A Different Kind of Magic by WillowFan

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Buffy characters. I am only playing with them and promise to return them when I am done. Please don't sue me. I am a collage student, so that means I am broke.

Feedback: Oh ye gods…yes please…good, bad, ugly, whatever. Just know flames will be met with a fire extinguisher.

Author's Notes: I am taking everything from the Wicca meeting and taking it out a whole new door. There may be vague hints at what happens in canon, but the pairing makes it much different…um…yeah…that's it for that.

Summary: What if Tara had not met Willow at the Wicca meeting, but met Buffy instead?

Willow looked around the group and sighed inwardly. 'So far…so…dull.' She pouted to herself. There was a lot of talk about bake sales and bunt cakes. But it seemed that not a single person knew a thing about actual witches.

As the group broke up, complete with plans for a bake sale and a new graphic design for the cover of the newsletter, a point in which Willow was actually able to contribute to, she trudged across the quad, hoping that Buffy would be available for consolatory mochas.

Buffy watched the girl move as she carefully went about her routine of folding each article of clothing with loving care. It was truly a sight that, for some reason, captivated the Slayer. As she looked into her own basket, she frowned at the wrinkled and tangled mess that passed for laundry. Sure, saving the world from an apocalypse was tiring, but that was no reason to let silk wrinkle. She dumped her basket with an audible grumble and began folding the garments that weren't already in need of an iron. But her attention wasn't on the clothes. She was busy staring at the blonde and her strangely adorable half smile and piercing blue eyes. 'Blue eyes…that are looking right at me!' she cursed inwardly. She had just been caught ogling the girl and now she was heading over. 'Ok Buffy, pull it together…you're a slayer…you can handle this.' She chanted to herself.

Tara noticed the blonde as soon as she entered the room. She was wearing a pair of low cut, hip huggers and a white peasant top. She had almost white hair and the most gorgeous green eyes…'That were staring at me.' She said to herself. 'Great, she sees me staring at her. Now what do I do mama?' she asked herself. 'Guess…I say hi?'

Buffy…" the Slayer mentally slapped herself in the head. 'Nice with the lingo, Summers. Now in ten thousand years of cultural evolution, you can hold a conversation with her.'

Tara smiled warmly, her lips splitting in an ear-to-ear grin. "Nice to meet you. Um…" she looked at the mess on Buffy's table and smiled. "Need some help?" she asked, picking up a sweater.

Tara began the same slow and methodic process of folding Buffy's clothes as she had with her own. All Buffy could do was stare.

Willow sat on the edge of her bed, holding the can of soda and staring at the door. 'I wish Buffy was here…she's my best friend, and she has a sacred duty…besides slaying…and that's to offer me mochas and listen to my day of badness.' She thought. Just then, the door opened and Buffy walked in, smiling broadly.

Willow perked up and smiled. "I wish I had a million dollars." She looked around and then slumped. "It was worth a shot." She mumbled.

"I do too, Wills." Buffy said, setting her basket down and falling onto her bed, a smile still plastered on her face. "I do too."

Willow raised an eyebrow and stood up, crossing the room and pointing at Buffy, her mouth open. "Who?" she squeaked. "Who is it?" she asked again, sitting down and drumming on Buffy's stomach and laughing. "You met someone…or Parker came down with every single disease in the book all at once." She shrugged happily. "Spill…I need my vicarious smoochies." She bounced on the bed.

Buffy smiled at her best friend. "I love you Willow, but there is no smoochie action. And what, can't I just be…happy?" she asked and stood, beginning to hang her clothes up.

Willow just stared, a shocked expression on her face. "No…you can't. It says so in the Slayer Handbook. And besides…you folded your clothes…you never fold your clothes. So you're taking extra care to impress someone…so spill!" she bounced again.

Buffy smiled. "It's just a friend…I am not doing any smooching. I just…I just like being around this particular person. And they like neatly folded laundry." She nodded, hanging up a blouse.

Willow crossed her arms and sat patiently. "So…no smoochies to speak of?" she asked when Buffy wouldn't cave in.

Tara sat on her bed and sighed. She tried centering herself and kept failing. All her thoughts were on one person. Buffy Summers. Even her name was beautiful. But she had to try to stay focused, try to stay calm and try, above all else, to remember that Buffy was coming over tonight to get help with her 18th century poetry. She was coming over as a friend. Someone that she had just met a short week ago and wanted her help in poetry. That's all. 'She isn't interested in me that way. She probably has her pick of…anyone on campus.' She thought and grumbled, as she uncurled from her meditation. "And she'll be here in less than…" she said as there was a knock on her door.

Buffy knocked on the door and stared at her hand. It was trembling and she wasn't sure why. She had come over for help with her homework. She was a little bit unsure of… 'Nothing. The assignment is, for once, cake. I understand it; have all the materials and actually found time to study. So why am I at Tara's door, feigning a problem I don't have?' she asked herself.

Tara opened the door. The scent hit Buffy first. Sage and jasmine…it came in a small wisp, just touching the air with a hint of spice. Tara smiled at Buffy and pulled absently at her loose sweater and looked at her floor length denim skirt. She looked at Buffy and saw the blonde was wearing almost impossibly tight jeans, a UC Sunnydale t-shirt and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Buffy smiled at the blonde and took a step forward.

Tara grinned. "Always helpful when studying." She stepped to the side and gestured for Buffy to come in.

Buffy smiled and walked into a whole new world. She noticed the black walls and the twinkling Christmas lights right away. They were fitting somehow and she continued to gaze around the room. There were candles and small statuettes, crystals and small glass decanters filled with dried rose petals and other assorted flowers. Herbs and other smaller plants hung on drying racks and she saw the incense that still burned on the desk in the corner. She smiled and turned to the blonde. "I love your room." She said softly.

Tara looked down and smiled. "It's not much…but its mine." She shrugged, her blonde hair spilling down around her face.

Buffy reached up and brushed her hair back and smiled. "Well it's you…it's beautiful." She said softly.

Tara shrugged and blushed. "Thanks." She whispered. "So…um…you were having some trouble with your poetry?" she asked, trying to take the focus off of her.

Buffy nodded. "Yeah…mostly the…well…all of it. I have to read some selected works and write a little bit on each one describing my feelings on each of them." She shrugged.

Tara nodded. "Great…so…what's the trouble?" she wasn't sure what was so hard about that.

Now it was Buffy's turn to blush. "Well…I…I kind of felt silly reading them out loud…you know, cause…I…I just wondered if you would like to hear…I mean…" she stammered. 'Get it together Summers! You're the Slayer!' she cursed herself. "I mean…if you wouldn't mind…would you listen to them?" she asked.

Tara let a slow smile spread across her face. 'Would I mind if you, who are incredibly gorgeous, read me poetry until the small hours of the morning?' she asked silently. 'No problems there…' she mentally cheered. "Sure…anything to help." She said, sitting herself on the bed.

Buffy looked around the room and saw one small, hard wooden chair at the desk. She began to move towards it when Tara spoke.

"You…I mean…if you wanted to…you could sit here." She gestured to the head of the bed. "I mean…it's more comfortable than the chair.

Buffy smiled and crawled over the bed and sat with her back on the wall She opened her small, velvet covered book and went to the first poem on her list. "Um…this is a love poem…go figure, 18th century and all, right?" she looked up and caught Tara's blue eyes fixing hers in a stare. "Uh…so…" she tore her gaze away and began to read. 'I may need a lot of help in this class….' Buffy settled in and began reading, letting the words carry her away to a place where it was just Tara and her. 'This could be a very good year for me.' She thought. 'Very good…'

Buffy eyed the vampire as he crouched low, ready to spring. Her muscles tensed and she waited for it. And she waited, and waited and waited. "Oh come on already…would you make a move?" she grumbled, flopping her arms in frustration.

The vampire lunged at the blonde and snarled as he was thrown onto his back. "Thank you." Buffy sighed, plunging the stake into the vampire's chest.

Buffy stood up and brushed ash from her purple coat, her face frowning. She turned to clapping and smiled at Willow and Xander. "Thank you, thank you…I'll be here all week, be sure to tip your waitress." she smiled and trotted over to the two friends.

"What's the big what, Buff…need any help from the assembled Scoobies?" Xander asked, smiling warmly and bouncing like an excited child.

Buffy raised her hands. "Easy there Xander…you're going to hurt yourself." she smiled, letting him know she was joking. "There is no big bad…just wanted time with my bestest buds. Is that so wrong?" she shrugged.

Xander and Willow both let their faces fall and turned to each other and then to Buffy. "We're going to die, aren't we?" Willow squeaked.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Guys…we're not gonna die…seriously. I wanted to spend time with you. I know I have been kind of out of it for the last few weeks…I wanted to make it up to you." she rolled her eyes as Xander hugged Willow.

"Willow…you hit the books, I'll call everyone…including the pizza guy…this'll be an all nighter. We'll get this guy Buff…chin up." he smiled and suddenly stopped. "I just said chin up…Giles would be so proud." he beamed.

Buffy shook her head. "I can't believe this…" she muttered and started walking off. Willow and Xander joined her.

"Well Buffy…it says that 'Buffy Summers spending quality time with her best friends for the last four years is a sign of the end of the world'…so naturally, we just thought…" Willow smirked.

Buffy nodded. "Sure…make jokes…I understand,” she pouted. "Here I am every night, making it safe for you to get your mochas, ice cream and smoochies, and you make fun cause I don't hang out." she grinned.

Xander nodded. "That's what friends are for…" he draped an arm over Willow and Buffy's shoulders as they walked out of the cemetery. "So…who wants ice cream…Willow's buying.

"Hey!" Willow protested, none of them noticing a dark form trailing after them.

Tara sat by her window, looking out over the quad. It was chilly, which in California meant the temperature dropped to a freezing fifty degrees. Tara sighed, waiting for any sign of the blonde angel to pass under her window.

Tara smiled as she came into view, along with two others. Tara felt her smile slip a little. She felt a small twinge of jealousy and quickly brushed it aside. Buffy wasn't hers. She was a friend. A friend, and that's all. Nothing else. She quickly stood and moved to her desk, taking out her homework. Theoretical Math and Principals. Tara winced. "You sure know how to live it up, Maclay,” she said to herself, quietly.

Willow looked at Xander and back at Buffy. "Um…ok Buffy…why are we here again?" she asked as they went up the stairs.

Buffy shrugged. "I want to ask someone else if they want to come along…if…that's ok with you guys?" she stopped and turned.

Xander shrugged. "Sure. The more the merrier." he smiled. Willow also nodded, her short red hair bobbing. Buffy smiled and felt her heart race. 'Ok…not a date now. Friends, check. Movies, check. See. Friends night out. It's perfectly innocent.' She walked up the stairs and came to Tara's door.

Tara snapped her pencil and sighed. She stared at the paper in front of her. It made no sense at all. None. And she pouted, reaching for her water. She jumped at the knock at her door. Putting her book down, she crossed the room, her bare feet padding lightly across the carpet. 'Who could that…' she stopped. "Buffy." she breathed the name and looked around the room. It was a mess. She scrambled to pick up the towel she had over the heater and straighten up her desk. She looked down at what she was wearing. Light blue top, gray, loose fitting sweatpants and she looked in the mirror. "I am a mess…" she reached for her brush, pulling out her hair tie. She had just started to frantically brush her hair when the knock came again. "Coming…" she called, setting her brush down. Her hair poofed due to the static. "Great." she whined.

Tara opened the door and tried her best not to smile like an idiot…it didn't work. Buffy was also grinning from ear to ear, which made the shy Wicca a little more at ease.

well. My friends, who are here…with me…behind me…here…" Buffy closed her eyes. `Why is it that every time I get around her, I turn into a babbling idiot?' she wondered to herself.

Tara didn't seem to notice. She was busy staring at the way Buffy's ponytail bobbed as she talked, taking in the soft curves of her jeans and loving the Hello Kitty mittens she wore. She was just so…cute. Tara sighed. "Um…that's ok. You can drop by anytime." She smiled. "D-day or…um…night." She gave Buffy her lopsided grin and the Slayer melted.

`Wow…oh wow…' Buffy thought, smiling and relearning how to think. "Um…movies?" she blurted out.

Luckily, that's when Willow stepped in and saved her miserably flailing best friend. "I think Buffy is trying to ask if you would like to join us to watch a few videos. We're kinda…doing a friends get together. And we watch videos and gorge ourselves on entirely to much chocolate products." She smiled sweetly. "And I'm Willow, by the way." She added with a small wave.

Buffy spun. "Oh my…I am so sorry…Tara, this is Willow and Xander. My best friends since, like…forever. Guys, this is Tara. She helps me...with my books." Again, Buffy sighed. `Could I sound any lamer?' she thought to herself.

Xander stepped up. "Hey…so, what do you say? Want to hang out with the Buffster and two total strangers in a small, yet comfy dorm room, watching movies you might hate? Could be a barrel of laughs." He smiled warmly.

Tara grinned. "I…I wouldn't want to intrude…sounds like you guys have a r-ritual down…I would be in the way." She hung her head, letting her hair fall, covering her face.

Buffy shook her head. "No…no trouble, right guys?" she hissed, glaring at her friends.

Xander and willow both shook their heads. " Nope…the more the merrier." Xander casually agreed.

Willow stared at Buffy and smiled, watching the blonde’s smile broaden. Moving next to the Slayer, she poked the girl in the side. "Ok…I want details later…and nothing short of an apocalypse will stall them." She raised an eyebrow at Buffy.

The Slayer turned, ready to protest and instead came face to face with Willow's dread, all-powerful `resolve face'. Silently, she shook her head. How could she spill anything, when she wasn't even sure there was anything to spill?

The door opened and Tara came out, wearing a brown wool coat with a white fleece collar. Her hair was tied back into a loose bun on the top of her head (Goodbye poofy hair) and she smiled sweetly at the gang. "I-I'm ready." She said softly. Much to her surprise, Buffy looped her arm through Tara's and headed for the door.

Willow and Xander followed behind, glancing at each other. Willow would have her answers before the night ended.

Buffy opened the door to the room and walked in, stepping to the side. Tara followed, then Willow and finally Xander.

"I got Will's side!" the young man leapt from the door and landed with a bounce on Willow's bed. "So…we gonna split beds? Push `em together or throw all the pillows on the floor and make a big movie watchin' pile?" he bounced excitedly.

Tara stared wide-eyed at Xander, a small smile playing on her lips. Willow rolled her eyes. "Excuse him…he doesn't get out of his house much, so he gets excited." She smiled, peeling off her coat. Tara smiled back.

Tara took her coat off and looked around the room, her eyes falling on Willow's alter and books on Witchcraft. She walked over, feeling power coming from the altar.

I'm not…I mean…I'm not a freak or anything…I just…I dabble…in…magic. I don't worship Satan or anything, I mean. I'm Jewish…so…Satan a big bad guy…I don't make deals or anything. And…umm…Buffy?" she looked over her shoulder, pleading with her friends to make her stop babbling.

Buffy smirked. "Relax Will…you're gonna bust something." She shook her head. "Um…Tara? Would you like something? I have juice, water or soda…" she walked over to the mini-fridge and opened the door.

Willow crinkled her brow. "We have juice? Since when? I ran out and I know you have a deep seated fear of anything healthy." She walked over to the fridge and gaped. There were no less than five kinds of juice and three different kinds of bottled water, plus the two major brands of soda. She looked at Tara and then at Buffy. "Later…we talk…now…I want some apple juice." She smirked, taking a bottle of the juice.

Buffy's eyes widened and she grabbed Willow's arm. Willow smiled sweetly and leaned over to Buffy. "You're feeling like some grape juice tonight, I think…" she looked at Tara. "Yep…grape juice." She nodded. Buffy let Willow's arm go and smiled her thanks.

Xander sat on the bed, watching the exchange. Shaking his head in confusion, he rummaged through the small bag. "So…what are we watching first? I put in a bid for…" he looked around the room and sighed. "We…aren't watching Apocalypse Now, are we?" he asked, almost broken hearted.

Willow shook her head. "Sorry Xander…if you're gonna have to suffer through a night with just us girls, you're gonna have to watch our movies too." She smiled, sitting on the bed, scooting back against the headboard.

Xander sighed and leaned back as well. "Oh well…I guess it can't be any worse than those soap operas." He grinned.

Buffy sat on her bed, leaning against the headboard. "Just reach in and randomly pick one that isn't Apocalypse Now…" she smiled.

Tara stood in the middle of the room, looking between the two beds. "Uhm…" she whispered.

Buffy sat up. "Oh…Tara…um…did you want the bed…I'm sorry, I'm rude-o gal tonight…" she moved of the edge, standing and offering the bed.

The blonde grinned and hurried over to the edge of the bed, moving lightly and kicking her shoes off before drawing her feet up under her as she settled against the headboard.

Willow frowned and hit Xander in the arm. "How come you didn't take your shoes off?" she squeaked, pointing at Xander's steel toed boots.

Xander rubbed his arm. "Ok…ow. And second…Will… I worked all day at the site…trust me when I say everyone here wants the shoes firmly in place." He grinned roguishly.

Willow rolled her eyes. "I tell ya…it's like bunking with an infant." She shook her head.

Tara giggled as Xander shot her a mock glare. "Oh sure…take your shoes off…make me look bad…Little Miss Kiss-up." He tossed a few pieces of popcorn at the blonde.

Tara ducked her head. "S-sorry Xander…just didn't want to get the bed all messed up." She shrugged, smiling.

Buffy smiled and pushed play on the VCR remote. Willow turned out the lights and the room began to glow as the movie started playing.

Buffy sighed, wiping the corner of her eye as the credits ran on the last movie. She stretched lazily and glanced at the clock. It was almost two a.m. and Willow and Xander were out. She turned to Tara and saw the blonde smiling warmly at her.

"I-I guess I should go…you probably have class, in the morning, huh?" she said quietly.

Buffy shook her head. "Not till eleven. You could stay…so you don't have to walk across campus so late. It could be a slumber party." She smiled.

Buffy nodded. "Great…I'm gonna go and change." She stood quietly and went to her closet, taking out her Yummy Sushi pajamas and heading for the door.

Tara nodded and gave a small wave. "I'll be right here." She nodded. Buffy left the room and Tara looked down at what she was wearing. The cargo pants, while comfortable to wear while awake, would be quite uncomfortable to sleep in. She sighed. "I should have stayed in my sweat pants." She mumbled to herself.

Buffy came back and cocked her head to the side when she saw Tara still sitting cross-legged, her back against the headboard. "Aren't you ready for bed?" she asked, crossing the room and slipping under the covers. "Did you wanna stay up a bit longer?" she asked.

Tara shook her head. "Oh…no…I just…um. I don't have any pajamas." She shrugged.

Buffy stared for a second. "Oh…ok…you can borrow a pair of mine." She smiled, standing and moving towards her closet.

Tara grinned. "Thanks Buffy…but…um…I folded your laundry enough to know you have nothing I would fit into." She blushed.

Buffy turned. "Well you can't sleep in those…you'd toss and turn all night and wouldn't get any sleep." She thought for a second. "I could throw Xander out and you could…um…" she felt a blush creep into her voice. "Um…sleep in your underwear?" she said softly.

Tara smiled. "Oh…don't throw him out. After all, he didn't get to watch his movie…and I hear it was the light hearted, feel good movie of its day." She nodded, her face serious for a second before splitting into a grin.

"I can go and get your PJ's from your room, if you want?" Buffy asked, really not wanting the blonde to leave just because she didn't have anything to sleep in.

Tara shook her head. "You're already changed. I guess…if I got up early enough and made it to the bathroom before Xander woke up…?" she shrugged.

Buffy smiled broadly. "Yeah? Cool." She moved back to the bed and slipped under the covers. "I mean…Will's and I have had a ton of slumber parties, and Xander has always been a perfect gentleman…mostly cause he knew I'd beat him senseless if he wasn't. I'm sure he knows the rule still applies." She smiled.

Tara nodded. "Ok…I'll just…um…change in here then." She stood and began to shyly take her pants off.

As the soft glow filtered through the window, Buffy made out Tara's form as she slipped out of her pants. She almost gasped as she saw Tara softly pad across the room and slip back under the covers. She was beautiful… `And she has the most amazing legs…' Buffy caught herself thinking and shook her head. `Cool it Summers…don't freak the new girl out.' She admonished herself. Finally easing her head back against her pillow, Buffy found herself drifting off to sleep. "G'night Tara" she mumbled.

Tara nodded. "Night Buffy…thanks for the movies…they were…neat…" she spoke softly, slowly as sleep claimed her as well.

Neither girl was awake as they each moved closer as they slept…inching slowly until hands touched under the soft blanket. Hands touching led to fingers interlacing, which led to both girls smiling in their sleep.

Xander stared at the girls, a broad smile playing over his face. He turned to the still sleeping Willow and debated waking her, but decided to wait just a few moments longer. This was priceless.

Buffy was on her side, her face nuzzled into the long, blonde locks of Tara's hair and she had thrown not only an arm, but a leg as well, across the sleeping woman. She was smiling contentedly as Tara, still sleeping, ran her hand through Buffy's hair.

Tara had Buffy in a tight embrace, and was running her fingers through soft, spun silk. She smiled and tried to stay buried in slumber, but her mind felt the need to be awake. `Stupid mind' she grumbled to herself. Slowly, she began moving her hips and back, trying to stretch without waking… `Buffy!' she thought suddenly. Buffy was wrapped around her. She was running her hands through Buffy's hair…and the petite blonde was actually snuggling closer.

`Ok…not an unpleasant feeling…but awkward none the less.' Tara thought to herself. Opening her eyes, she glanced around the room and saw Xander standing there, intently studying the chocolate poster on the back of the door. She smiled slightly, no doubt he was intently studying something else a few seconds before.

`Xander.' She spoke…but no sound came out. Tara frowned and spoke again. `Xander!' still nothing. A full-blown panic hit Tara and she jumped from the bed, scrambling to get out from under the covers.

Buffy jumped up and dove under the bed, coming back up with a crossbow from her bag.

Tara had scrambled to her feet, gotten her ankles tangled in the covers and fallen forward.

Tara ended up sprawled, on top of Xander who was knocked back onto the floor. Buffy glared at him and stalked around the bed. Perhaps it was an innocent slip of her mind that she didn't lower the crossbow.

Xander stared wide- eyed at Buffy, and then at Tara, then at Buffy's crossbow, and then at the position he and Tara were in. He quickly calculated everything and came to one conclusion. He had only a few moments before Buffy was pummeling him into unconsciousness.

Xander did the only thing he could think of at that moment. He screamed like a little girl with a skinned knee. What would have been an ear splitting, migraine-inducing squeal of absolute terror, came out as…nothing.

Xander closed his mouth, shook his head and then tried for another wail of terror.

Xander scooted back until he hit the door and was jabbering his apology. But no words were coming out. Xander decided to close his eyes and await his beating, like a real man would.

Buffy, having totally forgotten about Xander was kneeling in front of Tara, who was rocking back and forth, crying. Buffy reached out and took the shy blonde's hand in her own. She spoke in a whisper. `Tara…are you…' she stopped when she heard no words.

Tara looked up into Buffy's eyes and shook her head. `I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…' she mouthed. She had done something; she knew it. She should never have tried to be happy. She should have never let her guard down. She was a monster, and she should never have forgotten that…not for one second.

Buffy looked over at Willow, who was smiling broadly as she cuddled a big, fluffy pillow…still fast asleep. Buffy turned the crossbow, aimed and pulled the trigger.

Willow jumped about a foot and fell back, landing in an indignant heap on the floor. She cautiously peeked her head over the edge of the bed and stared at the crossbow bolt in what used to be her favorite pillow.

Buffy grinned and Willow stood up, her hands on her hips as she launched into a full scale Willowbabble. She stopped when she found, like the others, there was no sound. Willowbabble was quickly replaced by Willowpanic.

Buffy looked around the room and sighed. `I hate this town.' She grumbled to herself. Buffy looked at Tara and frowned. `And poor Tara…she must be terrified.' She took the blondes hand and smiled weakly. But instead of a terrified woman, she came face to face with a confidant and curious young woman.

Having taken a bit of paper, she scribbled out and held up the note for Buffy.

Tara pursed her lips and thought for a second. She scribbled out another note.

Buffy took the notebook and pen and looked at Willow and Xander. Both nodded their heads. Buffy began to write.

Tara furrowed her brow as Buffy hesitated in handing her the notebook. She took the book and scanned the lines.

Buffy, Willow, Xander and Tara spent the next half an hour writing back and forth about Sunnydale. It was discovered that Tara was a witch, which immediately set Willow off on a written version of Willowbabble. Xander grinned, watching Willow scribble furiously. Buffy snapped her fingers and pointed at the phone. And held up her notebook.

*We need to get a hold of Giles and start trying to figure out what's going on.*

Buffy grinned. `Long Story' she mouthed as she pulled her jacket on. Frowning, she snapped her fingers to get Willow's attention.

The redhead turned and smiled at Buffy. The Slayer frowned and nodded towards Tara, who was still wrapped in the blanket, staring around nervously.

Buffy growled in frustration as she slammed the book shut, startling everyone in the room. She and Xander had made it to Giles' house to find him with a guest. Olivia smiled sweetly and went about, making refreshments and snacks, trying not to let on how terrified she really was. Giles, Xander, Buffy and Anya had hit the books with nothing. Buffy, after several hours of researching, had finally grown upset at their lack of progress.

Everyone had jumped and Giles had actually fallen out of the chair. Buffy winced. `Sorry.' She mouthed. Giles nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose. After all these years, wishing she would just be quiet for once and study, he had to admit, it was rather disconcerting.

Buffy looked outside and frowned. It was nightfall. She looked at Giles and pulled out her stake and pointed towards the door. Giles nodded and she pulled on her jacket, holding up her phone. She had enabled the text messaging and shown Giles how to use his. He glowered at her but nodded. He viewed the phone as another infernal machine, distant cousin to the computer. But he agreed that it would be useful. Now all he had to do was figure out a way to pay for it. His credit card was stretched to the limit with the purchase.

Willow sat into the cushions of the soft chair, a permanent smile plastered on her face. Tara was busy looking through her books and scribbling notes in her book. Every once in awhile, she would stand and toss another bag of some herb or other tool onto a growing pile. She looked at Willow and smiled sheepishly.

Tara nodded eagerly and smiled. She had been looking for someone to study with since coming to Sunnydale.

Willow looked outside and frowned. Buffy would be patrolling now. She hurriedly wrote and held her board up.

Buffy growled. There was nothing. No vampires, no demons…no…nothing. She sighed and headed over to the campus.

She made it about halfway there and smiled grimily. She wasn't sure, but two bald, silver toothed, floating men were probably supernatural and most likely evil. Buffy broke into a run and was about to the two of them when she got jumped by two figures in straight jackets.

Buffy was knocked off of her feet, but dropped into a roll coming back up to face her new attackers as the floating men headed towards an old clock tower.

Tara gathered her supplies and books, having found a spell that might possibly reverse the vocal paralysis. She hurried out the door and began to make her way across campus. She was about half way to Stevenson Hall when she turned; two floating men and two hobbling men in straight jackets spotted her and bore down on her form. She ran.

Willow looked through the closet and cheered when she found it. Pulling the crossbow from the folds of clothing and shoes, she moved to the bed and stuffed it into and empty duffel bag.

Tara quickly made her way to Stevenson and dashed through the door, the Gentlemen close behind her. She dashed through the hall, banging on doors and, with little success, screaming for help. No one was answering and the Gentlemen moved ever closer. Tara ran faster, but the Gentlemen were closing in.

Willow heard the banging on the doors outside and opened her door, stepping into the hall…and the rapidly moving form of Tara. Willow fell, twisting her ankle. Tara, scooping Willow up as she passed, dashed for the fire door.

Buffy quickly dispatched the two straight-jacketed men attacking her and moved to the clock tower. Busting through the door, she rapidly ran up the stairs when her phone buzzed. Growling, she took it off and read the message.

*They are called the Gentlemen. Only a real human voice can stop them. Look for a phylactery…a container that keeps the voices trapped. Destroy it.-Giles.*

Buffy sighed. `Sure…no problem..' she thought to herself and raced up the stairs.

Unfortunately, there were six of the Gentlemen waiting for her…along with twelve of the psychos.

Buffy sighed and dropped into her battle mode. She dropped deep inside, reaching for The Slayer. She tapped the power, dropping into a trance where there was just her and the power.

Buffy eyed her opponents and attacked, moving faster then the human eye could follow, launching into a devastating attack. Buffy moved like lightning, leaving broken and battered forms in her wake, but Buffy felt herself weakening, and she had yet to face the Gentlemen, who were now circling her, their grotesque smiles twisting their faces.

Tara and Willow crashed through the laundry room door, scarcely ahead of their pursuers.

Willow pointed to the soda machine and Tara followed her over, trying to push the machine to the door. But it was too heavy and Willow fell back against the row of machines, clutching her ankle as a grimace of pain twisted her features.

Tara fell down next to the redhead and looked at her with concern touching her face.

Willow growled inwardly and focused her attention on the soda machine. It began to shake as her magic tried to move the massive machine.

Tara watched as the machine shook, seeing what Willow was trying to accomplish. For the first time, she witnessed the power Willow held.

Willow dropped back and sighed, sweat beading her forehead. Tara slowly reached her hand out, moving slowly and took the redheads hand. Letting her own magic flow, she felt it dance along the edge of Willow's aura. Like long lost friends, they're magic merged and intensified. They both felt it grow into more than the sum of its parts. They had real power, and both turned their attention to the stubborn soda machine.

The machine ripped away from the wall and slammed into the doorframe, shaking the walls as the force of their magic sealed the portal. Tara and Willow looked at each other, realizing that they were more powerful together than separate.

Tara's face fell as she thought of what complications this might have for a certain blonde. Tara wondered where Buffy was now, and hoped she was safe.

Buffy had just dispatched the twelve when one of the Gentlemen slid behind her, slicing across her back with his razor sharp scalpel. Buffy screamed silently. She felt her strength rapidly leaving her. Buffy breathed deeply, the strength quickly draining from her. She knew she couldn't survive this.

Buffy looked up as two of the Gentlemen circled her, scalpels glinting in the moonlight as they moved. Suddenly, from behind her, she heard the wall crack then shatter inward, followed by the sounds of fighting. Buffy smiled grimily. The gang was here, and now there was a chance. Buffy launched into her own attack, taking on the two. She punched, kicked and spun, knocking them about and throwing each to the floor. They simply floated up and smiled their grotesque grin, advancing on her.

Buffy glanced to her right and saw the small, etched box, circled by the jars. Buffy jumped for the table, but her foot was caught by one of the Gentlemen.

Suddenly, one of them went flying by, crashing into the wall, followed by another. Buffy looked on as the slender form of a young woman passed by, and Buffy knew immediately that it was no one from the Scoobies.

Flipping the Gentleman off of her, she dashed for the table and shattered the box. A slight fog flew from the pieces and she suddenly knew her voice had returned. Buffy screamed.

The remaining Gentlemen all stood stock-still and clawed at their ears, shaking. Suddenly, their heads exploded. The threat they posed, no longer present, Buffy stood and searched for her mysterious helper. Buffy stopped and stared, not believing her eyes. It couldn't be…it…it was impossible.

Buffy stared wide-eyed at the brunette in front of her, half of her wanting to attack and the other half wanting to run. She wasn't happy with either of those options, so chose a third. Talking.

"So…Faith. How are you?" she asked, standing and keeping one eye on the Dark Slayer and the other eye on the door. She didn't really want to fight Faith, but she couldn't let her hurt her friends, either.

Faith smiled and shrugged. "Five by Five. See, that's the good thing about a coma…you get plenty of rest." She began to circle Buffy. She wasn't attacking, which was good, but she wasn't backing away either.

Buffy stood a little straighter. "So…you're better?" she asked, loosening a little bit.

Faith nodded. "Body's as good as new." She rolled up the front of her shirt and showed Buffy her stomach. "See, you can barely see where you tried to gut me." She growled.

"Save it Blondie. You tried to gut me, and payback's a bitch." She took a step back. "I saved your ass here tonight because I want to be the one to dish out the pain. And I mean to." She growled before turning and leaping through a boarded up window and dropping to the ground. Buffy followed her to the window and watched her disappear into the night.

"Damn…Faith…I'm sorry." She whispered, resting her head on the windowsill. Buffy turned and began limping towards the stairs, and then home.

Willow and Tara walked through the halls, laughing back and forth to each other.

"Oh…I think I have one of those. Giles has the best sources!" Willow exclaimed excitedly, reaching for the door.

Tara nodded and smiled eagerly. "C-cool. I have been looking for one for a long time." She moved into the room and stopped suddenly, staring at Buffy's bed…more accurately at the blonde slayer sprawled there, wearing a spaghetti string blue top and… `Hello Kitty panties?' Tara grinned.

She didn't realize she was staring until Willow waved a necklace in front of her face. Tara shook her head and immediately turned red.

Willow grinned. "See…it's pretty great, huh?" she asked, holding out the necklace. "See how smooth and round it is. And the way the moonlight shines on it. Kinda sexy, actually." She held the necklace out to Tara.

The blonde looked into Willow's eyes and saw her smiling. Tara grinned. "Vixen." She took the stone and looked it over. "It's lovely." She handed the charm back to Willow, who took it and smiled.

"Oh…yeah. This is cool too." She turned and laid it back into the case. "So…should we wake her?" she asked.

Tara shrugged slightly. "I don't know. She seems so…peaceful." She squinted her eyes and cocked her head, as if studying a painting. "She doesn't get much peace, does she?" she asked softly.

Willow sighed. "Not a lot, no. She's the Slayer. It's rough." She said softly.

Tara nodded. "Let her sleep. We can bring her bagels tomorrow. And mochas." She took a step back and looked at Willow. "Want to go to the Magic Box?" she asked.

Willow smiled and nodded. "Cool. I need some new Sandalwood." She grabbed her wallet and opened the door. She and Tara left the room, not noticing Buffy shaking slightly as a tear slid down her cheek.

Buffy pulled the blanket up around her shoulders and nestled her head into the pillows. She cried, partially for Faith but more for what Tara did. The way she didn't want to wake her up, the way she noticed just how stressed she was. Buffy felt sleep coming up and welcomed it, smelling bagels and mochas as she slept, and anxiously awaiting the morning when she could have them with Tara. Buffy's sleep was, for once, not interrupted with visions of terror or blood. Instead, she saw Tara, and she slept peacefully through the night.

Faith sat outside, perched on a branch. She was angry. Angry at eight months of her life that was gone, angry at the mayor for giving up on her, angry at the Scoobies for loving Buffy while she was in a coma but most of all, she was angry with Buffy for what she had become. She had done it, she had plunged a knife into Faith for the sole intent of feeding her to Angel.

It pissed her off. Faith growled and dropped noiselessly from the tree, making her way into town. Tonight, Buffy would begin to pay. The Dark Slayer made her way down Ravello Drive, to 1630. She walked up the porch steps, ready to unleash havoc. Ringing the bell, she waited.

Joyce answered the door and stood, stunned. "Faith? Oh my god…honey, are you alright?" she asked, hurriedly scooping the brunette into a fierce hug. "Faith…we never thought…the doctors said you would never wake up." She pulled back, pulling a very shocked Faith inside with her.

Faith stared at Joyce as she got a blanket and wrapped the young girl in it. "Uh…Ms. S…it's like…80 degrees outside." She grinned.

Joyce smiled. "Well…it's nurturing. Let me nurture. It's my job." She hurried into the kitchen and Faith heard the clatter of pots and pans. "You want something to eat? Wait…of course you do. You're a slayer. Slayers are always hungry, right?" she called from the kitchen.

Faith shook her head. She had a very set plan. She was going to come here, knock Joyce out and take her hostage. That would bring Buffy. This was…it was…just plain weird. "Um…yeah. Sure, I could eat." She called back.

Joyce started making spaghetti and poked her head out of the kitchen. "Have you called Buffy yet?" she asked.

Faith looked up. "I saw her, yeah." She said, remembering their brief encounter.

"That's nice. She has been worried sick about you, you know. She visits you every week." Joyce said.

Faith raised an eyebrow and snorted. "Yeah…to make sure I am still in a coma, probably." She snorted bitterly.

Joyce came from the kitchen, a jar of sauce in her hand. She gave the jar to Faith and folded her arms. "Why would you think that?" she asked.

Faith easily twisted the top off and handed the jar back. "Well…it's not like we were best friends when we last saw each other." She shrugged. "In fact, we were pretty much arch enemies." She nodded, shrugging the blanket off. Faith stood and followed Joyce into the kitchen.

Joyce poured the sauce into a pan and looked over at Faith, who had hopped up onto a counter. She smiled slightly. "Well…I'm sure that's all behind you now. You should call her. Let her know you're ok." She paused. "You…are ok, right?" she asked. "I mean…if you had wanted to hurt me you would have done it by now…" she paused and looked up at Faith. "Right?"

Faith grinned. "Yeah. I'm five by five." She sighed and looked down. "So…what did she tell you about me?" she asked quietly.

Joyce smiled softly. "I think…everything. About Finch, poisoning Angel, working for the mayor…about the…fight." she looked at Faith's stomach. "How is it, by the way?" she asked.

Faith smiled. "It's good. An eight month coma will defiantly cure what ails you." She shrugged and then looked away, feeling tears form. "So…you must have been pretty mad at me, huh?" she asked softly.

Joyce set the flames low and turned to Faith. "A little, at first. But then I was more disappointed."

Faith lowered her gaze. "Yeah…I do that a lot." She mumbled, feeling, for the first time, shame at her actions.

Joyce smiled reassuringly. "Not only with you, Faith. But with myself, Buffy, Mr. Giles…everyone involved." She rested her hand on Faith's shoulder. "You needed us, and we weren't there for you. So you turned to the only one who was doing anything for you…Mayor Wilkins." Joyce shrugged. "It was as much our fault as it was yours…right Buffy?" Joyce said, never turning from Faith.

Faith's head shot up and she dropped from the counter. Buffy was standing at the back door, watching the scene.

"Mom…your logic does not resemble our earth logic." The blonde said, opening the door. "Faith chose her path, we didn't push her to it." She said coldly.

Joyce nodded in agreement. "True…but we didn't do a thing to prevent it, either." She said.

Buffy shook her head. "Bull. I gave her chance after chance after chance…and she spat in my face. And now she comes to you for sympathy, the whole time probably plotting against us." She growled, stalking around the table towards Faith, interposing herself between the dark slayer and her mother.

Joyce just waved her hand. "Oh please, Buffy. I know why she came here tonight. She was going to threaten me to get to you. I may be your mother but I am not stupid."

"So I did what any good mother does when one of her girls goes to act out…I responded with love, caring, an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on." She smiled. "All she wants is a chance, Buffy…I think you owe her that much. Now sit down, the both of you…dinner is ready."

Joyce went about getting the meal ready while Buffy and Faith dumbly plopped down in chairs.

Faith turned to Buffy and smiled. "Wow…your mom is wicked cool B." she muttered.

Buffy groaned as she sat back, looking across the table at Faith. The brunette was sopping up sauce from her plate, a very satisfied smile across her face. Buffy smiled. It had been ages since she had seen this side of Faith. She had missed it.

Faith shook her head. "I'm gonna pop. But thank you." She pushed her plate away.

Joyce picked up the empty plates and looked at her daughter. "Because, daughter of mine. We have a guest and it is your job to help your mother." She said quietly.

Faith moved to stand. "Oh…I can…I can help. I don't mind." She moved to stand but Joyce put a hand on her shoulder.

Buffy pouted but stood, picking up dishes. She looked at Faith and paused. "So…what are your plans now?" she asked softly, the tension flooding back into the room.

Faith shifted in her seat and shrugged. "Mayor left me a little cash. I can get a hotel room." She said, looking down.

Joyce shook her head as she entered the room. "Oh no you don't. We let you stay on the outside last time, and see what happened? No. You are staying here." She folded her arms across her chest and almost dared either of them to challenge her decision.

Faith just smiled, nodding her head. But her face fell when she looked over at Buffy, who was wearing a frown.

"I guess we should go and see Giles. If you're going to be around and slaying, you might as well train." Buffy said quietly.

Faith nodded. "Yeah…I was thinking about that. But…it's almost 10. Won't he be asleep now?" she asked.

Buffy sighed. "You're probably right. Tomorrow then…and we can get together with the rest of the gang too."

"Well…for every action, there is a price to pay, Faith. Bill's due...time to pay up." Buffy said. With that, she stood. "Want to help me patrol? Shake some of the cobwebs loose?" she asked.

Faith nodded. "Sounds like a plan." She stood and waved goodbye to Joyce and followed Buffy out the door.

Faith watched as Buffy staked the vampire. He had been tough. He was as strong as a bull and as quick as a cat. He must have had some form of martial arts training when he was alive.

But Buffy was better. In fact, all Faith could do was stare in awe. The blonde had moved faster than Faith remembered, and her punches seemed to pack more of a punch than before.

Faith dropped from the headstone and began walking beside the blonde. "Um…threatening my life, I believe." She said.

Buffy nodded. "Right…Giles, Willow, Xander, Anya, my mom and Tara… even think of doing anything to any of them, I will personally make sure you don't wake up next time." She narrowed her eyes at the Dark Slayer.

Faith gulped. "No trouble, B…I swear. I know I said some pretty harsh stuff before, but I was just a little pissed, you know?" she looked at Buffy. "I mean…eight months of my life…gone. It's pretty hard to deal with." She said.

Buffy nodded. "I must be insane. Tomorrow…Giles' place…noon. Don't make me come looking for you. Here's my stop, you know the way home?" she asked, standing at the edge of `dorm row'.

With that said, Buffy turned and headed for her dorm and Faith turned back towards town.

Buffy looked around the room. Willow was sitting on a stool next to the kitchen, Xander and Anya were sitting on the couch while Giles moved about the kitchen making a pot of tea that no one but him would drink.

She sighed. It was almost fifteen minutes after noon, and she growled inwardly. She called her mother at five after, just to see if everything was ok. But Joyce said Faith had left already.

"So Buff…what's with the bat signal? Who's the big bad?" he asked, anxious to get the meeting underway.

Buffy opened the door and narrowed her eyes at the woman standing there. "You're late." She said. The girl just shrugged, holding up a bag of bagels.

Buffy had positioned herself so that no one could see out the door, and turned to face the gang. "Ok. Now…don't freak or anything, but…something happened the other night. And I want no freakage from anyone." She looked at everyone as they nodded, anxious to see who was at the door.

Buffy walked into the room, leaving the door cracked open. "Come on in." she said.

Faith pushed the door open and stepped into the house. "Hey." She said softly, waving her hand.

Giles opened his mouth to speak but shut it again, finding no words. He removed his glasses and began cleaning them.

Xander smiled nervously and gripped Anya's hand, alternating scared looks at Faith and glares at Buffy.

Willow, however, stared wide-eyed at the Dark Slayer, her breathing coming rapidly and a look of terror crossing her face.

Faith turned to the redhead and sighed. "Willow…look…" she took a step towards the hacker.

Willow jumped up and scooted back against the counter. "Stay away from me." She growled, her fear quickly giving way to anger. "Buffy…why is…when…what the hell is she doing here?" she hissed, glaring at her best friend.

Buffy sighed. "She…she woke up Wills." She said, lowering her gaze. "I…I think she's changed." She said.

Willow shook her head. "She'll never change. She is a psychopathic killer. She is a murderer who will weasel her way in and try to kill us all…again." She turned to Faith, who had her head lowered in shame.

"No…No please…no 'come on'…she's nothing more than a ravenous beast who needs to be put down." She turned back to Faith. "Just stay the hell away from me." She growled and shoved past the brunette slayer, who was on the edge of tears now. Without turning back, Willow threw the door open and ran from the house, slamming the door hard enough to knock a picture from the wall.

Anya stood and walked over to Faith. "You can't have Xander…he's mine." She said curtly.

Faith looked at Anya and then around the room. Her bottom lip began to quiver and then Faith did something she never did in front of anyone…Faith cried.

Buffy ducked under the vampires punch and shot her leg out, catching him in the stomach. This one had been smart, he had friends. She ducked again as a fist sailed over her head from behind and kicked back, feeling her foot bury itself in another vampires midsection.

She smiled grimly. There had been five to begin with, when Buffy busted in on their feeding frenzy, much to the relief of the intended dinner. Two girls ran screaming from the area, but at least they were still alive to run.

Buffy spun and caught the vampire behind her in a vicious crescent kick and sent him sprawling into a wall. That's when the first vampire grabbed her and shoved her, head first, into the same wall.

She saw blackness and struggled against it. If she went down here, she was never going to get back up.

She shot her elbow back and the vampire blocked it, since there was now power and it was sluggish. That's when she heard the shouts and felt the demon pulled away from her. She turned and smiled when she saw the vampire on it's knees, being beaten by four people with baseball bats and one had a cross, which she pressed into the vampires back.

Xander saw Buffy struggling and looked over at her. "Easy there Buffster…we got tall, dark and goes-poof-in-the-sunlight under wraps." He grinned.

Buffy nodded and picked up her stake. "Then I'll go after his friend. Be careful." She called back over her shoulder.

Xander turned back just as Anya plunged a stake into the vampires heart. "Hey…it was my turn to stake him!" he complained, jogging back over to Willow, Tara and Anya.

Buffy sprinted after the vampire and vaulted a car, using it as a springboard to tackle the vampire. "Leaving so soon? I haven't even introduced you to the guest of honor." She held up her stake and smiled.

Buffy walked through the streets, looking down and not really hearing her friends talk. All of her preternatural senses were locked on one thing. The feel of her fingers brushing ever so slightly against Tara's as they walked. They weren't holding hands, although Buffy wanted to so badly it hurt sometimes, but she wasn't sure if Tara even liked her that way or not.

Sure, there had been many study dates and movie marathons, but neither she nor the shy Wiccan had ever voiced an interest like that, and she defiantly didn't want to lose what precious little time they did share together over a misperceived glance or casual touch.

So, she did something slayers just don't do. She stumbled. This had gotten Tara concerned enough to walk closer, in case she needed to catch Buffy if she fell. This made it easier for Buffy, who was letting her stride be slightly more erratic than usual, to `accidentally' brush her hand against Tara's.

Yes, it was juvenile, but she loved every electric touch. It almost seemed as if electricity was arcing from her hand to Tara's. If only she had the guts to tell Tara how she felt.

"You haven't heard a word I've been saying, have you?" she asked, smiling and shaking her head.

Buffy grinned. "I'm sorry Willow. I…it's just been really busy lately. With all the demons and vampires…and more demons. It's nuts." She sighed.

Willow nodded. "That's what I was saying. I think we should have a meeting tomorrow, see if Giles knows if there is a big ol' apocalypse getting ready to pop up." She nodded.

Buffy smiled. "Sounds like a plan." She looked up and frowned. "Uh…here you are Tara." She said, sounding slightly sad. "Home sweet home." She turned towards the blonde witch and smiled.

Tara returned the smile and lingered for a second. "Thanks for l-letting me patrol with you. It was neat." She grinned.

Buffy waved her hand. "Yeah…like almost getting my friends killed is anything neat or interesting." She laughed.

Tara nodded. "No…r-really, it was." She shrugged. "I…my mom always said there were bad things, and I always suspected, I mean, you'd have to be blind not to notice some of the things going on around here. But…you fight that." She looked at Buffy and shook her head in awe. "You go out, every night and fight it. I…Thank you for letting me help you." She said softly.

"Don't worry about that, Tara. We are used to patching up the Buffyinator." He said cheerfully. Willow smacked the back of Xander's head and Anya slugged him. "Ow…and Ow!" he said, glaring at his best friend and girlfriend.

Tara nodded. "Sure. Anytime, you know where I sleep…um…stay. You know where I…oh god. I'm going now." She hurried off into the dorm.

Buffy sighed and turned towards her friends. Anya and Willow were both grinning and Xander was rubbing his arm. "Let's go, before I drop." She sighed.

They started the trek to Stevenson Hall, Buffy glancing once more behind her, watching as Tara darted back inside. She smiled. `Maybe…' she thought to herself.

A dark shadow detached itself from the tree line and watched as Buffy walked away with Willow and the others. "See you tomorrow Buffy." He said, melting back into the darkness.

Buffy considered it briefly. "I am coming out firmly pro cat." She decided, with a nod of her head. "Why?"

Buffy smiled at her enthusiasm. "Cool. Would it…I dunno, I mean, I'm not all big with the magic knowledge. Would it be a familiar?" she asked, hoping she didn't offend the blonde.

Tara grinned and shook her head. "Actually, I-I was thinking it would be sort of like a pet. You know, we could … we could name her Trixie, or Miss Kitty Fantastico, or something." She smiled.

Buffy smiled. "And we could make it go crazy, with string and catnip and stuff!" she bounced excitedly.

Buffy smiled broadly. "I'm in." she said. `She said WE can spoil her…WE.' She said to herself.

"So…you're not allergic or anything, right?" she asked, smiling at Buffy's response.

Tara nodded her head. "Good, because I want my room to be Buffy friendly." She said softly, lowering her gaze.

Buffy felt herself turning red. "Me too." She said, boldly taking Tara's hand. `This is it…she either hits me or keeps hold.' She thought to herself, silently praying that Tara didn't swing.

Tara squeezed Buffy's hand and smiled. `Ok. This doesn't mean anything. She and Willow hold hands all the time. It's a girl thing. It doesn't mean anything. She's just being a good friend.' She thought, reveling in the feel of Buffy's soft hand in hers.

Buffy shrugged. "Just your garden variety disaster. We're just checking in with Giles to see if he knows why all the sudden vamp and demon attacks."

Tara nodded and they opened the door, but not before she dropped Buffy's hand.

Buffy frowned. `So much for that idea.' She thought to herself. She looked sadly at Tara, who shrugged and looked into the room.

"There is nothing." Giles said shrugging his shoulders. "I have checked every book in my library and I cannot find any word of an apocalypse." He said apologetically.

Buffy looked over at Tara. "He means that his books aren't predicting any Hellmouth openings or my death." She said dryly.

"However, I have learned that when things are about to come to a head, as it were, things generally slow down." he offered a bowl of chips to Xander and Anya, then the rest of the gang. All declining.

"So then Buffy misses her kill quota, and you know what that means…bad slayer." She shook his finger at Buffy.

"Giles means, that usually, when there is an apocalypse brewing, all the baddies slow down, saving their energy for the big moment." Buffy whispered to Tara.

"Well…that doesn't change the fact that we still have demons coming out of our ears." Willow chimed in, sipping her soda.

"Maybe someone or something is…rallying them to fight against you?" Giles asked.

"Or maybe it's just another hectic week on the Hellmouth." Anya sighed and stood up. "That was a waste of a good hour." She sighed as everyone else began to stand.

Giles glared at her. "You know Anya, I don't appreciate your snide remarks. I have had a bit of experience in these matters, and if I say…" he stopped when he noticed everyone staring at the door. Turning, he felt his mouth open as he tried to take in the sight before him.

There, in the open doorway, in full sunlight stood…"Angel?" Buffy whispered.

"Angel." Tara repeated, knowing about Buffy's past with him. No one heard her, and she felt smaller than she ever had before in her life. She knew about their relationship, about what they meant to each other. And now that he was back, where did that leave her?

"I got in last night. I was gonna go and see if there was a hotel I could check into. But I was hoping we could talk…later?" he asked.

"I just, um - I realized, um, I'm-I'm late for study group." Tara stammered, hopping down from her stool and heading for the door.

Tara waved her hand, smiling, trying to hide the pain she was in. "No, no. It's ok. You should be with your friends and, and I should go." She walked to the door and opened it.

Angel looked back at the gathered group and smiled. "So…what's new with you guys?" he asked.

Xander, Anya, Willow and Giles just stared at him. He nodded. "Good…great. I'll…I'll go and see about that room." He left, not even wincing as the sunlight hit him.

Buffy sat down on the stone bench, sighing. She had lost Tara. The Wiccan could sure move when she was motivated. Oh sure, Buffy could have easily caught up with her, but she knew from Tara's pace and the fact that she didn't turn when Buffy called her several times that maybe the blonde wanted time alone.

So…she sat. She looked around at everyone passing by, everyone looking perfectly happy to be living on a Hellmouth. Only a select few knew that their happiness and security came with a price tag… her blood. And eventually, her life.

Tara knew. She was in awe that Buffy did it, every night. Buffy smiled. She knew and she was thankful to Buffy for letting her be a part of it. Angel ran off. He left her to face it alone, because he couldn't stand to be near her and not be able to be with her.

Although, she couldn't really fault him, she felt the same way. It was mutual, but it didn't mean she had to like it. In all her contemplating, she hadn't paid any attention to the time and was more than a little shocked to look around and see darkness. It was night already. She stood and made her way back to the dorms.

Tara sat alone in her room, looking out the window. She watched as the people passed by, all happily intertwined with each other. She had almost had that. She had almost known what it felt like to have someone love her. Quickly pushing the thought from her head, she stood and walked over to her desk. She looked down and saw a book.

`18th Century Poetry: Study and Analysis' it was Buffy's textbook. They were supposed to be studying tonight. Sighing, she opened it and looked inside. She read until she couldn't keep her eyes open from weariness and tears.

"Guess you don't need an invitation anymore, huh?" she said softly, gesturing towards the chair.

Angel sat down and shook his head. "I'm human again Buffy. Not just with a soul, I am fully human." He looked up at her, tears in his eyes.

Angel sighed. "A Morha demon." He said, as if that would explain everything. "I got into a fight with it. Well. Morha demons regenerate from any would…even fatal ones. They simply cannot be killed." He looked at his hand and flexed it.

"Some of it's blood mixed with mine, and I guess…it regenerated me." He said, moving over to sit next to Buffy. "I am human." He said, taking Buffy's hand.

Buffy felt his hand, and he was, for as long as she could remember, warm. His skin wasn't cold. "This…is incredible." She said, shaking her head. "You go to LA and have this…complete mind/body experience and I've just been here…same old Sunnydale." She said, letting his hand go.

"It's true. Some of it, you know, was me telling myself I hated you and cursing your name." She grinned at him.

"That explains some of the things I've been fighting." He smiled back. Buffy slugged him playfully.

"And I don't know, but I think I'm getting better at my slaying. I don't get nearly as tired as fast, and I hardly ever need any help." She said proudly.

Angel nodded. "Giles said you were getting a lot better." He moved closer. "Buffy… I talked to Xander, and he said you didn't have a new guy." He said.

Angel took her hand again. "I know what I put you through, and I'm not gonna push. But I am… a different person than when I left. And I can be what you need now." He said.

"I believe that a good breakfast is in order…since you don't do blood anymore." Buffy grinned, moving to stand up.

"I think I'll stick with the less confusing waffles right now." She nodded, standing.

Buffy picked up her bag from her dresser. "I'll just go freshen up." She said as she left the room.

Tara turned the corner and walked up to Buffy's door. `I'm just returning her book. That's all. I won't even ask about last night. It's none of my business.' She thought to herself as she knocked softly on the door. She heard movement and then the door opened. She smiled at…"Angel." She said softly.

Angel smiled. "She's right down the hall in the bathroom if you want to wait." He said.

`He…was there all night…or he came by early this morning…' Tara told herself as she walked, numbly, through the halls back to her dorm. She didn't have class until this afternoon. She had to study. `Nose in a book, study, study, study…books can't hurt you.' She said to herself as she began to jog. `Great…now I'm starting to go crazy!'

Buffy opened her door and caught a slight scent. Sage and sandalwood. "Tara?" she said as she opened the door.

Angel turned and smiled at her. "The blonde girl…from yesterday? She was here, but she left. She said she was looking for you." He said.

Angel smiled and nodded his head. "do they have crunchy peanut butter?" he asked as they walked out the door.

Spike lay on top of a coffin, covered with a blanket. Massive footsteps could be heard as he rested. `C'mon you sod…just a bit closer…' he said to himself. He sensed the hand reaching for him and shot his arm out. Without opening his eyes he growled. "From the sound of those massive mud flaps, I'd peg you as a demon. Which means you're in for a world of…" he opened his eyes. "Pain." He said, jumping down from the coffin, staring at the monstrosity before him.

The creature was almost seven feet tall, and looked like he was stitched together with different types of demons. He noticed some parts, Polgara, Regnis, the jewel in his forehead looked like it was from a Morha. And he also had robotic parts, a disk drive in his chest and half of his face looked cybernetic. "What the devil are you supposed to be?" Spike asked, trying not to sound afraid. "Half demon, half terminator?"

Adam ignored him. "Spike, I want you to come with me." He said, his voice ringing with cybernetic resonance.

Spike shrugged. "Do you…ok then…" he turned away and then spun, slamming his fist into Adams mid section. It was like punching steel. He shook his hand. "Ow."

"Come. You are going to help me with my problem." Adam said, stepping forward.

Spike grinned. "Right then…let's get going." He turned and headed for the exit. He was finally going to be free of the bloody chip in his head. And then, Buffy Summers would die…horribly.

Willow opened the door and smiled broadly at Buffy, who was sitting on her bed. "So…what happened with Angel?" she asked.

Willow shook her head. "Don't `Hey Wills' me…I want details." She bounced, sitting at the foot of Buffy's bed.

Willow furrowed her brow. "All night…Buffy…I…what about…" she shook her head, trying to wrap her brain around Buffy's statement. Maybe she had read everything wrong.

"I mean. Even if we did do anything, no fear of Angelus coming back. He's not a vampire anymore, Willow. He's human. Totally human." Buffy said sadly.

"Wow! I mean…good for him!" Willow said, genuinely happy for Angel. "But why the long face? Aren't you happy?"

Buffy nodded. "It's great. It's just…why now? And it's complicated." She said softly.

Willow grinned. She knew exactly why it was complicated. "Why complicated, Buffy. You aren't seeing any new guys. Should be of the non-complicated." She grinned.

Buffy looked at Willow. "It's complicated…because of Tara." She said, her voice almost non-perceptible.

Buffy looked at Willow, a very confused look on her face. "Will…what did you know?" she said sadly.

"You and Tara. I saw it a long time ago. It's great! She's a great girl, Buffy!" she said, calming a bit and sitting on the bed again.

Willow waved her hand and rolled her eyes. "I'm a Jewish Wiccan vampire and demon hunter…" she shrugged her shoulders. "We're very tolerant." She grinned.

Buffy smiled broadly. "I love you Willow!" she wrapped her arms around Willow and hugged the hacker tightly.

"I love you to Buffy…" she said, her voice gasping. "I love breathing too." She added after a few seconds.

Buffy let Willow go and smiled. "I have to find her…she came by this morning…and Angel was here, I was in the bathroom…" she stood and grabbed her bag. "I can only imagine what she thinks." She said.

Buffy's smile faded. "I…nothing yet." She said, lowering her bag to the floor and closing the door. "I was gonna tell him, but we got to talking, and…It was Angel, Willow." She looked at the redhead. "I…I don't want to hurt anyone." She said softly.

Willow put her hand on Buffy's shoulder. "Buffy. No matter what, someone is going to get hurt. You just have to get it out there…break it off as cleanly as you can." She shrugged her shoulders. "No matter what you decide."

Buffy nodded. "I know…I…I just wish it wasn't so hard." She went to the door and picked her bag back up. "I better go find Tara." She said.

Tara packed her books into her bag and looked around, making sure she had everything she needed. She jumped slightly at the knock at the door. Crossing the room, she opened it and saw Buffy standing there.

Buffy fidgeted with the strap to her bag. "I just want you to know that what you saw this morning, it wasn't…"

Tara interrupted her. "No, it's okay. I-I always knew that if he came back…"

Tara nodded. "Oh." She said, relief washing over her delicate features. "Really?" her voice cracked.

Buffy nodded. "But, you know, it was intense. Just talking. We have a lot to talk about." She moved to Tara's desk and saw her book sitting there. "I kinda feel like my head is gonna explode."

Tara took a step forward. "Whatever, you know, happens … I'll still be here. I'll still be your friend." She said, trying to sound brave.

Buffy finally cracked, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Of course we'll still be friends…that's not even a question." She stated adamantly.

Buffy shrugged her shoulders. "How can you, when I'm not even sure." She sat down. "I know what he meant to me…what he was when he left." She shook her head. "But I've changed so much, and I was finally getting past all of that…" she looked up at Tara. "You are so a part of all of that." She said softly.

Buffy leaned her head down and ran her cheek on Tara's hand. "I don't know what I'm going to do." She said softly, tears falling freely now.

Tara cupped Buffy's face in her hands and looked at the Slayer. "Do what makes you h-happy." She said softly.

Buffy closed her eyes and hugged Tara to her. She had felt such passion with Angel, he made her feel like she had never felt before…until now, until Tara. "I'll see you tonight." She said, breaking the hug. "I promise."

Tara nodded and Buffy rose to leave the room. Clutching her knees to her chest, she looked out the window. It had killed Buffy when Angel left, so she had heard from Willow. How could she hope to compete with that? Standing up, she took her book bag and headed off to class.

Tara sat in class and sighed. `Angel.' She thought. `Angel is everything Buffy has ever wanted, and…' she was cut off in her thinking when the class began to stand and move out of the room. Gathering her books, she stood and moved into the hallway, not noticing anyone around her.

"Tara!" she heard her name and turned, looking for a familiar face. Seeing none, she turned back around and continued her walk.

Tara felt a strong hand grab her arm and she turned to face a raven-haired woman. She wasn't tall, but her presence was enormous. She was wearing black jeans with a white crop top. Tara stared wide-eyed at the girl and tried to place the face, but couldn't. She had never seen the dark haired woman before and she wondered what she wanted.

"Hey…I'm Faith." She said. Tara knew the name from what Willow had told her. She had heard the stories from Willow and Xander. But Tara decided that she would form her own opinions about the Slayer. "I-I'm Tara." She said softly. She couldn't help but notice that the halls had suddenly cleared.

Tara nodded. "Right…um…right." she stammered. "So…um…what did you need?" she asked.

Faith nodded. "Well…B asked me to tell you that she would be late tonight…she has to have a talk with captain broody." She smiled.

Tara sighed. "Angel…right." She looked down, her melancholy overtaking her again.

Faith nodded. "The one and only. Now that he's human again, they can have everything they have always wanted." She shrugged.

Tara stared ahead, taking in everything Faith was saying. "You…Willow said you tried to kill Angel." She said softly.

Faith sighed. "Yep…I wasn't always the paragon of virtue I am today." She nodded.

Faith cast a curious eye at the shy blonde. She was the one tutoring Buffy…the one that Buffy had sent her to…watch. Faith grinned. "So…Tara. What do you do for fun around here?" she asked, leading the blonde through the halls. As she had first told Buffy, she would now tell Tara. "You need to find the fun."

Buffy sat at the counter and just stared. Angel was eating and he seemed to be really enjoying it. He had already eaten more than she had and the faces he made were priceless.

"So…what are you going to do now?" she asked as he put another forkful of pie into his mouth.

"Now, I planned on getting another piece of pie…you sure you don't want one?" he asked excitedly. "The flavor is just incredible. The crust just…flakes and the berries are so tart and yet so sweet. It's a contradiction and yet it works so well!"

Angel lowered his hand from signaling the waiter and looked at Buffy. "Uh…I'm not sure. I hadn't really thought of my turning human past coming to Sunnydale and finding you." He reached across the table and took her hand.

Buffy let a small smile cross her lips. "Well…you found me. Life on the Hellmouth kind of keeps me busy." She sighed.

Buffy nodded as a shrill scream pierced the night. Jumping up, she grabbed her purse, tossing money onto the table for the meal. Then, with Angel right behind, she bolted into the night.

=================================================================Tara laughed as Faith furrowed her brow. She was a slayer, with enhanced dexterity and grace, this should be a relatively easy task, and she was having a hell of a time accomplishing it.

Tara shook her head. "Is it a slayer thing? Because Buffy can't do it either."

Faith grinned, dropping the sweater. "Well, that makes me feel better." She shook her head as she folded another sweatshirt. Looking around the laundry room, and the pile Faith had given up on, she sighed. "Buffy and I met here."

Tara nodded. "Her idea of folding was to roll everything into a tight ball and stuffing it into the basket. It was just so adorable." She smiled. "I had to r-reach out to her…and her poor laundry." She smiled at Faith.

Faith shook her head. "I can't imagine B ever just rolling and stuffing her wardrobe. She just didn't seem to be the type."

Tara shrugged her shoulders. "Even now, if I don't go with her, she uses the roll and stuff method." She grinned wryly.

Tara blushed. "I-I don't know about that." She lowered her head. "Why would she go through all of that wear and tear on her clothes when, if she wanted me to go…she just has to ask."

Tara never lifted her gaze, but nodded. "Yes. I do. She is…so…" she searched for an appropriate word.

"Yummy? Oh…I know…delectable. People like B are delectable." She nodded, sort of enjoying the many shades of red Tara was turning.

Tara shook her head and tossed a pair of jeans at Faith. "Stop it…" she grinned. "She is just…so wonderful, you know?" she sighed. "She is nice, beautiful, painfully so, and she is just so confidant…" she paused. "Plus, there is that whole slayer thing…quite sexy." Her voice lowered, becoming husky and deep.

Faith raised an eyebrow. "Oh really…" she grinned. "See…I knew it. What does B say?" she asked, wanting all the juicy details.

Tara lowered her eyes. "She…we're friends. And with Angel back…" she shrugged her shoulders.

Faith shook her head. "Man…I'm sorry about that…I didn't mean to bring you down."

Faith grinned wolfishly and hopped down from the table. "Tara…are you ready for a good time?"

Buffy spun, catching the vampire behind the knees and dropping him. Plunging her stake into his heart, she smiled as he burst into dust. Standing, she turned and saw Angel. He was being savagely beaten by a vampire. Try as he might, he was no longer as fast or as strong as he used to be. He was simply…human.

Buffy narrowed her eyes and broke into the fight, staking one vampire as she passed. Taking the second by the throat, she tossed him effortlessly against a tree, staking him immediately afterwards.

Angel stood, feeling his ribs creak in protest. Looking at Buffy, he lowered his gaze. The Oracles had told him this might happen…told him that there would be…changes.

Angel looked up, sighing. "No. Not really." He held his side…something was very wrong. He just couldn't place what it was.

Buffy felt his side, pulling his shirt up. "You have at least three broken ribs." She shook her head. "I don't ever remember you having broken ribs." She said softly.

Buffy. If I can't hold my own in a fight…" he paused. "Everything we have ever wanted is laid out for us…" Angel looked at Buffy. "But I'm going to get you killed." He said softly.

Buffy looked into Angel's eyes, her own misting over. "Angel. I think I need to talk to you." She said, leading him out of the cemetery.

Angel listened as Buffy poured her heart out. He was silent, nodding where appropriate but he knew what was coming.

"Angel…we had a great love…and we will always have that. It will last beyond either of us…but…" she paused.

Angel smiled. "But it's past." He said softly. "Buffy…do you love her?" he asked, locking his gaze with hers.

Angel reached out, wiping away the tears. He leaned in, kissing her forehead softly. "All I want for you is to be happy Buffy."

Buffy shook her head. "But…Angel…how can you…" she couldn't understand. Everything he went through, everything he paid for, he had been relieved of his role as champion…he had found redemption.

Angel shook his head. "I'm going back to LA Buffy…there's a war to fight. I'm going to The Oracles, they can make me what I was."

"A vampire…cursed with a soul and never able to know true happiness?" Buffy shook her head. "Angel…you can't!"

Angel lowered his gaze. "How can I not? You've seen what would happen if I tried to fight." He shook his head.

Angel shook his head. "How can I not? I know what's out there. I know what evil there is in the world…I can't turn my back and pretend it isn't there." Angel cupped Buffy's cheek. "I…I guess we were never meant to be." He kissed her softly.

Angel pulled back. "Buffy…don't ever apologize to me for being happy. You…more than anyone else…deserve it." He took a step back, wrapping his duster around him. "Go…she's waiting…and I have to leave. Go…love her Buffy." He said softly. "Don't let her go…” he said. Turning, Angel walked away into the night, the mist swirling around him, obscuring him from view.

Faith kicked the vampire, beating him back into the high voltage box. Tara was in her room waiting for Faith's foraging to go with the videos they had each picked out. But Mr. Bumpy here decided he wanted a late night coed snack. So, Faith had intervened.

The vampire broke through the gate housing the breaker boxes for the entire dorm row. Stumbling back, he growled at the dark slayer. "This town is getting less and less fun…" he grumbled.

Faith grinned. "Oh…I don't know about that. I'm having a great time." She kicked the vampire in the chest, sending him sprawling back into the transformers.

Sparks flew as electricity arced through the vampire, reducing him to ash and blowing the lights out in all of the dorms.

Buffy skidded to a halt when she saw the explosion. "Holy geez!" she looked up as the lights went out. Buffy sighed. "Faith or Adam?" she sighed.

Faith walked out of the building, trying to be discreet. She walked right into Buffy.

"Oh…hey there B." she grinned. "Um…it wasn't my fault. Vamp got to close to the transformer." She grinned.

Buffy nodded. "Uh-huh." She grinned, shaking her head. "So…did you, um…get…uh…you know." She laughed.

Faith grinned. "Yes…Blondie is safely ensconced in her room." She shook her head. "Why don't you go on up there and tell her how you feel?" she nudged Buffy as they walked.

Faith sighed. "B…you went to have a talk with Angel, who is now free and clear to give you a world of joygasms…which you wanted a year ago…and instead of being with him, you are here trying to tell me you have plutonic feelings for Tara-bear." She folded her arms.

Buffy shrugged. "I didn't say that, I was just…Tara –bear?" she turned to face Faith.

Faith just grinned. "It's just a name I call her." She shrugged. "The point is, you need to go up there and get making with the smoochies." She poked Buffy.

Faith nodded, backing away. "Get over it B…It's gonna stick. Go…she's waiting." Faith turned and jogged into the night.

Tara sat in the darkness, staring out the window. She wondered what Faith had done to blow out the lights.

There was a soft knock at the door and Tara smiled. "I take the sudden lack of electricity to be your doing Fait…" she stopped when she saw Buffy standing in the hall, holding a candle.

"I figured you'd have a bunch of candles already burning…" she looked around. "Good thing I brought one." She handed the candle to Tara.

Tara took the candle and looked at Buffy. "It's extra flamey….thank you." She said softly.

Buffy looked around the room and finally back at Tara. "I wanted to apologize for everything I must have put you through." She reached out and took Tara's hand and led the blonde to the bed and sat down beside her. "Angel and I…" she paused, gathering her thoughts. "We are in the past. I want to concentrate on the future…my future." She looked into Tara's eyes. "I want to be with the one I love…I want to be…I want to be with you." She said softly.

Tara looked at Buffy's hand holding hers. She gazed into Buffy's eyes and then stood up and started pacing.

Buffy bit her lip. "Please…say something." She said softly. "I…anything. Yell at me…punch me…" she looked down, nervously entwining her fingers. "Kiss me….something." she finished.

Tara turned to face Buffy. Walking slowly, she knelt down in front of Buffy. Tara cocked her head to the side and seemed to be searching for something in Buffy's face.

Scooting closer, Tara placed her hands on Buffy's cheeks and leaned in, placing a soft, tentative kiss on Buffy's lips. Wrapping her arms around Buffy's neck, she kissed the blonde slayer deeper. "Buffy…" she pulled Buffy close, kissing her face and forehead. "Buffy…I love you." She said, tears falling down her cheeks.

Buffy kissed Tara's lips, tasting her gently and savoring the soft feel. "Tara…oh god…I am so sorry." She hugged Tara tight. "I thought I'd lost you…please…I...I want to make it up to you…please. How can I make it up to you?" she asked, holding Tara tightly.

Buffy blinked, trying to let her eyes adjust. "Tara?" she said softly. "How can I…" she inhaled sharply. "Oh…god, Tara!" she hissed.

Stefen Barris was born in Austria in 1624. The son of a wealthy merchant, he was slated to take over the family business and settle into a life of wealth, comfort and privilege.

He, however, had other designs. He loved women…and drink. Both were easily attainable to him with his father's money. Unfortunately, one night while he was out raising hell, he met a man.

The man was a smooth talker and Stefen felt perfectly safe in walking with the man down on the docks to take a look at his cargo. This purchase would make him his own fortune, which would please his father to no end.

Stefen was beaten, and then he was drained. The master vampire that took him also had a love of material things, and having a pawn in place with one of the largest merchant houses in Austria was all to perfect. He and his brood would own the financial markets of Europe, and through them, power would come.

Chrissana was the Slayer, and she was very good. She was fast, powerful and she was very effective. She executed her moves with the precision of a surgeon and she was a textbook fighter.

It mattered very little to Stefen; her blood was the sweetest he had ever tasted. She died as quickly as she attacked. Her textbook moves were her downfall. Every attack she made was easily countered by Stefen. And thus, he found his passion…he wanted to kill slayers.

His sire would hear nothing of it; he had created Stefen for a reason that did not include Slayers. Stefen disagreed, and with the strike of a stake, Stefen was free to make his mark in the world.

Now, he faced off against yet another slayer, and he loved every second of it. In his almost three hundred and twenty years, he had never faced a slayer like this one. He had killed thirteen slayers and she was his most exciting.

The way she moved, the way she fought, her witty banter and…well, she was…pleasing to look at. She was also a lot quicker than he thought, as he looked down at the stake in his chest. "Mien Gott…" he looked at her before exploding into dust.

Faith smiled. She loved a good slay, and old Stevie was a good one. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled. "Come on Blondie, you can come out." She smiled.

Tara stepped out from behind the mausoleum and grinned. "Um…wow." She said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "That…that was kind of…intense, huh?" she said, stepping up and looking at the pile of dust, starting to blow away one the cool evening wind.

Faith nodded, snapping her gum. "Yep…he was a scrapper. How about you? You ok?" she asked, genuinely concerned.

It was in a cemetery, and while Faith was on patrol. Tara had been rushing home after a late night study session and cut through the cemetery. She knew Buffy had already swept this one. She knew her patrol pattern quite well, and she thought it would be safe enough.

Turns out she was wrong. She never even saw the vampire. Her thought, at the time, was of Buffy. How she would never see her again.

Tara closed her eyes and waited for the bite. It never came. Instead, she feels the vampire disintegrate on top of her. Cautiously, she opened her eyes, expecting to see Buffy scowling at her. Instead, she saw a stunning woman.

Dressed in tight leather pants, a black half halter-top and a black leather jacket, she looked incredible. Her long, raven hair hung down to her shoulders and her smile spread over her face.

"What in the world are you doing cutting through the cemetery?" the dark slayer asked as they moved to the nearest gate.

Faith laughed. "Yeah…well. Sometimes, the long way is better." She looked at Tara and shook her head.

Tara just shrugged and picked absently at her sweater as she walked. "Aren't you cold in…" she gestured to Faith's clothes. "That."

Faith shook her head. "Not really. So…why the big rush? Got a hot date?" she grinned at Tara.

Tara turned red and smiled slightly. No…there was no date…not really. She had a study session with Buffy, but it wasn't really a date.

Tara slugged Faith in the arm and the Slayer grinned. "It's not a date. It's a…a study session." She nodded.

Faith shrugged. "Whatever you have to tell yourself to wake up in the morning." She stopped and Tara looked up. "Your place." The brunette pointed to the dorm.

Tara nodded. "Thank you Faith." She looked at the Slayer. "Keep yourself safe. Don't try to take on everything on your own…you're not the only one fighting." She smiled gently.

Faith nodded. "You got it." She turned to walk away. "And Tara…" she turned back to face the Wiccan. "Tell B I said hi." She winked at Tara.

Tara nodded and headed up the stairs. She paused at her door and blinked, turning back to face the dorm opening. She hoped Faith would be ok.

Tara smiled. "I'm fine Faith. You worry to much." She shrugged her shoulders, coming out of her reverie.

Faith shook her head. "No way I can worry to much. Do you know what B would do to me if something had happened to you?" she asked.

Tara nodded. "Probably nothing like what she would do to me. I'm supposed to be in my room right now while she and Willow try to get a handle on this Adam character." She sighed, brushing herself off.

Fai-th…" Tara sighed, slumping. "Don't give me that look. You know just as well as I do, that with Buffy and the Scoobies fighting Adam, the other vampires and demons will try to take advantage of the lapse in patrols." She cocked her head. "And like I said…this isn't your fight alone. I'm a Scooby too." She nodded, crossing her arms.

Faith nodded. "She'd kill me…dead." Faith said, shaking her head. "But your right. Patrol has been a little rough, and you have been a great help, with all the witch fu and stuff." She grinned.

Tara lowered her head and smiled. "I'm not that good…I just distract them enough to give you a chance to do your slaying." She shrugged.

Faith put a hand on Tara's shoulder. "You do a lot more than that. Without you, I would be in a lot worse shape than I am." She nodded. "You helped me a lot."

Tara smiled. She looked up and saw several dark forms moving through the fog in the cemetery. Tara tried to shout a warning, but she couldn't react in time.

Flashes of blue lit the darkness as jolts of electricity ran through Tara and Faith. They dropped to the ground, their muscles spasming as they fell. Tara looked up and saw five figures stalking over to them, weapons trained on them.

"Take the witch…leave the slut." Faith heard one of the men speak. She tried to move, but her muscles just weren't getting the message.

She watched, helpless as Tara was lifted and carried away. `Oh…god. Tara…got to…dammit!' she cursed herself, trying to move.

Forrest looked at the raven-haired girl and scowled. What was she doing in a cemetery with a witch? He shook his head and sighed. What was he doing here…why did he care about the people here? If they were hanging out in heavy HST trafficking areas with demon consorts, they deserved whatever they got. But he cared…damn it, he cared and he hated it. Kneeling down, he brushed Faith's hair out of her face, watching as she twitched.

"Take my advice," he said softly. "Stay out of the cemeteries…and stay away from the occult. There's trouble there." He shook his head as he saw the unbridled hate shining there. "But you aren't going to listen to me. I wish you would. Young girl like you should be hanging out at beaches…in school…dreaming about…I dunno, being the first woman president or something. Not stirring up trouble in darkness." He sighed, standing up and shaking his head. "Go home…forget you ever heard of the witch and forget you ever saw us." Forrest slung his taser and shook his head. "Damn shame…" he walked off, leaving Faith twitching on the ground. "Taser blast will wear off in three to five."

Giles laid the folder on the table and took his glasses off. Rubbing the bridge of his nose and sighing. "As much as I hate to say it…we've done all we can for tonight. Buffy, Willow. Go home…get some rest. W-We'll continue in the morning." He said, slipping his glasses back on.

The group jumped when they heard the banging on the door. Giles stood, exhausted, and opened the door. "Good lord…" he said softly, letting the dark slayer in.

Buffy stood up and rushed over to help Faith. "Faith! God, are you alright?" she asked, helping the Slayer sit.

Faith nodded. "I…no…yes…" she shook her head. "B…I am in so much trouble." She said, shaking her head.

Willow snorted. "Big surprise there…Xander owes me ten bucks." She stood up and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

Faith nodded. "I guess I expected that." She looked down and sighed. "B. You're gonna stab me again…and I don't think I'm going to wake up this time."

Buffy furrowed her brow. "Why? What could you possibly have done…" she stopped, her face falling. She stood, her gaze cooling as she looked at Faith. She walked to the phone and dialed. It rang…again…and again…and again…and again…Buffy hung up and turned.

Faith couldn't look up, she felt Buffy's gaze on her. Wringing her hands in her lap, she started shaking her head. "I…there was nothing I could do. I tried…god I tried." She looked up, tears falling down her face. "Buffy…"

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Faith…where is Tara?" she asked, trying to sound calm but her rage starting to build.

Buffy glared at Faith and walked over to the dark slayer. "Faith…pray to god she isn't hurt…." She stalked into the kitchen. "Pray to god that I get her back."

Willow glared daggers at the dark slayer. "Come on Giles…" she pulled on the watchers sleeve. "Let's call Xander." She shook her head as she passed Faith. "How is it, you can always manage to screw up our lives, Faith? Is that a special gift you're born with, or is it something you had to work at?" she asked, venom in her voice.

Xander jogged to the door and knocked before turning the handle and walking in. He almost bumped into Giles, who sighed. "Please…do come in."

Xander crossed to the couch and sat next to Willow. "So…what happened?" he asked. He was in the middle of a job when he got the call, and he didn't hesitate coming when he heard what had happened. He glared daggers at Faith.

Buffy stood behind in the kitchen, he stomach tied in knots as she struggled to control her fear and anger. "Tara was taken…we don't know by who or why, but we have to get her back, Xander…we have to." She said, pleading in her voice.

Xander nodded. "We will…we always do Buff. We save innocent people. We should have business cards." He smiled lightly.

Faith sat in a hard wooden chair against the wall. She hadn't said anything or moved since Xander’s arrival and she didn't dare look at Buffy or Willow.

Willow, on the other hand, had said much. Mostly about Faith, her lack of trust for Faith, her hatred of Faith, and a few other choice things about Faith that she couldn't really back, since she didn't really know Faith's parents. "Why don't you ask Faith what happened. Why don't we ask Faith what she was doing with Tara in the first place!" she hissed.

"No Buffy…no more." Willow stood up and crossed the room, standing in front of Faith. "I have spent most of my time since you were in a coma, you know after you betrayed us the first time, living in absolute fear of you." She said, shaking her head. "You were this…big bad assed slayer, and I'm just little old me…just plain Willow." She said. "Well, I'm not afraid of you anymore. And I want to know what happened to Tara. She is one of my best friends, my teacher and part of my coven." She said the last a little shakily.

Willow cleared her throat. "It's a small coven…two people. But, we do spells and stuff." She turned back to Faith. "And I want to know what you did to her."

Faith looked up at Willow. "I didn't do anything. We were patrolling and we got jumped. They had tasers or something and dropped us both." She said, sighing. "I couldn't even move to do anything." She said.

Everyone in the room jumped when Willow's hand shot out and slapped Faith, hard.

Willow glared at the dark slayer. "Once more…and the truth this time." She growled.

Faith jumped up and glared at Willow. "Screw you Red. You don't believe me and I don't care. What I do care about it getting Tara back…with or without you. All you're doing is giving the bastards who took her more time to do whatever they had planned." She took a step closer to Willow. "Oh…and you're pissing me off." She said softly.

Willow thrust her jaw out defiantly. "Don't mess with me Faith. I can summon forces you can't even begin to comprehend, and I can have them do terrible, awful and painful things to you." She said, venom in her voice.

Buffy's hand slammed on the counter. "That's enough!" she shouted. "This is getting us nowhere. Tara is missing and we need to find her. Willow, Faith…sit down and help or get out." She said, coming into the living room.

"Now…Faith, you said they had tasers?" she asked the brunette, who nodded. "Anything else?" she asked.

Faith sighed. "They had green suits…like military guys. They moved as a unit, couple of point people and very disciplined." She said softly. "The guy who ordered Tara taken said `Take the witch, leave the…'" she looked around and shrugged. " `Leave the slut.'" Buffy furrowed her brow. "So…she used magic?" she asked.

Faith shook her head. "No. I mean…not then. Earlier, we were patrolling and there was a group of vamps. She blasted one with a ball of light and he dusted, the others had their attention on her and didn't notice me. I was able to get in and dust them all." She smiled. "One was a nasty guy…old and really powerful."

Buffy thought about it and dismissed it. "No. Adam has been recruiting from the local population, and I would know if there was a heavy in town." She looked at Faith. "Faith, you and I will hit Willies, see if we can't beat some information out of him. Will's, can you track Tara magically?" she asked.

Willow bit her lip. "I dunno…maybe. We're pretty tuned with each other…I'll see what I can do." She nodded.

Buffy looked at Giles and Xander. "Giles, Xander, keep looking for anything you can on Adam. I'll take anything I can get, and I don't care how you get it." Giles and Xander nodded their heads. Looking at Faith, Buffy gestured to the door.

Faith stood and walked after Buffy. She had to find a way to get Tara back. The blonde witch was the only member of the group who didn't look at her like she was something disgusting she had just stepped in. She was her only friend.

Tara stirred to consciousness and winced at the bright lights beating down on her. She looked around her cell and frowned. Stark, white walls. It had a glass front, no doubt highly reinforced since the large demon across the walkway was beating on his door and not making a scratch. She looked up and saw a small hatch, and the bright, recessed lighting. "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." She said softly.

"No, I am afraid you aren't." she looked up and stared at the woman in front of her door. She wore a white lab coat and smiled.

Maggie smiled. "Hello Tara. Thank you for coming." She said, sliding a card through the electronic reader on the wall outside. The glass door slid open and Maggie Walsh stepped into the cell.

Tara sat up and glared at the professor. "I didn't have much choice, what with the taser blasts and illegal kidnapping." She said.

Maggie smiled. "Tara, my dear, you have no rights. You are an animal…an HST with no rights, privileges or freedoms granted to human beings. Now, we can do this the easy way, and you may, possible, walk out of here someday." She said.

Maggie sighed. "We gas you, cut you open and examine everything about you on the microscopic level trying to figure out what makes you able to tap into magical forces." She said, her expression hardening.

"The choice is yours." She stood and walked back to the door, pausing. "I hope you choose the first, Miss Maclay. I liked you." She walked through the door and secured it.

Tara curled into a ball on her cot, hugging herself tightly as a scream echoed from somewhere in the complex. She began crying. "Buffy…I love you…"

It wasn't the noise that woke Tara up, but the lack of it. She didn't remember falling asleep, but she remembered the screaming. Sitting up, she listened intently. The entire complex was dark, save for a few lights on, giving faint illumination.

That's when she heard it; someone walking down the hallway. They sounded quick and light, which meat it wasn't a guard. Tara wondered if perhaps one of the demons had found a way out of their cell and was making a break for it. That's when a soldier came into view in front of her cell.

Tall, lean and blonde, he looked around, placing a finger to his lips so Tara would remain silent. He slid a card through the reader at the door and waited a few seconds before a soft click signaled the release of the locks. He opened the door and held out his hand.

Tara ran to the door and took it, noticing for only a second that it was cold. "Who…?" she began to ask, when his hand, moving faster than anyone she had ever seen, covered her mouth. Again, he placed a finger over his lips, this time throwing in an angry glare.

Tara nodded and they began to move through the hallway, darting from shadow to shadow and making their way to a staircase. Again, he slipped the card put of his pocket and swiped it at a door. A few seconds passed and the door clicked open. Tara and the soldier rushed up the stairs and finally came to another door. He opened it and they emerged into a clearing, coming out of an old shack.

Tara sighed, glad to be free. "Thank you…whoever you are. Where are we going?" she asked as they moved.

The soldier looked back at her and then pointed towards a small hillside. "Caves…up there. We can hide there until morning." He said with a heavy British accent.

Tara nodded and followed him as he moved. Reaching the caves, they made their way through the complex maze and finally into a larger chamber. There was light in here, coming from an overhead source as well as computer mainframes, servers and various other components. In the middle of the room, sitting at a simple desk in front of a screen, was a hulk of a demon.

He stood, turned and smiled. He was hideous. Standing well over six and a half feet, he looked like a modern Frankenstein's monster. Part demon, part human and part robot, he was walking towards them, smiling.

"You know bloody well I didn't, since you opened all the doors and stopped all the alarms." The soldier next to Tara said, sounding annoyed and lighting a cigarette. "Now when do we get this bloody chip out of my noggin so I can get back to having a bit of fun?" he asked.

Adam smiled. "Soon Spike…soon." He looked at Tara. "Hello Tara Maclay." He said, taking a step towards her. "You are going to tell me everything you know about magic." He said simply. Tara's eyes got wide and she felt blackness envelope her.

Spike swore and caught her, shaking his head. "Got a way with the birds, don't you mate?" he said sarcastically, taking her to lie down on one of the cots. "Should we chain her or something?" he asked.

Adam shook his head. "That won't be necessary. After she has told me what I want to know, she will try to escape, and I will let her. She will reunite with the Slayer, and then…a glorious battle will ensue." He sounded almost gleeful.

Spike snorted. "Yeah, right. Like she is gonna tell you rot." He said, shaking his head.

Adam held up his hand and two, three-inch long barbs popped from his fingertips. "She does not have to be conscious for it." He said, walking over and placing the tips against the base of her skull. "In fact…" he said slowly as two wet popping sounds were heard. Tara moaned in pain and whimpered. "It is much more efficient this way." He said, his eyes beginning to dart back and forth as if he were reading text at great speeds. "Interesting…very…interesting." He said.

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A Different Kind of Magic

By WillowFan

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