Buffy watched Oz go back into the apartment to climb into his shark cage and sighed. She'd stick close to the apartment but stay outside for awhile.
Ari had the book Ethan found under the seat of their car in a pack over one shoulder, as she walked through the town. It wasn't too far to 'Ripper's apartment, but it was vaguely annoying to be dispatched to do errands.
Buffy looked up. Who the hell would be out after dark? She pulled out a stake and climbed into her friendly tree.
Ari approached the house, her hooves clicking on pavement. One of the benefits of being here was that at night, she really didn't have to hide what she was. Though she'd shift back before knocking.
Buffy landed behind the figure and sent her flying with a kick to the small of the back. She wondered if the demon could be killed with a stake, she'd hate to have to switch to a knife.
Ari shrieked as she went tumbling forward, rolling into a crouch and scrabbling backwards. "Hey, hey, hey!" she yelped, expecting it to be some idiot vampire who didn't know what she was.
Buffy blinked. She knew that voice. Ethan's kid. "Ari?"
Ari paused, and looked up at the Slayer, taking gasping breaths. Her eyes widened and she froze. "Ohpleasedon'tkillme," she blurted.
Buffy frowned, taking in the appearance of the girl. Okay, Giles had a boyfriend and boyfriend had a demon for a daughter. Buffy held out her hand. "What are you?"
Ari paused, suspicious for a moment, before extending her hand towards Buffy's. "I'm a succubus," she said. "Half-human."
Buffy helped the girl up. "Giles know?"
"Yes," Ari said. "And I don't kill," she added quickly. She pulled her hand back quickly, once she was standing, and flexed her talons. Then she shifted, and looked like a normal barefoot 18 year old. Well, a really attractive one.
"Okay, if Jeeves trusts you," Buffy said with a shrug. "You should get inside though. If you're seen around here, vampires and demons might not like you."
Ari shrugged. "Doesn't matter if they like me or not," she said. "Killing a succubus is a waste." "Yeah, how so? A sex demon sleeps with a lot of demons and humans?" Buffy asked, cocking her head slightly.
"Yeah," Ari said. She grimaced and rubbed her back. Ow, dammit, the kick had hurt. "If someone killed me, everyone loses out on the sex." She shrugged again.
Buffy frowned. She and Oz occasionally got it on and sometimes some guys she picked up when she went to LA but.... sex with Oz was the closest she got to enjoying it. With others it was... a release.
"Sex with you is good?" she asked the girl.
Ari gave her a weird look. "Um. Yeah, duh. That's pretty much the entire point."
"What do you get out of it?" Buffy asked.
Ari rolled her eyes. Wow, the Slayer was forward. "Well, sex. And energy, when I feed. And what's your favorite color," she added, giving Buffy a look.
"Favorite color?" Buffy asked. "You mean like, in normal life? Blue, I guess."
"Well, I figured since we were asking random, mildly-intrusive questions," Ari said.
"Sorry, we tend to cut to the chase around here," Buffy said. "I don't... deal with a lot of normal people much. So Jeeves went for sex demons?"
"Jeeves?" Ari asked. "Oh, you mean - Mr. Giles? Well, I suppose so. He and Ethan summoned my mother, so..." she shrugged.
"Wow, go Giles," Buffy said with a smirk. "Let's sit down. Texas Queen and me aren't getting along."
"The hot one? That's too bad." Ari sat down with Buffy. "She seemed pretty sad to me."
"Yeah, well she's got a world she can go back to," Buffy said. "It's my fault this one is screwed up and my mom is hurt and don't think I didn't catch the question about my mom and cancer..... sorry. My mom was hurt and Pike and I were caught by vamps. I made it out, he didn't."
"I'm sorry," Ari said quietly. "That sounds awful." It had to suck being the Slayer - even if she was horribly scary. "But...how could it be your fault?"
"I wasn't here to stop the hellmouth from opening," Buffy said. "Tex said in her universe I was and the world is okay."
"Wow," Ari said. "Kinda a lot to put on one person's shoulders. It wasn't your choice not to come here, was it? I mean...you didn't say 'well, I know the Hellmouth will open if i'm not there, but so what?' or anything?"
"I didn't know, I would have come if I had!" Buffy said, her fists clenched. "I was.... was hurt and Mom was in the hospital. Giles called but the Council said it wasn't a sure thing."
"So it sounds like it was the Council's fault, then," Ari said gently. "And the vampires who hurt you."
Buffy angrily wiped away tears. "I hadn't even been with Pike. He was a good guy, you know? He didn't run."
Ari nodded. "Life can be terrible," she said quietly.
"What's your story?" Buffy asked. "And can you.... tell sexual stuff about somebody? Oz said you knew he was.... with someone."
"Yeah, people leave...energy all over each others. I can...'see' it, for lack of a better term." The demon sighed. "My story? I'm half-human. That...pretty much encompasses it."
"Is that hard for you?" Buffy asked. "Do you fight demons in San Fran?"
"No," Ari said, shaking her head. "I don't kill. And...well, to me, there really isn't much difference between humans and demons. So yeah, it's kinda hard sometimes."
Buffy sighed. "I'm tired. Awfully tired."
"It's an exhausting job, to fight," Ari said, looking at the blonde. "Do you ever...have fun?"
Buffy frowned, looking puzzled. "I enjoy listening to cds on the drive to LA.... No, not really."
"Well, that's dumb," Ari said. "Fun is important, y'know? I mean...a hobby. That would be good."
"I.... get a couple of hours of sleep in the morning, a couple in the afternoon and up all night," Buffy said. "What kind of hobby could I have?"
Ari frowned. "Well, sleeping would be a good one," she said. "But, I dunno...tai chi? Yoga? Um..." Ari shrugged. "Sex."
"You already know I get sex occasionally," Buffy said with a gruff laugh. "Not that it's enjoyable. With Oz it is. It's just more of a....release, a sleep aid. Tai chi? Giles talks about balance and stuff."
"Tai chi is supposed to be calming. I kinda like yoga. Mostly 'cause it's fun putting my ankles behind my head," Ari said with a smirk. "What about drawing?
"I used to write and draw," Buffy said softly. "Mom has some awards I got in grade school. How do you know I don't sleep?"
"You said so. Only a couple hours in the morning and afternoon...that's not enough for a human, right?" Ari asked, frowning. "Ethan sleeps loads more than that."
"A Slayer doesn't need as much sleep," Buffy said. She was awfully tired though. Hashing over emotions and memories made her mind nearly shut down along with her body. Her eyes half closed. "Sometimes Oz and I just hold each other. Just for comfort, you know? I like him and he likes me but.... love don't exist in this town."
Ari tilted her head to the side. "Love...well, maybe. But comfort still does - it must be nice to have someone to offer comfort."
"What about you?" Buffy asked. "Anyone ever hold you?"
"What? No," Ari laughed quietly. "I'm a succubus," she said. "We don't really do cuddling."
"Too bad," Buffy said, leaning back slightly, the wall inside up more. "It's kinda nice. Not important."
"I dunno," Ari said. "I think it might be, for humans." She looked at Buffy. "Maybe for you."
"Nah, just gets in the way of slaying," Buffy said as she stood up. "I should tranquilize Oz or he'll keep everyone awake all night."
Ari frowned. "So, the fact that you're gonna run away from the conversation means...that it's not at all important, huh?" she said.
Buffy shrugged. "I'm whining. Doesn't do any good. Slayers aren't meant to have boyfriends, girlfriends or even comfort. Didn't you get the brochure?"
"Nope," Ari said, shrugging. "Besides, if we're all fucked anyway, who cares about the rules? The redhed - Oz. He seems like the comforting type."
"It's more like.... desperation, if that makes sense," Buffy said softly. "When he's holding me sometimes... I see Pike screaming."
Ari winced. Goddess, that had to suck. "That's awful." She frowned. "I don't know what would help that."
"I try to kill it with sex, slaying and staying awake," Buffy said slowly. "Alcohol didn't work, made the nightmares worse."
Ari bit her lower lip. "Sounds like none of those will probably work," she said. "Though I usually think that sex can cure anything."
Buffy laughed and leaned down over Ari close to her face. "Yeah? I might like your way better."
Ari almost backed away from the gesture - intimidating from a Slayer. But she forced herself to smirk, and tip her head to one side. "Oh?"
"Well, you're the expert," Buffy said softly.
Ari paused. Ethan's ex might be okay with her if she didn't kill, but... "Is that a proposition?" she asked quietly.
Buffy pondered and nodded. "Yeah. You aren't going to fall in love with me or get all macho and think you have to protect me. So, why not? Not tonight though, I have to sit with Oz."
Ari smirked. "If you apologize for kicking me in the back. I'm gonna have a bruise," she added, with a slight pout.
"I'll kiss it and make it better," Buffy offered, a gleam in her eyes. "Come inside, we can make out on the sofa while wolfie Oz sleeps."
"You're kinda fun," Ari said, with a laugh. "Dangerous."
"I am that," Buffy said. "I'm also screwed up, too intense, too focused and too stubborn. Quote the one guy after Pike that wanted to be my boyfriend."
Ari rolled her eyes. "Intense and focused are good things. And I'm as stubborn as they come," she added, with a grin. "Screw the guy."
"I didn't," Buffy said with a grin, moving to nuzzle Ari's neck. "I tied him to the bed, got him all hot and bothered and left."
Ari giggled. "Wow. Sure you haven't got a little succubus in you?" Wow, the Slayer wanted to make out. That was...really impressive. Her brother would die of jealousy.
"No, a short life span," Buffy said softly. "Come on, inside before we get jumped."
"Okay, okay." Ari stood up and walked in, glancing around a bit. She tossed the book onto a table near the door.
Buffy went over to a bag on Giles desk and pulled out a tranquilizer gun and fired it into the shark cage, hitting the growling werewolf in the leg. After a moment, it fell over in a sleep.
"Well, that's effective," Ari said, peering at him. "Wow. I've never seen a werewolf up close before."
"Not too close yet," Buffy warned. "Sometimes he tries to fight the drugs. His cousin bit him and he discovered this year that led to this."
"Yikes," Ari said. She didn't lean too close, but she studied him. "Wow...and you all keep him caged up when he's like this?"
"Either that or shoot him and he has a mean warped sense of humor so we like him," Buffy said with a smile. "Seriously, what else can we do? Giles hasn't found a cure yet."
"I don't think there is one," Ari said. "Least, I've never heard of one." She dropped down on the couch. "Wonder where 'Uncle Ripper' is," she said.
"Reading, most likely," Buffy said, moving to the sofa and sitting down, putting her feet up on the coffee table. "Oz is really nice. You'll like him human."
"He seemed a little eager to get away from me before," Ari said, glancing back at the cage. "Of course, that may have been because I mentioned he liked women..."
"He wanted to warn me that we were about to be outed," Buffy said. "Giles.... I don't know if he knows or not. I don't think so."
'"Do you think he'd care?" Ari asked.
"I don't know, he gets a lot of action," Buffy said, patting the sofa next to her. "He'd worry it will distract us on patrol, I think. Like make me hesitate if they grab Oz. If it comes down to it, I'm supposed to choose my life over anyone else's so I can keep fighting. Not sure I can do that."
"That is difficult," Ari said, sitting down next to Buffy. She put her heels on the coffee table and wiggled her toes.
"Must be hell on shoes," Buffy commented. "What about you. Most demons or half demons won't even talk to me."
"Well, you are kinda scary," Ari admitted. "But it helps that you won't kill me...and Ethan's working with Mr. Giles."
"Then come here," Buffy said softly, pulling Ari close and kissing her, more gently than expected.
Ari let Buffy set the tone of the kiss, returning the gentle pressure and stroking a hand over the Slayer's shoulder. Ari examined the lines of her lust, the energies in her, slowly.
Buffy took her time, getting comfortable on the sofa with Ari nearly on top of her. "Nice," she whispered. There weren't a lot of people she could be open with that weren't even more mucked up than she was.
"More than nice," Ari said. She palmed Buffy's breast through her top, stroking it and then pinching the nipple. "Tell me what you like," the demon said, nibbling at the Slayer's neck. A Slayer - she was actually making out with a Slayer. It was like...climbing mount everest.
Buffy's arousal went up several notches at the touch. She swallowed and looked at Ari. "I... never told anyone."
"You can tell me," Ari said soothingly. "I've done everything...not gonna judge." Oh yeah, she liked the neck nibble. That was kinky, considering what she was. Ari bit Buffy's neck a little harder.
Buffy's body jerked and she wondered if Slayers secretly wondered about the bite, knowing they were probably destined to die by it?
"Give up.... control," Buffy mumbled, her hands going under Ari's shirt. Feeling the smooth skin and muscles moving felt incredibly hot.
"Aah," Ari purred. "A little bondage? Someone holding you down?" She nibbled up to Buffy's ear, and sucked on her earlobe. "That sound good, Slayer?"
"No bondage," Buffy said quickly. That would be too much like.... before. "H-holding is good," she said, trying to get the arousal back to the previous level.
"Shh," Ari said quietly. She used her powers to stroke the faltering glow of Buffy's energy. "It's all right, just holding. Not responsible for anything...just feeling." She let her thigh move between Buffy's legs.
"I was hurt," Buffy said softly. She sighed and let the arousal start building again with Ari's help, pulling Ari's shirt open and pressing against Ari's thigh.
Ari sighed, and nuzzled Buffy's neck again, rubbing her thigh agaist the Slayer. "Mmm, you smell delicious." She nipped her neck again - that had gotten a good reaction - and stroked her fingers over Buffy's nipple.
Buffy bit Ari's neck and started nibbling on Ari's nipples.
Ari moaned, and wiggled slightly-
And then squealed as hands grabbed the back of her shirt and her waistband and lifted her right up and off of the Slayer.
"Not in my house, you don't!" Ripper snapped, his eyes blazing as he held the scrabbling demon in midair.
"Hey!" Buffy yelled, pulling her shirt down. "Giles! What are you doing?"
"Up!" Ripper said, giving the demon a little shake. "Do you know what she is?" A sex demon, seducing a Slayer. No, seducing *his* Slayer, in his flat!
"I was seducing her, damnit!" Buffy yelled, jumping over the back of the sofa and landing on her feet. "Put her down! The only magic going on is the same kind you get going on with every waitress in town!"
Rupert dropped the demon. She landed in a crouch and snarled, holding her shirt shut.
"Fucking hellsdamnit!" Ari hissed at the man. "Ethan said you were fun!"
"This is - you're a Slayer!" Rupert said to Buffy. "She is -is - is a half-demon, and -"
"Asshole," Ari muttered. The Watcher turned red.
"She was one of the few people that don't freak out on me!" Buffy yelled and then sighed. "Look, sorry. I didn't think you'd come down or misunderstand. It was totally consensual, I swear."
Rupert took a breath and forced himself to calm down. "Buffy, I think that she should go home. Now." He glared at the demon.
Ari growled. "I brought you another book," she said, gesturing to the table.
Buffy sighed. "I'll walk you back, Ari. Sorry about this."
"You need to rest, Buffy," Rupert said, picking up the book. "Ari can walk herself home." He gave the demon a hard look.
"Yeah, fine, whatever. Later, Buffy." Ari gave the Slayer a little wave, and headed for the door.
"She's my guest and helping with the research," Buffy said, moving to intercept Ari at the door. "I'm sorry about this. Don't mind him. He's protective 'cause he knows.... what they did to me."
Ari frowned, and nodded. She gave Buffy a little smile. "Some time later, then," she said, leaning close to give Buffy a quick kiss. "When we're not in someone's living room. He knows where we're staying," she added, nodding to Giles. Then the demon turned and sauntered out of the door.
Rupert sighed.
Buffy closed and locked the door. "Damn. Go back to bed, Giles. I'll watch over Oz."
"I'm sorry, Buffy," Rupert said. "I - I don't think it's wise to put yourself in that position until we're absolutely certain she's safe."
"Giles, we're not getting into this now," Buffy said wearily. "I'm.... like a raw wire. I just want to not think about any of it."
"All right. I - I'm sorry." Rupert retreated to his bedroom and sighed, leaning his head against the door. Damn, damn, damn.
Buffy followed and tapped on the door. "Giles. I'm sorry. Maybe Tex is right and we need to talk. I think I'm spiraling. Not tonight though, okay?" she said through the door.
Rupert opened the door, and put his hand on Buffy's shoulder. "Of course," he said quietly. "We'll talk tomorrow...about everything. For now, try and get some rest."
Buffy almost hugged the older man. "Thanks, Giles. I'll see you in the morning. Night."
"Goodnight." Rupert squeezed her shoulder, and let go, stepping back into his room. Well - maybe they could make some progress.