Spara-centric, but major Bangle coming

Feedback: Welcomed

Flashbacks in italics

Tara stretched and untangled her legs from Spike's. She had to fight the urge to snuggle back into his arms. Willow had called the night before and wanted to see her before she caught her flight to London with Giles.

"I just need to apologize in person Tara, please. Meet me for coffee? I'll only have about a half hour, but I need to see you. Please?" Willow pleaded.

She had agreed once she had run it past Spike. They were still so new, Tara didn't want him to think she was doing things behind his back, which was one of the reasons she and Willow had failed so miserably. Tara smiled as she remembered his reaction.

"Well, I don't see why not love, broad daylight and all. And she knows we're living together, although she doesn't know we sleep in the same bed. Just don't let her talk you into good-bye sex." He had pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck.

"Better wear something around your neck, wouldn't do to have her see those." He fingered his mark on her. She swayed close to him, his touch doing funny things to her equilibrium.

Going over to the closet, Tara pulled out her brown turtle neck sweater and denim skirt, grabbing her boots as well before she headed to shower. Spike opened one eye and saw his white witch head for the bathroom. When he heard the water running, he couldn't resist, he hopped out of bed and headed to shower with Tara. He discovered they both loved shower sex.

Tara exited the shower before Spike, her body tingling more from her orgasms then the hot water.

"I swear Spike, you are going to make me so late." She tried to scold him, but her voice came out with laughter behind it. He made her laugh all the time. And when he wasn't making her laugh, he was making her scream. It would seem the sexual appetite of a vampire, especially her vampire, was endless. She looked up at the bathroom door where her naked lover stood, fully erect again. Tara smiled and shook her head. Endless. She wondered if Buffy's Angel was as ever ready as her Spike.

"Gotta go sweetie, I should be back in an hour at the most. I know it means a lot to Will and I need to say good bye." She reached up and kissed his damp face, her hands lingering on his taut stomach. "Mmmm, you feel so good."

When he attempted to pull her into an embrace, Tara pulled away. "You're gonna get me all wet."

"Think I already did love, if your scent is anything to go by." He gave her a cheeky grin.

"Spike! Really. I hate that you can know that. Pretend you can't and leave me just a smidge of dignity." She rubbed his nose with hers. "See you soon."

She turned back with a saucy smile eyeing his erection. "And save that for me."

The blond vampire leaned against the door jam and watcher her walk out of the room. They had been here almost a month and he felt as if he had known the girl a life time. They both just fell into such a comfortable, sensual existence. As if they'd known each other forever. He sighed at his flight of fancy and picked up his jeans, his mind going back a couple of weeks to a visit from Angel and Buffy.

"It's a really cute place Tara." Buffy tried to sound upbeat, but all four knew just how uncomfortable she was.

"Thanks Buffy, but you don't have to make small talk. I know you're concerned about Spike and me." Tara's voice was soft but firm. "You don't need to be, really. We're both adults and…"

"Tara, no. I'm not here to make judgments. Spike was good to us, to mom, Dawnie, me, I know how he can be." She looked up at Angel. "We just wanted you to know what's going on."

"Oh. Please, sit down." Tara led the slayer and her vampire to the couch.

"So Peaches, not here to drive me off with torches and tar?" Spike held an unlit cigarette between his lips. It had been there since they had arrived.

"Just light the damn thing boy." Angel's hackles rose at his childe's tone.

Spike chuckled. "Don't smoke in the house, only out on the patio." He took the cigarette from his mouth and laid it down. Buffy and Angel exchanged a surprised look.

"Okay, so let's get to the point, I guess." Buffy spoke up. "Well, we told Willow you two were living together as roommates." She held up her hand as Spike began to protest. "Willow's going to England with Giles in a couple of weeks. She's going to be studying with a coven there, so it'll give her time to get used to the two of you knowing each other. If you guys are still together once she returns, well it would make sense that you fell in love. Or whatever."

"Thanks Buffy. I never wanted to hurt Will. This all happened so fast and I knew she'd feel betrayed." Tara smiled at the slayer and Angel.

Angel smiled back. "Tara, from what I've heard, you were the one who was betrayed. You have a very big heart to feel this way."

"Okay then, enough with all this chit chat. Thanks for giving us time." Spike did not like the idea of Angel liking his woman, that just wouldn't do.

Tara rolled her eyes at Buffy. "Spike, really, we can make a cup of tea, or coffee?" She questioned both their visitors.

Buffy had to smile at Tara's ever present graciousness, but she knew Spike wanted them out. "Tara…"

"I'd love a cup of coffee." Angel graced the young girl with a beatific smile. Tara blushed and got up to get him a cup.

"Buffy? Coffee or tea? I have iced." The tone of her voice softened Buffy's jealous spike.

"Iced would be great Tara. Do you need any help?"

"Oh no, just relax." Tara smoothed Spike's hand with hers and went into the kitchen. As soon as the door was closed, he turned on his sire.

"Just what are you playing at? She's mine, don't play the fucking knight in shinning armor…"

Angel chuckled as he held his hands up, his eyes falling on Buffy's glare. "Come on you two. She's a sweet girl who lost all her friends when she and Willow broke up. I know she loves you Spike, but she needs to know she wasn't completely deserted." He turned back to Buffy. "Can't you understand baby?"

Buffy sighed, he was right of course, it just rankled her that she didn't think of it. "Yeah, I understand. But please, turn down the charm-wattage a bit, okay?" Angel laughed as he pulled the slayer into his arms.

"She doesn't know me and I just wanted her to feel comfortable. Will, are we clear on this? You are my childe and I do have final say on this." He gave Spike a stern look.

Buffy looked over at the two of them in confusion. "Just what the hell does that mean?"

Spike shrugged and picked up his cigarette. "He's my sire, more so than Dru ever was, and as such he can veto any mate I choose. That's all." The blond vampire fell into his chair and placed the unlit cigarette between his lips.

With a raised eyebrow, Buffy pulled away from Angel. "And of course you do give your consent, right?"

Angel looked deeply into his grand-childes' eyes. "What say you boy? Are you worthy?"

Spike pursed his lips and shrugged. "Am I worthy of Tara? No, but I want to be…"

Entering the living room, Tara heard the tail end of the conversation between Spike and Angel. She put the tray down with a thud, drawing the attention of all three.

She stood in front of Angel, her hands on her hips, her back set straight. "Just who the hell do you think you are? You have no right…" Spike jumped up from his seat and took her arm, pulling her away from his sire.

"He has every right baby." The blond vampire's eyes never leaving Angel's. "But, he accepts us and he will consent. Right?"

Buffy was shocked into silence by Tara's behavior. She was used to the stuttering, shy little girl Willow introduced as her girlfriend. She was a far cry from the warrior woman defending her man that was standing before all of them now. Maybe Spike was good for Tara. At least for the time being.

The slayer stood next to the dark vampire and spoke. "Of course he consents. And why wouldn't he? You aren't children and you both have every right to live the life you choose."

She went to Tara. "I really wish only the best for you two. I can never repay all that you did for Dawn while I was…away. I'll be indebted to you for a very long time. Which is why I hate to ask this…" Buffy hesitated.

Angel's eyes narrowed, but he kept quite and sat back down, his eyes still locked on his childe but still intrigued at what was to come next from his lover.

"What is it Buffy? What do you need?" Tara was intrigued as well.

Taking a deep breath, Buffy proceeded. "Well, with both Giles and Willow leaving, we're really going to need help in the research and spell department. I know you think you can't compare with Will, but I know you have it in you Tara, and…will you be willing to help?"

"Oh, yes. Of course Buffy. I'll do what I can, but I don't have nearly the power Willow has." Tara stammered a bit, as she always did when she was nervous.

"You have it in you Tara, I'm sure Spike can sense it even better than I can. Right?" Angel asked.

Spike nodded. "She has the power. It could even be stronger than Red's given time. Her's is pure, no ego or ulterior motives there." He put his arm around her as he felt the heat of her blush.

"I…I would never go that far…but I will do my best." She slightly bowed her head and let her hair sweep over her face.

Angel cleared his throat. "Well, I think it's time we took off. We need to swing by and pick up Dawn at the library."

"Oh my gosh, I forgot. So much for my sister of the year award." She leaned into Angel. "Spike? Tara? I really do want you to both be happy. Please, know that."

"We do Buffy." Tara shyly smiled. "Um, just let me know when you need me…"

"We should meet tomorrow night, after patrol. But not at my place, Willow's not leaving for a couple of weeks. Can we come here?"

Spike chuckled at his musings and shrugged. Things were going well for them. He actually had civil conversations with Angel, surprise there. Spike turned and grabbed for his cigarettes before heading out to the patio.

Tara and Willow sat in uncomfortable silence while the waiter brought them their coffee. Tara was the first to break the quiet.

"England, huh? This should be a really great experience Willow. I mean, I know you always wanted to go there." Tara nodded her thanks to the waiter before adding creamer to her cup.

"We always wanted to go there." Willow quietly noted.

"Willow, please…" Tara grimaced.

"I'm sorry Tara, please, I'm so sorry. Can't we just start over, can't we just pretend…"

Tara cut her off before she could continue. "Willow, no. We can't just do anything because we are no longer a we. It's over Will." She sighed heavily. "We were killed and there's nothing, short of one of your spells that can resurrect us."

Willow pulled back as if she had been physically struck. "Tara, I…"

"I'm sorry Willow, but please, don't think we can ever pick up with the relationship we had. It's gone, over. Maybe someday we can resume a friendship of sorts, but anything else…" Tara shook her head.

"I only wish you the best Willow, you have to know that. And honestly, I forgive you. But please, don't hold out any hopes that once you come back we can ever be what we were." She covered the red-headed girl's hand with her own. "You need to move on, get strong, get healthy. But for you, not for me."

Willow bit her bottom lip to keep the tears that were threatening to fall at bay. "Yes, okay, I so get it." She blindly grabbed for her purse and stood. "Thanks for seeing me Tara, I know it must've been hard. Have a good life." She turned and almost ran from the coffee house.

Tara sighed for what must've been the 20th time since she had sat down. Opening her purse, she took her keys out and got up to leave, anxious to see her lover. She smiled at her thoughts. How could something so awful, so hurtful turn into something so magical? Tara was thankful for her time with Willow, it would seem that all roads led her to where she was meant to be, with Spike.