aB/BtVS FF: Nightmares in Waking Life 51A/?
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, 24-5, 26-7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32-3, 34-7, 38, 39-40, 41, 42, 43-44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50
PART FIFTY-ONE
Willow balanced some books in her arms as she neared the apartment building. The sight of Emily and her guards caused a slight wavering of her equilibrium, but she recovered enough to get to the door.
"Well, this is a nice surprise," the redhead murmured with a smile. "Emily, can you get the key out of my coat pocket?"
The young girl smiled and nodded. She fished the object out of the pocket and used it to unlock the door. The guards opened it and peered inside before one went inside and Emily and Willow followed behind him. The second guard followed behind them, making sure the door was secure before following the other three up the stairs.
Once they were in the apartment, the guards went to the security room and Willow unceremoniously dropped the stack of reading material onto the coffee table. Emily toed out of her shoes and took off her coat; Willow followed suit. Then, the witch went into the kitchen while Emily flopped down on the sofa.
"Does Richard know you're here?"
"Yep."
Willow narrowed her eyes and studied the werewolf. "Really?"
Emily's confident smile crumbled. "Okay... maybe not completely," she admitted.
Willow sighed. "Emily, you didn't tell him?"
"He knows I'm with my goon squad!"
She sighed again. "I'm going to call him," she told Emily.
"Please don't!"
"He's your legal guardian. He's also our Ulfric."
"But---"
"He told you he wanted you to tell him where you were at all times," Willow reminded her. "That wasn't just for his well-being, Emily."
"I'll get in trouble!"
"You should have thought about that before skipping out on him. He won't be mad. He'll be concerned... and you're safe here, so he won't worry anymore," the witch said.
Emily frowned. "Willow, please don't tell him."
"I have to."
"But... but..."
Willow stepped around the counter and into the living area of the apartment. She went to the sofa and touched Emily's shoulder. "It's going to be okay," Willow assured her. "He's not an ogre."
"I want to stay here with you," Emily protested.
The redhead smiled. "Okay, and if he says you can, then you will."
"Forever?"
Willow chuckled. "I don't live here all the time, and you know that. I'm not your guardian, either." She smoothed her hand through Emily's hair. "It's not that I don't want to spend more time with you, Em, but Richard's your guardian. You're safer with him."
Emily sighed and bowed her head. Willow placed a quick kiss to her temple before straightening and going back to the kitchen for the phone. She dialled Richard's cellular phone number from memory and waited for him to answer.
"Hello?"
"Richard," Willow murmured. "Hi."
"Hello, Willow," he replied. "What's up? Miss me?"
She laughed softly. "Yeah, of course, but that's not why I'm calling."
"You wouldn't happen to know where my youngest packmember is, would you?"
"Yes, I would," she answered honestly. "She's with me. She showed up at the apartment. I thought I'd call so you wouldn't worry."
Richard sighed. "I knew... her guard called Shang-Da, but thanks for letting me know. I wish you made her call me---she's been pushing the envelope a little lately."
"You should've told me."
"It was never the right time," he said quietly. "And... I love hearing your voice, but can you put her on?"
"Sure."
"Call me if there are any problems, okay?"
"I promise I will," Willow assured him. "Love you."
"I love you, too," she heard him say before she went into the living room and held the phone out to Emily.
Emily shook her head. Willow nodded and closed the gap between them. "Take the phone. He doesn't sound mad, but you need to talk to him---sooner, rather than later."
"Do I hafta?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "Talk to Richard. It's okay."
Emily pouted, but eventually, she gave in. After she took the phone, Willow reached out and brushed her fingers through Emily's hair. She didn't really listen to the conversation---she was fairly sure she could predict both sides of the situation. Emily probably wanted freedom; Richard wanted Emily to follow the rules they agreed upon. Willow squeezed Emily's shoulder and then went back into the kitchen to make a snack.
She was happy to see Emily, but the timing wasn't quite right for a visit. Willow had gone to the apartment, heavy and old books in hand, to do some research with Dawn, who would be back as soon as her afternoon class was finished. Faith thought she might stop by, too, if she could convince Damian to let her out of his sight for a few hours. She didn't want Emily to be privy to their preliminary results; she didn't want any of their early ideas released to the groups under Jean-Claude's protection until those ideas had time to be dismissed or proven. They didn't understand what a hellmouth could mean and she didn't want to give them too much contradictory information until she could narrow their focus and decide what was extraneous and what was necessary to know.
Still, she knew she couldn't turn the girl away if Richard allowed her to stay.
She was partway through her rummage of the fridge when Emily appeared in the doorway.
"Hi," she said, sounding hesitant.
Willow smiled. "What's up?"
"He wants to talk to you, too," she said, holding out the phone.
"Thanks, Emily," Willow murmured. She took the receiver and put it to her ear. "Richard?"
"Hey," he said quietly. "Missed you some more."
"Awww," Willow teased. "I can't help you with that right now..."
"You are," he assured her.
"Stop being so sweet."
"Can't."
Willow rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. "Richard..."
"Okay, okay, back to business," he said, a touch of resignation in his voice. "Do you mind if Emily stays there until I can pick her up?"
"That's fine," she told him.
"Really? I remember you saying something about meeting up with Dawn, and---"
Willow concentrated for the bond she had with the werewolf king. She wasn't sure if it was solely with their bond or also with the aid of her magical powers, but she thought out the truth and knew it reached Richard's mind.
"I have a meeting with Dawn... we're doing research tonight. On the stuff that's happening. Faith might be coming over, too."
"And you were planning to tell me this, right?"
"When we have something, yes, I'll tell you."
"Willow."
"I didn't tell you because I don't want Asher and Jean-Claude on me... or spilling the beans to you, Micah, Haven, and Narcissus."
"And Anita."
Willow sighed.
"Willow..."
"I just want concrete evidence before talking about it," she said, trying to explain her actions. "I'm not withholding or withdrawing or anything."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes," she insisted. "You guys don't deal with the stuff that we did in Sunnydale. I can't make you understand... and I don't want to make you overreact or get confused and---"
"Calm down."
"Don't."
Richard sighed. "Willow, I'm not questioning your motives."
"It sounds like you are!"
"I'm not," he assured her. "I worry about you. I worry about you taking on too much, I worry about you getting into trouble. I'm not angry... I don't think you're being dishonest. But, I worry. And I wish you'd share some of what's going on in your head. Put some of your burdens down, y'know?"
"You don't understand."
He sighed again. "You don't explain it to me. I see glimpses of how your past's affected you, but you never really share it with me."
"You're Ulfric, but you don't---"
"I'm your lover," he reminded her, in a much more quiet voice. "Your partner. I don't want you to tell me these things because I'm Ulfric and you're Lupa. I want you to tell me these things because I love you and want to support you."
Willow frowned. She felt her cheeks warming.
Richard continued to talk. "Besides, we're pack, Willow. You and me. Doesn't matter that you're Asher's human servant. We're pack. What you tell me doesn't automatically go to Jean-Claude or Anita. Can't you trust me?"
"Richard..."
"I trust you. I've trusted you since you let me open up to you. I thought you trust me, too, but---"
"I do," she said quickly. "Richard, I do trust you."
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"I have a hard time knowing where loyalties begin and end," she told him silently.
"I love you, not Jean-Claude."
Willow smiled a bit. "Yeah... I know. But, Asher loves me, and I know if Jean-Claude demanded it---"
"Asher's not Master of the City," Richard reminded her. "He has to report to Jean-Claude. He has responsibilities to the kiss. True, I have responsibilities to the pack, too, but I don't report to Jean-Claude. I'm his animal to call but I'm not his slave."
"Okay... okay."
"If you don't want to tell me because you're not telling Asher, I guess I understand that," he added quietly. "But, just promise me you won't lie to me about anything."
"I promise."
Richard exhaled slowly. Willow squatted down in front of the open fridge and pulled an apple out of the crisper. When he spoke, she was straightening up and closing the door. "Do you mind if Emily stays there until I can pick her up?"
"No, of course not," she said quickly. Silently, she added: "I don't want her hearing what we're working on... but we can probably hold off until you get here."
"I could just have her guards bring her back, but I think it's better if I pick her up."
"I agree," she murmured. "When will you be here?"
"In an hour and a bit, probably, if that's okay. I have a parent-teacher meeting in a few minutes, and then I'll go to your place."
"You're still at school?"
"In my class, tidying up my desk... putting lab reports into my bag. The usual end-of-the-day drill."
Willow smiled. She thought about the way he looked when he was at school, in his buttoned-up shirt and tie with dress slacks that mostly hid his well-muscled legs and also with his longer hair pulled back. She felt a flutter of desire and blushed, knowing Emily and their guards would probably smell her arousal if they got close enough to her.
"What are you thinking about over there?"
"Just that I like how you look when you're all teacher-y."
Richard chuckled. "I know," he said, a touch of male pride in his voice. "How about I bring some pizza by with me?"
"Sounds good," she agreed. "I can be convinced to take a break to spend some time with you."
"Alright," he said. "I'll see you later, then."
"You will," she promised.
They ended the call and Willow put the phone down on the counter. After a bite of her apple, she stepped into the other room, to see Emily idly flipping through one of the books Willow had left on the low table. The girl's forehead was crinkled in concentration but her eyes were a little wide in either fear or surprise.
"Emily, you shouldn't be flipping through those," she scolded quietly.
"I... is this stuff all real?"
"Yeah," Willow replied, going over to the girl and taking the book from her. "Dawn and maybe Faith are coming over to help me with some research, so that's why I have the books out."
"What kind of research?"
"Just about the weird stuff that's been happening," she told her, without going into details. "It's nothing for you to worry about---or to tell anyone else about. Richard knows, but if we find anything to help us, I'll be the one going to Anita and Jean-Claude."
Emily frowned. Then, after a nod, she spoke. "I get it. Okay. Thanks."
"For what?"
"Ordering me not to tell, without actually ordering me."
Willow blinked. Emily smiled.
"It's nice... my old Ulfric bossed some of us around. Always giving direct orders. Sometimes that's nice, because it's not confusing, but it always makes me feel like we have no free will. I know we have rules and the Ulfric's in charge. But, sometimes... it's nicer the way you do it. Richard gives orders, but when it's to me, he explains them," the younger girl explained. "I like the way you guys do stuff."
Willow nodded and sat down next to her. Emily immediately curled up next to the redhead and Willow couldn't deny either of them the comfort of contact. She wasn't a full lycanthrope, but she learned that she always felt better when she was touching one of the others. Usually, it was Richard or one of her familiars, but she quickly learned that the comforting feelings extended to moments shared with others---Micah and other pack members, like Emily.
"When's Dawn coming back?"
The witch glanced at the clock on the wall before responding. "Her class is finished. She's probably on her way."
"Cool."
"Do you have homework?" Willow asked between bites of apple.
Emily sighed. "Yeah..."
Willow swallowed and then kissed the top of her head. "Well, how about we stay like this for a little bit, and then we go to work?"
"Okay..."
"When Dawn and I get to work, I'd like it if you go into my room to do yours, alright?"
"Why?"
Willow kissed her head again and rubbed her arm soothingly. "Because when I have the answers, I'll tell you---or Richard will tell you. I don't want to fill your head with unnecessary worry."
Emily sighed again. She wriggled until she could wrap her arms around Willow's torso. Willow smiled as she felt the girl relent to her request. "Okay... okay. But, you promise you'll tell me?"
"We'll be telling everyone at the top when we know something concrete," Willow told her. "But, yes, I'll tell you. Or Richard will."
The younger girl smiled and nodded. "Okay. I'll move in there when you guys start working."
The door to the stairs opened and Faith appeared. Willow grinned and waved her apple-holding hand at her. She was looking much more pregnant---but Willow knew that was because she hadn't seen the slayer in a while, and she hadn't been at her best when she had seen her. Willow admitted to herself that she hadn't noticed how much Faith was glowing; she looked so happy and healthy.
"What's the what, Will?"
"Oh, y'know, the usual," Willow replied.
"Kidlet's not here?"
"Not yet. She should be back soon, though. Emily stopped by after school... when Richard comes by for her, he's going to bring pizza for all of us."
Faith grinned. "Excellent." Her smile faltered. "Does that mean I have to actually do some of this reading?"
"Maybe."
"Damn."
Willow laughed. "It won't be so bad," she told the brunette. "It's almost like being back in Sunnydale. Big, unknown bad on the rise... research to do."
"I never stuck around for that crap."
"Well, you're part of the old crew, and I need people who understand hellmouth-y things," Willow reminded her. "I want to call Angel later, too, and see if he's gotten any relevant visions. He probably would've called if he had, but it doesn't hurt to check in."
Faith nodded and flopped down in a soft chair. "I talked to him a couple of weeks ago. Everything was pretty regular... the usual souls to save, keeping Spike and Illyria from killing each other... y'know, the regular stuff."
"He was okay?" Willow asked around a bite of her snack.
She nodded again. "Yep. Five by five."
Emily's nose wrinkled. "What's that mean?"
Willow laughed softly. "That everything's fine," she replied.
"Oh."
The witch looked back at Faith. "How's Daddy?"
"Good. Worrying constantly." Faith arched an eyebrow. "How're you doing?"
"Better."
Faith tilted her head. "What does that mean?"
"Jean-Claude sort of helped me see sense after I misbehaved after a coalition meeting. Richard, Asher, and Micah helped, too, but it was mostly Jean-Claude after everything that... that... did the trick," she answered, focusing intently on the half-eaten apple in her hand.
"How does Anita feel about that?"
Willow rolled her eyes. "It wasn't like that, Faith. It wasn't sex. It wasn't even kissing. He just... helped."
"I don't get it."
"He punished her," Emily muttered.
Willow leaned back and looked down at Emily. "Where did you hear that?" she asked.
Emily blushed. "The guards were talking about you," she confessed. "Not really in a bad way. They were talking about all of you... wondering who sleeps with who. They were talking about whether or not Jean-Claude and you---"
"Okay, well, I'm gonna have to have a chat with your detail---"
"No, please don't. They gossip because they're on the outside, but---"
"It's not right. It's not respectful and it's definitely not discrete. Jean-Claude's always told the security detail that they must be discrete! Who knows who's around, watching us, not to mention the fact that there are things that happen that one type of lycanthrope might wish to keep from another type! Or vampire from lycanthrope! Or---"
"Chill, Willow," Faith interrupted. "Everyone gossips. Security always chats about the ones they're protecting. Especially on a rotating detail like the one the boss has set up now. I know you guys have serious secrets to keep, but they do keep 'em from outsiders. They just... need to vent somehow."
"Well, I'd prefer if they didn't vent about my private life."
Faith smirked. "Punishment, huh?"
"Oh, shuddup."
"Hardly. I want to hear all the gory details."
"I don't," Emily protested.
Willow laughed softly and then kissed Emily's forehead. She looked at Faith as she brushed her fingers through the young girl's hair. "I disobeyed Jean-Claude a few days ago. He found out about it... I'd been letting Raina push me around and between her, my own wolf-y side, and everything else that's been happening to me, I haven't been the easiest to deal with. I didn't like the order he gave me. I... I defied him. Pretty much openly. He had the right to punish me."
Faith's smirk stretched into a grin. "And how'd he do that? He tie you up and spank you silly?"
Willow blushed. "No... he made me hold onto an iron ring that was bolted into the ceiling. And then he whipped my back."
"Wow. I didn't think he had it in him," Faith purred.
At the same time, Emily flinched. She lifted her head and glared at Willow. "He did what?! That's... that's barbaric!"
Willow chuckled. "No... no, it's not," she murmured. "Not with the right person."
"You liked it?"
"Not really. I liked how I felt at the end. It wasn't anything like what Asher and I enjoy."
"Huh?"
Willow's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of pink. "Well, sometimes, between two consenting adults---who should trust each other very much, by the way---there can be... well... it can be fun to play games with dominance and control."
"And you and Asher..."
"Sometimes, yes. But, it's nothing you should ever think about until you're much older," Willow told her. "It's something we both enjoy, from time to time, to decompress. Jean-Claude used it as a punishment, though. But, it was still something I needed. To atone. To snap out of whatever I was in."
Emily frowned. "I don't get it."
"That's okay. I don't think you're supposed to get it. Not until you're older."
"I hate when grown-ups say that."
Faith laughed. "Yeah, well, until you finish growing up, you're gonna keep hearin' that."
Emily sighed and curled back up against Willow. "Yuck," she muttered.
"I'll try to keep it to a minimum," Willow promised, before winking at Faith.
Faith was about to say something, when Emily sat up again and looked from one woman to the other. "I'm going to your room to do my homework," she announced. "I don't want to hear about the Master of the City... not like that. I hear enough about him from Anita... and enough about Anita, too, so---"
"Anita's been at the house a lot?" Willow asked.
Emily shrugged. "Sometimes. Richard doesn't like going over to her place all the time because of the wereleopards. Usually, I'm with my sister or at art class when Anita's with him. He tries to be careful about it, but there are emergencies. Like with you. I get it. I just... I don't always like her. She smells different. She doesn't always smell like pack."
Willow rubbed the young girl's arm. "Does she make you uncomfortable?"
"Not... really. I just don't get her. She isn't warm like you."
"That's because her powers don't come from the same place as mine," Willow explained to the young werewolf. "She's a necromancer. Her powers come from... the... well, from a cooler place. She has more powers with the dead than I do."
"And you have more powers with the living?"
"Something like that," Willow agreed as she studied the frowning girl. "I went away to a coven for a while, to study the source of my power. I know I'm tied to a lot more than just myself and my own strength. The world's a big, inexplicable place, Em."
"I like you better."
Willow chuckled. "Well, Anita's not going anywhere. We're in St. Louis for the long haul..." she trailed off and sighed. "But, if she ever says or does anything to bother you, I want you to tell me. Call me or send me an e-mail if I'm not around, okay?"
Emily nodded. "Okay."
"Promise me?"
"I promise!" Emily exclaimed, smiling a little.
"Okay," Willow murmured. She nudged Emily's chin with her knuckles and then said, "Why don't you go get your homework done, so you're finished by the time Richard comes with pizza?"
Emily bounced off of the sofa and reached for her bag as she headed out of the room. Willow sighed and leaned back into the cushions as she heard music from her stereo being played. Faith clucked her tongue, prompting the witch's attention.
"I don't like hearing that Anita makes her uncomfortable," Willow explained.
Faith laughed.
Willow paused, mid-bite, to ask: "What?"
"Red, you don't like hearing about Anita in general," Faith pointed out. "The fact that she's upset Emily is just icing on the cake for your jealous, angry, twisty side. But, you can't bring it up with Asher or Richard, so you're frustrated. And pissed off."
"I can't be that easy to read," Willow grumbled with her mouth full of apple.
Faith shrugged. "Maybe it's the mommy in me. Or, maybe I've just been around you longer than these guys to know when you're wigged."
"Maybe."
"Are you going to tell Richard?"
Willow frowned. "I don't know. I want to. But he doesn't comment on my relationship with Asher, so I don't think I should be commenting on his with Anita. But, if they're feeding the ardeur under the same roof---there's no way to hide what they're doing, and she's too young to be subjected to that. They're... they're rough when they're together."
"As rough as you and Asher can get in that dungeon?" Faith inquired.
"That's not... rough. That's... skill. Patience. Control. Richard likes it... well... he likes it vigorous. So does Anita. Plus, they have all that pent-up angry-love for each other. I've seen the scratches and bruises before," she told the brunette. "And I don't do what I do with Asher while others are in the same vicinity!"
"Nathaniel."
"Nathaniel's part of it! We don't do it with a teenager around! Especially one with preternatural senses!" Willow exclaimed. "I know ardeur-emergencies pop up, but he should really be more careful. Especially if Emily's not really comfortable with her around."
"You reeeeally don't like her."
"I don't trust her. I don't... I don't like how she makes me feel."
"You sound like Emily."
Willow rolled her eyes. "It's not like that. She doesn't treat me well. She gets angrier when I'm around. My nerves are on edge around her."
Faith nodded. "I've noticed. Damian says the same thing about her, when she's been around you. Not about you being angry around her. Just that you put Anita on edge. Maybe you're not supposed to be getting along. Maybe... maybe you're opposing forces. Light and dark. Hot and cold. Like how B and I never really hit it off."
"Well, you going crazy and homicidal---"
"I know that played a part, but even after that, we never really... got along. No more than we had to."
Willow shrugged and munched on her apple. "Maybe... maybe it's like that."
"So... change of subject," Faith purred. "How was Jean-Claude with a whip?"
The redhead nearly choked as she laughed. "What?"
"C'mon, Red. How was he?"
Willow blushed.
Faith crowed with laughter. "That good, huh?"
"He was amazing. It was supposed to be punishment, but by the end... it just felt good."
Faith clapped her hands together. "Awesome. Who knew he had it in him?"
"I think Asher did," Willow said as she curled her legs underneath her. "He was very skilled. Never hit the same place twice, unless he wanted to. I was putty when it was over. If he hadn't been such a perfect gentleman, I would've done anything he wanted."
"Whoa... what about Anita?"
"Like I said. He was very, very good."
Faith laughed again. "Damn, Willow. Falling for another man?"
"Our feelings are a product of being tied to Asher, Richard, and Anita, I'm sure," Willow said, making excuses for her words. "But, we've been around each other long enough to have developed caring and some sort of respect, despite my screw-ups. And it's been evolving. It's... well, it's hard for him."
"I bet."
Willow snorted. "No... I mean, before Anita, he was free to love anyone. He loves a lot. It's one of his powers, really. Even if it's not an eternal sort of love, he does feel love for a lot of people. To him, even lust is love. Maybe that's because of the ardeur. I don't know. But, I know it's hard for him since taking a human servant and having to be monogamous---especially since she's not. It's gotten a bit better... he's been with Asher again... he's allowed to feed from some other people, but Anita keeps him on a tight leash and keeps him from being himself. I'd rather he be himself. We've gotten into some sticky situations, with Asher, because of our feelings."
Faith's eyes widened. "Will! You didn't tell me that!"
"I... I mean, nothing happened with me and Jean-Claude. Not specifically. Just... things have gotten heated. And those times with the wolf-y troubles, too... He's been helping me a lot lately. Asher wouldn't say no, if things developed. I think he'd like it. They used to share Asher's human servant, before she was murdered and Asher was burned. I... I don't know what I'd do. I don't have to think about it, because Anita'd say no without a thought. She's afraid I'm taking over her life."
"Aren't you?"
"Don't be insightful."
Faith grinned. "Can't help it, Will. The brains come with the brawn."
Willow chuckled. She grabbed a throw pillow and curled her arms around it. "I'm not trying to," she told the slayer, focusing on the last of her snack. "I know we need to get along. But, she riles me up. She thinks the worst of me. And she hasn't been too supportive of me through all this crap that's been happening. Sampson was essentially her fault and she's not taking any of the responsibility. We won't be getting along any time soon."
"That's too bad."
"It is what it is."
"Maybe it's the bad mojo coming up from underground."
"Maybe."
Faith shrugged. "I've been hearing things. Seeing things. Cops getting suspended for brutality. Crime rates increasing. More demon worship."
"When?"
"Angel." Faith motioned towards the hallway. "Didn't want Emily to hear those details."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"Did Angel say anything else?"
"Nah," Faith replied. "Spike said it reminded him of what was happening before the First came."
"The Mother of All Darkness isn't like the First. She's more like Illyria. She's even in the Deeper Well... I think. I had a dream, there was another witch. She told me things," Willow told her. "But, even if she isn't one of the Powers That Be, she's still powerful. Illyria's made of stone, or that's what Angel told me she feels like. Spike said when she hits you, it feels like hitting something more unmovable than a brick wall. If the Mother of All Darkness is like her, I don't know how we can defeat her."
"We'll find a way."
"You think?"
"We defeated the First. We lost Sunnydale in the process, but we did it. We can do this, too."
"But... what if..."
"She's got a body. If she's got a body, there's a way. Giles doesn't think we're evil anymore, and I bet if we ask, he'll send some slayers our way to help."
Willow smiled. "Yeah... maybe I should call him soon. Let him know what's going on."
"Or, you could call B."
"Yeah," she agreed quietly. "Sounds like a plan. Or you could."
"Not so much, Red."
Willow grinned. She stood up, taking her apple core to the kitchen's garbage. She decided to pour a few drinks---and to take a snack into Emily, too---so she spent a few minutes in the kitchen putting a tray of food and drink together. She took the tray into the living room and set it down by her pile of books; then, she took a drink and some of the cheese and crackers to her room, where Emily was working.
"How's it going?"
"Oh, y'know... fun times."
Willow grinned and handed her the snack. "Here, I thought you could use some brain food."
"Thanks, Willow."
"No problem. If you need anything, we'll be out there working."
Emily smiled and nodded.
As Willow walked down the hall and back towards Faith, she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "Guess that's Dawnie," Willow murmured as she reached for a piece of cheese and a drink of iced tea. She sat down on the floor next to the coffee table and pulled a book close to her as Dawn's guards walked through the door and ushered the girl through, too.
"Hey guys!" Dawn exclaimed. "I didn't think you'd be here already!"
"I thought I'd be running behind schedule, but Noel's been taking good care of the café, apparently, so I don't have to," Willow told her. "I don't know what Faith's excuse is."
Faith snorted. "Try having an overprotective vampire around me at night and wereleopards during the day! I'm a little smothered. People, all the time, watching me... trying to pamper me. I can't even ride my motorcycle anymore. Damian's convinced it's going to kill us both," she said, rubbing her belly. "He doesn't quite get the whole slayer strength thing."
"I think he does... but he never expected to be able to have a kid, at his age," Willow reminded her. "Cut him some slack."
"I'll remember that for when Richard or Asher knocks you up and you have your close friends keeping you in bed all day and night."
Willow smiled. "We're not going to be having kids any time soon, but okay. You remember that."
Faith shrugged. Dawn dropped one of her bags and took the other over to the sofa. "How's Mommy?" Dawn asked.
"Smothered. But good."
Dawn nodded and sat down. "Are you doing research with us?" she asked as she pulled some full binders out of the bag she'd been carrying. "I used my access to the Watchers' Council database and spent my print card at school printing everything off. I can use my laptop, but I figured a hard copy might be helpful, too."
"Good thinking, Dawn," Willow murmured. "You want a drink? I took the iced tea out---but I can make more before I leave, so---"
"No worries. It's just powdered mix. And, yes, please. Snack, then work."
Faith grimaced. "How about snack aaand work?"
Willow laughed. "You can keep eating. We've got plenty of food here."
"Good, then. Snack, then work sounds fine to me," Faith decided with a grin.
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, 24-5, 26-7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32-3, 34-7, 38, 39-40, 41, 42, 43-44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50
PART FIFTY-ONE
Willow balanced some books in her arms as she neared the apartment building. The sight of Emily and her guards caused a slight wavering of her equilibrium, but she recovered enough to get to the door.
"Well, this is a nice surprise," the redhead murmured with a smile. "Emily, can you get the key out of my coat pocket?"
The young girl smiled and nodded. She fished the object out of the pocket and used it to unlock the door. The guards opened it and peered inside before one went inside and Emily and Willow followed behind him. The second guard followed behind them, making sure the door was secure before following the other three up the stairs.
Once they were in the apartment, the guards went to the security room and Willow unceremoniously dropped the stack of reading material onto the coffee table. Emily toed out of her shoes and took off her coat; Willow followed suit. Then, the witch went into the kitchen while Emily flopped down on the sofa.
"Does Richard know you're here?"
"Yep."
Willow narrowed her eyes and studied the werewolf. "Really?"
Emily's confident smile crumbled. "Okay... maybe not completely," she admitted.
Willow sighed. "Emily, you didn't tell him?"
"He knows I'm with my goon squad!"
She sighed again. "I'm going to call him," she told Emily.
"Please don't!"
"He's your legal guardian. He's also our Ulfric."
"But---"
"He told you he wanted you to tell him where you were at all times," Willow reminded her. "That wasn't just for his well-being, Emily."
"I'll get in trouble!"
"You should have thought about that before skipping out on him. He won't be mad. He'll be concerned... and you're safe here, so he won't worry anymore," the witch said.
Emily frowned. "Willow, please don't tell him."
"I have to."
"But... but..."
Willow stepped around the counter and into the living area of the apartment. She went to the sofa and touched Emily's shoulder. "It's going to be okay," Willow assured her. "He's not an ogre."
"I want to stay here with you," Emily protested.
The redhead smiled. "Okay, and if he says you can, then you will."
"Forever?"
Willow chuckled. "I don't live here all the time, and you know that. I'm not your guardian, either." She smoothed her hand through Emily's hair. "It's not that I don't want to spend more time with you, Em, but Richard's your guardian. You're safer with him."
Emily sighed and bowed her head. Willow placed a quick kiss to her temple before straightening and going back to the kitchen for the phone. She dialled Richard's cellular phone number from memory and waited for him to answer.
"Hello?"
"Richard," Willow murmured. "Hi."
"Hello, Willow," he replied. "What's up? Miss me?"
She laughed softly. "Yeah, of course, but that's not why I'm calling."
"You wouldn't happen to know where my youngest packmember is, would you?"
"Yes, I would," she answered honestly. "She's with me. She showed up at the apartment. I thought I'd call so you wouldn't worry."
Richard sighed. "I knew... her guard called Shang-Da, but thanks for letting me know. I wish you made her call me---she's been pushing the envelope a little lately."
"You should've told me."
"It was never the right time," he said quietly. "And... I love hearing your voice, but can you put her on?"
"Sure."
"Call me if there are any problems, okay?"
"I promise I will," Willow assured him. "Love you."
"I love you, too," she heard him say before she went into the living room and held the phone out to Emily.
Emily shook her head. Willow nodded and closed the gap between them. "Take the phone. He doesn't sound mad, but you need to talk to him---sooner, rather than later."
"Do I hafta?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "Talk to Richard. It's okay."
Emily pouted, but eventually, she gave in. After she took the phone, Willow reached out and brushed her fingers through Emily's hair. She didn't really listen to the conversation---she was fairly sure she could predict both sides of the situation. Emily probably wanted freedom; Richard wanted Emily to follow the rules they agreed upon. Willow squeezed Emily's shoulder and then went back into the kitchen to make a snack.
She was happy to see Emily, but the timing wasn't quite right for a visit. Willow had gone to the apartment, heavy and old books in hand, to do some research with Dawn, who would be back as soon as her afternoon class was finished. Faith thought she might stop by, too, if she could convince Damian to let her out of his sight for a few hours. She didn't want Emily to be privy to their preliminary results; she didn't want any of their early ideas released to the groups under Jean-Claude's protection until those ideas had time to be dismissed or proven. They didn't understand what a hellmouth could mean and she didn't want to give them too much contradictory information until she could narrow their focus and decide what was extraneous and what was necessary to know.
Still, she knew she couldn't turn the girl away if Richard allowed her to stay.
She was partway through her rummage of the fridge when Emily appeared in the doorway.
"Hi," she said, sounding hesitant.
Willow smiled. "What's up?"
"He wants to talk to you, too," she said, holding out the phone.
"Thanks, Emily," Willow murmured. She took the receiver and put it to her ear. "Richard?"
"Hey," he said quietly. "Missed you some more."
"Awww," Willow teased. "I can't help you with that right now..."
"You are," he assured her.
"Stop being so sweet."
"Can't."
Willow rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. "Richard..."
"Okay, okay, back to business," he said, a touch of resignation in his voice. "Do you mind if Emily stays there until I can pick her up?"
"That's fine," she told him.
"Really? I remember you saying something about meeting up with Dawn, and---"
Willow concentrated for the bond she had with the werewolf king. She wasn't sure if it was solely with their bond or also with the aid of her magical powers, but she thought out the truth and knew it reached Richard's mind.
"I have a meeting with Dawn... we're doing research tonight. On the stuff that's happening. Faith might be coming over, too."
"And you were planning to tell me this, right?"
"When we have something, yes, I'll tell you."
"Willow."
"I didn't tell you because I don't want Asher and Jean-Claude on me... or spilling the beans to you, Micah, Haven, and Narcissus."
"And Anita."
Willow sighed.
"Willow..."
"I just want concrete evidence before talking about it," she said, trying to explain her actions. "I'm not withholding or withdrawing or anything."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes," she insisted. "You guys don't deal with the stuff that we did in Sunnydale. I can't make you understand... and I don't want to make you overreact or get confused and---"
"Calm down."
"Don't."
Richard sighed. "Willow, I'm not questioning your motives."
"It sounds like you are!"
"I'm not," he assured her. "I worry about you. I worry about you taking on too much, I worry about you getting into trouble. I'm not angry... I don't think you're being dishonest. But, I worry. And I wish you'd share some of what's going on in your head. Put some of your burdens down, y'know?"
"You don't understand."
He sighed again. "You don't explain it to me. I see glimpses of how your past's affected you, but you never really share it with me."
"You're Ulfric, but you don't---"
"I'm your lover," he reminded her, in a much more quiet voice. "Your partner. I don't want you to tell me these things because I'm Ulfric and you're Lupa. I want you to tell me these things because I love you and want to support you."
Willow frowned. She felt her cheeks warming.
Richard continued to talk. "Besides, we're pack, Willow. You and me. Doesn't matter that you're Asher's human servant. We're pack. What you tell me doesn't automatically go to Jean-Claude or Anita. Can't you trust me?"
"Richard..."
"I trust you. I've trusted you since you let me open up to you. I thought you trust me, too, but---"
"I do," she said quickly. "Richard, I do trust you."
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"I have a hard time knowing where loyalties begin and end," she told him silently.
"I love you, not Jean-Claude."
Willow smiled a bit. "Yeah... I know. But, Asher loves me, and I know if Jean-Claude demanded it---"
"Asher's not Master of the City," Richard reminded her. "He has to report to Jean-Claude. He has responsibilities to the kiss. True, I have responsibilities to the pack, too, but I don't report to Jean-Claude. I'm his animal to call but I'm not his slave."
"Okay... okay."
"If you don't want to tell me because you're not telling Asher, I guess I understand that," he added quietly. "But, just promise me you won't lie to me about anything."
"I promise."
Richard exhaled slowly. Willow squatted down in front of the open fridge and pulled an apple out of the crisper. When he spoke, she was straightening up and closing the door. "Do you mind if Emily stays there until I can pick her up?"
"No, of course not," she said quickly. Silently, she added: "I don't want her hearing what we're working on... but we can probably hold off until you get here."
"I could just have her guards bring her back, but I think it's better if I pick her up."
"I agree," she murmured. "When will you be here?"
"In an hour and a bit, probably, if that's okay. I have a parent-teacher meeting in a few minutes, and then I'll go to your place."
"You're still at school?"
"In my class, tidying up my desk... putting lab reports into my bag. The usual end-of-the-day drill."
Willow smiled. She thought about the way he looked when he was at school, in his buttoned-up shirt and tie with dress slacks that mostly hid his well-muscled legs and also with his longer hair pulled back. She felt a flutter of desire and blushed, knowing Emily and their guards would probably smell her arousal if they got close enough to her.
"What are you thinking about over there?"
"Just that I like how you look when you're all teacher-y."
Richard chuckled. "I know," he said, a touch of male pride in his voice. "How about I bring some pizza by with me?"
"Sounds good," she agreed. "I can be convinced to take a break to spend some time with you."
"Alright," he said. "I'll see you later, then."
"You will," she promised.
They ended the call and Willow put the phone down on the counter. After a bite of her apple, she stepped into the other room, to see Emily idly flipping through one of the books Willow had left on the low table. The girl's forehead was crinkled in concentration but her eyes were a little wide in either fear or surprise.
"Emily, you shouldn't be flipping through those," she scolded quietly.
"I... is this stuff all real?"
"Yeah," Willow replied, going over to the girl and taking the book from her. "Dawn and maybe Faith are coming over to help me with some research, so that's why I have the books out."
"What kind of research?"
"Just about the weird stuff that's been happening," she told her, without going into details. "It's nothing for you to worry about---or to tell anyone else about. Richard knows, but if we find anything to help us, I'll be the one going to Anita and Jean-Claude."
Emily frowned. Then, after a nod, she spoke. "I get it. Okay. Thanks."
"For what?"
"Ordering me not to tell, without actually ordering me."
Willow blinked. Emily smiled.
"It's nice... my old Ulfric bossed some of us around. Always giving direct orders. Sometimes that's nice, because it's not confusing, but it always makes me feel like we have no free will. I know we have rules and the Ulfric's in charge. But, sometimes... it's nicer the way you do it. Richard gives orders, but when it's to me, he explains them," the younger girl explained. "I like the way you guys do stuff."
Willow nodded and sat down next to her. Emily immediately curled up next to the redhead and Willow couldn't deny either of them the comfort of contact. She wasn't a full lycanthrope, but she learned that she always felt better when she was touching one of the others. Usually, it was Richard or one of her familiars, but she quickly learned that the comforting feelings extended to moments shared with others---Micah and other pack members, like Emily.
"When's Dawn coming back?"
The witch glanced at the clock on the wall before responding. "Her class is finished. She's probably on her way."
"Cool."
"Do you have homework?" Willow asked between bites of apple.
Emily sighed. "Yeah..."
Willow swallowed and then kissed the top of her head. "Well, how about we stay like this for a little bit, and then we go to work?"
"Okay..."
"When Dawn and I get to work, I'd like it if you go into my room to do yours, alright?"
"Why?"
Willow kissed her head again and rubbed her arm soothingly. "Because when I have the answers, I'll tell you---or Richard will tell you. I don't want to fill your head with unnecessary worry."
Emily sighed again. She wriggled until she could wrap her arms around Willow's torso. Willow smiled as she felt the girl relent to her request. "Okay... okay. But, you promise you'll tell me?"
"We'll be telling everyone at the top when we know something concrete," Willow told her. "But, yes, I'll tell you. Or Richard will."
The younger girl smiled and nodded. "Okay. I'll move in there when you guys start working."
The door to the stairs opened and Faith appeared. Willow grinned and waved her apple-holding hand at her. She was looking much more pregnant---but Willow knew that was because she hadn't seen the slayer in a while, and she hadn't been at her best when she had seen her. Willow admitted to herself that she hadn't noticed how much Faith was glowing; she looked so happy and healthy.
"What's the what, Will?"
"Oh, y'know, the usual," Willow replied.
"Kidlet's not here?"
"Not yet. She should be back soon, though. Emily stopped by after school... when Richard comes by for her, he's going to bring pizza for all of us."
Faith grinned. "Excellent." Her smile faltered. "Does that mean I have to actually do some of this reading?"
"Maybe."
"Damn."
Willow laughed. "It won't be so bad," she told the brunette. "It's almost like being back in Sunnydale. Big, unknown bad on the rise... research to do."
"I never stuck around for that crap."
"Well, you're part of the old crew, and I need people who understand hellmouth-y things," Willow reminded her. "I want to call Angel later, too, and see if he's gotten any relevant visions. He probably would've called if he had, but it doesn't hurt to check in."
Faith nodded and flopped down in a soft chair. "I talked to him a couple of weeks ago. Everything was pretty regular... the usual souls to save, keeping Spike and Illyria from killing each other... y'know, the regular stuff."
"He was okay?" Willow asked around a bite of her snack.
She nodded again. "Yep. Five by five."
Emily's nose wrinkled. "What's that mean?"
Willow laughed softly. "That everything's fine," she replied.
"Oh."
The witch looked back at Faith. "How's Daddy?"
"Good. Worrying constantly." Faith arched an eyebrow. "How're you doing?"
"Better."
Faith tilted her head. "What does that mean?"
"Jean-Claude sort of helped me see sense after I misbehaved after a coalition meeting. Richard, Asher, and Micah helped, too, but it was mostly Jean-Claude after everything that... that... did the trick," she answered, focusing intently on the half-eaten apple in her hand.
"How does Anita feel about that?"
Willow rolled her eyes. "It wasn't like that, Faith. It wasn't sex. It wasn't even kissing. He just... helped."
"I don't get it."
"He punished her," Emily muttered.
Willow leaned back and looked down at Emily. "Where did you hear that?" she asked.
Emily blushed. "The guards were talking about you," she confessed. "Not really in a bad way. They were talking about all of you... wondering who sleeps with who. They were talking about whether or not Jean-Claude and you---"
"Okay, well, I'm gonna have to have a chat with your detail---"
"No, please don't. They gossip because they're on the outside, but---"
"It's not right. It's not respectful and it's definitely not discrete. Jean-Claude's always told the security detail that they must be discrete! Who knows who's around, watching us, not to mention the fact that there are things that happen that one type of lycanthrope might wish to keep from another type! Or vampire from lycanthrope! Or---"
"Chill, Willow," Faith interrupted. "Everyone gossips. Security always chats about the ones they're protecting. Especially on a rotating detail like the one the boss has set up now. I know you guys have serious secrets to keep, but they do keep 'em from outsiders. They just... need to vent somehow."
"Well, I'd prefer if they didn't vent about my private life."
Faith smirked. "Punishment, huh?"
"Oh, shuddup."
"Hardly. I want to hear all the gory details."
"I don't," Emily protested.
Willow laughed softly and then kissed Emily's forehead. She looked at Faith as she brushed her fingers through the young girl's hair. "I disobeyed Jean-Claude a few days ago. He found out about it... I'd been letting Raina push me around and between her, my own wolf-y side, and everything else that's been happening to me, I haven't been the easiest to deal with. I didn't like the order he gave me. I... I defied him. Pretty much openly. He had the right to punish me."
Faith's smirk stretched into a grin. "And how'd he do that? He tie you up and spank you silly?"
Willow blushed. "No... he made me hold onto an iron ring that was bolted into the ceiling. And then he whipped my back."
"Wow. I didn't think he had it in him," Faith purred.
At the same time, Emily flinched. She lifted her head and glared at Willow. "He did what?! That's... that's barbaric!"
Willow chuckled. "No... no, it's not," she murmured. "Not with the right person."
"You liked it?"
"Not really. I liked how I felt at the end. It wasn't anything like what Asher and I enjoy."
"Huh?"
Willow's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of pink. "Well, sometimes, between two consenting adults---who should trust each other very much, by the way---there can be... well... it can be fun to play games with dominance and control."
"And you and Asher..."
"Sometimes, yes. But, it's nothing you should ever think about until you're much older," Willow told her. "It's something we both enjoy, from time to time, to decompress. Jean-Claude used it as a punishment, though. But, it was still something I needed. To atone. To snap out of whatever I was in."
Emily frowned. "I don't get it."
"That's okay. I don't think you're supposed to get it. Not until you're older."
"I hate when grown-ups say that."
Faith laughed. "Yeah, well, until you finish growing up, you're gonna keep hearin' that."
Emily sighed and curled back up against Willow. "Yuck," she muttered.
"I'll try to keep it to a minimum," Willow promised, before winking at Faith.
Faith was about to say something, when Emily sat up again and looked from one woman to the other. "I'm going to your room to do my homework," she announced. "I don't want to hear about the Master of the City... not like that. I hear enough about him from Anita... and enough about Anita, too, so---"
"Anita's been at the house a lot?" Willow asked.
Emily shrugged. "Sometimes. Richard doesn't like going over to her place all the time because of the wereleopards. Usually, I'm with my sister or at art class when Anita's with him. He tries to be careful about it, but there are emergencies. Like with you. I get it. I just... I don't always like her. She smells different. She doesn't always smell like pack."
Willow rubbed the young girl's arm. "Does she make you uncomfortable?"
"Not... really. I just don't get her. She isn't warm like you."
"That's because her powers don't come from the same place as mine," Willow explained to the young werewolf. "She's a necromancer. Her powers come from... the... well, from a cooler place. She has more powers with the dead than I do."
"And you have more powers with the living?"
"Something like that," Willow agreed as she studied the frowning girl. "I went away to a coven for a while, to study the source of my power. I know I'm tied to a lot more than just myself and my own strength. The world's a big, inexplicable place, Em."
"I like you better."
Willow chuckled. "Well, Anita's not going anywhere. We're in St. Louis for the long haul..." she trailed off and sighed. "But, if she ever says or does anything to bother you, I want you to tell me. Call me or send me an e-mail if I'm not around, okay?"
Emily nodded. "Okay."
"Promise me?"
"I promise!" Emily exclaimed, smiling a little.
"Okay," Willow murmured. She nudged Emily's chin with her knuckles and then said, "Why don't you go get your homework done, so you're finished by the time Richard comes with pizza?"
Emily bounced off of the sofa and reached for her bag as she headed out of the room. Willow sighed and leaned back into the cushions as she heard music from her stereo being played. Faith clucked her tongue, prompting the witch's attention.
"I don't like hearing that Anita makes her uncomfortable," Willow explained.
Faith laughed.
Willow paused, mid-bite, to ask: "What?"
"Red, you don't like hearing about Anita in general," Faith pointed out. "The fact that she's upset Emily is just icing on the cake for your jealous, angry, twisty side. But, you can't bring it up with Asher or Richard, so you're frustrated. And pissed off."
"I can't be that easy to read," Willow grumbled with her mouth full of apple.
Faith shrugged. "Maybe it's the mommy in me. Or, maybe I've just been around you longer than these guys to know when you're wigged."
"Maybe."
"Are you going to tell Richard?"
Willow frowned. "I don't know. I want to. But he doesn't comment on my relationship with Asher, so I don't think I should be commenting on his with Anita. But, if they're feeding the ardeur under the same roof---there's no way to hide what they're doing, and she's too young to be subjected to that. They're... they're rough when they're together."
"As rough as you and Asher can get in that dungeon?" Faith inquired.
"That's not... rough. That's... skill. Patience. Control. Richard likes it... well... he likes it vigorous. So does Anita. Plus, they have all that pent-up angry-love for each other. I've seen the scratches and bruises before," she told the brunette. "And I don't do what I do with Asher while others are in the same vicinity!"
"Nathaniel."
"Nathaniel's part of it! We don't do it with a teenager around! Especially one with preternatural senses!" Willow exclaimed. "I know ardeur-emergencies pop up, but he should really be more careful. Especially if Emily's not really comfortable with her around."
"You reeeeally don't like her."
"I don't trust her. I don't... I don't like how she makes me feel."
"You sound like Emily."
Willow rolled her eyes. "It's not like that. She doesn't treat me well. She gets angrier when I'm around. My nerves are on edge around her."
Faith nodded. "I've noticed. Damian says the same thing about her, when she's been around you. Not about you being angry around her. Just that you put Anita on edge. Maybe you're not supposed to be getting along. Maybe... maybe you're opposing forces. Light and dark. Hot and cold. Like how B and I never really hit it off."
"Well, you going crazy and homicidal---"
"I know that played a part, but even after that, we never really... got along. No more than we had to."
Willow shrugged and munched on her apple. "Maybe... maybe it's like that."
"So... change of subject," Faith purred. "How was Jean-Claude with a whip?"
The redhead nearly choked as she laughed. "What?"
"C'mon, Red. How was he?"
Willow blushed.
Faith crowed with laughter. "That good, huh?"
"He was amazing. It was supposed to be punishment, but by the end... it just felt good."
Faith clapped her hands together. "Awesome. Who knew he had it in him?"
"I think Asher did," Willow said as she curled her legs underneath her. "He was very skilled. Never hit the same place twice, unless he wanted to. I was putty when it was over. If he hadn't been such a perfect gentleman, I would've done anything he wanted."
"Whoa... what about Anita?"
"Like I said. He was very, very good."
Faith laughed again. "Damn, Willow. Falling for another man?"
"Our feelings are a product of being tied to Asher, Richard, and Anita, I'm sure," Willow said, making excuses for her words. "But, we've been around each other long enough to have developed caring and some sort of respect, despite my screw-ups. And it's been evolving. It's... well, it's hard for him."
"I bet."
Willow snorted. "No... I mean, before Anita, he was free to love anyone. He loves a lot. It's one of his powers, really. Even if it's not an eternal sort of love, he does feel love for a lot of people. To him, even lust is love. Maybe that's because of the ardeur. I don't know. But, I know it's hard for him since taking a human servant and having to be monogamous---especially since she's not. It's gotten a bit better... he's been with Asher again... he's allowed to feed from some other people, but Anita keeps him on a tight leash and keeps him from being himself. I'd rather he be himself. We've gotten into some sticky situations, with Asher, because of our feelings."
Faith's eyes widened. "Will! You didn't tell me that!"
"I... I mean, nothing happened with me and Jean-Claude. Not specifically. Just... things have gotten heated. And those times with the wolf-y troubles, too... He's been helping me a lot lately. Asher wouldn't say no, if things developed. I think he'd like it. They used to share Asher's human servant, before she was murdered and Asher was burned. I... I don't know what I'd do. I don't have to think about it, because Anita'd say no without a thought. She's afraid I'm taking over her life."
"Aren't you?"
"Don't be insightful."
Faith grinned. "Can't help it, Will. The brains come with the brawn."
Willow chuckled. She grabbed a throw pillow and curled her arms around it. "I'm not trying to," she told the slayer, focusing on the last of her snack. "I know we need to get along. But, she riles me up. She thinks the worst of me. And she hasn't been too supportive of me through all this crap that's been happening. Sampson was essentially her fault and she's not taking any of the responsibility. We won't be getting along any time soon."
"That's too bad."
"It is what it is."
"Maybe it's the bad mojo coming up from underground."
"Maybe."
Faith shrugged. "I've been hearing things. Seeing things. Cops getting suspended for brutality. Crime rates increasing. More demon worship."
"When?"
"Angel." Faith motioned towards the hallway. "Didn't want Emily to hear those details."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"Did Angel say anything else?"
"Nah," Faith replied. "Spike said it reminded him of what was happening before the First came."
"The Mother of All Darkness isn't like the First. She's more like Illyria. She's even in the Deeper Well... I think. I had a dream, there was another witch. She told me things," Willow told her. "But, even if she isn't one of the Powers That Be, she's still powerful. Illyria's made of stone, or that's what Angel told me she feels like. Spike said when she hits you, it feels like hitting something more unmovable than a brick wall. If the Mother of All Darkness is like her, I don't know how we can defeat her."
"We'll find a way."
"You think?"
"We defeated the First. We lost Sunnydale in the process, but we did it. We can do this, too."
"But... what if..."
"She's got a body. If she's got a body, there's a way. Giles doesn't think we're evil anymore, and I bet if we ask, he'll send some slayers our way to help."
Willow smiled. "Yeah... maybe I should call him soon. Let him know what's going on."
"Or, you could call B."
"Yeah," she agreed quietly. "Sounds like a plan. Or you could."
"Not so much, Red."
Willow grinned. She stood up, taking her apple core to the kitchen's garbage. She decided to pour a few drinks---and to take a snack into Emily, too---so she spent a few minutes in the kitchen putting a tray of food and drink together. She took the tray into the living room and set it down by her pile of books; then, she took a drink and some of the cheese and crackers to her room, where Emily was working.
"How's it going?"
"Oh, y'know... fun times."
Willow grinned and handed her the snack. "Here, I thought you could use some brain food."
"Thanks, Willow."
"No problem. If you need anything, we'll be out there working."
Emily smiled and nodded.
As Willow walked down the hall and back towards Faith, she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "Guess that's Dawnie," Willow murmured as she reached for a piece of cheese and a drink of iced tea. She sat down on the floor next to the coffee table and pulled a book close to her as Dawn's guards walked through the door and ushered the girl through, too.
"Hey guys!" Dawn exclaimed. "I didn't think you'd be here already!"
"I thought I'd be running behind schedule, but Noel's been taking good care of the café, apparently, so I don't have to," Willow told her. "I don't know what Faith's excuse is."
Faith snorted. "Try having an overprotective vampire around me at night and wereleopards during the day! I'm a little smothered. People, all the time, watching me... trying to pamper me. I can't even ride my motorcycle anymore. Damian's convinced it's going to kill us both," she said, rubbing her belly. "He doesn't quite get the whole slayer strength thing."
"I think he does... but he never expected to be able to have a kid, at his age," Willow reminded her. "Cut him some slack."
"I'll remember that for when Richard or Asher knocks you up and you have your close friends keeping you in bed all day and night."
Willow smiled. "We're not going to be having kids any time soon, but okay. You remember that."
Faith shrugged. Dawn dropped one of her bags and took the other over to the sofa. "How's Mommy?" Dawn asked.
"Smothered. But good."
Dawn nodded and sat down. "Are you doing research with us?" she asked as she pulled some full binders out of the bag she'd been carrying. "I used my access to the Watchers' Council database and spent my print card at school printing everything off. I can use my laptop, but I figured a hard copy might be helpful, too."
"Good thinking, Dawn," Willow murmured. "You want a drink? I took the iced tea out---but I can make more before I leave, so---"
"No worries. It's just powdered mix. And, yes, please. Snack, then work."
Faith grimaced. "How about snack aaand work?"
Willow laughed. "You can keep eating. We've got plenty of food here."
"Good, then. Snack, then work sounds fine to me," Faith decided with a grin.