Title: Ages Apart

By: dawnm

Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy or Xena. All Hail Joss Whedon, Rob Tapert, et al. Please don't sue me for trying to have a little fun with them.

Spoilers: Takes place around Buffy s3 ep. "Choices" and Xena s2 ep. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", but events from all episodes prior to those are fair game for mention here as well.

Rating: PG-ish

Classification: Romance/Action/Crossover

Pairings: Buffy/Willow, Xena/Gabrielle

Summary: A routine patrol brings unexpected guests into Buffy and Willow's lives. New friends help to bring clarity to our slayer and hacker and much B/W goodness ensues. And though their path to love is winding, X/G also find enlightenment along the way.

Feedback: I'd love to hear what you think of the story. Feel free to email me anytime with comments or questions. Email: dawnm92@yahoo.com. 

Chapter 5 - Mochas & More

The mochas were a hit. Gabrielle enthusiastically drank hers while Xena took only a cautious sip or two, unaccustomed to such a sweet drink. Buffy, Willow and Gabrielle chatted animatedly while Xena looked on.

"Mochas are wonderful." Gabrielle exclaimed, looking a little disappointed as she finished the last of her drink.

"You can have the rest of mine, Gabrielle." Xena offered, grinning at the bard's enjoyment of the drink. "I'm really not thirsty."

"Are you sure, Xena?" Gabrielle asked.

"It's all yours." Xena replied, sitting the cup down in front of her friend.

****************************

About an hour later, the group was back at Willow's house, on their way upstairs to Willow's room. "Buffy, I've got some spell books that you can look through if you want. And I will go online and search for any information I can find on reversal spells."

"What do you want us to do?" Xena asked anxiously.

"I don't know." Willow replied. "There's not really much you can do to help with this."

"Why don't you guys just relax and watch some TV or something." Buffy suggested.

"Actually, it might be nice to wash up a little." Gabrielle said.

"Yeah…a bath would be great." Xena agreed.

"Sure." Willow said, leading the two women to the bathroom down the hall. Buffy watched as Willow took a fresh bar of soap from the cabinet and handed it to Gabrielle, then offered a quick demonstration of how the faucets and shower in the bathtub worked.

"Great. Thanks." Xena said, confident that she and Gabrielle could figure it out.

"Okay. Just make yourselves at home. There's plenty of hot water." Willow said. "Oh, and let me get you some fresh towels." She added, heading out of the bathroom.

Xena and Gabrielle followed Willow down the hall to the linen closet and gratefully accepted the towels that she offered them. "If you need anything else, just let us know." Willow said as she and Buffy walked toward her room at the end of the hall.

"Hot water…flowing right into the bathtub any time you want it. Can you believe it, Xena?" Gabrielle marveled at the idea as they re-entered the bathroom.

"It's different here all right. No horses far as I can tell. Fire to cook on without wood. And all the hot water you could ever want just flows out of the wall into the bathtub." Xena shook her head at the wonder of it all.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Gabrielle said as she started to undress.

"It's nice I suppose." Xena answered distractedly.

"What is it, Xena?" Gabrielle paused, sensing the warrior's distant thoughts.

"Oh…I just miss Argo. That's all."

"Don't worry, Xena. I'm sure she's all right. And she'll be there when we get back."

"Yeah. You're right." Xena agreed, fumbling with the buttons of her shirt.

"Here, let me help with that." Gabrielle offered, working the buttons of the shirt with ease, oblivious to the fact that she was sending the warrior's pulse racing with her touch.

****************************

Xena adjusted the water temperature and turned on the shower as Willow had shown them. Both warrior and bard climbed into the bathtub. "It's like having your own personal waterfall, Xena." Gabrielle was clearly enjoying the experience.

"Yes, I guess it is." Xena replied, smiling fondly at her friend. "You always find the good in every situation, Gabrielle."

"I try to." Gabrielle's expression was serious. "It's the little things in life that really count. There are always hard times, problems…so much pain. It's important to enjoy every moment that you can."

"If more people shared your ideas, the world would be a much happier place." The warrior commented.

"That's sweet, Xena." Gabrielle looked up to meet the warrior's eyes.

"It's true." Xena shifted, uncomfortable under the bard's lingering gaze. "Now, would you hand me the soap before I shrivel up here?"

"Of course." Gabrielle responded, turning into the stream of water to search the shelves at the front of the bathtub for the bar of soap. In her quest for the soap, Gabrielle bumped the cold water faucet.

"What did you do, Gabrielle?" Xena asked irritated. "The water is getting cold."

"I don't know." Gabrielle admitted. "Which one is the hot water? I'll turn it up."

"No, I'll do it." Xena said grumpily. "Switch places with me." Gabrielle stepped past Xena and the warrior moved to the front of the stall to confront the faucets.

"You're right, the water is cold. Did you find it yet, Xena?" Gabrielle prodded, dancing impatiently under the stream of cold water.

"Yep, I've got it." Xena replied triumphantly, giving the hot water dial a healthy turn. When the stream of hot water hit her, Gabrielle let out a loud shriek and jumped toward Xena, trying to escape the searing downpour.

Hearing the scream, the slayer instinctively sprang into action. She was off the bed and down the hall within seconds, with Willow right behind her, as she flung open first the bathroom door and then the shower curtain.

This elicited another surprised scream from Gabrielle, who still clung to Xena, frozen in place. Willow jumped, went into full babble-mode consisting mostly of a string of incoherent apologies, and tried to avert her eyes from the sight of the two very naked women in her shower.  She slowly backed out of the bathroom as the blush crept up her cheeks until her face was as red as her hair.

Buffy, not so easily shocked, simply offered an apologetic smile. "Oh, sorry. I heard a scream and I thought something was wrong. I, uh, didn't mean to interrupt." The slayer's smile grew wider as she tried to stifle a laugh and stepped back to vacate the bathroom.

"Nothing to worry about." The warrior mumbled awkwardly. "We were just having a little trouble getting the temperature right." Xena fumbled for the shower lever and finally stopped the hot stream.

"Yeah." Gabrielle laughed nervously as she let go her hold on Xena and took a step back once the shower had stopped.

Straightening to her full height, Xena offered a tight smile, "I think we can handle things from here."

"Oh totally. Sorry guys." Buffy chuckled, offering a small wave as she retreated from the bathroom to join Willow who still stood shocked in the hallway. When the bathroom door was securely closed, she turned to Willow and her smile faded slightly when she saw the deer-in-headlights look on her friend's face. "Hey, Will…you okay?" Buffy asked.

"Oh, yeah…sure. Perfect, Buffy." The redhead babbled as she hurried back to her room with Buffy following after her.

****************************

Moments later, with the water temperature under control, the warrior and bard continued their shower. Meanwhile, the slayer and hacker settled on Willow's bed in research mode. Buffy sat cross-legged casually flipping through a book of spells, while Willow lay on her stomach with her laptop in front of her trying, without success, to forget what she had seen and concentrate on the task at hand.

"Buffy…"

"Yeah, Will?"

"Oh…nothing." Willow backtracked, not sure how to broach the subject of what they had just seen.

"Come on, Will. Something's obviously on your mind." Buffy prodded, closing the book and shifting on the bed to catch her friend's gaze. "Spill." The slayer insisted.

"Uh, I was just a little surprised I guess…that they were in the shower, you know…together."

"Yeah, I know." Buffy said with a laugh.

"Do you think…" Willow started, her voice trailing off before she finished her question.

"I don't know." Buffy said honestly, sensing what Willow was trying to ask. "It's obvious they're close. But maybe it's just normal where they are from to bathe with other people."

"Maybe." Willow conceded. "Anyway, they're really nice, don't you think?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Yep, they're totally nice. Gabrielle reminds me a little of you, actually." Buffy said.

"That's funny. Today when you were sparring, I was thinking how much you and Xena have in common."

"That was fun." Buffy admitted. "It was kind of like when Faith came to town…" Buffy paused, attempting a laugh, "That is before she started killing people and decided to join the bad guys."

"I'm sorry, Buffy. I know it's been hard for you…things with Faith."

"S'okay." Buffy smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "I just meant…it's kind of nice to have a sparring partner again. Xena's really nothing like Faith."

"Oh, I totally agree." Willow nodded. "I mean Faith can fight, but she's so full of anger…she's completely out of control."

"Xena, on the other hand, is very much in control." Buffy said matter-of-factly. "She's smart and strong, very focused…let's just say I'm glad that she's on our side."

"Yeah, me too." Willow chuckled.

"So, what do you think? Should we get back to the research?"

Willow nodded. "I'll contact some of Miss Calendar's friends online and see if they know any spells that might work."

"Good idea. Meanwhile, I guess I should hit the books."

Chapter 6 - Girls Night Out

"Hey, guys, over here." Xander called as they entered the Bronze a little before nine o'clock.

"Xena and I will get us some drinks and meet you at the table." Buffy offered. Nodding in agreement, Willow led Gabrielle through the throng of people and over to where Xander was waiting.

"What can I get for you?" The bartender asked, addressing Xena as they approached the bar.

"Two mugs of port." Xena said, meeting the bartender's gaze. Buffy laughed nervously, nudging the warrior's arm.

"She's always making jokes. You mean two beers, right?" The slayer suggested, hoping the warrior would take the hint.

"Yeah, sure. Two beers will be fine."

"And I need two cokes." Buffy said, pulling some bills from her pocket to pay for the drinks. Xena looked at the bills curiously as the bartender scooped them up and left to make their order.

"You paid with parchment?" The look of disbelief on the warrior's face elicited a chuckle from the slayer.

"It's valuable. We call it money." Buffy smiled at the confused warrior. "What do you use to buy things? Gold?" The warrior nodded and the conversation died as the bartender returned with their drinks.

"So, what'd we miss?" Buffy asked, sitting down next to Willow.

"Nothing much…unless you were dying to see Xander drooling over Gabrielle." Willow said, rolling her eyes.

"I was not drooling." Xander insisted. "I was merely commenting on how her shirt accentuates the color of her eyes." He added, leaning toward Gabrielle with a dreamy look in his eyes.

Xena raised an eyebrow at the sight as if to say 'not another one.' And Gabrielle shifted closer to the warrior, trying to escape Xander's attention.

"Hey, Xand, why don't you give the girl a break?" Buffy suggested with a little laugh.

"All right. If you ladies don't appreciate me…then I'll just have to go and find someone who does." He smiled, getting up from the table, all the while scouring the room for his next victim. "Ah, yes, I think I see a lonely lady in need of my company right now."

"Joxer." Xena and Gabrielle said in unison, watching as Xander walked away.

"What?" Buffy inquired.

"Oh nothing." Xena said with a lopsided grin. "He just reminds us of a…friend of ours."

"Huh. Hard to believe." Gabrielle said, shaking her head in amazement.

"Yeah. I guess some things never change." Xena noted with a dry smile. Buffy and Willow looked at each other, then at the warrior and bard who were obviously sharing an inside joke.

"Do you guys wanna clue us in?" Buffy finally asked.

By the time Xander returned from his latest rejection, the bard had told her tale of "Joxer the Mighty" and was just finishing up an enthusiastic rendition of his self-proclaimed theme song much to the amusement of the others.

"Hello, ladies. Did ya miss me?" Xander greeted them, taking his seat. The four women looked at him, then at each other and started laughing.

"What's so funny? I could hear you guys laughing all the way across the room."

"Oh nothing, Xander." Willow assured him, trying to regain her composure. "Hey, when's the band starting?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Should be any minute." Xander said. "Have you talked to Oz yet?" Willow shook her head.

"Nope. I haven't seen him."

"He was looking for you…said you were supposed to meet him here earlier."

"I completely forgot." Willow's eyes widened and she squirmed, suddenly feeling guilty. "Maybe I should go and apologize before the band starts."

A few minutes later, Dingoes took the stage. When the music started, Buffy felt its pull. "This is a great song. You two up for dancing?" She asked.

Gabrielle nodded and looked to Xena. "You two go on. I think I'll sit this one out." The warrior replied.

Buffy and Gabrielle took to the dance floor, leaving Xena and Xander alone at the table. Xena watched appreciatively as Gabrielle tried to mimic the slayer's gyrations. The bard was definitely adventuresome.

"So, how long have you known Buffy?" Xander asked, attempting to make small-talk with the warrior.

"A while." Xena answered vaguely, before taking a drink of her beer.

"Really? She never mentioned you." Xander said.

"Funny, she never mentioned you either." Xena replied, without taking her eyes from the dance floor.

"Will! Good to have you back." Xander said, latching onto the redhead as she returned to the table. "Your friend here is not much of a conversationalist." He said in a low voice as Willow sat down. Xena, whose senses were just as sharp as the slayer's, heard his comment and flashed him an annoyed look.

"I, uh, think I'll go to the little boys' room." Xander said nervously, excusing himself from the table to escape the warrior's glare. Willow giggled at his hasty departure before following Xena's gaze to the dance floor.

"Didn't you want to dance?" Willow asked.

"Nah. I'm not much for dancing." Xena admitted.

"I know what you mean. I think I look kind of silly when I dance, so I usually just watch too." The redhead confided, looking thoughtfully at the warrior. A flash of the warrior naked in the shower invaded Willow's mind and she quickly averted her eyes, hoping to banish the image. As if reading the redhead's thoughts, Xena spoke up.

"About what happened earlier…I'm sorry if Gabrielle and I…startled you."

"What do you mean? Oh, the shower. It was no big deal, really." Willow rushed to say, hoping she sounded convincing, though her voice must have been two octaves higher and she felt her face growing redder by the second. "Besides, I'm the one who should apologize for…for barging in on you like that."

"Don't worry about it." Xena said, trying to put Willow's mind at ease. "The way Gabrielle screamed, you'd think a Bacchae had a hold of her. If I were you, I would have done the same thing." The warrior added with an easy smile. Willow chuckled and visibly relaxed, then chanced another glance at the warrior.

"I don't know what Xander was talking about. I think your conversation skills are just fine." Willow remarked. "At first I found you a little…intimidating, but now you don't seem like that at all."

"Thanks." Xena accepted the compliment with a smile.

"Can I ask you something?" Willow said, feeling brave.

"Sure." Xena replied before downing the last of her beer.

"Do you…and Gabrielle…usually bathe together?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Oh, no reason. " Willow said hurriedly, dismissing the topic as Buffy and Gabrielle approached the table.

"So, what do you think of the music, Xena?" Gabrielle asked. "It's great, isn't it?" A grin teased the corners of the warrior's mouth.

"You looked like you were enjoying it." The bard nodded enthusiastically, still trying to catch her breath.

"Come on, Will, you have to come dance with us." Buffy urged, pulling the redhead from her seat.

"It's okay, Buffy. You go ahead. I'm good with the watching." Willow hang back, trying to get out of it.

"Oh no you don't." Buffy shook her head. "Why watch when you can be dancing instead?" She asked, flashing a smile that Willow couldn't resist. The redhead's resolve broken, she willingly allowed Buffy to pull her onto the dance floor, while Gabrielle opted for a break.

Gabrielle finished her beer in one long drink. "Thirsty?" Xena asked, raising an eyebrow. Gabrielle nodded, still breathing heavily from dancing. "You might think about slowing down. That stuff's a little stronger than the water you usually drink." The warrior commented, gesturing to Gabrielle's empty mug.

"I'm fine. I think I can handle it, Xena." Gabrielle retorted, annoyed as usual when she felt that Xena was treating her like a child.

****************************

A couple of hours and several rounds of drinks later, the party - minus Xander - was still in full swing. "Hi. I couldn't help noticing you." Random strange guy said, sidling up to Gabrielle. "How about a dance?"

"She's not interested." Xena growled, standing up to glare at the intruder.

Defiantly, Gabrielle stood up between them. "Actually, I'd love to dance." The bard replied brightly, with a noticeable slur in her voice. Buffy and Willow looked curiously at each other, then at Xena, who sat fuming with her eyes glued to Gabrielle's back as she and her partner moved toward the dance floor. No more than two minutes into the song, Xena had already seen more than she cared to see.

"I think I'll get some air." The warrior announced, getting up from the table and heading toward the door.

"What was that all about?" Buffy asked.

"I don't know." Willow turned to Buffy wide-eyed. "But Xena sure looked mad."

"Maybe I should try to talk to her."

"Yeah, okay. I'll stay here and wait for Gabrielle."

****************************

"Hey." Buffy said by way of greeting, as she rounded the corner of the building to find Xena reclining against the wall. Getting no response from the warrior, Buffy claimed a spot next to her and asked, "Wanna talk about it?"

"About what?" Xena replied.

"About what happened in there."

"Nothing to talk about really." Xena paused. "Gabrielle just had a little too much to drink. And she probably thought I was treating her like a kid. So…she's trying to get under my skin."

"Looks like she succeeded." Buffy commented.

"How do you figure?"

"Well, for starters, if looks could kill, that guy would be dead." Buffy said with a laugh.

"Buffy? Xena? Are you out here?" Willow called, her voice bordering on frantic.

"We're over here, Will." Buffy answered. "What's up?" The slayer asked, as the redhead approached.

"I lost her, Buffy." Willow said, panting as she came to a halt in front of them.

"Gabrielle?" Xena asked. Willow nodded.

"I went to the bathroom and when I came back, she wasn't on the dance floor. I looked all over inside and couldn't find her."

"Son of a Bacchae." Xena ground out.

"Don't worry. We'll find her." Buffy said. "You go that way and we'll go this way. Here, take this…just in case." She said, tossing Xena her spare stake.

Xena brandished the offered weapon and disappeared around the corner of the building as Willow and Buffy headed in the opposite direction. Moments later, the slayer and hacker stopped in their tracks at the sound of a distant scream.

"Gabrielle!" The warrior cried, quickly closing in on the source of the cry. She found the bard limp in the arms of her attacker. The vampire looked up from his meal as Xena approached. He dropped Gabrielle, who crumpled to the ground at his feet.

"Mmmm dessert." He said, leering at Xena with Gabrielle's blood still coloring his lips. Buffy and Willow heard the warrior's distinctive battle cry as they closed in on the scene. The two watched in awe as Xena pummeled the vamp.

"You shouldn't have messed with my friend." The warrior's voice had a chilling hardness as she delivered a fierce kick that sent the vamp crashing into the wall. Ruthlessly, she plunged the stake into his chest. Without missing a beat, she dropped to her knees, gathering the bard in her arms, her anger instantly replaced by fear and concern for her friend. "Gabrielle." She urged, cradling the bard, feeling a weak pulse at the base of her throat. Buffy and Willow closed the last bit of distance between them.

"Is she okay?" Willow asked tentatively.

Gabrielle stirred slightly in the warrior's arms. "Xena?" She called softly.

"I'm right here, Gabrielle." Xena soothed, rocking the bard gently in her arms.

"You saved me. I knew you would…" Gabrielle attempted a small smile as she drifted in and out of awareness.

"You got to her in time. She'll be okay." Buffy assured them. "Let's get her back to Willow's house."

****************************

"You gave us quite a scare." Xena looked at Gabrielle worriedly as she helped the bard settle on the sofa when they entered the house.

"I'm sorry, Xena." Tears formed in her eyes.

"Shhh. Don't worry about it." The warrior gently hushed her, tenderly brushing the hair back from the bard's face.

"Is everyone okay?" Gabrielle asked weakly, searching the room for Buffy and Willow.

"We're fine." Buffy assured her from the edge of the room where she and Willow stood looking on.

"It's your fault, you know." Gabrielle turned back to Xena, trying to lighten the mood. "I was looking for you when he grabbed me."

"Well…if you hadn't gotten drunk and started acting up…" Xena teased.

"Okay," Buffy said, interrupting. "Well, we should probably bandage that wound and let her get some rest, don't you think, Will?"

"Uh…yeah. I'll get the first aid kit." The redhead said, heading up the stairs.

"I am feeling kind of…woozy." Gabrielle confirmed, slurring the words a little.

"Between the beer and the blood loss, it's a wonder you're coherent at all." Buffy noted. "I can help you get her upstairs." The slayer offered, turning to Xena.

****************************

After helping Xena clean and bandage Gabrielle's neck, Buffy and Willow said goodnight and excused themselves, leaving the warrior and bard alone. Xena quickly changed into her sleeping shift while Gabrielle, still reeling from the beer and the attack, managed only to get her shirt half off before giving up and collapsing on the bed.

"Xena…can you help me out of this?" Gabrielle asked helplessly. The warrior grinned at the bard, amused, but made no move to help her. "Please?" Gabrielle asked with an irresistible smile.

"All right." Xena conceded, stepping up to help the bard out of the shirt she was tangled in.

"Thanks." The bard said, looking up at the warrior sweetly. "You should have danced with me Xena."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"Because…it would have been nice…and then I wouldn't have had to dance with that strange man."

"Is that so?" Xena said absently, bending down to tug at the bard's pant legs.

"Uh huh." Gabrielle said drowsily.

"Here, let's get this on you." Xena said, working to get the sleeping shift on the uncooperative bard.

"It's okay…I don't need it." Gabrielle said. "Why don't you just come to bed?" She added with a smile, pulling Xena to her and resting her head on the warrior's stomach.

"Come on, Gabrielle, help me out here." Xena pleaded, trying to extricate herself from the bard's grasp as her heart began to race.

"You smell so good, Xena." Gabrielle continued, ignoring the warrior's plea.

"You're drunk. You don't know what you're saying." Xena said, taking a step back from the bed.

"I'm not drunk." Gabrielle insisted, meeting the warrior's blue eyes. "I know exactly what I'm saying."

"First the henbane and now this." Xena muttered to herself, shaking her head. She stepped forward and pulled the sleeping shift down over the bard's head and quickly crossed to the other side of the bed. "Goodnight, Gabrielle." Xena said, getting into bed and turning her back to the bard. Not so easily deterred, Gabrielle snuggled up to Xena's back.

"Xena?"

"What is it now?" Xena asked, turning to look at the bard.

"Would you kiss me?" The bard closed her eyes in anticipation.

"What?!" The warrior cried in disbelief. "Go to sleep, Gabrielle, before you do something you'll really regret in the morning." Xena advised, again turning her back on the bard and willing herself to think about something other than the bard's sweet lips.

Chapter 7 - Ice Cream & Awakenings

"Buffy…are you still awake?" Willow asked, turning onto her side to face her friend.

"Yep. Wide awake. You?"

"I can't sleep either. I guess I'm still a little wound up from what happened."

"Understandable." Buffy replied. "You know what would help? Junk food." She proclaimed. "Works every time."

"You don't have to ask me twice." Willow said, giggling as she climbed out of bed. Minutes later, Buffy and Willow were settled on the couch with two spoons and an extra large container of Triple Mocha Fudge ice cream.

"I had fun tonight." Willow grinned first and then her expression turned serious. "I mean…before all of the panic, screaming and blood-sucking." She clarified, with a nervous chuckle.

"Yeah. It was a pretty great day…until that last part. Things have been so crazy lately. I've missed this…just spending time with my Willow." Buffy said thoughtfully.

"Me too." Willow confessed, looking away shyly, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that were awakened every time Buffy called her 'my Willow'.

"You learn to appreciate the little things, huh? Cause, living on the hellmouth, every day is a potential disaster." Buffy pointed out with a half-laugh.

"Exactly. Like someone once told me, you've got to seize the moment." Willow chuckled then. "That should be the Sunnydale town motto."

"Hey! I told you that…the day we met." Buffy said with a knowing smile.

"Yep."

"You still remember that?" Buffy thought back to the day, realizing it had been nearly three years ago.

"Of course I remember." Willow replied. "Meeting you…it changed my life, Buffy." The redhead softly confided. "I just can't believe that you remember it."

"Will, you're the best friend I've ever had." Buffy said sincerely, looking into the redhead's shy green eyes. "I'll never forget that day."

"Aww, stop." Willow said, trying to fight the urge to cry.

"Right…too much mushy stuff." Buffy said, trying to lighten the mood. "Know what else I remember about that day?"

"What?" Willow asked, smiling around another spoonful of ice cream.

"Wanting to throttle Cordelia." Buffy replied matter-of-factly.

"Really? Why? I thought you wanted to be her friend." Willow said in disbelief.

"Yeah. I thought so too, until I saw the way she treated you. Then I pretty much just wanted to punch her." Buffy said decisively.

"You never told me that!" Willow exclaimed.

"I was skating on thin ice after getting kicked out of Hemery, so I fought the urge…didn't think it would be wise to get into a fight on my first day at a new school."

Willow laughed and nodded in agreement. "Cordelia tortured me for years. I dreaded school because of her. Then you came along…I can't believe that you wanted to beat her up for me. That's so sweet." The redhead mused. "But just being my friend made all the difference, Buffy. She's still the same old Cordelia, but…she doesn't really get to me anymore."

"I'm glad." Buffy said, smiling tenderly at the redhead.

"I've always wondered why…you know…why you wanted to be friends with me."

"Are you serious, Will?"

"Kind of. Yeah." Willow replied slowly.

"Why wouldn't I want to be friends with you? You're kind and smart and funny. And you're loyal and honest and caring…pretty much the best friend that anyone could ask for." Buffy said.

"You really think so?" Willow asked shyly, looking down at her hands.

"I know so." Buffy said with a decisive nod, lifting the redhead's chin to meet her gaze. "We've been through more together in the past few years than most people face in a lifetime and you've always been there for me, always trying to help or just giving me a shoulder to cry on. When everything is crumbling around me, I take comfort in the knowledge that Willow will be there."

"I always want to be here…if you need me, Buffy." Willow said, battling tears once again.

"Good. Cause I don't know if I could face life on the hellmouth without you, Will." Buffy said, pulling the redhead close for a hug.

"You know…the ice cream's all melted." Willow said a minute later, attempting a smile.

"Oh yeah…so not appetizing." The slayer said, reluctantly breaking the hug and rising from her place on the couch. "I'll put it away."

"Okay…you wanna watch a little TV before we go upstairs?" Willow asked hopefully, not wanting their time together to end.

"Definitely. You pick something and I'll be right back." Buffy happily agreed, handing Willow the remote from the coffee table.

"I'll get a blanket." Willow offered. "I think I had too much ice cream." She said shivering on her way to the stairs.

Minutes later they were settled on the couch with blanket and remote, flipping through the channels. "Oooh, Oh, Tomb Raider." Buffy exclaimed.

"So, I guess we have a winner." Willow said, retiring the remote to the coffee table.

"Totally cheesy I know, but it's about a female action hero. Gotta love that."

"But the stunts are just soooooo bad." Willow giggled. "See, look at that. There's no way she could do that." She said, rolling her eyes and pointing.

Laughing, Buffy conceded. "You're right…totally impossible."

"Angelina Jolie an action hero? I mean, come on." Willow said.

"Not a fan?" Buffy asked.

"She's okay I guess, but I don't think she was right for this part." Buffy chuckled.

"Today we have with us casting director, Willow Rosenberg. So, tell us, Miss Rosenberg, who would you have cast in the role of Lara Croft?" Buffy asked in a mock interview voice, passing the imaginary mic to Willow for a response.

"I think Buffy Summers would be perfect for the part." Willow answered assuming a serious, adult voice, while trying to stifle a giggle.

"Buffy who?" The slayer asked.

"Buffy Summers." Willow repeated. "I know, I know…nobody in "the business" has heard of her, but I've seen her work and that girl's got it all. Take my word for it, she could be the ultimate female action star." She said with a decisive nod.

"Very funny, Will." Buffy laughed, finally breaking character.

"Funny is good. I'll take funny." Willow replied with a smile. "But seriously Buffy, you are amazing when you fight. You kick major vampire butt every day. You'd be much better than her."

"Brownie points for the ego boost, Will, but if you keep talking like that I think you'll find it much easier to get into Bellevue than Harvard." Buffy teased, dodging the compliment.

"You really don't see it?" Willow asked, looking seriously at Buffy.

"See what?" Buffy asked confused.

"I had no idea." Willow said, experiencing a moment of clarity. "Of course, I didn't think it was possible." She mumbled, lost in thought.

"Hey, Will…" Buffy waved her hand in front of the redhead's face. "You lost me there."

"Oh, sorry. It's just…I get it now, Buffy. I can't believe it, but I finally get it."

"Share please." Buffy prodded.

"You're beautiful and cool a-and popular and funny. Plus, you're the slayer. But I never realized before…that you don't see yourself like I see you, like everyone sees you. You seem so strong…but underneath it all, you really don't have much confidence in yourself, do you?"

"That obvious, huh?" Buffy fidgeted with the blanket in her lap.

"Kind of." Willow nodded. "All these years you've been trying to make me feel better about myself. And I didn't even see that you needed that from me too. Well, no more self-involved Willow." She pledged, taking Buffy's hand. "I'm a girl with a mission. You're an amazing person, Buffy, and I'm going to keep reminding you of that until you see it too."

"You don't have to do that, Will." Buffy weakly asserted, looking down at Willow's hand entwined with her own.

"Yes…I think I do." Willow said with a decisive nod. "No use arguing. Resolve face, see." The redhead said.

"Okay, you win." Buffy conceded with a wide smile. "You know I am powerless against your resolve face."

"Good." Willow said with a satisfied smile.

"Thanks, Will." Buffy said softly. "You're the best."

"No…I thought we just agreed…you're the best." Willow replied, giggling.

"Very funny." Buffy said, playfully poking the redhead in the side and setting off another round of giggles.

****************************

Xena tossed and turned for some time, her mind replaying the day's events and her body acutely aware of Gabrielle. The bard had drifted off to sleep snuggled against Xena's back. It was much later when the warrior finally fell asleep. She woke in the morning and found the bard still sleeping peacefully by her side.

Needing to put some distance between her and Gabrielle, she quietly left the bed and got dressed. Hearing voices downstairs, she descended the stairs to join Buffy and Willow. When she reached the living room, she found them curled up together on the couch, both sound asleep, and realized then that the voices she had heard were coming from the box in the corner that they had called a television. She watched, entranced for a minute by the images dancing across the screen, before finally opting to go out for a walk.

Buffy woke up next, finding Willow curled up in her arms with her head resting on the slayer's stomach. The scene was reminiscent of the previous morning, she realized, only this time the redhead's position left her no real avenue of escape. The slayer smiled at the sight, slightly amused at her predicament this morning.

She gently brushed back a few locks of red hair that were obscuring her view of Willow's face. The hacker was sleeping peacefully, wearing a sweet Willowy smile that evoked a powerful response in the slayer. Buffy was still trying to put a name to her feelings when the redhead began to stir.

"Morning, sleepyhead." Buffy said softly, momentarily shelving her deep thoughts.

"Mmmm…morning Buffy." Willow smiled dreamily, instinctively snuggling closer to the slayer. Buffy's heart skipped a beat then bringing her previous thoughts back in a jumbled rush.

Suddenly wide awake, Willow sat up like a shot, reverting to full-scale Willow-babble when she realized what she'd just done. "Oh Buffy, I'm soooo sorry…" She said, inching farther away on the couch with every word. Buffy grinned at the flustered redhead.

"Will…"

"I had no idea…I mean, I don't know what I was thinking…"

"Will…"

"I didn't mean to…I'm soooo sorry." Willow continued, avoiding Buffy's gaze.

"Will, please…relax. This amount of Willow-babble first thing in the morning could cause permanent brain damage." Buffy chuckled. "No harm done." She said seriously, touching Willow's knee lightly.

"But…" Willow stuttered, feeling her blush deepen at Buffy's touch.

"Did you hear me complaining?" Buffy asked pointedly. "Nope. No complaints here. It was kind of nice actually." She confessed with an endearing smile, leaving the redhead uncharacteristically speechless.

"Well, it's clear that I've thoroughly blown your mind." Buffy said, noting Willow's nearly catatonic state. "I think my work here is done." She smiled playfully, getting up from the couch and leaving Willow to contemplate her own deep thoughts.

****************************

"Good morning." Buffy said, greeting the warrior as she stepped out onto the porch. "I saw you through the window…"

"Good Morning." Xena said.

"Have you been up long?" Buffy asked.

"A little while."

"No offense, but you look kinda tired." Buffy sat down on the top step next to Xena.

"Gabrielle kept me up most of the night." The warrior stated.

"Oh. Was she sick?" Buffy asked, assuming that Xena was up taking care of the bard.

"Quite the opposite. I think she was feeling too good." Xena said with a lopsided grin, thinking back to the bard's alcohol-induced advances toward her.

"Huh? OHH!" Buffy smiled knowingly, giving the warrior a curious look. "Well, it's none of my business really. I'm just glad that you two, uh, made up." She said suggestively.

"What in Tartarus are you talking about?" Xena asked, irritated by the tone of Buffy's voice.

"Hey, it's the nineties." Buffy said, as if that should mean something to the warrior. Seeing Xena's confusion, she continued. "What I mean is that a lot has changed in the past two thousand years. People are more tolerant of…alternative lifestyles now. Besides…I'm the last person who would judge you." Buffy added, reminding herself of her own complicated feelings for her best friend.

"Judge me for what?" Xena glared at her defensively.

"Seriously, Xena," Buffy said, "It's obvious that you and Gabrielle are more than friends. I mean, you sleep with each other, shower together, you even bicker like a married couple. Besides, the way that you two look at each other…it's a dead-giveaway." She informed the warrior.

"You think that Gabrielle and I are…lovers?" Xena asked, lowering her voice. Buffy's comments suddenly started to make sense to the warrior. "Well, you're way off. Gabrielle is just a kid. It's not like you think."

"Are you serious?" Buffy asked, laughing. The warrior's only response was a stern glare, silently warning the slayer to back off.

"All right." Buffy said, putting her hands up in surrender. "If you don't want to talk about it, I totally understand. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I mean, I think Gabrielle's a great person and it's obvious that you really care about each other. But if I offended you, I'm sorry."

"It's okay." The warrior said, realizing that she was overreacting.

****************************

"Hello…" Gabrielle called weakly, holding her throbbing head as she stumbled down the stairs. "Is anybody here?" She asked, wandering from room to room.

"Oh, hi." Willow said, rounding a corner and nearly colliding with the bard. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by a chariot." The bard replied flatly. "I don't know which is worse, my head or my stomach."

"Here. Come and sit. I'll get you something for your headache." Willow offered, leading the bard into the kitchen.

"Take these." The redhead said, returning to the kitchen and handing the bard two Tylenol and a glass of water.

"These will help?" Gabrielle asked, looking down at the two little pills skeptically.

"Yep." Willow confirmed. "That should help with your headache. And after you eat breakfast, I'm sure your stomach will feel worlds better."

"Thanks." Gabrielle replied weakly.

"Looks like Gabrielle is up." Buffy noted, seeing the bard through the kitchen window.

"Good Morning." Buffy said cheerily, greeting the bard as she entered the kitchen and chancing a glance at Willow who quickly went to work making breakfast.

"I'm not so sure about that." Gabrielle replied with a weak smile.

"Oh, come on, Gabrielle, it's a beautiful day!" Xena said enthusiastically, teasing the bard.

"Please, Xena." Gabrielle said, pleading for the warrior to have mercy on her.

"All right." Xena said in a mock whisper, flashing the bard a sympathetic smile.

"Help yourselves to some coffee. Breakfast will be ready soon." Willow said.

The phone rang and Buffy offered, "You want me to get that, Will?"

"That would be great, Buffy." The redhead replied, her thoughts drifting back to how she had woken up with Buffy that morning.

Buffy stepped into the living room and answered the phone. "Hello."

"Is that you Willow?" Oz asked, realizing that the voice didn't sound quite right.

"Uh, no. It's Buffy. I'll get Will for you. Just a sec." Buffy put the phone down, mentally scolding herself for the twinge of jealousy she felt as she walked back to the kitchen.

"It's for you, Will." Buffy said.

"Who is it?"

"It's Oz. You go ahead. I can finish things up here." Buffy offered.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks." Willow said, walking past Buffy to the living room. "Hello."

"Hi. I just wanted to make sure we're still on for lunch today." Oz said.

"Lunch? Uh…was that today?" Willow asked nervously.

"You forgot." He said flatly. "You stood me up last night and now you're trying to back out on lunch."

"Nooo. I'm so sorry that I forgot." She answered, trying to quash her renewed guilt. "I want to go to lunch…really…a-and we can go wherever you want. Just tell me what time and I'll be ready."

"Noon?" Oz questioned.

"Great. I'll see you then." She said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "And Oz, I really am sorry."

"Everything okay?" Buffy asked, seeing the stormy expression on Willow's face when she returned to the kitchen.

"Yeah, perfect." Willow replied with a nervous chuckle. "I just kinda forgot that I had plans with Oz today."

"Oh." Three pairs of eyes looked curiously at the redhead who fidgeted with her coffee mug.

"It's just lunch so I shouldn't be gone too long." She added.

****************************

"You guys made breakfast. We can take care of the dishes, right Gabrielle?" Xena offered.

"Of course. I'm feeling much better." Gabrielle assured them. "Besides, we could use something to do. Xena and I…we don't know what to do with all of this free time."

"I'll wash. You dry." Xena said handing the bard a dishtowel.

"Well, thanks. I guess I will go and put in a little research time then." Willow said, getting up from the table.

"Me too." Buffy said, following Willow out of the kitchen.

****************************

"There's an email here from Jan." Willow said, looking up from the laptop. "She was a friend of Miss Calendar's. They were in the same coven. She sent us some information about a spell that she thinks might work." The redhead said.

"That's great news. We should tell Xena and Gabrielle." Buffy suggested.

"Yeah. If we can get the ingredients that we need today, then maybe we can give it a try later tonight." Willow said excitedly.

"Sounds like a plan." Buffy agreed with a nod.

"Wow…if this works…we'll never see them again." Willow's enthusiasm suddenly faded at the realization.

"I know…hard to believe that they'll be gone just like that. I'm gonna miss having them around." Buffy said, pouting.

"Yeah, me too." Willow said sadly.

****************************

"That must be Oz." Willow said when the doorbell rang. She put on a smile and greeted him when she opened the door. "Hi"

"Hi. You ready?" He asked.

"Yep." Willow answered, then turned to Buffy. "We can work on that…project when I get back." She said.

"Right." Buffy nodded, stepping back nervously as she tried to ignore the twinge of jealousy sparked by Oz's appearance at the door.