A Witch in L.A. by Kinetic-Kid

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Definitely no money being made. All characters belong to Joss Whedon and ME. I own nothing except whatever characters I may make up for this story.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
Kinetic-Kid's Site: http://www.kinetic-kid.com
Oh yeah, anywhere, anytime. Just make sure I get credit and let me know where it is.
Feedback: Please Please PLEASE. I live for feedback. I get irritable and upset if I don't get any and I might not continue writing. Of course, if you don't like the story and think it sucks you may not want me to continue!
Spoilers: Tabula Rasa
Author's Notes: This is more of an Angel/Buffy crossover. I'm taking BTVS the way it happened up to Tabula Rasa – then goes AU. Everything is un-beta'd – so any and all mistakes are solely mine! Sorry in advance for any screw-ups.
Pairing: Faith/Tara

Summary: Tara decides she needs to leave Sunnydale.

"This is gonna be Dawn's room." Faith grunts out as she places the luggage by the dresser. "I guess that mean's it's yours tonight, too." Faith grins slightly.

Buffy nods as she quickly throws her overnight bag on the bed before sitting down looking at Faith. "You seem to be doing good."

"Oh, yeah. Doin' real good." Faith murmurs shifting uncomfortably. Looking up she catches Buffy's hazel eyes with hers and sighs quietly. "I ain't no fuckin' good at tryin' to say stuff sweet and nice. I usually just throw out what I want to say and people take it or leave it." Faith growls out.

Buffy's eyebrows rise at Faith. "I would agree with that. So what are you trying to say here, Faith?" Buffy questions as she watches the slayer.

"I wanna thank you." Faith mutters quietly, starting to pace back and forth in front of Buffy. "You may end up fuckin' hatin' my guts. Not that you ever liked 'em to begin with. But you may really, really end up hatin' me now." Faith shoves her hands into her pockets while striding back from one end of the room to the other.

"Jesus, Faith!" Buffy growls out loudly. "Just say what you've got to say. And I don't hate you, just to clarify that point. I've had time to come to a few home truths and realized we both made mistakes. We may never be best buds, but I wouldn't mind calling you my friend."

Faith stops and turns with stunned eyes towards Buffy. "You wanna be my friend?" At Buffy's nod and soft smile, Faith strides over to one of the chairs and pulls it over to sit in front of Buffy. Sitting down she looks back up into the slayer's hazel eyes. "Well, we'll see after I tell ya' what I gotta tell ya'."

"Enough already, Faith. Please just say it." Buffy grumbles, starting to feel tense.

"I wanna thank you for sending Tara here. Whether you know it or not she's become my world. And I owe you for that." Faith admits quietly.

"I love her. Of course Gunn was treading on thin ice for a while when he was hitting on her, before I admitted to myself that I liked her. It took Fang to make me realize it." Faith growls out. "She's my life, B. I love her completely. Something I never felt for anyone before. Or will feel again." Faith whispers the last.

Buffy stares quietly, in disbelief at the slayer. "You're in love? With Tara?" She questions, trying to get it through her head. "When did you start liking…" Trying to wrap her head around it, Buffy frowns looking at Faith.

Faith looks up and can't help but smirk at the slayer. "B, I always liked women. I just never announced the fact. I liked guys, too." Faith shrugs at the statement.

"Does she love you?" Buffy questions softly, already knowing the answer. It had stared her in the face when she saw the witch.

"Yeah. Hard to fuckin' believe, huh?" Faith grins. "I told her my whole sordid story, everything I did in my life, including the shit I put you guys through…" Faith trails off momentarily, frowning before quietly finishing. "She still loves me."

Buffy reaches out and places her hand on the slayer's arm. "Don't keep beating yourself up about what happened, Faith. Like I said, we all made mistakes. I'm as much to blame as you are. But, to let you know…" Buffy makes sure she has Faith's attention and smiles as Faith looks at her with serious brown eyes. "I consider Tara my sister. You hurt her, I'll kick your ass, understood?"

Faith feels her lip quirk up slightly before chuckling and finally laughing. "Threats, I can deal with." Holding her hand out to Buffy, she watches as Buffy looks at it before glancing back up with a raised eyebrow. The next thing she knows she's being hugged by the small blonde. "Yo, B. You break the merchandise you'll have to explain it to Tara. And trust me you don't want to piss the witch off." Faith chuckles quietly as Buffy finally releases her death grip.

Faith coughs a couple times and shakes her head. "B, she's kind of changed somewhat. We ain't just in love with each other. We're really truly soul mates. We kind of temper each other."

"Some of her calmness has rubbed off on me." Faith smirks slightly before continuing. "And she got some of my attitude in the exchange."

Buffy flops back on the bed groaning. "Oh, God! Not two Faith's!! You didn't make sweet, calm, loving Tara into a brash, horny Faith clone?"

Faith chuckles and smacks Buffy on the leg. "She's still sweet, calm and loving. Brash? Not so much. As for the horny part, I'm thinking she was that way before me. And just to let you know, that woman has absa-fuckin'-lutely ruined me for everyone else."

Buffy throws her arm over her eyes, groaning loudly. "I do NOT want to hear this."

"Be glad that we moved upstairs, then. Fang was getting a little irritated with the noise level." Faith smirks needling the other slayer. "And I can't tell you how much razzing we got from Queenie. But she did tell us that Wesley seemed to get very uncomfortable whenever we got too loud."

"Faith, if you continue on with this conversation, I'm going to have to kick your ass." Buffy growls out roughly.

"Ah, ruin my fun, B." Faith chuckles. "Come on, let's get the rest of this stuff in the other two rooms." Faith reaches down for Buffy's hand and pulls her up and off the bed. "We okay?"

"Yeah, we're good." Buffy smiles slightly. Leaning down to grab Xander's and Willow's bag, Buffy frowns. "This may not be so good, though."

"All I have to say about her, is as long as she doesn't hurt my witch, I'll ignore her." Faith growls out quietly. "She hurts Tara I'll rip her fuckin' head off."

Buffy blinks in surprise at the absoluteness of the words the other slayer was saying. Not knowing what to say, she just quietly prays that Willow doesn't go off the deep end when she finds out.

"I guess Tare will probably talk to Red. We weren't exactly planning on her being here." Faith narrows her eyes slightly looking at Buffy.

Buffy sighs and sits back down. "Sit down Faith, let me explain what the hell's been going on at home."

Faith sits down and quietly listens as Buffy explains what's happened in Sunnydale after Tara left.

Giggling Dawn and Tara ease into Dawn's bedroom, seeing an obviously stunned Faith sitting in front of a frowning Buffy, Tara quickly strides over to Faith and kneels beside her. "Love?" She whispers worriedly.

Turning dazed eyes on Tara, Faith reaches down and runs a hand down her cheek. "She ain't gonna get you back."

"I'm yours, too." Faith smiles tugging Tara up and into her lap hugging her tightly. "What are we gonna do about Red?" Faith questions quietly.

"I'll talk with her. Alone." Tara states adamantly, knowing Faith will have a problem with it. "Don't argue with me on this. You'll only irritate matters."

"I know, I know." Tara whispers running a hand through her hair and leaning in to brush her lips over Faith's. "I guess everything went okay here?" Tara grins stroking one of Faith's dimples.

"Yeah, I'm still here and in one piece, ain't I?" Faith smiles at Tara, running her hand down the witch's back.

Tara grins and wiggles her eyebrows. Leaning in so she can whisper in Faith's ear. "Looks good, but I'll want to make a thorough investigation later."

Tara laughs and kisses her cheek. "Let me up, love. I think it might be best to get this taken care of sooner than later."

Buffy and Dawn keep glancing at each other in between watching the two women. Buffy smirks at Dawn, as Dawn laughs quietly. Standing up as Tara stands Buffy quietly offers. "Want me to go and run interference for you?"

Tara looks at Buffy appreciatively. "I appreciate the offer, Buffy, but I think this is something I need to do on my own."

"She should be in the room two doors down, babe." Faith watches Tara. "You yell if you need me, understood?"

"Yes, love." Tara grins. Glancing down at the small bags, she sees one that she knows is Willow's. Reaching down, she hesitates before grasping the handles and picks it up. "I'll take this to her."

Faith stands and watches Tara walk out of the room, her hands clenched tightly by her side. "Fuck I hate this." Faith growls out quietly.

Buffy groans and buries her face in her hands as she watches Faith start to pace again. "Faith why don't you go beat up on a weight bag or something."

Faith growls at Buffy. "Can't. I busted the last one and they haven't made a new reinforced one yet. And Fang gets testy when I want to use him as a punching bag."

Dawn giggles before sitting down beside her sister. "I assume you got the complete run down on those two?" Dawn questions watching Faith.

"For now." Dawn mutters and laughs as Faith turns wary eyes on her. "Faith, if you harm her in any way, I will beat you to a bloody pulp." Dawn looks at the slayer seriously.

"If I harm her in any way, I'll lay down and let you beat me to a bloody pulp." Faith mutters quietly. Looking seriously at the teen, Faith states honestly and from the heart. "I love her, Dawn. Completely and irrevocably."

"Thanks, Little D." Faith grins at the teen. Sighing she turns facing the room Tara had headed towards. Trying to relax so she has a better connection to the witch's feelings, Faith growls when she can't relax. "Fuck me." Faith grumbles.

"If I'm relaxed, calm, I can feel Tara's emotions. If she's worried, scared, happy, angry. But I can't calm down enough to sense her emotions." Faith grumbles loudly.

"Yeah, something to do with being soul mates." Faith waves her hand dismissively. "We fucked with Lorne something awful when we sang for him. He wants us to sing again, but he won't read into it anymore. Anyhow, he realized we were soul mates when we sang."

"Why don't you explain to us how you two fell in love?" Buffy suggests quietly, smiling as an idea works into her brain.

"Right. Start at the beginning and tell us everything…except for any of the sex. I won't have you corrupting my sister…or me for that matter." Buffy smirks at Faith.

Faith chuckles quietly. "Well it all started when she arrived and offered to cook…"

Tara hesitates for a moment outside the room Willow should be in. Taking a deep breath, she knocks firmly on the door.

"Hi, Xander." Tara smiles softly at the young man. "Is Willow here?" She looks at him questioningly and as he shifts, she sees Willow curled up in one of the chairs. As green eyes look up at her, Tara sighs quietly seeing the pain imbedded deeply in the lackluster depths.

Xander looks back at Willow with a raised eyebrow. "Ummm, do you want me to stay, Will?"

Willow moves her gaze to her best friend's and shakes her head. "No, it's okay." She whispers quietly before looking back at Tara, noticing how happy and content her ex-lover seems. Looking down at the floor, Willow hears the door click shut and a whisper of clothes coming closer.

"I brought your bag." Tara places the bag on the end of the bed before walking over to the chair across from Willow. "May I sit?" As Willow briefly looks up and nods her head, Tara eases down in the chair, clasping her hands in front of her.

Tara takes stock of the redhead, frowning at the shell of the once vibrant woman. "You haven't been eating, have you?" Tara questions quietly.

Willow looks up, making eye contact and shakes her head. "I can't keep much down." She admits. Looking down at her hands, she picks at her fingernails. "Did they tell you want happened?"

Tara nods her head. "Yes. They also told me that you've been magic-free since it happened."

Glancing up, Willow whispers. "Not one, not even a tiny one. But it's hard, the withdrawals…." Willow shivers at the thought, thankful they weren't near as bad as they were. They only occasionally come up on her now.

Tara nods her head. "That's the black magic trying to purge itself from your body, Willow." Frowning she leans forward. "I know you probably don't want to hear this, but you need to go to a coven and get training. The magic is a part of you. Denying it now will cause more damage to your already taxed body. You need to learn to control the magic, not let it control you. And I'm sorry I was never able to help you with that." Tara whispers out the last quietly.

Willow shakes her head. "You tried to help me, you tried to tell me what it would do. I didn't want to listen, so please don't blame yourself. I, I don't know if I can ever do magic again, Tara." She cries quietly.

"Talk with Mister Giles, Willow. Have him see if the Coven in Devonshire will help you. They're one of the best covens in the world. They can help drain off your excess magic while you're learning the proper way to deal with your powers. You have to get control, if not, you're either going to kill somebody or end up killing yourself. And no matter what has happened between us, I don't want you hurt." Tara admits quietly looking at the hacker sadly.

Willow looks in the blue eyes searching, finding compassion, caring and hurt, she doesn't see love anymore. "There's no chance you might consider…" Willow trails off and watches as Tara closes her eyes and shakes her head.

"Willow…Goddess how do I say this without making things worse." Tara murmurs standing and quietly walking back and forth, unconsciously picking up Faith's habit of pacing when she's upset or worried.

Willow watches Tara, surprised at the pacing. Tara always would calmly and quietly sit and explain things, she never physically paced or did anything like that. "Tara, please just say what you need to."

Tara stops and faces Willow. "Willow, I loved you with my whole heart. But you did something that made it impossible for me to be with you."

Willow nods her head looking down. "Yeah, I stole your memories. You can't ever trust me again because of it."

"Yes, you stole my memories. After having my mind messed with by Glory, my sanity literally ripped away from me, you reached in and took my memories from me." Tara states quietly, not in a condemning tone of voice, just in a factual voice. "I can forgive you what you did, Willow. But, I can never forget and I can't ever trust you completely because of it. You promised me to go a week without doing any spells and you didn't even last a day."

Willow watches Tara with tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry." She whimpers out quietly.

"I know you are." Tara sits down reaching across to gently lay her hand over Willows, smiling sadly. "But I have to tell you, I'm not in love with you anymore, Willow. A part of me will always love you. You helped me become the person I am today. You helped the poor abused girl become a stronger more secure woman."

"But you've become even stronger and more…" Willow trails off, not knowing what she's wanting to say.

Smiling crookedly Tara looks at Willow. "More forceful, outgoing, stronger, take charge…" Trailing off Tara chuckles quietly. "Stubborn, and I have even been called a pain in the ass occasionally."

Willow smiles uncertainly at Tara. "How did you change so much from the time you left Sunnydale 'til now?"

Tara sighs before leaning back in the chair and crossing her legs. "I know this is probably going to hurt you, Willow, but you deserve to know." Looking down Tara runs a finger over the bracelet Faith had bought her a couple days ago while they were out shopping. Smiling softly at the gold bracelet with the pentagram hanging from it, remembering how Faith said she was going to look for a stake to keep it company. Chuckling quietly at the thought of how Faith was a romantic at heart, no matter that she might not have the words to say it.

Willow watches the emotions crossing Tara's face, realizing Tara's in love. Feeling a momentary pang of hatred seep through her at the thought of someone else knowing her love, she frowns looking down. Realizing she has given up any rights at the thoughts running through her mind, she sighs, feeling her heart get heavy at the thought she will never know this wonderful woman's love again. Calling herself every name imaginable, she looks back up as Tara starts to speak again.

"I wasn't looking for love when I came here." Tara admits quietly watching Willow. "But it found me. It practically beat me over the head." Tara chuckles quietly. "And I don't want you to be angry at the person I've fallen in love with. I know it's going to hurt you no matter what, and I really hope you can come to terms with it one day." Tara frowns before taking a deep breath looking deeply into the sad green eyes. "I've fallen in love with Faith."

Willow falls back against the back of the chair in stunned silence. "She…you…killer…"

"We love each other, Willow. We've discussed everything that both of us have been through, I know what she's done. I also know how much she regrets the things she's done in the past, and if she were given a second chance she would change so much. I also know that it wasn't all her fault." Tara states quietly watching the emotions crossing the hacker's face. "But she's a different woman now. She loves me completely and would never hurt me. You may not like her, hell you can hate her if you want. But I want you to realize that she loves me and she won't ever hurt me. She makes me happy, Willow. Completely happy." Tara whispers out, waiting for Willow to be able to say something.

Buffy and Dawn chuckle as Faith finishes telling them about Angel's ultimatum to the rest of the crew about cleaning up.

Buffy shakes her head at the calmer, and easier going Faith. "Try your senses now, Faith. Tell us what you feel."

Faith looks in surprise at Buffy before feeling along her senses to Tara, feeling that she's worried, but calm. Sighing as she realizes that Tara's okay she smiles at Buffy. "Thanks, B. She's worried, but okay. I guess she's probably talking to Red about us by now."

Faith grins at her sister slayer. Looking around at the clock, she groans realizing it's after lunch. "Damn, we didn't get anythin' fixed for lunch. I guess we'll probably order somethin' in, unless everybody throws sandwiches together."

"Sandwiches are fine. You guys don't have to go to any trouble for us." Buffy grins laying back on the bed watching Faith. "She's good for you." Buffy admits having been studying the slayer the whole time she was recounting the first few days of Tara being there.

"She's the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me, B." Faith admits quietly looking from a grinning Dawn to a smiling Buffy. "It's like a part of me was missin' and I didn't even know it till she came along."

Dawn giggles quietly. "I have a feeling that Faith is just as good for Tara, if not more so." Dawn smirks at her sister. "Tara's more confident than she was before, Buffy. She didn't come across like the shy, upset woman she was when she left."

"No, my witch is very much together and even will make Angel sit up and take notice if he does something to piss her off." Faith chuckles quietly.

"Yep. My witch." Faith grins and nods her head. "She's mine and mine alone. Just as I'm hers." Faith grins happily.

The two sisters look at each and shake their heads. "I'm not even going to try and figure this out." Buffy grumbles quietly.

Tara waits patiently, as Willow doesn't say or do anything, just staring at her with an indescribable look on her face. Feeling along her connection to Faith, she quirks her lip at the happiness finally coming from the slayer.

Willow has every thought imaginable running through her brain, hatred first off, at the thought of Faith even thinking of touching her love. Then down right self-disgust at the thought she has no right to think that. She lost her rights the moment she chose magic over the woman sitting in front of her. Finally bringing her thoughts down to the barest essentials. Tara isn't hers. She doesn't love me, and I have no one to blame but myself. Tara has opened herself to love after the shit I put her through. Yes, she loves the person I would probably most wish to see buried at the bottom of the ocean with concrete boots, but it isn't my decision. Finally it hits her. It's Tara's choice to love whoever she chooses, not Willow's, not anyone else's. And no matter what, she has to abide by what Tara chooses, unless she wants to go back to being the evil black veined, magic high, bitch she was.

Looking up into the warm blue eyes of her former lover, and hopefully, one day friend, Willow whispers. "I don't much like Faith and I doubt that I ever will. But I have no right to interfere or cause you any more heartache or pain."

Tara blinks in surprise, expecting to have some kind of fall-out over Faith. "Thank you, Willow."

"Don't thank me. I don't deserve it." Willow mutters quietly. "Do you think the Coven can help?"

"I'm positive of it." Tara smiles softly. "Contact Mister Giles, see if he can set it up. You need help. It isn't something you can do on your own, Willow. You're wasting away."

Willow glances down at her impossibly thin arms and sighs. "Yeah, I guess I am."

"What can you hold down?" Tara questions as she slowly stands up, running her hand down her skirt to try and ease some of the wrinkles.

"Broth. A few crackers." Willow admits looking up, smiling just the tiniest bit.

"Chicken?" Tara raises an eyebrow in question and smiles at the nod. "I'll see what I can rustle up for you. Why don't you try and rest. Do you want me to see if Buffy or Xander will come back in here?"

Willow nods her head. "Maybe see if Buffy can come keep me company. She gets worried."

Tara places a warm hand on Willow's shoulder. "I want you to take care of yourself, Willow. The next time I see you I want to see a smiling and happy Hacker, okay?"

"Be sure you do. Let me hunt out Buffy and get you something to put in your stomach." Tara quickly walks to the door, gently closing it behind her.

Willow reaches up and wipes a tear from her face as it sinks in that she had the most precious gift and threw it away. Smiling softly at the thought of Tara and Faith together. Willow laughs quietly at that thought. Definitely not something she would have ever expected. Sighing sadly, she shifts to move to the window looking out at the afternoon sky.

Tara smiles as she peeks her head around the door at Faith stretched out bantering with the two Summers girls. "I'm going downstairs to see if I can get some broth and crackers for Willow. Buffy, do you maybe want to go keep her company? I think she needs someone to hash over what I told her with."

Buffy jumps up nodding her head. "Yeah, that would be best. How did she take it?" Buffy questions worriedly.

"Actually a lot better than I expected her to." Tara admits quietly. "I think what happened with the accident and black magic kind of has her thinking things through a little more, instead of just reacting."

"It does." Buffy tilts her head considering the witch. "You're getting her to eat?"

"Yes, I also suggested she contact Mr. Giles to get her in the Coven at Devonshire." Tara smiles softly at the slayer. "She needs help, Buffy. She needs to get the magic under control. It's part of her and it will build up until something happens if it isn't regulated. Please make sure she gets help."

Tara watches Buffy stride down the hallway towards Willow's room before easing the door open and disappearing inside. Feeling a pair of warm, strong arms wrap around her waist turning her around, Tara smiles and tucks her head in against Faith's neck, wrapping her arms around Faith, hugging her tightly.

"You okay, babe?" Faith huskily questions stroking her hands over Tara's lower back.

"Yes." Tara softly replies. "She's lost so much weight."

"Yeah. She don't look too good." Faith murmurs quietly. "She'll get the help she needs."

"I'm sure she will. Right now let me get her something to eat. Or sip as the case may be." Tara corrects herself. Pulling back slightly, Tara leans in and brushes her lips over Faith's. "I love you."

"I love you too, babe. Want help? It's past lunch so I don't know if we should order food or just make sandwiches." Faith reaches up and pushes a stray strand of hair behind Tara's ear.

"I have the making for subs, if everyone's okay with that." Tara smiles, looking over Faith's shoulder seeing a grinning Dawn. "What are you grinning at, Dawnie?"

"You two are cute together." Dawn bubbles up before giggling quietly. "I can't believe I just said that about Faith." Dawn groans before laughing.

"Oh, please, don't even get her started about being cute. She goes off." Tara rolls her eyes glancing at her lover. "A slayer is not cute!!" Tara mimics Faith.

"Got that right." Faith growls out before smacking Tara's ass gently. "Little D, wanna come with?"

"Yes." Dawn yells and jumps up off the bed running to the door, making Tara and Faith both laugh.

"Xander and food? Of course he'll want to come." Dawn rolls her eyes at the slayer. "Plus someone needs to tell him about you two."

"Nah, we'll just make out in front of him until his head explodes." Faith grins evilly at the teen.

"Oh, Goddess! What have I gotten myself into?" Tara mutters before chuckling. "How long do you think it'll take before he runs into another room or hit's the floor passed out?"

"Yes, I am, but you are allowed no hands below the waist or on certain body parts. And I'll tap my watch as the start signal." Tara narrows her gaze at her lover. "Winner between us two gets whatever we want. Dawn, what do you want if you win?"

"Well, hell! That ain't no fun." Faith growls out. "But I'll bet anyway. Fifteen minutes."

Dawn laughs. "I say ten minutes. And I want pancakes every day I'm here for breakfast."

Faith narrows her eyes on her lover, trying to figure out what she's up to. "How come I think I'm gonna lose?"

Tara just chuckles. Quickly walking up to the door, she knocks. Smiling at Xander she raises an eyebrow. "We're going down to the kitchen to throw something together for lunch, want to keep a bunch of women company?"

Buffy quietly eases into the room. Walking up to Willow, she places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"

"She doesn't love me anymore." Willow whispers out heart brokenly. "I fucked up so bad, Buffy." Willow sobs into the slayer's shoulder.

Wrapping her arms gently around Willow, Buffy strokes her back not knowing what to say to the redhead.

Finally long moments later, Willow gets control of her tears. "She loves Faith, Buffy. Faith! It doesn't make any sense. Tara and Faith?" Easing away from the slayer, Willow wipes her eyes with the heel of her hands.

Buffy clasps Willow's hands in hers. "Let's sit down, Willow." Buffy urges as she helps Willow over to the bed. Sitting down in front of her, Buffy sighs quietly. "I know you probably don't want to hear this, but those two love each completely. You have to see them together…." Buffy looks searchingly in the hacker's sad eyes. "Faith's eyes light up at just the thought of Tara, Willow. When Tara came in the room…You could literally light the room with the brilliance of her smile."

Willow looks down at their clasped hands. "I don't have any right to be upset, do I?"

"Unfortunately, you don't." Buffy answers softly. "You're going to need to accept the fact that Tara is in love with someone else. You need to get yourself pulled together and then look for someone to love and that loves you." Buffy reaches up and strokes a hand down the red locks.

"She told me I need to go to the coven, to get help with the magic." Willow murmurs quietly.

"Then that's what you need to do. You and I both know that no matter what, Tara will always have your best interests at heart. She wouldn't steer you wrong." Buffy makes the statement quietly.

"I never told you, and I don't know if Tara did. But I took her memories from her before. It wasn't just the spell that affected everyone, Buffy." Willow whimpers out the admission. "We had an argument over the magic. She told me I was using too much, that I needed to get control. I was mad and basically told her to shut up. When she got angry with me, I looked up the spell and performed it on her. I wanted it to just go away when all I would have had to do was talk to her, Buffy. Simply talking and an apology would have taken care of it, but I did the spell instead. And since it worked that one time, I did it again. Thank God Xander stepped on that crystal." Willow collapses on her side on the bed and curls up into a tight ball. "I've fucked up so bad. She has every right to hate my guts, but she's still worried about me and doesn't want anything bad to happen to me." Willow looks up with tear filled eyes at the slayer.

"Willow." Buffy feels her heart break for her best friend. Lying down in front of her, she runs a calming hand over her shoulder and arm. "Everything will be fine, trust me. We'll find you some sexy little woman that will love you completely and make you smile at the drop of a hat." Watching as Willow starts to calm down, Buffy smiles. "Let's get you cleaned up. Then get something in your stomach."

Willow nods her head. "Maybe I should eat up here. Faith probably doesn't want to have anything to do with me."

Buffy winces slightly. "Faith just pretty much said as long as you don't hurt Tara, she'd ignore you. Faith is extremely protective of Tara." Buffy admits quietly.

"They really love each other?" Willow questions looking at Buffy. As Buffy nods her head Willow murmurs. "At least she was open to love again."

"Yes she was. And you need to be open to it also." Buffy looks sternly at the hacker. When she gets a hesitant but honest smile in return, Buffy grins. "Come on. Time to clean you up."

Faith looks out into the dining room to a pacing and mumbling Xander, chuckling quietly. "I still say you cheated."

"How did I cheat?" Tara smirks as she slices the tomatoes. Glancing over to a giggling Dawn she winks. "You still get pancakes."

"No she doesn't. I said she couldn't have hands in inappropriate places, not we." Tara wiggles her eyebrows.

"You cheated." Faith growls quietly, coming up behind Tara and smacking her firmly on an ass cheek. "And you're gonna pay for it later."

"Hmmm. Promises, promises." Tara murmurs grinning. "Get another knife and cutting board out, love. You can slice the onions while I start building the sandwiches."

"Because you do it so well." Tara smirks as she slices the sub rolls open. "Angel, if you can let the rest of the group know, I've almost got the subs ready for lunch." Tara calls out a little louder, after piling the sandwiches up with meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomato's, onions and hot banana peppers for herself and Faith. Slicing the subs in half, she places them on a couple platters and grins as Faith grabs the platters putting the rest of the crews in the middle and theirs in their normal spot.

"Yes, I do." Tara nods her head. "He likes to listen in when he shouldn't, so I've started taking advantage of it." Tara smirks and winks at the teen.

"What happened to my innocent, shy Tara?" Dawn moans quietly. "You've turned into a - a …."

"Sexy, hot mama." Faith growls out as she strides back into the kitchen grabbing drinks to take out to the dining room. "We got any chips?"

"Yes, we do." Tara smiles at Faith before walking into the pantry and grabbing a big bag of regular and bar-b-que chips out.

"Anything else you want, Dawn?" Tara murmurs as she hands the chips to Faith before getting a bowl down to pour some chicken broth in for Willow.

"No, I think I'm going to be pretty much set. Is Willow coming down here?" She questions watching Tara.

"I'm not sure. I'll go ahead and take this along with some juice and crackers upstairs. I can always bring them back down if she wants to eat down here." Tara grabs a small tray and places the items on them.

"She's coming down." Buffy mentions as she walks into the kitchen. "She stopped and talked to Cordy after Angel let us know lunch was ready." Buffy smirks at Tara. "He listens in doesn't he?"

"Yes, the evil vampire." Tara growls out winking mischief filled eyes at Buffy. Grabbing the mug out of the microwave, she holds it out and two seconds later a scowling vampire walks in.

Buffy stares after the vampire in surprise. Turning her eyes on a chuckling Tara she shakes her head. "Is everyone different than they used to be?" She questions no one in particular as she walks into the dining room.

Picking the tray up, Tara follows Dawn into the dining room, placing the tray in front of Willow, who's sitting beside Fred, talking quietly. "If you need anything else, let me know." Tara quietly mentions before walking to sit beside Faith.

Xander sits across from Faith and Tara, looking from one woman to the next and shaking his head, blushing. Grabbing one of the subs off the platter he sets it on his plate and takes the bag of Bar-b-que chips handed to him and dumps some on his plate, before passing the chips on.

Tara runs her hand gently over Faith's forearm and nods her head down the table towards Willow.

Faith turns her gaze down and blinks in surprise at Willow and Fred talking animatedly with each other. Glancing back at Tara with a raised eyebrow she grins. "You think?"

"Don't know." Tara shrugs grabbing half a sub and frowning as Faith dumps some chips on her plate. "I wish you would stop that."

"What? You didn't want any chips?" Faith questions before taking a huge bite out of her sub.

"Yes, but I can get my own." Tara grumbles before popping one in her mouth, crunching on it.

"Habits are hard to break." Faith smirks before grabbing a couple chips munching on them looking around at the group of people, talking and laughing.

"Almost seems like a family, don't it?" Faith mutters watching Gunn and Xander talking, Cordelia, Buffy and Angel conversing about the happenings in LA and Sunnydale. Wesley, Dawn, Fred and Willow talking to each other.

Tara finishes her sandwich and wraps her arm around Faith's waist. "Yes, it does." Tara admits smiling. Looking at the quickly depleted sandwiches she raises her eyes scoping out the plates. "Should I make some more sandwiches?"

Xander purses his lips considering. "I could probably eat another one." He admits.

Tara laughs and looks down at the rest of the group. Seeing a couple nods she stands before quietly asking. "Willow do you need something more?"

Willow glances down surprised to see she had eaten the whole bowl of soup and the pile of crackers Tara had placed on the plate. Placing a hand over her stomach, she sighs and smiles. "No, thank you."

Tara nods before looking down at Faith and their empty platter, raising her eyebrow. "You want some more?"

Faith grins and grabs both empty platters and heads towards the kitchen, followed by a lightly laughing Tara.

Willow follows the two women with her eyes, smiling sadly. When she feels a tentative hand on her arm, she turns to look at a shyly smiling Fred.

"I don't want to hurt you or anything, but those two really do love each other." Fred hesitantly whispers.

Willow smiles and nods her head. "I can see it. I'm glad." Willow looks down at her empty bowl running a finger around the edge. "I screwed up totally."

Fred blinks at the redhead not knowing what to say. Finally whispering out. "We all make mistakes. We just need to learn from them and not make them again."

Willow quirks her lip and nods at the brunette. "Yes. And I need to get my life back on track. How do you like working with these guys?"

"Oh, I don't so much work as hide in my room most of the time." Fred admits. "Tara and Faith are making me get out of the hotel and walk around town. Kind of making me face the world again."

"Tara knows what people need. Try to listen to her. I didn't and I just about killed Dawn and myself because of it." Willow admits quietly glancing over at the teen laughing at something Wesley said.

"She's been good for everyone here." Fred admits smiling softly. "Especially Faith. Faith still likes to be a pain, but the edge is gone. And I don't think she ever smiled before Tara came here. Now it's commonplace."

Willow swallows at the ache in her heart, but nods her head. "Good. Tara deserves to be happy, and if Faith makes her happy, I can't argue." Looking around she catches Buffy's eyes watching her with a hint of worry. Smiling softly at the slayer letting her know that she's okay, she watches as she nods and smiles back before turning back to Angel. "I think I'm going to go lay down for a little while." Willow murmurs quietly.

"I think I'll go to my room, also." Fred stands with Willow. "I'll walk with you, if that's okay?"

Willow nods her head smiling briefly before looking at Buffy, whispering. "I'm going to go lay down, stay and talk."

Buffy nods watching as Willow slowly makes her way out of the dinning room to head upstairs.

"If you need anything…" Angel starts and at Buffy's nod, he sighs. "How are things between you and…" Angel growls quietly at the thought, but continues. "Spike?"

"They're going slowly, but we're talking and working things out between us. I think I've fallen in love with him, Angel." She whispers quietly.

Angel frowns and nods his head. "If he loves you, really loves you. He'll do everything for you. He dealt with Dru's craziness and was actually faithful to her. He isn't your normal vampire, Buffy. But please, just be careful."

"Good and not so good." Angel admits quietly. "Maybe we can have an actual talk before you leave."

"Love, you okay?" Tara asks Faith that night as they come in after going on patrol with Wes and Gunn.

"Let me get it cleaned up and see how bad it is." Tara murmurs as she grabs the First Aid Kit out of the bathroom, quickly coming back out into the bedroom. "I need to find a spell to help your clothes." Tara smirks slightly at the ruined top. Quickly divesting the slayer of the top and bra, Tara cleans the wound quickly and thoroughly. "It could use a couple stitches." Tara admits quietly.

Tara nods her head, digging around in the kit to find the thread and needle. Quickly threading it, she sighs quietly.

"I don't like you getting hurt." Tara admits as she cleans the blood away. "Need anything to bite down on, love?" As Faith shakes her head she smiles softly. "I'm ready to start." Tara quickly stitches up the slayer's wound. Tying the thread off, and snipping it, she throws away the left over thread and sets the needle aside to clean later.

"You know I'm gonna get hurt." Faith watches as Tara closes the kit and sets it on the floor.

"I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Tara smiles crookedly at the slayer. Wrapping her arms around the slayer's waist, Tara lays her head on her good shoulder. Running her hands over the slayer's warm lower back, Tara smirks as Faith groans and pushes gently into her.

"Yeah, well I don't think it's fair when the vamps decide to use knives. Something just wrong with that." Faith growls out quietly easing her hands down over the witch's back to cup her ass firmly. "By the way, thanks for getting the other ones trying to sneak up on us tonight."

"Wasn't anything." Tara murmurs hugging the slayer tighter. "But I do think we need a shower in like the worse possible way."

"It was something." Faith pulls back to look into her lover's eyes. "You dusted those two vamps when they tried to sneak up on us."

"A little spell on a stake, it kind of made it a homing missile for the two vamps." Tara admits quietly.

"New spell?" Faith looks at her lover and as Tara nods her head, Faith narrows her eyes. "When did you find the spell?"

Faith growls quietly gently lifting Tara's chin. "You've been researching when I've been sleepin', haven't ya?"

"Some." Tara finally admits. "I've also been studying and researching additional spells when you're training and mending the weapons. In case you…anyone's hurt badly, I've been brushing up on my healing spells, also."

"Babe, I want you to get a good nights sleep. Don't push yourself, 'kay?" Faith runs her thumbs gently over Tara's cheeks. "I love ya', and I don't want ya' to make yourself sick by not getting enough rest."

"So only researching and studying during normal times." Tara nods her agreement smiling at her lover. "How do you think everybody got along while we were out on patrol tonight?"

"Don't know." Faith shrugs her shoulders as she heads towards the bathroom. "Shower or bath?"

Tara thinks on it and smiles. "Bath, I feel like soaking in a nice hot tub of water, with you wrapped around me."

"Doable." Faith nods in agreement. "Bubbles?" She glances over at Tara and watches the grin cross her face. Chuckling quietly, Faith grabs the bubbles up and squirts a good dollop into the running water.

"I think Angel might have decided to talk to Buffy about his soul while she was here." Tara mentions quietly while slowly stripping her clothes off, watching as Faith quickly divests herself of the rest of her clothes.

"Yeah, I kinda got that impression." Faith checks the temperature of the water, adding a touch more cold to it, knowing Tara's skin is a lot more sensitive than hers is. "It's nice of the gang to give us a break on the patrols while Little D is here."

"Yes, it is." Tara smiles walking towards Faith, leaning down and checking the temperature of the water. "You could have had it hotter, Faith. I know you like a good hot bath."

"Yeah, but don't wanna hurt ya'." Faith growls out quietly before running her hand gently over Tara's backside. "I wanna make sure you're in good shape for tonight." Running a finger gently between the witch's ass cheeks, Faith smirks as she pushes back against the slight pressure. "Like that?" Faith huskily questions.

"That wasn't really an answer." Faith murmurs before placing a gentle kiss on the witch's back and running her hands around to hug her.

Faith chuckles quietly. "You need to answer my question, babe." Placing soft wet kisses along Tara's neck and shoulder while waiting for an answer.

"What question?" Tara moans out quietly while grasping one of the slayer's hands and placing it over her breast, groaning as the weapon roughened hand scrapes gently over the sensitive flesh.

Growling quietly at the distracted witch, Faith slides her other hand back between their bodies, and slides a finger gently between the witch's ass cheeks to barely brush over the witch's rosebud. "Do you like?" She whispers in the witch's ear.

Swallowing hard and pressing back into the finger, Tara moans quietly. "I don't know. But I sure don't mind what you're doing now." Tara inhales deeply at the finger playing teasingly around the virginal orifice. Barely there butterfly presses.

"Hmmm." Faith hums quietly before shifting the playful hand back around to the front of her witch and pressing her body in tightly against Tara's back. "Maybe something to play with in the future. Might want to climb in the tub before it gets too full." Faith flicks her tongue over Tara's ear lobe before easing back from the witch to turn the water off.

"Why the future?" Tara breathes out before climbing into the tub, leaving room for Faith to climb in behind her.

Faith smiles and eases in behind the witch, placing her legs on either side of her and pulling her back to lay against her body, while she leans back against the sloped back of the tub. Lovingly running her hands over the front of the witch, cupping her breasts gently before circling the quickly hardening nipple with a calloused finger. Placing tender kisses across the witch's neck and shoulders, tongue flicking out occasionally before sucking on especially tender spots, making Tara make the most delicious noises. "God, I love the sounds you make when you get aroused." Faith growls quietly in her ear. "I like it when you try to hold back and you do that little inhaled whimper and your stomach muscles clench, that is such a turn on."

Tara arches up into the slayer's hands that are still gently playing with her breasts. "What are you doing to me?" Tara pants out, feeling her arousal building to an almost fever pitch. "And you didn't answer me. Why the future?"

"I'm making love to my witch." Faith breathes hotly into her ear. "Because I want to make sure you enjoy, and that means I need to make a trip to the Adult store." Faith licks up over the tender spot behind the witch's ears, before gently sucking.

"Goddess." Tara whimpers out at the shot of arousal shooting straight to her center. "I need you." Tara growls out quietly, shifting her lower body around while grasping the slayer's thighs in her hands.

"I need you, too." Faith moans licking over the witch's jaw before kissing her deeply as Tara turns her head, capturing her lips. Languorously wrapping her tongue repeatedly over Tara's, Faith draws Tara's tongue into her mouth so she can alternate sucking and nibbling on the muscle. Finally releasing the witch's tongue, Faith captures first the top, then the bottom lip, running her tongue over each before working her way back down the witch's neck, flicking her tongue repeatedly against the skin. Using the buoyancy of the water, Faith lifts Tara up briefly so she can have her own legs under the witch. Setting Tara back down on her thighs, Faith gently spreads the witch's legs with her own. Continuing to flick her tongue over the tasty skin of the witch, Faith slides her hand slowly down the front of the woman, stroking around her belly button for long moments, making Tara squirm and cry out quietly in desire.

Tara reaches behind her with both hands, burying her fingers in Faith's soft tresses. "Fa-a-aithhhhhhh." Tara pants out, making her name into more syllables than it was ever supposed to be.

Grinning into the witch's shoulder, Faith runs her fingers down to play softly over the neatly trimmed mound, making Tara shift up, trying to get her hand to slide down just that little bit further. On the next gyration of the witch's hips, Faith spreads the swollen lips of the witch and runs her middle finger over the blood engorged muscle begging for attention. Feeling it already starting to spasm against her finger, Faith presses gently against the muscle, not moving her finger in any way.

As Faith presses against her needy clit, Tara groans arching up against the pressure as an incredible orgasm works through her body, making her cry out Faith's name loudly.

Faith moves her hand that's playing with Tara's breast to wrap around her chest, holding her tight against her body, moaning quietly at the pressure against her own chest. Keeping the other hand against the witch, Faith waits for Tara to ride out that orgasm. As she slowly eases back down, Faith starts to stroke gently over and around the extremely swollen muscle. Feeling Tara's body start to shake as another climax starts to work its way through her, she gently squeezes the witch between two fingers, making her scream as she comes. Feeling the aftershocks of the witches body spasm against hers, Faith turns her face into the witch's neck, softly sucking the skin at the woman's pulse point into her mouth. before sliding her hand down just a tiny bit further. Sliding two fingers deep into the witch, Faith pulls away groaning loudly at the ease with which her fingers slide in.

"Goddess, more." Tara groans out pushing against the strong fingers of the slayer.

Faith grunts in agreement as she strokes the witch gently and on her next stroke, slides three fingers into the needy center. Burying her head against the witch's shoulder, Faith starts an easy rhythm, occasionally pressing the heel of her hand against Tara's clit.

Spreading her legs wider, Tara grasps the slayer's hand and un-tucks the slayer's pinky. "More, Faith." She whimpers out.

Faith's body jerks in response to Tara. "Are you sure?" She questions hoarsely and as Tara nods, Faith gently eases the fourth finger into the witch, groaning at the clenching around her fingers. Holding her hand still for the witch to get used to being so full, Faith growls as Tara grasps her hand, urging her to continue. Growling, Faith starts easing her fingers in and out of the witch, curling her middle two fingers to stroke over the sweet spot.

"Faster, Faith." Tara cries out, her hips jumping up meeting each stroke of the slayer's hand., unaware of the water splashing out of the tub at her exuberance. As Faith pushes into her faster, Tara's head falls back against the slayer's shoulder as she feels her insides clenching in response. "So…close…." Tara pants out, feeling her body coiling tighter than before, knowing she's going to have an extremely powerful orgasm. "Oh, fucckkkkk!!" Tara cries out loudly jerking up into the slayer's hand while holding it inside her as she screams out her release, her whole body stiff as a board.

"Damn." Faith whispers as Tara explodes against her hand, feeling the warm flow of liquid coming out of the witch, Faith groans wishing she'd had the foresight to do this a different way, so she could be tasting the witch right now.

Clenching down hard on the pleasure giving fingers inside her, Tara can't help but cry at the powerful release, feeling her insides shaking, she finally collapses back into the water, splashing more water out as she pants roughly. Releasing Faith's hand, Tara groans as Faith eases her hand away from her and wraps it around her waist, holding her tightly. Unable to say anything, Tara runs her fingers over the slayer's strong arms.

"You okay?" Faith questions in a sex roughened voice and at Tara's nod, she grins. "Good. But we kinda need to add more hot water to the tub, it's getting downright chilly and we still haven't taken a bath."

"Or do you want to forget actually taking a bath, and let me dry you off and carry you to bed so you can sleep?" Faith offers placing gentle kisses on the witch wherever she can reach. Feeling the slight squeeze on her arm and Tara nodding, Faith chuckles quietly.

Gently easing up and out from under the witch, Faith keeps an arm around her as she steps out of the tub. Leaning over the side, she slides her other arm under the witch's knees and lifts her gently from the tub. Holding her against her body, Faith nuzzles into her neck. Slowly easing her down the front of her body, Faith makes sure to hold on as she realizes Tara's legs haven't quite gotten to the point of being able to support her yet. Reaching for a towel, Faith gingerly wraps it around her witch, running her hands down the woman's body to dry her off. Smirking, Faith rubs the front of her body against the towel around the witch to help her get partially dried off, before quickly picking her back up again and striding into the bedroom to ease the woman down on the bed. Taking the towel away from her, Faith haphazardly dries her own body before jogging into the bathroom and tossing the towel in the hamper, before letting the water out and turning out the light. Running back out to the bedroom, Faith shifts the covers down on the side and picks Tara up to place her on the sheets, quickly crawling in beside her and pulling the covers over both of them. Reaching out, Faith clicks off the lamp before wrapping both arms around the witch spooning her from behind.

Knowing what Tara's asking, Faith shakes her head and kisses her back. "I'm fine. Go to sleep, babe."

"Love yu…" Tara whimpers quietly, still feeling the heaviness of the climax in her body.

"I love you too, babe." Faith plasters herself tightly against the back of Tara, before slowly falling asleep after she hears the deep even breathes of the witch, signaling she's fallen asleep.

Willow swallows and nods her head. "I will." Pulling back, she wipes a tear away. Looking back at Faith, standing behind Tara she tilts her head. "Faith, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Faith clenches her jaw, thinking, before finally nodding her head. Turning on her heel, she walks partway down the block, Willow following quietly behind. Stopping, Faith turns, crossing her arms waiting for Willow to say what she has to say.

Willow glances up looking into the hard brown eyes staring back at her. Shivering slightly at the coldness in the gaze. Taking a deep breath, Willow makes herself keep eye contact with the slayer. "I want you to know I harbor no ill feelings towards you. I just want to say you obviously make her happy and thank you for that." Willow hoarsely gets the words out. "I screwed up so bad, but I've never seen her happier." Tears coming to her eyes, Willow looks away momentarily. "Not even with me. Take care of her and love her." Willow turns to head back to the car, she makes two steps before she's stopped by a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I wanna thank you for not causing a scene." Faith growls out quietly. "I don't like what you did to her, but then again, I've done much worse to you guys." Faith admits. "But I love her and I'll do anything in my power to make her happy."

"I don't doubt that at all." Willow murmurs. "You're good for each other." Willow turns back around and walks back to the car, leaving Faith staring after her surprised.

Tara watches as Willow and Faith talk, glancing towards Buffy, as she wraps an arm around her shoulders, squeezing gently. "She's okay, Tara." Buffy whispers. "She was upset and hurting, but she's getting there. She just wanted to tell Faith that she's happy for you two."

Tara nods and leans her head against Buffy. "How did things go with you and Angel?" Tara questions quietly still watching Faith.

"It went." Buffy sighs quietly. "I wonder how things might have turned out if we'd known this back then."

"It's amazing the way things work around, isn't it?" Tara smiles softly as she watches Faith reach out and stop Willow, talking calmly to the redhead. "Me and Faith, you and Spike…" Tara glances to Buffy with a crooked grin.

Laughing quietly, Buffy nods her head. "I don't know which is stranger." Turning she wraps both arms around Tara and hugs her. "Take care of yourself. We'll be back next week to pick up the brat."

"Hey, I heard that!" Dawn grumbles walking over to Buffy from where she'd just finished hugging Xander.

Tara chuckles at the teen. "Being called a brat by Buffy is probably going to be mild to whatever Faith might call you this week."

Dawn groans. "Don't remind me." Quickly hugging Buffy, she smiles softly as Willow comes up close, wrapping her arm around the thin witch, she hugs her gently. "Take care of yourself, Willow. I'll see you next week."

"Bye, Dawnie. Have a good time." Willow whispers before pulling away. She turns and looks from Tara to Faith and nods her head, smiling before climbing into the car.

Faith holds her hand out to Buffy, and chuckles as she grabs her in a quick bone-crushing hug before releasing her.

"Take care of Tara and my sister, Faith. If not, I'll kick your ass." Buffy growls out with narrowed eyes at the dark slayer.

Faith smirks before wrapping her arm around Tara's waist, smiling as Tara hugs her in close to her side. "I don't have much choice in the matter. Kinda got to take care of the witch, she's my life. Little D won't have a problem, we'll make sure she's taken care of."

"We better head back before it gets much later." Xander leans across Willow to call out the window. "I'm already going to be in deep doo-doo with Anya as it is."

"She will be." Tara smiles wrapping her other arm around Dawn's shoulders. She watches as Buffy climbs into the back of the vehicle waving to them.

All three women wave as the car pulls away. "Well, what are you wanting to do while you're here with us, Dawnie?" Tara questions, squeezing her gently.

"Just want to spend time with you." Dawn tilts her head against Tara's. "I've missed you."

"You've missed the chocolate shake and movie dates." Tara chuckles as the three turn to walk into the hotel.

Faith and Dawn look around Tara grinning at each other. "I'll help." Faith offers grinning.

"I need to unpack." Dawn squeezes Tara gently before releasing her and running up the stairs.

Tara laughs quietly watching the teenager before turning a raised eyebrow to Faith. "You two going to gang up on me now?"

"Maybe." Faith wiggles her eyebrows before tugging Tara towards the stairs leading to the kitchen. "Personally I want to kiss you silly in the kitchen. We got interrupted this morning."

"Kiss me silly?" Tara raises an eyebrow, laughing as Faith picks her up carrying her down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Yes, kiss you silly." Faith growls out sitting Tara on the prep table and quickly wedging her body between her legs, diving in for an extremely passionate, loving kiss. Groaning as she feels the witch's hands grasping her head firmly as tongues battle each other for dominance.

Groaning as they break apart to breathe, Tara arches up into the slayer's lips as they work their way down her neck. Wrapping her legs around the slayer's waist, Tara pulls her in tight against her lower body, before urging the slayer back up for another heart melting kiss.

"Goddess, I love you." Tara whimpers breathing heavily against the slayer's shoulder.

Faith runs strong hands down the witch's back, knowing how much she loves the firm stroking. "As I do you." Faith murmurs kissing Tara's head before running her hands down to her lower back, to cup her ass pulling her body tighter into hers.

"With Dawnie here we probably aren't going to be able to sneak away during the day like before." Tara nibbles gently on the slayer's neck.

Faith growls quietly at the tender ministrations. "I guess that mean's we gotta make up for it at night, huh?"

Tara chuckles before flicking her tongue over the slayer's pulse point. "No sleep for us for the next week."

Faith's shoulders shake as she holds back her laughter. Clenching her fingers firmly into the witch's ass cheeks, she pushes her body in harder against the witch, smiling at the loud groan and then grinding of her love.

"We better stop this before I take advantage of you right here and now." Tara growls before nipping more firmly at the skin.

Faith growls deeply, pushing her neck into the witch's mouth. "Harder." Faith whimpers with desire as Tara bites down on the skin. "Oh, yeah." Faith unconsciously grinds her lower body against Tara.

"Time for a little rougher treatment?" Tara growls out as she releases the skin, licking over the teeth marks.

"Yeah." Faith admits, still feeling a little uncomfortable about asking Tara for this.

Tara, feeling Faith's emotions, shakes her head frowning. Pulling back she looks into the slayer's beautiful brown eyes. "Never feel bad about asking for something you need, love. I want to please you." Tara leans in kissing Faith firmly before scraping her nails roughly down the slayer's back, smiling into the kiss as Faith jerks and groans.

"God, I want to continue this…" Faith growls as she pulls out of the kiss looking upon Tara with dark lust filled eyes. "But I know it's only a matter of time before we're interrupted."

Faith frowns wondering what's going through Tara's mind before shrugging and carrying her to the walk in freezer, opening the door she sets the witch on the floor before flicking the light on. Turning in surprise as she hears the door shut, she's attacked by teeth nipping at her lips and hands reaching up grasping her breasts and pinching her nipples roughly.

Tara smirks as she pushes the slayer back against the wall, quickly reaching down and unbuttoning the slayer's jeans. Shoving them down, Tara slides a finger over the slayer's lips, feeling the thick nectar oozing from the woman. Inhaling the musky aroma, Tara can't wait and slides three finger deep into the slayer's greedy center, biting down roughly on the side of Faith's neck as she feels the ease with which her fingers slide in, quickly adding a fourth finger, she starts a rough fast pounding into the slayer.

Faith slams her head back against the wall, jerking her hips hard into the witch's hand. "Fuck, yeah." Faith whimpers at the rough treatment.

Tara slides down the slayer's body, kneeling in front of the woman. Leaning in she captures the swollen muscle between her lips, sucking down roughly. Deciding to push the bounds of how far they've gone, she eases up on her hand's movements, pulling her mouth away from the slayer as she hears the grunt of disapproval come from the slayer. "One moment, love." Tara hoarsely calls out. Tucking her thumb in against her hand, squeezing her fingers together, Tara slowly eases it in the slayer.

Faith feels as Tara slides her hand into her needy body, when she realizes what she's doing and it gets to the thickest part of her hand, she grasps the witch's head between her two hands, arching her body. "Do it, God. Please." Faith whimpers over and over again.

Tara leans in, resting her head against the slayer's abdomen as she pushes the slightest bit more until her hand is all the way in the slayer's body. Easing her hand into a fist, she smiles softly as Faith groans, pushing against the appendage in her body. Carefully pushing into the slayer to judge the distance, Tara groans as Faith's muscles clamp down firmly on her hand. Unable to believe how it feels to be this intimately in the slayer, Tara takes deep calming breaths, before setting a smooth motion, stroking in the slayer.

"God, Tara!" Faith cries out quietly, pushing her body against the witch, wanting her to put more power behind her strokes. "Please, harder." She whimpers, feeling her body coiling tighter with desire.

Tara bites down on the skin of the slayer's abdomen before taking the slayer's words to heart. Picking up the speed and power of her thrusts, she kisses her way down the slayer's abdomen and scrapes her teeth over the swollen, distended muscle.

Faith screams Tara's name as she feels her teeth on her sensitive flesh, her inner muscles clamping down on the hand inside her, as her body starts shaking before closing her eyes as she sees a starburst of colors exploding behind her closed eyelids.

Tara groans as her lover's orgasm works down their connection into her body, causing her to climax in response. "Shit!" Tara cries out quietly, panting heavily. After long moments, she slowly eases her hand out from inside the dazed slayer, smiling as she sees the steam coming from the slayer's body, caused by them being in the freezer. Slowly standing she slides the slayer's pants up and buttons them. Smirking at her own saturated hand and arm.

Stroking the slayer's cheek with her other hand, she brushes a feather light kiss across the panting mouth. Watching the breaths coalesce into a mist. "You okay, love?" Tara questions quietly.

Faith slowly opens her dazed eyes and nods her head. Leaning into Tara she kisses her lovingly. "That was absolutely unbelievable."

Smiling softly Tara wraps her arms around the slayer hugging her tightly to her. "So that would be a do again?"

"Fuck, yeah!" Faith growls holding Tara. "Should we check the ice cream while we're in here?"

Tara chuckles and nods her head. "Might be a good idea." Squeezing one last time, Tara pulls back and looks at the ice cream. "We probably have enough for a couple shake fests. We'll need to run to the store in a couple days for some more." Tara turns back, smiling at her lover, who finally is pulling her body away from the side of the freezer. "Let's get you out of here. It probably isn't good for you to be in this freezing environment after getting all hot and sweaty."

Faith grins at her lover. "Yeah, but when I got all hot and sweaty in the freezing environment, doesn't that make it okay?"

"No." Tara frowns at Faith. "Come on." Tara grabs her hand as she opens the freezer door pulling Faith behind her. Stopping at the sink, Tara washes her hands before turning her gaze on Faith. "You're going to need to change, love."

Faith nods her head looking down at her clothes. "I love it when you get all take charge and fuck me silly, but it always seems like laundry ends up having to be done afterwards." Faith looks back up smirking at Tara.

Shrugging her shoulders, Tara's eyes twinkle. "You could always run around naked all the time. It would cut down on the laundry."

Faith's eyebrow lifts in consideration. "That can be arranged, you know." Faith raises her hands to her shirt, like she's actually going to take it off, before laughing as Tara stops her.

"Doesn't mean do it, love." Tara whispers in her ear before kissing her on the cheek. "You go get changed and I'll check in on Dawnie."

"'Kay." Faith agrees, smiling as she follows Tara's swaying hips out of the kitchen.

Tara laughs quietly, as Faith teaches Dawn the correct way to throw a punch. Biting her lip, she leans back in the chair.

"Little D, if you tuck your thumb in your hand like that it's gonna get broke." Faith grouses, un-tucking her hand and showing her how to make a tight fist with her thumb snug against the first knuckles. "Like that."

Looking down at the spell book, Tara shakes her head, smirking. She realized a couple times ago, that Dawn was doing it just to irritate the slayer. To Faith's credit, she's been very understanding and has explained it to her numerous times. "Dawn you might want to do something else." Tara finally calls out, not wanting the teen to actually push Faith's patience too far.

Dawn pouts at Tara, knowing she's busted. "I wanted to see how many times she would show me before getting angry."

"Obviously." Tara looks up, eyes twinkling. "But I'm the one that has to live with her. I would prefer that you not irritate her too badly."

Faith narrows her gaze on the teen, and crosses her arms over her chest. "You fuckin' with me D?"

Dawn's eyes widen, and she nods her head hesitantly. "But it was all in good fun. Honest."

"Yeah, right." Faith growls quietly. "She was wantin' to go to Caritas tonight, wasn't she?" Faith turns to look at Tara, winking briefly.

"No, I can't sing. Already found that out when the Singing Demon tried to make me his Queen." Dawn shakes her head, blushing.

"You wanna go, you're gonna have to sing." Faith smirks at the teen. "Paybacks a bitch." She mutters, walking to sit beside Tara.

"Ah, Faith!" Dawn whines quietly. "That just isn't fair." She actually starts looking around the two women's room, smiling as she sees some of Tara's obvious decorating in the room. Catching sight of a picture frame, she works her way over to the picture picking it up, smiling softly at the picture of Faith and Tara. Obviously the couple had been caught unawares as Tara's eyes are half closed and her head is tilted sideways towards Faith who has her arms around the witch and her lips pressed gently to her temple. "Who took this picture?" Dawn questions softly, glancing over at Faith and Tara, smirking as Faith pulls away from nibbling on Tara's neck.

"Queenie." Faith grumbles quietly at being interrupted. "After they bought that digital camera she's been sneaking around taking pictures all the time. Bitch."

"But I noticed you sure were interested in a lot of those pictures." Tara grins at her lover. "And I must say some of them have turned out pretty good."

"Yeah, but I don't understand why she's always takin' pictures of us." Faith growls.

"Probably because we're the only ones ever doing anything picture worthy." Tara laughs as she leans in and kisses Faith's pouty lip. "And the camera has come in handy with helping us classify some of the demons we've come across."

"Yeah, yeah. I just wish that she'd stop with catching me when I'm distracted." Faith snarks.

"Is this a picture she saved and can print more of?" Dawn softly requests. "It's sweet. I kind of want to have something to take back home with me, if you don't mind." Dawn looks questioningly at the two women.

"She's probably got hundreds of pictures." Tara admits. "Just all of them aren't quite appropriate for you to have." Tara blushes momentarily, and smacks Faith on the leg as she snorts in laughter.

Dawn grins as she places the picture back on the dresser. Glancing over the walls, she grins at the different pictures decorating it. Most of them of either or both of the women, a couple of the rest of the crew. Laughing quietly as she sees Gunn with something pink literally dripping off him. "I'm assuming this is either Demon blood or guts of some sort?"

Faith stands up and walks over to the picture Dawn's laughing at. "Yeah, he should have ducked." Faith chuckles. "At least it wasn't smelly like a lot of them are."

"We'll make sure she gets some pictures of all of us before you leave Sunday." Tara mentions quietly, as she places the book on the table. Walking slowly over to Faith, she wraps her arms around her waist and rubs her face gently over her shoulder. "I wouldn't mind having some of you, Dawnie. All I have is your small school pictures." Tara smiles softly at the teen.

"She might have already been takin' pictures." Faith squeezes Tara's hands. "You know she can't help but click away with that damn thing."

"I'll go." Dawn bounces on the balls of her feet. "I haven't gotten to irritate her much yet." Dawn's eyes fill with mischief.

"Give 'er hell, Little D." Faith grins at the teen as she quickly heads to the door.

"Hmm. Now that we got rid of the brat, what are we gonna do?" Faith turns around, grinning at Tara.

"Make out?" Tara questions. "Can't for long, since we're planning on leaving in an hour for Caritas, but…"

"That's okay. We got time for some major kissing action." Faith groans quietly, leaning in and attacking Tara's lips.

"Hey, Cordy." Dawn chirps, watching the Seer. "Tara and Faith said you might have some pictures of them, that I can get?"

Cordelia smiles at the teen. "I've pretty much saved all of the ones I took. Come on over here and sit down. I put them into different folders, that way I can embarrass them later." Cordy chuckles quietly, as she opens the folder of the two women's pictures. Clicking on one of the sub folders, she smirks. "Look through this folder - but I really suggest you not check out the other folder, okay?"

Dawn laughs quietly, and shakes her head. "I can just imagine what you might have gotten pictures of. Do they always make out that much?"

"Always. Most of the time it's pretty PG-13, but they've been known to hit the R rating quite a few times around the hotel where they can be found. Caught them once on their way to a hard X rating - but, thank God, they stopped." Cordelia laughs. "I think they've been a little better about that since then. Or they're just hiding in better spots."

"Probably hiding in better spots." Dawn glances up grinning, before becoming serious. "I didn't think I would like them being a couple. I mean, I was so used to seeing Tara and Willow together and they seemed to be like the perfect couple. I had a hard time reconciling bad-ass Faith being with sweet, kind Tara."

"At first, they don't seem like they would be a good couple." Cordelia nods her head in agreement. "But once the two started spending time together, and I saw how much they really, truly, love each other it became the most perfect thing I think I've ever seen. They belong together."

"Here, let me get the glossy picture paper for you." Cordelia quickly walks over to the storage cabinet and pulls out a stack of the paper. Placing it in the tray, she smiles at the teen, surprised at how grown up she seems.

"Thanks, Cordelia." Dawn smiles up at the woman, before glancing back down. "You've got a lot of good pictures of the two of them."

"Well, with those two it's kind of hard taking a bad picture." Cordelia sits on the edge of the desk. "Even I have to admit they're both very beautiful women."

Dawn smiles at the woman's wording. "They are. They make a good contrast against each other." Picking a couple different pictures Dawn prints them. "Faith mentioned you might have already taken pictures of all of us together, have you?" Dawn looks hopefully at Cordelia.

"I've got a few I haven't downloaded from the camera yet." Cordelia admits, smiling. "Those the only three pictures you want?"

"For now. I don't want to use up all your paper and ink. Maybe you can e-mail me the pictures?" Dawn mentions questioningly.

"Just give me your e-mail address before you leave." Cordelia smiles. "I'll download the pictures if you want me to?"

"Please." Dawn quickly stands up out of the way, allowing Cordelia to hook up the camera to the computer.

After the pictures download, Cordelia opens the file. "I really hope…" Cordelia trails off grinning. "It did turn out. Here, I think this one was one of my favorite pictures I've taken since you've been here."

Dawn looks over Cordelia shoulder, looking at the picture of her with Tara and Faith. "Wow." Dawn whispers in awe. It's a picture of Faith on one side of her and Tara on the other, the two women had actually been picking on her, pointing over to a corner of the hotel, making her think there was something there when it wasn't, but she has a look of concentration on her face and Faith has a soft smile playing on her lips, with Tara's crooked grin on her countenance. Obviously Cordelia had taken the picture from the stairs, because of the angle.

"Here, let me do something." Cordelia smiles at the obvious look on Dawn's face. Quickly opening a program she brings the picture up trimming it so just the shoulders and heads of the three women are pictured. Quickly printing off two copies, Cordelia hands one to Dawn. "I know Tara and Faith will want to have a copy of this one."

"Hey, are we still going to Caritas?" Faith calls out from the counter, looking at the two women, smirking.

"Faith, look at this." Dawn hops up and runs quickly to Faith, showing her the picture.

Faith smiles down at the picture. "Told ya' she probably got some of us together." Glancing up she smiles at Cordy. "Thanks, Queenie. You did good."

"Yeah, well, don't think we're going to be best friends or anything, now." Cordelia snarks at the slayer, before winking and grinning. Picking up the other print-out she hands it to Faith. "I went ahead and printed you guys a copy, also. I kind of figured you and Tara would want one."

"Would I have made the offer if I minded?" Faith growls, looking at the woman. "Of course you're gonna have to listen to us sing, you know."

"Well now that you put it that way…" Cordelia laughs at the dirty look she gets from Faith. "I guess I can go. It's been a while, and Lorne was whining yesterday about us not being there in so long."

"Yeah, he had to go and mention it. Little D begged all night last night and this morning 'til we finally caved to take her there. B is probably gonna kick my ass for taking her to a demon bar." Faith groans at the thought. Looking over at her grinning lover, she narrows her eyes. "You're gonna have to protect me from her, you know. She won't get mad at you."

Tara laughs and wraps her arms around Faith, hugging her tightly. "I'll keep the mean slayer away from my baby."

"If you don't, you'll have a broken baby. Possibly in many, many pieces, baby." Faith grumbles. "Then I won't be good for nothin'."

"I won't let her hurt you, love." Tara laughs quietly, hugging her firmly. "I love you and won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise."

"Let me go get my make-up fixed and let Angel know I'm going with you." Cordelia quickly walks to the door leading down to the vampire's apartment.

"There were more, but that was the best one of all three of us. Maybe we should actually sit for her to take some pictures of us." Dawn looks at the two women hopefully.

Tara places a kiss on her neck. "Yes, Dawnie, we'll actually let Cordelia take our picture. Right, love?"

Faith grumbles quietly, before nodding her head in acceptance. "Like I got a choice."

Tara chuckles quietly. "I don't know why you hate having your picture taken, love. You're beautiful. You could be a model, if you wanted to."

"Yes, you do." Faith smirks at the teen. "Personally I have a coupla ideas for songs. I figgered I'd sing a Bonnie Raitt song and make him happy, now that I know who the hell she is."

"Have you decided which one?" Tara questions, shifting to sit down. Watching as Faith prowls slowly around the lobby. Wrapping her arm around Dawn's shoulders as she sits down beside her. "What about you, Dawnie?"

"I guess I'll do Love Sneakin' Up on You." Faith growls, before quietly laughing.

"I'll have to look and see what songs they have when we get there, if I can't talk you into letting me forgo this pleasure." Dawn whines quietly.

"What about you, babe?" Faith comes to sit down beside Tara. "What'cha gonna sing?"

"I don't know if he has it on the machine, but there's one in particular I wouldn't mind singing." Tara smiles softly at Faith. "Lonely Road of Faith." Tara admits quietly. "It kind of takes on a whole new meaning since you've been in my life."

"Of course." Tara looks up as Cordelia and Angel walk up into the lobby. "You coming with?" Tara questions Angel.

"I don't think so." Angel shakes his head. "I'm going to grab Gunn and do a sweep. It's been kind of quiet lately." Tossing the keys to Faith, he grins. "You can have the car. Just be sure to bring it back in one piece."

"Don't jinx it Fang, you'll make all hell break loose. Thanks for the ride." Faith growls quietly. "Well, you know where we're at if you need us. Ready Prom Queen?" Faith smirks at Cordelia.

Cordelia snarls her nose up at the slayer. "More ready than you are." She brushes an imaginary piece of dirt off her blazer.

"What, you gonna try and impress the Chaos Demons that go there?" Faith snarks watching the Seer.

"Well at least I don't look like a…" Cordy snaps her mouth shut at the look she gets from Tara.

"If you two are going to act like this tonight, you can both stay here." Tara raises an eyebrow at both women. "Can you at least get along for a short period of time, please? Or maybe just ignoring each other would be good." Tara sighs quietly, looking at the two. "Come on, Dawnie." Tara grumbles, leading the way to the vehicle.

"Damn. Now we done went and pissed my witch off." Faith bitches, following Tara and Dawn.

"Nah, I think it's more the fact that Dawnie's here and she's trying to keep our razzing down to a minimum." Faith admits. "So, truce tonight?"

"Truce." Cordelia nods in agreement. "Don't want to piss the witch off." Cordelia smirks at Faith.

"Got that right. I won't get my lovings if I do that." Faith grumbles quietly, making Cordelia laugh. Faith stops at the car, looking at Tara sitting in the back seat with Dawn. Frowning, she looks at her lover. "Tara?" Faith half whines, half pleads.

Cordelia rolls her eyes and looks at the witch, who's just calmly looking at the slayer. "Jeeze, Tara. She didn't do anything wrong, it was me. So just climb up front so she can have her snuggles and I'll sit in the back with Dawn." Cordelia shifts the seat forward looking pointedly at the witch.

Tara turns a raised eyebrow at the seer. When Cordelia crosses her arms over her chest and waits, looking at her seriously, Tara sighs. "Are you two going to behave tonight?"

"As much as possible. But I'm not guaranteeing that I won't be somewhat sarcastic." Cordelia admits.

"I'll be on my best behavior." Faith murmurs quietly, before grinning and wiggling her eyebrows. "I'll probably get something good for behaving, huh?"

Tara rolls her eyes at Faith, before climbing out of the car, watching Cordelia sit down beside Dawn, before climbing in the front seat.

Faith slides behind the wheel starting the car. Looking sideways at Tara, she smiles hopefully. Watching as a slow smile works its way across the witch's face, Faith chuckles. "Come on over here, babe."

Tara shakes her head, and slides over so she's right up against Faith. Gently placing her hand on the slayer's upper thigh, she leans in and kisses Faith on the ear. "Love you."

"Love you too, babe. Now let's go rock this joint." Faith grins as she puts the car in gear, heading towards Caritas.

"Faith-y! Sweet Cheeks, Lovey. And Oooh, what do we have here?" Lorne calls out gaily as the group walks into his bar. "We've got a broken Starling coming to sing for us." Lorne leans down and grabs Dawn's good hand kissing it, before grinning at the teenager. "Come, come, Dawnie, my diamond in the rough. I have just the place for you four to sit." Lorne quickly leads the way and jerks his head to a shape-shifter. Placing them at a booth by the front by the stage. "Soda's all around?" He questions quickly.

As everyone nods, he waves the waitress over. "How many of the killer wings do you ladies want tonight?"

Tara and Faith grin at each other. "Six dozen?" Tara questions quietly and at Faiths nod of agreement, she smiles at the waitress that had served them previously. "Six, please. Do either of you want any appetizers?"

"Of course we do, my beautiful Diamond." Lorne answers. "What about you Lovey?" He turns and looks at Cordelia.

"Actually potato skins sound pretty good." Cordelia admits, smiling at Dawn. "Do you mind sharing an order?"

"Okay. That's the appetizers out of the way. We'll bring over the menu so you four can decide what you really want to eat. Are you going to sing for me tonight, ladies?" Lorne looks hopefully at Tara and Faith. "Pretty please?" He begs.

"Yes, we're going to sing." Faith grumbles. "I'll even do a Bonnie Raitt song for ya'."

"Oooh. Be still my heart. Sweet Cheeks, I so owe you for getting her to sing it for me. What song?" Lorne's eyes light up at the thought of Faith singing for him.

"I kind of figured Love Sneakin' Up on You. What do you think?" Faith hesitantly offers.

"Wonderful." Lorne claps happily. "Do you want to wait or would you like to sing now? I'm just getting ready to start up the show."

"Go ahead, love." Tara smiles encouragingly at Faith. "The wings will take a little while."

"That's true. Looks like if you want me to go up soon, you got me." Faith grins at the demon.

Lorne shivers with anticipation, before turning quickly and walking up the steps to the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. For those of you who have heard her before, you know what a treat you are in for. For those of you who haven't, please sit up and take notice. Here's our very own, Faith!" He calls out to scattered applause.

"You sing wonderfully, sweetie." Tara murmurs quietly, smiling as her lover quickly takes the stage.

"Okay." Dawn shakes her head not believing it, but willing to see. Blinking her eyes as Faith starts singing the song, the slayer keeping her eyes glued to Tara the whole time, Dawn's jaw drops, as Faith's husky voice belts out the words. "Damn." Dawn whispers in awe.

Tara smiles at Faith's facial expressions and the grins she directs her way during the song. As the crowd breaks out in applause, Faith winks at Tara before whispering in Lorne's ear. Lorne chuckles and nods his head before backing down the stage.

As Faith starts singing I Wanna Be Your Lover by Prince, Tara chuckles in appreciation.

"Who's that song by? It sounds sort of familiar." Cordelia questions quietly, looking back to a smirking Tara.

"Prince. She griped and complained about listening to him the whole time, but look at one of the songs she decides to sing." Tara's eyes twinkle merrily, watching as Faith finishes the song, tossing the mic to Lorne as she quickly comes to sit back down beside her. "Wanna be my lover?" Tara whispers quietly into Faith's ear, chuckling as Faith nods her head.

"Hell, yeah! Any time day or night." Faith growls, leaning in and kissing Tara firmly on the lips. "So who's next?" Faith looks at the other three sitting at the table.

"Personally, I plan on eating wings." Tara pats her gently on the leg as the waitress set's the wings down in front of them, along with napkins and wet naps.

"And I'm having potato skins." Dawn's eyes get real big as the piled high skins are set in front of her and Cordelia. "I don't know if I should order something for dinner. These might be enough in and of themselves. Even sharing with Cordelia."

"You gotta get at least a burger or somethin'. You can't eat just skins." Faith mutters, as she grabs a wing munching on it. "I'd offer you some of these, but they'll rip the skin right off your lips."

"Oh, they can't be that hot." Dawn mutters reaching for a wing, to be smacked lightly by Faith.

"They are. Trust me on this. Witch over there grew up eating spicy foods, but you ain't. If you want to try some wings, try some of the milder batch." Faith explains seriously.

"Trust her on this, Dawn. I had one of those wings on a dare and I couldn't taste anything for a week. Plus I think I drank about five gallons of water and ate two loaves of bread to put the fire in my mouth out." Cordelia shudders in remembrance.

Dawn looks at Tara and as she nods her agreement, she sighs quietly. "Okay. But one day I do want to try them."

"One day you can. When Buffy comes with you." Tara makes the stipulation. "I'll deal with her being mad at me for bringing you here. But I won't have her getting mad at me because I gave you food that ate away at your stomach lining." Tara smiles softly at the teen, before eyeing Faith. "What else are you going to get to eat tonight?"

"I might be able to eat a couple bites." Tara smiles and reaches over with a finger to collect some of the sauce on Faith's cheek. Licking it off her finger, she winks at Faith. Finished with eating the wings, Tara wipes her hands down with a wet-nap and wraps her arm around Faith's shoulder. Leaning against the slayer, Tara runs one hand over a strong thigh.

"You gonna sing tonight, Queenie?" Faith questions, smiling as Tara starts making patterns on her thigh.

"I don't think so. As you know, I'm not much of a singer." Cordelia shakes her head, smiling. "I'll leave it to you two."

"Faith, I have to admit, you surprised me." Dawn smiles at the slayer. "I never would have thought you could sing, but you did a great job up there."

"You have to wait and hear Faith-y and Sweet Cheeks singing together." Lorne comes over to lean against the booth. "You two are going to sing me a duet, aren't you?"

"I don't know." Tara jokes quietly. "I mean, you've already gotten two songs out of Faith. Wanting her to sing a duet also? That might be pushing it." Tara grins up at the demon.

"Come on. Please?" Lorne begs quietly. "I'll pick up the meal for tonight and the next time you come, if you do."

"Nope. You get to choose, remember?" Tara smirks at Faith. "Lorne, when's your next opening on stage?"

"Well, I thought…" Lorne looks around not seeing the person that was supposed to be up next. "I guess it's open. I had a customer lined up but it looks like he disappeared."

"If you want, I'll sing next." Tara offers, leaning in and kissing Faith on the cheek.

"Hell, you don't have to wait for an opening. I'll bump everyone else for you, Sweet Cheeks!" Lorne gaily admits, before heading up on stage as the singer finishes the song. "Okay, for those of you who knows Faith, and heard her sing previously, I'm sure you remember the love of her life, Tara, singing the duet with her previously. So everyone give a big round of applause for Sweet Cheeks!" Lorne looks at Tara as she walks on stage. "What'cha singing Sweet Cheeks?"

"You two like Kid Rock, don't you?" He questions, laughing as he programs the song in.

"Just wait. We'll be doing a duet to another group tonight." Tara smirks, having a feeling she knows what Faith will pick, when she saw her eyes light up while she was looking at the song menu.

"I don't know, the last song went over so well, I'd almost like to hear you sing it again." Lorne admits, laughing, as he waves and walks off stage.

Dawn tilts her head, actually listening to the words of the song, before turning and looking at the soft smile on Faith's face as she sings the words quietly along with Tara.

Cordelia looks at the stage and the unwavering gaze Tara has for Faith. Glancing at Dawn, she smiles. "I always thought that song was kind of sad, but looking at those two while Tara's singing it…"

"Yeah, it's kind of almost like a love song. I would have never thought of that song like that before." Dawn admits. "It suits them."

"Yeah, it does." Faith growls quietly, before standing as Tara quickly steps off the stage. Wrapping her arms around the witch, she kisses her lovingly. "Love you, babe."

"I love you too, Faith." Tara smiles, brushing her lips over Faith's again, neither woman paying any attention to the hoots and hollers coming from demons and humans alike. As Faith releases her, she slides into the booth with Faith quickly following.

"Wow. That was a great song, Tara." Dawn smiles at the witch. "Of course, I knew you could sing. But you seem to sing a lot better now than you did before."

Faith smirks at Tara. "That's because the witch ain't as easily embarrassed and is willin' to let herself open up fully on stage, where before she probably held somethin' back."

"Too true." Tara admits, smiling in agreement. "And I have you to thank for that." Tara squeezes the slayer's shoulders gently. "So, is it burger time yet?" Tara looks down at the decimated plate of wings and the empty platter of potato skins.

"I don't know if I have room for anything else." Dawn glances at the empty platter. "Maybe dessert? Do they have dessert?"

"They have an absolutely wonderful key-lime pie." Faith admits. "It's hard to find good key-lime pies and this one is just tart enough to make your lips pucker. Most key-lime pies are too damn sweet."

"I would have thought you were more of a Boston cream pie person, Faith." Dawn smirks at the slayer. "Being from Boston and everything."

"I never thought to ask, but do you like peanut butter?" Tara questions, looking at her lover.

"I make a pretty good peanut butter pie, if you want me to fix one." Tara offers.

"Hell, yeah! Sounds good to me." Faith growls quietly, before leaning in to Tara's ear. "Can I eat it off you?" She questions huskily, as she flicks her tongue against the witch's ear lobe.

"I don't know if I want to go home or not." Dawn groans quietly looking at the two women.

"They've actually been behaving themselves pretty good since you've been here, Dawn." Cordelia smirks at the two women. "I haven't caught them as much since you've been here."

"That's cause we're hidin' better." Faith smirks at the seer. "Don't want to give Little D early classes on Sex Education. Buffy would definitely have my ass."

"What do you want to do in the time you have left?" Tara questions, smiling at the teen. "You've got two more days."

"I don't know." Dawn whines briefly. "There's no good movies' coming out tomorrow."

"Want to see if Fang will let us borrow the vehicle tomorrow and take it down the highway - hit the beach?" Faith offers, looking from Dawn to Tara.

"If you want." Faith's eyes light up, before dimming as she remembers they'll have Dawn with them. "I can look into reserving a room somewhere. Maybe get a couple hours in at the beach first thing in the morning, before headin' back?"

Tara looks at Dawn, and as Dawn nods, grinning hugely, Tara smiles. "Sounds like we have a plan. When we get back tonight, we'll look at a map and see where we might want to go."

Faith glances up as the waitress comes by. "Can I get a burger with everythin' and fries?" Faith looks questioningly at Cordelia and Dawn.

"Good choice, kid." Faith grins back. Looking around Faith chuckles as Lorne heads there way. "What's wrong demon boy?"

"It's a slow night tonight. Either that or everyone doesn't want to follow you two." Lorne chuckles quietly. "You guys want to do your duet now?"

Faith looks to Tara and as Tara nods that it's okay with her, Faith stands. "I guess we will." Grasping Tara's hand in hers she helps her out of the booth as they walk up on stage. Laughing as some wolf whistles and claps start coming from the crowd.

"What are you two going to sing for me this time?" Lorne questions, looking at the two women.

"Broken by Seether and Amy Lee." Faith smirks at Tara. "I'm singing Seether's part."

"And that's a surprise?" Tara murmurs quietly, as she accepts the microphone from Lorne.

"Smart assed witch." Faith growls, kissing her quickly, creating a ruckus with the crowd as they yell and cat-call. "Yeah, yeah. Get your own, you bunch of animals." Faith growls into the microphone. "You're just jealous."

"Hell, yeah!" Somebody in the back yelled in agreement, making the rest of the bar crack up.

Lorne quickly makes his way to stand by the bar and grab his Sea Breeze, sipping as he plans on just enjoying the song. As Faith starts singing, Lorne frowns as he gets brief glimpses of her, Tara, Buffy and a lot of other girls fighting what appears to be vampires, but much, much worse than a normal vampire. As he realizes it's the original vampires, his eyes widen in disbelief. Knowing they can only come from an active Hellmouth. Realizing The First Evil is the only being capable of bringing the Turok Han's to Earth, Lorne runs a shaky hand over his chin. As Tara starts' singing her part, Lorne almost drops his drink as he watches her close the Hellmouth permanently, the power coming from an amulet and the witch's very essence. As the song slowly draws to an end, Lorne motions to one of his waiters to take over on stage before heading back to his apartment. He sits down, dropping his face in his hands, as tears roll down his face. He mutters to himself. "It'll kill Faith. It won't just end the witch's life, when she's gone, Faith won't be long following her. How the hell can I tell them what's to come? I can't…Faith'll make her go somewhere else far away from Sunnydale. But she can't. Tara's a Champion of the Powers - no doubt about that." Lorne looks dejectedly around his room, not knowing what to do.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for not making me sing." Dawn lets out a huge sigh of relief, as they walk into the hotel after dropping Cordelia off at her apartment. "I thought for sure you two would make me sing."

"We wouldn't make you do anything you really didn't want to, Dawnie." Tara smiles as Dawn snuggles against her side. Running a hand down Dawn's hair as they head into the office, Tara laughs as Dawn yawns. "Tired, sweetie?"

"You mean today." Faith smirks at Tara. "You know it is after two o'clock in the mornin'."

"Okay, later today." Tara grins as Dawn hesitates for a moment, before hugging Faith quickly. Tara chuckles as Dawn runs up the stairs, leaving a surprised Faith standing beside her. Wrapping her arms around her lover, she places a gentle kiss on her lips. "I think she accepts you completely."

"I guess so." Faith stands there, still stunned. "Fang must not be back from patrol yet. I'll ask him when he gets in if it's okay to borrow the ride."

"Let's go look for somewhere to spend the night. Anywhere in particular that you're interested in?" Tara questions as they walk into the office. Booting up the computer, Tara grins as Faith sits down in the chair and pats her lap. Easing down onto the slayer's legs, Tara wraps an arm around her neck, leaning in to nip lightly across the slayer's strong jaw. "I love you." Tara whispers quietly, before capturing the slayer's lips in a long, languorous kiss.

Faith grasps the witch's hip, squeezing firmly while running her other hand up and under her shirt, running her fingertips lightly over her stomach. As they slowly ease back into soft gentle presses of lips, Faith smiles. "I love you too." Tilting her head against Tara's shoulder she runs her hand around to hug her gently. "I wonder what happened to Lorne? After we sung the duet he disappeared."

"I noticed that he was gone when we finished the song, but I didn't really pay any attention to see where he went." Tara admits, running a hand through Faith's hair. "Maybe he had bar business to deal with."

"Maybe." Faith nods her head, deciding not to worry about the demon. Faith let's Tara shift around to search the web. As she points out different places, that all were within a two hour drive, the two finally decide on one small town with a hotel that has a 24 hour restaurant and looked to have a lot of good reviews. Listening as Tara calls and makes the reservations, Faith presses firm kisses along the witch's back. Growling at the clothes covering the skin she wants to get at, Faith works her hands around and slowly lifts Tara's shirt, before being smacked. "Fuck! That's mean." Faith grumbles as Tara turns and narrows her gaze at her as she finishes the phone call.

"It's very hard to carry on a conversation when you're trying to undress me!" Tara smirks at Faith.

"Wasn't tryin' to undress ya. Was just wantin' to get at the skin of your back and place kisses all over it." Faith mumbles. "Clothes were going to stay on, honest."

"Right." Tara grins, before kissing the slayer firmly. "Are you wanting to stay up for Angel to get back, or do you want to leave him a note on the weapons cabinet?"

"How about we give him another half hour. If he's not back by then, I'll leave a note." Faith wiggles her eyebrows. "We can make out 'til then."

Lorne waves to Angel as he walks in the bar. As he leads him back to his room, he motions him to sit down. "We got a problem, Angel." Lorne sits down facing Angel.

"I wasn't even trying to see. It was just so strong…" Lorne looks up with haunted eyes. "I don't know what to do. But I've got to tell somebody." Lorne wrings his hands before finally telling Angel about what he saw. As he looks up at the stunned vampire, Lorne frowns heavily. "I'm completely lost, Angel. Do you have any idea?"

"No." Angel swallows hard, as he rubs the back of his neck. "You're right though. If you tell them, Faith will insist on taking her somewhere else. But if I know Tara, she'll insist on going no matter what. That woman has a sense of goodness and doing what's right a mile wide." Angel looks back up at the demon. "There isn't any chance whatsoever that you mis-read what was shown you or that Tara might have lived through it?"

"No. God, I wish there was, but it was very clear and very plain what happened. It took her very essence, her life force, along with the amulet to close the Hellmouth. Then there was nothing. She was gone. I didn't even see what happened to Faith afterwards. It's kind of like when Tara died, it took Faith with her, even thought I don't think Faith actually died at that time."

"If Tara dies, Faith'll give up. She was headed there before the witch came to LA." Angel growls deeply, as he stands slowly pacing back and forth. "I honestly believe the only reason Faith is alive today, is because of Tara."

"You may be right." Lorne sighs quietly, before leaning back in his chair. "I would suggest you visiting the PTB, but I don't think there's much reason. This just seems so final."

Angel nods quietly in agreement. "I think it may be best not to tell them. It might actually drive Faith off the deep end. And if we tell Tara, she'll have to tell Faith."

"That would be for the best. It's a bitch, but we don't have much of a choice." Angel slowly stands. "I guess I should head back. If you get anything else, let me know."

"I will. Thanks Angel." Lorne watches Angel stride out of his room before he stands and collapses on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. "I think this is one of the few times that I really wish I didn't have these powers." He whimpers to the empty room, as tears slowly work their way down his face.

Angel has to smirk at the two women, as he walks up to the counter, watching the serious make-out session. "Don't mind me, I'll just watch." He chuckles as Faith removes her hand from under Tara's shirt, flipping him off before sliding it back.

"Faith." Tara pulls out of the kiss, admonishing the slayer, as she grasps the hand before it makes it to her breast.

"He's just being a pain in the fuckin' ass." Faith grumbles quietly, snarling at the vampire.

"Be nice. We want to ask him a favor, remember?" Tara bites her lip, trying to keep from laughing at her lover. "I'll take you upstairs and do anything at all you want. How's that?" Tara offers smiling.

"You would anyway." Faith grins before kissing her softly. Turning her gaze on Angel, she has to chuckle. "Gotta get your kicks somehow, huh?"

"Yes, Faith. My watching you two make out is the highlight of my day." Angel rolls his eyes.

"I bet it is." Faith growls quietly. "Anyway, can we borrow the car tomorrow and bring it back the following day? We wanna take Little D for a little road trip before she has to go back to Sunny Hell."

"That's fine." Angel answers, nodding his head. "Do you need anything else?" He questions quietly, as he stands ready to go to his apartment to think about what Lorne told him.

Faith and Tara watch the vampire as he quickly leaves. "Well that's taken care of." Tara whispers quietly, before leaning in and nipping on Faith's ear lobe. "So love. What do you want me to do to you? Or what do you want to do to me?"

Faith smirks and gets a wicked gleam in her eyes. "I got something I wanna do to you." Faith hooks one arm under Tara's legs and the other behind her back to hold her to her, before standing up to run up all the stairs to their bedroom, making Tara giggle.

"There is definitely something to be said about slayer strength." Tara murmurs scraping her teeth gently down the slayer's neck.

"Got that right. Slayer strength and slayer stamina has come in very handy when it comes to you, my witch. You sure you ain't casting some kind of spell to make you capable of keeping up with me?" Faith growls quietly as she slides Tara down her body.

"Damn right." Faith nods her head in agreement before quickly stripping her own clothes off, before gently disrobing Tara. "God, you're beautiful." Faith whispers, as she kneels in front of Tara untying her shoes and gently easing them off the narrow, delicate feet. Reaching up she unbuttons and unzips Tara's jeans before easing them down over the witch's hips and silky legs, inhaling deeply of the witch's musky scent. Reaching back up, Faith glances up, catching Tara's blue eyes with her brown ones, watching them darken as she slowly slides the panties down and off. Licking her lips, she leans in to lick over soft, wet, warm outer lips. Gathering up a brief taste of the witch's nectar, groaning before standing to kiss Tara lovingly. Pulling back after a long moment of soft kisses, Faith looks deep into Tara's eyes. "Do you trust me?" Faith questions quietly.

"Yes." Tara answers without hesitation, watching as Faith's eyes light up with love.

"Would you mind climbing on the bed, and staying on your hands and knees?" Faith softly whispers.

"Close your eyes, babe. Don't open them until I tell you, 'kay?" Faith watches as Tara closes her eyes quickly and nods her head in understanding. "God, I love you." Faith whimpers out.

Faith swallows deeply, before going to her clothes drawer, pulling a couple items out she had hidden in their a couple days earlier when she snuck out of the hotel when she was supposed to be training. Laying the one item at the end of the bed, Faith keeps the other in her hand as she slowly climbs up behind Tara. Setting the item in her hand on the bed within easy reach, Faith positions her body behind Tara's, so she's straddling one of the witch's slightly parted legs. Gently pressing her swollen, throbbing sex against Tara's ass cheek, Faith groans, enjoying the contact.

Tara whimpers quietly as she feels the slayer's hot, wet sex pressing against her. As her lover's strong, but gentle hands run soothingly from her shoulders down her back, caressing her, Tara arches into the touches.

"Easy, babe. I'm just getting started." Faith murmurs, as Tara tries to rock hard into her. Leaning over Tara, she starts placing soft kisses over Tara's back, occasionally licking strongly over an extra sensitive area. "Do you have any idea how good you taste?" Faith groans as she licks up some perspiration that's starting to gather on the witch's skin.

"Goddess, Faith!" Tara whimpers louder as Faith slowly works her way over her back, not leaving a single area un-kissed. Holding herself steady, even though her whole body is urging her to rock and find release however she can. As Faith finally makes her way down to her ass, Tara moans loudly as she kisses all of one cheek then kisses the other cheek. Feeling Faith pull away, Tara groans at the loss before she growls as Faith gently spreads her butt cheeks apart, teasingly running her tongue between them. "Oh, sweet Goddesssssss!!" Tara hisses out in pleasure, at the tongue teasingly circles her virginal hole.

Faith smiles as Tara tries to press back, gently Faith flicks her tongue over the clenching sphincter muscles for the first time, making Tara grunt and jerk at the fleeting feeling.

"Don't tease, Faith!" Tara cries out. Sighing in pleasure as she feel's one of Faith's hands reach down to cup her swollen, weeping sex.

"God, you are so wet." Faith mutters, gathering up Tara's juices, amazed at the free flowing fount of nectar coming from the woman. "Gotta taste before I finish working on my plan." Faith growls, as she quickly turns her body and slides under Tara's dripping sex, urging her witch down so she can lap up all the juices on the witch's outer lips before delving strongly between the pouty, swollen lips to lick up and over the hardened, swollen clit of her lover. "Have you ever been this swollen or this hard before?" Faith wonders out loud.

"Goddess, no! Tara shakes, her whole body almost feeling like a live wire. "Please, Faith. Please suck it hard." Tara whimpers, needing release.

Unable to disobey an order from her love, Faith sucks the red, blood engorged muscle into her mouth quickly, sucking gently.

"HARD, Faith!" Tara cries out wanting more and as Faith sucks the muscle strongly, so strongly she almost feels like it's going to explode in a million pieces, Tara whimpers repeatedly, at once trying to get closer and yet far away from the pleasure/pain of the slayer's ministrations and release working its way through her. As she finally explodes, Tara cries out Faith's name loudly, her body collapsing on the bed, unable to support herself anymore.

Faith eases up on her ministrations, as she helps support Tara as she collapses from her obvious mind-blowing orgasm. Running her tongue over her lips, gathering up stray bits of her lovers sweet juices, Faith groans, leaning in to lick up all that she can find, making Tara pant and rock harder as she inadvertently licks over the still hard almost purplish muscle. "Again?" Faith questions hoarsely as she softly presses her tongue against the hard muscle.

Panting, Tara keeps her eyes closed, as Faith has asked her to do, but so wanting to see Faith's eyes. "I definitely wouldn't say no." Tara pants heavily.

Faith chuckles. "How about somethin' else first, then if you're still up for it, I'll suck you off for the next five hours."

Tara's body jerks hard at that comment, almost coming again at just the thought.

Faith smirks at the obvious response to her statement. Easing her body back up and around, she cups the witch's sex gently. Not massaging or anything, just holding it in her strong capable hand. Reaching over with her right hand, Faith flips open the cap, smiling as she smells the slight raspberry smell of the lube. Finally taking her hand away from Tara's sex, Faith uses her left hand to squirt lube generously over two of her fingers. Making sure they're coated properly, Faith drops the lube to the side and gently separates the witch's ass cheeks again, leaning in she starts licking up and over the blonde like she'd done previously.

Slowly replacing her tongue with one well-lubricated finger, Faith nips softly at the witch's ass cheek, loving the way her lover flexes and pushes into her slightest touch. Rubbing her finger gently around the orifice, paying close attention as the muscle relaxes, Faith gently eases her finger in millimeter by millimeter, stopping at the slightest tensing she feels coming from Tara. As she relaxes again, Faith continues easing her finger in until it's buried completely in Tara, making her groan loudly.

"Feels good, Faith." Tara starts clenching and unclenching her ass muscles on Faith's finger, enjoying the pressure immensely. "Goddess, can I have more?" Tara whimpers, wanting to feel fuller.

"God, yes. You can have anything and everything you want." Faith roughly answers as she eases her finger almost all the way out, before gently pressing back in. "Just let me make sure you're loose…" Faith trails off, as her finger works in and out of the witch. Slowing it down to where just the tip of her finger is in the witch, Faith eases her other finger in, so both tips are pressed just inside Tara's body. "You okay?" Faith questions.

"Yes, please, Faith." Tara tries to push against her lover's hand, grunting when she feels Faith's other hand keeping her from impaling herself on Faith's fingers.

"Easy, Tare." Faith mutters before slowly working her two fingers into her lover, not needing to take as much time as she did the first time. As both fingers bury themselves, Faith leans over Tara's back, kissing her shoulder blade. "Do you want me to fuck you like this, Tare?" Faith growls into Tara's ear.

"Fuck yes!" Tara cries out, her hips pushing back against Faith, urging her to start.

Faith smiles as she first starts an easy rhythm within her lover, groaning quietly at how tight Tara is. Gradually picking up speed, she keeps the strokes gentle, so Tara won't get sore.

"Don't wanna hurt ya." Faith calls out, but picks up the stroking to a firmer stroke.

"You won't, love." Tara urges her on, with her body. Finally taking the initiative, Tara eases her legs just a tiny bit further apart and grasps the headboard to the bed. Using the leverage of the headboard and her body, Tara shoves her body back harder against Faith's stroking fingers, not giving Faith the chance to counteract the harder stroke. "Yes, like that!" Tara groans loudly, her body rocking heavily and more forcefully against Faith's fingers.

"God, if you want it…" Faith growls, working her fingers in and out of the witch at a steady, strong pace.

Feeling her body starting to coil up into another orgasm, Tara starts whimpering loudly.

"Ready witch?" Faith questions roughly, and as Tara's head nods up and down, Faith reaches down with her free hand and slides four fingers easily into the witch's center, alternating the in and out motion for a few moments before Tara screams loud enough to wake the dead, almost passing out from the pleasure coursing through her body.

Faith gently stops her stroking after Tara collapses. Finally easing her fingers out of her love, Faith lays down beside her, stroking her back lovingly.

As Tara slowly regains some semblance of control, she looks at the multi-colored spots still playing about behind her eyelids. Swallowing a couple times, she croakily questions the slayer. "Can I open my eyes yet?"

"Hmmm." Faith thinks on it for a minute before nodding her head. "Yes, you can open your eyes. I'll let you decide whether you want to use or be used on for the next thing." Tara's smirk turns to a laugh.

Blinking her eyes a few times finally dispels the last of the colored lights. "Use or be used on…" Tara starts laughing. "Did you buy a harness and dildo, love?"

"I think I definitely am going to be the one using it, this time." Tara shifts her body around to look at Faith. "Where is it love?"

Faith looks to the end of the bed grasping it firmly before finally handing it over to Tara, not knowing how she's going to react to the long, thick strap on.

"This is a big one, isn't it?" Tara questions softly, looking up into Faith's worried eyes. Leaning up she kisses Faith lovingly, before shifting her body around and off the bed to step into the harness, quickly tightening the belts and clips, making sure it sits properly, groaning at the pressure.

Faith watches Tara curiously, before tilting her head at the witch. "Obviously you've had some practice with this type thing before?" Faith questions, surprised.

Tara looks up and smirks at her lover. "So, do you want me to make love to you, fuck you fast and quick, long and hard, or pound you into the mattress as hard as I can?" Tara questions, slowly easing up onto the bed, watching the gamut of emotions cross Faith's face.

Faith looks at her lover, with lust filled eyes. "Fucking pound me through the mattress." Faith growls with desire, feeling her own juices leaking out and down her legs from where she's still kneeling on the bed.

"On your hands and knees Faith, facing away from me." Tara orders in a no-nonsense tone, smiling as she notices the lube lying on the bed. As Faith turns away from her to position her body as asked, Tara grasps the lube. Easing up behind Faith, Tara runs a hand through the wetness dripping out of the slayer. Gathering up the moisture she quickly uses the slayer's own juices to coat the fake dick before positioning it at the slayer's begging center.

Pressing to where just the tip of the fake penis is at the slayer's opening, Tara slaps Faith's ass firmly as she tries to push her body onto the fake appendage. "Stay still." Tara orders, smirking as Faith's body jerks and she moans loudly. Flipping open the top of the lube, she squeezes out a good dollop, coating three fingers liberally, planning on giving the slayer the ride of her life tonight. Dropping the lube after flipping it closed, Tara slowly eases her body in closer to Faith's, burying the dildo deep into the whimpering slayer. "You ready, slayer?" Tara leans over to whisper the question in Faith's ear.

"FUCK YEAH!" Faith yells, grunting loudly in pleasure as Tara pulls back and snaps her hips in hard to the slayer's body, causing the dildo to bottom out inside her. "Oh, yeah! Pound me, fuck me, make me hurt, God now!" Faith mutters loudly, her body pushing back against Tara's.

"You sure?" Tara questions one last time, and at Faith's nod, she starts a quick, hard, pounding in the slayers body, grasping the slayer's hip with her left hand, her right playing down the slayer's crack as she fucks Faith as hard as she can, her hips snapping repeatedly into the slayer.

"Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God." Faith repeatedly mutters as she starts coming, whimpering as Tara doesn't let up, but continues to pound away inside her, the strap on stroking repeatedly over her g-spot. Her body cycles quickly back around, as another orgasm rips through her, still the witch doesn't let up.

"I'm going to keep this up all night, are you prepared for this slayer?" Tara questions, her voice rough and deep, as she feels another orgasm working its way through the shaking slayer.

"Do it." Faith growls, her eyes opening wide as the hand that had been playing over her ass, plays more firmly around her tight hole. Feeling another orgasm working its way up and through her body, she cries out Tara's name as a well lubed finger slides home inside her rosebud, tipping her over the edge as she climaxes again. Seeing multi-colored spots across her eyes, Faith's sex clenches down hard on the dildo inside her.

Tara grunts as Faith clenches down so hard on the dildo that she grinds her clit hard against the base of the dildo, climaxing herself. Pulling her finger almost all the way out of the slayers hole, she slides back in with two fingers, stroking fast, but gently into her lover's body, feeling her tensing up again. Reaching around and down the slayer's body, Tara firmly pinches Faith's swollen clit, making her cry out again as she comes. As Faith's muscles slowly relax, Tara pulls back and starts her hard punishing stroking inside the slayer's center again, while still keeping up the stroking of her fingers in Faith's ass, slowing down the stroking, she eases the third finger into Faith, still keeping up her hard, jack hammer thrusts in the slayer's center.

"FUCK!!!!!!!!!" Faith arches up, as her body explodes, saturating the witch and the covers before collapsing, passed out from the extreme pleasure coursing through her body.

Tara follows Faith down, half on top of the slayer. Panting heavily as the sweat drips off of her from her exertions, she slowly eases her fingers out of her love. Placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder, Tara eases her body back and out of the slayer. Unbuckling the harness, Tara slides it off and unsteadily works her way to the bathroom. Washing the items, she places them on a towel while washing her hands and her own body free of the lube with a soapy wash cloth. Preparing another couple wash clothes and grabbing multiple towels, she walks a little steadier into their bedroom, smiling at her slayer. Gently washing the slayer, Tara turns her over onto her back, grinning at the boneless mass of her lover. Lovingly wiping her down and drying her, Tara places a couple towels over the damp spot of the bed. Grasping one of the extra blankets out of a drawer Tara gently places it over her lover before climbing back in the bed. Wiggling her body against Faith, Tara wraps an arm around her waist and buries her face against the slayer's chest.

Faith smiles as she wakes up. Wrapping her arms around Tara, she stretches her body, feeling a pleasant ache throughout. "I so owe you." Faith whispers in a hoarse voice.

Tara hears Faith and shakes her head, smiling softly. Running her hand up to play with Faith's breast, she places a soft kiss on the breast under her cheek. "About time you woke up." Tara chuckles as Faith pinches her butt lightly.

"How long you been up?" Faith shifts around so Tara's on her back and she's hovering above her.

"A little while." Tara admits, grinning. "I figured I wore you out good last night, and you needed your sleep."

"Wore me out?" Faith looks at the witch with surprise in her eyes. "You fucked me like I've never been fucked before. My body's still feeling it." Faith smiles lovingly into the witch's blue eyes. "And I would definitely let you do that to me any time you want."

Tara laughs, gently running her hands through Faith's hair. "I wouldn't mind making love to you with it any time. But I'll only pound you when you ask, love. That won't change. Just remember, you only have to ask."

"I remember." Faith leans down and brushes her lips over Tara's. "I guess we should get up and showered that way we can take Little D down the coast and let her play in the sand and surf. What're we gonna do about her cast?"

"I guess pack a couple trash bags and larger rubber bands that way if she actually wants to play around the water, she can without worrying about ruining her cast." Tara reaches around and strokes her hands firmly down Faith's back. "Let's get ready. If we don't, she'll be pounding on the door wanting in."

"Hopefully she'll knock. I don't know if I locked the door last night." Faith blinks and looks at the door wonderingly.

Faith groans before easing off the witch to stand beside the bed, doing a real good stretch of her body, groaning loudly. "I think I might be walking funny for a couple hours." Faith smirks at the witch as she bows her legs out, swinging them around as she waddles more than walks towards the bathroom.

"Faith!" Tara calls out in embarrassed laughter, following the slayer. "You pick on me too much, I won't do it again!"

"Oh, now that's cruel." Faith laughs with a giggling Tara wrapping her arms around her waist from behind, after she turns on the water, letting it get hot.

"I love you." Tara becomes serious and presses a kiss on the strong shoulder of her lover. "And I always will. Through hell and high water. Remember that." Tara squeezes Faith strongly.

"I know you do, babe." Faith murmurs shifting around and wrapping her arms around Tara. "As I will always love you. Always." Faith punctuates the word with a soft kiss.

"Let's get cleaned up and head out." Tara smiles as she looks lovingly over Faith's beautiful features.

"Yeah. Don't want to piss off the kid. She'll tell sis and then my ass will be a smear mark." Faith smirks, before releasing a laughing Tara. Climbing into the shower, Tara quickly follows.

"Do we really have to go back?" Dawn whines as they throw their bags in the trunk of the car.

"Yes, we do." Tara smiles softly at the teen. "Your sister is probably on her way to the hotel now." Tara taps her finger on the slightly red nose of the teen.

"Yeah, and she'll kick me and witchy's ass if we don't bring you back." Faith smirks at Dawn as she slams the trunk shut.

"Okay, but it's under protest. And with the stipulation that I'll get to come back and spend time here with you again, either over Christmas break or Spring break." Dawn looks from one woman to the other.

"You're always welcome." Tara smiles softly at Dawn as she strokes a hand down the soft brown hair. "Now, let's get going." Tara opens the door and let's Dawn climb in the back before sitting down in the front seat. Tara smirks as she watches Dawn stretch out across the back seat.

"I might. I am feeling a little tired." Dawn admits, yawning as the sun she soaked up that morning makes her want to sleep.

"Then go ahead, Dawnie." Tara smiles, looking over the back of the seat at the teen. Shifting her eyes to Faith as she climbs in the car, she smiles looking her lover over. Enjoying the sight of how her skin has darkened considerably with spending basically just a day in the sun. Knowing that her skin was more pink than anything, having to use good sunscreen to keep from being burnt to a crisp.

Faith starts the car and makes eye contact with Tara. "I love you." Faith leans over the short distance and presses a soft kiss against Tara's lips.

"I love you, too." Tara shifts her body to lean against Faith's, wrapping her arm across the back of the seat while running her other hand up and down Faith's thigh. Pressing a firm kiss against her cheek, Tara smiles. "Let's go, love."

Faith shifts the car into drive, pulling out of the parking lot before placing her hand over Tara's, threading their fingers together as she drives them back to LA.

Tara chuckles as Faith chases Dawn into the hotel. Shaking her head at the two, she grabs the bags out of the trunk of the car and follows behind them more sedately. Smiling as she sees Buffy and Xander staring after the two as they go zipping past.

"Yeah. We got here early." Xander admits, smiling sadly. "We took Willow to LAX. She's on her way to England as we speak."

Tara nods her head. "Good. It's what she needs. She's got to get help, if not she's liable to crack and lose it completely." Tara softly explains.

Buffy and Xander both nod their understanding as they watch Faith coming back with a squirming Dawn thrown over her shoulder. "Those two have obviously been getting along."

Tara smiles lovingly at her lover and Dawn. "It took Dawn a little while, but she's come around." Tara nods towards Faith as she sets Dawn down on her feet. "I think she's been good for Faith. Kind of let Faith be a kid again. Not that she ever stopped." Tara smirks at her lover.

"Be nice." Faith grumbles walking up and wrapping her arm around Tara. "You two get here okay?" Faith looks around before catching Buffy's eye. "I thought Red would have been here with ya'."

"She's on the way to England." Buffy smiles at Faith as Dawn reaches her and hugs her tightly. "Missed you, Dawn."

"No you didn't. But thanks for saying you did." Buffy laughs at her sister. "So what all did you get up to while you were here?"

"We took her to Caritas the other night. The rest of the time we just saw a couple movies, walked around town and picked on Faith." Tara admits, laughing quietly.

"Yeah, it was great!" Dawn exclaims, grinning hugely. "Faith can actually sing! Did you know that? Her and Tara sound great together. Faith sang two songs, Tara one and they sung a duet. They had everyone clapping and everything." Dawn gushes bouncing on her feet.

Buffy can't help but laugh at her sister. "I guess I can't complain. Actually I might be jealous." Buffy turns laughing hazel eyes on the two women. "I can't sing to save my life."

"You're not that bad." Xander shakes his head smiling. "We all got a glimpse of our possible singing careers with the demon Sweet."

"So, do you want to go ahead and get your stuff together?" Buffy questions Dawn.

"I kind of need to head back." Xander smiles in apology. "I kind of promised Anya to help with the wedding plans. Oh, that reminds me." Xander grabs something from his back pocket and hands it to Tara. "It's for both of you."

Tara opens the wedding invitation, smiling. "Already?" She looks up questioning Xander.

"You'll make a wonderful husband." Tara smiles and hugs him tightly. Releasing him she walks back to Faith, with a questioning look on her face.

"Of course, we'll go." Faith smiles at her lover and grins as Tara hugs her. Keeping Tara wrapped up in her arms she frowns. "Since Red just left, does that mean she ain't gonna be there for the weddin'?"

"No, she's not going to make it." Buffy answers shaking her head. "Giles said the head of the coven would want to sequester her away for at least a month. They'll probably need to drain her powers daily?" Buffy looks questioningly at Tara.

"Probably." Tara nods at Buffy as she shifts around in Faith's arms so that Faith is standing behind her. "She has to learn the proper way to handle her powers, they'll probably start her off small and build her up as she gains control."

"Come on, Little D." Faith places a kiss on Tara's shoulder before releasing her and leads Dawn into the office. "Queenie takes Saturdays off, unless she has a vision. But I know where she keeps the camera." Opening the filing cabinet she pulls the camera out. "It ain't hard to figure out. B or Xan should be able to take pictures of us."

"Thanks, Faith." Dawn smiles at the slayer. Easing her head out where the other three finally sat down and were conversing, she looks back at Faith. "I wanted to know that I've had a great time. And you're a good portion of the reason why. Thanks, and thanks for taking care of Tara. You obviously love her a lot."

"She's my life, Dawn." Faith smiles softly, thinking about Tara. "I love her completely. I'd willingly give my life for her."

"I would say that goes both ways." Dawn smiles and walks up hugging the slayer. "No matter what, take care of her. Actually take care of each other. I don't want anything to happen to either one of you, understand?" Dawn pulls away, looking seriously at the slayer.

"I'll do everythin' in my power to protect her, D. And I'll try and keep my ass safe, also." Faith pats Dawn on the shoulder. "Let's get one of those two to take some pictures. I think Tara knows how to get the pictures off this thing." Faith picks up the camera watching Dawn nod.

"If she doesn't, I watched Cordelia do it. I think I remember what she did. It shouldn't be that hard." Dawn smiles.

"Well, come on. Let's get those pictures taken for ya'." Faith grins hooking her arm companionably over the teen's shoulder.

Faith holds Tara as they watch Buffy, Xander and Dawn drive away. "I think I'm actually gonna miss the brat." Faith smiles as she hears Tara chuckle.

"All in all, she's a good kid." Tara whispers, waving softly to the car slowly driving out of sight. "She's becoming a beautiful young woman. I hope she finds her love and settles down to a normal life."

"Do you think once Xan and the demon get married they'll stick around or do you think they'll try and have a normal life?" Faith questions, for some reason thinking about the young man.

"I don't know." Tara whispers. "I kind of would like to think they'll have a dozen kids and live happily ever after, you know? But in our world, it isn't something that is likely to happen." Tara spends a moment thinking about the possibility that any of them could die. Feeling her heart get heavy, Tara shakes it off. No sense in thinking about what could happen. If it happens, it happens. "Come on, love. Let's go get dinner started."

Faith squeezes Tara softly. "Yeah, I'm getting hungry. I don't know where Gunn and Wes disappeared to. Think they're gonna come back for dinner?"

"Who knows." Tara laughs quietly. "It won't hurt to fix extra. Actually I feel like homemade pizza."

"Homemade pizza?" Faith questions with a raised eyebrow. "You ain't fixed that before."

"No I haven't. But it sounds good for something different. Willing to be a guinea pig? I kind of feel like experimenting." Tara laughs as she eases back from Faith and walks backwards into the hotel grinning at her lover.

"Maybe." Tara laughs as Faith picks up her pace. "I can make a couple normal pizzas, then maybe some different ones."

Tara laughs and wraps her arms around Faith's neck. Feeling Faith's hands slide down to cup her ass, lifting her up, Tara wraps her legs around her waist. "How do you think a pizza with Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken and mozzarella cheese would go over?"

Faith strokes her fingers over Tara's ass grinning as she quickly carries her down to the kitchen. "Sounds good. I'd eat it."

"I have some pork roast left over from dinner the other night. Either you or I can maybe shred the meat and I can make barbecue pork to put on another pizza, using extra sauce. Maybe throw a mixture of different cheese on top?" Tara thinks, biting her lip.

"I'm up for trying both." Faith smirks as she watches her lover. "Don't you do that. I'd rather be doing that." Faith growls, leaning in and nipping Tara's lip.

"Damn good thing." Faith mutters before leaning in and kissing her firmly. "Because I love you completely."

Tara wraps her hands through Faith's long brown waves. "You have absolutely the most beautiful hair. I could spend all day running my fingers through it."

Faith raises an eyebrow at Tara and shakes her head. "I don't think so. You might be able to run your fingers all day through something else…" Faith yelps when Tara quickly takes one hand and smacks her hard on the ass.

"Behave. I need to start cooking. And if you aren't going to help, I'll send you to the workout room." Tara smirks before kissing Faith quickly. "Let me up, love."

"Damn." Faith grumbles quietly. "I didn't get any last night or this morning because Little D was with us. And I can't even tempt you into a quickie?"

Tara chuckles quietly. "And these guys have been eating take-out for the last few days. I'm sure they'll enjoy something decent."

"Then why pizza? They probably ordered pizza out." Faith growls. "Ain't there something we can throw in the oven that'll take a couple hours to cook and we can go get reacquainted?"

Tara gently pushes Faith back, laughing at her lover. Jumping down she opens the refrigerator to see what they have. Checking the chickens she had put in their to defrost she nods her head. "Okay. Let's rinse these off and I'll get the rub." Tara tosses one of the chickens to Faith.

Faith catches the chicken and places it in the sink turning and waiting for another one. Catching the second one she smiles as Tara carries the other two to the sink. "I'll rinse them off and take out the innards." Faith snarls her nose up momentarily.

"If you don't want to do that, I will." Tara offers, knowing her lover dislikes the gizzards and hearts, etc…"You know I can never understand how you can tear a demon apart with your bare hands, blood, guts and gore everywhere. But chicken parts make you squeamish." Tara bumps Faith out of the way and takes off the wrappings pulling the neck and other parts out of each one before rinsing them off.

Faith's body shakes watching Tara before she turns and walks over to the seasonings. "What rub you wanna use? Do you wanna do a barbecue rub, or that good poultry rub."

"What are you in the mood for, love?" Tara questions as she pats the chickens dry grabbing a couple pans out to bake the chickens on while preheating the oven.

"Poultry rub." Faith states decisively, as she picks up the container of seasoning and hands it to Tara. Watching as Tara quickly coats the chicken and throws an extra pinch inside each bird.

Tara slides the chickens in the oven, checking the time, before scrubbing her hands thoroughly and wiping the counters down. Turning to eye Faith, she grins. "We've got a few hours. What were you wanting to do?"

Faith grabs Tara's hand and drags her out of the kitchen. "I think it's better to show ya."

"What'd you buy, love?" Tara questions, watching as Faith hangs up the garment bag in the closet.

"Not fair." Tara frowns, looking at her lover. "You went out shopping without me. You won't let me see what you bought. How do I know we're not going to clash at the wedding this weekend?"

"Because I saw your outfit." Faith smirks at her lover. "Now, we need to go out on patrol."

Tara sighs at Faith before hopping off the bed, grabbing her boots she quickly slides them on and ties them tightly. Grabbing her fanny pack with some of her herbs and supplies she glances up at Faith as she quickly tucks away stakes and a couple knives. "Are you going to bother with a short sword tonight?" Tara questions quietly.

"Yeah, I better. You should take one, also." Faith looks up as she finishes tucking a knife in her boot.

"You're doing a lot better, babe." Faith smiles softly. "I just like the idea of you havin' something besides magic to fall back on. What if one of them demons is immune to magic? What'cha gonna do then?"

"Did you get all your classes and stuff transferred?" Faith questions as they head downstairs.

"Yes, but I won't be starting this semester. A couple of the classes I need to finish my degree were already pre-filled. They're going to see if they can get me in for next semester." Tara looks around at the evening sky as they walk out of the hotel.

"That's a bitch." Faith grumbles. "You don't even know if you can get in next semester?"

"Not yet. It isn't that big of a deal. So what if I have to wait another year for my degree? It would be kind of pointless right now, anyway." Tara glances at Faith, smiling. "Plus I'm not in that much of a rush to go back to school. I'm afraid I might miss you."

"Yeah, that's a biggy." Faith wiggles her eyebrows and smirks. "Have to get your quota of hot lovin's."

Tara smacks her softly on the arm. "That's not it." Tara stops and blinks. Thinking for a moment. "Well, that's not all of it." She laughs as Faith squeezes her waist gently after she wraps her arm around her.

Faith tenses as she feels a vampire nearby. Hearing a scuffle in the alleyway she slides her arm from around Tara and pulls out a stake, palming it in her hand so it isn't visible.

Tara lets Faith ease in front of her as they turn down the alleyway, keeping her eyes open she smirks at the single vampire that had obviously just jumped over the fence and was heading straight towards them.

"What have we here?" The vamp eyes the two women, grinning. "Are you out looking for a date? Personally I'm kind of hungry myself." He growls, vamping out as he gets close to Faith.

"Idiot." Faith rolls her eyes at the vampire as he clumsily tries to grab her. Without even having to hit him, she quickly stakes him as she ducks and spins away, turning to walk back towards Tara, as he turns to dust behind her.

"He was either extremely newly risen or extremely stupid." Tara giggles as Faith shakes her head.

"Yes. She's debating on whether or not to stay home or come back." Tara smiles sadly. "I'll miss her, but I honestly think her staying home, away from the weirdness that is our lives, would be for the best."

"At least you were finally able to get her to call home." Faith smiles and squeezes Tara's shoulders as they continue on patrol. "She would have probably still been up in her room barely interactin' with anybody."

"All of us helped her, love." Tara wraps her arm around Faith's waist. "It wasn't just me."

"Yeah, but you insisted she get out of the hotel. Got her started dealin' with the real world again." Faith explains quietly.

Tara shrugs, not really seeing what the big deal is. "She would have gotten there herself."

Faith shakes her head deciding to let it go. "Let's hit the big nasty cemetery. I hope the guys are having an easy time of it."

"Angel didn't seem to terribly worried about the demon Cordy saw." Tara shrugs her shoulder. "He was more worried about getting to it before it hurt anybody. He said if it's the demon he thinks it is, it's easy to kill."

"Yeah, well we only thought there were gonna be those three demons that one night, too!" Faith growls deeply.

Tara uncontrollably feels a tremor work through her body, remembering her love being broken, bruised and bloody.

Faith's eyes widen and she looks at Tara, feeling the pain lance quickly down their connection. "God, I'm sorry." Faith stops and turns Tara towards her. "I shouldn't have mentioned it." Faith winces at her own stupidity, knowing Tara still hates thinking about that night.

Taking a deep breath, Tara smiles tremulously. "It's okay, love." Tara hugs Faith quickly. "I just don't want anything like that to happen again. Not if I can help it."

Tara chuckles quietly, sitting on a tombstone as Faith taunts the three vampires. Watching as a fourth one starts to sneak up on the slayer, Tara quickly prepares a spell, ready to send her stake flying when Faith does a back spinning kick, nailing the vampire upside the head. Relaxing, Tara watches as Faith works the vampires over before finally staking them.

Faith smirks at Tara as she comes strutting up to the witch. Eyeing the woman, Faith raises an eyebrow and places her hands on either side of the woman's hips. "Had ya' worried there for a minute, didn't I?"

"Not so much, but I was prepared in case you didn't realize the fourth one was trying to sneak up on you." Tara watches the slayer, smiling softly. Reaching up, Tara runs a hand down her cheek before cupping the slayer's neck, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on the slayer's full lips.

"You know, we ain't made out in a cemetery yet." Faith wiggles her eyebrows, grinning.

"Probably because there's usually somebody else with us." Tara admits, laughing. Shifting her legs, Tara pulls Faith in between her legs before wrapping them around the slayer's waist. "So, are you wanting to make out for all the vampires to see?" Tara questions leaning in and placing a quick kiss on the slayer's neck.

"There ain't no vampires around here right now." Faith moans quietly as Tara starts placing firmer kisses up and down her neck.

Tara chuckles as she works her way back up the slayer's neck before capturing Faith's lips in an intoxicating kiss. Gently pulling back, Tara looks at the slayer with passion filled eyes. "Maybe I should cool it. I really don't want to jump you on top of someone's grave. And it wouldn't take much before I'd say to hell with it and fuck you till you're screaming my name where every demon within a ten block radius can hear you."

Faith groans, closing her eyes. "I think you're sellin' yourself short. I bet you could make me scream loud enough to cover a twenty block radius." Faith finally opens her eyes, smirking.

"Let's finish patrol. I have the urge to make you scream the rest of the night away before we have to head to Sunnydale." Tara whispers quietly in Faith's ear before nipping at the lobe.

"Oh, fuck!" Faith moans, unconsciously rubbing her body against Tara's. "I vote for you taking me now." Faith's dark eyes open, her body trying to get even closer to the witch's.

"Sorry, love." Tara smiles sadly at the slayer. "Maybe some other time, when I have time to think about it and not be so weirded out. But not now, okay?"

Faith nods her head and smiles understandingly at her lover. "That's fine, babe. I won't ever have you do somethin' you don't wanna."

"I know." Tara leans in and kisses Faith softly before easing down off the tombstone. "Patrol?"

Faith laughs quietly as she pulls into the Summers' driveway. Turning the engine off, she looks down at her lap where Tara's sleeping curled up with her head on her thigh. Running a hand gently over her side, Faith whispers. "Wake up, babe. We're here."

"What?" Tara yawns, stretching to look up at Faith, her eyes widening as she realizes she'd slept the majority of the way to Sunnydale. "I'm sorry, love." She mutters as she quickly sits up, glancing around. "I so, did not mean to fall asleep on you like that, both literally and figuratively." Tara smiles apologetically at the slayer.

"It's all right." Faith smirks leaning in and getting a quick kiss. "You'll just have to make it up to me." Faith wiggles her eyebrows, laughing quietly as she hears Dawn.

"They're here!!!" Dawn yells, running to meet the two women. "Buffy fixed her room up for you two. She kind of figured that might be for the best." Dawn squeals, hugging Tara as soon as she steps from the car.

"Hi, Dawnie." Tara laughs, hugging the teenager back. "And I'll have to be sure to thank Buffy."

"Thank me for what?" Buffy questions coming down to see if the two women need any help. "Need help?" Buffy watches as Faith gently picks up the two outfits from the back seat.

"If you wanna get the small carry-all in the trunk, that'll be good." Faith smiles her thanks at the blonde slayer. "How things been here?"

"Nuthouse." Buffy rolls her eyes. "Be thankful you two aren't in the wedding! Faith, make sure you hide away at least a knife or something. Some of the guests may need a little help behaving."

"Oh, sorry." Buffy frowns shaking her head. "Should have said that a little different. Anya has invited about every demon she knows to the wedding. I wouldn't doubt that most of them have tried, at one time or another, to open the Hellmouth. Hell, I'd be surprised if they don't all get together and try and do it this weekend!" Buffy throws her hands up in the air, making Faith chuckle. "I'm serious." Buffy narrows her gaze on the other slayer. "Just wait until tomorrow, you'll see!"

"I believe ya', B." Faith laughs quietly watching as Buffy grabs their bag and shuts the trunk. Faith glances over to Dawn who still has an arm wrapped around Tara. Growling good-naturedly at the teen, Faith narrows her gaze. "Get away from my woman!!"

Dawn squeals and hides behind Tara, looking over her shoulder. "What if I don't want to?"

"I'll whip up on you, brat." Faith mutters slowly walking around the car towards Dawn.

"Faith, honey, be careful of the outfits." Tara murmurs, trying not to laugh. As Faith hands them to her, Tara chuckles quietly as Faith takes after the now running Dawn. "Children." Tara laughs, shaking her head. Glancing towards Buffy, Tara tilts her head. "How are things?"

"Good." Buffy admits, smiling as Faith catches Dawn and starts tickling her. "I can't believe that's Faith." Looking back at Tara, Buffy smiles softly. "You've made a world of difference in her life, you know that, right?"

"No more than she has in mine." Tara admits, watching the two play. "They'll probably be at it for a while, let's put this stuff up."

Buffy nods her head, leading Tara into the house. Tara looks around, smiling as she catches sight of Spike lurking in the background away from the sunlight.

"Spike." Tara smirks at the vampire. "What's new with you?" She questions with a lift of the eyebrow.

"She knows about us, Spike." Buffy rolls her eyes. "Actually, she was the first one I told." Buffy admits, smiling at the witch. "He's staying here with us, now. I finally got up the nerve to explain things to Dawn, then he moved in last week."

"How did you know?" Buffy frowns, pouting. "And why didn't you tell me she would be happy?"

Tara laughs at the slayer. "Dawn and Spike got along like a house on fire when…" Tara winces trailing off.

"It's okay, Tara. I understand." Buffy nods knowing the witch was about to say when she was gone.

"Yeah, but she coulda phrased it different. House on fire - vampire here, remember?" Spike growls, narrowing his gaze on Tara. "There will be no fires around me, got it?"

"Poor Spike-y. Afraid he'll go poof?" Tara smirks at the vampire. "I could just teleport your ass out in the middle of the street for that, you know."

"You wouldn't!" Spike yells shifting further back in the house, not believing what Tara was saying.

"She might." Faith chuckles as she comes in with her arm thrown over Dawn's shoulders. "You should see what she does with some of the vamps we come across on patrol. Consider yourself lucky if that's all she does to ya'!"

"She does now." Tara smirks at the vampire. "You guys still have to go to the rehearsal dinner tonight?" Tara looks from a slayer that's nodding her head unenthusiastically to Dawn who's almost jumping up and down.

"Yeah, the two women folk are going to the dinner, while I was gonna take patrol." Spike smirks at Buffy, knowing how she would much rather be patrolling.

"Wanna go on patrol with Spike tonight, babe?" Faith questions looking towards Tara.

"If you want to, we can." Tara nods her head. "But I guess I should hang these up before I wrinkle whatever's in here." Tara sneaks a look at Faith.

"You'll see it tomorrow." Faith smiles at Tara before watching the witch walk up the stairs followed by Buffy. Glancing towards Spike, she raises an eyebrow. "You treating her right?"

"Hell, yeah." Spike grunts out. "She'll kick my ass if I don't." He admits. "Don't ask me how, or why, but I love the bint. I think I oughta ask you the same question. You treating Glinda right?" Spike narrows his gaze on the slayer. "She pretty much held this group together, when she was here. Helped take care of all of us, me included. You ain't treating her right, you'll answer to me, chip or no chip, understand?"

"Spike! We already told you she was." Dawn whines before finally collapsing on the couch, shaking her head at the vampire.

"Bit, this is between me and the slayer." Spike looks towards Dawn, smiling softly at the teen to let her know he wasn't mad at her.

"I'll never hurt her." Faith growls, walking closer to the vampire. "She's my life and I love her completely."

"Hey, hey, guys." Buffy jogs down the stairs, followed by Tara. "No bloodshed in the house. Spike, we already explained to you that Faith won't hurt Tara. They both love each other, so drop it already." Buffy comes to stand in front of the vampire, making him look down into her eyes. "They love each other, and they're actually good for each other, believe it or not."

Tara shakes her head before wrapping her arms around Faith's waist, pressing her body into her lover's back. "Were you trying to start something, love?"

"Not me." Faith shakes her head. "Just asked him if he was treatin' B right, then he told me if I wasn't treatin' you right, he'd fix it, chip or no chip." Faith condenses the conversation to the basics.

"Then there's no problem." Tara states calmly, looking towards Buffy and Spike. "Right, Spike? Because Faith would kill herself before she'd harm me." Tara smiles softly as Faith nods her head in agreement with her statement.

Buffy sighs quietly, shaking her head. "Now that World War III has been avoided, we probably need to start getting ready for the rehearsal dinner." Buffy looks towards Dawn.

"Thank God we get to wear regular clothes to the dinner. We had to talk Anya out of having special dresses for it, too." Dawn rolls her eyes. "And why she insists us being there two hours before the dinner is beyond me." Dawn grumbles before stomping up the stairs.

"You have no idea. Every little thing has to be just so. If not, it's a major catastrophe." Buffy groans quietly. "I'm just thankful Dawn had her cast removed before the wedding. Anya was going on and on about how the pictures were going to be ruined because of it." Buffy shakes her head. "I guess I better change, you guys behave." Buffy turns looking intently at Spike.

"See that you do." Buffy leans up and places a quick kiss on his lips before heading upstairs.

Spike follow's Buffy with his eyes before sitting down, keeping his gaze on the other two women.

"Are you tired, love?" Tara questions Faith as she places a soft kiss on her neck. "You didn't get much sleep last night, then drove all the way here."

"Not plannin' on gettin' much sleep tonight, either." Faith smirks turning in the witch's arms and placing a firm kiss on her lips. "I am a little tired." Faith admits, hugging Tara close, leaning her head down into the witch's neck. "Take a nap with me?" Faith questions, smiling.

"There won't be any napping, if I go with you." Tara admits smirking. Running her hands up and down the slayer's strong back, Tara glances over to a smirking vampire. "Spike, you can stop with the smirking. We're behaving ourselves right now."

"This is behaving?" Spikes eyes widen in surprise. "Well, I want to see you two not behaving."

"Easy, love." Tara whispers, tightening her grip on Faith. "He's doing it just to get you irritated, and you're letting him." Tara leans her upper body back to look in Faith's angry eyes. "Let it go, love."

Faith snarls silently, before finally nodding her head, looking into Tara's soft blue eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too, babe." Tara smiles gently, reaching one hand up to thread through her lover's hair before leaning in and kissing her deeply. Finally pulling back a short distance, Tara smiles crookedly at Faith. "Go take a nap, love. And have sweet dreams."

"Rather have the real thing." Faith bitches, before leaning in and kissing Tara briefly. "You know where I am if you wanna join me." Faith wiggles her eyebrows, smirking.

"If we're going out on patrol tonight, I want you to get a nap in, an actual nap!" Tara admonishes, smiling. "Go sleep, my beautiful slayer."

Tara chuckles quietly, watching Faith, before shaking her head and sitting down on the couch. Glancing over at Spike, she raises an eyebrow. "You hurt anyone, I will personally wipe you off the face of the earth. I know you have good in you, Spike. But I also know you're a vampire. Those two things will cause conflict, so you better be sure the part of you that really truly loves Buffy and Dawn, wins at all costs, because you will NOT like what I will do to you." Tara states quietly and sincerely, a flash of power crossing her eyes.

Spike swallows and unconsciously shifts the chair back as his demon cowers back away from the power it senses in the witch. "Don't worry, Glinda. I won't hurt them none."

"See that you don't." Tara nods her head towards the vampire before smiling. "So you're living here, now. How's that working out?"

Spike shakes his head at the mercurial disposition of the witch, before answering. "They have a bit o' trouble rememberin' to close the drapes, but they're getting better 'bout it." Spike admits chuckling. "Then I ain't allowed to smoke in the house. As a matter of fact, Buffy's making me quit." Spike snarls his lip up at that thought. "Says it smells rank."

Tara chuckles quietly at the vampire. "It does, Spike." Tara's eyes twinkle at the thought of the vampire becoming all domesticated. "Are you helping Buffy keep from getting hurt on patrol?"

"Pretty much. Occasionally a bloke'll get in a lucky shot or two, but nothing major. Just a couple bruises occasionally." Spike admits. "Kinda hard to keep her out of the fray. She won't let me do it for her."

"It's who she is, Spike. She won't ever stop completely. I think she would be lost if she couldn't go and beat up on evil beings. Goddess knows Faith would be." Tara smiles softly, thinking about her lover.

"You really love the bint, don't you?" Spike questions, a note of disbelief in his voice.

"Completely, Spike. I would do absolutely anything for her, no questions asked." Tara looks upwards towards the bedroom they'll be sharing.

Tara's gaze turns to contemplate the vampire. "Yes." She softly answers. "I wouldn't have thought it possible, but she's mine as I'm hers. Completely." Tara smiles at the thought, a beautiful, almost glowing look, crossing her face.

Spike tilts his head, stunned at the look of love crossing Tara's face. 'Obviously way more than Red.' He thinks to himself, nodding in acceptance of the dark slayer with the blonde witch. "Then I won't be buggin' your slayer, then."

"Thank you." Tara grins at the vampire before glancing up the stairs as Buffy and Dawn finally come back down. "You two look beautiful." Tara smiles softly at the two Summers'.

"I got my point across, now I'm on my best behavior." Tara smirks back at the vampire.

"I'm not even going to ask." Buffy shakes her head, then sighs loudly as a horn honks outside. "That's perfect timing. Come on, Dawn. The ride's here. Don't kill each other while we're gone, okay?"

"So what d'ya want to do, Glinda? Want to talk about our respective love lives?" Spike stretches his legs out in front of him, smirking at the witch.

"You have changed, ain't you?" Spike laughs quietly. "You're not the blushing, shy witch you were. They tried to tell me you were different."

"No, I'm not." Tara shakes her head laughing quietly. "Faith's been a good influence on me. At least I think so." Tara chuckles.

"I'll agree with that." Spike nods his head before standing to walk towards the witch. "Got a hug for a mean, old vampire?" Spike offers his arms out to Tara, chuckling as Tara stands up hugging him tightly.

"I guess I better. Don't want you to go all pissy on me because I don't give you one." Tara smiles as she pulls away. "I'm glad things are working out between you two."

Spike nods sitting down beside Tara on the couch. "It got a bit dicey there for a while. Of course, you know me. I had to do and say stupid stuff just to get her pissed. I've finally learned not to do that quite so much." Spike admits leaning back into the couch.

"She deserves to be loved. Hell, we all do." Tara laughs looking at the vampire. "Even you, you evil vampire, you."

"That's me, luv. The Big Bad. Evil vampire and all that rot." Spike laughs looking back at the witch. "I think I've been neutered in more ways than one." He admits chuckling even louder.

"Spike!" Tara laughs smacking him across the arm. "But it was worth it, wasn't it?"

"That it was, luv. That it was." Spike answers honestly. Spike watches as Tara's eyes drift upwards again, almost as if she's seeking out Faith. "Why don't you go upstairs?" He questions softly.

"Because she needs her sleep." Tara explains, smiling. "We stayed up almost all of last night, then she drove here while I took a nap. She's about wore out." Tara admits biting her lip. "I probably should have let her go to sleep earlier last night, but…" Tara trails off laughing quietly.

"But you two were obviously having too much fun to go to sleep, eh?" Spike chuckles tilting his head back on the couch. "It kind of shocked me when Buffy came back telling me you and Faith hooked up. I kind of thought you were out of her class. Then I was almost afraid she'd end up hurting you. Her track record ain't for shit."

"No, but then again she was never really given the chance to love someone, Spike." Tara admits quietly. "Her life growing up was totally fucked up. And everything just seemed to snowball from there. She never really knew what love was. Now she does." Tara smiles, closing her eyes thinking about her lover.

"There you go." Spike turns his head to look at Tara. "That's what you do, luv. You teach us about love, caring and being there for each other. If you tell anyone, I'll call you a liar, but I've missed you around here. You and Lil' Bit were the only ones that ever treated me halfway decent. I ain't ever thanked you for that, so…Thank you." Spike pats Tara gently on the leg before pulling his hand back to rest between them.

"You're welcome, Spike." Tara nods, smiling. "What time are you planning on starting patrol?"

"Well, I usually head out about an hour after the sun sets. But if you want to have some time with your bird, I can head out right as it sets. You two don't need to go on patrol with me." Spike glances back at the witch.

"No, we'll go with you." Tara shakes her head smiling. "But if you don't mind maybe heading out a little later, I wouldn't mind spending a little time with Faith. Just try and not listen in too much, okay? I've been picked on enough by your Grandsire."

"The Poof listens in?" Spike snorts out a laugh. "I guess he's got to get his kinks somehow, huh?" Spike chuckles. "Go on up, luv. Give 'er hell."

"Oh, I will." Tara smirks wickedly, a glint in her eye as she glances at the vampire before quickly heading up the stairs.

"Well, I'll be damned!" Spike laughs quietly to himself. "No more mousey witch there. That's a full-blooded Siren come to call." Spike nods his head. "About fuckin' time, you came into your own, Glinda. About fuckin' time." He closes his eyes, concentrating on the noises coming from outside to distract him from the noises soon to come from upstairs.

"I can't believe the idiot was going to call off the wedding because that demon was acting like he was a future Xander." Faith growls out as they drive back to LA. "How fuckin' stupid is that?"

"How would you react if a 'future' you came back and said that you would end up hating and beating me, if we stuck together?" Tara questions softly, as she plays with Faith's hair.

Tara smiles at her lover. "Not so hard to understand now, huh?" Tara questions leaning in to rest her head on Faith's shoulder. "Good thing you were there. He would have believed it if you hadn't caught the demon vibe from the fake Xander."

"And who cast the spell to get rid of his glamour?" Faith grins, glancing at Tara briefly. "My witch. That's who!" Faith laughs quietly. "How about we admit it was a joint effort and we're both the saviors of the day?"

"I'll go along with that." Tara murmurs, turning her head to place a kiss on Faith's shoulders. "You looked absolutely beautiful in your dress, love. I think I need to take you out to dinner to some high class restaurant and get you to wear it again, that way I can sneak you into their bathroom and have my wicked way with you."

Faith chuckles. "You know we were almost caught, don't ya? Spike ran interference with Dawnie when she came lookin' for us."

Tara blushes lightly and nods her head. "You looked so sexy, I just couldn't resist." Tara admits. "Just thinking about you in the little black dress with the slit up to your hip…" Tara growls at the thought. "I could take you right now, if you weren't driving."

"I'm not having you wreck us because of my wanting to have my way with you." Tara shakes her head at the thought. "But if you find a secluded little road to turn off onto, I wouldn't say no." Tara whispers into Faith's ear before licking the sensitive skin behind the lobe.

Faith groans and starts paying attention as she drives along, finally coming along a road that looks promising, she turns down it, smirking as they pass a couple houses set back from the road and finally coming along a stretch of woods on either side, quickly maneuvering the big vehicle around to point back towards the main road, Faith puts the car in park and turns off the engine, turning to the witch. "Think this'll work?" She smirks at Tara.

Tara doesn't answer, she just points to the back seat, chuckling as Faith quickly hops over. Following her lover, Tara quickly yanks off Faith's tank top and unhooks her bra, attacking her breasts.

"God, I love it when you take charge!" Faith groans, arching up as Tara's hand works it's way firmly down her stomach to unbutton her jeans.

"Good thing." Tara murmurs, sliding down to kiss the slayer's muscular stomach. "I like taking charge."

Faith chuckles, then cries out Tara's name, as she quickly yanks her pants down and shoves three fingers inside her. Matching each one of the witch's strokes with her hips, Faith groans loudly as Tara nips her way up to suck as much of one breast as will fit into her mouth. "God…so…goooood!" Faith pants out hoarsely, one hand wrapped in Tara's hair, while the other holds on for dear life on the front seat, her body pumping hard against Tara's fingers.

Sucking strongly on the slayer's breast, Tara finally brings her thumb into play, rubbing firmly over Faith's swollen nub, while curling her fingers inside the slayer, stroking that inner sensitive muscle. Finally releasing the breast, Tara reaches up to hungrily kiss the slayer's mouth, flicking her tongue wantonly against Faith's, moaning as Faith's inner muscles start clenching around her fingers.

Pulling her mouth away, Faith finally screams out her release, flooding the witch's hand with her juices. "Sweet mother!!" Faith continues to rock against Tara for a few long moments as the witch nips and sucks her way back down to her breasts.

Tara smiles as Faith's inner walls finally ease up their death grip on her fingers. Gently easing her fingers out of the slayer, she shifts her body back a short distance from Faith, before easing down the slayer's body to gently lap up all the juices she can find. "Goddess, Faith!" Tara growls into the slayer's sex. "You taste so damn good." She mutters before diving back in, sucking one outer lip into her mouth to clean thoroughly before doing the same to the other lip.

Faith groans, her body jerking into the witch's ministrations. "Keep that up, you'll have more to clean."

"I won't complain." Tara mumbles as she works her way to the slayer's inner lips, licking up the slayer's slit with a strong stroke of her tongue, making Faith jump as she strokes over her still quivering clit. Smiling wickedly, Tara latches onto the muscle, sucking as strongly as she can, making Faith scream loudly as another orgasm comes rushing through her body, her hips jerking continuously in pleasure. "Oh, yes." Tara murmurs lapping up the sweet reward.

Faith's breath hitches in her chest as she comes down from her orgasmic high. "You're killin' me." Faith grunts quietly, finally opening her eyes to look down at Tara as she finishes cleaning as much of the mess as possible.

"Hmmm." Tara finishes cleaning Faith before helping ease her pants back up. "Death by orgasm is a very well-respected way of dying. Going out with a smile on your face is a definite good thing." Tara smirks as she gently eases up to place a kiss on each nipple before continuing her journey to kiss the slayer's lips softly.

Wrapping her arms around Tara, Faith smiles contentedly as her witch snuggles her body comfortably between her legs.

"I could stay with you like this forever." Tara murmurs against Faith's neck as she strokes over Faith's sides.

"I love you." Faith whispers kissing the top of Tara's head, holding her tightly.

"And I love you." Tara smiles placing a kiss against the slayer's damp neck. Unable to resist she licks up the salty goodness, groaning quietly. "We should finish dressing you and head to LA."

"What's the fun in that?" Faith grumbles, silently agreeing with Tara. "Give me a kiss, then we'll look around to see if we can find my clothes." Faith grins at Tara.

"They're around here somewhere." Tara smirks before leaning in and kissing Faith lovingly. "Hmmm. Liked that." Tara murmurs before leaning in again for another deep, sweet kiss.

Faith chuckles as Tara pulls away after the second kiss. "Sometimes I think you'd love to spend hours kissing."

"I would." Tara admits readily. "You're an absolutely fantastic kisser." Tara smiles softly. "And the most wonderful, caring lover in the world." Tara leans in and brushes her lips gently over Faith's. "I couldn't be happier, love." Tara seriously admits, looking into her lover's brown eyes.

"God, you say the sweetest things." Faith feels tears coming to her eyes. "I love you, babe. You mean the absolute world to me, and I wish I could give you everythin' you want."

"I just want you. So, see. You have given me everything I want." Tara runs a hand down Faith's cheek to brush her thumb tenderly over the slayer's bottom lip. "This isn't driving back to LA, is it?"

"No, it's not." Faith admits kissing Tara quickly before looking around for her bra and shirt.

Tara chuckles picking up the bra hanging from the rearview mirror, handing it to Faith while glancing around for the tank top. Frowning she leans over the side of the vehicle and laughs. "I don't remember throwing it that hard."

Faith glances out and notices the tank top about six yards away from the car. "The wind probably helped you out some." Faith hops out, picking it up she shakes it before yanking it back on.

Tara climbs back into the front seat smiling as Faith slides in the car, shutting the door behind her.

Angel growls at Lindsey of Wolfram and Hart Law firm. "You expect me to trust you?" Angel thinks back to Lorne letting him know in a roundabout way that he would get a boost from an unexpected source.

"No." Lindsey shakes his head at the vampire. "But something happened that I can't deal with. I'm leaving the firm, I have a feeling they'll come after me. You're going to need this." Lindsey hands the small package over to the vampire. "According to the prophecy it's supposed to be worn by a Champion of the PTB. To help keep the world from ending. And truthfully, as sucky as my life has been, I still don't want to see it end. Since I know you're the Champion of the PTB - I figured this is yours."

If it's possible, Angel pales even more looking down at the package. "Do you know what is in here?" He questions seriously, looking up at the lawyer.

"Some kind of amulet." Lindsey shrugs. "I'm not real sure what it does, but the drawing in the book with the prophecy showed this amulet. Do what you wish with it. I'm getting out of town." Lindsey frowns, hoping he can get to his family before the Senior Partners finds them.

Angel considers the lawyer, realizing he's scared. Sighing quietly, he glances around the small dingy motel room where Lindsey insisted they meet. "Do you need any help?" Angel offers quietly.

"Yes." Angel shakes his head. "I know you guys keep track of what's going on at AI. I've got a Slayer, a seer, an ex-watcher, a street tough and a very powerful witch working for me. What can I do to help you?"

"Pray." Lindsey whispers before shaking his head. "They're going after my family, I've got to get to them before the Partners find them."

"They keep close tabs on you guys. I wouldn't be surprised if they followed you here." Lindsey shakes his head. "I'm going to go by myself. But if you're serious, I'll keep you in mind if I need help."

"Lindsey, good luck." Angel finally gets out nodding his head towards the lawyer. "If I find out you're screwing with me, you won't be able to get far enough away. But if this is serious, I'm in your debt."

Lindsey nods his understanding as he eases out of the room. Angel stands there for long moments staring at the small package before tucking it away in his jacket. "I guess this means it's started. I better contact Buffy, see if she knows anything." Angel growls quietly at the thought of what's bound to happen.

Angel sighs, leaning back in his chair. Looking towards Lorne, he raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Fang. What's up with trusting the enemy?" Faith snarls her nose up as she leans against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest.

Lorne coughs and smiles nervously. "He came by Caritas's a couple weeks ago and sang. I saw that he was going to play a pivotal roll by bringing us what we need to help in the fight against the First." He tries not to look towards Tara when he says it, feeling his heart break at the thought of what was to come.

"The First?" Tara questions frowning, looking towards Angel. "Isn't that what tried to trick you into killing yourself a few years ago?"

Angel nods his head quietly. "It was. I thought it was gone, but obviously it was just gathering strength and help to it's cause. Guys, best case scenario, we defeat whatever plans The First Evil has, or at worse it opens the Hellmouth and the world is overrun with demon kind. As you know, if that happens it would be the end of the world as we know it. Humans will become an endangered species."

"Then we do whatever we gotta to stop it." Faith growls roughly, looking at the people in the room. "Is it here now, or is it up to something?"

"I'm not real sure." Wesley pipes up from searching through one of the books. "The First is an incorporeal being. It's like a ghost, for better lack of a description. We can't harm it, but it has followers. Bringers, usually fallen men of the cloth. I have contacted Rupert Giles, to see if he can find out anymore information. He made the comment that there were a few watchers and potentials that the Council hadn't heard from recently, that kind of had the place in an uproar. They've been trying to find out what's happened to them. He's afraid the two may have something in common." Wesley rubs the back of his neck.

"Well, his followers ain't ghosts. I say we keep an eye out and take them out wherever we can." Gunn smacks his fist into his hand. "If they're gunning for the Hellmouth, I say we need to be there and help out."

"It might be a while before this happens. Usually there's a lead-up to this sort of thing, it doesn't happen overnight. Since we haven't really heard anything, it might be a while yet." Angel explains. "I say we do all the research we can, continue taking care of our clients and patrolling as usual. I'll let Buffy know if she needs our help, we're just a phone call away. Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do at this time."

Tara shakes her head, sighing. "Nothing like telling us there's a big bad coming, and nothing we can do. I'll hit the books, see what I can find out." Tara quickly follows her lover, leaving the rest of the group in Angel's office.

"Yeah, it's a bitch. I'm going down to the workout room." Gunn grumbles striding out of the office.

Wesley shakes his head. "I'm going to hit the watcher's books, see what information they have regarding The First."

Lorne and Angel watches as the rest of the group slowly works there way out. Lorne walks over to the door looking around the empty lobby before shutting it and turning back to the vampire. "It's happening."

"Yes, it is. Lorne, this is one time I really wished your damn senses were wrong." Angel rubs his hand over his forehead. "Everyone's assuming the Amulet is for me to wear."

"I noticed you didn't straighten them out on that matter." Lorne walks over to the chair in front of Angel's desk and sits down.

"No. No sense in getting Faith riled up even more than she is." Angel glances up at the demon. "If she knew it was for Tara to wear, she'd figure something was up and we knew what it was. She wouldn't let either one of us be, until she got it out of us."

"You're positive this is the amulet you saw?" Angel looks down at the item in question laying on his desk.

"If not, it's a ringer for it." Lorne leans forward looking at it again. "That's it, Angel-cakes. I really wish I was wrong."

Tara lays the books down on the table watching Faith pace back and forth in their room. Feeling her anger through their connection, Tara sighs quietly, sitting down in the chair watching Faith.

Faith glances over at Tara as she makes another trip in front of her love. "They know somethin' they ain't tellin' us." Faith growls angrily.

Tara nods her head. "Yes, they do. But I would think they have a good reason for not telling us."

"How can you be so calm about this?" Faith grumbles walking towards Tara. Kneeling in front of the witch, Faith wraps her arms around her legs and lays her head on her lover's knees.

"Faith, love. There's nothing we can do about it. We can research and hopefully come up with something that might help us fight it. If Lorne and Angel are holding something back, I assume they have a very good reason for not telling us what it is. We need to trust them."

Faith sighs, rubbing her face against Tara's leg. "Then let's get the books and study."

Tara smiles softly at Faith, running her hands through her hair. "I love you. No matter what happens or what is to come, don't ever doubt that."

Faith looks up into Tara's eyes. "Do you know somethin' you're not telling me?" She questions hoarsely.

"No, love. But our lives aren't all roses and candy's. There's always that possibility that something will happen to one of us. So, I just want to make sure you know how much I love you." Tara smiles softly at Faith.

"Don't wanna think about that." Faith whimpers quietly, leaning her head back against Tara's legs.

Tara looks down at her lover, a sad look on her face. "Sorry, love. I didn't mean to make you upset."

"Not upset. Just don't want to think about the possibility of somethin' happenin' to ya'." Faith mutters. "I don't think I would do so well if that happened." Faith admits.

Tara shakes her head, swallowing hard. "Look at me, love." Tara whispers, watching as Faith slowly lifts her head, looking at her with tear-filled brown eyes. "You have to promise me that, Goddess forbid, something happens to me, you'll go on. Don't do something self-destructive."

Faith looks away, shaking her head. "Can't promise you that. I haven't ever lied to you, and I ain't gonna start now." Faith slowly stands and walks towards the window looking out at the afternoon sky.

Tara looks at the stiff set of her lover's shoulders, knowing she isn't going to budge. Sighing quietly, she looks down, running a hand over her skirt, smoothing the wrinkles. "Can you promise me to try and not do something self-destructive?" Tara bites her lip glancing back up at Faith.

"I can try." Faith finally answers after a couple minutes. "But I'm not promising. I didn't have much to live for before you came into my life, and if somethin' should happen to you…I don't look for it to be a good life afterwards."

"Would you rather not talk about this?" Tara softly questions, watching Faith intently.

"No, I don't want to talk about it." Faith admits, slowly turning to face Tara. "It's a possibility something could happen to either one of us. But it's not somethin' I want to think about. I want to spend whatever free time I have being around you and lovin' you. Don't want to spend it thinking about you dyin' or me dyin'." Faith growls.

"Then let's change the subject." Tara smiles half-heartedly at her lover. "You want to help me research?"

"Yeah." Faith nods slowly walking over to the other chair, sitting down across from Tara. "What'cha researchin'?"

"Well, I was trying to find out if there's a spell to make The First take on physical form, that way it can be hurt or killed." Tara shrugs her shoulders. "It's a long shot, but I figured it was worth looking for. I know Wesley and Cordelia were trying to find out all the information they can about The First, so I decided to go a different angle."

"You're good at the spells. Makes sense." Faith nods, finally smiling briefly at her lover. "Hell, you're good at everythin'!" Faith smirks watching Tara for a few moments. "I love you, babe."

"I love you, too." Tara reaches across and grasps Faith's hand in hers. "We'll get through this. We'll defeat The First and then we'll go out dancing." Tara smirks at Faith.

"Yeah, you ain't gone dancin' with me, yet." Faith wiggles her eyebrows. "Why is that?"

Tara laughs quietly. "Because I have a feeling it won't be just dancing that'll be happening on the dance floor. You'll have hands doing all kinds of naughty things to me."

"Better believe it." Faith nods her head smirking. "We'll put on a show that those folk's ain't likely to ever forget."

"That's why - right there." Tara laughs squeezing Faith's hand before releasing it and grabbing a book. "Let's research, love." Tara watches as Faith slides a book towards her to starting looking through.

Wesley looks around at the gathered AI group. "Well, it took Rupert a couple weeks to finally find out what's going on." He sighs shaking his head.

"Yes, quite. Well, it would seem The First has big plans. He's planning on taking out the whole slayer line." Wesley admits, watching Faith.

"Meaning, the potentials and watchers that no one had heard from? They've been murdered. Rupert went to check on one of the Watcher's and potential that lived within driving distance to him, and was able to kill the Bringer, but not before it killed the Watcher. Luckily the potential was out at the time of the attack and is still alive. But it seems The First is planning on killing all the potentials, then coming after you and Buffy, to completely eradicate the slayer line."

"Ambitious plans." Tara murmurs, blinking. "How successful has he been, so far?"

"There's about a dozen Watcher's and Potentials that can't be accounted for." Wesley admits. "There's a couple more dozen that they're trying to figure out the best way to protect them."

"Probably some kind of spell, not unlike what The Council uses to locate potentials." Wesley admits.

"But that spell obviously isn't completely fool-proof. Buffy fell through the cracks on that one." Tara points out a flaw in The First's plan.

"Yes, that is a possibility. But if he's already taken out say 99% of the slayer line, wiping out whatever few new slayers are called would be child's play." Wesley admits.

"Then if they can locate them so easily, they should be gathered together in one place that they can be protected by me and B." Faith growls striding back and forth in the small office. "We got my witch, I'm sure she can find something to help protect them from spell detection." Faith looks towards Tara who nods her head quietly, watching her lover.

"It'll have to be Sunnydale. Buffy won't leave it for a long period of time, and this has the possibility of taking a very long time." Angel interjects.

"Then that's what we'll do." Faith shrugs her shoulders. "Does B know what's going on with The First and the Potentials?" She questions the vampire.

"Yes. She was of a like mind that the girls needed to be protected at all costs. So, I would assume she would go along with your idea." Wesley admits. "I can call Rupert. We'll need somewhere for these girls and their Watcher's to stay when they come to Sunnydale. Hopefully the Council can either rent or buy a couple houses that are right next to each other, for them to stay in."

"Or at least on the same block." Tara offers up quietly. "I can make protection charms and spells to go around the houses. These girls have training, so they aren't completely hopeless." Tara frowns momentarily. "At least, I hope not. But if we can have say, Faith and I in one house with the girls. Buffy and Spike in another house, then maybe Angel, Wesley and Gunn in the third house, do you think that would be a good splitting of the forces to help protect them?"

"And we can work with them on their fighting skills while we're there." Angel nods his head at the plan. "Any and all help we can get, would be beneficial."

Everyone turns and smiles at Fred. "When did you get back?" Tara questions hugging the woman to her. "And this isn't exactly the best time to be coming back."

"Well, I kinda got that feeling. Especially after you told me it was best for me to stay away." Fred smiles, then laughs as Faith hugs her, then the rest of the group hugs her. "I feel like I've come home." She shakes her head looking at the AI team. "I can make up weapons to fight against these guys. Kind of booby-trap the area around the houses. I'm sure there's other things I can help with, even if it's just running to the store."

"Are you sure?" Angel questions quietly. "This is going to be dangerous, Fred. If you want to make weapons, that's fine. But you can do it from the safety of somewhere else and we can send someone to pick them up. You don't have to be in the middle of this fight. It isn't your fight."

"Yeah, but I got to thinking. If it weren't for you folks, I'd still be on Pylea. I owe you my life. And if you want my help, I'm more than willing to fight by your side." Fred smiles quickly glancing around at the group she's come to think of as family.

"Why the hell not?" Cordelia mutters. "We got a vampire with a soul, a witch, a slayer, a seer, a street tough, an ex-watcher, a demon, why not add a Physicist to the mix? Welcome back, Fred."

Fred chuckles quietly and nods her head. "Then here I am. I can get with Faith and Angel on possible ideas for weapons. Then we'll see what I can do."

"Sounds like we got something of a plan." Angel nods his head. "Wesley, get ahold of Rupert, let him know what we've come up with. I'll call Buffy to go over it with her. Faith go ahead and sit down with Fred, see if you can come up with some ideas for weapons. Tara, continue researching whatever spells you think will be useful. Take my card and buy whatever ingredients you'll need." Angel slides a credit card towards the witch. "Cordy and Gunn, you two need to probably hold down the fort, take care of whatever clients we may have coming in. I don't know how much longer we'll be here, so pick and choose them carefully. We can't take on anything that might last a while."

"I guess that's it. I'll check with Lorne and see if he's got anything useful from any of his patrons." Angel glances up as the rest of the crew talks amongst themselves as they leave the office. Shaking his head he picks up the phone…

Tara glances up from where she's researching spells to hide the potentials from The First, to look at Faith and Fred with their heads stuck together over paper as Faith makes suggestions as Fred sketches out what Faith wants. Smiling softly she writes out the ingredients on one pad and the spell on another.

"I don't see why not." Fred looks at the drawing. "It's kind of like a machine gun, but instead of bullet's, it'll shoot out wood bolts."

Faith and Fred both nod their heads towards the witch. "Of course you can, babe." Faith looks curiously at her lover.

"Why don't you use real guns and make bullets with wood instead of metal?" Tara suggests quietly. "I mean, it's possible, isn't it?"

Faith raises an eyebrow at the suggestion and glances towards Fred. "Is it possible to use wood instead of lead?"

Fred nods her head, stunned. "It would have to be a hard wood, like redwood or oak, but if we can get something to make them in the same shape as the bullets, it would be easier to do than modify or make a gun."

"So we need a machine that'll stamp out wood in the size we need it." Faith thinks heavily.

"We just need the easiest and quickest way to make this stuff possible." Tara shrugs her shoulders looking at Fred. "I figured it would be easier to make bullets than a gun."

"Dowel rods." Faith mutters looking at Fred. "I'm sure they make them out of different woods. We can call a lumber store to find out if they make any from oak. Then we get the right size thickness and go from there."

"Then I just need to make something that'll either make the points on the wood…" Fred rolls her eyes. "All I need is to make a heavy duty pencil sharpener, with easily replaceable blades. We don't want to sharpen all the way down to a point like pencils. Damn! I think we've got it." Fred grins.

"So, we're going to make an electrical bullet sharpener. I guess I've heard of weirder things." Faith smirks. "I'm sure we can get the Council to supply us with the guns."

"Now, are you going to just use hand guns, or are you going to do something like shotguns, also?" Tara questions quietly. "Shotgun shells you could actually fill with wood slivers. They might be easier to make, even though you can't go around town carrying the guns out in the open. Plus you have the benefit of being able to use regular bullets/shells instead of just the wooden ones. It's my understanding that the Bringers can be killed by ordinary means."

"Yeah, but I was thinking more dual purpose. Kill Bringers and vamps with it." Faith shrugs.

"I'm all for that." Tara smiles softly at her lover. "Keeps you out of striking distance. Plus it gives the Potentials something they can use to help protect themselves. That is if they can shoot a gun!"

"Well, it probably wouldn't hurt for you to get proficient with a gun, also." Faith admits quietly.

"Already am." Tara admits, looking up briefly before looking down at her book to finish copying the spell.

"Grew up on a farm in northern Texas, love. Remember?" Tara smiles, looking up at her lover.

"Part of living in Texas is being able to shoot the predators that come to steal your animals." Fred nods her head in understanding. "I learned to shoot when I was six."

Tara smiles at Fred. "I learned when I was seven. I learned how to shoot a .22 rifle first. Then I was taught how to handle handguns."

"A .22 is always handy to learn how to shoot with. That's what my pa taught me on." Fred admits softly.

"I think you two are going to be the weapons instructors." Faith mutters shaking her head. "I'll get with Wes and tell him our idea. See what he can come up with. Then start calling the lumber yards." Faith stands and stretches her back out.

Fred nods her head. "I'll get to work on the sharpener. It may not be electric, but I'll make sure it gets the job done." Fred grins at Faith.

"Don't really care if its electric or not. As long as it works." Faith nods, smiling back.

Leaning towards Tara, Faith places a soft, lingering kiss on her cheek. "Love you. I'll be back up in a little while."

"Love you, too." Tara smiles as she watches Faith leave. Glancing back at Fred, she smiles. "So, how were the folks?"

"They're good." Fred smiles. "But it's kinda hard to go back home after everything I've seen and know is out there. I can't just ignore it."

"I understand." Tara bites her lip, thinking. "In a way, I wish I could grab Faith and run for the top of a mountain somewhere and live out my life without ever hearing about or seeing another demon. Then I feel guilty about those thoughts, thinking about all the people that could be harmed or killed if I was selfish and did it. Once you know about it, it becomes a part of who you are. Sometimes I almost wish there were no such things as demons. But then I think about Faith, and I can't wish that. Because if it wasn't for demons, I never would have met her." Tara shrugs before smiling sadly.

"It's funny how things work out." Fred nods her head, understanding what Tara's saying. "And you're right. Once you know about it, for most of us, we can't ignore it. We'll all probably die fighting one day."

"Dying of old age isn't very likely." Tara chuckles quietly. "But, if nothing else, I can sure as hell say I've lived a damn good life. It's worth it just to have one day with Faith."

"I hope I have a chance to find that kind of love." Fred whispers. "You two got something special. Just being around it makes me realize it's worth fighting for. Well, I better get to the drawing board, see what I can figure out." Fred smiles before quickly leaving.

"I just hope if something happens, Faith realizes it was worth it, too." Tara speaks softly to the empty room, before turning back to the books.

"Yo! Wes!" Faith calls out to the ex-watcher. "Got an idea." Faith quickly explains what they'd come up with to the demon hunter.

"That might work." He nods his head in surprise. "I'll get on the phone to Rupert now. See if he can talk those bunch of idiots into helping us out. They should, considering the fact we're trying to keep the world safe."

"Ain't worked before." Faith grumbles. "They're on their own plan, most of the time."

"That they are. But I think, in this case, they'll be more than willing to help out." Wes smiles briefly before heading into the office.

"Just got a call from Buffy, the first potential showed up there. She's pretty banged up. Her watcher was killed by a Bringer attack." Angel frowns. "We're going to have to get things moving quickly. I don't know what's going to happen, and I want to be as prepared as possible."

"Everythin' we're doing here, we can do in Sunnydale." Faith leans back against the wall, thinking heavily. "We can take whatever books we think might be necessary, with us."

"I've got some things to tie up here, before heading to Sunnydale. Why don't you, Tara and Fred plan on leaving tomorrow. There's a second reason for you to head there tomorrow." Angel hesitates, wincing internally at what he's about to ask of the slayer.

"They're sending Willow back here. She's needed in the fight. According to Rupert, she's done extremely well with the Coven and should be of great help." Angel looks at Faith.

"Well, you guys need to pick her up at the airport and take her to Sunnydale." Angel waits quietly, to see if Faith goes off the deep end.

Faith stands there silently, then nods her head. "I can deal. We parted on okay terms."

Angel breathes a sigh of relief. "Good. Her plane gets in at 1:15 tomorrow afternoon. If you three can be ready and pick her up, that would be wonderful." Rubbing his forehead he reaches in the desk, pulling out the small box. "Can you have Tara come see me, please?" Angel looks back up into the questioning eyes of Faith. "Just get her to come down here, please."

Faith raises an eyebrow before nodding, spinning on her heel, quickly heading up to their room.

Tara glances up, smiling as her lover comes in, before frowning at the tenseness in her body. "What's wrong?"

"Fang wants to talk to you. I got a feeling it may be about whatever they ain't told us, yet." Faith growls, striding over to her lover.

"Well, I guess we're going to find out." Tara stands up and wraps her arms around Faith. "I love you, you know that. Together we can fight whatever we need to."

"I know it. It's just the shit we fight could very well take you away from me." Faith tries to bring her anger under control. Taking a couple deep breath's, she smiles shakily. "Let's see what Fang has to say. Then we kind of need to pack up. You, me and Fred are gonna pick up Red tomorrow at the airport, then head to Sunnyhell. First potential showed up, badly beaten and her watcher killed. Looks like things are going to start happening quickly." Faith hugs Tara tightly.

"Then let's get this over with so we can pack." Tara kisses Faith strongly. "Tonight may be the last night that we have any true alone time. We're going to have to take advantage of it."

"We'll make alone time. I'm not giving up my daily dose of Witchy lovin'." Faith growls kissing Tara quickly. "If we can't make alone time, then people are gonna have to turn their eyes elsewhere." Faith smirks as they head out of the bedroom.

"Oooh. Now the truth comes out." Faith shakes her head, laughing. "If I'd only known…"

"What? I figured you would have already known. We're always making out in the hotel somewhere where we could be caught very easily. And have been caught, multiple times, may I point out!! How about when we came back from the wedding? Broad daylight, on the side of the road?" Tara rolls her eyes at her lover.

Angel shakes his head, sighing deeply. "Can you two please sit down?" He waves to the two chairs in front of his desk before standing and closing the door to his office. "I'm probably about to piss one or both of you off. Just remember, I thought it was for the best to keep this to myself." Angel pulls the box with the amulet out of it and tosses it to Tara. "You're the Champion that is supposed to wear this."

Tara looks up in surprise at the vampire before glancing back down at the box. "I'm not a Champion, Angel. You are."

"Yes, you are." Angel sits down on the corner of his desk looking at Tara. "Lorne saw it when you guys took Dawn to Caritas's. He saw you wearing this amulet."

"Tara closing the Hellmouth with the power of the Amulet." Angel tells the half truth, praying silently that, that'll be enough. "Wesley has already spoken with Rupert. They're sending you all the supplies you will need to make the weapons you've discussed. Along with some of their own creations. They're more than willing to do anything and everything they can to give you what you need in this fight. I believe they're already looking around for housing close to Buffy's house. If they aren't able to find it, they're going to look into possibly renting or buying an entire apartment complex and kicking everyone out, that way you'll have the whole building."

Tara opens the box, staring down at the Amulet. Touching it softly with her finger, she nods her head, having a feeling she knows what's to come. Also, why the vampire isn't elaborating. She looks up with sad eyes at Angel. "The apartment complex would probably be a good idea. Contact them and tell them to do that. That way there's plenty of rooms. It would be great if they were already furnished, that way we would have places for everyone to sleep." Tara turns and smiles at Faith. "Love, would you mind going ahead and talking with Wesley about that. Then you can let Fred know to pack up, we're heading to Sunnydale."

"Please. Thank you, love." Tara tugs on Faith's hand, smiling as she leans down and kisses her. "I love you."

"Love you too, babe." Faith smiles, running her thumb over Tara's fingers. Realizing what fingers she's rubbing, she lifts them to her lips, kissing them gently.

"None of that, now." Faith grins at her lover, before nipping the tips of the fingers, making her laugh.

"Okay." Tara laughs as Faith quickly walks out of the room. Standing, she walks to the door as Faith disappears. "Is she gone far enough?" Tara questions as she shuts the door.

"Does this do what I think it does?" Tara looks down at the Amulet in her hands, then back up at the vampire. "It takes my powers, my essence to make it work, right?"

"Lorne didn't know what to do." Angel finally opens his eyes, showing the pain so blatant in them. "God, he couldn't even tell me what he saw without breaking down, Tara. I made the decision not to say anything. I figured if I told you, you wouldn't be able to keep it from Faith because of your soul mate status. If I told Faith, she would have grabbed you and ran away. There's no way she'll let you do this if she knows."

Tara nods her head, closing the box. "You're right. That's why she won't know." Closing her eyes, Tara takes a deep breath, bringing her feelings under control. Never more thankful for her mother's teachings than she is at this moment. Opening her eyes, she looks at Angel. "The world is worth more than one person, or even hundreds of people, Angel. You know that."

"Doesn't make it easy, though." Angel admits looking down. "I called Lorne. He should be here in a few minutes. He wouldn't be much good in the fight against The First, but I know he would want to see you, before you left."

"I don't think so." Angel shakes his head. "It about tore him up with what he saw before. I don't think he's ever wished he didn't have his powers until now."

"There probably isn't much Cordelia can do in Sunnydale, either. Maybe she should stay here out of the fight." Tara suggests softly. "Maybe have Gunn stay here with her?"

"Gunn will insist on going." Angel shakes his head at the suggestion. "Maybe Lorne can help keep an eye on her when we come to Sunnydale." Hearing Lorne coming closer, Angel stands and opens the door to his office.

"Hey, Angel-cakes. You wanted to see me?" Lorne questions as he steps into the office. Glancing from Angel to Tara, he stops and swallows hard. Already able to tell she knows, without even having her sing. As Angel shuts the door, Lorne kneels beside Tara and looks up at her with tears swimming in his eyes. "I'd take your place in a heartbeat, Sweet Cheeks, if I could."

Tara smiles sadly at the demon. "I know you would, Lorne. But remember the conversation we had the first time I came to Caritas's? Hopefully there's something they're not allowing you to see."

"I hope you're right." Lorne murmurs as tears fall down his cheeks. Smiling softly as Tara gently wipes them away. "You're a good soul, Tara Maclay. If…look me up." Lorne stands and turns away from the witch, his shoulders shaking with the sobs he's trying to hold back.

Angel clasps Lorne strongly on the shoulder. Looking at Tara he raises an eyebrow.

"I will, Lorne. I think I better go see what Faith's up to. Help her pack." Tara take a deep calming breath.

"Thanks, Angel." Tara nods and smiles softly at the vampire. "You letting us take your car again?"

"Like I have a choice?" Angel laughs quietly. "Us guys will probably follow you in Gunn's truck later on."

"She's a strong one." Lorne whispers quietly, turning around as Tara walks out of the office. "She will always do what needs to be done."

"Yes, she will." Angel nods his head, looking at the demon with sad eyes. "Why couldn't it be me? The shit I've done being a vampire? I deserve to die, not her."

"It doesn't work that way." Lorne shakes his head, leaning against the wall. "They always seem to want the best of us, and let the rest plod along, trying to do good." Lorne stands and brushes his hands down his jacket. "I'm going back to Caritas's and drown my sorrows. If you feel like joining me, come on over."

Angel nods and watches as Lorne leaves. "I just might show up there, my friend." Angel leans forward, placing his elbows on the desk, cupping his chin in his hands. Silently brooding in the empty room.

"Hello, love." Tara smiles softly at Faith, as she closes the door to their room. "Did you find Fred and let her know?"

"Yep. She's packing as we speak." Faith glances up, smiling at Tara. "I got the majority of our clothes packed. What about knick-knacks and that type of thing?"

"Maybe a few pictures." Tara walks over placing the picture on the dresser in between clothes so it doesn't get broken. "Can't go without that." Tara smiles and kisses Faith. "What other pictures do you want to take with us?"

"That good one of you, me and Lil' D." Faith reaches out unhooking it from the wall. Tara smiles softly as she picks a couple more pictures. "I guess that'll do it. What did you and Fang talk about after I left?" Faith questions quietly packing the pictures gently so they don't get broken.

"I just wanted to clarify a couple things with him." Tara smiles softly at her lover, watching as she finishes zipping the case, placing it by the door. "That about all our clothes?"

"Yep. I left out an outfit for each of us to wear tomorrow. Pretty much everything else is in there." Faith frowns looking at the piece of luggage.

"We need a box for me to take the books I'm going to need with us, also." Tara murmurs looking over at the stack of books.

"Do you want to pack them up now?" Faith questions. "I can go downstairs and get a box, if you want me to."

Tara nods her head. "Please. I'd rather get everything packed up and ready to go now."

"True." Tara nods her head. "Run down and get the box, love. I'll have the books ready when you get back." Tara laughs quietly as Faith grins at her before heading out of their room. Walking over to her stack of books, Tara marks the section she was researching before closing and stacking them neatly. Placing her notepads and pencils on top of the books. Looking around the room, she smiles at the place that's become her home.

"Got it." Faith calls out as she walks back in the room with the box. "This it?" Faith nods towards the pile of books, picking them up to place in the box as Tara nods. Placing the box by their suitcase, Faith looks around, frowning. "We got everything you think we'll need?"

"Short of you wanting to grab certain weapons, yes." Tara nods as she walks towards Faith. "So…" Tara wraps her arms around Faith's waist. "What are we going to do for the rest of the night?"

"Oh, no. I was saving that for last." Faith wiggles her eyebrow. "There's room in the case right on top."

"So, how kinky are you wanting your sex, love?" Tara whispers as she bites down on Faith's earlobe.

"What do you want, love? Do you want to start out slow and loving, working our way up to all kinds of nasty things? Or do you just want to jump into the sweaty, nasty, kinky stuff?" Tara nips down Faith's neck in between words, smiling at her lover's obvious arousal. Leaning back she pulls Faith's tank top off, throwing it across the room before quickly unhooking her bra, letting it drop to the floor as she leans down, nipping Faith's breasts.

"I need it rough." Faith whimpers as Tara bites down roughly on her nipple after her words. "Yeah, that's it." Faith grasps Tara's hips, pulling her in tight against her so she can grind down hard on the witch.

Pulling away, Tara looks at Faith with desire filled eyes. "Strip." She whispers quietly as she starts pulling off her own clothes, watching as Faith kicks off her shoes and yanks down her pants. Looking at her lovers strong body, Tara moans. "Goddess, you're beautiful." Yanking off the rest of her clothes, Tara grabs Faith, kissing her roughly for long moments before finally breaking the kiss to breathe. "Bed, love."

Faith quickly climbs on the bed, lying on her side. Watching as Tara pulls open the drawer holding the dildo, harness and lube. Moaning as Tara quickly slides the harness up her legs to tighten the straps.

"What do you want, love? Do you want it rough?" Tara questions quietly as Faith watches her intently. Palming the lube in her hand, Tara climbs on the bed watching Faith's eyes. "Do you want me to ride you long and hard?" Tara shifts to lay on her side between Faith's legs, her head even with her knees. "Tell me." She orders quietly before leaning in to nip firmly at the tender skin behind Faith's knees.

Grunting in pleasure at the witch's nips and bites, Faith groans out. "I want you to slam into me until I can't speak. I want you to bite me hard enough to draw blood. Will you do that for me?" Faith questions with a note of fear in her voice, never having asked Tara to be so rough that blood was drawn.

Tara nods her head against her lovers inner thigh. "I can do that." She murmurs, licking over the skin under her lips before biting down quickly.

"FUCK!!!" Faith arches up as Tara bites her hard. Feeling Tara's fingers dig into her hips, Faith bucks up repeatedly at her lover's touch.

Tara nods her head, kissing up Faith's thighs and over her stomach. Stopping she shifts her weight to her knees, smiling down at her lover. "Stop me, if I do something you don't want, or it becomes too much. Okay, love?"

"I will." Faith hoarsely whispers, watching Tara, wondering what she's going to do.

Tara smiles before she shifts her body back down, hooking Faith's legs over her shoulders, working her way back up Faith's body, bending her in half. Watching Faith's eyes become darker with lust, Tara positions the dildo and slams home inside Faith.

Faith grunts and arches up into the hard rhythm Tara sets, trying to keep her eyes on her lover as the woman wraps her arms around her legs, pumping in and out of her like she's digging for gold.

Tara turns her head and bites the slayer's calf muscle, as she slams into the slayer repeatedly. Reaching one hand down between their bodies, Tara rubs Faith's clit strongly. "Pinch your nipples for me, love." Tara whispers hoarsely. Groaning as Faith pinches and twists her nipples roughly. Grasping to pull them as far away from her body as she can, stretching the breasts before letting them go to twist them hard.

Faith groans loudly, crying out as she climaxes hard. Unable to arch up into the witch's pounding hips because of the position she's in.

"This what you want love?" Tara growls, watching her lover. "You want me to fuck you hard?" At Faith's nod, Tara grins. "Good." She quickly shifts her body out and down Faith's, making her cry out at the loss. Tara smirks as she slides her hand down her lover's body, sliding three fingers in and out of her loves wet cavern, groaning, quickly adding the fourth. "Remember what I did to you in the freezer that day so long ago? I think you're needing that again." Tara murmurs, smiling at the obvious groan of arousal coming from her lover. As Faith bucks back up into her hand, Tara quickly tucks her thumb in, sliding her hand quickly in Faith.

Tara reaches up with her left hand, grasping Faith's nipple, pinching hard while she pounds within her lover's body. Smiling as Faith's inner muscles clamp down hard on her hand and arm, making her stop her motions, as Faith cries out as she explodes. Finally easing her hand out of the slayer as her muscles release her arm, Tara turns the boneless mass of her lover over onto her stomach. Grabbing the lube she dropped on the bed, she generously rubs it all over the dildo. Grasping Faith's hips, she urges her up, smiling as the woman's body has a slight shake to it. Spreading her legs, Tara positions herself behind her lover, running one well coated finger down her lovers crack, before gently easing the finger past the tight ring of muscles.

Keeping up the soft, easy rhythm, Tara slides the second finger inside her lover, as the muscles relax a little more, she slows the stroking to gently work a third finger in, making Faith pant and groan, pushing back against the fingers working in her. Smiling softly at the whimpers coming from her lover, Tara eases her body into position, removing her fingers from her lover and gently pressing the thick head of the dildo against the loosened muscles.

"This won't be too much?" Tara questions softly as she hold's Faith's hips firmly, while gently easing into the slayer, groaning as she feels the head pop past that last inner ring of muscle.

"Not too much. Promise." Faith pants, rocking her body, trying to get Tara to slide all the way inside her.

Tara slowly slides the rest of the way inside the slayer, holding still as she buries it to the hilt in her lover's tight ass. "You ready?" Tara questions softly, pulling back to start a quick, easy rhythm within Faith as she nod she's ready. Sliding her other hand around Faith, Tara plays with her clit while picking up the pace.

"Harder, babe." Faith groans roughly, grunting as Tara puts more strength behind her thrusts. Rocking her body back into Tara, Faith arches as she feels Tara's nails from her other hand scrape down her back at the same time she pinches Faith's clit strongly between her finger and thumb, while slamming into her.

"TAAARRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Faith yells at the top of her lungs, collapsing on the bed, unable to move. Faith pants heavily into the pillow, her body shaking with the tremors working through her.

Tara wipes the sweat from her brow before easing her hand out from between the bed and her lover. Lifting her body away, she slowly and carefully eases the dildo from her lover's body. Fumbling with the closures, Tara finally unhooks everything, dropping the appendage over the side of the bed to worry about later. Easing her body against her sweat soaked, lover, Tara softly places kisses along her shoulders and upper back, stroking her hands gently down her lover's sides.

Faith smiles at her lover's tender touches, still panting heavily from their exertions.

"You okay, love?" Tara questions quietly, leaning up to press a soft kiss on Faith's ear. Smiling as she gets a nod from Faith. Propping her head up with her hand, Tara presses her body against Faith's back, entangling their legs together while using her other hand to stroke down Faith's sides. Watching as her lover's breathing finally calms down, Tara leans down placing a quick kiss on her neck.

"Damn, woman!!" Faith hoarsely whimpers. "I don't know if I ever told you, or not. But I was never a very vocal lover."

Tara chuckles, brushing her face against Faith's shoulder. "You must not have had very good lovers in the past." Tara yelps as Faith flips over and around to look down at her.

"What about you, babe? How often did you scream before?" Faith questions quietly.

Faith raises an eyebrow in question. "Only twice? I think I might have you beat by one or two. Of course, that ain't countin' you making me scream. I don't think I can count that high." Faith smirks down at Tara.

Tara's eyes crinkle in merriment, looking up at her lover. "I make you happy?" Tara questions, becoming serious.

"Always." Faith nods her head looking over her lover's features. "Do I make you happy?" Faith turns the question on Tara.

"Oh, yes. More than I ever thought possible." Tara smiles lovingly up at Faith. Her hands unconsciously rubbing up and down Faith's back, to gently cup her ass for a few moments before sliding back up and over her strong shoulders.

"Well, I think I need to get busy making you happy." Faith softly whispers before leaning down kissing Tara gently. "Anything you would like?"

"You." Tara answers simply, arching as Faith works her way down her neck to circle around her nipples.

Faith smiles around the nipple she just sucked into her mouth. Gently scraping her teeth over the hardened nub before laving it with her tongue, Faith slowly works her way over to the other breast, giving it the same loving attention. Working her way down to the tender skin, where it meets the ribcage, Faith sucks and licks along the fleshy part for long moments, switching from one breast to the other and back again.

"Faith!" Tara whimpers, her hips arching up, rubbing against the slayer's body hovering over hers.

"Want somethin'?" Faith hoarsely questions, before licking strongly up and over the breast she was making love to.

"What part of me would you like in you?" Faith questions, smirking at the wanton whimpers escaping from Tara's lips.

"Damn it, Faith!" Tara grunts. "Lips, tongue, fingers, thumbs, any part of you that I can have!"

Faith stops teasing Tara and quickly works her way down her lover's body. "Your wish, is my command." She whispers, blowing a hot breath of air across the quivering muscle, begging for attention. Easing her tongue out, Faith strongly starts at the bottom of her lover's slit, sliding her tongue up and through the wetness literally seeping from her lover to stop and swirl around her lover's clit, before sucking the swollen muscle into her mouth to flick with her tongue.

Tara arches up off the bed as she explodes into her lover's mouth, groaning loudly as Faith continues pleasuring her, another orgasm working it's way through her body. Rotating her hips, pushing herself harder into her lover, she cries out loudly as she feels Faith ease a couple strong fingers inside her.

Easing her mouth away from her lover, to take in deep gulping breaths, Faith looks up at Tara's flushed body and the obvious pleasure crossing her face. "God, you're beautiful." Faith pants before diving back in, licking strongly over the muscle, making Tara whimper and moan. Stroking inside her lover, Faith presses firmly against her lover's inner muscle, rubbing in a tight concentrated circle.

"Shit, Faith! I'm gonna…." Tara's whole body stiffens as Faith's loving touch releases a flood from within Tara's body.

Faith groans as she laps up the sweet fluid pouring from her lover, keeping up the pressure inside Tara, not letting up at all. Not believing the fact that her lover is still coming, Faith moans into her sex, licking strongly, trying to capture all that her lover has to offer.

Tara's body keeps jerking up into Faith for long moments, before Tara whimpers and collapses onto the bed, her body completely spent. A warm fuzzy feeling working through her body as Faith eases back up her body.

Faith slides her body to where it's just barely brushing against Tara's, supporting herself on her hands and knees as she watches the most beautiful smile she's ever seen cross her lover's face. Feeling Tara's hands finally inch up and around her back, Faith chuckles as Tara tugs her down on top of her. "Weigh too much, babe." Faith hoarsely states.

"No." Tara answers, barely loud enough for the slayer to hear while shaking her head. Clasping her fingers together behind her lover's back, Tara sighs quietly, feeling a wave of love for her slayer working through her. "Love you." Tara tightens her grip.

"God, I love you too, babe." Faith reaches up to wrap her fingers through Tara's hair. "I can't stay like this all night."

"Sure…can." Tara nods her head, slowly feeling her body become heavy with sleep after the serious expenditure of energy.

"You falling asleep?" Faith questions, smiling as she gets another nod of the head from her lover. "You need to eat something, babe."

"No. I'll go get something. I don't want you going to sleep hungry, and you didn't eat much for lunch." Faith gently untangles Tara from her body.

"Damn, Faith!" Tara cries out, finally opening her eyes to look at her lover. "You better not be doing this just because I need to eat. You better be hungry."

"That's a stupid comment if I ever heard one." Faith grins at her lover. "Stay here. I'll go get food and bring it back. Do you prefer soda or water with dinner?"

"I'm thirsty, so water probably would be best." Tara shifts her body up onto her elbows looking at her lover.

"Plenty of food and extra waters to go around." Faith nods smiling as she grabs her jeans yanking them on and looks around trying to find her shirt, not seeing it handy, she grabs Tara's pulling it on, while smirking at her lover. "Not quite me, but what the hell."

Tara chuckles watching Faith. "I think yours might have made it into the bathroom."

Faith looks towards the bathroom door with a questioning lift of her eyebrow. "You're good if you made it in there."

"Of course I'm good." Tara smirks at her lover. "I thought that was already decided."

"No, you're not good." Faith shakes her head, walking back towards the bed, leaning over to kiss Tara softly. "You're spectacular, stupendous, sexy, and any other great s words I can think of."

"Hopelessly in love with you." Faith admits leaning in to place another kiss on Tara's lips. "Let me go get some food and drinks. I'll be back in a few."

Tara sips the mocha she bought while they wait for Willow's plane to land. Smiling at Faith who keeps running her hands innocently over the arm of the chair before sliding a finger out to rub over her hardening nipple. The first time she did it, Tara had raised an eyebrow to look at her lover, who just fluttered her eyelashes at her and grinned as innocently as possible. Though, with Faith, it wasn't that innocent. Chuckling, Tara shook her head and shifted her body around to make it easier for Faith to play.

"Have either of you tried sushi?" Tara questions looking over to Fred before glancing at her lover.

"Nah, I haven't." Faith shakes her head at the question, deciding to find something else to do to her lover. Hooking her arm around Tara's shoulders, Faith smirks as she plays with the collar of Tara's shirt before letting her fingers slide down into the v-neck opening to start playing over the swell of a breast.

"I like the majority of it." Fred answers looking around the bustling airport. "There's a few things that I don't much care for. I never cared for smoked salmon and some of the sushi uses it, so I don't much like those. But there's this one kind that's real good. Forgot what it had in it, but it was actually fried, I do remember it had cream-cheese, but I don't know what other ingredients."

"I want to try it." Tara smirks as she feels Faith's fingers get more adventurous. Leaning over to whisper in her lover's ear. "Would you like me to just take my shirt off and sit in your lap?"

"Hell, yeah!" Faith growls, grinning from ear to ear. Patting her lap, she looks hopefully at her lover.

"So? Fred could bring Willow out to the car." Faith wiggles her eyebrows. "Come on, dare ya'!"

"Don't you two get all hot and heavy here in the airport. They'll arrest you." Fred smiles looking around at the airport security. "They get downright mean about things like that."

"Damn, Freddy. You ruined all my fun." Faith pouts as Tara leans back in her seat. "I think she was going to do it!"

Tara raises an eyebrow at the note of excitement in the woman's voice. Turning she looks questioningly at Faith.

"Don't know. Makes me wonder." Faith smiles and shrugs her shoulders. Standing, she holds her hand out to Tara, smiling softly at her lover.

Tara laces her fingers with Faith's as she stands, before looking down the airport terminal, watching an obviously more confident, collected Willow walking calmly towards them.

"She looks better." Faith whispers eyeing Willow up and down. "Seems more together, doesn't she?"

"Yes. Hopefully she had enough time to get straightened out." Tara smiles as Willow finally reaches them. "You look good." Tara offer's the witch a hug, smiling as Willow embraces her gently.

"I feel a hundred percent better." Willow admits. "It was rough, but worth it. Thanks."

Faith shakes her head at her lover, before holding her hand out to Willow, surprised when the redhead hugs her tightly. Gently hugging her back, she looks with surprised eyes at Tara. When all she gets is a shrug in response, she laughs. "Looking real good, Red." Faith murmurs as Willow finally releases her.

"Thanks, Faith." Willow smiles softly at the slayer. "You look well and happy. As do all of you." Willow smiles looking towards Fred. "Hi, Fred."

"Well, let's get this show on the road." Willow states calmly. "Giles gave me a rundown of what's been going on. Sounds like bad news. The Coven sent some books ahead that should be at the house that might help us."

"Got bags to pick up?" Faith questions looking at the small carry-on that Willow has thrown over her shoulder.

"No. Only took a few essentials with me. Left everything else here." Willow starts walking towards the airport exit. "They pretty much clothed and fed me while I was there." Willow admits quietly. "Less distraction with everyone wearing the same clothes."

"Sounds like they helped you a lot." Tara glances sideways at the redhead walking beside her.

"They did. Made me realize where I went wrong and helped me understand the right and wrong way of using magic. How to properly channel my powers, and recycle them into the earth if I need to." Willow smiles before unzipping the bag as they walked to pull an item from inside. "The High Priestess wanted you to have this. When I explained to her everything that happened and how you tried to show me how to do the same things they were teaching me, she wished you to have this." Willow hands the small box over to Tara as they reach the car.

Tara frowns, glancing down at the box back up to Willow's expectant gaze. Easing the lid from the top of the box, she inhales at the crystal lying within.

"After I explained all about you, she became real thoughtful. She mentioned how there was a young woman she was friends with, by the name of Dianna MacIntosh. Later the woman married. Needless to say, Dianna mailed this to the High Priestess when she became worried that her husband was going to destroy it." Willow frowns as she thinks about all the High Priestess had said about Tara's father. "She tried to find you, to return this to you. She said your mother was a kind, loving soul. And that you obviously took after her."

"Goddess!" Tara exclaims, running her finger gently over the priceless crystal. "I never realized…I thought he found it and destroyed it." Tara looks up with tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Willow."

"I'm just the carrier service." Willow shakes her head, smiling softly. "It's where it belongs."

"It was my mother's strengthening crystal. It's been passed down through the generations for as long as anyone can remember, imbuing each new witch with the strength and the power of her previous ancestors when needed." Sighing quietly as she reverently replaces the lid over the crystal, she looks up into her lover's eyes, smiling. "It's pretty much a family heirloom that I thought gone forever."

"Want to keep it up front with you?" Faith hesitantly asks as she unlocks the trunk to stow away Willow's bag.

"No, I'll put it in our bag." Tara smiles softly at her lover. "Thank you, love."

Faith nods her head, unzipping the bag a small distance to place the box carefully within. Making sure it was zipped back up, she closes the trunk. "So, anything else guys, before we head towards Sunnydale?"

"We got any music to listen to?" Willow questions, smirking at the two women. "It's my understanding Faith can sing."

"Ah, hell!" Faith groans out loudly, to the laughter of the other women. "I'll only sing if everybody else does. 'Kay?"

"I can't sing, you know that." Willow pouts out glancing at Tara before climbing into the back seat beside Fred.

"I like to sing, but I ain't any good at it." Fred laughs looking at the other three women. "So, I'm game. If you three think you can put up with my caterwauling!"

"I guess we're singing on the way to Sunnydale." Willow groans. "Put something in that we can rock too!"

"You got it!" Faith growls out throwing Nickelbacks CD into the stereo and cranking up the tunes as they pull out of the airport heading towards Sunnydale.

The four women laugh as they hop out of the vehicle, grabbing their bags, walking up to the house. Tara smiles at the thought of how much calmer and easy going Willow is after her time in England. Chuckling quietly, she glances back at Willow and Fred who are still talking animatedly to each other. Glancing back she catches Faith's eyes. Leaning in she presses her lips against her lover's cheek. "I love you."

"Love you too, babe." Faith grins, her eyes twinkling merrily as she listens to Willow and Fred. "Bet ya' ten bucks." Faith wiggles her eyebrows glancing back at the two women.

"Nope. Don't feel like losing the money." Tara smirks at her lover as the door opens in front of them.

"Thank God you guys made it!" Dawn whines. "I'm about ready to kill a certain Potential." Dawn growls looking back behind her. "You won't have to worry about The First getting the bitch."

"Dawnie!" Tara chastises the young woman before hugging her quickly. "She can't be that bad."

"Just wait." Dawn smirks at Tara, hugging her back. "Faith, keep an eye open." Dawn wiggles her eyebrows tilting her head towards Tara.

"Just wait and see." Dawn whispers in Faith's ear. Looking towards Willow, Dawn squeaks and hugs her tightly. "Gosh, it's good to have you back. I've missed you." Dawn whispers before stepping back, looking the redhead up and down. "You look great."

"Fred! I didn't know you were coming." Dawn squeals and hugs the Physicist. "I don't know where we're going to put everybody, but I'm sure we'll find somewhere to stick you."

"Dawn, let them in the house." Buffy calls out jogging down the stairs, smiling. "We're probably going to have to double up for a while until the Council figures out living arrangements."

A voice from behind Buffy speaks up. "I'm willing to double up with the blonde."

Buffy lays a hand on Faith's arm and winks. "Kennedy, the blonde's name is Tara. Tara, the rude Potential is Kennedy. Kennedy, Tara belongs to my sister slayer, Faith. So, you can fight her over Tara." Buffy smirks as she steps aside to allow Faith to stride in towards the short Potential.

Kennedy's eyes widen and she backs up as an angry, dark haired slayer, comes striding towards her. "Oh, shit!!" She cries trying to backpedal away as quickly as she can, remembering what she heard about the woman.

"Love." Tara states, calmly stepping in front of Faith and wrapping her arms around her neck. As Faith shifts her head to glare at the potential, Tara shakes her head. "Look at me, love…Faith! Look at me." Tara sighs as she finally gets her lover to look at her. "No doing The First's job for him. If she makes it through this, you can beat her to a pulp afterwards, okay?" Tara smirks, a glint in her eye.

"Promise?" Faith growls, turning her narrowed gaze on the young woman that's almost hiding in the corner of the room. "We can always use her for vamp bait."

"Afterwards." Tara laughs quietly before leaning in and kissing Faith, successfully distracting her lover from the potential.

"That always works, now doesn't it?" Spike calls out, laughing quietly from where he's watching the fireworks. "She obviously needs a good distraction, she does."

"Shut up, Spike." Faith grinds out before smiling at Tara. "I'll take that kind of distraction all day, any day."

"I know you will." Tara smiles. "Where are we setting up camp?" Tara questions Buffy.

"You have a choice. You can either have Dawn's room or we set up a bed down in the basement." Buffy shrugs, frowning.

Kennedy slowly works her way back out of the corner after Faith and Tara leave the room. "Someone could have warned me." She pouts.

"What? Who new the stupid bint was going to hit on Glinda?" Spike questions looking around the group. "There you go. Maybe if we knew you were stupid enough to hit on someone before knowing what was going on, we might have given you a heads up."

Willow leans in to Fred. "Do you mind bunking down in my room?" She whispers quietly, deciding after that display, she definitely didn't want to share a room with Kennedy if at all possible.

"Fred and I are going to take our stuff up to my room." Willow announces, making eye contact with Buffy.

"I am NOT sharing my room with her." Dawn states adamantly. "I'll sleep on the couch first."

"Fine, sleep on the couch." Kennedy grumbles. "I don't understand why I have to move my stuff."

"Because we were allowing you to sleep in Willow's room until she got back. She's back and she's already sharing with Fred." Buffy growls threateningly, rolling her eyes as the potential runs upstairs. "Will somebody please kill me now!!" Buffy plops down beside Spike, groaning. "I'm seriously thinking about tying her up and gagging her."

"I'll help." Spike offers, smirking. "Let her hit on Glinda one more time, you won't have to worry about it."

Buffy chuckles. "I almost wish she would. I'd like to see her get her ass kicked."

"I'll take her out on patrol with me, if you want." Faith growls as she walks back into the kitchen, sipping on a soda.

"No. I won't go that far." Buffy shakes her head smiling at Faith. "Did you guys have a good trip?"

"Yes, we did." Tara smiles softly, walking up behind Faith, wrapping her arms gently around her lover's waist. "We had a good time, we sang and talked the whole way here." Tara glances towards Willow, nodding her head.

"Yep, everything's of the good." Willow smiles, completely at peace with Tara and Faith. "But I am in serious need of a shower. Fred, come with and I'll show you our room, so you can put your stuff away."

"Come on, let's go." Willow rolls her eyes at Spike. "And you need to behave, Spike. No picking on Fred. She doesn't know how to take you yet."

"I was being right nice, I was." Spike frowns and sticks out his chest. "I wasn't gonna pick on her much." He admits, smirking.

"B? Me and Tare are going to go to the hardware store. Do you need anythin' while we're out?" Faith questions, squeezing Tara's hands gently.

"I don't think so. Why are you going to the hardware store?" Buffy questions, frowning.

"Need a lock for our bedroom door. I don't want nobody walkin' in when me and the witch are getting it on." Faith admits, smirking.

"I'm not." Spike looks up, his interest obvious. "How often do you to get it on? Are you going to be disappearing a lot?"

Tara laughs loudly, looking at Spike, mischief in her eyes. "Depends on how you count, I guess. If you're talking literally, or if you're just talking in one continuous session. Literally, I guess, what? Roughly four times a day, love?"

Faith thinks on it for a few moments. "Apiece? That's about right. Sometimes more, but never less." Faith nods her head grinning. "But if you're just talking about us going at it different times, counting multiple lovings as one, it's probably around three times a day for both of us."

Buffy's eyes widen and she whimpers, looking from one woman to the other. "You're just fucking with him, right?"

Tara chuckles, raising an eyebrow at the blonde slayer before shaking her head. "We don't sleep a lot." Tara admits, grinning.

"Then we usually sneak away sometime during the day. Whether it's back up to our room or hiding somewhere in the hotel." Tara laughs as Buffy whines. "Just remember, this whole conversation happened because you didn't think ahead to have a lock on the inside of the basement door. Let's go, love."

Faith chuckles loudly as Tara drags her out of the house. "I think you like fuckin' with them even more than I do."

"I have found I get immense pleasure in keeping people off-balance." Tara admits grinning. "The thing is, they'll probably decide we're just screwing with them and not telling the truth."

"We weren't telling the truth. If we went literally, it would be more like six times apiece every day." Faith smirks as she hops in the car.

"We could count up orgasms instead. Let's see…" Tara trails off, as she thinks about the day before, silently adding up the orgasms she had. "Eight orgasms for me, if I didn't miss any."

Faith chuckles as she mentally counts hers up. "Damn, I got one more than you. I count nine for me. Means you get an extra one today." Faith wiggles her eyebrows, as she pulls out of the driveway heading to the hardware store. "Need anything else, while we're out?"

"No. Just you by my side." Tara smiles softly at her lover, easing in to snuggle against Faith.

Tara chuckles as she glances up, watching Faith and Buffy spar. Sliding a glance towards Kennedy, she smirks as the young woman watches the two slayers. Taking a break from researching, Tara leans back against the steps. Smiling softly as the two women's movements were almost a blur. Deciding to screw with the young potential, Tara glances over to her. "Could you imagine being hit by one of them? The power behind one of those blows could probably take your head off."

Kennedy's eyes get bigger at the thought, as she turns pale. "But they wouldn't, would they?"

"Depends. I know Faith's very territorial. Anybody does anything to me that she doesn't like, they better pray that they can make it out of the state before she gets wind of it." Tara nods her head watching her lover. "I mean before we even dated, she was ready to rip off Gunn's head."

"Yep. You'll get to meet him when the rest of AI team gets here." Tara smirks, watching her lover.

"She doing that on purpose?" Buffy whispers as she dodges another quick strike by Faith.

"Yepper." Faith smirks doing a quick spin kick, catching a glancing blow off Buffy's side. "Though she's telling the truth."

"Territorial? You?" Buffy sarcastically questions, grunting as Faith lands a solid punch to her gut. "Damn, Faith." Buffy shifts back for a moment, eyeing the slayer.

"Come on, B. I pulled that punch. Come and get me." Faith bounces on the balls of her feet, watching Buffy intently.

"Two potentials and one roughed up Watcher." Willow admits, before walking back in the house.

"Let me see if I can help." Tara marks her book, before quickly heading into the house.

"Got the extra cot set up in Dawn's room. Is the Council ever going to let us know about that damn apartment building they were trying to buy?" Faith growls angrily.

"It's not easy to just buy a place that quickly. They have to get the paperwork done and signed, money exchanged, etc…." Buffy rolls her eyes. "A bunch of shit, is basically what it boils down to."

"If we get a couple more people in this house, you're going to be busting at the seams. And I can guarantee you, I'm not sharing my space." Faith bitches. "If I don't get my quota of my witch, you'll end up with a very angry slayer on your hands."

"What's what?" Faith snarls looking over at the woman that still hasn't endeared herself to Faith.

"You're always calling Tara 'your witch'. Isn't that being a bit possessive?" Kennedy questions, as they walk into the house.

"No, because I am hers." Tara answer Kennedy as she grabs ice to place in the ice pack. "The watcher isn't too bad. He's pretty bruised, a few scrapes and one shallow cut, but all in all, he's fine."

Faith smirks, as she watches Tara walk out of the room. "See, my witch." Faith nods, following her lover.

Buffy chuckles. "Don't try to figure it out. Accept that they belong to each other and go on. It's the easiest thing to do."

"Faith's just as much Tara's as Tara is Faith's." Buffy shrugs. "They both admit it, and they're both okay with belonging to each other. Don't ask me, it's just the way those two work. But don't ever, ever come between them, or hurt one of them. Faith will rip you apart limb from limb. And God only knows what Tara might do. But I can guarantee you'll probably want Faith to dismember you first."

Kennedy stands in the kitchen, stunned as Buffy quickly strides into the living room to check on the new crew. "Tara's worse than Faith?" She questions the empty room, not believing it.

"Damn." Faith grumbles as she plops back on the couch, looking around at the apartment. "Okay, not the homiest place, but beggars can't be choosers."

"No, we can't." Tara smiles at her lover, as she finishes washing the dishes. "We're lucky they found somewhere that we can all live comfortably that's already furnished."

"But you did a damn good job of cleaning it." Tara smiles softly at her lover, as she dries and places the last dish away in the cabinet.

"We did a good job." Faith growls, looking over at her lover. "Now get your ass over here and cuddle with me. I haven't got my share of kisses today."

"Well, it didn't help matters that you picked the dirtiest apartment to make ours." Tara smirks at her lover as she sits down beside her.

"It was the only one that had one bedroom." Faith explains her reasoning. "I didn't want to have to share the apartment with one of the whiney brats."

"They're not all whiney, love" Tara lies down beside Faith on the couch, placing her head in her lover's lap. "Rhona's funny. She kind of reminds me of somebody else I know with her street tough attitude."

"Possibly." Tara smirks up at her lover. "We probably should check to see how all the other girls are getting settled."

"They're old enough to get settled on their own. Plus with the number of watcher's able to spread out between the rooms, they have enough baby-sitters." Faith grumbles as she strokes her fingers through Tara's hair.

"Yes, but I need to put up the protection spells around the apartment, plus Willow and I were going to make extra charms for any new people that show up."

"Yeah. It's great that you finally got that new spell to work that let's us know if it's The First we're talking to instead of the real person." Faith shivers uncontrollably as she remembers talking to, who she thought was Buffy, but was The First instead. "That is just totally freaky."

Tara smiles softly at her lover. "You wouldn't think it was that believable, would you? It's okay love, it won't get by with that anymore."

Faith growls before yelling out. "Come in!" When someone knocks on the door. Smiling as Dawn and Rhona quickly enter their apartment, shutting the door behind them.

"Can we stay here for a little while?" Dawn questions plopping down on the end of the sofa, picking Tara's feet up to lay across her lap.

Rhona shakes her head, laughing quietly as she plops down in a chair. "Little Drill Sergeant is driving us nuts. She's afraid of you two, so we figured she wouldn't look for us here."

"Trying to order everyone around. Tote that barge, lift that bale, etc…" Rhona rolls her eyes. "I want to know which brilliant watcher it was, that decided she'd make a good leader. Then I'm going to beat him upside the head to knock some sense in him."

"I think it was Johnson." Tara mutters, closing her eyes. "He seems to be the most arrogant ass out of the group. Plus he likes to delegate, so my money's on him."

"Pretty good. Most of us are pairing off okay, but nobody wants to share with Kennedy or Jasmine." Dawn rolls her eyes. "I think those two should have to share with each other."

"I don't know, but we have to get a plan to start training tomorrow. Most of the girls have basics down, but I want to start hitting them hot and heavy." Faith frowns as she thinks. "I don't like the fact that B's staying at the house with Spike by herself."

"But she has to. A lot of the Watcher's and Potentials has her address as where to go. Plus this damn town is almost becoming a ghost town." Dawn bitches quietly.

"Yeah, rats leaving a sinking ship." Rhona admits looking at the other women. "Should we maybe hit the stores before everything closes up and stock up on food?"

Faith sighs quietly and nods her head. "Probably. Even though, if most of the people are gone, the stores may already be closed."

"We can't go without food." Tara looks at her lover, frowning. "We'll have to help ourselves, try and keep a list of what we take and have the Council send the stores the money."

"The fresh stuff will probably go bad anyway. Won't they just write it off as a loss on their insurance?" Dawn questions as she thinks about it.

"Probably." Tara shrugs before smiling softly. "They ought to just give it to us anyway, after all the times the world has been saved because of slayer's."

"Yeah, what's a thousand dollars worth of food compared to world saveage." Faith grins down at her lover. "You two want to go with?" Faith questions looking from Dawn to Rhona.

"I'm in." Rhona stands up quickly. "Should we run by Buffy's to see if she needs anything while we're out?"

"Probably wouldn't hurt." Tara nods her head as she swings her body around to stand, quickly followed by Dawn and Faith. "When I get back I'll get with Willow to finish the protection spells, if you don't mind?" Tara questions looking towards Faith.

"Not at all." Faith grins at her lover. Watching as Rhona and Dawn head out of the apartment, Faith leans in to quietly question Tara. "Red and Freddy are sharing an apartment, aren't they?"

Tara chuckles and nods her head. "Yes, but I think it may be two separate bedrooms."

"Don't count on it. I caught them kissing the other day." Faith wiggles her eyebrows at her lover before striding out of the apartment, with a curious witch following quickly behind.

"Just did." Faith smirks back over her shoulder. "They didn't see me, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely."

"Damn, and no one told me!" Tara bitches quietly, before shaking her head. "I'll have to do some digging when I'm with Willow later."

"I'm coming." Tara laughs quietly before smacking her lover on the ass firmly. "Have I told you that you have an absolutely fabulous ass? Sometimes I have the urge just to eat it up."

"Hmmmm. I like the sounds of that." Faith growls turning around to pick Tara up and spin her around. "We haven't gotten much free time lately to get down and dirty. Think there might be a possibility?" Faith questions hopefully.

"Come on you two, we need to go shopping for food!" Dawn whines from beside the car.

"Stop your bitchin' runt." Faith growls out. "I was trying to make a date with my witch."

Rhona rolls her eyes. "You two live together, why are you trying to make a date?"

"Now, that ain't none of your business, now is it?" Faith growls at the potential, before laughing. "Let's get goin'."

"Damn, it even looks like the demons have left town." Buffy gripes as the group of potentials, being lead by Buffy and Faith patrol Sunnydale.

"Yes, well. The First Evil isn't something even the demons want to mess with." Giles mutters quietly, having gotten in from England a few days before. "Especially after they found out what happened."

"Yes, quite." Giles smiles briefly at the slayer. "Who would have thought The First would blow up the Watcher's Council? I'm glad you two thought to place protection spells around the apartment building and Buffy's house." Giles looks back smiling at Tara and Willow.

"And Kennedy actually came up with a good idea to set up cameras on the perimeter to over-lap, tied into the cable TV so we can keep track of what's going on outside." Buffy speaks up, still surprised at Kennedy's ingenuity.

"Yeah. Brat actually came up with a good idea." Faith glances towards the potential. Slowly the slayer was coming to like the young woman, but still liked to irritate her as much as possible.

"Don't forget Fred was the one that figured out how to run the wiring and get everything so it would work." Willow pipes up, smiling at the blushing Fred.

"It wasn't that hard." Fred downplays her part, before looking back up and smiling softly at Willow.

"Yeah, well I doubt any of us could have done it." Giles admits looking at the rest of the group. "When was Angel and the rest going to get here?"

"Sometime tonight." Buffy shrugs her shoulders. "It isn't like they can travel in the daytime."

"Yeah, the Poof would become dust buster feed." Spike snarks. "Not that that's a bad thing, mind you."

"Spike, please!" Buffy groans. "He's coming to help, can you at least try and get along?"

"Thank you." Buffy let's out a relieved breath of air. "Now what the hell are they up to?" Buffy questions quietly raising her hand to bring the group to a stop.

"I'll check it out." Faith growls, starting to quietly slip away. Planning on following the group of Bringers.

"Not without me." Tara slides up behind her lover, narrowing her gaze on Faith when she sees her lover is about to argue with her.

"Can do." Tara whispers before placing a small silence spell around herself and Faith, to keep the noise down to a minimum.

Buffy clenches her jaw watching the two women slip away. "Spike take up the rear, Willow move to the middle of the group, everyone make sure to keep your eyes peeled for any danger, and be prepared!" She hisses out quietly as she twirls the stake in her hand.

Faith silently sneaks to the outside of the building, quickly poking her head around the doorway to get a lay of the land. Looking back at Tara, she frowns at her lover. Leaning in till her lips are against Tara's ears, she whispers. "Since I know you won't stay out here, stay close, but be prepared to run the hell out of there if it gets bad."

"I'm not running and leaving you." Tara whispers back softly, looking seriously into her lover's eyes.

Faith clenches her jaws tightly staring into her lover's ungiving stare. "You can't protect me all the time."

"Why don't we bring the whole fuckin' group?" Faith growls, rolling her eyes. "Let's go."

The three women slowly work their way in the building, keeping an eye open for any trouble. When Faith comes to a sudden halt, Buffy and Tara look around the slayer watching as a couple bringers walk down a staircase. Faith looks back with a question in her eye at Buffy. At Buffy's quick nod, Faith eases silently towards the staircase. Pulling a knife out, she kneels beside the hatch and peeks quickly over the side. Not seeing anybody in the area visible, she nods her head towards Buffy who gingerly slips down the stairs, followed quickly by Tara. Faith glances around the room one more time before following the other two women.

Angel, Gunn and Wesley drive slowly around the ghost town of Sunnydale when Angel smirks and points at one of the cemeteries. "There they are. Park it here, we'll walk."

As the three men quietly walk up to the group, Spike smirks at his grandsire. "About bloody time."

"Shut up, Spike." Angel growls at the other vampire. "What are you doing? Playing come and get me, I'm standing here waiting for you?"

"Nah. The two slayers and Glinda decided to follow a group of Bringers to see what they were up to." Spike admits quietly. "We're baby-sitting this group of potentials, making sure nothing tries to make dinner of them."

Angel nods his head as he looks around the group, smiling at Fred and Willow. "Well, just to let you guys know, this here is Gunn and Wesley."

Gunn nods his head towards the group of mostly young women, his eyes looking questioningly as one of the girls narrows her gaze on him. Shaking it off he smiles. "Nothing like a midnight stroll in a cemetery, huh ladies?"

Wes smirks at Gunn before walking up to clasp Rupert's hand. "Glad to see you made it here in one piece. Got anymore ideas of what to do?"

"Not really." Giles rubs his forehead. "But if those three women don't get back here in a few minutes, I'm going to take the lot of these girls and go after them."

"About half an hour." Spike answers. "I say they get fifteen more minutes then we head in."

"Give them a chance." Willow speaks up softly. "We're talking about two slayers and a very powerful witch. They should be okay."

"Yeah, and remember when Buffy fought for her life with that damn Uber Vamp came a calling?" Spike snarls out. "It almost killed her before she was finally able to take it out. The Bringers ain't so much, but there's a lot of them, with just those three women against 'em, I don't like the odds much."

"Wes, Gunn?" Angel looks at the two men. "Be prepared. Spike, let's see what we can find out."

Willow raises an eyebrow as the two vampires silently leave. Looking over at Giles she whispers. "We going to trust those two not to kill each other?"

"Well, I don't see that we have much of a choice." Giles admits. "Hopefully them caring about the three women will override their natural animosity towards each other."

"They'll be okay." Fred pipes up. "Angel'll do anything to protect Tara and Faith. Especially Tara."

"Yeah. He kinda considers her family." Fred chuckles for a few moments. "Plus she's the only one that has balls enough to get in his face when he does something to piss her off. I think he respects that."

"I'll be damned." Giles mutters under his breath looking out towards the building in the distance, seeing a glint of white disappear inside.

"It doesn't hurt that her lover's Faith, either." Gunn smirks. "I was lucky that I didn't piss Faith off too much."

"You're the one that hit on Tara, right?" Kennedy questions eyeing the tall, muscular black man. "Tara made a comment about you a while back."

"Yep, that's me. The stupid black man that hit on Tara. She was trying to let me down softly and I thought she didn't want to date me because I was black." Gunn rolls his eyes.

"Tara isn't like that." Willow speaks up softly. "Skin color doesn't make a hill of beans difference to her."

"No, found that out. It was the fact that I was male, not black that did me in." Gunn shakes his head. "Almost worth having a sex change for that one. If it wasn't for the fact those two belong together, I might even consider it, if I had a fighting chance." Gunn chuckles.

Willow chuckles quietly. "I don't think you have a chance, Gunn. So I'd suggest you not even think about it." Willow unconsciously reaches out and grasps Fred's hand, lacing their fingers together as she talks with Gunn. "She's a wonderful woman, but her heart belongs totally to Faith. No question about that."

"No, there's not." Fred agrees quietly, smiling at Willow. "But sometimes things work out differently for a reason."

Willow's eyes light up, as she smiles softly at the woman. "Sometimes for the best reasons."

"You are a whore and deserve to die!" Caleb yells as Faith kicks him hard in the chest, making him fall back for a moment.

Buffy quickly swings her sword around, taking out three Bringers in one swipe. "Damn it! We've got to get the hell out of here!"

"Not before someone grabs that little treasure they're trying to keep us from." Faith pants, ducking Caleb.

"Hit the ground, Faith!" Tara yells loudly, sending a spell towards where Faith and Caleb are fighting, teleporting the ex-minister out of the building.

"Damn good timing." Faith grounds out, quickly hopping up, wincing at her broken ribs before quickly taking out a few more Bringers. "B, grab that thing and let's get the fuck outta here!!!"

"Need a little help, ladies?" Spike growls roughly, jumping down the stairs, quickly breaking the neck of one of the Bringers.

Angel comes down the stairs, game face on, growling loudly as he tears a swathe through a couple more Bringers, looking at the three women. "Do you three have a death wish?"

"Got it!" Buffy yells swinging the weapon, slicing easily through four Bringers in one fell swoop. "I like this thing!" Buffy smirks briefly, before losing the smile, her eyes widening. "TARA!"

Tara tries to dodge away, catching a knife slice in the ribs instead of the heart where it was headed.

"FUCKIN' BASTARD!" Faith screams at the top of her lungs, jumping over to the Bringer, slamming her fist into the man multiple times, while standing protectively over her fallen lover. Finally twisting his head with her hands to where she almost rips it off, Faith drops down beside Tara, pulling her shirt away to look at the wound.

"You're gonna need fuckin' stitches." Faith growls, ripping her tank top off and slicing it to make a bandage. Quickly pressing it against the witch's ribs and tying it off.

"Grab her, I'll lead the way out, with Angel and Spike following behind you." Buffy watches as Faith gingerly lifts Tara up in her arms. Turning she cuts a swathe through the Bringers leading the way out of the building, with Spike and Angel quickly following behind, keeping anyone from trying to sneak up on them.

"Dear, Lord!" Giles calls out hoarsely, as he watches the group quickly make their way towards them.

"Tara!" Willow hisses, seeing Faith's blood soaked tank top wrapped around her ex-lover. "Let's get her back to the apartment building now!"

"I'll drive her." Gunn yells as he runs back towards the truck, starting it up, bouncing over the curb to pull up beside the women, watching as Angel rips the door open, helping Faith ease inside with Tara.

Willow hops in the back of the truck, with Fred and Dawn quickly following her. "We'll see you at the apartment." Willow nods towards Buffy and the rest of the group as Gunn pulls quickly away, following Faith's directions on how to get to the apartment building.

Buffy watches silently as the truck hit's the road and takes off quickly. Frowning heavily, she glances down at the weapon in her hand. "We need to find out what this thing is. I feel an energy coming from it and it cut through the Bringers like butter." Buffy looks up at Giles. "I have a feeling this is going to help us win this fight." She admits softly, looking from one person to the other. "Let's head back to the apartment building. I guess pretty much everyone that's going to be here, is here now. So Spike and I will be there with you guys."

Spike turns to snarl at the vampire, but stops when Angel looks calmly at him shaking his head. "It's not anything to do with us. There's something else that I'm sure she doesn't know, that may come into play." Angel admits. "Just make sure the rest of the crew get back safe and sound."

Spike nods, hearing the sincerity in the Poofters voice. "Alright, let's move out, kiddies. I think we've had enough fun for the night." Spike looks briefly at Buffy, and grins as she winks at him.

Buffy and Angel stand quietly as the rest of the group works their way quickly out of the cemetery and towards town. Turning, she raises an eyebrow towards Angel. "So what do you have that's so important that I need to know?"

Angel sighs as they slowly start walking back towards the apartment building. "Has Tara spoken with you about the Amulet?"

"Damn." He whispers, looking up at the night sky. "I should have known she wouldn't say anything to anyone." Angel hesitates looking towards Buffy. "You're going to have to keep this quiet, but when Dawn came to stay with us, Tara, Faith, Cordelia and Dawn went to Caritas…." Angel proceeds to explain everything that happened, how he gave the Amulet to Tara, her knowing the significance of what it meant.

Buffy stands there in stunned silence, not moving. "Not her, Angel. Please." Buffy whimpers quietly. "We'll lose both of them, for sure if something happens to her."

"I know." Angel buries his hands in his pockets. "I'd gladly take her place, but it has to be her. Something about her powers activates the Amulet, causing the Hellmouth to close permanently, is all we can figure out. She knows what this calls for, Buffy. She realizes that her life compared to millions is worth it."

"Damn it!!! There has to be something else we can do!" Buffy growls angrily, wiping a tear from her face.

"Lorne's vision was very specific. She's the one to do this. I was hoping she might have spoken with you about it. Her keeping this inside can't be healthy." Angel admits quietly. "I'm actually surprised that she was able to keep it from Faith."

"Tara is a very surprising woman." Buffy admits softly, glancing up as she feels a vampire heading towards them, smiling softly as Spike quickly strides down the street. "Did you get everyone home, okay?" She questions quietly, leaning up to kiss him quickly, needing the closeness of her lover.

"Yeah. They were stitching up Glinda when I left. She'll be okay, just lost some blood and will be sore for a few days. But nothing serious." Spike admits quietly, looking from his lover to Angel and back. "You two talking about Glinda and the Amulet?"

"How did you know?" Buffy pulls back away from Spike, anger glinting in her eyes.

"She spoke with me about it a couple days after they got here." Spike admits. "She didn't want me to tell anybody. Even you, luv." Spike looks apologetically at Buffy. "She said somethin' about me being the only one, because I wouldn't talk about it with anybody else."

"In other words, you were the only one that wouldn't tell Faith." Buffy looks down, finally letting go of the anger in her. "She's probably right."

"She knows you would have probably sided with Faith, luv. Would insist on her leavin' like you did with the demon and carpenter." Spike admits softly. "If Dawn hadn't put up as much of a fight as she did, you would have made sure she was away from this place, also."

"I'd have everyone away from here, if I could." Buffy admits nodding her head. "I'm going to have to keep this to myself, aren't I?" She looks up accusingly at the two vampires.

"It's either that or you're gonna have a very pissed off witch mad at you." Spike shrugs his shoulders. "It's what it is, luv. Hopefully there'll be a way around it, but if not, it's not a bad way to go. Saving millions, even billions of lives? What the hell, I'd even like to go out like that." Spike smirks at Buffy.

"Come on, let's go see how she's doing." Buffy leans against Spike as he wraps an arm around her, the three silently making their way back to the apartment building.

"Oh, my God!" Willow hisses as she comes across the description of the weapon the women had found a few weeks ago.

"Here." Willow slides the book towards Tara watching for her reaction. "I am reading it right, right? It's a weapon forged for the Slayer, to call forward all slayers. It will make all the potentials slayers?"

Tara slowly looks up, with a stunned look on her face. "I saw a spell…." Tara trails off shifting through the spell books 'til she comes across the correct one. Flipping through the pages, she finally stops, reading over one particular spell twice to make sure. Closing her eyes and leaning back in the chair, she sighs deeply. "I think we finally got our boon."

"What was that, babe?" Faith comes in her arms full of groceries where everyone went on a food run, but the two witches, to load up cabinets and refrigerators as much as possible.

"Get Giles, Buffy, Spike and Angel in here." Tara looks up at her lover before standing, taking a couple bags from her. "We need to discuss this with the main group first, make sure that we aren't mistaken."

"Be right back." Faith quickly runs out of the room, seeing the serious look on her lovers face.

Quickly placing the cold items in the refrigerator, Tara sets the bags down on the counter to worry about the rest of the items later.

As the group files in, Tara nods towards Willow for her to start. As the two witches explain what they found, and Giles re-reads over the information, the group sits in stunned silence.

"That explains why they were trying to keep us from finding it." Buffy whispers looking at the weapon in question. "Get everything you need together. I want to do this as soon as possible. I don't want to give The First and his goon squad any more time than necessary."

"I think we need to do some serious sneak attacks on any and all Bringers we come across, to wipe them out before we do this." Faith offers quietly, looking quickly at Buffy.

"I agree." Giles nods his head glancing towards Faith. "I suggest that you split the girls up into two groups, with Spike and Buffy leading one group, while Faith and Angel lead the other group. Work your way completely through Sunnydale, taking out anything and anyone that will be an opposition to us. Don't take any chances, but wipe out as many as you can."

"We'll get the spell ingredients together, to do the spell." Willow offers quietly, glancing briefly at Tara.

Tara nods looking back. "You'll be doing the spell. The way it reads, we're going to need to be close to the Hellmouth, using it's power flow to make it work. So, I guess that means I'll be going into the Hellmouth with the potentials, Buffy, Faith, Spike and Angel, while you keep the watchers a couple potentials along with Gunn and Wes with you for protection while you do the spell." Tara looks at the group for their confirmation to this idea. "Does that sound like the best way to handle this?"

"Why are you going into the Hellmouth?" Willow frowns, looking at Tara before glancing up at a sad faced Buffy, and a stony faced Faith. "What is it that I don't know?"

"It seems I have my own part to play in this little drama." Tara admits, smiling crookedly. "Nothing that you need to worry about. Everyone does their part and hopefully most of us will make it out of this thing in one piece." Tara glances down re-reading the spell, making notes on what ingredients they'll need.

Buffy snarls, before turning on her heel and slamming out of the apartment, closely followed by Spike.

Faith narrows her gaze on the empty doorway that Buffy and Spike just disappeared out of before turning her gaze on an uncomfortable looking Angel, and a confused watcher. "What the fuck is going on?" Faith growls loudly, before turning her gaze on her lover. "I've had enough. I know you've been keeping somethin' from me, and I want to know what it is!!"

Tara pales, looking at her angry lover. "Faith, I don't think this is really the time…."

"I don't much fuckin' care if you think it's time or not. Now, damn it!!! Fuckin' tell me what you've been keepin' from me!" Faith yells, her face turning red with anger.

"Guys do you mind?" Tara whispers looking at the rest of the group with sad eyes. Her eyes lighting for a few long moments on Angel. "Go ahead, Angel." She lets him know it's okay to tell the rest of the group.

Angel nods his head silently as he follows the confused Watcher and Redhead out of the apartment, gently closing the door behind him.

Faith crosses her arms across her chest, looking down at her lover, with an ungiving stare on her face.

"Please, love." Tara whimpers looking at her lover's cold face, never having it pointed towards her before. Tears coming to her eyes, she glances down, nervously picking at the edge of the spell book.

Faith clenches her jaw multiple times, watching Tara. Finally easing her stance when she sees the tears fall from her lover's eyes. "Damn, it, Tara!" Faith whispers, reaching over to grasp the witch up, hugging her gently. "Tell me, please?" Faith hoarsely whispers, running her hands up and down the shaking witch's back.

"I'm sorry, love." Tara whimpers, squeezing Faith tightly. "This has to be done, and I know you're not going to like it. The only reason I kept it from you was so that we could have this time together without it hanging over our heads."

"Tell me." Faith picks Tara up, walking into their bedroom to slowly climb up on the bed, gathering the witch to her, holding her tightly against her body.

Haltingly, Tara explains what the Amulet does to the best of her knowledge, how it would use her essence, her life force to activate, sealing the Hellmouth once and for all. How she'd been researching, finally coming across a spell that would make The First flesh and blood. How with the help of her mother's crystal, she would have enough power to do the spell against The First, with enough left over to make the Amulet work.

Faith strokes down Tara's back, tears rolling down her face at her lover's words. "I'm staying there with ya'." Faith states calmly.

"No, love." Tara shakes her head. "I want you to continue to fight for the greater good. The new slayer's are going to need to be taught about their powers. Who better than another slayer to teach them?" Tara tries to explain.

Tara sighs, running her fingers over Faith's neck. Deciding not to argue with the slayer, she shifts to hug her tightly, placing a loving kiss on her lips. "How angry are you at me?"

Faith looks into the blue eyes she's come to realize she can't live without. "Angry. But I kinda understand why you did it. You were afraid I'd make you leave."

"Yes." Tara admits softly. "No matter what, the need of the many outweigh the few." Tara smiles sadly at her lover. Gently Tara brushes away the lingering traces of tears from her lover's face.

"You sure I can't talk you into runnin' away?" Faith questions softly, raising an eyebrow at her lover.

"No. Are you sure I can't talk you out of staying there with me?" Tara grins crookedly at Faith.

"Love me." Tara smiles curling up against her slayer. "I've never, ever been happier in my life than I have been with you. I thank the Goddess every day for you."

The two women quietly hold each other, stroking softly over a side or back, placing a gentle kiss on a cheek, neck and lips. Never taking it any further through the next couple hours, just basically holding each other, with an occasional whispered I love you floating out into the quiet room.

"Let's go." Faith states looking at the group that are morosely sitting around Willow's apartment. "Time to kill some Bringer's." She growls angrily, before turning on her heels to gather up the rest of the potentials so they can meet down in the garage.

Buffy glances up at the now empty doorway, surprised to see Faith. Sitting there stunned for a few minutes, only coming out of the trance as Tara walks in, carrying a couple books.

"You guys need to do the patrol. Kill as many of them as you can, and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid." Tara turns calm blue eyes on Angel. "I'm holding you personally responsible if she gets hurt."

Angel nods his head in acceptance before quickly leaving the apartment without saying a word.

"Buffy, a moment, please?" Tara softly requests, walking over to the furthest corner of the room with Buffy following silently behind. "I have something very important that I'm going to ask of you." Tara turns to look at the blonde slayer.

"When it comes time, I want you to make sure to get Faith away from there. By whatever means necessary." Tara states softly, looking into the slayer's eyes intently. "Then take care of her. Try and help her as much as possible through this."

Buffy nods, not able to say anything as she feels her throat constrict. Reaching out, she hugs Tara tightly before releasing her to quickly stride out of the apartment, followed by the rest of the crew, leaving Willow, Dawn and Fred sitting around the apartment.

"Well, let's get everything prepared." Tara sits down across from Willow flipping open a book.

Dawn curls up in a little ball on the couch, silently crying, with Fred gently patting her back.

"Dawnie. It'll be okay. Faith's going to need your help, so you're going to need to be strong." Tara looks up at the teen. "Can you do that for me?"

"It's not fair!!" Dawn cries, jumping up off the couch to run to Tara, collapsing against the woman.

"Unfortunately life isn't fair." Tara whispers, stroking her hands through the teens long dark hair. "I've had a good life, sweetie. I've known the love of two wonderful women." Tara glances up to smile softly at Willow. "And I wouldn't trade a single moment of it. Now, be strong. We don't know what will happen. One way or another this will all be over within the next couple days. Plus I'm putting you in charge of Faith. You're going to need all the help you can get." Tara smiles softly at the teen, as she finally looks up with swollen red eyes.

"I think I'd rather do what you're going to do, instead of dealing with Faith." Dawn mutters.

Tara laughs, smiling lovingly at the teen. "Sorry, I wouldn't want to deal with her, either!"

"Come on, Dawn. Let's get some ice cream." Fred offers quietly, standing slowly, looking towards Tara and nodding her head.

"That sounds good. Can I have a small bowl?" Tara questions watching as Dawn finally stands.

Willow silently watches Tara for a few moments before sighing quietly. "Let's do everything we can to beat this asshole." She mutters looking from Tara's blue eyes down to the book, quickly making notes.

"Caleb, you mother-fucker!! You're mine!" Faith yells jumping up and over two Bringers, letting Angel take care of them. Swinging the Scythe Buffy insisted she take, she snarls at the preacher.

"Mighty sassy, for a whore, aren't you?" Caleb smirks at the slayer, watching as Faith twirls the weapon. "I think you got something of mine." He nods towards the weapon.

"Nope. Belongs to a slayer. Right now, that's me." Faith growls out loudly. Faith jumps towards the preacher, swinging the weapon barely missing Caleb as he jumps back away from her swing. "Come to me, you sick son of a bitch." Faith snarls as she spins the weapon around and around in an ever faster arc before jumping to close the ten yard distance between them, swiping at the evil monster, taking his arm.

"YOU ARE DAMNED!" Caleb screams out in pain as his arm falls from his body, black goo oozing from the wound. Looking at the slayer with black eyes, he snarls up his nose, swinging with his other arm, clipping Faith on the jaw as she tries to dodge the swing, making her grunt in pain.

"That ain't gonna do it, you fuckin' prick!!" Faith yells swinging the weapon quickly, twirling it around the preacher, slicing him here and there before taking her fist slamming it up hard into his jaw, lifting him up in the air. Watching as he falls back on the ground, finally stunned, Faith jumps up, twisting her body in the air as she brings the blade of the weapon down on his neck, severing his head from his body. "DON'T FUCK WITH A SLAYER!" She screams at the dead body.

"Oh, my, my." The First claps his hands glancing down at the now lifeless corpse of his right hand man. "I never would have thought you were the one to take him. He was planning on hanging your head on his wall when this was done." The First smirks as he strides around the slayer.

"Shut the fuck up. You're gonna be next." Faith growls, striding back towards Angel and the potentials who are surrounded by dead bringers.

"Your little witch is going to die. She's going to go straight to hell. Do not pass go, go straight to hell!" The First laughs mockingly at the slayer, switching to Buffy's body. "You know, if she was smart she would have picked me to be her lover. I would have taken much better care of her than you ever could." The First runs his hands over the body he's portraying.

"You don't know shit, you stupid fuck." Faith growls, raking her eyes over the First. "You just wish you had a body so you could touch her. But you know what?" Faith questions walking up to The First, poking her hand through the incorporeal body. "You can never touch something that pure. If you were ever able to touch her, her purity and goodness would streak straight to your heart, killing you. Go find some more minions. You're runnin' out." Faith snarks turning on her heel, leaving the area with the rest of the group following silently behind her.

"Yes. Having him out of the way is one big plus on our side." Angel frowns as he hears fighting in the distance. "Hear that?"

"Yeah." Faith nods. "Come on, girlies. We got somethin' happenin' up ahead! Let's double-time it." Faith takes off at a quick jog, followed by the potentials, with Angel bringing up the rear, keeping an eye out for an ambush.

Faith snarls as she watches Buffy fighting the Uber Vamp. "Yo! B!" She yells, tossing the weapon to Buffy, watching as she reaches up without looking, grabbing it out of the air before spinning around and taking the head of the vampire cleanly and quickly.

"Thanks." Buffy nods her head, panting. "Everyone okay?" She questions looking at the group.

"A couple bruises and cuts, but nothing major." Spike states after looking at the last potential.

"How many of them did you come across tonight?" Faith questions about the Uber Vamp.

"That's the second one. The first one, Spike and I double-teamed. This one I took on while Spike helped the girls with the bringers." Buffy quickly explains looking over the bringers lying dead, scattered around the ground.

"I wonder how many of those bastards The First has got?" Faith growls hoarsely looking around.

"I don't know, but we don't have to worry about Caleb anymore." Angel smirks looking towards Buffy.

"Nope." Angel shakes his head, pointing towards Faith. "She took him out. Then The First came to pay her a little visit."

"Stupid bastard." Faith snarls at the thought of The First Evil. "Like Tara would ever pick you over me." Faith smirks at Buffy, confusing the other slayer. Laughing, Faith starts heading back to the apartment complex.

"He decided to take your form and say you would treat Tara much better'n me. He's gettin' desperate. I think he's finally realizing that his ass is going to be so much shit to scrape off out boots when this is done." Faith chuckles. "We probably took out around thirty Bringers, along with Caleb and one Uber. What did you get?" Faith questions, wondering how good a night they had.

"Two Uber's and roughly…" Buffy trails off trying to think about how many Bringers they might have wiped out.

"Forty Bringers." Buffy shrugs smiling. "I'd say we had a damn good night. Just a few minor wounds."

"Probably be for the best. Don't give him time to build up more of an army." Buffy nods her head. "As long as everything else falls into place, I say we head to the Hellmouth late tomorrow afternoon."

"The Poof and I can go by tunnel access, be in the school whenever you need us." Spike speaks up. "I know the quickest way there. And it ain't like we're going to run into any resistance, since all the other demons have left town."

"We'll get with the rest of the group, make sure everything's set." Buffy tucks her hands in her pockets. "You okay?" Buffy whispers, glancing at Faith.

"No." Faith shakes her head. "I don't think I will ever be okay about this. But it's not like I have much of a choice in the matter."

"I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm really sorry, Faith." Buffy whispers looking down at the sidewalk.

"Yeah, well. My life was pretty much shit until she arrived. I guess I can thank whoever it was that sent her to me, for letting me have these past six months with her." Faith quietly states looking up at the starry night. "There's worse ways to go out, than us going out in a blaze of glory, huh?" Faith chuckles. "Plus I plan on going home and making love to my witch all night and all morning long. So heads up all you kiddies. Don't come knockin' on our door, unless you want to get your head knocked off." Faith yells at the rest of the group.

"What about me, luv?" Spike yells back, making a few of the Potentials chuckle and Angel elbow him.

"I'll have Tara teleport your ass somewhere warm and sunny." Faith growls, laughing.

"She's already threatened to do that to me once!" Spike grumbles loudly. "Ain't fair of you to threaten it, too!"

There's chuckles and good natured ribbing as the group finally make it back to the apartment building, the crew working their way to their various rooms.

Faith stops outside Willow's open apartment door, before stepping in. Smiling softly, she looks at Dawn asleep on the couch with Tara softly stroking her hand through the teens hair. "How she doin'?" Faith hoarsely questions.

Tara looks up, smiling softly at Faith. "Upset. But doing better." Tara notices the slight bruise on Faith's jaw while she continues her inventory of her lover, not noticing anything else. "How was tonight?"

"Good." Faith nods her head. "Between the two groups we took out roughly 70 bringers, three ubers and Caleb."

"You did?" Tara questions, her eyes lighting up in appreciation. "That's going to hurt The First. He can't have too many more bringers laying about. And it's about time we were able to kill that bastard Caleb." Tara growls quietly. "Three Ubers? I wonder if he has any more of them?"

"Don't know." Faith shrugs. "Can we go home, babe?" Faith whispers looking softly at her lover.

"Of course." Tara answers smiling gently. "Dawn, honey? I'm going back to my apartment with Faith. Go ahead and sleep here." Tara gently eases out from the mumbling teen, shifting the blanket up to cover her more fully.

Faith threads her hand through Tara's as they work their way to their apartment. "I already forewarned the groups that they better not come by tonight or tomorrow morning. I told them we were goin' to be gettin' busy and didn't want to be disturbed."

Tara laughs quietly as they walk into the apartment, shutting and locking the door behind them. "Did you want something to eat, love?" Tara questions softly, knowing her lover was probably hungry since she hadn't eaten for the last six hours.

"Yes and no." Faith answers wrapping Tara up in her arms. Resting her head on her shoulder, Faith continues quietly. "Yes, I am hungry and I should probably eat. However, I want to spend every spare moment wrapped up around you, or making love to you."

"Oh, love." Tara runs her hands through her lover's hair. "How about I make you a couple sandwiches real quick? You can still stay close while I'm doing that."

"Okay." Faith smiles before placing a gentle kiss on Tara's neck before loosening her grip around her lover. Following close behind, Faith smirks as she wraps an arm around Tara's waist as she watches the witch pile up two sub rolls with a pound of different meats and cheeses, before grabbing out a couple huge bottles of water. "That for me?" Faith questions, laughing as Tara pulls down a huge bag of chips setting it beside the plate.

"Yes, it is. I ate a little something earlier over at Willow's." Tara admits smiling. "Want to eat in the bedroom?" Tara questions softly.

"You're gonna let me eat chips in the bed?" Faith raises an eyebrow in question.

"Yes." Tara smirks. "Come on, love." Tara grabs the waters while Faith grabs her sandwiches and chips. Setting the waters down on the nightstand, she relieves Faith of the sandwiches and chips, placing them on the edge of the bed.

Faith watches her lover curiously, chuckling as Tara quickly and efficiently strips her before she disrobes herself. "What am I supposed to do now?" Faith questions glancing down at her now naked body.

"You are going to climb up on the bed and eat your dinner." Tara points, smiling. Watching as Faith climbs on the bed, propping her back against the headboard and grabbing a sandwich to slowly start eating it. Tara's eyes shift to follow her lover's body from her feet up over her calves, to her muscular thighs, the small trimmed area of her mound, over the muscular stomach, to the delicious breasts with the brown nipples slowly hardening, up to the heated brown gaze watching her.

Faith swallows her bite of sandwich as she notices the dark blue of her lover's eyes after they finish lovingly looking over her body.

Tara smiles as she climbs on the end of the bed, slowly kissing her way up Faith's body. "Finish your dinner, love." Tara whispers as she glances up noticing Faith stopped eating. "I'm just planning on having a little after dinner dessert myself."

Faith whimpers at her lover's words. Unconsciously, Faith shifts her legs further apart, reaching out absentmindedly for the other sandwich as she watches Tara slowly work her way up one thigh, stopping short of her now aching center, to slide over to the other leg, slowly kissing and running her hands up that leg.

Tara smiles as she hears Faith whimper repeatedly. Slowly kissing up her lover's inner thigh, she inhales deeply of Faith's musky scent. Sliding her body to lie flat on the bed, her face just inches away from her lover's most intimate area, Tara eases a hand up to gently stroke over the silken, damp flesh of her lovers outer lips, smiling as Faith groans and shifts her legs even further apart, enticing her to explore further. Reaching up with her other hand, Tara gently separates her lover's outer lips, stroking a finger down each side, before sliding one hand forward, traveling through the abundance of juices escaping from her lover.

Smiling as she looks upon her lover's swollen clit, poking out from it's hiding place, Tara gently raises her other hand to uncover the swollen muscle so it's there in all it's glory, just waiting to be caressed. Leaning in the short distance, Tara breaths a hot breath of air over the muscle, making Faith jerk up, crying out quietly. Pursing her lips, Tara blows out a cooler breeze of air across her lover, glancing up to see Faith's half lidded eyes watching her intently, her sandwich forgotten in her hand. "Finish your sandwich, love." Tara smiles softly as Faith blinks a couple times turning to look at her hand, frowning.

"I'm not going to continue until you finish your sandwich." Tara smirks at her lover as Faith's eyes widen and she starts to quickly eat her sandwich. Looking back down over her lover's body, Tara leans down and softly strokes her tongue around the sensitive nub, being careful not to come into contact with the swollen muscle.

"Tara!" Faith whimpers out her lover's name, shoving the empty plate off the bed.

"Oh, no. Not tonight, my greedy slayer." Tara murmurs, lapping around her lover's body, stroking her tongue over the outer lips, gathering up all the juices lovingly. "Tonight I'm going to worship you." Tara shifts her body back down the bed, grasping Faith's hips to urge her to lay down more comfortably. "And I'm going to spend hours doing it." Tara admits, bringing Faith's legs up, so they're bending at the knees. Grasping a pillow, she urges Faith to raise her hips as she slides it under her butt cheeks. Settling her body between her lovers thighs, Tara slowly strokes over her lover's quivering sex, gently sliding a finger in her needy center, playfully circling around before easing the digit out of her love.

Wrapping an arm around one leg, Tara leans in to lick firmly up her lover, finally stroking her tongue over the swollen muscle, making Faith buck up in response. "Hmmm. So good." Tara murmurs licking her lips before separating her lover as much as possible, diving in with her tongue, reaching as deeply inside Faith as she possibly can, wiggling her tongue around inside her lover, making her squirm and cry out. Burying her tongue, Tara curls it up to stroke over her lover's inner walls while rubbing her nose against her lover's aching clit, groaning into Faith as her lover's inner muscle clench down on her tongue, as Faith cries out her release. Licking up all the juices from her lover, Tara runs her tongue over the sensitive inner nerve endings at the entrance of her lover as she starts with barely soft brushes of her nose against her clit, slowly working her way up to a hard rhythm, as Faith starts rocking against her. Sliding her hand into position, Tara quickly replaces her tongue with three fingers before clamping down on her lovers swollen nub, squeezing it gently between her teeth as Faith screams out her name as she arches up hard into her lover's mouth.

Tara pants heavily, lapping over her lover with a firm tongue, making the muscle start to quiver again, quickly sucking the muscle in her mouth, Tara sets up a strong, continuous sucking as Faith jerks, her body almost trying to get away from the immense pleasure Tara's giving her, as she feels another orgasm shooting through her body.

"Sweet, fucking GODDDD!!!!" Faith arches up, her whole body shaking with pleasure. "No more, no more." Faith whimpers as Tara eases off her sensitized clit. As Tara flicks her tongue over the muscle again, Faith screams silently, her voice temporarily gone, as she climaxes again with the single stroke over her sensitive flesh. Reaching down, Faith tries to urge Tara up her body, to give her a chance to recuperate.

"No, love. You're mine tonight, remember?" Tara hoarsely mutters, before sliding two fingers in her lover, going after the woman's G-spot with a vengeance. Placing one hand on her lover's stomach, Tara firmly presses down as she strokes continuously inside her lover, rubbing over the muscle inside her. "I want more." Tara growls leaning down, sucking the muscle into her mouth gently, groaning as it gives up even more of the slayer's hot, sweet essence. "That's it, love." Tara moans, feeling her lover's body tensing, the muscles clamping repeatedly against her fingers, the quivering thighs as Faith grasps the comforter in her hands, literally ripping it apart as she whimpers out her climax before passing out, her body collapsing back on the bed.

Tara gently cleans her lover with her lips and tongue, smiling as Faith still jerks against her, the swollen muscle in front of her spasming continuously as it eases out even more of her lover's juices. Not able to resist, Tara reaches out to lick up the escaping juices, moaning as she feels her lover climax again at her gentle touch. Pressing her tongue softly against her lover, Tara doesn't move or stimulate the muscle, she just strokes her hands softly over her lovers thighs while pressing softly against Faith, smiling as another tremor works it's way through her lover, giving up even more of the delectable nectar. After a few minutes of lying there, and a couple more orgasms, Tara finally slides away from Faith, easing the pillow out from underneath her lover's hips to lie beside her, running her hands lovingly over Faiths side, stomach, chest and neck, occasionally stroking down her cheek.

"I love you so much." Tara whispers to Faith, smiling softly. "I hope one day you may forgive me." Shifting Faith's arm up, Tara snuggles in against her side, pressing a soft kiss against the slayer's breast while cupping the other breast in her hand. Softly rubbing her thumb over the hard nipple, as she slowly falls asleep, tears silently falling from her eyes.

Faith yawns and stretches her aching body, moaning at her still quivering flesh. "What the fuck did you do to me?" Faith growls looking for Tara. Frowning when she doesn't see her lover, she rolls out of bed, onto shaky legs. Feeling the heat coming from her body, she curiously runs a hand down over her sex, groaning and leaning against the wall as she brushes over her still sensitive clit. Whimpering as another orgasm works through her body. "Fuck me." Faith leans her head against the wall, quickly pulling her hand away from her flesh. Opening the bedroom door, she stops, when she sees a smirking bleached blonde vampire glancing her way. "Damn it! Tara get in here!" Faith yells, turning on her heel to walk back into the bedroom.

"I think that's our cue to leave." Giles quickly stands looking at the people. "Plan on Spike and Angel heading through the sewers from here around 4:00 and we'll meet up with them at the school at 4:30. Until then, I suggest everyone try and get some rest." He looks intently at Tara, who just smirks back at him.

"I've already got all the rest I need." Tara raises an eyebrow daring anyone to argue with her. "We'll meet up with you down in the garage at 4:00." She nods as the rest of the crew quickly leave the apartment. Shutting and locking the door, Tara glances towards her bedroom doorway. "You can come out, love they're all gone."

"What the fuck were they doing here to begin with?" Faith strolls out, trying to keep her legs from squeezing her sensitive flesh together, finding out when she sat down, crossing her legs on the bed that she put too much pressure on her flesh and had another orgasm.

"Finalizing the plans." Tara scoops out a big bowl of chili for Faith handing it to her. "Do you like peanut butter sandwiches with your chili?"

"Here, try it." Tara smiles handing Faith a half a sandwich. "Dip it in and take a bite."

Faith looks curiously from her sandwich to her chili. Shrugging her shoulders and muttering. "What the hell." She dips the sandwich in before pulling it out and taking a hefty bite. Chewing for a few moments, she looks up in surprise at Tara. "That's actually pretty good."

"That's the way I like to eat it." Tara smiles, leaning against the counter, looking over her lover's body. "How come you're not wearing any clothes, love?"

Faith's eyes narrow on Tara. "What the fuck did you do to me?" Faith sets down the bowl while easing up in front of Tara. Clasping her hand gently around the witch's, she lightly skims the witch's fingers over her aching clit, whimpering as another orgasm shoots through her body. "The fuckin' slightest pressure makes me cum!"

Tara laughs quietly. "Sorry, love. I guess I might have gotten carried away. Hopefully in a few hours you won't be so sensitive." Tara unconsciously lifts her damp fingers up to her lips, sucking them clean.

Tara looks at Faith confused. "What's going to help?" She questions before reaching a hand up to stroke through Faith's tousled brown hair.

"You, doing the sexy thing where you suck and lick my juices from your fingers." Faith growls, leaning in to kiss Tara firmly. "See, you taste like me."

"Nothing wrong with that." Tara smiles before leaning in and kissing Faith deeply.

"Almost 12:30." Tara admits, slowly kissing her way down Faith's neck. "Want to go back to bed?" Tara murmurs into Faith's neck before sucking strongly on the slayer's pulse point.

"Yeah. But it's my turn this time." Faith growls, throwing Tara over her shoulder as she strides into the bedroom, as Tara laughs, crying out her name.

It's a quiet, but expectant group that spreads out through the high school. A couple watchers down each corridor, with guns and other assorted weapons.

Faith walks besides Tara with a pump action shotgun over her shoulder loaded with hardwood slivers, multiple stakes stuck in her pants pockets along with a knife and a sword strapped to her back. Swallowing she glances over at her lover with the short sword in the make shift holder at her side, the Amulet around her neck and her mother's crystal tucked away in the front pocket of her jeans.

"This is the best place for you to set up." Buffy motions to Willow. "There's only the one entrance in or out. Kennedy, Rhona you're to stay here with Willow and Fred. Kennedy, you're the fastest runner, you know where the Hellmouth is. You get that weapon down to us as soon as the spells complete." Buffy looks hard at the potential. "Rhona, you stay and help fight whatever might get by us, or come through from other areas."

"Wes, Gunn, Giles your job is to protect these four at all costs." Buffy takes a deep breath, looking at the rest of the potentials, Tara and Faith. "Spike and Angel should be waiting for us up ahead. We get the fun job of playing in the Hellmouth." Buffy glances quickly up at Tara's blue eyes, frowning. "Let's go. We got some ass to kick. Everyone, try and stay alive." Buffy almost chokes on the words as she turns to stride down the hallway, followed by the rest of the group.

As they came to a halt on the Hellmouth, Buffy looks at Spike and Angel, nodding her head. "You two ready?"

"Always ready for a good fight, luv." Spike smirks, throwing away the toothpick he was chewing on.

"Be careful you don't trip and stake yourself on that." Angel snarls at the blonde vampire. "I'm ready." He finally states quietly, pulling a stake out from his jacket.

Tara glances around at the obviously nervous and scared Potentials, before her eyes settle on her lover. Looking over her lovers features, Tara smiles. Grabbing Faith strongly behind the neck, she jerks her in for a long, rough kiss. Pulling back looking in the surprised eyes of her lover, Tara hoarsely calls out. "I'm ready."

"Let's kick some ass." Faith growls looking into the blue eyes of her lover, watching as they slowly get paler.

"And it begins." Buffy mutters, cutting her palm to open the seal to the Hellmouth. As the group quickly enters and spreads out, there's a few gasps as they look out into the cavern, seeing the multitudes of Uber Vamps, the Turok Han's. "Did anyone remember to invite The First?" Buffy asks belatedly.

Tara chuckles. "He'll be here." She mutters out a quick incantation. "Be prepared ladies and gentlemen, it's going to be a bumpy ride." Tara laughs, her eyes a pale blue, as the power starts sparking off her body.

"Shit! Here we go!" Buffy and Faith both growl out at the same time as their Slayer senses spike almost unbearably.

"My witch." Faith laughs before turning and shooting an Uber vamp as it starts heading their way, finally aware that they have company. Chortling loudly as it disintegrates, Faith pumps another shell into the chamber, quickly taking out another one.

Angel and Spike start wading into the vamps, staking them as quickly as possible.

Buffy swings her sword, taking the head from one vamp, while ducking another's attack looking up in surprise as it dusts, with one of the Potentials shakily pulling her sword back towards her. "Keep it up." Buffy nods her thanks before staring in stunned surprise as a mist seems to coalesce around the potentials. Watching as the potential that just helped her suddenly jerks and shakes, her eyes opening wide in disbelief, Buffy looks questioningly at the girl.

"It's done!" The girl calls out grinning, jumping up and over Buffy to attack a vamp behind her, quickly slicing off it's head with her sword.

"Thank you, Willow!" Buffy cries loudly, glancing up to the stairs as she watches Kennedy come running down them.

Buffy let's out a war cry as she catches the weapon, spinning around to help out her sister slayers take down as many of the uber vamps as she can, giving Tara the time she needs to take on The First.

"Come on out, I know you're here." Tara mutters, working the spell quickly, grasping her mother's crystal firmly in her left hand and the herbs in her right.

"Looking for me, little witch?" The First finally appears in front of Tara. "What, you can't do anything to me. So why do you want me?" He states, slowly walking through Tara's body, laughing quietly. "Soon I'll be able to take on your lover's form. How will you like that? To know that your lover died so that you might live?"

"Not something I'm really worried about." Tara softly answers as she finishes the incantation, turning around to face The First. "However, it might be something you should worry about." She growls, taking the herbs she had painstaking searched through most of Sunnydale to find. "Oh, Goddess, please heed my prayer. Make that which is fleshless become flesh, that which has no form take human form. Breathe life into the empty shell, giving it sustenance so that it may never take form again, once we have defeated it. Please Goddess, help us in this, our time of need!!" Tara yells out the last phrase as she throws the herbs on the smirking First.

"That isn't going to get it done little witch. You don't have the power to make me human!!" He laughs out loud. "You're just a lowly witch that's going to die." His eyes narrow on Tara.

"I don't think so." Tara smiles as she uncovers the crystal within her hand, shoving it within the incorporeal body of The First.

"BUFFY!!! THE WEAPON, NOW!" Tara cries out loudly, watching as Buffy tosses the weapon to Faith, who snatches it out of mid-air as she flips up and over Tara and The First, landing behind him.

"Back up, babe!" Faith calls out as she swings with everything in her, slicing The First from the crotch up through his head. Yelling loudly as he falls into two separate, even pieces. Faith jumps forward to slice off the two sections of his head, to be sure that he's dead when she hears Tara cry out.

"FAITH!" Tara screams at the top of her lungs as an uber vamp starts to swing at her lover. "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Tara screams swinging her arm out, pointing at the vamp.

Faith turns at the last second as the vampire blows apart into a million pieces as a burst of light hits his body. Turning back to Tara, she watches in stunned disbelief as the Amulet glows with light. "EVERYONE GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, NOW!" Faith screams, as she starts wading through the uber vamps, helping the new slayers. "Get out of here!" Faith yells at each one as she works towards Angel and Spike. "YOU TWO GOTTA GO - WHATEVER'S HAPPENING ISN'T GONNA BE GOOD FOR YOU TWO!"

Spike glances back watching as a burst of light shoots from Tara towards an advancing group of Turok Hans, dusting them instantly. "Poofter, she's right, get the hell outta dodge!"

Angel nods quickly running up the stairs, followed by Spike, barely dodging a blast of light.

Faith grunts, grabbing up a wounded potential, quickly throwing her over her shoulder and running up the stairs, basically throwing her at the two vampires that are waiting, just out of harms reach. "I think I saw a couple more that are still alive down there. I'll try and get them to you!" Running back down the stairs, she stumbles as she watches Buffy take a hit. Running to her, Faith swings and slices the uber in half. Glancing around quickly she notices one other girl trying to crawl towards the stairs. Handing the weapon to Buffy she nods towards the girl. "I'll help her up the stairs, you follow and get the hell out of here!"

Buffy nods her head slowly working her way over towards Tara, knowing this is where Faith will come back to, to be with her lover. Glancing at Tara, she looks into the powder blue eyes. "You positive?"

"Yes." Tara smiles softly at Buffy as the light becomes brighter and stronger. "Be sure she knows I love her."

"She'll know." Buffy feels the tears working down her face before she leans in to brush a gentle kiss over Tara's lips. "I've kinda always wanted to do that." Buffy smiles sadly at Tara.

Tara chuckles then glances up at Faith as she comes running back down towards her.

"B! Get the fuck outta here. The seal is starting to close." Faith growls, coming to a stop beside the two women. She looks at Tara, love shining in her eyes.

"I love you, Faith." Tara whispers, smiling softly into her lover's brown orbs. Reaching out, she pulls her in for a firm loving kiss, silently saying goodbye to her lover.

"I love you, too." Faith smiles looking at Tara, before her eyes widen in surprise, then close as she collapses, unconscious.

Tara catches her, tears running down her face. Glancing up to Buffy who's tucking away the knife she's knocked Faith on the head with. "Take her now."

Buffy nods reaching down and throwing the unconscious slayer over her shoulder. Running to the stairs, she yells over her shoulder. "I'LL TRY TO MAKE SURE SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING STUPID!!"

Tara smiles softly, as she opens her senses fully, feeling her lover and Buffy finally reach outside the Hellmouth. Looking down at the lifeless body of The First, Tara kneels, double-checking that it was, really truly dead. Nodding in satisfaction after a few moments, she stands. Turning around, she looks out at the uber vamps that are trying to cower away from the light emitting from her body and the Amulet. Sending up a prayer, feeling the Hellmouth seal permanently, she watches as the light almost seems to work it's way from the seal down, starting to fill in the cavern.

"Sorry boys, this Hellmouth is officially closed!" She yells, smirking as she backs up, taking a running dive off the edge, the witch becoming completely one with the light as she explodes within the chamber, searching out every nook and cranny, instantly dusting all the Turok Han while filling the cavern with light and love.

Buffy groans as she collapses outside the Hellmouth, looking back as it finishes closing completely, seeing a glimpse of light from within seem to fill the area. Shaking her head she looks at Faith, gingerly running her hand over the back of the slayer's skull, feeling the knot, but no blood. Silently thanking whatever powers were that she didn't crack her skull wide open.

"You okay, luv?" Spike questions softly, glancing at the blood seeping from the wound in her side.

"I will be." Buffy nods, feeling her body wanting to give in. "What time is it? How many were injured or killed?" She questions looking at the motley crew of fighters. Smiling softly as Willow, with Fred's arm wrapped around her stumbles towards them.

"From what I can tell, we lost three of the watcher's up top to bringers trying to sneak in behind. Luckily there weren't many bringers left." Giles leans against Wesley, his leg wrapped heavily from a deep wound from one of the bringers. "Looks like we lost five potentials… Jasmine, Justine, Kristen, Monique and Antonia. I mean, slayers." He softly corrects himself looking at the women surrounding him. "The rest have varying degrees of injuries, but not anything to major that I can see." He rubs his hand across his eyes, before whispering out the last bit. "Then there's Tara."

"The First is dead. The Hellmouth is sealed, once and for all." Buffy sighs quietly. "Still, I don't think it was worth it." She whimpers as tears fall from her eyes, finally allowing herself to break down at losing a dear friend. No, a sister.

"Now, luv. She didn't want this, you know that." Spike gently picks Buffy up to cradle her against his chest, his own dead heart aching. "She would have gladly done it a thousand times over, to help save the rest of the world."

"More like to save Faith." Kennedy softly states. "That's when the power started, Faith was about to be killed by an uber when Tara obliterated it. I happened to glance up to see what happened. Faith had just finished taking out The First when it was getting ready to attack Faith from behind." Kennedy shakes her head.

"That's what love is, sacrificing yourself for the ones you love." Willow whispers, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I really have got to get out of here." She cries out quietly, turning to almost run out of the building, with Fred quickly following.

"I got Faith." Angel kneels besides the woman, gently picking her up, cradling her against his chest as he follows Spike carrying Buffy, and the rest of the crew out of the building. "You're going to be unbearable when you come to." Angel looks down at the slayer in his arms. "I guess I better stick around, see if I can help this group keep you under control."

"Here." Spike hands a mug of blood to Angel, who's silently sitting beside Faith, waiting for her to come to. "Anything yet?" Spike questions softly.

"She moved and groaned a few minutes ago, but that's been it so far." Angel sips the mug of blood, grimacing at the pigs blood, having gotten used to the human blood Tar…. Angel shakes his head trying to get those thoughts from surfacing. Quickly finishing the blood, he looks up to Spike. "Thanks."

"Welcome." Spike nods taking the mug back away from Angel. "Should I get some more ice for her head?"

"I think it's okay. It's gone down quite a bit." Angel tilts back in the chair, crossing his arms. "How is Buffy and the rest of the group?"

"Buffy's pretty much holed up in our room. She ain't quite come to terms yet." Spike looks towards Faith. "As for the rest of the crew, they're okay. Some of the new slayers are chomping at the bit to try out their new powers. I sent them outside to play in the street. Hopefully they'll get run over by a stray semi coming through." Spike growls. "Ain't got the sense God gave a gnat, those don't."

"Let me guess, Kennedy was one of the first, right?" Angel smirks at the blonde vampire, before sighing quietly, thinking about Tara.

"Actually, no. She's been real handy, running back and forth, helping out wherever needed. She ran to the store and came back carrying about a hundred pounds of ice for everyone. I think it kinda changed her, seeing Tara acting so selflessly." Spike admits quietly as he leans against the wall. "Do you think it's a good idea having her in this apartment?" Spike questions looking around, unable to ignore the smell of sex permeating the room strongly.

Angel shrugs. "I really don't know. But I don't think it'll be a good idea shying away from talk of Tara. They were too much a part of each other. The sooner she comes to terms with it, the better she'll be."

"I hope you're right. That woman made a lasting impression on almost all of us." Spike looks down, sighing quietly. "It just ain't right." He hoarsely mutters, surprised as he feels the sting of tears in his eyes, before quickly leaving the room.

"No, it's not." Angel agrees, watching Faith. "PTB, wherever the hell you are, if you know what's good for you, you'll help this woman out. At least help her come to terms with what happened." Shaking his head, he sets the chair back down on all four feet, crossing his leg over his knee to quietly wait for Faith to regain consciousness, a single tear easing from his eye.

"Any change?" Buffy questions Spike, wincing as he eases the bandage away from her side.

"No, she's still conked out." Spike admits. "This is healing up good. Let me replace the bandage." He turns to throw the used bandage away as he reaches for more healing salve, gently spreading it over the wound before carefully taping the new bandage in place.

"About as good to be expected." Spike sits down on the bed beside Buffy, running a hand up and down her arm. "Captain Broody ain't left Faith's side. I took him some blood a few minutes ago. Willow and Fred are holed up in their apartment, I think it hit both of them real hard, even knowing ahead of time what was going to happen."

"Yeah, don't know where they got too. Wes seemed upset, but that Gunn guy seemed worse off." Spike admits.

"I think he was in love with her." Buffy smiles softly. "Tara and I talked about it one day, how he was hitting on her from the time she came to LA, until she realized it and set him straight. I caught him watching her a couple times since he came here."

"Well, can't say as I blame the bloke." Spike admits, looking at Buffy. "I have a feeling all of us were a little bit in love with the crazy witch. Kinda hard not to be."

"I think you may be right." Buffy smiles through her tears. "Spike, hold me." Buffy whimpers as she starts shaking, tears pouring down her cheeks.

Spike quickly lays down beside Buffy, gathering her in his arms, letting her cry herself to sleep.

Rhona glances up in surprise as Kennedy walks in. "How's she doing?" Kennedy softly questions, looking at Dawn.

"She won't let anyone near her." Rhona admits, watching Dawn, as she curls up into an even tighter ball. "Spike tried to get her to talk, even to see Buffy, but she wouldn't budge. Same for Willow and Angel." Rhona shakes her head, at a loss as what to do.

"Give her time." Kennedy suggests quietly. "Want me to sit with her for a while? That way if you want to stretch your legs or get some sleep?"

"No problem." Kennedy shakes her head watching as Rhona quickly walks back into her bedroom, leaving Kennedy to silently watch over Dawn.

"Do you need or want anything?" Fred questions Willow softly, as she brings the woman an ice pack, gently laying it across her forehead.

Fred shakes her head. "I think things went right, Will. I think this is what was supposed to happen. Look at all the lives that were saved. I may not have known Tara for long, but I know she always did what she thought was right."

"That's it in a nutshell. She always did what was right. Even if it meant her being hurt." Willow nods her head looking up at the ceiling. "She was one of the purest souls I've ever seen, do you know that?"

"You could see her soul shining from her eyes." Fred smiles thinking about the woman. "She wouldn't want ya' to be upset or angry. She wouldn't want any of us to. She'd rather we remember the good times, and live."

Fred blushes looking down, before glancing back up as a soft hand strokes her cheek. Seeing the desire in Willow's eyes, she smiles softly. Leaning down, Fred kisses Willow softly, as they gently celebrate being alive.

"What the fuck?" Faith growls, a massive pounding in her head. Reaching up she feels the small knot.

"Easy, Faith." Angel reaches out pushing the Slayer back down against the bed. "You took a pretty good shot to the back of the head."

Faith closes her eyes as she settles back down on the bed, laying quietly for a few moments before her eyes pop back open. "Tara?" She questions hoarsely, her eyes looking towards the vampire. Watching as he slowly shakes his head with a sad look on his face. "Why am I here instead of there, with her?" Faith growls, getting angry.

"It wasn't what she wanted." Angel whispers to the angry slayer. "She made Buffy promise, that no matter what, she'd get you out of there. That she wanted you to live, and hopefully love, again."

"It wasn't her fuckin' decision!" Faith screams, grasping her head as it pounds even harder. "It was mine! The fuckin' bitch knew I wanted to go down fighting by her side!"

Angel gathers the angry slayer in his arms, turning his head to the side as she beats against his chest as the anger slowly turns into sobs. Crying with her, he sits down on the bed, cradling the broken slayer against him. "She loved you with everything in her, Faith. She couldn't stand the thought of you not living. That's the real reason she fought, the real reason she did what had to be done. It wasn't self-sacrifice to save the world. She did it because of you. She loved you so much, she was willing to give up everything for that love. Now don't waste what she did. Mourn her, think about her, cry, but I want you to one day be able to fight and possibly even love again. That's what she wanted." Angel softly explains as Faith sobs into his chest.

"Don't know if I can." Faith mutters between sobs, curling up against the vampire.

"Just try." Angel whispers, stroking the slayer's hair. "No matter what, we'll be there for you, Faith. Just remember you're not alone."

Faith nods her head as she curls her body into an even tighter ball against Angel, crying silently.

Spike stands out on the back porch looking up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. Smiling softly as arms wrap around his waist, he strokes his hand over Buffy's arm. "Well now, did you get her to come out of the basement, luv?"

"Sort of." Buffy chuckles sadly. "I literally carried her ass up to the bathroom, then had to scrub her down head to toe myself, her fighting me all the way. It's real interesting trying to make someone brush their teeth that don't want to."

"I can imagine. At least Dawn got her to eat a little today." Spike turns looking down at Buffy. Frowning he lifts her chin. "Looks like she clocked you a good one."

"That's not the only one she got in." Buffy groans rubbing her ribs. "I think she might have cracked a couple ribs along with giving me the black eye."

"Lil' Bit seems to have better luck getting her to do things. Maybe you ought to let Bit do them from now on." Spike suggests quietly.

"No." Buffy shakes her head, leaning against Spike. "I promised Tara I would help take care of her, and I will."

Spike sighs, running his hands up and down Buffy's back. "So, you gonna stay here or head to the Hellmouth in Florida?"

Buffy shrugs her shoulders. "I haven't quite decided. Giles already took what slayer's wanted to go with him. Most of the rest of the girls decided to head home. I think the majority of them will try and live out regular lives. I hope they took my words to heart when I told them that trouble would come looking for them no matter what."

"Some of them did, some of them didn't. Ain't much you can do to make them understand, luv." Spike hugs Buffy a little tighter to him. "What surprised me, is that little PITA sticking around. I thought for sure she'd high tail it out of here."

Buffy chuckles. "Kennedy surprised me. She's actually turned out halfway decent. She's been a great help around here, and out on patrol. Even though I have noticed that demon activity still isn't back up to normal."

"Probably won't ever be, with the Hellmouth being closed. Eventually this town probably won't have any vampires in it, except for me." Spike smirks down at Buffy.

Buffy leaves Spike's comforting embrace working her way through the house to the front door. Looking up the stairs as Willow quickly walks down, closely followed by a disheveled Fred. Smirking at the two women, she opens the door.

"Hello, may I help you?" Buffy questions, narrowed eyes looking carefully over the tall woman, with almost platinum blonde hair, with eerily familiar blue eyes.

"More like, can I help you." The woman states with a hint of a southern drawl as she smiles, her eyes twinkling.

"Hmmm. Maybe." A lip quirks up, as eyes look in the house, taking in Willow and Fred standing silently behind Buffy, their arms around each others waists while Spike eases up beside Buffy, eyeing her silently. "My name's Terri. Is Faith here?"

"How do you know Faith?" Willow questions, her eyes narrowed on the woman. As the blue gaze locks on Willow's green eyes, Willow inhales deeply. Taking a step back, she shakes her head not believing what she sees. "It can't be." Willow whimpers out, turning pale.

Fred looks from the tall woman, to Willow. Grasping her hand Fred looks at the pale, face of her lover.

Buffy crosses her arms over her chest, looking at the woman. "What is it about you that scares my friend?"

As the blue eyes make contact and hold Buffy's hazel eyes, Buffy stands there, her arms slowly dropping from her chest. "But you can't be…you…." Buffy takes a step back.

"Yes, I did. But it seems someone likes me and decided to give me a choice." The woman smiles down at Buffy. "Where's Faith, Buffy? I have to see her, please."

As the woman's soft tones work through the room, Dawn finally comes down the stairs trying to find out what's going on. As she glances up at the woman, all she sees are her loving blue eyes. "Tara." Dawn whispers, shoving her way through the small group of people, launching herself at the woman.

"Dawnie." She laughs quietly, stroking her hand down the brown hair. "It's okay, but you're gonna have to remember, my names Terri, now." She pulls back, smiling softly at the teen.

"Yeah, and the fact you're like five inches taller than you were, and obviously a lot stronger." Dawn glances down, realizing that she was literally being held up by the woman.

"They couldn't send me back in my own body, kinda because it's literally in a billion pieces." Tara/Terri states. "And since I used up all my Witchy mojo to help save the world, they decided to put me on a little more even footing with Faith."

"You're a slayer." Buffy whispers. "You're Tara, and a slayer." Tears streaming down her face in realization, Buffy shakes her head, seeing the question in the woman's eyes, she points towards the kitchen. "Basement." Buffy states simply as the group separates, letting her quickly head downstairs.

Spike nods his head, still stunned at the turn of events, before he grabs the phone, walking outside.

Dawn turns around and wraps her arms around Buffy, squeezing her hard. "She's alive!" Dawn cries out.

"Yes, she is." Buffy smiles, an actual genuine smile for the first time in weeks, as she feels a weight slowly lift from her heart. "Thank you, whoever did this." Buffy whispers out to the world in general.

Fred's sitting besides a surprised Willow. "You okay?" Fred questions looking into Willow's eyes.

"She's alive?" Willow questions again, a silly smile slowly working across her face as Fred nods, grinning at her. "She's alive." Willow states softly, wrapping Fred up in an exuberant hug. "Things are right with the world again."

"Yes, they are." Fred laughs quietly as Willow starts placing quick kisses all over her face in her excitement.

"Might want to hold off on that thought for a few weeks, Bit." Spike mutters as he walks in the room. "I have a feeling the two love birds are going to need some major time alone."

"Oh, God!" Buffy groans loudly. "They're here, together. Everyone, let's go out."

Everyone starts chuckling and laughing, remembering the noise the two women made when they were last in the house.

"I say that works. Anybody know what route Kennedy was taking tonight?" Fred questions quietly.

"No, but I'll leave a note on the door, just in case." Buffy quickly grabs a slip of paper writing a note to Kennedy, taping it quickly to the door as everyone slides out, quickly walking away from the house to leave Faith and Tara/Terri alone.

"You already showered me and made me brush my teeth, now leave me the fuck alone." Faith growls hoarsely, curled up on the bed, staring at the picture of her and Tara.

"Now, that's not a nice way to greet a woman, love." Tara/Terri drawls out quietly, watching Faith.

"I don't know who the fuck you are, but I suggest you get out of here. I'm not exactly in the best of moods." Faith snarls as she rolls over on the bed, looking at the woman in half shadows. "And don't ever fuckin' call me love. Only one person called me that, and you ain't her!"

"No, I'm not her." The woman shakes her platinum hair, as she slowly works her way into the light. "Not exactly, anyway." The soft southern tones drawl out. "But maybe if you calm down a bit, love. You might feel something that's been missing for the last few weeks."

Faith blinks at the woman before standing up angrily, striding towards her. Poking her in the chest, Faith snarls, finally looking into blue eyes. Her mouth open to let the woman have it, the words die on her lips. As the anger slowly bleeds away, she looks into the loving blue eyes of her witch. Shaking her head, she whimpers quietly. "You ain't her. You got her eyes, but you ain't her."

"Not physically, but inside, where it counts, I am." Tara/Terri softly states. "Open yourself, love. Please, feel me."

Faith opens her senses, and collapses on the floor as she feels the connection that was severed almost four weeks ago. "My witch?" Faith questions hopefully, looking up at the woman.

Kneeling down in front of Faith, Tara/Terri reaches out to soothingly run a hand down her cheek. "I'm yours love, but I'm not a witch any longer." She admits, smiling. "Let's get you back in bed." She softly states, sliding one arm under Faith's legs, the other against her back as she effortlessly stands. Taking the two steps to the bed, she sits down, cradling her love against her.

"What? How?" Faith questions, before shifting to straddle the woman. "The eyes are the same. The eyes to your soul." She looks at the platinum blonde hair. Shakily raising a hand, Faith runs it through the soft length. "Natural?" Faith questions looking at Tara. At the woman's nod, Faith grins. "I'll find out soon enough for myself." Faith smirks, before looking over the woman's facial features.

"Oh, I definitely think so." Faith places a hand on either side of the woman's face, kissing her firmly. Pulling back she looks into her lover's eyes, groaning before diving back in. Kissing her strongly, Faith's tongue flicking out, entangling with her lover's, her body pushing against Tara's. Pulling back, panting, Faith growls quietly.

"And I'm gonna be completely confused." Faith admits looking at the woman. "I feel you, know it's you. Your eyes are the same, but the voice is deeper with a southern lilt. You look totally different."

"Yes, I'm about five inches taller than I was. I'm no longer a witch, and we are on more even footing, love." Smiling softly, Tara/Terri looks over her lover's face. "So you know, my names Terri now. They tried to get me somewhat close to what I was before." She looks down at her body, shrugging her shoulders.

"You're here. That's all that matters. Now, explain so I can jump your bones." Faith growls, her hands already playing with the buttons on the woman's shirt.

Chuckling, Tara/Terri finally explains. "It's kind of like this, after I exploded into a billion little pieces wiping out the Hellmouth and all the evil little monsters therein, my soul went flying up to heaven. They were really confused as to what to do with me for some reason, so they gave me some choices." Faith nods that she's listening as she watches her intently. "Well, the choices were that I could become an Angel, helping others as needed. Second, staying in heaven, content, waiting for my love to come join me." Tara/Terri smiles softly, running a hand through Faith's hair. "Or I could come back to Earth, helping fight the good fight here."

Faith tilts her head looking at Tara/Terri. "Damn it, should I think of you as Tara, or Terri?" Faith questions, confused.

"Be best to think of me as Terri, from now on, love. I am different." Terri admits, smiling.

"Yes, but I put my own conditions on the option. I wanted to be 'me' inside. I wanted to be able to come back to you." Terri smiles softly at Faith, her eyes drinking in her lovers beauty. "I also insisted on being here, in the United States and somewhat close to what I was physically." Terri rolls her eyes at this. "As you can see, not quite the same."

"I think I can get used to it." Faith states eyeing her lover. "Not as voluptuous as you were, damn it. But I'll take you any way I can get you." Faith admits softly and truthfully.

"Hopefully you'll like this body. It's mine from now on." Terri explains, shrugging. "Anyway, it took a little while for them to 'locate' the proper body, sending my spirit in it." Terri starts chuckling. "Well, they kinda decided that if I was going to continue fighting the fight, I should have the proper abilities. And since they couldn't recycle me into being a witch, they sent me back as a slayer." Terri admits, grinning at her lover.

Faith's eyes narrow as she eyes her lover up and down. "Slayer?" She questions, the wheels starting to turn.

"Oh, yes." Terri grins wickedly at Faith. "Slayer, through and through. You'll have to help me out with my training to begin with, but I'm sure there are a few things we can do that training isn't needed."

"Most definitely, love." Terri smirks at Faith. "Wanna give it a spin and see what's the what?"

Terri chuckles deeply, before pulling Faith's tank top over her head, quickly unhooking her bra, sliding it down her arms. Shifting the still speechless Faith onto the bed beside her, she quickly slides off the slayer's sleeping shorts, groaning at the strong smell of arousal permeating the air. "Gotta love these slayer senses." Terri growls, before quickly stripping her own clothes off.

Faith moans as the toned, muscular body comes into view, somewhat smaller breasts, but still nice sized down a firm abdomen, to slight hips and a neatly trimmed, extremely blonde bush, glancing back up, Faith smirks.

"Told you it was natural." Terri grins before climbing back into the bed. "And after this, you're going to be eating to gain back the weight you've lost." Terry frowns as she runs a hand down the almost skin and bones slayer.

"I'll eat non-stop for a month, if I have you." Faith reaches up, pulling her down, grinding her mouth roughly into Terri's.

Groaning, Terri battles strongly with Faith's tongue, before sucking it strongly into her mouth. Nipping it as she releases the muscle.

Faith quickly flips her over onto her back, attacking her neck as she works her way down her neck, stopping to nip strongly over Terri's breasts, moaning in pleasure at having her soul mate with her again.

Terri arches up into Faith's nipping mouth. "Go ahead, love, stop playing. Act like you mean it!" Terri cries out loudly as Faith bites down hard on her nipple. "Fuck, that's it."

Faith grins, glancing up, shaking her head at her lover. "This is gonna take a while to get used too. You got the vocabulary and phrasing of my witch, but you look and sound totally different."

Terri chuckles looking down at Faith. "How do I taste?" She hoarsely questions, her eyes alight with pleasure.

Faith groans, licking up strongly over her breast. "Not as sweet, at least not yet. But I'm not complainin'." Faith smirks up at Terri before quickly sliding her body down over her abdomen, placing nips and bites along the way, making the stomach muscles jump and quiver. Burying her face in her lover's apex, Faith inhales deeply, making Terri arch up. "Not the same." Faith growls, inhaling deeply again. "But close enough." She mutters before licking strongly over her lover, gathering up all the juices she can before sucking first one outer lip then the other in her mouth, nipping one as she releases it.

"You're mine, tonight, wi…" Faith stops hesitating for a moment. "Definitely gonna take some gettin' used to." Faith grumbles. "Calling you my slayer is gonna be fuckin' weird."

"You are mine. Or at least you will be here in a few moments." Faith leans back in, strongly licking over her lover's blood engorged clit. Sliding her fingers up, she slips them through the juices oozing out of Terri.

"Faith…" Terri starts to say something, stopping and arching as her lover's fingers enter her body.

"What the fuck?" Faith questions hoarsely, yanking her fingers back out of her lover's body.

"Faith, don't stop." Terri pants. "New body, remember? Please, love." Terri begs softly, her body rocking gently.

Faith climbs back up to look into her lover's eyes. Tara's eyes. "You're a virgin?" She questions softly.

"Physically, yes." Terri admits watching Faith. "But if you'd get on with it, I won't be." She grins crookedly at the slayer. "Just remember, I know all the nasty little things you like done to you. And I'm positive we'll find more, but we're never going to proceed past this point if you don't take me."

Faith growls deeply, her hand working it's way steadily back down Terri's body, fingers playing gently through the trimmed hairs before rubbing firmly over Terri's engorged clit, sliding down to gather up the escaping juices before circling over the muscle again, bringing her to the edge of orgasm. "You sure?" Faith hoarsely questions.

Terri nods, keeping eye contact with Faith, her hips jerking against her lover's talented fingers, groaning deeply as she feels the orgasm coiling through her body.

Faith waits until Terri climaxes before sliding two fingers down and in her lover, quickly easing past the barrier to hold still inside her. Dropping her head down onto Terri's neck, Faith places kisses against the skin, waiting patiently for the body under hers to relax.

Terri pants quietly, the quick moment of pain finally past. Running her hand from Faith's hair, she follows her arm down to her hand, the two fingers holding still inside her. "Now, love." Terri calls out quietly, her hips starting a slow rhythm against Faith's fingers.

Faith grunts, easing her body up and over Terri's, positioning herself over her lover. Propping herself up on her free hand, she looks down into her lover's eyes, slowly building up the motions of her hand, curling her fingers to brush over the inner muscle with each stroke. Whimpering quietly as she feels long, strong fingers slide over her mound, brushing quickly against her own swollen clit, Faith arches up as they slide home inside her. Working her own body against the fingers inside her and the thumb rubbing strongly over the her needy clit, Faith picks up her own hands pace, the two women eventually stroking strongly in and out of each other, as they feel their bodies tensing with each stroke.

"Almost there, love." Terri calls out quietly, panting heavily. She starts to pick up her own hands pace as she feels her body on the cusp of exploding, holding off that moment longer as she feels Faith's body finally give in.

Faith screams as she explodes against her lover, slamming her fingers once more into Terri's body as she feels her lover clench down on her fingers, as she floods her hand with her essence.

Terri eases her hand away from Faith, urging the woman to lay down on top of her.

"Just a second." Faith mutters, finally easing her hand out of her lover. Slowly pulling it up, she smirks at the juices running down it. "I think you just caused the proof of your virginity to be washed away."

Terri laughs quietly, then groans as Faith licks the juices off her fingers slowly, obviously enjoying the flavor.

"Nope, not the same. But close enough." Faith murmurs as she finishes cleaning her hand.

"That doesn't constitute a meal, just to let you know." Terri chuckles as she pulls Faith down on top of her. "You're going to take a short nap, then I'm going to fix you a huge meal. Lots of protein and vitamins. I don't like you being this skinny, love."

"I didn't have much to live for." Faith admits, shifting her body so that one leg is firmly tucked between her lovers legs, while half her body is laying on top of Terri, her head pillowed against her lover's breast. Reaching across to the other breast, Faith runs a finger soothingly over and around the nipple, smiling as it quickly hardens down into a tight, rock hard nub. "I promise to be back up to my normal sexy self in no time."

"And I promise to be by your side from this moment on." Terri grins, stroking her hands strongly down her lover's back. "I also promise all the hot and heavy, kinky sex you could ever want."

"Hot damn!!" Faith yells, making Terri chuckle. "I love you." Faith whispers shifting to look into her lover's eyes. "You're still my Tara in there, aren't you?"

"You won't get upset if I occasionally call you Tara instead of Terri?" Faith questions softly, easing her head back down, rubbing her face gently against the breast she's using as a pillow.

"Never, love. I'm still me no matter which way you look at it. Just a different package." Terri laughs quietly when she realizes she's talking to herself. "Sleep love, tomorrow will be soon enough to start feeding you properly." Terri reaches down, finally finding the sheet, pulling it up to drape over their bodies, she wraps both arms around her lover. Kissing the top of Faiths head, she smiles softly as she slowly falls asleep, exactly where she's always wanted to be.

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A Witch in L.A.

by Kinetic-Kid

Copyright © 2005

kwhite14@yahoo.com