Title: Kissing you
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters, really I don't...
Note: This is the 9th part in the 'Losing you' series. I takes place a week after the last part, which was 'Hugging you.'
Kissing youWillow Rosenberg was reading peacefully on the couch when Buffy Summers came into the room. At first the redhead didn't pay to much attention to her best friend until she noticed the slayer pacing, a worried expression on her face.
"Buffy, is something wrong?"
The blonde shook her head.
"No, nothing."
Willow nodded and returned to her book, which was clearly not to Buffy's liking. She started to pace some more, this time sighing on ocassion for effect. It worked, Willow looked up.
"Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"
"Nope, nothing."
Willow rolled her eyes and tried to read, again. Which would have worked if Buffy's wasn't still in the room, sighing and pacing. The witch couldn't take it anymore.
"For Goddes sake, would you just tell me what's wrong or get the hell out of here?"
It seemed to work because Buffy sat down. Looking somewhat guilty.
"I..ehh..I have something to tell you. You see..lately there's been this thing between me and Xander..and I know that I should have told you sooner but.."
She stopped when she didn't hear the outburst she was expecting, instead Willow was grinning at her. Clearly amused.
"That's your big secret? Oh please, the thing between you and Xander is widely known, even Giles knows and he's in England."
The slayer looked somewhat confused.
"You all know? I thought Dawn was the only one..Are you sure it's everybody?"
Willow nodded.
"Everybody.. In fact, me and Tara made a bet a long time ago. She lost by the way, she thought that you two would get a clue sooner. And Giles found out a couple of months ago, it seemed that everytime you called him Xander was the main topic. You guys did a lousy job of keeping this thing between the two of you a secret."
Buffy blinked.
"We did?"
"Yes, we figured it out long before you and Xander did. I've never seen two people take such a long time to realise that they might be prefect for each other, ever."
Buffy was offended.
"We're not that bad. Last week we confessed that we liked each other. Kinda..."
Willow had to hide her smile.
"What do you mean, kinda?
"I told him I liked it when he hugged me. And he told me he liked it when I smiled at him."
The proud expression on Buffy's face was a bit too much for Willow's fight against her urge to laugh. She cracked up, laughing even harder when she saw the look on Buffy's face turn into anger. The witch had trouble speaking at this point.
"That's it? That's your big confession? Way to go Buffy, at this rate you guys will be married when you're both eighty."
"Hey! It had a hidden meaning ok. I'm sure he knows that I meant to say that I'm starting to fall for him, just like I know that he meant to say that he's starting to fall for me too."
Willow nodded, still laughing.
"Sure Buff, whatever you say."
Buffy didn't seem to hear her.
"But what if he didn't understand.. What if he really just likes it when I smile at him?"
"He doesn't Buffy. Yes, he likes it when you smile at him, but I'm pretty sure he's also head over heels in love with you."
"Good, that's good."
"So, tell me, what happened after this big confession?"
Buffy looked worried again.
"Nothing, and that's exactly the problem, absolutely nothing. He went home and we saw each other a lot last week, but nothing happened. I mean, yeah, sure we hugged a lot, which is nice.."
She trailed of, smiling.
"Very nice.."
Willow waved to get her attention again.
"Is there a point to all of this?"
"Yeah, there's a big point. The point is that I want him to kiss me. Why won't he just kiss me?"
"Why won't you just kiss him?"
The slayer thought about it.
"I don't know..It's not that I don't want to..Believe me, I do..But everytime I almost..It's just such a big step you know, it crosses a line..and.. I guess it's kinda scary."
"I think you just summed op why Xander won't kiss you. He probably feels the same way."
The slayer had a disappointed look on her face.
"Yeah, probably."
Willow decided that it was time to tell Buffy to take some action. Otherwise she would lose her bet too, and there was no way she was going to let Giles win.
"Buffy, do you know what the problem is with you guys? You both think to much. Just let it happen for once, it will work out. I promise, I have a lot of faith in both of you."
Buffy got up, after looking at her watch.
"I've got to get to work, I'll think about it, ok Will?"
Willow used her resolve face.
"No Buffy, don't think about it. No more thinking for you. The next time you see that boy you just march up to him and kiss him. That's an order, missy."
Her best friend laughed.
"I think I kinda like your orders."
Willow grinned, remebering her few stolen kisses with Xander.
"Oh, you'll like it alright."
Buffy shook her head when she saw a small piece of sixteen year old Willow in her friend. She grabbed her coat.
"I really have to go now, but thanks Will. I really needed someone to tell me to take some action."
The witch returned to her book, already thinking of a phone call she was going to have with Giles.
"Oh, it was no problem Buffy, I'm glad I could help you."
The slayer had only left a couple of minutes when the door opened again, revealing Xander. He looked relieved when he saw Willow on the couch.
"I really need to talk to you, Will."
This time she put her book down immediately, knowing what the conversation would probably be about.
"Just kiss her."
Xander blinked.
"How did you...I haven't even..How did you know what I was going to say?"
"Just call it intuition."
Xander saw the smile forming on Willow's lips and suddenly knew why she was smiling like that.
"Did Buffy talk to you?"
She looked as innocent as possible.
"She might have."
"What did she say? Did she say anything about me?"
Willow tried to look as stern as possible, wich wasn't an easy task when it came to Xander. She could never really be mad at him, since he always made her feel guilty. She had long ago admitted to herself that she could never resist the 'puppy' look he gave her whenever she was mad at him. But she was going to try now, otherwise she wouldn't finish her book this centrury.
"Xander, wake up!! She want's you to kiss her, she likes you, a lot. You want to kiss her too, you like her, a lot. What the hell are you waiting for?"
He was wearing a hurt and confused look at the same time.
"Did I miss some public announcement? How do you know I have feelings for her?"
"It was pretty obvious on both your parts, believe me. We all saw this coming a mile ahead. Of course you two keep driving in the wrong direction."
He sat down on the couch.
"I'm scared Will, what if I screw this up too?"
She sat down next to him, taking his hand.
"Then you screw up, it happens. But she loves you, I know she does. No matter what I don't think you can lose her. Do you?"
He shook his head.
"No, I don't think so either.."
She grinned.
"Then stop being so afraid and kiss that girl silly the next time you see her. It will work out."
He sqeezed her hand.
"Thanks Will."
"You're more then welcome."
The scene was interrupted by Buffy bursting trough the door.
"Hey Will, I forgot the papers I need for that meeting tonight. Am I dumb or what, anyway..."
She stopped talking when she noticed Xander next to Willow.
"Xander."
He waved.
"Hey Buff."
They just kept looking at each other, with neither of them moving. Willow shook Xander's arm, while looking at Buffy. Speaking to them both.
"Just do it."
The words seemed to get them out of their trance because they both moved towards each other at the same time, meeting in the middle. Looking up at him Buffy saw that he was smiling at her, and she couldn't help but smile back. She did that a lot lately and she loved the fact that he could do that. Make her smile. She stopped thinking when he reached down, cupped her face between his hands and kissed her. It was slow, sweet, gentle and passionate at the same time and neither of them noticed the redhead anymore. Who was smiling while watching them, then walked around them to go upstairs. In her room she reached for the phone. A sleepy voice was heard.
"Rupert Giles."
An evil smile was seen on her face.
"Pay up, mister. I just won our bet."
Tbc...