A Witch In LA

Chapter 10


Tara smiles as she eases back in the bedroom, glancing at a still sleeping Faith. Obviously between her being hurt, the healing spell and the pain killers they knocked her out good. Setting the platter of food and drinks on the table she walks to the bed and eases down running a gentle hand down the slayer’s cheek. Still badly bruised, but the swelling was down. As she starts to pull her hand away, she jumps slightly when Faith clasps it and presses it back against her cheek.

“Good mornin’” Faith opens her eyes and smiles as she can now see out of both eyes.

“Good morning, love. How are you feeling?” Tara smiles lovingly at Faith.

“Feelin’ pretty good, actually.” Faith smirks before flaring her nostrils.

Tara chuckles seeing Faith’s nose start to twitch. “Let me get your breakfast.” As she starts to pull away, Faith captures her hand again.

“Not before I get a kiss.” Faith growls out pulling Tara in for a quick hard kiss. “That’ll do until I get some food in me.”

Tara laughs running her hand gently through the slayer’s hair. “Want to hit the bathroom first?”

Faith growls then smiles apologetically. “I probably should. My bladder is a little on the full side.”

Tara grins “I would say so after the amount of fluids you drank last night. Do you want to try on your own, or do you want some help?” Tara shifts off the bed to stand ready to help the slayer.

“Let me see what I’m workin’ with.” Faith growls as she slides her body to the edge of the bed and swings her legs down, glancing up as Tara wraps an arm around her to help her stand. “Thanks.” Faith stands up and gingerly puts some weight on her ankle, as it supports her she adds more weight and sighs quietly. “Ankle seems like it can support me. Let me try it.”

Tara steps back away from Faith and watches her with concerned eyes as she slowly takes a couple steps, just a hint of a limp to her steps. “How’s your ribs and abdomen feeling?”

Faith glances up and smiles. “Almost good as new. I don’t know what you did, but you took care of my busted ribs and I’m pretty sure some serious internal damage.”

Tara nods her head in agreement. “Do you want me to go get you some clothes? Or do you want to wear one of my shirts and pair of shorts?”

“Yours will work. Don’t plan on wearin’ ‘em for long.” Faith eyes the witch.

“No, because you’ll be lying back down to rest.” Tara seriously eyes the slayer, no give in her look.

“You’re gonna be a pain in the ass, ain’t ya?” Faith growls out as she walks towards the bathroom.

“Yes.” Tara smiles as she walks to the dresser and grabs clothes out for the slayer, walking to the bathroom door. Leaning against the wall, she smirks as she hears Faith tell her to come on in. Easing open the door, she watches as Faith finishes washing her face. “If you want, after you eat, you can take either a bath or shower to clean what I wasn’t able to get off you last night. And if you’re a really good slayer, I’ll even help clean you up.”

Faith grins appreciatively her eyes roaming over the witch. “You going to join me in the shower?”

“If you’re a good girl.” Tara grins as she walks up to Faith. “Here’s you something to wear. If you need help, yell.”

“I’m good.” Faith murmurs as she watches Tara leave the bathroom. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Tara calls back over her shoulder as she walks to the table, pouring a cup of coffee out for Faith and a glass of juice. Pouring herself a cup, she sits down and crosses her legs watching as Faith walks slowly to the chair and gingerly sits down, wincing slightly.

“Seizing up?” Tara tilts her head

Faith glances up into Tara’s blue eyes and nods. “A bit. A good long soak in the tub might help.”

“That can be arranged.” Tara watches as Faith quickly works her way through the plates of food she brought up. Reaching over, she refills Faiths coffee cup before topping off her own.

As Faith reaches for another biscuit, she glances up seeing Tara watching her intently. “What?”

“I enjoy watching you eat.” Tara smiles looking in the slayer’s eyes. “You eat, fight and make love the same way.”

Faith frowns looking at the witch. “What’cha mean?”

“Total concentration on the task at hand.” Tara grins. “And that is definitely a good thing” Tara winks watching Faith’s eyes darken slightly.

“Just wait.” Faith growls lightly “I still owe you for last night. We were interrupted, you know.”

“I know.” Tara nods in agreement. “But that isn’t a problem. I just want to make sure you’re healed up properly.”

“I’m healed good ‘nough.” Faith growls out, stretching her leg to run up Tara’s under the table. “And I still got the HH factor going on, here.”

Tara quirks her eyebrow at the slayer. “I can help you out with that, but you are to behave yourself. I don’t want you twisting around and causing yourself pain.”

“I ain’t lettin’ you fix my problem, if you’re not going to let me have fun.” Faith snarls her lip up slightly. “At one time, I would’ve been all over that. But not with you. Never with you.”

Tara tilts her head watching the slayer intently for a few long moments. “Faith…” She sighs trying to think of the best way to phrase what she wants to say. “Don’t look at it as you’re the only one receiving any pleasure. I enjoy giving pleasure to you immensely. More than I ever would have thought possible. I can guarantee that this won’t be one-sided. I’m sure in the future the tables will be turned..” Tara stops and smirks slightly at this. “But don’t think just because I want to please you that you have to return the favor. Sometimes a loving relationship is allowing the other person to love you. And that‘s what you really got to remember, Faith. This is a relationship. You can tell me if I‘m wrong, but you‘re never had one before and it‘s about give and take. Let me give you this, please.”

Faith listens quietly as her witch tries to explain how she looks at their relationship. Realizing she’s thinking about her usual one-night stands, her get some get gone attitude. This is a forever deal, things were different. Looking deeply into blue eyes, Faith sees the love and caring this wonderful woman has for her, and feels humbled by the intensity of the emotions. “You know I’m gonna fuck up at times, don’t ya?” Faith mutters quietly. “I’m gonna say stupid things and probably hurt your feelings. I’m gonna get angry and need to go out to blow off steam.”

Tara nods her head at the rogue slayer. “That’s who you are, love. I don’t ever want you to change. You are who you are.”

Faith smiles crookedly at Tara before becoming very serious. “One thing I do wanna tell ya‘, I won’t ever do anything to hurt ya’ physically and I’ll never cheat on ya‘. I give ya’ my solemn oath.”

Tara shakes her head “It never even occurred to me that you would do either of those things, Faith. Whether you realize it or not, we are a part of each other now. You’ve already changed more than most people realize. So have I.” Tara chuckles quietly. “But you still have your attitude. It’s just a little more tempered with my calmness. Whereas my calmness now has more attitude.”

“So, you‘re trying to say that in a round about way, I wanted to jump myself?” Faith smirks thinking about it.

Tara blinks a couple times and then laughs. “Very well could be. I’ve never been like that with anyone before. Your asking me out on a date then a few minutes later being attacked by me, is not how I would normally act.”

Faith grins as she finishes her breakfast and picks up her coffee cup. “So, does this soul-mate thingy with our sharing personalities, mean we’re gonna share other things?”

Tara frowns looking at the slayer. “What do you mean?”

“Am I gonna be able to turn Cordelia into a snake? And will you be able to knock Angel on his ass?” Faith tries not to laugh as she watches the emotions crossing the woman’s face. “I mean we’re influencing each other in other ways, I was just wondering if it would change other stuff.”

Tara opens her mouth and then closes it back, tilting her head slightly thinking heavily about what the slayer was saying. Finally shaking her head Tara smirks slightly. “That could be very interesting, but I don’t think so. I think it’s more on an emotional level that the changes happen, not the physical level.”

Faith nods her head sighing heavily and almost whining. “Damn, I was so looking forward to watching you kick Angel’s ass. That would’a been somethin’ to see.”

Tara chuckles at the kidding slayer. “Sure you were. You were imagining Cordelia slithering around on the floor, is what you were thinking about!”

Faith grins and nods. “Busted.”

Tara smiles as Faith continues gently running her foot up and down her leg. “Did you get enough to eat, or do you want more?”

Faith looks at the empty plates and chuckles. “I’m good for now.” Shifting up in the chair to grab the coffee, Faith groans quietly as her ribs pull.

“Here, let me get it.” Tara quickly reaches for the coffee and fills the slayer’s cup with the last of the coffee. “Do you think you’re going to want some more coffee?”

Faith watches as Tara quickly fills her cup and grins quietly. “Yeah, I can probably drink some more.”

Tara nods her head and stands stacking everything and putting it back on the tray. “Do you want to take a bath, soak for a while in hot water to see if that loosens you up some?” As Faith nods Tara kneels down beside the slayer, running her hand gently through her dark hair. “Do you want bubbles, or maybe some nice smelling salts in the water?”

“You gonna make me all girly?” Faith chuckles and leans into the hand that’s now cupping the side of her cheek.

“Well you are a girl.” Tara giggles. “Maybe I should say a woman. An extremely, gorgeous, sexy woman.” Tara leans up and kisses Faith gently. “Plus I have some healing salts I was going to put in the tub to help you out.”

“That’s fine.” Faith agrees quietly, while capturing Tara before she can pull too far away and pulls her in for a deeper, longer kiss.

“Mmmm.” Tara hums as she pulls away. Looking into the darkening eyes of the slayer, Tara quirks her lip up and presses a quick kiss on her lips before standing and walking towards the bathroom. “Let me get your bath ready. After I help you in I’ll run downstairs and make some more coffee.”

Faith feels a happiness and contentment that she can’t ever remember feeling before. Standing quickly before grunting as she grasps her ribs she shakes her head. “Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have moved so quick. Girlfriend did a good job, but they’re gonna still need time.”

Tara stands at the door watching and listening to Faith and shakes her head. “Told you.” Tara walks over and wraps an arm gently around the slayer’s waist and leans in hugging her softly. “Take it easy. Let me help. I know it goes against your nature, but humor me, okay?”

Faith growls quietly and nods her head. “’kay. But just know this isn’t gonna become a habit.”

Tara chuckles. “I hope not. I’d rather you come home to me whole, not in multi-colored, broken pieces.”

Faith rolls her eyes and grumbles quietly “That ain’t quite what I meant.”

“I know.” Tara leans up and kisses Faith on the forehead before shifting to her side and walking with her to the bathroom. “Let’s get you all safe and snug in a nice hot bath.”

“You gonna join me?” Faith raises an eyebrow at the witch.

“It isn’t quite big enough for two people, Faith. Especially if you lay down and soak in it like you should.” Tara explains as she turns and helps Faith take her clothes off. Running a gentle hand over the bruised and discolored ribs. “Check the water and tell me if it’s too hot.”

Faith watches the witch, really wanting to kiss her breathless, but refraining for the time being. “Yeah, check the water.” Faith mumbles turning and shifting down to put her hand in, smiling as it’s good and hot, but not scalding. Just the way she likes it. “It’s good.” Faith leans back up and turns to Tara who’s shifted closer to the tub.

“Let’s get you in, love.” Tara whispers, and offer’s Faith her arms to make sure she’s steady as she steps in and slowly lowers her body into the hot water, groaning and smiling. As she gets settled, Tara turns the water off and watches as Faith slides a little deeper into the aromatic water. “I’ll be back in a bit. Do you want anything else besides more coffee?”

“You.” Faith opens her eyes and runs her tongue unconsciously over her lips while eyeing the witch up and down.

Tara shakes her head smiling softly. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Faith watches as Tara walks out of the bathroom and sighs quietly, “I don’t deserve you. You deserve someone that can give you the world.” Faith whispers. “But I dare anyone to try and take you away from me. I’ll rip their fuckin’ hearts out.” Faith growls out roughly. Easing further down in the water so it comes up over her shoulders she leans her head back on the towel Tara had rolled up and placed there earlier, closing her eyes and enjoying the heat seeping into her body.


***********

“How’s Faith?” Cordelia questions Tara as she watches the woman heading towards the kitchen with the tray filled with empty plates.

“Better. Her ribs and abdomen are trying to seize up on her. The side of her face is still bruised badly, but the swelling has gone down immensely.” Tara smiles softly at Cordelia. “Thanks for asking.”

“I figure she must be feeling halfway decent if she ate all that.” Cordelia waves towards the tray.

“Food is one thing that Faith won’t ever give up easily.” Tara quirks her lip up slightly. “I won’t bother telling you the other.”

Cordelia rolls her eyes before laughing. “You don’t need to. Everybody learned about her hungry and horny theory in Sunnydale.”

“I would have liked to have known her then.” Tara whispers quietly unconsciously glancing upwards as if seeking Faith out.

Cordelia stops and thinks about the slayer when she first came to Sunnydale, how tough and brash the woman was. Wondering now how much of that was a front. “I know you two talked, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. But did she talk about when she came to Sunnydale?”

Tara looks curiously at Cordelia. “If you want to talk, would you mind following me downstairs so I can fix her some more coffee? We can talk while I’m getting the dishes done and the coffees brewing.”

Cordelia nods and walks with Tara down to the kitchen watching as the witch places the dishes in the sink, running water to wash them while grinding coffee beans and preparing the coffee maker.

“She talked about how she came in acting all big and bad.” Tara quietly admits after she gets the coffee started before turning to start the dishes. “If you’re wondering, it was all pretty much an act. She was hurting and scared.”

“I kind of figured it was. But hindsight’s twenty twenty.” Cordelia admits sadly. “I was a bitch to her. Hell I still am, but now it’s almost like a habit more than anything.”

Tara smiles as she rinses the dishes. “Well don’t change. She likes irritating the hell out of you.”

“Oh, great. Now I’m entertainment.” Cordelia snarks before laughing quietly. “Have you seen the guys this morning?”

“I ran into Gunn as he was heading out to get donuts. I offered to fix breakfast for them, but he told me not to worry. While the biscuits were baking I ran up to check on Wesley. He was limping around, but said he was okay.” Tara finishes washing the dishes before grabbing a towel to dry and put them away.

“I saw Gunn. I haven’t seen Wes yet.” Cordelia admits. “I’m glad it looks like everyone will be okay. Faith had me worried last night.”

“Me too.” Tara admits almost indiscernibly. Grabbing the thermos, Tara quickly fills it with the coffee.

“Go take care of her. Don’t worry about food, we’ll be ordering lunch and dinner out. Oh, and don‘t you dare tell her I was worried about her!!” Cordelia smiles as Tara grins at her before hurrying out of the kitchen.

***********

Placing the coffee on the table, Tara quickly walks into the bathroom. Smiling as she sees Faith stretched out with her body completely submerged in the hot water and her head lying back on the towel. Easing down to sit on the side of the tub, Tara runs her hand through the water, noticing it’s starting to cool. Quietly watching Faith for a few moments she smirks, realizing the slayer has fallen asleep. “Good thing you didn’t shift down under the water and drown. You would really piss me off.” Tara whispers reaching up and running her hand through Faith’s hair.

“Nah. Wanna stick around and piss you off other ways instead.” Faith smirks opening her eyes looking at the witch.

“Hmmm.” Tara murmurs quietly just looking at the slayer. “Your water’s cooling. Want me to add some more hot water and salts so you can soak a while longer?”

Faith shifts feeling her side moving easier, debating on soaking a while longer or washing and getting out.

Tara watches as Faith debates and shakes her head making the decision for the slayer. “Soak longer.” Tara let’s some of the cooling water out while turning the hot water on, using her hand to swirl it around to mix with the other water before plugging the tub back up, letting the hot water continue to run adding more healing salts. Continuing to swirl her hand around she glances up to Faith and smiles as she’s closed her eyes again and slid a little deeper into the water. As the water heats up nicely, Tara turns the hot water off and gingerly sits down beside the tub, her hand still trailing in the water watching Faith soak.

“You gonna just watch me soak?” Faith asks huskily before opening her eyes and smirking at the witch.

“Yes.” Tara admits softly. Shifting her hand slightly so the back of her hand runs up the outside of Faith’s thigh. “How are you feeling, love?” Tara whispers as she takes inventory of the slayer’s body.

“Better. You gonna join me in here?” Faith raises an eyebrow and smiles hopefully at the witch.

Shaking her head, Tara smiles and runs her other hand down the slayer’s shoulder and arm. “No. There isn’t enough room in there for both of us, especially with you being hurt.”

Faith growls deeply, making Tara roll her eyes. “When you’re healed we can have all the showers together you want.”

Faith perks up at that thought before grinning hugely. “The rooms I got picked out upstairs has a huge tub in it. One of those old fashioned claw-footed tubs that would fit three people. Maybe we can have a bath there?”

“Whatever you wish, after you’re healed.” Tara smiles at the slayer. As she watches a calculating look come into the slayer’s eyes, Tara groans. “How come I think I just made a huge mistake.”

Faith chuckles reaching up and wrapping her hand around Tara’s neck, urging her to come in close. “Because you just gave me free reign. But trust me, it ain’t gonna be a mistake.” Faith growls out before kissing Tara thoroughly.

Tara carefully pulls away, eyes still closed as she tries to calm her rapidly beating heart. “Let’s get you washed and back in the bed to rest.”

Faith smirks and shakes her head. “I can smell you, you know.”

Tara blushes before growling at the slayer. “You can just stop that. It isn’t fair.” Tara shifts around and grabs the shampoo. “Want to slide on down and wet your hair?” Tara watches as Faith quirks an eyebrow at her before slowly shifting down the tub. Tara reaches down and runs her hands through Faith’s hair, making sure its good and wet before Faith comes back up from the water and wipes the excess off her face. Tara smiles as she starts working the shampoo into Faiths hair and chuckles as Faith groans deeply.

“I’m not complainin’ or nothing’, but you don’t have to bathe me, you know.” Faith groans as Tara works her fingers more firmly over her scalp.

Tara smiles sadly at the slayer. “You deserve to be spoiled, love. I can’t afford to buy you expensive leather pants or take you to the islands for a hot sexy vacation, lying on a nudist beach.” Tara smirks at the slayer as Faith groans at the last. “So, I do what I can. And one thing I can do is love you.”

Faith looks up into the witch’s blue eyes taking a deep breath. “You know I’ve never known love, or loved anyone before.” Faith’s husky voice deepens as she reaches up with a damp hand and runs it down the witch’s face. “Every time you smile at me, my heart skips a beat. I feel this uncontrollable urge to keep you in my line of sight, to touch you and be near you. Whenever I think about how you’ve been hurt in the past I switch from being angry to sad to absolutely fuckin‘ pissed.” Faith growls quietly thinking about Tara’s family and Willow. Leaning into Tara’s hand as it cups her face, Faith sighs. “Is that what love is? I want to do everything to make you happy, I would willingly give up my pleasure to please you. I’ve never, ever taken someone else’s wants above my own.” Faith admits quietly.

Tara rubs the slayer’s shoulder and leans in pressing a kiss against her temple. “Let’s rinse your hair, love.” Tara watches as Faith nods her head and takes a deep breath sliding down under the water. Tara quickly works the shampoo out of the slayer’s dark locks and watches as she comes back up. Running her hand down her cheek, she leans in and kisses her briefly on the lips. “And yes, that’s what love is. Along with a thousand other things. You’ve never been shown love to know what it is.” Tara stops for a minute thinking about Faith’s mother, her eyes becoming a pale blue as she feels untold power rising up in her at the thought of the bitch that would sell her own child’s body.

Faith watches Tara and her eyes widen in shock, then with a hint of fear. “Tara? Please babe?” She whispers trying to get her attention.

Tara shakes her head and looks into Faith’s scared eyes. “What’s wrong, love?” She whispers.

“You’re eyes turned a real pale blue. I-it kind of scared me. You set off my slayer senses to the tenth degree.” Faith admits quietly as she feels her senses settling back to normal.

“I don’t know what happened.” Tara swallows looking into her lover’s eyes. “I would never harm you, Faith.” Seeing Faith smile at her makes Tara sigh and quirk her lip up slightly before leaning in and placing her forehead against Faith’s. “With the talk, I started thinking about your mother. How a mother is supposed to love, support and protect her child at all costs. Then I started getting royally pissed off.” Taking a deep breath she pulls away and places a kiss on the tip of Faith’s nose. “I’ll try and not do that again.”

Faith watches as Tara pulls back and grabs a wash cloth along with a couple different shower gels she has.

“I’ll wash your back for you, then let you finish. If you need any help, yell.” Tara quietly whispers before looking up at Faith. “What kind would you like me to use?”

Faith glances down and smiles slightly. “I don’t think I’m the flowery type, or the raspberry type.”

Tara looks down and smiles slightly. “Vanilla it is then. Can you shift forward slightly so I can wash your back?” As Faith shifts forward, Tara starts gently running the washcloth over the strong tan shoulders, feeling her heartbeat kick up a notch at the play of muscles under the skin. Closing her eyes briefly to try and get control of her hormones, she quickly finishes scrubbing Faith’s back. Rinsing the washcloth out in the water, she runs clean water over the slayers back, rinsing the bubbles away. “Anything else you would like me to do before I leave you to your bath?”

Faith shakes her head. “No, you won’t join me in here, so I just need to finish washing.” Faith watches as Tara smiles softly at her and hands her the washcloth and shower gel. As she watches Tara slowly stand and walk towards the bathroom door, Faith whispers “I love you.”

Tara feels her heart stop at hearing those three little, yet so gigantic words come from the slayer. “Oh, Goddess.” Tara whispers placing a hand up against the door frame to steady herself.

Faith watches Tara intently, hearing her whispered words. Knowing in her heart how deeply it affected the witch. Faith’s eyes widen slightly as she watches Tara slowly turn and walk back towards her, her eyes a dark navy blue. Inhaling deeply, Faith closes her eyes moaning as the smell of the witch invades her whole being.

“I’m not going to climb in the bathtub with you. It’s just asking for you to hurt your ribs.” Tara starts quietly, kneeling beside the tub. “But if you can have anything that is in my power to give you right now, what would you want?”

“I want you.” Faith growls out hoarsely, inhaling deeply. “And if you’re not gonna be joinin’ me in the tub, you best head out to the bedroom.”

Tara looks into the serious eyes of the slayer and nods her head. Slowly standing she looks down at her lover. “Be careful. If you need any help, yell for me.” Tara slowly walks backwards to the door of the bathroom, tilting her head. “I love you, too.” Tara quietly makes the statement before turning on her heel, leaving Faith alone in the bathroom.

Faith watches the empty doorway for a long moment before grinning. “I’m gonna get the witch. Oh, yeah.” She quickly washes her body before slowly standing up, surprised at how much better her ribs feel. Quickly stepping out of the tub she grabs a towel to dry herself off. Running a brush through her towel dried hair, Faith throws it down on the counter taking a deep breath, smiling. “You are so mine, woman.” Faith growls out quietly, heading towards the door.

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