KINETIC-KIDe-mail me

 

FAMILY

 

BY

 

KINETIC-KID

 

 

Rating:                     NC-17

 

Disclaimer:               Definitely no money being made, all original characters belong to the God Joss Whedon and ME.  I own nothing except for the characters I made up for the story.

 

Distribution:             You want it, take it.  Let me know where and I may visit it from time to time. 

 

Spoilers:                   Pretty much taking the majority of BTVS the way it went with a few major differences. 

 

Feedback:                 Please!!  I will take any and all feedback.  This is my first time writing fiction and I am hoping everyone will enjoy the story.

 

Pairing:                    W/T, A/X, B/?

 

Author's Notes:         Everything is un-beta'd.  Any and all misspellings, grammar, typos etc... are all my fault.  Please go gently on me.  The differences to the story are as follows.  Other little inconsequential things I am sure will come up in the story - but these are the main items that I wanted to make sure everyone understands.

       

1.  Tara didn't die!!!

        2.  Willow didn't go all black magic woman.

        3.  No activation of all the slayers – defeated the First without it.

        4.  Anya didn't die.

        5.  It is a couple years later.

 

WARNING:                  MARY SUE CHARACTER IN SERIOUS ATTENDENCE - DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T READ IT.  I don't want any comments about Kelly being a Mary-Sue - it's already a forgone conclusion!  And I know this!  Thank you!!

 

Summary:                    Life goes on as usual at the Hellmouth.  Unexpected arrivals, love in the air, family members showing up, patrols, fighting evil and eventually Big Bads!!  Sit back, buckle up and hopefully enjoy the ride. 

 



Chapter 1
 

Tara is sitting in the Magic Box grading test papers.  For some reason she's been feeling a bit 'off' lately.  She's feeling a little on edge and she can't figure out quite why yet.  Willow is worried about it - afraid that another BIG BAD is coming to town, but Tara explained to her that it wasn't that type of feeling - just that something was going to happen - but not in a bad way...

 

"Xander, I want to go home and have orgasms!!" Anya states in her characteristic blunt tones. 

 

"Ahn, it's the middle of the afternoon and I need to finish making these additional shelves for the new shipment of books Giles sent."  Xander states calmly, after all these years he has finally come to the realization that no matter what he says - Anya was Anya and she wasn't going to change.  He’s just happy that she took him back after him being a complete idiot.

 

Tara just smirks to herself - she can sympathize with Anya, she wouldn't mind for her red headed love to show up so they could make up some 'excuse' to head home for some quality alone time.  Even after being together for over five years, their love hasn't diminished.  If anything it's grown stronger. 

 

The bell over the door into the shop jangles and Anya says "Welcome to the Magic Box, please come in and spend your hard earned cash.  It would be greatly appreciated!!"

 

Tara looks up and sees a tall, dark haired woman standing at the door wearing camouflage pants and a tight black t-shirt with the Marines logo on it.  The woman has a duffel bag thrown over her shoulder and that's when Tara realizes that the woman is staring at her intently.

 

The woman glances at Anya but turns back to Tara saying, "Thanks, I probably will be spending a lot of cash here, especially since you have such beautiful women gracing your shop, especially ones of such light - right LITTLE LIGHT?"  She emphasizes Little Light strongly, hoping that Tara will remember - but it's been so many years...

 

"K-Kelly???"  Tara stutters slightly, not believing that it’s her, after all this time.

 

Just as Tara is slowly getting out of her chair, Buffy walks in from the training room to get a bottle of water.  Buffy watches as Tara all of a sudden runs up to the strange woman standing at the bottom of the steps by the door, and throws herself on her crying and literally wraps her arms and legs around the tall woman.  'Whoa, Wills is going to be seriously pissed about this', Buffy thinks to herself.  Who the hell is this woman, anyway??

 

Buffy watches as the tall woman just wraps her arms around Tara and holds her and starts crying with her. 

 

"I didn't know if you would remember me, Tar.  It's been almost 17 years since you've seen me.  Actually, I didn't even know if you wanted to see me again after all this time" Kelly softly states.

 

"What?  Why wouldn't I want to see you?  I love you, Kelly.  Just because you've been gone for so long, doesn't mean I love you any less" Tara says in between sniffs clinging all the tighter to Kelly while she's talking. 

 

The bell rings over the door again, and in walks Willow.  Uh, Oh.  Buffy thinks to herself - this is going to get ugly, quick. 

 

"Umm, Tara?" squeaks Willow when she realizes it's her girlfriend wrapped around some Amazon looking warrior woman.  That she is seriously thinking about turning into a toad!! 

 

"Sweetie, come here, I want you to meet someone."  Tara slowly releases her legs from around Kelly's waist and smiles brightly at Willow while she reaches to hold Kelly's hand.  "Willow, I want you to meet my sister, Kelly.  Kelly, this is my..."

 

Kelly interrupts her at this point and says "Little Light, I think I can see for myself who this lovely young woman is.  Willow, welcome to the family.  I would say you better be taking good care of my baby sister, but looking at her and seeing you two together for myself that would seem a little redundant!!" Kelly gives a low chuckle then snatches the red head up into a quick embrace.

 

Willow realizes that she's probably about a foot off the ground, being held in the arms of her love's sister??  Sister??  Finally the Amazon woman sets her back on the floor and Willow looks at Tara and says "SISTER???  Since when do you have a sister, and why am I just finding out you have a sister, and is she like the rest of your family, because if she is I am going to have a serious talking to her about the way they treated you---" at this point Tara gives her lover a quick kiss on the lips to stop the Willow-babble.

 

"Sweetie, I'll explain everything to you, I promise.  It's a long story and honestly, I didn't think I would ever see her again."  Tara gives her lop-sided grin at her lover and then looks at Kelly and just grabs Kelly into another hug.  "But, boy am I glad that you're here Kel.  I've missed you so much.  We have a lot of catching up to do."

 

"Uh, hmmm."  Buffy interrupts trying to hint that the rest of the group would like to know what the hell is going on.

 

"Oh, sorry, Buffy.  Umm, everyone, this is my sister Kelly.  Kelly - the impatient one is Buffy, Anya is the lady behind the cash register and the man standing beside her is her boyfriend Xander" Tara introduces everyone.

 

"Hi Buffy, Anya and Xander" Kelly says with a slight grin.  Looks like her baby sister did good for herself.  That cute little blonde, Buffy, was shooting major daggers at her like she will be more than happy to do some serious damage to her for daring to touch Tara.

 

"Hiya, it's good to meet you" Xander says with his best 'pretty girl in the house' smile.

 

"Hello, Xander is my boyfriend, you can't have him" stated Anya in clear, precise tones.

 

"OOOOkay" Kelly says with a slight question in her tone.  "I'll remember that - don't worry." 

 

"Don't worry about Anya, she's like that to everyone she perceives as a possible threat to taking her Xander away" laughs Buffy as she comes over to shake Kelly's hand.  "It's good to meet you.  If I do say so, you seem quite different from the rest of Tara's family."

 

Buffy watches as Kelly seems to close off and stiffen when she made the comment.  Uh, oh.  Something's definitely up here.

 

"Umm, Buffy.  Kelly is actually my half sister.  We share - shared the same mother."  Tara states quietly.

 

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize..." Buffy kind of shakes her head in apology for putting her foot in her mouth, as usual.

 

"That's okay, Buffy.  There will be a lot of talking and explaining to do, I'm sure." Kelly states with a slightly tense smile.  "Well, can anyone point me in the direction of a decent motel so that I can get a shower and get some clean clothes on?  I've been traveling for the last 28 hours straight and am feeling a little less than fresh."  Kelly jokes lightly.

 

"Kelly, if you think I'm going to let you stay at some flea-bag motel, you have another thing coming!!"  Tara frowns.  "Now, first things first, it's starting to get dark out and..."  Tara looks at Buffy with a slight lift to her eyebrow before getting ready to warn Kelly about the dangers of the town of Sunnydale.

 

Before Buffy and Tara can say anything, however, Kelly speaks up "Sis, I can't believe you settled on a Hellmouth of all places!!  What in the hell were you thinking about when you moved here?  Or didn't you realize it? I know our talents run along different lines and I wasn't home long enough to know your strengths and weaknesses..."  All of a sudden she realized that everyone was looking at her with their mouths slightly open "I guess you all know this already, huh?  I suppose I don't need to explain to you that there are evil beings in this world and they're all not human, either?  Bogeymen do exist, so do Vampires and Demons, Hell Gods, etc.."

 

"Uh, nope, you don't have to explain about those types of things to us, no sirree bob.  We know all about the things that go bump in the night.  The question is, how do you know all about those things that go bump in the night and the Hellmouth and Hell Gods and Vampires, Demons, and all the other craziness that is in this world?" Willow babbles with a very serious note in her voice.

 

"Well, let's just say that while I was in the Marine's we didn't just fight other countries!" laughs Kelly lightly.  "I was sort of in this special ops group that got called in to take out nests of demons, vampires and whatever other nasties that we came across."

 

"Oh, God not the Initiative" whines Buffy.  "I thought they were finally gone."

 

"No, Buffy, I don't work for the Initiative.  That was a major fuck-up if there ever was one. Wait a minute - how...  ooohh Buffy - Vampire Slayer??  Got it.”  Grinning at the shocked look on her face, Kelly continues  “Anyhow, the group I was with was in effect long before the Initiative came to be and we didn't play the games those sick bastards like to play.  My group was/is strictly a seek and destroy group.  We went after the bad guys and wiped them out.  We actually had a couple of demons that worked with us.  You're probably aware that there are good demons as well as bad demons, right?"  Kelly asks quietly.

 

"Oh, yeah.  We know there are good demons; we pretty much take each demon on their own merits.  If they don't bother humans, we don't bother them.  It actually works out quite well.  Some of the demons that are good guys actually help out quite frequently." Buffy says with a grin on her face. "Your group is definitely different from the Initiative if you actually worked with demons!"

 

"Hey, guys.  We can all do this later.  How about we head out and get Kelly situated at the house.  Oh, Goddess, where is she going to sleep, we haven't finished with the house yet, we only have our bedroom and Willow's office situated so far."  Tara states with a slight hint of worry in her voice.

 

"Don't worry about it Tara.  I have your old room at the house that Kelly is more than welcome to stay in, that is if you don't mind?" Buffy asks Tara's sister.  Thinking to herself she would like to get a little more information from her while she's staying at her house.  After all Dawn wouldn't be home for Christmas break for another week and that will give her a little time to pump Kelly for information about exactly what she knows.

 

Kelly looks from Tara to Buffy and shrugs her shoulders "I don't mind, if you don't.  I can sleep about anywhere - part of being in the Marines.  You don't get to be picky about sleeping accommodations!!  Just give me a corner somewhere and I'll be happy."

 

"Well, I think we can do better than a corner.  Come on, I'll take you to the house.  Pizza at Casa De Summers tonight guys?  My treat."  Buffy says looking at everyone questioningly.

 

"Of course, me and Tara will definitely be there - How about you two Anya?" Willow asks Anya and Xander. 

 

"Actually, Anya and I have plans for tonight.  We'll definitely get together again later and get all the gossip!!" Xander grins goofily. 

 

"Okay, the rest of us will meet at my house in say, two hours?  That will give Kelly time to get cleaned up and settled in a little bit and give me time to order pizzas.  Will, Tara, do you have your vehicle or do we need to walk you home to be on the safe side?"  Buffy questions.

 

"We're okay Buffy.  I brought the vehicle with me since it was getting so late.  I don't like chancing anything happening to my baby."  Willow says as she lightly kisses Tara's cheek. 

 

Tara smiles at her lover and looks at Kelly.  "Buffy will take good care of you Kel.  We'll see you in a couple hours, I love you." Tara gives Kelly another quick hug and kiss on her chin. 

 

Kelly gives her a quick grin while hugging her back and a quick peck on the tip of her nose.  "I've missed you Little Light.  We have a lot of catching up to do.  I'll see you later."



Chapter 2
 

Buffy and Kelly are walking towards Buffy's house and Kelly notices Buffy giving her sideways glances like she really wants to ask her something. 

 

Finally Kelly says "Buffy, if you have something to say or ask, just spit it out.  It's a lot easier that way and I promise I won't bite..."  Unless you want me too!!  she continues in her own mind.  Thinking to herself that Buffy would most definitely freak out if she continued that thought out loud.  Buffy seems a little on the tense side. Maybe if I'm around long enough I can help loosen her up some.  Life's too short not to live it to the fullest.

 

"Okay, just to let you know, I don't usually pull any punches.  What are you doing here?  How did you find Tara? And what the hell are you up to?"  Buffy asks in a stern voice.

 

"Buffy, I'm not here to hurt Tara or anyone else.  I came here because I found out that this is where Tara was.  I wanted to see my sister again and find out how she was doing and if there was anything I could do to help her.  I haven't seen her in 17 years and I just wanted to see the last family member I have."  Kelly states quietly.  "Can I ask you something Buffy?  Something about the comment Willow said to me in the Magic box?"

 

Buffy just nods her head waiting patiently while she thinks about what Kelly just said.

 

"Did- did her father hurt her?"  Kelly asks with a slight tremor in her voice.

 

Buffy looks at her and sighs.  "Tara really doesn't talk about her family much.  Obviously, since we didn't even know you existed before today.  But when her father, brother and cousin showed up here a few years back I had the distinct impression that there was abuse.  I don't know if it was mental or physical, but I know it probably was one if not both." 

 

"Damn, that bastard" Kelly snarls.  ‘I hoped when I left that son of a bitch would be done with the abuse.  He never yelled at Donnie or Tara when I was there.  I hoped it was just me he went after since I wasn't his,’ she continues thinking to herself.

 

"Kelly, whatever happened, happened a long time ago.  Tara is so different now compared to when she first came here.  She would hardly say hi to anyone.  Now she's an English teacher at the high school."  It was still hard for Buffy to sometimes think about the shy, introverted witch Tara used to be. Compared to the confident young woman she is now.  "I think... no, I know that a lot of Tara's self confidence was brought about by her love for Willow. I hope that the rest of us helped her out somewhat along the way, also."  Buffy states grinning to herself thinking about the past couple years.

 

"Buffy, when I walked into the Magic Shop and saw Tara again, I could see that she was happy and well loved.  It was in her aura and I can't describe how that makes me feel.  I only ever wanted her to be happy with her life.  I hoped that my leaving the Maclay household would make things easier for everyone involved.  But, with what you just said and the comments from Willow, my leaving may have made it harder on Tara.  I just hope that maybe she can forgive me for leaving her."  Kelly looks down at her feet as they continue walking.

 

Buffy reaches over and lays her hand lightly on Kelly's forearm, "Kelly, I can honestly tell you that Tara is one of the most forgiving and loving people I have ever met.  I consider her family and would do anything for her.  I know she doesn't blame you for whatever happened, she just isn't like that.  Talk to her and you'll see.  Hell, just think about the way she threw herself at you in the Magic Box - does that say she 'hates you, and doesn't ever want to see you again?' to me it screams that she loves you and wants you here.  As a matter of fact, I was afraid you might be an old flame coming to stir up trouble!"  Buffy states laughing slightly to herself.

 

"I can definitely say that I'm not an old flame - I think Willow would take care of any problems on that front.  She looked like she would have been willing to turn me into a frog or something when she came into the shop" Kelly laughingly replies.  More seriously she says "Thanks, Buffy for letting me know a little bit about what's going on.  I have so much catching up to do and I'm glad you got my initial burst of anger and not Tara.  I can go into talking to her with a better idea of what has happened and maybe I will be better able to control my feelings.  I just hope he didn't hurt her badly.  I don't think I will ever be able to forgive myself if he did."  Kelly continues thinking to herself  ‘And I definitely will never forgive that bastard if he did, I'll be making a trip to the old homestead to right a few wrongs, if that's the case.’

 

"Well, here we are.  Come on, let's get you situated.  I'll show you where everything is and you can make yourself at home.  Since Tara and Willow moved out, I've been kind of lonely.  Maybe you wouldn't mind sticking around to help keep me company?"  Buffy asks with a hopeful grin on her face - deciding to trust her instincts that Kelly's a good person.  What she had said so far seemed to further cement that thought in her head.  Maybe she's a good cook - hopefully that part was genetic.  Slayer tummy growls at the thought of a home cooked meal.  Definitely need to talk to Kelly some more!!

 

Kelly laughs, "we'll see how things go after I talk with Tara.  Buffy, I just want to say thank you for taking care of my sister and letting me stay here, I'll try not to get underfoot.  If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know."

 

"Wellll, no, we'll talk about that later" Buffy says laughingly, "Let's get you situated, by the way, how tall are you?"

 

********************

 

Willow doesn't even wait until they are in the vehicle before starting the Spanish Inquisition.  "Tara, who exactly is Kelly?  I mean, I know she's your sister, but why haven't you ever mentioned her?  Where has she been all this time?  Why is she showing up here, now?  How did she find you?  Is she like the rest of your family?  Am I gonna have to kick her extremely tall ass back to wherever she came from?  By the way, what is up with that?  How tall is she?  Where did her tallness come from?  I guess that would be a stupid question, they probably came from the same place her dark hair, eyes and everything else came from.  How is it that you look nothing alike?  I mean I understand that you are half-sisters, but usually there is some kind of similarities between family members somewhere."  Willow finally has to stop and take a breath of air.

 

Tara jumps in before her sweetie starts on the next round of questions, "Willow, honey, half of these questions I can't answer.  We'll find them out when we talk to Kelly.  As for the rest, let me try and give you a quick rundown and see if that might help some.  Kelly is my half sister.  Her father, from what mom told me was an ex-basketball player that died in a car crash. Kelly gets her height, dark hair and eyes from him.  Kelly is nothing like my father or our brother.  She left home when I was just 8 years old.  From what I remember, she was always a loving, caring person that always had time for me, even if I was so much younger than her.  Before you ask - she's 10 years older than me, sweetie.  She left home when she turned 18 - th-there were problems between her and my father.  I think she left because of that.  I don't really know what happened then, I just remember vague things. I have a feeling that what happened between me and my family was minor compared to whatever they did to Kelly." 

 

They pull up to there house and slowly walk inside, holding hands.

 

"Oh, worse than what they did to you?  But honey, they beat you and hurt you, what could be worse?" Willow says with a slight catch in her voice.  Whenever she thinks about her love's father and brother she gets upset at how they treated her.

 

"Sweetie, they may have smacked me a few times and hurt me a little, but I remember Kelly coming in from the barn one night late after my father took her out there and she could hardly move. I was hiding behind the staircase when she finally came in.  Mom went to her room later and all I heard was Mom crying.  I never heard anything from Kelly.  It was a few days later that Kelly turned 18 and left.  I haven't heard from her since.  But you heard the same things I did; it seems she made a life for herself in the Marine Core.  Obviously she is a more powerful witch than I remember.  Her aura is as strong as yours if not stronger, so please don't try to kick her butt honey." Tara laughingly says with a hint of sadness in her smile.

 

"Honey, I'm sorry.  I'll try and tone it down a little.  I just love you so much and want to make sure there is nothing bad going to happen to you.  I was just afraid that she might be here to try and take you back to your family.  I didn't realize that she may have had even more of a reason to leave that hell hole behind than you did.  Let's get ready to head over to Buffy's.  That way maybe we can get some more answers.  Even though, she did look tired.  Do you think we should give her some time to relax before getting the low down on her?" asks Willow with an understanding smile. 

 

"That would probably be best, let's talk about us.  Kelly obviously knows something is up.  She was always able to read people.  She was way better at it than I ever was. Hopefully Buffy will trust her.  If Kelly is as strong as I think she is, she could be a great help to us here on the Hellmouth.  Plus, with her experience fighting demons in the Core, that couldn't hurt."  Tara says, thinking about it.  She pulls Willow to her and gives her a light kiss on the lips.  Unfortunately there wouldn't be enough time for much else but a few smoochies before heading over to Buffy’s.  Damn that Anya and putting ideas in her head.  Oh, well there was always tonight when they get back home. 

 

Willow wraps her arms around Tara's waist and gives Tara a lingering kiss.  "I love you." she says as she starts to deepen the kiss slightly by running her tongue lightly over Tara's full lips.  As Tara opens her mouth welcoming in Willows tongue to suck on it lightly. 

 

Tara slowly pulls away and gives her lover her lop-sided grin  "we will definitely be continuing this particular conversation later after we get home from Buffy's."

 

"Vixen!"  Willow growls with a grin.  "Can't we..."

 

"Sweetie, we don't have time.  And I definitely am in the mood to take my sweet time driving you crazy tonight." Tara huskily whispers into Willow's ear.  She gives her lover a quick peck on the lips as she heads up to the bedroom for a quick change of clothes before they head over to Buffy's house. 

 

"That is so not fair!!"  Willow says to herself in the living room.  But, boy, oh boy.  Fun to be had tonight! 



Chapter 3
 

As everyone finishes eating the pizza while they were talking about nothing in particular.  Just getting to know each other.  Tara realizes that Kelly has a very wicked sense of humor and seems to be sliding quite a few glances towards Buffy during the meal.  As usual, when it came to herself and anyone paying attention to her, Buffy doesn't seem to notice that she was the focal point of Kelly's attention.

 

Tara glances towards Willow and sees that she’s noticed also.  Willow looks at Tara with a questioning eyebrow.  Tara just shrugs her shoulders and grins.

 

"Well, I guess I can get this ball rolling" Buffy says.  "Since I don't have much to say, and will probably be doing more listening than anything.  Kelly, I don't know how much you know about the supernatural.  Obviously, you know more than a lot of people with you knowing about vampires, demons and all.  Obviously you have heard something about the Slayer.  I'm sure the Initiative's files weren't very flattering about me, so if you have any questions, please ask." 

 

"You don't have to explain what a Slayer is to me, Buffy.  I already have quite a bit of information.  And personally, I pretty much took most of the information that came from the Initiative with a grain of salt.  My boss' tried to make sure I was supplied with any and all information I might have needed in my job.  I learned about the Chosen One in some of the reports and books I was giving to study while in the Service" Kelly starts grinning and laughing stating "I was wondering, I like to keep in shape and exercise quite a bit, do you need a work-out partner?  I promise I'll try to keep up with you, I need to keep sharp and need someone to push me - you would fit the bill perfectly.  I bet you might even be able to give me a few pointers.  I definitely will need a sparring partner.  And who better than the Chosen One?  Oh, that is if you don't mind.  If you do, that's okay; I'll see if I can find a Dojo or something else here in town."  Kelly starts to backtrack a little not wanting to seem like she's trying to push herself on Buffy.

 

"No, no.  That would be great - with what little you’ve said already, you would probably be a good person to work out with.  Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to spar with, with Giles back in England, not that he could keep up anyway." laughs Buffy.

 

Tara looks over at Willow and they grin at each other.  Wonder if we can help swing Buffy to our side of the fence she thinks to herself.  I can already tell by the glint in Kelly's eyes that she is definitely interested in Buffy. 

 

"Hey, guys.  I know it's getting late.  Kel you're probably tired since you spent so long traveling, and I figure you probably aren't up for a question and answer session tonight.  Plus I have school tomorrow and still haven't finished grading the tests that I gave to my classes today, since I was so pleasantly interrupted at the shop.  Since tomorrow is Friday, we can spend this weekend getting to know each other and have a serious sit down chat, if that's okay?"  Tara says hopefully.

 

"Little Light, damn, I guess I'll have to stop calling you that now.  You’re not my little baby sister anymore.  You’ve grown into a very beautiful young woman Tar.  You take after Mom so much.  I guess I definitely am the ugly duckling in our family" Kelly states with a slight self depreciating grin.

 

"Kelly, you most definitely are not an ugly duckling.  Growing up I always thought you were the most beautiful person I had ever seen.  I still believe that.  Just too damn tall!" Tara laughingly jokes.

 

"Nah, I know I'm definitely not beautiful.  Old and maybe I'll give you cute - too tall, that is a given.  You should have seen the Services trying to find pants to fit me.  I had to wear men’s pants, they didn't have any women’s long enough.  I can never tell you how much I wanted to be a normal person.  Do you know how hard it is to find a date when you are pretty much taller than everyone else?  I'm almost 6'2" and finding someone that is willing to date an Amazon, is extremely hard.  Men feel inferior.  Which isn't that big of a loss" Kelly sort of mumbles the last bit to herself.  However Buffy hears the comment and raises her eyebrow slightly. 

 

Kelly continues "Women are definitely the way to go; height only seems to matter to a few of them.  Most women enjoy a taller partner.  Which is a definite plus when it comes to me."  Well, that lets everyone know where my sexual preferences lie. "I always wanted to be more like you, medium height, with beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes.  Instead I'm 6'2" dark brown hair and normal brown eyes.  Go figure.  Nothing I can do about that - short of bleaching my hair and getting colored contacts - but that’s just a bit much” Kelly laughingly states.

 

"Kelly, this will be the only time I will let you get by with this.  So listen up good.  From now on, there will be no more putting down of yourself.  In this group, we do NOT allow that kind of thing.  All of us have been through so much, good and bad, that we don't let each other put ourselves down.  Isn't that right, Willow and Tara?" Buffy states unequivocally.

 

"Yep, Buff is right.  No more talk like that - even if you are definitely on the tall side.  I have to agree with Tara, you are beautiful.  Normal brown eyes - where did that come from, anyway?  I've been studying your eyes and they are gorgeous.  Of course, not as gorgeous as my baby's blue eyes, but still gorgeous.  They have flecks of green and gold in them...shutting up now." Willow turns to look at Tara and says "You’re supposed to stop me when I start that - why didn't you?"

 

Kelly starts laughing.  "I think I know why, which after all this time, I'm sure you know also, Willow.  Just look in her eyes - she loves you completely and that includes or is because of the babbling!  Okay, guys I’ll try to make more of an effort not to put myself down.  I love you Tar - see you tomorrow night.  Come over and I'll cook.  Have a good night Willow; take care of my baby sis for me, okay?"

 

"I love you, too Kelly.  Willow always takes care of me, don't you sweetie?"  Tara grins at her lover and winks.

 

"Oh, yeah, I definitely take care of her.  But it's more of a mutual taking care of... and I think it's time to go home now.  Good night everyone.  See you tomorrow."  Willow starts dragging Tara out of the house to the car.

 

"Well, looks like someone’s going to be having some fun tonight.  I have this funny feeling that the test papers are SO not going to get graded." Kelly laughs to Buffy as they head back towards the dining room.  "Here, let me get this.  It's the least I can do after you letting me stay here."

 

"Hey, you don't have to clean up, I can do it" Buffy states while Kelly quickly grabs the plates and glasses to take into the kitchen.

 

"Buffy, please let me feel useful.  It's the least I can do." Kelly states quietly as she starts rinsing off the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.  Buffy watches her as she quietly wipes down the table and breaks down the pizza boxes to put them in the trash can.  Kelly opens the refrigerator and grabs a water to drink and turns to look questioningly at Buffy, silently asking her if she wants a water and Buffy grins and nods her head.  Kelly flips her the water and grabs another one out for herself. 

 

"So, before I get ready to head up for bed, I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes, if that's okay?"  Kelly asks questioningly.

 

"Sure.  I'll probably be heading out in a little while and do a quick patrol to make sure there are no problems.  It's been kind of quiet lately.  Which usually means something big is going to be going down soon."  Buffy says while sitting down at the end of the couch. 

 

Kelly sits down at the other end turning towards Buffy so she can watch her while she talks.

 

"Buffy, I know you don't exactly trust me.  After I left home, I joined the Marine Core and didn't look back.  The only regret I have is that I wasn't there for Tara growing up.  I love her more than anything in this world and would do anything for her.  I honestly believed when I left home that she would be okay.  I thought her dad just had something against me since I wasn't his child.  He always thought the sun rose and set on Donnie.  And he always treated Tara okay.  I never heard him raise his voice or hand to her while I lived there."  Kelly smiles sadly.

 

"Kelly, you don't have to tell me this, if you don't want to" Buffy starts to say when Kelly interrupts her.

 

"No, Buffy.  I want you to know the basics of what happened.  I won't go into details right now.  But I do want you to get a better handle on the person you are letting live in your house."  Kelly slowly took a deep breath to steel herself for what she was going to tell Buffy.  "He used to beat me and right before my 18th birthday he took a whip to me out in the barn.  I never have understood why he did the things he did, I just kind of hoped it was because I wasn't his blood and he hated me because of that.  I don't know how, but some way I made it back into the house and went to my room.  Mom came in as I was taking off my clothes and she freaked.  Needless to say all she could do was cry as she tended my back.  I didn't leave the room again until three days later.  I turned 18 on that day.  I packed one change of clothes and left the house and didn't look back.  I joined the military.  A few years later we were out on a secret ops mission when some kind of demon let into my platoon.  I didn't even stop to think, I saw all my mates being torn apart and I went a little crazy.  I called down some kind of magic spell; to this day I don't even know what it was and killed the demon.  One of my leaders saw what happened and from then on I was sent to a specialist training outfit to work on my powers.  At the time I didn't realize that they even had a separate training facility for the magically inclined."  Kelly stops for a moment taking a sip of her water and looks up at Buffy to see what she’s doing. 

 

Buffy was looking at her with a look that was hard to define.  It almost looked like pity, but not quite.  Kelly just shakes her head and looks back down again as she continues her story.

 

"From then on I was put in some of the most dangerous areas and hot spots around the world.  I’ve done everything I can humanly do to help the human race.  And even in some instances, when certain demons were the ones being persecuted, I helped them.  That's how we ended up having some demons in the specialized platoon I belong to.  Well, needless to say I've spent the better part of the last 20 years in the service of the US of A.  I was getting burnt out on all the traveling and fighting, so I decided to retire.  The day I got my dismissal papers, I used a locator spell to find out where Tara was and here I am.  As far as I'm concerned, Tara is the only family I have left.  I just want to get to know her again.  Find out what kind of person she has become and hopefully, maybe, make up for any hard feelings she may harbor towards me about the way I left home."  Kelly slowly smiles a little bit as she looks back up at Buffy and then says "Plus, you can always kick my ass across the United States to the Eastern seaboard if you think I need it or deserve it."

 

Buffy grins at her attempt at lightening the mood.  "Kelly, Tara will say there is absolutely nothing to forgive.  And, I believe you.  Maybe tomorrow I'll take you to the Magic Box's training room and see what you can do.  If you're as good as I think you are and if you want to help me with patrols, I'd appreciate it.  I'm sorry for what happened to you.  I believe I can say that it wasn't nearly that bad for Tara.  But I don't know for sure.  You two really need to have a quiet sit down and discuss everything."

 

"Thanks Buffy.  I'm gonna go head upstairs.  If you need me, wake me up.  I'm a light sleeper, at least most of the time."  Kelly grins then heads up the stairs to bed.  Tomorrow's another day.  Tara and I will talk this weekend and hopefully all will be right in my world again.  Just having my sister back in my life will make me happy.  Kelly thinks to herself as she strips and gets into bed.  She smiles as she slowly drifts off to sleep thinking about a certain little blonde.

 

*******************************************

 

"Honey, I think your sister is crushing on Buffy!" Willow starts off as soon as they are in the vehicle heading home.

 

"I know, poor Kelly.  Being in the Marines she probably didn't have many chances for any kind of relationship.  I guess I'll talk to her this weekend and maybe put a bug in her ear about Buffy not being interested in the home team."  Tara says with a little grin at Willow.

 

"Maybe you shouldn't say anything to her.  We could take bets on how long it takes Buffy to realize that Kelly is hitting on her, what do you think?"  Willow smirks slightly.

 

"Ohh, my baby is feeling a little wicked tonight, hmm?  I guess I will have to put that wickedness to use when we get home!"

 

"Well, honey, you did promise me I would be driven crazy tonight.  That's still is the plans for this evening, right?" Willow asks Tara in her most innocent voice as they pull up outside their house.

 

"Sweetie, you have no idea" Tara states with a low growl.

 

OOOHHH!!  I am definitely in for it tonight.  I can't wait - Willow thinks to herself doing a small little dance on their way into the house. 

 

As soon as they’re in the door, Tara grabs Willow in her arms and gives her a smoldering kiss on the lips and lightly smacks Willow on the butt and says "Will, get up to the bedroom.  I'll just check and make sure everything is locked up tight and be right behind you."

 

"Okay honey.  I love you" Willow says sweetly to her love as she gives her a light kiss on the lips and proceeds to head upstairs to their bedroom.

 

Tara checks the doors and windows to make sure everything is locked up tight and grabs a glass of ice water to take upstairs with her to bed.

 

As Tara walks into the bedroom she has to laugh - Willow has already stripped and is lying in the middle of the bed on her side with a 'come hither' look on her face.  "Is my baby in a little bit of a hurry tonight, hmm?"

 

Willow gives a little grin saying "you told me to get up to the bedroom.  I figured you wanted me waiting and ready for you!!"

 

Tara gives a small smile as she sets her glass down on the nightstand.  She slowly starts unbuttoning her blouse when Willow starts to get up to help her undress.  "Uh Uh.  Lay back down.  No touching allowed until I say so."

 

Willow pouts but does as Tara says and lies down and proceeds to watch Tara slowly takes off her clothes piece by piece.  By the time Tara is taking off her silk bra and panties, Willow has a glazed look in her eye.  "Honey, you still with me?  Sweetie?"

 

Willow finally becomes a little coherent and realizes that Tara was talking to her and says "Huh?  What?"  Higher brain functions are definitely gone for the night.  Willow is gazing with rapt attention on Tara's bountiful breasts. 

 

Tara just smirks - her sweetie is definitely a breast gal - through and through.  Slowly Tara kneels on the side of the bed and gently pushes Willow onto her back.  Tara grabs Willow's hands and put them on the headboard and murmurs "Keep them there until I say otherwise."

 

Willow grasps the headboard and nods and moans incoherently. 

 

Tara slowly runs her hands down Willows arms and up the side of her neck to run her fingers through Willows hair.  She leans down and starts to press light kisses on the side of Willows neck nibbling downwards to her collarbone then back up the other side until she slowly reaches Willows mouth and gives her love a slight lick across her bottom lip with her tongue.  Willow moans quietly and opens her mouth slightly to lick the taste of Tara from her lips.  Tara smiles and straddles Willows hips and proceeds to slowly work her way down Willows neck kissing, nibbling and sucking as she reaches Willow's breasts.  Willow moans loudly as Tara slowly brushes the bottom of Willows breasts with her fingertips and kisses her way around both breasts without touching Willow's nipples. 

 

"Please baby, pleeeaaasssse!" Willow groans as she squirms under her lover, feeling the pressure building up unbearably.

 

"What do you want Will?  Would you like me to kiss your nipples?  Lick them?  Maybe suck on them?  How about I do all of that and then bite them?  Would you like that?"  Tara grins wickedly. 

 

Willow's eyes get bigger and bigger with each question and all she can do is nod enthusiastically.

 

Tara proceeds to lightly kiss, lick and suck Willow's breasts as she makes her way back to Willow's nipple and then she bites down gently on Willow's left nipple while her fingertips gently squeeze her right nipple.  Willow's reaction was instantaneous - she screams Tara's name as she comes shuddering.   Willow releases the headboard and starts to reach for Tara when Tara looks at her  "Did I say you could let go of the headboard yet?  I'm nowhere near finished with you, love."

 

"Sweet Goddess, I think you are going to kill me tonight."

 

"Maybe La Petit Morte, but nothing you won't recover from" Tara laughs as she slowly starts kissing her way down Willows ribs and stomach, stopping to pay special attention to her lovers belly button.  She lightly nibbles around the outer edges and then quickly dips her tongue in to swirl around and press firmly in.  Willow raises her hips