"What did Spike find out?" Faith asked.
"There's some kind of super duper weapon in the vineyard."
"So, we'll go get it."
"Our last trip didn't gone so well," Willow said, frowning.
"Oh. Guess we need to plan a little better for this time."
"Something like that." Willow rolled on her side to face Faith and trailed her fingers lazily around the Slayer's shoulder. "How was patrol?"
"Busy. Just, lots of vampires and weird stuff. Given how many people are gone, maybe we should pick up some generators. At least we could have the refrigerator and a couple lights."
Willow smiled. "Good idea. Xander can help. He knows all about that stuff."
"You're kidding."
"Nope. He runs a construction crew. Or he did. Mostly he patches Buffy's house back together. The Bringers made a real mess last time."
"Huh. Good for him." Faith stretched. "I'm hungry."
"The fridge is full. Go have at it."
"You want some?"
"A little."
"You should eat more."
"Thanks. Uh, I think."
Faith smiled at her and sat up.
"I put a robe on the door for you. So you don't burn anything important."
"Thanks."
"I'll be there in a minute."
Faith leaned over and kissed Willow before getting out of bed. Willow watched her walk across the room, smiling and enjoying the view, but when Faith left, she stared at the ceiling.
"I'm glad you're ha-happy, Willow," Tara said from the foot of the bed.
Willow inhaled deeply and bit her lip. She closed her eyes, knowing that if she saw Tara's face, she would be lost. "You're not her," Willow said dully, and moved to the edge of the bed. She walked past it without looking, wondering how it so easily penetrated the barriers she had erected.
"You can't run, you know. You're mine."
Willow was reaching for her robe, and paused. "I know," she answered, hating for the first time the complete cost of bringing Buffy back. Tara paid the blood sacrifice months afterward, leaving Willow hoping, still, that there would be a way around the last part of that deal.
Willow jerked back into action. She pulled the robe on while moving quickly through the hallway. The kitchen was bright and smelled good and she slid into a chair and waited for Faith to acknowledge her.
"You all right?"
"The First just paid a visit."
"That's so weird."
"So it's been to you, too."
"Yeah, as the mayor." Faith looked at Willow with a twisted smile. "Guess it was Tara."
"That's better than when it's Buffy," Willow answered, avoiding Faith's question.
Faith removed a plate from the microwave. "You want some?"
"No thanks."
Faith sat near Willow at the table. "It said I could have you."
Willow laughed hollowly. "Little late for that."
"I didn't tell him." Faith dug into her plate.
Willow got up and got two glasses from the cabinet. She poured milk for both of them and returned to the table. Faith winked at her, and Willow smiled back.
When Faith finished eating, she washed the dish, fork, and glasses. They went back to the bedroom and made themselves comfortable. Faith lay on her back, Willow on her side with her head on Faith's shoulder and Faith's arm around her.
Buffy and Faith walked toward each other.
"Didn't get it out of your system earlier?" Faith taunted.
"No." Buffy stopped and looked Faith top to bottom. "I can still take you."
"Whatever, B."
"Let's finish this, Faith."
"You don't get it, B. We're never finished."
"What are you talking about now?"
"You and me. We never finish, we'll always be like this." Faith spun her hand lazily through the air. "Bound by that thing in us that makes us Slayers."
"Yeah, and you taking something that's mine every time you waltz into town."
"What is it with you? She's not yours, or mine, or anybody's."
"They're just words."
"You keep usin' 'em like that, and you will lose her. She's this close," Faith held her thumb and forefinger as close as they could be without touching, "to bolting."
"Scoobies don't run."
"What does it take, B?" Faith asked impatiently. "Don't you listen to her? Why do you have to make everything so hard?"
"It is hard, Faith."
"No, it isn't. Not everything. You wanna be dead, go get yourself killed. We both know how easy it is. Otherwise, wake the fuck up and start living."
Buffy stared angrily at her.
"We don't have time for this," Faith said. "We have things to do. World won't save itself."
"How would you know?"
Faith smiled. "I hear things."
Buffy sat up, listening for the noise to repeat. She left her bedroom and went downstairs, carefully avoiding the squeaky step that stayed on Xander's to do list. She saw Spike in the kitchen, listening as hard as she was for something past the soft noises of the sleeping girls. Spike nodded toward the back door and made a circling motion with his finger.
"You're going to lose, little girl."
Buffy turned to see herself. "I told you about using my body."
It morphed into her mother. "Is this better? Can I convince you to give up now?"
"Go back to hell," Buffy said through clenched teeth.
"You'll be there with me soon enough, you and your little friends." The First winked away seconds before Spike came back into the house.
Buffy said quietly, "It's gone." Spike nodded, and they went to their respective ends of the house.
Willow watched Faith sleep. Being her was easy. They understood things about each other that the others just didn't get. Not that Faith was the one, or anything. Eventually one of them would want something else, and they would be friends of a different kind. After Buffy's admission, Willow was pretty sure that when she and Buffy got done being mad at each other, if they lived long enough to have that talk, they'd try to make another life together. She'd wondered for a long time how Buffy felt about her. Tara had voiced her suspicions early in their relationship, when she saw the way Buffy glared at her when she approached Willow. Although Willow hadn't denied it, she never gave Tara any reason to think she was interested in Buffy as anything more than friends.
They would have to work on that again first, understanding each other, even if there was nothing more to it. That or walk completely away. Either way, it had to wait until Buffy saved the world again. Willow was under no illusion that she was anything more than a diversion. It still made her uneasy, to think that she would use magic and not be used by it, but it would be what Buffy asked of her, and she had yet to truly refuse Buffy anything.
Faith shifted in her sleep and pulled Willow closer. Willow smiled at the sweetness of the unconscious gesture and the warmth of Faith's calloused hands. For now, this was good. Faith made her feel wanted and oh so alive. It was the best she'd felt in months.
When she woke alone, it was raining, heavy and steady. Willow got up and used the bathroom and put her robe on before looking for Faith. She found a note on the refrigerator, and went to the phone.
"Hi, Dawnie."
"Willow! How are you?"
"I'm good. Is Buffy around?"
"Yeah, let me get her." Dawn put the phone down and Willow heard her on the stairs before Buffy answered.
"Hey, Will," Buffy said.
"Hi. Can you come over? Faith can stay with the girls."
"Sure. See ya in a few." Buffy hung up and headed for the closet to get her rain jacket.
Willow glanced at Faith's note before returning to the bedroom to dress. She was brushing her hair when Buffy knocked and let herself in. She met the Slayer in the hallway.
"Can we talk?" Buffy asked.
"Sure. We can talk about all sorts of things." Willow pushed Buffy gently back. Buffy took the hint and turned around.
"I brought mochas," she offered before sitting on the sofa. Willow took the chair. "I'm sorry if I made you think I don't want you around."
"Buffy, one of us is always sorry about something she's done. Why is that?"
"I don't know."
"I don't know, either. It just makes everything so hard. Can we just draw a line and say from now, we won't keep doing that."
"I can't promise you that, Willow."
"Why not? I can."
"There's just so much."
"Let it go, Buffy. Nobody will hold it against you." Willow caught the Slayer's gaze. "Treat it like it was another life," she said, smiling a little.
"Wonder how many more I get?"
"At least one," Willow decided arbitrarily.
Buffy smiled at Willow's playfulness. It gave her hope. "Do I get any say in it?"
"I don't know yet."
Buffy smiled and sipped her mocha. "So what'cha want?"
"Just checking in with you. Thought you might like some quiet."
"It is novel."
"See, change is good."
"It suits you," Buffy said, trying not to sound jealous.
"Thank you," Willow answered, and let her off the hook.
"What did Spike find?"
"You're right, there's something at the vineyard. Some big weapon. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how to get us in and out since our last trip went so well."
"Long weapons, this time," Buffy thought out loud. "Keep the Bringers at bay, don't give them a chance to hurt anyone."
"Still leaves Caleb."
"Faith and I can handle him." Buffy smirked. "Faith can probably keep him talking for 20 minutes before he thinks to hit her."
Willow laughed. "And who's looking for the shiny new toy?"
"That would be you."
"I'm betting it's a Slayer thing. Faith and I can keep Caleb busy, you go hunt down this thing. It's some kind of mystical ax or something."
"Did you run this by Xander yet?"
"Nope. Just you."
"What about Giles? He can look."
"We need to hold him in reserve until the end, Buffy." Willow wondered how she knew that, just like she knew that Buffy was going to destroy Sunnydale High again.
"Willow, you all right?"
"Yeah." Willow shook her head. "Just thinking ahead."
"That's good, right?"
"One of us has to. And let's face it, Action Buffy lives in the moment."
"Not enough."
"You're the only one who can change that."
"Is that what you did, Willow?"
"Yes," Willow replied in a matter of fact tone. "Tara's gone, I'm still here, and I need to feel like I'm alive."
"Me, too." Buffy smiled tightly.
Willow moved from the chair to the sofa and put her arm around Buffy. Buffy rested her head on Willow's shoulder. They sat like that while their mochas got cold.
Faith schooled the potentials, and tried to learn each one's name. She remembered feeling like she was disposable, and didn't want them thinking that. The basement was crowded, with Spike, Dawn, and Andrew watching from the closed lids of the washer and dryer. Faith ignored them and worked with each of the girls in turn. When she had spoken with every one, she let them go.
They streamed up the stairs. Faith looked at Dawn. "Where's Xander?"
"He's at his place. Anya took him to get some things."
"Huh. Guess I'll wait for him to get back."
Andrew hopped down from the dryer and sidled past Faith. He was afraid of both Slayers, Buffy with reason, Faith on general principles. When he was gone, Faith asked again, "He's here why?"
"To annoy me, the bloody git," Spike answered.
Dawn giggled. "Buffy won't put him out and he won't leave."
Faith nodded. She looked at Spike. "What exactly did you find the other night?"
"Bleedin' mess. Preacher boy'd all ready been there, so it's a foot race now. Whoever gets the weapon first gets to use it."
"What weapon?"
Spike shrugged. "You know those things are never clear. Best I could tell, it's an axe or something."
"So how do we get it?"
"That's Red's job, figuring all that stuff out." Spike slid off the washer and stretched. "When she and Buffy decide it's go time, we'll go," he said calmly.
"I hate sittin' around doin' nothin'." Faith said.
"You're not doing nothing," Dawn said. "You're training them."
Faith waved her hand dismissively.
"If you guys weren't doing that, most of them would be dead all ready," Dawn told her.
"Whatever." A noise like a herd of large animals came from the ceiling, and all of them looked up. "Not big on stealth, are they?"
Spike chuckled. "They're little girls. Until now, they never had to be quiet." Dawn glared at him, and Spike added, "Present company excepted, of course, Niblet."
Faith smirked. Spike was still dangerous, she knew, but seeing him whipped, and by a 15-year-old girl, at that, amused her.
Spike looked at her as if he knew what she was thinking, but didn't say it. "I imagine Buffy gave you the big talk about Red," he said.
"Somethin' like that," Faith answered cautiously.
"Double from me," he said.
Faith laughed, and Spike let his vampire features take over. "Down, sparky," Faith told him. "It's just that people keep threatenin' me if I do somethin' to her, and I'm thinkin' you guys are warnin' the wrong person."
"You weren't here," Spike said.
"Neither were you," Dawn told him. "And it's none of your business anyway."
"You'd do well to remember who you're talking to."
Faith stepped between them. "You," she pointed at Spike, "play nice. And you," she turned and pointed at Dawn, "stop antagonizing the nice vampire."
"I am *not* nice," Spike growled, but slid back into his own face.
"Right," Faith said, and tried to suppress the laughter in her voice. She heard a car stop in front of the house and headed upstairs. She picked her way across the bodies in front of the television.
Xander and Anya entered the front door, bickering about something. Faith interrupted them. "Xan, I need some help."
"What?" he said, thrown by the question.
Anya rolled her eyes and went into the kitchen.
"I was talking to Willow, and she said you could help. I was thinking we should get a generator or two, so we're ready when the lights go out."
"Good idea."
"That's what Willow said. And she said you'd know what we would need, so I figured we could go check 'em out."
"Home Depot's still open."
"You wanna go now?"
"Yes." He handed her his keys.
"Thank you," Buffy said softly without moving.
"You're welcome," Willow answered automatically. After a pause, she asked, "What for?"
"Letting me be a big poopy head."
Willow laughed. "I'm not touching that one."
"This is nice. Why did we stop?"
Willow thought for a moment. "I don't know."
Buffy watched Willow's face, wondering what she was thinking. Her free hand floated to Willow's cheek, and she turned to look at Buffy.
"Where is Will anyway?" Xander asked.
"Makin' up with B, I hope. The way B tore outta here, I can't think of much makes her move that fast outside of a fight."
"What're you gonna do if Buffy gets what she wants?"
Faith smiled cynically. "Buffy always gets what she wants."
"Not always."
"She will this time." Faith looked around the empty intersection. "Willow's always been hers. Knew it the first time I saw 'em together."
"I dunno," Xander said. "Willow's really mad at her."
"So? They'll make up."
"If Will's just convenient for you, you need to stop messing with her," Xander said firmly.
"Xander, don't tell me how to live my life. Or hers."
"You don't know what went on here."
"Yeah, I do. I get it. But it's not any of your business. You need to worry about something besides Red's love life, all right? Makes you sound like a big perv."
"I am a big perv," Xander said, smiling easily for a moment before getting serious again. "Lay off Buffy, too."
"I didn't do anything to B," Faith answered defensively, and pulled into the Home Depot lot. It was nearly empty. She turned to Xander. "I'm here to help. That's all."
Xander nodded, and they got out of the car.
"So beautiful," Buffy whispered.
Willow froze as her thoughts flew apart. There were her feelings for Buffy, and the memory of Tara, and Faith, who didn't need explanations. It felt like she could feel each ridge of Buffy's fingertips on her face. Buffy's familiar scent surrounded her, and Willow closed her eyes for a moment to try to sort out her emotions.
Buffy watched Willow's feelings flit across her face while she moved closer. She couldn't stop her infinitesimally slow drift toward Willow, and didn't want to. She knew she needed Willow with her to win this fight, but more than that, needed Willow beside her. She wanted Willow for so long, she couldn't remember feeling otherwise. Their timing was always off, and Buffy was afraid that Willow didn't feel the same, so she pretended to everyone, even herself, that they were just friends. Seeing Willow with Faith, and knowing that Faith received from Willow what Buffy always wanted, hurt her.
Their lips met, and Buffy forgot for several seconds to breathe as Willow kissed her back. For a few moments, Buffy was just herself, a young woman deeply in love with her best friend, not the Slayer all ready a legend.
Willow kissed her back, taking from Buffy all the emotion she poured into that slight contact and sending it back to her with everything she felt.
They separated, and looked at each other, Buffy's fingers still stroking Willow's cheek, and they came together again. Willow raised her hand to Buffy's face, and their free hands joined between them. For the minutes they kissed, neither had any thought apart from how good it felt.
When they separated the second time, they sat forehead to forehead. "Please come home, Will," Buffy whispered.
Willow hesitated before answering. "Soon," she said.
"I need you."
Willow smiled a small, sad smile at Buffy's admission. "I know. But I need her right now."
"I know. I'll wait for you. But I need you near me."
"Soon," Willow repeated.
"All right," Buffy said after a long time, and pulled back.
The Home Depot was virtually deserted, and Xander led Faith through the aisles. In the back corner of the store, they found half a dozen generators, and Xander showed Faith the one they would need for Buffy's house. She looked at the price tag and let out a low whistle.
"The Council will cover it," Xander said confidently.
"So how do we get the money?"
"Giles has it."
"Where's he?"
"Who knows? We'll hit him up next time we see him."
"Good deal. Anything you need while we're here?" Faith asked.
"Nope. Not supposed to be doing anything anyway."
"All right. Guess we should head back then."
Buffy was in a better mood during their patrol that night. She and Faith were out until nearly sunrise, and returned to Revello Drive filthy and exhausted. Willow took one look at them and sent Buffy upstairs before she and Faith went to her parents' house.
While the Slayers slept, things proceeded around them. The potentials trained in the back yard under Kennedy's supervision. Willow continued her research on the list of things Giles gave her, a list that never grew shorter.
It was late afternoon when Faith came out of the bedroom, fully dressed. She paused on the way to the kitchen to kiss Willow briefly. She answered the phone when it rang, and summoned Willow to the kitchen to talk with Giles. When she finished the conversation, Willow turned to Faith. "We need to get over there."
"Crisis?"
"No, Giles wants a powwow. He said he found something important."
"Can I finish eating?"
Willow smiled. "Of course." She sat at the table with Faith.
"Did you eat?"
Willow frowned, trying to remember. "No."
Faith pushed her plate to Willow and got up to fix herself another.
"You don't have to do this."
"Apparently, I do." Faith pulled things from the refrigerator again. "You and B make up?"
"Sorta."
"How's that?" Faith piled leftovers onto the plate and put it in the microwave. While the food heated, she returned containers to the refrigerator.
"She kissed me."
"Huh," Faith said noncommittally, and kept her back to Willow. "We goin' back there?"
"Not yet."
"Should I put my shit in the guest room?"
"Why?"
At the question, Faith turned around. Willow looked genuinely puzzled. "She kissed you, I'm outta the picture."
"No, you aren't." Willow got up and went to Faith. "I just wanted you to know. It doesn't change anything between us."
"I told you before, you want her, go for it."
"And I told you, you don't get to make those decisions for me."
They looked at each other while the microwave ran. When it beeped, Faith got the plate and gently pushed Willow toward the table.
They gathered in the kitchen again, Giles, Buffy, Willow, and Faith at the table, Dawn, Xander and Spike on stools behind them. Giles looked exhausted. He had arrived hours before, dragging two more frightened potential Slayers with him. "They are the last ones," he told them. "I can't find any evidence that any of the others survived the Bringers."
"We need to go back to the vineyard," Buffy told him.
Giles removed his glasses and massaged his forehead. "I'm not sure that's wise."
"Caleb's guarding something there, Giles, and we need to get it," Buffy said firmly.
"At what cost?" Giles asked.
"I'm with Giles on this," Xander said.
"You're not going," Buffy said firmly, and turned to Giles. "Neither are you."
"Buffy," Giles began.
"Buffy's right," Willow and Faith said at the same time.
"So we don't get any say in this?" Xander asked angrily.
"No," Faith said. "Nobody gets a vote. This isn't a democracy. It's an army."
Xander laughed hollowly.
"What's the plan?" Spike asked calmly.
Buffy took a deep breath. "When we finish here, Faith and I will go look around there and see if we can find anything new. Tomorrow afternoon, we'll go in fast, get what we're going for, and get out. We'll need long weapons this time, to give the girls a chance to keep the Bringers away."
"Buffy, are you sure this is a good idea?" Dawn asked cautiously.
"It's that or just wait for them to pick us off."
Dawn looked to Willow. "Please tell me you helped with this."
"A little."
"All right," Dawn agreed reluctantly.
"Anything else?" Buffy asked.
Giles shook his head, and Buffy and Faith got to their feet. "Don't wait up," Buffy said before they left.
Willow was waiting when they returned. They were uninjured, and the three of them went to the kitchen so the Slayers could eat while they told Willow what they found.
They firmed up their plan for later that day before separating. Buffy went up to her room. Faith stretched out on the couch, and Willow returned to her research.
After only a few hours, both Slayers were in the kitchen eating again. When they finished, they went outside and called the potentials to them. They explained slowly and clearly their plan, and when they finished, told the girls to get their weapons.
Kennedy lagged behind. She waited until the others were gone to say, "This idea sucks."
"Didn't ask you, Junior," Faith answered. "Go get your stuff. Daylight's burnin'."
"No."
"Fine," Buffy said. "Stay here." She turned for the door, Faith at her heels.
"Are you both insane?" Kennedy yelled, but Buffy and Faith kept walking.
Everyone was hyped up when they returned. Minor injuries were the only price they paid for the raid. Buffy led them home with the weapon in question on her shoulder. Faith stayed at the rear, alert for Bringers and stragglers.
The potentials exuberantly discussed their outing while Willow, Buffy, Faith, Giles, and Dawn examined the weapon. No matter how much the others tinkered with it, it remained unchanged. When Buffy and Faith began to experiment, the weapon's true nature revealed itself, and they moved their confab to the back yard.
Buffy and Faith sparred, taking turns with the weapon, and being extra careful to maintain control. Willow's bruised face reminded both of them to stay on their best behavior. When they finished, they stood shoulder to shoulder and smiled broadly at their audience, which included everyone in the house. The Slayers' enthusiasm and hope spread to the potentials. Even Giles looked optimistic.
Before they followed the others back inside, Faith pulled Buffy aside. "We should celebrate," she said.
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked cautiously.
"They did good. Let's give 'em the night off and hit the Bronze."
Buffy looked doubtful, so Faith continued.
"Boost morale an' all that shit, B. C'mon, they been here working their asses off and expecting to die. Let's remind 'em why they do it."
"That's not why," Buffy began.
Faith cut her off. "Yeah, I know, but everybody needs a little fun sometimes. Even you," Faith finished pointedly.
"All right," Buffy acquiesced. "But we aren't staying late and we'll patrol on the way home."
"Deal." Faith offered her hand, and Buffy shook it.
There were only a few people other than the group of teenagers in the Bronze. Buffy watched to make sure no one got in trouble. Periodically, her eyes met Faith's. Before returning to watch, they nodded at each other.
Buffy felt Willow's intention long before she arrived with a cold drink.
"I don't remember us ever being like that," Buffy said.
"The first time," Willow said. "And look where it got us." She tried to laugh but couldn't.
"I'm sorry," Buffy said.
"Buffy," Willow reproved.
"I am." Buffy took a long drink from the glass. "So what's next?"
"I think we keep stalling."
"Like with Glory."
Willow worked to keep her face neutral. "I hope not."
Buffy didn't answer. She scanned the room again, ending on Willow. She didn't know what to say. Willow looked to the other side of the room, to Faith, and Buffy knew she'd said the wrong thing. Again. "Thanks for the drink," she said finally.
"You're welcome," Willow automatically replied as she drifted away.
At 10 pm, Buffy and Faith began the round-up. It was nearly 10:30 before the group erupted onto the sidewalk. They were noisy, but settled down quickly. The abbreviated patrol further boosted the potentials' confidence when they were able to swarm over and dispose of a pack of bringers and three vampires.
When they returned to Revello Drive, Buffy waited on the porch while everyone except she, Faith, and Willow went into the house. "It was a good idea, Faith," Buffy said.
"Thanks." Faith said, pleased to receive approval from Buffy.
"We'll see you tomorrow, " Willow said to break the silence. The tension between the three of them was suffocating, and she wanted to be away from it.
"G'night, B," Faith said, taking the hint.
Buffy didn't answer. She watched them walk down the sidewalk and get into the car, and remained there after they drove away. She leaned against the door and listened to the girls settle down while she wondered how to make things right with Willow. Finally, she entered the house and went directly to her room.
Buffy closed the door carefully. Dawn sat up from her makeshift bed. "I'm awake."
"Sorry," Buffy said automatically and cringed internally.
"Tonight was good."
"I told Faith."
"Good. You guys need to get along."
"I'm trying, Dawn." Buffy stuffed her clothing in the hamper and went to the bed. She pulled her pajamas from under her pillow.
"Didja make up with Willow?"
"I'm trying," Buffy repeated while stepping into her pajama pants. She put on the top, then pulled down the covers. The sheets were cool and soft, and Buffy shifted a few times before finding a good position. "Good night, Dawn."
Dawn yawned. "Night, Buffy."
In the car, Faith grinned hugely. "She said I did good."
"You did," Willow affirmed.
"But she never says that."
"Never say never." Willow glanced around the intersection before blowing through a stop sign.
"What's next?"
"I'm not sure," Willow answered. "Do you feel something weird?"
"Just regular Hellmouth weirdness."
"What's that?" Willow pointed, but Faith saw only shadows.
"Dunno." Faith began to pay attention. "Doors locked?"
Willow removed one hand from the wheel and pushed the lock button.
"Bringers," Faith decided. "Those are Bringers. What are they doing here?"
Willow saw figures at the garage door and drove past her house. Her jaw went rigid when she realized Caleb was in the center of the group of Bringers in her driveway. "Call Buffy and tell her we're on our way back there. Tell her to get everybody up." Willow's tone was urgent.
Faith reached without looking into Willow's bag and pulled out her phone. She flipped it open and pressed 2. Buffy answered immediately. "B, get 'em up. Somethin's goin' on."
"What?"
"We're on our way back. There were a buncha Bringers in Willow's driveway."
Buffy sat up. "Hurry." She hung up the phone and began to dress. "Dawn, go get the others up."
Dawn didn't say anything as she scrambled up and left. Buffy jammed her feet into her boots and zipped them. She flew downstairs, flipping the bank of light switches on as she passed. Xander and Andrew sat up. "Xander, downstairs," Buffy ordered. "Andrew, if anything happens to him, you're in more trouble. And tell Spike to get up here."
"What's up?" Xander asked groggily.
"Dunno. Willow and Faith are coming back here. I want you downstairs until we know what's going on."
"All right," Xander yawned, and stood up. Andrew followed him silently. Seconds later, Buffy heard Spike's boots on the basement steps. She stood up and tossed one of the two swords she removed from the weapons chest at him. Spike caught it easily and stood at the back door, watching.
Buffy heard Willow's car pull up and opened the front door. She didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary, and Willow and Faith reached the porch without incident. As Buffy followed them in, a knife landed in the doorjamb by her head. She pushed Faith aside and slammed the door shut. Buffy turned the locks into position.
"Bringers in the front yard," Dawn called down from Buffy's room. Seconds later, they heard two potentials move into position and begin to pick off the invaders.
"You all right?" Buffy asked Willow.
"Yeah, just spooked. Caleb was standing in my driveway. He shouldn't be able to do that, Buffy."
"We'll figure it out later."
"Bringers are gone," Dawn reported from the top of the steps.
"Thanks," Buffy answered, her eyes still on Willow, who chewed on the inside of her lip while working at the current problem. Faith put her arm around Willow's waist, and Buffy forced her eyes away as Willow leaned against her.
"Where can we crash?"
"Will's room. If that's all right," Buffy added quickly.
"Umm hmm," Willow replied, not really paying attention.
"I'll be up for a while," Faith said.
"Me, too." Buffy nodded her head slowly. "Spike's got the back door," she told Faith.
"I'll be up soon," Faith told Willow softly and kissed her temple. Willow moved toward the stairs, still deep in thought. Faith watched her before turning to Buffy. "Guess we're back."
"Guess so." Buffy smiled slowly. "Best time to get a shower is 4 a.m." She left suddenly, leaving Faith looking after her uncertainly. After a moment, Faith shrugged and checked the locks on the front door. Two were new; all were engaged. Where the windows had been was securely boarded up. Faith would have preferred to see what was coming, but it would take a chainsaw to get into the front of the house.
Faith waited for Buffy, who returned just ahead of Xander and Andrew. "What's the plan?"
"No plan. Just sit tight. Spike said he'll stay up." Buffy yawned. "I'm going to bed."
Faith nodded and headed upstairs. Willow was sitting up against the headboard. Five sleeping bags were on the floor, their occupants watching out the windows. "Take turns," Faith told them and sat beside Willow on the bed.
While the potentials huddled up to work out a schedule, Faith pulled Willow from her thoughts. "It must be safe," Faith said softly. "B's goin' back to bed."
"All right," Willow said. She smiled tightly at Faith. "Want me to move over?"
"Nope." Faith bent over and removed her boots. She crawled over Willow, pausing for a kiss, which brought giggles from the girls. Willow turned off the light. Kennedy had the first watch, and conspicuously did not look at the couple in the bed.
Willow pushed herself into sleep to the even rhythm of Faith's easy breathing.
She found herself in Buffy's room. It always amused Willow that Buffy fiercely loved the girlyness of it, flounces and lace and stuffed animals that made up the bed and window. Buffy looked surprised to see her, but that passed quickly, and Buffy hugged her so hard Willow squeaked. Buffy immediately released her. "Where are we?" Willow asked.
"Dunno," Buffy said. "Looks like my room."
"Wow," Willow said while she looked around. "This never worked when I wanted it to."
"I couldn't let it."
"Why?"
"C'mon, Willow," Buffy held out her hand.
Willow immediately gave hers, welcoming the feeling of Buffy's palm against hers. Buffy's hand was always warm, and Willow knew she was safe whenever Buffy held her hand.
"I kept all my secrets for you," Buffy said. She sat on the bed and brought Willow down beside her.
"We don't keep secrets."
"I had to," Buffy said. "To keep you safe."
"Buffy, what's going on?"
"Nothing," Buffy smiled.
"What's your secret?"
"I told you all ready."
"Buffy," Willow chided.
"I'm afraid," Buffy whispered.
"Me, too."
"I don't want to die again." Buffy involuntarily squeezed Willow's hand for part of a second before regaining control.
"You won't." Willow told her softly. "I promise."
"I don't want anybody else to die."
"How do we stop him?"
"I don't know yet," Buffy said softly. She closed her eyes and lowered her head to Willow's shoulder. "When this is all finished, I want to take you on a date."
"All right," Willow answered.
"We need to go now." Buffy sat up, then leaned over and kissed Willow quickly. "Sweet dreams," she said, and left her room.
Willow touched her lips and flopped back on the bed.
Willow and Faith were alone when Willow woke. Faith smiled at her, and they kissed quickly. They each took a quick turn in the bathroom. After, they made the bed silently, and met at the door. "What's the plan?"
"I don't know yet," Willow answered.
"I need some coffee."
"Uh huh."
The house was nearly empty. Buffy was in the kitchen, and they all exchanged greetings. Faith went to the fresh pot of coffee and got two mugs down from the cabinet over it. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Buffy said.
Willow looked in the refrigerator and sighed. "Shopping again." She closed the door and sat down.
Faith put a mug in front of her and took the seat across from Buffy. "Where is everybody?"
"Anya took Xander to the doctor again, Giles took the potentials to the university gym to work out, and Dawn and Andrew are checking the houses next door," Buffy reported.
"Any particular reason?" Faith tried to keep her tone casual.
"Last night," Buffy said flatly.
"No fighting," Willow said firmly.
"I don't want to fight," both Slayers said quickly.
"Good." Willow sipped coffee, then looked at Buffy. "You said Dawn and Andrew were looking at the houses next door?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, we're way too crowded here. Spike can take one, you two can take the other, and we'll split up the potentials."
"Maybe we won't have to listen to the peanut gallery all night," Faith said.
"I think we're all safer in one place," Willow said cautiously.
Buffy carefully kept her face neutral, although she mentally pumped her fist in victory. "Should we look for someplace bigger?"
"Maybe," Faith said slowly. She looked at Willow. "We need to get our stuff anyway, so we can ride around and see what's available."
"All right."
"I'll go with you," Buffy volunteered.
Willow didn't give Faith an opportunity to disagree. "Good idea. I'll get my keys and we can get moving."