Chapter 24
Buffy smiles as she feels Tara waking up. As Tara rubs her face gently against her breast before placing a kiss on the hardening nipple, Buffy groans quietly. When Tara starts to suck on the nipple, Buffy whimpers, gently pushing the witch away.
Tara looks up with confused eyes after Buffy pushes her away.
"You need food." Buffy explains as she runs a gentle finger down Tara's cheek. "You need to meditate and then we'll curl up on the couch, watch some television then come back upstairs so you can get a good nights rest."
Tara wakes up completely, frowning. "I didn't hear anything in there about snuggles." Tara narrows her gaze on her lover.
"Hugs, some kisses, but that's going to be it." Buffy runs a hand through the witch's soft hair, smiling. "I want to make sure you're strong for tomorrow. Because if you get wore out like that again, I'm going to put my foot down." Buffy turns her serious gaze on Tara. "Plus, I kinda thought tomorrow, if you were up for it, after dinner we could head to your dorm room of love and break it in properly." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows, grinning.
"I wonder how thick the walls are." Tara's eyes glint with mischief. Shifting up, Tara leans in to kiss Buffy firmly. Running her hand from Buffy's stomach up to cup a firm breast, Tara grins down at Buffy. "Snuggles?" Tara questions hopefully, running a thumb over the hardening nipple.
Buffy growls capturing the hand teasing her breast. "Stop that!" Buffy grumbles, her eyes glowing. "Did you wake up horny? And I really, really can't believe I'm telling you to stop!" Buffy shakes her head in disbelief. "I'm serious, baby. I want you to eat and rest properly, okay?"
"Eat and snuggles?" Tara bites her lip, her eyes twinkling with laughter.
"Eat, meditate, television and sleep!" Buffy narrows her gaze on Tara, before laughing quietly. "Come on, let's get you fed."
Tara shifts and flops down on her back. "I can't believe you're turning down lovings!"
"Me, either." Buffy admits, shifting up and over Tara, leaning down and kissing her quickly before flipping off the bed. Gathering Tara's clothes, she places them beside the witch, before pulling her own clothes on.
Tara sighs before slowly getting dressed. Sitting back down on the bed, she watches Buffy as she finishes dressing. "I love you." Tara whispers as Buffy finishes.
Buffy looks towards Tara, grinning hugely. "I love you, too. But that doesn't mean I've changed my mind."
Tara pouts. "Not fair. Want to spend hours and hours learning your body."
"And you will." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows. "Just not tonight."
"Meanie." Tara grumbles standing up. Closing the distance between them, Tara wraps her arms around Buffy's waist. "I'm not going anywhere until I get a toe-curling kiss from you!"
"Hope I don't disappoint." Buffy murmurs before capturing Tara's lips with hers, running her hands up to clasp Tara's cheeks between her hands. Kissing her lover passionately, Buffy starts off slowly running a tongue tantalizing over the witch's pouty lips before gaining entrance, flicking her tongue against Tara's before curling her tongue up, tickling it over the roof of her lover's mouth. Shifting her body in tight against Tara's, Buffy wraps her tongue repeatedly over Tara's, before enticing it to come play in her mouth, capturing the eager muscle, Buffy sucks firmly. Hearing Tara groan into the kiss, Buffy releases the muscle but nips it lightly as it slowly leaves her mouth. Finally having to pull away to breathe, Buffy makes eye contact with Tara, seeing the dark eyes gazing back at her. "Toe curls?" Buffy pants.
Tara nods her head, her eyes dropping back down to Buffy's lips. Leaving one hand around Buffy's waist, she shifts her other hand up, clasping Buffy behind the head as she dives in for another heated kiss. Battling strongly against her lover's tongue, Tara groans deeply before running her hand from Buffy's waist down to cup a firm cheek, digging her fingers in gently, smiling into the kiss as Buffy whimpers. Finally releasing the slayer, placing firm kisses along her jaw line, Tara rests her head against the slayer's strong shoulder.
"You realize you have turned a shy, innocent, stuttering witch into an extremely sexually charged, horny witch?" Tara questions, trying not to laugh. "I planned on living my life out with maybe a cat or dog for company. Teaching children and, I guess, dying a spinster witch."
"Does spinster mean virgin? Because you definitely can't say you're that!" Buffy jokes. "And I so look forward to continuing the education of a certain witch. She's already shown me more than I thought possible." Becoming serious, Buffy runs a hand down Tara's back. "I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you, loving you, and just being with you."
"Goddess, I want that, too." Tara murmurs, wrapping her arms around Buffy, hugging her tightly.
"Of course, there's going to be arguments and fights in there, also." Buffy sighs, knowing that Tara was too strong willed and stubborn for them not to butt heads.
"Probably." Tara admits, grinning as she places a soft kiss on the strong neck. "But I bet there'll be some terrific make up lovings to go along with those arguments and fights."
"As long as the loving lasts longer than the fights, I guess I won't complain too much." Buffy giggles as Tara nips playfully along her neck. "Need to get some food in you, before you decide I'll make a better dinner."
"Oh, I know you would make a better dinner." Tara mutters between nips. "But you would make an absolutely scrumptious dessert."
Buffy moans quietly as she hears the desire in Tara's voice. "Food, please?" Buffy whimpers quietly. "Obviously you're feeling better, but I want your strength to be at full capacity, okay?"
Tara finally nods her head, before frowning. Backing away she looks at Buffy for a moment. "You didn't finish eating dinner before you came up here, did you?" Tara questions, her eyes narrowed.
"I ate enough." Buffy shrugs her shoulders looking at Tara. "Come on, let's get some food in you."
"Yeah, we'll do that." Tara shakes her head at her lover as they walk out of the room. "And we're going to get more food in you!"
Buffy starts to say something when her stomach grumbles loudly. Blushing deeply at the tell-tale sign, she looks down at the floor when blue eyes turn to look at her knowingly.
"Uh, huh." Tara raises an eyebrow at Buffy before she heads downstairs.
"I am so busted." Buffy mutters to herself as she follows Tara downstairs.
Joyce glances up as Tara walks into the living room. "Feel better?"
"Much." Tara nods her head, smiling softly.
"You seemed to be sleeping…comfortably, when I checked on you two." Joyce bites the inside of her cheek before glancing back at the television.
Tara squeaks, blushing deeply before turning her gaze to an innocent looking Buffy.
"She came in to check on you." Buffy grins before heading quickly into the kitchen.
"I am definitely embarrassed now." Tara grumbles quietly.
"That's okay, Buffy put fresh sheets on the bed, but the…uh dirty sheets weren't in the hamper. Maybe you should find out what she did with them. I didn't look outside to see if they were hanging from the window." Joyce quickly states, trying to keep the laughter at bay.
Whimpering quietly, Tara blushes even darker. "I think you're worse than Buffy." Tara mutters before quickly following Buffy into the kitchen, Joyce's laughter following her.
Buffy chuckles quietly as she hears her mother picking on Tara. Quickly pulling the chicken out of the refrigerator, along with the mashed potatoes and gravy.
"Okay, what did you do with the sheets?" Tara questions from the doorway, watching Buffy scooping food onto the plates.
"Do you want your chicken heated up, or do you prefer it cold?" Buffy questions, ignoring the question for the time being.
"Cold. Where are they?" Tara leans against the wall, her arms crossed.
"Me too. It always loses something when it gets re-heated. It's much better cold." Buffy explains as she puts one of the plates in the microwave to heat the potatoes and gravy. "Now what's really good cold, is meatloaf sandwiches. Of course it's hard to have leftover meatloaf with me around." Buffy admits as she pulls out the plate before sliding her plate in. Starting the microwave, Buffy turns, grabbing a couple wings and a leg, setting them on Tara's plate before placing it on the island grabbing the rolls.
Tara growls deep in her throat, her eyes narrowed on her lover as she ignores her question. Easing towards the refrigerator, Tara pulls out a couple sodas. Placing them on the island, she blocks the microwave as Buffy goes to pull out her food. Raising an eyebrow, Tara watches Buffy.
"What?" Buffy questions, her lip quirking up in a smile, her eyes twinkling merrily at Tara.
Growling, Tara grasps Buffy by the waist, pulling her in tight to her body. "What… Did… You… Do… With… The… Sheets?" Tara looks at her laughing lover, as she questions her clearly and succinctly.
"Hung them from the window." Buffy wiggles her eyebrows, grinning hugely at Tara.
"YOU DIDN'T?" Tara almost yells as she runs out of the kitchen, Buffy's laughter following her.
Slowly walking towards the front door, Buffy grins at her mother.
"What did you do?" Joyce questions watching her laughing daughter.
"Told her the sheets were hanging from the window." Buffy laughs harder as Tara comes in, her eyes narrowed on her.
"Where are they?" Tara stops, her body right against Buffy's.
"I put them up. Thought maybe I could get somebody to frame them for me. Maybe hang them up in my room." Buffy smirks at Tara. "Could call it The Virgin Witch - NOT!" Buffy yells the last word as Tara reaches out pinching her side roughly. "MOM!" Buffy cries running away from Tara, laughing.
"Don't you dare get me in the middle of this." Joyce raises her hands, shaking her head. Chuckling quietly she watches as Buffy keeps her and the chair between her and a circling Tara.
"Is this payback for something?" Tara questions, trying to keep from laughing.
"I do owe you." Buffy nods her head, grinning madly. "I'm sure I owe you multiples."
Tara raises an eyebrow at Buffy's wording. "Multiples?" She whispers knowingly, so that only Buffy can hear her.
Buffy's eyes widen in surprise, before she blushes lightly. "Okay, now that we've picked on each other for a little while, why don't you go eat?" Buffy tries to distract the witch.
Tara shakes her head. "Don't think you'll distract me that easily. You will pay for this!" Tara grins wickedly at the slayer before turning, heading into the kitchen.
Buffy chuckles watching Tara stride into the kitchen.
"I'm going to bed." Joyce mutters. "I'll fix a good breakfast in the morning." Joyce chuckles before quickly heading up the stairs.
"'Night, mom. Hey, you working tomorrow?" Buffy questions, standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes. I let some of the girls have off for a long weekend." Joyce nods her head smiling. "Goodnight, dear."
"'Night." Buffy calls out before slowly walking into the kitchen. Stopping in the doorway, she watches as Tara delicately nibbles on her chicken leg. Seeing that she has already eaten one of the wings and her potatoes, Buffy walks into the kitchen, stopping beside her to run a hand down her cheek. "Want some more potatoes?"
"You eat, sweetie. I reheated your plate." Tara points towards the microwave smiling at Buffy.
"We have makings for salad, do you want a salad to go with this?" Buffy questions softly.
"No, I want you to sit down and eat." Tara states firmly looking at her lover. "We can worry about more items later."
"Okay." Buffy agrees softly before leaning in and kissing her softly. "I placed them in a box. I do want to keep them." Buffy admits quietly. "Kind of weird, I know. But I want them exactly the way they are."
Tara smiles softly, reaching up to stroke softly over the slayer's jaw. "Eat, sweetie. I don't think it's weird. Sweet, adorable and maybe just a tad eccentric, but not weird. Now sit down and have dinner."
"Okay." Buffy murmurs brushing her lips once more over Tara's before walking to the microwave, pulling her food out before grabbing the bucket of chicken, placing it on the island.
Tara smiles as Buffy starts eating dinner. Finishing her chicken leg, Tara picks up her fork, twirling it between her fingers.
Buffy eats her dinner quickly, watching Tara before reaching into the bucket, placing another piece of chicken on her lover's plate.
"I don't think I can eat anymore." Tara admits looking down at the thigh.
"Are you actually full, or are you just saying that?" Buffy questions after she finishes her bite of chicken.
"I'm really almost full." Tara looks apologetically at Buffy. "I can maybe eat a little more, but not this much." Tara's eyes turn to look at the large thigh.
"Eat what you can, don't stuff yourself. I'll finish the rest." Buffy smiles at Tara as she grabs another piece of chicken out of the bucket for herself.
Tara chuckles quietly before nibbling on the thigh, watching Buffy work her way quickly through the rest of the bucket of chicken.
"Do you need to do the meditation anywhere in particular?" Buffy questions in-between bites.
"It would be better for me to do it outside." Tara admits, before placing the rest of her thigh on Buffy's plate before wiping her hands clean.
"Communing with nature, type deal?" Buffy grabs the thigh, tearing a piece of meat from the bone and eating it.
Tara grins at Buffy before nodding. "Yes. The communing with nature, under the full moon, sky clad deal." Tara's eyes twinkle as Buffy drops the piece of chicken she'd picked up, her eyes becoming unfocused. "Of course, you know that sex is very potent magic, right? Done in the right way, it'd re-charge my batteries and give me plenty left over for whatever I need to do."
Buffy's eyes narrow on her lover. "You're just saying that so you can get snuggles, aren't you?"
Tara giggles, watching Buffy. Raising an eyebrow she doesn't answer the slayer, but continues to watch her.
"Tara?" Buffy considers her lover, wondering how much what she said was the truth and how much was her wanting to make love.
"Praying to the Goddess, and giving her the offering of our love would also be considered a blessing." Tara bites the inside of her cheek, to keep from laughing at Buffy.
Buffy growls watching Tara intently, seeing the twinkle in her lover's eyes, Buffy crosses her arms across her chest. "You're just saying that."
Tara's lip quirks up, before she laughs quietly. "I'm saying it, yes. But it's true. To a certain degree. I would need to use the extra built-up energy right away, I wouldn't be able to keep the overage to use later." Tara admits the truth of the matter.
"You mean, if you and I…" Buffy's eyes widen as she waves her hand between them. "It would give you a power boost?"
Tara laughs, nodding her head. "More or less. It's more like a quick re-charge. Just imagine me being a re-chargeable battery, and you're my charger." Tara wiggles her eyebrows.
"So, I just need to plug you in?" Buffy's eyes start to hint towards orange. "But, I have to tell you…" Buffy hesitates, her eyes slowly caressing over Tara's face and neck, before dipping lower. "It won't be a quick re-charge."
"That would be even better." Tara's voice is low and husky.
Buffy whimpers as she feels the arousal building in her body. "Outside?"
"Start the meditation outside. We will need to start with a spiritual cleansing for both of us." Tara explains softly. "But you may not want to do this."
"Why wouldn't I?" Buffy questions, confused.
"Because, for me to use the energy to re-charge, we'll need to let it build up to an almost unbearable level without release." Tara finally gives the catch of the matter to Buffy.
"No climax?" Buffy whimpers, a sad look crossing her face.
"No climax. Major frustration, knowing you, the desire will ride below the surface all day tomorrow, flaring up at the most inopportune times. Probably making you extremely bitchy. It really isn't worth it to put you through that." Tara admits before smirking. "But if I ever need to use a lot of magic, that would be the way to go. We get all hot and sweaty then put the magic build-up to a particular use? I bet the two of us together would have a blast that would be absolutely unbelievable."
"Why would I have anything to do with the blast?" Buffy questions, a confused look on her face. "It would be your magic, just my body."
Tara chuckles at her lover's naiveté. "No sweetie. You would be feeding my magic with your strength, your power, your love." Tara closes her eyes thinking for a moment. "Okay, for comparison purposes only. If Xander…" Tara chuckles at the wide-eyed look of her lover. "Was my partner in the build-up, he is a very kind, understanding man. But he doesn't have your strength or power and he definitely does not have your love for me. So imagine a firecracker. You and Xander are both firecrackers. If I place the firecracker on my open palm, when it went off, what would happen?"
"It would burn you." Buffy narrows her eyes trying to figure where her lovers going with this.
"Now, that would be Xander. What would happen if I placed the other firecracker, you, in my palm and closed my hand around it?" Tara raises an eyebrow watching her lover.
"It would probably blow your hand off." Buffy whimpers as she shakes at the image.
"Exactly." Tara nods her head, smiling at her lover. "It was just to give you an idea, sweetie. I don't plan on blowing my hand off, I promise."
Buffy nods her head, but still feels her heart aching at the thought. Taking a deep breath, she shakes the thought out of her head. Pushing her plate away, Buffy decides she's had enough. "Would it be best for you to meditate outside?" She questions seriously.
"I don't have to, but it puts me in direct contact with the Goddess, so it would make things easier, as long as the Hellmouth signature isn't too strong here, which I doubt it is with you living here." Tara grins crookedly at the slayer. "You've pretty much put your stamp on the house, I'm sure it's seeped out to the yard, also."
"What?" Buffy questions, rubbing her face with her hands. "Are you trying to confuse me tonight on purpose?" Buffy mutters.
"Sorry, sweetie. Spend enough time somewhere, your essence will seep into it, changing it. Your natural goodness has turned a negative area into a very positive area." Tara tries to explain, frowning. "Am I making any sense whatsoever?"
"You're saying that because I'm good, I've made this area good?" Buffy tilts her head thinking about it. "But I've screwed up so much, wouldn't that just counteract the goodness?"
"Oh, sweetie." Tara murmurs as Buffy's insecurities show themselves. Quickly walking around the island she wraps her arms around her lover, squeezing her tight from behind. "You made mistakes. You didn't screw up, you weren't bad. You did everything with love in your heart. Your intent was pure, but no matter what, sometimes things happen beyond our control." Burying her head in Buffy's neck, Tara places a firm, loving kiss on the skin under her lips. "We all make mistakes, sweetie. None of us are perfect."
"You are." Buffy whimpers as Tara nibbles on her neck.
"Oh, no. I'm not perfect." Tara shakes her head. "I did everything I could to keep my mother with me. Even after she told me to let her go. I dragged out her suffering for my own selfish reasons." Tara admits, a hard sob escaping her chest, tears flowing from her eyes.
Buffy's eyes open wide as she turns around quickly to lift Tara up into her lap, wrapping both arms around the witch as she cries. "Tara, baby…" Buffy rocks the witch gently, stroking one hand gently through the blonde hair while holding her tight with her other arm.
"She forgave me, even a-after my dragging out her life for months." Tara whimpers quietly, curling up into a tight ball against her lover.
"Oh, baby." Buffy murmurs, placing soft gentle kisses against Tara's head. "She understood why you did it, you just said she forgave you. I'm sure she loved you completely, how could she not? You're an extremely lovable woman." Buffy smiles softly, placing another gentle kiss on Tara's head. "You just wanted to keep the one person you loved completely, with you. The one person that understood you and wanted to help you in any way she could. I'm sure she understood why you tried to heal her, tried to keep her with you. She knew you did it out of love, Tara. And I'm sure that if there was any way she could have stayed with you, she would. Please, sweetie, don't let this eat away at you. Come on, your words are coming back at you, babe. You made a mistake, it happens." Buffy whimpers, tears rolling down her face, as she continues to rock her lover while placing kisses anywhere she can reach.
Tara uncurls her body enough to wrap her arms around Buffy's neck and bury her head against her neck, her body shaking with the sobs still working through her. "I-I know." Tara stutters. "B-but it's so h-hard."
"Let me get you upstairs. You can meditate tomorrow, can't you?" Buffy questions softly and as Tara nods her head, Buffy gathers her tightly in her arms. Glancing at the dirty dishes, Buffy holds Tara tightly in one arm while she gather's the dirty dishes, dumping the bones in the empty chicken bucket before placing the dishes in the sink and carrying the bucket and Tara to the trash can, dropping the bucket in before wrapping both arms back around the witch, heading upstairs, turning the lights off as she goes.
Stopping at the top of the stairs, Buffy hesitates looking from her bedroom door to the bathroom door. Glancing down at the still slightly shaking witch, with the occasional sob working it's way out, Buffy frowns. Deciding a nice long, soothing soak in the tub might be for the best, Buffy stops, grabbing towels out of the closet as she carries Tara into the bathroom. Placing the towels on the sink, Buffy turns the water on, flipping up the stopper. Easing Tara down her body, Buffy places a finger under her chin lifting it to look in the sad, red eyes of her lover. Placing a soft kiss on her lips, Buffy smiles while running a thumb over her cheek.
"Take a bath, relax." Buffy explains watching Tara. Placing another gentle kiss on her lips, Buffy proceeds to slowly and gently disrobe the witch. Checking the water in the tub, Buffy turns the water off before easing Tara towards the tub.
"Uh, uh." Tara murmurs, her hands shaking, pulling Buffy's shirt up. "You're coming with me."
Buffy looks from Tara to the tub and back. "Together?" Buffy questions quietly.
"Please." Tara nods looking beseechingly into the slayer's eyes.
"Go ahead and get in, babe. I'll climb in after you." Buffy watches as Tara wipes a hand across her face before nodding, slowly easing down into the tub. Buffy sighs as she watches Tara close her eyes, relaxing. Quickly stripping her clothes off, Buffy eases in behind Tara, wrapping her up in her arms, urging her to lean back against her chest.
Tara whimpers quietly, before shifting to her side, resting her cheek against Buffy's shoulder. "I know she f-forgave me, but I s-still feel so guilty for d-doing that to her."
"From what you've told me about your mother, she wouldn't want you to do this to yourself." Buffy soothes the witch, running her hands gently over her back and side. "Let it all out, babe. I know you've been holding this in for a long time, let it out, don't hold it in anymore."
Tara finally lets the heart wrenching sobs out, curling as tight as she can into Buffy's strong, loving arms.
Feeling her heart break, Buffy holds Tara as tightly as she dares against her. "I love you." Buffy murmurs quietly, stroking her leg up and down against Tara's legs, trying to soothe her.
"L-love you, too." Tara murmurs in between sobs, brushing her face against Buffy's shoulder. Taking deep breathes, slowly gaining control, Tara bites her lip as she feels a weight being lifted from around her heart. Closing her eyes, she smiles softly. 'Sorry, momma. I know you forgave me, but I couldn't forgive myself until now. I love you, and I miss you.' Tara thinks, sending her thoughts to the heavens, hoping her mother knows what's in her heart. Taking a couple more shaky inhales, feeling her heartbeat calm down, Tara sighs quietly. "Thank you." Tara murmurs, placing a sweet kiss on Buffy's cheek.
"Feeling better?" Buffy questions, continuing her loving caresses. Feeling Tara nod her head, Buffy smiles, finally letting out long breath of air. "Do you want me to add some more hot water and actually bathe you?"
"You don't have to bathe me." Tara shakes her head, placing a soft kiss on Buffy's neck, sucking gently on the velvety skin.
"I know I don't have to, but do you want me to? Or would you rather just climb out and let me dry you off so we can go to bed?" Buffy tries not to laugh at the witch's tickling nips. "None of that now. You're probably going to be up early tomorrow, and I want to make sure you do everything you possibly can to be prepared for tomorrow." Buffy growls while rolling her eyes at her next thought. "Because I know damn good and well you won't put it off 'til Sunday to visit Faith."
Tara grins before nipping on the slayer's pulse point, before sucking on it strongly. As Buffy groans and shifts under her, Tara sucks stronger. Finally releasing the hot skin, Tara shifts back, looking at the dark red spot. "How long will that stay before your slayer healing makes it go away?" Tara questions huskily.
"Don't know." Buffy whimpers. "But you have to stop, please. I don't think you really want a horny slayer taking advantage of you right now."
"Actually, I think that would be perfect." Tara admits before shifting her body so she's straddling the slayer.
"I'm going to say no, Tara." Buffy states seriously, running a hand down her cheek. "I want you to be strong for tomorrow. Plenty of sleep tonight, and whatever meditations you need to do tomorrow, okay?"
Tara sighs as she strokes her hands over Buffy's shoulders. "You're going to turn me down no matter what, aren't you?"
"Sorry." Buffy furrows her brow at Tara. "I just want you to be prepared for tomorrow. I promise that I'll make it up to you."
"I'm going to hold you to that." Tara admits looking into her lover's eyes before capturing her lips in a loving kiss. "Now, dry off and bed." Tara frowns looking down at Buffy's body, before smirking as she pinches a nipple before quickly climbing out of the bath tub.
Buffy grumbles quietly under her breath before grinning as Tara bends over to run the towel over her legs. Hopping out of the tub, Buffy sneaks up behind Tara.
"Unless you plan on letting me do what I want, you better not finish what's going through your mind." Tara finishes drying her body before tucking the towel around her body turning to look at a disappointed slayer.
"I can't argue with that." Buffy admits, frowning at her now covered lover. Accepting the towel Tara hands her, Buffy quickly dries her body off. Wrapping the towel around her, Buffy grins at Tara. "Let's go curl up in bed, maybe some hugs and kisses before sleep."
"I guess I'll have to make do." Tara blinks her eyes at the slayer, before giggling. "Come on, sweetie." Tara tugs on Buffy's hand, urging her out of the bathroom to the bedroom.
Buffy chuckles, as she follow's the witch.