Chapter 28: New Beginnings


Buffy's house, Wednesday 4:30 pm.

Dawn came running into the room leaping onto their bed not really caring much about what they were wearing and Spike and Buffy both found themselves happy they had bothered with clothes before their nap. Dawn chanted, "You're unemployed! Yay right?"

Buffy nodded still a bit nervous about being unemployed and having to depend on Spike but when she saw how she had from 3 until 10 to spend with her sister instead of working until 11, she knew she had made the right decision. She climbed out of bed slipping a pair of pants on her as she said, "So want did you want to do today Dawnie?"

Dawn grinned, "Can we watch a movie? Actually can we play a board game like monopoly? We haven't played that since mom died and I want us to play together."

Spike glanced at Buffy since he had never played the game and Buffy smiled liking the idea, "Come on Spike. I think it's a great idea."

Dawn grinned running to her room to get the board games from the top of her closet. She brought it downstairs to put it on the table setting it up. She chose the car for Spike, the dog for herself and the boot for Buffy just because Buffy always hated the boot. She could pick the thimble if she really was bothered but the boot would make a point. She grinned as she set up the money and the cards and she had it all set up and was sitting Indian Style on the floor when Buffy and Spike emerged into the living room both dressed and looking normal.

Spike's hair was still a bit curly but it had been brushed still and Buffy's was half pulled back in a braid. Dawn smiled patting the couch as Spike sat down pulling Buffy so sit next to him. She rested her head against his chest as he let Dawn sit up on the couch with them on the opposite side. Dawn leaned forward and started the game. Within an hour, she had hotels and houses on all her property and was kicking Buffy and Spike's asses. They had started making plans using their telepathy hoping to regain a bit of progress but Dawn was ruthless and between the laughter and fun, the Summers' house was experiencing a true family night.

Finally Spike ran out of money followed by Buffy leaving a happy Dawn who basically owned the bank. She laughed as she folded up the game exclaiming, "Movie time?"

Spike nodded leaving Dawn to choose a movie, Kiss me, Kate, which Spike sat through even though it was a chick flick. Spike sat with Buffy curled up on her side resting her head on his chest and Dawn resting her head on his lap. They laid there snuggled up not even moving when Tara arrived and sat down in the chair to watch the movie.

She had arrived to tell Buffy the news that Willow would be arriving Friday morning but didn't get to as she got enthralled in the movie and the fact that Spike was really part of the Summers' household. He fit right in and both girls seemed to be madly in love with him. She hoped that they worked out and had admired their auras when she first arrived before she found the movie exciting. She hoped that she and Willow could get back to that point when she arrived on Friday.

Part of her was scared to death and another part of her was happy. She had missed Willow so much and not even the phone calls had helped. Willow seemed excited and was looking forward to furthering her education at the coven whenever she returned. She was eager to share everything she had learned with Tara and Tara had been so tempted to tell her she was returning with her but knew how important it was that Willow spent her last day focused instead of excited over Tara.

When the movie ended Tara turned towards Buffy smiled, "Willow will arrive on Friday and she wanted to know if it was ok she stayed with you. I'd love to have her stay with me but I really can't because the apartment would charge me extra for a girl staying another night claiming it was a 'guest'. If you can't though I'll take her in or perhaps Xander could for the few days. Or I'm sure Giles could have her stay at his place since he didn't sell his apartment and has been just paying the rent on it."

Buffy held up her hand silencing her gently, "We moved into the master bedroom but we set up my own room for you girls you do return. If not it's fine and you have a right to live your own lives away from this house but I wanted the option there."

Tara spoke quietly knowing no one had approached Buffy with her feelings towards Willow since she had left 2 weeks ago, "Are you still mad at Willow?"

Buffy shook her head squeezing Spike's hand tightly as she admitted, "Mostly no. I'm upset she did the spell invading my life yet again but the outcome was for the best so I can't hate her or be mad at her but I hope she has learned her lesson."

Dawn and Spike both nodded in agreement saying nothing since Buffy was the one who had originally fought with Willow in the first place and had her life turned around upside because of it. Tara smiled as she announced, "I'm going back to England with Willow when she leaves. I'm going to see if we can make this relationship work out. Since she's having therapy and getting much better even according to Giles I think it's time we see if we can't make our relationship work."

The room erupted with congratulations and good luck wishes that made Tara smile even bigger. She had known they would be the easiest to sell but was also nervous. Spike finally stated in a loud voice quieting down Buffy and Dawn, "You birds are good together. I'm sure you two will work things out."

Tara smiled and got up saying, "It's late and I need to go find dinner before things close."

Spike glanced towards Buffy who sent out a message, 'Can you make something that's big enough for Tara to stay?'

Spike nodded and Tara knew they were talking in their heads but said nothing about it and then whispered, "Thank you" as Spike and Buffy both offered her to stay.

Spike jumped up much to both girls dismay since they were losing their pillow stating he would make a tuna casserole that would easily feed the three girls and himself. Tara enjoying tuna sat down between Buffy and Dawn to catch up on things. She was eager to hear about all the changes that had been going on and how things were. Between Dawn's rambling about the dance in less than two days away and Buffy admitting she quit her job and hoped to get back into college to be a counselor, Tara was feeling the excitement of girl talk.

She talked about the changes she had been going through and how she had never given up on Willow and really missed her. She talked about how hard it was to be on campus without her and how finals were tough. It was only May and yet the finals were pouring in. Buffy expressed her excitement after being told she could take a few classes this summer to get a head jump on her degree for the fall. By the time, Spike had called them into the kitchen, all their spirits were high with goals and hopes due to the girl bonding they had done.


Buffy's house, Wednesday 8:15 pm.

Bellies were filled. Laughter was plentiful. And voices were loud. The dinner had been a big hit and the fun had followed. Tara had told of a story from one of her classes where the teacher flipped around her shirt after realizing during the lesson that it was on backwards. She had gone behind the projector screen that had the light on it and proceeded to change her shirt making the class erupt in laughter.

Tara had described her as a teacher who was flighty and said Buffy would enjoy her when she had her in two semesters since she was the Personalities teacher and had quite the personality of her own. Apparently during tests she admired people's pens, discussed people's clothing and made jokes distracting the class. During lessons, she would go off on tangents about something totally random only to have to be asked a question to be brought back on task. Tara also told a story where she had walked out of the classroom to carry on a cell phone conversation with her husband and then fussed when someone's cell phone accidentally rang during her class.

Dawn had a few school stories of her own to share with the group. She shared a story about a librarian who had walked into one of her classrooms with a book in her hand and proceeded to talk to the teacher thinking she was someone else only to finally put down the book and glance around realizing she was in the wrong classroom. The class had laughed at the mistake and the librarian looked greatly apologetic as she left the classroom.

Spike had even shared a few vampire stories filled with dancing, parties and drinking. He left out some of the more gruesome parts telling them to Buffy in her head when necessary to the enjoyment of the story. Buffy shared a few stories herself of the past since Tara and Spike didn't know them all being new Scoobies. Some Dawn had false memories of and could participate and others she didn't so she would laugh along with hearing the story for the first time.

No one wanted the evening to end so even when 10 pm rolled around and both Tara and Dawn had school the next day, Tara was reluctant to leave. Buffy and Spike had a patrol to do, Dawn had a bed to fall asleep in and Tara had one more book chapter to read before her 11 am class the next day. Buffy smiled at Tara saying, "We will have to do this again soon. This was so much fun!"

Everyone agreed as Dawn tried to hide a silent yawn but she was noticed as Spike helped her up from the couch stating, "Nibblet time for bed."

Dawn frowned not liking to be told to go to sleep and she put her hands on her hips, "Only if Tara is going home."

Tara glanced towards Dawn and nodded, "I have homework to do so yes I'm going home plus I have packing to do."

Dawn gave Tara a hug, "I'll see you at the rehearsal dinner and you had so better say bye before you go after the wedding."

Tara smiled giving Buffy and then Spike a hug as well, "Of course I'll say bye."

Buffy walked Tara to the door wishing the Scoobies weren't splitting up so much. Soon Giles, Willow and Tara will be together but in England. Anya and Xander will be on an Island far away and all that will be left will be Dawn and Spike in her precious Scoobies. She sighed and she felt Spike hold her close as the door closed.

Dawn waved, "Bed time. See you in the morning! Don't be too noisy you too. I have ears you know…"

Buffy and Spike both rolled their eyes as they watched Dawn head up the stairs. Spike turned towards Buffy holding out one of his hands as he bowed towards her offering her his elbow, "Shall we go Miss Summers?"

Buffy grinned curtsying as she accepted his elbow linking her arm through it replying, "Yes we shall Mr. Pratt. Thank you for this fine offer of spending the evening with you."

He couldn't help but grin as he turned her towards him placing a kiss on her lips. When he broke free Buffy glanced towards him, "That make you hot?"

Spike wagged his eyebrow, "You make me hot. Now let's go patrol before I say forget the whole thing and I'll go upstairs and I make an unhonest woman out of you."

Buffy pretended to be horrified, "Why Mr. Pratt, would you do such a thing?"

He smirked as he nodded, "I would. I'm no gentleman anymore. Come on Miss Summers, let's go kill something to corrupt you fully for the night." She laughed as she followed behind him eager to enjoy his high spirits and slay some vampires while the night was still young.