They found a simple 6-foot tree.

"This one," Joan said.

"But she's plain." Bex pouted.

"She?"

"What? It's obviously a she. We've bonded already. I can tell these things." Bex crossed her arms.

Joan giggled.

"Then she is just fine. We can decorate her at my house. Then she won't be plain anymore."

"Fine." Bex sighed.

They grabbed some help and loaded the tree up in the car. Joan strapped it down and paid for it before she and Bex got back into the truck. Bex looked at her hands which were oily. Joan did the same they looked at each other and laughed.

"I guess bad spirits can't get to us now." Bex giggled as Joan pulled out of the parking lot.

"Thank goodness for that." Joan teased.

When they got back to Joan's house Lyssa was waiting she was pacing the street right in front of the house. The slayers were waiting with stakes in hand. It was a tense situation.

"Whoa, what's going on?" Bex asked as she got out of the truck.

"Rebecca, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Lyssa sped to her side.

"Lyssa, what's wrong? I'm fine, honest." Bex said holding up her hands in surrender.

"What's your deal?" Joan eyed her.

"My deal! My deal is that for some reason I can't feel Rebecca anymore. Our bond just went silent and I tried to call you but you weren't answering. I was getting worried, I got scared." Lyssa's voice shook.

Bex quickly took out her phone.

"Oh sorry, it was still on silent from school. Lyssa, I'm fine. What do you mean you can't feel me?"

"Try, try and feel me," Lyssa said.

Bex closed her eyes and did, to her surprise she didn't feel anything.

"Whoa, okay freaky. What's going on?" Bex asked.

"I don't know, I thought you were hurt. Don't scare me like that." Lyssa shouted.

"Hey, I'm okay, see look at me, all here in one piece. It's okay." Bex assured her.

Lyssa took several breaths to calm herself.

"Hmm..." Joan eyed the tree.

"I think I have an idea. Bex come with me." Joan grabbed her by the wrist.

"NO!" Lyssa grabbed Bex by her other wrist.

"Whoa, it's okay Lyssa. I'll be quick, promise."

Lyssa let go and looked away, her eyes were watered over. It was clear she was very upset. Bex sighed and looked at Joan.

"Come on, it will be fast. Promise." Joan tugged her into the house.

"Wash your hands." Joan led Bex to the kitchen sink.

"Wait you think it's the tree?" Bex asked as she put soap on her hands.

"Well, we are about to find out." Joan turned the water on for her.

Bex quickly washed her hands with soap and hot water until she could feel no traces of oil on her skin. Then she dried them and closed her eyes to concentrate. She could feel Lyssa's panic and worry. Her fear and anger. She sighed in relief.

"I can feel her," Bex said.

"Good now go calm her down before my family slays her," Joan said.

Bex quickly ran out of the house and into Lyssa's arms.

"I'm okay see. Can you feel me now?"

"Yes." Lyssa nuzzled her head into Bex's neck.

"I got you, see, all good. Not hurt. It was the tree. The old man does put oil on his trees but I guess it blocks out vampire bonds and not bad spirits. Sorry. I didn't know."

"Don't scare me like that again." Lyssa whimpered.

"I won't. Promise. I'm sorry. Guess the old man must be a warlock or something, is that a thing?"

Lyssa pulled back and forced a laugh.

"Of course it is, I'm just glad he didn't curse you. trust me curses suck." Lyssa caressed Bex's face.

"You okay?" Bex asked her in worry.

"I am now." Lyssa leaned in and kissed her.

Bex melted into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Lyssa.

"Damn you, Rebecca. Damn you." Lyssa whispered against her lips as they pulled away.

"I guess I know you really love me now." Bex smiled.

"Damn you, you hear me? Damn you. Oh, why did I have to fall in love with you." Lyssa sighed.

"Shh, it's okay. Nothing to be scared of anymore. I'm here."

Lyssa whimpered and buried her head back into Bex's neck.

Bex could feel Lyssa's fear, Lyssa was afraid, deeply afraid of losing Bex so suddenly. The strength of her fear made Bex's own heart rate increase. She held Lyssa tightly.

"Oh Lyssa, it's okay." Bex felt her eyes water as she held the vampire.

Lyssa took a shaky breath and tried to get her emotions in check.

"Don't leave me, Rebecca, don't ever leave me," Lyssa whispered into her.

"I'm not going anywhere, promise."

Joan sighed as she watched the scene, her stomach turned and she had to look away. It was obvious to her she stood no chance against a love that strong. She felt jealousy and envy stir inside of her, which only made her hate Lyssa that much more. She wished Bex had never met Lyssa, so badly she wished that.

"You going to be okay?" Bex pulled away.

Lyssa nodded.

"You want me to come with you?"

Lyssa nodded again.

"Okay, I will. Come on." Bex grabbed her hand.

"I'll see you later Joan," Bex called.

"See ya." Joan sighed.

Lyssa lifted Bex into her arms and Joan watched as they two vanished. She held back her tears and huffed as she went back inside her house.

She would never not hate Lyssa and Bex being together.

Never.