Tara came home starry-eyed and spinning circles. Spike looked up from One Hundred Years of Solitude grinning, “And what did we do today?”
“We met someone.” Tara flopped down next to him, then jerked back to her feet and danced into the kitchen.
Spike watched her with amusement and a little sadness. It wouldn't be long before his precious gift had to be shared with someone else, “And who might this someone be?”
“No names yet. I'm not really sure she's even gay. But I definitely felt some interest. Of course, it could be just the spell we did.”
“So she was in that Wiccan group you joined? I thought you said they were a lot of ninnies.” Spike bookmarked his place with a feather he found on the table and sat up Indian-style.
Tara put the kettle on and got out two mugs and her special homemade blend of peppermint tea, “Well, she just joined today. But I think we might just both leave and start our own club.” She managed to make the last phrase sound saucy. She'd learned a lot from Spike.
“Ooooh! So, what does she look like? Big girl?”
“No, she's smaller than me. She has the most unusual red hair and the nicest complexion I've ever seen.” Tara poured the water and let the infuser sit to seep.
Spike felt a few minor warning bells but dismissed them, as if the stars would be that cruel.
“So is there a second meeting planned?” Spike raised one eyebrow.
Tara smiled secretly, “Maybe, we talked about doing a locator spell together soon.”
“That sounds more like a definitely than a maybe.” Spike remarked, sipping at the tea offered to him.
Tara just beamed and drank from her own cup.
* * *
“It's much more of a wonky rabbit than a gopher. Oh, wait there go the ears. You're right. It's definitely a gopher.” Spike cast his eyes to the next cloud formation.
“That one's a train if it got bit in half by a giant-“ Tara was cut off by the sounds of a scene taking place immediately to her right.
They both sat up and joined the audience watching the two young people square off. It was the blonde girl that had accosted them in the café two weekends before.
It sounded like she was being brushed off, thoroughly. Tara winced; she wouldn't wish a conversation like this on her worst enemy.
As the boy walked away and the Slayer turned around, Tara could see the beginnings of tears building in her eyes. She froze when she saw them. Neither of them said anything and the Slayer turned away and walked off. Tara noticed she was wiping her face several times as she made her way across the campus grass.
Spike lay back down next to her and she joined him, “That didn't sound pleasant.”
“I tried to warn her, you know. I know his type. I've seen a thousand just like him.” Spike picked at the sleeve of his shirt.
“She didn't listen, I take it.” Tara rolled over to face him.
“No. Would you? If you were her and I tried to kill you two years ago?”
“I guess not.” Tara studied his face. He looked uncomfortable and a little sad. It hit her suddenly; he didn't want the Slayer's heart broken. He didn't want to see her cry. In spite of all that had passed between them, even in the last few weeks, Spike did not want her to hurt.
It occurred to Tara how much Spike had grown. When she had first met him, he came to care for her easily enough. But everyone else could go straight to Hell for all he cared. He didn't eat people back then because she wouldn't like it.
But now, he had inklings of compassion for others, even those he didn't particularly like.
She leaned over and kissed his forehead.
“Not that I'm complaining, love, but what was that for?” He smiled at her.
She smiled back, “For being you. And for trying to warn her even though you knew you wouldn't get anywhere.”
* * *
The cloud provided another hour's worth of entertainment until they were politely interrupted, “Tara?”
A familiar redhead leaned over them, “Spike?!”
They both sat up and chorused, “Yes?”
Willow looked from one to the other and couldn't believe she hadn't made the connection. Buffy had ranted about Spike's 'weird' friend and Tara had talked about her best friend and roommate but neither had named names.
She studied the pair as they picked themselves up off the grass, Tara looked relaxed and happy. Not at all how she looked in the Wiccan group. Then again, Willow herself was tense in that group.
Spike looked like he had been born and raised in California. His skin was tanned a light gold, she made a mental note to ask about the sunnage. She had a feeling they might actually tell her as opposed to Buffy. His grown out hair fell in loose dark blonde curls, it was bleached a bit naturally by the sun and consequently streaked in lighter colors.
And she was a little startled to see him in sandals.
“S-so this is your friend?” Willow asked Tara, avoiding Spike's eyes. He still made her a little nervous.
“Yeah, this is Spike, but you said his name. I'm assuming you've already met.” Tara stepped a little closer to her friend, just in case. She really liked Willow, but if she turned out to be another Buffy, all bets were off.
“Red here is a friend of the Slayer.” Spike gestured to Willow and nudged Tara forward a bit. Just because the girl didn't like him was no reason to deprive Tara of a love interest. Willow was a fine enough bird as he remembered.
“Really?” Tara couldn't keep the astonishment off her face.
“Um, so I'm guessing you're already in on the demon and vampire thing?” Willow asked quietly.
“Uh, yeah, for a while now. Kind of hard when, until recently, your best friend had a sun allergy and an aversion to holy relics. Not to mention the blood drinking.” Tara was still feeling a bit defensive.
“Oh, yeah! I heard you gave that up! Not the blood drinking, the people blood drinking. I mean the from the neck people blood drinking…” Willow wrung her hands helplessly.
“Red, you're rambling.” Spike smirked because he always sort of had a soft spot for this one.
“Oh, yeah, I do that. So is it true?”
“Well, for more than a year. Going on a year and a half next month.” Spike stuck his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans and preened a bit.
“Well, yay you! I mean that's great. And you're with the sun tanning and everything… So, what's with that by the way?” Willow was already starting to relax a bit hearing a confirmation of Spike's new diet.
“Why don't we go out for mochas and we'll tell you the story?” Tara was relaxing too; her claws were sheathed with Willow's supportive words.
* * *
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