What If?

by Kinetic-Kid

Copyright © 2005

kwhite14@yahoo.com

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: None
Author's Notes: What if Willow went to one of the other colleges courting her during her senior year? What if there was no Dawn or Glory? If Joyce didn't have an aneurism and die? What might have happened? This story is the Scoobies Freshman year of college. No Anya/Xander hook up from the past. Plus other little things – be forewarned – I will be playing fast and loose with time-lines!!
Pairing: Buffy/Tara

Summary: Buffy meets a very special witch while out on patrol one night.

Chapter 30    Chapter 31    Chapter 32    Chapter 33    Chapter 34    Chapter 35    Chapter 36    Chapter 37    Chapter 38    Chapter 39    Chapter 40


Chapter 30

"Giles, have you heard anything from the Council about Faith?" Buffy paces back and forth outside as her mother and Tara work on putting dinner together.

"They haven't really said anything one way or the other." Giles admits quietly.

"You don't know how much I hate saying this, but…" Buffy takes a deep, calming breath. "Tell them I'll come back, under their wing, if they'll let us deal with Faith. Just see if you can keep the interaction with them to a minimum."

"Buffy, are you quite sure about this? You know how much they tried to order you around, and the things they do." Giles rubs his head, thinking heavily. "Even though having their information available to us again, could provide immensely helpful."

"See what you can shake loose, Giles. I'm not the same as I was before, the extra power I have will make it harder for them to do anything to me. And I'll do what I have to to protect everyone here." Buffy growls quietly.

"Buffy…" Giles hesitates for a moment. "I'm not going to tell them about what is going on with you. As far as they're going to be concerned, you are the same young woman you were before the extra strength. I don't trust them enough to let them have that information."

Buffy blinks as she stops pacing. "That's probably a good idea. That way if they come after us, they won't be expecting me to have the strength I do. Have you found out anything else about the other slayer this happened to, since we're on the subject?"

"No. I've contacted a couple people I trust, seeing if they can dig up any additional information for me. Of course, it's purely in a curiosity way, is all I'm letting them know. So hopefully it won't put up any red flags anywhere." Giles admits, squeezing the bridge of his nose. "I just don't know what to do, to tell you the honest truth, Buffy."

"Most importantly, keep them off Faith and get them to get her cleared of the charges. That's the most important thing. We'll deal with everything else as it comes up. We can't take the chance of something happening to her again, Giles. If it does, we might as well kill her and be done with it. And that is so NOT an option." Buffy snarls at the thought. "We fucked up royally with Faith, we need to do everything we can to make it right. So beg, plead, threaten, whatever you got to do, okay?"

"I'll do it, Buffy. Do you think there's a serious chance she'll come out of the coma?" Giles questions hopefully.

"Not a chance, Giles. She's going to, I can feel it. I can feel our slayer connection getting stronger every time Tara visits her and talks with her. She's coming back, and we've got to get this taken care of quickly." Buffy allows a small smile to cross her face. "Tara said she wants me to come in with Tara next weekend. To talk with Faith, she feels positive that this is a really good sign, Giles. So do everything you have to, okay?"

"I'll do everything I possibly can, Buffy. I'll get on the phone first thing tomorrow with the Council, see what I can do." Giles allows a smile to come across his face. "This is great news, thank your young woman for me, please."

"I will. Thanks, Giles." Buffy grins as she disconnects the phone. Sending her senses out, she sighs, realizing she can feel a couple demons that aren't at the Initiatives place, realizing she's going to have to do a small patrol tonight.

"Hey, sweetie. How did the conversation go?" Tara questions softly as she steps out the back door, wrapping her arms around Buffy's waist.

"He's going to contact them again tomorrow. I told him to do whatever he had to. I'll even be their little puppet and more or less do what they want, if they'll let us deal with Faith, and take care of the police looking for her." Buffy turns in Tara's arms, hugging her gently. "Of course, that doesn't mean I'll do everything they want, and Giles isn't telling them about my becoming a full-powered slayer, either."

"Good. They don't need to know that." Tara sighs softly, tucking her face in Buffy's neck. "I don't trust them, Buffy. They have no regard for human life, they figure if you guys die, no big deal, they'll get another one. That isn't right, and I'll fight them tooth and nail, if I have to, to help you and Faith out. So anything you think you might need, I'll help, okay?"

"Thank you." Buffy smiles leaning back and placing a gentle kiss on Tara's lips. "I'm assuming the food is baking?"

"Yes, we've got a big salad in the refrigerator, two humongous meatloaf's in the oven and the potatoes boiling for mashed potatoes and gravy." Tara grins as she watch's Buffy's eyes light up.

"Sounds great. So, what are we going to do until dinners ready?" Buffy wiggles her eyebrows at Tara, grinning wickedly.

"Spend time with your mom, since you will probably be spending a lot of time at my dorm room this week." Tara smiles lovingly at the slayer. "But before we go in, we're going to do some serious smooching."

"Oooh. I like that idea." Buffy growls as she captures the witch's lips with hers, groaning as Tara pulls her in tightly against her body, quickly deepening the kiss. After a few long minutes, of serious tongue wrestling, Buffy slowly breaks off the kiss, groaning deeply. "God, I think we could spend all day kissing."

"Not all day." Tara pants, shaking her head. "Only a little while before we'd get up to all kinds of naughtiness."

"I am all for the naughtiness. I love you." Buffy smiles, hugging Tara gently. "Come on, let's go in before mom figures we're getting kinky out here in her back yard."

"Hmm. We could, you know." Tara smirks at Buffy as she reaches down, grasping the slayer's butt firmly. "All kinds of kinky."

Buffy growls, about ready to pounce on the witch, as Tara laughs, spinning away and running into the house. "That isn't going to save you, my pretty!" Buffy does her best wicked witch impersonation as she cackles following Tara into the house, smiling as she hears Tara laugh even harder.


"Want me to take you straight back to the dorm before doing a quick patrol?" Buffy questions as they walk Xander home.

"No, sweetie. I'll go with you." Tara smiles as she and Buffy loop arms. "What are you planning to do besides work this week, Xander?"

"That's pretty much it." Xander grins at the two women. "I'll visit Faith a couple times, like I already mentioned. Nothing big."

"Christmas is a stones throw away, what do you want?" Buffy questions, bumping into her best friend as they draw closer to his apartment building.

Xander slows down, as thoughts of the two women and a video camera slowly works it's way through his mind, before mentally slapping himself. "Ummm. You know me, Buffy. I'm not picky."

"I know what he'd probably like." Tara smirks at her lover, her eyes twinkling merrily.

"No. Whatever it is you're thinking, no!" Buffy growls looking at the mischievous look on Tara's face.

"Come on, Buffy! What'cha thinking about?" Xander questions Tara eagerly.

"Well, there's these drawings I did this morning…" Tara trails off as Buffy whimpers loudly. "Not those ones, honey. The first few, not the later ones, even though I'm sure Xander would prefer those."

Xander whimpers this time, closing his eyes. 'Naked, naughty, Buffy thoughts….' Xander starts to think, before screaming like a girl. "What was that for?"

"Keep your mind out of the gutter, young man!" Buffy growls threateningly at the construction worker.

"But she's the one that brought it up!" Xander whines, rubbing his shoulder that's smarting from Buffy's smack.

Tara chuckles wickedly. "This is too easy."

"You did it on purpose?!" Xander's eyes open wide in surprise before he pouts. "That is just wrong. It might be healthier for me to stay away from you two. If Buffy isn't kicking or smacking me for thoughts that occur to me on my own, you're doing something to make me think naughty things for her to smack me!" Xander finally mumbles as they walk up the stairs to his apartment building.

Tara bites her lip to keep from laughing. "Sorry, Xander." Tara's eyes twinkle as she watch's Xander.

"No you're not." Xander laughs quietly. "I don't know which one of you is worse. You two be careful, and I'll see you later."

"'Night, Xander." Buffy grins as Xander just waves his hand quickly heading into the building. "You're fitting in quite well." Buffy turns her gaze on her lover, smiling.

"You're rubbing off on me." Tara admits, chuckling as they work their way towards the demons Buffy feels.

"Is that it?" Buffy hugs Tara gently as they get closer. "We're coming up on them, babe."

"Be careful, sweetie." Tara smiles as Buffy grins, working her way in front of the witch as she comes up on the two vampires.

"Oh, isn't it tweedle dee and tweedle dum." Buffy crosses her arms as she looks at the two vampires. "You two picked the wrong time to come visit here, you do know that, right?"

"You don't know what you're messing with little girl." The one vampire growls as she looks towards her buddy. Blinking in surprise as the blonde moves so quickly all she sees is a blur and her buddy turning to dust.

"See, that's where you're wrong." Buffy blinks and smiles disarmingly at the vampire. "I know what I'm dealing with, it's you that doesn't know what you're dealing with."

"Don't tease them, sweetie. We have classes tomorrow." Tara explains softly, trying to keep from laughing at the dumb founded look on the vampires face.

"That's right, we do. And my girlfriend wants to go back to her room, so, I'm sorry but no more playing with you tonight." Buffy flicks the stake, watching as it dusts the vampire before sighing quietly. "It just isn't any fun. These guys are stupid, slow and unimaginative." Buffy laces their fingers together as they head towards the dorm. "They're always saying things like, 'What's a pretty little thing like you doing out on a night like tonight?' or 'I'm going to rip off your head and drink your blood, slayer!' or, my personal favorite, 'I'm hungry and you're looking pretty tasty.' Right before they try to attack me." Buffy rolls her eyes.

Tara chuckles quietly. "Well, I can't fault their taste." Tara leans in licking softly over Buffy's neck, smiling at the groan coming from her lover. "You are very, very tasty." Tara whispers hotly in Buffy's ear.

"Tease." Buffy whimpers as Tara eases away from her. "So, are you feeling hungry?" Buffy turns mischievous eyes on Tara as they continue towards the campus.

"I think I could definitely go for some dessert." Tara admits, smirking knowingly at Buffy. "Do you feel like being dessert?"

Buffy groans deeply. "You are rotten through and through."

"And you love it." Tara chuckles as Buffy nods her head quickly in agreement. "Hurry up, sweetie. The sooner we make it to the dorm, the longer I have to enjoy delectable, scrumptious you."

"I can carry you and get us there in literally seconds." Buffy offers reaching down, grabbing Tara up in her arms.

"BUFFY!" Tara laughs smacking her lover lightly on the shoulder. "Put me down, you horny slayer, you!!"

"Well, you wanted to hurry up!" Buffy grumbles setting Tara back on her feet. "Make comments about how the sooner we get to your room, then don't want me get you there quickly!"

"That's all we need! For someone to see you buzzing by them carrying me like I weigh nothing." Tara smiles as Buffy picks up the pace as they walk towards the dorm.

"They wouldn't see me." Buffy offers, grinning hugely. "I'd just be a blur and they wouldn't know that something passed them except for the breeze of air left in my wake!"

Tara chuckles as they finally walk across the campus grounds towards her dorm building. "Is that so?"

"Yep." Buffy laughs as she opens the door to Tara's building following her up the stairs, her hands reaching for the witch's butt.

"Don't you dare!" Tara whispers, feeling the heat coming from Buffy.

"I wish you'd stop doing that." Buffy grumbles pulling her hands back down.

"Stopping you, or feeling when your hot hands are ready to grab body parts?" Tara questions trying not to laugh as she comes to her door, pulling the key out to unlock the door.

"Both." Buffy grumps, making sure the door locks behind them. Turning, Buffy raises an eyebrow in surprise as Tara already has her shoes and jacket off, and is unbuttoning her top. Licking her lips, Buffy's eyes twinkle.

"Get undressed, baby. I plan on us spending a good three hours making love before hitting the sack to sleep for classes tomorrow." Tara huskily states as she shrugs her top off, watching Buffy's eyes flare with desire. "That is, if you're interested in making love?"

"That's a stupid question." Buffy growls quickly stripping her clothes off, making Tara laugh.

"Okay, it was." Tara agrees as she unbuttons her skirt, sliding it down her legs. Watching Buffy's muscles ripple under her skin as the slayer quickly folds and places her clothes on the desk, Tara whimpers quietly.

Buffy turns curious eyes on Tara before smiling as the dark blue eyes caress over her body. "Does looking at my body please you?" Buffy questions softly, prowling towards her lover.

"Everything about you pleases me." Tara admits quietly as she finally finishes taking her own clothes off. "Your smile, the way you care, the way you like to touch and be touched, your voice, your eyes…" Tara trails off, groaning as Buffy runs her fingers gently down her neck as she places soft kisses across her shoulder. "The way you kiss." Tara smiles as Buffy chuckles.

"I love you." Buffy whispers as she kisses softly over the witch's collar bone before working her way up Tara's throat, capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

"I love you, too, sweetie." Tara murmurs, groaning quietly as Buffy continues her soft kisses across her neck and upper body, while the slayer's strong fingers caress over her back.

Buffy nips gently at the top of Tara's breast before she leans down to gently pick Tara up, carrying her the short distance to her bed. "Pull the covers back, Tara." Buffy lowers Tara so she can pull the covers back before she gently places Tara in the middle of the bed, climbing in behind her. "Uh, uh. Me." Buffy murmurs capturing the hands starting to caress over her body, gently placing them up above Tara's head, looking down in to the blue passion-filled eyes. "Let me." Buffy whispers, kissing Tara tenderly, gently tracing the generous lips with her tongue before accepting Tara's invitation. Slowly sliding her tongue within the witch's mouth, Buffy slowly seeks out all the inner secrets of the witch, wrapping her tongue lovingly around Tara's before slowly easing back to place a gentle kiss on Tara's panting mouth. "Relax and enjoy." Buffy works her way down Tara's neck, not leaving a single centimeter untouched by her lips and tongue.

Tara moans quietly as she grasps the pillow in her hands, clenching it tightly as Buffy works her way excruciatingly slowly down her body, not missing a single inch of skin as she kisses and licks down her torso. As Buffy stops to suck gently on one nipple, Tara groans, arching her body up into that hot mouth.

Buffy smiles as Tara writhes beneath her as she slowly works her way over to the other breast, kissing and licking around the aureole before finally taking the nipple in her mouth, sucking softly before flicking it gently with her tongue. As Tara arches even higher off the bed, Buffy eases her body gently between Tara's thighs, groaning as Tara presses her sex against her stomach, leaving a trail of liquid in her wake as she rocks up and down, trying to get some friction.

"Please…" Tara whimpers loudly as Buffy slowly works her way down to her abdomen, teasing her belly button with her tongue.

"Want me to come back up there, or slide a little further south?" Buffy questions hoarsely as she kisses her way across Tara's stomach slowly. All she gets in answer is Tara's hips bucking up uncontrollably. "Hmmm… I guess I'll take that as a vote to go south." Buffy whispers as she gently scrapes her teeth over Tara's stomach as she edges her way further down.

"GODDESS!" Tara finally cries out as Buffy's tongue slowly drags over her swollen clit, causing her to climax instantly, the pleasure almost painful after the slayer had kissed and licked her body, for the last few hours, building the desire within her to an unbearable level.

Buffy hums into Tara as she closes her lips around the twitching muscle, sucking softly as the witch's nectar continues to flow. Gently wrapping her arms around Tara's legs, Buffy holds herself against the blonde as Tara's body bucks uncontrollably, finally giving up the last of the sweet nectar, Buffy releases the hard muscle, blowing cool air over the hot twitching muscle. As Tara's bucking hips finally calm down, Buffy trails her fingers up and down Tara's thighs while placing soft kisses on the witch's inner legs. As Buffy hears Tara's breathing and heartbeat settling down somewhat, she shifts to slide a hand gently over Tara's mound, carefully circling around the sensitive clit to slide through the wetness, teasing the witch's opening.

"Buffy." Tara whimpers softly as she lifts herself up on her elbows, looking down into Buffy's orange gaze, seeing the happy smile on her lover's face, Tara closes her eyes as Buffy slides a finger gently in her to swirl around teasingly before easing back out. When two fingers press softly inside her, Tara groans as she tilts her head back at the pleasure coursing through her body as Buffy's fingers search within her, as if mapping out all her hidden secrets, caressing teasingly over her g-spot before playing elsewhere. As the fingers come back to caress again, Tara's inner muscles clamp strongly on the pleasure giving fingers, squeezing and releasing rapidly.

Buffy closes her eyes as she feels the orgasm building within Tara, in turn her own body reaching a higher plateau of desire as she continues to stroke softly over and around the pleasure giving spot, as Tara gyrates strongly against her before crying out her release. Buffy whimpers quietly as she presses her head into Tara's thigh as her own body climaxes in commiseration with Tara's.

Reaching down, Tara threads her fingers in Buffy's hair, gently tugging trying to get the slayer to come and lay beside her. Groaning as Buffy gently eases her fingers out and cleans them as she climbs up her body, Tara pulls her down half on top of her. "Trying to drive me crazy?" Tara whispers, her body still occasionally shuddering with the aftershocks of her release.

"No, just loving you." Buffy answers after a few minutes, closing her eyes as Tara starts to stroke up and down her back.

Tara smiles as Buffy's quiet purring becomes louder. "I love you, baby." Tara murmurs leaning down to place a kiss on top of Buffy's head.

"I love you, too." Buffy wiggles her body so she's got one of Tara's thighs captured between hers and her heads comfortable on her lover's breast.

"What about you, sweetie?" Tara questions softly starting to stroke one hand gently through Buffy's hair, gently scraping her nails over her scalp.

"I'm okay. I kind of released when you did." Buffy admits, grinning. "Two for one deal." Buffy laughs before she places a kiss on Tara's breast looking up at Tara.

"Rotten." Tara smiles lovingly at Buffy. "Come here and give me a proper goodnight kiss, then."

"Yes, ma'am." Buffy unwraps her legs and eases up the short distance, hovering over Tara before easing her head down to kiss her softly, groaning quietly as Tara urges her completely over her and tugs her down.

"Hmmm. Much better." TAra murmurs as Buffy's body comes into complete contact with hers. Brushing her lips more firmly against Buffy's, Tara deepens the kiss, languorously wrapping her tongue repeatedly. Grasping Buffy's butt cheeks firmly for a moment before gently scraping her short nails over them and up the slayer's back.

"SHIT!" Buffy growls, arching at the touch. "God, do that again." Buffy moans loudly as Tara scrapes back down Buffy's back. Pushing her body hard against Tara's at the pleasure shooting through her, Buffy opens her eyes, the desire obvious in the orange gaze.

"Goddess!" Tara whimpers loudly at the obvious want in Buffy's gaze. Scraping her nails more firmly up Buffy's back, Tara grins crookedly as Buffy literally growls low and long at the caress.

"You keep it up and you're going to be attacked." Buffy growls as she nips down Tara's neck, sucking strongly on her mark as she rocks her body strongly against Tara's thigh, moaning as Tara presses more firmly into her, tensing her leg muscles.

"I won't complain." Tara whimpers, arching her neck, making it easier for Buffy to continue her ministrations on her neck. As Buffy rocks harder into her leg, Tara slides a hand down between their bodies. "Raise up, sweetie." Tara urges softly.

Buffy groans but lifts her body away from Tara's, grunting in pleasure as Tara cups her sex, her fingers sliding into her wetness. Arching her body, Buffy rocks harder against Tara's fingers and thigh, moaning in approval as Tara slides a third finger within her.

"Goddess, you're beautiful." Tara whispers as she looks at the pleasure crossing Buffy's face as she reaches the edge of her climax, pressing the heel of her palm firmly into Buffy's clit and rubbing while curling her fingers inside her lover, Tara moans at the look of her lover as she tips over the edge.

"TARA!" Buffy cries out, slamming her body down hard into the blonde's hand, burying the witch's fingers deep within her. Holding her body above Tara's with shaky arms, Buffy whimpers quietly as the orgasm rolls through her body, making her twitch and grind against Tara before she slowly eases down, collapsing on top of her lover.

Tara holds Buffy with one arm, while waiting for the slayer's muscle to unclench enough for her to pull her hand away. "Goddess, I love you, Buffy." Tara whispers, kissing Buffy on the top of the head.

"I love you." Buffy whispers, pressing a kiss against Tara's neck, gently laving the mark she'd made even darker and bigger. Breathing heavily, it takes a moment for Buffy to get her breathing under control. Chuckling when she realizes she's still holding Tara's fingers and hand hostage within and against her, she slowly lifts her head to gaze at Tara. "Can we keep your hand right where it is?"

Tara laughs quietly, before she grins and wiggles her fingers within the slayer, smirking as Buffy whimpers quietly. "May not get much sleep if it stays there."

"I'm not going to complain." Buffy shakes her head smiling. "But you should. You have classes and need your sleep so you can be all bright eyed and bushy tailed."

"Bushy tailed?" Tara questions with a raised eyebrow, gently disengaging her hand from Buffy as the slayer lifts her body.

Buffy closes her eyes and groans quietly at the loss, before laying partially beside and on top of the witch. "Hmmm. Expression, even though you do have a bush." Buffy's hand trails down to play over the neatly trimmed hairs. "And you definitely have a tail." Buffy's hand wiggles it's way under Tara to play over her butt cheek.

Tara laughs quietly, wrapping Buffy tightly in an embrace. "I love you, sweetie, so much."

"I love you, too. Go to sleep, I don't want to be the reason your grades drop." Buffy whispers as she reaches down to pull up the covers.

Tara kisses Buffy gently, relaxing into the bed as she slowly falls asleep.

Buffy smiles as she hears the deepening breaths of the witch, knowing she's fallen asleep. Pressing a kiss against Tara's neck, Buffy shifts down to rest her head on Tara's breast while playing gently with the swell of her other breast before finally following Tara into dreamland.


Chapter 31

Buffy leans against the door, looking at Faith for a few minutes, feeling down the slayer connection feeling how much stronger it's gotten since Tara started 'talking' with Faith. Slowly walking in the room, Buffy sits down beside Faith, running her fingers beside the slayer's arm as she considers what she wants to say, if anything. Sighing quietly, she glances back up to look at the dark-haired woman. Having stopped in a couple times earlier in the week, not saying anything, Buffy finally decides to speak.

"I know you can hear me, Faith." Buffy starts then stops, hesitating as she closes her eyes, frowning. "God! What can I say to have you understand how much I want you to come back to us?"

Buffy reaches for the slayer's hand, clasping the pale hand between her two, really noticing how frail Faith's hand looks compared to hers, thinking back to how strong and tanned the hand used to be. "We all fucked up, Faith. We never really gave you a chance, and I cannot say enough how sorry I am for that." Buffy bites her lip and brushes her cheek on her shoulder as the tears start to flow. "I'm going to go by the Magic Box today, see if Giles has found out anything from the Council. I'm not holding my breath that they'll actually take me up on my offer that I'll be their damn lap dog to a certain degree, if they'll let us help you, but I'm hoping they will. I don't have anything else to offer them." Buffy admits sadly.

"Tara doesn't trust them either. She'll do anything and everything she can to help you, Faith. She had it rough growing up, her father and brother beat on her. I know she hasn't even told me all of it, just that they abused her, and got her in the ribs with a beer bottle, puncturing her lung. She's never had any friends growing up, and she has already taken you into her heart, Faith. She just wants you to give her the chance to be your friend." Buffy places her head on the bed, sighing quietly. "If you can't forgive us, that's fine. Please don't hurt her, Faith. I love her completely and she means the absolute world to me. She'll be the best friend you've probably ever had. God knows I never was the friend to you, I should have been."

Buffy tucks Faith's hand under her cheek. Thinking for a few long minutes. "Faith, I want my sister slayer back. Mom wants you to come stay with us, and Tara wants a friend that she can talk to and bitch about me to. Because you know me, I'm going to do stupid shit and make her mad at me. Even though, she's doing stuff to make me mad also! But I'll never hurt her, Faith. Hurting her would probably kill me, Faith. Hell, not probably, it would. Her blue eyes seem to look into my soul and see me, flaws and all. Even with everything I've done, the shit with Angel, the way I treated you, she still loves me."

"Needs head examined." Faith hoarsely whispers as she tries to blink her eyes open, weakly squeezing Buffy's hand.

"Oh, God!" Buffy snaps her head up, staring into the slightly hazy eyes of the dark-haired slayer. "Faith…" Buffy jumps up, holding Faith's hand but wrapping her arm around the slayer, the tears falling faster. "I need to call the nurse."

"No." Faith shakes her head briefly. "Water."

Buffy drops Faith's hand and runs into the bathroom, looking around for something for Faith to drink before running back out. "I have to go get something, there's nothing here for you to use." Buffy calls over her shoulder as she runs out of the room and down to the machines, knowing there was a machine that gave out Gatorades and waters. Quickly shoving change into the machine, Buffy grabs the three waters and carries them quickly back to Faith's room, shutting the door behind her.

"Up." Faith's shaky hand tries to push the button on the bed.

"I got it." Buffy presses the bed so Faith's sitting up before reaching back for the water, almost tearing the cap off, Buffy holds it to the dark-haired slayer's lips, tilting it gently. As Faith motions that she's had enough, Buffy looks at the woman, her eyes sad.

Faith takes a deep breath before turning her gaze on Buffy. "Ain't gonna be easy, but we can work on it." Faith whispers, her voice hoarser than normal.

"You're going to give us a chance… You're going to give me another chance?" Buffy whispers, the tears falling unheeded from her eyes as Faith nods. "Thank you." Buffy whispers.

Faith watches as the tears slide down Buffy's cheeks and the serious look in the blonde slayer's eyes. Seeing the caring and pain deep in the hazel depths. "Please get me outta here. I don't wanna spend anymore time in this place."

"I don't know…" Buffy sighs seeing the stubborn look in Faith's eyes. "Let me call mom and Giles, they'll come running." Buffy rubs a hand over the back of her neck. "I would like Tara to be here, too. But I don't want to leave you alone." Buffy looks at Faith. "We may need her magical ability."

Faith nods in understanding and watches as Buffy picks up the phone dialing her mother first. "Mom? Can you go by the campus and get Tara out of Art Class?"

"What's wrong?" Joyce questions, grabbing her purse, pulling her keys out of the pocket.

"Faith's awake. She doesn't want to stay here in the hospital, and truthfully, I'd rather her not be here. If the Council has any idea she's awake and they're resistant to us helping her…" Buffy trails off sighing heavily.

"Art building, do you know what room?" Joyce's questions quickly.

"I think it was room 112. I'm not positive." Buffy bites her lip.

"Same building that we went into to see her paintings, right?" Joyce hooks her purse over her shoulder, ready to leave as soon as Buffy answers.

"Yeah." Buffy answers.

"I'm there. Tell Faith we'll do everything in our powers to help her. Love you, honey. Goodbye." Joyce hangs up and practically runs out the door.

Buffy places the phone down, smiling briefly at Faith. "Mom said that we're going to do everything in our powers to help you. Now, let's see if I can get a hold of Giles."

"Thanks, B." Faith whispers as she lifts the water to her lips, frowning at her own weakness as the bottle shakes almost uncontrollably.

Buffy watches the dark-haired slayer for a moment, hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder and clasping it gently. "No thanks necessary, Faith."

"Yeah, it is." Faith sighs. "Talk later." Faith closes her eyes and tilts her head back.

Buffy squeezes her shoulder gently before picking the phone back up and dialing Giles at the Magic Box. "Can you talk?" Buffy questions quickly after Giles answers the phone.

"Yes. What is it?" Giles replaces the lid on the jar he'd just finished restocking.

"Have you talked to the Council yet?" Buffy waits for Giles' answer as she sighs softly.

"I called them, but they're doing their bloody meetings to make the decision." Giles growls quietly at the bloody ponces posturing. "They hemmed and hawed around, pretty much being their usual bastard selves."

"We have to know something now, Giles. Faith just woke up, and we're getting her out of the hospital." Buffy finally explains her reasoning behind her questions.

"Bloody hell!" Giles whips off his glasses, tossing them on the counter as he rubs his eyes. "Buffy, they may very well have someone watching her to see if she comes to, you realize that, don't you?"

"I'm hoping they don't, but we're taking her out of here one way or the other. Now, mom is going to the college to get Tara before coming here. So, either you call and put pressure on the Council and/or get your ass over here to help us." Buffy hisses into the phone. "I'm not having them fuck it up this time, Giles. If I have to take on the whole damn Council I will. I don't think they'll like messing with me and Tara both. They don't have a fucking clue what we're capable of, hell none of us know what Tara's capable of, but I know I wouldn't push her."

"I dare say not." Giles admits quietly, knowing that what little the young woman had done took intense control and power. "I'll call them, Buffy. Take care and please, be careful."

"I will." Buffy hangs up the phone turning back to look at the curious looking Faith. "Shit!" Buffy growls rubbing her face. "I didn't think to have mom run by the house and grab sweat pants or something for you to wear." Taking a deep breath, Buffy tilts her head in consideration. "I wonder…" Buffy thinks about Tara, sending her the feeling that she needs her to bring clothes, concentrating, hoping that Tara understands her feelings.

"What'cha doin'?" Faith hoarsely asks watching as a huge grin splits Buffy's face.

"Tara's going to stop by her dorm and grab something for you to wear." Buffy opens her eyes, the happy twinkle obvious in her depths.

"You do love her." Faith whispers in surprise, seeing the depth of caring in Buffy's eyes for the witch. "I didn't think ya' had it in ya', B."

Buffy chuckles as she sits down, grasping Faith's hand in hers, smiling. "I saved her from four vampires, even though I really seriously wonder if she needed my help, Faith." Buffy shakes her head before grinning. "Anyway, she ended up stuttering out a thank you and ran to the dorm. At some point she dropped a charm off her bracelet and I saw it. The next day I went to my Psych class and I saw this blonde sitting down towards the front of the room that seemed familiar. I didn't think anymore about it, until we were leaving class and it was Tara. I insisted on buying her lunch, gave her back her charm and I fell completely and irrevocably head over heels for her blue eyes. I couldn't think of anything else the rest of the day. Mom noticed and wondered who caught my eye." Buffy sighs quietly, a soft happy smile on her face. "I did the pronoun game and mom guessed that it was a her instead of a him. I told her about what happened before having to go to the Magic Box to train. Guess who was there?" Buffy smirks as Faith chuckles quietly.

"A blue eyed witch." Faith's rough voice shows a little of the laughter at the thought. "Couldn't get away from her, huh?"

"No, and I don't want to." Buffy smiles thinking about it as she pulls her feet up on the chair and wraps her arms around her legs. "God, do you know that's only been two weeks since I saved her from the vampires? It seems like it's been much longer than that."

"Two weeks?" Faith hoarsely questions, the surprise in her voice. "Didn't waste anytime, did ya'?"

"No, even though we did try to wait, but other things made it almost impossible." Buffy rests her chin on the top of her knees. "She's made me different than I was, Faith. No, that's not right. She didn't change me, she just helped me become complete."

Faith looks questioningly at Buffy, her eyebrow raised.

"Let's get you out of here and on the road to recovery, you're going to need help getting your body back into shape, so we'll have plenty of time to discuss all this." Buffy smiles quickly. "I'm not putting you off, Faith. I just can't explain everything to you in one sitting, or we won't have anything to talk about."

"You've changed." Faith comments, as she looks over the calm slayer, thinking about how Buffy pretty much told Giles what to do, and the surprising thing was the Watcher obviously had listened.

"Hopefully for the better." Buffy whispers, her eyes obviously going back to the past.

Faith interrupts before Buffy can say anything. "That's something we can discuss later, also." Faith sighs quietly as she looks at Buffy. "We'll work through it, B. I fucked up completely. It ain't all your fault or anybody else's, ultimately it comes to me and what I chose to do."

"No, Faith. I'm not going to let you take the blame for all of it. So many things could have went differently, if I'd just talked and dealt with it instead of worrying about my damn vampire lover." Buffy growls quietly as she silently beats herself up at how she used Faith at that time. Buffy quickly stands as she hears the door squeak open, trying to use her body to block Faith from whoever's coming in.

"Need to get someone out of here?" Joyce laughs as she pushes Tara in the wheelchair.

Buffy shifts and she and Faith both stare in stunned surprise as they look at Joyce wearing what appears to be a nurses uniform with a slightly hefty blonde woman in a hospital gown until Tara stands, whispering something and she appears as herself, wearing her skirt and carrying a small bag.

"Wicked cool." Faith breathes out, chuckling quietly.

"I felt your worry, so figured the best way would be to use a glamour to get Faith out of here." Tara smiles self-consciously. "How do you feel about being blonde and a bit heavier than you are now for a little while?" Tara grins crookedly at Faith.

"Anything ya' got." Faith sighs feeling weak.

"Joyce?" Tara questions softly. "Can you help me get her dressed?"

"Of course." Joyce smiles at Faith. "We're taking you home, young lady and going to get you back in shape."

"Thanks." Faith shifts embarrassed as the two women quickly dress her while Buffy stands by the door keeping an eye out.

"Buffy?" Tara questions smiling at her lover. "Can you put her in the wheelchair?"

"Yes, I can." Buffy smiles and places a quick kiss on Tara's lips before moving beside the bed and looking down at Faith. "Going to lift you now."

"I'm ready." Faith nods, surprised as Buffy gently lifts her from the bed, holding her against her and placing her in the wheelchair as if she weighed nothing. Her eyes look at Buffy curiously for a minute before deciding to let it go and talk to the blonde later.

"Here." Tara places a necklace around Faith's neck, whispering a few words over the necklace, activating the glamour charm, tying it to Faith's essence. "Whenever you wear this necklace, you'll appear like you do now. It might be best until this deal with the Council is taken care of for you to wear the necklace frequently." Tara explains softly, smiling down at the slayer.

"Thanks. How did you…" Faith trails off looking at the pretty silver necklace with the dangling cross.

"It was simple, I did the spell on the way over here." Tara blushes lightly looking down. "Let's get her out of here. What's the hospital going to say when one of their comatose patients up and disappears?" Tara questions softly as she looks at Buffy.

"They'll find something, they always do." Buffy shrugs, before she raises an eyebrow at her mother. "Nurse Summers?"

"Tara asked me if I wanted to be the nurse or the person with the broken leg, I was always curious as to how I'd look in a nurses uniform." Joyce wiggles her eyebrows before she glances down at herself.

"Look good, Mrs. S." Faith chuckles as she tilts her head back to look at Joyce.

"No hitting on my mom, Faith." Buffy jokes quietly. "Let's get going."

"Go ahead, I'll follow in a minute." Tara squeezes Buffy's hand, smiling.

"What are you going to do?" Buffy frowns as she starts to walk towards the door.

"A little something to give us a few more minutes." Tara whispers as she places Faith's hospital gown back on the bed, covering it with the covers before whispering softly for a few moments.

The other women stop to turn their heads watching Tara, Faith inhales as she sees herself slowly taking form under the covers, lying there. "Fuck." Faith whispers.

Buffy frowns looking towards Tara. "How the…"

"A little more involved than the glamour's, where I just change the look of us, I actually had to make something where there was nothing." Tara smiles before nodding her head towards the women. "Get out of here, ladies. It'll only last about fifteen minutes, so I'd rather be away from the hospital when it's gone."

"We're out of here." Joyce quickly pushes Faith out of the room and down to the elevators.

Faith looks in the mirror-like surface of the elevator, seeing the same blonde woman that Tara had appeared as, that looked taller than she does normally and a good fifty pounds heavier, shaking her head in wonder, she glances up, at Tara's reflection, smiling at the witch. "Handy to have around, ain't ya'?"

"Little tricks is pretty much all they are." Tara blushes darkly, shaking her head. She looks up as the elevator opens, chuckling as Giles starts to get off the elevator before stepping back, looking at them confused.

"Yo, G-man. Just in time." Faith smirks as Joyce laughs behind her at the obvious look of surprise on the watcher's face.

"Let's go, guys." Buffy whispers, her eyes turning to watch as an orderly walks into Faith's room, taking note of what the guy looks like as he steps back out nodding towards the nurses station. She slides her eyes over, not able to tell who he was nodding at, but growls quietly as he sits back down to continue working. "They are watching her." Buffy hisses as she steps onto the elevator.

"They'll look at my house for her, won't they?" Joyce questions quietly.

"I dare say they will." Giles frowns heavily, rubbing his eyes. "I might have to rent an apartment under an assumed name to have her live in."

"She can't be by herself right now." Tara whispers quietly. "She's to weak, plus I'd feel better if someone could be there to protect her the majority of the time. If you can afford it, we can rent a small apartment under my name. They wouldn't look for me, and I could move into the apartment, being there during the evenings and night." Tara suggests softly.

"I only have limited classes and can be there the rest of the time, pretty much from noon until Tara gets out of class." Buffy looks from her mom to Giles.

"I can go in late to the gallery, what use is it being the boss if I can't make my own hours." Joyce shrugs as they step off the elevator, quickly walking towards the exit.

"Guys, you ain't gotta go through all this for me." Faith shakes her head, frowning deeply at the thought of how much work she's making for them.

"Yes, we do." Tara, Buffy and Joyce all state at the same time, while Giles nods his head firmly.

"Of course, it's probably going to need to be a two bedroom apartment." Buffy smirks at Giles. "You know where Tara goes, I'm following."

"Yes, quite." Giles sighs, shaking his head at Buffy. "I would like it to be close to the campus, to make it easier on Tara to go back and forth to college, so I'll get on that right now."

"Take her back to the dorm and keep her there for the time being?" Tara offers looking at Buffy and Tara as Giles leaves to go to his vehicle.

"Your dorm is going to be awful crowded." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows, before agreeing. "Yes. That'll be the best place, the first places they'll look for her are Giles' apartment and mom's house. Even if we were to take her looking like this, her being weak and needing help would be obvious and they'd probably be able to put two and two together."

"Let's run by the house and get the sleeping bags from the basement, that way you and Tara will have something to sleep on besides the hard floor." Joyce suggests looking at the two women. "I put a roast in the crock-pot for dinner tonight. It should pretty much be done, if you ladies want to eat before going back to the dorm?"

"Food." Faith moans quietly, smiling as Buffy picks her up and gently places her in the back seat.

"I'd say that's a definite vote for eating at the house." Tara chuckles as she climbs in the front seat as Buffy runs the wheelchair back to the hospital.

"Damn, you guys didn't waste no time getting me outta there." Faith quirks her lip, studying Tara as she turns to look at her, seeing what Buffy meant when she said that Tara seems to be able to look right into her soul. Of course, the witch pretty much had been inside her head already.

"I'm not giving those bastards a chance to hurt you, if I can help it. I can place some protective spells around the dorm room. I don't know if I'd be able to do it for a whole house, but I might be able to for an apartment. It'll keep people from realizing you're there, except for us." Tara quirks her lip as she watches Buffy hop in the back beside Faith, shutting the door quickly.

"Think I can take a bath when we get to the house?" Faith frowns as she considers her body.

"Of course. Hope you won't mind, but you'll be having help with bathing and the like while you're still weak." Tara's brows draw together in thought.

"Nah. Ain't much to see right now anyways." Faith states depreciatingly as she looks at her pale thin arms and hands, her decimated body.

"We'll get you back up to where you were in no time." Joyce offers as she quickly drives across town. "Between Tara and I, I'm sure you'll be well fed. Buffy will help you out to strengthen your muscles."

"I might be able to help that along also, by continuing to feed her strength." Tara offers, blushing shyly. "If you'd like me to." Tara turns to look over her shoulder at Faith.

"Am I in the twilight zone?" Faith whispers, feeling her heart contract at the care so obvious in these peoples voices and tones as they try and figure out the best way to help her. "You know I tried to hurt and kill the majority of you at one time or another. Why…" Faith shakes her head, feeling the tears coming to her eyes as she turns her gaze out the window.

"It'll be okay, Faith. Just give us a chance to make things right, and get back on even footing. Don't try to push for anything that you're not ready for and we'll be there to help you through the ups and downs. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of them." Tara whispers reaching back to gently clasp the slayer's hand in hers. "Just give us a chance. Let us know what's going on and we'll help any way we can."

Faith nods her head sharply in understanding, unconsciously turning her hand around and clasping Tara's back weakly as she leans her head against the window, closing her eyes as she falls asleep.

Tara turns her gaze on Buffy, smiling softly at her lover. "I love you." Tara whispers, accepting a kiss as Buffy leans forward and presses their lips together.

"Love you, too. We'll help her through it. It'll be a bumpy ride, and I'm sure there's going to be a lot of ups and downs, but we'll get through it." Buffy whispers, pressing another soft kiss to Tara's lips.


Chapter 32

"Ladies, do you think that the Watcher's Council may decide to watch us?" Tara questions softly as she looks at Buffy and Joyce as they eat dinner before heading back to the dorm.

"In what way are you talking?" Buffy questions, frowning before she reaches and places another piece of roast on Faith's plate cutting it quickly.

"When we get the apartment, do you think they might have people watch and follow you, Joyce and Mr. Giles? I mean, it might be obvious if they are following that everyone will be going to the apartment in shifts almost, like we're watching someone." Tara explains her thinking softly.

"Damn, I didn't even think of that." Buffy frowns heavily looking from Tara to her mother, while rubbing a hand over her jaw. "I could always hit the underground access to whatever apartment building Giles gets, so that'll take care of me. Giles won't have to visit the apartment that often, hopefully. The only problem would be mom, and maybe you." Buffy turns her gaze on Tara. "You know that they've noticed you coming and going from Faith's room, if they're smart, they'll decide to follow you, also."

"That didn't even occur to me." Tara whispers, frowning.

"Umm, not to sound stupid or nothin', but can't you do a charm for you and Mrs. S, like you did for me?" Faith questions as she picks up the necklace, off the table, looking at Tara. "And then maybe stop somewhere within walkin' distance of the apartment building, like a coffee shop or restaurant and go to the bathroom, put on the necklace and come back out? It'd throw them off, if they're watchin' ya'."

"Great idea, sweetie." Tara nods her head, smiling at Faith. "I can do that, as a matter of fact I'll do the glamour now, if you have something you'd like me to place it on, Joyce." Tara looks at Joyce laughing as Joyce nods her head and quickly stands up to jog out of the room.

"Did you get enough to eat, Faith?" Buffy questions smiling gently at the slayer as she finishes the roast.

"Yeah. Thanks." Faith shifts embarrassedly. "Is it 'kay if I take a bath, now?"

"Of course, I just wanted to make sure you had plenty of food in you. Maybe mom'll have some microwavable stuff we can take to the dorm. Soups and stuff, if you don't mind eating soup until we get the apartment?" Buffy looks seriously at the slayer. "Unfortunately a small refrigerator and microwave is about all that's in the dorm room, not able to cook in there."

"That's fine. Soup sounds great right now, too." Faith quirks her lip quickly.

"Buffy, can you help Faith up the stairs to the bathroom?" Tara looks at her lover before gathering the dishes, smiling as Buffy stands, gently wrapping her arms around her waist and placing a soft kiss on her neck.

"I love you." Buffy whispers, burying her face against Tara's shoulder. Sighing quietly as Tara sets down the dishes and runs a hand gently over her head.

"I love you, sweetie." Tara closes her eyes and tilts her head against Buffy. "Get her upstairs and help her out, if she wants it, sweetie."

"'kay." Buffy grins placing a quick kiss on Tara's lips as she releases the witch. Turning her gaze on Faith, Buffy tilts her head. "Want to try and walk up the stairs, or do you think you're still too weak?"

"Foods made me feel stronger, as has witchy over there feeding me strength." Faith nods towards Tara, letting the witch know that she realizes she's been helping her. Faith chuckles as Tara blushes lightly before quickly taking the dishes to the kitchen. "Lend me an arm." Faith finally states, letting Buffy wrap an arm around her back, helping her to stand as they slowly make their way towards the stairs.

"Be careful." Joyce admonishes softly as she comes down the stairs, watching the two women. "I did start the water in the tub before I came down."

"Thanks, mom." Buffy smiles, before slowly helping Faith up the stairs. "Do you mind my helping you take a bath? If you'd prefer mom or Tara…" Buffy trails off as she helps Faith into the bathroom.

"Nah, though it kinda pisses me off to need the help, it would piss me off even more if I fell and knocked myself out, putting myself back into another coma." Faith grins crookedly at the blonde slayer. "You would probably be the best one to help me, since you can manhandle me around easier than your mom or Tara. Not that I weigh hardly anything right now."

"Trust me, that'll be taken care of quickly. Tara cooks, though she hasn't fixed a lot, but she has these killer hot wings that she fixes sauce for…" Buffy groans and shivers in remembrance. "I got the supposedly weaker version of the sauce, because she said she has one batch that she cooks that's even hotter."

"She likes spicy foods?" Faith's eyes light up, chuckling as she remembers late nights after the two of them slaying, hitting the restaurants for spicy hot wings.

"Oh, yeah." Buffy nods her head excitedly. "And the wings she made were hotter than anything we had here, Faith." Buffy admits, grinning from ear to ear.

"Do ya' think if I put in a request for hot wings when we get the apartment, she'd make them?" Faith questions hesitantly, her mouth salivating at the thought.

"In a heartbeat." Buffy nods her head, smiling gently at the slayer. "Let's get you undressed, Faith and into the bathtub."

Faith nods, as she slowly takes her top off, while Buffy stands protectively beside her, steadying her when she wavers as she slides her pants down. "Thanks." Faith whispers as Buffy helps her in the tub, gently lowering her into the blessedly hot water, groaning quietly.

Buffy nods her head as she wait's a few moments before shutting the water off. "Want me to wash your hair, then you can soak for a while?"

"God, yes." Faith nods, grinning.

"Anything in particular shampoo wise you want me to use?" Buffy questions as she chuckles at the sight of all the different shampoos her mother had set out on the counter, along with different body washes and conditioners.

Faith laughs quietly with Buffy as she looks at the assortment. "Got anything that won't clash with each other?"

"Hmmm." Buffy sifts through the items, coming across vanilla based items. "There's ones that are Vanilla bean and other vanilla type items here." Buffy turns to raise a questioning eyebrow at Faith.

"That'd be great." Faith sighs softly as she slowly slides down in the tub, submersing her head, enjoying being immersed in the hot water before slowly pushing herself back up.

"Is it okay if I come in?" Tara questions from the open doorway, not entering but standing just out of view of Faith.

"Yeah, come on in." Faith chuckles watching Tara coming in carrying a pitcher.

"I thought it might be easier to rinse Faith's hair and body with this." Tara sets the pitcher on the counter, smiling at the dark-haired slayer before turning her gaze back on Buffy.

"Thanks." Buffy smiles as she runs a finger over Tara's cheek. "Can you gather up some of my clothes sweat pants and shirts and stuff that'll fit Faith?"

"She'll have better luck wearing mine that yours." Tara jokes, her eyes looking over her petite girlfriend.

"I'm going to stop at the store after taking you three to the dorm and pick up some changes of clothes for Faith. Hope you won't mind living in sweat pants and t-shirts for a little while, Faith?" Joyce calls from the doorway.

"Hell, it's an improvement over hospital finery." Faith shakes her head, closing her eyes as Buffy kneels beside her, starting to work the shampoo into a thick lather over her head.

"What size shoes do you wear?" Tara questions looking at Faith.

"Size 8." Faith groans as Buffy's strong fingers continuing working over her head.

Tara chuckles as she walks towards the door. "Keep that up for a little while, sweetie. The extra stimulation will actually help her get her blood flowing and working better through her body."

Buffy looks back, grinning at her lover. "Are you still feeding her energy and strength, also?"

"Yes. I won't be able to do it while I'm in classes, but I can feed her at other times." Tara admits. "I'll gather some of your clothes and other items to make things more comfortable at the dorm."

Buffy watches as Tara leaves the bathroom, before turning her gaze back on Faith.

"What the hell is she doing here, B?" Faith questions, her eyes still staring at the doorway before they come back to look at Buffy. "She doesn't belong on the Hellmouth. She's an honest to goodness innocent soul."

"Yes, she is." Buffy murmurs, working her fingers down the dark-haired slayer's locks, being sure to wash all of it. "Want me to rinse and do it again?" Buffy indicates Faith's hair.

"You don't have to do all this for me." Faith shakes her head, looking at Buffy.

"Let me, Faith." Buffy whispers, the pain obvious in her eyes. "It isn't much, but it makes me feel a little better to help."

"Okay." Faith whispers, closing her eyes and tilting her head back, allowing Buffy to pour water through her hair, rinsing the shampoo out. "How long do you think it'll take G-man to get an apartment? I hate the idea of keeping you and the witch from being together."

"Don't worry about it, Faith. We'll deal. As for Giles, it isn't like there probably isn't plenty of apartments open, so he just needs to find one with two bedrooms that's close to campus. I'm assuming it actually shouldn't be too hard, with the way things are around here." Buffy admits quietly as she grabs the shampoo, starting to work Faith's hair into another heavy lather, smiling at how much more suds are coming up from the clean hair.

"After you finish with my hair, I can try to wash the rest of me." Faith suggests softly.

"Do you want a razor?" Buffy questions looking over at the sink where her mother had set out a disposable razor along with a new can of shave gel.

"Please. I can braid the hairs under my arms and on my legs." Faith jokes quietly.

"Very European." Buffy laughs with the dark-haired slayer.


Joyce carries out the sleeping bags and pillows, placing them in the back of the Jeep before heading back into the house. Looking up as Tara comes down the stairs with a bag of clothes. "Do you think she'll be okay?"

Tara nods her head, smiling softly. "They're talking and laughing quietly. I know Faith'll have moments where the worse of what happened will come to the fore, but hopefully between all of us, we can work her through that. The best thing is, is that she's willing to give everyone a chance. And I attribute that to the fact that you guys visited her and talked with her. Especially Buffy, when she told her how much she wanted her back. I think that was the biggest thing, when Buffy stated she wanted her sister slayer back." Tara shakes her head, raising her eyes to the ceiling. "I think Faith wants a caring, loving family more than anything else, Joyce."

Joyce nods her understanding smiling softly as she clasps Tara gently on the shoulder. "Isn't that what we all want, deep in our hearts, Tara?"

Tara's eyes turn to look back at Joyce, smiling tremulously. "Yes. Thank you, Joyce."

"Here, I'll take this out to the vehicle, I set down two necklaces on the coffee table. You can use one for yourself, if you'd like to make a glamour. Or you can wait until you get to the dorm, if you have something of your own you'd rather use." Joyce smiles as she turns and walks out of the house.

Tara smiles softly as she watches Joyce leave the house before walking over to the coffee table, glancing at the two necklaces, chuckling at the silver chains with two slightly different crosses on them. Grasping one to place a glamour on for herself, she waits until Joyce comes back in.

Joyce shuts the door behind her while looking at Tara. "Was there something else you needed?"

"Just wondering what you'd like to look like?" Tara grins crookedly at her lover's mom.

"Hmmm. The more diverse, or different would be better, right?" Joyce questions, raising an eyebrow at Tara. Smiling as Tara nods her head, grinning. "Can you make me look male?"

Tara laughs at Joyce, nodding her head. "Anything you want to look like."

"Hmmm. How about 6'2", black hair with just a distinguishing touch of gray on the sides, blue eyes, lightly muscular?" Joyce raises an eyebrow in silent question.

"Done." Tara chuckles as she laughs quietly with Joyce. "Of course, I can't really do anything about your voice, so you'll have to try deepening it yourself. I'd need a few ingredients to make your voice come out different."

Joyce coughs a couple times, before hoarsely speaking in a deeper tone. "How's this sound, young lady?"

Tara laughs even harder, shaking her head. "Don't talk, just make miming motions with your hands."

"Damn, I thought I sounded believable." Joyce jokes as she sits down watching Tara as the witch holds the necklace in her hands, her lips moving silently. Joyce tilts her head as she sees a slight shimmer coalesce around the necklace before disappearing.

"Here you are." Tara grins crookedly, handing the necklace to Joyce. "Try it out?" Tara wiggles her eyebrows and looks towards the ceiling. "Just be prepared to pull it off at a seconds notice!!"

"Gotcha." Joyce smirks wickedly as she puts the necklace over her head before trotting up the stairs to Tara's laughter.

"What the fuck?" Faith growls as she looks up to the doorway, her eyes growing big at the tall, lightly muscular older gentleman standing there. "If he has an English accent, I am so fucked."

"Sorry, no English accents here." Joyce smirks looking at the two stunned slayers.

"Mom?" Buffy whimpers, shaking her head. "Tara did NOT make you a man!"

"I asked her to." Joyce laughs as she pulls the necklace off, looking at the two women. "So, was I hot?"

"Yeah, for an old man!" Faith growls, before chuckling. "Your mom needs help, B."

"She makes me wonder about her more and more." Buffy admits as she leans back in the chair.

"You two about done?" Joyce looks from her daughter to Faith and back.

"Yeah, I just finished shaving and was going to wash my body down again before getting out." Faith admits as she leans forward to let some of the water out, adding more hot water.

"Take your time. Tara's dorm only has showers, and we don't know how long it'll take for Rupert to find an apartment for you ladies." Joyce waves as she walks out of the room.

"B?" Faith questions hesitantly, looking towards Buffy as Buffy turns her head to look at her. "Don't let me fuck this up, this time." Faith states seriously, tears coming to the surface. "I want this too much."

Buffy quickly kneels beside the slayer, wrapping her arms around the sobbing woman, tears falling from her own eyes. "WE won't fuck it up this time, Faith. It was all of us, not just you. We'll get it right this time, I promise."

Faith nods as she cautiously wraps her arms around Buffy's back, hugging her back for a few moments. "Thanks, B. Now get off me, before your girl comes in and kicks our asses."

"She won't kick our asses for this. If we were fighting, that would be a different story." Buffy grins at Faith as she pulls back. "She just wants everyone to be happy, and to help out as much as possible."

"And she wants to make sure everyone's taken care of and that things turn out for the best." Tara whispers from the doorway, smiling at the two women, chuckling as Buffy hops up practically jumping the distance between them to wrap her up in a tight hug.

"I love you." Buffy murmurs, burying her face in Tara's neck, placing a soft kiss on her mark.

"Your mom pulled out what canned food and other things she has, and can use your help carrying them out to the Jeep, sweetie. I can help Faith finish up here, if she wants." Tara looks questioningly at Faith over Buffy's shoulder, smiling as the dark-haired slayer nods her head.

"Got it." Buffy murmurs pulling back to capture Tara's lips, in what starts as a gentle press before quickly deepening into a loving, more tantalizing kiss.

"Hmmm." Tara hums as Buffy finally pulls away and smirks at her before walking out of the bathroom. "Tease." Tara mutters, smiling as Buffy laughs as she heads down the stairs. "Do you need any additional help, or just a steadying hand when you get up?" Tara questions softly, searching the dark brown eyes.

"Steadying hand." Faith smiles at the blonde witch, feeling surprisingly comfortable with the woman. Watching as Tara sits down with her back against the wall, stretching her legs out in front of her and getting comfortable.

"How are you feeling?" Tara questions, closing her eyes and tilting her head back against the wall, giving the woman some privacy.

"Quite a bit better." Faith watches the blonde curiously. "What's the deal with you and B?" Faith questions as she slowly washes her body again.

"We're two parts of a whole, more or less." Tara grins crookedly as she thinks. "We're mates, partners, soul mates, I guess you could say. Both she and the slayer half of her fell in love with me." Tara shrugs as she nibbles on her lip.

"And you love her, both halves?" Faith questions, surprise coloring her voice.

"Yes and no." Tara chuckles as she opens her eyes to look at Faith, seeing the confusion in the brown depths. "I love Buffy, the vampire slayer, Faith. They're not separate now, Buffy and her slayer half have become one."

"And the Council ain't got a fuckin' clue. That's what she was talkin' about when she was talking to G-man on the phone." Faith blinks in surprise as she looks at Tara. "How different is she?"

"Of course you know how it works, where you access the slayer's abilities and memories as needed?" Tara questions softly, seeing Faith nod her understanding. "Imagine those abilities and memories all being a part of you 24/7." Tara watches as Faith's eyes open wide in surprise. "The kicker to that?" Tara whispers, looking seriously at the dark-haired slayer. "She's faster and stronger than she was before. A LOT faster and stronger." Tara admits.

"So, she could literally kick my ass without even thinkin' if she wanted to?" Faith hoarsely questions, her eyes boring into Tara's, demanding the truth.

"In a heartbeat." Tara admits quietly. "But she won't, Faith. She wants you here, she wants you well and she wants her sister back with her."

"I don't understand why." Faith looks up, the pain obvious in her eyes, along with the confusion and hurt. "With everything I done, why would she want me to be around?"

"Because she loves you, Faith. She really, truly thinks of you as a sister. She wants you to get well so she can talk and slay with you. You're the only person that understands what it's really like to be a slayer, and a part of her died that day she stabbed you. She wants a chance to make amends to you, give you what she should have given you to begin with. A real chance at friendship." Tara shrugs her shoulder, as she watches the silent tears sliding down Faith's face. "Probably pretty much the same thing you want, Faith. A friend and family is what it boils down to." Tara whispers softly.

"What about you? What's in it for you?" Faith questions softly, pulling her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly.

"Pretty much the same thing. Hopefully a friend, and someone that I can consider a family member that will actually care for me without abusing me." Tara whispers as she looks down at the floor, picking at her skirt.

"I'll probably fuck up." Faith finally admits, watching as Tara lifts her head slowly and a grin crosses her face.

Tara chuckles at Faith. "I'm sure you won't be the only one, Faith. I've already pushed the envelope a couple times with Buffy, as I'm sure I'll probably do with you, also."

"So fucking up is allowed, huh?" Faith laughs quietly, starting to relax again as Tara nods her head.

"Allowed and expected. You can't care about people without occasionally stepping on each others feelings, or doing something stupid." Tara grins crookedly. "And I have found out that I can get in serious trouble quickly with Buffy, when I conveniently forget to give her all the information in something that I'm going to do."

Faith raises an eyebrow in silent question.

"Visiting you. Coming inside your head, I kind of glossed over the fact that if you took it upon yourself, you could have actually harmed me or kept me from coming back to myself if you had wanted to." Tara admits softly seeing the shock and surprise coming across the dark-haired slayer's face.

"But you did it anyway. Did Buffy find out after you did it?" Faith hoarsely questions, her mind trying to figure out why the woman would take such a chance.

"Before. It actually came out the night before I did it, we had a small blow-up and went outside to argue about it while Xander and Joyce stayed in the living room out of our way." Tara admits softly.

"You're fucked up." Faith shakes her head not believing the blonde would risk herself for someone she didn't even know. Sighing quietly Faith leans forward to let the water out of the tub.

Tara stands quickly, grabbing a towel on her way towards Faith. "Want me to actually wrap my arms around you to help you stand up, or do you want to try by yourself? Honestly, I'd prefer helping you, tubs are slippery, and I would really rather you didn't slip and fall." Tara softly suggests.

"Talked me into it." Faith sighs holding her shaky arms up, wrapping them around Tara's neck as the blonde helps her to stand and keeps her steady as she steps out of the tub.

"Get you dried off and dressed, then we'll head to the dorm." Tara grins crookedly at the slayer. "It'll be rough going, Faith. But just try to open yourself and be willing to talk and listen. That'll help a lot in the long run."

"You gonna play peacemaker?" Faith questions, laughing lightly as she dries herself off and slowly gets dressed.

"Peacemaker, and possibly, occasionally referee, and may even thump people on their heads if they need it. Once in a while I'll probably be right in the middle of it, adding to the problems." Tara grins as Faith laughs a little more freely at her comments.

"This is gonna be different." Faith shakes her head, a softer, gentler smile crossing her face as she considers Tara. "I think… No, I know I owe you my life. Thank you, Tare." Faith whispers, gently grasping the witch on the shoulder, squeezing softly. Surprised when Tara quickly grabs her and hugs her gently.

"You'll have to get used to me. I'm kind of a touchy-feely type person." Tara whispers, squeezing Faith gently before releasing her. "Let's find out what my better half is up to, if she's left alone for too long she causes all kinds of problems."

Faith laughs, shaking her head.


Chapter 33

"I don't know what you're talking about, Travers." Giles tries to keep the grin off his face as he sits down, sipping his tea while holding the phone a few inches from his ear as the head of the Watcher's Council yells.

"She did NOT just get up and walk out of the room by herself!! They saw your slayer and a couple other people visiting her lately, and today. She disappeared right after she was visited by these people, so you cannot tell me that you bloody well don't know what is going on!!" Quentin yells into the phone.

"Leave it to us, old chap. Buffy will be interested in finding Faith and seeing what her intentions are. We can take care of it." Giles tries to be diplomatic, sighing quietly as he looks around the office, pulling open his bottom drawer. Unscrewing the bottle lid, he pours a hefty shot of scotch in his tea before replacing the lid and tucking the bottle back away.

"WE will bring her back here and take care of it!" Quentin growls angrily into the phone. "She is not your concern!"


"Yes, she is!" Giles growls right back, the anger finally getting the better of him. "If that young woman had been given the support and care that she should have been given from the beginning, everything that happened could have and probably would have been avoided! Accidents happen, Travers. She isn't the first slayer that accidentally murdered a human, and she won't be the last! I suggest you let us handle her, we'll take care of her and help her to the best of our abilities. She deserves a second chance, and if you have half a brain, you bloody idiot, you'll let us!"

"YOU are not part of the Council anymore, Ripper! And you DO NOT tell us what to do. We will take care of this threat ourselves, and tell your slayer that we are not interested in making any deals with her." Travers slams the phone down.

"Fucking idiot!" Giles snarls as he throws the phone at the wall, staring as the handset shatters. Quickly downing his tea, he yanks out the bottle, filling the cup with whiskey and quickly finishing it off. Grabbing the newspaper, Giles flips to the real estate ads, looking for apartments for rent, circling a couple that are close to the college campus before standing and quickly leaving the Magic Box, locking it up for the night, and possibly for the next few days until they can decide what they're going to do.


Buffy growls as she paces back and forth angrily, her eyes flashing brilliant orange. "I will rip them limb from limb if they come after her, Giles." Buffy snarls angrily, her eyes landing on the ex-watcher.

Giles unconsciously steps back from the anger flowing from Buffy. "Yes, quite." Giles swallows nervously as he glances quickly from Buffy, to Tara who's calmly approaching Buffy to land on Joyce and Faith.

Faith stares fascinated at the glowing orange eyes of Buffy, the obvious anger surprisingly enough not scaring her, as she realizes Buffy's angry for her, not at her.

"Easy, sweetie." Tara murmurs softly as she slowly reaches out, stroking a hand down Buffy's neck. "Being angry is normal in this situation, but you need to channel the anger into figuring out a way for us to deal with them, and to protect Faith. Please try and calm down somewhat so we can discuss the best way to deal with this."

Buffy searches Tara's eyes, finally nodding as she tries to reign in her anger. "Do you think they'll come after you or mom?" Buffy turns her gaze on Giles.

"Honestly…" Giles sighs heavily shaking his head as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "I haven't the foggiest. I don't put anything past them, Buffy."

"Fine. You may not like what I'm going to suggest, but…" Buffy looks at her mother for a moment before looking back at Giles. "Maybe you two should take Faith and go on a little vacation out of Sunnydale for a while."

"No." Faith growls shaking her head. "They're looking for me, this is because of me. I'm staying here for whatever happens to come around. I ain't gonna have you risking your lives while I'm tucked away all safe and sound. If it comes down to it, I'll turn myself in before I let you guys get hurt. I caused enough pain and heartache before, I ain't gonna cause it again."

"No one's going anywhere." Joyce states adamantly, shaking her head. "I'm here for anything and everything that's going to happen, Buffy. So I suggest you figure something else out."

Buffy growls angrily as she looks from one person to the next, seeing stubborn looks on all their faces. "Fucking idiots." Buffy snarls before running her hands roughly through her hair, starting to pace again.

Tara shakes her head as she watches Buffy. "Joyce, you living by yourself is not an option. Either you should move in with Mr. Giles or he can move in with you. His apartment might be a little easier to defend if something should happen. Giles and I will go first thing tomorrow morning for me to rent the apartment. I'll make a charm for him, to disguise him also. Everyone is going to have to be very, very careful to try and make sure they aren't being followed. I can place a magical trip wire around the apartments, that will alert us if someone that bears us ill will comes within a certain distance." Tara points to the open magical book on her desk. "I'll need a few ingredients to do the spell, which you should have at your shop. If they come after Faith, we'll deal with them." Tara turns her gaze on Buffy, her eyes lightening with a burst of power. "WE will deal with them." Tara stresses again as she looks at her lover. "They will not mess with my family or I will put the fear of God in them." Tara growls.

Buffy whimpers quietly as she sees the power brewing within her lovers eyes, the past slayer's memories unlocking and briefly hitting on a powerful witch that had come close to wiping out the Watcher's Council because they had tried to kill her lover. "Oh, my God!" Buffy cries out, collapsing on her knees, shaking as the memories become hers and Tara becomes the witch from the past, realizing they're both reincarnations of the previous slayer that had become one with her slayer half. "Not again! No, not again!" Buffy whimpers, tears streaming down her face as she curls up on herself.

Tara feels a pain like her heart being ripped from her chest, literally throwing herself at her lover, she wraps her up tightly in her arms, the slayer shaking uncontrollably as fear, pain and anger slams into her from her lover. Finally a hatred unknown comes flaring from Buffy for the whole Watcher's Council. Suddenly it feels like a wall that was, unknowingly between them, blasts away, Tara knowing what Buffy had just come to realize. "Sweet, Goddess." Tara whimpers, rocking Buffy as she holds her tightly in her arms.

"What the bloody hell?" Giles looks in confusion at the two women, afraid to approach them as the power literally seems to crackle around Tara. Grabbing Joyce's arm gently, Giles shakes his head to keep her from approaching the two women. "Don't go hear them, you can't see it, but the power coming from Tara right now might harm you."

"What the fuck is going on, Giles?" Faith snarls as she looks at the two women, wanting… no, needing to know what's happening to the two women that are willing to risk their lives to protect her.

"I haven't a fucking clue!" Giles growls as they watch the two women literally try and climb inside each other as they shake and cry. "Tara, please! Crank down the protective shield around you, let us know what's going on."

Buffy growls deeply in her throat, literally pulling Tara around her, keeping her as close as physically possible. Her eyes traveling over the three people, finally coming to land on Faith's brown eyes. Silently asking Tara if she can borrow some of the witch's power she now has complete access to, Buffy sends some of her healing and strength into the dark-haired slayer while sending her all the knowledge that was just unlocked before burying her face in Tara's neck, the two women comforting each other.

"FUCK!" Faith growls as she feels her strength and energy come back to her before whimpering as the knowledge of what had happened to the two women invades her mind. Wrapping her arms around her head, Faith whimpers loudly before curling up in a tight ball on the bed.

"Faith?" Joyce turns worried eyes towards the whimpering slayer, unable to help her own daughter, she turns and wraps her body around Faith.

"They're reincarnations of the previous slayer that had became one with her host, and the witch she was in love with. The Watcher's Council…" Faith spit's the words out angrily while shaking uncontrollably. "Couldn't control her, they tried to wipe out the slayer because she no longer was their little puppet and could have brought the end of the Council. When they realized they couldn't kill her because she always seemed one step ahead of them, and what had happened to make her practically indestructible, they took out the source of her strength and love." Faith growls angrily, her eyes lighting on Giles. "They killed her mate, her witch, knowing that would end the slayer's life. After they killed her, the slayer went on a rampage and literally went to the head of the Council itself, she took out over fifty of the Council Members before they finally were able to kill her. They literally tore her apart. The slayer is a mystical being, when she accepted and was accepted by her mate, it unlocked her magical abilities and allowed her access to her mates abilities."

Giles' eyes open wide in disbelief, before they land on the two women silently rocking back and forth, the pain obvious in their silence. "That's why there was almost no information on the other slayer. They executed her lover, in turn ending the slayer's life. There was no mention of the Council coming under siege from one of their own." Giles inhales deeply.

"No, they wouldn't have record of it, would they?" Buffy snarls as she finally looks up. "There was a chance of ending demon kind on Earth, with the two women together. They would have been out of a job, then. They took out a contract hit on the slayer's lover, knowing that the witch wasn't protecting herself, since she honestly didn't think she would be at risk, only her lover. She didn't take the precautions to protect herself from the bastards, and in that simple mistake she was killed. It isn't going to happen this time." Buffy growls angrily as she stands, holding Tara cradled against her body. "We know how to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Tara will have no problem with doing protections around everyone and the house. We will be staying at the house together. She has the power to do what needs to be done now that the last wall between us has been torn down."

Tara takes deep calming breathes, the occasional hitch obvious as she squeezes her lovers neck strongly, her head buried against Buffy's shoulder. "I am sorry I was so foolish and didn't take your warning to heart, Sarim." Tara whispers softly kissing her lover's neck.

"It will not happen again, my sweet Kalina." Buffy answers softly, kissing her forehead gently. "We are together again, and we will finish what we started."

Faith stands looking at the two women for a moment. "You obviously did something to me, to heal me. What do you want me to do?"

"Stay alive." Buffy and Tara state simply at the same time.

"Set a trap for the Council's goons, and I'll make sure they get a very clear warning to leave us alone." Tara's eyes flash with power. "How many will they send after Faith? Including the ones probably already here watching her from the hospital."

Giles runs shaking hands down his face as he thinks about what the women had just finished telling him, while running through his mind what the likely amount of people they would send after Faith would be.

Joyce shifts on the bed, sitting as she stares at Buffy and Tara, not knowing what to say or think as she tries to understand what's going on. She watches as Tara turns, staring in Buffy's eyes for a few long minutes before Buffy nods silently and sets Tara down on her feet.

"Giles, let's go to your apartment." Tara calmly states as she takes a deep breath, brushing her hands down her clothes straightening them. "All of us. Pocket your charms, ladies. You may have no need for them, but just in case, keep them on you."

"But…" Faith stares at Tara, blinking.

"You'll be safe." Tara quirks her lip as she gently places a hand on the slayer's shoulder before moving to Joyce, then Giles touching each one in turn while silently mouthing a soft incantation.

Tara turns to gaze at her lover, her life, Sarim from her past life, Buffy from this life. Closing the distance between them, she strokes her thumbs over her lover's cheek bones. "I love you." Tara whispers before kissing her deeply, reaffirming that love physically.

"I love you, forever." Buffy whispers as they slowly ease back from each other, her eyes searching the blue depths of her mate. "Time to get this party on the road?"

"Yes. Do you want point, or rear?" Tara questions softly her eyes caressing over Buffy.

"I'll take rear. You lead them out." Buffy nods as she watches Tara smile briefly. "If they don't heed our warning, this could very well spell the doom of the Watcher's Council. I will not allow them to continue as they have been."

"I know." Tara nods her head in acknowledgement. "Let's go, ladies and Mr. Giles."


"Why do I get the feelin' I've got a target on me?" Faith growls quietly as the five of them work towards Joyce's vehicle.

"Because you do." Tara growls as she flicks her hand out, sending a small burst of magic to their right.

"I don't think he liked that." Buffy comments, chuckling as she strides over towards the man.

The group turn to see a man patting at his crotch, putting out the flame as he curses with an English accent as he jumps around in pain.

"Got him, sweetie?" Tara watches unconcernedly as Buffy clips him not very gently across the jaw before throwing him over her shoulder and striding back towards them.

"Of course." Buffy smirks as they continue walking. "You going to let the other one go running back to daddy to tell him what's going on?"

"Whatever you think would be best." Tara leaves it up to her lover.

"Don't let him go. Make them wonder what happened to these two." Buffy watches as Tara sends another magical bolt towards the other Watcher goon.

"How the hell do you two know they're part of the Watcher's Council?" Giles questions as he watches Buffy jog over to the other man, picking him up and tossing him over her other shoulder.

"I sort of sent out a little tag spell." Tara admits as they make it to the Jeep. "Buffy and I will be able to tell who they are as soon as they are anywhere near us."

"Should I be nice or mean?" Buffy questions seriously, looking at Tara.

Tara stares at the two unconscious men. "I would say mean, but they'll be out of it, so it won't be as much fun."

"That's true." Buffy nods her head walking around to the back of the Jeep as her mom unlocks the back, opening it. Buffy tosses the two guys roughly into the back before slamming the hatch back.

"Ummm. Should I go ahead and drive my vehicle over to my apartment?" Giles questions, still in shock over the happenings of the last half hour.

"Go ahead and lead the way, we'll follow." Buffy nods before climbing into the back seat, pulling Tara in on her lap and wrapping her arms around her.

Faith sits down in the front seat, turning to look in the back seat at the two women for a moment before turning back to the front as Joyce starts the vehicle following Giles towards his apartment.

"I will not allow it to happen again, Kalina. It has taken me all this time to find you, my love and we won't be apart again." Buffy whispers against Tara's neck, her arms holding her lover tightly.

"No, Sarim. Never apart again. I will never be so foolish as to dismiss your worries again." Tara murmurs softly in response, running her fingers through Buffy's hair, sighing deeply. "I love you, my beautiful one. We will not allow them to break us apart again."

"Never." Buffy states in agreement before lifting her head and running a hand up to cup Tara's cheek, urging her down the short distance to kiss her passionately. Her other hand working it's way under Tara's shirt, to stroke strongly over her lover's back.

"Goddess!" Tara whimpers arching into her lover as Buffy nips down her neck. "It's been so long, my beautiful Sarim."

"Okay, guys. I hate to say it, but you two need to break it up. First off, we're at the watchers digs, secondly, you making out in front of your mom, is so not cool." Faith blinks as she watches the two women, surprised at how quickly the two women forgot where they were. Knowing from what Buffy had sent her, that their previous selves were working their way through their bodies, yearning to become close with each other again.

"Sorry." Tara whispers as she takes a couple deep, heaving breaths as she brings herself under control.

"Soon." Buffy whispers, her eyes glowing with desire, her low purring becoming almost a roar as Tara growls leaning in to kiss her again while stroking her hands down her arms and side.


"What the fuck?" Faith turns back towards the Jeep as she was standing by Joyce, waiting for the other two to climb out of the vehicle.

"Part of the slayer thing." Joyce whispers, her gaze on her daughter and girlfriend. "Just the two of them together, with Tara stroking over Buffy's stomach or arm will get Buffy purring. I can only assume that the purring gets louder as the… caresses become more adventurous."

"Damn, Mrs. S. You sure are pretty cool about this." Faith tilts her head towards the Jeep.

"How can I not be?" Joyce admits, her gaze landing on Faith's. "Even though they seem more like two horny kids right now, but you can see how much they love and care for each other. That is something that I wish all of us could find."

"Are we going to break those two up?" Giles questions quietly as he steps behind Joyce, having heard her statement. Wondering to himself if she ever thought about their tryst when Buffy was in high school. Shaking his head at his own foolhardiness, Giles watches as Faith walks up to the vehicle and pulls the door open.

"Come on, you two! You can suck face later, right now we want to beat up on Watcher dudes." Faith taps the two women on the shoulder, finally breaking them up.

"We will be getting together later, Kalina. That is a promise." Buffy whispers, placing a quick kiss on Tara's lips before allowing the blonde witch to step out of the Jeep.

"That's surprising." Tara admits quietly, blinking as she looks around and sends her senses out, not feeling any of the Watcher's Council Goon squad around.

"Yes, it is. Surely these aren't the only two?" Buffy questions as she opens the trunk, throwing one guy over her shoulder while chuckling meanly as she pulls the other guy out by his collar, allowing him to hit the ground hard before dragging him up to Giles' door.

"Sweetie, bruising the merchandise?" Tara grins crookedly at her lover.

"Hey! You were the one to set this one's crotch on fire." Buffy pats the one over her shoulder on the leg. "He could be permanently scarred for life."

"It didn't make it that far. Maybe just a little blistering and pain for a while." Tara explains, smirking.

"See, just a little pain for this guy for a while, also!" Buffy nods her head as she lets the man she's dragging to thump roughly up the stairs.

"Dear, Lord." Giles mutters before turning back to his apartment door and unlocking it quickly. "What happened to my slayer and the shy witch?"

"Sarim and Kalina." Buffy and Tara both answer at the same time. "There is no love lost in regards to the Watcher's Council." They continue, eerily together.

"Fuckin' stereo." Faith blinks before shaking her head and following the two women into the apartment.


Chapter 34

Joyce bites her lip as she watches Rupert finish tying and gagging the two men from the Watcher's Council while Faith paces back and forth full of energy. Turning her gaze towards her daughter and Tara, Joyce shakes her head as they continue to hold each other, occasionally gently kissing each other.

"What are we gonna do?" Faith finally growls as she looks at the two comatose council goons before sliding her gaze over the other people in the apartment.

"We're wanting to wait and see how many more of the goon squad shows up." Buffy shrugs as she glances over at the two guys tied up. "Or maybe they wake and we'll get the information we need from them, then gather the other idiots and place a little…" Buffy looks at Tara and a completely mischievous grin crosses her face. "A little person to person phone call?"

"That could be arranged." Tara's lip quirks up, the laughter obvious in her eyes. "Us there, or him here?"

Buffy tilts her head considering for a moment. "I'm not in the mood to go to England."

"Here it is." Tara leans in and kisses Buffy softly. "I'd like to get this taken care of, Sarim. Then spend some serious time reacquainting myself with you." Tara runs a hand gently down Buffy's cheek, before stroking her thumb over the slayer's bottom lip, smiling softly at her lover.

"If you want, we could go gather them up?" Buffy questions, her eyes twinkling at the thought.

Tara glances towards Faith who's literally bouncing around the apartment before turning her gaze back towards Buffy. Silently she looks in her lover's eyes for a few short moments before smiling softly and kissing Buffy before releasing her completely.

"Faith? Feel like going out and seeing about gathering a few more of these guys?" Buffy tilts her head towards the Council goons as she watches the dark-haired slayer.

"Anything is better than sitting here waiting." Faith admits looking at the blonde slayer.

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Giles shakes his head looking at the group of women.

"We've got to do something. And the sooner we get this over and done with the better I'll feel." Buffy explains quietly. "Faith, can you drive?"

"I ain't got a license, but I know how to drive." Faith looks at Buffy questioningly.

"We'll need some way to transport them here. I think it would be kind of obvious if we walk down the road with a guy thrown over our shoulders." Buffy smirks at the thought.

"You can take care of that so that no one will see them, Sarim." Tara whispers softly.

"Yeah, but it won't be as much fun as tossing them tied up in the back of the vehicle." Buffy admits, chuckling as she looks at Tara, before sighing quietly at the raised eyebrow. "Okay, okay. Take away all my fun. Simple glamour, save the big mojo for when you bring Travers here, right?"

"That would be perfect, sweetie. Maybe your mother and I can go to the store and pick up something to fix for you two to snack on when you get back?" Tara offers, a small smile playing around her mouth.

"Hot wings with bleu cheese dressing?" Faith eagerly butts in, grinning from ear to ear.

"Someone's been talking about me, I see." Tara raises an eyebrow at Buffy.

"Only good things, honest." Buffy chuckles and kisses Tara quickly. "We're gonna go out and pick up the nearest ones and bring them back."

"Be careful." Tara whispers watching as Buffy winks at her before heading towards the door with Faith following quickly behind. "Ladies, it's getting late, you might want to think about taking a couple stakes with you."

Buffy sends her senses out, seeing if there is anything demon wise they need to worry about. Getting a couple pings other than the major one from the school, Buffy growls quietly. "Giles, a couple stakes and knives, please?"

"Are you ladies quite sure…" Giles starts then stops when Buffy and Faith both glare at him, he throws his hands up in disgust. "If they end up hurting you, I don't want to hear it!"

"They won't." Tara shakes her head quickly. "We're all protected. They won't be able to hurt any of us. Giles, do you mind staying here and babysitting those two, while Joyce and I make a run to the store?"

Joyce chuckles and just shakes her head at the group. "Are we planning on staying here tonight? If we're planning on this taking a while, we'd be more comfortable at my house. And if the main reason we were coming here, was because you thought they'd be more likely to be staking his apartment out, it's kind of a moot point with those two going out to gather them up like bad kids." Joyce motions to Buffy and Faith as they tuck away weapons.

"What do you think, Kalina?" Buffy questions softly as she walks up to Tara, brushing her fingertips over her cheek. "Should we move this to the house?"

"It would be more comfortable for everyone involved." Tara admits as she presses into the soft caress, her eyes searching the hazel eyes of her lover. "Especially since this will probably take the rest of tonight and at least part of tomorrow."

"Can you miss your classes tomorrow?" Buffy questions softly watching her lover intently.

"I'm sure there won't be a problem with my teachers." Tara allows a small smile to cross her face. "Thanks for worrying about it."

"I know you've got a full load of classes. I don't want to do anything that might jeopardize your grades." Buffy admits softly, searching her lover's beautiful blue eyes while running her hand over Tara's hip, unconsciously pulling her lover closer to her body.

"I don't think my grades will hurt too much from missing one days worth of classes. Then we have the weekend to try and tie up any loose ends." Tara smirks as Buffy finishes closing the small distance between them, burying her face in her neck and nipping at her mark.

"Damn, B! Can't you get away from her for a little while? I'm jonesing for some action, here. You shoulda never fixed me up if you ain't gonna let me kick some ass." Faith growls, bouncing up and down before striding through the living room.

"Go." Tara murmurs softly, chuckling as Buffy whimpers.

"Tonight, and maybe this whole weekend, understand?" Buffy whispers as she places a kiss on the ear she's whispering in.

"Understood." Tara smiles at her lover as Buffy winks and spins around on her heel heading out the door. Tara chuckles, knowing Buffy won't stop, or she'd be tempted to come back again.

"'Bout fuckin' time." Faith growls, following Buffy out of the watcher's apartment.

"Damn." Giles mutters as he looks at the closed door that the two slayers had disappeared through.

"What's wrong, Mr. Giles?" Tara glances towards the watcher after the door shuts.

"I should have had them go ahead and put these two imbeciles in the back of the Jeep while they were still here." Giles grumbles, shaking his head.

"I'll take care of them. Go ahead and get yourself a little overnight bag, so we can head home." Tara chuckles as Giles looks at her questioningly. "Should I put them in the back of your vehicle, while Joyce and I stop quickly at the store?"

Giles blinks in confusion for a minute. "How???" Shaking his head he throws his hands up in the air. "Never mind. If you can get them in the car, that would be wonderful. I'll meet you at Joyce's." Giles smiles briefly at Joyce before heading up the stairs.

Tara chuckles and glances towards Joyce, smirking briefly as she notices the woman's eyes following Giles up the stairs. "He's actually a very nice looking older man, isn't he?" Tara questions with a raised eyebrow.

Joyce blushes lightly and slides her eyes towards Tara. "Did Buffy ever mention the band candy incident?" Joyce questions softly, blushing even darker.

"Hmmm. I don't think so." Tara laughs quietly as she curiously watches Joyce sigh heavily and blow a breath of air up into her hair. "But I'm thinking I would like to hear about it."

"Yeah, but Buffy may not want to be reminded of it." Joyce mumbles.

Tara laughs patting Joyce gently on the shoulder. "We'll have to have a discussion without Buffy, then."

"Right, like she'll leave you alone long enough for me to tell you THAT story." Joyce smirks at the young witch.

"Well, we do have the trip to the grocery store, the store and the trip back home." Tara walks over to the two men, whispering softly as she touches each man on the shoulder.

Joyce watches as the two men disappear, shaking her head in disbelief. "Did you magic them out to the vehicle?"

"Nope. You're going to help me." Tara looks up grinning. "I just put a glamour on them, to make them look invisible, and lightened their body weight. So you can grab one and lift him to carry him out to Mr. Giles' car."

"What if I accidentally drop him?" Joyce questions as she hesitantly reaches, chuckling as she pokes the guy in the shoulder. Grasping him, she experimentally lifts him, surprised at how light he is.

Tara looks up smirking. "Oops?"

"The Council must have really done a number on you two." Joyce whispers as they take the two men out to Giles's car.

"That would be one way to put it." Tara murmurs, sighing heavily, her eyes dark with remembered past pain. "I would really rather not talk about that, right now." Tara swallows as they put the two goons in Giles' car. "I think I would rather hear about the band candy incident."

Joyce nods her head in understanding as they climb in the Jeep. "Well, it's going to actually be two stories…" Joyce grins as she explains about the be spelled candy, and what happened between her and Rupert, chuckling as Tara busts out laughing. "Oh, oh!! Wait, that's not the best part…" Explaining the rest of how Buffy got the 'aspect of the demon' and how she found out about them. "On the hood of the police car… twice?"

"Oh, Goddess!!" Tara laughs hysterically as she can practically hear Buffy saying it. "That had to be priceless!"

"Not at the time." Joyce laughs with Tara, shaking her head. "It was extremely embarrassing!" Joyce admits, chuckling as they pull into a parking spot at the grocery store. The two women walk in companionably, planning on stocking the house with as much groceries as they can, laughing the entire time.


Buffy slows down as she walks downtown, her eyes lighting on a store that's open late.

"Yo, B! What'cha lookin' at? I thought you were wanting to get the duds back to the house." Faith grunts before dropping the two Watcher Council guys on the ground and stretching her back, before looking towards where Buffy's eyes were caught. "Damn, B! Got some kink in ya'?"

"Sarim does." Buffy whispers softly as she drops the three she's been carrying before crossing the street to look in the windows. Sighing quietly, Buffy looks in the windows for a few minutes before turning crossing the street again to pick up the idiots, kicking them in the ribs before picking them up and throwing them over her shoulders.

Faith smirks at Buffy's actions, being able to see the men, after Buffy did something when she bitched about grabbing one in the nuts by accident. Buffy had shrugged and whacked all of them in the balls before stating something in a foreign tongue and waving her hand around them. "Anymore demons around?" Faith looks around antsy, still jonesing for some more action.

"No. Just down at the Initiative's place. They've been capturing them and doing experiments on them, is all we can figure out. Maybe after we get the Council taken care of, we can figure out what to do about those idiots." Buffy comments as she looks around, sighing. "I want Tara." Buffy finally admits as she strides towards home.

Faith follows silently behind Buffy for a few blocks, before hesitantly questioning her fellow slayer. "What happened to her, B?"

Buffy shakes her head as she slows down, for Faith to walk beside her. "She hasn't told me much, Faith. I just know that her family abused her, her father got her with a beer bottle bad enough that she has a scar from it on her side. It had punctured her lung, even." Buffy growls angrily at the thought of Tara's family. "Her mom was the only thing that I think kept her sane. After she died, I have a feeling things got worse for Tara, but she hasn't really gone into much detail about it. She's slowly loosening up more."

Faith nods her head softly as they continue to walk. "I didn't have much of a home life growing up, either. Hell, sometimes I think I would have rather had the abuse than to be fuckin' ignored like I wasn't there and left to fend for myself." Faith finally admits softly.

"Tara was thinking you might have been abused." Buffy tilts her head to see more of the slayer's face.

"Nah, at least not until I ran away." Faith shifts the one goon that was starting to slide. "I got in the wrong crowd and they fucked me up pretty bad." Faith shrugs, taking a deep breath. "Ma didn't even act like I existed. She'd get drunk and pass out in front of the TV from the time I could remember. Sometimes there would be sandwich fixin's in the house, but not that often. More than not, I went hungry."

Buffy slows down and turns to face the dark-haired slayer fully. "Why didn't you ever open up to us, when you first came here?" Buffy questions softly, sincerely curious as to why Faith never talked like this before.

"'Cause I decided I wouldn't get hurt, if I didn't feel nothin'." Faith growls angrily as she thinks back to that time. "I tried to play it all off like a big fuckin' game. Big Bad Assed Slayer." Faith snarls her nose up at the thought of how she acted.

Buffy drops the Council goons as she reaches out to turn Faith's head towards her. "I'm sorry I never really reached out to you then, Faith. It might have taken time, but things could have been different if I had." Buffy admits softly, the sadness obvious in her eyes.

"It ain't like I gave ya' much of a choice." Faith inhales deeply, trying to get control of her anger as she sees the sincerity in Buffy's eyes. "Come on, I got some powerful hungries goin' on. Hope your girl made wings." Faith allows a crooked smile to cross her face.

"Knowing Tara, I'm sure she did." Buffy nods, before slinging the goons carelessly over her shoulders.

"Damn, B! They're gonna be a hurtin' when they come to." Faith smirks as she and Buffy head quickly towards Revello Drive.

"Good! They ought to be thankful I don't cut their fuckin' dicks off and shove them down there throats." Buffy growls at the men. "I can't believe they pulled fucking guns on us!"

"I didn't realize T-Bear's spell even kept the bullets from hurting us." Faith whispers, still remembering the shock and surprise as before she'd realized it, she'd had a gun pointed at her and bullets whizzing to come to a dead standstill a foot from her to drop harmlessly to the ground. Shivering at the thought, Faith pales at how close she'd come to dying.

"She was serious, when she said no harm would come to any of us." Buffy shrugs unworriedly at the thought. "I trust her completely."

Faith nods silently as they finally turn down Buffy's street. "There anymore of these idiots?"

"I don't know." Buffy admits hoarsely, frowning heavily. "Maybe Kalina and I can do a quick run around town, or maybe she can do a spell that will bring whoever's left here, to the house."

"Were any of these the one you saw at the hospital?" Faith follow's Buffy up the stairs to her house.

"Extra bruised boy." Buffy smirks as she hits one of the goons hard on the ass. "One of them you're carrying looks familiar, so it might have been another one from the hospital. I'm not real sure." Buffy shrugs as she opens the door inhaling deeply as the smell of spicy hot wings permeates the air. Dropping the guys she's carrying, Buffy heads straight to the kitchen.

Faith raises an eyebrow before shrugging her shoulders and drops the ones she's carrying on top of Buffy's before shutting the door and following her sister slayer into the kitchen, smirking as she sees Buffy already having Tara pinned against the back door. Turning her gaze towards Giles and Joyce, she smirks knowingly at the two. "Those two are gonna keep us up all night, ya' know that don't ya?"

Joyce rolls her eyes, laughing. "No, Tara already promised me we wouldn't hear a peep from their room. We just have to worry about hearing them while they're in other parts of the house!" Joyce grumbles loudly as she hears a loud moan come from one of the women.

"Sorry, mom." Buffy pants heavily after finally releasing Tara from a hungry, searching kiss.

"No you're not." Tara whispers, grinning at her lover before dragging her hands up from Buffy's ass to stroke softly over her back.

"Okay, no I'm not." Buffy winks at Tara before slowly pulling her hands out from under Tara's shirt, tweaking her nipples first. "Not much longer." Buffy growls and leans in to nip playfully at Tara's bottom lip.

"After dinner and a late night snack." Tara smacks Buffy firmly on the butt as she turns back towards the kitchen. "The wings will be done here in a few minutes. We also have fixings for submarine sandwiches, if anyone would like some."

"How many wings you got cookin'?" Faith plops down on one of the stools, her eyes looking questioningly at the blonde witch.

"A few." Tara grins when Joyce starts to choke on her laughter.

"Ummm. Did you ladies have any luck?" Giles questions hoarsely as he cleans his glasses.

"Yeah, they're in a pile in the living room." Faith grins at the watcher. "Where's the other two?"

"Down in the basement." Tara answers as she walks towards the living room, waving away the spell to look at the unconscious men. "Honey?" Tara sing songs softly, laughing as Buffy trots in quickly. "The merchandise seems to be a little bruised."

"Some of them tried to shoot us." Buffy shrugs looking down at them as she taps a couple in the ribs with her foot. "They didn't exactly make me happy."

Tara snarls her nose at the men. "Toss them down the stairs with the other two." Tara shakes her head and walks back to the kitchen, past a stunned and pale Giles.

"Surely they didn't." Giles whispers watching as Buffy easily lifts two in her hands, heading back towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, they did, tweed." Faith snarls as she picks up a couple, following Buffy.

"Don't throw them down the stairs!" Giles watches horrified as Buffy prepares to do just that.

Buffy turns towards him with a raised eyebrow before tossing them down the stairs, having seen that Tara had already placed a magical spell for them to land relatively gently down in the basement.

Faith chortles as she quickly follows suit, tossing one after the other down the stairs, watching curiously as they floated down and out of sight. "Ah, hell!! That ain't no fun." Faith grumbles before plopping back down on a stool, staring at Tara.

"Sorry." Tara grins and shrugs. "I already placed a spell around the house to protect us. I also took care of it so that when those idiots came to, they will only be able to do the basic things to take care of themselves. If we're feeling generous, we might feed them. But I honestly look for this to be over with tomorrow."

"Can you do something to make sure there aren't anymore of them here in Sunnydale?" Buffy questions as she tosses the last one down the stairs, shutting the door as she leans against it, smiling as she watches Tara start pulling the wings out of the oven.

"There's one more." Tara tilts her head, smirking. "He'll be here in a little while."

"Good." Buffy nods her head and sits down by Faith, pulling one of the hot pans in front of her. "Did you make some extra sauce?"

"Of course." Tara chuckles and pulls a big jar of sauce out of the refrigerator. "This is the special stuff." Tara winks at Buffy. "I did a little something to make it cook in record time."

Buffy licks her lips as she watches Tara pour some in a bowl and set it down in front of her. Dunking one of the wings in the sauce and quickly eating the dripping wing, Buffy whimpers and gathers all the sauce off her lips. "You're gonna have to keep this sauce on hand all the time." Buffy looks up, tears from the spiciness of the sauce making her eyes glassy.

Tara chuckles at Buffy before she watches as Faith looks at Buffy before hesitantly dipping a small part of her wing in the sauce before eating it. "Shit, B!" Faith groans loudly, tears coming to her eyes, also. "Give me more of that." Faith grunts as she tries to take the bowl away from Buffy.

"Get your fucking own!" Buffy growls and smacks Faith's hand, pulling the bowl over to the other side of her.

"Children." Tara shakes her head before placing another bowl in front of Faith, as she watches Buffy smirk and pour her sauce over her tray of wings.

"Dare I even try one?" Giles questions as he watches the two slayers eat the wings while wiping the tears from their faces.

"Here, you might want to try one of these." Tara pushes one of the batches of wings that she did that weren't near as hot, as she hadn't soaked them in the sauce, just dipped them in quickly. "These should just have a good flavor with a little bit of a kick. Nothing like those other wings are."

"They're quite good, Rupert. Try one." Joyce grins encouragingly at the watcher, as she and Tara had already eaten some earlier, when Joyce had begged to try some of the non-nuclear wings.

"Hey! I thought these were for us." Buffy grumbles watching as Giles starts to eat a wing.

"I made enough to tide you two over." Tara pinches Buffy on the side as she walks over to stand behind her lover as she eats. "Plus there's more in the refrigerator that I already baked, they'll just need to be re-heated." Tara murmurs as she nibbles on Buffy's ear.

"Forget food." Buffy growls as she tosses down her wing, quickly wiping her hands before picking Tara up and running out of the kitchen, leaving three people staring after her in surprise.

"She didn't do what I think she just did?" Joyce blinks as literally, one second the two women were there, the next second gone.

"Uh, yep. More for me." Faith shrugs her shoulders as she goes back to eating the wings, smirking at the thought.

"Dear, Lord!" Giles mumbles as he slowly blinks at the empty spot the two women had been.

"You ought to try living here, before Tara did the silence spell on Buffy's room." Joyce grumbles, blushing lightly.

Giles blushes even darker as his and Joyce's eyes lock on each other for a moment, as they both remember their own past deeds.

Faith grunts, trying not to laugh at the obvious desire on both of their faces, tilting her head down as she finishes her wings and pulls Buffy's pan towards her to work through hers.


Chapter 35

"Sarim, you need to clean yourself, my love." Tara murmurs as Buffy growls before heading back out of her room, still carrying Tara.

"Want you, Kalina." Buffy nuzzles Tara neck as she kicks the door shut behind them.

"And you will have me, but not with that hot sauce on your fingers!" Tara chuckles quietly as she watches the realization cross Buffy's face.

"Probably wouldn't be good for certain areas, huh?" Buffy gently sets Tara down on her feet, kissing her quickly. "Help me?" Buffy wiggles her eyebrows as she strips her clothes off.

"Not this time." Tara whispers, stroking a finger down Buffy's cheek. "We'll probably end up breaking something, either in the bathroom, or some part of us, if we stay in here."

Buffy pouts as she walks backwards, turning the water on to the shower. "What are you going to do while I'm cleaning myself?"

"I'm going to be ready and waiting for you in the bedroom." Tara smiles as Buffy's eyes glow with desire, and a rumble works its way out of her lover's chest. "Make sure you clean yourself well."

Buffy grunts as she watches Tara ease out of the bathroom before jumping in the shower to clean herself thoroughly, paying special attention to her hands to make sure there isn't a chance of the nuclear hot sauce getting in delicate areas.

Tara chuckles softly as she shuts the door to the bedroom, slowly stripping her clothes off before stroking a finger over Mr. Gordo's ear and whispering. "Silence out, hear within." Walking over to the bed, she folds the covers down and turns on the small lamp by the bed before walking over to turn the bright overhead light off. Plumping the pillows, Tara eases down on the bed on her side and props her head up to watch the door, waiting for her lover.


"What the hell did they do?" Giles stares at one of the men, that looks vaguely familiar, walks in and goes straight to the basement. Shaking his head at whatever Tara or Buffy had done, he rubs a hand over the back of his neck.

Faith snorts and moans quietly as she finishes the wings. "I think I ate too much."

Joyce raises an eyebrow and laughs quietly at the miserable looking slayer. "Maybe you should have stopped after the first three or four dozen?"

Faith grunts and rubs her stomach, pouting. "I need to crash."

Joyce raises her eyes towards Rupert who's just rolling his eyes. "I have an air mattress set up in the spare bedroom upstairs, and then there's the couch."

"Go ahead and take the bedroom, Tweed. I'll crash on the couch." Faith moans as she slowly makes her way out to the living room.

"How come I feel like I'm bloody well out in right field?" Giles finally plops down on one of the stools and drops his head on his hand.

Joyce walks around and gently grasps his shoulder. "The kids are growing up, Rupert and ready to be on their own. That's basically what you're feeling. Kind of makes you feel old and useless."

"You feel that way, too?" Giles questions softly turning to look over his shoulder at Joyce. Seeing her nod and smile, Giles smiles back shyly before turning his head back. "You know that it's only a matter of time before Buffy and Tara probably move out to find a place of their own."

"I know." Joyce murmurs quietly, unconsciously reaching up to play her fingers over the watchers hair.

Giles closes his eyes at the soft touch, feeling his heart speed up. "Can I ask you something, my dear?" Giles questions softly.

"Of course." Joyce sighs quietly as she eases back from the watcher and walks around the counter to sit down across from him, watching him curiously.

Giles blushes lightly and looks down. "Do you ever think…" Giles trails off as he blushes even darker.

Joyce bites her lip as she realizes what he's thinking about. "About the band candy incident and what happened?"

Giles slowly raises his eyes and nods his head. "I've wanted to say something for a while, but…" He shrugs and looks back down in embarrassment. "I was sort of afraid that it might have just been the candy."

Joyce smiles softly and reaches across the island and rests her hand on top of Giles', watching as he slowly raises his eyes to look at her. "It wasn't, Rupert."

Giles allows a small smile to cross his face, as his eyes light up. "I dare say, we have some talking to do."

"Yes, we do. And maybe going out to dinner?" Joyce hints without any subtlety.

"Definitely dinner." Giles lifts Joyce's hand and presses a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I'm not telling Buffy. I'd rather her not decide to tear me apart."

"I'll have Tara tell her." Joyce smiles and winks at Giles, laughing as he blushes darkly before laughing, also.


Buffy opens the door, smiling softly at the sight of her lover curled up on her side waiting patiently for her. Shutting the door, Buffy drops the towel, tossing it unerringly towards the hamper as she prowls up to the bed, easing a knee on it, smiling as Tara eases onto her back. "I love you." Buffy whispers softly as she hovers partially over Tara, kissing her gently.

"I love you, too, my warrior. My Sarim." Tara murmurs after Buffy releases her lips in the heart stopping, gentle kiss. Running her fingers through the slightly damp hair, to caress down and over her lovers strong back, enjoying the feel of the muscles flexing with the slightest movements. Tara smiles at the loud rumbles coming from her lover, and moans softly as Buffy places loving kisses down her neck.

"Do you remember everything, my Kalina?" Buffy questions in between gentle kisses across Tara's shoulder, her tongue gently dipping in the indention.

"Yes, my love." Tara's hands reach down to grasp the slayer's butt cheeks, digging her short blunt nails in deeply.

"OH, GOD!" Buffy presses her hips down into Tara at the feelings rising within her, as she arches her upper body up, shaking slightly.

"Don't be afraid, Buffy. Ask for what you want, I am Kalina and Kalina is me. Her loving memories of us being together far outweighs those things that happened to me." Tara explains softly as she lifts her head up to hungrily latch onto one of Buffy's breasts.

Buffy pants heavily as she presses her body even more firmly into Tara's, moaning as Tara shifts her legs a little further apart, allowing her to drop her lower body between them. "I wanted to go slow, tonight." Buffy whimpers as she feels one of Tara's hands slide around between their bodies, her fingers stroking knowingly through her wetness.

Tara releases the flesh in her mouth, to look into Buffy's beautiful eyes. "Do you still want to go slow?" Tara's fingers stroke through Buffy's wetness to tease her lover's swollen clit. As Buffy whimpers and her head shakes, Tara separates both of their lips, as she continues to stroke softly over Buffy's clit with her fingers while rubbing her thumb over her own enlarged muscle. "Do you know what I want, my love?"

Buffy growls quietly, nodding her head quickly as she eases her body down the short distance between them, moaning as their swollen clits come into contact with each other as Tara's fingers wiggle out from between their bodies. Dropping her head, Buffy takes a couple deep breaths before slowly rocking their bodies against each other, teasing, light rubbing as their essences mingle slowly together.

Tara moans loudly as Buffy presses her body more firmly against hers, picking up the rocking motion. Wrapping a leg around the slayer's leg, Tara opens herself more, pressing up firmly into her lover's body, feeling their juices literally sliding down over her body, and between her butt cheeks. Digging both hands firmly into Buffy's ass, Tara urges her lover into a faster motion as she feels the climax slowly working through her.

"So close, so close." Buffy murmurs, the sweat literally making her body shine in the soft light of the room.

"Harder, Sarim!" Tara orders loudly as her body bucks up firmly into Buffy's.

Buffy grunts as she presses in harder and rocks faster against Tara, feeling her lover getting ready to tip over the edge, allowing herself to be right there with her. "Now, love!" Buffy practically howls as she feels the climax rip through her body, as Tara screams loudly at the same time.

Tara wraps her other leg around her lover, continuing to rock against Buffy as she feels the liquid literally dripping from her body, from their combined climax. "Love you." Tara pants heavily as they continue to rock against each other.

"So much." Buffy drops her head down to bury it in Tara's neck as she continues the rocking motion, feeling another orgasm building. Turning her head, Buffy laps hungrily at the sweaty goodness, that is her lover. "So much." Buffy whispers again, grinding her hips down and around against Tara's, grunting at the pleasure coursing through her.

"Yesssss." Tara moans as she counter grinds against her lover. Pressing up into her lover's body, while rotating her hips in a small circle, Tara feels the orgasm start to work through her body. "Almost, Sarim! Almost!" Tara cries out as she feels the hard throbbing of her clit.

"Yes, yes, yes." Buffy starts a mantra feeling the twitching of Tara's clit against her own aching, swollen muscle, grinding down hard and pinning Tara's body, Buffy tilts her head back, screaming Tara's name with her release.

Tara quickly follow's Buffy, crying out her name a few short seconds later. Groaning quietly as they both collapse on the bed, Buffy panting heavily into her neck, as her legs literally flop to either side of her lover as her body twitches with aftershocks. Tara can't help but smile as she continues to feel the rumbling purrs working through her lover's body, that never stopped.

"Can't move." Buffy mumbles into Tara's neck after few long minutes, her body still quivering with the pleasure easing through her.

"S'okay." Tara mumbles, her eyes closed as her hands stroke gently up and down her lovers back. Tara tilts her head against Buffy's as she wraps her arms around her lover, hugging her tightly.

Buffy smiles into Tara's neck as they lay there for a while, slowly getting control of their breathing and their bodies. "So, you used Mr. Gordo as the focus, huh?" Buffy finally questions, grinning as her lover giggles.

"I thought it was fitting." Tara shrugs, as she smiles softly, her eyes trailing over towards where the stuffed pig was sitting on the dresser. "Hmmmm. I'll give you forever to stop that." Tara murmurs as Buffy starts to kiss and lick her neck.

"Okay." Buffy murmurs into her lover's neck as she laps more strongly over her lover's body, slowly working her way down to her lover's breasts, not leaving a single millimeter of skin untouched before teasingly circling one of her lover's nipples for long moments before finally giving in to Tara's quiet pleading, to suckle strongly on the hard flesh. Hearing the low whimpers coming from her lover, Buffy moans quietly before finally releasing the flesh to work her way over to the other nipple, sucking and stroking her tongue over it, not teasing it like she'd done the other one. "Taste good." Buffy mumbles against the flesh in her mouth, before gently scraping her teeth over the hard nipple.

"GODDESS!" Tara arches up, crying out at the pleasure. "Buffy, please!" She cries softly as Buffy just drags her tongue under her breasts, working so agonizingly slowly down her body.

"Hands." Buffy warns softly as Tara's hands dig in her shoulders, trying to urge her to move quicker.

Tara grunts, before whimpering. "Please, Sarim! Enough with the torture!" Tara's body arches and bucks, trying to urge her lover to move quicker down her body. Moaning in agony as Buffy seems to move slower.

"My turn for what I want." Buffy growls softly as she strokes her tongue strongly over her lover's abdomen, ever so slowly working her way downwards.

"Oh, Goddess!" Tara moans loudly as Buffy takes her sweet time working her way down her body. Bucking her hips as she feels her lover's tongue stroke teasingly over the dip in her hip. Grabbing onto the headboard with both hands, Tara bucks uncontrollably as Buffy's strong, warm tongue strokes over her outer lips.

"Taste soooo good." Buffy murmurs, licking her lips as she drags her tongue over Tara's outer lips, smiling at the whimpers coming from her lover. "Us together is unlike anything ever before. Ambrosia doesn't taste this good." Buffy continues softly before dipping her tongue teasingly between her lover's lips. Buffy chuckles quietly as she hears Tara literally growl. "Teased long enough." Buffy murmurs as she slides her hands under her lover's butt cheeks, lifting her slightly, while spreading Tara's legs further apart, opening her lover to her greedy eyes, mouth and tongue. Buffy dives in, trying to engulf her lover completely with her mouth, as the loud rumbling purrs work out of her body, vibrating directly into Tara.

"SWEET, GODDESS!" Tara screams out as she climaxes from the vibrations of her lover against her apex. Bucking uncontrollably as Buffy starts to lick up her slit, dragging her tongue roughly over her aching, swollen clit time after time.

Lapping quickly and hungrily as she brings her lover to another climax, Buffy grins as she laps up her sweet reward, dipping her tongue playfully within her lover to gather more of her lover's juices. Easing her mouth away from her lover's entrance, Buffy listens intently to her lover's heavy, harsh breathing, and the almost continuous whimpering coming from her. Gently sliding three fingers into Tara's core, Buffy curls her middle finger and strokes continuously over Tara's pleasure spot, holding onto her with her other arm to keep from getting dislodged as she hears the low keening noise start from deep in her lover's chest as her inner muscles clench uncontrollably against her fingers. Dipping her head down, Buffy drags her tongue firmly over her lover's rosebud, moaning with her own desire as Tara arches up, clamping down hard on her fingers as she explodes.

When Tara literally drops back down to the bed, her body giving a little twitch and shudder, Buffy lifts her head up to look at her passed out lover. "Ooops." Buffy mumbles softly before gently easing her fingers from within her lover to wiggle her body more comfortably against the bed as she enjoys the fruits of her labor.


Chapter 36

Buffy finishes moving the furniture around in the living room, until there's just the chair sitting in the middle of the room, with all the other furniture moved to other parts of the house, or against the walls. "Kalina! Anything else?" Buffy calls loudly for her lover.

Tara walks from the kitchen with a plate filled with a humongous omelet for her lover, handing it to her with a quick kiss. Looking around the room she shakes her head. "I think the idiots will all be able to fit on the floor okay. Joyce, Mr. Giles and Faith can sit on the couch and see and hear everything that happens. I think it's perfect."

Buffy moans as Tara strokes a hand down her side and around her ass while she's talking, knowing that her lover isn't even aware of her teasing caresses. Shoving a huge bite of the omelet in her mouth, Buffy chews and tries to think of other things, but glimpses of their early morning romp flashes behind her eyes. Smiling at the remembrance of being woken up to an earth shattering climax, before Tara got serious. Buffy shifts her body slightly, placing the fork on the plate as she pulls down at the crotch of her jeans to try and get some relief for her achy, sensitive clit.

"I figure after everyone's eaten, we can get this show on the road." Tara clasps one of Buffy's butt cheeks in her hand, squeezing firmly. "Why don't you finish that in the dining room, I have a big glass of milk on the table waiting for you."

Buffy grunts around another mouthful of food, walking slightly bow legged to try and keep her jeans from rubbing against her. Buffy blushes lightly as Faith smirks at her knowingly from the table as she works her way through a huge stack of pancakes, with half of an omelet on another plate.

"Here's another platter of sausage and bacon." Joyce comes from the kitchen followed closely by Giles.

Buffy narrows her gaze on her mother and watcher as they come out of the kitchen. Noticing their slightly disheveled appearance, she starts to inhale deeply before Tara places a calming hand on her shoulder and leans in against her.

"Easy, love. They deserve happiness and their own privacy, if they so choose." Tara whispers ever so softly against Buffy's ear before placing a soft kiss on the tender skin behind it. "Your mother told me about the band candy incident, and the fact that she actually does like Mr. Giles. And from the looks of things, I would say it's mutual."

Buffy grunts quietly, nodding her head as she shoves more food in her mouth, her eyes still staying narrowed as she glances from one end of the table to the other.

Tara sits down beside Buffy and reaches out to the platter grabbing a piece of bacon and munching on it as she looks at her lover. Running her free hand gently over Buffy's thigh to try and calm her lover.

"What exactly do you two have planned?" Giles finally questions as he blushes lightly at the look he's getting from Buffy.

Buffy growls quietly, snarling her lip up on one side. "Travers' head on a platter would be good."

"Now, love." Tara murmurs and squeezes Buffy's thigh firmly. "We're going to have a little discussion with Mr. Travers and see if we can't come to an agreement."

Giles shakes his head. "He isn't going to be very agreeable. He doesn't like to get his hands dirty."

"No, he'd rather fuckin' send his goon squad out to take us out of the equation." Faith snarls as she finishes her breakfast, dropping the fork on top of the plate as she stares at Giles. "That ain't gonna work. Something is gonna have to be done about him and the council."

"Let's see what happens." Tara grins wickedly as her eyes twinkle merrily. "I have a feeling that after today, we won't have much trouble from that end. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling that they might actually be helpful."

Giles raises an eyebrow at the young witch. "Why exactly did you re-arrange the living room, and what do you have planned, young woman?"

"Wait and see." Buffy growls as she finishes eating her breakfast before reaching for her milk to finish it off. Sliding the phone down the table towards Giles, Buffy grins wickedly. "When we're ready, we want you to call Travers and keep him on the phone. Tara will take it from there."

Tara holds the other cordless extension in her hand. "We'll see what he thinks about Sunnydale and the good ol' US of A when we're done with him!!"

Faith grins wickedly as she looks from Buffy to Tara and back. "I think I might like this."

"Dear, Lord." Giles mutters as he pinches the bridge of his nose after whipping off his glasses. "I have a feeling I'm going to become grayer than I already am before this day is out."

Joyce chuckles quietly as she refrains from making any comments. Standing she starts to gather the empty dishes and platters, smiling in thanks as the rest of the group helps carry everything in the kitchen.


Giles slowly punches in the number for the direct line in to Quentin Travers, watching as Faith bounces on the balls of her feet, Joyce sits calmly on the couch beside him, Tara and Buffy stand close to the chair, looking at each other and grinning. Praying that the two women know what they're doing, but also knowing that something has to be done before the Council kills someone.

"Travers!" Quentin barks into the phone, his eyes flashing with anger when none of his people from Sunnydale had checked in that morning as they should have.

"Lovely day, isn't it old man?" Giles nods towards Tara, watching her click the extension on, smiling.

"What do you want?" Travers growls in the phone, his eyes narrowing as he slams his cup of tea down on his desk, his eyes flashing from one person to the other in his office.

"Well, it would seem there was a bit of a problem here last night. I was wondering if you know anything about someone shooting at my slayer?" Giles questions, the tone of his words sending shivers down everyone's spine.

Tara raises an eyebrow in surprise at the ex-Watcher, before turning her gaze questioningly on her lover. When Buffy silently sends her the message that he was something of a bad ass in his younger days, Tara nods her head in acceptance as she closes her eyes, focusing in on Travers as the two men continue to banter angrily back and forth. "You are mine." Tara whispers softly, teleporting the Head of the Watcher's Council into the chair between her and Buffy.

"What the bloody hell???" Travers yells trying to stand up, finding himself unable to move his body, just able to move his head, as he stares in stunned surprise as he finds himself staring into pale blue eyes. "Who the hell are you, young woman?"

"Your worst nightmare." Tara narrows her gaze on him as she reaches out and grabs him by an ear, yanking on it hard. "You had someone shoot at my lover, and I don't like that. Not one bit!"

Travers narrows his gaze on the woman before slowly taking in the rest of his surroundings, as he realizes that he's in Sunnydale, of all places, he pales as he takes in the sight of Giles standing there off to the side with his arms crossed, Buffy coming to stand besides the woman with the blue eyes shooting sparks at him, Faith, the slayer that should, by all rights, be dead and Mrs. Summers. "How the hell did you guys bring me here?"

"That would be my doing." Tara smirks as she looks towards Buffy. Waving her hand, the rest of the men from the Watcher's Council come into the living room and sit down quietly, almost like people in a trance.

"I won't stand for this!! Release me and my people now!" Travers yells at the top of his lungs.

"Sorry, old chap. But you don't have a choice in the matter." Giles sits back down beside Joyce and leans back, deciding that with that simple show of power, Tara could, and probably would do whatever is necessary to take care of everyone. "Your show, ladies."

Tara nods her head and looks at her lover, silently questioning her if she wants to take over.

Buffy winks and crosses her arms to stare down at the head of the Watcher's Council, her eyes narrowed on the head of the Council. "You will leave Sunnydale to us. There will be no sending anyone from the Watcher's Council here to check on us, spy on us or try and hurt or kill us." When Travers starts to sputter, Buffy waves her hand at him. "Silence!" She growls angrily watching him snap his mouth shut. "You will pay Giles for all the time he has been here, continuing to do his job without you assholes looking over his shoulder. You will send Faith and I a monthly stipend to help offset the costs of food, clothes, weapons, living expenses and other items that we will need." Buffy turns to look at Faith with a raised eyebrow. "How does $5,000 a month each sound?"

Faith smirks and nods her head as she stops to watch the proceedings. "That'll be good."

"Fine, $5,000 apiece each month. Subject to change for more, if we deem we need more." Buffy raises an eyebrow at Travers. "You will have all records and charges dropped against Faith. We are going to give her the help, care and family that she needs. Giles will contact you with our bank accounts, and we want to be paid retroactive for the time we've been slayers."

"WE WILL NOT!" Travers yell, the veins in his forehead popping out as his face turns red with anger.

"I think you will." Tara steps up beside her lover, her eyes turning a pale blue. "Buffy and I know what the Council has done in the past. We can take care of ourselves. We are giving you this chance to continue being a part of the fight against evil here in Sunnydale. If you choose to continue in the way that you have, we will have no other choice but to keep you and any of your…" Tara turns to look at the rest of the goons that the Council had sent to Sunnydale. "Employees, from stepping foot in Sunnydale." Tara turns to gaze at Giles. "Who does the Council deal with in one of the Covens that can explain to this pompous ass that we can and will take care of ourselves if they want to be a problem?"

Giles tilts his head and smiles wickedly. "Alanna is the head of the Coven in Devon. The Council always goes through her for anything they need."

"Would you mind contacting her, asking her if she would mind talking with us?" Tara questions softly.

"It would be my pleasure." Giles smiles and picks up the phone, walking towards the kitchen to call the Coven.

"You can't do this!!" Travers sputters, before his eyes go wide at the sight before him.

Buffy growls angrily, invading the man's personal space, she snarls her lip and her eyes turn a brilliant orange. "We have, we will and we can!" Buffy's voice sounds like a lion's roar as she looks at Travers. Snarling her nose in disgust at the smell of body fluids now coming from the man, she jumps back away from him.

"I think you scared him." Tara comments with a slight raise of her eyebrow, a small smile crossing her face as she hears both Faith and Joyce snort back laughter in response to her comment.

"I am not cleaning that up." Joyce points at the puddle that's now on the floor, before her eyes take in Giles coming to the living room with the phone in his hand.

"Ummm… Tara, can you…" He waves the phone at Tara, smiling as she nods and accepts it.

"Are you prepared?" Tara questions softly into the phone, smiling at the answer.

"Bloody hell, yes!" Alanna chuckles as she winks at a couple of her Coven members, the group having been put on alert when Quentin had disappeared from his office in the middle of a discussion with a couple other Council members.

"Oh, now that was faster and smoother than I expected." Alanna blinks as she stares into the pale blue eyes looking at her, the woman blushing lightly. Tilting her head, Alanna frowns as she looks at the woman, feeling the intense power and goodness coming from her, her eyes slowly take in the rest of the group, finally coming to rest on Buffy. Inhaling deeply as she finally understands, she nods her head towards Buffy and back at Tara. "Sarim and Kalina. It was foretold that you two would be back together again."

Travers' eyes grow wide in realization and he whimpers loudly, trying to move, unable to with whatever they had done to him. "Bloody, hell!" He growls as he continues to fight internally.

"Now you understand." Alanna smiles knowingly at the Head of the Council. Finally relaxing as the pompous ass realizes what has happened, what he and the previous members of the Council had tried to keep from ever happening again. "You have no control over her, Quentin. Your best bet is to do what they say, or leave them alone. The two are as one, once more. They will not be denied this time. If you value your life, and your Council, it would be best for all concerned that you do not fight them. Support them as the Council should have supported all the previous Slayer's."

Travers lowers his head silently, in submission. Knowing that the two women could, and would fight and defeat anyone he could possibly send to them, and without the help of the Coven, they wouldn't even be able to fight them magically.

"You have our support, in whatever way you two may need it. It will be a long and hard battle that you two have ahead of you." Alanna smiles softly, clasping Tara's shoulder gently. "When things have settled down, I would like for you to come visit with the Coven for a while. There is much to discuss and for us to learn from each other."

"What do you mean?" Buffy finally questions looking at the older woman.

"What was stopped before, by the Council taking your lives was the fact that you two together could eventually wipe out demon kind. It is a long, hard road that you two will have. But with help of loved ones and people willing to help you, it will be made easier. Now that we know that you have found each other again, we will research everything we have to help you…" Alanna raises an eyebrow at Travers. "Won't we, Quentin?"

Travers takes a deep breath, slowly raising his eyes and nodding his head. "Yes."

Tara raises an eyebrow questioningly at the Head of the Coven. "Can I release him and the rest of the group without them deciding to try and do harm to us?" Tara stresses the word try.

"Everything will be as it should." Travers sighs deeply as he looks at his men sitting on the floor. "No longer shall we fight against the Slayer's, we will support them to our fullest abilities."

Tara looks intently into her lover's eyes, silently questioning whether or not Buffy believes his words. When Buffy slowly nods her head, Tara smiles softly. Hearing her unspoken lover's words whispering in her head to leave the protective spells around them, to be on the safe side. Tara tilts her head and watches the men for a few minutes before finally releasing them from her spell.

"Consider yourself lucky, Quentin. These two together could have had you in so many pieces that no one would have been able to identify the remains, if they wanted." Alanna explains quietly as she stares at the man.

"I know. I've read what she did after her lover was killed." Quentin stands, looking down in embarrassment at his wet pants.

Tara grumbles quietly and magically cleans up the head of the Council, for their own benefit, not for the Head of the Council's benefit.

"Thank you." Buffy mumbles as she comes up beside her lover wrapping her arms around her waist. "The smell was about ready to drive me insane."

Tara leans against Buffy, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in tighter. "Now, do we need to discuss what needs to be done, before sending you two back?"

"I'll take care of everything." Travers shakes his head looking at his group of men. "Go ahead and pack, you'll be coming back home."

The men all nod and silently leave the house, two of them yelping loudly as Faith kicks them in the ass on their way by her. "Sorry. Still a bit pissed about the fact they tried to shoot us." Faith shrugs when everyone looks at her.

Alanna sighs heavily looking at Travers, who has the good grace to blush and look embarrassed. "There will be no more of that happening from now on. Will there?" She narrows her gaze on Travers and when he shakes his head, she smiles quickly.

"As soon as you send me your bank account numbers, I'll be sure to transfer the money to them." Travers rubs a hand over the back of his neck as he looks at the small group of people. "Rupert, do you have the same account?"

"Yes, I do." Giles nods his head at Quentin.

"I'll have the money due you transferred to you by Monday. As for Miss Lehane, it will take a bit longer to have her record cleared, so you may wish to lay low until it's done." Quentin takes a deep breath as he turns his eyes on Buffy. "You have always been a thorn in the side of the Watcher's Council. Now I know and understand why. Have Rupert send us your bank account information once you get it set up." Quentin's eyes turn to look at the witch. "Miss…" Quentin frowns, as he realizes he doesn't know the young woman's name.

"Tara Maclay." Buffy supplies quietly as she looks at her lover. "Formerly Kalina Bogenette of France. My other half."

Quentin nods his head in understanding. "Miss Maclay, I wish you to know that things will be different from now on."

"Yes, they will." Tara raises an eyebrow at the man, letting him know with a look that she will personally make sure that things will run smoother than they have in the past.

"Time to get rid of them?" Faith growls as she waves her hand at the Head of the Watcher's Council. "I ain't ever gonna trust 'em, so it's best they just leave me alone."

"Having someone try to kill you three or four times will do that to a person, won't it Travers?" Buffy raises an eyebrow at the older man.

"Yes, well…" Quentin swallows hard at the looks he's receiving from everyone in the room. "All I can say, is that it won't happen again. My word on it."

"Is it okay, if I send him back with you?" Tara questions softly. "Two for one deal, just less hassle sending you two back at the same time to the same place."

"That's fine. We'll have someone either drive him back to the Council, or he can have someone come to get him." Alanna smiles and nods her head at the young woman. "Be sure to keep in touch. I have a feeling we have a lot to talk about, young one."

Tara blushes and nods her head. "I will, Mistress. It was a pleasure to meet you."

"Well, let's go. I was just about ready to eat when all this happened." Alanna winks at Tara and Buffy.

Tara whispers softly, and the two disappear, leaving the house with just the five of them standing there silently.

"Well, that went smoother than I expected." Giles plops down on the end of the couch, groaning quietly. "Dear ladies, I dare say that you probably have the Council scared shitless."

"Or at least scared the piss out of 'em." Faith snorts as she bounces on her feet. "Damn, I'm gonna have to stay here until they figure out how to clear me." Faith bitches as she finally plops down on the floor, staring down at her hands in silent contemplation.

"No, you don't." Tara shakes her head smiling. "You still have my glamour charm, Faith. You can use that if you want to go out without being worried someone will recognize you."

"Damn, I forgot about that. Thanks, Blondie!" Faith grins happily at the witch as she watches Tara turns and tuck her head against Buffy's shoulder. "You two must be bad asses, huh?"

"Only when it comes to protecting our loved ones." Buffy wraps her arms around Tara pulling her tighter against her body. "And, of course, to the evil that walks the earth." Buffy winks at Faith.

"That's your specialty, not mine." Tara mumbles into her lover's neck. "I just wanted to grow old with either a cat or a dog, teaching English and painting on the weekends, remember?"

Buffy snorts and hugs Tara. "Yeah, I remember something about that. Being a Spinster Witch, so much for that foolishness." Buffy looks at the group for a moment, smiling. "I want to talk with Tara about something, we'll be back in a few minutes."

"Yeah, right." Faith smirks as she plops backwards on the floor staring up at the ceiling. "Few minutes, my ass."

"We're just going to talk!" Buffy growls as she urges Tara towards the kitchen and out the back door.

"Please tell me they aren't going to do strange and weird things outside, now." Giles whimpers rubbing his eyes wearily.

"Maybe some heavy making out, but they probably will keep the majority of their clothes on." Joyce chuckles as Giles turns to look at her with a wide-eyed look. Shrugging, Joyce just grins.

"Do you two mind if I change and go for a run, or something'?" Faith questions as she bounces up off the floor. "I'm busting at the seams here, and I need to get rid of this energy."

"Just be careful." Giles looks at the young woman seriously. "If you're going to be more than a couple hours, call."

Faith nods her head in understanding, a huge grin crossing her face as she takes the stairs four at a time to grab a change of clothes.

"I guess I could give her some spending cash, that way if she gets hungry or thirsty, she has some money on her." Giles mutters quietly as he stands and pulls out his billfold, grabbing a couple $20's for the young slayer.

Joyce smiles softly at the watcher as Faith comes pounding back down the stairs, pulling on the necklace to transform herself. Watching as Rupert hands her the money and the shock and surprise on her face as she slowly tucks it away.

"Thanks G-man." Faith swallows hard and tucks the money in her pocket. "I'm gonna do my damndest not to fuck up this time." Faith whispers before heading out the front door.

"I know, my dear." Giles rubs a hand down the side of his face as he stands there, feeling at a loss. "But it wasn't all your fault, it's something we all have to work through."

Joyce stands and walks over to Rupert. "It's going to be different this time, Rupert. I think Tara will kick both their asses if they start acting like they did before." Joyce chuckles softly as she rests her hand on his arm. "Those two being powerful and strong doesn't scare Tara at all."

"No, I dare say, it doesn't." Giles smiles gently at Joyce as he reaches up to tuck a hair gently behind her ear. "That young woman is very powerful, actually both her and Buffy together can probably take on anything anyone wants to throw at them. Alanna has the sight, and she knows what they are capable of. She trusts them to do what's right. As do I." Giles admits softly.

"Buffy has grown up a lot over the last six months. Even more, now that she has Tara. Even though those two spend more time playing tonsil hockey than I thought would be possible." Joyce grumbles before smirking.

"I dare say that isn't all they're playing." Giles mumbles before blushing darkly as Joyce laughs heartily at him. "I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"But you did." Joyce hugs him quickly. "Tara makes Buffy completely happy. She hasn't been happy for the longest time, Rupert. I'd give up everything just to see her smile like she does now."

"But you don't have to." Giles murmurs quietly, wrapping his arms gently around Joyce, pulling her back against him. "Would you like to go to dinner tonight, Ms. Summers?"

Joyce sighs softly and rests her head against his shoulder, letting her arms sneak up around his neck. "I would love to go to dinner, Mr. Giles."

"Then it's a date." Giles smiles as he closes his eyes and holds Joyce tenderly, feeling a happiness inside, that he hasn't felt himself, in a very long time.


Chapter 37

"What did you want to discuss, love?" Tara murmurs quietly as she hugs Buffy to her gently as they stop on the back porch.

"I want to discuss what I'm going to do with the money that I have coming to me from the Watcher's Council." Buffy admits softly, placing a quick kiss on Tara's lips.

"It's your money to do what you want with." Tara looks at Buffy, blinking her eyes in confusion as to why Buffy's wanting to discuss this with her.

"No." Buffy shakes her head as she reaches up to brush her thumb gently over Tara's cheek. "It's our money, Tara. What is mine, is yours. By my figuring, it should be somewhere around the $150,000 range. I was wanting to give my mom a good chunk of it to help pay the house off. I don't know how much she owes, but…" Buffy trails off shrugging her shoulder.

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Tara smiles lovingly at Buffy. "Do what you wish with it, Sarim. You have earned it, time and time again."

Buffy grumbles quietly before placing a firm kiss on Tara's lips. "Fine. Maybe after things settle down. Possibly after Christmas, we can go look for a house, what do you think?"

Tara blinks in surprise at her lover, stunned. "You want to buy a house?"

"I want us to buy a house. Something with room for me to make a work-out room. A nice, open airy room with lots of windows to get sunlight in for you a room to paint in, then whatever else you want." Buffy shrugs smiling as tears of happiness come to Tara's eyes.

"You do realize that Mr. Giles and your mother are probably going to be dating and possibly getting serious, don't you?" Tara wiggles her eyebrows as Buffy growls and rolls her eyes.

"I don't even want to think about that!" Buffy sighs heavily before slowly nodding her head. "I know, don't know how happy I am about it, but I know."

"Truthfully, Buffy. Would you be happy with your mother dating anyone?" Tara questions knowingly, with a lift of her eyebrow.

Buffy scrunches her nose up in disgust at the thought of her mother dating. When Tara laughs at her, Buffy growls and lifts her in her arms to hug her tightly. "Okay, I get your point. Just have to deal with it." Buffy tilts her head as she listens as Faith leaves the house. "Hmmm. Faith just left to get rid of some pent up energy. Ooooh… Mom and Giles are planning on going out to dinner tonight. Uggghhh." Buffy lowers Tara back to the ground and buries her face in her neck. "Disgusting."

"Oh, sweetie!" Tara chuckles and hugs Buffy tightly. "Just look at it this way, it gives us something to pick on them about, instead of your mother always picking on us."

Buffy nods her head against Tara's neck slowly. "Yeah, but it's still disgusting! Just the thought of mom and Giles." Buffy shivers and whimpers loudly.

Tara groans at her lover's antics before shifting her upper body away from Buffy and lifting her head to look in her lover's mischief filled eyes. "I bet you're just wanting something to take your mind off those bad, nasty thoughts, aren't you?"

Buffy's eyebrows disappear under her hair and she grins. "Got something to take my mind off those thoughts?"

"I'm sure I can think of something." Tara murmurs quietly before kissing Buffy softly, the two women brushing their lips against each other continuously for a few long moments before Tara groans and slowly deepens the kiss.

Buffy pants heavily after they finally break the kiss, getting some much needed oxygen into their starved bodies. "That worked." Buffy blinks trying to clear the haze from her eyes, before grinning happily at her lover.

"You're easily distracted." Tara murmurs, chuckling softly. "Let's go in, sweetie. Figure out what we're going to do the rest of this weekend."

"I know what I want to do." Buffy growls playfully as she grabs Tara's butt as her lover walks ahead of her into the house.

Tara squeaks and jumps slightly. "We can't do that all weekend!" Tara tries to smack at her lover's playful hands as they sneak in and caress different body parts.

"Who says we can't?" Buffy laughs as she finally pulls her hands away from Tara as they start to walk into the living room.

"Dear, Lord." Giles mumbles under his breath at the two women as he rubs the back of his neck, trying to ignore Joyce giggling beside him.

"If you two ever do get a place of your own, we're not going to come and visit for at least a month!" Joyce jokes with the two young women.

"Try years." Buffy growls playfully, scooping Tara up in her arms before easing down in the chair with her lover in her lap.

"Planning on keeping me barefoot and pregnant in front of the stove?" Tara jokes, her eyes twinkling as she looks into Buffy's glowing eyes.

"Nope." Buffy shakes her head, nipping gently on Tara's bottom lip. "Maybe in the bed, but you don't have to be in front of the stove all the time. But someone would have to cook, wouldn't they?" Buffy questions, tilting her head as she thinks about it. "We can order out, no problem." Buffy grins and winks at Tara. Leaning in, Buffy whispers softly in her ear. "I don't think I have the right equipment to make you pregnant, but we can practice and try anytime and as often as you want!"

Tara blushes and smacks Buffy on the shoulder. "Behave!" Tara grumbles loudly before leaning into Buffy's ear. "Want to practice now?" Tara laughs as Buffy's body tenses almost immediately. "Easy, sweetie. Talk to your mom before she blows a gasket." Tara nods her head towards Joyce who's blushing at the two women.

"No fun." Buffy grumbles as she holds Tara to her. "Mom, can we talk for a few minutes?" Buffy finally asks quietly, looking intently at her mother.

Joyce raises an eyebrow in question at her daughter. "Yes, we can."

Buffy brushes her lips softly over Tara's cheek before standing up and letting her lover sit in the chair. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I love you, Sarim." Tara murmurs softly as she watches Buffy start to follow her mother towards the kitchen.

"As I do you, Kalina." Buffy smiles and winks at Tara before disappearing into the kitchen after her mother.

Joyce turns and looks at her daughter silently, wondering what she wants to discuss.

"Okay, first off… can I just say, EWW?" Buffy wrinkles her nose up in disgust. "You and Giles just is not right!!" Buffy watches as her mom blushes and looks down. Sighing quietly, Buffy continues. "But I guess out of everyone, it kind of makes sense."

Joyce looks up in surprise at her daughter. "Buffy, are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah. Like Tara just told me, I wouldn't be happy with you dating anyone, so better the devil we know, right?" Buffy shrugs as she sits down and looks at her mother. "Mom, I know you've been struggling to make ends meet, especially with me going to college. I was wondering how much you owed on the house, that way I could pay it off for you, or at least give you a nice chunk to make things easier on you, when we get the money from the Council."

Joyce stares in stunned surprise at her daughter. "Buffy, you don't have to…"

Buffy holds her hand up to halt her mom. "I know I don't have to, mom. I want to do this. I eventually would like to get a place for Tara and I, that way you and Giles can have freedom also. When Faith gets back I'll see if she wants to move in with us, or maybe get someplace close by. It isn't like this will happen next week, but I'm hoping after the first of the year that maybe we can look for somewhere to live. I'm going to be real particular about the house Tara and I move into. I've already got an idea of what I want, and I'm not going to settle for anything less. I just have this funny feeling I'm going to have to have a house built for what I want." Buffy admits quietly.

"What exactly are you not willing to give on?" Joyce questions curiously.

"I want a huge work out room for myself, and a big open area that gets a lot of light for Tara to paint in." Buffy smiles as she thinks about it. "If it had a finished attic that we could maybe do some kind of glass panes for a roof, that would be great. Maybe Tara can do a magical reinforcement on it, or something to keep from anything breaking them. Or we could spend out the money for bullet proof glass, that'd work!"

Joyce slowly shakes her head at her daughter's ramblings. "What about the bedroom, kitchen, living room…" Joyce chuckles as Buffy shrugs her shoulders.

"Don't care. Except the bedroom. Want a huge bedroom with a gigantic bed." Buffy's eyes light up at the thought, a completely wicked grin crossing her face imagining all the fun they could have on a huge bed.

"I don't think I want to know what's going through your mind." Joyce grumbles as she slowly stands. "Honey, don't worry about paying for my house. Use the money you'll get to go towards a house for you two. Plus there's always Rupert, if we take this further. I would say that he would be likely to move in here, instead of us staying in his apartment." Joyce wiggles her eyebrows as Buffy moans and drops her head to bang it on the counter.

"Don't want details, mom!" Buffy grumbles loudly.

"Good. Keep yours to yourself, also!" Joyce jokes as she walks out of the kitchen.

"There is something just so wrong about this." Buffy growls quietly before she stands up to start looking in the refrigerator, her growling stomach starting to get the best of her.


"What did you do with Buffy?" Tara questions as Joyce comes to sit back down besides Giles.

"My rotten daughter is still in the kitchen, probably trying to find something to feed that monster she has in her stomach." Joyce grumbles before she starts to chuckle. "Make her keep the money, Tara. I'll be fine without it, and the rate she's going she's going to need every bit of it as a down payment for your guys' house."

"Goddess, what is she planning now?" Tara rolls her eyes as she thinks about what Buffy may have decided on.

"Just a huge room for her to have as a work-out room, which I think a full basement would be the best thing for that. Plus something about a furnished attic with bullet proof glass all around for it to get the best light? I won't mention the huge bed she's planning on buying, either." Joyce chuckles as Tara blushes and shakes her head.

"I don't know about her. Before we know it she'll insist on buying something that's ten times bigger than anything we will need." Tara grumbles as she stands to see what Buffy's up to.

Giles listens and watches as Tara leaves the living room. Turning his gaze on an obviously contemplative Joyce, he reaches over to pat her knee gently. "My dear, if you need help with the bills I would be more than willing to help you. I have money saved away, plus what the Council will be sending me as back pay. What money I would have spent on Buffy to take care of her, I used to upgrade our books and weapons to make things easier."

"Thank you, Rupert. But I'm fine. Just a little thin with the house expenditures, college and of course food." Joyce lips quirk at the last. "But I've been making due."

Giles sighs quietly and turns to face Joyce more fully, grasping one of her hands in both of his. "My dear, I must insist. If Buffy had been found when she was younger, instead of falling through the cracks, her watcher would have paid for all her food, clothes and everything out of the money that he was given. It is something that I would have been more than willing to do, but I couldn't offer it to you, because you didn't know about her calling."

Joyce sighs softly and shakes her head. "How about we see how things go, then we can bring up this conversation again at a later date?"

"If I agree with that, would you be willing to take money to help feed Buffy and Faith?" Giles offers, hoping to at least take care of the food bill. "I know you probably will be spending two or three hundred dollars a week on food with everyone that eats here, if not more."

Joyce silently nods her head in agreement. "That is one of my biggest expenditures, and with Buffy and Faith now eating here, it would be a great help."

"Will you let me give you the money each week cover the food for everyone?" Giles questions, reaching up to brush a fingertip over Joyce's cheek. "Please, Joyce."

Joyce closes her eyes and slowly nods her head. "I'll accept it, but only if you promise to come over for dinner at least a couple times a week."

"I think that could be arranged." Giles smiles, finally allowing himself to relax. "As is the thought of maybe taking you out a couple times a week to give you a break, also."

"Thank you, Rupert." Joyce smiles, watching as Giles slowly leans in to press a soft kiss against her lips. Blinking as he eases back, Joyce grins and winks at the watcher. "I believe you deserve something more than that." Joyce cups Giles' cheeks with her hands and kisses the watcher deeply, smiling into the kiss as she hears him groan loudly.


Tara smiles softly as she watches Buffy sorting through the containers in the refrigerator. "Bottom Tupperware container, love." Tara suggests softly watching as Buffy pulls the container out.

"YES!" Buffy yells as she grabs the wings. "How do I need to reheat these?" Buffy turns her gaze back on Tara, her eyes slowly raking across Tara's body.

"You can throw them in the microwave, but they would be better in the oven." Tara explains quietly.

"Oven then." Buffy tilts her head and watches as Tara grabs a large pan out of the cabinet and places aluminum foil on it, spraying it down with cooking spray before taking the wings from her. Watching her lover pre-heat the oven before placing the wings on the pan, Buffy eases her body against Tara's back, placing soft kisses on her neck. "I love you." Buffy whispers, grasping Tara's waist gently.

Tara hums quietly, closing her eyes at the lips gently caressing over her neck. "I love you, too." Tara finally whispers, opening her eyes to finish preparing her lover's wings to be re-heated. Moaning as Buffy's hands gently stroke over her hips and around to caress her stomach. "Ease back, love." Tara shifts with Buffy so she can place the wings in the oven for them to warm up.

"Can I play while we wait for the wings to heat up?" Buffy huskily whispers into Tara's ear as she trails her fingertips over Tara's stomach, wiggling them between her jeans and shirt, dipping her fingers teasingly just inside her waist band.

"Play, but try and behave to a certain degree, sweetie. We aren't here by ourselves." Tara explains unnecessarily.

"I know." Buffy grumbles quietly. Easing her hand up to brush Tara's hair over the front of her shoulder so she has better access to the back of her neck, Buffy nips playfully as she let's her fingers tease lightly over Tara's body. "I love the way you feel, the way you taste, the way you kiss, the way you touch me, even the way you do your homework. You're one brilliant and beautiful woman." Buffy whispers softly. "I guess I could say that I love everything about you."

Tara groans quietly as Buffy wiggles her fingers under her shirt to stroke the underside of her breasts while pressing firmly into her back. Closing her eyes in pleasure as Buffy continues to kiss and stroke her body softly.

"What would you like to do tonight?" Buffy questions between soft kisses across Tara's neck and shoulders.

"What do you want to do?" Tara inhales deeply as Buffy wraps both arms strongly around her waist and feels like she's trying to crawl inside her body.

"Be with you." Buffy presses her cheek against Tara's shoulder, holding her lover against her tightly. "In any way you want, as long as I'm near you, I'm happy." Buffy admits quietly.

Tara eases Buffy's hands far enough away so she can turn around, wrapping her arms around her lover. "I love you, sweetie." Tara murmurs as she kisses her softly before resting her head against Buffy's.

"I love you, too, Tara." Buffy holds Tara gently, stroking her hands lovingly over her back.

"Would you like a salad or something else to go with the wings?" Tara smiles as she feels Buffy shake her head in response. "After you eat, can we lie down and take a nap?" Tara whispers, feeling the late night and the busy, draining morning slowly catching up to her

"Of course." Buffy eases back, smiling at Tara as she strokes a thumb over her cheek. "You're going to eat something first, though, right?"

Tara nods her head, smiling. "I'll fix myself a salad and sub sandwich while your wings finish heating."

"I'll help." Buffy brushes her lips softly over Tara's, closing her eyes in pleasure as Tara holds her in the kiss for a few moments. Slowly breaking the kiss and licking her lips, Buffy growls quietly. "God, you taste good."

Tara chuckles softly and shakes her head. "Nope, that's you." Tara pulls her in for a quick kiss before turning to open the refrigerator, pulling the ingredients out.


Faith sighs quietly as she finally heads back towards Revello Drive. Doing some serious soul searching while she walked around Sunnydale, she thought about what she'd seen that morning. Now that she had time to think about what Tara and Buffy had done, and the conversation that had taken place, she felt a tingle of fear sweep through her at what the two women could do. After thinking along those lines for a while, she had slowly calmed down and the fear had disappeared as she knew… and maybe, more importantly, understood that they would never hurt her as long as she didn't do something to hurt the people they loved.

Faith thought long and hard about when she came to Sunnydale, the steps she made and finally allowed herself to be completely honest, seeing where they all made mistakes and how with a few simple things it could have been avoided. But for once in her life, she didn't dwell on the mistakes, she just thought about them, acknowledged them and moved on, knowing it would be detrimental to her health, and her burgeoning friendship with the group now, if she dwelled on them.

Replaying what had been said to her while in the coma, Faith tucks her hands deep in her pockets and hunches her shoulders as she replays the almost broken sound of Buffy's voice as she had begged her to come back, that she missed her sister slayer. That more than anything rolled around inside Faith's mind. Having a family, having a sister, touching some deep part of her she never realized was missing something.

Growling quietly as she thinks about the pain and terror that Tara had obviously grown up with, Faith finally allows her thoughts to rest on the blonde Wicca. Knowing that if it wasn't for her, she would still be in a coma and would probably have never known that the conversations Buffy, Joyce and Xander had had with her were real. Feeling a protectiveness for the blonde that she'd never felt before, Faith decides then and there that nothing, NOTHING would hurt the woman again, as long as she was alive. She needed, and most importantly, wanted her friendship.

Not knowing how this part of her life will play out, Faith smirks as she realizes she doesn't really care how it falls. She just wants to work on being friends with this group of people the best way possible, and let it go where it will.

Thinking once again about the montage of feelings, and pictures of what had happened previously, Faith shivers uncontrollably as what Sarim had done when the Watcher's Council had killed her lover, Kalina, rolls around in her head. The way the Slayer had literally went tearing through the Council ripping the people apart that were in charge, along with the people that had hunted her, and killed Kalina. Knowing the other slayer had actually went insane when Kalina had been killed makes Faith wonder what would happen if something should happen to Tara. The thought settling in her mind that she would die for this group of people. Not to make up for what she had done in the past, but because she finally realizes that's what she wants to do.

Stopping to look up at the front of Buffy's house, Faith allows a small smile to cross her face. "This is home." Faith whispers before trotting up to the front door to enter the one place she feels comfortable at.


Chapter 38

"Relax, Tare." Xander mumbles as he eats a cookie, watching as the blonde Wicca paces back and forth in the living room chewing on the side of her thumb.

"Can't." Tara glances quickly over at the young man, smiling softly at him before continuing to pace. Thinking about how all of them had grown closer in the past weeks. How Faith and Xander had settled down, and were able to joke with each other after the initial worry and badness between them. How Faith had become like a sister to both her and Buffy, with Xander being the big brother of the group.

"Damn, T-bear! You're gonna wear a fuckin' hole in the carpet or in your thumb one. Chill already." Faith growls as she comes down the stairs and plops in the chair with her leg hanging over one side, a smirk on her face as she watches the woman. "Red'll be cool."

Tara looks worriedly at the dark-haired slayer and slowly shakes her head. "We don't know that for certain. She may freak, or think I'm an interloper trying to take her friends away. She could have a problem with Buffy and a woman…" Tara waves her hands around, the worry obvious on her face as she runs a lightly shaking hand through her hair.

Faith groans before throwing her head back and howling loudly, shocking and surprising both Xander and Tara. Looking back at Tara, Faith chuckles and wiggles her eyebrows. "Took your mind off it, didn't it?" Faith ducks as Tara swings half-heartedly at her head.

"Bitch." Tara grumbles, finally smiling fully. "Put your ass back in a coma." Tara threatens with narrowed eyes.

"Nah. You won't do that. You like me pickin' on B too much for that." Faith smirks at Tara.

"I like the funny colors she turns when you flirt with her." Tara laughs, her eyes twinkling. "Of course, you might be more careful flirting with me, I think she was about ready to go off on you the other night." Tara warns half seriously.

"She's cool. We discussed and drew some lines on it, so we're okay now." Faith admits quietly, smiling at Tara.

Tara nods and smiles before easing down besides Xander and bumping shoulders with him. "How's the new supervisor doing?"

Xander blushes lightly and shrugs. "Slowly getting into the groove. It's been a learning experience, but I'm enjoying it. The guys are settling down now, not pulling so many jokes on me." Xander grins quickly.

"That's good. I thought Buffy was going to go down to the construction site and kick there butts when she heard about them locking you in the port-a-let." Tara grins crookedly at the young man.

Faith chuckles wickedly. "She didn't get a chance to." Faith's eyes widen as Xander and Tara both look at her. "Oops."

"So it was you that dumped all their tools together in that mud pit!" Xander starts laughing and shaking his head. "Those guys looked like Mud Monsters when they finally got all the tools out of there."

Faith rolls her eyes and laughs. "It was better'n what B was plannin' on doin'. I think she was threatening them all wedgies or somethin'."

"And a slayer wedgie is not a thing to take lightly." Tara squirms around as she narrows her gaze on Faith.

"It was an accident!" Faith shrinks down in the chair. "I didn't realize I'd grabbed hold of your underwear."

"Uh, huh." Tara raises an eyebrow at the slayer, smirking as Faith blushes lightly. "That curtailed the roughhousing for a while."

"But I bet B kissed and made it better!" Faith looks up grinning wickedly at the witch.

Tara blushes and picks up a pillow on the end of the couch to throw it at the slayer. "That is none of your business!" Tara wiggles a finger at the slayer. "Transport your ass to Greenland. I heard that its roughly about 50 below right now."

"Ah, you wouldn't do that to me. Ya' love me to much." Faith chuckles and jumps up to run into the kitchen before Tara can throw something else at her.

"Why the hell do I put up with her?" Tara grumbles, a huge smile crossing her face.

Xander shakes his head, watching the play between the two women. Thinking how much Faith had loosened up and seemed more like a kid now. An extremely strong, dangerous kid, but a kid nonetheless. "Because she's like a sister to you. Actually you're like family to each other."

"So are you, Xander." Tara pats him gently on the arm. "You're the brother I wished I'd had." Tara admits smiling softly at the kind hearted young man.

Xander hangs his head in embarrassment, but a huge smile crosses his face at the sincerity in Tara's voice. "Thanks, Tare."

"Just calling it like I see it, Xan." Tara runs her hand up and messes up his hair, chuckling. "You have the phone, Faith?" Tara calls out to the slayer as she hears the phone ring.

"Got it!" Faith yells back, picking up the phone and setting down one of the sandwiches Tara had made earlier. "Yo! Summers' residence." Faith answers the phone.

"Glad you didn't leave it at just the yo." Buffy chuckles into the phone leaning against the outside of the airport. "Just calling to let you know that Willow's flight's been delayed. Looks like it's going to be another half hour, give or take before it lands."

"Fuckin' great. That'll give time for your girl to get all wound up again." Faith grumbles, rolling her eyes.

"Damn. Is she still worried about Willow?" Buffy frowns as she kicks at the sidewalk.

"Yeah. She was wearin' a groove in the carpet in the living room. Plus she might be missing a hunk out of her thumb from where she was gnawin' on it." Faith explains quietly. "We finally got her calmed down, but I have a feelin' she'll get wound back up here soon, B."

"Do your best to keep her relaxed. Maybe run upstairs and get her painting clothes and throw them at her. Painting always distracts her." Buffy suggests softly.

"I might do that. But then she'll probably be worried about meetin' Red while she's all painty and shit." Faith frowns at the thought.

"I like her when she's all painty. She's sexy like that." Buffy growls lowly at the thought of Tara with her paint smears and her hair flying everywhere. Having watched her do one of her 'artistic' pieces, Buffy had literally pounced on her girlfriend with the garage door open and everything. Luckily the only one to have come by was Faith, and she had actually been kind enough to close the door and stay away for a while. Not that she didn't pick on them mercilessly for days afterwards.

"Yeah, I know ya' do, B!" Faith chuckles wickedly. "Maybe I'll get her sidetracked with framing up the rest of those paintin's down in the basement. Now that she picked up the rest of the supplies yesterday."

"That'll work. Thanks, Faith, for watching out for her." Buffy whispers into the phone.

"No prob, B." Faith answers quietly before hanging up the phone.


Willow shifts her laptop bag over her shoulder into a more comfortable spot and starts looking around for Buffy. Chuckling as she sees Buffy barreling towards her, dodging people, Willow winces waiting for the collision.

"I'm not going to run you over!" Buffy chuckles and picks Willow up hugging her gently while spinning her around. "Looking good, Wills." Buffy sets the redhead down, looking her up and down, noticing the casual wear. The tight jeans with the t-shirt and the leather jacket. "Turned into a hot mamma while you were in New York, huh?" Buffy questions, tugging on the edge of the leather jacket, grinning hugely.

Willow laughs and shakes her head. "No, no hot mamma. Goddess, it's good to see you!" Willow hugs Buffy again. "Let's get down to grab my bag, I only have the one. So, what's been going on, besides the discussion we had last week? And is Faith still behaving?" Willow questions seriously, still slightly uneasy about Faith being out of the coma, even with her supposedly having turned over a new leaf.

"She's been great, Wills. Trust me in this. She's still a smart ass but she likes to joke and pick on us. She's more open than she was when she came here before. She was so afraid of getting hurt is why she acted like she did." Buffy explains quietly as they make their way to the baggage claim.

"Where's your mom at?" Willow questions, looking around for Joyce. "You didn't drive, did you?" Willow's eyes open wide as she looks at Buffy.

Buffy pouts and looks at Willow. "What's wrong with my driving?" Buffy starts to laugh as Willow rolls her eyes. "Okay, okay. We won't go there. She's out in the parking lot probably playing kissy-face."

Willow stops dead in her tracks and turns to look at Buffy with a shocked expression on her face. "Kissy-face?" Willow squeaks.

"Oops. Uh, yeah. Her and Giles are dating." Buffy grumbles and rolls her eyes. "They suck face more than I do!" Buffy blushes darkly as Willow's eyes get huge. "Umm. Really a lot to discuss here, and that's why Mom and Giles are waiting out in the vehicle. I didn't want to tell you on the phone, so I was waiting for you to be here in person." Buffy shifts on her feet as she looks at Willow.


"Angel?" Willow questions worriedly.

"No, absolutely not. NO Angel anywhere." Buffy states vehemently. "Never going that route again. Let's get your bag, then go to the Starbucks over there and get a mocha so we can talk for a few minutes, okay?"

Willow watches Buffy curiously as she thinks about how quickly and strongly Buffy had shot down her thoughts that it was Angel. Shrugging her shoulders at her friend, they finish walking the short distance to the baggage claim area, waiting for the airport crew to unload the baggage.

"So, what about you, Will? Anybody new in your life?" Buffy questions curiously, raising an eyebrow in surprise as Willow blushes darkly.

"Not so much new…" Willow trails off, embarrassed.

"Who is it?" Buffy questions, blinking at her friend, surprised at the obvious embarrassment crossing her face.

"Probably best to wait until mocha's." Willow whispers softly, not knowing how to tell Buffy about her new relationship, almost wishing Amy was here with her, instead of in Texas spending the Christmas break with her father.

"Did you and Oz get back together?" Buffy looks at Willow, not knowing why that would make Willow embarrassed, but not knowing who else it might be.

"No, no Oz." Willow sighs in relief as the luggage finally starts making it's way around the conveyors.

"Bet I got you beat." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows, grinning hugely at her best friend.

"Doubt that." Willow breathes almost silently, plucking nervously at the edge of her jacket.

"Why do you doubt it?" Buffy blinks tilting her head. "You'll never guess in a million years, so I don't think you can beat me."

Willow looks up in surprise at Buffy, knowing she has good hearing, but with the noise of the crowd and the fact that she had practically just breathed the words, not saying them, she's in shock. Blinking she turns her gaze back to the luggage, reaching down to grab her small bag, smiling as Buffy quickly takes it from her to carry. "Thanks, Buffy."

"No problem. I'd offer to carry your other bag, but I don't want to be beat for accidentally hurting your laptop." Buffy smirks at Willow as they head towards the coffee shop.

Willow shakes her head at her grinning friend. "You seem awfully happy."

"More than I ever thought possible." Buffy admits smiling. "Here, let me go get the mocha's… you do want a mocha, right?"

Willow laughs and nods her head. "Of course! I haven't changed that much."

"Just had to make sure. I'll be back in a flash." Buffy sets Willow's bag down at the empty table before weaving her way quickly through the tables to get there drinks.

Willow slowly sits down, shaking her head in surprise at her best friend. "I don't think I've ever seen you this happy. Whoever he is, he's obviously taking good care of you." Willow chuckles and pulls a napkin from the dispenser and wipes the table as she waits for Buffy to come back.

Buffy groans quietly as she hears Willow's comments. "Not a he, Wills." Buffy whispers as she waits for the mochas to be made, thankful that there wasn't that big a line, since most people seemed to want to get home for the holidays, instead of hanging out at the airport. Accepting the drinks, Buffy makes her way back to Willow, smiling at her friend. She could see the changes in the redhead. Willow seemed more relaxed and poised than she was when she left. More in touch with herself, instead of being the nervous spaz she'd been in high school.

"Thanks." Willow accepts the mocha from Buffy and pulls the lid off to blow on the hot drink, sipping it cautiously.

"Mmmm. Good." Buffy moans after taking a sip of hers, smiling at Willow. Knowing she probably should be nervous, but somehow just thinking about Tara calms her… and makes her want to run home and be with her lover. Sighing quietly at her meanderings, Buffy finally chuckles and tilts her head at Willow. "Do you want to go first, or me?"

Willow stops with the cup halfway to her mouth again, before setting it back down. "You first, please." Willow begs softly, trying to get the butterflies in her stomach to calm down.

"Hmmm. I don't know how I should say this, to tell you the truth." Buffy admits softly, running a finger around the table while looking at Willow. "I met someone, obviously." Buffy rolls her eyes and chuckles. "And this person is literally my other half, Willow. I'm complete now. My slayer half and my half have integrated completely because of this person." Buffy whispers softly after looking around to make sure no one was paying attention to them.

"What?" Willow squeaks in surprise. "But… I didn't think that was possible." Willow whispers quietly.

"Very possible. It's only happened once before." Buffy growls deeply as the thought of that time angers her, as usual, unaware of her eyes starting to glow a bright, hot copper.

"Shit!" Willow backs away from Buffy looking in her eyes. "Buffy?" Willow questions worriedly.

Buffy shakes her head and tries to calm down. "Sorry. My eyes changed, didn't they?" Buffy looks apologetically at the redhead. "When I'm angry… or…" Buffy blushes lightly looking down.

"Or?" Willow urges, curious.

"Or when I'm around Tara." Buffy admits quietly, her eyes opening wide as she realized she'd said Tara's name, without telling Willow it was a woman.

"Tara?" Willow looks confused at Buffy. "Who's Tara?"

Buffy slowly raises her eyes to Willow. "My other half, my lover, my soul mate." Buffy whispers quietly.

Willow stares in stunned surprise at Buffy for a few minutes, before she starts laughing hysterically. Sliding down partway in the chair, Willow feels a ten-ton weight lifting from her shoulders and she wipes at the tears running down her face in between her laughing fits.

Buffy frowns at her best friend, wondering if she had finally been able to send her over the edge into looney land. "Willow?" Buffy finally questions after a few minutes of the redhead laughing and wiping away the tears.

Willow waves her hand at Buffy and reaches for a napkin, gently patting the tears still streaming from her eyes. "You… gay?" Willow starts laughing again.

"Yes, I guess you could say that." Buffy blinks, starting to get upset. "Is it that unbelievable?" Buffy growls quietly, her eyebrows drawing together.

Willow's eyes widen as she sees Buffy getting upset and waves her hand at her, as she tries to get control of her emotions. "No! No, Buffy! My girlfriend would be so pissed at me, if I had a problem with you dating and being in love with a woman!" Willow explains quickly.

Buffy slowly unclenches her hand and tilts her head at Willow. "You…" Blinking a couple times, a quiet chuckle escapes her lips as she slowly relaxes. "Your laughter is because you were going to tell me you're seeing a woman and didn't know how to break it to me, then I…" Buffy sighs quietly and shakes her head in disbelief. "We are a pair, aren't we?"

Willow laughs and nods her head. "Poor Xander's head is going to explode!"

"It about already has, numerous times with me and Tara." Buffy grins wickedly at Willow. "She's great, Wills. There's so much I have to tell you…" Buffy shakes her head as she thinks about everything that the redhead had missed. "But first things, first. Who is your mystery woman?"

Willow purses her lips, her eyes flashing merrily. "Amy." Willow's lips turn up into a wicked grin as Buffy's eyes widen in surprise.

"Rat, Amy?" Buffy slaps her hand down gently on the table, starting to laugh. "When did you change her back?"

"Beginning of the school year. It took a while for her to be comfortable around people again. She's sworn off magic completely, and honestly after I did that spell, and discussing things with her, I decided to not do any more magic, either." Willow explains quietly. "So, hopefully you won't need my help with anything." Willow look worriedly at the slayer.

"That's fine, Wills. Tara's actually a very powerful witch. And believe it or not, I have access to her power. I've only used it a few times, right after the last wall was unlocked between us, but it's there if I should need it." Buffy explains quietly. Seeing the confused look on Willow's face, Buffy sighs softly. "Very serious, very long discussion. But first things first. Tara's staying in the room with me. You can bunk down in Faith's room, she offered up her bed and said she'd either sleep on the floor, of if you had a problem with her being in the room, she'd crash on the couch. So you can think about where you'd like to sleep."

"Faith's offered to give up her bed for me?" Willow blinks in surprise at Buffy.

"Yes, she did. She's changed, not a lot, but she has changed, Willow. She's sorrier than you can ever know for what she did. We've all talked and straightened things out. I honestly believe we all were at fault with what happened back then, but you need to talk to her about whatever hang-ups you might have." Buffy explains quietly. "Please try and give her a chance, Wills. She's still a pain in the ass, but she's trying and she's actually chilled out somewhat. Tara's the reason she's out of the coma. She went into her psyche and talked with her, trying to calm her and mend her broken soul. Faith met her more than halfway, finally and was wanting to get better." Buffy shrugs, smiling softly. "Tara said it wouldn't work, unless Faith really wanted to get better."

Willow nods her head in understanding. "Tara must be a very powerful witch. Doing that is very draining and taxing on the body, to visit inside another person's psyche like that."

"I know. That caused a bit of an argument between us, among a few other things." Buffy rolls her eyes. "Damn woman usually wins the arguments or gets her way, though. It's starting to piss me off." Buffy jokes and winks at Willow.

"So, how's your mom about your new relationship?" Willow smirks at Buffy as she slowly eases back in the chair, relaxing even more as she sips on her mocha.

"Actually, she's been wonderful and very understanding. I played the pronoun game with her when I first talked about Tara." Buffy looks up, a goofy grin on her face as she thinks back to that time. "I kept going on and on about Tara's eyes. Of course I didn't say her name…" Buffy shrugs. "I think it took a couple days before I noticed anything else but her eyes." Buffy blushes lightly. "But when I did… hubba hubba." Buffy wiggles her eyes and grins lasciviously.

"TMI!" Willow yells and tosses a napkin at the slayer, laughing at her best friend.

"Oh, that isn't TMI… When my mom and I were teasing her about the sheets… Now if I told you about that, that may be TMI!" Buffy jokes and wiggles her eyebrows.

"Sheets?" Willow furrows her brows at Buffy.

Buffy leans forward and whispers quietly. "She was a virgin." Buffy leans back and laughs wickedly as Willow blushes furiously. "She isn't anymore!" Buffy sing songs, laughing even more as Willow drops her head down to the table.

"You're doing this just to pick on me. There is no way your mother would pick on someone about something like that." Willow mutters loudly, unaware that Giles and Joyce had walked up behind her, seeing if they were ready to leave yet, and to see how things were going.

"Of course I would. You'll see why when you see Tara. It's fun picking on her." Joyce winks at Buffy. "Though she isn't as easily embarrassed as she was."

"Joyce!" Willow jumps up and spins around, hugging Joyce tightly, while looking at Giles, blinking in surprise at the casually dressed watcher. Seeing the white polo shirt tucked neatly into a pair of black Levi's with a black leather jacket over his shoulder. "Giles?" Willow squeaks in surprise.

"Hello, my dear." Giles smiles and laughs quietly as Willow quickly hugs him after Joyce lets her go.

"I assume everything went okay?" Joyce raises an eyebrow at Buffy.

"Yep. Went great. Willow has some of her own news to break to everyone, though." Buffy chuckles as Willow groans quietly. "You can wait 'til we get to the house, if you want to tell everyone at once." Buffy offers magnanimously.

"Why me?" Willow rolls her eyes, but doesn't feel the nervousness or the trepidation that she'd felt earlier. Knowing that if everyone had accepted Buffy's relationship, it shouldn't be any problem for them with hers.

"Come on, let's go. Wanna see Kalina." Buffy grumbles as she grabs up Willow's luggage.

"Who's Kalina? I thought her name was Tara?" Willow follows behind Buffy after grabbing her laptop.

"I'm assuming you weren't able to explain everything." Giles raises an eyebrow at Buffy, not that either of the young women had really explained to him what happened, but at his repeated requests, Travers had finally sent him a copy of what had happened at that time. Shivering uncontrollably as he thought about what the Council had tried to do to the slayer, what they had done to Kalina and what Sarim had done to the men she'd went after, he feels his stomach get queasy just thinking about it. Feeling Joyce place a hand on his arm and gently squeeze, he smiles sadly at her. Slowly shaking off the thoughts running through his head, he turns back to Buffy.

"Kalina is Tara." Buffy explains to Willow before turning to Giles and shaking her head briefly. "I just told her that she was my other half, my lover and my soul mate, that I had access to her abilities, but I didn't go into much detail, since that'll take a couple hours probably."

"Quite right. Well, the sooner we get out of here, the sooner you'll be with Tara. And the sooner Willow will be able to hear all the details." Giles smiles and unlocks the hatch, so Willow and Buffy can place Willow's belongings in the back. Before they all climbed in to head back to the Summers' residence.


Chapter 39

"I've been working in the coal mines, all the live long daaaayyyy." Faith sings raucously, grinning as Tara throws her hammer at her. Catching it, Faith waves it at the woman. "Throwing things around can be dangerous to my health!" Faith growls menacingly at the Wicca.

"Oh, get a grip." Tara mumbles as she finishes framing another painting. "Damn slayer reflexes isn't going to let that get anywhere near you!"

"Hey! Why didn't your guard stop it?" Faith questions curiously, just realizing that the hammer had made it within the area from where anything that would harm her normally wouldn't make it.

"Because I put it on you. Anything I send towards you, won't be affected by the guard." Tara explains, looking up and grinning wickedly. "You need to remember that!" Tara snorts at the look of surprise and wariness that crosses Faith's face.

"You're an evil Wicca." Faith growls, her eyes narrowing on the woman. "I'm going to tell Buffy on you!"

Tara laughs and shakes her head. "Like she would believe you. She thinks I'm all sweet and innocent."

Faith grins wickedly as she hears Buffy coming in the house, knowing the slayer with her extremely amped abilities could hear everything they were saying. "So, you're not all sweet and innocent, huh?"

"No, I'm very, very wicked." Tara reaches over and pinches Faith on the cheek and wiggles it. "And I know she's here, so stop trying to get me in trouble!"

"Damn!" Faith grumbles and rubs her face from where Tara had pinched it. "You ain't no fun at all."

"Yeah, she is." Buffy laughs as she hops down the stairs, landing at the bottom to look at Tara and Faith. "What were you doing to Faith?"

"She threw a hammer at me!" Faith waves the hammer around. "Damn thing would have hit me if I hadn't caught it!"

"Ooops. We never told her about the fact you could sneak things past the shield, huh?" Buffy grins and wraps her arms around Tara's waist, kissing her firmly. "She's cool, babe." Buffy whispers and rubs her nose against Tara's, having seen the slight worry in her lover's eyes. Smiling as Tara relaxes in her arms. "Come on up and meet her. You coming, Faith?"

Faith looks up and slowly nods her head. "I guess. How did she seem?" Faith questions, her own worry showing in her words.

"You two will need to talk and hash out things, pretty much like we all did, but I'm sure giving time that everything will be okay." Buffy explains quietly as the three women walk up the stairs.

Faith inhales and slowly nods her head. "'Kay. More than I ever expected, anyways."

"It's okay, sweetie." Tara murmurs, reaching back to squeeze Faith's hand gently.

Faith grins quickly at the blonde as they head towards the living room where they hear Xander and Willow talking excitedly.


Tara hesitantly follows Buffy, smiling as Buffy starts to send naughty thoughts towards her. Smacking her lover lightly on the ass, Tara mumbles softly. "Behave."

Buffy looks over her shoulder and wiggles her eyebrows, before seeing Faith rolling her eyes behind Tara.

Faith rolls her eyes and shakes her head at the two women, having finally, sort of, gotten used to their half conversations. It never failed that they would start or finish a conversation in their heads, which at times was a good thing, but most often as not, it was irritating as hell. Slowly walking into the living room, Faith eases over to the mantle, leaning against it as Buffy introduces Tara to Willow.

"Tara, love. I would like you to meet my best friend, girl-type friend…" Buffy narrows her gaze on Xander as she saw him about ready to say something when she said best friend. "Willow. Willow, this is Tara." Buffy smiles almost shyly as she wraps her arm firmly around Tara, easing her closer to Willow who's standing now, holding her hand out towards Tara.

Tara blushes and smiles shyly as she reaches out to shake hands with the pretty redhead. "H-hello." Tara murmurs softly, before rolling her eyes as Buffy grumbles in her head. "Yes, Sarim. I know, but it's still nerve racking."

Willow looks confusedly at the blonde, her eyes turning to a darkly blushing Buffy. "Am I missing something again?"

Buffy nods her head quickly. "I'm Sarim." Buffy grins, before grunting and rubbing her stomach as Tara smacks her. "Not nice." Buffy pouts, her eyes sparkling as she looks at her lover. "I'll expect you to make it up to me later."

"Dear, Lord. Here we go again." Giles mutters as he strides out of the living room to make some tea, while being followed by a laughing Joyce.

"Are they trying to tell us something?" Buffy blinks and looks innocently at Tara.

Tara shakes her head and rolls her eyes at Buffy. "As if you didn't know." Turning back to Willow, Tara smiles apologetically. "I'm sorry. There's obviously a lot we need to explain to you. Would you rather have the discussion now, or relax? You can get settled upstairs, maybe take a shower if you wish?" Tara offers softly, smiling as Willow relaxes and laughs.

"I'll take up your stuff, Red." Faith offers quietly, leaning down to gently pick up the small piece of luggage and the backpack, that knowing the redhead, holds her laptop. Quickly striding up the stairs, leaving a surprised Willow watching Faith.

"She's different than she was before, Wills. She still gets a little testy and she still likes to make her innuendos, smart-assed comments and other things, but she's not as angry as she was." Xander tries to explain to Willow, seeing the look on his best friends face. "Nobody expects you to be best buds, but maybe you can give her a chance to at least talk about things…" Xander suggests softly, trailing off.

Willow turns her gaze to Xander, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. Smiling quickly, Willow reaches up and hugs him tightly. "I've missed you, Xan!"

Xander grins hugely and wraps her up in his arms, hugging her back. "I've missed you, too, Lil Willow Tree." Xander sighs happily.

Buffy shifts behind Tara and wraps her arms around her waist, hooking her chin over her shoulder. "So, what's it going to be, Wills? Talk, freshen up, grab something to eat, or something else first?"

Willow smacks Xander on the shoulder as he lifts her up and swings her around. "Put me down!"

"Nope. Not gonna. Don't hafta." Xander chuckles, then groans as he feels himself leaving the ground. "STOP IT, YOU TWO!"

Buffy and Tara looks at each other, smirking before letting him back down on the ground. "Just thought you'd like to know what it feels like." Buffy shrugs, grinning.

Willow turns to look at Buffy and Tara after Xander releases her. "Can we maybe discuss whatever's going on with you two? Then I'll unpack and maybe freshen up."

"Whatever you want. Would you rather tell everyone your news first, or wait?" Buffy questions softly hugging Tara gently, her fingers stroking softly over her lover's stomach, smiling as Tara's hands rub back and forth over her forearms.

Willow sighs softly and looks at Xander. "Well, how long of a discussion is this going to be?"

Tara chuckles softly when she hears Buffy groan deeply and drop her head onto her shoulder. "It could be a very short discussion. If you didn't explain everything, sweetie."

"Yeah, but she'll ask for explanations and details." Buffy whimpers behind her. "Go ahead and give her the short breakdown. See what happens."

Tara raises an eyebrow as she considers her lover, looking at Xander who's grinning and turns her gaze towards the stairs, watching as Faith plops down on the steps with a raised eyebrow.

Willow looks at all of them. "Okay, shoot. Try the short version."

"Buffy and I are reincarnations of a previous slayer and witch, respectively. The Watcher's Council at that time tried to kill Sarim, but I protected her. I didn't think they would come after me, even when Sarim begged me to protect myself." Tara shivers uncontrollably.

Buffy hugs Tara tightly, taking over for her lover. "They killed Kalina. No, not killed… tortured and finally killed her. I went insane and declared war on the Council, until they were able to finally kill me."

Willow falls hard onto the couch staring at the two women.

"Needless to say, we know everything that happened in that previous life. We also know that the Council had been trying to make sure that it never happened again. They failed. Needless to say, Tara talked with Faith a few times, then Faith woke up from the coma. We snuck her out of the hospital and took out the men the Council had sent to take care of us. They won't be bothering us anymore, and as of four days ago, Faith is a free woman. No murder wrap hanging over her head." Buffy looks over at Faith, smiling at the embarrassed slayer.

"Still got a lot of shit to make up for." Faith admits softly. "Just hope I get the chance to make a difference."

Tara smiles as Buffy releases her and walks over to Faith.

"Faith, you do make a difference. Every night you go out there and help protect humankind from the vampires and demons that roam the earth. We'll do the best that we can. That's all we can do, okay?" Buffy looks intently at Faith, smiling as the other slayer slowly relaxes and nods her head.

"Thanks, B." Faith whispers, her eyes serious.

"Welcome." Buffy pats Faith knee gently. "We need to go out tonight, I've been feeling some serious movement down there at the Initiatives place. I want to see if we can find out how to get in there and get a lay of the land, as it were." Buffy admits, frowning heavily.

"Initiative?" Willow questions, looking at the rest of the group.

Tara sighs softly as she sits down in the chair. "As far as we can tell, it's a military group that's underground on the campus. They've been capturing demons and experimenting on them." Tara smiles and grasps Buffy's hand as she comes to stand by the chair. Tugging her around, she wraps her arms around Buffy's waist as Buffy settles gently on her lap.

Willow raises an eyebrow and starts to grin. "Do you need my hacking skills?"

Buffy's eyes light up and she starts to grin. "Do we ever! Think you can do it?"

"Won't know until I try." Willow shrugs her shoulders, her eyes twinkling merrily. "If someone can give me all the information you have, I'll do a search then go from there afterwards."

Faith raises her hand. "I can get with Red on what we know." Faith turns her gaze on Willow and shrugs. "It ain't a lot, but maybe it'll give you a clue as where to look."

Willow nods her head in agreement. "That'll work. What are the plans for the rest of the day?"

"FOOD!" Buffy yells, smirking as Tara pinches her side. "Do it again, I like that shit."

"Glutton." Tara nips playfully at Buffy's neck. "I want you two to be careful. Don't try to sneak in, or anything. Just scope it out, okay?"

"Party pooper." Buffy grumbles, before slowly nodding her head. "We'll be careful. You'll kick our asses if we aren't. Plus we're still protected."

"Yes, you are. But there's no sense in taking any chances." Tara reaches up to tug firmly on a lock of hair. "Or you'll be hurting for more than one reason." Tara threatens softly.

Buffy whimpers quietly and nods her head. "Hearing you loud and clear."

"Thought you would." Tara chuckles. "So, is Joyce and Mr. Giles in the kitchen getting all hot and heavy?" Tara gets a dig in at her lover.

"I've been doing my damnedest to ignore what's going on in the kitchen, I don't need you making me focus in on it!" Buffy growls turning around and straddling Tara's legs. "Not nice!" Buffy captures Tara's face in between her two hands. "Gonna have to take my mind off it, now!"

Willow blinks in surprise as she watches Buffy practically attack Tara's lips. Her eyes wide she looks at Xander who's smirking at the two women and Faith who's rolling her eyes and leaning back on the stairs. "Do they do this often?"

Faith chuckles wickedly. "I'm surprised they lasted this long. Those two are horn dogs. Worse than I ever thought of being!" Faith grunts as Buffy nails her with a small pillow in the face, without even looking her way. "Ain't fuckin' fair! Just tellin' the truth!" Faith tosses the pillow back, shaking her head as Buffy catches it, not breaking the kiss.

"Breathe!" Xander chuckles wickedly. "Breathing is good!"

Buffy growls as she finally breaks away from Tara, smirking as she looks down into the Wicca's dark eyes. "Love you." Buffy murmurs quietly.

"I love you, too." Tara smiles up into Buffy's glowing eyes. Reaching up and running a hand softly down her cheek. "Company, sweetie."

"I know." Buffy nods, sighing quietly as she shifts back around easing down on Tara's lap again.

"Did you children decide on a plan of action yet?" Giles comes in, his hair slightly mussed.

Xander chuckles and flops back against the couch, laughing harder as he hears the loud whimper coming from Buffy.

"Why me?" Buffy questions rhetorically, dropping her head into her hands after turning to look at Giles. "Wills is going to do her computer magic, while Faith and I go scout out the area."

"Joyce has two large roasts in the oven for dinner tonight, along with all kinds of vegetables, bread and the works." Giles offers.

"Is that what took you two over an hour to do?" Buffy questions, her eyebrows raised as she shifts back around looking at her watcher.

"Rotten." Tara growls quietly, smacking Buffy on the shoulder.

Giles blushes and looks down as he feels Joyce walk up behind him.

Joyce narrows her gaze on her daughter. "Stop picking on him. He still isn't used to it and thinks you're serious." Joyce rubs her hand over Giles' back and smiles as she feels him relax.

Buffy pouts and turns back around, grumbling loudly. "Can't have no fun. Try to get in some quality teasing, and can't. Always interrupting it, or keeping me from it."

"Are you still talking about picking there at the end of that, sweetie?" Tara laughingly asks her lover.

"Maybe." Buffy shifts to sit sideways in Tara's lap, pouting adorably. Sticking her bottom lip out as far as she can and wiggling it at Tara.

"Definitely rotten." Tara grins crookedly at Buffy.

Willow watches her best friend and girlfriend, surprised at the way everyone reacted about their relationship. And the way they acted towards each other, completely at ease with each other. Watching as Tara reaches out and nips Buffy's bottom lip, Willow feels a pang of longing. "Joyce, can I use your phone?"

"Why certainly, my dear. You don't have to ask!" Joyce smiles at Willow as the young woman practically runs by her into the kitchen. "I wonder what that's all about?"

Buffy groans quietly as Tara finishes nibbling across her bottom lip. "Ummm. Think she's having serious withdrawals." Buffy admits quietly. "I think we're making it worse." Buffy admits, smiling sadly at Tara.

"Maybe we should chill a bit?" Tara suggests, seeing the silent agreement in Buffy's eyes. "We'll just sneak upstairs later." Tara wiggles her eyebrows as she leans forward and kisses Buffy softly.

"Better believe it." Buffy nods in agreement, before shifting down a little more comfortably against Tara, swinging her legs over the arm of the chair and burying her face in Tara's neck, her hand playing with her lover's top. "Are we going to open presents tonight, or actually wait for tomorrow?" Buffy finally questions the room at large.

"You know the drill, honey!" Joyce shakes her head as Buffy whimpers and pouts. "One gift tonight, the rest tomorrow. We have Charlie Brown Christmas loaded in the DVD player, along with a stack of other Christmas Movies and cartoons to watch!"

Tara chuckles quietly as Xander jumps up to grab the remote control. "Excited, Xander?"

"Wait until you see him doing the Snoopy dance." Buffy snuggles more firmly against Tara, placing a firm kiss against her neck, growling quietly at the fading mark. "Have to work on that later." Buffy flicks out her tongue across the mark, smiling as she hears the low groan and the instant smell of arousal coming from her lover.

"Brat." Tara digs her fingers firmly into Buffy's side, knowing what her lover is up to. "Behave, or you won't get your Christmas present."

Buffy whimpers quietly and relaxes against Tara. "I'll behave. What did you get me?"

Tara laughs quietly and shakes her head. "You have to behave to get it."

"Not nice." Buffy grumbles.

"I'm very nice. Or do you want to argue that point?" Tara whispers softly, more breathing the words in her lover's ear, smirking as Buffy shivers in reaction.

"No, no. You're extremely nice, beautiful, sweet, kind and all kinds of other wonderful things." Buffy exhales quickly as she feels Tara capture her earlobe between her teeth, nibbling.

"You'll see it later, sweetie." Tara murmurs softly as she releases the ear, her eyes shifting as Willow comes back into the living room, smiling and blushing lightly.

"Sorry." Willow shifts embarrassed for a moment, before sighing quietly when she looks at Buffy who just has her eyebrow raised at her. "Okay. Just to let everyone know, I've been in a relationship, not long after the beginning of the school year."

Xander blinks and looks at Willow. "Who's the lucky guy?" When Willow blushes even darker, and he hears the snort come from Buffy, he closes his eyes and whimpers loudly. "Okay, it's official. I'm just so much dead meat. Who's the lucky girl?" Xander changes his word, slowly opening his eyes to look at Willow, smiling softly at his friend.

Willow shifts from one foot to the other, seeing the curiosity, but not seeing any censure from the people she considers her family. "Amy Madison." Willow admits quietly.

Tara looks questioning at a hugely grinning Buffy.

"Wait… I'm assuming she isn't a rat anymore, right?" Xander blinks and raises a hand to try and ward off Willow's smack, grunting when she whacks him upside the head instead.

"That's just plain gross, Xander!!" Willow starts poking him in his ticklish ribs, smirking the whole time. "No, she isn't a rat. I was able to change her back!"

"UNCLE!" Xander finally yells after he fell to the floor, trying to crawl away from Willow while she continued to poke and tickle him.

"Xan, you starting to feel like you're in the minority around here? I sure as hell am feeling left out." Faith grumbles loudly, smirking as she leans back on the steps, crossing her legs as she finally says something, after having watched the group, enjoying the interaction and camaraderie.

"If that's an offer Faith, I'm there. But I thought you didn't ever hit anything twice!" Xander jokes, smirking at the slayer, grunting as Willow smacks him on the stomach.

"That's not nice!" Willow admonishes him seriously.

"Nah, he's cool, Red. He was just jokin'." Faith shrugs, laughing quietly. "We got our problems ironed out not long after I came outta the coma."

Willow looks at Faith, slowly nodding her head in acknowledgement. "Maybe we can get a chance to talk before I leave back to New York."

"I'd like that." Faith admits softly, slowly standing and walking into the kitchen. "I'm gonna get a soda. Anybody else want one?"

Tara urges Buffy off her lap, as pretty much everyone wanted drinks as they started to settle down to watch movies. "I'm going to help her get the drinks, sweetie."

"I love you." Buffy brushes her thumb over Tara's neck, smiling as Tara kisses her quickly before striding towards the kitchen. "Are you two planning on watching from down there?" Buffy questions, smiling as Willow and Xander jostle each other on the floor.

"Yep." Xander smirks over his shoulder looking at Buffy.

"Honey, go get them pillows and a couple blankets to be more comfortable." Joyce orders softly.

"Yes, mom." Buffy hops up and runs up the stairs.


"Are you okay?" Tara questions softly as she helps the slayer fill the glasses with ice and soda.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Faith looks up surprised at the witch.

"You seemed to be pulling away." Tara explains, stopping to look at Faith. "You're part of this family, Faith. Please don't distance yourself." Tara reaches out and clasps her forearm gently.

Faith drops her head, sighing quietly. "Why do ya' always gotta do that?"

"Sorry." Tara pulls her hand away as she pours more soda in the glasses.

"Nah. I didn't mean it like that." Faith shakes her head. "You just always see inside me and don't let me even start to pull away."

"You don't need to, Faith. We love you and consider you family. It's not just you anymore, you have all of us to talk to and be friends with. If you have any worries or problems, Faith, please talk with one of us." Tara sets down the soda can, looking at Faith.

"It's just that sometimes it's hard." Faith admits quietly. "I've been on my own and doing things myself for so long, that occasionally I find myself pulling back."

"I know, Faith. I know." Tara sighs softly as Faith's shoulder droop some. Walking around the island, Tara hesitantly places an arm around the slayer's shoulders, knowing that sometimes the slayer still gets a little off centered with the physical touches. When Faith just eases against her, tilting her head against her head, Tara hugs her with her one arm. "It isn't going to be an easy process, sweetie. And it isn't going to happen overnight. Just remember you have us to talk to, okay?"

"'Kay." Faith takes a deep breath, allowing some of the unconscious tension that she'd had building up, release. "Sorry for upsetting ya'." Faith whispers quietly.

"You didn't upset me, Faith. I'm just worried about you." Tara reaches up and rubs her hand gently over the slayer's head. "Come on, lets get these drinks out there. Do you think they'll want some popcorn to go along with it?"

"Of course." Faith chuckles. "That was kinda a stupid question."

"Yeah, it was, wasn't it?" Tara laughs and winks at Faith as she digs in the cabinet to pull out a couple bags of popcorn, throwing one in the microwave.

Faith smirks and shakes her head. "Thanks, Tare." Faith smiles genuinely at the Wicca before heading out of the kitchen with a couple glasses in her hands.

"You're welcome, Faith." Tara answers the slayer softly, knowing she would hear her response.

Buffy eases into the kitchen after Faith leaves, smiling as Tara pulls out the bag of popcorn, placing another one in. "Things okay?"

"I think so." Tara smiles softly at her lover. "I think she may just be a little more worried, and thinking about past deeds with Willow being here." Tara explains quietly.

"Probably." Buffy agrees, before wrapping Tara up in her arms. "She's hashed out everything with all of us, so she feels like she's on a more even footing with us. But she hasn't had a chance to talk to Willow yet."

"Maybe the sooner those two talk, the better off they'll be?" Tara suggests quietly before placing a soft kiss on Buffy's forehead.

"I'll go talk with Willow, see if I can't get her and Faith together to talk here soon." Buffy growls playfully while stroking her hands up and down Tara's back. "Let me get the rest of the drinks out there."

"And I'll finish with the popcorn." Tara smirks and smacks Buffy on the ass as her lover turns to grab the glasses.

"Keep that up and we'll be going upstairs instead of spending time down here with the family." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows at Tara as she starts to head towards the living room.

"Save that for later, sweetie." Tara laughs quietly as she hears Buffy whimper loudly.


Chapter 40

Tara smiles softly as Buffy kisses her before heading out the door to do a quick patrol with Faith, and check out the campus to try and find out some information on the Initiative.

"Is it okay if I go ahead and fix the last couple pies?" Tara questions softly, looking at Joyce, smiling as she looks up from where she's curled up against Giles' side.

"Let me help." Joyce starts to stand, stopping when Tara shakes her head.

"It's okay, Joyce. Let me do this. Between the oven being filled with a couple hams tomorrow…" Tara giggles as Joyce rolls her eyes.

"I think I need to buy another stove. With Buffy and Faith here, both of them will wipe out a ham themselves." Joyce grumbles, making the rest of the group laugh as they remember how the two slayers had demolished one roast by themselves that night.

"Are you staying tonight, Xander?" Joyce questions softly, looking down at the young man watching the Christmas movie on the television, occasionally bouncing his shoulder into Willow's.

"If you don't mind? I'll curl up here on the floor." Xander pats the floor, smiling up at Joyce.

"You can use the couch, Xander! You don't have to sleep on the floor." Joyce shakes her head, laughing at Xander.

"Thanks." Xander groans as Willow smacks him on the head.

"I'm going to get some more popcorn and sodas." Willow uses Xander's back to help her up, making sure to press down on her best friend.

Xander grunts. "Mean, mean person. I've been used and abused with this group, and you come home and do the same thing." Xander pouts, looking up at his best friend before rolling quickly away as she gets a wicked look on her face. Xander starts laughing as Willow pounces on him, tickling him mercilessly.

"Do you think they'll ever grow up?" Giles questions Joyce softly, watching the two teens.

"I hope not." Joyce whispers, laughing quietly as Xander finally calls uncle.

Willow rubs Xander's head, laughing as she hops up and walks into the kitchen, smiling as she watches Tara gathering the ingredients. "Do you need any help?" Willow offers softly.

Tara looks over her shoulder, smiling at the redhead. "No, thank you. I pretty much have it under control." Tara shrugs, chuckling softly. "We've already baked four pies, but with this crew…"

"They can definitely eat." Willow nods her head in agreement as she opens the refrigerator, groaning at the sight of the packed appliance.

Tara chuckles as she looks at Willow. "We bought another refrigerator that they put down in the basement. I think the next investment is going to be a huge freezer just for meat."

Willow laughs quietly and shuts the door. "I guess if Joyce doesn't want to go to the grocery store every day, that is pretty much a given, huh?"

"Pretty much." Tara nods her agreement as she mixes together the ingredients for the crust, watching as Willow grabs down more popcorn, throwing a bag in the microwave. "Xander and Buffy's missed having you around." Tara offers softly. "They're always mentioning you."

Willow blushes lightly and looks down. "I miss them, too. We've been through a lot."

Tara smiles, before chuckling quietly. "I'm still hearing some of the stories, probably will be for years."

"Probably." Willow sits down, laughing quietly. "I want to thank you for your help with Faith. I think it hit Buffy pretty hard when that went down with her."

Tara frowns before sighing quietly. "It was tearing her apart. I did it to try and help Faith, but I was really hoping to help Buffy come to terms with what happened. The guilt she felt for stabbing Faith…" Tara shakes her head. Turning back to the pie dishes, she splits the dough between them, leaving a portion for the top, before starting to gently press it out with her fingertips. "How did your talk with Faith go?" Tara questions, before turning her gaze to Willow. "I'm s-sorry. That's not any of my b-business." Tara frowns heavily, dropping her eyes back to what she was doing.

"No, no." Willow shakes her head, smiling softly. "It's okay. You're family now, even if it does seem a little strange seeing Buffy like that. She was never like that with…" Willow trails off, blushing darkly.

"You can say his name, Willow. I won't get upset." Tara looks up, a crooked smile crossing her face. "Buffy loved Angel, but like we have discussed, her slayer half would never have accepted him. We talk about the things that have happened quite frequently, actually." Tara blushes lightly as she looks up at Willow. "Usually late at night."

Willow laughs, shaking her head. "Why do I find that hard to believe?"

Tara shrugs her shoulders, blushing even darker. "Well, we do…sometimes." Tara grins crookedly at the redhead.

"You've been good for her." Willow admits, watching the blonde as she trims the excess dough from around the edges of the pie pan. "I don't ever remember seeing her this happy."

Tara nods her head, her eyes serious as they land on Willow. "I think her calling was starting to take its toll on her. You can only have so much death and violence in your life before it eats away at you, before it makes you wonder how much good you're actually doing. She needed something to help her get back to herself." Tara grins crookedly. "Still kind of hard to believe it's me."

"Why would that be hard to believe?" Willow questions quietly, her brows furrowed as she watches Tara.

Tara shrugs and blushes as she turns the oven on to preheat before cheating and getting the pie filling out, her and Joyce discussing that for the peach and cherry pies, that they'd use the filling. "I actually didn't ever think I'd find someone, truthfully. As I told Buffy, I planned on living out my days teaching English, painting on the weekends and have either a dog or a cat for company."

"You paint?" Willow perks up, her eyes widening. "This hasn't come up before."

Tara blushes and nods her head. "The painting above the mantle is one of mine." Tara admits softly, before continuing in even softer tones. "I did a painting for Joyce for Christmas, plus wrapped another one that seemed to interest her when we were going through them." Tara shrugs, smiling self consciously. "Joyce is planning on having a showing with my work in a couple months. She said something about it would be better to wait until Spring, plus that gives us time for me to finish framing the rest of the paintings."

Willow blinks in surprise as she thinks about the painting above the mantle, remembered that it was new and noticed that it was a beautiful landscape with the mountains, but not having really looked at it closely. "You must be really good, for Joyce to want to have you in her gallery."

Tara bites her lip and shakes her head. "I think I'm okay, but everyone keeps telling me that I'm really good."

Willow's lip quirks up as she sees the innate shyness and lack of conceit the woman has, wondering how much she has changed in the last month or so, remembering Buffy mentioning something about Tara having been extremely shy and uninitiated in the world when she met her. Seeing a little of that showing through now. "Joyce doesn't say something that isn't true. So you must be an extraordinary artist."

Embarrassed, Tara drops her head and places the crusts in the oven with the pie weights in them to bake for a few minutes before opening the cans. "Buffy, Faith and Xander are insisting on all of us going to the Bronze while you're here. I think they plan on us going there two nights from now. Buffy's tried to talk me into going before now, but I've been able to sidetrack her." Tara sighs softly, still feeling uncomfortable about going, especially since she can't dance.

"You haven't been to the Bronze, yet?" Willow blinks in surprise. "That's kind of like 'the' place to be."

Tara bites her lip and shakes her head. "If Buffy hasn't already explained, I will. I pretty much went to classes and studied. I didn't do much of anything else before she came into my life."

"No dating?" Willow blinks in surprise, remembering Buffy saying something about Tara being a year older than them. "You're nineteen, right?"

Tara nods her head quickly, the embarrassment obvious on her face.

"Hey! I thought we were going to have popcorn and sodas!" Xander rolls in, looking from a surprised looking Willow to an embarrassed Tara. "Okay, what am I interrupting?"

"My explaining about my lack of interaction with people." Tara looks up, slowly grinning at Xander as he makes a face at her after her words.

"Yeah, and look at you now! You're a teasing, picking machine!" Xander wraps an arm around her shoulder, squeezing her gently. "This woman has been the cause of many of my bruises and headaches, Wills. Don't let her fool you. Once she relaxes, she has a wicked sense of humor and she LOVES getting me in trouble." Xander grunts and rubs his ribs after Tara elbows him.

Willow laughs quietly, shaking her head. "I think you can get into trouble all on your own, without any help, Xan."

"I can, but a lot of time she instigates it on purpose." Xander whines, plopping down at the island, grinning at his best friend. "Buffy's threatened, seriously, mind you!! To literally beat me to a pulp. It's not my fault that they're always making out and I happen to see them!"

"You're not the only one." Tara blushes and rolls her eyes. "We didn't hear the end of it for days when Faith caught us."

Xander's eyes light up and he starts grinning hugely. "I heard a little bit about that. Something about the garage becoming a playroom and Faith having to close the door?"

Tara throws a towel at Xander. "It wasn't my fault! I was painting and Buffy went nuts for some reason."

Xander laughs loudly as he looks at Tara, seeing the slight confusion in her eyes with her comment. "You still haven't a clue, do you?"

"What?" Tara questions softly before turning back towards the stove to pull the crusts out to let them cool before finishing the pies.

Xander looks back at Willow and shakes his head, smiling sadly at the redhead. "She doesn't realize how beautiful she is." He whispers softly, seeing the surprise in Willow's eyes as she glances back at Tara. "I think Buffy has this thing about you and paint." Xander speaks up, so Tara can hear him.

Tara blushes as she thinks about one of the presents she has tucked away in their closet for Buffy. With the slayer picking on her and teasing her so often about body paints, she'd used some of her saved money to buy some, along with the other items that she had decided on for the slayer, with a little help from Joyce. Chuckling to herself as she remembered their trip to the mall.

"There's no reason to be embarrassed about buying sexy lingerie. I'm actually going to buy some for myself while we're here." Joyce jokes, winking at the young woman.

Chuckling softly and shaking her head, Tara brushes some hair behind her ear as she looks at Buffy's mom. "You should say that to Buffy, she turns all kinds of fascinating colors whenever you do anything that hints towards you and Mr. Giles."

"I know." Joyce smirks wickedly as they walk towards Victoria's Secrets. "I'm glad she's taking it better than I thought she would." Joyce admits, smiling at Tara. "I have a feeling you had something to do with that."

Tara shakes her head, looking down. "I just mentioned to her that she wouldn't be happy with you dating anyone. Then I brought up the fact that she already loves Mr. Giles like a father, how hard would it be to actually consider him as one? I think that kind of surprised her and made her think more than anything. Then I finished it off by mentioning how much happier you've been lately." Tara's eyes twinkle as she looks at Joyce. "You don't want to know WHAT I had to do to keep her from going over to his apartment and banging on his door when you called and said you were going to stay there that night!"

Joyce blushes darkly and shakes her head. "No, I probably don't." Joyce starts to laugh as she wraps her arm around the young woman. "Come on, let's pick out some sexy underwear for all of us. And…" Joyce leans down to whisper softly in Tara's ear. "I'm buying, so no arguments, okay?"

Tara looks up, surprise in her eyes, slowly shaking her head. "But, Joyce…" When Joyce frowns at her, Tara sighs softly and finally smiles. "I owe you."

"No you don't, but we'll discuss that later. Come on, let's see if we can find some different shades of blue for you to wear and make Buffy a happy slayer." Joyce urged her into the shop, the two women laughing and having a good time shopping the rest of the day.

Tara blinks as she comes back, looking at Xander and Willow, looking at her expectantly. Blushing darkly, she whispers. "Sorry, what did you s-say?"

Xander laughs quietly. "Buffy moment. No, we were just wondering what all we were having for Christmas Dinner tomorrow."

"Oh, sorry. Two hams, a meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, steamed carrots, stuffing, corn on the cob, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, waldorf salad, potato salad, assorted pies…" Tara trails off shrugging her shoulders. "Probably a few other things that I forgot."

Willow groans and wraps her hands around her stomach. "I can feel my aching, full stomach already! We'll all be crashed around the house, snoozing soon after eating all that." Willow jokes, her eyes twinkling as she looks from her best friend, to a woman she hopes to become friends with.

"Wait until you taste her sweet potato casserole." Xander licks his lips and moans loudly. "That is if you can get any before Buffy scarfs it all up."

"I'm making a huge batch of it, just to be on the safe side." Tara swats him softly on the back before turning and emptying the filling in the pie shells. Rolling out the tops, she gently places them over the filled pies, pinching it gently against the edges before carefully trimming the excess away, finally placing them back in the oven and setting the timer. Looking at the clock, Tara bites her lip, wondering how much longer Buffy and Faith might be before they get back, knowing that Buffy had felt a couple demons, which shouldn't take too long for the two slayers to take care of. But with them wanting to scope out possibilities of how to get in the Initiatives stronghold, knowing it might take a little while. Sitting down besides Willow, Tara grins crookedly at Xander. "So, I've heard about your little love spell where everyone wanted you, but nobody went into any details about your other 'demon' attractions. Start to spill."

Xander whimpers and drops his head on the island. "No. Don't wanna. Ask Willow about Malcolm instead! Oh! Oh!! No, tell her about Vamp you." Xander lifts his head grinning at his best friend. "Come on Wills!! Tell her. Willow and leather…Yummm." His eyes glaze over as he thinks back to that time.

Willow blushes and rolls her eyes while reaching across to smack him. "Stop that!"

Xander shrugs his shoulders, grinning hugely. "Well, think about it! I have since you mentioned you and Amy! I vaguely remember you saying something along the lines of…'And I think I'm kinda gay.' there somewhere."

Willow laughs and slowly nods her head. "But that was extremely weird being hit on by myself."

Tara looks from one to the other, with a raised eyebrow and a slow smirk on her face. "I have so got to hear this one."

Willow rolls her eyes before finally starting. "Well, it was like this…"


Buffy growls quietly as she and Faith look around the campus. "It feels like there's literally hundreds of demons here, doesn't it?"

"I've never felt such a concentration before." Faith agrees quietly as she looks intently at the ground, seeing a slight disturbance. "B?"

Buffy trots over to Faith kneeling with her on the ground. Both women working their fingers along the disturbance. "I feel it, let's try lifting it gently. I don't want to rip it off, if it's locked." Buffy admits quietly.

"Gotcha." Faith agrees, the two women grasping the cover, surprised when it doesn't give any resistance. Seeing the well oiled hinges and the shiny metal under the grass, Faith raises an eyebrow. "I think we hit the jackpot."

"Looks that way." Buffy stares intently down into the dark hole. "Damn, if I go down there Tara will kick my ass for taking chances."

"But it wasn't locked or latched. Maybe if we just check it out a little ways? See if it's actually part of the Initiative, or just another access to the sewers." Faith suggests, frowning slightly.

"We know this isn't an access to the sewers." Buffy looks up shaking her head at Faith. "It's too well kept, plus it being hidden is pretty much a give-away." Seeing Faith sigh and nod her head in agreement, Buffy pats her on the shoulder. "We'll just look, we won't go far. But if I get in trouble, I'm blaming you." Buffy smirks at Faith.

"Great. Just what I need, blondie ready to kick my ass." Faith grumbles, slowly following Buffy into the hole. "Like I don't get into enough trouble on my own."

Buffy chuckles quietly. "You like being in trouble." Buffy whispers softly, waiting for her eyes to adjust, not using her slayer sight, since Faith had made the comment when they were in the tunnels that her eyes glowing orange were pretty much a dead giveaway one night when they were out on patrol. Finally able to make out some of the tunnels, Buffy questions Faith softly. "Your eyes adjusted yet?"

"Yeah, things are sorta coming in now. Still fuckin' dark down here." Faith admits, pulling a knife from her holder as they slowly creep forward, searching out the area.

"Hold up." Buffy places a hand on Faith's shoulder as they get ready to turn a corner. Barely peaking around, Buffy's eyes search out the area, frowning when she sees a pale flashing light down at the end of the corridor. Zooming in as much as possible, Buffy growls quietly and backs up. "There's cameras in this section, Faith. I don't know if they caught me or not, but I'd say we should get out of here."

"Let's go." Faith trots quickly back the way they came, grunting as Buffy literally tosses her up out of the hole before jumping out behind her. "Could have warned me you were going to do that."

"Sorry." Buffy puts the camouflaged cover back over the hole, tapping Faith on the shoulder before they jog quickly away. "Hold up. Can you climb a tree?"

"Who needs to climb?" Faith growls, jumping up to the lowest branch before scampering up a little further into the tree, watching as Buffy quickly follows her. "What's the plan?"

Buffy shifts around until she can see the area they had come from, watching to see if anybody follows them. "I want to watch and see if they send someone after us."

Faith straddles the branch and leans her back against the tree trunk as she looks at Buffy. "So, what'd ya' get Tare for Christmas?" Faith finally questions after a few minutes, grinning.

Buffy chuckles, glancing at Faith. "Well, the items that will be able to be opened in front of everyone are some clothes, paint supplies and a few other things." Buffy unconsciously wraps her fingers around a small box in her pocket. "Then there are a few things that are presents for her, but kind of actually for me." Buffy admits, blushing lightly.

Faith grins wickedly at the blonde slayer. "You snuck out and visited that shop, didn't ya'?" Faith laughs as Buffy quickly nods her head, blushing even more.

"I picked up a couple things." Buffy whispers quietly, her eyes searching out the campus. "Nothing extreme, just a few things to try. We've discussed it, and I know that she's okay with it, but I don't want to push too much, you know?"

"Yeah. Tell ya' the truth, I wonder if it might be somethin' to do with us being slayers." Faith admits seriously. "I've always kind of enjoyed a certain amount of roughness."

Buffy looks at Faith surprised that the woman is bringing this up. "It may be. With our calling, violence is kind of second nature to us. Or maybe we feel that we need to be 'punished' for not being able to protect or save everyone." Buffy admits quietly, watching Faith. "I know the guilt sometimes bogs me down, and even though I discuss it with Tara, it's still there."

Faith slowly nods her head. "Yeah. That's kinda how I feel about it. Sometimes I just feel like I need a good ass kicking. I'd ask you to do it, but I figure Tare would go ballistic on both our asses if I come in looking like I'd been put through the wringer." Faith admits quietly.

"Maybe I could talk to her about us sparring together." Buffy offers softly. "If I explain to her that we both need to get out some of our frustrations, she might not get so upset." Buffy runs a hand through her hair as she turns her gaze back out on the quad, watching as a group of five men come across the campus, laughing and joking a little too loud. Tilting her head, Buffy watches them intently as the men joke and push each other around, but at the same time she notices they seem to be paying a lot of attention to the campus around them.

"Got the feeling that's a ruse?" Faith nods her head towards the group. "Feels like a set-up to me."

"Yes, it does." Buffy leans forward a little more, recognizing one of the men. "That's Riley, one of my TA's." Buffy shakes her head as she looks over the other men, noticing a few look familiar, but not being able to place them at that moment. "Well, I'd say that answers one of the questions Tara and I had batted back and forth to each other."

"What's that?" Faith whispers as she watches the men finally head away from them.

"Come on, we'll talk on the way back to the house." Buffy drops down from the limb to the ground, watching as Faith climbs down partway before dropping the rest of the way. The two women quickly striding away from the college. "We discussed there was a good chance that either the people working for the Initiative were acting like students, or even possibly professors, or other things here at the college. Seeing Riley just now, confirmed that thought. Also makes me wonder a little more seriously about our Psych Professor, Maggie Walsh." Buffy admits softly as she thinks about it. "I never did like her. Makes me curious if there was more of a reason why I didn't like her than just being rubbed the wrong way."

"Good possibility." Faith agrees quietly. "I don't like 'em experimenting on the demons. If the demons are bad, they need to be killed. Do they even leave the non-violent demons alone, or are they capturing them, also?" Faith questions softly.

"They're capturing all of them." Buffy admits, frowning heavily. "A lot of the demons that were non-violent packed up and headed out of town once they got wind of what was going on. As for the other demons, what few have come into town, we've taken care of before they've had the chance to get them. If they're experimenting on them, that's equal to torture, and we are going to need to put them out of their misery." Buffy looks over at Faith.

"Yeah. And we can't just let them go, to give them a fightin' chance." Faith thinks, running a hand through her hair. "We're probably gonna have to take them out down there. What about the humans?"

"I don't know." Buffy shoves her hands in her pockets and hunches her shoulders. "This is shit we're going to need to talk to with everyone, get their input and ideas. But the sooner we take care of it, the better I'll feel. I think they're just asking for trouble to have that many demons in that concentrated of a place."

"Yeah, what would happen if their power went out, or some shit like that? You know as strong as some of the demons are, they gotta have some kind of electric barrier around them." Faith offers up the thought.

"Jesus…if that went out, it'd be a massacre --- for the humans." Buffy shakes her head, her eyes opening wide at the thought. "We're definitely going to have to figure out something quick."

"Should we wait and have this discussion after Christmas?" Faith hesitantly questions, her eyes turned to look at Buffy as the two slayers come to a stop on Buffy's street, unconsciously having decided to finish this conversation here, before going any further.

"I don't know." Buffy shakes her head. "In a way, I think we should get this taken care of fast…but in another way I want everyone to have a good Christmas without worrying about this shit. I don't think Tara's had very many good Christmas' the last few years." Buffy admits softly.

"Your call, B." Faith shakes her head, looking at the slayer. "I'll go with ya' either way you decide."

"Thanks, Faith." Buffy smiles distractedly at the slayer. "Damn. I want to wait, but Tara will know something's up. Even before we connected on a more deep level, she always knew if something was bothering me." Buffy growls quietly, looking up at the night sky. "Fuck it, we'll tell them, then go from there. All of us can decide whether to have a non-demony day tomorrow, or hash things out between eating, opening presents and other stuff."

"Then that's what we'll do." Faith chuckles quietly, smacking Buffy gently on the back. "Come on, let's go in. You know your girl is probably worrying about ya' by now."

Buffy laughs quietly. "Not just me, Faith. You know she worries about you, too."

"Yeah." Faith blushes and looks down. "You're one lucky lady, B. I hope I find somebody that loves me half as much as she does you."

"There's someone out there, somewhere, Faith. But I can honestly tell you, I wasn't looking for her when she showed up. And I definitely wasn't looking for a woman…I still can't believe that we had never run into each other before that time." Buffy shakes her head in disbelief.

"Fate." Faith whispers softly, looking at Buffy as Buffy snaps her head to look towards her. "Maybe you weren't ready for it. You had the whole Angel thing going on, we were fighting…" Faith shrugs as she sighs, looking around. "Her being added into the mix might have fucked everything up, B. You may have had to come to the understanding that Fang wasn't really what you needed. Would ya' have even looked at her twice when he was around?" Faith questions softly.

Buffy frowns heavily as she thinks about it. "I never really even considered being with a woman much before her, Faith. And if I had run into her then…" Buffy shakes her head. "I don't know."

"Talking with Tare has made me think about these type things." Faith admits quietly. "She honestly believes that Fate has a lot to do with what happens. That Fate didn't want you two to notice each other until you did. Everything since then was guided by the hand of Fate. But she also insists that we all still make our own decisions. Fate just offers up the chances, and hopes that they're acted upon. Kinda like me." Faith sighs heavily. "What woulda happened if Tara hadn't been around? If I woke up from a coma, I probably never would have believed what I remembered. I would have thought it was a dream."

"A lot of things could be different, but they aren't." Buffy wraps her arm around Faith's shoulder, squeezing her gently. "No sense in thinking about that, Faith. We're here together, a family. That's what's actually happening. No sense in worrying about what could have happened, we've all got enough guilt to work through with what we DID do, we don't need to add what we could have done."

Faith chuckles quietly. "You have a point, B. Come on, I know you're wantin' to see Tare. And I could use a little something to snack on, if they'll let me eat anything." Faith jokes.

"You know Tara makes a couple sub sandwiches and puts them in the refrigerator for us to munch on at any given time, just to keep us from going hungry until the meals are cooked." Buffy smacks Faith gently on the shoulder.

"Yeah, I know. Damn, did you eat one of those that she fixed with the hot banana peppers on it? That sucker was good." Faith grins, her eyes lighting up.

"I didn't have one of them." Buffy frowns. "I wonder if there are any more left?"

"I'm sure there are. She put the sandwiches down in the refrigerator in the basement. We'll look when we get in there." Faith smirks as Buffy starts to pick up her pace towards the house.

Continued…

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