Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Definitely no money being made. All characters belong to Joss
Whedon and ME. I own nothing except whatever characters I may make up for this
story.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: /mysticmuse.net
Kinetic-Kid's Site:
/www.kinetic-kid.com
Oh yeah, anywhere, anytime. Just make sure I get credit and let me know where it
is.
Feedback: Please Please PLEASE. I live for feedback. I get irritable and
upset if I don't get any and I might not continue writing. Of course, if you
don't like the story and think it sucks you may not want me to continue!
Spoilers: Pretty much everything – if you haven't watched BTVS – why are
you reading the fanfic? This story is, of course, AU.
Auth Note: First thing first – Season 1 happened the way it did on the
show. HOWEVER, things will go completely AU after that. Kendra was never called.
Faith was the next slayer called when Buffy died. I will be using ideas from the
show, but I WILL be playing fast and loose with time-lines for things to fit in
with my story. Joyce is aware that Buffy is the Slayer, she found out in her
Freshman year.
Pairing: Buffy/Tara
Summary: Sophomore year, a certain blonde Wicca comes to Sunnydale with her mother to escape their abusive home life.
Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
"I'm going to get us away from here, baby girl." Dianna whispers softly, stroking her fingers through her daughter's blonde hair. "I never should have stayed with him. We should have left the first time he raised his hand to us." Dianna sighs quietly, the tears slowly sliding down her face as she looks at her bruised and sleeping daughter. Slowly she turns to look at the door as she senses her sister behind her.
"Everything's ready. I'll drive you to the bus station as soon as they release her." Jacquelyn sighs softly as she walks into sit beside her sister. "Here's all the money you had in the bank, and I've given you everything that I can." Jacquelyn hands the envelope to Dianna. "Are you sure you want to go to Sunnydale?"
Dianna smiles sadly into her sister's eyes and slowly nods her head. "I have to take the chance, Jackie. I don't have anyone else that I know elsewhere, and at least I'll have a friend if nothing else."
"Let Justine know your address and how to get in touch with you. I don't want to take a chance of you letting me know and that bastard finding where you live. Justine will keep us in touch with each other." Jacquelyn sighs again and leans against her younger sister. "I wish things could have been different for you."
"You and me both." Dianna looks over her battered daughter, ignoring her own aches and pains. "I never should have stayed with him."
"You're leaving now, so don't dwell on the past. You know as well as I do, that you can't change it, but you can make the future better." Jacquelyn smiles softly as Dianna slowly nods her head. "Are you going to get in touch with her before getting there, or just try and run into her?"
"I don't know how I'm going to see her, but I do know I'm going to wait until we've settled in. I don't even know for sure Hank and her got married, or are still together, or anything else about her, since college. She could be totally different than she was." Dianna admits quietly, running a shaky hand through her daughter's soft hair. "Whatever happens, will happen. We can't continue living like this."
"Just take care of yourself and Tara. Justine said that she'll be more than happy to send you money to help you out. She made some smart ass comment about never having time to spend it, anyway, and someone could use it instead of the banks." Jacquelyn smiles as a quiet chuckle comes from Dianna.
"Hopefully she'll get a chance to come visit us. I know Tara misses being able to talk to her. They were more like sisters growing up, than cousins. Even with the couple year's difference between them." Dianna's lip quirks up slightly in remembrance.
"I know she will. And don't be stubborn, accept her help. She honestly doesn't spend any of the money she makes, she lives in the barracks and all her meals and clothes are paid for by the Navy. I don't know if I'm happy with what she's doing, but she seems to enjoy it." Jacquelyn takes a deep breath in wonder at her daughter.
"She's a smart woman, Jackie. She went through training with flying colors and she knows what she's doing. She's finally received the recognition and respect from the guys she works with, so everything should be in the good, now." Dianna smiles softly thinking about her niece.
"I can't help but think about the shit she went through to get to that point, though." Jacquelyn shakes her head briefly. "But, it's what she wanted."
"Yes, it is. I'm going to miss you, sis." Dianna whispers a tear slowly sliding down her cheek, accepting Jackie's arms around her in a tight embrace.
"I'll miss you, too. Just take care of each other." Jacquelyn places a kiss on top of her sister's head, silently praying to the Goddess to take care of her family.
Buffy grumbles quietly under her breath as she leaves the house, her mother insisting on her coming by the Art Gallery after school to help unpack a shipment she got in. "Go to school, get a diploma, fight vampires and demons, save the world, help unpack shipments. I would really, truly love to have a life!" Taking a deep breath, Buffy looks up, allowing a smile to come to her face at the sight of her two best friends, Xander and Willow waiting at the corner for her. Seeing the happiness on Willow's face for the start of the new school year and Xander's having his usual goofy grin, Buffy can't help but chuckle. Picking up her speed, she quickly closes the gap between them.
"Good morning, Buff!" Xander tosses her an apple. "There's you a little snack for the way into school."
"Thanks, Xan." Buffy grins as she hooks her arms through Willow and Xander's. "Sooooo, what are we going do this year? We pretty much trashed Giles' library last year. Have to do something bigger for this year."
Willow laughs quietly and shakes her head. "I don't think so, Buffy. It took them almost a month to get the library fixed. Giles was not too pleased."
"I could have stayed dead and let the Master live, how happy do you think that would have made him?" Buffy grins as they quickly make their way towards the high school.
"Don't even joke about that!" Willow turns wide eyes on Buffy. "You very easily could have died!"
"I did die." Buffy shrugs and bumps shoulders with Xander. "My big Xander-shaped friend came and saved me."
Xander blushes lightly and looks down at the concrete. "Had to. Between you and Willow, you're my only two real friends. Gotta keep what I have!"
"Well, I don't know what this year will hold, but hopefully not anything too terribly bad." Willow admits quietly as they walk up the steps. "Wonder what Giles has planned for us."
"Research!" Buffy and Xander both pipe up at the same time, laughing as Willow rolls her eyes at them.
"Come on! Brand new school year, new kids and who knows what else is going to happen. It's exciting, and I can't wait!" Willow bounces as they make their way to the library.
"Baby girl, you can wait until the bruising finishes fading to go to school, if you want." Dianna watches as Tara pulls the book bag over her shoulder as she heads towards the front door of the small house they were renting.
"No, mama. I'd rather start the same time as everyone else." Tara whispers, smiling briefly as she glances back at her mother.
Dianna smiles sadly at Tara and nods her head in agreement. Looking over the bruising that was almost gone, but the slight darkening around one eye and cheek still noticeable. Between the bruises and the cast, Tara looked like a poster child for abuse.
They had been in Sunnydale for a couple weeks and were surprised when they had gone to the bank to open an account, that there was already a bank account there in their names and a house rented for them. When Dianna had opened the large, thick envelope and read the letter on top, she couldn't help but cry at the thoughtfulness of her niece. They had finished filling out the paperwork needed and made their way towards their new home. The small two-bedroom house perfect for them, already furnished with the necessities. Nothing fancy, but just very dependable furniture. When Dianna had tried to call the number to reach her niece, she'd been told that she was out on a mission, and probably wouldn't be back for a month or longer. Giving the young man a quick note to give to Justine, Dianna and Tara had quickly settled into the house with their few belongings.
Shaking her head to get out of her musings, she smiles at Tara. "Have a wonderful day, baby girl. I'm going to go look for a job, that way I hopefully won't have to dig into the funds Justine gave us."
"Love you, mama." Tara hugs her mother quickly before smiling and heading out the door.
"Love you, too, baby girl." Dianna smiles softly at the lack of stutter coming from her daughter, but knows that when Tara's around other people it still comes out. Taking a deep breath, Dianna grabs the newspaper, silently perusing it and circling possibilities as she considers when and how she might see her college friend, silently wondering if she was married, had kids and if she would even remember her. Shaking her head, Dianna smiles briefly. "I'll see if I can't find a job first, before hunting her out."
Tara waits nervously in the office, holding the piece of paper with her schedule on it, while waiting for the student that was going to show her where her classes were.
"I'll catch up to you second period!" Willow grins and waves as Buffy and Xander split off to go to their different classes, walking into the office, she stops and smiles at the young girl in front of her. "Are you Tara?"
Tara slowly raises her eyes, surprised at the tiny redhead standing in front of her. "Y-yes." Tara slowly nods.
Willow bites her lip as she notices the light bruising on the girls face, taking in the cast Willow almost asks what happened, but for once, decides to keep her mouth shut. "I'm Willow. Let me see what classes you have." Willow smiles gently at the blonde as she holds her hand out.
Tara gently places the paper in Willow's hand, silently watching the girl.
"You're a senior?" Willow looks up, smiling as Tara nods her head quickly. "I'm actually a junior, but I'm taking some advanced classes. Come on, I'll show you where the first two classes are, then I'll come and get you for the third class that we have together."
"Okay." Tara whispers softly as she follows the redhead.
"Have you had a chance to get your books yet?" Willow questions as she glances up at the clock in the hallway, seeing they still have ten minutes.
"N-Not yet." Tara shakes her head, looking down. "D-d-didn't know where the l-l-library was." Tara admits quietly.
"Well, we're going right by there. We can stop in and I'll tell Giles what books you need, and you can get them either at lunch, after school or before school tomorrow." Willow grins as she heads quickly towards the library.
Tara giggles quietly as she follows the exuberant redhead.
"GILES!" Willow yells as she enters the library, grinning as he pops up from behind the counter with a scowl on his face. "Can you get together the books Tara's going to need for her classes? She'll come back by later and pick them up."
Giles accepts the list from Willow, quickly making a copy of it before handing it back. "You know, you really don't need to yell. I'm not deaf, you know!" Giles grumbles as Willow and the other girl leave the library.
"I know, I just like to see you get irritated." Willow throws over her shoulder, grinning at the watcher. "See you after school."
"Y-you call the l-librarian by name?" Tara questions softly as they quickly make their way to her first class.
"Yes, it's this thing." Willow grins and shrugs. Willow points out where Tara's second class is while they continue heading down the hallway to her first period. "This is it, I'll come and get you at the door to your second period class, to show you to the next class." Willow grins and waves at the blonde before trotting off to her class.
"T-thanks." Tara shakes her head at the quickness the redhead disappeared. Taking a deep breath, Tara makes her way into her first class of the day, smiling at the thought of possibly being able to have a life outside of home, now that her mother and she had moved out from the controlling influence of her father and brother.
Dianna rubs a hand over the back of her neck, sighing before she reaches for the cup of coffee as she looks at the wanted ads. Confused as to where to start, as she looks at the ads, seeing that there were job openings for practically every job imaginable. Having already filled out applications at four different places, she decided to take a small breather and have something to drink as she considers where else she would like to put in an application at.
"Would you like something to eat?" Elizabeth smiles down at the older woman as she feels her coffee cup.
Dianna smiles as she looks up. "I wouldn't mind a little something. Any suggestions?"
"The muffins are quite good. Personally, I like the banana nut muffin the best." Elizabeth smiles softly as she looks at the newspaper. "Looking for a job?"
"The muffin sounds wonderful. Yes, I am." Dianna nods, sighing quietly. "My daughter and I just moved into town a few weeks ago…" Dianna trails off, shrugging.
"Well, in this town there is an abundance of openings. If you don't see what you want in the paper, I would suggest going to the particular businesses that you may be interested in." Elizabeth pats her gently on the shoulder. "Let me go get you your muffin."
Dianna smiles softly as she looks back down at the newspaper, circling a couple other ads that peaked her interest, before the hair on the back of her neck starts to stand up. Slowly raising her eyes to the front of the small coffee shop, she inhales deeply at the site of the tall, blonde woman striding into the shop. Watching the women intently, Dianna takes in the tall, lithe form, realizing that time had been kind to Joyce. Silently wondering if she's married and has kids, Dianna continues to watch her as she places her order at the counter before paying for the food and moving down to wait for her lunch to be fixed.
"I need to get out of here for a while." Joyce rubs her eyes before she stands up to leave the gallery. Quickly striding towards the front of the shop, she stops momentarily at the receptionist's desk. "I'm going across the street to get something to eat. I'll be back later."
Kathy nods her head at her boss, smiling apologetically at the woman, knowing that Frederick leaving like he did, left Joyce in a bind for a buyer.
Joyce quickly crosses the street and places an order for a Diet Coke and a Reuben sandwich. Waiting for the food, she sighs quietly, wondering what she's going to do now. Not really wanting to have to go out of town in two weeks for the weekend to the convention in LA, but knowing that they needed to get some new artists showing at the gallery soon. Having counted on Frederick to go and buy some fresh paintings, and make contacts with hopefully some young and upcoming artists. Accepting the tray with her food and drink on it, Joyce slowly scans the busy coffee shop, wondering if there were any empty tables when her eyes come into contact with deep blue eyes watching her intently. Blinking in surprise at the woman that she hasn't seen for roughly twenty years, Joyce isn't even aware of her legs moving towards Dianna.
Unconsciously licking her lips, Dianna watches Joyce quickly make her way towards her table, her hazel eyes never breaking contact with hers. Folding the newspaper, Dianna sets it down on the edge of the small table and watches as Joyce stands there looking down at her, a surprised look on her face. "Would you care to join me, Joy?" Dianna questions softly.
Joyce swallows hard as the soft, dulcet tones practically caress her shortened name. "Dee…" Joyce shakes her head before sitting down and staring intently at the woman that she figured she'd never see again. "How…?"
Dianna blushes lightly and looks down at the table. "It's a long story, but short version is that I came here, because I knew this was where you were at. I wanted to at least have a friend, someone I could talk to, be here for me."
"How did you know I was living here?" Joyce frowns as she allows her eyes to drink in the sight of the one person that she always wondered what had happened to, after college.
Dianna bites her lip and shakes her head. "I'm not so sure you'd believe me if I told you." Looking up from where she'd been staring down into her empty coffee cup, she searches the hazel depths. Looking up as the waitress, Elizabeth, sets the muffin in front of her, Dianna smiles quickly and pushes her coffee cup towards the woman, so she can fill it again. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Elizabeth smiles quickly, glancing towards the other woman, recognizing her from the other times she'd come in here. Nodding her head at the woman, Elizabeth quickly hurries off to help her other customers.
Joyce looks from Dianna's dark blonde hair, to her kind blue eyes over the soft features, noting the slight differences that age has brought to her college friend. Realizing that if anything, time had made her more beautiful. "You'd be surprised at what I'd believe." Joyce admits quietly as she lifts her drink, taking a sip of the diet soda.
Dianna bites her lip and shakes her head after a few seconds. "I'll tell you, but it isn't something that should be discussed in public." Dianna allows herself to look at Joyce's hand, a quiet sigh of relief easing out when there's no wedding band on her finger. "I was going to look for you in a couple more weeks, after I found a job."
Joyce tilts her head looking at Dianna for a few moments. "How long have you been in town?"
"A couple weeks." Dianna tears a small piece of muffin and pops it in her mouth, chewing as she thinks. "My daughter and I moved here. We've been trying to get settled in, and now I'm looking for a job." Dianna smiles quickly as she watches Joyce start to eat her sandwich.
Joyce runs her finger over the edge of the tray as she considers questioning Dianna further. "Married?" Joyce whispers, her eyes looking up to wait for the answer.
Dianna wipes her fingers before reaching for her cup to sip at the coffee for a moment, getting her thoughts in order before gently placing it back on the table. "If you want to call it that, yes. I'm married."
Joyce raises an eyebrow in silent question, noticing the tensing of Dianna's body and the slight paling of her skin tone, even though the woman had always been on the pale side, what coloring she did have seemed to disappear with her question.
Dianna sighs heavily watching Joyce and the emotions crossing her face. "Home life wasn't exactly…" Dianna raises her eyes up at the ceiling as she considers the proper wording. Running a hand down her face, not knowing what to say, she finally spits out. "It was shit. Tara and I ran away after the last trip to the hospital."
Joyce pales even more than Dianna as the words roll around in her mind. Unconsciously she reaches across the small table to clasp Dianna's hand in hers. "Dee?" Joyce questions softly, her eyes asking what she couldn't bring herself to say.
Dianna feels tears slowly gather in her eyes and slowly nods her head to Joyce's silent question. "Tara and I both." Dianna admits quietly. "We're praying that he won't find us. Unfortunately when I go to get a job, when I fill out the paperwork there may be a good chance that he'll be able to locate us if he knows how to look."
Joyce squeezes Dianna's hand gently, slowly shaking her head. "We need to talk, and this isn't the best place to have this type of discussion." Joyce finally admits quietly. "Would you like to come over for dinner tonight? You and Tara?"
Dianna looks intently into Joyce's eyes, seeing caring and warmth with a hint of anger. Knowing intuitively that the anger isn't pointed at her, but at her husband, Dianna smiles softly. "I honestly wasn't expecting to run into you like this, Joy." Dianna admits as she shifts her other hand to cover Joyce's hand that's still holding hers. "I was wanting to get everything situated first, then maybe look you up to talk."
"Things always happen for a reason. Especially in this town." Joyce smiles softly at Dianna. Gently easing her hand away, she digs in her purse and pulls out one of her business cards, flipping it over she writes down her address and her phone number. Handing the card to Dianna she tilts her head for a few moments. "I'll get home around 5:30 – come over then, before it gets dark. We need to have a major discussion, not just personal but about the goings on in this town."
Dianna slowly nods her head, looking at the address on the card, frowning lightly. "This road name looks familiar, where is it?"
"Where are you living?" Joyce questions softly.
"Fremont Drive. A small one story house with two bedrooms." Dianna looks up as she hears a quiet chuckle coming from Joyce.
"That's about three blocks from where I live. If you're heading towards your house, continue down Berkshire and take a left on Revello Drive. We're the sixth house on your left." Joyce explains where she lives and smiles as the dawning light comes on in Dianna's eyes. "Basically a little hop skip and jump from where I live."
Dianna slowly nods her head and tucks the card away in her purse. "May be handy. What about you, Joy? Kids, husband…somebody else?" Dianna practically whispers the last two words.
Joyce smiles and reaches out to gently squeeze Dianna's hand before pulling her hand back. "I have a daughter, also. She's a junior in High School. I'm divorced and there is…no one else at the moment." Joyce's voice drops slightly as she finishes the sentence.
"Tara's a senior." Dianna looks up smiling.
Joyce feels her heart catch at the absolutely beautiful smile crossing Dianna's face. Feeling her heart start to literally pound in her chest, Joyce swallows as she wonders what this is going to mean to their relationship. And how Buffy may react when she finds out, if it becomes more than friendship. "I should head back to work." Joyce whispers softly, looking down at her plate, wondering when she finished her sandwich.
"And I need to put in a few more applications before heading home." Dianna slowly stands, digging in her purse to pay for her muffin and coffee, looking up when Joyce's hand stops her.
"I'll get it." Joyce shakes her head, smiling. Unable to resist, she pulls Dianna in for a hug. "I've missed you, Dee." Joyce whispers softly, smiling as she feels Dianna's arms loop around her neck hugging her tightly.
"I've missed you too, Joy." Dianna admits, allowing herself to enjoy the feel of Joyce's arms wrapped around her for a few more moments before gently easing away. "Tara and I will be at your house at 5:30."
"I'll see you then." Joyce smiles and watches as Dianna slowly walks away. Opening her wallet, Joyce drops some money on the table before heading back to work, silently wondering what the future holds in store for her now.
"If you want, you can eat with us." Willow waves towards the table, where Buffy and Xander were already sitting, Xander tossing French fries towards Buffy and the slayer catching them in her mouth to chew and swallow.
"I-I don't th-think so." Tara blushes and shakes her head. "I'm g-going to the l-library. Th-thank you, Willow." Tara looks up through her hair and smiles quickly before turning to walk quickly away.
"Huh." Willow watches the blonde walk away. "And I thought I was shy." Willow shrugs her shoulders and makes her way over to Buffy and Xander.
"Who was that?" Buffy questions as she bounces a French fry off Xander's head, grinning as she realizes it had some ketchup on it, that's now made a home on Xander forehead.
"That's just wrong." Xander bitches as he grabs a napkin and wipes the ketchup from his forehead.
"Tara Maclay, she's new." Willow explains, unnecessarily. "She's heading to the library to probably pick up her books." Willow shrugs as she looks at her two best friends. "What are we going to do after school?"
Buffy groans and drops her head on the table. "I have to help mom at the gallery. Then probably do my math homework. First day of school and the idiot teacher is giving homework!"
"I guess that means there's no going to the Bronze tonight?" Xander's pouts at the thought.
"Probably not tonight. We'll see what happens the rest of this week." Buffy shrugs, smiling.
"Have you heard from Angel yet?" Willow questions quietly, knowing Buffy was still a little touchy on the subject of the disappearing vampire.
"No." Buffy shakes her head, sighing heavily.
Xander snarls his nose at the thought of the vampire that disappeared after Buffy defeated The Master. "Useless bag of blood." Xander mumbles, blushing when Buffy looks up and narrows her eyes on him. Swallowing hard, Xander quickly becomes interested in his lunch.
Buffy picks at her lunch as she silently wonders what Angel has been up to since he left at the beginning of the summer. She had hoped that there might be a chance that something was happening between them, but when he left with a cryptic 'I'll be back in a few months', she was left wondering. Finishing her lunch, she looks up at the clock, realizing their lunch period was almost over. "About that time, guys. I already told Giles I wouldn't be able to do the training thing after school today because of mom, so I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, Buff. See you in the AM." Xander watches as Buffy quickly strides away. "I don't understand what she sees in him." Xander bitches quietly.
"Other than the tall, dark and handsome part? Probably nothing." Willow raises an eyebrow at her best friend. "Come on, Xander. Let's head to our next class. You're going to pass History whether you want to or not, this year!!"
"NOT THE HISTORY TORTURE!" Xander practically yells as Willow drags him out of the cafeteria, laughing.
Buffy grumbles under her breath as she finishes unpacking the crates in her mother's Gallery. "SHIT!" Buffy yells as a huge splinter imbeds itself into the palm of her hand. Stomping out of the back, she makes her way to the bathroom and digs through the First Aid kit, finally coming across the rubbing alcohol and a pair of tweezers. Yanking the splinter out, she investigates the wound to make sure there weren't any other smaller pieces left in the wound before pouring the alcohol over it to kill any bacteria.
Joyce stands at the door as she watches Buffy. "Are you okay, honey?"
"Yes." Buffy growls quietly as she digs around to find a small bandage to tape the weeping wound.
"Here, let me." Joyce comes in and finds the sterile pad and tape as Buffy presses some paper towels onto the wound. "What did you do?"
"One of your crates decided it didn't like me tearing it apart and decided to get back at me." Buffy pulls off the towels and allows her mom to tape the bandage on her palm. "Thanks."
"I'm sorry, honey." Joyce looks up at her daughter. "I have a college friend coming over to dinner tonight, along with her daughter. I want to explain to her about Sunnydale, that way nothing happens to either one of them."
"Mom…" Buffy scratches her head, understanding how her mom wants to help protect people, but most people just don't want to believe it. Or they want to think whoever's telling them about it, is nuts.
"I know what you're going to say honey. But I think she can handle it. We'll play it by ear tonight, okay?" Joyce silently pleads with her daughter.
Buffy sighs and her shoulders drop before she nods her head in acceptance. "We'll see. If you tell them, you get to be the one to break it to Giles. You know how he is about all this secret shit."
"I know." Joyce rolls her eyes. "If he had his way, I still wouldn't know anything about it."
"I honestly didn't think you'd believe me when I finally did tell you." Buffy shrugs her shoulders, a sad smile crossing her. Remembering with a slight shudder how she'd found her mom almost becoming a snack for a vampire after visiting the grocery store. After Joyce had watched in stunned surprise as Buffy took out a couple vampires, she had made Buffy explain everything…The woman surprised that it went back to Hemery High School. After that, her mom hadn't questioned her about being out late and had kept her comments to herself.
"I was wondering if you would mind taking her daughter up to your room and giving Dianna and I some time to discuss things." Joyce broaches the subject, hoping Buffy won't be too upset.
"Am I a damn baby sitter, also?" Buffy growls throwing her hands up in the air. "Buffy, help me unpack the shipment, go to school, go patrol, you need to train, do your homework, now I need to play baby sitter!" Buffy strides out of the bathroom angrily. "How about Buffy, want to go out to a movie, maybe spend the night dancing? How about we rent a couple movies and pop some popcorn, have a normal night for anybody else that isn't me!" Buffy continues to bitch as she heads back to finish unpacking.
Joyce winces as she follows behind her daughter, knowing that she feels like everyone is coming down on her, but honestly not knowing what to do about that fact. Helping her finish unpacking the shipment, Joyce looks occasionally over at her daughter. When she notices it looks like Buffy may have calmed down somewhat, Joyce whispers softly. "I would appreciate you maybe trying to give us some time together to talk over things, Buffy."
"Yeah, yeah." Buffy grunts as she finishes carrying the trash out to the dumpster. "You owe me. Eventually I want to have a 'me' day and I don't want to have you saying anything, okay?" Buffy raises an eyebrow at her mother.
"Deal." Joyce nods her head in acceptance. "Thank you, honey."
"You're welcome." Buffy's lip quirks up slightly as she looks at her mom. "So you actually have friends?"
"BUFFY!" Joyce looks up at her daughter. Placing her hands on her waist she shakes her head as Buffy starts to laugh. "You are going to pay for that comment, young lady."
"Probably." Buffy nods, chuckling as she starts to relax somewhat. "Are we done?" Buffy looks around, not seeing anything else for her to do.
"Yes, we are. Come on, if we leave now I can pick up some pork chops for dinner tonight." Joyce offers the truce with her daughter, knowing how much Buffy loves pork chops.
"Let's go." Buffy grins as she practically runs out of the storage area.
Joyce laughs quietly as she follows her daughter at a more sedate pace.
"Mama…" Tara sighs heavily as she slowly follows her mother. "How about letting me stay home, that way I can start studying?" Tara tries to get out of going to her mom's college friends house for dinner.
"Baby girl, she invited both of us. Plus she has a daughter going to the high school that's a year younger than you. Maybe you'll be friends. I want you to enjoy life, sweetie. No more hiding away, we're away from your father now and I want you to have a life outside of school and housework."
"Okay, Mama." Tara gives in, knowing her mother's just wanting what's best for her. Silently Tara prays that the girl isn't a stuck up snob, or decides to pick on her like so many other kids had at her previous school. Looking up at the nice looking two story house, Tara looks nervously at her mom.
"It'll be okay, baby girl." Dianna smiles encouragingly at her daughter as she wraps an arm around her. They walk up the sidewalk to stop on the front porch. Dianna rings the doorbell, silently praying to the Goddess that Tara will find a friend to help her out with her shyness.
Buffy quickly jogs down the stairs as she hears the doorbell ring and opens the door, surprised at the sight of the blonde girl Willow had been showing around the school that day. Quickly stepping back from the door, she waves them in. "You must be my mom's friend from college?" Buffy questions looking at the older woman.
"Yes, I'm Dianna Maclay, and this is my daughter, Tara." Dianna gently urges Tara to look up and take the initiative.
"I'm Buffy." Buffy smiles quickly before trying to catch the girl's eyes, frowning slightly when she notices the bruising on her face, never having been close enough before now to have noticed it. Taking closer inventory of the girl, Buffy notices the way she almost wants to hide behind her mother. "Please, have a seat. Mom's fixing dinner right now." Buffy waves to the living room. "Would either of you like something to drink?"
Tara grunts quietly as her mom bumps her again. "N-no. Thank you." Tara looks up quickly, smiling briefly before looking back down.
Dianna sighs softly at her daughter. "Does Joy need any help with fixing dinner?"
"Ummm." Buffy blinks and shrugs her shoulders. "I'm useless in the kitchen, so I couldn't tell you." Buffy shakes her head, grinning.
"Which way?" Dianna quickly heads towards the kitchen after Buffy points her in the right direction.
Buffy sits down in the chair across from Tara, tilting her head as she watches the girl…young woman gently run her hand over her skirt as she hides behind her hair. "You met my friend, Willow. She was the redhead that showed you around school today." Buffy tries to start a conversation with the quiet woman.
"Yes. She s-seems v-very n-nice." Tara murmurs softly, glancing up to look at Buffy.
"She's extremely nice. Very helpful and smart. Also a whiz on the computer, so if you have anything you need help with, she's the one to ask." Buffy rambles quickly, feeling uncomfortable as she tries to entertain the woman.
"If you h-have s-something you'd r-rather b-be d-d-d-doing…" Tara trails off as she looks down.
"No. No, I don't. Other than my math homework, but I'm stumped on the problem I'm trying to do right now." Buffy shrugs her shoulders, a half smile on her face.
"I c-can help. If you w-w-want." Tara offers softly, raising her head and allowing her hair to slide back from her face momentarily.
"Are you a brain, like Wills?" Buffy questions, a huge grin crossing her face.
"I w-wouldn't s-say that." Tara shakes her head, allowing a crooked grin to come to her face.
Buffy blinks in surprise at how much that smile changed the way the woman looked. "Well, if you don't mind helping me, I'd appreciate it. Damn things Greek to me." Buffy admits. "Do you want to come upstairs with me, and I'll show you the rest of the house. Or I could run upstairs to grab my book and bring it back down."
"I'll c-come w-with." Tara offers as she stands, following Buffy silently up the stairs.
"Hi." Dianna smiles as she watches Joyce work on the dinner.
"Hello." Joyce looks up smiling. "Find the house okay?"
"Yes, we did. Need any help with anything?" Dianna looks at the stove with different pots on it before looking back at Joyce who's slicing and dicing items to put on the salad.
"Nope. Pretty much have everything under control. Would you like something to drink? We have water, soda, tea and coffee." Joyce quickly finishes slicing the cucumber, grabbing a piece and popping it in her mouth as she prepares the salad.
Dianna smiles as she watches Joyce. "A cup of tea wouldn't be bad. I've had about my quota of coffee for the day."
Turning around, Joyce puts the salad in the refrigerator before grabbing the kettle, filling it with water and turning it on. Grabbing down a couple mugs she pulls out her tea canisters and teabags that she has. "Anything in particular?" Joyce questions smiling over her shoulder.
Dianna closes the distance between them and looks down at all the different brands and flavors of tea, chuckling quietly. "Just about every kind you can think of, huh?"
Joyce blushes lightly and nods her head. "Yes. Buffy's wat…librarian, Rupert Giles will sometimes come over and he's English. Love's his tea." Joyce shrugs smiling down into Dianna's blue eyes, noticing the drawing together of her brows in a frown, Joyce plays over what she said, wondering what might be causing it, when it clicks. "Part of what we need to discuss, Dee. We haven't and aren't planning on dating, if that's what you're thinking." Joyce explains softly, placing a hand on Dianna's arm, her eyes showing her sincerity.
Dee shakes her head, smiling. "It isn't any of my business if there is, Joy. What you do, or have done, is your business. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm just hoping to have at least your friendship, again. I'm not looking for anything else."
Joyce turns to face Dianna more fully, taking in her features for a few minutes. "Are you saying you don't want anything but friendship?" Joyce finally questions after a few more minutes.
Dianna bites her lip and looks up into Joyce's eyes, seeing the slight wariness there, she doesn't know if Joyce only wants friendship or if she might want more and is afraid to show it. Sighing quietly, Dianna covers Joyce's hand with hers. "I want your friendship, Joy. I may even should say I need someone to be able to talk to. But after all these years, I haven't ever forgotten you, and that should say something in and of itself." Dianna whispers the last sentence softly.
Joyce considers Dianna's words, a soft smile crossing her face. Reaching up to tuck some loose hair behind Dianna's ear, Joyce whispers back. "I haven't forgotten you, either, Dee." Gently wrapping her arms around the shorter woman, Joyce sighs quietly and hugs her. "But I dare say that you need a friend more than anything right now in your life."
Dianna slowly nods her head against Joyce's shoulder in silent agreement. "But we'll leave the matter open for something more?" Dianna hesitantly asks, smiling as she hears and feels the low chuckle come from Joyce.
"I would say that is a definite." Joyce squeezes her once more gently, before placing a quick kiss on the top of her head. "Let's have some tea and talk about good stuff that's happened in the past and save the other for after dinner, how does that sound?"
Dianna eases out of Joyce's embrace watching as Joyce starts to make her cup of tea. "I'd say that sounds like a wonderful idea. I'll have the Chamomile." Dianna mentions after Joyce waves her hand at the tea.
"Honey, milk, sugar?" Joyce grins as Dianna laughs quietly.
"Maybe a squirt of honey would be good." Dianna gently squeezes Joyce's arm before accepting her mug with the requested honey.
"Where's your daughter?" Joyce tilts her head as they slowly make their way to the living room. Surprised when neither girl was there.
"I guess she's wherever Buffy is." Dianna looks around, chuckling. "She was scared stiff to come here." Dianna finally admits as the two women settle on the couch, sitting beside each other, but with a decent space between them. "It's going to take time for her to come out of her shell." Dianna sighs quietly as she looks down into her tea, shaking herself mentally out of where her thoughts were. "Something for after dinner. So tell me about what's been going on with you since college."
Joyce watches Dianna for a few seconds before smiling and starting to explain what had happened after college.
"Huh." Buffy looks down at the problem that she had finished in record time, after Tara had explained another way of doing it. "That was almost too easy, are you sure that was right?"
Tara giggles and slowly nods her head, brushing her hair behind her ear as she looks at the answer as she sits beside Buffy on her bed. "Yes, I'm s-s-sure."
Buffy looks over at the grinning woman, her blue eyes twinkling merrily. "How come nobody's ever shown me that way of doing it before?"
Tara shrugs and looks at the other problems on the page. "Unfortunately, s-some people only think of one w-way to do something. B-but there can be a d-dozen ways to do it, if they w-would be open to thinking d-differently." Tara grins crookedly at Buffy. Her stuttering still bad, but slowly getting better as the two continue to talk, and after Tara had started to relax in the company of the other girl.
"That I can understand, and agree with completely." Buffy grins back at the girl. "Would you mind terribly if I ask for your help if I have problems again?"
"Of course, n-not." Tara grins and tucks her knees up under her chin, wrapping her arms around her legs. "I'm p-planning on becoming a t-teacher, so this w-would be great experience."
"You'd be good at being a teacher." Buffy nods her head, having been watching the young woman as she had softly explained how to do the problem without doing it for her. Giving her hints when she'd hesitate. "Do you mind if I finish the rest of them and you check over what I did, see if I did anything wrong?"
"Go ahead, Buffy. I'm n-not going anywhere." Tara giggles quietly as Buffy rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Except for dinner with the mom's. How well do they know each other, anyway?" Buffy questions for conversation as she works on her problems, not looking at the other girl.
Tara blinks momentarily, not knowing how much Joyce might have told Buffy about what happened in her life, knowing that a lot of people might keep that quiet from their family, especially since Buffy was questioning her about it. "I know that they w-went to the same college and were p-pretty good friends. Afterwards th-they went their separate ways." Tara shrugs, just giving the bare bones, deciding that might be best for now.
"Mom never talks much about her college days, so I was kind of wondering." Buffy looks up smiling briefly before looking back down and working her way through the rest of the problems. Wanting to ask the blonde about her bruises and broken arm, but for some reason being reticent about questioning her.
"Mama will occasionally t-talk about it." Tara admits as she watches Buffy finish her homework. "She's talked more in the last couple w-weeks since we moved here, than she had p-previously." Tara accepts Buffy's book and notepad, glancing over the problems grinning. "You're good." Tara hands the items back to Buffy.
"Thanks. So what do you like to do? Do you like dancing, music, movies?" Buffy questions, dropping her books off the edge of the bed and flopping down across her bed to watch the other girl.
Tara shrugs her shoulders non-committally, as her father didn't allow music or anything of the sort. "I pretty much w-went to school and w-worked around the house and f-farm." Tara admits quietly.
Buffy watches Tara as she seems to draw in on herself slightly. "Well, you're going to have to come to the Bronze with us sometime." At Tara's questioning look, Buffy grins. "It's the local hangout, where anyone and everyone goes. It's a bar, but they allow kids to go in we just get stamped different color so that way we don't drink." Buffy shrugs. "They have live bands every weekend and play current music with a DJ the rest of the time."
"We'll see." Tara smiles shyly.
"Girls! Dinner's almost ready." Joyce calls up from downstairs.
"Food." Buffy bounces up and off the bed, holding her hand out for Tara. Helping the blonde up she bounds out of the room.
Tara blinks at the energy of the other girl before slowly following her, smiling at the thought of how kind Buffy seems and maybe they could be friends.
Buffy sighs quietly as they finish dinner when her mother gives her the look, knowing her mom wants her to explain about being the slayer. Looking at Tara for a few moments then looking at Tara's mom, Buffy shrugs. "It's on your head, mother." Buffy grumbles quietly. "I'll be back in a second." Buffy stands up and trots up to her room gathering some of her tools of the trade, tucking them away into inconspicuous places on her body before coming back down the stairs.
Tara and Dianna both watch Buffy leave before turning their gazes questioningly on Joyce.
Joyce smiles quickly. "This part is better coming from Buffy, but I just ask that you bear with her. Sometimes she gets a little… blunt about things." Joyce shrugs before standing to gather up the dirty dishes.
"Here, let me help." Dianna and Tara both stand and make short work of taking the dishes to the kitchen before the three walk to the living room.
Dianna turns to look at Joyce for a second before Buffy came running down the stairs.
"Short of taking you with me to see it for yourselves, I guess a demonstration of what I can do may be in order." Buffy sighs as she looks around the living room.
"There's the metal bars that were left over from the previous owners out in the garage, honey." Joyce suggests softly.
"Good idea." Buffy nods and quickly runs out to the garage grabbing a couple of the 2" thick solid metal bars and walking back into the living room. Setting the items on the floor, Buffy sighs heavily while crossing her arms over her chest. "This would be better coming from Giles, he just has that tone in his voice…" Buffy mutters before starting. "Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of evil…" Buffy stops as she hears a squeak come from Tara. Her eyes landing on the girl, wondering if she's already freaking.
"Mama…" Tara turns surprised eyes on her mom.
"We know about the supernatural." Dianna finally whispers turning to look back at a shocked and surprised Buffy to an equally surprised Joyce. "We're both Wicca's. We know this is the Hellmouth, but neither of us expected to know who the Slayer was." Dianna turns her gaze back on Buffy. "Or that she would actually reside here on the Hellmouth."
"Huh." Buffy blinks as the shock that they both are aware of slayers, still rattles around her brain. "I don't get to demonstrate my strength or anything?" Buffy pouts at the thought.
Tara giggles quietly and waves to the metal. "Be our guest."
Buffy grins as she picks up one of the metal rods, wrapping it around quickly into the shape of a pretzel. "How about that?"
Tara looks inquiringly at her mother, and as Dianna nods her head in acceptance, Tara grins and whispers a quiet incantation, and the metal rod lifts out of Buffy's hands and untangles itself to be straight once more.
"HEY! No fair undoing what I did!" Buffy grumbles, trying to hide the surprise at what Tara had done. "So you're not only Wicca, but you can actually do magic?"
"Yes, we are both well versed in the art of Magic. That's how I located Joy." Dianna admits quietly, looking at Joyce. "I did a locator spell and found out you were living in Sunnydale."
"That explains a few things." Joyce admits, smiling as Dianna blushes.
"Magic had nothing to do with it." Dianna murmurs softly before winking at Joyce knowingly.
Joyce chuckles and nods her head, knowing that Dianna wouldn't have done anything like that. "So us explaining about being extremely careful if you have to go out at night, carrying holy water, crosses and the like is a definite must. Though we would prefer you not having to go out at all and taking a chance of something happening to you."
Dianna looks over at Tara, smiling gently. "We can probably handle vampires, and some of the other demons the world has. We both may want to practice certain spells to make sure we can toss them at a moments notice, but other than that, we should be okay."
Buffy shakes her head. "I don't think so. This is the Hellmouth, I kill roughly five to ten vampires a night on average. This isn't something that I want you to take a chance with."
"Mama, can I go with her tonight, show her what we can do?" Tara murmurs softly, her eyebrows lifted in question.
"If it's okay with her, I'm fine with it, baby girl." Dianna smiles and rubs Tara's back gently. Looking up at a questioning Buffy, Dianna tilts her head towards her daughter. "Tara would like to go with you on patrol tonight, if that would be okay. She can give you a demonstration of what we can do, but remember, given proper time to prepare, we can also have other spells at our disposal."
Buffy's about to respond in the negative when she sees the silent pleading look in Dianna's eyes, before turning her gaze to Tara, seeing the girl start to crawl back in her shell again, after having finally come out somewhat as the night progressed. "If you promise to heed my warnings, and not take any risks, I'd love to have the company." Buffy finally offers, smiling as Tara looks up, the happiness obvious on the other girls face.
"I promise." Tara grins hugely, her hand grasping her mom's hand and squeezing. "If you have spare s-stakes and holy water, I'll accept them." Tara offers quietly.
"Oh, I have plenty, trust me." Buffy smirks as her mother rolls her eyes and grumbles. Turning around, Buffy heads into the small little room off the living room and grabs a box of stakes. "Take as many as you want." Buffy heads upstairs to grab a couple bottles of holy water bringing them downstairs with her. "Are you two staying here, while we go on patrol?"
"I'll stay until you two get back, then Tara and I can walk back home together." Dianna looks questioningly at Joyce. "If that's okay with you?"
"That's fine. Give us some time to catch up." Joyce smiles sadly at Dianna as she sees the shadowed look cross her blue eyes.
"Giles is going to freak. While we're out on patrol, maybe you can explain to me how you know about Slayers and Vampires." Buffy hints, grinning as Tara blushes and slowly nods her head. "Come on, let's head out on patrol."
"Giles is your Watcher, I assume?" Tara questions softly as she follows the slayer out of the house.
"That's him. The English dude that is our librarian at school is also my watcher. He's going to wonder if everyone living in Sunnydale is going to know who I am before this is done." Buffy rolls her eyes. "He's going to yell at me, I'm sure!"
"We already knew about the Slayer, why w-would he be upset?" Tara bites her lip, not wanting Buffy to get in trouble.
"It's this thing he does." Buffy shrugs not worried about it. "Trust me, I piss him off pretty much every day. Nothing new, and maybe we can make his day tomorrow. Want to meet me at the library early?" Buffy grins hugely, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Okay." Tara agrees, wondering what she's getting herself into. "Who else knows about you?" Tara questions softly.
"Willow, Xander, and Cordelia." Buffy admits, grinning. "Talk about Giles being pissed when that happened." Buffy laughs. "Xander was in the library when Giles and I were talking about vampires. It kind of went from there." Buffy shrugs, smirking.
"How about your mom, when d-did she find out?" Tara walks beside Buffy, stealing a glance at the pretty girl.
"She was late getting home one night, and I went out looking for her. She'd stopped at the grocery store and a vampire was about ready to make a meal out of her." Buffy shrugs as she frowns heavily. "I would have told her before, but Giles always insists on it being this great big secret. I still think the more people that are aware of what's going on, the less likely they are to get hurt or killed. But the Watcher's Council is of the opinion that most people can't handle knowing the truth."
"They're p-probably right." Tara admits quietly. "Most people w-would probably freak at the r-realization."
"So, enough about me. What about you?" Buffy questions as they head in to a cemetery, frowning when she sees Tara drop her head.
"Not a l-lot to t-tell about m-me." Tara murmurs quietly, her stutter becoming worse.
"Easy." Buffy grasps Tara's arm gently. "If you don't want to talk, that's fine. I just hope that maybe you will, one day. I don't have too many friends, so I treasure and want to keep the few I do have." Buffy smiles encouragingly at the blonde.
Tara slowly lifts her head, allowing a small smile to cross her face. "Thank you, Buffy."
"Nah. I didn't do anything. Come on, let's go get you a newbie, that way I can see what you can do." Buffy tugs gently on Tara's arm as they head towards a fresh grave.
Dianna turns to look at Joyce after their daughters leave, wondering silently how to start.
"Let me start." Joyce reaches down and unconsciously threads her fingers through Dianna's. Slowly she explains how Hank and she had finally married once they were out of college, her becoming pregnant with Buffy, through their seemingly happy life until she caught Hank cheating on her with his secretary and their subsequent break-up. Hitting on Buffy's problem at Hemery High, explaining that she didn't realize at the time that Buffy was the Slayer, and that she had burned down the gym that was filled with vampires, on through their living here in Sunnydale and her owning the Gallery.
"Do you see or talk to Hank much anymore?" Dianna questions softly, seeing the hurt in her friends eyes as she had spoken about Hank's adultery.
"Not really. He makes promises to take Buffy places, and ninety percent of the time he doesn't follow through. We've both pretty much washed our hands of him." Joyce admits quietly. "He's supposed to send money for child support, but he hasn't done that in the last eight months." Joyce shrugs, not knowing what to say.
"There's probably places you can go, to have that taken care of, if you wanted." Dianna suggests softly.
"I'm not really that worried about it, to tell you the honest truth." Joyce sighs heavily. "I just wish that he would spend more time with Buffy, I know it hurts her that he's practically disowned her."
Dianna squeezes Joyce's fingers gently in commiseration. Finally after a few minutes of the two women sitting silently together, Dianna starts her story. Marrying Ronald Maclay, becoming pregnant with Donny almost immediately, how things seemed fine until she had Tara. Ronald had become colder and meaner the older Tara got. Finally realizing that he had a problem with having a daughter, that all he wanted were boys. He became more religious, and spare the rod type theory, but only with Tara. He thought the sun set on his son, so it started with Tara getting her butt smacked for almost no reason, then the older she became the more violent he was, finally to the point that he was beating Tara and whenever Dianna would interfere, she'd take the brunt of the beatings. Dianna explained that whenever she noticed he was about to go on one of his rampages, she'd intervene so that he'd take his frustrations out on her instead of Tara, until the last time when she had been at the grocery store. How when she came home, Tara was in an unconscious, bruised and bloody state.
Joyce quietly takes Dianna in her arms as she continues her tale, her heart aching for her long-time friend and past lover. Pressing her lips gently to the top of Dianna's head, she listens as she finally trails off as to how they came here after Tara was well enough to travel. "I wish things had been different for you, Dee." Joyce finally whispers after the longest time, as Dianna finally calmed down and got control of her emotions.
"I never should have stayed with him. I don't even know why I did. The first time he beat us, I lost what respect and love I had felt for him." Dianna admits, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the feel of Joyce holding her tightly. "I'm just silently praying to the Goddess that he doesn't find us or cause us problems. That's all I want, to live out my life and actually allow Tara to have a life. The poor girl doesn't know what it's like to have friends and people care for her. The closest thing she's ever had was her cousin Justine, and with Justine being gone the last couple years, it's been even harder on Tara."
"Well, from the looks of things, I'd say her and Buffy are on the way to having a good friendship. Buffy's kind of gotten used to not having too many friends, now that she's the slayer. I asked her once why she doesn't have more friends, and she just shook her head at me before finally whispering that she hated having to end up staking them if they got turned. That one comment hit home more than anything else, what she has to do and put up with. I can't see having to kill someone that was your friend." Joyce admits quietly as her heart aches.
"It can't be easy for either of you." Dianna shifts to look up into Joyce's sad hazel eyes. "So, we're a bunch of sad sacks tonight." Dianna tries to smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes.
"Yes, we are. Do you want something to drink? Maybe another cup of tea?" Joyce offers, brushing her thumb over Dianna's cheek to wipe away a stray tear.
"That sounds wonderful, Joy." Dianna leans into the soft caress, closing her eyes as it feels like it's been a millennia since she's been touched with tenderness.
Joyce swallows hard as she has this urge to place a gentle kiss on Dee's lips. Fighting it, knowing the woman needs friendship more than anything at this moment in time, Joyce puts her feelings on the backburner for the time being. "I have some cake, also." Joyce entices quietly, smiling as Dianna lifts her head.
Dianna chuckles quietly and nods her head. "A piece of cake and tea sounds great. Thanks for being there for me, Joy." Dianna whispers as she follows Joyce into the kitchen.
"I'll always be there for you, Dee. As long as you want or need me to be." Joyce answers quietly.
"I know you will." Dianna helps Joyce with the tea and slicing of the cake.
Buffy pouts as she looks down at the small pile of ash. "That's no fun. You throw the flame-y ball at him and he goes up in a flaming inferno then disappears into a pile of ash. I didn't even get a chance to beat on him."
Tara chuckles quietly as Buffy looks up at her with an obvious twinkle in her eyes. "Sorry." Tara shrugs, grinning crookedly at the slayer.
"Okay. So I believe you can take care of yourself, as long as you aren't surrounded by vampires. What would you do if you had a gang of ten surrounding you?" Buffy raises an eyebrow in question as she circles the Wicca.
"Whimper and cry?" Tara suggests with a raised eyebrow, laughing as Buffy rolls her eyes. "Put a protective spell around m-myself and run like hell towards home." Tara finally answers.
"Protective spell?" Buffy questions with a frown.
"So no one can t-touch me." Tara shrugs at the slayer before whispering the spell. Tara smirks as she walks towards Buffy, poking her gently in the shoulder. "Hit me." Tara suggests.
"I'm not going to hit you!" Buffy stares at the woman in shock.
"You can't, trust me." Tara wiggles her fingers at the slayer. "C-come on, big bad mama, come and get me."
Buffy rolls her eyes and takes a gentle swing at the Wicca, blinking in surprise as her hand slows down to a stop as if it's cushioned and caught in a heavy mass of jell-o. "What the hell?"
"Try hitting it harder." Tara suggests watching as Buffy becomes serious and starts to punch and kick at her shield.
"I'll be damned." Buffy mutters as she finally stops. "That's great to keep you from getting hurt, but it isn't hurting the person trying to get at you."
"No, that shield won't. I didn't w-want you to get hurt." Tara admits quietly. "I can put up a shield that w-would feel like you're hitting a c-concrete wall."
"How long can you hold the shield?" Buffy questions, watching Tara.
Tara shrugs. "I don't know. Never tried it b-before, other than when Mama and I were p-practicing making the shields."
"Well, I feel better about you and your mother being out, now. But I'd still say don't tempt fate. If at all possible, don't be out at night, and stay away from dimly lit areas during the day. The vampires can still move in the shadows, or if it's overcast. Always be on alert, okay?" Buffy suggests as the two women slowly make there way out of the cemetery to continue on patrol.
"I promise." Tara nods her head, smiling as they walk around town. "Do you always p-patrol by yourself?" Tara finally questions after a few minutes.
"No. Sometimes Giles, Willow or Xander will come with me. I try to keep Willow and Xander from coming that often, but they insist. I'm afraid they're going to get hurt." Buffy admits quietly. "Though Xander already saved my life, once."
"H-he did?" Tara questions, looking intently at Buffy.
Buffy nods her head as she tucks her hands in her pockets as they continue to walk towards the next cemetery. "It was last year, there was a prophecy where I was going to die fighting the Master."
"But you didn't." Tara whispers, sighing in relief at the thought.
"Actually, I did die." Buffy admits as she goes on to explain how she fought the Master and she drowned, and Xander performing CPR on her to bring her back.
Tara follow's Buffy into the next cemetery, watching her in stunned silence as she contemplates the information that she'd just been given while Buffy starts to fight a vampire. Blinking a couple times, Tara looks around the cemetery to make sure nothing else was sneaking up on them as Buffy finally stakes the vampire.
Buffy looks around the cemetery before a quick smile crosses her lips. "Come on, it's been a relatively quiet night so far. We'll head downtown and make sure there aren't any vamps looking for a snack."
Tara silently follows the slayer wondering what their life has in store or them, now that her mother decided to come to Sunnydale to live.
Buffy quickly jogs to the corner of Tara's road, smiling as she sees the woman coming towards her.
"You're early." Tara smiles self consciously at the slayer.
"So are you." Buffy chuckles as they make their way towards the high school. "Eager to meet Giles and listen to him Dear Lord us, and rub a hole in his glasses?"
Tara smiles shyly and shrugs lightly. "I g-guess so."
Buffy sneaks a sideways glance at the blonde, biting her lip as she looks over the barely noticeable bruises on her face. "What caused your injuries?" Buffy finally questions bluntly. Watching as Tara pales and looks away. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business." Buffy tucks her hands in her pockets as they get closer to the school.
"N-no. I g-guess that Mama p-probably already t-told yours." Tara admits softly, taking a deep breath as she slowly lets it out along with some of her nervousness. "M-my f-f-father isn't the n-nicest p-person." Tara explains, coming to a stop as a small hand grasps her arm gently and makes her look at her.
"Your father did this to you." Buffy looks over the faded bruises and down to Tara's arm still in a cast.
"This and w-worse. To b-both of us." Tara admits softly.
Buffy looks into scared and embarrassed blue eyes. Feeling an anger unknown before at the thought of this young woman and her mother being abused, working through her body, Buffy looks away for a few minutes to get control of her emotions. "Where is he?" Buffy finally questions, the tension obvious in her voice.
"Back h-home, I hope." Tara admits softly, blinking as angry hazel eyes come back to look at her.
"You two escaped him?" When Tara nods her answer, Buffy tilts her head thinking for a minute. "He doesn't know where you are, and you're hoping to keep it that way."
"Yes." Tara answers simply, fear in her eyes.
"If he should show up, you're to come and get me, or any of my friends." Buffy orders, her eyes serious. "We won't let him hurt you again, Tara. We fight evil." Buffy growls out the three words deeply. Shaking off the anger working through her, she urges Tara to start walking again, heading into the high school.
Tara looks cautiously at the shorter blonde as they make their way inside the high school. Finally allowing a small smile to cross her face at the thought of her father coming up against this little spitfire.
Buffy strides into the library, Tara beside her, as she looks around, not seeing Giles, she listens and hears him in his office. "If you would like to sit down, I'll grab Giles." Buffy smiles gently at the Wiccan and points to the large table, watching as Tara nods and quickly pulls off her book bag and sits down, her nervousness obvious. Sighing quietly as she wonders how long Tara's father had abused the two women, Buffy shakes off the thoughts as she feels the fire of anger starting to surface again. Dropping her book bag on the table, she quickly strides towards Giles' office.
Giles looks up in surprise at Buffy coming into his office. He looks at the clock and blinks at the time. "Is there something wrong?"
"No." Buffy smirks at her watcher. "But you're probably going to have a mini freak. Come out here, I believe you met her yesterday, but I believe you need a better introduction." Buffy spins around and walks out of the office, leaving a bemused and curious watcher to follow.
"What in the world are you talking about, Buffy?" Giles questions as he looks up, seeing the blonde girl that Willow had brought in the day before to get her books for school. Seeing a shy smile before she dips her head and her hair slides to cover her face, Giles turns questioning eyes on Buffy.
Buffy sighs softly and shakes her head at the watcher. "Later." She whispers before striding up to stand protectively beside the Wiccan. "Giles, I want you to meet Tara Maclay, Wiccan extraordinaire that can be a big help in our fight against the evil here in Sunnydale. She's quite good with throwing fireballs, and levitating stakes to kill vampires with. Plus, I have it under advisement that there are a lot of other things that she can do."
Giles yanks off his glasses, wiping them furiously as he clenches his jaw. "How the…Exactly when did this come about?" Giles finally questions, his eyes narrowed on Buffy.
"Last night." Buffy smirks and looks down at Tara, seeing her obvious nervousness and seeing the slight fear crossing the Wiccan's face. Looking back at Giles, she sees the anger in his stance and realizes that Tara does, also. Crouching down beside Tara, she places a calming hand on the Wiccan's thigh. "He won't hurt you, Tara. He's angry but he'll never raise a hand to either one of us in anger. He has that uncontrollable urge to keep my calling a secret and that's what has him irritated." Buffy explains, in a soft soothing tone, looking up into blue eyes that have locked with hers. Seeing the fear slowly retreat in the blue depths, Buffy smiles softly and gently squeezes the thigh under her hand before standing. Turning a warning glare on Giles, she narrows her eyes at him.
Giles swallows slightly and backs up, seeing the look in Buffy's eyes, along with the words the slayer had said to the young blonde, his eyes seeing the blonde in a different light. In realization that the young woman had obviously been abused, he growls quietly and shifts his head and looks away to get his own anger under control. As far as he's concerned anyone that would abuse a woman, or a young child is the lowest form of scum in the world, even blow the vampires and demons that they fight to eradicate from this world. Taking a deep calming breath, he smiles gently at the young woman. "So, you're a Wicca and know about the demons in the world?"
"Y-yes." Tara bites her lips as she sees the greenish-blue eyes warm and soften towards her, the gentle smile relaxing her slightly. "Mama and I are b-both Wiccan's."
"Hereditary?" Giles questions, surprised.
"Yes." Tara blushes and looks down. "All the w-women in my f-family are Wiccan's." Tara explains softly, slowly raising her eyes back on the Watcher. "We knew of the s-slayer and the H-Hellmouth before B-buffy told us. We didn't know Buffy w-was the slayer, though." Tara looks up to Buffy, a quick smile crossing her face at the slayer.
"How did you two run into each other. It wasn't yesterday here at school, was it?" Giles questions, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"No." Buffy chuckles and sits down beside Tara. "It seems our mothers went to college together and Tara's mom did a locator spell to have a friend she could talk to. Then they came here." Buffy gives a shortened version of what happened, smirking at Giles.
Giles sits down across from the two women, looking intently at the blonde Wiccan. "We can always use another person for research and an adept magic user, would definitely come in handy at times."
Tara looks from Giles to Buffy and back again. "If I can be of h-help, I'd l-love to." Tara admits, smiling shyly.
Giles looks at Buffy with a raised eyebrow. "I'm assuming that's one of the reasons you brought her here to be introduced?"
"Partly. And just to let you know that they knew about the happenings here in Sunnydale. We took out a total of five vampires last night. You can add that to your count." Buffy looks up at the clock, having heard the other students starting to run up and down the hallways as they arrived. Smirking as she hears Willow and Xander coming down the hallway. "Wills and Xan are here." Feeling Tara tense beside her, Buffy turns and smiles encouragingly at her. "You met Willow yesterday, Xander's a good guy."
Tara bites her lip and slowly nods her head as she glances towards the door as the two teens come barreling into the library.
Willow blinks in surprise as she sees Buffy with the new girl sitting at the table talking with Giles. "Umm. Hi, guys." Willow grins cautiously.
"Hey, Buff. G-man." Xander grins at the two, before his eyes light on the blonde. "What do we have here?"
"Be nice, Xander." Buffy growls quietly, her eyes serious. "This is Tara. Tara, you already met Willow, the other one is Xander. Xander, Willow, this is Tara, she's in the know." Buffy smirks at the surprise showing on both their faces.
"She knows?" Willow blinks in surprise, her eyes landing back on the blonde in surprise. Seeing the light blush cross her face, before she hides behind her hair again.
"She's a Wiccan, and will be helping us out." Buffy unconsciously reaches for the blonde, rubbing her back gently. "So we have another person in the fight against evil."
"Cool." Xander smirks, then frowns as the first warning bell rings. "Darn. Got to get to class."
"See not that bad." Buffy smiles at Tara and stands, grabbing her book bag. Watching as Tara slowly stands and nods, looking down. "Join us for lunch." Buffy orders softly as they walk out of the library, the group splitting up to go to their different classes.
"O-okay." Tara stares bemusedly after the slayer as Buffy and Xander head towards their first class.
"You'll get used to it." Willow smirks as they turn down the hallway, walking together until they have to split off to their different classrooms. "See ya' later!" Willow waves and bounces into her classroom.
"Strange." Tara allows a quick smile to cross her face at the group of people that had so quickly and willingly took her into their group, before frowning as she realizes she's going to be late for class if she doesn't stop daydreaming.
Tara blushes lightly as she sits down at the table as the group of friends pick on each other mercilessly. Watching as a beautiful brunette woman with a small entourage of other women behind her approaches the table, she glances at Buffy as she groans.
"Cordy and the Cordettes." Buffy looks across the table at Tara. "Ignore her, she's the head bitch of the bitchettes."
Tara allows a small smile to cross her face before she looks down at her tray of food, gently picking at the food.
"Oh, look! It's the loser brigade…With an all new loser." Cordelia wrinkles her nose in disgust at the group. "You guys really are pathetic."
"Cordy, why don't you and your bleached blonde bimbos go find some other poor kids to pick on. You're not doing any good here." Xander grumbles, narrowing his gaze on the cheerleader.
Cordelia snorts delicately as she looks at Xander. "Like I would listen to you! Part of the dweeb brigade." Cordelia sticks her nose up in the air as she and the other cheerleaders make their way to another table.
Tara watches curiously as the woman leaves, before glancing back at the rest of the group.
"So…dating anyone?" Xander asks, grinning hugely at the new member of the group.
Tara blushes darkly looking down and shaking her head. "N-no."
"Xander!" Buffy grumbles, smacking him on the shoulder.
"OW! That hurts." Xander whimpers as he rubs his shoulders. "I was just seeing if she was dating anyone, what'd I do wrong?"
"You've just met her today and are already hitting on her!" Willow grumbles quietly, looking at the young man.
"Well…" Xander blushes lightly and shrugs his shoulders. "I can't help it!"
"Geeze!! She just moved here over the summer, and hasn't had a chance to meet anyone, give it a rest." Buffy warns quietly. "So, what are we doing tonight?"
"Bronze?" Xander questions eagerly. "I mean, what else is there besides the whole pat…" Xander looks around before lowering her voice. "Besides doing the whole patrol thing, and Bronzing, we don't have a hell of a lot here in Sunnydale to do." Turning to look at Tara, he grins engagingly at the blonde. "Have you had the pleasure of visiting the Bronze yet?"
Tara shakes her head as she continues to look down at her lunch.
Buffy watches the blonde, feeling her heart go out to the shy woman, especially with knowing what happened to her. "The Bronze is a local hangout/bar type place. They have live bands on the weekends and DJ's during the week. We usually just dance, talk and have a good time, if you'd like to go."
Tara glances up quickly before shaking her head. "I don't think s-so. Not r-right now." Tara whispers quietly, looking back down. "Th-thank you, though."
Seeing Xander is about ready to open his mouth again, Buffy shakes her head vehemently. "Okay, Tara. But be warned that we're relentless. You will be going with us sometime in the future."
Tara blushes and nods her head. "Maybe."
Buffy sighs quietly, before turning to glance at Willow, bumping shoulders with her. "And I thought you were shy when we first met." Buffy jokes.
Willow smiles quickly. "I would have never thought that was possible. At least she didn't have Cordelia telling her about visiting the softer side of Sears."
Buffy moans loudly. "God, she was such a bitch!!"
"What do you mean was?" Xander blinks at Buffy grinning at her as the three busts out laughing.
Tara allows a small smile to cross her face as she looks at this group of people. Not used to the joking, and obvious closeness of the group, she straightens slightly as they seem willing to accept her as she is. Tara considers the slayer, realizing the woman had appointed herself her own personal protector for some reason, blushing lightly, Tara picks up her milk, sipping it as she glances at the clock. Realizing there isn't much of their lunch hour left, Tara quickly works on finishing her lunch, knowing her mother will be upset if she doesn't eat.
"Tara, if you want to, we meet after school in the library. Talk over what's happening, what needs to be done, that type of thing." Buffy explains, without going into details so everyone else around them wouldn't think her nuttier than they already did.
Tara nods her understanding. "Okay." Quickly finishing her lunch, she sighs quietly in relief as the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch.
"And off we go…to supposedly learn." Xander grumbles.
"If you would actually open your text book, you might learn something." Willow points out as she gathers her books and her lunch tray.
"Why should this year be any different than any other year?" Xander blinks in surprise. "I'd shock the teachers if I actually did what I was supposed to do."
Willow groans loudly, kicking Xander in the leg as they stand up, heading towards the trash cans, harassing each other.
"Here, I'll take yours with mine." Buffy offers, quickly adding Tara's trash to her tray before sliding the empty tray under hears.
"Thank you." Tara blushes as she slowly stands, shifting her book bag over her shoulder.
"Not easy getting around with a broken wing." Buffy winks, smiling. "If you stay after, you can use the phone in Giles' office to call your mom and let her know where you are."
"I w-will. Thank you, Buffy." Tara smiles softly at the young woman.
"No need to thank me." Buffy shrugs. "Better hurry up before you're late." Buffy grins as the warning bell rings.
"Oh, shoot!" Tara's eyes open wide before she takes off at a quick pace.
Buffy chuckles as she heads in the opposite direction to her class.
To be continued...
Back to Kinetic-Kid's Stories…|
Main What's New Fiction by Author Fiction by Pairing eBooks Subject Index Submissions Gallery Forums Links Awards Contact Us |
|
The Mystic Muse. © 2002-2006 All rights reserved. If you find problems on these pages please email your host. |