Dreams

by Marcia M

Copyright © 2003

marciamk936@hotmail.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Joss Whedon, ME, etc, etc. Blah, blah, blah. I don't make any money, blah, blah.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse http://mysticmuse.net
Just ask.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Spoilers: Season 6.
Author's Note: Sequel to Friends. Thanks to my betas, you know who you are ;-) If you haven't read Friends, Buffy and Evie are a couple. Karen is Dawn's friend and she's also Evie's younger sister. Xander asked Anya to marry him but they never told anyone, and they didn't attempt a wedding. Willow didn't kill anyone.
Pairing: Willow/Tara

Summary: Dreams sometimes come true.

Prologue    Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4    Part 5    Part 6


Prologue

Evie hadn't officially moved in but she spent almost every night with Buffy. With Tara and Willow also back together, Dawn had Buffy if part of basement could be converted into a bedroom "so she could get some uninterrupted sleep." They were waiting for Xander to get back from England. He had gone there hoping to find Anya but Giles had said she had never went there and he hadn't heard from her. Everyone had pitched in, looking after the Magic Box until one day she just showed up, very secretive about where she'd been. Xander had decided to stay in England for a few weeks, since he didn't have another construction job he had to get back for.

Willow and Tara had spent several weeks at a coven in California that Giles and the coven in England had recommended. Tara's power began to grow exponentially with the help she received as they helped her unlock her potential. Willow spent most of the time learning to control the power she had. She learned how to use the magic and not let the magic use her. The coven then showed them how to work together again, helping Willow open herself so that she and Tara could combine their strengths. Willow had asked that she not do any magic on her own yet, saying she would know when the time was right. Tara had been very proud of her and the coven agreed.


Part 1

Buffy had a huge smile on her face as she moved around the kitchen, humming as she made pancakes. She had cleaned and chopped up strawberries and had set some whipped cream on the counter. She giggled as she thought of a much tastier place to put the whipped cream, and briefly wondered if she should go wake Evie. Remembering last night she decided to let her girlfriend rest.

Willow ran her tongue over Tara's breast, purposefully avoiding the nipple. She gently blew warm breath on it and smiled as it hardened. Tara began to moan in her semi-conscious state. Willow leaned over and paid the same attention to Tara's other breast. She watched her lover's face waiting for the moment when those blue eyes would open.

Tara's mouth moved into a half smile as she arched her back into her lover's ministrations. She opened her eyes, locking them with the green ones she loved. "Good morning, vixeny Willow."

Willow smiled "Oh, I'll show you vixeny Willow." She kept her eyes locked on Tara's as she flicked out her tongue to lick one nipple marveling as her lover's eyes deepened with desire. "Mmmm" Willow murmured. "You taste… kind of like pancakes actually."

Tara giggled. "I don't think it's me, 'cause I can taste, or actually smell them too."

"Yeah," Willow answered confusedly, "but you're here so who's making pancakes – does Evie cook?"

Tara giggled. "Not unless it's in the microwave or maybe the toaster – I guess it could be Eggo's." Tara grabbed Willow's shoulders, pulling the slender woman up to kiss her passionately. As their hands began to wander, both girls' stomachs started growling. They giggled as they pulled away slightly.

"Hmm, I guess maybe we should go get some breakfast first?" Willow giggled as she heard Tara's stomach growl again.

"I'm going to grab a quick shower and then I'll be down, okay?" Tara sat up, giving Willow another quick kiss as she started to climb out of the bed.

Willow rose too and walked backward toward the door, smiling as she watched Tara's naked form head towards the bathroom. Tara stopped at the bathroom doorway and she grinned at Willow. "Oh, sweetie," she called in a singsong voice, stopping Willow's hand on the doorknob.

Willow smiled back "Yeah, baby?"

"I love your outfit, but I really would prefer that you wear something else down to breakfast." Tara said as she let her eyes travel over her lover's naked body.

Willow looked down, realizing she didn't have any clothes on and blushed as she smiled. She crossed to her lover, rubbing their skin together. "Teasing me, huh?" She wrapped her arms around Tara and grabbed her butt, pulling their bodies together, grinding their centers against each other. Willow plunged her tongue into Tara's mouth, kissing her roughly, before pulling away. She smacked Tara on the ass and moved to grab some clothes to put on before heading downstairs. She heard Tara giggle from the bathroom and smiled as she stepped into the hallway.

Willow heard humming interspersed with a few sung words from the kitchen. She laughed at the sight of Buffy making breakfast, twirling around the room. Everyone seemed to be happier lately, except for poor Xander. She hoped his trip would help him sort things out.

Buffy turned as she heard Willow's laugh. The slayer rushed over as she continued to hum and grabbed Willow, twirling the taller girl around the kitchen in an exaggerated waltz.

Willow could only hang on as Buffy spun her, and continued to hum. "I love the good mood there, Buff. I guess Evie must be pretty amazing," she teased her best friend.

Buffy dipped her best friend and placed a kiss right on her lips.

Willow laughed as Buffy let her stand up.

"I just want to thank you." Buffy grabbed Willow's hands and looked deep in her eyes, trying to convey her feelings.

"Thank me for what?" Willow asked a little confused.

"For bringing me back. I never sincerely thanked you for bringing me back. Evie gives me something to sing about and if it weren't for you, I would have never known this feeling. Thank you."

"I'm just glad that you're happy," Willow said sincerely. She sniffed back a tear that threatened to escape and smiled at her best friend.

Evie stretched on the bed, a smile on her lips as she smelled pancakes. "Tara must be up," she said out loud. She opened her eyes looking for Buffy, giggling, "She must already be downstairs eating breakfast." The slayer's appetite for food, among other things, was infamous. She headed to the bathroom and laughed at her reflection in the mirror. Whenever she stayed with Buffy, she always woke up with the most interesting hairdo; it pretty much stuck out everywhere from the efforts of their lovemaking. She jumped in for a quick shower then put some clothes on.

Tara was smiling as she opened the door, at the same time, Evie came out of Buffy's room.

Evie gave a small jump "Oh, hey, good morning." Frowning slightly she continued, "if you're here, who's making pancakes?"

Tara smiled as she linked her arm with Evie's and they headed towards the stairs. "Must be Buffy. Willow and I smelled them when we woke up."

Tara and Evie walked into the kitchen, their girlfriends not having noticed them, they took a minute to watch, both smiling.

Willow had turned on the radio. She and Buffy continued to twirl around the kitchen individually and sometimes coming together. They danced and spun each other as they continued getting breakfast ready.

Tara and Evie started giggling. They soon escalated to full laughter as they watched their girlfriends dizzying performance around the kitchen. Buffy and Willow looked up to see their girlfriends in the doorway. They both rushed over. Willow grabbed Tara's hand, pulling her into the kitchen for a twirl. She laughed as Tara dipped her before pulling her up for a long kiss.

Buffy grabbed Evie around the waist and lifted the shorter woman off the floor spinning her in a circle. Evie wrapped her arms around the slayer's neck, pressing her lips to her lover's. Buffy stopped spinning and pressed Evie against the wall; her feet still off the floor. Evie pulled her head back. "Mmmm. I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

"What, my kisses?" Buffy asked, a little dazed.

"Oh, I can definitely get used to your kisses." She punctuated her statement with another one before pulling back again. "I mean, you picking me up. It's weird, I mean I could lift you but you're smaller than me. I don't know if I could hold you up this long."

Willow and Tara had broken their kiss and were watching the exchange between Evie and Buffy with amusement.

"Hey, I'm taller than you," Buffy exclaimed as she let Evie slide down her body until her feet touched the floor. Buffy straightened to her full height to prove her point.

Evie giggled. "I didn't say you were shorter, just smaller."

"Well, Slayer strength does have its advantages especially when..." she leaned over and whispered in Evie's ear.

Willow and Tara laughed as a blush crept up Evie's neck, her cheeks and even her scalp.

"Well, y-yes, it uh does certainly help with, with th-that," Evie stammered.

Buffy placed a quick kiss on Evie's nose, deciding to let the girl off the hook. She grabbed her hand and said, "Let's eat, I made breakfast."

"Dawn's going to be upset she missed pancakes," Tara observed as they all sat eating together.

"She wanted to stay with Karen," Buffy stated.

"I can't imagine why." Evie winked at Buffy and both girls looked at Willow and Tara, eyebrows raised.

"Hey, we were quiet, like, like mice," Willow defended, as Tara blushed.

"Only if they were giant mice with husky voices saying Oh-" Buffy began but Evie stuck a strawberry in the slayer's mouth, saving her friends from further embarrassment.

Willow opened and closed her mouth a few times. "Well you… and when…" she tried to think of a good retort but came up with nothing. So she stuck out her tongue and mock glared at the slayer as Buffy chewed her strawberry.

"Well, she'll be here tonight so w-we should try to keep it down," Tara suggested.

"You know you could-" Buffy was cut off again as another strawberry entered her mouth. "Hey," she said around the fruit that had come from Willow this time. With a gleam in her eye, she pulled it from her mouth and continued, "That's a good idea for keeping quiet, Will. Maybe we should save some of these for tonight." She wiggled her eyebrows at Evie.

Evie laughed at her girlfriend. "I hope Xander comes back soon so we can make Dawn more comfortable in the basement."

"How are things going, what is he doing since Anya's not there?" Buffy asked.

"Actually, Giles said they had some damage at the coven and Xander asked if he could help with the rebuilding," Willow supplied.

"How are things going at the magic shop, is Anya still taking off without warning?" Evie asked Tara.

"Yes, but she won't tell me where she goes and I haven't pushed. She actually offered me a real job. She took off again for a few days but we're going to set up a permanent schedule when she gets back."

"Wow, now everyone has a job but me, maybe I should start looking," Willow wondered aloud. She hadn't really needed to worry about money. Her parents still gave her a monthly allowance that was more than enough to cover rent, household and tuition related expenses. She assumed they thought it would make up for the fact they were never around. Still even though she had money, maybe it was about time she looked towards the future and not relying on her parents.

"Have you checked out the programming projects?" Evie asked.

"What do you mean?" Tara asked.

"There are all kinds programming projects she can do." Evie turned to Willow as she continued, "I mean a lot of them would be really simple for you but once you've done a few, they'll start contacting you directly and give you more advanced projects."

"Is that what you do?" Willow asked Evie.

"I do some small stuff, but I don't have the skills you have. I mean I can use the technology but actually writing the code? Not so much my forte."

"Then how do you know about all of it?" Buffy interjected.

"Sometimes they put stuff on the bulletin board at the lab and I know one or two people that are good at it; but still not as good as Willow, I don't think. There's a pretty popular website where a lot of the projects are posted. I can't remember what it is but I'll look when I go to the lab."

"That sounds great, but why are you still working at the lab, with classes being over for the semester and all?" Willow asked.

"We'll have groups coming in all summer, but I don't just work in the lab during the summer, I work in the IT department and help them with the upgrades and stuff they tend to schedule when the students and faculty are out. I get to work more hours and it's good experience. They've hinted at a possible permanent position for me after I graduate in December, probably at the helpdesk. Not great money, but I get to work with cranky people who blame computers for stuff they do wrong – what more could you ask for – except maybe a cute cow hat?" Evie grinned, winking at Buffy.

Buffy ignored the last part of Evie's statement, knowing she was smiling like crazy. She had been trying to figure out for weeks how to ask Evie what her plans were after graduation. Worried that she'd be leaving the horrid life of Sunnydale in a cloud of dust in her haste to escape. Buffy couldn't leave Sunnydale but the thought of not having Evie with her made her heart ache.

"Speaking of cranky people, I have to get to work." Tara smiled and gave Willow a quick kiss as she stood.

"Yeah, me too," Evie chimed in.

"I have the day off from the Doublemeat Palace. I'm going to pick up Dawn and see if we can do the bonding thing – you want to go, Will?" Buffy grinned.

"Actually, I'll let you two bond, maybe I'll go with Evie and check out some of the information from the lab. And I told Anya I'd help Tara out at the Magic Box this afternoon." Willow thought for a second then mock-frowned. "You know, she hasn't offered me a job." She stood and pulled her girlfriend close and placed a trail of soft kisses along Tara's neck. "Maybe I should sleep my way to the top, starting with the newest Magic Box employee."

Tara moaned as her eyes began to flutter closed from the sensations caused by her lover's expert lips.

Evie giggled as she watched her friends. She exaggeratingly tugged at her shirt and fanned herself with her other hand. "Whew – is it getting hot in here?"

Willow pulled back reluctantly. "I'll see you this afternoon. Be careful." Willow placed a quick kiss on Tara's nose before heading out the door with Evie.

Buffy grabbed her things and left with Tara, dropping the blonde witch off at the Magic Box before heading out for her day with Dawn.


The next morning, Evie and Buffy sat up in bed when they heard a scream. Both moved from the bed, grabbing clothes and pulling them on as they noticed the sun had just started coming up. Rushing out into the hall, they ran into Willow and Tara, both looking concerned. All four ran to Dawn's room.

Buffy sat on the bed, pulling Dawn into her arms as the younger Summers began to gain her focus. Dawn looked around and as her dreams came back to her she started breathing heavily, rushing to explain what was happening.

Tara sat on the other side of Dawn, stroking her hand. "Calm down, sweetie. We're here; it was just a nightmare. It's okay."

Dawn immediately began shaking her head "No, it, it's not just a nightmare. It's going to happen. I can feel it. I know."

"Sshh," Buffy whispered, "just tell us what's wrong."

Dawn took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself as she began. "Have you ever dreamed in your dream?"

"Huh?" Buffy asked, confused.

Dawn tried to explain "I'll be sleeping, dreaming and then I'll wake up in my dream, usually to tell someone about it, but that part is just a dream, too, until I eventually wake up for real."

"So what happened that has you so worried? Why don't you explain your dream to us?" Willow asked as she too moved to sit on Dawn's bed, adding herself in the effort to comfort the distraught teenager.

"Well I was dreaming that I was in the living room and you and Tara were on the couch, kissing." Dawn gulped. She pulled her hands into her lap and started wringing them nervously. She forced herself to continue. "I said 'Aww, you two lovebirds.' I turned towards the kitchen but when I turned, I was facing the living room again and this time it was Evie and Buffy on the couch kissing. I thought to myself, 'I wonder if I'll ever find love?' Then I heard the doorbell and opened the door. There was this gorgeous guy, with jet-black hair and the bluest eyes I'd ever seen standing there in a tux, holding a dozen long stemmed purple roses. He said, 'You look beautiful. Are you ready?' I looked down and I had this wonderful red dress on with spaghetti straps and a matching shawl. I took the roses and linked my arm through his. Then I woke up." She finished up in a breathless rush.

"That doesn't sound bad," Buffy started but stopped as Dawn started shaking her head emphatically. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up as her sister continued.

Dawn could feel her heartbeat speeding up and the sweat forming on her brow. "But I didn't really wake up, I only woke up in my dream. And we were all sitting eating breakfast and I told you about my dream. Then I said, I – you know that 'w' word that I'm not supposed to say anymore because of Buffy's birthday party – that's the word I said – our dreams would come true." If her dream didn't kill her, she was certain Buffy would even though she couldn't control her dreams. She hugged her knees to her chest and began rocking back and forth with worry and fright.

"Well, we should be ok, r-right, I mean those aren't bad dreams to have come true," Tara supplied, but had a sinking feeling there was more.

"Yes, if I had really woken up then it would be ok, but I didn't. I had another dream." She gulped.

"What did you dream about?" Evie asked, her worry heightening as she recalled the story of Buffy's birthday party.

"Well, you know the Texas Chainsaw Massacre?" Dawn began.

Buffy heard it first, the roar of a distant chainsaw and jumped up screaming, "Leatherface? You dreamt of Leatherface?"

Dawn swallowed and nodded sending all four girls rushing downstairs.

Buffy reached the bottom of the steps just as the blade of a chainsaw cut through the front door. Leatherface came through the gaping hole as if he had just stepped out of the movies. He brought the chainsaw above his head. His target was obviously the slayer. As he brought his weapon down, Buffy nimbly stepped to the side. She kicked him in the back and knocked him off balance. Leatherface stumbled into the living room. Unable to gain control of his chainsaw, the blade cut through the coffee table. He regained his balance and looked around for the slayer.

Evie circled around as Leatherface began stalking Buffy again. When he was standing with his back toward Evie, she kicked the side of his knee and it gave a sickening crack as it bent inwards, causing him to fall forward. She grimaced as she saw the chainsaw cut through the chair. It fell in two halves. She hoped they wouldn't end up with the same fate as the furniture.

Leatherface regained his balance, seemingly unbothered by his dislocated knee and once again lifted the chainsaw above his head. He once again targeted the slayer, intent on slicing her into multiple pieces.

Tara turned to Willow, instinctively joining their hands together though she could have easily done the spell on her own. Willow relaxed, opening herself up so that Tara could use her strength and energy. "Excambiare!"

Buffy was startled but recovered quickly when she found the chainsaw in her grasp. Leatherface looked down at his now empty hands. Buffy took advantage of the opportunity and brought the chainsaw from the right and sliced his head off. She quickly brought it back from the left, cutting him in half at the waist.

"Looks like he had to split," Buffy said cheesily, just before Leatherface disappeared.

Willow, Tara and Evie all groaned. Evie said, "That was just bad, sweetie, but nice work with the chainsaw."

Dawn inched down the steps taking in the sight of the living room and front door.

"Any other dreams we should know about?" Buffy inquired, hoping that Jason and Freddy weren't on the way next.

Dawn shook her head. "I…I think I woke up after that one."

"Can vengeance demons really do that – take the – you know – from a dream?" Willow wondered aloud.

"Well, I think we know who to ask about that," Buffy said. 'Good thing Anya isn't a demon anymore.'

"Um, g-guys. I hate to bring this up, but this may not be over. If this vengeance demon, or whatever it was, took her words literally, it might try to pull any one of our dreams." Tara emphasized the phrase Dawn had used.

"Not the way I wanted to start the morning, but I think we need to do some research," Willow said.

"I agree, but right now I think we need to clean up this mess," Evie said, eyeing the battered and broken furniture littering the room. "I'm just glad that Leatherface disappeared. That would have been a real mess." They all set about cleaning up the living room.

After they had most of the room cleaned up and the broken furniture cleared away, Evie spoke up. "I'll go out and get a door. Too bad Xander isn't back yet."

"Ah, I see I've been missed, and have been missing out on the fun obviously." Xander grinned as he stepped through the broken doorway.

"Xander!" He braced himself as five women threw themselves at him.

"Hey, I know I'm irresistible, but to use a Willow line – oxygen becoming an issue here," Xander squeezed out.

The girls stepped back sheepishly. "It's just so great to have you back," Willow gushed.

"I can see that – I go away for a couple weeks and the whole place falls apart – literally."

"So, you up for a trip to see a man about a door?" Evie asked.

"Exactly what I was hoping to do my first day back," Xander grinned.

"Tara and I can go shopping for furniture tomorrow," Willow said.

"Hey, we can stop and borrow my Mom's truck, and you guys can borrow it tomorrow just in case you find something you want to bring home," Evie suggested.

Evie turned to Xander "Are you ready, sir Xander?"

"Your carriage awaits." Xander bowed deeply at the waist, and held out his hand to help Evie step through the door.

Everyone else continued to clean up the furniture until Evie and Xander returned. Evie was in a small pickup and Xander followed. It didn't take long to remove what was left of the old door and put up the new one.


Luckily that night went without mishap and the next day, Willow and Tara headed out to do some shopping.

A few hours later, they drove up to the house. Buffy and Evie walked out to see what they had purchased. "This is a little different looking," Buffy commented as she looked over their acquisition.

Tara and Willow giggled then tried to act serious. "I think it'll work out well. Let's get it inside and see how it looks," Tara suggested.

They unloaded the piece of furniture. Buffy's Slayer strength made it quite easy to maneuver into the house. They sat it down, angling it so that its occupant could see the TV and the couch.

"So what is it?" Buffy asked, looking at the chair. Part of it looked like a typical cushioned chair with a stuffed back and two padded armrests. The different part was that the seat extended out several feet almost like an ottoman attached directly to it. Like an outdoor lounge chair crossed with a typical oversized living room chair.

"It's a chaise lounge – technically a double arm chaise lounge," Willow explained.

Evie giggled. "It's a snuggle chair."

Tara and Willow looked back and forth between each other. Tara tried to hide her smile. She should have known Evie would pick up on it right away.

Buffy said, "A what?" She was even more confused now.

"Well, we, uh would never purchase furniture based on snuggle factor alone. It – it's really quite a practical purchase, we think." Willow looked to Tara for support.

"It looks like a snuggle chair." Evie smiled again. She knew her friends pretty well and she was pretty sure 'snuggle chair' was exactly the term they were thinking when they had picked it out.

"Can you explain, please?" Buffy asked all three of them, a little annoyed that she was the only one who didn't seem to get it.

"May I?" Evie asked looking to Willow and Tara. Both nodded eagerly. Evie turned to Buffy instructing, "Go ahead and sit down."

Buffy climbed onto the chair, she sat partially on her hip and curled her legs under her as she looked up. "Hey, this is a comfortable chair."

"And see, there's plenty of room for someone to sit on the end, like during Scooby meetings," Willow interjected. She pointed to the end of the chair that was vacant since Buffy hadn't stretched out.

"So what's the snuggle part?" Buffy asked.

Evie moved over and motioned for Buffy to spread her legs. Buffy shifted, pressing firmly against the back of the chair and resting her forearms on the chair arms. She spread her legs slightly. Evie grinned and wiggled her eyebrows as she kneeled on the end of the lounge and crawled up between Buffy's legs. She turned on her side slightly, resting her head on Buffy's chest. The slayer's arms instinctively reached around her girlfriend and she smiled. "Ah, it is a snuggle chair… or maybe more." She said the last as Evie began placing kisses on the exposed skin along her clavicle.

Buffy's eyes began to get heavy as Evie continued to taste her skin. She forced them open as she said, "You know, guys-"

Willow guessed what she was about to say, so she cut her off giggling. "The other one will be delivered next week"

"Mmm. Good," Buffy replied. Willow and Tara looked at each other and wondered if she was referring to the additional chair or what Evie continued to do to her.


Part 2
Tara's Dream

Their good fortune didn't last long though. The next morning, Tara sat straight up in bed. 'Oh, no… Please, no…' She bolted from the bed and ran into the bathroom. She didn't even stop as she heard Willow fall with a loud thump on the floor.

"Ow!" Willow rubbed her hip and shook the sleep from her head. "Sweetie! What's going on?" She stood up and pulled an oversized t-shirt over her head that reached to mid thigh. It covered her otherwise nude body and she went to the bathroom. She tried to turn the knob but it was locked. "Tara, baby, talk to me, what's wrong?"

Tara looked in the mirror. She lifted a green skinned hand she didn't recognize and touched the mirror. Her face was the same green color with red slashes littered across her skin. She moved her hand to her head and winced as she touched the pointed porcupine spikes that were where her hair should be. Her father had been right. She was a demon.

When Tara didn't answer and the door didn't open, Willow panicked. She knew something was terribly wrong. Using all her strength, she shoved her shoulder into the door several times until the doorjamb gave way and she stumbled into the bathroom.

Tara turned as Willow burst through the door. She tried to speak but the horror clearly visible on Willow's face broke her heart and rendered her speechless. Willow could never love a demon.

Willow glanced quickly around the bathroom, looking for her girlfriend. She lunged at the green skinned demon and slammed it against the wall. She picked up the nearest weapon she could find – a toilet plunger. She held the handle against the demon's throat, putting her body weight behind it as she growled out, "What have you done with my girlfriend?"

So many emotions ran through Tara. When Willow slammed her into the wall she had felt fear and then pain. The pain was caused when more of the porcupine spikes burst through the skin on the palms of her hands. She realized briefly that this was probably a defense mechanism. As Willow pushed the handle of the plunger into her throat, Tara was so overwhelmed with emotion, tears formed in her eyes. They began to run silently down her cheeks. She would have wrapped Willow in a hug but her hands prevented that maneuver.

Willow loosened her hold slightly when the demon began to cry. She looked at it intently. Staring back at her were two gorgeous blue eyes that she loved and would know anywhere. "Tara?"

Tara gave a weak nod and felt Willow drop her weapon. As her lover's lips pressed against hers in a gentle loving kiss she relaxed. They would get through this, together. She felt the spikes retract into her skin.

Just then, Buffy and Evie burst through the door. Buffy had a stake in her hand. The slayer's instincts kicked in and she started to lunge at the green demon.

Evie grabbed hold of Buffy's arm screaming, "Wait!" In a calmer voice she said, "I th-think it's Tara."

Willow turned, putting herself between Tara and Buffy to make sure her best friend didn't try to stake her girlfriend. As Evie's words set in, she wondered how Evie had been able to tell with barely a glance that this was Tara.

Buffy had the same thought as she turned toward her girlfriend. "How do you know it's Tara?"

"Well, Willow was kissing her and, um… actually that was pretty much it. Willow would know." She finished with a shrug of her shoulders.

Willow turned back towards her girlfriend and noticed the tears still in Tara's eyes. "Sweetie, don't cry we'll figure this out together. I love you, don't be afraid."

Tara cleared her throat, getting some of her emotions under control. "Oh Willow, I'm not crying because I'm scared, I know we'll figure this out together. I… I'm just so proud of you." A huge smile broke across her face as more happy tears started to spill from the corners of her eyes.

Willow was confused and the crease in her brow showed. "You're proud of me for not killing you with a," she looked down at her dropped weapon and grinned, "toilet plunger?"

Evie looked at Buffy and mouthed 'toilet plunger?' Buffy just shrugged.

A little giggle actually escaped Tara as she clarified. "No, well actually kind of yes. You thought I was in danger and y-you broke down the door." She gestured toward the splintered wood. "And then you grabbed the plunger…" she trailed off, letting Willow fill in the blanks.

"I didn't use magic…" Willow whispered as realization started sinking in. She jumped and turned so she could also see Buffy and Evie. Louder she said, "I didn't use magic! I didn't even think about it! I was all with the brute force and not the black eyes! Yay me!"

"Yay Willow," Buffy added, happy for her best friend.

Willow's eyes opened wide as she whispered, "Oh, goddess, I think I'm ready."

Evie and Buffy looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

Tara gave her girlfriend a reassuring smile, but had to fight the urge to embrace her. She was still afraid the spikes would resurface. "I think you are, too-"

"Ready for what?" Evie hated to break in but her curiosity was getting the better of her.

"To cast, to use magic on my own."

"So… you didn't use magic so now you're ready to use magic?" Buffy was still confused, but it didn't matter. The way Willow and Tara were beaming at each other, all was right with the world. Except for the little matter of Tara being a porcupine spiked demon.

"Um, I hate to bring it up, but exactly why does Tara look like a demon?" Evie wondered.

Tara looked down, trying to hide her face. "Um… I had a d-dream that m-my f-father was right and when I w-woke up…" She spread her arms out to her sides as her voice trailed off.

"Well, you may look like a demon, but we know you're our Tara and we'll-"

"That's it!" Willow cut Buffy off. "Sorry," she said with a sheepish grin before continuing. "Evie and you both said it – she looks like a demon, not is a demon. I bet it's just a glamour spell."

"Do you really think it's something that straightforward?" Tara asked. If it were a glamour spell, it would be simple enough for Willow to undo.

"I think we should give it a try. If it's more than that, well, nothing will happen and it won't hurt. Do we have enough supplies here or do we need to get some?"

"We should have everything we need. I'll help you gather the ingredients and set everything up."

"While you're setting up, I'm going to go talk to Dawnie. I asked her to stay in her room until we found out what was happening," Buffy said.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Evie asked the Wiccans as Buffy left the room.

"There are some candles in the cupboard downstairs, we'll need five, if you don't mind."

"Sure, Will, be right back." Evie went downstairs and found the candles and some matches, then headed back upstairs.

Willow and Tara set up the spell, adding the candles when Evie returned. Buffy entered the room. "Tara, Dawn wants to see you, but I told her I'd check with you first. You don't have to; I mean the spell won't take long and if it works…"

"No, that's okay. She can c-come in, I'll t-talk to her."

Buffy turned and opened the door for Dawn. The teenager took a cautious step into the bedroom.

Tara stepped toward the teenager, but left a few feet of space between them, letting Dawn make the first move.

Dawn looked into Tara's eyes for a few moments before throwing herself at Tara and wrapping her in a hug. When Tara didn't reciprocate, she stepped back. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Dawnie. Just sometimes these s-spikes come out of my hands so I'm afraid I might hurt you."

"But you're going to be alright?"

"Willow's working on it right now. We'll be ready in just a minute."

"Actually, we're all set." Willow took a shaky breath then put on a brave smile. She hoped this was right and that she was ready. "Sweetie, go ahead and step in the circle. Um, Dawn, Evie and Buffy, you all can stand over there in front of the dresser."

Everyone moved as they were told. Willow stood in front of her girlfriend. 'I love you, baby' she mouthed the words. Tara replied with one of her trademark lopsided grins.

Willow took a deep breath, "With these simple words I've spoken, let this glamour spell be broken."

Evie looked at Dawnie and Buffy, "Is it really that eas-" she stopped, as the air in the circle shimmered. "Guess so."

Tara blushed and tried to cover her naked body with her hands.

Willow quickly finished the spell and stepped into the circle folding Tara in her arms. She gave her girlfriend a soft kiss before turning to their friends. "Um, guys, do you mind?"

"Oh, sorry." Buffy turned around and pulled Dawn and Evie with her out the door and into the hallway to give the witches some privacy.

Willow brushed some loose strands of hair behind Tara's ear. She leaned her forehead against Tara, absorbing the warmth radiating off her lover's skin. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetie."

"You know what I really love? I really love when you're naked in my arms." She leaned forward and sucked Tara's top lip into her mouth. She moved to the bottom one and repeated the action before gently pushing her tongue inside.

Tara's tongue automatically sought Willow's. Their tongues circled together seeking to maintain maximum contact. A soft moan escaped Tara's mouth. It turned into a groan of frustration. She pulled back. "I have to go to work. This little demon incident has already set me behind schedule. Maybe we can pick this up tonight?" She punctuated her statement with a seductive leer.

"Aawww, you're killing me, baby. You know tonight's movie night…"

"Maybe we'll be able to sneak away for a few minutes or more…" She lifted Willow's shirt and pressed their naked bodies together, rubbing her breasts seductively against her girlfriend's chest and stomach.

As Willow leaned in to press kisses against Tara's neck, her lover stepped back with a throaty giggle. "Tease."

"Mmm hmm. And you love it." Tara smirked as she headed into the bathroom.

Willow removed her t-shirt and changed clothes before going down to talk to Evie and Buffy.


Tara spent the day at the magic shop and tried to do some research between customers. With a steady stream of customers, she was no closer to finding out what was causing their dreams to take form at closing time than she was that morning. She locked up the Magic Box and headed home, stopping to pick up dinner on the way.

Tara walked up the steps to the Summers house carrying bags of Subway sandwiches, chips, and soda. She thought the house looked a little dark but didn't pay much attention as she juggled the bags to try and open the door. Just then, it swung open, and a smiling Willow took some of the bags and lead her into the living room.

Tara took in the candle-lit room slowly. One of the snuggle chairs – the one she and Willow always sat in – had been moved so that it was more fully facing the TV. A soft blanket covered it. She watched Willow open the bags and set up two plates at the coffee table. Tara finally spoke "Um, Willow, where's everyone else? I got sandwiches for them."

Willow smiled over her shoulder as she continued to lay out their dinner, "Dawn's spending the night with Karen and Buffy and Evie are patrolling. Their sandwiches will keep." She stood and went over to Tara. She took her hands, pulled her close, and gave her a slow languid kiss.

Tara moaned. "Mmmm. Willow Rosenberg, are you seducing me?"

"Oh, absolutely," Willow purred as she pulled Tara onto the floor so they could eat their dinner. "I would normally use something better than Subway but I had to keep you out of the house until everyone left." She pushed play on the DVD remote.

"I don't mind as long as we get some alone time together. What are we watching? Something new?" she asked, not really interested in the movie as she was anticipating spending the entire evening alone with Willow.

"Oh, the movie's not new but I've never seen it before. It received lots of good reviews," Willow replied absently as she captured Tara's lips in a brief kiss before turning back to her dinner.

"So what's it called? Who's in it?" Tara turned toward the TV and saw the opening credits. The movie was called Bound and it starred Gina Gershon. "Oh, never mind, I can read. This sounds familiar, what's it about?"

"How about we just watch while we eat dinner and we can find out?" Willow smiled at her girlfriend as they began to eat.

It didn't take them long to finish their sandwiches and neither was really in the mood for anything heavier. Willow turned to her girlfriend. "So, are you ready to snuggle on the snuggle chair?"

"Mmm, love to," Tara whispered as she pulled Willow in for a soft kiss as they stood.

Willow held onto Tara's hips, then pushed her tongue into her girlfriend's mouth, deepening their kiss.

As Willow's tongue started to leave Tara's mouth, the blonde witch wrapped her lips around the redhead's tongue. She gently sucked it back into her mouth. The sensations elicited a moan from both of them.

Willow pulled back whispering, "I'm seducing you, remember?" She took a few steps back and slowly began unbuttoning her blouse, keeping her eyes locked on Tara's as she did so.

"I thought we were going to snuggle on the chair…" Tara asked hoarsely. Her arousal began to build like a slow fire as she watched Willow slip her blouse off her shoulders.

"Oh, we are… we're going snuggle for the rest of the movie. We're just going to be naked while snuggling." Willow had unclasped her bra and let the material drop to the floor and she moved her hands to the button on her jeans, undoing it and slowly pushing the zipper down, continuing to stare at her lover. She watched as Tara's gaze moved over her body, watched how her breathing increased and her pupils dilated. Tara made her feel wanted and beautiful and that knowledge caused a warmth to spread between her legs. As Tara's gaze moved to her hands still hovering on her zipper, Willow had a wonderful thought. A slow seductive grin spread across her lips.

Willow's body mesmerized Tara. She watched Willow stand there with her zipper down. Tara waited for her lover to continue to reveal her body, her eyes locked on the redhead's hands as if they were a magnet she couldn't pull away from. She inhaled deeply as she watched her lover draw circles on her abdomen before sliding her hand inside her jeans.

Willow felt the wetness saturating her panties, the throbbing between her legs increased as she watched Tara slowly lick her lips. She pushed her hips forward slightly against her hand, increasing the pressure against her clit, moaning at the contact. She slowly removed her hand from her pants.

Tara stepped forward. She wrapped her fingers around Willow's wrist, bringing her hand up to her nose so that she could inhale the redhead's scent from her fingers. There wasn't much fluid on them but that didn't stop the blonde from sucking her lover's fingers slowly into her mouth, cleaning any trace that may have been there.

Willow extricated her fingers and hands from her lover, trying to remember she was the seducer. She moved her hands to Tara's waist, lifting her lover's shirt up and over her head. She slid her fingers around the waistband of Tara's skirt, running her hands slowly up her back, feeling the silky smooth skin. Tara shuddered under Willow's touch as she reached her bra clasp. Slowly releasing each hook, Willow moved her hands around, pulling the material forward as she ran her hands along the sides of Tara's breasts until the material came free and fell to the floor.

Tara moaned under her lover's movements, letting her eyes drift shut. Her legs began to shake, threatening to collapse beneath her. The blonde's nipples were so hard, they ached, though Willow had yet to touch them. She felt the redhead's hands move to the zipper on her skirt and Willow pushed the material to the floor. Tara pressed her hips forward, rubbing her center against the rough material of Willow's jeans as she tried to ease the throbbing settling between her legs.

Willow smiled as Tara moved against her, but she stepped back, dropping her own jeans and panties to the floor so that she stood naked. She reached out and placed her hands on Tara's shoulders; she leaned in brushing their breasts against each other and rubbing their cheeks together softly. Finally she placed a feather light kiss on her lover's lips. She moved to place kisses on Tara's cheeks and jawline. Willow continued down her lover's neck, placing a trail of kisses in the valley between Tara's breasts. She would never tire of tasting the blonde's skin. As she reached Tara's belly she did finally stop to run her tongue around the belly button as she kneeled on the floor. She gently grasped the sides of the pink satin panties in front of her, slowly working them down her lover's beautiful legs. She placed kisses as she went causing Tara's legs to tremble under her touch.

Tara was lost in a world where nothing existed but Willow's touch. She pushed her hips forward and moved them in slow circles, but she had nothing there to ease the ache. As her redheaded lover removed her panties, her legs continued to shake. She wondered briefly how long they would continue to hold her.

Willow slowly stood. Instead of placing kisses on her way up, she used her breasts to rub the front of Tara's legs and her hands to stroke the backs of them. She saw the glistening curls that told her just how much her lover enjoyed her caresses. She stopped and pushed one of her breasts into Tara's center. Willow smiled at her lover's quick intake of breath and ardent thrust of her hips. As she pulled away she saw the small puddle of nectar left behind on her breast. "Hey baby," she whispered, getting Tara's attention.

Tara slowly opened her eyes and looked at her lover. She watched Willow trail her hand up her own body, circling that perfect breast. The blonde saw the telltale sign of her arousal glistening on the redhead's breast.

Willow made sure she had Tara's attention before slowly moving her finger toward the fluid on her breast, intent on scooping it up and tasting it.

Before the redhead could touch the glistening patch, Tara reached her hand up, pausing Willow in mid motion. She got a seductive half grin on her lips. She might have been the seductee tonight but that didn't mean she couldn't give a little. She bent her head, running her tongue around the redhead's breast, slowly pulling it into her mouth as she cleaned her essence from Willow's breast; she took the opportunity to gently nip the hardened nub.

Willow gasped as Tara turned the tables. After the blonde had finished thoroughly cleaning her breast, Willow gently pulled Tara's head up. She smiled as she kissed her lover, soft butterfly kisses on her mouth, before she plunged her tongue inside, seeking Tara's tongue and finding it; sucking it into her mouth, tasting Tara's essence off her lover's tongue. She broke the kiss and took Tara's hand, leading her the last couple of feet to the chair. She settled in first; then pulled Tara down to sit with her back against Willow's front. The redhead placed a small pillow under Tara's head so she wouldn't have to strain to watch the movie, though she didn't really intend on letting her lover concentrate too much on the show.

Tara sighed as she leaned back into the redhead. She reached behind her, stroking the silken tresses of her girlfriend's hair, before pulling her head down for another kiss.

Willow took advantage of Tara's movements and moved her hands down to the sides of Tara's voluptuous breasts. Willow broke the kiss and pushed her head back, trapping Tara's hands behind her head. She gently held her lover's arms in place as she moved her feet on top of Tara's legs. She hooked them inside her lover's knees, gently spreading Tara's legs apart. She looked down the exposed length; the beauty before her took her breath away.

Tara was feeling so aroused, laid out before her lover. If she really wanted to, she could have broken free, but she liked this feeling of being open before Willow while feeling the redhead's body pressed into her back.

Willow began running her hands along Tara's ribs and her stomach. Her fingers danced along Tara's sides and up the arms that encircled her neck. She watched as Tara began unconsciously gyrating and thrusting her hips and she could see the moisture pooling between Tara's legs. It caused an answering pool to form between hers. She pushed her hips up into Tara.

Tara felt the moisture seeping from her body and she briefly realized that's probably why Willow had put a blanket down. Her lover's hands on her body were like torture, but she knew it was affecting the redhead as well. As she felt Willow move against her, she shifted slightly pushing her bottom into Willow's center.

Willow moaned and closed her eyes as she more forcefully pushed herself into the softness of her lover's bottom. She ran her hands down Tara's body again. Willow wanted to scoop some of that delicious nectar that was glimmering. She moved her hand down and reached just below Tara's belly button. She realized since Tara moved, she couldn't reach her lover's sweet juices. It teased her just beyond her fingertips.

Tara smiled as she realized what Willow wanted and couldn't reach. She spread her legs further, thrusting higher so her lover could see what she couldn't quite touch.

Willow moaned and stated the obvious. "I want to taste you, baby."

"Mmm, I know," was Tara's throaty reply. But she made no move to allow Willow to do so.

"Scoot up just a little, please," the redhead begged.

"I like where I am," Tara taunted as she pushed her bottom into Willow's center again, rotating her hips.

"Oh goddess." Willow groaned as Tara pushed into the redhead's clit.

"How about you let one of my arms go and I'll give you a taste?" the blonde witch offered.

At the promise of her lover's essence, Willow immediately released Tara's right arm. "Now." It was growled demand.

Tara ran her finger along her slit, catching some of her fluid on her index finger. She reached behind her, holding her finger in front of Willow's mouth.

The sight of her lover touching herself was almost more than the redhead could handle. She greedily sucked the blonde's finger into her mouth, cleaning it within seconds before she huskily whispered, "More."

Gaining control of the seduction, Tara again ran her finger around her outer lips, circling her clit. She thrust her hips slightly scooping up more of her fluid offering it to the redhead.

Willow cleaned it rapidly, demanding more. As Tara slowly moved her hand down Willow added, "Inside, and use two fingers, I want more."

Tara did as requested and slowly slid two fingers through her slit, brushing the sides of her clit before thrusting her hips up and pushing two fingers inside her body. She moaned at the contact and marveled at how wet she was. She slowly lowered herself and once more offered her fluid to Willow.

Watching Tara move inside her own body was driving Willow crazy. On the one hand, she wanted to do it, on the other, Goddess she couldn't get enough of watching Tara. Her hands began to furiously knead and pinch her lover's breasts as she pulled Tara's fingers into her mouth cleaning up all the fluid she could find there. She finally released the blonde's fingers, watching as Tara's hands automatically began moving toward her own center again.

Tara slid her fingers inside her outer lips, circling her clit as she waited for her lover to ask for more. When the request wasn't forthcoming she started to remove her hand. Willow's hand on her arm and her throaty, "Don't stop," brought a smile to the blonde's lips. She continued to slowly circle her clit, rubbing against it occasionally, thrusting and moving her hips as Willow continued her assault on Tara's breasts. Her nipples hardened into tight pebbles that caused shocks of pleasure to course through her body. She looked up into her lover's eye. She noted the glazed expression there and decided to hold out as long as possible. Tara moved over her clit just enough to keep her on the edge but never going over. Whenever she felt herself getting close, she would move so that she wasn't making direct contact.

Willow was going insane watching Tara. Her lover's body was covered in a fine sheen of sweat and flushed with desire. She was able to see her swollen sex. The clit was clearly visible between swollen lips as she watched her thrust her hips. "Inside baby, I want to watch you come," she whispered into the blonde's ear.

Tara shivered at Willow's words, but she was in control now. She felt Willow's urgency through the redhead's assault with her hands, but Tara was determined to set the pace for now. She did as requested and slowly pushed two fingers inside her body. She pulled them almost completely out before she pushed them in again. She continued this a few times until she felt she might climax. She slowly withdrew, moving to circle her fingers around her clit, not touching it. Tara began stroking her swollen lips, before running her fingers along the sides of her clit, finally thrusting upwards as she applied pressure to her engorged nub.

Willow wanted Tara to come so bad. She was running her hands along her lover's torso, thrusting her own hips in time with the blonde's. Willow was near climax as her own swollen clit gently slapped against the soft flesh of her lover's bottom. She wanted to scream. When had she become the seduced? As Tara began her slow act of visual torture once again, Willow was determined to regain some sort of control. Tara withdrew her fingers from her body after what seemed like the twentieth time. The redhead watched as Tara slowly circled her clit. Understanding her pattern now, realizing that Tara was purposefully not coming, she waited until her lover applied pressure to her engorged clit and she moved her right foot. She pushed her heel gently but firmly into the back of her lover's hand, holding it in place on her swollen nub.

Tara wondered how much longer she could hold out. The more she continued, the less she could actually contact her clit. The slightest touch was becoming almost enough to send her over the edge. But she wanted to hold out as long as she could. She wanted to drive Willow crazy so that the redhead was ready to join her when she came. This time as her fingers stroked her swollen nub, she felt Willow's heel move up to hold her hand in place. That was it. She knew she was gone when Willow thrust beneath her and pulled her foot closer, causing Tara to thrust upwards while Willow held her hand in place. It only took a few thrusts and Tara felt the beginning waves of her climax. "Oh goddess, Willooooow!" She screamed as she rode the powerful orgasm that rocked through her body.

As Tara screamed, Willow pushed herself into her lover. The feel of Tara's shuddering body sent vibrations through her clit and propelled her the last step into her own orgasm as she called back, "Taarraaa!"

As their bodies slowed their twitching, Willow pulled Tara's left hand from behind her head and lightly kissed her fingertips.

"Mmm, you cheated," Tara murmured. Her eyes were still closed and her hand still nestled between her legs since Willow had yet to move her foot.

Willow smiled. "No way, you were torturing me, you deserved it," she said breathlessly. The redhead finally opened her eyes, and moved her foot. She looked down her lover's body and felt her arousal already beginning to build again at the sight of Tara's hand still buried in her sex. "Oh goddess, you're so damn sexy, you drive me wild." She moved down to begin nibbling on her lover's neck.

Tara felt her desire flare again at Willow's words and mouth on her neck. She withdrew her hand and slowly turned facing her lover. She gave her a long slow kiss and then broke it. She took the redhead's hand in hers as she stood them up. Tara turned so that she could sit halfway down the chair, just below the arms. She sat up and spread her legs over the sides of the chair, planting her feet firmly on the floor. The blonde witch pulled Willow towards her; positioning them so that the redhead straddled her hips as they faced each other. She released Willow's hands and wrapped the redhead's legs around her waist. Tara ran her hands along firm thighs and around the redhead's body. Pulling her closer, the blonde began to nuzzle and suckle Willow's breasts.

Willow arched her back under Tara's assault. Her heightened senses were in total overdrive as the redhead was lost to everything except Tara's touch.

Tara took the opportunity to move her hand between their bodies, pushing two fingers inside her lover's dripping sex. Being met with no resistance, she slipped a third inside. She felt Willow's moan reverberate in her chest as Tara continued to suckle the redhead's breasts.

Willow wrapped her arms around Tara's head, clutching it to her chest as she slowly met the thrusts of her lover's hand. As she felt Tara's hips begin thrusting with her hand, Willow moved her own down, pushing her fingers inside Tara's body. They gently rocked together for several minutes before the rising passion took over. Their thrusts became more animalistic, coming faster and harder as they pulled apart and slammed their bodies together in wild abandonment.

"Oh goddess, oh goddess, oh goddess." Tara wasn't sure if that was her voice or Willow's but she knew she was close. As she felt her muscles starting to contract around Willow's hand, she felt the redhead's do the same around her own fingers. She wasn't even sure who started first and she didn't care as they both rode together through their release.

Willow slumped against her lover and slowly withdrew her fingers. She felt Tara do the same. She unwrapped her legs, and straddled the chair. She was trying to convince them to stand up but she couldn't. She was thankful when she didn't have to as Tara wrapped her arms around Willow's back and leaned back. Wordlessly she pulled Willow down on top of her and they drifted to sleep.

"Damn, must have been some movie," Evie commented as she and Buffy entered the house after patrol. They looked at the two nude Wiccans asleep on the chair, Willow on top of Tara.

"Should we wake them?"

"Dawn's not coming home so let's just cover them up for now. They'll probably wake up eventually to move upstairs , but now, the just seem so peaceful." Evie smiled as she moved to grab a blanket and laid it gently over the sleeping witches. She took Buffy's hand in hers, leading her up the steps to the bedroom.

Patrolling had gone well; six vamps dusted and no real injuries, though no information on their dream demon. The slaying had their arousals high. The unexpected sight of the two nude women did nothing to dispel the feeling. They quickly removed their clothing, and climbed into bed, but sleep wasn't on the agenda for some time yet.


Part 3
Buffy's Dream

Buffy awoke with a start. After Dawn and then Tara, she knew without a doubt that her nightmare was going to be real. She also knew because she was fully dressed. Taking a quick look through the house, her suspicions were confirmed as she was met with empty rooms. She tried to call Xander. No answer. She assumed he was with Willow, Tara, Evie and Dawnie. She stuffed some stakes in her pockets and grabbed a sword, heading for the ruins of Sunnydale High.

Buffy rounded the corner, slowing down as the high school came into view. It wasn't the ruins she saw but Sunnydale High, just like it was before they blew up the mayor. She could see flames escaping through some of the open windows. She burst through the front doors. Looking straight ahead, she saw what she always saw in her recurring nightmare. Her friends were trapped behind a wall of flames. She ran towards them, trying to help them, but she never got any closer.

Buffy stopped as she heard a scream. She looked off to her right, in the direction of the sound. She ran into a classroom. Cowered in a corner were two boys and one girl she assumed where high school students. They were trapped behind some flaming debris and were unable to get to the doorway. Buffy grabbed the teacher's desk and pushed her way towards the terrified teens. She broke through the windows and quickly helped the teenagers outside. As soon as their feet hit the ground, they disappeared. Buffy ran through the fire and back into the hallway. Her fear mounted as she once again tried to help her friends.

Evie tugged on her restraints as she looked around. She, Xander, Willow, Tara and Dawnie were bound to a wall in what appeared to be the gymnasium. Though it was much smaller than a typical gym. "Uh, guys, anybody know what the hell is going on?"

"Didn't Buffy tell you? We get together at least once a month and play Houdini. Whoever gets out first, gets to rescue the rest of us," Xander tossed out nervously.

"I'm guessing this is Buffy's nightmare." Willow nodded toward the hallway where they could see the slayer. She looked like she was standing right outside the doorway, running at full speed, but she wasn't going anywhere. They saw her disappear off to the side and then burst back into the hallway several minutes later.

"Um, by the way, nice outfit, Evie." Tara smirked at her friend.

Evie looked down and felt her cheeks turn red with embarrassment. She had on tight black leather pants riding low on her hips and matching boots. Her shirt was red with billowing three-quarter length sleeves. The front plunged in a deep V almost to her belly button revealing a hint of a black lace bra that was at least a size too small. Her breasts threatened to spill out the top at any moment. Luckily, the rest of the Scoobies couldn't tell that she wasn't wearing underwear. "I've never had an outfit like this…"

"I'm thinking you're the damsel." Willow winked as they tried to keep their spirits up while they figured out what was happening.

The fact that Buffy's subconscious had put her in an outfit like this was arousing Evie more than she'd like to admit, especially considering their current situation.

Buffy heard another scream from her left. She barely hesitated before running in the direction of the voice. She heard yelling from a corner but couldn't see anyone. Two large file cabinets blocked her vision and trapped what sounded like three or four faculty members. The fire was closing in. Buffy started pulling the drawers out of the cabinet and tossing them aside until she was able to grab hold of one cabinet and pull it out of the way. The teachers helped her move another large file cabinet from in front of the fire exit and they quickly ran outside. Once they went through the door, they also disappeared. Frustrated, Buffy returned to the hallway and her friends.

Buffy had only taken two steps when she heard another "Help me!" After the first two mirages, she wanted to concentrate on saving her friends instead of these phantom people. In total aggravation she yelled, "Damn it! I have to help my friends, they're counting on me!" The only response was another "Help me, please!"

"Who is she talking too?" Willow asked.

"I know this one, I think," Evie explained. "She never told me the whole dream but I think she's trying to save us and other people keep asking for help. She thinks she has to save everyone and she has to do it alone."

"She's not alone, she has us!" Xander was quick to jump in.

"Exactly, but you know the whole Chosen One deal. The pressure gets to her more than she likes to let on. And shouldn't we save the chit-chat for later before the fire gets closer?" Evie added nervously. She gathered her courage. "Anyone have any idea how to start proving it to her?"

"I think so. In her dreams, I bet we don't do magic. But actually, we can..." With that, Tara's wrist restraints were loosened and she slipped out of them. Willow followed her lead and freed her wrists as Tara moved to untie Dawnie.

Once Willow was free she helped Xander get loose while Dawnie and Tara moved to help Evie. "I thought you guys blew up the high school?" Evie asked as Tara and Dawnie worked on the restraints holding her hands above her head.

"We did, I don't think this is real," Willow supplied. She thought back to Tara's glamour spell. She didn't think a simple undo spell would get rid of this.

"Ow!" Evie winced. "Whatever you're doing is making these things tighter."

Tara stepped back. Dawn had been easy to untie, no magic needed. But Evie's restraints were knots upon knots "Release!"

Evie bit her lip so she wouldn't cry out. Through a grimace she said, "Um, nope, that's not it either."

"S-sorry. Willow, you want to try?"

"I don't mean to be a big baby or anything but, if these things get much tighter, I'm not going to have any circulation to my hands."

Willow furrowed her brow as she thought for a minute. "No, I don't think we're supposed to save Evie. If she is the damsel in Buffy's dream, then I bet Buffy has to save her. I think we need to concentrate on putting out this fire."

"Too bad we blew up the sprinklers…" Xander said, looking up at the non-functioning sprinkler heads in the ceiling. A shower to douse the flames would be nice.

"Xander, I could kiss you! You're a genius!" Tara exclaimed.

"Hey, hey now, in times of crisis you should kiss me," and to prove her point, Willow grabbed Tara and planted a quick hard kiss on her lips.

"But I can still be a genius right? And what exactly did I do?" Xander thought his genius level might have slipped a little with that last question, but anything to get them out of here would be great.

Tara just grinned and clasped Willow's hand. They raised their arms above their head and with a simple wiggle of their fingers, the water started pouring from the previously dead sprinklers. Soon the flames in the gym were doused. As they stepped towards the door, they activated the sprinklers in the hall.

Buffy looked up as water started falling from ceiling. She turned to look down the long hallway in the direction of her friends. She was startled to see everyone except Evie not more than ten feet away and coming towards her.

Buffy started walking towards them when she heard her girlfriend scream. She pushed past the rest of the Scoobies and ran to Evie.

Evie screamed as the demon raised a sword into the air. She closed her eyes. 'Buffy's gonna save me, Buffy's gonna save me, Buffy's gonna save me…" Her eyes flew open as she heard a loud clang.

Buffy strained to hold the demon's sword, then gathered her strength and forced him to back away from her girlfriend. She tightened her grip on the sword as she took a fighting stance.

Evie watched as Buffy faced off against the demon. It was a dance she never tired of watching. Buffy's body moved with the grace of a tiger. She swung the sword effortlessly. Evie could feel her arousal growing as Buffy's muscles rippled and strained as she fought the demon. It never occurred to her that Buffy would not defeat the demon. Evie's nipples hardened and her breathing became shallow as she watched the water trickle down Buffy's face.

Buffy matched the larger demon's moves, blocking blow after blow. Thinking she had the demon on the defense, she thrust forward only to have her sword thrown aside. She fell off balance. As the demon started toward Evie, Buffy recovered and jumped on the demon's back. She wrapped him in a headlock. The demon clawed at Buffy's arms trying to get the slayer to release her grip, but Buffy was determined to hold on. She squeezed tighter and the demon dropped to one knee, slowly losing consciousness. When Buffy had her feet firmly planted on the floor, she shifted her grip and grabbed the demon's head in her hands. With a quick flick of her hands, she snapped its neck. It fell forward, disappearing before it even hit the ground.

Buffy walked toward her lover. She was reminded of the time she had seen Evie in the UCSD parking lot. She remembered how her white blouse had outlined those wonderful breasts as the rain soaked her shirt. She took in the sight of Evie's dripping form in tight leather pants and the red shirt that was becoming translucent as the water continued to soak the material. Hardened nipples were clearly visible as they pushed against the material of the lacy bra.

"You're so wet," Buffy said breathlessly as she buried both hands in Evie's hair. She wrapped her fingers around the wet curls.

"Baby, you have no idea," Evie growled.

Buffy moaned and tightened her grip. She tilted Evie's head back and captured her in a bruising kiss, thrusting her tongue deep in Evie's mouth.

Evie strained closer to her lover's body but was held in place by the restraints.

"Uh, hmm," Willow cleared her throat loudly.

Buffy turned her head slightly towards Willow. She couldn't stifle a groan as Evie's tongue reached out and licked below her earlobe. "You guys go ahead, we'll catch up…" Buffy started to turn back towards Evie.

"Buffy? Um, what about…" Willow spread her arms to gesture towards their surroundings.

Buffy scowled at the interruption. She reluctantly released her grip on Evie and picked up her sword. She swung the weapon over her head and brought it down with pinpoint accuracy on Evie's restraints, destroying them.

A roaring noise started from somewhere behind the Scoobies, gaining intensity as it moved towards them. Buffy dropped her sword and wrapped Evie in a tight embrace. She held on, as the air started moving around them. She reached out as the rest of the gang moved closer and pulled the others in so that they were huddled in a group. With heads down, they braced themselves as the air swirled around them, rushing by. It threatened to suck them into a tunneling vortex until a loud crack resounded through the hallway.

The air stilled, and they slowly began to raise their heads. "Now, there's the Sunnydale High we all know and love," Xander quipped. His eyes traveled over the ruined interior of the high school.

"Is this Sunnydale's idea of a fixer-upper?" Evie asked. She tried to make conversation but couldn't keep her hands to herself as she ran her left hand under Buffy's top. They started down the hallway.

"Yep, we're going to tear it completely down and rebuild it. Right back on top of the Hellmouth I might add."

"Will these people ever learn?" Buffy wondered allowed. She shivered but it had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the way her girlfriend was touching her. "Um, I think I left a weapon back there, you guys go ahead and Evie and I will catch up." She tugged her girlfriend's hand and didn't even wait for an answer as they hurried back down the hallway.

"Anybody else here not believe a word of that?" Xander asked no one in particular.

Willow barely listened to the conversation as they walked outside. She was lost in her inner thoughts as her own nightmare flashed through her mind. She hoped they would figure this out before her nightmare became a reality.

Buffy pulled Evie down the hallway and headed out the back of the school. Once they were outside she led her towards a large tree that had been untouched by the explosion. Buffy pushed the smaller woman almost roughly against the bark.

Evie had been silent the entire time and felt no need to begin talking now. She reciprocated as Buffy captured her lips in a demanding kiss. Evie wrapped her legs around the slayer's waist, letting her weight be supported by her lover and the tree behind her.

Buffy moved her lips to Evie's neck. She latched on, biting lightly on the smooth flesh. She let go and ran her tongue along the injured area, soothing the bite-mark. She gently sucked the flesh into her mouth, not caring that a mark would be visible when she was done.

Evie moaned. She moved her hands around to cup the slayer's breasts. She kneaded and squeezed them in her hands before rolling the nipples between her fingers. Frustrated with the clothing barrier, she frantically pushed the slayer's shirt and bra up and out of the way. She began her ministrations anew as her hands roamed across bare flesh.

Buffy arched her back, pushing her aroused breasts into Evie's hands, deepening the contact. She shifted so that she could balance Evie against her thighs and the tree. She unhooked the front clasp of Evie's bra, freeing the wondrous globes. She moved her hands to the button on Evie's pants, quickly releasing the material. The slayer's left hand traveled across Evie's chest and stomach. She moved her right hand inside Evie's pants, slipping two fingers inside her lover.

Evie gasped in pleasure as the slayer entered her. She wrapped her arms tightly around Buffy's neck and tightened her legs around the slayer's waist. She lifted her hips letting her lover's fingers slide almost completely out of her body. She lowered herself slowly, reveling in the feel of Buffy's fingers gliding inside of her.

Buffy met Evie's downward movement with a slight upward thrust of her hand. She curled her fingers slightly, reaching for her lover's sweet spot. She felt Evie shudder as her fingers brushed across the roughened area.

Evie almost stopped her motion as Buffy's fingers passed over her pleasure spot. After a moment that seemed like an eternity, she began rotating her hips. Each rotation brought that spot into contact with the slayer's fingers.

Buffy held her right hand still as Evie rode. She moved her thumb up and gently scraped her fingernail along Evie's clit.

Evie bucked hard into Buffy's hand. She gripped the slayer's shoulders, digging her fingernails into the material of her shirt, holding on for all she was worth. All sense of rhythm was gone as she bucked and thrust wildly.

Buffy held her lover tight as she came fast and hard. The slayer swallowed Evie's scream as she captured her girlfriend's lips in a deep kiss.

Evie would have surely ended up in a puddle on the ground if it hadn't been for the slayer holding her in place. She tried to wrap her arms around her lover. She ended up draping her arms across Buffy's shoulders as she slumped against her girlfriend.

Buffy cradled Evie gently in her arms. She placed soft kisses on her lover's head before tenderly lowering her feet to the ground. She led Evie back to the house where they joined the others in research.

Part 4
Willow's Dream

A few days later, Tara was helping a customer when Anya walked in from the back of the store. Her boss had taken off again and as suddenly as she had left, she was back. Tara had told herself not to pry but this was starting to become habit forming. She'd been purposely trying not to read Anya's aura. Since Anya seemed to make no move to explain what was going on, Tara felt it was time for some answers. Plus, they were getting nowhere on this dream demon and Anya seemed to be the best one to ask.

Once the blonde witch decided to let herself read Anya's aura, it became clear that the ex-vengeance demon was no longer an ex. The realization was a little startling and she dropped the book she had been holding.

Anya turned to her, hearing the thud. "That's expensive merchandise you're haphazardly tossing around." She stopped at the look in Tara's eyes. She gave a defeated sigh. "I was wondering how long you could hold out. I actually feel a little relieved to be honest."

"When? How?" Tara tone was curious and showed concern for her friend.

Anya sat at the table and motioned for Tara to do the same. "Xander had asked me to marry him." Before Tara could comment she continued. "He kept putting off telling anyone and then one day, he just changed his mind. He said he had been too hasty and he didn't want to get married. He thought we could just go back the way we were." Anya thought back to the pain she had felt that day. She shook her head slightly before continuing. "He actually said I should have been thankful that he realized his feelings before we told anyone, before we actually started planning the wedding. He didn't understand that I had already started planning the wedding the day he asked. I couldn't go back the way we were and he couldn't understand why. I was so angry and hurt and I wanted to hurt him so bad. That's when D'Hoffryn came to me and offered to restore my powers. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It's just…" she trailed off not really sure what she wanted to say.

"No matter how much vengeance you deliver, it still doesn't ease the pain in your heart?" Tara offered.

Anya nodded "It was so much easier before. Being human brought out all these… feelings." She shuddered a little.

Tara smiled, reaching out to squeeze Anya's hand comfortingly. "You know everyone's going to find out eventually. You should be the one to tell them." As they sat in silence, Tara remembered the other issue she had to ask Anya. "Um, since we're on the subject, can a vengeance demon pull a… a… request from a dream? Or, are there any other demons that work off of w-wishes?" Just saying the word made her look around hastily.

"No. I don't know of any other demons that grant wishes. But we can't get them from dreams. We have to get them to actually make the wish. And since we can't hear dreams, we can't hear the wish, can't grant the wish. Why do you ask?"

"Dawn had a dream where she sort of requested that our dreams come true. Buffy, Dawn and I already have had one of our nightmares more or less come true. Willow and Evie were also in her dream and I can tell Willow is terrified, but she won't tell me what she's afraid will happen. She's barely slept the last three days." Tara trailed off, thinking of how tired Willow looked this morning when she headed off to some type of computer seminar with Evie. They were going to be at the university most of the day.

"It uses wishes but there's really no vengeance part. Of course there are some vengeance demons that do ignore the whole vengeance aspect and simply go around getting people to wish things so they can get their quota up."

"Th-there's a quota?"

"Not really, it's more of a stature thing. But, I still don't know how they would get the dreams. I'll see if I can find out anything."

"Thanks, Anya. And I really am sorry about you and Xander. If you ever need anything or anyone to talk to, you know I'm still your friend."

Anya was getting that mushy feeling again. Tara always made her feel accepted. But there was more news for the blonde witch. "Um, there's something else I need to tell you."

"Okay…" Tara was a little apprehensive at the demon's tone.

"It seems that Warren had more enemies than we knew about and he's… dead. Hallie was sent to him. Someone wished for him to be… well they stripped off his skin and then incinerated him. It was quite brutal." She sighed sadly. "I used to live for brutal inflictions of pain."

Tara's eyes widened "Who? I mean was it-"

"No, it wasn't anyone we knew. Like I said, he had a lot of enemies and it was bound to happen sooner or later. I thought you should know and maybe share it with the rest of the gang."

Tara nodded, absorbing all that she had learned. "Buffy's in the training room. If you don't want to tell her now, that's f-fine. But you should come to the house this evening and we can f-fill everyone in on what's going on."

Knowing Tara was right, Anya reluctantly agreed. They still had a few hours before the shop closed so she headed downstairs to get some stock.


"No!" Everyone in the seminar turned at Willow's outburst.

Evie reached out and touched the redhead's hand, "Will, what's wrong?" The redhead had fallen asleep during the lecture but Evie had decided not to wake her. She hadn't slept well since Buffy's nightmare.

"Tara," was all that Willow could whisper as she hurriedly grabbed her things.

Evie picked up her stuff and excused them from the meeting, following on the heels of her friend.


"Tara, have you seen the… Tara? Where are you?" Anya headed back towards the training room. "Buffy, is Tara back here?"

"I thought she was out there with you in the shop." Buffy executed another combination against the sparring dummy then walked over to Anya.

"She was just a few minutes ago, but now I can't find her. She's usually such a reliable employee; I can't imagine she'd leave without telling me." She turned as she heard the bell over the front door.

Willow burst through the door. "Tara! Where's Tara?" She turned to Anya and Buffy as they came from the back.

"We don't know, she was here and now she's not. I was downstairs and when I came back, she was gone. I checked with Buffy she hasn't seen her either."

Buffy listened to the exchange and went back to the training room. She loaded up on weapons. From the tone in Willow's voice she new this had the potential to be bad. "Will, calm down a second. What exactly is going on?"

Willow cleared the table and climbed on top to sit in a meditative pose. With a determined tone that masked her fear she said, "We were in the seminar and I fell asleep. I had a nightmare. Rack has Tara. I'm going to find her." She calmed her breathing and began to concentrate. Using the Tinkerbelle spell, she began searching for Tara. Since Rack's hideout was cloaked, it took her a few minutes to focus. She felt herself moving outside the Magic Box and down the street. She was being drawn toward Tara and realized her girlfriend was helping her. She was led down Main Street then through a maze of side streets and back alleys. She made note of street names and her surroundings until she stopped in the middle of the street. She couldn't go any further and even though she couldn't see anything, she knew this was Rack's place. She quickly made her way back to the Magic Box to join her body.

"Okay, I know where she is. Buffy are you coming?"

"Of course but wait, where's Evie?" Buffy had wanted to ask sooner but she didn't want to break Willow's concentration.

Willow continued toward the door. "She's outside in her car, waiting for us."

"I need to stay here. Good luck and I hope you save Tara and don't die in the process." Anya gave a cheerful smile and a little wave as Willow and Buffy walked out the door.

Evie had the trunk and doors open as Buffy and Willow exited the magic shop. They tossed the weapons in the trunk then quickly jumped in. She held out her cell phone. "I went ahead and called Xander. He's on there now, we just need to tell him where we're going."

Willow took the cell phone and told Xander and Evie where they were headed. They met up at an intersection and Xander followed them for a few more blocks. "Stop here, it's just up there."

They clamored out of the cars and grabbed some weapons. "Um, guys, do we have a plan?" Evie was always amazed that the Scoobies seemed to automatically know what they were going to do.

"Kick his ass and get Tara back," was Willow's pointed reply.

Evie had hoped for a little more direction but figured that would have to do. She fell in step beside Xander as Buffy and Willow took the lead.

Willow stopped in the middle of the street and reached a tentative hand forward. As she found what she was looking for, she nodded once to Buffy and then pushed through the invisible barrier, the slayer right on her heels.

Evie and Xander glanced nervously at each other, before gripping their weapons and following the duo.

"So, Strawberry, I see you came back. I knew you couldn't stay away forever. I just got your present. I can't wait to play with her. And you've brought some others as well? You're too good to me." The warlock said, leering at them.

"The only present you're going to get is pain." Buffy leapt forward and caught Rack under the chin with a high kick.

Rack's head snapped back but he just laughed. "You think you can hurt me slayer? And you two," he pointed at Xander and Evie, "you're nothing, you have no power. I'm simply going to drain you and kill you, because I can."

Xander fought the urge to lunge at him, instead feigning a frightened look before grabbing Evie's arm. He turned them around and ran back into the alley.

"What the hell? What are we doing back here?" Evie asked as she regained her balance.

"Everybody underestimates us mere mortals. Come on, I have a plan." Xander circled around the cloaked building, and started explaining his plan.

Rack laughed at their hasty retreat. "Nice friends you have, Strawberry, real brave. Doesn't matter, all I really need is you and your little present you sent me. I bet she tastes great, maybe like vanilla…"

"Where is she?" Willow gritted between clinched teeth. She saw Buffy out of the corner of her eye and gave a barely discernable shake of her head. She wouldn't risk anything happening to Tara and they had to find out where she was before the slayer started pounding him.

"Tell you what, you give me a little sample and I'll tell you where she is."

Xander and Evie ran their hands across the "back" of the hideout. "I think I've found something," Evie exclaimed. They had been looking for a back way in and it looked like this might be it.

Xander walked over and pushed his hand through. "I think you're right. You ready?" Evie nodded and tightened her grips on her nun chucks. "Here goes everything."

They stepped through into a mostly dark back room. They could hear muffled voices coming from the front. They hoped Willow and Buffy would keep Rack busy just a little bit longer while they looked for Tara.

"No deal. Just tell us where Tara is and we'll be on our way." Buffy rolled up on the balls of her feet, preparing for a fight.

Rack threw his head back as a humorless laugh escaped. With a flick of his hand, he sent the slayer flying backwards into the wall. "I believe I'm dealing with Strawberry. You can just stay out of this."

As they headed into the next room Evie whispered, "What?"

"What, what?"

"Didn't you say my name?"

"No. Oh! I just heard mine, too. I think someone's doing that telepathy thing."

Evie listened. The voice was faint but definitely Tara. Out loud she said, "It's Tara." In her head she said, "Where are you? Are you okay?"

Tara projected her thoughts to Evie. "I'm fine. He didn't seem too h-hurried. He just tied me up and gagged me. But he's also cloaked me. I'm right over here."

Evie took a step forward. "This way?"

"Yes, keep coming. I'm in a chair about five feet from you."

"You know this is really weird and freaky and somehow really cool all at the same time. Not the part about you being tied up but the mind talking…"

"Evie, you've been hanging around Willow too much. Now stop right there. I'm right in front of you."

Evie reached out a hand. She stopped, afraid she might poke Tara in the eye or something. She moved her hand lower until she made contact with something soft. She gently squeezed her hand to figure out what she was touching.

"Um, Evie. I th-think you f-found me."

"Oops, sorry Tara. I hope Willow won't be too angry when she finds out I felt up her girlfriend. How do we make you visible?" She moved her hands up and pulled the gag from Tara's mouth.

Tara spoke in a whisper as Evie began untying her. "We might be able to reverse the spell but I'll n-need Willow's help, just to be safe."

Xander jumped when he heard Tara's voice. He had been keeping an eye out to for any unwanted visitors.

Evie moved to untie Tara's feet. "Is that all of 'em?"

"Yeah, that's it."

They moved next to Xander and Tara lightly touched his arm to let him know she was near. "Hey Tara, great to see you… or not see you as the case may be. Now how 'bout we get the rest of the gang and leave this creepy place?"

"Sounds good. I'll go first to make sure the coast is clear. Follow me."

"Um, Tara, we can't see you." Evie pulled a stake out of her waistband. "Here hold onto this stake and we'll follow." She held out the stake and felt Tara take it from her hand.

"Enough! Now put her down and tell me where Tara is!" Willow screamed. She was starting to panic. At any moment, she knew she was liable to give Rack what he wanted if it meant Tara would be safe.

Buffy clawed at the unseen force squeezing her neck. She kicked her feet as they dangled above the floor, frantically reaching something to provide her some leverage. When she got down, she was going to thoroughly enjoy kicking Rack's ass.

When Evie followed Tara into the room, her eyes fell upon her choking girlfriend. Fear and rage welled up inside her. Not thinking about anything except her lover, she rushed past Tara. Evie swung her nun chucks in a figure eight for momentum. She crashed her weapon against the outside of Rack's right knee, then swiftly brought it up between his legs. He howled in pain and dropped to the floor; his hold on Buffy was broken and the slayer fell to the ground.

Evie rushed to the slayer's side, kneeling on the floor next to her lover. She ran her fingers lightly around Buffy's neck, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on the bruised skin.

Buffy smiled and ran her fingers through Evie's hair. "I'm fine, baby."

Xander rushed forward with his staff, coming down hard on Rack's back. As the sorcerer turned over Xander hissed, "Stay still. We're leaving now."

"Oh I don't think so, boy." Rack bit out the last word then knocked the staff out of Xander's hand before sending him crashing into the wall. He moved closer to Strawberry and inhaled deeply. He could feel the power pulsing through her and he couldn't wait to have a taste.

"You think I don't have power? You're wrong." Hoping Tara knew what he wanted, Xander stood and lifted his hand.

Rack watched as the staff came toward him. Caught off guard, he didn't even try to deflect the blow that cracked him up side the head. A second swing surely broke a rib before he grabbed the staff. "What is this, some type of parlor trick?" He released the staff and it fell to the floor. "Reveal!"

Relief flooded through Willow as her girlfriend materialized. She rushed to Tara's side and grabbed her hand.

"You! I'll have you both!" Rack bellowed. He raised his hands and electricity crackled between his fingertips. He gathered power then thrust his hands at the two witches.

"Protect!" they yelled in unison.

The energy hit their protective shield and bounced back at Rack. His scream was silenced as he disappeared.

They slowly made their way towards the spot from where he had vanished. "Um, guys? Where'd he go, did you…?" Xander was the first to speak.

"W-we didn't do anything. Whatever he was going to do to us, just s-sort of bounced back and hit him." Tara explained.

"Meaning?" Xander was still confused.

"We're not exactly sure what happened. I mean if he was trying to kill us then, well, I guess he's um, you know dead now. But if he did some other type spell, and I wouldn't even begin to guess what it might be, then whatever was meant to happen to us, happened to him," Willow explained.

"Then I say 'Go witches!' Cause I am so glad you're still here and he's not. And we don't even have to reverse the invisible spell, Xander tricked him into doing that for us." Evie gave Xander a smile as she squeezed Buffy's hand.

"That was my plan all along." Xander stood up straight and puffed out his chest a little.

Willow was focused on her girlfriend. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you? If he did…"

"I'm fine sweetie, he didn't do anything." She ran her fingertips along Willow's cheek in a light caress. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know, it was so scary and I was afraid to say it out loud…"

They had been through a lot recently so Evie thought it was time to lighten the mood. "Hey! I touched Tara's boob!

"Afraid if I had…" Willow stopped, and then turned toward Evie. "You did what?" She turned back to Tara with wide eyes. "She what?"

Tara blushed as she tried to give Evie a 'Why are you bringing this up now' look. "I-it w-was an accident."

"Yeah, just a little touchy feely between friends. No biggie, well that's not exactly true, as you well know." Evie winked conspiratorially at Willow.

"Did she… what's she…" Willow couldn't form sentences and just looked helplessly at her girlfriend.

"Um, Evie. You want to explain?" Buffy whispered to her girlfriend.

"She's not thinking about Rack anymore. See?" She pointed to Willow. Willow's mouth moved like a fish as she continued looking back and forth between Evie and Tara.

"So you didn't actually…"

"Oh no, I did, but I may have inflated the story in the retelling just a little. It was an accident. But maybe later I can show you an embellished reenactment. She was tied to a chair you know…" She brought Buffy's hand to her lips. She slid her tongue between the slayer's first two fingers, sending shivers through her girlfriend's body.

Buffy reigned in her libido, for the moment. "How about we call it a day? Xander, do you mind taking Willow and Tara home? Evie and I will swing by and pick Dawn up from Karen's. Do you want to stay for dinner?"

"I have to do some stuff for work, first. I'll drop Willow and Tara off and I'll be back later. I can bring pizza and movies?"

Tara chimed in, happy for the change in subject. "That's good. Do you mind if Anya comes over for dinner? She has some stuff to tell everyone. I told her we should be home this evening."

"All right, so Xander will get pizza for seven, and Evie, Dawn and I will pick up some movies," Buffy said.

"Do you not trust my movie selection?"

"I just think we'll skip Star Wars tonight," Buffy winked at her best male friend.

As Buffy and Evie headed towards Evie's car, they heard Willow saying, "Did she really touch your boob?" Evie giggled as Tara gave her a mock glare and then a mouthed 'Thank you.'


Willow and Tara climbed the stairs after the first movie went off. They said their goodnights, as Tara claimed exhaustion after the long day. Anya had told them about Warren and her return to vengeance. She didn't stay for the movies but she promised to continue looking for information.

Part 5
A Reprieve?

"Buffy! Dawnie! Are you ready?" Evie called up the stairs.

"Almost!" Buffy hollered down as she pulled on her shirt. She sniffed her hair, hoping she had all the Doublemeat smell out of it. She walked into the hallway and peeked into Dawnie's room.

"Dawnie, who are you talking to?" The teenager had the phone to her ear and was lying casually on the bed.

"Karen." Dawn paused to tell her sister before turning back to her conversation.

"What? We're supposed to be on our way over there. Why are you talking to her on the phone? We'll be there in like fifteen minutes."

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Oh, alright. I'll see you in a few Karen. Bye!" She hung up the phone and followed her sister into the hallway and down the stairs.

"You ready?" Evie linked her arm through Buffy's and grabbed Dawn's hand in her free one.

"We're leaving!" Buffy called into the kitchen.

Willow and Tara stepped into the foyer. "Have fun. Enjoy your dinner."

"We will. We'll probably be home around nine." Buffy gave her friends a wink and smiled at the faint blush that touched their cheeks. She let Evie lead them to her car and they piled in. They were going to have dinner at Evie's house with her mom and Karen.

Willow waved and closed the door behind her friends. As she turned the lock she felt warm arms circle her waist. She leaned back into her girlfriend's embrace sighing as she felt soft lips brush against her neck.

"Mmm. Is it bad that I'm really happy that Evie invites Buffy and Dawn over almost once a week for dinner?" Willow sighed.

"No, not bad at all. I was thinking pretty much the same thing."

"So, what did you want to eat?"

"Oh, I know what I want. And I've been thinking about how I want it all week." Tara leered at her girlfriend before tugging her forward and kissing her soundly.

Willow could barely breathe as Tara pulled away. Her lover hastily stripped their clothing off. Both girls stood naked in the middle of the room.

Tara pulled Willow into a light embrace, letting their bodies rub together. The idea had come to her the other night and she couldn't wait to try it out. She led Willow over to the snuggle chair.

"I want you to climb up with your knees on the armrests, facing the back of the chair." Tara guided Willow into position, placing the redhead's hands on the back of the furniture. Tara moved to the side. She slid her hands across her lover's breasts, teasing the hardened nipples.

Willow wasn't exactly sure what the blonde had in mind, but she was sure she would enjoy it.

Tara could see the slight confusion on Willow's face. It was mostly covered by arousal. The blonde witch smirked as she trailed her fingers around Willow's side, before running a single finger in a haphazard pattern along her lover's back.

Willow shivered slightly. She could feel the wetness between her spread legs as she waited anxiously for Tara.

Tara grabbed a small pillow and positioned it on the chair under the redhead. The blonde moved onto her back, sliding up under her lover's wide spread legs. She settled comfortably into the pillow. Red curls sparkled enticingly just above her lips. She inhaled deeply as a smile touched her lips.

As Tara's intentions became clear, Willow tried to push her hips down invitingly. She couldn't move too much for fear of slipping off the armrests. She was completely at Tara's mercy.

Tara didn't want to wait so she flattened her tongue, running it along the full length of her lover's lips. She took her time in tasting her lover fully. She alternated between long slow licks and deep slow thrusts of her tongue.

Willow wanted to move and grind against her lover, but she feared movement would cause her to slip or break the chair arms. She groaned in aroused frustration.

Tara smiled. Her lover was definitely ready. She slipped two fingers inside Willow as she circled her tongue around her engorged nub. She thrust deep inside as she sucked her lover's clit into her mouth. In only took a minute before she felt the beginnings of Willow's orgasm.

Willow balled her hands into fists as she pressed them into the backrest. Her fingernails dug into her palms but she didn't even notice as Tara's tongue brought her a powerful release. Barely finished, she felt that talented instrument flicking against her swollen center and she quickly came again. As the waves subsided, she fell forward, exhausted onto the chair back.

Tara lapped up any remaining Willow-juice she could find. Satisfied she had cleaned every last drop, the blonde moved from beneath Willow. Tara stood and circled to the back of the chair. She wrapped her lover in soothing embrace across the backrest before gently assisting Willow to the floor.

When Willow found her voice she whispered, "Baby, you're amazing."

"Not as amazing as you. You want to head on up to bed?" Tara placed a kiss on the end of Willow's nose.

"Definitely. Give me a few minutes to recuperate and we'll see what I can do for you."

Tara quickly led Willow upstairs and into the bedroom, locking it firmly behind them.


The next evening Buffy sat in the snuggle chair with Evie nestled between her legs. She absently stroked her lover's hair as she voiced her thoughts. "Are you sure we should do this? With everything that's going on?" They were discussing plans on setting up Dawn's new room.

"I think we need this, something normal. We can't let the possibility of a nightmare stop our daily lives. We'll figure it out. And I'm thinking it'll skip me since I'm not like supernatural or something. I'm not going to lie though, I am worried it will just make another round and start pulling more dreams from you guys. But, we've all taken off the next two days to work on the room. And Dawn is looking forward to it."

"Maybe you're right." Buffy's voice didn't sound convinced.

"Maybe I can show you another reason it will be good to have Dawn downstairs?" Evie traced a finger along Buffy's thigh.

"Mmm. Yes, I definitely need a little more convincing…"


Dawn looked around the basement, which had been almost completely emptied in preparation for setting up her bedroom. "I can't believe it, we're really going to do this right?" she asked.

"Yes, you'll get your own room down here, though I am a little worried. Just in case something would happen, you know, it seems kinda far away," Buffy replied.

"Please don't change your mind" Dawn pleaded, grabbing Buffy's hands in her own, looking intently in her sister's eyes trying to convey to her that she could do this.

"I'm not going to change my mind, but just remember, you don't get the whole basement, we're still going to use some of it for storage and I'll still have the heavy bag down here for training and stuff," Buffy reminded her younger sister.

"I know. Too bad I have to go upstairs to use the bathroom though," Dawn said before adding hurriedly, "but that's okay, it's fine, I mean that will actually be good, good exercise and all." 'Don't blow this, Dawn' she told herself.

Buffy started, "Well, actually, you know Evie's been working on the layout and why don't you take a look at what she came up with." She nodded to Evie.

"Hey, can we check it out, too?" Willow asked as she and Tara made their way down the basement steps.

"Yeah, we haven't seen the plans either," Tara added.

"Sure. Actually, Xander and I have been working on this, and" she pulled out a legal size sheet of paper "We think this should work pretty well. Here's the overall layout but I think it might be easier if I sort of show you. You'll have to use your imagination but here goes." She moved over to the wall with two small windows at the top. "We wanted your bedroom to have at least some sunlight, so we're going to put your bedroom here." She walked into the open area and stood at an imaginary corner and extended her arms pointing to the other walls. "Imagine your walls running here to the basement walls. It's not huge but it should be about a hundred twenty square feet and with the added height, it should feel a little more open than your current bedroom." She made a half turn so she was about six feet from another wall. "We'll put a full bathroom here, with a shower and everything. There will be a door from the main basement and one directly from your bedroom. We decided to keep the bathroom small and simple because," she moved towards the back wall of Dawn's imaginary bedroom, "you'll have a walk-in closet here, behind the bathroom. Again nothing huge but we'll put shelves along the back wall and the wall that's the back of the bathroom." Evie turned toward Dawn, hoping the girl would like it. As the younger Summers just stood there not saying anything, Evie began to get a little nervous; maybe Dawn didn't like it at all. She stuck her hands in her front pockets and hunched her shoulders, looking down while kicking at an imaginary speck of something on the floor. She mumbled, "Um, that's pretty much it, but you know if you have other ideas, we can see what..." Evie took a chance to look up between her lashes to see if Dawn had any type of reaction yet.

Dawn had stood there, pretty much enthralled as soon as Evie said 'your bedroom'. When she got to the part about her own bathroom and a walk-in closet, Dawn felt herself slip into a deliriously happy catatonic state. This was going to be so great. Her own room, her own space. She couldn't wait to show Karen, okay there really wasn't much to show her but maybe she would want to help her paint and decorate. Dawn came out of her thoughts as she realized Evie started mumbling and looking at the ground. 'Oh my gosh! She thinks I don't like it!' Getting her bearings back, she ran toward Evie throwing her arms around the shorter girl.

Evie only had time to get one hand out of her pocket before Dawnie slammed into her, knocking her a couple of steps backward and wrapping her in a tight bear hug. She would have sighed with relief but she couldn't really exhale at the moment. 'I think she likes it.' She giggled to herself, wrapping her free arm around the younger girl.

"Um, Dawnie, you might want to let Evie breathe if you want her to actually help build your room," Buffy interjected.

"Oh! Sure, it's just so awesome! My own space! My own bathroom!"

"It is yours, but that means you have to keep it clean.".

"Absolutely, no problem. This is so great! Can Karen come over so I can show her?" Dawn continued to gush looking from Evie to Buffy.

Evie laughed, "There's nothing to see, yet…"

"Oh, I know but I got it with your explanation and she will too, and maybe she can help with the painting and…" Dawn was getting slightly lightheaded and decided she better take a few deep breaths before she hyperventilated.

Everyone laughed at Dawnie's enthusiasm. "If it's Ok, she can come over, but you have to be careful and stay out of the way when the major construction parts are going on, understand?" Buffy said.

Dawn simply nodded enthusiastically.

"Um, I hate to bring any negative thoughts into this happy conversation, but won't it be a little noisy if you're out here training and she's in there studying or something?" Willow asked.

"I don't mind, it'll be fine," Dawn was quick to reply, there was nothing going to stop her from having this.

"Actually, Xander already has some ideas to help with that. We'll put two layers of drywall on the inside and outside of these two walls and it should be almost sound proof to the rest of the sounds here in the basement. And Xander's going all out, he's going to put a little intercom system since it would be hard for Dawn to hear if someone was calling for her from upstairs, you'll be able to use the intercom to get her attention," Evie explained.

"This just gets better by the second!" Dawn exclaimed, not really getting the whole, drywall stuff but she completely understanding the soundproof and intercom system. It was like having an apartment, without the having to pay rent part, which was definitely a bonus.

Xander arrived with a truckload of wood, carpet, drywall and other supplies. Based on what he thought each girl could handle, he began setting everyone about her task. They finished up the interior walls first so that Dawn and Karen could start painting them while they moved to the exterior. He figured they could have free reign and it didn't matter how much paint they got on the floor since he would be covering it anyway. With Xander's expert organizational skills, they had the bedroom and bathroom almost completely finished in two days. He finished up the plumbing and intercom on the third day and they all helped move Dawn's stuff downstairs.


"I think we should celebrate Dawn's move" Buffy declared, excited and exhausted now that the project was complete. She had been leery at first but Dawn's enthusiasm had helped her think it was a good decision. She was getting older now and it was good for her to have her own space. "How about a movie this weekend, not here but actually, you know, at the theatre."

"That sounds fun, maybe we can make a day of it?" Evie suggested, liking the idea of sitting in a dark theatre with her girlfriend. She turned to Buffy and gave her a wink.

Dawn groaned inwardly. The idea of spending a Saturday with two couples that couldn't keep their hands off each other, even in public, wasn't real appealing to the younger Summers. "Hey, even better, why don't you guys go on a double date and I'll see if I can spend the day with Karen," she suggested.

"What, you don't want to be seen in public with your older sister?"

"That's not what I'm saying exactly, it's just…" Dawn trailed off.

Tara laughed, thinking she understood Dawnie's train of thought. She decided to help the young girl. "I think that's a good idea, Dawn." She turned to the other three women in the room "We'll go to a movie and maybe get some lunch or dinner. But you have to make sure it's okay with Karen's mom for you to stay," she added looking at Dawn.

"Oh, I'm sure it will be okay. What can I say, I'm adorable and she loves me." Dawn quipped. She was excited she got out of the movie date.

Evie giggled, "As smug as she sounds, I think it's true. Mom will love for her to spend the day with Karen." She giggled harder, "Though she'll probably use it to make Karen clean her room."

Buffy laughed, too, deciding to file that as a good way to get Dawn to keep her new room clean.


Not only did Karen and Evie's mom say it was okay for Dawn to come over Saturday, she actually suggested she spend Friday night.

Saturday morning Evie and Buffy had been downstairs for half an hour and Evie was starting to get restless, ready to start their double date. They were going to play miniature golf, then get some lunch and go to a movie and pretty much play the rest of the day by ear. Finally Evie couldn't take it any longer. "I'm going to go wake them up," she declared.

Buffy smiled at her girlfriend. It wasn't any use to try and dissuade her so she just pulled her in for a quick kiss saying, "Be gentle" before Evie took off up the stairs.

Evie burst into Willow and Tara's bedroom, and jumped up on the foot of the bed. She started lightly bouncing up and down with her feet planted on the bed. "Come on sleepy heads, it's time to get up! Today's our date, today's our double date so we need you guys for the double – Hey! Are you naked under there?" Evie stopped bouncing as she looked at the two women lying on the bed, hair mussed up. Parts of bare arms and legs were partially sticking out from under the covers. An idea started forming in her head on how to get the two witches out of bed and a wicked grin spread across her face.

Tara turned to look at the blonde standing on the end of their bed. She gave a small smile before mock scolding, "Hey, you shouldn't bounce on the bed." Willow turned to look up at Evie through one open eye, and wondered why she was grinning.

"Well, I just had another idea for waking you two up… what the hell, this way isn't working so… on to plan b." With that she jumped down off the foot of the bed, a huge grin still spread on her face as she grabbed the covers and yanked them off the bed. She twirled them in a flourish before tossing them in a corner.

Willow and Tara both gasped as the cold air hit their naked bodies "Hey!" they both shouted and half sat up in bed, instinctively covering their bodies.

"At least your awake now," Evie giggled hoping this would get the girls moving. She decided to tease them a little as she let her gaze slowly wander across their nude forms, before squarely meeting each one's gaze.

Tara and Willow looked at each other. They realized they were sitting naked in front of their friend, who was obviously leering at them. Willow grabbed a pillow and threw it at Evie. "Go away," but she couldn't keep the smile from her voice or face as she pressed her front against Tara's. She pulled her lover back down to the bed in an attempt to hide at least part of themselves from Evie. She began kissing her girlfriend's neck.

Evie caught the pillow, ok she caught it with her head, but used her hand to pull it down and saw Willow and Tara kissing. "Oh, alright but make it quick. If you're not done in fifteen minutes, I'm coming back in here." She wagged her finger for emphasis even though they weren't really paying attention.

Willow broke away from her kiss with Tara to look at Evie. "And if we're not done what are you going to do? Join us?" Willow teased.

"Oh, puh-lease" Evie said exasperatedly, rolling her eyes as she realized they would be delayed at least a little while longer. She couldn't say she blamed them; after all, she and Buffy had been up for hours and had already had plenty of lovemaking this morning.

"Now what would your girlfriend say if she heard you begging to join us?" Willow twisted Evie's words, still teasing the girl.

Evie's brow furrowed. "Huh? Beg… Oh! No, I didn't mean…" She stopped as her two friends tried unsuccessfully to hold back their giggles. "Now, that's just rude. Here I am being nice, letting you delay our date and all you can do is tease me." She tried to look indignant but didn't think she succeeded.

"Well, we could be done sooner, if we could actually start sooner, which we're really not going to do with you still standing there," Tara joined in. She had been teasing but as Willow began nibbling her ear, she realized it might have actually been a true statement.

"Oh, fine." Evie gave up, but wasn't really that upset. "But remember, fifteen minutes and then at least move into the shower and pretend like you're getting ready for our date?"

"Mmmm," was the only answer Evie got from Tara as Willow began sucking on her pulse point. Evie grinned as she took her leave, closing the door tightly behind her.

"Maybe we should go get ready," the part of Tara that was somehow still able to form words, said.

"You want me to stop?" Willow asked as she ran her tongue from one side of her lover's neck to the other. She nipped and sucked the other side, knowing it would drive Tara crazy.

"Well, she did give us fifteen minutes…" Tara trailed off as all thoughts ended and all she could do was lose herself in her lover's tongue and hands.

"Are they coming?" Buffy asked Evie from the couch as her girlfriend bounded down the stairs.

"If they aren't already, they will be shortly. But it will be a little while before they make their way downstairs," Evie replied, smiling.

"Huh? If they're coming but not… Oh," realization struck Buffy, "I get it. So how long they gonna be?"

"I told them if they weren't done in fifteen minutes I was going back in there."

"I'm sure they were trembling with fright."

"You would think, but not so much."

Buffy laughed. As her arousal increased just from being near her lover, she whispered, "Well, maybe we can think of something to keep ourselves occupied while we wait for them?"

"Mmm, I like the way you think Buffy Summers," Evie replied as she leaned in to capture the slayer's lips.


Tara and Willow started to descend the stairs but stopped at the sight before them.

"I guess we took a little too long," Tara whispered to her girlfriend.

Evie was sitting on the couch, the slayer sitting on her lap, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Buffy's hands had made their way under Evie's shirt. Evie's hands were buried in the slayer's hair.

Willow cleared her throat to announce their presence.

Buffy had heard Willow but it took a few moments for it to register with her brain. When it finally did, she abruptly broke off their kiss. She pulled back as she turned towards the stairs and saw Willow and Tara looking at them. She grinned sheepishly.

Evie had let go of Buffy's head at the slayer's sudden movements. She opened her eyes "What the… oh!" she said as she noticed Tara and Willow on the stairs. She groaned a little as Buffy moved off her lap, immediately missing the slayer's warmth. "Oh, sure now you come downstairs."

Tara and Willow giggled at Evie's frustration and they continued their descent down the stairs.

"So, we ready for some miniature golf?" Tara asked.

They all smiled and began talking excitedly as they headed out the door for their day long double date.


A couple of nights later, Evie sat in the living room, running her hands through her hair for probably the hundredth time. She looked at the papers strewn around the floor, feeling frustrated as she had no more information than when she started hours ago. She had hoped the research would keep her distracted. And if she were honest with herself, she was a little afraid to fall asleep, in case one of her "dreams" came true. Buffy was out slaying and trying to pound out, or dig up information.

Evie looked up from her papers as she heard the key in the lock and the door open. A smile spread across her face as Buffy walked in. 'God, she's gorgeous,' Evie thought, taking a minute to let her eyes wander over her lover's body. She started at Buffy's black boots, moving up to jean enclosed calves and thighs. A wide black leather belt hung on her hips. She caught just a glimpse of flesh between jeans and a tight black v-neck shirt that showed a nice supply of cleavage as Buffy removed her leather jacket and placed it on the coat rack. Evie continued to gaze at her lover until their eyes finally met and Buffy moved over to her. Taking care not to disturb the papers strewn across the floor, Buffy placed a hard kiss against Evie's closed mouth.

Buffy straightened from the kiss and looked into Evie's eyes, smiling as she commented, "The chair is a little more comfortable if you actually sit in it and not just lean against it."

"I know, but then I couldn't reach all my useless papers and books. Besides, what good is a snuggle chair if your snuggle bunny isn't around?" Evie responded with a mock pout.

"Miss me?" Buffy asked seductively, her arousal already high from slaying.

Evie breathed deeply through her nose. "Smells like a good night slaying," she whispered.

"What was that?" Buffy asked. She new what Evie said, slayer hearing and all, but she wondered if her girl would admit it.

"Oh, I just wondered how was slaying?" Evie tried to recover. 'Damn slayer senses.'

"I don't think that's exactly what you said."

Evie sighed, then inhaled deeply again, knowing she couldn't, and didn't really want to, hide anything from Buffy. "You just smell so good, I mean I can smell your, you know." Evie blushed and couldn't continue. She was beginning to salivate and became light headed from the musky scent pouring from the slayer. She inhaled a third time and mumbled, "You know, the taste is even better than the smell."

As Buffy groaned Evie realized she had once again spoken out loud. She thought about being embarrassed but realized it was true, so she continued seductively, "Did you ever eat a Caramello?"

Buffy wondered where this question came from but she just nodded her head affirmatively; her desire mounted as Evie's voice deepened. The slayer's yearning was evident in her eyes and her actions as she let Evie continue.

"Some people eat one whole square at a time, but I like to start out slow. I bite the end off so that the caramel begins to spill out of the first square. Of course that's a lot messier, but that's were the fun lies." She licked her lips unconsciously as she continued. "There's usually a string of caramel running from the bitten piece in my mouth to the candy bar. I use my finger to catch it, but some inevitably ends up on my chin. I slowly lick the caramel from my fingers, sucking each digit into my mouth, then I use my tongue to clean up any on my lips. I don't bother to clean every last drop from my chin just yet since I know more will follow." Evie began removing Buffy's boots and socks, continuing her story in a husky voice.

"Next, I use the tip of my tongue to dip in and scoop out just a little of the caramel, pulling it into my mouth, rolling it around my tongue before letting it slide down my throat. I then suck the rest of the caramel into my mouth, using my tongue to reach the corners of the square, until nothing is left but the hollow chocolate of the first square. I run my tongue around the inside of the hollowed out square, melting it from the inside with my tongue, nibbling on the outside with my teeth until it's been devoured; then I move to repeat the process on the next square." She reached up and began removing Buffy's jeans, pushing them slowly down the slayer's hips, thighs and calves. Buffy placed a hand on Evie's shoulder for balance as Evie pulled them off one leg, then the other, haphazardly tossing the material aside. Evie smiled as the slayer had gone commando while patrolling.

Continuing her seductive monologue, "When I get to the last square, I place the whole thing in my mouth. I suck the chocolate so that it slowly dissolves and leaves less and less of a barrier between my tongue and the caramel; then, just before a hole forms in the chocolate, I push the square against the roof of my mouth with my tongue and the caramel bursts forth, flooding me with it's warm, sticky sweetness." As Buffy stood before her, naked from the waist down, Evie lifted Buffy's left leg, resting the slayer's foot on the chaise behind her shoulder.

Buffy was already aroused from her slayage and hearing Evie's story was causing her to literally pour out from her center. She tried to clear her throat and managed to whisper, "Any particular reason you wanted to tell me that bit of information now?"

Evie smiled, inhaling her lover's scent that was mere inches from her nose. "Yes, actually." She leaned her head back slightly so she could capture the slayer's gaze as she continued. "As wonderful, sweet and scrumptious as that is… this," she flicked her tongue out to catch some of the slayer's fluid; she closed her eyes and moaned at the first taste. Opening her eyes, she captured the slayer's gaze again as she continued, "is a million times more sweet, delicious and delectable."

Evie reached up with her left hand and ran it over the smooth hardness of the slayer's stomach, holding the slayer's gaze. She brought her right hand up and used a single finger to circle the slayer's opening.

Buffy groaned. She was ready for release now and didn't think she could take it if Evie went slow. Should she beg for release, tell Evie what she needed or let the torture continue?

Evie could see her lover's turmoil, and wondered if the slayer would admit it. She had every intention of going slow, but after she brought the slayer her first orgasm. Evie kept her eyes on Buffy's, as she slowly continued circling the slayer's opening with one finger while her left hand fluttered from the slayer's stomach, to her rib cage and back down. Just as she saw her lover begin to speak, she broke their gaze and latched on to the slayer's swollen clit. She sucked it roughly into her mouth as she simultaneously pushed three fingers inside Buffy, swift and hard.

The double, unexpected stimulation caused the slayer's hips to buck against her lover with enough force to scoot the chaise back a few inches. Evie held on, pumping her hand smoothly in and out of her lover as she sucked on her clit. She moved her left hand around to cup the slayer's ass pulling her closer; her fingernails digging into the soft flesh.

Buffy buried both her hands in her lover's hair, holding her close as she rode the hand and mouth that was bringing her the fast, hard release she needed.

It took less than a minute for the slayer to begin convulsing under her lover's ministrations. Evie held on, riding out her lover's climax. When the muscle contractions had subsided, she slowly removed her fingers from the slayer's depths and her mouth from her clit. She looked up at her heavy lidded lover.

Buffy smiled down at Evie and started to move her leg off the chaise. Evie's hand squeezing her ass caused her to stop.

"That was just the first bite, baby," Evie whispered as she brought her fingers to her mouth. She moved her left hand back to the slayer's stomach, moving lower so that her thumb was making slow circles on Buffy's still swollen slit. She began slowly running her tongue along each of her dripping fingers before sucking each individual digit into her mouth, cleaning every drop of essence from each one.

Buffy couldn't look away as she watched Evie clean her fingers. She moaned and whimpered at the heat that was building in her again from the visual stimulation as well as the sensations being invoked by her lover's thumb.

After Evie was satisfied she had all the fluid cleaned from her fingers, she slowly ran her tongue around her mouth, gathering any stray fluid that she could easily reach. When she was finished, she moved her right arm between the slayer's legs reaching up so that she could once again cup her ass, pulling her closer. She let her left hand wander up the slayer's torso, brushing against her bra-clad breasts as she bent her head toward her lover's folds.

Buffy's hands once again buried in Evie's hair, this time not pulling or prodding, just holding, content in letting Evie set the pace.

Evie ran her tongue along the slayer's outer lips, gently sucking first one, then the other into her mouth, cleaning her lover's essence from those before moving into to do the same to her inner lips. Hearing Buffy's moaning and groaning above her and feeling her hips start making slow circles brought a small smile to Evie's lips. She could drink from this fountain for hours and never be full, never have enough.

She moved her tongue to slowly circle the slayer's clit. She didn't touch it, instead moving lower, pushing her tongue across the slayer's opening. She curled her tongue to bring some fluid into her mouth. Evie pulled back slightly to let the flavor roll around her tongue before allowing it to slide down her throat.

Buffy opened her eyes when she felt her lover's tongue leave her body. She tightened her grasp in Evie's hair as a new wave of fluid poured from her center as she watched Evie savor her taste.

Evie smiled when the fresh wave of liquid flowed from Buffy's opening. She pushed the tip of her tongue just inside, circling it inside the slayer's body before moving back up to her clit. She stroked first one side, then the other. She teased the top, then the bottom, but never applied direct pressure. All the while her right hand kneaded and stroked her lover's bottom while her left hand teased and pinched her lover's nipples through her silky bra.

Buffy was practically panting as the waves of pleasure radiated from her center, causing ripples to reach to her toes and fingertips. She was getting close again, and knew it wouldn't take much to push her over the edge. She used her hands in Evie's hair to subconsciously push her lover's face more fully into her center, unable to form words to express her need for release.

Evie felt the pressure change in the slayer's grasp on her and flattened her tongue, running it tantalizingly slow up the slayer's clit, then flicking it with the end of her tongue. She closed her mouth and began sucking while, rolling her tongue around it, flicking the top of the engorged nub as Buffy once again began thrusting into her face.

Buffy finally found her voice hoarsely crying out, "Oh god, Eeeviiee!" as her body was racked with another powerful orgasm.

Evie rode out her lover's second release, slowing her tongue down as the contractions once again subsided. She didn't move away but began using her lips and teeth to gently tease her lover's nub, slipping her tongue down to the slayer's opening to gather fluid. She kept her lover's taste in her mouth as she continued her assault.

Buffy had every intention of stopping, for about two seconds, when Evie's mouth continued working it's magic. She moaned again, throwing her head back; she was already getting lost in the sensations, her passion rising again. Unfortunately, even with slayer strength, her right leg was beginning to shake.

At first Evie didn't register the shaking from Buffy. She was too wrapped in the warm blissful essence of her lover. When realization sunk in she smiled, realizing the slayer wouldn't stop. She would just stand there until her leg gave way completely. Evie pulled back and moved her hands down to Buffy's. She disentangled the slayer's hands from her hair.

Buffy's eyes fluttered open as she moaned from the missed contact of her lover. "Wh-what?" was all the question that came out of her mouth in her aroused state.

Evie placed Buffy's left leg on the floor and put her hands on her lover's hips. She gently guided Buffy a step back. Evie shifted so that she was kneeling on the floor. "I'm just going to make you a little more comfortable," she whispered. She removed the rest of Buffy's clothes then took her own t-shirt off and laid it on the end of the chaise.

Buffy instinctively reached out and tweaked her lover's already hardened nipples through the cotton material of her bra.

"Hey," Evie said huskily. "No distracting." She guided Buffy onto the chaise, making sure her t-shirt was under Buffy's bottom to protect the chaise from a very wet slayer. She guided Buffy so she was lying on her back, feet resting on the floor. Evie grabbed a pillow, and placed it on the floor at the foot of the chaise. She settled in between Buffy's legs. She normally wouldn't bother with a pillow but she planned on being here awhile.

Evie fought the urge to dive right back into her lover's sweetness, instead taking her time to slowly run her hands along the outside of Buffy's well toned legs. She used her mouth and tongue to move along the insides, alternating back and forth from one leg to the other as she moved closer and closer to her lover's center.

Buffy was once again reduced to a moaning, whimpering mass of jell-o under her lover's expert attention. Her hands instinctively clenched and unclenched as she unconsciously sought something to grasp.

As Evie finally reached her destination, she moved her tongue around and through her lover's folds. She once again devoured her lover's fluid, sucking it from her creases, cleaning it from her clit. Before she even reached the slayer's opening, she felt the shudders begin as Buffy climaxed once more. Evie didn't stop. She continued to bring Buffy one orgasm after another, using only the stimulation of her tongue on her clit as her hands continued to roam across the slayer's muscled legs and torso.

Buffy didn't know if this was heaven or hell. Evie had made her come, she had lost count of how many times, but she needed more. She needed one huge release and it was driving her crazy as the muscles in her entire body constantly shook and hummed in anticipation.

Evie felt the need radiating off Buffy's body and decided it was time to give the slayer the release she needed. She slipped her hands under Buffy's ass and pulled her up so that she could plunge inside the slayer's body. Evie thrust her tongue inside as hard and far as she could, seeking her lover's sweet spot. She opened her mouth as she withdrew so that her teeth grazed across the sensitive flesh of Buffy's clit. Then she used her nose to push against it as she plunged her tongue back inside her lover.

Evie heard the slayer finally speaking semi coherent words, as "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" was whispered over and over in complete synchronizations with her tongue's long, slow thrusts. Buffy's hips rose farther and farther off the chaise as Evie continued. When she felt the slayer's muscles, pulling her tongue deeper into its recesses, she moved her right hand from under the slayer's ass. It wasn't needed there anymore as Buffy moved her feet onto the end of the chaise so that she could thrust herself harder into Evie's face.

As Buffy's body rose higher and higher, Evie partially stood from her kneeling position so that she could maintain maximum contact with her lover. The next time Buffy's ass touched the chaise, she completely removed her tongue, latching her mouth onto her lover's clit while she used three fingers to plunge into the slayer's body.

As soon as Buffy felt her lover's mouth on her clit and fingers inside her, she thrust up screaming, "Oooohhh Eeviiee!" She engulfed three fingers inside her body; it pushed her to the edge of her release as she began to thrust faster. Her eyes shut tightly and her fists finally grabbed handfuls of the t-shirt beneath her.

Evie clutched the slayer's bent leg, resting one knee on the chaise so that she could balance herself as her lover's thrusts increased in speed and intensity. She didn't even try to control the pace, she simply followed her lover's movements, thrusting and sucking to bring Buffy release.

With one final, "Ooohhhh, Eeeeee…." Buffy thrust upwards. Her muscles contracted at the highest point and held her suspended above the chaise as her release racked through every muscle in her body. Evie's hand and mouth were still attached to her center until Buffy finally collapsed.

Evie was able to follow her lover to the chaise where she gently removed her fingers and smiled, placing a few gentle kisses on Buffy's sex before cleaning her fingers. She moved up to lie next to the slayer. She snuggled up to her and let Buffy's breathing return to normal as she drew lazy circles on the slayer's stomach.

Buffy finally managed to open her eyes. Her breathing was back under control as Buffy looked at the smiling blonde above her. She looked down at their bodies taking in Evie clad in her bra and jeans and with a slight frown said, "Hey, you still have your clothes on."

"I was so absorbed in my treat, I forgot to take them off." She laughed softly. "Are you ready to go up to bed?"

"Mmm, do we have to move?"

"Well, we don't have to. But how about if we go upstairs, I'll take my clothes off, too and we can snuggle all naked like while we sleep?" Evie coerced.

"Definitely ready to go upstairs then." Buffy's voice was enthusiastic but the rest of her body didn't move quite that fast. She watched as Evie stood up and smiled down at her. Buffy took a few minutes to let her gaze travel over her lover; illuminated by the moonlight coming through the front window. She took in her disheveled hair, knowing she was the cause of most of it. Her eyes traveled down Evie's face, taking a moment to admire the cute ears that she loved to nibble on. She let her gaze drift down over Evie's collarbone to bra-enclosed breasts and hardened nipples. Buffy licked her lips as she thought of sucking them into her mouth. She heard Evie's intake of breath and continued her journey lower, across Evie's flat stomach to her jeans. She frowned a little and sat up slowly, her gaze locked on her lover's jean clad center.

Evie was getting flushed from the slayer's slow perusal of her body, then wondered what had caused Buffy's frown.

Buffy sat on the edge of the chaise and pulled Evie closer, turning her slightly so that the light was illuminating the front of the blonde's jeans. She took in the darkened area at the juncture of Evie's thigh and looked up asking, "Damn, did I do that?"

Evie felt herself blush as she looked down at the darkened area. "Um, no… that's not yours." A little embarrassed she started to back out of the slayer's grasp.

Buffy tightened her grip, preventing her lover from moving and gulped. Not really thinking it was possible for someone to get wet enough to completely and visibly soak her jeans she leaned forward. Buffy ran her tongue across the rough material. "Mmm, yes, definitely yours," she growled. She pushed her nose into the material and inhaled deeply. Her eyes flew open. "Geez, Evie I'm sorry. I'm so stupid sometimes, you must be going crazy."

Evie blushed again as she whispered, "Um, no actually, I'm o-ok. I sort of came too," she brushed her hand across her mouth as she mumbled, "a few times."

"How many is a few?" Buffy asked, of course having picked up on the mumbled response.

Evie gulped, feeling her ears turn red as she said, "Um, probably three I think, but I wasn't really counting."

"I didn't even get close to touching you and I'm pretty sure you didn't touch yourself so…" Buffy trailed off questioningly.

Evie pulled Buffy to her feet and wrapped her arms loosely around the slayer's waist, looking up into hazel eyes. "I, I know but the sounds you were making and your taste and smell and touching you was driving me so crazy I was getting so wet, obviously, and so, sw-swollen that the slightest movement caused my panties and jeans to rub against me, eventually enough to, you know push me over the edge."

Evie wasn't sure how Buffy was going to react but she couldn't help her body's response to the slayer.

Buffy gulped and wondrously asked, "You came from making me come?"

Evie nodded and started to pull away when she felt herself being scooped up off the floor. She gave a small yelp as Buffy rushed towards the stairs. She relaxed saying, "So, you're not upset?"

Having taken the steps two at a time, Buffy had already reached her bedroom and used her foot to push the door open, kicking it closed behind her. Her eyes widened and she actually stopped as she looked at her lover "Upset? That's the sexiest thing I've ever heard," she whispered huskily as she hurried to the bed. She set Evie down and quickly removed her clothing before joining her on the bed; moving between her legs and capturing the blonde's lips in a hard, exploring kiss.

Evie whimpered under the slayer's assault. She hadn't been lying, she would have been okay, but that didn't mean her arousal had completely abated. It flared intensely as the slayer's mouth moved from her own, down her neck; sucking, nibbling and biting so that Evie was certain she'd have a mark in the morning but she didn't care. As Buffy's mouth moved to her hardened nipples, she gripped the slayer's head pulling her tightly against her whimpering "Please, Buffy…"

"What do you want baby?" Buffy whispered as she continued to lick and suck her lover's breasts.

"Fast…. Hard" was all Evie could get out between her panting.

Buffy had her teeth on Evie's nipples, intending a gentle nip when she heard those words. The intensity behind them caused her to bite down, a little harder than she meant to. Any thought that she might have hurt the shorter girl flew out the window as she felt Evie forcefully buck her hips. Buffy instinctively moved to the other nipple and bit it in the same manner, causing Evie's pelvis to once again slam up into her own. The slayer reached between their bodies, her hand encountering the pool of wetness between her girlfriend's legs she quickly slipped two fingers inside, then a third as she continued nipping and biting, then soothing her girlfriends extremely sensitive nipples.

Every time the slayer's teeth bit into her, Evie felt a bolt of electricity race to her center, causing her hips to thrust. She could actually feel herself lifting the slayer off the bed. As Buffy slid three fingers inside her she moaned but needed… "More" she said huskily.

Buffy almost stopped. She had never used four fingers in Evie before, though she had no idea if Evie had done that with her other lovers. She bit down on the nipple in her mouth causing her lover to buck, lifting them both up. As Evie lowered them down, Buffy almost completely withdrew her fingers, placing all four fingers together, poised at her lover's opening. She moved her lips to the other breast and she suckled it lightly as her girlfriend arched up slightly, rotating her hips. When Buffy felt all of her fingers completely covered with her girlfriend's wetness, she bit down on the nipple in her mouth. It had the same result as Evie thrust upwards, pulling all of the slayer's fingers into her body, holding them both off the bed a few seconds before lowering. Buffy withdrew her fingers slightly until they were just about to touch the bed, then she nipped the sensitive bud again and Evie immediately thrust into the air again, swallowing Buffy's fingers inside her body.

Evie had never felt so much pleasure. She had moved her hands to the bed, balancing; she couldn't seem to control the thrusts that shook her body. She was only conscious of the slayer's mouth on her breasts moving between them both, fingers inside her, the feel of her body on top of her, skin to skin. She was moaning, sweating, getting so close "Oohh Buuufffffyyyy"

With that Buffy bit down on Evie's left breast while roughly pinching her right, keeping the pressure on them and pulling back slightly to stretch out the sensitive peaks. It was enough to push Evie over the edge with a screaming "Aahhhhh!"

Buffy rode her lover's thrashing convulsing body, until she settled down to minimal twitching. She slowly withdrew her fingers and gently kissed her breasts. She moved up and lay next to her lover whose eyelids had not managed to open after her intense climax. She snuggled against the blonde's side and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, moving back slightly so that she could look at the face of the woman she loved so much. Evie's mouth began to open and close as if she were saying something but no sound emerged. Buffy whispered quietly "What is it, sweetie?"

Evie swallowed and licked her lips. She still didn't have enough energy to get her eyes open and sleep was quickly coming to claim her but she wanted to say something. "W…" she actually got one sound past her lips.

Buffy leaned in, placing her ear near Evie's lips so she could hear. Finally she felt and barely heard a breathed "Wow" then realized sleep had claimed her girlfriend. She smiled and wrapped her body around her lover's pulling a blanket over them as sleep swiftly came to claim her as well.


Part 6
Evie's Dream

As Buffy started to wake up, she stretched out her hand, expecting to run her it across Evie's chest but instead it fluttered across her girlfriend's face.

"Hey…" Evie opened her eyes as she felt a hand brush across her face; everything was still dark. Realizing she was under the covers, she started to crawl up the bed with a feeling that something wasn't right, but her sleepy mind couldn't quite grasp what it was.

"What are you doing way down there, Sweetie?"

"Mmm, you must've turned me into a puddle and I just sorta slid down there I guess." Evie tucked her head under Buffy's chin and snuggled up to her. She started to entwine their feet, but her foot brushed along Buffy's knee. "What the…"

As Buffy circled her arms around Evie, she realized something definitely wasn't right. Hearing Evie's exclamation, she felt her lover pull away and jump out of bed.

Evie quickly grabbed a t-shirt and shorts; the cotton material engulfed her before it also began shrinking. Looking up at the slayer, she felt herself getting smaller until she couldn't even see over the bed.

Buffy leaned over the bed and watched as Evie continued to shrink. "Oh my gosh, is this your nightmare? You're not going to disappear are you?" Grabbing some clothes she threw them on as she began to panic.

"No, I should stop, well looks like about now." Evie smiled at her girlfriend, hoping to reassure her.

Buffy looked down on the floor, her girlfriend was about six inches tall. Leaning down she put her hand on the floor. Evie stepped onto it and Buffy gently set her girlfriend on the bed. "I'm going to go get Willow and Tara, we'll figure this out." She rushed from the room and banged on the witches' door.

Tara and Willow were getting dressed when they heard the pounding. Willow hurried over to open the door.

Buffy pushed past the redhead and nervously wrung her hands. "Evie's nightmare came true."

"What is it? Is she okay?" Tara asked as she headed toward the door.

"She's technically okay, but she's…about six inches tall." Buffy explained as they headed to her bedroom.

There was no way for the three of them to prepare for the sight that would greet them as they walked into Buffy's bedroom. They stood, transfixed by the sight, they're mouths slightly agape.

Evie executed a double back flip and landed on her feet. Planting firmly on the mattress, she pushed off the cushioned surface once more, turning toward the door in mid air. Upon seeing her friends, she jumped once more and this time as she went into the air, she struck a pose. Lying out on her side, her hand cupping her ear as if watching TV on the floor. Right before landing on the bed, she turned so that she landed on her back. Her momentum allowed her to bounce up on her feet. "What's up?" she quipped, continuing to bounce in place.

"I guess you're not quite as worried about this as I am?" Buffy questioned her girlfriend.

A small smile formed on her face, her bouncing never ceasing. "Now, why would I be worried? I mean, Tara was a demon and Willow got her back. You fought that demon and put out the fire at the high school and Willow and Tara kicked that guy Rack's ass. So me being a little shorter than normal, well I figure that's not such a big deal." She executed a forward flip, launching off the bed at her girlfriend, yelling, "Catch me!"

The slayer's quick reflexes allowed her to gently catch her girlfriend, cradling her on her chest. She felt Evie giggle against her. Rolling her eyes, she looked down at the miniaturized version. "You're lucky I caught you."

The teasing tone was gone, and her voice held certainty as she whispered, "I know you'd never let me fall."

Not one for emotional outbursts, the slayer quickly blinked away tears that threatened to appear. Wanting to hug her girlfriend fiercely but afraid of crushing the shrunken form, she settled for a kiss on top of her head.

Clearing her throat, Willow interjected, "I guess it's time for research." She wrapped her hand in Tara's and they moved toward the bedroom door.


Buffy drove Evie's car, the two Wiccans in the back seat, with Evie tucked securely on the seat between them. Stopping at Evie's house she whispered urgently to Buffy, "Don't tell Mom."

Grinning back at her girlfriend, "Yeah, I'm sure I was going to walk in and say 'Oh hi, Ms. Smith, you're daughter's been shrunk down to the size of a Xena action figure but she should be right as rain as soon as we find a spell to reverse it.' I think she likes me and I wanna keep it that way." As three sets of eyes continued to look at her, "What? She does…doesn't she?"

"Xena action figure?" The redhead was the first to comment on what they were all thinking. As her best friend squirmed slightly, "Oh, you never get to make fun of my comic collection…" trailing off as she realized her own confession, "um…hey look, here comes Dawnie." She made a mental note to buy the teenager a present for her wonderful timing.

Dawn scooted into the front seat. "How'd I get shotgun? Where's Evie?"

Waving both arms, the very short blonde happily greeted, "Hey Dawnie, what's up?"

"Um, not you obviously. Dream?"

"Yup."

"Gotcha." Turning towards her sister, "Do we get donuts for research?"

With a few piped in agreements, it was decided donuts and mochas were on the order for the afternoon at The Magic Box.


Walking into the shop, they found Anya behind the register counting money and Xander off at one of the smaller tables. Glancing up from his paperwork, the carpenter didn't miss a beat as he took in the sight of his friends. "No more coffee for Evie, it's obviously stunted her growth."

"Hardy, har, har funny man. You better watch yourself, I'm tougher than I look."

"With your three inch legs, how long would it take you to get over here?"

Barely had the words left his mouth before Evie's tiny form flew over at him in less that a second. Coming to an abrupt halt she reared back a tiny fist, swinging with all her force as she hovered in mid-air. Stopping just before contact with his nose, she used a tiny finger to flick the end of it. Crossing her arms over her chest, smirking, "Told ya, you don't wanna mess with me."

"How…. Wha…" Looking accusingly at the women in the store. "You didn't tell me she could do that."

Buffy shook off her momentary shock, shrugging. "Didn't know." To her girlfriend now perched on top of Xander's head, feet swinging and bouncing off his brow, "That's a nifty little mode of transportation you got there. Want to explain?"

"I don't know really. I mean you guys all had a nightmare come true. My initial reaction as I shrink is always fear but then…well…I'm like a…hmm…"

"Mighty Mouse?" Xander supplied as he rolled his eyes irritably at the tap-tap-tap on his forehead.

"Again I say har- oh actually, um…I think you might be right." Grinning sheepishly, she began swinging her legs faster.

Anya finally turned from counting her money. "Hey, get off his head. We might not be together right now but we could be someday and if anyone's going to be sitting on either of his he-"

A chimed chorus of "Whoa!", "No!" and "Stop!" kept the demon from continuing and prompted Evie to immediately vacate her position.

Willow and Tara passed out the mochas and donuts as everyone gathered around the research table.

Evie stood next to her mocha and donut, scratching her head slightly, staring at the rim of the cup, which was even with her eye level. An idea came to her and she ran over, picking up a coffee stirrer. She hovered above the warm liquid and lowered her makeshift straw. Wrapping her lips around the dark plastic, she took a long drink before sighing and floating back slightly. Turning toward her girlfriend, it was obvious she had watched the scene unfold with barely contained amusement. Currently the slayer was trying to cover and quickly sipped her mocha.

As nonchalantly as possible, Evie caught Buffy's gaze before saying, "You know, Sweetie, my TMJ hasn't been worked that much since we tried out that new…" coughing to cover her embarrassment as she felt six pair of eyes stare at her, she hastily amended, "um…crazy straw?" Blushing furiously she went over to an open book and stood looking down at the page, seeming immediately engrossed at the information but occasionally glancing up to make sure everyone else had returned to their own research.


"Hey, I think I might have found something." Dawn's voice broke through the mostly silent room. Donuts and mochas were long since gone by the time they entered their third hour of research.

Dawn slid the open book across the table to Tara and Willow. "Doesn't that look like the demon form Tara took in her dream?"

"I w-wondered about that. I had never um…taken that form in any of my dreams before and it's not one we've seen, at least not that I remember…" She watched as the redhead shook her head, confirming her assessment.

Evie walked across the table and stood on top of the open book, looking down at the photo. "Yeah, that looks like she did except those spikey things she had on her hands. The picture shows the ones on its head but there's not a photo or mention of the ones on the palms."

Willow began waving her hand as she read. "It's really just a mischief demon that can enter a person's REM cycle and see dreams. It often induces false awakenings and it can actually begin taking control of the dream if it so desires. It's technically considered a good demon."

Leaning over her girlfriend, the blonde witch played with soft strands of red hair as she looked at the book, "Does it mention being able to make the dreams come true? I mean we obviously all were experiencing the same thing so it wasn't some lucid dream."

"And why would the demon make Tara look like itself? That would make it easier to track down," the slayer inquired.

"Maybe it's a clue," Dawn piped in, drumming her fingers lightly on the table.

"Or a trap. Anytime a demon leaves clues, my guess is trap," Xander added nervously.

"Well, if this is a clue, maybe the other dreams contained clues," Evie commented distractedly as she jumped from book to book, trying not to touch the table in her own little game of shark. Her small body overloaded with caffeine had made it impossible for her to sit still for the research. As she jumped one particularly large gap, she stumbled slightly, creasing a page of the text.

"Being a demon again, the evisceration threat is no longer idle. Stop using the expensive texts as your own personal playground."

Evie quickly jumped and began hovering in the air. "Sorry."

"Whose idea was it to give Thumbelina that much caffeine? She gets hyper when she's full size, well as full size as she gets."

As Evie started floating toward the demon, Buffy quickly stepped between them. Looking over Buffy's shoulder, the tiny woman glared at the demon as Anya mouthed, "Thumbelina."

"Maybe we should just focus on figuring out the clues, if there are clues to be found." Willow quickly interjected, bringing the focus back to the task at hand.

"I wonder it they are supposed to be as easy as the demon telling us what it looks like?" The blonde Wiccan asked no one in particular.

"If so, then let's start at the old high school. If obvious clues are the game plan, it doesn't get more obvious than that." The slayer started gathering weapons, stopping when she noticed her girlfriend grab a pencil. "Um, Sweetie, what are you doing?"

"I can't very well carry a regular stake, it would just look silly, so – ta da…it's a stake and staff combined."

"I don't suppose telling you to stay behind would do much good?"

"Only if you want to have a lengthy argument that will delay our departure and that I'll end up winning anyway," she exaggeratingly batted her eyelashes and smiled sweetly at her girlfriend.

Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Fine, you might think you're Mighty Mouse but please try to refrain from picking up the bad guys and swinging them around your head by their toes, okay?"

"Deal." Floating over she placed a tiny kiss on her girlfriend's cheek.

"I've got to get this paperwork done, I'll stay here with Anya and Dawn can stay with us." As Buffy gave him a questioning look, he simply shrugged his shoulders in non-comment.

"Um…okay. We'll check it out and then let you know what's up." Buffy looked back one last time at Xander, shaking her head she followed the two witches and her miniature girlfriend out to the car.


Walking into the ruins of Sunnydale High, "So, where do you want-" the redhead's words were cut off abruptly as a figure emerged in front of them.

"It took you long enough. Would a trail of breadcrumbs have helped, or a map with a great big 'X' that said look here?"

"I don't remember the description including smart ass. Is this the right demon or can I start the beheading?"

"Afraid of losing your title, Slayer? Or was that pain in the ass? You know how it is with the language barrier amongst us demons."

"Can we skip the foreplay and get down to business?" All eyes turned to the blonde witch and she blushed slightly. "In a matter of s-speaking."

"I like your style, Blondie. Name's Rad." Taking time to slowly look up and down Tara's form, "Too bad you changed back to your human form, we could've had a little fun." An added wink was all it took for the redhead to step menacingly toward the demon. A comforting hand on her arm halted her progress but didn't stop her glare.

"Can we please get me back to normal size and then find out what the heck is going on?"

"What's wrong Chrysta, not used to the added height?"

"Do I still have to refrain from the toe swinging?" Evie ground out between clenched teeth.

"If we don't get some answers in the next ten seconds, have at it."

Sighing heavily the demon's toned turned serious. "I'm going to assume you know a little about me, I'm sure any textbook can tell you that I can see dreams. What I can't usually do is make dreams real. I had help with that and by help I mean someone came to me and forced me to look into your dreams so he could use them against you."

"He? Who he?" The hair on the back of Willow's neck stood on end as she focused completely on the demon.

"Rack."

The one word caused the redhead's blood to run cold and she tightened her grip protectively around her girlfriend's fingers. "He's gone."

"No, if he was gone I wouldn't still be like this." Holding hands out, palms up tears came to the demon's eyes as foot long spikes sprang from its hands. "They get longer and thicker after every dream. And they hurt like hell."

Speaking directly to Willow as the spikes slowly receded back into the demon's palms, "Rack thought that your nightmare would be that you were addicted to dark magick again and it would lead you to him. He still wants your power. Now that he knows your girlfriend has power, I'm sure he'll want you both."

"You mean you don't know for sure?"

"After your dream, when he disappeared, I haven't heard from him directly. But I need your help to undo the spell he's put on me. Break the spell on me and your friend will return to her normal size."

"But what about Rack?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know. I just know he's alive. My guess is he was going to send you someplace to control or absorb your powers, but that's just speculation. I can only tell you what needs to be done to get your friend back and to return me to normal."

"Well, let's start with that. How much do you know?"

"I know everything, I just need you two to perform the spell." Rad reached into a box they had not noticed before then and began pulling items out.

"There's no fight? No beheading? No kicking of demon or warlock ass?" If a slayer were to be known to pout, the expression on Buffy's face could only be described as such.

"Maybe we can find you a demon or a few vampires on the way home, Sweetie." Evie winked at her girlfriend, helping alleviate the sour expression.

Rad handed the witches a parchment of paper and set about setting up the rest of the spell. "The spell isn't complicated. It simply requires a lot of power. Power that the two of you possess together. Are you ready?"

The witches nodded in unison and joined hands as they moved inside the spell circle.
Channeling their power together, breathing in unison, the witches began the incantation. With the final word, a swirling breeze blew about the room and within minutes, Evie was returned to normal. Turning, "Did it work for you?"

Eyes closed, the demon inhaled deeply, a slow smile spreading across Rad's face. Opening to look directly at the witches, "Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

"Wait, that's it?" The redhead looked slightly confused at the abrupt end.

"I do appreciate everything you've done and I'll be around if needed." And with that Rad turned and walked out of the ruins that were Sunnydale High.

"Okay is it me or was that just weird?" Evie asked, stretching her legs as she readjusted to her usual height. Buffy handed her a pair of shoes and sweats that she pulled on over her shorts.

"Even for Sunnydale, that was weird and very…unfulfilling. I think we'll patrol for a while. You two going to head home?"

"Yeah, should we pick up Dawn?"

"If you don't mind, oh and you can take Evie's car…" looking at her girlfriend for confirmation and receiving a nod, "You can take her over to Karen's since we cut her visit short today. I think she wants to stay again so as long as it's okay with her mom, she can stay." The slayer rolled her eyes. "I have no idea what they do all the time."

Evie giggled, "They talk about boys."

"What? She's not supposed to be talking about boys when I don't know about it…"

"Um…we're gonna go ahead home guys, while you continue your discussion."

"Goodnight," Evie said as Buffy continued talking about Dawn and boys she shouldn't be dating.


"I don't like that he still might be on the loose. You mean so much to me, I can't stand the thought of him harming you." The redhead leaned back in the comforting embrace of her girlfriend, wiggling slightly, trying to eliminate any air between them as they sat on the chaise.

Placing a small kiss against her lover's temple, "There's always going to be evil, but as long as you're with me, I feel complete and loved and safe. And I always will when I can feel you in my arms, your skin against mine," her voice dropped as she whispered, "your taste on my lips…"

Willow shivered as she felt a warm tongue run along her neck. "Tara Maclay, do you have any idea how much I love you and that every day I fall in love with you all over again?"

"Hmm…maybe…but it's always nice to be shown." She nipped an earlobe as her hands slid under the redhead's shirt.

"Vixen."

The End

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