AB/BtVS FF: Nightmares in Waking Life 24-5/?
TITLE: Nightmares in Waking Life
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRINGS: All the pairings from the previous two stories---and some new ones, too
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the whole TV series for the Buffyverse; Alive at Last and Living Underground.
WARNINGS: A little bit of fur... bdsm... the usuals for Anita's crazy, crazy world.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone---except for any original characters that I whip up to do my bidding ;)
NOTE: This story is a sequel to Living Underground.
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13, 14-5, 16-7, 18-9, 20-1, 22, 23
PART TWENTY-FOUR
"So, lemme get this straight," Willow said as she drove Jason's fancy new sportscar through the streets of St. Louis. "Sampson's hiding. Perdita's looking for him... she's staying until he's brought into his power---basically until Anita sleeps with him---but she doesn't want him to be brought into his full powers at the same time."
"Yeah, and the regular merfolk pretty much want to kill Sampson, so y'know, he's been hiding for several reasons." Jason glanced over at the gauges on the dash. "Hey, ease up on the gas, would ya?"
Willow smirked and veered down a side street that would take her to the highway. They were going to the lupanar, because Jean-Claude thought Sampson may go there. Jason and Richard didn't believe he would, but Willow did see how its unlikeliness could be why Sampson would choose such a place. Perdita wouldn't know where their sacred place was situated. Sampson, though, had known because he had been there once with Anita when she was out conducting the business of Bolverk.
"I know you like my car, but c'mon... we need enough gas to get home!"
The witch chuckled. "There are two gas stations between here and the lupanar. We'll be fine. My treat."
"Well... okay."
Willow pressed her foot upon the brake as they coasted down a hill. She watched for traffic and avoided stopping as the signs indicated she should. She laughed. Jason rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, remind me to tell Asher to never get you a fun car for your birthday."
"It's not your birthday, so why did you get it?"
"Because Jean-Claude loves me?"
Willow smiled. She knew that much was true, but she doubted it was the Master of the City's only reason for bestowing such a lavish gift upon his pomme de sang.
"Maybe so you can impress the ladies?"
"Well, Perdy liked it okay."
Willow nearly screeched to a halt in the middle of the highway. "Perdy? Just how close are you two? She's only been here for a couple of days!"
Jason sighed. "We sorta had a thing when she was here, the first time, with Samuel. She's... she's... ah, she's hard to say 'no' to."
"I'll bet."
"Look, Dawn and I aren't exclusive and... and I don't need to worry about hurting Perdy---"
"Don't you like Dawn?"
"I'm fucking crazy about Dawn!" Jason exclaimed. "But, I'm gonna hurt her in the end! My lifestyle... god, Willow, I mean, apart from my furry side, I get off every night when Jean-Claude sucks on my neck! If that's not sex... I mean, Anita doesn't think it counts, but it does. How can I ask Dawn to understand that I like her and want to be with her, but every afternoon, I'll be getting my rocks off with another guy?"
Willow sighed and resumed watching the road as she drove to their sacred place. "I don't know," she said quietly. "It's hard. I know... And I'm not the best at sharing, either, so I know that's not easy to do... but..."
"It's not serious with Perdy," Jason said quietly. "I just need to let go of all my worries and just be me. She lets me do that."
"If it gets serious, you promise you'll tell Dawn?"
"I wouldn't do that to her," he said in a solemn voice. "Dawn's... Dawn. She's special."
"Yeah," Willow agreed.
She reached across the console and took his hand in hers. "I'm in your corner, still, okay, Jason? So remember that."
He sighed, tension seeping from his body. Then, he brought her hand to his face and rubbed against it as some of the wereleopards did amongst themselves. Willow figured it was the next best thing to hugging her---and there wasn't enough room for him to do that.
"So, if I need to talk?"
"I'm here for you."
He inhaled deeply before murmuring, "Thanks." After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Don't forget the turn off to the other rural bumpkin road."
"This place couldn't be any more remote, could it?" Willow muttered wryly.
"It probably could," Jason said. "We're just lucky it's only this far away from the city."
Willow chuckled softly and continued to drive with her one-handed grip on the steering wheel. When they approached the well-concealed driveway to the lupanar, she slowed down and took in her setting. She was pleased to see no one was driving around them, as far as she could see. She pulled into the frost-covered driveway without using her blinker; then, she slowly crept down the path.
"I figure we'll park where everyone else parks, and then hoof it in," Willow told him. "I don't wanna scratch up your paint job on the trees and ice."
"Thanks. Good plan."
A few minutes later, they were stepping out of the car. Jason reached out for the keys but Willow pocketed them with a sly grin on her face.
"I suppose it's only fair," Jason said, smiling back at her. "If you kept your cool about Perdy, I can keep my cool about this."
"Oh, like you sleeping with a mermaid is on the same level as me driving your car," she teased.
Jason responded by hauling her up into a fireman's carry over her shoulder. She squealed; he jostled her before running into the trees and towards the lupanar. Once she stopped protesting the position in which she was being held, she started to admire the way Jason's legs moved as he ran and jumped through the forest. He was so fluid---like Richard and like the other lycanthropes she'd encountered---but she never felt his joy quite so accutely before.
He was thoroughly enjoying himself and she did not want to ruin his moment.
When he burst into the clearing, Willow could feel the swell of the munin rising to greet them. Raina was there, with all the other voices, and Willow shivered as the former lupa told her that the outsider was only welcome if he undressed first.
"Sampson's here, right?" Willow asked quietly.
Jason lowered her, sliding her down his body so she could land on her feet. The ground crunched as she touched down. Sampson was sitting on a large stone in the circle everyone else inhabited when Richard was seated in his throne. His head was bowed and for a minute, Willow saw him as a young man, lost and alone, instead of the man that had already lived for about eight decades.
The merman turned and looked at the duo. He smiled, but it was a weary expression.
"Jean-Claude told me if I ever needed to escape for real or... emotional reasons... this was the place to go," Sampson explained.
"Emotional reasons are just as real," Jason said as Willow nodded.
Sampson stood up and brushed off his pants. He sighed and then tucked his hair off his face and behind his ears. "Guess it's time to face the music?" he asked.
"We've been looking for you," Willow told him unnecessarily. "Now I know why he sent us here."
"Yeah... I guess it's because he trusts you and Richard---"
"And because Perdita won't be coming here any time soon," Jason interrupted with a promise.
Willow didn't look at Jason, but she immediately wondered if Jason was with the mermaid for more than physical pleasure. She didn't think Jean-Claude would explicitly order him to sleep with anyone---given how much he despised a lot of his own past---but she wondered if he had hinted or if Jason felt a need to be protective of those with whom he was closely tied.
"Yeah, guess that's it, too," Sampson agreed.
"C'mon," Willow insisted. "We'll go to Feral Byte and get some coffee first to warm up."
"Tea'd be nice."
She smiled at the potential siren. "We have that there, too."
It took a lot longer for the trio to get to Jason's car, since they weren't running there. Jason refrained from carrying Willow and the two set off in front of Sampson, who swore he'd follow them. The merman seemed to become tangled in nature more than Jason and Willow did. They moved easily---in Jason's case, fluidly---through the forest but Sampson frequently stumbled over fallen trees and slipped on mossy or icy rocks.
He was breathing heavily when they arrived at the car. Willow was digging the keys out of her pants pocket when he said, "Man, I keep forgetting how the forest is not my thing."
Jason grinned. "Yeah, but in the water, you'd beat us all."
Sampson grinned back. "I'd like to think so."
Willow unlocked the car doors and they all piled in. Jason was in the front, next to Willow, as he had been earlier. Sampson got into the back seat, even though Jason had offered to switch with him. There wasn't much room, but Sampson said he wouldn't mind since the drive wasn't too long.
"Maybe we should call Jean-Claude or Asher?" Willow suggested as she negotiated the rural roads.
Jason shrugged. "Nah... it'll be okay. Besides, someone'll see us in town and the message'll trickle through." He smirked at Willow. "Unless you wanna talk to Asher..."
"What is this, high school?" she griped, although she was still smiling.
"Not since the last time I checked," he replied. "But, you know how much I like to tease you."
"Yeah."
Sampson chuckled. "I thought you like to tease everybody."
"Well, except for the really scary people," Jason told the merman. "I mean, it's no fun being thrown into a wall... just for changing the ring tune on someone's phone."
"Haven didn't appreciate having his phone play 'C is for Cookie' one little bit," Willow explained to Sampson, who was looking from one to the other and waiting for an explanation for Jason's comment. "It wasn't a very manly ringer."
"No, I don't imagine it would be."
"Asher's lightening up, though," Jason said as he fiddled with the knobs on the radio. "Before Willow, I couldn't tease him much at all. Now, his sense of humour's improved a ton. Goes to show how a little regular---"
"Finish that sentence and I'll take your voice away," Willow threatened.
"Didn't get any last night?" Jason inquired teasingly.
"You know the answer to that!" Willow exclaimed. "You spent the day in our room!"
The truth was, that after the excitement of Perdita's arrival and spending time with Buffy and Dawn in a shopping mall, Willow had been too tired to do more than fall onto the bed. Asher had been out on a date with Anita and Richard had been grading lab reports and helping Emily with her homework. When she woke up mid-day, she found herself with Jason, Asher, and Jean-Claude, but she went back to sleep until an hour before sunset.
Jason patted her hand affectionately. "Don't worry, I'm sure you guys'll hook up soon."
Willow rolled her eyes and focused on the road. But, Jason's assurance made her think about Asher and how little time they've had together since the new year had begun. She sighed and turned the steering wheel so the car followed the path into town; as she did so, she fleetingly wished Asher had fed from her before she left the Circus' underground residence.
She barely had time to whisper "uh oh" before the aftershocks of Asher's powers crashed into her.
Jason's hand had been on her arm when the reverberated energy washed through her, making her nerves tingle and her muscles pulse. He moaned and stiffened, throwing his head back against the seat. Their pleasure seemed to be on loop; they were feeding off of each other and Willow wasn't sure how to get it to stop. Sampson used the windshield brush---a necessity in wintery states---to pry Jason's hand off of her arm and when he did Willow could see a bit more clearly.
She caught the steering wheel in the nick of time, preventing the car from shooting off the road and into the snow-filled ditch---but not before there was a loud 'boom' sound and a groan somewhere in the back of the vehicle. Willow struggled to recall lessons from Driver's Education and she managed to get the car stopped on the side of the road.
Jason had, meanwhile, slithered to the floor. His eyelids fluttered and his breathing came in and out on moans and whimpers.
"Oh god, warn me next time," Jason whispered hoarsely.
"I didn't know it was coming! You started it!" She turned her head and looked back at Sampson. "You okay?"
"A little older than I was a few minutes ago," he said teasing as he released his grip on the handle above the window, "but otherwise okay. You?"
"Shaken, but not stirred."
Sampson chuckled. "Cracking jokes is a good thing. What happened?"
"Asher... his bite... sometimes there are reprecussions," she said vaguely as she stretched her legs and tried to keep them from pulsing much more. "I don't know why it happened like that... it usually takes more to spark it. And this is probably the worst moment for it. An audience and a moving vehicle."
"I can imagine that's pretty embarrassing."
Willow shrugged. "Sometimes, yeah." She glanced at him. "Thanks for the separation tactic."
"Survival instincts," he said with a grin. "Nice to know Dad's lessons have paid off."
"Cool thinking in the face of climactic powers?" Jason inquired weakly. "You sure you're a siren? I thought your kind sort of fed on that stuff."
"They do. And I'm not sure," Sampson said, chuckling again, "but my mother is pretty certain."
Willow smiled and nodded. "Well, okay. I propose getting out and surveying the damage. Do we need to call a tow truck or would it be easier to call Merle? He's pretty good with mechanical stuff. If he's home, maybe he'd help us---"
"We don't need him to come up here and fix the tire," Jason interjected. "I can lift it---"
"Do you even have a spare tire?" Sampson asked. "What about tools? Don't you need a wrench?"
Jason shrugged. "They must be in the back. Don't most cars come with spare tires?"
"Yeah, but this isn't exactly a practical vehicle," Sampson pointed out.
"Hey, playboys need spare tires, too!" Jason whined as he pulled himself into a sitting position, back in his seat. "Okay. I'm gonna check the trunk," he announced before opening the door and bouncing outside of the sportscar.
Sampson leaned forward and quietly whispered: "I think you should call Merle."
"Yeah, me too," she agreed. "I'll just let Jason come to that conclusion himself before anything else goes wrong. It'll be better that way."
"I don't wanna turn into a popsicle while we wait, though."
"I can hear you two talking about me!" Jason exclaimed as he bounced around to the driver's side of the vehicle. "We have a spare tire!"
Willow opened the door and unbuckled her seatbelt. "Okay. So, I'll levitate the car and you can switch tires. Should be eas---"
"Oh, hell no," Jason interrupted. "Magic could ruin my precious baby!"
Willow heard Sampson stifle a snort. She fought to hide her smile.
Jason leaned into the car and over Willow as he rummaged around for his cellular phone. When he pulled it out, he muttered something about calling an expert; a few seconds later, he was greeting Merle as politely as he could manage.
"Hey, I just... y'know... will magic ruin a car?" he asked, the tips of his ears turning pink.
Willow snorted without even attempting to smother the sound.
"No, no, that's not what happened," Jason told the older wereleopard. "Willow was driving, she had one of those Asher-bite things and nearly drove the three of us off the road. The tire blew. And wow, was that loud, but now we have to change it and I don't think there's a jack or---" he stopped short and listened. "Oh yeah, he's with us. He survived the near crash, too. But, back to the tire... yes, it blew out. It's flat or empty or whatever and there's---yeah. Okay. You have tools? Can we borrow them?"
He grinned and gave Merle their location. Then, he thanked the other lycanthrope and snapped his phone shut. "Merle's coming to the rescue."
"I thought you didn't want him to come out and help?"
"There aren't any tools."
Sampson pushed the front seat forward and leaned out through the open door. "Why wasn't that your argument earlier? Willow would have lifted the car and then we would have realised that we'd have to do it with our bare hands."
Jason frowned. "You survive an aftershock and see how clearly you're thinking afterwards," he muttered.
Willow hugged him close. "Sorry about that," she murmured. "I didn't mean to... force myself on you like that. Or ruin your tires."
"Can't rape the willing, and it was only one."
"I find fault with your reasoning, but I'll let it go if you're sure about it," she told him after nuzzling his neck and shoulder.
"Good. I am."
Sampson stretched his shoulders and rose out of the vehicle, still stretching his tense muscles. He walked around to the back of the car and surveyed the damage. Jason leaned against the car door and held Willow to him, taking comfort from her proximity.
"You should ask Jean-Claude for tires for your birthday," Willow said quietly.
Jason chuckled. "I could just buy extras myself."
"Well, make sure you get the right ones."
"Can you see Jean-Claude in a tire shop?" Jason asked before sniggering.
Willow smiled. "He'd send someone to get them," she said, sure that the vampire wouldn't go himself.
"I think it'd be fun to take him to Wal-Mart, too," the werewolf said, smiling more. "'Mon loup, you mean people actually wear these things? They are not for show? And what would one want with such flimsy boots? They would hardly withstand a night at Danse Macabre... they are not even made of real leather!'"
It was Willow's turn to laugh. "We are so spoiled," she said as her laughter faded away.
"Yup," he agreed. "I really hope I never get replaced."
Willow kissed his forehead and pulled him closer. He snuggled up to her and Sampson leaned against the car at their side.
That was how Merle found them thirty minutes later.
&&&&
PART TWENTY-FIVE
Willow was still trying to scrub the grease off of her face when Jean-Claude walked into her bathroom. He seemed amused; her frustration seemed to amuse him even more. When she growled, he chuckled.
"Ma chérie, I heard you had some difficulty this evening."
"Oh, don't play coy, I know you heard everything."
He laughed softly. "Oh, I have heard," he admitted. "You had quite an education in cars, it seems."
"No, I was trying to be helpful, but then I got an education in... in an old wereleopard's persnickity-ness!" Willow exclaimed. "I wanted to learn and he was all with the teaching when Jason asked but then I asked and I ended up with a face full of grease!" She growled in exasperation. "That is no way to treat a lupa!"
"You are correct in saying so, but I do not think he did it because you are Lupa."
"No, he did it because he thinks I'm a clueless little kid!" She sighed and dropped the cloth back into the sink. "It isn't fair. If I wasn't Lupa I'd still be Asher's human servant. He wouldn't do this to Anita."
"He might have done so," Jean-Claude said in a soft, and somewhat careful, voice. "But, I believe you are correct... did he apologise?"
"No! He just set the hood down, locked it in place or whatever, told Jason to take care of his car, and then he left us there!"
"In his defense, he was once leopard lionné and the position you hold is technically only because you are Richard's mate."
"Still," Willow huffed, "is a smidge of respect too much to ask for?"
"Non," Jean-Claude agreed. "If you wish to discuss it with him, you should before too much time has passed. I believe they are having a pard meeting at ma petite's this evening. You could find him there."
Willow sighed. "Yeah... maybe I'll call first. Or... deal with Micah, since it's one of his cats."
"Or you could do that," Jean-Claude agreed. He failed to smother his next bout of chuckles; as if to make amends for the transgression, he plucked the washcloth from Willow's hands and inched closer. "Here," he insisted, "I will help."
The witch nodded and closed her eyes as Jean-Claude carefully tried scrubbing the dark marks from her skin.
Asher found them, like that, a few moments later. He leaned against the doorframe and watched them; a quick glance at Jean-Claude through her lashes told her that he, too, noticed the other vampire's presence in the room. No one said anything, though, until Asher stepped inside and kissed the back of Jean-Claude's head.
"You missed, mon chardonneret," the Master of the City teased.
The blond chuckled. "I will not miss on my second attempt," he assured his lover. He brushed his fingers over Willow's cheekbone and into her hair. "I received an interesting telephone call moments ago. Micah called to make amends. Of course, I did not know to what event he was referring..." he trailed off as Willow opened her eyes fully. Asher pressed his lips together and quelled his smirk. "His enforcer offers an apology for this afternoon's events."
"Finally," Willow muttered.
"Did he take you to a mechanic's shop?" Asher inquired.
"He might as well have," she replied.
Jean-Claude smiled. "Mon loup said he had some car trouble near the Lupanar and they had called Merle to help since they were not sure how to make the repairs," he explained to his second in command, "Jason was interested in learning more, of course, and the wereleopard offered to teach him some things. Of course, when Willow became interested..."
"He greased me!" Willow exclaimed.
Asher looked from Jean-Claude to Willow. "Micah made it sound as if... he was simply... comment dit-on... pushing your buttons."
"Yeah, he did that alright."
Asher's lips twitched. He smiled and then he kissed Willow, before turning and kissing Jean-Claude. "I do not mind this new look," he told his human servant. "You know how I feel when your temper is aroused," he added as he arched an eyebrow.
"Don't try to sweet talk me," Willow said grouchily.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Asher promised. He and Jean-Claude shared a look; Willow wondered what they were thinking, and then, she was seeing those thoughts. Images of things they had shared in another lifetime, with Juliana, were accompanied by the sensation of low, male laughter. She flushed and snatched the cloth from Jean-Claude's hand. "What has you so flushed?" Asher asked when she resumed scrubbing her cheeks.
"Oh, like you don't know."
She heard the laughter with her ears, instead of with her mind.
"How does anyone get any work done around you two!?" she exclaimed.
Asher stepped up behind her and placed his hands upon her shoulders. "I do adore how you react around us," he admitted, "and the knowledge that you understand what is in my mind... it is priceless, as are you, mon colibri." He rewarded her with a kiss to her neck; then, he produced a small bowl. "I have just the trick here," he announced, "if you will give me the damp facecloth?"
Willow handed it over without another word. He dipped the terrycloth into the bowl; he did that as Jean-Claude turned Willow around to face the blond. When Asher lifted the cloth towards her, she saw little white granules clinging to the fabric.
"What---"
"It is sugar. Micah said Merle suggested you use it to clean your skin."
"Oh."
She closed her eyes and let Asher rub the sugar over her face. He pressed lazy, light kisses to her hairline as he cleaned the grease from her face; when he moved onto her hands and arms, he laved her neck with attention. Willow was nearly vibrating by the time he had removed all traces of the black smudges---but she also noticed she was very, very sticky.
"I need a bath," she told him. "And you two need to go blow off some steam or something."
Asher arched an eyebrow.
"There is something I would much rather 'blow off' and it is not steam," he silently told her.
Willow blushed. "Yes, well, I've had quite a day," she told him aloud. She craned her neck and looked at Jean-Claude who was smiling and trying to appear innocent, rather unsuccessfully as far as Willow thought. "I think you two should go out or something," she said before returning her gaze to Asher.
"Are you trying to get rid of us?" Asher inquired.
She nodded. After her adventure in the car, she wasn't feeling up to the sort of activities for which Asher seemed to be inclined that evening. Even though Jason assured her that he hadn't minded, she felt as if she had crossed a line; she felt as if she had invaded his personal space and made him do something for which he was not prepared. She didn't like how those thoughts made her feel, and even though she could feel Asher's desire radiating through her, she wasn't up to losing herself in those heady sensations yet.
Asher brought her from her thoughts by caressing her cheek. "Do you wish to talk?" he asked. "I can behave, for you... if you wish to share your thoughts."
His words brought a smile to her face. "No, I'm okay," she assured him. "I just need some downtime, y'know? Too much excitement or something. And Buffy'll probably want to do something tomorrow morning, so maybe if I get some rest... I won't feel so ragged."
He kissed her forehead. "D'accord, if that is what you wish."
"I'll see you later, though, okay?" she asked quietly.
Jean-Claude chuckled. "I will bring him home in one piece, ma chérie," he vowed, a playful smirk teasing his lips.
"Thanks, Jean-Claude," Willow said, smiling back at him. "Have fun," she added.
"I am certain we will," Asher promised. "Enjoy your bath, mon colibri."
"I'm sure I will," she murmured.
She smiled and tugged him close so she could share a quick kiss with him. Then, as she settled to her feet, Jean-Claude kissed both of her cheeks. She was still smiling when they left the bathroom and closed the door, to leave her in privacy for her bath.
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
RATING: en.sea.xvii overall
PAIRINGS: All the pairings from the previous two stories---and some new ones, too
SPOILERS: Up until Micah for AB; the whole TV series for the Buffyverse; Alive at Last and Living Underground.
WARNINGS: A little bit of fur... bdsm... the usuals for Anita's crazy, crazy world.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone---except for any original characters that I whip up to do my bidding ;)
NOTE: This story is a sequel to Living Underground.
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13, 14-5, 16-7, 18-9, 20-1, 22, 23
PART TWENTY-FOUR
"So, lemme get this straight," Willow said as she drove Jason's fancy new sportscar through the streets of St. Louis. "Sampson's hiding. Perdita's looking for him... she's staying until he's brought into his power---basically until Anita sleeps with him---but she doesn't want him to be brought into his full powers at the same time."
"Yeah, and the regular merfolk pretty much want to kill Sampson, so y'know, he's been hiding for several reasons." Jason glanced over at the gauges on the dash. "Hey, ease up on the gas, would ya?"
Willow smirked and veered down a side street that would take her to the highway. They were going to the lupanar, because Jean-Claude thought Sampson may go there. Jason and Richard didn't believe he would, but Willow did see how its unlikeliness could be why Sampson would choose such a place. Perdita wouldn't know where their sacred place was situated. Sampson, though, had known because he had been there once with Anita when she was out conducting the business of Bolverk.
"I know you like my car, but c'mon... we need enough gas to get home!"
The witch chuckled. "There are two gas stations between here and the lupanar. We'll be fine. My treat."
"Well... okay."
Willow pressed her foot upon the brake as they coasted down a hill. She watched for traffic and avoided stopping as the signs indicated she should. She laughed. Jason rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, remind me to tell Asher to never get you a fun car for your birthday."
"It's not your birthday, so why did you get it?"
"Because Jean-Claude loves me?"
Willow smiled. She knew that much was true, but she doubted it was the Master of the City's only reason for bestowing such a lavish gift upon his pomme de sang.
"Maybe so you can impress the ladies?"
"Well, Perdy liked it okay."
Willow nearly screeched to a halt in the middle of the highway. "Perdy? Just how close are you two? She's only been here for a couple of days!"
Jason sighed. "We sorta had a thing when she was here, the first time, with Samuel. She's... she's... ah, she's hard to say 'no' to."
"I'll bet."
"Look, Dawn and I aren't exclusive and... and I don't need to worry about hurting Perdy---"
"Don't you like Dawn?"
"I'm fucking crazy about Dawn!" Jason exclaimed. "But, I'm gonna hurt her in the end! My lifestyle... god, Willow, I mean, apart from my furry side, I get off every night when Jean-Claude sucks on my neck! If that's not sex... I mean, Anita doesn't think it counts, but it does. How can I ask Dawn to understand that I like her and want to be with her, but every afternoon, I'll be getting my rocks off with another guy?"
Willow sighed and resumed watching the road as she drove to their sacred place. "I don't know," she said quietly. "It's hard. I know... And I'm not the best at sharing, either, so I know that's not easy to do... but..."
"It's not serious with Perdy," Jason said quietly. "I just need to let go of all my worries and just be me. She lets me do that."
"If it gets serious, you promise you'll tell Dawn?"
"I wouldn't do that to her," he said in a solemn voice. "Dawn's... Dawn. She's special."
"Yeah," Willow agreed.
She reached across the console and took his hand in hers. "I'm in your corner, still, okay, Jason? So remember that."
He sighed, tension seeping from his body. Then, he brought her hand to his face and rubbed against it as some of the wereleopards did amongst themselves. Willow figured it was the next best thing to hugging her---and there wasn't enough room for him to do that.
"So, if I need to talk?"
"I'm here for you."
He inhaled deeply before murmuring, "Thanks." After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Don't forget the turn off to the other rural bumpkin road."
"This place couldn't be any more remote, could it?" Willow muttered wryly.
"It probably could," Jason said. "We're just lucky it's only this far away from the city."
Willow chuckled softly and continued to drive with her one-handed grip on the steering wheel. When they approached the well-concealed driveway to the lupanar, she slowed down and took in her setting. She was pleased to see no one was driving around them, as far as she could see. She pulled into the frost-covered driveway without using her blinker; then, she slowly crept down the path.
"I figure we'll park where everyone else parks, and then hoof it in," Willow told him. "I don't wanna scratch up your paint job on the trees and ice."
"Thanks. Good plan."
A few minutes later, they were stepping out of the car. Jason reached out for the keys but Willow pocketed them with a sly grin on her face.
"I suppose it's only fair," Jason said, smiling back at her. "If you kept your cool about Perdy, I can keep my cool about this."
"Oh, like you sleeping with a mermaid is on the same level as me driving your car," she teased.
Jason responded by hauling her up into a fireman's carry over her shoulder. She squealed; he jostled her before running into the trees and towards the lupanar. Once she stopped protesting the position in which she was being held, she started to admire the way Jason's legs moved as he ran and jumped through the forest. He was so fluid---like Richard and like the other lycanthropes she'd encountered---but she never felt his joy quite so accutely before.
He was thoroughly enjoying himself and she did not want to ruin his moment.
When he burst into the clearing, Willow could feel the swell of the munin rising to greet them. Raina was there, with all the other voices, and Willow shivered as the former lupa told her that the outsider was only welcome if he undressed first.
"Sampson's here, right?" Willow asked quietly.
Jason lowered her, sliding her down his body so she could land on her feet. The ground crunched as she touched down. Sampson was sitting on a large stone in the circle everyone else inhabited when Richard was seated in his throne. His head was bowed and for a minute, Willow saw him as a young man, lost and alone, instead of the man that had already lived for about eight decades.
The merman turned and looked at the duo. He smiled, but it was a weary expression.
"Jean-Claude told me if I ever needed to escape for real or... emotional reasons... this was the place to go," Sampson explained.
"Emotional reasons are just as real," Jason said as Willow nodded.
Sampson stood up and brushed off his pants. He sighed and then tucked his hair off his face and behind his ears. "Guess it's time to face the music?" he asked.
"We've been looking for you," Willow told him unnecessarily. "Now I know why he sent us here."
"Yeah... I guess it's because he trusts you and Richard---"
"And because Perdita won't be coming here any time soon," Jason interrupted with a promise.
Willow didn't look at Jason, but she immediately wondered if Jason was with the mermaid for more than physical pleasure. She didn't think Jean-Claude would explicitly order him to sleep with anyone---given how much he despised a lot of his own past---but she wondered if he had hinted or if Jason felt a need to be protective of those with whom he was closely tied.
"Yeah, guess that's it, too," Sampson agreed.
"C'mon," Willow insisted. "We'll go to Feral Byte and get some coffee first to warm up."
"Tea'd be nice."
She smiled at the potential siren. "We have that there, too."
It took a lot longer for the trio to get to Jason's car, since they weren't running there. Jason refrained from carrying Willow and the two set off in front of Sampson, who swore he'd follow them. The merman seemed to become tangled in nature more than Jason and Willow did. They moved easily---in Jason's case, fluidly---through the forest but Sampson frequently stumbled over fallen trees and slipped on mossy or icy rocks.
He was breathing heavily when they arrived at the car. Willow was digging the keys out of her pants pocket when he said, "Man, I keep forgetting how the forest is not my thing."
Jason grinned. "Yeah, but in the water, you'd beat us all."
Sampson grinned back. "I'd like to think so."
Willow unlocked the car doors and they all piled in. Jason was in the front, next to Willow, as he had been earlier. Sampson got into the back seat, even though Jason had offered to switch with him. There wasn't much room, but Sampson said he wouldn't mind since the drive wasn't too long.
"Maybe we should call Jean-Claude or Asher?" Willow suggested as she negotiated the rural roads.
Jason shrugged. "Nah... it'll be okay. Besides, someone'll see us in town and the message'll trickle through." He smirked at Willow. "Unless you wanna talk to Asher..."
"What is this, high school?" she griped, although she was still smiling.
"Not since the last time I checked," he replied. "But, you know how much I like to tease you."
"Yeah."
Sampson chuckled. "I thought you like to tease everybody."
"Well, except for the really scary people," Jason told the merman. "I mean, it's no fun being thrown into a wall... just for changing the ring tune on someone's phone."
"Haven didn't appreciate having his phone play 'C is for Cookie' one little bit," Willow explained to Sampson, who was looking from one to the other and waiting for an explanation for Jason's comment. "It wasn't a very manly ringer."
"No, I don't imagine it would be."
"Asher's lightening up, though," Jason said as he fiddled with the knobs on the radio. "Before Willow, I couldn't tease him much at all. Now, his sense of humour's improved a ton. Goes to show how a little regular---"
"Finish that sentence and I'll take your voice away," Willow threatened.
"Didn't get any last night?" Jason inquired teasingly.
"You know the answer to that!" Willow exclaimed. "You spent the day in our room!"
The truth was, that after the excitement of Perdita's arrival and spending time with Buffy and Dawn in a shopping mall, Willow had been too tired to do more than fall onto the bed. Asher had been out on a date with Anita and Richard had been grading lab reports and helping Emily with her homework. When she woke up mid-day, she found herself with Jason, Asher, and Jean-Claude, but she went back to sleep until an hour before sunset.
Jason patted her hand affectionately. "Don't worry, I'm sure you guys'll hook up soon."
Willow rolled her eyes and focused on the road. But, Jason's assurance made her think about Asher and how little time they've had together since the new year had begun. She sighed and turned the steering wheel so the car followed the path into town; as she did so, she fleetingly wished Asher had fed from her before she left the Circus' underground residence.
She barely had time to whisper "uh oh" before the aftershocks of Asher's powers crashed into her.
Jason's hand had been on her arm when the reverberated energy washed through her, making her nerves tingle and her muscles pulse. He moaned and stiffened, throwing his head back against the seat. Their pleasure seemed to be on loop; they were feeding off of each other and Willow wasn't sure how to get it to stop. Sampson used the windshield brush---a necessity in wintery states---to pry Jason's hand off of her arm and when he did Willow could see a bit more clearly.
She caught the steering wheel in the nick of time, preventing the car from shooting off the road and into the snow-filled ditch---but not before there was a loud 'boom' sound and a groan somewhere in the back of the vehicle. Willow struggled to recall lessons from Driver's Education and she managed to get the car stopped on the side of the road.
Jason had, meanwhile, slithered to the floor. His eyelids fluttered and his breathing came in and out on moans and whimpers.
"Oh god, warn me next time," Jason whispered hoarsely.
"I didn't know it was coming! You started it!" She turned her head and looked back at Sampson. "You okay?"
"A little older than I was a few minutes ago," he said teasing as he released his grip on the handle above the window, "but otherwise okay. You?"
"Shaken, but not stirred."
Sampson chuckled. "Cracking jokes is a good thing. What happened?"
"Asher... his bite... sometimes there are reprecussions," she said vaguely as she stretched her legs and tried to keep them from pulsing much more. "I don't know why it happened like that... it usually takes more to spark it. And this is probably the worst moment for it. An audience and a moving vehicle."
"I can imagine that's pretty embarrassing."
Willow shrugged. "Sometimes, yeah." She glanced at him. "Thanks for the separation tactic."
"Survival instincts," he said with a grin. "Nice to know Dad's lessons have paid off."
"Cool thinking in the face of climactic powers?" Jason inquired weakly. "You sure you're a siren? I thought your kind sort of fed on that stuff."
"They do. And I'm not sure," Sampson said, chuckling again, "but my mother is pretty certain."
Willow smiled and nodded. "Well, okay. I propose getting out and surveying the damage. Do we need to call a tow truck or would it be easier to call Merle? He's pretty good with mechanical stuff. If he's home, maybe he'd help us---"
"We don't need him to come up here and fix the tire," Jason interjected. "I can lift it---"
"Do you even have a spare tire?" Sampson asked. "What about tools? Don't you need a wrench?"
Jason shrugged. "They must be in the back. Don't most cars come with spare tires?"
"Yeah, but this isn't exactly a practical vehicle," Sampson pointed out.
"Hey, playboys need spare tires, too!" Jason whined as he pulled himself into a sitting position, back in his seat. "Okay. I'm gonna check the trunk," he announced before opening the door and bouncing outside of the sportscar.
Sampson leaned forward and quietly whispered: "I think you should call Merle."
"Yeah, me too," she agreed. "I'll just let Jason come to that conclusion himself before anything else goes wrong. It'll be better that way."
"I don't wanna turn into a popsicle while we wait, though."
"I can hear you two talking about me!" Jason exclaimed as he bounced around to the driver's side of the vehicle. "We have a spare tire!"
Willow opened the door and unbuckled her seatbelt. "Okay. So, I'll levitate the car and you can switch tires. Should be eas---"
"Oh, hell no," Jason interrupted. "Magic could ruin my precious baby!"
Willow heard Sampson stifle a snort. She fought to hide her smile.
Jason leaned into the car and over Willow as he rummaged around for his cellular phone. When he pulled it out, he muttered something about calling an expert; a few seconds later, he was greeting Merle as politely as he could manage.
"Hey, I just... y'know... will magic ruin a car?" he asked, the tips of his ears turning pink.
Willow snorted without even attempting to smother the sound.
"No, no, that's not what happened," Jason told the older wereleopard. "Willow was driving, she had one of those Asher-bite things and nearly drove the three of us off the road. The tire blew. And wow, was that loud, but now we have to change it and I don't think there's a jack or---" he stopped short and listened. "Oh yeah, he's with us. He survived the near crash, too. But, back to the tire... yes, it blew out. It's flat or empty or whatever and there's---yeah. Okay. You have tools? Can we borrow them?"
He grinned and gave Merle their location. Then, he thanked the other lycanthrope and snapped his phone shut. "Merle's coming to the rescue."
"I thought you didn't want him to come out and help?"
"There aren't any tools."
Sampson pushed the front seat forward and leaned out through the open door. "Why wasn't that your argument earlier? Willow would have lifted the car and then we would have realised that we'd have to do it with our bare hands."
Jason frowned. "You survive an aftershock and see how clearly you're thinking afterwards," he muttered.
Willow hugged him close. "Sorry about that," she murmured. "I didn't mean to... force myself on you like that. Or ruin your tires."
"Can't rape the willing, and it was only one."
"I find fault with your reasoning, but I'll let it go if you're sure about it," she told him after nuzzling his neck and shoulder.
"Good. I am."
Sampson stretched his shoulders and rose out of the vehicle, still stretching his tense muscles. He walked around to the back of the car and surveyed the damage. Jason leaned against the car door and held Willow to him, taking comfort from her proximity.
"You should ask Jean-Claude for tires for your birthday," Willow said quietly.
Jason chuckled. "I could just buy extras myself."
"Well, make sure you get the right ones."
"Can you see Jean-Claude in a tire shop?" Jason asked before sniggering.
Willow smiled. "He'd send someone to get them," she said, sure that the vampire wouldn't go himself.
"I think it'd be fun to take him to Wal-Mart, too," the werewolf said, smiling more. "'Mon loup, you mean people actually wear these things? They are not for show? And what would one want with such flimsy boots? They would hardly withstand a night at Danse Macabre... they are not even made of real leather!'"
It was Willow's turn to laugh. "We are so spoiled," she said as her laughter faded away.
"Yup," he agreed. "I really hope I never get replaced."
Willow kissed his forehead and pulled him closer. He snuggled up to her and Sampson leaned against the car at their side.
That was how Merle found them thirty minutes later.
&&&&
PART TWENTY-FIVE
Willow was still trying to scrub the grease off of her face when Jean-Claude walked into her bathroom. He seemed amused; her frustration seemed to amuse him even more. When she growled, he chuckled.
"Ma chérie, I heard you had some difficulty this evening."
"Oh, don't play coy, I know you heard everything."
He laughed softly. "Oh, I have heard," he admitted. "You had quite an education in cars, it seems."
"No, I was trying to be helpful, but then I got an education in... in an old wereleopard's persnickity-ness!" Willow exclaimed. "I wanted to learn and he was all with the teaching when Jason asked but then I asked and I ended up with a face full of grease!" She growled in exasperation. "That is no way to treat a lupa!"
"You are correct in saying so, but I do not think he did it because you are Lupa."
"No, he did it because he thinks I'm a clueless little kid!" She sighed and dropped the cloth back into the sink. "It isn't fair. If I wasn't Lupa I'd still be Asher's human servant. He wouldn't do this to Anita."
"He might have done so," Jean-Claude said in a soft, and somewhat careful, voice. "But, I believe you are correct... did he apologise?"
"No! He just set the hood down, locked it in place or whatever, told Jason to take care of his car, and then he left us there!"
"In his defense, he was once leopard lionné and the position you hold is technically only because you are Richard's mate."
"Still," Willow huffed, "is a smidge of respect too much to ask for?"
"Non," Jean-Claude agreed. "If you wish to discuss it with him, you should before too much time has passed. I believe they are having a pard meeting at ma petite's this evening. You could find him there."
Willow sighed. "Yeah... maybe I'll call first. Or... deal with Micah, since it's one of his cats."
"Or you could do that," Jean-Claude agreed. He failed to smother his next bout of chuckles; as if to make amends for the transgression, he plucked the washcloth from Willow's hands and inched closer. "Here," he insisted, "I will help."
The witch nodded and closed her eyes as Jean-Claude carefully tried scrubbing the dark marks from her skin.
Asher found them, like that, a few moments later. He leaned against the doorframe and watched them; a quick glance at Jean-Claude through her lashes told her that he, too, noticed the other vampire's presence in the room. No one said anything, though, until Asher stepped inside and kissed the back of Jean-Claude's head.
"You missed, mon chardonneret," the Master of the City teased.
The blond chuckled. "I will not miss on my second attempt," he assured his lover. He brushed his fingers over Willow's cheekbone and into her hair. "I received an interesting telephone call moments ago. Micah called to make amends. Of course, I did not know to what event he was referring..." he trailed off as Willow opened her eyes fully. Asher pressed his lips together and quelled his smirk. "His enforcer offers an apology for this afternoon's events."
"Finally," Willow muttered.
"Did he take you to a mechanic's shop?" Asher inquired.
"He might as well have," she replied.
Jean-Claude smiled. "Mon loup said he had some car trouble near the Lupanar and they had called Merle to help since they were not sure how to make the repairs," he explained to his second in command, "Jason was interested in learning more, of course, and the wereleopard offered to teach him some things. Of course, when Willow became interested..."
"He greased me!" Willow exclaimed.
Asher looked from Jean-Claude to Willow. "Micah made it sound as if... he was simply... comment dit-on... pushing your buttons."
"Yeah, he did that alright."
Asher's lips twitched. He smiled and then he kissed Willow, before turning and kissing Jean-Claude. "I do not mind this new look," he told his human servant. "You know how I feel when your temper is aroused," he added as he arched an eyebrow.
"Don't try to sweet talk me," Willow said grouchily.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Asher promised. He and Jean-Claude shared a look; Willow wondered what they were thinking, and then, she was seeing those thoughts. Images of things they had shared in another lifetime, with Juliana, were accompanied by the sensation of low, male laughter. She flushed and snatched the cloth from Jean-Claude's hand. "What has you so flushed?" Asher asked when she resumed scrubbing her cheeks.
"Oh, like you don't know."
She heard the laughter with her ears, instead of with her mind.
"How does anyone get any work done around you two!?" she exclaimed.
Asher stepped up behind her and placed his hands upon her shoulders. "I do adore how you react around us," he admitted, "and the knowledge that you understand what is in my mind... it is priceless, as are you, mon colibri." He rewarded her with a kiss to her neck; then, he produced a small bowl. "I have just the trick here," he announced, "if you will give me the damp facecloth?"
Willow handed it over without another word. He dipped the terrycloth into the bowl; he did that as Jean-Claude turned Willow around to face the blond. When Asher lifted the cloth towards her, she saw little white granules clinging to the fabric.
"What---"
"It is sugar. Micah said Merle suggested you use it to clean your skin."
"Oh."
She closed her eyes and let Asher rub the sugar over her face. He pressed lazy, light kisses to her hairline as he cleaned the grease from her face; when he moved onto her hands and arms, he laved her neck with attention. Willow was nearly vibrating by the time he had removed all traces of the black smudges---but she also noticed she was very, very sticky.
"I need a bath," she told him. "And you two need to go blow off some steam or something."
Asher arched an eyebrow.
"There is something I would much rather 'blow off' and it is not steam," he silently told her.
Willow blushed. "Yes, well, I've had quite a day," she told him aloud. She craned her neck and looked at Jean-Claude who was smiling and trying to appear innocent, rather unsuccessfully as far as Willow thought. "I think you two should go out or something," she said before returning her gaze to Asher.
"Are you trying to get rid of us?" Asher inquired.
She nodded. After her adventure in the car, she wasn't feeling up to the sort of activities for which Asher seemed to be inclined that evening. Even though Jason assured her that he hadn't minded, she felt as if she had crossed a line; she felt as if she had invaded his personal space and made him do something for which he was not prepared. She didn't like how those thoughts made her feel, and even though she could feel Asher's desire radiating through her, she wasn't up to losing herself in those heady sensations yet.
Asher brought her from her thoughts by caressing her cheek. "Do you wish to talk?" he asked. "I can behave, for you... if you wish to share your thoughts."
His words brought a smile to her face. "No, I'm okay," she assured him. "I just need some downtime, y'know? Too much excitement or something. And Buffy'll probably want to do something tomorrow morning, so maybe if I get some rest... I won't feel so ragged."
He kissed her forehead. "D'accord, if that is what you wish."
"I'll see you later, though, okay?" she asked quietly.
Jean-Claude chuckled. "I will bring him home in one piece, ma chérie," he vowed, a playful smirk teasing his lips.
"Thanks, Jean-Claude," Willow said, smiling back at him. "Have fun," she added.
"I am certain we will," Asher promised. "Enjoy your bath, mon colibri."
"I'm sure I will," she murmured.
She smiled and tugged him close so she could share a quick kiss with him. Then, as she settled to her feet, Jean-Claude kissed both of her cheeks. She was still smiling when they left the bathroom and closed the door, to leave her in privacy for her bath.