Part 12

Xander broke out in a cold sweat as he sat up shakily in bed. The flashes of Willow in his dreams had become sparse when D'Hoffryn came back to Sunnydale to go after Anya. They had been so busy trying to defeat him that Xander had slept dreamless, or at least Willowless.

This dream had been different from the others. His dream consisted of a battle with demons, a grenade explosion, demons stuck on some sort of hook, a decapitation, a plane, Willow, Graham, some lady wearing a suit in a limousine and the odd part…Angel and Clem.

Xander glanced at the clock to make sure it wasn't too early or late to call Giles. This was the first time that any familiar faces appeared. He hoped it meant that either Angel or Clem had seen Willow. Not that Clem would call them to let them know if he HAD spotted Willow but he figured Angel definitely would if he had any news about her. He gritted his teeth when he heard Giles' busy signal.

Xander made his way into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. His trembling had stopped and he stared unseeingly into the mirror. Willow what is happening to you? Where are you?

~~~

Willow smiled as Graham slipped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed the top of her head. "You okay?"

"Yeah. It was harder seeing Angel than I thought it would be."

Willow had checked the room earlier for any communication devices and it had come up empty. Red Death and Hunter had moved up in the ranks of Zelana's entourage so that he no longer had them under surveillance 24/7 but she hadn't put it past Wolfram and Hart to watch and listen. She had also put up a magickal barrier that prevented any listening or watching by supernatural methods. They were free to be themselves for tonight.

Graham turned Willow in his embrace so he could see her face. "You did good, Willow. You kept it together and showed Angel the new you."

Even though he knew they weren't under observation Graham carefully chose his words as Willow did. Everything said had hidden meaning if you just knew where to look.

Willow smiled, "Thanks for that. He won't let it go until he sees for himself I'm not the Willow he knew."

And she wasn't. She had changed so much since joining Riley and the others. She couldn't imagine where her life might have gone if she had done what Giles and Buffy wanted her to do and given up magick totally. Probably addicted or worse dead. All the tests that the government had done on her proved that she was connected to her magick and to the Earth. It was like a living part of her. Disconnect that and she would either slowly die or go insane.

He dipped his head and placed a quick kiss on her lips, "He'll figure out what the real you is like."

Willow smiled as Graham pulled back. "Enough about the tragedy that is my old life. How did the meeting with Lilah go? I take it we got our new assignment here?"

"Yep, Zelana wants us to go after a lower demon named Jasmine. She's the last obstacle that is standing in the council's way. Once she's defeated the plan can go forward."

"Not to mention what a coup it'll be that we defeat such a powerful demon. Pretty big notch to add to our belt."

Graham smiled and pulled Willow closer, "Speaking of belts…"

"Mmmm no more owies." Willow smiled up at Graham as her hands slowly snaked under his shirt.

Graham gently cupped Willow's face and stroked her lips with the pads of his thumbs. Willow shuddered with pleasure as Graham slightly increased the pressure on her bottom lip. A soft sigh escaped and he dipped his head to capture it.

The gentle pressure of his lips turned more demanding when Willow began to softly caress his back and arch closer. He lowered his hands to cup her bottom and bring her closer to him.

Willow broke off the kiss and leaned her forehead against Graham's chest willing her heart to slow down and her breathing to stop coming in soft pants.

"Willow, it's okay if you're having second thoughts." Graham closed his eyes and willed his body to relax. He'd probably have to take a long cold shower but it was doable. Showers had become a nightly occurrence for him when his thoughts drifted to Willow while she was recovering from her injuries.

Willow sneaked a peak at Graham and smiled inwardly as she watched him try to get control. Who would have thought that little Willow Rosenberg would have a hottie panting after her?

She waited until his eyes opened and she gasped at the intensity of his look. She slowly shook her head no as she began lifting Graham's shirt, "No second thoughts here."

A heartfelt sigh escaped his lips as he helped her remove his shirt, "Thank God! I think my skin would have wrinkled if I took another cold shower."

Willow smothered a giggle as she reached up to place a quick kiss on his lips. "Wouldn't want that to happen."

What had started out as a quick kiss quickly escalated to soft moans and sighs. Graham reluctantly raised his head and looked into Willow's eyes. "Are you sure?" His hands hovered over the buttons of her shirt.

She didn't answer him but gave him a slight smile and began unbuttoning the bottom button. Graham's fingers trembled as he undid her buttons and met Willow's hands halfway. Willow let the shirt fall softly to the ground. His eyes never left hers as he flicked open the front clasp of her bra.

Willow's heart slammed in her chest at the reverent expression on his face as he looked at her.

"God, nothing I dreamed came close to your reality."

All coherent thought left when his hands began exploring her breasts and he kissed his way down her neck. Willow's hands moved to the zipper and she cupped him through the denim. Graham rocked into her touch. God, it seemed like he'd been waiting his entire life for Willow. He didn't want to rush it but he feared that he wouldn't be able to go slow.

With a shudder of pleasure Graham reluctantly stepped back. Willow looked at him curiously but he just gave her a sexy smile and lowered the zipper to her skirt. It softly pooled at her feet and she stood before him only wearing her silk underwear.

Willow shot him a sexy smile of her own as she stepped out of the circle of her skirt and her hands reached for his zipper. He shook his head no. "I won't be able to last much longer if you do and I'll be damned if I'm gonna rush this."

Willow took a step closer, "Slow next time. Want you now."

Graham shuddered at her words and the sight of her standing before him. He gave a strangled sound when she stepped closer and the hardened tips of her breasts touched his chest. He was a patient man and he tried to remember his patience but Willow was wrecking havoc on it as her lips moved down his chest and her hands once again went to his zipper.

With a sigh Graham gave up and promised himself he'd take it slow next time. He let his head fall back and he immersed himself in the feelings that Willow's touch was evoking.

Willow's face had a siren's smile as she guided him back to the bed. He gently crawled and kissed his way up her body until he was positioned above her. Thoughts of Angel, Zelana and the mission fled her mind as she looked into Graham's blue eyes. Her world zeroed down to just the two of them and their feelings.