Reviews:

Dee - Snort - You're worse than me, so don't even! I'm not saying anything else... :)

Word - Eventually in most of my stories, Tara will put her foot down. I like Take Charge Tara...Hmmm... Damn, going off again, somebody smack me upside the head, will ya?

Just Me Prime - Let me know if what you thought was right!

Arctic - Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end... But, this may not be good, so it may never end! SNORT

Alyson - Be careful doing the happy dance, don't want you to run into something and hurt yourself!

CB - Well? Cool about the purring, or so-so?

Sink - Love you being happy! And someone waiting patiently? A definite plus:-)

Sunshine - add your .02 whenever you feel like it - sometimes it gives me ideas for other stories, of course by the time you've left feedback on Ch 9 I'm already typing Ch 15-16 or some such nonsense - so... Not usually much good for the story I'm working on. But comments do have a tendency to make me think in different ways occasionally. So, please continue!

Whiro - Wonder if you were able to read the updates before you left for the weekend, or if you had to wait until you came back! Hope you had a wonderful time and didn't end up with too many bug bites!

Dilvish - Working on the Faith deal right now, as a matter of fact. Not doing the body-switch thing, just to let you know. That just has a really...ick? factor to it, that I don't even want to mess with. I'd rather come up with something else:-)>

Magician - glad you're enjoying!

Chapter 10

"Hi, Rupert." Joyce smiles at Buffy's watcher, as he usher's her into his apartment.

"Hello, Joyce." Giles smiles shyly. "What do I owe the honor of your visiting me?"

"It's actually about Buffy." Joyce sits down gently on the couch, looking up at Giles.

"Hmmm. Can I get you some tea or something else to drink?" Giles offers.

"Tea would be lovely." Joyce watches him walk towards the kitchen, smiling softly. "You're still coming to dinner Thursday, right?" Joyce calls out.

"Definitely." Giles answers as he makes the tea. Placing everything on a tray, he walks out into his living room, gently setting the tray down on the coffee table. "What time are you planning on having Dinner?"

"I figured around 2:00 would be a good time." Joyce admits reaching for the tea and dropping a sugar cube in to stir it absentmindedly. "It's going to be you, Xander, Buffy, Tara and myself, this year."

"Ah, yes. The new addition to the group is going to be there." Giles smiles at the thought of the young witch.

"You like her?" Joyce sips on the tea, watching Giles.

"Yes, I do. She's been coming into the store for the last year. I dare say the poor dear has had a rough time of it." Giles admits quietly, as he takes his glasses off and sets them down.

"Very rough." Joyce whispers. "She was abused by her father and brother."

Giles clenches his jaw at the thought of that gentle young woman being abused. "Pillocks!" Giles growls.

Joyce looks up and raises an eyebrow. "You have the same look on your face that Buffy had, when she found out." Joyce smirks. "It would seem Tara has a tendency to make people want to protect her."

"Yes, well…" Giles blushes, looking down.

Joyce laughs and shakes her head. "Actually, I came to talk to you about how Buffy's been acting lately, in regards to Tara."

Giles grabs his glasses putting them back on to look seriously at Joyce. "How is that?"

"You know that she has always been very protective of her friends and family, right?" Joyce starts and at Giles' nod, she looks down. "Well, it's even worse with Tara. They have become…closer recently."

Giles unsteadily sets his cup down on the coffee table while leaning forward. "But they just met."

"No, no. They haven't gone that far." Joyce opens her eyes wide. "However, as Buffy has said, there's major kissage going on. Well, today she uh…" Joyce blushes biting her lip.

"Go ahead and say it, my dear." Giles reaches across the short distance and pats Joyce's hand.

"Her wording - not mine. She said she wanted to practically hump Tara like a dog in heat." Joyce admits, blushing deeply.

"I, uhh." Giles sits back, stunned. Pulling his glasses off, he pinches the top of his nose, thinking heavily. "Anything else you've noticed?" He hoarsely gets out.

"Purring. Very, very loud, purring." Joyce admits looking up at the watcher, seeing the stunned look on his face.

"She's purring?" He questions to confirm, before hopping out of his chair and grabbing a couple books down from the shelves. "There has only been one other case about a Slayer purring. Or, at least, one documented case." Giles mutters as he sits down flipping through one of the books. "I never read much about it, since it was so rare."

Joyce nods her head. "Tara and Buffy had talked about it, somewhat. Tara believes Buffy knows something about what causes the purring, but was shy about telling her."

Giles glances up briefly with a confused look. "Buffy knows something about it? That girl has a deep seeded fear of researching. How did she come across it?"

"Who knows?" Joyce smirks. "Buffy, kind of, marches to the tune of her own drummer."

"Got that right." Giles growls, flipping through the book before coming across the section he was looking for. Quickly reading over the scant information, Giles grabs the other book, searching for additional information. Finally finding the information, he reads the couple pages, blinking in surprise before closing the book. "Bloody hell." He mutters yanking his glasses off and sitting them on top of the books on his lap.

"Is it bad?" Joyce questions quickly, worried at the watchers reaction.

"No. Not really." Giles shakes his head before opening his eyes, looking stunned at Joyce. "You know Buffy keeps a tight reign over her slayer half, correct?" Giles questions and at Joyce's nod, he smiles briefly. "Yes, well, it would seem the Slayer has found her mate and is wanting to mark her territory."

Joyce blinks in confusion looking at the watcher. "What?"

Giles sighs, before sitting back in the chair. "The slayer portion of Buffy is very primal. She finds something that she wants, she goes after it. Buffy's purring is the slayer portion of her. Her feeling contentment, happiness, at finding her mate. Tara makes her complete. The slayer half and the Buffy half, are in complete agreement."

"So what does this mean?" Joyce questions still confused.

"It means that sooner, rather than later, the slayer is going to want to take what's hers." Giles explains quietly. "Whether Buffy and Tara are ready or not, the slayer is going to want to physically mate with Tara."

"Oh, dear." Joyce whispers. "So them wanting to take it slow, is going to be impossible?"

"Quite." Giles nods his head. "There is something else about the slayer mating, that I believe, I should tell you." When Joyce looks at him questiongly, he smiles. "The slayer that it happened to before, she was the longest lived slayer, ever."

Joyce opens her mouth in surprise, before shutting it quickly. "How long did she live?"

"She was almost thirty years old. I never told Buffy about her, since it was unknown for a slayer to ever live even close to that age before." Giles takes his glasses off, tapping them on his chin. "She might have even lived longer, if an unforeseen accident hadn't occurred."

"What accident?" Joyce leans forward, watching Giles intently.

"Her mate was killed. The slayer went completely mad and disappeared. A new slayer was called less than a week later." Giles admits softly.

"I want to ask, just because I'm curious." Joyce smirks briefly. "Was the slayer's mate a woman?"

Giles blushes and nods his head. "Yes, she was."

Joyce laughs quietly before reaching for her tea. "I think Buffy might be stopping by here tonight. You may want to prepare yourself as much as possible."

"Thanks for letting me know." Giles nods his head. "I'll make a few notes. If she got a hold of the first Watcher's book, it just mentioned in it, that the slayer purred at finding someone that she was in complete harmony with, both physically and mentally. In other words, someone they both loved. I'm betting that's the one that she found."

"Does it say anything in there if they try to not consummate their relationship?" Joyce questions worriedly.

"No, it doesn't." Giles looks askance.

"So we don't know if it might have an adverse effect on Buffy, if she tries to hold back. Did it say anything about the mate and how she reacted to the slayer?" Joyce questions.

"She had an almost uncontrollable urge to touch the slayer, when they were within sight of each other. It's mentioned in the book…" Giles trails off opening the book back up and reading the part again. "She couldn't help stroking the slayer?" Giles looks up, blushing.

"I don't think that's as bad as it sounds." Joyce laughs. "Tara had her arms wrapped around Buffy earlier and was stroking her stomach through her clothes. I don't even think she was aware of doing it. That's when I heard Buffy purring for the first time."

"Yes, that is better than it sounded." Giles murmurs, smiling. "Any other worries or concerns?"

"No." Joyce bites her lip for a moment, considering the watcher. "Do you have a problem with Buffy and Tara being together?"

Giles looks up blinking for a moment. "No." He shakes his head. "First off, I believe it is rather normal for young people to be curious." He smiles briefly. "Second of all, even though I never mentioned it to Buffy, most slayers are bi-sexual. They are usually very sexual creatures."

"So Faith is more of the norm that way, than Buffy?" Joyce questions.

Giles blushes and nods his head. "Yes. I don't know how or why, but Buffy has always had more control over the slayer portion of her. Most of the girls don't. That is one of the reasons we try to isolate and train possible slayers. And in the case of Faith, she let that portion have freer reign, than others do." Giles grins.

"From one extreme to the other." Joyce murmurs quietly. "Poor Tara. I wonder if she knows what she's getting into?"

Giles shakes his head, smirking. "I'll make sure Buffy tells her. Or, I guess I could talk to her about it." Giles blushes darkly.

Joyce chuckles while watching Giles. "How about I talk to Tara about it, if Buffy can't?" Joyce stands and pats him on the shoulder. "You talking with Buffy will probably be bad enough."

"I dare say you're right." Giles nods his head in agreement before standing and walking Joyce to the door. "Is there anything I can bring for dinner Thursday?"

"Just yourself." Joyce smiles. "You can come by earlier, if you wish. Hopefully Buffy will get a chance to talk to Xander before Thursday and not just spring it on him."

Giles chuckles. "Yes, giving that young man a heads up, may be for the best. I would hate to have him drooling all over the place, if they can't keep from touching each other."

Joyce groans at the thought. "I guess we're going to need to find someone for him, so he has something else to think about!"

Giles laughs. "You may be right. You have a wonderful day, dear. You know you're more than welcome to come by at any time."

"Thanks, Rupert." Joyce smiles before quickly leaving the watcher. As she climbs in her vehicle, she considers the watcher. "And maybe, I should think about having someone for me, while I'm at it." Joyce smirks before starting the Jeep and heading to the grocery store.

"Oh, that was wonderful." Tara grins as the slayer finishes the rest of her General Tso's Chicken, that she couldn't eat herself. "Are you getting full yet?"

"Maybe." Buffy murmurs, narrowing her gaze on the smirking witch. "You picking on me?"

"Not me." Tara shakes her head, grinning crookedly.

"That didn't sound very convincing." Buffy mutters as she finishes the last of the food. Sipping on her soda, she considers the other woman. "Do you need to study this afternoon?"

Tara nods. "I need to read a couple chapters and work on a paper that's due Wednesday."

Buffy growls quietly. "Speaking of Wednesday, when's your last class?"

"Umm." Tara thinks for a moment. "A couple of my afternoon teachers already cancelled classes. I think my latest class ends around 2:00 Wednesday." Tara smiles at Buffy. "That's as long as none of my other teachers decide to start the Thanksgiving break early."

"Then, if it's okay with you. I'll plan on picking you up around 2:30?" Buffy offers smiling.

"That's fine." Tara smiles as the waiter takes their plates away asking if they need anything else. Tara raises an eyebrow at Buffy in question.

"I'm fine." Buffy shakes her head smiling. "Just the check, thank you."

Tara runs a finger across the top of Buffy's hand, smiling as Buffy captures her fingers in a firm clasp. Looking up at the hazel eyes, Tara sighs. "I guess we won't have any smoochie action when you take me back to the dorm, will we?"

"Probably not a good idea." Buffy admits. "I'll walk you back, make sure you get in your room okay, and then visit Giles. See if he can find out anything for me."

Tara bites her lip, looking intently at the slayer. "Will I get to see you tomorrow?" She questions quietly.

"Yes." Buffy answers quickly and decisively. "Even if it's only for a couple minutes, with me standing in your doorway. I'm going to come by during patrol."

"Good." Tara strokes her thumb over the back of Buffy's hand. Looking up as the waiter places the check on their table.

Buffy smiles apologetically at the witch as she pulls her hand away. Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out part of the money her mom had given her and places it with the check after glancing at the total. "Ready?" Buffy questions, standing.

Tara stands pulling on her jacket grasping Buffy's hand as they work their way out of the restaurant. As the two women walk back towards the campus in companionable silence, Tara wonders if it would be such a bad thing for the two of them to make love. Yes, she did just meet Buffy a week ago, but she already feels like she's known the woman for years. Glancing out of the corner of her eye at the caring woman walking beside her, Tara smiles softly. Maybe here soon, they can consummate their relationship.

"Would you mind if I maybe, left some stakes and other items in your dorm room, just in case I need them for future use?" Buffy questions quietly, watching the people they pass on the street, smiling as they don't even seem to notice the two women holding hands. 'Bet they'd notice if I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and kissed Tara silly.' Buffy smirks to herself at the thought.

"Of course you can. Whatever you think is best." Tara eases her hand from Buffy's grasp and wraps her arm around the slayer's waist, so she can close the distance between their bodies and lay her head more easily on her shoulder.

Buffy eases her arm around Tara's waist, cupping her hand around the witch's hip, stroking her fingers over the firm flesh. "If you're sure?" Buffy smiles as she feels Tara nod her head in the affirmative. "I love you." Buffy whispers before placing a kiss on Tara's head.

"Goddess, I love you, too." Tara murmurs, digging her fingers a little more firmly in Buffy's side, before inching them under the layers of clothes to stroke over the warm flesh, sighing in contentment at the skin on skin contact.

Buffy closes her eyes, trying to keep her reaction at bay, but unable to stop the purring creeping up through her chest. Giving in, she let's the noise rumble through her body. Tilting her head so it's against Tara's, the two women continue walking to Tara's dorm room. As they walk up the steps to her floor, they both unconsciously walk slower and slower, not wanting their time together to come to an end. Sighing heavily, Buffy grumbles. "If I could get control of my hormones, I wouldn't have to leave so soon."

Tara smiles before pulling her keys out of her pocket, finally releasing the slayer from her grasp. "Maybe we should just let your hormones take charge." She whispers quietly.

Buffy's whole body goes on alert as the words escape the witch's mouth. Groaning loudly at the arousal coursing through her body, Buffy shakes her head. Trying to get naughty thoughts from playing through her mind, Buffy takes a step back away from the door. "You aren't ready." Buffy mutters, watching as Tara slowly turns towards her with a questioning look.

"Would it be so bad?" Tara watches Buffy, raising an eyebrow at the slayer.

"God, I hope not." Buffy growls deeply. "But I don't think you need a horny…" Buffy glances up and down the hallway, seeing students going in and out of rooms. "Horny girlfriend jumping on you and humping your leg, or whatever body part is handy."

"Would that help, getting some relief?" Tara questions quietly, watching the flare of desire in the Slayer's eyes.

"I honestly don't know." Buffy whimpers, seeing the serious look in Tara's eyes. "You aren't ready to make love."

"I didn't say anything about making love." Tara closes the distance between them, leaving an inch between their bodies, her warm breath caressing Buffy's cheek as she whispers close to her ear. "I asked if you had some help, be it borrowing a leg, a hip, a…hand, would that help?" Tara blushes deeply at her forwardness, but unable to stop. Placing her hands on the slayer's waist, Tara eases backwards into her open doorway, gently urging the slayer to come in.

Buffy unconsciously follows the witch in, no longer thinking logically as her body and the slayer half of her tries to take over. Her body pressing in firmly against the curves of the blonde, Buffy's hands rise of their on volition, threading through the soft tresses as she continues following the witch, not even hearing the door click shut behind her as Tara slowly eases back to the bed. Buffy follows the witch down on the bed, her lower body straddling one of the witch's firm thigh as she leans in, kissing her deeply.

Tara groans as Buffy takes control of her mouth, her tongue seeking and strongly stroking against hers. Shifting the slayer's clothes up, Tara strokes her hands down the muscular back of the slayer, moaning as it flexes under her caresses. As her fingers are interrupted by a bra being in the way, Tara growls into the slayer's mouth, fumbling momentarily as she unhooks the bra to continue her stroking up and down the hot, soft skin.

Buffy presses her body slowly down into the witch's, jerking as her hot center comes into contact with a warm, firm thigh. Working her lips down the witch's jaw, Buffy rotates her hips, a shot of pleasure shooting through her at the contact, making her come to the realization of what she's about to do. "No." Buffy strangles out as she pulls away from the witch. Easing off the bed and backing up until she's against the wall. Buffy reaches up behind her, hooking her bra back before pulling her clothes into some semblance of order, and shoving her hands in her pockets to keep them from reaching out to the witch.

Tara looks at the slayer in confusion for a moment as she watches her back away. Flopping back onto the bed, Tara throws an arm across her eyes, groaning at the thrumming in her body. "This can't be healthy to stop right now." Tara growls between heavy pants.

Buffy snorts, watching the witch as her chest rises and falls rapidly as she tries to get control of her body. "I don't know, but I should probably leave now." Buffy whimpers as she notices how the woman's nipples are straining against her top. Buffy swallows as her mouth starts salivating as thoughts of sucking, licking and nipping at those decadent breasts, works its way through her x-rated brain. Working her way to the door, she whispers. "I'm leaving. I'll make sure the door locks behind me."

"'Kay." Tara mumbles. "Be careful on patrol tonight."

"I will." Buffy nods her head taking in one more heated look at the voluptuous witch spread out on the bed. As she opens the door, ready to slip out, Buffy smiles. "I love you." She whispers before pulling the door closed, making sure it locks, laughing to herself as she hears the moaned, 'I love you', through the door. Resting her forehead for a moment against the door, Buffy takes a couple deep breaths. "Giles, now." She mutters to herself, turning and running down the stairs, out of the building, hoofing it quickly over to the Watcher's apartment.