ONE NORMAL LIFE / TWO EXTRAORDINARY LIVES

CHAPTER 82 - SEDONA

Buffy was dreaming of kissing, William’s soft lips on hers, his breath mingled with hers, his…

She opened her eyes and saw blue ones, focused back into hers. “William?” her eyes getting big.

He smiled at her, curiously, “Elizabeth. When did it become nighttime again?”

She grabbed him and kissed him, “William, William, William,” she repeated again and again, between kisses.

He laughed softly at her, “What’s this?”

She laughed too, “I missed you, that’s all,” she said, kissing him again.

“Why? Where did I go?”

Buffy put her hand on his cheek, “You don’t remember, do you?”

“I remember feeling rather sick and dizzy earlier, before we got to the Grand Canyon, but I don’t remember anything else. What happened? Did we go?”

“Yeah, we went. You really weren’t feeling good. Right after we got there, you sort of…well, you sort of fainted or stumbled back. In any case, you hit your head," she said, taking his hand and putting it on the bandage and on what was left of the lump. “You knocked yourself out. Well, at least knocked yourself sort of out of it, so we put you to bed, and that’s where you’ve been ever since.”

“How long have I been out, as you put it?”

“About 9 hours, I’d say.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth,” William said.

“Why? Why are you sorry?”

“Because I scared you, I can see it in your face.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, you couldn’t help it.”

“I should’ve stayed on the RV, should’ve told you I was too sick…”

“No, I should’ve insisted, I knew you were…”

“It’s not your responsibility to take care of me, Elizabeth. I’m not a child. It’s my responsibility to take care of me. And, I’d like to…”

“What? What would you like, William?”

He didn’t want to scare her, didn’t want to impose his old-fashioned ideas onto her, didn’t want to make her run.

He shook his head, “Doesn’t matter,” he said, rolling over onto his back, grimacing a bit, as he was reminded of having hit his head by the dull pain, when he laid back on the pillow.

Buffy sat up a little and looked at him, taking his hand in hers and putting it on her face, “It matters to me, what you want.”

He rolled back over, sighing, “What I want is to be able to take care of you, but all it ever seems, is that you’re taking care of me. Just doesn’t seem right,
somehow, Elizabeth,” he looked away, feeling ashamed. “Doesn’t make me feel like much of a man. Oh, I know, these days women take care of themselves just fine, but…it wasn’t how I was raised.”

“William,” she said, pulling him back towards her, “you do take care of me, just by loving me. Don’t you know that, yet? Hey, loving me…not such an easy job, either. Just ask any of the other men who tried, but failed…”

His eyes flashed with anger, “Then they weren’t men at all! They were cowards! You think loving you is hard job?” he asked, incredulously.

She shrugged, self-deprecatingly, half-serious. If history was an indicator, the answer was pretty clear.

His eyes softened as he leaned up on his elbow, smoog bag back her hair, “My God, Elizabeth…loving you…that’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done in all my life. And the most fulfilling. I don’t know about any other men that have been in your life, before me, or in the years I was missing. Don’t really want to either,” he said. The mere thought of her being with someone else made him beyond jealous; a nearly visceral, stomach clenching, physical reaction was more apt.

“They had to have been fools to not love you, not cherish you, not want you, not stay with you,” he said, shaking his head in amazement that such a thing could even be true, that she could believe such a thing about herself.

“You left, for a while,” she said, trying to make a joke, but failing; her words carried a tinge of pain she was trying to hide.

“I didn’t mean to,” he said, “and I came back to you, didn’t I?” He moved his hand from her hair to her face, caressing it, “If there’s only one thing that you must believe about me it’s this: I will always find my way back to you. Always. And, I will never, ever, voluntarily leave you, Elizabeth. Never.”

“I know,” she said softly. He was the one who always did come back. So far.
It was maybe the nicest thing she’d ever been told. And he’d been the one to always make her feel that she had more to offer than she thought she did. She bit her tongue, trying hard not to cry, not show him how much she was afraid to lose again. Lose him again.


She swallowed, pulling herself together, “About the otheuff,uff, how about we just take care of each other, each in our own ways? I know what you mean and what you want…let’s just wait until we get home. I promise you, William, I’ll let you take care of me, in anyway you see fit, alright?”

“Anyway I see fit?” he asked, his eyebrow arching, a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, just enough for her to notice it.

She batted her eyelashes, innocently, “Yes, anyway you see fit,” she said, turning her head, so that her mouth found his fingers, alongside her face. She put her hand over his and kissed his fingers one by one, gently sucking them into her mouth.

He let out a moan, as he felt himself immediately harden. He leaned over her, turning her face to him, replacing his fingers with his mouth on hers. She let out a little whimpering sound, as she kissed him back, her hands pulling at his belt, then his zipper, freeing him.

Buffy pulled him on top of her, not even waiting for him to take his pants off. She needed him now, the connection, the joining; needed to know he was still hers, still with her, needed to feel him alive and whole.

His mouth crushed hers, as he pulled her nightgown up to her neck, put it behind her neck, as she struggled to free her arms from it. Her legs pushed his pants down as far as they could, until they were around his calves. He groaned, because now, that had restricted his movement more than if they’d remained higher up. Finally, they pushed the pants off his legs.

“Been easier if we’d done this first, eh?”

“Couldn’t wait, William,” she gasped as he entered her, seconds after being freed from his jeans.

“Me either, Elizabeth, me either.”

Her legs wrapped around his, pulling him into her as far as she could. She had to remind herself, not to tug at his hair, to be gentle with his still bruised head.

“Love that you’re so warm, so willing, so…love you so much,” he murmured to her, as he kissed her neck, her ears, her breasts.”

“Love you, too. Don’t let go, don’t let go,” she moaned aloud. Inside, she silently begged, please don’t go, don’t leave me again, please, don’t go!

“Won’t let you go, I’ve got you,” he panted, trying hard to hold back, “won’t let you fall, Elizabeth, got you, love you, oh God,” he moaned as he felt her walls clamp down around him, pulling him deeper and deeper inside, until he was spent, too.

He lay on top her, catching his breath. When he looked up, he she hhe had tears in her eyes. William shook his head, kissing each eyelid, her nose, her mouth.

“Do I make you cry?” he asked.

“Happy tears,” she said sniffing a bit, trying to smile, to cover. Buffy wasn't even sure she could define for herself, much less William why she was crying. The only thing for sure, was that she couldn’t remember having ever cried as much as she had in the past few weeks, since…well, since he’d died. Now, all the time lately, she was being hit with all sorts of emotions, fear, passion, love, more fear. It was enough to make her crazy. She hated her own stupid emotions. This had been a new one, crying during sex, even during orgasm. Good grief! She hated the feeling of being so out of control; so wracked by emotions, that she barely had control over them. She’d been The Slayer for Christ’s sakes! Control was her thing, the responsibility of the world on her shoulders. And now what? Reduced to tears over…lov She She knew love was supposed to make one stronger, but it also made her feel weaker and more fearful than she ever remembered. Was this what love did to everyone or only to her?

“Don’t wanna make you cry,” he said, kissing her, “wanna make you laugh, make you sing,” he murmured to her.

She laughed, “No, you don’t want to hear me sing, believe me.”

“See? Made you laugh.”

“You did. And if I sang, I’d make you laugh, believe me on that one, William!”

“Wouldn’t.”

“Would.”

“Never,” he said, kissing her, his tongue dancing with hers, “I’ll make you sing my name.”

“That I can do,” she said, running her hands down his back, to his waist and beyond.

William made love to her again, and many more times that night, until she had no more tears, happy or otherwise, only joy in his touch, in their being, finally falling asleep in his arms, exhausted.


Dawn woke in the middle of the night. She stared up at the darkness, trying to remember what woke her. She heard it then, sounds coming from the bedroom. Was William in the midst of some horrible nightmare or vision? Was Buffy struggling to restrain him again? Was William back to being Spike? Should she have suggested to Buffy that he take the tranquilizers that Dr. Turner had sent along with him?

All these questions were running through her head, as she opened the door to the bedroom.

“Are you alri…”

“Dawn!”

“Oh, sheesh. Sorry. I thought…”

“I know…”

“Glad things are okay,” she said, quickly retreating.

Red-faced, Dawn closed the door, then went into the bathroom.

“Damn! My poor eyes!” she said to her reflection.


Later that night, Willow waited outside the bathroom door for whoever was in there to finish up. She assumed it was Buffy.

The door opened and a voice said, “Oh, sorry, Willow. I didn’t know you were waiting.”

“William! How are you?” she asked, her eyes large.

“Obviously, a lot better than before, gauging from everyone’s reaction,” he replied.

She nodded.

“I’m sor sca scared everybody.”

“I think we’re just glad you’re doing okay now.”

“I am. Thanks. Well, G’night.”

“Night, William.”

Willow smiled, letting out a sigh of relief, as he closed the bedroom door.


The next morning, William arose early. He got some stuff together, then leaned over to kiss Elizabeth.

“Hmm?” she asked, “wha…what ya doin? What time is it?” she mumbled, sleepily.

“It’s early, only 6:00am. I was going to go take a shower, before we shoved off for the day. Wanted to let you know, so you didn’t worry, and ask you if you knew where they were.”

She shook her head, “I really don’t, I stayed with you all day after we got here, only left once to go to the bathroom and step outside to talk to Willow and Xander.”

“Oh,” he felt bad now for waking her up.

“I don’t think we’re leaving today,” she said, remembering.

“No?”

“Well, Willow wanted to take a look around the area, and so did Dawn. Besides, last night, we didn’t know what shape you’d be in to travel. Thought maybe you could use a day to rest.”

“I feel fine, really.”

“I can see that, but I think they’ve sort of got their hopes up themselves to just do some hiking and shopping today.”

“I see.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“A little. I was a little excited about getting to see the house finally. Our house,” he said, smiling a little.

“Yeah, know what you mean. I’d suggest leaving to them, but they already changed their plans…”

“No, you can’t. I can’t. You’re right, they’ve done a lot for me, haven’t they?”

She nodded.

He didn’t say anything for a few moments.

“Well, regardless, I still really need a shower, I’m afraid.”

“Why don’t you just take one here?”

“I think I’d rather use the public ones. That way I don’t use up all the water here or tie up the bathroom.”

“Well, wait a minute then, I’ll get up and go with you.”

“No. You’re going back to sleep. Told you I can take care of myself, and I can.”

“That’s not why…”

“Elizabeth,” he said, gently, “yes it is. I know you.”

She was going to argue, when she heard some noise outside the window, “I think I hear Xander. At least find out where it’s at from him. And watch the back of your head, you have a cut, you know.”

“Okay, I’ll go ask him. And yes, I’ll be careful,” he said, grinning and gave her a parting kiss.

She sighed and snuggled back under the covers. He certainly was feeling better since last night and was quite insistent that he could take care of himself. It was kind of nice. Even if it was only for deciding where he’d take a shower. Well, considering he didn’t know which end was up yesterday, she supposed this was progress.

William walked over to where Xander’s tent was. Xander didn’t see him until he almost stumbled on him, as he came around from the other side, “Holy shit!” Xander said jumping back, “you scared me!” he said, just catching himself from making a reference to sneaking up on people and being a vampire. Score one for the Xand man!

William jumped back, too, at Xander’s reaction, “I’m sorry, I just…I just wanted to know where the showers were.”

“Oh, okay. Sorry ‘bout the reaction, I just didn’t’ expect to see anyone. But, hey, you’re all up and feeling better, huh, Spike? I mean, William.”

“Yes, much better,”pauspaused, “Elizabeth told me that you helped carry me back, here, after I knocked myself out. I wanted to thank you.”

“Well, not so much carried, as sort of dragged. Bou’rou’re welcome. Want some coffee, before you go? I was just making some; then I was going to go myself. We could go together, I mean, separately, but together.”

William cocked an eyebrow, not quite knowing what to make of that strange statement. “Sure, coffee would be nice. Haven’t had anything to eat since yesterday.”

Xander got out another mug, and measured out a heaping teaspoon of instant coffee into it, then poured the boiling water over it.

“Want anything in it?”

“No, think I’ll have it black this morning.”

Xander handed him the cup; “It’s hot.”

“Good.”

“Here,” Xander said, handing him a blueberry muffin, wrapped in cellophane, “got it at one of the gas stations.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I already had one,” he lied.

“Thanks,” William said, opening it and devouring it.

“That was good.”

“Somethio tio tide you over until breakfast.”


They came back from the showers half an hour later. Dawn had already gotten up and had started breakfast. Willow was taking a shower, and Elizabeth was still asleep.

William went into the bedroom and put yesterday’s clothes into the garbage bag they were using for dirty clothes.

He went over to the bed and leaned over, giving her a kiss on the top of her head.

“You’re back,” Buffy smiled; her eyes still closed.

“I told you, I always come back to you. And clean, too,” he teased.

“Um,” she said, inhaling deeply, as she put her arms around his neck and pulled him down to the bed; “you do smell nice.”

“You, too,” he said kissing her, as he pulled her into an embrace.

“What’s that?” she asked, hearing something.

“Afraid that’s my stomach letting me know it hasn’t had anything to eat, except a blueberry muffin and some coffee that Xander gave me earlier.”

“I smell food. You should probably go eat, then.”

“I could wait.”

“No, really, go eat, William.”

“Sure, luv?”

She opened her eyes and looked at his beautiful blue ones gazing back at her, so earnestly.

Buffy wanted nothing more than to fall into them and make love to this man once again, right now. Instead she said, “I’m sure. You go. I’ll be out in a few minutes, okay?”

“Okay. Better hurry though, might eat everything in sight!” he said, as he gave her a little wave from the doorway.

“I will,” she answered, smiling.

She lay back on the pillow and repeated the word to herself, luv. Luv. William had never called her that before. Only Spike had. She smiled to herself, feeling almost giddy, like the word had covered her in some sort of great-mood cocoon.

Finally, she got up, dressed, and went to join the others.

They were all sitting outside, in the early morning sun, at the campsite’s picnic table, when she joined them.

William made her sit down and got her a plate of eggs, sausage, pancakes, and some coffee, from off the stove.

They all made amiable chitchat about everything and nothing. What had happened to William, now a topic happily left behind, by all. They talked about what they were going to do that day, but somehow, it felt a little forced, as if their hearts weren’t in it, despite the optimistic mood.

About 20 minutes after Buffy had joined them, they heard a thunderclap and looked up, as a towering mountain of dark clouds suddenly descended from the west. Within minutes, the sky had opened up and they were deluged with a sudden downpour. They grabbed their breakfast plates and cups and ran into the RV.

“Think that’s almost the first time we’ve run into rain since we’ve been on the road,” Xander said.

“Yeah, we’ve been lucky.”

Half an hour later, the rain was still driving down, with no signs of abating. Willow logged onto the Internet and looked up the weather for Sedona.

“Uh-oh,” she said.

“What’s uh-oh?” asked Dawn.

“Looks like it’s going to rain all day here. Seems that June, July, and August are monsoon season in Sedona and this area."

“Crap!” Dawn said.

“Yeah, crap,” Xander said, less emphatically.

“We could still shop,” Willow suggested.

“Yeah,” Buffy agreed, “or the weather could clear up.”

They all spoke at once, trying to decide the best course of action, but with less enthusiasm than before.

For a few minutes nobody said anything. Finally, Xander turned and looked at William, “What do you think?” he asked.

William cleared his throat a bit nervously, “Well, I think that if hiking is being rained out and that the only other thing to do is to go shopping, that we might as well just get back on the road.”

They all smiled. Staying an extra day had felt like the right thing to do after yesterday, but now, it just seemed like an unwanted delay. The rain had just been the cincher.

“I really should be getting back to sign up for classes,” Dawn said, also thinking how nice it would be to see Dr. John again.

“Yeah, I think that the airline ticket I’m holding has to be used within 28 days, so it’s getting rather close,” Willow said.

“I miss the kids and Angela,” Xander added.

“You okay to travel, William?” Xander asked.

“I’m fine.Really.”

“And what about you, Buffy?” Xander asked.

She smiled, “Let’s do it!” They were finally going to be home, Her and William. Tonight!

“Oh, shit!” Xander said, suddenly remembering, “the tent!”

William stood up; “I’ll help you take it down.”

“It’s pouring out. Maybe you guys should wait,” Buffy said.

“We have raingear, don’t we?” William asked, going into the bedroom to retrieve his.

A few minutes later, him and Xander were outsid the the thunderstorm taking down the tent.

Buffy looked out the window nervously, as thunder and lightening pealed around them.

“Don’t worry, Buffy. William hasn’t come this far, just to be felled by a little old thunderstorm.”

“Thunder and lightening,” Buffy corrected.

“Still…”

Ten minutes later, a very wet Xander and William came back in, after storing the tent in the bottom compartment of the RV.

“Whew!” Xander said, “glad I had William to help me. Thanks, man.”

“You’re welcome…man,” William replied, pulling off his poncho.

Just the, the rain started slowing down.

“Told you guys you should’ve waited.”

“Ah, but if we had, it still would’ve been pouring. You know how that goes, Buffy, Murphy’s Law!”

“What’s Murphy’s Law?” William asked.

“Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong!” Dawn answered.


“Well, let’s get this show on the road then, shall we?” Xander said, as he got into the driver’s seat and pulled out onto Highway 17, heading south toward Phoenix.

END CHAPTER 82

A/N Thanks for all the reviews. The next chapter I'm working on finally has them back in Julian! Yeah! I'm excited too, for William to finally see the house, just like when he showed it to Buffy back in the first story, ONE NORMAL DAY! On with the show!