking herself, "What the hell am I going to do?"