Chapter 4
Kelly woke up, got dressed and went downstairs to make coffee. 'Damn, where's the coffee at? Hell, maybe I should ask where the foods at - all that's here seems to be leftovers in the refrigerator and milk. Doesn't Buffy eat anything besides take-out? Well, I can definitely pick up some groceries while I'm out. Guess it's time to get the trainers on and go for my morning run.'
Buffy woke up to the smell of coffee. 'Coffee, mmm. Wait, I don't have any coffee. Actually, I smell food. What?'
Buffy trotted downstairs to the kitchen and stopped dead in the doorway.
"Good morning. I hope I didn't wake you. Do you want some coffee? What do you take in it? I also am making you some breakfast. Sausage links, hash browns and eggs. How do you like your eggs?" Kelly asked over her shoulder.
"Uh, two sugars in the coffee and I'll take the eggs any way you feel like fixing them. I'm not too picky. Umm, not that I'm complaining or anything, but the last time I checked I didn't have any coffee or food in the house to speak of?" Buffy stated questioningly.
Kelly smirked at Buffy saying "Buffy, that's putting it mildly. No coffee, no food whatsoever. Unless you want to count the milk and leftovers in the fridge. Which, I threw all of it out - it all pretty much looked questionable on the good side and fuzzy on the bad side! I went out for a run this morning, stopped at the corner store and picked up a few things on the way back. I grabbed the extra set of keys to let myself back in, I hope you don't mind." Kelly placed a plate in front of Buffy with the eggs done over easy along with the links hash browns and a couple slices of toast. She turned around and grabbed a coffee cup putting the requested two sugars in and filled her coffee cup and proceeded to sit down across from Buffy.
"Aren't you going to eat? By the way, this is great. I'm not much with the cooking. Pretty much, Tara is the only one out of all of us that can cook. Since her and Will moved out, I haven't been having too many home-cooked meals except when they have me over a couple times a week." Buffy stated easily around a mouth full of food. "Go ahead and keep the keys on you for future use, you'll need it with staying here."
"Thanks. I appreciate that. I had a couple pieces of toast while I was fixing you breakfast. I'm not a big breakfast eater. More of a coffee drinker. We probably need to discuss a few things. While I'm staying here, I'll be more than happy to take care of buying the groceries and fixing the food. One thing I can do is cook. Let me know what you like to eat, besides take out" Kelly grinned at Buffy with that comment "and I'll get to fixing anything you like. Are you allergic to any foods? I always ask, with Tara being allergic to shrimp it kind of got me in that habit when I was younger."
"Kelly, you don't have to earn your keep. Not that I'll complain with you fixing the occasional home-cooked meal" Buffy laughed. "I'm not allergic to anything and I like pretty much everything."
"I won't stay here unless I can help you out. I'm gonna go hop in the shower and get dressed. Would you mind telling me where the local bank is? I need to open up an account and take care of some other business around town today, if possible."
"No problem, I don't have anywhere to be today and I'd be happy to show you around town." Buffy said with a grin. "Hope you don't mind hoofing it - I don't have a vehicle. Me and vehicles…. Let's just say, bad news!" Buffy laughingly stated.
"No problem, that's one of the things I hope to get taken care of today. Finish your breakfast - there's some more links and hash browns in the skillets, if you want them. I'll be back after I take a shower and get ready." Kelly rinsed her coffee cup out in the sink and headed out of the kitchen.
'Damn, she cooks, seems extremely nice, she's gorgeous whoa where did that thought come from? Hetro Gal here - remember? I think Willow and Tara may be rubbing off on me.' Buffy shakes her head to herself and pours herself another cup of coffee and eats the rest of the food left from breakfast. 'Mmmm hash browns, sausage links, eggs and coffee for breakfast. I can definitely get used to this!'
"So, where all do you need to hit today besides the bank?" Buffy asked Kelly as they walked.
"Well, the bank is the first and most important. After that, I definitely need to hit the mall. Pretty much all I have is my t-shirts and military garb. I need to pick up some regular clothes. I'd like to buy either a truck or an SUV. Maybe we could stop in and see Tara, if that's okay?"
"Well, Tara has a free period combined with lunch on Fridays - so she's free from 11:30 to 1:00 so we can probably hit there after the bank. There's a couple car dealerships down the road from the high school. We have a mall on the outskirts of town that we can hit for clothes. I'm always up for a shopping trip" Buffy grinned.
"I appreciate your help, Buffy. You don't mind being a guide do you? If you do, I could always call a cab and tell the driver where to take me?" Kelly said with a questioning tone.
"No problem. Plus the fact that Tara would probably have my butt in a sling if I didn't show you around! She seems really happy to have you here. I'm glad your not like the rest of her family." Buffy stated quietly.
"That's something you don't have to worry about Buffy. I just wish I could have been there for her. Maybe made things easier. Unfortunately, we can't change the past. No matter how much I wish I could. I'm just glad she found such caring people to have in her life. Speaking of which, you were ready to kick my ass back in the Magic Shop, weren't you?" Kelly laughingly asked, trying to lighten the mood back up.
"You have no idea! I thought for sure you were Tara's old girlfriend and the way she acted…let's just say it made my heart stop for a moment. Willow and Tara have been together for what seems forever. And I have never seen two people more meant for each other. Then you, this tall, buff, great looking Amazon-type woman comes in the store and Tara is literally hanging off you in the next instant!" Buffy stated without even thinking about what she was saying. "I couldn't believe it. Luckily everything got cleared up quickly, or you would have had me and Willow kicking your ass" Buffy said while shaking her head with a smile on her face.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me." Kelly smiles down at Buffy.
"What, that I was going to kick your ass? You definitely need to have your head examined if that makes you happy" Buffy stated unbelievingly looking at Kelly.
Laughing loudly, Kelly grins "The fact that Tara has 'family' that loves her and will protect her makes me extremely happy, Buffy. And that's what you are, her family. Just from being around you this short period of time, I can tell you love her. You have that Mama Bear attitude when you talk about her and Willow. That makes me happy beyond words." Kelly teasingly adds, "so, you think I'm good looking, huh?"
"Wha-" Buffy starts then blushes lightly looking down at the ground. "I did say that, didn't I? Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. You won't hear me complaining! Even though, I might suggest you get your eyes examined while my head is being examined!" Kelly laughs to let her know that everything was okay.
"Looks like we're at the bank. This will probably take a little while. Do you want to wait?"
"I'll head over to the Espresso Pump across the street. You can meet me over there when your done." Buffy while pointing to the coffee shop
"I'll be done as quickly as I can. Thanks again." Kelly stated smiling.
"No problem. See you in a little bit" Buffy waves as she crosses the street.
'Buffy definitely is gorgeous. I wonder if I have any chance whatsoever?' Kelly thinks to herself as she heads into the bank.
Kelly walks into the Espresso Pump 45 minutes later as Buffy is finishing her second mocha. "Do you want another one? My treat." Kelly asks Buffy, glancing at her drink.
"Sure, even though I will probably spend the rest of the afternoon hitting the bathroom!" Buffy grins.
"It's a little after 11:00 - do we want to walk and drink at the same time? I don't know how long it will take to get to the high school" Kelly asks questioningly.
"Sure, we can start heading towards the high school. It will probably take around 15 minutes to walk there. So, I take it, you got everything taken care of at the bank?"
"Yeah, took a little longer than I had hoped. But after a few phone calls I got everything situated. I'm afraid I may have broken the bank - figuratively speaking." Kelly laughingly stated. "I don't think they were ready for me to take out a big chunk of their cash today - but with the amount I transferred into their bank they didn't complain too much."
"Damn, you must have pulled out a lot of cash to make a bank want to complain." Buffy stated. "If I can ask, how did you get that kind of cash. Oh, God, I'm sorry. Forget I asked that. It's none of my business."
"Yeah, well since I need to buy a vehicle and clothes, among other things I figured the quickest route for the majority of that is cash. Plus when you've spent basically 20 years in the service and don't spend hardly any of the money and just sock it away and invest it, it adds up." Kelly looks at Buffy with a serious look in her eye. "Buffy, feel free to ask me anything. If I don't want to answer, I'll let you know. But other than a few things in my past, I'm pretty much an open book. So, please, feel free to ask anything. Of course, I may decide to ask questions back," Kelly sort of asks with a questioning lift of her eyebrow and a smirk.
'Oh boy, I think I see a little bit of resemblance with Tara with that eyebrow lift. She also has a wicked looking smirk.' Buffy shakes her head to herself, 'Why am I noticing things like this. I don't usually pay attention to other women.'
"Well, I guess it's only fair that your able to ask questions back. So, feel free to ask away." Buffy said smiling slightly. "I probably owe you a couple dozen by now."
"Nah, start fresh starting right now. So, first question. Hmmm, personal or general? Decisions, decisions." Kelly grins wickedly looking at Buffy from the corner of her eye. Oh, Buffy looks slightly scared. Maybe I shouldn't start off with anything too hard. "Okay, easy question first off. Would it be okay if I joined you for patrols? I want to make myself useful. Plus that will give me a chance to keep in shape." Kelly started laughing at the look on Buffy's face. "You thought I was going to ask something else, didn't you? Just what did you think I was going to ask?"
Buffy shakes her head then grins at Kelly "Well, it wasn't that. Actually I don't know what I thought you were going to ask. I guess you can go out on patrol with me. But I withhold the right to say yeah or nay after seeing you in action."
Oh, I really shouldn't but I just can't help myself, "See me in action, huh? Anytime, anyplace girlfriend. Even though I got the feeling you don't swing my way. If you decide to, please let me know," Kelly started laughing so hard at the look on Buffy's face that she had to stop and lean down to grab her knees. "Oh, God Buffy. I don't think I've laughed that hard in years. The look on your face is priceless."
"Ohh, you," Buffy growled as she smacked Kelly on the arm. "I'm gonna tell Tara on you."
"Oww. Now that's just downright mean. Telling on me to my sister. She'll kick my ass from here to the next millennium. And that just isn't right! I don't know if it's a plus that we're here at the high school now or not" Kelly grins at Buffy.
"It might be a good thing, Or I might have had time to kick your butt. Then I would have to explain to your sister why you are all broken and bruised" Buffy grinned back at Kelly to let her know she was kidding.
Kelly and Buffy proceed into the high school about 11:20. Buffy and Kelly stop outside Tara's classroom door watching Tara give the homework assignments for the weekend amidst groans. Tara caught the movement from the corner of her eye and turned to smile lovingly at Kelly.
"Okay class. You have about five minutes left, so you can either start your assignment or talk quietly amongst yourselves until the bell." Tara stated while walking towards the class room door. "Buffy, Kelly come on in. I didn't realize you were going to come by today."
"Well, I thought we could come by and take my favorite sister out for lunch. Buffy decided to come along for the free meal," Kelly laughs at the look Buffy gives her for that comment.
"Buffy is always up for a meal. I swear, I don't know how that girl stays so skinny." Tara gives her a lopsided grin. "To have her metabolism, boy, wouldn't that be something."
The bell rings and the students grab their stuff as they head out. Quite a few students wishing Tara a good weekend.
"Wow, when I went to school we didn't wish a teacher a good weekend, especially after giving us a homework assignment for the weekend!" Kelly pointed out to Tara with a grin, "They must have a crush on their beautiful English teacher."
Tara blushes and lightly smacks Kelly on her arm. "Stop that. Let me get my purse and then we can head out for lunch. Where are we going, anyway?"
"Damn, I've been smacked twice on the arm today. I must be doing something wrong. Or is it that I'm doing something right? Hmmm. Have to think on this some more!" Kelly grins first at Buffy then Tara.
"Buffy, are you smacking around my big sister? Kelly, is she picking on you? Do I need to straighten her out?" Tara smiles and winks at Buffy.
"Hmmff, straighten me out? Kelly's been the rotten one this morning. Taking everything I say the wrong way. Making me make comments that I wouldn't usually make. I think your sister is a very bad influence Tara. You need to have a serious chat with her about how things are done around here. How there is no picking on the mighty Slayer." Buffy states trying to look serious but not able to keep the smile off her face.
'Hmm, I haven't seen Buffy smiling this much in forever.' Tara thinks to herself. "So, Kelly. You're picking on the mighty Slayer, huh? Like living life dangerously? You may be taller than her and look stronger, but physically I believe she can still kick your butt. As long as you don't bring magic into play!" Tara smirks up at Kelly.
Kelly gets a mischievous glint in her eye and says, "I don't know what you two are talking about. I have been the absolute picture of innocence today. I have even fixed breakfast for Mighty Mouse here…"
"Hey! Mighty Mouse? Who are you calling Mighty Mouse, you overgrown Amazon! I'll have you know that I am much taller than Mighty Mouse! Oh, hell." Buffy starts muttering to herself at this point. "I have this feeling I'm gonna have a hard time keeping up with Kelly in the quip department."
By this time Tara and Kelly are both laughing at Buffy, catching Buffy's comment about the quips.
"Oh, poor Buffy. She's so used to only having to outwit the vampires that she's going to have to come up with all new comments to combat my sister." Tara grinningly states while deciding to watch how Buffy acts around Kelly.
While they were picking on each other they made it to a diner down the street from the school. Kelly opens the door and lets Buffy and Tara precede her in.
As they sit down, a pretty blonde waitress brings over three menus and three glasses of water. "What can I get you three to drink while you look over the menu?"
"I'll have a diet coke, please." Kelly smiles up at the waitress.
Buffy and Tara both state that just the water is fine.
The waitress grins at Kelly and says "I'll get your Diet Coke sweets. Then I'll get ya'll's order," as she heads over to get the soda.
Tara elbows Kelly in the side and looks at the waitress with a grin on her face. "Already making friends?"
Kelly glances to where Tara is looking. "What? Her? Nah, she's just being friendly is all. I'm too old for her, anyway."
"Kelly." Tara said with a warning tone.
"What?" Kelly stated with a confused look on her face. "What did I say to get that tone?"
"You are NOT old. So get that thought out of your head. Plus you are absolutely gorgeous and can have anyone you want." Tara grins.
"You have to say that - you're my sister. I think it's obligatory or something." Kelly smiles at Tara.
"Oh, you think so. Okay, we need to get another opinion here. Buffy, what do you think? Do you agree with me that Kelly is gorgeous?" Tara glances at Buffy, curious what she might say. Unfortunately, the waitress comes back with the Diet Coke for Kelly at that moment.
"Here you go sweets. And just to put my opinion in there, I'll agree she's gorgeous." Sherry, the waitress says smiling with what could only be considered a 'come hither' look at Kelly. "So, what can I get ya'll to eat?" Tara glanced at Buffy while the waitress was making her comments. Buffy had a look on her face that Tara couldn't quite place.
They place their orders and the waitress leaves to put their orders in.
"So. I don't think the waitress thinks your too old for her." Tara smirks.
"Aaargghh! Tara, I just got into town and found you. I want to take my time getting to know you and the people you consider a family before I even think about myself, okay?" Kelly states with enough seriousness for Tara to know she's not kidding, even with the smile.
"Fair enough. Subject change. Willow and I were talking this morning and, if it's okay with you Buffy, Willow and you can have a best friends day all day tomorrow. That way Kelly and I can get caught up on what's happened with both of us." Tara states looking from Buffy to Kelly. "I figure we can work out the particulars over dinner tonight?"
"Works for me. If you want, and if everyone likes, I can fix spaghetti for dinner tonight? Maybe invite Xander and Anya?" Kelly asks questioningly to both Tara and Buffy.
"I know everyone likes spaghetti. It sounds good to me, how about you Tara? You and Will feel like spaghetti at my house tonight? I'm sure Xander and Anya are up for it, if they don't have any other plans" Buffy states.
"Okay. Dinner a la Kelly tonight at the Summers' residence" Tara smiles. Then almost laughs out loud when the waitress sets their lunch down flirting with Kelly the whole time. She glances over at Buffy and grins even wider. She could swear that she had one of her 'I'm gonna stake your ass' looks on her face.
"Don't. Just, don't.." Kelly smiles while shaking her head at Tara after the waitress leaves.
They proceed to eat their lunch while talking about what Kelly and Buffy had planned for the rest of the afternoon.
The waitress comes back to ask if the want desert. Which no one did. Then proceeded to lay their check down along with another slip of paper and a wink at Kelly. "Hope to see you again, sweets."
"Thanks." Kelly says with a smile as she grabs the check and slip of paper. "My treat guys." she says as she lays the money on the table for their lunch.
As they walk out of the restaurant and get a few steps down the street Tara bumps Kellyand says "So, what did the other slip of paper say, huh?"
"Here, you can have it. I was planning on throwing it away when we came across a trash can." Kelly said as she hands it over to Tara.
Tara looks at it and starts laughing. She notices Buffy is trying to look at it without being to obvious. Tara just hands it to Buffy.
"God, could she get anymore forward?" Buffy states with a grimace as she hands the note back to Kelly. Kelly just shrugs while she crumbles up the note and throws it in a trash can that they are walking by. "What, you were serious about throwing it away? She was cute." Buffy stated with a surprised note in her voice.
"Buffy, if you want to call her, I can get the note back out of the trash can, if you would really like me too?" Kelly smirks at Buffy. "I mean, since you think she's cute and all."
Tara giggles and then stops quickly when Buffy turns her gaze on Tara. "She's your sister - can't you do something about her? Plus, you don't need to encourage her by laughing or thinking she's funny - it's just not right that me, the Slayer, has to put up with this" Buffy says pouting by the end of her dialogue.
"Oh, don't blame Tara. You put yourself in that position, so buck up and take it like a man, ooops, Slayer." Kelly says laughing while wrapping her arm around Tara's shoulder. "Sis, I'll protect you from the mean, evil Slayer. I won't let her pick on you, promise. You can laugh and egg me on all you want."
"Please, please don't put me between you two. If you guys are already acting like this, with not even knowing each other 24 hours, I'll hate to be around you in a weeks time….ooh, are we still having Christmas at my place?" Tara asks getting sidetracked thinking about next week.
Buffy just sighs shaking her head. 'what have I gotten myself into.' she thinks to herself. "Yes, if that's okay . Will you have furniture by then?"
"Yep. They are delivering the living room and dining room sets next week. I've already bought a turkey and ham for dinner. Anya is making some vegetable dishes. I've picked up some other odds and ends. Are you still picking up a couple pies from the bakery Buffy?"
"Can I interrupt for a sec? I can make or bring some items too. Actually, I can bake a couple pies along with make some homemade yeast rolls for dinner, if you want?" Kelly interjects.
"That would be great. I'll double-check with Anya to see what she's bringing and get together to see if there's anything else we need. Dawnie is still coming home for Christmas break, right Buffy?" Tara asks.
"Yep. She should be getting in sometime Friday. I should probably call her and let her know that there's a strange person in the house, that way if I'm not home when she gets in, she'll know who you are." Buffy smirks up at Kelly, getting a dig in.
"Weak, slayer. Very, very weak. You are definitely going to have to do better than that." Kelly smiles down at Buffy as they get back to the high school. Kelly gives Tara a hug and says "Buffy's around 7:00 tonight? That should give us plenty of time for us to do some more shopping and still leave me time to make dinner."
Tara smiles and nods her head. "You two try and stay out of trouble this afternoon, okay?" Tara shakes her head to herself. 'These two together seem like they could cause some serious havoc.'
"No promises. Mighty Mouse here likes to start all kinds of things, and I just can't help but finish them!" laughs Kelly. "Love you. See you tonight."
Buffy pouts and stomps her foot. "I am NOT Mighty Mouse. Just wait, when you least expect it, I'm gonna take you down." Buffy groans to herself as she realizes what she said.
"See, Sis. She just gives me all kinds of openings to make all kinds of comments. But she thinks it's my fault!" Kelly looks at Tara and winks.
Tara just laughs and shakes her head. "Please try and behave. See you guys tonight." She waves and heads into the high school.
"Okay MM. Let's go to the shopping and see what kind of havoc we can cause at the dealership and the stores." Kelly grins as she pokes Buffy in the ribs.
"What have I gotten myself into." Buffy moans and they head out to continue their day.
Author's Note: Please Read and Review! Moonjava-Thanks for the first review. Glad your liking it - hope other people are too!