I had a valid complaint from Tracy that the story is moving too slow. It is, but what I'm trying to do is establish background of Buffy and Jay's relationship, then stuff happens. About the sex…well, it is a romance, they're young and in lust ..So see, there is a method to my madness..really.

They were still trembling from their lovemaking, Jay lying on top of Buffy, resting his weight on his arms to not crush her. He enjoyed the feel of her fingers roaming his back lazily, and the feeling of her against his chest.

Buffy was feeling much the same way. She enjoyed his weight on her, and was aware he was trying not to squash her like a bug. She felt cherished, and that was a feeling that she had missed for a long time. She turned her face to see him face down in her hair and smiled.

"You're going to smother."

"Yeah, but what a way to go." His voice was muffled. She giggled and could feel his body shake with a quiet chuckle.

He lifted his head and turned it to her, giving her a quick kiss. "I need to call General Hammond." He rolled to his side and reached over to grab his cell phone. His eyes widened as Buffy slowly got up, stretching luxuriously, her blond hair gently swaying against her slim body.

She threw him a wicked glance, "I'm going to take a shower and pack."

He nodded dumbly, "Ok." Fresh desire stirring inside of him.

"You're drooling Colonel."

She kissed him and left the room. He was smiling as he dialed the SGC.

"Colonel O'Neill." The voice in his ear barked.

"Jack?"

"Hey Jay, how's leave treating you?"

"Where's the General? You didn't do something to him did you?" Jay asked suspiciously.

"Perish the thought, he's taking his granddaughters to Florida."

"Just checking."

Jack laughed heartily at this, then saw Daniel standing in the doorway.

"C'mon in Daniel, it's Jay."

Daniel's face lit up, "Hey, tell him hi and that we miss him around here."

"Daniel says hi and yadda yadda." Jack repeated.

Jay laughed, "Tell Daniel I said hi. Actually tell everybody I said hi. Listen Jack, my Dad is in the hospital with severe pneumonia."

Jack sighed, "Ah geez, go ahead and see him. You're still on medical leave. Call me when you know more."

"Thanks Jack, and hey, kiss Sam for me." He said mischievously.

"What?" Jack yelped.

"Talk to ya later pal." And Jay hung up with a chuckle.

Buffy walked down the hall to Giles room and quietly knocked.

"Yes?"

"It's me Giles, can I come in?"

"Buffy, it's 6 in the morning."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "It's important."

There was grumbling from the other side of the door, then it opened and Giles stood there, sweat pants and a t-shirt with Oxford University on it, blinking owlishly at her. "For someone who slays at night you are up very early." He complained.

"Jay's Dad is sick and he has to fly to Arizona. He wants me to go with him."

Giles looked at her seriously, "And do you want to go with him?"

"I think I have to. I had a Slayer dream and the First Slayer was there with his sick Dad. That's how he found out."

His eyes met hers in surprise, "Very well. Faith and the new Slayers can take over your patrols." He paused, "Be careful Buffy."

Buffy nodded seriously, "I know Giles, but I think it's almost too late." She knew that he knew and she saw the anxiety on his face for her. She looked up with a smile, "Hey, at least he's alive."

"There is that." Giles agreed with a smile.

"Well, I need to talk to Willow and pack." She said abruptly.

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, "I'll see you before you leave." She nodded and he closed the door, staring at it blankly. Then he smiled, maybe this was Buffy's turn for happiness.

Buffy slid Willow's door opened silently and smiled as she saw Kennedy and Willow wrapped around each other in their bed.

"Willow!" she hissed quietly, and was rewarded by one brown eye opening, "Buffy?"

"I need a favor, can you come out here?" she whispered.

Willow nodded sleepily and crawled out of bed, dragging on a shocking orange robe and followed Buffy into the hallway.

"S'up?" she yawned hugely and leaned her forehead on Buffy's shoulder.

Buffy laughed, "Will, Jay's Dad is really sick with pneumonia and I need some herbs and what ever because I'm going with Jay to see him."

Willow's head snapped up, "Oh Buffy, I'm so sorry. Let me go get dressed and we'll head to the shop and I give you a few things."

Buffy packed quickly, then drove over to the store with Willow. She hopped up and sat on the counter to watch Willow bustle around with a small bag filling it with various stones and herbs. Buffy watched with amusement as Willow wrote detailed instructions for each item as well.

Looking up with a smile "This is so they don't bust you for marijuana." Willow said.

Laughing Buffy hopped down and gave her friend a hug. "Thanks Will I love you."

"Oh sweetie I love ya too." Willow pulled back "What about Jay?"

"What about him?" Buffy asked flippantly.

A gentle sigh. "Buffy."

"We'll talk after I come back, I promise." Buffy's eyes searched her Willow's eyes for reassurance and found it.

"Let's go back. Boys get jittery when we're not on time." Buffy said.

An eyeroll from Willow, "Tell me."

Jay booked Southwest Air from Cleveland Hopkins Airport to Denver, then from Denver to Phoenix. As they got off the plane in Phoenix and made their way to baggage claim a tall blond man in jeans, USAF t-shirt, cowboy boots and hat waved.

"Well, well, if it isn't Colonel James Coburn!" the man said before grabbing Jay in a bear hug. Buffy watched as Jay laughed and pounded the man back thoroughly.

"Mac I can't believe it! How the hell are you, you old bastard?" Jay was grinning at the other man.

"I thought I was doing good, but you're doing better." His eyes went to Buffy.

Jay smiled easily, "Major Francis MacKenzie, this is Buffy."

"Pleased to meetcha Buffy and after I beat the shit out of the Indian boy here I don't want you to call me anything but Mac."

Buffy laughed making Jay's heart contract. "Nice to meet you Mac. So what are you doing here?"

Mac regarded his old friend and the beautiful woman by his side, "General Glazier gave me permission to fly you to Luke AFB and put you on a Nighthawk to the Res hospital."

"How is old Black Jack anyway?"

"Still as cranky and crusty as ever, thank you very much!" The men turned to watch Buffy wander over to baggage claim.

"You lucky sombitch, that is one fine lady." Mac said with envy.

Jay smiled, "Don't I know it."

The machine started spitting out suitcases and Buffy quickly picked up hers and Jay's depositing them neatly beside her. The men were headed over when they saw a big man try to take her suitcase. Jay held Mac's arm as he was about to jump to help her. "Watch." Jay said.

Buffy saw the man try to take advantage of the crowd and reach down for her suitcase. She grabbed his wrist and squeezed, making the man cry out and drop to his knees.

"I'm sorry but my panties wouldn't fit you." She said sweetly.

An airport security guard quickly came over. "Ma'am?" he asked in confusion.

"This guy tried to help himself to my suitcase!" She glared at the man who had a foot and a hundred pounds on her. The guard shook his head and took the man into custody and Buffy picked up the suitcases and walked over to Jay and Mac.

Jay was smiling and Mac's mouth was open.

"Can you believe that? That slimy guy tried to take my suitcase." Buffy huffed indignantly.

"What was he thinking?" Jay asked and took his suitcase, pulling her close for a quick kiss.

It was late afternoon when the Blackhawk helicopter flashed over the desert, headed to the Navajo Reservation. Jay was flying the 'copter, Mac in the co-pilot's seat and Buffy in the jump seat. She watched as Jay expertly wielded control of the multi million-dollar aircraft with ease. Each of them wore flight helmets though Jay's had a visor that snapped down over his eyes. She watched his hands as they flew and could tell he was concentrating. As if he could read her thoughts he turned his head slightly and raised a thumb up and she smiled back.

Mac was busy with his eyes on the sky then he turned slightly and activated his mike "Hey Pretty lady how're ya doin'?"

"I'm fine."

"Yes you are." He purred and received a thump on his helmet for his flirting from Jay.

"5 minutes out." Jay said a smile in his voice evident over the clipped radio.

Jay landed with barely a bump on the hospital helo pad. Mac clapped, "You haven't lost your touch Fox."

Buffy pulled off her helmet and shook out her hair, "Fox?"

Mac pulled off his helmet and scrubbed a hand through his flat hair, "Yep, we called him Desert Fox. He was the best of us at recon. Quiet as a fox and all that shit."

Jay laughed, "Yeah yeah." He pulled out a small log book and entered his flight information.

Buffy looked at him, "I'd call you a fox, but it would sound like I grew up in the 70's….like you old guys."

Both men yelped, "Hey!" She laughed merrily at their indignant looks and gathered her things.

They climbed out and Jay talked quietly to Mac. He was to wait for them, unless a medivac arrived, then he'd move the helo to the back of the hospital.

Jay stood and stared at the hospital where he had been born, and the one he hadn't seen for 7 years. Most of that time at the SGC. He felt Buffy's hand slide into his, "Are you ready?"

"No, can we go Maui?"

Buffy squeezed his hand gently, "Not even." He looked down into her eyes, feeling the total support she radiated.

"Thanks for coming here with me."

"I haven't yet!" she said tartly, "We're still standing here."

"Alright, sheesh." He led her into the hospital. There was a small crowd in the waiting area and they all stood with happy cries, "James! You're here!"

Jay was swallowed in hugs from an uncle, 3 aunts and various cousins. He pulled back and held out his hand to Buffy, "Buffy, this is my family." He started pointing, "Uncle Mason and Aunt Eva, Aunt Maria, Aunt Jennie, my cousins Chuck, Celia, Dillon, Mark, are you Mike or Chris," He asked a twin, "Chris and Lynn."

"Everybody, this is my girlfriend Buffy."

She felt Jay become slightly stressed as the elders greeted her stiffly, but the younger ones greeted her enthusiastically, "It's nice to meet you." Buffy said graciously.

His Uncle Mason led them to his father's room and Jay looked at Buffy who nodded and sat in one of the padded seats in the hallway. His uncle opened the door and Jay walked in, seeing the Navajo medicine man from his childhood in a chair beside his Dad.

"Ed, how are you?"

"James, I'm glad to see that you are here." Ed Spotted Horse stood and enveloped the younger man in a hug. Jay was startled but returned the hug. He pulled back and looked at his father.

His Dad was breathing heavily, and oxygen line under his nose. His face was pale and Jay was alarmed. "Hi Dad." He sat in the chair beside the bed.

"James." The older Coburn rasped.

"What did the Doctors say?"

"I have pneumonia and they put me on antibiotics. Ed burned some sage to remove any evil spirits and to help me breath. It gave me a headache." He glared at the medicine man who laughed heartily.

"But you stopped coughing so quit bellyaching old man." Jay listened to the exchange with a half smile.

Ed looked at his old friend and nodded, "I'll be right outside."

Looking at his Dad he sighed, "So. I have a girlfriend."

His Dad smiled, "Is she Indian?"

Jay closed his eyes, not wanting to get into the bitter fight of marrying an Indian woman again. "No, she's not."

"You know what I want.." His Dad began but Jay held up his hand.

"Dad, I respect you. Respect me enough to make my own choices or I'll leave right now." There was grim finality in Jay's voice and his father nodded reluctantly.

His eyes roamed his son's face. It had been 7 years since they had seen each other and a lot had changed. He could see the lines of sun and stress at the corner of Jay's eyes. His son was harder somehow, more military than before. But there was something else that he couldn't pinpoint, something that made his son more approachable as well.

***

Ed walked out of the door only to be blinded by the power of pure good. He blinked his eyes until he found the source, a young blond reading a fashion magazine right outside the door.

Buffy looked up and smiled, "Hi."

'It's just a young woman.' Ed thought in a daze.

"Are you alright?" She frowned at the pale Indian man who had come out of the room. He looked like he was going to pass out.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Um, Jay's girlfriend Buffy." She helped him sit down then went to the water fountain and got him a drink.

Ed watched the woman fuss over him and he shook his head, "What are you?" he clarified.

She sighed and sat down, "Oh, that. I'm the Slayer. Well, not 'the' Slayer anymore but, a Slayer, umm, babbling here. Never mind." Buffy made a face and looked at him.

He nodded, 'now it made sense'. "I am Ed Spotted Horse, Navajo medicine man. I could sense your power when I walk into the hallway."

Buffy smiled, "Oh." then jumped. "Oh! I have something for you."

Confused he took the bag from her and peeked inside. There was healing herbs, and stones. "Thank you Slayer. I can use these for Jay's father."

Embarrassed Buffy shrugged, "A friend of mine picked them out."

He stood and pulled her up, then opened the door and led her into the room. Jay stood, his face lighting up when he saw Buffy, then his eyes went to Ed's, "I see you met Buffy."

"I did. She also gave me some healing herbs for your father." Ed poured the bag out on the small table, taking two stones and setting them in the windowsill, then the blue agate and giving it to the sick man, "Put this close to you." He then poured out a handful of black cohosh and placed it into a cup.

Jay looked at Buffy in surprise, "Was that where you went with Willow this morning?"

"Yeppers."

"Thanks Buff, that was above and beyond."

Buffy snorted, "Like replacing my roof wasn't? Please."

His eyes shone with humor and he shrugged, "Ok, you got me."

"Yes I certainly do."she replied affectionately.

The two older men watched Jay and this young woman flirt easily with each other. There were deep feelings there.

Jay stood and looked at his father. "Dad, this is my girlfriend, Buffy Summers. Buffy, this is my Dad, Charles Coburn."

Buffy smiled, "I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Coburn. I can see where Jay gets his good looks from." Jay's father gave a small smile to the charming woman.

The door opened and a nurse bustled in and gave disapproving looks all around. "There are too many people in here. Ed, you know better."

"Relax Martha. You remember Charlie's boy James?" Ed replied. The woman looked Jay up and down with a frown.

Then she smiled, "Of course I remember, Anna used to babysit the rascal. You look good Jay. Still a heartbreaker are you?"

Jay smiled, "Nah, too busy to break hearts. Speaking of hearts this is my girlfriend Buffy Summers, Buffy this is Martha Yahzee. She's worked at the hospital since the dawn of time."

Buffy smiled and shook her head at Jay, "Not a way to win friends and influence enemies." She smiled at the older woman, "Nice to meet you Mrs. Yahzee." The nurse looked over the young woman and approved.

"Call me Martha. So, you have Indian blood." She stated. (A/N..made this up though it's possible. My grandfather is Paiute and my cousin is blond and green eyed so it does happen.)

A surprised look crossed Buffy's face, "Well, some. My grandfather was Paiute."

Ed and Jay both looked at her in surprise, "I don't see it." Jay said, scrutinizing her carefully.

"It's the cheekbones. Now Ed, do your voodoo and scat. I have to get Charlie settled for the night. Jay, you and Buffy may return in the morning to see Charlie. I'm going to get his meds, you all better be gone when I get back." And with that Martha swept out.

"Wow." Buffy said, her eyes wide.

She shook her head and smiled at Jay's father, "I'm going to let Jay say goodbye. I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Coburn." She left the room and Jay looked at Ed.

"I see Martha is still the little dictator." Jay said wryly.

"The woman will never change, but she saves more lives than the doctors here." Ed said.

Jay hovered for a moment uncertainly, then leaned down and kissed his father's forehead. "We're flying back to Phoenix but renting a car to drive back out in the morning Dad."

"How long will you be here?" his father asked.

A shrug, "Until you're better."