Reviews:
Dee - Yeah, yeah. Xander was a good doobie! You always want Willow to be smacked - get busy writing your damn story!
Just - Like confrontation - hee hee hee
Ook - who in their right mind would ever get over Tara? LOL
Chapter 11
Buffy looks around as the dust settles, realizing she killed the three vampires with out hardly remembering pulling her stake. Glancing down to her hand, she blinks noticing the stake gripped firmly. Tucking it away, she continues patrolling, as she had been doing for the last five hours. Thinking heavily about everything she said to Willow, Buffy sighs quietly. "Didn't mean to say I liked Tara out loud." Buffy mumbles as she works her way through downtown Sunnydale. "God knows, I sure as hell didn't mean to go off on Willow like that." Shaking her head, Buffy glances around at the empty streets. "And you're talking to yourself. This is SO not good." Buffy grumbles, trudging along. "I'm even more fucked up than Willow is. One moment I feel jealous that the two women are dating, the next moment happy that they're dating each other. And the really screwed up thing is, that I don't know who I'm jealous of."
Buffy stops as she hears a whimpering noise. Tilting her head she listens more intently. As she realizes it's coming from behind the trash cans behind her, she starts to pull out a stake when she realizes it has to be something small to fit in that tiny of an area. Letting go of the stake, Buffy shifts back the trash cans, kneeling as she sees the obviously scared puppy. "Easy there, little fella." Buffy soothes quietly. "Are you a little fella or a little girl?" She questions in a soft sing-song voice, hoping to calm the puppy. As it whimpers looking up at her, Buffy smiles softly. Slowly the puppy stands, cautiously approaching the slayer that's just a foot away from it. "That's it little buddy. Come here." Buffy eases her hand down, chuckling quietly as it sniffs the hand before licking it with a warm tongue. Scratching the dog under the chin, Buffy gives it time to feel more comfortable with her before she gently picks it up. Glancing, she smiles. "Okay, little girl. What am I going to do with you?"
Tucking the happily panting puppy against her chest, Buffy laughs, scratching it behind the ears. "Other than the obvious fact you're a girl. I can't tell what color you are, you're so dirty." As it licks her hand, Buffy sighs quietly. "Let's take you home. Tara'll probably take one look at you and want to keep you. She kind of likes us strays, you know." Buffy turns around, quickly striding back towards Revello Drive. "She had a kitten once, but it kind of disappeared when something bad showed up. I bet she'll like you just fine. She likes to spoil and love everyone. She'll probably dig out any leftovers we have to make sure you're fed properly. She might even give you a bath." Buffy rolls her eyes when she realizes she's talking to a dog…a dog that is now curled up asleep in her arms. "Buffy, you really do need help." Buffy grunts out to herself as she walks up the sidewalk. Unlocking the door, she quickly shuts it behind her, locking it before glancing in the living room. Walking in she turns off the light before walking into the kitchen, planning on grabbing something to drink for her and the puppy, when she notices Tara sitting at the island sipping a cup of tea.
Tara glances up as Buffy walks in the kitchen. "Did you find it, or did it find you?" Tara questions softly, smiling as she notices the puppy curled up in Buffy's arms.
"I think it was kind of mutual finding." Buffy admits smiling, looking down at the puppy.
Tara nods while digging around in the cabinets, pulling out a cheap plastic container, filling it quickly with water. Setting it down by the wall at the back door as she quickly turns to open the refrigerator, digging around to pull out some leftover roast. "Are you planning on keeping it?" Tara questions softly, as she grabs a couple pieces of meat, gently tearing it apart into small pieces.
"I kind of thought we might." Buffy admits looking down, chuckling as the puppy wakes up and starts to squirm as it smells the food.
Tara glances up when Buffy mentions 'we'. Nodding her head, she lays a small piece of food in her hand for the puppy to eat. "Don't get used to this, little…" Tara glances towards Buffy in question.
"Girl. She's a she…" Buffy shrugs smiling. "It's a her."
"Well, girlie. Don't get used to this kind of food." Tara chuckles as she puts a couple more small pieces in her hand as the dog quickly grabs them. "You're going to have puppy chow tomorrow. You also need a bath, stinky one."
"Sorry, that might be partly me." Buffy admits, wincing. "Had kind of a busy night."
Tara looks up, her eyes twinkling. "You're going to admit that, when you have the perfect scapegoat in your arms?"
"Damn, screwed that one up, didn't I?" Buffy smirks at the witch. "Maybe she and I should go take a shower? Would it be okay to use regular shampoo on her?" Buffy questions looking at Tara.
"Use one of the milder shampoos, actually use my oatmeal shampoo. That would be perfect for her, it doesn't have any of the dyes or perfumes in it." Tara smiles as the puppy finishes eating the food. "Why don't you set her down, let her get some water. Then we'll let her go outside for a few minutes, hopefully to start potty training her."
Buffy nods in agreement, easing the puppy down on the floor, chuckling as it makes a bee-line for the water dish. As it laps up the water quickly, Buffy glances over to Tara. "Talked with Willow tonight."
"Sorry." Tara turns sad blue eyes on Buffy. "Anya and I decided while we were out, that it would be best to let Willow and Xander know we're dating. If I had thought about it, I would have called right after Willow left to give you a heads up, but I didn't even think about it."
"It's okay." Buffy shakes her head, watching the puppy as it waddles back towards her. "Oh, no, little girlie. Outside for you." Buffy scoops the puppy up, opening the back door to walk out in the back yard, setting her down on the ground, chuckling as she squats and pees almost immediately.
"Good timing." Tara giggles, watching the puppy.
"Going to have to invest in a carpet cleaning machine." Buffy grunts watching as the puppy starts sniffing around the yard, walking a little distance before taking care of her other business. "I never had a dog."
"We had animals growing up." Tara leans against the door watching the puppy. "Most of them were outside animals, but we did have one dog for a while, that stayed in the house. They pretty much eat, sleep and make messes at this age. Probably quite a few accidents, but it'll clean up."
Buffy squats down on her haunches, clicking her tongue. "Come here, little girl."
Tara chuckles, as the puppy comes running as fast as her legs will carry her towards the slayer. "I think she found herself a new mommy."
"Great. Something I never thought I'd be." Buffy's lip curls up as she tucks the puppy against her. "Mommy to a baby girl, that'll bite, bark and growl."
"Come on. Let me help you bathe her." Tara chuckles, locking the door behind them as they walk in the house.
"Yes, let's see what we got under all this dirt and grime." Buffy walks into the bathroom, frowning. "She's small enough to wash in the sink, what do you think?"
"That'll be perfect." Tara murmurs as she grabs a towel and the shampoo, walking over to the sink, turning the water on. Checking the temperature after a few moments, Tara eases off the hot a little until the waters warm, but not too warm. Pulling up the stopper, she lets the sink fill halfway before turning the water off. "Well, let's see what she does, set her in the water, but keep a hand on her in case she tries to bolt."
Buffy nods as she walks up to stand by Tara, gently easing the puppy in the water. Chuckling as it scrabbles for a few moments, before looking around and sitting down in the water. "That's a good girl, yes it is." Buffy baby talks to the puppy after it calms down.
Tara chuckles, shaking her head. "If only the mean, evil demons could see you now." Tara laughs a little harder at the narrowed gaze that glances at her in the mirror. Squeezing a good dollop of shampoo in her hand, Tara proceeds to work the shampoo into a rich lather over the puppy, gently working her way around the face of the dog, scrubbing the chest for a few long moments as the puppy's back paw starts tapping in the water in pleasure. "Like that, don't you?" Tara murmurs, smiling.
"Do you blame her?" Buffy shakes her head. "Poor thing probably hasn't had any attention paid to it. Now it's being fed, watered, loved on, and bathed. It's probably in doggy heaven."
The puppy tilts its head towards Buffy, letting out a small yip, like it knows it's being talked about. Tara laughs as she works her hands down the rest of the animal, scrubbing it thoroughly before letting the dirty, dingy water out of the sink and running more water, letting the fresh clean water rinse over the dog. "Oh…" Tara whispers as the markings become clear. "Looks like you got yourself a Rottweiler mix, Buffy."
"Hmm?" Buffy looks at the dog as it comes clean, unconsciously having been watching the witch, instead of the puppy. "How do you know it's a mix?" Buffy questions, looking at the obvious markings of a Rottweiler.
"The nose and body." Tara murmurs, glancing up at Buffy. "The nose is too long. Most Rotty's have a shorter, stubbier nose. The body's more delicate than a full Rottweiler." Running her fingers down the puppy's legs, Tara pulls her feet up, chuckling. "She's going to be a good sized dog, if these are any indication."
Buffy frowns looking at the puppy's feet. "Why?"
"They're big paws, Buffy. They'll only get bigger as she gets older." Tara looks into the soft brown eyes of the dog. "You are going to need a name, little girl. Plus the fact you're probably going to be able to eat as much as your mommy when you get full grown, huh?" Tara needles the slayer.
"Just what we need another piggy in the house." Buffy grumps before chuckling.
"Oh, that reminds me. There's a large pizza in the refrigerator for you. I finally put it up when you didn't make it back home early." Tara softly admits, grabbing the towel to quickly cover the puppy, as she finally decides it's had enough and was trying to shake the excess water off. "Come here, little girl. Let me rub you dry while mommy takes her shower." Tara glances up looking at the slayer. "Want me to heat some of the pizza up for you?"
"I'll get it." Buffy shakes her head, watching as Tara gently rubs the towel over the dog's body.
"No problem. Me and little one, here, will go downstairs and throw you some in the microwave while I'm drying her. Then we can let her go back outside again, before we head to bed tonight. Where's she going to sleep?" Tara looks up making eye contact with Buffy.
"I guess she can stay in my room. I'll grab an old blanket and fold it up on the floor by the bed for her." Buffy smiles, as Tara eases towards the bathroom door.
"Take a shower, Buffy. I'll heat your food." Tara gently shuts the door behind her, quickly walking down the stairs, continuing to dry the puppy. "You're absolutely gorgeous, aren't you, baby girl?" She laughs as the puppy licks quickly over her hand. "If I set you down on the floor, do you promise to behave?" Tara questions lifting the dog up to look her in the eyes. Chuckling quietly as it reaches out with a paw to try and tap her on the nose. "You're going to be spoiled rotten." Shaking her head, Tara gives it a couple more good rubs with the towel, before setting her on the floor. Watching as the puppy cautiously sniffs around the kitchen, shaking itself so hard that she falls down.
Laughing quietly, Tara quickly washes her hands and dries them before pulling out Buffy's pizza throwing some slices on a plate to microwave. Easing down on the floor, Tara watches as the puppy quickly runs over to her, climbing up over her legs to lay down in her lap, panting. Scratching her behind the ears, Tara smiles, as she watches her lay her head down to slowly fall asleep.
Buffy frowns when she finally makes it downstairs. Pressing the button on the microwave she glances down, almost tripping over Tara and the puppy. She smiles softly at the puppy curled up in Tara's lap, and the witch's head tilted back against the cabinet as she sleeps. Quickly turning around, Buffy stops the microwave before it beeps. Sitting down at the island, she quietly eats her dinner as she watches Tara sleep. Putting a couple more slices on the plate, she places it in the microwave. Before pushing the start button, Buffy kneels beside the witch and puppy. Easing her hands under the puppy to pick it up, Buffy inhales sharply at the warmth coming from the witch, as the backs of her hands brush over her thighs. Tucking the puppy against her, Buffy places a gentle hand on Tara's shoulder.
Tara's eyes open quickly, glancing around. "I fell asleep, didn't I?" She wipes her eyes for a moment.
"Yes. Go to bed, Tara. I'm going to eat a couple more pieces of pizza while little girl here goes outside for a few minutes." Buffy smiles standing.
"See you tomorrow, sweetie." Tara stands, gently squeezing the slayer's shoulder as she walks out of the kitchen.
"Yeah, tomorrow." Buffy watches Tara walk away. "Okay, you rotten new addition to the family, let me finish heating my dinner, then you can go outside and play while I eat. Tomorrow I'm going to probably put you in the basement, so you won't get into much trouble, while I go shopping for you." Buffy chuckles as the puppy's tail wags as fast as it can while she talks to it. "Hope you don't mind living in a house with a bunch of women. I have a feeling it might be a while before another male makes it in the house." Buffy smirks as she pulls her pizza out of the microwave, heading out the back door. Walking out, she sets the puppy on the ground while sitting on the steps, slowly eating the rest of her dinner, while the puppy frolics for a few minutes before using the bathroom.
"Go ahead and play for a while, little one. No rush." Buffy murmurs as the puppy comes running back to her. Almost as if the puppy understands, she barks once before running around the back yard, occasionally tripping and rolling. Laughing quietly at the puppy's antics, Buffy eases back, relaxing. Finally she comes running up to collapse, panting at her feet. "Time to go in?" Buffy questions the worn out dog. Laughing, she picks her up, carrying the heavily panting dog into the house. Placing her plate in the sink, Buffy quickly turns the lights off walking up the stairs. Setting the puppy on the floor, Buffy opens the closet pulling down a blanket. Placing the folded up item on the floor at the end of the bed, Buffy clucks her tongue, smiling as the puppy walks over towards her before collapsing on the blanket. "That's a good girl." Buffy scratches the puppy behind the ears, chuckling as it flops over onto its back. "Want your belly rubbed, huh?" Buffy rubs the puppy's belly for a few minutes. "Go to sleep, little girl." Buffy quickly stands, changing into her sleep wear before turning out the light, climbing into bed.
Sighing quietly, Buffy turns over onto her stomach, punching the pillow a couple times before laying her head down. "Sleep, enjoy the day off tomorrow, go shopping for puppy. Call around for a vet. Ignore confusing feelings for Tara and Anya. Anya's easier - don't see her so much…" Buffy trails off shaking her head. "Sleep." She mutters into the pillow.
Buffy jerks awake. Looking around the room, disoriented, it takes her a few moments to realize the puppy's whimpering by the door. "Oh, little girl. You need to go out?" Buffy jumps out of the bed grasping her robe, when she hears a light knocking on the door. "Come in."
Tara pokes her head in smiling down at the puppy. "Want me to take her out before going to class?" Tara kneels down grasping the puppy.
"Please, I need to go to the bathroom. Probably as bad as little one there does." Buffy looks around not noticing any accidents.
"Outside she goes." Tara chuckles, quickly heading to take the puppy outside.
"Thank you." Buffy murmurs looking a little more seriously at the floor, sniffing deeply. "I don't think she had any accidents. Good little girl." Buffy laughs before quickly heading to the bathroom to take care of her own personal business.
Tara laughs as she quickly sets the puppy down and it squats immediately. Stepping back into the kitchen, Tara grabs the water bowl and the food she'd set down before going back upstairs to offer to bring the puppy outside. "You need a name, little one. We can't keep calling you little girl, little one or puppy." Setting the bowls down on the ground, she watches the puppy finally finish peeing before running over to the bowls, quickly eating the food before lapping at the water.
"I didn't see any accidents upstairs." Buffy sips at the coffee Tara prepared as she steps outside.
"I would be surprised if you do. She just finished peeing a few moments ago." Tara glances over, laughing quietly. "Figured out a name for her yet?"
"No. Any ideas?" Buffy looks hopefully at the witch.
"Uh, uh. Your baby, you're naming." Tara smirks at Buffy before glancing at her watch. Sighing, she looks apologetically at Buffy. "I need to get to class. Have a good day off."
"Yeah, yeah. Lot of help you are." Buffy grumps good-naturedly. "Thanks, and have a wonderful day."
"I'm sure I will." Tara rolls her eyes. "Going to have to start studying hard."
"Yeah, finals coming up, right?" At Tara's nod Buffy chuckles. "You'll do great. Go to class, I'll take care of little one. Need to get goodies for her."
"I left some extra cash on the counter to help out with the supplies. I also made a list of everything I could think of. See you tonight, sweetie." Tara grins before quickly leaving a surprised Buffy alone outside with the puppy.
"You know what, little one?" Buffy turns back to the puppy rolling around happily in the yard. Chuckling as she comes running towards her at her words. "Yes, you're a little one, even though according to the wicked witch, you won't stay that way. But the wicked witch is very, very rotten. You need to remember that! I've come to realize that we really do need to pay attention to her and what she does. She's extremely sneaky, so it's best to get on her good side." Reaching down, Buffy scratches the puppy behind her ears. "Stay here, I'm going to grab a phone book and the phone." Buffy stands walking quickly back into the house grabbing the phone book out of the drawer, before frowning at the note on top of the money.
Buffy,
The following items are things that you definitely need to
get for the little one. Training her shouldn't be difficult, a lot
of positive reinforcement, telling her she's a good girl, etc…
will go a long way, however a little treat when she's done
Good, occasionally won't hurt. I can already tell she's a very
smart girl. She probably would be good company for you
when you go out at night on patrol, when she gets bigger.
Puppy Chow
Metal water/food bowls
Rawhide Chews
Chew Toys
Leash
Collar
Treats
Dog Bed
The first visit to the vet will probably be one of the most
expensive ones. Don't argue over the money. I can't
think of a better way to spend it. Pick up anything else
you see, that you think she may like. Figure out a name!
Tara
Buffy shakes her head, smiling softly before grabbing the money. Quickly counting it out, Buffy frowns deeply. "This has to be the rest of your money from the Council." Buffy bitches quietly at the $500 on the counter, knowing Tara used a good chunk to help stock the cabinets and freezer when they sent her the money. Another part when she bought herself the new dress. "I'll pay you back, one way or another." Buffy swears quietly as she sets the note and money back on the counter, grasping the phone to walk outside.
"Your other mommy is definitely going to spoil you." Buffy murmurs smiling at the puppy running around, chasing a bug. "Don't eat it!" Buffy grumbles at the dog. "It might upset your stomach." Sitting down on the steps, Buffy quickly flips through the phone book to start making calls.
Buffy heaves a huge sigh of relief as she drops the items on the floor. Quickly walking to the basement door, she opens it, getting ready to walk down the stairs, when a black and brown blur runs past her to stand at the back door, whimpering. Buffy quickly unlocks the door, laughing as the puppy runs hurriedly outside, squatting. "If you went without making a mess downstairs, you're going to be a very good girl."
Buffy chuckles quietly as the puppy looks towards her before running around to the general area, Buffy noticed, that she normally goes to do her other business. "When you're done, come back in." Buffy grins as the puppy yips in reply. "Damn dog knows what I'm saying." Shaking her head, she turns back into the house, quickly running down the basement stairs, looking around intently. Not seeing any messes, she grins. Noticing a piece of two by four, left over from one of the many house repairs Xander has done, Buffy walks over picking it up. Laughing loudly at the little teeth marks on the wood, Buffy shakes her head. "Definitely needing chew toys." Buffy mutters before looking more closely, trying to find anything else the puppy might have gotten into. Hearing a whimpering at the top of the stairs, Buffy walks to the bottom of the stairs looking up at the puppy.
"You, little one." Buffy starts holding up the piece of wood. "This is a no, no! But you aren't going to get in trouble this time. You didn't know any better." Buffy finishes seeing an almost sad look come across the puppy's face at her firm tones. "Let's show you the proper play toys." Buffy throws the piece of wood back into the corner of the basement before jogging up the stairs.
"Okay, here." Buffy reaches into one of the bags, pulling out a small rawhide bone. "You don't get too many of these. The person said they could back your little system up if you eat too much." Buffy hands the bone to the puppy, laughing as it takes off running to the corner of the room, lying down, chewing happily. Quickly unpacking the other items, Buffy brings the bowls out to wash before filling one with water, while opening the huge bag of puppy chow, filling the other bowl and setting them down by the back door.
"Come and get it, little one." Buffy calls quietly to the puppy, watching as she drops the bone to run towards her. Kneeling down beside the food, Buffy points at it. "These are your bowls, nobody else's. Food and water will be here for you. You eat, and then I'll take you back out to play for a little while, before we have to head to the vet's." Buffy stands up, brushing her hands over her pants before pulling the tags off the collar and leash.