Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It all belongs to Joss and others. They are all selfish and won't share any of it with me! No matter how much I ask.

Title: Tired Hearts

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A/N: thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter I'm well chuffed! I'm introducing new characters in this chapter. Let me know what you think please, I wanna meet my target by chapter twelve!

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            Willow was looking around the kitchen. It was covered in silver. Silver metal tables, silver cooking utensils, large silver dishwashers, even a large silver metal bin. The shine when the sun came in though the small kitchen window was intense. The large kitchen employed one chef and one helper. Accept the helper (who wasn't that good at his job) had quit today. She relived the conversation in her minds eye.

******

"Willow, Tara." Parker's eyes darted between his two bosses. Willow made him nervous her eyes were enchanting one minute then in an instant went to being dark round orbs. Tara on the other hand, was sweet and loving, she loved Willow openly and was kind. But her stutter irritated him. He completely lost track of his thoughts. He could only stare into the two girls standing impatiently in front of him.

"What parker?" Willow snapped, she was losing her patience. Parker grated on her, his voice, his attitude they all made her skin crawl.

"Well, you see I, err," he paused building up his strength. He hated this job. He hated the red head in front of him and felt sorry for the mousy blonde. "Look I'm quitting." He spat his words out as if the were stinging his tongue causing Tara to frown.

"Y-Y-You can't just q-q-quit, Parker" She hated her stutter, the moment her mood changed from anything but relaxed it came. No matter how she tried to control it.

"Tara's right, you can't, your learning and, you just can't give up the whole learning thing. You know." she looked at her girlfriend reassuringly. Tara smiled slightly.

"That's where you're wrong." Parker was fuming; he had been building up this for a week. He hated gays, when he realised that his two bosses were doing it under his nose he felt disgusted. He kept getting mental images; he could see the attractiveness of Willow, her curly red hair, and her petite figure, even her personality. He had fancied her when he took on the job. That what was really bothering him, though he wouldn't admit it to himself.

"I can't stand either of you. Your both denying the way of life." He turned his nose up disgusted.

            Willow couldn't believe he was quitting because of her relationship with Tara. It was prejudice, something she couldn't stand. The same thoughts were going though Tara's mind.

"Well if t-t-that's how you feel, f-f-fine." Tara stammered. Parker's dark good looks annoyed her. He had used them trying to get the job.

"Well you require a weeks notice. Xander told me. So here it is." He opened his arms widely as if offering himself to them.

"No YOU don't. Any other valued employer would, but, but, but you." Willow pointed at him her eye's turning dark black. Her voice full of anger.

"Get out. Get out now!" she screamed. Pointing at the door of the small office they were standing in. Parker left his head bowed. Willow fell into her comfy leather swivel chair. She looked at her lover under lowered eyelids.

"What are we going to do?" her voice dripping with sadness.

"Well, w-we can get a new assistant f-for X-Xander." She smiled sweetly at her beloved one. Willow had been her second relationship with a woman, but she was Willows first. 

*********

Tara touched Willows Shoulder gently. Xander was on his break. It was nearly twelve thirty and the Restaurant they owned together with Xander would begin to get busy soon. Willow was shook up by Parkers prejudices. She had never experienced it before. The doorbell chimed as someone walked though it. She let go off Willow and walked out to greet the customers she sat the two gentlemen down and smiled politely handing them their menus. She walked away and the two men continued discussing their earlier topic while looking over the menu. She walked though the double doors and watched Willow turn around to face her.

"Sorry Tara. I didn't mean to get all worked up. We know we love each other it doesn't matter what others think." She smiled weakly and Tara kissed her forehead gently.

"Got customers. Think there the 3 course kind!" Tara added trying to lighten the mood.

"Hey, how's my favourite girls?" Xander Spoke loudly and kindly as he bounded in the kitchen after his break. Willow smiled running and hugging her best friend. Xander and Willow had known each other for as long as they could remember.

"Yeah love you too Willow. Now go get you red arse out there and sell the most expensive meal to the two suits." He smiled showing his straight white teeth.

***** A hour later ****

            Spike and Buffy were standing in the middle of the third restaurant they had come across. Buffy slowly walked across the dirt ridden carpet and turned back when she saw the mouse in the corner of the room. She mouthed 'No Way' to Spike and they quietly exited. They walked through a quiet alley and Spike pulled Buffy in for a long kiss.

"Don't worry pet, we'll find something." Spikes expression changed you could almost see the light bulb turning on over his head.

"Actually I know just the place." He looked straight ahead and continued to walk. Buffy caught up and linked her arm with his. She trusted Spike and didn't need to ask him about the place in question. He turned a sharp left at the end of the long alley and stopped at a bus station. Soon enough a bus pulled up. He jumped on and Buffy followed.

"A mate of mine from school, owns a restaurant in Purley, that's two stops away. It's a lovely place." He smiled at her. And continued his story. "He owns it wiv' two birds. Willows another schoolmate of mine. She was into blokes back then and dated my best mate. But then he left with another girl saying Willow didn't love him enough, she broke down big time. Anyways then she joined a drama group. Far as I know her and Tara kinda made it all up from there. Now they're inseparable."

"Do all still keep in contact with them?" Buffy enquired as the bus pulled to its first stop.

"Well 'bout the time Oz did a runner on Willow, we all fell out, no let me re-phrase that. They all fell out with me. Oz did the typical male thing and my so-called best friend told everyone that I told him to run off and leave her. It took a while but we all made up. They realised Oz lied and asked for me to be back in the gang." He paused and took a deep breath. "Not as close as we were through school but I'd still do anything for them. And I think they'd do the same. Still going strong and al'!" he smile with triumph that he had told his tale. A minute later they were walking down Purley high street, when they saw the bistro in question approaching Buffy took a deep breath and smiled at Spike. He pulled her in and kissed her

"Don't worry. Your like It." He looked deep into her eyes "Promise." He smiled and Buffy kissed him softly on the lips.

            They walked through the door and heard the small tinkering of the doorbell. A petite red haired waitress turned around and smiled, she finished taking the couples order and walked towards Buffy and Spike.  She smiled and her perfect white teeth showed, her lips were painted a deep red, her eyes sparkled and she almost bounced instead of walked. Inside a few seconds she had her arms around Spike. She turned her head in the direction of the double doors at the back of the room.

"Xander, Tara. Get out here!" she then stepped back and looked straight at Spike.

"Been a while Will." Spike smirked.

"Sure as well has, I haven't seen you in months, where you been hiding?" she smiled again bigger than the last time.

 The double doors swung open and two figures emerged. Buffy smiled sweetly as the tall, black haired, dashing man walked towards them being followed by a medium height, plump mousy haired girl. The girl, who Buffy knew was Tara, had an essence that gave of a feeling of warmth. The small red headed girl turned and Buffy noticed the love for one another immediately. The four chatted for ten minutes before Xander ran off to continue cooking.

"Anyway, Will's, Tara this is Buffy," he looked at Buffy and she gave her permission in a nod. "My girlfriend. She's just moved out here from England and she's looking for a job."

"When can you start?" Willow sounded to Buffy as if she was begging rather than asking.

A/N: please, please, please let me know what you think do you like having more characters? Do you think they should now play a big part in the story? Or should they only pop up now and again? Let me know love Mel xxx