Tara pulled her jacket around her tighter as she walked towards the building of her dorm; she jumped when she heard a rustling behind her. Why she chose to walk alone at midnight she will never know. She scanned the woods one more time before turning and continuing her walk, she let out a yelp when someone stepped into her path.

"Sorry didn't mean to scare you," her girlfriend said as she picked up the books Tata had dropped.

"Thanks," Tara gasped as she took the offered books from Buffy.

"You know you shouldn't be in this area at night alone," Buffy said as she scanned the woods behind her girlfriend.

"I know," Tara said as she tried to calm her breathing.

"I really didn't mean to scare you," Buffy said as she took her Tara's free hand and squeezed it gently.

Tara gave her a smile as she interlaced their fingers and began leading them back towards the building.

"So how did your last class go?" Buffy asked as she continued to scan the area.

"It wwwent okay," Tara stammered, "the professor still doesn't like me thought," she tampered off sadly.

"Well he's an idiot then who should stay clear of me," Buffy said through clenched teeth.

Tara's heart soared at Buffy being so protective of her.

"So I wanted to apologize for taking off yesterday and the whole Riley thing," Buffy said as they got to the steps of the building.

"I do really care about you, I just don't know how to tell them just yet," Buffy said as she glanced everywhere but at Tara.

"Its okay sweetie I understand," Tara said as she placed her hand under Buffy's chin and urged her to meet her eyes. "We can keep this a secret for now."

Buffy smiled as she looked into Tara's eyes, "I promise I'm not ashamed or anything, they just have a hard time accepting some things is all."

"Like Angel?" Tara said with a hint of a smirk on her lips.

Buffy laughed, "That was a little different but yeah."

"Can I ask you something?" Tara asked shyly blushing as she looked away.

"You can ask me anything," Buffy said as she placed her hand on Tara's cheek and stroked it lovingly.

Tara smiled shyly, "will you stay with me tonight?"

Buffy beamed, "of course," she was about to lean in to kiss her girlfriend, when Tara suddenly pulled away a look of pure fear across her face.

"Tara what's wrong?" Buffy asked as she turned around and was knocked to the ground by an angry looking vampire.

"Buffy!" Tara shouted as she rushed towards her girlfriend.

"Run," Buffy said to her as she jumped up and advanced on the snarling vampire.

Tara ran towards Buffy's bag as she searched for a stake, she tried to hurry as she heard Buffy and the vampire struggling in the background.

"Buffy catch," she yelled as she threw her girlfriend a stake.

Buffy kicked the vampire off her as she jumped up and plunged the stake threw his heart.

Tara breathed a sigh of relief as she went over and helped her girlfriend up.

"I meant inside," Buffy said with a smirk as she wiped the dust from her clothes.

Tara smiled as she went over and retrieved Buffy's bag for her.

"Thanks," Buffy said as she took it and followed Tara inside the building.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Tara asked as she ran her fingers along the bruise that was on Buffy's ribs.

"I'm fine, I heal fast," she replied as she began to unbuckle her jeans.

Tara nodded as she grabbed her toothbrush and headed towards the door, "be right back."

Buffy just nodded as she pulled off her jeans and set them on the chair where her shirt and jacket were.

"I'm glad you thought of this," Buffy said as she laid a blanket down on the ground of the roof.

"I like looking at the stars, it's nice to finally have someone to look at them with," Tara said as she lay beside Buffy and cuddled close.

"As long as I'm around you will always have someone," Buffy whispered as she wrapped her arms around Tara tightly.

"Buffy," Tara whispered lightly as she turned towards her girlfriend and cupped her cheek, "I love you."

Buffy leaned in and kissed her deeply before responding, "I love you too."

Tara beamed as she looked into Buffy's eyes, "it has been a long time since I have ever been this happy."

"I don't want you to ever feel invisible ever again," Buffy told her as she kissed her forehead.

Tara shivered as she cuddled closer to Buffy.

"Are you cold?" Buffy asked as she wrapped the blanket around them tighter.

"I'm okay," Tara said as she lay her head on Buffy's chest and listened to the sound of her heartbeat.

"Okay," Buffy said as she ran her fingers through Tara's hair.

Tara yawned as she snuggled closer, "Buffy can I ask you something without upsetting you?"

Buffy stopped her movements and turned her body so she was facing Tara's, "of course."

"Do you ever still think about him and what could have been?" Tara asked a hint of sadness in her voice.

"I do think about him from time to time yes, he was my first love, but I have moved on and I'm happy," Buffy said as she smiled lovingly at Tara. "I loved him dearly at one point and I did what I had to do, and when he came back things just got harder. I thought we could be friends but we just couldn't be."

"I'm really happy I got the chance to meet you," Tara said.

"Me too, and I promise me and Angel are over for good. I'm all yours," Buffy assured her.

"I guess I just needed the reassurance," Tara said as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Don't cry please," Buffy begged as she wiped away the tears that were falling.

"I just feel so lucky that you chose me," Tara cried.

"Why wouldn't I?" Buffy asked.

"You're just so beautiful and you're the slayer, and you dated a vampire, and I'm just not any of those things."

"Stop it, you are so beautiful," Buffy said as she kissed Tara's cheeks.

Tara couldn't keep the smile off her face at hearing those words.

"I'm your girl, and nothing will change that," Buffy said as she stood up and offered Tara her hand which she gladly took.

Buffy led Tara back towards her dorm as they slept soundly.