Disclaimer: see part 1
Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Carol.Clarke@mail.state.ky.us
Chapter 9
In Love with Your Ghost
Willow sat, curled at the end of the couch reading one of her medical journals while Buffy used her lap as a pillow. The Slayer was stretched comfortable across her lover watching the silent version of ‘Nosferatu’ Xander had bought the blond for her birthday. As Jonathan Harker was walking about the Count's castle Buffy's fingers rubber her belly and peeked up at Willow's face. Willow noticing Buffy's gaze leaned down and kissed her.
The spell had returned, the soft shy world of young love they once had when they first began to make love. They were both cautions, caring and attentive, very attentive. Every night ended with them making love, then holding each other and every morning began with them waking in one another's arms and then making love. Gentle love, like the first time they ever touched each other. The spell meant to drive them apart, meant to make it impossible for them, to continue as lovers, had only served to bring them together. To renew their love. They knew things about each other. They knew the secrets people do not even admit to themselves, but they had still found a way to love after facing the blackest part of their souls. Neither wanted to live without the other. What would be the point? Willow and Buffy were, for better or worse, back to as close to normal, as a slayer and witch can get. Now, all that was left for the Scooby gang was to find the spellcaster. The trail was cold, before the first “I do” Was said, so no one really thought they would complete this puzzle.
Willow deepened her kiss, as she covered Buffy's hand rubbing her belly ring. The two lovers were so self absorbed, they never heard Faith, until she dropped her date on the floor beside the couch. “See didn't I tell you this was the place to go for a real girl-girl show. Thunderbird shit!”
Willow held back an angry Buffy, while she watched the drunken Faith dig through the basement refrigerator looking for alcohol.
“Damn red, don't you have anything stronger than beer?” The former Slayer said, before downing a complete can.
“No, Buff and I ain't big drinkers.”
“And I thought I read in one of those journal of yours that Alcoholism was high among queers. So red you really don't have to be this square. Other dykes drink. Maybe, you should she a doctor, about it or something.”
“That's it.” Buffy was across the room and had Faith pinned against the wall in a heartbeat.
“What! Will not spanking you enough these days, and I heard how much you get..” Faith did not get to finish, as Buffy slapped her across the face. Faith just smiled and tasted the blood dripping down her split lip.
Willow slid between, the two women before Buffy really did try and hurt Faith. “Honey, I told you, as much as she deserves it you can’t hit her. Her body can't take it anymore.” Willow knew this was the big punishment for Faith. She no longer was a Slayer. Her body still had some Slayer features but the brain damage made it impossible for Faith to be in the game. Truth was Faith's memory was fried. She was, only a pale image of the proud Slayer, she once was. It was a go thing too, Faith, was dangerously brain damaged enough.
“Arrghh!” Was all the Slayer said before hitting the wall and then leaving the basement.
“Happy?” Willow said, as she returned to sit on the couch, carefully stepping around Faith's boy toy for the night.
Faith opened another beer and downed it. “Touchy.”
“So is there something you want? Other, than a medical service after that much alcohol and your seizure med mix.”
“Hey, I am following doctor's orders. I take the pills with plenty of liquid.” She drank, a third of another beer to prove her point.
“Faith, I went into pathology so I would never have a patient like you. Still, I thought Dr Robins told you to at least keep it down to a six-pack a night and no hard stuff. You have downed at least four beers in between insulting my wife, so if there is a point to your visit then get to it.
Because Hippocratic oath or not, I'm not your doctor.”
“Oh right, your hypocrite standing oath, right. Red you are still a bitch, you know that?”
“A bitch that could kill you from where I sit. Witchcraft is not a nice way to die. Now, why are you here?”
Faith walked around and kicked the man laying on the floor gently in the butt. “Him”
“Can you maybe expand on that a little,” Buffy said from the door. She had a bottle of Jack Daniel's in her hand and a couple of glasses.
“Hey B, the good stuff.” Faith said, heading to Buffy.
“Well F, I just hope Willow is right and this stuff does kill you, now what's with the guy.” Buffy had stepped back to indicate Faith would have to give her a reason to release the bottle.
“Wolfram and Hart lawyer. He's a lousy fuck. But he will talk in the sack. Somebody big purchased that spell for you. They brokered it though Wolfram and Hart. I figured you wouldn't listen to me, so I brought him.” Faith held out her hand and Buffy gave her a glass and filled it with whiskey.
Willow knelt down and checked the guy out. Buffy watching asked, “How is he?”
“Mostly drunk, a lot like somebody else in this room.”
“Ha, ha Red.” Faith said as she flopped in a chair with the stolen bottle pouring another drink.
“Yeah, he’s going to have to sleep it off.” Willow then lifted the man’s collar and checked the bruises around his neck. They were little more then bruises but it still made Willow sick and angry. “Did you have to choke him?”
“Gets off on it. Autoerotic stimulation is the textbook for it. Don't tell me you two S & M queens missed that on. Hey, I almost did but I read about it in this P. D. James novel. Unsuitable job for a Woman. Red, I thought you got off on all that mystery novel stuff.”
“I'm amazed,” Willow said, as she sat down beside Buffy.
“That Faith could say all that with out slurring her words?” Buffy said, as she took Willow's hand.
“No, that Faith read something besides a comic book.”
“Full of surprises ain't I. Do you two, have to be so god damn touch feely all the time?” said Faith, who was still drinking, but slowing down to let the room spin.
“Faith, I know how much you love those comic books. And when you don't have any, like when you lived with us after you got out the hospital, you picked up things to read lying around the house. You read my medical journals and Buffy's ‘Archaeology Today’.”
“Yeah, so?” Faith knew there was a point to this, her mind was trying to make the jump but was having trouble remembering all the facts. She could not remember being evil or the mayor. She did not doubt it. She had a lot of hate inside, she just couldn't remember it.
“Faith outside of staying with us, or Angel, you don't have a lot in the way of books. I know you read and borrow stuff from us and Angel, but you don't keep a lot of stuff.”
“I like to travel light, again so?” Faith took another drink. Willow was being nice to her, which meant something was wrong. Faith just took another sip and gave up on her brain.
“Well, that's just it Faith. You don't have a great long-term memory anyone since the accident. So if you can remember the plot of a P D James novel I would guess you that you must have read it recently in the last year or two.”
“You know I can read, this shouldn't be a shock Red.” Faith said, but she had no hatred in he voice.
“Faith, as much as I hate you, this isn't about that. Not only, can you read, you remember almost everything you read. Not photographically, but in action. You and Buffy both relate what you read to your lives. You get off on choking people; you read a book about a murder, accidentally using that as a base. It really is a Slayer thing.”
“Choking people!” An alarmed Buffy spoke.
“NO!” Both Willow and Faith answered together.
“B, she means the memory thing. And you're the one with the college degree. You really should have read you psyche book. Lots of got Slayer, kill facts. Willow gave it to me when I was learning how to walk again,” Faith said proudly. When Faith woke up from the coma, it wasn't like a TV movie. It took her more then two years to learn to walk and talk again. Faith began reading all their old textbooks, over and over again. Faith read them. Enjoyed them, but her memory was gone. It took her a long time, to become Faith again. To just remember her name. So she read a book a few dozen times. It was not like she remembered doing it the first time so each time was new. Faith had managed to find some part of herself but her seizures and memory kept evil Faith away.
“Faith, PD James, like Ruth Rendell, is a British Mystery writer.”
“ ‘The Unkindness of Ravens’. Dyke, there is a dyke in that story.” Faith said lost in her own world. She was remembering something and it was important but she just could not get her drunk damaged brain to pick it up.
“Yes, that's a very good Rendell novel. Who else were you reading?”
“Yeah, Red like you care?”
“Faith, we do care, and you know it. Now tell Will, what she wants to know, it's really important.”
“Something, I can see it. Library, I hate libraries. Damn Scooby gang, only want to be B's friend. Hate me.”
Willow looked into Buffy's eyes. They both held each other praying they did not force her into another seizure, but both knowing the answer was important. Faith knew it too, she was forcing her mind to remember. “No not high school. After, after coma. Walk about. I was on a walk about San Francisco. Blond stud used and abused. Found me. Pay me. Library lots of books. Old books. Don't want to read old books. Show me new stuff. Mystery section. “No books from the colonies.” The last sentence, Faith said in her best Wesley voice. Lots of James, Adam Dalgish and Inspector Westford. “Like the old guy. Let me go to Soho. Pick up comics and men. Wanted to watch. Made them pay extra to watch. Old guys like Westford but not smart, nice guys, tweed guys. Unfuckable tweed guys.”
Buffy caught Faith before she fell and Willow moved the glasses and bottle away. Buffy moved the dark haired women to the floor away from furniture and let her finish her seizure.
Willow examined her after this and then Buffy carried her to the den to sleep on the couch. When Buffy returned to the basement she found that Willow had magicked the guy on the floor to the couch and covered him with a blanket. Buffy chuckled a little, when she saw that Willow had chained the guy by the ankles to the wall. It was a long chain they sometimes used when Oz visited that time of the month.
“We really do have a lot of chains in this house.” The Slayer stated.
“Occupational hazard. Faith ok?”
“That's subject to interpretation, but she pinched my butt and told me I have a nice ass. She'll live.”
“Damn now there are two things, I agree with Faith on. You do have a nice butt, Slayer.”
“And play your cards right witch, and you may get to see it sans clothes, unlike Faith.”
Willow just stared at Buffy, her resolve face in place.
“What?” Buffy said defensively.
“Someday, love, you are going to tell me that story. I should warn you that you talk in your sleep.”
“Oh.” Buffy said, and then looked at Willow, “Oh - Ah what exactly did I say because I only ever slept with Angel once, but I dreamed about him lots. You know that, remember in college? I'll shut up now.”
“Channeling me. Different babble mode. Honey I love you. I was teasing Buff. But I'm not stupid. Faith, may use and abuse studs of the day, but you. She has a big hard on for you. Always has. I just figured when the time was right you would tell me about, but that was high school.”
“So, I don't have to tell you tonight.”
“No. I would rather do something with a lot less words involved.” The two women had talked there way up the stairs and were now locking the basement door. Wolfram and Hart, could wait until morning or sober, which ever came first.
“Buffy, I want you to get ready for bed, get any toys you want out, then wait for me. I'm going to check on Faith and then……”
“Wordless communication.” Buffy finished bouncing on her toes. Willow just smirked and kissed her. Willow checked on Faith, placing a trash can beside her. Then the witch picked up the phone and called her ‘father in law’, Willow wondered why ‘father in law’ popped in her mind, but it did make her smile.
“Hello”
“Hi Joyce, is Giles around?”
“Is everything ok. Buffy's alright?” The frightened mother asked.
“Fine, she's out killing evil.” Willow did not like lying to Joyce, but she did not want Buffy and Joyce doing the mother daughter thing now. The redhead had different plans for her daughter. So Buffy was stripping, as they spoke. Evil was the opposite of love and the Slayer was going to be practicing love. So she was going to be killing evil. Willow wondered why she had to rationalize everything.
“Oh, Good.” The happy mother said. “I'll just drag him out of the den.” Willow heard footsteps and whispers, then she heard Rupert Giles pick up the phone. “Willow, is everything alright?”
“Fine Giles, no that's not why I called.”
“Please I am listening,” said the former watcher.
“Faith picked up a Lawyer with Wolfram and Hart. She said that they brokered the spell. Angel already found this much out already. He is passed out drunk in the basement. I kind of used Oz's chains so he is not going anywhere until morning.”
“Yes we’ll still be careful, lawyers and all. If he was drunk picking up Faith, he can't be high up; I figure he is just a fishing trip for Wolfram and Hart. He is not really my big concern.”
“Alright just tell me.” Giles said, as patiently as he could.
“It's Faith. When Faith was being drunk Faith she mentioned something. A book she read. It was an English Mystery Novel.”
“Doesn't sound like Faith,” Giles said.
“My thoughts exactly. So I questioned her. I questioned her into a seizure, not that the alcohol didn't help. Sorry my Doctor slipped out. Just of what I got from her was that ‘tweed guy paid her’. She was kept in a library with lots of old books. Only thing she could read was English Mystery writers. They let her go to Soho for comic books and men.”
“Your saying Faith was in England.”
“Would be my guess, but her mind is muddled. With the amount of damage there it's really hard to get a clear picture. But my best guess from what I got out of her before she went to ‘as Buffy calls it, shake rattle and sleep land’, was that sometime on one of her walkabouts, she went to San Francisco when the Council offered to pay her to let them study her. They took her back to England.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, but I can check it out at work tomorrow. It is cool, sometimes to be a CIA agent.” Willow chuckled.
“Yes, well.” Giles had no finish, for his adopted child. He loved the girls more than if they were his very own. He loved Xander too. They were his children. Every time Jesse or Xand Jr. sat on his knee and called him grandpa, Rupert Giles said a small pray of thanks to God. It was more then he deserved.
“Goodnight, Giles I'll give Buffy your love. Bye.”
“Ah, Bye.”
Buffy was stretched across the bed, like a tiger waiting to pounce on its’ prey. Willow noticed that between the Slayer's legs was a mount waiting for Willow to saddle it. “So Giles and Mom ok?”
“We've been a couple too long.” Willow replied taking off her clothes. “And yet here we are.”
“Right, where we were meant to be. Buffy I love you.”
“Ditto, now get those pants off and get over here, I most started without you.”
“Starting without me, is punishable under the Willow code, by no less then ten lashes or a week without sex.”
“Do you really think you could go a week with out sex? Nympho witch.”
“Hey, just because you aren't getting any doesn't mean I have to go without.” Willow tossed, the last item of clothing into her pile and began crawling up the bed.
“Try it. You think Faith, is psycho slayer, trust me. it's not a pretty sight.”
“So you're telling me, ten lashes is the way to go.” Willow was laughing as she met the Slayers lips and began to tongue wrestle. Both women on there knees upright. Willow laughed, when she felt the phallus bump her leg.
“Only ten, I'm the Slayer. No less then 15 and I won't be able to show my face at the Slayer playground.” Willow chose to answer by twisting the phallus hard pushing it into the Slayers clit, while kissing the Slayer's neck. Buffy only moaned and bucked her hips. “15, hum, you have been bitchy, no wait that was me.” Willow continued to move the phallus trailing kisses to the Slayer's breast. Buffy moaned and tried to push Willow on her back. Will, stopped that with the touch of her hands on the slayers thighs.
“15, well you did say I do, and I believe I reserved the right to punish you for it, later.”
“Yes you……Aaaah, sorry you touched a spot ahhh. Willow smiled, looking at Buffy's face, as she tortured her love.
“What should I use?” Willow asked standing up leaving a frustrated Slayer.
“What do you want to use?”
“No, uh uh, sorry, Ms. Summers, what should I use?”
“Ms. Summers-Rosenberg, got to love those hyphenated names” Buffy said as she flopped on her back.
“Like it, but back on topic.”
“Non verbal commutation.”
“That too, but in a minute, so do you want 15 or should I remand your sentence.”
“Remand, nope not that, add to it, but no remand here.”
“So what do you want?”
“20 - belt, but after.”
“After, after what?”
Buffy shot off the bed, and throw Willow across it. She forced, the redhead on her back and was stretched along her side. Buffy began to kiss the witch, deepening the kiss with her tongue. Buffy let her hand wander, until it landed in-between Willows thighs. Buffy knew how to use her hands. She would have made a super musician with fingers like that. Willow could only describe Buffy's action as if she were the guitar and Buffy the rock star. Buffy stayed with Willow kissing her mouth and neck while she played her body. Willow screamed out Buffy's name into her lovers mouth. Buffy held her until her breathing was normal then she slide up her body and with the strap on entered the redhead. This caught Willow off guard for a second, but only a second. Buffy set a quick pace, only to become faster. Willow began holding off coming waiting for her lover. Buffy had the same look she had when she was a slaying vampire. Willow almost laughed at the images that brought to her. Finally knowing she could not hold out longer Willow touched Buffy's face with both hands and said, “Cum with me Buffy! Cum with me!”
That was all it took. Buffy kissed Willow's neck and came, Willow followed seconds later. It was a good cleansing orgasm for the lovers. They stayed together lost, in the still point. Holding each other. Loved. Then Buffy kissed Willow, sliding out of her. She removed the belt and phallus. Then she found the belt. Willow had not moved, leaving her eyes shut. Staying in the moment. Buffy dove back on the bed, her cat like stance with the belt in her mouth. When Willow didn't stir Buffy dropped the belt and her head onto Willow's lap. Willow opened one eye confused for a moment.
“Buffy, I wasn't serious.”
“Yes, you were, and so was I! The spell happened and we can't go back.” Buffy said kissing Willow's belly ring.
“You know I could legally have you locked up right now.”
“Nope, never happen, refer to earlier conversation, you cannot go without sex for more than a week.”
“With a belt?”
“Yep 20.”
“Across you bottom?”
“Works for me.”
“You do know there are people in the house.”
“Passed out drunk. Besides, I won't cry out.”
Willow gave her resolve face with arched eyebrow.
“Much, no one will hear. Will, you know I like it, if you do it.” Buffy was now fingering Willow's outer lips. Teasing them.
“I should be locked up.”
“Yeah- Were do you want me?”
“Between my legs.”
Buffy ran her fingers inside the lips and flicked Willows clit. Then said, “Spank first, eat second.”
“And you because the dom. when?” Willow said, but she was already pulling Buffy, to the end of the bed. Placing the Slayer on her feet and bending her lover with her ass in the air. “Ready!”
“Should I count?”
“Yes, stop me, if it hurts.” Buffy turned crossing her arms and Willow added “Ok stop me if it hurts too much. You can stop me at anytime.” Buffy leaned over and kissed Willow's cheek, then returned to the correct position. The first hit was little more than a tap and Buffy answered “One, your coffee sucks.” Willow almost hit the floor laughing. The next hit was a little harder. “Two, You hit like a girl.”
“That the best insult you could come up with.”
“Hit me hard and I'll think of something better.”
“Three, You play with dead bodies.”
“Four, You drive like your mother.”
Number 5 hit Buffy hard across her backside. Buffy moaned in pleasure. Willow waited for Buffy to count, pleased the slayer was enjoying herself. “Oh Five”
“No insult?”
“Sorry, that was so light I did even know you hit me.”
“Lame.” Willow hit the Slayer's bottom hard.
“Ah, yes” Buffy let out then added. “Six, You mow the lawn like Xander's Uncle Roy.”
Willow counted her swings, loving Buffy's insults. Willow had one more to go, she studied the Slayers body. Checking the marks know they would fade by midday tomorrow. She had covered the Slayers bottom and lower back with red marks now turning blue and purple. She had one more. “Buffy lay down on your back.”
Buffy smiled and jumped on the bed stretching her arms above her head. Willow brought the belt down across the Slayers stomach. Her hard firm muscular stomach, that Willow admired. Willow kissed the blond on her stomach and worked her way up her body. Buffy then jumped up again and dove between Willows legs. She was in hyperactive Slayer mode. Willow was still catching her beneath, when Buffy began sucking on Willow's clit. Willow had used a belt, but Buffy used her tongue. The Slayer worked her lover over until she was a puddle of nerves. “No more, can't take any more,” Willow begged pulling the Slayer's head. Buffy kissed her way up.
They both slept peacefully.
The next morning, Buffy dressed first. She was nursing a very hung over Faith trying to get her to eat, non-liquid food. Willow was looking for her notes in the den when all hell broke lose. The Phone, fax and pagers all went off. Her computer was receiving e-mail and the front door was ringing.
“I'll get the door, you get the phone honey.” Buffy said heading for the door. Faith covered her ears and said, “I'll stay here and wish to be dead.” Then she had another seizure. So the phone rang and doorbell rang while Buffy placed Faith on the floor and Willow did the doctor thing.
After only a few minutes Buffy answered the door. Pam was at the door with another women who Buffy vaguely remembered seeing before but couldn't place a name with. “Sorry things were nuts here. Come on in.” Pam noticed Buffy checking the sun before asking them in. Both women followed Buffy to the kitchen since she had practically ran from the door.
When they got there they found both Buffy and Willow on there knees beside a dark haired girl.
“I think the noise triggered it, too many bells and bruises.”
“Is she through can I move her back to the couch?” Buffy asked.
“What's going on here?” Martha Reeves asked cautiously.
“She has a seizure disorder. When the phones and beepers all went off at once it triggered a seizure.” Willow explained. Willow knew, that Martha hated her, and since she was now in the house this meant things were not good. Pam who was also a doctor was on the floor next to Willow. “The drinking didn't help either. How much has she had to drink?”
“A lot, she was drunk when she got here and didn't stop for another hour. Plus she is notorious for not taking her meds.”
“She was born with this, a condition of trauma correct?” Pam asked fingering a scar on her head by her ear.
“Your good, ever think about becoming a forensics scientist.” Buffy said only to get evil stares from the room.
“Tough crowd. And yes brain damage after falling from a three story building after I stabbed her.” Buffy said it before she even thought about it.
“What?”
“Mrs. Reeves it doesn't matter. It's a long story.” Willow said, as the FBI Assistant Director continued to stare at her lover.
“Well she seems stable for now, but she should see her doctor today.”
“She'll sleep most of today. I'll call Michael and she if by he’ll do a house call.” Willow said.
“So this is normal for her?” Pam asked.
“Normal and Faith, are not two words I would use in a sentence but she has done this before. Her neurologist is a friend of mine. He does house visits for me. If he has a problem, he'll commit her for a few days.”
“Did you say commit her?” Martha asked.
“Yeah, Dry her out, get her meds back in order. With Faith everything is all or nothing so a drug treatment alcohol slash mental health place is about the only way to get her stable.”
“Only she has to want to go,” Buffy said sadly. “Can’t make her stay.”
“Can you handle her alone?” Pam asked.
“Oh yeah, we are old friends at this, Why is Willow going somewhere?” Buffy asked.
“Denver, we need her expertise in Denver, Colorado.” Martha said.
“We have an Army transport on stand by waiting for us.” Pam added.
“Oh” was all Willow said. Buffy started to carry Faith to the den, when Willow took one end of her using her hand to point at Martha. Willow went off to the bedroom to pack. Martha went with her. ‘Reluctant to let her out of her sight,’ Willow thought, ‘Oh joy spending time with her is going to be fun.’
Buffy and Pam went into the den to pack Willows electronics. Her portable computer and med kit. The Med kit for fieldwork was in the top of the closet. Buffy used the desk chair to stand on. As she leaned up her drawstring pants slide down just enough for the shape eyed Dr. Nichols to see the healing bruises.
“Buffy, you are not still have symptoms are you?” The worried doctor asked.
“Symptoms?” Buffy said turning around on the chair.
“I saw part of your back. Belt marks, Are the bruises and cuts coming back and leave like they did during the spell?”
The Slayer was bright red and speechless. She just stood on the chair holding the field kit.
“Maybe I should examine them. Get a blood sample.”
“NO!” Buffy shouted. Even Faith woke up only to fall back to sleep again. Willow had come running in the room, “Buffy are you, ok?”
“I saw bruises on her when she was getting the kit down.” Pam said, moving to the frightened Slayer pushing her hips around to face Willow. Buffy was holding up her pants and the kit not knowing where to hide like a deer in headlights. Willow calmly shut the den door practically on Martha and walked over to Buffy. She took the kit and helped Buffy off the chair. Then she placed the kit next to her computer case.
“I know about the bruises.”
“And are you doing anything, is it a second spell we didn't know about or her body breaking down? Willow this could be serious.”
“It could be, it might be, but not the way your thinking. I gave her those last night. They will be gone by lunch. They look what about a week or two old now?”
“What do you mean you, gave her those bruises? Is it the spell?”
“No spell Pam, think about it.” Buffy had come up behind, Willow wrapping her arms around her stomach pulling her close. Letting her know she was supported.
“I don't understand.”
“Yes, you do,” Buffy said. “Think about Pam, you're a smart woman. Pam, the spell it, changed things. It made us look at our dark sides. It shocked me, how dark that side was.”
“Me too, Things you, really don't want to know about yourself Buffy continued. “So we saw, we did things. We liked, some of the things we did, at least I did.” Buffy said as she blushed.
“So now you what beat your girlfriend for kicks.”
“With in reason. We got a book. I made Buffy read it too.”
“You didn't make me, encourage maybe” Buffy said.
“Are, either of us laughing?” Willow stated resolve face in place.
“Ok, so you, I don't even want to think about it.”
“Good” was Buffy's response.
“It means a lot to me, you care. I know the whole spell thing got out of control. This is the best we can deal with. It's kind of fun.” Willow said, kissing Buffy's cheek.
“What do you think Buffy?” Pam asked.
“Willow's better with words, than I am, but I like. Something, inside of me really likes it. You know, Willow doesn't really hurt me. I'm the Slayer. I could rip her in two and you know it. So if I really didn't like it, I would stop her.”
“It's not like we do it all the time. Just once in a while. Last night was the only time since our honeymoon.”
“Consenting adults, great. I guess I should have known the spell would change something. Is there anyone you can see, a therapist maybe?”
“I'm not getting locked up again,” Buffy said. “Pam, I thought about it. Buffy and I tried a therapist with disastrous effects. But you're right, we should find someone to help us. Support group maybe. I think they have S & M groups.”
“In the mean time you have me. I did two turns as a psychiatrist. We will talk about this more. This is not over! You both understand this? Right ladies?”
“Right.” They both said and Buffy saluted.
Pam then roughly turned Buffy around and looked in her pants. Well, was it worth it?” Pam asked.
“Oh yeah, I made Willow come so hard she could speak for an hour.” The Slayer answered pulling up her pants. Willow, was as red as her hair.
“So Willow had a good time, what about Buffy?” Pam asked laughing.
Oh Buffy came hard too, Buffy still not talk, very non verbal.” Buffy said in cave slayer voice.
Pam and Buffy just laughed, as Willow tried to curl up into the furniture while she packed her computer and med kit. In an hour the FBI/CIA were all out the door. The Slayer was dumping cold water over a very human, hung over demon lawyer, while Faith slept the day away.
Chapter 10
We Are Detective
Military transport really hasn't gotten any better in the last thirty years, Doctor Rosenberg thought to herself, as memories of her Uncle David's National Guard trips to Panama on a C-130 Hercules ran through her head. The plane was cold and the seatbelts out of a science fiction novel. Even with all the equipment on board, the C-130 was far too large for 3 women, 10 SEALs, and their lab equipment. The 10 Navy SEALs in civvie's were in the front seats with Lt. Col. Simon Luggues. The space between the men and the 3 women only illustrated how large the plane was.
Willow had read the brief, it said little more then the car radio had told her. A bunch of college kids, many from wealth families had gotten themselves killed by, for, or because of a demon cult. “Wanna a bee's, anything but wanna bee's,” Willow whispered out the window in a silent prayer to the lesser gods of the skies. Still it was a pretty view. Flying over the Rockies was breath taking. Willow rubbed her belly ring thinking how much Buffy would love the view.
They landed at the old Stapelton Airport. Met by four FBI cars and two black op military vans. The SEALs loaded all the equipment while Pam and Martha did the Bureau thing, photos and field reports.
Willow kept her ears open while she got into on of a car and plugged her computer in to the FBI feed. It took the redheaded doctor 5 minutes but she was into the corner's reports and scene files. Another minute and she was cross-referencing scene markers with occult books. After 5 more minutes she had found the demonic cults using those found at the scene. Two revealing cults. One, a sixteenth century Armageddon cult and the second, a feral shadow cult. Feral was a modern group trying to organize the shadow world into returning to there origins. Not quite the Scourge but not the nicest group of guys on the block. Well at least Willow knew why project Raven had been brought in. If her guess was right one or more of the bodies at the sites may not be entirety human. Lost in her research Willow almost missed Martha Reese call out, “Dr. Rosenberg, could we get your opinion over here?” Willow slid out of the car and pushed her way through the crowd of officers.
“Yes Deputy Asst. Reeves?”
“There you are, were have you been?” The older woman asked like a mother scolding a teenager.
“You wanted my opinion?” Willow may have been working for the CIA by grace of jail but she would be damned before she would be a slave to the Agency.
“Yes Willow, Agent Dorth has photo's of ceremonial marks left at the crime you should look at.”
“Dr. Rosenberg, the marks made at the 1st Sloan Lake site were made from goat's blood. We found the animal near the site.”
Willow took the photo's she had already seen via computer. “Yes I have looked at these already. 1st and 3rd Sloan Lake sites and the Evergreen site all had the same marks around the outside alter. Marks were placed there before the killings. The marks from the 1st Sloan and Evergreen sites were ceremonially placed using the blood of a goat. The 3rd Sloan site used a bull. I haven't checked moon phase but the bull probably had something to do with moon phase. Pam you should see if Dr. Wheeler can look it up for us. We will need astrological checks for all the other sites as well.The cult marks at the 2nd Sloan Lake sight, the Scott Carpenter site and the Cherry Creek site are from a different cult. Still need to check moon phase and star cycles for all the dates but I don't know of any special holiday last month. Then again there are too many ceremonial days to just rule that out. The first group's marks are the Dentra, an old medieval cult following the twin demons Menguar and Celgar. Apocalyptic cult mostly. The second group are the ones I'm worried about. New cult. Kind of a young Hitler's for the demon world cult. We need to look at ties with the Feral. Cat People. The marks made at this sites were human blood mixed with a die found in cochlea shell. Makes it a deep blue. I will need to get the marked blood run through analysis first, but it's there usual MO.”
“Dr. Rosenberg may I speak to you,” Martha looked up as Pam started toward them. The Deputy Asst. then added, “Alone please.”
**************************************************************************
The two women headed toward an empty hanger. Willow had brought her computer with her. The witch knew she would have to use it in demonstration soon. When they were inside, with the lights on, Willow set up the machine on an empty fuel drum loading up the gathered information.
“How could you have come to those conclusions so fast, Dr. Rosenberg.” The angry FBI agent asked.
“When you and Dr. Nichols were talking I accessed the online computer system through the cars and up loaded the investigation file.”
“You hacked the system?” Dep. Asst. Reese was amazed and frightened.
“No, Dep. Asst., I am here as an FBI consultant. I have clearance to access all relative files on the cases.” As an after thought Willow added, “I only use my powers for good Dr. Reese.”
“What an interesting approach to life you have Dr. Rosenberg.” Martha said holding back her feelings with sarcasm.
“Ok, enough games, Reese. I know you think I should be in jail. You have went out of your way to make that point often enough. I understand that. And at first I wasn't a real happy camper about being forced into a job like this either. But you know what! I gave it a chance and I liked it. Mostly because Pam gave me a chance too. I'm grateful to her. And because I gave it a chance I found out I'm good at it. I help people with what I do and I sleep good at night most of the time.” The redhead said. “Dep. Asst. Reese, I can see where me being a FBI agent could cause problems. I am so not FBI material. I'm too Mulder and not enough Scully. CIA though, I do fit in there. My life has been a series of unbelievable secrets strung together for the greater good.”
“And I thought you were the shy one.” Martha said thinking over the redhead’s statement.
“Ok, let's make a deal, since we need to work together. I need to use the computer for my work and I can ask your permission every time I need to do something or you can take my word I am not doing anything not ordered by you, Pam or the CIA. If you want me to explain were I get stuff from I will do that before I say anything to the other agents. But you need to spell out what you want from me. How I can help on the case. If not then just send me back to LA.”
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” Reese answered cryptically. “You're going to be working and stay close to me Dr. Rosenberg. We are sharing a room. But you're right; working rules might make it easier. First, tell me how you learned so much about the case so fast.”
Willow had gone step by step over her finding with Martha. After a couple of minutes Deputy Reese stopped the girl and retrieved several officers and Pam. Then she had Willow begin again making her go painfully slow over the information. Willow was surprised that they all took notes. Pam faxed Dr. Wheeler her request for moon phases and cult names and information during her lecture. Later they toured the Sloan lake sites. After lunch they finished viewing the other sites.
Viewing the bodies was put off until the next day. So the women checked into there rooms and ate diner. Martha was good for her word. Pam had a room to herself while Willow shared hers with Dept. Asst. Reese.
Willow had waited around to find a way of calling Buffy when Martha wasn't in the room but in time she gave up. So the little witch stretched across her bed in the Holiday Inn and dialed on her cell phone. She could see Martha peek out of corner of her eye from the chair she was watching TV in.
“Hey girlfriend, what'cha doing.” Willow's sultry voice filled the phone. Martha couldn't hear the other voice but she had a very good guess that it was a certain blond haired delinquent.
“Asked you first.”
“Which one?”
“Forest Law Upscale Slayage tonight.” Willow saw Martha looking at her and explained. “Buffy's involved in a big role playing game. The world of geekdom.”
This time Martha heard Buffy's response, “Will you're a lousy liar.”
“So you still love me, change of subject, how is Faith?”
“Does Michael think he can get her to go back in?”
“…………HELL…….Frez……..” Was all Martha could make out as she strained to listen to the conversation going on between Willow and Buffy.
“That soon, I'll call him. If the seizures keep up she won't really have a choice.”
“…………s…………d”
“Just try and get her to take her medicine.”
“………….s”
“You really think Angel can get her to do it?”
“……..st”
“Hey, I believe in miracles all the time. I'm with you.”
“………….v..”
<P<“I p nothings.”>< sweet of full not am>
“……”
“Oh! you are so punished when I get home.”
“No, Pam is in the other room, I'm with the one who’s into keeping her enemies close.”
“..ve…………ss”
“Yes, I am playing nice with the other spies and bullies. I miss you.”
“…………..88”
“Me too, oh before I forget, Faith's boy-toy in the basement, you to have a nice chart yet?”
“……”
“So how did Angel get him to talk if you couldn't?”
“……”
“Immortality... Yep I would talk too, I've scene the size of Angels ‘Fangs’.”
“……..”
“You are Bad Buffy.”
“…….B..88”
“Is he really that big?”
“…….”
“Did it hurt?”
“…….ssed”
“Oh sorry, I forgot you like pain.”
It was all Martha could stand. “Young love.” She left Dr. Rosenberg in search of a drink. Martha was surprise when she found Dr. Nichols in the bar nursing a beer. “Want some company?”
“Sure Martha, but I thought you were guarding Dr. Rosenberg? Give up and chain her to the bed?” The three beers heavy Dr. Nichols said without thinking.
“Cute Pam, But I get the feeling she would get off of being chained to the bed.”
“No, that would be her girlfriend.”
“Actually Pam, I just had to get away from Donna and Maria hour,” Martha stated before finishing a shot and ordering another.”
“You want to run that by me again.”
“Your star redhead and her girlfriend on the phone. Young love. I just can't take that sweet and bubbly phases, the I love you and I miss you crap. It's been one day for Christ sake……”
“Yeah, but they do make a cute couple. Martha, give the girl a chance, she really isn't that bad.”
“You really like this kid don't you Pam?”
“Yeah, I do. But she isn't a kid. Good woman. I know part of her life is not by the book.”
“Only part?”
“Ok back up, what exactly are you having trouble with, I've never known you not to give someone a chance before, so what is bothering you?”
“I can't believe it isn't bother you?”
“Agent, I need facts. What is it you don't like about Dr. Rosenberg?”
“Fine, I'll give you a count down. First, the kid broke the law! She should be doing jail time. Second, how did the kid break the law? No way, not without help from someone inside. Not for as long as she was doing it. Which leads to question number three, who is she working for? Can you be 100% percent sure it's for us, Pam? Four, somebody has been following this kid around for a long times cleaning up her messes. Most of the computer files have been cleaned up a bit, but follow the hard trail. Between the kid and her girlfriend they have one hell of a criminal record. All washed away by someone or something so high up it doesn't even have a project name. Five, take the kids age into account, her lovers too. Somebody in the government has been keeping tabs on them since they were in their early teens; the Summer's girl has hard records dating back to age 3. Weird stuff too. A whole lot of people sent a lot of time and money searching for the Summer's kid. I know Black Ops when I see it, but Black Ops on a 3 year old?” Martha ordered and drank another shot.
Number Six, look at the good doctor herself. It took her all of 15, 20 minutes to sum up 3 days worth of work by a team of agents and then send them back to look for the right clues. This isn't the first time I have seen her do it either. I know she does it the Sherlock Holmes way and makes you feel like a fool when she explains it step by step. It all makes sense, but is she human? Which brings use to point number seven. The Rosenberg girl may pass for human, may even be human but I am pretty damn sure her girlfriends isn't. I saw the Chaos Demon tapes just as you did. No human could have killed that monster, at least not alone and bare handed.”
“I didn't know they had shown you the tapes.” Pam said surprised.
“Yes, the CIA has been showing me a lot of favor since Dr. Rosenberg joined us. Can't say I like it.”
“I'm not sure I like it either to be honest.”
“I keep wondering if both Rosenberg and Summers aren't some genetic experiment. The Initiative wasn't the only one doing them, I figure the way they have been keep out of jail, watched and shaped that maybe the girls are control subject the need in the wild. It would explain the paper trails to both of them.”
“I honestly don't know, and if I did I wouldn't be allowed to tell you. Buffy, regardless of what she might be is working on the right side. She helps people not hurts them. If you saw the demon she killed then you know who she is fighting against. But Martha are you sure your not just envious of Rosenberg. The kid is smart, that's hard to miss but she is just a kid.”
“Pam, your fond of her I can see that?”
“I'm fond of both of them.”
“And the S & M role playing games? When Dr. Rosenberg didn't show up for work two weeks ago and you covered for her. Actually the Agency covered for her before you ever said anything. I had her tailed a little. Pam, I was all ready to believe the spell excuse. That was at least original, but then the whole slamming the door in my face and taking loud enough to be heard in Tibet, the conference in the den blew it.”
“And you saw the marks when she was on the floor with the girl having seizures.” Pam concluded.
“What no defense of Rosenberg?”
“No, they were under a spell and now they are not and do what two consenting adults do.” Pam trailed off embarrassed by the whole subject.
“Ms. Summers didn't seem to be unhappy when I saw her. Young love. Pam I have seen sexual role-playing by much more normal people then those two. If that were all it was about I wouldn't give a damn. The same is true of the whole girl on girl thing with them as well. As you say consenting adults. But some of the reports I got from the tails and the wire taps... Think of it this way, if I had a couple guys, girls whatever doesn't matter, and one of them was a trained killer. Sure she was a cop or something and used her powers for good. Rosenberg said that to me this morning, powers for good part. Anyway so one of them can break you in half with her bare hands. And the other member of the couple is an Einstein type; she can build an H-bomb out of old garage parts and Lysol. As long as they are on the right side, what ever that may be, everything in kosher. Then somebody slips them some kind of mega PCP acid pill. They get stoned. You can see what could happen. It doesn't though because their friends do the coffee thing and stay with them. Sobers them up. Plus it helps that the two of them just want to spend all the time screwing each other. It seems like a nice happy ending. Then the ‘what if’s’ start.
What happen if they don't want to screw each other? What if they want to screw somebody else? What if their friends aren't around? What if’s can kill ya. Do the scariest what if, the one nobody wants to ask is, what if they like taking the drug? Pandora's Box is open. Hence my worries that Rosenberg and Summers are still role playing with each other.”
“I know it could mean nothing,” Pam said.
“Or it could mean everything.” Martha sipped her been in silence. Pam did the same.
End Part 5
Continued in Part 6