I'M STARTING TO FEEL STARVED FOR FEEDBACK - ONLY TWO MORE CHAPTERS LEFT AFTER THIS ONE! THEN A VERY, VERY, VERY TINY EPILOGUE/PREVIEW (If people are interested in a second story)
Just - Started to worry about you!
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CHAPTER 23
Unlocking the door, the two slayers let themselves in. Seeing the dining room light was off they look at each other before locking the door behind them. Quickly taking their shoes off and setting them to the side, they walk into the living room, seeing Tara just sitting quietly on the couch, with Dawn nowhere in sight.
Glancing at each other with worry in their eyes, they look at Tara. "Finished studying for the night?" Buffy asks quietly, looking for any kind of sign of what was going on with the witch.
"Yes." Tara quietly answers, looking from one woman to the other. "Have a good patrol?"
Faith looks at Buffy, swallowing hard before looking back at Tara. "You know, don't you?" Faith asks hoarsely.
"I knew you were up to something before you left the house." Tara watches the women with no emotion in her eyes. "Then about an hour after you left I got a phone call."
"Would it help our case if we let you know we were planning on telling you what we did?" Buffy asks quietly, looking at Tara with pleading eyes.
"Maybe." Tara looks at the two women closely. Seeing Faith's knuckles skinned, bruised and swollen. Not seeing any other damage on the two women, Tara slowly stands up andwalks into the kitchen to grab the first aid kit.
Buffy and Faith look at each other after Tara quietly walks out of the living room. "She's mad." Faith groans out quietly, feeling her heart get heavy with pain at the thought of causing Tara worry. Sitting down heavily on the end of the couch, Faith buries her face in her hands. "She hates us." Faith mutters, her shoulders slumping.
"I don't hate you." Tara softly mentions as she comes back into the living room looking at the dejected Faith sitting on the couch and Buffy standing by her weapons chest, with a heart broken look on her face. "I don't hate either one of you." Tara firmly reiterates.
Sitting down on the coffee table, Tara lays the first aid kit beside her, flipping it open to pull out the alcohol and gauze. "Give me your hands, Faith."
Faith finally pulls her hands away from her face, holding them out to Tara while not making eye contact, just keeping her eyes on her knees.
Tara shakes her head before gently cleansing the abrasions. Seeing the dead skin hanging off in areas, Tara sighs, reaching for the clippers. Clipping the dead skin away, she wipes the knuckles again once more before putting the items up in the kit and closing it.
Tara looks up, making eye contact with Buffy, who's still standing there, not making a sound. "Come over here and sit down, Buffy. Please." Tara asks gently before turning to look at Faith. "What am I going to do with you two?" Tara whispers quietly. Reaching out to Faith, who still won't look at her, she lifts her chin up and leans in, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I love you. I don't hate you." Watching Buffy sit down literally right against Faith, Tara smiles softly. Reaching out and clasping each slayer's hands, Tara looks Faith then Buffy in the eye. "I'm not happy that you two decided to go over there. But I do understand why you did it. And I ask that you please do not do something so stupid again. What if the spell had worn off and you two just be-bop up to her room? All of a sudden you two have stakes, knives or who knows what coming at you."
"I'm sorry." Faith whispers looking at the witch.
"No, Faith." Buffy shakes her head. "It was my idea. I promise we won't do anything like this again."
"It doesn't matter whose idea it was. I just want both of you to give me your solemn oaths not to do it again." Tara hesitates for a moment. "She isn't going to let this go. She isn't going to leave town. She isn't going to get help." Looking Buffy in the eye she feels a deep sadness swell up inside her. "You saw what I saw. Your best friend is no longer to be found inside her. The woman I fell in love with is gone. I really hoped you wouldn't see that." Tara swallows looking down at the two women's hands, clasped in hers.
Faith looks at the witch, realizing that she hadn't fucked it up so badly that she lost this wonderful woman's love. "I love you. You have my solemn promise I won't do something stupid like that again."
"You have my promise. No more stupid moves." Buffy whispers smiling slightly. "Can I have a kiss?" Buffy whispers hopefully.
Smirking gently Tara raises an eyebrow. "I believe I told you that you don't have to ask permission, Buffy. That hasn't changed."
"Thank God." Buffy whispers before leaning forward and gently kissing the witch.
Faith finally smiles, watching the two kiss. Shifting down on her knees in front of Tara, Faith lays her head in her lap and wraps her arms around her waist. Hugging the witch tightly, Faith breathes out a huge sigh of relief.
Tara chuckles as Buffy pulls out of the kiss and runs her hand through Faith's hair. "Why don't we go upstairs?"
"One question, what did she say?" Buffy looks with concern at the witch.
"It doesn't matter." Tara shakes her head. Smiling softly at Buffy before reaching down, running her hands gently over Faith's back. "How was patrol tonight?"
"Oh, my God." Faith whispers digging in her pants pocket and pulling the cash out, handing it to Tara without leaving her lap. "Here. We need to decide what to do with it. Maybe put the majority aside for Dawn's education."
Tara looks at the cash in her hand, pulling her other hand away from Faith, she pulls the rubber band off and flips through the bills. "Goddess. How much is here?" Tara exclaims looking from Buffy down to Faith, who has her face buried in her lap, not moving.
"If I counted right, $15,300." Buffy chuckles quietly noticing Faith isn't about to move away from the witch. "Faith, why don't you and Tara head upstairs and I'll double-check the windows and doors."
Tara looks at Buffy smiling then squeaks "Faith!" as the slayer grabs her up, holding her tightly to her and quickly jogs up the stairs to the bedroom. "You don't have to carry me up the stairs, I can walk, you know."
"Don't wanna let you go." Faith mumbles into the witch's neck as she slides the witch's body down hers, keeping one arm around her while quickly undressing the witch.
"Faith! I can undress myself." Tara comments. Chuckling quietly, Tara grabs Faith's face between her hands and makes her look at her. "Faith. Everything is okay. I'm not mad. I love you."
"I know you're not mad now." Faith whispers looking into the deep blue eyes of Tara. "But I can't seem to let you go." Faith smiles slightly at the witch.
"Well, it would be easier to get undressed without you almost plastered against me." Tara smiles at her lover. "And I think I would much prefer having you plastered against me without clothes in the way."
"Okay." Faith smiles more easily. "I think I would prefer to feel your soft skin against mine."
Buffy chuckles as she lets herself in the bedroom. "Skin is of the good."
Faith eases a short distance away from Tara and helps her finish getting undressed before stripping her own clothes off.
Tara giggles as Faith almost literally tears her own clothes of her body. Climbing in the bed, Tara stretches slightly, trying to ease out the last of the tension that she had been feeling since the two women left on patrol.
"Sore?" Faith questions, watching the witch stretch and groan slightly. As Tara nods her head, Faith whispers "Roll over onto your stomach."
Tara rolls over and lays down in the middle of the bed and groans as Faith straddles her thighs and starts running her strong hands up and down her back, gently massaging the stiffness away.
Faith smiles slightly as she feels the tension easing out of Tara. She glances over to see Buffy grinning, watching her massage the blonde. "Feel better?" Faith turns her attention back to Tara.
"Much." Tara almost purrs as the last of her anger, fear and tenseness drains away at the gentle ministrations of Faith's hands.
Faith slides off Tara to lay beside her continuing tolightly running her hand up and down the witch's back. Watching as Buffy climbs in on the other side of Tara, Faith grins as Buffy leans down kissing Tara gently.
Tara moans into the gentle kiss and shifts her body onto her side, to get closer and kiss Buffy deeper.
Faith watches the two kiss for a minute before starting at Tara's neck, gently pushing the blonde's hair away and starting with light kisses, slowly working her way over her shoulders and down her back, placing an occasional nibble here and there on the way. Easing down to the blonde's lower back, Faith runs her hands down her thighs before licking the sensitive skin. Smiling as Tara shifts and moans, not knowing if whatever Buffy is doing to her is causing it, or what she's doing, Faith continues kissing and licking. Working her way down one butt cheek to gently nip at the firm muscle, she hears a loud groan and Tara pushing back against her. Smiling Faith takes a second to see Buffy enjoying the witch's breasts.
Faith shifts down slightly further, gently running her tongue at the top of the witch's butt cheeks before running it down between them gently, tentatively to see if this would be something the woman might enjoy.
"Oh, Goddess." Tara exclaims groaning loudly as she feels her body humming with desire. As Buffy works her way down the front of her body, stopping to pay special attention to her breasts, she feels Faith working down her back and is now running her tongue gently over and between her cheeks. Shifting her legs slightly and resting her knee over top of Buffy's hip, Tara pushes back into the tentative tongue gently licking her ass.
Faith groans, feeling Tara shift her body, opening herself slightly more to her touches. Faith runs her hands up from the woman's thighs to her butt cheeks, gently separating them to delve more firmly and further inside. Circling her tongue around the sensitive area, Faith smiles as she feels Tara rotating her hips, and pushing gently back against her. Easing a hand between the blonde's thighs, Faith groans feeling the juices flowing from her lover. Easing two fingers inside, Faith starts an easy in and out rhythm, while continuing the firm licks around the tight sphincter.
Tara growls and pushes against Faith's fingers as Buffy works her way further down her body. Grabbing hold of the sheet in one hand and more firmly anchoring her hand in Buffy's hair, Tara jerks as Buffy sucks her swollen muscle into her mouth, gently flicking her tongue repeatedly over the quivering muscle. Feeling a sensory overload, Tara cries out her release jerking back and forth against both women.
Faith grins as Tara climaxes, running her tongue up to her lower back, placing kisses on the skin before licking up the thin layer of perspiration gathered there. Twisting her fingers around, Faith slowly eases her stroking motion to search out the witch's sweet spot, rubbing her fingers in a gentle but firm circle.
Swallowing as she feels Faith's fingers shift in her, Tara groans out, feeling the slow build in her and moans as Buffy works her way back up her body gently nipping at her breasts while placing a finger over the still twitching muscle, pressing firmly.
"Goddess, I'm gonna…." unable to continue, Tara arches as her body releases. Shaking, Tara groans as Faith continues her motions inside her, drawing out her pleasure. Unable to keep her eyes open, Tara moans incoherently as Faith eases her fingers out and she's gently shifted to lay on her back.
Tara whimpers quietly as she feels both women nibbling and licking her neck, her body still shaking from the aftershocks of her release. Slowly wrapping an arm around each slayer, Tara hugs them tightly to her body.
Buffy sighs quietly, easing down to her favorite position. Shifting her cheek around to get comfortable, she closes her eyes. Thank the PTB that there wasn't more of a fall out with Tara over what they did.
Faith nibbles lightly on Tara's ear before shifting down and burying her face against her neck, while shifting a leg over Tara's thighs and clasping her breast firmly.
"Feels like you two are getting ready to go to sleep." Tara murmurs, finally able to speak.
Buffy nods her head running her fingers over Tara's lower abdomen.
Faith murmurs into her neck "Yeah. Unless you want to talk about the phone call."
Tara winces, thinking about the phone call earlier that night. How Willow threatened her lovers. How when they least expected it, she was going to take Faith away from them permanently. What some of the ideas of what she was going to do to her….Tara shakes her head, trying to get those thoughts out of her mind.
Faith starts to get worried and shifts to look at Tara. Seeing the pained, scared and then resolved look cross her face, she whispers "Tara?"
Buffy stops running her fingers over Tara's abdomen, waiting for her to say something.
Tara comes back to herself and looks into Faith's worried brown eyes. "It'll be okay, Faith." Tara hoarsely gets out, pulling the slayer down for a soft kiss.
"Go to sleep ladies." Tara whispers. "Tomorrow morning will soon be here."
Faith frowns as she snuggles back down against Tara. Feeling Buffy run a hand down her cheek she looks and sees the worry in her eyes. "Night." Faith shakes her head imperceptibly at Buffy.
Buffy nods while whispering "Night."
AAAAAAAAAAAAA
"How are we going to do this?" Tara questions looking at the two women. "I mean, you both can go with me to my classes, but I'm not real sure how the teachers will act. And don't even think you going by yourself is an option." Tara narrows her gaze on Buffy.
"How about I call today, see if I can stop in for an interview tomorrow. Hopefully make it at a time that's between your classes since Tuesdays aren't so heavy for you?" Buffy suggests the compromise. "That way we can all go together."
"Call and see. But I don't want you going outside without us there. Actually I don't want anyone to be by themselves unless they're in the house." Tara comments in a no-nonsense tone. "And this is not up for discussion, understood?"
Faith and Buffy both nod their heads.
"I'm going to get the room painted today. Anything else?" Buffy watches Tara intently, seeing that she's already off in her own little world. Knowing in her heart that the woman is trying to figure out what to do about Willow.
"No, just be careful and don't leave the house. If we're going to be late, I'll call." Tara looks up making eye contact with Buffy.
"Take the cell." Buffy quickly grabs the phone off the charger and hands it to the witch.
"I love you." Tara smiles softly looking into the worried eyes of the slayer. "We'll figure something out."
"Yeah we will." Faith growls out quietly while picking up the helmets and Tara's book bag. Giving Buffy a quick kiss on the cheek, she heads to the door, waiting for Tara.
Tara looks searchingly in Buffy's eyes. "I love you." Leaning in, she gently kisses Buffy's lips before pulling away and heading out the door with Faith.
Buffy clenches her hands tightly, frowning. "What the hell did she say to you?" Buffy growls out to the empty house walking into the kitchen she stops looking at the phone, tempted to call Willow. Shaking her head in disgust, Buffy grabs a water out of the refrigerator and heads upstairs to paint the bedroom instead.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Faith follows Tara as they head to her next class, keeping an eye open for Willow. "Tara." Faith whispers quietly.
Tara stops turning to look at the dark slayer. "What, Faith?"
"Tell me what she said." Faith looks pleadingly at the witch.
Tara sighs heavily, looking into the pleading brown eyes. "Faith…" Looking down, Tara shakes her head.
"Tara, please." Faith gently cups her chin, lifting it up to look in the sad blue eyes.
"She threatened both of you." Tara decides to keep to the basics.
Faith growls out "Tara, I ain't that fuckin' stupid. Of course she threatened us. What did she say?"
"Damn it, Faith!" Tara hisses out, her eyes flashing. "Leave it the fuck alone."
"No." Faith calms down shaking her head when she sees the pain in Tara's eyes. "It isn't right you keeping it to yourself. Tell me."
Tara grabs hold of Faith's arm, tugging her off to a bench, sitting down she turns to face the dark slayer. "She threatened to maim and torture Buffy to within an inch of her life after she dealt with you. She threatened to literally skin you alive. Taking you piece by piece, until you are just a bloody living mass of tissue then chop you up in little pieces while we watch. She plans on taking weeks to do it. Letting you start to heal before starting all over again. Is this what you wanted to know? Oh, there were other things she mentioned. But that's a good start, don't you think?" Tara growls out deep and low.
Faith pales slightly looking into the pain filled eyes of her lover. She watches as they turn hard.
"I'm not going to let it happen." Tara states unequivocally. "I will take care of this." Feeling a calmness inside her at the realization that this is something she had to do. It is her responsibility, her calling.
Faith shakes her head. "No. No you will not. Tara, it'll kill you if you harm someone. You're not a murderer. You're not a killer."
"Neither are you, Faith." Tara quietly whispers. "But this is something that I'm going to have to do. Neither you nor Buffy can do this." Tara glances up at the heavens, feeling her inner soul fill with a warm glowing peace. Closing her eyes, she smiles slightly at the calming presence in her soul. Feeling the Goddess giving her silent offering. Filling her with the courage and strength she will need to deal with what lay ahead.
Faith watches Tara with concern on her face, seeing a white glow coalesce around the witch, she starts to worry until Tara starts to smile softly.
You have finally come to understand, my child. The goddess whispers into Tara's mind. There are many facets to my life. I give life, love, health, happiness, but for people to know this, they must also have pain, heartache, sadness and sickness to understand. What is given can also be taken away.
Tara looks upon the Goddess, feeling her heart fill with love and understanding. Fill with the righteousness of having to do what must be done.
It has taken you till now to understand that sometimes there is no choice. You must do what you have to. Just remember, not everything is as it seems. And trust in your love. It shall always lead you down the right path. The Goddess starts to leave, but hesitates for a moment. Your Dark Warrior loves you completely. You have broken through the last walls to uncover the heart made of gold. The heart that beats for you and the Light Warrior. But without you, this would never have come to pass. Remember this, my child. Love. Believe. Slowly the Goddess leaves, giving her blessings and powers to her child, to be there when needed.
"Thank you Goddess." Tara whispers quietly, a silent tear slowly easing its way down her cheek before opening her eyes and looking at Faith's concerned face. "It seems the Goddess has decided I'm ready."
Faith looks upon Tara in shock. "That's what that was?" She looks into her lovers eyes, seeing a paler shade of blue than normal. Seeing white streaks shining through her eyes.
"I need to get to class, Faith. Plus I believe I can talk this Professor into letting me take my Finals now, instead of waiting till next week." Tara smiles softly before leaning in and gently kissing Faith. "Everything will be fine. Trust me."
"Like I have a choice." Faith mutters before running her hand down the witch's cheek. "Let's get you to class."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"So, what does this mean. I thought a Warrior of the Light had to die for the Goddess' will to be done, according to the prophecy." Buffy looks from Faith to Tara confused.
"Her giving me her powers, isn't her will being done, Buffy." Tara whispers almost silently. "That's just preparing me for what is to come. And honestly, I don't think I really have access to those powers right now. I don't feel any different."
Buffy and Faith listen intently, glancing at each other occasionally. "Your eyes are different." Faith gently mentions.
"Excuse me?" Tara looks confused at the two women.
"Your eyes, Tara." Buffy calmly stands up getting a compact mirror out of her purse and handing it to the witch. "Your eyes are a paler shade of blue with white streaks through them."
Tara looks into the compact mirror confused. Seeing her normal colored eyes looking back at her. Looking back up at the two women she shakes her head. "They're their normal color. Are you two feeling okay?"
Buffy and Faith look at each other in shock. "Okay, what the fuck is goin' on?" Faith growls out. "We see the same thing, right pale blue eyes with white streaks." At Buffy's nod, Faith stands looking at the clock. "When is Little D gonna be home?"
Glancing at the clock, Buffy does a quick mental tally "She should be here in about fifteen more minutes, why?"
"I want her to tell us what she sees when she looks at her eyes." Faith growls out looking at Tara. Pacing back and forth, Faith taps her fingers on her thighs. "Take your shirt off."
Tara looks up in shock. "What?"
"Take your shirt off, and your bra. I want to look at the birth mark." Faith crosses her arms looking Tara in the eyes.
"I'm not going to take them off down here where Dawn will see if she comes in." Tara shakes her head, seeing the lack of give in the slayer's eyes. Standing up, she quickly walks up the stairs.
"You wanna go, too?" Faith looks at Buffy.
"No, you go ahead. I haven't gotten a chance to make extra sets of the keys yet to give one to Dawn." Buffy smiles half heartedly at the slayer. "What are you looking for?"
"I'm just curious to see if there's been a change." Faith takes a breath and shakes her head. "I don't know what I'm looking for or what I'll find."
"Go, she's probably already got her clothes off." Buffy reaches out, running a hand over the dark slayer's arm.
"'kay." Faith whispers, before running up the stairs.
Faith looks in their bedroom, not seeing Tara she starts to walk towards the master bedroom, when she catches movement in the bathroom. Walking in, she sees Tara standing in front of the mirror without top and bra. Faith watches as she gently lifts her breast up to look at the birthmark. Inhaling, Faith walks in seeing that it is more prominent, more noticeable than it was before.
"Is it different?" Tara whispers looking at Faith in the mirror.
"It's more noticeable. Whiter than it was." Faith nods her head. "Let me look closer."
Tara turns towards the slayer, releasing her breast at the same time.
Faith gets down on her haunches in front of the witch, gently running her fingers over the mark. "Whiter, more prominent but not any bigger. Fuck if I know what it means." Faith looks up at the witch's eyes, still seeing the paler blue with white streaks looking back at her. Quickly standing, she gently turns Tara to look in the mirror, while standing behind her looking over her shoulder. Looking in the mirror intently at the eyes, Faith shakes her head. "They're still the color Buffy and I see."
"They still look like my normal colored eyes, Faith." Tara shrugs and looks at the slayer apologetically.
"Fucking Hellmouth." Faith growls out before smiling slightly. "If nothing else can explain it, blame the Hellmouth."
Tara has to chuckle at that. "I love you." Tara pulls the slayer in to her, kissing her gently on the lips before squeezing her more tightly against her and burying her face in her neck. "Smell good." Tara murmurs sniffing deeply of the slayer's smell.
"I don't know what it is about you sniffing me, Blondie." Faith chuckles quietly. "I don't wear perfume."
"Don't need it." Tara mumbles against her neck. "Eau De Faith is a wonderful smell by itself."
Faith shakes her head, running her hands up the witch's back. "If you don't get your clothes back on, I'm gonna carry your gorgeous self back to the bedroom and take advantage of you."
"Is it taking advantage if I want it?" Tara smirks slightly at the slayer. Then starts laughing as Faith growls. "Okay, okay. I'll get my bra and shirt back on."
Faith pulls away, tweaking a nipple quickly before heading out of the bathroom, to Tara's giggles.
Buffy looks up as Faith comes down the stairs, Dawn sitting on the couch with a raised eyebrow. "She'll be down in a few minutes." Faith murmurs quietly.
Buffy raises an eyebrow "Any change?"
"Yeah, whiter more prominent. But nothing else." Faith shakes her head smiling slightly. "I'm blamin' it on the Hellmouth."
"That's always the thing to do." Buffy smiles slightly. Looking up, she watches as Tara walks down the stairs. "Dawn, what do you see?"
Dawn walks up to stand in front of Tara, tilting her head slightly. "I see Tara's blue eyes." Dawn looks back at the two women shrugging her shoulders. "Sorry."
"Time to call Giles." Buffy grumbles heading into the kitchen.
"I'm going to study. Do you have any homework Dawnie?" Tara looks at the teen.
"Yeah, I've got some math and Science." Dawn smiles slightly.
"Need any help?" Tara smiles gently at Dawn.
"I don't think so. I'm going to get something to snack on before I start." Dawn grins heading into the kitchen.
"Do you want anything?" Faith looks at the blonde, slowly walking up to her.
"Hmmm." Tara smirks slightly before quirking an eyebrow watching Faith draw closer.
Faith grins at the look and wraps her arms around her waist, pulling her in snug against her. "You're supposed to be studying." Faith whispers in her ear. "But we could always head upstairs instead?"
"We could." Tara whispers in her ear, licking up the side of the slayer's neck before nibbling on her ear. Hearing the slayer groan, Tara grins. "But I need to study." Pulling away and heading to the dining room table, Tara tries not to giggle at Faith's grumbling.
"You're a tease." Faith grumbles before heading into the kitchen. "B. We need a new girlfriend."
Buffy looks up from where she's on the phone with Giles. "What?"
"Sorry." Faith whispers shaking her head and smiling.
Dawn giggles grabbing her plate with cookies and a glass of milk, heading out to the living room.
Faith sits down looking at Buffy who's rolling her eyes "He's got me on hold." Buffy mumbles to Faith. Walking over to the dark slayer, Buffy runs her hands through her hair.
"She's teasing me." Faith grumbles.
Chuckling Buffy leans down and kisses her neck. "Sorry."
"She likes picking on us, you know that don't you?" Faith leans in to Buffy as she wraps her arm around her.
"Yes, she does. Just like we like picking on her." Kissing the top of Faith's head, Buffy runs her hand gently over the slayer's back. "We're lucky she didn't go ballistic on our asses last night."
"Very lucky." Faith closes her eyes as Buffy strokes her back. "That feels good."
Buffy smiles, running her hands more firmly down Faith's back, helping her relax. Pulling her hands away, she grasps the phone with one hand while squeezing Faith's shoulder with the other.
"Giles, anything?…Nothing on the eyes. It's only myself and Faith that seems to see the difference. Tara doesn't see it and neither does Dawn…I don't know." Buffy turns to Faith "Did you notice anything weird when the Goddess saw Tara?"
"A White light surrounded her. Other than that, no." Faith watches Buffy intently.
"A white light, that's it." Buffy frowns slightly. "And her birth mark seems to be whiter, more pronounced…No, according to Faith that was the only difference…Would you like me to go check while you're on the phone with me?" Buffy smirks at Faith and winks. "You sure? I could maybe give you a more detailed description…If you're sure…"
Faith chuckles watching Buffy give Giles hell. "Ask him if he wants us to take pictures and send them to him."
Buffy blushes at the suggestion. "Want pictures Giles? We can take them and mail them to you…If you're sure…You think it's just a residual effect of the Goddess' visit?…But why are Faith and I the only ones that can see the difference, shouldn't Tara see that her own eyes are different?" Buffy bangs her head down on Faith's shoulder, groaning. "Tell me what you think it might be…You mean to say only a mystical being can see the difference? What the hell do you consider Dawn?…Yeah, well try again…Then I suggest you get with the research. Find us something to explain why we are the only ones that see the difference. Next thing I know you're going to tell me we're some kind of Triad that's going to bring evil to an end and live forever shit."
"Tell him to look for some kind of mention about the Light Warrior and the Dark Warrior. And possibly the heart of Gold." Tara murmurs from the kitchen doorway. "She told me to love and believe."
"Cryptic much?" Buffy grumbles. "I really wish things would go easy once in a while. Giles, Tara mentioned something about the Light Warrior and Dark Warrior." Buffy looks to Tara for confirmation, at her nod she smiles slightly. "Also a heart of gold." Growling Buffy shakes her head. "Yes, a heart of gold….Hopefully that gives you something to go on. Please call us and let us know what you find out. Bye Giles." Buffy hangs up and looks at her two lovers. "I'm going to hate and see this next phone bill."
"What the hell is this Light and Dark shit?" Faith growls out looking at Tara.
Tara sits down contemplating the question. "Light and dark. Contrast. You have to have one to have the other. They aren't complete without the other."
"Kind of like Ying and Yang?" Faith questions. At Tara's nod she shrugs. "Okay, me and Buffy. What's this heart of gold stuff?"
"You." Tara whispers looking with soft eyes at the dark slayer.
"What do you mean, me?" Faith confusedly looks from Tara to Buffy.
"She said you have a heart of gold. Of course, she didn't need to tell me that." Tara smiles slightly.
"Wait a minute." Buffy interrupts. "If we supposedly complete each other, what about you?"
"I'm not sure." Tara thinks hard, thinking over what the Goddess said. "She said something that this never would have come to be if not for me. And her heart beats for us. I know she was trying to tell me something without actually telling me." Tara growls out.
"God, we're starting to sound like Giles." Buffy grumbles dropping her head to the counter.
"Beat it twenty ways to Sunday and still not know what the hell is going on" Faith explains to Tara's confused look.
"So, what do we do? Just wait and see what happens?" Tara questions looking from one woman to the other.
"Fate." Faith mutters. "It all boils down to fate. If Buffy hadn't died and been brought back, if you had went to another college, if I had died that day on the roof. Fucking fate."
Buffy looks up with haunted eyes at Faith.
"No, B. Don't. It's over and done. If things had went differently, we probably wouldn't be here now. Cause and effect. Everything happens for a reason and one thing happens differently, it creates a whole different set of circumstances." Faith shakes her head.
Tara starts chuckling. "I think she's been paying too much attention in my classes."
"Oh, and let's not forget when Anya brought the Vamp Willow here from the other world. My not coming to Sunnydale caused that mess. Supposedly the Master rose and he controlled the whole of Sunnydale." Buffy grumbles. "One thing different and the whole of Sunnydale is Vampire Heaven."
"See, cause and effect. One thing is all it takes." Faith smiles slightly. "So, if I hadn't gone bad, you hadn't stabbed me, none of this would be happening."
"If I hadn't left Willow." Tara murmurs. "Or if I had forgiven her, or she had gotten control of the magic. So many things had to happen for this to get where we are."
Buffy smirks slightly. "Tara wanting to be a Sex Kitten with two Slayer lovers…"
"Buffy!" Tara blushes before grinning wickedly. "I am so not complaining. Especially after last night."
Buffy grins, and Faith chuckles, leaning over and kissing Tara. "Liked that, did you?"
"Oh, most definitely." Tara softens her grin to a gentle smile. "You two make me happy. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. And no, it isn't just the sex."
"We know that." Buffy smiles. "Not to change the subject or anything, but what are we going to have for dinner?"
"I laid out some hamburger for you guys. Do you want shepherd's pie or hamburgers and fries?" Tara looks at the two slayers.
"I'm up for either." Faith grins, smacking her lips.
Buffy chuckles. "Why don't we just do hamburgers and fries. Less work for you. Actually, I think I might be able to grill hamburgers."
"Uh, no." Faith shakes her head. "I'll grill the hamburgers. After the horror stories about your cooking ability, I ain't trusting you until you have a couple lessons with Tara."
"How about we all grill the hamburgers together?" Tara suggests smiling at the women.
"I thought you needed to study." Buffy looks questioningly towards Tara.
"I actually got a lot of studying done yesterday. I'll need to hit on the highlights of my notes briefly, to refresh my memory tomorrow morning for my test, but I should be good to go." Tara quickly stands up, grabbing the hamburger meat out of the refrigerator and opens the freezer to grab out the french fries.
"Okay, what do you want me to do?" Faith stands up walking over towards Tara.
Tara reaches up grabbing various seasonings down. "How about sprinkling a little bit of each of these seasonings on the hamburger then mixing it up. Afterwards you can make patties out of them."
Buffy snorts out a laugh. "If she's doing that, what am I going to be doing?"
"You're going to watch." Tara grins at Buffy. "She asked first." Pulling out a pan, Tara sprays it and spreads french fries to get them ready to bake, while turning the oven on. "You know what we could do. Instead of messing with the grill, we can put the patties in aluminum foil and slice onions on top of them and seal them up good, baking them in the oven."
"Hmm. That sounds good." Buffy grins slightly.
"Good, you can slice the onion." Tara smirks slightly as Buffy makes a face.
"What are you going to eat?" Buffy questions grabbing a knife and cutting board out. "Thin or thick slices?"
"Thin would be better." Tara opens the fridge getting out the makings for a salad. "Why don't you slice two onions. That way I can put some on the salad. Don't want you two to be the only ones with onion-y breath!"
"Yeah, no kisses for us if that's the case." Faith mutters. Sniffing the meat, she smiles and adds more garlic when Tara's back is turned. After kneading the meat and mixing in the additional garlic, Faith split's the hamburger up into roughly the same amount sections and looks at Tara. "Patty them? Do I just squish them down flat?"
Tara chuckles quietly. "Here, let me show you." Tara shows her how to make patty's and watches as Faith does the rest. "See, not hard."
Turning around she sees that Buffy's finished slicing the onion and has sliced the cucumber and tomato also that she had laid out. Smiling at the slayer in appreciation she walks over and places a light kiss on her cheek. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. If I can't cook, at least I can do some other stuff. I am good with a knife." Buffy smirks slightly.
"Yeah at stabbing and dismembering evil things." Faith snarks at the blonde slayer. Faith starts putting the patties on the aluminum foil. Grabbing a couple handfuls of onions she puts some over each one before wrapping them up, leaving a pouched top as Tara showed her.
"All you gonna have is salad?" Faith questions frowning, looking at Tara.
"Well, I might have some fries, also." Tara looks up at the frown on Faith's face. "What?"
"Hey, didn't we buy some of those veggie burgers for you?" Faith smiles slightly digging around in the freezer. "Ah ha! Can we bake these like our burgers?"
"I forgot about those. I don't see why not. I mean, they are already pre-cooked but…Maybe if we add some butter or something it will help them keep moist?" Tara smiles shrugging her shoulders.
"Well, if it isn't any good, you don't have to eat it. We'll just pan fry the next one instead." Faith nods her head to the idea as she pulls one of the burgers out and does up one for Tara.
Putting the salad back in the refrigerator, to be ready for dinner. The three women make quick work of the slight mess they had made.
"I'm going to look over my notes briefly while dinner is cooking." Tara smiles watching Buffy and Faith finish putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turning it on.
"Want tea or something?" Buffy offers looking towards Tara.
"Not right now, thanks." Tara smiles softly heading towards the dining room.
"B, I want to ask you something." Faith looks towards the slayer. At Buffy's nod to continue, she frowns slightly. "I was wondering, where is the vamp at? Have you heard anything?"
Buffy stiffens slightly in shock at thinking about Spike. Realizing she hadn't thought about him since the discussion the three women had. "No, I haven't. I just assumed he left town. Why?"
"I just figured with everything else goin' on, it would be a good idea to know where he's at. Rather him not add his shit to this mess." Faith frowns watching Buffy stiffen slightly. "I didn't mean to upset ya" Faith murmurs quietly, looking down.
"You didn't Faith. It just kind of surprised me. I just realized I hadn't thought of him once since our talk last weekend." Buffy shakes her head in surprise. "He's always been lurking in my mind, thoughts popping up occasionally, but…" Buffy trails off smiling at the dark slayer. "No more."
"And I go and fuck up by bringing the bastard up." Faith growls out. "Just to let you know, if he shows up I'm dustin' his ass." Faith looks seriously into Buffy's eyes. "He had no right to treat you that way."
Buffy let's out a slow breath before moving to stand in front of Faith. "It's okay, Faith. I love you." Buffy whispers, wrapping her arms around the slayer's neck, pulling her down the short distance to kiss her gently and lovingly.
Faith groans as Buffy pulls away. "You two are trying to fuckin' kill me tonight."
"Haven't you ever heard good things come to those who wait?" Buffy smirks slightly.
Faith taps her foot on the floor and crosses her arms across her chest looking at Buffy silently for a few moments, then grins. "Okay, I waited what good things are gonna happen?"
Buffy starts laughing "You need help."
"My point exactly. I want someone to help me, and neither you nor the witch is helping!" Faith grumbles out.
"Last time we were by ourselves, we broke the bed." Buffy reminds Faith. "You know if we do it again…"
"I know, I know." Faith grins as a thought occurs to her. "We could always put the mattress on the floor?"
"You know, that is an excellent idea, Faith." Tara mentions from the doorway. "I was actually thinking yesterday that once you get the garage fixed up, that would be a perfect place for you two."
"She's making us go to the garage?" Buffy looks at Faith trying not to laugh. "Are we bad dogs?"
Faith snorts back a laugh. "She's going to be smacking us on the nose with a newspaper next."
"I'm going to buy you both damn collars and leashes if you keep this up." Tara growls before walking further into the kitchen. "Or better yet, muzzles." Tara opens the oven door, checking on the fries and pulls one of the burgers out checking to see how they are coming along. "Probably needs another ten to fifteen minutes."
Tara eases around behind Faith and wraps her arms around her waist. "So what are we going to do for the next ten or fifteen minutes, hmm?" Tara chuckles quietly before leaning in and nipping gently at the slayer's neck. Raising one hand, she shifts her hair out of the way and nibbles her way along the back her neck. Licking firmly, Tara hums in enjoyment.
Faith groans out as Tara nibbles and licks her neck. As she feels Buffy leaning against her from the front and starts assaulting her jaw and neck, she opens her eyes and mutters "Oh, Fuck."
Tara chuckles, running her hand up under the slayer's shirt, tracking it across her abdomen, tickling her fingertips across the scar. "What's the matter, Faith?"
"This is so not fair." Faith growls out as Buffy runs her hand up, tweaking her nipple through her clothes.
"Hmmm. I think the foods probably done." Tara winks at Buffy as she pulls away to check on the food in the oven, while Buffy goes to the refrigerator, leaving Faith standing by herself.
"You both are cruel and mean." Faith growls out stomping out of the kitchen, to the laughter of Buffy and Tara.
"That was kind of mean." Tara offers as she pulls the hamburgers and french fries out of the oven.
"Yeah, it was. But it was fun." Buffy smirks before giggling uncontrollably.
"We are so going to pay for this." Tara murmurs grabbing down the plates.
"Probably." Buffy agrees, taking the salad to the dining room table before coming back and grabbing the plates and silverware.
Tara shakes her head taking the plate piled high with the burgers to the dining room and coming back for the fries and her veggie burger.
Faith grumbles passing them going into the kitchen to grab the rolls and condiments. Plopping them down on the table, she sits down and prepares a double cheeseburger with everything and grabs the fries to slide some on her plate before munching down on the burger.
Dawn sits down making herself a burger looking from the grumpy Faith to her sister and Tara who are trying not to laugh. "What did you two do?"
"Nothing, Dawnie." Tara smirks chuckling as she fixes her burger.
"Yeah, right. Nothing Dawnie." Faith sarcastically mimics Tara's tone chomping on her sandwich almost viciously.
"I think I'm going to finish my dinner and go over to Janice's." Dawn decides out loud, "As a matter of fact, I think I'll call now to make sure it's okay for me to go over for a few hours." Dawn quickly stands up heading into the kitchen.
Tara looks towards Buffy who's quietly eating her sandwich glancing up occasionally to watch Faith. Shaking her head, Tara decides to be quiet for the time being.
"I can go over." Dawn comes back out to the dining room, sitting down and quickly eating her dinner.
Tara slowly eats her sandwich and occasionally takes a bite of her salad watching Faith eat three double cheeseburgers.
Dawn takes her dishes into the kitchen and comes back out. "I'll see you guys before it gets dark. Bye!" She unlocks the door and quickly leaves the house.
Buffy grumbles and stands up to lock the door behind the teen before coming to sit back down. Fixing another burger she slowly munches on it, watching as Faith finishes her dinner.
Tara smiles slightly as she stands up walking around the table to stand behind Faith. As Faith slides the chair back before getting read to stand, Tara lightly places her hands on her shoulders, keeping her in the chair. Running her hands from her shoulders down her chest to gently cup her breasts. Leaning down, placing her mouth against Faiths ear, she whispers "Would you like me to do all kinds of wicked things to you? Make up for teasing you?" Tara pinches the slayer's nipples strongly, while nipping at the ear she was whispering in.
Faith groans at the dual pleasure. Reaching up, she places her hands over top Tara's hands, pressing them in snug against her breasts. "What kind of wicked things?"
"Hmm." Tara licks up her neck before biting down gently. "What kind of wicked things do you want me to do?"
Growling Faith closes her eyes as Buffy straddles her lap, gently pushing Tara's hands to the side so she can pinch her nipples almost roughly while Tara's biting more firmly down her neck. "This is good for starters." Faith mutters.
"You know…" Tara trails off easing the slayer's shirt up off her to lick across her shoulders before gently unhooking her bra.
"Know what?" Faith growls out lowly as Buffy finishes pulling her bra off before leaning down and nipping at her nipples.
"This isn't exactly the best place, or the most comfortable place to do wicked things to you at." Tara murmurs between licks.
Faith grunts quietly in agreement.
Tara glances up making eye contact with Buffy. "Buffy, could you?"
Buffy grins sliding off Faith's lap, making her moan in displeasure before yelling Buffy's name as Buffy throws her over her shoulder and runs up the stairs, with a giggling Tara quickly following.