A/N We're now coming up on season five where Dawn is introduced. From the episode where Dawn reads Giles' journal, we know that snakes and dogs can detect the Key and see the Ben/Glory connection. For the purposes of this fic, Xander and Cordelia will not be able to see the Key. That would make for a very short chapter. They will however, be able to see the Ben/Glory connection. Why? Because the zookeeper only states that the hyenas they have are a throwback species. And up until 1.5 million years ago there were several hyena species that are described as dog-like, not to mention, hyena behavior more closely aligns to dogs then cats. Xander and Cordelia do not have super strength in this story. They can smell vampires, but cannot scent, which is using the sense of smell to gain information on emotional and physical health. They can sense vampires and demons. Which is going to be important for Tara. Also, the stupidity of the Dracula episode will not be part of any fic I write, just so you know.

#######

"So Tara, welcome to the family. I don't know if Willow has told you anything about us, but given that you're familiar with Magic, I think we can safely tell you a few things about ourselves. I accidentally got caught up in a ritual back in my sophomore year that a local zookeeper was trying to do. He was part of a sect of animal worshipers that consider the animal state pure and wanted thru transpossession, to draw the spirits of hyenas into himself. The spell accidentally triggered when i stopped some bullies from hassling another student. The others were possessed and the zookeeper pulled the spirits from them and into himself. As for me, I was affected differently. I'm now a hybrid. Half human, half hyena. And a hickey I gave Cordy, has made her a hybrid as well. It's kinda affected our thinking. We see Sunnydale as our territory and the people here as our responsibility to protect. And since we can sense vampires and demons, we can find them and destroy them. Also, the fall of Junior year, a guy Giles used to know played his idea of a prank on people. Anybody who bought something from his shop turned into their costume. I went as an Army soldier and now have everything a soldier knows in my head. I've used that knowledge quite a bit against the vampires and demons we've dealt with. Any questions?" Xander informed Tara.

Tara looked scared. "You, you, you can sense demons?!"

"Yes, Tara why do you look scared? You don't have to worry, I'm not going to bite you and make you a hybrid. I love my Cordy and I learned my lesson, no biting. I promise."

"No, it's not that. Are you going to kkkkill, me, me?"

"No, why would you think that?!"

"Be, because of the demon in me."

"What demon?"

"You can't sense it?"

"Tara, we can sense the demon even in mixed breeds, there's no demon in you. Where'd you get the idea that there was?"

"From, from my father. He said, there's evil in me. A demon and it will manifest when I turn twenty. He said my mother had one and it's what killed her."

"I don't sense a demon in you."

"Neither do I." Cordelia told her.

"Tara, if it would ease your mind, I can do a diagnostic spell on you. It would help determine if there's a demon in you." Jenny offered.

"O, okay. Do that, please."

Jenny's diagnostic spells found no evidence of a demon in Tara.

"You see, he lied to you, Tara. There's no demon in you. You're a girl that can do Magic, that's all. Just like our friend Amy and like Jenny over there. Both come from a long line of Magic users. Born to it, like you. And if your father comes to visit, we'll explain to him that he was mistaken."

"Okay, thank you."

"No problem, Tara. You're apart of us now. Once a Scooby, always a Scooby. Just ask Willow's ex when he comes back to visit. I think of him like my brother. Which might be partly because he's a werewolf and partly because he's a great guy. But he's a Scooby, too. Just like you."

"A Scooby?"

"Yes, because we're meddlesome kids who solve mysteries and unmask bad guys. None of them have said 'and I would have gotten away with it, if wasn't for you meddlesome kids' yet, but maybe someday." Xander grinned at her, making her giggle.

"Tara, have you ever heard of a Slayer?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, I read about them in my mother's books. Chosen one, right, chosen to fight vampires."

"Yes, Faith and I are Slayers."

Tara looked startled. "I thought there could only be one."

"Ordinarily, yes." Giles said. "But Buffy drowned and Xander revived her with CPR. She was gone long enough for a second Slayer to be called."

"Her name was Kendra. My stupidity got her killed and Faith was called."

Buffy explained about Angel and Tara looked disturbed. "That's a horrible curse! The soul must have suffered terribly. I hope it's at rest now."

"It is, Jenny and I checked." Giles assured her.

"Good, I'd hate to think of anyone suffering like that."

Just then Dawn stuck her head into the living room. "Hey people, mom says supper's ready. Everyone find your spots."

And the Scooby Gang enthusiastically went to enjoy Joyce's incredible cooking and welcome Tara into their midst. She enjoyed the meal and the comfort of people who accepted her.

A/N I will not be doing Tara's stutter in future chapters, it was just to emphasize her fear in this one. I mean no offense, I have a speech impediment myself, because of a malformed jaw.