Speak No Evil

Sorry for the delay. I have been having computer problems and this is only half a chapter, but I wanted to go ahead and post it. The rest will be posted soon.



Buffy and Angel began to settle into their new life together. The honeymoon period ended and Buffy was scheduled to go back to school and Angel back to work.

Despite Angel's best efforts, Buffy's awkwardness seem to intensify as time when on. She was more than eager to return to classes to see Willow, Faith and even Cordy again. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy life; she simply did not feel like she belonged. She loved her husband- she wouldn't deny that for a second. She loved the way her kissed her, the way he held her. No one had ever made her feel so extraordinary before.

Buffy's teachers and fellow students took the time to briefly welcome her back and continued with the day.

At lunchtime she met up with Willow and Faith. She a Willow hugged. Willow confided in Buffy that she was having a hard time adjusting to living in the room alone. Buffy invited her back to Angel and her apartment. At first Willow declined, she wasn't so sure about going to a Council member's residence. But Buffy talked her into it. Angel had promised that, although it broke Council rule, no one should report them. Angel was friends with most of his neighbors and well respected throughout the Council.

He did have his enemies though- Conservative Council members who didn't like the current direction the Council was headed in. Thankfully, nearly all of them were older and didn't reside in the vicinity of Angel and Buffy.

However practiced Buffy was at keeping her emotions in check, she could help but to sound excited as she showed Willow around the apartment.

Buffy grabbed some pretzels from the kitchen and the two girls sat down on the sofa.

"So how is Tara doing?" Buffy asked.

"Better- at least injury wise. I'm still afraid that I am going to lose her. I haven't been thinking about it. What happens is what happens. Nothing can change that." Willow answered.

"But-" Willow continued, " you are married to a Council member now. One that interacts with slayers and witches on a daily basis. Maybe he could have a say……" Willow trailed off.

"I could talk him about." Buffy said, not wanting to get her friends hopes up.

"But Willow, I can't make any promises." Buffy said flatly.

"And I know that. I love Tara. I would do anything to keep her. Even leaving the Council- if I had to." Willow responded.

"I don't know what they do in these cases. Only Faith, Tara, and me even know that you are gay. I guess they just assume you are straight. I don't know if they would change things if they found out. I mean, you were seeing Tara before she got hurt. And dating is against Council rules to begin with. I will do anything I can to help you, but I don't want to get your hopes up, as much as I love both you and Tara. Again, I just don't know that they will do..." Buffy said.

Willow nodded, tears in her eyes.

Buffy hugged Willow. Angel opened the door.

"Hey." He said.

Willow stood up, wiping her eyes.

"Umm I was just leaving." Willow, suddenly feeling uncomfortable about crying in a Council members home, got up and move towards the door.

"I will see you tomorrow at lunch Buffy." Willow turned and smiled at her friend.

"You don't have leave." Angel said.

"No. I should go. I have homework." Willow said, making her way to the door.

As Willow left, Angel sat beside Buffy.

"Is she okay?" He asked his wife.

"Actually..." Buffy started

"....No. If I tell you something, will you not tell anyone else?" Buffy requested.

"Anything you tell me doesn't have to leave this room." Angel said.

"Okay. Well, you see, ummmm Willow is afraid something is going to happen to someone that she loves. But, you see the thing is that this person that she loves she isn't suppose to love. I mean, she was seeing someone here in the Council and she knows that isn't allowed. But, the thing is, she really doesn't want this person to leave her." Buffy explained.

"Who was she seeing and what is she afraid will happen to them?" Angel asked.

"Do you know Tara?"

"Yeah." He answered.

"Willow and Tara have been secretly seeing each other for the past 2 years. Willow is worried that since Tara was hurt that she will be either married off or kicked out of the Council." Buffy said, with some fear in her voice. She prayed that she had not just gotten her friend in a bunch of trouble.

"Oh." Was all Angel could say.

"You can't go to the Council and tell them that she wants to be with Willow. The elder, more conservative members have the most pull. Also, Willow is going to college to study. Most witches do, but Tara was hurt and very weak because of it." Angel explained.

Tara had shot, on accident, by a young Slayer In Training. She had spent 4 months in the hospital and another 4 in rehab. Neither Willow nor Buffy had been allowed to visit- despite the fact that the 3 of them had all been friends for years. This hit Willow very hard. Since her hospital stay and rehab had been completed, Tara only went to class 1/2 days. After class she was ordered to return to her room for rest. The only time Willow go to se her was on Sunday movie night.

"Can you try to help her?" Buffy asked in a low voice, looking down.

"I can try." Angel said.

Angel leaned in and kissed his wife, realizing that he had forgotten to kiss her hello.