Chapter Twenty-Nine
Author's Note: It's been a long time since I updated and I am sorry. I have been very busy with a little thing called life and didn't have the time to finish this story.
I want to thank those who gave me feed back. I truly appreciate it. I hope there are still people sticking with it. There are a few more chapters left to this before I start on a new story.
I wanted to let you guys know that I am going on vacation next week for two weeks. I will try and get a new chapter posted but I can't make any promises. I have been extremely busy at work. My co-worker does nothing so I have to pick up her end of the work. Plus we are waiting to get accreditation from this bug national organization and I can't begin to tell you how extremely stressful this has been. The thought of becoming a professional student has never sounded so good before.
I am going to try and write on the plane so all I have to do is type the story up but we'll see. I am terrified of plane rides so please say an extra prayer for me!
Again, I really appreciated those who have stuck with this!! Thank you for your dedication and I hope you enjoy! LA
"They're going out again?" Buffy asked Tara as she folded her laundry and tucked it neatly into her drawers.
Tara nodded. Before she could get a word into the conversation, Buffy spoke.
"But it's the third time this week they gone out together. He's here so often why doesn't he just move in with us! It would save on his commute," Buffy stated bitterly.
"I thought that you were all right with Xander dating Anya? You told her just the other night how great she and Xander are together and how you are so happy for them."
Buffy inhaled slowly before letting out a quick, soft laugh. "Tara, I'm fine with them together, really I am, but since he started hanging out here all the time and since he started to date Anya, things have been different between us. I love him; really I do, like a brother. He is one of my best friends but that doesn't mean I want to live with him. Plus, he is here all the time and I don't get to spend any time with him."
Tara sighed with sympathy. She too was becoming a little tired of seeing Xander around their suite. She had liked him and thought he was a great person but he didn't live there. Anya and Xander had been dating since for almost four months. Ever since Anya told Buffy that she had a little crush on Xander, Buffy played the part of the good friend as well as cupid and set her two friends up on a date.
Tara nodded her head. She felt bad for Buffy but wanted to change the conversation. "I'm excited about dinner at your parents' house. I like your family, they are very nice. It's on Saturday, right?"
"Yeah, mom is excited that you and Anya are coming over. She and my dad both love cooking. The more people the merrier." Buffy smiled. She too was excited about her friends visiting her house and she couldn't wait.
"She what?" Buffy asked almost yelling.
"She and Xander went away for the weekend." Tara explained again.
"But my parents are cooking dinner for us. Arg! This is so like her lately! Tomorrow is Friday and she canceled by just skipping town? I can't believe her! You're probably going to pull out too, right?'
"No, I told you that I was excited to visit your family and I am. You are so close to your family and I miss mine. It makes me feel good when I am around you and your family."
"I knew I could count on you." Buffy said a little relieved. Tara had proved herself a good friend time and time again.
"Hey, that's what friends are for, right?" Tara smiled. She was thinking about telling Buffy what she was feeling and a little more about herself. She only hoped that Buffy was going to be as good of a friend to her as she had been to Buffy after she shared her feelings with her.
"Mom, everything was great," Buffy told her mother as she began to clear off the dinner table.
"Buffy, sit down you have company. I'll do that," Rupert smiled at his daughter as he took the dishes from her hands and began making trips in and out of the kitchen.
"Yes Mrs. Giles, dinner was good. Roasted chicken is one of my favorite meals. Thank you for inviting me," Tara smiled. She had met Buffy's family several times but this was her first visit to the Giles' household.
"It was out pleasure," Joyce commented with a smile. "What will you girls be up to tonight?
"Buffy was going to introduce me to William," Tara answered.
"Yeah, I figured we could see his new place. We have been trying to get together for a while but with school and all, things have been crazy, especially with spring break coming up and all of the mid-terms. I can't wait to see it, it sounds really nice. I don't know how he keeps it up all by himself. The yard work alone sounds too much for him and he doesn't like gardening and all the flowers stuff." Buffy said.
"Oh, you didn't know?" Rupert asked sitting down.
"Didn't know what?" Buffy asked.
"William indeed does have a roommate." Rupert stated.
"Is it a girlfriend? Maybe we shouldn't go over. Would we be intruding?"
"Angel-" Joyce began to explain before her daughter interrupted her.
"His girlfriend's name is Angel?"
"No, Angel is his roommate." Rupert said trying to make things clearer to Buffy.
"Angel Harris?" Buffy questioned.
"How many Angels do you know?" Joyce asked in a light and sarcastic tone.
"I guess that makes sense, I mean they are friends," Buffy nodded.
"I'm surprised Xander didn't tell you. He helped them move a few weeks ago." Joyce said.
"Well, Xander and I don't really talk too much now a days. He seems to be spending a lot of quality time with his girlfriend." Buffy told her parents with a slight attitude.
Both Joyce and Rupert sensed the stress in Buffy's voice so they changed the subject all together/
"You have a really great place. It's beautiful here," Tara told William after he gave she and Buffy a tour of the apartment. The apartment itself was nice but outside was a garden that was too beautiful for words. Pink lilies and white roses grew freely in the yard. The living room filled with the aroma of lilacs which were also growing in the yard.
"Thanks. It needs a lot of work inside but I don't mind doing that. I just don't like all of the outside work but Angel seems to like that."
"You're really close to the beach," Buffy commented. It was true. William and Angel were within walking distance from Angel's favorite spot on the beach.
"Yeah, I guess we are. I don't like it too much, Angel does though. He goes for walks down there all the time. Would either one of you like a drink?" William asked. "I've got soda, beer, water and umm and ice tea."
Could I have some water please?" Buffy asked.
"A soda would be great, thank you," Tara softly stated.
William offered a half smile. "One water and a soda coming right up."
"This place is so beautiful. The two of them have put so much work into this place," Buffy said admiring the place. "I can't believe that two guys live here."
Tara nodded in agreement. "William is really nice."
Buffy smiled. She had seen the way that William was staring at Tara. He had big eyes when he talked or looked at Tara. Buffy hoped to play cupid for two of her best friends. "Did you see the way he looked at you?"
"What?" Tara asked with a slight laugh. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You didn't notice? His eyes have been looking at you and following you all night! He's in a daze like state whenever he talks to you!"
"Buffy, I don't think it's like that at all. I think he's nice and really cute but I don't think he's my type." Tara tried to explain.
Ignoring Tara, Buffy continued. "Oh come on! Not your type! He isn't your type if you're not into the cute, smart and sensitive! He is good friend, or even boyfriend material. He's," Buffy was interrupted by the sound of the front door being unlocked.
Both Tara and Buffy watched as the door opened and Angel came in. He hadn't noticed the two young women sitting on the couch. He closed the door and hung up his back pack and sweatshirt. When he finally turned around he was a little startled when he saw Buffy and Tara sitting down.
"Hey! Long time no see! How are you?" Angel asked as he waked over to Buffy and gave her a hug.
Buffy hugged Angel tightly. "I've been great and you?"
"I'm good. How do you like the place?" Angel asked.
"It's so beautiful! You guys have put so much work into this place. The outside and inside are just beautiful." Buffy commented.
"Well, thank you but we are doing so much more with the inside. There's so much more to do." Angel began to explain but saw Tara. He didn't know who she was and stopped talking to Buffy and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Angel," he said extending his hand.
"Angel, this is Tara, Tara this is Angel. He's Xander's older brother. Angel, this is one of my best friends from college, Tara."
Tara and Angel made small talk and exchanged small talk for a few minutes. William soon came back with the drinks. The four sat down and talked for hours. Tara was admiring the smell of the flowers so much that William offered to cut some for her to take back to her dorm room. The two of them went outside and talked while William picked some flowers for her.
"So besides the apartment, what have you been up to?" Buffy asked as she and Angel sat alone.
"Well, I'm back at school. I'm at a community college for now until I get all of my requirements done with. Then I'm thinking about transferring to UCLA for business or pre-law but I don't know yet. I think I am leaning more towards pre-law."
"Wow! You have been busy." Buffy smiled.
"After my grandmother died I took all that time off to help my mom so Xander wouldn't have to be there by himself and then I started working and I didn't think I'd go back to school but I did and I am. What about you? What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much. I'm still at UCS. I chose my major. I'm an arts major. I have no idea what I can do with it but its fun to learn about all of the painters and musicians. I actually found out that I like opera! I'm leaning towards art therapy but I'd have to take psychology classes and I hate it!"
Angel smiled as Buffy told him all about her possible career path. He watched her as she looked excited about helping children through art therapy. He looked at her in a different way. He had loved her of course when they were both in high school. They were high school sweethearts. Then he looked at her as a friend, just a little more than an acquaintance. Then he thought of everything that happened between her and Riley and thought that the girl he once loved was actually a woman. Buffy was forced to grow up fast the previous year. As she sat there and went on and on about her education goals, Angel smiled. He was happy that she seemed to be herself again. She was herself, just older.
"Listen to me, I've been blabbing for hours. I'm sorry!" Buffy apologized after she noticed that Angel hadn't spoken for a while.
"Don't worry about it. Everything you said sounds interesting. It sounds like you know what you want."
Buffy smiled and looked at her now empty drink. "Yeah, at least that's my plan. We'll see how it all turns out."
Angel nodded as Tara and William came back into the room. They both had big smiles on their faces and looked as if they had enjoyed their time outside together.
After talking a few more minutes, Tara and Angel left and headed back to their dorm room. They were both tired and wanted to head back. They had said good bye to their hosts and started on their way back to school in the dark.
"So how do you like William? Isn't he the nicest?" Buffy inquired.
"He is really sweet, but-"
"But what Tara? Isn't he great?" Buffy asked with a smile.
Tara peered out into the darkness. She didn't want Buffy to tease her any more. She didn't want Buffy to try and fix her up. "He isn't my type?'
"Why not? He's handsome and smart and charming, but you already knew that because you're holding a bunch of flowers that he picked just for you."
"Buffy-"
"William didn't pick me any flowers." Buffy added with a smile that was hidden in the night. "I really think that he likes you Tara."
Tara still looked out of the window. She didn't want to tell Buffy this way but Buffy didn't take a hint. This was going to be the time to tell her. "Buffy, I know that William is a great guy. He is so nice and very charming, but I am not interested in him."
"Well, if you think he's so great, then why not?"
Tara looked at Buffy as Buffy looked out on to the street and drove. "Buffy, I-I don't know how to tell you this but I a, a lesbian."
Buffy was shocked. Her first instinct was to jam on the brakes. She didn't care about Tara's sexual preference, she was shocked that she told her. Buffy didn't say anything.
Buffy's silence made Tara nervous. Silence was never a good thing. "Buffy? Are you mad at me?"
Buffy said nothing. She continued to drive at the same pace.
Tara spoke up again. Buffy, is this going to effect our friendship? Will-will you still be….be my friend?' Tara asked in a whisper. Tears began to form in her eyes.
Buffy had tears in her eyes too. "Of course I will still be your friend. I love you for the person you are and this is part of the person you are. Of course I am still your friend." Buffy smiled as she pulled into a parking space and parked her car in front of her dormitory.
Tara smiled and wiped her eyes. "Thank you."
Buffy was baffled. "Why are you thinking me?"
Tara swallowed and answered her friend. "I h–had lost a few good friends while I was in high school because I am a lesbian. People actually stopped talking to me because I like girls. I was afraid to tell anyone here because I-" tears rolled down her cheek.
"You were afraid that we would shun you like your friends at home did?"
Tara just nodded. Buffy could see her friend much better under the parking lot.
"Tara, you are one of my best friends ever. Willow and Xander are good friends and I have known them for a long time. Dan too but they have all been so far away in one form or another over the past year. You Have really been there for me to laugh and cry and just to be silly with. I will always be your friend."
Overcome with emotions, Tara hugged Buffy. She was never so grateful in her entire life for a friend as good as Buffy.
"So what is going on with you and Angel?' Tara asked on Saturday afternoon following their visit to William and Angel's apartment.
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked as she sat on her bed.
"What do I mean? Geez! You two were talking for so long! Every time I had looked in on you two you were giggling, both of you. It wasn't just you who was doing all of the flirting." Tara teased.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Buffy, he is beautiful and he likes you."
"What are you talking about? Angel and I go way back. He was my first boyfriend. That time seems like it was another lifetime ago. We are different people now."
"I still think that he likes you., a lot."
Buffy stood up and shook her head. She ignored Tara's comment and changed the subject. "Do you need anything at the supermarket?"
Tara laughed. She knew her friend didn't want to talk about Angel. She wanted to tease her friend the way Buffy had the night before when she talked about William. "I'm fine. I'll stop it, but you know that I am right."
Buffy smiled, took her key s and left. She made her way to her car and thought about Tara. She didn't believe that she thought Angel was attracted to her. Their relationship was so long ago. She was so young then, so inexperienced.
She parked her car and made her way into the store. She looked at her list as she pushed her little cart from one aisle to another. She was reading the back of a package when she slammed into another cart. "Excuse me, I'm sorry." She said as she looked up. "Angel, hi."
"You know you really shouldn't read and drive, it's pretty dangerous."
"I know. I was just trying to hurry. I hate food shopping."
"Me too." Angel agreed. Silence filled the distance between the two of them. They both wanted to say something but couldn't find the words to say something good.
"Isn't your birthday coming up?" Angel asked.
"Yes. It is in a few weeks, during spring break."
"I thought so. Are you doing anything fun for it?"
"Not really. Just a family party. I haven't had one of those since the year Stacy died."
Angel remembered that day. HE remembered that Buffy was unconscious for a while. He couldn't remember if she was out for hours or days but he had remembered how scared he was. He thought that he was going to loose her. "That sounds like fun." Angel said sarcastically.
"Well, most of my friends will be away. Willow doesn't have the same break as me, Dan has been away fir a while, Xander, well, Xander won't noticed and Tara is going home."
"That sounds like a drag."
"Yeah, but what can you do." Silence filled them again. They couldn't find the words to talk.
"Listen,. if your not doing anything that night, would you like to come over?"
Angel put up a front. He acted as if he didn't know and that he was very busy. In the end he had agreed. Both Buffy and Angel had walked away very happy.