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Disclaimer - All characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Twentieth Century Fox, Mutant Enemy and anyone else involved with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have no connection with it at all. Basic Plot - Willow comes to stay with Xander and Buffy in their LA home, but it turns out Buffy has to rush out on a buisness trip, thus leaving Willow and Xander alone.
Willow took a long steady deep breath, and then reached for the doorbell, immediately she changed her mind and withdrew her hand. She stepped away from the door and looked up at the house before her, she could see the shadows of her two best friends in the upstairs bedroom, and they looked rather inseparable. She looked down at her shoes then turned to go.
Running back down the driveway, cases in tow, she heard someone call her name, her heart skipped at beat as she turned to see Xander stood at the front door. “Xander, uh…hi.”
He stepped out onto the driveway and walked over to her. “Where are you running to?”
Willow found herself unable to speak, Xander had changed a lot over the past two years, he looked thinner, he may have grown a little taller, his hair was longer and had hints of copper in it, and his eyes looked even dreamier now, he was certainly more handsome. “The car.” She whispered eventually. “I forgot something…left it in the car.”
Xander tilted his head to the left and frowned. “Are you okay? You’re acting a little weird.”
“Weird!” She exclaimed and immediately clapped her hand across her mouth; she felt her cheeks getting hotter she was definitely blushing. “Too loud?” She asked softly.
He nodded. “Just a bit.” Then with the cutest smile he pulled her into a hug.
Willow felt her face get even hotter; she had to be the colour of a tomato now. A few moments later Xander let her go, she straightened out her dress and tucked her long red hair behind her ears shyly. Words were not going to happen just now, luckily Xander spoke right away.
“Buffy’s going away for the weekend.” He declared. “She’s been called for a meeting in New York last minute, apparently Claire Redding pulled out and Buffy was the only one who knew about the deal.”
Willow frowned. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Well, who says Buffy has to be here for you to visit? Huh?”
“Me says Buffy has to be here.” She whispered, she couldn’t spend the whole weekend with Xander alone. “I came to see both of you.”
Xander looked hurt. “I realise that, but you don’t mind spending the weekend with just me, do you? We can do best friend type things.”
“Yes I mind!” She cried, then realised what she’d said. Xander stared at her as if a dagger had just been stabbed through his heart; she fumbled for words to explain, “I mean--”
“Okay, am I missing something here? Has something happened between us that I’m unaware of?” He interrupted softly, just as Buffy stepped out of the front door with her cases, Xander turned to look at her. “You away?”
Buffy grinned brightly at him then walked over, her silky blonde hair was curled into spirals, and she was wearing a black tailored suit. “Yeah, time to face the dogs.” She laughed, then leant in and kissed him softly on the lips. “I’ll see you on Monday, ‘kay?” Then looking at Willow she pulled her into a brief hug. “I’m sorry I can’t be here, take care of my man for me.”
Willow nodded. “I will.”
“Okay, then.” Buffy tidied her jacket and then picked up her briefcase. “Who would have thought the Slayer would turn out to be a wanted businesswomen, huh?” She said then kissed Xander again and dashed for the cab waiting at the end of the drive. “See you soon.” She cried and the driver pulled away and down the street.
Willow watched the car until it was out of her sight then looked back at Xander innocently. “So, where do I put my things?” She asked.
“Don’t you think we need to talk first, before you unpack?” He asked firmly.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Can we talk later?” Xander shook his head, Willow quickly carried on before he said something to protest. “Listen, I had a six hour drive…I stopped for one break, which consisted of a dirty restroom, a cold, weak cup of coffee, and some freak of a guy trying to crack onto me. I’m in desperate need of a shower, a cup of tea, and something to eat.”
“Fine, we can talk later.” He answered and headed back for the house.
Willow followed a little hesitantly, she felt like she was waking to her death, she stopped abruptly and grabbed Xander’s arm. “Wait.”
Xander looked at her a moment then tucked a stray strand of his dark hair behind his left ear. “What?”
“I didn’t mean what I said earlier, honestly…it’s just, I haven’t seen you for two years, Xand… things feel a little weird.” She bit her lip hoping he understood. “I’ve seen Buffy quite a lot, but…” She gestured to him as a glassy tear slid down her cheek. “You, I haven’t seen you for a whole two years, that’s a hell of a long time considering we’re best friends…”
He smiled softly and traced a hand across her cheek and wiped away the solitary tear. “You think maybe we could make up for that this weekend? Instead of you being all weird with me.”
Nodding she felt the tears begin properly. “I can’t believe I’m crying about this.” Xander pulled her to him and kissed her forehead, she smiled at the tender gesture then held onto him tightly.
* * *
Placing the plate of sandwiches down on the dinning table Xander looked up to see Willow walking down the stairs in her robe, her long red hair fell across her face in wet tangles, she smiled at him and brushed her hair from her eyes then sat down on one of the dinning chairs. “Feeling better now?” He asked her as he sat down opposite.
“Much better.” She whispered and picked up one of the sandwiches.
“Good.” Xander leant back in his chair. “I have really missed you…you might not believe that but it’s true.”
“You’re right, I don’t believe you.” She replied firmly. “I mean how could you possibly miss me if you had Buffy to occupy you all this time.” Giggling she bit into her sandwich.
He sighed. “And she does keep me occupied…every night it’s, ‘baby, come and massage my shoulders in the hot tub, then we can go upstairs and--’” He cut himself of as he noticed Willow’s face fall, he laughed softly. “Seriously it’s more, ‘Xander, can you just read this over for me’, and, ‘honey, go to bed without me, I’ve just got to finish this report, make ten phone calls to Bangkok, and twelve to Paris’.” Leaning across the table he smiled at her. “It’s all action with Buffy.”
“Oh…” Willow placed her sandwich down onto the plate and backed off a little. “I didn’t realise.”
“Fun times with Buffy are becoming very rare.” He admitted.
Getting up from the table Willow frowned. “I’ll go and get dressed okay, then maybe we could go to the movies or something.”
“That’d be nice.” He smiled.
* * *
Willow stared up at the buildings of LA. “Wow, it really is amazing here.” She whispered.
“Try living here everyday…the amazement soon slips away.” Xander muttered and took her hand. “You wanna go back now?”
“Not yet.” She stepped away from him and pulled her hand from his hold. “What’s it like going shopping at midnight?”
“The same as going shopping at midday.” He replied tiresomely. “Chaotic!”
She carried on down the street examining every building carefully with her eyes, taking everything in, she took a deep breath, God she loved this city…unfortunately she still lived in Sunnydale. Turning the corner she was faced with a dramatic fountain, water cascaded down several ledges and sparkled pick, blue, and gold where the lights in the trees reflected of it. “Whoa.” She whispered hoarsely.
Xander just smiled at her contentment and sunk down onto the bench behind him, he saw the city everyday; it was nothing new to him. “You like?”
“Oh God, yeah.” She said keenly.
* * *
After their trip to the movies and long walk around LA they’d eventually gone back to Xander’s, of course by now it was one in the morning, Xander had gone a little hyperactive and was determined to torture Willow as much as possible through tickling.
Willow burst into laughter as Xander tickled her waist; she pushed him away and made a run for the lounge. “Leave me alone you bully.” She shrieked.
“Never.” He growled and ran after her, he cornered her by the sofa. “You cannot escape oh red haired one.” Xander grinned at her then launched another attack.
“Stop!” She screamed and fell down onto the sofa behind her as Xander dived at her. “Xander, stop!”
He climbed over her and pinned her against the cream leather. “Stop what?” He asked innocently and shrugged. “I’m not doing anything.” She struggled under his weight constantly giggling; he glanced down at her and then at his hands. “Do you want me to let you go?”
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Well, how about a compromise?” He asked. “I’ll let you go, give you ten seconds to escape, then I’ll come after you again.”
“Sounds fair to me.” Willow whispered as he let her shoulders go, she leapt up and made a dash for the stairs, she’d managed to get halfway up when she felt Xander behind her. “That wasn’t ten seconds!” She cried and turned to look at him.
He shook his head. “You cheated, the ten seconds start now…ten!” She didn’t move. “Nine!” He leant towards her. “I’d run if I were you.” He whispered then proceeded with his count. “Eight!”
Willow shrieked again then ran up the rest of the staircase, reaching the top she ran into the nearest bedroom and slammed the door. Spinning around she noticed there was nowhere to go, she was trapped, and in Xander and Buffy’s bedroom. * Damn! * She thought. A moment later Xander burst in, frowning she shrugged her shoulders. “You got me.”
He casually walked over to her, then leant forward and whispered in her ear. “Not yet.” Then with a playful smile he picked her up and threw her onto the bed, climbing onto the bed after her he pinned her again. “Now I got you.”
“Guess so.” She whispered weakly, her heart was going at double its normal rate, she couldn’t cope with Xander being so close to her, and she could smell his aftershave, he was still wearing the same one he’d worn when they’d had their fling back in Graduation year. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and tried to ignore the passion racing through her veins.
Xander studied Willow’s features as she closed her eyes; she looked so much older now, and so much more beautiful, her red hair had grown and was now wavy with tiny blonde highlights, but she was still the same Willow he had been in love with…or maybe still was…he leant in closer to her and brushed his lips against hers…the touch was electric, he closed his eyes and kissed her lips tenderly and softly. Suddenly he got a flash image of himself and Buffy in much the same way just under a week ago, he blinked in shock at the picture but ignored it and ran one of his hands up the back of Willow’s shirt.
It took a few seconds for realisation to set in and he realised that Willow wasn’t actually kissing him back; she was trying to push him away. He pulled away and got up from the bed, looking down at his best friend he saw the panic in her eyes. What had he been doing? “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired.” He muttered quickly and pulled open the wardrobe behind him.
Willow sat up and looked at him, she could see the hurt in his eyes, but he’d scared her then...she would have Xander of all people would notice if your heart or even you weren’t into something. She got up and nodded sadly, she headed for the door, and just as she reached it she gave him one last glance. “Goodnight, Xander.” She muttered and shut the door behind her.
Xander was left alone in the bedroom just staring at the clothes in the wardrobe; he turned and looked at the door Willow had just walked out of. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have not noticed her protests? Her hesitations? Clenching his fist he threw a punch at the wardrobe door, the wood splintered from the blow. “Shit!” Xander growled then dropped back onto his bed and closed his eyes.
* * *
Wrapping her robe around herself Willow headed across the landing and towards the bathroom, she could hear the sound of running water from inside. * He’s in the shower. * She thought, hugging herself she started down the cold slate stairs, just as she reached the bottom she heard the bathroom door open. Her heart willed her not to turn around and look at him, it hurt too much.
“Willow?” Xander opened the bathroom door and saw her at the bottom of the stairs, he could tell she’d only just woken up, her red hair was ruffled, and she looked so tired. “Did you sleep okay?”
She shook her head. “No, I was tossing and turning all night.”
* That’s my fault. * He thought. “Same here…” He bit his lower lip a moment then stepped out onto the landing and started for the stairs. “We need to talk.”
“Yeah?” She asked.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs he had to restrain himself from grabbing her arms and kissing her right then. “Well, I need to talk at least.” Gesturing to the lounge he frowned. “Please?”
She walked into the lounge and sat down on the sofa, Xander sat down beside her, she looked down at the floor in silence.
“Okay, I’m just gonna say this.” Xander leant forward nervously. “I still have feelings for you, Will. I didn’t realise it before…but now, after last night…”
“Last night?” She asked with a mock laugh. “Five more minutes without you realising I wasn’t into you kissing me…and I could have had you up for rape!”
Xander leant back and closed his eyes, this wasn’t happening, was it? “I was a jerk.” He whispered.
“You were a jerk.” She repeated to him. “I probably could have come up with a better analysis though.”
“Yeah? What’s that?” He asked with a smile.
She turned to face him her expression serious. “A selfish bastard, who doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself!” She said.
Xander felt as though he’d just been slapped in the face, he didn’t know what to say.
“I knew you’d changed Xander, but I didn’t think it would have been in a bad way…last night we were having fun, what happened?”
He opened his mouth to speak, but there were no words there.
“That’s why I didn’t want to stay here if Buffy wasn’t gonna be here!” She whispered. “I had this feeling something bad would happen, and it looks like I was right. Xander, I don’t want you to hurt me again…or anyone else.”
“I didn’t mean what happened, Will.”
“I know.” She replied with a smile. “Next time pay a little attention to me, okay!”
“Okay!” He agreed with a nod.
Willow looked at him and brushed his hair away from his eyes. “I--”
Xander didn’t let her finish, instead he leant closer to her and kissed her gently…it took Willow a minute to warm to the kiss, but as soon as she did it was amazing, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
Willow suddenly pushed him away. “Xander! Stop!” She cried and backed off a little. “What are we doing? I can’t do this! * We * can’t do this!”
“Give me one reason why not?”
“Buffy.” She whispered.
He shook his head as an image of the blonde Slayer filled his head. “Buffy.” He agreed in a flat tone.
Willow got up from the sofa and pulled her robe around herself protectively. “I’m going to go get showered and dressed, okay?”
“Sure.” He muttered flatly.
Raising her eyebrows in disbelieve Willow sat back down. “This isn’t my fault, Xander! I’m not going to get involved with you!”
“Why not? You did when I was with Cordy.”
Willow couldn’t help what she did next; it just sort of happened…she slapped him sharply around his jaw. “How dare you!”
Xander stared at her as he lifted a hand to his jaw, his eyes had gone from a lustful look to complete hurt in less than five seconds. “I--”
She shook her head. “No, don’t say anything…I want that to be the last thing I remember you saying to me ever.” And with that she got up and stormed up the staircase.
He stared after her a moment, and then wondered why he was, she’d just slapped him for Gods sake, why was he looking at her like she was an Angel sent from Heaven? * Because you love her you idiot! * He thought. * And you just said the stupidest thing possible! *
After another minute or so of careful thought he started up the stairs after her. “Will?” He stopped outside the guest bedroom and put his ear to the door, he could hear the sound of crying coming from within. “Will? Can I come in?”
“No! Leave me alone!” She cried from the other side of the door. “Go away!”
“What I said, it just came wrong I swear.” He whispered into the wood. “I don’t want to hurt you, ever. I’m so in love with you I can’t find the words for it.”
Willow opened the door and Xander looked at her helplessly. “You just did.” She said.
“I guess I did.” He smiled sheepishly. “Do you forgive me?”
She frowned. “You’ll have to make it up to me.”
“I can do that.”
“I know you can.” She growled seductively and pulled him into the bedroom. “Very slowly.”
* * *
Several hours later Xander stepped out of his guest bedroom and ran a hand through his ruffled hair, he slowly started down the stairs just as he reached the bottom the phone rung. He grabbed it after the second ring. “Hello?”
“Xander, baby, it’s me.” He smiled as he heard the familiar voice of his girlfriend. “How are things going?”
“Cool…everything’s fine.” He replied honestly. “How are things with you?”
“Busy, but I think we have the deal.” Xander could tell by her tone that she was grinning on the other side of the telephone. “How’s Willow? Are you guys getting on?”
“Yeah, we’re getting on.” Xander fought the urge to add the word ‘it’ into that sentence. “And she’s fine.”
“Good. I’m going to be back tomorrow now, okay.”
“Tomorrow, yeah…looking forward to it.” He whispered the last few words as Willow wandered down the stairs in a short flimsy dress. “See you tomorrow.”
“I love you.” Buffy whispered.
“Back at ya.” He muttered into the phone as Willow stopped and stood beside him, he slammed the phone back in its cradle and pulled Willow into a fiery kiss. “That was Buffy.” He whispered.
“Really?” She asked breathlessly. “How’s she getting on?”
Xander picked Willow up and headed back for the stairs. “Fine.” Halfway up he stopped and placed her back down, she looked at him curiously. “Why did I come down here in the first place?”
“Beats me.” Willow shrugged and started kissing his neck tenderly. “Does it matter?”
“Not really, I just wondered.” He frowned then reverted his attention back to Willow. “You know I never realised how comfy the bed in the guest room was.”
“You still don’t know, we haven’t exactly lay on it.” She said with a mischievous grin. “We could test that now.”
“Nah…I’m not through testing the bounce-factor yet.” He lifted her up in his arms and walked up the rest of the stairs. “Takes hours to do that.”
Willow raised an eyebrow at him. “You sure you can last another couple of hours with me, Mr Harris?”
“Are you questioning my abilities, Miss Rosenberg? ‘Cause I have a few ticks up my sleeve that could scare even a porn star with fifty years experience.” He screwed his nose up at that thought.
“Eew!” Willow replied. “Old guy!”
Xander sniggered then kissed her softly on the lips. “Please do not imagine that!”
“Too late.” She whispered as Xander dropped her onto the bed. “Give me a minute or so and I might forget it.”
“You better.”
* * *
Willow stirred as the sound of the front door opening disturbed her sleep; she rolled over and nuzzled against Xander’s sleeping form. * Wait! * She thought suddenly, * front door…opening? * Alarm bells went off in her head as she heard the distinctive voice of Buffy calling her boyfriends name. Willow sat bolt upright as her heart began to race, Buffy wasn’t meant to be home yet! Was she? Then Willow realised she was spending way too much time thinking about this, and not enough time doing anything about herself and Xander’s state of nakedness!
“Xander.” She whispered into his ear, no response, she tried again. “Xander?” Still nothing, sighing heavily she leaned over him and stared at him…he was dreaming. “Xander, Buffy’s home!” She whispered slightly louder.
“The syrup goes on the waffles, Willow.” He muttered under his breath.
She couldn’t help but giggle at that, she clapped her hands across her mouth realizing that Buffy had made her way upstairs…she could hear the floorboards creaking outside. “Shit,” Willow cursed, “Xander, wake up…please.”
“Willow? You in here?” Buffy called from outside the door.
Willow glanced from Xander, to the door, to the floor, then back to Xander. The she did the only thing she could think to do…she pushed him out of the side of the bed onto the floor. Then climbing out of the bed she sat on the floor to make it look like she’d fell out of bed.
* * *
Buffy opened the door and looked at her friend on the floor, she was sat looking confused rubbing her head. “Willow?” She asked quickly.
Willow turned and looked at her. “Buffy? Hi!”
“Are you okay?” Buffy asked trying not to laugh.
“I’m fine.” Willow replied quietly.
“Where’s Xander?”
Willow shrugged and got to her feet as quickly as she could. “Don’t know, isn’t he in your room?”
“No.”
“Sorry, I really don’t know.” She whispered.
Buffy turned to leave, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Did you have a good weekend?”
“Yeah!” Willow said enthusiastically then sat on the edge of the bed.
“I’m glad.”
* * *
Xander walked into the kitchen to see Buffy reaching across the counter to get the spaghetti jar. “Buff?” He asked gently.
She looked over her shoulder and smiled, then grabbed hold of the jar. “I’m thinking spaghetti for dinner, okay with you?”
“That’s fine.” He sat down on one of the stools at the breakfast bar as she walked over and wrapped her arms around him. “How was the trip?”
Buffy frowned as her blonde curls fell across her face; she quickly hooked her hair behind her ears. “Uneventful. The usual thing.” She leant her head on his shoulder. “I really missed you, I was all alone in that big city…it’s no fun on your own.”
“What about Clarke? You know your business partner?”
Buffy sighed. “Clarke?” She let him go and stood up straight then walked over to the stove. “He’s like…a total bore.” She replied hesitantly while turning on the stove. “He’s no fun.”
“I’m sure he is!”
“He’s not!” She said quickly and slammed the spaghetti jar down on the counter. “God, Xander!”
Xander got up from the breakfast bar and walked up behind her. “What?”
She turned to face him anger flaring in her eyes. “Do you have to keep on?!”
“I wasn’t, Buff.”
She looked to the floor a moment then back to him. “Whatever!” She sighed then turned back to the stove.
Xander rolled his eyes then decided to leave the kitchen, stepping into the lounge he saw Willow sitting at the piano with a pad and pen. “Hey, Will…what ya doing?”
She spun and looked at him then pulled the pad against her protectively. “Nothing!”
* * *
Willow sat on the edge of her bed and watched the sunset, as darkness engulfed the city of LA she took her cases and headed down the stairs. Dropping her cases by the front door for a moment, she walked through the hallway and placed an envelope beside the telephone. *Why are you doing this? * She asked herself as a tear ran down her cheek.
“I have to do this, no matter how much it hurts.” She whispered and then picked her cases back up and walked out of the door and to her car.
* * *
Xander yawned as he slowly walked down the stairs, reaching the bottom he ran his hands through his hair and glanced around, there was something different. Then he noticed the envelope beside the telephone, strolling over he picked it up and opened it carefully. Inside there was a note and a locket, he studied the locket a moment then read the letter to himself.
Dear Xander,
By the time you read this I will probably be back in Sunnydale, please don’t call me. I felt I had to leave after Buffy arrived home yesterday. She’s your girlfriend, Xander, not me…and it’s obvious that she loves you with all her heart. Don’t let me ruin your relationship. Thanks ever so much for this weekend, it’s made me step back into reality…the reality where I’m not with you, and where you’re with some other girl! That’s the way it’s always been, and I think it’s better if it stays that way. I’ll treasure these past few days for the rest of my life, they’ll never be forgotten, how could they be?
The locket I leave with you is one you bought me on my tenth birthday; take care of it as I have done for the past thirteen years.
I love you, always.
Willow.
Xander looked down at the locket and smiled. Willow was right, it was best if they didn’t let what had happened change anything, after all he was with Buffy and he loved her.
“Xander!” Buffy’s voice echoed down the stairway as she came running towards him a grin plastered to her face “Xander!” She reached the bottom and flung herself into his arms.
He held her a moment then gently pushed her away. “What?”
She took a deep breath. “I have the best news.” She started laughing softly, her smile widening by the second.
“What?” He asked again, beginning to get curious. “What’s happened?”
“Oh, God!” She sighed and kissed him softly. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Buffy.” Xander added slightly confused. * What the hell’s going on? * “Now tell me what’s so good!”
Buffy ran a hand through her long blonde hair and took another deep breath. “I’m pregnant!” She screamed excitedly and kissed him again.
He pushed her away. “You’re what?”
“I’m pregnant, Xander. We’re going to have a baby.”
Xander stayed quiet for a moment trying to process what Buffy had just said. * Me? A father? * He thought with a smile, looking at Buffy he saw that her eyes were sparkling with joy, she was so happy. Thinking it over a little more he realised he felt exactly the same way, his smile broke into a grin and he pulled Buffy into a passionate kiss.
“So, are you happy?” She asked.
“God, yeah!” He cried and swept her into his arms, Buffy squealed, he spun her around a couple of times then put her back down. “You’re gonna be a mom! And I…I’m gonna be a dad!”
“I know!”
“This is amazing!”
The End
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