Reviews:

CB - may take a little while - stubborn, clueless slayer - witch afraid of possibly losing the friend that's helped her out, etc... etc... You know how I love to torture the characters!

Just Me - Oh, feelings come out - just stupid women! They haven't a clue- they need to be smacked upside the head. I just don't know about this author and teasing these women...oops that's me I'm talking about!

Chapter 9

Buffy paces the living room, glancing every few seconds at the clock on the mantle. Growling deeply, she shoves her hands deep into her pockets. Thinking about the evening as she continues to pace, waiting for the two women to get back from their date. As soon as she stopped feeling sorry for herself out on the back porch, she had come in, grabbing her gear to go out on patrol. Dawn asked if she could stay all night with Kaylee, a friend from school that had called while she was outside. Walking her over to the girl's house, she continued patrolling, cutting a quick swathe through all the demons and vampires she came across as she considered Tara, and in turn, Anya.

She'd known for a while, that she cared for Tara. Originally, she thought that it was just in a good friend way until she realized she was almost seeking out the soft touches the witch gave out so readily. When she realized she was craving the soft caresses, and the woman's honeyed tones, she tried distancing herself from the witch. Then the wedding happened. Or, didn't happen, was more of the case. Watching how kind and caring Tara was with Anya, brought her feelings to the surface again. Then when they had, as Tara called it, the Male Bashing Extravaganza. Buffy found out how her father and brother had beat on the woman, all supposedly to control her demon. Buffy felt the feelings come on even stronger.

When Anya started speaking about her life previously, as a human, and her cheating asshole of a husband, that segued into her life as a vengeance demon. Buffy actually listened more to what was going on beneath the words than what Anya was saying. Realizing as she did, there was an underlying note of self-hatred for what she'ddone to some of the questionable husbands and boyfriends of the, so-called, scorned women. There was no denying that there was happiness for when her services were really deserved, but the hatred in her tones far outweighed the few times she obviously thought her particular brand of justice was deserved. Feeling her heart go out to the drunk ex-vengeance demon, Buffy started feeling even more confused.

She watched as Tara comforted Anya as she cried when she hit on Xander before she rallied back around. Coming to the realization, that both women had pretty much opened up their lives, she slowly explained about how she felt and the things she had done after coming back from being dead. Of course, Tara was already aware of the Spike situation, but everything came flowing out about how she didn't think she deserved anything better. To Anya's credit, it didn't even seem to phase her that Buffy had been fucking the undead. She just nodded her head making the comment that worse things had been done for less. It wasn't long afterwards that Tara made some smart aleck comment to Anya, and Anya in drunken retaliation flipped one of the snacks from the trays back at the witch. The next thing she knew all three women were slinging food at each other until Anya and Tara realized that they were getting beamed regularly from Buffy. That's when they had ganged up on the slayer.

Laughing quietly as she thinks about Anya stumbling into Tara when she was going to get another bottle of wine and inadvertently grabbing the woman's breasts. Tara had calmly reached out and grasped Anya's hands, pulling them away, laughingly stating that those weren't a cure for what ailed Anya. Anya standing their swaying back and forth had looked at Buffy with a narrowed gaze then back to Tara. Pointing at Buffy she had ordered her to stand up and turn around. For some reason, Buffy still didn't understand, she had stood and turned around. When two hands grabbed her ass, she stood there surprised for a moment before spinning around and away, watching as Anya nods her head before reaching out and squeezing Tara's breasts quickly, smirking. Slurring out that both women were both very grab worthy, before collapsing down on the floor laughing drunkenly.

After that she had quickly gathered up her weapons, before going on patrol.

Shaking her head at her own confusing thoughts, Buffy finally sits down. Drawing her legs up, she wraps her arms around them and rests her head on her knees. "What the hell am I going to do?" Buffy questions the empty house, her heart heavy. "You need to leave them alone and wish them well. That's what you've got to do, Buffy. Leave them alone and bury all the contradicting feelings stirring up inside you." Buffy nods her head as she mentally and physically stiffens her spine. Standing, she grabs the empty soda can Dawn left to throw it away.

AAAAAA

Tara laughs quietly as Anya pulls up in the driveway. "I can't believe we sat in the restaurant for over three hours talking."

"We would probably still be there, if they hadn't run us out." Anya laughs with Tara. Shutting the car off, Anya unhooks her seatbelt and turns so she's facing Tara. Watching the witch as she let's her seatbelt loose and faces her. Reaching out, clasping one of Tara's hands between both of hers, Anya looks up into the curious blue eyes. "I know this is our first date, but do you think there's a chance that we can become more than just friends?"

Tara slowly nods her head, smiling softly. "I would say that there's a very good chance, Anya." Tara tilts her head considering the woman. "What about you? Do you think there's a chance?"

"Oh, yes." Anya grins. "Extremely good chance." Anya glances up at Buffy's house, considering asking Tara about the slayer. Thinking about it for a moment, Anya decides to wait and see what transpires. Looking back, Anya blinks considering Tara. "Is this where I say that it's time for payment for the delicious dinner I paid for?" Anya's eyebrows wiggle as she smirks at the witch.

"You won't ever change, will you?" Tara laughs at the ex-demon.

"No." Anya admits, turning her smirk into a gentle smile. "But, if you're amendable, I would like to kiss you good night."

"I think I would be very amendable." Tara whispers as she watches Anya close the distance between them. Tara closes her eyes as Anya's lips brush softly over hers, slowly pressing more firmly, not deepening the kiss, just a loving kiss.

Anya slowly pulls away, opening her eyes and smiling at the surprised look on Tara's face. "You thought I was coming in to plunder, didn't you?" As Tara actually blushes and nods her head, Anya laughs quietly. "Something to look forward to." Anya winks before leaning in and brushing her lips over Tara's again. "I had a wonderful time tonight."

"I did, too." Tara reaches out and brushes her thumb over Anya's cheek. "Be careful on the way home."

"I will." Anya smiles nodding her head. "Can I call you tomorrow?" Anya questions, giggling. "I feel like a damn teenager."

Tara laughs in understanding. "Please do. Thank you, sweetie." Tara eases open the door, getting out. Tara shuts the door and walks up on the porch. waving as Anya starts the vehicle and pulls out of the driveway. Watching the taillights get smaller, Tara laughs. "Very surprising night." Shaking her head, she turns and unlocks the door, sliding in to close and lock it behind her.

Buffy glances up, smiling softly as Tara finally comes in. Leaning down she mutes the television as Tara eases down on the other end of the couch. Watching her for a long minute, Buffy finally raises an eyebrow and questions with one word. "Well?"

"We went to Mariano's." Tara looks towards Buffy, feeling slightly uncomfortable about discussing this with the slayer, before shaking it off. "We had a wonderful time."

"Good." Buffy nods, smiling. "Must have been one long meal." Buffy hints glancing towards the clock. "I went out on patrol and everything."

Tara laughs, shaking her head. "We just got to talking and didn't realize how much time had passed, until they practically kicked us out of the restaurant." Tara looks down and smoothes a hand down the soft silk dress. "How was patrol?" Tara questions looking up into hazel eyes.

"Busy." Buffy admits looking into the worried blue eyes.

"Are you okay?" Tara's eyes sweep over the slayer looking for any obvious wounds.

Buffy watches Tara intently as she obviously checks to see if she was hurt. "I'm okay."

Tara nods glancing down at her hands. "I think I'll go change. What did you rent?" Tara questions seeing the DVD's sitting on the television as she slowly stands.

"What else?" Buffy smirks at the witch as she walks towards the stairs.

Tara laughs rolling her eyes. "So we're in for an action packed night?"

"Yep. Want popcorn?" Buffy stands heading towards the kitchen, stopping at the bottom of the stairs glancing up at Tara.

"Please. Do we have any chocolate?" Tara hopefully questions. At Buffy's nod she grins, before turning to run up the stairs.

Buffy chuckles as she heads towards the kitchen. "Maybe this won't be so hard." Buffy whispers to herself.

AAAAAAAAAAAA

"Dawnie!" Tara exclaims loudly turning to the teenager. "I do NOT kiss and tell." Tara rolls her eyes at the teen.

"Oh, so you admit there was kissing." Dawn nods her head knowingly. "Probably more than that, knowing Anya."

Buffy's eyes widen and she turns towards her sister. "Dawn! Please!"

"Oh, come on." Dawn waves her ear of corn around. "Miss I Want to Have Orgasms? She's said a lot worse." Dawn rolls her eyes at Buffy.

'But, I do NOT need these pictures in my head.' Buffy whimpers to herself, before saying out loud. "Yes, she has. But that does not mean you will repeat it! And Tara does not have to tell what went on during her date. She had a wonderful time, they're planning on seeing each other again, and we're going to support them. Quietly!" Buffy growls out looking at Dawn sternly.

"Okay." Dawn frowns looking down after being chastised by Buffy. "Can't I at least pick on Tara a little bit?" Dawn looks up hopefully, glancing first at her sister, who shakes her head. Sighing quietly she turns to Tara, who's biting her lip and looking at her with twinkling blue eyes.

"Yes, you can pick on me. But, it doesn't mean you get any details, young lady!" Tara laughs before taking a bite of her lunch.

"That's okay." Dawn laughs. "Details, in regards to Anya, is a scary thought."

"She was actually very…" Tara blinks thinking gentlemanly. "Well, womanly doesn't really work. She was very considerate and non-pushy." Tara shrugs smiling.

Buffy watches the smile crossing Tara's face and nods her head. "Good. I have a feeling there is a lot more to Anya, than she usually allows people to see."

"It's there to be seen." Tara whispers quietly, looking down at her plate. "You just have to be willing to listen and not just hear." Tara glances back up into understanding hazel eyes.

"I get that." Buffy admits. "I kind of realized it on the infamous Male Bashing Night."

Tara glances up smirking. "I was thinking about re-naming that night." Tara wiggles her eyebrows knowingly at the slayer.

"Let's not and say we did." Buffy blushes, knowing what Tara's wanting to name that night. Buffy sets down her napkin as someone knocks on the door. "I'll get it." She quickly jogs to the front door and chuckles at Anya. "Here again? Let me see if she's available." Buffy smirks, getting ready to head towards the kitchen, when she's stopped by Anya's hand on her arm.

"Are you okay with Tara and I dating?" Anya questions quietly, watching the surprise cross the slayer's face, with a hint of sadness buried deep underneath.

"I'm fine with it." Buffy shakes her head at Anya. "Come on in, we were just eating lunch. Have you had anything?"

"I ate before I came over. I wanted to see if Tara was up for either a walk around the park, or maybe an afternoon matinee." Anya admits.

"Well, there's one way to find out." Buffy motions Anya towards the kitchen. Slowly following Anya, Buffy wonders to herself why both women keep questioning if she's okay with them dating.

"Good afternoon." Anya smiles before sitting down on the empty stool by Tara. "Is it okay that I stopped by like this?" Anya questions seriously.

"Of course." Tara smiles, reaching out and squeezing Anya's hand gently. "Do you want anything to eat?" Tara offers as she pulls her hand back.

"No, thank you. I came by to see if maybe you wanted to go for a walk, or to a movie." Anya explains, watching as Tara finishes her lunch.

"That would be lovely." Tara nods her head.

Anya glances up to a curious Dawn, before sliding her gaze to a quiet Buffy. "Would you two like to go to a movie?" Anya includes the two women in.

"I would love to, but Ihave a report I have to get done." Dawn whines. "Thanks for the offer, Anya."

Anya nods her head, smiling sadly at the teen. "I'm sorry. But school is very important. How about you, Buffy?"

Buffy glances up, eyes widening perceptibly, a slightly scared look in her eyes. "No, I don't think so. Third wheel doesn't really work for me. Thanks." She picks up her empty plate to place in the sink, before heading quickly out of the kitchen.

Anya nods her head. 'Definitely something there.' She thinks to herself before smiling at Tara. "I guess that means it's just us." She watches the worried eyes turn, from where Buffy had left the room, to her.

"Yes, it is." Tara's eyes lose some of the worry and she smiles softly at the ex-demon. "Let me get ready. I'll only be a few minutes." Tara stands placing her dishes in the sink.

Anya watches Tara leave, tilting her head considering the woman.

"You hurt her, I will beat you, until you beg me to kill you." Dawn quietly states as Anya turns her gaze towards her. "I love her, and she's been hurt enough."

"I know that better than anyone does, Dawn." Anya whispers nodding her head seriously at the teen. "I won't hurt her. Not if I can keep from it."

"See that you don't." Dawn stands before heading upstairs to work on her report.

AAAAAAAAAA

"What do you want to do?" Anya questions quietly as they walk out of the house.

"I wouldn't mind just taking a long walk to enjoy the beautiful day." Tara looks towards Anya.

"Then that's what we'll do." Anya nods, glancing towards Tara. Easing her hand towards the witch, she brushes the tips of her fingers over the back of Tara's hand, smiling as Tara laces their fingers together.

As the two women stroll around Sunnydale in a companionable silence, Anya waits for an hour before questioning Tara softly. "How long have you been in love with Buffy?"

Tara jerks to a stop, looking towards Anya with all the color washed from her face. "Wh-what?"

Anya gently squeezes Tara's hand. "It's okay. I know that you care for me. But I'm not blind."

Tara swallows hard looking down. "I realized it a while back." Tara shrugs her shoulders, looking up to make contact with Anya's understanding brown eyes. "That doesn't mean that I don't care for you…"

"I know." Anya nods her head softly. "You haven't spoken with her about your feelings. Why?"

Tara sighs quietly. "Let's sit down, if we're going to have this conversation."

Anya leads them around the corner to the Espresso Pump. Ordering two cups of tea, she joins Tara at a back booth. Sliding a cup in front of her, Anya sits down across from the woman and opens a packet of sweetener, stirring it into her tea while quietly waiting for Tara to speak.

"I don't think she would want to know that I care about her, in more than a friend way." Tara admits, watching Anya. "And I don't want to ruin our friendship by making her feel uncomfortable, by telling her I care for her."

"What if she likes you?" Anya sips her tea keeping eye contact with Tara.

Tara's lip quirks up and she shakes her head. "She's straight, remember? And right now, more than anything, I don't want to harm our friendship. We both need someone to talk to."

Anya raises an eyebrow in surprise that the witch doesn't realize that Buffy obviously does care for her. "So, hypothetically speaking, what would happen if you found out Buffy does care for you, in more than a friend way?"

Tara blinks at Anya in shock. "Are you asking me if I would leave you to be with Buffy?"

Tara watches as Anya calmly nods her head, watching and waiting for an answer. "I would never do that. Anya, I care to much for you to ever even consider doing something like that." Tara reaches across and clasps one of Anya's hands in hers.

"Good." Anya looks down smirking. "And what if I said I care for Buffy, also?" Anya looks up with twinkling eyes.

"Huh?" Tara's mouth drops open in surprise. "Are you trying to say you like, like Buffy?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Anya shrugs making the admittance easily. "Of course, it was mostly physical to begin with." Anya smirks. "Very grab worthy ass!"

Tara can't help but giggle at the ex-demon. "So, we both basically care for Buffy. The very beautiful, kind and caring slayer. The extremely heterosexual slayer." Tara sighs shaking her head. "I think we best forget it. It isn't like she would be willing to date either one of us."

"Who said anything about her dating just one of us?" Anya raises an eyebrow. "If she cares enough to date one of us, she damn well would be dating both of us. I don't mind the three way idea, but I'm not going to share if I don't get any!"

Tara blushes deeply in realization of what Anya is saying. "Anya, why the hell are you even thinking about this? It's a moot point. And just plain weird." Tara shakes her head lifting her tea and taking a sip. "I think this is a subject best left alone from now on." Tara states seriously glancing back up at Anya.

Anya sighs quietly before acquiescing to Tara's wishes. "Fine. No more discussing Buffy. Unless, just in a friends way." Anya looks around the shop before her eyes light on the witch again. "So…you going to tell Willow we're dating?"

Tara's eyes widen and her eyebrows go up. "I didn't even think about it. You going to tell Xander?"

"I haven't spoken with him since the wedding fiasco." Anya shakes her head, frowning. "I probably should. You sure I can't wish boils on his penis, or something along that lines?" Anya looks up hopefully.

"No, Anya." Tara laughs seeing the glint of mischief in the woman's eyes. "They're both going to freak."

"Shit happens." Anya grins. "Think we should get them both together at the same time and tell them?"

Tara shakes her head becoming serious. "Try and do this nicely, Anya. I consider Xander a friend, and I really don't want to upset either him or Willow. It would cause too many problems, and I don't want to lose their friendship."

"I'll be nice. Would it be best to do this separately, or would you prefer to have back-up?" Anya questions seriously.

"I…" Tara hesitates for a moment, thinking. "Maybe it would be best to tell her by myself." Tara winces slightly looking at Anya.

"I know. She never cared for me. And saying she hates my guts, probably wouldn't be too far off the mark." Anya frowns, thinking heavily. "I don't know about Xander. I really don't want to talk to him by myself. I may decide to be mean, threaten him, or something."

"I would be willing to be with you when you speak to him, if you want." Tara offers reaching out to stroke Anya's hand. "It would probably be for the best, that we do this before much longer."

"And probably close to the same time, Willow or Xander will probably call the other one to discuss this." Anya thinks about the logistics of discussing their new relationship with their ex-lovers. "It would almost be easier to discuss this together. I wouldn't want either one to find out from someone else."

Tara chews on her lip, thinking about how it would be best to handle the situation. "I almost hate to suggest this." Tara looks up at Anya. "Maybe we could ask Buffy to run interference for us. Maybe take Willow for a girl's day out, while you and I discuss this with Xander. Then have me talk to Willow at the house afterwards?"

"I don't think it would be right to ask Buffy to do that." Anya shakes her head. "That's kind of putting her in the middle of things. You know Willow will probably be upset, thinking Buffy was hiding something from her."

Tara rubs a hand over her forehead, sighing quietly. "Then the best thing to do is do this together." She looks up with sad blue eyes. "I'm going to tell you now, that I'm sorry for whatever might come from Willow. I don't think she'll be very pleasant."

"That's a given. And no need to apologize for what she says or does. It isn't your fault." Anya furrows her brows. "Should we do this now?"

"I think so." Tara nods. "That way it's all out in the open, and Buffy and Dawn won't have to keep it from Xander and Willow."

"Let's call them." Anya stands up, digging change out of her purse walking towards the pay phone, with Tara quietly following.