North and South...and West

[postitnote]

Hey, guys. I just found this old fanfic of mine...starring the Buffy gang and guests in a post-Civil war setting. LOL.

It stars Buffy, a southern belle struggling to keep her family plantation afloat, and Willow, posing a boy to go to West Point to help her friend Xander and thrown into war, fighting for the North (even though they are from a new town in the west in California). It's a little off historically in a few places (for aesthetic purposes) but I did a lot of research and work for this, and want to revist it so that I can finish the story finally.

Disclaimer: It's all Joss, except for the parts that are owned by the other people and places mentioned in the story (don't ask me who owns them...just know I'm not taking credit). The only thing that belongs to me is this twisted tale. LOL.

Pairings: B/W and a few other surprises...

Just thought I'd share...

I'll post the chapters I have now, cut it off at midpoint (call it an interlude), and gradually add the remaining chapters (as some are yet to be written). I haven't shared with you gang, and I have this big list of stories (lots finished, lots not), and I need to get back into it again! It's a good outlet from the constant that is English graduate studies. I'm still doing what I do...but I don't HAVE to do it. LOL.

[postitnote]

Prologue

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Willow Rosenberg went by many names but her birth name, Willow...was not one of them. At least not since she was a little girl. Lately, she had been going by Will, or Private Rosenberg. She had graduated from West Point along with her best friend, Alexander Harris, and it wasn't two days after graduation that the war broke out between the Yankees and Southerners.

Being California natives, the two graduates joined the Yankees...believing in the cause. Growing up, Willow never would have imagined herself in a war...especially considering she was a girl.

When Xander had said his father enlisted him in West Point, the young boy was crushed. His father had obviously done this to prevent the marriage between Xander and Mr Harris's rival's only daughter, Cordelia Chase. They were to be wed once Xander graduated from his schooling. However, his father had immediately listed him in West Point, stating that he had better go, or else. Xander never stood up to his father.

Confiding in Willow, the stubborn redhead refused to let Xander go alone, so she forged the appropriate records, and enrolled 'himself' in West Point as 'Will' Rosenberg. All she would have to do is cut off her long red locks, grab some of her brothers' old clothes, and learn to be a man. Her parents were always away with their education jobs, so they would never notice, and her three older brothers were off...married, and two with kids. Veterans of the Mexican-American war, and following in the path of their parents...as educators.

Willow spent most of her days in her father's library. Reading books on all topics, learning how to do all sorts of things, and even teaching herself how to play sports and fence...and Xander helped her, showing her all the silly things she did wrong. Finally, the day came that Xander was to start his journey across country, and Willow donned her favorite horse and packed her things, and the two started their journey on horseback. Xander's cousin Jesse, and Willow's Indian butler arranged pick up for their horses, and the two would continue by train all the way to West Point.

While at West Point, Xander struggled in the schooling part of things. He and Willow shared a bunk, and none of the guys there mistook Willow for a girl...although most of the drill sergeants drilled her extra hard b/c she was a 'girly' guy. Frail and meak was what one had said...

Willow helped Xander with the education part, while Xander helped Willow become a 'soldier.' It was weird, being a guy...she was given so many more privileges and opportunities. She was allowed to voice her opinions on politics without embarrassing her father. She was allowed to ride a horse with the saddle between her legs, and pants instead of some difficult dress...which was much easier in her opinion.

They muddled through the entire time. Cordy and Xander wrote back and forth through Jesse, who would transfer the letters. Both knew Cordelia's father would've burned the letters right away.

It was Xander's smitten nature that had Willow sad and lonely most of the time. She had many suitors when she was a 'lady' but now that she was supposed to be a guy? Love was not something forthcoming, since it would be obvious that she was NOT a guy, and after this stunt, even if she grew her hair back long...word would get out what she'd done, and suitors would never knock again.

Willow Rosenberg was stuck being Will for the rest of her life now. She expected it to be a lonely life. It didn't get much better when the inevitable happened, and war finally broke out between the nation two days before graduation. That meant they would be thrown into battle, fresh from the military academy. Willow didn't want to fight, and Xander wanted nothing but to return to Sunnydale, California to marry Cordelia. That's all he'd been wanting for the past six years, four of them being away from her.

The war raged on...and Xander suffered a major wound to his knee within the first year, causing him to be tranferred to tactical instead of battle, since he now had a permanent limp. He now worked with Willow, who was tactical the entire time (since she graduated third to top of the class...she didn't like firing guns, so she never was the best at them, or else she would've been top). Their reunion was great, as they hadn't seen each other in a year...being on different ends of the spectrum (Xander barely graduated). It was during those years that the two had formed a deeper understanding of humanity, sometimes questioning whether it really existed with all of the killing.

Years passed, battles fought...and finally, the war had ended. It was time for them to go home. The problem? When Xander wrote to his parents that he would need money for the trip home, they refused him, and now he and Willow had to find a way back home...with the little bit of funds they had left from the army.

[postitnote]

Stranded in the South

"We could get a job helping on a plantation, I guess?" Xander was thinking that was their only option. They were already going to have to sleep in the woods tonight, having spent their last dollars on a good meal that was much deserved and a nice, warm bed for the night.

"And they would open their arms to us...with our Yankee uniforms...I'm sure..." Willow rolled her eyes. Sometimes she wondered why Xander even bothered to comment.

"Yeah...but not all Southerners hate Yankees...I'm sure. Plus, hey! We're not technically from the North, since we're from California. I did pay attention that day during the geography lesson when we learned that California is definitely in the West..." Xander put his arm around his bestest buddy's shoulder. He couldn't believe Willow had stayed by his side this entire time...through West Point...through the war. Neither had seen their hometown in almost 8 years. It seemed like yesterday that they were both just 16 year old kids, and one not a boy. Granted, Willow was still a girl...and he knew to only call her 'Will,' or 'Lieutenant Rosenberg' nowadays. He was still only a soldier, never striving for that promotion. However, Willow still called him 'Captain Harris' on occasion to make him feel better.

"But we're still wearing Yankee uniforms. I'm surprised we haven't been shot yet just for wearing them." The clothes they'd brought with them had long deteriorated, having seen too many battle scars and dirt to survive. The clothes on their backs, and the few extra uniform shirts and undergarments in their bags were all they had left. That and maybe enough money between them to buy a loaf of bread. They had to make money somehow, so Xander's idea might be the only option.

"We'll get new clothes then. All we'd need is a new pair of pants each. Surely we can come up with that somehow." Xander wasn't very good with money, actually. With the funds they had, they'd be good if that loaf of bread was fresh. Maybe they should've rethought the whole 'inn and food' last night. Xander's argument was so convincing, though...

"We can ditch the jackets in our bags...that's a good start, I guess...but we don't have enough to buy new pants. We'll have to hope that we choose plantations wisely..." So they took their jackets off, and stuffed them in their bags. After all, it would still be cold that night, and the wool would be a comfort in the open woods.

They walked for miles, flipping a coin at every entrance to a plantation but always losing. They decided that they would only try a plantation if the coin flipped heads. That's what had them traveling until near dawn. The sun showed signs of starting to set, and their stomachs ached for some sort of food. South Carolina was not giving them any breaks today.

They flipped the coin one last time, and sure enough...heads. This was it...what they'd been waiting for all day. A chance to get a gun pointed at their heads by the brassy owner, a lady in her mid-forties that looked like she'd seen better days. Xander and Willow just stood there at the bottom of the steps, used to having guns pointed in their faces. Xander wanted to run. Willow was too tired to turn around. That's what made the once shy redhead speak 'his' mind.

"Excuse me, Miss. We mean you no trouble. We're just trying to make our way home out west, and found ourselves in a spot. We've only 25 cents to our name, ma'am, and we wanted to proposition you as help on your lovely plantation here." Willow's hair had grown longer, past her ears slightly but the sweat and dirt from walking all day had caused it to slick back. Her widow's peak showed prominently, and her bright red hair and innocent, expression-filled face was what finally caused the older lady to lower her weapon slightly. Both soldiers breathed a sigh of strong relief...

"We do need help but those Yankee uniform pants aren't fooling me any." Joyce Summers's husband, Hank...he had left to fight in the war, yet he had never returned home. He left with some floozy to move out west, and now she was the one that ran the entire plantation. As soon as her husband left, she had freed all of his slaves. Only a handful stayed, and those that did dwindled throughout the years. Only three remained...as equals. Forrest, Susie, and Mary...

"Miss, is there a problem out here?" Forrest stepped onto the porch, holding his own shotgun. He had been walking past, and happened to notice the two Yankee soldiers at the bottom of the stairs. He immediately went into protect mode. This woman was like a second mother to him, just like his mother, Mary, and his little sister, Susie. They chose to stay at the plantation to help Ms. Summers.

"No, Forrest. We just have two new guests to SunnyDale. Can you ask your mother to prepare two extra plates for dinner? I'm sure these boys are starving." Joyce didn't let on that she still didn't trust the two boys, as Forrest went back in the house. There was something about the small one, though...but she couldn't place her finger on it.

"Did you say Sunnydale, Ma'am?" Willow was shocked. The irony of the situation was...well...ironic.

"That's the name of the plantation." She lowered her gun completely to her side, and motioned for the boys to walk inside with her. "I'm Joyce Summers. You can help me and the others in the fields. I'm afraid I can't honestly pay you until we get the cotton and crops sent. I hope you boys understand that you may be here a while."

"We've been waiting to go home for eight years, Mrs. Summers. What's another couple of months?" Willow knew Xander just wanted to get home. He wanted to marry Cordelia as soon as possible. This was their best opportunity, though...they had no other choice, unless they wanted to live like wild hunters, braving the wild every night. Xander knew better than to ask that of Willow, though. She was after all...still a girl, despite her soldier status.

"I expect you boys to be up and ready to harvest at the crack of dawn, no later. The moment I see you start to slack, you're out of here." Joyce didn't have time for pleasantries. Crop season was almost there.

"No problem, ma'am." Xander had said his first words. "We're used to soldier's hours anyways."

"Yes...you two must be fresh from the war. I could get serious heat for housing two Yankees in my house. I will have to find you some other clothes, and your soldier status can NEVER be mentioned. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am." Both were in agreement. Neither liked being soldiers anyways. One was forced, and one followed to help. They didn't like the violence, the fighting. Xander and Willow were excited to start their lives...though Willow had no idea what would happen with hers now, since she could never return to Sunnydale (their hometown). Willow Danielle Rosenberg was dead. The only one that knew she was still alive? Cordelia.

"Also, I have two daughters. One probably around your age. I expect you will be complete gentleman, or else..." Joyce had that fire in her eye again, as she laid her gun back in the rack, as they entered the house. "That's not the only place I keep a gun. I will shoot you if I think you're interfering in my daughters' affairs."

"I am to be married once I get home, ma'am. You will have no trouble from me." Xander knew there wouldn't be any trouble from Willow, either...since well, she was a girl herself. He still wasn't sure what she was going to do now. They hadn't really talked about it. He'd just been excited to get back to Cordelia, and they'd both been excited that the war was finally over.

"And what about you?" Joyce eyed the redhead with curiosity.

"There will be no problem from me, ma'am." Willow had found herself attracted to girls, sure...but she also knew better.

"So, you have a sweetheart waiting, too?"

"No, ma'am. I'm just not into that sort of thing. OH! Not that I'm into other things...or that I would violate your daughters...or your sons, if you have sons. Not that I want to know or anything...just making a random comment...about nothing in particular..." Willow looked to Xander for help. Her babble was about to botch this whole thing.

"You don't have to worry about him, ma'am. He's just too shy to talk about his own fiance back home. He thinks people will dislike him because she's the mayor's daughter." Xander may have just saved the day...albeit rather inside jokingly... They both hated the mayor's daughter back home, Harmony. Xander already knew there would be payback for that one...but at least they could eat something tonight.

"Now...that would be something to be proud of, young man. Why so shy about it?" Joyce looked at them both. They seemed like fine boys on the outside. Her kindness may have just gotten her in big time trouble, though...taking in two Yankees. She only hoped that the neighboring plantations didn't find out about that part...

"Um...I don't love her." Willow was quick on the uptake that time. On the questioning glance from this gentle woman, she had to lie even deeper...something that she'd never felt as guilty about as she did in this moment. "Um...we were betrothed at birth."

"I've been trying to convince my Buffy to take a suitor but she's so stubborn. Says that she has to stay here, help me, and help take care of my youngest, Dawn...who is already married herself. Sometimes, I think Buffy just doesn't want to get married." Joyce sighs. "But that's for later. You boys must be exhausted. Let's have dinner, and I'll introduce you to the entire family...sans guns this time. Forrest was only protecting us. He must've spotted your uniform pants."

"No problem, ma'am. We understand the concern but guarantee there should be none. We were both thrown into the war by unwanton circumstances. Neither of us wanted to fight...for either side." Xander may have saved the day again, as Joyce nodded approvingly.

"We do appreciate your hospitality, and if at any time, we become a nuissance...please, don't hesitate to hit Xander in the head." Willow smirked, and noticed that the older woman had a lovely laugh and smile. She imagined her daughters were both beautiful.

"Hey!" Xander only acted somewhat offended. He was too tired and hungry to really argue.

"Yes, I suppose I should know your names. Where are my manners?" Joyce positioned her hand for the taking in a true ladylike fashion, and took the introductions, as Willow and Xander kissed her hand. "Will and Xander. Now I know what to call you. Come, and we'll find you some proper attire."

"Oh, yes...thank you, ma'am." Xander and Willow followed Joyce into a bedroom, where she pulled out a pair of nice trousers and dress shirt for Xander. He took the fresh-pressed clothing from her with much thanks.

"You look about the size of my William. These should fit you." Then, she looked over Willow. "Um...although, I may have to pull some of his old childhood clothes for you later. For now, you can wear these, I suppose. You're not trying to impress anybody tonight. It'll just be the family."

"More than appreciated, ma'am. I can wear them baggy. No need to go to any trouble." Willow was already embarrassed enough. She hated lying to this woman for some reason, and they'd only just met. Perhaps it was her generosity and kindness, when they should've been turned away.

Joyce left the room, giving them instructions on how to get back to the dining room, where they would be awaiting them for dinner. She strangely trusted these two boys.

They got cleaned up and dressed, and Xander couldn't help but notice that Willow's body was very shapely. Her curves screamed all woman. He had no idea how all the soldiers didn't catch on all these years. Then again, after a while, he had started to believe she was a man, too. She had managed to pull it off completely.

"What happens when they find out...about you?" Xander voiced the big concern, as he finished buttoning up his dress shirt. It fit perfectly...though he noticed that Willow's was truly, truly baggy.

"I don't know. I hate lying to her for some reason. Is that strange? All these years...living a lie, and we know this woman for less than an hour, and I feel guilty about it?" Willow finished buttoning her own shirt before she looked at herself in the mirror. She ran the comb through her now wet red locks, and slicked them back completely again.

"I know exactly what you mean." Xander took the comb from her, and did the same. They almost looked like gentlemen...if Willow had clothes that fit her. "Shall we, then? I'm famished."

"I know exactly what you mean..." Willow's stomach had been rubbing its mental hands together, as the smells wafted through the house. "Let's go get some grub...our first real, homemade Southern meal."

"Yum..." They made their way downstairs, even though Willow had trouble walking in the shoes that were five times too big for her foot. It was obvious they weren't her clothes...though Xander looked like he belonged in his.

They walked into the dining room, and all eyes were on them. Xander smiled and waved at everybody...but Willow? She currently had her wide eyes transfixed on the most beautiful girl she had ever seen, who was currently looking back at her. She averted her eyes, and blushed, since she'd been caught staring. Joyce saved her.

"Ah, boys...glad you could join us." Joyce stood up, and motioned for them to sit. One beside her daughter Buffy, and the other beside her. Xander immediately sat down by Joyce, figuring that Willow was better suited to sit next to the beautiful daughter, since he almost had an erection just by looking at her. He felt ashamed at his internal behavior. He was to be married; he shouldn't be thinking of other women.

"Mom said we were to have two more for dinner but she didn't say they were both handsome." Dawn took the initiative, since her normally outspoken older sister was mute all of a sudden. "I'm Dawn."

"Buffy? Aren't you going to introduce yourself to the gentlemen?" Joyce eyed her daughter. She had noticed a sparkle in the girl's eyes when they fell upon the young redheaded boy. That was the first sparkle she'd ever seen in Buffy's eyes in a long time. 'This could be interesting...' Joyce thought, as she noticed through the polite 'get to know you' conversation at dinner and afterwards, that Buffy and Will would exchange blushing glances every once in awhile. 'Yes...this could cause a problem.'

[postitnote]

Harvest with a Limp

Xander and Willow had slept great that night, not having slept in such comfortable beds since back home. Joyce had given them both adjacent rooms on the second floor. Guest rooms no doubt but still more comfortable than the ground they'd slept on for the past 4 years during the war. They were both up earlier than dawn, having lived a soldier's hours.

While Xander continued his conversation with Dawn, Buffy, and the others in the living room after dinner, Joyce took Willow upstairs to find some better clothes. Her William's pre-teen clothes fit much better than his adult clothes. Since he had gone to England to teach his poetry, he would not miss the clothes so much. Joyce did miss her only son.

The next morning, Willow and Xander were more than ready to get started on the harvesting. They found themselves in the kitchen, where they met up with Mary and Susie again. Willow offered to help cook, while Xander picked at all the food. Mary would slap his hand when she'd catch him but she would have a smile on her face nonetheless. Willow helped make the biscuits, and both Mary and Susie were surprised that a young man would know how to cook. Willow just blushed at the comment, and Xander arched an eyebrow in amusement.

The next person to show was Buffy, wearing her harvesting dress. She was ready for hard work today. She was up early in the mornings, too. The young blonde found she enjoyed a farmer's life...much to the dismay of her mother, who would rather see her married to a young gentleman. One of her many suitors. The most pressing being the neighboring plantation owner's son, Riley Finn. He had just returned from the war himself, and he was over every day after harvesting, attempting to court the uninterested blonde.

"Morning, Mary...Susie..." Buffy looked up, and noticed the two men were already awake...and also in the kitchen, which was odd. Especially since the handsome redhead was helping make the biscuits. "Gentlemen."

"Morning, Miss Summers...you look fetching this morning." Xander bowed his head, and attempted not to stare but...damn, this was one fine woman.

"Where did you learn to lie like that, Mr. Harris?" Buffy could see his obvious adoration but wasn't interested. She was never interested in the boys...but there was something about the young redhead that caught her eye, though she'd never admit it. He was the most beautiful man she'd ever seen...why...he didn't look like a man at all...but a young boy.

"Buffy Anne Summers! Mind your manners." Mary scolded her, and Buffy ducked her head, as she moved to help in the kitchen. Normally, helping with the biscuits was her job...but she'd been beat to the punch this morning. "Susie, go get your brother...tell him breakfast is almost ready. Miss Buffy can help finish up here."

"Yes, Mary...I'd love that." Buffy tried to ignore the stomach rumbles she got as she moved closer to young Will. He smelled a lot better this morning, like Susie's homemade lye soap and shampoo. Strawberries she'd added in this last batch of soaps to give it an extra sweet smell...and the scent seemed to fit Will perfectly. His red locks were falling in his face, as they obviously dried from the early morning bath. His rosy cheeks and perfect pink lips were enticing...and his gorgeous green eyes. They said so much about him. He was lost, uncertain about his future, had seen too much in his young life...but still held such innocence.

"Tell me, fellas...how did you find yourself workin' for my mother, anyways?" Buffy was curious, after all. Something was fishy, she could tell...her mother had been a little hushhush about the guys before they showed at dinner. All she knew was that they were trying to make their way back to California, so that they could get married to their sweethearts. That part deflated Buffy a little, though she didn't know why. The thought of Will with a girl back home waiting for him...it made her...jealous? She wasn't sure the emotion or feeling.

"She was kind enough to take us in, Miss Summers." Will spoke for the first time since Buffy arrived, and the redhead's voice was soothing and comforting to the blonde. 'Like heaven must be...' Buffy thought.

"Yes but there are more than twenty plantations from here to Charleston...why SunnyDale?" Buffy wanted to know everything there was to know about these gentlemen. They were both too polite to be simple farmhand, and their mannerisms weren't Southern origin, and they had too good a posture for just an average bloke.

"We flipped a coin as we'd pass each one, and this is the only one that came up heads." Willow smirked at Buffy, with just a hint of a blush. The blonde smelled and looked amazing, standing next to her, helping Mary finish breakfast.

"Sounds like a gambler's luck. Almost divine intervention. We're in desperate need of help here, and I'm sure my mother is thankful for the help. Maybe now I can convince her to stay inside, instead of tending to the fields." Buffy was worried about her mom. The older woman had been working too hard, and it was starting to show.

"We are more than grateful to your mother." Xander was too busy pining over Buffy to notice the shy glances the blonde and redhead would cast towards one another.

"Oh...sorry..." Will went to grab for more flour, just as Buffy did, and their powdered hands connected, as a shock went through them upon touch.

"Your hands are soft..." Buffy was amazed. She'd never met a young man with soft hands...or hands so small.

"Um...it runs in the family." At least it wasn't an outright lie. Soft, small hands did run in the family...just with the women.

"Morning, Buffy, Mary. Oh, Xander! Will! You're up already. I expected you to be asleep still." Dawn was surprised to find the two handsome gentlemen in the kitchen at all. Her husband was still away from the war.

"Oh, we're used to early hours." Xander greeted Dawn, as he stood from the table, and bowed to her. "Morning, Miss Dawn. You look beautiful this morning."

"You flatter, Mr. Harris." Dawn liked the attention of boys, unlike her sister. Buffy just smirked at the young man's demeanor. He sure did like to compliment other women for a man that was trying to get back to his sweetheart.

"Morning, mama." Forrest entered the kitchen, and kissed his mother's cheek. Susie right behind him. "I suppose I get to show you boys how to harvest this morning."

"Yep." Willow was excited. She liked the idea of getting her hands in the dirt. She loved nature. She loved being outdoors.

"Let's just hope your boy over there doesn't cause much problems." Forrest eyed Xander. It was obvious his limp would be a problem in the field. Possibly slowing them down today, as they showed the two men how to work the fields.

"He'll be no trouble. He's as good as most men." Willow knew that for a fact. Xander was a loyal soldier, even if he hated being a soldier. He took his job seriously, mostly wanting it over with quicker.

"If you say so..." Forrest didn't believe it. Xander walked with a fancy metal stick.

"Hush now, Forrest...Mr. Harris will do his part." Mary scolded her hot-headed son.

"Yes, mama." Forrest sat down at the kitchen stools but didn't have to like it. He still didn't trust the two soldier boys. "How did you get your limp anyways?"

"Oh...um...long story..." Xander wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't tell the truth, or he'd be outed as a soldier. Forrest knew this, too...as his smug grin told.

"Not that long, really. He just had an accident that tore up his knee a couple years back." Willow broke in with her clever, 'lying but not lying' technique.

"Okay, so not that long..." Xander sighed in relief. His story was going to be about wild boars...so he was glad he didn't have to tell some story.

"Morning, everyone." Joyce walked into the kitchen, ready to start breakfast. "Smells wonderful, girls...and Will..."

"Morning, Ms. Summers." Will smiled at the older lady. She was shocked to see him helping in the kitchen, and beside Buffy no doubt...the shy glances and blushes were still in place. Joyce hated it but she'd have to keep a strong eye on that one; she could tell. Possibly even her daughter, too...

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Xander proved to be just as efficient in the field as anybody...perhaps moreso, since he had felt the need to prove himself to be just as good, and overcompensating a little. Forrest was impressed, as he continued to show young Mr. Harris how to properly pull the cotton.

In the next row, Buffy was showing Will what to do. Forrest had taken Xander under his belt...b/c of his limp, stating that he'd need the most work, and Buffy could handle the wimpy boy better. Buffy had started to protest, knowing that spending a day in the fields practically alone with the handsome young man was not going to help matters. She'd developed a strong crush on him; she realized that much, at least.

He was a quick study, too. Buffy didn't have much to explain to him, and they were almost done with the day's work already. Amazing, since it was only noon. She'd talked Joyce into staying inside today, under much protest but the younger blonde finally won when Dawn chipped into help. Both girls were seriously worried about their mother.

"We could tackle another row. It's still early." Willow was hyped. She'd never done anything like this before, and it was amazing. They pushed their large wheelbarrow full of cotton buckets, and finished their row before Xander and Forrest...and those two were booking it big time. The boys were definitely good help.

"No...we should take a break. Have some lunch. I'm sure Mary, Mom, and Dawn have it all ready for us anyways. We can rest for a bit. Wait for the afternoon sun to cool a little first before tackling another row." Buffy was impressed, as they pushed their wheelbarrows towards the cotton barn. "We've never finished a row this quick before...and we have two rows finished already. You guys are gonna fit in just fine. I can already tell."

"Really?" Willow had that 'aww...' face on...even though she tried not to...it was just hard not to when she was around Buffy, and she'd get a comment like that from the blonde. Buffy was stubborn, difficult, and outspoken. They would get along just fine. Maybe a little too fine...

[postitnote]

Jealous Confrontation


Joyce noticed that Buffy and Will seemed to be sitting a lot closer than was appropriate but decided to comment on it later. No need to bring up such matters at the dinner table in front of guests. Riley Finn had arrived moments earlier to join them for lunch, as he did every day, in hopes to pursue Buffy as his wife.

"So, you gentlemen are helping on the farm." Riley had sat on the other side of Buffy, as he always did at lunch. She scooted her chair away from him as she always did. Only this time, Will was on the other side...instead of an empty chair. Buffy blushed profusely at her unladylike behavior, and Riley took it as a good sign pointed towards him that the blonde was blushing.

"Yes. We're trying to earn enough to help get us back out West, and Ms. Summers here was kind enough to take us in." Xander noticed that Willow was being extremely quiet.

"Ah...so you two are cowboys." Riley thought he had it all figured out now.

"Um...not exactly..." Though it would've presented a good lie, Willow thought. Saved a lot of explanations. "Just passing through, and our funds diminished."

"Have you not families that can union you money for the trip?" Riley was being awfully nosy. He didn't like the way Buffy was sitting so close to the redhead.

"Oh, well. We do...but they told us to find our own way home." Xander looked sad when he said that, and it was news to the ladies at the table.

"I didn't know that. You should've said something." Joyce placed a gentle, reassuring, motherly hand on Xander's shoulder. She couldn't imagine a mother not sending money to have their sons home quicker, especially after not seeing them since the war started.

"What about the war? How did you manage to escape being drafted?" Riley was trying to find the missing link to the puzzle. He didn't like the sympathetic glance Buffy sent Will.

"Um...Xander's leg." Willow hoped there would be no questions after that but Riley was being persistent. She didn't like this guy. When she found out he was one of Buffy suitors, she REALLY didn't like this guy.

"That doesn't explain you, though. You seem healthy." Riley narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "How did you escape the draft?"

"Mr. Finn, I believe the boys are tired from their day on the field. Why don't we let them rest, while we retire to the den." Joyce stood from the table, and the three boys stood in manners.

Xander immediately took the nap suggested, and bounded up the stairs with a little more gusto than usual. However, Will offered to help clean up first. Buffy offered to help, too but her mother would have none of it. Riley Finn was their guest, and here to see Buffy. She could allow the others to do the cleaning.

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"I don't like him." Willow commented as soon as she entered the kitchen. For one, Forrest, Mary, and Susie ate in the kitchen, instead of at the dinner table as usual.

"Well, Mr. Will. I'm afraid it's not up to us to like him, or not...but to Miss Buffy." Mary actually agreed with Will silently.

"Oh, please, Mama. Riley Finn is a bigot. We all know it, and he has a temper known throughout the county...just like his pa. Don't butter up the boy." Forrest helped his mother snap the fresh green beans from the garden for dinner that night. They would be canning a bunch for their winter months soon. Forrest was warming up to Will and Xander. They proved to be hard workers, and took some of the slack from him, so they were good in his book. "His pa let the overseer beat his slaves. We could hear them over here screaming sometimes...they did such horrid things to them."

"That sounds horrible." Will couldn't imagine Joyce allowing such brutality. "What happened to the others...the slaves, I mean?"

"Oh, Ms. Joyce freed us all after Mr. Hank left for the war. He never came back; ran away with a young brothel girl, from what we heard. Ms. Joyce always was the kindest lady in these parts...never let Hank beat us, or anything. It was like she was running the plantation all these years. Mr. Hank never cared much for it." Mary was glad to do some gossiping. She figured since Will and Xander were going to be here for awhile; they might as well know a little bit about where they were staying.

"Ms. Joyce, though...she loves this place. Her great-great-granddaddy built it himself." Forrest knew the story backwards and forwards. His mama used to tell the story like it was part of his history...which it was, since she was born here, and so was he...

"You can tell she loves it, and it seems like Buffy loves it, too. I couldn't imagine her being some dainty wife." Willow had this small smile across her her face; just thinking about Buffy did that to her.

"Oh, no...Miss Buffy was always a spitfire. She was always into some type of trouble. She was moved from the school because the teacher thought she was the one that burned the house down." Mary chuckled at that, knowing full well that Buffy was quite capable of such tomfoolery. "Just ask Forrest here. They been the best of friends since they was little."

"It's true. I'm older than Buffy but we always played together. We were the closest in age around here. William is much older, and we never really got along." Forrest had this smile on his face...obviously reminiscing about his childhood.

"I love this place. It's so...beautiful..." It was true. Willow had stared out her window for hours, just studying the lay of the land. The plantation was beautiful.

"Well...I'm sure that Miss Buffy has nothin' to do with that observation..." Mary had noticed the way the two young ones had glanced at each other. She knew everything that went on in this house. She also knew that Will's dislike of Riley Finn was partly due to jealousy. It was obvious that Will and Buffy were fond of each other, and it was obvious that Mary and Joyce were the only two that had picked up on the situation.

"Buffy is truly beautiful..." Willow had a faraway look in her eyes.

"Careful there, boy. You're just a farmhand from California, and passing through no less. Plus, don't you have a fiance?" Forrest smirked. He saw it now, too...the sparkle in young Will's eye...one he'd seen in many boys that passed through the plantation, especially upon seeing Buffy.

"Oh, right..." Willow backtracked, a mad blush of embarassment on her face. She'd forgotten that she was 'engaged' to Harmony.

"Well...nonetheless, Buffy is nice to look at...but the day she takes a husband..."

"Forrest, watch that mouth..." Mary smirked at her son. He was just like his father, rest his soul.

"Sorry, mama. But you know I'm right. Buffy has had more suitors than anybody in the county, and she hasn't even given a glance to a single one. They're always too shallow, or too tall..."

"Don't forget the one that was too uppity." Susie spoke from her position at the bean-breaking table. Willow had joined them in the task, after she'd figured out what they were doing.

"Oh, and don't forget the gentleman whose breath 'smelled like he fell in a horse's excrement.' That was my favorite." Forrest was having too much fun but the two stopped their teasing upon their mother's scolding look.

"If you're worried about her marrying that Riley Finn, there's nothing to worry about, Mr. Will. She despises him more than any of them." Mary stirred the beans, as Susie brought them over from the breaking table.

"Yet, he never takes the hint...even though she always tries to avoid him. Still...he's here every day."

"Every day?!" Willow didn't think she could handle that...

---------------------------

"Was that Mr. Finn?" Will joined Buffy in the foyer, noticing full well that Riley was leaving the plantation. She didn't mean to sound so jealous.

"Yes. He just left." Buffy sighed in appreciation, though Willow took it for a sign of adoration for the man.

"You want to marry him?" Willow found she couldn't get the jealous tone from her voice, and Buffy noticed.

"Oh, lord no. He's a vile man. I would never..." Buffy smiled a little... "Are...why, Mr. Will...are you jealous?"

"Um...no..." Upon seeing Buffy's disbelief, Willow relented. "Okay...so sue me...I'm jealous. Can you blame me?"

"Well...I promise. I will not stand in your way if you wish to marry Mr. Riley Finn. He's all yours." Buffy was teasing, and maybe flirting a little. Okay...so flirting a lot.

"Huh?" Willow was confused. Did Buffy just wink at her?

"I'm joking, Will. Oh...is it alright if I call you Will?" Buffy liked the sound of that.

"I would like that." Willow smiled adoringly at Buffy.

"You may call me Buffy, too. We'll be working together a lot more, so I suppose that'll be appropriate." Buffy started to walk on the front porch, and motioned for Will to follow her. They sat on the rocking chairs, overlooking the plantation's front.

"Thank you...I would like that, too." Willow was flustered. She'd never met a woman like Buffy before...even when she wasn't living life as a man. Suddenly, Willow got depressed at the sudden realization that it would never work between them. Buffy would find out eventually that she was a girl, too.

"Hey...come back to me." Buffy noticed the forlorn look, and immediately realized she missed the young man's smile. It was so warm, so charming, so...beautiful...

"Sorry. I just remembered something."

"Your fiance?" Buffy found herself with a jealous tone. Willow looked up immediately at that.

"Why, Miss Summers...I do believe I heard a tone of jealousy in there." It was Willow's turn to tease. "If you would like to marry Harmony, by all means..."

"Don't be ridiculous. I've never even met her." Buffy found that Will's laugh was quite infectious. It was hard not to like this young man. This young, handsome...beautiful...charming... Buffy shook out of her reverie.

"I suppose we should head back out there; tackle another row or two. See what we can get done today."

"Will?" Buffy's tone was tentative. Will just looked at her in curiosity. "Do you not love this...Harmony?"

"Oh, lord, no. I don't think anybody does but herself." Willow laughed at that thought. Harmony had always caused her grief at socials and gatherings.

"Then...why marry her if you don't love her?" Buffy's jealous tone came out again, and perhaps a hopeful expression.

"I want to marry for love but I'm afraid my situation is difficult." Willow left it at that. It was true. She could fall in love...but no matter, she could never marry.

"Something we both have in common, then." Upon Will's questioning look, Buffy explained. "I'm expected to get married. I'm already older than the average marrying age, yet suitors still keep coming. I want to marry for love, and no matter how many suitors come, I can't see them as potential husbands. I can't see myself being their wife. Mom keeps pressuring me, though...and I always feel like I disappoint her."

"I definitely understand the feeling of disappointing your parents. Mine were never even around, especially after my brothers were married." Will and Buffy were bonding...only showing jealous spurts when they'd talk about other girls or guys. They wound up talking on the porch, losing track of time, having a great time together. They completely missed the rest of the day's work, as they fell into comfortable conversation, loving each other's company.

[postitnote]

The Big Talk

"That Buffy sure is something, isn't she, Will?" Xander had an eye for Buffy Summers. It was true. He was completely smitten. Willow had noticed this, too...and that made her own infatuation that much worse.

"Oh...she sure is..." They were getting ready for a social at a neighboring plantation. Joyce had invited them, stating that they were just as gentlemanly, if not moreso than the others that would be there. Xander and Willow feared that they would be frowned upon, especially with their lack of a Southern accent. They'd been here two weeks, working their arses off, and had managed to avoid any of the social events, opting to put in extra work instead.

"Why, Willow...you look handsome." Xander appraised his friend. It was the first time he'd called her Willow in years. She truly did look quite handsome. "All those Southern belles are going to fawn over you..."

"Xander...you know I can't..." Willow had always backed away from romantic conversation during her conversations with Buffy.

"Right, you have Harmony...of course..." Xander still continued to tease her.

"It has nothing to do with that outrageous lie, and you know it..." Willow looked at Xander with a pleading expression. "How would I explain that I can't give babies to my wife...or that we could never have relations?"

"I heard some of the soldiers say they made these things...that looked just like a real penis, made out of leather or something...you could get one of those."

"Yeah...but how would I explain why my penis feels like leather, and not flesh...and for that matter, why I never...you know..." Willow couldn't believe she was having this conversation.

"You could always go back to being a girl, I suppose. Find a husband. Even as a man, you're still one of the prettiest girls I know." Xander smiled warmly. He hoped he was helping his dear friend.

"Thanks, Xand...but we both know I can't go back. I'm stuck here now." Willow saw the guilty look on Xander's face. "It was my decision, though...and I'm sticking to it. I don't regret a thing."

"Mr. Will...Mr. Xander...the carriage is waitin'..." Mary called from downstairs. The girls were already there surprisingly, ready to enjoy their evening.

"I guess we should head that way..." They descended the stairs, and one look at Buffy in her frilly dress and curled hair, and Willow was weak-kneed, finding herself falling down the stairs. Buffy chuckled, as she realized Will had fallen because of her. He had been staring at her. That made her all fluttery. Many men had looked at her in that manner but never with such...love.

"Shall we, then?" Joyce led them to the carriage. She knew that Will and Buffy were forming a bond, and it was obvious that the bond was getting stronger and more romantic. She would have to have a serious talk with her oldest daughter. Buffy had no business marrying a farmhand, let alone a Yankee soldier. Joyce hated it...because she had waited so long to see that sparkle in her daughter's eyes, and Will was such a fine, handsome gentleman...but it just wouldn't do.

-------------------

Riley Finn was there. That caused Willow's eyes to narrow in anger. She really didn't like that man. He wouldn't leave Buffy alone the entire night. Plus, it didn't help matters that many other men, presumably other suitors, had danced with Buffy that night. Willow found herself drinking more mint juleps than she should've. Her jealousy was driving her crazy.

So crazy that she found herself dancing with many girls, and attempting to drive Buffy mad with jealousy as well. From the glances she'd catch when they were dancing, she could tell it was working. Willow's irrational thinking declared that if she couldn't have Buffy Summers, then nobody could. Of course, that could've been the juleps talking, too.

Xander had even gotten a dance from Buffy, and he was embarassed that he became erect during the dance. Just the thought of Buffy made him erect anymore. He had even embarassed himself at night, taking matters into his own hands...guilt-ridden that it wasn't Cordelia's face that had caused his sudden arousal. He would have to write to Cordelia, and confess his mental infidelity...for he had fallen for Buffy Summers. He would ask Joyce about pursuing her daughter. He had tried to talk about it with Willow before they left but the redhead had decided to have THAT conversation instead. The one he'd been wishing she would confess to him, about her future.

When Willow saw Buffy dancing with Xander, she'd had enough. She needed some air, or she might explode. When Buffy saw Will storm out, she excused herself from Xander, and followed the redhead outside. Following the fuming redhead's path towards the lake, Buffy found herself far away from other guests. This wouldn't be considered ladylike, and she was sure that others noticed, and that she would the talk for awhile. She didn't care though for some reason. Will was upset, and that bothered her. Not to mention she was just as upset...she had accepted the dance with Xander just to get at Will deeper, and it had worked too well.

"Will..." Buffy rushed after him, and he only slowed down once he was barred from going any further from the lake. "Will...wait..."

"Go away, Buffy..." The mint juleps weren't helping Willow's thinking any. She could smell and sense Buffy with much more intensity, and her conscience wasn't in full play.

"Wait...I'm sorry." Buffy caught up with Will, who was just staring out at the moonlit lake with such a tortured expression. "I only wanted to make you jealous, and...hey, it's not like you weren't making me jealous."

"Buffy, I can't..." Willow was beyond upset. She now knew without a doubt that she was in love with Buffy Summers, and it tore at her very soul.

"I couldn't stand it...seeing you dancing with all those other girls, having them fawn over you...and I hate that I had to dance with all those other boys...when the only boy I wanted to dance with all night is you." Buffy was going into uncharted territory. Their mutual admiration was a topic that they had silently agreed to avoid...until now. Buffy couldn't stand it anymore. The one boy she wanted to court her was the one boy that wasn't...

"I can't do this, Buffy." Willow had never been more bothered internally than she was in that moment. She feared she'd say or do something stupid.

"It doesn't matter. I won't dance with any other boy again..." Buffy risked it but she moved closer into Will's personal space, spelling the sweet musk of her brother William's cologne. It somehow didn't fit the redhead as much as the simple, sweet scent of the strawberry soaps.

"I'm not who you think I am."

"It doesn't matter. I don't care." Buffy took another tentative step towards Will, hoping and wishing upon everything that she didn't read him wrong, and that he felt the same way.

"You don't understand, Buffy."

"Then help me understand. What are you hiding? What could be so bad that you can't..."

"I graduated from West Point. I was a lieutenant in the war." Willow waited for the gasp of shock but saw none, just confusion.

"That's a high rank. Why would that bother me? That just means you were important."

"I fought for the North." That was one lie exposed...

"Oh." Buffy took time to digest that. "Well...um...the war is over now, so...that shouldn't matter." But Buffy knew it mattered big time. "Does my mother know?"

"She was the one that said to hide it. Xander and I were both so grateful that we would never argue. We hated fighting anyways. We never wanted to be soldiers."

"That explains why you're out here, and not back home with your sweethearts."

"That's another thing. I'm not engaged to the mayor's daughter. That was just something Xander told your mom to reassure her that I wouldn't be a danger her daughters."

"So...you're not getting married?" Buffy had never been so happy to hear something in her life. That meant Will was free to marry her instead.

"No. I can't get married!" Willow was afraid of this last part. She didn't want to lie to Buffy anymore, though. She couldn't stand it. "I'm not even supposed to be here. I should be doing the same exact thing you were in there doing."

"Making me jealous? You did a good job of that. I'm jealous, see?" Buffy pointed to her 'jealous' face.

"Buffy, it would never..." Willow stopped to catch her breath, as Buffy moved practically against her body, and the moonlight hit her face and hair perfectly...causing Willow to gasp in amazement. "You're so beautiful."

"Will..." Buffy just leaned forward a little, allowing the redhead to capture her lips, as they shared their first kiss. Will's lips were so soft, sweet, and tasted of the mint from the juleps. Buffy kept her lips mere inches apart and her eyes still shut from the tingling sensation in her lips after they pulled slightly apart.

"Wow..." Willow had never kissed anybody before...it was a new experience for her. It was the most amazing feeling she'd ever felt. Buffy took that as initiative, as she leaned forward again, pressing their lips together more fiercely, wantonly this time. Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy's back, and pulled her tighter, relishing in the softness. Buffy ran her hands up Will's chest, and found something there she didn't expect to find. She was startled from the passionate kiss...

"What...um...what..." Buffy was flustered. Were those...breasts? "Will?"

"That's what I tried to tell you...I should be doing what you're in there doing...trying to find a husband." Willow watched, as Buffy was about to bolt. The panic in the blonde's eyes scared her.

"Wh...I...but..." Buffy couldn't wrap her head around it. Will was actually a girl?

"Exactly." Willow stepped back from Buffy but the blonde only followed her. "Xander's father enrolled him at West Point without warning, so I forged myself into the academy as well, knowing that Xander would never survive academically. So...I cut my hair, borrowed some of my brothers' clothes, and dropped the 'ow' from my name. My name is really Willow. I didn't want to lie to you, Buffy. You have to believe me. I've never been more ashamed of it than I am when I'm with you."

"But...this doesn't make sense. How did...all those years...how did nobody find out about...those?" Buffy pointed at Will's chest. "I man...granted, they're not that big but..."

"Hey!" Willow wasn't really offended but it did help to lighten the mood.

"Nobody has ever looked at me the way you do...or kissed me like that before...I don't understand..." Buffy was more than confused. This was...bizarre. Beyond bizarre. "Does mom know about this?"

"Actually...no. Only Xander does."

"I mean...wow...this is so...I mean, I thought I'd be mad, or more upset...but I don't know...it's just..." Buffy couldn't find the words. "I still want you, even after all that. How is that possible?"

"Buffy, you couldn't possibly still...wait, you really wanted to be with me? You weren't just playing with me?" Willow registered one thing at a time.

"I think I want you even more now. It's so...strange...odd...compelling...risky. I mean...you pull it off perfectly...even though I see it now." Buffy was amazed. How could they be so daft? "Here, and I just thought you were the most beautiful man I'd ever met...but it turns out you're not a man at all? I mean...this is so..."

"I can leave, if you'd like."

"NO!!" Buffy hadn't meant to say it that loud, and found herself touching Will's chest again. This time, when she got a handful of boob, she blushed and ducked, though. "Sorry..."

"No, no...um...quite fine..." Willow felt her nipples harden on contact.

"This is so strange but then again, this is Hellmouth plantation. All sorts of weird things happen here." Buffy found herself staring openly at Will's chest. "So...your name is really Willow?"

"Yes. Willow Danielle Rosenberg...but I haven't been that person in 8 years."

"Right...Lt. Rosenberg. I suppose that would've been a moot point." Buffy was still wrapping her head around it. "I think I should sit down."

"Here...there's a bench." Willow guided Buffy to the bench, and both chose to ignore the electric spark that passed between them this time. "Are you okay? Should I call Forrest to get the carriage ready to take you home?"

"No...no I'll be fine. Just...I mean...this is a lot to take in."

"I know. I just...I hate lying to you. I've never met anybody like you before, Buffy. You're amazing and beautiful, and excuse me for saying so but almost impossible."

"Hey!"

"But I love that you're impossible. It's part of what makes you so endearing." Willow accepted Buffy's adoring eyes.

"I know it's weird, Will...but...I still want to marry you. I still want to live my life with you. For some strange reason, that doesn't feel as wrong as I thought it would..." Buffy found herself wanting to know Will on a more intimate level.

"Buffy...even so...I could never court you. I promised your mother."

"Ah, forget her...we can still..."

"Buffy! Come on...focus here. You know this couldn't work."

"Can't I keep on believing that it will, though? I've never wanted to be with anybody before...nobody has ever made me feel the way you do..." Buffy pulled pleading eyes towards Will, and gave the pout. Willow found that she was goner once the pout came into play.

"Me, too..." Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy in a gentle hug. "We should probably go back inside."

"I'm sure I'm already the gossip of the party...for leaving like that." Buffy looked up at Willow's deep green eyes again. "I don't want to move from this spot."

"It is quite magickal..." Willow kept her hand at Buffy's hip, looking deep within her eyes.

"I want you to be mine, Will. I want to be Mrs. Will Rosenberg. I want you to court me. I'll talk to my mother. We can be the only ones that know about the whole you being a girl thing. Nobody else has to know..."

"Buffy, it would never work. People would start to wonder why we never had children."

"I do want children...but I would give that up. I would rather be with you."

"Buffy, it wouldn't..."

"Don't tell me it wouldn't work because I know you don't believe that, either. I'm in love with you, and I know that you're in love with me, so stop trying to deny it, and just tell me already."

"Oh..." Willow was surprised by the outburst, and she wasn't sure if it was the mint juleps making her conscience fly out the door, or what but she did admit it. "I'm in love with you, Buffy Anne Summers, and I would love to marry you."

"No buts..." Buffy hushed Willow before the redhead could babble, as she leaned into her further, and gathered her wits about her before kissing her again. This kiss seemed even better than the last one...

[postitnote]

Courting Buffy

Xander had cleaned and dressed extra nice this morning for breakfast. He'd written to Cordelia, claiming that he could not marry her anymore, and now he was free to court Miss Buffy Summers. This morning, he had arranged to meet with Joyce to ask for permission.

It had been two weeks since that party, and he had finally gathered his courage to write that letter to Cordy, knowing that it would come back to haunt him, and haunt him it did, as her reply came in the mail the other day. In the letter, she had mentioned that her father had arranged for her to marry a young Irishman named Doyle, and that she was becoming quite fond of him during his courtship of her, though she was reluctant at first. It had been 8 years since they had seen each other, and they had grown into young adults. Cordelia couldn't wait any longer to get married. She promised to continue writing him, though...to continue to give him updates on the family and town.

Now, a month after moving into SunnyDale, Xander was prepared to ask Joyce Summers, his employer, if he could court her oldest daughter. It was the bravest thing he had ever done. He wanted to talk to Willow about it so bad but she always seemed too preoccupied. She was always out in that damned cotton barn anymore, doing work, and he rarely saw her. If Ms. Summers agreed that he could court Buffy, and Buffy agreed to marry him, then he would be delighted to tell Willow that she didn't have to rush the work on account of him going back home to marry Cordelia anymore.

"Now, Xander...what seems to be the problem?" Joyce joined Xander for tea in the den, and noticed his nervous behavior.

"I wish to court Buffy." Xander saw Joyce shut her eyes, and take a deep breath. He wasn't sure if that was a good sign.

"Xander, you know as well as I that Buffy has many suitors. I would hate to see you hurt by her. You're a good man...but you're a Western man, and a Yankee soldier. How do you think Buffy would feel about that?" Joyce knew Xander would make a fine husband...but not for her daughter. She'd already had this talk with Buffy...about not doing anything foolish, and becoming too attached to the two boys. The redhead was the one she had in mind. She didn't want Buffy to get any foolish ideas like marrying young Will, and it was obvious that was what her oldest daughter had come to talk to her about that day. Joyce didn't give her a chance to ask, though. She made it clear that she would never give Will her blessing if it came to that...although she had included Xander in that, too.

"I realize that, ma'am...but I would make a wonderful husband. I'm in love with your daughter, Ms. Summers. I wish for her to be my wife. I'm not going back to California anymore, so we could stay here. I could continue helping with the land." Xander was trying his best to convince Ms. Summers.

"Xander, you are a dear boy...but you have to understand that Buffy is still a lady of society, and to the society, you are a mere farmhand." Joyce hated letting the boys hopes down. "Tell me...what does your friend Will think of your wanting to court Buffy?"

"He doesn't know, ma'am. I try to talk to him but I rarely see him anymore. He's always out in the cotton mill, or doing something on the farm. I can't keep up with him anymore." Xander was sad that he was always too tired (because of his leg) to continue helping Willow, and upset that he couldn't catch her to tell her that she didn't need to work so hard and fast anymore.

"Yes. He has done wonders for the production around here. I've never seen such dedication to work before, and I'm sure you would be out there helping him if it weren't for your injury. I believe that wholeheartedly." Joyce placed a comforting hand on his knee. "But I'm afraid I can't give you my blessing to court Buffy."

"Not even if I told you my father was Senator Harris of California?" That's something he kept in the dark...but he felt it important in this case, if he were to be granted this blessing. His father being an important man may have just given him a blessing. He saw Joyce's eyes light up, and knew that it was true. He now had her blessing...he could court Buffy.

---------------------------------

"This is amazing, Will...you built this??" Buffy had finally let her curiosity get the better of her, and couldn't take it anymore, so she went out to the cotton mill to see what in the world Willow had been doing out here day in and day out.

"It was easy really, and it'll help a lot when we're ready to bundle things, or even when we're ready to pick the gardens. I can build this along the entire thing. It runs on the water running upstream from the lake, so it'll move...sort of like a line of people except without the people. They're little holes instead, to place the crop in..." Willow had been out here, building a conveyor line to aid them in their farming. She had the idea one day when Buffy mentioned she wished they had a way to take lighter loads to the barn to drop but it was just too time wasted. Upon hearing that, Willow started the project, and only saw the rest of the family during mealtimes. She had even fallen asleep on the cotton a few nights, too exhausted to trek back to the house.

Truth was, she was partially trying to avoid Buffy. It had been two weeks since they had kissed, and she had confessed everything at that party on Hellmouth plantation. The morning after those sweet kisses, Willow's mind was clear from the mint juleps...albeit after the headache. Buffy would try to find time to spend alone with Will but she would always claim that there was too much work. It was frustrating to the blonde. This was the 'man' she wanted to marry. She wanted to feel Willow's lips pressed against hers again. She wanted to feel what it was like to be held in her arms, to return to those lazy afternoons where they would sit on the porch and talk like best friends. Willow had admitted that she was in love with Buffy, so why was the redhead suddenly so distant? Buffy had told her she didn't care about her soldier status, about her being a girl, too...she just wanted Willow. Yet still...the redhead turned away her affections.

"It's amazing. Mom is going to love it." Buffy took a risk coming out to the barn by herself. They had finished breakfast earlier, and were taking the Saturday off...everybody but Willow, who was still out in the cotton mill pounding away. She looked so handsome, in William's old tan corduroys that were being held up by suspenders, the olive green top Mary had made for him. Willow's eyes were brought out so much more with the green color, and Buffy couldn't help but stare. "I've missed you, Will."

"Please don't, Buffy...this is hard enough..." Willow knew this was coming. Why else would Buffy take the risk of coming out here alone? They both knew Joyce would condemn such unladylike behavior.

"I tried to talking to my mom...about you courting me...but she made it clear that I couldn't marry a simple farmhand." Buffy saw Will's face deflate for a moment, and knew that spark was still there. "Don't you know that I love you? I don't care...we can run away together...just you and me..."

"Buffy, I like your family, and your mother has been more than generous to Xander and I. I would never do something like that." It was tearing Willow up, knowing that she could never reveal her true identity, less she be found out as the missing daughter of famed author and educator, Ira and Sheila Rosenberg. Her family held such high status in society, which qualified her as an appropriate suitor for Buffy...but Joyce could never find out.

"It doesn't matter. I love you. I won't marry anybody else. I only want you." Buffy moved closer to Willow, hoping not to be turned away. Will just continued sanding the wood crates for her water machine.

"Buffy...please don't make this harder?" Willow was crying inside. It was obvious in her eyes, and Buffy was actually about to cry.

"Will...please...you love me, too. Why can't we..." Buffy started to cry, and Willow couldn't take it anymore, as she opened her arms, and cradled Buffy's sobbing form to her.

"I do love you, Buffy. That's what makes this so hard. I would give anything to marry you; I would...but there are too many risks, and I adore your family and respect your mother way too much. You have to understand that." Willow held Buffy tighter, as the blonde wrapped her arms around the redhead.

"I do understand it, Will...but I hate it. I hate society. I just wanna be with you...love you..." Buffy held her closer, and fought the urge to just take what she wanted. Willow was right. She couldn't give up her family. "I'll die an old maid without you."

"You can get lots of cats to keep you company..." Willow chuckled slightly but Buffy panicked. The blonde inched her head back to look at the redhead with utter worry and abandon on her face. "What's wrong? Don't you like cats?"

"You mean...you're really leaving?? Still?"

"Of course...I have to take Xander back to Sunnydale to marry Cordelia. After that...well, I don't know when I'll have enough money to make it back east...if ever." Willow realized Buffy's train of thought. "Oh, Buffy..."

"But Xander's not even marrying Cordelia anymore. You don't need to go to California anymore. You can stay here...with me...so I won't need cats. That way I can still have you..."

"I'm sure that would look good..."

"I told you I don't care about society; as long as I have you, I don't care about any of that stuff. Let them talk. Let them say things..." Buffy wouldn't let Willow go, not now that she had a tight hold around her, and the redhead was stroking her blonde locks. It was the most comforting gesture, and it was sending shivers up her entire body.

"I don't think I could survive it here."

"You've been more than great so far. You're a natural born farmhand."

"Actually, not really...but the risks are way too high."

"It's not fair. Mom would let me marry a lieutenant if he fought for the south. Couldn't you just lie a little?" Buffy looked up again, hopeful expression on her face.

"I hate lying...it's bad enough as it is..." Willow looked deep into Buffy's eyes, and found herself lost in them already. She let go of Buffy, now that the blonde had calmed down, and went back to sanding...hoping to keep her mind occupied on something other than kissing Buffy again.

"Willow?" Buffy had never said her name with such compassion before, and it made Willow even more tingly inside.

"Yes?" Willow just starting sanding harder, keeping her mind from the erotic place it was trying to go...

"Can we at least meet in secret? It's killed me not being able to touch you...be near you..."

"You've been around me every day."

"You know what I mean...when it's just us. Nobody else around...just you and me. Together...like we want to be."

"Buffy, you need to understand..."

"I DO understand, Willow. I understand that you won't take these so-called risks...that you won't give your all to me. I understand perfectly. You love me...but you don't want me." Buffy was searching for that flare in Willow's eyes...she knew without a doubt that the redhead wanted her. She just wasn't willing to prove it.

"That's not true. I want you so much that I can't sleep at night. I'm in here, day in and out, making things to better the farm to help you and your family...hoping to keep my mind off of you but sometimes, it's all I think about. You're all I think about...I can't get you out of my head, and it drives me insane." Willow threw her sandblock aside, and turned to Buffy, that flare in her eyes. "Never say that I don't want or love you. That couldn't be further from the truth."

"Then prove it." Buffy arched an eyebrow, and set her resolve.

Willow glanced outside the barn door, and listened to where everybody was...all in the house but these two. She walked up to Buffy, put her arm around her waist, and pulled her roughly to her. Taking one last steely glance, Willow attached her lips to Buffy with such passion that neither knew even existed. Buffy was weak in the knees, as she fell to the cottony floor, bringing Willow with her, their kisses heated and urgent.

Willow traced her hot kisses along Buffy's throat, sucking slightly on the pulse point...just to prove her point. Buffy was most definitely wanted. Buffy started to unbutton Willow's shirt but the redhead chose that moment to come back from cloud nine, and pulled Buffy's hands away, shaking her head no before standing, and helping Buffy up.

"We can't...and you know it. I won't take your innocence...especially not someplace like the cotton barn. You deserve the world, Buffy...and I could never give that to you." Willow went back to her sanding after she buttoned back the few buttons Buffy had undone. "Like your mother said, I'm just a lowly farmhand. It would never work out."

"Will...Willow...I know you're more than a farmhand. I know there's more to you than that. I know there's something you're not telling me. You can trust me..." Buffy cupped Willow's cheek, halting the redhead's movements.

"I do trust you. I just don't trust other people. If...if my parents found out...that I'm not really dead...do you realize the scandal? Buffy, you and your entire family would be caught in the middle of that scandal, and I won't do that to you, or them."

"So...you are important? You do have high society status...yet, you still won't marry me?" Buffy was about to cry again. She'd never wanted anything, anybody like before...so much...

"Yes...my parents are important...which is why I can never be..." Willow kissed Buffy again, intent on at least tasting those lips one last time. It was the last time...she promised herself...but more kisses followed...until they heard Xander yelling for Will on his way to the mill. "You'd better go..."

"Oh, Will...I..."

"Just go, Buffy." Willow was about to cry but all those years of soldier training taught her not to show emotion. It was so hard not to when around the blonde, though. Will was nothing but emotion then. She watched Buffy sneak out the back of the barn, just as Xander made his way in the main door. "Hey, Xand...feels like I haven't seen you in a long time. Why are you dressed so nice?"

"I'm going to marry Buffy." Xander was so excited when Joyce gave her blessing that he had to rush out to tell his bestest bud. He knew Willow would be ecstatic, especially when he told the redhead he wouldn't be marrying Cordelia.

"Huh?" Willow was still nothing but emotions, and when Xander said that, it hit her hard.

"When I told Joyce who my father was, she agreed to allow me to court Buffy, and thinks I really have a shot with her. She thinks that Buffy will agree to marry me. Isn't this exciting?!" Xander wanted to dance around. He didn't know how Joyce was going to 'butter him up to Buffy' like she said but he had never been this happy in his entire life. Willow was taken into a giant hug by a bouncing Xander but she found, she couldn't hug him back.

[postitnote]

Deciding Buffy's future


Buffy was still nothing but tears, as she made her way inside the house. She just wanted to crawl into bed, and not come out for days. Will loved her, wanted her...but wasn't willing to take those risks to marry her. What was the redhead afraid of...other than the obvious 'she's a girl' thing? Buffy would never tell anybody that...as long as she got to be with her.

"Buffy...I'd like to speak to you please." Joyce made no room for argument, so Buffy made her way into the den, where she found her mother reading the weeklies that just arrived that day.

"Yes, mom?" Buffy sat down, and watched as Joyce put down the newspaper on the coffee stand.

"Buffy, I want you to marry Xander." Joyce was firm in this matter. Xander was a good man, and he had high society status. His father was pitted to be in the next election for the presidency. That would look good for Buffy.

"What? Mom...no. I can't marry Xander. I don't love him." Buffy saw the steel in her mother's eyes, and knew this was one battle she wouldn't win. "What...what happened to me not marrying a farmhand? I thought..."

"Xander isn't just a farmhand. He's only passing through. His father is Senator Harris from California, Buffy. He's pitted to be in the next election as a presidential candidate. He's asked to court you, and I gave him my blessing."

"And I quote, 'you shouldn't get too attached to those two boys because I would never give my blessing.' What happened to that?"

"Things change when new information arises. This may be the thing you need to boost your societal status. It might be the thing to bring us out of the bad gossip pool after your father left." Joyce knew it was partially about her, and unfair to Buffy.

"What about Will? Is Will a senator's son, too?" Buffy wanted to know. It could be what she needed to convince her mother.

"Xander didn't say. I did ask...but he only said that he and Will were friends from the same town." Joyce was being unreasonable but this was too great an opportunity. Imagine...Buffy being the president's son's wife. That would put them in A status again.

"Mom, I can't marry Xander. I don't even love him."

"You WILL marry, Xander...or I will throw Will off this farm today, and I won't pay him a dime." Joyce steeled gazes with her daughter. "I'm your mother. I see the way you look at him. He's just a farmhand, Buffy. Xander is the potential president's son. I'm not giving you a choice in this matter."

"But, Mom...that's not fair. You can't just throw Will off the farm like that...and not pay him something for all his hard work. The crop has never been picked and sifted faster. You can't do that to him. He has nowhere to go!" Buffy was on the defensive. Was her mother really giving her an ultimatum?

"I'll let you think about it but I expect an answer tomorrow. Either you marry the Harris boy, or I kick Will out with nothing but what he came in with. It's your decision. I suggest you choose wisely."

"Why didn't you tell me they were Yankee soldiers?" Buffy decided to bring out the big guns. Fight fire with fire. She didn't want to marry Xander but she knew Will would have no place else to go. She wouldn't do that to Willow.

"Who told you that? Will?" Joyce was shocked that the boy had betrayed her trust like that. He had promised not to court her daughter, and not to confess to being a Yankee soldier. Yet, he had done both. She decided that after the crop was finished (since she knew Buffy would choose to marry Xander instead of kicking Will out), Will was to go anyways. She couldn't have that liability over her heads.

"Will was a lieutenant in the army, directly under Ulysses S. Grant...another shoe-in for president next election. Xander was just a wounded private. Will is just a good a choice for a husband, and you know it."

"Yes but he fought on the side of the Yankees. This is South Carolina, Buffy...you're a Southern girl. No matter his military ranking, he still fought for the 'other' side. People around here aren't gonna take too lightly to that. It won't help us in society; it'll only make it worse." Joyce was known for her hot temper. She raised two stubborn daughters, and an impossible son. Not to mention she put up with Hank Summers all those years. It's not like she wanted to marry him, either. Her mother had forced Joyce to marry Hank to help the family name. Lot of good that did when he ran off, and shamed her family even more...now she was doing the one thing she vowed never to do to her own children: force them to do something they didn't want to do for the sake of the family. "Now, you WILL marry Xander...or else I've told you the consequences...and I don't want you to see Will anymore. I'm moving him to the old slave quarters, and I'm putting Forrest on guard. You won't speak to him except in the field. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, ma'am." Buffy couldn't believe it. Her mother had just sold her out. She felt no better than a girl at a brothel. She took the weeklies so that her mother couldn't read them, and bounded up the stairs to her room, where she slammed the door, and sobbed into the pillow the rest of the day...missing both lunch and dinner.

----------------------


Willow was shocked. She was moved to the slave quarters without reason, and now Xander was marrying Buffy. Buffy had agreed to marry him? Was she trying to punish Willow? Make her jealous?

It had her so mad those first few weeks that she would only work with Forrest, and make Buffy work the fields with Xander. 'If she wants to marry him so bad, then she can just work with him instead.' Forrest was apparently the guardkeeper, too. Whenever she would go inside the house for something, he was right by her side, never letting her out of sight. It was frustrating at first but she got used to it. Instead, she devoted more of her time to running the water machine through the field. After everybody took off for the day, Willow would continue working...wanting to get out of SunnyDale that much quicker. She couldn't believe Buffy would do that...not after the way she acted and the things she said in the mill that afternoon.

Two months, they'd been engaged, and the crop was completely picked and bundled. They would attend parties, and Xander would be the guest of honor at some. Their engagement was a big deal, and Willow would have no part of it. She couldn't even speak to Xander without Forrest being there. And Xander always looked so happy...even if Buffy looked like she wanted to get her mother's shotgun, and shoot him. Xander could be frustrating at times.

When the numbers and pay came in, Willow was out of there. She didn't want to see any of them ever again. Not even Xander, her lifelong friend...the one she'd faked her own death for, and changed herself completely...just to help him graduate from West Point. That seemed like too many years ago. They really were different people now.

She'd gotten a letter in the mail the other day. Odd, since the letter was from Cordelia. They never liked each other back in Sunnydale, so why would Xander's ex-fiance...the reason they took the job at the plantation to begin with...why would she write Willow a letter?

Willow's father died, and Cordelia thought she should know...even if Willow Rosenberg was the 'late daughter of Ira Rosenberg.' Willow could never go back...she could never prove her status...she could never convince Joyce that she was just as suited for Buffy...not without lying, or revealing that she was a girl. It was obvious that Joyce chose Xander because of his father's status in Washington. He was pitted to be in the next presidential election. Willow wondered what voters would think if they found out Senator Harris beats his kids and wife?

So...now her father was dead. Not that she'd been around him much. He was still family. Since Ira Rosenberg was a bigshot author, and published many predestined classics and political satires articles, Willow knew her father's death would be in the weeklies. She only hoped that when Joyce read them, she didn't put two and two together...and discover that the 'late Willow Rosenberg' was actually Will. Of course, Willow had never mentioned her last name, so all was safe there.

----------------------------

Buffy took the weeklies and mail from the courier, and sifted through them. Nothing for her but the occasional letter of congratulations on her new engagement. She wouldn't even bother reading letters from her 'friends' anymore. She just threw them out on contact. She despised her mother and Xander, and refused to let him touch her. 'I'm waiting for my wedding night. I won't let a boy kiss me until then.' She just had to find a way to get out of the wedding, so she wouldn't have to be even more repulsed at the thought of kissing Xander Harris, let alone bed him. The very thought made her sick.

She cried every night, and tried her hardest to find a way to speak to Willow alone. Buffy had to let her know that she didn't want this; that she was given an ultimatum, and she wouldn't let Willow be thrown out with nothing. It was killing her to watch Willow work in the fields. She would stare out her bedroom window, and just watch Will continue to work well past the hours, and still she wept.

Since her mother was still in bed this morning, Buffy took the weeklies to read herself. The front page was about a famous author that had passed away, and there was a picture of him, and one of him with his family. Three boys and one girl...that looked strangely like...

"Willow?" Buffy pulled the picture closer, and examined it better. Then, she read through the article. This had to be Willow...the last name was the same. The face was the same, and the dates of death matched. She had to find Will fast, and didn't care if Forrest was guarding her way. They had to talk.

Buffy rushed out the door, weeklies in hand, and ran right past Forrest into the slave quarters. She still couldn't believe her mother made Will sleep out here. Her mother didn't even make Forrest, Mary, and Susie sleep out here. They slept in the house.

Forrest noticed her running, and followed right after her. He couldn't allow Buffy to see Will. He didn't know why but he feared what Ms. Joyce would do if he did. She had made it clear that Will was to have no contact with anybody else in the house. Seems Buffy was awfully determined this morning...

"Will! Get up!" Buffy pushed Willow from the bunk, and knocked her off the bed. She looked adorable with her tousled hair and sleepy, pillow-creased face. Buffy had to prevent herself from brushing those red locks from Will's sleepy eyes.

"Buffy!! You know you're not supposed to be here." Forrest ran in after her, and stopped at her resolve and death glare. "Ms Joyce will have both our hides if she finds out you been out here."

"I can handle my mother. This is important." Buffy steeled herself. "And personal...she's still asleep...will be for another hour or so. Just watch guard, and act natural. I won't tell, if you don't."

"But Ms. Joyce..."

"No, Forrest. I have to speak to Will alone. Please?" Buffy pleaded with him, and she even gave the pout. Yes, even Forrest was NOT immune to the pout, so he relented and left them alone...afraid for his life if Ms. Joyce woke up, or worse...his mama.

"Is your father Ira Rosenberg?" Straight to the point...she knew they didn't have much time. "Answer me, Will! Dammit!"

"Is that how you speak to all your farmhands, or just the ones you're not marrying?" Willow was bitter. This was the first contact alone they'd had in two months.

"That's not fair. You have to know I never wanted to marry Xander. My mother forced me to accept his proposal, or else she was going to throw you out. She knew I was in love with you, and she held that against me." Buffy was angry. She knew Willow would be beyond angry at her but that comment was not appropriate.

"Yes, Ira Rosenberg was my father...but he's dead." Willow laid back down on the bed, and put her back to Buffy. She didn't want to see her...not with being so close to getting paid. She knew Joyce was relieving her once the money was in the Yankee's hands.

"I know...and so does the rest of the world..." Buffy put the weeklies in Willow's face, and forced her to look. "That's you in the picture, isn't it?"

"Yes...though I didn't think they'd put a picture of all of us on there...wow...I haven't seen everybody in so long...I'd forgotten what my brothers looked like..." Willow sat up, and stared at the front page. "My hair was so long..."

"You were beautiful..." Buffy sat down on the bed next to Will. "You still are...even if you do look scragglier than usual."

"Buffy, I wanted to tell you...but I'm considered dead. Imagine if your mother had agreed after she found out I was a famous educator and a famous author's 'son.' The way she parades you and Xander around, my face would make the weeklies, too...and it would've gotten back to my parents, or my brothers. They would've recognized me, and the whole 'me being a man' thing would've been blown out of the water. I know how delicate your mother is about your societal status. There was no way I was dragging you into that scandal."

"Willow, I love you...I wouldn't have cared. I was willing to run away with you. We could've moved north, or out west. You would've gotten a great job for being a lieutenant, and we would've been fine. My mother would've found a way to survive here on the plantation. She always does."

"Buffy, you love this place just as much."

"But not as much as I love you."

"Buffy, please don't talk like that. You're engaged to be married now...to my best friend nonetheless. He's happy with you. I can tell."

"Yeah, well...he's not so great. You should see him at the socials. He flirts more with the other girls than he does me. I'm not happy, and I never will be with him. I meant it when I said I only want you." Buffy placed her hand on Willow's knee, and the redhead bit her bottom lip to stop from crying.

"I can't let you throw away your future for me. I won't let you."

"Of the two of us here, who is the boss of me?" Buffy turned adoring eyes to Willow. Oh, how she'd missed her. "I love you so much, Will...just..."

"I told you...it would never work...and look? My dad is in the weeklies, so it's not like I can say, hey...I'm the 'son' of Ira Rosenberg. People would know better b/c look at the picture...obviously not a son...and I don't look as manly as my brothers. People would either say I'm lying, or out me as a woman." Willow held up the paper again.

"All I ever wanted was to be with you..." Buffy laid her head down on Will's shoulder, and attempted not to cry for the thousandth time. It was so soothing being in the redhead's presence. It always felt like home here...just being near her.

"I want to be with you, too...but your mother would never allow it." Willow wanted to relish this moment, for she feared it would be their last time alone. She wrapped her arm around Buffy, and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Oh, Will..." Buffy cried, and was shocked when she felt tears falling from Willow's eyes. She looked up to see that indeed, the redhead was crying. "Don't cry...please don't cry..."

"How can I not? After I went to West Point, gave up my identity, I didn't think I'd ever have the chance to fall in love...but here you are, and it happens, and I can't even be happy...I can't make you happy...I'm not allowed to love you..." Willow was freely crying now, and it was Buffy's turn to take Willow in her arms, and stroke those tousled red locks. "The crazy part...is that you love me, too..."

"I do...I do love you. So very much..." Buffy kissed all over Willow's crown and forehead, calming her down.

"Buffy, my mother is up..." Forrest came in, and caught the tail end of the intimate moment. He'd never seen a grown man cry before...and he was shocked to find out that the reason these two weren't allowed to see each other is because they were in love. It seemed crazy to him that Ms. Joyce would condemn such behavior...especially after trying to get Buffy to marry all these years. Now Buffy was supposed to marry Mr. Xander? It was obvious to anybody with eyes that Buffy didn't love him...so why was Ms. Joyce making her marry him? She never cared what other people thought before...so why now? Why force her daughter to marry somebody she doesn't love? What was the big secret there? Maybe his mama knew...and as sure as Buffy was his best friend, he was determined to figure it out.

"I love you, okay?? Never forget that." Buffy kissed Will on the lips, not caring anymore that Forrest was there, waiting for her to make her exit so they didn't get caught.

"I love you, too." Willow nodded her head, and captured Buffy's lips one last time. One last goodbye...

[postitnote]

After the War


"Forrest...you're up awful early this mornin', son. What brings you here?" Mary was worried about her son. He'd been unhappy for some time now. Ever since he asked her about the big scandal behind why Buffy couldn't see Mr. Will...and why Mr. Will was forced to sleep in the slave quarters, when they themselves, freed slaves from this very plantation, weren't put out there. It didn't make sense to him, and he wanted answers. Knowing everything that goes on in this household, Mary was prone to give her son answers today. It had been a month since he'd first begged her, and he asked every day. He was just so confused.

"Just can't wrap my mind 'round Ms. Joyce bein' so cruel to Mr. Will when he done nothin' but help out 'round here." Forrest leaned against the counter. "Mama...I know Mr. Will and Buffy are in love...but I figured that woulda made Ms. Joyce happy. I don't understand why she would make Buffy marry somebody she obviously don't want."

"Well, Forrest...sometimes things happen that make parents do crazy things. It might not make no sense to us but I'm sure it does to Ms. Joyce." Truth was, Mary wasn't sure Ms. Joyce was thinking too clearly on this one. Ever since that Harris boy got the taste of power, he hadn't worked a day in the field, and during their engagement announcement party here at the plantation a few days back, he was a gentleman...just not to the one he was supposed to be marrying.

"I'm not sure, Mama...it just don't make no sense to me, is all..." Forrest bit into an apple. "It seems to me that after all these years of tryin' to get Buffy to settle down...Ms. Joyce would've been happy that she wanted to, instead of forcin' her like she is..."

"I'm afraid these things are outta our hands, son."

"I don't like it. Granted, Mr. Xander is a lot better than that stiff Mr. Finn but I still don't like it. Buffy is in love with Mr. Will. It doesn't seem right is all I'm sayin'..." Forrest was smacked on the back of his head.

"Don't talk with your mouth full. I taught you better'n that." Mary wanted to do something, too. She'd never seen Miss Buffy so miserable...and Miss Dawn was all sorts of confused. The poor girl got the statement a few months back, saying her husband was killed in the war, so now she was a young widow. And Ms. Joyce was acting insane, worrying more about society. If Mary hadn't been a slave for most her life, she would've confided in Joyce, asked why the sudden change of heart. Joyce was never concerned about societal status before, so why now? What made this different?

One thing was for certain: none of this drama would've happened had those two Yankee soldiers come knocking.

-----------------------------

"Buffy...what are you doing here?" Willow had been paid, and was currently packing what little things she did own. That's when she heard the door crash open, and an angry Buffy standing before her. "It's almost sundown. Your mom is gonna catch you!"

"No, she won't...I slipped something in her tea. She'll be out the rest of the night." Buffy had heard that her mother fired Will anyways, even after Buffy's agreement to marry Xander. It wasn't fair, so she decided to play dirty, and bought some of those sleeping pills from the apothecary in town. She put an extra strong dose in her mother's tea, and Joyce had zonked out. She cleared it with Forrest to keep watch, since his mama was due back from the town any minute now with his sister.

"Buffy!!" Willow was shocked that the blonde would do something like that. "You're just kidding, right?"

"I had to see you. How else was I going to with her down my throat, watching me like a hawk." Buffy shut the door to the slave house, and made her way to sit on the bed. "I heard she's kicking you out. I don't want you to go. It's not fair. She promised me she wouldn't kick you out if I agreed to marry Xander..."

"She only agreed not to kick me out without money. She paid me this morning, so I guess that getting rid of me is her major obstacle cleared." Willow stopped packing, and sat down on the bed beside Buffy. "I've missed you..."

"Oh, Will...I've missed you, too..." Buffy threw her arms around Will in a desperate plea to be held. Willow wrapped her own arms around Buffy, needing that contact, too. She would be leaving in the morning. She couldn't stay for the wedding, which was this weekend. There was no way she'd be able to survive that. "When do you leave?"

"At dawn... I couldn't stay here...not with..." Willow had to swallow the lump in her throat.

"Let me go with you. We still have time...we can still run away together..." Buffy was in tears again. She just wanted to be with Will; she didn't care how or where. For 24 years, SunnyDale had been her home, and she loved this plantation and all the stories passed down...but she had a new home now: with Willow.

"You can't do that. I won't let you give your life up for me." It was the same tired argument, even if Willow wanted more than anything to just let it happen.

"Do you know where you'll go?"

"Probably north. I can't very well go back West...they know me there. Your mother made it clear that I should go as far from South Carolina as possible..." Willow noticed the sun was almost completely gone, so she started to light the candles in the room, and she started a small fire for the night. Just the quiet time as she went about these mundane tasks...just having Buffy near while she did it...they seemed like they were that much more important. "If you're cold, I can make it heavier. I just don't want to waste the rest of the wood."

"I'll be fine." Buffy patted the spot on the bed, indicating that Willow should return. "Did they bring you enough to eat? I can maybe sneak you..."

"I'm fine." Willow smiled, as she sat down next to Buffy again...just now realizing that it wasn't appropriate for them both to be sitting on the bed together out of wedlock. Even if they were just sitting...

"Do you need any extra blankets, or pillows...anything at all?" Buffy wanted to feel useful. She wanted to keep her mind off the fact that this Saturday she was marrying a man she didn't love, and the 'man' that she did love was sitting next to her, about to leave.

"I'm fine, Buffy...I'll be fine." Willow placed her hand on Buffy's knee to calm her but it only caused the familiar shock of electricity to happen, as they both giggled slightly and blushed at the contact. "Sorry..."

"No need to be...I...I liked it...I like it when you touch me..." Buffy wasn't sure what she expected to accomplish coming out here tonight. Talk Will into running away? Into staying? Into convincing her mother what a bitch she was being?

The air changed in the room suddenly, and Buffy felt a chill rise in her body. More from anticipation than actual cold. Willow noticed, and went for the tattered wool blanket she'd been using, and wrapped it around Buffy's shoulders. When Will's fingers contacted against the skin on her neck, Buffy shivered again, and her breathing got heavier. Her stomach dropped, and she wasn't sure what to do...

"Let me put another log..." Willow went to get off the bed but Buffy grabbed her hand, and pulled her back down. "...but you're obviously cold, Buffy. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I'm not!" Buffy tried to hide her blush. "I'm not uncomfortable...here...with you. It's the most comfortable I ever remember being."

"Buffy, don't say such things. Your wedding is this weekend..."

"Please don't remind me?" Buffy put her pleading eyes towards Willow, and again, the redhead had to swallow back a tear. "Xander said he wanted to ask you to stand with him...to be his best man...but mom wouldn't allow it. I don't think he knows what's been going on this entire time..."

"He always was a little slow on the uptake...it's why I went to West Point with him in the first place." They chuckled together... "What about Mary, Forrest...Dawn and the others? Won't they notice you're missing from the house?"

"Mary and Susie are out to the market, buying material for new clothes. Dawn is upstairs reading."

"What about my neighborhood watchdog?"

"He's watching, and he'll tell us when his mother gets back." Buffy noticed the smirk Willow cast her way. "What?"

"Nothing...I just didn't realize you were so sneaky. What does your fiance say about that?"

"He'll never know." The giggled again, and fell back on the bed in laughter. Taking deep breaths, they risked looking over at each other, as they realized they were lying on the bed together, albeit with their legs dangling off the side. "Will...I...I still wanna marry you."

"I know, Buffy. I want to marry you, too...but things just didn't work out that way." They both took deep breaths, and Will took a chance, outlining the furrowed brow on Buffy's face, and cupping the blonde's cheek between her hand. "You truly are the most beautiful woman I've ever met..."

"You're not so bad yourself..." Buffy moved her face to get more contact with Will's hand. "I've never wanted anything so bad in my life...and I know it's not ladylike...and I know it's not proper...but..."

"Buffy?" Will was worried...but a little turned on by the lust in Buffy's eyes.

"I want you, Will...and if I can't have you for the rest of my life...at least give me one night? Just one moment of pure happiness? It's more than I could ever hope for..." Buffy stared at Will's lips, as she started to play with the buttons on the redhead's shirt.

"We can't...it's not right..." Will wanted to protest but she had to agree. She didn't know if she'd ever have this feeling again, and after tomorrow, she would never see this woman again.

"Nothing has ever felt more right than it has right now...please, Will? Make me happy...just this once... I couldn't stand the thought of Xander Harris being my first...I can't stand the thought of him touching me like I want you to touch me." Buffy started to unbutton Willow's shirt, and the redhead found she couldn't move.

"I don't want him touching you...ever..." That did it. The thought of Xander touching what belonged to her made Willow snap, and she had a ferocity she never knew she had. Without thought of what she was doing, Willow leaned over Buffy, and pulled her into a fiery kiss, groping and clawing to get closer to her.

"Touch me, Will...please..." Buffy let her hair down, as she brought them back to a sitting position. Taking Willow's hands, she guided them to help her untie her dress. "I love you so much."

"I love you..." Willow couldn't believe she was about to do this...and for that matter, how was she supposed to do this? No time to think about that now...Buffy was awfully needy, as she pushed Willow's shirt from her shoulder, and gasped at what she saw there. The few deep scars she had from battles, the toned stomach and tan from years of labor, the small muscular arms, and two unmistakable items that definitely claimed Will Rosenberg a woman.

"Wow..." Buffy felt her mouth go dry, and had to lick her lips to keep from staring so wantonly at the redhead's upper body. Once she snapped out of her daze, Buffy came to, and stood, removing her gown, and placing it on the coat rack to keep it from getting dirty. She was standing before Willow in nothing but her undergarments, and she hoped those would soon be hanging, too. "Can you help me with..."

"Oh...um...sure..." Willow snapped out of her daze upon seeing Buffy in her undergarments, and stood up in anticipation to see what was underneath. Knowing full well how to remove a woman's garments, Willow had them loose in no time... "Are you sure?"

"More than sure...in my heart, I'm already married to you. This isn't wrong..." Buffy pushed the white cotton from her shoulder, and allowed it to fall to her waist, making them equally dressed. The look of salivation and open lust and love that was on Willow's face assured Buffy that it was a mutual marriage.

"Nothing this beautiful could ever be wrong..." Willow moved the little bit forward, and pulled Buffy into one of those embraces that made no room for escape. They both gasped and moaned into the other's mouths, as their nipples and breasts made contact with each other. Hot and heavy kisses, the smacking of their lips and the crackling of the fire was all that could be heard between their quiet groans, moans, and gasps.

"Make love to me, Will..." Buffy unbuttoned Willow's pants, and let them drop to the floor, as she reached back and did the same to her own undergarments, leaving them both completely exposed to the room. Buffy returned to the kisses, as Willow moved them back over to the bed, being so gentle and adoring.

Once Buffy was on her back, Willow pressed above her, and just stared into her eyes. For the longest moment, it felt like they were saying their vows to each other then and there. No, this wasn't wrong. They were married in heart...

"I...I love you, Buffy Summers." Willow ran her fingertips gently over Buffy's exposed torso and chest, paying particular attention to the blonde's breasts and the nipples that were standing more at attention than the soldiers on the battlefields. "Mrs. Buffy Rosenberg..."

"Oh, Will...I love you, too..." Buffy pulled Willow back down for more heated kisses. It seemed like too long since the redhead's soft, gentle lips had been pressed against hers. Soon, roaming hands weren't enough...and Willow started to move her kisses along Buffy's body...paying worship to every inch, and taking her time in doing so...it was sweet torture to Buffy. "Please..."

She wasn't sure what she wanted...she didn't know how to do this...she wasn't sure what happened next...she just knew that the throbbing in her low down areas told her it had to happen soon, or she'd explode from just the kisses. Willow found her way back to Buffy's mouth, and buried her head in her neck, as she continued kissing, licking, and nipping at the blonde's exposed throat. Meanwhile, her hands had a mind of their own, as they continued to roam over the blonde's body...needing to touch every part of her. Soon, she found her hand full of something wet and sticky, and she was startled and looked up in a panic, thinking it was blood.

"No...it's...it's okay...I think...that's just...um...where it happens."

"I was in the war, Buffy...I heard all the men talk...I know how it works..." Willow ducked her head slightly. "I was just afraid I'd hurt you...I thought it was blood..."

"Not blood...just wet...I guess to make it easier...it's never happened to me before..." Buffy's blush spread her entire body.

"It's a good thing, from my understanding...that's just a sign that you really want me...I'm flattered..." Willow smiled down at her. "I just...well...I don't have the...um...equipment...to make it work."

"Use your hand...I like the way you touch me..." Buffy pulled Willow back in for another kiss, as the redhead moved her hand back into the wetness. She could feel Buffy's rapid heartbeat on this knob-feeling place above her opening. One flick of her fingers over that, and Buffy was arching into Willow for more contact. Taking the reaction as a definite good sign (since Buffy moaned and gasped her approval), the redhead returned to that spot every once in a while...moving her fingers, exploring the entirety of Buffy's opening and sexual organs. She felt good...and kept pleading for Willow to push her finger inside her further...that it felt good...to keep doing it...to keep touching that one spot...and soon, without warning...Buffy's entire passage tightened and squeezed at Willow's finger, as she moved it back out to play with that 'loveknob' (she named it that, since Buffy kept moaning 'I love you' when she would touch her there). Watching Buffy's face in the heights of pure ecstasy was a new experience for Willow, and the redhead thought she'd never seen anything more beautiful. "Oh...Willow...that...oh...my...that was...ungh..."

"That was ungh? Is that a good thing?" Willow was uncertain. She was a virgin, too. She didn't know.

"Def...definitely a good...a good thing..." Buffy struggled to get her breathing back to normal. Once her eyes stopped rolling back in her head, and her limbs weren't numb and could move, she turned over to Willow, and climbed on top of her. "Is...is it alright if I show you?"

Willow's eager nod was all the encouragement she needed.

[postitnote]

Olde School Bachelor Party


"Mmm...I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed..." Buffy draped her arm over Willow's stomach, and laid her head on her shoulder, cuddling closer to the redhead's mutually sticky and sweaty body. Placing random kisses along the shoulder beneath her, Buffy just continued to hum her approval, snuggled into her lover's body. "You're being awfully quiet...was it not..."

"Oh! Oh, my...it was...I'm just..." Willow continued stroking the sweaty blonde locks, and relayed Buffy's panic. "It was the most amazing thing...and...and we'll never get to do it again...I just don't...I hate it...not the actual thing because...yeah, wow...I mean...I hate that we can't ever...ya know...again..."

"I love when you babble." Buffy traced an invisible outline across the top of Willow's chest. "And look...your blush goes all over your body...not just your cheeks."

"I hate to ruin the moment...but we've been...uh...here...for quite some time, and I'm sure that people in the house are wondering where you are..." Willow didn't want Buffy to move from her spot.

"Can't I just stay here...with you? We can still leave in the morning...just the two of us. This doesn't have to be the only time. I want more times..." Buffy brought out the pout.

"Buffy...you're making this so much more difficult than it already is..."

"That's the point." Buffy deepened the pout, and was about to bring puppy eyes into play when she heard voices outside the slavehouse. "Oh, no! It's Xander!!!"

"Here...hurry...you can crawl out the window...sneak back into the house, get cleaned up..." Willow helped Buffy pick up here clothes, pulling on her pants and shirt, and loosely tying Buffy's undergarments in the process. "You'll have to put your gown on out there...they sound like they're almost here..."

"I don't wanna go..." Buffy raised pleading eyes to Willow.

"Buffy, imagine what would happen if Xander, and it sounds like Forrest even...imagine what would happen if they found us alone together out here, you half naked, and me in a state of undress." Willow feverishly buttoned up her shirt. "Good enough...you can't see anything..."

"I love you...this may be the last time I see you...and I can't stand it." Buffy started to cry again. The sex was already emotional...and it didn't help matters that their after-session snuggles were rudely interrupted. She thought she could fall asleep in Willow's arms, and have the best sleep she's ever had. "Please don't leave without sayin' goodbye...at least say goodbye..."

"Buffy, please...hurry, go..." The voices were too close, as Willow helped Buffy crawl out the window. "I'll try...I can't make any promises...but I'll try...now go...please?"

"Oh, Will..." Buffy leaned over the windowsill, and gave Willow one last lingering, clinging kiss before the door to the quarters began to open, and she snuck off back to the house.

"Will! Why are you leaving tomorrow?" Xander had just gotten news from Forrest that Will was relieved from work and paid that morning, so she was asked to leave. "You can't leave me...my wedding is this Saturday."

"I can't be there..." Willow tried to take deep breaths, her body still humming, hair still tousled, and face still flushed from her previous activities with Buffy.

"Of course you can. You're my best friend...you have to be there. We've always done everything together. You have to be at my wedding." Xander took a look around the room. "And why did you say you wanted to stay out here anyways? Afraid the others would find out about your...womanly attributes?"

"You really have no idea what's been going on..." Willow mumbled under her breath, as Xander continued to survey the room.

"It's a lot nicer than I expected. That's for sure...though I couldn't imagine you giving up that nice comfortable bed upstairs." As far as Xander knew, Willow had decided to stay out here on her own, and spent time with Forrest more these days because they would work together in the fields. "I feel like I haven't talked to you in months."

"That's probably because you haven't." Willow wasn't even allowed to eat dinner at the table with the others. Forrest was always sent to take her a plate of food and water or milk. She noticed them eating one night through the window, and saw how Xander sat beside Buffy now. That was her chair, not his...he didn't belong there, and Buffy didn't look like she wanted him there, either...which she didn't.

"You've not even come to my parties, or any of the other socials. My parents will be here Friday...they left last week, and should be here in a couple days. You'll never guess who they're bringing with them..." Xander sat down in the rotted wooden chair, and propped his feet up on the rotted wood table...making himself at home. "Remember that Anya girl? The shopkeeper's daughter?"

"The one you lost your virginity to?" Willow sat down on her bed, and thought better of it...moving to poke at the fire instead. The smell of Buffy and their previous lovemaking was still strong, and her senses couldn't handle it with Xander right there. She thought she might burst out in tears again, and she didn't want to explain why.

"No...that was Faith...I'm talking about Anya Jenkins. D'Hoffryn's daughter." Xander just leaned back in the chair. "Anyways...her father was killed in the mines, so my parents took her in...so she's coming with them."

"Oh...that Anya..." Willow didn't really like that girl, either. She never seemed to like the girls that Xander did...until now. "You really wanna marry Buffy?"

"Why do you sound so doubtful? I like Buffy...I mean, I know you're a girl and all but...have you SEEN Buffy? Why...I'd be the talk of everything, marrying such a beautiful woman. My dad will surely love me then." Xander stood up from the chair. Willow hadn't looked at him in over ten minutes, and just kept poking at the fire...poke, poke, poke...like she was in a daze.

"You don't even love her, then?" Willow was on the verge of tears. She thought that at least Xander loved Buffy, and would treat her good.

"Well...I just figured love would come in time. I'd be an idiot not to take this opportunity...how many women like that will you marry in your lifetime?" Xander had meant it rhetorically but then realized the crowd. "Well...not that you're going to marry them...being a girl and all...I'm just saying...I'd be a fool not to marry Buffy Summers."

"I'm a big fool..." Willow muttered under her breath again, and closed her eyes. "Look, Xan...I'm kinda tired...and want to get an early start in the morning, so how about I come say bye in the morning before I leave?"

"You're really leaving, then..." Xander stood, and embraced his dearest friend. "I wish you wouldn't. I wish you'd stay."

As Xander exited, Willow just watched him walk back to the house. One constant thought stayed in her mind from Xander's parting words. "Me, too..."

-------------------------


Willow got a room at the inn that was in town, not too far from the plantation. She figured she could use a hot meal and comfy bed after the past few months of sleeping on a lumpy cot with nothing but a wool blanket and sinking feather pillow to keep her company on the cold nights. She'd been here for the last few days. Tomorrow was the wedding. She didn't know why she stayed, and didn't start to leave the town completely...but she had wishful thinking that Joyce would change her mind...or something dramatic would happen, and the wedding wouldn't happen after all, leaving Buffy free to marry her instead.

When Willow had tried sneaking into the house to say her goodbyes, Joyce had been awake...droggy from the sleeping pills and angry at being asleep so long. She took all her frustration out on Will, and the redhead's bag was tossed from the front porch down into the dirt. Not looking back, pride in tact, Willow picked up her bag, and made her way down the dirt road, leaving the plantation for good.

"Mr. Will?" Mary saw the redheaded young man sitting inside the windows at the inn, and had to stop and thank him for all his hard work.

"Mary! What are you doing here? Isn't there a house full of wedding guests at your house?" Willow stood, and hugged the former slave lady, not caring what all the people in the inn thought.

"Yessir...but I was sent after some fresh linens for a wedding present from Ms. Joyce." Mary looked at Will as though he'd lost his mind when he stood from the table, and offered her his arm to escort her. "Thank ya, Mr. Will...but dis is still the south. I may be a free woman...but that don't mean the people round here treat me no better."

"That's a shame, Mary. You're one of the finest women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing." Will relented when Mary wouldn't take the offered arm.

"Even more than Miss Buffy?" Mary smirked a knowing grin. Will just blushed and averted her sad gaze. "It's okay...I know she don' love Mr. Xander. He don' love her, neither...he just in the lust with her. Wants to bed her...but knows she won' lay with a man until she's married..."

"Um..." Willow blushed even further. "That's true." And it was...since Willow wasn't technically a man.

"Miss Buffy is a lady...but she is stubborn as hell. Ever since you left, all she done is mope around the house...stays up in her room, and won' take no meals most of the time. You'd think there was a funeral tomorrow, and not a weddin'." Mary stopped in front of the textile shop. "Listen, Mr. Will...you one of the finest gentleman I ever met...and what Ms. Joyce done...well, I don' think she even knows why she done it...but that don' make it right. We finally got Miss Buffy to wanna settle down...but she's not gettin' to settle with the one she wants..."

"Thanks, Mary." Willow didn't want to see the 'wedding night' sheets that Mary was obviously buying. Just the thought made her sick. "Take care...and tell Forrest and Susie I said goodbye."

"You did run off awful fast without goodbyes." Mary gave Will a mock scolding glance, and chuckled as she entered the store. "I thought for sure you woulda snuck your way to at least say goodbye to Miss Buffy...her window being open every night...and her mama sleepin' like a light after ten o'clock an' all...especially with that military sneakin' trainin' I'm sure you got..."

Mary winked at Will, and left the redhead to ponder his thoughts. It was obvious the wheels were turning. She could've just opened up a can of worms but she hated to see Miss Buffy suffer so much.

--------------------------------

Willow found herself putting her military stealth into practice, as she snuck onto the plantation property from the outbrush, and finding herself staring up at Buffy's window. Sure enough...the blonde's window was open...and there was a perfect climbing trellis that led up to it. It was almost like out of a Shakespearean romance...

She started to climb the trellis, and debated for the thousandth time since she'd started the trip...what in the world was she doing? There were too many people in the house...she would definitely get caught. Yet...the thought of the blonde being on the other side of the window urged her on...as she climbed up to the windowsill, and looked in. There was nobody in there...but there were voices in the hall, so she stayed out of sight, as the door opened and closed, the voices diminishing. Taking a risky look, she noticed Buffy just sitting at her vanity...staring at herself with a blank expression. She looked completely torn, and the redhead whimpered.

"Is somebody there?" Buffy heard the whimper, and made her way to the window. Looking out, she saw Willow hanging from the trellis right beside her window. "Willow! What...how...you scared me..."

"Sorry...but I had to see you. I never left town. I've been staying at the inn...I don't know why...I thought it was because I wanted a nice warm bed...but I think something else kept me here..." Willow looked up into Buffy's eyes, seeing how they sparkled, and the moonlight shone on her hair. "You're every bit as beautiful as I last saw you..."

"I'm a little embarassed...me, here in my sleepgown, and you...hanging from the side of my house. Can you climb inside?" Buffy moved back, and allowed Willow the chance to show off her climbing skills. The blonde was thoroughly impressed, since the redhead barely made a sound. "I can see why they made you a lieutenant. You could've snuck all the way in here, and I wouldn't have known..."

"Well...that's not true. You would've noticed me hanging halfway in your window...it wasn't the most comfortable climb." There were thorns from the roses on the trellis to prove that point.

"Oh! Come here, let me fix that...are you okay? Does it hurt?" Buffy pulled Will along, and sat her down on her four poster bed, canopies draping. Taking Willow's hand in hers, she kept her expression worried as she pulled the thorns out with her tweezers, and pulled the splinters out with her sewing needle. Taking a clean cloth from the water basin, she cleaned the blood and wounds on Willow's hands, keeping gentle the entire time. "All better?"

"Much better..." Willow was about to lean into kiss Buffy but there was a knock at the door. Joyce called through the door, wanting to know if Buffy was still awake, as Willow crawled under the bed to hide.

"Buffy, I just wanted to say goodnight...maybe have that talk." Joyce sat down on the bed, and didn't pay any attention to the panicked expression on her daughter's face, figuring it was just from having to talk about a wife's duties to her husband. "I know you'll grow to love Xander in time. He's a good man, and tomorrow...when he comes to you, don't push him away. When he expects you to give yourself to him, then..."

"Mom...it's okay. We don't have to have the 'talk.' In fact, can we please not? The thought of Xander Harris touching me that way makes me sick to my stomach." Buffy had let her mother know her opinions on the whole thing this entire time.

"Buffy...now, I warned about comments like that. Anybody could happen by, and hear you...if people found out you were marrying him for his status, then you would be ruined."

"No, mother...you would be ruined. I'm not marrying him for his status. I'm marrying him because you promised not to kick Will out, and you did anyways. Come to think of it...that means you broke your promise, which means I shouldn't have to go through with this ridiculous wedding." Buffy crossed her arms, and huffed at her mother.

"You'll learn to love him in time. Why...I didn't love your father when your grandmother forced me to marry him."

"And you hated it...so why would you do it to me? After knowing what it was like..."

"Buffy, you have to understand that our lives are different. Our family legacy has to be upheld."

"No, I don't want to understand, mom. I'm in love with somebody who came from just as important a family as Xander Harris...but he wouldn't tell me who because he wanted to save me from him."

"Yes, I know you loved Will, Buffy..."

"Not loved...love. I still love him, mom. I always will...nothin' will change that...not even this fake weddin'."

"You shouldn't say such things about other men on the eve of your wedding. It's not proper."

"Oh, and I suppose marryin' a man I don't love is proper."

"It is while you live under my roof."

"Well, maybe I don't wanna live under your roof if those are the rules you set. You broke your promise to me. Now, I'm breaking my promise to you. I will NOT marry Xander Harris tomorrow. You want him so badly...you marry him."

"Buffy Anne Summers!!!" Joyce had found herself shouting more lately than she ever had in her life. "You WILL marry that boy tomorrow, and you will like it."

"No...I won't." Buffy crossed her arms. "And if you're going to make me, I don't have anything else to say to you."

"I can see you just need to cool off. You're just nervous before the wedding. It's a big day...one every little girl dreams of..." Joyce left her at that, and thought she was clever by locking the door, locking Buffy in so she couldn't escape.

"She's gone...you can come out from under there..." Buffy smirked as a tousled Willow crawled from underneath the bed.

"I hate that you're fighting with your mom. I never wanted that." Willow smoothed out her shirt and hair, and sat down on the bed beside Buffy.

"This feels like Romeo and Juliet...except my parents don't even know yours..." Buffy took Willow's hands in hers.

"I've been thinking...that well...maybe if you still want to...um...it'd be okay if you..." Willow was nervous. How would Buffy survive without her family? She couldn't ask her to... "Never mind."

"No...what is it?" Buffy knew Will was going to ask her to run away together, and she'd been waiting for that moment since this entire fiasco started.

"Nothing...just me being silly." Will averted her eyes, and took a deep breath. "I just...I owed you a goodbye. I couldn't leave without saying goodbye."

"Will...the other night...was the happiest night of my life..."

"Mine, too." Willow leaned forward the few inches, and stole a few kisses. "...but I should go. I just...had to see you, to say goodbye in person."

"How did you know my window would be open?" The thought occurred to Buffy that she'd never mentioned it...but it would've been clever.

"A little mama bird told me..." Willow smirked, as she made her way back to the window. Buffy just gripped her hands tighter, not letting the redhead leave her again.

"I love you...please don't leave?" Buffy had tears in her eyes again.

"I'll always be here...just like you will be in mine..." Willow placed her palm above Buffy's heartbeat, and both gasped at the contact. "I love you, Buffy Summers."

"Buffy Rosenberg...remember?" She pulled Willow in for a tight hug, and couldn't hold on tight enough.

"I remember..." Willow kissed Buffy's neck gently, eliciting a sharp gasp from the blonde. "...but tomorrow, you'll be Mrs. Buffy Harris...and the thought makes me sick."

"You and me both." Buffy just couldn't hold back the lurch in her stomach at that thought. At least the arousal from a few moments earlier was gone...

[postitnote]

Wedding Day Blues


Willow told herself 'just a few more minutes.' That's how she came to be holding Buffy in her arms atop her bed. They'd fallen asleep together, neither wanting to give up that contact. When Willow woke with the dawn, she hated it but she had to escape now. There were already sounds of people moving around the house. Just as she pulled her jacket back on, there was a soft knock at the door, and a heavy whisper.

"Buffy? You awake?" It was Xander. Didn't he know you weren't supposed to see the bride until the wedding?? Willow continued lacing her boots, not worried since Joyce had locked the door the night before...that is, until Xander picked the lock. Damn...she forgot he knew how to do that. "Buf...Willow?"

"Uh..." Willow looked up from lacing up her last boot, and started to back up towards the still open window. They'd forgotten to close it, since the redhead wasn't supposed to be staying that long, and the room was freezing. No wonder Buffy had wrapped the down comforter around them during the night.

"Will...what are you doing here?" Xander shut the door softly, making sure nobody saw him enter. It was clear. "I thought you left town...and what are you doing in Buffy's room?"

"Um...merry Christmas?" It was only a month away, after all...

"Doesn't work when you're Jewish, Will. Were you...um..." Xander was torn. He'd been up all night. He couldn't sleep. These pasts few days he'd spent in Anya's company, he'd seemed to fall in love with her. It didn't seem right marrying Buffy now. They weren't in love...and he hated to break Buffy's heart since Joyce said Buffy was excited about the wedding. "I'm glad you're here, actually. I was hoping to talk to Buffy...but...I'm glad you're here...albeit in my fiancee's room on the day of our wedding...but..."

"Look, Xander. About that..." Willow didn't get a chance to explain as she saw the tortured look in Xander's eyes.

"I can't marry Buffy." Xander didn't see the look of pure joy on Willow's face. He was too busy in his own torture. "I'm in love, Will...but it's not with the woman I'm supposed to marry today. Do you have any idea what that feels like?" He looked up at her. "No, I guess you wouldn't..."

"You'd be surprised." Willow glanced over at Buffy, noticing how beautiful the blonde was when she slept. So relaxed, peaceful, content...

"I've spent these past few days with Anya, and I don't know...it's just...I thought I knew love but I don't think I ever really understand it until last night. I can't marry Buffy...it wouldn't be fair to her. It wouldn't be fair to me."

'Or me...' Willow thought.

"I needed to come in here, and hope Buffy forgives me for not marrying her today." Xander looked over at Buffy. "I hope she finds real love one day."

"I'm sure she will..." Willow had the hugest grin on her face, and Xander was confused.

"This is bad news. I'm ruining the wedding. My father won't speak to me ever again...especially after they all rode all the way out here for nothing."

"Well...marry Anya today..." Willow saw Xander's confused expression. "Think about it...this thing is already paid for, there's already lots of wedding gifts...and people have travelled far to get here. Might as well make the most of it."

"But...Anya doesn't have a wedding dress...and all the guests are mostly Buffy's friends." Xander liked the idea. Maybe his father wouldn't hate him so much.

"Well...then we'll just have to marry off Buffy today, too...and as far as the wedding dress...I'm sure we can find something..." Willow was excited. They could pull one on Joyce, and Buffy wouldn't have to leave...they could get married...and Xander could get married. They could have a double wedding! It was perfect!

"What about Buffy, though? I don't want her to marry that Riley guy, if that's who you have in mind." Xander was worried for a minute. That was a horrible plan.

"No...she won't be marrying Riley." Willow looked over at Buffy, noticing that she was just starting to show signs of waking up. "She's gonna marry me."

"You??!!" Xander's outburst was a little louder than he meant it to, and Buffy started to stir even more, as he lowered his voice. "But...you're a girl...don't you think she'll...you know...figure that out?"

"She already knows." Willow just smiled even bigger.

"But how will that work? Is it even legal?"

"Technically, my birth certificate states I'm a man...and I have the West Point degree and other papers to show if it's put into question, though I doubt people will..." Willow looked worried for a moment. Xander was taking too much time to process this. "If this is gonna work, you have to get yourself a bride...so go...ask..."

"What about...I mean...you and Buffy? Is that why you're here? In here, in Buffy's room, I mean...because that's kinda..." Xander thought about it for a minute, and Willow was worried he was going to say something foul. "...sexy."

"Xander!! Go!" Willow blushed big time, and saw Buffy's eyes start to open. "And whatever you do...say nothing to Joyce about this. Or Dawn...she can't keep a secret sometimes..."

"Okay...but why?"

"When we get in our uniforms later...I'll explain." Willow smiled. "I'll meet you in your room, and we'll get everything set up."

"Okay...but you know me. I don't do well under pressure. What happens if I run into Joyce??" Xander saw Willow bite her bottom lip, obviously she'd forgotten that part.

"Then, you'll excuse yourself, and go the other way..." Buffy had heard most of it, and was more than excited. She sat up with her loving gaze towards Will. Xander excused himself, off to propose to a different woman, and locked them back in Buffy's room. The two girls just stared at each other with loving, adoring gazes. "Mrs. Buffy Rosenberg..."

[postitnote]

Let's Get Ready to Rumble


Willow checked her uniform. It'd been a few months since she'd had it on but after eight years of wearing it...she had no problems fixing it properly. Xander was in his tuxedo already, trying to scrummage around for his cuff links. Willow just chuckled at him, as he kept missing something. His vest wouldn't button (he'd gained weight since he stopped working), so Will had to use all her strength to get it to connect. Finally, the offending garment did but they were both glad there was a jacket to cover it.

The guests had started to arrive at the lavishly decorated plantation. It was the party of the decade, apparently. Everybody from South Carolina that was anybody, and even a few politicians...all were gathered to see Miss Buffy Summers marry the California senator's son.

Mary and Susie were attending to Buffy, while Joyce and Dawn worked the crowd downstairs, greeting them and welcoming them to their home for the day's festivities. Forrest helped the people park their carriages. Xander and Willow were left to fend for themselves. Mary would come check on Xander every once in awhile...and she had this knowing grin on her face. Buffy had seemed way too happy about getting married today. That little tip she'd given Mr. Will in the market about Buffy's window being open...she felt that had something to do with the fact.

"Mr. Xander...you do look like a fine gentleman..." Mary helped make sure his tie was proper. "I'm just sure sorry that Mr. Will couldn't be here to stand with you...him bein' your best friend and all..."

"I'd say he has other plans today than seeing me marry Buffy..." Xander smirked, and Mary just chuckled as she walked out the door. It was all she could do to not give away that she knew what was up...or at least part of it. The fact that Miss Anya from California was looking extra nice today didn't pass her notice, either.

"What are those children up to..." Mary shook her head, and looked up in time to see Ms. Joyce come upstairs to announce it was time for the wedding. "Guess we'll find out sooner than later..."

------------------------

"This is so exciting!" Anya was...different. Buffy had decided that the tactless blonde was a little too...much for her taste. She hoped Xander decided to move on instead of staying in South Carolina. Then again, she did know what Anya was talking about...getting married to your best friend...

"I want to thank you from saving me from Xander." Buffy had repeatedly given her condolences and gratitude for being saved from the situation.

"No Xander for you."

"He's all yours." Buffy fixed her veil, just as her mother came in the room. "Guess it's that time, huh?"

"Yes. Xander should be downstairs waiting on you now. Your brother is waiting for you in the hallway." Joyce couldn't help but notice Buffy was a little more light-hearted this morning. "Dawn and I will be downstairs. The ceremony just started. I'm proud of you, honey. You're doin' the right thing by marrying him."

"I know, mom. I'm marrying the right man today." Buffy smiled that knowing smile, and once her mom was out of plain sight, she made her way to the staircase. Willow would be hiding in the kitchen, waiting to shock the audience. Forrest was going to distract Joyce by saying that Mr. Will was seen outside.

Just as Buffy was walking down the aisle on William's arm, she noticed that her mother was running out the front door with Forrest. She would miss the wedding. Willow chose that moment to stand beside Xander, presumably as his best man, while Anya took her place. Everybody gasped at the spouse switch but Xander assured the minister this was the way things were. In moments, Xander and Anya were married, and Buffy and Will were about to step forward for their vows when there was a shot at the ceiling. Everybody gasped and turned around to see Joyce standing in the foyer holding a shotgun, smoking barrel testimate to what just happened.

"Get away from my daughter..." Joyce had the shotgun pointed at Will now, having walked in just as Xander was kissing Anya, and the crowd was clapping. "You have some nerve comin' in here..."

"Mom! I love Will!" Buffy was sticking up once and for all. She WILL marry Willow...nothing can stop her, not even if she has to give up the farm. "You can't stop us. You have some nerve tryin' to force me to marry a man I don't love."

"You know full well that was for your own good." Joyce kept the shotgun pointed at Will, who was by now sweating. Willow had seen many a men shot on the battlefield, had several guns pointed at her in some way...but never was she more afraid than in this moment.

"It was for your good! I couldn't care less what people thought of me. So what if Will's just a lowly farmhand? You and I both know there's more to that...and look! He's standing up here in his uniform, his very Yankee uniform but nobody has left yet!" Buffy stood in front of Willow, putting the redhead out of her mom's point.

"They haven't left yet because they want to have somethin' to talk about! You're makin' a fool of yourself, Buffy!" Joyce moved to get a better shot at Will but Buffy kept moving with her, not letting the older woman get a clean shot.

"Back off, Mom! I love Will. I'm gonna marry Will! You can't stop me from marrying Lt. Will Rosenberg of the Union army, direct officer under General Ulysses S. Grant...who I might add is a candidate, too! I never planned on leaving the farm! I love this farm...and...and so does Will! We didn't wanna leave. I didn't wanna leave you..."

"Buffy...move." Joyce had her face steeled for battle. Xander thought she made a better soldier face than he did.

That's why he stepped in, just as Joyce found a clean shot, and took it...and shot Xander directly in the shoulder. There was an uproar at the SunnyDale plantation. Will, Anya, and Buffy all rushed to the fallen Xander's side. Forrest managed to snag the gun from Joyce, as William and a few others picked a hysterical Joyce up, and carried her upstairs. It was obvious the womand had lost her mind.

Mary and the doctor went about fixing up Xander, while the rest of the guests went home. Once Xander was bandaged, Anya was careful not to hurt him, as she kissed all over his face. Buffy held onto Willow with utter abandon, as they all could hear the hysterical yelling and screaming coming from up the stairs. The doctor went to take care of Joyce.

"I'm so sorry...I should've known better...I should've known Mom wouldn't have taken the bait." Buffy stayed in Willow's arms as her redhead soothed her arms.

"Shh...it's my fault. I just got excited...when I heard Xander say he wasn't going to marry you...and I saw an opening. I took a risk...and I don't regret it. Xander got to marry the woman he really loves...and you're still single..." Willow looked into Buffy's face, and smiled this big knowing smile. "Which means...that I can ask for your hand properly...marry you without the sneaky."

"I would've liked being married now, though...honeymoon and all..." Buffy smirked a sexy smirk, and Willow kissed her hard. It was all Willow could do not to pass out. "I haven't been able to think about anything else all day..."

"Spending my life with you...that's what I've been thinking about..." Willow rolled her eyes and blushed when she saw Buffy's arched eyebrow. "Okay...and some of the sexy stuff, too...I admit it...I'm not ashamed."

"I love you, Wills." Buffy leaned forward again to capture her lips as a bandaged Xander announced he and Anya were retiring to his room. "Maybe tomorrow? We can pay the minister a call, and get all the papers signed up while we're in town. Make it official..."

"I hope your mom is okay." Willow lifted Buffy's sad eyes. "Hey...she's still your mom. She's just made some bad calls, doing what she thought was best. Okay...so not exactly smart...but she was trying to protect you. I hardly ever saw my mother, let alone knew what her name was until I was older."

"I'm sorry..." Buffy placed her head on Willow's shoulder.

"It's not your fault." Will sighed, and rested her head atop Buffy's shoulder. "Your mother loves you...and I envy you that."

"She's never been like this before...I just don't understand... These past few months...it's like she's not been herself." Buffy and Will parted as they heard the doctor cough his presence. They both noticed that the hysterics upstairs were calm, and William and Dawn were showing the doctor to the door.

"I'm afraid your mother is suffering from mania. Has she shown any signs lately of hysterics? An episode such as today?" Dr. Giles was from England but he was one of the smartest men she'd ever met.

"I...well..." Buffy didn't know how to explain.

"She's acted out of character, Mr. Giles. Mom has never cared what those people think before...why now? Why was she so concerned now? Why force Buffy into a marriage she didn't want?" Dawn wasn't as stupid as her brother and sister thought. She saw and heard things...though it did surprise her about Will.

"I'm afraid I can't make any conclusions without my tools. I didn't come prepared for work, if you'll forgive me."

"It's okay. You weren't expected to..." Buffy looked up again, taking Will's hand in hers for comfort. "Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine for the night. I'll bring my bag tomorrow, and do a full examination. I hope to determine something, as I fear you're right. Today was nothing like Joyce." Giles had that faraway look on his face, as though he was lost in a memory.

"We'll be sure to expect you for lunch, then. We'll set an extra place." William escorted Giles out the door, while Dawn turned to the hand-holding, huddled couple.

"So...Mom wouldn't let you marry Will? Did she know you loved him?" Dawn looked from both. Will was much more...beautiful handsome, whereas Xander was rugged handsome. They were so different. Will looked so much...smaller.

"She knew." Buffy took her little sister's hand, and William joined them again. "Thanks, guys...for taking care of her. I couldn't...not after..."

"It's quite okay...Niblet and I took care of everything. Mother'll be asleep the rest of the night. Why don't you get some sleep yourself." William had taken on a more distinctly British accent of his own. "It's good to meet you, Mr. Rosenberg...though I'm sure you understand that under the circumstances, it'd be best of you not to stay here the night."

"No...no, I understand. I have a room at the inn. I'll just..." Willow pointed at the door, and made to leave herself. Buffy followed her to the porch, where they embraced one last time. "I'll be back bright and early..."

"No need. I'll just meet you at the inn. I want to get married as soon as possible. I don't think I can wait any longer." Buffy had pleading eyes, and Willow couldn't resist leaning in for another kiss. It took another few kisses before they finally parted, and Willow started her long walk back to the inn.

[postitnote]

I Now Pronounce You Dead

Dr. Giles had shown up at the plantation before Buffy had a chance to escape to town that day. She showed her in, and the three Summers children followed the doctor into their mother's bedroom. They wanted to know what was wrong.

"I suspect your mother's episode had something to do with the aftermath of the war." Dr. Giles was listening to her heartbeat, while Joyce just stayed quiet.

"How do you mean, doctor?" William was more than happy he'd escaped to England to teach before the Civil War broke out in America. He was the oldest, several years older than Buffy, much older than Dawn.

"Well...it seems that the loss of laborers on the plantation has caused your mother to become weak and overly stressed. Running an entire farm is not as easy as one would expect, even for such a strong woman as your mother." Giles continued his examination with quiet 'hmm's and 'dear lord's.

"What is it? Is it bad?" Buffy loved her mother dearly, and had never seen such an evil streak in her as these past few months. It seemed irrational her behavior. After all those years of trying to help her find somebody to love...and then not letting her marry the one she does love? It wasn't a Joyce Summers quality.

"I'm afraid it's not the best. I want your mother on bed rest for the next few weeks. Don't let her do any work whatsoever. I'll be by daily to check on her, more likely in the evenings around mealtime, as my other appointments last throughout the day." Giles had a history with Joyce that her children didn't know. He and Joyce were once in Buffy and Will's shoes. They were in love but Joyce's mother wouldn't allow for the marriage because Rupert was only a student at the time, and Hank Summers was from an important family. Joyce wasn't given much of a choice, and throughout the years, she and Rupert had a few secret meetings, their feelings still strong. That hadn't been for many years, though... Their one time of intimacy resulted in the last time they'd talked outside of medicinal or business purposes. That was 20 years ago. He still didn't know if Dawn was really his...

"We'll have an extra plate for you every night. I'm sure you'd enjoy a few homecooked meals." Dawn hugged the doctor, and William and Buffy left him to his work.

"I'm to meet Will in town." Buffy walked down the stairs with William, and took his hands at the doorway. "We're to be married today in town."

"Are you sure that's wise? What with mother's condition? What will she say when she wakes up to find you married, and she wasn't there?" William could tell Buffy had made her mind up already. There was no stopping her. "I know the things mother said these past few months. She's written to me. It didn't sound like her...but I still had to rush home to see my stubborn sister married."

"William...I've been so mad at her that I never noticed anything wrong. Does that make me a bad daughter?" Buffy had her 'lost' eyes, and her brother wrapped her in a hug.

"No...you're in love. It makes you do wacky things...remember? You wrote that to me a month back..." William played with his sister's golden locks. "Will seems like a fine man...I just don't want you doing anything you'll regret later, okay?"

"I love him, William. I can't wait much longer to be with him. He makes me feel so...alive." Buffy had her 'lovesick' face on...William had never seen it but it was obvious.

"I know, lil' sis. Just...make sure he doesn't stay in this house. I don't want to upset mother." William didn't know his trip home would be so eventful.

"We'll stay in the slave quarters. That's where Mom was making him stay before anyways. We can manage." Buffy didn't know what she'd do if she couldn't sleep in Will's arms tonight. She needed her lover to hold her.

--------------------------------------

"Are you sure about this? We don't have to if you'd rather wait for your mom to get better..." Willow held Buffy's hands, while they waited for the paperwork to be drawn, and the town hall to marry them. Xander and Anya were there standing with them. William and Dawn had left Mary and Giles to tend to Joyce, while they witnessed the last remaining single Summers get married.

"I'm more than sure. I'm absolutely positive. I wanna be married to you, Will. I can't wait any longer." Buffy laid her head down on Will's shoulder. The redhead just entwined their fingers together, and rested her own head atop Buffy's.

"They're ready for you." Xander had his arm in a sling. It was keeping the tendons in his shoulder from moving too much, so that his arm would heal faster. Once the doc had the bullet out of his shoulder, he'd had to fix the dislocation, clean the blood, and disinfect. Once it was bandaged, Xander had about two weeks before it would start to work properly again.

"I guess this is it, then." Willow and Buffy followed the others into the office, and finally got married.

-----------------------------------

"The slave quarters aren't so bad, Buff...we'll make it work. It's not like we can't stay in the house during the day. We just can't stay there at night...and hey! If you'd rather stay in your room, since it's more comfortable... I mean, I can sleep out here by myself. I've done it before...it's not a big..." Willow didn't get to finish her sentence, as she leaned forward to kiss the babble away. The redhead just wrapped her arms further around Buffy's waist, and pulled her closer. "You know...I think I could get used to you stopping my babble that way."

"It's fool-proof, after all..." Buffy leaned forward to capture Willow's lips again. "Your lips are so much softer than Riley's were..."

"You kissed Riley?" That was new information. "I thought you didn't like him."

"Well, I didn't. I still don't. Couldn't stand him in fact...but you do have to admit that he was somewhat handsome. He was okay when he didn't talk or think." Buffy blushed, and started to put her wedding night sheets on the double bed that Will and Forrest had moved into the cleanest slavehouse. It was where Mary and her family had lived. No wonder it was so clean.

"So...why kiss him if you didn't like him?" Willow was getting jealous. She knew she shouldn't...it was their first day being married. Hell, they hadn't been married even twelve hours!

"To get my mother off my back about giving him a chance..."

"Is that why he was here everyday? Because he knew you'd kiss him?"

"I only kissed him twice...and no. He just didn't take the hint once I told him to stop coming around. He must've thought it was some southern belle flirt code meaning 'please show up everyday, harass me until I marry you.' I never wanted him...but I gave him a chance because my mother asked me to." Buffy wrapped her arms around Will's waist from behind, as the redhead played with the fire that was now roaring.

"I didn't mean to go all jealous...it's just...you were my first." Willow tried to hide her blush but Buffy saw it anyways, and smirked.

"Your first, huh?" Buffy kissed the exposure on Will's neck. "Better be the last, too..."

"Definitely not a problem there..." Will turned around in Buffy's arms, and wrapped her own around the blonde's waist. "We're married now, ya know?"

"I gathered as much when we said 'I do' today." Buffy arched an eyebrow.

"Well...that means that...we have lots of nights together...and we don't have to feel guilty if one or both of us happens to get naked in the process." Willow had an evil smirk on, and Buffy was shocked.

"Will Rosenberg! I do declare! What DID those soldiers teach you?" Buffy accepted the smoldering kiss, and pawed at Willow's shirt, glad that the uniform jacket was already draped over the chair. "Ya know...I like it when we're both naked better, though..."

"Oh, really? Why is that?" Will followed Buffy's example, as she untied the strings holding the blonde's corset in place.

"Oh...it's a lot more fun being naked WITH you than for you." Buffy finished unbuttoned the shirt, and caught Willow's gasp through the kiss, as she ran her hands along the flesh underneath. "So...let's say we both get naked...see what happens..."

"I think you have the best ideas..." Willow finished removing Buffy's dress, and was about to move away to hang it up from the dirty floor but Buffy wouldn't let her stop touching her, and threw the dress anyways.

Willow's shirt was thrown to the floor, and next went her pants and longjohns. Buffy was still in her undergarments but not for long. They were tossed somewhere, too...who knows where.

The two fell back on the double bed, and laughed at the loud creak the bed made. They crawled under the covers, and soon were back to the hot, wet kisses again. Just as Willow was running a trail of said kisses down Buffy's jawline, Dawn walked in the door.

"Buffy, Will...I thought you could use some extra...EEP!!!" Dawn dropped the extra blankets on the floor, and averted her eyes, while the two newlyweds hid under the blankets. "Sorry...I just brought you some blankets because it looks like it might snow tonight."

"Thanks, Dawnie." Buffy held the blanket up to her chest, and her blush was both from Will's kisses and the sudden intrusion of her sister. Caught in the act. "Um...anything else?"

"Oh! Um...no. Just wanted to know if you needed anything else. Mary was going to bring the basin and jug from one of the guest rooms, so that you can get cleaned up. She thought you might be nervous about it being the wedding night...but I can see her worries were for nothing." Dawn smirked a little. They looked cute together.

"Um...okay...so you were leaving?? And not letting anybody else come out here?? Possibly finding a lock for us to use out here??" Buffy glared at her sister. Dawn left without a second thought, leaving the blankets on the table. "Well...that was utterly embarassing."

"Tell me about it..." Willow fell back on the bed with a heavy sigh, and Buffy looked down at her worried for her lover's sudden change in mood.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing...just..." She wasn't sure how to word it. "You do remember that I'm a girl, right?"

"Oh...I definitely remember...there are a couple things showing now that kinda give it away..." Buffy smirked, and couldn't resist running her fingers over the hardened nipple.

"Well...Dawn doesn't...and we want to keep it that way, remember? She could've seen something...could've..."

"I get it. No worries. She was too shocked to see us actually in the act that she wouldn't have noticed anything anyways." Buffy leaned over, and started to kiss Willow's brow. "We'll get that lock for in here, put some curtains up on the windows to hide from prying eyes...there won't be a problem. I promise."

"Are you sure? It could ruin everything..." Willow was still worried but could feel the arousal start to build heavy again, as Buffy palmed a breast, and kept kissing all over her face and neck.

"I'm positive...now...I believe we were having naked fun?" Buffy fell on top of Willow, and allowed the redhead to roll them over until the heat was so heavy the fire could've been out and they'd have burned. "Make love to me."

"No problem..." Willow leaned over, and kissed Buffy with utter abandon, more than excited to explore those curves and hot, wet areas again. In no time, they were ready for explosion...but it still wasn't enough. They were at it long into the night. The squeaky bed and gasps, moan, groans, and screams of pleasure were all that were heard in the slave quarters that night.

[postitnote]

Bon Voyage

Xander's parents were leaving for California in the morning, and Xander and Anya were going with them. Willow hadn't spent even a year without Xander being somewhere near. Now? They would be on separate ends of the nation.

"Anya's kept the shop running after her father died, so we're going to move in there, and start our family. I'm going to be a shopkeeper, if you can believe it." Xander threw more stones across the lake, anything to keep his mind occupied. He was actually leaving his best friend.

"I want you to have something..." Willow pulled out a carved piece of wood from her jacket. "It's a stake. You never were good with guns...but you could dust with the best of 'em. I just want you to be safe."

"This is your lucky stake, Will. I can't take that." Xander took the piece of wood, and stared at it in awe.

"You can and you will." Willow hugged him. "I just want you to have something to remember me by...that's all."

"I don't think I'll have much trouble forgetting you." Xander released the hug. "Besides...it's not every day that your best friend pretends to be a boy just to help you graduate West Point."

"Everything turned out okay, though..." Willow leaned against the wooden railing on the dock. "Do you ever wonder what life would've been like had I not gone with you?"

"Yeah...I do..." Xander smiled. "You probably would've pretended to be a boy anyways just to marry Cordelia...I always wondered why you'd get so jealous when I'd go over to see her."

"Xander!" Willow smacked Xander's arm in jest. "I'll have you know that I was jealous because she took up all of your time. I didn't get to see you very often when she was around."

"Well, you can't blame me for thinking that." Xander smirked again. "After all, you do have a history of stealing my women..."

"You're hopeless." Willow rolled her eyes, and couldn't keep the smile from her face. They both got quiet as they watched the sun finish setting. "I can't believe you're really going...and so soon. I don't know...I guess...I just thought we'd have more time."

"I know...but it makes more sense to leave with my parents. You know I'd love to stay longer...but I promise to write. And we'll visit some when we can."

"I know. It's just...so much has happened in the past eight years. It's hard to believe we're both married."

"And both to girls, what with you being a girl yourself." Xander couldn't hide the fantasy grin from his face.

"Do you ever give up?" Willow shook her head in laughter.

"Can you blame me? You just happened to marry the most beautiful Southern belle...and as I recall, you were quite the looker as a lady, as well." Xander pulled her into another hug when Willow gave her 'I'm gonna cry, stop me' smile again. "I'd better head back to the house before Anya throws a fit. You should head that way, too. I'm sure supper's almost ready, and Buffy's probably going through Will withdrawals."

"We're not that bad." Willow smacked Xander's shoulder again before she hugged him one last time. "From here on out, I have to be a man about it, and not hug you as much."

"You'll always be a better man than me, Willow Rosenberg." Xander smirked, attempting for the funny to get out of emotional stuff. "See you in the house..."

"See ya..." Willow stayed out there well after the sun was gone, just pondering life without Xander to tease.

"Hey, stranger. Y'okay?" Buffy was worried about Willow. The redhead hadn't shown up in the house before supper, and they were all sitting down to eat now. Xander told her where he'd left Will, and Buffy went in search of her husband.

"Hey." Willow relaxed a little when Buffy came closer.

"Supper's ready...thought you'd be hungry." Buffy wrapped her arms around Willow's waist, and rested her chin on her shoulder. "Dr. Giles just got here, and he's checkin' on Mama. They should be down for supper soon, too."

"Your mother is eating at the table tonight?" Willow hadn't seen Mrs. Summers since the older woman had a shotgun pointed at her. Buffy, Dawn, and William eased the woman into the fact that they were married now. There hadn't been any screaming but Joyce hadn't said much of anything this past week.

"Giles thinks it's best for her to move around a little, get out of her room for a bit." Buffy kissed Willow's neck, and rubbed her hands up and down the redhead's arms. "You're freezin'...come inside, honey."

Willow just nodded, and the two newlyweds started their trek back to the house. Once there, the table grew even quieter as Joyce just stared at the two holding hands, huddled close as they walked in the dining room. Instead of saying anything, she just ducked her head and continued to eat her soup.

"Mama...it's good to see you up." Buffy allowed Willow to scoot her chair in for her, and immediately squeezed the redhead's hand under the table when Willow sat down beside her.

"Yes, I agree with Buffy. It's good to see you up and about, Mother." William raised his wine to sip. He would have to head back to England soon, as well.

"Mama...I was thinkin' I'd help Mary this year with Thanksgivin' dinner." Dawn was at a loss. It'd been hard since she'd found out her husband was killed at St. Petersburg.

"That'd be lovely, Dawn. I'm sure your mother would love that." Giles placed a comforting hand on Joyce's shoulder, and she smiled up at him in response. "For now, why don't we eat? It all looks delicious."

"Thanks, Giles." Dawn blushed, much the way Rupert did at the same time. Giles still wished Joyce would tell him if Dawn was his. He'd treated the Summers children as his own anyways...but it would still make a world of difference. Knowing that they'd conceived a daughter through their affair. A testiment of their last act of love.

[postitnote]

Makin' Amends


Buffy, Mary, Dawn, and Susie were in the kitchen making Thanksgiving dinner. William decided to stay the extra week to have dinner with his family...and Dr. Giles, who they all were starting to seriously suspect had a thing for their mother.

Will had killed the turkey the night before, and plucked and prepared the beast with Buffy's help. Mary came in and supervised after she heard the commotion and giggles from the kitchen. Afraid her kitchen wasn't going to survive those two, she came in to help as well. 'Never get two lovebirds to pluck a turkey...' That was her new motto.

Willow walked in the kitchen door, holding fresh cranberries she'd picked from the bushes out back. She brought the basket over to the counter island, and accepted the powdery kiss from Buffy, whose face was doused with flour from making the biscuits.

"Some sweets for my sweet." Willow wiped the flour from Buffy's face, and leant in to kiss her again. They kept kissing and making lovebird eyes at each other until Dawn chirped up.

"Geez! You two never quit! Connor and I were never anything like that were we, Mary?" Dawn sent questioning eyes to the older woman, who just puckered her lips, and held in her giggle. "We were nothin' like you two, though. Wherever one is, there's the other...and did you know I caught them doin' it in the barn again yesterday?"

"Now, Miss Buffy, Mr. Will. I done tol' you 'bout makin' it in the barn." Mary tried to suppress her giggle. "You jus' come out of there with hay stuck up yo dress."

"Mary!" Dawn covered her ears. She'd been sexually active before her older sister...but that didn't mean she wanted to SEE said sister in those compromising position.

"It's not my fault my husband's a wild stallion." Buffy smirked at the gaping face of her sister. Catching a glimpse of Willow, the redhead wasn't faring much better.

"Buffy! Geez!" Dawn covered her eyes that time. "It's bad enough we can hear you screamin' all the way up here from the quarters...every night, I might add."

"Not every night..." Buffy kept her smirk at bay. "Besides...we're still newlyweds. We're entitled to a little naked action."

"Miss Buffy, you watch your mouth now." Mary had that amused scolding look on her face. "That's not how a lady speaks."

"Yeah, yeah..." Buffy wrapped her arm around Willow's waist, and pulled her closer. "Wanna help me with the crust?"

"Sure..." Willow's face was still blood red, as she went about helping her wife.

"Aww...you're still blushing..." Buffy leant over to kiss Willow again, much to the protest of her sister and a chuckling Dawn.

"Hey...looks like Buffy's still harrassin' Mr. Will..." Forrest came in the kitchen, a big smile on his face. "I brought the potatoes and beans up. Thought I'd help peel, while you ladies do your thing...but it looks like I'm not the only man in the kitchen today."

"Where's William?" Dawn took the jar of beans from Forrest, and emptied the contents into a new pan.

"Upstairs readin' to Ms. Joyce." Forrest pulled out his knife, and went about peeling the potatoes with skill.

"Good. Mama needs him here. I'm glad he decided to stay a little longer." Buffy took Willow's pie pan, and placed them both in the second stove. "I suppose I'll go upstairs to take my bath. Dawn, will you take up mama's elixir?"

"I can't, Buffy. I just started the beans, and we'll need to pull the turkey out soon." Dawn hated taking up her mother's medicine. She hated to see her mother so weak and tired.

"I'll do it." Willow grabbed the spoon and elixir from the cabinet.

"You sure, baby? We still don't know how she's taken to you yet." Buffy looked worried.

"Well...it's time I started to show her I'm worthy of her daughter, don't you think?" Willow followed Buffy up the stairs. "Besides...as soon as I get done here, I can join you upstairs for that bath...kill two baths in one..."

"Ohh...sounds like a good plan..." Buffy smirked, and kissed Willow before going to start heating the water for their bath.

Willow tapped on Joyce's bedroom door quietly, not wanting to wake her if she were asleep. William opened the door, his eyeglasses almost falling off his nose. He welcomed her in the room when he saw that she had the elixir, though he wasn't sure it was a good idea that of all people, Will had it.

"Why did you bring the medicine? Where are Buffy and Dawn?" William was beyond worried, as he ushered Will into his mother's room. He could see the quiet stare his mother sent Will. It was hard to decipher.

"Dawn's still cooking, and Buffy's drawing a bath." Willow walked close to the bed, and portioned out the elixir. Taking a deep breath for courage, she held the spoon out for Joyce to take. For several seconds, the older woman just eyed the spoon and Willow.

"Could you excuse us for a moment, William? I'd like to speak to Will alone." Joyce swallowed the medicine, and noticed that William was about the protest. "Now, son. It'll be alright. Go see if Mary needs help in the kitchen."

"Yes, Mother." William left the room but he didn't have to like it.

"Come, sit." Joyce patted the side of her bed. "Don't be frightened. I don't have a gun."

Willow sat down on the bed, and Joyce took her hand, studying it, and the golden band that now resided on her left finger.

"I owe you a sincere apology, Will. I've seen how happy my daughter is with you, and I was a fool to ever stop her from marryin' you." Joyce just kept Will's hand in between her own. "You two are adorable together, and I'm sure you'll produce beautiful grandchildren for me."

"Um...thanks?" Willow blushed, and felt even more guilty now. How were they going to give Joyce grandchildren?

"No...thank you, son. You've brought happiness back to this family. I only wish I'd seen it sooner. All of this mess could've been avoided." Joyce started to cough, and Will poured her a fresh drink, helping her drink it. "Rupert tells me how great you two seem together, and I can't help but feel even worse for trying to keep you apart. I only wish I could've seen Buffy's face at the wedding."

"She was beyond beautiful. I have a picture in my wallet, if you'd like to see." Willow made to go get her wallet from downstairs but Joyce wouldn't let the redhead stand.

"Maybe at dinner. We have a lot of amends to make...but I have a feelin' you've already forgiven me."

"From my understanding, Mrs. Summers, you haven't been yourself lately."

"Please...call me Joyce? Or better yet...mother?" Joyce cupped the redhead's cheek in her hand, and couldn't help but feel how soft his cheek was...just like his hands. "You're the gentlest man I've ever known, and I'm happy to have you in the family."

"That...wow...I mean...thanks, Mrs...um...mother..." Willow felt weird calling this woman mother. She never even called her own mother that; it was always Sheila, or yes ma'am...that's when the woman was even around to call her anything.

"Will, son...promise me that you'll make Buffy happy?"

"Always." Willow hugged the woman, and left the room with a bounce in her step. She couldn't wait to tell her wife!

[postitnote]

Thanks Again


William carved the turkey, while they each said what they were thankful for, and passed the food bowls around. It was a lovely meal; the harvest was good to them this year, much thanks to Will and Xander.

"I'm thankful for new family, and recoverin' health." Joyce raised her glass of champagne, and gripped Rupert's hand for comfort, something she'd been doing more lately. "I would like to thank Will for helpin' with the harvest this year, all of his smart ideas for the farm, and for makin' my Buffy truly happy at last."

"Oh, mama." Buffy couldn't help it. When Willow came in the bedroom to tell her about Joyce's apology, the blonde couldn't believe it. Her mother was back to health, and they could move back into the house from the slave quarters now.

"Now, William and Forrest will help you two move back into the house tonight. From my understanding, you've been staying in the slave quarters." Joyce accepted the turkey from her son, and kissed his cheek in thanks. "It all looks lovely. You've all done a wonderful job. Thank you."

"Are you sure it's a good idea movin' these two back in the house? Have you not heard them all the way from the quarters?" Dawn raised her eyebrows. Hearing the two newlyweds make love every night brought back memories, and just reminded her even more that her beloved husband was really gone.

"I'm sure they'll work on volume..." Joyce eyed her daughter and new husband with an amused glare.

"Yes, Mama." Buffy scooted her chair closer to Will, trying to keep it nonchalant but Mary noticed, and couldn't hide the smirk. Their blushes were too cute.

"I'm thankful for freedom...not just mine but my family, wherever they may be, and I's thankful for good friends that lets us stay and work with them." Mary was the last to say her thanks, and they all dug into their food with gusto.

-----------------

"I still find it hard to believe..." Willow held Buffy in her arms, their naked skin still humming approval against each other.

"Find what hard to believe?" Buffy wrapped her arm around Will's torso, and drew patterns across the glistening freckles.

"Your mother. It's like a complete turn." The redhead started playing with the sweat-soaked blonde locks, and kissed Buffy's forehead every once in a while.

"Well...I think Giles has a lot to do with it. I'm sure he's been talkin' to her. They were sweethearts once before Mama got married to father. At least that's what the rumors say but you know how rumors work..." Buffy kissed Will's shoulder, and started to run her hand up and down the redhead's toned stomach. "Still...they seem like old sweethearts. I'm sure there's some truth behind the rumors."

"I can see that he's sweet on your mother. That much is obvious."

"And Mama seems sweet on him. Well, she does now. She wouldn't have anything to do with him when we were growin' up, especially after Dawn was born." Buffy smirked when she felt the familiar change in Willow's breathing. "Like that, huh?"

"Mmhmm..." Willow just bit her bottom lip in attempt to keep quiet. She wasn't the one that was loud usually; Buffy was the one that was the screamer.

"Well...ya know...we don' have much work to do tomorrow..." Buffy leaned up, and straddled Willow's waist. "I'd say as long as we keep quiet..."

"Mmhmm..." Willow accepted the smoldering kiss from her wife.

[postitnote]

Love Letters

"Will, you have a telegram from Washington, and a card from Xander." Buffy brought her 'husband' the mail. Willow was still in bed, exhausted after the late night activities.

"Yay..." Willow sat up, and pulled the covers up to her chest, as she accepted the sweet kiss Buffy gave her before handing her the mail. "Mmm...I think I like the messenger better..."

"You're such a lily sometimes." Buffy chucked, and took her shoes off before removing her dress, dressed only in her smock. "I think a nap is in order..."

"How long have you been up?" Willow opened the card from Xander, and a letter and picture fell out. It was of him and Anya in St. Louis on their way back home. It was the first letter she'd gotten from him since he left.

"Since dawn. I wanted to make you breakfast in bed but you were still asleep and the food got cold. You were so cute sleepin', and I didn't wanna wake you." Buffy put Will's arm around her shoulder, so that she could relax against the redhead's shoulder. "They look happy. What does the card say?"

"Oh...it's a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah card. Xander says he wants to hear all the details of my very first Christmas." Willow finished reading the letter before putting it aside.

"Our first Christmas?" Buffy kissed Willow's shoulder.

"Well...that, too...but it's my very first Christmas ever. Remember? My family is Jewish. We don't have Christmas."

"That's silly. Why wouldn't you have Christmas?"

"Oh...I just assumed you knew. I guess that was silly of me." Willow started to play with Buffy's hair. "Jews don't believe Jesus was the Messiah, so we don't celebrate Christmas or Easter...or any of the other Christian-based holidays."

"Really?" Buffy took time to process this. "You're gonna celebrate Christmas now, though? For me?"

"Yep. We're married now. We get to share everything, including holidays...which means if you'd like, I can teach you about Hanukkah." Willow kissed Buffy gently before the blonde's hands started to roam over the redhead's body. "You know...we're not quite on even playing field here...what with me being naked and you not..."

"I think we can fix that..." Buffy crawled out of bed, and removed her smock before climbing back in stark naked. She molded her cold flesh into Willow's warm flesh, and they both gasped at the change in temperature. Buffy stayed on top, as she straddled Willow's waist, kissing the redhead with utter abandon.

----------------------------------

"They're at it again? Didn't they get enough last night?" Dawn was starting to get annoyed.

"They're still newlyweds, Niblet. Besides...mother is wanting grandchildren, and it looks like those are the two to do it." William looked up from his newspaper, and noticed Dawn was sad. "This isn't about them, though...is it? It's about Connor."

"I miss him, William. So much..." Dawn loved her older brother, and confided in him every chance possible. "I hear those two, and it reminds me of what I don't have anymore. I should hate Will for bein' a Yankee...because the Yankees killed Connor...but I don't. In all honesty, I'm jealous of Buffy."

"Jealous of Buffy? Over Will? Oh, Dawn..." William chuckled behind his glasses.

"What? He's gorgeous...and I'll bet he has a beautiful body. He treats Buffy with respect, love, and adoration. Just the way he looks at her... Buffy can't seem to get enough of him, so he must be one helluva lover, so yeah...I'm jealous." Dawn blushed. She couldn't believe she'd just revealed that.

"Well...Dawn, I'm sure there is somebody else out there for you. Just be patient." William went back to his newspaper. Dawn just resumed staring at the wall, lost in thought.

--------------------------------

"Will! That's great!" After they'd peaked, and after a short nap, Buffy remembered that Willow forgot the telegram. It was news from Washington, from the army department with request and approval from General Ullyses S. Grant. Will Rosenberg was promoted to General, and given assignment in Washington. She was to report immediately. "Wait...this means you'll be leavin'..."

"I have to." Willow didn't look too happy about such great news but once Buffy figured out she'd be leaving, neither did the blonde. "I'll give them my resignation while I'm there, decline the promotion."

"Oh, Will...you can't do that. This is important." Buffy felt sick to her stomach. "Now that Johnson's in the White House, the United States needs soldiers like you to remind him why you fought in the first place."

"I didn't wanna fight...I hardly raised my gun. I was part of Grant's war tactics team, remember?" Willow laid the telegram on the bedside table, and just stared at the ceiling. "I don't wanna go...but I have to give my resignation in person. I didn't even know they knew I was here."

"Well...I'm sure Pinkerton's crew found you, and reported your whereabouts." Buffy clutched to Willow, as if it were their last breath.

"I don't like this. I can't leave now. It's almost the holidays." Willow was going into depresso girl mode. "I wanted to spend the holidays with you...and your family. I was looking forward to Mary's goose on Christmas morning."

"Well...when do you think you'll be back?" Buffy started to cry, and her tears mixed with the sweat on Willow's chest.

"I don't know. It depends on what they need in Washington. They must've tracked me down for a reason." Willow pulled Buffy even tighter, and threatened to cry herself. "Come with me?"

"What? I can't leave Mama..."

"Oh..."

"...but I'll go. I wanna be with you for Christmas. We only have one first Christmas together. Plus, you were gonna teach me all about Hanukkah, remember? It wouldn't be more than two weeks, would it? So...there's a possibility we'd be home in time for Christmas anyways...dependin' on the train schedule."

"We might..." Willow was starting to feel a little better now that Buffy was going with her. "What if the position is too good to pass up, though? What then?"

"Then...I guess we stay...for as long as we need to. I don't care. I'm going with you." Buffy kissed Willow, and her salty tears fell between their lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too...are you sure?"

"Mama is better now, and William is stayin' indefinitely, so they'll be taken care of. We can always write letters back and forth. Besides...if this is more than a basic trip, won't we need to return home anyways to pack up to move?"

"You're really serious about this."

"I wanna be with you. I don't care where that is..." Buffy smiled warmly, and Willow wiped the tears away. "I suppose we should tell everybody before we go to catch the train. We'll need to pack, so we'd better get up, so we don't miss it."

[postitnote]

Happy Holidays


Willow had been offered the position as General in Washington, serving under Grant again. He had remembered 'him' from the war, and the many great tactics that he'd come up with during his command of the Union army. Grant was impressed.

Buffy had seen the look on Willow's face when Grant offered the position, and to deny the redhead something so great would be impossible. The blonde knew they would have to give up the farm and her family but she was willing to do her wifely duty, and follow her husband.

Later that night, Sam Grant and wife took out Will and Buffy to a fancy dinner in town. Buffy found she made quite the soldier's wife, or at least that's what Mrs. Grant had told her. 'All soldiers in the army are gonna be so jealous of General Rosenberg here when they get a peek at you.' she'd said. Buffy just blushed in modesty, and squeezed Willow's hand underneath the table. The redhead was talking shop with Sam on everything the new position entailed.

Once back at the hotel, Buffy and Willow got ready for bed after their first day in the nation's capital. They didn't talk much because Willow wanted to bask in the glow that such a promotion would mean, and she knew she'd have to turn it down tomorrow. She wanted to live in the moment, and just enjoy the fact that it was offered to her. Buffy was brushing her hair in front of the vanity when Willow came over, and started to brush it for her. The blonde just relaxed against her husband, and enjoyed the careful, soothing strokes of the hairbrush and Willow's gentle caress.

"You've been awfully quiet." Willow decided to break the ice, as she continued to stroke Buffy's hair.

"Just thinkin'...that's all." Buffy laid her hands in her lap.

"About..." Willow watched the blonde's face in the mirror.

"This promotion..." Buffy took a deep breath. "I want you to take it."

"I can't do that, Buff. I don't want to be away from you, and I don't want to take you away from your family. I just got in good with them." Willow finished the last stroke, and laid the brush on the vanity, as Buffy turned around, taking the redhead's hands in her own.

"I want you to take the promotion." Buffy could tell Will was going to make a major protest. "It's great for you, and it's not like we can't visit the farm, or move back someday. For now, your calling is in Washington. This is where you need to be...okay?"

"But Buf..."

"No buts, okay? I know you want to take the position, and I'm not going to stop you. We can start lookin' at houses tomorrow. I can use my dowry, and we can get a moderate place to live."

"With my bonus and check, we can actually get a very nice home...but...are you sure, Buffy? Especially now...after your mom just got better, and William moving back home from England. Plus, who will tend to the harvest next..." Willow didn't get to finish her train of thought, since Buffy stood and wrapped her arms around the redhead's neck, moving in close enough to kiss her but not quite.

"I'm positive." Buffy kissed Willow sweetly. "Besides...Mrs. General Rosenberg has a ring to it..."

"You're silly." Willow kissed the blonde again, and wrapped her own arms around Buffy's back. "I think I had too many oysters at dinner..."

"Now who's silly?" Buffy knew what that meant. She'd read in the books about oysters making people frisky. "So...there's this big comfy bed over there..."

"Yes, there is..." Willow allowed herself to be pushed back towards the bed, as Buffy unbuttoned the rest of the redhead's shirt.

"And there's much to celebrate..." Buffy pushed the shirt from Will's shoulders, and started to kiss along the redhead's neck. "So, I think it's time we start..."

"Maybe a little champagne?" Willow had thought about this, since she only drinks on special occasions. This was definitely that.

"I was thinkin' more along the lines of gettin' hot and sweaty..." Buffy unbuttoned Will's pants, and buried her hands beneath the longjohns, squeezing the redhead's bare ass cheeks, and getting the desired gasp. "So...whaddya say, General? Mind showin' me some of those tactics that got you this promotion?"

"I can do that..." Willow gathered her senses, and picked up Buffy. The blonde wrapped her legs around the redhead, and they fell onto the bed in a heated kiss. Buffy sat up, and pulled her sleeping gown off in a hurry, tossing it somewhere...anywhere...as long as it wasn't on her.

She helped Willow out of the uniform pants, and gasped as the redhead crawled up between her legs. Willow stopped at her breasts, and started to suck, nip, and lick as though they were the sweetest candy. Buffy gripped the redhead's hair, as the sensations rocked throughout her body.

"The things you do to me..." Buffy breathed out, as Willow moved her kisses further down the blonde's body, dipping her tongue between the cute bellybutton along the way. Then, the redhead did the unthinkable, and Buffy thought she was going to lose control then and there. Willow started to kiss up along the inside of her thighs, and her hot breath was contacting with the blonde's sex. "Oh, Will..."

"I wonder what this tastes..." Willow didn't finish her thought, as she ran her tongue along the blonde's opening. Already addicted to the taste of her wife straight from the source, the redhead kept on licking and enjoying the added wetness, moans, groans, and squeals coming from her wife. Buffy kept arching off the bed, pushing herself further into Willow's face, and the redhead had to grab the blonde's hips to keep her steady.

"Will...please..." Buffy didn't know what she was asking. This was new to her. Never in her life would she think somebody would actually...do that. It was as though Willow were feasting on her most intimate parts...and it felt damn good. "Don't stop..."

Willow had no intentions of it. She started sucking and licking the little button, actually getting a closeup look of what this part of Buffy looked like. It was beautiful. So open, so alive, so...wet. It made Willow's mouth salivate, and her heart beat faster. Never in a million years would the redhead have thought to do this, though she'd heard of women that went down on guys. That was one thing soldier boys liked to brag about; the women they got to 'suck them off.' The redhead found it crude, and never expected that she'd be enjoying the same type of activity but here she was, giving her wife quite a pleasurable experience from the sounds of it.

"WILL!!! YES!!!!!! WILL!!!!" Buffy hadn't meant to scream. They were in a hotel, and no doubt the walls were thin but when she felt her walls constrict, and the redhead started to add sucking pressure to that one place, Buffy exploded in the most amazing orgasm she'd ever experienced. "WILL!! YES!"

Willow licked up all the juices that came pouring out of Buffy, and stayed down there a little longer, as she felt Buffy's entire body shaking beneath her hands. Looking up to make sure the blonde was okay, Willow wiped her face with her arm, and kissed her wife's belly gently. Buffy was crying, and she looked limp and completely satisfied. The redhead couldn't help but smirk, as she leaned into kiss the blonde's forehead, wiping the tears for her, since it was obvious Buffy's limbs weren't cooperating.

"You okay, baby?" Willow laid down beside Buffy, and stroked the blonde's sweaty locks away from her face.

"F-f-fine...p-perfect..." Buffy grinned this huge grin, and sighed a couple times, taking deep breaths trying to control her body. She was still humming and her toes were still numb. "Just...wow..."

"I know...that was different. I'm sorry if you were uncomfortable. I just...I got curious, and you know what it's like when I get curious. I start to explore, and I wanted to know why my mouth salivated when I saw your...um...you know. I didn't wanna scare you. I just wanted to know what you tasted like, and then I thought...it was no different than using my hands but I get to actually SEE you completely. I just didn't..." Willow was in need of a major breath, and luckily Buffy leaned over to kiss the redhead's babble away. "Thanks."

"No...thank YOU. That was...wow. I never knew...that was just..." Buffy took a deep, adoring sigh again. "I love you so much. It doesn't matter what it is; you always seem to keep me guessing."

"Ah...just part of my plan to seduce you." Willow leaned over to kiss Buffy again. "Wanna get some sleep? Sam's wife is gonna show us around the city tomorrow morning. She said she'd come calling about nine."

"Yeah...sleep sounds good...are you...do you not want me to..." Buffy licked her lips, and motioned with her eyes towards Willow's own private area. Seeing the redhead's major blush, Buffy had to kiss her adorable husband again. "We can sleep. We've had a long day, and the sleep on the train wasn't exactly the best rest."

"Okay...sounds perfect...great!" Willow crawled under the covers, and pulled them back for Buffy.

"Have you noticed that we never seem to sleep in our pajamas?" The blonde smirked a sexy smirk, and snuggled up to Will, as they rested together, big shit-eating grins on both their faces.

[postitnote]

Movin' On Up


Willow allowed Buffy to drag her around town that night, as they started their search for a new house. It would be their first major purchase together as a married couple. Buffy was more than excited to get this show on the road. They'd talked to the realtors in charge of the houses they liked. Their favorite was in the same neighborhood as Sam's, which was a plus for them since Sam and his wife were the only people they knew in Washington.

The house was a medium size, elegant, fully furnished from the last owners, who had imported most of their decorations in from other countries. Five bedrooms made up the two large floors, and the massive kitchen made the two girls already picture making breakfast together. They could have guests and parties... Buffy's family could come visit, or even Xander and Anya.

"We'll take it." Willow looked at the realtor, and asked for a pen. "I have the cash for a downpayment, and I can write you a bank draft for the remainder."

"Let me help?" Buffy hooked her arms with Will's. "I can write a bank draft for half, and you can write one for half. We're in this together, remember?"

"I remember." Willow smiled, and leaned over to kiss Buffy's cheek. The realtor just coughed, though he was more than excited about making a sale. "Okay...half and half...but I get to make the downpayment."

"That's quite a sum for such a young couple." The realtor was weary about taking bank drafts from such a young couple but they were dressed well, and their manners screamed sophistication and old money.

"We'll talk to the bank about loans, get with you tomorrow for the paperwork. We'll have to make a trip back to South Carolina for our personals, so we won't be moving in right away. I'm afraid we're only visiting the capital. I hadn't planned on taking the position here." Willow smiled lovingly at Buffy. The blonde had given her more than anybody, just by letting her take the promotion. It was almost impossible for a young soldier to take this position but Willow's scores and rankings at West Point, not to mention the fact that she was in good with Grant himself...well, the promotion was hers.

"Position?" The realtor looked at the happy couple, curious as to how these two could afford such a lavish home.

"I was promoted to General under Sam Grant. I'll be leading in his campaigns, second in command." Willow beamed, proud of her accomplishment.

"Congratulations. I also assume that you two are newlyweds."

"How did you..." Buffy cocked her head in amused curiosity.

"You stand closer together than couples that've been married for more than a month. Recent, I take it?"

"Almost a month." Buffy smiled, and squeezed Will's hand.

"Well, General and Mrs. Rosenberg, shall we make an appointment for tomorrow then? I'm free anytime in the mornings."

"We can come by around 10. That'll allow us enough time to get everything taken care of, right? We can go to the bank afterwards. I'd say by this time next week, we'll officially own this place." Willow smiled again. It seemed she couldn't stop smiling as of late.

------------------------

"Wow...can you believe it? Our very first home...and wow! Isn't it gorgeous?" Buffy cuddled up to Willow in the seat. It wasn't the most comfortable but then again, long train rides usually aren't. They were on their way back to SunnyDale for Christmas, which occurred in two days. They'd be arriving back in South Carolina by this time tomorrow, and would get home in time for some last minute caroling and greetings. "I can't wait for Mother to see the house. She'll just flip when she sees all the art and decorations."

"The neighborhood is the best in the area. Sam's not the only army commander on the block." Willow ran her hands through Buffy's loose curls. "Plus, the price was reasonable. We can still hire a butler, or a maid."

"I never thought of that. You're right." Buffy snuggled closer to Willow. "We'll need warmer clothes, too."

"We'll take care of all that when the time comes. One thing at a time...okay?" Willow kissed Buffy's forehead, and put her arm around the blonde's shoulders. "Let's try to get a little bit of sleep...makes the ride not seem so long..."

--------------------

"Falalala...Buffy! Will!" Dawn stopped singing halfway through, and ran up to the two that had just walked in the door. They laid their bags down in the foyer, and accepted the giant hugs from their family...except William and Forrest, who were being manly and not hugging. Mary and Susie were in the kitchen, prepping things for tomorrow.

"Hey! We're back...obviously...since we're here now, and not..." Willow stopped the babble when she saw the Christmas tree, decorated with pretty ornaments. It was so much more beautiful than she'd pictured. "Wow...you've been busy these past few weeks."

"That we have...come in. You must be exhausted, hungry, and freezin'." Joyce took their coats, and handed them to William to put in the closet. "We'll get you some dinner. It should still be moderately warmed. We just finished eatin' 'bout an hour ago. We've been singin' carols, and William has been fillin' us in on his Christmases in England."

"Food sounds wonderful." Buffy dragged Will into the kitchen, where an enthusiastic Susie greeted them, and a busy Mary hugged them. "We heard there was food..."

"Good to have you back. Your mama's been an awful wreck not knowin' why you was gone all this time." Mary went right back to plucking the feather from the goose.

"We'll explain everything, I promise." Buffy took the plates, and sat down at the counter with Will, as they ate their Christmas Eve dinner. "How is everybody?"

"We's doin' good. That Dr. Giles is here everyday still...even after your mama took to health again. Susie and Dawn think he's courtin' her."

"Well...that doesn't surprise me in the least." Buffy was tearing into the food as though she hadn't eaten in years.

"Not much else other than we all missed ya while you was up north." Susie held onto the goose, while her mother plucked.

"Well...we missed you, too." Willow smiled around a mouthful of peas.

"Mary...Susie...there's somethin' we wanna tell everybody...when you two get done with that. It's important." Buffy laid down her fork. Knowing it'd be best to just get the news out there instead of waiting...it hit her suddenly, and she wasn't so hungry anymore. "Actually, can you come in the living room for a minute? I'm sure the goose won't go anywhere."

"It better not..." Mary smiled, knowing one of two things was coming. Either Buffy was pregnant, or they were moving. It was a tossup...as they all gathered around in the living room, and Buffy took Willow's hand for comfort.

"Everyone...we have an announcement." Buffy leaned closer to Will, and started to rub the redhead's back for comfort. She knew that Willow feared the family's reactions. "Will was promoted to General, and is to be second in command under General Grant."

"That's great news, Will!" Dawn was excited...but Joyce eyed the couple suspiciously.

"Is that all? I thought you were gonna tell us you were pregnant. I was startin' to get excited." Joyce smirked at the two. "I suppose this means you'll have to move wherever the position is..."

"Washington...we already bought a house. You'll love it, Mama." Buffy let go of Will, and hugged her mother with ferocity. In that declaration of the obvious, Joyce had given her consent. "We don't wanna move. Will wasn't gonna take the position but I talked him into it. It's too good to pass up."

"That it is...especially for someone so young." William patted his brother-in-law on the back. "Congrats."

"Thanks." Willow just swallowed hard, and caught Buffy's adoring gaze. "We can't wait to have you all up to visit. The house really is amazing."

"We'll be sure to take you up on your offer." Joyce stood up, and went to hug her son-in-law. "Congratulations, Will. Thank you for makin' my daughter happy."

"Uh...no problem..." Willow was shocked, and didn't know what to think. Was Mrs. Summers really hugging her?

"When will you be goin' for good?" Dawn had stayed quiet throughout the exchange. She hadn't spent more than a day without Buffy being right there.

"After the New Year. We wanna spend the holidays with our family." Buffy walked over to give Dawn a hug. She understood exactly why the younger woman was quiet. "We'll talk more this week, okay?"

Dawn just nodded her head, holding the tears in for later.

[postitnote]

Drama Ensues


Two months later in Washington...

Willow was doing well in her position, and Sam had been dropping hints that his young comrade should run in the election with him as his vice president. The redhead was excited but also knew the law. She was too young...plus, being in the public's eye like that would surely bring the attention of her brothers and mothers. The scandal that she was really a girl would be released, and Sam's career would be ruined. She couldn't do that to Grant. He was too important in the upcoming election, so she calmly declined, stating that she was flattered, and under other circumstances, she would love to be his running mate.

When Willow told Buffy about Sam's proposal, the blonde had practically attacked her then and there. To think...Buffy's mother was going to make her marry a man she didn't love, who was a potential candidate's son...and here she was married to the one she DID love that her mother tried to prevent her from marrying, and sure enough, Willow gets offered a position with the most likely candidate.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and they decided to take a trip through the market. There was going to be a ball in Sam's honor this weekend. Buffy wanted to get a new dress, since it would be Willow's 'coming out' party, as well. Sam was going to introduce Will as his second in command. This would be their first ball here in Washington. They'd been too busy settling in, and making love almost constantly.

"I can't believe it. Private Rosenberg?" A young woman approached the two, and almost took Will in a big hug.

"Ms. Osborne! Tara!" Willow couldn't believe it. She hadn't heard from Daniel Osborne, or his wife since the beginning of the war. Oz was one of her and Xander's bunkmates at the Point. "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine. It's good to see you, Private." Tara gave Will the once over. He still was as handsome as ever, only he had more of a glow to him than she remembered.

"Actually, it's General now." Will couldn't believe the luck. "How's Daniel? Are you living in Washington now?"

"Oh...you didn't hear..." Tara looked sad and taken aback at that. Her eyes seemed tortured. "Daniel was in an accident at the factory last month. He..."

"I'm sorry. He was a good man." Will looked sad. So Oz had made it through the war...only to come home, and get killed at work. The irony was uncanny... "How are you holding up?"

"I've barely left the house this past month. I rarely see anybody...but I'm so happy to have run into you. What luck..." That's when Tara noticed the gorgeous blonde on Will's arm...and the two matching bands on their fingers. "I'm sorry. Forgive my manners. I've not been myself lately. I'm Tara Maclay Osborne."

"Understandable under the circumstances." Buffy held out her hand. There was something about the way this woman looked at Will that made her blood boil in jealousy. "Buffy."

"Oh, forgive me. I must've forgotten my own manners." Will shook out of her reverie. "This is my wife, Buffy."

"Glad to see somebody finally tamed ol' Rosey cheeks here." Tara smirked at the inside joke. She hadn't smirked in so long if felt like.

"Rosey cheeks?" It was Buffy's turn to smirk.

"I blush a lot...you know that." In fact, said blush was happening now. "I'd forgotten about that nickname...and for good reason."

"Well...it sure had the ladies swooning over you. They all thought Will here was the most gorgeous man...and for good reason." Tara smirked again. She remembered being one of those ladies herself.

"I met Tara while I was at West Point. She was studying to be a nurse in the town, and there were dances. That sort of thing." Willow started to explain to her wife. "Xander and I bunked with Daniel. These two were married somewhere between third and fourth year, I believe."

"I had the biggest crush on Will but he would always avoid talking to the ladies. It drove us all wild."

"Is that so?" Buffy arched an eyebrow, and the redhead could tell. There'd be quite a conversation later.

"The stories I could tell you about him, though I'm sure you've heard them already. Whenever he does start talking, he has the cutest babble." Tara couldn't help herself. She was blushing and ducking her head like she used to back in the day. If it weren't for Daniel, she would still have swooned over Will...even though there was hope at one point.

"Well...I always love to hear stories about my husband." Buffy made sure to emphasize the words MY with HUSBAND. Her jealous streak was running wild, and Willow was on a mad blush rush.

-------------------------

"Tara seemed nice." Buffy had been a little weary of the girl. She didn't like the way the bustier blonde would stare at Will throughout lunch. They wound up inviting Tara to lunch with them in town, so that Will could catch up, and hear all about the fate of one of her closest friends at the Point.

"She is. There's not a mean bone in her body." Willow turned around from pulling on her nightshirt, and noticed Buffy's dejected face. Walking over to her, the redhead took the brush from the blonde's hands, and stroked the locks. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Buffy wouldn't make eye contact in the mirror.

"Something's bothering you. What is it?" It was obvious from Buffy's repeated 'nothing' that the redhead would have to guess. "Is it because of what Tara said? About there being lots of other girls?"

"No..." Again, Buffy was being obvious that this was really the case. "Okay...so yeah. I mean...you are gorgeous, Willow. Why wouldn't there be other girls? And...the way Tara looked at you today? I don't know...it just made me so..."

"You're jealous." Willow smirked, and finished brushing Buffy's golden locks. Placing her hands on her wife's shoulders, she ran her fingers through the silky strands.

"Yes..." Buffy pouted. "I just...I guess since you said I was your first that I assumed you never had anybody interested in you. That was silly of me. I mean...you're the perfect man!"

"Um...not exactly, if you'll recall." Willow smirked, and they got under the covers together. "I am missing something very important to qualify for that title."

"Well...I happen to love that about you, too. I think I would've loved you even as a girl."

"That's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me." Willow pulled Buffy into the tightest hug possible, and accepted the kiss in return. "I'm sorry I never told you about the others. I was just never interested. I didn't think I'd be allowed to fall in love, so I tried to avoid it...then, I meet you and it's impossible to avoid. I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you at the dinner table that first night."

"You were quite fetching in William's clothes...that were almost falling off you completely. If you hadn't held on, I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to see that you're not quite the man everyone thinks..." Buffy smirked into another kiss.

"Is that so, Jealous girl?"

"Hey! You were jealous of Riley!"

"Well...he had everything I didn't!"

"Yet you have the one thing he wants and can never have..." Buffy kissed Willow again, and pushed them down into the bed. "Me."