The Author Wishes To Thank:
  Serendipity (for reading and posting this! You rock, girlfriend!)
  Doug and David (for proof reading with a fine tooth comb. Any mistakes, blame
  them!!)
  Max (for listening to me ramble as I try to figure stuff out)
  Brian (For also listening to me ramble)

"I can't believe he's still asleep," Willow was talking to herself.

"He's not. He just woke up," Xander opened one eye, yawning again. "I thought we were supposed to wake up an hour ago. I vaguely remember something about early equaling breakfast."

"You would remember breakfast," Willow said sarcastically. "I figured you'd want to sleep more and we can still get brunch," she replied with a shrug. She sat down next to him on the bed, took the towel off of her head and began to towel-dry her hair. Xander winced as he was hit with several large water drops.

"Hey," he cried sitting up. He looked over at her and noticed she wasn't dressed yet, but instead was wearing one of the big plush bath robes the hotel had provided. "Nice look." The bath robe V-ed down between her breasts, opening a little more than she realized, he suspected as she shook her hair. With the way she was sitting, it fell apart just slightly below her waist, exposing one of her thighs.

"Ha, ha. Very funny," she replied teasing throwing her wet towel at him. "If you don't hurry up, we'll miss brunch too," she warned.

Xander sighed as he hefted himself up and out of bed, hurrying into the bathroom.
 

Xander stood in the bathroom, wearing only a towel knotted around his waist, inspecting himself in the mirror. < Looking good Xand-man. Looking pretty darn good. > He flexed his muscles, goofing around and making one of those strained, bodybuilder faces. < Oh gross. > Xander opened his mouth, teeth clamped together and leaned closer to the mirror. He had some very disgusting something between his front teeth. He licked at it, trying to dislodge it, but to no avail. He grunted and opened up Willow's travel case. < She always has dental floss. > He riffled through it, looking for the desired floss. < Deodorant, body power, lotion. Where the heck's the floss? Aha! > Xander lifted the little white container and pulled out a long strand of mint flavored floss. He quickly flossed and removed the unidentifiable object. He ran his tongue over his teeth again. Satisfied with the results, he went to put the floss back into her travel case when something caught his eye. Frowning, he lifted it from the bag. < What does Will need this for? > He was shaken from his musings with a knock on the door.

"Xander, if you don't hurry up we won't have time to eat," he heard Willow call from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, just a sec," he responded, flustered. He put the item back into her case, underneath everything else and hastily got dressed.
 

Matt and Mindy had joined Willow and Xander for brunch. They had all laughed and joked happily through out the meal. All except Xander, that is. He seemed somewhat detached this morning, like he was lost in thought. After the meal was over Matt and Mindy excused themselves stating that they had to meet with more staff. Mindy apologized for the meetings she kept having to attend explaining that she had been away from the hotel for a while longer than anticipated and needed to touch base with various department heads. She suggested a walk through the gardens or a visit to the hotel shops and arranged for everyone to meet on the pool deck for an early dinner and swim. She then said goodbye and she and Matt were gone.

"Xander. Earth to Xander," Willow called, waving a hand in front of his face. "What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"Huh? Oh nothing," Xander shook himself mentally. "Just thinking about something. Nothing to worry about." He stared at her for a second before changing the subject. "So, what do you want to do first?"
 
 

Xander sat in bed thinking. He really needed to confront Willow about what he'd found before it drove him completely bonkers. He hadn't been able to concentrate all day. He'd forget for a while, but then, like a pesky insect, the thoughts would buzz around in his head. He had let this whole thing put a damper on his day. He knew that what Willow did was her business not his, but he couldn't help being concerned about her. Even with his thoughts plaguing him, he had a great day. Much to their delight they had found an old fashioned shrubbery maze in the gardens. They had played hide and seek for hours, just like they had when they were kids. Xander repeated lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail frequently making Willow laugh and reveal her hiding place. The gardens themselves were absolutely superb. They sprawled for acres behind the hotel, meticulously cared for and currently in full bloom. They found a grassy little hill off of the main path, where they laid together for almost an hour, looking for pictures in the clouds. Xander had picked a pink rose and after carefully pinching off all of the thorns, placed it behind Willow's ear. They then went up stairs to get ready for dinner and their swim.

Dinner had been fabulous. They ate outside, giving them a chance to watch the sunset as they completed their meal. Then all four got into the pool for an early evening swim. The pool was bigger than Olympic size and was shaped very much like a lagoon. In the center of the pool was a small island, complete with rocks, foliage and a waterfall. They swam, played and even had a few chicken fights. Matt and Mindy won three to Willow and Xander's two, before they all agreed they were becoming pruned and got out of the water. While sitting and drying off, Mindy announced that she had the next day completely free. She suggested an overnight sailing trip, explaining that the river that flowed next to the hotel emptied into the ocean after a few miles and a few miles after that was a private island that was owned by her family. They had set up a few cabanas and it was only used by family and friends. Willow was extremely enthusiastic about the whole thing, and Matt agreed to teach her some of the basics of sailing. They were to meet at 8:45 the next morning so they could be on their way by 9:00. They had all agreed and went back to their rooms.

Xander took his shower first and was now patiently waiting for Willow to finish her shower so they could talk. He didn't want to go through another day plagued by the thoughts he was having. Xander heard the water turn off and tried to collect his thoughts. This whole thing was really none of his business and he didn't want to offend her. He needed to think of a way to broach the subject. He heard the click of the door as the handle was turned and opened and looked up to see Willow coming out of the bathroom. She was again wearing his pajamas and her damp hair hung down her back. She walked over to the bed and sat down beside Xander, lifting the brush she was holding to her hair.

"Let me," he said gently.

Willow looked up at him and smiled. She handed him the brush and turned around so her back was to him. "I really hope you're better at this than you used to be. Last time I had to cut my hair," she teased.

She heard Xander chuckle behind her. "Make one mistake when you're seven and you never hear the end of it." He lifted the brush and carefully ran it through her hair, his hand gliding along her auburn locks behind the brush. They sat quietly that way for a few minutes, Xander carefully brushing the tangles out of Willow's hair.

< C'mon Xander. It's now or never. She's your best friend, just ASK! > Xander cleared his throat before speaking.

"Umm, Will, you're my best friend, right?"

"Uh huh,"

"And we can talk about anything, right?"

"Yeah. I'd like to think so."

"And if I asked you something that really wasn't my business, but I was only asking because I care about you and I worry, you wouldn't get mad?"

"All right Xander, what's up? You're starting to babble. Just say whatever you want to say. I promise I won't get mad." Willow replied, somewhat concerned.

She heard Xander take a deep breath and then blurt out, "Are you having sex with Oz?"

Willow spun around to look at him, eyes wide with surprise. "What?" she gasped. "Why would you ask that?"

Xander looked down at the brush between his hands playing with it absently as he stammered, "It's just that, today I was looking for some floss and, I know I shouldn't have, but I looked through your bag to find it, but instead I found your birth control pills, and I guess I just put two and two together. I mean, I know Oz is a  senior and all but you two haven't been dating that long and if he pressured you into anything, I'd kill him." He paused for a breath. "Or at least hurt him very badly. Are you mad at me?" he asked looking up at her pleadingly.

Willow just looked at him and sighed. "Is this why you've been acting weird all day? Because you thought I was having sex?" she asked gently.

"You mean you're not?"

"No," she said with a smile. "I'm not. Oz is a really great guy, but we haven't been together that long, and we've both decided to take things slowly."

"What about the pills?" he asked confused.

Now it was Willow's turn to look embarrassed.

"My doctor put me on them to regulate my period. It was all crazy. I can't believe we're talking about this," she laughed nervously.

Xander smiled at her and motioned for her to turn back around with his hand. He began to brush out her hair again.

"Cordelia never lets me do this. She's too afraid I'll ruin her hair," he said softly.

"You're doing a wonderful job."

She heard him chuckle as he continued, "We haven't, y'know."

"What?"

"Cordelia and I. We haven't had sex."
 
Willow didn't turn around to face him, but she smiled broadly. "You don't have to tell me."

"But I want to. I don't really have anyone else to talk to about it."

Willow nodded. She understood what he was saying. Both his best friends were girls, and sex was something he probably wouldn't feel comfortable talking to Buffy about, since he once had a crush on her. "So why haven't you? Cordelia not ready?" she asked, knowing this was probably not the reason. Cordy had been dating since she was twelve.

"No, it's not that. It's stupid. Nevermind," Xander said putting down the brush.

 Willow turned to face him, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Xander you can tell me. We're best friends, remember?"

Xander smiled at her and took her hand in his. "It's just, well, I want my... first to be special. I know it's stupid, especially coming from me, but I want it to be someone I love. I've waited seventeen years, I don't want to just do it with anyone and regret it later. I want it to be perfect. Something I can remember forever, y'know?" Willow just nodded, her eyes misting over.

"I like Cordy and all, but... I don't know. It's just such a weird relationship. We were enemies for so long, and then we just couldn't keep our hands off each other." He quieted for a moment, looking down at Willow's hand in his. He absently traced little circles on it with his thumb. "I'm just not sure if I love her. We're not comfortable just being together, like I am with you. I don't know. I'm just not sure she's the one." He looked up at her and saw tears spill onto her cheeks as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"I think that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard," she sniffled. He smiled and hugged her back.

"Great. I'm sweet. I'm still a virgin, but at least I'm sweet," he teased.

Willow laughed as she let go of him and wiped her face quickly. They sat looking at each other for a minute before Willow spoke up.

"We really should be getting to bed. We have to get up early tomorrow."

Xander groaned, but got up to pull back the covers. Willow snuggled underneath them as Xander turned out the light.

"Night, Xander" she said into the darkness. She closed her eyes and was almost asleep when she heard.

"Will?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Willow smiled and nestled into her pillow. "Your Welcome," she replied softly, and then drifted off to sleep.