VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 21:46:18 08/08/02 Thu
Author: WillowX
Author Host/IP: AC9DEEA4.ipt.aol.com / 172.157.238.164
Subject: Children of the Earth (4/10) Part 1

Title: Children of the Earth, Chapter 4 of 10
Author: WillowX
Feedback: Ok...its confession time. I'm a ...a...feedback JUNKIE!!! Please let me know what you think, email at willowxbvsb@hotmail.com
Rating: NC-17
Classification/Pairing: B/W romance
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox. The only thing that I own is my laptop and remote control.
Summary: This story picks up right at the end of the previous chapter. This chapter contains spoilers for all Buffy and Angel episodes that have aired.


Chapter Four

The Morning After



The road to redemption is a rocky path. I remember when I said that to Angel a little over a year ago. Little did I know how true those words would become.

My year in prison changed me. I know everybody says that …but it’s true. I could have left at any moment, overpowered any guard or inmate. But instead I choose to pay my dues. We all have to start someday to take responsibility for our own actions. Redemption is a funny concept. It symbolizes the compensation you receive at the end of a journey of repentance. My day of redemption came May 22, 2001. That’s when she died. I didn’t know she had died until a few days after, but that’s the day they came looking for me. The Council. It was ok for me to be in prison so long as Buffy was still around fighting evil. But once she died there was no one to take her place. You see...in the cosmos I’m supposed to be the active Slayer. My death is the one that will trigger a new calling. With Buffy dead and me in prison, there would be no Slayer. So…the Council pulled some strings and I’ve been here, in England, ever since. They have been re-training me in martial arts, the occult, fencing, etc. You name it …I know it.

Buffy was right about everything she told me that day on the roof top in L.A. She was the only one that ever really gave me a chance and I spat in her face. For months after the Council came to get me I felt the undeniable pain of guilt. Perhaps if I had been fighting by her side, as I should have, she wouldn’t have died. You’d never hear me say this out loud but…I admired her. She was truly a selfless person and her death was my redemption…what kind of fucked up shit is that?

The Council’s estate in England is huge. These people got money coming out their asses! I have a new Watcher, a real dickhead, his name is Nigel Witherspoon...I just call him “Hey You!” He hates me. And…I even have a personal maid. Her name is Gretchen. She’s a sweet heart, though, and the only person here that doesn’t deserve a good ass kicking.

The last few weeks I’ve been having disturbing dreams. Prophetic in nature…you know apocalyptie stuff. But the strangest part is that… Buffy is in all of them. So here I sit at a long conference table in the Council’s main library having a meeting with dickhead and his trusty sidekicks.

“Look Jeeves…I know what a prophetic dream is like. This is the real McCoy.”

“For the last time…my name is Quinton Travers. Mr. Travers to you and please remove your boots from the table.” He says annoyed. He’s always annoyed. I think it’s his nature. This dude is one of these guys who was born annoyed at the world.

“I’m telling you Mr. Belvedere, she’s alive and something huge is about to go down in Sunnydale.” I love pushing his buttons.

“Ms. Summers is dead! We took hair and skin samples from her dead corpse. Our secret team witnessed the burial of the body. What you’re seeing is that damned robot that looks like her.” He finished.

“If you’ll allow me to interrupt Mr. Travers.” Oh god it’s the dickhead.

“Of course Mr. Witherspoon.” I roll my eyes at the display of ass kissage.

“Faith…what is the nature of the dreams?”

“Hey You? What are you fucking deaf? P R O P H E T I C! As in will happen soon and in a big way.” Now I’m annoyed.

Both guys look over at the other end of the table where Harry Potter was sitting…ok…so he’s not Harry Potter but that’s what I call him. His name is Methos. He’s the Council’s spiritual guide. He’s tall and dark and mysterious…in an unpleasant way.

“The Slayer might be right. I felt a great rise in mystical energy coming from the Hellmouth yesterday.” Blah blah blah blah blah… boy does this guy likes the sound of his own voice.

“Evil?” Travers asked.

“Not necessarily…” Methos responded.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. As I lay here with her mane of red hair flowing over my breast, I can’t help but think that I was born to be right here. To kiss her, to hold her, to make love to her…this was my true destiny. This is the life I was chosen for. I am the Willowlayer…wait…that didn’t sound very poetic…very descriptive but definitely not poetic. Hmmmm… got to work on that one. Uggghhh I’m getting bored and corny. When is she gonna wake up??? I’ve tried everything but little miss sleepy head won’t budge. Maybe the little witch just needs a little help.

I know… I’ll run my fingers through her hair …… she LOVES that!! And, incidentally, so…do… I!!! Oh how I love the feel of her hair. It’s soft and silky. Doing this reminds me of better days long past when we used to sit in my room and I’d braid her beautiful long hair. I loved touching her even then, I just never allowed myself to enjoy it. It’s funny the things you remember. I remember the first time I saw her in her underwear in the locker room after gym class. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the cute pink panties with the word “Monday” written on the back… and, of course, it was a Monday!! But the best part was the following day when she wore cute little blue panties with the word “Tuesday” written on her butt! Willow always did adorable things like that. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine she would turn into the strong beautiful woman laying in my arms right now, that wears hot red thongs!!!

Ohhh I think she is starting to move. She’s awake she’s awake she’s awake!!!

“I love you!!!”

“Huh…wha?”

“Sorry for the ambush. I just wanted those words to be the first thing you heard this morning. I’ve been laying here for hours just waiting for you to get up so that I could be the first to say them to you today. So there you go… I love you…and I said it first… yay for me!!” She’s been up for three seconds and I already got her smiling… damn I’m good.

“I love you too… but…are you always this peppy in the morning?”

“Mmmmmm… only when I wake up naked with a beautiful red head draped across my boobs!!!!! So…hopefully… from now on it’s gonna be Peppy Buffy in the mornings.” Ha!! Now she’s giggling!!! Fifteen seconds and I have her giggling; there should be a law against this.

“How did you sleep last night?”

“Great. I always sleep great by your side. I’m just starving. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.”

“Well we did totally skip dinner yesterday.”

“Yeah and went straight to the dessert.” I reply with a devilish grin. She’s still laying on my chest and I’m tracing my fingers over her back. Her skin is warm and I could feel new goose bumps appear with every stroke. Our chests are tightly pressed against each other and for a minute it felt as if our hearts were beating in unison. Like a finely tuned orchestra. This reminded me of last night’s events.

“Hey…you sneaky little devil you…why didn’t you warn me that “Lesbian Witch Hot Lovin” came equipped with “Magical Mind Blowing Orgasm Slide Shows”?” Her head popped up like she’d seen a ghost.

“You saw those too?” She asked startled.

“Yes! What? Ummm…you mean that’s not part of the show?” I asked confused.

“Not usually… actually…not ever. That’s never happened to me before. What was your vision of ?”

“You! All you! You happy, you sad, you smiling, you sleeping. What was your vision of?”

“Same here.” She said a little bewildered.

“You had visions of YOU?” I tease.

“NO silly! They were visions of you. It was incredible.” The last part she finished a bit in awe. She sounded impressed and confused at the same time.

“So… should we be concerned or overjoyed beyond belief?” I ask jokingly. I felt her body tense in my arms, like I had asked a hard question. I was just kidding, I didn’t mean to scare her, but it was too late. She started moving, fixing to get up.

“Where are you going Will?” I groan out.

“I’m gonna to take a shower. Can you make breakfast?”

“Sure.” I watched her as she got up out of bed. Her naked body was more beautiful in the morning than it was last night. The fair skin across her stomach had faint indentations from the bed sheets that hugged her body. Her hair was all disheveled and her face had a huge red mark beginning on her forehead and ending on her left cheek, a reminder from where her skin kissed my chest as she slumbered. She looked absolutely amazing.

“You’re so beautiful Will.” She was standing by the dresser with a pensive expression, but when she heard the words she looked over and smiled at me. Slowly walking towards me, she leaned in at the side of the bed, and gently kissed my lips for the first time today.

“I love you too.” She whispered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ok. So I know I was supposed to be making breakfast but I couldn’t help it. Two minutes after she left the room I missed her already and the evil horny Slayer in me quickly came up with a remedy for the situation. I tiptoed to the bathroom so as not to announce my presence. The element of surprise was crucial. I opened the door slowly as a gust of steam let out. The sound of the running water in the shower was thunderous. I sneaked in quietly, pulling the shower curtains back just a bit, and peaked in on her. Willow’s body was turned facing the shower head. This was perfect! She doesn’t even know I’m here.

One foot after the other I stealthily joined her. My plan was to sexily start caressing her from behind. Instead….she turned suddenly and threw what looked like a pink dart at my face!!! It turned out to be a toothbrush thrown at full force. It hit me right in the middle of the forehead between my eyes. I was surprised, lost my balance on the soapy water and fell with a thunderous crash on the floor of the tub. Thank God for Super Cushiony Slayer Behinds. I look up to see Willow standing before me foaming toothpaste at the mouth.

“Are you crazy??? We live on a Hellmouth!!! You do not sneak up on people who live on a Hellmouth!!!” She shrieked out frightened.

“You brush your teeth in the shower?” I ask amused.

“Freak! I could have poked your eye out!” The humor of our current state still hadn’t hit her.

“I wanted to surprise you.” I say trying to mend the situation.

“Well…you scared the shit out of me instead!” I was giggling by now. She looked like a scared rabid dog foaming at the mouth and it was H I L A R I O U S. She stopped, took a deep breath, and whipped the toothpaste from her face. She was holding back a smile and I knew it.

Trying not to laugh she continues, “Are you ok?” Hmmm…. concern? Guilt would play off nicely now.

Putting my best pouty face I reply, “Ughhh…I don’t know. I hurt all over. I might have to spend the day in bed recuperating after your sudden attack.” The giggle finally escaped her lips. She looked fabulous with her body all wet and a smile from ear to ear.

“You’re such a liar.” She said teasingly while extending her hands out to help me up. Once standing I wrap my arms around her as she softly runs her hands over my behind. Burying my face in her wet hair, I hungrily inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo.

“I missed you too much when you left and I’m jealous.” I whispered as I softly kissed her earlobes.

“Jealous of what?” She let out in a low moan.

“Of the water…” I kiss her neck, “because it does what I can’t…” I kiss her lips, “touch your body all over… all at once.” She moaned again in response. I pull back to look into her eyes.

“So……did you memorize all of my freckles, curves and birthmarks like you wanted to?” I ask in the sexiest whisper.

“Mmmmm Hmmmm! I even discovered a few new ones.” She added, while running her slippery hand over my left breast and pausing there for a minute. “Like…what’s this tiny scare on your left boob? I don’t remember it!” I smile. That comment amuses me. She doesn’t remember it. Ha!

“That’s cause you’ve never been close enough to my tits to notice it Will!!” I say with a giggle. “It’s where I used to have the mark of the Slayer.”

“The mark of the Slayer??? What happened to it?” I forgot I never told her about that. I had forgotten about it myself.

“THAT BIG HAIRYMOLE?? I had that thing removed!!” Instantly we both break into a fit of laughter. Yes…. it’s a confirmed fact! The sound of her laughter is the most beautiful sound in the world!

“So you see Will, now you know ALL my secrets.” What ??? Wait a minute!!!! What the hell happened to her smile?

The smile that so predominantly adorned her face has suddenly worn off and I have no idea what I said wrong. She turned and kissed my lips softly.

“Stay here. I’m gonna make us breakfast.” She said and before I had a chance to protest she had already stepped out of the shower and was drying herself off. After she left I stood in the shower for a while, letting the hot water wash over me. Why has Willow been acting so strange this morning? Is it me? Does she regret what happened?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When I got downstairs a half hour later I realized that it was much worse than I thought. She had made at least 20 pancakes, toasted 7 slices of bread, and brewed 10 cups of coffee. Pity cooking is a sure sign of Willow guilt. I poured myself a cup of coffee and began my search for her. After searching the whole house I find her where I least expected to. She was in my room, sitting on a chair by the window, lazily looking out as she sipped her coffee.

“Hey? What’s wrong?” I ask concerned.

“Ohh Buffy, you have a little bruise on your forehead.” She said with a sad voice. I had totally forgotten about that.

I run my hand over my forehead and reply “That’s nothing. It’ll be gone in an hour. It’s you I’m worried about. Are you wigged about yesterday?” She looked at me attentively for a few seconds, as if debating in her head whether to speak or not. The tension in the air was palpable and for the first time ever I was conscience of everything around me. I could even hear myself breathe.

“Buffy…. I haven’t been completely truthful with you about a couple of things that I should have been completely truthful about from the very beginning. Truthfulness and honesty are the most important things in a relationship and it is unfair that you’re truthful and honest with me and that I not do the same. I need to tell you certain things… things about me and Tara and why we broke up…..and things that maybe will scare you a little but that I can’t keep secret anymore. Things that….”

“Will. As adorable as your ranting usually is, right now it’s killing me. Please!!”

“Ok… right… getting to the point here. I told you that Tara left me because of the magic. That was only partly true and I know that I told you that was why she left but you have to understand that at the time I didn’t know if you wanted to hear the real reason and then things got so weird and we were kissing and then…. wow….breast…. and well I sort of got distracted and then…..”

“WILL!”

“Ok… ok. The truth of the matter is that I started keeping secrets from Tara. Things that I never thought she’d find out. Secrets in a relationship Buffy are like a cancer. They begin to eat through the bonds that hold the two people together, slowly but surely, until there is nothing left to hold them together any longer. This is what happened between Tara and me.”

“Will, is that all???? It’s ok!!! This won’t happen between us. We have been best friends for too many years already. I’ve told you all of my secrets and I know all of yours!!”

“No that’s not all…” She said softly and turned away from me to look out the window again.

“Last summer when you died, after I decided that I would bring you back, I started researching on several spells. They were many different types of resurrection spells. Some promised to just bring back your soul in spirit form but not your body… these were obviously no good. Others would bring back your body but not your soul…. I remembered how horrible those zombies we fought once were and I discarded those spells as well. After a few weeks of secretly researching in all of Giles’ books and surfing the net, I narrowed it down to a list of 4 possible spells. But the most promising of them all, the one that seemed the most probable to work required a specific element, something which I didn’t have.”

“Was it stinky yak cheese? Cause I think I found a chunk in your bra drawer…”

“BUFFY!!!” She turned looking at me again, “Stop it… I’m trying to be serious.”

“Ok Will…I’m sorry! Please continue.”

Willow began explaining in detail everything that happened. Her eyes glazed over with sadness as she spoke. I settled in on the bed. This looked like it was going to be a long and important conversation……………

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Ssso hhhow long will you be gone?”

I look up at her. She’s standing by the door of our room watching me as I pack my Scooby Doo duffel bag. She looks concerned and afraid. We haven’t slept a night apart from each other since…since the day after it happened. Her eyes are soft…they’re always soft, and I can hardly bare to look at her.

“Not that long Baby…I promise.” I whisper back.

“Where will you go?”

This is not the first time she asks this question but every time it’s harder and harder to answer. I continue busily packing my things. I’m not a good liar.

“I told you Baby. I don’t know. I just can’t be here. This house…it’s full of pain. I feel it everywhere. It’s consuming me. I need a break.”

She walks towards me and grabs my hands to stop what I’m doing. I look at her and her eyes are teary. “You’re just tired. You haven’t been sleeping Will. What? Did you think I wouldn’t notice? Do you think I can’t hear you? It’s happening every night now. You wake up crying. You’re just exhausted.” She runs her hand through my hair. I can feel the familiar tightness in my chest and my eyes are burning with the threat of tears. “I could ask Giles to take Dawn for a few days and go with you.”

“No…no … it’s ok. You have finals this week. Plus…Dawnie needs you.”

“You need me too.” Her smile is sad and warm as she says this.

“Always! I will always need you. I won’t be gone long…I promise.” I look around anxiously looking for something else to pack. Something that might delay my departure a few more minutes. Something that will help me make up my mind. But alas…I was done. My Scooby Doo duffel bag looked pregnant. She looks at me one last time.

“Will you call me?”

“Everyday…before I go to sleep.” Satisfied with the response she leans in a kisses my lips. The kiss is warm and tender and heartfelt. It was a goodbye kiss.

“I have to go. I’ll be late to class and you have a bus to catch.”

“Go right ahead Tara. I’ll be at least another half hour.”

She turned around hesitantly but left none the less. I stood quietly listening to the sound of her footsteps until they were drowned out by the silence. The door slammed and she was gone. There left the woman that loved me more than anything in the world and I just lied to her…again.

It’s too late now anyways. There is no turning back. I’m determined. I kneel by the bed and look under it in search of my journal. I will document everything. I just need one more thing before I go. Grabbing my duffel bag I head out of the bedroom down the hall to her room…to Buffy’s old room. I walk in slowly running my finger over the edge of her furniture looking over her things one last time, until I come upon my favorite picture. It’s of me and Buffy and Xander. We looked so happy…but that was such a long time ago. I remove the picture from the frame and place it in my journal.

As I begin to head out I notice that her closet door is slightly opened. Upon closer inspection I see the sleeve of her favorite leather jacket caught on the edge. I opened the door to fix it and her scent wraps around me like ribbon. Her closet is full of happy pinks and blues and yellows and greens…but there’s no Buffy to wear any of it. I take the leather jacket of the hanger and slide it on. It’s a little heavy and the sleeves were too long. They were long on her too …I remember. Having her jacket on somehow feels calming. I close the door of the closet and walk out. Now her scent can accompany me on my journey.

The cab is outside honking. I could have walked to the bus station it’s not that far really, it’s just that I don’t walk anywhere anymore. Every sidewalk, every street, every alley…they all remind me of her. That’s all we ever did in highschool, take long walks all through Sunnydale jabbering away.

“Sunnydale bus station please.” I say to the cabby. No response in return. These are the people she sacrificed her life for. Rude, ignorant, ungrateful people.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The bus station is busy with the sound of life. I take a seat in the section furthest away from the mass of people. I want to be alone. I need to think. I need to prepare. It’s weird really; I remember how happy I was when I found the resurrection spells. Happy and afraid at the same time of course. Three of them sounded really ify and I wasn’t about to throw away my last chance on a “what if”. But this one…well…it just sounds intense. So many different items to collect, calling on Osiris himself, and of course the doossie…

“Bus 730 to Los Angeles now boarding.” The muffled voice said over the loud speaker. That was me. Los Angeles was my final destination. Need to visit an old friend about a big favor. Part of me is afraid of seeing him. The last time we saw each other I brought with me such bad news. I was heartbroken and so was he.

I sat in the middle section of the bus on the left hand side by the window. Leaning my head against the glass mindlessly staring out at the scenery, I can’t help but wonder if these trees and fields that are flashing before my eyes are the same ones that flashed before Buffy’s eyes that time she ran away such a long time ago. This thought comforted me a little, the idea of sharing one last thing with her…even if it’s only a long lonely bus ride.

Continued in Part 2

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.