Reviews:
Gina - Thank you!
Dee - Be careful, or I'll get out the wet noodle next time!
Sink - Oh, Tara can get fiery alright! She fluctuates from being the nice easy going witch to a very adamant, put her foot down person. Depending on the situation - which I think is a good thing. her character should have done more of that on the show!
Chapter 3
Tara chuckles quietly at Anya. "So you would like me to work from 4:00 - 8:00 every evening, and we'll alternate Saturdays?"
"Yes. If you can, maybe you can come in and open the shop earlier, when I am away on my honeymoon, after Xander and I get married." Anya smiles hopefully at the witch. "I was planning on just closing the shop, but I don't want to miss out on making money."
"I can do that." Tara smiles softly at the ex-demon, as she helps her restock the shelves.
"Of course, you can study while it's quiet. We discussed that before." Anya thinks heavily. "I will pay you once a week. Friday, if that is okay?"
"Hold back a week?" Tara questions, as she closes the jar she just finished filling.
Anya frowns. "I don't like doing that."
"Well, if you want, my pay period can go from Friday through Thursday? That way, this Friday, you'll pay me for working Monday through Thursday of this week." Tara makes the offer.
"I like that idea. That is what I'll do. Leave a note on the desk Thursday night with your total hours, and I'll write your check on Fridays, when I come in." Anya smiles happily at getting this taken care of.
"Anything else need to be re-stocked?" Tara questions quietly giving the shelves the once-over, not noticing anything.
"No, that was all. Thank you for your help." Anya nods at the witch.
"Well, technically, you're paying me for it, Anya." Tara smiles indulgently at the ex-demon.
"That is true. But it doesn't hurt to say thank you." Anya looks around, sighing quietly. "It is going to feel weird getting home early."
"Look at it this way, it'll give you time to finish getting ready for your wedding." Tara smiles as she grabs her books, sitting them on the counter.
"Tara?" Anya questions quietly looking at the witch, with a slight look of trepidation.
Tara glances up, making eye contact with Anya. "What is it?"
"I was wondering, if you would be my Maid of Honor." Anya asks hopefully. "I understand you're monetarily challenged at this moment, and I would pay for your dress."
Tara blinks in surprise. "I, I don't know what to say."
"Say, yes." Anya whispers. "I consider you my one true friend, out of everyone."
Tara swallows and nods her head. "I would be honored, to be your Maid of Honor, Anya."
Anya jumps up, hugging Tara tightly. "Thank you very, very much." Pulling away she frowns. "That was just a best friend hug. I was not wishing to have lesbian sex with you."
Tara bites back a laugh. "I understand, Anya. You like men." Tara can't help the big grin crossing her face. Yes, she honestly likes the ex-vengeance demon. Part of the woman's charm, is her bluntness.
"Oh, that isn't it." Anya waves her hand airily. "I have been with hundreds of women. It's just that I am with Xander right now."
"You've been with women?" Tara questions, surprised.
"Oh, yes." Anya nods her head smiling. "I am over 1200 years old, do you honestly think, in all that time, I haven't played both sides of the fence? My, the number of times I've been the rebound person for women. That has been known to be some of the best sex imaginable." Anya nods her head, narrowing her eyes briefly, looking at Tara. "I bet you are a wildcat in the sack. It is too bad I am with Xander."
Tara blushes deeply, quickly grabbing a textbook, opening it.
Anya laughs heartily. "Don't think I didn't notice all the times you and Willow would sneak off, up into the stacks, or down in the basement. You two were very active, weren't you?"
"Anya, please." Tara whispers embarrassed. "I don't think this is the proper place to be discussing this."
Anya looks around the empty shop. "Why not? It isn't like anybody is in here, right now. Tell me honestly, you were very active, weren't you?"
Tara sighs, shaking her head. "Yes, Anya. We were very active. Most days it was four or five times." Not believing she's actually talking about her sex life with Anya, Tara giggles. Watching as Anya bites her lip, trying not to laugh, Tara narrows her eyes briefly, considering the ex-demon. All of a sudden, a light bulb goes off in Tara's mind. "You talk about sex all the time just to irritate people, and make them uncomfortable, don't you?"
Anya closes her eyes as the laughter bubbles up. Sitting down at the table, she grins.
Tara laughs, and walks around to join the woman at the table. "Why do you do it?"
"Shock value. It's hilarious to see everyone turning different shades of red, seeing how long it takes to make them angry at me." Anya smirks. "It's good entertainment."
Tara shakes her head, relaxing completely. "Does Xander know why you do it?"
"Oh, no. He thinks I do it because that's just the way I am. He still hasn't caught on to the fact I like to get a rise out of everyone. Even though, I must admit, you weren't as easy to get a rise out of, as everyone else." Anya tilts her head considering the witch. "I can usually get you to blush, but you never seem to get angry or mad at me."
Tara smirks at Anya. "Probably cause I got a little entertainment out of watching you irritate everyone, too."
Anya laughs, nodding her head. "I knew it. You aren't going to tell on me, are you?"
Tara shakes her head, smiling. "Your secret's safe with me."
"Thank you." Anya smiles genuinely at the witch. "Willow made a huge mistake screwing up your relationship. You are a very wonderful, caring, beautiful woman." Anya's eyes dip down to Tara's cleavage, as a wicked look crosses her face. "With very beautiful breasts." Wiggling her eyebrows at Tara.
Tara laughs heartily and shakes her head. "I'm onto you now. I won't be as easily embarrassed."
"Damn." Anya grumbles, before smirking. "I'll just have to try harder."
Tara stands up grinning to walk behind the counter. Sitting on the stool, she opens her book back up and flips her notebook open. "Thanks for the job, Anya."
"You're welcome." Anya smiles softly before walking around and hugging Tara. "If you need anything, please let me know."
Tara watches Anya, seeing the sincerety in the woman's face. "Thank you."
"Have a wonderful night, hopefully you'll make lots of money." Anya reaches down grabbing her purse before heading for the door.
"I hope so." Tara murmurs as she watches Anya walk out the door, smiling at the ex-vengeance demon. "You are so rotten." Tara shakes her head before getting back to studying.
AAAAAAAAAA
Tara finishes counting down the drawer, smiling at the fact she had a very good night. Hoping it will continue, she locks the deposit in the safe, ready for Anya the next day. Placing the drawer back in the register, Tara sits back down, waiting for 8:00 to get here. Hearing the bell above the door tinkle, she looks up ready to greet the customer, when she smiles seeing Buffy.
"Body guard, reporting for duty." Buffy smirks as she walks into the shop, plopping down on one of the chairs at the table.
"You don't have to walk me home." Tara shakes her head at the slayer.
"Yep, I do." Buffy nods her head, propping her feet up on the table. "I have to keep you safe, so you can yell at me when I'm being stupid."
"Buffy." Tara groans dropping her head down on the counter. "I am so, so sorry for that."
"Nope. Not accepting the apology. You need to take me down, whenever I try to take the blame for stuff I can't help." Buffy shakes her head, smiling softly. Kind of enjoying making Tara squirm. "Hell, you might need to yell at me, at least, every other day. I mean, you sure got my attention when you said the 'f' word." Buffy nods her head before laughing, as Tara blushes.
"You aren't going to let me live that down, are you?" Tara mumbles.
"Not anytime soon." Buffy admits.
"Figures." Tara looks up at the clock. "Time to go." She slings her book bag over her shoulder, as Buffy stands up, pushing the chair back under the table. Both women companionably, walking towards the front door. Tara stops and sets the alarm before they walk out. Turning, Tara laughs, as Buffy quickly locks the door for her. "I meant to ask you yesterday, but forgot. If you want, Dawn can come by here after school. That way if she needs any help with her homework." Tara offers quietly.
"That's fine with me. Check with Dawn. Maybe she can come after school on days she might need help." Buffy offers looking around, keeping her senses open for any demonic activity.
"Hmm. If it's an iffy thing, I'll want her to call each day. That way I'll know to expect her or not." Tara thinks, biting her lip briefly.
"Then that's what she'll do." Buffy smiles briefly. "How was your night?"
"Actually kind of busy, considering the fact there was no announcement, that we were going to be open later." Tara admits. "What about you? Did you do a small patrol?"
"Yeah, nabbed one vamp is all." Buffy looks around, her senses tingling just the tiniest bit. "I figured I'd walk you home, before going back out and doing a thorough search."
"I'm going to have to do up some dinners to throw in the freezer, so you guys can pull them out and bake them during the evening, so you won't be eating so late." Tara thinks out loud.
"You don't have to go to a lot of trouble. We can always throw a frozen pizza in the oven, have soup or sandwiches." Buffy stiffens slightly as she gets a whiff of cigarette smoke. Looking more intensely at the surrounding area, she doesn't see the bleached wonder, but she certainly feels a vampire nearby.
Tara notices Buffy stiffening. Knowing she hasn't said anything to irritate the slayer, she looks around. "See anything?" She questions quietly.
"No, but got a whiff of smoke, and felt a presence nearby." Buffy whispers. "He probably won't bother me when you're around. He'll probably wait 'til later, when I'm out on patrol." Buffy feels the presence melt away from her senses. Sighing quietly, she loosens up. "He's out of my range now."
Tara nods, clenching her jaw momentarily. "I didn't think about this before, but do you want me to re-do the vamp lock on the house?"
"Yes, please." Buffy jumps on the offer. "Shit." She whispers thinking about Dawn. "What am I going to tell Dawn? She'll probably invite him in."
Tara looks down, taking a deep breath. "I would say be honest with her, but she's your sister. It's your decision to make."
Buffy blinks before looking at the witch. "You want me to tell her I've been fucking Spike?"
"Well, not like that." Tara's eyes widen as she looks at the slayer. "Maybe explain to her that things got a little heated between you two, and you aren't comfortable with him coming into the house whenever he wants. Hopefully she won't be too upset over it. She kind of looks up to him."
"Great. My sister has a crush on a bleached blonde vampire." Buffy groans quietly. "Something else for her to hate me for." Buffy growls out quietly.
Tara shakes her head. "She doesn't hate you, Buffy. She loves you completely. You're her sister and a super hero, all rolled up into one. She idolizes you one moment, and thinks you're just her irritating sister, the next." Tara grins crookedly at the slayer.
"Thanks, that certainly clears things up." Buffy rolls her eyes, before grinning at the witch. "Are you going to need anything for the vamp lock?"
Shaking her head, Tara smiles. "No, I have the ingredients for it at the house. They're pretty common for most spells. I'll just want to re-check the incantation before casting it."
"Thanks." Buffy cocks her head slightly, thinking. "Let me know what I owe you for the ingredients."
"Don't worry about it. They aren't that much." Tara shakes off the offer. "Plus, I get a discount now." Tara smirks briefly as they head up the stairs and into the house. "Want me to stay for the talk?" Tara offers almost silently.
Buffy inhales deeply, looking into the calming gaze of the witch. "I think I got it. Thanks." Buffy watches as Tara nods her head, and quickly heads up the stairs. Buffy walks in to sit beside Dawn. "Dawn, I kind of need to speak to you about something."
Dawn frowns at the tone in Buffy's voice, before turning the television off. "We're not having another world ending apocalypse, are we?" Dawn questions half afraid.
Buffy shakes her head, her lip quirking up momentarily. "No, nothing like that. I just got to tell you something, and I would really, really appreciate if you didn't go off on me." Buffy winces looking at Dawn.
Dawn stiffens. "Tara isn't leaving, is she?" Dawn almost growls out, afraid Buffy that may have said something to upset the witch.
"No, no. A World of no." Buffy shakes her head, smiling briefly. "But it does have to do with Spike."
Dawn narrows her gaze on Buffy. "What to do with him?"
"Ummm." Buffy looks up at the ceiling, praying for help. Looking back at Dawn, she shakes her head. "Some things kind of happened between us, Dawn. I really don't want to get into specifics or anything, but I would feel more comfortable, if he wasn't invited into the house anymore."
Clenching her hands, Dawn considers her sister for a long moment. "What kind of things?" She hisses out.
Tara slowly walks down the stairs, hearing Dawn's question. Biting her lip she stops, waiting to see what happens.
"Dawn, can I please not go into it?" Buffy pleads.
"NO! He helped me, helped all of us, when you were…" Dawn swallows hard, her eyes shifting momentarily. "I don't understand, why all of a sudden, he isn't allowed here."
Tara takes a deep breath, and quickly walks down the rest of the stairs, to sit on the coffee table, in front of both Summers' women. Catching Buffy's scared, hurt gaze, she smiles reassuringly. Turning her gaze to look at an angry, scared Dawn, Tara reaches out and clasps the teen's hand, in both of hers.
"Dawnie, I know you want to understand everything, and want to be treated like a grown-up." Tara watches the teen, as she nods her head in agreement. "Some things are going to hurt. We all do things we really, truly regret doing." Tara looks pointedly at the teen.
Dawn shamefacedly looks down at her and Tara's hands. "Like my stealing."
"Yes, like your stealing. Like my own screw-ups in the past." Tara admits quietly. "None of us are perfect, Dawnie. But Buffy's asking you, to please, please understand, that there is a reason behind what she's requesting. Can you honor her wishes?"
Dawn looks up into calm blue eyes, before sliding her gaze to her sisters, noticing the scared, hurt look, in her eyes. Realizing that she's actually seeing emotions on her sister's face for the first time, since she's been back. Looking back at Tara, she whispers. "You know?"
Tara nods her head. "I know what's going on. Please, trust us, when we say this is for the best, Dawnie."
"You want to dis-invite him, also?" Dawn half whines. At Tara's nod, she feels tears coming to her eyes. "But he helped us, so much."
"Yes, Dawnie, he did. But one thing we have all got to remember, he is still a vampire. He has a chip in his head to keep him from hurting…us." Tara hesitates momentarily, realizing he could hurt Buffy, and that's one of the things she wants to stop. "But he can still hurt us mentally, turn us against each other. He's done it before, and quite easily, I might add."
Dawn thinks heavily before looking back up. "You bought him blood and cigarettes for helping out, didn't you?" She whispers quietly, remembering seeing Tara sitting a bag out on the back porch, that was gone less than ten minutes later.
Buffy looks up in surprise at the witch, as that little grain of information, makes itself known.
"Sometimes." Tara admits quietly, shifting her gaze away.
Buffy narrows her eyes as she notices the way the witch didn't keep eye contact, something she always does, unless she's embarrassed by something. Knowing that she wasn't embarrassed right now. "How often and how much?" Buffy growls out quietly.
Tara shakes her head, not answering the questions. "Dawnie, I want your word that you won't invite him in, can you do that?"
Dawn nods her head slowly. "I promise." Standing up, and gently squeezing Tara's hand briefly, Dawn's lip quirks. "I need to finish my homework."
"If you need any help, let me know." Tara watches as Dawn walks up the stairs to her room. Sighing, Tara stands, picking the herbs up for the spell that she had laid down on the coffee table beside her.
"Tara-" Buffy starts at the same time Tara starts speaking.
"I'll get the vampire lock done. You might want to go ahead, and go on patrol." Tara doesn't give the slayer a chance to say anything else, as she starts the incantation while dropping the herbs into the smoking bowl, as she walks around the living room, through the dining room, to the kitchen.
Buffy growls deeply, feeling a hot, burning anger, working it's way through her body thinking about Spike, insisting on the kind-hearted witch keeping him in blood and cigarettes, in exchange for helping them out. Walking stiffly over to her weapon chest, she yanks out a couple extra stakes and a short sword, she straps to her back, before yanking her jacket on. Slamming out of the house, she quickly heads out on patrol, praying that the bleached wonder makes a showing.