Tara smiles as she walks out of her last class until Spring Break’s over. Taking a deep breath, she looks up at the beautiful blue sky. Strolling across the campus towards home, she thinks about the last month. How Faith worked her way into her heart, though the woman had only snuck a quick peck in occasionally as thanks whenever possible, but noticing how more recently the slayer had become more touchy-feely as they had worked on the slayer’s cooking skills, surprising everyone when last Sunday Faith had prepared the whole dinner.
The grilled steaks, twice-baked potatoes, salad and homemade macaroni and cheese were well received by everyone. Remembering how Faith wanted her to be there as back-up but insisting on doing everything herself. Whenever the woman had to walk by her, she’d made sure to brush gently against her. By the time the dinner was prepared, Tara was an aroused basket case, the subtle and not so subtle flirting between the two women almost keeping her in a constant state of arousal. Even thinking about it as she walks towards her apartment, she can feel the desire gathering at the juncture of her legs even as her nipples harden and become more sensitive.
Buffy had made a curious comment about how the slayer always seemed to head straight home, not going out after patrol like she used to do when she was a teenager. Then Buffy had looked at her with a twinkle in her eyes mentioning how she thinks Faith has her eyes on someone in particular and was being careful not to screw up her chances for something serious.
Tara had stared after the quickly departing slayer when Buffy had headed out of the house to meet Faith for patrol. When Dawn had snickered quietly behind her, Tara had blushed and disappeared into the kitchen, silently praying that Buffy was right.
Trotting up the stairs to her apartment, Tara’s lighthearted attitude dims somewhat heading into the small, austere apartment, her mind thinking about Faith’s open, airy apartment. Just the huge open space seeming so much bigger and cheerier, especially now that Faith had spent some money to decorate the place, remembering how the slayer had quietly begged her to go shopping with her for pictures and knick-knacks. Mentioning something about she’d decorate it with swords, knives and stakes if she didn’t have someone to help her.
***
Faith stares at her empty apartment, frowning at how empty it feels without the Wiccan being there, the woman having been coming over there quite frequently to teach her how to cook, but having finally mentioned that Faith was able to do things on her own. Now, she’s trying to think how to get Tara to come back to the apartment, Faith plops down on the couch staring up at the ceiling.
Chuckling at Buffy’s comment about grabbing the Wiccan and kissing her senseless might do the trick, Faith shakes her head realizing that the two of them had actually slowly become friends. When she’d finally told the other slayer about her life in Boston, the mental and physical abuse, along with the rapes, she’d been scared Buffy would look down on her. Instead, being surprised as strong arms had wrapped around her, hugging her tightly as she’d unconsciously been crying when she’d told Buffy the details.
Grabbing the cell phone as it rings, Faith looks at the caller ID, smiling at the word ‘Wiccan’ on the display. “Yo!” Faith answers the phone, the smile obvious in her voice.
“Hi. I’m officially done until Spring Break is finished. I know Buffy has to work today, but I was wondering if you might want to go out to eat in celebration?” Tara questions hopefully, not really wanting to spend the time in her dismal apartment.
“Where ya’ wanna go?” Faith throws her legs over the end of the couch, reaching for her boots as she tucks the phone between her shoulder and ear as she yanks the boots on and ties them.
“Do you want to try that new steak and seafood buffet they opened up earlier this week?” Tara bites her lip to keep from yelling in happiness that Faith was agreeing.
“Sure. I’ll come by your apartment it’s more or less on the way.” Faith picks up her wallet, double-checking to make sure she has plenty of cash in it before shoving it into her back pocket.
“I’ll be ready.” Tara smiles.
“Be there in a few.” Faith disconnects the phone, a huge grin on her face as she clips the phone on her belt as she strides to the bathroom, brushing her hair and teeth quickly. Shaking her head at her own grinning countenance and twinkling eyes, Faith growls quietly, not listening to the little voice in her head telling her she’s fallen in love with the Wiccan, just admitting that she cares for the blonde. “Damn, I’ve got it bad.” Faith grumbles even as she continues to smile. Jogging out of the apartment, Faith runs down the stairs and strides quickly towards the Wiccan’s apartment.
***
“I invited you, I should pay.” Tara grumbles quietly as Faith pays for the buffet.
“You wouldn’t let me pay ya’ for teachin’ me to cook, so consider this the installment plan. I pay when we go out.” Faith accepts the change from the cashier.
Tara sighs heavily at the slayer. “How was patrol last night?” Tara questions softly as they find a booth off to the side to sit in away from everyone as they set their drinks and silverware on the table before grabbing their plates to head towards the huge buffet.
“Quiet.” Faith admits. “I know things slow down with the daylight being longer, but this is just weird. It’s kinda like a lot of the… guys are heading out of town.” Faith states diplomatically, since there are still quite a few people in the restaurant, though it was an odd time of the day.
“Any more rumblings on the big bad front?” Tara looks at Faith before she looks back down and makes herself a Caesar salad to start with grinning as Faith just stands there talking with her, knowing the slayer was more eager to get to the meat and potatoes of the buffet.
“There’ve been rumblings, but nothin’ concrete. Just got a call from Tweed yesterday that there’re a couple Watchers and potentials that they ain’t heard from for a week.” Faith admits quietly. Slowly working her way over to the main buffet, eyeing the fried shrimp, sautéed shrimp, fried scallops, steak, potatoes, fried chicken… “Damn, what the hell am I gonna start with?” Faith stares at the food, her mouth watering.
“Start at one side and work your way around.” Tara shrugs, chuckling. “Lord knows, you can probably eat your weight in food.”
Faith growls playfully at the Wiccan. “And you better be eatin’ something besides that salad.” Faith points to the salad.
“I’ll have something else. I’ll just stay away from the shrimp, though.” Tara shakes her head at the shrimp on the buffet.
“Why? Don’t you like ‘em?” Faith questions curiously as she places a spoonful of the fried scallops on her plate, looking curiously at the baked fish fillets, shrugging her shoulders, she slides a piece onto her plate as she works her way down.
“No, I’m allergic.” Tara explains, watching as Faith jerks her head to look at her. Watching as Faith walks by the shrimp after her comment. “Don’t you like them?”
“Not if you’re allergic.” Faith shakes her head as she continues around, putting a couple hush puppies on her plate pursing her lips as she looks at the pile of fried chicken. Finally choosing a couple legs, she places them on top of the pile of food, hesitating for a few minutes before grabbing a piece of pepperoni pizza laying it on top of everything.
Tara sighs softly, shaking her head at the slayer, deciding not to argue with the woman over the fact that she was planning on not eating something that she probably enjoyed, just because of her. Leading the way back to the booth, Tara slides in, watching as Faith sits across from her and grabs the pizza, eating the slice in record time. “Did you eat today?” Shifting the additional plates the waitress had left on the table out of the way.
Faith continues to chew for a few minutes as she thinks about it. “I don’t think I did.”
Tara growls quietly. “Eat.” Grabbing her fork, Tara eats her salad while she watches Faith demolish her first plate of food as she finishes her salad.
“That fish was pretty good. It tasted like it had garlic and lemon on it.” Faith licks her lips as she finishes the last bite of fish.
“We never did fix fish, did we?” Tara questions, as she thinks about the items she’d taught the slayer how to cook.
“Nope. Gotta teach me how.” Faith nods her head, even as she grins happily at the thought there was something else she’d need to have the Wiccan teach her how to cook.
“I’m thinking you’re just trying to find reasons for me to come over to your apartment.” Tara comments softly as they grab clean plates, heading back towards the buffet.
Faith glances at Tara for a few minutes. “What if I just want ya’ to come over for dinner one night? Just the two of us?” Faith questions, partially afraid of what the answer will be.
Tara looks into the slayer’s brown eyes, surprised at the scared glimmer. “Are you asking?”
“Are you goin’ to say yes?” Faith questions back quickly.
As the slayer’s eyes look hopefully at her, Tara sees a glimmer of something more in the woman’s brown eyes. Inhaling deeply as she realizes she sees love burning deeply in the eyes looking into hers, Tara slowly nods her head. “Yes. My answer would be yes.”
Faith smiles hugely, feeling her heart thumping in her chest heavily. Leaning in, Faith doesn’t even think before placing a firm kiss on Tara’s lips. “I think I’m gonna see how much steak they got already cooked.”
Tara runs her tongue over her lips, her eyes half lidded at the firm, but quick kiss. Having just received soft pecks in the past, the firm kiss practically jump-started her libido. The pounding and heat coming from the juncture of her legs almost enough to make her drag the slayer out of the restaurant back to her apartment to see what else the slayer had been holding back.
Faith smirks as she sees the obvious desire on the woman’s face as she steals a quick look at the Wiccan as she waits her turn for the steak. The slow dance the two women have done around each other for the past month making Faith realize she actually enjoys being around the woman. Talking with her as they had slowly gotten to know each other, the stolen caresses and brushing against her had almost been more than Faith could handle, especially when the Wiccan would smell so tantalizingly decadent at the briefest touches and looks.
Tara growls quietly before tearing her gaze away from the twinkling brown eyes watching her. Looking over the buffet, she slides a fillet of fish on her plate along with some scallops and a couple hush puppies, stopping to grab a wedge of lemon before heading back to the table as Faith heads around the other side of the main buffet. Running a shaky hand through her hair, Tara realizes when Faith finally kisses her seriously, that she may not be able to control her response. Never having lost control before, Tara wonders what it would be like to be wild and free knowing that the slayer would want everything. There would be no holding back with Faith, no half measures and no hiding how they feel about each other from other people. If Faith took the urge to kiss her in the middle of a… restaurant, she would. Tara laughs softly in realization of what the slayer had done.
Shaking her head of thoughts of how she and Willow had been. Almost too afraid to hold hands in public, let alone show any more serious displays of affection in front of people. They had just become relaxed enough around the other Scooby’s to where they would peck each other’s lips in their sight, though the two of them had never been much for hot and heavy kisses. Usually softer kisses were the norm for the two of them.
Turning her gaze towards the slayer as she strides towards her, Tara whimpers at the sight of the strong woman. Knowing there might be soft, gentle kisses occasionally, but instinctually knowing that hot, heavy, carnal and plundering kisses would probably be more of the norm, along with wherever the mood struck. Dragging her eyes off Faith, to look down at her plate of food, Tara squirms as she can feel the desire easing from her body at the thought of the slayer’s kisses.
Faith inhales deeply as she comes closer to the table, Tara’s arousal permeating the area strongly. Eyes darkening at the realization that the Wiccan had never been so turned on before, Faith bites her lip hard to keep from growling loudly and pouncing on the woman, her own desire flowing in response to Tara’s. Faith silently wonders what Tara would do if she realized that she could smell her so easily. Trying to get her mind out of thoughts of smelling, licking and devouring the woman float through her mind, making her own desire coalesce, Faith stares at her steak as she quickly cuts it into bite-size pieces.
Tara slowly eats her food as she watches Faith demolish the steak, baked potato and macaroni and cheese she’d piled onto her plate.
“I’m gonna get some more steak. You want anything?” Faith looks at the few bites of fish left along with a couple scallops on the Wiccan’s plate.
“I’ll probably get dessert after I finish this.” Tara smiles up at the slayer as Faith moves to stand beside the table, another plate in her hand.
“Would you maybe wanna go catch a movie tomorrow afternoon before dinner?” Faith eases down onto her haunches so she’s eye to eye with the Wiccan instead of standing over her.
“I’d like that.” Tara nods her head gently, smiling at the beautiful woman.
“Good.” Faith smiles back. Her eyes getting lost in blue depths, until the waitress comes by to fill their glasses. Smiling shyly at Tara, Faith stands and heads towards the buffet, feeling the heat of the Wiccan’s gaze on her.
Tara drops her fork on the plate and buries her face in her hands, the contradictions of the dark-haired slayer endearing the woman even more to her. The way she switches from soft and kind to protective and argumentative at a moment’s notice driving her crazy one moment and making her want to shove her against a wall and kiss her until neither one of them can stand. Whimpering as she realizes she’s fallen completely and irrevocably in love with the dark-haired slayer, Tara silently wonders why it’s taken ‘til now to admit it to herself. Knowing she’s practically loved the woman from the time they’d met after Faith had been released from jail.
“Goddess, I hope you’re not playing with me. I don’t think I could handle another heartbreak… with her I think it would completely decimate me.” Tara murmurs softly, realizing that there would be no pulling back from the whirlwind that is Faith.
“Are you okay?” Faith questions worriedly as she practically drops her plate on the table, kneeling beside Tara, placing a hand on the woman’s thigh. Surprised when Tara turns to look at her the love shining from the depths, recognizing it for what it is. Gently squeezing the thigh under her hand, Faith tilts her head as she continues to look into blue eyes.
“Please don’t break my heart.” Tara whispers softly, her eyes becoming glassy with unshed tears. “I don’t think I’d survive.”
Faith swallows hard, quickly standing to ease in beside the Wiccan, wrapping her arm around her shoulders, hugging the woman tightly, surprised when Tara shifts and buries her face in her neck, her arms wrapping around her waist feeling like they want to squeeze the stuffing out of her. Wrapping her other arm around Tara’s back, Faith places a gentle kiss on the side of Tara’s head. “I’m not plannin’ on breakin’ your heart. I kinda like it the way it is. I can’t guarantee everythin’ll be all sweet and great between us all the time, that just ain’t me, but I won’t knowingly hurt ya’.” Faith offers softly. “I’ll do everything in my powers to protect ya’.” Faith adds brushing her cheek over Tara’s head.
“That’s all I can ask. I don’t expect us to never argue, or butt heads. I think we’re both a little too stubborn for us not to argue.” Tara admits quietly, easing up on her death grip, pulling a hand up to brush at the couple tears that escaped her eyes.
Faith leans back to look at Tara. “You know I ain’t no innocent. You sure you can handle being hooked up with an ex-con, murdering slayer that had a pretty fucked up life?”
“You aren’t that person any longer, Faith. I mean, yes you are, but inside here…” Tara places her hand above Faith’s heart. “You’ve changed. That wouldn’t happen again. As for not being innocent, you couldn’t help what happened to you, love. I’d go kick your mom’s ass personally if I thought it would do any good.” Tara frowns heavily at the thought of the woman. Taking a deep breath, Tara reaches up unable to not touch the woman as she strokes her fingertips gently down Faith’s cheek, letting her fingers trail over the slight indent that become gorgeous dimples in the woman’s cheek when she smiles. “Eat your steak before it gets cold.” Tara sighs softly as she reaches for Faith’s plate, easing it in front of her, silently telling her to stay beside her with her actions.
Faith hugs Tara gently with her arm once more before easing it from around her, accepting her knife and fork from Tara as the Wiccan moves her drink and napkin also. “Would you like to get up to go ahead and grab dessert?”
“No, I’ll wait until you’re ready for dessert.” Tara shifts her plate across the table as she grabs her drink, sipping her soda as she watches Faith work her way through the steak. “Would you like me to go get you more steak?”
Faith’s eyes light up, before she slowly shakes her head. “You ain’t gotta do that.”
“What else do you want?” Tara smiles at the slayer.
“Just the steak.” Faith eases out from the booth, grasping Tara’s hand as the Wiccan stands. “Thank you.” Faith gently squeezes Tara’s hand before releasing it, watching as Tara blushes lightly before she heads towards the buffet. “God help us both.” Faith smiles softly, shaking her head before easing into the booth, switching their silverware and drinks out before she gets to work finishing her steak.
Tara chuckles quietly as she walks back to the table. Looking at the huge piece of steak she’d talked out of the man, knowing they don’t like to give that much meat out at once at these type places. Glancing at her other hand that she’d grabbed one of the soup bowls and filled with the fresh berries they’d just put out in the salad area Tara’s mouth salivates at the sight of the big juicy berries.
Faith blinks in surprise at the huge slice of steak Tara slides in front of her. “How the hell did ya’ get ‘em to give you one this big?” Faith licks her lips as she’s already cutting into the meat.
“I just flashed my baby blues at him and smiled.” Tara shrugs, looking at Faith as she does the same look to her, fluttering her eyelashes and grinning seductively at the slayer.
“Oh, God.” Faith mumbles, tearing her gaze away from the Wiccan. “No wonder. Ya’ probably could of asked him to give you his paycheck for the next year and he woulda’ done it.” Faith swallows hard at the serious bolt of desire shooting through her with the Wiccan’s look.
“Didn’t think it was that effective.” Tara shrugs, not realizing how much of an effect it had on the slayer as she reaches towards the bowl of fruit, picking out a juicy strawberry to eat first, moaning at the sweet flavor.
Faith’s fork and knife clatter to her plate at the Wiccan’s moan, watching as Tara closes her eyes as she chews the fruit, a pink tongue coming out to gather the juice off her lips. Taking a couple deep breaths to get control, Faith taps Tara gently on the end of the nose, looking into blue eyes. “If ya’ don’t want me to shove everythin’ off this table, rip your clothes off and make you dessert, you will keep your moans to yourself.” Faith warns huskily, her voice deep and rough with desire.
Tara’s eyes widen in surprise at the desire burning brightly in Faith’s eyes, feeling the coiled body beside her, Tara searches the brown eyes, realizing that Faith is deadly serious. Looking at the table in stunned shock before her eyes turn back to Faith’s silently questioning the slayer.
“Don’t tempt me.” Faith growls. “I can have your clothes ripped off you and you spread out on this table in a few seconds. And I would do it with very little provocation.” Faith taps Tara on the nose again. “Think you understand that?”
Tara nods her head quickly, her own body reacting to the slayer’s words and look. Reaching for another strawberry, Tara offers it to the slayer. “They are good, though.”
Faith leans in, taking the strawberry from Tara’s fingers, sneaking her tongue out to caress over a thumb before curling it around the strawberry to pull it into her mouth, having to admit the fruit was delicious. “It is.” Faith agrees softly. “Maybe we’ll have to buy some strawberries for future usage.” Faith grins wickedly, her eyes twinkling at the thought.
“Only if we get whipped cream and chocolate, also.” Tara turns her gaze to her bowl of fruit, picking out a raspberry this time, missing the flare of desire crossing Faith’s face.
Faith shakes her head before turning back to her food, swearing that she’ll finish this steak, have dessert and walk out of the restaurant without ripping off Tara’s clothes and having her way with the woman for the next few hours right here on the table. Snorting quietly at the thought of the headline in the newspaper ‘New Dessert at the Steak and Seafood Buffet’. Bet they’d have people lined up around the block if she did it. Faith snickers at the thought.
Tara raises an eyebrow at Faith’s snorts and snickers, looking curiously at the woman, but when Faith just seems engrossed with her steak, Tara blinks and turns back to her fruit.
“What’cha gonna do over Spring Break?” Faith finishes her steak, patting her stomach.
“Nothing. Dawn’s heading out with one of her friends from school, so I don’t have to keep an eye on her for Buffy.” Tara shrugs as she looks curiously at the slayer. “What do you have planned?”
Faith purses her lips as she looks intently at the Wiccan. Smiling hopefully at Tara, Faith leans in to whisper softly. “Hopefully talkin’ a certain blonde Wiccan into moving out of her tiny little apartment and into mine.”
Tara stares in surprise at the slayer. It takes a few minutes to realize that Faith is very, very serious about the matter. “But…” Tara shakes her head as she turns her gaze to the table. “Faith, we don’t even know if we’ll get along without driving each other completely up a wall, let alone compatible in a more physical way.” Tara points out softly.
Faith plucks nervously at her napkin as she looks at Tara. “I don’t think we’ll drive each other completely crazy.” Faith starts quietly, watching as Tara turns her head to give her, her full attention. “I don’t wanna push ya’ into anythin’. You can move in, I won’t push for a more physical relationship until you’re ready.”
“Faith, you only have the one bed.” Tara points out unnecessarily.
“Yeah. You can have it I’ll sleep on the couch.” Faith watches the emotions crossing the Wiccan’s face. “Please? I really don’t like you livin’ on that side of town. That’s the worst and the most violent part of town. Even the demons don’t like goin’ there.” Faith explains, frowning heavily. “I’ll even behave and try not to run around the house naked.”
Tara inhales deeply at the thought of the slayer naked, jerking her eyes away from where they’d unconsciously dropped to the slayer’s firm, round breasts.
Faith fights back the smile at Tara’s inhale and smell of arousal. “You can think about it, if ya’ want.”
Tara slowly nods her head her mind going in about twenty different directions as she thinks about the slayer’s offer, knowing that if she moved in with the woman there wouldn’t be any of the slayer sleeping on the couch, at least not for long. Her own arousal with a simple comment or look would blow holes in the thoughts of them not consummating this relationship quickly.
“Want some dessert?” Faith finally asks after a few minutes, giving Tara a little while to start thinking about moving in, not wanting to push anymore, having learned over the last month the more the woman is pushed the more stubborn she becomes.
“Umm. Maybe some more fruit.” Tara glances at the empty bowl.
“Let me slide out and I’ll get ya’ some.” Faith offers softly.
Tara moves out of the booth, standing there as Faith strides towards the salad bar before hitting the dessert bar. Blinking in surprise as she realizes she wants to move in with the woman. They were surprisingly comfortable with each other, having talked about both their pasts, getting to know each other, the almost constant flirting and occasional touches that had escalated so much recently. Even Buffy’s surprised comments about how much the slayer’s changed and become more relaxed around the group as she opened up to them.
Tara chuckles softly, remembering some choice comments from Buffy and Dawn both about when the hell the two of them would stop dancing around each other. Buffy being a little more blunt, griping after making the comment that Faith was a bear while on patrol, taking her frustrations out on the demons even more than normal.
Faith chuckles quietly as she looks at Tara still standing beside their table. Easing up behind the obviously deep in thought woman, Faith slides the bowls on the table before pressing her body lightly against Tara’s. “What’cha thinkin’ so hard ‘bout?”
Tara moans softly as Faith’s hot breath breathes the words directly into her ear even as strong hands gently clasp her hips, and a pair of firm breasts presses into her back. Tara unconsciously places her hands over Faith’s clenching them tightly. “Goddess, Faith. You’re going to drive me crazy.”
“Don’t mean to.” Faith brushes her cheek against the side of Tara’s head, enjoying the contact more than she ever thought possible, never having been a touchy type person, but being around the Wiccan made her realize she enjoyed the simple touches and caresses more than any of the previous bouts of sex she’d had.
“I’m not so sure about that.” Tara inhales deeply before gently easing from the slayer’s grasp. “Let’s finish eating, then maybe we can go somewhere a little more private and talk.” Tara offers softly.
Faith searches Tara’s eyes for a few minutes, seeing the warmth, caring and love. Slowly nodding her head, Faith smiles self-consciously. “’Kay.”
Tara smiles gently at the slayer as she slides in beside her to eat her fruit while Faith works on the fruit and vanilla ice cream concoction she’d made.
