Reviews:
Gina - yep, a whole week. :)>
Alyson - Joyce is very, very, very understanding. Also very ornery in this story:)
Arctic - AARRRGGGHHHH - Could you imagine? 50 page chapters - they're already between 10-15 pages (Before the extra lines get zapped when they're uploaded here - so I guess that'll take a page or two off the count.)
Dee - DAMN girlfriend. Do you think I would have her not like the paintings? I'm not completely brain dead! (At least not yet - but give me a little while!)
Just Me Prime - Taunting will definitely continue. I honestly wasn't planning on Joyce being in the story as much as she is - but my muse decided she needed to be brought more to the front - so...go figure!
Sink - I'm gonna be mean...I'm gonna be mean... I need to put down that I want FB - more and more FB - It's terrible when I have well over 100 people reading a story - but I only get FB from around 10! COME ON PEOPLE! Anyway - Poor Joyce has gotta find herself a man! (Guess Who? Only one that I can think of... :) Purring I'm pretty sure gets answered in Chapter 10 or 11. So hold on - not much longer! Poor Buffy - horny slayer that she is! LOL - Hmmm Conversation with Giles - actually not much with the funny. Interesting - I hope so.
FantasyChick - Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope you continue to enjoy the story - glad it touched you!
Whiro - BAD BAD - School work should come first! Consider it a treat to read my stories (? Okay - if you consider it a treat - I mean, quite a few people seem to enjoy the stories...) Say you finish your Math homework - you get to read a chapter. :)
Silvermist2 - Thanks for the FB - always glad to hear from a new reviewer!
Chapter 9
Tara smiles shyly, as she unlocks the door to her dorm room, letting Joyce precede her in.
Buffy stops in front of Tara, and gives her a fleeting kiss on the cheek. "It's okay, Tara." Buffy grins, as Tara relaxes and smiles more fully. "Want me to help you get any of the paintings out?"
"If you want to get the ones out of the closet, while I get the ones from under the bed?" Tara motions absently towards the closet.
"I can do that." Buffy quickly walks the few steps towards the closet, watching Tara kneel down beside the bed. As the jeans pull taut over the curvaceous blonde, Buffy groans, quickly turning her attention to the paintings.
Tara slides the first small stack of paintings out from under the bed, leaning them against the wall, before reaching back under the bed, and pulling out the other stack. Standing up, she places the small oil paintings on the bed, spread out for Joyce to look at, while separating the bigger paintings to lean against the wall, easier for her to look through.
Joyce stands transfixed in front of the vibrant colors jumping out at her. Knowing of at least four different patrons that would jump at the chance to buy this painting. Turning to take in the beach side painting, Joyce smiles softly at the absolute love and detail that obviously went into the painting. Taking a step closer, Joyce notices what Buffy had seen previously, the more you look at the painting, the more you see, the intricate lines, the details, the way the grass almost seemed to wave in the breeze. Glancing briefly towards Tara, she sees the girl looking down, fidgeting. Turning her gaze to Buffy, she watches as her daughter inches closer to the witch, before reaching down, clasping the fidgeting hands. Walking towards the third painting, Joyce tilts her head, moving in closer for a long moment before shifting back from the painting. As she moves back to a certain distance, she laughs, as the picture finally comes into focus.
"Oh, this is absolutely unbelievable. How many people don't get this?" Joyce turns, smiling at Tara.
Blushing, Tara shakes her head. "I think you're maybe the third person, that's actually realized what it is." Tara admits.
"What?" Buffy questions, releasing the witch's hand to walk over beside her mom. Tilting her head first one way, then another, Buffy moves in closer, before backing up, like she'd seen her mom do. Still not able to see what they're obviously talking about. "Okay, what am I missing? All I see is differing shades of paint, blending into each other."
"It's a portrait, Buffy." Joyce explains. "It isn't something that just anyone will ever be able to make out. The shading, texture, is done in such minute detail, that unless you have a very discerning eye, you won't see it."
Buffy pouts looking at the painting. "I want to see it."
"Who's it a portrait of, my dear?" Joyce turns, looking at the blushing woman.
"It's of my mom." She whispers looking up, smiling. "It isn't something that I would sell. It's something I experimented with, to try something different. My Art teacher couldn't believe how well it turned out. He had me do another one, of a lighthouse, for himself. It drove his wife nuts trying to figure out what it was." Tara chuckles quietly. "He has this thing for lighthouses, and when he hung it up in the middle of a bunch of other paintings, she was absolutely lost." Tara shrugs, grinning lopsidedly.
Buffy grumbles and pulls out the chair to sit on it, staring at the painting, not seeing a portrait.
"I'm sorry, Buffy." Tara whispers, walking towards the slayer. "Most people won't see it. It's just something with the way the brain interprets, what the eyes see."
"It's not fair." Buffy pouts her lip out, still looking at the painting, surprised when she feels warm lips caress gently over her lip, before quickly disappearing. Looking up into smiling blue eyes, Buffy feels her lip lift up into a smile. "Feeling better now." Buffy grins more fully at the witch.
"Good." Tara murmurs, reaching a hand up to brush across the slayer's cheek.
Buffy stands and hugs the witch to her quickly before releasing her. Turning to look at her mom, she smiles as warm arms wrap around her waist, and a chin rests on her shoulder. Placing her hands over Tara's, Buffy sighs enjoying the closeness. Watching as her mom inspects each painting intently, Buffy grins, knowing what the look crossing her mom's face means.
"How many more paintings did you say you have?" Joyce glances up questioning Tara, smiling at the sight before her.
"At least fifty." Tara admits. "They range in size from 8x10 to 26x42."
"Is there any particular time that I can maybe see them?" Joyce picks up an oil painting that called out to the wild, uninhibited side of her. Realizing it makes her feel like a teenager again, or maybe how she was when the band candy incident happened. Blushing at the remembrance, she places the painting back on the bed.
Tara watches Joyce curiously, wondering why that particular painting made the woman blush. Obviously from the smile, it reminded her of some happier time. Making a mental note to set that painting aside, Tara unconsciously strokes her fingers over the shirt covered stomach of the slayer, tilting her head to rest against Buffy's, as Buffy starts purring uncontrollably.
Joyce doesn't realize what she's hearing at first, but as the noise starts getting louder, she looks over at the two women, realizing its Buffy. Watching, as Buffy keeps her eyes closed, and the side of her face brushing absently against the side of Tara's cheek.
"Umm, the teacher will probably let me have the keys this weekend, if I ask him." Tara admits quietly.
"Please do. I would love to see the rest of your paintings." Joyce nods her head, smiling encouragingly at Tara. "And if the rest of your paintings are as good as these, I would love to have a showing for you."
Tara smiles happily, squeezing Buffy's waist tightly, before releasing the slayer.
"Hey." Buffy grumbles as Tara let's her go.
"I'm going to the grocery store before heading back home. Buffy, would you mind walking me out to the vehicle?" Joyce smiles at her daughter as she opens the door, stepping out into the hallway.
"Okay." Buffy looks towards Tara. "Is it okay if I stick around for a little while today? I'll help you put the paintings away when I get back."
"Yes, you can stick around." Tara smiles at the slayer. "You don't have to ask, you're always welcome here, Buffy."
"Thanks." Buffy whispers, leaning in to brush her lips over the witch's soft lips. "Hmm." Buffy licks her lips, as she straightens back up. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
Joyce shakes her head at her daughter, as they walk out of the dorm. "She's an absolutely remarkable artist, Buffy. Most painters will stick to one style of painting, but she does all different kinds, and does them extremely well. They talk to you, that's why you had to say something to me, wasn't it?"
"Yeah." Buffy smiles. "The one with all the colors hanging on her wall, it just jumped out at me."
"Well, I have to admit, if the rest of her paintings are as good as those. Which I'm sure they are." Joyce smiles at her daughter. "I'm going to see how soon I have an opening and get her in. I foresee her making lots of money."
"Really?" Buffy's eyes light up, and she bounces unconsciously on the balls of her feet.
"Really." Joyce smiles at her daughter. "But don't say anything to her, I don't want her to get her hopes up. I have been known to be wrong about an artist before, you know."
"That happened once, and you were just starting!" Buffy picks her mother up hugging her, as she spins her around.
"Put me down!" Joyce laughs out at her daughter. As Buffy sets her back down on the ground, she grabs her wallet out of her purse. Handing $50 to Buffy, Joyce raises an eyebrow. "Take your young lady out for a nice lunch. And try not to jump her, okay?"
Buffy blushes deeply, and nods her head. "Thanks, mom." Buffy tucks the money in her jeans pocket, watching as her mom climbs in the Jeep. "Be careful on the way home."
"I will. Have a good day, I'll see you later." Joyce smirks at her daughter, before pulling out of the parking space. As she pulls away, she glances in her rearview mirror, laughing as she watches Buffy practically run back into the building. "I have so got to call Rupert, and see what the hell is going on." Joyce mutters to herself, before thinking about it, deciding to see him instead.
AAAA
Buffy quickly runs up the steps and slides to a stop in front of Tara's door, knocking lightly, she grins as the blonde opens the door. "I'm back."
"I noticed." Tara smiles at the grinning slayer.
Buffy stops and pouts, as she notices all the paintings have already been put away. "I was going to help you with putting your paintings away."
"It wasn't that hard, Buffy." Tara smirks at the slayer. Watching Buffy prowl around her room. "Got extra energy to burn?" Tara questions, watching the woman.
"Yeah, and if we don't get out of here, I'm afraid something might happen." Buffy admits quietly.
Tara frowns watching Buffy. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the cold shower did absolutely no good." Buffy grumbles. "And you and I being alone, in a room, with a bed….so not such a good idea!" Buffy waves her arms around, looking pointedly at said piece of furniture.
"Oh." Tara whispers.
"Yeah, oh." Buffy nods her head, not looking at Tara. "Want to go for a walk?"
"Okay." Tara whispers, reaching for her jacket.
Buffy quickly strides to the door, waiting for Tara.
"Do I get at least one kiss before we walk out the door?" Tara questions quietly, working her way slowly towards the slayer.
Buffy swallows before turning her head towards the witch. Eyeing her, Buffy shakes her head. "I think it might be too dangerous." Buffy admits. "Once I get you in my arms, I might not let go for the rest of the day."
Tara's eyes darken at Buffy's admission, wondering exactly what they could get up to for the next six hours, give or take, before Buffy would need to go out on patrol.
Seeing the look of passion in Tara's eyes, and the scent of arousal coming from her, Buffy groans loudly, and turns to bang her head roughly against the door. "Please, Tara. Let's go outside, where there's people to make me behave. Because I honestly want to try and take things slow, no matter what my body is telling me to do." And my inner slayer, Buffy grumbles to herself. Definitely stopping by Giles' apartment tonight before heading home.
Tara bites her lip nodding. "Let's go."
Buffy breathes out in relief, as she quickly opens the door, stepping out into the hallway, as Tara closes and makes sure the lock is engaged, before they walk down the stairs and out the door.
"Holding hands asking too much?" Tara glances over towards the slayer, who was keeping a good two feet between them.
Buffy chuckles, before easing closer to the woman. Holding her hand out, she smiles as Tara laces their fingers together. "I have got to figure out something to keep my hormones in check." Buffy whispers. "Because I really don't want to go without kissing or hugging you."
"Want me to wear a flour sack?" Tara offers, her lip curling up.
"Wouldn't work." Buffy grunts out at the image. "You wearing a sack with it ending at the very top of your thighs, and showing your arms and legs, uh, uh. Not helping at all."
"A tent?" Tara holds back a laugh.
"Don't think that would work, either. I'd still know what's going on under that tent." Buffy eyes the witch, grinning from ear to ear.
Tara sighs, thinking. "If I gain a hundred pounds?"
"More of you to lo…like." Buffy stumbles over the word.
Tara's eyes widen momentarily at the partial slip, before looking at the blushing slayer. Inhaling deeply, Tara decides to stop with the comments. Squeezing Buffy's hand as they walk, Tara watches as a soft smile crosses the slayer's face. "Where are we walking to? Or are we just walking?"
"Nowhere specific." Buffy admits, looking around at the beautiful day. "Do you have anything in particular, that you would like to eat for lunch?"
"Hmmm. Whatever you want, if that's an invite to eat out." Tara smirks.
"It was." Buffy nods her head. "Okay, I'm going to try wrapping my arm around your waist. If it gets to be too much, and I end up putting distance between us, you'll know why."
Tara giggles and releases the slayer's hand, as they wrap their arms around each other's waist, as they continue walking. Tilting her head, Tara rests it on the slayer's shoulder. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course." Buffy quickly answers, squeezing Tara gently.
"How long did it take for you to realize, you were in love with Angel?" Tara whispers.
Buffy opens her mouth and shuts it a couple times. "I guess it was roughly four or so months." Buffy finally admits.
"So it took time, it wasn't a fall in love at first sight thing?" Tara questions.
"No, it wasn't a see vampire, fall in love with vampire thing." Buffy bites her lip. "And honestly, at first I couldn't hardly stand him. He was always showing up, dropping little nuggets of information, before disappearing again. Definitely cryptic guy."
Tara rubs her cheek against the slayer's shoulder, thinking. "So, how long was it, from the time you realized you were in love with him, before you two…" Tara trails off unable to continue the question.
"Before he became Angelus?" Buffy more breathes out the question, than says it.
"Yes." Tara whispers.
"Not quite a year." Buffy admits, tilting her head, so it's resting on top of Tara's.
"Are you afraid of what might happen the next time?"
"The next time I make love?" Buffy queries quietly. At Tara's nod, Buffy smiles. "Maybe just a little."
"I won't lose my soul, Buffy." Tara softly whispers, slowing down, until they're both standing still. Lifting her head, she comes to face Buffy, with mere inches separating them. Looking intently into slightly scared hazel eyes, Tara reaches up with both hands, stroking her thumbs over petal soft cheeks. "And what's happening between us, is obviously very new to both of us, in more ways than one." Tara smiles gently.
Buffy nods her head, watching the woman, her gaze unblinking.
"And yes, I would like to wait before we make love." Tara bites her lip, while running one hand down to cup the slayer's neck. "But I almost feel like I've known you my whole life. Or I've been waiting for you my whole life." Tara admits, leaning in 'til she feels Buffy's warm breath on her lips. "And since you already own my heart and soul, it's just a matter of time, before you own my body." Tara closes the short distance, kissing Buffy slowly. Her lips pressing softly to both of Buffy's, before pressing over the top lip, then the slayer's bottom lip, before pulling away.
Buffy looks at Tara in a daze, after the soft, sensuous kisses. As she starts getting her faculties about her, she blinks, looking into the loving blue eyes staring back at her. "Did you just say, what I think you said?" As Tara smiles shyly, Buffy wraps her arms around the witch, pulling her in firmly against her body. Burying her face in the witch's neck, Buffy mumbles. "God, Tara! No one's ever told me they love me so beautifully." Buffy feels an inner calmness that she hasn't ever felt before, a feeling of rightness.
"I do love you, Buffy." Tara wraps her arms around Buffy's waist, and hooks her chin over the slayer's shoulder.
"I love you, too." Buffy states quietly, but with a sincere note of conviction. Pulling back, so she can look in Tara's eyes, Buffy smiles. "I think I can give you kisses, without making a spectacle of humping you, now."
Tara chuckles at the slayer's mischief filled eyes. "Think so?"
"I think so." Buffy nods, wrapping her arms up and around Tara's neck, pulling her in for a long, thorough kiss. "Oh, wow." Buffy blinks after ending the heart-stopping kiss. Trying to get control of her breathing, she watches Tara's slightly parted lips. As Tara's pink tongue licks across the full pouty bottom lip, Buffy groans, watching it disappear back in the warm cavern she's just dying to explore again. "Ah, hell!" Buffy mutters before closing the distance, quickly diving back into to the witch's warm mouth, her tongue caressing Tara's pink, tantalizing tongue. After many minutes of carnal tongue wrestling, Buffy pulls back, flushed and panting heavily.
"Oh, boy." Tara takes staggered breaths, leaning her head against Buffy's. "I think I need a very serious cold shower right now."
Buffy laughs, running her hands down the surprisingly strong feeling back of the witch. As Tara arches her body hard into hers at the stroking, Buffy smirks. "Sensitive back issues?" Buffy questions in a soft, sexy voice.
Tara groans, as Buffy strokes over her back again. Arching even harder into the slayer's body. "I think so." Tara whimpers.
Stopping her hands motions, Buffy rests them on Tara's hips. "Why don't we go eat lunch?" Buffy murmurs into Tara's ear, before placing a soft kiss on the lobe.
"Might be a good idea." Tara agrees, not loosening her grip on the slayer.
"Umm, unless you want me to pick you up and carry you, you might want to let go." Buffy chuckles.
"I got a choice?" Tara giggles before slowly pulling away from the slayer. "What are we going to eat?"
Buffy shrugs her shoulders. "There's a little Italian restaurant around the corner, if you feel like Italian."
"I can eat Italian any time." Tara admits. "Kind of like Chinese food. Chinese is good all the time."
"Hmmm. Actually Chinese sounds better, now that you bring it up." Buffy smiles at the witch, as she urges them to walk. "Great Chinese place a couple blocks away, if you want?"
"I want." Tara smiles as they pick up the pace, walking arm in arm towards to the Chinese restaurant.