A/N thanks for the reviews everyone.

Chapter Eleven

Buffy paced nervously in the living room. Anya had shoed her out of the upstairs area earlier when she decided she was going to help Tara get ready. Buffy couldn't recall a time in which she felt so jittery before a date but she felt good about the feeling. It felt as if she were going on her first date ever, which is just what she was doing in a sense.

Her relationship with Angel was a good one for the most part but not much in way of formal dates. She had dates with Riley but tenseness due to secrets on both sides stopped that encounter from being as free flowing as it should have been. With Tara, there was none of that, just a first date between two women who knew everything there was to know about each other and Buffy hoped it would go well.

Tara came down the stairs dressed casually in a nice skirt and top that accentuated the beauty in her eyes and face. Buffy was dressed casually too, in jeans and a frilly top with a stake tucked away in her jacket pocket. "Are you ready?" Buffy asked as she looked at the floor.

"Sure, Tara said with a smile on her face as Dawn grinned widely at the two women from the kitchen.

"Anya," Buffy's eyes questioned the ex demon as she took hold of Tara's hand and turned towards the door.

"Yes Buffy," Anya said in response to the glance. She knew she was to keep an eye out on Dawn tonight and couldn't have agreed more with Buffy's distaste in Dawn's latest crush.

"Well then, we're off." Buffy flashed a smile at Dawn and Anya as she and Tara left the house.

The two walked a short distance to a small cafe where Buffy had made reservations for dinner. She wasn't made of money but she wanted to do something especially nice for Tara. Tara had done so much for her and she wanted to show her appreciation plus the added bonus of making a good impression on the first date.

"This is a nice restaurant," Tara said with a slight stammer as the two were seated at their table.

Buffy noticed the stammer was still there and began to realize just what this stammer meant. It was a stammer that arose when Tara either liked someone and was fearful of rejection or felt inferior in the presence of someone. Buffy hoped beyond all hopes the stammer was because Tara liked her. "Mom and I used to come here for celebrations and this is a celebration." Buffy beamed happily. "It's a celebration of me coming home in the truest sense and getting a date with the most genuine person anyone could ever know."

Tara smiled at Buffy. Her relationship with Willow was great but Willow seemed to spend most of her time trying to impress someone in order to meet their approval or get them to like her. Buffy was just Buffy. An honest, compassionate person whom sometimes lacked in the common sense department but she was a real package. What you saw was what you got with Buffy and Tara liked that. She knew deep within there would be no surprises down the road and that pleased her greatly.

The two sipped glasses of wine while their dinner of steak and potatoes with a salad was being prepared. "Tara, I'm so glad we got the chance to do this." Buffy smiled as the waiter brought the food to the table.

"So am I Buffy," Tara said having enjoyed the small talk between them while they had waited on their meal.

Buffy held up her newly poured glass of wine. "Here's to new beginnings," the two clanged their glasses together lightly with content looks on their faces and relaxed body language to go with it.

Tara took Buffy's hand and gently kissed it. "Thanks Buffy."

"For what?" Buffy questioned with growing hopes there would be more soft Tara kisses later.

"For being you," Tara said as they began to eat.

After the meal, Buffy stood and walked over to Tara. "So would you like to dance?"

"I'm not very good at it but sure," Tara said following Buffy to the dance floor.

Buffy had watched Tara and Willow dance the night of Tara's birthday party and knew Tara was a graceful dancer. She drew the shy woman closer and the two began to dance with a few light kisses shared during the dance.

Buffy felt so at ease dancing with Tara, as if she was finally where she belonged snuggled safely in Tara's loving arms. She had never willingly admitted before that even the slayer wanted to feel safe and secure rather than always having to be the one to secure. These were feelings she'd always had though but had to push them back in her mind because it was her duty to be the strong one. With Tara though, she knew she didn't have to always be so strong and that Tara would do her best to secure Buffy as she would Tara. "Tara this is great, I'm enjoying your company more than I have anyone's in, since I can remember." Buffy said then lightly kissed Tara's soft lips.

"Me too Buffy," Tara said with a smile and returned the kiss. "I feel like the world is at peace again for me at least."

That is exactly how Tara truly felt. She once believed Willow would be the only one who could give her such a feeling of happiness and security but was blessed with a second chance at this feeling. She planned to do all she could to not mess this chance up as well as to make Buffy happy. Buffy warmed Tara's heart and filled it with happiness and Tara hoped she would be able to return the feelings in Buffy's heart, which had seen much sorrow and sacrifice.

As their dancing ended, Buffy pulled Tara in a closer embrace and held her there for a moment. She felt as though her world could stay at this point forever and she would be happy with no regrets. "Tara, you're such an amazing person. I really want to spend as much time with you as possible. I want us to get to know each other on a higher level and to share all the happy times this hellmouth will let us share."

A smile beamed across Buffy's face as Tara simply nodded in agreement to what she had just said. "I would be happy to spend my time with you Buffy," Tara said and kissed her again.

- - - - - - - -

Anya paced the living room of the Summers house nervously. Dawn had done well all evening and gone up to bed early. Anya noticed that Dawn had left her book on the table so took it up in case Dawn was doing homework. When she entered the room, she caught a glimpse of Spike easing the teen out the window. When Spike gave her a look, she knew right away that this was some form of plot to antagonize Buffy so decided to not interrupt the date and waited on the two women to get home.

The door opened and Anya greeted the two smiling women with a disgusted look on her face. "Dawn has gone off with Spike. I couldn't get hold of Xander; he must not be back yet from his work trip."

Buffy's eyes glazed over with anger. "Why didn't you call?"

"Buffy," Tara said calmly and gave Buffy a reassuring glance. "Not now, just find Dawnie."

Buffy knew Tara was right and shot out of the house in a sprint after telling for the two women to stay put. "Tara I really didn't mean to," Tara smiled at Anya to reassure her it was all right.

- - - - - - - - -

"Bit, it's all good," Spike leaned back in his chair with a crooked smile on his face. "Buffy shouldn't get mad; after all, we're two people who enjoy each other's company."

Dawn smiled as Spike touched her hand. The two had been out of the house for two hours and had several drinks. "I'm having a good time," Dawn said oblivious to Spike's advances though she did enjoy his soft caresses on her hand.

He leaned over and kissed her aggressively. She was into it at first and returned the kiss then began to pull back as his hands began to wander beneath her shirt. "What's wrong Bit," Spike chuckled. "I thought you liked me, this is what people do when they're attracted to one another."

He drew her on his lap and began to kiss her more as he fondled her breast. "Spike stop!" Dawn shouted as she grew more afraid.

He backhanded her straight away. "You Summers women are teases, you won't get away with this Bit!" As he leaned over the fallen teenager a fuming slayer burst through the crypt door.