Chapter 33

 

As the trio makes their way back across Sunnydale, after a relatively uneventful night,Tara questions Buffy softly.  “Have you heard anything from Riley?” 

 

Buffy sighs quietly as she tucks her hands in her pockets, staring at the sidewalk in front of her.  “He called today.  I’m meeting him on campus.  He said he’s got some information for me.”  Buffy admits softly. 

 

“Do you need me to come with?”  Faith questions, figuring she’ll be able to talk to the Doc and leave early if need be, since she doesn’t have any ‘set’ hours yet. 

 

“No.  I’ll be okay.  Plus you’re starting your new job tomorrow.”  Buffy smiles quickly at the slayer before turning her head back around.  “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what’s going on.”  Buffy makes the offer as they turn down the street, getting closer to the subdivision she lives in.

 

“Be sure you do.  Maybe we should just plan on gettin’ together after Tare gets off work, start makin’ a plan?”  Faith suggests looking from one woman to the other.

 

“Let me see what he’s giving me as information.  Then we’ll take it from there.  I’d hate for you two to come over to only find out he’s given us a lot of shit that isn’t going to help us.”  Buffy frowns at the thought. 

 

“Whatever you think.”  Faith shrugs as they walk to Buffy’s house.  “See ya’ tomorrow, B.”  Faith smirks as Buffy heads up the steps to her door.  “Check out that book, B.  Try and get out some of your frustrations before tomorrow.”

 

Buffy blushes and growls at the dark-haired slayer before heading in the house, shutting the door a little more firmly than necessary.

 

“Rotten.”  Tara chuckles as they leave Revello Drive, working towards their apartment.  Wrapping her arm around her lover’s waist, Tara digs her fingers gently into her lover’s side.  “It’s still relatively early.”  Tara looks at her watch, smiling as she notices it’s not quite 11:00.

 

“Are you tired?”  Faith’s voice deepens perceptibly as she thinks about what she’d like to do to Tara when they get back to the apartment. 

 

“No, are you?”  Tara’s eyebrow rises as she looks at her lover, seeing the calculating look on her face.

 

“Nope.”  Faith wiggles her eyebrows and smirks. 

 

“Good.  I’m going to open myself completely to you, as the book described when we get home and see what happens.”  Tara chuckles softly as Faith pouts. 

 

“I was wantin’…”  Faith sighs and nods her head in agreement.  “Okay.” 

 

“What were you wanting, love?”  Tara questions as she looks curiously at her lover.

 

“I was wanting to spend the next couple hours makin’ you whimper, sigh, cry out and scream my name.”  Faith admits, a pout crossing her face.

 

“So, you think my opening myself to you, speeding up the arrival for you to learn the powers you’re going to be receiving, we can’t make love?”  Tara quirks an eyebrow at Faith as they walk up to their apartment building.

 

“Well, I thought…”  Faith blinks as she remembers the book mentioning they would need to be in complete accord and open to each other for the acceleration of the sharing of Tara’s gifts.  “What all am I gonna get… and is there a way for you to get my powers… I don’t think it’s fair that you’re not receivin’ anythin’ outta this deal.”  Faith admits, her brows furrowing at the thought as they walk up the stairs to their apartment.

 

“I’m getting the best part out of this, Faith.”  Tara admits softly as they unlock the door to their apartment.  Turning and locking the door behind her, Tara smiles softly at Faith.  “I have you as a friend, confidant, and lover.  That would be worth anything in the world, love.” 

 

“But I’m gettin’ that, also.”  Faith whispers, watching Tara closely. 

 

“Don’t argue.”  Tara smiles and gently urges Faith backwards towards their bedroom.  “Shower first?”

 

Faith nods her head, looking into Tara’s blue eyes.  “I did get a couple vamps, so I got some cemetery filth on me.”

 

“Need someone to wash your back?”  Tara’s eyes darken with desire as she slowly follows Faith.

 

“Always.”  Faith growls quietly, her own desire building at the look in her lover’s eyes. 

 

“Open yourself to me, love.  We can start now.”  Tara whispers as she slowly kneels in front of Faith, untying and pulling off the slayer’s shoes, smiling as she feels the slayer opening herself to her.  Slowly whispering the incantation from the book, Tara links their essences together then slowly opens the line to feed everything that she knows to the slayer.  Working on finishing taking the slayer’s clothes off, Tara places soft kisses on the slayer’s stomach even as she pushes the top off Faith’s body.

 

Faith moans loudly as she feels a tickling sensation in her brain as her lover works on giving her everything she knows even as she feels the power coming along with the knowledge as Tara places gentle kisses along her body.

 

“Go to the bathroom, honey.”  Tara orders softly, chuckling as Faith nods, turning around and heading towards the bathroom without a comment, knowing that all the knowledge and power flowing into her is distracting the slayer.  Quickly stripping, Tara sighs quietly realizing that Faith probably will be too distracted to fully enjoy making love or being made love to tonight. 

 

“We’ll just make up for it later.”  Tara murmurs as she heads towards the bathroom to help her distracted lover become clean.

 

***

 

“Babe?”  Faith whispers softly, waking Tara up early, a heavy frown on her face.

 

“What?”  Tara rubs a hand over her eyes, looking questioningly at her lover who’s staring down at her with a confused look on her face.

 

“Was that link thing only supposed to give me your Elf abilities and knowledge?”  Faith frowns even heavier.

 

“It said it would strengthen the link between us and give you what abilities I had, along with the knowledge.”  Tara blinks, yawning heavily.

 

“Then tell me why I remember me as you sittin’ in a field of wildflowers with a woman, who I’m assumin’ is your mother, pettin’ a small deer?”  Faith blinks curiously at her lover.  “Am I losin’ my mind?”

 

Tara blinks in surprise as she thinks to that time. “Was I probably roughly around seven years old?”  At Faith’s quick nod, Tara purses her lips.  “Do you remember a butterfly landing on the tip of my nose?”

 

“Yeah.  Your mom laughed… she has a musical laugh almost like yours.”  Faith tilts her head in remembrance.  “I ain’t goin’ crazy.  I’ve got your memories.”

 

“Seems that way.  There was a comment in there that whatever I know you would know.”  Tara tugs on Faith’s arm, urging her lover to curl up against her to go back to sleep.  “Is it from my earliest memories on or seems to be memories here and there?” 

 

“It’s like a movie playin’ in my head from the time you were little workin’ its way as you get older.  I guess you’re about twelve, right now.”  Faith admits.

 

Tara blinks.  “Enough for tonight.”  Tara murmurs softly, severing the download while hugging Faith to her.  “Sleep.” 

 

Faith pouts at the severing of the connection, though she still feels the other connection stronger than before.  Feeling a comfort and warmth at the realization, Faith snuggles up against Tara, brushing her cheek over the Wiccan’s breast as she slowly allows herself to fall asleep.

 

***

 

Faith snorts quietly as she fills out the paperwork as Mike harasses Julie about eating the last jelly-filled donut.  Faith looks over at the donuts left, snatching the last blueberry cake donut, smirking as Mike starts to yell at her.

 

“HEY!  I was going to eat that one!”  Mike bitches, watching as Faith lifts her head, a huge smirk on her face as she takes a huge bite out of the donut.  “I don’t like you.  TARA!”  Mike stomps from the room as Faith and Julie laugh. 

 

“You’re going to fit right in.”  Julie chuckles, plopping down in the chair to grab her coffee mug, taking a sip. 

 

“You snooze, you lose.”  Faith grins wickedly as she finishes the paperwork. 

 

“What I’m curious about is if Tara is going to come in here and get on you for Mike.”  Julie laughs quietly.

 

“Nah.”  Faith tilts her head as she listens to Tara telling Mike to get a life if he couldn’t stand up for himself.  “She knows how I am about food.” 

 

“Thanks for breakfast, by the way.”  Julie waves to the three dozen donuts that Faith and Tara had brought in. 

 

“No problem.  We got up late and didn’t have time to eat at home.”  Faith shrugs.  “Wouldn’t have been right to bring in just for us.”

 

“Mike does.”  Julie whispers conspiratorially. 

 

“Huh… and he has the nerve to bitch about not getting the donuts he wants?”  Faith smirks wickedly, a gleam in her eyes.  “What other kind does he like?”  Faith pulls the boxes over in front of her as she considers the donuts to Julie’s laughter.

 

“Are there any bear claw’s left, sweetie?”  Tara comes in carrying a stack of files and her coffee cup, placing them on the table, smiling as Faith hands her a bear claw.  “Thank you.”  Tara plops down in the chair.  “I’ll probably be spending a good portion of the morning taking care of paperwork.”  Tara glances at Julie.  “Doc Roberts is planning on seeing the majority of the patients, he wants Faith to work with him with the different animals and see how she does.”

 

“So Mike and I will be working on the labs since Josh is off today.”  Julie nods.  “Have fun, Faith.”  Julie smirks as she grabs another donut before standing and filling her coffee cup heading out of the room. 

 

“What was that for?  Doc hard to work with?”  Faith questions as she downs her own coffee, before standing up to refill her mug holding it questioningly towards Tara before filling Tara’s mug.  “Should I make another pot?” 

 

“Better.  This group drinks it all day long.”  Tara admits, smiling at her lover before finishing her donut, wiping her hands with a napkin.  “No, he isn’t hard to work with, just has a certain way of doing things.  He prefers to have whoever’s assisting him to stand on his left or across from him, keep that in your data banks and you’ll be okay.” 

 

“Okay.”  Faith blinks and shrugs her shoulders before sitting back down beside Tara.  “Did I tell ya’ how sexy I think you look in scrubs.”  Faith eyes the Wiccan who’s wearing a pair of pale purple scrubs with little puppies and kittens playing over them. 

 

Tara chuckles and looks up at her lover.  “Can’t wait to see you in a pair.  Get with Sandra she’ll place the order with the uniform company.”

 

“Do they make ‘em in leather?”  Faith questions, looking down at her leather pants, smirking.

 

“Behave.”  Tara leans over to Faith, kissing her quickly.  “Have fun.  I’m sure I’ll see you throughout the day, though you probably will be busy most of the day.”

 

“Oh, yay.  Thought I’d get to spend time with you, not the Doc.”  Faith winks.  “Love ya’, babe.  I guess I should drop this paperwork off in Doc’s office.”

 

“He’ll probably keep you when you go in there.  Our first appointment was already waiting out in the parking lot.”  Tara chuckles and winks at her lover.  “Have fun, sweetie.”

 

“Yeah, yeah.”  Faith grabs the papers along with her mug of coffee, heading out the door to Tara’s soft chuckles.

 

***

 

Faith collapses on the chair beside Tara, groaning quietly.  “I have new respect for ya’, babe.”

 

Tara looks over at her lover, chuckling at the slightly disheveled woman.  “Wearing you out?”

 

“Yeah.  Who would have ever thought dealing with animals all day would be this much work?  Damn cats are the worst.”  Faith holds up her hand where there had obviously been a deep scratch, which was already healing over with her slayer healing.  “That little monster was MEAN!” 

 

“Let me guess…”  Tara tilts her head as she tries to remember the cats coming in for appointments that day.  “Was it Cookie?” 

 

“Yes!  Evil little shit.”  Faith growls.  “Don’t know if I wanna ever trim a cat’s toenails again.  Thought it would be okay when he showed me how on that Garfield looking one… but this one was evil!”  Faith points to her hand.

 

Tara laughs quietly.  “Do you want something to drink, sweetie?  There’re water and sodas in the refrigerator, along with a pot of coffee.”

 

“Water.”  Faith stands, walking over to the refrigerator.  “Want anythin’, babe?” 

 

“I’m okay, thanks.”  Tara shakes her head as she works on typing in the information to their database. 

 

“What’cha doin’ anyway?”  Faith questions curiously.

 

“Doc Roberts just recently got this new system set up, and we’re working on inputting all the different animals and their information into the system.”  Tara smiles softly at her lover.  “Julie’s in one of the exam rooms using a computer in there with a stack and in between checking customers in and out, Sandra is punching in files, also.  With you here it helps to free us up to try and get the majority of this information in.  The guys aren’t very fast at typing.  They all pretty much use the hunt and peck system, though Julie will admit she isn’t much faster.”  Tara explains as she looks back down to the file she’s working on, typing as she talks. 

 

“Well, Doc said somethin’ about it bein’ lunchtime and that the delivery should be here soon?”  Faith questions with a little frown.

 

“Oh, good.”  Tara sighs quietly.  “I’ll finish up this file then call it quits for a while.”  Tara flips the page to continue with the animal’s shot records, before putting in the information on the stitches he’d received from where he’d cut his paw on a piece of glass.  Flipping the folder closed, Tara throws it on top of the stack she’d already punched in, lifting her arms and stretching her body with a loud moan. 

 

“Do we need to move this stuff?”  Faith questions as she hears Sandra telling the doctor that the food was there. 

 

“If the food’s here, yes.”  Tara nods as she stands, moving the laptop she was using back to it’s normal position before grabbing the stack of files she’d already inputted, taking them up front to be filed back away with the other ones entered into the system.  Chuckling as Mike and Julie bicker back and forth as Sandra locks the doors before they head towards the break room to eat lunch. 

 

“He ordered Italian!”  Mike grins hugely as he wrings his hands together as he comes into the break room, seeing Faith move the stack of files over to an unobtrusive corner. 

 

“Does he do this frequently?”  Faith questions curiously as she watches the group come in carrying different bags and items.

 

“Sometimes.  With us working extra hours to help get the system loaded and running, he’s been bribing us.”  Julie explains, chuckling as the Doctor comes in behind her.

 

“Have to.  You guys bitched too much about having to manually put in all the information.”  Doctor Roberts helps spread the food out. 

 

“Only you would get a new system that wasn’t compatible with the old one so we couldn’t just transfer the information over.”  Sandra points out as she grabs drinks from the refrigerator. 

 

“I wanted this system.  It has a lot more capabilities than the other ones.”  Doc shrugs his shoulders as he laughs.  “Plan on it being here for many, many, many years!”

 

“Thank God!  Don’t want to have to do this again anytime soon.”  Julie grumbles as she scoops some salad onto her plate before grabbing some of the rigatoni.

 

Faith watches as everyone just starts reaching in grabbing what they want, smiling as she feels Tara press softly against her back. 

 

“Get what you want, love.”  Tara murmurs softly as she sits down beside her lover, reaching for some of the salad, placing it on her plate. 

 

“Might scare ‘em when they see how much I can eat.”  Faith whispers softly into Tara’s ear.

 

“He’ll learn to order more food.”  Tara wiggles her eyebrows at her lover, smiling.

 

“Stop flirting and start eating!”  Doc tosses a packet of Parmesan cheese at the women, laughing as Faith’s hand snakes out catching it quickly. 

 

“You ain’t let me see her all day… Gotta make up for lost time.”  Faith smirks at the Doctor before scooping out some food on her plate and using the Parmesan cheese packet the doc had thrown at her on the food.  “Wanna throw me some of that crushed red pepper?”  Faith grins and catches the packets the doctor throws at her.  “Thanks.”

 

Tara chuckles quietly as she eats her salad as the rest of the group harasses and picks on each other, Faith fitting right in with the crew.  Surprised at how her lover’s acting, knowing how she used to prefer being a loner.  Silently wondering how much of it’s just the two of them being a couple, and how much of a change her memories are having on the slayer.

 

“You’re projectin’ your thoughts in my head, babe.”  Faith whispers softly into Tara’s ear, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.  “And I think it’s a combination of the two.”

 

Tara blushes lightly.  “Sorry.”

 

“It’s ‘kay.  Just thought you might like to know.”  Faith winks at her lover.  “Better eat somethin’ besides salad.”  Faith warns.

 

“Yes, ma’am.”  Tara chuckles and reaches for the chicken Parmigiana, placing a piece on her plate.  Slowly eating as everyone continues to talk and eat lunch, silently enjoying the group’s interaction and feeling of family she feels being with them.

 

***

Doc Robertson just recently

Chapter 34

 

Buffy looks around as she paces outside Riley’s dorm, the Initiative’s bunkhouse.  Glancing at her watch again, she sighs heavily.  “Ten more minutes, Riley.  Then I’m barging in and you will NOT like it.”  Buffy growls angrily, her eyes flashing as she remembers the soldier putting her off for another day, having called and left a message with her mom after she’d already left for patrol with Faith and Tara.  Shaking her head as she remembers the two women, chuckling softly about how the two women had flirted and teased each other.  Realizing how much the they enjoyed being with each other and obviously loved each other starts to fuel Buffy’s anger. 

 

Feeling the anger growing, Buffy growls and finally shakes her head.  “Maybe I should look at that book.  Getting rid of some frustrations might be of the good.”  Buffy admits quietly.  “Lord knows Riley wasn’t that good.  But all I have in comparison is one night with a vampire that I make him lose his soul, and a night with pig… I mean Parker.”  Buffy shakes her head at the realization her love life definitely leaves something to be desired. 

 

***

 

Riley hurries from the depths of the Initiative, carrying a folder with what information they were able to salvage on the experiment Professor Walsh and some of the other doctors had been doing.  Adam, from what information they had been able to gather, is indestructible.  The construct having a layer of titanium throughout his more vulnerable areas, that along with the grafts of demon parts and his nuclear power source literally made the… demon for lack of a better word, completely invulnerable. 

 

Shivering slightly in remembrance of Buffy’s ultimatum, and her complete sincerity he picks up his pace, knowing his ex-girlfriend would tear this place apart with her bare hands if she had to. 

 

***

 

Buffy snarls and heads up the steps, slamming the flat of her palm against the door, sending it slamming against the wall as she strides into the house, turning to the secret entrance to the Initiative, Buffy makes it two more steps before Riley steps out.  Seeing the soldier pale and stop in his tracks when he sees her makes Buffy smirk at the man.  Seeing the folder in his hand, she narrows her gaze. 

 

Riley feels his stomach clench and his balls draw in tight to his body in reaction to the absolutely livid look on his ex-lover’s face.  Unconsciously he steps back slightly before holding out the folder to Buffy.  “They’re packing up to leave.  We’ll be pulled out before the end of the week.  They want nothing to do with Adam, you or the Watcher’s Council.  They plan on pretty much sweeping this whole thing under the rug and act like they were never here.”

 

Snatching the folder from Riley, Buffy stares at the man.  “In other words they don’t have a fucking clue as to how to kill him, and are leaving us their shit to clean up.”  As Riley looks away, blushing, Buffy rolls her eyes.  “Get the fuck out of my town and never come back.  If I see any of you Initiative assholes anywhere near here again, I’ll personally kick your asses to the Sunnydale city limits.  Then I’ll let Faith stomp on you some, since she’s the one that almost died at Adam’s hands…  Tara probably wouldn’t mind to get a knock or two in, either, since it’s her lover, soul mate and other half that was almost killed.  Thinking about it, the list just keeps getting longer and longer, doesn’t it?”  Buffy growls angrily.  “Get out of town.  Any idea where the asshole is, and is it in here?”  Buffy questions, waving the folder around.

 

“Everything they know about him is in there.  They haven’t a clue where he’s hiding out at.”  Riley admits, stepping back quickly as Buffy takes a step toward him.  “Honest.  That’s all we know.”

 

“Goodbye, Riley.  I’d like to say there was something from our relationship that I can take away as being a positive, but thinking back on it… there’s nothing.”  Buffy states calmly and without a hint of emotion in her voice, before spinning around on her heel, leaving the stunned soldier staring after her. 

 

***

 

Tara smiles softly as she glances at Faith sitting in the chair, leaning back on the two back legs against the wall as she reads the Elf’s book in the break room.  ‘Goddess, you’re absolutely beautiful.’  Tara thinks to herself as she allows her eyes to gaze over her lover’s thoughtful face, and pursed lips.

 

“You’re doin’ it again.”  Faith comments softly as she almost reverently turns the page, not looking at her lover. 

 

Tara rolls her eyes before closing the distance to lean down and softly kiss Faith.  “Should I keep up my walls, so I don’t send you my innermost thoughts?”

 

“Nah.  I like ‘em.”  Faith smiles, looking up at her lover.  “Come back down here.”  Faith orders softly, groaning as Tara quickly leans back in, kissing her deeply. 

 

Swallowing hard before licking her lips, Tara looks at her lover.  “Anything interesting?”  Tara finally questions before walking over to the refrigerator and grabbing a soda. 

 

“Yeah, actually a lot of shit, tell you the truth.”  Faith admits, sighing heavily as her mind races at a lot of the information it divulged.  Listening intently to the sounds of the clinic, Faith quirks her lip at hearing Josh flirting with Sandra at the front desk.  “Umm.  You don’t have to wait till you’re twenty for the powers to come into full effect, if ya’ don’t want to.”  Faith admits as she flips back a few pages.

 

“What?”  Tara frowns as she drinks her soda, walking back towards Faith.

 

“There’s a clause thing-y…”  Faith finally comes across the part.  “If ya’ find your mate, and all that other shit, after you finish the sharing thing, it says here you can make your powers reach their full potential, along with your mate’s with this incantation.”  Faith points to the incantation, watching as Tara leans over her to read the section.  Sighing quietly, Faith can’t help but lift her finger to run it down the column of her lover’s throat, seeing the light red marks from where she’d gotten carried away a few nights ago.

 

“So, if we’re able to hook up again tonight, we might be able to finish the share tomorrow night.”  Tara thinks, slowly nodding her head.  “Then by this weekend, we would be at full power.”

 

“Tomorrow night?”  Faith blinks, trying to figure out Tara’s logic.  “If the night before got me to when you’re at twelve, shouldn’t we be able to finish it tonight?”

 

“I’m being on the cautious side, love.  You have to think, I’ve done a lot of learning for college classes, along with expanding my magical abilities and other things.  I don’t know how that compares to what you’ve already learned.”  Tara explains softly her eyes looking intently into Faith’s.  “And if last night hadn’t been so busy, we could have done another power share.”

 

Faith sighs quietly.  “Mike’s askin’ where you’re at.”  Faith growls quietly, before reaching up to pull Tara down for a searing kiss before releasing her lover.  “See ya’ at lunch.”

 

“Hopefully it’ll be soon.”  Tara grins crookedly at her lover, before quickly finishing off her soda, throwing the empty can in the recycle bin before heading out of the break room.

 

Faith moans quietly at the graphic images coming from her lover.  ‘No one would believe me if I told them the wicked things you think about.’  Faith mumbles internally, not realizing she’s sending the thought to her lover, not having done it before.

 

‘Now you’re sending.  Buffy would.’  Tara sends back, chuckling internally as she hears the mental yelp from her lover, before Faith puts her usual block back up.

 

***

 

Buffy picks up her coffee mug, sipping the contents as she reads over the information Riley had given her.  ‘Great, the bastard is made out of human, demon and computer parts.  His power source is uranium and his protective body is titanium.’  Buffy sighs heavily as she looks at the information.  Not seeing anything else of helpful information, Buffy slowly closes the folder. 

 

Smiling as the waitress fills her coffee cup again, Buffy opens a couple packs of sugar, dumping them in as she stirs the coffee contemplatively. 

 

***

 

Sandra glances up as the bell over the door rings, announcing a customer.  Frowning slightly when she doesn’t see any animal with the small blonde, she smiles and nods.  “May I help you?”

 

“Um.”  Buffy smiles self-consciously.  “Is either Tara or Faith here, by chance?” 

 

Sandra chuckles and nods her head.  “Yeah, they’re in the break room.  We’re getting ready to eat lunch.”

 

“Yo, B.  What’cha need?”  Faith questions coming from the back, having heard the slayer. 

 

“If you guys are getting read to eat, I’ll come back.”  Buffy looks at Faith.  “I just wanted a sounding board, more than anything.” 

 

Faith turns her head as Tara comes up behind her. 

 

“Go ahead, sweetie.”  Tara smiles softly at her lover, stroking her hand gently over her back. 

 

“Come on guys, its lunch time!”  Julie comes running up front, laughing.  “We’ve got Chinese… and a TON of it.  Doc Roberts bitched about the amount Faith put away yesterday and doubled the normal order.”  Julie smiles as Sandra mumbles something about the Moo Goo Gai Pan and runs to the back. 

 

“Why don’t we talk later, it isn’t a big deal.”  Buffy shakes her head, her eyes dragging away from the tall, black haired woman behind Tara. 

 

“Buffy, this is Julie.  Julie, this is our friend, Buffy.”  Tara introduces the two, having caught the look Buffy was giving Julie. 

 

“You can join us, if you want.  Josh and Mike actually decided to go out something about looking at some car that was for sale.”  Julie rolls her eyes.  “There should be plenty of food, as long as you don’t eat like Faith.”

 

Buffy blushes darkly as Tara and Faith both laugh. 

 

Tara, what is it with your friends eating like there’s no tomorrow?”  Julie shakes her head, her eyes watching the petite blonde.  “Come on, let’s eat.  We’ll drive Doc Roberts nutty with all the female estrogen.”

 

“I’ll get the door.  Julie, why don’t you show Buffy where to go.”  Tara watches as the two women talk quietly as Buffy follows Julie.

 

Faith raises an eyebrow as she turns her gaze back towards her lover.  “Uh, huh.”

 

“What?”  Tara wiggles her eyebrows looking at Faith as she locks the front door. 

 

“Playin’ matchmaker?”  Faith whispers extremely softly into Tara’s ear, breathing a hot breath of air across the flesh, smirking as Tara moans and shivers. 

 

“I never got a vibe from Julie before, but I thought I caught a look of interest.”  Tara admits quietly, pressing a quick kiss on Faith’s lips.  “I’m sure Buffy will be ready to smack both of us, when today’s done.”

 

“Probably.  We know she can hear us.”  Faith smirks as she follows her lover back to the break room.  Faith chuckles quietly as they walk into the room, and Buffy blushes lightly even as she shoots daggers at them with her eyes. 

 

Buffy growls quietly at the two women, before looking back at Julie, having to admit the tall woman was striking with her dark black hair, pale blue eyes and prominent features.  Internally shaking her head at the thoughts her two friends are putting in her head, Buffy sets the folder on the counter behind her as she sits down.

 

“Doc, this is our friend, Buffy.  B, this is Doc Roberts and Sandra.”  Faith points to the doctor and Sandra in turn before plopping down in a chair, sniffing at the different containers, unerringly grabbing a container of General Tso’s Chicken. 

 

“Hi.”  Buffy smiles self-consciously at the veterinarian and receptionist.  “I hope you don’t mind…”  Buffy waves a hand at the food spread out on the table.

 

“No, no.  Go ahead and help yourself.  Two of our group high-tailed it out of here, so there should be plenty.”  Doctor Roberts smiles as he grabs some sweet and sour chicken, dumping it on his plate. 

 

Everyone talks quietly as they eat lunch.  Tara grins crookedly at her lover as Faith lets down her normal block, allowing her thoughts to be known.

 

‘Buffy is definitely interested.  She don’t blush except when you’re teasin’ her.’  Faith chuckles softly as she watches Buffy blush lightly as Julie asks her if she’s seeing anyone.

 

“Actually I just broke up with my boyfriend.”  Buffy admits, her eyes narrowing on Faith and Tara, before turning back to Julie.  “We’d been having problems for a while.  The problems ended up escalating.”  Buffy shrugs, frowning.  “Kind of why I was hunting Faith or Tara out.  Wanted someone to talk about it with.” 

 

“I ain’t doin’ nothin’ today, but sitting back here and readin’.  So, if Doc don’t need me, we can head out after lunch.”  Faith offers quietly, turning her gaze towards the Doctor.

 

“I doubt it.  Today everyone was here, and we had a full day, but tomorrow should be quieter.  I may have you do like we did yesterday, that way Tara, Julie and Sandra might be able to get the rest of the patients’ information put into the computer.”  Doctor Roberts looks at the women who are groaning quietly.  “I’ll order seafood.”

 

“Okay.”  Julie perks up, grinning at the word seafood.

 

Tara chuckles and shakes her head.  “We know what Julie’s weakness is.”

 

“Yep.  I admit it.  I’m a sucker for seafood.  I’d do anything for shrimp and scallops.”  Julie licks her lips at the thought.

 

“You can have my shrimp.”  Tara winks, chuckling quietly as she hears a grunt of quiet understanding from her lover.

 

“That was in there.  I didn’t know you were allergic to shrimp.”  Faith looks at her lover.  “No shrimp for me either.”

 

“Honey, you can have shrimp.”  Tara pats Faith gently on the leg, watching Faith.

 

“Nah.  No sense in taking a chance.  I’d rather you not end up getting sick because I ate shrimp.” Faith shakes her head at Tara.  “I can live without shrimp.  Ain’t that much of a big deal.  Now if ya’ told me I couldn’t have my steak and potatoes, then we’d have to have a serious talk.”

 

Tara chuckles quietly, squeezing Faith’s leg gently.  “Eat, honey.”

 

Buffy blinks in surprise at Tara and Faith acting so open in front of the rest of the group, but what surprises her even more is that they aren’t even reacting to the two women.  Pursing her lips in consideration of the fact that some people were definitely more open and relaxed about same-sex relationships than she ever thought they would be.  More relaxed than she, herself was to begin with.  Sliding her gaze back to Julie who’s talking with Tara about one of the dogs that had come in that day, Buffy internally nods her head at the thought that she is definitely attracted to the tall woman. 

 

“B, did ya’ ask Mrs. S if she was wantin’ to come Saturday?”  Faith questions curiously.  “Or does she gotta work?”

 

“She’s going to work Saturday morning, but she’s planning on being there in the afternoon for your party.”  Buffy smiles at the dark-haired slayer, relaxing a little more, surprised when Julie offers her some more chicken lo-mein.  Accepting the container, Buffy dumps the rest on her plate.

 

“We need to call Mr. Giles and Xander, right?”  Tara looks at her lover who’s shaking her head.

 

“I called both of ‘em when we got here this mornin’.”  Faith explains as her eyes search out the containers left, snatching one up to look inside, inhaling and nodding her head as she dumps the Curry Chicken on her plate.

 

“Are they coming?”  Tara finally questions as Faith starts eating the chicken.

 

“Oh, yeah.”  Faith smiles apologetically at Tara before going back to the chicken.

 

Sandra groans as the phone rings.  “Always when we’re eating.”  She grumbles as she rolls back to pick up the extension.  “Sunnydale Animal Clinic, may I help you?”

 

Faith and Buffy both listen intently as they hear the excited voice on the other end of the phone, the crying and obviously upset person coming through loud and clear to the slayers’ ears.

 

Faith leans in to Tara.  “A dog was hit by a car.  They’re on their way here now.”

 

“Shit.”  Tara tosses down her fork, heading towards the front door, unlocking it quickly before heading back to their surgery area, starting preparations.

 

Doctor Roberts frowns as he watches Tara dash out of the room, before turning back to Sandra.

 

“A Shar-Pei was hit by a vehicle.  They’re bringing it in now.  They should be pulling into the parking lot any minute.”  Sandra explains quickly as she heads towards the door. 

 

“I’ll help ‘em bring the dog in.”  Faith offers quickly, surprised when the Doctor grabs her arm. 

 

“Grab one of the gowns and put it over your clothes, so you don’t ruin them.”  Doc orders her quickly before running out of the room. 

 

Julie sighs quietly.  “Time to scrub up.”  Standing up she pushes the intercom button on the phone.  “Sandra, don’t forget to page Josh and Mike.”

 

“Got it.”  Sandra answers quickly. 

 

“Umm… see you Saturday.”  Julie grins quickly at the small blonde before quickly heading out of the room.

 

Buffy shakes her head at the quickness of everyone splitting up to head off into different directions.  “Definitely going to be at Tara’s Saturday.”  Buffy finally mumbles as the black-haired woman’s words sink into her head, a huge smile crossing her face at the thought. 

 

***

 

Chapter 35

 

Tara rolls her neck as they finish with the dark-brown Shar-Pei.  Watching as Doctor Roberts places the last of the stitches in his side before she peels off her gloves and starts working on pulling off the rest of her surgical garments.  “Want me to have Faith come in and help us move him?”

 

“Please.”  Doc groans as he stretches his back.  “Make him up one of the air beds in the over-night room.  We’re going to have to keep a close eye on him.  I don’t know how he’ll do.”  He admits sadly looking down at the poor dog. 

 

“I’ll take watch tonight.”  Tara offers softly as she heads towards the door.  “If you don’t mind Faith coming and keeping me company for a while.”

 

“Of course not.  I can split up tonight with you.”  Doc watches as Tara shakes her head.

 

“No.  No sense in both of us being groggy tomorrow.  I’ll stay with him tonight, then when you guys get in tomorrow, I’ll head home and get cleaned up, maybe a few hours sleep before coming back in tomorrow afternoon to help with the inputting.”  Tara rolls her head around again, grunting quietly as the kink finally pops, giving her a small measure of relief.  ‘Faith, love, can you come back here?  We need your help to move the dog in a few minutes.’

 

‘Be right there, babe.’  Faith answers, frowning at the tiredness she hears in her lover’s mental words. 

 

“Don’t worry about inputting the records.  You’ll have tomorrow off, okay?  A three day weekend for you and Faith.”  Doc peels off his gloves, throwing them in the receptacle.

 

“Thanks.”  Tara grins crookedly at the doctor before heading into the room set-up for keeping the animals over-night or for recovering from surgery.  Digging one of the air mattresses out of the closet, Tara hooks up the air pump, letting the 4’x4’ mattress expand. 

 

“Hey, babe.”  Faith enters the room cautiously.  “How is he?”

 

“Not good.”  Tara smiles sadly at her lover.  “He had a lot of internal damage, along with broken ribs and a broken leg.”

 

“What’cha want me to do?”  Faith walks up to wrap her arms around her lover, hugging her tightly as she feels the air of despondency around Tara. 

 

“After I get his bed made, I’ll help you carry him in here.  I’m going to be staying here tonight to watch over him.”  Tara admits softly.

 

Faith pulls back slightly from Tara, raising an eyebrow.  “Planning on helping him a bit?”

 

Tara smiles guiltily at the slayer.  “A bit.  I can’t do a lot without them wondering, but I can make sure he lives and that everything will mend properly.” 

 

“Uh, huh.”  Faith hugs Tara even tighter.  “I’ll come by after Buffy and I patrol to keep ya’ company.”

 

“I was hoping you would.”  Tara brushes her cheek over her lover’s shoulder, feeling drained from the four hours they had spent working on the dog. 

 

“I’ll always be there for ya’, babe.”  Faith presses a kiss to Tara’s forehead.

 

“You can’t know how happy that makes me.”  Tara sighs heavily, leaning in even harder against Faith.

 

“Yeah, I can.”  Faith chuckles quietly as she strokes a hand over the back of Tara’s head.  “You blocked me while you were operatin’, but as soon as you finished, you let the block down.”

 

“I didn’t think you’d want to know and more or less see what we were doing.”  Tara admits quietly.

 

“I’ll be seeing it here soon, anyway, babe.”  Faith whispers softly in Tara’s ear as she hears someone coming towards the room.

 

“Damn.  I didn’t even think about that.”  Tara nods in realization.  “The bed’s done, let me get it ready.”  Tara eases back from Faith, turning off the pump before grabbing the sheet to put around the heavy-duty vinyl mattress.  Making sure a hanger was ready for the IV bottle Tara looks up as the veterinarian comes in. 

 

“Everything okay for you to stay here tonight?”  Doctor Roberts looks from Tara to Faith and back again.

 

“Yeah.  I gotta go do somethin’ with Buffy, but I’m gonna come back to keep Tare company later.”  Faith watches as Tara stands from where she was kneeling on the floor.

 

“Good.  I don’t like anyone being here by themselves all night.”  Doctor Roberts sighs heavily, nodding at the dark-haired woman.  “Make sure she gets some sleep.”

 

“I will.”  Faith grins at the doctor before looking back at her lover.  “You and me gonna go get the poor pooch?”

 

“Yes.”  Tara smiles softly at Faith, before they head to the operating room.

 

***

 

“What are you doing?”  Buffy questions curiously, watching Faith looking at the grades posted at the college.

 

“Tare and I didn’t get a chance to come here yesterday after the grades were posted.  I’m tryin’ to figure out which grades are hers.”  Faith bitches quietly. 

 

“They’re by student ID numbers, Faith.  If you don’t know what her ID number is, you aren’t going to be able to figure it out.”  Buffy shakes her head, smirking at the slayer. 

 

“Fuck me.”  Faith grumbles, pulling her phone out and dialing the number Tara had given her that rings on a separate line, instead of going to their answering service. 

 

“Sunnydale Animal Clinic.”   Tara answers the phone running a hand over her face as she sits down, sipping on the coffee she’d made.

 

“Hey, babe.  How’s the pooch doin’?”  Faith frowns as she hears the tiredness in her lover’s voice.

 

“He’s going to make it.  Doc Roberts already called twice to check up on him and make sure I didn’t want him to come in and swap out with me later.”  Tara admits quietly.

 

“Nah.  He don’t need to be out at night.  Just what ya’ need.  The Doc end up being on some vamp’s snack list.”  Faith shakes her head at the thought.  “Babe, I’m at the college.  B told me I needed your ID number to get your grades.  Want me to get ‘em while I’m here?” 

 

Tara chuckles softly.  “I think you’re more curious to see my grades than I am.”

 

“Hey!  We’re gonna be sharing a brain, more or less.  I need to know how smart I’m gonna be.”  Faith chuckles at the laughter coming from her lover. 

 

Buffy’s head jerks around and stares at the slayer, frowning at her words.  “Sharing a brain?”

 

Faith rolls her eyes and waves a hand at Buffy as Tara tells her, her ID number.  Looking down the numerically ordered list, she comes across the grades.  “How come it just has one set of numbers?  Don’t ya’ get grades for all your classes?”

 

Tara chuckles quietly.  “No, honey.  That’s my grade point average for the year, sweetie.  For each semester and individual classes, I need to access it on-line, and I haven’t thought about accessing it from a computer.  Been kind of busy lately.”

 

“You can get your grades from the computer?  Why didn’t ya’ access them from work?”  Faith rolls her eyes as Buffy giggles and Tara laughs quietly.  “I’m startin’ to wonder about ya’ babe.”  Faith admits, shaking her head.

 

“Honey, I honestly haven’t even thought about it.  I haven’t thought about my grades since last Friday.”  Tara leans back in the chair, a grin on her face at the grunt coming from her lover.  “Come on tell me what my GPA is for the year, baby.”

 

“Don’t know if I wanna.”  Faith grumbles, frowning at the numbers, not understanding.  “What the hell does 3.9 mean?  Is that good or bad?”  Faith questions, narrowing her eyes on Buffy as Buffy snorts and covers her mouth.

 

“That’s good, Faith.  Very, very good.”  Buffy smirks as she hears the quiet laughter coming over the phone from Tara.  “The only thing higher is a 4.0 GPA.”

 

“HA!” Faith yells, looking at Buffy and winking.  “She ain’t a brain.  She fucked up and ain’t perfect!”

 

“Of course not.  She picked you.”  Buffy smirks before yelping as Faith takes a swing at her, jogging hurriedly away from the slayer.

 

“Will you two go finish patrol already?!”  Tara chuckles as she listens to the two women bicker back and forth.

 

“You are a brain.”  Faith mumbles, pouting.

 

“And you’re going to know everything I know, sweetie.  Plus everything you already know.  So what will that make you?”  Tara shakes her head, her nose crinkling as she smiles at the quiet hmph she gets from Faith.  “Yes, that makes you something more than a brain, love.  Be careful on patrol and come to the side door by the dog runs when you get here.”

 

“Yes, Mistress.”  Faith grumbles, smiling at the quiet laugh she gets from Tara.  “I love you.”

 

“I love you, too.  Be careful.”  Tara reiterates again, before quietly saying goodbye and hanging up.

 

Faith sighs heavily flipping her phone closed as she looks at her lover’s GPA again, shaking her head.  “B, what’s your GPA?”

 

Buffy groans and shakes her head.  “I’m not saying.  It’s pitiful compared to Tara’s and Willow’s.”

 

“Well, can you explain this shit to me?”  Faith mumbles, looking at the grades. 

 

“I can give you a basic break down.  Anywhere between 3.5 – 4.0 is like an A average.  Anywhere from 2.5 to 3.4 is a B, 1.5-2.4 is a C and .7 to 1.4 is a D.  Anything under that and you’re screwed.”  Buffy explains, chuckling at Faith’s sigh. 

 

“Why can’t they just say A or B?”  Faith grumbles as they walk back towards the other side of town as they finish patrol. 

 

“Because it’s college.  They have to make it more difficult just out of general purposes.”  Buffy grins, shrugging her shoulders.  “So, what’s this brain sharing thing you mentioned?”

 

Faith groans and tucks her hands in her pockets, slowly explaining to the slayer about what she and Tara had read so far about Elves, and their mates. 

 

“So… you actually have Tara’s memories from when she was younger?”  Buffy blinks in surprise, trying to wrap her mind around the thought or having two persons’ memories floating around in her head.

 

“Yeah.  But they ain’t floatin’ around my head all the time.  It’s kinda like they’re behind a door, and if I wanna see ‘em I gotta open the door.”  Faith explains, tilting her head as she thinks about it.  “While we’re linked, and Tara’s sendin’ to me, they’re right there, but it’s like they’re marchin’ by to go to their own little room.” 

 

Buffy shakes her head and rubs a hand over her face.  “So what happens when you finish the mind meld?”

 

Faith shrugs.  “We haven’t finished readin’ the book.  I dropped it back off at the Vet’s before meeting up with you for patrol.  Tare was gonna read some more.  But supposedly everythin’ she knows and is, is gonna be me, too.  I think.”

 

Buffy stops and turns to look at Faith.  “Doesn’t that scare you?”

 

“Huh?”  Faith blinks as she stops to look at Buffy.  “Why would it scare me?”

 

“You’re going to be something totally different, if I understand what you’re saying.”  Buffy points out, frowning heavily. 

 

“Nah, it don’t scare me.”  Faith shrugs, a soft smile crossing her face.  “I kinda like it, to tell ya’ the truth.  It’s like a big huge gift, the feelin’ of love and contentment that Tara had from her mom, I now have.  I’m gonna be part of a family now.”  Faith finally admits softly, her eyes glittering with the thought. 

 

Buffy wraps an arm around Faith’s shoulders, half hugging her.  “I’m happy for you, Faith.”

 

Faith chuckles embarrassedly as she hugs Buffy back.  “I mean, you and Mrs. S took me in and accepted me, but this is different, ya’ know?”

 

“I think I understand.”  Buffy gently smacks the slayer on the shoulder as they start to walk again.  “Damn, it’s been kind of quiet tonight.”

 

“Yeah, I noticed that.  So not much help from soldier boy, huh?”  Faith frowns as she thinks about the Frankenstein construct.

 

“No.  I haven’t a clue as to how to take him out.”  Buffy admits, frowning heavily. 

 

“We’re gonna have to take him on together.  And hopefully with Tara’s magic, nobody’ll get hurt.”  Faith purses her lips as she thinks about it.  “Our magic.”  Faith whispers softly, realizing that she can access what Tara’s learned so far, and can actually feel the magic inside her, feeling like a low buzz.

 

“So how far can you hear each other’s thoughts?”  Buffy questions curiously, smiling at the thoughtful look on Faith’s face.

 

“Don’t know.  It usually happens when we’re within a couple rooms of each other.  Tare told me with the meditations and shit that we do for keeping our slayer abilities hidden, that also blocks my thoughts.  Only when I let down the wall or think somethin’ specifically at her, does she receive it.”  Faith shrugs, grinning.  “Because of her trainin’, she has her own walls up, but most of the time she leaves them down for me.”

 

“So you see… well, I guess it should be you know what she thinks about?”  Buffy scratches her head at the oddness of knowing what another person’s innermost thoughts are.  “I got to admit I’m curious, what does she think about?”

 

Faith smirks as she looks at Buffy.  “Depends, tell ya’ the truth.  But a lot of times she has some pretty vivid and naughty things that she’s thinking about.  I’m wonderin’ if some of them are even actually possible to perform.”  Faith yelps as Buffy smacks her hard on the shoulder.  “WHAT?”

 

“You’re just saying that!”  Buffy growls, blushing darkly. 

 

“No, I’m not!”  Faith shakes her head, looking seriously at Buffy.  “It’s kinda weird.  It’s like her mind works on a couple different levels.  There’s the line where she’s thinkin’ about whatever she’s doin’.  Then there’s another layer that thinks naughty thoughts, and other stuff.  I wonder how weird that is?”

 

“Don’t you ever think about something else when you’re slaying, Faith?”  Buffy questions curiously, knowing she herself will a lot of times be thinking about other things, while she automatically fights the demons.

 

“Yeah.”  Faith blinks and looks at Buffy.  “But I don’t usually need to think about slayin’, B.  I just do it.” 

 

“And why can’t Tara just do other things, and be able to think about something else?”  Buffy points out quietly, watching as the light clicks on.  “She’s just good at multi-tasking.”

 

“I didn’t think about it that way.  Whereas we fight demons and think about other shit, she does her vet shit and thinks about other stuff.  Huh.”  Faith grins at the thought.

 

“Well, I’m sure she doesn’t do that all the time.”  Buffy points out, laughing quietly.  “I mean when she and the Veterinarian were operating on the dog, I’m sure her whole attention was on that, and not split off between that and say imagining you running around naked or something!”

 

Faith rolls her eyes.  “Of course not.  Her imaginings ain’t usually that mundane.  She usually imagines me in these odd positions or places….”  Faith laughs and takes off running as Buffy growls and starts chasing her. 

 

“You two do this shit on purpose!”  Buffy growls after the slayer.  “Did you two even do all those things Tara was teasing me with the other day?”

 

“Sort of.  We did initiate one of the kitchen chairs and we have played throughout the apartment, but she was just pickin’ on you more’n anythin’.”  Faith calls over her shoulder, chuckling as Buffy runs after her.  When the blonde slayer kicks it up a notch, Faith turns back and picks up her own speed, laughing through Sunnydale, with Buffy threatening her and Tara in between her laughs behind her. 

 

***

 

Faith carries the bags of sandwiches and chips she’d fixed at the house, walking around the side of the clinic.  Knocking firmly three times real quick Faith grins as Tara opens it a few seconds later, grinning crookedly at her.  “Hey, babe.  I brought some food.”

 

Tara chuckles softly, grabbing one of the bags from Faith.  “How was patrol tonight, honey?”

 

“Borin’.  Had more fun pickin’ on B and being chased around by her for us pickin’ on her.”  Faith grins as she sets the food down on the table, grunting quietly as Tara hugs her tightly.  “Hey, babe.” Faith murmurs softly, hugging her back. 

 

“I’ve missed my pre-patrol snuggles.”  Tara admits quietly, hearing the unspoken question in Faith’s tone.  Hearing Faith grunt, Tara grins and hugs her tightly.  “Okay, I missed seeing you.  Evenings we’re supposed to spend together, even if it is picking on Buffy while out on patrol.”

 

Faith presses her lips to Tara’s neck, stroking her hands firmly up and down her lover’s back for long minutes until Tara slowly relaxes into her.  “Better?”

 

“Yes.”  Tara tilts her head against Faith’s, squeezing Faith’s waist gently.  “I love you, honey.”

“I love you, too.”  Faith leans back, smiling as Tara grins crookedly at her.  “I’ve missed you, too.  Are ya’ hungry, or should we throw the sandwiches in the refrigerator for now?”

 

“We can eat.  I know how you are after patrol.”  Tara eases back from her lover, turning back to the table, squeaking as a pair of hands grasp her butt cheeks.

 

“You know how I am after patrol, huh?”  Faith smirks, patting Tara firmly before sitting down, pulling her lover into her lap.  “So, we gonna initiate the clinic tonight?”

 

Tara chuckles and relaxes back against Faith, grabbing one of the bags and pulling out a sandwich.  “We probably can get up to some mischief.”  Taking a bite out of the sandwich, she holds it up for Faith, sharing the sandwich. 

 

“Did ya’ read anymore of the book?”  Faith strokes her hands gently over Tara’s thighs and stomach as they eat.

 

“Mmmmhmmmm.”  Tara answers as she chews, tilting her head against Faith’s holding the sandwich up for Faith to take another bite.  “Have you ever thought about having children, Faith?”

 

Faith blinks and shifts Tara slightly to look into thoughtful blue eyes.  “Where’s this comin’ from?”

 

“Please, honey.  Have you honestly ever thought about having children?”  Tara questions seriously, looking into scared brown eyes.

 

“No.  I never expected to have children, Tara.  Then with this whole slayer gig…”  Faith looks down, her heart thumping in her chest at the thought.  “I ain’t exactly meant to have a long life, you know that.  Children deserve parents that love ‘em and give ‘em a stable home.  I’d be probably the worst parent in the world.”

 

Tara tilts her head looking intently at her lover, as she considers her words.  “Personally I think you would make a wonderful parent.  You would know probably better than anyone if they got up to mischief.  Plus you would spoil them rotten.”

 

“Yeah, and what if I turn out like my ma?”  Faith questions hoarsely, her eyes shadowed as she looks up at Tara.  “What if I end up treatin’ ‘em like shit and not carin’?”

 

“You’re not your mother, Faith.”  Tara murmurs quietly, brushing her thumb over the slayer’s cheek. 

 

“Well, it ain’t like we can have children, anyway.”  Faith smiles tremulously at her lover, the smile slowly disappearing from her face as Tara glances away and seems to withdraw within herself.  “Babe?  Tara?”  Faith finally whispers, gently grasping Tara’s chin, urging her softly to look at her.

 

“We can.”  Tara finally answers quietly.  “The two of us together can have children, Faith.”  Tara searches confused brown eyes.  Allowing a small smile to cross her lips, Tara runs her thumb over the slight cleft in her lover’s chin.  “Not something we have to decide right now, honey.”

 

“You want kids.”  Faith makes it a statement, not a question, realizing her lover would make a wonderful mother.  “And how can we have kids?  What would they be, spit babies?” Faith questions, fighting back a smile.

 

“Well, you are good at that.”  Tara’s eyes start to twinkle, a fuller smile crossing her lips.  “No, there’s this whole ritual thing we will have to do, along with a few other things, but they would be ours.”

 

“No donors.”  Faith bites her bottom lip as Tara nods her head slowly.  “Babe, why are you bringin’ this up now?  I mean… we just came together and I wanna spend my life with ya’, but talkin’ about kids already, isn’t this a bit premature?” 

 

Tara takes a deep breath and exhales softly.  “It depends.”  Tara slowly shifts from Faith’s lap.  “Let me get the book.” 

 

Faith frowns as she watches Tara leave the room, wondering silently what’s going on. 

 

“Just wait a minute, honey.”  Tara calls to her lover, smiling as she hears Faith’s internal groan.  Opening the book, Tara flips to one section, marking it with her finger, before grabbing a piece of paper off a notepad and opening to the other section, and marking it with the paper, walking slowly back to the break room silently wondering if she should have even brought it up at this moment in time.  Though when she’d come across it, she hadn’t been able to think of anything else.

 

“Babe, just tell me why it’s got ya’ in such a tailspin.”  Faith frowns, as Tara’s emotions come through jumping all over the place, frowning even heavier as Tara puts the block up between them. 

 

Tara hesitantly hands the book to Faith, flipping it open to the one section. 

 

Faith doesn’t look at the book but stares at her lover.  “Babe…”

 

“Just read it.”  Tara murmurs quietly.  “I’m going to check on Bear.” 

 

Faith sighs heavily as Tara turns and walks out of the break room, wanting to follow her lover and have her tell her what’s wrong, but having a gut feeling this is something Tara wants her to read on her own.  “Guess you’re more like your mother than I thought you were.”  Faith murmurs, shaking her head.  Reading over the section that was open, Faith frowns, realizing this was the part she’d already read that said that the elf could activate their full powers before their birthday after the power sharing.  Rereading it, Faith frowns even heavier, not seeing what has Tara all out of whack.  Keeping her finger in that section, marking it, Faith flips back to the piece of paper and slowly starts to read. 

 

“Oh, fuck.”  Faith murmurs, turning pale.  Dropping the book, she practically flies back to the recovery room, staring as Tara kneels beside the Shar-Pei, gently running a hand down the dog’s side.  “Babe?”

 

“Why didn’t she tell me?”  Tara questions softly, not looking at Faith.  “I mean… did she meet whoever my other mom is, they fell in love but out of some sense of duty to the man I thought was my father decided to stay with him and die because of it?  Why would she share everything with whoever the other woman was, then…”

 

Faith kneels beside her lover, gently wrapping her arms around Tara, pulling her tightly to her as Tara cries quietly.  “Maybe somethin’ happened, babe.  Maybe there was an accident and the other woman died.  You don’t know what the extenuating circumstances are.  Right now, things aren’t easy for same-sex couples, babe.  Maybe that had somethin’ to do with it, because it had to be a hundred times worse back then.”  Faith gathers Tara against her, slowly standing and heading back to the break room, sitting in the chair, Faith settles Tara sideways against her chest, holding her tightly.  “If we do the activation of your full powers early, we have a year for you to become pregnant.”

 

“We d-don’t have to do the activation.”  Tara murmurs softly as she slowly brings her crying under control, reaching up to wipe the tears from her face as she rubs her cheek over Faith’s shoulder finally tucking her face against her lover’s neck. 

 

“You will make an absolutely beautiful mother.”  Faith softly admits.  “Do you honestly want to have children with me, babe?”  Faith sighs softly as Tara nods her head against her neck, but doesn’t say anything.  “I didn’t realize when they said the female begat the female of the line that…”

 

“I didn’t either.”  Tara chuckles sadly.  “Obviously.  I just don’t understand why she never said anything, Faith.”

 

Faith shifts and presses her lips against Tara’s forehead, gently running her hands over her lover’s body.  “Babe, how would you have felt if you found out that your mom had been with another woman while being married to your dad, and that you happened to be the result of that union?  Then add onto the top of that, that she was dyin’ because somethin’ happened between the two women keeping them apart or whatever.  Now, I don’t know how you would react, but I think if it’d been me in your place I woulda probably been extremely unhappy and pissed for multiple reasons.”

 

Tara thinks on it for a few minutes, shifting to wrap an arm around Faith’s neck and kiss her lover softly on the cheek.  “Finding out that my mother was dying, my father actually wasn’t my father, my mom had committed adultery, and I was an elf would have probably been a bit much for me to deal with.”

 

“Probably almost too much for you to deal with now.  Babe, take down your block, please.”  Faith whispers, not liking not being able to feel her lover’s feelings and thoughts.  Not realizing how much she’d come to enjoy and expect the loving feelings coming from Tara.  As Tara lowers the shield, Faith closes her eyes and hugs her tightly feeling the sadness, worry and fear coming from Tara.  “Thank you.”  Faith whispers softly, pressing her lips to Tara’s head.

 

Tara closes her eyes as she feels Faith lower her shields.  Feeling the confusion and worry coming from Faith first Tara sighs softly until she feels the absolute love and caring overshadowing the worry and confusion. 

 

“Did you finish reading the whole book?”  Faith questions softly as she feels her lover relax more against her. 

 

“No.  I’m almost afraid of knowing what else is in there.”  Tara admits quietly.

 

“Why don’t you let me finish readin’ it, babe?  I think you’ve got enough on your plate right now, without dealin’ with whatever else that book says.”   Faith suggests, reaching up to run her hand gently through blonde strands. 

 

“Please.”  Tara whispers, honestly not wanting to deal with the book and what other information it might impart.  Brushing her lips over Faith’s neck, Tara settles more comfortably against her lover.

 

“Go to sleep, babe.”  Faith whispers, noticing how drained her lover is.  “If I hear the dog makin’ any noise, I’ll wake ya’.”

 

“He should be out for the rest of the night.  I just gave him another shot for pain not long before you got here.”  Tara admits wiggling in as close as she can against Faith.  “I love you, Faith.”

 

“I love you, too, Tare.”  Faith closes her eyes, holding Tara tightly as she feels her lover starting to slide into unconsciousness.

 

“You’d make a wonderful parent, Faith.”  The soft words escape Tara’s lips as she falls asleep. 

 

“What do ya’ see in me, Tare?  I can’t argue the fact that you love me.  I see it every time ya’ look at me, and I can feel it comin’ from ya’.  I just don’t see where I’d be a good parent.”  Faith whispers softly, gently wiggling her hand under Tara’s top to clasp her lover’s waist as she silently thinks about her and the new information they had learned.  Hardly believing that for elves to continue the elfin line that they had to mate with the same sex, silently wondering how the men had the children, unconsciously squeezing her legs together thinking about it. 

 

***

 

Chapter 36

 

“Wake up, babe.  Doc’s here.”  Faith whispers softly, gently shaking Tara’s shoulder, smiling softly as her lover just mumbles and wiggles closer.  Tara, babe.  Your boss is here.”  Faith tries again, patting Tara gently on the thigh.

 

“So.”  Tara grumbles against Faith’s neck, squeezing her lover’s neck tightly with the arm looped around it, slowly coming to realize she has her hand buried in Faith’s shirt, clasping the slayer’s breast tightly.  “Huh.  When did I do that?”  Tara questions, squeezing and smirking as Faith moans quietly.

 

“A couple hours ago.”  Faith answers, growling quietly as Tara starts to pinch and play with her nipple.  “Unless you want to have the Doc finding us in a very intimate position, you better stop that.”  Faith warns seriously.

 

“You think so, huh?”  Tara bites her bottom lip, pinching and twisting her lover’s nipple, before squealing as Faith’s hand slides between her legs, pressing intimately against her.

 

“Now, what do you think?”  Faith growls into Tara’s ear, trailing her fingers up and down the seam of Tara’s scrubs.  “You do look awful sexy in these scrubs, why don’t you wear them every day while you’re working?”

 

“Most of the time we don’t really need to, so I just stay in my regular clothes.”  Tara murmurs, groaning quietly as Faith slides her hand away and gently tugs on her arm to urge Tara to release her.  Pouting, Tara slides her hand out from under Faith’s shirt just before the Doctor pops his head into the room.

 

“Stop with the hot and heavies.  Bear seems to be doing extremely well.”  Doc Roberts grins at the sight of Tara curled up in Faith’s lap.  “Please tell me you two didn’t stay like that all night.”

 

“Well, first off no hot and heavies.”  Faith admits, chuckling as Tara blushes lightly and buries her face in her neck.  “The dog did well throughout the night.  I think Tare gave him a shot for pain around midnight, one o’clock?”  Faith turns to look questioningly at her lover.

 

“Right at then.  He’s been resting comfortably since then.”  Tara presses her lips quickly to Faith’s neck, before easing from her lover’s lap, stretching to get the kinks out of her back from sleeping in the odd position.  “And pretty much we were like that the majority of the night.”  Tara grins crookedly.

 

“Well, get your stuff together and go home.  We’ll see you two tomorrow afternoon.”  He winks at the two women, grinning before heading towards the coffee pot to make a fresh pot.

 

“Did I put your legs to sleep, love?”  Tara questions softly, running a hand gently over Faith’s legs as her lover stretches them out in front of her. 

 

“No.  Just a little stiff.”  Faith bites her lip as Tara’s hands start to knead and rub her legs.  ‘Babe, that’s makin’ somethin’ else stiff.’  Faith sends mentally, smirking as Tara whimpers quietly.

 

“Let’s go home.”  Tara narrows her gaze on her smirking lover, smacking her gently on the leg.  Turning back to the sandwiches, Tara frowns at the waste, before throwing them in the trash.  “If you need me…”

 

“Go home, Tara.  Get some actual sleep in an actual bed.”  He chuckles as Tara rolls her eyes.  “Thanks for keeping an eye on him.  I’ll call the owners and let them know that he’s going to make it.”

 

“Thank you.”  Tara smiles at the vet even as Faith gathers their items, tucking them away in the backpack and urges her out of the room. 

 

“See ya’ at the apartment tomorrow, Doc.”  Faith calls over her shoulder as she gently pushes Tara.

 

“See you two tomorrow.  Have a nice day off.”  Doctor Roberts chuckles as he hears a quietly squealed ‘Faith’ come from Tara as the two women quickly leave the clinic.  “Hope you get some sleep.”  Doc shakes his head, chuckling at the thought as he pours himself a cup of coffee, preparing to get some paperwork done since he came in early.

 

***

 

“Go shower, babe.”  Faith orders softly, urging her tired lover towards the bathroom.  Dropping the backpack on the counter, Faith heads for the refrigerator, pulling out eggs, butter, cheese, milk and sausage links.  Quickly pulling out bowls and skillets, Faith places the links in a skillet to start browning before she scrambles the eggs, pouring them into a skillet before tossing in some of the cheese like she’d seen Tara do.  Smiling at the sound of the shower being turned on, Faith throws four slices of bread into their toaster. 

 

Tara groans as the hot water pounds into her tired body.  Knowing if she’s this achy and tired, Faith has to be doubly so with having her curled up on her most of the night.  Rolling her neck around, Tara finally shampoos her hair and washes her body.  Sighing as she turns off the water as she thinks about her mother.  Knowing she’ll never really know the reason why she did the things she did, she can make guesses, but ultimately only her mama knew why she did things the way she did.  Finishing drying her body, Tara half-heartedly runs a towel over her hair before tossing it in the hamper, brushing her teeth quickly before grabbing her hair brush and running it through the damp strands as she walks out of the bathroom, smiling softly at the sight of Faith piling up two plates with food. 

 

“Hmm.  Breakfast au natural.”  Faith grins at the sight of Tara leaning in the bathroom doorway without any clothes on.  Placing the plates on the kitchen table, Faith tilts her head as Tara just leans there.  “Are you going to come eat, babe?  You didn’t have much of the sandwiches.”

 

Tilting her head against the frame, Tara grins crookedly at her lover.  Chuckling as Faith strides towards her. 

 

“You need to eat.  And if I must, I’ll be more than happy to pick you up and carry you to the food.”  Faith quickly sweeps her lover into her arms, smirking as Tara giggles quietly. 

 

“You’re a goof.  But you’re my goof.”  Tara mumbles against Faith’s neck, nipping softly on her lover’s neck.

 

“Stop that.  You’re going to get some sleep this morning.  We can wake up and play this afternoon, if you want.”  Faith gently squeezes Tara in her arms before settling her lover on a chair. 

 

“Need to go to the store and pick up stuff for tomorrow.  I’d like to possibly bake some snacks today since I have the day off instead of spending all morning tomorrow making everything.”  Tara sighs quietly, looking down at the plate, a large smile coming across her face at the sight of the food.  “I think you’ve lost your mind, honey.”

 

“What?”  Faith smirks at Tara’s plate, having used a slice of toast, made a mouth with the eggs with pieces of sausage making up the eyes and nose.  Sliding the other plate with her lover’s food on it towards her, Faith chuckles. 

 

Tara leans across the table and kisses Faith softly.  “Thank you.”

 

Faith smiles softly at her lover.  “Eat, babe.  Then you’re going to bed.”

 

“So are you.”  Tara murmurs as she pouts at the thought of eating her lover’s creation. 

 

“Go ahead.”  Faith taps her fork on her lover’s plate, chuckling as Tara folds the toast in half and makes a little sandwich with the eggs and sausage.  “I’ll clean up the dishes and take a quick shower, then join you.”  Faith offers quietly as she digs into her breakfast watching Tara as she slowly eats. 

 

“How about I clean up since you fixed the food?  Then you can shower and we can go to bed together?”  Tara closes her eyes at the feeling of love being directed at her from her lover. 

 

“If you want, babe.  I don’t mind doin’ the dishes.”  Faith quickly finishes her food while watching Tara intently as the blonde eats.  Trying to imagine her lover pregnant.  Her belly swollen with child and that innate glow that pregnant women seem to have, feeling her heart swell at the thought of curling up with Tara against her, her hands resting on the swell with their child kicking and hitting her hand. 

 

Tara smiles softly, looking down at her plate as Faith’s thoughts come to her, not wanting to say anything and possibly make her lover lose her train of thought.  As Faith’s thoughts seem to jump ahead, imagining their daughter, Tara bites back a laugh as Faith imagines a little blonde-haired blue-eyed girl wearing leather pants and a tank top. 

 

Faith smirks as she sees her lover’s lips curl, enjoying the sight.  “I think she’d be a heart breaker like that.”

 

“A six year old in leather pants and a tank top?”  Tara laughs and shakes her head at her lover.  “And you don’t think you’d be a good mother.”

 

“I’d love to see you pregnant.”  Faith admits quietly, standing up to kneel beside Tara.  “Babe, you gotta understand my life expectancy as a slayer is for shit.  B’s the oldest slayer ever.  I know we couldn’t help the whole mate thing, but…”

 

“Shh.”  Tara presses her finger softly to Faith’s lips.  “We’ve been over this before, Faith.  I want to love you to the fullest for however long we have.  Whether it’s a day, a month, a year, or forever.  We can’t worry about the fact that one of us might die, or we’ll be afraid to live, love.” 

 

Faith sighs quietly, leaning her head down onto Tara’s lap, closing her eyes as Tara runs her fingers softly through her hair.  “I love you, babe.”

 

“I know you do, Faith.”  Tara smiles softly down at her lover.  “And yes, you will be a wonderful parent, Faith.”

 

“Daddy Faith.”  Faith chuckles at the thought, shifting her head to press a kiss on Tara’s leg. 

 

“Just think about the thought of her bringing home some horn dog wanting to get in her pants… you can threaten them bodily harm.”  Tara points out, grinning crookedly down at her quietly laughing lover. 

 

“Not just threaten, pick them up and show ‘em I can follow through with it.”  Faith nods her head.  “I like that thought.  We can discuss this more after I finish readin’ that book.  God only knows what else it says in there.” 

 

“That’s true.  You would have thought it would mention the fact that if you force the powers early, that it puts everything in fast forward and instead of having five years to become pregnant, we have one year, with the other section.”  Tara sighs quietly, gently scratching her nails over her lover’s scalp. 

 

“It ain’t right that ya’ have to get pregnant like that.”  Faith frowns at the thought.  “I mean, if ya’ have to get pregnant and carry on the elfin line, you’d think there would be more elves around.”

 

“That’s probably why there aren’t that many elves around, love.  They haven’t found their soul mate to have a child with, and possibly didn’t even know how to continue on the line if they did.”  Tara explains softly.  “That’s probably the ultimate reason why it’s in my genetic code that I have to become pregnant within five years of the transfer of what I am and the powers, trying to carry on the elf bloodline.”  Tara tries to explain afraid she’s screwing up what she thinks it is.  “Also, if something happens to me, you would be there to carry on and know everything.”

 

“Yeah, but what if somethin’ happens to me?”  Faith frowns heavily, hating the thought of something happening to Tara.

 

“Then we had better make sure that either Joyce, Buffy or someone else is there to help her.  We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, love.  There’s no sense in worrying about something that hasn’t, and hopefully won’t happen.”  Tara smiles sadly, knowing Faith will still worry.  “Let’s worry about the trouble with Adam, and get that taken care of first, then we’ll discuss everything else afterwards.”

 

Faith presses her lips to Tara’s thigh, frowning heavily.  “But if we need to have your powers at full strength, you’re gonna have to activate them early, and then…”  Faith growls quietly as Tara presses a finger against her lips effectively silencing her. 

 

“If I have to activate them early to do what has to be done, then I will.  If we can take care of Adam between all of us without it, that gives us more time.  Stop worrying about it, honey.”  Tara slides her fingers from Faith’s lips down to her chin, urging her up.  Kissing her softly and hugging her lover, she pats her on the butt.  “Go take your shower.”

 

“Yes’m.”  Faith mumbles into Tara’s neck, smiling before nipping gently at her shoulder as she stands. 

 

Tara watches as Faith heads towards the bathroom, smiling as her lover pulls off her top before finally tearing her gaze away and gathering the dishes to wash, listening to her lover take her shower through the open bathroom door.

 

***

 

Tara groans quietly as she stretches, coming to a stop as she feels a hot mouth kissing its way up her inner thigh.  Lifting the covers she looks down into mischief-filled brown eyes.  As Faith shifts up the slight distance to delve between her swollen lips, Tara moans quietly, tossing the covers out of the way. 

 

“So good.  Sleepy, warm and extremely tasty.”  Faith mumbles as she wiggles her body more into position, shifting Tara’s legs over her shoulders, allowing her hands to stroke back down the strong legs to grasp the Wiccan’s hips, lifting her to her eager mouth.

 

“Sweet, Goddess.”  Tara cries out softly, burying her hands in Faith’s dark hair even as her hips start to circle and grind against the glorious feeling of Faith’s tongue alternately stroking within and over her.  The slayer slowly builds her desire with her tender loving.  Squeezing Faith’s head between her thighs as the slayer latches onto her clit and sucks steadily, tipping her over the edge.

 

Faith continues to lap lovingly over Tara’s body, suckling gently on one outer lip before moving to the other one, finally easing her way up her lover’s body, as Tara tugs gently on her hair.  “Trust me?”  Faith questions softly, keeping her body above Tara’s.

 

“Always and completely.”  Tara answers immediately, looking into loving brown eyes. 

 

“If you don’t like, I’ll stop.”  Faith whispers against Tara’s lips as she kisses her lover gently, shifting her body slightly to hold herself up on her knees and one hand.  Gently guiding the smaller sized dildo to Tara’s entrance before moving her hand.  Looking intently into blue eyes showing dawning understanding, Faith gently eases into her lover’s body at Tara’s nod.

 

Tara moans quietly as Faith slides in her, clenching on the dildo, realizing Faith’s using the smallest one they picked up, just slightly bigger around than one of Faith’s fingers.  “Why this one?”  Tara questions hoarsely as Faith slowly eases out to slide back in.

 

“Want to take things slow and easy.  I know this isn’t somethin’ you’ve done.”  Faith admits quietly, groaning as Tara wraps her legs around her waist.

 

“Faith, honey, you’ve had three fingers inside me… this isn’t much bigger than one…”  Tara arches and groans quietly as Faith slowly builds up the movement of her hips as she shifts and grinds, causing the dildo to hit different spots within her.

 

“I know.”  Faith whispers, watching the different emotions crossing Tara’s face.  “I actually bought it for starter anal play.”  Faith admits, rolling her hips.

 

Tara feels her body clench at the slayer’s words.  Bucking her hips strongly against Faith, she urges her to a faster stroke.  “For me or you?”  Tara hoarsely questions, arching as Faith shifts, holding her hips up while having the dildo come up at a different angle, crying out quietly as she hits her sweet spot time after time, screaming the slayer’s name after a few minutes as Faith’s hips seem to piston in and out of her bringing her to completion quickly.

 

Faith pants heavily, holding Tara tightly as she lays the witch back down on the bed.  Gently easing from within her, Faith lies down on top of her and presses a firm kiss to her lover’s left breast.  “Sort of both.”  Faith finally answers a little while later.  “For me to possibly use on you when you are comfortable with the idea, and for you to use on me if you were afraid to use one of the bigger ones.”

 

Tara strokes her hands through Faith’s sweaty hair as she tries to get control of her ragged breathing.  “What are you comfortable with size-wise, love?”

 

Faith chuckles quietly.  Grasping one of Tara’s hands to pull down and press kisses over her fingers, she shifts to the side of her lover, and presses Tara’s middle and index finger against her lover’s lips.  “This is the most that’s ever been there before.”  Seeing the surprise and shock on Tara’s face, Faith lifts Tara’s fingers to her mouth to nip gently on the tips.  “I never trusted someone to do that, Tare.  And that takes a serious degree of trust for someone not to force or cause pain.  I only ever took my pleasure before.  No one was ever given the chance for anythin’ more.”

 

Tara hugs Faith after her lover releases her hand.  “I didn’t realize… I guess I just assumed that you had since you were so willing and eager to do that.”

“I was and am willin’ and eager… with you.”  Faith qualifies, brushing her face gently against the side of Tara’s breast before settling against her lover, allowing her hand to stroke gently over Tara’s body as she listens to Tara’s thoughts.  “I trust you with everything that I am, Tare.  If you said you wanted to get the biggest one in our collection and use it on me, I would let you.”

 

“Goddess.”  Tara murmurs, shivering slightly at the thought.  “Honey, even if you begged me to use that on you like that, I’m not sure I could.”

 

Faith chuckles and laughs quietly.  “Thank you.  I’m not sure I’d want that monster in that particular orifice, either.” 

 

Tara slowly shifts on her side so that she’s facing her lover.  Running her hand down Faith’s side and hip before letting her fingers trail back up and over the harness her lover is wearing.  “Maybe the first couple forays into me using this, you could be in charge.”  Tara looks up from watching her finger run over the harness.

 

“Anythin’ that will make you comfortable.”  Faith offers, smiling gently at Tara.  “You have to trust your instincts to a certain degree, babe.  And one thing you have to remember… is that I’m the slayer.  I can take a lot more pain than normal people, and if I’m hurt, I’ll heal in record time.”

 

“Don’t want to hurt you, though.”  Tara murmurs, playing with one of the buckles, working it loose.  “Not seriously hurt you.  And this has the possibility of doing that.”

 

Faith gently lifts Tara’s chin so her lover will look her in the eyes.  “You won’t hurt me, Tara.  I know you won’t.  Trust yourself, babe.” 

 

Tara sees and feels the absolute love and trust coming from Faith.  Smiling gently at her lover, Tara lifts her hand to cup Faith’s cheek.  Leaning in, Tara kisses Faith gently yet deeply.  Slowly easing away, she chuckles quietly as Faith’s stomach rumbles. 

 

“Ignore the beast in my stomach.  I have another beast that’s awake and beggin’ for attention.”  Faith growls quietly in Tara’s ear, before nipping gently on the flesh.

 

Tara whimpers loudly and bucks uncontrollably at the slayer’s words and action.  “For me to get at the other beast, you need to remove something.”  Tara blinks a couple times and smiles at her lover as Faith rolls onto her back and her hands make short work of the harness around her hips.  Chuckling quietly as she hears the quiet thump as it lands somewhere on the floor of their bedroom. 

 

“Can I come up?”  Faith whispers as she shifts to straddle Tara’s hips, leaning down to kiss Tara gently along the jaw line.

 

“Get your body up here.”  Tara orders huskily, shifting down in the bed slightly even as Faith climbs up.  “Don’t break the headboard.”  Tara warns, even as she grabs Faith’s hips and pulls her down to her waiting mouth, groaning into the slayer at the slickness she finds.  Not wasting any time teasing her lover, Tara wraps her lips around her swollen clit, suckling strongly on the muscle before scraping her nails gently down Faith’s outer thigh, before scraping them back up her inner thigh. 

 

“Please…”  Faith begs quietly even as her hips rock gently in response to Tara’s mouth and tongue sucking and licking strongly over her, wanting her lover to fill the need within her. 

 

Tara, hearing her lover’s mental thoughts, quickly slides three fingers deep in inside her, curling her middle finger to stroke over the bundle of nerves within her with each quick, hard stroke.  Releasing the slayer’s clit from her mouth as Faith starts to buck uncontrollably against her, Tara brings her other hand into play, licking her fingers she quickly places two fingers against Faith’s clit and rubs in a hard circular motion.

 

“FUCK!”  Faith cries out loudly stiffening as the orgasm starts to flow through her, her back arching as she presses her body hard into Tara’s hands, crying out Tara’s name as the Elf replaces the fingers on her clit with her mouth sucking stronger than she’s ever done before, Faith whimpers loudly as her juices flow, flooding Tara’s mouth and hand. 

 

Tara groans deeply as she captures what she can of her lover’s juices, unconsciously still stroking within her lover even as she licks at her lover’s swollen lips as Faith half collapses over her and against the wall, her body shaking uncontrollably.

 

“T-Tara…”  Faith whimpers, not able to say anything else, not knowing if she wants Tara to continue what she’s doing to her or hold off, the pleasure so much that it was more painful than pleasurable, grunting quietly as Tara stops her hard in and out stroking to press firmly against her g-spot.  Jerking internally, Faith becomes almost boneless as the next pleasurable orgasm makes her lose consciousness.

 

Tara half-groans, half-laughs as she gently works on sliding out from under the comatose slayer.  “Maybe I shouldn’t have done that, no matter what you wanted.”  Tara gathers Faith in her arms, rearranging the slayer and placing her on the dry pillow, gently pulling a sheet over the woman’s body.  Leaning in, Tara places a soft kiss on full, slightly open lips, smiling softly at the labored breathing coming from her lover.  “I love you, my gorgeous slayer.”  Tara whispers, stroking a finger down the slayer’s cheek before deciding to get a few things done around the apartment until Faith comes to.

 

***

 

Chapter 37

 

Faith chuckles as they finish setting up their apartment after a quick re-arrange.  Making room for the extra chairs Kevin had gathered for them, even as they had the door open and the different tenants were already sneaking in and out after hearing they were having a ‘house warming’.  Glad she’d talked Tara into allowing her to get extra food from one of the restaurants that did catering.  The trays of finger food going to come in handy even as Fred and Justin fill their plates, settling in a corner as they giggle amongst themselves as they eat the food.

 

Tara looks at the clock as she sets out the cups and two liters on the counters.  Pulling out additional items from the refrigerator and setting them out on the kitchen table along with the huge container of mini smoked sausages in barbecue sauce, she looks around, smiling as Faith heads over to the intercom, buzzing up someone after speaking into it, not able to catch what her lover said between the music and the tenants talking.  Chuckling as she hears Faith tell her it was B and Joyce coming up, Tara silently sends a thank you to her lover.

 

Faith looks over and winks at Tara, unconsciously allowing her eyes to trail over her lover, smiling sexily at the sight of Tara wearing tight jeans and a blue silk blouse that almost matched her eyes perfectly.  Her blonde hair flows over her shoulders, as she finishes setting out different munchies. 

 

“Stop leering at your girlfriend.”  Buffy growls in Faith’s ear, smacking the slayer on the back, chuckling as Faith just grunts and keeps looking at Tara.

 

Joyce laughs quietly as she carries additional sodas over to Tara as the two slayers quietly bicker back and forth.  “Those two are worse than sisters.”

 

Tara looks over her shoulder at Buffy and Faith jostling each other.  “Yes, they are.  They’ve become closer over the last few weeks.”  Tara comments quietly, thankful Faith had started to open up more to the rest of the group.  Smiling at her lover as Faith looks over and grins at her.  “Thanks for picking up the extra soda.  I’d rather have too much than not enough.”  Tara grins crookedly at the older woman as she pulls out the sodas and puts them with the rest.  “We’ve ordered some real food to be delivered in an hour.”

 

Joyce chuckles as she looks over at Buffy and Faith.  “Wouldn’t be because of those two, would it?”

 

“Hmm.  What would make you think that?”  Tara laughs with Joyce as the two continue to talk as Faith buzzes in the other people as they arrive.

 

***

 

Faith looks around quickly at everyone splitting off and talking together in small groups.  Seeing Tara grabbing something out of the refrigerator she sneaks up behind her lover and takes the item from her hands.  Smiling down at the additional cut up vegetables, she turns and opens the containers, dumping them on the tray before tossing the empty containers in the sink. 

 

Tara smirks as she gets her lover’s thoughts, chuckling quietly as Faith grabs her and urges her to the bedroom, kissing her hungrily as they step into the room.  Groaning deeply as she wraps her arms around her lover’s neck returning the kiss with everything she has, the two women finally pull away, breathing heavily.

 

“Been wantin’ to do that for the last two hours.”  Faith growls deeply, nipping playfully on Tara’s neck. 

 

“I’m surprised you didn’t just do this out in the middle of the apartment.”  Tara laughs as Faith’s fingers tickle up her ribs.

 

“Thought about it.”  Faith admits huskily.  “What’s goin’ on between Doc and Mrs. S?” 

 

“Don’t know.”  Tara chuckles quietly as she remembers the two as they worked their way to a corner and had settled in chairs not long after the Doctor arrived, hardly moving as they talked to each other.  “I figured you might have been listening in.”

 

“Nah.  I didn’t want to eavesdrop, so I’ve been tryin’ to behave.”  Faith admits smiling as Tara hugs her tightly.  Hugging her lover back, Faith smacks her gently on the butt.  “The other two gonna circle each other all day?”

 

Tara laughs as they head back out to the rest of the group, looking over at Buffy and Julie as the two women are in the middle of a group of people.  “I think so.”

 

Faith grunts quietly before grabbing a plate and piling it high with the pulled barbecue pork they had delivered along with ribs and barbecue chicken.  “Gonna have to do somethin’ if they keep this shit up.”  Faith grumbles before wiggling her eyebrows at her lover. 

 

“Oh, no.  You behave and give them time to figure it out themselves, love.”  Tara murmurs, watching as Buffy looks her way, staring daggers at Faith.  “I’m trying to make her behave, Buffy.”

 

Faith rolls her eyes.  “Jeez, B.  If ya’ like her why don’t you see if you can talk to her without being surrounded by ten people?”  Faith turns around to look at Buffy and smirks as the blonde slayer snarls her lip slightly.  “Fine, I ain’t gettin’ in the middle of it.” 

 

Buffy sighs quietly and turns back to Giles, Willow and Oz, allowing her eyes to linger for a second on Julie.  “I’m going to grab some food and some more soda.  Does anyone need anything?”  Buffy offers, smiling as she shifts slightly.

 

“I’m okay.”  Willow answers, shaking her head as Oz just does a quick shake also.

 

“I can go for something to eat, so I’ll go with.”  Julie smiles as Buffy blushes lightly.  The petite woman having her completely entranced with how shy she is one moment to being very self-assured and almost dominant the next.  Mentally making a note to ask Tara more about the small blonde when she gets a chance, Julie follows Buffy to the kitchen area.

 

“Hi ladies.”  Tara grins crookedly at the two as she places a piece of barbecue chicken on her plate along with some coleslaw and a piece of garlic bread.  “Coming to get some food?”

 

“Food and drinks.”  Buffy shrugs, smiling quickly at Tara before turning narrowed eyes on Faith.

 

“I ain’t fuckin’ sayin’ a word.”  Faith raises her hand as she moves over to a chair, sitting down to eat her food, smirking at the blonde slayer in between bites.

 

Tara laughs softly as she looks at everyone moving and talking, some people with plates in their hands as they eat.  Surprised to see Kevin and Giles moving off and Giles waving his hands around as he obviously questions Kevin about something.

 

“Oh no…”  Faith grumbles, her eyes turning to look at Giles and Kevin.

 

“What is it, honey?”  Tara questions curiously as she moves to sit down beside Faith.

 

“G-man is asking Kev if he has anymore apartments open, and if there might be some that are larger since he has all his books.”  Faith turns begging eyes on Tara.  “Don’t let him move in here.  It just ain’t fair.” 

 

Tara chuckles and shakes her head at her lover.  “It’ll be okay, honey.  I promise.  Where did Fred and Justin go?”  Tara questions curiously having seen the two men earlier, but not seeing them when they came back from the bedroom.

 

“I heard ‘em say something about having a friend they were meetin’ somewhere.”  Faith shrugs.  “They knew it was pretty much a free for all today.  More of a gettin’ together of our mutual friends and the people that live here in the apartment complex to get to know each other.”  Faith eats a bite of the pulled pork as she chews she thinks for a few minutes.  “We gonna finish up that sharin’ thing tonight?”

 

Tara nods her head as she thinks.  “It might be for the best.  That way we’re prepared if anything happens.”

 

“We gonna do the advanced thing?”  Faith whispers softly as she leans towards Tara, watching her lover intently.

 

“We’ll wait on that, Faith.  I don’t want to do something that you’re not ready for.”  Tara admits softly, her eyes serious.

 

“Babe, I…”  Faith realizes this isn’t probably the best time to have this conversation, so she leans in and places a loving kiss on Tara’s cheek.  “Later.”

 

Tara nods, already feeling Faith’s conflicted emotions on the subject, also knowing that she hasn’t had time to finish reading the book to see if there’s anything else that might come in handy to know.

 

“I plan on doin’ that tomorrow.”  Faith answers the unspoken question, grinning as Tara groans quietly.  “Put up the shield if ya’ don’t want me to know what you’re thinkin’.”

 

“You like me leaving it down.”  Tara points out as she slowly starts eating. 

 

“Yes, I do.”  Faith grins wickedly at her lover as she imagines slathering her in barbecue sauce and spending hours licking it off her body. 

 

“Faith!”  Tara warns, her eyes flashing at her lover.  “Going to have you put your block back up.”

 

“What’s the fun in that?”  Faith smirks and leans partially against Tara as she settles in to eat the food on her plate.

 

***

 

Buffy looks at Julie for a moment before glancing back down at her plate. “So, what do you like to do in your free time?”

 

Julie chuckles and looks a Buffy.  “Lounge around in my pajamas, eat ice cream, watch movies and take naps.”

 

“Ohhh.  That sounds great.”  Buffy moans quietly at the thought of doing nothing but eating, watching television and sleeping.  “Where can I sign up?”

 

Julie laughs and pats the petite woman on the shoulder.  “I’ll get the sheet for you.  What do you do in your free time?”

 

Buffy shrugs her shoulders as the two women settle down side by side on the couch.  “I like to go dancing, but now that I’m single and all my friends are coupled up, it feels weird.” 

 

“Feel like a fifth wheel, too, huh?”  Julie question, smiling understandingly at Buffy.  “That’s pretty much the way I am.  Most of my friends have either moved or gotten married.”

 

“So, no significant others in your life right now?”  Buffy questions curiously, praying that she doesn’t sound too hopeful with her question.

 

“Nope.  Footloose and fancy-free.”  Julie laughs and winks at the small blonde.  “Have anybody in mind?”

 

Buffy shrugs and blushes lightly.  “Depends.  What’s your preferences?  Blonde, brunette, redhead, tall, short… male, female.”  Buffy whispers the last two words softly.

 

Julie hurriedly swallows the bite of food in her mouth and looks at the blushing blonde.  Pursing her lips as Buffy doesn’t look up at her but seems engrossed with the food on her plate, Julie allows a small smile to cross her face.  “Well, in all honesty my main preferences are…”  Julie drags it out until Buffy finally looks at her curiously.  “Someone with a good sense of humor and that likes animals.” 

 

Buffy’s mouth opens and shuts a couple times as she looks at the woman not knowing what to say since she didn’t say anything about men or women.

 

“Do you like animals?”  Julie questions curiously, her eyes glinting with mischief.

 

Buffy whimpers quietly and slowly nods her head.  “I like animals.”

 

“Good.  I already know you have a good sense of humor.  You have to, being friends with Tara and Faith.”  Julie laughs quietly as she stands with her empty plate and leaves the small blonde to think about that.

 

“Did she…?”  Buffy shifts and looks over her shoulder, her eyes following Julie.

 

“Yeah, B.  She’s flirtin’ with ya’.”  Faith murmurs, her lips curled up in a huge smile as Tara looks her way.  “Julie’s definitely interested and just about made Buffy take a nose dive into her food.”

 

Tara laughs quietly and shakes her head as she looks to Buffy who had turned more and was glaring at them.

 

“Did not almost take a nose dive!”  Buffy growls, before turning back to look at Julie who stopped to talk to her mom and the Doctor.

 

“Did so.”  Faith eggs Buffy on, laughing as Buffy snaps her head back to her, growling deeply.  Turning back to a quietly laughing Tara, Faith wiggles her eyebrows.  “She’s going to have to really read up on that book we got her now!”

 

Tara bites back a laugh as Buffy snarls at her lover.  “Behave, honey.  I think she’s even more irritated now than she was when I was teasing her.  Look at where she’s sitting, I mean…”

 

Buffy whimpers and jumps off the couch, blushing darkly while sending them evil looks. 

 

“Well we did.”  Tara murmurs, laughing as Buffy sets down her empty plate and heads towards her mom.  “I enjoy myself entirely too much when I pick on her.”

 

“You’re not the only one.”  Faith smirks and laughs as Buffy shoots them a glare.  “I guess we should mingle some.  Love you.”  Faith nips gently at Tara’s jaw before taking both their dirty dishes to the kitchen.

 

Tara smiles for a moment before standing and working her way out of the room.

 

***

 

Adam looks at the computer screens surrounding him, his eyes twitching from one to the other quickly as he watches the feed to the Initiative while a program runs in the background. 

 

As the computer beeps, he brings up the program quickly punching in commands as he works on getting complete control of the Initiative’s complex, knowing it won’t be much longer.  “Now to find the two slayers.  It is time that they learn what pain is.”  He rumbles lowly, wondering how the dark-haired one had lived through the beating he gave her, but swearing she won’t live when he gets a hold of her again.

 

“Hey, Frankenstein.  I have the film that you were wanting.”  Spike snarls as he lights a cigarette, waving the tape in front of the monster’s face.  “I have more that I’ll give you after you take this bleedin’ chip outta my head.”

 

Adam turns his steely gaze on the vampire, having resorted to using him after the other demons he’d had at his disposal disappeared.  Being able to keep track of where the vampire goes with the tracking device imbedded into his brain besides the modifier chip.  “I’ll be the judge of that.  Give me the tape.”  Adam growls deeply as the vampire places the tape in his hand.

 

“Bloody well is worth more than gettin’ the chip outta my head, it is.  I have two more tapes of ‘em two fighting, along with the Witchy girlfriend.”  Spike lights another cigarette from the one he just finished.

 

“Witch?”  Adam narrows his gaze.  “Is she on this tape?”

 

“There’s a little bit of her on it, there is.”  Spike nods his head.  “But I got more of her on the other tapes.”

 

Adam taps his fingers on the desk as he considers his next move.  “Stay in the back out of sight for now.  After I watch this if I deem it worthwhile, then I’ll remove the chip and you can get the other tapes.”  He turns a deadly stare on the vampire.  “Don’t think of taking off.  I will find you and see how many body parts you can lose before you dust if you do.”

 

Spike unconsciously swallows as he feels the fear flow through him.  “Aye.  I’ll be back in the cave a bit, then.”

 

Adam spins around in the chair and rolls to the small tape player he has hooked up to the computers.  Inserting it and watching as it comes on, he watches the two slayers fighting and killing the vampires he’d sent out to test them.  As the demon that he had sent that should have done some serious damage to the slayers with them being worn down by the vampires is being tag teamed by the slayers, Adam leans forward as the small blonde slayer seems to try and keep it’s attention while the other one calls someone on the phone.  Growling softly, as the distance of the vampire keeps him from hearing what is said, he watches intently as the two women continue to slice at the demon with their knives without doing that much damage.

 

Grinning as he notices the small blonde about to have her head taken off by the demon, he snarls as the demon freezes.  As the camera pans over another blonde coming to stand by the dark haired slayer, handing the two slayers the swords she’s carrying, he watches as the rest of it plays out.  When the witch sets fire to the demon and effectively kills him Adam presses the pause button silently wondering if there is any information on the woman.  Spinning back around to the keyboard he does a capture on the picture and sends it through his database before starting a search on magic, having not bothered previously.

 

***

 

Faith paces back and forth angrily in the living room, the connection between her and Tara having finished giving her, her lover’s knowledge, abilities and memories roughly fifteen minutes ago.  She’d been hurt and upset to begin with, now the anger is flowing through her as she continues to prowl around the apartment while Tara’s asleep in the bedroom.  Keeping her walls tightly in place, Faith glances over to the book, snarling her lip before continuing to pace. 

 

Running her hands roughly through her hair, Faith turns her gaze to their bedroom as she hears Tara roll out of bed.  Silently wondering what’s woken her lover, knowing that her feelings and thoughts shouldn’t be coming through to the witch.

 

“Faith?”  Tara questions hoarsely as she stumbles out of the bedroom, stopping and rubbing her eyes as Faith glances at her before continuing to pace.  Frowning at the realization that Faith has her walls up… hell more like the fucking Great Wall of China around her.  “What’s wrong?”  Tara finally questions as she notices the slayer is obviously angry, slowly closing the distance between them, stopping in shock as Faith growls angrily at her.

 

“When the fuck were you gonna tell me that you were gonna have to finish your education elsewhere after you finished here next year?”  Faith growls, her eyes flashing with anger.  “I can’t fucking leave the Hellmouth for a couple years for you to finish, and I damn well can’t just spend summers here!”

 

“Goddess, Faith.  Please calm down.”  Tara tries to get her thoughts working as Faith’s words confuse her with still being half asleep.  Having just woken up when she’d reached for her lover and came across cold sheets instead she’d looked for Faith. 

 

Faith turns and strides away from Tara, the thought of them being apart sending a serious cold chill through her heart.  Her anger suddenly replaced with fear.  Fear of something happening to Tara if she’s not there.  Not liking spending time away from Tara as it is, but understanding she has to, the thought of being apart from each other for days, weeks, months…  Faith buries her face in her hands.  “I can’t be apart from you for that long, Tara.  Maybe a couple days if we have to, but no more than that.  It scares me deeply that something could happen to you if I’m not there.”

 

Tara inhales deeply as Faith finally lowers her shields and the almost paralyzing fear that Faith’s feeling comes through.  “Oh, love…”  Tara quickly heads towards Faith and gathers her in her arms.  “I’m not going to leave you, love.  I promise.”

 

“You’re gonna have to, Tare.  To finish your schooling to become a veterinarian.”  Faith wraps her arms tightly around her lover’s waist and buries her face in Tara’s neck. 

 

“Sweetie, the Doctor is working with his Alma Mater about my doing a learning degree with him.  That information should have been in there with everything else.”  Tara whispers, her eyes full of worry.

 

“It was, but it ain’t a guarantee, Tare.  Then you’ll still have to do all the work and papers that you would need for your degree.”  Faith points out roughly.

 

“Yes, I’ll be busy between working and studying, but one way or the other I’ll be doing it from here.  I’m not leaving you, honey.  There are other, less prestigious schools that offer this program with a respected, qualified veterinarian.  Doctor Roberts just has to agree to it, and he already has.  He’s already started all the paperwork needed, he’s even keeping track of all the operations and other diagnoses that we’ve had come through that I’ve helped with.  I’ve already had more experience than probably any other student will have at this stage of the learning process.”  Tara explains quietly. 

 

“And then some.”  Faith mumbles into Tara’s neck, knowing that the time she’s spent with the Veterinarian is literally more than what most students have two years in with a practice after graduating. 

 

Tara sighs in relief as Faith settles back down, though knowing that her lover will have more questions and possibly even anger to work through.  “I love you, honey.  I’m planning on sticking around here.  You need my protection just as much as I need yours.”  Tara smiles softly at the quiet snort she gets from Faith. 

 

“You got a lot of fucking information up in your head.” Faith grumbles quietly as she finally bends her legs and scoops Tara up in her arms to make her way to the bedroom.  “I ain’t used to this.”

 

Tara presses her lips gently against Faith’s neck.  “I’m sorry, honey.”

 

“No need to be.  But going from a GED to all the information you got…”  Faith sighs quietly as she gently places Tara in the bed and climbs in beside her lover.  Thankfully wiggling in tightly against and partially over her as Tara wraps her arms around her and holds her tight.  “Don’t know if I like the idea of being smart.”  Faith grumbles softly into Tara’s shoulder. 

 

“I hate to tell you this, but I don’t think I’ll be able to take all the information back.  So, do me a favor.  Turn the lights off in the living room.”  Tara comments softly.

 

“Couldn’t have asked me to do that before I got comfy?”  Faith grumbles as she nips gently at Tara’s shoulder. 

 

“No.  I want you to try it magically, honey.  You have all my memories and abilities now.”  Tara explains, smiling at the quiet grunt she gets from her lover.

 

“Yeah, and I also know you don’t use magic unless you have a good reason.  I have the same memories you got, babe.  Your mama’s teachings were very effective.  You don’t do something magically that you can do just as easily by regular means.”  Faith presses her lips again to Tara’s shoulder before easing from the bed. 

 

Tara smiles as Faith hurries out to the living room and turns off the lamp.  Chuckling quietly as Faith practically dives for the bed. 

 

“Wanna be close.”  Faith mumbles, worming her way under the covers and against Tara. 

 

“Come on, love.”  Tara urges her lover on top of her, smiling as Faith wiggles her body between her legs and works her hands under her back as she nuzzles in against her breasts.  “I’m sorry, honey.  I should have actually told you instead of letting you learn that way.  I don’t know where my mind was.”  Tara runs her hands soothingly through Faith’s hair, loving the feel of the thick silky strands under her fingers and the slayer’s strong body pressing against her.  Smiling softly as Faith lets her know that she loves being pressed against her.  “Sleep, honey.”  Tara gently kneads Faith’s back as she feels her lover relaxing against her. 

 

“Love you.”  Faith mumbles against Tara’s breast as she finally falls asleep.

 

“I love you, too.”  Tara whispers softly, threading her fingers through Faith’s hair, as she closes her eyes to follow her lover in sleep.

 

***

 

Chapter 38


Faith nibbles on her bottom lip as she reads the book, making notes in a notebook she’d snagged from her lover’s stash.  Tara and Joyce having left to do some grocery shopping for dinner that night along with some additional regular shopping, both women grumbling about slayer stomachs. 

 

Faith slowly works her way through the rest of the book, stopping frequently to make notes, staring for long moments on one particular piece of information that makes her wonder.  Closing her eyes she picture’s Tara’s body in her mind’s eye, slowly going over every inch mentally.  Smiling as she gets sidetracked as she thinks about certain attributes of her lover’s body.  Groaning as she feels the desire building, Faith grumbles internally and continues her remembrance of her lover’s body.  Frowning as she vaguely remembers two lighter colored areas on her lover’s butt cheeks, not really thinking anything about it at the time she’d noticed them, Faith rubs a hand roughly over her face trying to remember if they looked like anything in particular. 

 

Growling and giving up on those thoughts, deciding to wait and have Tara strip when she gets home, Faith makes notes on the last section of the book.  Flipping the book back to the first page, Faith starts to re-read it carefully making additional notes and comments as she goes as she waits for Tara to come home.

 

***

 

Tara laughs as she and Joyce put the groceries in the back of the Jeep.  “How in the world did you do this every day when both Faith and Buffy lived at home with you?”

 

Joyce rolls her eyes and groans.  “I went to the grocery store almost every day, or had Buffy or Faith run and pick stuff up.  Usually Faith offered, since she’s not driving impaired.”

 

Tara chuckles at the comment, having heard about Buffy’s driving abilities.  “I’m assuming her cooking and driving abilities are on the same lines?”

 

“You have no idea.”  Joyce groans as they push their carts to the corral and walk back to the Jeep.  “How are things working out with the whole Elf angle?  Rupert told me that he got in a couple books from the Council.”

 

Tara sighs as she climbs in the Jeep, waiting for Joyce to climb in before explaining to her everything that they know so far.  “Faith is probably reading the book as we speak.  Trying to find out anything else that we should know.” 

 

Joyce stares stunned at Tara, having put the key in the ignition but never starting the vehicle as Tara explained to her about what they had learned.  “What are you going to do?”  Joyce finally questions softly, her mind wrapping around the thought that Tara and Faith could literally have a child, just the two women with no extra help.

 

“I don’t know.”  Tara finally admits softly, her eyes worried.  “Right now we’re just going to wait and see if we have to activate my powers fully to be able to take out Adam.  I think it would be best, that way it gives Faith some time to come to terms with being a… father, I guess.” 

 

“Is she reacting badly to the thought?”  Joyce questions, trying to wrap her mind around Faith being a parent.  Shaking her head she finally starts the Jeep, checking before pulling out.

 

“Not really badly.  More confused and worried that something’s going to happen to her.  I’ve tried explaining to her that there’re no guarantee’s for any of us, and not just because of what living here on the Hellmouth means.  I told her anyone anywhere doesn’t know what tomorrow brings.”  Tara runs her hands through her hair, her eyes troubled as she watches the businesses pass by.  “I honestly don’t know if she’s more worried about leaving me to raise our child alone, or being a role model if it comes to that.  She doesn’t think she’s good enough, or deserves to be a parent.”  Tara finally whispers, feeling the tears coming to her eyes, before groaning quietly.  “Ah, hell.”  Sending Faith a mental sorry as she realizes that her lover was able to hear her thoughts, not realizing they reached this far, Tara wipes the tears from her face.  Smiling softly as Faith whispers a soft I love you to her mentally. 

 

“What?”  Joyce looks worriedly at Tara as they wait at the red light.

 

“The connection obviously works from this far away.”  Tara smiles tremulously.

 

“I know you mentioned the connection, but can you actually talk to each other or is it a picture kind of thing?”  Joyce questions curiously.

 

“Both.”  Tara purses her lips as her eyes twinkle merrily at some of the thoughts she’s sent to Faith in the past and some that Faith has sent her way at embarrassing moments. 

 

Joyce glances quickly at Tara, chuckling at the look on the blonde’s face.  “Obviously you’ve both made use of the picture part, I take it?”

 

“You have no idea.”  Tara chuckles, turning slightly to face Joyce a little more. 

 

“Knowing Faith, I might.”  Joyce grins as Tara laughs, glad to hear the woman obviously letting some of the tension go.  “What’s Faith thinking about now?”

 

“You really don’t want to know.”  Tara smirks at Joyce, trying to keep the thoughts of what Faith was wanting to do to her when she gets home out of her mind.  “I’ll put it this way, if Faith has her way we may not show up for dinner tonight.”

 

“And miss the fact that I invited Julie over to the house for dinner?”  Joyce laughs out loud as Tara stares at her in surprise and shock.  “Yes, I did.  Buffy doesn’t know, I asked Julie after Buffy ran to get more ice.  I’m surprised Faith didn’t listen in.”

 

“She was trying to behave, though it was driving her crazy wondering about you and Doc Roberts.”  Tara wiggles her eyebrows at Joyce.

 

Joyce blushes lightly and bites her bottom lip.  “He’s a very nice man.”

 

“Yes, he is.”  Tara’s lip quirks up in a half smile as Joyce blushes even darker.  “Soooo… when are you two going out?”

 

Joyce groans quietly and runs a finger over her forehead.  “Friday night he’s taking me out to dinner.”

 

“Ohhh, boy.  I feel some serious ribbing coming your way.”  Tara laughs as Joyce whimpers.  “Just think about it.  Buffy’s going to probably go completely nuts about your dating and Faith is going to ride this for all it’s worth.  Probably on both sides of the coin.”  Tara mumbles, realizing Faith will probably pick on the Doc, also.  Though knowing her lover, she may threaten Doctor Roberts.  Chuckling at the thought, she smiles as they pull up outside the apartment complex.

 

“Great.  I didn’t even think about that.”  Joyce mumbles as she steps out of the Jeep, helping Tara gather her groceries to take into the apartment building.  Chuckling as Faith strides towards them.  “Did you tell her we were here?”

 

“Don’t need to.”  Tara shakes her head as Faith stops and nips playfully at her bottom lip. 

 

“I’m becoming more comfortable with the idea.”  Faith admits softly.  “We probably should talk some more about it.”  Faith strokes a finger gently down Tara’s cheek before changing the subject.  “Anymore of ours in the Jeep?” 

 

“The last three bags on the right side.”  Tara smiles as Faith hurries to the Jeep and grabs the bags.  Shaking her head at her lover, realizing Faith is about ready to burst with some kind of information, but keeping her thoughts somewhat partially blocked.

 

“We’ll talk about what I found out in a little while.”  Faith gently bumps into Tara, urging her lover to the apartment building where Joyce is waiting. 

 

“You read the whole book?”  Tara questions hurrying beside Faith. 

 

“Yes, babe.”  Faith smiles gently at her lover.  “Mrs. S, is it okay if we forgo dinner tonight?”  Faith looks at Buffy’s mom, blinking as Joyce chuckles and shakes her head.

 

“You want to miss Buffy squirming when she realizes I invited Julie to the house for dinner?”  Joyce’s eyes light up at the thought.

 

“You didn’t!”  Faith laughs and looks at Tara as they make their way to the elevator.  “I don’t think I could keep from pickin’ on her.  And that might be a bit much, what do you think?”

 

“It might be best to give them a chance to get to know each other without us interfering.”  Tara admits, looking at Joyce.  “I think we would make Buffy a complete basket case if we were there.  She’ll probably be bad enough with you inviting Julie without telling her.”

 

Faith snorts, then apologizes.  “You didn’t tell her?”  Laughing loudly, Faith follows the two women out of the elevator.  “Mrs. S, your ass is gonna be grass!!” 

 

“I’m blaming you two.”  Joyce smirks at the two young women, her eyes twinkling.  “You’ve been a bad influence on me.  Let alone the things you’ve done and said to poor Buffy!”

 

Faith smirks as she pushes the door open.  Tara’s been the worse.”

 

“Have not.”  Tara laughs as she starts putting away the cold items.  “Well, maybe.” 

 

“Who was the one teasing Buffy with saying we’d had sex in all the different places around the apartment?”  Faith chuckles as Tara shrugs at her.

 

“She’s so easy to tease, I couldn’t resist.  But who was the one that was standing there naked to let her in our apartment?”  Tara wiggles her eyebrows as she finishes putting items in the refrigerator.

 

“No wonder she always comes home a basket case after being around you two.”  Joyce laughs as Faith and Tara continue to pick on each other.  “I should probably go.  Are you two sure you don’t want to come over for dinner tonight?”

 

“No, we’ll let you have the family time thing tonight.  Let B know me and Tare will take care of patrol so she don’t have to worry about it.  We need to talk anyway.”  Faith finishes putting the meat Tara had bought in the freezer. 

 

“Thanks for the ride to the grocery store.”  Tara smiles as she walks Joyce to the door.  “Makes it easier.”

 

“Anytime, Tara.  Whenever you need a ride or to borrow the Jeep, just call.  You two have a good day and be careful tonight.”  Joyce gently clasps Tara’s shoulder and smiles at the younger woman. 

 

“We will.  You have a good night.  Be sure to let us know what happens.”  Tara smiles as Joyce chuckles wickedly as she walks down the hallway towards the elevator. 

 

Faith finishes placing the staples in the pantry and cabinets before folding the bags and putting them away.  “Well, we’re stocked up for a couple days.”

 

“If that.”  Tara smiles as she locks the door and walks towards her lover.  “Are you going to release that partial wall thing you have going on?  And when did you figure out how to do that?”

 

“Thought I would try it, instead of using the full wall.  I just wanted certain things that I learned to stay with me for now, until I find out for sure.”  Faith smiles softly at her lover.  “I need you to strip.  I think I remember something on your body and wanted to double check it.”

 

Tara looks down at her body and quirks an eyebrow as she looks at her lover.  “Something on my body?  Nothing that most women don’t have.  I mean I don’t have any tattoos or piercings anywhere.”  Tara grins crookedly at her lover, a gleam of mischief coming into her eyes.  “Though I’m sure someone might be able to talk me into one or the other.”

 

“Hmm…  I like that idea.”  Faith smirks at the thought of getting Tara’s nipples and belly button pieced, not worried so much about tattooing the beautiful pale skin, enjoying marking the pale flesh with her mouth instead.

 

“We’ll discuss it.”  Tara chuckles as Faith’s thoughts flitter through her brain.  “Why do I have to strip?”

 

“I need to look at your body.”  Faith waves her finger and looks pointedly at her clothes. 

 

“I think this is just your way of making me strip so you can play.”  Tara finally gives in and leans down to untie her tennis shoes, straightening up and toeing them off as she unbuttons her shirt.

 

“Oh, you would know if I wanted to play.”  Faith growls playfully as she reaches out to stroke a finger over the flesh pushed up by the bra.  Shaking her head, Faith eases back from Tara, loving to touch the blonde, but wanting to see if she’s right before getting sidetracked. 

 

“What are you looking for?”  Tara unhooks her bra, sliding it off watching Faith look at her body intently.

 

“Birthmarks.”  Faith slowly works her way around Tara, not seeing anything.

 

“Birthmarks?”  Tara shakes her head and laughs quietly.  “I don’t think I have any, honey.”

 

“Still looking.  Birthmarks aren’t always real noticeable, ya’ know.”  Faith points out as she tugs on Tara’s jeans.  “Off!”

 

“Bossy assed slayer.”  Tara grumbles playfully before unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans, sliding them down, smirking as she hears the quiet groan coming from Faith.  “You bought them.”

 

“Hell yeah, I did.  And I did a damn good job of picking them out.  But you’re the one that makes them look absolutely wonderful.”  Faith shakes her head at the sight of her lover in the skimpy underwear.  Trailing a finger along the edge of the waistband, Faith smirks as Tara’s stomach flinches and contracts.  Helping her lover, Faith slips her fingers under the strip of cloth and gently slides it down Tara’s legs, placing a kiss on Tara’s stomach as she kneels in front of her lover.

 

Tara groans quietly and threads her hands through Faith’s hair as her lover teases her by dragging her fingers slowly back up her legs.  “Faith!”  Tara warns softly.

 

“I’m still looking.”  Faith smirks as she finally drags her face away from her lover’s body, having been enjoying the smell of arousal coming from Tara, silently debating on making love to Tara now, or waiting. 

 

“If you’re going to be teasing me, I’d rather you do this while I’m lying down so I don’t collapse from lack of oxygen.”  Tara growls, tugging Faith’s hair as her lover is close enough to her that her hair keeps brushing tantalizingly against her thighs even as Faith’s weapon roughened fingers run across her flesh.

 

“That can be arranged.”  Faith scoops Tara up in her arms as she stands, carrying her lover to the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed.  Stopping as Tara looks at her.

 

“Clothes.”  Tara looks into smiling brown eyes.  “You can look, but there will be more than looking when you’re done.” 

 

“Like the sounds of that.”  Faith chuckles and quickly strips her clothes off and kneels on the bed, placing a quick kiss on Tara’s lips, before starting at Tara’s toes and carefully looking over her lover’s body.

 

Tara props her body up on her elbows and watches Faith as she looks over her body.  “So, I understand you’re looking for birthmarks, but why is it so important?”

 

Faith chews on her bottom lip, trying to keep her thoughts from leaking to her lover.  Sighing quietly as Tara silently begs her just to tell her what she’d found.

 

“Please, Faith.”  Tara finally speaks out loud, seeing Faith hesitate and her fingers gently grasping her calves. 

 

“But if you don’t have the birthmarks, it’s a moot point.”  Faith looks up at her lover.  “I don’t know if it would get your hopes up if I tell you only to dash ‘em if you do or don’t have the birthmarks.  I don’t honestly know how you’ll feel.” 

 

“Just tell me.” Tara orders softly, watching Faith.

 

Faith exhales loudly as she finishes looking at her lover’s legs.  “Do you mind if I look at your back side?  I didn’t think you had anything on your front half.  I’ve spent quite a few hours on it, and never noticed anything.  But your backside…”

 

Tara chuckles and rolls over, tucking the pillow under her chin.  Smiling as she feels Faith press a kiss on the back of the calf of one of her legs.  “Talk, love.  Or just take down that wall you have.”

 

Faith hesitates for a few minutes, as she slowly works her way up Tara’s body, trailing her fingertips over Tara’s thighs.

 

Tara whimpers quietly and shifts her face to bury it in the pillow as Faith’s fingers brush lightly over the backs of her thighs.  As Faith’s hands clasp the tops of her thighs tightly and her lover inhales, Tara lifts and turns her head to look over her shoulder at Faith’s surprised countenance.  “Faith?”

 

Faith looks at the paler areas on both butt cheeks.  Knowing that if she hadn’t been specifically looking for them, she would have missed the two birthmarks.  Trailing a finger over her lover’s left butt cheek, she smiles at the sight of what could only be an apple.  “What does the apple, or apple tree mean, Tara?”  Faith questions softly, already knowing the answer, but wanting Tara to say it.

 

“I’m assuming you’re not meaning as in the Adam and Eve portion…”  Tara shakes her head and thinks for a few minutes before explaining softly.  “Going back a ways, the apple is known as the ‘Fruit of the Gods’.  It’s also a symbol of immortality and sexuality.  Supposedly apples and apple cider have aphrodisiac qualities, but I’m not so sure about that.  Kind of like oysters and green M & M’s.”  Tara chuckles before shrugging her shoulders as she shifts her head back to rest on the pillow.  “I believe in Norse myth, apples were also considered responsible for immortality, and keeping the Gods young.  Something about the golden apples if my mythology is correct.”

 

Faith nods at the explanation, tracing the shape of the apple on her lover’s butt cheek.  Shifting her hand to the shape on her lover’s right butt cheek, Faith stares at it for a few long minutes as she sifts through all the information her lover had learned from her mother.  “You have an inordinate amount of information on plants, trees and herbs, Tara.”

 

“My mother’s doing.  She said that it was part of my heritage to know the good along with the bad that plants could do.  Plus with magic, I needed to know where to ground and not ground myself.”  Tara shrugs.  “Some trees and areas I’m more in tune with than other areas.  Then there’re the natural lei lines that I can find and tap into.  I can tap into the lei lines and have unlimited power at my fingertips, if I need it.”

 

Faith hums quietly as she trails her fingers over the other birthmark, the looks of it was harder to make out, but almost positive it’s an elm tree.  “What of the elm?”

 

Tara blinks and sighs quietly.  “The elm is supposedly the home of fairies.  The wood itself is resistant to splitting and the elm is associated with the Earth Goddesses.  It’s also known for stability and helpful in grounding spells.”  Tara’s surprised when she feels Faith placing soft kisses over her butt cheeks before urging her to roll over.  Looking up into Faith’s brown eyes as the slayer eases her body slowly down onto hers to stare at her, Tara lifts both hands to stroke her fingers over Faith’s cheeks.

 

“What if you were to find out that your mom hadn’t found her soul mate and actually found another elf to mate with instead?  The only other way to continue her line was to mate with another female elf.”  Faith presses a soft kiss to Tara’s chin before slowly continuing.  “Your mother was from the Elm line of elves, Tara.  Your other… mother, was from the Apple line.  The only way to know is that there are birthmarks of both parents on the child of the union.  Your mom didn’t die because of being rejected, or something happening to her mate.  She never found her, and decided to marry your dad.  I don’t know how or why, but obviously she came into contact with the other female elf and decided she wanted to have you.”

 

Tara stares at her lover in surprise, searching her lover’s serious brown eyes.  “So, she actually did die of Leukemia?”

 

“Pretty sure, babe.”  Faith finally drops the wall before easing her face in her lover’s neck, pressing a hot, wet kiss to the flesh, smiling as Tara’s hands stroke down her body as her lover sifts through the information that she’s learned.

 

Tara trails her fingers up Faith’s back and gently brushes back her lover’s hair, smiling at Faith.  “I think I like that better, than thinking she’d found her love and been rebuffed or something happened to her.” 

 

Faith sighs in relief, flicking her tongue out to lick across her lover’s pulse point.  “There was one thing I was wondering that the book didn’t explain and you don’t know.  But does the elfin lines mean anythin’, or is it like saying you’re French, English, Swedish, Scottish, or whatever?”

 

Tara presses a kiss to the top of Faith’s head, silently wondering the same thing.  “Well, I do have an affinity for being well grounded when I’m practicing magic.”

 

“And you’re very stable and even tempered.”  Faith offers, wiggling a little as Tara’s fingers had started to trail over her back, the nails scraping gently as her lover thinks. 

 

“Which with you is a definite plus.”  Tara jokes, her eyes twinkling merrily as she picks on her lover.

 

“Yeah, yeah.  But you love me anyway.”  Faith growls as Tara starts to dig her fingers more firmly into her back. 

 

“I love you completely.”  Tara shifts and nibbles on Faith’s ear, chuckling warmly as Faith whimpers.  Trailing her tongue up the outer edge of her lover’s ear, Tara stops in shock.  Pulling away, she pushes Faith’s hair away from her ear, looking at the flesh.

 

“What?”  Faith questions hoarsely, tuning into her lover’s surprise and shock. 

 

“Your ear…”  Tara trails off and gently runs her finger over the flesh, noticing it seems to be less round and has more of a point to it.  Probably not noticeable to anyone but her. 

 

Faith unconsciously groans and closes her eyes at Tara’s touch, pressing her body more firmly into Tara’s.

 

Tara grins wickedly at Faith’s response.  “Paybacks are going to be a bitch, but did that damn book say anything about my mate becoming an Elf?”

 

Faith growls with desire as Tara continues to caress over her ear.  Finally reaching up to distance the distracting fingers from her ear, Faith sighs in relief.  “No, you know everything I know from the book.  There was nothing else in there.”

 

Tara grins as Faith shifts and looks down at her.  “Everything that I am?  I wonder how well the Elf and Slayer are going to mix?” 

 

“Shit!”  Faith groans, shaking her head.  Tweed is gonna fucking flip.”  Faith reaches up to run her fingers over her ear, barely feeling a difference in the flesh.  “It’s not noticeable like yours.”  Faith doesn’t know whether she’s happy at that fact, or upset.  Loving Tara’s ears, the shape, the texture the taste…  Growling Faith dips her head down and suckles on the lobe for a moment before nibbling gently up the flesh as Tara moans and whimpers beneath her.

 

“Damn!”  Tara releases her grip on Faith’s ass from where her hands had migrated as Faith started to attack her ear. 

 

“Don’t wanna get it.”  Faith mumbles into Tara’s neck as the phone rings in the background.

 

“It might be important.”  Tara points out unnecessarily. 

 

“Fuck!”  Faith growls and eases from her lover to answer the ringing phone.

 

***

 

Chapter 39

 

“Damn wimpy assed slayer.”  Faith grumbles quietly as they make their way up the sidewalk outside the Summers’ residence.

 

Tara bites her lip to keep from laughing.  Buffy had called their apartment in a panic before begging them to come to dinner to act as a buffer between her and Julie.  “She’s just nervous because she’s never dated a woman, Faith.”

 

“I didn’t either before you, and I didn’t act like this.”  Faith puts on an innocent wide-eyed look.  “Faith, Tara, please!!  I don’t know how to act… and she’s your friend.  You two work with her please, please, please….”  Faith whines in a higher pitched voice. 

 

“She’s going to kick your ass for picking on her like that.”  Tara warns, not able to keep the laughter from bubbling out.  Watching Faith imitate Buffy tickling her, Faith’s movements completely alien to her and way too sissified for her lover, and for Buffy for that matter. 

 

“I’d like to see her try.”  Faith grins evilly at the thought.  Turning her head she looks down the street as she hears a vehicle driving slowly towards them. 

 

“That’s Julie.”  Tara recognizes the car, quickly stepping back towards the street, Tara waves towards the woman, smiling as Julie waves back and picks up speed before slowing down to pull in the driveway. 

 

“Good timing!”  Julie grins jumping out of the vehicle and shutting the door. 

 

“So how did Mrs. S end up inviting you here for dinner?”  Faith questions curiously, smirking at the woman.

 

Julie blushes and shrugs her shoulders.  “She didn’t really invite me.  It was more of an order.”  Julie admits, a quick smile crossing her face.  “I swore I heard her mumbling something about if she left it up to Buffy, she’d be old and gray before she would ask.”

 

Faith snorts and Tara laughs quietly.  “Well come in, J.  Mrs. S is a great cook…”  Faith trails off and looks at Tara.  “What’s she fixing for dinner tonight?”

 

“I don’t know.  She picked up quite a few different items at the grocery store.”  Tara shrugs, wrapping her arm around Faith’s waist.  “We better probably head in before Buffy blows a gasket.”  Turning to Julie Tara quirks an eyebrow at her co-worker.  “Soooo… You like Buffy?”

 

Julie swallows hard and slowly nods her head as both women look at her intently.  “Yes, I do.”

 

“Good.  Never got that vibe from you before, though.”  Tara grins crookedly at Julie as they make their way towards the front door.

 

“Probably because it’s been so long since I’ve been with anyone, I’m sending off a neutered vibe.”  Julie grumbles, before laughing.

 

Faith grunts and pulls Tara tightly to her.  “I know what you mean.  I go a day without any and I feel like I’m being punished or somethin’.”  Faith growls and nips at Tara’s neck.

 

“You go five minutes without any and you’re going through withdrawals.”  Tara laughs and smacks her lover on the shoulder.  “Try and behave a little tonight.”

 

“Ain’t no fun.”  Faith grumbles before pinching Tara’s butt and opening the door to the house, sliding quickly inside before Tara can get her back.

 

“You’re going to pay for that.”  Tara growls quietly, rubbing her butt cheek as she follows her lover into the house. 

 

“I can’t wait and see what the Doc will do when you act like this at the clinic.”  Julie chuckles gleefully as she rubs her hands together. 

 

“I already warned him about the fact we might be getting naughty, he didn’t seem overly concerned about it.”  Faith wiggles her eyebrows as she calls out.  “Mrs. S, we’re here.”  Faith nods her head towards the kitchen before heading that way.

 

“She just makes herself at home, huh?”  Julie cautiously follows Faith into the kitchen.

 

“That’s because she lived here for over a year.”  Tara explains as she smiles at the sight of Faith sneaking a piece of carrot off the cutting board after whispering something back to Joyce, having heard Joyce’s voice before she stepped into the kitchen. 

 

“I’ll put your ass to work.”  Joyce warns, halfheartedly smacking at the slayer, winking conspiratorially at the slayer.

 

“What’cha want me to do?”  Faith accepts the knife from Joyce and starts cutting the carrots she hands her. 

 

“Anything you want me to do, and where’s Buffy?”  Tara questions curiously.

 

“You can throw a salad together if you want, and Buffy had to run down to the corner store to pick up another gallon of milk.  As soon as I got home she fixed a couple sandwiches and pretty much demolished the gallon I had here.”  Joyce grumbles quietly, shaking her head at her daughter. 

 

“You know she sucks that stuff down like there’s no tomorrow.”  Faith chuckles and pops another piece of carrot in her mouth as she goes back to slicing the carrots.  “What’s for dinner anyway?”

 

“Baked chicken, steamed carrots, salad, baked potatoes, rolls and I picked up a couple pies at the grocery store along with ice cream.”  Joyce grins as Faith groans appreciatively.

 

“How come I get the idea that food is a major thing with Faith?”  Julie murmurs to Tara, from where she’s helping the blonde throw the salad together.

 

“Her and Buffy both.  And to just give you a little hint, it’s useless to whisper, they both have exceptional hearing.”  Tara grins crookedly at her friend as they finish making the salad. 

 

“She’s back.”  Faith wiggles her eyebrows and watches Julie straighten slightly and her head turn towards the kitchen doorway.

 

Tara smirks as her eyes are caught by her lover’s twinkling brown eyes.  “Behave, love.”

 

“Don’t hafta.  Was going to, but B called.”  Faith shrugs and finishes with the carrots.  “She’s fair game now.”

 

“I heard that.”  Buffy grumbles quietly at Faith, before smiling shyly at Julie.  “Did you find the house okay?”

 

“Yes, I did.  Your mom gave great directions.”  Julie looks over at Mrs. Summers who’s giggling quietly as she checks the potatoes and chickens in the oven.

 

“Yes, mom and I are going to need to have a little discussion.”  Buffy narrows her gaze on her mom.

 

“Well, ladies the chicken and potatoes are almost done, so I’ll put the carrots on to steam, if you don’t mind setting the table?”  Joyce conveniently ignores Buffy.

 

Faith snorts as she grabs down plates, looking at her lover, she winks at Tara. 

 

“Sure, we’ll set the table.”  Tara smacks Faith on the ass as the slayer walks by her.  Leaning in to Buffy, Tara whispers loudly.  “Ain’t gonna work Buffy, Moms always win.”

 

“Got that right.”  Joyce smirks as she hears her daughter whimper. 

 

Tara grabs silverware and hurries after Faith, chuckling wickedly as she disappears through the door. 

 

Buffy grumbles as she places the milk in the refrigerator.  Shutting the door she opens the freezer and pulls out the ice container and quickly fills the glasses with the ice cubes. 

 

“I’ll take these into the dining room.”  Julie offers, grabbing three glasses and heading towards the dining room door.

 

“You might want to…”  Buffy trails off before laughing at the squeak she hears coming from Julie.  “Wait.”  Buffy finishes, smirking as Julie turns quickly around and sets the glasses on the island again.

 

“Don’t tell me they’re going at it already?”  Joyce rolls her eyes as she pulls out the potatoes and chickens. 

 

“When aren’t they going at it?  At least I think they still had their clothes on.”  Buffy chuckles at the blushing Julie. 

 

“They were still on, but not quite in their proper positions.”  Julie admits, blushing remembering getting a glimpse of tanned skin from where Tara had pulled up Faith’s shirt and was attacking the dark-haired woman.

 

“Clothes on is good.”  Buffy nods her head as she grabs the glasses and carries them into the dining room.  “Stop trying to eat Faith, Tara.  It’s almost dinner time.” 

 

“She’s pretty tasty, though.”  Tara growls, releasing Faith’s breast grinning up at her lover, who’s panting heavily and staring at her with desire-filled eyes.  “Upstairs for a quickie?  After all, Buffy screwed up our afternoon fun.”

 

“Fuck, yeah.”  Faith growls, picking Tara up and disappearing quickly from the dining room.

 

“Don’t use my room!”  Buffy calls out after the two women, rolling her eyes as she turns around to a wide-eyed Julie.  “You get used to it after a while.  As long as clothes are more or less on, it’s of the good.”  Buffy sniggers quietly as she eases past the tall dark-haired woman and walks into the kitchen. 

 

Joyce chuckles as she cuts apart the chickens, leaving complete chicken breasts whole for Buffy and Faith.  “You’ll have to tell her about the shock you had when Tara was sun burnt.”

 

“Jeez mom!  I’d rather not.  I still haven’t pulled my foot out of my mouth for that one.  Though Tara seems to enjoy picking on me quite frequently now.”  Buffy grumbles quietly as she grabs the salad bowl and takes it into the dining room as Julie comes back in to grab the dressings.

 

“What happened?”  Julie questions curiously, surprised when Buffy blushes darkly. 

 

“I got a major eyeful after going off on Faith before I knew or understood what was happening.”  Buffy wipes a hand down her face as she walks back to the kitchen. 

 

“You didn’t catch those two in the middle of…”  Julie’s eyes open wide at the thought.

 

“No!  Thank God that hasn’t happened yet!!  Though the way those two go at it…”  Buffy smirks as she hears a distinct ‘bitch’ coming from Faith upstairs.  “Of course seeing naked Faith running around is becoming a common occurrence.”  Buffy chuckles wickedly as she hears Faith crying out loudly, looking at Julie, who’s eyes are opened wide and staring up at the ceiling.

 

“They’re not…”  Julie stares in shock as Buffy nods her head grinning hugely at her.  “You’re just screwing with me.” 

 

“Nope.  They’re getting all hot and heavy up there.  Be thankful they’re not doing it in the kitchen… or on the dining room table.”  Buffy blinks and looks at the table in consideration.  “If they did…”  Buffy growls quietly at the thought.

 

“Buffy, honey, stop picking on those two and help with carrying the rest of the food in.”  Joyce bumps into her daughter as she carries the large platter piled high with chicken into the dining room. 

 

“Yes, mom.  But you have to tell the horny two to come down for dinner.”  Buffy smirks as she spins around to gather more of the food carrying it in.

 

“Faith, Tara, come down the food’s on the table.”  Joyce states calmly in her normal voice before going back to the kitchen, Julie following her. 

 

“They really aren’t up there having sex, are they?”  Julie questions Mrs. Summers, surprised as Joyce just grins at her in answer. 

 

“Ye of little trust.”  Buffy has to laugh at the shocked look on Julie’s face.  “I’m sorry, but you can ask them when they come back down.”  Buffy gently runs a hand down the taller woman’s arm, smiling up into pale blue eyes.  “Be careful at the clinic.  If you don’t know where they are, you might want to keep your eyes open so you don’t accidentally walk in on them.”

 

Tara grins as she comes into the kitchen, her flushed face a tell tale sign.  “Faith will be down in a few minutes.  Anything else I can help with?” 

 

Buffy snorts and shakes her head.  “You might want to tell Julie what you two were up to, she doesn’t believe us.”

 

Tara blushes darkly and shakes her head.  “I don’t want to upset her sensibilities with what we were doing.” 

 

“Like she won’t possibly walk in on something at the office.”  Faith grins before nuzzling tenderly at Tara’s neck.  “Love you.”  Faith whispers and places a soft kiss on Tara’s cheek. 

 

“I love you, too.  Tara smiles and pats her lover’s arm that had wrapped around her waist.

 

Julie stares at the two women in shock before slowly shaking her head.  “In a way I think you’re just messing with me… but in another I believe it.”

 

“Believe it.”  Faith grins and wiggles her eyebrows.  Hugging Tara quickly, Faith reaches for one of the two liters of soda and carries it out to the table for her and Tara as the other women chuckle and head to the dining room.

 

Julie slowly follows the women, feeling like she’s dropped into the twilight zone.  Watching as Joyce settles at the head of the table, while Faith and Tara cozy up beside each other laughingly jostling each other while placing food on each other’s plates, she sits down beside Buffy who’s smiling shyly at her.

 

Accepting the platter of chicken, she puts a wing on her plate before passing it to Buffy shaking her head as the woman piles her plate as much as Faith is.  Laughing softly, she fills her plate, passing the items on to Buffy from where Faith hands them to her.  Settling down to eat, she listens to the playful banter between the women, occasionally commenting and answering questions that are directed at her.

 

“So, how long have you been living here in Sunnydale, Julie?”  Joyce questions curiously as she sips on her soda. 

 

“Three years, actually.  I moved here from North Dakota.”  Julie smiles glancing at Buffy who’s watching her curiously. 

 

“Not meaning for it to sound the way it’s going to, but why the hell did you move here?”  Buffy yelps as her mom smacks her. “Mom!”

 

“You could have phrased that better.  I thought I taught you manners.”  Joyce narrows her gaze on her daughter before turning her look on Faith who’s chuckling and Tara who has a hand over her mouth and was trying not to laugh.

 

“We know she doesn’t have any manners.  Anyone that comes busting into a person’s bedroom…”  Faith snaps her mouth shut as Tara taps her on the leg mentally telling her to behave.  Turning her gaze on her lover, Faith grumbles quietly.  “You don’t let me have any fun at all.”

 

Buffy interrupts before Tara can say anything.  “Don’t even go there!  But I will try and rephrase the question.”  Buffy turns and looks apologetically at Julie who’s quietly giggling beside her.  “What brought you to Sunnydale?”

 

Julie smiles at Buffy before relaxing back in the chair and turning somewhat towards the small blonde.  “I wanted to live in California, but I didn’t want to live in any of the larger cities.  I was working at the veterinarian’s office at home, and she went to school with Doctor Roberts.  They kept in contact over the years and one thing led to another.”  Julie shrugs, smiling. 

 

“Hmm.  Sounds like this town might actually get something right occasionally.”  Buffy murmurs before blushing and looking down at her plate. 

 

Faith elbows Tara, smirking she sends a mental note to her lover.  ‘We don’t need to embarrass her, she’s doing a good job herself.’

 

Tara smacks Faith’s thigh, chuckling quietly.  “Personally I agree with you, Buffy.  Occasionally something actually works out right in this... town.”  Tara looks at her lover and wiggles her eyebrows. 

 

Faith grasps Tara’s hand, threading her fingers through Tara’s before lifting them to kiss the back of her hand. 

 

“Are they always like that?”  Julie questions, unconsciously shifting closer to Buffy as she whispers the words.

 

“Whispering in this house with me or Faith around is useless.”  Buffy grins at the woman before answering her question, not aware that Julie had already been told the same thing.  “And yes, they’re like this or worse most of the time.  After you accidentally walk in on them a couple times, or hear them you’ll eventually get used to it.”

 

“Do that often, do you?”  Julie laughs as Buffy blushes and rubs a hand over her face.

 

“It isn’t my fault.  It’s theirs!”  Buffy points accusingly at the two chuckling women across from them.  “Opening the door while naked, strolling around the house without a care and without a stitch of clothing on...”  Buffy rolls her eyes as Faith chuckles wickedly.

 

“Do you mind that I like to run around the house naked?”  Faith questions her lover curiously.

 

“Personally I enjoy the hell out of it.  Clothes are optional at our apartment, though I think Joyce prefers them to more or less stay on here.”  Tara turns questioning eyes to Joyce, chuckling as the older woman rolls her eyes.

 

“She never took the hint about wearing the robes I kept buying her.  So it was either get used to it, or just overlook it.”  Joyce admits, before turning mischief-filled eyes on her daughter.  “Though I think I took it a lot better than Buffy has.”

 

“Because they don’t tease you and answer the damn door nude literally after they have had sex.”  Buffy grumbles, blushing a deep dark red.

 

“I think you’re just jealous.”  Julie whispers softly.

 

Buffy snaps her head towards the woman, her eyes wide, while Faith guffaws loudly.

 

“Hot damn!  I like her.”  Faith grins hugely at Tara before turning back to a lightly blushing Julie.  “Are you easily scared or grossed out?”

 

“I work in a veterinarian’s office.  I see a lot of weird and disgusting things.  What do you think?”  Julie rolls her eyes at the dark-haired woman.

 

“Good.  I’ll take that as a no.”  Faith chuckles and relaxes back in the chair, clasping Tara’s thigh and squeezing gently.  “I was just curious.”  Faith answers the questioning look in Julie’s eyes.  Reaching out with her other hand, Faith grabs her drink, sipping it quickly as she watches Buffy steal glances at Julie. 

 

Deciding to change the conversation slightly, Tara looks at Joyce.  “What else do you have planned after dinner?  Did you rent a couple movies to watch or something?”  Tara jokes and winks.  “Or were you planning on kicking them out and telling them to go to a coffee shop or something?”

 

“I’ve done the mom thing.  I’ve invited her to the house it’s up to Buffy now.”  Joyce jokes and smirks at her blushing daughter.

 

“Mom!!”  Buffy groans, crossing her arms over her chest.  “How do you know she even likes me?  Or that she might be gay… or at least bi?”

 

“I’m biased.  How can she not like you?”  Joyce winks at her daughter, before glancing at Julie, chuckling as the woman blushes lightly even as she laughs.  “Anyway, I’m not getting any younger and I asked her if she liked you.”

 

“YOU DIDN’T!”  Buffy cries out, feeling like her cheeks are going to burst into flames at any moment.  Turning worried eyes towards Julie, she whimpers as she sees the truth in Julie’s eyes.  “I’m sorry.”

 

Julie shrugs and slowly relaxes even more.  Though the women obviously enjoyed picking on each other tremendously, they obviously cared about each other.  Though having a woman’s mother trying to hook her up with her daughter was odd, she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.  “Would you maybe like to go out to dinner one night this week?”  Julie questions softly, her eyes serious. 

 

Buffy nibbles on her lip and slowly nods her head.  “If you don’t mind going out with me.”

“Would I ask if I minded?”  Julie chuckles and reaches up to tuck a loose blonde hair behind Buffy’s ear, smiling as the woman smiles shyly at her again.  Loving that smile, but also liking the mischievous smile, along with the grins and other facial features she’s seen crossing the small woman’s face. 

 

“See, you didn’t need us here to run interference for ya’, B.”  Faith tugs on Tara’s hand.  “Come on, let’s let them have some getting to know each other time.  We’ll see ya’ tomorrow night, B.”  Faith calls out over her shoulder, winking at the two women as she ushers Tara out of the dining room and the house.

 

“You had them come over here because I was going to be here?”  Julie blinks in surprise as she turns to Buffy.  Ignoring the fact that Joyce had taken the opportunity and disappeared into the kitchen.

 

“Ummm… Yes.”  Buffy admits quietly, her eyes downcast.  “I’ve never…”  Taking a deep breath, Buffy finally looks up into gorgeous pale blue eyes.  “I’ve never been attracted to a woman before, Julie.  Let alone even considered the possibility of dating one.  They were kind of here to help me relax and break up the seriousness of my mom actually butting her nose into my love life.”

 

“Was it so bad?”  Julie questions softly, her eyes searching Buffy’s hazel eyes. 

 

“No.  Actually I think it might have been the right thing to do.”  Buffy smiles softly, finally relaxing.  “I don’t know when, if ever, I would have gotten up the courage to ask you out.”

 

“Subtle hint, here Buffy.  I was planning on questioning Tara and Faith about you this week.  So if your mom hadn’t had me come here…”  Julie smiles as Buffy realizes what she’s saying. 

 

“Thank God.”  Buffy chuckles.  “I know mom bought dessert, but would you like to maybe walk downtown and get a milk shake or something?”

 

“I think I would like that.”  Julie smiles as Buffy stands and holds her hand out to her.  Gently grasping the petite blonde’s hand, she follows her out of the house.

 

Joyce grins at the sight of her daughter and Julie walking down the sidewalk, still holding hands.  “You owe your old mom, Buffy.”  Joyce chuckles before walking back to the dining room to gather the dishes, placing the food on the island as Faith and Tara sneak in the back door.  “Finish eating this food or it’ll go to waste.  I don’t think either one of them are going to be back for a couple hours.”

 

Faith chuckles and settles down at the island. 

 

“And did you two actually sneak upstairs and have sex?”  Joyce questions curiously as she sits down across from Faith, smiling at the sight of Tara resting her chin on Faith’s head and grinning crookedly at her.

 

“What do you think, Mrs. S?”  Faith laughs as Joyce tosses the dishtowel at her.  “Nah.  But we did make out for a while.  I can’t believe you wanted us to push their buttons like that.”

 

“Like you were against the idea.”  Tara murmurs, running her fingers through Faith’s hair.  “And Buffy had to play into it, unknowingly.  Hell, even Julie did, too.”

 

“My daughter makes too many comments that Faith can play on normally, it was bound to happen.”  Joyce shrugs, chuckling quietly.  “But I was afraid if I didn’t push Buffy a little she would never admit she liked her.  I didn’t realize Julie was planning on pushing the matter if Buffy didn’t.”

 

“Who cares how they got together, as long as they do.  Got them together, it’s up to them to take it from here.”  Faith works on a chicken leg, leaning back into her lover. 

 

Stroking both hands gently over Faith’s shoulders, Tara smiles and presses her lips to the top of her lover’s head.  “We should probably visit Mr. Giles after you finish dinner.”

 

Faith grumbles quietly under her breath.  “I guess.  You’re wantin’ to tell him what we learned, ain’t ya’?”  Faith questions roughly.

 

“Some of it.  I honestly don’t believe a good portion of it has anything to do with the Watcher’s Council.”  Tara admits softly.

 

“And they don’t have any right to the information about elves.”  Faith whispers, tilting her head back to look up into blue eyes.  “Not that we have all the answers, but we have a better understanding than we did.  Do you know how much info you wanna give him?”

 

“Just tell him that you are becoming an Elf, and that you literally have all my memories, abilities and information along with your own.  We aren’t exactly sure what that entails, and that’s the truth.”  Tara sighs quietly. 

 

“Except if I really need to bippity boppity boo something, I can.”  Faith grins at her lover, accepting the kiss she gives her. 

 

“Yes.”  Tara whispers against Faith’s lips.  “Finish eating, love.”

 

“You’re becoming an Elf?”  Joyce questions, her eyes widening in surprise.

 

“Well, her ears are not quite so round and are becoming more… sensitive.”  Tara chuckles as she strokes a finger over one of her lover’s ears and Faith growls and shifts from her touch.  “I warned you.”

 

Faith grabs Tara and pulls her around to practically sit in her lap after she spreads her legs for her lover.  “I know.  I’m gonna be fucking payin’ for who knows how long.” 

 

“Yep.”  Tara grins crookedly and wraps an arm around Faith’s neck, smiling as Joyce chuckles.

 

“What comes around goes around?” Joyce questions curiously, her eyes alight with laughter.

 

“Oh… and then some.”  Tara nips playfully at Faith’s neck as her lover groans loudly. 

 

“Might make her think twice before doing something from now on.”  Joyce points out, looking from Tara to Faith and back again, before shaking her head.  “Never mind, I take that back!”

 

Tara laughs quietly, before yelping softly as Faith pinches her butt.  “You’ll get paid back for that, too.”

 

“I’m looking forward to it.”  Faith smirks and rubs the spot while wiggling her eyebrows. 

 

“Rotten.”  Tara whispers, her eyes twinkling merrily before looking back towards Joyce, the three women talking while Faith finishes eating.

 

***

 

Chapter 40

 

“I really should let the Council know about this new development.”  Giles pinches his nose and closes his eyes at the thought of Faith actually, physically, becoming an elf. 

 

“I’d rather them not know exactly what the book says about elves.  There’s probably a very good reason why there isn’t a lot of information readily available about us, and I would rather it stay that way.”  Tara leans into Faith as her mate wraps her arm around her waist in silent support.

 

Giles looks at the two women for a few minutes before slowly nodding his head.  “I understand, and more yet, agree with you.  Though they will know more about elves now that Faith is…”  Giles waves at the slayer, furrowing his brows at the thought before shaking his head. 

 

“What’s bad is the fact that there’s still a lot of shit we don’t know.”  Faith looks towards Tara at the quiet see she receives from her lover.  “We never were able to clarify some of the points, like the fact that if an Elf finds its mate, are they immortal?  Or does it literally mean that if one dies, the other one will eventually die?”

 

Tara runs a finger over her forehead and shakes her head.  “I doubt that we would be immortal, Faith.  I mean… that’s too out there even for everything else.”

 

Faith shrugs and looks at the Watcher, silently wondering what he thinks.

 

Seeing the look on the slayer’s face, Giles just shakes his head.  “I don’t know, Faith.  Unfortunately the only way to know is if someone tried to kill one of you after you reach your full potential.  Until then, I would assume that if one of you should die, eventually the other would follow.  Or maybe that would only work if you died first, Faith.  Tara might eventually follow you.  Whereas where you’re not truly an ‘elf’, you may continue to live.”

 

“But she is becoming an elf.”  Tara points out softly.  The two women having been talking about this for the last four days, ever since Sunday’s revelations, and had come to the Magic Box directly from work today, planning on meeting up with Buffy and Julie for dinner out.

 

Faith hears her lover’s thoughts and glances up at the clock, realizing if they want to clean up they should probably get ready to leave.  Tweed, do what ya’ gotta do.  But I’m telling you flat out…  They ain’t learning nothin’ else about us.  We don’t know what information could end up being used against us, you know?” 

 

Giles slowly nods his understanding.  “Let me think on it for a bit.  I wonder if the best thing to do would be just to ignore the fact that you two can read the book, but since no one can read it that I want to keep it here in case something within Tara ‘unlocks’ at some date so she can read it.”  Giles murmurs out loud, more thinking out loud than actually speaking to the two young women. 

 

“If you go that way, I’d appreciate it.”  Tara admits quietly, looking at the Watcher.  “But if you need to return it, maybe we could make a copy of it, or something so we have it with us.”

 

“Quite.”  Giles purses his lips and taps the earpiece of his glasses against his lips as he continues to think through what information they’ve learned and which way he should go. 

 

“We need to go, babe.  I want to take a quick shower before meeting up with B and Jules.”  Faith smiles as Tara grins crookedly at her in acceptance.  “Later, Tweed.”

 

“Yes, yes.  Have a good night.”  Giles waves the two women out the door before settling down, silently considering what to do.

 

***

 

Buffy nervously changes for the fifth time, looking at herself in the full-length mirror, groaning as she goes back to her closet again.

 

Joyce chuckles quietly as she pokes her head in her daughter’s room, seeing the pile of clothes on her bed, never remembering Buffy having this much problem choosing what to wear before.  “Having difficulties?”

”MOM!”  Buffy whines and looks at her mother as she looks back at her closet.  “I don’t have anything to wear.”  Buffy finally grumbles loudly.

 

Joyce snorts loudly before shaking her head at her daughter.  “Honey, you have plenty to wear.  Look at the bed and your closet.  Heck, you even have more clothes in Faith’s closet now that she’s moved out.” 

 

Buffy’s eyes light up and she slides by her mom to head to the other closet.  “Maybe something from there…”

 

Joyce groans and slowly follows her daughter across the hallway as Buffy starts to sort through her clothes.

 

“What does one woman wear out on a date with another woman?”  Buffy questions herself more than her mom as she looks at her clothes.

 

“Whatever she wants to.”  Joyce answers, chuckling at the soft growl and the dirty look she receives from her daughter.  “Honey, you know she already likes you.  From talking with her Sunday, she seems to like you for you, not what you look like.”

 

Buffy pouts slightly.  “But I want her to like the way I look, too.”

 

Joyce groans and drops down to sit on the bed as she watches her daughter.  “I’m sure she does, Buffy.  But she isn’t going to care if you’re wearing jeans, a skirt, shorts or a pair of your leather pants.”

 

Buffy’s eyes light up at the mention of the leather pants.  “Yes!  I’ll wear my red leather pants and the black halter top…”  Buffy finally digs out the leather pants from the closet and runs out of the room to hurriedly finish getting dressed so she can re-touch her make-up and head towards the restaurant.

 

“God help Julie.”  Joyce laughs and falls back on the bed, shaking her head at her daughter’s antics.

 

***

 

“Faith, behave.”  Tara admonishes quietly, trying not to laugh as her lover pinches her ass again.

 

“Can’t.  Love you in those pants.  They’re so snug, and your ass flexes…”  Faith growls deeply as she watches Tara stride down the sidewalk towards the restaurant they’re meeting the other two women at.  The sight of the muscles shifting under the soft, supple denim makes Faith’s mouth salivate with longing.  

 

“I didn’t realize you had an ass fetish.”  Tara chuckles and squeaks as two strong hands grip her butt and squeeze firmly.

 

“I didn’t… before.”  Faith laughs and slides up beside Tara, throwing her arm over her lover’s shoulder as Tara wraps hers around her waist.  “I realized I’ve been neglecting that particular area of your body, along with a few others after finding those birthmarks, so I have to make up for it.”

 

“Hmmm…  And exactly how are you planning on doing that?”  Tara laughs softly at the absolutely wicked grin that crosses Faith’s face.  Groaning as Faith licks her lips slowly and seductively before leaning in to nip gently along her jaw line. 

 

“Pretty much just like that.  And wherever the mood takes me.”  Faith growls softly into Tara’s ear before sneaking in a quick lick, laughing as they turn the corner to see Julie waiting patiently at the front door.  “We’re early, aren’t we?” 

 

“By almost fifteen minutes.  Think she’s eager?”  Tara grins crookedly at Faith, before she turns and smiles warmly at Julie as they close the distance between them.

 

“That would be a yes.”  Faith laughs softly as they come to a stop by Julie.  “B ain’t here yet, I take it?”

 

“Honey, you know better than that.”  Tara bumps gently into her lover, chuckling as Faith rolls her eyes.

 

“Yeah, she has terminal late-itus.”  Faith looks slowly up Julie’s body, quirking her eyebrow at the tight faded jeans, hugging the muscular legs to the tight purple t-shirt tucked into the jeans and the long black hair hanging loosely halfway down the tall woman’s back, having to admit between the figure, the classical features and the ice blue eyes, the woman was definitely hot.  “FUCK!”  Faith jumps a yard up in the air as she gets her ass cheek pinched.  “Damn it!”  Faith growls, rubbing hard at the spot as she turns to look at her innocent looking girlfriend.  “Ain’t like I was thinkin’ bad thoughts or gonna act on it or anything.”

 

Tara smirks at Faith, before she looks back at a confused looking Julie.  “She was checking you out.”  Tara admits, shrugging her shoulders at the simplified comment.

 

“I wasn’t fuckin’ checking her out.  I was just looking at her!”  Faith growls, still rubbing her butt cheek, having a feeling she’ll have a bruise there for at least an hour.

 

“Oh, and it was someone else that was thinking she’s ‘Hot’, right?”  Tara quirks her eyebrow at Faith while leaning against the wall beside a quietly chuckling Julie. 

 

“Damn it, Tare.  Like you ain’t ever looked at no-one and thought they were hot before.”  Faith grumbles, pouting slightly as she leans against the wall by her lover.  Knowing Tara’s just picking on her, Faith sighs heavily and kicks dejectedly at the ground.  “I won’t look at another woman ever again, if that’ll make you happy.”

 

Tara snorts at the puppy dog expression she gets from her lover.  “I noticed you left guys out of that equation.”

 

Faith rolls her eyes and bangs her head lightly against the wall behind her.  “I ain’t got in trouble for looking at guys yet.”  Faith fights the smile crossing her face as Tara’s delightful laughter flows warmly over her.

 

“You are rotten.”  Tara tugs on Faith’s leather pants to pull her closer to her side, smiling softly as Faith kisses her lingeringly on the cheek.  “I love you.” 

 

“I love you, too.”  Faith looks over at a bemused Julie and shrugs her shoulders.  “We don’t, and probably really can’t, hide much of anything from each other.  Not that I’d really want to.”  Faith admits softly, looking at Tara.  “And it isn’t like I’d ever leave her, unless I didn’t have a choice.”

 

Tara brushes the back of her hand gently over Faith’s face.  “And we’re planning on that not being for many, many, many years from now.  When we’re both old and gray with great-great-grandchildren.”

 

“I can go for that.”  Faith chuckles and sneaks in a soft, lingering kiss.

 

Julie looks on in surprise at the loving display between the two women.  It being so different from the joking and picking on each other that they normally do at the office or even the extreme naughtiness from Sunday’s dinner. 

 

“Here comes B.”  Faith smiles as she eases back slightly from Tara, glancing over at a surprised Julie.  Raising her eyes to the corner, Faith nods her head.

 

Julie turns to look where Faith’s indicating.  Watching in stunned surprise as Buffy comes around the corner at a fast walk.  “How the hell…?”  Julie turns to look back at Faith who just smirks at her.  “If you tell me exceptionally good hearing again, I just might smack you.”  Julie warns.

 

Tara chuckles and wraps her arm around Faith’s waist.  “Hate to tell you, but she might like it.”

 

Julie groans at the two women, before turning her gaze back on the petite blonde coming their way.  The groan turns to a low whimper as she actually notices what the woman is wearing.  “Kill me now.”

 

Tara laughs, burying her face in Faith’s neck, having noticed what Buffy was wearing before Julie did.

 

“You ain’t thinkin’ naughty thoughts are you?”  Faith growls quietly into Tara’s ear, smirking at the laughter bubbling up from her lover. 

 

“I don’t think naughty thoughts about her.  I usually just say naughty things to her.”  Tara admits, her eyes twinkling at Faith, before turning to look at a lightly scowling Buffy that finally reached them.

 

“I’m not even going there.”  Buffy warns, looking at the two women, before her gaze and stance softens as she looks up at Julie.  “Sorry for the late-itude.  Had a fight with my closet.”  Buffy ignores the snorts coming from behind her.  “You loooooook…”  Buffy trails off as she looks up the long strong legs, the hips hugged enticingly with the faded jeans.  The tight t-shirt hugging the woman’s cleavage almost like a second skin and to a twitching, full lipped mouth, finally coming to rest on ice-blue eyes looking at her, the merriment obvious in their depths.  Blushing darkly, Buffy fidgets slightly.  “Good.  Real good.”  Buffy mumbles as she looks down.

 

“Thank you.”  Julie laughs quietly, relaxing even more at Buffy’s comments and looks.  The woman’s overwhelming sexiness enhanced by the black halter-top, leaving the tanned, toned stomach bare, along with the surprisingly strong looking arms and shoulders down to the tight red leather pants that encased the lightly muscular legs and slight hips.  Silently wondering what Buffy’s ass looks like in the pants, Julie bites her bottom lip to keep from asking Buffy to turn around.  “Personally, I’m feeling a little underdressed.  Between you and Faith wearing leather pants and Tara wearing obviously new jeans…” 

 

“Oh, no, no, no.  You look gorgeous, I mean, wonderful, I mean…”  Buffy whimpers and looks at her two friends for help. 

 

“She’s hot.”  Faith admits, and shrugs her shoulders.  Smirking as Buffy’s head bounces up and down in agreement as she looks back at Julie, her eyes practically devouring the tall woman, before she realizes what she’s agreeing too and groans loudly, the blush darkening on her face.

 

“Here we go again.”  Tara smacks Faith gently on the ass, before chuckling.  “Come on, you guys.  I know Faith’s hungry, her beast is grumbling something terrible.”  Tara gently pats Faith’s stomach as she shakes her head at Julie and Buffy just standing there looking at each other. 

 

Faith whistles sharply, making both women jerk their heads towards her.  “Inside, now.  Food, dinner, conversation.  You two can stare at each other some other time.”  Faith hurries inside, barely getting out of the way of the foot aimed at her ass from Buffy. 

 

Tara chuckles, sliding into the restaurant after Buffy misses her lover. 

 

“After you.”  Buffy looks up nervously, wondering what Julie’s going to think or do about the way she’s been acting.  Surprised to see the soft smile on the woman’s full, pink lips. 

 

Realizing how nervous Buffy obviously is, Julie gently strokes a hand up and down the small woman’s arm.  “Relax, Buffy.  I know this is all new for you, but just treat me like you do anyone else.”

 

Buffy sighs and slowly nods her head, before suddenly shaking it vehemently.  “No.  I like you differently than I do everyone else, Julie.  I can’t treat you like I do my friends.”

 

Julie blinks in surprise at how readily the woman gave up that information.  Leaning forward slightly, Julie whispers in Buffy’s ear.  “Good.  I like you a lot more than just as a friend also.  But we can start with friendship and see where it leads afterwards, if it would make you feel more comfortable.”

 

Buffy closes her eyes at the warm breath washing over her ear and neck, inhaling the subtle musk coming from Julie.  “More than friendship, I hope.”  Buffy blinks her eyes open, turning her head quickly to place a quick kiss on Julie’s cheek before ushering the taller woman into the restaurant, chuckling at the stunned look on Julie’s face as she walks into the restaurant.  ‘Maybe this won’t be as bad as I thought.’  Buffy murmurs internally as she follows Julie.

 

***

 

Julie laughs at the three women’s antics as Tara and Faith tease Buffy almost unmercifully through dinner.  Buffy had finally given up on being embarrassed and was actually starting to give as good as she was getting.  As they go back and forth, dragging her into the picking fest, she’s actually learning a lot more about the three women.  Realizing that with a few comments Buffy had made, Faith had obviously changed a lot since Tara and her had gotten together.  Of course, she personally knows Tara has changed.  The woman had been quiet, and would talk and joke with the rest of the people at the office, but not like she does now.  She’s become more outgoing and was prone to laugh more readily, where there always seemed to be a ‘too serious’ side to her.

 

“Now you guys are pulling my leg.  There’s no way Tara would have said those things to Buffy.”  Julie interjects when Faith laughingly tells how Tara had pointed out everywhere Buffy sat, stood or leaned against what Faith and she had done in that particular spot.  Seeing Tara blush lightly and slowly nod her head, Julie’s chuckles turn into outright laughter.

 

“We’re not joking with you.  They’re both evil!”  Buffy unconsciously leans against Julie, the women having opted for a booth.  “Other than the first time Tara was sunburned and walked around without a stitch of clothes on, at least she’s usually dressed when I’ve come over.  Though even that makes me wonder, because Faith’s usually undressed.”  Buffy’s eyes narrow on the two women.

 

“She can’t get enough of me, what can I say?”  Faith shrugs and laughs as Tara pokes her in the ribs.  “You denyin’ it?”

 

“No.”  Tara grins crookedly, her eyes twinkling merrily at the fun she’s having.  Knowing Buffy was a little tense to begin with, but being picked on then being able to tell tales on her and Faith had made Buffy more and more relaxed, and honestly had Julie laughing her ass off.

 

Faith snatches the check as the waiter lays it on the table, just beating Buffy to it.  Wiggling her eyebrows, she digs in her pocket and pulls out the cash.  “My treat tonight.  You can pay next time, B.”

 

“But…”  Buffy growls softly, her eyes narrowed on the other slayer.

 

“No buts.  I’m figurin’ there’ll be a next time.  And probably quite a few more after that.”  Faith nods her head to a smiling Julie.  “You don’t mind double-datin’ occasionally, do ya’?”

 

Julie shakes her head, laughing softly.  “Hell no.  This is the most fun I’ve had in years.”

 

“At my expense.”  Buffy grumbles good-naturedly smiling as Julie presses gently against her and chuckles. 

 

“I think you get as much of a kick out of it, as they do.”  Julie whispers softly in Buffy’s ear, grinning as Buffy unconsciously shivers against her.  The light touching and pressing of their sides and legs against each other through dinner definitely a dead giveaway that Buffy likes her. 

 

“Uh, huh.”  Buffy can’t say anything else as the warm breath blows in her ear, making her brain functions non-existent. 

 

Tara chuckles quietly and pats Faith firmly on the thigh as Buffy’s eyes half close and a low whimper comes from her mouth. 

 

Faith snorts softly and pats Tara’s hand before easing from the booth to pay for dinner. 

 

***



The Rogue Slayer 41-Epilogue


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