Buffy and Cordeila
"Season 5"
Chapter 6: Family
Buffy and Xander's apartment
Buffy walked out of the bedroom around three in the morning to get something to drink. She looked over and saw that Riley was still asleep and she thanked god for that. Yeah he is nice and all but sometimes you just want to tell him to get a life.
Buffy also noticed that Xander's bedroom door was open. When she looked in she saw Anya fast asleep on the bed with her back to the door. That left Xander. Buffy walked into the kitchen and saw him with a glass of milk and a box of cookies.
"Wanna share?" Buffy asked as she walked in and sat next to him.
"I will always share with you Buff," he said as he slid the box toward her. Then he got up and grabbed a glass and some milk. "Why you up?" he asked taking another cookie.
"Couldn't sleep," she said. "Why you up…usually I am the only one that can't sleep."
"I have some things to think about," he said as he started to play with his milk with the cookie.
"Okay Xand spill," Buffy said and he looked at her confused. "Come you have something face and I am guess it is something big for you to be thinking about it at three in the morning." Buffy said.
"It is something big and I don't know if I'm ready." He paused and looked at Buffy. "It's a big step Buffy." She indicated for him to continue and he motioned for her to come closer…she did. She leaned over and whispered, "I think I am going to ask Anya to marry me," in her ear. Buffy stepped back in shock and Xander looked at her funny. "You think it's a bad idea." It was a statement not a question.
Buffy shuck off her shock, "No I think it is a great idea. Anya is a wonderful person, yet sometimes outspoken, but still wonderful." Buffy looked at the ceiling for a second. "You guys are perfect for each other." Xander smiled and took Buffy in his arms. "Congrats Xand," Buffy said.
"Thanks Buff, that means a lot coming from you. You guys are my family and I really want your support on this." He stepped away from her.
"Well you have mine, one hundred and ten percent." Buffy said with a nod of her head. "With me you know you get Cordeila too."
"Oh yeah the powerful sway of the girlfriend…I have had that used on me more times than I would like to admit." Xander said as he headed back toward his room. "Thanks again Buffy."
"No problem," Buffy said as she put away the cookie and milk. After she did that she walked back to her bedroom. Xander getting married…that is something that I never in my life pictured. I always thought he would be a bachelor and he, Willow and I would grow old together living at my house. Yet here we are; we all have a significant other, and we all live by ourselves. Granted Xander and I live together and Willow lives in a dorm…we are all still doing our own thing. We don't spend all our time together like we did back in High School, actually I kinda miss it. Buffy thought as she climbed in bed.
As she was just drifting of she heard he cell phone start to vibrate. "Who the hell is calling me at this hour?" Buffy asked herself as she reached over and picked up her cell phone. As she read who was calling she smiled. She hit the talk button. "Hey," she said.
"Hey yourself, you miss me?" the person said.
"You kidding, please I love my time by myself." Buffy said and she could picture the person rolling her eyes. "I kidding, of course I miss my Queen C." Buffy said and she could picture the smile coming to Cordeila's lips. "How 'bout you?"
"Nah, me and Dawn are spending quality time together." Cordeila said.
"Friend quality time or you and me quality time?" Buffy asked with a smirk.
"Ick…friends. God Buffy one Summers is hard enough to date." Cordeila said. "Not that I would ever date her." She added.
"Right."
"I'm serious…she reminds me way to much of myself." Cordeila said. "Well I just wanted to call and check up on my girl. I have to get my beauty sleep…so are you stopping by tomorrow after work?" Cordeila asked.
"Work…oh yeah tomorrow is Monday…damn. Yeah I guess I will." Buffy said. "Love you." Buffy said as she hung up the phone.
"Love you too," Cordeila said as she too hung up the phone.
Buffy rolled over in her bed and wrapped the covers around her and went to sleep so she could wake up in three hours and go deal with some seriously disturbed teens. She thought she was troubled but she had it easy compared to some of the kids at Sunnydale High.
Willow and Tara's dorm
Willow and Tara where in there dorm room getting ready for bed when Willow remembered something. What am I gonna get Tara for her birthday? She thought as she watched her girlfriend play with their cat. What would she want?
"Do you have plans tomorrow?" Willow asked as Tara out the cat down and started to put the books away.
"No…not that I know of," Tara said looking up at her girlfriend. "Why?"
"I was just a wonderin," Willow said sweetly. "Come on come to bed…I need my snuggles." Willow said as she held her arms out like a baby does when they want to be picked up.
Tara smiled as she climbs up the bed and into her girlfriend's arms. Willow wraps her arms around Tara as they both fall asleep.
Sunnydale High
The life of the chosen one is a weird one. Slay demons and everything evil by night and listening to teenagers talk about problems by day. Why couldn't she have just gotten a job at the newspaper like Clark Kent?
Buffy had arrived at work a seven this morning and had only seen a total of five kids all day. From some reason kids didn't some see her that often but the principle kept telling her that it would change; he said they would see her because she was closer to their age.
I know I wouldn't come see the counselor…mostly because I just wouldn't want to talk about my problems. But hey why I am complaining I mean I get paid to sit her. Buffy was snapped out of her thought by the sound of her phone ringing. "Hello this is Buffy Summers speaking," she said onto the phone.
"Hey Buff," the voice said.
"Hey Will, whats up?" Buffy asked when she realized it was her best friend.
"I was actually calling to ask what you where doing tomorrow night…you see its Tara birthday and I was going to throw her a surprise party." Willow explained.
"I don't think I have anything planned. When and where do you want me to be?" Buffy asked.
"The Bronze at seven," Willow said. "See ya later, Buffy."
"Bye Will," Buffy said as she hung up the phone. "Great now what the am I supposed to get her…I mean I barely even know her." Buffy said out loud to herself. All the things I know she likes is Willow. Willow doesn't bring her around that often so I am stumped on what to get her maybe Cordeila would know. I guess it is malling for us tonight. Buffy thought to herself.
"Excuse me are you Ms. Summers?" A voice came from the doorway.
Buffy turned to see a man standing there with a clipboard. "Yup that's me. Can I help you?"
"Sign here please," the man said. Buffy gave him a confused look but signed anyway after all what did she have to lose. "Thank you miss." He walked back out the door.
"What he…" Buffy stopped mid-sentence when she saw about ten guys start to carry a bunch of flowers through the hall. She looked toward the door and saw that they where headed her way. They just set them done and she watched as they went to get more. When they where done bringing the flowers is she had about one hundred dozen flowers.
Buffy looked around her office and saw that there was no way out…she was stuck. "I'm going to kill her," Buffy mumbled to herself. Just then a knock came from her window. She turned and saw a smiling Cordeila. Suddenly Buffy's anger was gone. Buffy got up from her desk and carefully made her way through her flowers. When she made it through her door she walked over to Cordeila. She didn't say anything she just walked up to her and gave her a kiss. Pouring all the love she felt for the person in her arms into the kiss and Cordeila returned it with equal passion.
"You like?" Cordeila asked when they pulled away.
"Yeah…there great but I have just one question." Buffy said as she scrunched her brows in confusion.
"And what is that?"
"How are we going to get them all home?" Buffy asked. Cordeila just smiled. "What?" Buffy asked a little scared at the answer and then she realized something. "There are more at home," it was a statement not a question. Cordeila shrugged as she grabbed Buffy's hand and took her toward the front door. Outside Buffy read a sign that said "Happy Anniversary" on it in big blue letters. "Oh my god," was all Buffy could say as she walked down the stairs and saw yet more flowers. "Oh did you do all this without my knowing?"
"What can I say…I have contacts in high places?" Cordeila said as she brought Buffy in close. "I love you Buffy and I want everyone to know." Cordeila said in Buffy's ear.
"I love you too," Buffy said as she looked in Cordeila's eyes. "And I want everyone to know that you are mine." Buffy smiled as she brought Cordeila in for a kiss. They just stood there outside the school in each others arms oblivious of who was watching.
The Factory
It was quite ever since the fight last night. The roof caved in and it was rubble now. Then a hand shot out from underneath the stone and the person that Buffy thought was dead now stood in the middle of the room looking extremely pissed off.
"Okay now I'm mad."
The Magic Box
Buffy walked into the Magic Box later that day after she and Cordeila had figured out a way to get her flowers home. They had to stash some at the Summers house but Buffy was sure that her mom wouldn't mind. And she still had a bunch at her office.
As Buffy walked down the stairs she saw a bunch of books sprawled out on the table. She turned and tried to get out of the Magic Box before Giles saw her but she wasn't quick enough.
"Buffy, you're just in time," Giles said walking over to the table. "I was just about to do some more research."
Great. Buffy thought as she walked over to the table. "So have you narrowed it down?" Buffy asked and Giles looked down. "I'll take that as a no." Buffy said as she took a seat with a sigh.
"Where is Cordeila?" Giles asked.
"She'll be here in a few…she had to do something first." Buffy explained looking trough on of the many books on the table. Then something hit Buffy. "What did you get Tara?"
"Excuse me?"
"What did you get Tara, tomorrow is her birthday and we all supposed to go to the party, right? Willow called and asked you too right!" Buffy asked and Giles nodded. "So?"
"I haven't gotten her anything yet," Giles said as he sat down. "You?"
"I have no idea what to get her," Buffy said as she turned the page. "I mean I don't know her that well." Buffy looked up at Giles. "Help me?"
"Sorry Buffy but I have my own problem with buying her a gift." Giles said as she looked through the book. Just than the bell above the door rang and Giles looked up. "How can may I…oh hi Cordeila." Giles said getting back to his research.
"Hi Giles," Cordeila said. "Research? You know I think I have some more shipping I need to do." Cordeila said turning to leave. But before she knew it Buffy was in front of her. "Curse slayer speed," Cordeila mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?" Buffy asked hearing every word.
And hearing. Cordeila smiled as she thought the last part. "I was wondering if you need help researching," Cordeila said.
"Actually we don't but hey you can have my spot since your so into it," Buffy said. Cordeila's mouth dropped. "I'm gonna train a little," Buffy said as she pushed Cordeila's mouth closed. "Bye," Buffy said as she headed off toward the back room.
"Man is she gonna pay," Cordeila said.
"I heard that," Buffy said as she closed the door to the training room.
Spike Crypt
Spike was in his crypt when the door flew of it hinges and almost hit hem but he quick got out of the way. When he looked up he saw her staring back at him the women that had been haunting his dreams for the past week. Buffy Summers.
She walked straight over to him a punched him in the face. He fell back in his chair as he clutched his nose. "What the bloody hell was that for!"
Buffy just shrugged and jumped on top of him. But this time she didn't punch him or hit him in anyway she just brought her lips to his and kissed him passionately. They continued like this for awhile and soon close became something of the past. "God Buffy I love you so much," Spike said under his breath.
"What!"
Spike looked up and saw that instead of Buffy on top of him it was Harmony. "Bloody hell!" Spike said as he watched Harmony run around and grab her clothes before she ran out the door. "What the hell are you doing to me slayer?" Spike asked himself.
Magic Box
Xander and Anya had joined them since they started researching. Buffy was still in the back training, but know she was training with Riley. Cordeila was okay with it now because she made sure that Riley understood that Buffy was hers before he went in to train.
Yet on the research front they were having very little success. They have come up with nothing in the past hour. Cordeila personally was getting tried of looking at these books. Just as Cordeila was contemplating whether or not to leave Buffy came walking out of the back room.
"Anything?" Buffy asked Giles. He shuck his head. "God Giles the party is tomorrow," Giles looked at her confused as did Cordeila. Xander just sat there…he had already gotten Tara a present. "Tara…party…tomorrow. We need gifts."
"Party, what party?" Cordeila asked. "I wasn't told about a party."
"Tara's party is tomorrow," Riley said coming in a sitting down next to Xander. "I already got her something."
"Yeah good for you….how come I wasn't told?" Cordeila asked looking directly at Buffy. "I need to know these things."
"Well now you know," Xander said not even looking up.
"What are we gonna get her?" Cordeila asked Buffy how in turn shrugged. "Great."
Just then the doorbell above the door rang and in walked a man that looked to be about thirty. He had a red beard with reddish brown hair. He was wearing a lit brown jacket with blue pants and a black shirt. He walked over to where the candles where and looked at them. And then he looked to the group and at the books.
"Are these like magic books?" he asks.
"Well ah yeah," Cordeila says looking through the books.
"Are you all witches?"
'Well ah no," Cordeila said and then looks up at him. "Do you mind we where giving a conversation." He walks away and over to the other books.
"Buffy could you please give us more to go on about this…this thing?" Giles asks quietly so the young man won't hear him.
"Let's see," Buffy said as she thinks about the things she fought the other night. "See kind remind me off Cordeila," Buffy said giving her girlfriend a smile and Cordeila just glares at her. "You know I am positive she dies her hair," Buffy said. She ducked just in time as Cordeila throw a book at her. "What?" Cordeila just glares.
"So do these books turn people into frogs?" The man came over and asked again.
"Oh great it is the really annoying person," Cordeila said and Buffy couldn't help but laugh.
"Was there something he could help you with?" Xander asked pointing at Giles.
Just then the door opens and in walked Willow and Tara. "Man that lecture sure was something wasn't it? Tara?" Willow looked over to see Tara staring at the man that was just minutes ago annoying Cordeila and the rest of the group. "Tara?"
"What Tara no hello for big brother, Donny?" he asked.
Tara just stood there in shock at the person standing in front of her. "Brother?" Willow asked after Tara didn't say anything.
Tara looks at Willow confused expression. "T-this is D-donny." Tara stuttered out. She looks back at Donny. "What a-are you d-doing here?" she asks.
"We duh, birthday girl, we all came in the camper." Donny said.
"W-we?" Just then a male and a female walk in the door. The man is wearing a black suit and the female is wearing a pink shirt with a violent skirt. "Dad? Cousin Beth?" Tara said as they all walked toward her.
"Tara…how have you been?" Mr. Maclay asks. "We have been looking all over for you," he added.
"Yeah your roommate said you would be…here." Beth said.
"Y-yeah, um, this are m-my f-friends," Tara said turning back to the group, they all waved there hellos.
"Wow Tara that is more people than you knew in High School," Donny said as he eyes lingered on Buffy. The next thing he knew he was hit in the head with a book. "Ow!" Donny yelled looking at Cordeila.
"She gets kinda jealous," Tara said with a smile as she turned to see Buffy and Xander also smiling.
"Well I wasn't looking at her boyfriend…I was looking at the sexy blonde." Donny said.
"And that is why she got mad," Tara clarified.
"Oh."
"Okay well I would hate to run off but we are double parked." Mr. Maclay said. "Tara dinner at six?"
"Yes sir," Tara said.
"It was nice to meet you all," Beth said as she followed Mr. Maclay out the door and she was closely followed but Donny who was rubbing her head.
"Thank you God we are finally rid of the annoying person," Cordeila said as she looked at Tara and Willow. "And I don't get jealous!" Tara just smiled and looked at the floor. "I don't!"
"As long as you believe that," Xander said patting her shoulder. He looked at Buffy who smiled.
"So that was like your whole family…neat," Willow said when Tara looked back up at her.
"Yeah and weird." Cordeila said.
Willow shoots Cordeila a look and then looked back at Tara. "They seem nice."
'Y-yeah I g-guess."
"Family can make you kinda crazy."
"Yeah I guess." She paused. "Can w-we r-research n-now?" Tara asked and Willow nodded. They went over to the table and took a seat. Xander and Buffy exchanged looks as they sat down. Cordeila was too engulfed in her book to notice or else Xander would have got hit. Buffy smiled as she looked down at her book and continued the research.
Summers house
About and hour or so more of research and Cordeila and Buffy where out of there. They just couldn't take anymore. They told Giles that they where never good at the research anyway so he said they could go. But even if he said no Cordeila had to wonder what he would dot o stop them from leaving.
"Mom I'm home!" Buffy yelled as she entered the front door with Cordeila behind her.
"Great," Buffy heard someone mumble and when she looked at the direction of the voice she saw Dawn sitting on the table.
Buffy rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen. Cordeila walked over into the living room and saw next to Dawn. Dawn looked up at her and then back at the TV. "What's up with you today?" Cordeila asked. Dawn said nothing. "Dawn, you know you can talk to me."
"And how do I now that?" Dawn said coldly.
"Because I am nothing like Buffy and I actually listen." Cordeila said sarcastically. Dawn smiled. "See I knew I could get one of those. Now tell whats on your mind." Cordeila said.
"Well if you must now, Ms. Nosey," Dawn said as she turned to look at Cordeila. "I totally like this guy and he doesn't even know I exist because he is too caught up in Buffy." Dawn paused and continued. "And he knows that she is with you yet he still thinks that he can get her so he ignores me." Dawn said. "What should I do…just forget about him…what?"
"First off point me to this guy so I can kill him," Cordeila said and then she looked at Dawn. "It has recently been brought to my attention that I am extremely jealous."
"Just know figuring it out huh." Dawn said with a smirk.
"Second of all, if he doesn't notice you than he isn't worth it." Cordeila said. "I mean why would you want a guy that is all about Buffy when you can have a guy that is all about you." Cordeila asked.
"Thanks Cordy," Dawn said as she got up.
"No problem, hey I wouldn't happen to know the guy would I?" Cordeila asked.
"Yeah actually you do," Dawn said as she ran up the stairs.
"Huh," Cordeila said as Buffy walked into the living room. She smiled up at her girlfriend.
"What?" Buffy asked wondering why she was getting looked at like that. "Is it my hair?" Cordeila smiled and shuck her head, Buffy smiled as she sat down on the couch. "What?"
"You have someone crushing on you," Cordeila said bluntly.
"I do," Buffy said confused.
"Yeah and Dawn is really upset about it because she like the person and all he thinks about is you." Cordeila said. Just then it dawned on her. "Riley," Cordeila and Buffy said in unison.
Tara's dorm room
Tara made sure that she took the long way back to her dorm room that day, because she knew who would be waiting for her when she arrived. She really didn't want to talk to him because she knew what he had come here for…it was time to take her back. But thins is, she doesn't want to go back.
When she opened her door to her room he was standing there…waiting for her. He just made her so mad sometimes. "Hello Daddy," Tara said as she closed the door behind her. "I t-thought we weren't supposed to meet until six. It is only f-four."
"I know what time it is." He said as she turned to see her. "And you know why I'm here…no more games Tara." He said. He picked one of her candles. "No more spells, no of it, you're finished and you are coming home with me." He said as he threw that candle against the wall.
"No!" he looked at her with a shocked face. "No! I am not going anywhere with you. I-I want to stay here…with my friends." Tara said.
"Your friends! You think they will still be your friends when they find out whom…what you are!" He said getting angry. "Tara listen to me…we are the only ones that can protect you…we now how to deal with your condition. Your so called friends don't." He paused. "You will only be putting them in danger."
"They will understand…you don't know them at all!" Tara shouted.
"There is going to be no argument here Tara, you are coming home and that is final." Mr. Maclay said getting ready to leave.
"And what if I don't want to go?" she asked with her back to him. "What if I want to stay here?"
"I don't care what you want young lady…because the truth is that you don't know what you want." He said as she closed the door behind him.
You're wrong, Tara thought.
Some Building
"This run down building…I need to find a better one," a voice said from with in the building.
"Yes Glory we will find you a better place," a demon said from the corner.
Glory stood as she walked over to the Lei-Ach demon that was asleep tied to her clothes rack. Glory brought a hand up and slapped him across the face. Its hands started to clinch and move as it woke up. The demon looked into Glory eyes and stopped moving.
"I need you to do me a favor," Glory said. The demon snorted in response. "Blonde ... short ... strong for a human ... and massively rude! Broke my shoe, took my monk, do you have any idea who I'm talking about?" The demon grunted again but this time it was something different. "A slayer? You can't be serious, a vampire slayer!" The demon falls asleep and she slaps him again. "Pay attention!" She yelled. "I am holy…I am a god. Everyone will bow before me when my time comes. Why? Because I am strong a beautiful and everyone will fear me." She looked the demon in the eye. "I want you to kill her." The demon grunted.
Magic Box
The gang, minus Tara and Riley, where all gathered around the research table. They have yet to come up with anything on this new evil thing in Buffy's live. Xander was falling asleep as Giles went on and on. Buffy was playing with a piece of paper. Cordeila was so board she was actually reading something…a shopping magazine. Willow just looked like she was in her own little world. Dawn was the only was paying attention to Giles.
"Okay," Cordeila said looking up. "Why are we here again? I mean sure a new evil bad person in Buffy's live, so what." They all looked at her. "Listen, we have done this kind of thing before. A new evil comes, Buffy's kills it, and then we get on with our lives. We have never, well at least I haven't, spent this much time researching…personally I don't like it." Cordeila finished.
No one said anything. "Why can't we do what we always do? Wait till the last minute to kill the bad guy?" Cordeila asked. They all look at her. "What it works doesn't it?"
"If you don't want to be here than you could I don't know leave," Xander said. "We all now you don't want to be here."
"Xander…" Buffy started but was cut off.
"No Buffy let him finish I would like to hear what he has to say," Cordeila said. "I want to know what moron of the year has to say." Cordeila finished.
"That's enough!" Giles shouted. "I know we have been here for a long time but we have to find out what this new thing is." Giles said.
From the corner you could see Tara whispering something. "Blind Cadria, desolate queen, work my will upon them all. Your curse upon them, my obeisance to you." She blew red dust out of her hand and then walked away.
Giles stopped suddenly, took off his glasses and cleaned them. "Where was I?" he asked.
"Somewhere around the new evil thingy," Buffy said.
"Oh yes. I am sorry to say that they last time Buffy and this thing met beat you Buffy. Next time you have to be prepared." Giles said as he put his glasses back on. "Now if that means that we have to stay her all night researching then we spend all night researching." Giles said as he pulled a book close to him.
"Fine," Cordeila said as she went back to reading her book. Buffy was staring at her; she could feel her eyes on her. She looked up into hazel-green eyes. "What?" she asked. Buffy didn't say anything. "What!"
'I love you' Buffy mouthed. Cordeila smiled and mouthed 'I love you too' back. There relationship seemed so simple that it sometimes scared Cordeila. Because everytime that something really good came along in her life it was taken away…and the same thing always happened to Buffy. Neither one of then knew how long this was going to last but they both hopped that it lasted forever.
UC Sunnydale
Tara was sitting on a park bench right outside the school. She was thinking about what she just did. Was it the right thing playing tricks on her friends? Just as she was about to get up and leave a branch cracked under someone's feet and she turned around to see her cousin Beth.
"Beth, w-what are y-you doing h-here?" Tara asked.
"I was looking for you," she said as she stepped closer to her.
"S-sorry about dinner," Tara said.
"No big, I really didn't want to go." She paused. "I just came by to see if you needed any help…packing…anything." She said.
"I-I'm not going home w-with you." Tara said. Tara stepped back a little when Beth stepped closer to her.
"What!" Tara didn't say anything. "You are such a selfish bitch!" she said. She grabbed Tara by the shoulders. "You don't care the slightest bitty bit about your family, do you? Your dad's been worried sick about you every day since you've been gone. There's a, a house that needs taking care of ... Donny and your dad having to do for themselves while you're down here living god knows what kind of lifestyle. I can't wait till your little friends find out the truth about you. And they will, you know. No matter how innocent you act, they'll see."
"N-no they won't," Tara said.
"Yes they will unless…you passed a spell on them didn't you!" Tara didn't say anything. "I am so telling your father and then you will have not choice then to come back with us.' Beth said as she ran of in the direction she came. Tara hesitated, but only for a second before she ran of toward the Magic Box.
Willy's place
Willy was talking to some lesser demon and Spike couldn't help but over hear what he said. "I heard that someone got a Lei-Ach demon to kill the slayer. You think it will be able to do…I'm mean kill her?" Spike didn't need to hear anymore. He ran so fast out of the bar that he hit some things that where on the way in.
"Gonna get myself I front seat at the slayer bring killed." Spike said to himself as he ran off.
Magic Box
Buffy had gotten tried of researching to decide to get some training in. She was just stretching and getting ready to hit the punching bag when she heard a noise. She looked but yet she saw nothing there. She just shrugged it off and went back to what she was doing.
She heard another noise and this time she knew she wasn't hearing things. She got up and looked around but she didn't see anyone there…empty. But she knew someone was there because she could feel them…it's a slayer thing.
But before she could do anything something has her around the neck. She struggles to see what has her but all she sees is empty air. Yet something is cutting of her air flow. She head butted backwards and felt the thing let go.
"Giles, something is here!" she yelled just as she was tackled to the floor. She was struggling to keep the thing off her. She punched what she thought was thin air but she came into contact with a face.
Spike came running through the back door and saw Buffy on her back struggling against a demon. He just smiled as he continued to watch. But when he saw that it looked like she couldn't see her attacker he jumped in and ripped the demon off her. She got up and ran into the shop. "Your welcome," he called out after her.
Buffy swung there door open and saw all her friends fighting against things they couldn't see. "Where is it?" Anya asked as Xander backed toward her.
"Willow!" Dawn cried out as she crawled under a desk.
"Shut up!" Buffy yelled as she stood in the middle of the hallway. She listened for any sign of breathing or moving yet she got nothing.
Then Tara came running through the front door. "Buffy behind you!" She yelled.
Buffy swung behind her and came into contact with something's face. "Tara where is it, can you see it?" Buffy asked.
"Oh God," Tara said as he father and company came running though the door. "Blind Cadria, lift your veil. Give evil form... ...and break my spell." Tara said.
Suddenly the demon appeared before Buffy. "Hey," Buffy said. The demon turned around and Buffy punched it and it hit the floor. She stuck her foot on its next and snapped its next. Another demon runs for Tara and throws her to the counter. Buffy grabbed it from behind and snaps its neck. She looks around and sees that there are no more and they seem to be safe. Buffy looks and sees that Tara family has just walked in.
"What the hell is going on?" Mr. Maclay asks.
"That's what I would like to know," Buffy says as she looks at Tara.
"First what the hell was that?" Mr. Maclay asked.
"Lei-Ach demon…big on the marrow sucking." Spike said walking into the room form the back room.
"Okay so what is going on?" he said.
"I would like to know that too," Buffy said.
"I-I sorry," Tara said standing up. "I-I s-so s-sorry." She paused as she looked Buffy in the eye. "I didn't want you to see what I am."
"What do you mean what you are?" Buffy asked confused.
"Demon," Mr. Maclay said. "The women in our family have demon in them, he mother had it. That is where the magic comes from." He said as she stood up. "We came to take her home…we can take care of her condition."
"You cast a spell on us," Giles said. "That is why we could see our attacker." Giles explained.
"Nearly got us killed," Cordeila said walking over to Buffy. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said.
"I'll go," Tara said. "I'm s-so sorry." Tara said as she got up and prepared to leave.
"Wait!" Willow said walking over to her. "Go? Just because so spell went wrong." Willow looked in Tara's eyes. "You can't go. It-it was just a mistake…everyone make mistakes." Willow said.
"That's not the point and it's not your concern. She belongs with us. We know how to control her ... problem" Mr. Maclay said.
Willow brought her hand up so that Tara was looking at her. "I trusted you. I told you things. Was all that just a lie?" Willow asked pleaded for what she was saying to be a lie. She wanted Tara to tell her that she did love her.
"No!" Tara said.
'Do you wanna leave?" Cordeila asked coming up next to Willow. "Tara, do you want to leave?" she asked again.
"It's not your decision!" Beth and said.
"I know that!" Cordeila said. "It's Tara's."
"Tara do you want to leave?" Willow asked. Tara whips tears from her eyes as she shakes her head "no."
"You're going to do what's right, Tara. Now, I'm taking you out of here before somebody does get killed. The girl belongs with her family. I hope that's clear to the rest of you." Mr. Maclay said walking up to Buffy.
"It is," Buffy said.
"Buffy?" Cordeila asked. "You want her Mr. Maclay, you can go ahead and take her."
"BUFFY!" Cordeila shouted. "What are you doing!"
Buffy looked at Cordeila and then at Tara. "You just have to go through me!" Buffy said looking ay Mr. Maclay.
"What?" he asked confused.
"You want to take Tara out of her against her will, you have to go through me."
"And me!' Dawn said standing behind Buffy.
"Oh don't forget about me," Cordeila said walking over to where Buffy and Dawn where standing.
"You have got to be kidding; I am not going to be threatened by three little girls." Donny said walking over to Cordeila and grabbing her by the arm. Buffy reaches out and grabs his arms and squeezes. He looks at her in pain and she keeps squeezing.
"You are not just dealing with three little girls," Giles said putting on his face.
"Yeah, you're dealing with all of us." Xander said and Spike coughs. "Except Spike."
"This is insane. You people have no right to interfere with Tara's affairs. We ... are her blood kin! Who the hell are you?" Mr. Maclay shouted.
"Where family," Cordeila said.
The Maclay family stood there speechless. None of them knew what to say. Finally Beth took a step toward Buffy and Tara and said, "Well I hope you like living with a disgusting demon."
"What kind of demon is she?" Anya asked. The looked at her confused. "There are many different kinds and some are not disgusting," she said as she smiled at Xander. "What kind is she?"
"What does it matter…evil is evil." Mr. Maclay said.
"We could narrow it down," Anya suggested and they all nodded.
"Bloody hell lets just make it simple," Spike said walking over to Tara and punching her in the nose. "Ow!"
"Hey!" Willow said first mad and then happy. "Hey! You hurt Spike, which means…"
"There is no demon in her," Spike clarified. Spike turned to Mr. Maclay. "It is just a family legend isn't it? To keep the women in line? You're a piece of work…I like you." Spike said before he turned and left.
"He hurt my nose," Tara said as she stud up. Willow just smiled. They Maclay family walkes out of the magic shop and the group is left standing there smiling. Today was a good day.
The Bronze
Buffy was standing in the corner of the Bronze watching her friends dance and have fun. Cordeila had run to the all quick to pick up Tara's present. What happen today? Buffy asked herself as she waited for Cordeila to show up.
Buffy looked up and saw Willow waving her over. Suddenly two arms came around her waist. "Why don't we go join the party?" Cordeila whispered in her ear.
"Yeah, let's." Buffy said. But before she does she turns and looks in Cordeila eyes. "You really think I would have handed Tara over like that?"
"You are just so unpredictable," Cordeila said as she leaned in for a kiss. "And that is one of you qualities that I love." Cordeila said as she pulled away. Cordeila linked her hand with Buffy's and together they walked over to join their "family."
a/n: that was a long one. anyway hope you liked it. i know there was no Riley in this one but hey, he wasn't in the episode that much. Don't worry more Riley coming soon. Tell which pairing would you rather have. Riley/Dawn or Spike/Dawn?