No Matter Where You Go... by DarkWiccan

With A Mucho Grande Assist From the Very Talented: Harrison

Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters associated with the show are owned by Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy and their affiliates. If they belonged to me, none of the horrors of season six would ever have happened, and Willow and Tara would be on their honeymoon by now. But they don't, so for now I borrow and kindly ask the big, scary corporate lawyer-guy to look the other way.
Email: Etrnloptimist79@cs.com
Feedback: Yes, please. But I have a Fire Extinguisher to put out all flames.
Distribution: Sure, just ask me
Spoilers: Um... yeah…Everything to Date
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: W/T
Big, Big Thanks: If it weren't for this guy, this fic would be PG-13 at best. Harrison, you did a wonderful job constructing six very tender and powerful love scenes. Thank you so much. To our readers, if you like what you read, please make sure you let Harrison know too. His email is: Brandon234@worldnet.att.net
Summary: You can take the girls away from the Hellmouth… But will the Hellmouth stay away from the girls?
Note: Set three years in the future under the assumption that Willow and Tara get back together at the end of season six… and stay that way. This was written before the season 6 "wedding" episode also under the assumption that Xander and Anya do not successfully tie the knot. This is a long one, folks.

Sunnydale, California 2005

Willow burst through the front door of the Summers' home and quickly made her way up the stairs to her and Tara's room at the end of the hall. She paused before the closed door and took a moment to calm herself before knocking lightly.

"Tara", she said softly, "Can I come in?" 

"Yeah", came the tense reply. 

She turned the knob and entered the room to find Tara standing by the far window nervously biting her fingernails. 

"Did you get it?" The blonde asked. 

"Yeah", Willow answered, producing a small brown paper bag in her right hand. 

"Was it expensive?" 

"A little. It doesn't matter." 

Neither one of them moved, an uncomfortable silence followed. 

"Are you nervous", Willow asked finally. 

"Yes", Tara breathed, "You?" 

"Terrified." 

"Why?" The blonde uttered, a sudden fear forming in her belly. 

"Because two weeks ago when we did the… what we did…." The redhead tried to explain, "It had been so long since I'd done any magick and… well, except for the bonding spell at our wedding last year, which was so beautiful and perfect, but with this… I'm… I…uh…" 

"What?" Tara needed to know. 

"I'm afraid it didn't work." 

"Well, we can find out", Tara assured, trying unsuccessfully to hide her own jitters, "right now." 

"Yeah", Willow echoed, "right now." 

Tara closed the distance between her and her wife. "So, I kind of need… the thing." 

"Oh! Right. The thing", Willow said, holding out the brown bag. Tara took it with trepidation, holding it between her hands, staring at the brown paper as though she could see through it to what lay inside. 

"I guess I should um…" Tara began. 

"Yeah", Willow gulped. 

Again, neither of them moved. 

"Willow…?" 

"Yes?" Willow squeaked. 

"Come with me", Tara entreated. 

"Of course", the redhead agreed, nodding vigorously. 

Tara led Willow to the adjoining room. Sitting down, the blonde opened the brown bag revealing the small, rectangular box inside. She carefully broke open the seal on the box and removed the object that had been encased within it. She handed the empty bag and box to Willow, who quickly set them aside. 

"Do you know how to use it", Willow asked. 

"Well, it seems pretty self-explanatory", responded Tara, "How long does it take to work?" 

"The box said a minute." 

"Okay", Tara stated, taking a few breaths to try and calm herself. "Willow?" She said after a moment, her voice anxious. 

"Yeah, Baby?" Answered the redhead, her blood pressure jumping up another notch. 

"I can't… um… I can't… I'm too scared to… relax enough", Tara explained. 

"Oh", Willow replied, "You want me to massage your shoulders or something?" 

"No. Just… hold my hand. Please?" 

"Of course", said Willow, taking Tara's free hand, "You sure you can use that thing one-handed?" 

"I'll manage." Tara took a few more deep, calming breaths, focusing on the warmth and support of Willow's hand in hers, and finally got her body to respond.

After a moment she held the object up to Willow. "Here", she said, "You hold it. I'm too nervous to look." 

"Okay", said the redhead, taking it, "sixty seconds on the cl…. Oh my God." 

"What?" Yelped Tara her heart leaping into her mouth. 

"Baby…" Willow trailed off, staring in disbelief at what she held in her hand. 

"What? Will, you're scaring me." 

"Baby", Willow began again, her vocal chords threatening to revolt against the tension in her throat, "Baby, you're having my baby, Baby!" 

"Wha! I am?" Tara cried out, rising from the toilet and pulling up her panties, while trying to get a look at the test in Willow's hand. 

"It was instantaneous. I mean, you handed it to me and 'Blam!', there it was… a plus sign!" Willow babbled, handing the stick back to the blonde. 

Tara stared at it, the edge of her mouth forming into a broad grin, she looked back at Willow, her eyes sparkling, "I'm really pregnant?" 

"You really are", Willow smiled back. 

"With your baby", the blonde continued. 

"Uh-huh. It worked. It really worked. The spell. I was so scared that it wouldn't… Oh, Baby, I love you so much", Willow giggled, taking her lover into her arms and holding her tightly. The redhead's laughs quickly turned into tears of joy and she gleefully kissed all over Tara's neck and face before settling on her lips and tasting them deeply. 

"I love you too, Darling", Tara responded between kisses, her eyes tearing up as well, "So, so very much." 

The couple continued to hold and savor each other, silence and contentment falling over them. Willow slowly slid down to her knees, lifting Tara's blouse above the waistline of her skirt, and wrapping her arms around the blonde's hips. She gently pressed her lips to her wife's belly, then she turned her head and placed her cheek where her lips had been, sighing contentedly. A peaceful smile graced Tara's lips, and she softly ran her fingers through Willow's hair. 

"I hope she has your eyes", said Willow. 

"I hope she has your hair", Tara answered. 

Willow rose and took Tara's hand, leading her back to the bedroom, and the bed. Sitting down, she pulled Tara to her, urging her to sit on her lap. Tara complied, and draped her arms around Willow's shoulders, leaning in to kiss her again. 

Willow savored the taste of her wife's lips and tongue. She brought her hand up and gently caressed Tara's face, continuing the deep exploration of her wife's mouth. She shivered as she felt Tara's tongue slide against hers, a low moan escaping from her throat. She felt her body begin to lubricate itself, her mind filled with visions of her Tara, naked, pregnant. Willow suddenly felt an aching need to be as close to her wife as she could. She would have crawled inside Tara's skin if it were physically possible. Instead, she settled for wrapping her arms around the blonde and squeezing gently. 

Tara, still deeply immersed in the passionate embrace, placed a cool hand, palm down, to Willow's chest. She smiled, feeling her wife's heart as it pounded from beneath the warm flesh. Tara was in awe, her brain slowly processing the fact that she was actually going to have a child with the hauntingly beautiful woman inside her mouth. Tara's heart ached with want. She feared she'd never be able to get close enough to her wife. Never. She slid her hands down Willow's back, fingers caressing through the thin T-shirt. 

"Mmm, Baby?" Willow whispered, reluctantly pulling out of the kiss. 

"Yes?" Tara breathed, opening her eyes slightly. 

"Could we lay down?" Willow smiled lovingly. Tara nodded her head sweetly and matched the smile, blue eyes burning with passion. The women repositioned themselves, both climbing on to the bed, Tara lay on her back while Willow spooned her side, head resting on her arm. She draped her other arm over Tara's stomach, fingers creeping southward, gently pulling up Tara's shirt as they went. She let her hand rest once she hit the softness of Tara's exposed belly. Willow's chest burned as she realized her baby was growing inside that very stomach, this very moment. Her heart welled, threatening to burst, her cheeks flushed bright pink. At this very moment Willow would have laid down and died for Tara if she were asked to. 

Tara giggled slightly as cool fingers met her warm skin, her eyes growing soft, beckoning her love near. Willow recognized those eyes, drawing her head in closer she dribbled soft light kisses on the blonde's tender lips, fingers traveling south again. Tara parted her legs exposing the warmth between them, hoping to draw attention to Willow's fingers. Willow was acutely aware of that warmth but she didn't hasten her journey. No she wanted to revel in this, she wanted to memorize every detail of this moment. She stopped her hand, sensing Tara's secret spot radiating beneath the skirt. She deepened her kiss, pulling out slightly to linger before drawing back in, a smile creasing her lips. 

Tara moaned softly and let herself relax. Enjoying the sensitivity of the kiss, enjoying the languid dance her tongue performed as the wetness grew between her legs. After a few moments though she succumbed to her need and drew out of the kiss. 

"Willow." 

"Mmmhmm." Willow moaned in acknowledgment, leaning in for another kiss, her hand drawing up Tara's skirt. Tara shuddered feeling the air brush over her bare legs. Her breath caught as Willow's hand cupped her soft mound, fingers massaging through her cotton panties. Tara rolled her hips slightly, she rose up a bit, letting her body respond to her wife's ministrations. She moaned in Willow's mouth, vocalizing her need to be touched. Willow knew the signs, she had traveled this road many times over and yet today it was all somehow different. Today she felt worship towards her wife's pregnant body. An entire life was built out of love, their love, and today that life became Willow's second number one priority. 

Willow broke the kiss and slid down to the edge of the bed. She stood and leaned forward gripping Tara's panties with her hands, she drew them off, letting them fall to the floor. On hands and knees she crept up between her lover's legs, lowering herself down. She traced a light finger around a fleshy thigh, dipping her head to kiss the imaginary circle she drew. She felt Tara's hand come to rest on the back of her head, gently urging it forward, into the golden nest of soft pubic hair. Willow responded and brushed her lips over the swelling mass of curls, she leaned in and dropped a few languid thrusts with her tongue, smiling as Tara's body responded with goose bumps. She drew up her hands and parted the lips that kept her from her wife's most private area. Her eyes grew wide as the site unfolded before her, a trickle of juice escaped from Tara's opening. Willow dipped her head and licked it away before it could hit the sheets. This caused quite an uproar from within Tara as she flinched with pleasure. Willow took note and centered her tongue at Tara's opening. She pressed her face in without regard to oxygen then slowly she opened her mouth and released her tongue, thrusting it up inside. Tara's breathing became erratic; Willow was inside her, just the thought made her begin to quiver. 

"Oh… God...Willow…" Tara guided her beloved's head up to her clit, which was now pulsating with ache. Willow took the flesh into her mouth and gently massaged it with her tongue. She flicked the very tip, trying to draw out sensations as long as possible. Tara lay still, except for her chest, which rose and fell in a timely manner. Her breathing was shallow, erratic, lingering in the air. Willow licked gently, barely moving her head, centering on one thing only. 

Tara curled her toes and tried to control the small quakes forming in her legs but it was all too overpowering. She arched her back and prepared to let her muscles relax, releasing her orgasm. 

"Right theeeere…" Tara's command turned into a long drawn out moan. Her body went limp as she accepted the pleasure, reveling in it. Willow stopped her movement, letting her wife ride out the moment. After a few moments Tara had calmed down, Willow withdrew her head and sat up, smiling with love. 

"Come here." Tara beckoned with half heavy but clearly satiated eyes. Willow rose up on her knees and gripped the edge of her shirt, lifting it off. She quickly moved her hands down to her jeans and unbuttoned them. Taking note, Tara began to disrobe as well. Within a few moments the girls rested comfortably naked next to each other. Tara spooned Willow's side pressing her ear into the redhead's chest. She closed her eyes and smiled in euphoria. 

"What is it, Baby?" Willow asked softly, sensing the blonde was deep in thought. 

"It's your heartbeat…I can hear it." Tara fell silent again, tuning her ears to the gentle thumping beneath Willow's breastbone. 

"Well, that's a good thing." Willow chuckled softly. Tara smiled sweetly. 

"Yes, it is, Love." 

Both women drifted off to sleep, each dreaming about the wonderful thing their lives had in store. 

*******

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring. The sound of the phone finally roused Willow from her sleep. She lazily reached for the lamp on the bedside table, careful not to dislodge her still sleeping wife from on top her chest. Clicking the light on, she squinted her eyes blearily and glanced at the clock before answering the phone. 1:04am. 

"Hello?" She said in a thick and hushed voice. 

"Will?" 

"Buffy?" Willow responded, becoming more awake. 

"Yeah. Did I wake you?" 

"It's okay. What's up?" 

"Who is it", Tara asked sleepily, slowly waking up as well. 

"Buffy", Willow whispered. 

"I need you and Tara to get down to the shop A.S.A.P.", Buffy continued. 

"What's wrong?" 

"We have a slight situation. I need your guys' help." 

"Okay, just um… give us a couple minutes to wake up and get dressed. We'll be down there. Do you need anything from the house?" Willow offered. 

"Um, no, that's okay. We'll see you when you get here." 

"Kay. Bye." Willow hung up the phone. 

"What's going on", Tara inquired. 

"They need us down at the shop. Something's going on." 

"Guess we'd better get going", commented the blonde. 

They both gingerly pulled apart from each other and got out of the bed. Willow went into the bathroom to freshen up, while Tara pulled some clothes from the closet. Pulling on another of her skirts and blouses, she headed to the bathroom with a pair of jeans and green sweater for Willow. She leaned against the doorway of the room, watching her still-naked lover brush her teeth. She caught Willow's gaze in the mirror and chuckled lightly. 

"What?" Asked Willow, her mouth foamy with toothpaste. 

"It's a good thing we're used to this." She said. 

"Hmm?" Willow answered, returning to her brushing. 

"Being woken up at all hours", Tara explained. Willow's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Because we're really going to need the stamina in a few months", the blonde continued, "Only instead of it being for demons and monsters, it will be for feedings and colic." 

Willow smiled broadly and quickly rinsed out her mouth before spinning around and grabbing Tara in a deep and passionate embrace. 

"I love you", she said after they had finally broken apart. 

"Mmmm", Tara sighed, "You too." 

"We should tell Buffy", Willow grinned. 

"We should definitely tell Buffy", Tara agreed, smiling in return. "Here, put these on. We should tell Buffy, but somehow I think the impact of the moment would be lost if you were all naked." 

"Awe, c'mon, Baby", Willow teased, "Where's your sense of adventure?" 

Tara gave Willow a playful swat. Willow laughed and took the clothes that her wife had chosen for her, quickly putting them on while Tara took her turn in the bathroom. 

That done, the couple then left the house, heading for the Magic Box. 

*******

 The shop bell rang overhead as Willow and Tara arrived finding the rest of the Scoobies already hard at work at the research table. 

"Will. Tara. Good, you're here", said Buffy, rising to greet them. 

"We came as fast as we could", explained Tara. 

"What's all the hub-bub, bub?" Asked Willow, playfully. 

"This", stated the slayer, holding up a picture of a rather menacing-looking demon, complete with horns, fangs, claws, and a nasty slime factor as well. 

"Eew." 

"I ran into this beauty contest reject just after sundown", Buffy explained, "It gave me a serious run for my money. For a second there, I almost thought…" 

"But", said Tara, "You slayed it right? No more demon?" 

"No." Buffy said, almost coldly, though her anger clearly was not directed at Tara, but at herself. "No, I didn't. That's the problem. I couldn't slay him." 

"You couldn't slay him?" Willow was now bordering on confused, "You mean you couldn't get close enough?" 

"No." Came the answer again. 

"It seems this demon has a lot in common with how the Mayor was before the ascension", Xander stated from his place at the table. 

"You mean he's… it's… impervious?" Willow concluded. Tara took her hand and scooted close enough so that their bodies touched. 

"How do you know", Tara asked. 

"Because I cut his head off, and it didn't do anything", Buffy leveled. 

"Are you sure you didn't miss", offered Willow. 

"Will, I felt my sword connect with his flesh, go through his spine and come out the other side. And, instead of dying, all he did was laugh as I watched his head reattach itself." 

"Whoa." It was all the redhead could manage to say. 

"Do you know what it is", Tara queried. 

"Diabolus Pestis Univerisitas", Anya answered, getting up from the table to join them. "The Demon of Absolute Destruction." 

"That doesn't sound happy", commented Willow, holding Tara's hand a little more tightly. "What does it want?" 

"It wants to open the Hellmouth", Buffy said, lowering her gaze to the floor. 

"Not again", the redhead sighed. "Things have been so nice and quiet. Nothing but vampires and the occasional slayer friendly, easy kill demon types. What happened?" 

"Just that. It was quiet…too quiet", Xander commented wryly. 

"How do you know it wants to open the Hellmouth?" Tara asked. 

"I swung by Willy's a little while ago. Apparently our new bad was there last week, bragging about how he was going to open the Hellmouth and take over the world", Buffy explained. 

"So, how do we stop him", queried Willow. 

"We were able to get in touch with Giles in England", said Xander, signaling the group back over to the table. They all crowded around the young man as he held up a piece of paper, "He sent us this fax of an incantation that's supposed to banish this demon back to the boiling, flamey hell from which he came." 

Tara took the text and examined it closely, Willow read along over her wife's shoulder. It was in Latin, and, given what it was meant to accomplish, was extraordinarily short. 

"Actually this is two spells", Tara clarified, "One is for binding, and the other is for exorcising." 

"Exercising?" Buffy said, confounded, "Like aerobics? We make the demon do aerobics back to Hell? Come to think of it, that would be worth seeing." 

"No, Buffy", chuckled Willow, "not exercising, ex-OR-cising. It's for banishing an evil presence or entity. Like in the movie. You know, the one with the little girl and the projectile vomiting?" 

"Exactly why I don't mix slayer duties with Buffy movie night", Buffy quipped. "What do you think, Tara? Will it work?" 

"Um… Well, I think so…But, I… oh, wait", Tara said as something on the paper caught her eye. "That's weird." 

"What", Willow asked. 

"Well it says here that in order for the second incantation, the exorcism, to work, the exorcist has to be in physical contact with the demon itself. They have to be touching", Tara explained. 

"Isn't that what the binding thing is for", commented Xander, "So that it will hold still long enough to make it go 'poof'?" 

"That would also explain why the spell is so short", said Willow. 

"No kidding", sighed Tara, "It also says that the second incantation must be spoken within eight heartbeats of the binding being cast." 

"What is that 'clock time'?" Asked Xander 

"About 7 seconds", answered Anya. Xander nodded. 

"Not much time", stated Buffy. She looked Tara in the eye, "Can you do it?" 

"Me", Tara squeaked. 

"Her?" Willow echoed, "No, no, no. Too dangerous, way too dangerous, I don't think so." 

"Willow", Buffy reasoned, "Giles said that it had to be an experienced and powerful witch. Tara's our only option. From what we've been able to put together, this thing is going to try to open the Hellmouth on the night of the Quickening Moon when the Full Moon reaches it's apex. We can't allow this to happen." 

"Well, you're just going to have to find some other witch, because you aren't using mine", Willow said, stepping protectively in front of her wife, "You don't underst…" 

"Willow", Tara interrupted, "We don't have a choice." 

"What do you mean, yes we do", Willow pleaded, "There are tons of witches in Sunnydale… I think." 

"No we don't, and no there aren't. Not as experienced as I am. Will, the Quickening Moon is tonight. We only have an hour before it reaches its apex. If we want to stop the Hellmouth from opening, we have to go now." Tara leveled firmly. 

"Hold it", said Buffy, "The Quickening Moon is tonight? In an hour?!? That's it, we're heading out!" 

"No!" Yelled Willow, "Wait. I-I need to talk to Tara alone for a minute. In the back. Now." 

Buffy nodded, and Willow led Tara into the training room, shutting the door behind them. 

"Let me do it", stated the redhead. 

"What? No! You can't, Willow. It's been too long, it's not safe." 

"Exactly", Willow countered, "It's not safe. For you, for me, or the b… for the three of us." 

Tara lowered her gaze, "That's not what I meant, Will. This is heavy magic. Not dark, necessarily, but, big. It's not that I don't think you couldn't handle it as far as a potential relapse goes, but… If there isn't enough power behind this spell when it's cast, and this demon succeeds in opening the Hellmouth, there won't be a three of us." 

"You think I'm too weak", Willow asked softly, dumbfounded. 

"You're out of practice, Will…" 

"Tara, not two weeks ago, we cast a spell and made a life out of our love. If that isn't power, then I don't know what is." 

"That was the two of us working together. This is strictly a solo number", Tara said, trying to be as gentle as possible. "We can't take the risk." She paused a moment before continuing, "Willow, I love you. Let's just get passed this. We'll go. I'll bind this thing. I'll exorcise it. And we'll go home to our bed. And we'll sleep and be safe. The three of us." 

"We should tell Buffy that you're pregnant." 

"After." 

"No. Now! She has to know how much we have at stake. It's not fair to us, and it's not fair to her if she doesn't know", Willow leveled, tears beginning to well in her eyes. 

There was a sudden knocking on the door that caused both women to jump. 

"Guys", Buffy called from the other side, "Kind of running short on time here." 

Tara looked her wife directly in the eye, making it clear that what she was about to say was the final word, and that she would brook no argument. "We tell Buffy after." With that Tara opened the training room door and re-entered the shop. Willow stayed frozen for a moment before lifting her feet and following. 

*******

 The group approached the now barren lot that had once been Sunnydale High School. The only way to get to the Hellmouth now was via a sewer pipe that could be reached through a manhole in the middle of the street. Once uncovered, the Scooby gang descended into the murky depths below. Buffy and Tara were in the lead, followed closely by Anya, with Xander and Willow bringing up the rear. The redhead rubbed her forehead nervously, unable to hide the daunting fear that had crept into her belly and invaded her body. Xander noticed his best friend's sudden attack of nerves and spoke up. 

"Hey, Will, you okay there? By the way you were shaking I'd say that you had either O.D.'d on the mochas, or were scared out of your mind." 

"Um, the second one", she admitted. 

"Why?", asked the young man, "Compared to some of the other baddies we've taken care of, this is a quick fix. We go. We banish. We go home." 

"That's what Tara said", Willow sighed. 

"So why the worries", Xander asked. 

"I asked Tara to let me do it. She wouldn't let me." 

"Will, you are a little rusty, and with everything that happened…" 

"That's not the point", she interrupted. 

"Then what is? Will, What's going on?" 

She couldn't take it, someone had to know before it was too late. "About two weeks ago Tara and I…" 

"Okay, guys. Game faces", Buffy announced from the head of the group. 

"Here we go", Xander said, handing Willow a battle-axe. "You ready?" 

"I'm always ready to protect what's mine", she answered, determinedly. 

"Alright", Buffy began, "I'll try to keep this thing on the defensive. The rest of you keep Tara safe until I can get the demon close enough for her to cast the binding spell and have enough time to get to it and perform the exorcism. Everybody set? Let's go." 

They silently entered the cavern of the Hellmouth and saw the destruction demon kneeling before the hellish fissure. It was in deep concentration, chanting methodically and occasionally tossing some sort of powder into the hole, resulting in small displays of multi-colored sparks. 

"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to play with fireworks", Buffy asked matter-of-factly. 

The demon leapt to its feet and ran toward the slayer ready to attack. It lunged at Buffy, wrapping its weight around her and knocking both of them to the floor. Buffy easily kicked it off and countered by throwing a full roundhouse kick at the monster's face. The creature spun around at the impact, but quickly recovered and bared his claws, swiping at Buffy's chest. The slayer handily deflected the blow and, unsheathing her broadsword from the baldric she was wearing on her back, swept up with the blade and severed the demon's arm off at the shoulder. Or so she would have liked, but as in her previous battle, the creature only laughed as the torn skin mended like new. 

"Tickles." He said in a disgusting and guttural voice. 

"Wow", said Xander from the sidelines, "That's not good." 

"How much time do we have", Anya asked. 

"Not much", Tara answered, "Buffy needs to get the demon closer to me now." 

"Can't you cast the binding spell from here", inquired Willow. 

"Not and be able to get to that thing in time to cast it out", Tara explained. 

"Buffy! You have to get it closer!" Called Xander. 

The demon looked to see where the voice had come from and started to charge. Buffy was on its tail quickly, leaping onto its back to slow it down. She tried wrapping her arm around its neck to choke it, but the monster wasn't phased. 

"Tara! Now!" Buffy exclaimed. 

"You have to let go of it or the binding will effect you too!" Tara yelled back. 

Buffy let go of the demon's neck and swept it off of its feet, causing it to the hit the ground hard on its back. 

Tara stepped forward to cast, but Buffy was still in the way. 

"Buffy! Move!" 

Buffy hesitated a millisecond too long, and the demon took the opportunity and kipped back up to a standing position, striking the slayer across the face and sending her up through the air to the opposite side the cavern. Unexpectedly, the monster took off in chase of where Buffy had landed, rather than going after Tara and the rest. 

"He's getting too far away", Tara cried in frustration. "There's no time. I have to bind it from here and hope that I get there in time to do the rest." 

"You can't make it", Willow interceded. 

"Not if I keep stalling", Tara replied. She stepped in front of the others, raised her hand and chanted: 

Envicio Vobis Quo Te Consto, Pes Pides Agito Infitialis Magis! 

The creature stopped dead in its tracks, unable to move. Tara took off at a fast sprint to reach the monster in time. No time for hesitation, she placed her hand on the back of the demon's shoulder and began to incant: 

Unde Te Antea Advendio Immundis Diabolis Rursus Ignis! 

Just as she reached the final word of the exorcism, the demon became unbound and he swung his fist angrily backward, connecting with Tara's stomach and sending her flying in reverse, crashing into a pile of rubble. 

"Tara!" Willow screamed, racing to her wife's side. 

The creature began to pursue, but suddenly it grasped its head as if in terrible pain. It fell to the ground and began to convulse violently before dematerializing in a brilliant flash of hot, red light. 

"Tara…Tara… please… wake up, Baby", Willow pleaded with her unconscious lover. 

The others quickly made it over to the couple. 

"Oh, God, Will", Buffy said, approaching, "Is she…?" 

"She's breathing", Willow answered between sobs, "But we have to get her to the hospital now!" 

"I have a cell phone", Anya piped up. Everyone looked at her sideways. "Well, I figured one of us should start carrying one around considering all the emergencies we get ourselves into." 

"Hon, stop talking and start dialing", Xander commented. 

"We need to get her above ground", Buffy stated, "Do you think it's safe to move her." 

"I don't know", Willow cried, her entire body shaking. 

"Well, we're going to have to take the chance. I'll carry her", the slayer continued, removing her baldric and sword and setting them on the ground, knowing she would have to leave them behind or face too many questions. "But I'm not sure how to get her up through the manhole." 

"I think I might be able to levitate her", Willow offered. 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes." 

"Let's go." 

Buffy gingerly lifted the unconscious woman into her arms and the group hastily made their way back from where they came. Arriving at the bottom of the manhole, the slayer delicately lay Tara back down on the ground. Xander and Anya climbed out of the hole, prepared to catch the wiccan when she emerged from below. 

"She's all yours, Will", Buffy said, stepping back. 

"Actually…could you hold her upright?" Willow asked, still trembling, "That way she'll fit through the, uh…" 

"Right", nodded Buffy. Again she lifted Tara up to her feet, the girl's head lolling forward onto her chest. 

Willow concentrated as hard as she could at raising her beloved up off of the ground. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally succeeded in levitating Tara up through the manhole. Xander grasped her and laid her down on her back as Willow and Buffy arrived at street level. Willow immediately knelt down next to Tara, holding her limp hand and caressing her face. 

"Ambulance is on its way" Anya announced, hanging up her phone. 

"What did you say", asked Buffy.

 "Gang."

 "Fine." Buffy turned her attention to her best friend, "Will? Are you okay…"

 "Don't", Willow cut her off, "Just don't. You don't know. You don't know."

 "Don't know what?" Buffy asked, but her inquiries were stopped short by the sound the ambulance approaching.

 The large vehicle pulled to a stop and the two technicians hopped out, rushing to Tara's side.

 "What happened", asked the first EMT, kneeling down.

 "Gang." Buffy answered.

 "Was this girl alone", asked the second, coming over from the back of the van with supplies.

 "No", said Willow, "We were with her."

 The first EMT glanced at all of them before continuing. "Well, aside from this other girl here", he said, indicating Buffy, "How come the rest of you don't look roughed up?"

 "Looks like a possible concussion", the second technician said to the first, "minor abrasions about the face and neck. BP 120/70."

 "Good, that's good", responded the EMT, "That's normal blood pressure. It's a good sign." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, back to my question. Why aren't the rest of you hurt?"

 "We don't have time for this", Willow muttered, "She needs to get to the hospital."

 "And that's where we're gonna take her right now", he responded. "Paul, get the gurney. Let's get her to Sunnydale General. Does one of you want to ride?"

 "Me", Willow answered, her voice shallow.

 "Are you family? Her sister?"

 "She's my wife. Plus I have power of attorney. I have a legal right."

 Paul returned with the gurney. "Ray, you want head or feet?"

 "Head", Ray responded, "But, I need to put the neck brace on her first."

 Ray carefully put the brace on Tara's neck, and he and Paul expertly lifted her onto the gurney. They wheeled it over to the ambulance and loaded it in. Willow followed.

 "Will, we'll meet you at the hospital", Buffy called after. The redhead only nodded mutely.

 "Does your wife have any known allergies", asked Paul.

 "Shrimp", Willow answered, her voice now only a hollow echo of her despair.

 "Does she suffer from any serious medical conditions?"

 "No, but… she's pregnant", Willow said as the doors to the ambulance closed behind her, sealing her and Tara inside. The van quickly took off, lights flashing.

 The remaining group stood staring at the now distant lights, dumbstruck.

 "Did you hear that", asked Xander, confused, "Did Willow just say that Tara is pregnant?"

 "Is that possible", queried Anya.

 "Oh God." Buffy gasped. "Oh God. We have to get to the hospital now. Now!"

 "Car's at the Magic Box", Xander explained.

 "Then we run back to the Magic Box", Buffy stated.

 The three of them took off in a dead heat.

 *******

 When they arrived at the hospital, Buffy and the gang found Willow sitting in the waiting room, her head in her hands. Buffy slowly approached her best friend.

 "Will? Will, are you… is she okay?"

 "She's in X-ray", Willow answered, her voice empty and tired from crying, "I was afraid of the radiation hurting the… , but the doctor said that they had to make sure that she doesn't have any swelling on brain. He said that it should be okay."

 "Is she still… I mean… is she?"

 "Don't know yet. They called our OB to come down and check her out. But, she hasn't gotten here yet."

 "Will, I'm so sor…"

 "Don't", Willow interjected, "It wa… It was her choice. She didn't want to tell you. She didn't want you to worry. We saved the world again, that's all that really matters, right?"

 "Will…"

 "Ms. Rosenberg?"

 They all looked up to see the ER Doctor entering the waiting area.

 "Mrs. Rosenberg-Maclay", Willow corrected, standing.

 "Of course, I'm sorry." The doctor apologized. "We got the tests back…", he paused, unsure whether or not to continue in front of the present company.

 "It's okay, they're family", Willow stated.

 "We got the tests back", he began again, "Do you want the good news or the mediocre news?"

 "Mediocre news?" Willow asked, unsure what that meant.

 "Well, it's not necessarily bad news, but it's not necessarily good news, it sort of falls in the middle." The doctor explained, "You want that or the good news first?"

 "Good news."

 "The good news is the X-rays came back fairly clear. There was some slight trauma to the occipital lobe, which is conducive to a mild concussion. You will also be happy to know that, according to the initial blood tests, Tara is still pregnant."

 Willow raised her eyes in surprise to meet the doctor's. The doctor smiled a congenial smile and paused before continuing.

 "Now, the mediocre news. I'd like to keep Tara overnight for observation. I want to make sure that the trauma to her system didn't cause enough of a shock to ultimately induce a miscarriage. Also, the fact that she hasn't woken up yet has me a little concerned, although I am fairly confident that she should come around in the next few hours, I still want to keep an eye on her. I was finally able to get a hold of your OB/GYN, Dr. Gulliver, and she is currently on her way. A routine pelvic exam should determine whether or not there is any damage to the uterus and she can discuss with you any extra precautions or steps that should be taken. Otherwise, I've sent Tara to a private room and taken the liberty of setting up an extra bed in there, I'm assuming you'd like to stay the night. The, uh, desk nurse has your insurance information?"

 "Yes." Willow answered automatically, there was so much information to take in, her mind was racing a mile a minute to catch up to it.

 "If you have any questions my name is Dr. Meyers, I will be on duty for the next few hours. Tara is in room 382, you can go on up and see her if you'd like."

 "Yes, thank you, Doctor", Willow said, nodding her head. Dr. Meyers smiled and stepped away down the hall.

 "Well, that's good news", Buffy said, moving up beside her friend. "Right? Will?"

 "Willow?" asked Xander, "You okay?"

 "I have to go…" She trailed off.

 "Of course", agreed Buffy, "We'll be right…"

 "Go home", Willow interrupted. "We'll be okay."

 "Are you sure?"

 "Just…go." Willow turned and headed for the elevator, disappearing inside of it.

 "Wow", commented Anya.

 "Yeah", Xander agreed.

 "This isn't good", stated Buffy.

 "The only other time I've ever seen her like this was after you…" Xander let the sentence hang.

 "Died", Anya finished.

 "Anya", Xander chided.

 "What? You seemed to be having trouble completing the statement", she explained, "I was helping."

 "Guys, she came close to losing everything tonight. No wonder she's freaked. I would be too", said Buffy.

 "What do you think we should do?" Asked Xander.

 "We should go home like she asked", Buffy leveled, "and then come back in the morning."

 Xander and Anya nodded in agreement, and the trio left the ER.

 *******

 In room 382, Willow stood at her wife's bedside, holding her hand and stroking her hair. Despite her loving ministrations, her eyes did not look upon the woman before her, rather they stared off into space, dead and hollow. Never again, she thought over and over, Never again…

 "Willow?"

 The redhead blinked, life suddenly filling her eyes again as she looked down to see Tara gazing back up at her.

 "Baby?" Willow asked. Tara nodded. "Oh, God, Baby, I was so scared." She leaned down and kissed the blonde on the forehead.

 "What happened?"

 "That damn… thing… hit you. Hard. Sent you flying… you hit your head pretty bad. The Doctor says that you have a concussion."

 "Is it gone now? The demon. Did I banish it?"

 "Yeah, Baby, it's gone", assured Willow.

 "Are you mad?" Tara asked, reaching up to touch her lover's cheek.

 Willow leaned into the caress and took Tara's hand in her own, holding it there. "Yeah", she admitted, "A little. Not as much as I was. But, you're okay, and that's all that matters." She kissed the inside of Tara's palm and moved both of their hands back down to the bed.

 "Willow", Tara said, suddenly tensing, "Is… am I… are all 'three of us' okay?"

 "So far", answered the redhead.

 There were two swift knocks on the door and Dr. Gulliver, an attractive woman in her late-thirties, entered the room.

 "Hello", she said smiling as she approached the bed. "I'm sorry it took me so long. Traffic was horrible on the 405. I was in Long Beach staying at my sister-in-law's."

 "Sorry", apologized Willow.

 "Don't be, I can't stand her", Dr. Gulliver ensured. "So, Tara, what's going on?"

 "Um, I had an accident", she answered.

 "She was attacked", Willow corrected.

 "Yes, Dr. Meyers filled me in. What I meant was, pregnant? I didn't even know you girls were trying. I'm feeling a little left out here. I could have recommended some excellent fertility clinics or sperm banks. Although it seems you two had someone picked out already."

 "It's a long story", smiled Willow out of fatigue.

 "It always is", Dr. Gulliver smiled back. "Well, let's make sure that everything is all right, okay?"

 The girls nodded in agreement.

 "Obstetrics already has a room set up for us. I'll just get a nurse to come in with a wheelchair and I'll meet you both there", said the doctor, as she left the room and headed for the nurses' station. A few moments later a jolly-looking African-American nurse entered the room with a wheelchair.

 "Hi, Girls", she said happily, "I'm Nurse Kendra. Somebody order a taxi?"

 Tara raised her hand shyly.

 "Well, okay, let's get goin', fare's ticking away." Kendra moved the chair over to the bedside and helped Tara get into it.

 The girls made their way down the hall, to the elevator, and up to the fourth floor with Kendra gleefully yapping the entire way. It was a welcome break from the intense seriousness of their surroundings and situation.

 "So when my son came out to me, at first I was like, 'Oh, Lord, No!', but then I met his boyfriend…and Mm Mm Mm!, Honey! I tell you. What a fine looking man! I thought to myself, 'Self, if your son being gay means that you get all the eye-candy you can eat, it is a blessing in disguise!' So now I go to all the Pride Festivals and everything and just have a grand old time. You two ever been to one of those festivals?"

 "No", answered Tara, trying not to laugh.

 "We've never really had the time", Willow said, also trying to disguise her impending giggle fit.

 "Well, I'll be honest with you, the women there aren't usually as beautiful as you two. They all into that 'butch and femme' nonsense. Now, I ask you, maybe you know, what on Earth could possess a girl in her right mind to go and shave off all her hair and put holes in her face? I mean you look at some of these girls and you can tell that they were attractive at one time, but now they got all that metal sticking out of their face every which way and their hair is all cut short and sometimes they dye it funny colors and shi… I mean, stuff. Now, I ask you… is that attractive to you? You think that looks good?"

 "Well…" They answered in unison.

 "See? That's my point. Just who are they trying to lure in looking all Hellraiser? I mean, look at you two. You two are a nice pretty couple. Go together like bread on butter. The day I see a beautiful girl like one of you dating one of them metal-heads is the day I retire, for I will have seen everything. Well, here's your stop." She said, wheeling Tara into the exam room with Willow in tow, "I hope I didn't talk your ears off. I have a tendency to carry on. Most folks don't mind it but there are some who are just anti-social."

 "It was a lot of fun", said Tara, "Thanks, Kendra."

 "Absolutely", Kendra smiled, "And don't you worry, Honey, everything's gonna be fine. You'll see."

 "Thanks", Willow replied, taking Tara's hand.

 Kendra nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

 "There you two are", said Dr. Gulliver, entering, "I was beginning to wonder if you got lost. Tara, go ahead and hop up on the table."

 Willow helped Tara up and onto the pink, vinyl exam table. The sanitary paper crackled under the blonde's weight as she sat on the end with her legs dangling over the edge. Dr. Gulliver pulled out the stirrups and shifted them into position.

 "Lie back for me please", she instructed. Tara did so, and took Willow's hand. She hated the idea of anyone other than Willow having such intimate contact with her, but she knew that it was necessary. The doctor took a folded cloth from off one of the room's counters, and draped it across Tara's lower half, covering her from the waist all the way down past her feet which still hung over the edge of the table. "Lift your feet up into the stirrups. That's it. Scootch down for me a little?" Tara complied and grimaced at the sharp sound of the paper shifting beneath her. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself anywhere but there, gripping Willow's hand more tightly. Willow responded by using her free hand to caress Tara's cheek and forehead. Dr. Gulliver put on her gloves and folded back the draping to begin her examination; Tara gulped nervously. "I'll try to make this as quick as possible", the doctor soothed. "This is probably going to feel a little cold", she warned. Tara tensed as she felt the speculum enter her. It was cold, hard and slightly painful. She let out a small whimper. "Tara, I need you to relax. Try to relax."

 "Listen to my voice", Willow whispered, "concentrate on me. I'm right here, Baby."

 Tara relaxed a little at the sound of Willow's voice. Willow lent down and kissed her wife on the cheek, then rested her forehead on Tara's, sighing softly.

 "Good", the doctor encouraged, noting Tara's slight release, "that's good." She removed the speculum and continued to the next part of her examination. Tara jumped a mile when she felt Dr. Gulliver's gloved fingers enter her, probing. "It's alright. I'm just checking to make sure that everything is intact. I can't necessarily tell that just by looking. It will be over in two seconds. I promise."

 "It's okay, Baby", Willow calmed.

 "Okay", said Dr. Gulliver, lowering the sheet. "You can go ahead and remove your feet from the stirrups and scoot back up onto the table. I need you to stay lying down though."

 Tara obeyed while the doctor stood up and removed her gloves, tossing them in the biohazard bin. She made a couple of notes on Tara's chart, and then returned to the girl's side. She gently began massaging all around Tara's belly, at one point causing the girl to inhale sharply. "That hurt?"

 "It's a little tender", Tara answered, "I got hit in the stomach."

 "Okay", stated the doctor, stepping back, "You can go ahead and sit up now. Um, everything looks fine. You're very lucky given how new this pregnancy is that a trauma like yours didn't cause you to abort. I'd say that once Dr. Meyers is satisfied with the bump on your head, you can go home. I would like to go ahead and set an appointment for you to come in on, uh, Monday or Tuesday, so that we can get you started on prenatal care. At this point, given the blow you received to your stomach, I'm going to suggest that we label this a 'high-risk' pregnancy, uh, simply because this event could cause problems later on, and I would like to continue to monitor your progress. I strongly encourage that for the next two weeks you take it very easy. No sports, or any kind of strenuous activity, um, no heavy lifting, just lots of bed rest and TLC. I'm pretty sure Willow can handle that. Right?"

 Willow nodded energetically.

 "I thought so", chuckled Dr. Gulliver, "Well, let me get Kendra to take you back down to your room. Call my office and make that appointment, and I'll see you on Monday. You girls sleep well."

 The doctor smiled and left, leaving the two girls alone in the room. Tara couldn't take it anymore, and she finally let the tears flow that she had been holding back. Willow quickly took her into her arms and began massaging her back with soothing strokes.

 "Tara? Baby? It's okay, everything's going to be alright. Dr. Gulliver said so."

 "It's not that", Tara blubbered, "Well, it is that, because I'm just so relieved but…I just hate those exams and I hate being here and I hate that it's my fault. I promised you that nothing bad would happen and… and…because of me we almost lost…"

 "But we didn't. Tara, calm down. Honey. Please. It's over. We move on, okay?" Willow paused listening to her own words. "We move on."

 *******

 "Morning guys", said Buffy as she, Xander and Anya entered Tara's hospital room, arms full of flowers and stuffed toys. "How is everybody?"

 "Fine", said Willow, from where she was seated on the edge of Tara's bed.

 "Hey, Tara, how's the head", asked Xander, setting down a bouquet of flowers.

 "It hurts", she replied, grimacing slightly.

 "Well, Giles still has you beat for highest number of head injuries, so you're going to have to work a lot harder if you plan on taking his title", the young man joked.

 "Here", said Anya, thrusting a small teddy bear into the wiccan's arms, "I understand that it is customary to give these to expectant mothers. Congratulations."

 "Thanks", Tara smiled, holding the bear close.

 "So, everything's…okay", Buffy queried hesitantly.

 "Yeah", Willow sighed with relief.

 "Good…"

 "So, if you don't mind me asking", said Xander, "How?"

 "Xander, I'm sure it's a long story", interjected Buffy.

 "Spell", Willow answered simply.

 "Apparently, not that long", Buffy stood corrected.

 "Wow. So it really is yours and Tara's", Xander inquired.

 "Yeah", said Tara, blushing and looking into Willow's eyes, "It really is."

 "Well, congratulations… 'Dad'", he smiled, producing a chocolate cigar and handing it to the redhead. Willow took it and smiled gratefully.

 "When can you come home?" Asked Buffy.

 "Today, most likely." Willow explained, "Dr. Meyers just needs to do some simple eye/hand coordination and motor skills tests, and we're good to go."

 "Well, I think this can be chalked up as one of the shortest Scooby hospital stays on record", Xander quipped.

 "Tara, I need to talk to Buffy outside for a minute. Will you be okay in here?" Willow aked.

 "Oh, um, yeah…sure", Tara replied, her brow furrowing in confusion.

 "Don't worry, Willow. An and I will keep her company, won't we, An", Xander asked, turning to his eternal fiancée.

 "So, are you prepared for the excruciating pain of childbirth?" Anya asked Tara seriously.

 "We'll be back as soon as we can", Willow quickly promised. Tara nodded nervously.

 Willow led Buffy out of the room and down the hall.

 "What's up, Will?" Buffy asked.

 "Let's walk", Willow stated.

 "We are walking."

 "Well, yeah, I mean, why stop? Walking is good. It's easy and good for you. And it can be fun, too. There are some people who walk for a living. Like mailmen, only without the guns. Did you know that there are walking races…?"

 "Willow, you're babbling", Buffy said, stopping her friend, "What's wrong?"

 "Sorry. I-I'm a little nervous and my brain's kind of fried", Willow explained, "I didn't sleep all night. I kept trying to come up with the best way to say this… and even though I came up with this really great speech in my head, I kind of just forgot it all in the last ten seconds…"

 "Just say it", Buffy encouraged, "It's okay. We'll get through it. Is something wrong with Tara?"

 "No, no… Tara's fine…" Willow breathed, "It's me."

 "What!? Something's wrong with you? Will, what? Are you okay?"

 "Buffy, six years ago I made a promise to you." Willow began, "I promised that I'd stand by you. That the fight you fight is a good one, and that I wanted in… But… Now, I feel like I'm about to betray you because… I don't think I can do it anymore."

 "You want out?" Buffy asked, her eyes sad.

 "Tara doesn't know this, but I got a job offer from a software company up in Seattle. They want me to write code for them. It's a solid job. 100k a year salary, benefits to start immediately upon hire; I could make my own hours and even work from home, and Tara and I would be set."

 "Well, if you can work from home, doesn't that mean you could do it from here?"

 "Yeah, but…" Willow sighed, trying to find the words, "What happened last night really scared me. More than I've ever been scared before in my life. And given all of the things that we have faced in the past nine years, that's saying a lot. I almost lost her, Buffy. I almost lost her…and I almost lost… That can't happen again. Never, ever again. I'm sorry, but, if Tara agrees then I'm moving us to Seattle."

 "When would you be going", Buffy questioned, trying to remain neutral, yet supportive.

 "Um, probably not until after the baby is born", Willow stated, "Dr. Gulliver said that because of…what happened… Tara's is now a high-risk pregnancy. I don't want to take a chance putting her through a stressful move. So, I'm going to ask Kristal Graphics if I can work from down here for a while…"

 "Kristal Graphics is the… company?"

 "Yeah. Buffy, I'm truly sorry. I feel so horrible about this…"

 "Will, stop. It's okay", said Buffy, "You have a right to protect your family. You have a right to your own life. If you have this opportunity, then take it. The only person who is stuck here in Sunnydale is me. It's my job to stay behind, not yours."

 "I'm sorry…"

 "Stop apologizing!" Buffy chided playfully, "I'm not angry. I totally understand. I won't say your leaving doesn't upset me or that I won't miss you terribly, but you have to do what you have to do. Whatever is right. Tara is your wife, she's… God, Will, she's having your baby, and because of me, because of what I do, you almost lost them both. What kind of a friend am I to put you through that?"

 "Buffy…wha… no… I never meant that. You're the best friend I've ever had. What I mean is that I have to get away from the Hellmouth, not from you. I love you."

 "I love you too, Willow. Which is why I want you to go", stated the slayer.

 "Buffy, don't. I know what you're trying to do." Willow countered, "You're trying to ease my conscience by making it seem like it's not my decision. But it is. It's my and Tara's decision, not yours. Once I talk to her, we'll figure things out and go from there. But either way, whether we leave Sunnydale or not… I'm not fighting anymore, and neither is Tara. Research, maybe, but no more fights. And nothing that could put us in any kind of danger."

 "Okay", Buffy agreed. "We should get back."

 "Yeah…Anya must have Tara scared out of her wits by now. I gotta do some damage control."

 The two women got back to Tara's room in time to catch Dr. Meyers on his way out.

 "Ah, Mrs. Rosenberg-Maclay", he said, "I've just seen your, er, wife and she looks fine. She responded perfectly to every test. You can take her home whenever you'd like."

 "Great", responded Willow, "If she's up for it we'll be leaving now."

 "I'll just get the paperwork", Dr. Meyers stated, and he headed toward the nurses' station.

 "Hey, Baby", Willow started as she and Buffy re-entered the room, "You up to…" The sight of Xander and Anya sitting on the now empty bed stopped her in her tracks. "Where?"

 "She's changing in the bathroom", explained Xander.

 "Hi", Tara said, emerging fully clothed.

 "Hey", Willow answered, "So, is this some kind of subtle message saying that you're ready to go?"

 "Nah", Tara shook her head, then smirked.

 *******

 It had been five weeks. Five weeks since their run in at the Hellmouth. Tara was doing well, dealing with the occasional morning sickness and fatigue, but otherwise fine. And Willow was getting antsy, very, very antsy. Out of fear of endangering the pregnancy, Willow had refrained from making love to her wife, and the lack of this particular form of intimacy was starting to take its toll. Of course they snuggled, and cuddled, and kissed, and cooed, and told each other how much they loved the other one, but not even this was sufficient anymore. As a result, Willow had become a bit of a short fuse with everyone, except Tara, naturally. No need to cause her wife stress by making her aware of her withdrawal from her primal urges. So Willow unwillingly took out her pent up frustration on her friends, co-workers, that barista at the Espresso Pump and, in fact, anyone who looked at her sideways, or who she perceived had looked at her sideways. In other words… everyone else.

 Truth be told, Tara was getting to her rope's end as well, and she was not unaware of Willow's rising blood pressure. But, dealing with the hormonal changes to her body that the pregnancy induced, it was slightly easier to ignore the ache between her legs. But only slightly. The two of them had, on more then one occasion, started to take a petting session to a more erotic level. But each time, Willow cut them off, painfully separating from her wife to take a cold shower and, sometimes, sleep on the couch. Tara found this agonizing and difficult to bear. She was reminded of one of her mother's favorite sayings, "A task left unfinished is often worse than one that is unbegun." The blonde wiccan could definitely vouch for that.

 In the meantime, in order to distract themselves from their mutual despair, they discussed the possibility of leaving Sunnydale. At this point, Willow had already made an arrangement with Kristal Graphics Software to start working from her computer there at home, and she was in the process of resigning from her position at the small web design firm she had been working for locally. The couple still left up in the air whether or not they would ultimately make the move to Seattle. It was a big decision and a hard one, and neither one of them was ready to make it just yet.

 This particular day Tara had an appointment with Dr. Gulliver. Willow had left work early to take her wife to the clinic. Both women were nervous and excited, because today they got to see their child on ultrasound for the first time. Normally an ultrasound isn't necessary until between the 16th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, but given that Tara's was a high-risk situation, the procedure could be performed as early as seven weeks and naturally Dr. Gulliver wanted to take every precaution.

 "Hi, Tara, Willow", said Mary, the Dr. Gulliver's receptionist. "How are you two, or should I say three, doing?"

 "Fine, thanks, Mary", answered Tara, signing in.

 "She'll be with you in just a few minutes", Mary said, referring to the doctor, "She's just finishing up with another patient."

 "Thanks", said Willow as the two of them sat down and started browsing through year old copies of Parenthood Magazine.

 The door to Dr. Gulliver's office opened, and a pregnant woman, looking to be in her fifth month or so, came out followed by the doctor herself.

 "Just try to keep your feet elevated as often as you can, and it should cause the swelling around your ankles to go down", the doctor explained as she showed her patient to the door. "Tell Barry I said, 'Hi'. Drive safely now… Willow? Tara? You girls ready?" The women nodded. "Come on in."

 The couple entered the office and Dr. Gulliver shut the door behind them.

 "So, Tara, how are you feeling", the doctor asked.

 "Good." Came the short reply.

 "Okay, um, how's the morning sickness?"

 "Getting better. I only get it once or twice a week and it has been passing pretty quickly", Tara explained.

 "Good, that's good. The prenatal vitamins working out for you okay?"

 "Yeah, great. I haven't been getting quite as tired and… I feel like my body is adapting to everything a little faster."

 "Excellent", commented Dr. Gulliver. "Well, you ready to see your baby?"

 Tara and Willow smiled broadly and shook their heads, "Yes."

 "Alright", said the doctor, moving to pull over the large piece of equipment that was the sonogram. "Go ahead and lie back and raise your shirt up to just above your belly button."

 Tara complied and nervously took Willow's hand.

 "It's okay, I'm here", the redhead soothed, "she's gonna be beautiful and perfect, you'll see."

 Dr. Gulliver turned the machine on and picked up a tube of lubricant jelly, turning back to Tara. "I'm just gonna scoot your skirt down a little bit, okay?" She did so, revealing the lower half of Tara's belly below her navel. "This should be room temperature", she said, squeezing some of the jelly on to the blonde's skin, who flinched slightly, "Or it might be a little cold, sorry."

 "It's okay", Tara replied.

 "Alright, let's take a look." Dr. Gulliver picked up the sensor and placed it in the jelly on Tara's belly and moved it around slowly. After a few seconds, a fuzzy black and white image appeared on screen. At first nothing was clearly visible or easily made out, until she moved the sensor a little more to the right revealing a tiny, distinct shape inside Tara's uterus. "There it is", the doctor smiled. Willow brought her free hand up to her mouth in shock, her eyes bugging out of her skull, she glanced down at Tara and saw that the sight on the small screen also captivated her. "I see a little face with two eyes", said Dr. Gulliver, "I see two arms and two legs and I see ten fingers and ten toes. I see a perfectly developed seven-week fetus. What do you think?"

 "Oh my God", said Willow, her eyes tearing up, "she's so beautiful. Baby, she's so beautiful. I love you so much." The redhead leaned down and kissed her wife full on the lips. Tara couldn't help but respond, the wonder of the moment too overpowering to ignore, her body quickly answering Willow's heated attention. If Dr. Gulliver hadn't already had her back turned to the couple staring at the monitor, she would have averted her eyes. But as it was, she was so engrossed in the sonogram, searching Tara's belly for any signs of latent trauma, that she didn't even notice that the girls' kissing had become decidedly more intense. Or that Willow's hand had automatically begun to creep down the front of Tara's body, in search of its favorite place. No, Dr. Gulliver didn't notice anything until Willow's hand collided with her own on its trip southward.

 Willow jerked back and stood up quickly, her entire face flushing redder than her hair. Tara also blushed, horrifyingly embarrassed at what had almost happened. Dr. Gulliver turned around, confused, "Willow, did you want to try?"

 "Oh", replied Willow, relaxing a little, "Um, can I?"

 "Sure, just give me your hand."

 Willow reached out and Dr. Gulliver took her hand and placed it on the sensor. She carefully guided Willow so that the young woman could get a feel for how to best manipulate the cabled object. "Make you sure keep it in constant motion, otherwise the pulses of heat the equipment is sending out to bounce off the fetus to create the image could cause damage to the placenta."

 "Maybe you should keep doing it", Willow said, trying to hand the sensor back.

 "No, you're doing fine, Willow. I'm keeping an eye on everything. Go ahead and take a look around." The doctor assured.

 Willow nervously complied and moved the sensor around Tara's belly, finding the tiny human inside. "Wow, look at her move. She's really alive in there." Willow looked down and smiled at her wife, who smiled blissfully in return. Satisfied, the redhead handed the sensor back to Dr. Gulliver, who took it, wiped it off and placed it back in its holster. Picking up another paper towel, she wiped Tara's stomach clean of the lubricant jelly. "You can go ahead and sit up now", she said, turning and pressing a button next to the display monitor, causing the last image on screen to print.

 Tara lowered her shirt and sat up, Willow moved back over to her side to take her hand.

 "Here you go", said Dr. Gulliver, handing the two girls the print out, "You can stick that on your fridge."

 "Look, Tara", said Willow gleefully, "Our daughter's first photo."

 "Technically a baby's ultimate sex can't be determined until the 17th or 18th weeks of pregnancy…" The doctor began.

 "It's a girl", Tara guaranteed, "We just…just kind of know."

 "You could be right", agreed Dr. Gulliver, "I just hope you won't be disappointed if it turns out otherwise."

 Willow and Tara grinned at each other knowingly.

 "Okay", said the doctor, continuing, "Everything looks good. Really good. Depending on how things go the next couple of visits, I may just be inclined to take you off high-risk status. But we'll have to see. Um, basically just keep doing what you're doing. Try to stay away from caffeine, avoid alcohol completely. I know we've talked about this before, but this is the little speech I give all my expectant mothers every visit. Um, eat lots of greens, try to have a salad with every meal. Drink lots of milk, eating bananas is good, oranges, lots of vitamin C… and don't overwork yourself. I'll go ahead and have Mary set another appointment for you in two weeks. Other than that, any questions?"

 "Everything's normal", Willow inquired, needing to hear it again.

 "Absolutely, perfectly, normal." Dr. Gulliver assured.

 "Um", Tara began shakily, "I have a kind of a…um… embarrassing question."

 "Tara, I guarantee what ever you have to ask me I've heard a thousand times. It takes a lot to shock me anymore."

 "Um…well… ever since the…hospital… Willow and I have been afraid to…uh…to…"

 "Have sex?" The doctor finished.

 "Yeah", Willow answered, feeling the blood rushing to her cheeks.

 "That's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's a very normal question. And I'd say, provided you two don't over do it, you're not swinging from the chandeliers, it's perfectly all right. But, take it easy to start, okay?"

 "Oh yes", Tara replied, her voice a little more husky than she would have liked. Willow only nodded.

 "Alright, then. Any other questions?"

 They both shook their heads, "no".

 "Then I guess I'll see you in two weeks", said Dr. Gulliver, moving to show them out. The couple made a hasty exit. Dr. Gulliver only smiled and chuckled to herself as she turned to talk to Mary, "Set an appointment for Tara Rosenberg-Maclay, two weeks from today."

 "Yes, Doctor."

 "When's my next appointment?"

 "Uh, three o'clock. Those two sure did leave in a hurry. Everything okay?"

 "Yes", the doctor grinned, shaking her head at the impetuosity of love, returning to her office, "Yes it is."

 *******

 Buffy sat reclining on the couch watching re-runs of "Mash" on TV. She heard the front door open and turned around just in time to catch Willow and Tara making a fast break for the stairs.

 "Hey, guys", she called, causing them to stop in their tracks, "Everything go okay at the Doctor's?"

 "Yeah, great", Willow replied, trying to sound plucky enough to hide her frustration with being stopped a hair's breadth short of their destination.

 "Dr. Gulliver says that everything is coming along perfectly", Tara explained quickly, also wanting this perfunctory conversation to end.

 "Did you do the ultrasound", Buffy asked.

 "Yeah", answered the redhead, "We even got a picture, which we'll show you later, because right now we…"

 "Oooo…show me now, show me now", Buffy giggled, rushing over to the two girls, "I wanna see my goddaughter."

 "Here", Tara said, thrusting the photo into the slayer's hands, "You can look at it as long as you want. Just stick it on the fridge when you're done."

 "Yeah", Willow agreed, "Cuz Tara and I need to take care of some things upstairs. Now."

With that Willow took her wife's hand and they swiftly ran up the stairs and to their room.

 Buffy stared after them for a moment, confused by their behavior, before turning her attention to the picture in her hand, "Aaaawwwweeee."

 *******

 The women rushed through the doorway to the sanctuary of their bedroom, Willow slamming the door shut behind them. Tara began to undress herself, ripping her shirt over her head and flinging it across the room in anticipation, kicking her sandals off at the same time. Her hands swiftly moved down unbuttoning her skirt, she wiggled a bit letting it drop to the floor, and kicked it aside. Willow stood in awe and watched as her wife's clothing came off in a hurry. She giggled as Tara, having laced her panties around one foot, gave a soft kick and the garment flew up at Willow's face. She reached out her hand and grabbed the slightly damp underwear before it could reach its target. Tara's bra came cruising by a few seconds later, Willow ducked slightly as it soared over her head and landed on the desk.

 Now completely nude, Tara turned her attention to the small redhead who stood silently, green eyes wide as they cascaded up and down Tara's body. She approached, a loving smile entreating her lips; she reached out to draw Willow closer sensing a bit of apprehension from her wife. Willow's body froze as Tara slipped her arms around her waist, Tara drew her head back on confusion.

 "What's wrong, Baby?" She asked, voice soft. Willow dropped her eyes and pushed Tara back a bit.

 "Nothing...I just...Oh God, Tara your body." Willow dropped to her knees and pressed her ear against Tara's stomach, her hands gently gripping Tara's hips. "There's a life inside you…a real life a-and soon it'll become our life." Willow's eyes filled with tears, her heart pounded against her chest.

 "I know, Baby, it's amazing isn't it?" Tara smiled and ran her hands through the flaming red hair, gently pushing Willow's head into her stomach. Willow shut her eyes, letting her hands roam to Tara's backside, she trailed her fingers lightly down Tara's behind.

 "Yeah…amazing..." Willow breathed pulling her head back a bit, eyes roaming hungrily to Tara's golden palace, a devilish smile cursed her lips. She leaned in and buried her face in the damp curls, drawing in a deep breath. Tara slightly wavered at the feel of Willow's face pushing into her center. She drew a heavy, lust filled breath and tightened her grip on Willow's head, her legs began to shake as Willow's heated breath brushed over her dampening pubic hair.

 "Wil…Willow, we should lay down." Tara struggled to keep her composure as an intense ache grew between her legs, she feared she might buckle. Willow quickly stopped caressing her wife and looked up, worried.

 "Are you Ok? Did I do something wrong? Is it the baby? Am I going to fast? I should slow down, the Doctor said to take it slow." Willow stammered nervously.

 "Everything's fine." Tara smiled softly. "I just want to get comfortable."

 Willow rose to her feet eagerly. Tara gripped the edge of Willow's shirt and yanked it up and over her head, tossing it to the floor. With her left hand Tara cupped Willow's right breast, inching closer to her wife, she ran her thumb along the peak of Willow's nipple. With her right hand she tugged at the button on Willow's jeans indicating she wanted them off. Willow took the hint and popped the button open, hooking her thumbs around the waistline she forced her tight jeans down. Tara smiled in ecstasy as her lover's pale body stood alert in front of her. She tightened her grip on Willow's nipple, gently rolling it between her thumb and index finger. Willow swallowed her breath, her hands felt shaky, her skin flushed with warmth. Her heart was very sensitive toward her wife, Tara had suddenly become a vision of angelic beauty, like a Sapphic goddess only to be handled with utmost care and respect.

 Willow placed her hands on Tara's shoulders gently pushing her back until she reached the bed. Tara, feeling her calves touch the comforter, sat down, then lay back. Willow carefully crawled over her lover settling down just to the side of her. Tara settled herself into the bed turning to face Willow. They smiled at each other. Tara raised her eyebrows expectantly, eager to get back to their interrupted playtime. Willow reached out and brushed a golden lock of hair from her wife's forehead, her smile grew with love.

 "Are you OK?" Tara grinned after a few moments of silent eye contact.

 "Yeah, I'm fine, Why?" Willow asked her voice in a daze.

 "Willow?" Tara raised a curious eyebrow. "You can touch me. You're not going to hurt anything."

 Willow nodded her head, guilty.

 "I..I know." She leaned closer to Tara's mouth. "You're just so.."

 Tara leaned forward and met Willow's lips. They melted into each other, hands roaming everywhere. Willow trailed her fingers down her wife's smooth shoulder, to her chest and in between her breasts. They settled around her belly button, circling it a few times. Tara brought one of her hands up and met the soft skin of Willow's fingers. Gently she picked up the redhead's hand, moving it down between her legs.

 "Touch me." She whispered, closing her large blue eyes.

 Willow quickly moved herself to the end of the bed, stopping to trail kisses down the length of Tara's calf. She placed herself between her wife's legs, gently parting them with tender hands. Planting a few kisses on the firm, tan thigh just to the side of her head, Willow adjusted her hands and parted the damp curls in front of her, exposing the soft, pink, fleshy core of Tara. Willow leaned in closer, her breath beginning to wash over Tara's center. She reached out her tongue, barely making contact with the tip of Tara's little hood. She felt skin jump beneath her. Willow reached out her thumb and index finger, pinching the tip of where her tongue had just graced. Tara cried out.

 "What is it, Baby??" Willow jumped

 "Noth…Nothing. Please, Willow just…don't stop…" Tara tried to compose her voice, she felt as if she were about to explode, her hormones were overtaking every part of her.

 Willow dipped her head in again, sensing Tara's urgency, she drew the little hood into her mouth and suckled it gently. Tara's leg muscles tensed, and she let her head roll to the side, her chest beginning to rise and fall in steady rhythm. Willow continued her ministrations for a moment, slightly pulling her head back each time she drew more of Tara into her mouth. Tara opened her eyes slightly and suddenly felt empty as her gaze traveled to the ceiling. She momentarily forgot about her hormones, missing warm emerald eyes.

 "Wi…Willow…I need you here… up here…" Breathless, Tara managed to find her voice.

 "There?" Willow pulled out of her wife and glanced up with broken eyes. Afraid she wasn't pleasing Tara.

 "Yes, here…" Tara's voice tinged with annoyance at the question. She needed action. Willow crawled up and over the blonde lowering down but not placing her full weight against her wife. Tara wrapped her arms around Willow's body, squeezing her down so their bodies met and Willow's arms gave out, causing her to relax down on top of her beloved.

 "Willow, please? I'm not going to break. Just…make love to me." Tara's eyes grew heavy with ache and need. Willow nodded and slipped her hand between Tara's legs, her fingers quickly finding Tara's knob. She rubbed it gently at first and then harder as Tara rose to meet her touch. Willow's fingers dripped with Tara's sweet nectar; she dropped her lips, pressing them against the heat of Tara's neck. Tara moaned softly, letting her fingers trail down to Willow's hips. She sat up a little and moved her hand lower, tracing lightly over her lover's ass and between her legs. Willow shuddered as Tara's fingers explored the hot folds of her center. Together the two women pressed into each other, each getting lost in their own sensations. Willow became more forceful in her touches while Tara slowed hers to meet the sensitive emotional state her wife was feeling. Their lovemaking was silent except for a few small moans every now and then. After a few minutes Willow felt Tara begin to shake beneath her.

 "OH…"

 Tara cried out and bit down on Willow's shoulder. The powerful feeling of finally releasing caused her to hands to tense as she drove her fingers up inside Willow wildly.

 "Tara…" Willow arched up, neck muscles straining, as her center exploded with hot juice. Both women relaxed their hands and remained clinging to each other, riding out the intense waves of passion.

 Willow let her body relax and scooted down, resting her head on Tara's stomach. She felt Tara's fingers begin to lightly run through her hair; she turned her head and planted a single, tender kiss on the smooth flesh of Tara's belly.

 "Hello there, little one." She whispered to her unborn daughter. Tara smiled as she watched her wife rest on her stomach.

 "I love you, Willow."

 "Love you, Baby."

 *******

 Willow and Tara lay in bed, holding each other thoughtfully. They had made love for hours, reclaiming the intimacy that they had briefly lost. Willow buried her nose in her wife's hair, breathing in her scent, Hmmm, she thought, Tea Tree, I love it when she uses the Tea Tree. She nuzzled the top of Tara's head a moment longer, before placing a kiss where her nose had been, and turning and resting her cheek there, sighed a sigh full of contentment.

 "What are you thinking about?" Asked Tara as she listened to Willow's heartbeat through her chest.

 "Names", Willow answered. "What are you thinking about?"

 "Peanut butter." Both girls snickered. "And names too."

 "Come up with any that you like", inquired the redhead.

 "Yeah… you?"

 "Yeah… What's yours", asked Willow.

 "You first", countered Tara.

 "No fair", Willow mock-whined, "Okay… on the count of three… ready? One…two…three."

 "Emily", they said in unison.

 Willow gasped. "You were thinking the same name I was thinking! We were thinking the same name!"

 "Of course we were", Tara smiled coyly, "We made her."

 Willow lifted up her wife's chin and kissed her deeply, passionately, feeling the familiar ache in her chest begin to throb as the place between her legs became wet again. She started to shift her position to her side, facing Tara, and pulling the blonde into her. But then Tara broke the kiss and reluctantly pushed her away.

 "Tara?"

 "I'm sorry… I'm…", Tara began, "You're going to think this is silly."

 "What? What's the matter?" Willow was now worried she had done something wrong.

 "Oh nothing, what you were doing was very, very right", ensured Tara, dropping her voice to a seductive tone, "I just really… really… want…"

 "Yeah", said Willow raising her eyebrows in anticipation.

 "A peanut butter sandwich."

 "Oh." Willow commented, her disappointment showing. Then her eyes lit up again, "You mean like a 'sexy' peanut butter sandwich?"

 "I was thinking more of the regular", Tara replied, seeing her wife's face fall again. "But, we could compensate for the 'non-sexiness" of the sandwich after I finish eating it", she offered.

 "Weeellll", Willow said, pretending to take it into serious consideration before responding with a plucky, "Okay." She hopped out of the bed and threw on a tank top and a pair of pajama bottoms. "Be right back."

 "Thanks, Darling."

 "You want a glass of milk, too?"

 "That sounds great, thank you."

 Willow smiled at Tara before opening the bedroom door and closing it behind her.

 The house was dark and silent. Buffy had long since gone on patrol and Dawn had chosen to go to Cancun for spring break rather than come home to visit from college at UCLA. Willow padded down the stairs in her bare feet and made her way to the kitchen.

 She paused before opening the refrigerator to admire the printout of Tara's ultrasound. Buffy had posted little sticky notes saying, "Buffy's goddaughter!" with arrows pointing to the picture. Willow grinned and picked a pen up off the counter and added, "Baby Emily". That done, she sighed happily, and set about to making Tara's sandwich.

 A few minutes later and Willow emerged from the kitchen triumphant. Sandwich in one hand, glass of milk in the other. As she passed by the front door she paused, stopped by the sound of scuffling on the front lawn. Warily, she looked out the peephole of the front door just in time to see a scaly, blue demon flying toward it. She dropped the glass of milk and ducked out of the way as the door came crashing in and the demon rolled to a stop at the base of the stairs. Buffy quickly followed after it and the two continued their fight in the foyer with Willow hiding against the wall in the dining room. Tara peaked her head out around the corner of the stairs to see what was going on just as the creature attempted to bolt up them. Tara screamed as Buffy yelled, "Tara, get back!" The blonde didn't need to be told twice. The slayer grabbed the demon and hurled it backward causing it to lose its footing and break its neck on one of the stairs.

 "Oh great", Buffy muttered to herself after a moment, "This is the non-evaporating kind. I have to bury this one? That just makes my night."

 "Is it dead", called Tara from the upstairs hall.

 "Yes, and decidedly un-poofy."

 The wiccan crept back down the stairs, carefully avoiding the dead body at the bottom.

 "Is Willow okay", she asked, glancing around. "Where is Willow?"

 "She's not with you", questioned the slayer, concerned.

 "She came down here to make me a sandwich", Tara explained, heading for the kitchen, looking inside. "She's not in there."

 "Tara", said Buffy, getting her attention.

 Tara turned around and saw Willow sitting on the floor in the far corner of the dining room, clutching her knees, staring at the floor, her eyes dead, her jaw clenched, mangled sandwich in hand.

 "Willow?", Tara said, crossing to her wife, "Honey? Sweetie, are you okay?"

 "No."

 "Did the demon hit you? Did it hurt you?", she asked, checking Willow for any signs of injury. Willow muttered something inaudible.

 "What, Honey?"

 Willow stood and tossed the sandwich on the dinner table.

 "That's it", she said, firmly, "That. Is. It."

 "What's it, Will", Buffy asked.

 "Buffy, I'm sorry, but once the baby is born, Tara and I are moving to Seattle." Willow stated. Tara remained silent. "And in the meantime", the redhead continued, "I think it would be best if we moved into an apartment. It just isn't safe here."

 Buffy started to protest "Willow, I know this looks bad…"

 "Buffy, I can't live like this", Willow interrupted. "I can't live in fear everyday that something is going to happen to Tara or to me… And I won't. Home is supposed to be your own private fortress. Somewhere you are always safe. Here I don't feel that way, not anymore."

 "Tara", Buffy entreated.

 "As much as I'd hate leaving here", Tara began, "Willow does have a point, Buffy."

 "Okay", the slayer sighed. "I understand. I told Will back at the hospital that I'd understand… and I do. It hurts. But, I do. I'm, um, I'm gonna go take a shower and go to bed."

 "Buffy…"

 "No, it's fine… I just, uh, want to get this demon stink out of my hair. I'll see you guys in the morning." She turned and went up the stairs to her room.

 "Willow", Tara prodded gently, "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

 "Yes", she replied, then, after a pause, "and no."

 *******

 "How did you two get so much stuff?" Xander groaned as he set another box down inside of Willow and Tara's new apartment.

 It had taken the two women six weeks to finally find an apartment that they could both agree on. With Willow's income, cost was not an issue, so the argument came down to style, size and the basic necessities. They had ultimately decided on a three-bedroom apartment located in the same building as Xander and Anya's. It was furnished and quite spacious, with vault ceilings, a fireplace, and two bathrooms. Willow was planning on making one bedroom into her office and the other was, of course, for the baby when it came.

 "Well, living together and being married tends to cause you to acquire", Willow explained as she followed him in carrying a small plastic tub of files.

 "No kidding", he said, "I thought you guys would at least have half as many clothes. Considering you're both women and can share. I mean, Anya and I can't do that. Well, not without the risk of people questioning certain things about my character."

 "Not to mention the fact that you do not look flattering in pumps", Willow replied.

 Buffy arrived with her arms stacked full with two boxes and several duffle bags. Dropping them carefully, if a bit unceremoniously, on the floor. Pausing to catch her breath, more for dramatic effect than anything else, she turned and faced the other two.

 "Well", she said, "That's the last of it."

 "Where's Tara", asked Willow.

 "She's on her way", Buffy explained, "She stopped down the hall to talk to your new neighbors."

 "Hey", Tara said walking in the door. Now nearing the beginning of her second trimester, the blonde's body was starting to show evidence of the pregnancy. Her belly had begun to swell slightly, barely visible at a glance, but evident enough that she was already having to increase her skirt and pant size. Willow was of course aware of every change, and it excited her tremendously.

 "Hey, Baby", the redhead said, crossing to her love and placing a light kiss on her lips. "You meet the neighbors?"

 "Yeah", she replied, "they're really nice. Their names are John and Tina. He's a lawyer and she's studying to be an accountant. They just got married two weeks ago."

 "Wow", Willow responded, "That's great. Did you, uh, tell them about us?"

 "Um, not so much", Tara answered honestly.

 "Well, what did you tell them", Willow asked, her tone slightly peeved.

 "Nothing."

 "Nothing? Are you ashamed of us?"

 "And that's our cue to go", Xander interrupted, "Will, Tara, great place. Let An and I know when you get settled in. Buffy?"

 "Right behind you", said the slayer, following him out and shutting the door behind her.

 "It honestly never came up, Willow." Tara explained, "Besides, other than knowing what they do for a living and the fact that they're newly weds I don't know anything about them. I mean, for all we know, they could be demons… or worse, Republicans."

 Willow couldn't help but laugh at that. The tension now relieved, the two of them set about to unpacking their boxes.

 "So, what did you tell them", Willow asked again, this time out of genuine curiosity.

 "The conversation was pretty one-sided. I bumped into them in the hall coming up after Buffy and introduced myself and apologized if we were making too much noise moving in. They said that they had just moved in a couple of weeks ago and didn't mind. I said something like, 'Oh, really?' and they said that yeah, they had just gotten married after postponing for like a year until John passed the bar and…"

 "Alright, I get it", Willow interceded, "They were too caught up in themselves to notice anything."

 "Who can blame them", Tara smiled, opening a box and pulling out a stack of clothes,

"Willow, they just got married. I remember what you and I were like those first few weeks after our wedding. I think a bomb could have gone off outside our window and we wouldn't have heard it."

 "Only because you made so much noise", Willow countered playfully, raising an eyebrow.

 "Well, I had good competition", Tara answered, lowering her voice seductively.

 "Is that a challenge?" Inquired Willow, setting aside the picture frames she had unpacked.

 "Maybe…" Tara grinned coyly, taking a step toward her wife.

 "We don't know how thin the walls are", the redhead pointed out, also closing her and Tara's distance.

 "Let's find out."

 *******

 "And then Xander actually had the audacity to suggest that we elope in Vegas", Anya exclaimed, tossing another envelope aside.

 "But, Anya…"Tara began, shifting a little on the couch, now seven months along, her round belly had begun too take its toll on her low back.

 "So of course I said, 'Look, I've waited over 1100 years to find the right man, and that man is you and what good is it to marry you if I can't do it in a big white dress in front of a big group of people so that everyone will see how important this is.'" Continued Anya, unaware of her friend's interception, "I mean, you and Willow had a huge wedding with a cake and a reception…"

 "Anya!" Tara finally had to raise her voice to get the other woman's attention. It worked. "First of all, you may recall, that the people in attendance at our wedding were you, Xander, Dawn, Buffy and Mr. Giles. The cake was a single-layer that we bought off-the-shelf at Vons, and the reception consisted of us going back to Buffy's house and drinking Kool-Aid out of plastic cups. What I'm saying is it doesn't matter how extravagant the ceremony is, as long as there is love and commitment behind it. Secondly, Xander may have a point about eloping. Every time you two try to have a formal ceremony, something goes horribly wrong. Let's not forget what happened the first time. You can always elope and then have the ceremony after. At least that way you'll finally be married."

 "I want the plumes", Anya whined.

 "You'll get the plumes… eventually", Tara offered, "You just have to get married first."

 "But, I already purchased the invitations", she pointed out.

 "I know", sighed Tara ruefully, staring at the 300 pieces of parchment littering her and Willow's coffee table.

 "They've got the date on them…"

 "Meaning you and Xander have two months left in which to elope. Plenty of time, especially considering that eloping is generally spontaneous in nature." Tara suddenly lowered her voice to a more serious tone, "Anya, just do it. Or some people might start thinking that this 'big, extravagant wedding' obsession is just an excuse not to get married."

 "People are really thinking that?" Anya asked, worried.

 "It's been three years." Tara leveled, "Something's got to give eventually."

 Anya grew silent for a moment, considering what Tara had said. She opened her mouth to speak again, but was interrupted by the sound of Willow coming in the front door. The redhead looked around a moment, and then spied her sweetheart on the couch. Willow went over and, setting down a brown paper bag filled with groceries, sat down next to her wife, kissing her gently.

 "Hi, Baby", she said after they broke apart.

 "Mmmm. Hi", Tara sighed.

 Willow then lent down and kissed Tara's belly, "Hi, my little Emily."

 "Oof", Tara said, responding to a sharp kick, "She says, 'Hi.'"

 "She did? Where?" Willow asked excitedly.

 "Here", Tara said, taking Willow's hand and placing it on her belly, a little right of center. Willow felt a tiny "thwump" against her palm. The redhead's eyes grew wide as saucers, her jaw dropped and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile, revealing her excitement.

 "I never get tired of that", she said.

 "Well, she's not getting you from the inside."

 "You okay, Baby?" Willow asked out of concern.

 "Yeah, just… My back is really hurting today", Tara admitted, wincing a little as she tried to adjust again.

 "You want me to massage it for you?"

 "That would be great", the blonde sighed with relief, "But, first. Did you get the, uh…?"

 "Yep", Willow replied, reaching for the grocery bag, pulling out two items. "Buttermilk and sliced cucumbers. Honey…"

 "I know, I know." Tara apologized, "I can't help it. It's these damn cravings. Buttermilk and cucumbers just sound so… good."

 "Well", continued Willow, "I'm just grateful that you wanted the sliced cucumbers because I don't think I could have handled the visual alternative."

 Tara laughed and playfully swatted Willow's shoulder. Willow giggled too and snuggled up a little closer to her wife.

 "So, what are you two girls up two?" Willow asked.

 "Addressing invitations", Anya answered.

 "Oh", said Willow, picking up one of the invites, "You and Xander are getting married… again."

 "Well, you know what they say…" Anya began.

 "If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you?" Willow offered.

 "No", Anya replied, piffled, "Fifth time's the charm."

 "Third." Said Tara.

 "What?"

 "Third time's the charm, Anya", Tara clarified, "not fifth."

 "Third?"

 "Yeah", chipped in Willow, "you and Xander ran out of charms two weddings ago."

 "Well, you two don't have to come if you don't want to", Anya sniped, picking up another envelope and scribbling an address on it.

 "Oh, no, Anya", soothed Willow, "Don't get us wrong. Tara and I will always come to all your weddings… It would just be nice if, for once, there actually was one."

 "Yeah…" Tara agreed.

 "That's it", Anya said, sweeping her arm across the coffee table knocking all of the invitations into a cardboard file box, "I don't need to be mocked."

 "Anya…" Tara tried to speak.

 "No", she cut her off, "Just because your first wedding went off without a hitch… Xander and I love each other."

 "Anya", Willow entreated, "We aren't saying that you don't."

 "We're just saying that maybe, after this many tries, something is trying to tell you that you're not meant to have a big, flashy ceremony", appealed Tara.

 "I don't have to listen to this." Grumbled Anya, rising, box in hand, "I'm taking my invitations and going home where I can fill them out in peace."

 "Anya, you don't have to leave", calmed Tara.

 "No. I will not be butt of anyone's joke", she replied, making for the door, then pausing after opening it, her tone unchanging, "Call me when you want to go over the plans for the baby shower." With that she was gone.

 "Oops", said Tara.

 "Tara, she'll be fine", answered Willow, "She's just being stubborn. I mean, underneath it all, you know that she's got to be way more frustrated than any of us that she and Xander have never successfully gotten through their wedding…er, ings."

 "I guess…"

 "Now", announced Willow, changing the subject, "What would you like first? The strange, craving-induced food combination, or the massage?"

 "At first I was leaning toward the food", Tara admitted, "But, now I'm seriously thinking massage."

 "Well, M'lady, your personal masseuse has arrived", the redhead smiled warmly, standing and offering her hands to her wife. Tara accepted them and Willow helped pull the blonde up to a standing position. Guiding her into the bedroom, Willow then assisted Tara down onto the bed so that she lay on her right side. To lie down on the left could potentially impair the baby's heart. Willow crawled up behind her love, spooning her for a moment, kissing her shoulder and then backing up a bit to begin gently massaging her back.

 Tara smiled and closed her eyes, letting herself relax. Willow's motions were slow and deliberate, taking great care in her touches. Every push, every gentle knead was laid out with grace as Willow reveled in the feel of her wife's body. She could feel heat rising to her fingertips through Tara's white blouse. She wished she could do more to ease Tara's ache but she also knew it was only a matter of time until the product of their love would make her way into this world and all would be worth it. She rested her hands a moment, palms down, still. The room was silent except for Tara's steady breathing.

 Tara moved her head slightly, curious as to the sudden break of movement. Willow smiled and leaned closer, pressing her forehead against the soft shoulder in front of her. She lingered for a moment before pressing her lips to the flesh beneath them. Willow scooted closer, relaxing into Tara's body. She rose up on her elbow and dipped her head down, drawing in the scent of Tara's shampoo, her lips lightly brushing over the rim of her wife's ear. Pausing for a moment to take a small bit into her lips, tugging gently.

 She ran her hand seductively along Tara's shoulder line and down her arm. Rising up a little she continued her journey, hand coming to rest upon a soft, swollen breast. She traced the nipple gently with a finger, coaxing soft moans from the blonde's slightly parted lips. Willow slid as close as she could, pressing her hips forward. Tara shuddered and smiled. Reaching her hand back she grabbed a fistful of Willow's jeans and clenched her fists. She felt mild sensations begin to grow between her legs. Her skin flushed soft pink, body temperature rising.

 Willow also felt her body begin to lubricate itself. She continued her journey down the blonde's quivering body. Stopping for a moment, Willow pressed her palm onto Tara's belly, checking to see if her daughter was awake. When she felt no movement she smiled at the thought that her baby was resting peacefully and she had Momma all to herself. She couldn't help but laugh a little, excited.

 "She's asleep..." Willow whispered, almost afraid to make any noise.

 "I know." Tara smiled.

 "Wanna?" Willow's breath grew heavy with lust.

 "Wanna." Tara shook her head in certainty, closing her eyes in sweet surrender.

 Willow shifted and dropped her hand to her wife's thigh, she began to caress, gently inching up Tara's skirt. Her fingers worked swiftly, since Tara had reached her third trimester, her sexual peaks called for immediate satisfaction; Willow had grown accustomed to reading the signs, just like any other. Her ears turned toward the sound of her wife's shallow breath. She drew her hand down Tara's leg, stopping mid thigh and sliding down. She rested her hand for a moment before gently pulling away. Rolling over slightly to grab two pillows from behind her. Willow sat up and turned back to her wife, she slid her hand between Tara's thighs, lifting one up. Tara helped and parted her legs. Willow placed the pillows down and propped them up so that they held the blonde's legs apart slightly. Willow scooted herself down so her face was almost center with Tara's back. She lay back down, resting on her elbow. Her hand resumed its previous position; she slid it up her wife's inner thigh until she made contact with warm, damp fabric.

 Tara arched as Willow's fingers pressed into her center. She moved her hips slightly, confirming her satisfaction with the touches. She could feel her juices being drawn out by the fabric of her panties. She ached for flesh, she ached to feel Willow.

 "Honey?" She breathed.

 Willow pressed her lips to her wife's back and moaned in acknowledgement. She moved her hand up and under the thin underwear, her fingers probing in deeply. Tara's body responded, pulling forward. Willow slid her fingers around trying to lubricate them. She pressed into Tara's center, dipping one of her fingers inside the blonde's opening, trying to draw out more fluid. She quickly ran her hand back up, index finger rubbing gently on the little knob buried deep inside the thick nest of blonde curls.

 Tara's upper leg began to waver slightly, her body immersed in the pleasurable sensations growing intense from within her pubic area. She anxiously awaited each and every touch, each shift of pace. Her chest began to heave, and she knew she was building and building fast. She focused all her attention between her legs as Willow continued her gentle ministrations. She felt Willow's head rest against her back, knowing the redhead was also in a deep state of concentration.

 Willow continued rubbing and pinching Tara's sex organ for a moment before letting her fingers fall to the blonde's opening. She circled around for a moment, making a few gentle attempts before sliding her finger up and into the juicy warmth. Tara flinched at the touch but quickly relaxed back down as Willow slid in another finger and began a steady rhythm drawing her fingers in and out. Tara squeezed her eyes shut and let the sensations overtake her. She began to moan, her cries becoming increasingly louder as Willow's ministrations quickened a bit. She felt her head grow hot, almost heavy. Her pulse quickened and suddenly she felt almost dizzy. Tara opened her eyes to find her vision blurred slightly, her body jolted violently as an intense pain ripped through her abdomen. Tara's blood-curdling scream pierced the night air. She doubled over in agony, her hands clenching at her belly, drawing in short, piercing gasps of air. Willow jumped back in terror, ripping her hand from beneath Tara's skirt. She tried to process the situation as her heart slammed around inside her chest. She reached out, about to comfort Tara, who was now shaking violently, but stopped short when she noticed a thick syrupy liquid covering her hand. She began to shiver drawing her hand closer, eyes wide with horror as she stared in disbelief at her fingers, covered in blood.

 "Tara!?" Willow's voice trembled in fear.

 "Something's wrong…" Tara responded, tears of pain welling in her eyes.

 *******

 In the hospital waiting room, Buffy held her best friend close, rocking her gently. Willow was a complete wreck. Her eyes red and swollen from what had seemed like hours of crying, and still she had not stopped. Xander and Anya looked on, holding each other's hand and waiting for any kind of news.

 Finally, Dr. Gulliver appeared from down the hall, and approached the somber group. Willow stood, tried to collect herself and met the doctor half way into the room.

 Dr. Gulliver wasted no time in giving her diagnosis. "Tara is suffering from a condition called Marginal Placental Abruption, or Abruptio Placentae. What this means is that a small portion of the placenta has separated from the uterine wall…"

 "It's my fault", Willow cried, breaking down again, "I did it. Oh, God… It's my fault…"

 "Willow…" The doctor began.

 "It's my fault…"

 "Willow!" Dr. Gulliver snapped, getting the young woman's attention, "I need you to calm down. You won't be any good to Tara like this. You have to pull yourself together and be strong." She paused a moment, letting Willow stifle her tears. "Alright, now, tell me why you think it's your fault."

 "Her back was hurting…"Willow started, her throat choking up again.

 "Breathe", the doctor reminded firmly, but calmly.

 Willow took a breath and continued, "So I was giving her a massage… and then we started to make love… and she cried out… and there was blood on my hand and it's my fault!" Willow had begun to lose it again.

 "Willow. Stop." Dr. Gulliver ordered. "Listen to me. The back pain was a symptom of the abruption. The bleeding? Another symptom. It had already begun to occur when you and Tara started… doing what you were doing. The fact that you two were in intimate contact is most likely the reason that we were able to catch it in time."

 "In time?" Willow sniffled.

 "That's right", the doctor stated, "The abruption occurred to the anterior portion of the uterus near the bladder. Most likely as a result of the injury Tara received during the first two weeks of her pregnancy. This is why I never took Tara off of high-risk, in case something like this happened. I'm going to keep her in the hospital under observation for the next couple of days.

 "When she gets home, bed rest, lots of bed rest. For the next two weeks Tara should not get out of bed except to bathe or use the bathroom. After that, she should refrain from any sort of activity that would keep her on her feet for long periods of time. Of course, absolutely no heavy lifting whatsoever. I'm going to prescribe Tara a stool softener to make bowel movements easier and put less stress on her abdominal wall muscles.

 "When you arrived here in the ambulance, Tara had already started having contractions. Currently, I have her on an I.V. drip of Tocolytics, and this has been successful in stopping her from going into labor prematurely. If she starts to have contractions again once she's home, get her right back to the hospital.

 "I know that you're upset and frightened, but this was a very minor abruption. With bed rest, everything should be fine." Willow nodded mutely, her breathing still shallow, but slowly returning to normal. "But, I'm going to tell you right now", Dr. Gulliver continued, lowering her voice, "No more sex. Alright?" Again, Willow nodded. "She's in room 112. She's been asking for you." Dr. Gulliver reached out and squeezed Willow's upper arm as a sign of support. She smiled softly and then turned, leaving the group in the waiting room.

 Silence followed.

 "Will?" Buffy finally spoke up, "Do you want us to go or stay?"

 "I don't know", the redhead answered.

 "Well, we'll wait here for you until you tell us different", the slayer offered.

 "I'm gonna go check on Tara", Willow said, moving for the door.

 "We'll be here", Xander replied.

 *******

 Willow peered in to her wife's hospital room. Tara lay quietly, staring at the ceiling overhead. A loose fitting belt with a small metal disc was wrapped around her belly, monitoring the baby's heartbeat. The sound played through a small piece of equipment next to a tiny T.V. screen showing methodical green blips. Willow stepped inside the room slowly. Tara turned her head and saw her, calling to her with her eyes. Willow walked over to the bedside, taking her wife's hand, careful not to disturb the I.V. needle that was there.

 "Hey, Baby", Willow said softly, kissing Tara on the forehead. "How are you feeling?"

 "I've been lying here listening to her heartbeat", she whispered, "It's so strong."

 "Strong like an Amazon", Willow replied, smiling sadly.

 "Oh, Willow, I'm so sorry", Tara said, starting to cry.

 "Sh. Sh. Sh, Baby. It's okay. I spoke to Dr. Gulliver and she said that everything's fine", Willow ensured, running her fingers through Tara's hair. "You're fine. The baby's fine. It's not your fault. It's because of that demon hitting you seven months ago. You didn't do anything wrong. We didn't do anything wrong."

 "What happened?"

 "Um, well, the…placenta…kind of pulled away from the inside of your uterus." Tara's eyes shot wide as baseballs, fear washed over her face, stealing its color. "But", Willow continued quickly, "It's okay, because Dr. Gulliver said that it was only a little bit, and as long as you stay calm and stay in bed for the next couple of weeks, everything should be alright."

 "Willow?"

 "Yeah, Baby?"

 "C-could you hold me? P-please?" Tara stuttered, shutting her eyes at the sound. She hadn't stuttered in years, it betrayed how truly terrified she was.

 Willow nodded her head sweetly, and placed another kiss on Tara's forehead before walking around to the other side of the bed, so as not to disturb the I.V. drip, and carefully crawled up next to Tara, resting her head on her shoulder and spooning her side.

 "This okay?" The redhead asked.

 "MmmHmm", Tara replied, calmed by the contact.

 "When we get home", Willow confided, her voice hushed, "I'm gonna take such good care of you. I'm gonna make you all your favorite foods, and bring you breakfast in bed. Well, breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed. And I'm going to get you whatever books you want to read, or even read them to you if you'd like…" Tara smiled and chuckled quietly. "And I'm going to bathe you… and dress you…"

 "And love me?" Tara asked.

 "Of course I'll love you, Baby", Willow answered, her voice still low, "But, I can't make love to you…Doctor's orders…

 "Oh…"

 "But I will. After Emily's born, when you're ready again… I will. And it will be perfect. Like always."

 "I love you, Willow."

 "I love you, too. My wife, my life, my Tara."

 *******

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