Reviews:
CB - Can't always have Dawn be a whiney ass. Everyone else does that, so I figured I'd go the other way! LOL
Just Me - Yep, you know I like torturing the characters! But they always get to have the fun afterwards:)
Skye - I have had it pointed out to me, that for some reason I love torturing Buffy. I've thought over most of my other stories, and yep, I do! LOL
Chapter 14
Tara grasps the phone off the wall as she walks outside with Phoenix. Sitting down on the steps, she places the stake and holy water, they always keep on hand by the back door, beside her. Watching Phoenix sniff around the yard, Tara punches in Anya's phone number.
"Hello." Anya answers the phone, glancing at the clock.
"Hi." Tara smiles into the phone. "Having a good night?" Tara questions softly.
"Could be better." Anya smirks, thinking about the witch. "I could have a certain blue-eyed blonde curled up here on the couch with me, instead of a couple moldy old books."
Tara chuckles into the phone. "Be careful what you ask for, you might get it."
"I'll look for you to be here in a few minutes, then." Anya laughs quietly into the phone.
"Not to change the subject, but regarding the moldy old books, have you had any luck?" Tara questions softly, watching Phoenix finally using the bathroom.
"No. Everything orb-wise I've come across has been for single orbs. Have you had any luck?" Anya questions sitting down on the couch.
"No, I've had about the same amount of luck as you." Tara admits, leaning her back against the step, looking up at the night sky. "Anya…" Tara starts, not knowing how to say what's running around her head.
"Go ahead and say it, Tara." Anya blinks, wondering what made Tara stop whatever she was going to say.
"Were you serious with what you said at the coffee shop?" Tara looks down at her robe, playing with one of the ties.
"Regarding Buffy?" Anya feels a grin crossing her face.
"Yes." Tara whispers into the phone.
"Tara, I believe that some things are meant to be. The things I have seen in my years as a Vengeance Demon, I've learned to read people extremely well." Anya seriously states. "I know you…care for me. I also know you're in love with Buffy." Anya hesitates trying to think of the best way to finish what she wants to say.
"Anya…" Tara hesitates before taking a deep breath, smiling as she thinks about the kisses the two women exchanged earlier that day, how her heart sped up. "Anya, I want you to know that I…" Tara bites her lip.
"I know you do." Anya softly whispers. "Tara, we've known each other for years. Maybe not that well, but seeing you, being around you… I've come to realize you are a very caring, loving woman. You've always been kind to me and whether I ever wanted to admit it or not, a part of me has loved you for a very long time. You are a very easy woman to love." Anya admits softly. "What has happened to make you want to discuss this now?"
Tara sighs quietly, reaching down to pet Phoenix as she climbs up the steps, crawling into her lap. "Buffy's been acting a little weird the last few days. I've caught her with a confused look on her face multiple times when she's looking at me. She leaves abruptly, I-I just don't know what to think."
Anya closes her eyes debating on whether or not to tell Tara that Buffy's in love with her too. Deciding to err on the side of caution, Anya opens her eyes glancing at the television. "I think she's having confusing thoughts regarding her feelings, Tara. Pay attention to how she acts around you." Anya smirks remembering some of the sideways glances Buffy had slid her during the walk to her apartment. "I think maybe us three should have a girls night out at the Bronze here soon. What do you think?"
Tara shakes her head. "Anya, she doesn't like girls, remember? She thinks of me as her friend is all it is."
"You're just as blind as she is." Anya states exasperatedly. "She cares for you, Tara. More than just a friend. She's confused about what she feels, and since you and I started dating, she's probably more screwed up. I've caught the looks she sends your way, I've even intercepted a few looks she slid my way. I think us together is making her really confused. Think back over the past, Tara. How long has it been since she's been starting to…act a little strange?"
Tara blinks at the question. "I really don't know." Tara tries to wrap her brain around the thought that Buffy could possibly care for her, her and Anya?
"I know the night of my wedding fiasco, she didn't seem to be in that big of a hurry to jump away from me when I grabbed her ass." Anya smirks, finally admitting she remembers what happened that night.
"YOU!" Tara yells, before laughing. "I should have known you remembered more than you were letting on!"
"Do you honestly think I would forget grabbing Buffy's ass and your breasts? I'd have to be dead!" Anya laughs. "And think about it, she didn't move away that quickly, now did she? Tell me that you haven't caught her glancing at your breasts?"
Tara blushes deeply. "Okay, I remember it taking her a few seconds to leave your grasp, and she didn't have an upset look on her face at the time."
"Uh, huh. Now how about her looking at your breasts?" Anya questions again, grinning.
"Maybe a couple times." Tara admits softly. "One of those times was the day after you grabbed her ass."
"Now the question is, do we want to push things? Or do we want to just let her make her own decisions?" Anya runs a hand over her pants, thinking quietly.
"Do you honestly think a three way could possibly work?" Tara questions, blinking her eyes in disbelief. Not giving Anya a chance to answer that question, Tara continues quietly. "She wouldn't do anything to come between us, Anya. That isn't Buffy. I'm having a hard enough time wrapping my brain around the possibility of us three. What do you think Buffy would do? She's never even cared for a woman before, let alone two at the same time!" Tara exasperatedly explains. "She'll run the other way. I'd rather have her friendship, than not have her at all." Tara continues softly.
"Your decision." Anya rolls her eyes. Deciding to change the subject, Anya quietly questions Tara. "Would you like to come over tomorrow night? I could stay and we could spend a few hours together, if you want. I'll drive the car, that way I can drive us to the apartment."
Tara smiles softly at the thought of she and Anya being able to spend some alone time together. "I would like that." Tara admits.
"Then it's a date. We can pick up something to eat on the way here, or maybe I'll run down to the restaurant down the street and pick us up something earlier." Anya thinks for a few minutes. "Don't forget to let Buffy know that she won't have to walk you home tomorrow night."
"I won't." Tara murmurs quietly. "Thanks for letting me talk to you about this."
"I want you to feel comfortable talking to me about anything, Tara. Especially, any confusing thoughts you have for a certain blonde slayer. She deserves to be loved. Just as much as we do, if not more." Anya admits. "But I won't push anything, if you don't want me to. I'll leave it alone."
"Please." Tara whimpers quietly. "I can't think about it right now, sweetie." Tara admits stroking Phoenix's back, as the puppy sleeps in her lap.
"Okay." Anya murmurs into the phone, smiling sadly. "Have a good night, Tara. Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams, Anya." Tara smiles softly as she disconnects the phone. Looking up at the night sky, Tara whispers out to the quiet night. "I do love you. Goddess, help us all." Tara sighs before grasping the puppy up into her arms as she turns and walks back in the house, placing the phone back on the wall, before walking into the living room.
Dawn glances over as Tara walks into the living room, sitting down in the chair, still carrying Phoenix. Noticing Tara seems to be somewhat shell-shocked, Dawn frowns. "Is everything okay?"
Tara glances up from her inner contemplation. Smiling gently at the teenager, Tara nods her head. "Everything's okay, Dawnie. Just a lot on my mind." Tara strokes her hand over Phoenix.
"If she is going to be a big dog, like you think she is. Isn't it a bad thing for her to think she's a lap dog?" Dawn questions pointedly.
Tara looks up and starts to giggle. "You have a very good point, but it's kind of hard to say no to her." Tara admits looking down at the puppy. "I can see it now, a hundred pound lap dog. Wouldn't be too bad for her to sit in Buffy's lap, she probably wouldn't even notice." Tara chuckles.
"The dog will be as big as Buffy. Can you imagine?" Dawn giggles. Glancing back to the television, Dawn sighs when she sees her program ending. "Bed time for all good little keys." Dawn grumbles as she stands. Walking over she hugs Tara, smiling as Tara hugs her and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"'Night, sweetie." Tara murmurs as Dawn releases her.
"'Night, Tara." Dawn smiles, giving Phoenix one last pat, before quickly running up the stairs.
Tara sighs looking down at Phoenix. "Looks like it's just you and me for a while. Do you want to watch Animal Planet?" Tara chuckles as she reaches for the remote, deciding to re-locate, Tara shifts over to the couch, stretching out while the puppy growls quietly in her sleep as she's shifted around. "Oh, behave." Tara taps her gently on the nose, chuckling as the puppy's small tongue come out to lick her finger and one eye opens to look at her.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't even try the cute little puppy dog eyes." Tara smiles softly as the puppy starts to playfully nip her fingers. "My fingers aren't chew toys, Phoenix." Tara chuckles quietly. "Let me get you a couple of your toys." Tara sets the puppy on the floor as she shifts around to stand, stopping as Phoenix runs over to her bed. Watching the puppy, Tara frowns, before chuckling quietly as Phoenix bites down on the bed, pulling it with all her might towards the couch. "Want help, Phoenix?" Tara questions standing.
Walking over to the bed, she looks down at Phoenix as she barks and wags her tail. "Show me where you want it, and I'll set it there." Tara picks up the bed, slowly walking towards the couch, laughing as Phoenix stops at the end of the couch looking at her panting. "Okay, here it is." Tara sets it down on the floor, watching as Phoenix picks up one of her toys, laying down and chewing on it contentedly.
"You are definitely a good girl." Tara whispers, patting her on the head before stepping around the bed to lie back down on the couch. Yawning, Tara grumbles quietly. "I'm tired, Phoenix." Tara admits, turning on her side so she can run a hand over the puppy.
"So, what do you think, Phoenix?" Tara questions the puppy quietly. "Do you think your mom might like Anya and me?" Tara smirks and rolls her eyes at asking the puppy the question. "Okay, Auntie Tara has done lost her mind." Tara mumbles before shifting one of the cushions more comfortably under her head, feeling her eyes getting heavy.
Buffy strides out of the house, practically running down the street heading for the nearest cemetery. "What the fuck is wrong with me?" Buffy growls, coming across a new vampire, slamming him hard with a right cross before doing a quick back spin kick, knocking him down. Staking him, Buffy tucks the stake away before running a hand roughly down her face. "I'm ogling my damn housemate." Buffy looks almost desperately around the cemetery.
Striding out of the empty cemetery, Buffy quickly works her way around town. Visions of smiling blue eyes, followed by silky smooth legs, making the occasional appearance. When mischief filled brown eyes start making as much of an appearance as the blue eyes, Buffy finally jumps up on top of a mausoleum, sitting there to think. "I have got to stop thinking about those two." Buffy grumbles out loud to the quiet night. Drawing her knees up, wrapping her arms around them, Buffy drops her chin onto her knees. Sighing quietly, Buffy sits silently contemplating her life. After a while, she shakes her head. "Maybe I should find a boyfriend. Take my mind off Anya and Tara." Buffy thinks about it for a minute before dismissing the thought. "No sense in making some poor guy as miserable as I am." Buffy closes her eyes, chuckling quietly.
"Here I am talking about getting a boyfriend, when I'm attracted to two women. I am SO screwed up." Buffy searches out the night, looking and feeling for anything to fight or dust. Sighing quietly when she doesn't feel anything, Buffy finally hops down, slowly making her way towards Revello Drive.
Walking slowly up the steps, Buffy hesitates before unlocking the door, quietly walking into the house. Locking the door behind her, she sighs when she sees Tara asleep on the couch, a comforting hand on the sleeping Phoenix's head. "What am I going to do with you?" Buffy murmurs quietly before silently making her way to the television, turning it off before kneeling down by the couch so she can look at Phoenix and Tara, both. Reaching out, Buffy tucks a stray blonde hair behind Tara's ear, before sighing quietly. Pulling her hand back away, she coughs quietly. "Hey you two, wake up." Buffy smiles as Phoenix whimpers in her sleep, before waking up. Glancing up to Tara, Buffy's breath catches in her throat at the soft blue eyes look back. "You fell asleep." Buffy states unnecessarily.
Tara yawns, stretching. "I think that's an understatement." Tara grins crookedly at the slayer.
Buffy's lip crooks up before she looks down at Phoenix. "Come on, Phoenix. You need to go out for the last time tonight." Buffy walks towards the kitchen, Phoenix running behind her.
Tara watches Buffy leave the living room, before slowly standing and following the slayer. Walking up behind the slayer on the back porch, she watches Phoenix play in the yard. "How was patrol tonight?"
Buffy glances sideways at Tara, before turning her gaze back towards the dog. "Fine."
Tara turns her gaze on the slayer, looking at her searchingly. Seeing the woman is closed off, Tara sighs quietly. "Anya is going to stay at the shop tomorrow. We're going out after work, so you don't have to walk me home. She'll drive me home later." Tara states softly before turning and quietly heading back in the house.
Buffy unconsciously stiffens, before looking down at the ground. "You made the decision, slayer. Live with it." Buffy mutters quietly to the empty night. "You done, Phoenix?" Buffy calls out quietly to the puppy. Stepping back, Buffy opens the door, letting Phoenix run in. Following her, Buffy turns and locks the door before walking into the living room. Picking up Phoenix's bed and a couple chew toys, Buffy looks down at the puppy. "Can you make it up the stairs yourself?"
Slowly walking up the stairs, Buffy turns when she hears a whimper. Looking at Phoenix, Buffy calls quietly. "Come on, Phoenix! You can do it, girl." Buffy chuckles quietly at the puppy, who plops her butt down, looking up at her. "You can make it up the stairs outside, you can make it up these. Come on, Phoenix."
Deciding to head upstairs, Buffy slowly walks up the steps and into her room, setting the dog's bed down on the floor. Quickly divesting herself of her weapons, Buffy listens intently for Phoenix. Hearing a whining noise, Buffy sighs quietly before walking back out of her room to the stairs. Chuckling quietly at the puppy, who's on the fourth step, leaning against the wall, Buffy shakes her head. "Wimp. You're going to have to do better than that." Buffy whispers quietly before walking down the stairs and grabbing the puppy. "We'll work on you climbing the stairs some more later. Don't think I forgot about your climbing up the stairs from the basement, young lady." Buffy quietly reprimands the puppy, before smirking as Phoenix licks her chin. "Yeah, yeah. I know you love me. At least someone does." Buffy murmurs quietly before setting Phoenix down on the floor before shutting the door.
Quickly stripping, Buffy pulls on her nightclothes. Glancing back at the puppy, Buffy chuckles at the dog curled up asleep on her bed. Turning the light off, Buffy slowly climbs into bed. Staring up at the ceiling, Buffy sighs deeply before turning on her stomach to fall asleep.
After getting ready for school, Tara walks by Buffy's door. Hearing a whimper, Tara stops and backtracks. Cracking the door just enough for Phoenix to squeeze through, Tara shuts it back. "Come on, Phoenix. I know you probably need to go to the bathroom." Tara calls, getting ready to pick the puppy up. Watching as Phoenix barks before she turns and runs down the stairs. "Okay. I guess you can go down the stairs by yourself." Tara quickly jogs down the stairs to the back door, opening it quickly as Phoenix runs outside. Leaning against the doorframe, Tara watches as Phoenix takes care of her personal business. Hearing the clink of the coffeepot against a cup, Tara straightens. Turning, she walks back to the kitchen.
"Phoenix is playing. She's already used the bathroom." Tara let's Buffy know quietly before grabbing her book bag, slinging it over her shoulder. "Have a good day." Tara murmurs quietly, glancing at the back of the slayer before walking out of the kitchen.
Buffy slams the coffee mug back down on the counter, hissing as the hot coffee splashes on her hand. Shaking her hand, Buffy glances out the kitchen window, watching a stiff-backed witch striding down the sidewalk. "Great. Now I pissed her off." Buffy considers running after the woman and apologizing, before her shoulders slump. "Yeah, run after her and apologize for what? For being a bitch? Tell her, hey, you know, I've been thinking, and I kind of like both you and Anya. Can we date?" Buffy growls quietly before walking to the back door. Looking out at Phoenix, Buffy steps out on the back porch, sitting down on the steps.
"I am one screwed up person. But I can't keep going the way I have been. I realized last night, if I keep putting myself in the position to be around them by myself, I'm just asking for trouble." Buffy sighs quietly, petting Phoenix as she comes running up to sit beside her. "Come on, let's get you fed. You'll have to actually spend some time down in the basement today. I need to go to work." Buffy explains, smiling sadly at the puppy.
Standing Buffy walks back in the house, letting Phoenix come in before shutting the door. Filling her bowl with food, Buffy turns to drink her coffee, silently considering what to eat for breakfast. Opening the refrigerator, Buffy stops, looking at the casserole dish on the shelf with baking instructions taped to the cover. Leaning her head against the top of the refrigerator, Buffy whimpers quietly. "I piss her off and she still makes sure I have food for dinner."
"Ah, hell." Buffy shuts the door before looking down at Phoenix who's watching her curiously. "I know, I know. Finish eating your breakfast. I'm going to go take a shower and get ready for work. Be good, okay?" Buffy leans down, rubbing Phoenix's head for a few moments, before quickly jogging out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
"Hi." Tara smiles softly at Anya as she walks into the Magic Box. Gently setting her book bag down on the table she crosses to the office, putting her purse in the desk before walking back to sit at the table, watching Anya as she helps the customer. Grinning as Anya winks at her, Tara shakes her head before pulling her books out looking up at the clock.
"Thank you. Please come back." Anya waves happily as the woman leaves, before sighing and rolling her eyes. "How are you?" Anya questions as she walks towards Tara, leaning down to place a quick kiss on the witch's lips.
"Hey!" Tara frowns at the quick kiss. "Come back here." Tara orders, chuckling.
"Ooooh. Frisky, are we?" Anya wiggles her eyebrows before stepping back to give Tara a more thorough kiss. Slowly pulling away, Anya looks into sapphire eyes, smiling softly. "Is everything okay?"
Tara nods her head, sighing quietly. "Yeah, more or less." Tara grins crookedly. "I'm starting to get the cold shoulder from Buffy, now."
Anya nods, smiling sadly. "Her way of dealing with it. Shut down, don't put herself in a position of getting hurt."
"You're probably right." Tara softly admits.
"Are you going to let her do it?" Anya sits down beside Tara, grasping her hand.
"Do I have a choice?" Tara watches Anya. "I can't force her to admit her feelings, Anya. If she even really cares. She may just be curious." Tara smiles softly as she looks down as Anya strokes her hand. "She's been around Willow and I for a couple years. Now you and I are dating." Tara chuckles quietly before continuing. "She may just be wondering what the attraction is."
Anya raises an eyebrow. "Let me see… Beautiful blue eyes, honey blonde hair, patrician features, breasts to die for…"
"Anya!" Tara smacks Anya gently on the arm.
"Well, you said she was wondering what the attraction is, I was just answering you." Anya smirks happily. "Damn customers, interrupting my fun." Anya mumbles before standing up to help the customer.
Tara chuckles quietly as she decides to work on her homework, half listening to Anya with the customer. After a few minutes, Tara sighs quietly, closing the book. Putting her books away, she places them in the office, her heart not in doing her class work.
Walking back out to the main shop, Tara walks over to the book shelves, replacing the books she'd researched the night before. Grabbing a couple new books, Tara places them on the table, sitting down starting to research.
Anya glances over at Tara as she rings up the sale, smiling at the customer, she hands him his change. "Thank you. Please visit us again." Watching as the customer leaves, Anya leans on the counter watching Tara gently rub a hand over her temple as she gently turns the pages. Walking over to Tara, Anya gently pushes the woman's hand away and rubs both temples.
Closing her eyes at the hands gently rubbing her temples, Tara murmurs quietly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Anya answers, continuing her ministrations. "Try not to let it bother you, Tara. Unless you want me to have a discussion with Buffy and maybe talk her into dating us."
"No, Anya." Tara adamantly refuses. "I will not lose her friendship. If you or I push things, or are totally misreading the situation, she may shut off completely."
"Do you honestly believe that will happen?" Anya questions softly, continuing the circular motion of her fingertips.
Tara sighs. "Yes. I think it would be a very good possibility. Then I'd have to find somewhere else to live."
"I have a spare bedroom." Anya offers seriously. "No strings attached. If you should ever need it."
Tara smiles softly, reaching up to clasp Anya's hand, bringing it down to clasp against her chest. "Thanks, Anya."
Wrapping her other arm around Tara's shoulders, Anya hugs Tara. "We'll give it time. If she doesn't come around, whether it's deciding we're two extremely hot, sexy women that she decides she can't live without. Or just being happy and friends with us, I'll set a fire under her ass. No arguing over this point."
"Okay, no arguing. How much time are you wanting to give her?" Tara questions unconsciously stroking over Anya's hand as she presses it firmly to the top of her chest.
"Till this stuff with the idiots is over?" Anya puts out questioningly.
"So, a month or longer." Tara nods, before tilting her head back, smiling into Anya's eyes.
Anya looks down running one hand up Tara's neck to stroke softly over Tara's strong jaw line. "What would you like to eat for dinner tonight?" Anya's eyes search Tara's sapphire eyes.
"Whatever you feel like." Tara watches Anya for long moments. Seeing the caring and love in the brown eyes looking back at her, Tara realizes that she could fall very deeply in love with the woman. Knowing that she already loves her, and could be happy with the woman, Tara sighs realizing that she was holding part of her heart back, scared to a certain degree of being hurt again. "Anya, I owe you an apology." Tara starts quietly, reaching up, urging Anya to sit down beside her. Turning her body to face Anya, Tara orders her thoughts.
Anya tilts her head watching the emotions playing over Tara's face. Waiting patiently for whatever it is the witch wants to say, Anya clasps Tara's hands in hers.
"I realize I love you. But I've had a part of my heart closed off since Willow." Tara finally looks up, making eye contact with the ex-demon. "You said I was in love with Buffy, but I'm not. I love her, yes. But I'm not in love with her. I've kept that part of me locked away, afraid of being hurt again. In doing so, I'm short-changing our relationship. For that, I owe you an apology."
Anya sighs quietly, reaching up to stroke Tara's cheek. "It'll take time, Tara. Willow hurt you deeply. That you're even allowing yourself to love again is a step in the right direction. It isn't easy for any of us to trust, to love again." Anya admits. "Me with Xander. Buffy for being dragged out of heaven. God, she has it worse than either one of us." Anya scoots her chair close to Tara, wrapping her arms around the witch.
Tara eases into Anya's embrace, hugging her tightly. "So loving you is a good start, huh?" Tara murmurs, smiling softly.
"It's a very good start. Caring for each other, loving each other. Being true and honest goes a long way, Tara. You know that." Anya whispers quietly. "Deep love sometimes takes time to grow. Being in love with someone can happen quickly, or over time. You loving me, makes me happy. I know you would never willingly hurt someone you love."
Tara chuckles quietly. "You wouldn't hurt someone either, Anya. I know that." Pulling away, Tara strokes a hand down Anya's cheek, smiling softly. Bringing her other hand up, Tara clasps Anya's face between her two hands, kissing her deeply.
Anya whimpers as Tara breaks the kiss. Slowly blinking her eyes, she finally focuses in on dark sapphire eyes. "Wowsa." Anya shakes her head, getting the cobwebs to shake loose. "You need to stop kissing me like that when I have to work." Anya admits, trying to stamp down the desire coursing through her body.
"Why?" Tara quirks her lip watching Anya.
"Because my brain stops functioning." Anya finally admits. "You kiss better than anyone I've ever kissed before. And that is definitely saying something." Anya grins.
"1200 plus years of experience, huh?" Tara starts to smirk, her eyes twinkling. "I'm sure I don't kiss better than everyone you've kissed in that time. But, thanks for the vote of confidence." Tara leans in and places a quick kiss on Anya's lips.
Anya rolls her eyes after Tara breaks off the kiss, and goes back to researching. 'She thinks I'm kidding.' Anya mentally chuckles at the thought. As other ideas start rolling through her mind, Anya excuses herself and runs to the office. 'If she kisses that damn good, what's she going to be like in the sack?' Anya questions feeling the heat working through her body. Grabbing her purse, she slowly walks back into the shop.
Tara glances up smiling as she watches Anya walk back towards her. "Dinner time?" Tara questions looking up at the clock.
Nodding Anya's lip curls up in half a smile. "Sure there isn't anything in particular you would like?"
"Anything is fine." Tara watches Anya curiously. "Is there more than one meaning to that question, Anya?" Tara raises an eyebrow knowingly at the ex-demon.
"Would I do something like that?" Anya smirks at the witch. "I'll be back in a little while." Anya places a brief kiss on Tara's cheek before leaving quickly.
Chuckling, Tara shakes her head looking back down at the book, trying to get her mind off the ex-demon.