What If?

by Kinetic-Kid

Copyright © 2005

kwhite14@yahoo.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Definitely no money being made. All characters belong to Joss Whedon and ME. I own nothing except whatever characters I may make up for this story.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: http://mysticmuse.net
Kinetic-Kid's Site: http://www.kinetic-kid.com
Oh yeah, anywhere, anytime. Just make sure I get credit and let me know where it is.
Feedback: Please Please PLEASE. I live for feedback. I get irritable and upset if I don't get any and I might not continue writing. Of course, if you don't like the story and think it sucks you may not want me to continue!
Spoilers: None
Author's Notes: What if Willow went to one of the other colleges courting her during her senior year? What if there was no Dawn or Glory? If Joyce didn't have an aneurism and die? What might have happened? This story is the Scoobies Freshman year of college. No Anya/Xander hook up from the past. Plus other little things – be forewarned – I will be playing fast and loose with time-lines!!
Pairing: Buffy/Tara

Chapter 1    Chapter 2    Chapter 3    Chapter 4    Chapter 5    Chapter 6    Chapter 7    Chapter 8    Chapter 9    Chapter 10    Chapter 11    Chapter 12    Chapter 13    Chapter 14

Chapter 1

"Mom, I'm going to go head out on patrol." Buffy calls to her mom as she pulls on a light jacket and checks to make sure she has a knife and a couple stakes on her.

"Be careful, honey." Joyce wipes her hands on the dish towel as she walks out of the kitchen, smiling at her daughter.

Buffy looks up grinning. "Have to. I'll have you on my butt if I don't."

"You sure you don't mind staying home while going to college?" Joyce questions as she watches Buffy start to open the door.

"Mom, we've been over this before. I know you need to save as much money as possible and if it's easier on you my being here while going to college, that's what I'll do." Buffy sights quietly. "I don't mind."

"I know you don't, but I kind of feel guilty that you're not getting the whole 'college' experience." Joyce admits. "I can take out a second mortgage on the house."

"No, Mom. NO." Buffy states more adamantly. "It really isn't that big a deal. Willow's going to MIT, Xander's got a job at a construction site. It isn't like I'll be living on campus and sharing a room with a friend." Buffy shakes her head before glancing out at the night. "And it saves you a lot of money." Smiling she looks at her mom before quickly walking over and giving her a quick hug. "It's okay, honest."

Joyce smiles and hugs Buffy back, thankful that after all the years and problems they had been through, they were finally on an even keel. "Be careful. Kill lots of evil monsters and come home safe and sound."

"I will. Love you, mom." Buffy grins as she opens the door heading out as she hears her mom telling her she loves her.

Buffy quietly hums to herself as she patrols downtown Sunnydale on her way to the campus, knowing that a lot of vampires look for a co-ed snack. She had already killed three newly risen vampires in two different cemeteries.

Strolling along, she senses a vampire around and listens intently as she hears a noise coming from the alleyway just ahead. Quickly sliding into the shadows of the alley, she sees a vampire just sinking his teeth into this young teenager. Running full tilt, she rips the vampire away from the teen and slams the vampire against the wall, disorienting him. "Are you okay?" She questions the teen, and as he nods his head, holding his neck he looks at surprise to the petite blonde girl that just saved him. "Go home. Stay to the well lit areas and preferably to crowds." She admonishes the kid.

"Th-thanks." He stutters out before quickly running out of the alley.

Buffy watches him go and shakes her head at the stupidity of the people in Sunnydale before ducking as the vampire takes a swing at her. "That's not nice. Trying to take advantage of my not paying attention to you." Buffy smiles at the vampire before backhanding him across the jaw.

"Fuck you." The vampire growls out as he quickly pops back up from where Buffy had knocked him down. "I'm gonna kill you slow, little girl."

"Don't think so." Buffy shakes her head as she calmly waits for the vampire to attack. As he lunges towards her she jumps up and tucks into a roll over top of him coming to land behind him before spinning around and catching the vampire upside the head with a back spin kick.

"You know you actually have to touch me to hurt me." Buffy smirks at the vampire as he runs towards her again, quickly dodging to the side, Buffy slams her stake into his heart through the back. "You weren't any fun." She grumbles quietly as she twirls the stake before tucking it back away in the back of her jeans.

Buffy grins as she heads past the Bronze, scoping out the alleyway making sure there were no vamps before nodding to Jimmy the bouncer as he let her in to look inside. She smiles thinking about the fact that Jimmy just let's her slide in without paying the door charge after she saved him from the 'disfigured' mugger that one night.

Opening her senses fully, she glances around, sweeping haze eyes briefly over the dancers on the dance floor as she feels a slight tug at her senses, she narrows in on the dark corner that always seems to attract the vampires. Quickly sliding and dodging around bodies, Buffy makes her way back and stakes the vampire that was just getting ready to bury her teeth in the unsuspecting man. "Be careful who you decide to suck face with. You might not like the results." Buffy quickly turns on her heel and heads out of the Bronze winking at Jimmy as she leaves.

"Find any?" He grins as Buffy chuckles and nods her head. "Thanks."

"It's what I do." Buffy shrugs her shoulders before quickly heading down the street. She feels sad as she works her way towards the campus, wishing Willow had decided to stay in Sunnydale to go to college, but knowing in her heart that the redhead was way too brilliant to go to a little hick college. Not with MIT, Harvard and Oxford recruiting her. Shaking her head she smiles, realizing that it was only a little over a month away before Christmas break and Willow would be back to visit.

Buffy hears a muffled cry coming from behind one of the college buildings and quickly runs over seeing four different vampires attacking a blonde woman. Quickly staking one vampire, she grabs two more, flinging them back and away from the woman before slamming her fist in the last vampires face, breaking his nose. Glancing briefly at the woman, she notices that it didn't look like they had started feeding yet and breathes a sigh of relief. Spinning around and double fisting the vampire across the head she calls out. "Be careful, try to stay out of the way." Jumping up she kicks the other vampire hard in the chest, smiling as he flies back a good ten yards before coming back down to sweep the legs from the third vampire out from under him as he tries to sneak up on her from behind. Quickly staking him she growls as she feels the other vampire ready to hit her and falls down in surprise as he disappears in a burst of flames.

Tara sees the vampire closing in on the petite blonde that had come to her aid and quickly sends a fireball to dust him. Calling herself all kinds of stupid for being out so late by herself, she knew she was in trouble when the four vampires surrounded her. She can take care of one, maybe two by herself but had known she was about to kiss her ass goodbye when she saw all four of them. Not believing how thick the townsfolk people were not realizing they were living in vampire heaven, she shakes her head and watches as the petite blonde quickly takes care of the fourth vampire. Suddenly feeling shy she grabs up her books that she had previously dropped and whispers "Thank you." Before quickly heading back to her dorm room.

Buffy stands there watching the retreating back of the blonde and frowns, realizing that though she would have been able to defeat the vampires, she obviously had done some kind of magic spell to help her. Starting to follow the woman, her eye is caught by something shiny on the ground, kneeling down she picks up the charm that had obviously fallen off either a bracelet or a necklace. Walking slowly to where more light was shining she smiles at the Celtic Cross in her hand. Looking up, searching for the blonde she realizes she's already disappeared and sighs quietly. "Thanks whoever you were. Hopefully I'll see you again and give this back to you." Tucking the charm into her front pocket, Buffy finishes canvassing the campus before working her way back home.

"Mom, I've got to get going or I'm going to be late for class." Buffy calls out to her mother as she grabs her backpack and slings it over her shoulder.

"Have a good day." Joyce calls from upstairs.

"You too." Buffy yells as she heads out the door, starting up a quick jog to get to her college class in time.

Buffy grumbles as she sits down in the back of the Psyche class. 'I swear that woman is evil' she thinks to herself looking at Professor Walsh talking quietly with the TA Riley Finn. Buffy eyes the Senior, having to admit the man was good looking and definitely built. But something about him sets her teeth on edge. Finally giving up her musings she glances around the class, actually paying more attention to her class mates as she grabs her book and notepad out. Seeing a blonde head that seemed somewhat familiar at the other end of the classroom and halfway down, Buffy tilts her head trying to place the woman.

Glancing back to Professor Walsh as she starts the class, Buffy puts the other thoughts out of her head and quickly starts taking notes.

Tara quietly groans as she stands up to leave class, feeling her back catch slightly from when the vampires had pushed her against the tree the previous night. Gathering her books up and pressing them against her chest she slowly walks out the door smiling shyly at the Professor and TA as she leaves the Psyche room. Slowly heading towards the Cafeteria, she jumps as she feels a small warm hand on her arm. Quickly looking up into smiling hazel eyes, she blinks a couple time before realizing this is the woman that had come to her rescue last night. Blushing she looks back down, letting her hair slide to cover her embarrassment.

"I think this might be yours." Buffy smiles as she holds out the charm in front of the blonde woman. "And I owe you a thanks for last night."

Tara shakes her head and slowly reaches out smiling at the charm she thought gone. "No, y-you saved me." Tara runs her thumb over the cross before tucking it away in her purse. "Thank you. I thought for sure it was gone." Glancing up briefly Tara smiles before turning towards the Cafeteria.

"Umm, I'm going to get something to eat, since it's like lunch time and that's what most normal people do. Do you have a class?" Buffy questions intrigued by the shy blonde. "Maybe we can talk about how you know about the things that go bump in the night…and how you did what you did?" Buffy smiles trying to catch the blue eyes she has only gotten brief glimpses of.

Tara stops stunned as the pretty little blonde asks her to get something to eat. "I w- was going to the Cafeteria. If you w-want to come." Tara looks up grinning slightly. "I was p-planning on g-grabbing a sandwich and eating outside." Tara admits.

"Sounds good." Buffy nods in agreement and turns to walk with the taller blonde. "I'll buy."

"You d-don't have to buy." Tara shakes her head glancing briefly to the side watching the blonde bounce along, smiling to herself. Tilting her head slightly, she feels the strength and…Mystical power? Coming from the woman.

Buffy smiles as they get in line, grabbing a tray she winks at the blonde. "Nope. I'm buying. Isn't that often when someone saves me. So I feel the need to spend some of my mom's hard earned money."

Tara chuckles quietly. "If you insist." Quickly looking through the fruit, Tara grabs an apple, placing it on the tray as they work their way down the food, watching in surprise as the little blonde starts piling up the tray. Raising an eyebrow at the quantity of food, Tara grabs one of the pimiento cheese sandwiches and a water to the tray.

"That all?" Buffy looks at the small sandwich, apple and water. "What about dessert? They've got brownies? Come on, you got to like chocolate." Buffy jokes as she grabs a couple plates with brownies on them. Quickly walking to the cashier, Buffy digs her money out of her pocket paying for the food before heading out to the Quad, with the other woman following her. Glancing around she smiles as she sees an empty bench and makes a beeline for it.

"By the way, my names Buffy Summers." Buffy grins as she holds her hand out to the other blonde after setting the tray down on the bench.

"T-tara Maclay." Tara shyly takes the other woman's hand before looking up curiously. "Exactly what are you?"

Buffy sighs quietly, knowing that Giles was going to go ape shit on her ass. But for some reason she feels the urge to let this woman know everything. "A college student?" Buffy raises an eyebrow and grins slightly.

Tara smiles briefly before looking down and unwrapping her sandwich. "More than a college student, I bet." She murmurs before taking a bite.

"Yeah, but I always get in trouble if I just blurt it out." Buffy admits quietly looking out across the quad at the students walking by. "How did you take that vampire out last night?"

Tara looks sideways at the blonde, wondering if she should tell her. Running a finger over the edge of her water bottle she unconsciously straightens her back, deciding she got away from home to become someone, and this wasn't getting it done. "I'm a witch. I did a fireball spell." Tara finally whispers out before nibbling on her sandwich some more.

"I should have known that." Buffy grumbles quietly. "Slayer brain MIA again." Buffy growls quietly as she grabs up another sandwich quickly devouring it.

Tara looks up in surprise at the petite woman. "You're the slayer?"

Buffy's eyes widen as she makes contact with the witch's blue eyes. "You know what a slayer is?"

Tara nods her head excitedly. "They're mentioned quite frequently in a couple of my Magical texts. Seems that sometimes they would work together with different witches. I should have known with the demon population here that the likelihood of the Slayer living here would be extremely high."

Buffy smirks as she leans back against the bench. "I gotta tell Giles this. He'll probably flip." Chuckling quietly she glances over the woman. "How long have you been here? I mean obviously you didn't go to high school here, I'm sure I would have remembered you."

"No, I didn't go to high school here." Tara quietly admits before finishing her sandwich. Taking a sip of her water she glances up, looking at the clouds drifting by in the sky. "I'm in my Sophomore year here. Imagine my surprise when I left home to come to college and I end up on a Hellmouth." Smiling softly she glances at the slayer. "I finally figured out why I got such a good package deal with the scholarships, grants, tuition and boarding."

Buffy laughs and nods her head. "They have a hard time keeping the classes filled." Not understanding why she feels so comfortable with the woman, Buffy watches her intently, smiling as she starts taking tiny bites out of her apple. "Please tell me you don't make it a habit of walking around after dark."

"Not normally no." Tara makes eye contact before looking back at her apple. "I didn't realize how late it was getting when I was studying at the library. I try to be in the dorm room by dusk."

"Just try to be careful. Unfortunately I can't be everywhere all the time to protect people." Buffy states sadly before sipping on her soda.

Tara feels her urge to reach out to the obviously hurting woman. Briefly placing her fingertips on her lower arm, Tara smiles. "I'm sure you do everything you can. If people would pay more attention instead of dismissing things as 'ugly muggers', or 'overgrown dogs' they would help themselves out immensely." Tara pulls her fingers away from the warm, electric feel of the slayer's arm. Glancing down at her watch, she realizes she's only got ten minutes to make it to her next class. Gathering her trash she stands up and throws it in the can beside the bench. "I need to head to my next class." Tara looks and actually makes longer eye contact with the enchanting hazel eyes. "Thank you for lunch."

Buffy smiles standing gathering the wrappers from her food and frowns as she sees the brownie sitting there. "Here, take your brownie." Handing it to Tara she grins at the little laugh coming from the witch.

"Thank you." Tara giggles quietly. "Yes, I do like chocolate." Quickly turning to head towards class, she's stopped by the warm hand on her arm again.

"See you again?" Buffy can't understand why she feels sad at the woman leaving, and wants to make sure they'll run into each other again.

"At least every Tuesday and Thursday." Tara grins and nods at the other woman. Chuckling at the confused look on the slayer's face she tilts her head. "Psych class."

Buffy smacks the side of her head before grinning. "Definitely see each other then. You better hurry. I don't want you to be late."

"Thanks again, Buffy." Tara quietly whispers before quickly walking across the quad to her next class.

"You're welcome, Tara." Buffy breathes out, wondering at the feelings coursing through her. Glancing down at her watch, she groans remembering she'd promised her mom she'd be at the Art Gallery to help her unpack some crates. Then she needed to go to the Magic Box and train. "A slayer's day never ends." She grumbles as she throws her book bag over her shoulder and heads towards the Art Gallery.

Joyce smiles as she watches her daughter silently and quickly unpack the shipments she had gotten in. Chuckling to herself she finally walks over to her and places a hand on her shoulder. "Who is he?"

Buffy glances up in shock at her mother as she had been thinking very seriously about a pair of beautiful blue eyes and a crooked grin that had shown itself briefly during the conversation at lunch. "What did you say, mom?" She smiles apologetically at her mother.

"I was wondering who has caught the eye of my only daughter." Joyce smiles at Buffy as she hops up on one of the unopened crates looking at her with confused eyes. "What's wrong, honey?" She questions after seeing the confusion.

Buffy thinks about her mothers phrasing and realizes she's been thinking about Tara non-stop since their lunch that afternoon.

Grabbing a chair, she pulls it to sit in front of Buffy, waiting patiently as she watches the different emotions crossing her face.

Tucking her legs up under her to sit in a cross-legged position, Buffy places her elbows on her knees and leans her chin down on her fisted hands. Thinking deeply, realizing as the blue eyes make another appearance in her mind, her heart speeds up momentarily.

"Mom, I'm confused." Buffy whispers out quietly, almost heartbrokenly.

"What's wrong, honey?" Joyce reaches out and places a hand on her daughters leg. "You know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?"

Buffy sighs as she straightens her back and picks at a callous on her hand. Finally looking up and making eye contact with her mother, she whispers "I met someone last night on patrol that's actually in my Psych class."

"And that confuses you?" Joyce watches her daughter and frowns slightly.

"No, the fact this person helped out last night and knows about slayers actually makes things easier." Buffy thinks hard about what she's going to say next. "The fact that I can't get this persons eyes out of my head since I bought lunch for us this afternoon is what's confusing me." Buffy finally admits.

Joyce thinks heavily about what Buffy is saying and not saying. Realizing as she plays over the phrasing of her daughter's words that she was using words like someone, person, us. Not he's, or his. Looking intently at her daughter she reaches up and grasps her hand catching her eyes with hers. Taking a gamble she questions "What's her name?"

Buffy's mouth drops open as her mothers question sinks in. "How – "

"I listened to what you were and weren't saying, Buffy." Joyce smiles softly at her daughter.

Buffy looks down blushing. "Her name's Tara. I just met her last night but after actually talking with her today I feel drawn to her." Looking up confusion filling her eyes. "I don't like girls, mom."

Joyce sighs quietly grasping the hand in hers tighter. Wondering how to phrase this to not hurt or alienate Buffy. "Buffy, I love you. And I'll love you no matter what." Joyce looks into her daughter's hazel eyes smiling sadly. "Maybe you don't like girls per se. Maybe you just like this one girl." Joyce reaches up and brushes a stray hair off Buffy's cheek. "It's hard if you choose to see if there's a possibility of a relationship between you two. Same sex couples are still frowned upon and treated badly a lot of the time." Joyce sighs thinking about some of the people she works with, the artists and some of the horror stories about how they are treated. "You know that I have a few artists that are gay. And with what they've told me about their lives and how they're treated, I wouldn't want that for you."

Buffy looks in her mom's eyes searching, not believing how well she's taking this. "I don't know mom. Maybe it's just a tiny crush. Maybe if I'm around her more often I'll find out she has a hairy eyeball or something and go running the other way."

Joyce chuckles as her daughter tries to make light of it. "I know you, baby. Once someone catches your eye it takes a world ending apocalypse to get it back out of there."

Buffy nods her head silently in agreement knowing her mother's right. "What should I do?"

"Find out if there's a chance she may return the feelings." Joyce suggests quietly. "Ask her out to lunch, maybe invite her over to dinner in the future." Joyce smiles as she sees her daughter perk up a little more thinking about it. "I'll support you no matter what honey."

"You're the best mom ever." Buffy whispers jumping down and hugging her mother tightly.

"I don't know about that." Joyce chuckles hugging Buffy back.

"You are." Buffy smiles as she pulls back. "I need to run. I'm already late to meet Giles for a training session."

"Are you going to come home first or just go straight out on patrol?" Joyce smiles at her daughter.

"Depends on what he's got planned. If it's a light workout I'll head home. But for some reason I have a feeling he's going to be putting me through my paces." Buffy grumbles. "I've been able to ditch a few sessions and I think I'm about due to pay for it."

Joyce chuckles quietly. "Tell Rupert to take it easy on my baby girl."

"Mom." Buffy whines then laughs.

"Be careful. I'll see you later." Joyce watches as Buffy quickly grabs her gear and heads towards the door waving as she walks out. Sighing quietly looking at all the unpacked crates, realizing there was only the one left that Buffy had been sitting on. "Thanks Buffy." She whispers glad that all she had to do was finish setting the items up in displays and unpacking the last crate.

"Giles, I'm here." Buffy yells out as she quickly enters the Magic Box, knowing she was going to catch hell for being late.

"Buffy, you don't have to yell. I'm not deaf, you know." Giles mutters out before looking at the young woman in front of him. "I'm sorry my dear. Unfortunately she has the manners of a billy goat."

Chuckling quietly, blue eyes glance up at the watcher. "Actually I think she's quite charming and nice."

Buffy strides toward the counter and stops dead in her tracks as smiling blue eyes look her way. "Tara!"

"Hi, Buffy." Tara smiles before looking back down.

"You know each other?" Giles questions as he finishes ringing on the ingredients for the young woman.

"Giles, this is Tara. Tara, this is my watcher dude, Giles." Buffy smirks as she waits for the blast from Giles.

"Buffy!" Giles sternly looks at the slayer.

"She knows all about me, Giles." Buffy rolls her eyes before grinning at a blushing Tara.

"We k-kind of ran into each other last night." Tara starts glancing up briefly smiling at Buffy. "Four Vampires decided I'd make a good snack. She saved me from them. Then she saved me again this afternoon from the hunger demon." Tara jokes softly.

Buffy chuckles quietly as she walks closer to the witch. Looking down at the stuff she's buying, she frowns. "You aren't planning on turning me into a toad with all this stuff are you? I don't think I'd look good being green."

Tara looks up in surprise at the blonde standing close by her and picking through her ingredients. "No. I th-think you look good as you are." Tara's eyes widen slightly and she blushes deeply looking back down at her hands.

Buffy's heart skips a beat at the compliment and she grins from ear to ear. "I didn't realize you shopped here."

Tara glances back up and smiles softly. "It's the only shop in town that carries real supplies and not just henna tattoos." Tara crookedly grins at the slayer. "Tattoos aren't really my thing."

Buffy chuckles leaning her hip against the counter, facing the witch. Watching her intently.

"Yes, well. I dare say this young lady has been coming in here for the past year." Giles smiles at the young woman. "I don't know how you two haven't ever been in here at the same time."

"Maybe fate had different plans. Hell, we've been in the same class all year and didn't know it either." Buffy murmurs casually taking in the other woman's taller figure. "What do you have planned for me tonight Giles?" Buffy questions not turning her gaze away from Tara.

Tara blushes as she has the distinct impression that Buffy's checking her out. Glancing up and seeing the interest in the hazel eyes, Tara catches her breath before exhaling quietly.

Giles looks at his slayer in confusion, cleaning his glasses furiously. "Yes, well. I figured you should start on the weight bag then work on your dexterity and throwing skills. After I closed down the shop I was going to get padded up and work on your hand to hand combat."

"Okay." Buffy agrees amiably watching the interesting colors the witch is turning. Glancing up, noticing that it would be dark in an hour she tilts her head at Tara. "You going straight back to campus?"

"I need to make a couple more stops. I need to go by the grocery store and stock up on juice while it's on sale." Tara admits quietly swallowing before glancing back up, letting hazel eyes catch hers. "After that I need to go to the library for some more studying."

Buffy looks into the warm blue eyes and smiles. "I can't have that. You'll be there late again and I would be worried about vamps trying to munch on you. No, that isn't going to work. Why don't you stick around here and after I finish training I'll walk with you to the grocery store and the library. I'll patrol around the campus and check in on you before walking you home?"

Tara looks up in surprise and shakes her head. "You don't have to go to all that trouble for me. I'll be okay."

"I insist." Buffy reaches out and tucks the hair covering the woman's face behind her ear, shocked at her own daring.

Tara slowly lifts her head as she feels the warm fingers caress her cheek as they tuck her hair behind her ear. Blinking a couple times before nodding her head. "Okay." Tara whispers quietly and smiles as an absolutely beautiful smile crosses the slayer's face.

"Want to watch me beat up inanimate objects before Giles comes in for me to beat up on him?" Buffy smirks sliding her eyes to actually look at the watcher.

"Okay." Tara agrees quietly, smiling softly as she hands the watcher the money for her ingredients.

Giles sighs before accepting the money and quickly giving the change back to the young woman. "There's chairs already in the back for you to sit on. I'll be in there in a little while, Buffy."

"Thanks Giles." Buffy smiles as she motions for Tara to proceed her. Glancing over the back of the witch smiling at the long skirt flowing down over what looked like army boots to the…army boots? Buffy glances back down and smirks. Reaching around to open the door to the back Buffy points towards a wooden bench against the wall. "If you want you can sit there. Or you can sit on the stack of mats in the corner." Buffy smiles as Tara sets her items down on the bench but heads to the stack of mats sitting down in lotus position glancing back up at her with smiling blue eyes.

Buffy grins as she heads to the corner and grabs a pair of shorts and tank top to work out in, heading to the changing area Giles had set up for her. Quickly stripping and putting the clothes on she grabs her tennis shoes and sits down on the mat quickly tying her laces up. Pulling her hair back in a tight ponytail, she starts stretching her legs out glancing up to look at Tara. "How long have you been practicing?" Buffy questions as she shifts her body up to a straddling position slowly sliding all the way down before leaning over sideways groaning as her muscles pull slightly since it's been a while since she's given them a good stretching.

Tara's eyes widen slightly as she watches Buffy and coughs quietly. "Umm my Mom started teaching me when I was basically a baby."

"So your mom's a witch, also?" Buffy pushes up with her arms and slowly swings her legs up and in front of her before lowering her body back down and reaching for her toes, pressing her forehead against her knees.

"Yes, as was her mother before her. All the women in my family are witches." Tara admits, starting to feel a little warm.

"So, if my memory serves me that makes you a hereditary witch? Doesn't each member get stronger the further down the line?" Buffy glances up making eye contact with the woman.

"Yes." Tara glances down running a finger across the mat.

"So that must make you pretty powerful." Buffy hops up bending over backwards to stretch her back out before slowly walking towards the reinforced weight bag Giles hung from the ceiling.

"I guess so." Tara glances up as Buffy starts to slowly hit the bag gradually building up speed before interspersing legwork with it. Looking over the well toned muscles of the slayer, Tara feels a shiver work through her body at the obvious power and strength of the woman.

"Don't you know how powerful you are?" Buffy grunts out between punches and kicks.

"I've never been tested." Tara admits quietly. "My mom said I was powerful, but it isn't something that I just do all the time. I only use magic if I have to, or when I'm practicing new spells."

"They have testing for that sort of thing?" Buffy stops turning towards the witch.

Tara grins and nods her head. "Yes, they test you from the simplest spell up to extremely complex spells. Covens will make you do spell after spell to see how strong you are, how long you can last. Some witches are very powerful, but they weaken quickly. Say they can only do one huge spell then they're done before they can recharge. There are other witches that aren't very powerful, but have good stamina. They can cast spell after spell for hours on end."

"Which are you?" Buffy questions. At Tara's shrug, Buffy frowns. "Your mom never put you through your paces?"

"When I was younger she did. But as I got older and my powers grew stronger she wasn't able to." Tara looks down as tears slowly come to her eyes.

Buffy catches the glint in the woman's eyes and quickly strides over to kneel in front of her. "What's wrong?" When Tara just shook her head and made sure her hair covered her face, Buffy growls quietly reaching up to lift her chin and look into the tear filled eyes. "What's wrong? Please tell me" Buffy whispers quietly.

"Just s-sad." Tara whispers.

Buffy thinks over the conversation realizing that there could be a couple reasons why Tara's mom wouldn't have been able to test her and she feels her heart ache for the other woman. Slowly standing up she sits down beside Tara and wraps an arm around her, hugging her gently. Buffy hears the door to the training room open and sees Giles step in. As he looks up she shakes her head gently and urges him back out with a look and tilt of the head. Giles glances from one woman to the other and quickly leaves, shutting the door gently behind him.

"B-buffy. Why are you being so n-nice to me?" Tara asks the question out of nowhere as she feels the other woman gently stroking her back as she slowly calms down.

Buffy stops her stroking for a moment before picking it back up. "Because I like you." Buffy watches to see if there's any reaction from Tara. As the woman sits there quietly and reaches a hand up to wipe the tears from her face, Buffy sighs. "Aren't you used to people being nice to you?"

"No." Tara answers bluntly. "My mother was the only one that was ever nice to me."

Buffy gets the distinct impression that Tara doesn't wish to discuss this any further, so she doesn't ask anymore questions. Thinking quickly she smiles. "I'll be right back, okay?"

Tara nods as she wipes the rest of the tears from her face. Glancing up she watches as Buffy quickly jogs out of the back room, blinking at the muscles flexing in the slayer's legs, Tara closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Not exactly what I need. And it's not like she'd be interested in me that way, anyway." Tara mutters as she quietly centers herself.

"Giles, I promise I'll work extra extra hard at the next session." Buffy quickly tells the watcher as she jogs out of the training room.

"Is everything all right?" Giles questions as he stops dusting the shelves.

"Yeah. We were talking and I think we hit on a sad subject that upset her." Buffy quietly explains. "I think her mother died and her life hasn't been the best." Buffy frowns as she grabs the phone down quickly dialing her house. "Mom, are you fixing dinner?"

"Hello, Buffy." Joyce chuckles quietly at her daughter. "Yes, I'm fixing spaghetti and garlic bread. Are you coming home for dinner?"

"Depends?" Buffy winces slightly. "How do you feel about setting another place at the dinner table?"

"Would this other place happen to be for a certain young lady?" Joyce questions surprised.

"If she'll come to dinner. She was buying some items here at the Shop when I came in. I figured if it was okay with you I'll see if she'll come over tonight." Buffy silently begs her mom to let her bring Tara to dinner.

"That didn't take you long." Joyce chuckles quietly. "Please bring your young lady to dinner, Buffy."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Buffy smiles hugely. "But mom, please don't call her that."

"Call her what, dear?" Joyce frowns wondering what she said.

"My young lady. I don't even know if she likes me or not." Buffy's eyes widen as she realizes what she's said in front of Giles. Making eye contact with the Watcher, she watches as he turns a funny color and whips his glasses off pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I'm sure she likes you. How can she not?" Joyce smiles before continuing. "I'll be on best mom behavior."

"Thanks mom, you're the best." Quickly hanging up the phone she winces as she looks into the serious eyes of her watcher. "Go ahead and yell at me."

Giles sighs and shakes his head. "I'm not going to yell, Buffy. Just be careful. From the little I've talked to that young woman in the past year I don't believe her home life was the best."

"What has she said?" Buffy quickly jumps on the watcher's words.

"It's not what she's said but more of what she hasn't." Giles shakes his head. "And more of a feeling I get. Just take it easy." Giles smirks his lip a bit. "She seems to be a lovely young woman, Buffy."

Buffy smiles glancing towards the door to the training room. "Yes she is." Buffy whispers before looking down at her clothes. "I've gotta change. Thanks for not being mad Giles."

"How can I?" Giles whispers to himself as Buffy's already ran back into the training room. "Just please take care, my dear." Giles taps the ear piece of his glasses against his chin thinking about the past. Shaking his head he adds a couple items that he noticed he was getting low on to the order list.

Chapter 2

"I don't know about this." Tara looks around as she and Buffy walk from the store towards Buffy's house.

"It's fine. Come on, what were you going to do? Go home and eat a cup of Ramen Noodles?" Buffy asks and sees the guilty flush cross Tara's face and sighs. Buffy shifts the bags she's carrying to her left hand and loops her right arm through Tara's left arm. "Come on, spaghetti and garlic bread. She'll probably have a salad fixed and maybe even dessert. Where would you get a better offer?" Buffy grins at the witch.

"Okay, okay. You've already talked me into going to your house for dinner. But you're positive she isn't going to be upset?" Tara looks worriedly at the slayer before glancing down at the arm hooked through hers, feeling a smile working across her face.

"I'm positive. I called and asked, she laughed and said yes. No problem." Buffy smiles as they turn onto Revello drive. "Mom always fixes extra anyway."

Tara quirks her lip up at the slayer. "Are you always like this?"

"Like what?" Buffy questions.

"So take charge." Tara giggles as the slayer stops and pouts out her lip looking at her with sad puppy dog eyes.

"Little ol' me?" Buffy pouts and blinks her eyes. "I just invited you to dinner. You could have said no."

Tara laughs loudly at the slayer before opening her eyes wide and covering her mouth. "Sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Buffy looks at the witch questioningly. "You didn't do anything wrong. And I like your laugh. It's honest and from the gut, not these fake haa haa laughs that most people give."

Tara blushes looking down before glancing back up into the serious hazel eyes. A small smile playing about her lips Tara whispers "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Buffy hooks her arm back through Tara's and heads down the sidewalk before turning up the walkway to her house. Letting the witch's arm go, she opens the door and waves her in. "Welcome to my humble abode."

Tara giggles as she walks into the home and stops a few yards in waiting for Buffy.

"Mom, we're here." Buffy calls out loudly as she shuts the door. Setting the bags of Tara's juice down by the door before smiling at the witch.

"I'm in the kitchen finishing the salad." Joyce calls to her daughter.

"Let me put your jacket up." Buffy smiles at Tara as she quickly pulls her own jacket off hanging it up as Tara slowly removes her, handing it to Buffy. "Let's go meet my mom."

Joyce glances up from slicing the cucumbers to place on the salad, smiling at her daughter then seeing the obviously shy blonde walking in behind her. "Hi honey." Joyce smiles as Buffy kisses her quickly on the cheek.

"Mom, this is Tara Maclay. Tara this is my mom." Buffy smiles as Tara glances up smiling quickly at her mom.

"Thank you for letting me come over to dinner tonight, Mrs. Summers." Tara smiles at the older version of Buffy.

Joyce casually observes the young woman, seeing why her daughter seemed to be captivated by the warm blue eyes. Smiling towards Tara she shakes her head. "You are more than welcome to come over to dinner whenever you wish, my dear. I always fix too much. And please, it's Joyce."

"Thank you, Joyce." Tara looks down as she blushes. Glancing back up she looks at Buffy and raises an eyebrow "I need to wash my hands, could you tell me…"

"Sure. Up the stairs and on the left." Buffy smiles as Tara grins thankfully at her and quickly leaves the kitchen. Waiting a moment as she hears the woman start up the stairs she turns to her mom, grinning.

Joyce chuckles at the obvious smitten look on her daughters face. "No hairy eyeball?"

Buffy rolls her eyes at her mom. "What do you think?"

"She seems to be a lovely young woman, Buffy. But I've only seen her briefly." Joyce laughs at her daughter. "Why don't you set the table."

"Okay." Buffy mutters quietly before turning to pulls the plates and bowls down walking into the dining room.

Joyce's lip quirks up at her daughter's actions. "Definitely smitten." She quietly mutters to herself as she pulls the garlic bread out of the oven.

"That was a wonderful dinner, Mrs. Summers." Tara smiles feeling more comfortable in the two women's presence.

"Joyce, my dear." Joyce corrects the young woman, smiling gently. "I didn't make anything for dessert but we do have ice cream?" Joyce makes it a question looking at the two young women.

"What kind?" Buffy questions as she finishes off the spaghetti.

Joyce smirks at her daughter. "Rocky Road, Butter Pecan and just plain vanilla."

Buffy grins at her mom.

"One Rocky road with extra chocolate syrup for my growing daughter." Joyce sighs before looking towards a giggling Tara. "And you, dear?"

Tara smiles fully or the first time and Buffy's breath catches in her chest at the absolutely beautiful woman. Blinking her eyes a couple times, Buffy slowly stands gathering the dirty dishes, taking a pile into the kitchen.

"I don't really think I have room for dessert, but thank you." Tara starts to stand and help gather the dishes.

"No, no dear. Buffy and I will get them. You're a guest." Joyce pats Tara on the shoulder smiling at the young woman. "And are you sure you can't fit just a small bowl in there somewhere?"

"Maybe just a scoop of vanilla with a little syrup?" Tara grins lopsidedly at the elder Summers.

"Then that's what you'll get." Joyce gathers up the rest of the dishes and follows her daughter into the kitchen. Quickly setting the dishes in the sink she watches as Buffy stares out the back door. "Honey, something wrong?"

Looking over her shoulder with worried eyes she looks at her mom. "I'm scared mom." Glancing back out at the night she slumps her shoulders.

"What are you scared of honey?" Joyce walks over and places a hand on Buffy's shoulder.

"My feelings." Buffy whispers. "I just met her last night, mom. And when she just smiled in there I felt my breath actually catch in my chest." Making eye contact with her mom in the reflection of the back door she sighs. "I didn't even have that with Angel, mom. What if she doesn't return my feelings?"

Wrapping her arms around her daughter, Joyce squeezes her gently. "This has definitely hit you fast, hasn't it honey?"

Buffy just nods her head and places her hands over top of her moms.

"Just go slowly honey. And ice cream is just the start." Joyce hugs her tightly before releasing her and opening the freezer pulling out the ice cream.

"I'll get them mom. What did she want?" Buffy grabs the bowls down and the ice cream scoop out of the drawer.

"A scoop of vanilla with chocolate syrup." Joyce smiles at her daughter.

"I got it. If you want, maybe just take the syrup into the dining room?" Buffy smiles as she scoops out the vanilla. "You did want butter pecan, didn't you?" Buffy questions as she looks at the three containers of ice cream.

"A couple scoops, please." Joyce pulls the chocolate sauce down before walking to the dining room. Sitting down she smiles. "Buffy's bringing in the ice cream."

Tara runs a finger over the edge of her glass. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs…Joyce." Tara catches herself and grins at Buffy's mom.

"Thank you. May I ask you something, Tara?" Joyce questions the young woman and as she nods shyly she smiles. "Are you doing anything for Thanksgiving?"

"N-no." Tara stutters out quietly. "I d-don't have anywhere to go."

Joyce frowns at the stutter from the young woman. She had only stuttered a couple times through the whole dinner, but she stutters twice over those few words. "Well you do now, if you want."

Tara smiles in thanks at Buffy's mom. "Only if you'll let me help."

"I usually bake a few pies the night before and get the turkey in the oven first thing in the morning. We have the usual fixings with dinner." Joyce hesitates as Buffy comes in juggling the three bowls if ice cream. "Do you need help dear?"

"I got it." Buffy smirks as she quickly sets the three bowls down on the table and slides them to the two women. "So was I hearing talk of Thanksgiving Dinner?"

"Yes you did. Is there anything special you enjoy at Thanksgiving?" Joyce looks towards Tara.

"Sweet potato casserole." Tara whispers. "My mom used to make it every Thanksgiving."

"I haven't ever made it before. If you have a recipe…" Joyce looks at the woman.

"I can get the ingredients and make it when I get here, if that's okay?" Tara offers.

"That's fine. How long will it take to bake?" Joyce smiles encouragingly at the young woman.

"It'll take roughly 45 minutes to bake. Probably take me 15 minutes to prepare." Tara grins thankfully at the woman before squeezing a small amount of syrup on her ice cream and scooping up a small portion to eat. Her eyes widen as Buffy grabs the syrup and turns it upside down squeezing what must have been half the bottle on her huge bowl of ice cream.

Joyce chuckles at the look on Tara's face. "If you haven't figured it out already, my daughter likes to eat."

"Mom!" Buffy whines quietly as she sets the syrup back on the table before scooping up a big bite of ice cream.

Tara chuckles and shakes her head. "She must burn thousands of calories just standing still. I'd love to have her metabolism."

"You and me both." Joyce smiles in understanding at the other woman. "It's enough to make me sick."

"You two do realize I'm sitting right here and can hear everything you say, right?" Buffy grumps as she eats her ice cream.

"Sorry dear." Joyce tries to hold back a grin.

"Sorry, Buffy." Tara giggles quietly as she finishes her ice cream.

"Yeah, yeah. You two sound real broken up about it." Buffy grumps before grinning. "Giles and Xander are still coming to Thanksgiving dinner, you have any strays you're inviting from work this year, mom?"

Joyce shakes her head. "Nope, everyone now has significant others or family to spend Thanksgiving with."

"So a small group this year. More food for me." Buffy grins happily.

"Buffy!" Joyce admonishes her daughter. "That isn't nice."

"W-who's Xander?" Tara questions quietly.

"One of my best friends since Sophomore year. He's spent Thanksgiving with us every year since then. His home life isn't the greatest. His parents are both alcoholics and he's lucky if they'll throw a microwave dinner in the microwave for him." Buffy growls out angrily.

"Relax dear. You can't fix everything." Joyce pats her daughters hand.

"Yeah if I could I'd knock some sense into his parents and into Willow's parents both. From one set that treat their son like shit to another set of parents that pretty much completely ignore their daughter." Buffy snarls out.

Tara watches Buffy, in shock at the emotion coming from the slayer. Tara reaches across the table and lays a calming hand over Buffy's other hand. "Goddess, if you get that angry over their parents, remind me to not tell you about my father and brother." Tara's eyes widen as she realizes what she said and quickly pulls her hand away from the slayer.

Buffy's eyes jerk over to the witch's as what she said sinks in to her haze filled brain. "Tara?" She questions lowly.

"N-nothing. D-don't w-worry about I-it." Tara shakes her head letting her hair slide forward to hide her face.

Joyce pales slightly and places a firm hand on Buffy's arm. As Buffy looks towards her she shakes her head. Pleading with her silently to leave it be for right now. Finally all the tale tell signs added up. The obvious shyness, the stuttering, the hiding behind her hair, almost afraid to say anything or speak up for herself. The poor girl had obviously been abused as a child.

"Well, I know you need to go on patrol, Buffy. Would you like me to take you two to the college?" Joyce questions softly.

Buffy tilts her head watching Tara not look up and sighs quietly. "Tara, do you want to ride back to the campus? I know you said you needed to go to the library. It'll be quicker if mom drops us off."

Tara nods her head without looking up. "That would b-be g-good." Tara stutters out.

Buffy clenches her hand into a tight fist, feeling the urge to put it through something or someone. Closing her eyes she takes a couple deep breathes to get control of her anger. Finally opening her eyes she looks into her mother's worried eyes and smiles sadly. "Mom, we would love for you to drop us off on Campus."

"Let me get my purse and keys." Joyce quickly stands up and heads to the living room.

Tara briefly looks up and sees the worried eyes of the slayer watching her. Lowering her eyes back to the table, she slowly stands and collects the bowls, stopping as the warm hand of the slayer covers hers.

"If you ever want to talk, I'll be there for you." Buffy whispers quietly, unconsciously running her fingers over the soft hand.

Tara feels her heartbeat speed up at the soft caress and nods her head. "Thank you." Slowly pulling away, Tara takes the bowls into the kitchen and sets them in the sink.

Running water over the bowls, Tara looks down silently kicking herself about opening her mouth about her family.

Buffy stands quietly in the doorway to the kitchen, watching the obviously upset witch. Hearing her mom come up silently behind her she leans back against her. Turning she points to the living room. Listening for Tara, Buffy looks at her mom. "She was abused, wasn't she?"

Joyce looks into her daughter's sad eyes and frowns. "It appears that way, Buffy. She's going to need to be handled with kid gloves dear. Tread carefully so that you don't scare her off. I do think she likes you in a more than friend way."

Buffy smiles at the uplifting thought. "Very slow, very careful. Got it." Buffy whispers and looks towards the kitchen hearing movement. "We're ready to go Tara, if you are." Buffy calls as she walks to the door leaning down to pick up Tara's groceries.

"I can c-carry those." Tara starts to reach for the bags and looks up when Buffy pulls them out of reach.

"I've got them." Buffy smiles softly and winks. "I've got super powers, I can lift bags of juice with a single finger."

Tara feels her lip quirk up at the slayer. "I can't argue with that."

Buffy feels her heart lighten as Tara actually makes and holds eye contact as she gets a partial smile from the woman. Opening the door she ushers Tara and her mom out.

Standing in the doorway to Tara's room, Buffy shifts from one foot to the other as the woman quickly sets her bags down by the desk and grabs her backpack shoving a couple note and text books in with a handful of pens. Smiling as she looks in the room, realizing there were small Christmas lights hanging around the ceiling.

As Tara walks towards her, Buffy holds her hand out for the book bag. As Tara looks questioningly at her, Buffy smiles. "I can get your book bag for you."

A slight frown crosses her face as she looks at Buffy. "I can carry my own book bag, Buffy." Tara mutters quietly as she slings it over her shoulder, pulling the door closed behind her, heading down the stairs.

Buffy's shoulders slump before she quietly follows the witch. "Would you like to come to dinner tomorrow night?" Buffy questions as they walk across the campus towards the library.

Tara hears a note of sadness in the slayer's voice and she slows down glancing over at the woman. Seeing the slumped shoulders, she frowns trying to figure out why she seems so sad. Blinking her eyes a couple times she thinks about how Buffy wanted to carry her bag and wondered if that could be what was upsetting the woman. Shaking her head at the improbability, she takes a deep breath and slides the book bag off her shoulder.

Buffy sees the bag swing in front of her and she unconsciously reaches for it taking it from the witch, throwing it over her shoulder as she straightens and a bounce enters back in her step.

Tara watches in stunned surprise as the slayer switches from being sad to happy in a few seconds. Deciding to file that thought away for future reference. She quickly walks up the steps leading to the library and thanks Buffy as she opens the door for her.

Buffy follows Tara as she works her way through the library towards the back section.

Tara looks up and smiles briefly at the slayer. "I usually set up here." She watches as Buffy slides the book bag off her shoulder and gently places it on the table.

"Are you okay here by yourself?" Buffy glances around seeing a few other students studying, nothing tweaking her senses.

"I'll be fine." Tara smiles at the slayer.

"How long will you need?" Buffy glances up at the large clock. "Or should I just come back in roughly an hour to see how you're doing?" Buffy pins the blue eyes with her determined hazel eyes.

Tara quirks her lip up slightly. "I will need a minimum of an hour. Maybe longer, depending."

Buffy nods "I'll be back in roughly an hour to check on you. Don't you dare try to sneak back to your room by yourself, understand?"

"Understood." Tara grins at the slayer.

Buffy looks curiously at the witch for a moment. "I'm going to go check for bumpy things. I'll be back later."

"Bye Buffy." Tara smiles as she watches the slayer walk away. "Exactly what is going through your brain, Buffy?" Tara whispers to herself before frowning at her book bag. Grumbling she starts pulling her work out taking her notes as to what books she needs before heading into the stacks.

Buffy strides out of the library, her thoughts on the witch. Unconsciously allowing her instincts to lead her to a vampire hiding in the bushes ready to jump on an unsuspecting co-ed. Growling deeply, Buffy kicks him hard in the head knocking him out before staking him. Tucking the stake away, Buffy continues silently stalking the denizens of the night. Feeling the anger build up at the thought of the woman's father and brother beating on her, Buffy growls deeply. "Better pray to God that you don't show up here. I'll fucking rip your hearts out." Looking out over the quad searching for something to take her anger out on, Buffy kicks a rock smirking as it goes at least a hundred yards. Feeling something trying to sneak up behind her, she waits until it's close before dropping down and swinging her legs around, dropping the vampire on it's ass. Quickly popping back up in a fighting crouch. Buffy waits for the vampire to come after her. Smirking as the vampire comes up swinging, Buffy let's loose. Taking her anger out on the hapless vampire, Buffy throws punch after karate chop after spinning back kicks at the vampire, not letting up. Finally as the vampire collapses on the ground unconscious, Buffy looks down at it and snarls her nose before quickly staking it.

Sensing another vampire nearby, Buffy stalks quietly towards it when she sees a group of…men?…soldiers?…zap it and drag it away, frowning she follows silently behind the group, sticking to the shadows. Seeing them disappear down a drain opening, Buffy growls and makes a mental note to check this out later. Jogging quickly away from the area, Buffy makes another circuit of the grounds, still feeling angry, but not finding anything to take it out on she grumbles quietly to herself before taking deep breaths to calm down before trotting up the stairs to the library. Quietly working her way back, she stops and watches the blonde writing across her notepad quickly while flipping the pages with her other hand glancing between the book and pad. Smiling she leans against the edge of the book shelf crossing her arms, observing the woman.

Tara flips the page of the book frowning as she quickly skims over the material. Placing her fingers under the section she needs she quickly writes down the information. Realizing someone is watching her she glances up and smiles at Buffy. "I'll only be a few more minutes if you want to sit down."

Buffy smiles and quietly slides into the chair across from Tara. Looking at the flowing writing of the woman, she grins. It's beautiful just like the witch. Crossing her arms and laying her chin on them she silently watches Tara as she finishes taking her notes.

Tara fights the urge to laugh as Buffy watches her. Finishing she glances up making contact with happy hazel eyes. "Enjoying yourself?" Tara smirks slightly at the slayer.

"Yes." Buffy admits smiling.

Tara blushes and shakes her head before putting her items back in the book bag and stacking the books to be dropped off at the desk to be re-sorted. Standing she rolls her eyes as Buffy grabs and slings the book bag around her shoulder while tucking the other books under an arm heading to the front of the library. Following behind the slayer, Tara takes the opportunity and slowly rakes her eyes over the slayer's petite form, the obvious play of muscles under her tight jeans and the predatory way she moves. Surprised at the feelings of desire working through her body, Tara shifts her eyes to look at the floor as they reach the desk.

Glancing up smiling as Buffy places the books on the counter as she heads towards the door. Walking through the open door, Tara whispers "Thanks, Buffy."

"You're welcome." Buffy grins letting Tara walk slightly ahead of her, watching the gentle sway of her hips. Slow, slow, slow. Buffy mentally tells herself as she raises her eyes from the witch to pay more attention to their surroundings as they walk back towards the dorms.

Tara can't help but smile at the slayer as she unlocks the door to her room. "Would you like something to drink? I have juice and water."

"Water would be good." Buffy slides into the room and gently places the book bag beside the desk. Watching as Tara kneels down and opens the tiny refrigerator, pulling out apple juice and a water, she rocks silently back and forth. "You didn't answer earlier. Would you like to come over for dinner tomorrow night?"

Tara closes the refrigerator before standing and handing Buffy the water. Gently shaking her apple juice, she tilts her head considering the blonde slayer. "Are you my guardian angel, now?" She questions seriously.

Buffy almost spits out the water she's drinking. "Me an angel? Hell no. Some of the things I've done…" Buffy trails off shaking her head. "I'm no angel. I'm a girl that got drafted into this fight. And I like you. Mom likes you. She said you were more than welcome to come over for dinner anytime." Buffy smiles engagingly at the witch. "So, dinner? Tomorrow?"

"Do I have a choice?" Tara quirks her lip up at the slayer, finally just giving in to whatever the blonde wants.

"You always have a choice." Buffy seriously admits. "If you don't want to come over, please just say so. If I piss you off, tell me. Anything you want to say, please say it."

Tara blinks a couple times at the slayer's serious comments and nods. "I will." She whispers and smiles softly as Buffy grins at her. "What time?"

Buffy frowns in confusion for a minute before she realizes she's asking about coming over for dinner. "What time's your last class tomorrow?"

"My last class ends at 2:30. I'll probably come straight back here to do some studying and finish working ahead in a couple of my classes." Tara admits.

"You work ahead?" Buffy groans and falls back against the door. "She's a brain. She's going to find out what an idiot I am and go screaming in the other direction."

Tara laughs quietly at the slayer. "I somehow doubt that you're an idiot. And I wouldn't consider myself a brain."

"I bet you are. What's your major?" Buffy questions straightening back up.

Tara blushes while looking down. "I'm a double major. I'm going for teaching credentials with a second major in Art. Minor in business." She whispers the very last.

Buffy glances back around the room quickly, paying more attention to the few items hanging on the wall, narrowing her gaze in she swears she can see T. Maclay in the corners of the pieces. Continuing her inventory of the room, she now sees what looks like art pads, pencils, charcoals, paints and other items neatly stacked in the corner.

Slowly bringing her gaze back to Tara she raises an eyebrow. "When do you have time for a life?"

Tara looks back up in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"When do you have time to go out and have fun. Live it up, dance the night away. Go out on a date, go to the movies or out to dinner? You know, life!!" Buffy growls out.

"I…I go to class and study." Tara frowns. "Summer I get a job and find an apartment to stay in until school starts back up."

Buffy paces back and forth. "What about a…" Here she hesitates thinking about her phrasing. "How about going out on dates? Isn't there someone out there that has asked you out? Wanted to snuggle with you while watching a movie?" Buffy stops her pacing and looks at the woman. "Wanted to kiss?" She whispers.

Tara opens her mouth and shuts it a couple times watching the slayer. Not knowing what to say she sits down on the bed, absentmindedly peeling the label from the apple juice she's been sipping. "No."

Buffy feels her heart constrict at that simple word. Standing there looking at the blonde dumb-founded, Buffy internally winces. Finally getting up the nerve she whispers "Anyone you ever wanted to do any of those things with?"

Tara feels her heart jump as she glances up quickly and looks back down. "Not before, no." Tara finally admits as she pulls the label the rest of the way off.

Buffy frowns wondering at the 'before' part of that statement. Deciding to stop pushing she finishes her water and walks over to the small trash can by the desk. Dropping it in she smiles as she looks at the blonde. "I guess I'll have to do something about that, then." Smirking as Tara's eyes widen before she looks back down, Buffy slowly walks towards the door. "I need to finish patrol and do some studying when I get home. I'll come by tomorrow evening and walk with you to our house for dinner."

Tara glances up as Buffy opens the door, "Thanks Buffy." She watches as the slayer hesitates before glancing over her shoulder and smiling at her, nodding. As Buffy shuts the door gently behind her, Tara flops back on her bed, closing her eyes. "What am I getting myself into?" She whimpers quietly to the empty room, before a slow beautiful smile works its way across her face. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's going to be worth it."

Buffy quickly works her way through the cemeteries, all the vampires she came across meeting a quick violent death as she works her way home. Opening the door, she hangs her jacket up and locks the door behind her glancing in the dining room smiling at seeing her mom working at the table. Walking towards her and pulling out a chair, she shits down and frowns, thinking about her conversation with Tara.

Joyce glances up as Buffy sits down beside her. Watching the emotions crossing her face and the frown that's looking to take up permanent residence on her daughters brow, she sighs quietly and slides the papers in the folder and puts them in her briefcase. "What's wrong now, honey?"

Buffy glances up, her eyebrows almost meeting she's frowning so hard. Standing up she paces from one end of the room to the other. "She's never been on a date before Mom. From what I was able to get out of her, she's never had a life except school and work. She hasn't even been kissed!" Buffy growls out striding more quickly back and forth. "What kind of family does she have that she's never been on a date? Never been to a school dance? When she frowns and doesn't even understand when I ask her if she has a life and her answer is she studies, goes to class and works during the summer so she can afford an apartment." Buffy stops and stares at her mother.

Joyce's eyes open wide as her daughter rattles everything out quickly. Opening her mouth as Buffy looks at her, she shakes her head and closes it back not knowing what to say.

"She's double majoring and has a minor also! Majoring in Teaching and Art while minor in business! What kind of class load is she taking to do all this? I actually paid attention to her room while I was there after I walked her back from the library. There were three beautiful paintings on the wall, and if I saw right, she painted them. She's going to work herself into the ground. Or a fucking early heart attack." Buffy yells out the last words slinging her arms up in the air before raking a hand through her hair. Collapsing back onto the chair Buffy drops her head onto the table.

Joyce reaches out and runs a calming hand over her daughters head, frowning as she thinks over everything Buffy said. "Honey…" Joyce starts and stops, completely at a loss. Rubbing her daughter's back, Joyce sighs. "I assume from what you said that she doesn't even have any friends at the campus then?"

"I don't think so." Buffy whimpers quietly. "Mom, what am I gonna do? What can I do?"

"Start off by being her friend. Talking to her, maybe get her to go to the Bronze when she feels more comfortable. Invite her over to dinner as often as you want, honey." Joyce offers what she can.

"She's coming to dinner tomorrow night." Buffy admits lifting her head and smiling sadly at her mother. "I'm going to run by the campus and walk with her here."

"You've taken on a lot, you realize that, don't you?" Joyce watches as her daughter nods her head.

"She's worth it." Buffy grins. "She's obviously very smart if she's taking all these courses. Then to get the grants and scholarships…" Buffy shakes her head in disbelief. "Do you think you'll need your usual summer help?"

Joyce smiles at her daughter. Eyes twinkling she winks "I'm sure I will."

"Thanks mom." Buffy stands and kisses her mom on the head. "I need to go upstairs and do some studying before I crash. I can't imagine taking all the classes she does. Just with the few I'm taking and patrol I've got enough to keep me busy."

Chapter 3

Buffy smiles happily as she walks across the campus heading towards Tara's dorm room. Thinking about how she had shocked Giles when she didn't argue or complain once during the training session today. Taking the workout seriously had surprised the watcher. Buffy giggles quietly at his surprise as she did twice as many of everything that he wanted her to do. Watching as the students hurry about their lives, Buffy smiles softly hoping that soon Tara will have a life to enjoy instead of just school or work. "And hopefully I'll be part of that life." Buffy smiles at the thought. Quickly walking up the steps Buffy opens the door and jogs up the two flights of stairs striding towards Tara's door. Nodding at a couple students she passes along the way, she stops outside the witch's door and runs a hand quickly through her hair before knocking.

Buffy rocks back on her heels and smiles as the door opens. Glancing over the blonde quickly, Buffy quirks her lip. "Did someone order their own personal bodyguard service to walk them across Sunnydale to spend an enchanting evening eating dinner and talking nonsense with two women starved for company other than each others?"

Tara chuckles at Buffy and shakes her head. "You're incorrigible."

"Now, now. Be nice to the not so bright slayer. She doesn't understand the big words." Buffy's eyes crinkle up at the witch.

"Oh, what am I going to do with you?" Tara murmurs. "Did you want to come in for a moment? I need to put my shoes on."

Buffy smiles and eases into the room, walking around it looking more closely at the paintings. The three paintings couldn't be more different. The one was a riot of colors that just seemed to jump out at you, no rhyme or reason but something that made her smile while looking at it. Looking over at another softer colored painting that was obviously of a beachside locale with waves gently rolling in and a little boy building a sandcastle while his parents look on. The sand dunes with a golden retriever running over them towards the boy. Looking more closely, Buffy grins as she sees a little crab scrabbling across the sand away from the boy, the detail unbelievable as she looks more closely at the painting.

"Th-that painting helped earn me a scholarship." Tara murmurs quietly. She had been observing Buffy as she put her shoes on. Waiting patiently for the slayer to finish looking over the paintings, she decided to say something when the woman stalled on that painting.

"It's absolutely unbelievable." Buffy starts to reach toward the painting but stops her hand short of actually touching the canvas. "The details. The more I look at it the more I see. The tracks in the sand from the crab scuttling away. The retriever almost looking like he's grinning as he comes running back towards his family. The soft loving smile on the woman's face as she watchers her son playing in the sand. The father watching his wife while gently running a hand over her back." Buffy tilts her head smiling softly. "The dolphins you can barely make out in the distance." Looking over at the blushing woman Buffy quirks her lip up slightly. "How come I have this feeling I can look at this painting for hours and hours and still find things I didn't see before?" Shifting back over to the riot of colors, feeling a vibrancy jumping towards her from the painting she grins from ear to ear. "This one just jumps out at me yelling 'LOOK AT ME, I'M BEAUTIFUL, I'M BOLD, I'M GORGEOUS.'" Buffy tilts her head nodding in agreement with her assessment.

"I would love to spend large quantities of time looking over your paintings. I haven't even gotten a chance to look at the other one. However we have dinner to show up for." Buffy walks slowly towards the blushing witch. Placing a gentle hand on her lower arm, Buffy smiles softly. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." Tara glances up making eye contact with Buffy and smiles in response to the grinning slayer.

"Do you have any other paintings besides the three hanging on the wall?" Buffy questions quietly as they head out of the dorm room.

"Yes. I have a few more in the closet and under the bed. A good portion of them are in the Art Rooms storage area. The teacher is kind enough to allow me to keep them there since I don't really have anywhere to store them." Tara blinks in surprise as Buffy threads her arm through hers again as they walk across the quad heading towards Buffy's house.

"Do you sketch also…Never mind that was a stupid question. Of course you do, you have the charcoals and other supplies in your room." Buffy smacks her own head at her stupidity. "Have you thought about having a showing? I mean if your other paintings are even a third as good of the two I looked at in your room…"

Tara smiles shyly. "My teacher says they are all excellent. I haven't gotten up the nerve to look around at the Galleries around town to see if they might be interested in showing my work."

"Hmmm." Buffy grins, realizing they never did mention what her mom did in front of Tara. "Would you be interested in showing your work?"

"I guess so." Tara looks questioningly at the slayer.

"Well, I can't promise anything, but I kind of have an in with one of the Gallery owners in town. If they maybe were able to see some samples of your work to make a decision…" Buffy trails off grinning.

"Are you serious?" Tara softly breathes the words. "If I could sell some of the paintings, I might be able to afford a nicer apartment come the summertime. Plus buy more supplies."

Buffy frowns at the words, wondering just what kind of apartment she had stayed in previously. Shaking those thoughts out of her head she smiles and squeezes the arm threaded through hers gently. "Let me see what I can do."

"Thank you." Tara shyly smiles at the slayer.

"No thanks yet. And if they decide to have a showing it will be because of your ability, I will have just brought you to their attention." Buffy has the urge to wrap her arm around the witch and hug her, but refrains mentally chastising herself.

As they walk up the steps to her house, Buffy glances at a smiling Tara. Releasing the witch's arm, Buffy unlocks and opens the door, motioning Tara into the house. "Mom, we're here."

"Kitchen again, honey." Joyce calls out from the kitchen.

"Jacket?" Buffy asks as she quickly shrugs out of hers and hangs it up holding her hand out to Tara, smiling as she shrugs out of her coat handing it to her. "Why don't you sit down, I'll go see how dinners coming along." Buffy motions to the couch and smiles as Tara sits down. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Water would be good." Tara smiles as Buffy as she shifts back on the couch, getting comfortable.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." Buffy grins before spinning on her heel heading into the kitchen.

"Hi, honey." Joyce glances up smiling at her daughter.

"Hi mom." Walking closer to the older Summers woman, Buffy whispers "Mom, you wouldn't believe the two paintings in her room. They're absolutely gorgeous. And two totally different paintings. I know I'm going to ask a lot here, but do you think you could maybe check her paintings out and see if you think they're good enough to have a showing at your gallery?" Hesitating for a moment Buffy looks out of the kitchen doorway, thinking heavily. "Don't mention you own a Gallery in town. I didn't tell her yet."

Joyce shakes her head at her daughter's quick rambling. As she sorts out what her daughter is asking, she raises an eyebrow. "Honey you have never really been that interested in art…"

"I know mom. But you've got to see them. Give her a chance? Please? The detail on the beachside painting is unbelievable. And the colors that jump out from the other one just call attention to it. I didn't promise anything, just that I had an in with an owner of one of the galleries in town and that I would see if they would check her paintings out. I didn't promise anything, honest." Buffy begs quietly.

Sighing at her daughter, Joyce wraps an arm around her shoulders and nods her head. "Fine, Buffy. But I can't make any promises. And you might want to explain to her who you're going to be talking to about this, so she doesn't think you're trying to pull something over on her."

"Do you think?" Buffy frowns wondering at the possibility. As her mom moves over to check on the dinner Buffy opens the refrigerator and pulls a couple waters out. "How long before dinner's ready?"

"At least half an hour. I was running late at the Gallery." Joyce smiles apologetically.

"That's fine. I think I'll talk to Tara, maybe show her my room and Mr. Gordo." Buffy smirks at her mom. "Got to see if Mr. Gordo likes her. Can't have a relationship with someone he hates."

Joyce chuckles at her impossible daughter. "Be nice, honey."

"Of course." Buffy quickly strides out of the kitchen to the living room, leaving a bemused Joyce standing there alone.

Buffy smiles at Tara as she walks into the living room. "I was wondering if you would like to see my room and meet Mr. Gordo. Mom said it would be at least another half hour before dinner was ready. She was running late tonight."

"That's fine." Tara grins as she quickly stands up before frowning imperceptibly. "Mr. Gordo?"

"My absolute best friend since forever. He got me through some of the most horrible times in my life." Buffy grins over her shoulder at the witch as they quickly walk up the stairs. Walking into her room, she picks up the stuffed animal and hands it to Tara. "Mr. Gordo, I'd like you to meet Miss Tara Maclay. Miss Tara, this is Mr. Gordo."

Tara chuckles quietly looking down at the stuffed pig. Running gentle fingers over the fur. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Gordo." Tara looks up with twinkling eyes at the slayer.

"Why don't you have a seat." Buffy motions to the bed as she slowly paces back and forth in front of the bed.

Tara frowns as she watches Buffy become serious and start pacing. "Is everything all right, Buffy?"

Buffy sighs and looks at the witch. Sitting on the floor in front of the witch, Buffy tilts her head looking up at the woman. "I didn't tell you the complete truth. Or actually I did, I just didn't tell you everything." Buffy watches as confusion crosses the witch's face. "Remember how I said that I had an in with an owner of one of the Gallery's in town?" At Tara's nod Buffy grins apologetically at the witch. "It's mom."

Tara takes a second and let's that information sink in. "Buffy, I don't want her to do this just because you asked. I don't want her to feel obligated in any way, just because you've decided to take me under your wing for some strange reason."

Reaching out and placing her hand on the witch's shoe, Buffy shakes her head. "She won't do this just because I asked her to. She'll look at your work and decide for herself if she deems it worthy of a showing. She won't do it because she feels obligated. It's her livelihood, her business. She won't just do something like that for a friend, she has to honestly believe that the artist is worthy of the showing and has a good chance of selling his or her work." Buffy explains quickly and sincerely. "And there's no strange reason. I already told you why."

Tara considers the woman for long moments seeing the honesty in the hazel eyes and sighs before smiling lopsidedly at the slayer. "So I'll earn it on my actual abilities and not because her daughter has befriended me?"

"Right." Buffy grins nodding her head happily. "You're not mad at me for not telling you the truth from the beginning?"

"No, Buffy." Tara shakes her head smiling softly. "I am glad you told me quickly. If you had waited I might have thought you were trying to hide something from me."

"Thank you, mom." Buffy mutters and sees the questioning look on Tara's face. "She suggested I explain she's the person I was talking about."

Tara's lip quirks up. "Smart mom."

"Very smart." Buffy nods her head. "And I'm going to have to be on my best behavior for a while to pay her back." Buffy smiles engagingly at the witch.

"You don't have to sit on the floor, Buffy." Tara giggles at the slayer.

Buffy tilts her head looking at the floor before glancing back up at Tara. Standing up she sits down next to Tara on the bed. Running her finger over the comforter that's between them, Buffy smiles. "I was thinking about when you were talking about being tested to see how strong you are?"

Tara looks at the slayer out of the corner of her eye and whispers "Yes."

"Giles knows people at different covens. If you want, maybe I could ask him to check into someone maybe coming here and testing you, or maybe even you going to one of the covens." Buffy looks up and shifts slightly on the bed, pulling one leg up so she's facing the witch. "All I can do is ask. If you would like to know."

Tara shifts, unconsciously mimicking the slayer. "I honestly don't know what it would tell me. I mean, it isn't like if I find out I'm real powerful I'm going to do anything different than what I'm doing now."

"You have a point." Buffy has to agree with the witch. Shifting to lay on her side, propping her head up on her hand she considers the woman. "So…I know you're a witch, brilliant, excellent artist and shy. What else should I know about Tara Maclay?"

Tara blushes looking down at the comforter, playing her fingers over one of the flowers on it. "I just turned twenty last month. And as you've already figured out I haven't had much of a life before now."

"That's going to be remedied here soon." Buffy smiles softly at the witch.

Looking up in surprise at the slayer, Tara doesn't know what to say.

"But only as you feel comfortable. Maybe going out to the movies, hitting the Bronze and dancing. That type of thing." Buffy watches the witch.

"I don't know how to dance." Tara whispers.

"Gives me a good reason to teach you." Buffy chuckles quietly. "If I can help Willow out, I can definitely help you." Buffy hears her mom call from downstairs. "Looks like dinner must be ready." Buffy quickly stands up off the bed watching Tara gracefully shift and stand up.

Joyce smiles as the two women walk into the dining room. "I hope you like chicken." Joyce smiles at Tara.

"That's fine. I just can't eat shrimp." Tara admits smiling at the older woman. "Allergic." She shrugs gently as she sits down.

"I'll remember that." Joyce eyes her daughter questioningly.

"When would be a good time to maybe have mom look at your paintings?" Buffy answers her mom's look indirectly.

"Whenever she w-would want to." Tara blushes looking briefly at Buffy before turning apprehensive eyes on Joyce. "You don't have to. I m-mean don't do it j-just because…"

Joyce places a calming hand on the young woman. "I look at different artists work all the time, Tara. I just have to make decisions on whether or not they will make a good showing at the gallery." Joyce smiles. "I don't want you to get your hopes up, for every artists' work that I display there's ten that I don't."

"I understand that." Tara smiles relaxing. "That's why I'm getting a degree in teaching. The world will always need teachers, but artists…" Tara trails off grinning lopsidedly. "For every artist that can make a living, there's probably at least a hundred that can't."

"Very smart, young lady." Joyce smiles at Tara. "It's always best to have something else to fall back on." Joyce reaches out for the chicken and pulls a breast placing it on her plate before passing the plate to Tara.

The three women quickly fill there plates as they slowly eat dinner.

Tara glances up smiling at Buffy. "What are you majoring in?" Tara questions quietly.

Buffy blushes and looks down at her plate playing with her mashed potatoes. "I'm not really majoring in anything." Glancing up briefly at her mom she frowns. "Unfortunately with what I do…"

Tara's frowns realizing that Buffy was alluding to the fact that most slayer's don't have a chance to have any kind of career. Feeling sad at the thought of this young, beautiful, vibrant woman dying, Tara sets her fork down, clasping her hands on her lap. "It must be hard." Tara whispers.

Joyce nods her head silently looking at her daughter. "It isn't the easiest thing coming to terms with. Not that I think I ever will."

Buffy reaches out to her mother and smirks. "Yeah, but technically I've already beaten the odds once. Maybe I can have a normal life."

Tara looks questioningly at the slayer.

Buffy sighs and grins. "My Sophomore year there was a prophecy that I was going to die."

"You did, dear." Joyce murmurs quietly.

Tara's eyes open wide and she pales slightly. "You died?"

"Yes, the Master drowned me. Luckily Xander brought Angel down looking for me and Xander performed CPR bringing me back. I was pissed and proceeded to kick the evil vampires ass." Buffy grins slightly, before frowning. "But I was dead long enough for another slayer to be called." Thinking about Kendra, Buffy looks down at her plate sadness creeping in.

"Honey, it wasn't your fault she died." Joyce pats Buffy's arm.

Tara shakes her head looking from one woman to the other. "The second slayer died?"

"Oh, boy." Buffy mutters before grinning at Tara. "Yeah. But if I get started telling you about everything, we're going to need days to go through everything. Because one story will lead to another…"

Tara chuckles quietly at the slayer. "I have a feeling that a lot has happened."

"That's putting it mildly." Joyce murmurs before glancing at Buffy. "Have you checked to see how Faith's doing lately?"

Buffy nods her head, feeling tears work their way to her eyes. "Yeah, no change." Glancing up she shakes her head at Tara. "Even longer story, she's the current slayer and she's in a coma at the hospital. Maybe we can get together and I'll give you a brief breakdown of my so called slayer life."

Tara nods seeing the obvious sadness in the slayer's eyes. "Maybe we can exchange some stories." Tara offers quietly, knowing that if they were to become friends she will need to open up to the woman, no matter how much it might hurt. But knowing in her heart that her mom wouldn't want her to keep the pain inside, or to shut herself off.

Buffy glances quickly to her mom. Surprise evident in her eyes at the fact Tara seems willing to open up. "That would be wonderful." Buffy smiles and watches as Tara slowly starts eating again. Grinning to herself, Buffy quickly attacks her food looking up occasionally at the witch.

Joyce smiles at the two girls. "Do you mind if I ask where you're from originally?" Joyce questions Tara.

"No, ma'am." Tara shakes her head smiling up at the woman. "I'm from a small town in north Texas."

"What kind of foods do you like to eat?" Joyce smiles encouragingly at the young woman, smiling as twinkling blue eyes look back at her.

"Everything but shrimp." Tara grins. "I have a weakness for spicy foods."

Buffy grins and wiggles her eyebrows at her mom. "Looks like you're going to be outvoted mom."

Joyce groans quietly. "I'm going to need to stock up on antacids."

Tara giggles looking from one woman to the other. "I take it you like spicy food, also?"

Buffy smiles at Tara nodding her head. "She won't fix it too often. She grumbles that it upsets her stomach." Buffy smirks at her mom. "But I could really go for some hot wings."

Tara chuckles quietly. "How hot can you eat them? I have a recipe for some killer hot sauce."

Buffy groans and almost starts salivating. "How hot can you make them?"

Joyce shakes her head. "You realize dear that you are now going to have to make them for Buffy. She's going to bug you until you do." Joyce smiles. "Get me a list of ingredients that you need and I'll have them here so you can possibly come by and fix them sometime. I'll fix myself a hamburger or something."

Tara bites her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "If you have a pen and piece of paper I can write down the ingredients."

"You know it off the top of your head?" Joyce looks surprised at the woman.

"Yes." Tara nods her head. "I fix them quite frequently during the summer when I have an oven to cook in."

Buffy watches the woman intently. "This weekend?" Buffy hopefully questions.

Joyce chuckles looking at her daughter, before turning back with a smirk on her face towards Tara. "Told you."

Tara smiles shyly looking down. "It's best if I make the sauce and let the wings soak in them for a few hours before baking them."

"Then either Saturday or Sunday would be best." Buffy looks at her mother.

"Saturday I need to work at the Gallery, if you want to come over and have a girls day here, you're more than welcome to." Joyce makes the offer, hoping that maybe will give the two women time to talk and get to know each other.

Buffy smiles thankfully at her mother before turning back to Tara. "If you need to study, you can bring some books with you. Even though I honestly think you should take some time off and relax."

Tara blushes looking down at her plate before looking back up at Buffy. "Saturday is fine."

"Good, that's settled." Joyce finishes her dinner watching as Tara quickly finishes her last bite. "Would you like some more, dear?"

"No, thank you. It was wonderful." Tara smiles at the woman as she gently places her napkin over her plate.

"I didn't have time to actually make anything for dessert, but I did pick up some turnovers and they should be done in a few minutes." Joyce smiles and winks at the two women. "I got Buffy's favorite."

"Mmmm. Raspberry turnovers will never be turned down." Buffy smiles as she finishes her third chicken breast.

Joyce gather's her dirty dishes, quickly walking into the kitchen to check the turnovers. She smiles as she turns and watches Tara bring her dishes in. "Do you like Raspberry turnovers? I know you said you like everything…" Joyce trails off smiling.

"Raspberry is fine." Tara looks down briefly before glancing back up. "I want to thank you for letting me come here for dinner."

"No thanks necessary, dear." Joyce pats her gently on the arm. "It gets a little lonely around here with just us two. Xander and Rupert will occasionally join us for dinner." Glancing out towards the dining room she smirks thinking about her daughter. "Plus I know Buffy misses Willow. When she decided to go away for college, it left a vacuum in Buffy's life. Those three have been almost inseparable since their Sophomore year." Joyce smiles sadly.

"She's been through a lot, hasn't she?" Tara whispers watching the emotions crossing the older woman's face. "You've been through a lot with her being the slayer."

"Yes, very much so." Joyce admits. As the oven timer goes off, she turns and pulls the turnovers out, placing them on a rack to cool. Placing the oven mitts on the counter, she tilts her head considering the witch for a moment. "It's something that I never would have wanted for Buffy. Hell for anyone." Joyce shakes her head and looks up seeing her daughter standing in the doorway rolling her eyes. Smirking with her eyes twinkling she continues "But it sure made her a better person than she was shaping up to being."

"Mom!" Buffy whines slightly. "Just because I was almost a carbon copy of Cordelia doesn't mean you have to tell Tara about what an uncaring, unfeeling bitch I was in my younger days."

Tara's eyes open wide in surprise as she turns watching Buffy. "I don't believe it."

"Oh, do." Buffy admits quietly. "I was the quintessential bottle blonde cheerleader. Snobby and bitchy to everyone who wasn't in the 'clique'. I never would have considered becoming friends with someone like Xander or Willow. And it would have been my loss." Shaking her head she places her dirty dishes in the sink, leaning near the blonde. "I didn't realize what a self-centered bitch I was and if for no other reason, I'm glad my becoming the slayer changed that." Smiling sadly at her mother.

"Well, I have to admit that you seem to be a very nice, caring woman now." Tara shyly admits glancing up at the blonde.

"Thank God." Joyce grins. "Anyone want vanilla ice cream over their turnover?"

"Please." Tara smiles at Buffy's mom.

"Of course." Buffy smirks at her mother before walking over to the freezer grabbing the ice cream out. Setting the ice cream down on the island, Buffy accepts the two bowls her mother hands her with a turnover in them. Frowning she looks at her mom. "You don't want any?"

"Not right now, honey. I need to get some work done." Joyce smiles and winks at her daughter. "Please feel free to come to dinner any time dear." Joyce smiles as she leaves the kitchen.

"Your mom is nice." Tara smiles as Buffy scoops ice cream on one of the turnovers.

"Yeah, she's pretty cool. We had our problems, especially before she found out I was the slayer. And we won't even discuss after she found out I was the slayer." Buffy rolls her eyes and grins. "How many scoops?"

Tara takes a moment before looking down. "Two?"

"Two it is." Buffy quickly scoops the ice cream onto the other turnover before frowning at the small amount of ice cream left. "How about three scoops?" Buffy glances up and feels her heart skip a beat at the crooked grin pointed at her.

"Twist my arm." Tara murmurs and laughs as Buffy quickly scoops the last of the ice cream out onto her turnover.

"Do you mind eating in here?" Buffy smiles as she pulls out a stool sitting on it. "I kind of like it better in here than the dining room."

"More homey." Tara acknowledges as she slides onto the other stool. "Do you make it a habit of taking in strays?" Tara looks questioningly at the slayer.

"Taking in strays?" Buffy glances up at the question. "You're not a stray."

Quirking her lip slightly, Tara plays in her dessert. "Actually I am." Looking up and making contact with the confused hazel eyes, Tara smiles sadly. "The only person that ever wanted me was my mom."

Buffy reaches out and places her hand over the soft, larger hand of the witch. "I think the people in your life must have been complete idiots. And if you would like I would be happy to go smack some sense in them for you." Buffy's lip cocks up hoping to make the witch smile.

Tara giggles and smiles back at the slayer. "Regular smacks or slayer smacks?" Tara's eyes twinkle at Buffy.

"I could let you choose on a case by case basis?" Buffy smiles and winks at the woman.

Feeling her heart lighten, Tara smiles and turns her hand over to clasp Buffy's fingers in hers. Squeezing gently she whispers "Thank you."

"For what? Offering to smack around people that didn't have the good sense to see what a kind, caring woman you are? It would be my pleasure." Buffy smiles softly and swallows as she feels the soft fingers caressing her hand.

Tara realizes that she's unconsciously caressing the slayer's hand and blushes before gently easing her hand away from Buffy's. Looking down she starts eating her dessert, glancing up occasionally.

Buffy sighs after Tara pulls away watching the woman, quickly scooping up her dessert working her way quickly through the turnover and ice cream. "Do you mind walking back to campus? I hate to bother mom when she gets started on her work. I'll make sure no muggers" Buffy smirks before continuing "get hold of you."

Tara smiles up at Buffy and shakes her head. "That's fine. I don't think I could ask for a better body guard." Finishing the last bite of her dessert, Tara looks back at the slayer and tilts her head. "You probably need to patrol, don't you?"

Buffy glances out the window at the night and nods her head. "Yeah. I'll do it on the way back from dropping you off."

"If you want, we can patrol on the way back to campus." Tara offers quietly.

"You wouldn't mind?" Buffy's eyes search the witch's face, seeing only the genuine offer to help, Buffy smiles. "Thanks. It makes the patrol go faster having someone with me. Even though I do get worried something might happen." Buffy frowns as she thinks about something happening to the woman.

"I'm not completely defenseless, Buffy." Tara smiles lopsidedly at the slayer. "Remember, I can throw a pretty wicked fireball. I've also been known to put up a good barrier spell given a few moments time. Amongst being able to levitate."

Buffy frowns "Levitate?"

"Levitate, control where a stake, or in my case pencils go?" Tara chuckles as she literally sees the light bulb go on. "I can't tell you how many pencils I've used since being here. And not for my courses!!"

Buffy starts chuckling and it quickly turns to laughter. "That is absolutely priceless." Eyes twinkling mischievously Buffy looks at Tara "So buying a couple hundred pencils for you for Christmas wouldn't go amiss?"

"As is whittling you some stakes for Christmas?" Tara laughs with the slayer. "I'll make sure to keep an eye out for fallen tree limbs."

"Oooh. I know what I'm getting for Christmas." Buffy sing-songs smirking at the witch. Standing she gathers both their bowls and quickly places them in the sink running water in them.

Turning around and placing a hand on Tara's shoulder, Buffy smiles. "I'm going to go get my gear. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Tara smiles and nods her head. "If it's okay, I'm going to run to the bathroom before we head back."

"Please feel free to consider this your home, Tara." Buffy squeezes gently before pulling her hand away. "I'm going to go upstairs and get my stuff."

"Thank you." Tara smiles watching as Buffy walks out of the room, shaking her head before slowly standing and heading up the stairs to the bathroom.

Chapter 4

"You okay?" Buffy questions Tara after she finishes staking the two vampires they came across in the cemetery.

"I'm fine." Tara smiles at the slayer. "Maybe I should have looked for some pencils to bring with me?"

Buffy chuckles quietly as they continue on patrol. "I'll buy you a couple packs and keep some at the house in case of emergency."

Tara laughs and shakes her head. "Earlier tonight you mentioned about when you d- d-died." Tara finally stutters the word out. Taking a deep breath to help her relax, to help her stuttering, she continues. "I know who Giles is, you've mentioned Xander before but who is Angel?"

Buffy sighs and looks up at the night sky, unconsciously twirling the stake in her hand as they walk. "That's a long story. As you know I came here my Sophomore year. I met Xander and Willow. Xander overheard me talking to Giles, who's cover was being the school librarian. Anyway Xander overheard us talking about vampires and things kind of snow-balled from there. Xander and Willow helped me with patrols, research, whatever was needed. Well this was before my senses were really working, I hadn't trained at being a Slayer, I fell through the Watcher's Council's cracks. Anyway about my senses, like now I can feel a vampire a good distance away. Then I really couldn't feel vampires. This guy named Angel would drop by and give me cryptic messages about what was going on around town then disappear." Buffy tucks away the stake, and clasps her hands behind her back, looking down at the ground as they continue walking. "I ended up having feelings for him, the tall, dark and handsome mystery guy. Needless to say he was a vampire. With a soul."

Tara looks at the slayer in surprise. "He was a vampire and you didn't know it. But he has a soul?"

"Yeah. We danced around each other for a while, but I fell in love with him. And that is another story in of itself, and I really, really don't come off good in that one. Anyway, there was a prophecy that I would die fighting the Master. I quit, told Giles that I didn't want to die and he could find some other idiot to take over the slaying. There happened to be a vampire attack in the school that Willow and Cordelia found, blood and body parts all over the place. When I saw the fear in Willow's eyes I couldn't run away. I went after the Master. He drowned me and luckily enough Xander didn't accept the prophecy. He shamed Angel into going down into the Master's lair looking for me, he performed CPR, I was pissed and kicked the Master's ass." Buffy shrugs and brushes some dirt off her pants.

Tara walks along in stunned silence, eventually looking at the slayer who's walking quietly beside her looking down at the ground. "You died, and were brought back. Activating…" Tara trails off not remembering the woman's name.

"Kendra." Buffy supplies.

"Activating the new slayer Kendra. You fell in love with a vampire. A vampire with a soul?" Tara questions.

"Yeah, he was cursed with a soul by gypsies for killing a woman, the future of their tribe." Buffy frowns before looking up into blue eyes. "And that is another story, which will lead to another one…"

"I have a feeling you have a lot of stories to tell." Tara shakes her head in disbelief. "I guess that's enough to talk about for tonight."

Buffy scuffs her foot over the sidewalk as they slowly work their way through patrol on the way to the campus. "Is this where you tell me you don't want to know me and go running to your dorm room refusing to have anything else to do with me?"

Tara stops, stunned. Turning she watches as Buffy stops and turns back to face her, a sad look on her face. "Why would that make me not want to be friends with you?"

"Hello! Vampire Slayer, in love with a vampire. That in of itself is enough." Buffy waves her hands in the air.

"I-I-in love w-w-with a v-v-vampire?" Tara stutters out horribly, feeling her heart drop at the current tense.

Buffy frowns at the witch, not understanding why she's stuttering so horribly now. "Yeah, I fell in love with him. I mentioned it before."

"B-but you're s-still in l-l-love with him." Tara whispers.

Buffy finally understands and shakes her head vehemently. "Past tense, was in love. Not any more. I'll always care for him. A part of me will always love him, but I'm not IN love with him." Slowly reaching out a calming hand, Buffy strokes down the jacket covered arm.

Tara takes a moment to digest what Buffy told her and smiles softly as she watch's her stroke her arm. Taking a deep breath Tara looks up into the worried hazel eyes of the slayer and smiles crookedly. "So you were in love with a vampire with a soul. But you're not anymore. That was everything big that happened your Sophomore year of high school?"

Buffy smiles and gently squeezes the arm under her hand before shifting and threading her arm through Tara's, urging them to continue walking. "Pretty much. There were fights and stakings. The Harvest when the Master tried to break out of his prison by using Luke as his vessel. Broke that up, unfortunately Xander had to stake Jesse, his best friend that had previously been turned. I still see him get a look occasionally on his face when he thinks about Jesse."

"Wow!" Tara whispers.

"Worse things than that have happened." Buffy shakes her head looking down. "So many things that could have been avoided if only I had done what needed to be done. The people that died because of me." Buffy swallows feeling the tears gathering in her eyes as she thinks about Jenny Calendar.

Tara feels the heartache coming from the slayer in waves and without even realizing it reaches out and gently clasps the woman in a soft embrace. "You can't save everyone, Buffy. No matter how much you wish you could, you can't."

"No, but I could have saved quite a few people my Junior year if I had done my job instead of letting my feelings get in the way." Buffy whispers clasping the witch tighter and turning her cheek to lay across the woman's shoulder.

"Another story for another day?" Tara whispers quietly.

"My Junior year may be an all day story and then some." Buffy chuckles sadly. Buffy stiffens and quickly pulls away as she feels a vampire nearing them. Looking around searching the darkness she gets a glimpse of something moving behind one of the trees halfway up the block.

Tara looks at Buffy in surprise as she pulls away from her without saying anything, but as soon as she sees the look on Buffy's face, she realizes she feels a vampire nearby.

Buffy glances back at Tara and smiles as she sees the comprehension on her face. "Let's continue." Buffy shifts her body a little farther away from the witch and pulls the stake out from her pants holding it so it isn't visible.

"So, did you read the chapters for Psych class tomorrow?" Tara smirks slightly wondering when the slayer had time to do any studying.

"More or less." Buffy grins as they close in on the vampire. "I swear Professor Walsh is evil."

Buffy's prepared as the vampire jumps out in front of them, hoping to catch the two women unawares, he looks down in surprise at the stake that's sticking in his chest back up to the blonde opening his mouth as he disintegrates.

"Not too bright." Buffy brushes the dust off her sleeve as she tucks the stake away again.

"I haven't met any vampires that are. It seems when they get turned they lose whatever brains they had." Tara admits quirking her lip at Buffy. "And what's this about Professor Walsh being evil?"

"Her eyes are cold. Always, I have never see any warmth in them for anybody or anything. Then her TA Riley sets my teeth on edge." Buffy shakes her head.

"Really? I overheard some of the other girls talking in class that think he's an absolute…dream boat I believe their phrasing was." Tara giggles as she sees the look of disgust crossing Buffy's face.

"Nope. He's not my type." Buffy states easily, grinning about the thought of what her type is now. Glancing at the witch she sees a questioning look come over her face. Wanting to see if she has the nerve to ask, Buffy waits quietly as they continue strolling through Sunnydale.

Tara watches the grinning slayer, wondering if she should ask when a sideways look at her and a partial smirk crosses her face. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she gets the distinct impression Buffy's almost daring her to ask. Vacillating between asking or not asking the slayer, Tara tucks her hands in her jacket pockets and feels the Celtic Cross charm that she hasn't had a chance to put back on her bracelet. Deciding to take it as a sign, she questions quietly. "What's your type?"

Buffy's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. It had taken a while, but the woman finally got up the nerve to ask. Debating on how to answer the question, Buffy tilts her head momentarily. "Hmmm. That's a tough question. My type seems to have undergone a radical change recently." Buffy looks up at the night sky briefly, trying to decide on what to say. "I guess my type is a kind and loving spirit. Someone that would love me just as I am, faults and all. Maybe someone extremely smart that won't make too much fun of my being slayer thick." Buffy raises an eyebrow and slides her eyes towards the witch before looking back at the sidewalk.

Tara hesitates on her next step before continuing the walk, tilting her head to look at the slayer with a wondering glance. "And is this type tall, dark and handsome?" Tara holds her breath waiting for the answer.

Buffy's lip quirks up slightly enjoying the fact that Tara seems to be coming out of her shell quite nicely. "No. Not at all. Pretty much the opposite on all counts."

Tara bites her lip and watches the slayer a little more intently as they come into view of the campus. "So this type is short, pale and ugly?"

Buffy stops and turns to look at Tara with a hint of disbelief.

Trying not to giggle Tara tilts her head and with twinkling eyes does the comparison. "Well the opposite of tall is short. Dark is pale and handsome is ugly, right?"

Buffy narrows her eyes briefly then sees the merriment twinkling in the witch's beautiful blue eyes and doesn't fight the chuckle working it's way out. "Are you playing dense on purpose?" Buffy finally asks, watching Tara.

Tara blinks in surprise at the slayer's question, not expecting her to so bluntly put out there what the two had been dancing around.

Buffy swallows and backs up a step. "Forget I said that. Just imagine this conversation hasn't taken place." Buffy mentally kicks her own ass. Way to keep things on a slow even keel.

Tara watches as the slayer literally backs off both physically and emotionally. Seeing the self-condemnation in the slayer's eyes, Tara feels her heart go out to the obviously distraught slayer. "So what would you consider the opposite?" Tara whispers giving Buffy the opening to do what she wished.

Buffy considers the slightly taller woman before taking the step back towards the witch. "Not so tall, maybe a couple inches taller than me. Light coloring, blue eyes. And pretty…no make that beautiful." Buffy whispers quietly. Putting it all on the table to see what happens, Buffy silently prays that she hasn't just shot herself in the foot.

Tara stands staring at Buffy in shock, blinking her eyes trying to let the slayer's words make sense in her fuzzy brain. Knowing she feels something for this woman that she's never felt before for anyone, she looks in confusion at Buffy. "I – I – ." Tara stops, not knowing what to say.

Buffy looks down away from the confused blue eyes she was intently watching. "You don't have to say anything. Let's get you home." Buffy slowly turns heading towards the dormitory.

Tara walks alongside the slayer, silently contemplating the younger woman. Seeing the sad look on the slayer's face as they slowly walk up the stairs to her dormitory, Tara makes eye contact with hazel eyes as she holds the door open letting her precede the woman inside. After walking up the stairs, Tara digs around in her purse pulling out her dorm key. As she unlocks the door she watches as Buffy shifts as if to leave. Reaching out, she clasps the slayer's arm gently. "Come in for water."

Buffy glances up from the milky white hand on her arm to warm blue eyes silently begging her to come in. "Okay." Following Tara in the room, she watches as she gently shuts the door and shrugs off her jacket hanging it up in the closet.

"Can I hang up your jacket?" Tara offers holding her hand out for the jacket and smiles softly as Buffy quickly strips the jacket off and hands it to her. Turning around and hanging it up, Tara walks over to the tiny refrigerator and pulls out two waters, handing one to Buffy. Bending over she unties her boots and slides them off before sitting at the top of the bed crossing her legs and tucking her skirt about her. Looking up she watches as Buffy shifts slightly. "Sit down, please." Tara points to the bed in front of her.

Buffy swallows silently as she kicks her shoes off and sits down Indian style facing Tara. Opening her water she takes a quick sip waiting for Tara to say something, anything.

Picking gently at her skirt, Tara looks up watching Buffy for long moments before whispering "I'm not beautiful."

Buffy looks up in shock at the witch, expecting anything but that. Feeling the urge to argue with the woman, Buffy hesitates before calming down. Catching blue eyes she shakes her head and makes the statement, letting the truth show in her eyes. "Yes you are."

Tara holds her breath as she sees the truth shining from Buffy's eyes. That to Buffy she is beautiful. "I…I don't know what to say."

"Thank you is the most accepted statement to make in a case like this." Buffy allows herself a small smile.

Feeling her lip quirk up at the slayer, Tara nods her head. "Then, thank you Buffy."

Buffy allows a sigh of relief to escape her before smiling fully at Tara. "You're not going to tell me to leave you alone and to never darken your doorway again?"

Tara tilts her head and smirks. "No, I don't think so. But…" Tara trails off and watches as a questioning look comes across the slayer's face. "What happens now?" Tara continues quietly.

"Depends." Buffy reaches out and runs a fingertip over the top of Tara's hand before slowly pulling her hand away and placing it back in her lap. "Would you consider…dating?" Buffy more breathes the last word than actually giving it voice.

"I've never dated before, Buffy." Tara admits quietly.

"Then it's about time you did. The thing is, would you want to date me?" Buffy finally asks outright.

"Why wouldn't I want to date you?" Tara questions a confused look crossing her face.

"Well, first of all I'm female." Buffy starts wincing slightly.

"You are?" Tara asks in mock horror.

Buffy bites back a laugh, and shakes her head. "I guess that means that isn't a consideration?"

"My mom ingrained in me growing up that love is love no matter where or who it came from. To never turn it away if it's offered. Whether it's the love of a friend, a family member, or as a significant other, they are all equally important. She didn't believe that you couldn't love a person because of their sex or color. She believed you loved a person for who is inside." Tara smiles thinking back to her mothers words spoken so long ago.

"Very, very smart woman." Buffy watches the love cross Tara's face as she thinks about her mother.

"She was." Tara smiles sadly making eye contact with Buffy. "I miss her. She was my friend as well as my mother growing up."

Buffy reaches out and gently clasps Tara's hand in support. Smiling as she feels Tara start to caress her hand. Realizing it was getting late, Buffy sighs and gently squeezes Tara's hand as she releases her grasp and slowly stands up. Finishing the last of her water, Buffy places it in the trash can before turning to face Tara who's standing quietly by her bed.

"You need to finish patrol then maybe sort of finish your reading for Psych class?" Tara quirks her lip up slightly watching the slayer.

Buffy groans and closes her eyes. "Don't remind me. I don't feel like reading five chapters. I'll probably fall asleep before I finish the first one." Leaning down she slides her feet quickly in her shoes and ties them.

Tara chuckles quietly before quickly walking over to her desk. Flipping through the notebooks, she pulls out her Psych one and hands it shyly to Buffy. "I made notes on the most important points for each chapter if you would like to borrow it to read over before class tomorrow."

Buffy looks down in surprise at the notebook. Hesitantly reaching out for the book, Buffy smiles at Tara. "Thank you. Can I buy you lunch in payment?" Buffy offers smiling her thanks.

"You don't have to buy me lunch, but maybe we can go to lunch together?" Tara offers.

"It's a date." Buffy smiles at the phrasing, tucking the notebook under her arm before closing the short distance between them. "You can definitely say no if you want, but…" Looking up into the warm, caring blue eyes Buffy tilts her head smiling softly. "May I kiss you goodnight?"

Tara blinks a couple times before nodding her head, holding her breath as Buffy leans in and brushes her lips gently against hers. Unconsciously raising her fingertips to brush against her tingling lips, Tara smiles.

Buffy pulls back and watches as the smile crosses Tara's face and her fingers press against her lips. Smiling in response, Buffy reaches up and gently touches a fingertip against her cheek. "I need to go."

Tara nods her understanding, not able to say anything just yet. Watching silently as Buffy pulls her jacket down off the hanger and shrugs her arms in it before tucking the notebook away inside. Following her to the door, Tara holds it open as Buffy starts to step through. Reaching out a hand to stop the slayer, Tara smiles as Buffy turns and looks at her questioningly. Leaning in Tara quickly presses her lips against Buffy's again before pulling back. "Good night, Buffy. Be careful."

Buffy grins hugely and nods her head. "Better believe it." Buffy whispers as she practically floats through the door to finish patrol and go back home.

Tara watches Buffy walk down the hallway before backing into her room, shutting the door and locking it. Leaning her back against the door, Tara stares out the window marveling at the unexpected turn of events. How two nights ago she was saved from four vampires by the vampire slayer. And tonight she was kissed by the same woman, but not just a vampire slayer, no a caring, kind, loving woman that thinks she, Tara Maclay, is beautiful. Realizing her heart is beating a thousand beats a minute, Tara presses her hand against her chest, smiling happily. Shaking her head, she quickly strips and puts on her sleep wear before turning out the light and climbing in bed, falling asleep with the picture of caring hazel eyes in front of her.

Buffy hums happily as she unlocks the door sliding into the house and quietly shutting and locking it behind her. Pulling out the notebook, she smiles softly at the thought of Tara before she takes off her jacket, hanging it up. Noticing a light on in the kitchen, she walks in and is surprised to see her mother still up.

"Hi, Mom." Buffy smiles and kisses her on the cheek as she walks by to grab a water out of the refrigerator.

Joyce sips her tea as she watches her daughter smiling and humming. Raising an eyebrow Joyce murmurs. "Good patrol?"

"Patrol was boring. Came across five vamps. Pretty much all newly risen." Buffy smiles sitting down across from her mom sipping on her water, placing the notebook on the island beside her.

"Good walk to the college?" Joyce hints watching her daughter smile.

"Best walk to campus." Buffy admits quietly. "I gave her a run-down of what happened my Sophomore year in high school and she didn't run the other way." Buffy grins at her mom.

"You told her about Angel?" Joyce questions as she sips her tea, watching her daughter surprised at the happiness on her face.

"Yep. I didn't get into everything, but I figure Saturday I'll maybe tell her most of what happened Junior year." Buffy stops smiling and looks down as thoughts of what happened work there way through her mind.

Joyce reaches out and gently covers her daughters hand. "Honey, don't dwell on it. Things happen for a reason. So tell me why you're all happy and smiling."

Buffy blushes and looks down. "Multiple reasons, actually. She agreed to go out on a date with me." Buffy looks up grinning madly.

Joyce blinks in surprise "What happened to going slow, honey?"

Shrugging her shoulder's Buffy leans her chin down on her propped up fist. "Got to talking about what 'types' I was interested in and I made a few comments, leaving it open for her to question more seriously or leave it be and a few minutes later she actually asked if my type was tall, dark and handsome." Buffy smirks in remembrance. "I pretty much said just the opposite." Shaking her head she looks at her mom, smiling. "She's got a wicked sense of humor once she opens up, mom."

Joyce shakes her head and questions quietly. "So how did you end up getting her to go on a date with you?"

"Oh, after clarifying types a little, I asked." Buffy admits quietly. "It just kind of rolled around to it, and I took the plunge. Then when I was getting ready to leave I asked if I could kiss her."

Joyce's eyes open wide. "You didn't?"

"Yep." Buffy smiles at her mom, waiting to see if she'd ask.

"Well did she?" Joyce watches her daughter smirk at her.

"Do you expect me to kiss and tell – to my mother?" Buffy frowns and sighs dramatically.

"You told me about everything else that happened tonight, you can't tell me if you kissed?" Joyce grumbles quietly.

"We did. A brief brush of lips. Then as I was leaving, she stopped me and kissed me again." Buffy admits quietly while smiling at the thought. "She has the softest lips imaginable."

"Don't over share, dear." Joyce murmurs quietly before chuckling. "Is she coming to dinner tomorrow night?"

Buffy blinks and shakes her head. "I don't know. I didn't ask tonight, but I'll see her in class and we're going to grab lunch at the Cafeteria together tomorrow." Buffy smiles softly thinking about Tara. "And don't worry, mom. We're not gonna jump in the sack quickly or anything. At least not to…you know." Buffy blushes glance at her mother.

Joyce sighs and shakes her head at her daughter. "Just be careful, honey. You're old enough to do what's right." Standing up, Joyce placing her cup in the sink. "Night, honey. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night mom." Buffy smiles watching her mom leave before glancing back out the window at the night, getting lost momentarily thinking about warm blue eyes. Shaking herself out of her thoughts she picks up Tara's notebook and heads upstairs to get some reading and studying done.

Chapter 5

Tara glances up as she walks to her Psych class, and smiles as she spies a certain slayer leaning against the wall by the door. As Buffy turns her eyes towards her, Tara chuckles at the obvious happiness coming from the slayer. Slowing down to stop in front of her, Tara raises an eyebrow. "Any problems last night?"

Buffy shakes her head. "None. All the bumpys were good little boys and girls for me. They went poof without any problems." Turning to walk into class, Buffy stops just inside. "Do you want to sit together?"

Tara blushes and nods her head agreeing to the suggestion. "Yes. Were you able to do any of your reading?"

"Oh, don't remind me!" Buffy groans quietly as she climbs to a relatively empty section and sits down digging in her book bag. Handing Tara her notebook, she grins. "You are a lifesaver. I tried to read the chapters, but halfway through the first one I almost fell asleep. After that I read your notes. Condensed version Tara is a lot easier to read."

Tara giggles and places the notebook under her text. "Any time you need to borrow it, let me know. I usually work ahead as much as time allows and re-read over sections as they come up."

Buffy groans and bangs her head down on her books. "The brain, the brain." Buffy looks up with a pouty lip, but twinkling hazel eyes. "This isn't gonna work. The brain and the slayer." Buffy sighs dramatically. "I'm going to bore you senseless and you're going to go find some other hot babe to take my place. Someone that's brilliant and sexy."

Tara giggles quietly at Buffy shaking her head. "You need help."

Buffy pouts her lip out even further and is surprised when Tara taps it with her finger.

"Put it away. I can't do what I want to with it here in class." Tara murmurs blushing lightly.

Buffy's eyes open wide and she grins from ear to ear. "Remind me to pout when we're not in class."

Tara chuckles before turning to face the front of class as Professor Walsh starts speaking.

As the two women talk as they leave the class, Buffy's stopped by Riley. "Uh, Buffy. I was wondering. We're throwing a party tomorrow night at the dorm and I wanted to know if you wanted to go?"

Buffy looks at Tara and shakes her head. "No, Riley. Thanks for the offer but I sort of have tentative plans for tomorrow night. Thanks anyway." Buffy places her hand in the middle of Tara's back as they walk down the hallway.

"He likes you." Tara murmurs quietly, glancing over at the slayer, intensely aware of the small warm hand in the middle of her back.

"We can't help the people we like." Buffy raises an eyebrow looking at Tara briefly. "And I don't like him."

Tara giggles as they quickly make their way to the Cafeteria. Tara chuckles quietly as she watches Buffy pile up the tray again. Grabbing a ham and cheese sandwich, chips and juice, Tara frowns as Buffy insists on paying again.

"Come on, it's not that big a deal." Buffy grumbles quietly at the look. "I want to, and if it makes me happy to buy you lunch, you should let me, right?"

Tara sighs and rolls her eyes at the slayer. "Just don't make it a habit." Tara smiles softly at the slayer. "I'll get spoiled and expect you to buy me lunch all the time."

Buffy grins. "It looked like it was going to rain, do you want to eat in?"

Tara glances out at the darkening skies and nods her head. "Might be a good idea." They quickly find an empty table and sit down. Tara grabs her items off the tray and watches as Buffy starts unwrapping her food and eating.

Buffy looks up and watches as Tara tucks some hair behind her ear as she nibbles on her sandwich. "So, what's your plans for tonight?" Buffy questions quietly.

Tara looks up and smiles apologetically at the slayer. "I have a paper that I need to finish typing. Then I have some reading I need to do for one of my classes."

Buffy nods her head in acceptance. "Tomorrow night?" Buffy smiles hopefully.

Tara chuckles quietly. "I usually spend Fridays doing laundry." Tara admits quietly.

Buffy pops a chip in her mouth, chewing it thoughtfully. "What time do you finish with the laundry?"

"Around 9:00 or so I guess." Tara shrugs her shoulders. "Why?"

"Well, I can do a patrol around town and work my way over here. Then maybe take you out to the Espresso Pump or somewhere for coffee and a snack? Or if you want to go dancing…" Buffy trails off smiling at the witch.

"No, no dancing." Tara shakes her head before smiling softly. "Espresso Pump sounds good." Tara looks down and finishes her chips. Sipping her juice she glances back up smiling as Buffy finishes her food. "Your mom's food bi