CHAPTER FORTY
Identities
The next morning Buffy tried to head Dawn off in her room before she got ready for school. She sat her down on the bed and told her everything that had happened the night before. Dawn was very upset. She was very worried Tara had gotten hurt and as for Buffy's immortality . . . "What do you mean you're immortal?" she demanded, as if Buffy had gotten herself that way on purpose just to disconcert her.
Patiently, Buffy told her the whole the story. But Dawn didn't like the idea of her sister keeping yet another secret from her. It was important information and she felt left out of the loop, just like she had with the stuff about Spike. It made her feel like she wasn't trusted or that Buffy saw her as too young to understand.
"You should have told me," Dawn said over and over again.
"Yes. I know. But I was afraid."
"We could have been afraid together," Dawn said jumping up. "Sister's are supposed to share that stuff."
"I was wrong not to tell you. But I didn't tell anyone else either. Spike only knew because he figured it out by accident."
"You still should have told ME! Sometimes I think you just don't care about me."
"You know that's not true."
Dawn leaned over her sister and ticked off her complaints. "You lock me out. You don't tell me anything. You treat me like a kid."
"I'm sorry."
"Sisters aren't supposed to do that. They're supposed to help each other. Confide in each other."
"I know."
Dawn ground her teeth together and said, "I'm going to see Tara now." And before Buffy could respond she was off down the hall to Willow's room.
Spike's shadowy form appeared at Dawn's doorway. "You should have told 'em, Slayer."
"Don't you start on me."
"Just sayin' . . . You lock people out too much."
Buffy got up from Dawn's bed and pushed past Spike. "I'd better make Dawn's breakfast."
Willow put on the sunniest of dispositions for Tara that morning. She just glowed as she prepped for school, giving Tara instructions for the day and telling her about her own plans. "Now, Spike will be here to take care of you. I would stay, only I have this big test in the class I was in danger of flunking last semester."
"I'll be fine," Tara assured her, sitting up in bed. "You've served me breakfast in bed and I have a vampire butler. What more could I want?"
"Well, don't go wandering around. Stay in bed. And I've left my beeper number there by the phone so you can call me if you need anything. I'll come home right after my last class, so we can be together tonight. And is there anything special you want for dinner? Cos I can fix anything you'd like."
"I'll be fine. Really. In fact, I'm sure I'll be back on my feet and in class tomorrow."
"You just be careful today," Willow cautioned. And she gave Tara a kiss and hurried on her way.
Somewhere about lunchtime Spike knocked on Tara's door. It was already open and Tara was sitting up reading one of her schoolbooks. "You want lunch?" he asked.
"Some soup would be fine," Tara said looking up.
Spike seemed a little uncertain. "Right. Now, Red said you might be more interested in the salad stuff."
"Salad is good. But I'd really rather have some soup."
"Right." Spike disappeared from the doorway and was gone for several minutes. When he returned he held two cans of condensed soup he'd found in the cupboard. "Do you want French onion soup or chicken noodle?" he asked holding them up.
"Chicken noodle will be fine."
"Good." He looked puzzled again. "Do I heat it up or just bring it up in a bowl as is."
"You can put it in the microwave in a bowl for about two minutes. That will be fine."
"Right." Once again Spike disappeared for several minutes. This time he returned with the soup on a tray and a glass of juice next to it. He walked over to Tara with the nervous care of an amateur tightrope walker, taking his first walk without a net. His eyes were glued to the tray trying hard not to spill anything.
Tara arranged herself and took the tray. Spike sighed with great relief and wiped his hands on his black jeans. "Anything else you'll be wanting?" he asked.
"No. I'm fine. But you could sit down and talk to me for a few minutes. It's kind of lonely up here."
"Right," Spike said. He pulled up a chair to the side of the bed and said, "So, how you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks."
"Good."
"How's Buffy doing?"
Spike sighed. "She's getting along. She didn't mean to brass everyone off. You know, by not telling 'em she was immortal. She just hadn't quite accepted it herself yet."
"I know."
"It's hard getting her to talk about anything. She's a closed one, Buffy is. Can't get her to talk if she don't want to and most times she don't want to. She'd rather fight then talk." Spike stretched his long legs out under the edge of the bed beneath the dust ruffle. "I thought women were supposed to be the talkative ones. But it seems like I'm always the one looking to talk and she's the one telling me to shove off."
Tara laughed. "I don't have as much trouble with Willow. Except where Buffy's resurrection is concerned. She's still closed off about that."
"Don't blame her. It's a lot thinking you saved your friend from hell and then finding out you pulled her from heaven instead."
"And now she finds out that she made her immortal too."
Spike nodded. "How you two getting along? Good then?"
"Better." Tara looked down and swished her spoon around in her soup. "I'm thinking maybe I'll start staying here again. But not move in yet, you understand. Not till I'm more sure anyway."
"I understand."
They sat in silence for a moment. Then Spike said, "Well, if you don't mind, I think I'll go down and watch the telly. If you like I can carry you down so you can watch too."
"No that's all right. I've got some studying to catch up on."
Spike rose to his feet and pushed his chair back into its proper place. "If you need anything just call and I'll be here right quick. I'll come and get your dishes later. Dawn is supposed to have this study date with the new guy today. I'll try and keep 'em quiet for you."
"I'll be fine. You don't have to police them on my account."
"They'll be quiet, don't you worry. Besides, Buffy wants they should stay in the diningroom so I can keep an eye on 'em and make sure there's studying being done."
Tara smiled. She could just imagine how much Dawn and her new beau would enjoy having the vampire as a chaperone.
Spike turned out to be a very intimidating chaperone. He circled the diningroom every few minutes, coming first from the kitchen and then from the front entryway, as if he were trying to catch them off-guard. In- between he sat in the livingroom in a position that allowed him to see what was going on between them at all times.
"Does he need to keep staring at me," Zachary whispered behind his hand. "I feel like he's going to bite my head off any minute."
"He's just protective of me," Dawn tried to explain. "There was this point last summer when my sister was out of town a lot and he took it on himself to watch out for me."
"Well, I understand. But he really gives me the creeps."
"It's all an act really. He's not as tough as he puts on. Once he likes you, there isn't anything he wouldn't do for you."
"That's what they say about attack dogs." Zachary closed one notebook and opened another. "How'd you do on the history test today?"
"OK. I did pretty well on the Civil War battles. But I couldn't follow the economics of the time quite as well. What I really liked was the stuff we learned about the women who fought in the war, like Sarah Rosetta Wakeman who dressed up as a man. And Lucy Ann Cox who followed her husband all through the war, into every battle, and served as a daughter of the regiment. I would of liked to know lots more about them. They were really rad!"
Zachary considered her through his wire-framed glasses, his hazel eyes thoughtful. "I guess they were OK. But I have a hard time imagining women doing that."
"Zachary Madden. Don't tell me you're a chauvinist, because I'll have to ask you to march right on out of here."
"No. It's not that. I guess I've just never been one for the whole soldier thing for myself. So I can't imagine women being into it. I mean I'm friendly enough with Victor and those guys. But I can't imagine being a jock . . . or a policeman or any of those macho things."
Dawn nodded. She thought he was cute the way he was. But she had trouble imagining what he'd think of her sister once he found out who she really was. The kids at school seemed to know something was different about Buffy. But they didn't have specifics. Eventually, if she and Zachary continued hanging around together, he was gonna find out the whole truth. Maybe if she broke him in slowly. "Well," she said off-handedly as if it were a joke, "my sister's a super hero, you know. So, I have rather the opposite impression."
"What's that?" Spike called from the other room. He came in quickly, a looming figure in black. "What are you saying about your sister?"
"See?" Dawn said to Zachary. "Protective. It's nothing, Spike. I was just telling Zack that Buffy is a super hero. But he thinks I'm joking."
Spike squinted at Dawn, wondering what game she was playing at. "What are you studying?"
"History," Dawn answered.
"Oh! Well, I know something about that," Spike said. "At least over the last hundred years or so."
"We're studying the American Civil War," Dawn said.
"Oh. That was before my time. I mean . . . just before my time of study."
Dawn tried to hold back a smile.
"We were discussing the test we had today, Sir," Zachary said, addressing himself to Spike.
Sir? Spike raised his eyebrows at the word. Was this young git calling him Sir? He set his jaw and gave the kid a dangerous glare. "Oh, yeah? And how'd you do?"
Zachary gulped.
"I did fine on some things," Dawn rushed in. "But I'm sure Zachary aced it totally. He's quite a wiz in school. Especially in English Lit. He's planning on being a Lit major in college and maybe teaching it after that or becoming a writer."
"Oh, yeah?" Spike leaned way over Zachary, making the hair on the poor kid's neck stand up. "So. You into all that literary stuff?"
"He even writes poetry. Show Spike the poem you were working on today," Dawn encouraged Zachary.
"Uh, it's not finished yet," Zachary said, looking fearfully up at Spike.
"Sor right," Spike said. "I probably wouldn't like it anyway. Don't go in much for that nancyboy stuff. You kids go on back to your work. Your big Sis will be home soon." And with that Spike retreated into the livingroom."
"Nancyboy?" Zachary whispered to Dawn.
"Just ignore him. Like I said, he only talks tough. He's probably a closet poet."
Zachary looked very doubtfully at Dawn. The last thing he could imagine Spike being was a poet. "Well, let's get back to the Civil War."
"OK. Explain the Depression of 1856 to me again."
Somewhere around four-thirty Willow came charging in. She was carrying a large brown bag from the supermarket. "How's Tara?" she asked Spike.
"She's fine, Red. Gave her her lunch just as you said. And she's been resting all day."
"Good. I brought all her favorite foods, so I can be sure she'll eat a good meal tonight. Here, you take this to the kitchen. I'm going up to see how she's doing."
Spike shrugged his shoulders and did as he was told. He didn't enjoy much being the vampire butler. But it's not like you can argue too much with a powerful witch who can turn you into an undead toad. Better to just go along. Willow immediately ran up the stairs, breathlessly taking them two at a time.
"Who's Tara?" Zachary asked Dawn.
"She's Willow's significant other. They're just getting over this big fight. Tara's staying here for the moment cos she's sick. But I'm hoping they make up and that Tara will move in again permanently."
"Oh," Zachary said, winding his hand through his light brown hair as he processed this information. Dawn's sister had a gay couple living under her roof. He'd never met a gay person before. But he had a feeling anyone would be easier to get along with then Spike.
"So, how you doing?" Willow asked, walking in on Tara.
"Much better," Tara answered with a smile.
"Yeah, you look better." Willow sat on the bed and took her hand. "I hope you're planning on staying a few days anyway."
"I was thinking about it."
"Good. Because I bought all your favorite foods today and I'm planning on spoiling you rotten as long as you're here."
"You're going to cook?" Tara asked uncertainly.
"Hey, I'm not as bad a cook as I was. I've gotten better. I buy as many prepared items as I can and just sorta fake it. You'll see. It won't be bad at all. But I better go and get things started. You just stay here and rest. Is there anything I can get you?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Do you want me to have Spike bring you downstairs so you can watch TV?"
"No. But maybe I'll come down for dinner."
"OK. Good. We'll bring you down for dinner and make you comfortable on the couch after that so you can watch TV." Willow started out the door then came back. "Now, you're sure I can't get you anything?"
"I'm fine. Really. Go on."
"OK. But if you need anything just call. And if I don't hear you I'm sure Spike will, because vampire's are supposed to have this really great hearing."
"Go on already," Tara smiled.
"I'm going."
It was starting to get dark by then. Willow cooked dinner while Spike took up a post at the front door watching for Buffy. As soon as he saw her he whipped open the door and called out, "Where were you, Slayer? I was getting worried."
"Just stopped by the Magic Box to pick up a source book." She walked in past him into the entryway and he closed the door.
"I told you, if those Fire demons are all charged up it could be dangerous to meet them after dark."
Buffy nudged him sharply in the ribs and nodded in the direction of Dawn and her friend. He nodded back and they headed for the kitchen.
"I was there and back in plenty of time," she said as they walked away.
"Does Spike always keep such close tabs on your sister?" Zachary asked Dawn in a whisper.
"No. He just worries, that's all."
"And what are the fire demons? Are they like a bike gang or a rock band?"
Dawn tried hard not to laugh. "Uh, they're a rock band."
Zachary wondered what Spike had meant when he'd said they could be dangerous when they got all charged up. He assumed it had something to do with drugs. Well, at least Dawn's sister and her boyfriend didn't seem to be into that. But he still had one more question. "Why did he call your sister Slayer?"
Now there was a question that was harder to make up an answer to. Only one idea came to Dawn's mind. "Uh, it's a nickname. You know. Like a pet name?"
"Slayer???"
"Yeah, well. Spike's strange that way."
As far as Zachary could see, Spike was strange a whole lotta ways.
"Buffy! You're home!" Willow called out as Buffy and Spike came into the kitchen. "What happened with the buildings on Lindemann? Did you and Anya learn anything?"
"We didn't go too far inside because the place looked kinda unsafe and certain people who will remain nameless were afraid of us meeting the Fire demons." She shot Spike a dirty look.
"Yeah, well you may be immortal, Slayer. But that doesn't mean you don't have to be careful. Remember Glory the skanky goddess died. You can too."
Buffy made a face. "I would have ignored your warning if Anya hadn't been with me. I don't think I could have explained it to Xander if I'd gotten her burned to a crisp right before their wedding."
"So, what happened?" Willow asked again.
"There was an awful lot of fire damage. Those buildings got fried extra crispy. Anya says it couldn't have been done by regular Fire demons. I think me and Spike should check out the place more fully . . . during the daytime," she said, answering the question in his eyes. "Do you think you can get us there through the sewer system so you don't go all extra crispy?"
"Have to think about it, but probably," Spike answered
"Good. We need to look for clues as to who might be helping these Fire demons."
"Then we're on the case, Slayer?"
"Looks like."
"Good, I'll run over to Willy's tonight and let the Nazari know."
"Oh, no you don't! I don't need you playing poker all night, getting into kitten debt, and coming home smelling like liquor."
Spike smirked. "But we've got to tell them."
"That's right. The active word is 'we.' You and I will go over there together sometime during patrol tonight."
"As you like, Slayer. But wouldn't we have time for one little hand of poker. I've only got a bit more to pay off on my debt."
"No! You wanna go? Go during non-working hours. But during the night you belong to ME!" The last sentence was spoken especially loud, so Zachary and Dawn were able to hear it in the diningroom.
"Your sister sounds kinda possessive too," Zachary said.
"Yeah, well. You know. They're really close. Did you get this problem on page two hundred and thirteen?" she said trying to change the subject.
"Dinner's almost ready," Willow said. "Will Zack be staying to eat with us?"
"No. I don't think so," Buffy said. "He and Dawn have only just started seeing each other. I don't want him moving in here. I've got more men moving in here already then I can deal." She shot Spike a dirty look. "Besides, how am I gonna explain this one's choice in dinner menu?"
"I can be discrete," Spike said. "And you know I don't mind regular food."
"Still, he's leaving. I'll go in now and politely point him to the door." Buffy turned sharply and started toward the diningroom.
"Spike," Willow said, "would you bring Tara down for dinner?"
"Sure," he said. And he took off toward the upstairs through the livingroom.
Willow smiled after them both. She was beginning to see that Buffy and Spike liked verbal sparring as well as the more physical kind. Being around them was never dull. And having Tara here was making everything feel like home again. She'd promised to go to Rack's that night to join his coven. But she didn't care about that anymore. This was where she belonged. Being a witch didn't seem such a big part of her identity at that moment.
Identities
The next morning Buffy tried to head Dawn off in her room before she got ready for school. She sat her down on the bed and told her everything that had happened the night before. Dawn was very upset. She was very worried Tara had gotten hurt and as for Buffy's immortality . . . "What do you mean you're immortal?" she demanded, as if Buffy had gotten herself that way on purpose just to disconcert her.
Patiently, Buffy told her the whole the story. But Dawn didn't like the idea of her sister keeping yet another secret from her. It was important information and she felt left out of the loop, just like she had with the stuff about Spike. It made her feel like she wasn't trusted or that Buffy saw her as too young to understand.
"You should have told me," Dawn said over and over again.
"Yes. I know. But I was afraid."
"We could have been afraid together," Dawn said jumping up. "Sister's are supposed to share that stuff."
"I was wrong not to tell you. But I didn't tell anyone else either. Spike only knew because he figured it out by accident."
"You still should have told ME! Sometimes I think you just don't care about me."
"You know that's not true."
Dawn leaned over her sister and ticked off her complaints. "You lock me out. You don't tell me anything. You treat me like a kid."
"I'm sorry."
"Sisters aren't supposed to do that. They're supposed to help each other. Confide in each other."
"I know."
Dawn ground her teeth together and said, "I'm going to see Tara now." And before Buffy could respond she was off down the hall to Willow's room.
Spike's shadowy form appeared at Dawn's doorway. "You should have told 'em, Slayer."
"Don't you start on me."
"Just sayin' . . . You lock people out too much."
Buffy got up from Dawn's bed and pushed past Spike. "I'd better make Dawn's breakfast."
Willow put on the sunniest of dispositions for Tara that morning. She just glowed as she prepped for school, giving Tara instructions for the day and telling her about her own plans. "Now, Spike will be here to take care of you. I would stay, only I have this big test in the class I was in danger of flunking last semester."
"I'll be fine," Tara assured her, sitting up in bed. "You've served me breakfast in bed and I have a vampire butler. What more could I want?"
"Well, don't go wandering around. Stay in bed. And I've left my beeper number there by the phone so you can call me if you need anything. I'll come home right after my last class, so we can be together tonight. And is there anything special you want for dinner? Cos I can fix anything you'd like."
"I'll be fine. Really. In fact, I'm sure I'll be back on my feet and in class tomorrow."
"You just be careful today," Willow cautioned. And she gave Tara a kiss and hurried on her way.
Somewhere about lunchtime Spike knocked on Tara's door. It was already open and Tara was sitting up reading one of her schoolbooks. "You want lunch?" he asked.
"Some soup would be fine," Tara said looking up.
Spike seemed a little uncertain. "Right. Now, Red said you might be more interested in the salad stuff."
"Salad is good. But I'd really rather have some soup."
"Right." Spike disappeared from the doorway and was gone for several minutes. When he returned he held two cans of condensed soup he'd found in the cupboard. "Do you want French onion soup or chicken noodle?" he asked holding them up.
"Chicken noodle will be fine."
"Good." He looked puzzled again. "Do I heat it up or just bring it up in a bowl as is."
"You can put it in the microwave in a bowl for about two minutes. That will be fine."
"Right." Once again Spike disappeared for several minutes. This time he returned with the soup on a tray and a glass of juice next to it. He walked over to Tara with the nervous care of an amateur tightrope walker, taking his first walk without a net. His eyes were glued to the tray trying hard not to spill anything.
Tara arranged herself and took the tray. Spike sighed with great relief and wiped his hands on his black jeans. "Anything else you'll be wanting?" he asked.
"No. I'm fine. But you could sit down and talk to me for a few minutes. It's kind of lonely up here."
"Right," Spike said. He pulled up a chair to the side of the bed and said, "So, how you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks."
"Good."
"How's Buffy doing?"
Spike sighed. "She's getting along. She didn't mean to brass everyone off. You know, by not telling 'em she was immortal. She just hadn't quite accepted it herself yet."
"I know."
"It's hard getting her to talk about anything. She's a closed one, Buffy is. Can't get her to talk if she don't want to and most times she don't want to. She'd rather fight then talk." Spike stretched his long legs out under the edge of the bed beneath the dust ruffle. "I thought women were supposed to be the talkative ones. But it seems like I'm always the one looking to talk and she's the one telling me to shove off."
Tara laughed. "I don't have as much trouble with Willow. Except where Buffy's resurrection is concerned. She's still closed off about that."
"Don't blame her. It's a lot thinking you saved your friend from hell and then finding out you pulled her from heaven instead."
"And now she finds out that she made her immortal too."
Spike nodded. "How you two getting along? Good then?"
"Better." Tara looked down and swished her spoon around in her soup. "I'm thinking maybe I'll start staying here again. But not move in yet, you understand. Not till I'm more sure anyway."
"I understand."
They sat in silence for a moment. Then Spike said, "Well, if you don't mind, I think I'll go down and watch the telly. If you like I can carry you down so you can watch too."
"No that's all right. I've got some studying to catch up on."
Spike rose to his feet and pushed his chair back into its proper place. "If you need anything just call and I'll be here right quick. I'll come and get your dishes later. Dawn is supposed to have this study date with the new guy today. I'll try and keep 'em quiet for you."
"I'll be fine. You don't have to police them on my account."
"They'll be quiet, don't you worry. Besides, Buffy wants they should stay in the diningroom so I can keep an eye on 'em and make sure there's studying being done."
Tara smiled. She could just imagine how much Dawn and her new beau would enjoy having the vampire as a chaperone.
Spike turned out to be a very intimidating chaperone. He circled the diningroom every few minutes, coming first from the kitchen and then from the front entryway, as if he were trying to catch them off-guard. In- between he sat in the livingroom in a position that allowed him to see what was going on between them at all times.
"Does he need to keep staring at me," Zachary whispered behind his hand. "I feel like he's going to bite my head off any minute."
"He's just protective of me," Dawn tried to explain. "There was this point last summer when my sister was out of town a lot and he took it on himself to watch out for me."
"Well, I understand. But he really gives me the creeps."
"It's all an act really. He's not as tough as he puts on. Once he likes you, there isn't anything he wouldn't do for you."
"That's what they say about attack dogs." Zachary closed one notebook and opened another. "How'd you do on the history test today?"
"OK. I did pretty well on the Civil War battles. But I couldn't follow the economics of the time quite as well. What I really liked was the stuff we learned about the women who fought in the war, like Sarah Rosetta Wakeman who dressed up as a man. And Lucy Ann Cox who followed her husband all through the war, into every battle, and served as a daughter of the regiment. I would of liked to know lots more about them. They were really rad!"
Zachary considered her through his wire-framed glasses, his hazel eyes thoughtful. "I guess they were OK. But I have a hard time imagining women doing that."
"Zachary Madden. Don't tell me you're a chauvinist, because I'll have to ask you to march right on out of here."
"No. It's not that. I guess I've just never been one for the whole soldier thing for myself. So I can't imagine women being into it. I mean I'm friendly enough with Victor and those guys. But I can't imagine being a jock . . . or a policeman or any of those macho things."
Dawn nodded. She thought he was cute the way he was. But she had trouble imagining what he'd think of her sister once he found out who she really was. The kids at school seemed to know something was different about Buffy. But they didn't have specifics. Eventually, if she and Zachary continued hanging around together, he was gonna find out the whole truth. Maybe if she broke him in slowly. "Well," she said off-handedly as if it were a joke, "my sister's a super hero, you know. So, I have rather the opposite impression."
"What's that?" Spike called from the other room. He came in quickly, a looming figure in black. "What are you saying about your sister?"
"See?" Dawn said to Zachary. "Protective. It's nothing, Spike. I was just telling Zack that Buffy is a super hero. But he thinks I'm joking."
Spike squinted at Dawn, wondering what game she was playing at. "What are you studying?"
"History," Dawn answered.
"Oh! Well, I know something about that," Spike said. "At least over the last hundred years or so."
"We're studying the American Civil War," Dawn said.
"Oh. That was before my time. I mean . . . just before my time of study."
Dawn tried to hold back a smile.
"We were discussing the test we had today, Sir," Zachary said, addressing himself to Spike.
Sir? Spike raised his eyebrows at the word. Was this young git calling him Sir? He set his jaw and gave the kid a dangerous glare. "Oh, yeah? And how'd you do?"
Zachary gulped.
"I did fine on some things," Dawn rushed in. "But I'm sure Zachary aced it totally. He's quite a wiz in school. Especially in English Lit. He's planning on being a Lit major in college and maybe teaching it after that or becoming a writer."
"Oh, yeah?" Spike leaned way over Zachary, making the hair on the poor kid's neck stand up. "So. You into all that literary stuff?"
"He even writes poetry. Show Spike the poem you were working on today," Dawn encouraged Zachary.
"Uh, it's not finished yet," Zachary said, looking fearfully up at Spike.
"Sor right," Spike said. "I probably wouldn't like it anyway. Don't go in much for that nancyboy stuff. You kids go on back to your work. Your big Sis will be home soon." And with that Spike retreated into the livingroom."
"Nancyboy?" Zachary whispered to Dawn.
"Just ignore him. Like I said, he only talks tough. He's probably a closet poet."
Zachary looked very doubtfully at Dawn. The last thing he could imagine Spike being was a poet. "Well, let's get back to the Civil War."
"OK. Explain the Depression of 1856 to me again."
Somewhere around four-thirty Willow came charging in. She was carrying a large brown bag from the supermarket. "How's Tara?" she asked Spike.
"She's fine, Red. Gave her her lunch just as you said. And she's been resting all day."
"Good. I brought all her favorite foods, so I can be sure she'll eat a good meal tonight. Here, you take this to the kitchen. I'm going up to see how she's doing."
Spike shrugged his shoulders and did as he was told. He didn't enjoy much being the vampire butler. But it's not like you can argue too much with a powerful witch who can turn you into an undead toad. Better to just go along. Willow immediately ran up the stairs, breathlessly taking them two at a time.
"Who's Tara?" Zachary asked Dawn.
"She's Willow's significant other. They're just getting over this big fight. Tara's staying here for the moment cos she's sick. But I'm hoping they make up and that Tara will move in again permanently."
"Oh," Zachary said, winding his hand through his light brown hair as he processed this information. Dawn's sister had a gay couple living under her roof. He'd never met a gay person before. But he had a feeling anyone would be easier to get along with then Spike.
"So, how you doing?" Willow asked, walking in on Tara.
"Much better," Tara answered with a smile.
"Yeah, you look better." Willow sat on the bed and took her hand. "I hope you're planning on staying a few days anyway."
"I was thinking about it."
"Good. Because I bought all your favorite foods today and I'm planning on spoiling you rotten as long as you're here."
"You're going to cook?" Tara asked uncertainly.
"Hey, I'm not as bad a cook as I was. I've gotten better. I buy as many prepared items as I can and just sorta fake it. You'll see. It won't be bad at all. But I better go and get things started. You just stay here and rest. Is there anything I can get you?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Do you want me to have Spike bring you downstairs so you can watch TV?"
"No. But maybe I'll come down for dinner."
"OK. Good. We'll bring you down for dinner and make you comfortable on the couch after that so you can watch TV." Willow started out the door then came back. "Now, you're sure I can't get you anything?"
"I'm fine. Really. Go on."
"OK. But if you need anything just call. And if I don't hear you I'm sure Spike will, because vampire's are supposed to have this really great hearing."
"Go on already," Tara smiled.
"I'm going."
It was starting to get dark by then. Willow cooked dinner while Spike took up a post at the front door watching for Buffy. As soon as he saw her he whipped open the door and called out, "Where were you, Slayer? I was getting worried."
"Just stopped by the Magic Box to pick up a source book." She walked in past him into the entryway and he closed the door.
"I told you, if those Fire demons are all charged up it could be dangerous to meet them after dark."
Buffy nudged him sharply in the ribs and nodded in the direction of Dawn and her friend. He nodded back and they headed for the kitchen.
"I was there and back in plenty of time," she said as they walked away.
"Does Spike always keep such close tabs on your sister?" Zachary asked Dawn in a whisper.
"No. He just worries, that's all."
"And what are the fire demons? Are they like a bike gang or a rock band?"
Dawn tried hard not to laugh. "Uh, they're a rock band."
Zachary wondered what Spike had meant when he'd said they could be dangerous when they got all charged up. He assumed it had something to do with drugs. Well, at least Dawn's sister and her boyfriend didn't seem to be into that. But he still had one more question. "Why did he call your sister Slayer?"
Now there was a question that was harder to make up an answer to. Only one idea came to Dawn's mind. "Uh, it's a nickname. You know. Like a pet name?"
"Slayer???"
"Yeah, well. Spike's strange that way."
As far as Zachary could see, Spike was strange a whole lotta ways.
"Buffy! You're home!" Willow called out as Buffy and Spike came into the kitchen. "What happened with the buildings on Lindemann? Did you and Anya learn anything?"
"We didn't go too far inside because the place looked kinda unsafe and certain people who will remain nameless were afraid of us meeting the Fire demons." She shot Spike a dirty look.
"Yeah, well you may be immortal, Slayer. But that doesn't mean you don't have to be careful. Remember Glory the skanky goddess died. You can too."
Buffy made a face. "I would have ignored your warning if Anya hadn't been with me. I don't think I could have explained it to Xander if I'd gotten her burned to a crisp right before their wedding."
"So, what happened?" Willow asked again.
"There was an awful lot of fire damage. Those buildings got fried extra crispy. Anya says it couldn't have been done by regular Fire demons. I think me and Spike should check out the place more fully . . . during the daytime," she said, answering the question in his eyes. "Do you think you can get us there through the sewer system so you don't go all extra crispy?"
"Have to think about it, but probably," Spike answered
"Good. We need to look for clues as to who might be helping these Fire demons."
"Then we're on the case, Slayer?"
"Looks like."
"Good, I'll run over to Willy's tonight and let the Nazari know."
"Oh, no you don't! I don't need you playing poker all night, getting into kitten debt, and coming home smelling like liquor."
Spike smirked. "But we've got to tell them."
"That's right. The active word is 'we.' You and I will go over there together sometime during patrol tonight."
"As you like, Slayer. But wouldn't we have time for one little hand of poker. I've only got a bit more to pay off on my debt."
"No! You wanna go? Go during non-working hours. But during the night you belong to ME!" The last sentence was spoken especially loud, so Zachary and Dawn were able to hear it in the diningroom.
"Your sister sounds kinda possessive too," Zachary said.
"Yeah, well. You know. They're really close. Did you get this problem on page two hundred and thirteen?" she said trying to change the subject.
"Dinner's almost ready," Willow said. "Will Zack be staying to eat with us?"
"No. I don't think so," Buffy said. "He and Dawn have only just started seeing each other. I don't want him moving in here. I've got more men moving in here already then I can deal." She shot Spike a dirty look. "Besides, how am I gonna explain this one's choice in dinner menu?"
"I can be discrete," Spike said. "And you know I don't mind regular food."
"Still, he's leaving. I'll go in now and politely point him to the door." Buffy turned sharply and started toward the diningroom.
"Spike," Willow said, "would you bring Tara down for dinner?"
"Sure," he said. And he took off toward the upstairs through the livingroom.
Willow smiled after them both. She was beginning to see that Buffy and Spike liked verbal sparring as well as the more physical kind. Being around them was never dull. And having Tara here was making everything feel like home again. She'd promised to go to Rack's that night to join his coven. But she didn't care about that anymore. This was where she belonged. Being a witch didn't seem such a big part of her identity at that moment.