Reviews:
Slayer - glad you found it!
Just - had to make up for being off ffnet for the week! BAD BAD ME
Toni - poor Xander, he's so in for it! LOL
Slayer - Lots of teasing going on for all involved!
Sink - Buffy doesn't have anything to do with Tara's magical abilities in this one. Tara's herself, which we don't really know how powerful she is. But I'm sure she's pretty kick-ass. You know I like TUFF TARA! LOL
Skye - Horny Buffy, is right! LOL
Chapter 16
Joyce glances up as a blushing Tara comes in and sits down on a chair in the kitchen. Raising an eyebrow at the witch, as she bites her lip looking down. "Was my daughter misbehaving?"
"Not so much. It was more some of the clothes she owns that kind of…embarrassed me." Tara admits quietly.
Xander looks from Joyce to Tara and back again. "What clothes does Buffy have that's embarrassing?"
"Don't you mind, Xander." Joyce smirks at the teen before laughing quietly at the dark red Tara's turning. "You're going to need to get used to it, my dear."
Tara looks up with embarrassment, biting her lip. "I don't know if I will." She admits quietly.
"You will. Because you're going to become very used to those type of items, if I have anything to say about it." Buffy states quietly walking into the room and wrapping her arms around Tara's waist. "And not just seeing me in them, but wearing those type things." Buffy whispers quietly into Tara's ear. "That's what I want for Christmas."
Tara's eyes widen and she covers her face with her hands, whimpering quietly.
"Honey, stop embarrassing the poor woman." Joyce grins at her daughter. "Xander, get your mind out of the gutter and set the table."
"Yes, Mrs. S." Xander hops up tearing his gaze away from Buffy and Tara. Grabbing down plates he opens the silverware drawer grabbing a handful of silverware before trotting out to the dining room.
Buffy places a soft kiss on Tara's cheek, after she finally drops her hands. "What do you want to drink, Tare?"
"Water's fine." Tara takes a deep breath looking up at Buffy. Wondering what she's going to do with the woman. Shaking her head and smiling she stands. "Joyce what do you want?"
Joyce glances up. "Diet Coke, please." Finishing placing the pork chops on a platter with the chicken on another plate, she carries them into the dining room.
Tara grabs down glasses and fills them with ice as Buffy pulls out the drinks, quickly filling them. Tara places a quick kiss on Buffy's check and whispers. "I love you, even if you are spoiled rotten." Before gathering the salad, and the macaroni and cheese to take into the dining room.
Buffy grins happily watching Tara walk into the dining room as Xander comes in. "What do you want to drink, Xan?"
"Coke, if you got any." Xander looks around and grabs the two waters and diet coke that Buffy finished pouring. "She's pretty, Buffy. Kind of makes me jealous."
"Thanks, Xander." Buffy looks up smiling before frowning. "Jealous?"
"Yeah, you have a girlfriend a few days after meeting her and I can't find anyone for me! I feel like such a loser." He pouts with eyes twinkling. "Maybe I should have you look for a girlfriend for me. I can't fault your taste."
"Watch it." Buffy growls quietly at Xander before winking at him. "Get in the dining room, Xan."
"Yes, ma'am." Xander grins at Buffy before heading to the dining room.
"Rotten." Buffy murmurs as she grabs a coke for Xander. Quickly pouring the drink she notices the Crescent rolls in the basket. Grasping the rolls she strides into the dining room, smiling at Xander telling Tara a story about him and Willow when they were 5.
"You know, I still have that Barbie doll at home, but don't you dare tell Willow." Xander narrows his gaze on Buffy. "I've decided to wait till the fifteen year anniversary of my taking it from her to give it back. Don't ask me why, because I haven't a clue." Xander shrugs his shoulders when he gets the questioning look from Buffy.
"You still like her, don't you?" Buffy questions quietly as she sits down by Tara, unconsciously placing her hand on the woman's leg.
Xander looks down nodding his head. "Yeah, but I kinda screwed that up. Nothing unusual for me." Xander smiles sadly as he reaches for a chicken breast placing it on his place before grabbing a pork chop. Plopping a good hunk of macaroni and cheese on his plate he grins at Joyce. "Looks wonderful, Mrs. S."
"Thanks, Xander." Joyce grasps the platter with the pork chops on them and sets one on her plate before handing it to Tara. Scooping out some salad into her bowl she accepts the Macaroni and cheese from Xander placing a small amount on her plate.
"You know her and Oz split, right?" Buffy murmurs after swallowing a bite of salad.
"Yeah. But she's clear across country going to school, Buff. And I'm afraid that ship done sailed." Xander shrugs his shoulders. Looking up at Buffy with pleading eyes, silently begging her to let it go.
Buffy sighs and nods her head. "Mom, I'm going to spend the night tonight with Tara, okay?"
"Like I have a choice in the matter?" Joyce looks up with a smirk.
"Tara can stay here." Buffy looks up grinning. "Then you can drive us to the college tomorrow."
"Not a good idea. I don't have any clothes here." Tara interrupts quietly after swallowing her bite of pork chop.
"Oh, okay. Guess I'm definitely going to the dorm room of love." Buffy smirks, as Tara blushes. "Gotta love that blush."
"Buffy, please." Tara whimpers.
"Okay, I'm sorry." Buffy wraps her hand gently around Tara's forearm. "I'll behave."
"Thank you." Tara breathes out softly.
Xander stares at the two women, his eyes unfocused as he imagines them in the dorm room of love. "Oww!" Xander yells and jumps, looking accusingly at Buffy.
"Get those thoughts out of your head!" Buffy grumbles at her friend.
"I can't help it!" He whines loudly. "And you aren't helping!"
"Buffy, honey. Please behave." Joyce laughs quietly. "You have poor Tara blushing so much, I'm starting to worry all her blood is going to her face instead of the rest of her body. And poor Xander is probably going to be bruised from you kicking him."
"Okay, okay. I'll be nice. I'll sit here quietly eating my dinner." Buffy grumbles, pouting.
"Put that away, sweetie." Tara murmurs quietly in her ear. "I'll make it up to you later."
Buffy's eyes widen and she grins hugely at Tara before straightening in her seat to eat her dinner happily.
Xander tears his gaze away from the two women to look at Joyce. "So, Mrs. S. Is there anything I can bring for Thanksgiving Dinner? I make a mean can of Cranberry Sauce." Xander grins.
"Yes, you may bring a can or two of cranberry sauce." Joyce smiles shaking her head.
"What all do we need to pick up at the store tomorrow, mom?" Buffy questions quietly, reaching over for a notepad and pen. Writing down rolls, canned yams, butter and corn flakes. "I got the ingredients Tara needs plus rolls. Anything else?" She glances at Joyce as she picks up her pork chop with her other hand, taking a healthy bite.
"I don't think so." Joyce looks at Tara. "We'll probably need to drive over to your dorm room to pick up your supplies, won't we?"
Tara nods. "Buffy and I can get the majority of it. But the easel and the canvases might be a little awkward. I have the key to the Art room, so whenever you want to go by there we can."
"Good. You know what, why don't we have a change of plans. I'll come by the college, we'll check out your paintings and load up your stuff, stop at the store on the way home then bake some pies." Joyce suggests as she finishes her dinner.
"I don't mind." Tara looks at Buffy.
"That's fine. Actually it kind of makes more sense. That way Tara has extra time to work on that painting." Buffy tilts her head and looks at Tara for a moment. "It didn't even occur to me to ask, but why the hell is your Art Teacher asking you to do a painting of his wife? Why isn't he doing it himself?"
Joyce chuckles quietly as she picks up her soda and takes a sip.
"Umm. He's not that good." Tara blushes as she makes the admittance.
"How can he not be good and be a teacher?" Buffy questions confused.
"Honey, he may be good at teaching and the mechanics but not at the actual doing." Joyce explains quietly. "If he was a real good artist, he wouldn't be teaching."
"Okay." Buffy shrugs her shoulders. "As long as it's normal and Tara isn't getting shorted."
"I'm not, sweetie. He's really helped my painting since I've been here." Tara admits softly.
Xander waves his hand. "Am I to assume you're an artist?"
"Artist, going for a degree to become an English Teacher and also taking a lot of business classes." Buffy grumbles. "I hook up with an extremely smart, brilliant, kind, loving, sweet, gorgeous woman. And why am I grumbling? That's great." Buffy smirks looking at Tara. "Sorry, didn't mean to make you blush again." Buffy winces.
"That's okay." Tara shakes her head looking down.
"Now, what did I say about that?" Buffy gripes hooking her finger under the witch's chin. "Stop that."
"I'm trying." Tara smiles softly before turning her gaze on Joyce. "So you want to come by my dorm after you close up tomorrow?"
"I think that might be the easiest thing to do. I'll probably close around 3:00, it'll take me a while to actually close and lock up the shop. So it'll probably be closer to 4:00 when I get to the dorm room."
"That's fine." Tara nods smiling.
"I'll be there to help you gather your stuff together, then wait for mom. Are you going to want to pick up Chinese or something for dinner tomorrow night?" Buffy questions her mother.
"It would be easier. There's that new Thai restaurant, if you two want to try it? I've heard a couple of the women at work mention that it was good. We can stop and pick some up to go." Joyce offers.
"That place is great." Xander pipes up as he snags the last chicken breast, sticking his tongue out at Buffy as she growls at him. "I get food from there at least twice a week."
"Did you want to come for dinner tomorrow night?" Joyce grins at Xander.
"Nah. I'm going to be late at work tomorrow night, some last minute stuff to get done before the long weekend." Xander shakes his head as he quickly cuts his chicken and pops a piece in his mouth.
"If you're sure." Joyce stands gathering her dirty dishes.
"You done, sweetie?" Tara questions Buffy, who seems to be debating on something.
"Hmm? Yeah, I'm done." Buffy smiles. "Let me get it." Buffy quickly stands gathering her dishes along with Tara's.
Tara watches Buffy head into the kitchen with a raised eyebrow. Turning her gaze back on Xander, she chuckles as he grabs the last of the food, dumping it on his plate. "I think Joyce was right. You do eat as much as Buffy."
"Oh, definitely." Xander admits smiling. "I don't cook and the only time I get a home cooked meal is when I come here. So I definitely put it away when it comes to Mrs. S's cooking."
Tara laughs quietly looking back up as Buffy comes into the dining room.
"Xander, with my hooking up with Tara, Mom and I discussed having a family type dinner every Sunday night at 5:00. And since you're family, there's a standing invitation." Buffy offers quietly, smiling at Tara before looking over at Xander.
"I'll be here." Xander smiles.
Buffy stands behind Tara's chair, resting her hands on Tara's shoulders. "Good. Tare, we probably need to head out on patrol and get you back to school." Buffy glances up at Xander. "You drove, right?"
"Sure did." Xander nods his head. "If I think there's the slightest chance I'll be out late, I have the vehicle. Also carry a stake, cross and holy water at all times. You trained me well." Xander smirks at Buffy.
"Good, I just wanted to make sure, or Tara and I would have walked you home." Buffy strokes her fingers over Tara's shoulders. Not realizing her hands were moving Tara's collar, making the mark on her neck visible.
"Holy Schmolly, Buffy! What did you do to the poor woman?" Xander's eyes widen at the huge hickey on Tara's neck.
"Huh?" Buffy looks up confused before realizing where Xander's eyes were looking and leans over to see the mark showing from where she'd shifted Tara's shirt. "Yeah, that's kind of where I marked her." Buffy admits quietly.
Tara laughs quietly before tilting her head back to look up into Buffy's eyes. "Yes, one of the marks anyway."
Buffy's narrows her gaze for a moment. "Yeah, but you kind of did away with that mark."
"Hmmm. But I might let you do it again. Repeatedly." Tara smirks then groans as Buffy tilts her head down and captures her lips in a soft kiss.
"I'm holding you to that." Buffy whispers quietly as she pulls back from the witch's lips.
"Ow!" Xander yells out in pain, making the two women look at him confused. "I kicked myself." He mutters. As the two women laugh at him, he frowns. "It isn't that funny." As they both laugh even harder, he thinks about it before smiling. "Okay, so it is funny that I kicked myself. You two are going to make life a living hell for me. I'm just letting you know this right now."
"You should be used to it by now." Buffy smirks.
"Too true." Xander sighs.
"Ready to go? I need to stop at Willy's…" Buffy blinks, frowning. "I guess I'll drop you off at the dorm and go back to Willy's after."
"Sweetie, I can go with you to Willy's bar. It isn't that big a deal." Tara smiles softly as she stands.
"Yeah, but I don't like the idea of you being in that hole." Buffy grumbles.
"And a hole it is." Xander nods his head. "Of course, Buffy redecorating it for them frequently has nothing to do with it." Xander smirks at the slayer.
"Yeah, yeah. But he just asks for it, the idiot." Buffy laughs. "Promise to do what I say?" Buffy questions softly. "I just want to make sure you don't get hurt."
"I know." Tara nods her head, smiling in acceptance. Glancing towards the kitchen, she smiles as she watches Joyce make her way into the dining room. "I guess we're going to head out. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Of course." Joyce smiles as Buffy gives her a hug and kiss. Raising an eyebrow and opening her arms at Tara, she laughs as Tara blushes and tentatively wraps her arms around her. "Be careful, you two."
"We will." Tara bites her lip, smiling. "It was really nice meeting you, Xander."
"Same here. You know, if you know anyone that's looking for a boyfriend…" Xander wiggles his eyebrows, making Tara laugh.
"I'll be sure to let you know." Tara grins, really liking the young man.
"Let's go, so I can get you back to your dorm room before it gets too terribly late." Buffy smiles before winking at Xander. "Don't be a stranger, Xan. Remember Sunday night dinners."
"I'll be here." Xander nods his head, smiling as he stands gathering his dirty dishes. He watches as the two women gather their bags and head out of the house. Turning he grins at the smile of love on Joyce's face, as she watches them leave. "Mrs. S. I just have to say, you are probably the absolute best Mom ever."
"And why is that, Xander?" Joyce grins as she heads back into the kitchen to make short work of the dishes, laughing quietly as Xander grabs a towel drying them and putting them away.
"Multiple reasons. But this time, the acceptance of Buffy and Tara." Xander admits smiling.
"How can I not accept it?" Joyce looks out the window, thinking. "I mean, think about it. Can you ever remember Buffy looking that happy or that at peace in the time you've known her?"
Xander cocks his head to the side thinking, before raising his eyebrows in surprise. "You know, now that I think about it, no I don't."
"The last time I remember her possibly being close to that happy, was when she was seven years old. Seeing Buffy like that…" Joyce smiles and shakes her head. "It makes me happy. A person can't argue with that."
"I guess not." Xander smiles. "But do they always kiss and hug that much? I'm afraid I'm going to get the heck beat out of me." Xander groans quietly.
"Might want to be in a different room, then." Joyce smirks at the young man. "This will give you an idea. When I came home tonight I went upstairs. Buffy's door was open and I glanced in. I had to stop at the sight of Tara studying, just stroking her fingers over Buffy's arms that were wrapped around her waist. Buffy was basically a pillow that Tara was leaning back against, while Buffy was wrapped around her." Chuckling quietly Joyce shakes her head. "Buffy was just purring contentedly away at being close to Tara. Completely happy just as she was."
"Purring?" Xander swallows trying to get the idea of Tara using Buffy as a pillow out of his head.
"It's something to do with her being a slayer, and being content and happy. I never heard her purr before Tara." Joyce smiles. "You'll hear it, I'm sure."
"Wow." Xander blinks. "That's kind of cool." Sighing quietly he puts away the last glass. "Thanks for dinner. I need to head to the apartment. I've got to be at the site early tomorrow. Have a good night, Mrs. S." Xander leans in and gives her a peck on the cheek before heading towards the front door.
"Be careful on the way home, dear." Joyce calls out.
"I will." Xander answers as he heads out the front door, waving towards the kitchen window as he gets in his car, smiling, as Joyce waves back.
"Did you get all the demons, sweetie?" Tara questions the fact that they hadn't come across one demon on their way to Willy's.
"I haven't felt a single one. I guess between my rampage and the Military group, we've knocked the majority of them out." Buffy looks around, surprised as they make their way quickly to Willy's. Not feeling any demons in the bar, she shrugs looking at Tara. "I don't feel anything in here, either."
Tara nods, silently following the slayer into the bar.
"Hey, Willy. Where's all your customers at?" Buffy questions the empty bar, looking towards the irritated looking bar tender.
"Like you don't know." He grumbles. "What the damn Initiative hasn't captured, you demolished the other night. The few that were lucky enough to evade you, high tailed it out of town."
"Initiative?" Buffy questions, quickly hopping up on a bar stool looking at the owner.
"Yeah, like it's any big secret. They've been experimenting on demons. They capture them, put chips and shit in their heads. If it works, they let them go. If not, they either get killed or from what I heard, dismembered, to be used for some top secret project. That's all I know. Oh, and the fact that they seem to be centered around the college." Willy bitches as he pulls himself a beer out of the cooler and sits down. "Want anything?"
Buffy raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Being friendly towards me isn't the norm, Willy. What's up?"
"Ain't got nothing else to do. You ain't tearin' the place up for once, and it's dead as a door nail since everybody's gone, dead, or captured." Willy shrugs taking a swig of his beer. "I might just close up the bar for the weekend and get some much needed rest."
"What about Spike? I heard he was one of the vamps that got fixed." Buffy smirks at the thought of Spike not being able to hurt anyone.
"Yeah, he left town not too long ago. He said something about finding someone to get that blasted chip out of his head and he was gone." Willy looks down at his beer bottle before finishing it off. Glancing over for the first time at Tara, Willy eyes her up and down before smirking. Before he knows it he's five feet from the ground and on the other side of the bar. "What the fuck?" He screams in surprise.
"You don't look at her like that, or the next time, I'll take your head off, understood?" Buffy growls shaking Willy. "When you start getting business, you let the clientele know she's off limits. I catch anyone even looking cross-eyed at her, and I'll make sure they die a long painful death, understood?"
Willy nods his head quickly in surprise, as Buffy slowly lowers him to the floor. "I got you, Slayer. Nobody even thinks about the woman."
"Buffy." Tara lays a calm hand on Buffy. "He didn't do anything."
"No, but he sure as hell was eyeing you a lot more than I liked." Buffy growls deeply, making Willy shake in fear as he watches her eyes narrow and spark orange flames.
Backing away slowly, with his hands up, he whimpers. "It won't happen again, promise."
"Better not." Buffy's lip snarls up before she turns looking at Tara. Seeing the concern in the blue eyes, Buffy slowly calms down. "Sorry." She whispers quietly.
"That's okay, sweetie. Obviously very protective." Tara grins crookedly at the slayer. "Just be careful not to hurt anyone, especially if they haven't done anything but look or make a comment, okay?"
"I'll try. I'm not promising anything, understand?" Buffy grins as Tara runs a hand down her cheek and neck. "I guess we can head to the campus. Seems like the town is pretty much dead."
"It appears that way." Tara smiles as Buffy reaches down picking up their bags as they head towards the door.
"Be seeing you, Willy." Buffy growls out before letting the door slam shut behind her. "So, now we know the military group is called the Initiative. I'll get the info to Giles tonight."
"Do we need to stop by his place?" Tara questions as they walk quickly towards the campus.
"No. I'll just call from the dorm's pay phone downstairs. Hey, how come you don't have a phone in your room?" Buffy looks at Tara.
"I didn't have anyone to talk to before. Plus it costs $15 a month additional to have it." Tara shrugs looking up at the night sky occasionally as they walk.
"Hmm. Makes sense." Buffy nods her head. "Plus you always got the payphone downstairs if you need it."
"Very true." Tara leans into Buffy as they walk. "Should I get a phone?"
"It probably wouldn't hurt. That way if Mom needed to call at night for anything, she can get ahold of us." Buffy thinks about it. "I don't have an income, and I hate to ask mom for the money." Perking up, she grins. "I'll get with Giles. Telling him he has to pay for it if he wants to be able to get in touch with me." Buffy chuckles.
"That isn't nice, sweetie. I can probably swing the phone. It isn't that much." Tara offers quietly.
"Yeah, but if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be getting one." Buffy explains her reasoning.
"True. But I've also been spending a lot of time eating at your house, so I'm saving a lot of money on groceries." Tara smiles softly. "And that really isn't very nice of me to be eating all your mom's food."
"Right. Like what you eat is a lot." Buffy rolls her eyes at Tara as they make it to the campus. Buffy let's her senses go, not noticing anything out of the ordinary she shrugs mentally. "I mean one pork chop, a very small helping of macaroni and cheese, one roll and a small salad. Whoo hooo. I would have very easily added that amount to my plate to finish off. Honestly Mom hasn't been making more than usual. Occasionally I'll let there be leftovers, but not often. So it's no biggie."
"You sure? I still don't feel right." Tara looks concernedly at Buffy. "I guess I could always do dishes from now on to help out and other stuff around the house."
Buffy pulls Tara to a stop outside her dorm. Placing both arms around the witch's neck, Buffy pulls her in, looking deep in her eyes. "There's nothing to be concerned about, trust me. Yes, we can help out with dishes. Yes, you can help out with cooking, cause God knows, I can't cook." Buffy smirks at the witch. "But everything's okay, I promise."
"If you promise." Tara smiles softly. Giggling as Buffy pulls her in for a soft light kiss.
"Let's get to your dorm room of love. I feel like some heavy making out." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows, making Tara laugh quietly.