Old Friends, New Beginnings
by Net Girl
Rating: NC-17
"Cordelia," Willow said when she and the two slayers walked into Kate's room.
Cordelia turned around and looked at the three women, "What happened to you?"
"Callisto has Tara," Willow answered, "How are you?" Willow asked as she hugged Cordelia.
"I've had better days," Cordelia replied and sat back on the chair next to Kate's bed.
"Cordelia... can I talk to you for a second?" Willow asked.
"What is it?"
"Not here," Willow said and took Cordelia's hand guiding her out of the room, "I spoke to Tara."
"How?" Cordelia replied surprised, "I mean... on the phone or what... o you mean the mind thing."
Willow nodded and continued, "I know where she is and I know how we can defeat Callisto and Ares, I didn't want to go behind your back with this even if you may not like it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Kate is the key to destroying Callisto and Ares... well her blood is," Willow said.
"Again... What are you talking about?"
"If we want to destroy Callisto and Ares, we need her blood."
"That is so gross!" Cordelia replied with a look of horror on her face, "You are so not going to do that!"
"It's not only HER blood... we just need a drop," Willow replied, "We mix it with the hinde's blood and then well... we can destroy them... only a drop... promise..." Willow said and put on her best pout face.
"One drop!" Cordelia said and walked back in the room, "Could you guys leave us for a sec."
"Sure," everyone said in unison and walked out of the room except for Willow.
"You want to do this or me?" Willow asked.
"I'm not doing that!" Cordelia said and turned away.
Willow had gotten the bottle with the hinde's blood from Xena earlier and took it out of her pocket, "You got something sharp?" Willow asked Cordelia who just shook her head, "Ok, then I'm glad I've got this needle," Willow pricked Kate's finger with the needle fast, still a little uncomfortable doing it. She held the bottle under the finger and pressed on it a few drops went in the bottle and mixed with the hinde's blood.
"Wow, look at that," Willow said and held up the bottle.
"What?" Cordelia asked and turned around again, "Wow..."
The two girls were staring at a now glowing bottle of blood, "I guess it's true what Callisto told Tara."
"What?"
"That her blood can kill gods," Willow said, "Now to find out how she can... I mean where's she's form and all... you know right..."
"Stop babbling, I know what you mean." Cordelia said and looked at Kate, "She seems so peaceful."
"She'll wake up soon Cordelia," Willow said, "She's a strong woman..."
<<Outside the room>>
"Tell me that what I just saw isn't true," Buffy whispered to Faith.
"I'm sorry honey, but if I would do that then I would be lying to ya," Faith whispered back and grabbed her lover's hand, "Don't worry about it... if I know red she's got something planned."
<Maybe> Buffy thought to herself and leaned her head on Faith's shoulder. Faith turned her head and kissed the blonde slayer gently on her head, "I'm worried you know," Buffy said.
"I know, me too," Faith replied and put her arms around Buffy. They were alone since Cordelia and Willow were in the room and Anya, Xena, Gabrielle and Giles had left for the cafeteria to get something to eat. Holding Buffy like that Faith snapped. There was something she had wanted to do ever since they made love. She had already bought the thing she needed and kept it close to her, but until now she never had the courage to do it, "Buffy... come sit down for a sec."
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked.
"Nothing is wrong," Faith replied, "Just sit down..." Both sat down next to each other on some chairs against the wall.
"Faith what is it?" Buffy asked, "Something wrong... coz you're acting like it and I don't like it when something is wrong and..." Buffy was stopped by Faith who places a finger over her mouth.
"Shh, you're babbling and there's nothing wrong," Faith replied, "I already said that didn't I..."
"Then what is it?"
"You...," Faith said and paused. When she saw a desperate look on Buffy's face she continued, "I love you... ever since we first met. I never showed it because you already were with soulboy and things didn't exactly clicked the first time and it got out of hand. When I came back the second time you didn't have anyone, I wanted to tell you then how I felt... but I screwed up again. Then I got out of jail and knew it was my last time to make amends... three times a charm right? And this time it was, I couldn't be happier when you said you loved me too."
"Faith..." Buffy said and took Faith's hand.
"No, let me finish B," Faith replied and continued, "We had our problems and worked them out with a result that... well... was really, really good."
"All night."
"All night..." Faith also said and went on before she lost the courage, "We already knew we were soulmates and after that night I knew for sure... I can't think of a life without you. We are connected; heart, body, mind and soul... more then I could have dreamed off... B?"
"What?"
"Marry me," Faith said and took a small box out of her pocket and handed it to Buffy who was obviously surprised. Buffy opened the box and looked at the ring, suddenly she started laughing. Faith frowned and looked at Buffy, "What? What's wrong... I just proposed to you and you start laughing?"
Buffy placed a kiss on Faith's forehead and reached for something in her pocket and gave it to Faith. The dark haired slayer took it and opened it, in it was the exact same ring she gave to Buffy only difference was that sapphire on the ring Buffy gave matched the colour of Buffy's eye and the ring she gave to Buffy matched her own.
Faith suddenly knew why the blonde slayer was laughing about and started laughing herself, "I take that as a yes?" Faith said between laughs and looked at the blonde slayer.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," Buffy said and brought her lips to meet Faith's in a passionate kiss. After a few seconds they broke of... even if they were slayers... they still needed to breath. It was Buffy who spoke first, "I would love to marry you, but only if you marry me."
"Yes... I would love to" Faith replied and kissed Buffy again. After a few seconds they broke it off again and just held each other, enjoying the other's touch.
"How is she?" Giles asked as he, Anya, Xena and Gabrielle came back.
"She's holding it together," Buffy replied and looked at the room Kate, Willow and Cordelia were in.
After a few minutes of silence Willow and Cordelia walked out of the room, "It's time," Willow said and walked past Buffy and the others.
"Hold it red!" Faith said, "Time for what?"
"War..." Willow calmly said and kept walking.
"Did she say war?" Anya asked.
"My kinda gal" Xena said and followed the redhead out.
"Xena!" Gabrielle yelled and followed her.
"Can we...?" Faith asked and looked at Buffy and Giles.
"Go," Giles said, "I'll watch Kate... get Tara back in one piece."
"We will, thank you Giles" Faith said and pulled Buffy with her followed by Cordelia and Anya.
"Now she calls me Giles!" the watcher said and threw his hands in the air, "What am I supposed to do with all these children... people... child... whatever?" Giles shook his had and went in Kate's room.
<<Outside the hospital>>
"Willow wait up!" Faith yelled.
Willow stopped and turned around to see the others following her, "Guys, you don't have to do this..."
"We have to," Faith said.
"Why?"
"I don't know... because you're family?" Buffy said and gave Willow a knowing look. Willow gave a small smile and got in the car, "So that means a yes?" Buffy asked and looked at Faith.
"Funny girl" Faith said and pushed her in the car... she was the one who was going to drive if they wanted to get there fast enough.
"Come on," Cordelia said and looked at Anya and Xena, "You two my car!"
"Only if you're a better driver then blonde over there," Xena said and looked at Cordelia.
"Trust me," Cordelia said, "Some say I'm not really good at it, but I'm WAY better than she is" They all got in their cars and Willow told Buffy where to go.
"They're coming" Callisto said to Tara, "Even in this stupid world I can feel it."
"This is not a stupid world..." Tara said already regretting that she did, "Your world is."
"I'm not going to argue with you cousin... sister... whatever," Callisto replied, "Right now I'm going to prepare you for this ritual. You want to know the funny part?"
"What?"
"It's kinda icky, but it will get me my powers... Gotta drink your blood." Callisto said and got a look of disgust on her face, "That's the not so fun part." Callisto walked out of the room and returned after a few seconds with an athame and a chalice, "Just a few more seconds, let's already begin shall we..."
Callisto took the dagger and walked to Tara who was bound to the bed. She pushed Tara's sweater up and revealed her belly, "Don't!" Tara yelled and was close to tears.
"I'm sorry honey, but I need your blood to get stronger," Callisto held the athame against Tara's belly.
"Don't. Touch. My. Girlfriend!"
Callisto looked behind her and saw Willow and her friends standing in the doorway, "A little too late fo..." Next thing Callisto knew she was thrown against the wall by an invisible force.
"She's not the only one with the powers..." Willow said calmly and ran towards Tara who was now crying, "Shh baby, I'm here" Willow said and kissed the girl's forehead.
"Stupid little..." Callisto said and ran towards the bed only to be stopped by Xena's sword in front of her, "Why hello Xena, join the fun..."
"You're not going anywhere near those two again."
"Guess again..." Ares said an appeared right behind Callisto.
"Don't try it Ares... you definitely don't want to have this sword inside you," Xena said and made him look at the sword.
"That's just hinde's blood, can't kill us... not here anyway."
"Guess again..."
"So you did got the blood from the cop... well, she's dead so blood stops flowing, blood stops working."
"And yet I have to say... guess again."
Now Ares eyes widened and looked at Xena, "How..."
"I have said it many time... but this time it doesn't only count for me... WE have many skills."
"So you have," Ares said and backed away, "Callisto... I think you'd better leave your cousin... sister.. whatever alone."
"No can do Ares," Callisto replied, "She's my ticket to destroying you and the other gods."
"Not gonna happen Cally." Buffy said and stepped forward.
"Butt out slayer," Callisto replied and walked forward, "And don't call me Cally!"
"Don't try it unless you want this sword in you," Xena said and was ready to strike.
"Leave the witches alone!" Ares yelled at Callisto.
"Ah, what's the matter Ares... getting cold feet?" Xena said and gave a wicked grin.
"Let's just say I do NOT like people with totally black eyes!" Ares said and pointed at Willow.
"Uhm Willow?" Buffy said and looked at her best friend.
"Hold them back," Willow said. After a few seconds her eyes turned normal again and she turned back to her lover. Meanwhile Buffy and faith grabbed Callisto and held her against the wall with Xena's sword pointed at her.
"Willow?" Tara said through sobs.
"I'm here honey, don't worry," Willow replied and kisser her forehead, "I should have done this a long time ago."
"Do what Willow?"
"I almost lost you today... if we hadn't been here in time" Willow whispered.
"But you were."
"I know," Willow whispered back and continued to do that, "I love you Tara, our body, mind, heart and soul are connection... I'm going to ask you something I should have done a long time ago..."
"What?"
"Will you marry me?"
"What are they doing?" Buffy whispered to Faith.
"Don't know they just need to hurry with whatever it is."
"M-marry you?" Tara said and looked at Willow who was near death for an answer, "Yes... of course I will..."
"I love you."
"And I love you" Tara replied and gave her love a kiss, "Can you get me loose so I can give you a hug?"
"Sure," Willow said and smiled.
"Hello... lovebirds" Anya said.
"What about our two gods here."
"Kill `em" Willow said calmly.
"Willow!"
"Sorry Tara," Willow said and looked at the two slayers, "Tie `em up and bring them with us, we're going to the hospital."
"Uhm sorry girls, but we're gods and you can't tell us what to do," Ares said and smiled.
"Yes we can," Willow stated calmly, "Think about it, you are probably already intrigued about what I'm planning and Callisto... well she doesn't want to die. We've got the hinde's blood mixed with the cop's blood... pick your choice, death or coming along."
"If you put it that way..."
<<Sunnydale Hospital>>
"Ok Will, you still haven't told me what you're planning to do," Buffy said and looked at her best friend, "And the rest also wants to know."
"Ares is going to make Kate better," Willow calmly replied and entered Kate's room.
"What...? How...? Huh...?" A dumbfounded Buffy replied, "And again... What? How? Huh?" Buffy said and walked after Willow in Kate's room, "What are you talking about?"
"Ares is a god... he can heal Kate, can't you..." Willow said and looked at Ares.
"Well... not exactly," Ares replied, "I can't... but I know who can."
"You can't heal a human?" Anya asked shocked, "What kind of a god are you?"
"I'm a WAR god love... not a HEALING god."
"You said you know someone who can," Willow said and gave Ares a stern look.
"The boss himself," Ares replied, "but he usually doesn't interfere in these kind of things so don't get your hopes up."
"I am getting my hopes up," Willow replied, "Because if he doesn't get his butt down here then I'm going to make sure you both get send back with enough power to kill him... and yes that does mean giving you two the hinde's blood AND a little extra."
"Willow!" Anya yelled, "Don't piss off any gods!"
"Don't worry Anya... I'm not pissed off... YET!"
"Ok good to know... very good to know," Anya replied and hid behind the two slayers, "Is she always like that?" Anya whispered to Buffy.
"When it comes to the people she loves... watch yourself..." Buffy replied and smiled. She was proud to call the redhead her best friend. In two years she had become very powerful and had been a great help to her and Faith when they were out on patrol.
"So what's it gonna be Zeus... I give your son and the blonde enough power to destroy you or you're going to heal my friend!"
"How did you know I was here?" A rather old man asked walking out from behind a curtain.
"Because you always watch Ares and make sure he doesn't go too far," Willow replied, "Like every god you like to see some war and stuff... but when it comes to things like this... humans come first."
"Quite right little one," Zeus replied and looked at a room full of people with open mouths, "You can close those if you'd like... I don't like seeing what people had for breakfast."
Anya walked out from behind the two slayers and walked up to Zeus, "Are you really Zeus?" Anya asked while she was poking him with her finger.
"Could you stop doing that!" Zeus said. Buffy pulled Anya back and apologised on behalf of her, "Just don't let it happen again... I like people, except when they are a thousand year old and keep poking at me." The god replied and stared at Anya who ducked behind the two slayers, "What is it that you wanted little one?"
"Well first you could stop calling me little one!" Willow replied a little angry.
"Uhm honey, remember when Anya said not to piss of a god?"
"It's alright Tara," Zeus said.
"H-how do you know my name?"
"He's Zeus for god's sake," Anya said and re-said the sentence in her head, "That didn't come out as I had planned did it..."
They all shook their heads and Zeus started to laugh, "What is it that you want Willow?" Zeus asked the redhead.
"Help my friend," Willow replied, "And then go back and take these two with you." She finished pointing at Ares and Callisto.
"Ah yes, Ares and Callisto, quite a pair." Zeus said and looked at the two gods, "Go!" Zeus said angry and both of the gods disappeared.
"That's it?" Faith asked surprised, "If that was all it took, why didn't I figure that out?"
"Uhm honey, don't forget he's the god of the gods..." Buffy said and kissed Faith on her cheek who was now in full pout mode, "They usually do what he tells them to do."
"Yeah I know... but still..."
"How about Kate..." Willow said and crossed her arms. When it comes to protecting her friends, she's someone not willing to give up so fast.
"No need," Zeus said and disappeared.
"What!" Willow screamed, "Come back here... what did he mean by no need... he NEEDS to make Kate all better, why doesn't he help her?"
"'Cause I'm already awake silly," They all turned around and saw Kate staring at them. They had been watching Zeus the whole time and hadn't noticed Kate waking up.
"Kate!" Willow yelled, "How...?" Willow almost ran to the bed and hugged Kate.
"You think you could let go of my girlfriend long enough so I can give her a hug?" Cordelia said and looked at Willow.
"Right... sorry..." Willow said and let go off Kate.
Cordelia immediately pushed Willow aside and kissed Kate, "God I missed you so much."
"I was out for a few hours love" Kate replied and smiled.
"Yeah but it seemed like forever," Cordelia replied and gave her a passionate kiss.
Buffy cleared her throat and got the attention of Cordelia and Kate, "Well be going now and leave you two alone."
"Ok." Was all she could say and kissed Kate again.
<<Two weeks later; Summers Home>>
"So when again are we telling that we're engaged?" Faith asked her fiance.
"As soon as we have taken care of everything," Buffy replied.
"And that is?"
"Ceremony... for one thing," Buffy said, "It's not like we can actually legally get married you know."
"I know," Faith replied.
"And that's where Willow and Tara come in," Buffy said, "Maybe they know of a ritual or something. And I REALLY need to find out what's been going on with those two, they're acting well a giggly all the time."
"And when are we going there?"
"As soon as I answered the phone," Buffy replied when she heard the phone, "Hello?"
"Hey Buffy, this is Willow."
"Hey Will!" Buffy said, "What's up?"
"Could you and Faith come over? I got to tell you something."
"Uhm sure... what's wrong?"
"Nothing... So I'll see ya in a few?"
"Yeah of course," Buffy replied. They both said their goodbyes and hung up, "That was Willow, if we could come over to her and Tara."
"What's wrong?"
"That's what I asked and she said it was nothing."
"So I guess we should be going then."
"Yes," Buffy replied and grabbed her coat.
<<Willow and Tara's apartment>>
"That's them!" Willow said and jumped up from the couch. She opened the door and saw her best friend and girlfriend standing in front of her. She hugged both of them at the same time and squeezed a little harder.
"Uh Will," Faith said, "I'm a slayer and all, but I need oxygen."
"Sorry," Willow said and had a goofy grin on her face.
It had been two weeks since Xena and Gabrielle went back to their home. It had been a good farewell with lots of tears... even Faith let out a few tears. After all, it was Xena who had helped her to deal with her problems... and her feelings towards Buffy.
Anya had moved out of Willow and Tara's a week after that into an apartment next to them. Giles had given Anya her old job back, she already had enough money saved from her time in LA that she could move in her own apartment.
"How have you been?" Tara asked.
"We're good," Faith looked at Buffy who nodded, "Actually we've been more than good," Faith said and got puzzled looks from both Tara and Willow. Buffy and faith both held out their hands and showed them the rings.
"The only problem is," Buffy began, "We kinda can no legally get married, coz well it's against the law or something and that's why we wanted to ask you two if you knew of some kind of ritual, you two being witches and all... and I'm going to shut my mouth coz I'm babbling."
The two witches looked at each other and got a huge grin on their faces that caused puzzled looks on the slayers faces, "What?" They asked in unison.
"How `bout we make it a double?" Willow said and gave them a knowing look.
"What...? When...?" Buffy said and looked at her two friends.
"What as in... we're getting married..."
"...and when as in when she asked you two to keep Callisto pinned to the wall... and then she whispered the question to me." Tara finished for her girlfriend.
"So that's what you two were doing!" Faith said and practically fell on top of the two witches giving them a big hug. Buffy just looked at the three girls and had the biggest smile on her face.
Who could ever think it would come to this... Faith hugging Willow and Willow hugging Faith back. And now there was going to be a double marriage, "Uhm guys...?" Buffy asked as she remembered they still had to tell a few people about their engagements.
Faith, Willow and Tara thought something completely different than what Buffy was thinking and pulled her in for a group hug. Buffy was happy to return it and put her arms around the closest person and that happened to be her best friend, "Congratulations Will," Buffy whispered and held her closer.
"Same to you," Willow whispered back and kissed Buffy on her cheek. After a few seconds Willow noticed she needed something she always did when Buffy gave her a hug like that... oxygen..., "Uhm Buff?" Willow said.
"Hmm?"
"Oxygen... please..."
"Right... sorry," Buffy said and looked at her friend, "That always happens when I hug you doesn't it?"
"It's the slayer strength, don't worry about it."
Tara looked at the bedroom door and saw four heads peeping out, "Buffy, Faith... there's something else we need to tell you...?"
"What?" Both slayers said.
"If we tell you, you might not believe it so we'll show you..." Willow said, "Come on out." She said and turned the two slayers around so they wouldn't see anything yet.
"Hey Buff... Faith..." A familiar voice said.
"Xander?" Both slayers said and turned around. And yes there he was looking as handsome as he always did, "God Xander I missed you so much," Buffy said and threw herself in his arms, even Faith couldn't deny her feelings towards the boy and hugged him too.
"Two beautiful women in my arms..." Xander said smirking, "I should go away more often... but I'm not going to do that."
"What do you mean?" Willow said. This was also new for her.
"Well... I'm moving back here... moving next door actually... moving in with Anya," Xander said and all he got back was `huh', `what' and a few again a `huh' to follow that, "It's the funniest thing..." Xander said before he was interrupted by someone.
"If the slayers are finished hugging Zeppo here... you think you can make some time for me?"
"Spike?" Buffy said and looked at the vampire.
"In the flesh," Spike replied, "And without that bloody chip..."
Both slayers took a step back and then noticed his eyes, "Wow... you have..." Buffy said. She had seen those eyes before.
"Got that right... I've got a soul..."
"How?"
"Well that's also a funny thing..." Xander said and smiled.
"Wow... this is so great," Buffy said and looked at her friends. She subconsciously had counted Spike as a friend before he went to LA and gave him a smile, "Gang's all here," she said and then remembered something... the gang wasn't completely there, "Except for..."
"Us?" Two very familiar voices said.
Buffy faced the bedroom door again and saw what she had been missing. She practically ran to the two and hugged them both, "God I missed you two" Buffy said and looked at the two people standing in front of her.
Faith was dumbfounded and didn't move or speak, she had wanted to thank those two people for a long time and now she had the chance, "Faith..." the taller one said and looked at the brunette.
"Xena..." Faith replied. She couldn't stop herself and didn't care what the others thought of her that moment, she walked up to the warrior and threw herself in two strong arms. The next thing did was totally not like her... she started crying.
"Hey... what are you crying for?" Xena asked and held the girl closer.
"Nothing..." Faith said and stopped crying and had a smile on her face, "Nothing at all."
"Come on guys..." Buffy said, "We have some people to pick up and visit... lucky for us one person is right in the next apartment."
<<Outside the Magic Box>>
"You go in first Xander," Buffy said and smiled, "He'll be happy to see you... and have a little fun, put this on, he won't recognise you, then ask for G-Man."
"He is so not going to like this," Anya said but smiled none the less.
"Ok, but be quiet you guys, don't want to ruin the surprise" Xander said and walked in the shop with his disguise on.
"Can I help you?" Giles asked when he saw a strange looking guy enter his shop.
"Uh yes," Xander said with a different voice, "Do you know of anyone called G-Man?"
"Er... well... uhm..." Giles started to say, but Xander started to chuckle, "Xander? Is that you?"
"The real deal!" Xander said and took of his disguise.
"Bloody hell!" Giles yelled and hugged the boy, "It's good to see you again."
"That's not all... guys come on in."
The second Giles turned to the door he saw his shop getting filled with the people he cared about more than anything and then he found the two newest `members' to the group of friends, "Xena, Gabrielle! When did you get back?"
"About 3 days ago," Xena said and smiled.
"Hello ripper, got some smokes?"
"Spike?" Giles asked and looked through the small mass of people in his shop.
"It's me and guess what?"
"What?"
"Lost the frigging chip too!"
"What! Bloody Hell, why did you bring him here!"
"Because he got something else," Buffy said, "Look in his eyes."
"Why do I have look in his eyes?"
"Just do it Ripper," Spike said and moved closer.
"Don't call me..." Giles started to say when he indeed looked in Spike's eyes, "Bloody Hell..."
"Say what ever you want, I got a soul!"
"Yeah, but you didn't loose the attitude," Giles said, "When did this happen? Last time I heard you two were in LA er, well... being together."
"Yeah don't bloody remind me about that," Spike said and sat on one of the chairs, "It was all fake... some idiot demon thought it was their way of having fun."
"So you two didn't?"
"Ok, stop thinking like that!"
"It was just a question Buffy!" Giles replied.
"Yeah but I went to a very scary visual place..."
"Thank you Buffy!" Willow said.
"What?"
"For giving me the same thing," Willow replied, "Chair please... I really need to sit down right now."
"Could you stop it with the visual places already!" Xander yelled and sat down, "It was hard enough for me to come even close enough to kiss him."
"Yeah well don't think it was bloody fun for me too!"
"Could you just stop talking!" Faith yelled, "God, what is it with you people... do you always have visual places... ok that was weird... I'm sounding like Cordelia... now I need to sit down." Faith went over to Buffy and sat on her lap. Buffy put her arms around the brunette's waist and kissed her neck.
"Now that's a visual place I'd like to go."
"Xander!" Both slayers yelled.
"What? Just kidding alright," Xander said, "Now come on, tell G the good news already."
"What news?"
"We're getting married!" Four girls said in unison.
"All four of you?" Giles said and saw them all nodding yes, "Bloody Hell... Congratulations!" Giles said and hugged the girls one by one and then thought of something, "How?"
"Ritual" Tara said and smiled, "It easy really, say some sacred stuff, say our vowels and swap some rings and more of that."
"That easy?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah but a guy has to do the sacred ritual stuff," Willow replied and then looked at Giles, "Would you...?"
"I'd be honoured." Giles said and got a huge grin on his face.
"See honey... I told you he would do it," Tara said to her fiance and kissed her.
"Nice visual place."
"Xander!" Anya yelled and slapped him.
"Ouch and might I add OUCH," Xander said, "Why do you always hit me!"
"Are you sure all those thoughts and stuff were because of that demon?" Anya asked and Xander nodded, "Ok, because I get to do this afterwards," Anya said and gave him a passionate kiss.
"Now that's definitely a very, very good visual place," Xander said as he broke the kiss.
"What...? How...? What...?" Buffy said, "When...?"
"We kissed... just like you kiss Faith, we kissed and the when... after he came back and explained everything."
"Ok you guys have some real explaining to do here!" Faith said, "And especially you Spike... how the hell did you got a soul... gypsies?"
"Nope that was Angelus... uhm Angel, not me."
"Ok start explaining then."
"Ok sit tight and listen carefully, this is going to be a long story..."
"He saved my life... three times... three times a charm and someone thought he deserved his soul..." Xander finished.
"Apparently not THAT long," Spike said and slapped Xander on the back of his head.
"Hey!" Anya said, "Only I can do that... see!" And with that Anya also slapped Xander on the back of his head.
"Ouch and Hey!" Xander said rubbing the back of his head, "Hey! No more slapping... both of you."
Seeing that scene before her Faith couldn't keep it in anymore and just started laughing. Her laugh was so infectious that the rest of the room started laughing with her except for Buffy, "Honey?" Faith asked, "What's wrong?"
"I'm still not getting the Xander/Spike thing," Buffy said and frowned.
"Does it matter?" Spike and Xander both said a little angry.
"Well yeah... I mean... no... never mind," Buffy finished.
"You are so cute when you're all frowny," Faith said and gave her lover a passionate kiss and then whispered in her ear, "Stop talking about those two and I'll give you something that is definitely worth shutting up for."
Buffy jumped up from the chair almost dropping Faith on the floor, "We done? Willow and Tara you can explain the whole ritual to Giles right?" Not waiting for an answer she continued, "We done right... yeah? Ok, bye."
She pulled Faith with her and practically ran out of the shop, "What was that about?" Xander asked.
"Orgasms" Anya stated calmly and stood up, "We WERE done right?" Giles just nodded and Anya pulled Xander with her out of the shop... she had some plans of her own that well... basically would even made Faith blush...
<<Two Weeks Later>>
"So when is the big day?" Joyce asked her daughter and soon daughter in law. They had told Joyce the news right after they told Giles and she was happy about it, but still gave Faith the `take good care of my daughter or else' speech.
"One month mom," Buffy replied, "Where's Dawn? I want to ask her something."
"In her room," Joyce replied and went to the kitchen. Faith and Buffy ran upstairs to Dawn's bedroom and found her writing in her dairy and actually saying out loud what she wrote in it. Both slayers stopped and heard what she wrote.
"It's weird around here. My sister and Faith are totally happy about something and so are Willow and Tara and I don't know why... it's really bugging me."
Faith and Buffy looked at each other and remembered that they hadn't told Dawn about their engagement and blushed. They had been engaged for 4 weeks and somehow they had kept it a secret for Dawn.
"Dawn..."
"Oh hey Buffy... and Faith," Dawn said, "You didn't hear that did you?"
"We did," Faith said.
"Oh."
"And we wanted to tell you something and ask you something."
"Sure," Dawn replied and shrugged.
"Come here," Buffy said and pulled her sister on her lap, "See these rings?" Buffy said and both of the slayers held out their rings.
"Yeah... they're identical except for that thingy," Dawn replied, "So? What does it m-m... You're getting married!" Dawn yelled and hugged her sister, then practically flew in Faith's arms and hugged her, "This is so cool!"
"Yes it is," Faith replied and gave Buffy a loving smile.
"But wait," Dawn said, "You can't get married... I-I mean, the law..."
"It's going to be a ritual with Tara and Willow."
"Huh?"
"They're getting married too," Buffy said and smiled.
"Oh way cool... double wedding!" Dawn yelled and hugged her sister again, "So what did you wanted to ask me?" Giving a hopeful smile.
Both Buffy and Faith saw that and decided to have a little fun with the young girl, "Well... we wanted to ask you if you want to be the one..."
"...who would lead people to their places, ya know." Faith finished for Buffy.
"Oh..." Dawn said.
Seeing the disappointed face on her sister made Buffy laugh and Faith joined her, "We're just kidding kid... we wanted to ask if you'd be our maid of honour."
"I'd love to!" Dawn screamed and flew in the arms of both slayers who were now sitting next to each other on the bed, "But wait... what do I have to do?"
"We'll let Willow and Tara explain that, coz well... I still don't get it," Faith said and started tickling Dawn.
"Buffy help me," Dawn said through her laughter.
"Oh no kid," Buffy said, "I'm not getting into this one." Faith and Dawn looked at each other and knew exactly what to do, "Oh no you don't," Buffy said and backed up.
"Don't try it," Faith said, "I'm a slayer too you know... I can catch you."
"Try me!" Buffy yelled and ran out of the room followed by Faith and Dawn.
<<Willow and Tara's apartment>>
"Are we ever going to get out of bed?"
"Nope, don't feel like it," Willow replied, "I just want to be snuggled up in your arms..."
"That can be arranged," Tara replied and pulled Willow closer, "You think Giles knows what he has to do?"
"We explained it 2 times and we left notes... so I'd say yes," Willow said and suddenly started laughing.
"What?"
"Oh just thinking of Dawn," Willow replied.
"They joked about it didn't they?"
"Yeah they did," Willow said, "I'm thinking that they she was gonna be the girl that had to do the catering or take the coats or something."
"I would like to see her face when Buffy and Faith told her," Tara replied and followed Willow's laughter.
"O god... what time is it?" Willow said and jumped up.
"Two" Tara replied and realised what Willow was talking about.
"The rings." They simultaneous said.
Willow stepped out of the bed and headed for the door, "Uhm honey?" Tara said.
"What?"
"You might want to get dressed..."
<<Sunnydale Mall>>
"You young ladies were just in time… we were planning on closing early today."
"Yeah we got… uhm hold up," Willow said and looked at Tara, "Are the rings ready… with the engravings?"
"Yes they are miss Rosenberg."
<They'll be in for a surprise> Willow said and looked at Tara who just smiled at the thought Willow just had.
<<Summers Home>>
"Where are they!" Buffy yelled as she searched through her drawers.
"I don't know!" Faith yelled back and was also searching through the room. When they had woken up that morning they couldn't feel their rings on their finger and went in to panic mode. Both slayers had been searching for the rings the whole morning.
"You didn't take it off did you?"
"No B, you know I wouldn't do that," Faith replied.
"We have to find them," Buffy said.
After another half hour they stopped the search and went downstairs for something to drink. Both girls were close to tears about losing their rings. They were both sitting in the kitchen looking at their drinks. Faith looked at her fiancé and stood up and walked up behind Buffy putting her arms around the blonde's waist, "We'll find them," Faith whispered and kissed her lover's neck.
"Doorbell," Buffy said and pulled away from Faith's embrace. She walked up to the door and opened it, "Will, Tara… hey, how are you?"
"Good, thank you," Willow replied and saw Buffy was making no attempt to move aside so they could enter, "Uhm Buffy, liking the scenery, but can we get inside?"
"What? Or yeah come in."
"Thanks," Willow and Tara said in unison and moved to the couch, "where's Faith?" Willow asked.
"Kitchen, I'll get her."
"Don't bother, was already on my way," Faith said and walked in the room.
Both Willow and Tara noticed the red eyes of Faith and Buffy, "What's wrong?"
"We lost our rings," Buffy said and showed her hand.
"Oh that," Tara said and smiled.
"No biggie," Willow finished.
"No biggie?" Faith asked surprised, "We lost our fucking rings!"
"Honey calm down," Buffy said. She was a little surprised though, it had been a while that she had seen Faith this angry.
"Yeah honey… calm down," Willow said giggling, "You didn't loose your rings… we had them."
"You what?" Buffy said who was now angry.
"Calm down honey," Faith said sarcastically, "But to follow in her footsteps… You what?"
"We took them and had them engraved," Tara said quickly before Willow would say something smart and cause the two slayers to be more angry.
"You had them…"
"…engraved?" Buffy finished for her lover.
"We did, here take a look," Willow said and took out two small black boxes and handed them to the two slayers.
Buffy and Faith took the boxed and opened them. They took out the rings and looked at the engravings, "Wow, Will… this is… thank you." Buffy said and hugged Willow and then Tara.
Faith just stood there with a big grin on her face, "Yours Forever, Buffy" Faith read out loud what had been engraved on her ring. Faith walked up to the two witches and hugged them, "Thank you," she whispered and then turned to her lover.
"Yours Forever, Faith" Buffy read in her ring.
"I thought it was the perfect thing," Willow said and smiled.
"It was, thank you again," Buffy said and pulled Faith closer to her, "Did you engraved anything in your rings?"
"The same," Tara said and then looked puzzled, "W-with our n-names I mean."
"We know what you mean Tara," Faith said and smiled.
Buffy looked at Faith and gave her a passionate kiss, "We should go," Willow said and headed for the door.
"No!" Both slayers yelled. The two witches looked a surprised and puzzled by the outburst of Buffy and Faith, "Sorry for the yelling," Buffy said, "We want to get some lunch… with you and we're buying."
"I'm in!" Willow said and headed for the door.
Buffy and Faith looked at Tara, "Where she goes I follow," Tara said and followed her fiancé out the door.
<<Magic Box>>
"So you came back especially for the wedding?" Giles asked Xena and Gabrielle.
"Yes we did… they are family you know," Gabrielle said and smirked.
"I know," Giles said and stood up, "Tea anyone?"
"What is it with that guy and tea?" Xena said raising brow.
"He's British," Anya said and looked at Gabrielle and Xena, "But that doesn't explain it right? Xander help me?"
"I'm not sure honey, never understood the G-man that well," Xander replied and kissed his girlfriend.
"So about the ritual," Gabrielle begun, "You just have to say a few words and that's it?"
"Yes… the only thing I have to is say how perfect those two… or rather four, are together and then ask them to say their vowels and exchange rings. It's just like a real marriage, but not a legal marriage of course."
Xena turned to Spike, "So you have a soul… who was the other you were talking about?"
"That was Angel," Spike said, "For a long time he was Angelus a cruel monster… `Can't believe I just said that'. Then he killed the wrong girl… a gypsy… and they gave him the perfect punishment… a soul."
"Nice history," Gabrielle said and raised a brow, "What was he like?"
"If I heard it correct, he was kinda like you," Spike said and pointed at Xena, "Except that the demon part did those things and you are human."
"Hey!" Gabrielle yelled.
"Forget it love," Xena said, "Yes… you are right Spike, but I turned because of Gabrielle, you and your `friend' needed a soul for that."
"Touché," Spike said and lit a cigarette.
<<Two Days Before The Wedding>>
"You got everything?"
"Yes Honey," Buffy replied and grabbed her bags. Since the ceremony was going to be held near Willow and Tara's apartment they decided it would be best for them to stay there. They also had to go through the ritual bathing, cleansing the soul for a new beginning.
"Let's go then," Faith said and walked to the door, "You sure you got everything?"
"Yes Faith…" Buffy sighed and pushed her fiancé out of the house, "Now let's go."
<<Willow and Tara's; 10 minutes later>>
"Hey guys," Tara said and helped them with their baggage, "You got everything?"
"Yes we do!" Buffy replied a little cranky.
"Don't worry about her," Faith said, "I've been asking the same question for the last couple of minutes just to bug the girl," Faith finished and chuckled.
"That's not funny," Willow said as she came out of the bedroom and immediately got a pouty face from Faith, "Ok it IS funny, but not for Buffy."
"You're right," Faith said and walked over to Buffy and pulled her in her arms, "Sorry," she said with a pouty face and Buffy started laughing, "I knew you would forgive me," Faith said and kissed her.
"Nothing more than kisses for these two days," Tara said and got a look of surprise from both slayers, "It's part of the ritual… no sex until you're married."
"No…"
"… sex?" Faith finished for her girlfriend.
"Nope," Willow said and looked at the two slayers, "Don't worry, it will be worth the wait."
"How can you know?" Buffy asked.
"Coz a friend of me did the same ritual and she said… well that the it couldn't have been better," Willow said and smiled.
"That's no fun…" Buffy said and went in to full pout mode.
"But it will be after."
"We can't even… ya know?"
"No Faith… not even `ya know'" Willow replied, "You can't do any of it."
"Not even kissing?" Buffy asked afraid of the answer.
"Of course you can," Tara said and smiled when Buffy and Faith let out a sigh of relief.
"So… when's the bathing stuff gonna be done?" Faith asked, "Coz I get to wash Buffy right?" Faith looked at the raised brows of Willow and Tara, "What?"
"It's a private thing Faith, you can't wash anybody and nobody is gonna wash you…" Willow replied.
"Damn," Faith said and sat down on the couch, full pout mode.
"But the ritual is one hour before the wedding," Tara said and sat on the other couch. Willow followed her girlfriend and snuggled against her. And so did Buffy with Faith.
"What's on TV?" Buffy asked.
"Nothing much," Tara replied, "We could do something else, a game or something."
"Truth or Dare!" Faith yelled and had a smile on her face.
"Oh no Faith…" Buffy said, "I know where Truth or Dare leads with you… and why the hell did I just say that?"
"Because of the ritual" Tara replied.
"I'll try not to do the dirty questions."
Willow's ears perked up, "You got dirty questions?"
"Willow!" Buffy and Tara yelled surprised by what their best friend and girlfriend said.
"What?" Willow wanted to know, "It was just a question…"
"Yeah, but questions usually leads to answers honey," Tara said.
"And I don't think Faith minds it to answer them."
"You bet I don't!" Faith said, "What you wanna know Red?"
"Here we go…" Buffy said and just let herself fell backwards in the couch sighing heavily and so did Tara.
"For the first time I was actually interested in a game of Truth and Dare."
"What do you mean Buffy?" Tara asked.
"Last night… I was actually interested in that game Truth or Dare," Buffy replied. The two girls were sitting at the table having breakfast. Their fiancés were still asleep and it gave them a chance to talk about what had happened last night, "Although I didn't need to hear about you two in the woods."
"Yeah well, don't mind me if I never want to hear about you and Faith in Giles' bathroom."
"Ouch… touché," Buffy said and smiled, "And about the rest of last night… let's never speak of that again… because we had a LOT to drink, hence the headache I have now…"
"How are we going to explain to Giles and the others that the ritual is gonna be one day later?"
"I'll take the blame for that one," Buffy said, "Well Faith will, she's the one who started it."
"Who started what?" Faith asked as she walked into the kitchen.
"Last night," Buffy said and Faith just smirked.
A few minutes later Willow joined them in the kitchen. She couldn't look at any of them directly and kept blushing ten shades redder then her hair, "Good morning."
"Sleep well Red?" Faith asked.
"Shut up," Willow said, "Could someone please remind me not ever to drink again… or to ask Faith a question like that ever again."
"Check!" Buffy said, "No more booze and no more questions like that for Faith… ever again." Faith just started laughing and soon Buffy followed. Remembering the previous night made both Tara and Willow blush.
After a few seconds Buffy stopped laughing, "Isn't there another ritual we can do?"
"Well there's one," Tara said, "That requires a lot more from Giles and you can't see each other for two hours."
"That's long… too long" Faith said.
"The alternative is no sex," Willow said, "And this just requires one day of preparation."
"I'm in!" Faith yelled which made Buffy laugh, "Ok, I'm gonna take a shower and cool down, care to join me?" Buffy didn't know how fast she could get up from her chair and followed Faith in the bathroom.
"That's not cooling down," Tara said and looked puzzled at Willow.
"Wanna go back in bed `till they're finished?" Was all Willow said and without waiting for an answer she pulled Tara back to their room.
<<Magic Box; Two Hours Later>>
"Why can't you do the ritual?" Giles asked surprised.
"We… kinda… uhm…."
"They couldn't held up on the no sex part," Anya said and smiled.
"Oh, nice picture."
"Xander!" Anya, Willow, Buffy, Faith and Tara yelled.
"What?"
"Shut up!" Willow said and looked at Giles, "We do have another ritual though," Willow added.
"But it means more talking for you," Tara said.
"Oh, he doesn't mind talking. He does it all the time with his boring stuff about demons I already know about."
"Thank you Anya," Giles said and sat on a chair, "What does this talking involve?"
"Nothing much, you only have to say some things twice that's basically it," Willow replied.
Buffy moved from her chair to Faith's lap and leaned back placing her head on Faith's shoulders and closed her eyes. Faith wrapped her arms round the blonde's waist and kissed her neck, "you tired?" she asked.
"Yeah a little," Buffy replied.
"After last night who wouldn't be?" Faith said and smirked when she saw Buffy, Willow and Tara turn bright red.
"What happened last night?" Xander asked innocently.
"Nothing!" Willow, Buffy and Tara said in unison.
Xander looked at Faith who just shrugged, "Nothing," she said, "So we done?" Faith asked and looked round the table and then fixed her gaze on Giles.
"Yeah we're done." He said.
Faith stood up almost knocking Buffy down who was sitting on her lap. She grabbed the blonde's hand and walked out of the Magic Box. Willow and Tara looked at each other and also walked out of the Magic Box.
"Xander…" Anya pleaded.
"Oh yeah," Xander replied and almost dragged his girlfriend out of the shop.
"Kids these days."
"Uh we gotta go," Xena said and pulled Gabrielle with her.
"I really need to get a girlfriend," Giles said and threw his hands up in defeat.
<<Wedding Day>>
"Can I point out that I'm really, really nervous?"
"You're not the only one Will," Buffy replied. It had been one hour since she and Willow saw Faith and Tara and they still had an hour to go. They already had done the ritual cleansing of the body and now it was just waiting for another hour. Anya and Xander kept them company and the two warriors were with Tara and Faith.
"What if I forget what I want to say?" Willow said.
The redhead was near close to panicking, Buffy put her hands on her best friend's shoulders, "Will, if you speak from your heart nothing can go wrong."
<<40 Minutes later>>
"Will… what if I forget what to say?" Buffy asked.
"And here I thought I was nervous," Willow said and smirked.
"How long?"
"Ten minutes Faith," Xena replied.
"Ok," Faith said. She stood up from the chair and started pacing again.
"How long?"
"As I just told Faith… Ten minutes Tara," Xena said. She looked at the two girls and smiled, she remembered when she was so nervous about something. The first time she and Gabrielle had made love, she was even more nervous than Gabrielle was.
"It's time," Gabrielle said, "We have to be there when they arrive."
Xena, Gabrielle and Tara got up from the couch, Faith had been pacing the whole time. They got out of the apartment and stepped in the elevator, "You know… I'm still kinda confused about this thing," Xena said and looked around.
Faith and Tara just rolled their eyes, they were not planning on telling how the elevator worked… again. It had been like almost the tenth time she had said that, but it felt much more than that.
When they were downstairs they walked behind the building and saw Joyce, Spike, Giles and Dawn already waiting for them, "They're not here yet?" Tara asked Joyce.
"No they're not," Joyce said, "They were on the way when I called them."
"How long ago was that?" Faith asked.
"Faith… calm down, it was only a minute ago" Joyce said and put a hand on the girl's shoulder, "And might I add you two look beautiful…" Joyce added looking at Faith and Tara.
Both girls blushed ten different shades of red and Faith almost blushed more than that. Especially since she was wearing a dress and she was totally not used to that. When she heard Joyce say she looked beautiful it made her blush because it made her feel special.
After a few minutes they heard the familiar sound of Giles' car and turned around. Willow and Buffy stepped out of the car and walked up to them stopping about two feet away from them and just staring, as did Faith and Tara.
'Beautiful' was the only word that crossed the minds of Willow, Tara, Faith and Buffy when they looked at each other, "Wow," all four girls said in unison. The others just looked at each other and shrugged.
"Let's begin shall we," Giles said.
Tara took Willow's hand and Faith took Buffy's leading the girls to the circle. The four girls weren't too sure on what happened next, all they know was that Giles started the ritual and they got lost in each others eyes.
Thinking about everything that had happened to them; almost loosing Tara, Faith coming back and working things out, Dawn getting stabbed. Every thing that had happened to them in the past 2 years were flashing in front of their eyes.
"Girls?" Giles called for them, "Girls?" He said again.
"Hmm? What?"
Four pair of eyes were staring at him, "Your vowels…"
They all just looked at each other and smiled and then looked confused again, "Who's gonna go first?" Willow asked after a few seconds.
Nobody seemed to know and then Dawn spoke up, "How `bout Faith goes first, coz I know Buffy's gonna get all mushy and stuff… so when Faith said her things, then goes Willow so that Tara can get all mushy and then Buffy and then Tara."
"I do not get mushy and stuff," Buffy said glancing over at Dawn.
"Yes you do," Dawn replied and looked at Faith, "We're waiting…"
"Your sister drives a hard bargain," Faith said and took Buffy's hands in her own and pulled her closer.
"I know," Buffy replied.
"I've never been a big talker," Faith began, "but one day I was listening to this song and a few lines that I heard were perfect for what I felt in the beginning and what I feel now," Faith said and then begun to say the lines that she had heard, "My every thought is of this bein' true. It's gettin' harder not to think of you. Girl I'm exactly where I wanna be. The only things I need you here with me.
"This bit is exactly how I feel," Faith said, "I'm exactly where I wanna be and that's here with you Buffy… I love you."
As Dawn had predicted Buffy was indeed crying and she wasn't the only one, she looked around and saw that almost everyone was crying tears of joy, including Xander and Giles… Spike was also crying but he didn't let anyone see that.
Without any warning and still a little teary eyed Willow began to say her vowels to Tara, "I kinda feel lame right now coz I kinda had the same thing planned. It's just two lines in the song, but they fit perfectly." Willow said and looked Tara in the eye and said, "You're the million reasons why, There's love reflecting in my eyes… I love you."
By this time everyone who was still holding back their tears of happiness let them fall and Buffy and Tara had not even said there vowels yet, "So I guess it's our turn Tara…" Buffy said and smiled at the blonde witch and then turned around to face Faith again.
"We kinda had a little talk and well we also had this song that said something and we decided to do this together," Buffy spun around one more time to silently say `You ready' to Tara and she just nodded, "There's no love like your love. And no other could give more love…"
"There's nowhere unless you're there. All the time, all the way…" Tara finished.
Then both Tara and Buffy said, "Everything I do… I do it for you."
"I love you," Buffy whispered to Faith.
"I love you," Tara whispered to Willow.
The next few minutes were a blur to the four women, the only they could make of what Giles was saying was something about the rings and then he said something like, `You may kiss your… uhm… brides… I guess.' Which they were more than willing to do, they weren't just a kiss… it was a passionate kiss that asked for more. But there would be time for that later.
The next thing they knew, the four women were crushed in hugs by the others. After a few seconds of hugs the four women looked at each other and smiled, but the smile faded fast because right now they needed something more than that… oxygen.
"Guys…" Willow said.
"Oxygen…!" Faith yelled.
Everyone backed out of the hug and looked at the four women who were taking deep breaths to get in as much air as the could knowing what would happen next… Everyone almost jumped forward again and hugged the girls again.
Except for Spike… he just stood at the side and smiled. Smiled because he now had a soul and could enjoy things like that and smiled for the four women who were deeply in his heart and thought of as `his women'.