A/N thanks for the reviews, keep them coming.

Chapter 3

(August 18, 1999)

Willow sat in her room waiting for Buffy. The two were actually going to get in some of that overdo bonding time today. The start of the new school year was fast approaching and they were going to embark on their yearly ritual of school shopping, lunch and then n afternoon movie. Willow was glad to finally get to spend the day with Buffy and hoped that everything went according to her plan. They would get the school shopping out of the way and then over lunch, Willow planned to come out to her best friend.

Willow and Britney had gone on a few dates and spent a lot of quality time together over the last month and, thus far, her secret was kept. She liked Britney a lot but had not made that big intimacy step with the woman as of yet. A few times, things got a little passionate but Willow always backed off and worried that it was going to cause Britney to think that it would never happen. In all actuality, on this day, their one-month anniversary, Willow hoped that she would be ready for that step. Britney had been so patient and understanding with Willow but she feared that the woman would not be able to continue that considerate behavior. With Oz, going beyond the make out stage was rarely an issue. With Britney, Willow knew by the actions that the woman had to keep her hormones in check more than once. She would always assure Willow that it was all right and for her to take all the time that she needed but Willow still wondered if it was truly all right. She wondered if she would even be an adequate lover for the woman who had more experience then she did.

As Willow touched up her face, her thoughts shifted from worry over Britney to worry over Buffy. She had often read about stories of lesbians coming out sessions that did not go so well. She feared that she would not be accepted by her best friend and ridiculed more at school then she already was. She knew that if this was the lifestyle that she really wanted, she would have to take her lumps on the chin and keep on trucking. She knew that there would be many lumps from people but prayed that they wouldn't come from her friends. She had chose to come out to Buffy first and then planned to do it slowly to others with hopes that it would ease the drama that she would have to face.

Britney had told her a few stories of her own coming out experience some years ago. She had faced a lot of heat from her peers and lost many people that she thought were her friends. She had even had an act of violence committed against her by a devout church member, who claimed that Britney was going to corrupt the other kids at school. Britney's own father threatened to have her moved to a private school so as not to diminish their status in the community. Britney's mother shed tears but was supportive of her decision as was her aunt Maggie. In fact, Britney had told Willow that her aunt Maggie was her strength in those dark hours in which she lost many friends and her popularity status in school.

As Willow's mind continued to wander on such topics as how many other kids at Sunnydale High were in her shoes, Buffy's booming voice interrupted her. "Will come back to earth!" The slayer shouted and Willow snapped her head around. She could tell that Buffy had been there for quite some time by the expression on her face.

"I'm sorry Buff," Willow said and blushed slightly. "I was thinking of my, um, my plans for school. You know, how I should dress this year, who is going to torment me, things like that."

"You worry too much Will," Buffy said and smiled at her friend. "So are we ready to fight the crowds?" Buffy said with a laugh and they headed out on their day of bonding.

- - - -

Britney and Graham sat at a small diner having a quick lunch. They had been working overtime to get the security system installed for the initiative program, which was to be in full operation by January. It was a tall order but the two were willing to do it to further their careers. Neither was privy to all of the details on how the operation was to work as of yet but they were both excited to have been given such a huge responsibility. Neither liked the idea that, once they set everything up, the codes would be changed so that only Riley Finn and Maggie Walsh could get into the facility on their own. They were the higher ranking officers however, which meant that Graham and Britney could not say how they disapproved of the decision.

"So how are things going with you and this young lady that you have been hanging with?" Graham asked in a casual tone, with a big grin on his face. He and Britney had known each other for a short time but had many discussions on their likes for the feminine persuasion.

"Willow is a great person and I like her a lot." Britney said and returned his grin. "No, we've not made the big score yet but I have patience."

"Whatever it takes to get the score right?" Graham said and laughed heartily.

"No, it's not like that. I really think that she's great and I want this to work." Britney said and finished her drink. "Say, did you find out about that other slayer for aunt Maggie?"

"I sure did," Graham stated with a smirk. "I got a picture and everything. She's one hot chick I tell ya! I think Maggie is going to handle the rest of it from there though."

"What is the rest of it?" Britney asked in wonderment. She loved her aunt Maggie but found it odd that, once the officers got things going so far, things became secretive from them with exception of a few members of the team.

"I'm not sure," graham was lying and Britney knew it. The question was, should she pull rank on him or wait this out and see what was on the go.

She stood up from the table quickly and excused herself. "I want to go see if I can catch a nap before my big date tonight." She said with a sheepish grin. "We had a long night and I hope tonight is a long night for me as well." The woman winked at Graham and walked out of the diner, leaving him with a feeling of mistrust.

- - - -

As Willow and Buffy finished their lunch and ordered another beverage, Willow decided that now was the time. The two had a nice morning with the shopping and Willow hearing nothing but about Riley. She thought he was a nice guy and all but one could only hear how great another person was for so long before they grew weary. She knew that sounded a little selfish on her part but three hours discussing nothing but one person was a bit much also. She was willing to listen if Buffy had a problem, wanted to have a casual chat or even wanted to talk about the man some but that was overkill.

"Can we talk Buffy?" Willow probed gently and hoped that they wouldn't have to spend another three hours on the subject of her sexual preference.

"Of course," Buffy said and began to devour her second helping of fries. "What's up?"

"Well, I have someone in my life." Willow began to speak with a tinge of nervousness in her voice. She couldn't believe that she was actually going through with this and knew that once she spilled the beans, there was no turning back.

"You and Oz aren't back together so who is the lucky guy?" Buffy said with excitement thick in her voice. She was so happy to hear that Willow too had someone special in her life and couldn't wait to meet him.

"That's just it Buffy," Willow clamped her hands together and swallowed hard. It was now or never she knew, as she straightened herself up and cleared her throat. "It's not a guy Buffy. I'm gay and it's Britney Walsh." Willow let the words fly out of her mouth before she had a chance to recoil them and now all she had to do was wait.

Buffy nearly dropped her drink to the floor when she heard what Willow had just said. She looked at her friend, out the window and back at her friend again. She didn't know what to say to her friend, as she never saw this coming. She scooted her chair backwards as she always did to indicate that she was finished eating. She then thought that Willow would take that as she was trying to move away from her and mentally kicked herself. Her mouth opened and closed again without a word coming out of it, as Willow dejectedly got up from the table and walked off.

"Hey Buffy," one of the Cordettes said, from behind her. She had sauntered up to badger Willow and heard the entire conversation without being noticed by the two friends. "Either you don't want to be friends anymore or you need to pick yourself up and do damage control."

Buffy snapped into action quickly and jumped to her feet. She spun around facing the Cordette and pointed a finger in her face. "If you start trouble with this…"

"No, I wouldn't dream of doing that Buffy." The Cordette said and turned to leave.

As Buffy looked into her face, with a shocked look at who was standing before her with a compassionate look on her own face, she knew that she could believe her. "Thanks," she said and raced out after Willow, leaving the Cordette wishing that she had the guts to do what Willow had just done.

As she easily caught up to her friend, Buffy vowed to keep her self-composure this time. She had been shell-shocked by Willow's revelation but she was her friend no matter what. "Hey Will," Buffy said softly and reached out for her arm. "Look, I was shocked by what you told me in there is all. It was a stupid and quick reaction to something that I never expected to hear." Buffy continued speaking and pulled her friend into a tight hug. "Nothing will ever come between us Will, especially not something like who you want to date, I promise."

Willow returned the hug with a joy-filled look replacing the hurt one on her face. "Oh Buffy, you don't know how glad that makes me feel inside. I was so afraid that nobody would like me and that you all would treat me like I have the plague."

"I would never do that to you Willow and if anyone else does," Buffy gave her best slayer in mid fight battle look, which made Willow laugh, as she wiped her tears. "I'll be here with you every step of the way, you can count on that Willow." Buffy assured her friend, as they made their way back to the car.

- - - - -

Willow and Britney got back to Britney's apartment at nearly midnight. The two had gone out to celebrate their one month anniversary with a very expensive dinner, dancing and walk along the beach. They had discussed how things went with Buffy and Willow's fears about coming out to other people. They had discussed the inner turmoil that Britney had gone through before she came out and how it felt like the world was lifted from her shoulders once she finally opened her mouth and said the words. They had also discussed society in general and how they were looking forward to being there for each other through whatever fall out came of this, as Willow outed herself to more people. "Willow," Britney began to speak as the two settled on her sofa with drinks in hand. "I'm very happy that you gave me a shot to go out that night. I really like you a lot and want you to know that I am here for you for whatever it is that you need." She finished speaking and kissed her girlfriend gingerly.

"I'm glad that I got up the nerve to admit things to you Britney. I like you a lot and am sorry that I've been a little slow on the other aspects of our relationship." Willow blushed, as she still was not a good talker when it came to topics of a more intimate nature. She wished that she were better at many things but knew that she would have to make do with what she had for the moment.

Britney pulled the redhead into her arms and kissed her as gently as she could a few more times. "Willow, sex is a very nice part of a relationship that is supposed to be used as another means of affection. When we do get to that place, I want it to be the perfect time for you. I don't want you to make love with me out of fear that I might leave you or just to make me happy. When two people make love, they both should be ready to fully express their emotions through the making love. If you're not ready, you cannot fully do that and I don't want you having that kind of experience. So, each time my hands get carried away and you aren't ready, tell me to stop. I want our first time to be as special for you as it will be for me."

A couple of tears escaped down Willow's cheeks as her girlfriend finished speaking. She had never had someone put her feelings first and it felt good. "Britney, you are truly an amazing person. I'm so happy that you gave me, the geeky bookworm, a chance. I am so nervous with all of this but, when I'm in your arms, I feel more safe and cared for then I ever have."

"That's because you are Willow and I want to convey that to you." Britney said as she stroked Willow's cheek with her thumb. "I don't want you to have any doubts about my intentions towards you as we move forward with our relationship Willow."

"I don't have any doubts about you Britney. I trust you completely and I so want to be ready to move to the next step with you tonight. I want this to be a special memory for us both." Willow said with a slight reddish coloration forming on her cheeks.

"I want that too Willow." Britney said and stepped up the aggression in her kisses slightly. "If you're not ready to make love with me though, it's all right. I won't be disappointed or dump you. You take all the time that you need Willow." AS Britney finished speaking, she gently leaned Willow back on the sofa and began massaging her lower back. Her kisses eventually moved to Willow's neck and she moved her hands, still under the shirt, to Willow's stomach. In a short time, she had Willow's shirt and bra undone and was exploring her beauty with her hands and mouth. She suddenly stopped and looked into her lover's eyes. "Do you need for me to stop Willow?" She asked with desire showing clearly in her eyes.

"No, I'm ready to do this Britney. I want to be with you in every way possible. I want to feel, rather then hear, how much you care for me." Willow said between short breaths. Though she was nervous, her body liked the things that the beautiful officer was doing to her.

"I'm the type of person who really would rather show then tell," Britney said and began to suckle Willow's breasts with a look of contentment on her face.