Dee - Oh, boy! You are just becoming a regular FB leaver! I wanted to take this story in a totally different direction - hence no Dawn & Glory! As for the comments from the e-mail - don't worry. I think either Chapter 4 or 5 will let that be known.
Sacred - Here's your update update update! LOL
Delauro - Thank you! Hopefully more people think this story works! It does seem to have garnered some interest!
Gina - Thanks! Here's the Update (Why do I get a picture of Jack Nicholson in my head saying 'Here's Johnny'?)
Kim - Joyce will probably be featured not heavily, but frequently in this story. Willow - not so much (of course, with her being away at college.) Xander will be in occasionally. But I always loved Joyce's character - once she came to terms with Buffy being the Slayer.
Word - Canon - sort of. Initiative will be in this story, but different things will be happening. (I really do not like following Canon too much - as most of my stories will show. I feel that if I did, you could just watch the show instead of reading Fanfic - Just my feelings. Hush - I was thinking of incorporating that in - but it will be out of the shows time-line with my spin - of course) Glad you're enjoying this story also!
Just - Wow! What to respond to first - Willow will be home for Christmas - not Thanksgiving. Glad the wait was worth it! Hoping I don't disappoint my readers. Joyce is going to be a major sweetheart in this story! Don't dismiss the family showing up yet - got a couple ideas brewing in my head for that - but it'll be a while before it might happen. Might post the first chapter in a week or two for the DE continuation - trying to come up with a good title (Tentatively The Goddess & Her Two Slayers - if you think of something better PLEASE PLEASE let me know people! Cause I am NOT sold on this title) Also, You wanna title your suggested pairing - Just Me? LOL
Wicked - Don't know about how close my portrayal is of Tara - but thanks! Just hope I make people happy with my writing!
Sink - You're hooked? I'm going to have to reel you in! LOL Glad you're enjoying the new story. Hope to keep you interested. Take care of yourself!
Toniboo- Thank you so much for the kind words - Always great to hear from someone new! B/T is actually one of my favorite hook-ups - just wish there were more stories out there! I think I have read every one!
Manticore - Glad you're enjoying the story!
Tag - Boy it's getting to the point that my replies to the reviews is longer than the chapter! LOL - Just kidding. Glad you're enjoying the story - hope I don't disappoint!
Whiro - Glad to hear from you! Boy I just started writing fanfic -- What two or three months ago? -- And I'm you're favorite author! Thank you so much for the kind praise!
Chapter 3
Buffy smiles happily as she walks across the campus heading towards Tara's dorm room. Thinking about how she had shocked Giles when she didn't argue or complain once during the training session today. Taking the workout seriously had surprised the watcher. Buffy giggles quietly at his surprise as she did twice as many of everything that he wanted her to do. Watching as the students hurry about their lives, Buffy smiles softly hoping that soon Tara will have a life to enjoy instead of just school or work. "And hopefully I'll be part of that life." Buffy smiles at the thought. Quickly walking up the steps Buffy opens the door and jogs up the two flights of stairs striding towards Tara's door. Nodding at a couple students she passes along the way, she stops outside the witch's door and runs a hand quickly through her hair before knocking.
Buffy rocks back on her heels and smiles as the door opens. Glancing over the blonde quickly, Buffy quirks her lip. "Did someone order their own personal bodyguard service to walk them across Sunnydale to spend an enchanting evening eating dinner and talking nonsense with two women starved for company other than each others?"
Tara chuckles at Buffy and shakes her head. "You're incorrigible."
"Now, now. Be nice to the not so bright slayer. She doesn't understand the big words." Buffy's eyes crinkle up at the witch.
"Oh, what am I going to do with you?" Tara murmurs. "Did you want to come in for a moment? I need to put my shoes on."
Buffy smiles and eases into the room, walking around it looking more closely at the paintings. The three paintings couldn't be more different. The one was a riot of colors that just seemed to jump out at you, no rhyme or reason but something that made her smile while looking at it. Looking over at another softer colored painting that was obviously of a beachside locale with waves gently rolling in and a little boy building a sandcastle while his parents look on. The sand dunes with a golden retriever running over them towards the boy. Looking more closely, Buffy grins as she sees a little crab scrabbling across the sand away from the boy, the detail unbelievable as she looks more closely at the painting.
"Th-that painting helped earn me a scholarship." Tara murmurs quietly. She had been observing Buffy as she put her shoes on. Waiting patiently for the slayer to finish looking over the paintings, she decided to say something when the woman stalled on that painting.
"It's absolutely unbelievable." Buffy starts to reach toward the painting but stops her hand short of actually touching the canvas. "The details. The more I look at it the more I see. The tracks in the sand from the crab scuttling away. The retriever almost looking like he's grinning as he comes running back towards his family. The soft loving smile on the woman's face as she watchers her son playing in the sand. The father watching his wife while gently running a hand over her back." Buffy tilts her head smiling softly. "The dolphins you can barely make out in the distance." Looking over at the blushing woman Buffy quirks her lip up slightly. "How come I have this feeling I can look at this painting for hours and hours and still find things I didn't see before?" Shifting back over to the riot of colors, feeling a vibrancy jumping towards her from the painting she grins from ear to ear. "This one just jumps out at me yelling 'LOOK AT ME, I'M BEAUTIFUL, I'M BOLD, I'M GORGEOUS.'" Buffy tilts her head nodding in agreement with her assessment.
"I would love to spend large quantities of time looking over your paintings. I haven't even gotten a chance to look at the other one. However we have dinner to show up for." Buffy walks slowly towards the blushing witch. Placing a gentle hand on her lower arm, Buffy smiles softly. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." Tara glances up making eye contact with Buffy and smiles in response to the grinning slayer.
"Do you have any other paintings besides the three hanging on the wall?" Buffy questions quietly as they head out of the dorm room.
"Yes. I have a few more in the closet and under the bed. A good portion of them are in the Art Rooms storage area. The teacher is kind enough to allow me to keep them there since I don't really have anywhere to store them." Tara blinks in surprise as Buffy threads her arm through hers again as they walk across the quad heading towards Buffy's house.
"Do you sketch also…Never mind that was a stupid question. Of course you do, you have the charcoals and other supplies in your room." Buffy smacks her own head at her stupidity. "Have you thought about having a showing? I mean if your other paintings are even a third as good of the two I looked at in your room…"
Tara smiles shyly. "My teacher says they are all excellent. I haven't gotten up the nerve to look around at the Galleries around town to see if they might be interested in showing my work."
"Hmmm." Buffy grins, realizing they never did mention what her mom did in front of Tara. "Would you be interested in showing your work?"
"I guess so." Tara looks questioningly at the slayer.
"Well, I can't promise anything, but I kind of have an in with one of the Gallery owners in town. If they maybe were able to see some samples of your work to make a decision…" Buffy trails off grinning.
"Are you serious?" Tara softly breathes the words. "If I could sell some of the paintings, I might be able to afford a nicer apartment come the summertime. Plus buy more supplies."
Buffy frowns at the words, wondering just what kind of apartment she had stayed in previously. Shaking those thoughts out of her head she smiles and squeezes the arm threaded through hers gently. "Let me see what I can do."
"Thank you." Tara shyly smiles at the slayer.
"No thanks yet. And if they decide to have a showing it will be because of your ability, I will have just brought you to their attention." Buffy has the urge to wrap her arm around the witch and hug her, but refrains mentally chastising herself.
As they walk up the steps to her house, Buffy glances at a smiling Tara. Releasing the witch's arm, Buffy unlocks and opens the door, motioning Tara into the house. "Mom, we're here."
"Kitchen again, honey." Joyce calls out from the kitchen.
"Jacket?" Buffy asks as she quickly shrugs out of hers and hangs it up holding her hand out to Tara, smiling as she shrugs out of her coat handing it to her. "Why don't you sit down, I'll go see how dinners coming along." Buffy motions to the couch and smiles as Tara sits down. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Water would be good." Tara smiles at0 Buffy as she shifts back on the couch, getting comfortable.
"I'll be back in a few minutes." Buffy grins before spinning on her heel heading into the kitchen.
"Hi, honey." Joyce glances up smiling at her daughter.
"Hi mom." Walking closer to the older Summers woman, Buffy whispers "Mom, you wouldn't believe the two paintings in her room. They're absolutely gorgeous. And two totally different paintings. I know I'm going to ask a lot here, but do you think you could maybe check her paintings out and see if you think they're good enough to have a showing at your gallery?" Hesitating for a moment Buffy looks out of the kitchen doorway, thinking heavily. "Don't mention you own a Gallery in town. I didn't tell her yet."
Joyce shakes her head at her daughter's quick rambling. As she sorts out what her daughter is asking, she raises an eyebrow. "Honey you have never really been that interested in art…"
"I know mom. But you've got to see them. Give her a chance? Please? The detail on the beachside painting is unbelievable. And the colors that jump out from the other one just call attention to it. I didn't promise anything, just that I had an in with an owner of one of the galleries in town and that I would see if they would check her paintings out. I didn't promise anything, honest." Buffy begs quietly.
Sighing at her daughter, Joyce wraps an arm around her shoulders and nods her head. "Fine, Buffy. But I can't make any promises. And you might want to explain to her who you're going to be talking to about this, so she doesn't think you're trying to pull something over on her."
"Do you think?" Buffy frowns wondering at the possibility. As her mom moves over to check on the dinner Buffy opens the refrigerator and pulls a couple waters out. "How long before dinner's ready?"
"At least half an hour. I was running late at the Gallery." Joyce smiles apologetically.
"That's fine. I think I'll talk to Tara, maybe show her my room and Mr. Gordo." Buffy smirks at her mom. "Got to see if Mr. Gordo likes her. Can't have a relationship with someone he hates."
Joyce chuckles at her impossible daughter. "Be nice, honey."
"Of course." Buffy quickly strides out of the kitchen to the living room, leaving a bemused Joyce standing there alone.
Buffy smiles at Tara as she walks into the living room. "I was wondering if you would like to see my room and meet Mr. Gordo. Mom said it would be at least another half hour before dinner was ready. She was running late tonight."
"That's fine." Tara grins as she quickly stands up before frowning imperceptibly. "Mr. Gordo?"
"My absolute best friend since forever. He got me through some of the most horrible times in my life." Buffy grins over her shoulder at the witch as they quickly walk up the stairs. Walking into her room, she picks up the stuffed animal and hands it to Tara. "Mr. Gordo, I'd like you to meet Miss Tara Maclay. Miss Tara, this is Mr. Gordo."
Tara chuckles quietly looking down at the stuffed pig. Running gentle fingers over the fur. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Gordo." Tara looks up with twinkling eyes at the slayer.
"Why don't you have a seat." Buffy motions to the bed as she slowly paces back and forth in front of the bed.
Tara frowns as she watches Buffy become serious and start pacing. "Is everything all right, Buffy?"
Buffy sighs and looks at the witch. Sitting on the floor in front of the witch, Buffy tilts her head looking up at the woman. "I didn't tell you the complete truth. Or actually I did, I just didn't tell you everything." Buffy watches as confusion crosses the witch's face. "Remember how I said that I had an in with an owner of one of the Gallery's in town?" At Tara's nod Buffy grins apologetically at the witch. "It's mom."
Tara takes a second and let's that information sink in. "Buffy, I don't want her to do this just because you asked. I don't want her to feel obligated in any way, just because you've decided to take me under your wing for some strange reason."
Reaching out and placing her hand on the witch's shoe, Buffy shakes her head. "She won't do this just because I asked her to. She'll look at your work and decide for herself if she deems it worthy of a showing. She won't do it because she feels obligated. It's her livelihood, her business. She won't just do something like that for a friend, she has to honestly believe that the artist is worthy of the showing and has a good chance of selling his or her work." Buffy explains quickly and sincerely. "And there's no strange reason. I already told you why."
Tara considers the woman for long moments seeing the honesty in the hazel eyes and sighs before smiling lopsidedly at the slayer. "So I'll earn it on my actual abilities and not because her daughter has befriended me?"
"Right." Buffy grins nodding her head happily. "You're not mad at me for not telling you the truth from the beginning?"
"No, Buffy." Tara shakes her head smiling softly. "I am glad you told me quickly. If you had waited I might have thought you were trying to hide something from me."
"Thank you, mom." Buffy mutters and sees the questioning look on Tara's face. "She suggested I explain she's the person I was talking about."
Tara's lip quirks up. "Smart mom."
"Very smart." Buffy nods her head. "And I'm going to have to be on my best behavior for a while to pay her back." Buffy smiles engagingly at the witch.
"You don't have to sit on the floor, Buffy." Tara giggles at the slayer.
Buffy tilts her head looking at the floor before glancing back up at Tara. Standing up she sits down next to Tara on the bed. Running her finger over the comforter that's between them, Buffy smiles. "I was thinking about when you were talking about being tested to see how strong you are?"
Tara looks at the slayer out of the corner of her eye and whispers "Yes."
"Giles knows people at different covens. If you want, maybe I could ask him to check into someone maybe coming here and testing you, or maybe even you going to one of the covens." Buffy looks up and shifts slightly on the bed, pulling one leg up so she's facing the witch. "All I can do is ask. If you would like to know."
Tara shifts, unconsciously mimicking the slayer. "I honestly don't know what it would tell me. I mean, it isn't like if I find out I'm real powerful I'm going to do anything different than what I'm doing now."
"You have a point." Buffy has to agree with the witch. Shifting to lay on her side, propping her head up on her hand she considers the woman. "So…I know you're a witch, brilliant, excellent artist and shy. What else should I know about Tara Maclay?"
Tara blushes looking down at the comforter, playing her fingers over one of the flowers on it. "I just turned twenty last month. And as you've already figured out I haven't had much of a life before now."
"That's going to be remedied here soon." Buffy smiles softly at the witch.
Looking up in surprise at the slayer, Tara doesn't know what to say.
"But only as you feel comfortable. Maybe going out to the movies, hitting the Bronze and dancing. That type of thing." Buffy watches the witch.
"I don't know how to dance." Tara whispers.
"Gives me a good reason to teach you." Buffy chuckles quietly. "If I can help Willow out, I can definitely help you." Buffy hears her mom call from downstairs. "Looks like dinner must be ready." Buffy quickly stands up off the bed watching Tara gracefully shift and stand up.
Joyce smiles as the two women walk into the dining room. "I hope you like chicken." Joyce smiles at Tara.
"That's fine. I just can't eat shrimp." Tara admits smiling at the older woman. "Allergic." She shrugs gently as she sits down.
"I'll remember that." Joyce eyes her daughter questioningly.
"When would be a good time to maybe have mom look at your paintings?" Buffy answers her mom's look indirectly.
"Whenever she w-would want to." Tara blushes looking briefly at Buffy before turning apprehensive eyes on Joyce. "You don't have to. I m-mean don't do it j-just because…"
Joyce places a calming hand on the young woman. "I look at different artists work all the time, Tara. I just have to make decisions on whether or not they will make a good showing at the gallery." Joyce smiles. "I don't want you to get your hopes up, for every artists' work that I display there's ten that I don't."
"I understand that." Tara smiles relaxing. "That's why I'm getting a degree in teaching. The world will always need teachers, but artists…" Tara trails off grinning lopsidedly. "For every artist that can make a living, there's probably at least a hundred that can't."
"Very smart, young lady." Joyce smiles at Tara. "It's always best to have something else to fall back on." Joyce reaches out for the chicken and pulls a breast placing it on her plate before passing the plate to Tara.
The three women quickly fill their plates as they slowly eat dinner.
Tara glances up smiling at Buffy. "What are you majoring in?" Tara questions quietly.
Buffy blushes and looks down at her plate playing with her mashed potatoes. "I'm not really majoring in anything." Glancing up briefly at her mom she frowns. "Unfortunately with what I do…"
Tara's frowns realizing that Buffy was alluding to the fact that most slayer's don't have a chance to have any kind of career. Feeling sad at the thought of this young, beautiful, vibrant woman dying, Tara sets her fork down, clasping her hands on her lap. "It must be hard." Tara whispers.
Joyce nods her head silently looking at her daughter. "It isn't the easiest thing coming to terms with. Not that I think I ever will."
Buffy reaches out to her mother and smirks. "Yeah, but technically I've already beaten the odds once. Maybe I can have a normal life."
Tara looks questioningly at the slayer.
Buffy sighs and grins. "My Sophomore year there was a prophecy that I was going to die."
"You did, dear." Joyce murmurs quietly.
Tara's eyes open wide and she pales slightly. "You died?"
"Yes, the Master drowned me. Luckily Xander brought Angel down looking for me and Xander performed CPR bringing me back. I was pissed and proceeded to kick the evil vampires ass." Buffy grins slightly, before frowning. "But I was dead long enough for another slayer to be called." Thinking about Kendra, Buffy looks down at her plate sadness creeping in.
"Honey, it wasn't your fault she died." Joyce pats Buffy's arm.
Tara shakes her head looking from one woman to the other. "The second slayer died?"
"Oh, boy." Buffy mutters before grinning at Tara. "Yeah. But if I get started telling you about everything, we're going to need days to go through everything. Because one story will lead to another…"
Tara chuckles quietly at the slayer. "I have a feeling that a lot has happened."
"That's putting it mildly." Joyce murmurs before glancing at Buffy. "Have you checked to see how Faith's doing lately?"
Buffy nods her head, feeling tears work their way to her eyes. "Yeah, no change." Glancing up she shakes her head at Tara. "Even longer story, she's the current slayer and she's in a coma at the hospital. Maybe we can get together and I'll give you a brief breakdown of my so called slayer life."
Tara nods seeing the obvious sadness in the slayer's eyes. "Maybe we can exchange some stories." Tara offers quietly, knowing that if they were to become friends she will need to open up to the woman, no matter how much it might hurt. But knowing in her heart that her mom wouldn't want her to keep the pain inside, or to shut herself off.
Buffy glances quickly to her mom. Surprise evident in her eyes at the fact Tara seems willing to open up. "That would be wonderful." Buffy smiles and watches as Tara slowly starts eating again. Grinning to herself, Buffy quickly attacks her food looking up occasionally at the witch.
Joyce smiles at the two girls. "Do you mind if I ask where you're from originally?" Joyce questions Tara.
"No, ma'am." Tara shakes her head smiling up at the woman. "I'm from a small town in north Texas."
"What kind of foods do you like to eat?" Joyce smiles encouragingly at the young woman, smiling as twinkling blue eyes look back at her.
"Everything but shrimp." Tara grins. "I have a weakness for spicy foods."
Buffy grins and wiggles her eyebrows at her mom. "Looks like you're going to be outvoted mom."
Joyce groans quietly. "I'm going to need to stock up on antacids."
Tara giggles looking from one woman to the other. "I take it you like spicy food, also?"
Buffy smiles at Tara nodding her head. "She won't fix it too often. She grumbles that it upsets her stomach." Buffy smirks at her mom. "But I could really go for some hot wings."
Tara chuckles quietly. "How hot can you eat them? I have a recipe for some killer hot sauce."
Buffy groans and almost starts salivating. "How hot can you make them?"
Joyce shakes her head. "You realize dear that you are now going to have to make them for Buffy. She's going to bug you until you do." Joyce smiles. "Get me a list of ingredients that you need and I'll have them here so you can possibly come by and fix them sometime. I'll fix myself a hamburger or something."
Tara bites her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "If you have a pen and piece of paper I can write down the ingredients."
"You know it off the top of your head?" Joyce looks surprised at the woman.
"Yes." Tara nods her head. "I fix them quite frequently during the summer when I have an oven to cook in."
Buffy watches the woman intently. "This weekend?" Buffy hopefully questions.
Joyce chuckles looking at her daughter, before turning back with a smirk on her face towards Tara. "Told you."
Tara smiles shyly looking down. "It's best if I make the sauce and let the wings soak in them for a few hours before baking them."
"Then either Saturday or Sunday would be best." Buffy looks at her mother.
"Saturday I need to work at the Gallery, if you want to come over and have a girls day here, you're more than welcome to." Joyce makes the offer, hoping that maybe will give the two women time to talk and get to know each other.
Buffy smiles thankfully at her mother before turning back to Tara. "If you need to study, you can bring some books with you. Even though I honestly think you should take some time off and relax."
Tara blushes looking down at her plate before looking back up at Buffy. "Saturday is fine."
"Good, that's settled." Joyce finishes her dinner watching as Tara quickly finishes her last bite. "Would you like some more, dear?"
"No, thank you. It was wonderful." Tara smiles at the woman as she gently places her napkin over her plate.
"I didn't have time to actually make anything for dessert, but I did pick up some turnovers and they should be done in a few minutes." Joyce smiles and winks at the two women. "I got Buffy's favorite."
"Mmmm. Raspberry turnovers will never be turned down." Buffy smiles as she finishes her third chicken breast.
Joyce gather's her dirty dishes, quickly walking into the kitchen to check the turnovers. She smiles as she turns and watches Tara bring her dishes in. "Do you like Raspberry turnovers? I know you said you like everything…" Joyce trails off smiling.
"Raspberry is fine." Tara looks down briefly before glancing back up. "I want to thank you for letting me come here for dinner."
"No thanks necessary, dear." Joyce pats her gently on the arm. "It gets a little lonely around here with just us two. Xander and Rupert will occasionally join us for dinner." Glancing out towards the dining room she smirks thinking about her daughter. "Plus I know Buffy misses Willow. When she decided to go away for college, it left a vacuum in Buffy's life. Those three have been almost inseparable since their Sophomore year." Joyce smiles sadly.
"She's been through a lot, hasn't she?" Tara whispers watching the emotions crossing the older woman's face. "You've been through a lot with her being the slayer."
"Yes, very much so." Joyce admits. As the oven timer goes off, she turns and pulls the turnovers out, placing them on a rack to cool. Placing the oven mitts on the counter, she tilts her head considering the witch for a moment. "It's something that I never would have wanted for Buffy. Hell for anyone." Joyce shakes her head and looks up seeing her daughter standing in the doorway rolling her eyes. Smirking with her eyes twinkling she continues "But it sure made her a better person than she was shaping up to be."
"Mom!" Buffy whines slightly. "Just because I was almost a carbon copy of Cordelia doesn't mean you have to tell Tara about what an uncaring, unfeeling bitch I was in my younger days."
Tara's eyes open wide in surprise as she turns watching Buffy. "I don't believe it."
"Oh, do." Buffy admits quietly. "I was the quintessential bottle blonde cheerleader. Snobby and bitchy to everyone who wasn't in the 'clique'. I never would have considered becoming friends with someone like Xander or Willow. And it would have been my loss." Shaking her head she places her dirty dishes in the sink, leaning near the blonde. "I didn't realize what a self-centered bitch I was and if for no other reason, I'm glad my becoming the slayer changed that." Smiling sadly at her mother.
"Well, I have to admit that you seem to be a very nice, caring woman now." Tara shyly admits glancing up at the blonde.
"Thank God." Joyce grins. "Anyone want vanilla ice cream over their turnover?"
"Please." Tara smiles at Buffy's mom.
"Of course." Buffy smirks at her mother before walking over to the freezer grabbing the ice cream out. Setting the ice cream down on the island, Buffy accepts the two bowls her mother hands her with a turnover in them. Frowning she looks at her mom. "You don't want any?"
"Not right now, honey. I need to get some work done." Joyce smiles and winks at her daughter. "Please feel free to come to dinner any time dear." Joyce smiles as she leaves the kitchen.
"Your mom is nice." Tara smiles as Buffy scoops ice cream on one of the turnovers.
"Yeah, she's pretty cool. We had our problems, especially before she found out I was the slayer. And we won't even discuss after she found out I was the slayer." Buffy rolls her eyes and grins. "How many scoops?"
Tara takes a moment before looking down. "Two?"
"Two it is." Buffy quickly scoops the ice cream onto the other turnover before frowning at the small amount of ice cream left. "How about three scoops?" Buffy glances up and feels her heart skip a beat at the crooked grin pointed at her.
"Twist my arm." Tara murmurs and laughs as Buffy quickly scoops the last of the ice cream out onto her turnover.
"Do you mind eating in here?" Buffy smiles as she pulls out a stool sitting on it. "I kind of like it better in here than the dining room."
"More homey." Tara acknowledges as she slides onto the other stool. "Do you make it a habit of taking in strays?" Tara looks questioningly at the slayer.
"Taking in strays?" Buffy glances up at the question. "You're not a stray."
Quirking her lip slightly, Tara plays in her dessert. "Actually I am." Looking up and making contact with the confused hazel eyes, Tara smiles sadly. "The only person that ever wanted me was my mom."
Buffy reaches out and places her hand over the soft, larger hand of the witch. "I think the people in your life must have been complete idiots. And if you would like I would be happy to go smack some sense in them for you." Buffy's lip cocks up hoping to make the witch smile.
Tara giggles and smiles back at the slayer. "Regular smacks or slayer smacks?" Tara's eyes twinkle at Buffy.
"I could let you choose on a case by case basis?" Buffy smiles and winks at the woman.
Feeling her heart lighten, Tara smiles and turns her hand over to clasp Buffy's fingers in hers. Squeezing gently she whispers "Thank you."
"For what? Offering to smack around people that didn't have the good sense to see what a kind, caring woman you are? It would be my pleasure." Buffy smiles softly and swallows as she feels the soft fingers caressing her hand.
Tara realizes that she's unconsciously caressing the slayer's hand and blushes before gently easing her hand away from Buffy's. Looking down she starts eating her dessert, glancing up occasionally.
Buffy sighs after Tara pulls away watching the woman, quickly scooping up her dessert working her way quickly through the turnover and ice cream. "Do you mind walking back to campus? I hate to bother mom when she gets started on her work. I'll make sure no muggers" Buffy smirks before continuing "get hold of you."
Tara smiles up at Buffy and shakes her head. "That's fine. I don't think I could ask for a better body guard." Finishing the last bite of her dessert, Tara looks back at the slayer and tilts her head. "You probably need to patrol, don't you?"
Buffy glances out the window at the night and nods her head. "Yeah. I'll do it on the way back from dropping you off."
"If you want, we can patrol on the way back to campus." Tara offers quietly.
"You wouldn't mind?" Buffy's eyes search the witch's face, seeing only the genuine offer to help, Buffy smiles. "Thanks. It makes the patrol go faster having someone with me. Even though I do get worried something might happen." Buffy frowns as she thinks about something happening to the woman.
"I'm not completely defenseless, Buffy." Tara smiles lopsidedly at the slayer. "Remember, I can throw a pretty wicked fireball. I've also been known to put up a good barrier spell given a few moments time. Amongst being able to levitate."
Buffy frowns "Levitate?"
"Levitate, control where a stake, or in my case pencils go?" Tara chuckles as she literally sees the light bulb go on. "I can't tell you how many pencils I've used since being here. And not for my courses!"
Buffy starts chuckling and it quickly turns to laughter. "That is absolutely priceless." Eyes twinkling mischievously Buffy looks at Tara "So buying a couple hundred pencils for you for Christmas wouldn't go amiss?"
"As is whittling you some stakes for Christmas?" Tara laughs with the slayer. "I'll make sure to keep an eye out for fallen tree limbs."
"Oooh. I know what I'm getting for Christmas." Buffy sing-songs smirking at the witch. Standing she gathers both their bowls and quickly places them in the sink running water in them.
Turning around and placing a hand on Tara's shoulder, Buffy smiles. "I'm going to go get my gear. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Tara smiles and nods her head. "If it's okay, I'm going to run to the bathroom before we head back."
"Please feel free to consider this your home, Tara." Buffy squeezes gently before pulling her hand away. "I'm going to go upstairs and get my stuff."
"Thank you." Tara smiles watching as Buffy walks out of the room, shaking her head before slowly standing and heading up the stairs to the bathroom.