Sire

By KnightMare24

Willow watched nervously as Buffy came into the first class they shared. Willow had avoided the library just in case and now seeing the slayer coming closer she was concerned. Whatever being a sire was doing to her it was registering all over the place. First Faith sensed something off and then Oz smelled Kristin on her, if Buffy caught on there would be yelling and arguing and it wouldn’t be pretty at all. Especially since Willow wasn’t going to back down on this, not one tiny little bit. She was Kristin’s Sire after all.

Willow sat a little stiffer as Buffy took the seat next to her. “I love your hair.” Buffy grinned at her and Willow’s self conscious hand moved to touch the much shorter hair. “It looks so cute.” Willow didn’t grimace, but she did remind herself that Kristin thought it looked sexy, sexy was better than cute.

“Thanks.” Willow felt herself blushing a bit, and Buffy’s eyes were obviously taking in the new outfit as well.

“Looking good Wills. You did some shopping.” Buffy was smiling and Willow just nodded. Willow still felt like things could fall apart easily, and she was nervous. “So how was the college tour?” Buffy asked and Willow felt a pang of guilt at the lie she’d given.

“It was you know, educational.” Willow muttered, but was really glad when the teacher started to write on the board. Willow made a point to pull out her pencil and start copying things down as if she needed to really focus on it.

Buffy was frowning just a little and staring at her. Willow could see that from the corner of her eye and it left her feeling like she was on death row, just waiting for the last meal. When Buffy just shook her head and turned to look at the board and the teacher Willow had to work hard to not sigh in relief.

Willow felt like her shoulders were rock hard as the class wore on, and she watched Buffy glance around slowly. Something was wigging Buffy out and Willow was afraid she knew what it was. It must be worse now, what with the Sire calling powers showing up and the nights of sex. Not to mention the blood, Willow had been rather free with her blood too. And Willow didn’t forget the weird magic and the strange passing out. She would have been in the library over the weekend if she weren’t so distracted by the sexy vampire in her bed.

“Willow, could you answer the question?” The teacher spoke and Willow’s eyes widened as she finally focused on the front of the class. She’d been distracted. She searched her memory for what the question was, and for the first time in class ever she wasn’t able to do it. She really hadn’t been paying attention at all, not even subconsciously. Willow felt her skin start to blush as the teacher gave her a slightly surprised look and then repeated herself. Willow managed to answer then, and when the teacher finally moved her attention away from her corner of the room Buffy leaned closer.

“Whoa, distracto girl. Everything okay Wills?” Buffy asked and Willow sighed quietly and just nodded, while moving her book to the page they were talking about now.

When class was over, Willow took her time packing up her things, but Buffy stayed with her. Of course a good friend like Buffy would, but right now Willow wanted time to deal with what was happening and she wasn’t going to get it. “Are we okay? Did I do something to upset you?” Buffy asked quietly once the majority of the students had left.

“No, no, you’ve been a great friend, as a friend I give you an ‘A+’. Yep, you’re in the honor society of friends.” Willow spoke quickly. She didn’t mean to make Buffy feel snubbed, she was just nervous she’d be discovered. This wasn’t going to work if she couldn’t act normal. “Nope, nothing is wrong here. We’re good, yep, tight as can be.” Willow smiled a little tensely and watched Buffy’s wary expression with a sinking feeling.

“Well good.” Buffy spoke, but her voice was now confused. That wasn’t good, confused led to questions or thinking and it would be best if this was just swept under the proverbial rug, Willow thought, but there was little she could do now. She finished packing her back pack and started for the door. “While you were out touring institutions of higher learning and getting that amazing makeover, I was busy working at the gallery. Mom’s setting up a new display.”

Willow hated her lie, because if things were all honest and safe she could share that she’d had the best time of her life on that week, the very best. They stepped out into the hall with Willow berating herself for her cowardice, but she wasn’t sure if it really was cowardice yet or if it was her only way to protect her vampire.

How much longer could she manage this? Willow wasn’t happy at all with how the secret was starting to make her feel. Sure at times it was intriguing and fun to have a big secret, but that secret was now interfering with friendships that meant a lot to her. Willow wanted to have it all, the sexy vampire girlfriend and her friends.

Part of her was a bit mad too, because Buffy could have it all. Buffy had a sexy vampire, or she did have him, and Willow had never given her any grief about it. Willow had even done that re-souling spell for her. Willow doubted she’d receive support like that in return.

“You sure we’re okay?” Buffy asked and Willow did her best to smile and stop the angry scowl she felt wanting out. No, scowling Willow would be a bad idea right now.

“We’re fine Buffy.” Willow managed to say, but her mind was filled with, ‘as long as you don’t hurt my vampy girlfriend.’”

Later that day Willow met Xander near her locker. “Tuesday is free small popcorn day at the theater.” He told her.

Willow glanced around and then nodded. She’d check the patrol routes for the week and cancel if she had to. “I say we catch the late showing.” No matter what they saw, it was going to be dark before that started. No pesky sunlight.

Willow was already working with Kristin, talking to her about the strange Cordelia factor. Cordelia was a Scooby, no matter that she was also someone Kristin would want to bite, she was a Scooby. That was repeated often in the house now. Cordelia stories were told often, stories where Cordelia helped Buffy alongside Willow and Xander. Willow felt like she was pretending to be a Cordelia fan just so that Kristin wouldn’t want to kill her. She knew she could order Kristin not to kill and it would stick, but if Kristin really truly wanted to kill she’d go grr face anyhow.

“Wills” Xander spoke quietly. “Is she living with you?”

Willow blushed and closed her locker. “Well, time for the library.” She spoke loudly.

“Living in sin Wills? In your parent’s house?” Xander teased.

“Not at school Xander, secret remember?” Willow told him and started for the after school slayerette meeting and update. She’d rather walk out the front door and go home, but that would be suspicious and Buffy would come to her house to ask what was up. No, Willow had to be a good little Scooby.

The meeting was started, and Willow was relieved to hear the new patrol routes for the week left the theater area clear. After carefully brushing aside questions about her vacation, Willow started to think she should mention the project she’d been working on. Willow raised her hand just a little and watched and Giles sighed before calling on her.

Willow had explained her database in detail and from the looks on faces it was too much detail. Willow was fully aware that Faith was staring at her again. Willow swallowed hard and just focused on what she was saying. She focused on simplifying her words so they’d understand. “So I have a good start on the database, and I’ve inserted keywords that will make it easy to search for a type of demon. For example, let’s say Buffy runs into a demon and all she can tell us is it’s tall, green and has horns. We type that into the database and it’ll give us a list of demons that fit the description.” Willow could see Giles was still unconvinced. He was bookman. “And it can do it in less than a minute, a fraction of a minute.” She added.

“Cool Red, time is money sometimes.” Faith spoke up in the silence. Willow was a little surprised that it was Faith that spoke first, but then a murmur of approval came through and Giles even seemed to thaw.

When it started to look like the slayers were going to train Willow made an excuse to leave and use the phone. She passed by one pay phone to find one further away. She dialed home and listened to the answering machine. “Kristin, it’s me.” Willow spoke and then she could hear the clanking of someone rushing to pick up the phone.

“Willow?” Kristin spoke and Willow smiled at the happiness in Kristin’s voice.

“Hey.” Willow spoke softer. “School feels like its lasting forever, and I love school. I guess I love you more, and you know that’s a lot right?”

Willow felt a wave of emotion from Kristin, a sense of love. It was a little startling that the vampire could send it so far, but maybe distance didn’t mean anything to their bond. “I miss you.” Kristin spoke so tenderly. “I’ve watched one of the movies, and I’ve done a lot of data entry for you.”

“You know you should watch another movie. I don’t want you working your fingers to the bone, nope, no bony fingers. I like your fingers just like they are.” Willow grinned a little wickedly.

“We really need to buy new movies, some lesbian films. I know of a few really hot ones I wanted to show you.” Kristin spoke and Willow blushed a little.

“Well, we could order off of Amazon.com” Willow offered, hoping the movies wouldn’t embarrass her too much. “I called because I just know that Buffy is going to want to take me to the Bronze tonight or out to dinner and once she offers I won’t be free to call you.”

“Oh.” Kristin sounded disappointed. Willow didn’t like that.

“If I didn’t think she’d follow me home if I told her no, I wouldn’t say yes.” Willow told Kristin. “I want to snuggle with you too.”

“Can’t say sex in the school hallway?” Kristin teased and Willow blushed.

“Bad girl.” Willow pretended to scold Kristin, but she was smiling. “I also told Xander we’d go out with him and Cordelia tomorrow night.” Willow offered and found silence on the other end of the phone. “I’ll keep you safe.” She reassured Kristin.

“Outside sire?” Kristin sounded doubtful.

“I’m not going to keep you inside for four years Kristin. You deserve better than that. We’ll figure it out, and we’ll start with a movie.” Willow spoke a little more forcefully, being the Sire Kristin needed. “I’ll protect you, and we’ll stay away from the dark alleys.”

“If you want.” Kristin was still too nervous, but she was coming. Willow would make that night the best she could so that Kristin wanted to go the next time.

“I should go; I told them I was going to the bathroom.” Willow was reluctant to hang up. It just felt wrong to be separated like this now.

“Okay.” Kristin sighed. “Maybe I’ll watch Tomb Raider.”

“You like Angelina Jolie and you teased Xander like that?” Willow asked, amused.

“Well, I don’t drool.” Kristin sounded like she was smiling. “Be careful after dark Sire, you have to come home to me. I don’t want a vampire sire.”

“I’ll be fine.” Willow told her and after a few more tender words she hung up.

Willow slipped into the bathroom on her way back and was a bit surprised to find the dark haired slayer in there. “Took you a while to get here Red.” Faith said and turned away from the mirror to stare at Willow and Willow felt the need to back out of the bathroom.

“Aren’t you supposed to be training?” Willow snapped at Faith.

Faith’s smile was unconcerned that she wasn’t wanted here. “Hey even slayers need to take a piss.” The smile faded on the dark haired woman’s face. “I don’t know what you’re into Red, but the only reason that Buffy isn’t sensing it is because she doesn’t want to.” Faith took a few steps closer and Willow clenched her fists. “I don’t know what vibe I’m getting off of you, but I know it isn’t normal.”

“You’re imagining things.” Willow felt the wall behind her as she backed up a step.

“I don’t think I am.” Faith stared at her way too long and Willow tried to push past her, but Faith wasn’t moving. “Red, are you in trouble?” The words were softer and Willow’s eyes widened to hear a bit of concern. “Cause I could slay it for you.”

“There’s nothing to slay.” Willow spoke a bit more harshly than she should, but the idea of slaying wasn’t a good one now. Faith just nodded and backed up, but the look on her face said something and it wasn’t ‘oh I was wrong.’

“Kay, Red, I’ll go spar now. You change your mind tell me.” Faith stopped at the bathroom door. “And if it’s your mojo doing this, you need to lay off the magic. Soon I won’t be the only one sensing it, it’s just getting stronger.”

Once Willow was alone in the bathroom she took a deep breath. “Damn it!” She muttered angrily and slammed a stall door shut. “Damn it, Damn it, Damn it!” Faith was a problem and a growing one. Why couldn’t Faith do like she normally did and ignore everyone but Buffy?

………………………

Kristin sighed as she sat in the living room. She had movies, tons of movies, she could be watching. She had work she could do as well. Instead she sat staring at dumb commercials while she felt overwhelmingly bored and missing her Sire. Maybe if she could do anything other than what she did every other night she wouldn’t be so desperate for her sire, but Kristin doubted it. She needed Willow like she needed blood, and she did her best to understand that Willow needed to live in the human world too. Kristin didn’t want to make Willow feel guilty about it, but being left behind was hard.

The show was almost over when Kristin heard a car drive up to the house. Kristin moved to the window and pulled the curtain to the side just enough to see a car with a brunette driving. Seeing Xander in the passenger seat made Kristin think it was Cordelia driving, and Kristin stared at the bully girl for a moment with yellow eyes, indulging now since she wouldn’t be able to tomorrow. Willow stepped out of the car and Kristin opened her senses to make sure no vampires were out.

She hadn’t expected to sense one, but she did. Willow was outside just talking to her friends and there was a vampire out there somewhere. Kristin could see the tempting target the teens would be to any vampire watching, so she moved quickly to the door, still unsure what she’d do. The door opened and Kristin stood just on the inside and noticed a few eyes moved to her. “Vampires.” She called out, sending her anxiety mentally to let Willow know it was an immediate threat.

“There aren’t any vamps just hanging out here, those are bushes.” Xander spoke with a smile and Kristin glared at him.

“There are vampires in the neighborhood right now.” Kristin stared at him and then noticed that Cordelia was paying attention, because her windows closed and her car was starting up. Willow moved toward the house while still giving the others a brief wave. Kristin stared at Willow the entire time she crossed the yard, kept staring until the redhead was in front of her and then moved to the side so she could come inside. “I don’t know where it is.” She said as she closed the door and locked it, even though a vampire shouldn’t be able to just walk in.

“It’s okay, we’re safe in here.” Willow stood in the entry way and when Kristin turned she pulled her into a hug. “I have my slayerette gear, you don’t have to worry.”

“There’s a vampire near here.” Kristin just muttered as she held Willow tight. Kristin really didn’t know what to do.

“I’m going to have to tell them you saw one, because the sensing thing isn’t so human.” Willow spoke as the phone rang. “That’s Cordy.” Willow went to answer it and Kristin was surprised that the bully girl really had called, but then apparently Xander was given the phone, as Willow gave the cover story she’d just created.

After the phone call Willow snuggled into Kristin on the couch. Kristin felt a lot better with Willow in the house.

…………………….

School had been tense and Willow had noticed a few times that Buffy was looking around as if she sensed something but just couldn’t tell where it was. It encouraged Willow to make excuses and leave right after school, just in case Buffy figured it out when there were only a few people in the library.

Willow sat in her living room, knowing that Cordelia and Xander would be by later. She needed those two to like Kristin, she needed allies in the battle coming up, the battle over the vampire lovers. Willow expected it to be a loud battle, but hopefully not a bloody one.

“Dinner’s ready.” Kristin called out and Willow smiled a little as she looked up from her almost done homework. Kristin was so sweet, almost wifey at times. It was a pet thing, the serving, but it sure seemed wifey. Did that make Willow all husbandy, Willow wondered as she closed her book and started for the kitchen. She didn’t feel husbandy, but she was all protective and in charge so maybe she was.

Willow watched Kristin dishing up two plates and smiled. If she really wanted to get Kristin talking and indignant she could ask about if Willow was the man in the relationship. That should make Kristin’s college brain burn. Willow smirked just a little and then went for the fridge. “You need extra blood today. Would it taste good with dinner?”

“You don’t mind?” Kristin looked up and Willow felt a warm tender feeling in her own chest.

“It’s what you drink, eat, whatever. I’m not grossed out anymore, as long as you brush your teeth before I kiss you.” Willow answered and pulled out one of the few human bags of blood she’d managed to grab that afternoon. “I know Cordy could make a nun want to commit violence, but you need to control the demon tonight, no grr face.”

“Then yes, I need blood.” Kristin spoke as Willow opened the bag and poured it into a large mug. They sat and ate dinner, and Willow wasn’t at all bothered by Kristin drinking her blood at the table.

The car pulled up as they were finishing. “Go brush, I’ll take care of the dishes.” Willow spoke quickly, only grabbing the dirty mug to rinse it fast, before anyone knocked. Kristin was already out of the room before she turned around. “No vamp speed.” Willow spoke normally, knowing Kristin would hear it, but Kristin was most likely already in the bathroom.

The doorbell rang as Willow set the mug down and she left the plates on the table as she went to answer the door.

Kristin was back just a moment after Willow opened the door and Willow was able to watch Cordelia look at Kristin and the subtle nod. “Not bad Willow, who’d have thought.” Cordelia thought she was whispering so Kristin wouldn’t hear, but Kristin could hear that. It felt a little odd to Willow that Cordelia was checking out Willow’s girlfriend and sounded approving. Only on the Hellmouth would something like that happen.

“She’s older too.” Willow grinned just a little and glanced over her shoulder at Kristin, before speaking loud enough people would assume Kristin could hear. “This is Cordelia, Cordy, this is my girlfriend Kristin.”

“Nice to meet you, but we need to get going. Xander made me late.” Cordy said and started for the door. Xander was still in the car.

“Well that’s what you get for dating a guy, they can do that to a woman. Birth control’s easier for Willow and I.” Kristin spoke and Willow blushed, but she did notice that Cordelia blushed too.

“I meant he made us late getting here.” Cordelia elaborated and Kristin grinned a little wickedly. Willow was starting to think maybe tonight would be fun. As they got in the car Willow did notice the nervous way Kristin glanced around the neighborhood, but Kristin was doing it, she was going out. She got in so they could leave, be outside, during the night.

……………………..

Kristin ended up seated between Willow and Cordelia for the movie, and she found herself chuckling at the cheerleaders wit as Cordelia muttered comments about the movie. Kristin did her best to not remember that cutting wit wasn’t always used for good and that her sire had felt its sting. Willow’s gentle caresses to her arm or leg helped Kristin keep calm if she did remember that.

As the credits started to roll, Kristin sat and waited for what the others wanted to do. When a group of three women from closer to the front got up Kristin’s eyes widened and she turned fully in her seat to look Willow. She leaned in and talked quietly. “And what do we do if someone recognizes me? Those girls lived in my dorm.”

Willow looked over her shoulder and watched the girls in question for a moment. “They aren’t looking.” Willow then looked down a bit so Kristin knew she was looking at one of the people they came with. “No Xander, we aren’t going out the backdoor at night.” Kristin turned enough to see he’d been pointing to it. “Kristin wants to stick to well lit areas.” And Kristin was grateful that Willow put her foot down. They waited for more of the crowd to get out the doors and then they stood up to leave.

“How about some coffee?” Cordelia spoke and Kristin noticed she was the one being asked the most. Cordelia seemed a little interested, or curious, about her. It was typical straight woman stuff, once they meet a lesbian, but it was odd that these curious looks were focused on Kristin and not on Willow.

“I don’t know.” Kristin turned to look at Willow. She couldn’t make a decision for both of them and a huge part of her wanted to just say lets get back in the house, not some coffee shop any demon can enter.

“Maybe they have some coffee cake left.” Willow spoke and Kristin sighed quietly. Willow caressed her arm. “Just for a little while. It’s just down the block.”

“What?” Cordelia seemed to snap at Xander.

“Kristin’s nervous outside.” The voice was supposed to be a whisper and Kristin turned to see Xander had pulled Cordelia away a few steps and was talking quietly. “She hasn’t been outside in Sunnydale since vampires attacked her. Don’t be cruel Cordy, I hear it was pretty bad. We’re here to make her feel safe.”

Kristin looked away from them and glanced out the front doors of the theater with a sigh. Humans were trying to not frighten her, that was just so wrong. It made her feel weak, and Kristin stood a little taller, determined to get through the night with at least some of her pride.

“Okay, lets go.” Kristin said and started for the doors. She knew where the coffee shop was, she’d been there the night she’d been turned. The group of them from the dorm had gone to eat and stopped for coffee before they’d planned to go home and finish their papers, and Kristin never made it back to her dorm.

“So you were in college.” Cordelia started to fish and Kristin glanced at Willow, wanting to reach out to hold her hand, but Willow shook her head no. That hurt.

“Had to take a quarter off.” Kristin turned to the other girl, but her mind was still on the rejection.

“Willow, really, we know you’re a dyke.” Cordelia’s voice was grating in its demand as she looked around Kristin. “Hold your girlfriend’s hand if you want.” Kristin’s fist clenched as she struggled with how she was supposed to take that. She’d made Willow uncomfortable in an effort to make Kristin comfortable. “Look, if I notice anyone from school I’ll warn you two.” Cordelia added and then there was the feel of a hand holding Kristin’s fist.

Kristin looked over at Willow. “Sorry, habit.” Willow whispered and Kristin opened her hand so Willow could slip her own hand into it. “I promise I’ll get better, it’s just this is home and if people see us…”

“I hear college is better for lesbians.” Cordelia interrupted. “All sorts of clubs and classes, a lesbian meca really.”

Kristin turned to see Xander was paying attention too, a lot of attention. “Planning to change your mind about college Xander?” Kristin teased him. “It’s true it is a lot better than high school, but it isn’t perfect. You’d be surprised how often people just assume everyone is straight. It pisses me off.” Kristin felt a little safer with Willow’s hand in her own and she kept her eye out for danger.

They could have crossed the street a block up, but Kristin turned the entire group before they got that far to cross it earlier. “Dark Alley.” She explained briefly. “Vampire’s like it.” She’d been pulled away from her group into that alley and then taken to the place she was turned.

“Xander tells me you were attacked.” Cordelia spoke up and Kristin grimaced.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Kristin was firm in her comment.

“It was bad.” Willow spoke more softly, excusing Kristin in a way and Kristin ignored that as she focused on the shadows and her senses to make sure vampires weren’t nearby.

“Did Buffy save you, is that how you two met?” Cordelia asked and Kristin turned to look at the teenagers face.

“No one saved me.” Kristin spoke flatly, and Cordelia’s eyes widened a bit.

“Well then how,” Cordelia started to ask, but Willow’s voice was rather firm as she interrupted.

“Not tonight Cordy. This is a safe trip to get coffee, not time to remember attacks.” Willow put her foot down and by the expression on the other twos faces that was a rare thing indeed.

………………………..

Willow wanted the latte, but she was always so hyper and talked a lot. It was like a drug and it might make her say things she didn’t want to say with Cordy and Xander there, so Willow ordered the tea instead. She did notice with envy that Kristin ordered the latte. Kristin was going to be up all night anyhow, so she could.

They talked about college and Cordy brought up acting. It wasn’t too bad, but then Willow noticed a familiar blue head of hair stepping into the shop. “Oh god, Oz.” Willow interrupted someone talking, but she just stared at the train wreck in motion as he was caught up in the crowd near the door, before turning to the people at her table. “I really don’t want to run into Oz right now.” He’d smell that Kristin was a vampire, not to mention all the awkward here is my new girlfriend stuff. It was bad, very bad.

“You did break up with him right?” Cordy had the nerve to ask and Willow glared at him.

“Yes I did.” Willow looked over to see Kristin’s eyes. Her vamp was staring toward the crowd, trying to find him, and her eyes were a little yellow with jealousy. “I don’t want a scene, you know.” Willow sent reassurance through their bond. She needed to get her vampy girlfriend away from her wolfy ex-boyfriend fast.

“Alright, backdoor.” Xander spoke up and pointed the door out. Willow grimaced, knowing it opened to a dark alley, but it was worth the risk right now.

“I can’t believe I’m probably going to be walking through a trashy alley in these shoes.” Cordy complained but she stood up. “If I get unidentifiable goo on my new shoes you’ll owe me Rosenberg.”

Xander led the way to the back door and Willow grabbed Kristin’s hand to tug her along. “I have a stake, I promise you Xander does too.” Willow spoke quietly and Kristin followed her, but Willow knew her vampire was afraid and was just trusting this was necessary.

Xander opened the back door and went out, Cordelia close behind him. Willow took a bit longer and she pushed Kristin forward and glanced back just in time to see Oz staring at her. Willow swallowed hard and stepped out, letting the door close behind her, but she was really not happy. That was so close a call it might not have worked at all. How smelly were vampires anyhow? Kristin didn’t smell funny to Willow, but Oz was able to tell.

Willow took her stake out and dragged Kristin along with her. They didn’t have far to go. “I think he saw me.” Willow called out.

“My car is just down the block.” Cordy answered and they broke free of the darkness. Willow turned to see her vampy girlfriend had gone grr. Willow noticed Xander turning to check on them and Willow whipped Kristin around to face the alley they’d been in and kissed her. The fangs were a challenge, but she did it safely.

“Relax, no grr. Please baby, we’re almost home free, no grr.” Willow whispered and she hugged Kristin, knowing they were being watched. She heard the small sound that signaled Kristin had pulled it back and Willow pulled away from her to look into a human face. “no one attacked us and we were in the alley, see it isn’t too bad.” Except they needed to run now.

“Okay, I’m okay.” Kristin’s shoulders seemed to slump and Willow held her hand firmly as they started to walk very fast to Cordy’s car.

Willow really wasn’t looking forward to school tomorrow, nope, not at all, she thought as they pulled out and she noticed Oz standing outside of the coffee shop, she’d recognize his shadow in the darkness anywhere. Cordelia normally drove a bit fast, so it didn’t seem too odd to be taking off quickly now.

……………………..

Willow had spent some of the night comforting Kristin, who now held a little jealousy about the ex-boyfriend but wouldn’t say it. Willow reassured her vampire that she wasn’t a dirty little secret, she was just in danger. Kristin had been good about hiding her fear, but the link cancelled that and Willow was grateful, because she could have really screwed things up if she’d ignored Kristin’s insecurity. After they talked Willow spent the rest of the night barely being able to sleep. As she got up for school she felt like she was going to the gallows, and she stood beside Kristin’s side of the bed and stared down at her vampire. “It’s going to get messy now, but I love you.” Willow whispered.

Willow left early for school and hurried so that she’d have some time in the library before school, some time to feel Giles out perhaps. He hadn’t been thrilled with Buffy and Angel, and still wasn’t, so he was unlikely to be all happy for Willow when this came out.

Willow opened the door and was about to call out into the library when she noticed Oz standing in front of Giles, and Giles was rubbing the lenses of his glasses. “Oh Dear Lord.” The British man spoke that loudly, sounding shocked. Willow watched the animated way her ex was talking to him and she quietly slipped back out the door.

“Damn it.” Willow glanced around the hall and started to walk a bit faster away. She couldn’t talk to them now, she had to make a plan. She needed a plan, something foolproof and smart, something that made sure that this didn’t blow up in their faces. Willow needed a plan. Willow grimaced as no plan started to spring forth in her mind. Willow needed more time, but she wasn’t going to get that. “Damn werewolves and their super sensitive noses.” Willow muttered as she rushed back down the hall toward the front doors of the school. She needed to avoid certain people until she had a plan too.

“Whoa, where’s the fire Red?” A voice spoke just as the front door rammed into someone and Willow looked up to see Faith there. It was strange to see her any time before noon.

“Why are you up early?” Willow snapped out, worried that someone had called Faith in over what Oz said.

“I’m not up early, I’m still up.” Faith gave Willow that teasing sexy grin and Willow just shook her head and started to walk around her. It was early, but a few students were starting to show up. “Hey Red, what’s up?” Willow grimaced as that sounded too close for Faith to be doing anything but following her.

“None of your business Faith.” Willow turned to glare at the slayer, before turning to just start walking away from school. She didn’t even know where she was going.

“You’re in trouble Red, I know you are.” Faith was still there and Willow did her best to ignore her as she tried to think. She needed to get Kristin out of the house in the daylight, so that no one could find her. “You need help.”

“A slayer is absolutely the last thing I need right now.” Willow stopped walking and just stared at Faith, “Just go away.”

“So someone figured out you have a vampire?” The words shocked Willow and she just stared at Faith with wide eyes for a moment. “Took them a while.”

“What? No.” Willow shook her head to deny it and heard the rustle of paper as Faith pulled something out of her pocket.

“Buffy gave me a copy of that list you made her.” Faith unfolded the paper and Willow was too stunned to say anything as she looked at the seven pictures again. “Funny thing is, I hear this person here wasn’t there.” Faith pointed to the picture of a woman Willow had put on there to cover for Kristin. “Nope, she wasn’t there at all.” Faith looked far too cheerful as she looked up at Willow, “So, want to skip school and chat?”

That was how Willow found herself walking with Faith into a restaurant a few blocks from the school and ordering breakfast just as her first class should be starting. She didn’t share a class with anyone until third period, so hopefully she could fix this before then. “She’s never killed anyone, never once.” Willow spoke quietly, knowing she had to convince the slayer. “She’s just a pet, one of the weak ones.” The waitress had left them alone with their orange juices and Willow hated the pleading in her voice. “She’s not like the other vampires, not at all. Hell, Buffy let Angel live and he’s killed so many, and Kristin’s never killed anyone.” There was no point in hiding that she had the vampire.

“How do you know she hasn’t?” Faith asked, but it wasn’t harsh. For a brief moment Willow wished that Buffy would listen to her like Faith was, but then she pushed that thought away. “It’s not natural that a vampire would be around for over a month and not hunt. It’s what they do.”

“Pets serve, they get their blood from their Sires, either gifted humans, leftovers, or right from their Sire’s veins.” Willow repeated what she’d learned. “But they don’t hunt like other vampires. They aren’t strong enough. I’ll admit she tried once, but she was attacked and tortured by vampires and she is scared to leave the house now. She’s terrified of vampires. That doesn’t sound like a killer to you does it? I feed her pigs blood.” Willow didn’t admit to the human blood that was a treat, or that her own veins weren’t too pure anymore.

“You’ve been letting her bite you.” Faith stared at Willow’s neck, but there wouldn’t be a bite mark, so Faith was just searching.

“I’ve offered, but she won’t bite. She’s afraid to hurt me.” Willow spoke quickly, wanting Faith to see Kristin the way Willow did. “If I cut myself she’ll lick, but she never bites, and if she accidentally cuts me she freezes, afraid that I’m hurt.”

“Why the hell would you let a blood sucker drink from you?” Faith’s voice was quieter, but more intense.

“I don’t know that I can even explain. It’s like with a cute kitten, you know cute kittens like milk so you give it to them and it feels good to watch them drink their milk knowing their purry little hearts are all happy. Only my cute kitten is a vampire and she likes blood.” Willow bit her lower lip as she considered what she’d said. “Not that she’s a kitten, because hey, I know she’s a vampire, but she’s cute in a vampire kind of way, even with the grr face. And she’s all purry when I let her have my blood, it makes her all happy, because she likes it best.”

“You’re insane.” Faith scoffed and Willow felt a bit angry.

“Oz just told Giles that I was out last night with a vampire. I have to figure out how to keep her from getting slayed.” Willow snapped at Faith.

“I thought she couldn’t leave the house.” Faith pointed out the flaw.

“I’m working on showing her she can. I can’t keep her in the house for years, she has to be able to leave, to see movies, go out to restaurants, maybe go back to school.” Willow defended herself. “She didn’t want to live here, and I can’t leave. I have to make it better for her, because she gave up too much. She’s not happy here, but she’s staying for me. I can’t let her live in fear.”

Faith just stared at Willow for long enough to make it uncomfortable. “You trust this vamp?”

“More than I ever trusted Angel, more than I trust him now. My vampire doesn’t have a soul, and she can’t lose what she doesn’t have.” Willow sighed. “She’s my girlfriend Faith, my vampy girlfriend.”

“Whoa, Red, when you step out of the box you pole vault don’t you?” Faith shook her head and Willow didn’t answer because the waitress was back with breakfast. Willow was a little surprised to see Faith just start to shovel food into her mouth during such an important conversation. It must have shown, because Faith gave her a funny look. “Hungry and horny, you know how it is. I got one scratched, now I need to scratch the other.”

“Ew Faith, I’m eating.” Willow grimaced and looked down at her plate.

“No you aren’t, you were just telling me you do the horizontal dance with the undead. Don’t act like I’m grossing you out.” Faith’s words made Willow cringe, because what she did with Kristin was beautiful and those words made it sound rather gross.

Willow used her fork to move food around on her plate, but she wasn’t feeling like eating. There was too much she needed to do and her appetite was missing now.

“Eat up Red, you’re paying for all of this.” Faith moved to point at her own plate and Willow’s eyes narrowed at that, but she couldn’t complain now. She hated that she needed Faith’s help.

“You know, before I came to SunnyD it was all simple, if it’s a bloodthirsty demon kill it.” Faith sighed heavily. “It’s what a slayer is supposed to do, but Buffy changed all those rules and it isn’t all good and evil, black and white anymore. Sure the Council would eat their underwear after shitting them if they saw what all goes on in this town, but maybe some demons, even some vampires, are okay. I don’t know anymore.” Willow noticed that Faith seemed really bothered by the topic, it seemed like an important one to her and Faith was talking to her plate, not directly at Willow. “But how can we BE slayers if we need to evaluate every demon, every vampire, and decide if they need to be slayed?”

“Buffy is one of my best friends, but if the vampire isn’t Angel she doesn’t think twice.” Willow spoke quietly, not wanting to get philosophical, because this wasn’t a philosophical issue for her. Willow wanted her vampire protected, end of issue, no debating about if she should want that, she did. Willow was a little reassured, however, that it seemed like Faith had considered this issue before. “Her vampire is safe, but I’ll have to fight for mine and I’m not all strong and violent. I know Buffy’s all slay happy and overprotective, and she’s going to assume I don’t know what I’m talking about even though I read all the books she refuses to open. I swear I know my vampire and I know how to keep her in line. She doesn’t need a soul to be good, she has me, and she’s sweet and far gentler than anyone could imagine a vampire being. I have to be careful with her, because I swear if I told her to walk outside at noon she’d do it for me.” Willow’s throat felt like it was closing from repressing tears and even though she tried her eyes were teary. “She’d do anything for me.”

“We’re gonna have to test that.” Faith spoke and it sounded a little more action oriented. Willow stared over at the slayer. “You know Buffy’s going to head to your house as soon as she hears you have a Pet Vamp. It would be best if your vamp wasn’t there. Fangette needs to leave the house in the middle of the day.”

………………………….

Kristin groaned as she heard the pounding on the front door and rolled over. She’d woken up a little while ago to a strange feeling of urgency her sire was sending out, but at school Willow tended to send those out a lot. Willow worried about her grades too much, not that Kristin would tell her that.

The knocking was irritating. It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to knock when Kristin was alone at the house. Usually it was religious zealots and it wasn’t safe to answer the door to those even if the sun wouldn’t come in. The pounding didn’t stop and Kristin was a little surprised. “Come on Fangette!” An unfamiliar voice called out and Kristin sat up and focused on listening harder. “Willow sent me! Unlock the door or I’ll have to break it.”

Kristin was out of the bed, feeling a sense of forboding, thinking that the feeling she’d sensed earlier from Willow wasn’t about school. Kristin grabbed Willow’s robe and walked into the hall naked while putting it on. She grabbed the umbrella and used it to block the sunlight as she made her way to the front door, the robe still hanging opened since she couldn’t tie it and hold the umbrella at the same time. “Finally awake.” The voice spoke through the door. “Thought I was going to have to break in and drag your undead ass out of bed.”

Kristin closed the umbrella and quickly tied her robe. “Willow never sends people to me.” Kristin spoke through the door.

“And Red never sends me anywhere, so today is opposite day. I’ll be her little lackey and get her undead lover to safety.” Kristin leaned up against the door. “Wolfboy is causing trouble and this is the first place they’ll look for you. Look, check the answering machine if your worried, Red called you before she went back to school.”

Kristin moved her hands to the door, believing this. “I’m unlocking, but wait a few seconds before you open it.” She told the stranger at the door. Once the door was unlocked Kristin moved into the living room where the sun wouldn’t hit her and waited.

A dark haired and rather confident looking teenage girl opened the door and stepped in. Kristin felt a small strange sensation she couldn’t quite recognize, it wasn’t a vampire, but this girl wasn’t normal. It had to be Faith, and if it was something really went wrong, because Willow didn’t even like that slayer. “Is she okay?” Kristin felt out for her Sire as she ask and felt a bit of urgency and reassurance.

There was also a faint message, “go with faith.” It was almost a whisper and Faith’s starting to talk almost made it hard to hear but Kristin managed.

“Red’s fine, just worried about you.” Faith closed the front door and Kristin swallowed, feeling a bit nervous. “We’re leaving for my place. If you want to go naked feel free, but I can wait about two minutes for you to get dressed.”

Kristin moved to the answering machine, hit the button and then moved to the stairs as it started to run. She glanced a little nervously at the now smug looking slayer as she grabbed the umbrella and opened it while they listened to a telemarketer who was the first message. “Guess bad luck doesn’t matter to the undead huh?” Faith spoke and Kristin just sighed as she made her way upstairs fast.

Willow’s words filled the house and Kristin could hear it because her senses were stronger. As Kristin pulled on her pants she could hear the tension in Willow’s voice and wondered how she’d slept through that. “Please, just go with Faith. I know she’s a slayer, but she’s going to hide you until I can make the others listen. If you’re in the house when they all find out about you they’ll just go after you and ignore what I say.” There was a pause and Kristin was tugging on her shoes as she heard her Sire speak more softly. “I love you, and I’ll protect you. I’ll see you tonight, but it may be later. Be careful and be good.” The message ended and Kristin was dressed. She grabbed her brush and her toothbrush. She went down the stairs fast and glanced over at the slayer.

“I’ll need my blood.” She told Faith and watched the slight grimace before the woman nodded.

“I’ll get some ice, because no way in hell is that going in my fridge.” Faith spoke up and Kristin looked over from her place pulling a few bags out of the fridge. Faith was hitting erase on the answering machine. “Hiding you won’t work if they find out this easily.” Faith explained and Kristin was glad the slayer was thinking more clearly than Kristin was at the moment.

“How am I leaving?” Kristin had her bag with a few containers of blood and her favorite mug, in which she tossed the other things she had in her hand.

“Borrowed a car. You’ll be riding in the trunk.” Faith smirked at her and Kristin sighed heavily, not liking it, but not really able to see another way.

Just a few minutes later and Kristin heard the car start and she stood in the garage near the door to the house as she hit the button to open the garage door. She watched as the sun filled three feet of the garage and stared at the back of the large and rather run down looking car that was backing up into the garage for her. She closed the door to the house and moved as far as she could into the garage.

When the pop sound signaled that the truck was unlocked Kristin stared into the rearview mirror of the car at the slayer, not seeing herself, but seeing an amused smile looking at her. Kristin sighed and got into the trunk, before pulling it closed behind her.

“This is the easy part. I don’t have a garage.” Faith spoke in the car and it carried to Kristin easily. They moved forward. Kristin did her best to steady herself in the trunk, but she knew this wasn’t going to be a comfortable ride. Something was already poking her in the back.

………………………

Willow walked into the school and into the crowd after first period. She felt like there should be a huge blinking sign over her head that screamed she’d skipped a class, but no one looked at her strangely at all as she made her way through the halls toward her locker.

“Hey Wills.” Xander leaned up against the row of lockers near her and Willow’s body tensed up for a moment as she turned to look at him. He was smiling, so he didn’t know Kristin was a vampire yet. Willow gave him a weak attempt at a smile back. “So do you think she’d be up to another jaunt outside soon? We could go to the mall. I always get roped into shopping with Cordy and I think having Kristin and you along might make that bearable.”

Willow did her best not to tear up, knowing this acceptance was going to go away by the end of the day. She’d miss invitations like this from Xander. “I don’t know Xan. I’ll ask her later.” There was no way they could do it, but why have that discussion now.

Willow and Xander made their way down the hall, but they split up as they made their way into their own classes. Willow was in AP English and Xander was well, Xander. He’d never be in AP anything but Woodshop. Willow did her best to pay attention and to hope that Faith wasn’t scaring Kristin. It was unbelievable that Faith, the skankiest slayer ever to live, was the one helping Willow save Kristin. Willow had to go back to school to delay the confrontation while Faith moved Willow’s vampy lover in the middle of the day.

It was almost time for the third period to end when Willow felt a wave of concern from Kristin and she knew Faith was at the house. Willow closed her eyes and focused on her vampy girlfriend, willing her to trust Faith, to go with Faith, because they didn’t have time for Kristin not to.

………………………..

Kristin ran into Faith’s apartment right after the invitation and slammed the door behind her. The sheet that must have come from the messy bed was tossed back onto the bed and she stood in the middle of a rather run down looking hotel room. “I’ll go get some ice for your blood, stay here and don’t touch anything.” Faith told her and Kristin moved out of the way of the sunlight as the slayer left her alone in the room.

Kristin looked around and noticed the small mini fridge, and the microwave sitting on top of it. It looked like something you’d find in a dorm room and from the looks of this place it hadn’t come with the hotel room. Kristin looked around and there was no couch, just a bed, a dresser, and a round table with a single chair.

Kristin made her way to the bathroom and looked at a few cracked tiles and cracks in the paint. The bathtub was tiny and there was little room around the sink for the few items that sat there. “This is so wrong. You’re a slayer.” This wasn’t a place fit to live in. Even Kristin’s ugly dorm room was miles above this. Who was watching out for this slayer? Willow told Kristin that slayers had watchers, but in Kristin’s mind a watcher was doing more than research, they would watch out for the welfare of the slayer. Apparently she was wrong.

The door opened again and Faith had the tub filled and overflowing with ice. Kristin watched her pour it into the sink and Kristin sighed at the pour set up for her blood. If she had to last more than until tonight what she had wouldn’t last in that set up, it would spoil. She needed to drink some now, as much as she could. “Can I use the microwave?”

“Ew, no. I don’t want blood splatters in my microwave.” Faith sounded rather firm on that and Kristin just sighed. Cold it was even more disgusting. She didn’t bother mentioning that she always cleaned out the microwave, because it wasn’t likely to earn her points. “I’m gonna take a shower and get some sleep. You go near me when I’m sleeping Fangette and I’ll stake you.” Faith told her.

Kristin had enough time to set up the cold storage for her blood, and she pulled two containers out of the bathroom with her as Faith took the room over. It took a lot of willpower to be able to drink it and Kristin felt like she’d gag as she did it.

Faith didn’t talk to her when she came out of her bathroom later smelling of soap and shampoo. Kristin was a little surprised that the slayer wasn’t shy about being naked, but Kristin thought of Willow and didn’t look. Her sire wouldn’t want her to. “I sleep naked, and I don’t want to wake up to a lesbian vampire in my bed, so know that I also sleep with a stake under my pillow.” Faith crawled into bed.

“Can I have a pillow?” Kristin asked after she brushed her teeth and then caught the one tossed at her. Kristin curled up on the floor furthest from the door and sighed. “Do you think she’ll be able to straighten this out?” Kristin asked the slayer from her spot on the floor.

“Probably. Buffy listens to Willow. If you were my vampire you’d be dusted no matter what I said, but Willow will give her sad eyes and get what she wants.” Faith spoke and then the rustle of sheets sounded like she’d rolled over. “If you can’t sleep stay quiet. I sleep during the day.”

Kristin found it impossible to sleep, so she just listened to the slayer’s breathing even out and the strong heartbeat. It didn’t have the same soothing quality Willow’s did on her. Kristin sighed heavily and rolled onto her back and stared up at the stained ceiling. She should have brought a book.