A Different Kind of Magic

Rating: NC-17

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

Distribution: http://mysticmuse.net

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

Pairing: Buffy/Tara

Spoilers: A world of no.

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

Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4    Part 5    Part 6    Part 7    Part 8    Part 9    Part 10

Part 1

Chapter 1

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

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

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

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

Buffy gulped as the blonde walked over and smiled shyly. "H-hi…I'm um…

Tara." She held out her hand to the shocked Slayer.

Buffy took her hand and smiled back. "Buffy…is…um me. Yeah…my name…

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

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

Buffy nodded. "Yes please." She sounded almost childlike.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buffy shook her head. "Nope." She smiled. 'Not yet…' she said to herself.

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

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

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

"I brought books." She stated, and immediately groaned.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Tara…hey. Um…sorry to drop by without calling or anything. But…um…

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

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

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

Tara slowly raised an eyebrow and patiently waited for Buffy to finish.

"Um…watch…with us…a movie. Or two." The Slayer groaned.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tara nodded. "Let me get my coat." She smiled, slipping back into her dorm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Willow quickly jogged over to Tara's side. "I-It's not what you think…

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

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

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

Tara shrugged. "I'll have whatever you're having." She said softly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tara grinned. "Um…I g-guess we c-can share?" she stammered.

Buffy nodded. "Sure…I promise to behave." She winked playfully at Tara.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tara grinned. "I guess I could…if you don't mind?" she asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Xander, hearing the commotion dove for Tara, trying to catch her.

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

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

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

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

Buffy raised an eyebrow as Tara stood, scrambling for the covers again.

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

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

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

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

The pillow died a feathery death.

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

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

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

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

*Ok…what's up with this? Frat joke?*

Buffy frowned and shook her head, sadly.

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

*Mass laryngitis?*

She smiled hopefully.

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

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

*Tara…how do you feel about the supernatural?*

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

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

Xander and Willow both nodded and stood, getting ready to leave.

Tara just smiled sweetly. She wrote on her notebook.

*Who's Giles?*

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

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

Willow nodded her understanding and waved as Buffy and Xander left the room.

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

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

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

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

Willow grinned and wrote on her whiteboard.

*So…you're a real witch. That's great. How long have you been practicing?*

She held the board up and Tara smiled, writing on her own board.

*All my life. You?*

Willow wrote, pausing to think, and held her board up.

*About three years now. This is great, maybe we can study together sometime?*

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

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

*I just remembered something I left in the room. I'll be right back.*

Tara nodded and waved as Willow left the room.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part 4

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

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

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

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

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

Buffy tensed. "Faith…I just…" she started but Faith cut her off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Both Buffy and Faith turned to Joyce and stared, open-mouthed.

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

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

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

Buffy only nodded, wondering if, perhaps, Faith had changed.

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

Faith bit the last of her garlic bread and leaned back into her chair.

Joyce smiled sweetly, looking over at Faith and then Buffy. "So…

Faith. Would you like any more?" she asked.

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

Joyce nodded and stood up. "Come on Buffy…help me clear the table."

Buffy furrowed her brow. "Mom…why do I have to help?" she whined.

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

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

"Oh no you don't. You are a guest. Buffy…plates…now." Joyce said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Faith gulped. "That's gonna be rough." She muttered.

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

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

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

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

"So…where was I?" Buffy asked, walking over to Faith.

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

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

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

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

Faith nodded. "Can do B…noon. I'll be there."

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

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

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

Buffy's thoughts were interrupted by Xander.

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

Buffy opened her mouth to speak when there was a hesitant knock at the door.

"I'll get it Giles…you may want to sit." She said, rushing to the door.

Giles moved out of the kitchen and sat at the desk, awaiting Buffy's news.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Willow…please…" Buffy began, but Willow cut her off.

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

There was a moment of awkward silence.

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

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

Part 6

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

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

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

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

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

"My secret weapons." Buffy grinned, struggling to stand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Buffy?" Buffy snapped her head up.

"What?" she looked over at Willow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buffy looked into Tara's eyes and nodded. "Uh-huh," she said softly.

"Do…do you need to come up, you got pretty banged up." Tara asked.

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

Buffy smiled. "Thanks anyway." She said, smiling.

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

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

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

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

Buffy walked beside Tara, smiling.

"Do you like cats?" Tara asked, suddenly.

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

Tara shrugged. "I was thinking of getting one."

Buffy grinned. "Can you even have one in the dorms?" she asked.

Tara shook her head. "No. But this would be a sneaky cat."

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

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

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

Tara nodded. "Absolutely. We can spoil her rotten."

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

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

Buffy shook her head. "Nope."

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

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

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

"So…I'm excited about the Scooby meeting. My first one." Tara said shyly.

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

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

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

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

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

Tara nodded.

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

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

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

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

"That was a metaphor." Buffy whispered to Tara again.

Tara smiled. "I got it."

"I'm over-helping, aren't I?" she asked. Tara laughed.

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

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

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

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

"Hey Buffy." He said, walking in.

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

"When…when did you get back…and how…?" she gestured to the door.

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

Buffy nodded her head, mutely. "Yeah…sure."

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

"Tara…" Buffy began.

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

"Tara…wait." Buffy said, reaching for the blonde.

The door shut and Buffy looked at Angel. "I…I'll see you tonight."

Grabbing her jacket, she went after Tara.

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

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

Part 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buffy opened the door and Angel stood there. "Hey." She said.

Angel smiled and stepped through the door. "Hi."

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

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