Disclaimer: All about Joss and parts from JM Barrie. I have no money so please don't sue what is done for fun.

A/N: Sorry it took so long! School's out now so I'm working on getting updates on all my stories on a more regular basis.

~telepathy between Buffy and Willow~

//Flashback//

Elves and Fairies

As Giles studied the vulnerable woman crossing his threshold, he fought the urge to take her into his arms, and protect her from the haunting of her past demons.

He softly closed the front door, seeing Jenny collapse into his armchair, clutching her shoulder bag. Giles fleetingly wondered if her intense grip resulted from something other than nervousness. He received his answer a moment later when Jenny withdrew a small silver box from the inside, gently placing it on her lap. The redheaded woman let the bag drop beside the chair, fixing her gaze down upon the small object. Seemingly not to remember Giles was there, Jenny began to softly hum a melody, her fingers lovingly tracing the design on the silver box.

Something tickled Giles' memory about that box. More often than not, the couple would spend the night at the Ex-Watcher's so he could be accessible to the Slayer and any possible emergencies. Jenny had accepted that; the chance of Giles using a cell phone equated to hell freezing over, not to mention Buffy's recalcitrance towards contacting Jenny in any way shape or form. Now as he observed Jenny's behavior, Giles' mind drifted to a memory of one of those rare overnight visits.

// Giles whistled a jaunty tune as he set about readying the room for a romantic evening.

Jenny had retreated to the bathroom to freshen up, and Giles had stolen the opportunity to retrieve a bottle of Merlot and two glasses, laying them on one of the two nightstands. The Englishman thereafter had set about lighting the scented candles arranged here and there. Once this was accomplished, Giles relaxed with a deep contented sigh on the red satin sheets; casually resting against the bed's backboard, waiting for his love to return.

His eyes lazily drifted to Jenny's nightstand, a small silver box capturing his attention. Surely this enchanting box was not merely some kitsch novelty item procured at a flea market. He pondered if it ensued through a recent acquisition or merely a family heirloom. His curiosity getting the best of him, Giles' hand outstretched for the box, feeling the irresistible urge to study the intricate design.

The moment his fingertips grazed the cold lid, he started at a shrill ring bursting forth from the neighboring phone. Jenny called out from the bathroom, asking Giles to answer the irritating device. Giles jabbed the talk button, only to be annoyed at an automated phone message declaring the impending need to recycle lest the world fall into a pit of plastic. With a "bloody hell", he ended the call, nearly slamming the phone onto its cradle. His fascination resumed towards the silver object, the lure too great to ignore, leaving him to entertain the absurd notion that some deep dark secret was hidden inside its depths. Not stopping to consider his invasion of her privacy in performing this action, Giles scooped up the box. For some strange reason, Giles longed to see if his seemingly irrational belief was true.

He was in the act of opening the lid, startled by a hand abruptly shutting the lid, nearly taking his fingers off in the process. His lover seized the object from his grasp. Jenny's face contorted in a deep red blush of anger and a chagrined Giles offered lame (although most certainly heartfelt) apologies. Silence then reigned as the redheaded woman carefully placed the silver box in her dresser drawer, telling the Englishman it was "none of his damned business" what lay inside. After several awkward moments, they sought to resume normalcy by discussing the inconsequential telephone call, the magic of the night lost. //

After the extremely uncomfortable experience, Giles felt it best to err on the side of caution by staying away from the topic in any future conversation. Jenny made no mention of the box again, nor did he see the box again upon his future stays over at her house. Soon, all thoughts of the music box lay all but forgotten in the wake of Angelus. And now, here she was in his home after a year and a half, cradling the same box as though it contained the most important and richest treasure in the world.

'Perhaps it does,' Giles mused.

Giles shook off his memory, becoming aware of the Sunnydale Razorbacks duffle bag he held in his hand. A fleeting thought crossed his mind as to why Jenny would use this bag, as she certainly had newer, better bags. Dismissing his musings, Giles traipsed to the stairwell, and gingerly laid Jenny's duffle bag down, almost as if he was too loud, the skittish woman would bolt like a frightened animal.

Giles approached her, settling on his couch as close to her as it was possible without actually touching her. Jenny avoided his eye contact, continuing to stare down at the box. The Englishman tentatively reached out his hand to touch hers, but abruptly recanted, uncertain of how welcome the gesture would be. Giles softly cleared his throat, and Jenny's hum drifted away. The woman raised sad eyes to catch his concerned gaze, only to suddenly break it.

Jenny slid a trembling hand through her red hair, blurting out, "I have a daughter, and she's in Sunnydale."

......

Sleep had not been forthcoming in light of Jenny's revelation and her compulsion to disclose the final skeleton in her closet.

Jenny was exhausted, yet unable to sleep after three hours of discussion; well, not so much discussion as opposed to baring her soul, confessing her sins to Rupert like he was a priest and had some method for exonerating her.

Wearily flopping her arm onto the unmade bed, the redheaded woman sighed heavily in the room showing signs of the coming day. A day forecast as a beautiful sunny Saturday; a day lending itself more into one peppered with black ominous clouds sprinkled with occasional rain.

Her eyes strayed fondly to the Sunnydale High duffle bag carefully set aside Giles' neat maple furnished dresser. She drew comfort from the slightly worn yet durable bag, the canvas growing softer with each use.

Jenny abruptly slid off the bed, traipsing over to the window. Last night she hadn't bothered to even close the drapes. Scratch that, a half hour ago, if you could actually constitute that as 'night'.

With the rise of the sun, faint rays shot off in different directions, highlighting various objects. One in particular catching the corner of Jenny's eye; its mother earth design on the silver lid became more and more visible.

She laughed derisively at the irony of it all.

A design representing everything she neglected, or, in her mind, threw away for what was what was perceived as the greater good. But held onto, tucked away as what? A reminder? A reminder of what she left behind? A remembrance of the love she left behind while a representation of her failings as a lover and a mother?

Jenny closed her eyes. She centered herself, blowing out a deep breath, and extended her senses. Jenny briefly felt a pang of guilt at reaching out to sense Willow's well being while magickally blocking her search. Through the parent/child bond, she sensed Willow still in no danger; in fact, Jenny thought wryly, she sensed a strong presence nearby Willow offering deep love and protection.

Her daughter had taken a mate last night, and unfortunately the strong presence radiated a familiar signature: the person whom, once she discovered the truth, would assuredly despise Jenny even more.

Jenny buried her face in her hands.

'Oh, goddess, Willow, what have you done?'

........

Buffy's senses tuned into her surroundings; she was pressed up against a warm body, her head resting on a chest measurably alive with a steady heartbeat. A sigh of relief instantly became a sharp inhale of arousal as a soft hand run and up down her lower back with a feathery touch.

She buried her face in the neck of her lover. 'No, Lifemate', she mentally corrected herself. The bond had strengthened during their lovemaking, if at all possible. The intensity had initially frightened the Slayer; her existence had been bared for her mate to see and incredibly she was now the most content she had ever felt in her frequent volatile young life.

A warm tendril of love spread forth, and Buffy related her own love through their connection. She raised her head to stare into sparkling emerald green eyes. A playful grin spread across a beautiful redheaded creature's face prompting Buffy to bashfully do the same.

"Good morning, Wills," Sensing her lover's bewilderment Buffy hastily added, " Oh! Um…I hope you don't mind me calling you that. It just sounded like a good nickname for you…not that I don't like your full name…I do and-"

Willow closed the few inches separating her from her Lifemate, placing a sweet quieting kiss on Buffy's lips. "It's alright. I like this new name. Pan had an affectionate name for me, but I was always Willow to my Father and my Elf Clan."

The Slayer settled herself lying beside her mate propped up by an elbow. Buffy, mindful of the covers hiding her partially naked torso, tugged a bit on the blanket, bringing it up securely.

The joining last night had not reached true consummation. Willow's inherent timidity and incredible innocence mixed with Buffy's rather turbulent sexual experiences left a sense of insecurities not so easily reconciled; not enough at least to fully make love upon their initial contact. Both inherently however knew the full joining would reach fruition in the very near future, the compulsion to fully mate inescapable.

"So what was Pan's name for you?"

Before the Halfling answered she mirrored the Slayer's pose, equally modest. Willow shyly smiled and looked down as her fingers caressed the Slayer's other arm resting on top of the bedroll until she reached her intended destination, her mate's small yet strong hands. Willow intertwined their digits and looked up to see Buffy's hazel eyes glowing, her emotions through the bond displaying love and serenity. "The name he gave me is not translatable to English; it's Elfin."

Buffy sniggered and playfully kicked Willow under the covers. "Oh, come on. There must be something that is close in English."

Willow blushed slightly and began to answer when she suddenly grew solemn as her actions the night before flashed in her mind.

.......

It was only a matter of time until Fionn jumped through the Portal.

Facing Willow would be hard enough; facing the man who for all intents and purposes was her soulmate, would be agonizing, and her emotions were all over the map. She loved Fionn; she always would, but her love for Rupert had never ceased to exist either. 'Is it possible to have more than soulmate?' She mused. Her love for Rupert occupied a separate and special place in her heart. She was in love with both, but somehow each love was different and distinct. It had been so long; could she really pick Fionn over Rupert?

........

A sharp knife of regret sliced through her in response to that fleeting consideration. Jenny wrapped her arms tightly across her chest, closing her eyes. For goddess' sakes, Fionn was the father of her child; her Lifemate with a bond she knew had never fully disappeared over the years, even during her time with Rupert. How could she even contemplate a decision; the decision was already made. And here she was seeking comfort and safety from the man she had once proclaimed her love only to throw her previous lifetime commitment to another in his face.

Jenny roughly rubbed her face before dropping her hands to expose her face to the bright sunlight only prompting her to cover her face once more.

.......

Buffy released their intertwined fingers, and caressed Willow's cheek. "What's wrong?" She whispered. While she could sense Willow's emotions, it appeared that unless they willed it, they could not hear each other's thoughts. At this moment, Buffy felt remorse radiating from the redhead, who sucked in a breath before returning her gaze to the Slayer.

......

Rather than answering verbally, Willow placed her palm against Buffy's cheek, a subtle glow emanating from her hand as she concentrated on sending the fears and indecision responsible for her shielding herself from her mate last night.

.......

Buffy overlay her palm over Willow's hand; the actions now completely understood. Buffy sent reassurance and love through their bond, emphasizing the non-necessity of any lingering guilt.

The soft glow melted away and Willow began to slide her hand away, only to be caught by Buffy's who gently kissed Willow's palm. The Slayer was silent for a moment as she held onto Willow's hand, stroking the back with her thumb. Instead of commenting on Willow's revelation, Buffy softly asked, "Is it alright if I read the letter from your father?"

The Halfling bit her lip, underscoring Willow's trepidation, and Buffy wondered for a moment if the request breached a confidence between her mate and her father. The Slayer sputtered in haste. "Hey, it's okay, if you don't wish to show me. No big." Which was a lie, the Slayer knew, and she was unable to stop the faintest flicker of hurt crossing her face.

The Halfling's mood quickly changed to one of decision and contrition. "No…I would like you to see." The redhead assured the Slayer. "It's just that…"

"I know," the Slayer cut her off. "It's all very intense. From what I've already sensed, this is huge…so much info at once would be overwhelming." The Slayer had a faraway look. "I thought my first Watcher Merrick was insane when he told me I was the Chosen One. Once I knew what that entailed…well…it was all so much. I mean, vampires? Demons? I wanted to tell someone so bad…and then when I shared it with my parents they put me in the loony bin." Willow's furrowed brow and quizzical expression led Buffy to amend her statement. "There is a place people are sent if they are viewed as not…um…who believe things in life are different from what is considered normal." Buffy shrugged.

Buffy drew a deep breath, sending as much love and reassurance as possible, "Look…I'm just saying that I understand your reluctance, but I would never betray your trust, and only wish to help."

Willow ducked her head, before raising her gaze. ~ I know. I trust you. ~

Willow swung over to retrieve her pack, exposing her back to the Slayer blushing as she did so. Rummaging in her rucksack, her fingers nimbly retrieved the parchment from its secret hiding compartment. Without closing the drawstrings, or moving her pack, she rolled over, letter in hand, to be greeted by a smirking Slayer, and the Halfling's blush matched the red of her hair as the Slayer radiated mischief brimming with sexual energy.

The Halfling flushed with pleasure; her body responding to the flirtatious spark caressing their link. Her mate shifted closer, hooked one leg to entwine the two lovers together. The Halfling breathed heavily, her body hyper aware of the Slayer's intimacy. The bottom of the Slayer's foot caressed the calf of Willow's leg, her hand sneaking under the blanket to cup Willow's breast, gently tweaking the nipples. Willow closed her eyes, her hand clutching the letter in one sweaty palm momentarily forgotten.

The Slayer's hand left her breast to grasp the redhead, flushing their bodies together. Willow's eyes flipped open to only close again as the Slayer passionately kissed her, urgently drawing Willow tight.

Buffy's mouth opened willingly, a groaned inaudibly into the melding of their lips her partially naked body fully on top of Willow. The kiss deepened with the Slayer slipping her thigh between the redhead's legs, and Willow's own thigh mimicking the Slayer's position and pressure.

~Oh god, Willow~

The Slayer forcibly grasped her mate's arms to lift them above her head, with the movement becoming heated and quicker when suddenly it stopped…

Willow's eyes blinked open at the interruption, and Buffy's sheepish expression as she released her thigh from the inside of Willow's leg, rolling over. "I'm sorry, Wills. That was evil of me."

"What?" A dazed Willow's arms slowly slid down. Buffy pointed to the parchment crumpled in Willow's hand.

"Oh!" Willow sat up, awkwardly covering herself as she did. "I need to release the magickal bond on the letter…" Willow muttered her release spell and passed it to a curious Buffy who only stared at it with trepidation.

"You really don't have to do this, you know." Buffy returned her gaze to Willow's eyes.

A small smile grew across the Halfling's face. "No, I want you to. I want you to understand. Please. Read it."

.......

Once again Buffy felt the sting of betrayal.

The Slayer knew the generalities of why Willow was here and her past but she was unprepared for the knowledge of just who abandoned Willow. Her first instinct had been to find and confront Jenny Calendar, showing her the true meaning of Slayer strength until a soft voice brought out of her red rage.

"What's wrong?" Buffy could sense the large amount of anxiety and confusion radiated through the shared link. Even without the Bond, Willow's wide eyes and tight grip on the blanket said it all.

Buffy shook her head, bringing her emotions in check. She sucked in a deep breath. "Look, I'm not sure…" At these words, the Slayer realized that she wasn't sure, but she had a good idea where to begin. Startling her mate, Buffy sat up, bra-clad breasts exposed, and hurriedly gathered her scattered clothes next to the bedroll. The Slayer threw on her shirt, and tossing the blanket covering the rest of her, she tugged her pants and socks on. Just as one foot began to slip into her boot, the worry in her mate's mind was growing to a fevered pitch.

It was this that curbed Buffy's haste. Foregoing her boots, she twisted her body to face her very scared mate. Willow sat up, hands clutching the blanket to her chest. Buffy immediately curled her fingers over one clutched hand holding onto the blanket for dear life gently applying a bit of Slayer strength to release the tight grip. Buffy intertwined their digits and her other hand caressed her mate's cheek in reassurance.

"Please just trust me to do this my way," Buffy begged. "I know this is a lot to ask, but…" Buffy dropped her hand from Willow's cheek, and ran her fingers through her hair, guilt and frustration being the major players despite her continued attempt to guard her emotions. "I need to block the link between us while I check on this."

"I don't understand. I thought you…I mean…we…we were together…and it wasn't full Joining…we were doing that later and-"

Buffy released their interlocked fingers and grabbed the Halfling's waist one handed, bringing Willow as close as possible kissing her deeply, lovingly, reinforcing their bond as the energy Buffy sent through was like liquid sunshine. Buffy broke the kiss only to rest her forehead against Willow's, the other continuing to caress the redhead's cheek, and the hurt and doubt faded away.

~You see? I love you. For the time in my life, I feel complete~

Willow's smile met Buffy's.

~I understand now~

"Good." The Slayer pulled back, groaning. "I so totally want to stay." Buffy smirked. "I know you can feel that, so don't even go there." She winked at Willow's blush that was threatening to become the same color as her red hair. "You are so tempting, my cute little elfin girl."

......

Willow's fears eased at the Slayer's reiteration of their bond.

She knew Buffy had been with others before (boyfriends, she called them), and that they ended (at times tragically) so she had thought that maybe Buffy was having trepidation about their Joining.

Buffy turned, and slipped on her boots while Willow grasped her shirt next to the bedroll. As Willow buttoned her shirt, her mate stood and stretched, providing Willow with a wonderful view of the Slayer's attributes. The Halfling grinned goofily at the thought that the Slayer was hers and had chosen her and her alone.

"What's that grin all about?" Buffy chuckled at Willow's shy shrug. Willow turned and snatched her pants lifting the blanket just far enough to modestly put them on with her back to the Slayer.

"Willow, what's going to happen to you while I'm gone?" Willow spun around, boot in hand at the somber tone.

"Where will you be?"

.......

"Hey, Tinker Bell get out of my hair!"

Buffy batted unsuccessfully at the small greenish creature zipping around the Slayer's body, in-between the slayer's legs, and playfully tugging on the Slayer's hair. It was zooming so fast and zigzagging making it impossible for even a slayer's reflexes to capture, but Buffy wasn't the best slayer for nothing and caught the mischievous creature. Holding the body between her fingers the translucent wings twitched off and on. The oddly dressed creature scowled at Buffy in consternation and shook her tiny fist at the slayer.

She had a childlike beauty, and a sense of femininity despite the androgyny. 'Are they all like that in Willow's home world?' the Slayer mused distractedly before her eyes zeroed on a crooked green Peter Panish type hat with the smallest feather Buffy had ever seen sticking out. How that thing stayed on the creature's head without falling off during the creature's zooming was beyond the slayer's comprehension. Despite the hat, Buffy could see organgish hair that looked like a hair coloring experiment gone wrong. Haphazardly cut with wisps sticking out at ends, Buffy wondered momentarily what she would find if she took off the creature's hat. The garment was a type of sleeveless dress in mismatched patterns of colors and designs cut like a child who had taken a piece of scissors to a fabric making a valiant attempt at cutting a perfect pattern but instead creating something with jagged edges completely unusable. But somehow this creature made it utterly adorable.

Buffy suspiciously eyed the creature while Willow covered her mouth in an attempt to mute her laughter but the keen hearing of the slayer heard it anyways. Never taking off the creature Buffy said, "So not funny Wills."

"It's just the fairy from the ball I gave you last night. Remember? It is a signal that the goddess and gods look down upon our union with favor."

Buffy scowled for a moment then said to the creature, "Okay, little Miss Tinker Bell you're an annoying little thing that will fly around punching people in the head protecting Wills. Right?"

The creature simply nipped at the Slayer's causing Buffy to suddenly release it and draw back rubbing her hand. "Hey! That hurt!" The Slayer pouted. "I thought fairies were supposed to be all with the twinkling and the spreading of fairy dust and ringing little bells lighting the way to Neverland."

Willow made some sort of cooing noise and the fairy drifted onto her palm flopping down as if exhausted from her little flight. Willow grinned. Buffy could swear the creature's grin wore an uncanny resemblance to her mate's own grin.

"She will be near me while you gone." Willow's eyes twinkled. "But I have my own way of taking care of myself. Willow cooed to the creature who zoomed out of Willow's hand to fly above their heads.

And then Buffy's eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets.

Standing on four paws directly in front of her was a red wolf: a red wolf who used to be her Lifemate.

And then the mighty slayer, who had faced and defeated many a Big Bad, fainted.

The red wolf morphed back into the Halfling, crouched down on all fours. She leapt to her feet to rush over to her mate. Placing her hand on Buffy's forehead, a warm glow infused and the Slayer's color returned as she awoke.

Buffy scooted up, giving a slight shake of her head. "Okay, I am officially on overload here. Tinker Bells zooming around and my cute little elfin girl turning into a red wolf?"

Willow smiled sheepishly. "Guess I should have warned you about my shifting into wolf form."

"Ya think?" At the sarcastic remark, Willow hung her head. A soft hand lifted Willow's head, and Buffy kissed her mate's cheek. "Don't worry I'm not mad." The slayer wryly smiled. "It's kind of a lot to take in all at once and God knows I'm not much of a morning person." Buffy rose, dusting off her pants. "I need a mocha."

Willow was still worried. Buffy encircled her arms around the Halfling. "I can feel your worry." Buffy hugged her mate and Willow, feeling good and safe inside the slayer's embrace, laid her head on the Slayer's shoulder.

Buffy kissed the top of her mate's fiery red hair and Willow drew back, pouting slightly at the loss of comfort. "Back to serious type stuff, I'll see you tonight and-" Buffy looked sheepish, glancing away briefly. "I'll pull down the shield as soon as I can, 'kay?"

Willow nodded. Whatever the slayer had planned Willow felt trust in her.

Buffy sighed deeply. "I don't know what time I'll be back. I can call through the Bond when I get close, right?"

"Anytime you drop the shield you can call me through the Bond from anywhere."

Suddenly the fairy dropped on top of Willow's head standing legs spread out, arms crossed, and chin jutting out, the orange eyes glowing fiercely all in a gesture of fierce determination that Buffy took as a sign of willing to protect Willow at all costs.

Buffy smiled and dropped one more kiss onto her mate's lips. "When I get back we can talk about my cute little elf as a red wolf." Buffy rolled her eyes and talking more to herself than Willow. "Now that's that a statement you don't hear everyday."

Buffy shook her head as if to clear anymore tangled cobwebs still existing in her much-befuddled mind. "Love ya, Wills. See ya later, Tinker Bell." Buffy began her walk from the clearing.

"Love you too," Willow called. And with a whispered few words and a toss of the hand, Willow's bedroll and pack disappeared.

With one last wave Buffy melted into the forest leaving behind a zooming fairy and a red wolf.