Three's Company

Rating: R

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don’t own any of the characters in here other than Joy. Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own everyone else. No infringement is intended.

Distribution: 

http://mysticmuse.net

http://megawitches.org

Just email me and let me know so I can put a link to you on my site and keep track of where my stories are.

Spoilers: This story isn’t exactly canon. It takes place after “The Gift” but it doesn’t have Willow getting addicted and W/T never broke up or fought over the magic.

Feedback: PLEASE! This is my first complete fic so any feedback you can send is most appreciated. Be honest, I can’t make it better without honest feedback.

Grouping: Buffy/Willow/Tara

Author's Notes: Along the way this story contains the action of rape. It is not really described in any type of detail. Special thanks to SpikesGrrl and WilTar for beta reading this for me and very helpful feedback.

Willow and Tara followed behind Buffy as she made her way through the dark graveyard, stealthily weaving in between the lines of white stone. The two witches hung back a few feet, their hands intertwined, talking aimlessly about their day and occasionally stealing sweet kisses from one another.

Buffy, with her ‘slayer-hearing’ picked up on the conversation, but more importantly, she picked up on the light smacking sounds of their lips meeting. With each kiss she cringed, her stomach tightening. She stalked onward, praying that some idiot vampire would dare take her on so she’d be distracted from the two loving witches.

Willow was her best friend and it’s not that she didn’t like Tara, nor did she have a problem with the two women being together. In fact, that’s where the trouble lay. She loved her best friend, but she also loved Tara, and that love had long ago crossed from mere friendship to longing for a more intimate relationship.

She knew she was out of her mind and chalked it up to her resurrection. Her mind was scrambled; her emotions were haywire. The two witches were always there for her and she convinced herself that her thoughts and feelings for them were just some miscommunication between her mind and heart. At least, that’s what she tried to tell herself, but if she were completely honest, her feelings had begun to surface before her death. In fact, the day that Willow told her that she and Tara were more than just friends her initial reaction was hurt. Not hurt that her best friend was with a woman, nor was it over the fact that her friend had kept this information from her for so long. No, she was hurt because for years she had loved Willow and devoted her life to her, and yet she never stood a chance.

She wanted to hate Tara, she really did. Unfortunately, there was no hating the blonde Wiccan. She had her chance when Tara’s family came to town to reclaim her. She could have easily handed Tara over to them, held Willow back; telling her it was for everyone’s own good. She could have consoled the redhead, soothed her pain, and helped her forget about Tara. By then it was too late. She knew there was no turning back for the redhead. Tara held onto Willow’s heart so completely that Buffy once again sacrificed herself for the happiness of her friend and stayed far in the distance where their relationship was concerned.

She had used the Initiative as an excuse, Riley as a false impression. She hid behind them from Willow and she knew it hurt her friend. No matter how much in love with Tara she was, Willow always turned to Buffy for guidance, especially now that she was entering into a whole new type of relationship, but Buffy couldn’t bring herself to face her friend. It hurt too much to guide her into the arms of another woman, while she secretly wished it were her own arms wrapped around the small form.

She was so lost in her thoughts, more so than usual, that she didn’t even hear the attackers until after the first blow landed. And it was a strong hit at that. The bat crashed into her ribs, sending her to the ground in an instant. She had to struggle to take even the tiniest bit of air into her aching lungs. The vampires didn’t waste any time. As soon as the Slayer was laid out in front of them, they jumped on her, kicking, punching, and pummeling wherever they could get their strikes to land.

It took a second for the witches to realize exactly what had just happened. Buffy always knew when an attack was coming way before they ever did, so to see Buffy getting beaten down caught them off guard. After just a second of catching their thoughts, the witches lunged headfirst into the fray.

Willow and Tara used physical force to break themselves into the circle surrounding the fallen slayer, but they knew there was no way they could fend off the swarm of demonic night crawlers on their own. Turning to check on the status of the blonde warrior, they knew they were in trouble when Buffy made no attempt to get up. Her eyes were open, her breathing came in erratic gasps, but she didn’t move.

Willow and Tara joined hands and the circle of vampires flew apart, sending demons in every direction. “Get her up,” Willow shouted to Tara as she concentrated on the palm of her hand. A small light began to glow and Tara bent down to pull the Slayer to her feet. She could feel the warm blood down the slayer’s side, but couldn’t determine how severe the wound was or even its exact location. Behind her, a vampire managed to send a crossbow bolt sailing by, luckily Buffy’s weight threw her off balance, toppling her to one side at the same time, but the bolt left it’s mark, skimming a path across her arm, leaving a slash of blood in its wake. She really didn’t have time to think about it as she struggled to bring Buffy back to her feet and to get them back through the cemetery.

Willow let the ball in her hands grow larger, but when she saw the crossbow bolt heading for Tara she nearly lost the spell. She saw Tara topple to the side and the bolt continue its path onward. That split second distraction cost her, though, as another vampire managed to sneak up on her blind side and slash her arm with his knife. Her rage fueled the ball in her hand and the light erupted sending sunlight throughout the entire graveyard, dusting not only the cadre that surrounded them, but all others who were stalking that cemetery as well.

Willow didn’t let herself dwell on the success with the spell that caused her a great deal of trouble. She saw Tara struggling with the Slayer, who had yet to get her feet under her and start using them. She rushed to them, taking Buffy's other arm and wrapping it around her neck. The two witches carried, well, more like dragged, the Slayer back to the house.

Dawn was already sleeping by the time they walked in the door, so the witches tried to be as silent as possible as they pulled Buffy up the stairs to the bathroom. Now back at her own house, the Slayer started to get some of her strength back and was able to help herself scale the stairs.

Once in the bathroom, Willow and Tara immediately pulled Buffy’s shirt off to examine where the blood was coming from. The quick jolt of being stripped sent a shearing pain through Buffy and she grabbed her side with both hands, doubling over in pain. The girls were instantly at her side, holding her up, and Buffy eventually began to straighten, placing her soiled hands on each of their arms for support.

Tara draped Buffy over Willow so she’d have a clear look at Buffy’s side. She ran a clothe under the water and began to gently wash away the blood and grime to reach the wound. It was a nicely sized gash along her ribs where the bat had struck and Tara reached into the medicine cabinet for some ointment, a needle, thread, and bandages and quickly set to work cleaning and sealing the wound.

Once cleaned and after each witch checked the other, they aided Buffy to her room, easing her onto the bed. A small fever began to make its way through the Slayer’s body, something she was used to. Often times her body would throw a raging fever into the mix to help burn out any viruses that might make their way into her system. This was one of the reasons she was able to heal so quickly, but it didn’t come without a cost. The fevers would always make her delirious, almost like she was drunk, but usually no one was around her other than Giles when this happened and she had nothing to fear.

Now, however, the witches hovered over her, Tara lightly sliding her hand along Buffy’s forehead, trying to gauge the fever. She was concerned that it seemed to increase steadily and expressed those concerns vocally to Willow. “Don’t worry. Happens all the time. Heal faster.” Buffy spoke up in broken sentences.

“Does it normally get this high, Buffy,” Tara asked, concern in her voice.

All Buffy could do was nod before a wave of shivers assaulted her. She burrowed further under the covers, pulling them up to her chin and tucking them around herself to form a cocoon. “Cold. So cold.”

“That’s the fever. You’re body is just trying to cool itself off,” Willow offered, her mind kicking into gear, pulling up information from her various health and biology classes.

“W-w,” Buffy started, smacking her dry lips together trying to wet them, “water, please.” She croaked out.

Willow jumped up and went to the bathroom. A moment later she returned with a cup full of cool water. She started to ease it down to Buffy, but realized the Slayer was getting more of it on herself rather than in. She looked to Tara who merely nodded and then pulled Buffy into a sitting position. She slid her body behind the blonde, wrapping her legs around the muscular form and eased the shaking Slayer back. She took the glass from Willow and eased it up to trembling lips.

It took a while, but Tara managed to get a good deal of the liquid, now room temperature, down Buffy’s throat. She was starting to push up, when Buffy suddenly groaned a complaint. “Stay. Please,” she asked, her voice still hoarse as her fever raged on.

Tara looked to Willow and they shared a moment. Willow got up and went to their room and came back carrying extra blankets and pillows. She settled Tara first, making sure she would be comfortable as she cradled the wounded, but healing, body through the night and then sat back trying to figure out how she’d lay down. “Maybe I should just lay on the floor,” Willow whispered the suggestion to Tara.

Buffy had a bout of shakes and as Willow leaned over to check on her, the Slayer pulled her down on top of her. “Cold. You. Warm.” Years of being with Buffy had taught Willow to understand that she was helping to keep the blonde warm and figured it was the least she could do. Soon enough, Buffy was in a sandwitch.

Hours passed and Tara watched Willow sleeping contentedly wrapped around the woman below her and her heart ached. She knew that Willow loved Buffy and always had. It was one of the first things they talked about when they first got together because Tara was afraid she was stepping in between something. Willow admitted her feelings for her best friend, but shrugged it off, saying that Buffy was a friend and nothing more would ever happen. Buffy didn’t love her like that and never would; besides, she was happy right where she was with the blonde Wiccan.

Tara couldn’t blame Willow. To watch Buffy in action was magickal in itself, but to see Buffy just being herself was something far beyond words. The Slayer was always there, apocalypse or not. She loved all the Scoobies, cared for them, mothered them. Tara was just as affected by Buffy as Willow was, but kept that fact hidden, even from Willow. How would it look if she admitted similar feelings, especially after knowing that Willow loved Buffy just as much? Not to mention that Tara was torn, believing that she was betraying Willow just by having these thoughts.

As though the Slayer read her mind, she snuggled further into the warm body behind her, nestling deeper into the legs surrounding her. It took everything Tara had to suppress the moan that desperately wanted to escape. Her face flushed and her breath hitched, but when Buffy leaned her head back and began to nuzzle into her neck, Tara couldn’t stop the groan that came forth.

Willow was nudged awake as Buffy shifted in her sleep, but her eyes sprang open when she heard Tara. At first she thought Buffy’s weight was too much and was hurting her, but as her mind cleared away the haze from sleep, it registered that was a different kind of moan. Her head shot up and green locked with blue.

Tara slapped a hand over her mouth and thought Willow would never forgive her, especially as she saw the redhead’s eyes narrow, not out of malice, but as though she was concentrating intently on something.

“Willow, I...” Tara started.

“You,” Willow gulped, “you. Buffy.” It appears that the years with Buffy not only allowed Willow to understand the broken speech, but rubbed off on her too.

All Tara could do was nod, knowing what Willow was trying to say. She didn’t have to use words because Tara could see it in the green eyes pinning her down. She was waiting, dreading the seconds that past, expecting a storm of rage to hit her, but it never came.

Buffy filled the silence between them as she nuzzled further into Tara’s neck. The witch could only close her eyes at the contact, damning herself further because Willow was watching the whole scene unfold. She cursed herself for being so weak and not able to fend off the arousal that was bolting through her body, but her eyes shot open as soon as Buffy mumbled, “Oh, Tara.”

Willow’s eyes raged. How dare her best friend betray her like this? All this time Buffy had the hots for Tara and Tara felt the same way and never said anything. Willow was about to unleash holy terror, ready to scream and shout, but Buffy unconsciously put an end to anything that was to come from Willow’s lips but a groan not dissimilar to Tara’s. Buffy stroked Willow’s sides, catching the underside of her small, perky breasts. A subconscious smirk spread along Buffy’s lips and she groaned, “Mmmm, Willow. So sweet.”

This time the shock of what just happened was shared by both women, the reality of the situation slamming into them full force where they both jumped out of the bed. The sudden jostling pulled Buffy from her dreams and she too jumped up, grabbing a stake from her nightstand, armed and ready. Her eyes took in the whole room in an instant and then noticed her friends on the other side of the bed. They held hands, but quickly let them drop to their sides, not sure what to really do.

“What’s going on?” Buffy asked, wincing a bit in delayed pain from her side now that things weren’t immediately life threatening.

“Um, you know, um,” Willow looked to Tara for help.

“Ah, we just thought we’d go back to our room, sorry for bothering you,” Tara said, grabbing Willow’s hand and pulling her from the room in a bolt.

“Um, okay,” Buffy said to an empty room. She laid her stake down and quickly studied her side, noting the considerable amount of healing that’d already taken place. Satisfied, she crawled into bed, closed her eyes, and tried to focus her thoughts to bring back the dream she was so thoroughly enjoying. A second later her eyes shot wide open. Her dream. Her friends rushing out of the room. No, they couldn’t know. Well, they were witches; maybe they stumbled into the dreamscape. Maybe she was talking in her sleep.

Buffy jumped up and silently made her way to the room down the hall from her, but stopped halfway. Her slayer hearing picked up every word of the conversation.

“Tara, what do you feel for Buffy?” Willow asked, her voice clearly agitated, but not accusing.

“I’m sorry, Willow. After you told me about your feelings for Buffy and then I got a chance to really get to know her, I thought it wouldn’t be fair of me to share a crush on your best friend with you. I just thought it was some hero worship thing and that it would go away.”

“Apparently not. Look at the way you were groaning when she was nuzzling you.”

“Hey, you were feeling the same thing when she was stroking your sides.” Tara shot back. They were debating the issue of what had just happened, but by no means was this a fight.

“The question is, do we pretend that we didn’t hear what we heard and assume that it was just the fever talking or do we confront Buffy about not only our feelings for her, but her feelings for us?” Willow asked, her mind running off into a million different pathways

“I think we need to talk to her. If we don't get it out into the open.... we know... she doesn't know… and we know she doesn't know... ya know?” Tara offered.

“Okay, fine, we talk. What happens though? We both feel the same about Buffy, she obviously feels something for us in return... how much of something, well, umm... who knows, but what... about us?” Willow asked, fear creeping into her voice.

Tara closed the distance between her and her lover in a split second. “Oh, baby,” Tara said, holding Willow close to her, gently stroking the soft red hair. “No matter what, I love you. More than life itself, I love you.” She pushed Willow away from her, holding her at arms length, so she could look deeply into the green eyes she loved so much. “I’m confused. I love Buffy, yes. Why? I don’t know. But I love you, Willow, never doubt that. I’d die for you.”

“Me too, baby, me too,” was all Willow could let out as she fell back into Tara’s arms. They hugged, letting tears fall from their eyes, followed by kisses that laid claim on each other.

Buffy stood outside in the hallway, guilt slashing through her more effectively than any sword ever could. She nearly caused her two friends to break up because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut during her dream. Just having them both so close was overwhelming and while her body fought the pain, fever, and injury, she was left open and was unable to censor herself like she normally did. She knew they were going to talk to her, but she knew it would mean bad news was on the horizon. Her mind was reeling, conjuring up all sorts of images. Willow and Tara would want to move out because they’d be too uncomfortable. How would she explain that? What would Dawn say? Dawn loved them both so much, to lose them would really hurt her sister and it was her own fault. She noticed the talking stopped and decided to just head back to bed when a soft voice brought her attention back to the door in front of her.

“But what do we say to Buffy? Hi, Buffster, we know you were dreaming about us and we feel the same way, let’s hop into bed together?” Willow asked. She was being sarcastic, Buffy knew, and it hurt.

“What do you want to do?” Tara asked. The tone caught Buffy a little off guard. She knew Tara would leave the ball in Willow’s court, but it sounded like Tara already had a plan going through her mind. She edged closer to the door, almost touching it.

“I don’t know. I would never leave you for her and I know you’d never do that either, but I don’t know what to do about the fact that we both feel the same way. I mean, I never gave it much thought because I always just assumed that Buffy saw me only as a friend. I never knew she felt like we do, too. I mean,” Willow stopped mid-sentence, her eyes raised to Tara’s. They pleaded with her, begged her to help, to give her the answers.

“Baby, do you want to be with Buffy?” Tara asked.

Buffy was leaning against the door now, her ear pressed hard against the wood. She didn’t need to be that close, but the conversation took an interesting turn and she was using the door, more for support to keep herself standing, than anything else.

“Not it if means losing you,” Willow answered instantly.

“That’s not what I asked. I asked if you wanted to be with Buffy?”

Willow looked at Tara like she had just grown another head. Considering this was Sunnydale, it was highly possible, but then realization began to hit home. She narrowed her eyes, again not with ill intent, but more in the way someone does in order to see something more clearly. “Do you want to be with Buffy?” Willow asked. She caught on to what Tara was heading for and turned and tables on her lover.

“I want whatever you want,” Tara answered in an equally evasive way.

“That’s not what I asked,” Willow returned with her lover’s own response.

“Fine, on the count of three we’ll answer at the same time. Yes or no. Yes, you want to be with Buffy or no, you don’t want to be with Buffy.” Tara offered logically.

“Okay. One,” Willow let out with a breath.

Buffy thought that one second lasted a minute.

“Two,” Tara said.

If Buffy leaned any harder against the door she’d wind up pushing herself through it.

“Three! YES!” Willow and Tara shouted at the same time.

That was all the door and Buffy could handle. The slim wood holding the door closed buckled under the pressure and split sending the door flinging into the room, quickly followed by Buffy who went sprawling onto the floor in front of the two witches.

They jumped back a step, startled, but looked down to Buffy. Buffy refused to look up knowing she’d been caught red handed.

“Buffy?” Willow asked tentatively.

“Um, would you believe I was heading to the bathroom and tripped and fell into your door?” Buffy asked, still refusing to look up.

Tara put her hands on her hips and looked down at the slayer who was turning red all over from embarrassment. Willow and Tara barely had a second to realize that both of their answers were yes before Buffy wound up on their floor. Now that Buffy was remaining silent and refused to look at them, Willow and Tara looked to each other as it dawned on them what just took place.

“You?” Willow asked.

“You too?” Tara asked and nodded her answer to Willow, who responded in kind.

“I guess now’s as good a time as any to have that little chat.” Willow offered and bent down to take Buffy’s hand in her own.

Tara followed suit, taking Buffy’s other hand and pulled the Slayer to her feet and guided her over to the bed where the three of them sat down, Buffy in the middle. She stared at her feet, fiddling with her fingers nervously.

“So, I guess you heard, huh?” Willow asked.

Buffy nodded slowly.

“I guess now the last question that remains is do you want to be with us?” Tara asked.

It was just established that Willow and Tara were willing to share themselves and their relationship with Buffy, but they still didn’t know if Buffy was willing to do the same.

Again all Buffy could do was nod, almost like a child being scolded, though this was very far from what was actually happening and it took the slayer a moment for that fact to register. Normally she’d be able to make split-second, life-saving decisions, but for some reason her brain seemed to be stuck in the mud and took its time to wrap around the concept that was just presented to her.

Willow placed an arm around Buffy, nothing more than a sign of support and friendship, a sign of soothing comfort. It was all Buffy could handle and she broke down into the warm arms that held her. She cried on the shoulder she had always turned to in times of need and let out all the pain she’d harbored since her rebirth. As Willow held her, Tara stroked Buffy’s back and began to gently sing to her, words she had sung to them not to long ago, “What can’t we face if we’re together. What’s in this place we can’t weather. There’s nothing we can’t face.” Buffy slowly lifted her head, recognizing the words as her own, and gave Tara a small smile.

“I can’t get in between you too. You guys have something really special and I can’t break that up.”

“You’re not breaking us up. We want to share what we have with you.”

Willow knew there was little they could say that would quell these fears of Buffy’s, so she did the only thing she could think of. She reached up and took Buffy’s face in her hands and leaned forward, laying a gentle kiss on trembling lips. At first Buffy didn’t respond to the caress, it barely registered, the touch was so soft. Soon, as the fog in her mind began to lift, she pressed into the kiss, opening herself to it, allowing everything she felt for the smaller woman to come through in that simple action.

Willow curled her fingers into Buffy’s hair and opened her mouth, letting her tongue search for Buffy’s. With her other hand she pulled Tara to them. Not needing to be told twice, Tara took that as her cue and leaned into Buffy’s back and began to lay soft kisses along the slayer’s throat. She could feel the pulse beneath her lips practically triple in pace and couldn’t hold back the small smirk that played across her lips. She added some pressure to her caresses and playfully nipped at the smooth skin.

It didn’t take long for the moans to start and Buffy slowly turned from the kiss with Willow and faced Tara. She slid one hand along the blonde’s soft cheek, studying her eyes and leaned into the kiss her. Tara immediately opened herself to Buffy and Willow took over Tara’s previous position, kissing Buffy’s neck, while stroking her back and sides.

Buffy ran her hands along Tara’s shoulders and arms, slipping them underneath the fabric and back up. Skin touching skin, sending blazes of arousal shooting through both the blondes. Tara slid her hands under Buffy’s shirt and laid gentle strokes across the taunt muscles of Buffy’s stomach.

Buffy began to gently lower them so they lay on the bed, each girl on their sides so they could maintain contact. Willow reached across Buffy and began to stroke Tara’s skin, delighting in all the new sensations.

Soon enough, clothes were discarded and the trio lay in each others arms, loving each other. No one getting any more attention than the next person, complete unity between them. Passions quickly began to peek and with an earth-shattering cry, all three let the rush flood through them, the room filling with light and surrounded them before slowly fading and then disappearing.

They held each other, letting their rapid breathing calm down to a more stable, steady rhythm, and then they drifted off into a sleep. Buffy was left in a state of peace she hadn’t felt since before she was called as the Slayer. Willow remained calm, her dreams taking her to lovely places, but Tara remained troubled. Something happened. Something major and life changing, but she couldn’t quiet place what the problem was.

Her dreams took her to a meadow, a stream rolling across the middle of it as far as the eye could see in either direction. There was an old wooden bridge connecting the two sides in front of her, but as she peered across the stream, she could tell the two sides were drastically different. Her side was soothing; a sensation of safety surrounded her, but the other, though exactly the same in appearance sent out a feeling of change. She knew that if she crossed that bridge she would change forever and as she took one step towards it, a hand took her by the wrist. She turned to see Buffy and Willow there beside her.

“You cannot cross alone.” Buffy stated.

“To cross you must do so as a whole person.” Willow added cryptically.

“Once crossed, there is no going back, you will have made a decision that will not just affect you, but all those around you.” Buffy added.

Tara looked away from her friends and back to the bridge. Something was pulling her, telling her that though it represented a major change, it was not necessarily a bad thing. She turned back to her friends and saw complete love, devotion, and trust in their eyes. She played over what Willow had just said in her mind. “Cross as a whole person,” she mumbled, mulling it over. She nodded and took the hands of her friends, no, lovers, and as a trio, they stepped onto the bridge and began to cross. A blinding white light filled her eyes just as she made the first step onto the other side and when she opened her eyes again she was back in the bedroom, but she could feel something was different, though what it was she did not know.

After untangling themselves and sharing some awkward moments as they threw on some robes, one by one they showered and changed. Tara, being the first done, went to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast. Dawn sat at the island with a bowl of cereal in front of her, pushing the little circles around in a sea of milk, looking rather dejected.

“What’s wrong, Dawnie?” Tara asked.

“Buffy didn’t come home last night,” Dawn answered.

“Oh, she did, but she was, um, she was in our room.” Tara answered, trying to sooth the young girl’s worries without giving away too much of what had transpired that night.

“Why?” Dawn asked, simply cutting to the chase.

“Um, would you like some pancakes?” Tara asked trying to side step the question until she could get her own thoughts in order.

“Sure,” Dawn answered, jumping up and dumping her bowl in the sink.

“Can you set the table?” Tara asked, hoping to keep the teen busy. “Four place settings.”

“Great, Buffy’s joining us?” Dawn broached, trying to swing the conversation back to why her sister spent the night in Tara’s room. “Why didn’t she sleep in her own bed? She get nightmares or something?” Dawn offered.

Tara took that as an easy way out. “Yes, she’s joining us for breakfast. She got a little hurt while on patrol and she started having some bad dreams so we took her to our room to clean her up and help her rest,” Tara said trying to focus on cooking and prayed that was enough to pacify the curious teen. She knew that if the three of them were going to enter into any type of serious relationship, even if their current sleeping arrangements remained the same, their friends would find out soon enough. It’s not like Tara or Willow are shy about showing their affection for one another in public and it wouldn’t be fair to any of them to have to hold back with Buffy. They needed to really talk about this and find out how to bring the matter up to their friends, especially Dawn since she lives with them, surely she’ll catch on faster than the others will.

Breakfast went well, especially after Tara nudged Buffy under the table when Dawn asked about the nightmares. The slayer caught on quickly and covered for Tara agreeing that her dreams were not pleasant, but nothing more than dreams. Other than that, there were no problems. Dawn was sent out to school and it was then that Tara finally got a chance to get Willow and Buffy alone.

“Guys, can I grab you for a second before everyone leaves for the day?” Tara asked.

Willow was about to let loose a comeback to Tara grabbing them, but figured Buffy might still be a bit uncomfortable with things so she simply bit her tongue and nodded.

Tara walked into the living room, the others following behind, and everyone took a seat. “Dawn was asking about you today,” Tara started, looking to Buffy. “As you figured out, I told her you were having nightmares, but what occurred to me was that there are bound to be questions if we continue a relationship together.” Tara finished, but then quickly added, “Which I definitely want to continue, if you guys do too.”

“Yeah, Tara’s right. It’s only a matter of time before someone figures out that our relationship has changed. Especially Dawn. So, do we come clean now or do we wait and just see how things go?” Willow joined the conversation.

Buffy had a far away look in her eyes, her thoughts running wild, smashing into each other. Her doubts plagued her, but what she felt last night kept pushing those doubts away. Now she had to face the reality of the situation. Should she take the easy road and just call things quits, accept what happened as a one-night stand, or, should she fight for what she knew deep down was a loving relationship with two beautiful women? If she stayed in the relationship she would undoubtedly have to face the music of telling Xander and Anya, which she knew would just amount to smut filled jokes and their sex filled minds would just conjure up mental images every time they were around. But then how to tell Dawn that her sister was not only gay now and in a relationship, but in a relationship with two women, who were already together? Women that Dawn looked up to and admired. She knew that Dawn turned to Tara more often than her; that her little sister saw Tara a mother figure and she really didn’t mind that. She knew Tara was a wonderful woman and would never do anything to intentionally hurt Dawn.

Her thoughts continued their course until Willow caught her attention by calling out to her, waving a hand in front of her face and snapping her fingers. “Wha? Sorry, I guess I just got too lost in my own thoughts,” Buffy stated.

“Buffy, if this is something that will be a problem for you, we don’t have to do this. We could,” Tara left her sentence unsaid. She didn’t want this to become a one-night stand. That alone would cause it’s own problems between the three girls, but at least it would stay just between them and wouldn’t be cause for any possible disruption with the other Scoobies.

“No, it’s not that,” Buffy answered quickly to calm Tara’s fears. “I mean, I knew that getting involved in something like this was bound to cause some major wiggins in people... but, this isn't the weirdest thing we've all seen... Hello! Hellmouth! I mean... seriously! But really, I do want to stay with you guys. I do. I know we could tell Xander and Anya, though you know that’s just going to open every possible door to them for sex jokes and you know Xander’s just going to let his mind run rampant with mental images. Have you guys seen the way he watches you when Anya’s not around and you guys are all with the cuddlies? I can just picture him having a field day with this. Still, that’s not really my main concern. They’re Scoobies. They love us all individually and want us all to be happy, so I know they’d accept us, even if not at first, but they will eventually. It’s Dawn. She’s had such an unstable home life from the get-go. I mean, between having a sister that’s a slayer, dealing with all things hellmouth-ian, getting kidnapped at least once a week, then with mom dying, and problems with the house, and then Giles leaving, and me, well, you know. I don’t know if knowing her sister is a lesbian and in a relationship with two women at one time is a healthy thing for her.” Buffy rambled. She said more just then than she had since she’s been back.

“Buffy, I know you’re worried and we’re willing to do whatever you need us to do to make sure you and Dawn are safe and happy. But just know, Dawn is not a little girl anymore. She is a teenager, a young woman, who is strong and independent. She has handled everything that’s been thrown at her. Yes, it may have some freak-factor to it at first, but how could growing up in a home filled with love be a bad thing? And not just you loving her, we love her too. That can’t be bad, can it?” Willow answered back with her own question.

Buffy knew Willow and Tara loved Dawn. That was evident in how they cared for her, raised her really, especially while she was gone for those six months. She also knew that Dawn loved them just as much in return. Perhaps Willow had a point. Perhaps growing up in a loving home wouldn’t be so bad after all. “Okay, let’s just play things as they are now. Wait to see how everything goes. Test everyone, get a feeling for how they’d react without really saying anything outright about anything right now.” Buffy offered.

Willow and Tara nodded and then stood. Tara looked at the clock and then to Willow. “You have class in a few minutes, honey. You better hurry up or you’re going to be late.” She kissed Willow and then the red head ran upstairs to get her stuff for school. “Buffy, you’re going to be late to work if you don’t get your butt in gear,” and Tara gave her a similar kiss, plus a pat on the butt to get her moving. Tara ran up the stairs to get her things for school and within a few minutes the trio were downstairs and piling into the car. Buffy drove like a maniac, okay, so that was fairly normal for Buffy, but she was in a rush, which made for an interesting event. She dropped the witches off at the campus and then rushed to her job. It really was a miracle how she hasn’t gotten into an accident yet with that jeep.

The next few weeks passed by uneventfully. An occasional hint was tossed out once in a while to Xander and Anya about their relationship, but for the most part, everyone remained clueless.

It wasn’t until three more weeks passed and the triple relationship was about six weeks along that everything began to unravel. Anya began to pick up on things, studying the way the three women would act around each other. After the clues were dropped, it got her mind kicking into gear and as she watched them together, the pieces began to fall into place. She brought the matter up to Xander who shrugged it off as Buffy just getting back into the groove of things. In fact, he was happy that she was so close to Willow and Tara after her long stint of being so distant with everyone. Still, Anya’s idea began to grow in his mind, initially as a fantasy, which he kept strictly to himself. He too began to watch the girls and quickly became confused. Were his fantasies playing tricks with his head or was Anya more accurate than he first thought. Maybe the five of them should sit down to talk.

Buffy came barreling down the stairs; something clutched tightly in her hand. “Dawn!” She called out frantically. “Dawn, where the hell are you?” Buffy ran into the dinning room where she saw Dawn sitting there with Willow and Tara going over some homework.

“What?” Dawn whined back.

“What is this?” Buffy shoved the empty box to her sister.

Dawn picked it up, studying it, “It says right on the box, Buffy. Home preg...” What she was holding in her hand finally settled into her mind and she looked up to her sister's burning eyes. “Oh no! Don’t you dare try to pin this one on me. I’m not the one who bought this.” Dawn jumped up, ready to engage her sister.

“Buffy,” Tara called meekly from her chair.

“Oh yeah? Who else here would buy one?” Buffy shot back.

“Buffy,” Tara tried once more a little more forceful, but still little more than a whisper. Willow heard her though and looked over, her eyes squinting trying to figure out what her lover was trying to get out.

“Well, it certainly wasn’t me and I doubt it’s Willow or Tara’s,” Buffy stated logically.

“Buffy!” Tara jumped up, slamming her hand onto the table. She didn’t want Dawn and Buffy to fight over something she carelessly left evidence of. Everyone around the table was startled into silence and all eyes fell onto Tara. She slowly sank back into the chair; her head low, hair covering her eyes like she had so long ago on the day she first met Willow. “It’s mine,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry, I could have sworn you just said it was yours,” Buffy asked in a sarcastic statement. “Tara, you don’t have to cover for Dawn.”

“Dawn, maybe it’s best if you went upstairs and finished your homework there. With your headphones on,” Tara added.

Dawn really wanted to stay and find out why Tara was taking pregnancy tests, but she knew if it was anything important they would have to tell her and apparently no one knew anything yet anyway, so with a humph she went off to her room.

Buffy slumped into a chair and Willow kept her eyes firmly planted on Tara. “Tara,” Willow called tentatively.

“What’s going on, Tara?” Buffy asked. She knew it was ridiculous, but she was hurt, thinking Tara was with a man and cheating on her and Willow was a pain she’d rather not deal with right now. Especially after things were going so well between them.

“I’m, well, after I missed my period, I couldn’t think of any reason behind it. Then I just got this strange feeling and decided, well, might as well take the test. At least that way I can discredit that fear and move on. Well, as you can guess, I can’t move on.” Tara said, still hiding behind her hair.

“How?” was all Buffy got out. She wanted Tara to admit to any infidelity and then they could decide how to handle it.

“I don’t know.”

“Tara, honey, this is something pretty major. How do you not know?” Willow pushed gently. She didn’t want Tara to think she was accusing her of anything, but surely you’d remember how you got pregnant.

“I don’t know,” Tara stated once more and then looked up, taking a moment to look into each of her lovers eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone but you guys. Maybe it’s a false positive. They happen all the time.”

Buffy got up and went to the phone. “Buffy, what are you doing?” Tara asked, fear in her voice.

“Hi, I’d like to make an appointment. No, not for me, for a friend. Pregnancy test, yes. Well, she took a home test, but would like to know for sure. Tara Maclay. Okay, yeah that’s fine. Okay, see you then.” Buffy hung up and faced her lovers. “There’s only one way to be completely sure so you have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow after class.”

Tara wasn’t sure if she should be grateful or pissed at Buffy for taking control and setting up the appointment. Then again, it’s what she does. Buffy takes control of situations and fixes them and Tara knew she couldn’t hold that against Buffy. “Thanks,” was all she got out.

“Honey, why don’t you head upstairs and rest, I’ll be up in a little bit, okay?” Willow offered. She knew Tara had been tired lately and this conversation seemed to drain her completely. Now she knew why. Tara just nodded and went to their room while Willow and Buffy sat across from each other.

“You know, this is the hellmouth,” Willow started but left the thought hanging until she got a sign from Buffy to continue.

“How do we find out whose behind this?” Buffy asked. If this was not something Tara consented to, then someone was going to pay dearly.

“Lets find out if there’s anything to find out in the first place,” Willow responded in a dizzying sentence. Oddly enough, however, Buffy nodded, already understanding that they would have to wait for the results from the doctor tomorrow before they could move forward on this.

“So, Ms. Maclay, this is your first visit with us?” the doctor asked idly as he consulted his chart. Tara nodded, knowing he couldn’t see her, but she knew he wasn’t really expecting an answer. “Okay, and you think you might be pregnant. Are you menstrual cycles usually on time?”

“Yes, like clockwork.”

“Okay, and when was your last cycle?”

“8 or 9 weeks ago. I was due last month, but I missed it, and it doesn’t look like it’s coming this month either.”

“Hmmm,” the doctor murmured as he made some notations on his chart. “We’re going to take some blood work and then a pelvic exam. The results should be available in about an hour. If you’d like to wait while everything is processed you’re welcome too, or I can have someone call you with the results.” He snapped on some gloves and eyed the two women standing protectively on either side of the blonde. “Um, are you sure your friends won’t be more comfortable in the waiting room?” He wasn’t used to an audience.

“Yes, that’s fine, lets just get this over with please,” Tara responded. She was already too nervous about what was waiting on the horizon to explain why Willow and Buffy were staring over her shoulders.

With a shrug the doctor went to work, helping Tara’s feet into the stirrups and began his examination. After a few moments he pushed his chair back and pulled the gloves off. “Everything looks fine. I’ll get the blood drawn now and we’ll take it from there,” he finished while making final notes in her chart.

He left the room and a few moments later a nurse came in. She helped Tara take her legs down and sit up. She set up a small tray with gauze, alcohol pads, and needles with vials. She swabbed the blonde’s arm, tied a tourniquet around her upper arm, and lined up the needle. “Relax, darlin’, it’ll just pinch for a second.” With that, she dove in; the needle embedding itself and the blood was pulled forth into the glass containers. After taking two canisters full, the nurse pulled the needle out, released the tourniquet, and then placed gauze over the puncture. She cleaned up the area and informed Tara she could get dressed and go home to wait unless they wanted to stay.

The girls made it back to the house and Buffy immediately took up pacing the length of the living room.

“Buffy, you’re making me dizzy,” Willow stated, already tired from watching Buffy wear a hole into the carpet. Buffy looked up and gave the red head a half-hearted, apologetic smile and sat down in one of the chairs. Her nervousness couldn’t be contained and was released by her leg bouncing up and down. Willow just rolled her eyes and brought her attention back to Tara.

When the phone finally did ring all three jumped, but it was Buffy who answered it. “Hello? Oh. What? I don’t know if now’s a good time. Hang on, Xander, there’s another call coming in.” Buffy hit the flash button on the phone to connect to the second call. “Hello? Oh, yeah, hang on.” Buffy handed the phone to Tara completely forgetting Xander. Tara took it with trembling hands.

“Hello,” Tara said and then just listened. “Yes, thank you,” Tara finally said and then disconnected. The phone rang again and she answered it. “Hello. Oh, Xander, sorry about that. Yeah, she’s right here, hang on.”

Buffy took the phone, “Xander, I have to call you back, okay? Yes, I’ll call you, bye.” She hung up and was on her knees in front of Tara in a flash. Willow turned on the couch next to Tara and took a hand in hers. “Well,” the slayer asked, unable to wait a second more.

“I’m,” Tara took a deep breath, “I’m six weeks pregnant.”

Later that night a Scooby meeting was called and all were in attendance, including Dawn. Buffy paced again, but finally sat down and looked at everyone. “Well, I’m sure everyone’s wondering why we’re here.” She took a breath and before she could continue, Dawn beat her to the punch.

“Does this have anything to do with the pregnancy test you found?”

All eyes shot to Buffy except for Tara who remained staring at the table, finding anything on it extremely interesting.

“Thanks, Dawn,” Buffy said not at all grateful for her sister’s question. “But, yes, it does.” She knew that was as far as she should go with this. The rest was up to Tara and she let her eyes fall onto the quiet blonde.

“No sense in beating around the bush. I’m six weeks pregnant,” Tara stated simply.

“That’s great!” Xander offered in an overly joyful shout, but calmed down when he realized he was the only one happy. “Isn’t it?” He eyed Tara and saw that she was clearly troubled.

“Well, this definitely takes the heat off the three of you,” Anya stated bluntly.

Willow, taken aback by the comment, didn’t know if she should press the ex-demon for an explanation or not in front of Dawn, but the teenager answered her question for her.

“Yeah, what’s been going on with you three lately?”

Buffy slumped deep in her chair, so much for the heat being taken off them. She really didn’t want to have to deal with both of these problems at the same time, but there was little she could do to get around it. The three women looked to each other and silently they all came to the same conclusion. Now or never.

“We’re involved,” Buffy allowed without detail.

“Like orgasm buddies?” Anya asked.

Buffy rolled her eyes and groaned. “Anya, Dawn’s sitting right here,” she warned.

“Well, it’s not like that, really,” Willow started, trying to explain their unconventional relationship without getting into explicit details, especially in front of Dawn. “We love each other. The three of us. We love each other.” Willow rambled.

“So, you guys are like, together?” Dawn ventured. She knew what she wanted to say, but couldn’t really get her mind to come up with the words to express it.

Buffy turned to her sister, “Dawn, you know Willow and I have been friends for a long time now and Tara and I have been friends for a few years as well. Over those years all our feelings grew and changed, and, well, the only thing I can say, that I want you to hear, is yes, we love each other.”

“So, when did this happen?” Xander asked.

“The night Buffy got hurt,” Willow answered.

“Six,” Tara started to add to the answer, but stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes shooting back and forth between Willow and Buffy.

“Six weeks ago,” Buffy and Willow finished the statement at the same time.

Silence slammed into everyone at the table until Buffy finally broke it with a stuttering denial. “No, no that can’t be right. No, maybe it was...” her mind stopped thinking.

“It’s possible,” Anya offered vaguely.

It took a moment before what Anya said settled in, but Tara was the first to seek more information. “What do you mean, ‘it’s possible?’”

“Well,” Anya started, getting excited that not only was someone listening to her, but also wanted her to continue. “See, you all keep saying you love each other, yeah great, but did you take into consideration that we’re dealing with mystical beings here. Two witches and one slayer. And, let’s not forget that this is the hellmouth here. If you guys, um,” Anya cast a look to Dawn, who was watching her, riveted to the conversation. “Um, if you guys um, well, hell, had sex, that alone couldn’t do it. Not like if you were with a guy, in which case, you could get knocked up even the first time if you’re not practicing safe sex,” Anya gave Xander a goofy look that said, ‘I’m proud we practice sex in any way, including safely.’ “Anyway, for two women, or well, in your case, three women to get pregnant, you need to share blood and you need to be completely in synch with one another. You usually have to perform some chants and stuff, but considering the mystical power between the three of you, it’s possible you wouldn’t have to do that part.”

It took a few moments to widdle away the excess of Anya’s babble, but soon enough they figured out that they needed to exchange blood and have sex, but when did they share blood? It took a few more minutes for the memory to resurface. The three of them in the bathroom, Buffy doubled over in pain holding her bleeding side and then her reaching up, grabbing onto Willow and Tara’s arms to stable herself. The blood on her hands mingling with the wounds on their arms from the crossbow bolt and sword. Their blood joined them together and they finished the requirements by making love shortly after her fever broke.

“So, are you saying Buffy and I are the daddies?” Willow asked, though she followed a similar train of thought as Buffy and already knew the answer. She just needed to hear it said out loud so it would help sink in.

“Um, yeah, pretty much.” Anya offered.

“Buffy!” Tara shouted from across the table and before anyone realized what happened, Buffy had already hit the floor with a loud thud. Everyone huddled around her afraid for their friend. Her eyes fluttered a bit and then slowly opened to see everyone hovering over her.

“Buffy,” Willow asked softly.

“Will, what a weird dream I just had.”

“Not a dream, sweetie,” Tara said, leaning closer to her lover.

Buffy groaned and Willow took charge. “Okay, everyone back up, give her some air.”

Xander and Anya stood up and took their seats again. “Go figure. The hellmouth can throw anything it likes at her and she barely blinks, tell her she’s going to be a dad and she faints like a, well, like something fainty.” Xander finished; the wind out of his sails due to the lack of quick wit.

Without ceremony, Willow and Dawn managed to get Buffy back into her chair while Tara went into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. The slayer accepted it gratefully and downed the liquid in one gulp. “I’m okay now, just a bit of shock, but I’m good.”

Willow and Tara stayed nearby just in case while Dawn took her seat once more. “So I guess you’re keeping her?” Anya asked.

“I never considered anything otherwise,” Tara asked, a bit more forceful than she intended.

“What makes you think it’s a she?” Buffy asked, trying to follow the conversation, but it was taking some effort.

“Because, honey, there’s no man involved, therefore no Y chromosome to worry about.” Willow offered, the answer easily falling into the academic area, a place she was most comfortable in.

Buffy just stared at her, the words made sense, she knew they did, but to process anything beyond things in their simplest terms was beyond her at the moment so she just nodded, pretending to understand. She figured it’d all make sense later.

“Oh, that means there’s a baby shower, with lots of presents to be had,” Anya announced gleefully.

“Yeah, hon, but the presents go to Tara... and Willow... and Buffy,” Xander informed awkwardly.

This seemed to deflate Anya’s excitement a little bit, a little disappointed that the presents wouldn’t be for her, but she was still excited nonetheless.

“Um, what room are we going to use as a nursery, all of them are already used up?” Dawn asked, her innocent mind reeling.

“Well,” Willow started, “we were thinking that Buffy could move into our room with us, now that everyone knows what’s going on.”

“Oh, oh, and I can take Buffy’s room so you guys can use mine since it’s closer to you.”

“Aw, Dawnie, that’s very sweet of you.” Tara offered with an affectionate smile.

“Plus I always liked Buffy’s room more,” Dawn allowed meekly.

“Probably because it’s the easiest room to sneak in and out of at night,” Anya stated simply, not realizing she just may have caused Dawn some trouble.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Buffy started, her protective instincts kicking in for her little sister.

“I swear, that’s not what I meant. I mean, it’s bigger, more room for my stuff. You know, growing teen, collects lots of junk, you know the deal,” Dawn debated back, trying to salvage what Anya nearly destroyed in one swoop.

“Plus it would mean the room would be closer to us,” Tara offered, trying to help Dawn. At the same time, however, Tara gave Dawn a look that said, ‘I’m helping you out, don’t screw me on this.’

Xander picked up on the growing tension and thought it was time to defuse the situation. “Well, it’s not something you have to worry about right away. Maybe let Dawn stay in your room, Buff, for a little bit and see how it goes. If she’s responsible you can keep the arrangement that way. If not, you can chain her to the bed every night.”

“Good idea,” Buffy conceded and then looked sternly at Dawn. "Xander may be joking about the chaining you to the bed part, but I’m not. You and I will talk more later on, for now, let’s just get past the basics.”

“Should we call Giles and tell him the good news?” Dawn asked, hoping to push the focus off herself and into less hostile territory.

Everyone looked to Buffy. Giles was, after all, Buffy’s watcher and if anyone was going to call him and share the news it would be Buffy. She nodded, “I’ll call him in a few hours. The time difference and all,” Buffy offered as an explanation as she looked at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of time, isn’t it way past your bedtime, Dawn?”

“Yeah, yeah, time for the ‘adults’ to talk.” Dawn intoned. “You know, I’m going to be an aunt soon, how’s it going to look to my niece if I have a curfew and bedtime like she does?”

Buffy chuckled. She knew Dawn had a point. Leave it up to the minds of youngsters to point out the obvious. “Don’t push your luck. I’m already allowing you a try-out with my room. One step at a time.”

“Um, which brings me to my next question,” Dawn pressed. She was stalling, everyone knew it and at Buffy’s raised eyebrow she knew she was treading on a thin line. “No, seriously, I have a legitimate question. Um, where do I sleep tonight?”

Buffy lowered her brow, acknowledging that Dawn’s question held merit and then looked to Willow and Tara. Her lovers looked back, but left the ball in her court. This was her decision. “Sleep in your room tonight, Dawnie. We’ll work out the logistics of everything tomorrow, okay?”

“Sounds good to me.” With that Dawn made her rounds to everyone at the table. She hugged Willow and then Tara again wishing them the best of luck and giving congratulations. Buffy was next and received similar well wishes. Anya and Dawn shared a slightly awkward hug and then Xander, her crush. To him she whispered, “Thanks for covering my back.”

“Anytime Dawn, now get your butt to bed before Buffy kicks it,” he joked.

Anya and Tara went to the kitchen to bring out some coffee and tea, allowing Dawn time to get upstairs and out of earshot so the real discussion could begin.

Xander leaned his arms on the table, holding his steaming mug of coffee and started the more serious questions. “So, what are your plans? I mean, Tara, are you going to be a stay-at-home mother? Willow? What about school? Buffy? The slaying?”

The three of them knew it was only a matter of time before the full reality of the situation set in on just how much responsibility this new change to their lives would be.

“Well, my situation is kind of moot, but I guess that’s good because that means I can be here to watch the baby during the day.”

“I could check with school and see about getting into an accelerated program, doubling up on credits and stuff to graduate early and then get some work with a computer firm or something. Remember those guys who were trying to recruit me back in high school during career day?” Willow asked, focusing her question to Buffy and Xander who were there.

“I guess I can keep attending classes, maybe take some extra ones like Willow until I have to take off. Maybe I can do some of those telecourse or distant learning courses and keeping studying from home.” Tara offered. She didn’t really want to stop going to school. She knew she’d wind up in dead end jobs for the rest of her life without a degree to help her along.

“The Doublemeat Palace doesn’t bring in a lot of money, especially since I have to work it around the slaying, but I can try to find something else that’ll pay a little more. Don’t know how much good that would do considering I barely made it out of high school,” Buffy offered.

“What about the three of you in one room?” Anya questioned.

The room was silent for a moment, no one really sure if this was a serious question or just something that Anya’s sex-crazed mind wanted to know about. “I guess we’re gonna need a bigger bed,” Willow offered as a joke.

It seemed to ease the tension in the room and the friends shared in the joy that was soon to come into the world. For that night the hellmouth was forgotten, all was right, and happy memories and laughs were shared around a table of close friends.

As Xander and Anya left for the evening there were still some matters left to clear up. Buffy still had to call Giles to share in the good news and after the fun conversations she just shared with her friends, she was in a good mood to share the exciting news, but first, Tara and Willow wanted to discuss the situation with Dawn so the trio took a seat in the living room.

“Buffy, we know how protective you are of Dawn and it’s a good idea to give her a chance to prove herself by allowing her to stay in your room.” Willow started.

“She also had a point about being an aunt,” Tara finished, letting Buffy take things in at her pace. They did not want this to come off as a tag team effort to undermine Buffy’s authority as Dawn’s guardian, no matter how much they felt like equal guardians to the young teen.

Buffy nodded, knowing where this conversation was going. Her lovers were always more willing to cut Dawn slack and she knew, deep down, that she’d been unreasonable with some of her demands on the teen. Still, it was she that had to go out each time and fend off the evil of the world. She knew better than anyone what was out there and using Dawn’s more recent lapses in judgment, she wasn’t sure how much leeway she could extend to her sister. She needed her to be more responsible, especially with a baby coming into their lives, but they’d have to take it in steps and work their way up to the bigger stuff, and she expressed these thoughts to her lovers.

“We understand, Buffy. Just remember that with teens, the more you push and restrict them the more they’re going to push back,” Tara gently guided. She didn’t want to tell Buffy how to raise her sister and she knew why Buffy was so protective, but she also knew what it felt like to be repressed and to long for trust from her family to take on more responsibilities than simply being a house slave. Tara took on a far away look and though she didn’t need to speak her thoughts out loud, Buffy and Willow seemed to be tuned into her feelings and knew what she was saying without having to say it.

“Thank you, Tara. I know what you’re saying and I’ll talk to Dawnie about things tomorrow. For now, let me call Giles. Do you guys want to stick around to share in the news? Trust me", she said semi-sarcastic, semi-in fun "I swear you'll be able to hear him clean his glasses from here, the moment I say it... if he doesn't have a heart attack first”

Willow smirked, and added, "Yep... I can see it now... the first recorded Slayer-Kills-Watcher, No Vampires In Sight case... We'll be in the history books, with the Council, after this." All three girls gave a small nervous laugh at this, knowing none of this was meant to be mean, but needing those previous seconds of delay, before they actually had to make the call.

The women nodded and Buffy got up to make the call. “Hello?” the distinctly British voice came across the line.

“Hey, Giles,” Buffy called cheerily into the line.

“Buffy! Isn’t it rather late on your end of the world? Is everything okay? Everyone safe?” Giles asked, fear creeping into his voice. It generally was something serious to warrant his slayer to call him.

“Actually, everyone’s great. We have some good news. Really good news, actually.” Buffy put her hand over the mouthpiece and whispered to her lovers. “Why don’t you girls pick up the other phones so we could tell him at the same time,” Buffy suggested.

“Buffy? Buffy are you still there?” Giles called out onto the line.

“Yeah, sorry Giles.”

“Hey, Giles,” Willow called out as she picked up her extension.

“Hello, Mr. Giles,” Tara added.

“Ahh, hello ladies. It’s good to hear from you. So, I hear there’s news to be had?” Giles asked, anxious to get to the point. Though Buffy assured him it was good news, he was still nervous.

“We’re pregnant!” The three girls yelled into the phone at the same time.

A thud and then dead silence met their ears.

“Giles?” Buffy asked. “Giles? You okay? Hello?”

There was a scrapping noise and then Giles cleared his throat. If she closed her eyes, Buffy could envision him taking his glasses off and cleaning them. “Um, yes, s-sorry. Um, all three of you are, um, well...”

“No, no,” Willow offered.

“Tara’s the one who’s pregnant,” Buffy filled in.

“I’m not sure I follow you. Willow and Tara performed some type of spell?” He asked, his mind trying to wrap around the news. He feared Willow’s powers, alone they were far more powerful than he thought the witch even knew, but combined with Tara’s own skill her powers were immeasurable. But where did Buffy come into all this.

“Well, Tara and Willow were together, as you know, but as it turns out the three of us were each harboring feelings for one another and that finally came to light during one of my feverish times and we’ve been together for the past six weeks.” Buffy offered.

It took Giles a second for it to settle in, but he was more concerned with the fact that Buffy went through one of her fever spells. “Buffy, are you okay? You were obviously hurt,” Giles went on.

Buffy cut him off to sooth his worries, “Yeah, I’m okay. Healed right away. Turns out we unwittingly put together some spell because we’re all mystical or something.”

“Yes, I’m familiar with the spell. Well, um, congratulations are in order I suppose.” Giles responded, though his tone did not sound all that congratulatory.

“Giles?” Buffy asked, her voice lowering at the end of his name, indicating she had picked up on his tone and wanted to know what his real feelings were.

“Well, it’s just that, I’m sure you will be wonderful parents, um, all three of you, but are you really prepared for what being a parent entails?”

“What do you mean?” Willow asked.

“Well, what about college? Money? You know it costs a lot to raise a child these days. Buffy, what about slaying?” Giles raised all the same points that Xander and Anya did not too long ago.

Buffy was kind of relieved to hear that this was his only basis for concern. These questions she could handle, after all, she’d just gone through all this already. As the trio explained their plans, repeating the same discussion they had not even two hours earlier, Giles seemed to relax a bit, realizing that the girls did seem to have some semblance of a plan.

“I’m glad you girls, I’m sorry, young women, have given this some thought. If you need anything, any help, just let me know.” Giles, the man who was more of a father to them than their own fathers were, offered.

“Thank you, Giles,” the three girls offered one at a time.

After a few more pleasantries, everyone disconnected the line and it was time to call it a night. Willow and Tara went up to their room first and began to get ready for bed, dressing in their night clothes, Willow in a long flannel shirt, Tara in a nice red, silk negligee. Buffy went into her room and dug into her drawers for some clothes and changed before making her way into the other room. They all curled up, Buffy taking the spot on the bed closest to the window, allowing her a chance to keep an eye open on any possible threats that would come through it. Tara was spooned up against her and Willow in a similar position effectively putting the mother-to-be in a protective sandwich.

The next morning started very similar to the previous one. The three woke, Tara made breakfast, Dawn was sent off to school, and Buffy dropped the girls off at school earlier than normal. The witches had to consult with their respective advisors to see about setting up extra credits, accelerated programs, and at-home courses. Considering that they couldn’t get into explicit details other than Tara was pregnant, the college was pretty helpful in assisting the young women. Luckily for them the institution had a ‘cap’ policy where anything over 12 credits were available at no charge, which allowed their individual loans and scholarships to cover the charges.

Tara wouldn’t be able to graduate before the baby was born, but she would be able to continue her at-home studies only stopping by the campus for classes once a month, but she would be able to finish her degree by the time the baby was one.

Willow, on the other hand, was in a better position. Even though she couldn’t fill the college in on why she needed to graduate so soon, her transcripts alone were impressive enough to allow her to skip some basic required courses, substituting some of her advanced high school courses for college credit. She’d also have the option to take CLEP tests for some additional subjects. With this help and her ability to take over 20 credits, Willow would be able to graduate a month after the baby was born allowing her to seek employment immediately. In fact, she already planned on putting out resumes to see what the market was like. If she could get something part-time or at least something lined up for the future she’d be happy.

By lunch time, Buffy was checking out the local help wanted section, hoping to find something a little more profitable, but still within her range of skills. The situation looked bleak.

By the time everyone made it back home Buffy was in a foul mood. She was never happy about her current employment, but her inability to find anything better just made things worse. Especially now that she knew her baby, her own daughter, would be dependent on her, not to mention that Tara will need a way to support herself while she raises the baby and finishes school. She was actually looking forward to her patrol that night to work out some of her frustrations. At least it was something she knew she was good at and it was something she was specifically called to do, college degree be damned.

Willow and Tara opted to eat a late dinner to allow Buffy and Dawn time alone before her patrol to talk. The two sisters sat at the table facing each other. “So?” Dawn asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

“Well, I’ve decided to let you have my room.” Dawn started to get excited but Buffy had a clause to her agreement. “But,” Dawn’s shoulders slumped, “it’s a trial basis only.”

“That’s totally cool. I can handle that.”

“Now look, Dawnie, I want to know the truth, how are you handling this, all of this? Me, the baby?”

“Oh, I’m totally cool with that too. I mean, come on, Buff. Everyone pretty much suspected how you felt for Willow, we just figured since she was already with Tara there was little anyone could do about it. Yeah, okay, the whole deal with Tara too was a bit of a surprise, but not like a bad one. They’re great, I really like them and I know they make you happy so I don’t really care, as long as you guys are happy and cool with it yourselves. The baby, I’m so psyched about it. I mean, yeah... not exactly a normal way for a kid to get made, but hey... I'm not exactly the poster-child for "unsafe sex", am I? Anyway, I can’t wait to be an aunt, ya know. I can baby sit and when she gets older I can take her to the park, take her shopping. I can be the cool aunt she comes to talk to about boys and school and stuff. To be honest, I don’t know if I can wait another,” Dawn stopped, not only to breath but to make a mental count of how much longer her wait will be, “another seven and half months.”

Buffy hadn’t really done the math up until then and she played the numbers over in her head just to make sure her sister was right. Needless to say she was surprised that there was so little time left, especially considering just how much they had to do just to get ready for the baby. But what struck her more profoundly was just how strong, independent, and mature her sister was. Perhaps she had been a bit too suffocating lately.

“Okay, here’s the deal, you’re not a little girl anymore and once the baby comes we’re going to need your help. Not just help, but we’re going to need you to be a good influence on the baby. I don’t expect you to be perfect, but I expect you to be able to make mature decisions and do what is right. We’ll give the bedroom a test run. Something small to start and then we’ll move on to bigger things.”

“Wow, that’s so cool of you, Buff. Does that mean I get to stay up and do the Scooby thing?”

Buffy rolled her eyes and stood up to leave for her patrol. “Let’s just see how things go, okay? One thing at a time.”

Dawn jumped up and gave her a sister a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “No prob, Buff.”

“Good, then tomorrow, after everyone’s home, we’ll start changing the rooms around.”

Dawn, smiling, just said "Cool!"

"Oh, one thing, though.."

Dawn, semi-frowning, asked "What, Buff?"

"Call me 'Buff' that many times in a row again, and I nail your window shut."

Dawn bolted upstairs with the biggest grin on her face, something that made the slayer’s depressed mood lift a bit as she threw on her jacket and headed to one of the many cemeteries.

The next few months passed without any major events. Dawn quickly made Buffy’s old room her own, the trio managed to find a king sized bed at a local thrift shop, which allowed them plenty of room, and Buffy grew accustomed to sleeping with not just one but two women. Something of an easy task in her mind. Tara’s morning sickness was grueling, but still joyful in it’s own right. Willow was constantly at school or had her nose in some book trying to maintain the intense schedule while Tara was following a similar path. Regular visits to the doctor’s office were a welcome joy; especially the further along the pregnancy became because they got to take home pictures of their baby from the ultrasounds.

Buffy just came in from a patrol, a little banged up, but nothing more than a few bruises, which were sure to heal in a day or two. After washing up and changing into her nightclothes she sat on the bed quietly observing her lovers. She lowered the blankets a bit, which caused Tara to stir slightly as cooler air suddenly touched her skin. Buffy admired the view, laying a gentle hand on Tara’s stomach, which had already begun to grow. She smiled. All was right with the world. After a few moments she slid down onto the bed and pulled the covers back over Tara and herself and Tara quickly snuggled into the slayer, draping her leg over Buffy’s and an arm over her stomach, while Willow maintained a firm grasp on the blonde witch in a spoon position.

The sun woke Buffy up first and though she hated getting up early on a Saturday, there was much to do. Xander and Anya were going to be coming over early and Buffy wanted to get breakfast ready for everyone. She climbed out of bed gently so as not to disturb the sleeping forms there and received groans from the blonde at the sudden lack of a warm body next to her.

By the time the slayer made her way out of the shower and into her clothes for the day she could smell lovely scents wafting through the house and knew Tara was already making breakfast. As she walked out of the bathroom Willow was ready to enter, still wiping sleep from her eyes. “Big day, huh?” Buffy asked. She received a sleepy grunt from Willow who was quickly getting worn down from her constant schedule of studies and preparing for the baby.

Buffy made her way into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of orange juice. “Tara, what are you doing? I was going to cook for everyone.” Tara just shot her a look and Buffy relented. “Okay, so I’m not the best cook in the world.”

“Buffy, honey, aside from the fact that the only thing you can cook is scrambled eggs, I’d say that not being the best cook is a bit of an understatement.”

Buffy sent a playful pout towards Tara who just chuckled and leaned over the island and gave the slayer a kiss to make her feel better. When they heard Dawn shuffling into the kitchen they pulled away, even though Dawn was comfortable with their relationship, there was no need to constantly push it in her face. "OJ, Dawnie?” Tara asked getting back to the task at hand.

“Hiddy ho!” Xander called out in the distance as he made his way through the front door with Anya in tow. He followed the scents to the kitchen where he placed a box of assorted donuts and muffins on the counter in front of Buffy. The slayer, of course, took that as an open invitation and began to open the box until Tara slapped her hand away.

“Don’t spoil your appetite,” Tara warned with a smile.

“Yes, mom,” Buffy answered with another pout and then she realized what she said and couldn’t help but laugh at the accidental slip.

Tara turned a big smile on her face and she rubbed her tummy. “Now, we want to set a good example don’t we, Buffy?” Tara admonished lovingly.

“Consider me reprimanded,” Buffy consented.

“So, breakfast then we hit the hardware store, right?” Xander asked, trying to plot out how the day was going to play out.

“Right,” Buffy agreed simply.

“I don’t see why we all have to go anyway,” Dawn groused still forcing the sleep from her mind. “I mean, it’s not like anyone here but Xander knows what to get anyway.”

“Actually, Dawn has a point,” Anya volunteered because she didn’t want to go either. It pained her too much to see cash leaving their hands and going to someone else. “I mean, besides, how are you going to fit all the stuff in the car if everyone’s there?”

Unfortunately, Anya did have a point. “Okay, fine, Xander and I will go. In the meantime, can you girls please make sure the room is cleaned up and set up the equipment out in the yard?”

“Sure!” Anya agreed a little too quickly, just glad to do something other than go to the hardware store.

Two hours later the breakfast mess was cleaned up, the nursery was cleared of anything that could get in the way, the tools were set up outside, and Buffy and Xander were back with all the supplies they would need for the job ahead.

The gang spent a good deal of the late morning and afternoon cutting wood, sanding, nailing, gluing, and painting. Considering they were on a tight budget, making their own baby room supplies was the best bet and thanks to Xander’s handy-dandy carpentry ability, they were able to save a lot of money. Tara was in and out of the house providing a virtual endless supply of drinks and food - lemonade, iced tea, water, finger sandwiches, fruits, chips, and dips.

By late afternoon they had finished a dresser, tables, hope chest, and changing table. Everyone was exhausted and not without their battle wounds. Cut fingers, bruised thumbs from misaimed hammer thrusts, and splatters of paint on their bodies and in their hair. Everyone lounged, taking a much needed rest, holding drinks in their hands. Buffy and Willow stripped down to their sports bras; not that this was a shock to the group since they’ve seen Buffy train in similar attire before. Anya changed into a tank top, and Xander simply went without his shirt all-together.

“Guys, this is just fantastic,” Tara congratulated her friends on all the hard work and dedication the put into creating lovely furniture for the baby’s room.

“Just think, tomorrow, once everything is dried and settled, we get to heft all this stuff upstairs and set it up,” Xander groaned, not really looking forward to the next day.

“Hey!” Dawn called to get the attention of the group, her idea clearly exciting her. “Why don’t you guys sleep over. One big Scooby slumber party. That way you don’t have to drive home all tired and come right back in the morning.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Xander started to say. He didn’t want to impose on the girls and figured if some type of sleep over was going to be arranged, Buffy would want to discuss it with Willow and Tara first. Unfortunately, Anya didn’t have the same reservations.

“That’s great. Granted, it takes away from our orgasm time, but I really don’t feel like driving home just to get up and come back. Besides, that means we can sleep in a little later too.”

“An,” Xander started to warn.

“No, it’s okay, right guys,” Dawn looked to Buffy, Willow, and then to Tara with pleading eyes.

Normally Buffy didn’t appreciate being put on the spot like this, but Dawn did have a point and Anya seemed to agree to the idea. Besides, Dawn did put in a lot of work and had behaved herself so well over the past few months; perhaps she could bend a little now.

“It’s up to you guys. If you want to, you’re welcome to stay, right?” Buffy asked, raising an eyebrow to Willow and Tara for confirmation and the witches nodded in return. Over the course of nearly a year they’ve come to consider the home not just as Buffy’s, but as something all three of them shared equally, especially since each one put in equal efforts to keep the household running.

Xander finally relented and they agreed to sleep over. That night the gang enjoyed a nice meal together sharing laughs over various mishaps during the day and some old memories of good times and of not so good times that they could look back on now and laugh at.

Dawn was thoroughly enjoying herself, but as the night wore on, she kept sending furtive glances at the clock. Finally, after about the hundredth time, Buffy leaned over to her sister, “If you’re tired, go to bed, they’ll be here in the morning, but I’m not going to tell you to go to bed.” Dawn looked at her sister like she grew additional heads. “I figured you earned not having a set bedtime,” Buffy explained. Needless to say Dawn was ecstatic and began to relax, opting to listen to the topics of discussion she was usually not privy to. She enjoyed every story, her eyes widening at some of the more outrageous ones she’d never heard before, taking in the whole experience of hanging out with the ‘adults.’

At first the conversations were restrained, figuring that Buffy would send Dawn to bed soon and they could get into more lively and mature discussions, but the group noticed the little chat and noted the time and knew that Buffy just gave Dawn a rite of passage and soon the topics became more regular and in general it was a lovely night.

“Whoa, whoa, wait a sec,” Dawn cut in trying to make sure she had heard the story correctly. “Buffy, you actually knocked yourself out with a staff?” Surely this couldn’t be her sister, the mighty slayer.

Buffy chuckled as the Scooby gang listened intently to the story of when Buffy was first called and her training began. “Yes, I did. Hey, up until then I was just some Cordelia-like cheerleader with no ambition other than to make captain of the squad, marry the quarterback, and make homecoming queen. When Merrick called me and started my training I had no idea what I was doing,” Buffy tried to defend herself.

“Yeah, but what about that whole clause on a ‘slayer’s natural ability?’” Willow piped in, loving the moment as the slayer squirmed in the hot seat.

"Mental Note: Slayer's Natural Ability. You hear the word ‘Skill’ in there, anywhere?" Dawn pondered out loud.

“Yeah, yeah,” Buffy answered, dismissing Willow’s comment and then looked to her sister with a private, “Very funny, Dawn.” Buffy turned her attention back to the group at large, “it took a couple of days for it to settle in okay. So, there I was, trying to get the staff to twirl around and wind up in both of my hands correctly and sure enough I knocked myself so hard in the head I was out for about five minutes.”

The table roared with laughter, luxuriating in the fact that the slayer was just as clumsy as they were, even if it was just for a few days. Xander laughed the loudest considering he was the one who was a klutz most often.

“Who are you laughing at, Xander? People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” Buffy warned in a friendly tone. “I happen to remember when you were skateboarding at school and wound up smashing into the railing.” Buffy and Willow laughed out loud having been witnesses to this event while Xander scowled. Though he couldn’t help a chuckle from escaping.

It was Xander’s turn to share a tale and his target was Willow. As his eyes laid on her, Willow audibly and visibly gulped. “Hmmm, what little tale do I have hiding away about Willow?” Xander started, teasing the red head. “How about the time you were staring at Buffy so hard you walked into the wall?” Xander asked.

The group laughed, Tara especially, because she could completely see her red haired lover doing something like that, while knowing her blonde lover would remain oblivious to it.

Dawn listened and laughed and desperately wanted to add to the conversation, but was a bit saddened by the fact that she couldn’t. She had friends, sure, but not nearly as close as the Scoobies were, especially since she had so many secrets that she knew none of her friends would believe nor care about. Though she lived through many experiences with the Scoobies she still didn’t have the ‘field time’ they did to have any interesting stories to share. She didn’t let this get her down though. She made mental notes of each tale, storing the information away for a later date, and knew that with this new responsibility Buffy had granted her she’d be coming up with stories of her own soon enough.

“Okay gang,” Buffy announced, getting up. “Early day tomorrow and all that.” She grabbed some of the dishes and began to clear the table. The gang helped, Dawn making an extra special effort to help out to show her sister how much she appreciated being able to stay up and take part in their memories.

After the dishes were done, Dawn gave everyone hugs and promptly went upstairs to her room and prepared for bed. Xander and Anya settled downstairs while Willow, Tara, and Buffy went to their room. As the three of them changed they chatted. “That was very nice of you, Buffy,” Tara stated.

It took Buffy a second to realize what Tara was referring to, but smiled and gave her a shrug as if to say, ‘aw shucks, it was no biggie.’

“Yeah, Dawn really seemed to enjoy herself and she handled it well. She seemed a little sad there towards the end, but maybe she figured the night was going to end soon.” Willow added.

“Mmmm,” was all Buffy got out around her yawn as she crawled into bed, folding the other half of the covers down so Tara and Willow could get in, which they promptly did.

By lunchtime the baby’s room was pretty much set up. All the furniture had been carefully carried upstairs, mainly by Xander and Buffy considering most of the pieces were large and heavy. The others helped by decorating and organizing everything. Placing teddy bears here, lamps there, and pillows elsewhere, the room finally took shape and was ready when that special day would arrive in about four months.

About two and a half months later Willow got some good news. A letter came in the mail from one of the companies she had sent her resume to stating that they would be interested in setting up an interview with her. When the appointment day came around Willow was running around like a chicken without a head, but finally managed to get copies of her resume printed, dressed, and out the door on time.

Buffy and Tara were nervous for their lover knowing that Willow worked very hard and was the best one for the job. They hoped she’d get the position she wanted.

When Willow came in they jumped up and stared at her, trying to read her face for any sign of what the news was going to be, but she kept her feelings hidden. “Well,” Buffy goaded, not known for being patient.

“I didn’t get the position,” Willow said sadly.

“Oh, honey,” Tara said simply while she and Buffy went to Willow to hug and console her.

“I got a better one!” Willow finally gave in, not wanting to see her lovers upset for her.

“What?” Buffy asked a bit surprised.

“Yeah, we were talking and they asked me to do some basic tests. They said I did so well that the position they originally intended to offer me was too easy so they offered me a better one instead.” Willow was suddenly crushed from both sides by her lovers hugging her while spouting various forms of congratulations. “But wait, the best part is yet to come. Not only do I get to work from home, giving me the chance to be here with the baby, but I’ll be making enough money to cover all our expenses so, Buffy, you don’t have to worry about working at the Doublemeat Palace and you can stay home with the baby too!”

“No, wait, I can’t let you do that, Will,” Buffy stepped back from the three-way embrace.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“This is my house too, my baby too, I should pay equal expenses.”

“No, wait, Buffy,” Tara said, stepping towards the slayer and began to lightly stroke the sides of her arms. “Buffy, you already do so much for us, all of us, everyone in this town. You go out every night and risk your life to make sure that tomorrow comes. What better way to provide for our baby than to make sure she has a world to be brought into and to keep her safe the way only you could do.” Tara’s words rung true and Buffy could do little but accept them.

words rung true and Buffy could do little but accept them.

"You’re right. I’m sorry. I just want to be able to feel I'm pulling my own weight around here." Buffy frowned looking down a bit.

Tara, almost beaming in her adoration, simply lifted the Slayer's chin, staring into her eyes. "You already do. We're all alive. And the Earth... it's still here... all because of you. Isn't that enough?" Caressing Buffy's cheek, with the back of her other hand, she simply lowered her head a bit, smiling her attention toward her. "It is... for me..."

Willow simply smiled, and blushed a bit, knowing exactly how Buffy felt right now, being lucky enough to be caught in Tara's gaze just like this, before.

Buffy blushed a bit, too, Tara's meanings not lost on her, and turned her attention to Willow, who, until now, stood back to allow Tara her chance with the slayer, knowing she’d be able to talk some sense into her. "Will, I’m so proud of you and if this is what makes you happy, and you’re sure you can handle it, you'll get no complaints from me."

The three shared a hug followed quickly by a series of kisses, steadily increasing in intensity. “Oh, hmmm, what time is it?” Buffy asked sparing a quick glance at the clock on the mantle. Willow and Tara looked over as well and noted that they still had about two hours before Dawn was due home and at once everyone had the same idea and ran upstairs, Tara a little slower, but just as excited as her lovers.

Just as the girls were finishing up their showers and changing their clothes Dawn came bounding into the door. As she passed the trio she threw some greetings their way and went directly to her room to work on her homework. Buffy was still shocked by the mature changes in her sister. As Tara came up behind her, wrapping her arms as far around the slayer as she could, Buffy shared her thoughts. “Dawn is really growing up, becoming so independent. You guys were right, give her a little leeway and she really started to come around. I used to have to fight her to do her homework, now I don’t even have a chance to get a word in before she’s already in her room starting it.”

“Hmmm,” Tara murmured as she nuzzled into Buffy’s neck. “You’re going to make a great mom, um, dad, whatever,” Tara finished in a chuckle.

“Was that what I think it was?” Buffy asked, her eyebrow arching high.

“Yup,” Tara answered and Buffy could feel the smile spreading on the blonde’s lips that were pressing against her neck. “The baby’s kicking again.”

“I gotta tell ya, that’s one of the best feelings in the world.” Buffy turned in Tara’s arms and gave her a deep kiss before backing away.

“I better arrange dinner and start setting the table if we plan on eating together tonight before I go on patrol.”

“Oh?” Willow asked, coming from the bathroom just in time to hear Buffy’s comment. “What’s on the menu for tonight? A little bit of you two I hope?”

“You’re incorrigible, Will, you know that right?” Buffy asked as she made her way to Dawn’s door.

Dawn had heard Buffy’s words about her and couldn’t keep the smile off her face, but as the conversation grew more private she didn’t want to disappoint her sister now, not after how far they’ve come, so she put her headphones on and got back to her work. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the door open and Buffy pop her head in.

“Hey there, Dawnie. What are you in the mood to eat tonight? Chinese, pizza, fast food?”

“Anything but burgers from the Doublemeat Palace,” Dawn joked yet was serious at the same time. “Whatever you guys are in the mood for.”

“Gee, thanks for the help,” Buffy said sarcastically. She was hoping her sister would have a suggestion because she, herself, wasn’t sure what she wanted. Dawn simply shrugged and Buffy closed the door to face her lovers. “It’s up to you, ladies. Whatever you want I am at your service.”

Willow and Tara gave each other a look and then shrugged, “Nah, it’s too easy,” Tara stated. “Actually, I’m having a craving for pizza, something nice and fatty to clog the old arteries.”

“Babe, considering you hardly ever eat pizza, I doubt that’s something you have to worry about.” Willow commented. Considering that Tara was now seven and a half months pregnant and she had maintained a great figure.

“Your wish is my command, milady,” Buffy intoned jokingly. “Pizza good with you, Will?” At the nod from Willow, Buffy went downstairs and called the pizzeria and placed the order and began to set the table for four.

Dinner passed with light conversation, Willow checking in with Dawn about school, asking if there were any subjects she needed help in and then it was time to clean up and for Buffy to head out to her patrol.

As Buffy made her way through the cemetery, her mind drifted to various subjects. Willow’s new job, the baby, her not having to come home stinking of grease every day, the baby, Dawn’s great job with school and responsibility, the baby, the changes her own life had taken since the baby. Her mind was too distracted to notice the two vampires coming up behind her, but her brain screamed at her to notice the three standing in front of her.

“Well, well, what do we have here,” the one that seemed to be the leader announced in a condescending tone.

“C’mon guys, I’m really not in the mood for games tonight. Any way can I get you bozos to just stand there while I stake you?” Buffy asked, already knowing there was no chance of that ever happening.

Suddenly, the two from behind her lunged, grabbing her arms while the other three came in for a frontal attack. They got a few blows in, but after getting her brain to kick in, Buffy managed to kick two vampires in front of her and pulled with all her might to slam the two holding her arms into each other. The last one managed to sneak behind her and hit her across her back and head with a large piece of wood. She