BTVS Razor's Edge - 7/9 - Willow/Fitz - R
Razor's Edge, Part 7
Author: Frau Hunter Ash
Copyright © 2002 by Hunter Ash. All Rights Reserved.
Email: carrkjar@yahoo.com Feedback welcome!!
Homepage Addy: http://www.hunterash.com/
Disclaimers: The characters and show all belong to Joss Whedon, Fox,
Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, and God only knows who else. The storyline,
however, is the sole property of the author. This story cannot be
sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made
for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright
notices.
F/F romance: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship
between people of the same gender. If this offends or is illegal for
you, then please leave. Come back when you are older, have an open
mind, moved, or changed your laws.
Spoilers: Sometime after Hush but before New Moon Rising
Summary: Willow and Fitz work on their relationship, pregnancy and
healing.
Rating: R
* * *
Fitz was surprised when Xander pulled up in front of the apartment he
shared with Anya. The young construction worker merely grinned and
jumped out to hold open the door.
"Your presence is requested inside," he grinned, pulling the crutches
out of the back of the pickup.
Fitz pulled the familiar aids under her arms and slowly started up
the sidewalk towards the building. Xander quickly caught up and
opened the security gate and held it open for the former Slayer.
"What's going on, Xan?" Fitz asked finally.
"You'll have to wait," he smirked and led the way to his apartment
and knocked on his door. He ignored Fitz' questioning look.
Fitz was surprised when Buffy opened the door to Xander's apartment.
"There you two are!" she exclaimed, opening the door wide. "I've
been waiting!"
"Sorry, Buff," Xander said easily. "The rings had to be perfect, you
know."
"Come on, Fitz," Buffy ordered, stepping back.
Fitz entered the apartment uneasily, as if walking into a trap and
Buffy laughed.
"Come on, we've got to get you ready," the light Slayer grinned.
"Ready for what?" Fitz demanded.
"Your date tonight with a certain witch friend of mine," Buffy
announced.
"Date?"
"Yup! You two skipped over some major parts of the whole relationship
thing and we decided to help fix that," Buffy explained. "Dating
equals a nice night out on the town with dinner and dancing and then
you bringing that ring out of your pocket and proposing."
Fitz felt her fair Irish skin beginning to blush.
"One, I can't drive with this damned cast," she protested. "Two, does
Willow know about the ring?"
"No and you don't have to drive," Buffy countered. "We'll take care
of that."
"Three, I can't dance with this damned cast on!" Fitz protested.
"Just stand there, hold her and sway to the music," Buffy smirked,
not giving in. "Come on, let's get you changed."
"Into what?" Fitz muttered and glared as Xander smirked.
"Anya and I went shopping," Buffy announced, leading the way to the
bedroom.
"Oh Saints protect me!" Fitz whined, reluctantly following the
Slayer. Knowing Buffy, Fitz didn't think that the clothes would be
black or have the logo of the latest rock metal group.
* * *
Willow tapped her fingers nervously as Anya and Joyce played with her
hair. The red-head looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. She
was too pale and had dark circles under her eyes, she decided.
"Stop that!" Joyce ordered, startling the witch.
"What?"
"You look beautiful," Joyce said firmly and Willow blushed.
"I look like a beached whale," Willow complained. "My feet are
swollen; I can't fit into any of my clothes, including my bra!"
"I'm sure Fitz isn't complaining about that," Anya said easily,
unaware that she was ending up teasing Willow, as usual.
"You look radiant, Willow," Joyce said softly. "Fitz will love it."
"I hope she likes the plans," Willow said nervously still blushing
from Anya's comment.
"Don't worry, under that rebel leather is a confirmed Irish
romantic," Joyce assured her adopted daughter.
Willow smiled and glanced at the clock again.
* * *
Xander waited patiently in his front room as Buffy fussed over the
other Slayer in his bedroom and bathroom. The young man was pleased
with himself and his friends. It had taken a lot to get over his
initial hostility to Fitz but once they had started talking, Xander
had discovered that he actually liked the Irish rebel.
Once Fitz had asked Xander to drive her to a jewelers, he had set
plans in motion. Everyone had agreed that the young couple needed a
night out and set about planning things, as seriously as if they were
planning on tackling the latest demon to hit Sunnydale.
He knew that Joyce and Anya were currently helping Willow get ready
for the evening while Buffy helped Fitz on this end. Xander picked
up the cordless telephone and checked a number on a notepad he pulled
out of his pocket.
"Tara? Xan, here," he grinned. "Yeah, both camps report things are
going well. You ready on your end?"
Xander grinned.
"Cool, tell Ramon that I owe him," Xander said with a grin and
clicked the telephone off. "Hey, Buff! Tara and Sarah are set!" he
yelled.
"Cool!" Buffy yelled back as she laced up the side of the leather
trousers covering Fitz' cast.
"Where in the devil did you get these?" Fitz demanded, watching the
other Slayer work her way up the leg.
"Had them made," Buffy grinned.
"God in heaven," Fitz muttered.
Xander glanced up from the TV and then looked back with a stunned
expression on his face.
"Wow!" he managed to stammer out. Buffy stepped out from behind Fitz
with a wide grin of satisfaction. "Girlfriend, you are hot!" Xander
declared as Fitz blushed.
"Will is gonna like," Buffy declared.
"Oh yeah!"
"Blessed Mary, protect me from friends!" Fitz growled as Buffy and
Xander laughed.
* * *
"The Bronze?" Willow squeaked as Joyce pulled up to the popular hang
out. "I thought it was being redone or something."
"It is, guess who is in charge of the construction stuff," Anya
grinned.
"Oh," Willow said softly, wondering what her friends had planned. It
certainly seemed more complicated than just taking her and Fitz to a
restaurant for dinner.
"Come on, Willow, the evening is planned," Anya declared, opening the
door and lending a hand to the very pregnant Scooby Gang member.
Willow walked slowly behind Joyce and Anya as they went to the main
door and knocked. The red-head glanced around, nervously and
wondered what was making her more nervous, being in Sunnydale after
dark or the unknown waiting for her inside.
Willow was very surprised when Tara opened the door with a wide
smile. "They're not here yet," the witch announced to Anya and Joyce
and held the door open for the three to enter. "You look good, Will."
"Thanks, Tara," Willow said with a blush. She was very grateful they
had moved into a good friendship when Willow had admitted she was
attracted to both Fitz and Tara. The former Slayer had insisted on
learning more about Tara and her new girlfriend, Sara until the four
of them had become good friends. Willow was grateful that no one
seemed jealous that the attraction had been there between her and
Tara, including Tara.
Willow's eyes lit up at the sight of the Bronze under multi-colored
dim lighting and a table set in the center of the dance floor.
Covered in white linen, roses in a vase, and fancy flatware, all
which impressed the student.
"We'll be invisible tonight except for serving your dinner," Tara
said softly as Sarah walked over, sliding her hand into Tara's.
"Wow," Willow whispered.
Joyce hugged Willow and kissed her cheek with a smile. "Sarah and
Tara will come pick you up when you're ready. It seems Buffy is
insisting on a game and video night and everyone is crashing on the
floor. Be careful coming in tonight and don't step on anyone."
"I…I don't know what to say," Willow said softly as Anya hugged her.
"Just say thanks and promise to work really hard on my wedding," Anya
said firmly.
Willow laughed and nodded. "Will do. How are Tara and Sarah getting
over there?"
"After you finish dinner, they're going to put on a long music tape
and go to my place until you call," Joyce explained. "Don't worry,
no one is going to be walking around alone or even in pairs since
Druscilla and Spike have gotten braver this last month."
"Thanks everyone," Willow said softly as Anya led her to the table.
"The dinner is catered," Anya announced. "Don't worry, Buffy didn't
cook."
Willow grinned as soft background music filled the air.
Tara squatted down next to her friend as Anya and Joyce left.
"We have Italian tonight with grape juice for both of you," Tara
informed her friend. "You mentioned that Fitz hasn't had anything to
drink in months."
Willow nodded shyly. "She's afraid of worrying me because it started
to get bad."
"She loves you very much," Tara nodded.
"I'm so lucky!" Willow stated, wiping gently at her tears. "Damned
hormones!"
Tara laughed softly and glanced up when another knock sounded at the
door, causing Willow to squeak.
"Goddess, why am I so nervous? I feel like it's our first date or
something," Willow complained.
"It is," Tara reminded her. "As Buffy puts it, you skipped too many
steps."
Tara stood up as Sarah opened the door and moved into the shadows as
Fitz stepped into the light. The blonde witch smiled as Sarah joined
her and they watched the two women stare at each other for a moment.
"Wow," Willow muttered.
"By all the Saints, you are beautiful!" Fitz exclaimed, a little more
poetic in her response as Willow stood up.
Willow's hair was slightly curled and fell around her face, framing
her pale skin in red that was accented by the subtle lipstick and
makeup that Joyce and Anya had applied so carefully. It brought out
Willow's unquestioned beauty with her green eyes shining.
The red-haired hacker was dressed in a beautiful cream colored
Chinese blouse that split up the sides to allow for the expanding
waistline and child with dark red wine colored panels that matched
the color of the skirt. The skirt was specially made for Willow's
condition.
Fitz was sure that she had never seen anything more beautiful in her
life and stared in admiration.
Willow in turn was fascinated. Fitz was dressed in leather pants
that had been designed with laces up the side of the legs, showing
off her Slayer muscles and allowing room for the cast. A wide
leather belt with a silver cross for a belt buckle caught the witch's
eyes as they moved up the Slayer's body with obvious desire. Fitz
had on a simple white dress shirt open almost to the belt with a
leather vest over that. A silver crucifix hung at her throat and
Buffy had insisted on silver dangling earrings. The coal black
shaggy hair framed her face like Willow's and the Slayer had even
consented to Buffy applying some light makeup to highlight her dark
blue eyes.
Willow's breath caught in her throat.
Fitz smiled shyly and moved slowly across the floor until she was
standing in front of her mate.
"You're so beautiful," Fitz repeated.
"You are adorable!" Willow countered with a wide grin. "You look like
an outlaw."
Fitz blushed and held up a single red rose that she had managed to
hold in her hand and maneuver the crutches at the same time.
"Your outlaw. I love you, Willow Rosenberg," Fitz said softly.
Willow took the rose and moved into Fitz' arms for a slow and
lingering kiss.
Not matter how hard either of them thought about it, they never could
really remember what they talked about that evening over dinner.
Fitz could just remember looking deep in Willow's eyes and feeling
lost. Willow felt Tara and Sarah melting into the background and
nothing existed but her Jessie, her rebel, her outlaw.
It didn't even take much to talk Fitz onto the dance floor since it
was only two feet from their table in either direction. The crippled
Slayer letting Willow settle into her arms as they gently swayed to
the music that Sarah and Tara left running.
"This is wonderful," Fitz muttered.
"Yes," Willow nodded, gasping slightly as the child inside her womb
kicked or punched.
Fitz leaned back, placing a hand over her mate's womb with a smile.
"Decide on a name yet, Green Eyes?" Fitz asked softly as they headed
back to the table.
"I…uh…do have one I like," Willow admitted. "I don't know anyone with
it so no one can get jealous."
"Good idea," Fitz nodded. "What is it?"
"Caleb," Willow said softly.
"I like that," Fitz smiled. "What would be the lad's last name?
Rosenberg or something invented?"
Willow's jaw muscles tightened. "No, not Rosenberg. Maybe someday
but not right now. I was hoping that you wouldn't mind if we gave him
your last name. He's going to look pretty Irish between Oz and me."
"I would be more than honored, my love," Fitz said gently. The dark
Slayer felt her face blushing as she reached for her pocket. "Willow
Rosenberg, will you marry me?" Fitz asked, opening the box and
showing Willow the engagement ring.
Tears of joy filled Willow's eyes as Fitz pulled the ring out of the
box. Fitz had thought ahead about Willow's swollen fingers and had
attached the ring to a beautiful gold chain which she slipped over
Willow's head.
"Yes, Jessie, I'll marry you," Willow said softly. "I think I said
that once."
"Now it's official with the ring and everything," Fitz muttered.
Willow moved out of the chair to hug her fiancée tightly.
"I love you, Willow," Fitz whispered, pulling Willow onto her lap
with a laugh.
"I love you, Jesse James," Willow smiled as the Cher song came on the
tape. "How did Tara know?"
"Buffy and Tara raided your laptop for music you've downloaded," Fitz
explained. "I didn't know they were planning this though."
"Did you have an idea for a name?" Willow asked.
"A middle name," Fitz said. "Caleb Finn FitzHugh?"
"Finn?" Willow asked, leaning up to nuzzle Fitz' neck.
"A great Irish hero," Fitz explained.
"Caleb Finn FitzHugh it will be," Willow announced with a smile.
* * *
Fitz ran her hand over Willow's womb softly, delighting in the
feeling that she was going to share in raising the child growing
inside her lover. Willow smiled gently, watching Fitz as the Slayer
slowly ran her hands all over Willow's body, as if exploring it for
the very first time.
Willow had worried about being merely a replacement for the Willow
that Fitz had lost in her own realm but the Slayer had dispelled
those worries over the three months they had been together.
Especially when Fitz took such delight in touching the red-haired
witch, whispering how wonderful and different it felt as well as how
new the emotions and feelings were.
Fitz smiled and leaned over her fiancée for a gentle kiss.
"I love you, Red," Fitz said softly.
"I love you, Jessie," Willow smiled back at her Irish rebel, loving
the feel of Fitz' hands on her skin, never losing contact with the
witch's body.
In bed was one place where both the former Slayer and pregnant witch
were somewhat on more equal terms physically, both being disabled in
some way that made making love a challenge at times, especially as
Willow's pregnancy advanced. Fitz felt more confident and loved how
she could use her natural Slayer strength of the upper body and arms
to hover over Willow, tormenting her lover with lips, teeth and
tongue until Willow was almost begging.
Fitz heard Willow sigh with happiness and grinned. She moved up
alongside her mate.
"Turn over, take some of the pressure off your spine, my love," Fitz
suggested, moving a pillow over, so Willow's large belly could rest
on it.
"It's a date, we're supposed to make out all night," Willow
complained but turned over so Fitz could hold her from behind. As
Willow lost track of seeing her feet as her stomach expanded, it
became more and more difficult to hug her comfortably from the front
but Fitz loved curling up behind her lover, feeling protective.
"Shhh, I won't tell if you won't," Fitz grinned, running her tongue
along the base of Willow's neck.
"Oh!" Willow squeaked in surprise as her breath caught in her throat.
Fitz' hand moved down to Willow's hip and past her lover's pajama
bottoms.
"Oh goddess," Willow whimpered, feeling Fitz' fingers moving across
her cheek to between her legs from behind.
"I've been asking questions and reading on how to please a pregnant
wife," Fitz whispered and Willow knew the Slayer was grinning as her
lover whimpered in response.
"Jessie," Willow stammered as her body jerked.
"I'm here, lover," Fitz promised, her other arm wrapped under
Willow's body, holding her close to the Slayer. "I'm never letting
you go."
Willow bit her lip as her body began to shake.
* * *
"Tell me about your wedding," Willow said softly as she curled up in
Fitz' arms much later. Willow, knowing her Slayer, knew that Fitz
was frowning.
"Why? It was a lifetime ago," Fitz demanded.
"I'm not feeling threatened by your Willow," the witch said, trying
to reassure her fiancée. "I'd like to know. I feel like we've been
together forever and I know so much about you but you don't talk much
about your Willow."
"You're my Willow," Fitz growled.
"You're first Willow," the witch amended.
"It was a small wedding," Fitz said, beginning slowly. "Xander was
gone, so was Cordelia. Angeleus, Spike and Druscilla were dead and
so was Ma."
"Oh goddess, I had forgotten you mentioned that," Willow muttered.
"Aye," Fitz nodded, her hand stroking Willow's hair gently. "Buffy
stood with me and a girl named Amy stood with Willow. She was
beautiful. Dressed in white with touches of green, like her eyes. I
was dressed in dark blue, Buffy actually getting me out of something
black."
Willow laughed along with Fitz' grin. "I wonder if our Buffy can
work that same miracle."
"For you, aye," Fitz promised and kissed the top of Willow's head.
"Go on," Willow encouraged.
"Willow was…she…was a little self conscious as Giles walked her down
the aisle," Fitz continued. "Angeleus and Spike had done terrible
things to break her, including cutting her hair off. It had grown
out, about as long as Jamie Lee Curtis in Trading Places but Willow
had prized her hair."
"You said her family rejected her because of you," Willow commented,
thinking about how her own father and mother had disowned her.
"Yes," Fitz nodded. "Giles and Joyce had insisted that we tell them.
Then Ma…then she got sick and we were all thrown into an emotional
meltdown, we were. I snuck into Willow's room one night and found
her crying over a picture of her, Buffy, Ma and Xander."
"What happened?"
"She seemed to need me in a sexual way, as if connecting with me
would prove we were alive," Fitz said slowly.
"I understand that, I think," Willow nodded.
"We had never done anything in her house except some pretty good make-
out sessions but nothing that far," Fitz continued. "I guess I was
lost in the moment and in her arms. I never heard the door open
until Willow's mother screamed. We weren't totally naked or such but
it was enough for them to know what had been happening."
"Oh goddess," Willow muttered.
"Aye. Willow's father stormed in while Willow was trying to button
her pajamas up and I was pulling my t-shirt back on. No mistaking
that, there was," Fitz grinned ruefully. "He proceeded to beat the
devil out of me."
"You didn't fight back?" Willow whispered.
"Nah. How could I? It was her father and he had the right," Fitz
said seriously. "Willow and I were minors and I was in bed with his
daughter."
"What happened?" Willow asked as Fitz hesitated.
"Seeing how I couldn't hit him, especially with Slayer strength and
all, he had me at a disadvantage and Mrs. Rosenberg would jump in
occasionally with a well placed hit or kick. Everyone was yelling or
screaming and Willow was trying to drag her father off me and he back
handed her."
Willow's eyes widened in the dark.
"I didn't know what was happening for a bit after that," Fitz
admitted. "I snapped out of it with Willow pulling on my arm and
begging me not to let him go. We had ended up out on her balcony and
I had him dangling over the edge by the collar."
"Oh, Jess," Willow said softly, feeling horrible for all of them
involved.
"Aye. I pulled him back and threw him out of Willow's room," Fitz
said. "I stood guard at the door while Willow quickly packed a few
things and we went out over the balcony. She hid out at Amy's while
Willow's parents called the police on me and went crazy looking for
her. They planned on sending her away to a 'readjustment center,' to
cure her of her gayness."
"No way!" Willow sat up abruptly, looking down at her Slayer.
"Aye, there are places that say they can cure you with Aversion
therapy. That usually means giving you drugs to make you sick if you
get aroused by showing you pictures of naked people of the same
gender," Fitz nodded. "With males, they sometimes put electrodes on
the genitals and zap the poor lad if his body responds."
Willow wasn't sure if she was going to keep dinner down.
"Thank the Saints that it was California," Fitz continued. "Giles
got Willow a lawyer and the lawyer lass blocked any attempts to send
her away. She even took pictures of me and my bruises to prove that
they might actually harm Willow to 'correct' her deviant behavior.
Willow was declared an independent minor and her parent's rights were
severed. She moved in with Buffy and Buffy's Aunt and we were
married right after graduation."
Fitz was quiet for a moment.
"Buffy, Billy Ford, Amy, several friends from school, Giles, Buffy's
Aunt Lucy, and a couple of tame demon types that I had made friends
with were there. Giles gave Willow away. It was a mixed wedding of
paganism, Catholic and Judiasm. Amy caught the bouquet."
"It's weird. I'm sorry you lost her but I'm not sorry I got you. Does
that make sense?"
Fitz nodded. "Aye, it does."
"I love you, Jessie," Willow said softly.
"I love you, Red," Fitz said sleepily. "You're not that Willow. I
never could save her. You, I'll protect beyond death, my love."
"Go to sleep, Jessie James," Willow smiled.
* * *
Buffy smiled as Fitz moved down the ramp of the therapy office, using
her new special canes that hooked onto Fitz' forearms so she wouldn't
drop them. The blonde Slayer waited patiently by the small car as
Fitz struggled, not offering to help, knowing Fitz' irritation at
being disabled.
"Hey, Buff," Fitz smiled. "How's it going?"
"Going alright," Buffy grinned. "Will is with Xander and Anya at the
doctor's. Last I heard on the cell phone, your fiancée was throwing
a fit about scheduling her appointment at the same time as yours."
Fitz laughed as she moved around to the passenger side of the
car. "That's my girl."
"Yup!" Buffy agreed.
"What about you? Any sign of Druscilla or Spike?" Fitz asked as she
struggled to get into the small compact car.
"No," Buffy frowned and got behind the wheel. "I even threatened to
pound Willie senseless but he didn't have any information."
"What about Angeleus' old mansion?" Fitz asked.
"Still no sign that anyone has been there other than runaways and
junkies," Buffy shook her head.
"I don't think they've given up," Fitz growled.
"Me either," Buffy agreed. "I really can't believe Spike turned
against us after everything we did for him after he was chipped."
"Something was just weird about that night in the dorm," Fitz agreed.
"It doesn't make sense," Buffy complained. "Okay, Dru blows back
into town and grabs Spike by his…"
"Buffy," Fitz growled.
"By his leash," Buffy finished with a smirk. "I know he has no
backbone when it comes to Dru but just losing his mind like that was
ridiculous."
"Could someone else be running them?" Fitz pondered.
"Only Angeleus could ever get them to do anything and Angel is still
fine," Buffy said, ignoring Fitz' frown at the mention of Angeleus
and Angel's name. Buffy knew that Fitz probably would never be
included on Angel's fan list after her experiences with Angeleus.
"A demon, maybe then?" Fitz asked. "Or a more powerful vampire?"
"More powerful? Maybe we should talk to Giles again," Buffy suggested.
"Sounds good," Fitz agreed. The dark Slayer grinned when her cell
phone began beeping and she looked at the number. "Fitz."
"Hey, lover," Willow's voice reached Buffy's heightened Slayer
hearing over Fitz' phone. "Doctor says me and Caleb are doing fine
but she might want to put me on bed rest in a couple of weeks."
"You sure in that you're doing okay?" Fitz asked with a frown.
"Don't worry, I'm okay," Willow said softly and Buffy could imagine
the smile on her best friend's face. "Honest, my love. What about
you?"
"I got me new canes," Fitz said with a smile. "I won't have to do
the wheelchair much unless it's like at a fair or something."
"Excellent! That means you'll be standing at the wedding!" Willow
said excitedly.
"That's right, especially such that we haven't set a date yet," Fitz
grinned.
"Well, do we want to wait until after Caleb is born or before?"
Willow asked.
"I'm thinking a small ceremony before the little one gets here," Fitz
said softly.
"Well, then we'd better get busy if they're going to put me on
bedrest, not that I'm looking forward to being stuck in bed. I
especially hate being in bed and bored…"
"Red! I agree, we'll start planning then," Fitz grinned, cutting off
a trade-mark babble.
"I love you, Jessie," Willow laughed and Buffy smiled at the absolute
sappy look of love on Fitz' face.
"I love you, my love," Fitz said softly. "See you at home."
"I'll call Giles and set up a meeting at our place for tonight,"
Buffy said, returning to the original conversation.
"I say they're up to something," Fitz grumbled, losing her good mood
as memories of Willow in Dru's arms, fangs about to pierce the skin,
tumbled into her mind.
"I know, we'll figure it out," Buffy said confidently.
Fitz frowned as she looked at the brace on her leg. She had lost her
wife in her home realm, she didn't intend on losing Willow in this
realm.
* * *
Fitz could see how tired Willow looked when the red head got home.
The Slayer quickly moved over on the sofa and welcomed the witch into
her arms.
"Oh God, I could do this forever," Fitz whispered.
"Me too, I love you," Willow smiled, snuggling into Fitz' arms.
"You sure everything's right?" Fitz asked, rubbing her hand over
Willow's extended stomach.
"Yes, my love," Willow smiled, closing her eyes and relishing the
comfort of Fitz' strong arms. "The doctor is a little worried about
me being small and already so large. We're to watch for any sign of
spotting or premature labor pains."
"Right then," Fitz nodded, leaning back on the sofa, closing her eyes
as well.
Buffy glanced in the living room and motioned with her head for
Xander and Anya to look. The couple joined Buffy in smiling at the
sight of the sleeping young couple.
"When is Giles and everyone else getting here?" Xander asked softly.
"Should be within the next half hour," Buffy replied. "Tara and
Sarah are coming over right after their last class."
"Let them sleep," Anya suggested. "Willow and Fitz are very grumpy
lately."
"Constant pain will do that," Xander noted. "Willow's uncomfortable
and Fitz is always in pain. That's gotta wear you out."
An hour later the Scooby gang was in full session. Buffy, Fitz,
Willow, Tara, Sarah, Giles, Xander, Anya and Joyce sitting around the
Summers' dining table as they tossed ideas back and forth as to what
Spike and Druscilla could be up to or who could be controlling them.
After an hour of it Buffy, never one for research and discussion,
threw up her hands in frustration. "Okay, this is pointless. Game
plan?"
"Start searching in the daytime and dragging vampires and demons out
into the sunlight unless they give up Spike and Druscilla?" Giles
suggested.
Buffy nodded with an evil smile. "I like that."
"Since the Council is speaking to me, I'm going to hit them up for
any information," Fitz said thoughtfully. "They might know if
something new is in town."
"I hate dealing with them," Buffy growled.
"Aye, you've told me a dozen times, yet," Fitz grinned. "I know
they're using me to keep an eye on you but it can work both ways."
"Just don't trust them," Buffy complained.
"Buffy, we going to argue this again?" Fitz demanded. "I've a child
and a wife to think of and a crippled body. It's not like I can go on
the government dole and collect disability. I don't even exist in
this world. The Council has offered me retirement and a new job, I
have to think of it."
Willow looked troubled and squeezed Fitz' hand.
"We'll be fine, Jess," she said softly. "The scholarship thing is
taken care of and companies are already lining up to grab me when I
graduate."
"I know," Fitz nodded but continuing to frown.
"It is rare for a Slayer to survive and actually retire," Giles
commented. "The Council feels they owe Fitz the retirement even
though she didn't fight in this world, she's still a Slayer, after
all."
"Well, who's up for a night of Slaying?" Buffy asked, her
cheerfulness forced.
"Anya and I will go," Xander volunteered and Anya nodded as everyone
began standing up, leaving Fitz and Willow at the table.
"Jess," Willow said softly. "I don't care that you're not 100%. I
love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Me and our
child."
Fitz leaned over, resting her head on Willow's shoulder.
"I'm just tired, lass," Fitz mumbled.
"You haven't been taking your pain pills," Willow pointed out.
"I hate depending on them," Fitz growled.
Willow shrugged Fitz back into a sitting position and turned to face
her fiancé.
"Look, I know you hate the pain pills but you need them. It's not
like you're taking them to get high," Willow said firmly. "You're
not sleeping and the pain is affecting your concentration. I need
you as healthy as you can be, especially once Caleb gets here. If you
need a pain pill to sleep then take it!"
Fitz smiled a shy smile at her lover.
"Okay," she said softly and Willow looked surprised but then smiled.
"I win an argument?" she teased the Slayer.
"Always," Fitz smiled. "It's not easy being a crippled Slayer. I
know people are crippled every day and move on with their lives, look
at Christopher Reeves. This is different though."
"How so?" Willow asked, resting her head on Fitz' shoulder this time.
"They had normal lives and strive to return to normal lives," Fitz
said slowly. "Slayers attract trouble and even as a powerful Slayer
I couldn't protect the other Willow. How can I protect you and Caleb
when I can barely walk?"
Willow frowned. "Then we'll protect you, Jess," she said softly as
her mind began working on overtime and Fitz leaned into her.
Willow knew that Fitz was more exhausted than the Slayer was letting
on. The others knew that both women were hurting and uncomfortable
but Willow was the only one who knew Fitz tossed and turned most of
the night, crying out in pain, keeping both of them awake.
Willow tugged on Fitz' hand, pulling her slowly towards the stairs.
"Come on, lover," Willow said softly. "Rest time."
TBC
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