Reviews:
cruelly - You definitely need help! My darn horns - need to get them removed - but they keep growing back!
Goodtwin - Glad you're enjoying the story - I always love a good Buffy/Tara pairing or Tara/Faith pairing!
Just Me - Here you go! Warning: taking you to the brink again! Tease, I know I am!
Sunshine - I'm glad you're enjoying this story! It's been great to write. Joyce is great - I think after all the original melodrama with Buffy was over, that she settled down in the series and would do anything to make Buffy happy.
Wispr - Thanks for the Review - I love to hear from anyone and everyone! Feedback is my payment! Glad you're enjoying, hope I don't disappoint!
Word - Tara is our friend... Core of steel under the softness is definitely the right way to phrase it!
Toni- Thanks!
Raven - trying to get rid of the one I have, don't want another one!
CB - Thank you so much! Warm fuzzies, hot sweats, pants... it all happens! LOL
Taz - Thank you so much - always happy to hear from new reviewers!
momo - I think fast, I type fast - but I only post 1 chapter a week, so everyone has something to look forward too! LOL :) Plus let's not forget I'm working on 4 or 5 stories right now (a couple aren't ready for posting yet!)
Sink - THANK YOU! Don't work too hard -hope you enjoy the updates this weekend!
Slayergirl - Thanks! Hope you continue to like!
Chapter 12
Buffy groans as she slowly drags herself up the stairs. Her whole body aching, she finally reaches the bathroom, stripping off her filthy clothes before turning the water on. Glancing in the mirror, she shakes her head. Turning, she climbs into the shower, the hot water pounding down on her sore body. Leaning against the side of the tiled wall, she closes her eyes as the water slowly eases some of the soreness. Turning around so it hits her front, she dips her face under the spray, letting it wash away some of the dirt and grime.
Sighing, she reaches back for the shampoo, pouring a good bit into her cupped hand before working up a good lather, scrubbing her head thoroughly. She plays over the events of the night, knowing she'll have to tell Giles about what happened, and let him know that there are definitely government type people capturing the demons. Buffy chuckles quietly. "Pickings are going to be slim for them now." She grunts in pain as she comes across a tender spot on her ribs. Continuing to wash her body meticulously, she looks down as the dirty water swirls down the drain.
"Wonder how things went with mom and Tara." Buffy mutters to herself as she finishes washing, letting the water continue to run over her body. Tilting her head against the side of the shower, she closes her eyes, smiling at the thought of Tara. She had made four different trips by her building while she was out tonight, half tempted to see the witch. Knowing that she wasn't in the best of shape was the only thing that had kept her from running up the stairs and beating the door down. Finally turning off the water, Buffy steps from the shower, grabbing a towel. As she dries her body, she looks up to the steam covered mirror. Stopping for a moment, she reaches out and wipes her hand across it, looking at her reflection. "You are an idiot. You should have probably taken Tara up on her offer. It isn't like you actually had to have sex! You could have kept your clothes on and just…" Buffy trails off shaking her head.
Sighing, Buffy dries her hair and brushes her teeth before crossing the hall into her room. Groaning, she doesn't even bother pulling on her pajamas, she sets the alarm and collapses on top of the bed, as soon as her head hits the pillow, she's asleep.
AAAAAAAAAAAA
Joyce glances up from sipping her coffee and reading the newspaper. As Buffy struggles into the kitchen half asleep, Joyce raises an eyebrow. "Rough night?"
"You have no idea." Buffy groans as she pulls down a coffee cup, dumping more sugar than usual into the cup, she fills it up with coffee before stirring briefly. Leaning back against the counter, she quickly sucks the hot beverage down before making another cup.
"Must have been rough if you aren't even adding milk." Joyce looks over her daughter, not seeing any obvious wounds. "Did you get hurt?"
"Just roughed up a bit." Buffy mutters grabbing a bagel, throwing it in the toaster before opening the refrigerator and grabbing out cream cheese. "Did you get to talk with Tara yesterday?"
"Yes, I did." Joyce nods watching Buffy carefully, seeing the stiffness in her movements. "You have a very understanding and lovely girlfriend, Buffy. I think she understands what's happening better than you do. Give her a chance, okay?"
Buffy looks down, feeling tears come to her eyes. "Mom, I don't want to take advantage of her. I want to take her out on dates, flirt with her, hold hands, kiss, without there being all this other heavy stuff." As the bagel pops up, Buffy throws it on a plate and places it across from her mom on the island. Sitting down, she quickly spreads some cream cheese across it.
Joyce watches Buffy, waiting to see if she's going to say anything else. As Buffy proceeds to eat her breakfast, Joyce pushes her coffee cup away from her and looks at her daughter seriously. "As Tara said yesterday, the slayer is part of who you are. You can't change that, and she doesn't want you to change. Follow her lead, honey."
Buffy searches her mom's eyes and finally nods. "But just in case, maybe I should ask Giles for a tranquilizer gun and give it to Tara to shoot me, if I get a little more rambunctious than she's ready for."
Joyce bites her lip, trying to keep the laughter at bay, but is unsuccessful. As she laughs, she sees the hurt look cross Buffy's face. Quickly getting control of her laughter, she reaches out and pats her daughter's hand. "Honey, I don't think that's going to be a problem. I have a feeling your young lady will meet you more than halfway, in regards to this. And no matter what, you won't let things get out of hand. I know you. So, relax and let things progress, okay?"
Buffy sighs quietly. "I'm going to tell her to thump me upside the head if she needs to. But I'll see how things go. I'm planning on stopping by to see her tonight, during patrol."
Joyce grins secretively as she turns her back on her daughter. "You do that, dear. She's worried about you."
"Thanks, Mom." Buffy quickly hugs her mother as she places her dirty dishes in the sink. "I better head to class. Love you." Buffy calls out as she heads into the living room to grab her book bag.
"Love you too, honey. Have a good day." Joyce smirks as she watches her daughter out of the kitchen window. "And a good night." Laughing, Joyce quickly finishes getting ready for work.
AAAA
Tara leans against the wall across from Buffy's last class of the day, waiting patiently for the teacher to dismiss the class. Smiling as she thinks about her conversations with her other teachers and how nice they'd been when she told them she couldn't make today's classes. She'd spent the morning running from one classroom to the other, getting assignments and turning in a paper before running back to her dorm room, spending the rest of the time studying and working on papers.
As the students finally start filing out, Tara straightens, waiting to catch a glimpse of a certain petite blonde. As Buffy finally trudges out of class, Tara frowns at the obviously tired slayer. "Buffy?"
Buffy glances up when she hears her name, her face breaking out in a huge grin at seeing Tara standing there, obviously waiting for her. Unmindful of the other students, Buffy quickly weaves her way through to stand in front of Tara, kissing her firmly on the lips. "What are you doing here?"
Tara smiles reaching for Buffy's arm, pulling her towards the buildings exit. "I'm here for you."
"Kind of figured that. But shouldn't you be in class?" Buffy allows Tara to pull her along behind her.
"Nope." Tara picks up her speed as she gets outside, quickly making her way towards her dorm, with a confused slayer in tow. "Had something more important, to take care of today."
Buffy follows Tara, frowning, wondering what was more important to the woman, than her classes. As Tara unlocks the door and urges her inside her room, Buffy turns to question her, being met by arms and lips instead. Groaning and dropping her book bag, Buffy wraps her arms around Tara's neck, meeting the inquisitive tongue searching out all her hidden secrets.
Tara growls deeply as Buffy returns her kiss, pulling the slayer's body tighter in against hers, breasts and thighs pressing firmly against each other.
Buffy moans as she feels a firm thigh slide between her legs, pressing deliciously against her aching body. Breaking off the kiss, Buffy pants heavily, trying to get control of her breathing as she kisses her way down Tara's neck, sucking gently on the pulse point calling out to her.
Tara arches into the slayer's lips, her fingers digging into the slayer's back lightly. "Bed, sweetie." She mutters, urging the slayer back towards the bed.
"No, no. Not a good idea." Buffy mutters pulling her lips away from the tender skin, licking her tongue firmly over the dark red spot. "I'm gonna be good, even if it kills me." Buffy whimpers as fingers stroke down her back to grasp her ass cheeks firmly. "Oh, God." Buffy groans, arching up into Tara at the sensation.
"You can be good all you want. I'm the one going to be bad." Tara growls into Buffy's ear as she digs her fingers into the slayer's butt cheeks firmly. Moving her hands up to the slayer's shoulders, she pushes gently, so Buffy's sitting on the bed. Placing a knee on either side of the slayer's hips, Tara pushes just that bit more, so Buffy falls back on the bed. Leaning down, Tara nips softly down Buffy's neck and across her collar bone. "Tell me you don't want this and I'll stop." Tara murmurs into the slayer's skin, as she works a little further down, into the skin revealed by the v-necked shirt.
"Ah, hell!" Buffy arches up, as lips push the shirt partly out of the way and caress over the start of a breast. Purring starting deep inside, making her whole body vibrate.
"Not an answer." Tara lifts up to look into the hazy eyes of the slayer.
Buffy shakes her head, getting order to her fuzzy brain. "What are you doing?"
"Getting ready to make love to you." Tara admits as she balances herself on her knees above the slayer. Grasping the bottom of her shirt, Tara pulls it over her head and throws it across the room. "Now, can I?"
Buffy looks up wide eyed at the delightful sight of satin covered breasts, playing hide and seek through the lace. "Oh, wow!" Buffy slides her hand up the silky soft skin of the witch's stomach and rib cage, to brush tantalizingly over the covered breast. Flinching as she feels the nipple stiffen under her palm, as her own breasts cry out for attention. Looking up into dark blue eyes, Buffy whimpers. "Tara, I wanted to go slow with you. Take my time."
Tara smiles down into Buffy's beautiful hazel eyes. "That's wonderful, sweetie." Tara leans down and brushes a kiss across the slayer's mouth. "But we aren't really talking about me right now." Tara sighs as she sees the confused look come into the slayer's heated gaze. Easing her body from above Buffy to lie beside her, Tara props her head up, looking down at Buffy as she strokes over the skin showing at Buffy's neck. "I'm going to have to explain this to you, aren't I?" Tara questions quietly.
Buffy nods her head, watching as Tara's eyes gradually lighten from the dark blue to her more normal colored blue. Purring more strongly as Tara strokes her skin.
Tara blushes looking down at the hand stroking over the slayer's collar bone. "Do you feel the overwhelming urge to find relief for yourself, or is it to make love to me?"
Buffy closes her eyes thinking heavily. "Both, really."
Tara chuckles quietly. "But the urge is more to find release for yourself, right?"
Buffy shakes her head. "No, it isn't the release I think I'm really looking for. It feels more like I want to mark you as mine." Buffy admits quietly. "Like a dog marking its territory. I want to mark you as my territory."
Tara inhales deeply, trying to work through what the slayer is saying. "Your half wants to make love to me. The slayer half is wanting to mark me as hers, meaning she wants to be able to…say smell me and smell herself on me?" Tara questions softly, wondering if this is what the problem is.
Buffy frowns, biting her lip. "I think so. I mean, I know I want to make love to you. Touch you, kiss you. But the slayer portion is like, pounce on you."
"You seem to be pretty in control of the slayer half right now." Tara makes the observation, actually surprised as she thinks about them having this conversation as they are right now.
"I think she's buried kind of deep right now." Buffy admits quietly. "I went on a major rampage last night and let go completely. I don't think I'll need to do patrol for a few nights now."
Tara searches the slayer's eyes, seeing the truth in her statement. "You gave her total free reign for the first time last night, didn't you?" As Buffy nods her head, Tara smiles. "How did it feel?"
"Weird. Kind of like, I was there in the background, seeing and hearing everything going on, but not being in charge." Buffy explains.
"Did you try to take control back?" Tara strokes a finger down the slayer's cheek.
"No, not until I took out the last vamps nest I found in the sewers. After that, I kind of just stepped forward and she let me." Buffy watches Tara for a few minutes. "So, does this mean we're going to be able to hold off a little while, now?"
"It's entirely up to you." Tara murmurs quietly. "Obviously you letting her have free reign, kind of wore her out, I guess. But one thing you have to remember, she is a part of you. I don't think she'll do anything that you ultimately don't want her to do."
"Do you think so?" Buffy questions hesitantly, and at Tara's nod and grin, Buffy sighs quietly. "Oh, yeah. I'd say it wore her out. Wore me out, too. I got home, and let the shower beat on me for roughly an hour before drying my hair. I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow and was gone until the alarm clock went off this morning." Buffy reaches up, running a hand down the arm of the witch.
"You do look tired, sweetie." Tara runs a thumb over the dark circles under the slayer's eyes.
Buffy smiles apologetically at Tara. "I am kind of tired."
"Do you want food or sleep first?" Tara questions watching Buffy's eyes light up at the mention of food. Chuckling, Tara presses a kiss to Buffy's cheek. "I'll make you a couple sandwiches, get comfy."
"'kay." Buffy watches as Tara looks around locating her shirt and pulls it back on. "You didn't have to put your shirt back on. I kind of liked the view."
Tara raises an eyebrow at the slayer. "If I'm going to go shirtless, you have to, too." Tara's eyes get wide as Buffy quickly strips her shirt off, dropping it beside the bed. "Okay." Tara mutters before slowly pulling her shirt back off, blushing deeply.
"Oooh!" Buffy watches as the blush works its way all the way down the witch's chest. "Braless too?" Buffy unconsciously licks her lips at the thought of seeing the blush completely.
Tara looks askance at the slayer. "What's going through your mind here, Buffy?"
"Wanna watch the blush in its entirety." Buffy admits glancing back up, grinning.
Tara blushes again. Looking down, she notices her chest turning red, groaning she turns her back on the slayer and pulls the meats and cheese out of the refrigerator. Quickly making two huge sandwiches for Buffy, she grabs a bag of chips and carries it over to the bed, setting the items down in front of the slayer. "Eat." She orders quietly before going back and making herself a regular sandwich. Putting the items up, she sits down across from the slayer.
Buffy pouts at missing the blush, but grins when she realizes that in the near future, she'll get to see it as often as she wants. Picking up a sandwich she takes a huge bite. Chewing, she watches as Tara sits down across from her, nibbling on her sandwich. As she quickly finishes the first sandwich, she opens the bag of chips and dumps some on her plate. "Want some?"
"Please." Tara nods her head before realizing she forgot to get drinks for them. Easing off the bed, she quickly kneels by the fridge and pulls out a juice and water. Handing the water to Buffy, she sits back down to finish eating her dinner.
Buffy licks her lips after finishing her sandwiches and chips. Sipping on her water, she watches Tara before speaking. "So, you decided to take time off from classes today to jump my bones?"
Tara glances up, biting her lip and nodding. "Pretty much. I did go to all my teachers and got the assignments. I kind of did some personal researching today, also." Tara admits quietly, blushing again.
Buffy raises an eyebrow as Tara blushes. "Personal research?" Tilting her head, Buffy smirks. "What kind of personal research?"
Biting her lip, Tara quickly gathers the used paper plates, empty chip bag and throws them in the trash. Looking at a couple of the books she checked out of the library, she rolls her eyes. "Personal, personal research." Tara mutters.
Buffy watches as Tara's eyes light on a couple books before her comment. Standing up, curious, Buffy walks slowly over to the books. "Oh." Buffy whispers, shifting to read the titles on the books. "Personal research, huh. I didn't know they had these type books at the library."
"Oh, yes. And quite a few others also." Tara admits shyly.
"Any good information?" Buffy casually flips one of them open, blinking at the titles of the listed chapters. "That might have been a stupid question, Buffy." She mutters to herself.
"I didn't get to read it in depth. I kind of, hit on certain chapters, so I wouldn't be completely at a loss." Tara admits blushing so dark her face is almost a burgundy color.
Buffy glances over at the blushing witch. "You did this so you could make sure I…" As Tara nods Buffy smiles. "It obviously made you a little more comfortable with what you were doing, didn't it?"
"Yes." Tara whispers. "I have more of an idea, of what to do and where to do it." Tara bites her lip before looking up into the understanding eyes of the slayer. Breathing a sigh of relief, Tara smiles.
"Hmmm." Buffy picks the book up, glancing through it. "Maybe I should borrow this and read up on it, myself. I don't want to be embarrassed by doing something wrong."
Tara shakes her head. "That's the main point I read in the book. If it feels right to both parties, then it isn't wrong. There isn't necessarily a right and a wrong way of doing something. Just what feels good." Tara smirks. "Obviously, a lot of things can feel good."
Buffy looks up from her perusing of the book, watching the mischievous look on the witch's face. Closing the book and placing it back with the others, Buffy watches Tara. "And what kind of things, feel good?"
"Anything, everything." Tara shrugs, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around the slayer's waist, leaving a gap between their bodies. "Since you obviously aren't losing control, do we get to do some serious making out?"
Buffy grins and nods her head. "How serious do you want to get? I would dearly love to enjoy certain attributes, that have been calling out to me the last hour, or so." Buffy murmurs her eyes dropping down to Tara's breasts.
"With or without the bras?" Tara whimpers as she watches the desire flood into Buffy's eyes at her words.
"Whatever you're comfortable with." Buffy answers before leaning in and kissing Tara softly. "Only what you're comfortable with."
Tara smiles as she leads Buffy back towards the bed, lying down she faces the slayer, urging her to climb in beside her. "Serious making out." Tara breathes into the slayer's ear as she works her way from the slayer's ear, down her jaw, to suck briefly on her chin before flicking her tongue out and over the slayer's lips.
Buffy whimpers as Tara works her way down her neck, sucking lightly at various points along the way. Arching into the witch's mouth as she licks across her pulse point, Buffy clasps her waist in a firm grip, easing herself into the witch. Stroking her hand over the satiny soft skin, Buffy lightly trails her fingers up and over the witch's back, as she feels firm fingers digging gently into her back. Groaning loudly as nails scrape up her back, Buffy jerks her body in tighter against Tara.
"Like that?" Tara questions hotly as her lips caress over the slayer's ear lobe.
"God, yes!" Buffy groans again as the nails make another trip, down her back this time.
"Hmmm. Something seems to be getting in my way." Tara murmurs as she works her hands to unhook Buffy's bra. "May I?" Tara questions as she eases her hands up and over the slayer's shoulders, ready to take the bra off.
"Please." Buffy whimpers looking into the desire filled blue eyes of her love. "May I?" Buffy questions, her hands at the witch's bra clasp.
"Goddess, yes." Tara answers quickly before sliding her hands down the slayer's arms, easing the bra down with them. Swallowing hard, as firm, pert breasts come into view, followed by rosy colored nipples. Inhaling deeply at the sight of the slayer, Tara whimpers quietly.
Buffy quickly unhooks the bra, following Tara's lead by easing the straps down her arms, amazed at the ample cleavage slowly being revealed to her greedy eyes. Watching as pale nipples come into view, Buffy bites her lip. Unable to resist, she tilts her head down and capturesa nipple.
"Oh, Goddess!" Tara cries, arching up, pushing her breast into the hot wet cavern of the slayer's mouth. Clasping her hand to the back of the slayer's head, she holds her in place, moaning.
Running her tongue around the quickly hardening nipple, Buffy moans at the flavor of the witch. Pulling away momentarily, Buffy runs her tongue more fully over the witch's breast before circling the aureole.
"Buffy!" Tara cries out quietly as Buffy sucks her nipple into her mouth, suckling firmly, occasionally flicking her tongue over the hardened nipple. Reaching up, she cups the slayer's breast in her hand, running her thumb over the firm flesh. Scraping her thumb nail gently over the nipple, she smiles as the slayer's body jerks into her. Panting heavily, Tara gently squeezes the nipple between her thumb and forefinger.
"Tara…" Buffy whimpers as she releases the witch's breast, burying her head against Tara's neck. Trying to get control of her breathing, she arches into the witch's hand, as she scrapes her nail across her sensitive nipple again. "My, God, woman!" Buffy growls loudly.
"Too much?" Tara pants.
"Not the scraping, but maybe the togetherness. A step back might be good." Buffy admits in between hard breaths.
"Okay." Tara slowly runs her hand back down and around to Buffy's back. Slowly easing herself onto her back, she pulls Buffy against her. "Relax sweetie." Tara murmurs, kissing the top of Buffy's head.
"Relax she says." Buffy mutters rolling her eyes. "Gets me all hot and bothered then tells me to relax. There's something wrong with this picture."
"You're the one that said step back." Tara reminds the slayer, smiling.
"And you're listening to me? WHY?" Buffy growls roughly.
Tara chuckles running one hand through Buffy's hair, while caressing her back with the other. "Sleep, sweetie. You need the rest."
"Should go home, mom will be worried." Buffy mumbles as she gets more comfortable against Tara, her chest rumbling.
"No she won't. She knows you're here." Tara whispers, stroking softly over the slayer. Smiling as she feels her relaxing.
"Huh?" Buffy sleepily questions.
"Hush. Go to sleep. Everything's just fine, Buffy." Tara murmurs. "Everything's perfect." Tara grins as she feels lips press softly against her breast.
"Love you." Buffy mumbles.
"I love you, too." Tara smiles as Buffy's leg shifts over hers, her arm and head becoming heavier as she falls asleep. Stroking across the slayer's arm and back, Tara sighs. "You're too precious for words, sweetie." Letting her own body relax, she slowly drifts off to sleep, feeling safe and protected in the slayer's grasp.