AA Higher Power
Disclaimers - If you want disclaimers go read
them in Part 1, there are plenty of them there.
Feedback - Comments and suggestions can be sent to
Alex at keeper444@webtv.net.
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They
woke late the next morning. With Willow's help Buffy found everything she
needed and after they had both bathed they found new clothes laid out for them.
Willow
got another green dress of a fine hand woven cloth, and this time trimmed in
gold. For Buffy there was a leather tunic, soft leather pants, and a pair of
knee high boots, all black.
After
dressing Willow led Buffy out into the garden anxious to show her everything in
the strange world they were visiting. Plus, Willow wanted to make sure she
thanked the Druids for saving her love's life. All Buffy remembered was going
to take a shower in the dorm and then waking up to Morrigan’s unfocused face.
“Wow,
Wills this place is truly amazing,” Buffy said awed by her surroundings
“Wait
till you see the fountain.” Willow said tugging at Buffy’s sleeve like an
anxious child.
“Okay
okay, Wills” Buffy said smiling at her friend’s newfound exuberance, “Don’t
blow a vein, I’m coming.” They came to the fountain and found Brigit and
Morrigan sitting at one of the tables.
“Good
morrow little ones.” Brigit said smiling at Willow's obvious joy, “I see your
beloved is well and recuperating.”
Willow
giggled like a shy child at Brigit's comment. Buffy looked at the serenely
beautiful blonde then to the wildly exotic red head then finally at Willow.
“Who’re
your friends Wills?” Buffy asked feeling a slight twinge of jealousy at their
familiarity.
“Buffy,
this is Brigit.” Willow said indicating the regal looking blonde.
“Pleased
to meet you.” Buffy said holding out her hand, “Wills tells me that I my life
to you.”
Buffy
gasped when Brigit took her hand. It was as if a combination of high voltage
electricity and the gentle warmth of spring spread through her body from that
hand.
“No,
not at all. I didn’t save your life,
your beloved did. But, I am glad to see you are healing Elizabeth.” Brigit said
softly.
“Ah…yes...well
I guess...ah” Buffy began awkwardly, overwhelmed by her contact with Brigit.
“Hey wait a minute. How did you know about Elizabeth?”
Buffy
gave Willow a withering look, but Willow shrugged and shook her head denying
any involvement.
“Do
not blame Willow.” Brigit said her soft voice overcoming Buffy’s anger. “We
know much about both of you Elizabeth or would you prefer Chosen One or perhaps
Slayer.”
“How
about just Buffy?” she replied. “Everyone does.”
The
woman released her hand and the one with the wild red hair and bright green eyes
stepped up. “I am called Morrigan,” she
said in her normal husky voice. “You may remember me from last night. No? It
does not matter.”
She
shook Buffy’s hand vigorously. Buffy was impressed by the strength of the
woman’s grip.
“You
say Buffy, then Buffy it shall be.” Morrigan continued. “Leather suits you
Slayer.”
“Yeah…ah…thanks.”
Buffy said a little stunned by the woman’s presence, she was a force of nature.
It
was like some deadly jungle predator suddenly stood up and shook your hand.
“Come,
sit” Brigit said. “We have brought this to share with you. There is fresh
fruits, cheese, bread, fresh milk, and if you prefer, meade of course.”
The
two girls sat down at the empty places at the table.
“And
for the Slayer, I have brought meat.” Morrigan announced and put a huge slab of
venison on Buffy’s plate.
Never
having had venison and not wanting to be rude Buffy cut off a small piece and
gingerly put it in her mouth, it was marvelous, cooked just right. It was
marvelous! The meat was cooked just how she liked her meat and the spices made
it a truly wonderful.
“This
is great,” Buffy said between bites as she wolfed down every morsel that was
put on her plate.
Finally,
after two more helpings of meat, she was full. Buffy stretched like a pampered
cat. She already felt relaxed enough around these two women that she leaned
over and kissed Willow lightly and caressed her cheek.
Buffy
rested her head on Willow's shoulder and half listened, half dozed while Willow
and Brigit talked about healing herbs and medicines.
After
a while, when her love and their new friend started talking about spells and
all that Witchy stuff Willow loved so much Buffy became restless. She sat up,
kissed Willow’s cheek and decided to look around. As she started for the trees
she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find Morrigan standing quietly
behind her.
<Damn
she’s good!> Buffy thought. <I didn’t even know she was there. >
“I
see you have tired of their talk of magiks and the like.” Morrigan said taking
a loving glance at Brigit.
“I
guess so.” Buffy shrugged “The magic and witchy stuff is Willow’s thing. I’m
more like action girl, you know fight now, magic later.”
“As
it is with me.” Morrigan said smiling at the young Slayer, “If you are up to it
come with me. We too have things in common.”
“Go
slowly with the girl, Morrigan.” Brigit called out as she saw the two of them
leaving, “She does not have your skills and she is still not at full strength.”
“As
you wish.” Morrigan answered and disappeared with Buffy.
Brigit
saw the worry in Willow's eyes as she watched the other two leave. “Worry not
little one.” Brigit reassured her, “There is much she can learn from my
Morrigan, as there is much I can teach you.”
For
the next several days when they weren’t together exploring their newly formed
relationship, Willow was with Brigit expanding her powers, and Buffy was with
Morrigan learning new fighting techniques.
“I
could stay here forever,” Buffy sighed one night as they lay in bed simply
enjoying being together “I feel better than I’ve felt since becoming the
Slayer.”
“I
know what you mean.” Willow said snuggling up closer to her lover. “Brigit is
great, I’ve never known anyone like her.”
“Yeah,
I feel the same way about Morrigan.” Buffy said thoughtfully. “She's kinda hard
to get to know at first but once you get past that hardcore warrior stuff she's
alright and she's the best sparing partner I’ve ever had.”
“Watch
it Slayer!” Willow giggled and began poking Buffy in the ribs, “Only one
soulmate to a customer.”
“Oh
yeah,” Buffy laughed and made a grab for her teasing lover. “You’d better watch
yourself my little witch.”
“Or
what?” the redhead taunted.
The
two wrestled playfully until Buffy pinned Willow to the mattress, straddling
her abdomen on her knees. She gazed into Willow's shining green eyes nearly
loosing herself in their depths. “Or this,” Buffy said her voice thick with
passion.
She
lowered herself until her lips were on Willow’s. Starting with a soft brushing
of their lips they were soon lost in a fierce all consuming kiss. Mouths open,
tongues probing, their hands seemed to move of their own volition lightly
brushing searching for every sensitive area.
“God
I love you.” Buffy moaned into Willow's mouth.
Willow could only moan, her body responding to Buffy’s every touch. Buffy slowly moved down Willow’s trembling body leaving molten hot trails with her tongue. It was as if their bodies melded together becoming one responding to the call more primal than even Slaying, the need to love and be loved. Their entire beings touched flesh to flesh, mind to mind, soul to soul.
One
morning when the four women were sitting by the fountain having breakfast as
was their habit, Lugh appeared from out of the trees.
“You
appear to have made a complete recovery, Slayer.” He said smiling at her.
“Yeah,
I’m better than ever.” Buffy answered without thinking, she could feel the power
the man exuded naturally “Ah...you must be Lugh? Wills told me about you. Glad
to meet you.”
Buffy
held out her hand to the man. He took her forearm and held it, greeting her in the
manner accorded to Celtic warriors. Morrigan had explained it to her and the
respect it conveyed to those it was given. It was an honor to be greeted by
this man in that manner and to Buffy's embarrassment she blushed with pleasure.
By the end of the greeting her body was nearly vibrating from the power came
from Lugh.
“I
am glad you have recovered so well.” Lugh said as he released her arm, then
became serious. “I am sorry to say that your visit here is very nearly at an
end.”
“Is
there something wrong?” Willow asked fearing the answer.
“No
child, nothing like that,” he reassured her, “but as it is with all things the
time has come to return you to your own destiny. The powers are aligned so that
you will be returned within two days of your leaving. To keep you here any
longer would interfere with the natural balance, and that we have all sworn not
to do.”
Willow
and Buffy looked at each other each seeing the sadness and determination in the
other’s eyes. Neither wanted to ever leave the peace of this place or the two
women they had both grown so fond of, but they had also learned to accept the
responsibilities of their combined destinies and to honor their new friends by
doing their best to preserve the natural balance.
“When
do we leave?” Willow asked grimly. “Is there time to get ready?”
“Before
sunrise.” Lugh told her, his sorrow clear in his deep voice. “Your presence
here will sorely missed. It has affected even those you never met.”
“We’d
really like to stay, but Brigit and Morrigan have explained why we can't.”
Buffy said feeling the sting of the tears welling up in her eyes. “Destiny
sucks!”
Willow
silently nodded her head in agreement unable to speak.
“Well
said Slayer,” Morrigan said for herself and Brigit, proud of the young woman
she had grown to like and respect.
“I
will leave you now so that you may prepare for your return.” Lugh said. He
turned and disappeared back into the trees.
The
four women watched him leave then turned back to the table, none of them were
hungry anymore.
They
tried to follow their usual routine, but they were just going through the
motions and by sunset they had exhausted their supply of small talk.
At
the end of the day the two pairs of lovers stood arm in arm facing each other
in awkward silence each one hoping one of the others would speak.
Finally
the stalemate was broken when Morrigan pulled away from Brigit and went to face
Buffy. She put her hands on the younger woman’s shoulders and looked into her
eyes.
“Good
hunting Slayer.” Morrigan’s normally clear husky voice sounded strained.
“Listen to your soul mate, she sees things in a way you can not.” She handed
Buffy a package. “Open it when you are at your destination.” Morrigan said, “It
is something to aid you in seeking your destiny.”
“T-thanks”
Buffy said fighting her tears, “I-I'll m-miss you.” Unable to control herself
any longer and not wanting to embarrass her friend, Buffy turned and ran into
her room.
“I…ah...I”
Morrigan stumbled her throat tight with unaccustomed emotion, “We will miss you
both.”
She
spun and stalked into the trees her shoulders hunched and her hands clinched in
tight fists at her sides. Brigit and Willow shared a tearful hug then Brigit
pulled out a small package from the pouch on her belt.
“As
Morrigan said, open this when you reach the other side of the veil.” she
said softly, “I will miss you little one, you have made my days brighter.”
“There’s
no way we can ever thank you for all you’ve done for us.” Willow told her
sadly, then looked over to where Morrigan had disappeared into the trees. “Will
she be alright?”
“Worry
not for her little one. She is just unaccustomed to expressing emotion to any
one but me.” Brigit said with a sad smile as she gazed lovingly after her wild
lover. “It is a hard life for them little one. We are easy for others to know
and like, they are relaxed around us, but our others are too intimidating for
others to be comfortable with. It is not their fault, it is the nature of their
calling. The life path they travel is dangerous and lonely, all they have is
us. Care for her well little one. In many ways her life is harder then even
Morrigan’s.”
“I
will I swear it.” Willow said touched again by the woman’s compassion
She
turned and followed Buffy into the room leaving Brigit to seek out her lover,
she knew how badly Morrigan would need her tonight.
Willow entered their room and looked for
Buffy, she found her standing by the window seat staring out at the trees tears
flowing from her eyes, but not making a sound, Willow stepped up behind her
best friend and lover, leaned against her back and wrapped her arms around
Buffy's waist.
“I
don’t want to go back there.” Buffy sobbed quietly as she leaned back into her
red-haired pillar of strength. “They like us here, they understand us here,
it’s not like back home. We don’t have anyone there. Back there they treat us
like freaks and outcasts. Oh Wills, I’m so confused. I know about the Slayer
thing and about saving the world and all the destiny stuff, but why us. Even
the ones that know don’t really care about us. We are the only ones that care
about us.”
“Not
so,” Willow whispered her hot breath caressing Buffy's ear. “There’s your mom
and Xander and Giles, don’t forget Giles. He was so worried when you got sick,
I don’t think he slept a wink and I know he didn’t take a shower.”
Buffy
turned around in Willow’s arms so that she was looking into Willow's eyes.
Buffy felt a tightness in her chest as he gazed into the dark green eyes of her
universe.
<This
is the only reason to save the world> Buffy thought, <because she's in
it. > “You know you’ve always been able to do that.” Buffy said kissing
Willow's forehead.
“What’s
that?” Willow asked beginning to nuzzle Buffy’s neck.
“You’ve
always been able to make me laugh.” Buffy moaned as Willow closed her teeth
lightly on her neck. No matter how depressed I am or how bad the situation, my
Wills knows just what to say.”
“M-m-m
we aim to please.” Willow groaned pulling back a little. “Kiss me.”
“See
what I mean.” Buffy said softly just before their lips met.
It
was much later that night before the two exhausted lovers fell into bed and
drifted off into a deep dreamless sleep.
A
gentle warm breeze caressed Willow's face and the rising sun warmed her body.
She slowly opened her eyes and tried to figure out where she was. After a few moments disorientation she
realized she was laying in the same grassy clearing where Buffy had fought the
vampires and nearly lost.
The
same one where Lugh, Brigit, and Morrigan had come for them.
“Wow!”
Willow said out loud “Did I dream all that?”
“If
you did then we both had the same dream.” Buffy's voice answered her.
Willow
sat up and looked around.
“If
it was a dream we’re still having it.” Buffy continued, "Geez Wills,
you're drop dead gorgeous in that dress.”
She
looked at what she was wearing, it was the dark green velvet dress Brigit had
given her on their first day. Willow turned to say something to Buffy but froze
when she saw Buffy's outfit.
The
Slayer was wearing the same black leather tunic, blue dress and boots that
Morrigan was wearing the first time Willow had met her.
“Your
not so bad yourself my dear.” Willow said lecherously.
Willow’s
hand brushed up against something lying in the grass next to her. Upon
investigation she found a white ash staff like Lugh carried, complete with
runes and symbols but she could tell he’d made this one for her by the Willow
Knot woven in an intricate pattern around the head of the staff. Next to the
staff was a large thick obviously ancient book with a note sticking out of it.
Willow pulled the note out and read it.
‘This
volume should be useful to you and your other, along with the other things we
have given you. I know that when the time comes their meanings and uses will be
made known to you.
Love
and care for each other, maybe fate will allow our paths to cross again in the
future.’
Brigit
Underneath
the signature was a silver swan.
“Wills
look at this.” Buffy exclaimed showing her friend a neatly folded pair of soft
black leather pants and a pair of long gleaming dirks with beautifully
decorated scabbards. She too had found a note, her’s was much shorter and in
Morrigan’s strong, bold hand.
'Slayer,
Good Hunting.
Morrigan
“Even
when we're not there looking out for us,” Buffy said a tear in her eye. “Man I
miss them already.”
“Me
too” Willow muttered her throat choked with emotion knowing how difficult it
must have been for Morrigan to express even that small amount of feeling.
Then
Buffy remembered the package she had been given. She found it laying next to
the other things. Buffy carefully unwrapped it, taking care not to tear the
paper. Inside was a beautifully carved and finished wooden dagger. Its handle
was covered with graceful swirling designs and ended with a jeweled pommel
stone and hilt. The three-edged blade tapered to a needle sharp point.
Willow
opened her package and found two silver rings, each set with a large emerald
shaped like a heart.
“My
god, those are beautiful.” Buffy exclaimed when she saw the rings. “I wonder
why they gave those to us.”
“Don’t
know.” Willow answered shrugging her shoulders, “but Brigit said it all has
something to do with our destiny and when the time was right we would know.”
“Well
she hasn't been wrong so far.” Buffy agreed. “Say I wonder how long we've been
gone.”
“Don't
know, but Lugh said two days” Willow answered. “You think we'd better check in
with somebody?”
“Oh
geez, I forgot all about Giles.” Buffy cried out. “We’d best get this stuff
together and get our butts over to his place. He’s ‘gonna have a stroke when he
sees what we brought back.”
“Not
to mention where we’ve been.” Willow added.
“I
can’t wait to see his face.” Buffy chuckled and gave Willow a quick kiss.
They
bundled their gifts in their cloaks, then with Buffy carrying that and Willow
carrying her staff they headed off for the ex-Watcher’s home.
.................
Giles
was beside himself with worry. This was the second day since Buffy and Willow
had disappeared and still no one had heard or seen any sign of them.
He
clearly remembered that reassuring voice in his head but for the life of him he
could not figure out why he had trusted that voice.
In
an effort to redeem himself, Giles had sent Xander out to see what he could
find around campus, knowing the other kids would talk to him easier than the
would Giles. Giles was in the basement armory when he heard someone come in
upstairs. Thinking it might be Xander back with some news he stopped what he
was doing and hurried up the stairs.
“Really
Xander,” Giles began as he entered the living room, “if your going to be this
long you should call....” Giles froze in his tracks, his mouth hanging wide
open, standing in his living room were the objects of all his concern and
worry.
Buffy
and Willow were standing there smiling at him.
“Buffy,
Willow you’re here, Where have you?...how did you…?!” Giles stammered in
surprise and confusion not to mention relief and joy. “Are you alright?”
“I'm
fine Giles.” Buffy reassured him, “As for the rest well it'll have to wait. We
just walked all the way over here and we're tired and thirsty.”
The
two girls flopped down on the couch next to each other.
“Ah..well..yes
I just..” Giles began then stopped himself took a deep breath and forcibly
regained his normal calm composure. “Alright then, you two get comfortable and
I will get us some refreshments.”
His
voice may have been calm but his face clearly showed his anxious confusion. He
went into the kitchen and began making tea using the time to get himself
completely under control. He was pouring the tea and composing his thoughts so
that he could properly debrief the girls when his train of thought was
interrupted by the front door slamming open then shut.
“Hey
G-man,” came a call from the entry way, “No word yet. You got anything to eat
I’m starved....HEY!, Buffster, Will where the hell have you been?”
Xander
ran over then dove over the couch and landed across the two girls’ laps. He
looked up at them and gave them a wide grin. “Good to see ya,” he announced.
“Whas-up?”
Buffy
and Willow looked at the boy in their lap and then at each other, speechless,
overwhelmed by his exuberance.
Xander
got up and looked hard at his two best friends looking them over carefully.
“Wow where’d ya get the outfits, is Renaissance Fair back in town?” His close
friendship with them gave him rights no one else had. Before they could answer
he stopped and looked first into Buffy’s eyes then into Willow’s.
“Alright
it’s about time,” he nearly cheered.
“What
is about time?” Giles asked coming out of the kitchen.
He
looked over at the three young people, Xander was grinning like a lottery
winner, and both girls were smiling shyly and blushing.
“Buffster
got lucky.” Xander laughed and grabbed the two girls up into a bear hug.
“Ugh....Xander
please, I can’t breathe!” Willow protested.
“Turn
down the cheer boy.” Buffy said trying to sound tough and failing miserably.
“Really
Xander.” Giles said setting down the tray of drinks, “Put them down right now.”
Xander
released them and the girls sat back down on he couch.
“Much
as I hate to admit it, I agree with Xander” Giles said, once Xander sat down.
“Where have you two been?”
“That’s
kind of a long story.” Buffy began taking Willow’s hand. “Wills is gonna have
to start it, cause the last thing I remember is goin’ to the shower. Then I
woke up in this huge bed.”
Nodding
to indicate his understanding Giles turned to Willow and waited for her to
start.
Willow
took a long sip of her tea then looked into Giles eyes.
“I
guess to quote a very wise and knowledgeable man,” Willow began, “The way to
spin a tail is start at the beginning...”
Giles
could swear that Willow's dark green eyes were glowing with a light all their
own.
....................................
....................................
FIN
for
now at least….