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Chapter 8

"Buffy, please give it up already." Tara whimpers quietly as Buffy starts on her soapbox about Tara going out on a date. "We've already been over this like a dozen times." Tara grumbles as she finishes restocking the shelves as Buffy helps. After Anya left, Buffy made it a habit to come in early to help her around the store before walking her back home.

"When's Anya supposed to be back?" Buffy changes the subject for the time being.

"Any day." Tara smiles looking over at Buffy. Happy the woman has become more outgoing and even flirtatious at times. Looking away Tara frowns, feeling her heart getting heavy at the thought she has come to care for Buffy as more than just a friend. Shaking her head at the futility, she finishes filling the eye of newt jar. As the bell above the door chimes, Tara turns to greet the customer when she yells. "ANYA!" Running around the counter she hugs the woman tightly before releasing her. Stepping back, she eyes her up and down. "I must say, you're looking good. Love the new hair color."

"Thank you." Anya smiles. "Got my hair colored, stayed at this really nice resort where they pampered me day and night." Sighing dramatically before flicking an imaginary piece of lint off her trouser suit, she glances back up. "I feel a 100 percent better."

"Good." Tara smiles happily.

Buffy slowly eases up to Anya, not real sure how to greet her, when Anya gives her a brief, but genuine hug. "I'm glad you're doing better." Buffy smiles at Anya.

"Thank you, Buffy." Anya turns around looking at the shop, smiling. "I see you've kept up on everything nicely while I was gone. What else have you two been up to?"

Tara groans and walks back behind the counter to finish filling the jars.

"Please tell her she needs to go out on a date." Buffy looks imploringly at the ex-demon.

"She does." Anya nods her head walking over to lean against the counter. "Would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow night?" Anya questions Tara, making her drop the bag of dried wolfs bane she had just finished sealing.

Buffy's jaw drops almost as much as her heart does at Anya's question. Quickly closing her mouth, she turns away to get control of herself.

Tara looks at Anya with shocked blue eyes. "You're a-asking me out on a date?" Tara whispers quietly.

"Yes." Anya nods her head looking seriously at the witch. "I like you. I have always liked you. You have always been kind and understanding. You are beautiful, thoughtful and a wonderful person. Why wouldn't I want to date you?" Anya questions tilting her head at Tara.

'Why indeed.' Buffy mentally castigates herself, wondering why she never had the nerve to ask Tara out. 'Because you're afraid of what other people might say. Because you're an idiot is more the case.' Buffy frowns heavily at her own stupidity before plastering a smile on her face and burying her own feelings deep down, to hopefully never be heard from again.

"You're not…" Tara trails off, wondering if this was Anya trying to get a rise out of her for some reason.

"Very serious." Anya crosses her heart, smiling softly. "Would you go out with me tomorrow, Tara?"

Tara blinks her eyes a couple times as she allows the idea to sink in. Swallowing, she looks into the hopeful brown eyes of the ex-demon before glancing briefly at Buffy. Seeing the somewhat plastic smile on Buffy's face, she frowns momentarily.

"You should." Buffy nods her head in agreement. "I mean, you both already know each other. You've been friends for years. If you're both willing to see if it could be more, why not?" Buffy looks from one woman to the other. "I mean, as long as you don't think you'll ruin your friendship, in case it doesn't work out."

Tara watches Buffy for a moment before nodding her head, coming to a decision. Smiling she looks back at Anya. "I would love to go out tomorrow night with you."

Anya grins happily. "I'll pick you up at 6:30, if that's okay?"

"That'll be wonderful." Tara nods her head smiling. "That'll give me time to close up the shop at 5:00 and go home to get ready."

Anya waves her hand. "No, no. Take tomorrow off. I'll run the shop. You've been taking care of it for the last couple of weeks. Thank you, by the way."

"You're welcome." Tara smiles before glancing back up at Buffy. "But, Buffy's actually helped quite a lot. She came and helped me clean and re-stock the shelves."

Anya blinks for a moment, seeing the soft smile Tara directs towards Buffy, wondering if there might be something there. Turning she looks at Buffy, who seems sort of closed off. "Thank you, Buffy. I appreciate your help greatly." Watching as a strained smile crosses Buffy's face, Anya raises an eyebrow considering the woman. Deciding to watch things more closely, Anya nods her head. "I appreciate everything you two have done. Now why don't you close up shop early and go home, relax and have a good night. I'm going to head to my apartment and take a nice long, hot bubble bath." Anya waves as she turns around and sails out the door.

Tara chuckles quietly, watching the ex-demon before glancing back at Buffy. "I guess that means we're done for the day." Tara quickly puts away everything before closing the drawer.

Buffy walks back into the office behind Tara as she puts away the dusting supplies, watching the witch as she counts down the drawer and fills out the paperwork. Leaning against the wall, she considers the woman for a few moments. "You two would actually make a pretty couple." Buffy states softly.

Tara glances up looking into sad hazel eyes. Getting ready to open her mouth, she watches as Buffy nods her head and walks out the office door. Frowning after the slayer, Tara rubs a hand over her forehead. "She's completely straight girl, remember? She doesn't like women. All the fun and flirting was just in a best friend's way." Tara takes a deep breath, pushing her feelings about the slayer back before finishing the paperwork and locking everything down. She walks towards the front of the shop, turning off the lights while setting the alarm. As Buffy locks the door behind them, Tara breathes deeply of the evening air. "It's almost summertime." Tara makes the comment quietly.

"It's getting here." Buffy nods her agreement. "The daylight's been sticking around longer, and I've noticed a decrease in vamp activity."

"That's of the good." Tara smiles softly. "Are you okay with my dating Anya?"

Buffy blinks in surprise before nodding her head. "It's your life, Tara. We both have to get back out there in the dating game, eventually. It's actually sort of a bonus, since Anya is already part of our group and knows what's going on."

"There is that." Tara agrees quietly, sighing. "Well, now I have to figure out what to wear tomorrow night."

"If you want any help, let me know. I have a feeling Anya is going to take you to one of the nicer restaurants, it being your first date and all." Buffy quirks her lip briefly.

"You may have a point." Tara tucks her hands in her pockets. "I don't have too terribly many nice outfits, so that'll narrow it down some."

"Why don't you go shopping? Buy a whole new outfit?" Buffy makes the suggestion, while mentally shouting at her self that she's an idiot.

"I may do that." Tara smiles glancing at Buffy. "Since I have some extra spending cash, I guess it wouldn't hurt to spend a little on a new outfit, huh?"

"No, it wouldn't." Buffy smiles at Tara as they walk up the steps to their home. Unlocking the door, she laughs at Dawn sitting in front of the TV watching Animal Planet. "Did you finish your homework, Dawn?"

"All but one section, I was kind of hoping Tara would help me with it when she got home." Dawn smiles hopefully at Tara.

"Of course I will, Dawnie." Tara sets her purse down. "Do you want help now, or after dinner?"

"Whichever you prefer?" Dawn looks at Tara before glancing at her obviously tense sister, wondering what's up. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." Buffy mumbles. "I think I left a load of clothes in the dryer."

Tara watches as Buffy quickly strides away.

"Did you two have an argument?" Dawn questions quietly.

"No." Tara shakes her head before sitting down on the couch. "Anya's back from her sojourn."

"Really? How's she doing?" Dawn questions, genuinely worried about the woman.

"A lot better, thank the Goddess." Tara smiles before biting her lip. "Uh, we're kind of going out to dinner tomorrow night." She admits quietly, watching for a reaction from the teen.

Dawn blinks looking at Tara, before opening and shutting her mouth a couple times. "You…Anya…date?" She whispers out the last word.

"Yes." Tara nods her head smiling softly.

"Well, huh." Dawn blinks again as the thought sinks into her brain. Not really knowing or having anything to say, Dawn smiles uncertainly at Tara. "Okay?"

Tara chuckles quietly. "That's okay, Dawnie. It kind of surprised me, too."

"But, you said yes, so obviously you think there might be a chance for something more, right?" Dawn questions slowly.

Tara looks down at her hands thinking briefly, actually confused. On one hand, she does care deeply for the ex-demon, would even say she loves her. Can she picture kissing Anya? Yes. Making love with the woman? Yes. On the other hand, is Buffy. Biting her lip as she thinks of the questions in regards to Buffy and she gets resounding yes in response also. The big difference between the two women is the fact that one is open to a relationship, while the other one likes guys. Rubbing a hand gently across her forehead, she realizes Dawn is patiently waiting for an answer to her question. Thinking about what the teen asked, she smiles and nods her head. "Yes, Dawnie. I definitely think there's a chance for something more."

"There you go." Dawn shrugs looking back at the TV, figuring subject closed.

AAAAAA

Buffy lets herself into the house and smiles, noticing Tara's already done the cleaning. She slowly turdges her way up the stairs to take a nice long, hot shower to try to feel human again. Wrapping a towel around her body, Buffy leans in and wipes the mirror free of the steam looking into her own, admittedly sad eyes. "Slayer, you need to get over yourself. Maybe call Willow and see if she wants to have a best friend's night, so you're not hanging out here, waiting for them to get back from their date." Frowning heavily, Buffy looks down, unable to make contact with her own eyes anymore.

Quickly drying her hair, she heads to her bedroom to get dressed.

AAAAAAAA

Buffy looks up from the television as Tara walks down the stairs, feeling her heart constrict. Tara walks down wearing a blue silk dress that swirls enticing around the witches knees, the color matching the witch's eyes perfectly. Continuing to look down to the open toed dress shoes, with pink painted toe nails peeking out. Slowly, allowing her eyes to traverse back up the witch's surprisingly firm calves, over the curve hugging dress to Tara's blue eyes looking worriedly into hers. Taking a deep breath, Buffy smiles encouragingly at Tara. "You look absolutely beautiful. You'll knock Anya off her feet."

Tara smiles looking down at the dress, running a hand over the soft material. "You don't think it's a bit much?" Tara looks back up, biting her lip gently.

"Not at all. You're gorgeous." Buffy shakes her head, before smiling softly. "Anya's one lucky lady."

Tara sighs, before finally allowing herself to relax. Looking at the clock, she notices it's a little bit after 6:30. Heading towards the chair, she's about ready to sit down when the doorbell rings. She starts to walk towards it, when she's stopped by Buffy's hand on her arm.

"Let me get it." Buffy quickly walks to the door opening it. Swallowing at the sight of Anya standing there wearing a beautiful cream-colored dress, ending mid-thigh. "Well, you look beautiful also." Buffy whispers to Anya.

Anya smiles hugely at Buffy before hugging her. "Thank you." Anya releases Buffy and looks over at Tara. "Wow." Anya eyes Tara up and down. "You're gorgeous." Anya smiles happily at Tara.

Dawn comes in from the kitchen munching on popcorn, to look from one woman to the other. "Well, I definitely feel like the ugly step-sister." Dawn mutters loudly, breaking the silence that had descended on the three women.

"You and me both, Dawn." Buffy mutters more to herself than out loud. "You two have a wonderful dinner."

Anya nods her head. "I hope we will. Ready?" Anya smiles and holds her hand out to a blushing Tara.

Tara grabs her purse and almost shyly eases her hand in Anya's. "We'll be back later." Tara bites her lip and waves at Buffy and Dawn.

"Have a wonderful date." Dawn smirks as the two women leave before turning to plop down on the couch, glancing up at her sister, who's still standing there staring at the closed door. "You okay?" Dawn questions as she throws some more popcorn in her mouth.

"Huh?" Buffy turns to look at her sister. "Yeah, just dandy." Buffy sighs and walks towards the kitchen. Grabbing up the phone, she starts to dial Willow's number, but hesitates. "What the hell am I supposed to say? Hey, Willow. Sorry, but I kind of want someone's shoulder to cry on. You see, your ex and Anya are going out on a date together, and I'm jealous. You see I really, really care a lot for Tara. Yeah, yeah, I know. But you love her too, so you should understand. And a couple weeks ago, after the wedding fiasco, Anya grabbed my ass. You know what? I liked it. Then I get a funny little feeling when all three of us are together…. Kind of fucked up, isn't it?" Buffy's shoulders drop and she hangs the phone back up, walking out the back door to sit on the steps, contemplating her life. "It isn't bad enough you were fucking the undead - now you're coming to have feelings for two women - at the same damn time. And the kicker is, they're dating each other." Buffy covers her face with her hands.

"Where would you like to go to dinner?" Anya questions quietly as they walk towards her car.

"Wher ever you would like to go." Tara sits down in the car, closing the door as Anya slides behind the wheel.

"There's that new Italian restaurant off Main Street." Anya suggests smiling.

"That would be wonderful." Tara nods smiling back at Anya. Watching as Anya starts the car and heads towards the restaurant, Tara considers the woman. "What made you ask me out?"

Anya glances over at Tara, before returning her gaze to the road. "I like you."

"Well, I could be wrong." Tara stops and laughs quietly. "But, I don't think you ask out everyone you like."

Anya smiles as she turns the corner. "No, I don't ask out everyone I like. Could you imagine?" Anya laughs shaking her head. "Either I would be spending a lot of time dating, or depressed."

"More likely dating." Tara states softly, glancing out the window.

Anya raises an eyebrow at the comment as she pulls into the parking lot. Pulling into the parking spot, she shifts the car into park and turns it off. Shifting her body, she watches Tara for a moment. "Why did you say yes?"

Tara's eyes shift to Anya's, looking into the curious brown eyes for a long moment. Quirking her lip, it slowly turns into a soft smile. "Because, I like you."

Anya's eyes glance down to the witch's soft lips before glancing back up to the caring blue eyes. "Is it a mistake, my asking you out?" Anya tilts her head watching Tara.

Tara blinks a couple times, thinking about it. "Only if it would ruin our friendship. Or our working relationship. Can you keep them separate?"

Anya considers the questions for a long moment before nodding her head. "Regarding our friendship, I honestly don't think it would hurt it. After all, I don't see either one of us cheating on the other, or doing something bad. I mean, it's different if we just decide not to date, because we find out we're not compatible in a sexual way."

"Very true." Tara agrees, grinning lopsidedly at the ex-demon. "How about our working relationship?"

"That, it might effect." Anya nods very seriously. "Because, if we are dating, I don't think I would be able to resist sneaking in a kiss, or feeling you up occasionally, at the shop." Anya's eyes start to twinkle and a grin crosses her face.

Tara chuckles and shakes her head at the shop-keeper. "If nothing else, this will definitely be interesting. Thank you, Anya."

"Don't thank me." Anya becomes serious as she stares intently into the witch's blue eyes. "You are a very beautiful woman, Tara. You are also, one of the most understanding and kind people, I have ever known. I want to let you know, that Willow was really an idiot for hurting you the way she did." Gently raising a hand and stroking her fingers down Tara's cheek, Anya smiles softly. "I figure that if I am lucky enough to have you in my life, in whatever capacity you choose, I am a very lucky woman."

Tara feels tears swimming near the surface. Swallowing hard to get them to go away, she leans across the brief distance and brushes her lips softly across Anya's. "Thank you. And just to let you know, you're not the only lucky or beautiful one."

Anya smiles beautifully. "Good. Then it's decided, we are both beautiful and very lucky women. Now, let's go to dinner. That way we can talk about what has been happening the last couple weeks and get to know each other better, so we can have many, many orgasms." Anya smirks at the witch.

Tara laughs, her eyes crinkling. "Still aren't going to embarrass me that easily, Anya."

"Damn!" Anya grumbles as the two women leave the vehicle, heading into the restaurant.