“Mom, I’m going to head out on patrol.” Buffy calls to her mom as she pulls on a light jacket and checks to make sure she has a knife and a couple stakes on her.
“Be careful, honey.” Joyce wipes her hands on the dish towel as she walks out of the kitchen, smiling at her daughter.
Buffy looks up grinning. “Have to. I’ll have you on my butt if I don’t.”
“You sure you don’t mind staying home while going to college?” Joyce questions as she watches Buffy start to open the door.
“Mom, we’ve been over this before. I know you need to save as much money as possible and if it’s easier on you my being here while going to college, that’s what I’ll do.” Buffy sighs quietly. “I don’t mind.”
“I know you don’t, but I kind of feel guilty that you’re not getting the whole ‘college’ experience.” Joyce admits. “I can take out a second mortgage on the house.”
“No, Mom. NO.” Buffy states more adamantly. “It really isn’t that big a deal. Willow’s going to MIT, Xander’s got a job at a construction site. It isn’t like I’ll be living on campus and sharing a room with a friend.” Buffy shakes her head before glancing out at the night. “And it saves you a lot of money.” Smiling she looks at her mom before quickly walking over and giving her a quick hug. “It’s okay, honest.”
Joyce smiles and hugs Buffy back, thankful that after all the years and problems they had been through, they were finally on an even keel. “Be careful. Kill lots of evil monsters and come home safe and sound.”
“I will. Love you, mom.” Buffy grins as she opens the door heading out as she hears her mom telling her she loves her.
***
Buffy quietly hums to herself as she patrols downtown Sunnydale on her way to the campus, knowing that a lot of vampires look for a co-ed snack. She had already killed three newly risen vampires in two different cemeteries.
Strolling along, she senses a vampire around and listens intently as she hears a noise coming from the alleyway just ahead. Quickly sliding into the shadows of the alley, she sees a vampire just sinking his teeth into this young teenager. Running full tilt, she rips the vampire away from the teen and slams the vampire against the wall, disorienting him. “Are you okay?” She questions the teen, and as he nods his head, holding his neck he looks in surprise at the petite blonde girl that just saved him. “Go home. Stay to the well lit areas and preferably to crowds.” She admonishes the kid.
“Th-thanks.” He stutters out before quickly running out of the alley.
Buffy watches him go and shakes her head at the stupidity of the people in Sunnydale before ducking as the vampire takes a swing at her. “That’s not nice. Trying to take advantage of my not paying attention to you.” Buffy smiles at the vampire before backhanding him across the jaw.
“Fuck you.” The vampire growls out as he quickly pops back up from where Buffy had knocked him down. “I’m gonna kill you slow, little girl.”
“Don’t think so.” Buffy shakes her head as she calmly waits for the vampire to attack. As he lunges towards her she jumps up and tucks into a roll over top of him coming to land behind him before spinning around and catching the vampire upside the head with a back spin kick.
“You know you actually have to touch me to hurt me.” Buffy smirks at the vampire as he runs towards her again, quickly dodging to the side, Buffy slams her stake into his heart through the back. “You weren’t any fun.” She grumbles quietly as she twirls the stake before tucking it back away in the back of her jeans.
Buffy grins as she heads past the Bronze, scoping out the alleyway making sure there were no vamps before nodding to Jimmy the bouncer as he let her in to look inside. She smiles thinking about the fact that Jimmy just let’s her slide in without paying the door charge after she saved him from the ‘disfigured’ mugger that one night.
Opening her senses fully, she glances around, sweeping hazel eyes briefly over the dancers on the dance floor as she feels a slight tug at her senses, she narrows in on the dark corner that always seems to attract the vampires. Quickly sliding and dodging around bodies, Buffy makes her way back and stakes the vampire that was just getting ready to bury her teeth in the unsuspecting man. “Be careful who you decide to suck face with. You might not like the results.” Buffy quickly turns on her heel and heads out of the Bronze winking at Jimmy as she leaves.
“Find any?” He grins as Buffy chuckles and nods her head. “Thanks.”
“It’s what I do.” Buffy shrugs her shoulders before quickly heading down the street. She feels sad as she works her way towards the campus, wishing Willow had decided to stay in Sunnydale to go to college, but knowing in her heart that the redhead was way too brilliant to go to a little hick college. Not with MIT, Harvard and Oxford recruiting her. Shaking her head she smiles, realizing that it was only a little over a month away before Christmas break and Willow would be back to visit.
Buffy hears a muffled cry coming from behind one of the college buildings and quickly runs over seeing four different vampires attacking a blonde woman. Quickly staking one vampire, she grabs two more, flinging them back and away from the woman before slamming her fist in the last vampires face, breaking his nose. Glancing briefly at the woman, she notices that it didn’t look like they had started feeding yet and breathes a sigh of relief. Spinning around and double fisting the vampire across the head she calls out. “Be careful, try to stay out of the way.” Jumping up she kicks the other vampire hard in the chest, smiling as he flies back a good ten yards before coming back down to sweep the legs from the third vampire out from under him as he tries to sneak up on her from behind. Quickly staking him she growls as she feels the other vampire ready to hit her and falls down in surprise as he disappears in a burst of flames.
Tara sees the vampire closing in on the petite blonde that had come to her aid and quickly sends a fireball to dust him. Calling herself all kinds of stupid for being out so late by herself, she knew she was in trouble when the four vampires surrounded her. She can take care of one, maybe two by herself but had known she was about to kiss her ass goodbye when she saw all four of them. Not believing how thick the townsfolk people were not realizing they were living in vampire heaven, she shakes her head and watches as the petite blonde quickly takes care of the fourth vampire. Suddenly feeling shy she grabs up her books that she had previously dropped and whispers softly. “Thank you.” Before quickly heading back to her dorm room.
Buffy stands there watching the retreating back of the blonde and frowns, realizing that though she would have been able to defeat the vampires, she obviously had done some kind of magic spell to help her. Starting to follow the woman, her eye is caught by something shiny on the ground, kneeling down she picks up the charm that had obviously fallen off either a bracelet or a necklace. Walking slowly to where more light was shining she smiles at the Celtic Cross in her hand. Looking up, searching for the blonde she realizes she’s already disappeared and sighs quietly. “Thanks whoever you were. Hopefully I’ll see you again and give this back to you.” Tucking the charm into her front pocket, Buffy finishes canvassing the campus before working her way back home.
***
“Mom, I’ve got to get going or I’m going to be late for class.” Buffy calls out to her mother as she grabs her backpack and slings it over her shoulder.
“Have a good day.” Joyce calls from upstairs.
“You, too.” Buffy yells as she heads out the door, starting up a quick jog to get to her college class in time.
***
Buffy grumbles as she sits down in the back of the Psyche class. ‘I swear that woman is evil’ she thinks to herself looking at Professor Walsh talking quietly with the TA Riley Finn. Buffy eyes the Senior, having to admit the man was good looking and definitely built. But something about him sets her teeth on edge. Finally giving up her musings she glances around the class, actually paying more attention to her class mates as she grabs her book and notepad out. Seeing a blonde head that seemed somewhat familiar at the other end of the classroom and halfway down, Buffy tilts her head trying to place the woman.
Glancing back to Professor Walsh as she starts the class, Buffy puts the other thoughts out of her head and quickly starts taking notes.
***
Tara quietly groans as she stands up to leave class, feeling her back catch slightly from when the vampires had pushed her against the tree the previous night. Gathering her books up and pressing them against her chest she slowly walks out the door smiling shyly at the Professor and TA as she leaves the Psyche room. Slowly heading towards the Cafeteria, she jumps as she feels a small warm hand on her arm. Quickly looking up into smiling hazel eyes, she blinks a couple time before realizing this is the woman that had come to her rescue last night. Blushing she looks back down, letting her hair slide to cover her embarrassment.
“I think this might be yours.” Buffy smiles as she holds out the charm in front of the blonde woman. “And I owe you a thanks for last night.”
Tara shakes her head and slowly reaches out smiling at the charm she thought gone. “No, y-you saved me.” Tara runs her thumb over the cross before tucking it away in her purse. “Thank you. I thought for sure it was gone.” Glancing up briefly Tara smiles before turning towards the Cafeteria.
“Umm, I’m going to get something to eat, since it’s like lunch time and that’s what most normal people do. Do you have a class?” Buffy questions intrigued by the shy blonde. “Maybe we can talk about how you know about the things that go bump in the night…and how you did what you did?” Buffy smiles trying to catch the blue eyes she's only gotten brief glimpses of.
Tara stops stunned as the pretty little blonde asks her to get something to eat. “I w-was going to the Cafeteria. If you w-want to come.” Tara looks up grinning slightly. “I was p-planning on g-grabbing a sandwich and eating outside.” Tara admits.
“Sounds good.” Buffy nods in agreement and turns to walk with the taller blonde. “I’ll buy.”
“You d-don’t have to buy.” Tara shakes her head glancing briefly to the side watching the blonde bounce along, smiling to herself. Tilting her head slightly, she feels the strength and …. Mystical power? Coming from the woman.
Buffy smiles as they get in line, grabbing a tray she winks at the blonde. “Nope. I’m buying. Isn’t that often when someone saves me. So I feel the need to spend some of my mom’s hard earned money.”
Tara chuckles quietly. “If you insist.” Quickly looking through the fruit, Tara grabs an apple, placing it on the tray as they work their way down the food, watching in surprise as the little blonde starts piling up the tray. Raising an eyebrow at the quantity of food, Tara grabs one of the pimiento cheese sandwiches and a water, adding them to the tray.
“That all?” Buffy looks at the small sandwich, apple and water. “What about dessert? They’ve got brownies? Come on, you got to like chocolate.” Buffy jokes as she grabs a couple plates with brownies on them. Quickly walking to the cashier, Buffy digs her money out of her pocket paying for the food before heading out to the Quad, with the other woman following her. Glancing around she smiles as she sees an empty bench and makes a beeline for it.
“By the way, my names Buffy Summers.” Buffy grins as she holds her hand out to the other blonde after setting the tray down on the bench.
“T-tara Maclay.” Tara shyly takes the other woman’s hand before looking up curiously. “Exactly what are you?”
Buffy sighs quietly, knowing that Giles was going to go ape shit on her ass. But for some reason she feels the urge to let this woman know everything. “A college student?” Buffy raises an eyebrow and grins slightly.
Tara smiles briefly before looking down and unwrapping her sandwich. “More than a college student, I bet.” She murmurs before taking a bite.
“Yeah, but I always get in trouble if I just blurt it out.” Buffy admits quietly looking out across the quad at the students walking by. “How did you take that vampire out last night?”
Tara looks sideways at the blonde, wondering if she should tell her. Running a finger over the edge of her water bottle she unconsciously straightens her back, deciding she got away from home to become someone, and this wasn’t getting it done. “I’m a witch. I did a fireball spell.” Tara finally whispers out before nibbling on her sandwich some more.
“I should have known that.” Buffy grumbles quietly. “Slayer brain MIA again.” Buffy growls quietly as she grabs up another sandwich quickly devouring it.
Tara looks up in surprise at the petite woman. “You’re the slayer?”
Buffy’s eyes widen as she makes contact with the witch’s blue eyes. “You know what a slayer is?”
Tara nods her head excitedly. “They’re mentioned quite frequently in a couple of my Magical texts. Seems that sometimes they would work together with different witches. I should have known with the demon population here that the likelihood of the Slayer living here would be extremely high.”
Buffy smirks as she leans back against the bench. “I gotta tell Giles this. He’ll probably flip.” Chuckling quietly she glances over the woman. “How long have you been here? I mean obviously you didn’t go to high school here, I’m sure I would have remembered you.”
“No, I didn’t go to high school here.” Tara quietly admits before finishing her sandwich. Taking a sip of her water she glances up, looking at the clouds drifting by in the sky. “I’m in my Sophomore year here. Imagine my surprise when I left home to come to college and I end up on a Hellmouth.” Smiling softly she glances at the slayer. “I finally figured out why I got such a good package deal with the scholarships, grants, tuition and boarding.”
Buffy laughs and nods her head. “They have a hard time keeping the classes filled.” Not understanding why she feels so comfortable with the woman, Buffy watches her intently, smiling as she starts taking tiny bites out of her apple. “Please tell me you don’t make it a habit of walking around after dark.”
“Not normally, no.” Tara makes eye contact before looking back at her apple. “I didn’t realize how late it was getting when I was studying at the library. I try to be in the dorm room by dusk.”
“Just try to be careful. Unfortunately I can’t be everywhere all the time to protect people.” Buffy states sadly before sipping on her soda.
Tara feels her urge to reach out to the obviously hurting woman. Briefly placing her fingertips on her lower arm, Tara smiles. “I’m sure you do everything you can. If people would pay more attention instead of dismissing things as ‘ugly muggers’, or ‘overgrown dogs’ they would help themselves out immensely.” Tara pulls her fingers away from the warm, electric feel of the slayer’s arm. Glancing down at her watch, she realizes she’s only got ten minutes to make it to her next class. Gathering her trash she stands up and throws it in the can beside the bench. “I need to head to my next class.” Tara looks and actually makes longer eye contact with the enchanting hazel eyes. “Thank you for lunch.”
Buffy smiles standing gathering the wrappers from her food and frowns as she sees the brownie sitting there. “Here, take your brownie.” Handing it to Tara she grins at the little laugh coming from the witch.
“Thank you.” Tara giggles quietly. “Yes, I do like chocolate.” Quickly turning to head towards class, she’s stopped by the warm hand on her arm again.
“See you again?” Buffy can’t understand why she feels sad at the woman leaving, and wants to make sure they’ll run into each other again.
“At least every Tuesday and Thursday.” Tara grins and nods at the other woman. Chuckling at the confused look on the slayer’s face she tilts her head. “Psyche class.”
Buffy smacks the side of her head before grinning. “Definitely see each other then. You better hurry. I don’t want you to be late.”
“Thanks again, Buffy.” Tara quietly whispers before quickly walking across the quad to her next class.
“You’re welcome, Tara.” Buffy breathes out, wondering at the feelings coursing through her. Glancing down at her watch, she groans remembering she’d promised her mom she’d be at the Art Gallery to help her unpack some crates. Then she needed to go to the Magic Box and train. “A slayer’s day never ends.” She grumbles as she throws her book bag over her shoulder and heads towards the Art Gallery.
***
Joyce smiles as she watches her daughter silently and quickly unpack the shipments she had gotten in. Chuckling to herself she finally walks over to her and places a hand on her shoulder. “Who is he?”
Buffy glances up in shock at her mother as she had been thinking very seriously about a pair of beautiful blue eyes and a crooked grin that had shown itself briefly during the conversation at lunch. “What did you say, mom?” She smiles apologetically at her mother.
“I was wondering who has caught the eye of my only daughter.” Joyce smiles at Buffy as she hops up on one of the unopened crates looking at her with confused eyes. “What’s wrong, honey?” She questions after seeing the confusion.
Buffy thinks about her mothers phrasing and realizes she’s been thinking about Tara non-stop since their lunch that afternoon.
Grabbing a chair, she pulls it to sit in front of Buffy, waiting patiently as she watches the different emotions crossing her face.
Tucking her legs up under her to sit in a cross-legged position, Buffy places her elbows on her knees and leans her chin down on her fisted hands. Thinking deeply, realizing as the blue eyes make another appearance in her mind, her heart speeds up momentarily.
“Mom, I’m confused.” Buffy whispers out quietly, almost heartbrokenly.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Joyce reaches out and places a hand on her daughters leg. “You know you can talk to me about anything, don’t you?”
Buffy sighs as she straightens her back and picks at a callous on her hand. Finally looking up and making eye contact with her mother, she whispers. “I met someone last night on patrol that’s actually in my Psyche class.”
“And that confuses you?” Joyce watches her daughter and frowns slightly.
“No, the fact this person helped out last night and knows about slayers actually makes things easier.” Buffy thinks hard about what she’s going to say next. “The fact that I can’t get this persons eyes out of my head since I bought lunch for us this afternoon is what’s confusing me.” Buffy finally admits.
Joyce thinks heavily about what Buffy is saying and not saying. Realizing as she plays over the phrasing of her daughter’s words that she was using words like someone, person, us. Not he’s, or his. Looking intently at her daughter she reaches up and grasps her hand catching her eyes with hers. Taking a gamble she questions. “What’s her name?”
Buffy’s mouth drops open as her mothers question sinks in. “How--”
“I listened to what you were and weren’t saying, Buffy.” Joyce smiles softly at her daughter.
Buffy looks down blushing. “Her name’s Tara. I just met her last night but after actually talking with her today I feel drawn to her.” Looking up confusion filling her eyes. “I don’t like girls, mom.”
Joyce sighs quietly grasping the hand in hers tighter. Wondering how to phrase this to not hurt or alienate Buffy. “Buffy, I love you. And I’ll love you no matter what.” Joyce looks into her daughter’s hazel eyes smiling sadly. “Maybe you don’t like girls per se. Maybe you just like this one girl.” Joyce reaches up and brushes a stray hair off Buffy’s cheek. “It’s hard if you choose to see if there’s a possibility of a relationship between you two. Same sex couples are still frowned upon and treated badly a lot of the time.” Joyce sighs thinking about some of the people she works with, the artists and some of the horror stories about how they are treated. “You know that I have a few artists that are gay. And with what they’ve told me about their lives and how they’re treated, I wouldn’t want that for you.”
Buffy looks in her mom’s eyes searching, not believing how well she’s taking this. “I don’t know, mom. Maybe it’s just a tiny crush. Maybe if I’m around her more often I’ll find out she has a hairy eyeball or something and go running the other way.”
Joyce chuckles as her daughter tries to make light of it. “I know you, baby. Once someone catches your eye it takes a world ending apocalypse to get it back out of there.”
Buffy nods her head silently in agreement knowing her mother’s right. “What should I do?”
“Find out if there’s a chance she may return the feelings.” Joyce suggests quietly. “Ask her out to lunch, maybe invite her over to dinner in the future.” Joyce smiles as she sees her daughter perk up a little more thinking about it. “I’ll support you no matter what, honey.”
“You’re the best mom ever.” Buffy whispers jumping down and hugging her mother tightly.
“I don’t know about that.” Joyce chuckles hugging Buffy back.
“You are.” Buffy smiles as she pulls back. “I need to run. I’m already late to meet Giles for a training session.”
“Are you going to come home first or just go straight out on patrol?” Joyce smiles at her daughter.
“Depends on what he’s got planned. If it’s a light workout I’ll head home. But for some reason I have a feeling he’s going to be putting me through my paces.” Buffy grumbles. “I’ve been able to ditch a few sessions and I think I’m about due to pay for it.”
Joyce chuckles quietly. “Tell Rupert to take it easy on my baby girl.”
“Mom.” Buffy whines then laughs.
“Be careful. I’ll see you later.” Joyce watches as Buffy quickly grabs her gear and heads towards the door waving as she walks out. Sighing quietly looking at all the unpacked crates, realizing there was only the one left that Buffy had been sitting on. “Thanks, Buffy.” She whispers glad that all she had to do was finish setting the items up in displays and unpacking the last crate.
***
“Giles, I’m here.” Buffy yells out as she quickly enters the Magic Box, knowing she was going to catch hell for being late.
“Buffy, you don’t have to yell. I’m not deaf, you know.” Giles mutters out before looking at the young woman in front of him. “I’m sorry my dear. Unfortunately she has the manners of a billy goat.”
Chuckling quietly, blue eyes glance up at the watcher. “Actually I think she’s quite charming and nice.”
Buffy strides toward the counter and stops dead in her tracks as smiling blue eyes look her way. “Tara!”
“Hi, Buffy.” Tara smiles before looking back down.
“You know each other?” Giles questions as he finishes ringing up the ingredients for the young woman.
“Giles, this is Tara. Tara, this is my watcher dude, Giles.” Buffy smirks as she waits for the blast from Giles.
“Buffy!” Giles sternly looks at the slayer.
“She knows all about me, Giles.” Buffy rolls her eyes before grinning at a blushing Tara.
“We k-kind of ran into each other last night.” Tara starts glancing up briefly smiling at Buffy. “Four Vampires decided I’d make a good snack. She saved me from them. Then she saved me again this afternoon from the hunger demon.” Tara jokes softly.
Buffy chuckles quietly as she walks closer to the witch. Looking down at the stuff she’s buying, she frowns. “You aren’t planning on turning me into a toad with all this stuff are you? I don’t think I’d look good being green.”
Tara looks up in surprise at the blonde standing close by her and picking through her ingredients. “No. I th-think you look good as you are.” Tara’s eyes widen slightly and she blushes deeply looking back down at her hands.
Buffy’s heart skips a beat at the compliment and she grins from ear to ear. “I didn’t realize you shopped here.”
Tara glances back up and smiles softly. “It’s the only shop in town that carries real supplies and not just henna tattoos.” Tara crookedly grins at the slayer. “Tattoos aren’t really my thing.”
Buffy chuckles leaning her hip against the counter, facing the witch. Watching her intently.
“Yes, well. I dare say this young lady has been coming in here for the past year.” Giles smiles at the young woman. “I don’t know how you two haven’t ever been in here at the same time.”
“Maybe fate had different plans. Hell, we’ve been in the same class all year and didn‘t know it either.” Buffy murmurs, casually taking in the other woman’s taller figure. “What do you have planned for me tonight Giles?” Buffy questions not turning her gaze away from Tara.
Tara blushes as she has the distinct impression that Buffy’s checking her out. Glancing up and seeing the interest in the hazel eyes, Tara catches her breath before exhaling quietly.
Giles looks at his slayer in confusion, cleaning his glasses furiously. “Yes, well. I figured you should start on the weight bag then work on your dexterity and throwing skills. After I closed down the shop I was going to get padded up and work on your hand to hand combat.”
“Okay.” Buffy agrees amiably watching the interesting colors the witch is turning. Glancing up, noticing that it would be dark in an hour she tilts her head at Tara. “You going straight back to campus?”
“I need to make a couple more stops. I need to go by the grocery store and stock up on juice while it’s on sale.” Tara admits quietly swallowing before glancing back up, letting hazel eyes catch hers. “After that I need to go to the library for some more studying.”
Buffy looks into the warm blue eyes and smiles. “I can’t have that. You’ll be there late again and I would be worried about vamps trying to munch on you. No, that isn’t going to work. Why don’t you stick around here and after I finish training I’ll walk with you to the grocery store and the library. I’ll patrol around the campus and check in on you before walking you home?”
Tara looks up in surprise and shakes her head. “You don’t have to go to all that trouble for me. I’ll be okay.”
“I insist.” Buffy reaches out and tucks the hair covering the woman’s face behind her ear, shocked at her own daring.
Tara slowly lifts her head as she feels the warm fingers caress her cheek as they tuck her hair behind her ear. Blinking a couple times before nodding her head. “Okay.” Tara whispers quietly and smiles as an absolutely beautiful smile crosses the slayer’s face.
“Want to watch me beat up inanimate objects before Giles comes in for me to beat up on him?” Buffy smirks sliding her eyes to actually look at the watcher.
“Okay.” Tara agrees quietly, smiling softly as she hands the watcher the money for her ingredients.
Giles sighs before accepting the money and quickly giving the change back to the young woman. “There’s chairs already in the back for you to sit on. I’ll be in there in a little while, Buffy.”
“Thanks, Giles.” Buffy smiles as she motions for Tara to proceed her. Glancing over the back of the witch smiling at the long skirt flowing down over what looked like army boots to the…army boots? Buffy glances back down and smirks. Reaching around to open the door to the back Buffy points towards a wooden bench against the wall. “If you want you can sit there. Or you can sit on the stack of mats in the corner.” Buffy smiles as Tara sets her items down on the bench but heads to the stack of mats sitting down in lotus position glancing back up at her with smiling blue eyes.
Buffy grins as she heads to the corner and grabs a pair of shorts and tank top to work out in, heading to the changing area Giles had set up for her. Quickly stripping and putting the clothes on she grabs her tennis shoes and sits down on the mat quickly tying her laces up. Pulling her hair back in a tight ponytail, she starts stretching her legs out glancing up to look at Tara. “How long have you been practicing?” Buffy questions as she shifts her body up to a straddling position slowly sliding all the way down before leaning over sideways groaning as her muscles pull slightly since it’s been a while since she’s given them a good stretching.
Tara’s eyes widen slightly as she watches Buffy and coughs quietly. “Umm my Mom started teaching me when I was basically a baby.”
“So your mom’s a witch, also?” Buffy pushes up with her arms and slowly swings her legs up and in front of her before lowering her body back down and reaching for her toes, pressing her forehead against her knees.
“Yes, as was her mother before her. All the women in my family are witches.” Tara admits, starting to feel a little warm.
“So, if my memory serves me that makes you a hereditary witch? Doesn’t each member get stronger the further down the line?” Buffy glances up making eye contact with the woman.
“Yes.” Tara glances down running a finger across the mat.
“So that must make you pretty powerful.” Buffy hops up bending over backwards to stretch her back out before slowly walking towards the reinforced weight bag Giles hung from the ceiling.
“I guess so.” Tara glances up as Buffy starts to slowly hit the bag gradually building up speed before interspersing legwork with it. Looking over the well toned muscles of the slayer, Tara feels a shiver work through her body at the obvious power and strength of the woman.
“Don’t you know how powerful you are?” Buffy grunts out between punches and kicks.
“I’ve never been tested.” Tara admits quietly. “My mom said I was powerful, but it isn’t something that I just do all the time. I only use magic if I have to, or when I’m practicing new spells.”
“They have testing for that sort of thing?” Buffy stops turning towards the witch.
Tara grins and nods her head. “Yes, they test you from the simplest spell up to extremely complex spells. Covens will make you do spell after spell to see how strong you are, how long you can last. Some witches are very powerful, but they weaken quickly. Say they can only do one huge spell then they’re done before they can recharge. There are other witches that aren’t very powerful, but have good stamina. They can cast spell after spell for hours on end.”
“Which are you?” Buffy questions. At Tara’s shrug, Buffy frowns. “Your mom never put you through your paces?”
“When I was younger she did. But as I got older and my powers grew stronger she wasn’t able to.” Tara looks down as tears slowly come to her eyes.
Buffy catches the glint in the woman’s eyes and quickly strides over to kneel in front of her. “What’s wrong?” When Tara just shook her head and made sure her hair covered her face, Buffy growls quietly reaching up to lift her chin and look into the tear filled eyes. “What’s wrong? Please tell me.” Buffy whispers quietly.
“Just s-sad.” Tara whispers.
Buffy thinks over the conversation realizing that there could be a couple reasons why Tara’s mom wouldn’t have been able to test her and she feels her heart ache for the other woman. Slowly standing up she sits down beside Tara and wraps an arm around her, hugging her gently. Buffy hears the door to the training room open and sees Giles step in. As he looks up she shakes her head gently and urges him back out with a look and tilt of the head. Giles glances from one woman to the other and quickly leaves, shutting the door gently behind him.
“B-buffy. Why are you being so n-nice to me?” Tara asks the question out of nowhere as she feels the other woman gently stroking her back as she slowly calms down.
Buffy stops her stroking for a moment before picking it back up. “Because I like you.” Buffy watches to see if there’s any reaction from Tara. As the woman sits there quietly and reaches a hand up to wipe the tears from her face, Buffy sighs. “Aren’t you used to people being nice to you?”
“No.” Tara answers bluntly. “My mother was the only one that was ever nice to me.”
Buffy gets the distinct impression that Tara doesn’t wish to discuss this any further, so she doesn’t ask any more questions. Thinking quickly she smiles. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Tara nods as she wipes the rest of the tears from her face. Glancing up she watches as Buffy quickly jogs out of the back room, blinking at the muscles flexing in the slayer’s legs, Tara closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “Not exactly what I need. And it’s not like she’d be interested in me that way, anyway.” Tara mutters as she quietly centers herself.
***
“Giles, I promise I’ll work extra extra hard at the next session.” Buffy quickly tells the watcher as she jogs out of the training room.
“Is everything all right?” Giles questions as he stops dusting the shelves.
“Yeah. We were talking and I think we hit on a sad subject that upset her.” Buffy quietly explains. “I think her mother died and her life hasn’t been the best.” Buffy frowns as she grabs the phone down quickly dialing her house. “Mom, are you fixing dinner?”
“Hello, Buffy.” Joyce chuckles quietly at her daughter. “Yes, I’m fixing spaghetti and garlic bread. Are you coming home for dinner?”
“Depends?” Buffy winces slightly. “How do you feel about setting another place at the dinner table?”
“Would this other place happen to be for a certain young lady?” Joyce questions surprised.
“If she’ll come to dinner. She was buying some items here at the shop when I came in. I figured if it was okay with you I’ll see if she’ll come over tonight.” Buffy silently begs her mom to let her bring Tara to dinner.
“That didn’t take you long.” Joyce chuckles quietly. “Please bring your young lady to dinner, Buffy.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Buffy smiles hugely. “But mom, please don’t call her that.”
“Call her what, dear?” Joyce frowns wondering what she said.
“My young lady. I don’t even know if she likes me or not.” Buffy’s eyes widen as she realizes what she’s said in front of Giles. Making eye contact with the Watcher, she watches as he turns a funny color and whips his glasses off pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I’m sure she likes you. How can she not?” Joyce smiles before continuing. “I’ll be on best mom behavior.”
“Thanks mom, you’re the best.” Quickly hanging up the phone she winces as she looks into the serious eyes of her watcher. “Go ahead and yell at me.”
Giles sighs and shakes his head. “I’m not going to yell, Buffy. Just be careful. From the little I’ve talked to that young woman in the past year I don’t believe her home life was the best.”
“What has she said?” Buffy quickly jumps on the watcher’s words.
“It’s not what she’s said but more of what she hasn’t.” Giles shakes his head. “And more of a feeling I get. Just take it easy.” Giles smirks his lip a bit. “She seems to be a lovely young woman, Buffy.”
Buffy smiles glancing towards the door to the training room. “Yes she is.” Buffy whispers before looking down at her clothes. “I’ve gotta change. Thanks for not being mad, Giles.”
“How can I?” Giles whispers to himself as Buffy’s already ran back into the training room. “Just please take care, my dear.” Giles taps the ear piece of his glasses against his chin thinking about the past. Shaking his head he adds a couple items that he noticed he was getting low on to the order list.
