SERIES TITLE  : Monterey ;
CHAPTER/TITLE : 2/9 One Good Man, part 2/3. Strand A.
AUTHOR        : Black Widow
EMAIL         : bw@l...
FEEDBACK      : Eeep?
SUMMARY       : The morning after the night before.
SPOILERS      : None.
RATING        : NC-17.
PAIRING       : Joyce/Xander
DISCLAIMER    : The characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant
                Enemy, Kuzui, Sandollar, and Greenwolf Productions, 20th
                Century Fox, the WB Network, and whoever else may have a
                hold on them. The situation is wholly mine, and I do
                not mean to infringe upon any copyrights.
ARCHIVE/DIST  : List archives. Others send me an email to let me know.
NOTES         : The original story, henceforth known as 'Strand A'.
                The first chapter was entirely due to Janis. This
                chapter was written with Karya's excellent site as
                inspiration for some J/X action.

*

It was early morning when Joyce woke, opening her eyes to see Xander
smiling down at her.

It felt so nice, curled up against his body, that the shock and the
realization of what had happened was lost in his smile.

She smiled back, laying an arm across his chest. The warmth of his
body against her was so wonderful and it had been such a long time
since she'd shared her bed with anyone. When she'd wanted an eighteen
year old boy she'd wanted Rupert back, not Xander. But what had
happened last night... the need she'd felt was so strong. Thinking of
that night with Rupert... remembering. It had been such a long time
ago... and such a long time since... He was so easy to seduce; it was
all so easy. What she'd done with him... to him... what she had done
herself... yet she was so glad that she had.

She remembered what she'd wanted from him - no, it had started like
that but now it was not from him it was with him. Seeing him smile at
her like that made her feel so happy. Happier than she'd been since...
since a time she couldn't remember.

His hand running through her hair was so nice. His touch was so
gentle and he smiled so sweetly. "How long have you been awake?" He
seemed so relaxed next to her; so unlike the Xander she thought she
knew.

Xander shook his head. "I don't know. I didn't look at the clock. For
some reason," and he grinned, "time didn't seem to matter as much as
watching you, holding you."

"Oh, Xander!"

She couldn't deceive herself. She knew now that she couldn't have a
physical relationship without the emotional attachment. Not that she
wanted a physical relationship. But after last night. All those years
ago she didn't want to give Rupert up. Rupert was sweet and gentle and
kind but he couldn't stay. He'd said he had a destiny...

Last night was so different. The utter abandon she'd experienced had
taken her by surprise. At the end she'd clung on to him purely out of
physical need. Looking into Xander's eyes there was no way she could
separate what she needed from what she felt.

Thinking about it, enjoying being next to him, seeing his smile, how
could she tell him? She'd been so selfish last night, not considering
the consequences, believing stupidly that they would just shrug it off
in the morning. Like she hadn't with Rupert after... Now she realised
it was so much harder to do than she thought. "Xander, We have to
think about what we do now..." letting her voice trail off.

His eyes showed that he understood. She took his hand in hers. "I
didn't expect anything like this to happen," Joyce told him quietly.
"I never thought much beyond trying to seduce you," laughing at his
shy smile, and gently stroking his cheek. Xander nodded slowly. "What
we did was, well, amazing." If she was going to disappoint him she
wanted to let him down gently, but it was so true. Joyce stopped at
his grin and shook her head. "No, really, it was. It was incredible,
I never imagined it could be so good and I never thought we would be
so... adventurous. Half the things we did I wouldn't have dreamed of
doing before. It... it just seemed the thing to do. It's just... we
gave ourselves up to, ah, the pleasure without thinking."

There. She'd said it. Yet she was still being selfish. One night of
sex and what was she thinking? He's just a boy.

"Thinking isn't all it's cracked up to be. I didn't have to let you
seduce me but I did."

"You let me?" Was that bravado? Was he just saying that to make her
feel better. Make her feel like he wanted to? She remembered the shy
look on his face when she invited in him.

"One thing about boys is that they wonder about girls, but there's
more... mystery with women. Every boy has secret fantasies about their
best friend's mom, specially when they're as attractive as you."

"You wanted to?" Joyce was surprised. "You mean you think about having
sex with me?" Buffy had mentioned his amazing ability to remember what
some of his teachers had been wearing, the way he looked at them.
Maybe he really did think about...

"Well, I wasn't tied up, but yeah."

"I never thought."

"Why would you? I mean, look, I wouldn't have believed you would have
even thought about me, specially after... so last night was..."

"Your fantasy."

"Oh, way better than that! You wouldn't believe..." he trailed off,
looking at her, thinking. "Do we really have to stop? I mean, if you
want me..."

"Xander, I haven't felt so good in a very long time. Yes, I want you.
At least, physically I want you," not wanting to admit to him, and
herself, that there may be more to it than that.

"Then if we're careful, why shouldn't we? I mean, can we?"

And now she was leading him, quite effectively, into an affair which
she wanted to satisfy her needs and... well, maybe it was just
fulfilling some of his fantasies too. "I'm not sure. There's more to
it than great sex."

Xander felt his stomach rumble. "Like breakfast? Like, after sex, boys
think about food a lot too. We can still talk over breakfast, if
that's okay?"

"Breakfast I can do," Joyce looked at him and could see bits of
fruit and dried cream. "But I think we should shower first."

Xander grinned his boyish grin. Pulling back the covers he took her
hand and Joyce could see that wasn't all he was thinking of. After
everything last night she never expected anything from him this
morning. As he led her to the bathroom she felt his eyes on her,
sensed his appreciation of her body. "Xand..." she started, but he
put a finger to her lips and started the shower.

Guiding her gently under the warm water he knelt at her feet and began
to stroke her legs. Playfully running his fingers up and down her
calves while he kissed between her thighs. Teasing at the tender skin,
enjoying the way she wriggled as he carefully avoided her mound,
licking and kissing her, making her want to feel his tongue inside her
and his lips on her. Gently he teased her dark, curly hair with his
fingers, making her wait until he was satisfied that she couldn't wait
any longer before dipping his tongue inside her, licking at her clit,
holding her hips when she moved to him, laughing at her impatience.

Joyce was trying her hardest not to move but as soon as his tongue
touched her lips her body disobeyed and moved towards him. As he held
her hips she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to control her body,
to hold it still, trying hard not to scream when his tongue slipped
inside her. Slowly his hands left her hips, sliding over her wet skin
to her bottom. She felt his long fingers squeeze and stroke her,
setting a rhythm for her complementing the motion of his tongue in and
out. He surprised her again when one finger began to circle her anus,
unable to suppress a gasp as the swing of her hips took her between
tongue and finger. As her body began to shake he stopped and stood,
grabbing her bottom firmly he lifted her easily and quickly pushed
himself inside her.

Thrusting strong and deep he put his lips to her neck and began to
lick and kiss and bite on her tingling skin. He let her wrap her legs
about him, and she flung her arms around him, feeling the strength in
his back and his shoulders. Feeling his body stiffen and his rhythm
slow she took his face in her hands, as their eyes met and they kissed
she felt his cock grow larger as he thrust deep inside her, piercing
her as he came with a cry that shook her, his arms trembling and his
body shaking at the release. Gripping with her legs she held him
tight, grinding her clit into his groin desperately wanting to share
in his orgasm. As she came she gripped him tighter still not wanting
to let him go.

Carefully she unwrapped her legs as he set her down. Flinging her arms
around him, pulling him close, pushing her body against his she just
wanted to feel his warmth and closeness.

Xander looked down at her and smiled as he peeled her arms away and
turned her around, making her lean forward to shelter her front from
the water.

Oh, she wanted to protest but when his soap-filled hands reached her
breasts and started to caress and stroke them, she gave in to the
pleasure. She could sense his delight as he felt their weight, as he
squeezed them and played with her nipples. Taking more soap he ran his
hands lightly over her stomach, massaging her gently and slowly
turning her around to face him.

As they smiled at each other Xander pulled her in close and started
rubbing his body against hers. Joyce laughed and grabbed some soap for
herself and put her arms around him, playfully running her hands over
his shoulders, down his back and squeezing his firm bottom. If last
night had started with her dream, then today was beginning with one of
his fantasies and she was loving every minute of it.

"Good morning, Mrs. Summers," Xander said finally, with a wicked grin.
Joyce smacked his bottom playfully and both said "later" at the same
time, laughing.

Together they walked back to the bedroom, hand in hand, and fell onto
the bed. For a while they just rested there, holding each other close,
wrapped in one big towel, not saying anything, just smiling at each
other kissing and gently caressing.

*

It felt like they could both stay there forever, but she had a gallery
to open and Xander, his stomach rumbling, needed his breakfast.

"We must," she said pulling away and ignoring his protests, "at least
get up. And you need feeding." Grabbing a smaller towel she watched
Xander as he watched her briskly dry her hair. The way he looked at
her with his mouth hanging open as her breasts jiggled about made her
smile. One moment he was all grown up, the next he was just like a
little schoolboy.

Xander sat up to watch her get dressed. "Y'know what it is about, um,
older women?" Joyce shook her head. "Mainly it's the clothes and the
shoes. It's the, um, 'lines' I think you'd call 'em. And the
simplicity." He stopped to watch as Joyce picked up a bra. "Y'know
I've never seen anyone put a bra on before? You really have got great
breasts." Joyce smiled at the compliment. "It's like a uniform...
blouse and knee-length skirt, stockings..."

Joyce wasn't going to bother, but since Xander mentioned it she pulled
out a suspender belt and a pair of sheer black stockings.

"... and low heels. Sensible, not like what girls wear. I mean, the
short skirts may look nice but where's the mystery? And the silly
shoes they wear! Have you ever seen such ridiculous things?"

"Don't say that about shoes, Xander! Never say anything bad about a
girl's shoes to her," as she sat beside him to put the stockings on.
She noticed he'd gone suddenly quiet so she made a play of running her
hands over her legs. "Do you like?" she asked, standing beside him,
one knee on the bed, his face inches from her.

"Wonderful," he said in an awed whisper. "I just want to..." and, ever
so softly, he kissed the inside of her thigh before she could skip
away.

She knew she shouldn't be doing this as she chose the simplest,
whitest blouse. It wasn't fair for either of them, but after last
night she didn't want to give him up. They really did have to work out
what they were going to do and choosing clothes that turned him on -
and herself, she admitted - was not the cleverest thing. That was why
she was putting on the black knee length skirt - definitely not to
influence their decision making in any way. And she was only stepping
into the black court shoes because they matched the skirt. And Xander
was still very quiet.

As she turned round to face him he let out a low whistle. "Wow,
Joyce," eyes wide, "you look..."

She felt really good. Dressing for someone else was something she had
rarely done and the look on Xander's face was priceless. Joyce went to
the dresser and brushed her hair. Xander appeared behind her in the
mirror. As she slowly brushed he gently ran his fingers through her
hair. She saw the thoughtful look on his face.

"We really should get some breakfast," she pre-empted and laughed at
the innocent expression he tried to put on. "Oh, Xander. What are we
going to do?"

"We'll work it out," shaking his head. "We have to."

The passion in his voice took her by surprise. Twisting round she
looked up at him. She'd never seen him look so earnest before. All she
could do was nod. "Come on, Xander, let's get you dressed and I'll do
some breakfast."

*

"Are you ever going to stop looking at me?" she asked as she squeezed
some oranges. Xander was just finishing buttoning up his shirt and
hadn't taken his eyes off her while he was getting dressed. The
sheepish grin told her that he wasn't. "Incorrigible. I hope cereal is
okay?"

Xander sat beside her at the table. "It's great, Joyce, it really is,"
filling a bowl with cornflakes. "Makes a change from chocolate."

"Mmm."

"I was thinking... y'know about..." reaching to hold her hand. "And I
don't want this to sound wrong but it really is just sex. It's not
like..." looking at Joyce uncertainly. "I mean, not 'just sex' in a
bad way..."

"Yes, I know what you mean." She sighed. "When I was your age we
thought we were all liberated but we weren't, not really," and she
remembered what a shy awkward girl she was back then. Even after
Rupert. "Now everybody thinks they're liberated again and they aren't.
We've still got all the old taboos," but this time she was determined
that she wouldn't let them get in her way. "We're not stupid, Xander.
We can't fool ourselves. But I realised this morning that I wanted you
and I don't want to give you up.

"You really have no idea what it's like. How frustrating it can be;
it's been so long." For a change he looked away. "No, Xander, it's
okay. I could see it in your eyes, yesterday and this morning that you
care. You don't know how important that is; how good it makes me feel.

"So..." she took a deep breath and let the words come out in a rush,
"we do what we want to do and if anyone says or does anything we tell
them to, um, I really can't think of anything polite..."

"Mind their own business?"

"Exactly. If you're happy to put up with an old woman?"

"You asked me that last night Joyce. Do you think I was? I mean, it's
more than just a fantasy. I thought, last night, I thought... I don't
know. This morning when I woke up and looked at you; and when you
looked at me; it just felt right. I never thought once about the age
difference. But, um, Buff will have a fit."

"When she starts paying some attention to me then maybe I'll start
listening to her." Xander raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear, that came out
harsher than I intended. We're both starting afresh and she'll just
have to accept the choices I make."

"Or tell her that it's thanks to her that we happened. Or is that
cruel?"

"Yes, that would be. I do know what it's like for her. Well, I don't
completely understand the slaying thing but I do know what it's like
to be away from home for the first time. So much freedom, all the new
experiences, new friends. I know I have to give her time..."

"Until then."

"Until then I have a gallery to open."

"At least it's Tuesday. Everyone'll be studying - or off to some party
on campus tonight..."

"Xander!"

"I'm just wondering what I'm gonna tell the G-man when I show up way
early. I've got hours more to wait before I'd normally show up. If I
start turning up at nine he's bound to be suspicious."

Joyce laughed out loud. "I think he'd break down in tears. You really
should go easier on him." Xander looked puzzled. "He came to the
gallery yesterday to escape from you. And don't you dare look
offended!"

"Hey! But if I started being nice all the time he'd be even more
suspicious. It's just all those books..."

"And you have so much energy. No, I don't mean it like that! You
really are incorrigible!"

"He's got dictionaries too, you know. Thirty of 'em," smiling. "Always
in the wrong order."

"Well, you're going to put them in the right order or I'll tie you to
the bed. That isn't much of a threat, is it?" enjoying Xander's grin.

"Now then, I have to go to the gallery and open up." She went to a
cupboard and retrieved an egg cup. "Here's a key to the house so you
can let yourself in. Now off with you - but give me a kiss first."

Very gently he put his lips to hers, barely touching he parted her
lips with his tongue, probing softly, wondering how far Joyce would
let him go. When she opened her mouth fully to his and her tongue
darted inside he stopped thinking and gave his full attention to the
kiss.

Eventually Joyce broke away. "Oh, Xander, you'd better go before..."

Xander nodded. "Tonight?"

"Definitely." With a smack on his bottom she shooed him out of the
house.

*

When he was gone she closed the door and looked at the dishes. For
once, she decided, they can wait too. Fetching a suitable jacket she
walked out the door, stopping by the car. Joyce shook her head. Yesterday
she was contemplating driving away all because of what had happened once
with an eighteen year-old boy. This morning she had one as a lover.

-- 
Continued in part 3