Here and Now

"Wow. So after all of that- the whole incident of which we know nothing of at my house, all you guys did was hug?" Lilah asked, incredulous. Their whole clique was assembled at the restaurant; except for an elusive Cordelia. Her presence was being occupied by a contrastingly quiet Willow.

"I know. But it's like I could really... ya know. Like 'like' him." Buffy said shyly as she stared into her pink lemonade.

"He made me feel like my old self again- though, I'm not so sure that's a good thing exactly. And Dawn is just the sweetest little thing..." she absently trailed off.

"Man, B's finally got it bad." Faith said playfully. Buffy tossed a piece of breadstick at her in response.

"I so do not. He's just... intriguing."

"Well, give it time, Buffy. Don't rush, but don't dawdle along either." Lilah advised. Buffy knitted her brows in concentration as she nodded absentmindedly.

"Has anyone heard from Cordelia? At all?" Faith asked. It had been nearly four days since anyone had heard from the chatty brunette.

"According to my Wes, she's been spending all of her free time with Angel. I take it they're hitting it off quite well."

"Oh! That's so sweet. Angel's finally seeing someone. I hope they get a happy ending." Willow said wistfully. All heads automatically swiveled to her.

"So, she can speak. For a minute there, I thought you had larengitis or something, Red." Willow smiled at the nickname.

"That's funny you should call me that. I mean, not funny 'ha ha' cause it's an obvious observation, but Spike's the only one who calls me that. That and you never called me that before- in high school." she rambled.

"So what does Xander call you?" Faith asked- temporarily oblivious to Willow's sudden discomfort.

"Faith!" Buffy said in admonishment. Lilah merely took another sip of her water.

"Oh! I dt met mean anything by it. I wasn't trying to be bitchy I swear."

"It's alright." Willow said.

"I'm just so used to being blunt with everyone, ya know? This is the place where we usually divulge are girly secrets and sutff. Questions, fantasies, tips, etc. I was just treating you like everyone else."

"I get that. No offense taken. But um... we don't really do the whole 'pet name' thing. Actually, in the past week, we haven't done much of anything. But that's more or less my fault."

"How's that sweetie?" Lilah asked. *Just as well.* Buffy thought. She had planned on having a one on one conversation with Willow about the personal aspects of her life, but this was probably good too. Different input from different women. Willow seemed comfortable enough about it all.

"Well, I'll admit that I was pretty pissed at him for like- a day. But lately I just... we used to have like, a routine almost. We were in a rut, ya know? I just haven't really felt like the 'same ol', same old', and I didn't plan on doing anything until some changes were made. Except, I wasn't too sure what changes *should* be made. I guess we have the sort of relationship where he feels there are certain things he can't do with his wife, but, I wouldn't mind trying." Willow confessed.

"Oh, like oral sex and stuff?" Faith guessed.

"Um... yea. And stuff."

"Xander isn't exactly a take control of guy, I'm guessing. Youprobprobably have to make the first move." Buffy added.

"Okay. Well, that sounds simple enough, but I've never... ya know. Xander's the only guy I've ever been with."

"And yet ya still haven't gotten your nasty on after all these years."

"Now Faith, we're here to advise, not criticize." Lilah said.

"I wasn't. Just an observation."

"Well my observation is that no matter what you do, it'll catch him off guard, confuse him at first, and then make him incredibly turne." ." Buffy said.

"Confidence is key. Know that you're in control, and embrace that knowledge." Lilah added.

"Okay, enough words of impowerment. Let's get down to the nitty gritty. Let's talk techniques blow by blow." Faith said.

"I'm guessing the pun is intended there, right?" Willow asked sheepishly. *Change is necessary.* Willow thought. *It's up to one of us to take a step forward. Might as well be me. Just hope I can pull it off...*


Well, it's an update (unbeta, albeit). Thanks to Kimber, Anon, and txjmfan.