Dew drives, rain falls

Willow finally stopped crying and found herself in Graham's arms. *God, I really threw myself on him, didn't I? Just like all the other girls. No originality from Willow, no...* She started to ease away, suddenly embarrassed by her actions.

"No, don't go." He protested, pulling her closer.

"Okay, if you say so." She smiled a little and hugged him. "But maybe we should go back to Giles'?"

"Yeah, maybe we should..." Graham said hesitantly and Willow easily picked up on his mood.

She watched him closely. "You're scared." She was surprised by her discovery. "You think they are going to turn against you! Why?!"

Graham took a deep breath and started to tell Willow about how everybody including his girlfriend and even his parents had been treating him when he had come home with the heartbreaking news of Angelin's death. Willow put her arms around him and let him talk about the nightmare of his life and she couldn't deny she was a little proud of the fact that he wanted to tell her.

He talked for hours, at last getting the huge pressure off his chest. Four years he had kept everything inside him and now he sat here on a park bench in hellmouthy Sunnydale spilling it all out to a girl he didn't even knew three days ago. Life really took weird turns sometimes.

When Graham finally silenced he felt so relieved, like a big weight had been lifted off of him. He looked at the wonderful girl in his arms and felt very grateful for meeting her. She was amazing. She had been there for him, she'd let him talk and talk without her adding a single word, but just listened to everything he'd said. The sympathy shone out of her beautiful, emerald eyes and he knew she didn't pity him; she supported him. He also knew he loved her.

"I don't want you to go, ever..." He now whispered into her ear.

Willow couldn't deny the tingly feeling somewhere inside her at his words. The spirit in her dream had told her to not give up on love. Maybe this was it. Maybe they could be together. She lifted her head and looked into Graham's blue eyes, filled with emotions, and knew he was going to kiss her. She closed her eyes and felt his lips on hers in a feather light kiss that made her wish for more.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Well, well, isn't this sweet. Graham Miller with another red head." A sarcastic female voice interrupted their very private moment.

Graham released Willow and got up fast, standing in front of her and facing the girl. She was about Willow's size, quite pretty with long raven black hair and dark eyes. "Wednesday." Graham said curtly.

"You know her?" Willow asked surprised and a little jealous.

"Killed one of her sisters." Graham answered and Willow realized the girl was a vampire, which was a relief because she wasn't an ex girlfriend or something, but on the other hand she was a bloodsucking fiend. It couldn't ever be easy, could it?

"Monday was stupid." The girl stated and sized Willow up, from head to toe. "Pretty little thing, this one. You know, Red, you don't want to be involved with him, it'll kill you; it always does."

"So, do you want to fight or do you just want to bug us?"

"Actually, I just want a snack." Wednesday smiled viciously and before Willow had the time to react, she had the vampire attached to her neck. Fortunately though, the vampire hadn't time to bit through the skin before she got a boot in her face knocking both her and Willow to the ground.

Willow sat a little groggily in the grass and watched Graham fight the vampire. He was an amazingly good fighter and it was sheer joy to watch him, besides the fact that he was fighting a creature that could very well kill him if he lost. With that thought suddenly entering her mind, Willow started to look around for something she could use to help him.

Graham had lost his stake early in the fight. He was however winning the fight and looked for something to use for a stake when the one he'd lost came floating into his hand. He didn't waste any time wondering about where it came form, but grabbed it and plunged it into the dead heart of the vampire.

Wednesday turned to dust and of course Graham understood where the stake had come form. "Thanks for the stake. We make a good team." He smiled at Willow as he took her hand, helping her up from the ground. "And I think you're right, we should be heading back to the watcher's."

Willow returned the smile. "Are you sure?"

"Very." Graham became serious. "You see, Wednesday was one of seven sisters who worked for the vampire king Lucian four years ago, so there is a risk he is in the vicinity. He could even be the 'big bad' your friends were talking about."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The light was still on at Giles' when Willow and Graham returned. Willow hadn't more than stepped over the threshold before she was wrapped in the strong arms of the slayer. "God, Willow, I was so worried! You are all right, right? Tell me you are okay!"

"Yes Buffy, I'm okay, now please let me get some oxygen?" Willow asked a little choked, but happy her best friend really cared about her.

"Oh, sorry, but you were gone for several hours and it's Sunnydale after sunset. I patrolled trying to find you. I even called Riley and asked if he'd seen Graham." Buffy released Willow and looked at Graham behind her. "I'm glad you're okay too and I think you will have a very curious friend tomorrow..."

"Please, come in and have a seat you two." Giles said, looking up from his books. "We have some disturbing news for you."

"What?" Willow asked as she and Graham took a seat on the couch.

"Spike finally told us who the 'big bad' of the week is..." Giles gave Graham a worried look. "I don't know how to say this the best way, so..."

"It's Lucian, isn't it?" Graham interrupted.

"Well, yes. How did you know?!"

"We dusted Wednesday." Willow smiled and earned four puzzled looks and one impressed.

"You dusted a weekday?" Anya asked curious. "Does that mean there are just six left?"

"I'm really glad you didn't take out the weekend." Xander joked.

"Well, I think I took care of that my first week of college. Sorry Xander, but Sunday's gone..." Buffy said trying to hide her smile.

"Oh no!"