New Paths

Buffy slams her fist into a tree as she looks around the cemetery. “Where the hell are all the demons?”



Tara looks at her angry, growling lover, the two of them having been scouring Sunnydale for the last hour and a half looking for vampires and any kind of demon, with no luck whatsoever. Not even any newly risen vampires were to be had. “Maybe we should try Willy’s?”



Buffy nods her head sharply, before closing the distance between her and Tara. “I also want to stop at Spike’s crypt and see if he’s home. The little weasel has a tendency to disappear during troubles and reappear later, so he’s probably around here somewhere. I want to question him to see if he knows anything else.”



“I have a seriously bad feeling that the Initiative is behind this.” Tara admits quietly, threading her fingers through Buffy’s as she re-activates the protection spell around them, even though there’s no sign of anyone out looking for them.



Buffy wiggles her head back and forth at the tingling sensation. “That’s pretty much a given, unless Faith’s already back from England and on a major tear through Sunnydale, which I very seriously doubt.”



“Me, too.” Tara squeezes Buffy’s hand as they make their way towards Restfield Cemetery and Spike’s crypt. “Amy seems to be holding up surprisingly well.”



“Yeah. She was happy to find out her father still lives here, though he’s away on business. Even though she told him not to rush home, I have a feeling he’ll be back here within the next couple days.” Buffy grins at the thought, happy for the witch.



“She said she’d help us, if we needed it. But she’s going to wash her hands of magic altogether afterwards. I think she had a change of heart when she was a rat for so long, making her realize it isn’t all fun and games and that someone could have seriously gotten hurt.” Tara explains, having talked with Amy somewhat while Buffy was upstairs preparing the room for the ex-rat to sleep in.



“I sometimes wonder if the Hellmouth doesn’t occasionally twist things and make it easier on people to do the wrong thing.” Buffy speaks more to herself than Tara.



“I’m sure it has something to do with it, honey. People that don’t already have a good grounding in magic have it pretty much at their disposal with the power of the Hellmouth here at their fingertips just waiting to be called upon. That’s why I gave Willow a couple of my magic books to read up on, so she can learn the proper way to use magic and to use the power within her instead of what’s coming from the Hellmouth.” Tara shrugs as Buffy looks at her questioningly. “She told me about how her spells usually go awry and I had her do her levitation spell while I monitored and realized she was pulling on the magic around her for the majority of the spell, instead of what’s inside her. When things settle down somewhat, I’d really like to work with her a couple times a week to help her along.”



“I’d like that.” Buffy squeezes the hand in hers as they continue to work their way towards Willy’s. “I really don’t understand magic, and it scares me. The majority of dealings I’ve had with it have not been of the good.”



“I’m sorry, honey.” Tara leans into the slayer and tilts her head to lie against Buffy’s.



“Not your fault. You’ve actually put a better spin on it for me.” Buffy turns them into Restfield, heading towards Spike’s mausoleum. Not feeling any demons nearby, but wanting to check to be on the safe side.



“What are we going to do about the Initiative?” Tara finally questions, the worry obvious in her voice.



“I don’t know. I feel like Don Quixote tilting at windmills. I’m just one person and going up against that military group…” Buffy shakes her head at the uselessness of it. “I can fight the demons that come after us and kill them, that’s what I do. But if they send humans after us, I can’t kill them. Beat them up making them think twice about coming after us again, yes.”



Tara squeezes Buffy’s hand again, feeling the despair coming from her lover. “We’ll figure it out, honey. Maybe the Watcher’s Council will have an idea, or whatever contacts they have with the US Government can have some sway on what’s going on.”



“I certainly hope so.” Buffy pushes the door open and steps in ahead of Tara, smiling as she feels Tara release her grip and slide her hand up her arm, keeping contact as they make their way into Spike’s crypt. “Spike-y? We’ve come to visit you.” Buffy smirks, having felt the niggling of a vampire somewhere close by.



“Keep the crazy bint away from me. I still ain’t healed from what she did.” Spike drunkenly mumbles from the dark corner of the crypt, tipping the bottle of Jack Daniels to his lips again, taking a huge swig before wiping his chin with the back of his hand.



“I could put your out of your misery, if you want.” Tara warns, her eyes narrowed as she tries to see into the dark corner the voice had come from.



“Bloody hell! What have I done to you?” Spike finally snarls, jumping up to stand unsteadily a couple yards from the two women. “You act like I was doin’ somethin’.”



“You were, Fangless.” Tara snarls back, her eyes flashing. “You came sniffing around Buffy like a dog in heat! I warned you off and you didn’t heed the warning. Now you can either help, run as far and as fast away from the Hellmouth as you can, or I’ll wipe your peroxided ass permanently off the face of the Goddess’ green earth. The choice is going to be yours.”



Buffy smirks at the low growl coming from Spike before he slings the bottle against the far wall glass and alcohol shattering quite impressively.



“I wonder what would happen to you, if I slung you against the wall like that.” Tara steps menacingly towards the vampire, already lifting him with a spell.



“Bloody hell!!!! PUT ME DOWN!! I’ll help, if I can, you crazy witch!!” Spike sighs in relief as he’s settled back on the floor, not doubting for an instant that the insane witch would be more than willing to send him head first into the wall with as much speed as she could. “What do ya’ want? Demons? They’ve either hightailed it outta town, been captured or killed. Me and the slug are the only ones left, except whatever stupid ones decide to come to town at the wrong time.”



“Slug?” Tara turns questioning eyes on her lover.



“Demon that lives deep down below the sewer systems. That’s one of the places I take the demons bodies that don’t completely disintegrate. It eats whatever leftovers are sent its way. Pretty harmless and so huge I don’t think it could leave its home if it wanted to.” Buffy quickly explains.



“That about sums it up, mate.” Spike pulls out a cigarette pack, shaking one up and lighting it. Exhaling heavily, he narrows his eyes on the two women. “Now, what is it you two are wanting?”



“Well, you answered a couple of the questions already about the demons. What information do you have on the Initiative, and their little soldiers, Spike?” Buffy crosses her arms and stares at the vampire. “All the information you know, and if you’re a really good boy, maybe I’ll spot you a few bucks for food.”



“Don’t put yourself out, slayer.” Spike snarls, then yelps as a small fireball slams between his feet. “FUCK!”



Buffy snorts softly as Spike jumps back about five yards. “Then you’ll tell us what you know and do it for nothing.”



“He’ll do it if he wants to continue his miserable undead life.” Tara warns softly.



Spike swallows hard and nods his head. “The hybrid’s been on a tear through town, grabbing up all demons to be taken back to the home base. The other soldier boys have been playing courier service by collecting ‘em and taking them back. I don’t know what they’re up to, and I figure they about got to be burstin’ at the seams. Though I do know pretty much all vampires they’re comin’ across are becoming so much dust blowing in the wind. They’re leavin’ me be, since I’m already fixed.” Spike snarls at the thought as he taps his head.



Buffy rubs the back of her neck in contemplation. “Well, doing patrols are somewhat on the useless side, unless we get an influx of new ones coming in. We can’t just storm the Initiative, they have safety measures in place so that unauthorized people can’t get in. Shit!! I feel about fucking useless.” Buffy finally growls loudly, kicking at a chair beside her, sending it flying to crash against the wall.



“Damn it, slayer!! That was my best chair.” Spike grumbles, looking at the broken furniture.



“Let’s go home.” Buffy finally decides, looking at Tara. “Right now we’re just wasting our time. We’ll come out again in a few days and see if anything else has shown up. I’m sure Spike will let us know if he finds out anything else.” Buffy turns a warning glare on the vampire.



“Yeah, yeah. You’ll be the first to know, slayer.” Spike rolls his eyes before melting back into the crypt.



Tara keeps contact with Buffy as they make their way out of the cemetery and towards Revello Drive. “Damn, I didn’t get to beat on him.”



“Sorry.” Buffy smirks as she looks at her grinning lover.



Tara shrugs and smiles back at Buffy. “I almost hate to say it, but it might be a good idea to keep him around for a little while longer. He might actually come in useful.”



“Of course you don’t want him to know that.” Buffy laughs softly at the look on Tara’s face. “So… Am I still sleeping on the couch tonight?” Buffy questions hesitantly.



Tara chuckles at the begging and hopeful look on Buffy’s face. “I think there’s a very good chance you’re off the couch. More than that, we’ll have to wait and see.”



Buffy pouts before nodding and kicking at the sidewalk as they continue to walk towards home. Lifting Tara’s hand, she places a warm kiss on the back of it and sighs heavily. “Anything I can do to help my cause along? I can get down on my knees and beg forgiveness… Start at your toes and kiss every square centimeter of your body in worship… Hang upside down from the chandelier all night long?” Buffy smiles as Tara rolls her eyes and laughs quietly.



“You drive me crazy, but I love you anyways.” Tara admits, releasing Buffy’s hand and wrapping her arm around her waist. “We’ll discuss exactly what you can do to finish your punishment when we get home. You naked and worshipping at my feet might be a good start.”



Buffy leans against Tara, smiling happily as she hears the note of forgiveness in Tara’s voice. “I love you, too, Tara.” Closing her eyes briefly as she feels warm lips caress over her cheek as they make their way up the steps to her house.



***



Joyce laughs at the disbelieving look on Amy’s face as she tells her what she knows of what’s happened since the young woman turned herself into a rat.



“There was a vampire Willow? Willow wearing tight leather, goth make-up to try and play herself off as a vampire?” Amy starts laughing and grabs her stomach at the thought. “Willow and leather just doesn’t go together.”



Joyce jumps up, laughing and holds her hand up as she runs up the stairs. Going to the photograph book Buffy kept, taking a couple pictures of Willow without her redheaded friend knowing of that time, Joyce brings it back down the stairs. “Look.” Joyce opens it to the right pages and hands it to Amy.



“Oh, my, God!!” Amy covers her mouth with one hand and looks up, smiling merrily at Joyce. “I can’t believe it, but she actually looks damn good.”



“She does, doesn’t she?” Joyce laughs and settles back into the seat. “Of course, that wasn’t the most embarrassing thing to happen.” Joyce blushes and rolls her eyes as she tells Amy about the ‘aspect of the demon’ that Buffy had gotten from the blood of one of the demons she’d fought one night.



“You and Giles?” Amy giggles and tries to fight the laughter wanting to escape.



“That was more or less Buffy’s question. But more like… “You… and Giles? On a police car? TWICE?”” Joyce affects Buffy’s tone while blushing lightly, though laughing at the remembrance herself.



Amy laughs so hard tears are trailing down her cheeks. Gently wiping them away, she shakes her head and brings her laughter under control. “Damn, I’ve missed a lot.” Sighing quietly, just the thought cementing it in her head that she needs to be careful and not use magic any longer.



Joyce smiles sadly at the young woman, nodding her agreement as she slowly works through what else she knows that happened at that time. Explaining about Faith, Mayor Wilkins, Angel leaving to go to LA on through Buffy’s cave woman experience, Riley and Tara.



“She just announced it to you like that?” Amy blinks in surprise at Joyce.



“Yes. I think her exact words, were ‘I’m not asking your permission.’ After she told me she was asking a woman out on a date. I suggested the picnic and they’ve pretty much been inseparable since. Tara’s actually been a very good influence on Buffy, though she can be a little stubborn in her own right.”



“Buffy probably needs someone that’ll stand up to her. From the way Buffy was acting on the way here tonight, I’d say she’d probably do anything Tara asked to make amends.” Amy pulls her legs up against her chest, chuckling softly at the thought. “I still find it hard to believe Buffy hooked up with a woman. She just seemed so much into the testosterone.”



“She loves Tara. Kind of hard to not see it, tell you the truth.” Joyce smiles and her eyes become slightly distant. “They’re surprisingly perfect for each other. And I honestly really, really like Tara. She’s kind of a stabilizing influence for Buffy. Though Buffy’s little stunt this morning pissed Tara off. Hell, it pissed me off, too.”



“Well, I don’t think she’ll pull a stunt like this again.” Amy chuckles softly at the thought.



“No, she’ll do something else, instead. I know my daughter well.” Joyce chuckles and slowly stands, stretching her back. “Do you want something? I think I’ll make a cup of tea for myself.”



“I’ll come with.” Amy bounces out of the chair, wanting to get as much exercise as she can and just enjoying the freedom of movement.