NEW FRIENDS AND OLD LOVERS

BY

KINETIC-KID

Rating:                NC-17 (XXX - Sex ??  What Sex??!!!)

Disclaimer:        Definitely no money being made.  All characters belong to Joss Whedon and ME.  I own nothing except whatever characters I may make up for this story.  I just like to play with them - I promise to put them back after I’m done!!

Distribution:      Oh yeah, anywhere, anytime.  Just make sure I get credit and let me know where it is. 

Spoilers:             Pretty much everything - if you haven’t watched BTVS - why are you reading the fanfic???  J  This story is, of course, AU!!

Feedback:           Please, Please, PLEASE!!!  I live for feedback.  I get irritable and upset if I don’t get any and I might   not continue writing. Of course, if you don’t like the story and think it sucks you may not want me to continue!

Pairing:               Subject to Author’s whims - but here’s how they start out:  Angel/Buffy  Willow/Oz Xander/Cordelia  Tara/?  Faith/? Justine/?

Auth Note:          First thing first - Season 1 happened the way it did on the show.  HOWEVER, things will go completely AU after that.  Kendra was never called.  Faith was the next slayer called when Buffy died.  I will be using ideas from the show, but I WILL be playing fast and loose with time-lines for things to fit in with my story.  Joyce is aware that Buffy is the Slayer, she found out in her Freshman year. (Hemery)

SUMMARY:         Junior year, a certain blonde Wicca comes to Sunnydale with her mother to escape their abusive home life.  The mother decides to come to Sunnydale, because an old college friend/love lives there.  They are Wicca’s, they know about the Hellmouth and they have heard of The Chosen One, but what they aren’t prepared for is what happens in the years to follow their arrival.  There will be love, anger, fights, friendships found, friendships lost and the world to be saved on this epic adventure.       

Prologue

“I’m going to get us away from here, baby girl.”  Dianna whispers softly, stroking her fingers through her daughter’s blonde hair.  “I never should have stayed with him.  We should have left the first time he raised his hand to us.”  Dianna sighs quietly, the tears slowly sliding down her face as she looks at her bruised and sleeping daughter.  Slowly she turns to look at the door as she senses her sister behind her.

“Everything’s ready.  I’ll drive you to the bus station as soon as they release her.”  Jacquelyn sighs softly as she walks in to sit beside her sister.  “Here’s all the money you had in the bank, and I’ve given you everything that I can.”  Jacquelyn hands the envelope to Dianna.  “Are you sure you want to go to Sunnydale?”

Dianna smiles sadly into her sister’s eyes and slowly nods her head.  “I have to take the chance, Jackie.  I don’t have anyone else that I know elsewhere, and at least I’ll have a friend if nothing else.” 

“Let Justine know your address and how to get in touch with you.  I don’t want to take a chance of you letting me know and that bastard finding where you live.  Justine will keep us in touch with each other.”  Jacquelyn sighs again and leans against her younger sister.  “I wish things could have been different for you.”

“You and me both.”  Dianna looks over her battered daughter, ignoring her own aches and pains.  “I never should have stayed with him.”

“You’re leaving now, so don’t dwell on the past.  You know as well as I do, that you can’t change it, but you can make the future better.”  Jacquelyn smiles softly as Dianna slowly nods her head.  “Are you going to get in touch with her before getting there, or just try and run into her?”

“I don’t know how I’m going to see her, but I do know I’m going to wait until we’ve settled in.  I don’t even know for sure Hank and her got married, or are still together, or anything else about her, since college.  She could be totally different than she was.”  Dianna admits quietly, running a shaky hand through her daughter’s soft hair.  “Whatever happens, will happen.  We can’t continue living like this.”

“Just take care of yourself and Tara.  Justine said that she’ll be more than happy to send you money to help you out.  She made some smart ass comment about never having time to spend it, anyway, and someone could use it instead of the banks.”  Jacquelyn smiles as a quiet chuckle comes from Dianna.

“Hopefully she’ll get a chance to come visit us.  I know Tara misses being able to talk to her.  They were more like sisters growing up, than cousins.  Even with the couple years difference between them.”  Dianna’s lip quirks up slightly in remembrance. 

“I know she will.  And don’t be stubborn, accept her help.  She honestly doesn’t spend any of the money she makes, she lives in the barracks and all her meals and clothes are paid for by the Navy.  I don’t know if I’m happy with what she’s doing, but she seems to enjoy it.”  Jacquelyn takes a deep breath in wonder at her daughter.

“She’s a smart woman, Jackie.  She went through training with flying colors and she knows what she’s doing.  She’s finally received the recognition and respect from the guys she works with, so everything should be in the good, now.”  Dianna smiles softly thinking about her niece.

“I can’t help but think about the shit she went through to get to that point, though.”  Jacquelyn shakes her head briefly.  “But, it’s what she wanted.”

“Yes, it is.  I’m going to miss you, sis.”  Dianna whispers a tear slowly sliding down her cheek, accepting Jackie’s arms around her in a tight embrace.

“I’ll miss you, too.  Just take care of each other.”  Jacquelyn places a kiss on top of her sister’s head, silently praying to the Goddess to take care of her family.

***

Chapter 1

Buffy grumbles quietly under her breath as she leaves the house, her mother insisting on her coming by the Art Gallery after school to help unpack a shipment she got in.  “Go to school, get a diploma, fight vampires and demons, save the world, help unpack shipments.  I would really, truly love to have a life!”  Taking a deep breath, Buffy looks up, allowing a smile to come to her face at the sight of her two best friends, Xander and Willow waiting at the corner for her.  Seeing the happiness on Willow’s face for the start of the new school year and Xander’s having his usual goofy grin, Buffy can‘t help but chuckle.  Picking up her speed, she quickly closes the gap between them.

“Good morning, Buff!”  Xander tosses her an apple.  “There’s you a little snack for the way into school.” 

“Thanks, Xan.”  Buffy grins as she hooks her arms through Willow and Xander’s.  “Sooooo, what are we going to do this year?  We pretty much trashed Giles’ library last year.  Have to do something bigger for this year.”

Willow laughs quietly and shakes her head.  “I don’t think so, Buffy.  It took them almost a month to get the library fixed.  Giles was not too pleased.”

“I could have stayed dead and let the Master live, how happy do you think that would have made him?”  Buffy grins as they quickly make their way towards the high school. 

“Don’t even joke about that!”  Willow turns wide eyes on Buffy.  “You very easily could have died!”

“I did die.”  Buffy shrugs and bumps shoulders with Xander.  “My big Xander-shaped friend came and saved me.”

Xander blushes lightly and looks down at the concrete.  “Had to.  Between you and Willow, you’re my only two real friends.  Gotta keep what I have!”

“Well, I don’t know what this year will hold, but hopefully not anything too terribly bad.”  Willow admits quietly as they walk up the steps.  “Wonder what Giles has planned for us.”

“Research!”  Buffy and Xander both pipe up at the same time, laughing as Willow rolls her eyes at them. 

“Come on!  Brand new school year, new kids and who knows what else is going to happen.  It’s exciting, and I can’t wait!”  Willow bounces as they make their way to the library.

***

“Baby girl, you can wait until the bruising finishes fading to go to school, if you want.”  Dianna watches as Tara pulls the book bag over her shoulder as she heads towards the front door of the small house they were renting. 

“No, mama.  I’d rather start the same time as everyone else.”  Tara whispers, smiling briefly as she glances back at her mother. 

Dianna smiles sadly at Tara and nods her head in agreement.  Looking over the bruising that was almost gone, but the slight darkening around one eye and cheek still noticeable.  Between the bruises and the cast, Tara looked like a poster child for abuse. 

They had been in Sunnydale for a couple weeks and were surprised when they had went to the bank to open an account, that there was already a bank account there in their names and a house rented for them.  When Dianna had opened the large, thick envelope and read the letter on top, she couldn’t help but cry at the thoughtfulness of her niece.  They had finished filling out the paperwork needed and made their way towards their new home.  The small two-bedroom house perfect for them, already furnished with the necessities.  Nothing fancy, but just very dependable furniture.  When Dianna had tried to call the number to reach her niece, she’d been told that she was out on a mission, and probably wouldn’t be back for a month or longer.  Giving the young man a quick note to give to Justine, Dianna and Tara had quickly settled into the house with their few belongings.

Shaking her head to get out of her musings, she smiles at Tara.  “Have a wonderful day, baby girl.  I’m going to go look for a job, that way I hopefully won’t have to dig into the funds Justine gave us.” 

“Love you, mama.”  Tara hugs her mother quickly before smiling and heading out the door.

“Love you, too, baby girl.”  Dianna smiles softly at the lack of stutter coming from her daughter, but knows that when Tara’s around other people it still comes out.  Taking a deep breath, Dianna grabs the newspaper, silently perusing it and circling possibilities as she considers when and how she might see her college friend, silently wondering if she was married, had kids and if she would even remember her.  Shaking her head, Dianna smiles briefly.  “I’ll see if I can’t find a job first, before hunting her out.”

***

Tara waits nervously in the office, holding the piece of paper with her schedule on it, while waiting for the student that was going to show her where her classes are. 

“I’ll catch up to you second period!”  Willow grins and waves as Buffy and Xander split off to go to their different classes, walking into the office, she stops and smiles at the young girl in front of her.  “Are you Tara?”

Tara slowly raises her eyes, surprised at the tiny redhead standing in front of her.  “Y-yes.”  Tara slowly nods.

Willow bites her lip as she notices the light bruising on the girl’s face, taking in the cast Willow almost asks what happened, but for once, decides to keep her mouth shut.  “I’m Willow.  Let me see what classes you have.”  Willow smiles gently at the blonde as she holds her hand out. 

Tara gently places the paper in Willow’s hand, silently watching the girl.

“You’re a senior?”  Willow looks up, smiling as Tara nods her head quickly.  “I’m actually a Junior, but I’m taking some advanced classes.  Come on, I’ll show you where the first two classes are, then I’ll come and get you for the third class that we have together.”

“Okay.”  Tara whispers softly as she follows the redhead.

“Have you had a chance to get your books yet?”  Willow questions as she glances up at the clock in the hallway, seeing they still have ten minutes.

“N-Not yet.”  Tara shakes her head, looking down.  “D-d-didn’t know where the l-l-library was.”  Tara admits quietly. 

“Well, we’re going right by there.  We can stop in and I’ll tell Giles what books you need, and you can get them either at lunch, after school or before school tomorrow.”  Willow grins as she heads quickly towards the library.

Tara giggles quietly as she follows the exuberant redhead. 

“GILES!”  Willow yells as she enters the library, grinning as he pops up from behind the counter with a scowl on his face.  “Can you get together the books Tara’s going to need for her classes?  She’ll come back by later and pick them up.”

Giles accepts the list from Willow, quickly making a copy of it before handing it back.  “You know, you really don’t need to yell.  I’m not deaf, you know!”  Giles grumbles as Willow and the other girl leave the library.

“I know.  I just like to see you get irritated.”  Willow throws over her shoulder, grinning at the watcher.  “See you after school.”

“Y-you call the l-librarian by name?”  Tara questions softly as they quickly make their way to her first class.

“Yes, it’s this thing.”  Willow grins and shrugs.  Willow points out where Tara’s second class is while they continue heading down the hallway to her first period.  “This is it.  I’ll come and get you at the door to your second period class, to show you to the next class.”  Willow grins and waves at the blonde before trotting off to her class.

“T-thanks.”  Tara shakes her head at the quickness the redhead disappeared.  Taking a deep breath, Tara makes her way into her first class of the day, smiling at the thought of possibly being able to have a life outside of home, now that her mother and she had moved out from the controlling influence of her father and brother.

***

Dianna rubs a hand over the back of her neck, sighing before she reaches for the cup of coffee as she looks at the want ads.  Confused as to where to start as she looks at the ads, seeing that there were job openings for practically every job imaginable.  Having already filled out applications at four different places, she decided to take a small breather and have something to drink as she considers where else she would like to put in an application at. 

“Would you like something to eat?”  Elizabeth smiles down at the older woman as she fills her coffee cup. 

Dianna smiles as she looks up.  “I wouldn’t mind a little something.  Any suggestions?”

“The muffins are quite good.  Personally, I like the banana nut muffin the best.”  Elizabeth smiles softly as she looks at the newspaper.  “Looking for a job?”

“The muffin sounds wonderful.  Yes, I am.”  Dianna nods, sighing quietly.  “My daughter and I just moved into town a few weeks ago…”  Dianna trails off, shrugging.

“Well, in this town there is an abundance of openings.  If you don’t see what you want in the paper, I would suggest going to the particular business’ that you may be interested in.”  Elizabeth pats her gently on the shoulder.  “Let me go get you your muffin.”

Dianna smiles softly as she looks back down at the newspaper, circling a couple other ads that peaked her interest, before the hair on the back of her neck starts to stand up.  Slowly raising her eyes to the front of the small coffee shop, she inhales deeply at the site of the tall, blonde woman striding into the shop.  Watching the woman intently, Dianna takes in the tall, lithe form, realizing that time had been kind to Joyce.  Silently wondering if she’s married and has kids, Dianna continues to watch her as she places her order at the counter before paying for the food and moving down to wait for her lunch to be fixed.

***

“I need to get out of here for a while.”  Joyce rubs her eyes before she stands up to leave the gallery.  Quickly striding towards the front of the shop, she stops momentarily at the receptionist’s desk.  “I’m going across the street to get something to eat.  I’ll be back later.” 

Kathy nods her head at her boss, smiling apologetically at the woman, knowing that Frederick leaving like he did, left Joyce in a bind for a buyer. 

Joyce quickly crosses the street and places an order for a Diet Coke and a Reuben sandwich.  Waiting for the food, she sighs quietly, wondering what she’s going to do now.  Not really wanting to have to go out of town in two weeks for the weekend to the convention in LA, but knowing that they needed to get some new artists showing at the gallery soon.   Having counted on Frederick to go and buy some fresh paintings, and make contacts with hopefully some young and upcoming artists.  Accepting the tray with her food and drink on it, Joyce slowly scans the busy coffee shop, wondering if there were any empty tables when her eyes come into contact with deep blue eyes watching her intently.  Blinking in surprise at the woman that she hasn’t seen for roughly twenty years, Joyce isn’t even aware of her legs moving towards Dianna.

Unconsciously licking her lips, Dianna watches Joyce quickly make her way towards her table, her hazel eyes never breaking contact with hers.  Folding the newspaper, Dianna sets it down on the edge of the small table and watches as Joyce stands there looking down at her, a surprised look on her face.  “Would you care to join me, Joy?”  Dianna questions softly.

Joyce swallows hard as the soft, dulcet tones practically caress her shortened name.  “Dee...”  Joyce shakes her head before sitting down and staring intently at the woman that she figured she’d never see again.  “How…?”

Dianna blushes lightly and looks down at the table.  “It’s a long story, but short version is that I came here, because I knew this was where you were at.  I wanted to at least have a friend, someone I could talk to, be here for me.” 

“How did you know I was living here?”  Joyce frowns as she allows her eyes to drink in the sight of the one person that she always wondered what had happened to, after college.

Dianna bites her lip and shakes her head.  “I’m not so sure you’d believe me if I told you.”  Looking up from where she’d been staring down into her empty coffee cup, she searches the hazel depths.  Looking up as the waitress, Elizabeth, sets the muffin in front of her, Dianna smiles quickly and pushes her coffee cup towards the woman, so she can fill it again.  “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”  Elizabeth smiles quickly, glancing towards the other woman, recognizing her from the other times she’d come in here.  Nodding her head at the woman, Elizabeth quickly hurries off to help her other customers.

Joyce looks from Dianna’s dark blonde hair, to her kind blue eyes over the soft features, noting the slight differences that age has brought to her college friend.  Realizing that if anything, time had made her more beautiful.  “You’d be surprised at what I’d believe.”  Joyce admits quietly as she lifts her drink, taking a sip of the diet soda.

Dianna bites her lip and shakes her head after a few seconds.  “I’ll tell you, but it isn’t something that should be discussed in public.”  Dianna allows herself to look at Joyce’s hand, a quiet sigh of relief easing out when there’s no wedding band on her finger.  “I was going to look for you in a couple more weeks, after I found a job.”

Joyce tilts her head looking at Dianna for a few moments.  “How long have you been in town?”

“A couple weeks.”  Dianna tears a small piece of muffin and pops it in her mouth, chewing as she thinks.  “My daughter and I moved here.  We’ve been trying to get settled in, and now I’m looking for a job.”  Dianna smiles quickly as she watches Joyce start to eat her sandwich.

Joyce runs her finger over the edge of the tray as she considers questioning Dianna further.  “Married?”  Joyce whispers, her eyes looking up to wait for the answer.

Dianna wipes her fingers before reaching for her cup to sip at the coffee for a moment, getting her thoughts in order before gently placing it back on the table.  “If you want to call it that, yes.  I’m married.”

Joyce raises an eyebrow in silent question, noticing the tensing of Dianna’s body and the slight paling of her skin tone, even though the woman had always been on the pale side, what coloring she did have seemed to disappear with her question. 

Dianna sighs heavily watching Joyce and the emotions crossing her face.  “Home life wasn’t exactly…”  Dianna raises her eyes up at the ceiling as she considers the proper wording.  Running a hand down her face, not knowing what to say, she finally spits out.  “It was shit.  Tara and I ran away after the last trip to the hospital.”

Joyce pales even more than Dianna as the words roll around in her mind.  Unconsciously she reaches across the small table to clasp Dianna’s hand in hers.  “Dee?”  Joyce questions softly, her eyes asking what she couldn’t bring herself to say.

Dianna feels tears slowly gather in her eyes and slowly nods her head to Joyce’s silent question.  “Tara and I both.”  Dianna admits quietly.  “We’re praying that he won’t find us.  Unfortunately when I go to get a job, when I fill out the paperwork there may be a good chance that he’ll be able to locate us if he knows how to look.”

Joyce squeezes Dianna’s hand gently, slowly shaking her head.  “We need to talk, and this isn’t the best place to have this type of discussion.”  Joyce finally admits quietly.  “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?  You and Tara?”

Dianna looks intently into Joyce’s eyes, seeing caring and warmth with a hint of anger.  Knowing intuitively that the anger isn’t pointed at her, but at her husband, Dianna smiles softly.  “I honestly wasn’t expecting to run into you like this, Joy.”  Dianna admits as she shifts her other hand to cover Joyce’s hand that’s still holding hers.  “I was wanting to get everything situated first, then maybe look you up to talk.”

“Things always happen for a reason.  Especially in this town.”  Joyce smiles softly at Dianna.  Gently easing her hand away, she digs in her purse and pulls out one of her business cards, flipping it over she writes down her address and her phone number.  Handing the card to Dianna she tilts her head for a few moments.  “I’ll get home around 5:30 - come over then, before it gets dark.  We need to have a major discussion, not just personal but about the goings on in this town.”

Dianna slowly nods her head, looking at the address on the card, frowning lightly.  “This road name looks familiar, where is it?”

“Where are you living?”  Joyce questions softly.

“Fremont Drive.  A small one story house with two bedrooms.”  Dianna looks up as she hears a quiet chuckle coming from Joyce.

“That’s about three blocks from where I live.  If you’re heading towards your house, continue down Berkshire and take a left on Revello Drive.  We’re the sixth house on your left.”  Joyce explains where she lives and smiles as the dawning light comes on in Dianna’s eyes.  “Basically a little hop skip and jump from where I live.”

Dianna slowly nods her head and tucks the card away in her purse.  “May be handy.  What about you, Joy?  Kids, husband… somebody else?”  Dianna practically whispers the last two words.

Joyce smiles and reaches out to gently squeeze Dianna’s hand before pulling her hand back.  “I have a daughter, also.  She’s a Junior in High School.  I’m divorced and there is… no one else at the moment.”  Joyce’s voice drops slightly as she finishes the sentence. 

“Tara’s a Senior.”  Dianna looks up smiling.

Joyce feels her heart catch at the absolutely beautiful smile crossing Dianna’s face.  Feeling her heart start to literally pound in her chest, Joyce swallows as she wonders what this is going to mean to their relationship.  And how Buffy may react when she finds out, if it becomes more than friendship.  “I should head back to work.”  Joyce whispers softly, looking down at her plate, wondering when she finished her sandwich.

“And I need to put in a few more applications before heading home.”  Dianna slowly stands, digging in her purse to pay for her muffin and coffee, looking up when Joyce’s hand stops her.

“I’ll get it.”  Joyce shakes her head, smiling.  Unable to resist, she pulls Dianna in for a hug.  “I’ve missed you, Dee.”  Joyce whispers softly, smiling as she feels Dianna’s arms loop around her neck hugging her tightly.

“I’ve missed you too, Joy.”  Dianna admits, allowing herself to enjoy the feel of Joyce’s arms wrapped around her for a few more moments before gently easing away.  “Tara and I will be at your house at 5:30.”

“I’ll see you then.”  Joyce smiles and watches as Dianna slowly walks away.  Opening her wallet, Joyce drops some money on the table before heading back to work, silently wondering what the future holds in store for her now.

Chapter 2

“If you want, you can eat with us.”  Willow waves towards the table, where Buffy and Xander were already sitting, Xander tossing French fries towards Buffy and the slayer catching them in her mouth to chew and swallow. 

“I-I don’t th-think so.”  Tara blushes and shakes her head.  “I’m g-going to the l-library.  Th-thank you, Willow.”  Tara looks up through her hair and smiles quickly before turning to walk quickly away.

“Huh.”  Willow watches the blonde walk away.  “And I thought I was shy.”  Willow shrugs her shoulders and makes her way over to Buffy and Xander. 

“Who was that?”  Buffy questions as she bounces a French fry off Xander’s head, grinning as she realizes it had some ketchup on it, that’s now made a home on Xander forehead. 

“That’s just wrong.”  Xander bitches as he grabs a napkin and wipes the ketchup from his forehead.

“Tara Maclay, she’s new.”  Willow explains, unnecessarily.  “She’s heading to the library to probably pick up her books.”  Willow shrugs as she looks at her two best friends.  “What are we going to do after school?”

Buffy groans and drops her head on the table.  “I have to help mom at the gallery. Then probably do my math homework.  First day of school and the idiot teacher is giving homework!”

“I guess that means there’s no going to the Bronze tonight?”  Xander pouts at the thought. 

“Probably not tonight.  We’ll see what happens the rest of this week.”  Buffy shrugs, smiling. 

“Have you heard from Angel yet?”  Willow questions quietly, knowing Buffy was still a little touchy on the subject of the disappearing vampire. 

“No.”  Buffy shakes her head, sighing heavily. 

Xander snarls his nose at the thought of the vampire that disappeared after Buffy defeated The Master.  “Useless bag of blood.”  Xander mumbles, blushing when Buffy looks up and narrows her eyes on him.  Swallowing hard, Xander quickly becomes interested in his lunch.

Buffy picks at her lunch as she silently wonders what Angel has been up to since he left at the beginning of the summer.  She had hoped that there might be a chance that something was happening between them, but when he left with a cryptic ‘I’ll be back in a few months‘, she was left wondering.  Finishing her lunch, she looks up at the clock, realizing their lunch period was almost over.  “About that time, guys.  I already told Giles I wouldn’t be able to do the training thing after school today because of mom, so I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay, Buff.  See you in the AM.”  Xander watches as Buffy quickly strides away.  “I don’t understand what she sees in him.”  Xander bitches quietly.

“Other than the tall, dark and handsome part?  Probably nothing.”  Willow raises an eyebrow at her best friend.  “Come on, Xander.  Let’s head to our next class.  You’re going to pass History whether you want to or not, this year!!”

“NOT THE HISTORY TORTURE!”  Xander practically yells as Willow drags him out of the cafeteria, laughing.

***

Buffy grumbles under her breath as she finishes unpacking the crates in her mother’s Gallery.  “SHIT!”  Buffy yells as a huge splinter imbeds itself into the palm of her hand.  Stomping out of the back, she makes her way to the bathroom and digs through the First Aid kit, finally coming across the rubbing alcohol and a pair of tweezers.  Yanking the splinter out, she investigates the wound to make sure there weren’t any other smaller pieces left in the wound before pouring the alcohol over it to kill any bacteria. 

Joyce stands at the door as she watches Buffy.  “Are you okay, honey?” 

“Yes.”  Buffy growls quietly as she digs around to find a small bandage to tape the weeping wound. 

“Here, let me.”  Joyce comes in and finds the sterile pad and tape as Buffy presses some paper towels onto the wound.  “What did you do?”

“One of your crates decided it didn’t like me tearing it apart and decided to get back at me.”  Buffy pulls off the towels and allows her mom to tape the bandage on her palm.  “Thanks.”

“I’m sorry, honey.”  Joyce looks up at her daughter.  “I have a college friend coming over to dinner tonight, along with her daughter.  I want to explain to her about Sunnydale, that way nothing happens to either one of them.”

“Mom…”  Buffy scratches her head, understanding how her mom wants to help protect people, but most people just don’t want to believe it.  Or they want to think whoever’s telling them about it, is nuts. 

“I know what you’re going to say honey.  But I think she can handle it.  We’ll play it by ear tonight, okay?”  Joyce silently pleads with her daughter.

Buffy sighs and her shoulders drop before she nods her head in acceptance.  “We’ll see.  If you tell them, you get to be the one to break it to Giles.  You know how he is about all this secret shit.”

“I know.”  Joyce rolls her eyes.  “If he had his way, I still wouldn’t know anything about it.”

“I honestly didn’t think you’d believe me when I finally did tell you.”  Buffy shrugs her shoulders, a sad smile crossing her.  Remembering with a slight shudder how she’d found her mom almost becoming a snack for a vampire after visiting the grocery store.  After Joyce had watched in stunned surprise as Buffy took out a couple vampires, she had made Buffy explain everything…  The woman surprised that it went back to Hemery High School.  After that, her mom hadn’t questioned her about being out late and had kept her comments to herself. 

“I was wondering if you would mind taking her daughter up to your room and giving Dianna and I some time to discuss things.”  Joyce broaches the subject, hoping Buffy won’t be too upset.

“Am I a damn baby sitter, also?”  Buffy growls throwing her hands up in the air.  “Buffy, help me unpack the shipment, go to school, go patrol, you need to train, do your homework, now I need to play baby sitter!”  Buffy strides out of the bathroom angrily.  “How about Buffy, want to go out to a movie, maybe spend the night dancing?  How about we rent a couple movies and pop some popcorn, have a normal night for anybody else that isn’t me!”  Buffy continues to bitch as she heads back to finish unpacking.

Joyce winces as she follows behind her daughter, knowing that she feels like everyone is coming down on her, but honestly not knowing what to do about that fact.  Helping her finish unpacking the shipment, Joyce looks occasionally over at her daughter.  When she notices it looks like Buffy may have calmed down somewhat, Joyce whispers softly.  “I would appreciate you maybe trying to give us some time together to talk over things, Buffy.”

“Yeah, yeah.”  Buffy grunts as she finishes carrying the trash out to the dumpster.  “You owe me.  Eventually I want to have a ‘me’ day and I don’t want to have you saying anything, okay?”  Buffy raises an eyebrow at her mother.

“Deal.”  Joyce nods her head in acceptance.  “Thank you, honey.”

“You’re welcome.”  Buffy’s lip quirks up slightly as she looks at her mom.  “So you actually have friends?”

“BUFFY!”  Joyce looks up at her daughter.  Placing her hands on her waist she shakes her head as Buffy starts to laugh.  “You are going to pay for that comment, young lady.”

“Probably.”  Buffy nods, chuckling as she starts to relax somewhat.  “Are we done?”  Buffy looks around, not seeing anything else for her to do.

“Yes, we are.  Come on, if we leave now I can pick up some pork chops for dinner tonight.”  Joyce offers the truce with her daughter, knowing how much Buffy loves pork chops.

“Let’s go.”  Buffy grins as she practically runs out of the storage area.

Joyce laughs quietly as she follows her daughter at a more sedate pace.

***

“Mama…”  Tara sighs heavily as she slowly follows her mother.  “How about letting me stay home, that way I can start studying?”  Tara tries to get out of going to her mom’s college friend’s house for dinner.

“Baby girl, she invited both of us.  Plus she has a daughter going to the high school that’s a year younger than you.  Maybe you’ll be friends.  I want you to enjoy life, sweetie.  No more hiding away, we‘re away from your father now and I want you to have a life outside of school and housework.”

“Okay, Mama.”  Tara gives in, knowing her mother’s just wanting what’s best for her.  Silently Tara prays that the girl isn’t a stuck up snob, or decides to pick on her like so many other kids had at her previous school.  Looking up at the nice looking two story house, Tara looks nervously at her mom. 

“It’ll be okay, baby girl.”  Dianna smiles encouragingly at her daughter as she wraps an arm around her.  They walk up the sidewalk to stop on the front porch.  Dianna rings the doorbell, silently praying to the Goddess that Tara will find a friend to help her out with her shyness.

Buffy quickly jogs down the stairs as she hears the doorbell ring and opens the door, surprised at the sight of the blonde girl Willow had been showing around the school that day.  Quickly stepping back from the door, she waves them in.  “You must be my mom’s friend from college?”  Buffy questions looking at the older woman.

“Yes, I’m Dianna Maclay, and this is my daughter, Tara.”  Dianna gently urges Tara to look up and take the initiative.

“I’m Buffy.”  Buffy smiles quickly before trying to catch the girl’s eyes, frowning slightly when she notices the bruising on her face.  Never having been close enough to the girl before now to have noticed it.  Taking closer inventory of the girl, Buffy notices the way she almost wants to hide behind her mother.  “Please, have a seat.  Mom’s fixing dinner right now.”  Buffy waves to the living room.  “Would either of you like something to drink?”

Tara grunts quietly as her mom bumps her again.  “N-no.  Thank you.”  Tara looks up quickly, smiling briefly before looking back down.

Dianna sighs softly at her daughter.  “Does Joy need any help with fixing dinner?”

“Ummm.”  Buffy blinks and shrugs her shoulders.  “I’m useless in the kitchen, so I couldn’t tell you.”  Buffy shakes her head, grinning.

“Which way?”  Dianna quickly heads towards the kitchen after Buffy points her in the right direction.

Buffy sits down in the chair across from Tara, tilting her head as she watches the girl… young woman gently run her hand over her skirt as she hides behind her hair.  “You met my friend, Willow.  She was the redhead that showed you around school today.”  Buffy tries to start a conversation with the quiet woman.

“Yes.  She s-seems v-very n-nice.”  Tara murmurs softly, glancing up to look at Buffy.

“She’s extremely nice.  Very helpful and smart.  Also a whiz on the computer, so if you have anything you need help with, she’s the one to ask.”  Buffy rambles quickly, feeling uncomfortable as she tries to entertain the woman.

“If you h-have s-something you’d r-rather b-be d-doing…”  Tara trails off as she looks down.

“No.  No, I don’t.  Other than my math homework, but I’m stumped on the problem I’m trying to do right now.”  Buffy shrugs her shoulders, a half smile on her face. 

“I c-can help.  If you w-w-want.”  Tara offers softly, raising her head and allowing her hair to slide back from her face momentarily.

“Are you a brain, like Wills?”  Buffy questions, a huge grin crossing her face.

“I w-wouldn’t s-say that.”  Tara shakes her head, allowing a crooked grin to come to her face.

Buffy blinks in surprise at how much that smile changed the way the woman looked.  “Well, if you don’t mind helping me, I’d appreciate it.  Damn things Greek to me.”  Buffy admits.  “Do you want to come upstairs with me, and I’ll show you the rest of the house.  Or I could run upstairs to grab my book and bring it back down.”

“I’ll c-come w-with.”  Tara offers as she stands, following Buffy silently up the stairs.

***

“Hi.”  Dianna smiles as she watches Joyce work on the dinner.

“Hello.”  Joyce looks up smiling.  “Find the house okay?”

“Yes, we did.  Need any help with anything?”  Dianna looks at the stove with different pots on it before looking back at Joyce who’s slicing and dicing items to put on the salad.

“Nope.  Pretty much have everything under control.  Would you like something to drink?  We have water, soda, tea and coffee.” Joyce quickly finishes slicing the cucumber, grabbing a piece and popping it in her mouth as she prepares the salad.

Dianna smiles as she watches Joyce.  “A cup of tea wouldn’t be bad.  I’ve had about my quota of coffee for the day.”

Turning around, Joyce puts the salad in the refrigerator before grabbing the kettle, filling it with water and turning it on.  Grabbing down a couple mugs she pulls out her tea canisters and teabags that she has.  “Anything in particular?”  Joyce questions smiling over her shoulder.

Dianna closes the distance between them and looks down at all the different brands and flavors of tea, chuckling quietly.  “Just about every kind you can think of, huh?”

Joyce blushes lightly and nods her head.  “Yes.  Buffy’s wat… librarian, Rupert Giles will sometimes come over and he’s English.  Love’s his tea.”  Joyce shrugs smiling down into Dianna’s blue eyes, noticing the drawing together of her brows in a frown, Joyce plays over what she said, wondering what might be causing it, when it clicks.  “Part of what we need to discuss, Dee.  We haven’t and aren’t planning on dating, if that’s what you’re thinking.”  Joyce explains softly, placing a hand on Dianna’s arm, her eyes showing her sincerity.

Dee shakes her head, smiling.  “It isn’t any of my business if you are, Joy.  What you do, or have done, is your business.  Like I mentioned earlier, I’m just hoping to have at least your friendship, again.  I’m not looking for anything else.”

Joyce turns to face Dianna more fully, taking in her features for a few minutes.  “Are you saying you don’t want anything but friendship?”  Joyce finally questions after a few more minutes. 

Dianna bites her lip and looks up into Joyce’s eyes, seeing the slight wariness there, she doesn’t know if Joyce only wants friendship or if she might want more and is afraid to show it.  Sighing quietly, Dianna covers Joyce’s hand with hers.  “I want your friendship, Joy.  I maybe even should say I need someone to be able to talk to.  But after all these years, I haven’t ever forgotten you, and that should say something in and of itself.”  Dianna whispers the last sentence softly. 

Joyce considers Dianna’s words, a soft smile crossing her face.  Reaching up to tuck some loose hair behind Dianna’s ear, Joyce whispers back.  “I haven’t forgotten you, either, Dee.”  Gently wrapping her arms around the shorter woman, Joyce sighs quietly and hugs her.  “But I dare say that you need a friend more than anything right now in your life.”

Dianna slowly nods her head against Joyce’s shoulder in silent agreement.  “But we’ll leave the matter open for something more?”  Dianna hesitantly asks, smiling as she hears and feels the low chuckle come from Joyce.

“I would say that is a definite.”  Joyce squeezes her once more gently, before placing a quick kiss on the top of her head.  “Let’s have some tea and talk about good stuff that’s happened in the past and save the other for after dinner, how does that sound?”

Dianna eases out of Joyce’s embrace watching as Joyce starts to make her cup of tea.  “That sounds like a wonderful idea.  I’ll have the Chamomile.”  Dianna mentions after Joyce waves her hand at the tea.

“Honey, milk, sugar?”  Joyce grins as Dianna laughs quietly. 

“Maybe a squirt of honey would be good.”  Dianna gently squeezes Joyce’s arm before accepting her mug with the requested honey. 

“Where’s your daughter?”  Joyce tilts her head as they slowly make their way to the living room.  Surprised when neither girl was there.

“I guess she’s wherever Buffy is.”  Dianna looks around, chuckling.  “She was scared stiff to come here.”  Dianna finally admits as the two women settle on the couch, sitting beside each other, but with a decent space between them.  “It’s going to take time for her to come out of her shell.”  Dianna sighs quietly as she looks down into her tea, shaking herself mentally out of where her thoughts were.  “Something for after dinner.  So tell me about what’s been going on with you since college.”

Joyce watches Dianna for a few seconds before smiling and starting to explain what had happened after college.

***

“Huh.”  Buffy looks down at the problem that she had finished in record time, after Tara had explained another way of doing it.  “That was almost too easy, are you sure that was right?”

Tara giggles and slowly nods her head, brushing her hair behind her ear as she looks at the answer as she sits beside Buffy on her bed.  “Yes, I’m s-s-sure.” 

Buffy looks over at the grinning woman, her blue eyes twinkling merrily.  “How come nobody’s ever shown me that way of doing it before?”

Tara shrugs and looks at the other problems on the page.  “Unfortunately, s-some people only think of one w-way to do something.  B-but there can be a d-dozen ways to do it, if they w-would be open to thinking d-differently.”  Tara grins crookedly at Buffy.  Her stuttering still bad, but slowly getting better as the two continue to talk, and after Tara had started to relax in the company of the other girl.

“That I can understand, and agree with completely.”  Buffy grins back at the girl.  “Would you mind terribly if I ask for your help if I have problems again?”

“Of course, n-not.”  Tara grins and tucks her knees up under her chin, wrapping her arms around her legs.  “I’m p-planning on becoming a t-teacher, so this w-would be great experience.” 

“You’d be good at being a teacher.”  Buffy nods her head, having been watching the young woman as she had softly explained how to do the problem without doing it for her.  Giving her hints when she’d hesitate.  “Do you mind if I finish the rest of them and you check over what I did, see if I did anything wrong?”

“Go ahead, Buffy.  I’m n-not going anywhere.”  Tara giggles quietly as Buffy rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah.  Except for dinner with the mom’s.  How well do they know each other, anyway?”  Buffy questions for conversation as she works on her problems, not looking at the other girl.

Tara blinks momentarily, not knowing how much Joyce might have told Buffy about what happened in her life, knowing that a lot of people might keep that quiet from their family, especially since Buffy was questioning her about it.  “I know that they w-went to the same college and were p-pretty good friends.  Afterwards th-they went their separate ways.”  Tara shrugs, just giving the bare bones, deciding that might be best for now. 

“Mom never talks much about her college days, so I was kind of wondering.”  Buffy looks up smiling briefly before looking back down and working her way through the rest of the problems.  Wanting to ask the blonde about her bruises and broken arm, but for some reason being reticent about questioning her. 

“Mama will occasionally t-talk about it.”  Tara admits as she watches Buffy finish her homework.  “She’s talked more in the last couple w-weeks since we moved here, than she had p-previously.”  Tara accepts Buffy’s book and notepad, glancing over the problems grinning.  “You’re good.”  Tara hands the items back to Buffy.

“Thanks.  So what do you like to do?  Do you like dancing, music, movies?”  Buffy questions, dropping her books off the edge of the bed and flopping down across her bed to watch the other girl.

Tara shrugs her shoulders non-committally, as her father didn’t allow music or anything of the sort.  “I pretty much w-went to school and w-worked around the house and f-farm.”  Tara admits quietly.

Buffy watches Tara as she seems to draw in on herself slightly.  “Well, you’re going to have to come to the Bronze with us sometime.”  At Tara’s questioning look, Buffy grins.  “It’s the local hangout, where anyone and everyone goes.  It’s a bar, but they allow kids to go in we just get stamped different color so that way we don’t drink.”  Buffy shrugs.  “They have live bands every weekend and play current music with a DJ the rest of the time.”

“We’ll see.”  Tara smiles shyly.

“Girls!  Dinner’s almost ready.”  Joyce calls up from downstairs.

“Food.”  Buffy bounces up and off the bed, holding her hand out for Tara.  Helping the blonde up she bounds out of the room.

Tara blinks at the energy of the other girl before slowly following her, smiling at the thought of how kind Buffy seems and maybe they could be friends.

***

Chapter 3

Buffy sighs quietly as they finish dinner when her mother gives her the look, knowing her mom wants her to explain about being the slayer.  Looking at Tara for a few moments then looking at Tara’s mom, Buffy shrugs.  “It’s on your head, mother.”  Buffy grumbles quietly.  “I’ll be back in a second.”  Buffy stands up and trots up to her room gathering some of her tools of the trade, tucking them away into inconspicuous places on her body before coming back down the stairs. 

Tara and Dianna both watch Buffy leave before turning their gazes questioningly on Joyce.

Joyce smiles quickly.  “This part is better coming from Buffy, but I just ask that you bare with her.  Sometimes she gets a little… blunt about things.”  Joyce shrugs before standing to gather up the dirty dishes.

“Here, let me help.”  Dianna and Tara both stand and make short work of taking the dishes to the kitchen before the three women walked to the living room.

Dianna turns to look at Joyce for a second before Buffy came running down the stairs. 

“Short of taking you with me to see it for yourselves, I guess a demonstration of what I can do may be in order.”  Buffy sighs as she looks around the living room. 

“There’s the metal bars that were left over from the previous owners out in the garage, honey.”  Joyce suggests softly.

“Good idea.”  Buffy nods and quickly runs out to the garage grabbing a couple of the 2” thick solid metal bars and walking back into the living room.  Setting the items on the floor, Buffy sighs heavily while crossing her arms over her chest.  “This would be better coming from Giles, he just has that tone in his voice…”  Buffy mutters before starting.  “Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of evil…”  Buffy stops as she hears a squeak come from Tara.  Her eyes landing on the girl, wondering if she’s already freaking.

“Mama…”  Tara turns surprised eyes on her mom.

“We know about the supernatural.”  Dianna finally whispers turning to look back at a shocked and surprised Buffy to an equally surprised Joyce.  “We’re both Wiccan’s.  We know this is the Hellmouth, but neither of us expected to know who the Slayer was.”  Dianna turns her gaze back on Buffy.  “Or that she would actually reside here on the Hellmouth.” 

“Huh.”  Buffy blinks as the shock that they both are aware of slayers, still rattles around her brain.  “I don’t get to demonstrate my strength or anything?”  Buffy pouts at the thought. 

Tara giggles quietly and waves to the metal.  “Be our guest.”

Buffy grins as she picks up one of the metal rods, wrapping it around quickly into the shape of a pretzel.  “How about that?” 

Tara looks inquiringly at her mother, and as Dianna nods her head in acceptance, Tara grins and whispers a quiet incantation, and the metal rod lifts out of Buffy’s hands and untangles itself to be straight once more.

“HEY!  No fair undoing what I did!”  Buffy grumbles, trying to hide the surprise at what Tara had done.  “So you’re not only Wiccan, but you can actually do magic?”

“Yes, we are both well versed in the art of Magic.  That’s how I located Joy.”  Dianna admits quietly, looking at Joyce.  “I did a locator spell and found out you were living here in Sunnydale.”

“That explains a few things.”  Joyce admits, smiling as Dianna blushes.

“Magic had nothing to do with it.”  Dianna murmurs softly before winking at Joyce knowingly.

Joyce chuckles and nods her head, knowing that Dianna wouldn’t have done anything like that.  “So explaining about being extremely careful if you have to go out at night, carrying holy water, crosses and the like is a definite must.  Though we would prefer you not having to go out at all and taking a chance of something happening to you.”

Dianna looks over at Tara, smiling gently.  “We can probably handle vampires, and some of the other demons the world has.  We both may want to practice certain spells to make sure we can toss them at a moments notice, but other than that, we should be okay.”

Buffy shakes her head.  “I don’t think so.  This is the Hellmouth, I kill roughly five to ten vampires a night on average.  This isn’t something that I want you to take a chance with.”

“Mama, can I go with her tonight, show her what we can do?”  Tara murmurs softly, her eyebrows lifted in question.

“If it’s okay with her, I’m fine with it, baby girl.”  Dianna smiles and rubs Tara’s back gently.  Looking up at a questioning Buffy, Dianna tilts her head towards her daughter.  “Tara would like to go with you on patrol tonight, if that would be okay.  She can give you a demonstration of what we can do, but remember, given proper time to prepare, we can also have other spells at our disposal.”

Buffy’s about to respond in the negative when she sees the silent pleading look in Dianna’s eyes, before turning her gaze to Tara, seeing the girl start to crawl back in her shell again, after having finally come out somewhat as the night progressed.  “If you promise to heed my warnings, and not take any risks, I’d love to have the company.”  Buffy finally offers, smiling as Tara looks up, the happiness obvious on the other girls face. 

“I promise.”  Tara grins hugely, her hand grasping her mom’s hand and squeezing.  “If you have spare s-stakes and holy water, I’ll accept them.”  Tara offers quietly.

“Oh, I have plenty, trust me.”  Buffy smirks as her mother rolls her eyes and grumbles.  Turning around, Buffy heads into the small little room off the living room and grabs a box of stakes.  “Take as many as you want.”  Buffy heads upstairs to grab a couple bottles of holy water bringing them downstairs with her.  “Are you two staying here, while we go on patrol?”

“I’ll stay until you two get back, then Tara and I can walk back home together.”  Dianna looks questioningly at Joyce.  “If that’s okay with you?”

“That’s fine.  Give us some time to catch up.”  Joyce smiles sadly at Dianna as she sees the shadowed look cross her blue eyes. 

“Giles is going to freak.  While we’re out on patrol, maybe you can explain to me how you know about Slayers and Vampires.”  Buffy hints, grinning as Tara blushes and slowly nods her head.  “Come on, let’s head out on patrol.”

“Giles is your Watcher, I assume?”  Tara questions softly as she follows the slayer out of the house.

“That’s him.  The English dude that is our librarian at school is also my watcher.  He’s going to wonder if everyone living in Sunnydale is going to know who I am before this is done.”  Buffy rolls her eyes.  “He’s going to yell at me, I’m sure!”

“We already knew about the Slayer, why w-would he be upset?”  Tara bites her lip, not wanting Buffy to get in trouble.

“It’s this thing he does.”  Buffy shrugs not worried about it.  “Trust me, I piss him off pretty much every day.  Nothing new, and maybe we can make his day tomorrow.  Want to meet me at the library early?”  Buffy grins hugely, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Okay.”  Tara agrees, wondering what she’s getting herself into.  “Who else knows about you?”  Tara questions softly.

“Willow, Xander, and Cordelia.”  Buffy admits, grinning.  “Talk about Giles being pissed when that happened.”  Buffy laughs.  “Xander was in the library when Giles and I were talking about vampires.  It kind of went from there.”  Buffy shrugs, smirking.

“How about your mom, when d-did she find out?”  Tara walks beside Buffy, stealing a glance at the pretty girl. 

“She was late getting home one night, and I went out looking for her.  She’d stopped at the grocery store and a vampire was about ready to make a meal out of her.”  Buffy shrugs as she frowns heavily.  “I would have told her before, but Giles always insists on it being this great big secret.  I still think the more people that are aware of what’s going on, the less likely they are to get hurt or killed.  But the Watcher’s Council is of the opinion that most people can’t handle knowing the truth.”

“They’re p-probably right.”  Tara admits quietly.  “Most people w-would probably freak at the r-realization.” 

“So, enough about me.  What about you?”  Buffy questions as they head in to a cemetery, frowning when she sees Tara drop her head. 

“Not a l-lot to t-tell about m-me.”  Tara murmurs quietly, her stutter becoming worse.

“Easy.”  Buffy grasps Tara’s arm gently.  “If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine.  I just hope that maybe you will, one day.  I don’t have too many friends, so I treasure and want to keep the few I do have.”  Buffy smiles encouragingly at the blonde.

Tara slowly lifts her head, allowing a small smile to cross her face.  “Thank you, Buffy.”

“Nah.  I didn’t do anything.  Come on, let’s go get you a newbie, that way I can see what you can do.”  Buffy tugs gently on Tara’s arm as they head towards a fresh grave.

***

Dianna turns to look at Joyce after their daughters leave, wondering silently how to start. 

“Let me start.”  Joyce reaches down and unconsciously threads her fingers through Dianna’s.  Slowly she explains how Hank and she had finally married once they were out of college, her becoming pregnant with Buffy, through their seemingly happy life until she caught Hank cheating on her with his secretary and their subsequent break-up.  Hitting on Buffy’s problems at Hemery High, explaining that she didn’t realize at the time that Buffy was the Slayer, and that she had burned down the gym that was filled with vampires, on through their living here in Sunnydale and her owning the Gallery.

“Do you see or talk to Hank much anymore?”  Dianna questions softly, seeing the hurt in her friends eyes as she had spoken about Hank’s adultery.

“Not really.  He makes promises to take Buffy places, and ninety percent of the time he doesn’t follow through.  We’ve both pretty much washed our hands of him.”  Joyce admits quietly.  “He’s supposed to send money for child support, but he hasn’t done that in the last eight months.”  Joyce shrugs, not knowing what to say.

“There’s probably places you can go, to have that taken care of, if you wanted.”  Dianna suggests softly. 

“I’m not really that worried about it, to tell you the honest truth.”  Joyce sighs heavily.  “I just wish that he would spend more time with Buffy, I know it hurts her that he’s practically disowned her.” 

Dianna squeezes Joyce’s fingers gently in commiseration.  Finally after a few minutes of the two women sitting silently together, Dianna starts her story.  Marrying Ronald Maclay, becoming pregnant with Donny almost immediately, how things seemed fine until she had Tara.  Ronald had become colder and meaner the older Tara got.  Finally realizing that he had a problem with having a daughter, that all he wanted were boys.  He became more religious, and spare the rod type theory, but only with Tara.  He thought the sun set on his son, so it started with Tara getting her butt smacked for almost no reason, then the older she became the more violent he was, finally to the point that he was beating Tara and whenever Dianna would interfere, she’d take the brunt of the beatings.  Dianna explained that whenever she noticed he was about to go on one of his rampages, she’d intervene so that he’d take his frustrations out on her instead of Tara, until the last time when she had been at the grocery store.  How when she came home to find Tara in an unconscious, bruised and bloody state. 

Joyce quietly takes Dianna in her arms as she continues her tale, her heart aching for her long-time friend and past lover.  Pressing her lips gently to the top of Dianna’s head, she listens as she finally trails off as to how they came here after Tara was well enough to travel.  “I wish things had been different for you, Dee.”  Joyce finally whispers after the longest time, as Dianna finally calmed down and got control of her emotions.

“I never should have stayed with him.  I don’t even know why I did.  The first time he beat us, I lost what respect and love I had felt for him.”  Dianna admits, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the feel of Joyce holding her tightly.  “I’m just silently praying to the Goddess that he doesn’t find us or cause us problems.  That’s all I want, to live out my life and actually allow Tara to have a life.  The poor girl doesn’t know what it’s like to have friends and people care for her.  The closest thing she’s ever had was her cousin Justine, and with Justine being gone the last couple years, it’s been even harder on Tara.”

“Well, from the looks of things, I’d say her and Buffy are on the way to having a good friendship.  Buffy’s kind of gotten used to not having too many friends, now that she’s the slayer.  I asked her once why she doesn’t have more friends, and she just shook her head at me before finally whispering that she hated having to end up staking them if they got turned.  That one comment hit home more than anything else, what she has to do and put up with.  I can’t see having to kill someone that was your friend.”  Joyce admits quietly as her heart aches.

“It can’t be easy for either of you.”  Dianna shifts to look up into Joyce’s sad hazel eyes.  “So, we’re a bunch of sad sacks tonight.”  Dianna tries to smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. 

“Yes, we are.  Do you want something to drink?  Maybe another cup of tea?”  Joyce offers, brushing her thumb over Dianna’s cheek to wipe away a stray tear. 

“That sounds wonderful, Joy.”  Dianna leans into the soft caress, closing her eyes as it feels like it’s been a millennia since she’s been touched with tenderness.

Joyce swallows hard as she has this urge to place a gentle kiss on Dee’s lips.  Fighting it, knowing the woman needs friendship more than anything at this moment in time, Joyce puts her feelings on the backburner for the time being.  “I have some cake, also.”  Joyce entices quietly, smiling as Dianna lifts her head.

Dianna chuckles quietly and nods her head.  “A piece of cake and tea sounds great.  Thanks for being there for me, Joy.”  Dianna whispers as she follows Joyce into the kitchen.

“I’ll always be there for you, Dee.  As long as you want or need me to be.”  Joyce answers quietly.

“I know you will.”  Dianna helps Joyce with the tea and slicing of the cake.

***

Buffy pouts as she looks down at the small pile of ash.  “That’s no fun.  You throw the flame-y ball at him and he goes up in a flaming inferno then disappears into a pile of ash.  I didn’t even get a chance to beat on him.” 

Tara chuckles quietly as Buffy looks up at her with an obvious twinkle in her eyes.  “Sorry.”  Tara shrugs, grinning crookedly at the slayer. 

“Okay.  So I believe you can take care of yourself, as long as you aren’t surrounded by vampires.  What would you do if you had a gang of ten surrounding you?”  Buffy raises an eyebrow in question as she circles the Wiccan.

“Whimper and cry?”  Tara suggests with a raised eyebrow, laughing as Buffy rolls her eyes.  “Put a protective spell around m-myself and run like hell towards home.”  Tara finally answers.

“Protective spell?”  Buffy questions with a frown.

“So no one can t-touch me.”  Tara shrugs at the slayer before whispering the spell.  Tara smirks as she walks towards Buffy, poking her gently in the shoulder.  “Hit me.”  Tara suggests.

“I’m not going to hit you!”  Buffy stares at the woman in shock. 

“You can’t, trust me.”  Tara wiggles her fingers at the slayer.  “C-come on, big bad mama, come and get me.” 

Buffy rolls her eyes and takes a gentle swing at the Wicca, blinking in surprise as her hand slows down to a stop as if it’s cushioned and caught in a heavy mass of jell-o.  “What the hell?”

“Try hitting it harder.”  Tara suggests watching as Buffy becomes serious and starts to punch and kick at her shield.

“I’ll be damned.”  Buffy mutters as she finally stops.  “That’s great to keep you from getting hurt, but it isn’t hurting the person trying to get at you.”

“No, that shield won’t.  I didn’t w-want you to get hurt.”  Tara admits quietly.  “I can put up a shield that w-would feel like you’re hitting a c-concrete wall.”

“How long can you hold the shield?”  Buffy questions, watching Tara.

Tara shrugs.  “I don’t know.  Never tried it b-before, other than when Mama and I were p-practicing making the shields.” 

“Well, I feel better about you and your mother being out, now.  But I’d still say don’t tempt fate.  If at all possible, don’t be out at night, and stay away from dimly lit areas during the day.  The vampires can still move in the shadows, or if it’s overcast.  Always be on alert, okay?”  Buffy suggests as the two women slowly make there way out of the cemetery to continue on patrol.

“I promise.”  Tara nods her head, smiling as they walk around town.  “Do you always p-patrol by yourself?”  Tara finally questions after a few minutes.

“No.  Sometimes Giles, Willow or Xander will come with me.  I try to keep Willow and Xander from coming that often, but they insist.  I’m afraid they’re going to get hurt.”  Buffy admits quietly.  “Though Xander already saved my life, once.”

“H-he did?”  Tara questions, looking intently at Buffy.

Buffy nods her head as she tucks her hands in her pockets as they continue to walk towards the next cemetery.  “It was last year, there was a prophecy where I was going to die fighting the Master.”

“But you didn’t.”  Tara whispers, sighing in relief at the thought.

“Actually, I did die.”  Buffy admits as she goes on to explain how she fought the Master and she drowned, and Xander performing CPR on her to bring her back. 

Tara follows Buffy into the next cemetery, watching her in stunned silence as she contemplates the information that she’d just been given while Buffy starts to fight a vampire.  Blinking a couple times, Tara looks around the cemetery to make sure nothing else was sneaking up on them as Buffy finally stakes the vampire. 

Buffy looks around the cemetery before a quick smile crosses her lips.  “Come on, it’s been a relatively quiet night so far.  We’ll head downtown and make sure there aren’t any vamps looking for a snack.” 

Tara silently follows the slayer wondering what their life has in store or them, now that her mother decided to come to Sunnydale to live.

***

Chapter 4

Buffy quickly jogs to the corner of Tara’s road, smiling as she sees the woman coming towards her. 

“You’re early.”  Tara smiles self consciously at the slayer.

“So are you.”  Buffy chuckles as they make their way towards the high school.  “Eager to meet Giles and listen to him Dear Lord us, and rub a hole in his glasses?”

Tara smiles shyly and shrugs lightly.  “I g-guess so.” 

Buffy sneaks a sideways glance at the blonde, biting her lip as she looks over the barely noticeable bruises on her face.  “What caused your injuries?”  Buffy finally questions bluntly.  Watching as Tara pales and looks away.  “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”  Buffy tucks her hands in her pockets as they get closer to the school.

“N-no.  I g-guess that Mama p-probably already t-told yours.”  Tara admits softly, taking a deep breath as she slowly lets it out along with some of her nervousness.  “M-my f-f-father isn’t the n-nicest p-person.”  Tara explains, coming to a stop as a small hand grasps her arm gently and makes her look at her.

“Your father did this to you.”  Buffy looks over the faded bruises and down to Tara’s arm still in a cast.

“This and w-worse.  To b-both of us.”  Tara admits softly.

Buffy looks into scared and embarrassed blue eyes.  Feeling an anger unknown before at the thought of this young woman and her mother being abused, working through her body, Buffy looks away for a few minutes to get control of her emotions.  “Where is he?”  Buffy finally questions, the tension obvious in her voice.

“Back h-home, I hope.”  Tara admits softly, blinking as angry hazel eyes come back to look at her.

“You two escaped him?”  When Tara nods her answer, Buffy tilts her head thinking for a minute.  “He doesn’t know where you are, and you’re hoping to keep it that way.”

“Yes.”  Tara answers simply, fear in her eyes.

“If he should show up, you’re to come and get me, or any of my friends.”  Buffy orders, her eyes serious.  “We won’t let him hurt you again, Tara.  We fight evil.”  Buffy growls out the three words deeply.  Shaking off the anger working through her, she urges Tara to start walking again, heading into the high school. 

Tara looks cautiously at the shorter blonde as they make their way inside the high school.  Finally allowing a small smile to cross her face at the thought of her father coming up against this little spitfire. 

Buffy strides into the library, Tara beside her, as she looks around, not seeing Giles, she listens and hears him in his office.  “If you would like to sit down, I’ll grab Giles.”  Buffy smiles gently at the Wicca and points to the large table, watching as Tara nods and quickly pulls off her book bag and sits down, her nervousness obvious.  Sighing quietly as she wonders how long Tara’s father had abused the two women, Buffy shakes off the thoughts as she feels the fire of anger starting to surface again.  Dropping her book bag on the table, she quickly strides towards Giles’ office. 

Giles looks up in surprise at Buffy coming into his office.  He looks at the clock and blinks at the time.  “Is there something wrong?”

“No.”  Buffy smirks at her watcher.  “But you’re probably going to have a mini freak.  Come out here, I believe you met her yesterday, but I believe you need a better introduction.”  Buffy spins around and walks out of the office, leaving a bemused and curious watcher to follow.

“What in the world are you talking about, Buffy?”  Giles questions as he looks up, seeing the blonde girl that Willow had brought in the day before to get her books for school.  Seeing a shy smile before she dips her head and her hair slides to cover her face, Giles turns questioning eyes on Buffy.

Buffy sighs softly and shakes her head at the watcher.  “Later.”  She whispers before striding up to stand protectively beside the Wicca.  “Giles, I want you to meet Tara Maclay, Wicca extraordinaire that can be a big help in our fight against the evil here in Sunnydale.  She’s quite good with throwing fireballs, and levitating stakes to kill vampires with.  Plus, I have it under advisement that there are a lot of other things that she can do.”

Giles yanks off his glasses, wiping them furiously as he clenches his jaw.  “How the…  Exactly when did this come about?”  Giles finally questions, his eyes narrowed on Buffy. 

“Last night.”  Buffy smirks and looks down at Tara, seeing her obvious nervousness and seeing the slight fear crossing the Wiccan’s face.  Looking back at Giles, she sees the anger in his stance and realizes that Tara does, also.  Crouching down beside Tara, she places a calming hand on the Wicca’s thigh.  “He won’t hurt you, Tara.  He’s angry but he’ll never raise a hand to either one of us in anger.  He has that uncontrollable urge to keep my calling a secret and that’s what has him irritated.”  Buffy explains, in a soft soothing tone, looking up into blue eyes that have locked with hers.  Seeing the fear slowly retreat in the blue depths, Buffy smiles softly and gently squeezes the thigh under her hand before standing.  Turning a warning glare on Giles, she narrows her eyes at him. 

Giles swallows slightly and backs up, seeing the look in Buffy’s eyes, along with the words the slayer had said to the young blonde, his eyes seeing the blonde in a different light.  In realization that the young woman had obviously been abused, he growls quietly and shifts his head and looks away to get his own anger under control.  As far as he’s concerned anyone that would abuse a woman or a young child is the lowest form of scum in the world, even below the vampires and demons that they fight to eradicate from this world.  Taking a deep calming breath, he smiles gently at the young woman.  “So, you’re a Wicca and know about the demons in the world?”

“Y-yes.”  Tara bites her lips as she sees the greenish-blue eyes warm and soften towards her, the gentle smile relaxing her slightly.  “Mama and I are b-both Wicca’s.”

“Hereditary?”  Giles questions, surprised.

“Yes.”  Tara blushes and looks down.  “All the w-women in my f-family are Wicca’s.”  Tara explains softly, slowly raising her eyes back on the Watcher.  “We knew of the s-slayer and the H-Hellmouth before B-buffy told us.  We didn’t know Buffy w-was the slayer, though.”  Tara looks up to Buffy, a quick smile crossing her face at the slayer. 

“How did you two run into each other?  It wasn’t yesterday here at school, was it?”  Giles questions, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“No.”  Buffy chuckles and sits down beside Tara.  “It seems our mothers went to college together and Tara’s mom did a locator spell to have a friend she could talk to.  Then they came here.”  Buffy gives a shortened version of what happened, smirking at Giles. 

Giles sits down across from the two women, looking intently at the blonde Wiccan.  “We can always use another person for research and an adept magic user would definitely come in handy at times.”

Tara looks from Giles to Buffy and back again.  “If I can be of h-help, I’d l-love to.”  Tara admits, smiling shyly.

Giles looks at Buffy with a raised eyebrow.  “I’m assuming that’s one of the reasons you brought her here to be introduced?”

“Partly.  And just to let you know that they knew about the happenings here in Sunnydale.  We took out a total of five vampires last night.  You can add that to your count.”  Buffy looks up at the clock, having heard the other students starting to run up and down the hallways as they arrived.  Smirking as she hears Willow and Xander coming down the hallway.  “Wills and Xan are here.”  Feeling Tara tense beside her, Buffy turns and smiles encouragingly at her.  “You met Willow yesterday, Xander’s a good guy.”

Tara bites her lip and slowly nods her head as she glances towards the door as the two teens come barreling into the library.

Willow blinks in surprise as she sees Buffy with the new girl sitting at the table talking with Giles.  “Umm.  Hi, guys.”  Willow grins cautiously.

“Hey, Buff.  G-man.”  Xander grins at the two, before his eyes light on the blonde.  “What do we have here?”

“Be nice, Xander.”  Buffy growls quietly, her eyes serious.  “This is Tara.  Tara, you already met Willow, the other one is Xander.  Xander, Willow, this is Tara, she’s in the know.”  Buffy smirks at the surprise showing on both their faces.

“She knows?”  Willow blinks in surprise, her eyes landing back on the blonde in surprise.  Seeing the light blush cross her face, before she hides behind her hair again.

“She’s a Wicca, and will be helping us out.”  Buffy unconsciously reaches for the blonde, rubbing her back gently.  “So we have another person in the fight against evil.”

“Cool.”  Xander smirks, then frowns as the first warning bell rings.  “Darn.  Got to get to class.” 

“See not that bad.”  Buffy smiles at Tara and stands, grabbing her book bag.  Watching as Tara slowly stands and nods, looking down.  “Join us for lunch.”  Buffy orders softly as they walk out of the library, the group splitting up to go to their different classes.

“O-okay.”  Tara stares bemusedly after the slayer as Buffy and Xander head towards their first class.

“You’ll get used to it.”  Willow smirks as they turn down the hallway, walking together until they have to split off to their different classrooms.  “See ya’ later!”  Willow waves and bounces into her classroom.

“Strange.”  Tara allows a quick smile to cross her face at the group of people that had so quickly and willingly took her into their group, before frowning as she realizes she’s going to be late for class if she doesn’t stop daydreaming.

***

Tara blushes lightly as she sits down at the table as the group of friends pick on each other mercilessly.  Watching as a beautiful brunette woman with a small entourage of other women behind her approaches the table, she glances at Buffy as she groans.

“Cordy and the Cordettes.”  Buffy looks across the table at Tara.  “Ignore her, she’s the head bitch of the bitchettes.” 

Tara allows a small smile to cross her face before she looks down at her tray of food, gently picking at the food.

“Oh, look!  It’s the loser brigade…  With an all new loser.”  Cordelia wrinkles her nose in disgust at the group.  “You guys really are pathetic.”

“Cordy, why don’t you and your bleached blonde bimbos go find some other poor kids to pick on.  You’re not doing any good here.”  Xander grumbles, narrowing his gaze on the cheerleader. 

Cordelia snorts delicately as she looks at Xander.  “Like I would listen to you!  Part of the dweeb brigade.”  Cordelia sticks her nose up in the air as she and the other cheerleaders make their way to another table.

Tara watches curiously as the woman leaves, before glancing back at the rest of the group. 

“So… dating anyone?”  Xander asks, grinning hugely at the new member of the group.

Tara blushes darkly looking down and shaking her head.  “N-no.” 

“Xander!”  Buffy grumbles, smacking him on the shoulder.

“OW!  That hurts.”  Xander whimpers as he rubs his shoulders.  “I was just seeing if she was dating anyone, what’d I do wrong?”

“You’ve just met her today and are already hitting on her!”  Willow grumbles quietly, looking at the young man.

“Well…”  Xander blushes lightly and shrugs his shoulders.  “I can’t help it!”

“Geeze!!  She just moved here over the summer, and hasn’t had a chance to meet anyone, give it a rest.”  Buffy warns quietly.  “So, what are we doing tonight?”

“Bronze?”  Xander questions eagerly.  “I mean, what else is there besides the whole pat…”  Xander looks around before lowering his voice.  “Besides doing the whole patrol thing, and Bronzing, we don’t have a hell of a lot here in Sunnydale to do.”  Turning to look at Tara, he grins engagingly at the blonde.  “Have you had the pleasure of visiting the Bronze yet?”

Tara shakes her head as she continues to look down at her lunch.

Buffy watches the blonde, feeling her heart go out to the shy woman, especially with knowing what happened to her.  “The Bronze is a local hangout/bar type place.  They have live bands on the weekends and DJ’s during the week.  We usually just dance, talk and have a good time, if you’d like to go.” 

Tara glances up quickly before shaking her head.  “I don’t think s-so.  Not r-right now.”  Tara whispers quietly, looking back down.  “Th-thank you, though.”

Seeing Xander is about ready to open his mouth again, Buffy shakes her head vehemently.  “Okay, Tara.  But be warned that we’re relentless.  You will be going with us sometime in the future.” 

Tara blushes and nods her head.  “Maybe.”

Buffy sighs quietly, before turning to glance at Willow, bumping shoulders with her.  “And I thought you were shy when we first met.”  Buffy jokes.

Willow smiles quickly.  “I would have never thought that was possible.  At least she didn’t have Cordelia telling her about visiting the softer side of Sears.”

Buffy moans loudly.  “God, she was such a bitch!!”

“What do you mean was?”  Xander blinks at Buffy grinning at her as the three busts out laughing.

Tara allows a small smile to cross her face as she looks at this group of people.  Not used to the joking, and obvious closeness of the group, she straightens slightly as they seem willing to accept her as she is.  Tara considers the slayer, realizing the woman had appointed herself her own personal protector for some reason, blushing lightly, Tara picks up her milk, sipping it as she glances at the clock.  Realizing there isn’t much of their lunch hour left, Tara quickly works on finishing her lunch, knowing her mother will be upset if she doesn’t eat.

“Tara, if you want to, we meet after school in the library.  Talk over what’s happening, what needs to be done, that type of thing.”  Buffy explains, without going into details so everyone else around them wouldn’t think her nuttier than they already did.

Tara nods her understanding.  “Okay.”   Quickly finishing her lunch, she sighs quietly in relief as the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. 

“And off we go… to supposedly learn.”  Xander grumbles.

“If you would actually open your text book, you might learn something.”  Willow points out as she gathers her books and her lunch tray.

“Why should this year be any different than any other year?”  Xander blinks in surprise.  “I’d shock the teachers if I actually did what I was supposed to do.”

Willow groans loudly, kicking Xander in the leg as they stand up, heading towards the trash cans, harassing each other.

“Here, I’ll take yours with mine.”  Buffy offers, quickly adding Tara’s trash to her tray before sliding the empty tray under hears. 

“Thank you.”  Tara blushes as she slowly stands, shifting her book bag over her shoulder. 

“Not easy getting around with a broken wing.”  Buffy winks, smiling.  “If you stay after, you can use the phone in Giles’ office to call your mom and let her know where you are.”

“I w-will.  Thank you, Buffy.”  Tara smiles softly at the young woman. 

“No need to thank me.”  Buffy shrugs.  “Better hurry up before you’re late.”  Buffy grins as the warning bell rings.

“Oh, shoot!”  Tara’s eyes open wide before she takes off at a quick pace.

Buffy chuckles as she heads in the opposite direction to her class. 

***

Chapter 5

Joyce smiles as Dee walks into her office.  “Ready to leave?”

“Yes.  Tara will be coming home with Buffy after school today.”  Dee leans against the doorframe, smiling at her friend/boss.  Remembering how Joyce had offered her the job as a buyer after promising they would be able to keep whatever happens personally separate from business.  Having been working for Joyce the last couple months, learning the business, finally able to use her Major in Art History and Art Appreciation for something.  Spending the time getting a feel for what Joyce was looking for, both women feeling confident in Dee’s abilities to go on this buying trip to San Francisco. 

Joyce looks at her watch.  “We have time to stop for lunch before your flight.”  Joyce offers, a small smile on her face.  Thinking about how the two of them have slowly gotten closer as they talked and got to know each other again after all these years. 

“Are you asking me out on a lunch date?”  Dianna smiles as Joyce chuckles, but doesn’t deny the fact.  Knowing that they had been working towards becoming closer, but neither one pushing for intimacy.  Knowing Joyce was worried about how Buffy would react towards her possibly having a relationship with another woman, having never told her daughter about their relationship in college. 

“Let’s hit that little Italian restaurant on the way to the airport.  I have the urge for some Chicken Parmigiana.”  Joyce grabs her purse, grinning at Dee.

“Hmmm…  Chicken Alfredo doesn’t sound bad.”  Dianna agrees, smiling back at the woman that was coming to mean so much to her, once again. 

“Italian it is.”  Joyce strides up to Dee, looking down at the shorter woman, reaching her hand out to run it soothingly down Dee’s arm.  “You know we’ll watch out for Tara while you’re gone.  Hell, Buffy’s like super protective of her.”  Joyce chuckles at the thought, before continuing.  “I think it hit Buffy pretty hard with what happened to her.  She has a hard time thinking about…”  Joyce trails off, feeling her own anger showing up at the thought of Dee’s husband. 

“I know, Joy.”  Dianna whispers, gently tugging on Joyce’s shirt.  “Let’s go, whenever you think about him you get irritated.”

“I don’t see how you can be so calm about it.”  Joyce admits as they walk out of the gallery, heading towards her Jeep, Dianna’s carry-on travel bag already in the back, since she should only be gone for three days. 

Dianna climbs in the Jeep, putting on the seatbelt as she looks at Joyce.  “I can’t dwell on it, Joy.  If I dwell on it, I’ll probably go crazy.”

Joyce starts the vehicle, pulling out to head towards the restaurant, reaching over to grasp Dianna’s hand after they’re on their way.  “I know.  It just makes me so angry to think about what you and Tara went through.  Buffy’s even worse than me about it.  I hate to say that if he should ever show up here, that we would all be lining up to knock the heck out of him.”  Joyce warns, her voice low with a hint of the anger she’s feeling. 

“And I pray that he never finds us.”  Dianna squeezes Joyce’s hand.  “Would you consider going out on a dinner date with me Saturday?”  Dianna questions softly, finally ready to take that next step with Joyce, if she’s ready.

“I…”  Joyce blinks as she pulls into the parking lot, easing her hand from Dianna’s so she can park the vehicle.  Turning the engine off, Joyce turns to look into her old lover’s eyes.  “Yes.”  Joyce finally whispers, seeing the young girl she had fallen in love with all those years ago staring out at her from the blue depths. 

“Think about where you would like to go.”  Dianna smiles, surprised when Joyce leans in to brush her lips softly over hers.  Closing her eyes at the soft, warm lips caressing briefly over hers, Dianna bites back the quiet moan trying to fight its way out of her throat. 

“You know that I haven’t told Buffy about our past relationship.”  Joyce admits softly. 

“Take whatever time you think you’ll need, Joy.  It must be hard to admit to your teenage daughter that you’d had an intimate relationship with a woman, when she’s only known you being with her father.”  Dianna reaches out to caress softly over Joyce’s cheek.  “I’ll never rush you, sweetie.”

Joyce brushes her cheek more firmly into the gentle touch.  “If it drags out for too long, promise to kick me in the butt to get me going?” 

Dianna chuckles softly.  “I won’t do that, but I might pinch it.” 

Joyce laughs as she eases out of the Jeep, grabbing her purse and the keys as Dianna climbs out, walking around to join her.  “Let’s eat lunch, then I’ll see you off at the airport.  Be sure to call the house when you get in, I know Tara’s going to be a nervous wreck while you’re gone.”

“We haven’t ever been apart before.  Not like this.”  Dianna sighs quietly, thinking about the only time they’d been apart before overnight was when one or the other was in the hospital. 

Joyce wraps her arm around Dianna’s waist hugging her gently.  “Let’s eat, we’ll take care of her.”

“I don’t doubt that one bit.”  Dianna hugs Joyce back before the two women walk into the restaurant.

***

“We’re just finding this out now, why?”  Buffy stares at the watcher, the shock obvious on her face. 

“The Council just told me.”  Giles admits, rubbing his forehead at the headache coming on.  “It seems her watcher was killed and she has disappeared.  They’re thinking she may be heading here.”

Tara purses her lips as she leans forward, having become quite used to playing peacemaker of a sort over the last couple months of living in Sunnydale and being part of the ‘Scooby’s’.  “They obviously thought she would probably b-be working on the other coast.  What happened?”  Tara glances up and narrows her gaze as Angel comes down from the stacks.  Shaking her head at the thought of the vampire, Tara remembers how he’d shown up one night while the group was on a patrol together, talking and planning on heading to the Bronze.  Buffy’s almost fawning actions over the broody vampire was enough to make her want to dust him.  When Willow, Xander and she had continued on to the Bronze, Willow and Xander explaining a little more in depth Buffy’s and Angels relationship while the vampire and slayer finished patrol and got to know each other again, Tara had to admit her feelings for the vampire were more along the line of Xander’s, but decided not to say anything.

Giles sighs quietly.  “From the information the Council was able to get, a very old, very powerful vampire captured the slayer and her watcher.  As far as they know, the watcher was killed by the vampire and the slayer escaped.  They haven’t been able to find her to catch up to the slayer, however what they have been able to deduce is that she is on her way out west.”

“So she very well could be heading here.”  Willow pipes up, looking at the watcher. 

“How old is the other vampire?  Master old?”  Buffy frowns heavily.  Glancing up as Angel sits down on the steps to the stacks, unable to help the smile that comes to her face.

“Older.”  Giles admits.  “He’s been around long enough that he has cloven hands and feet.  We don’t have any exact information on him to say how old he actually is.” 

“As far as I know he’s close to five hundred years old.”  Angel offers, glancing at the group, ignoring the daggers Xander throws his way and feeling anger at the cold blue eyes staring at him from the witch.  Confused himself as why he always seems to feel such anger towards her since they hardly are ever around each other. 

“Jesus.  Just what we need, another five hundred year old vampire.”  Xander shakes his head.  “Where is he?  Hopefully back on the Eastern seaboard.” 

Giles purses his lips and shakes his head.  “He is slowly making his way Westward.  They think he’s chasing after the other slayer.”

“Doesn’t she have a name?”  Tara questions, frowning at the lack of personal information.

“Oh, yes.  It is Faith.  Faith Lehane, she’s seventeen years old.”  Giles offers as he looks at the small group.  “From everything that we know, she has had a very traumatic experience, and life.  So, we need to keep an eye out for her, and help her as needed.”

“Do we know what she looks like or is it just going to be hope we come across her one night staking a vampire?”  Buffy complains, narrowing her gaze on the watcher as he shakes his head.

“No, we don’t have anything identifying except she’s seventeen with dark hair and dark…”  Giles trails off as he sees someone coming into the library, sighing quietly when Jenny Calendar strides in.  “Dark eyes.”  He finishes smiling at the woman. 

Jenny smiles at the librarian, before her eyes look around the group, hesitating on the vampire.  Silently wishing he had stayed wherever he went over the summer.  Leaning against the wall, she nods to the rest of the group, a small smile on her face as she takes them in.

“Great, dark hair and dark eyes is pretty common.  That’s probably only two thirds of the population in Sunnydale.”  Xander slides down more in his chair, before looking over at Tara, grinning.  “You’re not her, you’ve got blonde hair and blue eyes, so I guess we should cross you off the list, huh?”

“Xander.”  Tara smacks the young man on the shoulder, smiling.  “And you’re a man, though you do have brown hair and dark eyes, so I guess that’s two people off the list.” 

“Hey!  Someone realizes I’m a man!”  Xander puffs out his chest, grinning happily. 

Angel fights back the snarl that wants to come to his face.  ‘Figures dweeb boy and the witch would be friends.’  Looking over the group he comments before standing up.  “I’ll keep an ear open for anyone new in town.” 

Buffy watches as Angel stands, heading towards the doors as the sun had just went down.  “I’ll walk you out.”  Buffy quickly hurries after the striding vampire.

Jenny frowns heavily at the slayer’s actions, knowing she’s going to have to keep a close eye on the two before turning back to the rest of the group at the table, noticing another set of eyes not seeming happy about the relationship between the vampire and slayer.  When blue eyes come back around, making contact for a brief moment, Jenny swallows as she swears she sees a flash of recognition in their depths before they turn back to the rest of the group.  Wondering silently to herself once again, if Tara knows that she’s more than just a computer teacher/techno pagan like she tells everyone having caught the young woman watching her intently before she’d look away when she caught her.

“Is there anything w-we need to research?”  Tara questions softly as her mind swirls trying to figure out what it is about Miss Calendar that makes her believe that she’s here more than in the capacity of a teacher.  Having felt the magic coming from her a couple times before the teacher locked it away again behind her barriers. 

“No, there isn’t.  I’m going to go through my books and see if I can find out any more information on Kakistos.”  Giles runs a hand through his hair as he slowly heads back to his office.

“Well, do you guys want to go to the Bronze tonight?”  Xander smiles hopefully at Tara and Willow.

“No, thank you.”  Tara shakes her head smiling.  “I have homework that I need to do.”  Tara frowns at the thought of her mom being gone for the next three days.  Knowing that was part of her job, and the two of them had even talked about it before she’d taken the job working for Joyce.  Her mom wanting to make sure that it would be okay with her when she had to leave.  Not wanting to admit that she felt nervous about the thought of her mother being gone, Tara had told her mother there was no way that she could pass up this opportunity. 

“I guess that means we should head out.”  Willow grabs her books, standing up as Xander and Tara quickly follow suit.  “Bye, Miss Calendar, see you tomorrow.”

“Bye Willow.  Xander and Tara.”  Jenny smiles at the threesome as they head out of the library.  Heading towards the watcher’s office, Jenny leans against the door.  “You know that all work and no play makes for a very boring life?”

Giles looks up quickly, feeling tongue-tied as usual around the beautiful brunette.  “Yes, well…”  He waves at the pile of books.  “Anything I can get on this vampire could be of immense help.”

Strolling into the small room, Jenny eases her hip onto the corner of the desk closest to Giles.  “Yes, but you have to eat.  And there’s this wonderful little Thai place just two blocks away.”  Jenny hints, a small smile playing about her lips as she looks at the lightly flushed watcher.

“Yes, well, quite…”  Giles yanks off his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose.  “That sounds quite nice, in fact.”

“Good.  Then I’ll be back here in an hour to pick you up.”  Jenny smirks as she doesn’t give the watcher a chance to come up with an excuse to not go, as she quickly strides out of the office.

“Dear, Lord.”  Giles stares after the woman, sighing quietly as he wonders what the two of them have to talk about, as they both seem completely different.

***

“Do you want to go on patrol together tonight?”  Buffy smiles up at the tall vampire.

“I was planning on asking some questions around town about Kakistos and the other slayer, to see what I might be able to find out.”  Angel admits, a small smile playing about his lips as he looks down at the petite blonde slayer. 

“Well, I was kinda hoping to spend some more time together.”  Buffy nibbles on the inside of her lip.

Angel gently brushes a loose hair away from Buffy’s cheek, admitting that if he still had a heartbeat it’d probably be thundering in his chest right now.  “We’ve been over this before, Buffy.”

“I know.  You’re a vampire, I’m a slayer, it’ll never work.  But you have a soul, you’re not evil.”  Buffy points out the flaw.

“Yes, but I have murdered hundreds if not thousands of people while I was soulless.  That’s something that won’t ever change.”  Angel tries to explain.

“But you’re not that person anymore.”  Buffy presses in closer to the vampire, placing a small hand on his chest.  “Tell me you don’t feel something for me.  Tell me that you don’t want to know each other better, and I’ll leave you alone.”  Buffy looks up into the vampires brown eyes.

Angel wants to tell her that he doesn’t care for her and never will, but knowing it’s a lie and also knowing that she knows it would be a lie, he keeps his lips shut as he stares down into the smiling hazel eyes looking back at him.  Sighing at the look, Angel shakes his head.  “I’m supposed to be on the path to redemption.”

“And in what book does it say the path to redemptions means not having any relationships?”  Buffy raises an eyebrow questioningly at the vampire, chuckling before bouncing up and pressing a quick firm kiss on his cool lips.  “That’s what I thought.”

Angel growls softly at the quick caress, the two of them having worked their way closer over the month since his return.  The stolen kisses and caresses becoming more frequent.  Finally allowing himself to accept that there is definitely something between them, he wraps his hand around her neck, dipping down to kiss her firmly and deeply, giving her a hint of the passion he’s kept locked away since he was cursed with his soul. 

Buffy moans into the kiss, her hands reaching up to clasp behind the vampires neck as she kisses him back.  Blinking at the haze clouding her mind she looks into the desire filled eyes of the vampire.  “Wow.”  Buffy eases back down onto her feet from where she’d been standing on tip-toes. 

Angel hears the rest of the group coming towards the door to the front of the school, part of him wanting to stay like this to see what reactions they would get, another part not wanting to cause problems.  Easing away from the slayer, he stares at her for a moment.  “How about we meet up later?  Give me a couple hours and I’ll meet you at the Eastern gate to Restfield.”

“Okay.”  Buffy grins happily as she watches Angel spin around and disappear into the night even as she hears her friends coming out of the school, talking and carrying on. 

***

Chapter 6

“What are we going to do?”  Willow whispers softly to Buffy and Xander, keeping an eye out. 

“We’re going to do what we planned.”  Buffy states exasperatedly. 

“But shouldn’t we do something different?  We always do that.”  Xander whispers.

“Will you two stop whispering?”  Buffy grumbles, shaking her head at her two best friends.  “We’re not conspiring to kill someone here, we’re trying to plan a birthday party!”

“What did you get her?”  Xander looks hopefully from Buffy to Willow and back again, not having the slightest idea what to get the blonde Wicca for her 18th birthday. 

“Oooh, oooh.  I came across this really cool spell book at the Magic Box that I picked up for her.”  Willow bounces in her seat, her cheeks flushed with excitement.  “It has a lot of beginner type spells in it, but I think she’ll like it.  Plus she mentioned something about she wanted something like that to help me out with, so it’s kinda a two fold present.”  Willow babbles.

“Great, Wills.”  Xander rolls his eyes at his best friend’s gift, that sounds more like a gift for herself.  “What about you, Buff?” 

“Ummm…”  Buffy shifts uncomfortably.  “I kind of saw her admiring something when we went to help at the gallery one Saturday, so I bought it for her.”

“What?  What’d you buy?”  Willow questions eagerly. 

“I don’t know if I should have.”  Buffy admits quietly, looking at her two best friends.  “It just isn’t something that one friend buys for another, and I’ve been debating on whether or not to take it back and buy something else.”

“What is it?”  Xander leans forward, intrigued.

“It was a necklace with a tear-drop shaped pearlescent opal.”  Buffy whispers.  “When her eyes lit up when she saw it, I had to go back and have them put it on lay-a-way.  Mom paid it off for me, and I’ve been working extra around the house and at her shop to pay it off.” 

“Buffy, that’s a wonderful gift.  That’s her birthstone, also, isn’t it?”  Willow questions as she thinks about it.  “I thought October had two birthstones?  Opal and Tourmaline or something…”  Willow frowns at the thought.

“I know Opal is.”  Buffy nods her head.  “You don’t think it’s too much just to give to a friend?  I mean…  She’s always helping us out with research, slaying and she’s actually helped me keep my A average in math…  Nothing against you, Wills.”  Buffy winces.

“None taken.  I felt kind of left out to begin with, but after you showed me how Tara broke down the problems for you, making it so much easier to understand, I couldn’t argue the fact.  I never even thought of doing the problems that way.”  Willow blushes lightly as she remembered how she’d gotten jealous of the time Buffy and Tara were spending together, until Buffy explained and started to invite her over more frequently, letting her get to know Tara better in the interim.  When Tara had quietly offered to help teach her the basics of magic, along with respecting the magic with her mother, Willow had jumped at the chance.  Getting back on the subject, Willow shakes her head.  “She obviously likes it, and you wanted to buy it for her, that’s all that matters.  She’d be happy with a hand made card telling her happy birthday on it, and you know it.”

“I know.”  Buffy grins, relaxing. 

“Gosh.  You two got her great gifts, and I still don’t have a clue what to get her.”  Xander pouts, dropping his chin to the table. 

“You have four more days to decide.  Remember, Saturday afternoon, Tara, her mom, my mom and me are going to go out for lunch and an afternoon movie before we go out on patrol.  We’ll be at the Bronze at 7:30, so be prepared.”  Buffy taps the table, looking at her two friends.  “Angel is going to take patrol for me, so we can have some fun.”

Xander looks away, snarling his nose slightly at Angel’s name, still not able to stand the vampire.  “Where is Tara, anyway?”

“She wanted to talk to Miss Calendar about some after school tutoring or something.  I think Tara’s old school was kind of backwards when it came to computers.  And unfortunately, Miss Calendar’s class was already filled up before Tara signed up for classes before the start of the school year.”  Willow explains. 

“Will you two be able to get the decorations done?  Mom and Mrs. Maclay have already ordered the cake to be delivered there.”  Buffy grins at the thought.  “I’m glad they didn’t decide to come, though.” 

“Too weird having the adults there.”  Xander agrees, wrinkling his nose at the thought.  “Though your mom and Tara’s mom both are pretty cool.”

“They are.”  Buffy grins, thinking about it.  Happy that her mom seems more relaxed and happy now, actually getting together with Tara’s mom and going out quite frequently.  “Tara’s mom has been a Godsend.  Mom hasn’t been on my case near as much lately.” 

The other two teens chuckle as they all lean in to discuss what they have planned for Tara’s surprise birthday party.

***

Tara hesitantly stands at Miss Calendar’s door, wondering if she’s doing the right thing, having come across the information in a book, along with sketches it was too much of a coincidence that the teacher always seemed to pay an inordinate amount of attention to the vampire. 

Looking up from checking the computer programs the students were working on in her advanced computer class, Jenny smiles at the blonde Wiccan.  “May I help you, Tara?” 

Tara eases into the room, shutting the door behind her before coming to stand in front of the teacher’s desk.  Silently setting down the folder with all the information in it, Tara bites her bottom lip as she watches the differing emotions cross her face, cementing her thoughts when the woman turns deathly pale as she flips to the last page with the sketch and her personal observations.  “The one thing I can’t figure out is why you’re so interested in k-keeping track of what he’s doing.  It’s almost as if you’re afraid s-something’s going to happen.”

Jenny closes the folder, staring down at the information Tara had gathered.  “How did you…” 

“First off, I always felt your m-magical signature.  Not real strong, but definitely there and you are using it.”  Tara whispers.  “But whenever the g-group needed something magical done you never offered and went out of your way to disappear.  Mr. Giles never asks you to help with the spells, and if he knew he would ask.”  Tara’s eyes search the older woman’s eyes.  “Then there’s the way you’re always p-paying an inordinate amount of attention to him.  Even worse when he and Buffy are together.”

Jenny looks away, guiltily.  Running a hand through her hair, she sighs quietly.  “What else?”

“I came across the information on the Kalderash clan that did the original curse, and curiously enough it had that sketch in there of the woman that was killed by Angelus.  She has an uncanny resemblance to you…  Miss Calendar.  Then your coloring would qualify as Romanii, and with everything else…”  Tara shrugs looking at the teacher. 

“Did you tell anyone else?”  Jenny finally asks, slumping back in her chair as she waves to the empty chair by her desk, watching silently as Tara finally sits down. 

“No.”  Tara shakes her head.  “I want to know what’s going on, and if there’s anything I can d-do to help.”  Tara admits softly. 

“You don’t like him.”  Jenny comments. 

Tara knows it’s a statement, and not a question, but she nods her head.  “I don’t care if he d-does have his s-soul.  There’s s-something that I d-don’t like about him.”  Tara plays a finger over her skirt. 

“And it has nothing to do with the fact that you care a lot more for Buffy than just as a friend?”  Jenny questions softly and seriously. 

Tara pales slightly, before her face flushes dark red.  “No, it d-doesn’t.  She isn’t interested.”  Tara looks away after seeing the understanding and sorrow in the teacher’s eyes.  “J-just because s-someone has a soul, it doesn’t mean they’re good.”

“The demon is still within him.  It’s just locked away inside, waiting to get out.”  Jenny admits quietly.  “I think you may be seeing his demon.”

“So, Angelus can come out again.”  Tara sighs as she rubs a hand over her eyes as she feels a headache coming on.

“The curse is like most curses, Tara.”  Jenny taps her fingertip on the folder.

“There’s a clause or a trigger for him to lose his soul again.”  Tara props her elbow on the desk and drops her head into her hand.  Definitely a headache coming on. 

“One moment of true happiness.”  Jenny whispers.

Tara lifts her head to look with haunted eyes at the teacher.  “Buffy.”

Jenny nods her head.  “I think so.  I’ve been trying to keep an eye on them hopefully to break anything up between them, but…”

“You need to tell them, Miss Calendar.”  Tara looks at the woman, her eyes serious.

“I can’t.”  Jenny shakes her head.  “My Uncle has been monitoring me, if I hint to anyone about who I am or what his curse is, they’ll yank me out of here and send me back to the home country.  Tara, I have to ask you not to tell them.”  Jenny frowns heavily at the young woman.

Tara feels a wave of pain shoot through her as she winces hard.  “Miss Calendar…”

“Jenny.  I think you’ve earned it.”  Jenny offers quietly. 

Tara wraps her arms around her stomach, in a way believing with her whole heart that Buffy and Angel both need to be told about the curse.  But also knowing it isn’t her place to tell them.  “Miss… Jenny, you should tell them.  But that is your decision, not mine.  Would it be better for them to… consummate their relationship and him turn into Angelus killing who knows how many people?  Or for them to know so they don’t tempt fate?”

“Do you honestly believe it would stop them?”  Jenny winces at the look of pain crossing Tara’s face at her question. 

“No.” Tara shakes her head as she looks away.  “I guess I should head b-back to the library.”  Tara slowly stands, glancing at Jenny as the teacher grasps her hand.

“Have you thought about saying something to Buffy?  About how you feel?”  Looking into Tara’s blue eyes, she sees the answer.  “Why not?”

“I’ve seen the way she l-looks at him, Jenny.”  Tara whispers as tears slowly come to her eyes.  “I’m j-just a stuttering Wiccan that’s her friend b-because our m-mothers know each other.”  Wiping the tears away, Tara smiles tremulously at the teacher.  “I told Willow I was going to see you to h-help me out with c-computer tutoring, since I know n-nothing about them.”  Tara lifts her lip briefly.  “So, if y-you’re asked…”

“If you want, I would be willing to work with you.  Give us a chance to talk, if you want, also.”  Jenny offers as she gently squeezes the young woman’s hand. 

“Thank you, I may take you up on it.”  Tara squeezes Jenny’s hand back, before slowly easing it from the teacher’s grip.  “I’m g-going to g-go home, so if you s-see…”

“I’ll tell them you had a headache and wanted to go lie down.”  Jenny offers.  “Do you want the folder back?”

Tara shakes her head.  “Burn it.  No sense in h-having all the information in one spot f-for s-someone else to find.  Thank you, Jenny.” 

“You’re welcome, Tara.”  Jenny sighs quietly as she watches the young woman quickly leave her room.  “You are one very bright and surprisingly courageous young woman.”  Jenny looks through the folder again, chuckling at the woman’s ingenuity along with her observation skills.  “You would probably make a wonderful policewoman or private investigator.”  Jenny comments, smiling at the woman’s researching abilities.  Grabbing her briefcase, Jenny tucks it away inside before locking her desk and shutting down her computer.  Heading towards the library, she decides that tonight might be a good night for a little fire in the fireplace, and she knows what would be perfect as starter fuel.

***

Tara smiles quickly at her mom, as she comes into the house.  Looking at the dining room table set for two with candles lit and a bottle of wine chilling, she quirks an eyebrow questioningly at her mother.  “Do I need to disappear into my room?”

Dianna blushes lightly as she looks at her daughter.  “Well…”

Tara chuckles and shakes her head.  “I’ll make myself a sandwich and go.  I have a report I need to work on, anyway.” 

Dianna sighs quietly.  “Thank you, baby girl.”

“Uh, huh.  Just remember this when I have a girlfriend.” Tara winks at her mother as she heads into the kitchen, pulling out ingredients to make her sandwich.

“I thought someone already caught your eye, baby girl.”  Dianna comments softly, having seen the looks her daughter’s given the slayer.  Watching as Tara’s hands still from making the sandwich.

Tara swallows and shakes her head.  “In this case, daughter is definitely not like her mother, mama.  Plus it would be kind of weird if we both were dating them.”  Tara looks up, trying to smile, though her eyes are sad.

“There would be nothing weird about it, Tara.”  Dianna shakes her head as she leans against the counter watching Tara finish making the sandwich.  “It isn’t like we are related to the two women.”

“It doesn’t matter, mama.”  Tara clenches her jaw as she replaces the items in the refrigerator.  “She cares for that… vampire.”  Tara hesitates on the word, almost spitting it out.  Taking a deep breath, knowing the anger she feels at Angel won’t help matters, she shakes her head.  “I’m assuming things between you and Mrs. Summers has been going well.”

“We’ve been out on a couple dates, as you well know.”  Dianna allows her daughter to change the subject, knowing Tara cares for the slayer more than she wants anyone to know. 

“You’ve seemed to have gotten closer here recently, at least when she come here for dinner.”  Tara points out softly.

Dianna sighs and nods her head.  “She’s afraid to tell Buffy, baby girl.  I think she’s afraid that Buffy will be upset and disown her, or something.”

Tara looks down at her sandwich, understanding Joyce’s problem with telling Buffy.  In a way it isn’t that different from wanting to admit to Buffy that she cares for the slayer, with them both being women.  Having her mom admit that she’d had a previous relationship with Dianna and was now dating her again would probably be even harder.  “Eventually it’s going to come out.  Or Buffy’s going to be around town when you two are out on a date and catch you holding hands, hugging or kissing.”

“I know.”  Dianna crosses her arms, frowning slightly.  “That’s kind of why I’ve been insisting on Joy coming over here for dinner instead.  I don’t want to tempt fate until she’s ready to let Buffy know.”

Tara looks up as the doorbell chimes.  “Let me go to my room.  Have a wonderful dinner, mama.” 

“Thank you.”  Dianna whispers to her daughter as Tara grabs her plate and a soda, leaving the kitchen.  Taking a deep breath, Dianna smiles softly as she heads to the front door.

***

Chapter 7

Joyce smiles at the sight of Dianna as she opens the door.  Quickly walking into the house, Joyce pulls the woman into a tight hug.  “I’m going to have to tell Buffy soon.  This is driving me crazy.”  Joyce admits, speaking softly in Dianna’s ear.

Dianna chuckles and hugs Joyce firmly, placing a soft kiss on her neck.  “Might want to wait until after Tara’s birthday party, though.”  Dianna smiles softly as she eases back from the taller woman, reaching up to stroke a finger gently down Joyce’s neck.

“That’s a definite.”  Joyce inhales quietly at the loving touch, watching Dianna intently. 

“I have dinner prepared, and a nice bottle of white wine chilling.”  Dianna leads the way into the small dining room, stopping as arms wrap around her waist, pulling her back against Joyce.

“Dee…”  Joyce whispers softly into the woman’s ear that she’s realized she never stopped loving.  Allowing Dee to turn in her arms, Joyce looks into loving blue eyes.  Groaning quietly, Joyce dips her head down to capture Dee’s lips in a soft, exploring kiss. 

A low whimper escapes Dianna as Joyce kisses her.  Wrapping her arms around Joyce’s neck, Dianna returns the soft exploration, pressing into the taller woman’s body, enjoying the feeling of being pressed against her old lover once again. 

Joyce slowly ends the kiss, her hands clenched around Dianna’s waste as she blinks to try and get control of the desire flaring within her, knowing that it won’t take much to flame it into a major inferno.  “Maybe dinner would be good.”

Dianna slowly nods her head, in silent agreement knowing that both women had been slowly working their way to being more physical in their relationship, the touches coming more often and easily.  As the exchange of kisses were being snuck in whenever possible, almost having been caught at Joyce’s house by Buffy one night. 

Joyce sits down at the table, inhaling the smell of the marinated chicken breasts with steamed vegetables along with rice pilaf.  “It looks and smells wonderful, Dee.”

Dianna smiles softly as she pulls the wine out of the chiller, pouring a half glass for both of them, before placing it back in the ice bucket, sitting down to look at Joyce for a few moments.  “It’s getting harder, isn’t it?”

Joyce places the napkin across her lap before slowly nodding.  “I want to be able to hold your hand and kiss you whenever I want, Dee.  I don’t want to have to watch what I do anymore.  If we’re at my house having a movie night with the girls and I want you to snuggle up against me, then I want to do it!”

“I don’t know how Buffy will react, but maybe waiting until after Tara’s birthday party would really be for the best.  I don’t want anything to ruin this first actual party she’s had.”  Dee whispers softly, her eyes troubled.

Joyce reaches across the small table, grasping Dee’s hand.  “I’ll wait, I promise.” 

Dianna relaxes and smiles at Joyce.  “Are we still having a quiet night here while the kids are at the Bronze?” 

Joyce allows a small sexy smile to cross her face.  “I don’t know about how quiet it’ll be…”

Dee chuckles quietly.  “Why, Joy!  I would almost think you might have naughty plans for Saturday night.”

“Then you might be thinking right.”  Joyce wiggles her eyebrows, the sexy smile turning into a wicked grin. 

Dee whimpers quietly, the gleam in Joyce’s eyes a definite give away as to what the woman is thinking.  “Eat, Joy.”  Dee finally whispers, trying to get her mind on less… interesting and vivid thoughts.

Joyce chuckles quietly before slowly cutting into her chicken breast.  “Where’s Tara?”

Dianna sighs softly, thinking about her daughter.  “She’s hiding out in her room to give us privacy.” 

“Does she have any idea about Saturday?”  Joyce questions curiously, frowning as she sees the sad look on Dee’s face.  “Dee?”

“Sorry.”  Dianna smiles quickly, shaking her head.  “She doesn’t have any idea, as far as I know.”

“What was the sad look for?”  Joyce sets down the silverware, giving her full attention to the woman that has become a big part of her life again.

Dianna looks down at her plate for a few moments, before looking back up at Joyce.  “Let’s just put it this way, I’m not the only one in love with a Summers’ woman.” 

Joyce stares stunned at Dianna, letting the words rattle around in her brain.  Dianna’s in love with her.  Smiling at the thought, she blinks as the rest of it starts to make sense.  “She…  Buffy?”  Joyce frowns heavily. 

“Yes.  But she believes it’s hopeless.”  Dianna admits quietly.  “Buffy loves that vampire.”

“Angel.”  Joyce let’s her nose snarl slightly at the thought.  “Has Tara said anything?”

“No.  And she won’t.  She would rather suffer in silence, than say something and possibly lose Buffy’s friendship.”  Dianna picks at her meal, suddenly not having an appetite any more.  Setting her fork down, she picks up her wine glass, taking a sip.  Watching as Joyce seems to be lost in internal thoughts. 

“Buffy’s never given me a hint that she would be interested in women, Dee.  But she also seems very protective of Tara.  I just joked the other day about how I missed the fact that Tara didn’t really stutter anymore.  I actually think of it as an endearing quality, when Buffy about jumped down my throat saying it was a good thing.  That Tara was more relaxed and comfortable, coming out of her shell and that I was cruel to want her to stutter again.”  Joyce sighs as she focus’ back in on Dee. 

Dee chuckles quietly.  “Tara hates her stutter.  She’s slowly becoming more relaxed and less self-conscious.” 

“She’s doing great…”  Joyce trails off as she hears the phone ring.  Silently watching as Dee jumps up to get it.  Looking into the living room, she looks curiously as Dee answers the phone, before setting it down in a device Joyce had noticed before, but didn’t know what it was. 

“Tara!  Justine’s on the phone.”  Dianna calls out to her daughter, as she types into the TTY machine, thankful that her niece had thought to buy and send one after the fiasco of trying to use the Relay Person the last time she called.  **J, Tara’s coming.  How r u? GA** 

**Fine.  U?  Settled in?  GA**  Justine types back, smiling. 

**Yes.  We owe u big time.  GA**  Dianna looks up as Tara comes to stand beside her. 

**No owe.  But favor?  GA**  Justine punches in, pursing her lips lightly. 

**Anything.  GA**  Dianna types back.

**Can I come for Xmas?  Don’t trust going home…  Would end bad.  GA**  Justine types, sighing quietly, hoping Dianna understands.

Dianna unconsciously leans against Tara as her daughter wraps her arm comfortingly around her waist.  “Feel like sharing your room, baby girl?”

“I’ll sleep on the couch, if she wants the bed to herself.”  Tara admits quietly.  Tara leans forward and starts typing.  **Come and stay however long you want.  We love you.  T… GA** 

Dianna kisses Tara softly on the temple.  “Go ahead and talk with her, I’ll finish eating, baby girl.”

“We won’t be long, you know she doesn’t like to type more than she has to.”  Tara looks up, grinning crookedly at her mom.

Dianna chuckles and nods, before taking the couple steps to be in the dining area of the small house, noticing the curious look on Joyce’s face, Dianna shrugs.  “Justine is deaf.  We have a TTY machine to communicate with her after the last Relay Person we used was bit of an idiot.” 

“TTY?  Relay person?”  Joyce blinks, not understanding the words.

“TTY is a Teletypewriter.  You type in a message and it shows up on the other machine at the other end of the line.  A Relay Person is like an operator that has a TTY machine and would take Justine’s messages and repeat them aloud for us to hear.  We would respond, and the Relay person would type it into the machine.  Last person we had only relayed about half the conversation and most of it didn’t make any sense whatsoever.”  Dianna explains quietly. 

“I didn’t know Justine was deaf.”  Joyce sits back, kind of surprised.  “Isn’t she the one you said was in the Navy?”

“Yes.”  Dianna sighs quietly.  “She had to practically threaten to sue the government for discrimination for them to allow her in.  After she proved herself… after about two years, they actually use her quite a bit around the world.  Most people overlook and will do or say something in front of someone they know can’t hear.  She’s great with body language and reading lips.” 

“Is she a Wicca like you and Tara?”  Joyce starts to eat again, relaxing slightly. 

“Yes and no.”  Dianna chuckles softly.  “She has the power, but she’s never tapped into it.  Though she does use it to sense people around her.  She’s my niece, but she’s really a strange woman.”  Dianna grins slightly.  “She’ll admit it also.  The main reason she wanted to go into the Navy was just to prove that she could do it.  She’s been in for six years now.  From what I can gather, she never spends any of the money she’s earned, except for what she gives to her family.”

“Is she planning on making it a career?”  Joyce sips her wine.

“No.  At least she wasn’t the last time we talked.  She’s planning on getting out after this rotation.”  Dianna glances up as Tara hesitates behind Joyce. 

“She’s on a two month leave starting two weeks before Christmas.  She’ll get us the particulars on when she’ll be flying in when she has them.”  Tara’s smile is so huge it’s almost blinding.

Joyce stares at Tara, the smile showing how beautiful the young woman actually is. 

“Obviously you can hardly wait.”  Dianna chuckles as Tara blushes lightly. 

“It’s been years, mama.”  Tara scuffs her toe in the carpet as she thinks about her cousin.  “She was always there for me when I was growing up.”

“I know, baby girl.  She was more like a sister to you than a cousin.”  Dianna states softly.

Tara nods, smiling at her mom.  “I’ll leave you two to your dinner.  Thanks, mama.”

Dianna watches as Tara heads back to her room, a decided spring to her walk.  “Tara used to idolize Justine when she was little.  It about broke her heart when Justine joined the Navy and went away.”

“Tara would have been twelve when Justine went into the Navy?”  Joyce does the figuring in her head, seeing the nodding confirmation from Dee. 

“I know we haven’t really spoken about it, but what do you want to do for Thanksgiving and Christmas?” 

Dianna purses her lips and tilts her head at the woman she’s come to care so much for, again.  “I guess it depends on what’s happened or happening come that time.  But I would definitely like to spend them with you.”

Joyce allows a small smile to cross her face.  “That’s something we agree on.  My house is bigger and we usually invite Xander, Willow and Giles for the holidays.” 

“That’s fine, just let me know what you want me to make, and I’ll bring it.”  Dianna relaxes again, working on finishing her dinner, before picking up her wine glass to sip it slowly as she watches Joyce as she almost automatically eats. 

“I’ll have to think about it.  I’m so used to having to do all the cooking…”  Joyce shrugs, grinning.  “Maybe we can get together and make up a menu, plan it out and split things up.”  Shaking her head, she laughs quietly.  “Why am I so worried about this now, we’ve just over a month before Thanksgiving!”

“It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead, that way if we think of anything else, we can add it.”  Dianna stands and quickly gathers the dirty dishes, heading into the kitchen she sets them in the sink, preparing to run the water when she feels Joyce gently press against her back.

“Leave them for later.”  Joyce orders softly, wrapping her arms around Dee’s waist and pulling the woman against her firmly.  Dipping her head to nuzzle into Dee’s neck, Joyce allows her fingers to stroke softly over the shorter woman’s stomach, smiling as she receives a quiet sigh in response.  “We’re not young women anymore, Dee.”

“No, we’re not, Joy.”  Dianna swallows as she feels one of Joy’s hands wiggling its way under her top to stroke over bare skin in tiny, arousing circles.

“But we’re not so old that we should be put out to pasture, either.”  Joyce points out, smiling softly at the low groan she receives from Dianna.  “And I don’t know about you, but I believe I have rediscovered my sex drive here these last few months after it took a very serious vacation.”  Joyce presses a hot kiss at the juncture of Dee’s neck and shoulder.  “Then again, you could always arouse me with a simple look or touch, couldn’t you?”

“Trust me, it wasn’t… isn’t a one way street.”  Dianna whispers, closing her eyes and tilting her head to allow Joyce freer access to her neck. 

Joyce gently turns Dee around in her arms, brushing her lips softly against Dee’s before ever so slowly deepening the kiss, allowing her caring and love to show through the caress.

Dianna buries her hands in Joyce’s hair, groaning quietly into the kiss even as she returns every gentle stroke and caress, the two women slowly easing back to soft brushes.

As Dee buries her face in her neck, Joyce runs her hands gently up and down her once lover’s back.  Realizing that the heat, love and desire are definitely still there.  But without the rushed, have to have it now, feelings that they used to deal with.  Smiling as she realizes it was part of their youth and lack of control that made everything so rushed, Joyce presses a soft kiss against Dee’s head. 

“I always wonder what might have happened if we’d stayed together.”  Dee smiles softly as she brushes her cheek against Joy’s shoulder.  “Then I realize I wouldn’t have Tara, and you wouldn’t have Buffy.  Those two young women make what happens worthwhile, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I do.” Joyce sighs quietly, hugging Dee tightly to her.  “How do you feel about curling up in front of the television and making out like a couple teenagers for a while, until I need to go home?”

“I say let’s go.”  Dianna chuckles as she pulls Joyce towards the living room.

***

Chapter 8

Buffy smiles as she and Tara work their way towards the Bronze under the ‘guise’ of doing a patrol.  “So the movie wasn’t that bad.” 

Tara chuckles quietly as she glances at the slayer.  “You j-just prefer to watch action instead of love stories.”

“What can I say?  I’m an action kinda girl.”  Buffy tucks her hands in the pockets of her light jacket.  “So, does it feel different being eighteen?”

“Not really.”  Tara shakes her head looking out at the night.  “Just another year gone by.”  Tara admits softly.

“Hopefully this year will be the best year yet.”  Buffy comments quietly, Tara having opened up some to what had happened with her father and the beatings both her and her mother had received from the man. 

“I believe it will.”  Tara smiles as she looks over at the slayer, letting her eyes linger for a moment on the beautiful girl… no woman.  Though Buffy may be only sixteen, almost seventeen, she is definitely a woman.  Sighing quietly, Tara looks back to the direction they’re walking.

Buffy tilts her head and looks at Tara as she hears the quiet sigh come from the Wiccan.  Silently wondering what the woman’s thinking about with the somewhat sad look on her face.  “Come on, the Bronze is only a couple blocks from here.  Let’s go dancing.”  Buffy threads her arm through Tara’s, urging the woman to a faster pace than they had been walking, smiling as Tara laughs, loving the melodic sound.

“I don’t know about me dancing, but we can go for a while.”  Tara walks quicker to keep up with the slayer, the two women laughing quietly into the night air, unaware of the dark eyes following them.

***

Angel silently follows at a distance from Buffy and Tara, his eyes narrowed on the blonde witch.  Not liking the sight of the woman and Buffy out together, knowing how Tara feels about his slayer.  It was obvious with every love sick look she casts her way.  His demon railing that the slayer is his behind the wall that is his soul, keeping the demon somewhat in-line.  Never wanting to admit to anyone that the baser, darker instincts of the vampire are something he fights with every day.  The soul more like a guide and conscience that helps him keep to the right side of the law, per se, but knowing in the hidden part of his mind that it wouldn’t take much for him to become an evil killing machine again, soul or no soul.

Angel finally heads off in another direction as the two women approach the Bronze, needing to find something to take his frustrations and anger out on as the ringing of the shared laughter of the two girls continues to play in his mind.

***

Tara laughs even as she blushes as the group that she’s slowly become a part of all wish her a happy birthday.  The small group having taken over the top part of the Bronze, decorating it and even a huge birthday cake with the prerequisite eighteen candles being lit on it. 

“Come on!  Make a wish and blow out the candles for it to come true.”  Buffy jokes, gently rubbing a hand over Tara’s back.

Tara’s smile stays in place even as her eyes become serious as she looks at the slayer.  Nodding her head as she knows what she wants, Tara turns back, silently sending a prayer to the Goddess as she leans down and blows out the candles. 

“Let’s eat!”  Xander calls out, handing the cake knife to Tara as he stands there holding one plate, grinning at her.  “First dibs on the first dance.”  Xander wiggles his eyebrows at her.

“Xander.”  Tara gently bumps into the young man, liking him immensely. Thinking that he’s what she wishes her brother had been like.  Quickly cutting a large piece of cake, she slides it onto his plate and winks at him.

“Oooh.  See, she does like me.  Look at this piece of cake.”  Xander shows the piece, before groaning as Buffy snatches it from him.  “Buff, that’s not right!”

“Sorry, Xan.  That’s for me.”  Buffy laughs as she grabs a fork and settles over at a table watching as Tara quickly slides pieces of the cake for Xander and Willow before taking a small piece for herself, the group around a table, everyone chatting over everyone else.

“How long has this been p-planned?”  Tara questions softly, looking at the slayer as Willow and Xander get in an argument over some band that sometimes plays there. 

“Hmmm.   A little while.”  Buffy admits, smiling at the Wiccan.  “Did we pull it off, or did you have an idea?”

“No idea whatsoever.  Thank you.”  Tara whispers as she gently cuts a piece of cake. 

“No thanks necessary, Tara.  It’s your birthday.”  Buffy laughs quietly as the two companionably talk as they finish their cake watching as Xander nervously stands and walks around the table.  “Uh, oh.  Looks like Xander’s looking for his dance.”

“Goddess.”  Tara blushes.  “Do I have to?”

“Yes, go and have fun, Tara.  That’s what you’re supposed to do on your birthday.  Just watch your feet.  Xander isn’t exactly the most graceful Scooby.”  Buffy chuckles as Xander scowls at her.

“Hey!  I resemble that remark.”  Xander winks as he holds his hand out to Tara.  “Please, have pity on a poor geeky Junior.  I’ll try to keep from tromping on your toes too bad.”

Tara chuckles as she stands, accepting his hand as they work their way downstairs. 

Willow settles beside Buffy.  “Was she surprised?”  Willow questions, curious at the thoughtful look on her best friend’s face.

“Yes, she was.”  Buffy smiles as she relaxes back into the chair, sighing quietly.  “We’re probably going to have to make her open the presents she eyed them like she was afraid.”

“You got that feeling too, huh?”  Willow sighs quietly, frowning as she hears Xander calling for Buffy as he comes pounding up the stairs.

Buffy jumps up and heads to the top of the stairs.  “What is it?” 

Xander pants and points down to the floor as a dark haired woman is willingly being pulled to the exit by a vampire.  “Tara said, vampire…”

Buffy grunts and eases by Xander, only touching on about a quarter of the steps as she quickly follows behind Tara who’s hurrying after the vampire and the woman.  Standing behind the blonde in shock, as they arrive out in the alleyway as the dark haired woman dusts the vampire, smirking as she flicks a speck of dust off her shirt.

Tara sighs quietly, looking over the woman as she dusts the vampire.  Looking over her shoulder at Buffy, she quirks an eyebrow.  “Faith, I presume?”

“That’s what I’m thinking.”  Buffy nods her head, turning her gaze back to the dark-haired slayer who’s staring at them with her arms crossed over her chest in a defensive gesture.

“Yeah, my name’s Faith.  What’s it to you?”  Faith growls angrily, her eyes flashing as she looks at the two blondes, allowing her eyes to trail over them as she wonders who the two girls are.

Tara tilts her head down as she shifts uncomfortably on her feet, not knowing right now what to say to the angry slayer.  Not able to stop reading the slayer’s aura as it practically bombards her with her anger, pain, fear and hatred. 

“I’m Buffy.”  Buffy raises an eyebrow at Faith, waiting silently if she knows about her, watching as a quick look of shock comes over her face before Faith schools her features behind a snarl.

“You don’t look so tough.”  Faith growls as she goes to push by the two girls to head back into the bar.

Tara shrinks and whimpers quietly at the rough treatment as she gets pushed into the outside of the building.

“Damn it!”  Buffy growls angrily, seeing Tara’s reaction.  Snatching the dark-haired slayer’s arm, she spins her around and blocks the quick punch, slamming Faith against the wall a couple feet from Tara.  “You have an attitude.  I don’t know why, and truthfully, I don’t care why.  But my friend here doesn’t deserve to be pushed into a damned wall!  You don’t know either one of us, and you’ve got a chip on your shoulder that I will be more than willing to knock off.”  Buffy presses her forearm across the other slayer’s upper chest, keeping her against the wall as her eyes flash angrily.  All she knows is that the woman had scared and possibly hurt Tara, and she did NOT like it.

“Buffy… don’t, please.”  Tara begs softly, moving behind the slayer, placing a soft hand on Buffy’s arm, though she stares at Faith, seeing a kindred spirit in the dark-haired slayer as she sees a flash of fear and slight cowering in her demeanor before she stiffens and jerks away from Buffy. 

“Yeah, well, whatever.”  Faith growls, her eyes caught once again by sad blue eyes, not knowing why but she softens her stance as she looks at the blonde.  “Sorry.”  Faith whispers to her softly, before curling her lip at the blonde slayer. 

“Don’t.”  Tara holds onto Buffy’s arm as Faith goes back into the Bronze, the waves of pain and hurt coming from the dark-haired slayer almost enough to make her buckle to the ground. 

“Tara…”  Buffy turns to look at Tara, seeing the paleness of her cheeks, she wraps an arm around her waist quickly.  “What’s wrong?”

Tara shakes her head as she swallows hard.  “She’s hurting, Buffy.  Hurting deep inside her, so deep whatever caused it has to have happened many years ago.  And she’s never been able to come to terms with whatever it is.”  Tara runs a hand through her hair, her eyes worried.  “I…  Let’s go inside.”  Tara eases away from the slayer, having to walk away before she hugs her and tells her she wants more than friendship from her, knowing that ultimately that’s all Buffy’s offering her.

Buffy drops her head slightly as she follows Tara back into the Bronze, her eyes searching for and finding the dark-haired slayer as she practically grinds herself against the guy that’s come up behind her.

Tara stands at the edge of the dance floor, watching Faith worriedly.  Glancing over at Buffy as she settles beside her, Tara shakes her head.  “I’ll be okay, Buffy.  Go ahead and have fun.”  Tara runs a hand through her hair, her mind working on about four different levels. 

“It’s your birthday, Tara.  You should be the one having a good time and having fun.”  Buffy glances out at the dance floor before looking back at Tara.

Tara smiles softly as she looks at Buffy.  “Do you want to talk to her?”  Tara reaches for Buffy’s hand and squeezes it gently.  “I think you two are more like oil and water right now.  Maybe give it some t-time.”  Tara looks upstairs quickly at their two friends looking down watching what’s happening.  “Please, Buffy?” 

Buffy grumbles quietly under her breath.  “Fine, but I’m not happy about this.  But since it’s your birthday, I’ll back off… for the time being.”  Buffy qualifies, her eyes serious.  “Both our moms will kick my ass if anything happens.”  Buffy squeezes Tara’s hand back before she heads up the stairs.

Faith watches the two women curiously, having heard the slayer saying it’s the other girls birthday.  Her eyes slowly taking in the form of the blonde standing by herself now, Faith quirks an eyebrow wondering what’s going on behind the baggy clothes she’s wearing.  Becoming bored with the guy she’s dancing with, Faith struts towards the woman.  “Come on b-day girl.  Time to have the fun.”  Faith orders, practically slithering up and down the woman, smirking as she blushes darkly. 

“Faith.”  Tara squeaks out quietly, stepping back quickly as the woman’s body slithers down her.  “Please, Faith.  D-don’t d-do this.”  Tara begs softly, her eyes showing her own pain.

“I thought you were all with the girl on girl action.”  Faith jerks her chin up to the stairs, watching as the blonde slayer glares at her from the top of the stairs, looking like she’s ready to come barreling down to them at a seconds notice.

Tara stares dumbfounded at the dark-haired slayer, not knowing what to say to the woman, before she snaps out of her fugue state.  “I-I…  N-n-no, th-that i-is… sh-she d-doesn’t…”

Faith’s eyes snap back to the woman as she hears her stutter extremely bad, really looking at the woman, unconsciously stepping closer to her, frowning heavily as the blonde seems to draw somewhat in on herself and flinch slightly.  Inhaling deeply in realization, Faith gently raises her hands and backs up a short distance.  “I ain’t gonna hurt ya’.”

Tara closes her eyes and takes a couple deep calming breaths, to get control of her fear.  Having become relaxed around her friends, she still shies away from other people’s advances and them becoming too friendly, or close.  “I-I’m s-sorry.”  Tara slowly opens her eyes, looking into worried brown eyes.  “I j-just w-wanted to t-talk to you.  To s-see if you w-want one of us t-to let y-you know where Mr. G-Giles is.  And to m-maybe help y-you out.” 

Faith watches as Tara wraps her arms around herself as she hunches slightly, frowning heavily as she continues to stutter a lot more than she did before when she was talking to Buffy. 

“My n-names Tara.”  Tara offers quietly.

Faith looks away for a minute, her emotions in an uproar as she thinks about what the woman said, having already scared the woman half to death, not wanting to do that again after seeing the obvious signs of abuse.  Having seen the look in the mirror on many occasions, though she had ended up doing the opposite of what Tara had obviously done.  She’d become louder and gave off a fuck ‘em attitude while letting the hurt and hatred simmer inside her.  As it looks like Tara had obviously crawled back inside her shell.  “Faith.”  Faith finally looks back at Tara, slowly raising her hand to the blonde, surprised when Tara accepts the handshake. 

“D-do you want t-to talk?”  Tara questions softly, her eyes searching Faith’s, seeing a need within the woman, but also seeing her battling against her own wants and desires.  “We w-want to help, Faith.”  Tara whispers.  “There’s some b-birthday cake upstairs, along w-with soda if you’d like some.  Plus, d-don’t s-say a-anything a-about Buffy or m-me.  She d-doesn’t…”

Faith’s surprised to notice that Tara’s hand is still in hers as she listens to the woman.  Slowly dropping her gaze to their hands, she raises her eyes again.  “I don’t wanna talk.  And I won’t say nothin’.”

Tara nods her understanding, gently squeezing the warm, strong hand before easing hers away.  “The p-people I’m g-going to introduce y-you to know a-about slayers.”  Tara warns softly, a crooked grin crossing her face at the look of surprise and shock on Faith’s face, allowing a quiet chuckle to escape her lips, Tara quickly hurries up the stairs.

Faith stares after the woman, before her eyes rise.  Frowning as the blonde slayer stares at her, an indefinable look on her face.  Quirking an eyebrow at the woman, Faith follows Tara up the stairs.

***

Buffy stares hard as Faith practically throws herself at Tara, ready to fly down the stairs and knock the woman out until Tara backs away quickly from her.  Watching as Faith raises her hands as she and Tara talks, in a non-threatening gesture, Buffy wishes they would speak up, since she can’t make out what they’re saying with all the noise in the bar and the distance between them. 

“Who is that?”  Willow questions seriously as she moves closer to Buffy.

“That’s Faith.”  Buffy answers curtly, her eyes narrowed on the two women as they continue to talk.  Her hand clenching on the railing, unaware of the quiet creaking as the metal gives under her grip as the two women more hold hands instead of shake.  Watching as Tara nods and says something else before dropping the woman’s hand saying something else before turning to quickly come up the stairs, a smile playing about her lips. 

“Huh.”  Willow blinks as she stares at the dark-haired woman wearing a tight tank top and leather pants, shaking her head at the obviously sexual looking dark-haired slayer to Buffy.  “Talk about complete opposite to you.” 

“Yes, I guess you can say that.”  Buffy murmurs, watching as Tara introduces Faith to Xander before bringing her towards them.

“Buffy you h-have sort of m-met, but this is Buffy and Willow.  Guys, this is Faith.”  Tara introduces, silently begging Buffy to try and be nice to the woman.

Buffy groans at the look Tara’s giving her before giving her a quick, curt nod.  “Faith.”  Buffy offers her hand, both women testing the grip, but not trying very hard as they realize they’re under Tara’s watchful eyes. 

Faith turns and looks at the redhead.  “Nice ta’ meet ya’.”  Faith nods to the two women, shifting somewhat uncomfortably from foot to foot.  “Look, why don’t I leave ya’ be to enjoy the party…”

“No, Faith.  Please…  I m-mean, at l-least have a p-piece of c-cake and some soda.”  Tara begs softly.  “Plus I w-want to g-give y-you my h-home n-number.  I th-thought if y-you called t-tomorrow m-morning, I could s-see if it w-was okay w-with m-my mama that you c-come over f-for dinner.” 

Buffy brows furrow over her eyes at the extreme stutter in Tara’s voice.  The woman only occasionally stuttering around them now.  Silently wondering if it’s just because Faith is new, or if there is more of a reason for it. 

“I…”  Faith growls quietly, trying to break the blue eyed gaze, having a feeling that whenever the woman looks at her and asks her to do something, she’s always going to give in.  Not able to break the gaze, Faith finally grumbles quietly under her breath before nodding.  “Okay, Blondie.  I’ll call ya’, but I ain’t guaranteeing I’ll come over.”

“Thank you.”  Tara grins hugely at the slayer before hurrying over to cut the cake.

Faith stares after the blonde, the smiling countenance and the twinkling blue eyes shocking her somewhat.  Feeling someone staring holes in her, Faith turns her gaze straight to the other slayer.  “What’s your problem?”

Buffy steps up to the dark-haired slayer, staring up into the dark brown eyes.  “That woman has been through hell, and so help me, if you hurt her feelings or hurt her physically again, I’ll take you down, and take you down hard!”  Buffy growls lowly, her eyes flashing with anger.  “This is the only warning I’m going to give you.  I’ll play nice… as long as you do.”  Buffy stares hard at the woman for a few seconds before turning on her heel and trotting down the stairs to head outside to cool down.  Not understanding why she has the urge to rip the other slayer to pieces, but knowing the urge became almost uncontrollable when Faith had basically pressed her body up against Tara.  “And what the fuck is up with that?”  Buffy frowns, looking up at the night sky, shaking her head.

***

NFOL - Chapters 9-16

NFOL - Chapters 17-

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